SATURDAY 18TH MAY 2019

Atiku, PDP, Formally File Application for Replacement of Justice Bulkachuwa Alex Enumah in Abuja The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar and his party, the PDP have formally asked the Presidential Election Panel to replace

tribunal Chairman, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa with another Justice of the Court of Appeal, for alleged bias.

The request was contained in an application by Atiku and the PDP, asking Justice Bulkachuwa to step aside and not hear their petition

against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 23 presidential election.

The petitioners had, at a pre-hearing session last Wednesday, May 15, asked Justice Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from the hearing of

their petition, but the five member panel presided by Justice Bulkachuwa had asked the petitioners to come by way of formal application.

In the motion on notice, dated May 16 and filed same day by their lead counsel, Dr. Levy Uzoukwu SAN,

the petitioners based their request on the claim that Bulkachuwa will be biased against them in the hearing of their petition against the outcome of the February 23 presidential poll.

They believe that Justice Bulkachuwa may not be fair

and just to their petitioners because of the circumstances surrounding her family in the political terrain of the 2019 general elections.

Amongst others, Atiku and PDP claimed that Justice Continued on page 6

Gbong Gwom Jos: Governors Have No Authority to Redefine Traditional Boundaries… Page 7 Saturday 18 May, 2019 Vol 24. No 8804

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Emefiele: Provision of Cheap Credit, Key to Sustainable Economic Growth James Emejo, Christopher Isiguzo and Gideon Arinze in Enugu

HONOUR WELL DESERVED… Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; and the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Cecelia Ezeilo, shortly after Emefiele was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration at the Special Convocation of the university held in Nsukka… yesterday

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday said that the provision of cheap financing to boost local production of priority goods in critical sectors of the economy remained the key to achieving sustainable growth.

This, he said, would reduce reliance on foreign imports, Continued on page 6

Northern Governors Forum Decries Lingering Security Crisis in Region Shettima charges FG to come up with measures to permanently end killings Lalong is new chairman of NSGF John Shiklam in Kaduna The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has decried the

lingering security challenges in the country, particularly, in the North.

This was contained in a

communiqué issued yesterday at the end of the governors’ meeting at the Government House, Kaduna.

The position of the governors is coming on the heels of increasing activities of banditry and kidnapping,

especially, in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states.

The communiqué, which was read by the outgoing

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Borno State, Continued on page 6

Be Loyal to the President, Air Force Chief Tells Personnel…

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FG Moves to Downgrade Enugu Airport over Safety Concerns Enugu State Government takes steps to rectify anomalies Chinedu Eze The federal government has announced that it would downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for not meeting required safety standards for international operations.

By this development, Ethiopia Airlines will stop operations to the airport.

Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this yesterday during the sixth stakeholders meeting in Lagos.

The minister said aside that the infrastructure at the airport did not meet given safety standards, from the dilapidated runway to absence of approach light and lack of enough water for fire cover, the location of an abattoir close to the airport, attracts birds to the airport.

He recalled that Air Peace flight, last week suffered bird strike but luckily the incident was effectively managed.

Sirika also pointed out that there were things the Governor of the State was expected to do so that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

(FAAN) would provide critical infrastructure like the approach light which would enable flights to land in the night.

According to the minister, the governor has agreed to clear buildings at the flight path, relocate the market at Emene for broader approach, remove the masts that obstruct flight path and also allow FAAN to have access to the Ekulu River to use pipes to bring water to the airport.

At present, flights cannot operate at night because the

airport does not have approach light, which ought to be installed at the two ends of the runway.

The airport also does not have enough water supply, which means that it may not service large body aircraft because it does not have adequate fire cover, as certain volumes of water are needed for the fire hydrants in case of emergency.

THISDAY gathered that at several meetings with the Enugu state government, FAAN had urged the state to clear the flight paths along the runway by relocating the residents along the flight area so that critical facilities can be installed to enable flights land at the airport at night and also remove hindrances on take-off and landing of flights.

Also, Sirika had met with the state government and stressed the need for the government to

relocate the market at Emene Enugu, settle the residents that built structures on the flight path so that approach light could be installed at both ends of the runway.

Sirika also urged the governor to give approval to FAAN and also to provide the facilities that could support FAAN to pipe water from Ekulu River for the airport so that it would have adequate water cover. The state government was also asked to remove two masts on approach area to the airport to enable flights easily take off and land at the airport.

The Governor of the State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi during the courtesy visit by the Minister last year, had assured the minister that urgent action would be taken, but nothing was done till now.

Enugu State Govt Takes Steps to Rectify Anomalies Following the safety concerns raised by Sirika and the FAAN, the Enugu State Government issued a press statement last night, detailing steps it had taken to address all the issues raised.

The statement read: “The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the immediate closure of Orie Emene Market (abattoir inclusive) to forestall tragic air accident at the Airport.

Accordingly, the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area has been directed to effect the immediate closure of the market. “Council also ordered immediate removal of all illegal structures encroaching

on the land of the Airport. The State Executive Council had on 12th October, 2018 approved funds for relocation of the State Broadcast Mast on the approach of the Run Way to Okpatu Hill (Ugwu Rerenkwu) in Udi Local Government Area but the implementation of this project has been hampered by the disruptive activities of some youths in the community.

Enugu State Government hereby directs immediate cessation of all hostilities against the project as any further interference will attract the full wrath of the law given that government has paid all the necessary compensation. “The traditional rulers of Okaptu Communities and town union leadership are hereby called upon to ensure full compliance with the above directives.�

EMEFIELE: PROVISION OF CHEAP CREDIT, KEY TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH which constitute a drain on the economy.

He spoke while delivering his keynote address, titled: "From Recession to Growth: The Story of Nigeria’s Recovery from the 2016 Economic Recession", at the special convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State.

Emefiele, also called for significant increase in the policy buffers, including the fiscal measures to increase the external reserve.

He said proactive fiscal actions, specifically, infrastructure investment was also required to enhance economic growth.

The governor further emphasised the need to diversify the revenue structure of the federal government to reduce its dependence on direct proceeds from sale of crude oil.

Meanwhile, the Governing Council of the university, yesterday awarded Emefiele with a Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (Honoris

Causa) in recognition of his outstanding performance in the management of the economy, especially his role in steering the country out of recession and making unprecedented interventions in key sectors of the economy, particular agriculture, where he was described as "Father of the Anchor Borrowers Programme".

However, the CBN governor noted that universities also have a considerable role to play in working with the private and public sector in supporting research and development of solutions that can be applied to enhance the growth of the economy.

He said the ivory towers needed to enhance their curriculum, so as to equip the students with the skill sets that were required to support the country's growth in this digital era.

The apex bank boss stated that though economic challenges still persist, such as ensuring that the pace of GDP growth remains well

ahead of annual population growth at 2.7 per cent, this could only be achieved if the country continued to support efforts aimed at improving domestic production of goods in the local.

He said his second term as CBN governor would be used to aggressively pursue policies that were meant to diversify the economy.

He reiterated his warning to economic saboteurs saying, the CBN "will make it very difficult for people to circumvent economic policies."

He urged Nigerians to learn to respect policies that tend to boost job creation for the people.

In an interview with journalists, briefly after the ceremony, Emefiele said: "I must thank God that we are out of recession.

"We at the monetary authority, Yes, we agreed that growth numbers are good, we have checked inflation, we have brought inflation down. I think in this next phase, what can we do to consolidate our growth? How

can we as monetary authority do something?

"Yes, we are talking about price stability; we must do something to improve growth.

What we did to bring inflation down- We must continue to do that. What did we do to reduce our imports? We will continue to do it."

He further added: "But I think it is important to keep on saying that Nigeria belongs to all of us and that we have a role to play to make sure things get better.

Get better in the sense that I will also emphasise that Nigerian policy makers are good at developing policies but the biggest challenge of the Nigerian economic policy is that people try circumventing policies.

"Given this opportunity now, we will make it very difficult for people to circumvent economic policies.

"If you don't respect the economic policies of this country, and you fall short of our economic policies as an economic saboteur, you

will be dealt with."

Nonetheless, the CBN boss, also a UNN alumnus, while responding to the award conferred on him, thanked the university administration for the kind gesture, and described unemployment as the biggest challenge currently confronting the country.

Citing a World Bank report, which had projected the population to increase to about 450 million by 2050, he called on the leadership to strive to improve the wellbeing of people around them.

He said unless the issue of unemployment was tackled, the political class themselves might not be able to live comfortably by 2050.

At the Special Convocation, the Central Bank governor also called on Nigerians to embrace farming in order to ensure adequate food for local consumption thereby dealing with the perennial

challenge of dependence on foreign products.

The CBN boss said that it was to encourage Nigerians to go into farming that they came up with the Anchor Borrowers Project initiative to enable farmers obtain loans for farming.

Emefiele challenged Nigerians to grow their own fish and eat Nigerian fish instead of importing them, pointing out that Norway had been very good at producing fish because they made it a business to ensure adequate fish.

He noted that if adequate attention was paid to agriculture, it would not only feed the nation, but also bring in more revenue other than oil, that Nigeria is a country of ample opportunities if only we look into them.

"Nigeria is a country of good opportunities.

We should allow it go to waste," he said and called on universities to collaborate to see that agriculture and manufacturing thrive in Nigeria.

to be done. “The steps taken by the federal government are quite commendable, he said, adding,�I would like to, therefore, express our gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, for his quick response to the issues of insecurity in the region, which of recent, seem to be deteriorating. �We appeal to the federal government to restrategise and come up with measures that could deal with the situation more permanently. �We are arranging as a family

to meet Mr. President upon his return from Saudi Arabia to cross pollinate ideas and come up with a robust solution to the challenges facing the north in terms of insecurity.�

Shettima, whose tenure as chairman of the NSGF has come to an end, thanked his colleagues for their support and cooperation, throughout the period of his tenure. �I have been at the helm of affairs of the forum. I appeal to Your Excellences to extend similar support and cooperation to my successor,� he said.

EmeďŹ ele charges Nigerians to embrace farming

NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM DECRIES LINGERING SECURITY CRISIS IN REGION Kashim Shettima, said: “The meeting was convened to deliberate on the major issues affecting the Northern States and the nation at large, particularly the current challenges of insecurity which seems to be deteriorating, despite concerted efforts by federal and state governments.�

The communiquĂŠ stated that in order to tackle the challenges in an all-encompassing manner, the forum set up a committee headed by Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari to develop a

comprehensive regional plan of action that would bring lasting solutions to the lingering crises. “The committee, as part of its mandate, would seek audience with President Muhammadu Buhari and make adequate presentation to him on the true nature of the security challenges,â€? the communiquĂŠ added.

It noted that suggestions on the issues would be made, based on thorough and insightful analysis and assessment of the situation and the best possible way the federal government

can resolve them.

The forum announced the Plateau State governor, Mr. Simon Lalong as its new chairman and the appointment of Mallam Tanimu Yakubu as the new Chairman of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC). It also resolved that the current management of the company, which has been operating in acting capacity, should remain until the appointment of a substantive executive management.

Earlier in his opening speech, Shettima, who was

the Chairman of the Forum, appealed to the federal government to restrategise and come up with measures that would permanently address the security challenges in the north.

Shettima also disclosed that the northern governors would meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to brainstorm on the issue.

The governor noted that although the forum had implemented quite some measures in the last few years to tame the security challenges in the region, a lot still needed

ATIKU, PDP, FORMALLY FILE APPLICATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF JUSTICE BULKACHUWA Bulkachuwa is a wife to Hon. Adamu Mohammed Bulkachuwa, who is a fullfledged member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and indeed a Senator-elect on the platform of the APC in Bauchi state.

Besides, Atiku and PDP claimed that Justice Bulkachuwa is the biological mother of one Aliyu Haidar Abubakar, a prominent card carrying member of the APC and a gubernatorial aspirant

in Gombe State in the last general election.

In their joint petition against the return of Buhari as the winner of the February 23, 2019 election, they prayed that Bulkachuwa disqualify herself from presiding and being a member of the presidential election petition tribunal that will hear their petition against Buhari on likelihood of bias.

The application was predicated on five grounds and supported by a 19-paragraph

affidavit deposed to by one Emmanuel Agbo, Deputy National Secretary of the PDP. They averred that Justice Bulkachuwa, who is the spouse of Adamu Mohammed Bulkachuwa, is a stakeholder in the APC and may not be able to give acceptable judgment in the petition.

The petitioners claimed that Bauchi is one of the focal state where the election of Buhari is being challenged and being a state where Bulkachuwa’s

husband won the senatorial election.

Atiku and his party claimed that Justice Bulkachuwa is closely related to her husband that she cannot fairly hear and determine their petition without eliciting the suspicion and anxiety of all right thinking persons that she will not be biased against them.

They therefore prayed for an order that Bulkachuwa should recuse or disqualify

herself from further sitting or participating in the proceedings in their petition and be replaced by another Justice to sit in her place to hear and determine their petition in the interest of Justice.

They further argued that the likelihood of bias against them was very high, owing to the statement made by Bulkachuwa at the inaugural session of the tribunal, when she said that "no matter

how well an election was conducted there are bound to be complaints."

"The question is not whether Justice Bulkachuwa acted overtly or omitted to act in a manner suspicious of his Lordship but rather whether his Lordship has lost the character of neutrality", they submitted.

They therefore urged the court to resolve the issue raised in their application in their favour.

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

BIDDING OLOWO BYE...

L-R: Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi; and Senator Duro Faseyi and other guests during the Inter-Denominational Service for the late Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, in Ondo State, yesterday

Gbong Gwom Jos: Governors Have No Authority to Redefine Traditional Boundaries Seriki Adinoyi Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž

The Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman, Plateau Council of Chiefs, Jacob Buba Gyang, yesterday said that state governors do not have the authority to redefine traditional boundaries. “I am not aware of any authority by a governor to redefine traditional boundaries.

Government cannot redefine boundaries where there is no problem,� Buba said in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the monarch spoke at the ‘Nzem Berom 2019’, an annual cultural festival of the Berom ethnic group of Plateau.

He was apparently reacting to a Thursday circular in which the state government created two traditional councils out of the Jos Traditional Council.

The creation of the two tradi-

tional councils – Jos North and Riyom – has effectively whittled down the powers of the paramount ruler who superintends over traditional rulers in the four local governments that make up the Jos Joint Traditional Council.

With the split, the Gbong Gwom is left with only two local governments – Jos South and Barkin-Ladi.

According to the circular, the Attah Aten of Ganawuri will chair the Riyom Traditional Council, while the Chiefs of Anaguta and Afizere would be in charge of the two traditional stools in Jos North. “There has been government pronouncement and actions to do with the traditional institution even when there was no problem. We have no problem with our neighbours and we have been in peace with one another.

“The traditional boundaries existed even before the existence of Nigeria as a country and every tribe on the Plateau has a defined territory. “We want to appeal to politicians to respect these territories,�

Buba stated.

The monarch further said that the country had a Land Use Act with the customary rights of land ownership embedded in it. “All over Nigeria, land belongs to communities, families and individuals. We want to appeal that government must not take actions that will bring security challenges to Plateau. “Yesterday night, I had to appeal to the Berom nation and its vibrant youths to please calm down. “I told them that as sensitive as the issue is perceived, it has not gone beyond the Berom traditional institution, the elders

INEC Recognises Sowore as Authentic AAC Chairman Adedayo Akinwale Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the suspension of the National Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Omoyele Sowore, saying it would continue to recognise and relate with him as the substantive chairman.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had on Monday after its meeting suspended the publisher of Sahara Reporters, accusing him of involvement in anti-party activities, financial misappropriation as well as failure to convene NEC meeting.

The party’s NEC said that the suspension took effect from March 27 and would last for six months except overturned by a

National Convention of the party, while the NEC also appointed and swore-in Leonard Nzenwa as the new acting National Chairman.

However, in a fierce battle for the soul of the party, Sowore also announced the suspension of Leonard Ezenwa, the former party secretary for anti-party activities in a statement he signed last Monday.

According to him, “It has come to the notice of the office of the Chairman of the African Action Congress that a group of suspended members, induced by financial reasons and antiprogressive politics, gathered in Abuja today, 13th May, 2019, and purportedly held a NEC meeting. “These members, led by Leonard Nzenwa, former national secretary, who was suspended for financial impropriety and

anti-party activities, have demonstrated by their actions that they have never been, and have never shared, the core beliefs that those of us in the African Action Congress hold.�

But reprieve came the way of Sowore when the electoral body in a letter ted May 14th, 2019, signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, said that his suspension was unlawful.

The commission said: “The commission after reviewing the content of the letter has established the following. “There is no documentary evidence that a meeting of the AAC National Executive Committee (NEC) was convened by the National Chairman as required

by Chapter 9 Section 59(a) of the Constitution of AAC.

and the Berom organisations. “We will sit with government and educate government about what it is; we hope we will have the listening ear of the governor to make amends where they have made errors. “There is no human being that is perfect, we all make mistakes. “We appeal to the Berom nation to please calm down.

We will follow due process and we are absolutely sure that God will not forsake us,� he added.

The monarch pointed out that people were craving for peace because there would be no development without it.

He said that he had had cause to write to the state government reminding it of reports of three judicial commissions of inquiry between 1994 to 2009. “All the judicial commissions of inquiry agreed with the position that Jos belongs

to the Afizere, Anaguta and the Berom. “I wrote a letter last year reminding the governor of this and requesting him to allow traditional rulers of these tribes to sit with the state boundary commission to determine everybody’s boundary. “I am still appealing to government to look into this. “We don’t want a situation where government policy will bring chaos between neighbours, brothers and sisters that have lived together in peace over the ages,� he said.

Mr. Jafaru Wuyep, Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, who represented the governor, in his remarks, promised to convey the message.

Wuyep acknowledge that the cultural festival was a unifying force that also

promotes peaceful coexistence, adding that it was an avenue to project the Berom cultural identity, attract tourists and promote socio-economic activities.

NAN reports that the cultural festival featured cultural activities by different groups and tribes, as well as the exhibition of Berom technology.

NAN also reports that awards were given to two Berom personalities that had distinguished themselves and contributed to the development of the people.

The awardees included Barnabas Dusu, now late, who received a posthumous award for being instrumental to the translation of the Holy Bible into Berom. The other recipient of the award was Marie Nyam, who is famed as a major contributor to the educational development of many sons and daughters of Berom land.

Lagos Financial Outlook Very Positive, Boasts Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday announced that the financial outlook of the debt-ridden state was “very positive�. He stated this at the inauguration of the new digitised central storage facility of the State Treasury Office (STO).

The governor who also dualised Bisola Durosinmi Etti Road and new Hakeem Dickson Road in Lekki, Eti-Osa, expressed gratitude of the people for their support while superintending the state.

The STO storage facility was a project he initiated as Accountant General of the State in 2006.

He said though he would be exiting office in few days, his commitment to bring about financial accountability and robust financial base for the state remained unwavering.

Ambode, was represented by Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade at the STO event. “Ladies and gentlemen, the tenure of our administration is coming to an end in a few days but our commitment to maintaining the financial accountability, transparency and creating a robust financial base in the state is unwavering. “Let me assure you that our state is safe; its finances are secure and the outlook is very positive,�

Governor Ambode said.

According to him, aside being in line with the civil service reform embarked upon by his administration, the ultra-modern edifice, was also part of the vision to continually innovate and transform the financial processes of the state thereby evolving an improved service culture for the

benefits of Lagosians. “Today, is a special day for us because we are writing a new chapter in the success story of public financial management in Lagos State. Today, we are moving from an analogue system to a digital and state-of-the-art platform for storing our critical documents,� he enthused.

Giving details about the facility, Ambode said the edifice was fitted with modern equipment which would convert all physical payment vouchers and supporting documents into electronic form and subsequently stored to aid easy and seamless archiving as well as retrieval of security documents, saying that the transformation would go a long way to ensure that the state’s public financial information management system was in line with leading practices across the world.

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NEWS

'With N300bn Debts, FG'll Struggle to Implement Road Projects thisYear' Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Despite the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, having over N200 billion in the 2019 appropriation, the House of Representatives has said the ministry would struggle to implement various roads projects in this year’s budgetary appropriation due to its indebtedness of N300 billion to companies that have fully implemented their projects.

The Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Tobi Okechukwu, disclosed this in Abuja at the 3rd Just Friends Club of Nigeria , (JFCN) Annual Lecture, with the theme, 'Resolving the Infrastructural Deficit

in Nigeria- A Pragmatic Approach'.

He said that the major challenge of infrastructural deficit facing the country might not be lack of expertise or lack of what to do about it, but the challenge is funding.

Okechukwu said that at the legislative level, what the lawmakers have done was to enact a Road Fund Bill which is aimed at ensuring that the roads are maintained and the further development of the roads are guaranteed.

He revealed that the Bill was laid on Wednesday and it would be considered within the week or by next week for the National Assembly to approve and subsequently forward

it for the president to sign.

The Chairman stated: “What we have done is to move for a Road Fund Bill which we had a public hearing, we invited anybody who is an operator in various sector. We invited ICRC, Ministry of Works, including Ministry of Finance, Debt Management Office, Attorney General's Office, and we got the Ministry of Works to warehouse the technical committee for that Road Fund Bill for about two weeks and came up with a clean copy. “I am happy to tell you that that bill was laid yesterday (Wednesday) for the final consideration by the House. It will be our pleasure that

the president signs it, because annual appropriation with regards to road development and maintenance is a joke. “Most of the times we look at annual budget but the annual budget is not sufficient. The seed capital for road development and maintenance will be through the road fund and it is meant to have some road user charges like having tolls, weighing bridges, or you have overloaded vehicle, or you are plying the road with more than your tonnage, you will have to play some penalties. Those things will have to go into a pool of funds that will be warehoused for those who maintain and develop our roads.

In Brief KanoPoliceIntercept300CartonsofTramadol

Kano State Police Command has intercepted 303 cartons of illicit drugs (Tramadol Tablets) transported to the state. Wakili Muhammad, the state Police Commissioner told reporters on Friday in Kano, that the illicit drugs were intercepted at No. 157 Miller Road Bompai Nassarawa LGA Kano, at Ugo Lab Manufacturing company based on tip-off. “We have also arrested one suspect Chris Metuh of the same address," said Wakili. He noted that four other suspects namely Aliyu Khalid ,Ibrahim Alasan Mohammad Ahmad and Chukwujekwu Felix were arrested with rubber of suck and die, two cutlasses, a breaking implement and large quantities of illicit drugs. According to him, the suspects would be prosecuted whenever investigations are completed. He assured the command's effort to rid the state in all forms of crimes especially dealing in hard drugs (Kwaya) and intoxicating substances.

Police Discover Unexploded Bombs

Police in Anambra has discovered two devices suspected to be unexploded ordinances.The Spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, SP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this in a press release made available to journalists in Awka, the state capital. Mohammed said the devices were discovered in Amawbia, near Awka capital city, in Awka South Local Government Area, where some natives of the area on seeing them reported to the police. He said, “On the 16/05/2019 at about 3:50p.m. there was a report that some objects suspected to be Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs) were discovered at Elu Orji Village Amawbia in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. Following the report, Explosives Ordinance Disposal unit of the Command (EOD) rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent explosion and casualties.

The objects were confirmed to be unexploded ordinance (UXOs) left over war time bombs.� He stated that the bombs had been successfully evacuated and secured, adding that both device weighed approximately 60kg each and 54 inches length and 6 inches width.

He said the command did not suspect any act of sabotage as the bombs were clearly left over devices from war time.

Polio Resurgence in Osun

PROVIDING FOR IDPs...

L-R: Head, Business Development Unit, Eroton Exploration and Production Company, D. Dele Akinwunbare; representative of the Maikanti Baru, NNPC GMD, Mr. Ogbonnaya Kalu; and representative of GovernorJubril Bindow of Adamawa State, Dr. Mahmoud Suleiman, at the presentation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons at Chamboji Village in Adamawa by Eroton Exploration and Production Company and NNPC Joint Venture... recently

Measles Kill 58 in Borno Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

MÊdecines Sans Frontières (MSF), popularly known as Doctors Without Borders on Friday revealed that 58 people had been killed by measles in Borno State since January.

It said this was part of the growing toll of death recorded worldwide.

MSF, in a statement said the ongoing measles outbreak was partly due to insufficient routine vaccination and immunisation against measles which was putting thousands of children at risk of getting infected.

The statement quoted Dr. Theresa Chan, MSF’s medical team leader in Gwange Hospital, Maiduguri as saying: “We are all working in crowded wards,� and “the enthusiasm exhibited by the staff is the reason why we’ve been able

to cope so far.�

The statement said: “In the West of Maiduguri, MSF is also caring for measles patients in its Gwange Hospital. In four months from January to April, MSF teams have treated 2,343 children with measles. And the number of cases in April was four times higher than in January.

There are so many patients that the 73- isolation-beds are full. “A three-year-old girl was brought to Gwange by her mother,� the statement said, and the mother explained that: “She started sneezing and had a high fever. The inside of her lips turned red and she was constantly vomiting. I was so worried and I thought she was going to die.�

But after receiving treatment, for close to a month, she made good recovery, and her mother, joyful and grateful took her home, according

to the statement.

Her case was one of the success story but many were not so fortunate, according to the statement: “Some children die from measles due to severe complications. In both SSH and Gwange Hospital, MSF has recorded 58 deaths since January.

But it’s only part of the global death toll.�

Caroline Masunda, MSF medical team leader in Maiduguri, said: “It is unacceptable that there still is a high number of children passing away from such a treatable disease.

Though stretched to the limits, we could not turn away the children.�

She lamented that this has “brought a lot of loss and a lot of sadness to the community. To encourage uptake of services and limit the number of complicated cases that increase the mortality

rate, the population should have access to free primary health care in Maiduguri.�

The MSF therefore called for better and swift coordination between all actors including Nigerian authorities, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations in availing and providing routine vaccination to children across northeastern Nigeria in order to protect them against measles and prevent future outbreaks.

MSF has been working in Nigeria since 1996 and has had a permanent presence in Borno state since 2014. MSF teams provide lifesaving medical care in northeastern Nigeria, running projects in Gwoza, Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala, and Pulka, while MSF emergency teams respond to disease outbreaks and other urgent humanitarian needs.

Cult War Claims Four Lives in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

A cult-related crisis has claimed the lives of four persons at Afokpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Information from the area yesterday indicated that the latest crisis was as a result of a reprisal attack which led to the burning down and destruction of 10 buildings in the area.

A resident of the community, Mr. Ahmed Seidu said that the killing was as a result of misunderstanding between members of rival cults

groups in the community. “The crisis escalated when one of the leaders of the cult groups was shot dead, thereby causing a show of force by the rival groups. “Since Monday, we have been living in fear hoping that the situation will be brought under control by the security agencies,�

Seidu lamented.

The Chairman of the council, Mr. Aremiyau Momoh who visited the community said 10 buildings had been razed.

Momoh said the council had impose curfew from 8p.m. to 6a.m.

in the community until the situation was brought under control.

He said, “The cult crisis have led to killing of four persons and destruction of 10 buildings in the community. “The police have commenced investigation and very soon those who are found wanting will be brought to book. “The community is now devoid of its usual busy commercial activities as residents have gone into hiding for fear of attack while the police are on ground doing their investigation.

“As the chairman of the council, i have imposed curfew between 8pm to 6am in the community and anyone found wanting at this hour would be arrested and handed over to the security agencies.

When contacted the Edo Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Chidi Nwanbuzor on the matter, he said that the command was not aware of the situation. “We don’t have that report in our command, I will have to get across to the Divisional Police Officer DPO of Okpella on this development,� he said

Osun State Government yesterday vowed to combat the scourge of polio in the 30 local government areas of the state including area office Modakeke . Speaking yesterday at a stakeholders forum to educate the people of the state on the need to eradicate the menace of the diseases, the Executive Secretary Osun, State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Oluwole Fabiyi noted that there was need to commence vaccinations of children in the state to avoid worsen situations. It would be recalled that recently there was resurgence of polio in Lagos and Ogun states that affected many children. Dr. Fabiyi who spoke through Mrs. Taiwo Adeniji ,the assistant health promotion officer, Health Education unit of Osun State Primary Healthcare Development Board contended that it was imperative to combat the scourge for the state health development. The Executive Secretary remarked that the state has mapped out strategies to combat the outbreak with title 'Out Break Response to Polio in Osun State' (OBR). He stressed that the implementation date for the vaccination within the state would commence between 18--21 this month on house-to-house bases.

Sacked Ekiti Workers Protest, Beg Fayemi

Workers whose appointments were terminated by the Ekiti State Government on Wednesday have staged a peaceful protest to appeal to Governor Kayode Fayemi to rescind the decision. The protesters were the 568 primary and secondary school teachers employed by Governor Ayodele Fayose among the2,000employedaftertheJuly14,2018elections.TheystormedtheTeaching Service Commission located within the State Secretariat complex at about 8.30a.m., where they flaunted their letters of appointments to convince the people that they were legitimate workers. The Commissioner for Information, Muyiwa Olumilua on Wednesday revealed government's intention to sack the 2,000workersandotherswhoseappointmentscontravenedthelaw.Addressing newsmen on the contentious issue, the spokesman of the sacked workers, Mr. Olawole Ganiyu, said contrary to the pronouncement made by government that they were employed illegally that their appointments were in line with the civil service rule.

Fadahunsi Challenges Yoruba Rulers

Senator-elect for Osun East Senatorial District, Prince Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi,hasdescribedthelatestsecuritychallengeintheSouth-westregion asprecariousandunacceptable,callingonYorubaleadersandtraditionalrulers to rise up to the challenge. Fadahunsi in a statement by his media assistant, SamSegun-Progress,saidtherecentcasesofkidnappingintheSouth-west regioncalledforimmediateactionbeforeanegativereactionmarthefragile peace of the region. Fadahunsi said, "The increase in the rate of kidnapping and other heinous activities of cattle rustlers in the South-west could lead to a full blown war if the federal government through the security agencies remainreluctantinaddressingitwitheverysenseofpatriotismandzeal.Itis aknownknowledgethattheregionissurroundedbyherdsmen,whoareseen withsophisticatedweaponsmigratingfromoneplacetoanotherdestroying farmsandterrorisingthepeoplefromvillagetovillage.

Dogara’s Ally, Tukur, Dumps APC for PDP An ally of Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the MemberoftheBauchiStateHouseofAssemblyrepresentingLere/BulaConstituency of Bauchi State, Hon. AminuTukur, has finally dumped the All Progressives Congress.Tukur,whohasbeenanardentcriticoftheoutgoingGovernorofBauchi State since 2015. Speaking in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Bauchi, he said his allegiance was with the PDP.When asked if he was still a member of the APChesaid:"ThatisabillionNairaquestion.ForthoseinBauchiStatewhobelong to the Buharists, I am one of them and I belong to that club. But I have ceased to be a member for the fact that I have been failed woefully by the person of Mr. President.Ihavedecidedtooptoutofeverythingthathastodowithhim(President Muhammadu Buhari). So long as he is in the APC, I cease to be with him." Asked if it will be right to say he has dumped the APC, he said "certainly, you can say it aloud." Also asked if he is joining the Peoples Democratic Party which has won the Governorship election in the state and would be taking over from the APC as the new ruling party,Tukur said he worked for the PDP and was entitled to benefit from the success of the party.

9

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

any of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers are plain jesters. One of these comics is the Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau (rtd). He was in troubled Zamfara State on Monday, on a so-called “assessment visit.� Yes, that was what Dambazau went to do in Zamfara State as if he had not been to the state before for first hand assessment of the killings and maiming by the bandits. He also went to “listen to the challenges facing the people.� Dambazau is the only one unaware that these challenges are in the public domain. My dear Dambazau went to Zamfara to “warn the bandits to either surrender immediately or be killed.� He said that the federal Government had made adequate arrangements on how best to tackle banditry and other insecurity issues affecting the state. Dambazau informed the distressed people of Zamfara State that the federal government would soon “deploy adequate security personnel to root out bandits� from the state. So, all along, there have been inadequate security agents on ground in Zamfara to tackle banditry? No wonder the bandits have been pummeling the people with ease.

Still on Dambazau’s dehydrated message; he told Zamfara people that President Buhari was very much worried over what was going on in the state and that was why he sent him to the state: “I want to assure the people of Zamfara State that the federal government would very soon end the killings and kidnappings in the state.� It’s just the same old rhetoric. The traumatised people of Zamfara State are tired of all these useless promises. They want action not unending assessment visits by Dambazau and other government officials. They want to see result and not cheap talks. It’s ridiculous seeing an Interior Minister “warning bandits to either surrender immediately or be killed.�

We are talking about bandits that have killed hundreds of people here; bandits that are making millions of Naira daily here. Now, a government that is supposed to ferociously go after the bandits is “warning� them and asking them to surrender. This simply means that this government lacks the capacity to end banditry.

The bandits roam freely in Zamfara local governments like Maru, Maradun, Zurmi, Shinkafi, Gusau, Kaura-Namoda and Anka. To avoid being killed, citizens in several communities now pay the bandits for protection. This is because help is not coming from our security agencies. Of recent,

Comical Dambazau and Communities Paying Bandits

Dambazau

it emerged that five villages under Maradun Local Government Area were levied a total of N20 million by the bandits to avoid attacks. A resident of one of the villages said: “They (bandits) would send a representative to our communities asking us to pay money running into millions of Naira as a condition for living in peace. “It has happened to our village and other neighbouring communities. Let me give you a breakdown of villages and the ransoms paid. They placed N10 million ransom on Gora community, N5 million on Faru village, N1.5 million on Gidan Isah community, the people of Ilankwai village had to pay N2 million while Gidan Baushe village was levied N2.5 million. All the villages paid the levy but I’m not sure whether Gora people were able to meet the demand. I was part of the team that took the ransom put on our village to the bandits inside the forest. We had to mobilise ourselves by going from house to house to collect the money in order to meet the demand.

Failure to do so would be very calamitous on us.�

Some council chairmen also pay on behalf of their people. The Vice-Chairman of Shinkafi Local Government Area, Alhaji Sani Galadima, disclosed that his council pays the hoodlums daily. Galadima said: “Even yesterday (last Sunday), these bandits sent a letter to the district head of Shinkafi town saying that they were coming to attack the town. This ugly situation is very disheartening; every day we pay millions of Naira to these bandits.

We really need government’s urgent support to end this problem. Our women also suffer a lot because the bandits attack communities and abduct ladies from their parents’ homes. People no longer sleep with their two eyes closed in the night in Shinkafi LGA. “We want the government to resolve the issue of shortage of troops and police. We only have 19 soldiers in this town. We need urgent intervention from the government; we are not satisfied with the efforts and strategies of the security agencies. We all know the camps where these bandits stay; even the security men are aware of these camps; our major concern is that security personnel are not getting to these bandits.�

It is pertinent to note that there are only 19 soldiers on ground in this town as disclosed by Galadima. Also, it should be noted that he said the indigenes and security agencies know the camps of the bandits. So, banditry has simply continued in Zamfara and other states because of failure of leadership. A good example here is what happened few weeks back at Warwanna village, in Rabah, Sokoto State.

The community alerted security agents immediately they noticed the bandits in the area, hoping that the security agents would apprehend them but nothing happened.

Salish Ibrahim from Warwanna village said: “Security officials failed to arrest the bandits when the villagers complained about their activities. The bandits attacked our village because we did not cooperate with them nor accommodate them. There were times they came to buy foodstuffs,

Buhari

incapable of alleviating the hardship being experienced by the less-privileged individuals across the country. The truth that must be told is that more Nigerians have slipped into poverty under the Buhari government because of its actions and inactions. Its economic policies are antiquated and excruciating.

Under Buhari, Nigeria wallows in darkness, rising fuel and food prices, disease, insecurity, hunger, unemployment and malnutrition, all leading to more people falling into extreme poverty. Thousands of businesses and manufacturers across the country are gasping for breath, resulting in millions of Nigerians losing their jobs.

As at press time, kerosene, the cooking fuel of the masses, sells for between N250

Fashola

Hell on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one big hell on earth. I spent over eight hours on this road last weekend. This journey, ordinarily, should not take more than an hour. Nigerians are suffering on this road. The last two years have been horrendous. This road is awful. The Federal Ministry of Works must respond appropriately by engaging the two contractors working on this road to find and N280 per litre in Lagos. It is much higher a way of reducing agony of Nigerians to the minimum. This ministry can’t remain outside Lagos. The masses are being forced slothful on this while Nigerians wallow to spend more in the last four years to fuel in pain. Lives are lost daily on this road kerosene stoves. It has been a big battle for survival for them as the prices of goods while many are attacked by armed roband services skyrocket, dragging many into bers because of the logjam created by the extreme poverty. That was why the World sloppy contractors. Julius Berger Nigeria, Poverty Clock reported that over 1.1 million handling the Section I, commencing from Nigerians slipped into extreme poverty just Ojodu Berger to Sagamu interchange in four months – June, July, August and has been the biggest culprit.

September – of 2018. This has brought the On the flip side, this is another number of Nigerians living in extreme poverty opportunity to draw the attention of (below $1.90 a day) to more than 88 million. the Buhari government to the shabby Earlier in June 2018, the Brookings Institution state of numerous federal roads across named Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world, with 86.9 million extremely poor Nigeria, as it proceeds to its Next people. Nigeria overtook India as the world Level effective May 29. I doubt if any poverty capital, despite being six times smaller federal road was fully rehabilitated in in population than the Asian country.

Buhari’s first four years. Drivers plyThe World Bank, IMF, United Nations, ing federal roads across the country and major development institutions are can testify to this. forecasting that Nigeria will not hit the Virtually all federal roads are in a 2030 target for ending global poverty. mess. The following roads must be This is because the responses to poverty reduction by our governments at all levels fully rehabilitated or completed within Buhari’s Next Level if he genuinely have been feeble.

So, Mr. President, there is an urgent wants to turn Nigeria around. They need for a robust engagement of these are Calabar-Itu road, Enugu–Onitsha unemployment and poverty figures. The expressway, Kano-Kaduna road, way forward is not lamenting about East-West road, Gombe-Biu road, poverty. It is about taking pragmatic steps to Gombe-Yola road, Ikorodu-Sagamu pull more Nigerians out of poverty instead road, Calabar-Ikom highway, Aba/ of regaling us with poverty stories. I sincerely hope things will change in the next four years Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway, Oshodi-Apapa road, Lagos-Badagry of your new tenure. Mr. President, if you expressway and Bauchi-Gombe expressgenuinely want to reduce poverty, you must way. surround yourself with useful people.

Buhari Upset with Nigeria’s Poverty Level?

After four years in power, President Muhammadu Buhari says he is upset with the level of poverty in Nigeria. Yes, the man elected to, among other things, tackle poverty is lamenting instead of taking pragmatic steps to reduce the scourge of poverty.

The President, who spoke when he hosted a breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also frowned at the inability of the Nigerian elites to address the welfare and educational needs of the less-privileged members of the society. He challenged the elite to do something very urgent to ameliorate the pathetic situation in the country.

He said: “When I drive around the country, what upsets me very much is the status of our poor people in this country; you see young people, the so-called Almajiris with torn dresses, with plastic bowl. They are looking basically for what to eat. The question of education to them is a luxury. I think Nigerian elite are all failing because I think we should have a programme that will at least guarantee some basic education for our people no matter how poor they are. But, culturally some of us are quiet merciless; we don’t care about what happens to others, we just keep moving forward.�

Yes, the elite must help in reducing poverty, but the main responsibility is that of governments at all levels. What has the Buhari government done in four years to tame Almajiris? The federal government has performed poorly in this regard. Initiatives like the School Feeding Programme and the Trader Money are mere cosmetic creativities

petrol, call cards and other items. Our people stopped selling these things to them when we discovered their identities and we reported to the government. The government sent security officials but no arrest was made.�

From the above, it is clear that the war against bandits must be swiftly rejigged.

Old commanders must make way for new commanders. Old tactics must make way for new tactics. I also believe that Nigeria must seek the assistance of developed countries in this war against bandits.

Our military evidently lacks the requisite equipment and manpower for this job.

10

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 18, 2019

SUPER SATURDAY

Nse Ikpe Etim’s Chilling Uterus Story Nollywood actress, television presenter and beauty entrepreneur, Nse Ikpe Etim, has doused the suspicion around her childlessness while she talks tough against societal stigmatisation, reports Omolabake Fasogbon

I

n a society where motherhood and womanhood are inevitably linked, stigmatisation of infertile women is not uncommon. Nollywood diva, Nse Ikpe Etim, is a victim of such stigmatisation, having been married for more than six years without an issue. The exceptionally talented artiste, 44, poured her heart out at the May edition of her programme, “Conversation with Nse,” as she revealed shocking but yet instructive details about why she may never be able to have a child .

In her narratives, which were conveyed in a mixed display of confidence and emotions, the actress hinted that she was diagnosed with Adenomyosis (a gynaelogical medical condition in which the inner lining of the uterus breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus).

Baring it, she said, “I was told I couldn’t have kids.

And so, I had to have a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) to make me have a life again and to stop going through what I was going through. And I’m literally telling women and men, it really doesn’t matter if you can’t bear children. What really matters is what you would do for the world, for the universe.”

She added that that the world seemed over when the news was broken to her three years ago, but her hope gathered strength with her husband by her side.

As a result of this condition, the Akwa Ibom born star disclosed further that she ran into depression, which she says was particularly fueled by the society and social media passes, but she soon got over it. She said, “I didn’t think there was any point anymore because my society taught me that I have to be a mother to be appreciated and every time I went online, I would have one troll

or two say ‘you never born? But I’m thankful that that didn’t break me. I’m thankful for Nollywood.”

Nse’s confession has not stopped attracting consolations and hope-rekindling words from fans, including colleagues, especially that she was unreservedly bold enough to share her intimate secret, be that as it may, her action is still shocking to as many as possible who feel such personal details should be kept private.

But according to her in a conversation with BBC pidgin, she finds it expedient to let it out in order to call naysayers to order. She said: “Some pressure wey we dey get, na we dey carry am on top our self: some people will say, ‘e be like say na waka wey she dey waka no let her born, e be like say she don comot belle plenty times, na e no makam born’. You sef go sidon, try different things because society dey worry you for pikin, then you go come go kill yourself.

“My choice was to pick life over a child that I might not have to bear full term, so I had to go by doctor’s advice to get rid of my womb. I think I get tired on people passing side comment and thinking it was okay to pass such comment on my page which is my space. I can’t know and I couldn’t even know that one day I will be able to talk about it, I’d thought I would die with it, I thought it will be my secret and will tell people.

“You could actually face your fears and conquer them at the same time and that’s what I choose to do and I wanted to do it with people who were more exposed to pressures not people who had perfect lives because social media come with its own pressure. To women, just do what will make you happy, don’t do it because people will look at you and say that you are a woman, nothing

says if you have a child, then you are a woman.”

Although, Nse’s case is not unfamiliar, her disclosure has succeeded in bringing light to many lives and much more, a solace to many others found in her situation and perhaps, effect a societal change where women would be glorified in their circumstances.

The University of Calabar alumni has continued to live her life and refuses to be weighed on by life’s confrontation. She once said in an interview of her offstage life and beauty routine: “I read, cook and enjoy the spa treatment, sometimes, all I do is put my feet up, relax and I feel great. I try to eat right; I love good food and exercise daily.”

Indeed! A peep into her life via her Instagram page did not negate her comments above as she continues to relish womanhood in her own way.

When ordinarily, people had envisaged for her a rough marital journey , especially with the presence of her step son, Jarmaine Sule, Nse’s marriage to her lecturer husband has been quite inspiring.

In one of her posts that stole the heart of her fans, she wrote after she threw a shirtless picture of her husband to the net “Falling in love is the easiest part but keeping it is the task...#mancrusheveryday#keepthemclose#lovey ou#thursdate#pilates#missingyou meanwhile if he ever knows I put this out he will kill me! Hahaha.”

On the career lane, this thespian has not stopped blazing the trail since she got a taste of the movie industry in 2007. After her major breakthrough in ‘reloaded,’ a film produced by Emem Isong, she has since featured in scores of block buster movie with many awards to crown her expertise.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 18, 2019

11

SUPERSATURDAY

Tonto Dikeh Goes Under the Knife Again As part of her birthday package, controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has expressed her desire to get a new pair of boobs, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

I

t is no longer news that controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has made known her intention to undergo a body enhancement surgery as a treat for her upcoming birthday on June 9. Tonto has gone under the knife a couple of times to get her body “fixed.” Recall that Tonto Dike had in 2017 undergone cosmetic surgery.

Back in 2018, the rumours of Tonto Dikeh’s visit to the plastic surgeons began to filter the air. It didn’t take long before she actually revealed that she indeed gone under the knife.

Tonto hinted her desire to get new pair of boobs for her birthday via her Instagram on Tuesday. The 33-year-old had revealed that she had not been confident of her body.

“My body has been something that I have always been extremely ashamed of,” she said. So, when you see her shine in her new look soon on her next birthday, don’t be surprised.

According to her, this going to be the one gift she would be presenting herself. “Dear lord Jesus, I have all I want for now...My birthday wish is that you make me schedule and that of Dr. Ayo align so I have my new boobs in Jesus name I pray!!,” she wrote on her Instagram page.

However, it is believed that the new boobs she was talking about might be additional plastic surgery to her mammary glands to enhance firmness.

Dikeh, born 9 June 1985, is also a singer and philanthropist. She hails from Rivers State and is of Ikwerre descent, a subgroup of the Igbo tribe.

She made headlines when she was featured in a movie titled “Dirty Secret,” which generated controversy among Nigerians due to its inclusion of adult scenes. While some people criticised her role for not being traditional and un-African, others stated that Dikeh was merely being professional.

Dikeh was born into a family of seven and is the third of five children. At age three, she lost her mother and was raised by her step-mother, who has two children.

12

͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

GANDUJE AND KANO EMIRATE CRISIS Adam Bashir writes that the Kano State governor should obey simple court orders

L

ord Denning in Gouriet v. Union of Post OfďŹ ce Workers remarked: “The law should be obeyed. Even by the powerful‌ I would use Thomas Fuller’s words over three hundred years ago ‘be you ever so high, the law is above you’â€?.

With the above word of exultation, one may feel disheartened about being personified in a generation in which those who are meant to uphold and execute the law, flout and disregard judicial orders by treating it with kid gloves whenever their excesses were being checked, or when it was against their whims and caprices.

Despite our transition from military to democratic rule, the executive’s contempt toward judicial orders heightened due to its constitutional immunity from prosecution; this emboldens many self-serving governors to abuse judicial powers, including Kano State governor who was recently a beneficiary of an unpopular order of a court halting the investigation of serious corruption allegation against him when caught on a spy camera allegedly receiving bribe.

This becomes evident when in Suit No. K/497/2018 instituted by Mr. Muhammad Zubair, National Coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria against the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Baffa Babba Dan Agundi and other members of the seven-man investigative committee and Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Kano State, the presiding judge, Justice A.T. Badamasi issued an interim injunction, upon ex-parte application, which restrained the Kano State House of Assembly seven-man investigative committee from further investigation of the said bribery allegation, while parties were ordered to maintain status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of the originating summon.

When the case came up for hearing, counsel to the Kano State House of Assembly and investigative committee chairman, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, Mohammed Waziri, described his clients as law-abiding citizens who would not breach the law in any way, stating that “I wish to state that the first and second defendants are lawmakers and law abiding citizens. The order came a day to the date slated to listen to witnesses at the investigative panel. Since then, no step has been taken by the state House of Assembly or the investigative committee to breach the law. This is to tell you that Kano State House of Assembly is law abiding. The Assembly has no intention whatsoever to take any further steps until the subsisting matter is decided upon because constitutional issues are being raised.�

This article therefore juxtaposes how the Kano State governor, whose political life was rescued by that lifesaving order, turned a blind eye when the same machinery used to protect others from falling victims of his self-serving mutilation and dismemberment of the Kano Emirate.

It was no longer news that the state House of Assembly while on recess was immediately reconvened on Monday, 6th May, 2019 and the bill, Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Amended Law 2019 (1440 AH) was presented at plenary, which passed first, second

LAW AND ORDER CONSTITUTE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL CIVIL SOCIETIES; WITHOUT ORDER, THERE CAN BE NO PEACE, NO JUSTICE, AND NO SOCIETY AT ALL

and third reading. Governor Ganduje signed the law on Wednesday, which created four additional emirates, a move that was widely viewed as an effort to reduce Emir Sanusi’s influence.

With this development therefore, a high court sitting in Kano presided by Hon. Nasiru Saminu in its ruling in an ex parte motion dated May 10, 2019 and filed by Hon. Sule Gwarzo issued an order against the appointment of four new emirs in the ancient city. The court restrained Gov. Ganduje, the Kano State House of Assembly and the Speaker, Clerk of the Assembly, the Attorney-General and the state from implementing the division of Kano into five emirates.

Given the fact that the governor has decided to ride roughshod over the court order, he apparently feigned ignorance of the order to execute the divisive agenda. Reacting to the order, the Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba said the government is not aware of any court order as the governor was not served neither was the Attorney General of the state, although he has seen the order on social media. He argued that the order had already been overtaken by events, saying that those appointed emirs were issued their letters of appointment on 9th May, 2019.

As ridiculous as this explanation might appear even to a gullible mind, the law is that anyone who is served with or becomes aware of a valid order of court should ensure that he obeys it in full. Failure to obey a valid order may amount to wilful breach which could lead to contempt proceedings with serious consequences. See the case of Ralph Uwazurike & 7 Ors v. The Attorney-General of the Federation.

One thing to note here is that the interim restraining order given by Hon. Justice A.T. Badamasi in favour of Governor Ganduje restraining the Kano State House of Assembly and its seven-man committee from further inviting or taking further steps in investigating the corruption allegation against the governor came at a time when both governor Ganduje and the publisher of Daily Nigerian Jaafar Jaafar testified before the investigative committee while the whistle blower had willingly offered himself to testify in proving the allegation contained in the video clips released by the publisher.

Despite this development and public discontentment of this order, the Kano State House of Assembly and its seven-man committee halted its investigation in obedience to the court order, a situation similar to the purported installation, issuance of letters and staff of office to the four newly appointed emirs that took place between 11th and 12th May, 2019.

This state of affairs in which the executive who swore to an oath that he would respect and obey the constitution, including total obedience to court orders, but now turns round to mock the constitution is an onward march towards anarchy.

Law and order constitute the foundation of all civil societies; without order, there can be no peace, no justice, and no society at all.

Bashir is a legal practitioner based in Kano

UEFA LEAGUE TROPHY TOUR

The UEFA trophy tour brought the world to Uyo and gave Uyo to the world, writes Paul Bassey

S

ometimes, when great things happen, seldom does it come with a touch of momentum, breaking up and opening new frontiers for engagement, force fresh perspectives into view, or throw-up some inspiring and signiďŹ cantly illuminating lights.

This rings true of the recent hosting of the UEFA Champions trophy in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital some few weeks ago. But in very certain terms, with the historic event, Uyo as a city came into a prime and different phase of global spotlight.

Remarkably, with the UEFA trophy hosted in the Akwa Ibom capital, Heineken, official sponsors of the event, spoke significantly in a vividly bold language. By affixing its brand stamp, Uyo became its imprimatur for a red star that has risen on the global firmament as future hub of the soccer world.

Pointedly too, Heineken with the event elected to tell the corporate world and international event organizers never to look any further. Uyo meets all the criteria and standards for events of any magnitude – the serenity of the city, its ambience of peace and security, world class infrastructure comprising good road networks, a five star hotel among several other three/four star category hospitality facilities, a standard airport- the Victor Attah International Airport and of course, the Godswill Akpabio stadium; the globally rated Nest of Champions.

With all of these attractions, the future looks exceedingly bright for the city as the rave and game centre of the moment.

For instance, the problem facing many cities struggling across the world to break into global purview in football and other sport tourism is no longer associated with Uyo. The Udom Emmanuel administration, has since its inception attracted and benefited more than a fair share of international meets in the state capital. These have gone to boost the state’s popularity rating across the global football community, and its most iconic meet having been the Athletico Madrid game hosted some few months ago. To be numbered among the global cities to have hosted the historic UEFA trophy is another ball game altogether; as very few cities are remarkably so lucky.

While attracting internationally adjudged leading brand (Heineken) to the city, NBL literally shut down operations on that day as Who’s who in her brewing business was drawn to be part of the many celebrated faces to adorn and confirm Uyo as the cozy home of football in Nigeria.

Specifically MD/CEO Jordi Bornut Bel, Marketing Director, Emmanuel Oriakhi, Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Sade Morgan, Finance Director Rob Kleinjan, Porfolio Manager (National Premium), Serah Agha, Public Affairs Manager (South) Uzodinma Odenigbo, Senior Brand Manager (Heineken) Mfon Bassey among several others, it was a fresh experience worth repeating and reliving.

Nigerian Breweries MD/CEO, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, when asked, “why Akwa Ibom?� had some inspiring words to say: “For us, Uyo, Akwa Ibom was a given. Apart from Lagos as our operational headquarters, Uyo fitted the bill of a serene town, peaceful with abundant world class sports infrastructure that fitted our bill as a destination most appropriate to stage our “unmissable match.�

We took a survey of some other states [and] cities, yet Uyo, Akwa Ibom topped them all.� Incredible commendation! Isn’t it?

The NBL MD/CEO may not have been mistaken speaking from a like-minded perspective. Clinging to the big picture, one can perceive three things as having come with the hosting of the UEFA trophy – opening up Uyo participation in the global sporting space, boosting the state tourism potential; and capturing the political and development strides of the state on the wider scale of evaluating its investment potential. All of these presented the state in a far broader and optimally different light.

Itemizing the potential loaded in these key areas one by one, it is essential to appreciate the fact that presently, only five African countries have benefited the opportunity of hosting the UEFA Trophy. With Uyo having the rare opportunity to participate in such an exclusive rite, it had presented the state an opportunity to showcase her excellent infrastructure and also the reason to be considered a prime destination of choice for sports in every material sense.

Yes, Jordi Barrut Bel, delighted to be in Uyo, was right. And so were his cheerful and commending words for the city and what its ambience represented. It organically spoke of the peace and security enjoyed in the state against a vast sea of turmoil and insensate turbulence rumbling across the country.

Integrally it then explains why the planners decided to bring the trophy’s hosting to Uyo amidst other places of choice. And with that brief stroke, it is gone to associate the state and the city with the brilliant history of the famous championship; and also a rare opportunity to have been so offered by the leading corporate citizen in the brewing industry.

Beamed live on DSTV across the globe, Uyo came on focus; and thus became inducted into the global sporting space; while also presenting Akwa Ibom sport and cultural tourism potential to the whole world in a two-prong but single stride.

Heineken jumped on the major policy plank of the Udom Administration. The policy, reckoned to have garnered huge successes in investment profile to the state has interestingly reinvented the Akwa Ibom economic growth trajectory and currently informs on the need that may have reasonably inspired Governor Emmanuel to exploit the UEFA trophy tour for greater social and economic benefits to the state.

Gov. Emmanuel, who during the courtesy visit paid by the Heineken team to his office, described himself as “a professional in politics,� was wittingly soliciting and exploring the need for the leading brewing concern to take advantage of the vast opportunities and handsome potential offered by the state to consider partnering some substantial industrial investments.

These are the areas of concern which vision for a synergy can be actually impacted. For instance, if NBL decides to invest in siting a sports hostel or civic hall in the state like the Shell Muson Centre in Lagos, this will not only be a corporate statement seeking to enhance cultural relations among the diverse ethnic/social classes populating Uyo, but again make Heineken as a distinct key player in the industrial landscape of the nation to directly invest

in Akwa Ibom youths, who frequently and in their thousands, are weekly “addicted� to the European Champions leagued sponsored by Heineken.

In a specific light, the Heineken 2018/2019 UEFA champions league tour was a plus for the Governor Udom Emmanuel administration. It had made Uyo capital to be part of a history. The “unmissable match� itself that saw global football greats – Carles Buyol and Nigeria’s Jay Jay Okocha – pitched against each other- sparkled the city with the brilliance of “the most creative attacking mid fielder of all times as he lurched against ‘one of the world’s most feared defenders ever.’ Again, history was made all over again and nostalgia re-lived on the pitch. Akwa Ibom football fans turned out in great numbers to watch Carlse Buyol, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Daniel Amokachi, Augustine Eguavoen, Uche Okechukwu, and other Ex-Super Eagles legends slug it out in style.

Besides the “Unmissable Match� presenting and confirming Akwa Ibom as a sports loving state that is ‘crazy about football, it also provided a good number of Akwa Ibom players the rare opportunity of basking in global spotlight – 20 of them from Akwa United Football Club.

The UEFA trophy tour was a very invaluable experience. It brought the world to Uyo and also gave Uyo to the world especially among lovers of football. It passed as an opportunity of showcasing the state and the city as possessing a culture and passion for the beautiful game among other sports.

And indeed, it had so much raised the global perception of the city.

But to the senior brand manager of Star, Mr. Oludare Olateju, who served his NYSC programme in Uyo more than 16 years ago, the experience was simply amazing and breath-taking. Akwa Ibom, phenomenally has undergone great changes between those years, given the spiraling level of development the state has witnessed under a determined and focused leader like Gov. Udom Emmanuel.

Bassey is SSA to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Sports Development

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͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The war of kidnapping...

Nigeria and World Hypertension Day

T

he world marked World Hypertension Day May 17. The day is dedicated to a global health burden-hypertension, also commonly known as high blood pressure. The 2019 World Hypertension Day theme was “Know your numbers� which is aimed at increasing awareness regarding the importance of knowing what your blood pressure measurements are.

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our part of the world is said to have reached epidemic proportions.

In most African countries, cardiovascular diseases are the second most common cause of death after infectious diseases. It is projected that between 2019 and 2020, the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Africa will double with a large proportion of victims being middle aged. This would consequently impact negatively on our development drive and poverty alleviation efforts as a nation.

The situation is made more worrisome because while hypertension was previously associated with older people, especially those above 60 years, it has recently become common among the under-40s.

Increasingly now, we are seeing lots of young people, men and women alike suffering from hypertension. Is it that we are now living more sedentary life? We spend hours behind our desks typing away on our computer keyboards, our market women are obese and would sit at one place from morning till evening without getting up to stretch their legs. We do no exercise. Our diets have also significantly changed. We have given up on our healthy traditional diets and now indulging in cholesterol-laden fast foods, diets that are foreign to our culture.

In spite of this gloomy picture hope resides in the fact that 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes are preventable.

If you do not have hypertension then it may be worth your while to flee from this complex disease. Healthy diet (adopt a healthy eating habit including eating fruits and vegetables, limiting salt intake), regular physical activity, and not using tobacco products are the key to prevention.

If your work is a white collar job, take some time of to walk around; if you sell at a market, stretch your limbs by walking around too. You’re not bigger than a whale

so get your body weight index and blood pressure in check. What remains to be true however is that obesity is another risk factor as it creates additional burden on the heart. An increase in body size or mass leads to a greater predisposition to the disease.

There is therefore an emergent need for us as a nation to start encouraging therapeutic lifestyle changes to prevent the development of this cardiovascular disease; awareness campaigns need to go beyond the annual commemoration of World Hypertension Day. Hypertension is not called ‘the silent killer’ for nothing. It sets in and gradually damages a person’s organs without his or her realising it until it is too late. So, Prevention is always better than cure.

As a nation seeking to further develop our middle income status and alleviate poverty amongst our people, we cannot afford to have our most productive age group dying from preventable disease. The time to arrest this epidemic is now.

Yusuf Hassan Wada, Usmanu Danfodiyo

The Manipulation of Religion in Nigeria

R

eligious concept is a dogmatic philosophy. It is a body of teachings and prescribed norms in supplication and worship of the heavenly commander and unquestionable questioner. It also deďŹ nes human - nature relationship and individuals’ duty in the society. Religion doesn’t give room for questioning, veriďŹ cation and selection. A religious adherent is bound to utterly comply with the doctrines guiding their religion. The philosophy revolving every religion has found itself entangled in controversial scope with the modern development in science, arts and humanity.

Modern scientific experiments and renaissance literature have unravelled certain sense of mystery, transcendence and intricacy which exclusive understanding was initially credited to God. The whole discovery has posed longstanding challenge to the theological concept. Many people regarded religion as a machinery invented for enslavement.

The principles guiding the philosophy are referred to conjectures employed in establishing obedience to the clergymen who in turn manipulated and bargained people’s submission for pecuniary gains.

Though religion is regarded in some quarters as sophisticated weapon for mental slavery, the theological story, teachings and principles in various

scriptures have vitiated the notion. Virtually all the prophets and their contemporary disciples contributed gigantically in both human and communal advancement. The prophets were servant leaders whose unprecedented sacrifice sought towards their followers’ growth. They exemplified and advocated for love, humility, justice and equity amidst their followers.

In the book of John, chapter 15 : 12 -13, Jesus Christ posited that the greater love is to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Galatians 3 : 28 stated that there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Proverbs 29 : 7, the righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Amos 5 : 24 stated that justice should roll on like a river, righteousness like a never - falling stream. Titus 3 : 2 ; to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. Islam as well advocates for the aforementioned attributes. Quran 57 : 25 goes thus ; “we sent our messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and the measure in order to establish justice among the people.� Similarly, Quran 4 : 135 advocates for justice even “if it be against yourselves, your parents, and your relatives, or whether it is against the rich or the poor.� Quran 60 ; 8 encourages muslims to be compassionate to non - muslims. It only advocates fight against the people who stage war against the muslims or attempt to evict them from their homes.

Binzak Azeez wrote from the faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University

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

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Politicians and the Craze for Pension

O

n glancing at the caption of Tony Ademiluyi’s article on the above subject matter in THISDAY May 13th, I thought that my perusal was just to have a kind of bemused moment perhaps aiding me in whiling away my stressed up and fatigued mood. But at closer inspection it turned a source of pity and sorry state of affair for my beloved Nigerian society. The question is: when will my country breed a class of leaders whose majority sincerely have their nation in mind and qualiďŹ ed to spearhead its citizens to compete with the best in the world? My God have mercy on my country.

Idrees Abubakar, idreesesq@gmail.com

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NEWS

Omo-Agege: Appeal Court Strike Out Judgment AfďŹ rming Ogodo as Delta APC Chair Sylvester Idowu Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“

YOU’RE WELCOME ...

L-R: Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the newly reappointed Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, preparatory to delivering a lecture at the Special Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria Nsukka...yesterday

DSS Vows to Rout Groups Plotting to Topple Buhari Govt Kingsley Nwezeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Department of State Services (DSS) said yesterday it was determined to rout individuals and groups plotting to topple the Buhari Administration.

A statement issued late last night and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Peter Afunanya, said it would stop at nothing to root out individuals or groups planning to undermine the corporate existence of Nigeria. “The Department of State Services

(DSS) condemns recent activities of some unscrupulous elements in the name of Nigeria Continuity and Progress (NCP) which has unpatriotically called for a revolution and forceful change of government in the country. “The Service is aware that the group is working in tandem with a body of subversive agents and adversaries of the Nigerian State.

The aim is to create an atmosphere of insecurity and use same to cause disaffection among the people�, it said.

DSS said “it is evident that the misguided group and its cohorts have also planned to instigate widespread violence against the government in order to actualise their infamous agenda of forceful change of regime. “In line with the Service’s mandate of ensuring the internal security of Nigeria, it will stop at nothing to achieve this. “Accordingly, the service will continue to work with other sister agencies and stakeholders to ensure that every segment of the populace pursues their legitimate

aspirations in an environment that is devoid of fear or hinderance�.

The statement maintained that “the DSS not only supports the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, but will leave no stone unturned in rooting out persons or groups desirous of truncating the process or undermining the country’s peace and corporate existence. “The Service will, therefore, not condone any form of extra-judicial activities or methods designed or adopted by persons or groups to subvert constituted authorities.�

EFCC Arrests Health OfďŹ cials over Bayelsa Speaker, APC Lawmaker Spar E-yellow Fever Card Racketeering over Planned CCT Arraignment Kingsley Nwezeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested four officials of Port Health Service of the Federal Ministry of Health, Benin City, the Edo State capital over e-yellow fever travel card racketeering.

The officials were arrested in a sting operation, sequel to a petition in which the petitioner alleged that her aged mother who was to travel to Europe, visited the Benin Office of Port Health Service to procure the e-yellow fever travel card, but rather than lead her through the proper procedure, she was convinced to pay N10,000 to obtain the card instantly.

An EFCC statement said trouble began at the time of boarding her flight at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it was discovered that her e-yellow card did not have the Remita Retrieval Receipt Reference Identity.

She was subsequently compelled to get a proper one at the airport with the sum of N2000.

Based on the petition, the Benin Zonal Office of the EFCC sent two operatives to Port Health Service office in Benin, who pretended to have genuinely requested for e-yellow fever card.

Unaware that they were EFCC operatives, the Port Health Service staff requested for N7000 as payment for each card. On payment of the amount, the EFCC operatives were issued with the cards instantly.

The e-yellow fever travel card is officially N2000. “The illicit transaction made, EFCC operatives swooped on Port Health Service office on Tuesday morning arresting four of its officials.

The arrested officials will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are completed,� the statement signed by EFCC Spokesman, Tony Orilade, said.

Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă‹

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly Speaker, Kombowei Benson, has traded blames with a rep-elect and current lawmaker representing Brass Constituency 1, Israel Sunny-Goli over his(Speaker’s) impending arraignment by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The CCT had said Benson and four other serving and former staff of the Assembly would be arraigned in the court on May 22.

Ibraheem Al-Hassan, the tribunal’s Head, Press and Public Relations, listed those to be charged alongside the Speaker as a former clerk of the Assembly, Aaron Timiye, a former Accountant, Thomas Tamaraodubo, Owudogu Edward, the serving clerk of the assembly and Koroye Stephen, serving accountant of the Assembly.

But speaking in Yenagoa on his proposed arraignment for abuse of office, Benson said the move originated from the lawmaker’s claims that the leadership of the House was yet to pay his allowances.

He said though the matter had become a subject of litigation, all salaries owed to Sunny-Goli had been paid despite the lawmaker’s alleged absence from his official duties for nearly a session.

He said Sunny-Goli was expected like other lawmakers to sign and collect other allowances but that he failed to do so because of his long absence. “Hence consistent with a state policy, all unpaid salaries and allowances are paid back to state coffers at the end of every financial year. “If there’s any display of misconduct and abuse of office, it’s Israel Sunny-Goli that is culpable not me. For a whole legislative session, he has only attended about two sittings. Such action has denied his constituents inputs in legislative processes and bills passed in the House. “It’s common knowledge that salaries and wages including allowances are paid only to those, who have performed their duties.

I wonder why he is desperately going this far to drag innocent people to issues created by his failure to do his work.

The Appeal Court sitting in Benin, the Edo State capital yesterday set outside the Asaba Federal High Court judgement which declared Chief Cyril Ogodo as the authentic chairman of the Delta State chapter of All progressives Congress (APC) for lack of jurisdiction to entertain the case.

Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court in Asaba had in a judgement on March 18th, 2019 in suit No. FA/ASA/ CS/76/2018 sacked Jones Erue faction that produced Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and others as candidate.

The trial judge in the judgement affirmed Ogodo and candidates of his faction as the original candidates of the party for the 2019 general elections.

Ogodo had sought 13 reliefs, among which is a declaration that the Ogodo-led executive committee was the authentic state executive of the APC, declaration that candidates who emerged from the primaries conducted by the Ogodo-led executive were the authentic candidates and the court granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

Justice Toyin Adegoke also held that the primary election conducted by the Jones Erue leadership was null and void and further invalidated the nomination of Ogboru, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and other candidates nominated by the Erue leadership for the 2019 elections.

But upturning the judgement of the lower court in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Mohamad Shuaibu, the appeal court struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction.

According Justice Shuaibu who anchored his judgement on technicalities, held that the lower court has limited jurisdiction, and that in inter party matters, the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain and therefore “the case is struck out�.

Reacting to the judgment, Chief Cyril Ogodo whose faction was earlier declared as the authentic executive of the party in the state has vowed to challenge the judgement at the Supreme Court.

While urging his supporters to remain calm, he said, “all hope is not lost. God has the final say.

We shall meet at the Supreme Court.�

Fashola: FG’ll Complete Enugu-Onitsha Road by 2021 David-Chyddy Eleke Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ•Ă‹

The Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said that the federal government would ensure completion of the Onitsha section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway Road project on the scheduled date of 2021.

The minister who was on inspection visit at the project site said that given the tempo of work going on at the site, he was not in doubt that the dream of the federal government of completing the work on record time would be accomplished.

Represented by the Federal Director of Highway Construction and Application, Mr. Yemi Oguntumiyi at the inspection of the road project at Umunya axis, Fashola said he was satisfied with the progress and the quality of work being done. “President Buhari attaches importance to this road. It’s

a critical project not only for the South-east but the entire country; that is why the President wants it completed on schedule. “Considering the much the contractor has been mobilised and the equipment on site, we are optimistic that the work would be completed as planned. I’m satisfied with the progress and quality of work done so far,� he said.

Oguntumiyi further stated, “When the minister visited this project, the contractor assured him that the work would reasonably be done before the rainy season would set in proper. That is why we are here today to see how far he had gone.

The Federal Controller of Works, in Anambra State, Adeyemo Ajani whom was also on the inspection team said four kilometres out of 18 kilometres of the road had been completed.

Group Laments Harassment

by Police Staff College, Jos Seriki Adinoyi Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă?

Faith-based AIDS Awareness Initiative (FAAI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Jos has cried out to the federal government for justice and intervention over continuous unwarranted harassment, arrest and detention of its workers by men of the Nigerian Police Force.

Executive Director of the group, Pastor Folororunsho Oloruntunde, while addressing journalists yesterday lamented that, “We are tired of police harassment, arrest and detention over a plot of land that belongs to us, and we are begging the federal government to call the Management of Police Staff College, Jos, to order.

“We bought the piece of land close to Police Staff College in Jos from the natives, who testified in court and judgement was entered in our favour five years ago, yet the police has continued to harass us over the land in spite of the judgment.

Oloruntunde said that, “last Monday three of the labourers working at the site were arrested and detained at Bukuru Police Division on the order of the Commandant of the Police Staff College.“ He explained that on February 27, 2014, Justice Christy Dabup of State High Court VII gave an order to the Police not to harass or disturb us from continuing with our construction on the site meant for our headquarters.

T H I S D AY • SATURDAY MAY 18, 2019

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NEWS

Respite for Saraki, Dogara as Court Dismisses Suit Seeking their Sack from OfďŹ ce over Defection Alex Enumah in Abuja

Respite came the way of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and 56 others on Friday, as Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, struck out the suit seeking their removal from office owing to their defection last year into different political parties other than the one on which they were elected as legislators.

Justice Abang struck out the suit for being incompetent and lacking in merit on the grounds that the plaintiff had no locus standi (legal right) to institute the suit.

The Legal Defence and Assistant Project (LEDAP) had approached the court with a suit seeking to declare the seat of the affected national lawmakers vacant over their defection to the two major political parties in 2018.

Delivering judgment yesterday in the suit filed by LEDAP, Abang held that although the plaintiff

had a very good case against the defendants, however its lack of locus standi in the matter robbed the court of necessary jurisdiction to deal on the main issue.

The court agreed with counsel to Saraki and others, Mahmoud Magaji, SAN, that the advocacy body that filed the suit was not competent by law to do so. “I am persuaded to hold that though the plaintiff has a good case, promoting the rule of law, regulating the unlawful defection of legislators amongst others, the plaintiff has no locus standi to institute the suit,� Abang held.

According to Abang, the plaintiff lacked the right to institute the suit because it is not a political party, it is not INEC that monitor and regulates political party, neither is it a member of the constituencies of the defectors nor a registered political party.

Moreso, the court held that the plaintiff did not place anything before it to show that the constituencies are aware of the suit or that it has a special

interest far above that of the general public.

Abang further held that the plaintiff in filing the suit failed to involve necessary parties, such as the political parties of the defectors. Based on the forgoing, Justice Abang said, “I have no jurisdiction to determine the case on its merit because the plaintiff though has a good case but lacks locus standi in the case of the 1st, 2nd, 4th to 58th defenfants, the plaintiff case is incompetent, it is struck out.�

He added that to worsen the plaintiff case, it did not obtain the fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation that would conferred power on them to institute the legal action.

Abang held that because the plaintiff lacked locus standi, the court cannot invoke section 68 of the 1999 Constitution against the defectors and declare their seats vacant.

Earlier, while reviewing the submissions of lawyers in the matter, Justice Abang agreed

2018 Flooding: NIMASA Gives Delta Victims Truckloads of Relief Materials Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and SafetyAgency (NIMASA) has delivered two truckloads assortment of relief materials for victims of the floods that ravaged numerous communities in Delta State last year.

The relief materials were delivered to the Delta State Government by a delegation from the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, led by the Agency’s Public Affairs Director, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, yesterday atAsaba, the state capital.

Similarly, the NIMASAteam, which included its Head ofAdministration, Mr. ZakariMohammedandtheCentralZone Warri Coordinator, also visited theAsaba officeoftheNationalIdentityManagement Commission (NIMC) to donate some relief items to the federal agency, which also lost vital equipment to the 2018 flood disaster in coastal parts of Delta State.

Officials of the Delta State Emergency ManagementAgency (SEMA) led by its Director, Mr. Karo Ovemeso, were joined by the state’s special duties commissioner, Mr. Ernest Ogwezzy, to welcome the NIMASAteam, and to receive the items at the SEMA warehouse in Asaba.

In an address, presented on his behalf by Mr. Osamgbi, the NIMASA director-general expressed concern over

the pains suffered by the citizens in Delta state whose lives were disrupted by the environmental disaster, with a large number of residents displaced from their homes for weeks.

He said the management of the Agency was moved to go outside its primary statutory mandate in order to help ameliorate the hardship thrust upon Nigerian citizens by natural disasters like the2018floodingthatsweptacrossatleast 20 states of the federation.

He noted that the decision to so intervene had the backing of the Federal Government,addingthattheprovisionof relief materials was indeed at the behest of the Vice-President, ProfYemi Osinbajo, whograciouslyencouragedNIMASAto provide some measure of succour the victims of flooding nationwide.

According to Peterside, ‘’Though our core mandates are principally to regulate and promote shipping as well as other maritime ventures in Nigeria, we are acutely aware and also conscious of the plights of our stakeholders, particularly those affected by recent flooding and natural disaster victims like you. ‘’We are here in realisation of the fact that an injury to (victims of flooding here) is an injury to us and, by extension, an injury to Nigeria,’’ adding that all states impacted by the flooding would be reached by the agency.

Dakuku nevertheless commended the concerted efforts of the Delta State Government to give care particularly the needy during and after the flood disaster, adding NIMASAwas delighted to complement the concerned efforts of the Okowa administration because ‘’a problem shared is a problem solved.’’ He said that the Agency’s ‘’little contribution’’ of mattresses, sleeping mats, household utensils and various food items including rice, beans, garri, noodles and cooking oil, was NIMASA’s way of telling even those displaced by the natural disaster they were also loved in their trying times.

The Delta SEMA Director, Mr. Ovemeso, while expressing gratitude to NIMASAand the Federal Government for what he called ‘’surprise gesture of love and care’’ for the victims of the flooding months after, assured that the relief materials would judiciously distributed to those they are meant.

Meanwhile, it was all excitement at the office of the NIMC Asaba as the Delta State NIMC Coordinator, Mrs. Henrietta Okolo received the items donated by NIMASA, including power generating sets, set of computers, printers and other ICT equipment for national identity registration especially in some flood-ravaged coastal areas of the state.

FG to Halt Projects in Communities over Incessant Vandalism, Says Minister Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă‹

Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri, has warned communities in Bayelsa State which are in the habit of vandalising government projects to stop the practice or be starved of federal projects in their areas.

The minister stated that henceforth, such communities would not benefit from new projects from the federal government if they continue to destroy or fail to take proper care of projects cited in their communities.

Lokpobiri spoke during the inauguration of a shoreline protection and land reclamation project built by the ecological funds office of the federal government

forAleibiri community in the Ekeremor local government area of Bayelsa State.

He said: “I have advised the beneficiaries of the projects we have commissionedtodaytoowntheseprojects, take these projects as their own and if we hear that these projects are being vandalised, government will be very hesitant to provide more infrastructure for you.�

The minister described coastal erosion as a major challenge affecting all the communities in the state but expressed worry that because of the cost implication involved in the construction of shoreline protections in the areas, there was no way government can do all of them at the same time.

Lokpobiri pledged the President’s

determination and commitment to the development of the entire country, no matter how remote the areas may be.

He disclosed that the Aleibiri shoreline project was one, out of the 16 ecological intervention projects approved by Buhari in the second quarter of 2017 for the community, which has been experiencing serious erosion and environmental degradation challenges.

Yusuf Aliyu Adi, Director, coastal management, ecological funds office, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in his remarks, commended the cordial relationship that existed between the contractor, which made the prompt completion of the project possible.

with the plaintiff’s lawyer that the defectors violated the Constitution and ought to have vacated their seats, since there was no division of a kind that can warrant their defection.

Meanwhile, in the matter of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the

3rd defendant, the court held that the matter is subjudice because he ought not to have been joined in the first instance. According to him, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North West in the National Assembly unlike the others did not defect but moved

to another party after he was expelled from the PDP. He held that haven been expelled from the PDP, he has right to join any political party of his choice in order to continue the good work he is doing for his constituencies.

WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE ...

L-R: Managing Director of Benevolence Treasures Limited, Adeola Odesanya; Director, Jasmine In - Out Decors, Adeola Adeoba; Convener, Bose Banji-Idowu; and Tax Admistrator, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Adeola Ghali, during the Virtuous Queens maiden outing in Lagos...recently

Angelique Kidjo Shares Views on African Voices Sensational singer, song writer and producer, Angelique Kidjo, will this week join two other firebrand female musicians on African Voices, a magazine programme of the Cable News Network (CNN) sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom.

Originally Angelique Kpasseloko Hinto Housinnou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, the 58-year-old native of Benin Republic will be on the show with Sandra Suubi, an artiste and song performer from Uganda, as well as Ria Boss, a neo-soul singer and songwriter based in Accra, Ghana.

Kidjo is renowned for her diverse musical talents evidenced in her popular songs including Batonga which she performed in 1992; Agolo, 1994 and Wombo Lombo,

a blockbuster released in 1996. She is also an actress who has featured prominently in several movies including The CEO, Mother of George and People I Know.

She won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2008, having earlier received the Mobo Awards in 2002.

Kidjo is a holder of the Commander of the National Order of Benin and the Afropop Hall of Fame given to her in Cotonou and the United States of America in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Suubi, a gospel artiste, is blessed with a voice which is reputed for extolling the greatness of God. Her most popular songs include Kingdom come, Tuli Njibwa and Nsiimye which she performs with her assemblage of amazing vocalists.

Wearing a dress made with plastic bottles at her graduation in 2018, the masters degree holder in Fine Art from Makerere University in Kampala, capital of Uganda, said it was her way of showing that plastic bottles could be recycled in diverse ways.

Maria Bossman Damiba, known widely as Ria Boss, is described

by CNN as a neo-soul singer and song writer. She is a female romanticist whose name has been registered on the Ghanaian top chart through her albums including Lonecat, Underwater, Sweetbaby and Sampleplate. She believes in creating her realities through her soulful music which celebrate womanhood and the virtues that are bedrocks of successful families and vibrant nations.

Nigeria’s Infrastructure DeďŹ cit Can be Addressed with Debt Financing- Ex DMO DG Chika Amanze-Nwachuku A former Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, has said that Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit can be addressed with debt financing.

He however admitted that the conclusion that public debt should be used to finance Nigeria’s massive infrastructure needs was a paradox because of the existing precarious public debt profile.

Nwankwo, who was the guest speaker at the 3rd Just Friends Club of Nigeria (JFCN) annual lecture, which held recently in Abuja, contended that the resolution of that paradox lie in a creative

unbundling of the concept of debt sustainability.

In the context of financing infrastructure for the structural transformation of the economy, he explained that distinction should be made between conventional debt sustainability, which was essentially static, and what one would identify as structural debt sustainability, which was based on a forward-looking view of the economy.

He noted that assessment of debt sustainability in the latter case should focus on whether and how, the additional debt would be effectively applied to the development of infrastructure, to pull the economy out of backwardness;

how it would enable the economy to establish a growth trajectory that will enable it regain or enhance debt sustainability and more stable growth, by a forecasted time.

He said: “The secret is that it is feasible to articulate a bold plan for the transformation of the economy, the Transformation Plan, financed with new debt towards one that is more diversified, more competitive, more export-capable and less vulnerable to external shocks.

Specifically, the new debt will generate adequate output and cash-flow to cover its servicing and amortisation and create surplus, while avoiding, by design, foreign exchange risk.

Plus

Theo Ukpaa

My Mother Thought Me to Treat Women Delicately… They are Like Raw Eggs and Should Be Handled Gently

GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND FASHION FILE SHOWBIZFLAIR

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

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha I’m a Village Girl, I Went to a Village Primary, Secondary Schools…That is My Background

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 18, 2019

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PLUS

I’m a Village Girl, I Went to a Village Primary, Secondary Schools…That is My Background She is a daring combination of beauty and brain but with a heart of gold, sharing all she has with those in need. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who is a fourth term member of the House of Representatives rarely responds like a politician but answers as the questions come. Her greatest influence was her grandmother who trained her after her mother died. Nkeiruka tells Charles Ajunwa and Ahamefula Ogbu that she established foundations to ensure that people would not face hardship the way she did after her grandma died

H

ow did you start life?

I started life like every other person. I was born in a family, was trained, my mother died early in an accident, then my father remarried and I went to school, primary, secondary and university, got married, was appointed a commissioner in Abia State and later was appointed local government chairman. In 2007, I ran for House of Representatives and I won under the platform of PDP.

Can we know the schools you attended and the memories you have of those places?

I attended Isuochi Central School for primary school, then proceeded to Isuochi Secondary School but after class three, changed to Ovim Girls High School, then proceeded to University of Nigeria, Nsukka and got my Masters from Imo State University, that was before I was elected in 2007.

What about the fond memories?

Onyejeocha

Would I call it what was motivating? I remember when I was in primary school, we use to have ridge where you plant cassava, water melon or anything and it comes with your tag, your name tag and then you have Agric Master; who is anyway, your teacher in class which was fun. It was fun because you look at it and after that nobody was talking about agriculture anymore and then everybody started looking for white collar job.

Even when I was in Ovim Girls, we use to get things from our farms in school and that was part of our programme then. Another thing that I cherish is the spiritual angle because I grew up with my grandmother having lost my mother early. She wakes you up at 5 or 4.30a.m., then we pray, then you must go to the stream and when we come back, we prepare for school. I was attached to my grandmother and I wouldn’t go to school because I wanted to stay with her and they will use cane to pursue me to school because of the attachment.

At that particular time, I was feeling empty

because I was still growing up and I didn’t know what death was all about; that you lost your mum and you are scared of everybody.

My grandmother ensured that I was always in school on time and of course in our house then, we always had many people, not necessarily related to us but when my grandmother saw people with one form of problem or the other, she inherits and brings them home and so we always had one full house. At no point were we having less than 20 people in our house then and when we cook, even if you know we are 20, you are going to cook more in case someone comes carrying someone on her back. It was like a communal thing and my grandmother was a community leader so to speak. At a time, people no longer regarded her as a woman because she was very strong and she was this kind of person that would not look at anybody’s face to say the truth. Of course, when things got stuck that people did not say the truth, she would be called and she would always resolve it because she would say the truth. So, these memories are there and of course, she was a very staunch Christian which you call born again today. She doesn’t joke with going to church, fellowship and all that. We use to go with her for soul winning where the women will follow her around and I was a member of the Scripture Union. At a point in Ovim Girls, I became the Secretary of the Scripture Union when I was in form four.

Those memories are still there and still very strong.

Do you remember yourself as a pliable child or a stubborn one while growing up?

Would I call it stubborn? Because of the type of grandmother I grew up with, when people are doing something wrong, you must say it. You don’t overlook it, you say it but you are not going to insult them but politely say it. You don’t just keep quiet because she said if you keep quiet, they tie your mouth.

‘If you see something, say something’. I remember that, ah! that was what I was taught by my grandmother. If you see something that is wrong you must say it and

͚΀ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

19

PLUS My Most Painful Experience in Life is the Loss of My Mum, Grandma

I we nt t wh hro en ugh die my g sch fun d, I h ran ool ds. ad dmo and car It wa issue ther the egi s li w sup peo ver ke y ith of y pos ple died our som ou w ed to who and eth ere b tak were ing us e ca els y do re e ver . I had ing y ro it ugh

Onyejeocha

if you see something that is bad, you must shout. Those were the African training I got.

If you go outside your environment and you behave so, people will think you are stubborn but you are not being stubborn, you are being whom you are and you exercise your life the way you see it. But other people might see it differently because they want you to fake everything around you. I always tell them I am a village girl because I went to a village primary and secondary schools and I went to University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which is in a village, so that is my background.

Can one say losing your mum at a tender age endeared you to widows and informed setting up foundations?

Apart from the fact that I lost my mum, my grandmother was just there. She was the kind of person that would want everyone with problems to be in our house. So, I grew up feeling that everybody who has problem should be in my house and then while I was living with her, if somebody’s husband dies, she would go and bring the woman and her children. If you beat your wife, my grandmother will go and bring your wife, detain you and say your relations have to come and say something disgraceful to make you stop beating your wife. So, we grew up in that background that your grandmother was a disciplinarian in such a way that she goes out of her way to intervene in other people’s home and affairs just to bring justice and make people live well-disciplined lives.

The other thing is that because she was doing that, in my mindset, I just said ‘oh, once you have two naira, you will only need one naira, so the other one naira should be for the next person so to speak.’ When my mother died, my father remarried and the wife didn’t want to see us; the woman now seized our father.

So, it was me and my grandmother and two brothers. Of course, my father felt that the boys, he needs them. To him, because I was a girl, because my mother was an only child, so my grandmother took hold of me. She said ‘I am not going to leave this one. My only daughter died, this is a girl and I have to live

with her’, even though I was living with my grandmother when my mother was alive.

Because of that background, where my grandmother was kind of a caregiver, perhaps because she had an only child, my grandmother will be going on the street, see someone who has nothing to do with her, and invite the person over to eat. Sometimes, if the person was one sent out of the house, she would adopt the person; she had many adopted people that if I see them today, they will be like they lived in our house even though we did not have any relationship with them. That was the kind of background I grew up with. The foundation thing was because I went through school and when my grandmother died, I had issue with funds. It was like your caregiver died and the people who were supposed to take care of you were busy doing something else. I had it very rough and I know that as I speak, there may be people who are going through that; people who lose their parents or caregivers and need people to help them and that is the reason I established the foundations, even scholarship foundation because I know that there are people out there that if you don’t do anything, nothing will come their way, That was what brought about the foundation - giving people scholarships.

What gives you happiness and fulďŹ llment?

God.

What would you say has been your saddest moment in life?

Anytime I remember that my grandmother and my mum are no more.

What is your happiest moment in life?

Anytime I am in the presence of God

You are a very beautiful woman and intelligent, how do you fend off men that ock around you?

I know that people just blackmail men, if you don’t give a man any eye he would not chase you. You have to invite a man to

chase you. The only men that can chase you without invitation are people who are daring, what’s even making her so tough? When they go out of their way to do that, then you tell them they have to give their life to Christ.

It will be an opportunity for them to know about Jesus Christ.

What is your most prized earthly possession?

My relationship with God, I don’t want any interference.

So you are not moved by state of the art cars, mansions and‌?

Vanity upon vanity all is vanity. That is why I give back to society. I will tell you that maybe people think I have so much money but the point is that the money I have is on human beings.

If fashion police raid your wardrobe, what are they likely going to discover?

Classic things, I am not a fashionista. I do classic, I don’t follow the trend. I grew up with a grandmother who was so disciplined that you cannot wear a slit skirt, so even when they sew clothe for me it cannot go off shoulder. If you see me wear an off-shoulder I must have a shawl to cover it.

There is nowhere you go with trend. I don’t go with fashion trend. It is what fits and what I am comfortable in that will make me look responsible. Sometimes what you wear gives out a lot of impressions that may not be true.

Do you believe in women liberation?

Yes, I do, that is why I am contesting for speakership because if women are not liberated and they are boxed to one corner, where everybody will like tell them like sit down there, the world would not be a better place to be.

What is the easiest way to your heart?

It is just a disciplined person.

You sound quite tough and daring, how

did you meet your husband?

Well, another kettle of fish. I finished from the university when I was going for youth service and I had a lot of suitors but my problem was my grandmother because she used to tell me I should marry someone from our side. I didn’t want to marry anyone from outside and so when I met him, he was like ‘this small girl, you said you are going for youth service.’ He said it was a lie that I couldn’t have finished university and I said I had finished. He was telling people I am his sister. From being sister, we got home and he proposed and I didn’t want to marry an outsider. That was it.

What did you see in him that swept you off your feet?

I just saw someone from my place that is like my brother because my grandmother used to tell us that if you marry someone from your place, if marriage fails, then you can be brother and sister. So, I had it at the back of my mind and that was that. Again, after school, someone who is just yellow, slim even if you don’t do anything people will feel you are doing something and I did not want to live my youthful life leaving from one place to the other. It was my grandmother that would have provided security and comfort, but she was no longer there. Being a Scripture Union member, after camp meetings, you don’t have any other place to go, so I needed to get settled.

How do you relax?

By playing gospel music. If I want to go out, I will go to fellowship and dance David dance and I laugh the laughter in Psalm 2, why do the heathen rage and people imagine vain things. When you go down that chapter it said, look at them and laugh.

What makes you angry?

When I find out that people are not sincere because I want to be as sincere as possible.

What attracts you to people?

Simplicity of mind and straightforwardness.

I Had it Very Rough, I Know that as I Speak, There May Be People Going Through that

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

PLUS

Theo Ukpaa My Mother Taught Me to Treat Women Delicately‌ They are Like Raw Eggs and Should Be Handled Gently Film maker, Theo Ukpaa, is the Managing Director/CEO of Tiger Republic Films and Group Head at Yes Africa Prime Inc. He has grown to become a great force in the entertainment Industry in Nigeria. Ukpaa has also helped to build some of the leading media brands in the country. He carved a niche for himself while surviving one of the biggest rape accusations in the country.

Ukpaa bares it all to Azuka Ogujiuba, as he reveals his journey from a young Surulere boy to ďŹ nding love and becoming a notable brand in the entertainment industry

21

͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS I Stand Against Sexual Assaults, I Stand Against Rape, I Stand Against Women and Child Abuse

H

ow did your love for ďŹ lm and television productions start?

I started doing art way back at the age of 16. I just love stage productions and started stage with veterans like Ben Chiadika, Wole Oguntokun, Sola Osofisan, Rogers Ofime and Femi Kayode. My love and passion for televison started way back from a company called Goldmyne International owned by Capt. George, husband to Mrs. George, founder of the Little Saints Orphanage. So, I used to volunteer to teach the children at the orphanage; teaching them acting and stage plays, while also working with Goldmyne and Compassion band. I would go and do my stage plays with Parters Heritage, dance with Spirit of David while hosting a talent show back then called Circle of Stars. My passion for media has grown over those years and I have loved every moment of it.

Did you study ďŹ lm making in school?

Not at first. I hold a B.sc in Economics from University of Benin after that I had a scholarship to do my masters abroad because I had a first class. While I was in the USA doing my MBA, I went to a film school as well, because I knew I wanted to do film. That was one of the best decisions I made in my life. So far, I have worked with television stations like Soundcity, SpiceTV and Trace Urban. Thanks to Mr. Taj Adepetu and Mr. Sam Onyemelukwe for their great opportunities. I have shot so many TV commercials for some very major brands in Africa and I have worked on major awards like Headies and MAMA Awards. I have also been directing ‘The Experience,’ Africa’s biggest gospel concert for the past five years.

Which was your favorite television show then?

I watched all of them but I would say Pot of life, Koto Orun, New Masquerade, Village Headmaster, Cock Crow at Dawn, and more so, these were my growing up shows and lot more.

So back then, which ďŹ lm maker was your role model?

I had a lot of great influence from the late Amaka Igwe - God bless her soul.

She taught me how to write screenplays.

I wrote some episodes of Fuji House of Commotion with her back then. Sadly, she passed away as she was about putting a great media breakthrough together. Tunde Kelani was a great influence too. My mum and Dad were big fans of Mainframe film, Ti Oluwa Nile, Magun, Saworo Ide and Agogo Ewo were some of the great classics I watched and got inspired to want to make films. Uncle TK, as he is mostly called, is an idol, a living legend.

Tell us about your early years I grew up in Surulere, Lagos - Shitta to be precise. It was my hood and schooled there. I had nursery, primary and secondary school there and I had a great time growing up. So, when people say Shitta is all about the amala joint, I tell them that’s not all about the place. It’s a place that has information and a whole lot of talent has come out of there. It is a community that breeds young talents and I would say Shitta is inspirational; we had the stadium and the National Theatre not far from us and it adds to our upbringing. I also remember a time my mum was driving and she pointed to the National Theatre and said ‘that’s where they stage plays’ and years later, I found myself on stage acting one of Ola Rotimi’s plays, ‘The Gods Are Not to Blame’ at the National theatre. That is one structure that needs to be brought back to life.

What would you say was the best thing that happened to you in life?

I would say the best thing that has ever happened to my life was getting married to my wife and I would say that has been the best thing that has ever happened to

me in life. She is an angel and wonder woman designed specially for me and to inspire this generation. God put a lot of attention in making a woman and that is why they should be cherished and giving all the attention.

What was the most difďŹ cult thing that has happened to you and how did you overcome it?

I think it was a very bad phase in my life that I hate to talk about. Sometimes last year, after my wedding, there was an alleged scandal and I thought it was the devils work but unknown to me, it was God trying to open a new path for me in my life. It was a very dark place though for me but God showed a very bright light for me above all and doors started opening everywhere. I found out that God uses a bad situation for a good one and I would really not say it was a difficult phase but a challenging one and it is God taking you to places. It was a false rape allegation from someone I knew 12 years ago and it came after my wedding and at that point, the only thing on my mind was saving my marriage. So, I prayed, took my time to save my marriage first before jumping into any conclusion. It was also a time wisdom came where I could tap advice and knowledge from people around me. It was really a challenging time but thank God for Jesus.

What has life taught you in general?

I have learnt to be very careful and watchful with people I relate with; also learnt not to trust people 100%; also know that people are around you sometimes just to use you but I didn’t allow it change the generous part of me trying to help people because when some certain things happen to you, you will not want to talk to people or help anymore but I didn’t allow that come into being. In addition, it’s only the grace of God that can make you a better person even though you have had bad experiences. I stand against sexual assaults, I stand against rape, I stand against women and child abuse; I stand against deprivation and marginalisation. My mother taught me that I should treat women delicately; they are like raw eggs and should be handled gently. I am a gentleman and I believe in a future where peace, Justice and equity will reign supreme.

What are some of the memorable points in your life?

I think it was when I picked up an award for my short film in faraway Berlin, because I was recognised internationally from a small Surulere boy to the world, to be recognised in a film festival in Berlin. Second was when I was invited to do a talk at a university at their film department. It was a big deal for me. It was a point in my life I realised that if you are diligent in your craft and trust God, there can never be limitations to what you can achieve or levels you can attain. From Shitta boy to a Media Executiv, God has been merciful and I thank God that I keep a level head.

What’s your biggest fear in life?

I don’t think I have any fear, I only fear God. What are the things you so desire that you haven’t had?

I desire to have more money and more importantly I desire a perfect family. I like to be happy and influence positive vibes around me and luckily for me I have a wife that has that too. We just want to be happy, go to happy places, have happy friends and make the world a better place.

What’s your favourite food?

My favourite food used to be Pounded Yam and oha soup but when I got married, my wife makes the best sea food Okro. So, there is a direction from Oha soup to seafood Okro. The truth is she learnt it from Youtube and she makes it so well. I was talking about sea food Okro I ate somewhere and she said ‘let me learn how to make it’ and that was the clear

Ukpaa

I am a member of the Directors Guild of Nigeria and I believe we need protection and the government needs to invest more into an industry that has grown into the 3rd largest in the world without support point with all of that basically.

Do you have a nick name your friends call you?

I can remember, in my 200 level my class mates call me Tiger eyes, because they say I have brown Tiger eyes. As class representative in my school, all my lecturers would say I am brilliant, my senses are woken like a Tiger. Before you know it, the name Tiger stuck. I studied the Tiger’s brilliance online and agreed with it. That was how I got the name for my film company.

What do you think about the Nigerian entertainment industry?

I think the industry so far is suffering because the government is not paying attention to it. The movie industry today got to where it did by individual effort of passionate film makers in Nigeria. The industry grows when the government pays attention to it and I believe that soon it will happen. Piracy is a major issue we have and no one is getting penalised for pirating intellectual properties. Thank God for the new moves of AVRS under the leadership of Mahmood Alli Balogun.

I am a member of the Directors Guild of

Nigeria and I believe we need protection and the government needs to invest more into an industry that has grown into the 3rd largest in the world without support.

Even the Bank of Industry is very selective about giving loans. You have to be a Nollywood veteran before they can pay attention to you. No hopes of loan or grant for young film makers like us. There is a lot the government can do to make this work. This industry employs millions daily and has potential to do more with a little more investment.

What do you enjoy doing the most?

I Love travelling, every opportunity to be in the air, I just take it. I love being in the air because when you are in the air, there is no hurry. I get time to write and meditate, and by the way I have a book coming out in 2020. It’s a book I have been writing for five years now.

Advise to younger ďŹ lm makers?

Stay positive, stay focused and don’t stop doing what you are doing because that is where your blessing will find you. Above all, Trust that Jesus is the key to a happy and fulfilled life.

22

Fashion File

House of Dorcas Presents the YOUNIQUE Collection

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Πwith

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

23

FASHION FILE

House of Dorcas Presents

ÙÖÖĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Colour, vibrance and beauty are some of the traits that express the uniqueness of African textiles.

The YOUNIQUE collection from House of Dorcas creates a link between Africa and the West, blend-

ing our cultures while spotlighting Africa’s entry into mainstream fashion.

House of Dorcas was founded in 2008 by Lolade Majekodunmi and is known for her stylish and ingenious use of fabric.

24

˜ ˞ MAY 18, 2019

EXPRESSION

All Manner, Not Manners, Of‌

O

VERHEARD on Dove TV: “All manners (sic) of problems attacked himâ€? Be redeemed: all manner of problems DAILY Sun Editorial of May 13 welcomes us today with three juvenile flaws: “The directive from the NFIU last week returned the financial responsibilities of the 774 LGAs back to the councils.â€? Voice of The Nation: delete ‘back’ in the interest of grammatical sanity. â€œâ€Śwhich means restoring good governance at (to) the grassroots.â€?

And now the last faux pas: “NFIU spokesman‌ said the agency is (was) committed to fighting money laundering‌.â€?

THE BUSINESS REPORT of May 13 contained a headline howler: “Businessman remanded in prison custody for suspected adulterated, substandard engine oilâ€? Industry: yank out ‘prison’ which is encompassed in ‘remand’. “This is despite of a Kano State High Court order restraining him‌.â€? Ganduje’s lawlessness: in spite of or despite a Kano‌.

Super Saturday: “However, the exit of some of the label’s big names like‌in the last six months seem (seems) to leave the imprint in a saggy state‌.â€?

Polity: “Tumult overAmosun’s last minute (last-minute) actionsâ€? â€œâ€Śto represent Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency under (on) the platform ofAPC (the APC)‌.â€? â€œâ€Śhistory is repeating itself this season again.â€?

Delete ‘again’ because it is otiose here. “He has no doubt had a good season with Charleroi culminating into (in) his being linked with several clubs‌.â€?

THISDAY Front Page ofApril 27 takes over today with the following faults: “However, it was learnt that there was serious hostility between the two groups yesterday morning‌.â€? Truth & Reason: a serious hostility or serious hostilities, depending on intended context.And this: what if we delete ‘two’ from the extract—will it affect the sentence? “No proper hand over (handover) to vice presidentâ€? “Lagos world class (world-class) transport projectâ€? â€œâ€Śyesterday inAbuja declared that President Muhammadu Buhari’s ongoing 10-day private

visit to London, United Kingdom (another comma) is (was) an illegal and unconstitutional trip.â€? “Dogara’s free medical treatments in Bauchiâ€? Get it right: ‘treatment’ is uncountable. “The fear of failure sometimes rob (robs) me of life changing (life-changing) opportunitiesâ€? “She had worked with (for or in) an insurance company after which she contested for a spot amongst (among) the stars when she participated in‌.â€? Plus: you work with (mostly) or through people “She talks to (with)‌on how it all started‌.â€?

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE comes in after a long while. ItsApril 29 edition celebrated 66 hearty cheers to the Great Guru courtesy a full-page advertorial publication placed by a family: “Your talents in human resources management is (are) awesome.â€? “In recognition of your exceptional impact to (on) humanity‌.â€? This was endorsed by RemoGDF. “We also appreciate the Glory of God as we commission (inaugurate) today the new‌.â€? “I‌most heartily rejoice with an accomplished businessman, eminent Nigerian and philanthropist per (par) excellence.â€? “We need to take steps within the context of this Nigeria (Nigerian) constitution‌.â€? Powered by the Conscience of the Yoruba Nation Let us leave Ibadan with this blunder from Nigerian Tribune Editorial of the above edition under reference: â€œâ€Śwhose refrain, capturing the sentiment of majority (a majority) of female protesters, has been‌.â€?

THISDAY Front Page of May 6 disseminated three errors: “He said the new offensive will (would) incorporate other security agencies and extend (extended) to other states experiencing attacks by bandits.â€? “Former military administrator of Mid-west buried amidst (amid) encomiumsâ€? “Davido shared series (a series) of videos‌.â€?

THE GUARDIAN ofApril 20 disseminated a diseased line:â€?Senate may review NLCAct, says no witch-huntingâ€? (witch-hunt) From the above edition comes the next juvenile word error: “President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said there is (was) no political undertone to the move.â€? Reporters who do not know the rudiments of reported speech writing have not begun intellectual journalism. I recommend celebrity genre of the profession for such neophytes! “30% discount on hotel accomodation when you fly‌.â€? No jet-lagged spelling: accommodation.

“Trees as antidote against flood� (DAILY INDEPENDENT Metro Headline,April 18) My antidote to (not against) lexical slipshoddiness is carefulness in collocation.

Another spelling interlude: “NASS seeks funds for excerciseâ€? (DAILY Sun Headline,April 18) Spell-check: exercise. “And the electorate has (have) been taken for a ride because‌.â€? “This year’s edition of the National Sports Festival was marred with (marred by) series (a series) of protests by many states against the medal haul (medals haul or the haul of medals) by the host which they believe was achieved by dubious means. States like Bayelsa, Edo and Kaduna could not hide their feelings as they pointed accusing fingers on (they pointed the finger at) the ways and manner by which Team Rivers dominated every event they partake (partook in).â€? What a scandalous and utterly embarrassing piece of sports journalism! “Kano athletes poise for war over NSF rewardâ€?

I am not poised for war. This reminds me of one of the titles in the heyday of Daily Times, Poise, which was edited by delectable and vivacious Medline Tador in the 90s. “Bereaved Nigerian mother lashesAustria over son’s death� Fixed expression: lash out at. “SouthAfrican minister to clampdown on guns�

Noun: clampdown; phrasal verb: clamp down (which applies here). “Rediscovering theAfrican idiom at World Music Day�Art and Life: on World Music Day. “Otherwise, somewhere down the line with their loots, these men would continue to come back to rape the polity.� ‘Loot’ is uncountable. “Resident doctors in neighbouring Ghana went on strike less than a week before our own strike and theirs have (has) since been resolved.� “Perhaps, Babatunde Raji Fashola’s roads was (were) never meant to withstand ‘satanic’ rains, the type that has been tormenting Lagos.� “Others are outrightly ugly.� This isAmerican corruption of language. British Standard English: Others are outright ugly. “Kidnapped people were turned into beasts of burden to cart away all RUF booties (booty).� “They point accusing fingers towards female prostitutes who are girlfriends to the armed robbers and provide those anti-social miscreants accommodation and succour to perpetuate their despicable crimes.� Delete ‘accusing’ and point the finger

In Remembrance of “Change�

A

s we stroll towards another civilian-to-civilian transition (is it May 29 or June 12 now?), we roll back the years and review unvarnished thoughts and neglected projections that may yet be useful in placing the surest steps forward, one after the other, in our quest for progressive governance and responsive citizenry.

Our focus is essentially on the one area we can claim some sort of world acclaim and enduring glory as evidenced by the products and exertions of our creative communities in the past 20 years, and more.

We can hopefully find some meaty stuff and potential gems in the following regurgitation of thoughts and prognoses. Follow me, please, in the remaining May weeks that this column will devote to exhausting itself in some kind of self-flaggelation or healing process. Here goes: “We are all glad that power-to-power political transition has been safely completed without bloodshed or terror unleashed, and we can now settle down to rebuild our life-giving institutions with hope and purpose. We, as good citizens, are obligated to call attention of the new people in power and submit advice on where to direct their fresh powers in such a manner that will benefit the vast majority of the Nigerian people.

Without a tinge of arrogance, we submit here that a calm and large-hearted attention to the spirit and letters of this article may show forth seed capable of generating joy and gladness in millions of Nigerian homes within a short period of time of sowing. This is the moment that bold ideas should be giving space to flower. When those who can dare are thrust forward to make dreams pop into reality. Charged adrenalin fueled by high imagination can indeed produce economic or socio-political miracles. Please, come with me.

It is basically coincidental even if it seems similar to the nature of our movie-makers who are fond of putting multiple parts of same film in circulation; nevertheless, it is reasonable to recollect the three earlier parts of this series as we wrap up.

The starter was “Why Nollywood Can’t Afford to Lose This Goodluck�, first published on February 3, 2015. Then followed by the post-election “Nollywood vs GMB: Now that GEJ is no longer at ease� on April 19, 2015. And finally, “Nollywood vs GMB: How To Woo GEJ Lovers� of May 12, 2015. Now to this ‘finally-finally’ part of my submission.

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 handy 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 a 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.

So, to build a world-class 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!

Once upon a time it was fashionable for government officials to throw force and power at the restiveness and criminality in the Niger Delta. When that didn’t work, they started throwing money at it: cash-for-gun, bounties on wanted notorious warlords, etc. It later dawned on the powers-that-be the obvious weaknesses of those strategies. They realised the sane and result-oriented way was to deal with age-long infrastructural deficiencies and assuage developmental iniquities of past vagabond governments. And that brought the omnibus NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) in 2000 by the troublesome Chief Olusegun Obasanjo government.

We are not here to review the efficacy of NDDC, but is it any wonder that modest peace and some sort of order have pervaded the region since the policy mindset was persuaded by the Alh. Aliyu Musa Yar’Adua administration to offer carrotand-stick approach (obviously more carrots than stick); and even

MEDIAGAFFES

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

at (not towards) prostitutes. And this: anti-social miscreants? This is the summit of illiteracy and loose thinking! “It will present events in the two chambers, record achievements, gossips and behind-the-scene moves of the assemblymen.â€? ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable. “Shoot-at-sight order in Borno Stateâ€? Get it right: shoot-on-sight order “The last but not the least is about corruptionâ€? No task: the last but not least. “These children disappeared atimes from home after their parents had gone to search for daily bread.â€? Children for sale: at times. “No sooner had the morning papers commenced at (on) the main campus of the university at about 10 a.m.â€? Either at or about 10 a.m. ‘At about’ smacks of thoughtlessness and uncertainty. “Having shown that he means business, all shades of people are quickly jumping into (on or aboard) the ‘anti-corruption’ bandwagon.â€? “Another feather to (in)AsiwajuAhmed Bola Tinubu’s capâ€? “Following reports of molestation and harassment of law-abiding citizens by members of vigilante groups supposedly in anti-robbery patrol‌.â€? Get it right: vigilance committees. “I literarily (literally) saw the yoke of military rule.â€? â€œâ€Śthe officials who would be carrying files from Abuja to Lagos to treat in the morning and return them back in the evening. No linguistic sabotage: delete ‘back’. â€œâ€Śseveral universities from across the universe were practically falling over themselves (one another) to give Mandela one honorary award or the other (another).â€? “Staff correspondent x-rays the government White Paper on the two organizations‌and related companies in the industry. ‘White Papers’ are issued exclusively by governments. So, yank off ‘government’.

Wrong: non-challance; right: nonchalance. â€œâ€Śthe desire by the president to utilize best hands available in the running of government in these trying times....â€? Do you utilize what is unavailable?

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

quieter still since 2008 when he conjured a Niger-Delta Ministry with NDDC as a major parastatal?

It does not take much brain-work to know that the issues the core-objectives of NDDC/Niger-Delta Ministry confronted are also staring at us in the Creative Community of Nigeria. Here is a short list: Resource Control. Environmental Degradation. Pollution. Unemployable Restive Youth. Proliferation of Ammunition.

For all these Niger Delta ‘devils’, their creative equivalences are: Dearth of Resources. Economic Degradation. Piracy. Unemployable Restless Youth. Proliferation of Unimagination. And more, of course.

With the strides of ex-president GEJ in his beloved Nollywood, the new Buhari government has a surly but eager community (however sharply divided and suspicious). The larger Creative Communities have long-standing capacity for supportive and eager collaboration with any government policies geared towards elevating the prospects of their art forms. Unlike Brother Jonathan that threw money at Nollywood in an attempt to palliate highlighted inadequacies (professional training, seed capital for shooting projects, erecting cinema houses, etc), let Uncle Buhari go round the current funding nets and mop up outstanding capitals from Bank of Industry, NEXIM and such financial initiatives still lying fallow. A N3b pledge was made in March 2013 by the Jonathan government for ‘the development of the film industry’, and whatever remained of the N200m loan scheme of 2010. With remnants of these schemes and other aggregated funds/grants, a fresh input and dedicated liaisons with art-loving nations and foundations worldwide, we should have enough stimulus to legislate into being the Nigerian Entertainment Development Commission, NEDC. That, I submit, is one of the first set of quick-fire bills this government can activate with guaranteed instantaneous celebrations and sustained enthusiasm nationwide. Look into the archives, there have been many papers and colloquy on this sort of matter; so drawing up a draft bill should be a swing.� –––(To Be Continued)

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R t MAY 18, 2019

25

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R-L: Ovie Binitie, Mike Imoukhuede, Oseomoje Imoukhuede and Weyinmi Ekperigin; All classmates in the Federal Government College, Warri, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Level class of 1979.

Dr. Sunny Okpaise Former Head of Service, Edo State in the middle with Ahousi Imoukhuede on the Left and Afolabi Imoukhuede, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment, on the Right

Ambassador Garrick Eboigbe with Ahousi Imoukhuede, right, and Afolabi Imoukhuede on the left.

R-L Igwe and Funmi Onuma, Gbenga Leshi, Adams Abdulkareem with Afolabi Imoukhuede in the middle

CEO 25J Events Mrs. Bimpe Shekoni and her husband, Mr. Kehinde Shekoni, CEO Rapid Build Properties

Mrs. Olubunmi Imoukhuede 3rd right (aka Sisi) wife of J.E. Imoukhuede with ace musician, Adekunle Gold, her son Afolabi and wife, Oyindamola, on the right, with Abiola Onabolu and Ayoola Olusoga (younger sisters from Canada) on the left.

L-R: Managing Editor Ovation International, Mr. Michael Eï¬&#x192;ong, Omoba Mushafau Ademola Kassim, ace musician, Adekunle Gold, and founder Vivid Imagination Mr. Godwin Mekwuye

Afolabi Imoukhuede (4th from Right) and wife, Oyindamola, with Old Boys Federal Government College, Warri. L-R: Richard Akalugwa, Andrew Oghomi, Eterame Eriaghanoma, Osaretin and Masagbor

L-R: Member, House of Representatives, Hon (Dr.) Omoregie Ihama-Ogbeide, and Afolabi Imoukhuede, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation

The Family of High Chief Akinnawonu of Ondo town in group photo with Adekunle Gold. From left, Tokunbo Akinnawonu, Oyindamola Afolabi- Afolabi, centre, with former Head of Service of Imoukhuede, Mrs. Christy Adeyeye and Olumide Edo State, Dr. Sunny Okpaise, left, and Mrs. Janet Okaisabor, right.

Akinnawonu

Mini Musuem displaying life and times of J.E. Imoukhuede. OBE

CEO HOS Consult, Mr. Hakeem Smith and DMD Huawei Telecomms, Mr. Lanre Odekunle.

Edo State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Omua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, with Oseomoje Imoukhuede to the left and Afolabi Imoukhuede to the right.

L- R Hon. Ifueko Alufohai, Hon. Isoken Omo, Secretary to State Government, Edo State Mr. Osarodion Ogie and Mrs. Itohan Bazuaye

CEO Softcom Limited, Mr. Yomi Adedeji 2nd right, ace musician, Adekunle Gold, 1st Left, ace comedian - Buchi, 1st Right with Afolabi Imoukhuede and his wife, Oyindamola

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 18, 2019

POLITY Imperatives of Berthing Nigeria’s Digital Switchover Nigeria is signatory to the Geneva 2006 Agreement on Transition from Analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting, alongside member states of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Region 1. Thirteen years on, after breaching the nine-year window (June 2006-June 2015), Nigeria is yet to transit fully. Stanley Nkwazema examines the big issues, negative expatriate lobby and dire implications of non-transition for the continental leader

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riven by a fundamental understanding of its revolutionary technological and socio-economic benefits, the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting, more commonly termed digital switchover, has become a global passion and most modern state systems are anxious to embrace the option. Nigeria, like other member states of the ITU Region 1 signed the Geneva 2006 Agreement on Transition from Analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting.

The agreed transition period was from June 2006 to June 2015 (9-year window) However, the date was shifted to June 2017, unfortunately again, that date was not met. In 2019, 13 years after, Nigeria is yet to transit. Although Nigeria sought to embrace the new broadcast innovation, uneven and staccato policy footing and perhaps, subtle sabotage by foreign interests became hurdles. Significantly, under the Muhammadu Buhari presidency, the switchover policy appears to have enjoyed more clarity and stable patronage.

A comprehensive digital broadcast switchover would be consistent with President Buhari’s determination to diversify the economy and create more jobs. It is widely recognized that a complete digital switchover such as Nigeria contemplates, is bound to have a decisive impact on the Nigerian economy.

A switchover will make Nigeria the largest digital television market in Africa, and will also give an incredible leverage to film, music and drama productions. What Nigeria has on her hands in prospect, is a cultural explosion of revolutionary proportions. This reality was recently echoed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he reiterated that the digital switchover being undertaken by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) will make Nigeria the biggest digital television market in Africa.

Osinbajo expressed the position last year at the launch of the Hi-Impact TV at the Hi-Impact Planet Amusement Park and Resort, Ibafo, Ogun State, noting that the digital switchover would also positively impact the Nigerian film industry and contribute to the growth of the economy.

Policy Decisions on Digitization Guided by its arrowhead agency, the NBC, established by Section 1 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. NII, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and vested with the responsibilities of regulating and controlling the nation’s broadcasting industry and ensuring the people’s right to quality broadcasting is assured, the federal government took the six policy decisions in the implementation of digital switchover: They are that there will be a separation of functions in the Broadcast Industry; a Signal Distributor or Carrier will be responsible for the transmission of the signals to the viewers at home; three Signal Distributors or Carriers are to be licensed, one of which is one is to evolve from the transmission infrastructure of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); the transmission standard shall be the DVB-T2 Format with MPEG-4 AVC Compression Format and that Set Top Boxes (STB) to enable existing analogue television receivers to continue receiving the digital transmission after the switchover date will be manufactured in Nigeria.

Why is President Buhari Fast-tracking Switchover?

Beyond being a UN international treaty, the political implications of Nigeria being the leader in the sub-region specifically and continent generally, the Digital Switchover (DSO) has huge financial, social, technological and cultural benefits to Nigeria as properly appreciated by the president. Sector experts have adduced eight significant reasons underlying the president’s interest here. These include: Today, all terrestrial television stations in Nigeria are operating on 450MHZ - 862MHZ: At digital switchover, all the TV stations, both old and new ones will operate under 450Mhz-694Mhz, leaving the whole of 700Mhz and 800Mhz Free.

These frequencies (700MHZ & 800MHZ) will be farmed back and sold by the FGN as part of the digital dividend and this worth over $4 billion revenue to federal government coffers. Already one of these frequencies has been sold for N32 billion.

By switching from analogue to digital transmission, the local government areas of Nigeria, through the software application of the new Set Top Box, will be able to electronically collect Television/Radio license fee from every TV-Household amounting to an estimated N120 billion annually, which have been difficult to collect. Since 2015 to-date state/local governments have lost more than N450 billion collectable internally

These were powered by the licensed signal distributors with locally manufactured FREETV set top boxes by Gospell Digital Technology FZE and the other Nigerian licensed local set top box assembling plants all over Nigeria, transmitting over 25 free to air TV channels on the Freetv platform.

Having achieved this much, and bearing in mind the slow pace and confusion caused by the unfortunate removal of the former DG of NBC Emeka Mba and the EFCC imbroglio vis-a-vis the June 17th 2017 switch off cut-off date which is now passed and the realities on ground, the emerging consensus is that there is need for sober and in-depth review of situations in NBC to make meaningful and sustainable progress of the DSO. DSO is a global trend that Nigeria must follow or be left behind and the benefits accruable is so huge that the government cannot afford to waste any more time. This informs the need to speedily complete the switchover process implementation for the benefit of all Nigerians.

To Sustain Buhari’s Momentum

Mohammed

generated revenue. This could be used to develop the LGAs that are in dire need of basic infrastructure.

The DSO will create over 50,000 direct jobs and another over 250,000 indirect jobs emanating from the new STB Local Manufacturers, over 200 new television stations and numerous local content production companies that will serve as feed-stock for these new 24-hour television channels. The positive Impact in the labour market, youth empowerment, creative industry and manufacturing sector can only be imagined.

The Nigerian advertising/media revenue will quadruple to about $6.7 billion as the new FREETV (Free To Air, FTA, Set Top Box Decoders) will provide audience measurement, making Nigeria reap from its huge population - beating South Africa, Kenya and Ghana who are topping the list now.

With Digital Switch Over, Nigerian viewers will have access to over 200 free to air channels on the FREETV Set To Box - ranging from News, movies, sports, lifestyle and general entertainment channels.

The new DSO FREETV Set Top Box will enhance Nollywood film and content monetization, by providing the platform for new movies and films to be released and distributed, hence fighting piracy. The industry is worth more than US$5.1 billion, making it the third most valuable film industry in the world, behind the United States and India.

With the DSO, the creative industry will experience a boom and the much-needed profit from creative works by content owners can be achieved. Eliminating piracy is the singular most important challenge to the creative industry in Nigeria.

DSO is the solution.

The quality of life of Nigerian TV households will improve significantly with better TV viewing experience; better quality picture and clearer sound. There will be more cost saving options - receiving the same type of Pay TV channels on the new ‘FREETV’, free to air Set top box. All free of charge under the digital switch over.

Interactive TV experience - the new Digital FREETV Set Top Box decoder comes with value added services such as video on demand, VOD, PushVOD, OTT, E-Commerce, telemedicine, telebanking: The special interactive children education channels and government real-time information channel are added value for Nigerians.

The Challenge and Way Forward From Verifiable checks, the digital switchover regime as envisaged by the federal government has indeed taken root in the country and what remains is for the proper harnessing of all available resources and the political will to give it a more enduring life. There is no better testimony to this when the Jos pilot and Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu, Ilorin and Oshogbo digital switch overs were launched.

A cross-section of critical stakeholders agreed that to sustain Buhari’s apparent resolve to forge ahead on the DSO front, about five measures should be deployed to aid quick completion by June 2021.

They are: The federal government should set up a DSO Implementation Presidential Task Force or reconstitute the Digi-team with a power to implement the Digital Switchover Programme in line with the White Paper and the team headed by a seasoned, knowledgable stake holder as administrator, with at least additional 10 members drawn from Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Association of Cable Satellite Operators of Nigeria (ACON), Association of Licensed STB Manufactures of Nigeria (STBMAN), The Governors Forum, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Customs, and Representatives from Ministry of Trade and Industry, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), APCON and NBC. This will free the NBC from the challenge being experienced now, where NBC is the initiator, a player and also the regulator, hence, the seeming confusion. NBC’s roll should be that of an umpire and not a player. The approved white paper envisaged the implementation roll to the DIGI-TEAM and not NBC The DSO’s new Presidential Implementation Task Force should immediately call for all stakeholders meeting to trash out some grey areas bothering broadcasters and come out with a firm road map and fixed Switch- On and Switch-Of time table in the shortest possible time, in order to mitigate the slippage of time and the attendant financial loss by investors and loss of confidence by the Public The federal government should, as matter of urgency, release the N15 billion already approved for NBC and the balance of N32 billion (the cost of DSO implementation, according to the government white paper) to the reconstituted DSO Presidential implementation Task Force for proper accountability The DSO should be given the required impetus as a national project and the Presidency should show leadership, with guidance from NBC as its impact will garner international good will and robust political leverage for the government and the people of Nigeria.

It no longer a secret that shadowy entrepreneurs working in tandem with some industry players are bent on truncating the digital switch over for whatever reason. These crops of mischief makers have continued in their effort to discredit the process and make Nigeria lose the benefit of the digital switch over and remain technologically backward.

Fortunately, with the mounting presidential interest and resolve - added to the fact that the DSO process was transparent and well thought through, despite the huge financial investment and time that have gone into it in the last 10 years, optimism of success is also mounting.

Threats It’s clear that one of Nigeria’s endangered frontiers is the broadcast environment which now seems to be threatened by an armada of foreign programmes and foreign entities. It is becoming obvious that the Nigeria’s assertiveness in the digital switchover project is beginning to challenge the comfort of the expatriate lobby.

The emerging and critical consensus is that they should be told to get off and seek solace elsewhere. They must not be allowed to derail the imperative of berthing Nigeria’s digital switchover. The digital switchover is a huge project and contains even huger prospects for changing the national economy and creating employment.

27

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 18, 2019

POLITY

Amosun’s Last Minute Actions Causing Anxiety Femi Ogbonnikan writes on the various intrigues that have been trailing the change of baton from the outgoing Ogun State administration of Ibikunle Amosun to the incoming government of Prince Dapo Abiodun

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hen the late famous Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe, published his masterpiece, “No Longer at Ease”, in 1960, little did scholars of note realise that the epic literature foretells the future realities to come, especially likening the review to the supposed convoluted transition committee of the outgoing administration of Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State.

Far from being over, the body language of Amosun conspicuously tells his nonreadiness to prepare a smooth hand-over note to his successor, come May 29.

This indication can be seen in a letter originating from the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on Thursday.

According to the letter, with reference number SSG/ADM 16/Vol 8/10, titled, “Re: Inspection and availability of key government facilities”, and signed by the SSG, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, regretted the non-availability of most important facilities in Abeokuta for the inauguration of the in-coming administration, slated for May 29. Adeoluwa’s letter was in response to a message the Deputy Governor-elect, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, sent to him. Oyedele is the head of the in-coming administration’s transition committee.

The SSG’s letter reads: “Your text message to me at about 11:25 this morning refers.

I apologise that I was not able to speak with you on the phone at that time. For the records, I wish to restate that His Excellency, Ibikunle Amosun, had directed that your committee shall be offered full cooperation and assistance in the discharge of your mandate.

“The challenge, however, appears to be that most of the facilities indicated in your text message, the “valley view, the Presidential lodge, Mitros, June 12 Cultural Centre, Stadium”, are currently being used for the routine business of governance and therefore may not be available until about a few days to the May 29 inauguration, as we had duly notified during our inaugural Joint Meeting of Monday, 29th April, 2019.

“As you are aware, the state is preparing for the working visit of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the third week of May to Commission a number of legacy projects in commemoration of this Administration’s end-of-tenure.

“Understandably, all hands are on deck and most of the named state facilities will be in use. Secondly, during the Holy month of Ramadan, the state organises and engages in a number of daily programmes, culminating in the state’s “special Iftar” for which we routinely use many of the named facilities.

“It may be of interest to also notify that our administration has a number of end-oftenure activities, including but not limited to social Jumat and Church thanksgiving ceremonies, and other varieties to show appreciation to the good people of Ogun State for their support and to the Almighty God for an impactful and successful tenure.

“I have gone into the details above to underscore the constraints about the immediate availability of these facilities.

However, I have again cross-checked with our team in charge of the end-of-tenure activities and in the spirit of cooperation, we are able to offer the following: (1) the Valley View Auditorium; the VIP lodge; the MTR new Governor’s Guest House; and the MTR hall (adjacent to the Presidential lodge); will be available from Wednesday, 15th May, 2019 and the facilities will be handed over to your team on Saturday, 25th May, 2019.

“Please, be assured that should you desire to conduct “inspection” only, (as opposed to immediate possession), we will oblige your team.”

Dapo Abiodun and Governor Amosun Besides, a recent piece titled, “Amosun’s booby trap for Dapo Abiodun” published in a national newspaper on Saturday, May 11, 2019, warned the governor-elect to be wary of the booby trap being laid for him by the outgoing governor.

The report said:”The Ogun state governor-elect, Dapo Abiodun, will have a mountain to climb to succeed as governor after his inauguration on May 20. This is on account of the booby trap his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, is believed to be setting for him as he prepared to hand over the baton of governance. Like a bolt from the blue, the outgoing governor has suddenly become the friend of the state’s civil servants who for years had fought in vain for their promotion, pension and other basic entitlements under his administration.

“The recruitment and promotion he had bluntly refused to do for years are now being done with such haste and excitement that the people of the state are left to wonder the alchemy by which the state’s workers suddenly became the apple of Amosun’s eyes.

One explanation is that the outgoing governor wants to balloon the wage bill of the state so that the incoming governor would have a heavy wage bill to contend with when he gets into office.

Nobody knows what Dapo Abiodun intends to do about the booby trap as he has not complained, at least publicly, like other governors-elect.”

Amosun, during the May Day workers’ rally, approved the release of N20.2 billion to defray outstanding salary deductions and payment of April salary.

In his response, the Publicity Secretary of the State’s APC Caretaker Committee, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, slammed the outgoing government “for deliberately punishing the civil servants with their salaries.

“He approved the payment of the said N20.2 billion to clear the 108-month salary deduction when he is about to vacate the office, that Amosun should bury his head in shame. He has not done any special favour to the workers. He should have paid the workers with interests. Where did Amosun suddenly get the money when there is no excess crude oil payment, Paris Club refund or bailout by the Federal Government?

“Amosun should have paid these monies to the workers as and when due, instead

of trading with them. Many who lost their lives would have been saved, many families would not have been broken and many who developed high blood pressure and related diseases would have been saved from such ailments. Amosun should not forget to pay the outstanding salaries of tertiary institutions and local government deductions.”

In another ugly development, the governor-elect, Abiodun, through Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the state’s APC, had, penultimate Tuesday, raised the alarm over the installation of new monarchs in the state and warned the people to be wary of the antics of the outgoing administration in a bid to raise unnecessary dust.

He, however, vowed to review the illegal exercise.

While reacting to the perceived plots to install new monarchs in Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area, the development which has pitched the hitherto Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, against his boss, Amosun, the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, through the Seriki, High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun, on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, held a press conference at NUJ Secretariat (Iwe Irohin), Abeokuta, the state capital, berated such moves.

According to the monarch, “it is not a frequent practice that the Olota in Council will call a press conference to address matters concerning culture and tradition of the people.

“But there is an apparent intent or suspicion of intent to discredit the will, distort the culture and breach the tradition of the people, it is not always right to keep silent in the face of such indiscretion.

“We are surprised to hear from credible sources, that certain elements are bent on foisting some people without traceable histories within Aworiland as Obas and Baales in some Awori towns.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored this as another way of causing dissatisfaction and mischief against the government of the day and our good people.

“Governor Amosun has been a friend of the Awori people and a good leader without any baggage of bias and injustice. We are therefore surprised that at the twilight of his administration, some people opposed to

peace and probably envious of our healthy relationship gave surprising issues that could tamper with the tremendous goodwill he enjoys with the people of Ota and Aworiland in general. We believe he will not fall into their scheme.

“Indeed, we have been told that against conscience, common sense and justice that some new Obas, whose ancestors were not biologically linked with the Aworis nor had any affiliation with the kingship institution, would be installed before the end of the month.

“The affected towns, we learnt, are SangoOta, Atan-Ota, Ijoko-Ota, Abule Lemomu, Oke-Ore, Adekoyeni, among others.”

Coincidentally, the unsavoury development has taken its toll on a close associate of Amosun’s, Chief Jide Ojuko, who resigned his appointment as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

In his resignation letter to the outgoing governor, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) titled, “Resignation of Appointment”, and dated May 14, 2019, it reads, thus: “Firstly, sir, let me wholeheartedly thank you for the opportunity given me to serve in your government during your second tenure as a governor. I must confess, it is a golden and very rare opportunity, and for life I shall remain grateful.

“However, sir, it pained me from the bottom of my heart to give a notice of my resignation to a boss I love so much. By my appointment, I represent my people from Awori stock, my local government and the entire state. After service, I will have no choice than to go back home and settled with total peace of mind.

“Recent events are making me to believe that this plan may not be feasible if I have to continue serving in my present capacity as the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The ultimate, therefore, is that I shall become an outcast among my people. At my age this is avoidable.

“Sir, by my background as a civil and public servant, my training is to be obedient and loyal to my boss, but your recent directive on the issue of Obaship in some areas in Ota State Constituency runs against my conscience, the wish and yearnings of my people that I represent. Once again, you remain my political leader and brother, I thank you for the honour, love and the opportunity given to me to serve the good people of the state”.

Meanwhile, former Director-General (DG), for Amosun’s second term Reelection Campaign Organisation and a close associate of the governor-elect, Chief Bode Mustapha, who is also the promoter of a firm, Bond Investment and Holdings Limited, has threatened to drag the outgoing administration in Ogun state to court over what it called a “breach of agreement on consultancy fee totalling $11,740,362:00” for the payment of service charge resulting from the external debt claims in respect of Paris Club and other multinational loans.

But in a reaction, the state government, through the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, in a letter titled, “Paris Club Refund, said: We do not owe Bode Mustapha’s Consultancy FirmOgun Government”, and dated May 14, 2019 denied owing the firm. For emphasis, clause 2.1 of the agreement between Ogun state government and Bond Investments and Holdings Limited, dated 23rd December 2009, stipulated clearly 80 working days and could be terminated at the instance of either of the parties.

“We note that a letter from the state government titled, Re: Notice of termination of contract, Reference number DMU/012/122 and dated 15th November, 2011, indeed terminated the said contract.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 18, 2019

POLITY

PACEDA Warns against Calls for Legalising Cannabis in Nigeria Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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he Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) has warned against any plan or advocacy to legalise the growing of cannabis in Nigeria for whatever purpose.

Chairman of the Committee, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) who gave the warning yesterday in a statement, said such move will be counter productive at a time when the federal government is doing everything possible to eliminate the menace of drug abuse in the country.

According to him, “It is disturbing that at this time when about 10 million Nigerians are abusing cannabis, anyone or group will be considering or advocating for Nigeria to legalise the growing of marijuana for economic or whatever purposes. Our Committee has spent the last six months going round the country to obtain first hand information about the dangers of drug abuse and how to combat it, and we have been faced with the stark reality of how deep the menace has damaged and still damaging lives especially the youths.

“No doubt, President Muhammadu Buhari was worried about this emergency situation, hence the decision to set up PACEDA to find a lasting solution to the threat. We should not therefore fold our hands or keep sealed lips while deliberate attempts are being

made to sabotage the genuine efforts of the federal government in the interest of the nation.

“We should not forget so soon how many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs were made prescription medicines when millions of our young minds and adults were abusing such. How can we then turn around to call for legalising growing of cannabis when the federal government is still in the process of curtailing and eliminating the same? “We dare say that no economic gain is worth the life of any Nigerian daily damaged on the street as a result of the effect of cannabis. There is therefore the need for all stakeholders, at the federal, state and local government levels, to rally round the federal government efforts at eliminating the menace of drug abuse rather than engaging in any counter productive venture.”

HMO Total Health Trust Holds Business Forum Chinedu Ibeabuchi

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eading Health Maintenance Organisation, Total Health Trust Limited recently held its annual business forum with this year’s edition focusing on value creation and wealth preservation by Nigeria corporates faced with a challenging macroeconomic landscape.

Among the topics discussed were healthcare trends and funding, Nigeria’s economic outlook for 2019 and how Nigerians can maintain financial fitness in trying economic times.

Speakers at the event were Nick Zaranyika; Chief Executive Officer, Total Health Trust Limited, Sakeenat Bakare; Executive Director – Business Development and Support Services, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers and Dr Andrew S. Nevin; Advisory Partner & Chief Economist at PwC Nigeria who delivered the keynote speech which provided an insightful and thought provoking overview of Nigeria’s economic outlook post the recently concluded elections.

Zaranyika, who spoke about healthcare trends and funding, said that cost of healthcare in Nigeria is exponentially increasing year on year partially as a result of imported inflation, among other factors. He emphasised the importance of companies subscribing to health insurance plans in order to protect against high unexpected healthcare costs, afford access to quality treatment and provide peace of mind to employees and their dependants Keynote speaker, Dr Andrew S. Nevin said that Nigeria’s economic growth would be somewhat sluggish characterised by slow recovery while unemployment would continue to trend upward and that diaspora remittances, estimated at N25 billion

L-R : Kieran Godden, COO, THT, Toyin Deinde; Head, Sales & Distribution, THT, Sakeenat Bakare; ED – Business Development & Support Services, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers, Nick Zaranyika; and CEO, THT, Dr. Andrew S. Nevin, at the Total Health Trust (THT) Business Forum held in Lagos...recently annually would continue to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s foreign earnings.

To maintain financial fitness despite the bearish outlook, Sakeenat Bakare from Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers pointed out different ways individuals and companies can build,

maintain and transfer wealth to the next generation, emphasising that ill-health could limit the potential to create more wealth and “insurance is good financial planning to have for healthcare and to protect those assets you’ve worked so hard to acquire.” This translates to better cost savings compared to paying out of pocket.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), Mr. Seni Adio, SAN; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke; Chairman, 2019 Conference Planning Committee, Dr. Adeoye Adefulu; and judge of Lagos High Court, Justice Abiola Soladoye, during a courtesy visit by the council of NBA-SBL to the Chief Judge of Lagos State to announce the 13th annual business law conference in Lagos…yesterday

L-R: Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna; Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; GMD/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; and CEO, Systemic Logic, South Africa, Audrey Mothupi, during the 2019 Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF) Digital Gold Rush conference in Lagos themed ‘Building a Sustainable Tech Economy’… yesterday

L-R: Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Jola Ogunlusi; MD/CEO. Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan; Collection Manager, ALKEM Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Gbenga Awolere; Ecobank Company Secretary/Chief Legal Adviser, Denike Laoye; and Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Environment (MOU), Mr. Lasisi Adedoyin, at the Ecobank sustainability week for the Pick Up of 4Million Bottle for Cash at Lagos Sewage Plant, held at Lagos Sewage Amuwo Odofin Plant...yesterday Sunday Adigun

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Community Affairs and Communication, Mr. Hakeem Sulaiman; Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, representing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Ade Adesanya; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Jimi Hotonu; and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami, during dualisation of Durosimi-Etti Drive/Hakeem Dickson Road in Lekki ,Lagos...yesterday

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

18.05.2019

3

NEWS

FA CUP: CITY ON THE VERGE OF HISTORY PAGE

Wilfred Ndidi Can Leicester Ward-off Man United’s Prying Eyes?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Wilfred Ndidi

Can Leicester Ward-off Man Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prying Eyes?

When Leicester lost Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Golo Kante to Chelsea, it did not take the coaching crew long to ďŹ nd an able replacement in Wilfred Ndidi and for the second year running, he had won the Premier League Tackler of the Season. With Manchester United set to lose their midďŹ eld jewel, Paul Pogba this summer, attention is once again directed at the Nigerian midďŹ elder as a possible replacement. How well Leicester is able to ward oďŹ&#x20AC; Old TraďŹ&#x20AC;ord scouts remains to be seen

T

he midfielder became the third Nigerian to feature in every Premier League game of a single season after Joseph Yobo and Victor Moses after he was named in Brendan Rodgersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; starting line-up for their meeting with Chelsea at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

In the process, he racked up 3,298 minutes of action to become Leicester Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most-capped outfield player of the 2018-19 season, behind only goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (3,420 minutes).

Overall, he made 83 interceptions, 143 total tackles and 80 clearances.

Also, the former Genk man boasts

of 1,985 total passes and 80 per cent passing accuracy. The 22-year-old also set a record of his own after becoming the first player to top the tacklersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chart for two consecutive seasons.

Manchester United supporters have however urged their club to make a move for Ndidi in the summer transfer window as the club is set for a busy few months ahead as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to overhaul his squad after failing Champions League qualification.

It seems like central midfield is one area in particular which United need to strengthen with Ander Herrera poised to leave the club at the end of the season.

If Herreraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exit does materialise United supporters believe Leicester central midfielder Ndidi could be the ideal man to take his place after Ndidiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scintillating performance against The Reds at Old Trafford.

Back in April 2018, the Daily Mail claimed Manchester United were one of the Premier League clubs interested in Ndidi after the 22-year-old has established himself as one of the hottest midfield prospects in the Premier League with his consistent displays for Leicester City over the past two seasons. But it is quite fascinating that the Nigerian international doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the praises he deserves.

Solskjaer will be looking to bring

back the glory days at the club with several key signings in the summer and there are claims that the Norwegian is ready to offload as many as six players in what will be a massive summer overhaul ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

As far as midfield is concerned, Herrera and Juan Mataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deals are expiring at the end of the season and while the duo are negotiating new deals, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little guarantee that either will stay.

If Herrera and Mata leave, and with speculation rife on Pogbaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move to Real Madrid, United will be left with Fred, Nemanja Matic, Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay as options in central midfield.

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MAY 18, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

GLOBAL SOCCER

Ndidi…can he resist Manchester United move

If Solskjaer’s Red Army are to compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for the title next season, they need to bolster their midfield options.

They need a replacement for Matic as the Serb doesn’t quite fit Solskjaer’s style of play and Ndidi would be a straight upgrade for Matic.

Ndidi is a midfield general who can be a destroyer, dictator of the game and score long-range belters for his team.

An excellent tackler, the Nigerian reads the game very well and positions himself accordingly to snuff out the danger before it turns bigger. He is a very good passer of the ball and knows how to keep things simple when required.

It, however, remains to be seen how

well the management of Leicester would be able to scare away lobbyist from Old Trafford and how much Ndidi himself is able to resist a move to the Theater of Dreams.

Ndidi said the experience of representing his country at the 2018 World Cup made him a better player.

He was one of the Super Eagles’ best players at Russia 2018, performing strongly in each of their three group matches against Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.

Playing against the likes of Lionel Messi and Luka Modric has inspired the Nigerian to take his game to a new level.

After signing a new contract with

Leicester City which ties him to the Premier League club until 2024, Ndidi said the global tournament was a learning experience for him.

“The World Cup was an amazing experience and you see different kinds of players. You see players you see on TV and players from teams like Real Madrid,” Ndidi said to the Foxes’ official website.

“I would say I learned some things from these players. I’m playing against them and you know what they do, they think very fast.

“There is nothing like growing, so learning from all those things will make me grow. I’ll just keep pushing and give everything and look forward to the games.”

Just over four years ago, Ndidi was starring for Lagos amateur youth side- Nath Boys, before he was spotted by scouts of Belgian side, K.R. C Genk. After a successful trial with the Belgium club, he made his debut for the club in January 2014. More than two years on, the management of Leicester City turned to Ndidi’s direction as a replacement for their diminutive midfielder, Kante that left for Chelsea.

After doing the unthinkable three seasons ago by emerging as English Premier League champions, it had been a different story for Leicester City seasons after as the team found it difficult to keep most of their star players, chief among which was their midfield battler- Kante, which was why Leicester made a move for Ndidi as a replacement for Kante.

“I never had any doubt about his talent. He distinguishes himself anytime and he is focused. I always knew he would go places and I am not surprised at the height he is taking his football to,” the founder of Nath Boys, Yemi Idowu told THISDAY. The then 19-year-old was viewed as one of the brightest prospects in Belgian football and the management of Genk knew it would be difficult to fence away ‘intruders’.

Ndidi, the Premier League’s most successful tackler by some distance last season, but his modesty means he doesn’t really view himself as such, rather choosing to stress the privilege he feels at representing his nation and people.

This concluded season, he has gotten better and particularly been massive for the Foxes in their recent games under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

In Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth earlier in April, Ndidi made 16 tackles and interceptions, the second most by any player in a Premier League game.

“Watching him from the outside, he’s obviously a player that’s got good

athletic ability and works very hard.

I always have that sort of player, a clear, controlling player in the game.

Sometimes they’re a defensive type like him that can really press the game and play simple, or sometimes it’s a more creative player, a playmaker from behind,” Rodgers said.

“He covers the ground so fast. His anticipation is very good, he reads the game, he smells the danger.”

Alex McLeish, who bought the teenager when he was Genk Manager, says Ndidi was always the solution to the vacuum created in Leicester midfield by Kante’s exit.

The former Birmingham and Aston Villa boss believes the Nigerian youngster is perfectly well-suited to the Premier League after snapping him up from Genk for a bargain £80,000.

Born on December 16, 1996, Ndidi has made appearances for the Nigerian U-20 team at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He is known for his versatility and can play as a central defender, defensive midfielder or full back.

Ndidi was part of the Nigerian youth setup during his time at Nathaniel Boys of Lagos.

While playing the African U-17 Championship with Nigeria, he was excluded along with two other players from the competition as a precaution, following an MRI test that showed he was just slightly above the threshold.

Notwithstanding, he joined up with his teammates in the U-20 team the following year, forming the bedrock of the midfield. He was called up to the senior national team on October 8, 2015, making his debut in the friendly game against DR Congo.

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

GLOBAL SOCCER

Man Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John Stones (left) and Watfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Isaac Success compete for possession in the Premier League

FA CUP FINAL

City Target Record Domestic Treble against Watford Manchester Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambition of a quadruple this season was not to be as Pep Guardiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Tottenham. Yet, The Citizens can still set a new English record by becoming the ďŹ rst and only side to win a domestic treble with a victory over Watford today having already won the EFL Cup and the Premier League

anchester City will attempt to wrap up an impressive domestic treble when they take on Watford in the FA Cup Final at Wembley this evening.

Pep Guardiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side go into English footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s showpiece fixture on an enormous high having successfully retained their Premier League title with a 4-1 win over Brighton on the final day that meant Liverpool were forced to accept second place at the end of a captivating title race.

The Catalan, whose team also kept hold of the League Cup with a penalty-shootout win over Chelsea in February, will now be eager to win world footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest knockout competition for the first time.

City are five-time winners of the FA Cup, but have not lifted the trophy since 2011, when they beat Stoke under Roberto Mancini. This year, they eliminated Rotherham, Burnley, Newport, Swansea and Brighton to reach the final once more.

Looking to stop City claiming a trio of major honours this term are a Watford side making their first FA Cup Final appearance since 1984, when they lost 2-0 to Everton.

The Hornets have enjoyed a mostly successful campaign under Javier Gracia, though ended the Premier League season with three straight defeats and heavy back-to-back losses against Chelsea and

West Ham - the latter costing them a top-half finish.

Watford had not won at Wembley since 1999 before substitute Gerard Deulofeu inspired them to a memorable 3-2 comeback win over Wolves in the semi-final.

They previously bested non-league Woking, Newcastle, QPR and Crystal Palace.

Watford manager may not have the reputation that Guardiola enjoys in the game but he has made his mark this season by guiding the Hornets to a creditable 11th-place finish in the Premier League and only their second FA Cup final.

Gracia played for Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad during the time when Guardiola was a player with Barcelona and like the City boss he was a deep lying central midfielder.

But while Guardiola began coaching with Barca, Garcia has worked at several lesser known Spanish clubs before he moved to England after a spell with Russian club Rubin Kazan.

The 49-year-old makes no attempt to hide his admiration for Guardiola, who on Sunday succeeded in winning his second straight Premier League title. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pep is the best in the Premier, yes. He is a very good manager and we have a good relationship. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t speak with him many times but we have a good relationship,â&#x20AC;? he said.

City beat Watford in both meetings in the league, 2-1 at Vicarage Road in December

and 3-1 at the Etihad, but Gracia believes his team showed enough in those games to have hope they could pull off a surprise at Wembley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We lost both games but I think we showed that we can beat them. We competed really well in both games in different moments,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the first game we lost 2-1 but we competed until the end and had chances at the end. In the second one we kept the result until the second half and then they scored from an offside position and the game changed. I think it showed us itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible,â&#x20AC;? Gracia added..

Watfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only previous FA Cup final appearance was 35 years ago when they lost 2-0 to Everton. In contrast, City will be making their 11th appearance in the traditional finale to thee English season and have won the competition five times, most recently in 2011.

City won the League Cup with victory over Chelsea at Wembley in February and after wrapping up the Premier League with a 14th straight league win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, history awaits with the elusive domestic treble. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No teams in England have done that before, so we have to challenge, compete and be focused on this game,â&#x20AC;? Guardiola said.

With the final being Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final game of the season, Guardiola has no need to rest any players while Watford are expected to

have their influential Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu available despite his recent injury worries.

Road to Wembley Man City: R3: Man City 7-0 Rotherham R4: Man City 5-0 Burnley R5: Newport 1-4 Man City R6: Swansea 2-3 Man City SF: Man City 1-0 Brighton

Watford: R3: Woking 0-2 Watford R4: Newcastle 0-2 Watford R5: QPR 0-1 Watford R6: Watford 2-1 Crystal Palace SF: Watford 3-2 Wolves (aet) Venue: Wembley Stadium Date: Today, May 18, 2019 Kick-off time: 5:00pm BST

ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Massari: Nigeria Will Excel in Africa Track championship

President Nigeria Cycling Federation, Giandomenico Massari, gives insight on the preparations towards the UCI Africa Cup coming up in Abuja in July. Olawale Ajimotokan reports

H

President Nigeria Cycling Federation,Giandomenico Massari

Nigerian cyclists

ow would you assess the board of cycling federation under your leadership over one year now?

Our achievements can be measured by what the athletes are doing. One of our junior cyclists, a female, is ranked fifth in the world in The Point Race Track by International Cycling Union (UCI).

She has a total of 540 points. We have achieved many feats particularly in Road Race and now we are glad to secure the Abuja Velodrome for our use. Recall that the Velodrome has been practically inactive for many years, since inception. It was brought back to life shortly before the last National Sports Festival and that was when we started using it for our training. Within a short period of time, two junior and senior athletes went to South Africa and won seven medals, five silver and two bronze medals. One good thing is that the Velodrome is a state-of-the-art facility, one of the best in the world. We are intensifying effort in road race as well as track. In the road race, we have won a lot of laurels. At the Youth African Games in Eritrea, we got a silver and a gold, and in the last All Africa Games, we got a silver and a gold in the female category. Even last year we had good outing in a competition in Ghana for West Africa, we won gold in the male category. Certainly things are improving and interest is picking up.

Following the success I have listed, we were awarded the hosting right for the 1st edition of Africa Track championship (Africa Cup) that will hold here in Abuja July 26- 28. I hope Nigeria will excel in this competition.

What preparations is the federation making to ensure that it hosts the championship and also performs well?

There are two preparations: the athletesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; preparation and organisational preparation. We sponsored a two-week training programme from April 28- May 12 at the Velodrome. As I speak, we had over 90 cyclists (male and females), elite and junior that participated and all six geopolitical zones were represented. We also invited some West African countries. We had cyclists from Benin and Ghana. We have already qualified for the World Junior Championship (male and female) coming up in Germany from August 14-18. We also have the All Africa Games (AAG) which is for the seniors coming in Morocco in August. The AAG is Road Cycling but the Africa Cup is track. So we have to prepare very well and seriously too to make sure we win many laurels.

In this training, we included two courses for coaches in Track Cycling and Commissars. We trained 20 coaches and 25 commissars in three days. We did this to upgrade all areas of the cycling family.

How is UCI supporting the Africa Cup? For the Africa Cup, we intend to have a massive preparation supported by UCI, two weeks before the championship. That will create room for two weeks intensive training

for athletes and athletes from African regions.

There will also be training courses for coaches and commissars where certificate will be awarded. The instructors will be coming from UCI. Those who excel in the exams will be elevated, and that will raise the standard of the sport among the best in the world professionally. Already we have set up a special committee for screening of members of all the categories, including clubs. This is to ensure that our licenses are in the hands of only qualified persons. This is the way we can make progress.

In line with this, we have already started with UCI trainings and last November we had UCI instructors that trained our coaches, about 18 of them and they came from different part of the country.

It appears we will soon begin to reap the benefit of the Velodrome?

The Velodrome was built specifically for track race. It can be used for other indoor sports events. In road race, we have shown great potentials particularly the females. There are clear evidence that they can get to the top of their game. The boys are not at that level

but they can get there. On track the average Nigerian athlete has great strength, potential power and are good in sprints, in short range. There is potential and high possibility for males. This very category is even good preparation for road race because if you see those who are champions in the roads race, they have already made preparation on track.

We have a big advantage moreover the facility is here and we are not building it new. It is not a waste because there is room to train people as masseurs, mechanics, athletesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coaches and commissars. In a way it is a complete industry.

What challenges are you facing now regarding the Africa Cup? Now that we have the Velodrome are you saying everything is set?

Well, the facility is basically set because it was built to be of high standard, despite the passage of time the facility is okay. The only challenge we have is that when it was built in 2003, it was not a requirement to have an internal transparent barrier separating the track from the inner part. But now it is a

Nosiere Primary School Takes Home Delta Headmasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Azuka Ogujiuba After defeating Destiny Primary School, Ughelli in the finals, Nosiere Primary School, Agbor, has won the Delta State Headmasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup. The competition which was a part of the Delta State School Sports Festival, took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Wednesday.

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and his wife, Dame Edith Okowa

The event which had some dignitaries present, also had the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as its Special Guest of Honour.

Young star, Innocent Emmanuel who helped Nosiere Primary School take home the trophy after scoring in the tenth minute, was named the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Valuable Player.

Being the overall winner, Nosiere smiled

requirement, since it was introduced in 2005, before it can be certified for use. They have come to inspect the velodrome and they say it is okay except the barrier. Once we put the barrier, we get certification. That is why we are pleading with the ministry to assist us with this. I hope they will do this for us because the asset is not our own, it is the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. At the end it will raise the value of the asset, and only that can guarantee its certification by UCI. After that any type of international event can be held here. I went to the minister myself and I think he is trying to see what can be done. They say they are waiting for the budget that has just been passed. Then there are minor things like repainting the lines, those are minor things, all other parts are okay. We are very lucky to have such infrastructure and at this state. But like I told you to have an event like the Africa Cup requires funding and we are looking for more than one sponsors. We are looking for consortium of sponsor to share the costs and at the end have a very good appearance. We are looking to staging an event that leaves international impression.

When it comes to cycling, Giro De Italia and Tour dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; France, and these are massive events. When do you think our Cycling will get off this incubation stage?

It is a long road, let me tell you. Who started cycling as a professional sport? It was France followed by Italy. We have Tour du France and immediately two years after, Giro De Italia, but how many years ago? That was 1900. So we have more than 120 years of distance to catch!

Nigeria is not starting now, we started before and we have made some good achievements in the past, eventually everything declined for some reason, but now we are ready to climb back, but we have this gap.

Notwithstanding, we have had good achievement in Road Cycling, especially the female. But we have started to create a change but we must also create a succession plan so that young athletes can always take from aging ones. So we are planning seriously to host the Nigerian championship around October/ November. We also want to resuscitate Tour of Nigeria. This is the way to grow the sport. to the bank with the sum of N1million as each player got twenty thousand naira cash prize.

In addition to this, Nosiere also got a new coaster bus and will represent the state at the Channels Kids Cup in Lagos next month.

As first the runner up, Destiny Primary School was given N750,000 cash prize while their players got N15,000 each.

Talking about the Headmasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup and how it was revived two years ago while the School Sports Festival got resuscitated this year after seven years , his excellency, governor Okowa said the State government will ensure the continuity of the sporting activities .

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so excited about these competitions; we started with the Principal Cup three years ago and then Headmasterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup now we have the festival. I can assure you that we will continue to have these competitions in the next four years of my tenure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the responsibility of not allowing our kids lost their talent in the process of schooling by not exposing them to competitions. We are happy about the talents discovered here and we hope to see them at the top soon.â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking on the sustainability of the festival, Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education, Chiedu Ebie said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The essence of this festival is to discover talents; the athletes that will represent Delta State and the Youth Games in Ilorin have been discovered here, we took our time to put this competition together and we make sure it continues to take place,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Congratulations to all the winning schools as well as the entire participants.

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

GLOBAL SOCCER

Femi Adebayo; Managing Director, International Breweries, Annabelle Degroot; Joseph Yobo (behind); Captain of the winning team, Scope FC, Lagos, Folorunsho Sunday; Folarin Falana (behind) and Marketing Director, International Breweries, Ms. Tolu Adedeji during the ďŹ nal of Trophy 5-a-side tournament at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

L-R; Football Team Captain, Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement Systems/ Head, Data Centre Operations Mr. Temidayo Akinboni; Deputy Managing Director, Precise Financial System, Mr. Phillip Ayeni; Managing Director, NIBSS, Mr. Niyi Ajao; and Football Captain/ Supervisor, Product implementation and suport, PFS, Mr. Alfred Illloh, at the PFS and NIBSS friendly football match in celebration of PFS 25tg years anniversary in Lagos recently Ç?Ç&#x160;Ç&#x2039; Ç&#x2020;Ç?Ç?Ç?

Falcons Face Elephants in WAFU Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Final FIFA World Cup â&#x20AC;&#x201C;bound Nigeria are firm favourites for the WAFU Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup after eliminating Cup holders Ghana in the second semifinal following penalty shoot-out at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan on Thursday.

In the event, the nine â&#x20AC;&#x201C;time African champions set up a final match date with host nation

Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, which will hold at the same venue today.

The encounter with Ghana was a repeat of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s semifinal, which the Super Falcons lost, and although both teams had chances to score, regulation time ended 0-0 and the game had to go into penalty shoot-out.

The Dame Elephantes fluffed two of their kicks to hand

Nigeria victory. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The competition has been quite interesting and it has been a great experience for the Super Falcons. Against the Ivorians, we will play our normal game, approach things calmly and take our chances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Winning the Cup would be good for the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; spirit and just reward for their endeavour here.

It would also significantly motivate and spur those members of the team who will be going with us to the FIFA World Cup final camp in Austria on Monday.â&#x20AC;?

The Falcons are due back in Nigeria on Sunday, while the delegation to the FIFA World Cup final camp in Austria will depart Nigeria on Monday night.

Scope FC Wins Maiden Edition of Trophy 5-A-Side Scope FC last Saturday at the Campos Mini-Stadium won the maiden edition of Trophy 5-a-side grassroots tournament after 11 weeks of a keenly contested tournament amongst 1, 080 teams.

For the third place match, Amsterdam FC of Obalende, Lagos, beat Rovers FC, Oyo 6-0 to emerge as bronze winners.

In an intensely contested final between Scope FC of Lagos and Ifayemi FC of IleIfe, Scope put up a good fight, getting a well-deserved 2-0 win over its rival in the second half after both teams failed to score in the first half.

In her remarks, Manag-

ing Director, International Breweries, Annabelle Degroot, appreciated the winning team saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;International Breweries is very proud of Scope FC as they embodied the true Trophy values by tackling each challenge with panache, tenacity and zeal to win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this tournament International Breweries has created an avenue for our consumers to talk about their favorite sport and be a part of it. With former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo as the tournament ambassador, Trophy continues to be associated with football, a sport most acknowledged for encouraging team spirit.â&#x20AC;?

Scope FC, were presented their cash prize of N3 million.

They will also be given the opportunity to meet Samuel Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o, renowned African football superstar and participate in the continental finals taking place in Tanzania later this year. Third placed team, Amsterdam FC and second place Ifayemi FC were also presented their cash prizes of N500,000 and N1,000,000 respectively.

Although this maiden edition did not get to the six geopolitical zones, the selection process of the super fans who would accompany the Nigerian team to Tanzania

was conducted nationwide with winners selected through a raffle draw during the finale.

Four super fans have now been selected to accompany the winning team on an-all expense paid trip to Tanzania.

Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc, Tolulope Adedeji, said that the tournament had shown the best of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grassroots football. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In these 11 weeks of the best of 5-a-side football, we have witnessed grassroots football development that is second to none. This maiden edition had teams drawn from Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States,â&#x20AC;? she said.

African Legends in Town for Ambodeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Match African football legends who have been streaming into Lagos since midweek are to take on their Nigerian counterparts today in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Matchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aimed to celebrate outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.

The game which a sort of testimonial for Ambode has attracted the likes of former World Footballer of the year and now President of Liberia, George Opong Weah to Agege Stadium, venue of the football showpiece.

Other retired top African soccer legends like El-Hadji

Diouf, Michael Essien, Samuel Etoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;O Fills, Abubarkar Titi Camara, Didier Zokora, Yaya Toure and a host of others will rekindle some of those things that endeared them to football lovers the world over.

Speaking todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game in Lagos,Organiseroftheevent,Waidi Akanni, praised Gov Ambode for the laudable contributions he made towards improving sports sector in Lagos. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Gov Ambode has created a very conducive environment for sports to thrive in the state.

Just take a look at the ongoing reconstruction work at the

Onikan Stadium, when completed that edifice is going to be the showcase for others in the country. Likewise, he has also done similarly things in all the key areas that make up the state,â&#x20AC;? observed the former chairmanofLagosStateFootball Association.

HealsolistedNigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sAtlanta 1996 Olympic menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football winning coach, JohannesFranciscus Bonfrere to lead former Super Eagles stars. The Dutch coach was the engine room of Clemens Westerhofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all conquering 1994 Eagles that qualified Nigeria for her first

ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup in USA. He stressed it was another opportunitytoreunitewithsomeof the players that took the world by storm getting Nigeria ranked fifthbestfootballplayingcountry going to USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;94.

Bonfere is to be assisted by the duo of former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Joe Erico and ex international Henry Nwosu â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TheMatchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;aimedtocelebrate Gov.Ambodeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strides in provision of sports infrastructure for Lagos was moved from Onikan Stadium under reconstruction to Agege Stadium, Lagos.

Winlot Global Takes Sports Bet to New Level with Ghana King

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost sporting public online lottery company, Winlot GlobalResources,records another first with the launch of its Winlot Ghana King.

According to the Head of Marketing, Mr. Ayodele Soyombo, Ghana King offers players more money and a higher chance of winning and it is based on the popular Ghana Games played

from Monday to Saturday.

Ghana King is the first of its kind in the world! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neither Winlot 5/90 regular nor 10/90 nor Double Chance but king, Ghana King.

Unlike normal 5/90 game where players play Direct 2,3,4,5 bet or perm the numbers and winnercanbedeclaredonlyfrom first 5 drawn balls , Ghana King

provide 10 Result numbers for similar bet which include first 5 drawnballsandlast5drawnballs together which is also referred to as winning and machine numbers respectively.

Ghana King and other Winlot games can be played only on Winlot POS terminals in Lagos State; where Winlot operates solely and is duly licensed by

the Lagos State Lotteries Board.

Soyombo added that with Winlotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovation in games and technology it has been able to create employment for over thousands of agents, sponsorship of soccer tournaments, support the community by providing free health care services and also partnering with the Rotary Club to provide amenities like free Benches and desks to schools.

Benin Club Golf Section Aglow for Aniya, Atuk Retirement Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) will come alive once again today for the Umaru Aniya and Timothy Atuk Retirement Golf Kitty teeing-off at the club golf course, GRA, Benin City, Edo State.

A member of the organising committee, Princess Habiibah Oyarekhua, in a chat noted that the Kitty is being organised by the Committee of Friends and Golfers of the duo, having come together as one big golf family to honour them with a befitting retirement golf tournament at the club.

Oyarekhua, who is also the club lady captain explained that no fewer than 70 golfers across Nigeria would tee-off at the one day kitty in honour of Umaru, former secretary of the section, and Dr. Atuk, having put in statutory years in service at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Oyarekhua, as fondly called said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The two retirees are great golfers, having paid their dues in the game. They deserved to be honoured for their various roles towards the development of golf in the club and in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This tournament is significant to us in the club, because for them to have served meritoriously in an organisation, and retired peacefully, is worth celebrating. The love of golf is what binds all of us together as one big happy golfing family,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Prizes and trophies will be presented to golfers in all categories, both men and ladies, veteran, and super veteran category. It is going to be an exciting and competitive all through the day.

BCGS Pips Ikeja Golf Club atTheInter-Club Match Play Team Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) lived up to expectations at the Inter-Club Match Play held over the weekend at club golf course, GRA, Benin City, Edo State by defeating highly determined Team Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos. The Lagos based golf club, who stormed Benin City with total of 28 top golfers, as well as the host club at the end of the two- day match play golf event lost by a total of 21.5 - 19.5 points.

The Benin-based team led by its Captain, Prince Aghatise Erediauwa encountered a difficult task from the visitors on the tee-off day one today, as it ended 7/7 points.

Meanwhile, the fear of losing at home, coupled with the strong determination of Ikeja men to win the event, aggravated Erediauwa to motivate his team on match day two, that later proved difficult for the visiting team led by its Captain, Jolomi Ideh, to bear as his team fell to an amazing 14.5 - 12.5 points.

The highlight of the match play was the presentation of big picture frame of the Ikeja Golf Club house to BCGS, while the star prize status of Asoro that was to be presented to the winner was retained by the host, being the winner of the event.

Similarly, many of the golfers from both clubs expressed satisfaction and happiness for making the inter club match play an eventful occasion. While the visitors promised to avenge the defeat suffered in Benin in the return leg later in the year in Lagos.

Fab-5 Football Challenge Set for Season Six The 6th edition the Fab-5 Football Challenge tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Evolution Seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is back with a big bang. According to the Project Director, Dare Amokeodo, the Fab-5 Football Challenge has witnessed rapid growth and acceptance since its inception in 2012.Amokeodo, who explained that over 650 primary schools have featured in the football event, said the competition which started with public primary schools would include Junior Secondary and Private Schools categories.

According him, the competition, correlates with the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sday celebration, said the two-day bumper-packed grand finale is coming up on May 31and June1.

While commending the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Lagos State Sports Commission, LSSC, and BarcaAcademy, Lagos, Amokeodo, said the programme had recorded a huge success based on the unflinching support from their reputable partners which stood firmly in helping to produce Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future stars.

ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

35

GLOBAL SOCCER

Mikel

Mikel Obi Back to Super Eagles After months of speculations on whether he would ever return to the Super Eagles after a long â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sabbaticalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from the national team after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Mikel Obi is now back in the Eagles fold as he was listed in the Nigerian team that will prosecute the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Egypt

T

he Super Eagles Captain Mikel Obi asked to be exempted from the national team after the Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; exit from the World Cup in Russia last June so as to have time to concentrate on his club career, which was granted by the Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr.

However, when his absence was taking longer than necessary, speculations became rife that the former Chelsea of England midfielder may have bid a final bye to the team, considering he missed Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last seven games, including five qualifying matches of the AFCON in Egypt.

Indeed, it reached a level with Obi failing to fix any particular date on his much-expected return to the Super Eagles that the Franco-German gaffer had declared in a media chat in January that he does not know the former Teda starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule.

Earlier this month, however, Rohr was in England to meet with Obi after which things were sorted out.

Rohr speaking to BBC before his England trip, the 65-year-old former Bayern Munich defender said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;This is the question that I and my team will resolve.

I will soon go to see him at Middlesbrough. There are many things to consider but I respect him and what he has done for Nigeria. He remains an important player.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ex-Bordeaux and Gabon boss said: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;He has been

away from the team for a year but we qualified for the AFCON without him. His absence, as our captain, has been evident. But he has had to deal with a range of issues, after the World Cup in Russia.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Unsurprisingly, Rohr on Tuesday listed midfielder Obi in a 25-man squad to prepare for the 32nd AFCON finals in Egypt.

Before now, former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George had 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 Obiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience would be of a huge advantage despite not featuring in any of the qualifiers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personally, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the situation concerning his availability, but he is a respected captain and if his current form is okay, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a plus for the team. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to play all qualifiers for him to have the opportunity to join the team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He could be with the team even if he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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,â&#x20AC;? Finidi told AOIFootball.com.

Another former Super Eagles player, Emmanuel

Okocha, the elder brother of Nigeria legend, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, had earlier warned Rohr that Obi still remained relevant to the national team, comparing him to current Ballon dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Or holder, Luka Modric, whom he faced at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;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 didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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,â&#x20AC;? Okocha said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At present, we do not have many creative players in the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.â&#x20AC;?

After leaving Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda earlier this year, Mikel joined Championship side, Middlesbrough, a move Rohr said could trigger a recall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to see our captain now playing for a big club. We hope to see him fit and playing regularly,â&#x20AC;? Rohr had said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, while expressing his dissatisfaction with the doubts cast 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. â&#x20AC;&#x153;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,â&#x20AC;? Babawo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Mikel is no longer interested in playing for Nigeria he will make an official announcement but for now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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,â&#x20AC;? he remarked.

Obi made his debut for the Nigerian senior team on August 17 2005, in a 1- 0 friendly win over Libya and Chelsea legend has will be gunning for his fifth AFCON appearances.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t .": , 2019

36

FAIRGROUND

Luxury Fashion Store, 'Posh Secrets' Grand Relaunch Party

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

L

agos, Nigeria's economic nerve centre literally shut down few days ago when one of the city's luxury fashion stores, Posh Secrets located on the upmarket Lekki axis of Lagos hosted select highflying guests to a soirĂŠe of canapĂŠs and drinks at her flagship store.

The venue was at Lush Mall on Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1, in Lagos and the settings can only best be described as classical.

The inspiring story of Posh Secrets rise and rise is enough motivation for any aspiring entrepreneur.

Posh Secrets according to the epitome of beauty and brain behind the luxury fashion store, Anita Anyanechi started from a little space in her home in 2014. Though it has not been an easy ride to Eldorado for Posh Secrets but through hard work and intelligent business decisions, the fashion store has quickly climbed the ladder of prominence in the fashion industry.

Posh Secrets kicked off mainly with luxury lingerie for women and it became a go-to place for women underwear garments. The store has raised the bar with its expansion drive and now offer varieties of luxury women fashion items from capital cities of fashion across the globe.

According to the beautiful woman of substance running the flagship fashion store, Anita Anyanechi, "My motivation is my desire to see Posh Secrets grow into branches to serve and help in providing jobs and to live the lifestyle of the Proverbs 31 women" The Geologist turned fashion entrepreneur also acknowledged the support of her husband in the success story of her store.

She described her husband as a strong pillar of support - a constant support system who has continued to be a blessing to her dreams.

The new and expanded Posh Secrets now offer a range of top range women fashion designers and accessories carefully picked to enhance every woman's natural beauty".

Little wonder, the store has become a beehive of activities since its relaunch soiree with top fashionable women trooping in from all walks of life.

The Roll call of Amazons that graced the

CEO Bubez Pap, Ijeoma Ndukwe; Ceo Posh Secret, Anita Anyanechi; Etiquette consultant, Nse Isoni and Betty Dominic

Anita Anyanechi and Chika Okafor

Anita Anyanechi and CEO Mannyville, Maggi Okere

Nkechi Harry; Trish Onumanu; Anita Anyanechi and Shola Adeniyi

Uche nnaji CEO of ouch ,Chinelo of my FWFOU JODMVEFE /LFDIJ )BSSZ QPQVMBSMZ LOPXO as Nhn couture boss, Medlinboss celebrity hair limited, Mrs Maggi Okereke CEO Of mannyville hotel,Mrs Ada Ngini CEO Handyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, stylist, Nwanyiakamu the pap boss

Vicky Ohuru, Trish Onumanu fondly known as Trish o couture and many more.

Mitsubishi Motors, She Leads Africa, Collaborate for Corporate Women in Nigeria

T

o celebrate women leading corporate Nigeria, She Leads Africa, a community that helps young African women achieve their professional dreams in conjunction with Massilia Motors Nigeria, the sole distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria and a joint venture of the CFAO Group and the Chanrai Group, organised a private evening of networking and learning tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Drive Your Ambitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Drive Your Ambition took place at the Mitsubishi Motors showroom in Victoria Island bringing together a myriad of senior executive Nigerian women from different sectors of the economy under

one roof to share and learn from each other.

The opening note was given by Funmi Abiola, Head of Marketing and Communications for Massilia Motors, who shed more light on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Drive Your Ambitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tagline which was created in 2017 when Mitsubishi Motors turned 100 years old.

The event is a continuation of their efforts to support Nigerianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breaking grounds in various industries.

The session officially kicked-off with a few words from the Co- Founder of She Leads Africa, Afua Osei. Osei in her welcome address highlighted the importance of networking and encouraged attendees to partake in a bonding session. The goal of the session was for

the attendees to meet new people with experiences similar or different to theirs Speakers at the event were three senior level female corporate executives including Amuche Okeke-Agba, a partner in McKinsey & Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lagos office who co-leads the recovery & transformation services practice for McKinsey in West Africa; Ijeoma Agboti-Obatoyinbo, the Managing Director / CEO of FBNQuest Funds Ltd, and lastly, Ugochi Agoreyo, a Partner Development Senior Specialist for West Africa at SAP. The panel was moderated by Abosede George-Ogan, Director, Strategy, Partnerships and Stakeholder Management at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund.

The women spoke of their experiences gained in the course of their careers,

the challenges they have faced and the lessons learnt from those challenges.

The three key pieces of advice that were shared at Drive Your Ambition GPS DBSFFS r(FU IFMQ "MXBZT NBLF TVSF you rely on your network of mentors and peers. r 7JTJCJMJUZ JT WFSZ JNQPSUBOU (P UIF extra mile with your work, do the little extra that makes things better and get noticed for your good work! r %PO U CVSO CSJEHFT *U T JNQPSUBOU to strive for clean exits so you can keep increasing the network of people you have access to.

The goal of the event was to motivate more women across the country to find success in their chosen career paths and continue to drive their ambition.

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;¢ SATURDAY MAY 18, 2019

37

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t.": , 2019

AUTO

The new Range Rover Evoque

All New Range Rover Evoque Evolves for African Cities and Beyond Stories by Bennett Oghifo

A

n all new Range Rover Evoque has been developed and its elegance will adorn African cities and beyond.

The new Range Rover Evoque builds on the strengths of the bestselling original. Combining all-terrain ability with on-road composure, the Evoque’s new vehicle architecture, updated technologies and world-first features make it more comfortable, capable and connected than ever before.

Having pioneered the luxury compact SUV market, with global sales of nearly 800 000 and well over 200 international awards, the new Range Rover Evoque is a sophisticated evolution of the original.

Combining unrivalled Range Rover heritage with cutting-edge technology – designed, engineered and manufactured in Britain – it meets the needs of today’s customers.

Range Rover Evoque’s enduring profile and coupé-like silhouette is typified by its distinctive roofline and rising waist. Outstanding volume and proportions are amplified by its pronounced shoulders and powerful wheel arches that, along-

side 21-inch wheels, combine to create a strong and dynamic attitude.

The introduction of super-slim Matrix LED headlamps provides a more sophisticated front and rear lamp graphic. Flush door handles add to the smooth, sculpted aesthetic, while sweeping directional indicators create a purposeful signature.

Stretching across the rear of the vehicle is a striking black accent that creates a sense of visual width, while the precise reduction of exterior panel gaps demonstrates the level of craftsmanship Land Rover’s designers and engineers have worked to achieve.

Inside, the finely crafted design integrates uncluttered surfaces and simple lines with carefully curated premium materials to create a luxurious, minimalist, digital cabin. Technical textiles that use recycled plastics are offered as premium alternatives to leather, such as a Kvadrat wool blend and Dinamica® suedecloth, as well as Eucalyptus and Ultrafabrics™ options.

The cabin is designed to be a calm and serene space, ensuring comfortable, healthy and happy occupants, with technologies such as the twin touchscreen Touch Pro Duo system, featuring new, faster software, 16-way seat controls and cabin air ionisation that complement the increased

interior space.

The footprint is almost identical, yet built on Land Rover’s new mixed-material Premium Transverse Architecture, there is more interior space than before. A longer wheelbase yields 20mm extra rear kneeroom and an increase in small item stowage – the larger glove box and centre cubby can now fit tablets, handbags and bottles with ease. The luggage space is 10 per cent larger (591 litres) as well as much wider and easily fits a folded pram or set of golf clubs, with space increasing to 1,383 litres when the flexible 40:20:40 second-row seats are folded.

Featuring ground-breaking textiles and trim finishes, two new seat options are on offer. Customers can choose seats upholstered in a premium alternative to leather developed by Danish textile experts, Kvadrat – a high-quality material that combines a durable wool blend paired with a technical Dinamica® suedecloth, made from recycled plastic bottles.

In addition, customers will have the option of a new Eucalyptus textile produced from natural fibres that when grown, use significantly less water than traditional materials and features alongside a new lightweight performance material not derived from animals.

Mercedes-Benz Sells about 182,000 Vehicles Worldwide

M

ercedes-Benzdelivered181,936 cars in April (-5.5%) and a total of 742,809 in the first four months of the year (-5.6%), the automaker has said.

A statement by the company said the ongoing sales success of the new A-Class resulted in worldwide growth for the compact cars in April (+6.0%). Acontribution to this sales success came from the new A-Class Saloon, a further model complementing the compact-car entry into the worldofpremiumsalooncarsfromMercedes-Benz.

Unit sales of SUVs were still dampened inApril by the model changes. Mercedes-Benz Cars expects especially for the new SUV models increasing vehicle availability in the coming months and therefore additional growth opportunities in a highly competitive market environment. Since the beginning of the year, Mercedes-Benz has maintained its market leadership in the premium segment in Germany, UK, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Australia and Canada.

“With the EQC sales launch on May 6, we have reached another milestone along the way to a new era at Mercedes-Benz: The EQC is the pioneer of our future Mercedes-Benz EQ vehicle portfolio,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “We are delighted not only with the first fully electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz, but also with strong demand for our new premium SUVs: The new

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

model year of the GLC and GLC Coupé, and also the new GLS, have been available for order since April, and together with the GLE and our new compact cars will provide further momentum in the course of the year.”

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market In Europe, 71,263 cars with the three-pointed star

were delivered last month (-4.8%). In Germany, the region’s core market, sales of 24,970 units in April were slightly below the high prior-year level (-1.3%).

In the major markets of France and Russia, unit sales increased in both April and the first four months of the year. In France, Mercedes-Benz actually achieved a new record for January to April (+2.8%).

New Porsche Cayenne S Coupé with 440 hp now Available Porsche is launching another powerful addition to its SUV Coupé range: the Cayenne S Coupé. The model is available for order, with first units expected to reach the market in October.

Astatement by the automaker said the 2.9-litre V6 enginefeaturingtwin-turbocharginganddeveloping 440 hp (324 kW) is at the heart of the new four-door sportscar.Themaximumtorqueof550Nmguarantees powerfulacceleration,resultinginatimeof5.0seconds from standing start to 100 km/h in combination with thestandardSportChronoPackage.Thisfiguredrops to 4.9 seconds with the three optional lightweight sports packages. The top speed is 263 km/h.

InadditiontotheSportChronoPackage,thestandard equipment includes speed-sensitive Power Steering Plus, 20-inch alloy wheels, Park Assist at the front and rear including reversing camera and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

Porsche is extending the model range with the new Cayenne S Coupé. The previously announced models, the Cayenne Coupé with 340 hp (250 kW) and the Cayenne Turbo Coupé with 550 hp (404 kW), were shown at this year’s world premiere in March. The highlights of the brand’s SUV coupé include sharper proportions with a unique rear section, an adaptive rear spoiler, two different roof concepts and a rear bench with the characteristics of two individual seats. The vehicle features a 2.16 m2 panoramicglassroofasstandardorcanbecustomized through an optionally available contoured carbon roof with typical sports car look.

Innovative six-cylinder engine with central turbo layout The 2.9-litre twin-turbo engine of the Cayenne S Coupé delivers its maximum torque of 550 Nm across a wide engine speed range between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm. Both exhaust turbochargers have been arranged in a central turbo layout inside the cylinder V. This results in an engine with compact dimensions, allowing it to be installed in a lower position for a better centre of gravity and enhanced lateral dynamics.

The shortened exhaust paths between the combustion chambers and the turbochargers produce a particularly spontaneous engine response and a faster build-up in power. The exhaust manifold has beenintegratedintothecylinderhead,whichreduces weight and means that the manifold is surrounded by coolant. This ensures highly efficient combustion, particularly under full load.

More dynamic proportions and specific design elements A roof line that drops significantly towards the rear also lends the Cayenne S Coupé a particularly dynamic appearance. This effect is supported by a fixed roof spoiler, accentuating the distinctive Coupé silhouette. The front windscreen and A-pillar are lower than in the Cayenne, courtesy of a roof edge that has been lowered by around 20 millimetres.

Newly designed rear doors and wings broaden the shouldersofthevehicleby18millimetres,contributing to its overall muscular impression.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t.": , 2019

39

AUTO

HAWA Launches Made-In-Nigeria All New 2019 Honda HR-V Stories by Bennett Oghifo

H

ondaAutomobileWesternAfrica Ltd., (HAWA) has launch the made-in-Nigeria All New 2019 Honda HR-V into the nation’s market.

The made-in-Nigeria All New 2019 Honda HR-V with it Magic Seat® designed to Change the Norm, was launched into the nation’s market on Thursday, this week at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, Lagos.

TheAll New HR-V marks the presence of an entry level SUV from the Honda Range which combines luxury with affordability. Customer can experience the Power of Three SUVs; Honda Pilot 3.5litre, CR-V 2.4Litre and now the HR-V 1.8Litre. The Hi-Rider Revolutionary-Vehicle (HR-V) 5 seater is proudly assembled in Nigeria with keen adherence to the Honda global production standards during the assembly process. The Honda HR-V has been positioned as a fun and sporty SUV which has been designed to change the industry norm. For us in Honda, we want Nigerians to experience Joy, we say SUVs should be for everyone.

Exterior Styling: The All New HR-V receives exterior styling that expands its appeal to the millennials. The grille is enhanced by a new interpretation of the “flying wing” rendered in dark chrome and extending over the new projector-style headlights. Under the chrome band the grille opening has been restyled to emphasize a wide look, and the fog light housings have been enlarged to give HR-V a more aggressive stance. Also in the front is a sporty front bumper that gives an elegant yet rugged look combined

All New 2019 Honda HR-V on display at Federal Palace Hotel & Casino, during its launch this week with LED headlights and Fog lights. In the rear, Taillights with Integrated LED Light Bars give the HR-V a distinctive, sporty look. New to the SUV-B segment is the Panoramic Sunroof, in the leather grade, making the HR-V deliver the feel of a larger sporty SUV ready for the next adventure.

The All New HR-V is flanked by 16” alloy wheels for the Fabric grade and 17” Alloy wheels for the Leather grade.

Interior Styling The All New HR-V boasts of a youthful vibe with

unique styling touches.

The intuitively designed HR-V cockpit ensures that everything is where you need it.

The elegant dashboard includes the very latest technology,it’sincrediblyeasytounderstandanduse.

Black aesthetic combination (Fabric & Leather Grade) gives the interior of the HR-V a premium comfort feel beyond its class. The interior of the HR-V competes in a more advantageous position when compared with vehicle above its segment.

Designed to adapt to your lifestyle, the HR-V gives you a clever, comfortable and spacious interior. A centrally-mounted fuel tank provides the HR-V with a huge boot and our novel 2nd – Row Magic Seat are further evidence of smart thinking and, is designed to configure in lots of useful ways to increase its carrying capacity. The HR-V, has the feature of the 60:40 split rear seat. These ingenious 60:40 split seats can dive down to the floor, making a large space truly vast, or tip up to allow for sideways loading of awkward objects like a bicycle. With the new stay-spring mechanism for the hatch, it’s now easier than ever to access HR-V’s cargo space of 1456 liters. HR-V also offers up to 100.1 cubic feet of passenger space with abundant rear seat head and legroom.

Some of the other features are a 6.8-inch Display Audio with Touchscreen with USB and HDMI ports that allows you to connect your smart phone and use its features such as playing your favorite music and using the phone book to make calls to your contacts. A Multifunction steering wheel puts the audio and cruise controls at your fingertips making it a driver friendly interface. The HR-V leather grade features automatic climate control where you can adjust the temperature of the cabin with the touch of a button.

Kia Unveils Ownership Rewards Programme, KORP, Offers Huge Discount to Old Car Owners

K

ia has rolled out an exclusively special programme to reward its car owners with up to 25% discount on all repairs for old models. The programme is aimed at offering greater value, convenience, and support to customers who have owned a KIA for five years or more.

The programme is to reward customers for their loyalty over the years, said a statement by the auto company, saying it offers waivers ranging from 15% to 25% on service cost and genuine parts. These discounted pricings are premised on the years of Kia ownership, as it progressively reduces the cost of maintenance based on the years the car has been in operation.

More often than not, old car owners are fazed with the increasing cost of ownership owing to the depreciating parts of the cars and the need to continuously replace them to keep their vehicles in top condition. To ensure that its customers have the best experience with their old cars at an incredibly affordable price, Kia has launched the Kia Ownership Rewards Program tagged KORP.

The rewards program is available on parts and labor charges, basic maintenance, battery replacement, select suspension and air conditioning parts, brakes, routine service parts amongst others. Additionally, theoldKiaownerswillbeentitledtospecialdiscounts on Bodyshop repairs and painting.

Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Nigeria, Sanjay Tatpati said, “In line with our effort to foster ‘peace of mind’ in our customers and engage them meaningfully to drive affinity with Kia through service programs that speak to them rationally and connect them emotionally to our brand with the implementation of exceptional services, we have added this value-added service, KORP to our service portfolio to drive customer satisfaction at its peak. This underscores our commitment to our brand’s global initiative, the ‘Promise to Care’; our service philosophy to offer service excellence and exceptional customer experience. We have been offering various value-added services in the last four quarters to engage our and this one is for our proud KIAowners who are enjoying their rides for a long time. This programme is set to reward them throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle.”

Kia repair shop

Dangers of Excessive Speeding

O

nMondayMay11,2018,Istrolled leisurely into my office with so many thoughts on my mind; thoughts of where to raise fund tosortoutsomanypersonalchallenges and hopefully also meet the needs of some close friends and people I do not know but who think that with the rank ofAssistant Corps Marshal in the Federal Road Safety Corps, I must be in the league of the Dangote’s and the Otedola’s. Even the educated ones assume that for everyvehiclearrestedfortrafficinfraction,somebody somewhere must be rubbing my palms. My new assignment even complicates matter.

I also had thoughts on what topic to focus on this week. There were also thoughts on how to handle the numerous phone calls, text messages andWhatsAppchatsforassistancewiththeongoing recruitment by the Corps. I also had thoughts on what topic to focus on this week which for me was most disturbing because of the deadline required. I know Ihaveheardpeoplewhoarewriterscomplain ofwhattheycallwriter’sblock.Nowifgiftedwriters wouldlamentonwhattofocusonwhatthenshould a bloody road safety officer like me trying to reach out to the road user be going through, if you catch my drift. The reasons for a writer’s block such as fear, timing and perfectionism were all starring me at the face. such as going for a walk, changing environment, reading a book, listening to music or staying with someone who makes me feel good just did not help me. When I could not make a headway on what

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491 to focus on, my mind suddenly flashed on the just concluded United Nations Bicycle Week celebration and some of the sound bite of the celebration in Nigeria. Even that was without form or substance. It was just then that a colleague walked into my office oblivious of my inner struggles and asked me if I had heard of the tragic death of the cousin of one of our senior colleagues. I said and with a smile on my face asked him exactly what happen and where. Without knowing how much a saviour he had become to me he gave me a snippet of the incident.

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

daughter, gave her a kiss and waved as he opened the door and immediately flagged down a cab just in front of their two-bed room apartment in one of the estates in Abuja. He boarded the car and had and smooth and safe ride and alighted at the nearest junction to his office at the central business district without hiccups. He was crossing the road to the other side where his office is when he was knocked down by a car driven by a female driver. The impact of the hit was so heavy that despite being rushed immediately to the hospital, he died as a result of the bleeding from his head.

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

Miraculously, their daughter who was strapped to

a car seat behind came out unhurt-she was found just the way she was- strapped.

I know that there are other cases within the Federal Capital Territory and across other parts of the country. Since I am not the one heading the accident investigation unit of the Corps, I will not pre-empt the outcome of the investigations on May 11 2018 tragedy but what is clear is that a lot of people who claim to be drivers are really not one.A good number are learner drivers who rather than allow the process of maturing as a driver would rather cut short the process in order to show off like others. I wrote about this in a piece I titled learners or lunatics for which some reads responded with insults for my choice of words. I will run that piece in a fortnight to refreshen our minds of my views.

While I maintain that a measure of insanity has taken over our roads, I must also state here that there is lot that is wrong with pedestrians and drivers irrespective of age or sex. For some drivers, it has to do with pride and ego as a handful would rather conceal their learner status and drive without their instructor as contained in the National Road Traffic Regulations. There is also the increasing traffic indiscipline which calls for stiffer penalty by traffic officers.

ButwhileIlamentonthisincreasingdevelopment, I must note that pedestrians all over the world, including developed climes such as the United States ofAmerica, United Kingdom and others face similar risk of being knocked down. In the United State of America which I love to cite often on this page, pedestrian deaths totalled nearly 6,000 in 2017 for the second straight year amid mounting signs that walkers and drivers are dangerously distracted.

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Ë&#x153; Ëž MAY 18, 2019

PERSPECTIVE

Who is Afraid of Chinedum Orji?

Charles Ajunwa

I

n 2015, after winning a seat in the Abia State House of Assembly, rumours filtered into the media that Engineer Chinedum Orji was set to contest for the position of Speaker. Quickly, Orji quashed the rumour. Apparently, since he was new to legislative politics, he had decided to bid his time and pick up valuable lessons on House politics, while focusing on connecting with the people of his constituency, Umuahia Central.

During his four years as a legislator at the state assembly, Orji, who is the current Majority Leader of the House, pioneered a new form of engagement that has been described as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;direct touchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; where he personally inspected community projects he embarked on, rather than delegate such duties to aides. With â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;direct touchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Orji was able to connect with the day-to-day struggles of his constituency and initiate projects based on actual realities, not textbook philosophies.

To list Orjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievements in his first four years as a legislator is a job that deserves a book. He gave money to business startups and provided empowerment equipment such as sewing machines and electricity transformers. He funded education scholarships. He sank boreholes and renovated classrooms. A list of some of these achievements has been documented. It takes just a search of his name, Chinedum Orji, on the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest librarian, Google, to confirm this assertion.

In appreciation of his admirable work as a legislator, several organisations and groups have recognised Orji with individual awards, singling him out as one of the shining lights in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current dispensation of politicians. The latest one was announced by the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists, which described Orji as one of the Nigerians with â&#x20AC;&#x153;a high level of integrityâ&#x20AC;?.

When Orji put in for re-election in 2019, it was practically impossible for him to lose. A source close to Orji confirmed to this writer that the 2019 election was far easier to win than the 2015 contest. He had been given the opportunity to serve his people, and, subsequently, won their hearts.

Now, after serving for four years and having been re-elected for another term, there are several signs to suggest that Orji is set to become the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, even if he has not formally declared his intentions. He has gained the requisite experience required of such a position. He also has the political clout and support to match his boundless enthusiasm for public governance.

While no one has openly challenged Orjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitability for the position, the popular criticisms marshalled against him are, unfortunately, mired in the facetious politics of fear, suspicion,

Orji distrust and blatant deceit. Some have gone ahead to link Orji-as-speaker to the impeachment of the sitting Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, in spite of the fact that they belong to the same party, PDP. The calumnious campaign against Orji, especially in the realm of fake news media, has a long history. The reporting is skewed, cancerous and puts to shame the values of journalism as a profession.

In 2012, Senator T.A. Orji, who is now a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was asked about the baseless rumours about his son and he gave a careful, thoughtful reply, which is apt enough to be re-printed here: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When people talk about a private citizen, a qualified engineer who is practicing, doing his private professional duties, so when people bring him into governance, we say it is mischief of the highest order.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;A young man with positive vision. I can tell you that many people talking about him have never seen him before, he is not the talking or outgoing, social or moving about type, he is busy minding his business. But I can tell you that why many people are trying to blackmail him is because, this is a young man who has a positive vision of ensuring that youths of the state are empowered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now, I can tell you that he has the Abia Youths Empower-

ment Scheme, and through that place he has given scholarships to many Abia youths even indigent students. During the election of his father, of course there is nobody that his father would be in an election and he/she goes home to sleep leaving your father to do it alone. He had to play a role by mobilising the youths to make sure that his father was re-elected and because of that many people see him as a role model. He has a heart for the youths and is committed to ensuring that Abia youths are empowered to greatness. So it is laughable when people ignorantly and mischievously talk about Engr. Chinedum Orji without highlighting the positive impacts he is making on Abia youths.â&#x20AC;?

It is important to reiterate that the senior Orji made the above remarks in 2012, three years before Orji was first elected into the Abia State House of Assembly. In essence, even before he became a legislator, Orji was already in the business of improving the lives of Abians, through his own personal agency. For him, political power is not an end, only a means to continue to improve the lives of Abians.

Orji, who has been described as a gifted orator, an astute businessman, a gentleman par excellence, a phenomenal philanthropist, a community builder, a political bulldozer, a democrat, an efficient team player, an inimitable administrator, a loving father, darling husband and the Ikuku of Abia, is an Engineering graduate of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO). On completion of the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC), he set up his own business with his personal savings and went on to become an employer of labour. Happily married with children, his belief is that the weak, the downtrodden, should be given opportunities to rise and become capable; this conviction has reflected in his many political choices.

As Speaker, Orji will bring to the table years of grassroots engagement and an astute mind geared to navigate the natural complexities of legislative politics. He has the mien, the charisma, the technical skills, and even the geopolitical advantage.

Based on the PDP zoning arrangement, the position of speaker is expected to be filled by a legislator from Abia Central Senatorial Zone, Orjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zone.

These are not mere platitudes. As Majority Leader, Orji conducted himself in the finest of manners. There is no record of him stoking division or pursuing selfish interests inimical to the good of Abia State. It is only logical to assume that, as Speaker, he will carry on the good work and elevate the stature of law making in Abia State.

So who is afraid of Chinedum Orji? Only those who do not pay conscientious attention to the drumbeat of recent history, and whose minds are so darkened that they cannot perceive the dawn of brilliant light.

Bayelsa Governorship Election: Misconceptions about APCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zoning

Q

Akponanabofa Okuboware

uite expectedly, tension is gradually heightening by the day in Bayelsa State as we inch closer to the November 2, 2019 date for the governorship election in the state. The two major political parties gearing to slug it out for the race are the ruling Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressive Congress Party (APC).

From all indications, the stakes appear to be higher in the APC. This is because there are very strong indications that APC is in serious contention to wrestle the governorship position from the ruling PDP in the state as the electoral fortunes of the party have continued to soar. For instance, from a mere 5,194 votes in 2015 presidential election, the party was able to garner a staggering 118,821 votes in the recently concluded presidential election for President Muhammadu Buhari. The party also recorded another milestone in the National Assembly election when it snatched one of the senatorial seats (Bayelsa East) from PDP, in addition to wrestling two House of Representatives members, again from PDP. In the State House of Assembly election results that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has already authenticated, four seats were taken from the PDP by APC. Unlike PDP, the APC has basically, two major big fishes to contend with in its fold. These are former Governor Timipri Sylva and the Minister of State, Agric, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Unfortunately, some elements within APC who are probably doubtful of their chances in the coming primaries because of their declining political value, in cohort with some agents of the PDP, are going about, fanning the embers of zoning to distabilize the unity currently existing in the APC. In paid publications in some select media outfits, this group goes about threatening brimstone and fire; that heavens will be let lose, if Lokpobiri eventually emerges the APC candidate for the polls.

In one of such sponsored publications in one national daily, the group thundered that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bayelsa state is not Rivers State where after Chibuike Amaechiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight year tenure, another Ikwerre man Nyeson Nwike is on the way to spend another eight years.

There is no way Bayelsans would accept a politician from

Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri

Bayelsa West to govern after Dickson eight years. Power would definitely move to another senatorial district. Any political party that presents a candidate from Bayelsa West would lose woefully.â&#x20AC;?

The frustration against Lokpobiri has heightened among his opponents since information filtered out from the political camp of the minister that he would throw his heart in the ring for the election. The warped reasoning of those opposed to the minister running is that, Lokpobiri comes from the same senatorial district as Governor Dickson, and therefore not qualified to run for the office. The incontrovertible truth here however, is that so far, equity and justice has been duly served to all the zones of the State. The office of governor has rotated among the three senatorial zones of the state in no particular order. Therefore, in the next round of the contest, it does not matter what sequence

the exercise should assume or commence. No doubt, Lokpobiri hails from the same senatorial district as Dickson, but the truth is that the Ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ekeremor area has not yet had a shot at the office. Are these people inferring that there are different versions of the Ijaw people and nation? Are the Ijaws from the other senatorial nations different from their brothers and kin from Bayelsa West?

To put the records straight, Bayelsa East where Sylva comes from has enjoyed a rare double opportunity to produce two governors in the state unlike any of the other zones in the persons of Sylva himself and Goodluck Jonathan. In addition, it is on the zone that has had the special opportunity to have produced the President of the country. It is also pertinent to remind the agitators here that once upon a time, two ministers meant for the entire Bayelsa State were appointed from one senatorial zone alone, and indeed, the same community in the Bayelsa Central senatorial district. Yet, the heavens did not fall.

The ministers were Professor T.T. Isoun (Science and Technology) and Mrs. Boloere Ketebu (Women Affairs).

Those who are drawing inference with Rivers State and threatening that they would not allow the Rivers State scenario recur in Bayelsa are demonstrating stark and gross ignorance of the politics of Rivers State. Indeed, there is no basis for such incongruent comparison. In Rivers State, only two, out of the three senatorial zones have been producing the governor since the current political dispensation commenced in 1999.

Why some people are raising eyebrows about the Rivers State scenario is that the three governors come from the same political configuration in the state known as the upland area without any opportunity to the riverine people of the state to equally taste the pie.

That said, it is pertinent to state here that politics is not a game of passion and emotions. It is about bringing your best foot forward. Let there be a contest. Some people in APC Bayelsa are afraid of competition. Unfortunately, with the introduction of new technology in our elections, the days of electoral militancy are over and no longer in sync with global best practice. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Okuboware, a public affairs analyst wrote from Abuja Readers continued on online www.thisdaylive.com

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PERSPECTIVE

Crude Oil Theft, Illegal Bunkering: Lessons from Ojumole Well Fire?

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku writes that the recent ďŹ re incident at Ojumole Well No. 1, in NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Ltd JV, located in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state, has again brought to the fore the huge impact of oil theft and illegal bunkering on the economy of Nigeria and the environment as well as the need for a more proactive action against the menace

C

rude oil theft and illegal bunkering have continued unabated despite the steps taken by oil companies and the federal government to curb the menace.

Illegal bunkering encompasses all acts involving oil theft, including diversion and smuggling of oil and unauthorised loading of ships. One common process requires tapping into oil pipelines and well heads and transporting the oil elsewhere to be sold internationally or refined locally. To access the oil, a small group of welders will puncture a pipeline or well head at night, establishing a tapping point from which the group can operate.

Oil spills and explosions are regular occurrences in the Niger Delta, as pipeline vandalism from bunkering leaves pipes especially vulnerable to leaks, spills, and major accidents.

A case in point was the recent fire incident at NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Ltd JV Ojumole Well No. 1 in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state.

The facility was said to be an idle and plugged well with no flowline connected to it.

The sharp rise in the number of oil spills caused by pipeline theft in Nigeria, no doubt, poses the biggest threat to the growth and stability of the Nigerian economy. Aside the colossal environmental damage, the combination of crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism has become a major obstacle to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue projections in recent time.

Although the exact volume of oil stolen on a daily basis in Nigeria varies, oil industry sources argue that between 300,000 and 400,000 barrels of crude oil are stolen daily. This accounts for roughly 15 percent of the total number of barrels per day produced.

In 2014, Nigeria was listed as the country with the highest incidents of crude oil theft in the world. In fact, the country was ranked worse than Mexico, Iraq, Russia and Indonesia on the top five countries mostly plagued by oil theft.

The number of spills caused by sabotage and theft in the Niger Delta rose in 2018 to 111 from 62 in 2017, according to recent estimates. The volume of oil spilt as a result rose to 1,600 tonnes, or roughly 12,000 barrels, from 1,400 tonnes the previous year.

An annual sustainability report released in April last year by oil firm Shell, showed that crude oil theft from its pipeline networks in Nigeria rose by 50% to 9,000 barrels of oil a day (b/d) in 2017, from about 6,000b/d in 2016. The oil major revealed that since 2012, it had removed more than 950 illegal theft points.

Kachikwu

Impact on Economy, Environment The federal government, while lamenting the huge losses to these illicit acts, confirmed recently that the country was losing about 400, 000 barrels of oil to thieves daily.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who dropped the hint at a recent lecture, put the value of crude stolen then at N4.8 billion daily.

Osinbajo had expressed disappointment that whereas Nigeria was losing 400,000 barrels of oil daily, a country like Ghana was surviving on less than 150, 000 barrels per day.

Although the British think-tank â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chatham Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in its estimates, put the volume of oil stolen per day to over 100,000 barrels, the United Nations Security Council estimates that Nigeria lost $2.8 billion of revenue to oil theft in 2017 alone.

Also, United Kingdom-funded non-governmental organisation (NGO), Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) put the estimated financial value of what Nigeria lost through crude oil theft, sabotage and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region, between 2016 and 2017 alone at approximately N3.8 trillion. This was higher than the N189.4 billion being the combined allocations to the health and education sectors in the 2018 federal budget.

It had been reported that roughly a quarter of stolen crude oil is sold locally. Illegal artisanal refineries

Oil Facility ďŹ re located in the Niger Delta â&#x20AC;&#x153;cookâ&#x20AC;? the crude into separate petroleum products. The product yields 2 per cent petrol, 2 per cent kerosene, and 41 percent diesel. The remaining 55 per cent of crude goes to waste, most of which is dumped into the nearby water or into a shallow pit, resulting in environmental and health hazards.

The impact of these criminal activities on the safety of people and the environment is huge. This includes degraded local environments, pollution of the environment at tap points. Over 50% of the crude oil siphoned in the process due to high pressure, besides waste of oil residues, are pumped into the creeks, rivers, farmlands, ponds, lakes, thereby blighting the environment further. The degradation to the environment occasioned by the illegal bunkering and oil theft, has reduced arable land for farming and has devastated fishing communities.

Impact on the Industry All the international oil companies (IOCs) and indigenous operators in Nigeria have been affected

in one way or the other by the activities of oil thieves, who engage in illegal bunkering and â&#x20AC;&#x153;local refiningâ&#x20AC;? operations.

An indigenous company recently declared force majeure on Nembe Creek Trunk Line, due to a fire suspected to have been the result of an illegal third-party breach. It was reported that the incident caused Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil production to fall 8 per cent per day. The Nembe Creek Trunk Line is one of the two key pipelines of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bonny Light crude grade capable of transporting 150,000 bpd to the export terminal. Shortly after, one of the IOCs declared force majeure on Bonny Light exports, while exports of Amenam, operated by another IOC, were also under force majeure.

There have also been several incidents of thirdparty interference, tampering with mechanical components and the installed barriers on crude oil well heads, with evidence of illegal bunkering from the wells. For each incident, the oil companies take steps to immediately re-secure the wells. But the criminal activities persist and sometimes result to explosions and, or fire incidents.

This was the case with one of the IOCs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL. At about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019, a fire was observed at the Ojumole Well No. 1, an idle and plugged well with no flowline connected to it. Ojumole field is in NNPC/CNL JVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Western Niger Delta area of operations.

A joint investigation visit (JIV) to the site of the incident on Saturday April 20, 2019, by a team made up of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders and CNL, determined that the fire incident was caused by third-party interference. Environmental monitoring by independent, accredited environmental consultants is ongoing in the area, while the company is currently working with contractors to safely put out the fire as quickly as possible.

While engagements with relevant stakeholders including the government, regulatory agencies and community leaders and efforts in putting off the fire are ongoing, Nigerians must not lose focus on the cause of such incidents and the need to educate our people on the implications of the criminal activities of oil theft and illegal bunkering. It seems normal to lambast oil companies any time such incidents occur and label them as negligent, but nobody ever cautions our people and condemn their criminal activities. The perpetrators of oil theft and illegal bunkering are not spirits; they live amongst us and even exhibit pride in what they do.

Some analysts maintain that one solution to the issue of illegal bunkering is the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta. The federal government has expressed commitment to pursuing the goal of establishing such refineries. A total of 38 licenses have been issued to prospective operators, ranging from high-scale refineries of 50,000 to 100,000 barrels per day. Reports show that out of these, about 10 of the modular refineries have advanced and they have all secured permit to construct.

The tapping of Forcados crude oil export terminal in 2013, was an eye opener that those involved in the unlawful act might not be ordinary thieves, but people with special technical training to operate the Surface Controlled Subsurface Safety Valves and the Surface Safety Valves installed on the flowline near the wellhead to secure the oil well and prevent crude theft.

Given that oil still remains the life blood of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy as it accounts for 70 per cent of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total government revenue and 95 per cent of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export income. For instance, a loss of 300,000 barrels oil a day costs the government roughly $1.7 billion a month, therefore curbing the menace of crude stealing, which is a major threat to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth and stability should indeed be an urgent national priority. Tackling this hydra-headed monster requires the cooperation of host communities and other relevant stakeholders.

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Brand Manager, Indomie, Mr. Nikhil Das; Chief Operationg Officer, Dufil Orima Foods Plc, Mr. Grish Sharma; Group Public Relations and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju; and Media Relations Manager, Indomie, Mrs. Aamide Folarunsho, at the 2019 indomie independence day awards media presentation in Lagos ... recently

L-R: Nino Manager, Kayode Peter; Nollywood Actor, Bolanle Ninalowo; CEO, Jagamaster Distillers, Ajamma Emeka Gerald; GMD, Jagamaster Distillers, Frank Oji, at the unveiling/agreement signing ceremony in Lagos ...recently

Nigeria’s Economy in Focus as African-Canadian Business Forum Holds With the preparations for the 2019 edition of the African Canadian Business Forum (ACBF), peaking, organisers of the conference have informed that the discussion this year would centre more on Nigerian economy and surrounding issues, being the largest economy in Africa.

The conference billed to hold in October at the Nigerian Canadian Association Community Hall, in Canada, would equally be exploring options to strengthen economic ties between African countries and Canada businesses .

According to the organisers, the conference brings together not just Africans, but a diverse group of exceptional international entrepreneurs.

“It connects leaders with backgrounds in both the private and public sectors as well as explores opportunities to build stronger investments. The forum acts as both a coalition to promote new ideas, policies & initiatives and as a liaison between government and independent stakeholders.

“Overall, the platform sought

to promote investments, trades, cultural and capacity building initiatives of countries.”

Speaking on the forum, one of the Nigerian speakers and Founder of Arise O Nigeria, Dr. Jonathan Daniel harped on the long term benefits of the forum for businesses.

He said: “This Conference is aimed at establishing mutual international relationship among African countries and to build a better future for both economies.

Participants will sure find it rewarding both now and in the future”

Other Nigerian speakers expected to grace the weeklong event included: Professor of Clinical Law and Dean, Faculty of Law, Abia State University, Prof. Sampson Ihesiene Erugo, former United Nations Permanent Representative to Nigeria, Amb. Usman Sarki, among others.

The event will also witness the international edition of ‘Arise O Nigeria’ Annual leadership symposium and awards, to commemorate the United Nations day for poverty eradication.

Ecobank Offers Cash for Used Pet Bottles In marking its Sustainability Week this year, Ecobank Nigeria has asked residents of Lagos State to submit used plastic materials, soft drink and water bottles amongst others to its head office on Victoria Island, Lagos, in exchange for cash.

According to the bank, the idea was to removes non-biodegradable materials from the environment toward a healthy and safe living.

The bank stated that its target was to remove at least four million used plastic bottles from the streets and drains of Lagos

through this initiative.

Other activities lined up for the week include a symposium for secondary school students in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt to teach the students lifestyles that exemplifies and encourages sustainability.

The bank via a statement reiterated its commitment to environmental sustainability for all. Its sustainability activities is part of the universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Before now, the bank’s sustainability efforts had been commended and rewarded by stakeholders including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. For instance, during the CBN annual awards for sustainability in 20018, Ecobank was recognised in four categories which included: Sustainability Bank of the Year; Sustainability Bank of the Year -oil and gas; Sustainability Bank of the Year -power sector and the Women Empowerment category – the bank was first runners up in all four categories.

The CBN Sustainability Awards – a part of the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principle (NSBP), initiated in 2012, is an award that appreciates the efforts of financial service providers who have been able to successfully integrate social and environmental considerations into their operations, spanning across their processes and strategies.

Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, explained that it was in deliberate policy of the bank to embark on sustainable projects that impact people and the environment.

Dell Technologies Rebrands Mouka Felicitates with Muslims at Partner Programme Ramadan, Urges Healthy Sleep As part of strategies to improve its services, Information Communication Technology firm, Dell Technologies has repackaged its partner programme to enable partners have full weight of the brand.

According to the company, the programme provides partners with the competitive advantage of Dell Technologies, enabling them to do more business with transformational solutions.

Shedding more light on the initiative, President, Global Channel, OEM and IOT Solutions.

Joyce Mullen, stated that the development was important in order to satisfy customers’ emerging needs.

He said: “Our partners asked us to make it easier to do business across our full portfolio, so we made it a top priority. The evolved programme provides simplified engagement for partners to cross-sell and procure products and solutions across the Dell Technologies

family of brands.

“By providing our partners with a clear roadmap and investing in training and development, partners will win even more deals and grow their business.

“In February , we announced that VMware solutions purchased through Dell would count toward Dell EMC Partner Program tier requirements. Today we are expanding this benefit to include all sales from strategically aligned businesses transacted through the partner programme.”

Mullen also pointed out the need for right skills to sell and deploy innovative solutions as being vital for partners to differentiate their capabilities in the market.

He informed further that the company would be announcing two new solution badges, composed of already in-market certifications, to validate a breadth of capability to support and deploy across a solution.

As the Ramadan fast is being observed across the globe, foremost Nigeria’s foam and mattress company, Mouka Limited, has felicitated with Muslims in the country and urged them to approach lives according to the essence of the exercise.

The company in a statement reemphasised to the importance of the exercise adding that it was obligatory for Muslims to participate in it, in fulfilment of the fourth pillar of Islam.

“During the month of Ramadan, it is obligatory for Muslims to fast in fulfilment of the fourth pillar of Islam.

“It is our hope that while this Ramadan lasts, the virtues associated with engaging in this divine obligation would be the reward of all Muslims.

We enjoin Islamic faithful to remember the essence of the sacred

exercise and ensure its reflection in all their dealings in this holy period and beyond.”

The company also pledged support for all faithful as well as enabling environment for a successful and rewarding exercise.

“As a company committed to a quality sleep, we admonish Muslims to remember to have a healthy sleep culture during this period to prepare them for each day’s holy task.

“We hope that this Ramadan will indeed yield its essence and enhance the faith of all Muslims as they diligently observe this fast and undertake this divine assignment.

“It is particularly hoped that this season of purity will engender further, the spirit of nation building in Nigeria”, the company said in a statement.

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Stella Damasus Leads in ‘Between’ JENNIFER OBODO Yemi Alade’s ‘Woman of Steel’ Album pg. 47

I Can’t Act Nude, Even if the Money is in Millions of Dollars pg. 48

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Stella Damasus Leads in ‘Between’ Predominantly white cast with a Nollywood star, Stella Damasus, as its lead actress, the film, ‘Between’ is considered her “comeback” movie since her last appearance in a 2015 movie. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

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he last couple of years have seen some Nollywood divas make remarkable comeback to the screens after some moments off acting, maybe by default or design. In this regard, notably popular ones like Anne Njemanze (Domitila), Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji and Eucharia Anunobi (though she refuted it), come to mind. Their return has somewhat been felt as it won back for them their loved fans, showing that they are still very much relevant in the game.

Making the latest entry to the scene since her last appearance in a 2015 movie (Affairs of the Heart) is Stella Damasus. Before her hiatus, she was one of the most popular actresses in Nollywood. Stella, after relocating to America with hubby, took a break to pursue some other things close to her heart.

“We relocated to America, I went into my podcast, my radio, I started writing more, teaching more... a lot of other things you know,” she told BBC Africa.

“I just wanted to take a break for a while and rediscover myself and know where I was headed in the industry. I’m headed for greater things, bigger things. And I realised I’m made for more. I wanted to go global and I said I’m ready for the phase. This (Between) is another phase for me.”

Whether she makes a great comeback or not remains to be known. Nevertheless, Stella’s delivery of her role in a-two minute footage of her comeback movie points towards a class act.

Of note, the completion and subsequent promotion of her latest cinematic project, ‘Between’, which was co-produced and directed by her artistic husband, Daniel Ademinokan has taken Damasus through a series of premiere to London and back to her base in the US. Ademinokan and Damasus are also credited as producers and executive producers of the movie under their production company Index Two Studios, LLC. The London premiere of the movie last month comes six months after it premiered in October at the Glenn Fest Film Festival 2018 in Downey, California as its closing film at the weeklong fiesta. The film also screened in Beverly Hills California on April 26th at the exclusive WME/IMG Endeavor Screening Room on Wilshire Blvd.

Interestingly, the UK debut at the Odeon Cinema in Greenwich Area of London had among the audience a good number of Nollywood’s finest like Hilda Dokubo, Victoria Inyama, Ruke Amata and other celebrities such as Weird MC, Wale Gates, and DJ Abass turn out to support Stella and Daniel on their film project.

The movie would come home soon to an exclusive VIP premiere in Lagos before its nationwide theatre release and then its opening at the African Film Festival in Dallas in June.

Predominantly white cast movie with a Nollywood star as its lead actress, Between is set in Atlanta, Georgia and has Stella playing the character Chelsea Hollis, a very successful woman who has been through four divorces. Feisty, daring, energetic, Chelsea Hollis, is workaholic by day and a party freak at night. She helps couples fix their relationship issues but she’s disillusioned about love. She ultimately becomes a hardline feminist, believing that women should rein in their emotions and live carefree.

One of such escapades brings her in contact with Scott Hamilton (played by Travis Greiner) which changes her perception of love and she soon finds out that there is more to him than she expected. In the trailer,

Damasus

Damasus’ voice can be heard through a narrative voice over. She calls out the double standard that praises and burnishes the egos of men when they are promiscuous, but castigates women when they do the same and smart enough to highlight slutshaming culture as problematic.

Damasus and Travis Grenier, the archetypically handsome actor, have a one night stand. The next morning, Damasus as Hollis is clinically, emotionally blank that she explains to Grenier’s character that they had fun, it’s now over, and thus she wants him out of her house. Ordinarily, it always plays out as the woman clinging to the man after sex but in Between, there’s a shift in dynamic. In another scene, Hollis feels threatened as anyone would when an intruder invades their house.

Stella Damasus is a theatre arts graduate of the University of Lagos, who began her career as a singer at Klink Studios in Lagos.

She worked on radio and TV jingles before taking a role in the 1995 film, ‘Abused.’ She became a house hold name after featuring in ‘Breaking Point,’ a 1995 Francis Agu film, and has since starred in over seventy movies.

She won the Entertainment Awards Best Actress in 2007, was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2009 at the African Movie Academy Awards, and won Best Actress at the Golden Icons Academy Awards in Houston, Texas for the movie, ‘Two Brides and a Baby.’

Damasus

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Yemi Alade’s ‘Woman of Steel’ Album Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ith three highly-rated studio albums and an EP to her credit, Nigerian Afro-pop artiste, Yemi Alade is getting ready to release her new body of work titled ‘Woman of Steel’. Just fresh off the release of ‘Oh My Gosh’ remix, featuring American rapper, Rick Ross, this fourth studio album and the fifth project by the ‘IgboYoruba girl’ is coming five years after the release of her debut record in 2014.

To up the anticipation of the hotly awaited musical project, she posted a red stimulating picture of herself, posing boldly in two piece red suit, while she radiates confidence in her top-notch fur jacket exposing her cleavage. Yemi had barely two months back dropped her hot single, ‘Yaji’, which she featured Slim Case and Brainee.

The ‘Woman of Steel’ project follows her 2017 album, Black Magic. The Jonny crooner had early in the week taken to her Instagram account with the following message, “#WOMANOFSTEEL album out soon #yemialade” to excite her fans.

The Effyzzie Music Group diva has been posting the hashtag #WOS on her social media for months, and now reveled stands for “Woman of Steel”.

Though there isn’t a hint to the number of tracks to be in ‘WOS’, The Rick Ross aided “Oh My Gosh” is the only confirmed track on the set, and may also include ‘Yaji’. Woman of Steel, as Alade’s fifth body of work, comes after Black Magic, Mama Africa, King of Queens and an extended play titled Mama Afrique.

As with her other albums which are not without collaborations, the singer/writer, according to reports, joined forces with versatile super-acts like legendary Grammy Award winner Angelique Kidjo, Duncan Mighty and popular Nollywood star Funke Akindele on her upcoming album which is projected to have major hits.

Expectedly, the ‘King of Queens’ of Nigerian music, working with “The Undisputed Queen of African music”, Kidjo, should draw out a song good enough to be great for her much anticipated album and crest her imprint on the record of African songs. Kidjo is a Beninese singer-songwriter, actress, and activist who is noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos Funke Akindele as a singer, might just see the Nigerian actor on just a skit in the Woman of Steel work. On the part of Duncan Mighty on the album, the musician and music producer and his musical style known to demonstrate high-level of genre versatility and heavily influenced by the sounds and culture of his native Ikwerre dialect of Igbo language, might just see Yemi tapping from it.

In 2014, Yemi dropped her

Alade

debut 17 tracks album ‘King of Queens’ which had collaborations from seasoned musicians and sound engineers who doctored the musical work to taste.

In King of Queens, Alade worked with producers such as Selebobo, Sizzle Pro, Philkeyz, Young D, GospelOnDeBeatz, OJB Jezreel, Fliptyce, and Beat Nation. The album was preceded by three singles: “Johnny”, “Tangerine” and “Kissing”. It featured guest appearances and

skits from Bovi, R2Bees, Phyno, Chidinma. The deluxe edition of King of Queens followed and contained French versions (with Fally Ipupa) of songs originally performed in English.

She followed up her debut King of Queens with another acclaimed studio effort, Mama Africa in 2016, which met mixed reactions from fans and critics.

Yemi attempted to correct the flaws of ‘Mama Africa’

in ‘Mama Afrique’ EP, before releasing the 63-minute long 2017 project ‘Black Magic’, which served as her third studio album. Alade’s second studio album Mama Africa was supported by six singles: Na Gode, Do As I Do, Ferrari, Kom Kom, Africa and Tumbum.

The deluxe edition of the album also followed and featured guest vocals from South African musicians Bucie and AKA.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR journey for me, I must say.

The challenges I faced weren’t as bad as I expected Just that some fake people who are not up to who they tell you they are will come up with disguise of wanting to have a relationship with you but, at the end, they just want to have a taste of you and go. I met so many people like that and it was because of them I almost wanted to give up on acting. But, it is something I really have passion for, so I decided to stay away for a while and get to understand the industry and make more of the real contacts before coming back full time, which was what I did.

Role models and mentors Genevieve Nnaji, Nse Etim, Mercy Johnson, Omotola Jalade are people from whom I drew motivation. I haven’t been on set with anyone of them but I know I would someday. I would have been on the same set with Mercy Johnson, but it clashed with another so it didn’t work.

How my man reacts to seeing me play romantic roles The regular punch line that he would always say is ‘after you will say it’s movie you are acting’. But, I select my roles based on the story and role given to me. And I can’t act nude. Even if the money is in millions of dollars I’m not interested please. I can’t expose my body to the world in the name of acting.

What makes me unique I love being different and surprising and not fitting stereotypes. I’m rather pleased to be me and I have a great self-esteem and confidence. It makes me willing to seek out and accept challenges I may not appear to be able to deliver on initially.

I’m open-minded and can’t stand injustice. I dream big and work hard. I’m not afraid of failure. In fact, I think it is an essential part of the experimental process that takes you to success. This is why I am unique.

Some of the movies I have featured in Karma,You Found Me, Obi Obara, Melissa, One Good Turn, Sweet Yesterday, Axiom, Damaged and more. But I’m yet to see that movie that would really challenge me.

Aside acting I’m planning on owning my own fashion store, and I hope to do that soon. I also want to start a pet project too.

JENNIFER OBODO

I Can’t Act Nude, Even if the Money is in Millions of Dollars Nollywood actress and model, Jennifer Obodo, hails from Imo State and is a graduate of Mass Communication and Media Technology from Lead City University, Ibadan. She talks to Tosin Clegg about acting, starting her career, hopes for Nollywood and a lot more I started acting full time three years ago irst,Istartedmodellingin2010, after myO’levels, butIhavealways had a passion for acting. I didn’t know where to start from and how to go about it. I had friends who always encouraged me and asked me to go for both because I have got all it takes to be a TV star. That was when I had the courage to go for it. I started getting audition updates from people and on Facebook, my family then was against it, especially my elder brother who was like a bone in my throat. I told him that the only thing I needed was his support or else I will go behind and do my thing. My mum later gave in and supported me.

However, in 2011, I was at home cooking when my friend came to me and told me that they were

F

filming close to my house, that a guy who is an actor on that set came around to buy something and then they started talking and she told him she had a friend who really wanted to act but didn’t know how to start. So the guy requested to see me, and she called me to meet him. I quickly rounded off what I was doing and went to see him; we talked and I told him I really wanted to act so he took me to that set and was able to get something for me to do which was just three scenes. The movie is titled BlackBerry Prostitutes. That was my first movie ever but unfortunately he is late now (May his soul rest in peace. Amen). That was actually a starting point for me.

My first time on set There was this joy in me that day. I felt I had

eventually focused on my passion. So, I started attending acting auditions here and there. It wasn’t easy at all.

The stress was too much for me and I almost gave up on it. I met so many who promised and failed. I met the fake and real ones. Then, I decided to go back to school and return to acting when I am done and free to do all I wanted. But, I never stopped modelling. I was doing it while I was in school and used that to assist myself. Then in 2015, I started coming back into the industry, because I had come to understand everything about the industry. I graduated in 2015, served in Akwa Ibom State in 2016, then I started calling most of the producers and directors that I knew to inform them that I was ready to start my acting career full time. So, from 2017 till date, it has been a great

How I relate with my male fans I try as much as possible to be nice. I just smile, wave and snap photos with them if need be. I have never encountered sexual harassment, as an actor, and it has been the grace of God protecting me.

Lesbianism accusations in Nollywood Well, that’s their cup of tea. I know about myself so I can’t say. But for me, I am so straight and will forever be straight. And I have once had a funny encounter,butitwasonlineandIblockedtheperson immediately. Thinking about it, I feel Irritated.

Honestly, do I really look like one? I can never be a lesbian.

We have to be more creative in the way we tell our stories It’s a fact that we want to tell the same story, but the angle you are telling it from matters. It should be more about the twist and turns. Nollywood should also learn to grow young actors. We should learn how to transcend to the next level and not use older actors to play the role of a teenager. We have so many wonderful actors out there, so there should be a mix. Truth be told, most of us outgrow certain roles, so I think we should be able to use who fits into a particular role not minding if the person is a popular face or not. I get to see so many errors also in editing, where spirits are scared of crossing the road or you see the shadows of spirits which doesn’t make any sense. Another thing is that actors are not appreciated as much as artistes in the society, which is wrong. I hope to change most of these things and more.

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Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

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Gists MY STORY ANUOLUWAPO KABIAWU

I Work to Bring Something New to Events Anuoluwapo Kabiawu is a serial entrepreneur and the Creative Director of Aya’ba Events, an event management and decoration business. She’s a devout catholic and lover of adventures. She talks to Tosin Clegg about her experiences in event planning, starting out her career and much more

SOLA SOBOWALE, TADE OGIDAN, NOBERT YOUNG, ATTEND SCREENING OF GOLD STATUE “Gold Statue”, produced by OGD pictures, has been scheduled for release in cinemas nationwide. The movie’s press screening at Filmhouse cinemas, in Surulere, Lagos was attended by top Nollywood actors and movie lovers. Gold Statue is a comedy adventure drama that follows the escapade of two young men in search of a ‘Gold Statue’ believed to have been a deity inherited by their generation. In trying to locate the supposed ‘Gold Statue’, they go through a series of unimaginable ordeal and put themselves through some ridiculous painful situations that leave their parents shocked. But the question remains, is there really a ‘Gold Statue’ or is it a myth?

Gold Statue is directed by Tade Ogidan, and stars

Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Tina Mba, Nobert Young, Ali Baba, Gabriel Afolayan, Kunle Remi, Bisola Aiyeola, Rycardo Agbor, Kevin Ikeduba, Greg Ojefua, Judith Audu, Woli Arole, Etinosa Idemudia and many more.

Tade Ogidan said, “I do not take credit for this film because the cast, crew and investor and everyone that was part of the project deserve the credit and accolades.”

He added, “Many of those who participated did it out of love, not for the money involved and they all brought their A-game.”

Gold Statue is distributed nationwide by Filmone Distribution.

SYLVIA EDEM SHOOTS NEW MOVIE, PLANS FOR MORE PRODUCTIONS Sylvia Edem is a celebrated Nollywood actress and producer. Her style of acting and interpretation of character has made her top favourite and well sought after. She recently finished shooting her new movie, Reality Check, starring Chinwe Isaac, Nino Bolanle, Mimi Orjiekwe, herself and many more. This just concluded production is a key starter for the year, as she goes onward planning more works.

She said, “What makes me exceptional is my way of role interpretations which is different, because I give in my best and I try not to copy anyone, as I try to be me. Also, I see myself in future to be a leader, someone who add value to lives, someone who my community can run to and I will be of help to them.

Sylvia isn’t relenting and with a strong zeal flaming, she is set to be a power house in Nollywood and the world at large.

H

ow did you start?

I started event planning after my certification with Wed Expo, but before then, I was solely in event decoration which I started while still at the university and my first client was a lecturer of mine whom I helped to plan her friend’s wedding.

Challenges so far?

My greatest challenges are having less time to plan and implement ideas owing to my 8-5 job, but I don’t want my employer to misunderstand me on this; I love my job; being underpaid for services rendered; being underestimated and a few others. The good news is that I am gradually overcoming them.

Who are your role models?

I do have lots of role models in the field, let me mention a few; Elizabeth Nwando’s signatures for event styling; Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, love her passion, doggedness and principles; Oga Tsoule, the event man! Would love these people to be my mentors but I am just too shy to ask; Lord help me.

What makes you different?

Uniqueness and dedication; my team and I work tirelessly to bring something new to events we manage or style. The Aya’ba events brand in a few years would be among the leading event managers and stylists out of Africa. We also have a vision to go into experiential marketing in the nearest future.

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Davido’s Babe is Looking Fabulous Davido’s babe, Chioma is looking fabulous in new make-up photos she shared on Instagram on Sunday. Perhaps, she is challenging Davido to pen a new song for her.

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Radiant Chika Ike Nollywood actress, Chika Ike, shows off her new look in a photo posted on her Instagram page on Tuesday. Chika, who is also a television personality, producer, business woman, philanthropist and model, left her fans asking for more

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Dija and Family

Waiting for Mavin Star, Di’ja Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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uggling marriage and one’s profession in showbiz could be a handful for most practitioners, especially the female. The challenge of minding the home front and making out time for the artistic side is not always interesting going by varied experiences. Recent years have seen this task tell on the female entertainer and somewhat slow her more than her pace of work. This oftentimes dampens her flow as she struggles to keep up her game and compete favourably with same sex let alone the male counterparts, maybe in the music industry.

In this case, words like “family comes first” or “my home before others” have become a cliché. For Mavin Records songstress, Di’ja, real name Hadiza Salma Blell, life as a musician may not have really paid off but when she considered the joy of being a mother of two, coupled with having a supportive husband, nothing can be compared to it. Same goes for some other female acts that have had their career pushed back for their marriage with no regrets whatsoever as they bounced back afterwards.

In an interview with the singer some months back, she said, “I think you just make time for what is important. No matter what, in life, family comes first. But music is also family and I put everything in prayer.

So I always beg God that people understand what I am doing and make it easy for me.

I also ask God to let me succeed if what I am doing is the best for me.” Di’ja has always been musical as she grew up on the “movie sound of music.”

Music chose her; she did not really choose it. She revealed: “If I had chosen it, with some of the adversities that came with it, I would have quit. I just kept going, and my mother’s encouragement really helped a lot,” until she got married in 2015 at a very private wedding. This was just about a year after she started dating her hubby, Rotimi, in 2014. The couple had their first child in 2016. The Singer welcomed her second child, a baby girl in March 2018.

The beautiful Di’Ja came into limelight when she met music producer Don Jazzy in 2014 through her manager and same

day released her first single “Yaro”. She says she didn’t expect to meet the Nigerian music producer. She had met Jazzy while she was in the studio sharing her songs with some of the guys around when the Mavin Records label boss walked in. That

Dija

experience she acknowledged as, “both exciting and scary.” Don Jazzy listened to two of her songs, which set both together musically.

It is over five years now since her label boss signed her and the duo of Korede Bello

and Reekado Banks to Mavin Records, while Bello and Banks have pushed their career to the next level with back-to-hit songs, same cannot be said of Di’ja, whose career appeared to have nosedived since after her marriage. This has attracted criticisms and public outcry that have continued to taint her career.

Whereas she has managed to release a few songs that many have come to love, it is largely believed that the Sierra LeoneanNigerian has not only managed to live up to fans’ expectations, her influence on the music scene has equally waned. Not much in terms of music has been heard of the afrobeat/R&B artiste after her marriage.

For a little over two years Di’ja has not really rocked steady with any composition except for her reggae single released in January 2019.

The reggae jam titled Mr. Bob she dedicated to one of the greatest reggae music icon “Bob Marley” to celebrate the dead legend who preached love and peace to the world through his music.

For an artiste who has been signed over five years now without an album must have kept her fans waiting. Di’ja started her music career professionally with the help of her friend, Aman Manhas who signed her up for a singing competition called Beat Music Awards in Canada.

In 2009, she released her debut single “Rock Steady” which was nominated for best Urban/RB single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. She won the Best New Artiste Award at the 2009 Best Music Awards which was a boost to her career.

In Dec 2014, she released her hit single so far “Awww”. The single received large airplay and was widely accepted. The single topped so many charts as her fan base increased. Sure she has no regrets venturing into music but it’s high time she lived up to it. As she once admitted, “The thing about music is that you can either do it forever, or you can turn it into something, your legacy, and live forever because even after you gone, your music lives on.

I believe music is where I have been put and until then, I just hope I get better and better within my heart, and God continues to guide me.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t .": , 2019

53

SHOWBIZFLAIR

OlamideTeases Femi Otedola in New Song Ferdinand Ekechukwu

W

hile Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy) in his recent song croons ‘Dangote o… Dangote o… Dangote still dey find money o’, Olamide Adedeji (aka Olamide baddo) in his new tune ‘Oil and Gas’ sings in Yoruba dialect to Femi Otedola to spend the money.

He says ‘owo wa lo wo yin eje ki aba yin na’, meaning there is (oil) money in your hands let’s spend it with you . . . you can’t spend all the money by yourself, we can assist you spend it.

The song is catchy.

The Indigenous rapper dishes out the monster jam produced by inhouse producer, Pheels. This comes after sharing ‘Spirit’ produced by Pheelz and his early 2019 banger ‘Woske’ produced by Killertunes.

Olamide is on fire this year, releasing four tracks in the span of five months, the best we’ve experience from the Bariga Lagos born artiste. With ‘Woske’ still banging and enjoying massive stream, Oil & Gas is anticipated take over playlist, music charts and buzz speakers.

Oil and Gas was released on May 9, 2019 and is already making rounds. The tune is fast becoming a banger that a lot of people are identifying with. There’s this chance that the song acceptance will rise in the coming days, which will not be surprising. The new single is from his anticipated album, `Oil & Gas’. The 30 year-old Bariga born rapper took to his Instagram handle @baddoneh to announce the release of the song. “#Oilandgas.’’

He added a sign of fuel pump facility at an oil station. This new song is catchy because it contains the trending slang “Enu gbe” (mouth dry). In the song, the YBNL boss in Yoruba dialect calls on the major oil and gas dealers, philanthropies and godfathers in the country to spend money where it is due.

The release of Oil & Gas came barely three weeks after he released the song `Spirit’. While his fans await the official release of the album `Oil & Gas’ they could enjoy the released singles from the album.

Olamide’s albums include Rapsodi (2011), Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL2012), Baddest Guy Ever Liveth (2013) and Street OT (2014). Others are 2 Kings, Eyan Mayweather (2015), The Glory (2016), Lagos Nawa (2017), and Madia Family (2018). He has collaborated with talented artist like Phyno, Lil Kesh, D’banj, Davido, Wale, Reminisce and many more.

Oil and Gas would make it the 10th studio album of the multi award winning singer, song writer and label boss.

Others are 2 Kings, Eyan Mayweather (2015), The Glory (2016), Lagos Nawa (2017), and Madia Family (2018). With such a danceable song and an artiste like Olamide bringing if forth, the tune has sure attracted a lot of views from fans and viewers.

If YouTube and other social media sites are anything to go by as expressed in one opinion, then it would be safe to say that it is already doing really well.

Olamide may be a great artiste that does not disappoint every time he works on a jam as fans always seem to love it. This new audio is perfect example of this.

Olamide

54

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

NEWSXTRA FG, UNODC Rally Multinational Efforts to Foil Piracy in Gulf of Guinea Bennett Oghifo

GOLDEN AGE...

L-R: Mr. Ibukun Babarinde; Mrs. Itunu Babarinde; Mr. Oluwole Tunde; Mrs. Omolara Tunde; Mr. Omololu Babarinde; Mrs. Adenike Babarinde; Mr. Abiona Babarinde; and Mrs. Tolulola Babarinde, at the 50th birthday event of Omololu Babarinde, held in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Ś recently

Delta State Intervenes to End Siege to Chevron's Ugborodo Gas Plant Sylvester Idowu inWarri

Work resumed yesterday at Chevronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multi-million dollar gas plant at Ugborodo, an Itsekiri community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, following the intervention of the Delta State Government.

For 11 days, the people of Ugborodo laid siege on the Chevron's multi-million dollar gas plant, over alleged neglect and marginalisation by the United States oil company.

An executive member of Ugborodo Community Manage-

ment Committee (UCMC), Mr. Alex Eyengho, confirmed that the issue was resolved after a meeting, yesterday, between the leadership of the community and Chevron delegation, presided by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc committee and Secretary to the Delta State Government, Hon. Ovie Agas.

Eyengho said the community called off the protest to pave way for a dispute resolution meeting to be hosted, next week by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, which will have in attendance,

the stakeholders and Chevron representatives.

He said Chevron had agreed on some of the demands by the community but insisted that a lot of grounds were yet to be covered.

"The meeting, which went on into late evening, could not address all the demands and issues raised due to time. He said some of their demands had been addressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, we believe that the meeting with top federal government functionaries proposed for Abuja next week, will afford us the opportunity to treat the issues/

demands well," he said, adding "Chevron seems to be hiding under the Public Procurement Act to run away from most of the demands.â&#x20AC;?

Eyengho said that discussions with Chevron and government at both the state and federal levels will continue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suffice it at this point to inform the general public that we shall end the 11 days old peaceful protest today and completely demobilise, even as we continue discussions with Chevron and government at both State and Federal levels.â&#x20AC;?

Wakil, Mama Boko Haram, Nominated for Sydney Peace Award Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

Astatement by Prince Lawal Shoyode, the Country Director of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, the Non-Governmental Organisation established by Mr. Wakil to impact on victims of Boko Haram crisis, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mama Boko is among those nominated for the respected Sydney Peace Award in faraway Australia

for her efforts in seeing an end to the Boko Haram crisis in North East Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

Shoyode said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barrister Aisha Wakil efforts to see peace return to troubled North-east is being recognised outside Nigeria shore.â&#x20AC;?

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barrister Aisha Alkali Wakil is noted as a bridge to Boko Haram insurgents. She has been appealing to Boko Haram but it has

Corruption: Let Children Know Effect of Nation's Development, Charges CACOL Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Executive Chairman, Centre

for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Comrade Debo Adeniran has urged parents to wake up to their responsibility in shaping the value of the next generation by teaching their children in recognising corruption and know its adverse effect on the development of the country.

Adeniran gave the charge at a public lecture organised by CACOL to mark its 15 years of existence, held in Osogbo, Osun State capital .

The Executive Chairman while speaking on the topic, 'Curbing Corruption In Nigeria's Political Procession' said parents have vital roles to play in the fight against corruption in the country.

While condemning some parents who had remained hell bent in the promotion of corruption in the

society, Adeniran lamented that unchecked corruption in Nigeria public institutions according to him has destroyed people's faith in governance that make people find means of survival.

He said, "School curriculums must incorporate ethics and civic education in the curriculum. parents, teachers and school administrators must recognise their responsibility to shape the value of the next generation by exhibiting high standards of integrity, honesty and transparency in their action" "Citizens are unlikely to be motivated to be combat corruption because experience suggests that nothing will change. A history of inept leadership have destroyed public believe in governance and created a sense of fatalism.â&#x20AC;?

He noted that new approaches should be adopted to Create social incentive for collective action against corruption.

been discovered that many people are frustrating her peace efforts.â&#x20AC;?

He lamented that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some do not want the crisis to stop as they are benefiting directly from the insurgency.

Those fueling this are people that matters, they have many times sideline her (Wakil) because they know that she will not allow them to play ball.â&#x20AC;?

He reminded that Barrister Wakil was given peace award by Nigeria

Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scout in Benue and Borno States.

Shoyode said among other awards received by the Amazon, include Leadership and Peace Award In Morocco, early this month she was awarded African Peace Icon in Ghana.

He said all these are proofs to her sincere effort in bringing peace to Borno State , North-esast and Nigeria as a whole.

Adeboye, Saraki, Akeredolu Eulogise Late Olowo at Final Funeral James Sowole in Akure Dignitaries from all walks of life yesterday eulogised the late Olowo of Owo, Oba David Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi.

The dignitaries including the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu among others, poured encomiums at the interdenominational service held for the Ondo State First Class monarch at the ancient city.

Adeboye, who was represented by the National Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, described the late Olowo as a man with good legacies.

He said that the late monarch had written his name on gold, serving God and humanity in his entire life.

Oba Olateru-Olagbegi aged 77

died on April 16 after a brief sickness.

According to the cleric, the monarch had already lived a fulfilled life, as a king, a family man and as a Christian.

To the Senate President, the late Oba Olateru Olagbegi had played good roles for the development of Nigeria. Saraki noted that the late monarch exhibited hard work, diligence and integrity.

The Senate president stated that the king impacted and contributed to lives across the country, saying that he would be remembered for in Nigeria. In his remarks Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State described the late king as a pride to the state.

Akeredolu stressed that the state would miss his immense contributions to development of the state.

Earlier in the day, a valedictory court session was held within the premises of Ondo State High Courts premises in honour of the departed king.

The total economic cost of piracy in West Africa has been estimated as $777.1 million annually between 2015 and 2017, in addition to human costs as the Gulf of Guinea experienced an escalation of piracy, kidnapping and armed robbery at sea in recent years.

This is contained in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday by the Outreach and Communications Officer, UNODC, Mr. Sylvester Atere, which quoted a 2018 report that attacks in the region more than doubled in 2018, accounting for all six hijackings worldwide, 13 of the 18 ships fired upon, 130 of the 141 hostages taken globally, and 78 of 83 seafarers kidnapped for ransom.

According to the report, the economic effects on countries like Nigeria and its trading partners are especially burdensome, adding that in the last three months of 2018, 41 kidnappings were recorded in waters off Nigeria alone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In October 2018, 11 crew members were kidnapped from a container vessel 70 nautical miles off Bonny Island, Nigeria. Two days later, pirates in a speedboat hijacked a tanker underway 100 nautical miles off Point Noire, Congo. Eight of the 18 crew members were kidnapped.

These are just two recent examples of how armed criminals are reaching further out to sea and targeting a wider variety of ships: bulk carriers, container vessels and general cargo vessels in addition to local attacks on tankers, oil industry support

vessels and fishing vessels.â&#x20AC;?

The statement said, worried by the trend of criminality within the West Africa sub-region, Nigeria participated actively in the 2019 Exercise Obangame Express, a multi-national maritime exercise sponsored by the United States Military Africa Command (AFRICOM) and attended by 33 countries from West Africa, Europe and North America. The Exercise carried out weeks of maritime training to improve safety against pirates and to improve the monitoring of the coastline. The training which witnessed deployment of 2,500 personnel, 95 ships and 12 aircraft was aimed at improving regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of the Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activities.

With a view to covering the legal aspects of this exercise at sea, UNODC, in cooperation with Interpol and the support of the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), developed simulated trials using the Obangame maritime exercise as a platform for training prosecutors and investigators in handling the piracy and maritime crime scenarios played at sea during the exercise.

In April, UNODC and INTERPOL organised in Lagos the first of the series of simulated trials, using aspects of the piracy bill currently under consideration by the Nigerian National Assembly.

Be Loyal to the President, Air Force Chief Charges Personnel Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja A statement by Prince Lawal Shoyode, the Country Director of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, the Non-Governmental Organisation established by Mr. Wakil to impact on victims of Boko Haram crisis, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mama Boko is among those nominated for the respected Sydney Peace Award in faraway Australia for her efforts in seeing an end to the Boko Haram crisis in North East Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? Shoyode said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barrister Aisha Wakil efforts to see peace return to troubled North-east is being recognised outside Nigeria shore.â&#x20AC;?

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Barrister Aisha Alkali Wakil is noted as a bridge to Boko Haram insurgents. She has been appealing to Boko Haram but it has been discovered that many people are frustrating her peace efforts.â&#x20AC;?

He lamented that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some do not want the crisis to stop as they are benefiting directly from the insurgency. Those fueling this are people that matters, they have many times sideline her (Wakil) because they know that she will not allow them to play ball.â&#x20AC;?

He reminded that Barrister Wakil was given peace award

by Nigeria Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Scout in Benue and Borno States.

Shoyode said among other awards received by the Amazon, include Leadership and Peace Award In Morocco, early this month she was awarded African Peace icon in Ghana.

He said all these are proofs to her sincere effort in bringing peace to Borno State , North East and Nigeria as a whole.

Shoyode said in order to pursue peace to the latter, Barrister Aisha Wakil established a foundation called Complete Care and Aid Foundation, the first indigenous NGO in Borno State.

Be Loyal to the President, Air Force Chief Charges Personnel.

CHANGE OF NAME I wish to be known and addressed as OGBONNA CORNELIUS CHILAKA, instead of OGBONNA CORNELIUS ELEBOCHI. The general public take note CORRECTION OF NAME This is to notify that public that my name was wrongly written on my BVN as ITORO LAZARUS UDUAK, my correct name is ITORO UDUAK ESSIEN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, FEAYE MERCY, and HARRY MERCY FEAYE, refer to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as, HARRY MERCY FEAYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADDITION OF NAME I, ONYEKA IFEOMA UDOCHUKWU, wish to add, UDOCHUKWU, to my name which was formerly, ONYEKA IFEOMA. I now wish to be known and addressed as, ONYEKA IFEOMA UDOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of original right of occupancy No Fct /Abu/MIsc 9347 dated the 22nd day of October, 1997 and registered as No FC73 at page 73 volume 79 in the Land Registry Abuja. All efforts made to trace the said missing document prove abortive, if found, please return to the nearest police station or Amaechi Holding Ltd. Authority Concerned kindly take note.

ÍšÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

55

SPORTS XTRA

Pinnick Promises Financial Support for Nigeria Football Legends Charges Flying Eagles to soar in Poland President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Pinnick, has reiterated that the footballgoverning body will soon institute a welfare foundation for former Nigerian international players in order to guarantee ready funding for them in case of unexpected health challenges.

The NFF supremo, who is also the 1st Vice President of the Confederation of African

Football, gave this assurance in London on Thursday, hours after receiving former Nigerian captain Christian Chukwu alongside his wife and sister after Chukwu arrived for medical treatment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You would recall that at the last NFF Football Awards in Lagos on April 1, we had announced that a welfare foundation would be instituted for our legends to take care of them in times of their need. At that time,

we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even have any idea that Chukwu would be faced with this kind of health challenge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am happy that he is here now and we have made adequate arrangements for his surgery, medication and general after-surgery care.

He will get the best treatment possible and we are confident he will return to Nigeria hale, hearty and sound of mind and body.â&#x20AC;?

Chukwu arrived in

London on Thursday in company of his wife Lilian Nkeiruka, his sister Mrs. Edith Chinelo Motanya and Dr. Ibrahim Gyaran, who is medical doctor of the Super Eagles.

He will have the surgery and immediate after-surgery care at the Wellington Hospital on Circus Road in St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Woods.

Meanwhile, Pinnick has charged the Nigeria U-20 boys, Flying Eagles, to do the

nation proud on and off the field at the FIFA U-20 World Cup starting in Poland on Thursday.

Pinnick, in company of NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, arrived at the Flying Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Monarch Hotel camp in Bad Goegging, Germany on Friday morning, ahead of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure to the World Cup on Sunday.

The duo later joined the team at training. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have spoken to the head coach and he has assured me that you guys have made tremendous progress since arriving at the training camp here in Germany. Let me state clearly that as a U-20 squad from Nigeria, so much is expected of you at the world stage. Nigeria has been in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on two occasions and won the bronze

medals once before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NFF and Nigerians generally, as well as the football world, expect so much from you in Poland.

You must perform very well on the field while showing good attitude and sense of fairplay , and also make discipline, diligence and decency your watchwords off the field, in order to fly Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag high.â&#x20AC;?

On Friday, the Flying Eagles engaged Red Bull Leipzig of Germany in their final pre-World Cup friendly, three days after drawing 1-1 with Red Bull Salzburg in another friendly in Austria.

The Flying Eagles delegation will fly from Germany to Tychy on Sunday. They will take on Qatar in their first match of the FIFAU-20 World Cup on May 24, before other Group D games against USA May 27 and Ukraine May 30.

Allegri to Leave Juventus at End of Season

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, Dr. Sanusi and Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr pose with the players and oďŹ&#x192;cials of the Flying Eagles in Germany on Thursday morning.

Celtic Plot Move for Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nigerian Defender, Tomori Scottish champions Celtic are exploring ways to sign Nigeria Football Federation target Fikayo Tomori in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The Mirror says The Hoops are plotting a move to land the signature of the England U-21 star on a permanent transfer.

Tomori has had an amazing season on loan at Derby County, whom he helped reach the Championship playoffs final and the semifinal tie against Leeds United at Elland Road was his 54th appearance of the season in all competitions.

Born in Calgary, Canada,

the central defender started his career at the Chelsea Academy in 2005 and was handed his first team debut in a Premier League clash against Leicester City at the age of 18.

Celtic are in the market for a central defender with Dedryck Boyata set to leave the club in the summer upon

the expiry of his contract.

Named Derby County Player of the Year last month, Tomori is contracted to Chelsea until the end of the 2020-2021 Season.

The Rams could join the race for his services if they beat Aston Villa in the Championship playoffs final.

Wilder Wants Negotiations with Joshua to Remain Private Deontay Wilder believes an undisputed title fight with Anthony Joshua will finally be agreed when contract terms are kept â&#x20AC;&#x153;silentâ&#x20AC;? between both world heavyweight champions.

Wilder defends his WBC belt against Dominic Breazeale at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn this weekend, and then unified champion Joshua fights Andy Ruiz Jr on his US debut at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1.

Talks for a Wilder-Joshua fight have faltered in the past

due to disagreements about terms, but the American insists a deal can be agreed if the discussions remain private.

He exclusively told Sky Sports: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to be able to get in the ring and fight, you know, and give the people what they want, but I think how this is really going to happen - when everything goes silent. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too many people that are involved in this. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too many media, fans, everybody. The thing about people,

everybody got an opinion about how it should go, this should go this way, this should go that way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like with the Tyson Fury fight, nobody knew that fight was going to happen. Kept it silent for a reason, and then all of a sudden it came out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was the biggest fight and exciting fight around and I think this is the same way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to happen, the Joshua fight. It goes silent, everybody comes together and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to sort it out that way and then

we make an announcement.â&#x20AC;?

Wilder must first overcome Breazeale before he can consider his next career move but remains open to offers for the fight with Joshua. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The great thing about this - all parties are still in discussions, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like no door is closed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind is closed from the idea of it happening, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the great thing about it. I think this fight will happen.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to take every bit of my power to make this fight happen and I hope they do the same.

Juventus have announced head coach Massimiliano Allegri will leave the club at the end of this season.

Antonio Conte held preliminary negotiations with Juventus last month, in case they decided to part with Allegri, but Sky Sports News revealed that the former Chelsea boss has come close to agreeing on a deal to become the new manager of Inter Milan.

Speaking on Friday, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola once again rubbished rumours that he could head to Turin. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to Juventus or to Italy. I have two more years here. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to move, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m satisfied here, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going anywhere.

Next season I will be manager of Manchester City.â&#x20AC;?

Allegri has led Juventus to four successive league and cup doubles and two Champions League finals during his spell in charge.

Speaking after their disappointing Champions League quarter-final defeat to Ajax in April, Allegri said he expected to stay next season.

The Italian will remain in charge for Juventusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; final two Serie A matches of the season, having already secured the title last month.

Final Games of La Liga to Air Live on GOtv r4FSJF " NBUDIFT UPP Another pulsating La Liga season ends on Sunday with week 38 matches scheduled for live broadcast on GOtv. All the games, which kick off at 7 p.m., will be broadcast to GOtv Plus and Max subscribers.

Barcelona retained the title with three games to spare, travel to Eibar, while Atletico Madrid, who cannot finish lower than second, are also away at Levante.

However, the contest for Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final UEFA Champions League spot is where all eyes will be. Valencia and Getafe, main rivals for the spot, are tied on 58 points, but the former has a better head-to-head.

Los Ches travel to Real Valladolid, knowing that a victory would secure the ticket for them but Getafe are at home to Villareal at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, where they will hope for a win and a Valencia loss to claim the final Champions League spot.

Meanwhile, the race for Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final two UEFA Champions places gets closer to its peak this weekend from Sunday 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Monday 20 May, as Inter, Atalanta, AC Milan and Roma take to the pitch in matches that will be broadcast to GOtv subscribers. Atalanta have a mountain to climb when they travel to Turin to face Serie A champions, Juventus. Gian Piero Gasperiniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s men must get maximum points to be in control of their destiny.

Saturday, May 18, 2019

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Emir of Anka to Dan-Ali “It is very unfortunate for the defence minister to accuse us of aiding banditry… Go to his local government area and see what is happening. So, as a defence minister, he should have relocated there.”

– The Emir of Anka/Chairman, Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, chastising the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

An Evening With John Mahama On My 59th Birthday

F

ellow Nigerians, to say I love the former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, is an understatement. Many have asked me what is so unique about this phenomenal African leader and that if he is that good, why did Ghanaians sack him from the Presidential office. My main reason for my adoration of this quintessential gentleman and iconic African statesman is simple and straightforward, I have a soft spot for cerebral and visionary politicians of which Mahama is one without any doubt. Incidentally, on the occasion of my 59th birthday on Thursday, I had the pleasure of also enjoying the company of another leader of the same ilk, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President, who I also have tremendous admiration and respect for, as we were attending the same event in Lagos with President Mahama. More on that shortly.

I have had the privilege of accompanying President Mahama to speaking engagements in several continents and he never failed to deliver. Each time I have heard him speak, many times extempore, I have been amazed at the depth of the knowledge of whatever topic he is required to discuss and the accurate facts that he is capable of reeling off without reference to any notes. Not only is the delivery perfect, his eloquence is given greater fillip, force and effect by his diction, articulation and measured cadence. To say Mahama is an accomplished orator is to state the obvious.

His words have the ability to appear as if they are touching the core of your being, not just because of what he says, but how he says it.

Mahama is indeed a rare breed of a leader.

In the last one week, we’ve traversed Europe and Africa, with Mahama speaking in England, Rwanda and Nigeria. In between, we had visited the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, in Kinshasa at his invitation. I’m therefore also honoured by the privileged company that President Mahama has allowed me to keep not just in this period but since our bond grew.

I had the opportunity of hosting Mahama in Lagos, on May 16, 2019, on my 59th birthday. Rather than celebrate myself, I chose to showcase a man who has earned the reputation of being my friend, Brother, leader, mentor, inspiration and much more. We have bonded well since our friendship gained momentum shortly after President Buhari’s official visit to Ghana in September 2015. At that time, our acquaintance had been renewed with vigour and I am surprised, as I am sure President Mahama is too, that our relationship has blossomed to such a degree that it has done in such a short time. I respect his brains and propensity for uncommon projects and accomplishments. I also have great admiration for his integrity and loyalty. His unwavering focus and commitment to the cause of his people is worthy of emulation.

Former Presidential spokesman, Ogun State Deputy Gubernatorial candidate and eminent world Scholar, Dr Reuben Abati, anchored a super interactive session with Mahama. Abati, who spoke impromptu, reeled out a remarkable resume of Mahama to the admiration of all guests.

And Mahama did not disappoint and made the evening worthwhile for all. He gave a good account of his extraordinary stewardship in Ghana and admitted that he didn’t know why he was voted out, but was determined to bow out gracefully, and without bitterness or rancour, as a Democrat who believes the voters should be allowed to exercise their franchise, even if as in this case, he believes they had been misled by unfulfillable promises.

Dele and Mobolaji Momodu, John Mahama, Ademuyiwa and Esther Ajayi at Dele Momodu’s 59th birthday ceremony in Lagos As Mahama said, it is sometimes necessary to give the voters an opportunity to test a rival leader so that there can be no regrets that such an untested leader was the leader who could have solved their problems and the best leader that the country never had. Indeed, once that leader is put to the test it might become obvious that the much maligned and vilified former leader was in fact an excellent leader and the choices which previously appeared fuzzy might thus become stark and clear-cut.

On Thursday, our day started at the Lagos State University (LASU) Convocation ceremony where Mahama gave a landmark summary of the challenges facing education today and the way forward. The Vice President, Professor Osinbajo was in attendance even though he was to preside over a Federal Executive Council meeting later in the day, an expression of his love for education, considering he was a renowned University lecturer who had also had a stint teaching at LASU. The Chief Host was of course the irrepressible Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Mahama’s passion for education is not in doubt.

He believes that education in every form is the way to advance the African continent and its people and properly compete with the rest of the world.

He embarked on a transformation of the Ghanaian educational landscape as part of his vision of a Ghana that would really claim to be first class and developed country. As he disclosed, to his captive session at the interactive session held with a cross-section of Nigerian professionals on Thursday night, in about five years, he increased the level of education of Ghanaians and the educational facilities and institutions in multiples.

I wish to publish excerpts from that great and well-received speech from Mahama who was the distinguished Chairman of the occasion. Please, enjoy.

“Your Excellency Professor Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Your Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Justice Adesola Oguntade, Vice Chancellor Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, Members of Convocation, Faculty and Students, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Let me take this opportunity, Your Excellency, to extend my congratulations to you and President Muhammadu Buhari on your reelection for another four-year term by the people of Nigeria.

The sustenance of the democratic journey on

our continent can only be through the holding of elections, and not only that, but how efficiently we are able improve the conduct of the polls with each passing election.

Nigeria has obviously had its challenges and tests, but yet again, here on our continent, we are observing a more acceptable way of challenging the outcome of an election, a resort to the law and the courts, rather than violence - and I congratulate the people of Nigeria for that choice.

I have over the last two years, continued an agenda I began while in office as President, telling the story of Africa’s economic transformation at various global platforms and across the continent, and also talking about how we can and should grow and sustain democracy on the continent.

We can and will bring about development faster to our people through the enhancement of democracy in our countries and the choices open to us. 2018 saw 27 elections across the continent and this year has started recording higher numbers as well. South Africa just completed their election, and over the weekend I am heading to Malawi to join other former heads of state and election observers for their elections.

What it means, Your Excellency, is that we can make the AU Agenda 2063 a reality if, as individual countries, we begin to grow the dividends of democracy to impact on the economic and social well-being of our people.

Professor Vice Chancellor, many thanks to you for your kind invitation to chair this auspicious lecture to be delivered by His Excellency Professor Osinbajo on how Africa Centres of Excellence can be veritable catalysts for nation building and development.

Let me place on record my appreciation to Vice Chancellor Fagbohun and Professor Peter A. Okebukola for the visit you paid me in my office in Accra to personally invite me for this event.

In accepting to play the role of Chairman for the 23rd Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State University, permit me to share a few thoughts on the topic in order to set the tone without takin the wind out of the sail of our eminent guest lecturer. And there are many questions begging for answers as to whether our universities are acting as centres of excellence for nation-building?

Are our Universities providing leadership, best practice, research and support for sustained development of our countries?

To be able to live up to the definition of Centres of Excellence, African Universities must move away from the colonial system of University education which concentrated on the grammar school education in humanities and classics.

I believe African Universities must focus on science, technology and innovation. African Universities must concentrate on courses and programmes that are relevant to their environment and that can assist the sustained progress of our societies.

Universities must influence the communities in which they exist. They must not be isolated ivory towers where academic pomposity is exhibited.

Attention must be paid to the funding of University education. Universities that are not adequately funded for teaching and research, cannot achieve the status of centres of excellence.

Since collaboration is an important aspect of the concept of Centres of Excellence, African Universities must closely collaborate with each other.

In fact, good African Universities must begin to spread their wings across the continent. Such universities would have multiple campuses with different specialisations spread in multiple countries. That way, knowledge, expertise and experience can be more easily shared and/or transferred. An example is the UNISA campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

African Universities as Centres of Excellence can help bridge the gap created among African countries as a result of the artificial demarcation of the continent by the colonial powers at the Berlin Conference appropriately dubbed the “Partition of Africa” of 1884-85.

They can help bring about the necessary cohesion so essential to nation-building and the eventual Union of African States.

A focus on science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurial development will also provide the needed catalyst for development.

Of course, this focus will not mean a neglect of the humanities and philosophical discourse, which are essential for the generation and exchange of ideas and which also contribute to development.

African University centres of excellence must provide the generation of visionary leadership that is needed for economic transformation of Africa.

Finally, African Universities must have academic autonomy, if they are to serve as centres of excellence for our nations progress. The political establishment must resist the temptation of meddling in academic appointments and other administrative functions of the universities. In Ghana, recent attempts by the political establishment to interfere in academic affairs of the University of Education Winneba and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have created tension and disruption of academic work.

Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to congratulate the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Faculty, Management and Students of the Lagos State University on the occasion of your 23rd Convocation and for the recognition of LASU as the Best State University in Nigeria by the National Universities Commission.

I also want to encourage you, to give greater meaning to your University’s agenda to change the attitude and orientation of not only your students but Nigerians generally and turn them into great leaders.

Your Excellency, Thank you.”

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