SATURDAY 8TH JUNE 2019

AIT Resumes Operations as Court Intervenes Summons AGF, NBC Saraki, Peterside, NLC, CUPP condemn closure Alex Enumah, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Udora Orizu in Abuja and Emma Okonji in Lagos Africa Independent Television

(AIT), Raypower and Faaji FM, all owned by Daar Communications, yesterday night resumed operation, following a restraining order issued against the National

Broadcasting Commission (NBC) by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The NBC had on Thursday announced the suspension of the licence of Daar

Communications, until further notice.

Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, who made the announcement, said the action was as a result

of Daar Communications’ alleged continued breach of broadcasting code.

But the broadcast firm filed an exparte application before the court, seeking an order,

setting aside the action of the electronic broadcast regulator.

Justice Inyang Ekwo after hearing the application, Continued on page 6

FAO Issues Alert on Food Poisoning in Lagos, Kano, Other Cities… Page 14 Saturday 8 June, 2019 Vol 24. No 8825

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EFCC Withdraws from Goje’s Case, AGF Takes Over Seriki Adinoyi in Jos with agency report The office of the AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, yesterday took over the prosecution of Senator Danjuma Goje from the

Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering during his tenure as governor of Gombe State.

The anti-graft agency had been on the case for years until yesterday when it handed

it over to the office of the Attorney General.

The withdrawal of the EFCC from the case left many wondering if this was part of the deal reached with Goje when he withdraw from the race for the office of Senate

President and backed the Senator Ahmed Lawal, who is favoured by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the position.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports in Jos that

for almost eight years, the EFCC had been prosecuting the former governor.

The case, which is before Justice Babatunde Quadiri of Jos Federal High Court II, had even gone to the Jos Court of Appeal over the remaining two

counts out of the 21 charges filed against him by EFCC. The Appellate Court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the appeal.

When the case came up for Continued on page 6

Govs Meet Buhari, Fail to Agree on State Police Fayemi: Matter would be thoroughly explored by National Economic Council Omololu Ogunmade and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The 36 state governors yesterday in Abuja disagreed on the increasing agitations for the introduction of state police.

Making this disclosure while briefing newsmen in the State House after the governors met with President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, said the governors were yet to reach a consensus on the matter.

The governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met earlier, before the general meeting with Buhari, and demanded for an immediate establishment of state police, as an effective response to the worsening insecurity in the country.

Continued on page 6

ENGAGING 36 GOVERNORS...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, during an audience with the 36 governors of the Federation at the Council Chambers, Abuja… yesterday state house

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PAGE SIX AIT RESUMES OPERATIONS AS COURT INTERVENES yesterday, ordered parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum as at May 30, 2019, pending the hearing and determination of Daar Communications Plc's suit challenging the closure of its broadcast stations.

The Judge also ordered the NBC, the Attorney General of the Federation and Ministry of Information and Culture to appear before him on June 13, over the shutdown and suspension of the broadcast licence of Daar Communications Plc. Justice Ekwo, in his ruling on the exparte application filed and argued by Benson Igbanoi of Chief Mike Ozekhome's chamber, granted the alternative prayer of the applicant, while he held that prayers one and two cannot be granted without first hearing from other parties.

"I have noted the eight grounds upon which the exparte application was hinged upon, application of this nature must be considered judicially and judiciously, that, I have done.

"I hereby order that parties shall maintain status quo ante bellum as at May 30, 2019 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this case," Justice Inyang stated, even as he ordered the defendants to appear before him on June 13, 2019 to show cause why they should not be stopped from interfering with the operations of Daar Communication Plc. The plaintiff, represented by its founder, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, in the exparte motion prayed the court to order the maintenance of status quo ante bellum as at May 30, this year, pending the hearing and determination of its suit challenging the closure of the broadcast stations.

The company also prayed the court to restrain the defendants from blocking and/or interfering with the air waves of Daar Communication Plc in any way and manner howsoever, in its broadcast and airing of news, views, documentaries, or any other legitimate broadcast material that is usually associated with television, radio or social media broadcast pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed along with the

exparte application.

The plaintiff prayed the court to restrain the defendants from invading or closing down the premises of Daar Communication, its operations or broadcast services, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed along with this application.

Alternatively, the plaintiff prayed for an order for maintenance of status quo ante bellum, as at May 30, 2019, pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice filed along with the exparte application.

Ozekhome Demands Immediate Reopening of AIT Giving further clarification on the judgement obtained by AIT, Counsel to Daar Communication, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, stated: “The ‘status quo ante bellum as at 30th May,2019’ simply refers to the unencumbered and unhindered period when AIT/ Ray Power were fully operational and freely broadcasting on air to the whole world, before the illegal, unconstitutional highhanded and unconscionable shut down carried out yesterday (Thursday) by the NBC, even whilst the court proceedings were already pending before the court to the clear knowledge of the said NBC, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Ministry of Information, all of whom were sued as defendants.�

According to Ozekhome, “This statement is to therefore humbly advise and urge the NBC and its parent proprietor, the federal government, to obey the order of the court and immediately, within 24 hours, open and make freely operational and broadcasting, the AIT/Ray Power stations. “As a necessary corollary, they should also immediately withdraw their security agents, including the Police and DSS Operatives, which they had happily deployed yesterday (Thursday) to shut down the operations of AIT/Ray Power.�

He emphasised that an independent press, aside being specifically enshrined in sections 22 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, “constitute the

very bedrock of a constitutional democracy such as we operate. It allows for varied and disagreeable voices in a pluralistic, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-linguistic society such as ours.�

PDP: Closure is an Act of Repression, Threat to Democracy Reacting to the closure, the PDP Governors forum, last night, condemned the NBC’s action against DAAR Communications Limited, describing it as an act of repression against the media and a threat to the growth of democracy.

The governors stated this in a communiquÊ read by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor òf Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, after its meeting in Abuja yesterday.

The governors enjoined the federal government and its agencies to ensure application of due process to deal with allegations if any, rather than the recourse to authoritarianism.

The governors added: “When you shut down news outlets, when you harass and intimidate journalists, then you are threatening the growth of democracy. We condemn it and call on the federal government to do what is right.�

Saraki Calls on NBC to Obey Court Order President of the Eighth Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on the NBC to immediately obey the order granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which called for the maintenance of status quo as of May 30, 2019, pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by DAAR Communications Plc, owners of Raypower Radio and African Independent Television (AIT).

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that all such actions that could cast aspersions on Nigeria’s commitment to the freedom of the press must be avoided. “Regulators though necessary, must know that all such actions that give the impression of the endangering of the freedom of the press or freedom of speech

cast our nation in a bad light.

Such issues need to be handled in a better manner. “Moving forward, the NBC needs to comply with the court order. Additionally, we must understand that this is not only about AIT, this is about Nigeria and one of its stations that is not only viewed within the country, but outside the country as well.

The NBC should look at a better way to resolve the issue, even after adhering to the ruling of the court. We must be seen to be a nation that adheres strictly to the rule of law,� Saraki stated.

Re-Open AIT/ RayPower Now, NLC Tell NBC The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the NBC to immediately restore the broadcast licences of the DAAR Communications.

In a statement yesterday by the NLC President, Ayuba Waba, the labour movement urged the federal government to caution all its agencies and commissions against taking any action(s) that contravenes democratic standards.

He said that NLC views the suspension of these licenses as premeditated attacks on the media ultimately aimed at circumscribing our collective freedom.

NLC advised NBC to approach the judiciary rather than take unilateral actions that eventually affects the rights of the citizens to information and knowledge.

"We are disturbed by the sudden suspension of the broadcast licences of the DAAR Communications broadcast services, African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower

radio.

"We are particularly worried that the suspension was issued as a result of alleged inability of the owners of these broadcast services to pay up licence renewal fees and continued broadcast of views and reports considered to be detrimental to certain interests.

"For us, in a democratic environment these allegations should not ultimately attract such noxious sanctions that circumscribe both the broadcast rights of the services and the fundamental rights of the public to access news and information.

"More worrisome is the negative impact of this action on job creation and sustenance in the face of growing insecurity directly traced to existing high unemployment in the country.

NLC said that part of the positive attributes of democracy is the fact that there are legal options constitutionally established to resolve grievances, adding that'd judiciary should have been approached if anyone, including government or its agencies feel aggrieved by the actions of corporate or individual citizens.

Atedo Peterside Condemns NBC Also, businessman and the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside described the closure of AIT as a threat to free speech. He said in a tweet: “Closure of AIT signifies dark days ahead. Our right to free speech is next; regulators now competing to consciously destroy business and jobs on flimsy grounds.�

CUPP Condemns

Shutdown of AIT, Ray Power FM In the same vein, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday condemned the suspension of the licenses and shutting down of AIT and RayPower FM by the NBC, describing it as despotic authoritarian, barbaric and a complete reversal of the democratic gains the country had made in the last two decades.

The opposition parties expressed its view in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere.

According to the statement, "Nigeria is now officially a dictatorship where every independent and dissenting voice must be shut down as we are now fully back to the 1984 dark days of Decree Two, with full blown intimidation and suppression of press freedom.

"The commando style with which the letter conveying the suspension of the license was delivered leaves much to be desired. A long convoy of NBC staff accompanied by stern looking Police and DSS personnel drove into the premises of the Daar Communications claiming it was just to deliver the letter for the indefinite suspension of the license while their gait portrayed those of warriors walking across and inspecting a conquered territory."

Ugochinyere called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the immediate revocation of the suspension and also promptly sack the DG of NBC. Continued on page 54

EFCC WITHDRAWS FROM GOJE’S CASE, AGF TAKES OVER an emergency hearing before Justice Quadiri yesterday, the EFCC Counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu told the Court that the agency was withdrawing from the case and handing it over the office of the Attorney-General for continuation.

Shittu said: “My Lord, this case was earlier adjourned for June 20 for continuation of hearing, but then we are here today on the latest development on the matter. “We as EFCC counsels are

withdrawing from the matter and handing it over to the office of the Attorney-General for continuation with the prosecution. “As you can see, in court today is a State Counsel from the AG’s office to formally take over this case from us."

Responding, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) did not object to the EFCC withdrawal and handing over of the case to the Attorney-General. “My Lord we are not objecting to the anti-graft agency’s

withdrawal and handing over the prosecution to the AG’s office, “ Erokoro said.

Counsel from the office of the Attorney General, Mr. Pius Asika went ahead to announce his appearance for the case.

Asika then applied for an adjournment to enable him prepare for the case proper “having come into the matter today (Friday)."

Justice Quadiri then adjourned to the case to June 21, 2019 for continuation of hearing.

Police

Fidelis Soriwei.

The PDP governors, who also denied the allegation of diversion of local government funds, challenged the federal government to name the states involved in the reprehensible conducts and the time the alleged act was committed.

They condemned the alleged diversion of local government funds, insisting they had always ensured subsidising the funding of the councils in the state. “We dealt with the alleged diversion of local government funds by state governments and we condemn it in very strong terms. We as governors of the PDP want to make it clear that no PDP Governor is involved in this allegation of local government funds diversion. “In our case, the reverse is the case, it is the state government that are supporting and subsidising the funding of the local government. “So we call on the federal government and the agencies that are making these allegations to name the state government and possibly tell us the people involved in this alleged diversion�, the PDP governors stressed.

The governors declared that they were eager to pay the new minimum wage to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian workers; even as they called on the President to forward a bill to the National Assembly to ensure a review of the revenue allocation formula in the country.

GOVS MEET BUHARI, FAIL TO AGREE ON STATE POLICE According to Fayemi, some states are opposed to the idea of state policing while others are advocating its advent, highlighting the major underlying factor behind the opposition as economic matter.

However, Fayemi said the matter would be thoroughly explored by the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, and comprising the governors and government officials who oversee economic matters.

"On whether state governors should be involved in state policing, the position of NGF on that is that we have not taken position because experiences vary. There are governors and states that do not necessarily lend themselves to evolve policing at the states.

"There are also states where there are agitations for it. There are governors who have the views that that will work better in such states. And of course, there are the economic issues relating to that.

"So, we have the issue of capacity at the state level to fund state policing. Those are all issues that will come into play when we get to the National Economic Council meeting that has been called, particularly, because there is a committee that is looking into it after the submission of the report on SARS. So, we will take all of these together," Fayemi said.

Speaking on the meeting

with Buhari, Fayemi said the meeting was fruitful, explaining that the president himself was not unaware of the security challenges confronting the country because he receives security reports every day.

According to him, the president was informed about the magnitude of insecurity crises bedeviling the nation, ranging from banditry, herders' violence, kidnapping, militancy, insurgency and cultism.

He said the issue of the criminal justice system which gives room for impunity because criminals are not punished was looked into, adding that the connection between economic and security issues was also examined.

He said the meeting also looked into how the governors could assist the president in addressing the crises, pointing out that the president also indicated interest in working with the governors in the area of intelligence gathering, community policing and strengthening of the criminal justice system, among others.

"So, we discussed extensively all of these issues and looked at the various ways that we felt as governors we could assist Mr. President as the commander-inchief to curb these issues. Of course, we were able to in the first instance, look at the nexus between our economic challenges and the security challenges as well and the importance of tackling the causes of crime,

not just crime on its own.

"We also looked at the criminal justice system that appears to give some room for impunity. When people commit crimes and they are not punished effectively in accordance with the statutes, it then creates an opportunity for replicating such crimes, and of course, Mr. President was also equally concerned about that.

"He made it clear to us that we all knew that he campaigned on the basis of security, economy and accountability and these things are still the most germane issues on his agenda and that he will also work with us to address questions of intelligence; of broadening community policing; of ensuring interservice coordination among the various security agencies; of strengthening the criminal justice system; of working with our states innovatively on mechanism for addressing these issues, be it security trust fund that brings the public and the private players together in order to fund security and increase the resources available to security institutions.

"Already, all of us are involved in funding. There is no governor that is not buying security vehicles, ammunition for police, giving allowances to our security agencies, be they (State Security Service) (SSS), or police, or in some cases, the military, where the military is involved. We are already involved. It is just to ensure that we have a better and much more coordinated

mechanism for addressing this," Fayemi said.

Answering questions on how the $1 billion that the federal government took from the excess crude account with the support of governors was spent, Fayemi said he did not have details of the expenditure.

"On the $1 billion, it may seem like a huge amount of money and it is a huge amount of money but when you are dealing with security issues, where a Tucano jet costs more than $50 million and you are getting say $20 million, you know how much that is already.

"I am not giving you specific details of how that money was expended. We will be happy to do that but we feel that that is really not a matter for us as governors. Yes, we were supportive of it because our position has always been whatever is required by the commander-in-chief to resolve security challenges in Nigeria, we will line up behind him and support him.

"Of course, yes, we demand accountability. We will like to assure you that the $1 billion taken was definitely expended among the various security services but the details I cannot give you on top of my head because I wasn’t expecting you to ask that question," he stated.

PDP Governors Demand Immediate Creation of State

Meanwhile, the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have demanded for an immediate establishment of state police, as an effective response to the worsening insecurity in the country.

The governors, in a communiquĂŠ read by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, after a late night meeting at the Bayelsa Governors Lodge, Maitama Abuja, expressed deep worry over the spate of killings across the country and called for effective measures to curtail the troubling development.

The PDP governors at the meeting in Abuja, expressed deep concerns over alleged politicisation of the security apparatus in every state by the federal government, its agencies and operatives of the other political parties in the various states.

They explained that the growing calls for the establishment of State Police, was in response to the security situation in the country. “We believe that this is one of the reasons that we have these widespread insecurity and we will take some of these issues up when we interact with the Presidentâ€?, the governors said in the communiquĂŠ, made available to journalists by Dickson’s Special Adviser (Media Relation), Mr.

SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

NEWS

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (sms only) Email ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS...

IL-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, after the meeting of South-west Governors Forum in Abuja ‌yesterday.

Apapa Gridlock: Truckers Urge FG to Extend Tenure of Presidential Task Team Eromosele Abiodun Truck and tanker drivers in Apapa, Lagos, have pleaded with the federal government to immediately extend the tenure of the Presidential Task Team set up two weeks ago to remove trucks from port access roads and restore sanity, warning that not doing so would worsen the situation.

General Coordinator, Council of Maritime Truck Unions Association (COMTUA), and General Manager Operations, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Steven Okafor made the call on behalf of his colleagues at a joint press conference with the Task Team and other stakeholders at the port.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to thank the federal government and the Task Team

for the wonderful job they have done so far. We are not on the payroll of any government; we are private sector operators, so we say things the way they are.

If they are not telling the press the truth, then we will tell you the truth. “We were the ones who petitioned the former task force because of the huge extortion.

Our happiness today is that the government has involved the unions in the task team, which never happened before; we are glad and will continue to give the government kudos. “We cannot compare what the task team achieved in two weeks to any effort put in place in the last few years. We are requesting that the task team’s tenure be extended so that they can completely sanitise the system. Without that, we will go back to where we were or even

worse, we need to stabilise what we have now and sustain what they have achieved. Government should please help us and make sure that they extend their tenure.�

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Task Team and former Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, Mr. Kayode Opeifa stated that the team had achieve the goals set out in its terms of reference outlined by the government when it was set up two weeks ago.

While praising members of the team for their effort at restoring sanity to Apapa, he stated that he was sure that if ongoing works on truck parks and other truck parks were concluded and fully operational, the gridlock would be history.

He said, “We believe you have visited Ikorodu road, Funsho Wil-

liams Avenue, Apongbo bridge, Eko bridge, we have been able to completely take away trailer and trucks. From Ijora Olopa to Point road, we have been able to successfully remove trailers, tankers and containerised trucks stationary from that point up to the top of Marine Beach at about the road to Lilypond Terminal.

From our calculation, that is about a kilometre from the port entrance. “Our assignment is predicated upon the fact that Truck Park A will be available, Trailer Part B, C and D would have been cleared by the Lagos State Government for us but they are still not available.

It is work in progress because it takes a lot of stakeholder engagement for us to clean it. We don’t want to displace anybody from his normal means of livelihood.

Our two weeks will end tomorrow

(today), we have cleared 100 per cent Eric More, Funsho Williams down to Eko bridge, up to Ijora Olokpa and Ijora 7up. “In terms of putting an end to extortion, truck removal from the bridge, deploying effective traffic management plan, deployment of appropriate call up system, it is predicated upon the availability and full operation of Lilypond Truck Terminal, which is available for us now, courtesy of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and it is going to be the point from where we will have the call up implementation. “From the top of Marine Beach to Lilypond is truck route, but empty containers can now pass through to go down and enter Lilypond from where they come out.�

On his part, General Manager

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Wale Musa said his men had so far impounded 120 vehicles, warning that they were ready to fully enforce the law.

Musa said, “I want to appreciate the truckers union for their cooperation. We were able to restore sanity because the unions were with us; we had a lot of voluntary compliance. “That said, we have apprehended more than 120 vehicles who did not comply with our directive and that is because we have not fully enforced the law. We urged the union leaders who are here to tell their members, they should not test our will. We are ready, we are on ground, you might not see us during the day, but we are there at night when people don’t get to see us. We are ready for the challenge and our men are on ground to do the job,“ he said.

9th Assembly: South-east APC Demands Speakership Position

Court Slams N67.3m on Nasarawa Govt for Demolishing Breeze FM Radio

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Igbawase Ukumba in LaďŹ a

Despite the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) zoning of the position of Senate President to the North-east and the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the South-west, the South-east Alliance (SEA), a group comprising all principal stakeholders and accomplished personalities from the zone has advocated for the position of the Speaker.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the group, Mr. Kingsley Ononuju, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the national secretariat of the party, yesterday in Abuja, after the group held a meeting with the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomole.

He said that if indeed the federal character was an indelible principle of the Nigerian Constitution, it must find expression in the incoming ninth National Assembly.

Ononuju stressed that it was

common knowledge that in the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the South-east, did not head any of the three arms of government despite the fact that it was part of Nigeria’s majority tripod.

He added that while the group was not holding Buhari responsible for the equity shortfall, given the fact that he does not control the affairs of the National Assembly, it was of the view that during this time, aptly named, “Next Level,� he could direct the leadership of the party to advise elected members of the National Assembly, to ensure that equity prevailed in the distribution of positions especially now, that the APC won the required votes in the South-east.

Ononuju argued that since the South West had the second highest office in the land - the Vice President, it would only be proper that the position of the Speaker be zoned to the South-east.

He said: “Otherwise, it will

be gross exclusion and highest level of insensitivity, condemnable, unconscionable and totally unacceptable. “The Southeast Equity Alliance is opposed to injustice and greed with much vehemence and views anyone moving in that direction as enemy of a united and equitable Nigeria. “If that should happen, it means that Nigeria belongs to certain ethnic groups, while the rest of the people are their political subjects and this will not augur well for national cohesion.�

The group insisted that 2019, the South-east region must be present at the Nigerian pinnacle of power.

To this end, it called on all the governors, elected members of the NationalAssembly from the South--east zone, and other major stakeholders from the area, to come together, pool resources, so as to give this effort, the necessary impetus.

A Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Lafia has awarded N67.3m against the Nasarawa State government for the demolition of a private radio station, Breeze 99.9 FM, Lafia.

Breeze FM was demolished by the government on May 20, 2017, attracting global concern from individuals and corporate organisations, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Consequently, the proprietor of the Lafia-based private radio station, Mr. Nawani Aboki, approached the Nasarawa State High Court to seek redress.

Justice Rose Soji of the state High Court sitting in Lafia awarded N50 million against the Nasarawa State government as general, puni-

tive damage and witch hunt.

In the same vein, she also awarded the plaintiff N17,335,500.00 special damage for demolition of the radio station by the state government, amongst other damages.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Soji held that the demolition of Breeze FM 99.9 by the state government was a gross violation of the Nasarawa State law and that the structure housing the radio station, as claimed by government, was not an illegal structure.

The judge said the unlawful destruction of the radio station had caused huge finance and economic loss to the owner, adding that it had also caused the owner of the radio station public embarrassment, intimidation and serious psychological trauma.

She held that the court was convinced by the available evi-

dence before it that the plaintiff had substantially proved his case beyond reasonable doubt and hereby entered judgment in his favour.

Reacting to the judgment in an interview, Counsel to Aboki, Ucha Olegede, said the demolition of the radio station was unconstitutional, an act of wickedness and an act of vindictiveness by Nasrawa State government.

Also speaking in an interview, Counsel to the defendant, Ishaku Usman, commended the judge for diligent judgement, however he said they would determine whether to appeal the judgment or not after consulting with his client.

On his part, the proprietor of the Breeze FM, Mr. Aboki said: ‘’Today marked another day when freedom and democracy has triumphed over anarchy. The judgment was for the freedom of the press worldwide.�

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How Ambode Underdeveloped Lagos (I)

T

he biggest hindrance to Nigeria’s quest for development is the majority of its people. Many are ignorant of what constitutes developmental strides. They are oblivious of steps capable of motivating development, and so, are persistently applauding things incapable of pulling them out of the inglorious club of under-developed countries. I am persistently shocked to see even supposedly educated Nigerians applauding mediocrity in governance, apparently for selfish reasons. In Nigeria, you will find governors building worthless bridges while public hospitals and schools are in tatters. The citizens lack access to things as basic as public water supply and drivable inner streets; yet, you will find so many people praising these governors for building stupendous fly overs, cinemas, bus stops and hopeless multi-lane city roads.

During a visit to Nigeria last year, philanthropist and founder of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, tried to redirect this country to the path of progress by urging the Nigerian government to spend more on human capital development instead of splendor projects. For Gates, the present economic templates being used by the Buhari administration lacks the ability to address the unique needs of Nigerians. This also applies to our governments at all levels in this country. Gates believes Nigeria has the ability to attain upper middle-income status like Brazil, China and Mexico, but says that achieving this status depends on the choice Nigerian leaders make.

Gates’ comments at the special and expanded National Economic Council on investing in people were penetrating.

He declared: “The most important choice Nigerian leaders can make is to maximise the country’s greatest resource, which is the people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.

If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities - the human capital we are talking about today - then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow. “Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth, with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad. One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished. In upper middle-income countries, the average life expectancy is 75 years. In lower middle-income countries, it’s 68; in low-income countries, it’s 62. In Nigeria, it is lower still, just 53 years.�

Gates’ words are words of wisdom.

This is the spirit Nigerians must embrace, if indeed, we genuinely want progress in our dear Nigeria. We must be persistently blunt with our leaders at all levels and demand for people-oriented projects.

Unfortunately, this is missing in our country. An average Nigerian is always economical with the truth. Even when it is obvious that Nigeria is in a mess, we still find a legion of sycophants around the President and governors. Even the oppressed masses rally around them.

I had to properly situate what constitutes development – with the Bill gate epistle - to elucidate the failings of Akinwunmi Ambode as Governor of Lagos State. With cash of almost N3 trillion in four years, Ambode focused on grandiose projects, while critical sectors like public water supply, healthcare, education and roads suffered.

He plunged public fund into projects that, ordinarily, should be private sector driven. A forward-looking government has no business buying hundreds of commercial buses and erecting $70 million transport interchange. He even plunged Lagos funds into a needless Airport Road project (road belongs to the

Ambode

federal government) while millions of Lagosians struggle to get to their homes, dominated by shabby inner roads begging for attention. At the end of his four years, Ambode took Lagos State 20 years back, with degenerating slums, tattered roads, wrecked public water supply, decaying health and education facilities, worn-out waste collection system, and all the negativities you can think of. The deteriorating tattered communities in Ikorodu West, Ikorodu North, Igbogbo-Bayeku, Ayobo, Ipaja, Abule Egba, Okokomaiko, Ojo, IjoraBadiya, Alimosho and several others, testify to this.

I always use communities in Ikorodu West and Ikorodu North to illustrate the tragic rot in Ambode’s Lagos. These areas are worse than war zones with very little government presence. For example, in the entire Ikorodu West, there are only three roads with asphalt. Over 500 other inner roads are ragged. Many in these areas have relocated and abandoned their buildings. Then, Ambode came with a bogus plan to construct a six-lane road through Ikorodu West i.e. AgricIsawo road. He ended up destroying lives of thousands of people in this area.

How did this happen? His contractor came in, excavated virtually all existing asphalt and drainages on the road and disappeared, leaving the community in pain. I have never seen this kind of wickedness in all my life. When it rains, this road becomes one big hell. Ambode replicated this wickedness in IgbogboBayeku and Oshodi-Isolo, where his contractors also destroyed good roads for imaginary mega-roads.

Ambode spent huge amount on the construction of theatre houses in a state where over 99% of homes have no access to public water supply. His absurd 2017 budget made provision for the construction of five cultural theatres in parts of the state. The budget also made provision for the construction of five mini stadia. I could not understand why the budget that came with a heavy N170 billion deficit would include trifling things like theatres and stadia. It is a shame that Ambode is unaware that these should be private sector-driven projects.

The Lagos State Water Corporation was one big mess under him. It struggled to get funds for common water treatment chemicals. Many communities that enjoyed public water supply, prior to his emergence, no longer did during his tenure. Many homes resorted to digging bore holes. The public water supply failure in Surulere typifies the crisis in the entire state.

While his reign lasted, Ambode spent billions of naira on gigs and carnivals in a state where public hospitals, roads and schools are in tatters. Drains across

The truth be told, Lagos has degenerated greatly since the exit of Lateef Jakande as governor. Under Ambode, it degenerated further. Lagosians yearn for the return of the Jakande era; an era when development was inclusive and peopleoriented; an era when government touched the lives of the masses of the people directly with quality healthcare, education, water supply and passable inner roads. the state constantly emit stench, while humdrum things guzzle the state’s money. End of the year party, Christmas party, Ed-el-Fitri party, Ed-el-Kabir party, Easter party and all manner of nonsense dominated Ambode’s tenure. He was always partying.

It was also heart-wrenching seeing public funds being wasted by his aides and commissioners attending carnivals abroad in the name of searching for tourists for Lagos State. The truth is that tourists will come looking for Lagos State if we put our house in order in terms of security and quality infrastructure.

Infrastructure in public health institutions across Lagos State nosedived in four years of Ambode administration.

The 26 general hospitals and one Teaching Hospital in the state struggled for survival while public funds went into mundane things. These hospitals became even more over-crowded, with dilapidated structures and unmotivated staff.

Patients now spend more hours waiting to see doctors and pay for virtually everything. At LASUTH, patients often queue for weeks waiting for surgery because of inadequate operating theatres.

Many will not forget in a hurry how footballer, Raymond King, died in one of the theatres after a power failure.

In Lagos, classes in most public schools are overcrowded with dilapidated structures. They became shoddier under Ambode. Many will be shocked to know that pupils in some Lagos schools still sit on bare floor in classrooms. You will shed tears for Lagos when you visit schools like Orile-Agege Community Junior Secondary School; Ifesowapo/ Aboru Junior Secondary School; District Senior College, Meiran; Ijegun Comprehensive Senior Secondary School; Akesan Community Junior Secondary School and Tomia Community Junior Secondary School, Mosalashi, Alagbado. The list is endless. You will find dilapidated Jakande school buildings even in places like Apapa and Ikeja. Again, virtually all public schools in Lagos lack running water before Ambode assumed office.

The story remained almost the same while his reign lasted.

Under Ambode, Lagos State became an even more dangerous place to live, with higher crime rate. Abductions, violent robberies and killings assumed

frightening level. Cult groups, armed robbers and kidnappers constantly terrorised the populace, even at day time. Lagosians persistently lived in fear.

This ex-governor spent billions of Naira providing equipment for security agencies without laying out proactive strategy for combating crime, as done during the Buba Marwa era in Lagos. Ambode did not reckon with the fact that the security architecture of the state needed to be redesigned. He unsophisticatedly thought it was just about spending on equipment for the security agencies.

Within four years, this former governor destroyed the waste collection system in Lagos, turning the state into the garbage capital of the world. I have never seen this quantity of waste on the streets of Lagos in all my life. There is hardly anywhere you turn to in Lagos today without being assaulted by unprecedented heaps of refuse. Residents, who can no longer bear living with refuse in their houses, simply push them into the streets. Waste disposal in Lagos evidently collapsed. Ambode destroyed the stateowned waste managers, LAWMA, and brought in a lethargic firm called Visionscape. The “visionless� firm was saddled with the responsibility of clearing residential waste in 20 local government areas and 37 LCDAs. Visionscape wobbled and fumbled, leaving frustrated Lagosians heaping waste on the streets in tons.

While Ambode’s reign lasted, pensioners of the Lagos government wallowed in pain. Ambode pummeled them.

Some died waiting for their pensions.

Many are bed-ridden with no money for medicals. Several others became beggars.

Retirees of the Lagos State Ministry of Education were the most bashed. Many of them are still waiting for their pensions over three years after retirement.

The Ambode administration failed to faithfully remit pensions to the Pension Fund Administrators. The Chairman of the Lagos State Association of Retirees and PFA Pensioners, Michael Omisande, remarked: “Those who retired from 2016 till date are yet to receive a kobo. You know quite well that the PFAs will not pay until government credits retirees’ accounts.�

Many of these retirees spent the last 35 years of their lives serving Lagos State. What they got in appreciation from Ambode was humiliation. This has never happened in the history of this State. A governor that spent a terrifying $70 million on an opulent transport interchange failed to pay retirees their dues. What a governor!

The truth be told, Lagos has degenerated greatly since the exit of Lateef Jakande as governor. Under Ambode, it degenerated further. Lagosians yearn for the return of the Jakande era; an era when development was inclusive and people-oriented; an era when government touched the lives of the masses of the people directly with quality healthcare, education, water supply and passable inner roads. There is an urgent need to construct hundreds of inner roads with drainages in order to regenerate these blighted communities. That was what Jakande did to open up many parts of Lagos like Mile 12, Ketu, Ojota, Agege, Mende, Onigbongbo, Palm Grove, Onipanu. Emphasis must be placed on inner roads to motivate development and enhance the value of property in these shattered communities. Any governor in Lagos State, longing for development, should work on giving more people access to quality public healthcare, quality education in public schools, good inner roads and public water supply; not spending on theatres, foreign tourism fairs, transport interchange, stadia, and all sorts of things that should be privatesector driven. This is the only way forward for my beloved Lagos State.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

SUPER SATURDAY

Don Jazzy’s New Boys Step Out

Inspired by the imprint’s theme ‘All is in Order’ as it continues the celebration of its anniversary, leading record label, Mavin, unveils new all-star song to herald generation of artistes. Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Crayon

Rema

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

11

SUPERSATURDAY Don Jazzy’s New Boys Step Out

New Mavin stars

K

nown for its tradition of making hit songs, Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records has, after a long spell, released a new single ‘All is in Order’ and its video, showcasing the new generation of Mavin artistes signed to the label.

Produced by the music record’s CEO Don Jazzy, the new sound features Don Jazzy himself, Koredo Bello, DNA Twins and the latest entrants to the Mavin family –Rema and Crayon.

With the move, comes a spirited team of renewed acts ready to reignite the force of its strength which places it as a leading record label.

The new song boasts of the record label’s return.

“Mavin don comeback again”, Don Jazzy opens the track with this assertive statement.

“All is in Order” is a harmonious tune that is accompanied with entertaining flick.

Through the track, the different Mavin acts are grateful to God for their new realities. The Clarence Peters directed video shows the Mavin team living it up at a vibrant beach party, with each act being treated like royalty. The video gets cameo appear-

ances from other Mavin Records members like DJ Big N, LadiPoe, Dr. Sid, Johnny Drille, and Baby Fresh.

This is the first Mavin All-Star song after the signing of new acts. This release marks a return to a tradition of collaboration and artistic partnership that Mavin has been known for (remember ‘Dorobucci’, ‘Looku Looku’); making it an appealing platform for emerging talents to develop alongside new and established acts.

About Crayon, Don Jazzy had shared a little story on how the talent was discovered by a good friend and producer – Baby Fresh. He wrote: “Attention, attention, attention. Lol ok nobody died but just give me some minutes of your time. We at Mavin are extremely excited to introduce to you our new artiste by the name Crayon. Crayon was discovered by my good friend and Mavin super producer @BabyfreshMavin.

“So, today is actually a double celebration cos it also marks the official launch of Babyfresh’s imprint label under Mavin called @BlowtimeEnt. Babyfresh has been a loyal Mavin from day one

This is the first Mavin All-Star song after the signing of new acts. This release marks a return to a tradition of collaboration and artistic partnership that Mavin has been known for (remember ‘Dorobucci’, ‘Looku Looku’); making it an appealing platform for emerging talents to develop alongside new and established acts

and was responsible for so many hits including Adaobi, My Darlin, Problem all over, just to mention a few. He has put together a solid team and we will like your support as always. So guys by the power vested in me on behalf of Mavin/BlowTimeEnt pls meet and follow our new artist @Crayon this pls epp us welcome him the Mavin way.”

Rema was added to the Mavin family towards the end of March. The Mavin boss made Rema’s arrival known via several messages on his social media pages. In the shared post, Don Jazzy wrote, “Today another Mavin is activated. Mavin/Jonzing is excited to present the newest Mavin. Rema is a super talented young artist I have no doubt is going to be the future of Afrobeats.”

Clinton and Blair Roberts, officially and popularly known as DNA, are identical twin brothers and talented music artistes with a natural flare for performance and the arts. The DNA Twins were officially announced as Mavin Records artistes on February 28, 2017 alongside two other talented new signings: Poe and Johnny Drille. Their first official single with the label, “How Can”, which was produced by Don Jazzy, did fairly well.

The past couple of months have seen Mavin take over news stream owing to the exit of Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks. Wande Coal left earlier. The signing of new acts by Don Jazzy is apparently aimed at rejigging his sagging empire.

Mavin signed investment deal with Kupanda Holdings in January. A deal, which according to Tega Oghenejobo, the Chief Operating Officer of Mavin Global, allows them to grow and take on more artiste unto the label.

Oghenejobo said: “It also means that if you are a young artiste out of any country in Africa, you make amazing music and we are able to locate you, we will be able to put you on a platform that has a track record and the right employees that will be committed on the continent and also prepares your music for global consumption.”

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JUNE 8, 2019 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

JONATHAN AND THE MALABU DEAL

Those who are dragging the former president into the oily deal are mischievous, writes Azibola Omekwe

H

ow time flies! It is another moment of euphoria as our country chalked 20 years of uninterrupted democracy.

A 20-year-old child is addressed as an adult. It is trite to mention here that in the past 20 years the Nigerian state has had successive governments that have supposedly operated with the common mandates that are for the interests of the people.

Each government has had the cause to consummate or consolidate on the good efforts of its predecessor. Some projects, programmes, policies, contracts have had to be adopted or inherited by successive governments in good faith. For example, the Olusegun Obasanjo regime saw the light in the adoption and consummation of mobile phone project which foundation is traced to late General Sani Abacha. President Muhammadu Buhari saw the financial discipline arising from BVN and TSA; he keyed in even if they were never his projects. One of those many beautiful projects worthy of inheritance was from the military administration of General Sani Abacha which aimed at encouraging indigenous participation in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry. This policy came with a signature bonus payment whereby the licensees’ companies were to enjoy a one-time fee for securing oil licences notwithstanding the licensees’ economic benefits. While people in some quarters might have read wrong meanings to it, it was to encourage local content.

Talking indigenous encouragement, Gen. Abacha’s administration in 1998 allocated an oil prospective licence (OPL) 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited. The deal has so far gained popularity as the Malabu deal. The deal saw Malabu oil and gas appoint Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) as its technical partner in an oil block that would be allegedly revoked in 2001 by the Obasanjo administration, and later on re-awarded to Shell without public bid. That transaction short-changed Malabu and would later attract the futile intervention of the lower chamber of the national legislative house. Malabu resorted to judicial cover, and later on in 2006, both Malabu and the federal government found themselves amenable to an out-of-court settlement. The feat which saw that 100 per cent of the OPL 245 was restored back to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited was executed on November 30, 2006 as the consent judgement of the Federal High Court. Recall that incidentally this happened under Dr Edmund Daukoru, the then minster of state for petroleum under President Olusegun Obasanjo government. Goodluck Jonathan, who later became the commander-in-chief and today being accused of it might have read it in the papers. Not satisfied, Shell resorted to litigation, but later thought it wise to negotiate directly with Chief Dan Etete, the face behind the mask of Malabu in 2010 to 2011 when it was finally actualised.

This piece is not a frolic on the transaction called the Malabu deal, but it is important to go through the timeline right from 1998 to date in order to remove all its dark silhouettes. In 2017, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) torch-lit on the Malabu deal seeking court order to return the block to the federal government. In its wisdom, the court held that ownership of the block be maintained with Shell and ENI. The fulcrum of this piece is on the allegation calculated to tar the image of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In 1998 licence was allocated by the Abacha government for the sum of $20 million, a one-time pay off. In 2001 it was allegedly revoked and handed to another company. The original owner revolted and sought redress at the parliament and later at the court, and it got justice in 2006. The other party attempted judicial processes, but later thought it wise to negotiate with its counterpart and the negotiation finally got through in 2011. And the negotiation finally finished up incidentally under someone’s government. It has become imperative that we quarantine this issue and fish out the culpability of Dr Goodluck Jonathan in the light of EFCC claims. This is not an attempt to endorse corruption knowing that a lot of money had been siphoned in numerous shady oil deals. But in this case, where has Goodluck Jonathan been found wanting? Could it be he is culpable for allowing the negotiation between two private parties take place in his government? Is he culpable for abiding by the consent judgement of 2006? Dr Goodluck Jonathan is well known for his respect for the judiciary and judicial processes. To him, whatever the court says is what God had said because the court is the representative

WHERE HAS GOODLUCK JONATHAN BEEN FOUND WANTING? COULD IT BE HE IS CULPABLE FOR ALLOWING THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN TWO PRIVATE PARTIES TAKE PLACE IN HIS GOVERNMENT?

of the constitution. It is pertinent to state here that God Himself wants us to respect our constitution. Should he have frustrated the negotiation permitted by the court for fear of today? I think the answers are all in the negative.

From 1998 to 2011, the deal had lived five heads of state, several Attorneys General of the Federation and particularly signed by a minister of petroleum (not under Goodluck Jonathan government). Why is Goodluck Jonathan who only saw the last phase being painted black in this case? Could it be that four intelligent predecessors of his who scrutinized and approved of the deal did so mala fide? The answer is definitely in the negative.

There are extraditions, litigations going on across Italy, USA and the UK on certain scandals surrounding the Malabu deal, but it is pertinent to note that no one party has either advertently or inadvertently mentioned Goodluck Jonathan’s name. There is no immunity covering him anymore. The investigation cannot be said to be forestalled and frustrated in nailing him if he is culpable. Could it be possible he has bribed the investigators still?

Definitely not! Is the federal government pressurizing the prosecutors in other jurisdictions to amend their charge sheets to include Goodluck Jonathan by any means? Sincerely, those investigators and prosecutors know the common principle of the law that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. There is no trace of culpability of the former president. Litigation is determined on the strength of your case. Frivolous and vexatious claims are always discouraged.

I think it is high time state sponsored elements stopped the rash display of imagination. The right thing to do is to sue if you ever have a good case instead of publishing sensational reports in the media. Truth is, while it is also not being canvassed that the case be abandoned, it is not wise to drag innocent persons into it. It is even better not to follow this boring path of media trials.

Malabu has been there since 1998 when Goodluck might not have even thought of being the president of this country. How come it’s suddenly a wholly Goodluck Jonathan’s affair?

Let this serve as opportunity to remind this government that as at the time of writing this piece, a high-ranking official of the government is allegedly hiding from the EFCC, following a scandal running into hundreds of millions of naira.

In recent times, an ace journalist, Ahmed Isa, canvassed that the president stopped all developments in the country and face the security situation clearly. It can be guessed accurately that all the print and online media in Nigeria today have issues involving banditry, kidnapping, robbery, etc., as their headlines. Nobody is sure of himself anymore. The roads are no longer passable, not because they are only bad but of criminals christened herdsmen.

Lest we forget, the latest trend now is suicide, so much so that a national summit is being canvassed. That sounds like a medical report depicting this regime. May God help us! Until one takes a walk to the embassies and high commissions, you would not know that we are not the 200 million population as claimed.

Nigerians are leaving by any means. These are issues for this government to tackle head-on and not personal vendetta.

To tackle corruption is not to tackle imaginative enemies. To tackle corruption is to borrow the Goodluck template of tackling it institutionally. Let them take example from the financial reforms that his government introduced; Bank Verification Number and Treasury Single Account that are a toast of every country today.

The last time Nigeria enjoyed 30 per cent Returns on Investment (ROI) was in Goodluck’s regime. Penultimate week, the Economist magazine said Nigerians have become poorer since the last four years. Or put like this: Nigerians have become poorer since Goodluck Jonathan left office. This feat has seen him taking his trade to continental and intercontinental climes attending to pressing global issues.

Presently, what is trending is that Nigeria is internally haemorrhaging from contract fixation. Put it in the budget and borrowed funds from China would be used to pay. These are what bother Nigerians today and not how one Goodluck Jonathan was ferried into the Malabu oil deal processes. At any rate, where his government stood in this long-distance conveyor belt of Malabu deal, he obeyed the law.

Hon. Omekwe wrote from Abuja

THE COAST IS CLEAR Mukhtar Jarmajo reckons that the withdrawal of Danjuma Goje from the race clears the way for Lawan’s emergence as Senate President

L

ast Thursday, one of the leading contenders of the Senate Presidency, Senator Muhammed Danjuma Goje, not only withdrew from the race but also endorsed the candidature of Senator Ahmed Lawan, the apparently preferred candidate of the presidency and the ruling APC. The former Gombe State governor made his position known when he briefed the press after emerging from a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai at the Presidential Villa.

Senator Goje told newsmen that his decision was informed by his desire to see a united APC. He also made it clear that

what he did was in line with the wish of the president and that he was ready to do anything that will see the president deliver democratic dividends to Nigeria and Nigerians. And true to it, the single act of withdrawing from the race has doused tensions not only within the APC as a political party but also generally on Nigeria`s political turf.

More so, with Goje endorsing Sen. Lawan, it is now becoming clearer who is likely to emerge as the Senate President next week.

With two out of the three major contenders on one side of the balance, the tendency is that whether or not Sen.Ali Ndume decides to drop his ambition and support Lawan,

the latter is likely to coast home to victory on June 11th.

Meanwhile, the expectation is that Sen. Ndume will also drop his ambition and support Lawan before the ninth NASS convenes. Ditto, the opposition PDP may also act differently from what it did in 2015 given that the APC has not given it room to sing the music this time.

In any case, Goje has struck the last straw and did the APC and the nation so much good. In the first instance, the likelihood that there will be a lot of political apprehension within and without the NASS in the process of electing the upper chamber`s leadership is now very low. And

unlike in 2015, the inauguration of the ninth legislative session may be more peaceful and thereafter Nigeria may for once have a legislature that is not antagonistic to the executive.

Meaning, in the next four years, Nigerians may witness speedier implementation of government policies and programmes due to an executive/legislature cordial relationship. Budgets and bills are likely to be passed within time. And confirmation of appointments and other requests from the executive arm may also not be delayed. The nation as a whole will therefore be the highest beneficiary of Sen. Goje`s magnanimity.

Mukhtar Jarmajo, Abuja

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JUNE 8, 2019 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Farewell...

Addressing the Rising Cases of Abortion

O

ftentimes, when we talk about abortion or when we hear about it, it is either in a spiritual or moral context as it refers to the termination of a pregnancy by removal of an embryo or fetus before it can survive outside the uterus.

An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion. When deliberate steps are taken to end a pregnancy, it is called an induced abortion, or “induced miscarriage”.

Thus, when we think about women making the decision to have an abortion, it is easy to get caught in the idea that their decision is based on a moral stand or that it is a reflection of their values and belief system. While this may be a factor in the decision-making process, for most women trying to decide what to do when faced with an unplanned pregnancy, their decision may be based on everyday practicalities (such as finances).

However, many women opt for abortion as a result of financial considerations, stating that they “have no real choice” as they do not have the financial resources to support themselves and a child. The circumstances of their lives are often a crucial part of the decision to choose abortion.

In same vein, causes of abortion for others could be linked to generic factors such as cancer patients receiving treatments, women pregnancies with genetic birth defects (no brain development, lack of limbs, Down syndrome), having pregnancies crisis that put one’s life at risk, among others.

In the United States, abortion is legal in every state and every state has at least one abortion clinic except for Alabama and other Republican States. According to a report by The Washington Post, President Donald Trump has joined a chorus of Republicans distancing themselves from new state laws (Alabama Antiabortion law) banning the vast majority of abortions while reiterating his position that abortion should be legal following rape or incest.

However, lawmakers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah recently passed new anti-abortion bills which prohibits abortion in almost every circumstance and is considered the most restrictive abortion law in the country. The legislation makes exceptions only for the health of the mother and for fetuses with “fatal anomalies” that make them unlikely to survive outside the womb.

In Britain, The Abortion Act 1967 (as amended

The Menace of Extreme Poverty

A

prophecy found in God’s inspired Word, The Bible, at 2 Timothy Chapter 3, Verse 1, shows that this world is now in its “last days,” characterized by critical times.

Corroborating this prophecy, a report tagged ‘Spotlight’ in The Guardian of June 6, 2019 reveals that the figure of extremely poor people in Nigeria has risen to 93.7 million, in 2019. According to the report, 93,720,530 people in Nigeria now live in extreme poverty. It was first revealed in June 2018 that Nigeria had overtaken India as the nation with the highest number of people living in extreme poverty, with an estimated 86.9 million Nigerians measured to be living on less than $1.90 (N684) a day.

However, according to new data from the World Poverty Clock, that figure has increased to 93.7 million in June 2019. This implies that more than half of Nigeria’s population lives on less than a dollar a day.

This trend is expected to continue, as the World Data Lab noted that the outlook for poverty alleviation in Nigeria is weak, and that an estimated 120 million Nigerians are expected to slip into extreme poverty by 2030.

As long as the present system of human rule lasts, there would be poverty. Poverty cannot be permanently eradicated by any form of human government T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R or any economic or EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU social system. And the MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO record of history bears DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE this out.

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI Throughout the EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE thousands of years of human history, every type of government and every type of economic and social system has T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D been tried, yet poverty EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA is still with us. Indeed, GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI in spite of progress in DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE such areas as science, DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI industry, and medicine, SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH the hard fact is that ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO worldwide the numbers CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI of people trapped by DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO poverty keep increasing.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Many palliative measures have been

by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act 1990) states that an abortion is legal if it is performed by a registered medical practitioner (a doctor), and that it is authorized by two doctors, acting in good faith, based on the following grounds in which one or more must be met. The pregnancy must not exceed 24 weeks while the termination is necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and that there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer a mental abnormalities.

Abortion in France is legal on demand up to 12 weeks after conception (14 weeks after the last menstrual period). Abortions at later stages of pregnancy are allowed if two physicians certify that the abortion will be done to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman; a risk to the life of the pregnant woman; or that the child will suffer from a particularly severe illness recognized as incurable.

In Nigeria, abortion law remains a controversial issue as it is governed by two laws that differ based on geographical location.

Northern Nigeria is governed by The Penal Code while Southern Nigeria is governed by The Criminal Code. The only legal way to have an abortion, according to the law in Nigeria, is if having the child is going to put the mother’s life in danger.

However, this cannot be ascertained as there is high increase of abortions cases in Nigeria where quack and professionals medical personnel carry out, without considering the law of the land.

Oluwatoyosi Funke Ojo, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

recommended to reduce the suffering of the poor. For example, in an interesting column by the founder of Afe Babalola Univeristy, Aare Afe Babalola, published recently in the Vanguard newspapers, he highlighted the importance of giving in alleviating the suffering of the poor. In a follow-up article entitled: ‘Rising state of poverty - Abandonment of agriculture,’ he cited the neglect of agriculture, once the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, as one of the reasons for our extreme poverty.

Among other things, he stated that, “although many factors can and have been adduced as partly responsible for the state of poverty in Nigeria, what makes poverty so endemic in Nigeria is partly the poor disposition of Nigerians to giving. He said government alone cannot reasonably be expected, particularly in the light of the world’s current economic realities, to improve the quality of life of everyone to the level which most people expect. Wealthy individuals can aid government in the provision of amenities of life to the less privileged. The rich in our society should imbibe the culture of giving. Philanthropy is rooted in love and compassion; it is of immense benefit not only to the person who practices it but also to the beneficiary and the society at large.

In this scenario, it is arguable that a philanthropist rather than donate some specific items to one individual should direct the resources meant for those items to the provision of a means of self- employment for the proposed recipient of the items.

If this is done, more persons who on the long run may be employed by the recipient as his business grows would have indirectly benefited from a single act of philanthropy.

It would have had a multiplier effect. The recipient himself would have shed the toga of dependency.” In this regard, Afe Babalola himself can be said to be doing very well.

For example, the management of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti was reported to have awarded automatic employment to 72 first class graduates of the university. It was also reported that Babalola himself doled out N250,000 and a plot of land each to all the graduating students of agriculture to start their farming projects. Such acts of generosity are certainly to be highly commended.

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ΀˜ ͺ͎ͯ͡

NEWS

Osinbajo: FG Targets 33.3m Cooking Gas Adoption in 10 Yrs

t Inaugurates Techno Oil's gas cylinder plant Peter Uzoho Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that the federal government was targeting the adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) commonly known as cooking gas in 33.3 million households in Nigeria over a period 10 years, representing 73 per cent adoption rate, and 13.8 million homes, representing 40 per cent adoption rate in five years.

This, he explained was part of the goals of the Federal Executive Councils approval of the National Gas Policy in 2017, which aims at achieving five million metric tons of

domestic, commercial and industrial cooking gas utilisation in 10 years.

Osinbajo stated this yesterday in Lagos at the inauguration of Techno Oil's one million tonnes per annum ultramodern LPG cylinder manufacturing plant, along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

He said: "Our determination to prioritise the LPG sector development culminated in the Federal Executive Council's approval of the National Gas policy in 2017, with dedicated input for the enhancement of the LPG sub-sector. Our driving vision has been to transform the sub-sector from a commodity sector based on

export, to a value creation sector based on domestic utilisation and industrialisation.

"The goal is to achieve five million metric tonnes (5,000,000 MT) of domestic, commercial and industrial LPG utilisation in 10 years.

Specifically, for household cooking, we are targeting a 40 percent adoption rate (i.e. 13.8m households) in 5 years, and 73 per cent adoption in 10 years (33.3m households). We believe that the sub-sector can create up to 2 million new direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria.

"We have also demonstrated our commitment by establishing an

Inter-Ministerial Committee and a multi-stakeholder national coordinating body - the National LPG Expansion Programme.

"We correctly identified that it was necessary to emphasise coordination and collaboration, as previous attempts in enhancing LPG utilisation failed because of a fragmented approach within the Federal Government."

According to the vice president, "Since the implementation of the coordination reforms - including the creation of a dedicated Project Management Office, great progress has been recorded, including the removal of five per cent VAT from the domestic pricing of LPG, as a first step in giving domestic output an advantage against imported products."

In Brief Oxfam Launches â‚Ź11m Food Project

Oxfam in Nigeria has revealed that seventy (70) rural communities and 8,000 rural households in Adamawa and Kebbi states have escaped hunger under the Pro Silence Action (PROACT) project. The four-year food security project which according to Oxfam had gulped â‚Ź11 million was meant to build the resilience of communities battered by the Book Haram insurgency and the effects of climate change in the two states. The project started in April 2016 and would end in April 2020. Oxfam in Nigeria Country Director, Mr. ConstantTchona, disclosed this Friday in Abuja at a press conference on World Environment Day and Oxfam's interventions in Nigeria. He said, “PROACT has built 350 community food reserves and they are all functioning. More than 8,000 rural households escaped the shame of hunger and were able to sustain their livelihood activities without having to use any negative coping strategy as PROACTprovided support during the hunger season of June-September, 2018.

Seedlings for Anambra Farmers

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed seedlings to farmers affected by the 2018 flood in Anambra State to aid them begin the newfarmingseason.Thedistributionexercisewhichwasheadedbyateamleader in the agency, Mrs. Bolanle Ojo was in collaboration with the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture to ensure seamless distribution. Mrs. Ojo who spoke to journalists in Awka during the exercise said seven Local Government Areas in Anambra which were affected by the national flood disaster would be beneficiaries of the seedlings. She listed the LGAs to include; Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Orumba North, Awka North and Ihiala.

2,000 Bulls for Borno Youths

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has said that youth employment was perhaps the most portent antidote to radicalisation and as such crucial to sustaining peace in volatile regions like northeast Nigeria.

FAO and European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) have started a scheme aimed at building the economy of youth in troubled Borno State with distribution of 2,000 bulls before the end of 2020. As of May 2019, FAO had already distributed a bull each to 450 youth in Jere, Konduga, Mafa and Dikwa Local Government Areas (LGA) of Borno State. In a statement on Friday, Suffyan Koroma, FAO Representative in Nigeria, said: “Through these bulls and other livestock, the livestock value chain in the state, which has been affected by the conflict, can be restored and youth will be at the helm of this restoration.� The statement revealed: “In Borno, conflict-affected youth are being supported for employment and income generation through an agriculture support programme funded by the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF).

Buhari Has Reduced Criminality in N'Delta

FAOWarnson FoodPoisoninginLagos,Kano,OtherCities

Anex-militantgroupundertheauspicesoftheNigerDeltaCreekForce(NDCF), yesterdaysaidPresidentMuhammaduBuharihadperformedcreditablyinreducing crime in the Niger Delta. While congratulating the president on his victory at the presidential poll and his subsequent inauguration, leader of the group, Mr. ComradeTonbotibi, urged Buhari to consolidate on the modest achievements during his second term.The ex-agitators called on aggrieved groups in the region to sheath their sword and rally round the government to usher in development which had eluded the region. "The President has done well in the area of youth empowerment programmes, which had greatly impacted positively on the lives of youths in the region thereby reducing crime and criminality to a bearable minimum" the group said.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Centralisation of Nasarawa Revenues

RECOGNISED FOR EXCELLENCE L-R: His Excellency, Sir Chikwe Udensi, Chairman of the Event, Dr Charles Okhai, NACJ Secretary General,and Senator Dino Melaye, Keynote Speaker at the 2019 ANNUAL INTEGRITY LECTURE AWARD organised by Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ)

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), an agency of the United Nations, has raised the alarm over what it described as worrisome levels contamination of foods in Lagos and Kano states.

FAO said that a "Total Diet" study it carried out in two major Nigerian cities, Lagos and Kano showed various levels of contamination of foods at the point of consumption.

Speaking at an event jointly organised by the Federal Ministries of Health and Agriculture, to mark 2019 World Food Safety Day in Abuja, the Country representative of FAO in Nigeria, Suffyan Koruna said that street foods were now being consumed more than ever before,

adding that Nigerians eat at least one meal out of home in restaurants, bukkas and other food vendors.

The FAO country representative who was represented by Mr. Alphonsus Onwuemeka said the organisation conducted a diet study in Lagos and Kano where it discovered rampant unsafe food consumption.

He said: "A Total Diet Study carried out in Lagos and Kano states showed worrisome levels of contamination of foods at the points of consumption with aflatoxins, mycotoxins, heavy metals such as lead and pesticides residues.

This should re-awaken Nigeria to the looming health challenges and economic losses that could result from a lack of attention to food

safety,� he said.

Onwuemeka said there was a likelihood that similar cases of food contamination exist in other major cities across the country.

He said that FAO was in the process of carrying out similar diet studies in other cities.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mr. A. M. Abdullahi who presided over the event said that unsafe food practices could lead to health problems such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, botulism, listeriosis, hapatitis A and cancer.

He said that in order to address food safety threats, the Federal Ministry of Health was working with the state Ministries of Health and Agriculture as well as the Environmental Health Officers

Registration Council of Nigeria to further strengthen the work of Environmental Health Officers across the states to be able to check unsafe food practices.

Abdullahi listed unsafe food practices prevalent in the country to include; " unhealthy cultivation practices through the use of unapproved chemicals (such as calcium carbide in fruit and vegetable ripening) and fertilizers; poor food storage and processing facilities as seen in a number of abattoirs and along the roads; the use of disused tires and kerosene in roasting animals for human consumption; non-hygienic food preparation environments as seen in the way foods are prepared by the roadsides, gutters and near open faecal defecation areas".

Gbaramatu Kingdom Under Military Siege Again, Tompolo’s Kinsmen Cry Out Sylvester Idowu in Warri Kinsmen of former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, have raised the alarm that communities under Gbaramatu Kingdom were being held under military siege.

Gbaramatu Kingdom is one of the Ijaw kingdoms in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Tompolo hails from the area.

They expressed fears that their communities could be under attack in no distant time if urgent steps were not taken by the federal government

to immediately nip the planned attack on the kingdom in the bud.

According to a statement signed by the Spokesman (Fiyewei) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama yesterday, the community said the alleged siege on the people of the area by the military was both on water and on air.

The statement issued on behalf of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs stressed that they did not want a repeat of the 2009, 2016 and 2018 alleged invasion of their communities by the military. “The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs has noticed the renewed siege,

harassment and intimidation of communities and people of Gbaramatu Kingdom by the Nigerian Military through water and air. “It could be recalled that Gbaramatu kingdom which is along the Escravos River in Warri South West LGA of Delta received similar action from the Nigerian Military in 2016 to 2018. “Since then the people have been living in fear of possible military invasion like the one of May 2009, when the military overrun a number of communities in Gbaramatu kingdom claiming hundreds of lives and the destruction of property worth billions of Nigeria�, it added.

The statement described the alleged renewed siege on the kingdom as a tactic to cause fresh crisis in the now peaceful Niger Delta region adding, “Our fear is that the military is trying to repeat same act to the peace loving people of Gbaramatu kingdom if urgent steps are not taken by the Federal Government to call the military to order.

While calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently investigate the activities of the military in the Niger Delta region, the Gbaramaru people urged the military to confine themselves to rules of engagement rather than harass and molest innocent indigenes of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has directed that all revenues accrued to the coffers of the state be centralised to ensure effective monitoring and leakages blocking. The governor gave the directive yesterday during his familiarisation visit to the Nasarawa Geographic Information System (NAGIS) office in Karu, near Abuja. He was optimistic that the centralisation of revenues fromallgovernmentagencieswillgivemorefocustohisadministration,especially in the area of providing social amenities to the people. Sule said: "The channeling of all revenues accrued to the state to a single account will ensure effective monitoring and also block leakages as well as curtail mismanagement of funds by individuals or organisations." He continued that NAGIS, as a major pillar of revenue generation in the state, will start receiving some allocations from his administration that would enable it provide incentives that would in turn attract customers to patronise its activities.

Schneider Electric New Products Schneider Electric, global specialist in energy management and automation, has launched a new range of products for its Nigerian market to address powerrelated challenges.The company, which is present in more than 100 countries, also launched the products to address the need for premium protection and innovative offers from high-end users to low-income earners.The newly launched products include a range of affordable UPS from APC by Schneider Electric, with the brand’s guaranteed quality. Earlier versions have been proven by users to be durable with a long shelf life. In his words, Mr. Oluwaseun Oloyede, APC

by Schneider Electric ChannelSales Manager said, "The Easy UPS have the Schneider Electric guarantee of quality and it is very affordable as it includes only the features that the customer requires. The decision is yours to fit it into your home, or your small business requiring a steady supply of a reliable UPS which you can count on.�

Atinu’da Event Industry Conference Atinu´da´thepremiumconferencefortheeventindustryholdsits4thedition between June 13th – 14th 2019 at Harbour Point Event Center,Victoria Island, Lagos. Atinuda, which is the largest event conference in Africa, was birthed by the Founder of Oaken Event, Ayiri Oladunmoye. The Atinuda Experience 4, promises to raise the bar even higher with its lineup of local and foreign speakers, who are ready to share their knowledge and experience in order to move the Nigerian event industry to international standards. `Atinu´da´ is a conference for Event Industry Leaders and professionals.This event is designed to enhance creativity and uniqueness in the events industry in Africa. It is an exclusive event that connects international and local exhibitors, and attendees in search of new trends, techniques, materials and resources required to drive their business all year round.

SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

NEWS

Ensure Even Spread of Developmental Projects, Cleric Charges Abiodun FemiOgbonnikan Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÙÕĂ&#x;ÞË

FOR GAS SUFFICIENCY...

L-R: The Managing Director/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo; Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Techno Oil Limited, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, at the formal commissioning of the Techno Oil LPG Cylinder Manufacturing Plant in Lagos on Friday

The Diocesan Bishop of Yewa (Anglican Communion), Right Rev. Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi has charged the new administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun in Ogun State to ensure that its projects and programmes, especially those related to infrastructural development are evenly spread across the three Senatorial districts in the state, and not concentrated in a particular zone.

The cleric who gave this advice in his address at the Third session of the 10th Synod held at St. James Church, Oke- Odan, Yewa South Local Government Area, yesterday, said many areas in the State had been neglected and had not had a feel of governance, a development that had culminated to lack basic amenities of life in these affected areas.

According to the cleric, past governments had neglected many parts of the State, especially Yewa axis and said that government needed to spread its tentacles to all these areas urgently, especially in the provision of infrastructural facilities so

that the people could enjoy moderate meaningful lifestyles in order to bring into limelight their ingenuity and creativity. “As His Excellency is trying to find his feet and settle down in Office, let me inform you that the people of the State have high hopes in you that you will help to alleviate their sufferings.

The people are tired of promises, not fulfilled and not interested in white elephant projects that will not translate into direct benefits on them�, he said.

Oluwarounbi also seized the occasion to plead with the State Government to render selfless service to the people and added that it behoved on government to treat every area equally, irrespective of their political leanings.

He, however, assured the government of the church support in prayers and candid advice from time to time.

In his keynote address, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun appreciated the body of Christ and the entire members of Yewa Anglican Diocese for their contributions in the electioneering campaign, despite their ceaseless prayers for the successful conduct of the last general elections.

Court Orders INEC to Immediately Issue Alleged N6.9bn Fraud: CJ Transfers Fayose’s Case to New Judge CertiďŹ cate of Return to Okorocha Čą Â—ÂŽÂŒČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â–Â’ÂœÂŽÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ˜Â•Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜Â—ÄšÂ’ÂŒÂ?’—Â?ȹ“žÂ?Â?–Ž—Â?ÂœČąÂ˜Â—ČąÂŒÂŽÂ›Â?’ęŒŠÂ?ÂŽ Chuks Okocha Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Alex Enumah Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately issue Certificate of Return to former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

However, the Director of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Voters Education and Public Enlightenment, Wale Osaze Uzzi, said that the Commission had not been served the court order, adding, “Once the Commsion is served with any court order, it is referred to the legal department or the commission’s lawyers for study and advice. So, when we get the court order that says that INEC should issue him with the certificate of return, it shall

be subjected to the same process.�

INEC had while pledging obedience to court orders pointed out that it was in possession of a High Court Order from Imo State under the trial of Justice Njemanze which ordered that the certificate not be issued to any of the parties and said it would meet to harmonise and take a position on both judgments.

The court yesterday also ordered INEC to publish Okorocha’s name in its list of winners of the 2019 National Assembly Election, having been declared winner of the Imo West Senatorial District election of February 23, 2019.

Justice Abang gave the order, while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Okorocha, challenging the refusal of INEC to issue him with Certificate of Return, having won the senatorial seat with majority lawful votes cast at the election.

According to the court, the electoral body lacks the lawful authority to withhold the Certificate of Return to Okorocha, winner of the Imo West Senatorial District election.

Okorocha was declared winner of the February 23 senatorial election in Imo State, however his name was omitted in the INEC list of winners of the election. The electoral commission further refused to issue him with certificate on grounds that the Returning Officer for the senatorial election was forced to announce Okorocha as winner of the election.

Okorocha, accordingly, approached the court to compel INEC to issue him with Certificate of Return, having been declared winner of the election by INEC’s Returning Officer.

In his judgment, Justice Abang

declared that INEC’s unilateral decision to withhold Okorocha’s certificate was unlawful ultra vires, null and void.

Justice Abang insisted that INEC’s decision which had no legal justification and could not be allowed to stand so as not to create problems for the polity.

According to Abang, if the electoral body’s action was condoned, election could easily be cancelled on mere claims of acting under duress by returning Officers. “INEC has no lawful authority under the Electoral Act or Constitution to withhold Certificate of Return, it is unlawful. No law that supports the unilateral decision of INEC. Assuming that its electoral Returning Officer claimed that he made the declaration under duress, INEC cannot be the prosecutor and judge in its own case�, he held.

The Chief Judge (CJ) of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu AbduKafarati has transferred the trial of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, charged with alleged N6.9 billion fraud, to a new judge.

Abdu-Kafarati, transferred the case from the former judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, to Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The action followed a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking a transfer of the case.

Fayose was arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, by the EFCC, alongside a company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on 11 counts bordering on fraud and money laundering offence.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail on Oct. 24, 2018, in the sum of N50 million with sureties in like sum, while the prosecution opened trial on Nov. 19, and had so far called 13 witnesses out of 15 listed.

On March 20, a drama ensued in court midway into trial, between the

trial judge, and EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN. The judge raised concerns on the manner of prosecution by counsel, and had noted that the prosecutor was not doing a good job, adding that he was not competent to evaluate the court’s ruling.

On his part, the prosecutor expressed his displeasure on the grounds that he had always dispensed his duties diligently, and had never been derogated by any court.

Meanwhile, at the last proceedings on May 10, the 13th prosecution witness, Mr. Adewale Aladegbola, a former driver of a bullion van, had given evidences which the prosecutor described as being contrary to his extra judicial statement to the commission.

On this premise, the prosecutor informed the court that his witness appeared “hostile� and urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him make necessary application on the situation.

Continuation of trial was billed to resume on June 10.

POLITY

Bulkachuwa and Presidential Election Panel Jimoh Attah When the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, made herself the chairperson of the five-man Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, there was so much anxiety in the political circles. There have been protests in Abuja with call on her to step down, security men barricading busy ways and general anxiety among Nigerians.

Foremost, there were concerns that with Bulkachuwa on the panel, there would be influences and compromises that would make the verdict of that tribunal unfair to some party.

It was for this that she was forced to step down so neutral justices would proceed with the case. Justice Bulkachuwa recused self from the tribunal since May 22, 2019. It was generally expected that she would immediately name a substitute. She has not till this moment.

Meanwhile, the tribunal which has only 108 days to rule on the matter has already lost about 100 days.

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its

presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar have challenged the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) at the February 23, 2019 election. It has prayed the tribunal to upturn the victory.

Instead of giving the complainants justice, Justice Bulkachuwa appears to be playing power game. We should not be unmindful of the fact that she wields enormous powers. The constitution affords her exclusive powers to appoint judges to serve. Not only the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Bulkachuwa is one to oversight all the election petition tribunals sitting across the country. If she would not expeditiously handle the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal at the centre, then we should imagine what happens with the panels sitting in far away and obscure places in the country.

The biggest worry is appears to be treating the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with levity. How do I mean? She penciled down her name as head of the tribunal but did not see the need to include seniors like her in bench of the Court of Appeal. As a presidential election tribunal, adjudicating for the

highest office in the land, one expected that highly rated and most experienced justices would be selected.

This is the first time we are having this issue.

Since the return of democracy in 1999 – not so long a time for us to forget, we could see that the PCA, his second-in-command and very senior justices would hear the presidential election petitions. Former PCA Umar Abdullahi did constitute Presidential Election Petition Tribunals without any crisis. What has changed now?

Instead of following the tradition, Justice Bulkachuwa chose herself, went down the ladder to choose number 8, 25, 44 and‌ to constitute the tribunal for adjudication over a highly staked election. Justices who had heard electoral matters over the years and garnered huge experiences were excluded. If for lack of requisite experience the junior justices fail to deliver justice as at when due, let it be known where to place the blame.

It appears cleverly done it to hoodwink us. Assuming she chooses a justice that PDP might not be comfortable with and there is protest, another long process of recuse will begin while the clock continues to tick against the complainant. At the end, the substantive matter will not be heard and Atiku with his PDP will bite their finger.

When she was forced to step down from the tribunal, she resorted to whipping up of sentiments in order to appear good in the eyes of feminists. She attributed the call for her to recuse herself as bias against the womenfolk. We all know well that neither Atiku nor PDP mentioned Justice Bulkachuwa’s sex as reason for the concern. Atiku said for the fact that Justice Bulkachuwa is related to senior APC members, there was likelihood of her relating the tribunal’s thoughts with her APC associates. This is a thing that will trouble any sane being because Bulkachuwa’s relatives are interested party in the case.

This will therefore, take us to the question, what is the scorecard of Justice Bulkachuwa as PCA, as she is close to retirement? How well has she performed as first female President of the Court of Appeal for that matter?

Curiously, Justice Bulkachuwa who stopped sitting regularly upon becoming the PCA suddenly appointed herself chairperson of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal thereby creating crisis. Why the sudden interest in justice delivery?

Attah, a Youth Activist wrote from Lugbe, Abuja.

Plus

Uchenna Umeh The Best Part of My Job is Connecting with Patients at the Points of Their Needs and Helping to Make a Difference

FASHION FILE GLOBAL SOCCER FAIRGROUND SHOWBIZFLAIR

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

Helen Odigie

I’m Daddy’s Girl, a Little Shy, a Little Reserved, Very Playful

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PLUS

I’m Daddy’s Girl, a Little Shy, a Little Reserved, Very Playful Nollywood star, Helen Enado Odigie, is a graduate of University of Benin, who began her career in the corporate world with stints in Nigerian telecommunications behemoth Globacom and Pan African e-commerce giant, Jumia. The free-spirited and naturally-curious actress has been acting since she was a child and also works as an event planner. The last born of a big family, Enado is quickly building a fan base in Nollywood due to her effortless style and effervescent personality. She has appeared in numerous films including the critically acclaimed Joba, The Men’s Club and From Lagos with Love. Enado shares her passion for the creative industry with Azuka Ogujiuba

A

t 9, I had a huge crush on Michael Jackson I’m the fifth of five kids and I’m from Edo State.

I love African folklore.

I’m daddy’s girl. A little shy, a little reserved. Very playful, an entrepreneur at heart who started first business at the Age of eight. At nine, I had a huge Crush on Michael Jackson, was in an imaginary relationship with Macaulay Culkin and was convinced all boys named Michael or Kevin were cute. In secondary school, I thought I could die for British band, Westlife. Not anymore.

My dad wanted me to read Law because he thought being opinionated and strong willed meant Law was meant for me. Hahaha! Well I didn’t agree. I worked in the corporate world for a few years. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to figure out that wasn’t for me. I love acting. I think I’m a great dancer. I once danced for seven hours straight. I’m no Mariah Carey, but I think I would have a decent career as a musician. Just don’t make me write any of the music. I Love the outdoors and I love beaches. As far as I’m concerned, nothing beats a good laugh, particularly the ‘I can’t breathe, tears in my eyes, I’m about to pass out’ kind of laugh.

I enjoy creating new connections with people who I can learn things from.

I love good books, good food, some good company and a new adventure

I enjoy down to earth, meaningful conversations with both old and new friends. I think I’m a good sport and made for good company. I don’t like serious people or bullies. I will not stand for injustice. I seem a little aloof and off-standish, but in reality, I’m playful and down to earth. I love good

books, good food, some good company and a new adventure is always a good idea. I didn’t say I would go, I said it’s a good idea. In many ways, I’m romantic but not beyond; I don’t believe in unrealistic expectations. If you love me, you have to feed me. Food and love go hand in hand for me. There’s no having one without the other. No, can’t do. An iconic trio for me would be Red wine, Jazz music and great company. Throw in some candles and not even Thanos with all the infinity stones could ruin my day. Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet and Michael Buble are some of the names on my playlist. These are the voices that I listen to unwind after a long day or a stressful period or to just put me high spirits. Chain Smokers are a staple for me but currently, I’m vibing to Sabrina Claudio’s music. For our home grown international artistes, I’m a Davido fan. I think Burnaboyis a musical genius and more people should listen to Brymo’s music – authentic, sensual and stimulating.

Feminism creates one more form of differentiation the world doesn’t need

I am not an advocate of feminism.

Our first and most important identity should be ‘human’. All humans, male and female, young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, have rights that have both been abused and also need to be protected and represented.

Feminism creates one more form of differentiation the world doesn’t need.

It separates us by creating a ‘them versus us’ syndrome, and the world doesn’t need more of it. The division already caused as a result of religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexuality and other forms of identity have failed the world.

We don’t need any more of it.

Odigie

΀ Ëœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS

Feminism Creates One More Form of Dierentiation the World Doesn’t Need

starting a fashion line. Work is already underway. I also plan on going into the business of health and wellness but all things in due season.

Social Media and my career trajectory

In this day and age, no one can deny the power of social media as a powerful tool in creating awareness, doing business and creating connections.

Advice for young actress just starting out

I’ve grown in terms of understanding how my industry works. I’ve had the opportunity of working with many producers, directors, production crews and Actors. Over the years I’ve improved my craft and honed my skills. I am my biggest and truest critic so I am constantly working on being better both as an actor and as an individual

They should Know exactly what they want and don’t let anyone tell you who you should be. Keep your ears to the ground. Make real friends. Be patient.

Don’t give up. Be the best. No one can have too many streams of income.

Don’t take any of it personally.

Information, structure have been biggest challenges

Information and Structure have been my biggest challenges in the industry.

When I got into this industry years ago, the lack of structure meant there was no real road map on exactly what to do or how to go about finding a niche, creating an identity, honing your craft or how to grow. Till today, if you speak to 10 different people they’d probably have 10 different ideas on how to go about it. That’s likely because most people in this space probably just wing it until they stumble upon a formula that works for them and in the end it probably creates more confusion and conflict for a newbie who’s looking to a more experienced actor for guidance.

I leverage on my existing partnerships with stylists and designers

Odigie

If we continue along these tracks, history will continue repeating itself.

The minute we begin to see ourselves as one and the same, maybe the conversation will change and everyone will hopefully be happy.

This means everyone should have a say, have a seat at the table, have a voice, that everyone’s rights are protected, that everyone has a right to have dreams and the opportunity to have those dreams achieved. It means more laws should be made that make these things possible and abolishing laws that stand in the way of this. It means representation that reflects this in all tiers of power, government and its parastatals and general society. Its means enforcement of these laws and punishment for anyone that breaches them. It means opportunities and reflective pay. It means security.

When I’m not on set, much needed sleep

I catch up on

Most days, I’m on set. When I am, it’s wake up, shower, have breakfast

if I have the opportunity, get to set, get make up, hair and wardrobe done.

Run lines (rehearse lines with co actor/ actors), get blocking (the directors breakdown and explanation of how he wants the scene delivered), Dry run (Actual rehearsal of the directors blocking) and Action till we hear Cut! We do this over and over again for the number of scenes scheduled for the day till we’re done. When I’m not on set, I catch up on much needed sleep if I have the opportunity. Return as many calls as possible from the calls I was unable to take while I was filming. Attend meetings, catch up with my family, my friends – probably go out to lunch, dinner or drinks or a movie, catch up on what’s been going on around, hurry to place orders on things I wanted but I didn’t have the time or presence of mind to order while I was on set. With any luck, I won’t be told those God awful two words – ‘sold out’. Shop for groceries.

Catch up on my healthy habits that I may have been unable to keep up

while on set.

My wardrobe favourites

Jeans, shorts, V necks and off shoulder – Tshirts, tops and dresses, short casual dresses, a large mirror, trainers, mules, dressy pumps, sunglasses, fashion rings, bold earrings, a good belt. A black bag and lashes.

Over the Years i’ve improved my craft and honed my skills

I’ve grown in terms of understanding how my industry works. I’ve had the opportunity of working with many producers, directors, production crews and Actors. Over the years I’ve improved my craft and honed my skills.

I am my biggest and truest critic so I am constantly working on being better both as an actor and as an individual.

I have also dropped some things and picked up new ones, built relationships and made friends. All in all, growth is a never ending process.

Plans for the future

For the immediate future, I’m

I’m big on fashion. Not necessarily on trends but definitely on fashion.

With events, how I decide on what to wear. With some events, it’s easy to style yourself. In some cases, I leverage on my existing partnerships with stylists and designers. So sometimes we can pull from a designer’s already existing collection and other times, a fresh outfit is custom designed for me and tailored to the event, depending on the amount of time available to prepare. For castings, more likely than not, my choice of style is influenced by the character that I am going to read for. It helps in getting my head in the right space and influences my body language during my delivery.

Name for my fashion line

Still deciding between names but at the topmost of that list is a name that carries the names of both my parents, Rose and Michael, in honour of both their memories. However, my line will feature contemporary styles for the African man and woman even though we’re starting first with a female line.

Our style will be fresh, colourful, bold, happy and chic. Our pieces will be designed accentuate the body of the everyday African woman, to mask her flaws and highlight her curves.

We want her to tell us who she is simply by walking into a room with all the glory of her African beauty.

Comfortable in her own skin. loud, bold and proud.

Passions besides acting

Fashion, Beauty, Counselling. Helping others find themselves.

I Am My Biggest and Truest Critic. So I Am Constantly Working on Being Better Both As an Actor and As an Individual

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

PLUS

Uchenna Umeh The Best Part of My Job is Connecting with Patients at the Points of their Needs and Helping to Make a Difference

Uchenna Umeh is a Pediatrician imbued with a deep well of patience and compassion. She is emotionally-anchored, confident, humble and passionate about children, youths, and ending suicide in the world. Umeh, based in the United States, is also a teen expert, writer and public speaker. This Pediatrician recently quit clinical medicine after nearly 30 years, to focus on her work on youth suicide prevention. Umeh, trained in Nigeria and the United States, speaks to Adedayo Adejobi on her journey into Pediatrics, passion for youths, what energises her, what gives her great joy and how she balances work and life

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΀˜ ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

PLUS I balance work and life with exercise‌I also refocus by doing my Kickboxing, Yoga and Zumba

H

ow did your journey to becoming a Pediatrician begin?

As far back as I can remember, I had always wanted to become an architect. When I found myself in medical school, the decision was pretty easy. I love kids, so going into Pediatrics was a natural path for me. I finished medical school at Ahmadu Bello University in 1991. Then I did my housemanship at Eko Hospital in Lagos State. My NYSC was at the NNPC clinic on Awolowo Road in Ikoyi where my family resided at that time.

It was while working at Eko Hospital that I met two mentors who essentially put me on the path to schooling in the United States.

Dr. Biodun Aluko and Dr. Okadigbo (can’t recall her first name now). They both trained at Howard University Hospital in Washington DC, and I was so impressed by their bedside manners, their knowledge of Pediatrics, and the way they carried themselves, that I wanted to be just like them. I wanted to go to Howard University, and that was that. After NYSC, I spent another two years working at First Consultants in Obalende, Lagos, while I studied for exams that would allow me to go to the US for residency. I took all three exams in Ghana and passed each one at a sitting.

I then applied to about 75 medical school residency programmes in the US. Only two of them invited me for an interview, Howard University Hospital and Miami Children’s Hospital. I went to the US in October of 1994 to wait for my interviews, and even though I was a day late at Howard University, I was blessed to get accepted, out of over 4000 candidates with only 16 spots available for the year!

How long have you been practicing?

I have been practicing Pediatrics since 1998 and Medicine since 1991.

What do you believe are the best ways to good parenting?

While I believe there are many ways to being a good parent, depending on customs, circumstances and knowledge base, my brand new Amazon best-selling book “Dr. Lulu’s How to Raise Well Rounded Children� available on Amazon and on my website www.teenalive.com/books.html, is a practical guide with 16 principles I believe must be incorporated in raising any child, they include principles like gratitude, kindness, resiliency, humility, etc What do you enjoy about being a Pediatrician?

My favourite thing about being a pediatrician is hugging my patients and watching them grow up. I call myself a “grand doctor� because I have patients who have had kids and now bring them to see me! That may actually be the best part of being a pediatrician, because I know for sure that they trust me.

Tell us about your books?

I have only written one book that is published, it is a parenting book (mentioned above). Books 2 and 3 are in the works. These particular books are based on my current work with mental health conditions; depression and suicide in youth.

What is the first book that made you cry?

I honestly cannot remember. I am hopelessly romantic. So, there have been many.

What is your favourite childhood book?

As a teen, I read the Famous Five series a lot. I also enjoyed the Pacesetters series, but my favourites growing up were comic books; Archie and Friends, Mandy, Judy etc. I have always loved to read, that came about when my uncle asked me to read Things Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe, at the age of eight, and it was followed by The Iceman Cometh, by Eugene O’Neil. The latter was not only a play, it was a thick book, but by the time I was done, I was hooked. My uncle would not only make me read the books, he would also quiz me on spellings of words in them.

Does writing energise or exhaust you?

Writing definitely energises me. I love writing. My personal blog is www.wordsbyblackbutterfly.com What does literary success mean to you?

Seeing my books in libraries all over the world and in bookstores all over the world,

Uchenna with family

and translated into different languages.

Is public speaking something you’ve always wanted to do, or something that came along unexpectedly in your life?

A little bit of both. As a doctor, I have been speaking in public ever since I was in medical school. As a private practitioner, I spoke at many community events in Carolina. I have always been passionate about the inequality of access to healthcare, and been outspoken about the need for equal treatment of both sexes, and recently, my passion is now on child, teen and young adult (depression and suicide). In other words, I speak anywhere and everywhere. I just need a microphone. I not only organise and hold Dr. Lulu’s Parenting Your Teen Workshops which I take to cities all over the US, I also speak at schools; both grade school and college level. I speak at community events and National conferences. I seize any and every opportunity I can find to push my agenda. My aim is to understand suicide and its causes in order to help spread awareness and ultimately help end it worldwide. As you may or may not know, two weeks ago, there were five reported suicides among Nigerian youth. Please note that these are only the reported cases! Imagine how many more suicides attempts there were or even how many more suicide attempts there are all over the world. Per the Centers for Disease control (CDC), in the US, there are 39 suicide attempts for every completed one, and scores more have suicidal thoughts but don’t act on it. Per the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is one completed suicide every 40 seconds. These numbers are not even available in Nigeria, and as we can imagine, most suicides are not reported in many parts of the world.

I started speaking about suicide after an eight-year old patient of mine attempted to hang himself twice last May 2018. This was exactly 10 years after my first depressed patient successfully completed suicide in July of 2008. However, my very first contact with suicide was in the year 2000, when a Nigerian colleague of mine whom I worked with at Eko hospital shot herself in the head. So, you see, public speaking has been calling my name for a while now.

you want your confidence to show. The audience is usually rooting for you, so leverage that and go for it. The most important things I have found that work for me though, are asking the audience engaging questions i.e. audience participation, and having fun while on stage. I try to smile as I walk on to the stage, and find faces and make eye contact. I also laugh (and get the audience to laugh) as much as possible.

Even though I am talking about suicide, I try to find ways to add humour to my talk.

What is the best part of your job?

Whether I am in the office seeing a sick child, or on the phone talking to a patient’s parent, or even on stage speaking to a PTA board, I find that connecting with people on an individual basis is key. Meeting my patients and clients at their points of need, and helping to make a difference in their lives is another key also.

Besides my weekly Facebook Live, which takes place every Sunday afternoon at 2pm where I discuss hot topics affecting teens, like Teens and Telephones, School Shootings, Vaccinations, or Dating and Drug Use etc. For instance, last Sunday we discussed part 2 of Suicide in Nigerian Youth; what’s the 411? I am also planning on starting a podcast in the next few weeks. It’s called Suicide Pages with Dr. Lulu. With that avenue, I want to reach out to an even wider audience. I want to speak with family members and people who have been intimately affected by suicide, like parents, siblings, doctors, nurses, teachers, counselors and friends of victims. I want them to have a platform to share their stories and their experiences, their successes and their fears, any advice or thoughts, and their daily struggles with survival. Anything at all that will help in bringing suicide closer to our homes and our hearts. We must begin to talk about it, look it in the eye and challenge it. Say its name aloud and change our attitudes towards it. Dispel all the myths about depression and suicide, and change the narrative. I want it all. We must remember that a minimum of six people are affected by every single suicide death.

How many speaking engagements do you do a year?

I only started fully last October 2018, and so far, I have had at least one every month. Now that I am done with school, I plan on increasing my engagements.

What is the worst part of your job?

Losing a patient. I have lost babies, toddlers, school-aged kids, teens and young adults to various ailments ranging from still-births to prematurity, child abuse, drowning, cancer, and even to suicide. That hurts, that hurts a lot.

One never really gets over stuff like that. My patients become my children, an extension of me. Their families become my family. So losing any of them to anything, hurts.

What do you think are the keys to being a successful public speaker?

First, know your topic thoroughly so you can speak on it effectively and with ease. Then know your audience very well, and what they want, so you can deliver it. Then connect with your audience, either emotionally or otherwise.

Allow yourself to be vulnerable in as much as

What is the work/family/life balance like for you?

It is a lot better now, especially since my children are much older. I recently quit clinical medicine after nearly 30 years, to focus on my work on youth suicide prevention. I also graduated from the Executive MBA programme at the University of Texas in San

Antonio just last week, so, my time is a lot freer and I can get more done. I essentially work from home now, doing telemedicine full time as I hustle with my speaking engagements and writing, etc. I love to exercise, so I am refocusing on my Kickboxing and Yoga and Zumba again.

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about your job?

Doctors in America make a lot of money.

First of all, that is untrue. Anyone who knows someone working in IT for instance Google, Microsoft or Apple, knows those folks make a lot more money per hour than most doctors do, considering the length of hours we work. Most employed doctors are at the mercy of their bosses, long stressful hours, and unrealistic productivity requirements. Most entrepreneurial doctors that I know (I used to be one) spend a lot of money on overhead and malpractice insurance. Most American-trained doctors owe hundreds of thousands of dollars on student loans. Furthermore, if one gets sued, that’s another major expense and damage to one’s reputation. Generally speaking, the reimbursement is pennies on the dollar for all the work we do. Most of us go into medicine to make a difference and for the service to humanity, not for the money. Yes, we can live comfortably, but not for very very long after graduation. Doctors in America today are living on past glory. We are all branching out into other avenues like speaking or coaching or even multi-level-marketing to keep body and soul together.

Suicides are also on the rise amongst doctors in America, so, that grass most people see, is definitely not greener on my side. Public Speaking is easy. It is actually quite hard. I think that if you like what you are speaking about and are passionate about it, and then it is that much easier. But public speaking is not easy to pull off. You need charisma, poise and a little magic to be Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, JFK, MLK or Winston Churchill. Popular opinion is that the fear of public speaking is so bad, that many people would rather die than speak in public. While I don’t know how accurate that is, I do know that I still get a bit nervous every time I have to go on stage, despite all the engagements I have had, but once I get in my zone, I’m cool.

Do you ever feel tension between your personal values and those of the wider American society?

Not really, besides racism and sexism, I am quite okay with it. I know my values. I don’t try to force them on others. I believe we can all coexist in harmony. I live by “Live and let live�.

The Nigerian society is not necessarily better than the American society. There are issues on both sides. One simply has to know how to navigate them, and how to adapt. My father taught me that adaptability is one of my key watchwords/guiding principles in life.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

Fashion File

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Kenny Banks Collection

by Gbenga Artsmith

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ΀˜ ͺ͸͚Î

23

FASHION FILE

Kenny Banks Collection The Kenny Banks Collection We have seen music superstar, Rihanna do it with Cosmetics giant, Fenty Beauty. Now, it is the turn of Nigeria to witness our own original co-branding project. Nollywood screen diva, Kehinde Bankole, has collaborated with foremost male jeweller, Gbenga Artsmith, to launch her own jewelry line- The Kenny Banks Collection!

The eclectic collection is so versatile... there is something for every woman!

According to Gbenga Artsmith, “I designed every piece in the 17-piece collection with every woman in mind whilst also considering the individual style of Kehinde Bankole which all the pieces reflect. From bohemian vibes to owambe flair, the collection is very rich and women of different age brackets and culture can connect with the jewelry on a personal level.�

Bankole said: “Each piece was named after some of the women I greatly admire; women who have inspired not just me, but many other women from various walks of life. This collection is my avenue to share dimensions of myself with the world. Who or what inspires me, my peculiar preference, my style, etc.

It is also an avenue for me to express myself in a new kind of venture. I ran all kinds of businesses in the past and still run some till date, but this is the very first time I am making a foray into the jewelry business.

I am very excited about the fresh experience!�

Some of the women the pieces are named after are Mo Abudu, Genevieve Nnaji, Ibukun Awosika, Mrs. Titilayo Bankole (Kehinde’s mum), TY Bello and a couple of other strong women.

The lyrics of the official commercial

of the lookbook sums up what the Kenny Banks Collection promises: Summer-themed necklaces Fabulous earrings In carnival colours and earthy tones Parcelled in nifty packages These are a few of my favourite things Dancing chain tassels and grapevine clusters Coral medallion and agate drop Combo of pearls, turquoise and onyx These are a few of my favourite things Elegant ornaments handmade with love Ear candies, so pretty, crafted deftly Perfect as gift items for your loved ones These are a few of my favourite things For your workwear and owambe Any occasion Gbenga Artsmith jewelry presents to you The Kenny Banks Collection Soooo gorg!!!

PHOTO CREDIT: Jewelry: Gbenga Artsmith @ gbengaartsmith for Kenny Banks Collection @kennybankscollection Photography: Ahmed Moore Photography @ahmedmoore1 Makeup: Kelly’s Touch @kelynstouch Turban: Fascinators by Omoge @ fascinatorsbyomoge Styling: Gbenga Ayo-Dada @ gbengaayodada Assistant stylist: Gabriel Anthony @gabrielanthonys Asooke: Molbaks Alasooke @ molbaks_alasooke Project coordinator/creative director: Oba Osoba @oba_x Blue kaftan: Kik’s place @kiksplace Draping: @dfl_rocks.

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˜ ˞ JUNE 8, 2019

PERSPECTIVE Tinubuand20YearsofUnbrokenDemocracyinNigeria

Tunde Rahman

T

wenty years in the life of a nation may be a short period of time. But when such a span of time embodies something meaningful and impactful, it is extremely noteworthy. And so Nigeria at present is celebrating two decades of uninterrupted democracy since the democratic restoration of 1999. Considering where the country is coming from- a long period of coups and counter coups, 30 months civil war, three previous short-lived attempts at democratic rule, military dictatorship of the worst form occasioning all kinds of experiments and fraudulent political engineering including an annulment of a free and fair election and then a brutal dictatorship during which many were either killed or maimed- having another democratic resurgence lasting 20 years, and still counting, is indeed significant.

Operating a democracy, the best form of government mankind has evolved, has never been easy anywhere, talk less in Nigeria. For our democracy to have endured all of 20 years means Nigerians have invested heavily in its success.

We all deserve special congratulations for working to entrench democracy in the land. These investments have come at great costs, which, however, have not been borne in equal measure.

Some Nigerians sacrificed so much for it, including paying the supreme price like business mogul Bashorun MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12 election, his wife, Kudirat and journalist, Bagauda Kalto, among others. Many were incarcerated. Thousands who suffered immense pain in diverse manners remain nameless and faceless. Some were forced on exile for a long period.

One of those who had to flee into exile to escape the death squads of the Abacha military junta over the agitation for the de-annulment of the June 12 election from where he played a leading role in continuing the struggle is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress National Leader. In exile, Asiwaju became a critical rallying point for the opposition, making things uncomfortable for the Abacha junta back home until that regime collapsed. Following the promise of the succeeding General Abdulsalam Abubakar regime to hand over power, Asiwaju Tinubu returned to the country from exile in 1998. In no time at all, he became one of the leading lights who formed the Alliance for Democracy, one of the three main political parties of the time.

Persuaded by his close associates and friends, Asiwaju threw his hat into the ring for the governorship of Lagos. Against the remonstrations of those who wanted to impose a candidate on the AD, he and his associates insisted on open primaries buoyed by support from some temperate leaders of that party. With open primaries, he emerged the governorship candidate of the party, contested for the 1999 governorship election and was elected.

If his contributions to the return of democratic rule again in

Tinubu 1999 after almost 16 years of military rule was remarkable, his role in nurturing and deepening democracy in the land from that period onward is even more worthy of chronicling. Saying Asiwaju is a major pillar of the nation’s democracy that seized every opportunity to deepen the practice of transparent, responsive and accountable governance, federalism and the rule of law in Nigeria both in words and deeds is stating the obvious.

As governor, he put together a team of tested technocrats and experienced managers, unrivalled in Nigeria’s history, to help him actualize his vision for the state. It is not surprising that many of them are still holding top leadership positions at different levels in the country today. Tinubu and his team laid the foundation for a modern Lagos, fashioned out a master plan and engineered most of the innovations that spurred the unprecedented ongoing development and prosperity witnessed in Lagos today. As he brought radical changes to both the economic and political landscapes of Lagos, enhancing the state’s fortunes in the process, he also made significant contributions to fiscal federalism and constitutionalism.

Under his watch, Lagos challenged the Federal Government on many constitutional issues. His government filed as many as 14 cases at the Supreme Court and won all. One of such landmark cases was the one in respect of creation of additional local councils in the state, with the Supreme Court upholding

the validity of the new councils but stating that they remained inchoate until the National Assembly had done its part by listing those councils in the constitution. Nevertheless, the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are alive and well today. They constitute the basis for accelerated rural development in Lagos State thanks to Tinubu’s vision and courage.

At the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999, for instance, the Federal Government routinely deducted funds as a first line charge from the Federation Account for what it called “Special Funds�. These included funding of the Joint Venture Contracts and NNPC priority projects, servicing of Federal Government’s external debt, funding of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and funding of the judiciary and other federal responsibilities. It was after the deduction of these monies that whatever was remaining was shared among the states and Local Government Councils. The robust legal challenge by Lagos State at the Supreme Court put a stop to this practice to the advantage of the states and local governments.

Again, it was the crusading legal action by Lagos State under Tinubu’s leadership that led the Supreme Court to declare that planning within the territorial jurisdiction of any state was a residual matter over which the states and not the Federal Government could exercise control. In the words of Tinubu’s Attorney General at the time, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), “The Supreme Court by a majority of four out of seven justices in a full constitutional court held that urban and regional planning as well as physical development were residual matters within the exclusive legislative and executive competence of states and that grant of approvals, permits and licences for building and physical development in Lagos State including under bridges, loops and highways set-back are the residual responsibility of the state government�.

When former President Obasanjo withheld revenue allocations to Lagos on account of the creation of those additional councils, Asiwaju was forced to look inward, devising ingenious means of funding the new councils and running the state. Such resourcefulness birthed the innovations that moved the state IGR from about N600 million monthly in 1999 to around N25billion and over N30billion monthly today. So significant was what Asiwaju and his team did in eight years that many continue to acknowledge his ingenuity.

In a tribute to the APC leader during his 67th birthday in March this year, President Muhammadu Buhari described Tinubu as one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s democracy while also praising him for his selflessness in serving the country and contributing his quota towards making life better for our teeming people. –––––Rahman, former Editor Thisday on Saturday and Sunday Newspapers, is Media Adviser to Asiwaju Tinubu. concluded online www.thisdaylive.com

Ndume, A Son of NobodyWho Knows Nobody to Become Somebody Felix Obiora

W

ith the signed proclamation for the holding of the 9th Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is just a matter of days before the presiding officers of the National Assembly are known. For the House of Representatives, three candidates are in the race - Umaru Mohammed Bago, Femi Gbajabiamila and Nkiruka Onyejeocha. Gbajabiamila, from all indications, appear costing home to victory.

Meanwhile, the same cannot be said of Senator Ahmed Lawan, the APC party chairman, Adams Oshiomhole’s favorite for the job of senate president. At the moment, the race is predominantly between Muhammed Ali Ndume and Lawan. Lawan is from Yobe State while Ndume is from Borno State. The two states, incidentally, are from the North-East where the senate president position is zoned.

The Odds As They Stand

Lawan, one of the oldest, in fact, the oldest member in the coming 9th assembly, no doubt, has upper hand courtesy of the privilege he presently enjoys from President Buhari and the APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomole .

Lawan is Senate Leader, a privilege which gives him easy access to the executive and by extension, the President. Because of his accessibility to the executive, he can easily curry its support as he is presently doing. For these advantages, Lawan might not have any issue as to funding of his campaign. It is an open secret that if war chest determines who becomes the next Senate President, Ndume may as well throws in the towel. It is good for the executive to take interest in who preside over the National Assembly, as the legislature, in this clime, determines, to a large extent, how the executive functions and at what pace. So, it is very important for the executive to show more than interest in who it wants to work with. And through Oshiomhole, Lawan appears to be that person of interest.

Congratulations.

Ndume is presently seen as the underdog. Indeed, he is an underdog. After all, he is from Borno, “a son of nobody who knows

nobody to become somebody.’’ This is the phrase he uses all the time when he talks about himself. He is a ranking member having been in the Senate since 2011. Ndume may not have the war chest but, according to a source that is privy to the workings in the Ndume group, he has the support of his colleagues, all across party lines. One of the Senators who support him said: “This is the most important for us. Money is good, but integrity is better. Integrity is a byproduct of money.�

Ndume, before he found himself in the senate, was a member of the House of Representatives where he was Minority Leader of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. There, Lawan was also a member where he chaired committees on education and agriculture. At that time, they were in the same party, ANPP. Lawan was elected first into the senate 2007 before Ndume got the chance to come in 2011. The same son of nobody was elected into the office of the senate leader, before Lawan was appointed to the same position some two years later.

Shortly before the 8th assembly’s inauguration, a mock election was organised to choose who to represent the North-East where the senate leader’s position was zoned. In the mock election between Ndume and Lawan, Ndume won by 11 votes. Lawan scored two votes. It was the same Ndume, son of nobody that was appointed as Director, North-East of the Buhari Campaign Organization during the last general election. As it stands, Ndume is the most persecuted Senator in the 8th assembly. He was suspended because of his stand and support for the executive and party interest. His suspension arose because of his support for the executive and its appointed nominee in the person of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who the senate refused to confirm. It took the intervention of the judiciary for his suspension to be lifted and his salaries paid.

One of the things working for Ndume, sources say, is his preparedness for the office of Senate President. Shortly after he announced his interest, he printed and circulated across the country his 9-point agenda to be implemented if and when his colleagues found him worthy to lead them. His 9-point agenda, incidentally, coincides with the name 9th Assembly. Lawan is yet to give details of his work plan if and when he gets elected.

Another source said: “It is not about wanting to lead. It is about

Ndume preparedness. It is not about being pushed to do something. It is about having the capacity and capability to doing something.

Not only that; between the two, Ndume sponsored more bills. As a matter of fact, he sponsored more bills in the 8th Assembly that anyone else.�

Support for Ndume is increasing among the senators elect, because of his strength of advocacy for rule of law and being a proponent of justice and fair play.

Individual Attributes

Asurvey was conducted recently among the staff of the National Assembly as to suitability among the contenders for the senate president. Over 70 per cent preferred to have Ndume as presiding officer. His propensity to giving is second to none. His cheerfulness, according to the survey, endeared them to him. He can crack jokes to make a seemingly serious issue light. He is loved by everyone. His popularity even increased when he was slammed with suspension during the 8th assembly.

concluded online www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ΀˜ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

EXPRESSION MEDIAGAFFES

Grandmasters of Data Goof

T

HISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of June 1 welcomes us today: “UAE/ Nigeria relations strengthen as trade volume hits $1.2bn, says envoyâ€? The relations did not strengthen by themselves— they were strengthened by both countries’ citizens’ activities. We should not in the process of avoiding past tenses in headlines commit schoolboy howlers! Alternatively, the relations get boost or rev, etcetera From Super Saturday comes the next set of mistakes: “Mired in controversy and steeped in scandal (Mired in controversies and steeped in scandals), she doesn’t seem to give a hoot!â€? “I didn’t study Law because I wanted to practice (practise) itâ€? Noun: practice; verb: practise in Standard English. For Americanism, it does not matter—just like many other aspects of language imperialism by the US! DAILY Sun Front Page banner caption of June 3 takes over from THISDAY: “President Muhammadu Buhari (right) recieving (receiving) former Head of State‌.â€? If it were during the heyday of the old Daily Times under the quintessential leadership of Barrister Tony Momoh, the person who ‘okayed’ (authorized) this page for publication would have gone on suspension for at least two weeks. Meanwhile, happy 80th birthday, sir‌. “Congratulations to our illustrous (illustrious) son‌.â€? (Full-page advertorial by Awka Ancient Kingdom, DAILY SUN, June 3) “The Board, Management and Staff of the Corporate Affairs Commission heartily felicitates (felicitate) with Mazi‌on your (his—because the advertorial is not addressed to him, but the public) well deserved (well-deserved) election as the‌.â€? (Source: as above) “SON sensitises public on (to) dangers of gas cylinders, vessels usageâ€? “The entire people of Ugwuaji Community in Enugu South LGA‌inauguration to (for) a second term in office as the Executive Governor of Enugu Stateâ€? “We congratulate you for (on/upon) a well-deserved office‌.â€? “Dickson (Dickson’s) aide denies joining guber (governorship) raceâ€? (SOUTH SOUTH NEWS Headline, June 3) In formal/standard

publications/writings, you do not use a Nigerian creation like ‘guber’, among copious others. “Perm secs (what is this?) forum endorse (sic) Gov Bello� (AREWA NEWS Headline, June 3) An overhaul: Perm Scribes’ Forum endorses Gov. Bello “Stop politising (politicizing) military, Pentagon tells White House� “Grand masters (Grandmasters, preferably even as both are correct) of data, Globacom, has congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria, (otiose comma) for (again, on/ upon) successfully completing the 30-day Ramandan (Ramadan) fast.� (DAILY SUN, June 5, Page 39) An aside: A ‘grandmaster’ (countable noun) is a chess player of the highest ability, according to my dictionaries. So, is this apt for seamless and supersonic communication imagery? Just thinking aloud.

Nigerian TRIBUNE of June 1 circulated four major blunders: “President Buhari had always seized (taken) every opportuned (opportune) moment‌.â€? â€œâ€Śhad while being screened by the Senate as a ministerial nominee passed a vote of no confidence on (in) the nation’s two major anti-corruption agencies‌.â€?

Lastly from Oke-Ado, Ibadan: “It is such a wonderful innovation that it is surprising that it never occured to anybody until now.â€? Spellcheck: occurred. “StanbicIBTC’s gross earnings hits N32bn in Juneâ€? For lexical profitability: earnings hit. “TASUED alumni tasks‌on cult groupâ€?

(DAILY INDEPENDENT, June 1) Is it that most journalists do not read these days that juvenile errors keep recurring? Alumni association tasks, but alumni (plural) task. “New SANs to be sworn-in (sworn in) September 19� “Talks over minimum wage collapses (why?) again� “Independence of the press: From whom and for what?� (SUNDAY PUNCH, May 26) Get it right: From whom and what for (not for what?) “Lagos govt condoles victims of market fire�

Either condoles with or just console. “If you are one, who ordinarily shy (shies) away from challenges, then don’t bother meeting her.� (SUNDAY PUNCH Essence, May 26) The subject-predicate dislocation here

is preposterous. “Many women ruin their homes by keeping tabs on their hubbyâ€? (SATURDAY PUNCH, May 25) Emotional plurality: hubbies. “This, I believe, has been and should be the burning issues (sic) in the state.â€? “Access Bank (sic) asks court to wind-up oil firmâ€? (Source: as above) Right: wind up. “Curbing the increasing menace of destitutes on the streetsâ€? (SATURDAY TRIBUNE, May 25) Simply the destitute (not destitutes). “NCC arrests 13 in Benue over piracyâ€? I will arrest colleagues of mine shortly for lexical insensitivity. “Workers resume strike againâ€? Let us jettison ‘again’ from that headline to foreclose any industrial action. ‘Resumption’ cannot co-function with ‘again’. “Islamic banking will break-up Nigeriaâ€? Yet on this vexatious matter: phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation! So, break up the phrase. “The 2019 World Investment Report has indicated that Nigeria is presently enjoying FDI inflow‌.â€? (Nigerian Tribune Business, June 5) I do not understand this obsession with the inclusion of ‘currently’ and ‘presently’ in sentences that have structural currency encapsulated in ‘is’—and ‘enjoying’—in this instance. Therefore, Nigeria is enjoying‌. “The deployment of soldiers to serve in the Joint Task Force constituted to restore order in the beleaguered state‌.â€? The JTF and Boko Haram: restore order to (not in). “Why we deploy soldiers to Port Harcourt—Wikeâ€? The governor deploys soldiers in (not to) Port Harcourt. â€œâ€Śgathered to pay their last respect (respects) to legal icon‌.â€? “The three gentlemen were obviously having a great time walking almost hand in hand, trading banters over the unfolding drama among humans back on earth.â€? ‘Banter’ is uncountable. “It looks like the IMF is demanding for conditions likely to slow down the pace and the exercise.â€? Delete ‘for’. When used as a verb, ‘demand’ does not take ‘for’, except in the noun form. “Every decision of government is subjected to the magnifying lenses of interest groups that invariably include ethnic and geopolitical gladiators and champions of all manners

Buhari: ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ăœ

S

omeone called my attention early this week to a radio programme where this column’s last article was being read, or discussed.

It sounded strange to me, I didn’t know anyone on radio was interested in opinion columns. So, I tuned to 104.7 FM (even one hour after, I still didn’t get the station’s name!) and truly, the article was on, though halfway through. In a fairly well-groomed elocution, the female announcer read the piece to the very end... and two other editorials from two national newspapers. Well, that was novel. I hope to keep an eye (or ear, if you prefer) on that radio station.

Inspired by that verbal rendition of the dreamy quasiprophetic projections of our last effort, we are persuaded that the matter should be well and truly wrapped up...who knows, the person of our interest may uncharacteristically morph into the spirit and vision of the Buhari of my dream.

Well, this is hoping our desires will not be sabotaged by the efforts and ingenuity of Nigeria’s army of “fake news� inventors.

Corruption that virtually re-defined Buhari’s first tenure because of alleged lack of even-handed execution of punitive measures, has been revised, and is now supervised by a three-man supernumerary team whose powers and procedures have been speedily legalised by the National Assembly.

This new force, more or less, is some sort of “Special Investigator� or “Super Spy� that is infused with the constituent properties of Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), Major-Gen. Ishola Williams (rtd) and Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili (late) all rolled into one. It has the capacity to investigate any federal officers, including the President, or entities like EFCC, CCB, Nigeria Police, the Armed Forces, MDAs, etc, and bring the guilty to a quick, lawful and painstaking justice.

Incredibly, the new anti-corruption challenge is taken up by a more vigorous and proactive NASS, injecting fresh thoughts to obsolete regulations; dispensing and abrogating windy and easily exploitable administration of justice. Special Tribunals and similar fast-tracking measures are embarked by the rejuvenated and purpose-driven Assembly.

In fact, at the tail-end of the 100 days, the federal and state legislators have magnificently collaborated to chisel out

a process that will surely deliver a truly representative, sensitive and comprehensive review and multiple amendments to the Nigerian Constitution.

Most citizens watch in amazement at the remarkable camaraderie between the two arms of government, such that vigorous and developmental legislative work has given impetus to the new-found activism and focus of the Executive. Hitherto “no-go areas� have become the new lingo: referendum for self-determination, regional-state-and-localgovernment policing, devolution of powers, recalibration of the exclusive and recurrent legislative lists, collapsing of the national assembly into a unicameral chamber, ease of exposing and punishing corruption, prioritising education and healthcare, etc.

I cannot forget the litany of well-intentioned and precisely delivered Executive Orders. Many of the Orders titilate the hearts of the ordinary Nigerians, even when the anticipated results have not exactly manifested.

One of the most profound Orders involves the unbundling of the octopal Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC. Many of its subsidiaries which have reportedly become cesspit of high corruption, will be programmatically shaved off its mother-board in competitive mergers and acquisitions. This will allow new owners have majority control with an interventionist proviso that can be activated in the circumstance of overriding national interest. Incisive audits prior to public auction of NNPC have revealed stupendous graft, heinous pilfering and generational heists that set the country back in billions of US dollars, and several of our so-called upstanding and respected leaders - as far back as the nose can smell - have taken bunks in the recently commissioned minimum security prisons.

Before the 100 days are over, the now popular Buhari administration rekindles an instant and qualitative reward system for public servants and ordinary Nigerians with irrefutable reports of heroism, honesty and acts beyond the call of duty. Motivated by the sincerity and enthusiasm of government leaders, and the incredible gains of the first 100 days of Buhari’s second civilian administration, and realising that the leadership is fair, detribalised, purposeful, disciplined, hard-working, responsible, people-centred and law-abiding, Nigerians wake up daily to pray for their country and leader; genuinely go out of their ways to replicate the activism and sincerity of governance. They

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

(manner) of group interests.â€? “The efforts of the police command in identifying the dangerous areas and in alerting the residents is (are) acknowledged.â€? “The damages and loss of lives to NATO and Yugoslavia were unnecessary.â€? ‘Damage’ in this context is uncountable. “An agenda similar to that of Murtala/ Obasanjo regime was hurriedly packaged to cleanse the civil service in order to enhance performance and inculcate discipline into (in) our national life.â€? “Nigeria and the international community has (have) just celebrated this year’s World Literacy Day.â€? “Secondly, it’s (its) legal duty to advise on the....â€? “They have not yet established the full processes of their interaction in the chamber too, and the formality of procedures are now still (is still) being developed.â€? “The German African Project which was conceived as a cultural milieu between the two countries‌.â€? A review: between the countries.‌ “I wish the politicians, especially the elected ones, should feel the pause (pulse) of the people‌.â€? “Part of this quality sense concerns the debate on how best to eat a dish, with cutleries or with the ten fingers.â€? Would it have been nine fingers? ‘Cutlery’ is uncountable. “There has (have) been electoral programmes before, so what is different with this one.â€? “I am a product of a system which allowed a poor farmer-cum-fisherman’s son to go through the very best schools‌..â€? ‘Best’ has reached the end-point of intensification and cannot be inflected (by adding ‘very’). It is an absolutely superlative word. “During the heydays of Christian missionary activity in the southern parts of Nigeria, communities were actively involved in building schools.â€? Thoughts on education: ‘heyday’ is uncountable.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

criticise policies and actions constructively; they celebrate the positive, and disdain the negative. We, the people, become the mirror through which the world sees our leaders and country - we have become the bubbling, progressive spirit of the new Nigeria.

Now this: no one has ever been arrested or prosecuted for a still-born or failed dream...I shall not be held responsible for the non-manifestation of my “visions�, “dreams� or “figments� of my imagination. Be truthful, have you not added your own “dreams� or “wishes� while reading this?

It’s not your fault. We all want Nigeria to be great, peaceful and prosperous - in hard reality.

SNIPPET: We just like empty rhetorics in this part of the world...

We’ll say “government is a continuum�, yet when we change administrations, especially, inter-party switch, the entire superstructure of governance is excavated, new policies cranked up, and fresh faces installed. Yet, we serve the same long-suffering people.

If you think a Steve Ayorinde has been good for Culture and Tourism in Lagos State, for instance, why don’t you keep him for the benefit of your new administration?

Why the complete overhaul of high-end manpower every four years? To lubricate your “freedom�, or to “settle the boys�? Whatever, governance suffers, depreciates and totters. And the governed are the ultimate losers; most have not truly felt the presence of democracy besides the usual suffocation, threats, rumours of invasion and seizures and arrests by government officials.

The real “continuum� are the civil servants (faceless, lethargic and unelected) they make your inauguration day boasts turn to odourless gas, because you succumb to the expediency of African-style politics of attrition and patronage.

Here, the governing principle is: It’s my turn now, and no one must crash my parade.

Time to step up, please.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

POLITY Reengineering Bayelsa’s Education Story Powered by a compelling vision of preparing his folks for a future beyond petroleum exploration and exploration with its peculiar, opaque challenges, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State established the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (BYEDTF) as a structured, sustainable platform to anchor the states broad educational development strides and more. Stanley Nkwazema examines the innovation

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eering through the dark racial fog that defined his era, Nobel Peace Laureate and the first elected president of democratic South Africa, late Nelson Mandela, observed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

Mandela said: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”

Mandela’s deeply felt position on education will certainly strongly resonate with the biologist from the swamps of Otuoke, Bayelsa State and former President Goodluck Jonathan, who incidentally, is the Honorary Special Adviser on the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (BYEDTF).

Jonathan’s humble background and the towering national and international heights he achieved pivot on education.

Going forward, the life successes and story of the stubborn visionary who conceptualized BYEDTF, former parliamentarian and current governor of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Seriake Henry Dickson also pivot on education.

The former Science and Technology Minister, Professor Turner Isoun’s was appointed BYEDTF board chairman and will drive the vision of the Governor Dickson’s administration in its quest for academic excellence and human capacity building.

It is worth recalling that several years ago, Bayelsa State languished in the bottom half of states’ students’ performance chart in the West African Examination Council’s examination and other exams.

However, moving from the sad ‘laughing stock’ status and after investing heavily in the critical education sector - both in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, the state is now occupying an enviable 5th position in the latest chart released.

The huge investment in the education sector is worth acknowledging and has changed the narrative by establishing the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama and establishing model secondary schools in all the local government areas in the state.

The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund Board was established by Law in 2017. With a 14-member board composed of folks with broad knowledge and expertise in major fields of education, fund-raising, endowments, educational foundations, et cetera. The Fund will be used to drive academic excellence and human capacity building in the State and help prepare Bayelsans for a future without petroleum.

The board received N100 million as take-off grant from the state government.

It is worth recalling that Governor Dickson brilliantly engineered the establishment of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa Medical University, outside the Niger Delta University which was established before his administration, to increase the accessibility of Bayelsans to quality and affordable education.

Years ago, many doubted and questioned why the Bayelsa State House of Assembly would pass a bill establishing a new state-owned university when the existing Niger Delta University and other state-owned tertiary institutions could be further developed for optimal performance. Such a move was then thought to be irrelevant.

However, Governor Dickson in his usual unruffled and focused nature, calmed the storm and the fraying nerves by reassuring the citizens of the state that the University of Africa was being established to change the narrative of university education in the state and Nigeria, through a paradigm shift from a publicly funded university education to a Public-Private partnership, where the state contributes part of the funds and the private sector helps out with the other part. Now, skeptics are wiser.

Former President Jonathan saluted the efforts of the Bayelsa State governor in educational development observing that he had surpassed expectations and noting that the governor’s decision to deploy the tool of education for the development and emancipation of the society was the right way to go. He further stressed the initiative and landmark achievements of the governor would outlive his two-term tenure, especially with BYEDTF. According to Jonathan, incidentally a former teacher, “the efforts of the present administration is in line with his educational policy to wrest the Bayelsa child from the claws of illiteracy when he was governor in 2006”, noting that the Education Development Trust would drastically change the story of Bayelsa as a state that was once listed among disadvantaged states.

His added: “I appreciate what Governor Dickson is doing

Dickson regarding education. We all know that the only way you liberate and uplift a people is through education. From where I started as a child, if I didn’t go to school nobody would have known me outside my village. But today, l am known all over the world because I was able to go to school. So, supporting education is key.”

Indeed, Dickson had on March 31, 2017, signed the education trust fund bill into law, which made it compulsory for different categories of workers, including contractors and civil servants in Bayelsa, to pay education levies.

In June 2017, he inaugurated a 14-member board of the education trust fund chaired by a former Minister of Science and Technology, Turner Isoun. The board went to work and in February 2018, presented its first annual report to the governor, declaring a receipt of about N800 million out of which it spent N300 million, leaving a balance of N500 million.

Governor Dickson said, “We have also drastically reduced the number of out-of-school children by 90 per cent. Our model boarding schools, which today has over 10,000 students, mostly from poor indigent families on full government scholarships, is also one of the revolutions that has happened in that sector.

According to the governor, when the time comes, he would consult with Jonathan and other major stakeholders in Bayelsa State.

To mischievous detractors, Govrernor Dickson, for good measure clarified he is not fighting former President Jonathan over who emerges as the next governor in the state. The governor who disclosed this while reacting to recent reports of a serious friction between him and the ex-president said that when the time comes, he would consult with Jonathan and other major stakeholders on the candidate that will emerge on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform, He said: “Let me say that that events should have shown you there is no problem between us. Jonathan is my elder brother and my leader and will continue to receive his due respect.

We know what to do quietly. Even in this transition, if there is one person I am going to sit down with; it is going to be former President Jonathan. When I am ready after all these prayers, I will visit him because he is an elder and we will compare notes.”

While formally launching the trust fund in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson had appealed to Jonathan to use his influence to attract donations to the fund. On his part, Jonathan had while acknowledging that the investment in education was worthwhile explained that “Governor Dickson has done much higher than I projected in 2006 in terms of expansion of educational work. Today, let me also thank Governor Dickson for this initiative because most problems we have in governance is not scarcity of good ideas but how will that endure?

Jonathan said: “By setting up a board established by law has

made the Education Development Trust Fund endure beyond his eight years in office and that really has made me very happy and my foundation will continue to partner with this board.”

Dickson believes that his administration viewed investment in the education sector not as a burden but as a responsibility because of its far reaching impact on society, while recounting some of his achievements in the sector. He called on the private sector and all people of goodwill to support the education trust fund stressing that education must be seen as a collective responsibility of all.

To Dickson, lack of education was at the root of instability, militancy and insurgency urged multinational oil companies to emulate the Nigerian Army by adopting secondary schools already built by the state government while disclosing that the government had committed N80 billion to the development of educational infrastructure in Bayelsa in pursuit of the vision to create access to education in the state.

According to him, the state has 13 functional model secondary schools with about 10000 Young Bayelsans enjoying free education in quality boarding secondary school.

The governor also called on the multinational oil firms and stakeholders in the private sector to support the Bayelsa State Tertiary Education Loan Board designed to create access to indigent students to acquire tertiary education in the state. The State under his leadership had committed Five percent of its IGR to fund the board while also constituting a board for landmark programme which had made it easy for prospective applicants to access the funds to pursue higher education in the state.

His administration, he disclosed, was prioritising to educational development because that was the only way to equip the people to demand for their rights and fight oppression.

Chairman of the Education Development Trust Fund, Prof.

Turner Isoun, also assured donors of the judicious use of the funds as the books of the board are open to external auditing.

Isoun said the proceeds from the launch would be utilised for the provision of high quality and sustainable development of education for good as after investing heavily in the education sector both in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, the state is occupying an enviable 5th position in the latest chart released.

The huge investment in the education sector is worth acknowledging and has changed the narrative by establishing the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama and establishing model secondary schools in all the local government areas in the state and more.

With the sheer power of his actions, Governor Dickson is simply proving that there can be no better way of validating Mandela’s enduring insight that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

27

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

POLITY Thomas Ereyitomi

Let’s Come Together and Make Warri Federal Constituency Great Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, a traditional tittle holder in Warri Kingdom, Delta State, is the House of Representatives member-elect,forWarriFederalConstituency.FewdaystotheinaugurationoftheNationalAssembly,theAkatigbiAyeolaofWarriKingdom(a.k.a.Ojogbojo),andChairman,TombaResourcesLimited,akeyplayerinthedownstream sectoroftheoilindustry,grantedaninterviewtoselectjournalists,includingOlaoluwakitan Babatunde, andspoke extensively on his election and plans for his constituency, a major economic hub

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of these agitations are supposed to go to the government because NDDC for example, is an agency under the government. DESOPADEC is an agency of the state government, so more of these agitations are supposed to go to the government. The oil companies are doing their part, they are paying their tax, royalties and others, and they are also in partnership with the federal government on these projects, including funding of NDDC and other interventionist agencies. So it is the government that will develop the regions and not the oil companies. We can continue to agitate, but the focus of our agitation should be directed to government and not the oil companies.

ow do you feel about your victory at the polls?

I received my election with joy and excitement because it is a call to serve my people and the overwhelming majority of votes that I got in the election are a clear indication that the people wanted me to represent them this time around. But I have a message for them. They should all come together and stand solidly behind me so that whatever happens in Abuja, I will be relating with them regularly.

That unity of purpose is what is going to transform Warri Federal Constituency. If we are not united, we will not move forward. So we should all come together as one Warri Federal Constituency irrespective of our ethnic differences and work for the development of our area. On my part, I am going to relate with them and ensure that their inputs are taken into consideration in whatever we do at the Federal House of Representatives.

You contested the election with other persons, who lost to you. What is your message to them?

My message to them is that we should all work together as one.

The project we have at hand today is no longer about a political party or me. After an election, partisan politics is over, what follows is politics of development. We should all come together for the good and development of this constituency. Let us all come together so that we can share ideas and make Warri Federal Constituency great. I am extending a hand of fellowship to them because we are all brothers. Election is all about contest and in all contest, a winner must emerge, and now that I have emerged, it behoves on others to join hands with me to move the constituency forward. I can’t do alone. I need the backing, support and encouragement of my constituents.

What is going to be your focus in the National Assembly?

When I get to Abuja, the first action plan I have is to ensure that we have constructive engagement with our people because I am going there to truly represent them. So, when I engage with them, I am going to take their needs and inputs to Abuja. We have a lot of abandoned projects in the Warri Federal Constituency either from NDDC, DESOPADEC or the Federal Government.

In my own little way, I will ensure that these projects are given the needed attention. For example, the Koko/Ogheye road is a project that is very key to the Itsekiris and the Ijaws.

The Omadino/Escravos road is also key to our people. These are ongoing projects that are not adequately funded. So it’s crucial that these projects are adequately funded so that our areas can be opened. When these two roads are completed, our areas will be opened up. These are key projects that I will ensure are completed under my tenure. And I will also ensure that we have a standard Constituency office here in Warri, where our people can access me, because it is not everybody that can go to Abuja.

Using Warri Federal Constituency as a case study, are you satisfied with the

Ereyitomi living conditions of your people?

I am not satisfied, but that does not mean that a lot has not been done. In life, everybody wants to get the best but the best cannot come all the time. However, we will continue to improve on what we have on ground to strengthen various government agencies that we have around and ensure that the much needed development in this area is achieved.

If you look at it properly, one of the major problems is the absence of multinational oil companies in Warri. They all left this place.

Economic activities here have slowed down drastically because of these internal crises that we have amongst ourselves. These are key issues we need to address. One of the things we also want to do is to ensure that this environment is peaceful because it is only when the environment is peaceful that investors will come around and these companies will return to this area. But if investors do not come here to invest, then we will continue to stay like this. We need to create a peaceful environment in this area.

You are a key player in the Niger Delta region, you have been part of it, are you impressed with the performance of the NDDC so far?

No. In our area, NDDC has not done anything. Our people have not felt the impact of NDDC and these are the things we need to take up because the idea was that these agencies are to develop the oil producing communities in the Niger Delta region. I will give you an example. There is this shore protection contract in Ugborodo long ago that they have been awarded several times. Today, the contractor has abandoned the project because he has not been paid. That is the only tangible project embarked upon by NDDC, that the Ugborodo people can see, yet that it has been abandoned.

Apart from this project, if you go round our areas, you will not see any other NDDC project here. And when you look at Delta State, the Itsekiris are the highest producers of

oil and gas, followed by the Ijaws, the Urhobos and the rest. All these agitations you are seeing all over the place would not have been if NDDC was doing its work. Oil companies are being attacked because they are the only ones they are seeing. So NDDC has not done anything in our area and we are going to engage them to let know them know that they must be responsible to their duties. This is one of the issues I am going to take up because the only way we are going to have peace in this area is for NDDC to do what they are supposed to do. The pressure should not go to the oil companies because the oil companies are contributing to the NDDC. If there is too much pressure on the oil companies, they will have no choice but to relocate to a more peaceful area where they can work effectively.

And you know the outcome when these oil companies go? There will be extreme poverty in the area.

The federal government through the supervisory ministry should be able to compel NDDC to do what they are supposed to do. They also have to look at what NDDC is doing with the funds they are releasing to them. They also need to ask the NDDC where they are doing these projects. Has NDDC supervisors ever gone round these communities to find out if the projects are actually being executed? These are the things we are supposed to do and for us to do these, we need people who have the interest of the Niger Delta at heart to take charge of these intervention agencies. The problem we have here is lack of development. You cannot go to Abuja and come back here and be happy.

With all these agitations here and there, what is your advice to these youths spearheading the Niger Delta struggle?

My advice to our youths is that they need to be careful and find out other means of managing these problems so that there can be peace because if they continue to mount pressure on these companies and they leave, we are going to suffer the consequences. More

So you feel the oil companies on their own part are doing enough?

I think the major area the oil companies have failed our people is the area of employment. Our people need to be employed into these companies and I think they should look into this area. Apart from this, oil companies, for instance, Chevron is trying in terms of corporate social responsibilities because Chevron is funding the Global Memorandum of Understanding on yearly basis. The projects on ground in the various communities are basically what Chevron has done under the GMoU. Let me give you an example, the GMoU that Chevron has with about 23 communities, if you go to the communities; it is those projects under the initiative that are seen in the communities. I am glad to note that Shell is trying to borrow a leaf from that. But like an Oliver Twist, we are always asking for more.

As a representative of your people, are you likely to intervene on behalf of your people on this unemployment issue?

Yes, this is part of the things I am going to do when I get to Abuja. My own approach is that we should have a win - win situation.

We should approach the issues in such a way that the communities can benefit and the oil companies can also relax and do their job. We should not be aggressive because it will not help us. The aggressive approach was the one we used that made Shell to relocate from our areas. So my approach is engagement in a round table so that everybody will be happy because it is only when the company is working that we can talk about employment.

Shell is working well in Port Harcourt and the people there are benefiting even though Shell is still taking our oil from here.

Are you satisfied with the implementation of the local content law in the oil industry?

The only thing we can say about the local content law is that it has been able to discourage a lot of expatriates, who come to take our jobs. With the local content, no expatriate can come and take a contract that the local contractors can handle. But one thing it has not been able to solve is that a company in Kano and other states can come to Delta and take the contracts meant for the local contractors away.

So in the real sense, the local content law has not been effective in implementation. But then a system is all about improvement and we need to improve on it. The first thing is that it has been able to keep some jobs for Nigerians to do. But deep down, we also have to ensure that it provides jobs for the locals too.

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

POLITY

Kwara APC Stakeholders Support Lai Mohammed’s Reappointment Hammed Shittu

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ho will take the slot of Kwara State at the Federal Executive Council when President Muhammadu Buhari constitutes his cabinet for the second term? The race has commenced in earnest, with many jostling for the position.

While the former Minister of Information and leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is still very much interested in the position, there are other members of the Kwara APC that are nursing their ambition underground. They are all working to garner support from the National Working Committee of the APC and, particularly, from President Buhari.

However, Lai Mohammed remains the aspirant to beat and he looks likely to represent the state in the next federal executive council. With his credentials and exposures in governance and at party level, no doubt, he is fit to take the slot of Kwara State at the federal executive council. Lai Mohammed was outstanding while in office and deserves to be reappointed as a member of the federal executive council.

Mohammed, who hails from Oro town in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, once contested for the governorship position of the state on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003 and was part of the struggle for the ‘liberation’ of the state. He was the arrowhead of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2007 when Dele Belgore SAN was the main opposition gubernatorial candidate, but the party also lost.

Mohammed has indeed been the arrowhead of Kwara opposition parties before fortunes smiled on

them in the last general election.

The victory of the APC in Kwara State is not unconnected with the political prowess of Lai Mohammed. The party cleared all the elective positions in the state. With the success of the APC in Kwara state, Mohammed has indeed proved to the stakeholders and the bookmakers that he has what it takes to successfully control men and resources to political victory. The feat, which was the strategic plan of Mohammed, has continued to add to the political status of the politician.

However, as part of support for his reappointment as a member of the Federal Executive Council in the second term of President Buhari, a pressure group from his Irepodun Local Government Area of the state recently held a press conference where they analysed the major contributions and performances of Mohammed to the development of the state, APC and the country in general.

Aspiring Filmmakers Invited As MTF Academy Entry Closes In Eight Days Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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oung Nigerians seeking to carve a niche in the African film and television industry are been invited to register for the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy as entry for the 2019 classes closes

on June 14.

Launched in May 2018 as part of MultiChoice’s ground-breaking Corporate Shared Value (CSV) initiative, the programme offers a one-year full scholarship

to aspiring filmmakers within the ages of 18 – 26 years who possess either some industry experience or a relevant postschool qualification in filmmaking.

Successful students will go on to hone their skills in television and film production under the guidance and mentorship of several industry experts, including Mr. Femi Odugbemi, who is the Academy Director of the West Africa Academy located in Lagos.

The students will take part in MTF Masterclasses, which are industryspecific classes targeted at upskilling the industry, as well as reap the fruits of the

additional ground-breaking partnership between the MTF Academy and the world-renowned New York Film Academy College of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA), which was announced in April.

They will also be opportune to work on the production of some of the most popular TV shows in the country, including Africa Magic’s hit series Tinsel, Battleground and Flatmates among other productions, as enjoyed by the Class of 2018. To register, visit MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) and get on track to become a future TV or film star.

The group, APC Elders Forum, urged Buhari to retain Mohammed, in the second term of the APC-led federal government. Led by Dr. Hezekiah Oyedepo, they said that, “Mohammed has carved a niche and justified his former appointment to retain it in the second term of the APC-led federal government.”

The group recalled that the minister worked in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure the victory of the APC in Kwara State, in the general election. Oyedepo noted that the former APC National Publicity Secretary, as minister, attracted numerous projects to the people of the state.

Oyedepo pleaded with the leaders of the party to prevail on the President to see that Mohammed retained his position in the federal executive council.

“Due to the demonstrable and inherent usefulness of our son, Lai Mohammed, to his party, the Federal and State Government, the fact that God has used him to deliver Kwara State from the clutches of the wicked into the fresh air of APC, Lai Mohammed should be retained as a Minister.

“We appeal to the authorities, particularly the President, Vice President, National Chairman of APC, National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all other authorities concerned to retain our son as a member of a new cabinet to be constituted by President Buhari in the next cabinet.

“Alhaji Lai Mohammed is our son, an illustrious son for that matter. We cherish him in Irepodun LGA of Kwara State. We are proud of him and proudly associate with his achievements,” Oyedepo said.

Also, a group, Kwara South Youths Agenda said that Mohammed has all its takes to be returned as minister for a second time in view of his contributions to the electoral success of APC in the country, and in the state in particular.

However, a statement issued in Ilorin by the group’s chairman and secretary, Mr. Yusuf Muideen and Comrade Soliu Hameen, respectively, took a swipe at the Kwara South APC elders forum that had castigated the minister recently, describing their action as a self-serving agenda.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Former President, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Mr. Sunday Akintola; Deputy General Manager - Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Shittu Shuaib; Chairman, Momas Electricity Metering Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL), Mr. Kola Balogun; and Chairman, Academic Board, Momas Metering School Mr. Isaac Olorunfemi, during the graduation of the first set of student of the Metering School, held at the training school, Orimerunmu, Mowe, Ogun State... recently

L-R: Sales rep PAN Nigeria Limited, Nurudeen Njidda; General Manager, Strategy and Marketing, Bawo Omagbitse; and Head of Marketing, PAN Nigeria Limited, Shepuya Icha, at the world movie premiere of Kunle Afolayan’s movie ‘MOKALIK’ at Terra Kulture theatre, Victoria Island, Lagos... recently

L-R: Coordinator, Highway Sanitation (East), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Tayo Abosede; Assistant Director, Adewunmi Adetona; Founder, Kids Beach Garden, Doyinsola Ogunye; Public Affairs and Communications Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Ekuma Eze; and Public Affairs Manager (Lagos/West), Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Ifeoma Okoye, during the Clean-Up exercise organised by NBC to mark the 2019World Environment Day in Lagos... recently SUNDAYADIGUN

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Adedayo Tandoh; Chairman, Lagos State Sports Trust Fund (LSSTF), Otunba Femi Pedro; and Executive Secretary, LSSTF, Olaposi Ogunbiade, during a news conference by LSSTF in Lagos... recently KOLA ALLI

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

08.06.2019

NEWS

Beyond A Friendly Game

Bobby Adekanye Lazio Dream Comes True

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Bobby Adekanye Lazio Dream Comes True

With ďŹ rst team action far between at Liverpool, Nigerian-born winger Bobby Adekanye has never hidden his intention to move away from AnďŹ eld and join Serie A side, Lazio. His wish has come to pass as he is set to be unveiled by the Roman giants

B

ack in March, Liverpool youngster Bobby Adekanye said he would not sign a new contract and wants to leave, with Lazio and Barcelona report-

edly among those interested.

The 20-year-old winger, who joined the Reds from Barca’s La Masia academy in 2017 but has struggled with injury, said he was disappointed with a lack of first-team opportunities and that he was not included on their pre-season

tour to the USA. “I expected that I would get a chance at Liverpool sooner.

Before I came, we talked about it. They said that if I had a good first season, I had a good chance of joining the firstteam,� he said. “Due to injury, that did not

come true. I had to undergo surgery at the start of my second season and then it is difficult to return. “Jurgen Klopp spoke to me and gave me tips. He said ‘keep doing your thing’. But in the end, I don’t think I

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Adekanye outpaces an opponet

appeared in his plans. If so, I have to look for something else. That is disappointing and it has helped me not to renew my contract.�

Reports in Italy then claimed Adekanye has been offered a five-year contract to move to Lazio in Serie A, but the player insists that nothing is done with any club and there are other options - including a return to Catalonia. “That it would be completed with Lazio is not at all the case,� he said. “It’s not over yet. It is one of the clubs that is interested, but it is not yet

100 per cent decided. I also heard from Barcelona, in the Netherlands Willem II came by. I can’t name the entire list of clubs now, because then we will be busy tomorrow. But there is interest from, among others, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. “In the summer I am going to talk about it with my family and business manager Junior Minguella, I am not worried that I have no club.�

However, Adekanye had agreed a four-year deal with Lazio and is set to be unveiled as a player of Italian Serie A

club Lazio.

The former Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam wonderkid has rejected a new three-year deal from European champions Liverpool and will leave the Premier League side as a free agent after opting not to renew his contract with the Reds because he was not guaranteed first-team opportunities by manager Jurgen Klopp. ‘’Bobby is going to Lazio, the deal is 85-90 per cent completed. There are a few things to be ironed out before the transfer becomes official, ‘’ a top source close to Adekanye said. ‘’He has one leg in Lazio and will sign a four-year contract.

He is happy with Liverpool but the coach did not give him a chance the way he was giving chances to other players.’’ The 20-year-old Adekanye watched the final of the Coppa Italia between Lazio and Atalanta last month.

Before now, his agent has hinted that the future of his client may be in Italy, with the midfielder due to leave the Anfield club this summer.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, his representative said: “Adekanye still hasn’t decided on his future, but we are close to an agreement. You’ll know in the next few weeks.�

When asked whether the reports on Lazio making a move for the player were true, he added: “They showed interest and a good project for Bobby. Contacts started a bit over a month ago. He’s very interested in playing in Italy, very happy about Lazio’s

interest and the possibility of playing there.�

The former Ajax and Barcelona youngster made it clear that he needs to leave Liverpool to get more first team chances elsewhere, with the wide man never having made an appearance for the club’s senior side, and Lazio are keen to bring him in on a free transfer.

Adekanye has pace, power and plenty of quality on the ball as well as the ability to play on both the left and right hand side of the attack.

Adekanye has shone for Liverpool’s U-19s and U-23s but had not yet made the step up “I talked to the sporting director, Igli Tare. He thinks that I can become a good player and that coming to Lazio could be a good choice for my career.

I am following all the Biancocelesti matches. In Serie A I could enhance my qualities because I like to attack,� he noted.

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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Ahead of AFCON

Nigeria vs Zimbabwe: Beyond A Friendly Game As Super Eagles will be putting a ďŹ nal preparation in its quest of doing well at the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Egypt with a friendly game against the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Kunle Adewale reports that the encounter would be more than a friendly as it would decide the fate of some players to the land of the Pharaohs

Super Eagles in training

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hen Nigeria’s senior national football team Manager, Gernot Rohr announced Super Eagles’ 25-man provisional list for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) billed for Egypt there were divergent opinions over some of the names on list by soccer loving Nigerians and football analysts alike.

Most of the arguments are based on the fact that some of the invited players are suffering from loss in form, while others had not tasted action for their clubs in a while and are therefore match-rusty and not fit to be included in the party to Egypt.

Some of these arguments would be put to test today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, when the Super Eagles take on the Warriors of Zimbabwe in what is perhaps the team’s last international friendly game before embarking to Egypt, where the team will also play Senegal in a warm-up friendly in Ismailia on June 16.

Rohr indeed disclosed that the final list of players to represent the country in Egypt would be released after the tune up game against Zimbabwe today in Asaba, while assuring the players that they have equal opportunity to make the team, adding that the

technical crew would use the match against Zimbabwe to assess them, “I have to assess the players in training and also make my final conclusion after giving the players the chance to play against Zimbabwe before picking my 23 players for the AFCON. The Nations Cup would be tough and only the strongest and fittest team have the chance to win the championship. “To achieve this, the Super Eagles need to be exposed in rigorous training two times a day. They would train in the morning, afternoon and evening to keep them fit for the challenges ahead. Every player would be given equal chance to prove himself,� he declared.

The German tactician has concerns over the likes of Leon Balogun and Kelechi Iheanacho, who saw relatively little playing time at their Premier League clubs – Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City respectively this past season. “I want to see a lot of players who are not playing so much, give them the opportunity to play. It can be for some defenders like Balogun, he is fit but he didn’t play so much, so we want to see him playing on Saturday and also some players like Kelechi who didn’t play at all, so we want to see him play on Saturday,� Rohr told reporters in Asaba.

Speaking further he said “We have to be very fit because of high temperature in Egypt which is between 30 to 40 degrees centigrade and it will be difficult to recover. That is why we have to prepare very well. Our first match is against Burundi and we have to beat this team. We have in our group two teams who are newcomers because they have never been to the AFCON before. “It is not going to be easy playing against them because they will have enthusiasm.

Guinea also has a very good team. We have to come out of this group and try to be in the round of 16 and quarter finals. We have a lot of games to play and we are ready for that.�

Describing the integration of Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi into the team as “natural� he said “the players are happy to see him and he has been working very hard.�

Of the 25 players invited by Rohr for the final phase of the preparations, only defender William Ekong arrived on Thursday.

Defender Abdullahi Shehu and forwards Ahmed Musa and Alex Iwobi arrived the team’s Golden Tulip Hotel just before lunch on Wednesday, while forward Odion Ighalo, top scorer in the entire qualifying campaign, was expected on Wednesday night.

Rohr however admitted that Troost-Ekong will not be ready for the game, � He (Troost-

Ekong) will not make it for the friendly game against Zimbabwe. We expect him to arrive soon but he won’t be ready for the game on Saturday,� Rohr said.

After today’s game, the Nigeria contingent will fly to Egypt on Sunday aboard a chartered aircraft, for another week of intensive strategy and tactics perfection.

The NFF must submit the final list of 23 players to the Confederation ofAfrican Football

by Tuesday, June 11.

Meanwhile, a 26 –man delegation of the senior national team of Zimbabwe landed in Nigeria on Thursday night aboard a SouthAfricanAirways flight, ahead of today’s pre-AFCON sendforth international friendly with the Super Eagles.

The Zimbabwe delegation spent Thursday night in Lagos, and flew to Asaba on Friday morning. On Friday evening, the Warriors held their official training session at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

Zimbabwe will campaign in Group A of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in Egypt June 21 –July 19, alongside host nation Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Nigeria is the seeded team in Group B that also has Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar.

The Warriors will actually kick off the tournament against hosts Egypt at the Cairo Stadium on the night of June 21.

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Super Falcons

Super Falcons Set to Tackle Norway in Female W’Cup The Super Falcons of Nigeria will begin their quest to surpass their best performance in the FIFA Women’s World Cup-a quarter ďŹ nal berth at the 1999 edition as they take on Norway in the second match of Group B. The Falcons say they are in the mood and spirit to take all three points o the Grasshoppers of Norway in Reims today

O

ne of only seven teams to have made it to every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the inaugural competition in 1991, the Falcons have made it out of the group stage only once previously, and that was 10 years ago.

A 2-1 defeat of North Korea and 2-0 win over Denmark, on either side of a 7-1 roasting by Team USA, steered the African champions to the quarter finals, where they came back from three goals down to draw with Brazil before losing by the golden goal in extra time.

Nigeria’s closest walk to the knockout rounds since then was Germany 2011, where they lost by the odd goal to both France and Germany and then defeated Canada by the odd goal.

Midfielder Ngozi Okobi told thenff. com: “It is true that we have not really pulled our weight at the FIFA World Cup before now. But I can say we have the team to do that here in France. The NFF has done well by ensuring good preparation for the team, with the tournaments that we played. “A lot is hanging on the first match against Norway. If we are able to get a good result, then we will take it from there.�

Norway comes into the encounter with the mindset that they should be able to steamroll the African champions. Only last week, the Grasshoppers hammered another African representative, South Africa 7-2 in a friendly. And going back 24 years, at the second edition of the FIFA World Cup staged by Sweden, Norway lashed Nigeria 8-0 in a group stage encounter in Helsinborg.

Head Coach Thomas Dennerby is asking his girls to take it one match at a time

and develop a positive mindset about the finals. “A positive mindset is key to what we are here for. You must believe in yourselves and have confidence in what you can do here. You must give it your best,� he told the players after Thursday’s training session at the Stade Jean Boucton in Reims.

A good number of the Nigerian mainstream play their club football in the Scandinavia region, to which Norway belongs. These include defender Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere and Faith Michael, midfielders Rita Chikwelu, Ngozi Okobi, Ogonna Chukwudi and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards Anam Imo and Rasheedat Ajibade. These players should, indeed, have a very good idea of how Norway will set up and activate at the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Saturday night.

Pacy forward Asisat Oshoala, who has sealed a permanent move to FC Barcelona Ladies, was on Wednesday appointed team assistant captain. The top scorer and most valuable player of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2014 has extra motivation to take the finals in France by storm.

Apart from sponsoring the team to preparatory tournaments in China, Cyprus, and Spain, capped with a two –week residential camping at the Avita Resort in Austria, the Nigeria Football Federation beefed up the team’s technical crew, with the appointment of Per Harlsson as conditioning coach and Matti Demegard as video analyst.

In China, the African champions played two matches, losing to the host nation but defeating Romania. In Cyprus, they lost to Belgium and Austria but defeated Thailand and Slovakia. In Spain, they narrowly lost to the Canadian national team.

While in Austria, they defeated Hungarian top division club Viktoria and also defeated a Slovenian top club, Pormuje.

Today’s encounter between Nigeria and Norway starts at 8pm.

GROUP B

France S/Korea Nigeria Norway TODAY

Nigeria v Norway

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GLOBAL SOCCER Edmond Ajoge

After 5 Years of International Tennis Tournament, I’m Better Informed

It has been ďŹ ve years since what started as an experiment international tournaments in Abuja with over 40 African and other foreign players hitting the courts of the Abuja Stadium. Each year the foreigners spend at least three weeks in Nigeria competing for the much-needed points that could take them to greater heights in the game of tennis. It was exciting speaking with Edmond Ajoge who took time out to go down memory lane and the joy of having a stadium ‘homeboy’ compete and take on a much-established European players to three sets for points before bowing out gallantly.

Stanley Nkwazema brings excerpts

Abina Omololu Primary School celebrating their victory

Yakmut Billed for NSSM 2019 Conference Aformer director at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Alhassan Yakmut, will deliver the Keynote Address at the 2019 National Conference of the Nigeria Society for Sports Management (NSSM) scheduled for the Lagos State University, Ojo, from June 25 to 28.

The annual conference which has as theme ‘Reengineering sports for economic empowerment and sustainability through global business practices in Nigeria’ would see Yakmut, who is currently Secretary, Board of Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prison Services at the Ministry of

Interior, take an overview of how the business aspect of sports can be explored in the best interest of the sector.

Among the sub-theme topics to be addressed include ‘developing premium brands in sports organisations in Nigeria’, ‘policy adjustment and sports organisations’ performance in Nigeria’, ‘redirecting Paralympic sports for economic empowerment of athletes in Nigeria’ and ‘security and crowd management for effective sports business’.

Deputy Director, School Sports Division at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr. Simon Efosa Ebhojiaye, and

Vice Chairman/CEO of Pitchtree Communications Limited, Mr. GboyegaOkegbenro, will also be the lead paper presenters at the four-day event.

Participants expected at the conference, which has LASU Vice Chancellor as Chief Host and LASU dons professors Y.A. Akinkuotu and O.A. Akeredolu as co-hosts, include professors in physical education, health education, recreation, sports and dance in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as states’ sports directors, secretaries, coaches and physical and health education teachers in the public and private secondary schools across Nigeria.

Abina Omololu Primary School Wins FAB - 5 - Football Challenge Abina Omololu Primary SchoolfromSurulerehasemerged champions of the FAB 5-Aside Football Challenge after the team defeated Saint Stephens Primary School, Lagos Island in the final at the Campos Stadium, Ajele, Lagos Island. The 5- Side football competition, which has been expanded to attract secondary schools and football academies, attracted participants from the six education districts of Lagos state.

In the newly introduced Junior secondary category, Epetedo junior high school defeated Boys Junior Academy by two - nil to win the event while Isale Eko Girls Junior Schools defeated Girls Junior Academy 3-1 on penalties after the match edned barren draw in regulation time.

Intheacademycategory,Soccer City pipped Young Strikers by a lone a goal while FAB 5 All Stars

record the same scoreline against FC Barcelona Academy to win the Under 15 novelty match.

FC Barcelona Academy Under 13 avenged the defeat suffered by their seniors as they recorded 2-0 win FAB 5 All Star.

The competition which was used to celebrate the children and their teachers gave participants opportunity to exhibit their talents and be discovered as the event was encouraged participants to combine academics with sports while the sponsor, Rite Foods gave outstanding individual players with cash to support the tuition.

Ikotun Kehinde ofAbina Omololu Primary School, retained the most valuable player MVPaward while the captain of Epetedo Junior High School, Alli Abubakar, won the Bigi MVPaward to make history as the first winners of the

new category.

Mary Odunuga of Marketing Communications, Rite Foods said theFAB5providedagreatavenue for the company to encourage kids to live their dreams and be the best they can be. “Its all about the kids and Rite Foods is pasionate about investing in the future of Nigeria and that’s the children. Anything that the children are passionate about, we are also passionate about and that why this edition of FAB 5-Aside, it was a non issue for us, we knew that we needed to be a part of it. It was a wonderful event and the children had a lot of fun and that we are all about, making sure that while they learn and exercise their muscles, doing what they love, playing football, we are there to give necessary support for their growth and their success too� Odunuga said.

Liverpool Fans Celebrate Champions League Triumph at Heineken House At the blast of the final whistle which brought the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League to an end, fans of Liverpool Football Club erupted in volcanic excitement as their team clinched the coveted trophy for the sixth time in their history.

International premium beer brand, Heineken who has sponsoredthepopularfootballleaguefor 20yearsheldanexclusivescreening for football fans and enthusiasts at the all new upgraded Heineken Houseaspartofits#UNMISSABLE campaign which began early this year.Thevenuehostedhundredsof fansfrombothcompetingclubsand some neutrals who were lucky to receive an invitation to be part of

the exclusive experience.

Tinuke, a software analyst and Liverpool fan couldn’t contain her excitement as she praised the Merseyside team for clinching victory saying; “I am very happy tonight because my team won this match.

We worked really hard for it and we deserve it. I was very nervous going into the game but after we scored the early goal, I became a little more relaxed.�

Another fan, George Uzi, thanked Heineken for the opportunity to watch the finals at the Heineken House saying; “Heineken has done great by creating this space for football lovers like myself to enjoy this

game. I’ve had lots of food and drinks today and I’m going to party hard now because my team deserves to win�.

Heineken has sponsored the UEFA Champions league for over 20 years running. During the just concluded season, the brand did a tour of the UCL trophy, in April accompanied

by FC Barcelona Legend, Carles Puyol. There were also a number of match viewings in some locations across the country during match days and seven lucky fans were taken on an all expense paid trip to watch the second leg of the semi-final - the famous Liverpool Barca game live at Anfield.

How is the journey so far?

This is the 5th edition and the journey has been very interesting.

Of course, it’s been one challenge or the other but so far so good it’s been good and nice. I have said it, every opportunity I have had, I actually got into this because of the fact that I saw a tournament in Abuja that I felt was not properly organised. It was a local championship. And I felt the standard wasn’t good enough, that we could do better than that.

That was how I got involved in it and we have done our bit in the last five years to showcase how good we are as a people. How things could be done properly in a country like ours and the kind of support and encouragement we have had from all the players I have been visiting is always very encouraging and so far, so goodwehaveachievedouraims.

First it was Tombim, then Dayak and now GSL is in its third edition, are we moving forward?

It is such an amazing experience I won’t lie to you because when I started five years ago, I was not even sure we were going to come this far. We thank God this is the 5th edition, this year Dayak will be having the 4th edition too and GSL the 3rd edition. That shows there’s been consistency and quite a few people are talking to us too that they want to do theirs. The support and encouragement from friends and tennis lovers have been very encouraging and high and that’s one of the reasons why we have had successful tournaments in the last five years. We have lots of volunteers that are our friends and some of them are our well-wishers. They all come around and give their little support here and there which makesthetournamentaccording to the players, their parents and some of the coaches as one of the best tournaments in the circuit.

Attitude of local players; they lack discipline but the motivation is there they don’t want to cash in on the support they’ve been getting from people who are tennis enthusiasts and even people from outside the tennis environment. Does it not sadden you that we have not gotten anyone who has reached the finals after all these years we’ve been hosting this competition inAbuja with all the encouragement and with all the facilities we have turned around.

Let’s be frank here. The truth is, as a human being you can’t have it rosy in every facet of your life. Like you know because you are a tennis player too, we have done our bit. We brought the tournament here for Nigerian players to have opportunities to earn themselves points. Some of them took advantage of it. Most of them are not doing that. But inasmuch as we are not happy with their attitude, we won’t stop doingwhatwearedoingbecause we know a lot of people are benefitting, good tennis for people to watch, it helps our people to relax and it makes the younger

very sad and heartbreaking when you go anywhere else in the world and you hear them talk about Nigeria. We are all Nigerians and there is nothing we can do about that.

This is our own little quota to change the wrong impressions they have about our country and we have been doing that and doing it well. Yes, the few government persons that have been here have as far as we are concerned, supported us and are supporting us.

Ajoge

ones look up to some people and feel that okay, maybe, someday I could be this good. I could get as far as these guys in ATP tennis.

But you see there is one particular thing that happened this year that has been a good thing.

Something we can all celebrate.

Five years ago, when we started one of our ball boys then Musa Mohammed played this year, so far, that has the best match of the championship. By the best I mean a match that was very tough. It had every spectator in the stadium abandon all the other matches including the foreign players were all glued to the match being played by Musa. The support Musa had was because he’s one of the indigenes of the stadium.

What I mean by indigene of the stadium is that this guy may not have been born in the stadium but has lived all his life in the stadium.

So, for one of us to get as far as that is something worth celebrating.

He got a wild card and made very good use of it. Thirdly, we are hoping and praying that I will give him more opportunities to exhibit his skills and all. All the officials were glued to his match. That goes to show you how interesting that match was even though he lost at the end of the day but he gave a very good fight. It was not a straights loss as they played the third set before he bowed out.

How about turning around dilapidated and abandoned facilities?

Outside the players and the investment on the coaches and officiating officials, we have turned around the courts and every year before the tournament started to commit a lot towards making it one of the best courts we can think about, to meet at least the required standard for this kind of courts. We are of the opinion that government should not be part of sports. Individuals and corporate organisations should take over sports and run it the way its run everywhere else in the world. We have not been getting the kind of support we are expecting but as far as I am concerned every single year we try to invite one or two government persons here and a few of them that have been here were actually encouraged and full of praises and they appreciate the fact that we are giving our country a very good name because every single player that has been here has always had something good to say about Nigeria. Which is something we are very proud of because it’s always

What are you doing about changing the face of ofďŹ ciating?

I think it is the case of changing the way we do things because as they usually say if you are doing something in a particular way and getting a particular result and you keep doing it you will always get the same result. But if you want to change it you have to do it differently so that you can get a different result. We have done what they were doing in officiating for so long and we were not getting the right results, so we sat and agreed that we should get more educated people, more people that are doing well in their chosen careers, we should get them into officiating and see how it works.And I think it was a very good decision that we took by bringing in these people, we have a Group Captain in the Nigerian Airforce as one of the officials, We have a PhD holder, we have captains of industry, we have all manner of people now officiating and that is why everything is changing.

People are more confident; they are not looking at the money anymore they are just looking at adding value to what is being done and to me that is the ultimate and that’s why we have the caliber of officials we have now. Going forward they have seen the advantage of this and I am sure they are going to do more of that by getting people that are educated into officiating in Nigeria and the same thing we are trying to push into coaching.

We have been talking about it when opportunities come now and they have to train coaches we are thinking they should look at people who have gone to school, graduates preferably so that it is easy for them to learn and know the rules of the game, adapt to the dynamics because when you have people who are not educated as coaches, they find it very difficult to understand what the rules are saying and unfortunately for all of us, the rules change every day. So, you need people who are up there so that when the rules are changing, they can always change too and get to know what the new styles are so that they can impart that knowledge in their players.

But like they say, Rome was not built in a day. We will keep trying and hopefully we’ll get there someday

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hen Leon Balogun had his first Premier League berth for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Week Two 3-2 win against Manchester United, the Nigeria international felt his dream had finally come true. However, by the end of the season, he is yet to establish himself as the preferred central defender of the Seagulls and with the Africa Cup of Nations just around the corner, Balogun would be hoping to bounce back with the biennial competition.

Super Eagles Boss Gernot Rohr has stated that he wants to give players short of domestic minutes a much-needed run-out which includes Balogun, who had struggled for opportunities with the Seagulls in the just-concluded season.

He last featured in the FA Cup replay at West Brom on February 6, when his blunder gifted the hosts a goal.

Rohr said: “I want to see a lot of players who are not playing so much, give them the opportunity to play. It can be for some defenders like Balogun, he is fit but he didn’t play so much, so we want to see him playing on Saturday.�

When Balogun moved to Premier League side, Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer after nine years of playing in the German League, he admitted it would not be a walk in the park donning the colours of the Seagulls as he has to fight for shirt with the two central defenders already in the club fold- Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.

However, his opportunity came earlier than he expected as he came in as a substitute in just two weeks into the Premier League against Manchester United.

Balogun indeed expressed delight with his home debut for Brighton and Hove Albion after he shone brilliantly for the homers. “Thanks everyone (Brighton and Hove Albion) for the warm welcome. Couldn’t really have wished for a better debut in the EPL, beating Manchester United at home!,�

Balogun tweeted.

The Nigerian international, who spent the last three seasons at Mainz, believed the Premier League would be faster than the Bundsliga - but when he shared his thoughts with his teammates, “they told me this is always the kind of game you play against United. They like to slow it down a little bit sometimes.�

Balogun indeed said he was surprised by Manchester United’s slow football, admitting he expected that the Premier League would be faster than the Bundesliga, although his observations about United’s attacking approach probably revealed more about JosĂŠ Mourinho’s (the then former United Manager) methods than the overall state of English football. “I had expected the Premier League to be quicker, but they told me this is always the kind of game you play against United. They like to slow it down a little bit sometimes,â€? the Nigerian defender said.

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton was indeed delighted with Balogun’s debut performance and he was impressive as Brighton recorded their first win of the campaign. “In Balogun, you have someone you know won’t be phased. He’s played at a very good level and played in the World Cup this summer,� Hughton said.

Balogun’s central defence partner, Shane Duffy said he was delighted with Balogun, saying, “He’s fitted straight in. He’s a big character in the changing room. He’s got a big voice. He’s played with big players in big games. That’s why you bring in players like that. They push us. He was great. That’s another plus for us, that strength in depth with top players. You pick up injuries and suspensions so you need these kinds of players to step in.�

However, with the season fast winding up, the Super Eagles remain just a fringe player in the relegation battling team.

Balogun hasn’t made the sort of impact envisaged at Brighton. The Nigerian was expected to stroll into Chris Hughton’s team after joining on a free transfer from Mainz in 2018. At the end of the Premier League season, he’s started just five matches.

Despite an incredible career that has spanned over a decade, Balogun would have still felt like a little boy when he heard of Brighton’s interest last summer. England is favourite destination for African football tourists, especially Nigerians.

For Balogun, it was a first-hand experience. The Bundesliga was all he knew. Born in Berlin to a Nigerian dad, the 30-year-old took his first footballing lessons at hometown club, TĂźrkiyemspor Berlin. He then practiced his craft at five other Deutschland sides, including Werder Bremen.

The Premier League is different. There’s more cash, quality players, odds and managers as well as better coverage. Balogun

Leon Balogun Can He Bounce Back with AFCON? With his last game for his Premier League club, Brighton and Hove Albion being an FA Cup replay at West Brom on February 6, in which his blunder gifted the hosts a goal. Leon Balogun is no doubt rusty and would be needing the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Egypt to revive his dwindling form didn’t want to be left. He had no qualms moving abroad, with the FIFA World Cup on the horizon. That decision is already hurting the Nigerian.

Balogun is the third choice in Hughton’s centre-back hierarchy behind Duffy and Dunk. He’s been featured nine times across all competitions albeit the only contribution was a screamer against Crystal Palace.

While Hughton deserves some slack for the limited game time, Balogun is culpable too.

Indeed, the Nigerian has an imposing physical presence, standing at 6ft 3. He is fearless in tackles and brave on the air. He provides additional threat during set pieces and could occasionally provide that odd goal to win games. However, Balogun isn’t gifted in terms of pace.

It was, however, a dream come true for the former Mainz of Germany defender when he came off the bench to open his goal account for Brighton against Crystal Palace at the American Express Community Stadium.

He made his fourth league appearance for Chris Hughton’s men against Crystal Palace as a first-half substitute and, 25 seconds after, scored with his first touch to help his side claim a 3-1 victory. “For me, it’s another dream in this football calendar year that I wanted to come true. I made my dream come true of playing in a World Cup and I made a big dream come true in moving to the Premier League. Now scoring in the Premier League with my first touch in this game, it’s kind of unreal. I’m just happy. When I saw the ball bouncing I knew it was going to be tough, so I just hit it and luckily I hit it right. It was a great feeling,� Balogun said. “Even though I might not be 100 per cent satisfied, I think I still did well and my goal was probably the most important thing about my performance. I personally feel that I never really got into the game - viewers might think different but you always have a personal level that you want to reach, and I don’t know that I really got it.�

“My job is to be ready, there is no question about it, and the club knows what I can do. I feel a certain trust even when I’m not starting which makes it easy for me to fit into what Dunk or Duffy have been doing.

It’s never easy and you always want to play, but at the same time, you have to be professional about it. You have to be ready for situations and moments and I think I was ready every time I came on - that is important,� he added.

The Premier League’s tempo is at an extraordinary level and requires defenders to flow with it. More often than not, Balogun is left in no man’s land, chasing attackers. At 30, the Nigerian doesn’t have age on his side. He must improve on this.

He must improve on this aspect to break the Duffy-Dunk duopoly.

The defender is expected to play for Nigeria in a friendly against Zimbabwe today in which his match-fitness level would be tested.

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FAIRGROUND

Latasha Ngwube Celebrates Birthday

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

R

ecently Mediapreneur and body positive activist Latasha Ngwube, turned a year older and celebrated her birthday with a cocktail party powered by Gordon’s gin at the gorgeous Atmosphere Rooftop Restaurant and bar in Lekki Phase 1. The soirÊe was packed with celebrities and socialites stepping in laid back outfits paired with sneakers as per the dress code. The breathtaking view from the rooftop was the perfect backdrop for the night as guests mingled, ate and danced till the wee hours of the morning.

L-R: Donjazzy, the celebrant, Latasha Ngwube and Tola Odunsi

Dami and Ariyike Akinbobola

Edi Elohim, Thelma Osuhor, Mariam Adeyemi Trimmer, Latasha, Bukky Karibi Whyte and Shade Ladipo

Kanayo Ebi

Familusi Akinjide Babs

Hero Daniels

Eyinna Nwigwe and Uzikwendu

Efua Oyofo

Bayo Oke Lawal, Taymesan, Agu Anumudu and Noble Ezeala

Akunna Akano, Lara Rawa and Linda Wobo

Ify Anadu and Phantee Tukuwei

2sec and Latasha

SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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AUTO

Suzuki Ciaz

CFAO Motors Re-starts Suzuki Vehicles in Nigeria Stories by Bennett Oghifo

F

rontline auto distributor, CFAO Motors has kick-started the distribution of Suzuki vehicles in Nigeria in a bid to offer its customers a wider range of affordable cars.

Managing Director of CFAO Motors/CFAO Country Delegate, Mr. Thomas Pelletier stated that his company took over the Suzuki car franchise to complement the range of models distributed by the company and to satisfy the needs of car enthusiasts in search of trendy pocket-friendly vehicles.

He said: “It gives us great pleasure to introduce the Suzuki brand of vehicles to the Nigerian market, distributed by CFAO Motors Nigeria

and also by the CFAO Group in 25 other African countries.

“Our partner, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan is renowned for the production of top quality and reliable vehicles which are widely trusted for durability and competitive prices.”

The Suzuki models available in Nigeria are city cars: Alto®, Dzire®, Swift®, Baleno®, Ciaz® and Ertiga®. The Off Road Vehicles/Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are Jimny®, Vitara®.

All vehicles come with a 3 year or 100,000 km warranty.

According to the MD: “Now, our customers can own a brand new vehicle for just N3.6 million!”

As is traditional with CFAO, the company has already trained it engineers and technicians on the technicalities of the Suzuki brand in a bid to offer prompt after-sales services in terms of

maintenance, repairs and genuine spare parts.

Other brands distributed by the CFAOAutomotive and Equipment division in Nigeria include: Mitsubishi Motors (through joint venture Massilia Motors), Fuso, JCB, King Long.

CFAO is a major player in specialised distribution in Africa and in French overseas territories, and a partner of choice for major international brands. The Group is a market leader in automotive and pharmaceutical distribution, and continues to grow in consumer goods, new technology and energy solutions.

CFAO has a direct presence in 36 African countries and provides a gateway to 49 of the 54 countries that make up the African continent.

The Group is also active in seven French overseas territories and in Asia. CFAO employs more than 15,000 people.

BMW, JLR to collaborate for Next Generation Electrification Technologies

J

aguar Land Rover and BMW Group have confirmed they are joining forces to develop next generation Electric Drive Units (EDUs) in a move that will support the advancement of electrification technologies, a central part of the automotive industry’s transition to an ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared) future.

A statement by both companies said the strategic collaboration would build on the considerable knowledge and expertise in electrification at both companies. “Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated its leading technical capability in bringing the world’s firstpremiumbatteryelectricSUVtomarket-the2019 World Car of the Year, the Jaguar I-PACE, as well as plug-in hybrid models; and BMW Group bringing vast experience of developing and producing several generations of electric drive units in-house since it launched the BMW i3 in 2013,” the statement said.

Nick Rogers, Jaguar Land Rover Engineering Director said: “The transition to ACES represents the greatest technological shift in the automotive industry in a generation. The pace of change and consumer interest in electrified vehicles is gathering real momentum and it’s essential we work across industry to advance the technologies required to deliver this exciting future.

“We’ve proven we can build world beating electric cars but now we need to scale the technology to support the next generation of Jaguar and Land Rover products. It was clear from discussions with BMW Group that both companies’ requirements for next generation EDUs to support this transition have significant overlap making for a mutually beneficial collaboration.”

The agreement will enable both companies to take advantage of efficiencies arising from shared research and development and production planning as well as economies of scale from joint procurement across the supply chain.

A team of Jaguar Land Rover and BMW Group

BMW electrification project experts will engineer the EDUs with both partners developing the systems to deliver the specific characteristics required for their respective range of products.

The EDUs will be manufactured by each partner in their own production facilities. For Jaguar Land Rover this will be at its Wolverhampton-based Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC), which was confirmed as the home for the company’s global

EDU production in January of this year. The plant, which employs 1600 people, will be the centre of propulsion system manufacturing offering full flexibility between clean Ingenium petrol and diesel engines and electric units. The EMC will be complemented by the recently announced Battery Assembly Centre at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, in supplying electrified powertrain systems to Jaguar Land Rover’s global vehicle plants.

You Can’t Stop the Future: Auto Braking Tech Makes Roads Safer

H

ow will people in the future commute to work? Or travel on weekends? What will it mean to go from point A to point B? If images of self-driving vehicles and artificial intelligence come to mind, automakers are already paving the way toward a smarter and safer transportation ecosystem. Advanced technologies better known as the Internet of Things (IOT) are unleashing a rapid transformation in mobility, enabling cars and cities to communicate, and changing the way people drive.

Safe braking and stopping distance The ability to brake safely is an important requirement for safe driving. Safe braking, however, involves more than just knowing how much pressure to apply to the brakes. Safe braking also involves working out the relevant stopping distance, which entails driving at a speed that will allow your vehicle sufficient time to stop safely within the distance available to you.

Stopping distance: Two-second rule According to Arrive Alive, “the recommended stopping distance measured in time is at least two seconds. Safe driving involves keeping at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front, and is measured using a fixed point – when the vehicle in front passes a fixed point, it should be at least two seconds before you also pass the same point.”

Tailgating is not only annoying to other road users, but also dangerous. If you can’t see the mirrors of the vehicle in front of you, that driver can’t see you. A longer following distance increases your line of sight, which gives you more opportunities to spot and avoid potential problems.

AEB with Pedestrian Detection Ford Motor Company equips many of its newer models* with a Pre-collisionAssist –Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection system. Using a camera, millimetre wave radar, and sophisticated algorithms, it continuously scans the surrounding area, and monitors the proximity of other road users to detect and identify potential risks on the road.

While the radar detects obstacles that are further away and moving fast, such as other vehicles, the camera is effective at recognising images, such as pedestrians.

If AEB detects a situation that suggests a frontal collision is imminent – for example if the vehicle ahead has unexpectedly stopped, or if a pedestrian has stepped out onto the road – it alerts the driver with audible warning sounds and a flashing light.

At the same time, the system prepares the brakes for rapid braking. If the driver reacts too slowly, the technology automatically applies the brakes, potentially helping to avoid the crash completely, or reduce the impact.

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AUTO

NewTouring Specification for theWorld’s Fastest Production Sedan, Jaguar XE SVProject 8 Stories by Bennett Oghifo

J

aguar’sSpecialVehicleOperationsdivision has developed a more restrained roadoriented version of the extreme XE SV Project 8 that rises from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 300km/h.

The automaker said in a statement that the new car features a discreet new rear spoiler, delivering a covert design that belies the 441kW vehicle’s race track-honed performance capabilities.

The new Touring specification is available alongside existing Project 8 derivatives, which currently hold production sedan lap records on three continents – at circuits including the Nürburgring Nordschleife, Dubai Autodrome and Laguna Seca.

The fixed Touring Spoiler replaces Project 8’s adjustable carbonfibre rear aerodynamic wing and is complemented by a fixed front splitter to maintain aerodynamic balance.

Despitethissignificantaerodynamicrevision,the 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 Project 8 with Touring Spoiler retains an extraordinary level of on-road performance and driver engagement for a sports sedan.

Jamal Hameedi, Engineering Director, Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations, said: “Project 8 has received outstanding critical acclaim since its launch, demonstrating the Special Vehicle Operations team’s ability to create a compact Jaguar sedan with supercar-rivalling performance. Touring specification extends the appeal of Project 8 to performance car enthusiasts and collectors who

Extreme Jaguar XE SV Project 8 that rises from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds

prefer a more discreet appearance, without compromising its driver-focused on-road dynamics.”

SpecialVehicleOperationswillhand-assembleno morethan15examplesoftheTouringspecification Project 8 at its Technical Centre in Warwickshire, exclusively in four-seat configuration.

Valencia Orange, Velocity Blue, Corris Grey Satin and British Racing Green paint finishes are available, while the absence of body decals – though optional – confirms this as the ultimate sleeper car.

Oh, speed lovers in Nigeria may have to wait

awhile, since all Project 8 derivatives are made in left-hand drive configuration only, which is okay, but are not available in sub-Sahara Africa markets. Coscharis Motors, Jaguar Land Rover’s sole representative in the country, has more on when this machine will be in their showroom.

Kia Introduces Sophisticated, Sporty Seltos

K

ia Motors has announced that ‘Seltos’ will be the name of its new global compact SUV. Due to be launched in the summer, the Kia Seltos will bring sophistication and assertiveness to the compact SUV segment, according to the automaker’s statement.

The name of the Kia Seltos, it said is inspired by Greek mythology and the legend of ‘Celtos’, the son of Hercules.

Representing the brave and assertive spirit of Celtos, the ‘S’ in the vehicle’s adapted name implies speed and sportiness. The Seltos has been created for the millennial generation, standing apart from its rivals with a combination of sophisticated, sporty design and the space and capabilities of a traditional SUV – all in a compact package.

The Seltos offers sophisticated exterior design details, such as its long hood, a strong, character line on the front bumper, and sharp lines pressed into

the bodywork. Its robust shoulder line, matched with a glasshouse which tapers towards the rear of the car, as well as a rear bumper with a metallic muffler effect, lends the compact SUV an air of understated sportiness.

Aimed at youthful, tech-savvy buyers, the cabin is characterized by broad, sweeping shapes and highly technical details. Equipped with a range of technologies to maximise convenience, connectivity and ease of use, the bold design of the cabin incorporates a hightech 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and Sound Mood Lighting.

Kia Motors is extending its range of SUVs to fulfill the needs of customers in every market, with the new model bringing many of Kia’s strengths – in design, quality and technology – to the compact SUV segment for the first time.

The Kia Seltos will be revealed later this month, with sales in Korea and other regions to follow in the second half of 2019.

Kia

Beware of These Tyre Dangers f you run a check on you tyre pressures now with a quality tyre pressure gauge (not the abused/ overused road side vulcanizers gauge), you will appreciate why the above alarm is sounded. Such a check may reveal that at least one of your tyres is incorrectly inflated. Very few vehicles, if any, will pass this test. Incorrect tyre pressure is the No. 1 cause of tyre blow-outs, sudden tyre failures and premature tyre wear. Incorrect tyre pressure is an invitation to disaster even if the tyres are brand new! It is a time bomb waiting for the right time to explode. The implication is that each time such a vehicle is driving; the occupants are facing grave danger without being aware of it. As the hours count down to this year’s festivities which as usual has witnessed increased motorization in keeping with our penchant for travels, I wish to run my last piece on tyres for 2017 hoping the few tips contained in this piece will help us make the right safety choices ahead of the cross over into 2018 by the mercies of the Almighty God. I humbly urge you not to ignore the tips as it reminds me of a recall a recent crash caused by tyre blowout which claimed the life of an officer who was part of a convoy conveying the corpse of his late father.

I

Types of incorrect tyre inflation There are two types of incorrect tyre pressure.

These are over inflation and under inflation. Let us take a look at how they can affect your tyres and cause disaster and what could be done to maintain a proper pressure for your tyres and so prevent or drastically minimize blowout and

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491

other forms of tyre failures.

Blowouts; under-inflation is the cause Under-inflation is the major cause of tyre blowouts. When a tyre is under inflated, it increases what is known as the ROLLING RESISTANCE (RR) as the vehicles move. RR generates a tremendous amount of heat that could make your tyre explode like a bomb. Such an explosion (blowout) will destabilize the balance leading to a crash and disaster.

Other types of tyre failures; over inflation is the cause When over inflated, a tyre becomes stiff. This can make it puncture easily. The internal materials used in making the tyre are also subjected to undue strain. This would make them snap, leading to bulges or swells. As the tyre hits a pot hole or bumps, it can easily cut and have a sudden deflation that could cause a crash. Over-inflation also leads to partial contact of the tyres with road surface. This reduces traction and can easily lead

to loss of control when one is on high speed, wet surface, cornering or breaking. Each of these conditions can easily lead to a crash and disaster.

Prevention Therearetwoveryeffectiveoptionstoprevention or drastic reduction of blowouts and other form of tyre failures.

Option 1: own a quality tyre pressure gauge.

As already pointed out, incorrect tyre pressure is the major cause of blowouts and sudden tyre failure. So, correct tyre pressure is a must for any safety conscious motorist. But the big question is, how do you ensure that what the vulcanizer pumped into your tyre is the correct pressure?

Only a quality tyre pressure gauge will tell you.

A quality gauge will also enable you to gauge your tyres at the right time and to ensure that all the tyres maintain correct pressure before the vehicle is driven out for the day. This is particularly important if you are in the transport business or if you are travelling. Never rely on the road side vulcanizers’ gauge. Most of their gauges are outright inferior, have been over used or abused over time and may have improper measuring units. In fairness to the vulcanizers, however, they may not be aware of these shortcomings with their gauges.

Option 2: install a high profile automatic tyre monitors. This is a state of the art device that use sensors and a wireless monitor to monitor your tyres on a 24hours basis. It alerts the driver well in advance about an impending tyre blowout or failure. It pinpoints the exact tyre so that the driver will take appropriate measure to deal with the situation. It also effectively takes care

of premature tyre wear.

What is your vehicle’s correct tyre pressure?

By the end of the driver’s door of your vehicle, or in the vehicles’ manual, you will see specification that shows size of tyre for your vehicle and the inflation pressure for the tyre in psi (pounds per square inch) religiously stick to thatspecification.Donotallowanyone(especially the vulcanizer) tell you otherwise unless you want to gamble with your life. It is instructive to note here that it is not the tyre manufacturer that determines the pressure for your tyre, but the vehicle manufacturer. It is the vehicle manufacturer that specifies the size of tyres and the pressure to be given the tyre. He has taken into consideration the weight, speed, number of passenger, artificial inflation by the heat and other factors to determine what the proper inflation pressure should be. The specification you see on the tyres are to enable you match the specification of the vehicles’ manufacturer. In this light, it is equally dangerous to use tyre sizes different from what the vehicles manufacturer specified for the vehicle.

Gauge and pump tyres at the right time The right time to gauge /pump is when the tyres are cold. Mornings are most ideal. Before you drive out, gauge the tyres and if there is need to pump, slowly drive to the nearest vulcanizer.

If you are the type that leaves home very early, weekends maybe the most convenient time for you. When hot, the tyre pressure increases.Any action (gauge, pump) you take when the tyres are hot will be misleading and could be fatal. On fortunately, most people gauge and pump tyres when the tyres are hot. Never do so. If tyresare hot, leave them for about 3hours to cool down.

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SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Authorised Trainer, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, ACFE, Dr Rabiu Olowo; President, ACFE, Dr Godwin Emmanuel ; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Muazu H Zubiru; 1st Vice President,ACFE, Dr Donatus Ogbonnaya and Secretary, ACFE Lagos Board,Dr Pius Osaro when the association paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Police Commissioner in Lagos ... recently

Chief Technology Officer, 9ijakids, Yeside Ogunremi; Chief Executive Officer, NutureHouse Ltd, Peju Njideaka and CoFounder of 9ijakids, Titi Adewusi, during Total School Support Seminar and Exhibition , (TOSSE) Education Show 2019 in Lagos ... recently

Winners Emerge in Kellogg’s Superstar Contest Fifty pupils have emerged winners at the just concluded Kellogg’s Superstar Contest.

The competition was put together by Kellogg Tolaram LFTZ Enterprise, an indigenous cereal manufacturer, which according to the company, was designed for primary school pupils to sharpen their writing skills and bring out the creative ingenuity in them.

According to the company, over 1.8 million pupils from approximately 12,000 schools across Rivers, Lagos and Oyo states participated in the essay competition, which explored the topic: ‘What Makes you a Kel-

logg’s Superstar’.

Speaking on the initiative, Marketing Manager of the firm, Mr. Darlington Igabali, disclosed that the contest was a part of the company’s several programmes geared towards improving education output in the country.

“We believe that by encouraging these pupils at a very tender age through activities that task their brain and a scholarship reward, we are tactically paving way for a brighter tomorrow “Kellogg’s Superstars programme follows a

holistic developmental approach, which begins with making sure children have the best start to their day by getting a complete breakfast option through our various cereal variants while also encouraging them to identify and improve their inherent academic skills in the area of writing” Also speaking at the event, Public Relations Manager, Tolaram Group, Mrs. Omotayo Azeez- Abiodun said that the company had arranged a N5million worth of scholarship to gift to the 50 most successful contestants who will later be rewarded with N100,000

each.

She added that winners would be officially announced and rewarded later this month on the company’s social media platforms and across all the schools that have participated.

“Beyond the essay contest, Kellogg has been working on providing the right start for our children through it Superstars programme, we equally have invested in building educational infrastructures,reading and literacy initiative, scholarships, business education partnerships and other local needs towards ensuring brighter opportunities for the Nigerian children,” she said.

Promasidor Restates Commitment to Employees Safety Promasidor Nigeria Limited (PNL), has reassured workers of safe work environment and risk-free operations during its recent Safety Day. At the event which had the theme, ‘No Safety, Know Pain’, workers were enlightened on health and safety measures, both at work and home.

Addressing employees at the well attended event, Managing Director of the company, Anders Einarsson, emphasised the importance of safety to the company, adding that life can only be meaningful and worthwhile when safety is present and aglow.

Represented by the Head of Technical, Jean Robert Thouanel, he outlined measures undertaken by the company to ensure safe

and risk free operations.

Some of these steps as identified by Einarsson included provision of the company’s safety manuals to employees and stakeholders, safety induction for every visitor and contractor, upgrade of hose reel system to complement fire hydrant system and existing hose reel’s stations.

Other steps highlighted were the introduction of iron barriers to buffer and protect walkways, quarterly celebration of near miss recorders, new outfit for safety marshals while all employees have insurance coverage in case of work accident “Over the years, we have continued to improve on safety consciousness, and as the business grows, it enhances its approach to

New Eko Innovation Centre Unveiled With a promise to transform the technology landscape of Lagos State and Nigeria at large, the new Eko Innovation Centre was officially unveiled in Lagos during week.

Speaking at the launch, Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, who endorsed the initiative, expressed optimism in it, adding that it would add up to the mega city vision of the state.

He said: “Technology is the way to go, it is the way of the future and it is the way the entire universe is going and everybody is using technology to develop everything that they need.

“We believe that from here, things around the THEME concept that has to do with the environment, education, transportation and health innovations would be developed.

People from here would come and give us innovative ideas to solve our transportation and other problems.”

Founder of the centre,Victor Afolabi, stated that the initiative would go a long way in

creating an enabling environment for young people to develop innovative solutions and create employment while leveraging technology to achieve more.

He said: “We saw in the Lagos manifesto an agenda to make the State a 21st century economy. The only way to create a 21st century economy is to make sure you are creating businesses and solution to problems that are driven by innovation and technology.

“Eko Innovation Centre is designed not just to add to the growing figures of local tech hubs, but to provide a much required platform for startups to scale through the challenges of their incubation period – a bold and audacious initiative for the country’s tech community.”

Afolabi pointed out that most of the existing technology centres and hubs primarily provide workspaces and basic facilities, including power and internet services, with a few more providing support platforms for the growth of the startups.

safe work ethics,” he stated.

Also addressing the employees, Managing Director, Donald Resources and Services Limited, Lanre Eyinfunjowo, who spoke on the topic, ‘Making Safety a Culture’, urged all not to limit safety ethics to work place but also be imbibed at home.

Eyinfunjowo, who is a guest speaker at the event advised employees to familiarise themselves with basic safety knowledge and operate equipment like fire extinguisher, even at home as part of tools to combat fire outbreak.

He stated that good safety culture can eliminate accidents at work and associated illness that may follow many years after.

He said: “The International Labour

Organisation (ILO), statistic shows that 2.2million people die every year as a result of accidents at workplace which can be traced to poor leadership structure in organisations where deaths occur. An organisation without proper leadership and safety measures for its workforce could have its corporate image eroded as a result of regular deaths or workrelated accidents. Besides, it would affect the economy of such company because resources meant for development would be spent on lives and property, as well as litigations from employees”.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of certificate to distinguished employees that are confirmed to be safety compliant in the company.

MTN 21 Days of Y’ello Care to Address Youth Unemployment MTN Nigeria is set to address youth unemployment in the country as it observed its annual ‘21 Days of Y’ello Care’ , a volunteerism initiative of MTN employees.

With the theme of the programme this year as ‘Creating a brighter future for the youth’, the company said that it recognised the influence of the youths in driving economic growth,hence, its willingness to motivate them.

Speaking on the programme, Chief Human Resources Officer of the firm, Esther Akinnukawe, harped on the need for collaborations to tackle the scourge of unemployment.

She said: “We believe that if we all join forces, there will be a rise in youth empowerment and a decrease in the prevalence of youth unemployment.

Our goal for this year’s Y’ello Care programme is to do our part to support young people and help tackle the various issues they face.

“As the leading mobile operator in emerging markets and given our understanding of the

transformative power of digital innovation, we constantly seek opportunities to connect people with technology, so that all our stakeholders can enjoy the dividends of the digital age. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution progresses, we will work to equip our youths with the skills and knowledge they require to effectively prepare themselves for the digital future.”

She also revealed some other agenda of the initiative to include E-Library set-up in selected secondary schools across Nigeria, ICT and business skills programme at Skill Acquisition Centres (SACs) and career development training for youths.

“There will also be a Hackathon challenge for web developers to produce a technological solution that addresses up to five of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): No Hunger, Zero Poverty, Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being.

The staff members have also partnered with relevant agencies to raise awareness on mental health in Nigeria,” she added.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Wizkid Features Bob Marley’s Son, Damian, in New Song ADEKUNBI KUYE I’m A Plus-Size Model and Body-Positive Advocate pg. 48

Patoranking Celebrates Second Studio Album, ‘Wilmer’

pg. 52

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Wizkid Features Bob Marley’s Son, Damian, in New Song

Wizkid

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

M

onths after revealing his intention to work with Damian Marley, son of late Jamaican Reggae legend, Bob Marley, music superstar, Wizkid, is on the verge of actualising his plan as both artistes are currently in the studio doing the song.

Pictures of both singers surfaced recently with Wizkid hinting at a song that that would make his anticipated album Made In Lagos. The album which is expected to drop this year will be the singer ’s third. His first was Super Star which was a massive success. He didn’t sleep on that as he went ahead to drop another hit album titled Ayo. Damian, just like his late father, sings reggae. He is

the youngest son of Bob Marley.

At age 13, he formed a musical group called the Shephards. The group opened the 1992 Reggae Sunsplash Festival. The band fell apart in the early 1990s and Damian started his solo career.

At the 2006 Grammy Awards, he won Best Reggae Album and Best Urban/Alternative Performance for Welcome to Jamrock. He is the only Jamaican reggae artiste in history to win two Grammy Awards on the same night. He is also the only reggae artiste to win in the Best Urban/ Alternative Performance category at the Grammy Award Last year, Wizkid watered the appetite of fans by dropping an LP Sounds from the other side, which featured top US singers – Chris Brown, Future, Trey Songs.

“Made in Lagos” hasn’t gotten a specific date of

release yet, but the singer has been hinting on what fans should expect. Few months back, he revealed that the album would be quite different from his previous works. According to him, he’s going to be hurting some people with it.

The move is expected to further boost Wizkid’s rising profile with international artistes in recent times. In 2016, he was featured by popular Canadian rapper Drake Graham in the song ‘One Dance’.

Some other of his collaborative efforts include ‘Like This’ with DJ Henry, ‘Shabba’ with Chris Brown and ‘Mamacita’ with Tinnie Tempah.

The ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner has sold out concerts all over Africa and Europe during his recent world tour and featured on several international magazines, including Vogue.

His contribution to the Nigerian Music Industry has earned him accolades.

Damian Marley

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True Love Tested in ‘Cold Feet’ Movie lovers are set to savour a spectacular story of love, betrayal and actionpacked excitement as Cold Feet hits the cinemas, writes Olaoluwakitaan Babatunde

W

Iyke

hen a combined celebration of her birthday and their wedding anniversary leads the beautiful Omoye (played by award winning actress; Joselyn Dumas) and her loving husband Mayowa (played by Nollywood Superstar; Jim Iyke) an ex-army colonel, to a weekend getaway at a beautiful resort in Uyo, Nigeria, neither of them could have expected that their relationship would be rocked to its very foundations by ghosts from the past.

Things go pretty well, until Omoye bumps into a charming young man, Tare (played by fast rising Nollywood Actor; Enyinna Nwigwe), an ex-flame and love interest who also happened to have chosen the resort as the location where he would propose to his girlfriend, Teni (played by award winning Nollywood sweetheart; Beverly Naya.

From their surprise meeting, sparks from their previous, five-year-old encounter start to fly and old feelings are rekindled. Back in the picture, Tare’s presence reminds Omoye of the intense sexual connection they shared five years ago. Omoye is wading in murky waters; even as she struggles to ward off this shadow from her past.

Speaking on the theme of the movie, the CEO of Danki Dynasty Group, Darlington Anyiam-Osigwe explained that at a time when there was a huge silence and lack of real examples that address real life scenarios where matters of the heart are concerned, especially amongst young people, Danki Dynasty Group decided to team up with internationally acclaimed multiple award winning director – Moses Ewang, to deliver this masterpiece, shine the light on these issues, especially the associated landmines of emotions and feelings, and change the way they are perceived and addressed in the country.

“Expect an explosive action-packed drama movie and the best performances from the actors, especially Jim Iyke; whose hair we had to shave make him fit into character.” the Director - Moses Inwang said while speaking to journalists ahead of the premiere.

Featuring an array of Nollywood veterans and superstars like Segun Arinze, Caroline Danjuma, and Femi Adebayo Salami, Cold Feet premiered on the 12th of May, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos; the Great Gatsby themed event was hosted by Teddy A of the Big Brother Nigeria fame, and TV Presenter, Nancy Isime.

The event featured the who is who of Nollywood, as well as other important personalities and corporate representatives.

Cold Feet has commenced showing in cinemas around the country from the 17th of May, and is already receiving very wide acclaim for its interesting and engaging storyline, as well as brilliant delivery. It is definitely at the top of the movies to watch for 2019, and is already on the way to receiving many awards and accolades.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR ADEKUNBI KUYE

I’m A Plus-size Model and Body-Positive Advocate

Adekunbi is a TV content producer who boldly celebrates the plussize community, further making every woman of its kind proud.

She is also the co-founder of The Extrapm Media and with over 10 years in the industry, she holds a bag of experience. Adekunbi talks to Tosin Clegg, about herself, content production, television, her journey and much more Growing up in Yaba ’m a young lady with a purpose. I’m always fun-filled and adventurous. I’m a plus-size model and body-positive advocate. I grew up in a small area of Yaba called Alagomeji. It’s small because everyone knows everyone. I was born into the Adekunle Kuye family of five, and I’m the second female child in the midst of four girls and a boy. My primary school was at International School of Lagos and at Our Lady of Apostles private school in Yaba. I proceeded to Wesley Girls High School, Yaba and finished in 2006. I studied Mass Communication and Broadcasting.

My father wanted me to be a Lawyer and that’s because I was a very bright child, I spoke eloquently and boldly. Apparently, I had gotten admission to both NIJ and UNILAG at the same time, but for different courses. My father called me and asked if I wanted to study Law or Mass communication. I boldly said Mass Communication. He smiled and said I will support you. That was the beginning of my career journey.

I

Kuye

I had always prayed to be a part of the entertainment industry My family played a big role in achieving this young girl’s dream. Since I was a little child, I have always hoped and prayed to be a part of the entertainment industry. It has been a success so far, after I made vital steps to walking in my dreams. I had always wanted to be in the Journalism world since forever. I remember sitting with my late grandma, Mrs. Abiodun Kuye to watch NTA news in the late 90’s, and whenever Aunty Ruth Benimesia Opia came up, I would turn to my grandma and say I want to be like her someday. At that time I didn’t necessarily want to be a Newscaster, but just be involved in the process of building a show and production details. My first ever on-screen job was with ESCOOPS on AIT in 2010 thereabouts; the show was owned by Jumoke Alao under Fibre Productions. I was a fashion presenter for two years and I remember being nervous, but I loved the planning of the show. Looking at then and now, I believe 70% of my dreams have come to life and I thank God immensely for the achievements.

I started out unofficially as a writer on campus.

Back then, I was paid N3,000 or so. It was little money to buy chocolate, but it boosted my interview skills. I remember my first interview was with Azizat, winner of AMBO. She was a delicious celebrity; she made my interview seem very smooth. I was later posted to Broad Street Journal, under Tell Magazine, as an intern.

That was a major booster, for it was a ground that sharpened my investigative Journalism skills. I wrote feature stories and learnt most of my rudiment work on the go. You know, it was quite different from being in class. I later worked as an Entertainment Editor with Western Post Newspaper; I wrote a three-page piece called Sisi Ks Diary. It was a gist column and exclusive interviews for the Yoruba industry celebrities.

On TV productions, I worked on GlamSquad TV in 2013, worked on other projects with AIT and STV, as a freelancer. Then proceeded to Ebonylife TV as an associate producer for the channel, for a couple of shows like ELNOW, Moments and Moments Nigeria and produced The Boot hosted by the energetic Denrele Edun and Frank

Donga. In 2017, I ventured in entertainment event productions and promotions, my first ever event was Bags of Emotions with Ebiye the Comedian. I currently shoot documentaries, Talk shows and TV content for individuals, Brands and PR companies under TheExtrapm Media.

For me content is Key The media is about documentation, which can be historical and referenced at any time.

First, clients want quality job for cheap price, but I think my prices are affordable. The cost of owning basic equipment is quite a challenge, but if companies like Canon can help a growing brand like me and invest in our craft, it would be a plus to us. Market value and professionalism, Nigeria market is saturated with unprofessional people, who are ready to deliver the same job at a cheaper price, and this kills the market for us as industry professionals. As an individual, I try to give clients productions worth a value and not just anything. It’s for my own brand and sanity to have a good output than a low quality job.

A client once arrested me A client once arrested me because of their content. Getting to the station, the police officer just said I should come along with the hard drive, I boldly did. When it was played at the station the police loved the content and dismissed the case. You need to see the look on my client’s face. It was epic! I remember shooting a documentary for an NGO, and in the process of editing, my house was burgled and my hard drive and MacBook were stolen. It was a very painful experience, I had to reshoot the whole documentary, and the client gave me hell. As regard basic elements in production, first, you must have a great team to build a magical idea.

As a producer, bringing your client’s idea to life is solely on you and your production output.

This means I invest in like minds. In our industry, relationship is key. Anytime a client gives me a job, I sit with my team to strategise and map out a solid production. Secondly, invest in good equipment and post production manpower.

This can’t be over emphasised, because even when you shoot with a million dollar worth of equipment and you don’t invest in professionals, you would run into problems, A little mistake makes an entire job look crappy and distasteful. I have learnt that always ensure all elements like sound and camera angles are placed accurately.

I wish to tell true stories and project human issues to the world I’m very particular about women and child issues. Besides that, I’m open to filming for interesting TV talk shows, Youtube content and documentaries for the international market. I also produce more entertainment event shows.

I have worked on Action Health Incorporated project on sexual health among youths in selected communities in Lagos State. It was premiered at a conference in Uganda. I have also done entertainment event production for Bags of Emotions in 2017, Opening of Grandlux Restaurant in 2018, content production for Mercy Johnson’s talk show and Youtube channel, Glo Nation Social media video production and co-produced the Wanneka Super pack launch event in May 2019. I’m currently working on The Reverse of Longman, a comedy show happening in August this year at the Agip Hall in Muson Centre. Also, I have the one-week coronation event in Erimo Ijesha coming up.

The narrative has changed and it’s still changing The content produced must be appealing to the targeted audience in terms of language, style of delivery, graphics, editing quality and value content. Well, most TV houses have converted to having their own channel on Youtube, which is free, and it’s more economical, since the cost of production is less. This way, they are able to reach out to everyone in the world. Some media outfits have app on the go. These are all alternative routes to reaching out to targeted audience.

The fate ofTV productions would increase positively And that’s because the high demand of content producer would increase over the years. People have resorted to paying for videography and editing for their social media pages and channel.

The more the innovation, the more people key into the opportunities and the higher productions demand. Very soon, I foresee a global media outreach with a changed narrative in content output. Also, foreign investors are keying into the African talent and stories, to stir a change of progression in the country.

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Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

MY STORY

Gists

Esther-Whyte is Official Red Carpet ADEYEMI ABAYOMI Host for Nigeria Pitch Awards I Went into Modeling Because of my Height

The organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards have announced that the sixth edition would hold today at Golden Tulip Hotel, Asaba, Delta State and that the red carpet would be hosted by multiple award winning actress and TV show host Esther-Whyte.

The annual event, organised to honour the country’s top performers in the beautiful game (football), holds in the Delta State capital, for the first time, after Nigeria’s friendly match against Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. Known for its objectivity, the annual award ceremony, staged to reward key players in the country’s football sector is sanctioned by the Nigeria Football Federation.

“The award ceremony will spotlight top Super Eagles members, other footballers, coaches, referees, football journalists and other stakeholders, who were voted winners by our voters spread across the 36 states of the country.

“The voting process of the Nigeria Pitch Awards is coordinated entirely

by SIAO Partners, Nigeria’s foremost accounting firm. Like all lovers of football in Nigeria, we eagerly await the results from the accounting firm at the award ceremony in Asaba,” said Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

Super Eagles’ Odion Ighalo will battle Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi for the King of the Pitch while Francesca Ordega is in line for the Queen of the Pitch diadem, alongside Rasheedat Ajibade and Asisat Oshoala.

Adeyemi Abayomi is a young model of distinctive style and character which made him one of the finalists of Elite Model Look 2018. He has gone on to grace reputable fashion stages. Adeyemi tells Tosin Clegg about his dreams, modeling, goals and more

WAP Thanks Audiences for Success of Knockout Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP) has thanked families across the country for making its comedy masterpiece, Knockout, maintain the first position as the MostWatched Nigerian Movie at the cinemas since it was released in April, till date.

According to Wale Adenuga Jnr., Producer of Knockout, “We appreciate every single person who has gone to see the movie at the cinemas.

Especially those who have been so blown away that they have recommended it to their families and friends. Due to the on-going successful run at the cinemas, we have already begun getting offers from other distribution platforms; including Video-on-Demand, In-Flight Entertainment, foreign TV Channels, and others.”

He added, “Even before we started writing the script, we had very clear objectives in addition to creating a fun comedy experience. Some of these objectives included; to tell an authentically-Nigerian story, to impart knowledge through entertainment, to showcase the beauty of Nigeria and the integrity of Nigerian people, to satirically point out some wrongs in the society thus leading to self-assessment and voluntary change, and more. We are pleased at the results thus far, as we have received several commendations from audience members nationwide, as well as from Government parastatals and agencies.”

The star-studded Knockout is fun for the whole family, and is still available at cinemas across Nigeria and Ghana.

H

ow did your modeling journey begin?

I started modeling because of the fact that I have what it takes, such as the height and looks. These were key things for me, starting out, and I’m grateful for the journey so far today.

What are your goals?

I wish to become successful, would love to see myself on runways in Milan, Paris, London and in as many cities as possible. But modeling as we all know is for a short period of time, as it’s not a forever thing so I’m making as much as I can right now.

Who are your role models and mentors?

My number one mentor is Naomi Campbell and some Nigeria top models like Davidson, Victor, among others. I feel inspired whenever I see them on the runway, during campaign or photo shoot.

Where do you see yourself in a few years?

In a few years to come, I see myself as big and successful. I don’t know how that will happen, but I’m sure about it and that’s why I’m working hard towards it today.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Amokachi Swinging Tonto Dikeh Nollywood star, Tonto Dikeh, and the new man in her life, Daniel “the Bull” Amokachi dancing at the actress’s pre-birthday party last Sunday. It is no longer a rumour. The ex-Super Eagles star is up to something real with King Tonto

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Duncan Mighty Celebrates 3rd Child Port Harcourt Boy, Duncan Mighty, is a father again. He and his wife, Vivien, are celebrating the birth of their 3rd child earlier this week. The singer shared the good news on his Instagram page, accompanied by a video of him dancing. He wrote: ‘’My wife has just given birth. Join me praise God for ... Succeed reign mighty..

Mother and child safe.. God you are bigger than religion.. you are you jesus wene mighty..I will bow for you alone all my life.”

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Patoranking

Patoranking Celebrates Second Studio Album, ‘Wilmer’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

F

or music star Patoranking, real name Patrick Okorie, it’s been a project long on his mind. So prior to its release on May 24, he had his fans, friends and fellow stars in the music industry turn out to celebrate with him at his album listening party two nights earlier. The likes of Oba Saheed Elegushi, Wizkid, Sound Sultan, 2Baba, Annie Idibia, Seyi Shay, Tiwa Savage, DBanj, Olisa Adibua, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Larry Gaga, Chris Ubosi were among many others that graced the star studded party.

The album which is his second studio album titled ‘Wilmer’, is named after his daughter. The 12track album comprises a mixture of sounds of afro-beats and afrofusion.

Of all the singles the singer has

released since 2017, only ‘Confirm’ and the Fela inspired ‘Lenge Lenge’ made the album which is a follow-up to his polarising debut album, God Over Everything (GOE), released in 2016.

Just fresh from headlining the 2019 edition of Gidifest, to releasing his second body of work, the Nigerian artiste had hopes to be exemplary with his music and stay true to its calling having bridged the gap between Nigerian and international music.

Unlike Patoranking’s first studio album that enjoyed Nigerian collaborations, ‘Wilmer’ album features six different artistes across the world with Davido as the only Nigerian on the album.

In a post accompanying the announcement of the album, the singer wrote, “I’ve put my heart and soul into this Album. Wilmer has purely been a blessing and I hope this project encourages you, motivates you and blesses u.

The journey hasn’t been easy but we are thankful for where we are headed.

God bless every single one of you and everyone who has been a part of this masterpiece.”

On the themes, the songwriting and topics of the new album, a music critic had noted that the reggae-dancehall artiste is one of the few Nigerian dance music makers who never dumb down on substance, and cogent topics. On ‘Wilmer’, one can still not criticise his (Patoranking’s) huge focus on themes of love, identity, fatherhood, success, money, and living well.

Equally, placing a premium on songwriting in dance music might be unfair, but even if reverse was the case, Patoranking again aced it. The singer, songwriter and dancer started his music career associating with artistes such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone.

Patoranking

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Day Wizkid Shut London Lloyd Park for the ‘The Ends Festival’ Afro pop star, Wizkid’s performance at ‘The Ends Festival’ in London last Saturday is ever green, reports Omolabake Fasogbon

T

hat Wizkid was on a career lull in the first few months of the year may not be newsy to those following activities in the show biz world. According to reports, the music icon embarked on short break on medical advice, which also forced him to close his eyes to social media frenzy for the period.

Back and stronger, he has since been on his feet and facing the 2019 challenges with all vim and vigour. This can be spotted in his first major and international outing of the year, involving himself and Canadian rapper, Drake, at O2 Arena in London. The collaboration was such a hot one still making a good reference till date.

In that same energy, the self-acclaimed King of Music stormed ‘The Ends Festival’ in Lloyd Park, London, last Saturday, where he got over 15,000 fans hooked to his eccentric delivery.

The Ends Festival is a new music and food festival in London, which in the words of the organisers, aimed

to inspire and give a platform to local talents while showcasing them alongside some of music’s biggest stars. Some of the international artistes that graced the occasion, other than Wizkid, were Nas, Damian Marley, Saint Jhn and Wande coal, amongst others.

The three - day event might have come and gone, the festival is still enjoying rave reviews across globe, especially the gig brought in by Nigerian owned Wizkid which literally tore the stage apart, with the Nigerian flag glamorously swung in the air.

The Star boy who got to headline the show on its second day unbeatably captured moments by his amazing performance that got fans soaked in emotions and ecstasy. One could feel the infectious aura of the show around the electrified audience, who from all indications, would not mind the action to continue till eternity.

Strutting his stuff, the Star Boy slayed as he rocked a catalogue of his hit tracks including Manya, Fever, Ojuelegba, Daddy Yo, and Don’t dull, amongst others, to the excitement of the cheering crowd who simply

sang along with him. Many who witnessed the concert and those who caught a glimpse of it on the internet described the show as being unmissable. In addition to the entertainment factor, it was such that draws global attention to Nigerian creativity.

Wizkid’s career abroad is fast gathering strength.

Most event organisers now bank on his appearance to sell their shows. As part of his notable strides is being the first African to not only perform, but also sell out London’s most iconic venue, Royal Albert Hall as Headliner, joining musicians like Beatles, Adele and Elton.

He is also credited to be the first Nigerian musician to score a number one hit on the popular US Singles chart, following his collaborations with Drake on ‘ One Dance’ in. 2016. The feat also earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Record.

It was not too long after his collaboration with Drake, that the State of Minnesota declared a proclamation dedicating October 6 of every year as ‘Wizkid Day’, to honour his musical influence.

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NEWS

South-west Governors Brainstorm on Growing Insecurity in Region Worried about the growing spate of insecurity in the region, Governors of the South-west zone have decided to hold a regional security summit that would bring all critical stakeholders together to brainstorm on how to stem the tide.

Speaking after a special meeting at the Ondo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja yesterday, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said the DAWN Commission had been directed to coordinate the summit aimed at further promoting

the developmental agenda of the South-west region. “There’s an urgent need to stem the growth of criminal activities and banditry in our region and as leaders, we must be proactive in our approach to addressing the issue,�

Akeredolu said.

He stated further that a consulting firm, KPMG had been appointed to review the tenure of the Group Managing Director of Oodua Investment Company, which has all the Southwest State governments as

shareholders.

The meeting, which was attended by Lagos State Governor

Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi,

Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde and Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola unanimously

adopted Mr. Akeredolu as the chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum.

I Won’t Be Rubber Stamp Senate President, Assures Lawan Deji Elumoye Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

Former Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has declared that he would not be rubber stamp to the Executive if elected as the 9th Senate President on Tuesday.

Lawan made this known in Abuja yesterday while unveiling his 20-page Agenda entitled “A National Assembly That Works for Nigeria: Proposed Legislative Agenda For The 9th Senate�.

According to him, the 9th Assembly as constitutionally empowered would not be a rubber stamp one to the executive, saying, “If there is need for disagreement in the interest of Nigerians, the Senate will disagree with the executive but with dignity and respect�.

Commenting on executive/ legislative relationship, the anointed candidate of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) said: “since we have all seen how unproductive rancorous relationship between the National Assembly and the executive has been over the years, the 9th one, will work very cordially with the executive. “Our relationship with the executive will be driven by national interest anchored on cooperation, partnership and mutual respect�.

Lawan who segmented the focus of the 9th Senate under his leadership into two said unity of purpose among all Senators across party

lines was paramount in achieving the second one which lies on what Nigerians were expecting from them.

He added that since what Nigerians want from governments be it the executive or legislative arm, was good governance; the 9th Senate under his watch would in collaboration with the House of Representatives, ensure that the required legislative interventions were made for that across the various sectors. Lawan assured that Nigeria would henceforth have predictable budget cycle as against yearly budget delays once elected as Senate President.

His words: “The current trend of not having predictable budget cycle does not augur well for the country which by the grace of God, will be addressed by the 9th Senate and by extension, National Assembly in collaboration with the executive arm of government. “In achieving this, specific time and window of activities from presentation to consideration, passage and signing into law by the President shall be worked out.

Since it takes two to tango and budget proposals are initiated from the executive, the leadership of the 9th National Assembly shall interface with the executive on the need for early presentation of budget proposals and cooperation during consideration, for speedy passage by the National Assembly�.

NEGOTIATING FOR BALANCE...

L-R: APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; former Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige; and former Minister of Foreign Aairs, Georey Jideofor kwusike at the South-east leaders meeting with APC National Working Committee in Abuja‌yesterday Kingsley Adeboye

Sena Anthony, Oghogho Akpata Resign from Oando Board Obinna Chima

Following the action of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Oando Plc has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), its shareholders, stakeholders and members of the public of the resignation of its non-executive directors - Chief Sena Anthony and Mr. Oghogho Akpata, from its board.

The resignation, according to a statement obtained on the NSE website, became effective from June 3, 2019. SEC had last Friday announced the removal of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wale Tinubu, and his

9th National Assembly: Men Urged to Elect Woman Speaker, Leader Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

A women group, known as Coalition of women in Governance, has urged elected members of the 9th Assembly to give Nigerian leadership a human face, by electing a female speaker and picking a female as House leader, saying that Nigerian leadership was too masculine.

The group stated this at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Chapter Secretariat, Abuja.

According to the convener, Mrs. Ebere Ifendu, women would make the 9th assembly a better one than the previous. “Let our men know that we have the capacity to be Speaker and the Leader of the House of Reps in the National Assembly.

In the context of the Nigerian politics today, it takes courage to

be a politician, and for a female to have been elected to the house four times something men have not been able to achieve, women in this front should be given all the encouragement they need. “And we know that they are there to make sure there is a human face and not this thing men talk about the spoils of war. All the time the women are there to change the narrative and make the 9th assembly better than previous ones,� she advocated.

The group said that Nigeria was too masculine-inclined in terms of leadership, saying it was not working well. ‘’We have an opportunity to break ranks with the norm and demonstrate that 20 years of democracy, Nigeria has come full circle by electing a credible, untainted and passion driven woman to set a new paradigm in leading the House of Reps; and

that Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha from Abia State and Hon Kadija Bukar, from Yobe State, who are both fourth-time members of the House of Representatives are eminently qualified,� the group added.

The group called for fairness, equity, geo-political balance and gender equality and geographical balance in the choice of who emerged as the Speaker and the Leader of the 9th House of Reps.

Among those present at the media briefing include, Mrs. Zainab Mohammed, the national woman leader Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria (GOGAN), Ebere Ifendu of Women In Politics; Princess Olayemi Joledo who contested for Senate in Kogi West Senatorial District in the 2019; Hon. Omotayo Ishaya, and Esther Uzorma, of the Po-Active Gender Initiatives.

deputy, Mr. Omamofe Boyo. “Chief Sena Anthony and Mr. Oghogho Akpata were active members of the board and its sub-committees. The board and management of Oando Plc appreciate their valuable contributions to the growth of the company,� the oil and gas company added in the three paragraph statement.

Anthony was appointed as a non-executive director of the company in January 2010. Prior to her appointment, Anthony worked with the Federal Ministry of Justice before joining the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 1978. She was appointed Group General Manager, Corporate

Secretariat and Legal Division, as well as the Secretary to the NNPC in July 1999 and was promoted to the level of Group Executive Director on May 6, 2007. She was the first female to be appointed to such a position in the NNPC. She retired in January 2009 as the Coordinator (Group Executive Director Level) Corporate Secretariat and Legal Division, as well as the Secretary to the Corporation and Board of the NNPC after working for the NNPC for 31 continuous years.

Anthony was also a director of Napoil Limited a crude oil and petroleum products trading company owned by NNPC, a director of Brass LNG Company

and General Manager Legal and Secretary to the Board of Nigeria LNG Limited. Chief Anthony obtained a Bachelors degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1973 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1974.

Also, Akpata is the Managing Partner and Head of the Energy and Projects Group at Templars Barristers & Solicitors. He possesses 20 years of experience in the transactional and dispute resolution aspects of the Nigerian oil and gas sector and advises a broad range of clients, including international oil companies, oil service contractors and a number of multinationals operating in Nigeria.

AIT RESUMES OPERATIONS, COURT ORDERS PARTIES TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO

“The Nigerian opposition coalition shall also consider immediately opening talks with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON, the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, and indeed all other stakeholders in the media and broadcast industry on a marshal plan to checkmate further suppression of press freedom and descent into the abyss of news blackout into which the Presidency is driving the country. “It is Daar Communications AIT and Ray Power today; it could be any other media which refuses to be intimidated tomorrow,� he added

SERAP Wants Buhari to Prevail on NBC Similarly, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also urged President Buhari to “prevail on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately end the suspension of the African Independent Television (AIT) and RayPower FM, and to strengthen the independence of the NBC, if the country’s constitutional and

international legal commitments to freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information are not to be undermined.�

SERAP in a statement by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “These grounds are so subjective that if allowed to stand would seriously undermine freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information in the country. “The mere fact that forms of expression on AIT/Raypower are considered by NBC to be insulting is not sufficient to justify the indefinite suspension. These grounds do not meet the requirements of legality, reasonableness, due process, necessity and proportionality.�

Paradigm Initiative Condemns NBC’s Violation of Press Freedom Also, Paradigm Initiative, an advocacy group, condemned the action of the NBC, describing it as undemocratic and capable of stifling free expression and the freedom of the press.

Joining other Nigerians in reaction to the suspension, Paradigm Initiative in a statement signed by its CEO, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, said the NBC failed to recognise and understand that the press has the freedom to report expressions by citizens, just the same way citizens have the freedom to express opinions, however controversial.

According to the statement, “If a broadcasting channel raises an opinion expressed by a third party, reports on it and receives comments on same, such a broadcasting channel is well within its rights and duties. It is, therefore, unethical and clearly biased of the National Broadcasting Commission to suspend the license of AIT/ RayPower on this ground. “The NBC states that it is disturbed with ‘the manner in which social media issues became part of the mainstream media unedited on AIT/RayPower‌’ but the Commission should know that opinions of third parties cannot and should not be edited in reportage. The Commission’s concern is therefore antithetical to free speech.â€?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 8, 2019

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Edo 2020: RTEAN Backs Obaseki James Sowole in Akure

IN HIS VINE YARD...

L-R: Rev. Fr. Marcellinus Teko, Administrator, Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos; Lady Neta Nwosu, President, SIGNIS, Archdiocese of Lagos; Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos and Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, Acting Director, Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos at the World Communication Day event held recently at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos

In the build up to the 2020 governorship election in Edo State, the leadership and members of Road Transport Employers' Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Edo State chapter, have declared their support to Obaseki/ Shaibu ticket.

Addressing journalists at the union's Secretariat in Benin City yesterday, the state chairman of RTEAN, Comrade (Pastor) Sunday Erhahon asserted that all Edo people were witnesses to the monumental achievements of Mr. Obaseki in the areas of infrastructural development, economic transformation, social re-engineering and human capital development. Pastor Erhahon noted that when a child does well, it was imperative that the child be given a pat on

the back. Similarly, he said it was only natural that a child who passed an examination be promoted to the next grade.

The Edo RTEAN boss said it was against this backdrop that the entire membership of the state deemed it expedient to collectively and publicly pledge their unalloyed support to Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Rt Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.

He said RTEAN in Edo state has had its share of crisis, challenges and struggles, adding however that like a child destined to survive, the union had emerged from these challenges stronger and more united.

"We owe our existence in the state to God and the magnanimity of the state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Goodwin Obaseki" , the union boss stated.

Katsina Assembly Holds NNPC Subsidiary, NGMC, Makes N12bn Profit Valedictory Session Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has announced a profit after tax of N12,476,685,000.00 (twelve billion, four hundred and seventy-six million, six hundred and eighty-five thousand naira) for the year ended 31 December, 2018.

This was disclosed at the company’s Annual General Meeting Friday in Abuja.

A press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public

Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, quoted the corporation’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who is also the Chairman of the NGMC Board of Directors, as saying that the company’s performance was impressive considering the challenges it faced in its operations, notably pipeline vandalism.

The GMD who was represented by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Gas and Power, Mr. Seidu Mohammed, said the company would do everything to sustain the impressive performance, adding that: "We have to expand our

portfolio, we are going into the West African market to position ourselves as the best marketer of gas in the sub region."

He stated that NGMC had already signed contracts with some companies in the Republic of Benin.

On his part, Managing Director of NGMC, Engr. Mohammad Barau, attributed the company’s impressive performance to the support given to it by the NNPC Management which helped to resolve some of its challenges and motivated the company to embark on an aggressive drive for

customers, resulting in increased earnings.

The company’s total revenue for the year 2018 was N243.630billion compared to N275.162billion for 2017.

The decline in revenue was attributed to the move by the electric power generating companies to purchase gas directly from gas producers since June 2018.

The NGMC is mainly engaged in sourcing, marketing and distribution of natural gas to major industrial users and utility companies in Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region.

Combating Global Air Pollution Costs $3.5trn Annually, Says Report Udora Orizu in Abuja

United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) report has revealed that with rampant air pollution across the world, not less than $3.5 trillion must be spent on annual basis to combat the environmental hazard.

The UNEP report, which was read by the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote during World Environmental Day in Abuja on Friday, also disclosed that no fewer than 7 million people die of air

pollution across the globe.

Speaking on 2019 WED theme: "Air Pollution", Odusote, who was represented by the Director Human Resources Management in the ministry, Daniang Peter lamented how the environmental hazard had continually depleted ozone layer, which is presently causing the increase in temperature across the world.

She said, "It is frightening to know that on yearly basis, an estimated 7 million people worldwide die untimely due directly or indirectly to poor air

quality. It is also estimated that 92% of the world population breathe unclean air and this has cost the global economy a whooping USD 3.5 trillion on yearly basis.

"Most worrisome is the issue of ozone layer depletion that has over the years gradually exacerbated the ever increasing world temperature with resultant effects on agriculture, human health, and biodiversity in general."

Daniang noted that Nigerian government, through its Environment ministry was leaving no stone unturned to address all

Ninth Assembly: 35 Political Parties Declare Support for Gbajabiamila Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Thirty-five (35) political parties under the umbrella of Coalition of Integrity Political Parties (CIPP) has declared their support for Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the ninth Assembly.

The Spokesperson of CIPP, Dr. Yakubu Shendam, stated this Friday in Abuja at the inaugural press conference of the coalition.

He said the coalition had observed the unhealthy approach, utterances and media attacks on the person of Gbajabiamila, saying it was uncalled for.

Shendam added that it would be foolhardy that Gbajabiamila, who had been elected on three occasions as a member of the House and as a Majority Leader in the 8th Assembly, with all the security screening conducted and concluded without any indictment, could be besieged by lightweight political folks in order to have legitimacy in the tussle for who becomes the Speaker of the House.

He stated, “CIPP wish to use this opportunity to announce our firm and unequivocal choice and support for the candidature of Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the Ninth House of Representatives.”

“Hence, all operations of the coalition have been geared towards ensuring the successful actualisation of this project and for a better leadership of the House of Representatives, and by extension, translate into meaningful policy development and the administration for all Nigerians,” Shendam added.

The coalition therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend a hand of fellowship to Nigeria’s of good faith who would be of great asset in driving home his good plans and agenda, irrespective of ethnic, political or religious lineage or social status as he begins his second term in office.

issues relating to air pollution, adding clean-up of Ogoniland is part of the efforts to tackle the hazard in the South South region of the country.

Earlier, the director, planning research and statistics of the ministry, Mrs. Bolatito Obisesan stated that the entire world had accepted that our collective efforts are required to beat "Air Pollution" According to her, the 2019 World Environmental Day (WED) was coming at a time when the whole world was agreed on the need to do something about the danger of air pollution.

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Ahead of the inauguration of the Katsina State seventh Assembly, the outgoing Speaker of the sixth assembly, Mr. Tasi'u Maigari, on Friday presided over a valedictory session of the assembly.

With the valedictory session, the sixth Assembly has been dissolved pending the inauguration of the next assembly.

Maigari, in his valedictory speech, said the sixth assembly since it inauguration in June 2015 has deliberated on 511 motions, 453 resolutions and passed 87 bills into law.

The laws, according to Maigari include Fiscal Responsibility Commission Law, Katsina State Farm Settlement Law, Katsina State Bureau of Public Procurement Law, Katsina State Assembly Service Commission Law, Constituencies Project Development Law, Bureau of Statistics Law, among other notable laws.

He said: "There are still many bills at various stages being considered for passage and they include executive and members bills and I hope that the next Assembly will consider their passage".

Maigari called on the returning members to sustain the cordial relationship that existed between the sixth assembly and executive arm of government in the next

"We Got PeopleTalking" Rebounds with Nigerian, Ghanaian Stars The popular "We Got People Talking" commercial launched by telecommunications operator, Globacom, in 2010 has returned to the airwaves, this time featuring showbiz stars from Nigeria and Ghana.

When the advert was first launched, it was to celebrate the role played by the network in making telecom services available and affordable to the vast majority of people. Talking being an essential feature of humanity in expressing feelings, thoughts and desires, Globacom facilitated and escalated man’s ability to connect and talk through its mobile telephony.

The new star-studded version still extols this, but focuses on Globacom’s five times voice recharge value. The offer gives Glo subscribers five times value on every recharge to call all networks.

With the offer, Glo subscribers will receive five hundred per cent bonus on any recharge they make on the network. For instance, a N100 recharge will give N500 value, N200 recharge will give N1000, N500 recharge attracts N2,500 value, while N1,000 recharge will get N5,000. The offer is available on physical recharge via the USSD code *555* followed by the recharge pin.

The showbiz stars featured in the commercial are led by legendary Juju Maestro, King Sunny Ade. From Ghana are Martha Ankomah and Van Vicker, while Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, Davido, Flavour and Phyno are some of the Nigerian stars in the advert. Other entertainment heavyweights featured are Omawunmi, Megbele,YemiAlade, Ego Ogbaro, Tekno, Bez and Sani Danja.

assembly.

He further admonished the next assembly to be more proactive in carrying out its obligations in accordance with statutory provisions and avoid having frictions with other arms of government for better legislation.

THISDAY reports that the outgoing members, during the valedictory sitting, eulogised with the family of their former colleague, late Fa'isal Musa, who died while performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia in 2015.

Meanwhile, our correspondent reliably gathered that 21 out of the 34 legislators are returning while 13 are newly elected members.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IFEOMA EVELYN ANICHEBE, now wish to be known and addressed MRS IFEOMA EVELYN AGBALA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DIKORU TORITSEJU DONALSON, now wish to be known and addressed IKUEJAWA TORITSEJU DONALSON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as LITTLE PRINCE, now wish to be known and addressed UGWUNNA EMMANUEL OGBONNA . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GEORGINA BANTALE, now wish to be known and addressed GEORGINA OGBOGUM BEN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIOMA IJEOMA EKWUEME, now wish to be known and addressed MRS CHIOMA IJEOMA EKWUEME EZE . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

TR

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Odinkalu to President Buhari “A president who continues to count who voted for or against him, is incapable of being president for everybody” – Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, rebuking President Muhammadu Buhari for lamenting how residents of Abuja voted against him during the 2019 election.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Great Lessons Life Has Taught Me At 59 (3)

F

ellow Nigerians, if you’ve followed my trajectory over time, you would probably agree that God has been extremely kind to me. My journey is full of many lessons of life. For me, one of the best possessions a man can have is to be surrounded by good and great people. At different stages, I have been richly blessed by many amazing friends and mentors. Oftentimes, I wonder if there is a magnet on my body that attracts the best of the best to me. I deliberately left out some of my biggest encounters with life changers last week, because I wanted to deal with them together, rather than create some kind of suspense. Let me now demonstrate how blessed I have been.

I had arrived Lagos to search for a full-time job in April 1988, immediately after my Master’s programme at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I was desperate because I was the only jobless one out of all my close friends. For my dear Mum, it was as if there was a jinx to be broken. One of the first friends I made was a young publisher, Nduka Obaigbena, who was publishing Thisweek magazine at the time. I had gone to see his Editor, Lanre Idowu, who offered to introduce me to him. I was already known in media circles by then and Nduka asked me to write a piece for Thisweek on the spot. He paid me one hundred naira, the highest fee for a single article at the time. I must say, it was big money for that time. But that was not the main issue, which was that an immediate bond was created, and we’ve been friends ever since.

Nduka played many other roles thereafter.

My first trip outside Nigeria was in 1985, when I travelled to England to visit my older brother, Dr Oladele Bolarinwa Ajayi, who was teaching Engineering Physics at the University of Surrey in Guildford. Nigerians didn’t require visa at the time. Buhari was in power and I was able to procure my basic travel allowance (BTA) of one hundred naira (commission on it was ten naira only) on the day of travel from the International Merchant Bank, on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, and the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Odunayo Olagundoye, a very good friend of my brother, was very helpful. I flew out the same evening on British Caledonian Airways. I enjoyed this first trip to England tremendously.

It was an unforgettable experience for me. I was able to observe first-hand those things and places I had only imagined and envisioned from reading about them in books. I immediately learnt that education was not complete without exposure to different cultures and behaviour and that there is great sense in the adage that until you see another person’s farm you will believe that your father’s farm is the biggest. It is such myopic views that continues to imprison and enslave our present crop of leaders and denies our country the chance to rise to the greatness that all of us believe it deserves.

My next journey abroad was travelling in 1991 at the instance of Nduka Obaigbena, who contracted me and my friend and colleague, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, to fly to London to do a project on President Ibrahim Babangida. Nduka got us our first visas, bought our tickets, put us in a rented apartment, Arabella Court, in upscale St. John’s Wood. After that trip, my life was never the same again. It was on that trip, I had to go and meet Chief Moshood Abiola, by pure chance and luck as I did not know he was in England during that period. The entire process of arranging and meeting with him was an experience of a lifetime. I have previously told the story of being at Stratford station when he asked to see me after phoning his house to speak to his son Ayodeji. My inclination was

Dr. Mike Adenuga JR with Momodu to take a cab to his Chester Terrace, Regents Park, home, but he insisted I take the Tube, the London Underground, if I was to meet with him, as this was a faster means of transport and he was only in a London for a very short time. I realised that when there is something important to do, style and fancifulness have no role. You simply get down to brass tacks and do what has to be done with the tools that are immediately available to you. Strike whilst the iron is hot, or you will have yourself to blame.

Despite his great wealth, MKO was a simple and common man. He travelled on any form of transport, including public transport, as it suited him and his busy itinerary.

My next trip to the United Kingdom gave birth to yet another everlasting relationship. It so happened that the First Lady, Mrs Maryam Babangida, was receiving the Hunger Project Award alongside the Kenyan environmentalist, Professor Wangari Mathai, and many distinguished Nigerians were present. Nduka Obaigbena had called up the Nigerian High Commissioner, Mr Dove Edwin, to secure me a seat at the event. Unknown to me, one of Africa’s greatest entrepreneurs, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. was sitting quietly and unobtrusively. Someone had tapped me gently, but I couldn’t see the face perfectly.

The man turned out to be The Guru, also known as The Bull, or The Spirit of Africa (the moniker I coined for him). He requested for my number in London. One of his aides called the following day requesting to pick up a parcel from Chairman at an apartment in Pimlico, and I was dazed by the gift he left for me. My dear friend, Senator Gbenga Obadara, had offered to drive me that night. Since then, the Spirit of Africa has been an unmatchable benefactor in too many ways, and I’ve learnt so much at his desk, about simplicity, loyalty and benevolence. The Guru is an enigma.

He is many things to many people, but his life, lifestyle and principles are worthy of detailed study and analysis, because there are many lessons to be learnt. I can write a magnum opus on our almost surreal encounters, and I will leave that for the big book which I will soon write.

Let’s rewind a bit. I had met and struck friendship with the actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, about the same day I first met Nduka Obaigbena in April 1988. Richard was also a reporter at the National Concord newspaper when I was also

a Staff Writer at the African Concord magazine, owned by Chief Moshood Abiola. I later met the late May Ellen Ezekiel who subsequently became Richard’s wife. Before their talk-of thetown wedding, I had joined Classique magazine, which was substantially owned by May Ellen (may her soul continue to rest in peace). That is another story for another day. I started that job for May in May 1990, on the eve of my 30th birthday on May 16 (which was hosted by the iconic realtor, Senator Ayodeji Otegbola), and I was well advertised as the highest paid Editor in Nigeria. May had told me she gave me that job because of my writing skills and prowess, my solid contacts in society and celebrity reporting as well as my effortless abilities to write both hard and soft sell news with equal dexterity and ease.

I resigned from that lucrative job in 1991 for a variety of reasons, and became a bread-seller, distributing Chief Moshood Abiola’s Wonderloaf. I had been asked to drop my official car and driver

by Classique and I complied pronto. Nothing is more precious to me than integrity and I could not see myself holding onto something that had not been given to me even though I believed I deserved it as part of my severance package. My life, interestingly, is full of twists and turns. Miraculously, I got another car in no time. The Wonder Bakery Manager at the time, Chichi Ajuluchukwu, had informed her MD, Kola Abiola, about my ordeal and predicament and that I had shown interest in a particular Jetta car on sale in their premises. I was shocked when Kola asked me to pick it up, totally gratis.

I will never forget this kind gesture. Kola was not yet 30 at the time. It is such unforeseen, fortuitous and totally surprising gestures that taught me that there it is a privilege and honour to give because the joy and happiness of the person you bless is usually nothing compared to yours. You can only receive more blessings by such acts of philanthropy.

By then, my life had become a rollercoaster. I decided to leave mainstream journalism and delved into public relations. Again, Kola Abiola gave me my first brief from Summit Oil International, which was the second indigenous oil company to dig and find oil in commercial quantity, after that of Dr Adenuga’s Consolidated Oil. We ran a blistering media campaign and the Abiolas were

very pleased with my job. Interestingly, despite the sacrifices of MKO Abiola, the Summit Oil prospecting Licence has just been revoked by this present administration almost a year to the day when MKO was extravagantly honoured by the same government. How times change!

I also handled media jobs for Dr Adenuga, a reclusive billionaire who had always preferred that his great work and magnanimity speak for him and his wealth rather than gallivanting around and being boastful about himself. As stupendously wealthy as he has been for as long as I have known him, he’s always kept his head under the parapet. He has spent more of his fortunes on others than himself. I am honoured to have his accounts, off and on, till this day.

My next account came from one of the most cerebral businessmen in Africa, Mr Hakeem BeloOsagie (ex-Oxford, ex-Cambr idge, ex-Harvard) who ran into many challenges after acquiring Africa’s global bank, UBA. I was introduced to him by his cousin, Ademola Adekogbe, now of blessed memory, and I was able to smoothen things between him and some of the toughest journalists who were after him like a hail of bullets. It was shortly after this feat that I was forced into exile by the Abacha junta. But “Keem” never forgot my diligence and efforts on his behalf. He was able to bring me on board while negotiating to bring Moneygram to Nigeria.

He made sure I was on the Media payroll of Moneygram after introducing me to their CEO in Belgravia. We’ve maintained a good relationship since then.

My exile years were extremely tough and rough, but God sent me some angels. From Abdul Oroh, who first alerted me to the imminent dangers awaiting me in Nigeria, to Tokunbo Afikuyomi and Damola Aderemi, who showed me the process of getting out of Nigeria, to the three men who escorted me through the forests of a thousand daemons Captain Rotimi Seriki (God bless his soul), Bola Orolugbagbe and Olakunle Sikiru Bakare), to escape into Cotonou, to Dele Gbajumo and Fritz Baffour who made me feel so welcome in Accra, Ghana, to Gbenga Olunloyo who accommodated us, and his fantastic friends who gave me a royal welcome, to Chief Bola Tinubu and Lt. General Alani Akinrinade, who took care of refugees like me endlessly, to our comrades-at-arms in NADECO, to Chief Ezekiel Olasunmoye Fatoye, who led the miracle that became Ovation International, to the entire team that took the kamikaze plunge when everything looked impossible, to Baba Alex Duduyemi who saved my life when hope was fading, to Chief Bode Olajumoke who re-energised a dying horse, to Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. the Spirit you don’t see but feel his ethereal presence all the time, and to a family that suffered so much for an ungrateful nation that prefers its own oppressors, God stood by us all the way, through many wonderful souls that he served upon us as angels of mercy, succour and hope.

To all of the numerous people who have touched our lives, particularly those who have done so in simple ways, I say a big thank you.

I want them to know that each and every one is appreciated and cherished and even though I may not mention their names because the list is endless, my gratitude knows no bounds.

My uncountable mentors and benefactors are the ones who have cemented the foundations of the lessons I have learnt as I continue my sojourn on earth. They have taught me that humility, compassion, integrity and loyalty are worth their weight in gold and are priceless indeed.

That seems to me to be the ultimate lesson!

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