SATURDAY 20TH MARCH 2021

NCAA: Azman Air Stopped from Flying to Avert Disaster Says no responsible Civil Aviation Authority will fold its arms and wait for fatal accident

Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday said it suspended the operations of local airline, Azman Air, to avert a national

tragedy and loss of life, “which may become inevitable if the airline continues to operate with disregard for safety procedures.”

The NCAA suspended the operations of Azman

last Tuesday after the airline suffered three incidents in quick succession. The NCAA had also ordered the airline to undergo a safety audit to determine the root cause(s) of the incidents, and recommend

corrective actions to forestall re-occurrence.

However, Azman in a statement claimed the airline complies with safety standards, and that it was safe.

Regardless, the civil aviation

regulator of the Nigerian airspace, in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Sam Adurogboye, said it would not be blackmailed and or threatened while carrying out its statutory

responsibility.

It said over a period of about six weeks, Azman Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft operating scheduled passenger flights Continued on page 5

NJC Recommends Appointment of 18 Justices for Appeal Court… Page 6 Saturday 20 March, 2021 Vol 26. No 9477

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Onnoghen: I was Removed over Rumours I met with Atiku Wants judiciary freed from political manipulations Alex Enumah in Abuja Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, yesterday bemoaned his removal, saying claims that

he met with former vice president, Atiku Abubakar in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, preparatory to the 2019 general elections, was one of the major ploys used by his adversaries

to remove him.

Onnoghen, who bared his mind freely in Abuja at the unveiling of a book titled 'Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules,

2009, Practice, Procedure, Forms and Precedents', authored by a legal luminary, Chief Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), said prior to his removal, he was accused by

the Executive meeting with Atiku.

Onnoghen said rumours about the meeting with Atiku was thick and spread fast, but that he decided not to

react to it because he never travelled to Dubai or held any meeting with anybody, including Atiku.

Continued on page 5

PDP: No Decision Yet on Zoning ofPanel 2023 Presidential Election Ticket insists South-east not shut out, denies ‘anointed’ candidate

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it had not yet decided on the zone that would produce its candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

The party’s Governor Bala Mohammed-led Committee on the Review of the 2019 General Elections had rattled some sections of the country by recommending that the PDP should throw open the contest for its 2023 Presidential ticket.

The Chairman of the committee said: “We think that every Nigerian from every part of the country should be given the opportunity to choose the best candidate through a credible primary election as a way of institutionalising a merit-based leadership recruitment process for the country.”

But in a swift reaction yesterday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the party had not adopted any of the recommendations of the Bala Mohammed-led Committee, including that of zoning its presidential ticket.

He said: “Due to enquiries from our members and the general public, it has become imperative to clarify that PDP is yet to adopt any of the recommendations proposed by the Bala Mohammed‘s Committee on the Review of the 2019 Elections.

“As such, it will be incongruous for anyone to assert that any decision had been taken by PDP on the zoning of the presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections. Members Continued on page 5

IS WORKING...

Fitch Affirms Nigeria's 'B' DELTA L-R: Deputy Governor, Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro; former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Governor Ifeanyi and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, during the inauguration of the Junior Staff Rating, Stable Outlook... Page 8 Okowa Quarters of Government Primary School, Asaba,…yesterday.

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Toddler, 12 Others Killed as Bandits Attack Kaduna Communities

John Shiklam ÓØ ËÎßØË

Thirteen people, including a toddler, have been killed by bandits following multiple attacks on communities in Zangon Kataf, Kauru and Chikun local government areas of Kaduna State.

Seven people were also injured while 56 houses and 16 motorcycles were burnt by the hoodlums.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan confirmed the killings in a statement he issued in Kaduna, yesterday.

According to him, the killings were reported to the Kaduna State Government by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

He said, in Gora Gan village, Zangon Kataf Local

Government Area, bandits killed one Irmiya Godwin who was returning from the farm while his brother escaped.

The commissioner said, in another incident in Kizachi village, Kauru Local Government Area, bandits killed 10 people, while four others were injured, adding that 56 houses and 16 motorcycles, including

several barns were burnt.

He listed those killed as Esther Bulus and her one year-old daughter, Maria Bulus. Others include, Lami Bulus, Aliyu Bulus, Monday Joseph, Geje Abuba Wakili Filibus, Yakubu Ali.Dije Waziri and Joseph Ibrahim.

The statement said, in the attack in Masaka village, Chikun LGA, one Duza Bamaiyi was killed, and two

other persons were injured.

According to the commissioner, troops were eventually mobilised to the location to repel the bandits.

The statement further said in Kurmin village, Chikun LGA, bandits killed one Zakka Pada and injured one Pada Dalle during the attack.

Aruwan said, “Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with sadness, and prayed

for the repose of the souls of the slain, while sending condolences to their families.

He wished the injured citizens quick recovery.”

Kaduna State has been under intense attack by bandits with cases of killings and kidnappings occurring almost on a daily basis, and Governor El-Rufai has vowed not to negotiate with the criminals.

was not invited or allowed to appear before the Commission to defend himself.

Onnoghen, however, said because Obasanjo was a leader who listened to advice, the matter was referred to the NJC for review.

He said at the Council, truth surfaced before he was appointed to the Supreme Court.

He urged legal practitioners to be courageous enough to stand by truth by defending the rights of Nigerians because only justice can rescue Nigeria.

He stated that Nigeria may not record any meaningful development until Nigerians were able to free the nation's judiciary from the stronghold of politicians.

He said if the judiciary “is not freed from political manipulation,” the dispensation of justice, in accordance with the rule of law, would be a mirage.

According to him, Nigeria

is structured on the rule of law and that any democracy not founded on the rule of law is a dictatorship.

Onnoghen emphasised that justice is possible when "you know who is dispensing justice," adding the surest way to guarantee justice and democracy is to adhere to the rule of law.

"It's only when the rule of law prevails that you can get justice," he said.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) had in April 18, 2019, ordered the immediate removal of Onnoghen as CJN, after finding him guilty of breach of Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

In January 2019, the federal government, through the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), arraigned Onnoghen on a six count of criminal charge bordering on failure to declare his assets to the bureau between June 2005

and December 14, 2016 as required by law for public officers.

He was also accused of false assets declaration on December 14, 2016, having not declared his domiciliary Dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling-denominated accounts, as well as his two naira accounts, all maintained with the Standard Chartered Bank (Nig.) Ltd. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Danladi Umar, the tribunal ordered his sack from office and banned him from holding public office for the next 10 years.

The panel also ordered him to forfeit all the monies in the five accounts which he failed to declare to the federal government.

Before his conviction and subsequent removal, President Muhammadu Buhari, acting on an exparte order, had on January 25, 2019 suspended Onnoghen as CJN.

candidate in mind. We acted purely in the overall interest of the party. We have no preferred candidate. If there is anything like a preferred candidate, the committee would have narrowed its recommendations to the zone.

But rather, we threw it open.

"Our recommendation does not in any way preclude the South-east. It does not foreclose it going to the south.

We just need a leader that would rescue Nigeria from disintegration.

"Again, it is like a political solution that happened in 1999 when Chief Olusegun Onasanjo emerged. We

need a purposeful leader; a detribalised Nigerian that can come from anywhere.

He can even come from the south. The trouble in Nigeria is overwhelming, we are not thinking of a regional leader. We are looking for a true nationalist who will put Nigeria on a reverse gear from this present situation that we find ourselves.

"Does zoning of the presidential candidate of the PDP solve the present crisis in Nigeria? Does zoning solve insecurity, provide employment and improve the state of the economy?

Can the present situation

bring back ourselves to one nation that we used to be?

Throwing the presidential ticket of the PDP open does not shut any zone out. The present situation calls for a true nationalist."

On restructuring, he said the PDP believed in restructuring, as it was under a PDP government, led by President Goodluck Jonathan, that the 2014 national conference report was midwifed: "PDP believes in restructuring with devolution of power and authority with the basic aim of redeeming the goals of Nigeria as a nation,” Agbo said.

damage to the aircraft engine and fuselage. The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) is currently investigating this occurrence as a serious incident,” NCAA said.

It also recalled that on Monday March 15, 2021, Azman Air flight AZM 2318, operated with a Boeing 737500 aircraft with registration 5N-YMS, departed Kaduna for Lagos and the Captain reported a loud bang after retracting the landing gear during take-off but decided to proceed to Lagos as all parameters were normal.

“The aircraft landed Lagos and taxied to its parking stand when ATC informed the Captain of the burst tyres as reported by the Airport Fire Service. NCAA Kaduna Regional Office Manager alerted the Director General (DG) of tyre debris on the runway in Kaduna when an

inspection was carried out after the departure of the Azman flight. The Director General instructed NCAA Lagos office to conduct a ramp inspection of the Azman aircraft. When the NCAA inspectors reached the aircraft, they discovered that two severely damaged tyres had been replaced and further inspections revealed damage to a hydraulic line with resultant hydraulic leak and damage to the hydraulic reservoir,” NCAA disclosed.

The regulatory authority said the alarming trends of tyre failures, in combination with improper tyre maintenance procedures, were clear and strong indications of an accident chain formation in its final stages.

“There was an urgent need to break the accident chain before a completely avoidable national tragedy

occurs. No responsible Civil Aviation Authority will fold its arms and wait for the next accident to occur, perhaps a fatal accident, before taking action.

“Consequently, the Director General called for an emergency meeting of the Flight Standards Group of the NCAA, to discuss and decide on the next line of action on the worrisome developments at Azman Air. After deliberations, which lasted for several hours, and comprehensive evaluations of these incidents, the Director General decided to suspend Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorization) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications (OPS SPECS) issued to Azman Air, thus suspending the operation of the entire Boeing 737 aircraft on its fleet,” the authority said.

ONNOGHEN: I WAS REMOVED OVER RUMOURS I MET WITH ATIKU The former CJN, however, said he was surprised that despite the fact the federal government had all the machinery to investigate the allegation of the rumoured meeting with Atiku, it never did, but opted to go after him and his office.

Onnoghen said he was not surprised when all of a sudden, his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal was arranged, even when he had not been invited to defend the allegation or any wrongdoing.

He said the action of the government against him got to the peak when in the course of the trial and when parties had joined issues, an ex-parte was suddenly brought in, and what followed was his illegal and unlawful suspension as the CJN. "Prior to suspension, I was confronted with no allegation.

There were rumours that I met with Atiku in Dubai. As I

am talking here today, I have never met Atiku one on one in my life. As if that was not enough, I was also accused of setting free, high-profile criminals, whereas I ceased to be a High Court Judge as far back as 1978.

"In Supreme Court, I did not sit alone, we sat in panel. In all these rumours and outright accusations, I was not given opportunity to defend myself.

"Let me make it clear that the office of the CJN was not for Onnoghen but for all Nigerians who had sworn to guide and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic.

"As I have said severally, judicial officers must be courageous. And I want to beg all serving judicial officers not to be discouraged by what happened to me in the hand of the executive arm of the government.

"Emerging brand Nigerian

judges should not go the direction of injustice because without courageous judges, Nigeria is doomed. Democracy will be dead.

"Here, let me sound this note of warning that the appointment of judicial officers must never be allowed to be politicised, otherwise, democracy and democratic governance will be dead.

"During my tenure, the problem of Nigeria was not the Nigerian judiciary, but those who had no regard for the rule of law. We must therefore be committed to the rule of law and dispense justice without fear or favour.

"Truth stands, crush it, it will stand because it is truth," Onnoghen said.

He said his ordeal in 2019 was not the first, adding that at a point during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure, a Commission was set up and that he was indicted of wrongdoing, even when he

PDP: NO DECISION YET ON ZONING OF 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TICKET and supporters are enjoined to note that the party is yet to take any decision on the proposals presented by the committee."

Also yesterday, the PDP committee that recommended throwing open its 2023 presidential ticket clarified its position, noting that it was not looking for a tribal or regional leader but a nationalist who would unify the country.

The secretary of the panel, who is also the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo said the panel in reaching its decision took cognisance of the crisis facing Nigeria, “and what is

needed now is a detribalised Nigerian, not a regional leader.

We need a unifier similar to what happened in 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo emerged the presidential candidate of the PDP." Agbo, who spoke yesterday on Arise News, explained that the crisis facing Nigeria ranging from insecurity, disintegration, collapsing economy, inflation and unemployment deserves a Nigerian “who would serve as a unifier as former President Olusegun Obasanjo did in the days after the annulment of the June 12 1993 Presidential election.”

He said: "We are in a dire situation as was the case after the annulment of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election. Nigeria was in the precipice of disintegration and all Nigerians looked in the direction of a leader who can pull back Nigeria to a nation.

This is what we are looking for, a nationalist who is a unifier to pull back Nigeria from disintegration."

Speaking on the alleged existence of an anointed candidate to fly the PDP presidential flag in 2023, Agbo said: "Neither we in the committee nor the PDP as a party has any anointed

NCAA: AZMAN AIR STOPPED FROM FLYING TO AVERT DISASTER were involved in three separate incidents, resulting in damage to the aircraft in each case but with no loss of life, “for which we are grateful to God.” The NCAA said the Accident Investigation Bureau was currently investigating the “serious incidents”, adding that it exercised its duty as the regulator and sanctioned the engineers of the airline and Azman Air itself for certain breaches of safety procedures but that the fines were yet to be paid.

NCAA said: “During a routine ramp inspection on 10th February 2021, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, NCAA inspectors found an Azman Air maintenance engineer carrying out replacement of the right-hand main landing gear wheel assembly (nos. 3 and 4) of their Boeing 737-500 aircraft with registration 5N-SYS, without

referring to the manufacturer’s maintenance manual. This is a violation of the Civil Aviation Regulations, for which both Azman Air and the engineer have been sanctioned but are yet to pay the fine.

“On 11th February 2021, Azman Air flight AZM 2318 operated with the same Boeing 737-500 aircraft with registration 5N-SYS departing Kaduna for Lagos. During take-off, a component of the aircraft was observed to have fallen off the aircraft and Air Traffic Control (ATC) notified the Captain, who elected to continue the flight to Lagos.

Upon arrival in Lagos, the Captain failed to make entry in the aircraft technical logbook,” the authority said.

It also explained that Azman Air maintenance team on ground in Lagos were notified of the detached part and carried out an inspection,

which identified the missing part as the number three Main Landing Gear’s heatshield.

However, NCAA said the maintenance team neither made an entry in the technical logbook nor rectified the defect but released the aircraft for a scheduled passenger flight from Lagos to Abuja.

“NCAA inspectors in Abuja were notified and promptly grounded the aircraft, until the defect was rectified, before releasing the aircraft for resumption of flight operations.

A Letter of Investigation was issued to Azman Air, and investigations are ongoing.

“Exactly five days later, on 16th of February 2021, when the previous incident was still under investigation, Azman flight AZM 2325, with the same Boeing 737-500 aircraft with registration 5N-SYS, suffered burst tyres while landing in Lagos, with resultant severe

Continued on page 37

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

NEWS

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

NJC Recommends Appointment of 18 Justices for Appeal Court Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË

The National Judicial Council (NJC) under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, has recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari, the appointment of 18 justices into the bench of the Court of Appeal.

The NJC similarly recommended to eight governors, including that of Delta, Rivers, Ebonyi, Kogi, Jigawa and Nasarawa, the appointment of seven Heads of Court and a President of Customary Court of Appeal, in the affected states.

The affected judicial officers, according to a statement by the Director, Information, NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, were considered for appointment by the NJC’s Interview Committee at the NJC’s 94th Meeting held on December 17 and 18, 2020.

Among those recommended for appointment into the bench of the appellate court are; Justices Bature Gafai, Muhammad Sirajo, Waziri Abdul-Azeez, Yusuf Bashir, Usman Musale, Jauro Wakili, Abba Mohammed and Grand Kadi Mohammed Danjuma.

Others include; Justices Danlami Senchi, Mohammed Abubakar, Hassan Sule, Amadi Ikechukwu, Peter Affen, Sybil Gbagi, Olasumbo Goodluck, Banjoko Ibironke, Olabode Adegbehingbe and Bola Ademola.

Among those recommended as Chief Judge for the states are; Justices Salisu Abdullahi, FCT; Simeon Amadi, Rivers; Aisha Aliyu, Nasarawa; Sunday Otu, Kogi and Umar Sadiq, Jigawa.

Justices Ngene Elvis, and Theresa Ogochukwu were recommended for Ebonyi and Delta states, respectively.

Similarly, the NJC recommended Justice Patience Elumeze for appointment as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State.

“All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by President

Buhari, and their respective state governors and confirmation by the National Assembly and the respective States Houses of Assembly.

“Council at the meeting deliberated on the reports on 24 petitions writtenagainst29 judges presented

by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee and decided to empanel an investigation committee against one judge and issued two strong warning letters against two judges of the federal and state high courts.

“It also resolved to set up

a Medical Board to ascertain the health status of one judge.

“Council decided to issue strong warning letters to Justices Mufutau Olokoba and M. A. Savage of the Lagos State High Court,” the statement read in part.

Hijab: Kwara Schools Comply with Directives on Resumption Atunwa calls for caution Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The 10 schools shut by the Kwara State Government in the wake of the controversy over the wearing of Hijab yesterday opened for academic activities in accordance with the latest directive of the state government as principals, teachers and other staff were at their duty posts although students of the affected schools were conspicuously absent.

Meanwhile, the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections in Kwara State, Rt. Hon. Razak Atunwa, has appealed to the Muslims and Christians to exercise restraint, display maturity, tolerance and brotherhood over the wearing of Hijab in schools in the state.

The affected schools are C&S College Sabo Oke, St. Anthony College, Offa Road, ECWA School, Oja Iya, Surulere Baptist Secondary School and Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam. Others include, CAC Secondary School Asa Dam, St. Barnabas Secondary School, Sabo Oke, St. John School Maraba, and St. Williams Secondary School, Taiwo Isale, St. James Secondary School Maraba, all in Ilorin, the state capital.

According to government’s directive on Thursday, students were not expected to resume on Friday, although investigations showed that some parents had resolved not to release their students unless their safety was assured.

The government, in the

statement issued by the Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Bello Tahueed Abubakar, threatened to bring the full weight of the law on any of the school principals and teachers who refused to resume for duties.

As early as 8.30a.m. yesterday, the affected principals and teachers were around in their respective schools to resume for duties as directed by the government, while the students were nowhere to be found.

It was gathered that apart from Surulere Baptist Secondary School whose main gate had been damaged and remained open since Wednesday during the violent clash between the Muslims and the Christians, all the gates of other schools remained under lock and key.

A visit by our correspondent to some of the affected schools yesterday showed the presence of Christian faithful at the main gates of the schools.

Even, some schools which were locked had some loads of sand deposited at their main gates to prevent any movement into the schools.

The development however prompted the government officials to break the locked gates so as to allow easy movement into the school premises.

Teachers were seen sitting outside on the main road at Bishop Smith Memorial College, along Agba Dam GRA, Ilorin, St. Anthony College, at Offa Road and others.

COVID-19: 130 New Cases Recorded Nigeria recorded 130 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking the number of confirmed cases to 161,539 with 147,581 discharged and 2027 deaths.

GOOD TO SEE YOU . . .

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, during the visit of the governors Buhari in Abuja .....yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

EFCC Boss Threatens False Whistleblowers with Arrest, Prosecution Says false alarm had led commission to dead ends, waste of scarce resources Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, yesterday threatened to arrest and prosecute false whistleblowers, whose intention was to mislead the commission.

He said several false leads had led the commission to dead ends and the concomitant wastage of scarce resources.

A statement issued by the commission said the chairman expressed concern about the activities of supposed whistleblowers who mislead the agency through false information.

It said “despite due diligence by the EFCC, scarce investigative resources have been wasted by the agency in following up false leads that frequently comes to

a dead end.

“Activities of false whistle blowers detract from the noble intendment of the whistleblower policy of the federal government which seeks to incentivise information leading to the recovery of stolen wealth.”

The statement affirmed that “while the whistleblower policy was not designed as a tool for unscrupulous citizens to send law enforcement agencies on wild goose chase or set them against their perceived enemies, the EFCC will not hesitate to prosecute any whistleblower who willfully provides the agency with false information.”

Bawa reiterated the commission’s preparedness to work with genuine whistleblowers and acknowledged the breakthroughs which the EFCC recorded in

its assets recovery drive, using information supplied by whistleblowers.

He advised genuine informants to be cautious and ensure that they had accurate information before engaging with the agency.

The chairman assured that the directorate of intelligence which was recently created would henceforth ensure that all information received by the EFCC was subjected to rigorous due diligence before action is taken.

Meanwhile, two weeks after he addressed staff at the headquarters and zonal office in Abuja, the chairman yesterday visited the Kaduna zonal office where he admonished the personnel to demonstrate greater sense of commitment

and dedication in the discharge of their duties.

A separate statement by the commission said the EFCC boss stressed that discipline, commitment and dedication were critical to the success of any organisation.

“I implore you to be disciplined in all ramifications that have to do with your various official duties as staff of this commission,” he said.

He reminded the staff of the need to renew their commitment and accept obligations imposed on them as officers who were specially trained to fight economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, stressing that they “should endeavour not to disappoint Nigerians in the fight against economic and finance crimes, including Corruption.”

Court Orders Detention of Oyo PDP Leader over Aborode’s Death Festus Akanbi

In what has been described as a major breakthrough in the quest to resolve the murder of the House of Representatives candidate of the Social Democratic Party in 2015 general election in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State, Dr. Fatai Aborode, the Oyo State Police Command has arraigned an 80-year-old chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Igangan, simply identified as Pa Olawuwo in court.

Olawuwo was reportedly arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan on Thursday before he was arraigned and remanded in police custody.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, yesterday said the suspect had been arraigned and the court remanded him in police custody.

Sources told our correspondent that the octogenarian politician and Aborode were from the

same constituency and some of his followers who went to where he was detained were not allowed to see him.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, was on February 20 quoted as saying that the father of the late Aborode told him that the killing of his son had political undertone.

The governor had in a television programme expressed surprised that the police did not arrest and

interrogate some persons who were present when hoodlums killed Aborode on the fateful day.

Makinde said he visited Aborode’s father during his visit to Igangan to assess the security situation in the town and other areas in Ibarapaland.

The governor said the old man told him that the killing of his son had political undertone.

Aborode, was killed by suspected gunmen on December 11, 2020, while returning home from his farm.

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NEWS Sultan Urges more Leaders to Openly Take Vaccine Ehanire: foreign Embassies seeking vaccination Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË

CHARTING WAY FORWARD… L-R: Governors Dapo Abiodun(Ogun); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Chairman, All Progressives Congress Constitution Review Committee, Prof. Mamman Tahir; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, at the South-west Stakeholders meeting on Constitution Review held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday.

Fitch Affirms Nigeria’s ‘B’ Rating, Stable Outlook

Obinna Chima

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreigncurrency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B’ and assigned the country a Stable Outlook.

According to a statement from the global rating agency yesterday, Nigeria’s ‘B’ rating was supported by the large size of the economy, a low general government (GG) debt-to-GDP ratio, small foreign-currency (FX) indebtedness of the sovereign and a comparatively developed financial system with a deep domestic debt market.

It, however, pointed out that the rating was constrained by particularly weak fiscal

revenue, comparatively low governance and development indicators, high dependence on hydrocarbons and continued weak growth and high inflation.

Fitch noted that Nigeria continued to contend with external liquidity pressures that were magnified by the 2020 pandemic-related shock and resilience to adverse external developments was weak.

“Despite gradual and moderate exchange-rate depreciation over the last year, the naira remains overvalued. Persistent double-digit inflation under a tightly managed multiplewindow exchange-rate regime could drive further misalignment of the currency relative

to fundamentals,” it added.

It forecast inflation to average 16 per cent in 2021 and 13.4 per cent in 2022, driven by a number of cost-push factors.

“Currency overvaluation will hamper a correction of external imbalances. Nigeria’s long-standing current account (CA) surplus shifted to a deficit of 4.2 per cent of GDP in 2019, driven by a fast rise in imports.

“We estimate a stable CA deficit of 4.2 per cent of GDP in 2020, as import compression from domestic demand contraction and restrictions on FX access offset a slump in hydrocarbon exports and remittances.

“The CA deficit will narrow

to an average of 1.6 per cent of GDP in 2021-2022, much smaller than the forecast average median of 4.3 per cent for the ‘B’ rating category, supported by the recovery in oil prices,” it added.

According to Fitch, downward pressures on the naira and continued CA deficits could strain international reserves, amid a subdued outlook for FDI and portfolio inflows.

It stated that at their current level, international reserves would cover five months of the forecast current account payments in 2021, better than the forecast ‘B’ median of 4.2 months.

Troops Kill Scores of Bandits in Zamfara, Rescue 10 Kidnap Victims in Kaduna Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The Nigerian Army said yesterday that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed scores of bandits in Zamfara State and rescued 12 kidnapped children and women abducted in Kaduna.

One soldier was killed while three others were wounded in the Zamfara clash.

This comes as troops of 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna rescued 10 persons, who were recently kidnapped from their

quarters at Kaduna International Airport.

The rescue operation was without any mishap or casualty.

A statement issued by the Army Headquarters said following a credible tip-off, troops of Sector 3 Operation Hadarin Daji stormed Kabasa Village in Magami Local Government of Zamfara State where armed bandits were attacking locals.

It said the timely arrival of troops forestalled a deadly kidnap and plundering operations by armed bandits which was

underway.

“They were swiftly engaged by troops who successfully neutralised scores while others escaped into the forest with bullet wounds.

“Unfortunately one soldier paid the supreme sacrifice and three others who sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter are currently receiving medical treatment,” it said.

The update signed by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said troops

had since dominated the general area with aggressive patrols and have continued further exploitation and pursuit of the bandits into the forest.

Similarly, on the same day, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji responded to a distress call that armed bandits were attacking Gidan Goga Village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. It said troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits with superior fire power, killing three while others fled in disarray, some with gunshot wounds.

Again, Gunmen Kill 2 NCS Staff, Attack Police Station in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË

Two persons said to be members of staff of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NSC), attached to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra State have been reportedly killed by unknown gunmen.

The men were said to have been attacked and killed while escorting a van conveying inmates back to the custodial centre from the court after hearing at about 11a.m. yesterday.

Two policemen and three soldiers had also been killed by unknown gunmen the

previous day in two locations in the state, with their arms carted away, while a police van was set ablaze.

Meanwhile, THISDAY has gathered that at about 4a.m. yesterday, a police station in the same Ekwulobia was attacked by gunmen but were quickly repelled by men on duty.

Ekwulobia Police Station was among the police stations, which was razed down during the EndSARS protest, but was recently rebuilt.

The Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Correctional

Centre, Mr. Francis Ekezie confirmed the attack, saying that the command had been devastated by the news.

A press release by the Anambra State command of the NCS stated, “Gunmen yet to be identified attacked the court duty vehicle of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Anambra State at Nanka while conveying inmates back from court to the Aguata Custodial Centre.

“The attackers killed the Corrections officer and whisked away the inmate being taken back to the Custodial

Centre.

“The gun duel that lasted for about 10 minutes was reportedly perpetrated by suspected hoodlums in two vehicles, a Sienna bus and a Hilux pick-up van that trailed the court duty vehicle from the court premises.”

Ekezie said the armed escort put up a gallant resistance, but was unfortunately overpowered by the hoodlums who he said came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons. He said the body of the fallen officer has been deposited in the mortuary.

The President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged the federal government to encourage more political leaders to come out openly and take the Astrazeneca vaccine as a means of winning the confidence of Nigerians.

Speaking at the sensitisation meeting of Muslim scholars and Immams on COVID-19 roll out in Abuja yesterday, the religious leader said that such endorsement by leaders would go a long way to restoring public trust that the vaccine was safe.

“I believe that President Muhammadu Buhari having taken the lead to receive the vaccine, other political office holders would follow suit and if they do so, ordinary Nigerians will have confidence on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine,” he said.

He said there was no doubt that COVID-19 was real and that the danger potent.

The Sultan enjoined Muslim leaders to use the opportunity to ask questions and get the right answers which they will relay to their people.

On his part, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the concern over safety of Astrazeneca vaccines had been cleared by the World Health regulatory bodies.

Ehanire said there were a lot of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines which several regulatory bodies, including the European Medicine Agency, WHO and NAFDAC had addressed and confirmed that

the vaccine was safe.

He also explained that Astrazeneca vaccine had virtually passed all the quality test by the WHO and NAFDAC, adding that WHO had given the Astrazeneca vaccine a clean bill of health.

“As far as government is concerned, Astrazeneca vaccine is the best so far, it is what we are using and it is working for us. The vaccine is being used in over 70 countries in six continents of the world and there is no side effect. About 17 million doses of the vaccine have been administered globally and 37 cases of blood clothing have been reported which is very insignificant.

“Most of our leaders have taken the vaccine like the President, Vice President, Senate President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to confirm that the vaccine is safe. Our religious and traditional leaders have also endorsed this vaccine,” he said.

Ehanire also said that some Embassies and their Ambassadors had come to ask for this vaccine because they could not go back home to take it.

While welcoming the religious leaders, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, said that contrary to the reports linking Astrazeneca vaccine to incidence of blood clotting, health regulatory bodies had established that the COVID-19 vaccine was safe and had no adverse side effects.

Police Arrest Man for Beheading 14 -Year-Old Pupil Wole Ayodele ÓØ ËÖÓØÑÙ The Taraba State Police Command has arrested a middle aged man for beheading a 14 pupil of a Quranic school at Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Also arrested are two suspected kidnappers, one Aiki Rubuchi (male 20) from Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State and Adamu Haruna (male 19) of Takum Local Government Area.

Parading the suspect at the headquarters of the Command in Jalingo Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation, DCP Akinwale Adeniran, said the suspect, Samaila Ahmed, a native of Garu-Karfe Village was caught while attempting to dispose the severed head of his victim to money ritualists.

Adeniran who spoke on behalf of the CP of the Command, Ahmed Azare, said the suspect had voluntarily confessed to have lured the deceased to a bush path and cut off his head and thereafter buried his body in sand.

According to Adeniran, “On 10/02/2021 at about 1400 hrs., one Mohammed Bello and Usman Mohammed both male of Futuk town in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, being Arabic teachers, reported at Didango Police Station in Karim Lamido that a 14-year-old Arabic pupil they came into the town

with was missing.

“After a vigorous search, the body of the boy was discovered in the bush with his head severed. However, on 20/02/2021, through intelligence gathering and diligent investigation, one Samaila Ahmed of Garu-Karfe village in Karim Lamido local government was arrested in connection with the case.

“During interrogation, he voluntarily confessed that he lured the deceased who was an Arabic pupil into the bush and cut off his head with the intention to dispose the head for money ritual. He would be arraigned in court on First Information Report on completion of Police investigations.”

The two suspected kidnappers, according to Adeniran, were arrested by men of the Bali division of the command when they stormed a kidnappers hideout along Donga-Takum road acting on credible information.

Items recovered from them, according to the DCP include three locally made SMG rifle with two magazines, two locally made pistols and five rounds of 9mm live ammunition.

One kidnapped suspect was said to have been rescued by the team unhurt and without payment of ransom.

Adeniran assured the people of the State of the unwavering determination and commitment of the Command to ensure safety of lives and property of residents of the State.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

08054699539

New Service Chiefs Must Get it Right

side the issue of capacity and equipment for our soldiers, infighting, unhealthy rivalry and ineptitude were some of the reasons adduced for the failure of the immediate past service chiefs to tame rampaging Boko Haram and bandits. Indeed, there was glaring lack of synergy between the Army and the Air Force, under the leadership of Tukur Buratai and Sadique Abubakar, respectively. On a number of occasions, the Air Force failed to appropriately respond to distress calls of the Army on the battle field. One good example here was when soldiers were ambushed by Boko Haram in Gorgi, Borno State, March 2020, and scores killed. Air support failed to arrive. The new Army Chief, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and Air Chief, Air Chief Marshal Isiaka Amao are precisely 53 days old on the battle field today, with synergy still an issue in this war.

The Boko Haram attack in Gudumbali (in the Lake Chad region) 10 days ago, left me wondering if that vital synergy between the Army and the Air Force had really been restored. During the bout, a Major, U.I Urang, 14 soldiers and four civilian JTF members were killed. It was an ambush launched on a military band by ISWAP faction of Boko Haram. Major Urang was the commanding officer of 123 Special Forces Battalion of the Nigerian Army. The convoy of 10 vehicles was on its way to Gudumbali from the town of Kukawa in Borno for an operation against the terrorists when it came under fire. How come soldiers went for such operation without air coverage? Why was there no air response to the distress call? These are the big questions for Attahiru and Isiaka.

Field reports after 53 days of Attahiru and Amao have not been palatable. Just five days back, Boko Haram attacked Katarko in Gujba Local Government Council of Yobe State and razed the military base in the town before hoisting their flag in the compound.

They went further to raze a primary school and a healthcare centre in the community.

A resident of Katarko, who identified himself as Fannami, sheds light on the attack: “The terrorists drove in gun trucks, headed straight for the military base and opened fire on the soldiers. The soldiers fled and the terrorists drove into the town. That was around 5am, when we were going for Alfijir prayers in the mosque. When we heard their chanting of Allahu Akbar and rapid gunshots,

Attahiru

Amao.

we became confused and abandoned the prayers. Some ran into the bush for safety, while many others locked themselves in their rooms. We only came back to our homes when we were certain that they had left.

They operated for over one hour without any challenge or resistance from either the military or the locals.”

Katarko, just about18 kilometers south of Damaturu, the state’s capital, has been repeatedly attacked by the terrorists in the last three years. That’s the trauma communities in the North-east are still subjected to by the terrorists.

As for curtailing rampaging Fulani militias, nothing has changed in the last 53 days. The militias attacked Kabasa Village, in Magami, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, leaving behind blood and tears. Four soldiers and three civilians were feared killed in the attack. “The whole community was thrown into pandemonium as several other residents trying to escape the attack were injured. Seven people were confirmed dead in the attack,” said a resident identified as Saminu.

Last Wednesday, the militias stormed Jargaba village, in the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, killed businessman, Ibrahim Kwatahi, and kidnapped two of his children. “After killing Kwatahi and abducting his two children, they carted away huge sums

of money from the house,” a resident said.

Under Attahiru and Isiaka, Kaduna State became the epicenter of attacks as Fulani militias seamlessly moved to the state. I wonder how they did this without intelligence corps knowing and stopping them. The attacks in Kaduna have been ferocious in the last 53 days. The latest is the attack on Rema Primary School, where three teachers were abducted. They are yet to be released. There was also the abduction of 39 students at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 11. They are yet to regain freedom.

Aside Attahiru and Isiaka still not reflecting synergy, there is nothing on ground to suggest that our gallant soldiers are now well motivated. There is also no improvement in terms of equipment. Soldiers suffered greatly during the tenure of the immediate past service chiefs. Irabor, Attahiru and Amao must not just promise change. They must walk the talk.

Soldiers that have overstayed at the war front should get reliefs. Let’s start seeing better equipment delivered. The service chiefs need to pressure the Commander-in-Chief to shift ground on foreign military contractors; we need to start seeing military contractors helping with aerial battles for soldiers to mop-up.

We also need them for digital intelligence gathering. We are in an era in which drones play a big role in war. This is one edge the

Hijab Crisis and Kwara Gov’s Failings

Abdulrazaq

Honestly, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has been a big disappointment in the violence in Kwara State over the wearing of Hijab in public schools. Kwara State’s religious diversity was wisely managed by all previous governors. The magic was simply not to take sides, be diplomatic and fair to all. That was why everybody lived happily in Kwara State until the man called

Abdulrazaq became governor. This man brazenly took sides and destroyed the religious harmony in the state. I am still struggling to understand what Abdulrazaq stands to gain by destroying the peace of this state. This governor should not have decreed wearing of Hijab in Christian mission schools, even with the Appeal court’s ruling favouring pro-Hijab citizens.

The governor should have maintained the status quo since the Supreme Court granted a stay of execution of the reliefs obtained by Islamic leaders. He snubbed the proprietors of the Christian mission schools, ordered the reopening of these schools, and openly endorsed the wearing of Hijab in all public schools.

The blanket approval for the wearing of Hijab in all Kwara public schools by Abdulrazaq means trouble. Last Tuesday, he stated that the Christian Mission Schools (acquired by government years back) must respect its policy that allows the use of the Hijab in all public schools. “The government is convinced that its policy to allow willing Muslim schoolgirls to wear their hijab in public schools will lead to sustainable peace and communal harmony anchored on mutual respect and understanding,” the Kwara State Government stated arrogantly. By his actions, Governor Abdulrazaq clearly showed religious bias.

Of course, there was trouble when some extremists took laws into their hands by going

from school to school, enforcing the wearing of hijab, including in the schools that enjoy the state government’s grants, but owned by Christian missions. It was heart-wrenching watching Christians and Muslim parents at Baptist Secondary School, Ilorin, violently attacking one another last Wednesday over Hijab. Governor Abdulrazaq’s prejudices did not allow him to come up with a tactical solution to the crisis. Approving the wearing of Hijab, while the case is still in the Supreme Court is premature and equally prejudicial.

Today, in the interest of peace, I urge this Kwara governor to amend his government’s approval of Hijab in Kwara Government-controlled Christian mission schools. Christian mission schools that also enjoy grants from the state’s government should also be exempted from this Hijab policy. Kwara State has been granting aids to some Christian mission schools since 1974, and no governor had ever insisted on particular uniform for the schools. This has always been the duty of the owners. Abdulrazaq must respect the religious cultures of such schools. Other Kwara public schools can continue with the Hijab policy. Surely, there will be no problem with this. Governor Abdulrazaq should stop using his political position to further the cause of any particular religion for peace to reign in Kwara State. His pronouncements on the Hijab crisis have left me wondering whether he is holding a religious position. Abdulrazaq has suddenly forgotten that he is the governor of the whole state. What a shame.

military contractors will offer.

On the flip side, Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State has to raise his game, if he still has any. Violent attacks in the state, in the last five years and 10 months are unprecedented.

Official statistics showed that 937 people died in violent attacks and mass atrocities in the state last year alone. The 2020 security report by the state government attributed the deaths to kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities, cutting across all ethnic and religious groups in the state.

Of the 937 killed, Igabi Local Government Area recorded the highest number of casualties (152), followed by Kajuru Local Government Area with 144 casualties. Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Giwa and Chikun local governments in Kaduna central accounted for about 50 per cent (or 468 deaths) of the entire fatalities in the state. 286 died in Kaduna South from the violent attacks, which is about one third of the total. 1,972 persons were kidnapped within the period under review.

While receiving the report, El-rufai said the state had been using its limited resources to address the security challenges facing it. Mr. Governor, you have to do more. You have so many military formations in your state.

So, use your security vote proactively and motivate the soldiers to secure your people.

You have to start taking actions to control the situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened. Those running the show from the centre have evidently failed.

$1.5bn for Repair of Port Harcourt Refinery?

I thought there was an error somewhere when it was announced on Wednesday that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery. The said approval was at the 38th virtual FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, repeated the figure while addressing State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting. Four days after, there has been no denial of the figure unveiled for the repair of the refinery. So, it is true. This is certainly not good news for Nigeria. Those running Nigeria are clearly confused. There is no sense spending $1.5 billion to repair a refinery when a new, better and more efficient one can be built with that kind of money.

For the record, last February, Shell US sold its Martinez Refinery in California to PBF Energy for $1.2 billion. It is a modern 157,000-barrel-per-day high-conversion refinery.

So, why should the Nigerian government spend $1.5 billion repairing an outdated refinery, when a new one can be built with this money? This is happening amid so much hunger in this country. Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar was correct when he said approving the amount for the renovation of a refinery at a critical period of increased unemployment and inflation “would appear to be an unwise use of scarce funds.”

Atiku adds: “At this critical period, we must as a nation be prudent with the use of whatever revenue we can generate... To therefore budget $1.5 billion to renovate or turn around the Port Harcourt Refinery would appear to be an unwise use of scarce funds. We cannot, as a nation, expect to make economic progress if we continue to fund inefficiency, and we are going too deep into the debt trap for unnecessarily overpriced projects.”

The refineries are not working; yet, billions of USD goes into turn around maintenance and repairs. It’s about time these money guzzling plants are sold. This is the only way forward for beloved Nigeria. We must all put pressure on the Buhari government to stop wasting state resources on these plants.

I expect civil society groups to come in here.

This rubbish has to stop.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ MARCH 20, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY

Jamil with Fatima

Fatima at Dangote angot ote and Jamil Abubaka uba baka kar ar

Three Years and Still Sturdy Fatima, daughter g of billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote g and Jamil, son of former IG Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, are still basking in the euphoria of their third wedding anniversary.

Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

M

arriage g follows a strong g tradition and is intended to be a lifelong commitment. In 2018, Jamil Mohammed Abubakar married Fatima Dangote g in a lavish ceremony, y and many y famous people p p were in attendance for their special p day. y Fast forward to 2021 and the Fatima and Jamil are celebrating g their third wedding g anniversary. y Fatima is the daughter g of billionaire business magnate, g Aliko Dangote. g The gorgeous g g Fatima Dangote g is a lawyer y by y profession. She runs the Cupcake Factory which p she founded in Lagos. g Her hubby y Jamil, a pilot, p is the son of former Inspector p General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar. He is also the head of the JMD Foundation, which works to eliminate poverty p y in Nigeria g and helps p the less p privileged g members of society. y They y had their wedding g fathiha on March 16, 2018 in Kano state. Celebrating g her as they y mark third year wedding y g anniversary, y Jamil in the early y hours of last Tuesday, y shared some photos p from their wedding g ceremonies and wrote: “Happy ppy Anniversary y lover!!! 100 more years y to go! g ISAH”.

Though g he is known to be a socialite, Jamil gained more popularity when news broke that he

married Fatima in a fairy-tale y wedding, g which held in Kano, Kaduna and Lagos, g respectively. p y Throwback: The eight-part g p wedding g was a grand g display p y of tradition and love. They y dubbed the celebration #Famil2018, with photos p of their union splashed p on social media. With luxurious images g from #FaMil2o18 making g rounds all over the web, one question q emerged g on the minds of many y Nigerians: g “Who is the lucky yg guy y that had the g guts not only y break into the g garden, but steal a flower from the garden g of the richest man in Africa?” Dangote g in a one minute video he made for Fatima had said Jamil had done his homework. Apparently pp y Jamil had been a son to the mogul g before he even knew he would be his father-in-law.

The wedding g festivities had Fatima’s mother hosting g a mother’s dinner, which then continued to a Kamu ceremony y in Kano. It officially y marked the commencement of the traditional rites before the nuptial p ceremony y climaxed in Lagos g at the Eko Hotel and Suites. The wedding g reception p was a gift from the bride’s father and attended by y many y influential people p p inside and outside Nigeria. g The series of events was well attended by y dignitaries g like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, j and former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar,

Speaker p of the House of Representatives p Yakubu Dogara, g and APC leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Other notable attendees include then Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. j American entrepreneur p and p philanthropist p Bill Gates was also in attendance. There were also ap plethora of A-list entertainment celebrities and friends of both families in attendance. Some of the A-list artiste friends of Fatima’s boo are M.I., D-Banj,j K-Cee, P-Square, q Vector, Wande Coal, Ice Prince, Phyno, y Wizkid and Davido. Phyno, y Wizkid and Davido all p performed at Jamil’s lush ceremony.

“It was such an exciting g day. y I was amazed when I saw Fatima at the end of the aisle. It was amazing g to celebrate our union with so many y notable people, p p as well as close family and friends,” Jamil said.

In August g of 2019, Jamil and Fatima welcomed a baby yg girl into their family. y An immensely y excited Jamil said on the baby: y “I’ve always y known I wanted children. Holding g my y baby yg girl in my y arms was the best moment of my y life so far. I know she will g grow up p to do g great things.” g Jamil and Fatima’s union has been incredibly y joyful: j y “I’m grateful g for my y wife every y day. y She’s so amazing, g and I couldn’t imagine my life without her,” Jamil adds.

SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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12

MARCH 20, 2020 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

VACCINES MUST TRAVEL TO THE PEOPLE Deploy motorcycle brigades and foot soldiers in villages and slums, urges Rajendra Aneja

J

ust a few words can define or change the course of human history.

Abraham Lincoln’s eight words “A government of, by and for the people” defined democracy forever. Martin Luther King’s four words,“I have a dream”, amplified the struggles of minorities globally.

Mr. Robert Winship Woodruff, was the President of the Coca-Cola Company from 1923 until 1954. His five words defined the key task for consumer product companies across the world, for generations.

He wanted to put Coca Cola “within arm’s reach of desire” of every consumer in the world. Coke is ubiquitous everywhere. Coke sells two billion drinks daily. Every consumer product company aims to place its products at arm’s length of the consumer.

Now, governments across the world are struggling to place vaccines “at arm’s length” of 7.67 billion people. Many countries are just flummoxed by the overwhelming task. A challenge confronting developing countries like India, Brazil, Nigeria, etc., with large rural populations, is the distribution of vaccines to small towns, villages and slums. It is an enormous undertaking, to place the vaccines “at arm’s length” in these remote areas, due to lack of all-weather motorable roads and logistics.

Companies engaged in the retailing of consumer products in small towns and villages, use grass-root distribution techniques, to reach their products to consumers. Principally, since middlemen are not available for this “Last Mile Distribution”, companies have innovated appropriate techniques like the Bicycle Brigades and Retail Foot Soldiers. These mass-distribution ideas can be deployed for vaccinations by local health authorities to ensure rapid inoculations in villages and slums.

Covid-19 “Warrior Motorcycles Brigade” The “Bicycle Brigade” model of distribution comprises of teams of youngsters visiting villages and slums, to distribute small packs of toothpaste, washing powder, etc. The project in Africa was covered by the Financial Times, London, (“Bicycle Brigade take Unilever to the People” FT. 7 Nov. 2000). An organisation, Riders for Health, comprising of health workers, also visited villages on motor cycles, to distribute anti-malaria mosquito nets and medicines.

Health departments could launch “Covid-19 Warriors Motorcycle Brigades”. These would be health workers, with ice boxes containing vaccines, mounted on motorcycles, visiting villages to inoculate locals.

Two health workers, could cover one or two villages daily and vaccinate 500 villagers daily.

Hand-held Terminals & Printers The visiting health workers should carry Hand-held terminals, on which they record the names, ages and locations of the people they inoculate. Small printers should be attached to the terminals, to print the vaccination certificates and issue them immediately to the recipients of vaccines. The “Covid-19 Warriors Motorcycles Brigade” programme should inform the villages being visited in advance. Then, the local residents will be ready, at a central place like the village school, church or mosque.

The “Bicycle Brigade” innovation was covered in a book, “Brands and Branding” by Rita Clifton and John Simmons, published by The Economist. It states, “In Tanzania, where half the population earns less than $1 a day, Unilever’s new company has set up a bicycle brigade of sales people drawn from local unemployed youngsters to supply small shops with products such as Key soap, sold in small units for a few

IN CITIES, PEOPLE MAY TRAVEL TO HOSPITALS TO GET VACCINATED. IN VILLAGES, SMALL TOWNS AND SLUMS, THE VACCINES WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL TO THE PEOPLE. COUNTRIES SHOULD RECOGNISE THIS REALITY AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY

cents. All these branded innovations deliver direct business benefits to Unilever through increased sales. And yet they deliver powerful social benefits too, contributing to improved hygiene and nutrition and thereby helping to tackle disease and infant mortality.”

The “Covid-19 Motor-cycle Warriors” comprising of Health workers, can make significant social contributions by accelerating vaccinations in the villages, slums and interiors areas.

“Covid-19 Foot-Soldiers” A major challenge in developing countries is to vaccinate people in villages, which have no motorable roads at all. Even motorcycles find it difficult to reach some villages due to rains or slush. We had initiated a scheme called, “Mama-Mia Retail Programme”, which translates to “Hundred Mamas Retail Programme”. These were 100 housewives who would collect a carton of toothpaste in the morning. Then, they retailed the tubes to villagers in their homes. In the evening, they returned the cash and received a commission.

The scheme can be relaunched as “Covid-19 Foot Soldiers”. Health workers could carry an ice-box of vaccines to villages, which are inaccessible by road and vaccinate the villagers. Retired doctors and health workers, residing in the villages can also assist the “Covid-19 Foot-Soldiers”. The execution of the programme on the ground will require resolving various logistical issues like sourcing the appropriate type and number of ice-boxes, replenishments, meal arrangements for the inoculators, etc. Each team of two “Covid-19 Foot Soldiers”, should aim to cover at least one village, with 300-500 vaccines per day. The Foot Soldiers will have to be trained thoroughly. They should be provided with Hand-held terminals, micro-printers, uniforms and identity cards.

Bill Gates in an article entitled, “Meeting the Musahar: A trip to a remote corner of India taught me a powerful lesson about what it will take to wipe out polio,” January 10, 2018, discusses the contribution of foot soldiers in the polio vaccination in India.

He writes, “The Indian government deployed more than two million vaccinators who covered every speck of the country, including the Musahar village I visited, which was often inaccessible because of flooding from the Kosi River. One of the most inspiring photographs of that time was an image of polio workers wading waist deep in water to reach remote villages with the polio vaccine.”

Liaise with Village Leaders The “Covid-19 Foot-Soldiers” should liaise with the village headman about the dates, times and place of inoculation, to ensure local support.

The vaccination will carry credibility if they are undertaken in the premises of a public health centre or school.

A manual detailing the work of the “Foot-Soldiers” and how to conduct the vaccination, should be prepared. Every country should aim to create this “Covid-19 Foot-Soldiers” health army to battle the pandemic.

In cities, people may travel to hospitals to get vaccinated. In villages, small towns and slums, the vaccines will have to travel to the people.

Countries should recognise this reality and plan accordingly.

Aneja was the Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and the author of books entitled, “Rural Marketing across Countries and “Business Express”. He is a Management Consultant.

ENTER, PRESIDENTYAHAYA BELLO

Abdulazeez Momoh raises questions on Bello’s quest for the Presidency

A

fter reading Eniola Bello’s typically brilliant and virtually exhaustive treatise: “Yahaya Bello: The Ugly Face Of APC” in THISDAY of Monday March 8, 2021, you feel there’s little to add to the very illuminating discourse. This is one write-up which should be read and read again by lovers of Kogi State and followers of this geo-polity. This is one state which keeps failing to realise the dreams of its people and the expectations of watchers of sociopolitical developments in the state.

You probably also read Idowu Akinlotan’s “They Too Want To Be President” on the backpage of The Nation on Sunday, of March 7, 2021. The piece so succinctly xrays early aspirants to President Muhammadu Buhari’s job, including Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State, who Akinlotan notes, has comically elected himself a son of Buhari, to underscore his desperation to succeed his “father.” Nigeria hasn’t yet become Equatorial Guinea, where the father, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is President, while his son, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue, is the Vice President, by the way.

Giant billboards bearing Bello’s image with payoff lines conveying his presidential bid, flash past your face as you commute on highways abutting the confluence state. In the estimation of his aides and associates, he either has transmuted from Government House, Lokoja to Aso Villa, Abuja, or he is waiting in the wings. And so they churn out billboard after billboard.

From whichever part of the trans-national highway you access Lokoja, the state capital, your sensibilities will most likely be assaulted by the naked putrefaction that confronts you in the name of urbanisation.

If you are coming in from above the Niger River, the Kaduna-Abuja road, you drive past the naval formation, NNS Lugard in the sleepy village Banda, and thenceforth to the main approach into the state capital. The area is known by residents as “Nataco,” and it welcomes you with “Oshodi-style” bedlam. You navigate man-sized potholes, striving with every turn

of your car wheels, to avoid collision with oncoming vehicles. On either side of the road, trailers are parked with reckless abandon; restaurants and bukaterias, watering holes for commuters, spill into the highway; retailers of all manner of wares, man their wooden stalls constraining the road, either side of the North-South highway. Should you be unfortunate to be on the road on a “market day,” your pace and timing will be further impeded by the buying and selling at the self-styled “International Market,” as you progress to the intersection which takes you southward towards Okene or Obajana, or left ward into Lokoja.

If you are driving northwards from the Okene-Osara or Kabba-Obajana sections of the country, into Lokoja town through the famous “Barracks Road,” you will most likely drive through an earth road, long-designed as a dual carriageway, but which remains a monument of neglect and dereliction.

Perchance your route takes you through the Ajaokuta-Ganaja-Lokoja road, popular with commuters from the South-South and South East of the country, you will have to endure a pitiably dilapidated road, further ravaged by the last rains which virtually severed the road from Lokoja on your route.

And from which ever of these three accesses you traverse Lokoja, you will be confronted by the same overwhelming spectre of abandonment; assailed by the rancid stench of decay; numbed by pervading stasis; disturbed by the prevailing despondency in a city which once hosted the seat of Nigeria’s administration, during the colonial era. Lokoja is one sprawling dung hill, dirty, decrepit, decadent, unkempt, unplanned and a relic from only God knows where. You see evidence that this is a state that has been serially bled in those miniature traffic lights and stitched-together street lights, for which billions of naira have been voted and pillaged from state coffers. Civil servants are perennially owed their salaries, retirees are deprived of their post-service

entitlements. Once upon a time, Kogi State held the national record for the number of suicides by the depressed and despondent, who had had it to their necks with suffering and chronic lack. Yet, photographs of state-of-the-art automobiles some of which are not even available on Buhari’s fleet in Abuja, regularly pop from the car garage of Yahaya Bello.

The state indeed gained national notoriety for state-sponsored brigandage in the run up to the general elections of 2019. Kogi was the only state, where hooded armed hoodlums, strolled out of a Government House, and besieged the residence of a former governor of the state who was hosting a meeting with leaders of the opposition party, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), on the eve of the presidential election. Dispersed by officers and men of the Nigerian Army, the brigands simply left the property they held hostage and walked leisurely back into Government House, unchallenged.

Umar Fintiri and Seyi Makinde, governors of Adamawa and Oyo States, respectively, had a taste of the thuggish bestiality which has characterised governance in Kogi State, in the past few years. Fintiri who was in Lokoja to oversee the gubernatorial primaries of the PDP in September 2019, had to be ferried to safety as snipers stormed Confluence Stadium, venue of the programme, after midnight. The votes of the primaries were being tallied at the time and an otherwise peaceful event ended in chaos. Makinde’s security aides on the other hand, had to return fire when a hotel in Lokoja where Makinde, in his capacity as leader of the PDP governorship campaign organisation in Kogi State, was having a meeting with party faithfuls, was invaded by masked characters. This was on the eve of the 2019 governorship election.

Mrs Salome Abuh, a woman politician in Ochadamu, Ofu local government area of the state was not as fortunate. For working for the success of a particular political party in her ward during the November 2019

governorship contest, her house was incinerated while she was asleep. All exits from the house were sealed by her assailants to prevent her from escaping the fire. The PDP leadership in the state, lay the crime squarely at the feet of loyalists of Bello’s APC. Such bestiality.

If the world was in any doubt about the new regime of violence and bloodletting in Kogi State under the incumbent dispensation, nothing captures the situation any better, than the viral video of young ladies simulating a chorus to the chorus of “ta-ta-ta-ta,” mimicking the rattle of bullets, immediately after the 2019 governorship polls. Put simply, the song said the election was secured by the barrel of the gun and anyone who stood in the way, was felled by the gun.

Governance today is on an extended holiday in Kogi State. Yahaya Adoza Bello on whose laps the leadership of the state fell in circumstances which have continued to confound legality and rationality, is a visiting governor in Lokoja. It wouldn’t really matter where he operates from though. The president conducts most of his official programmes these days, virtually.

Two months into the sixth year of his tenure in office, the state, gripping ineptitude, glaring lack of capacity, blatant inexperience and classic lack of vision, have continued to hall-mark statecraft.

Bello resides more in his house in Wuse District, Abuja and in the presidential suites of preferred hotels in the capital city, where he is strategizing and stridently working towards taking over the mantle of the nation’s leadership from President Muhammadu Buhari, come 2023. He has been on an extensive road show, marketing himself as the best thing to happen to Nigeria. There was a report in December 2020, that he hosted APC chairmen of all the 36 states and the federal capital territory to unveil his presidential desire and to seek their support.

Momoh, a Lagos-based solicitor, hails from Okene, Kogi State

13

MARCH 20, 2020 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Seeing is believing...

What’s in an Award?

A

n award, scrutinized without bias, is “a recognition, or reward, for certain excellent, or outlandish performances.” Aside the fact that an award serves as a motivation for the awardee, the utility value of such an award is as good as the perception of the people over the credibility value of the giver. Put differently, awards and/or institutional recognitions attached to them are as good as the integrity profile of the institutions, which confer the awards on people.

Thinking a lot more clearly, what is at stake is the sincerity of purpose.

Truth be told, we are in a world where awards are now 10-for-10k in nature, content, and context. As a matter of fact, anybody can ‘win’ laurels. While many awards, these days, are given for sycophantic reasons; or, as an upfront payment for futuristic advantages, some are seriously unnecessary and irresponsible, simply because the givers as well as the takers are unworthy of the core and the import of such a gesture.

In a world where development has become a refuge of scoundrels, it is an endless tale of people just converging to give awards, without appreciating their complexity, philosophical or crucial sociological imports. If an award is given by a non-credible organization, whatever the name ascribed to that award is equally unworthy. But then, there cannot be a counterfeit or fake denomination of a two thousand naira note, because there is no original of it. Impliedly, if there are fake and irresponsible awards, there must also be original and worthy awards in circulation. Thus, a worthy award is the one given by a “worthy giver” to a carefully, and rigorously selected recipient.

The highly coveted and socio-politically esteemed ‘Best Governor of the Year 2020’ Award, won recently, by Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun, refers. To be sure, lots of scrutiny, debates, facts-finding, arguments and counter-arguments, to mention a few, must have gone into the final selection of Oyetola as the choice of the panel of judges. There is no doubt that the panel, which chose him as the winner, was insightful and mindful of the burdens of its media and social responsibility, not to betray the trust of the society. In a free society, landmark achievements are made, which become standards for the society. The stage is set for everyone to contribute, aspire, and attempt to surpass the extant recorded landmarks; and when that is done, pronto, the celebration of another notable achievement. That is how developed nations are built; landmark achievements are continually built upon by succeeding generations of other people. Of course, this is where vision becomes important.

Using good governance as the benchmark, the judges were able to find this astute administrator, with aversion for noise making and self-aggrandizement, worthy of the coveted prize. It is in this respect that yours sincerely joins other well-meaning Nigerians in congratulating past winners of this prestigious, first-among-equals award even as we also congratulate Oyetola for being the newest recipient. The newspaper must also be commended for having the forthrightness and capability to decipher values that must have influenced its decision to make this governor, whose humanness is unrivaled and progressive ideals are undiluted, its choice. One can only hope that it’d sustain the high standard and credibility profile of both the newspaper and the awards it confers on selected worthy Nigerians.

In times like this, the finesse that Oyetola brought into governance is worthy of mention. He has brought responsibility

and accountability to the office of ‘Mr. Governor.’ In fact, he has shown the people how to lead by responding to issues promptly.

What is happening now is that this governor, who carries power gingerly and responsibly, has shown that government truly exists to serve the people. Even the state’s bureaucracy has taken its cue from the leadership traits of this noiseless achiever and progressive administrator.

Broadly speaking, Oyetola’s achievements in the last two years are as breathtaking as they are outstanding. The governor started with the health sector, believing that ‘health is wealth’; and that, if there’s to be any meaningful development, it must be powered by healthy people and to be enjoyed by a healthy citizen population.

Through the World Bank Assisted funding, the health sector has been reinvigorated in Osun. Currently, it has a functional, well-equipped Health Centre per every delineated Electoral Ward in every Local Government Area of the state.

The Education sector, where, on the policy level, Oyetola reversed some previous decisions that were deemed contentious or controversial, after a thorough scrutiny and consultation with the stakeholders and eggheads in the sector, has not gone unnoticed! Now, indigenes and residents alike are feeling proud with what is on ground. As we speak, the process of recruiting new, qualified teachers for public primary and secondary schools in the state is also at an advanced stage; and this proposes to employ about 3,000 qualified people into the teaching profession.

Abiodun Komolafe, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oyetola on Media

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

G

rowing up you might have heard of the term ‘Health is Wealth’, but its essential meaning is still not clear to many people.

Generally, people confuse good health with being free of any kind of illnesses. While it may be part of the case, it is not entirely what good health is all about. In other words, to lead a healthy life, a person must be fit and fine both physically and mentally. For instance, if you are constantly eating junk food yet you do not have any disease, it does not make you healthy. You are not consuming healthy food which naturally means you are not healthy, just surviving.

Therefore, to actually live and not merely survive, you need to have the basic essentials that make up for a healthy lifestyle.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle demands consistent habits and disciplined life. There are various good habits that you can adopt like T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R exercising regularly EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE which will maintain DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI your physical fitness.

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO It also affects your DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI mental health as EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN when your appearMANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE ance enhances your confidence.

Further, it will prevent obesity and T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D help you burn out EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA extra fat from your GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, body. After that, a ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI balanced diet is of DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE great importance.

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI When you take SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO appropriate amounts CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI of nutrition, vitamins, DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO proteins, calories HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA and more, your TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com immune system will

strengthen. This will, in turn, help you fight off diseases resulting in a disease-free life.

Above all, cleanliness plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Your balanced diet and regular exercise will be completely useless if you live in an unhealthy environment.

One must always maintain cleanliness in their surroundings so as to avoid the risk of catching communicable diseases.

As it is clear by now, good health is a luxury which everyone wants but some people cannot afford it. When a person leads a healthy lifestyle, he/she will be free from the tension of seeking medical attention every now and then.

On the contrary, if you have poor health, you will usually spend your time in a hospital and the bills will take away your mental peace. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle means you will be able to enjoy your life freely and, when you have a relaxed mind at all times, you will be able to keep your loved ones happy.

Moreover, a healthy lifestyle will push you to do better in life and motivate you to achieve higher targets. It usually happens that people who are extremely wealthy in terms of money often lack good health. This just proves that all the riches in the world will do you no good if there is an absence of a healthy lifestyle.

In short, a healthy life is the highest blessing which must not be taken for granted. It is truly the source of all happiness.

Money may buy you all the luxuries in the world but it cannot buy you good health.

You are solely responsible for that, so for your well-being and happiness, it is better to switch to a healthy lifestyle.

Mary Atuwele, atuwelemary@ gmail.com

14

SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

15

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 20, 2021

MILESTONE Ugwuanyi Advancing Peace, Development at 57 Louis Amoke

S

even key attributes define his life story: faith in God, peacefulness, humility, compassion, discipline, vision and forbearance. Attaining 57 years of age today, March 20, His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has carved an enviable niche for himself as an outstanding leader with a unique governance philosophy.

Ugwuanyi, fondly known as ‘Gburugburu’, habitually appreciates and acknowledges his beloved ‘God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and the awesome God of David’, for the bold statement the Almighty has decreed in his life odyssey. His peers readily acknowledge this strikingly humble trait.

A leader who stresses consensus, widely recognized by all for his commitment to peace, development and wellbeing of the people, especially the lowly and less privileged, Ugwuanyi has gone down in history as a phenomenon that stands tall among his contemporaries and tells the story that life is better enjoyed on side of the above attributes.

Assuming office in 2015, at a time the state’s resources were growing leaner because of the nation’s adverse economic realities, Ugwuanyi was undaunted and resolute in his steadfastness to build Enugu State of the founding fathers’ dreams, where peace, harmony, inclusive governance and rapid development hold sway.

The governor’s sheer determination to alleviate the sufferings of the people and make life more meaningful for them, against all odds, gave birth to his administration’s rural development policy aimed at taking democracy dividends to the doorsteps of the rural dwellers.

His driving focus remains remembering the longneglected, reconnecting the rural dwellers with the realities of governance and addressing the hydra-headed imbalance between urban and rural populace in terms of distribution of infrastructure and other basic amenities. Besides the nation’s economic meltdown, the governor when he assumed office, also inherited a huge debt profile and other wage bills to be serviced. At that time, 27 states, excluding Enugu, could not pay workers’ salaries, let alone embark on capital projects.

Governors resorted to bailout funds to meet up with high demands of governance. What was more challenging was their inability to access the nation’s excess crude oil funds, which enabled their predecessors to execute capital projects and address other sundry public needs. In spite of all these, Ugwuanyi was able to lead Enugu State out of the woods and attain enviable heights as one of the most peaceful and safest sates in Nigeria as well as being among the six economically viable states in the country that can survive without federal allocations.

Enugu State, with no oil, under Ugwuanyi’s watch, was also rated as the second most advanced state in Nigeria, on the Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank Group; one of the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers (BudgIT) and among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities (Economic Confidential magazine verdict).

It is on record that Enugu is in the list of the few states that commenced payment of N30,000 new minimum wage to their workers without any form of rancour, in January 2020. It is also on record that Ugwuanyi’s administration has invested huge resources in road infrastructure, covering about 680km, largely concentrated in the rural areas. Looking at history, Ugwuanyi is the only governor of Enugu State to witness two economic recessions in five years of his administration, the recent #EndSars protests and a pandemic (COVID-19) that has brought a major setback to the entire world in terms of growth and development, coupled with other challenges.

The construction of the state’s first flyover bridge, a landmark project, has commenced at the intractable Abakpa Nike/T-Junction road, to ease the traffic gridlock in the area.

His administration has also made huge investments in other sectors of development such as health, education, security, investment promotion, agriculture, workers’ welfare and empowerment, etc.

For instance, the Ugwuanyi administration has constructed and renovated district hospitals and health centres in the state, especially in the rural areas under the primary healthcare programme. It has massively rehabilitated and transformed the former Colliery Hospital Enugu, with the construction of new structures, which is now designated as the Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, for isolation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases.

Ugwuanyi’s administration is presently constructing a multi-billion naira Specialist Hospital and College of Medicine blocks for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno, Enugu North Senatorial District.

In Education, besides recruiting over 5000 primary and secondary school teachers, Ugwuanyi’s administration has constructed, renovated and equipped 1,205 classroom blocks and other school projects under ENSUBEB. It procured and

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi presenting gifts to the widows of fallen heroes in the state, in commemoration of the 2021 Armed Forces Rememberance Day celebration, at the Parade Ground, Abakpa Cantonment, Enugu

distributed over 50,000 classroom furniture and other learning tools for primary school children and their teachers.

Under the PPSMB, the state government supplied and installed computers to 200 secondary schools and science equipment to 135 secondary schools; constructed and renovated classroom blocks, offices and hostels, among others.

The story is the same in the state owned tertiary institutions.

On workers’ welfare, Ugwuanyi, who has been widely adjudged as one of the most labour-friendly governors in Nigeria, is known for his administration’s prompt and regular payment of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions, among other incentives. In his peacefulness, despite the nation’s avalanche of challenges, Ugwuanyi has continued to spearhead and advance peace in Enugu State in a rare, dignified manner.

Today, Enugu State is not only enjoying a secure environment, businesses have continued to flourish as investors, tourists, families, relations and friends, keep trooping to the state for various socio-economic engagements, with hotels fully booked most times. The peace in Enugu State, which is largely responsible for the milestone achievements recorded

by Ugwuanyi’s administration, in spite of various challenges, has also engendered real estate development in the state and increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

In actualizing this peace, Ugwuanyi has invested and sacrificed a lot. The governor has no enemy and has continued to pay the ultimate price for peace to reign in the state, and history will forever remember him for spearheading and institutionalizing such campaign that is extremely critical to the progress of the state. His simplicity, goodwill, open-door policy, tolerance, compassion in uplifting the downtrodden and direct contact with everyone, irrespective of class or status, are eloquent testimonies to his sophisticated background as a humble leader.

Ugwuanyi is one who delights in the joy of his people and shares in their grief as well, keeping in touch at all times. Early this year, Ugwuanyi was at the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, with cash gift and food items, to solemnly identify with widows of fallen heroes, in commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. This attribute was among the factors responsible for the governor’s unprecedented victory, winning 95.54 percent of the votes cast during his reelection in 2019. This is actually the highest in the nation’s electoral history.

As a man of conscience, Ugwuanyi, through his life’s journey experience and encounter with the people, has proved to be someone who does not forget the past or where he is coming from. He appreciates friendship, brotherhood and any deed of goodwill from people. A case study in mind is the

governor’s rare leadership role in reinvigorating the political expedition of the former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. The senator, after he left office as governor, was confronted with stern challenges that almost retired him from active politics. But Ugwuanyi ensured that he returned to the senate in 2019.

Nnamani as Governor of Enugu State in 2003 and leader of Ebeano political family was instrumental to Ugwuanyi venturing into active politics as the member representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. Speaking when he visited Ugwuanyi at the Government House Enugu, for the first time after 12 years he left office, Nnamani thanked the governor for his benevolence, display of conscience, and for “giving me a second chance”, saying: “Ugwuanyi has wiped my tears”.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who described Ugwuanyi as “a symbol of peace” and frowned at the handiwork of political jobbers, when he led stakeholders of Enugu West Senatorial District to pay a solidarity visit to the governor, pronounced that they would continue to stand by Ugwuanyi to ensure that he advances and actualizes his peace and development initiatives for the state.

Besides, virtually all leaders of political, religious, traditional and socio-economic institutions in Enugu State and beyond are unanimous in their positive stance on Gov. Ugwuanyi’s peace and good governance initiatives.

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has on several occasions, eulogized Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace and good governance in Enugu State, describing him as “a good man; a man of peace; a perfect genius; humble and ever patient leader”.

Recently, the new National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, at the church’s 16th Biennial Conference in Enugu, where Ugwuanyi was conferred with the ‘Defender of the Faith” award, alongside Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, expressed delight at the governor’s simplicity, his generosity to PFN and other churches in the state, as well as his disposition as a peaceful and God-fearing leader.

As Ugwuanyi clocks 57 years, it is worth noting that despite the avalanche of economic, security and public health challenges, he has kept faith with his core vision to “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency!

––Amoke writes from Enugu

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

17

SHOWBIZFLAIR

The Therapist’s Quest to Change Everything Teni My Wondaland Album Full of Surprises pg. 19

Burna Boy Joins Justin Bieber in New Song pg. 20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

18 Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

The Therapist’s Quest to Change Everything Upcoming Nollywood movie, The Therapist, unravels a woman on the quest to change so many things, using love, betrayal and marriage. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

“F

rom 26th of March 2021 in all cinemas nationwide, you all will have the opportunity to experience this amazing story, all cards came on deck to create this magic for you,” Kayode Kasum’s post announces, alongside the official trailer to his latest movie, ‘The Therapist’. It is not unexpected to see this director push his cinematic work as he always does.

The two minutes trailer signposts scenes and sights to look forward to in the upcoming feature film. “I look at you and you know what I see? Nothing!” Not Kasum’s words though, but a mention in the trailer’s opening which further shows the characters.

There’s Rita Dominic’s character which the said comment derides. She storms out of what looks like a date. She is connected to two women Michelle Dede and Toyin Abraham’s character. But what exactly is her connection to this other woman which she’s simply trying to help? She did. She’s “The Therapist”.

But the woman is actually thinking of something….

“You know I have a lot of friends that have the kind of problem that me too I have before you helped me.

And I know they will need the kind of help, this thing that you people are doing.

If you can be doing it, trust me, you will make a lot of money.”

Truly, there are women out there who need their help, ranging from sex to relationship, and marriage. Ironically, these therapist characters hardly get self-therapeutic effect for their own issues.

In the course of their duty, they hire a private investigator, played by Tope Tedela. He’s a bit crazy but the best. He seems to end up shagging his matron’s subject. These so far highlight the Genesis Pictures and Hedge Productions new drama, The Therapist. This movie follows the amazing story of a young lady who makes a stronger comeback by helping unhappy married women get through their setbacks, after losing everything to her abusive ex-husband.

It unravels the length a woman on the quest to change everything will go to while exploring diverse ways ranging from love, betrayal and marriage take their course. Set in modern-

Chidi Mokeme, Rita Dominic, Anthony Monjaro on set of The Therapist

day Nigeria, the plot centres on Eloho Odafe who loses everything in a divorce to her abusive ex-husband.

Reduced to a penniless and desperate woman, Eloho decides to help unhappy women seeking to divorce their abusive and unfaithful

husbands. “The Therapist” addresses culturally relevant concepts ranging from love, betrayal, deceit, marriage and law. As this enthralling drama unravels, it leaves everyone with the big question: what happens when a woman is on a quest

to change everything? The Therapist has an answer.

Watch the captivating drama that unfolds in this Nollywood movie premiering on March 26, 2021 across all cinemas nationwide.

The feature film, aside its classy costumes and scen-

ery, boasts of an impressive lineup of Nollywood’s finest acts including Rita Dominic who plays lead.

Other stars include Chidi Mokeme, Michelle Dede, Shaffy Bello, Tope Tedela, Anthony Monjaro and Anee Icha.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

19

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Teni

My Wondaland Album Full of Surprises Yesterday, Teni the Entertainer took her fans and music lovers on a magical journey with the release of her debut album, Wondaland. The 17-tracks album was crafted over two years, across seven cities. The singer and songwriter tells Ferdinand Ekechukwu that she just wants to inspire, educate, entertain and touch people’s lives in different ways with her craft

W

hat’s up with Teni? How have you been?

I have been great; just excited for my album, Wondaland.

Why the title, Wondaland?

First of all, the album is wonderful music. It’s funny how everything came together. I was recording without a title in mind and I was almost done with selecting the songs. My team and I then discovered WKH DOEXP WDNHV \RX RQ D ULGH RI GLͿHUHQW HPRWLRQV , was going to name it amusement park because I love going to amusement parks especially Disneyland and the music gave me that same feeling of relaxation and UHÁHFWLRQ , H[SHULHQFHG ZKHQHYHU , ZDV LQ VXFK DQ environment. However I felt, why not take it further and give my amusement park a name and we arrived at Wondaland.

Tell us all about this album; how long did it take you to record?

It took me two years (2019 - 2020) across 7 cities in the world to record this album. However I did most of the recording during the lockdown period. I was just in an apartment with most of the producers (Ozedikos, Pheelz, P-Prime, and Krizbeatz), and we made magic.

Does Nigeria mean or look anything close to your ‘Wondaland’?

Nigeria will forever be my Wondaland. However, I feel we need to get some things right like electricity, education and more to allow people live their dreams. <RX DOUHDG\ JRW D WUDFN )RU <RX R; WKLV DOEXP featuring Davido. Is it your lead track?

It’s not. I’m leaving it to the fans to decide that because in the end, this album was for them to enjoy.

Which of the tracks on this album are your favourites?

I would say all of the tracks because they show the GLͿHUHQW VLGHV RI PH +RZHYHU , WKLQN LI , ZHUH IRUFHG

maybe I will to pick Maja, Moslado, Hustle, Were, Injure Me, Dads Song and Game Over.

What inspires your lyrics?

Everything around me. From my friends, family and even the fans, I will say my life basically.

You have made hits like ‘Case’, ‘Uyo Meyo’, ‘Askamaya’, ‘Billionaire’, even ‘For You’. Do you intentionally go for pop hits, or is it borne out of your writing style?

It’s mostly about how the spirit leads. However I have ideas around topics I want to explore sometimes.

Your songwriting is one of your trademarks.

Describe your songwriting process?

So I start with freestyle and I lay down the melodies of the song. I then proceed to complete the lyrics.

It seems you pay attention to your lyrics. Did the PXVLFDO EDFNJURXQG RI \RXU IDPLO\ LQÁXHQFH WKLV" Yes it did. I grew up in a big house and due to the GLYHUVH WDVWH LQ PXVLF , VXEFRQVFLRXVO\ JRW LQÁXHQFHG E\ GLͿHUHQW W\SHV RI PXVLF IURP 5 % KLS KRS IXML juju and more.

Did you have a mentor in the game coming up as an artiste? And what did they teach you?

Probably Nini (her sister Niniola). She really got me wanting to pursue this as a career especially.

Your music is quite inspiring and uplifting. Why’s that important for you?

I just want to inspire, educate and entertain. I want to WRXFK SHRSOH·V OLYHV LQ GLͿHUHQW ZD\V How would you describe your 2020? ,W ZDV D FUD]\ \HDU $ \HDU ÀOOHG ZLWK PL[HG HPRWLRQV but recording my album made it great for me.

Asides this album, what else should we be looking out for from Teni this year 2021?

Expect the unexpected and everything. Expect to see more of me.

Teni

Leke Benson Mixes Local Genre, Pop Bennett Oghifo

As independent artistes procure more pull and competence in the music industry, boycotting kingmakers, gatekeepers, labels and traditional contract deals, it has continuously become harder for artistes to stay relevant with their audience independently.

There is a lot at stake; even more responsibility is required to make it big in today’s world of music and entertainment, which goes connectively with the popular saying, “Talent is not enough”. /HNH %HQVRQ LV DQ DUWLVWH WKDW sings and perform in Yoruba, Hausa, standard and Nigerian English with clear and smooth ÁRZV FRPLQJ XS ZLWK ZHOO cooked melodic rendition and well-structured lyrical writing.

These illuminate on a collection RI GLͿHUHQW ORFDO $IULFDQ JHQUH such as Juju, Fuji and highlife ZLWK D IXVLRQ RI 8UEDQ 5 % -D]] and momentarily Pop. His sprouting fame can be said

to experience gradual growth from his single release on the 25th of May 2016 titled ‘Adura’ DIWHU KH ZRQ &5($0 &UHDWLYH 5HDOLW\ (QWHUWDLQPHQW $UWV and Music) Initiative in 2017 a platform created by Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, better known as D’banj. %HQVRQ PD\ QRW KDYH EHHQ given the chances and more distinctive attention given to other fast-rising artistes creating exciting buzz in the music industry currently, but he has proven to have a unique melody and rhythm in his music even better than that of some of the recent creative on the radar because of his musical dynamism. %HQVRQ PD\ QRW KDYH EHHQ discovered and exploited by any huge identity in the industry yet, to his potential and peak, but the fact that fans and more people are thrilled by his voice, singing and performing skills is hard to ignore.

He has been able to call out

Leke Benson

thousands of listeners which at all and anytime listen to and buy his music and also support him.

Having made an impression

with some of his released works, such as Adura, Ore Ofe, Pay Day, %RXQFHU $VDEH DQG PRVW UHFHQW single, The Flow, the Kaduna

State-bred and Kogi State original was recently disclosed by the Naijaloaded, Nigeria’s most visited entertainment and music online platform as the winner of WKHLU 1H[W7R%ORZ $QQXDO 3URgramme and the most valuable artiste in Kaduna. Also, he is dishing out amazing new music, following his current successful run in the year.

The singer-songwriter, composer remains a sensational artiste who is more gradually snapping into the industry.

While he is getting his fans, he is learning to utilise the buzz around him by bringing what is trending and happening into his own style of music for a good and passive listening experience. Songs of his like “Adura”, “The Flow” “Asabe”, “Pay Day” and few more serve as examples of this strategy.

7KLV \HDU LV GHÀQHG WR EH D JUHDW RQH IRU %HQVRQ DV LW LV glaring that he would be a star to watch out for and worth every listen.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

20

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Justin Bieber

Burna Boy

Burna Boy Joins Justin Bieber in New Song Ferdinand Ekechukwu

R

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(DV\ RQ WKH HDUV %LHEHU LV D ZL]DUG LQ WKLV WUDFN DV D FDVFDGH RI VRXQGV ERXQFH RͿ LQ his breathy lines. For Burna Boy’s innate authenticity and musical innovation in an engagement of anecdotes and lines IURP GHHS ZLWKLQ LV DXGLWRU\ JROG The multi-instrumentalist, singer, VRQJZULWHU -XVWLQ 'UHZ %LHEHU EHFDPH WKH ÀUVW DUWLVWH WR KDYH VHYHQ VRQJV IURP a debut record chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009, debuted on the US Billboard LQ ZLWK KLV JOREDO DQWKHP ¶%DE\· and became the youngest solo male act to top the chart in 47 years. He has built TXLWH WKH OLVW RI QRWDEOH IHDWXUHV ZLWK RYHU FROODERUDWLRQV ZLWK WKH LQGXVWU\·V ELJJHVW QDPHV LQFOXGLQJ 0DMRU /D]HU Nicki Minaj, Chance The Rapper, Usher, Ludacris, and Travis Scott.

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The afro-fusion artiste bagged the muchFRYHWHG *UDPP\ DZDUG LQ WKH %HVW *OREDO Music Album (formerly Best World Music $OEXP FDWHJRU\ IRU KLV ¶7ZLFH DV 7DOO· album. He edged out contenders Antibalas, an American Afrobeat band that is modelled after Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s $IULFD EDQG %UD]LOLDQ $PHULFDQ VLQJHU Bebel Gilberto; British-Indian sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar; and WKH 0DOLDQ EDQG 7LQDULZHQ 7KH ZLQQLQJ DOEXP LV KLV ÀIWK VWXGLR album and featured international colODERUDWLRQV ZLWK &KULV 0DUWLQ WKH OHDG vocalist of the British band, Cold Play;

American rap group, Naughty by Nature DV ZHOO DV 6HQHJDOHVH OHJHQGDU\ VLQJHU Youssou N’Dour. This is the second consecutive time Burna Boy has been nominated for the Grammys. His previous DOEXP ¶$IULFDQ *LDQW· ZDV QRPLQDWHG DW WKH QG *UDPP\ $ZDUGV IRU ¶%HVW :RUOG 0XVLF $OEXP· 7KH DZDUG ZHQW WR %HQLQRLVH VLQJHU $QJpOLTXH .LGMR ZKR GHGLFDWHG WKH DZDUG WR %XUQD %R\ DQG VDLG KH ZDV OHDGLQJ WKH SDFN RI \RXQJ $IULFDQV ZKR ZLOO VKDNH XS WKH JOREDO music space.

With a captivating performance at the UG DQQXDO *UDPP\ $ZDUGV %XUQD %R\ ZDV D VSHFWDFOH DV KH EURXJKW GRZQ WKH KRXVH LQ D SRZHUIXO PHGOH\ RI KLV VRQJV VWDUWLQJ ZLWK WKH FKRUXV RI ´ µ to “Level Up” to “Onyeka” and “Ye”, complemented by his band, “The OutsidHUVµ ZKRVH UHZRUNHG PXVLFDO DUUDQJHPHQW ZDV QRWKLQJ VKRUW RI HWKHUHDO H[FHOOHQFH IRU WKH VLQJHU ZKR KDV VROG RXW /RQGRQ·V Wembley Arena and broken a UK music FKDUW DQG D 6SRWLI\ VWUHDPLQJ UHFRUG ZLWK his Afrobeats and dance-hall style.

Hallelujah Pop-up Channel Returns to DStv and GOtv this Easter MultiChoice Nigeria is refreshing its IDLWK EDVHG FRQWHQW RͿHULQJ ZLWK WKH return of Hallelujah pop-up channel to DStv and GOtv platforms from Sunday, 28 March till Monday, 5 April 2021.

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Daystar, Dunamis, House on the Rock, Salvation Ministries, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

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7KH FKDQQHO ZLOO DOVR IHDWXUH D QHZ segment called REJOICE! - a live PXVLFDO SHUIRUPDQFH VKRZ KRVWHG E\ prominent gospel artiste, Segun Obe, DQG ZLOO IHDWXUH SHUIRUPDQFHV E\ WRS

gospel artistes such as Tim Godfrey, 2QRV DQG )UDQN (GZDUGV RQ 6XQGD\ 28 March and Easter Sunday, 4 April from 3pm. &KLHI &XVWRPHU 2΀FHU 0XOWL&KRLFH Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, explained that the pop-up channel is specially FXUDWHG ZLWK IDLWK QRXULVKLQJ WHOHYLsion content for every member of the family this Easter.

“We are delighted to bring back the Hallelujah pop-up channel to our DStv and GOtv customers this Easter holiday. Easter is one of the principal holidays for Christians and a sacred

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SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ ͺ͸˜ ͰͮͰͯ

JOE/FAJ

THEFRONTLINES

Matawalle: The Joker in Zamfara Govt House

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T

here is something about some of our politicians that often set me thinking quite deeply about what exactly their purpose in politics is. For politicians who signed social contracts with their people to serve them dutifully within a specific period, their utterances and actions would leave you wondering whether they are servant leaders or outright slave masters who are more interested in their parochial or selfish interests than that of their people.

As governors. they forget that they are custodians of the sacred trust of the people; therefore, every pronouncement carries some sort of weight with it. While some statements could rekindle hope in their people, some careless talks have the tendency of sending wrong signals and overheat the polity. Some of them play god believing they are actually invincible and infallible and lay false claim to possessing the ability to “do and undo”. Although the 1999 Constitution as amended confers on governors the power to confirm death sentences passed within their respective states, such an order is not by fiat. A person must have committed an offence, tried and convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction before a governor may decide to either ratify or commute the sentence.

One state that has regrettably been populated with these self-aggrandizing politicians who prefer grandiose to substance is Zamfara state where particularly the current governor, Bello Matawalle, and those before him are comics. Matawalle’s recent theatrics over a very serious matter involving the lives of kidd napped schoolgirls under his watch stand him out as a huge joke.

Matawalle, while speaking about the abduction of the schooll girls from the GGSS in Jangebe, Talata Mafara Local Government Area said Nigerians will be shocked when they get to know those behind the abduction. Addressing the 17 Emirs who came to sympathize with him over the abduction of the schoolgirls that same weekend, Matawalle said: “As we await the arrival of the released kidnapped students of GSSS Jangebe at the Government House today, I want to inform you that there are many revelations in relation to the abduction of these students. Many people will be surprised to hear those people behind the abduction of these innocent children.

“They are not comfortable with the progress I am getting as a result of my peace initiative and they want to do all they can to sabotage my efforts. I will Insha Allah succeed at the end of the day and they will bury their faces in shame,” he boasted.

At that time, the whole country and indeed international attention was drawn to the plight of the kidnapped school girls. It was therefore a welcome development to hear the Chief Security Officer of the state make such a pronouncement. In essence, it meant that the perennial kidnapping and banditry that are now

Matawalle the bane of the north have found a cure or a clue to a solution.

All was set for the expose of the century and a revelation that would possibly give the law enforcement agents a handle on those behind these criminal acts. But like an anticlimax in a film with high expectations on suspense, Matawalle named the GGSS security guard as one of those who facilitated the abduction of the students. It was unbelievable and many people were disappointed and voiced their indignation to what appears to be a volte-face turnaround by Matawalle.

What may have happened to make the governor change his story? Did he come under pressure from some powerful individuu als involved in the heist? On the source of his information, the governor revealed that the students identified the security guard of the school as one of those behind the abduction.

According to him, “The security agents in the state are aware that when we were trying to rescue these children without paying a ransom, other people were behind talking to them that money will be given to them that they shouldn’t release them to the state government.

“The children have mentioned the watchman of the school, that after releasing them, the bandits were telling them that they should

Trust: Nigeria’s Missing Rib The arts of power and its minions are the same in all countries and in all ages. It marks its victim; denounces it; and excites the public odium and the public hatred, to conceal its own abuses and encroachments - Henry Clay If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost - Barack Obama

I

t is sad but true, that most Nigerians don’t trust the governn ment and its officials. Of course, this is not a dark reputation peculiar to the current administration of Muhammadu Buhari, nor did it start in 2015. No, in our estimation, this is as a result of decades - dating back to years before indee pendence - of mis-governance, promotion of self-interest, endemic corruption, deflated expectations, failed promises, economic sabotage, and countless misdemeanours and rascality of our so-called leaders, in high and low places.

If indeed the first man created had his rib removed to make a woman, and the space was not refilled, repaired or reformed, the man, understandably cannot be said to be complete. He would therefore be expected to wobble from one act of wantonness to another, on account of the missing rib. Such is trust when amiss in any human affairs - between individuals, organisations or governments, and other levels of inter and intra relationships. Trust is critical to growth, to development, to prosperity, to enlightenment, to enhancement, to creativity. Invariably, trust fuels the positive values in human activities, and repels negativity. Everyone who has been a victim of misplaced trust or unfaithfulness has come face to face with gnawing despair; a heart shriveled by self-pity and depression; with scant contemplation or vision of future unity and progress.

Now, let us contextualise the elements of the proverbial missing rib in the architecture of our national experience. A government that is elected by whatever disproportionate voting spread is expected to govern indiscriminately and effectively over all of the country. If such a government decides, in its wisdom, to populate its most important security council with a disproportionately large members coming from a particular tribe and faith, in the face of a constitution founded on the principles of equity in diversity and ‘federal character’, does that government expect to be trusted, and believed, even when it’s making sense or progress?

It engenders distrust when for many years a government led by a Fulani dilly-dallied over how to handle the arrogant, wilful and vicious desecration of farmlands and families of others all over the country by Fulani herders, whose cows thrashed over people’s livelihood - and the government’s reaction is to play dumb, tending to less explosive

matters like dealing with the upsurge of bleaching creams amongst urban folks.

What level of trust do we encourage when citizens, outraged by government acquiescence, and perceived complicity, resorted to self help, chasing away the trespassers forcefully; sometimes, arresting them, and handing them over to the police; only to see them walk free days after, strutting over their crime scenes?

How do we nurture trust when senior government officials and governors speak from the two sides of the mouth on raging national issues; or say something voluntarily in the morning that set people wondering if dust of divine wholesomeness had mistakenly dropped on the dome of power, only to recant at eventide that he was misquoted, dumping the surging public imagination into the usual abyss of distrust.

When a state government, like Kwara and Osun (of Rauf Aregg besola) decided to infuse religion, needlessly, into the formative levels of regulated education; in an atmosphere where the education is still threadbare, bereft of vision, technology and innovation; in structures that were largely constructed by communal hunger for qualitative education; what you get will be similar to what we saw early this week in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State. School children turned to urchins throwing missiles at one another, hauling curses and invectives across the riotous streets in support of one religion, against the other. All that nonsense simply over what sort of dress material to wear to a faith-based school. Several ribs are missing in Kwara State between the government and the people - yet the handling of the matter is frivolous, and irresponsible, to say the least - for which the government should take a giant blame. Trust has been stoned on the streets of Ilorin; now, on the floor, critically injured. Who will believe whatever remedies or palliatives offered by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and his administration?

We are still on the matter of national security, and implications for peace and progress hinged on the interplay of trust and governance.

The nation-wide violence precipitated late last year by the hijacked EndSars protests gave us a glimpse of people’s rating of our law enforcement infrastructure. It became clear that the mantra of “Police is your friend” is all nonsense. Incredible stories emerged of police high brutalities, especially by members of the defunct special anti-robbery squad, SARS and other paramilitary task forces. These uniformed people severely tormented and dehumanised the same people they were paid to serve and protect.

Usually, our people would rise in moments of great upheavals to protect and provide for people most vulnerable in such moments, shielding them from murderous and unconscionable attackers. But many of the police personnel were not that privileged - many suffered for the sins and crimes of some of the their heartless colleagues. That

jushigiale@yahoo.co.uk, joseph.ushigiale@thisdaylive.com 08023422660 (sms only)

greet the watchman for them, they even mentioned his name that he was the one who gave them the go-ahead to come, he was involved. The schoolgirls have said this before the commissioner of police in Zamfara State.” Matawalle disclosed.

However, this account falls short when empirically tested for truth. The governor made this statement while the children were still in captivity and during a sympathy visit by some 17 emirs.

Recall that it was after making the statement that the schoolgirls were released that weekend and not before. Even if the abducted children said so, it was well after their release that they had the opportunity to interact and share their experiences with governn ment and law enforcement officials. Was it then an afterthought?

Another joker in Zamfara is Senator Ahmed Yerima. He was governor from 1999 to 2007. In a state endowed with gold and other solid minerals in commercial quantities, rather than exploitt ing these mineral resources for the benefit of his people, Yerima made a detour choosing rather to adopt the sharia penal system for his people. It’s been almost two decades since Sharia law in Zamfara State was introduced in October 1999. The law, which is an Islamic tradition is derived from the religious precepts of Islam, particularly the Quran and the hadith. The law, however, wasn’t introduced without opposition. Lives were lost as Christians and other religious factions stood against it in protest. Sharia law has been described by many as a barbaric act as it goes beyond the basic human rights of the victims. The calls for the ban on Sharia law have become increasingly loud. This is because these laws suppress the rights or freedoms of individuals.

Yet, Yerima insists that his introduction of the sharia legal system in the country did a lot of good to the state and several other states that introduced sharia; adding that it created a reorientation and reshaped the state to the point that today, there is nowhere in the state where brothels can be found.

Although the former governor now Senator would acknowll edge that it was unfortunate that several people misunderstood the concept of the sharia legal system, believing that it all had to do with the cutting off of hands and punishing people without looking on the bright side. The question then is: does a system that heightens tension, dehumanizes the citizenry, and makes people live in perpetual fear, and deprive them of their freedom a system beneficial to mankind? The answer is no. Yerima failed woefully in Zamfara with his sharia system.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

unfortunate incident went as far as to show to the police hierarchy that many Nigerians distrust the police, and silently believe they often engage in cover-ups; that they have the ‘magical’ capacity to turn a victim or complainant to the accused and criminal; that the police kill innocent people to cover their mistakes or evil intentions. In a nutshell, that is a shortlist of what many Nigerians believe are the defining characteristics of the police force.

Yet, the faults are not only on the government and its functionaries.

It was Alexis de Tocqueville, or someone else, who said, “the people get the government they deserve”; our rulers, tarred and unsuitable as we claim they are, come from amongst us. So do our police, military and other high-handed agencies. Therefore, if our leaders are corrupt, unfit, indolent, loose-mouthed, etc, and a fruit does not fall far from its tree, we can safely conclude that a high percentage of the Nigerian people share similar characteristics and deficiencies.

Let us illustrate with a personal example: when we were publishing a weekly interview magazine, New Treasure, it turned out successful after six months; staff strength grew to sustain the increase. Cutting to the chase: in a week that we printed 30,000 copies, and demand forced us to reprint another 20,000, some of our staff (usually the ones closest to you) were printing an extra 10,000 copies every other day of that week! So, in actual fact when we had 50,000 copies in our records, the streets were flushed with 80,000 copies! Since, we were selling very well, not less than 96%, we didn’t feel the theft, until weeks after when some badly printed unsold copies emerged to knock our high sales percentage down, drastically. Though we suspected some pilfering was going on, our investigation didn’t yield any serious damage, since our investigators later turned out to be the chief perpetrators.

The full brunt of our misfortune emerged after the paper stopped printing as a result of unexplainable shortfalls. A couple of years later, perhaps hit by bouts of contrition, few benefactors of the heists revealed the names and volume of the despoliation. It was staggering. Among those mentioned, one is now a pastor, another doing well somewhere, but all is forgiven. This is to underscore that the greatest risk to succ cess an entrepreneur in Nigeria will face is getting a workforce that is diligent, effective and honest (just slightly), so you can build trust in your products and systems; such that, ‘all things being equal’, you have a shot at being successful.

Let’s find and fix our missing rib, please.

24

˜ ˾ MARCH 20, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

‘Elucidate Further’ Wrong

“B

EYOND the crypp tocurrency (cryptocurrency) ban: … others said the decision of the apex bank will (would) be inimical to the economy which is in dire need of

growth.”

“Therefore, the CBN Governor (unnecessary/ wrong capitalization) should use the opportunity offered by the National Assembly to elucidate further on the matter.” Delete ‘further’ because of its redundancy!

“How to stop farmers/herders (farmers, herders’) clashes in Nigeria” “Butchers raise alarm (the alarm) over uncertified beef in Rivers markets” (NATIONAL NEWS, February 17) From Access Bank’s full-page advertisement published in THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, February 27, comes the next faux pas: “A payment solution that enables your customers make (to make) quick, easy and secure payments on social media platforms such as….”

Correct English language usage is more than banking!

“Up to 30 days (days’) payback tenor.” (Otiose full-stop) (Salary advance full-page advertisement

by Polaris Bank, THISDAY, February 27) “Hyat: APC decampees (defectors) causing problem in Kaduna PDP” “He who looses (loses) money, (otiose comma) looses (sic) much.”

“I most sincerely appreciate the two medical personnel (officials) in….”

“The money that had been budgeted to (for) Niger Delta since 1999 is enough to build two modern nations.” “…Who you have so profusely reverence (revered) in this piece….” Get it right: reverence (noun); revere (verb) “55 test positive of (for) COVID-19 in a Ghana high school after partial resumption.” This way: you test for something “Akpabio and Nunieh has (have) been embroiled in feisty….”

Do you know that, in modern English these days ‘between two’ or ‘between three’ is now allowed unlike in the past when the latter was a sacrilege?

Note well: ‘witch-hunting’ is a noun and also an adjective.

‘Broad consensus’ is acceptable while ‘general consensus’ indicates half-literacy!

In Germany, according to the late Bayo Oguntuase, my beloved teacher, a drink-place is called ‘beer garden’. ‘Beer parlour’—which is Regionalized English—is the local fad in Nigeria.

The formal/standard (universal) entry is ‘pub’ with variants like ‘tavern’, ‘bar’ and ‘saloon’ (also ‘saloon bar’ or ‘lounge bar’). Please it is never ‘salon’, which is another thing entirely.

An observation: ‘flag off’ (phrasal verb) is informal English!

It should interest you to grasp that ‘strike action’ is incorrect. The right expression is simply ‘strike’ or ‘industrial strike’. Of course, we equally have ‘work stoppage’, ‘industrial action’ and ‘sit-down’ or ‘sit-at-home’ strike/protest.

Are you aware that ‘confab’ is very oldfashioned for ‘conference’?

Wrong: on a platter of gold (overheard again yesterday) Right: on a silver platter “…in their various constituencies to synthesise (synthesize, preferably) grass root (sic) opinions on this all important (all-important) project.” Not my view: grassroots opinions….

“In many respect (respects) it is out of tune with modern reality….”

“Nigeria has never degenerated to (into) this level, security wise.”

“That is why the state governments need to be given the impetus to pool their wisdom and resources together….” Delete the last word in the extract. “…the states and local governments suff ficiently financially empowered to take care of its (their) responsibilities.” There should be a conjunction between ‘sufficiently’ and ‘financially’.

The next two lexical frauds are from the Editorial of one of the newspapers under review today: “The minister exposed the shock find during an official visit to PHCN’s facilities in (on) the premises of the….” “…contributed to PHCN’s woeful (abysmal) failure to provide regular electricity supply to the nation” Still on the recurring pool of grammatical disasters: “The minister had, on Tuesday, drew (drawn) the ire of workers by arguing that….” “…the federal government must embark on some cost saving (cost-saving measures….”

“His arguments on the introduction of N5,000 notes was (were)….”

“FG to sanction DISCOs over over-billing of customers” A rewrite: “FG to sanction DISCOs for overbilling customers” “Teachers employed by the Parents Teachers

Association (PTA) to complement….” Education Today: Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), “CANNU donates to flood relief (flood-relief) fund” “Eduwatch gathers students, scholars together” Delete the last word in the excerpt.

“Geepee proudly introduces world class (world-class) multilayer (multi-layer) composite panels…no painting, no maintainence” Bloated pride: maintenance!

THE GUARDIAN Opinion Page of January 6 circulated two improprieties: “With preparations in top gear, and barring any last minute (lastminute) hitches….”

“The final death nail (sic) came with the present political dispensation that began in 2000 that paid lip-service to governance.” Get it right: death knell or just knell. There is nothing like ‘final death nail’!

“If the Abia PDP stalwarts have forgotten, we will gladly remind them that candidates who stand for elections under (on) the platform (platforms) of political parties….”

“Kaduna gears up for LG polls amidst (amid) fears of violence” “Records show that their actions and inactions, in the past, have (had) contributed in (to)….”

“Non-partisan intelligence driven mechanism panacea to Boko Haram” A rewrite: “Nonpartisan, intelligence-driven mechanism, panacea to Boko Haram “The elders also said they are (were) in support of the probe of alleged missing….”

“Therefore, it behooves on our sports auu thorities to rise up to the occasion and restore the country’s lost glory in (to) many of the sports….”

“The Dozzy Foundation on Health is yet another testament of (to) your selfless service to humanity.”

“The Foundation speaks volume (volumes) of your passion for the health and well being (well-being) of the downtrodden.”

“We pray that God in his (His) infinite goodness will grant you many more years and good health.” “…both our male and female teams failed woefully (abysmally) to qualify….”

Finally, we take the last entry from the Editorial under review: “That is why smart nations do everything possible to maximize their potentials (potential or potentialities) in sports.” ‘Potential’ is uncountable, unlike ‘potentiality’ “...the Supreme Court put to rest every other discussions.” (Politics & Power, January 29) Either every other discussion or all other discussions, depending on context

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

Wrong: “people-oriented government” Poser: is there any government that is beast-oriented or object-oriented? All governments—bad and good—are people-oriented.

“Incorporating ESG principles into job-creating businesses ensure (ensures) sustainable business operations….”

“The Zamfara State Government’s effort towards finding lasting solution to armed banditry and cattle rustlings suffered a setback as...” The dictionary defines a bandit as “a member of an armed gang that robs people”. It means a bandit is usually armed; therefore the word “armed” to qualify him is out of place. On the contrary, a robber is someone who “takes property from a person or place illegally”. A robber may or may not bear arms. If he does, he is an armed robber liable to the death penalty upon conviction. As we can see, the distinction between a robber (armed or unarmed) and a bandit is clear.

The nation’s premier independent radio station, RayPower, reported in the business segment of its Nigeria Today newscast on Thursday, March 11, that the country “SLIDED into recession...” Its editors and correspondents, and indeed media professionals, should note that SLID is both the past tense and past participle of SLIDE. It is not in the same word class as GLIDE and GLIDED. “For the first time since the scandal broke, Senate, yesterday, admitted paying only N62.5 million to purchase a bullet-proof Range rover Sports Utility (Sport-Utility) Vehicle (SUV) for the office of its president.”

“Police arraign alleged fake lawyer in court” Where else would they have arraigned the buffoon? Yank off ‘in court’!

“2 jailed 4 years over (for) rape” “The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your (our) children.”

“We rejoice with you on your 65 (65th) birthday….”

“Not only do we rejoice with the celebrant (celebrator) for partaking in abundant grace….”

“He will grant you strenght (strength), good health and wisdom.” “…as you strive to contribute your quota in (to) building a more vibrant democracy for the benefit of our dear country.”

“With people (a person) like you working with our dear president and other patriotic Nigerians….”

2023: PDP’s Big g Betrayal trayal of Ndig Ndigb Ndigbo bo

Law Mefor

T

he rumour has been around for some y years now like a highly g y odoriferous fart that the Peoples p Democratic Party y (PDP) ( ) wants to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the North in clear breach of its p Constitution, Manifesto, and convention. In my y article entitled “PDP, Ndigbo, g and 2023 Presidency Zoning” g published p in July y 2020, I had reason to take on the former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswan when he told a national newspaper p p that the PDP would still zone the office of the President to the North in 2023. He said: “Of course, the PDP will maintain zoning. g We have not realised it, so the zoning g still remains in the North in the PDP. In PDP, we zoned the Presidency y to the North and have we realised it? No. So, the zoning g still remains in the North for 2023”.

I raised the red flag, g arguing g g that Suswan was flying a dangerous kite that would finally consume the PDP. Also, one of the cardinal reasons advertised by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State for leaving the PDP was his claim that the party had no good plans for the South East region come 2023. Not long ago, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State alleged that members of the Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP were more interested in perpetuatt ing themselves in office than ensuring victory for the party in 2023. For instance, Secondus, a southerner, only stands a chance of remaining in office if the party’s presidential ticket goes to the North. But does Secondus care? Was he not the Deputy Chairman in the Adamu Muazu-led NWC that led the PDP into the 2015 electoral disaster?

Meanwhile, all pretences were thrown to the wind recently when the Governor Bala Mohammed-led PDP Post-Election Review Panel submitted its report to the NWC. You needed to see the knowing smile, the scratch my back and I scratch your back smile, between Secondus and Mohammed as they grinned from ear to ear at the event. Apart from its shoddy and hollow work that spent precious time time on issues like restructuring, use of soldiers for elections, etc., which are outside the panel’s Terms

of Reference or PDP’s PD control, the panel threw open PDP’s PDP 2023 presidential ticket.

To rub salt into the injury, the Bala Committee predicated this wacky decision on the need to get the best hand to pilot Nigeria.

Bala’s rambling presentation read in part: “In line with certain unwritten conventions of the nation’s history, many people think that for fairness and equity, the North-East and South-East geopolitical zones that have had the shortest stints at the Presidency should be given special consideration in choosing the presidential flag bearer of the party for the 2023 election.

“While we admit that this is a strong argument, we should not lose sight of the fact that Nigeria is endowed with many capable and very experienced leaders in every part of the country.

“Moreover, the exigencies of the moment demand that nothing should be compromised in choosing the leader with the attributes to disentangle the country from the present quagmire.

“Therefore, we think that every Nigerian from every part of the country should be given the opportunity to choose the best candidate through a credible primary election, as a way of institutionalising a merit-based leadership recruitment process for the country.”

This is not only a total insult to the people of the South East, it is also a total betrayal of the zoning principle that has been the hallmark of the PDP’s national politics since 1998 and more importantly a betrayal of people of the South East, who have given their all to the PDP since the inception of the current dispensation and are paying dearly for it under Mohammadu Buhari exclusionist presidency.

Is Bala, by any means, saying that there are no capable hands in the South East to “disentangle the country from the present quagg mire?” What capable hands does the North have that the South East does not have more? Which development indices shows that Northen states are better governed than South East states? Again, rather than focusing on 1999 till date, Bala laboriously went as far as 1960 to find a way to accommodate the North East. But even at that, how could you reasonably put the North East, which led Nigeria for six years (1960 – 1966) under Sir Abubakakar Tafawa

Balewa at per with the South East, which i hlled d for only six months (January 1966 – July 1966) under General Johnson Aguyi-Ironsi?

All this in Bala’s futile bid to protect his rumoured presidential ambition and that of the Dubai-dwelling Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who would only come when the food is ready, as he did ahead of 2019 elections.

But more importantly, were there no good hands in the South when the Ekweremadu-led PDP Post-Election Review Panel recommended as early as September 2015 that the PDP’s 2019 presidential ticket should go to the North? Ekweremadu panel report reads in part: “Since the last President of PDP extraction came from the southern part of Nigeria, it is recommended that PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections should come from the northern part of the country. This is in accordance with the popular views and will also assuage any ill feelings in the North over any perceived breach of the Party’s zoning principle”.

That singular decision was the elixir that rallied back to the PDP many northern political heavy weights like Bukola Saraki, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwakwanso, Aminu Tambuwal, Yakubu Dogara etc., who had left the party ahead of 2015 election.

Conversely, Bala Panel’s ill-advised recommendation can only dissipate whatever is left of Southern, especially South East, sympathy for the PDP. It has only opened a floodgate of defections to the APC, turning the likes of Umahi to our Nostradamus.

The rotation and zoning principle was engrained into the PDP party’s Constitution in 2009. Article 7 (2) (c) of the PDP Constituu tion states: “In pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices, and it shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels”.

So, power has resided in the North for two straight terms and has to move South, specifically to South East, in the spirit of rotation and zoning, which has been the practice since 1999.

––Dr.Law Mefor f is an Abuja based Forensic/Social Psycholoo gist and Journalist.

Readers can read full article online www.thisdaylive.com

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ARCH 20, 2021

TRIBUTE

Farewell Ben Egbuna Chukwuemeka Uchendu Egbuna

T

ragedy struck the Egbuna Family in Adagbe Avomimi Village, Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State in the early hours of Saturday, January 30, 2021. That was the day our father and mentor, the motivational speaker, a foremost Enugwu-Ukwu patriot, a social mobiliser, initiator and executor of worthy causes passed on.

Since then it was as if the entire world had collapsed on us and we were in total darkness. But given the fact that in his 71 years of life on earth, he lived and exemplary Christian life and left for us noble legacies. We thank Almighty God for the worthy life he lived, as attested to by many friends, associates and colleagues. We are consoled by these messages of sympathy, condolence and support.

Mr Ben Ndubisi Egbuna was born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Nnaemeka Egbuna on 13th July 1949. He was the first son and had 9 siblings (5 brothers and 4 sisters). He started his educational pursuit at St Anthony’s Primary School Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State, in 1955. As the son of a dedicated police officer whose expertise on the job was sought by every police command in the country to help combat crime and make the community a safe place, together with the entire family, young Ben Egbuna often moved from one city to another, changing schools as the journey went by…. From Sapele to Warri to Enugwu and finally to Lagos where he completed his primary school education in 1962.

In 1963, he enrolled in Gaskiya College Lagos State for his secondary school education but soon after changed to Iganmode Grammar School Otta, and then to Lagos City College Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State. In Lagos City College, he was quickly discovered to be very skillful on the football pitch and enrolled into the school football team. He also discovered and nurtured his artistic flare and gift in this school and proved to be very good at drawing, painting and wood carving.

However, in 1966 his secondary school education was temporary halted as a result of the political situation in the country then, resulting in the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. He returned to his roots in the Eastern Region of Nigeria where he enrolled in the Biafran Army and fought in the Nigerian Civil war which lasted from 6th July 1967 to 15th January 1970. At the end of the war, he went on to complete his secondary school education at St Michael’s Secondary School Nimo, Anambra State, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC).

After completing his secondary school education, Ben got employed as a Postal Assistant in the Post and Telecommunications Department of the Nigerian Postal Service in Lagos. Due to his commitment and diligence, he was immediately discovered by the Postmaster of the General Post Office Marina. He was sent for the Junior Postal Officer’s Course and soon began handling greater responsibilities at the Parcel section and the General Counter of the Ebute Metta Post Office.

In 1973, he began his beloved Broadcast Journalism career as a News Assistant Trainee at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation.

In the course of his career, he travelled far and wide around the world to get raw data from the field, not minding the challenges and dangers ahead. His passion for the job made him always chase after the truth. He literally covered the length and breadth of his home country, Nigeria, while performing his duties.

On the international scene, he journeyed through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Senegal, Namibia to the United Kingdom, West Germany, Canada, The Bahamas, and after every

Egbuna

assignment, he was always praised for being “incisive, industrious and professional”. Within the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria which was under the umbrella of the Nigerian Broadcasting corporation, He rose through the ranks from a Newsreel Reporter to Principal Editor, to Head of Special Programmes Unit and then to Head of the Reportorial Unit.

In between his broadcasting career, he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Mass communication by the University of Lagos in 1984. In 1990, he was transferred to Voice of Nigeria (still under the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation) and in 1991 he assumed the post of the Controller News. He was later elevated to Manager News in 1992. In 1995, he was promoted to Assistant Director News and in 1999 he became the Deputy Director of News.

He got promoted to the Head of the News Directorate and soon rose to the position of the Executive Director News of Voice of Nigeria in 2005, a position he pioneered at the corporation.

Late Egbuna returned to the cradle of his broadcasting career when he was appointed as the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, the largest radio network in Africa, in 2006. After an eventful, intriguing, groundbreaking and memorable 35years of public service to his beloved country, Egbuna retired in 2008 as a well decorated, fully accomplished broadcast genius, leaving behind a trail of major achievements, milestones and a spotless record to his name.

Egbuna was very committed to his professional development.

In 2001 he participated in the Senior Executive Course 23 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru Plateau State where he was awarded the prestigious Member of the National Institute aka MNI. In 2003, he was made a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and was also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He was a member of the Central Working Committee of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, as well as the President of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) from

2006 to 2008.

Ben Egbuna was fully involved in grassroots development activities in his hometown Enugwu-Ukwu. He was a patron of the Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU), Secretary ECDU Peace Committee and a pioneer member of Enugwu-Ukwu Forum Lagos. He was also a member of the Abomimi Community Development Union. He was the Chairman of the electoral panel that organized the election of the Jude Ekwunife led executive of the ECDU in 2009. It was this executive that organized the peaceful process that led to the election of His Majesty Igwe Ralph Obumneme Ekpeh, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri and ascension to the throne in 2011.

He was Member of Building Committee of Saint Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos between 1993 –1997, Member of building committee of Saint Stephens Catholic Church, Iwaya, Lagos State between 2005 – 2006.

Ben Egbuna and 3 other parishioners championed the building of the priest house for St Ben’s Catholic church, Adagbe Avomimi, Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State. The building of the parish priest house led to the attainment of a parish status for St Ben’s Catholic Church, Adagbe Avomimi, Enugwu-Ukwu.He was also a proud member of the Catholic Men’s organization in St Domnics, St Stephen and St Ben’s parishes.

On April 7, 1980, Ben got married and as of the time of his death, Ben Egbuna had been married to his beloved wife Beatrice Uchenwa Egbuna for 40 years. Their marriage is blessed with four (4) children; Chukwuemeka Uchendu Egbuna, Chiedozie Jideofor Egbuna, Chinelo Maudlyn Abajuo and Chukwuka Maduabuchi Egbuna. He is also blessed with 7 grandchildren.

From the galore of tributes in memory of our dear father sent to us by many eminent Nigerians, we are satisfied that ben Egbuna mni made in indelible footprints on the sands of his time.

Dr. Mansur D. Liman, Director General of FRCN, eulogized him as “a consummate broadcaster and a quintessential Journalist whose passion for excellence was uncompromising”. He affirmed that the deceased contributed immensely to broadcast journalism especially in Voice of Nigeria and Radio Nigeria and left an indelible mark. For Mr. Osita Okechukwu “When we think and talk about a great reformer, charitable and humane persons we mention Ben”, Abubakar Jijiwa MFR, Sardauna Ribadu, former Director General Voice of Nigeria and former Chairman, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), “in all my relationships with Ben, he always came out as a forthright, honest and hardworking colleague, with strong empathy and compassion for his staff. I relied heavily on Ben’s wise counsel, analytical introspection and critically incisive intervention. Ben was actually my barometer of judgment during stormy discourse”.

The leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, VON Abuja Chapter described him as “a gem, genius, astute administrator, and a man of high moral standing. Integrity is your second name.”

What more can we add to these kind words in appreciation of our late father’s contribution to Nigeria developments.

A Service of Songs was held in his honour at the Church of Transfiguration VGC Lagos on 16th March 2021 while Requiem Mass was held at the same Church on 18th March 2021. Christian Wake would be held for him on 24th March 2021 in his residence at Enugwu-Ukwu, while his remains would be laid to rest on Thursday, March 25th 2021, after funeral Mass at Saint Ben’s Catholic Church, Adagbe Avomimi, Enugwu-Ukwu. Ben Egbuna mni, it is well with your soul.

Fare thee well Nnanyelugo.

Rotarian Adeyemo Installed Asiwaju of Ogobi Olumide Lawal See ye a man diligent in his works, he shall stand before kings and not before mean men.

T

hursday, March 18, 2021, was a payback day for Rotarian Ayodele Adeyemo, as he was installed alongside with his wife – Funmilayo as Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju of Ogobiland in Ede South L.C.D.A. The conferment was in recognition of his unparalled contributions to the socioeconomic development of Ogobi Community in particular and Edeland in general. The Asiwaju had part of his formative years at Ogobi and has since not wavered in his love and commitment to the Community.

Rotarian Adeyemo, a political scientist and renowned broadcaster of impeccable records in many broadcast organizations, has carved a niche for himself in community services at his native Ede. He ensured, along with other well-meaning people, that electricity supply to Ogobi, through CSDP/World Bank Programme was effected with unquestionable accountability.

The pioneer President of Ede Rotary Club, is a man of immense love for his Ifelodun-Ogberin Community in Edeland and Anu Oluwapo-Obe Community in Wakajaye Ibadan, to which he has brought meaningful development programmes.

He was a successful story in the dynamic realms of broadcast journalism as he served diligently at Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State and MURHI Television and gave a good account

of himself as a seasoned broadcast journalist. A widely travelled man, focused on breaking new grounds and discoveries, Asiwaju Adeyemo gave the defunct Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, far-reaching professional media and public relation services as its founding Public Relation Officer.

This ensured that the activities of the hospital were promptly brought to limelight. The Asiwaju of Ogobi is a committed, diligent and passionate grassroots man, who is always there for his Ede Community without let or hindrance, with involvement in various community services such as the maiden edition of Agbale Hall of Fame and Ede Day celebrations.

The installation of Adeyemo as the Asiwaju Of Ogobiland, will further bring accelerated development to Ogobi and open it up for investments by his friends and well-wishers, whose lives he has positively touched. Asiwaju Adeyemo has resolved to rededicate himself a new to serve humanity with greater zeal and vigour, as to whom much is given, much is expected. Asiwaju Adeyemo is particularly grateful to Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa 1, The Timi of Edeland and Oba Abdul-Wasiu Iwaloye Abidoye, Ologobi of Ogobi.

In his remarkes, the Ologobi of Ogobi, described Adeyemo as an accomplished individual, who rose from a humble beginning to stardom with unblemished records in public and private services. Oba Abidoye called on Asiwaju Adeyemo and his wife – Yeye Funmilayo not to relent on their noble services to the less-priviledged people.

In his goodwill message, The Timi of Edeland, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, described Asiwaju Adeyemo as an astute, dogged and humane personality, who has done Ede proud as an Ede man tokan tara, advising him to see his new role as Asiwaju

Ayodele Adeyemo, the Asiwaju of Ogobi and Mrs. Funmilayo Adeyemo, Yeye Asiwaju of Ogobi, at their installation on March 18, 2021 at Ogobi in Ede South LCDA, Osun State

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 20, 2021

POLITY

Ugwuanyi: Tearing Down Walls of Exclusion at 57 Laurence Ani

F

or aides of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the date March 20 often presents a particularly tricky dilemma. It is the birthday of their self-effacing principal, the Enugu State governor who would rather not the gaudy embellishments typically associated with birthday tributes in honour of politicians.

Despite the impressive scorecard recorded since his inauguration, the governor still betrays no obsession for the limelight. For him, fixing roads, constructing bridges, establishing new schools and hospitals and expanding their capacities are just a part of the raison d’etre for governments anywhere they exist. This is no populist posturing. The governor regularly reaffirms this in words and deed. There was, for instance, an incident that occurred in February 2020 that offered a definitive summary of Governor Ugwuanyi’s worldview. Workers in the state had on that day thronged the vast grounds of the Government House to show their gratitude for his swift payment of the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustments.

To get a sense of how significant the workers considered this gesture, it’s important to note that 18 states including those which earn much higher revenue from the federation account than Enugu had yet to commence payment then, and actually still have not. As Comrade Virginus Nwobodo, state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, noted during the appreciation rally, it was “the first time since the inception of democracy in 1999 that a governor in Enugu State would be paying us a new minimum wage without any crisis, stress or industrial action”.

Politicians live for such moments. But Ugwuanyi’s commitment to workers’ welfare is not influenced by a vain desire to earn public acclaim. It is rooted, rather, in the conviction that paying workers is an obligation, not a fa-

vour. “A worker deserves his wage,” he told the civil servants. That is essentially the Ugwuanyi paradox. He desires to stay away from the news, but his remarkable works continually frustrate that wish and draw attention to him inevitably.

Like in many defaulting states, the economic downturn could have been cited as a reason for the inability to pay the new, or an excuse to review its continued payment, as a few have hinted at. For him, that is inconceivable.

Empathy is an essential quality of leadership.

Any leader who lacks that loses their moral authority and vital connection to the people.

The Enugu State governor is, commendably, imbued with this virtue.

With his birthday coinciding with the Christian Lenten period and just a few days shy of the Easter celebration, it has often been Governor Ugwuanyi’s tradition to spend the day on a sobering note in the company of persons whose lives make only a fleeting presence in the public mind; persons whose welfare has decidedly been left to the benevolence of religious bodies, non-governmental organisations or individuals with a heart for charity. This year’s will be no different.

Although some may frown at the tendency to laud public officials for performing functions which their office more or less obligates them to discharge, however in a clime where the performance of such duties or willingness thereof is on a perpetual decline, the propriety takes on a compelling tone.

That is not suggesting the governor is himself pleased hearing his many laudable deeds spoken of in a manner that might be deemed exhibitionist. But in this social media age defined by so much half truths and outright falsehoods that make objective assessments of elected officials a near impossible task, how else can one deal with the emergent public cynicism and not be guilty of a self-serving agenda?

It’s a dilemma Gov. Ugwuanyi obviously has no problem resolving. For him, there is no better response to cynicism than good governance.

Ugwuanyi

That is a point he sufficiently proves on a daily basis, expanding infrastructural projects beyond the state capital to remote communities, some of which never had any imprint of government presence.

A major bane of governance today is the temptation to always site capital projects in cities where they are practically in the public eye and, as such, likely to draw the most applause. Such ribbon development is mostly at the expense of the rural area’s progress.

It is instructive that rural areas have a larger ratio of road projects in the Enugu State in relation to the urban. So his administration’s rural development plan doesn’t ever seem like an afterthought. This rural-centric philosophy has a very strong basis. “We will continue to pay special attention to rural development

because majority of our people live in rural areas”, he noted in his inaugural speech.

The lesson inherent in all this is plain: rural communities should not be places politicians visit only to solicit votes; those who live there are as entitled to the good life as everyone else because their stake in democracy is no less important to urban dwellers’ sense of entitlement. This is the paradigm shift Gov. Ugwuanyi has enthroned in Enugu. That is why his birthday celebration is, to all intents and purposes, a toast to inclusive governance and peaceful coexistence.

––Ani, former editor of ThisDay - The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is a senior communications aide to the governor of Enugu State.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Director Brands and Marketing, Prime Foods & Beverages Limited, Mr. Dipo Isaacs; Public Health Physician, Dr. Olajumoke Akisanya; General Manager, Prime Foods & Beverages Limited, Alexis Odenigbo; and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Prime Foods & Beverages Limited, Adebisi Adekunle Sogunle, at the official launch of Omnia Vitamin Water held at Ibis Hotel in Lagos...recently

L-R: Princess Folashade Abiodun Odumosu and Senator Daisy Danjuma, at an event recently `

L-R: Celebrity Judge, Yemisi Odusanya; Head, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Lagos office, Mrs. Susie Onwuka; Celebrity Judge, Deyemi Okanlawon; Head, Category & Personal Care, PZ Cussons, Vivian Akindele; and Celebrity Judge, Ufuoma McDermott, at the Cussons Baby Moments 7 Top 10 Judging event held in Lagos... recently

L-R: Executive Chairman, Business Visa & Training Company, Alhaji Sani Garba; Nigerian Food Entrepreneur, Dr. Stella Iwuagwu; and Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, during the unveiling of made-in-Nigeria Food held in Abuja...recently

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

20.03.2021

NEWS

TEST FOR QUADRUPLE DESIRE

Kelechi Iheanacho

PAGE. 29

Unleashing the Fox in Him

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Kelechi Iheanacho Unleashing the Fox in Him Kelechi Iheanacho scores first Premier league Hat-trick

With regular attackers, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes injured, Leicester City Manager, Brendan Rodgers had little choice than to entrust Kelechi Iheanacho with rare regular starts and the Nigerian did not disappoint. As the Foxes push for a top-four slot in the Premier League, the Nigerian striker has scored in every of his last three games as a starter- his last, a hat-trick, his first since arriving England

S

coring in three straight games for Leicester City and crowning it with a hat-trick, his first since his arrival in England, Kelechi Iheanacho has never had it so good in English football considering that it was also his first goal at the King Power Stadium since July 2020. His six goals so far in the Premier League this season is one shy his tally last season; only two behind his best haul-eight in 2015/16.

After Iheanacho’s treble helped Leicester City to their biggest win of the campaign against Sheffield United last Sunday, he told Sky Sports: “I’m going to use this opportunity to dedicate this hat-trick to all of the mothers in the world, the ones taking care of us. I wish them all a happy Mother’s Day.” Iheanacho’s message is perhaps more emotional given his own mum died when he was just 16.

Mercy, a teacher, died aged 43 after a brief illness. Later that year, 2013, Iheanacho was named Player of the Tournament as Nigeria won the U-17s World Cup, his performances catching the eyes of Manchester City.

Since arriving in the Premier League, he has honoured his mum’s memory by pointing to the skies when he scores, the 24-year-old appearing close to tears when he scored the goal that sealed his first league hat-trick on Sunday.

“The reason I point to heaven is because I think there is a God in heaven and also it’s for my mum, I know she’s watching when I score,” he said. “So I want to show my appreciation for God and for my late mum.”

He added: “It’s a really great day for

me, my family and my team-mates. I’m delighted. I’m thankful for my team-mates and the manager for helping me to get to this level, and for Jamie Vardy, he has helped me a lot.

“I have been waiting for this day to come, it’s my first hat-trick in the Premier League, and I’m delighted. Hopefully there are many more to come in the future.”

“That’s what happens when three strikers play in the same game,” Iheanacho said, adding “It was on for us today.”

“It wasn’t really coming in the first half, we got a few chances and then got the goal, but in the second half it opened up for us and we were all over them, we pressed them, we got the ball, and we put the ball in the net, so it was a really lovely Sunday for us.”

“I thank my team-mates, the gaffer, all the Leicester City staff, the owners for giving me the opportunity, and my team-mates for helping me keep going and get to this level. I’m really happy and delighted.”

Now on 10 goals in all competitions in 2020/21, five of which have come in the last three games, the former Manchester City striker is keen to build on his excellent form for Leicester.

“Hopefully, I will get more - more goals and more hat-tricks,” he explained. “I need to concentrate now on the performances.

“That’s the most important thing, improving myself in training, and improving in the things I don’t do better, so improving in all aspects, in all areas, in training, to improve game by game and hopefully they will keep coming and hopefully we’ll get to the top.”

After footage emerged on social media

of his team-mates’ delighted response to his hat-trick, Iheanacho also pointed to the spirit which exists within the Leicester City camp this term.

“I think they are all happy for me,” he said. “Everyone is all emotional today; I saw they were happy for me. I scored a hat-trick today so they’re really happy for me. We’re like a family in there, so I’m really happy I’ve got these lovely guys as my team-mates.

“I’m really happy here. I wish everyone the best and hopefully we’ll get to the top together.”

Iheanacho has been a beneficiary of the switch; coming on trumps in what many felt could see the East Midlands side throw away a top four spot in a similar fashion to how last year panned out.

The Foxes had dropped points in four of their seven games before the Nigerian’s form kicked off, and even that 1-1 draw at Burnley meant the 2016 champions had secured only three wins in eight fixtures.

That period occurred simultaneously with their Europa League exit, leading to fears 2020/21 could peter out just as last year did.

With a resurgent Chelsea, plucky West Ham United and inconsistent Liverpool all chasing, picking up maximum points in the last two games has put some daylight between Rodgers’ troops and the sides threatening to supplant them in the final nine games.

Owing to a testing run of games in the final stretch against champions-elect Man City, West Ham, Manchester United, the Blues and Tottenham Hotspur, the current five-point advantage over Thomas Tuchel’s side, eight and 10 respectively over the

Hammers and Jurgen Klopp’s team gives them a little leeway.

Iheanacho’s productivity in a two-man attack has contributed to the healthy lead they hold on those sides and is a stark change to the mood around December when an unimpressive showing at Crystal Palace convinced many to believe he couldn’t fill in for Vardy.

Initially expected to be a Sergio Aguero replacement in Manchester, the former teenage prodigy was then pigeonholed as the Englishman’s understudy.

As a result, he was seldom played consistently in tandem with either for a consistent period and given a chance to thrive in a role he prospered in as a youngster.

Rodgers was delighted with the 24-year-old, who’s been involved in 51 goals (37 goals, 14 assists) in 76 starts in all competitions for City and Leicester combined since his move to England, lauding his impact against the Blades.

“Iheanacho was outstanding, not just in his goals, but his overall work-rate,” Rodgers told the club website after the 5-0 win. “He had a big responsibility today, in terms of dropping into space, finding that pocket that was just on the back of the midfield, and I thought he did that very, very well.

“He’s a great guy. He deserved the three goals. He had one or two other opportunities, but we’re all delighted for him.”

Now, Rodgers will hope the in-form Nigerian helps the side over the line as they aim to play among Europe’s hallowed sides for only the second time in their history.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER Premiership Table Man City Man Utd Leicester Chelsea West Ham Liverpool Everton Tottenham Aston Villa Arsenal Crystal Palace Leeds Wolves Southampton Burnley Brighton Newcastle Fulham West Brom Sheff Utd

30 29 29 29 28 29 28 28 27 28 29 28 29 29 29 28 28 29 29 29

43 24 21 19 10 12 3 17 11 8 -16 -3 -10 -15 -15 -7 -17 -14 -37 -34

71 57 56 51 48 46 46 45 41 41 37 36 35 33 33 29 28 26 18 14

Head to Head

Everton midfielder, Abdoyulaye Doucoure thwarted Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus’ goal-bound effort when both sides met in the Premier League at Goodison Park

Everton Test for Man City’s Quadruple Ambition Manchester City will be looking to stay on course for an unprecedented quadruple when they travel to Everton for an FA Cup quarter-final today. The Citizens are still fighting on all four fronts this season and will be confident of moving into the last four of the FA Cup at the expense of the Merseysiders

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anchesterCity’spursuitofan unprecedented quadruple continues today as they travel to Everton for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Toffees advanced to the last eight courtesy of a thrilling 5-4 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out, while Man City eased past Swansea City to book a trip to Goodison Park.

Since Everton’s memorable win against Tottenham in the fifth round of the FA Cup, their fortunes have been mixed to say the least. Carlo Ancelotti’s men have marched to victories over West Bromwich Albion, Southampton and most notably, Liverpool, but back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Burnley have left them five points adrift of the Champions League places with 10 games left to play.

Furthermore, the Toffees head into their battle with Manchester City having lost three of their last four on home soil - as a spate of injuries continues to bedevil Ancelotti - but they have already recorded their best finish in the FA Cup since the 2015-16 campaign, when they were eliminated by Manchester United in the semi-finals.

Playing in front of an empty Wembley is something that teams will likely never get used to, but having the opportunity to step out onto that turf is more than enough motivation for Everton to try to pull off a monumental shock this weekend, and they have managed to prevail in their last four FA Cup matches at Goodison Park.

However, with just two wins to boast from their last seven on familiar territory, Everton would need a huge slice of luck to get one over Manchester City, who recently saw a disagreement between player and manager over their chances of a famous quadruple.

Man City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko affirmed that the runaway Premier League leaders are in with a realistic shot of four

trophies this season, but Pep Guardiola was quick to refute the Ukrainian’s comments by claiming that a quadruple is “never” likely to happen in football.

However, if any team is capable of completing a clean sweep of trophies, it is Man City, who have an EFL Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur to look forward to next month after easing past Borussia Monchengladbach 4-0 on aggregate to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

As expected, Man City needed no time at all to get back on track after their shock derby defeat to Manchester United as they have strung a set of three consecutive wins together - amassing 10 goals in that run - and they will be determined to improve on their 2019-20 FA Cup run, where Arsenal surprisingly knocked them out in the semi-finals.

The 2019 FA Cup winners could make the last four of the competition three years in a row for the first time since 1934 this week, and they head to Goodison Park having prevailed in 10 of their last 12 FA Cup ties away from home - most recently losing to old foes Wigan Athletic in 2018 - and their current winning streak on the road in all competitions now stands at 13 matches.

Only in two of those games have City failed to chalk up more than one goal, and Guardiola has witnessed his side come up trumps in their last six encounters with Everton, who also lost to Man City at this stage of the FA Cup in the 1980-81 campaign.

However, City’s midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne has warned his colleagues not to be distracted by dreams of an unprecedented quadruple.

City defender, Oleksandr Zinchenko irritated Guardiola this week with his brash claim that they have the “best players in the world” and are facing the “most important two months of our careers”.

Guardiola was quick to rebuke his defender for getting ahead of himself and, aware how tough it is to challenge in so many

competitions, City midfielder De Bruyne agrees.

City won the domestic treble in 2019, but missed out on Champions League glory after losing to Tottenham in the quarter-finals.

“I remember people two years ago were saying that we could win it, but it’s very hard,” De Bruyne said after his superb goal in City’s victory against Moenchengladbach on Tuesday.

“The amount of games and the physical and mental ability you need to have as a player or as a squad is very high. We try to do our best and focus game by game. That is the only thing we can do.”

Everton have not won a major trophy since the 1995 FA Cup and they go into the City clash after two successive league defeats.

Chelsea will be expected to extend their unbeaten run under Thomas Tuchel to 14 matches when they host struggling Sheffield United in the last eight.

Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leicester, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said United’s progress under his leadership should not be judged solely on trophies.

Second-placed United have improved in the Premier League this season.

But, with the club waiting for their first silverware since 2017, Solskjaer could do with FA Cup success to keep the critics off his back.

“Sometimes a trophy can hide the other fact what’s happening at the club,” Solskjaer said.

“But of course we’re aiming to win because that’s why you play football. You’re always aiming to win trophies.”

Since reaching the quarter-finals, Southampton have been dragged towards the relegation zone after five defeats in their past seven games.

Their south-coast derby at Championship side Bournemouth -- the only non-Premier League team left in the tournament offers a chance to get back on track before returning to the tense fight for survival.

20/06/12 Tottenham 2 - 0 Arsenal 20/12/07 Tottenham 2 - 1 Arsenal 19/01/09 Arsenal 2 - 2 Tottenham 19/02/03 Tottenham 1 - 1 Arsenal 18/02/12 Arsenal 4 - 2 Tottenham 18/10/02 Tottenham 1 - 0 Arsenal 17/18/11 Arsenal 2 - 0 Tottenham 17/30/04 Tottenham 2 - 0 Arsenal 16/06/11 Arsenal 1 - 1 Tottenham 16/05/03 Tottenham 2 - 2 Arsenal 15/08/11 Arsenal 1 - 1 Tottenham 15/07/02 Tottenham 2 - 1 Arsenal 14/27/09 Arsenal 1 - 1 Tottenham 14/16/03 Tottenham 0 - 1 Arsenal 13/01/09 Arsenal 1 - 0 Tottenham 13/03/03 Tottenham 2 - 1 Arsenal 12/17/11 Arsenal 5 - 2 Tottenham 12/26/02 Arsenal 5 - 2 Tottenham 11/02/10 Tottenham 2 - 1 Arsenal 11/20/04 Tottenham 3 - 3 Arsenal 10/20/11 Arsenal 2 - 3 Tottenham 10/14/04 Tottenham 2 - 1 Arsenal PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Brighton v Newcastle 20:00 SUNDAY

West Ham 15:00 Arsenal Aston Villa19:30 Tottenham

La Liga TODAY

Bilbao v Eibar 13:00 Celta Vigo v Madrid 15:15 Huesca v Osasuna 17:30 Valladolid v Sevilla 20:00 SUNDAY

Getafe v Elche 13:00 Valencia v Granada 15:15 Villarreal v Cádiz 15:15 Atlético v Alavés 17:30 Sociedad v Barcelona 20:00

ÙÞ ÒÙÞ PLAYERS

Mohamed Salah Bruno Fernandes Harry Kane Calvert-Lewin Son Heung-min Patrick Bamford Jamie Vardy Ilkay Gundogan Callum Wilson Ollie Watkins Alexandre Lacazette Wilfried Zaha Harvey Barnes Emerick Aubameyang Raheem Sterling Marcus Rashford Riyad Mahrez Tomas Soucek Danny Ings

CLUB

GOALS

Liverpool 17 Man Utd 16 Tottenham 16 Everton 14 Tottenham 13 Leeds United 13 Leicester 12 Man City 12 Newcastle 10 Aston Villa 10 Arsenal 10 Crystal Palace 9 Leicester 9 Arsenal 9 Man City 9 Man Utd 9 Man City 9 West Ham 8 Southampton 8

FA CUP Q’FINAL TODAY

Bournemouth v Southampton 12:15 Everton v Man City 17:30 SUNDAY

Chelsea v Sheffield Utd 13:30 Leicester v Man Utd 17:00

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

The Chairman, Lagos Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku (r) showing Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr round the Teslim Balogun Stadium when the Franco-German came to inspect the facility

Super Eagles’ Lagos Return not One-off, Says Aiyepeku Kunle Adewale Ahead of the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Lesotho slated for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on March 30, the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, has stated that the return of the senior national team to Lagos would not be one-off.

In a chat with THISDAY, Aiyepeku said the Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, was enthusiastic about the Super Eagles returning to Lagos and that he gave the go ahead for the team to play in Lagos and was indeed looking forward to it. ‘’The Super Eagles Lesotho encounter will not be a one-off thing as several provisions have been put in place at ensuring that the state hosts several matches involving the senior national team,”Aiyepeku said.

The Lagos State sports boss ,however,assuredsoccer-loving

Lagosians that more matches involving the Super Eagles await them.

“Lagos has always been the home of football and indeed home of the Super Eagles and that is why the governor wants to ensure it returns to status quo,” the Chairman, Lagos StateSportsCommissionnoted.

“The Eagles - Lesotho match will be carnival-like. We want to make it a carnival here in Lagos because the Super Eagles must have booked their place after the game which would make theatmospheremoreenjoyable,” he expressed.

ThelasttimetheSuperEagles played in Lagos was a friendly gameagainstSierraLeone,which the host won 2-1.

Nigeria lead Group L of the AFCON qualifiers with eight points and victory over Benin or Lesothowillsealtheirplaceatthe biennialtournament,scheduled for Cameroon in 2022.

On the upcoming National Sports Festival billed for Benin

City, Edo State, Aiyepeku said the state is well prepared for the showpiece just as he admitted that the several postponements the festival had suffered would definitely take its toll on the athletes. ‘’The athletes would definitely feel the effects of the several postponements the festival had suffered earlier, and it would be tight for them.” Aiyepeku said he is however optimistic that the effect would not be too much on the state athletes.

“Our athletes had gone through camping twice, which will place them in good stead to do well in the competition.

They did not stop training even though the Coronavirus and many of them will definitely do the state proud,” he assured.

The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, also noted that the festival will also serve as an avenue for the athletes to prepare for the 2020 summer Olympic Games in Japan.

2nd APFAN/Ajide U-20 Football Championship Starts Monday Twenty-nine academy teams, the highest in the history of Tajudeen Ajide/ APFAN U-20 Football Championship will be taking part in the second edition of the tournament which will kick off on Monday at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium.

According to APFAN national president, Dr. Francis Akinremi, the tournament bankrolled by Surulere Local Government Area (LGA) chairman, officially kicked off on Thursday with tournament draw witnessed by Ajide and executive members of the APFAN. Preliminary matches will hold from March 22 – April

3, while the final match is slated for April 17.

According to the fixtures, four matches will be played on opening day with Atlanta FA taking on Eagles Victory FC in the opening game. Other matches slated for the day include, Sidab FA vs Beecroft FC at 11.30 am to be followed

by FC Brave vs Broadcity FC. The final match of the day is between China Sun Stars FC vs Adenose FC. Other teams expected to battle for the coveted trophy are defending champions Ify Babes, Fakrem FA, Banjoh FA, Puma Football Academy, Ifraim Football Academy, and Alade Football Academy.

Ajide urged participating teams to imbibe the spirit of fair play during the tournament while noting that the organiser should ensure that genuine U21 players are fielded.

“It is not a do or die affair.

The chief aim of the championship is to engage our youths in meaningful sporting activities and to help them attain their potential and dream like we did in our days,” added Ajide, a former Nigeria international.

Akinremi said APFAN is looking forward to having a good tournament, adding that the Adefemi Olubayo Memorial U-17 Football Tournament will hold shortly after the Ajide championship.

Thrilling FA Cup Q’Finals Fixtures Live on GOtv this Weekend GOtv football fanatics are in for an exciting weekend with selected matches from the 2020/21 FA Cup quarterfinal clashes scheduled for today to tomorrow, airing live on SuperSport.

The pick of matches from this weekend’s FA Cup action sees Everton host Manchester City at Goodison Park today at 6:30pm on SuperSport Football (channel 31). This

will be the first FA Cup meeting of these teams since 1981 and a first knockout game between them since the Citizens put the Toffees out of the 2015-16 League Cup. The next match to look forward to is the last quarterfinal match which is a potential thriller between Leicester City and Manchester United at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, at 6pm LIVE on

SuperSport Football (channel 31). These two teams have had little between them in recent seasons and the Foxes will be eager for revenge after United ousted them from the final UEFA Champions League place at the end of last season.

Viewers on GOtv can see all their favourite stars from the African continent dominating these matches.

Real Madrid’s Captain Sergio Ramos’ tackle on Liverpool’s Mohamad Salah was one of the highlights of the 2018 Champions League final

Champions League Draws

Liverpool, Madrid Replay 2018 Final

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iverpool and Real Madrid will be re-enacting the final of the UEFA Champion League three years ago, after both team were pitched against each in yesterday’s draw.

The two sides met in the 2018 Champions League final with the Spanish club, who have won the competition a record 13 times, winning 3-1.

The two teams have played each other six times in Europe’s top competition, with both winning three games apiece, including Liverpool’s 1-0 victory in the 1981 final.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah had to go off with a shoulder injury after a challenge with Sergio Ramos during the first half of the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid Their only previous meeting in a knockout tie came in the last 16 in 2009, with Liverpool winning 5-0 on aggregate.

Manchester City have been drawn against Borussia Dortmund, while Chelsea play Porto and defending champions Bayern Munich take on Paris St-Germain, the team they beat in last year’s final.

In the semi-finals, the winner of the Real Madrid v Liverpool tie will face Porto or Chelsea and Manchester City or Dortmund will take on Bayern or PSG. The two-legged quarter-finals will take place on 6-7 and 13-14 April.

The first legs of the semi-final will be on 27-28 April with the return ties on 4-5 May. Premier League leaders Manchester City have only met Dortmund twice. Those games came in the group stage of the Champions League in 2012, with the English side drawing 1-1 at home and losing 1-0 in Germany.

City, who are aiming to win the competition for the first time, remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple and could face England winger Jadon Sancho, who left the club in 2017 to join the German side.

Norwegian striker Erling Braut Haaland, the son of former City midfielderAlf-Inge Haaland, also plays for Dortmund and he has scored 20 goals in just 14 Champions League appearances.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” said City boss Guardiola on Haaland. “He is one of the best strikers in the world right now at his age.

Everton, City, United, Leicester in FA Cup Rumble Live on StarTimes The FA Cup is back this weekend with a thrilling quarter-final clashes.

Today, Man City will seek to maintain their winning streaks as they are away to Everton at 6:30pm.Bournemouthseekglory againstSouthamptonat1:15pm.

On Sunday, Chelsea will face SheffieldUnitedat2:30pmwhile Manchester United will travel to Leicester at 6 pm.

Football fans will see all matches on StarTimes Basic bouquet for N1700 monthly or N160 per day and on Smart

Bouquet for N2200 or N200 per day. Last Monday, StarTimes moved ST World Football channel to lower bouquets to enable all football lovers gain access to premiumsportscontentwithout breaking the bank.

The Red Devils are having a season to remember and are well-positionedtocontinuetheir pursuit of silverware. Leicester City themselves are having a great season and coach Brendan Rodgers will face some tough decisions ahead of the game whether to start with Kelechi

Iheanacho upfront alongside Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Perez.

The Nigerian scored a hattrick in the Foxes in their last outing and said he was looking forward to scoring more goals for the side. “That’s what happens when three strikers play in the same game.”

Goals are something that Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham will also be hoping he can add to his tally in the Blues’ game at home against struggling Sheffield United on Sunday.

Heineken Launches Champions League’s ‘You’re Never Watching Alone’ Campaign The world’s most prestigious club competition, the UEFA Champions League, returned to our screens with an entertaining start to the knockouts phase. The Round of 16 phase featured exciting and unpredictable fixtures which saw Chelsea, following their 3-0 aggregate win over La Liga leaders, Atletico Madrid, join Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, among others in the quarterfinals.

Heineken, sponsors of the competition for over 25 years, were once again at the heart of the conversations, delighting football fans across the world and especially in Nigeria with exciting online and offline experiences.

In the 2019/2020 season, the brand sought to foster conviviality and togetherness amongst football lovers with its “Better Together” campaign.

This season, Heineken seeks to build on the success of the

previous theme with another reflective theme titled ‘You’re Never Watching Alone’, a campaign aimed at reassuring football fans that regardless of boundaries and current realities, they are never watching alone.

Expressing her excitement with regards to the success of the brand’s activities during the Round of 16 phase was Aishat Anaekwe, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken:

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Paul Onuachu

Paul Onuachu

Can He Re-enact Club’s Form in Super Eagles?

With 27 goals in all competitions for his Belgian club- Genk, Paul Onuachu is no doubt Nigeria’s hottest property in Europe, at least in front of goal.Yet, he could only make the stand-by list when Gernot Rohr released the Super Eagles 24-man team for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier games against Benin and Lesotho. However, with Nantes winger Moses Simon unable to make the trip, Onuachu has been called up as replacement. Having not been able to reciprocate club’s form in the national team before now, it remains to be seen if the red-hot striker could convince the Eagles manager this time around

H

aving now been handed a Nigeria call-up for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho as a replacement for Nantes winger Moses Simon, the onus is now on Racing Genk striker forward, Paul Onuachu to reenact his club’s form in the national team and earn the trust of the Super Eagles Manager Gernot Rohr.

Giving reason behind placing Onuachu on stand-by for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in spite of his phenomenal run of goals so far this season, Rohr said the decision was a chance to give another player a look in the same position.

“It is because I want to see somebody else,” Rohr explained. “We saw him already, we know him, we know his strengths. He was a little bit unlucky each time when he has to play. It is the last moment before the World Cup qualifiers that we can test somebody else, so we choose Sadiq Umar.”

In fairness to Rohr, Onuachu’s lethal club form has not translated to international colours, where he has failed to add to his lone, spectacular introduction to the Super Eagles on his debut in a friendly against Egypt.

Since then, the forward has left fans disappointed, with many even calling for his exclusion after a particularly uninspiring showing against Sierra Leone last November when he re-

placed an injured Victor Osimhen in a 4-4 debacle.

That he was not featured for the entire 90 minutes of the return fixture a few days later was testament to how poor of a game he had.

But Onuachu returned to Belgium and immediately returned to his old, clinical self. He hit five goals in his next three games for Genk, including a pair of braces. Since that hapless day in November, the 26-year-old has scored 18 goals in 21 games. No other Nigerian has scored more.

Rohr did make it clear that despite the snub, Onuachu was his second choice at the moment behind Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

The coach added: “In this position we have a number one which is Victor Osimhen. There is no question about it. If we want a number two, we can have Onuachu, we know him. But I want another opportunity to see a new player, which is Sadiq Umar.”

Onuachu accepted his omission from the latest Super Eagles squad in good fate but vowed to continue fighting for a place in the Nigerian national team.

Onuachu has however been handed a Nigeria call-up for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

The three-time African champions will take on the Squirrels at Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto Novo on March 27 before facing the Crocodiles three days later at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The lanky centre-forward has

bagged 27 goals across all competitions for the Blue and White, including his strike against Anderlecht in last Sunday’s Belgian Cup tie.

Fans took to social media to blast Super Eagles coach for putting the forward on standby.

Onuachu has now been extended an invitation for the encounters with Simon and other Nigerian stars in France set to miss the encounter due to the country’s COVID-19 protocols.

“Following the uncertainty regarding the availability of players based in France due to COVID-19 laws guiding the country, Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has extended an invitation to KRC Genk striker Paul Onuachu. Henry Onyekuru was earlier called up to replace injured Samuel Kalu,” read a statement from the NFF media channel.

Nantes have already confirmed the club will not be releasing any of their players for international games outside the European territory.

“Like several clubs in France, FC Nantes will not release its selected international players for matches outside the European area during the next international break scheduled for the end of March,” read a statement from the club website.

“In the absence of health guarantees in accordance with the requirements of the French government in force to date, FC Nantes will not be able to release its internationals outside the limits of the European space.

“This decision, based on FIFA circular 1749 of February 5, is justi-

fied by the return protocol imposed on travellers who have travelled outside the European Union, who must in particular respect a seven-day isolation.

“The players concerned would also be unable to take part in the match of the 31st day of Ligue 1 scheduled for Sunday, April 4, between FC Nantes and OGC.” Nigeria lead Group L of the AFCON qualifiers with eight points and victory over Benin or Lesotho will seal their place at the biennial tournament, scheduled for Cameroon in 2022.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

AUTO WORLD

Bennett Oghifo 07052343083 Email:bennett.oghifo@thisdaylive.com

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Pre-drive Vehicle Inspection To safely enter your vehicle and prepare it for safe and efficient operation, perform the pre-driving checklists below every time you prepare for a drive.

The first-ever all-electric BMW i4

All-electric BMW i4 Accelerates Zero to 100km/h in 4 Seconds

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KH ÀUVW HYHU DOO HOHFWULF %0: i4 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in around 4 seconds, with a power output of up to 390kW/530HP. This information popped up as the BMW i4 was revealed at the BMW Group Annual Conference, recently, according to a statement by the automaker.

The BMW i4 model line will be available in GLͿHUHQW YHUVLRQV FRYHULQJ UDQJHV RI XS WR NP (WLTP) and up to 300 miles* (EPA), the statement said. “With its sporty looks, best in class driving dynamics and zero local emissions, the BMW i4 is a true BMW. It makes the heart of the BMW brand now beat fully electric,” said Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, Sales.

The BMW i4 is a fully electric 4 door Gran Coupé

and will enter the market during the course of 2021, including a BMW M Performance model. ,WV UHÀQHG EDODQFH RI %0: W\SLFDO VSRUWLQHVV comfort and sustainable performance are unique in its segment.

Meanwhile, the automaker has introduced the all-new BMW iDrive. “What began 20 years ago with the introduction of a rotary dial and a digital display is now an all-encompassing, intelligent, multi-sensory experience tailored to the user at hand.

“That is what the new BMW iDrive represents. It brings about another paradigm shift – this time to a natural dialogue between the user and their vehicle: more intuitive, personal and inspiring, but also engaging on an emotional level.”

The new generation of BMW iDrive takes the interaction between driver and vehicle into a digital future where many areas of life are getting increasingly smart. The new interpretation of BMW’s operating

system equips the vehicle to actively engage in its relationship with those on board and, in so doing, serves as a digital, intelligent and proactive partner in any situation. A natural dialogue is created with the aim of precisely tailoring all the functions controlled via BMW iDrive to the driver’s needs and preferences as the situation demands.

Underpinning the unique user experience are the new BMW Operating System 8, a new generation of displays, controls and software, and extremely powerful connectivity and data processing. The new iDrive will be rolled out gradually across all vehicle classes, making its debut later this year in the BMW iX before also featuring in the BMW i4.

The ability of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to adjust to the driver’s individual needs and routines, as well as the situation at hand, makes it – more than ever – a central operating channel of human-machine interaction.

Approaching the Vehicle Have your keys in hand before approaching your car or entering a parking area. If you have a keyless-entry remote with a panic alarm button, keep it in your hand, with your finger above the activation button.

Be alert to other pedestrians and drivers.

Look between, beneath and around objects to both sides as you approach your vehicle for signs of movement.

Make sure other drivers see you. Walk well away from parked vehicles.

If your vehicle is parked at the curb, face traffic as you approach the driver’s door.

Outside the Vehicle Check around the vehicle for obstacles that might interfere with its safe movement.

Check the driveway, parking area or street for children or other pedestrians. Several hundred children are killed each year by vehicles backing up.

Inspect the headlights, windshield, side and rear windows, turn signals, brake lights and taillights. If necessary, clean and replace items that are broken or not working properly.

Visually inspect your tires for obvious signs of a problem and notice which direction the front wheels are pointed. Check tire pressures at least once each month, because visual inspection alone may not reveal an improperly inflated tire.

Check under the vehicle for fluid leaks.

Look inside the vehicle before entering, especially the back seat, to improve your safety and protect yourself against carjacking.

If you’re comfortable doing so, check under the hood under normal driving conditions at least once a month or as recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual. Failure to conduct inspections can lead to unsafe operating conditions and costly repairs. Consult your owner’s manual to verify what components should be on your checklist.

AAA recommends inspecting the following as you prepare for a drive: Engine oil Brake fluid Coolant Drive belts Transmission fluid Power-steering fluid Battery (Source: AAA)

Mercedes-Benz Launches new C-Class with Maximum Flexibility, Efficiency

Lagos FRSC Offers Free Vehicles’ Safety Checks

ercedes-Benz is producing the C-Class with maximum flexibility, efficiency and digital networking.

The automaker released details of the new machine, stating that The Saloon and Estate models of the new C-Class are starting to leave the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. The bestselling Mercedes-Benz model series over the past decade will start production in Bremen, the lead plant in the global C-Class production network. This will shortly be followed by start-ups at international locations in Beijing, China and East London, South Africa.

Hybrid models will follow in quick succession – as part of the “Electric first” strategy equipped with battery systems supplied from the Mercedes-Benz battery plant in Jawor, Poland.

Local production in China for the Chinese market is a decisive success factor for Mercedes-Benz. China has been the largest sales market for the C-Class Saloon since 2016. The plant in Beijing produces the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class for the Chinese market.

In East London, right and left-hand drive Saloon models are built for worldwide export.

Production follows the latest production methods and processes including a new body shop system, improved flexibility, efficiency and sustainability.

Thanks to innovative technologies, the paintshop at the plant in East London reduces energy consumption per vehicle by 25 percent.

“With the start of production of the new CClass, our global production network is once again demonstrating its great flexibility. Our teams at three plants on three continents have shown first-class cooperation with their ability to master the sequence

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos Sector Command has concluded arrangements to carry out free safety checks on vehicles within the state.

The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide said all commands within the state will commence the 4-day free exercise from March 18 to assist motorists in detecting faults in their vehicles, according to a statement LVVXHG E\ )56& 3XEOLF (GXFDWLRQ 2΀FHU 5RXWH Commander Olabisi Sonusi.

Ogungbemide said that the exercise was an initiative of the Corps and a checklist ticket will be issued at the end for follow-up and to HQFRXUDJH WKH GULYHUV À[ DQ\ GHIHFW GLVFRYHUHG in the process.

“The step is necessary to forestall incessant breakdown of vehicles on the road and ensure IUHH ÁRZ RI WUD΀F HVSHFLDOO\ ZLWK WKH YDULRXV ongoing rehabilitation/repair in the State.

“The exercise will start from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st March, 2021 simultaneously on all FRSC formations across Lagos,” Ogungbemide said.

“Please be informed that any detected fault does not attract sanction within this period ,rather UHTXHVW IRU VXFK IDXOW WR EH UHFWLÀHG 7KLV FRXOG EH seen as Quarterly Corporate Social Responsibility of the Corps to the motoring public.

You are implored to cooperate with the operatives please”.

The FRSC boss advised motorists to obey WUD΀F UXOHV DQG UHJXODWLRQV ZKLOH DOVR DOZD\V ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy.

He said that the command would not condone DQ\ DFW RI WUD΀F YLRODWLRQV LQ WKH VWDWH He further stated that the operation will be carried out by operatives including Special Marshals throughout the duration of the exercise.

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The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class of production ramp-ups. This is how our modern plants are able to produce outstanding vehicles like the new C-Class,” says Jörg Burzer, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG for Production and Supply Chain Management.

Body shop of the future: highly flexible production Different production and powertrain variants can now already be flexibly realised and manufactured

by Mercedes-Benz in the body shop. The new body shop system is being deployed for the first time in C-Class production at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. Unlike in a traditional body shop, where the individual body parts are produced in line, the

new body shop consists of various production cells, called “cubes”, which can be flexibly combined with each other.

The cubes are fully networked with each other to use the advantages of big data.

The new body shop concept will be deployed successively in Mercedes-Benz plants worldwide.

Modern assembly system: efficient bundling of technology Production of vehicles with different powertrains also plays a decisive role in the assembly shop of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen. The C-Class is assembled on the same line as the GLC, the GLC Coupé and the all-electric EQC (combined power consumption: 21.5 kWh/100 km; combined &2ϔ HPLVVLRQV J NP > @

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

35

AUTO WORLD

Jaguar Land Rover Cabin Air Purification System Inhibits Viruses 97%

J

aguar Land Rover’s future cabin air purification technology has been shown in laboratory tests to inhibit viruses and airborne bacteria by as much as 97 per cent.

A statement issued by the automaker said the prototype heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system uses Panasonic’s nanoe™ X** technology to inhibit harmful bacteria and viruses, and will help the cabins of future Jaguar and Land Rover models to deliver a unique customer experience. The research comes as Jaguar Land Rover defines its future strategy: a sustainability-rich reimagination of modern luxury, unique customer experiences, and positive societal impact.

Jaguar Land Rover partnered with Perfectus Biomed Ltd, a leading microbiology and virology lab, to perform the world-leading laboratory-based sealed-chamber test designed to simulate a vehicle ventilation system in recirculation mode over a 30-minute cycle. The independent research showed that viruses and bacteria were inhibited by as much as 97 per cent.

Panasonic’s innovative nanoe™ X technology has also been tested on novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2*)

by Texcell, a global research organisation that specialises in viral testing and immunoprofiling, and is one of the laboratories in the world with permission to test against novel coronavirus. It found more than 99.995 percent of the virus was inhibited during the two-hour laboratory test***.

Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “Our customers’ wellbeing is of paramount importance to us – and now, more than ever, we are all looking for technological solutions that can help take care of our loved ones. The independent research, developed and commissioned by our expert engineers, is just one of the ways we are working to assure our

2021 Range Rover Evoque interior customers that harmful pathogens are being minimised, providing a cleaner environment for passengers inside the cabin and setting new standards in the ownership experience.”

To provide active air purification the nanoe™ X technology - ten times more effective than its predecessor nanoe™ - uses a high voltage to create trillions of

Hydroxyl (OH) Radicals enveloped in nano-sized water molecules****. These OH Radicals denature the virus and bacteria proteins, helping inhibit their growth. The OH Radicals deodorise and inhibit allergens in a similar way to create a cleaner air environment for customers.

Alexander Owen, Research Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “This technology is a great example of

being able to harness the power of nature and puts Jaguar Land Rover right at the forefront of this cabin technology. Hydroxyl Radicals are one of the most important natural oxidants in chemistry and have been helping to clean our atmosphere for millennia, removing pollutants and other harmful substances. The creation of this technology and our advanced research is the first step in deploying this scientific phenomenon within vehicle cabins of the future.”

This pioneering research will allow Jaguar Land Rover to offer the next generation of advanced cabin air filtration in the future. Models across the Jaguar range, including the new all-electric Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV, and Land Rover line-up – including the Discovery and Range Rover Evoque – currently offer nanoe™ technology and PM2.5 filtration. An innovative pre-conditioning feature is also available so customers can enable the system before getting into the vehicle. * SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the virus, which falls under the Coronavirus family of viruses. Covid-19 is the name of the disease the virus causes. **nanoe™ is a trademark of Panasonic Corporation. *** Texcell research, 2020 carried out for and result supplied by Panasonic **** Hydroxyl (OH) radicals are made up of oxygen and hydrogen atoms and naturally occur in the atmosphere.

They are highly reactive particles that help inhibit viruses, bacteria, allergens and mould but through the nanoe™ X technology pose no harm to humans. Inhibit means to denature the particles and bacteria and prevents them from reproducing or growing.

Models which offer nanoe™ technology include Jaguar I-PACE, E-PACE, F-PACE, XE and XF. Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque.

Porsche Achieves Sustainable Growth in 2020 Financial Year Porsche AG has said it set a new revenue record in the 2020 financial year: its value grew to 28.7 billion euros, surpassing the previous year’s figure by more than 100 million euros. The operating result is 4.2 billion euros. The previous year it was 4.4 billion euros before special items and 3.9 billion euros after. The return on sales was 14.6 percent in 2020, within the strategic target corridor despite the tense economic situation. The strong figures from 2019 were thus only barely missed, despite a temporary shutdown of production. In total, Porsche delivered more than 272,000 vehicles to customers worldwide. This is just three percent less than the previous best year, 2019. The profit before tax was 4.4 billion euros, an increase on 2019.

“The financial year 2020 was successful for Porsche - despite challenging circumstances,” emphasises Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “There are four reasons for this: our attractive product range, convincing electric models, our brand’s innovative strength and the determination with which we approached our crisis management. More than 20,000 units were delivered of the Taycan, the first all-electric Porsche sports car. This makes it the most

successful electric sports car in its class. More than 50 international awards attest to this. Among other things, the Taycan was named the ‘world’s most innovative car’. Porsche stands for a robust core business, sustainable action, social responsibility and innovative technologies.”

“We’re very proud of our business figures,” says Lutz Meschke, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board and Member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT of Porsche AG. “Despite the numerous challenges, we achieved our strategic target corridor with an operational return on sales of 14.6 percent.”

According to Lutz Meschke, the fact that such record figures were achieved despite the difficult global situation was made possible by a very swiftly established cost and liquidity management system.

“Our top priority in the crisis was liquidity. We needed to reduce all costs that were not absolutely necessary.”

At no stage did Porsche lose sight of its long-term strategic direction. “We didn’t scrimp at all when it comes to the future topics. We continue to proceed at full speed on transformation, digitalisation and electrification. Attempting to economise in these areas will very quickly result in a loss of competitiveness.

Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board, Porsche AG

The Myth and Lie of Phoning While Driving Did you read the first part of the multitasking myth behind driving and phoning? If you didn’t, please allow me rehash some or few of the myths to keep you the same page with other readers for your safety. One of the myth holds that talking on the Phone is like speaking to a passenger when in reality, backseat drivers are good for you. Adult passengers you must know, help the driver and alert drivers to traffic problem. On the other hand, people on the other end of phone cannot see what is going on within the driving environment. Yet another myth posits that speaking through the hands-free is safe to use while driving, when in reality drivers talking on the cell phones can miss seeing up to fifty percent of their driving environments; including pedestrians and red light.

There is yet another myth and if my count is correct this should be the fourth; the fourth myth which I presume has a lot of followership based on our enforcement and advocacy records submits that holding the phone at stop light is okay, safe and risk free. These categories will always argue when arrested that after all they were not moving since the red traffic light had stopped their lane. I must confess that it is really strange and astonishing to listen to adherents of this myth sound as if the mobile phone has more value over their life. According to experts, the reality is that, even at stop lights, it is important to remain an attentive driver. Recent studies by experts’ study shows that people are distracted up to twenty-seven seconds after they finish sending a voice text.

The last but not the least myth are for the information technology savvy frenzy whose position is that voice-to-text

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

is safe to do while driving. Some of those in this category will brag about modern technology advancement. In fact, I remember a case where I was practically schooled by an offender who was quick to roll out her travel history to demonstrate her knowledge on recent developments in automobile. Yet the same individual was too ignorant to understand that there is a global crusade to cut road traffic crashes and fatalities. So in reality however, these group should be reminded that it is actually still very distracting to voice-text. This is because when you engage in this habit, you are not only mentally distracted, but you are visually distracted due to the common autocorrect errors.

It is therefore ironic that while the World Health Organization(WHO) is concerned about teen deaths and risk driving behavior, these teens and young drivers report the highest level of level of phone involvement in crash or near-crash incidences. Although I could not lay my hands on recent research findings on the category guilty of these myth, a National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration survey in the United States of America found that twenty percent of drivers aged between 18-20 said texting does not affect their driving, and nearly thirty percent of drivers ages 21-34 said texting has no impact.

Equally disturbing is the crazy and weird attitude of newly licensed teen drivers who are deviants when it comes to distracted driving. This explains another the experimentation which placed data recorders in the vehicles of young drivers to capture video, audio, sudden braking, abrupt turns and other information. I know that most drivers boast about their knowledge on distracted driving.

Some brag that they are masters in maneuvering with the phone and even multitasking. Recent findings say otherwise. I know hands-free technologies might make it easier for motorists to text, talk on the phone, or even use Facebook while they drive, but new findings show dangerous mental distractions exist even when drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

The research found that as mental workload and distractions increase, reaction time slows, while brain function is compromised. The result is that drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues, potentially resulting in drivers not seeing items right in front of them including stop signs and pedestrians. This is the most comprehensive study of its kind to look at the mental distraction of drivers and arms experts with evidence to appeal to road users not to use these voice-to-text features while their vehicle is in motion. Now that there has been a five-fold increase in infotainment systems in new vehicles since 2018, there is the need for sustained action to address this trend because of the looming public

safety crisis ahead with the proliferation of these in-vehicle technologies. Some experts are calling for limiting new and potentially dangerous mental distractions built into cars, particularly with the common public misperception that hands-free means risk-free.

Cognitive distraction experts have measured brainwaves, eye movement and other metrics to assess what happens to drivers’ mental workload when they attempt to do multiple things at once, building upon decades of research in the aerospace and automotive industries. The research included cameras mounted inside an instrumented car to track eye and head movement of drivers and a detection-response-Task device known as the “DRT” used to record driver reaction time in response to triggers of red and green lights added to their field of vision. A special electroencephalographic (EEG)-configured skull cap was used to chart participants’ brain activity so that researchers could determine mental workload They also used established research protocols borrowed from aviation psychology and, drivers engaged in common tasks, from listening to an audio book or talking on the phone to listening and responding to voice-activated emails while behind the wheel. Researchers used the results to rate the levels of mental distraction drivers experienced while performing each of the tasks. Their findings revealed that tasks such as listening to the radio ranked as a category “1” level of distraction or a minimal risk; while talking on a cell-phone, both handheld and hands-free, resulted in a “2” or a moderate risk. In addition, l listening and responding to in-vehicle, voice-activated email features increased mental workload and distraction levels of the drivers to a “3” rating or one of extensive risk. What these findings reveal is that they reinforce previous findings that hands-free is not risk-free.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

36

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Clean Recipe Drives Mothers’ Preference for Capri-Sun

L-R: Facilities Manager, U.S. Consulate General Lagos, Ibraheem Muhammed; and U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard inspecting the U.S. Consulate General’s Air Quality Monitor in Lagos… recently

Findings have shown that Capri-Sun is the number one fruit drink mothers prefer for their children. A cross section of mothers engaged, emphasised the importance of consuming healthy beverages for the overall health and long-term development of their children.

Being a mom is a lot like being a custodian. Everyone is looking XS WR \RX WR ÀJXUH RXW HYHU\WKLQJ IURP ZKDW WR GULQN WR ZKHUH to go, and what to do every day. Mothers desire what is best for their kids to grow and evolve by guiding them along the way.

Capri-Sun has endeared itself to mothers over the years by creating a variety of fruit drinks made with ‘Clean Recipe’. A ‘Clean Recipe’ essentially means foods or beverages made from natural LQJUHGLHQWV ZLWK QR DUWLÀFLDO FRORXUV QR DUWLÀFLDO VZHHWHQHUV QR DUWLÀFLDO ÁDYRUV DQG QR DGGHG SUHVHUYDWLYHV Against the background of a plethora of unwholesome kiddies’ fruit drinks that have saturated the market, mothers have become more observant about the nutritional value of beverages to ensure that only healthy fruit drinks with a ‘Clean Recipe’ like Capri-Sun make it to the snack boxes and meal tables for their children.

Mrs. Josephine Edet, a mother of three children, says she takes special interest in what her children consume, because of many unwholesome fruit drinks in the market that cannot pass the tests of quality and safety.

IWD 2021: Payment Service Bank Calls for Gender Equality Colgate Tasks Women on In line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Choose to Challenge’, Nigeria’s digital lifestyle bank, 9PSB is celebrating all women and committing to uphold gender equality and women empowerment within its organisation.

According to the CEO 9PSB, Branka Mracajac, ‘IWD means a lot to me as I am proud of what I have achieved as a woman in the industry and this gives me the opportunity to inspire and encourage other women that they can do as much as I have done and even better. IWD is also a reminder that although we have come so far there is still a long way to go when it comes to achieving gender equality. I encourage my female colleagues WR EH EROG FRQÀGHQW YRFDO WR EH WKH FKDQJH

they want to see and above everything to be themselves.”

For the last 100 years, International Women’s Day has been celebrated every year on the 8th of March by countries, organizations, educational institutions, women groups and the media. The day is set aside to celebrate girls and women all over the world and to honor those who have been at the forefront of WKH ÀJKW WR KHOS IRUJH D JHQGHU HTXDO ZRUOG Branka stated further that “Women deserve an equal future free from stigma, violence and stereotypes with equal rights and opportunities for all to realize their full potential. To achieve this, women need to be at every table where decisions are being made in government, education, politics, business,

ÀQWHFK WHOHFRPV UHOLJLRQ HQWHUWDLQPHQW DQG sports. Women’s full and active participation and leadership in all spheres of life drives real progress for everyone. At 9PSB, we ensure that everyone whether male or female is given equal opportunity and access to achieve their full capacity.”

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating JHQGHU SDULW\ 6LJQLÀFDQW DFWLYLWLHV DUH ZLWnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. IWD has been marked IRU RYHU D FHQWXU\ ZLWK WKH ÀUVW JDWKHULQJ in 1911 supported by over a million people.

Indomie Extends Love to Less Privileged Children In celebrating this year’s Mother’s Day, noodles brand, Indomie has urged mothers to extend care to children in orphanages, just as its reached out to less privileged children.

As part of activities to mark the day, Indomie, through its fan club led mothers across four cities of Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt, reaching over 600 children.

During the visit, the mothers spent time bonding and sharing love with these kids, engaging them in varieties of games and other activities after which they were served with Indomie noodles.

The kids and mothers were also presented

ZLWK GLͿHUHQW JLIW LWHPV LQFOXGLQJ FDUWRQV of noodles.

Speaking during a visit to Living Fountain Orphanage in Lagos, National Coordinator of Indomie Fan Club, Faith Joshua stated that the gesture was put together to make the less privileged children feel parental love beyond that of their biological parents.

“Mother’s Day celebration for us at Indomie ZDV D OLWWOH GLͿHUHQW WKDQ XVXDO WKLV \HDU $V so many prepared to spend the day with their loved ones by sending a letter, card, or gift items, we thought about celebrating this day with children whose circumstances

have denied them the privilege of enjoying the warmth and care of biological parents.

“This avenue allowed us to show these precious kids how much they are loved and how much they are important by giving them a priceless experience while also celebrating mothers across the country,” she said.

In her remarks, Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie who made a guest appearance at the event extolled mothers for the multiple roles they play in keeping the home together.

She also commended Indomie for recognizing the role of mothers and celebrating them.

Excellence, Leadership

Toothpaste brand, Colgate has charged women to always strive for the best in the face of challenges.

The organisation while marking this year’s International Women’s day (IWD) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women $ͿDLUV DQG 6RFLDO 'HYHORSPHQW DOVR HQFRXUDJHG ZRPHQ WR FKDOOHQJH the status quo and break the glass ceilings.

At the National policy Dialogue organised by the Ministry in Abuja in honour of the day, with Colgate brand fully represented, Public Relations Manager of Tolaram Group, Omotayo Abiodun reiterated the strength of women to national development.

She added that the vision of the brand aligned with that of the Ministry to better the lots of women.

The event had in attendance women of high substance and calibre soaring in the global space, including former President of Liberia- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Executive Director of The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS), Ms. Winnie Byanyima, amongst others.

Speaking on the theme of the event, “Women in Leadership,” 0LQLVWHU RI :RPHQ $ͿDLUV DQG 6RFLDO 'HYHORSPHQW 'DPH 3DXOLQH Tallen challenged women to take up leadership role as she also commended women who have made exploits across the globe.

She said, “Women deserve the equal right to play and attain the highest level of their dreams without the fear of deliberate subjugation at any level.”

Colgate was also on ground to render free dental check-up to women. After consultation with dentists, everyone present received samples of the product while dignitaries were presented with special dental kits which included the Colgate maximum cavity protection toothpaste. $V SDUW RI WKH EUDQG·V HͿRUWV WR FHOHEUDWH ZRPHQ WRR LW SDUWQHUHG ZLWK WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI ZRPHQ $ͿDLUV LQ VHYHQ 6WDWHV .ZDUD /DJRV Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Edo and Abuja to mark the day and make it a memorable one for women.

Chivita 100% Emerges Fruit Juice Brand of the Decade Firm Restates Commitment to Chivita 100% has emerged the Best Premium Quality Natural Fruit Juice Brand of the Decade at the West Africa Brands Excellence Awards, held in Lagos, recently.

The awards event was to mark the 10th anniversary of recognising excellence and to celebrate the 2021 winners.

The West Africa Brands Excellence Awards is awarded annually to companies, agencies and brands that have been consistent in delivering impressive results within the 12 months of review, as well as to individuals who have shown true achievements in their respective sectors.

The award is a recognition of Chivita 100%’s

market leadership in the fruit juice category as it continues to be at the forefront of enlightening and promoting 100% fruit juice consumption for everyday wellness.

Chivita 100% is a Proudly Nigerian premium fruit juice produced from best quality real natural fruits with no added sugar, no artificial colors, and no preservatives. It is perfect as a daily source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which provide nourishment for health-conscious consumers.

According to the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria, the organizers of the 10th West Africa Brands Excellence Awards, “Chivita 100% has

been recognized as the fruit juice brand of the decade because of its immense contributions to the growth, development, continuous innovation, and market leadership in the fruit juice category of the Nigerian Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry.”

Speaking on the award, Managing Director of CHI Limited, Mr. Deepanjan Roy, thanked its organisers for recognising Chivita 100%’s strides for innovative excellence in the last decade.

“The fruit juice brand of the decade award for Chivita 100% is a positive scorecard of our efforts to maintain dominance in the fruit juice category through innovation, consumer satisfaction

Preparations Enter Top Gear for OGIC Easter Fiesta Indigenous firm, OGIC has announced plans for the forthcoming Easter Fiesta sets to hold in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

According to the organisation, the big-budget event, tagged “OGIC Easter Fiesta 2021”, promises to be the first of its kind in Abeokuta, featuring live musical performances, celebrity appearance, raffle draw and beauty contest, amongst others.

Also lined up for the event which comes up April 9, are: comedy, dance competition, talent

hunt and the a course of energetic performance by music star, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma and his band.

The event, which will take place at the popular Sokori Green Park, would also feature the maiden edition of Miss OGIC beauty contest.

The Miss OGIC beauty contest, which is a creative addition to the event, will witness the assemblage of young and beautiful girls in an open and transparent contest.

Winner of the OGIC beauty contest will enjoy

an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai, as well as an official car. The organisers also promised to wow consumers with loads of consolation prizes and grand prize of a brand new car.

It informed that ticket will be available for sale from which winner of the brand new car will be determined.

Top celebrities, movers and shakers of Nigerian high society are expected to light up the event with their attendance.

Wellness on World Sleep Day

Indigenous bedding brand, Mouka has restated commitment to consumers’ healthy future through quality sleep solutions.

The firm also urged quality and regular sleep to ensure overall soundness of the body.

Speaking at a function to mark this year’s World Sleep Day, Chief Executive Officer of Mouka, Raymond Murphy, stressed the importance of sound sleep to a healthy future.

He stated that in line with the theme of this year’s Day, “Regular Sleep, Healthy Future,” Mouka has been propagating healthy sleep culture through campaigns and quality sleep solutions.

He said, “This has earned us the endorsement by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and the National Association of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists (NAOMT).”

On his part, President of NAOMT, Dr. Teslim Onigbinde, enlightened that regular sleep is not out of reach and can be achieved by cultivating certain habits.

“These include: fixing a bedtime and wake up time, reducing screen time especially at night, regular exercise, reduced noise and room lighting at bedtime and comfortable beddings.”

World Sleep Day is an initiative of the World Sleep Society to recognize the impact of sleep on human health. This annual event focuses on the effects of sleep problems and the importance of healthy sleep at every stage of the human life cycle.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 20,2021

37

NEWSXTRA Akeredolu, Abiodun, Oyetola Demand Review of APC Constitution James Sowole inAkureand Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo

Governors of three South-west states of Ondo, Ogun and Osun, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Dapo Abiodun and Gboyega Oyetola, respectively, have called for the continued re-evaluation of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reflect its democratic tendencies, where members practice and ensure internal democracy.

The governors stated this at the APC Constitution Review (South West Stakeholders Meeting) held at the June 12 Cultural Centre,

ROYAL VISIT… L-R: Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe and Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) when he paid the monarch an advocacy visit in the Ekiti State capital...yesterday

ASUP Commences Nationwide Strike April 6

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) yesterday threatened to commence a nationwide indefinite strike beginning on April 6 in all the nation’s polytechnics over unresolved issues between its members and the federal and some state governments.

The union also advocated for the immediate reconstitution of governing councils for federal and state-owned polytechnics and full implementation of the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act as well as its domestication in Adamawa, Sokoto, Niger and other non-

compliant states.

The ASUP President, Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, while reading the communique at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of the union held in Katsina, said the strike became necessary following the inability of government to implement agreements reached with the union.

He listed the issues in contention to include failure to implement the 2014 NEEDS Assessment Report on government-owned polytechnics and the non-implementation of 65 years retirement age for academic staff in some stateowned polytechnics.

Other outstanding issues, according to Ezeibe included the non-payment of promotion arrears in federal polytechnics and non-payment of annual increments in some states of the federation.

He said: “In view of the unresolved issues in our previous communications and after extensive deliberations, the union resolved to withdraw the services of its members across the nation in a comprehensive industrial action from the 6th of April, 2021.

“The industrial action is to draw the attention of the government on the need to release the 10 months arrears of the new

minimum wage owed our members in federal polytechnics and the implementation of same in states yet to implement the new minimum wage.

“Release owed staff salaries in Abia, Ogun, Osun, Benue, Plateau, Edo and Cross Rives states and implement full salary payments in Sokoto, Kaduna, Adamawa and other institutions with such reports.”

He urged government to, as a matter of urgency, withdraw what he termed as a letter containing “spurious, incoherent and unsubstantiated” claims of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax liabilities in 19 federal polytechnics across the country.

WhatsApp, Instagram Suffer INEC Will Only Deal with Registered Political Parties Shutdown for 45 Minutes Festus Akanbi

Users of Facebook-owned services, WhatsApp and Instagram, yesterday experienced a partial shutdown in the various platforms which came back to live 45 minutes later.

Users’ frustration began when it became impossible to log in unto the various platforms until services were restored later.

Some complained that they could not access social tools including the Facebook’s own Messenger service as at 6.30p.m. yesterday.

Users visiting Instagram online get a simple error message saying ‘5xx Server Error’, with no other information provided.

Some Facebook users have reported being able to sign in to the app, although 63 per cent of reports on downdetector. com suggest there is a ‘total

blackout’.

There was a sudden spike of reports on down detector for the Facebook-owned services, with WKH RXWDJH DͿHFWLQJ WKH HQWLUH Facebook social product line.

But tweeting about an hour later, @WhatsApp, wrote, “Thanks for your patience, that was a long 45 minutes but we are back! #WhatsAppDown” Similar explanations were given by Instagram with the message: “Some people were having issues with their Instagram accounts earlier, but we’re back now. The issue’s EHHQ À[HG DQG ZH·UH VRUU\ IRU the trouble. #instagramdown.”

The Facebook-owned apps, which have some three billion users worldwide, report occasional outages, including one last July, which often spark an array of comments on other social platforms.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again counselled the 74 deregistered political parties to await the judgement of the Supreme Court on their appeals relating to the powers of the Commission to deregister political parties.

INEC said that until the apex court nullifies their deregistration of the 74 political parties, that the Commission would have no dealings with them.

INEC in a statement by Festus Okoye, a National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity Committee said that the deregistration of the 74 political parties was in accordance with section 225A of the Constitution.

The Commission restates its readiness to obey Court orders

and will abide by any judgement delivered by the Supreme Court.

According to Okoye, “This statement has become necessary against the backdrop of various letters submitted to the Commission recently by some of the deregistered political parties signifying their intention to conduct primaries with a view to submitting names and particulars of candidates for the Anambra Governorship election.”

Okoye said that the deregistered parties hinge their request to nominate candidates on the judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered on June 11, 2020.

He said that the Commission will continue to recognise and deal with only the 18 registered political parties pending the final resolution and determination of the various appeals filed and pending before the Supreme Court.

6DUDNL :RRV 1LJHULDQV 6D\V 3'3 ZLOO 0DNH WKH 'L;HUHQFH Omon-JuliusOnabuinAsaba Former Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that the impressive pace of development in states in the country with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors bore eloquent testimony to the fact that the party’s governors were working for the development of their respective states.

Speaking yesterday in Asaba, where he inaugurated several projects executed by the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Saraki appealed to Nigerians to throw their weight behind the PDP to enable the party return to power again in the country in 2023, in order to rekindle the currently low tempo of development.

While commending Governor

Okowa for his vision and commitment to the uplifting of the people of the state through his numerous valuable projects, the former senate president described the governor as “a man of capacity and integrity” who has remained a pride of his political party, the PDP. He recalled his close association with the governor in the Senate, saying he (Saraki) was happy that

Okowa had lived up to his high rating as a focused and goal-oriented leader with a passion to improve the well-being of his people.

While inaugurating the N1.69 billion DLA Road in Asaba, Saraki said that when the leadership of the PDP had cause to seek Okowa’s assistance in times of important assignments, the governor always rose to the occasion.

Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday, noting that it was time to tinker with the Constitution to make the party more potent and acceptable to the people.

While emphasising the importance of the review, Akeredolu said rules and regulations guiding a party like the APC must be dynamic and not static.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde and made available to newsmen in Akure yesterday, Akeredolu noted that the Constitution of the party must be reviewed for obvious reasons.

NCAA: Azman Air Stopped from Flying to Avert Disaster Cont’d from Pg. 5 It also disclosed that a comprehensive audit of Azman Air would be conducted in the areas of operations, airworthiness, training, licensing, financial health and any other area determined to be necessary during the exercise, adding that an audit team of inspectors has been constituted to determine the root causes of these incidents, and recommend action plans to forestall re-occurrence.

The NCAA also reacted to the allegations levelled against the agency and its Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu by Azman Air. The regulatory authority referred to the press statement issued by the airline where it insisted that its suspension was a vendetta against it.

On what it referred to as spurious allegation made against the Director General that he demanded N15 million for a publication, which carried an Azman advert, NCAA explains: “Between 20 and 22 November 2017, Nigeria hosted the ICAO World Aviation Forum (IWAF/3) in Abuja. The sponsorship of this event was sought from aviation organisations, including Azman Air, through a letter from the then Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation).

“The Director General, who at that time was the Representative of Nigeria on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and a key member of the organising committee of IWAF/3, delivered the letter of sponsorship to the management of Azman Air while he was on a family visit to Kano. The Chairman and the CEO of Azman Air both promised to revert but never did. The request for sponsorship of IWAF/3 can be independently verified with other Nigerian airlines,” NCAA clarified.

It stated that in addition, a publication, ICAO STATES TODAY, carried an Azman Air advert, as the airline subscribed to the advert in 2016, in preparation for the 39th General Assembly of ICAO but till date, Azman Air had refused to pay the advert cost of US$3,701, despite several reminders.

“The invoice from the publisher of the magazine, FCM Communications based in Montreal, Canada, can be independently confirmed with the publisher. The official request for sponsorship of IWAF/3 and reminder of payment for the long overdue invoice of US$3,701 to FCM Communications, are the basis for the false claims against the Director General of allegedly demanding the sum of

N15 million.”

NCAA described the allegation of “sitting” on the request of Azman Air to hire expatriate pilots as outright falsehood: “The Director General assumed office on 24th February 2020 and shortly afterwards, in late March 2020, the Nigerian airspace was closed to all flights. Azman Air applied for expatriate quota by a letter signed by its Managing Director on 8th December 2020 and it was promptly turned down,” the statement also said.

NCAA said it neither approves nor issues expatriate quota, but that the inputs of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and NCAA were part of the approval process of the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS).

NCAA said Azman Air terminated the appointments of six Nigerian pilots (three Captains and three Co-Pilots) on November 6, 2020, “due to recent happenings and developments in the company” and a few weeks later, on 8th December 2020, applied for expatriate quota for six expatriates to replace the terminated Nigerian pilots and the Director General refused to endorse their request.

“Neither the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority nor its Director General will succumb to any blackmail and or threat in carrying out the statutory responsibility of the safety and security oversight, in addition to the economic regulation, of the civil aviation industry in Nigeria, as enshrined in the 2006 Civil Aviation Act,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the airline admitted that it recorded three incidents involving the aforementioned aircraft, but noted in its twitter handle, @Azmanair, that “over 1,000 staff of Azman Air will be directly affected if the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) does not soft-pedal and lift a suspension order it placed on the airline.

Azman Air, which started commercial flight operations in Nigeria in 2014, has its hub at the Kano airport. The airline has up to seven aircraft in its fleet which mostly comprise B 737 aircraft. It plies up to 10 domestic destinations.

The Nigerian civil airspace has maintained a relatively safe record in about a decade now.

The last tragic air crash involving commercial airplane in the country was in June 2012 when a Dana Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft from Abuja crashed near the Lagos airport while attempting an emergency landing, killing all 153 souls on board and six on the ground.

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸˜ ͰͮͰͯ

NEWSXTRA

Fayemi: Technology will Secure Schools from Bandits Festus Akanbi Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State yesterday said serious investmentintechnologywould secure schools from bandits’ onslaught in the country.

His call was sequel to the increased attacks on schools by bandits in recent times.

The latest was the invasion of UBE school in Rama, Birnin Gwari Local GovernmentArea of Kaduna State, during which three teachers were kidnapped.

Before this, the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka, Kaduna, was also attacked, with more than 30 students abducted.

In both instances, the kidnapped victims are still in the custody of the bandits.

Speaking on a live television programme yesterday, Fayemi said bandits were not invincible, explaining that they could be traced, and as such, with the right measures in place, schools across the country could be secure.

“We need to at least take some basicprecautionarymeasuresby providing — across the length and breadth of our country — schools with perimeter fences.

We can also put vigilante, security operatives in those schools,” he said.

“But more than anything else,

we need to invest in technology, because these people are not ghosts — those who are responsible for this. We know where they are. People can track them, but somehow, we appear a little bit handicapped in responding effectively to the menace of criminals and bandits in the country. Instead, we’ve provided silly excuses by attaching it to the ethnicity of whoever is culpable, rather than focusing on the crime committed.”

He also spoke on the activities of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, stating that operatives were not able to function optimally because they’re not allowed to carry

weapons.

He added that if there’s fear that state or local police would misuse their power, measures should be put in place to check it.

“States ultimately may need to take greater charge of security within their own jurisdiction.

Some of us, and the Nigerian Governor’s Forum specifically, have argued consistently in the past, that we need multi-level policing in this country, and multilevel policing for us is not a revocation of federal police,” he said.

“It is a complimentary level of police in addition to federal police. When you do that, you would also not have a situation

Promoting Nigerian Food Culture is Collective Responsibilit y, Says Runsewe Charles Ajunwa The Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has said the promotion of Nigerian food culture was a collective responsibility as it encourages healthy living, create employment opportunities for our teeming unemployed youths and open up business opportunities at the micro and macro levels.

Runsewe, who disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, said the media parley was intended to draw atten-

tion of Nigerians to the need to patronise made-in-Nigeria food, promote the Nigerian food culture and discourage the consumption of foreign foods most of which he said were preserved with chemicals that had long time negative effects on our human body.

He added that all nations of the world were devising various strategies of mitigating the effects of COVID-19, noting that the promotion of the consumption of our brand of our food, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic would be minimised.

According to Runsewe, “Ni-

gerian foods are not only natural and rich in nutrients, most of our foods are medicinal and can help to build the body and boost our immunity system.”

The NCAC boss said that the Nigerian food basket had the capacity to create 2,000 direct and 2,500 indirect jobs in a short term and over 5 million jobs in the long run if sustained.

He urged all Nigerians to promote and patronise Nigerian cultural products as that will help to reduce the level of unemployment and also empower our people economically.

The Executive Chairman, Business Visa Limited, Alhaji

Sani Garba, in his contribution stated that Business Visa was a non-governmental organisation putting together a platform where all the small scale entrepreneurs,especiallywomenand youths could come together and express themselves in terms of availing themselves of business opportunities available to them and come together to harness such opportunities and proffer solutions to their problems.

He pleaded with the federal government to create an enabling environment for small scale entrepreneurs, especially the ones in agro businesses to market their finished products.

in which there is no trust. You need to have mechanisms to deal with aberrant usage of local or state police. We have the Nigerian police council which hardly functions.

“Amotekun is working, but it’s not working optimally becausethey’renotevenallowed to carry weapons. So, what’s the use of anAmotekun that cannot

confront a kidnapper in the bush because the kidnapper is carrying anAK-47 and he’s carrying a stick? Let’s be real; it’s not going to work.

“As an intelligence officer, if you’re targeted because they know you’re the one providing information to the mainstream security agencies, you’re under threat.”

Ikpeazu Renames Aba Road after Late Sam Mbakwe Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has renamed Faulks Road, Aba, after the Governor of Old Imo State, Late Dr. Sam Mbakwe.

This development followed a request made by a student of DANIJOYInternational Schools, Umuahia, during Governor Ikpeazu's lecture on 'Building a NewNigeriathroughDemocratic Leadership' where he said that LateDr.SamMbakwewasoneof the greatest leaders in the history of Old Imo State.

Governor Ikpeazu who described public perception as critical to solving to a great extent, the myriads of problems facing Nigeria, insisted that the society must learn to appreciate and promote leaders who served the public creditably.

The governor said that our society must also promote the virtues of honesty, integrity and service, adding that the journey for a new Nigeria was a collective one as everyone is guilty of contributing to the many challenges

bedeviling her.

The State Chief Executive also made a case for the inculcation of democraticprinciplesandnorms in citizens from the contact with education as this will help in the re-orientating the mindset of the younger generation towards building a society of our dreams.

Governor Ikpeazu equally described early child education as key to the development of the child and called for the inculcation of same into the educational system of the country.

Earlierinanaddress,theHead of Schools, DANIJOY International Schools, Ambassador Anthony Ororho, said the school was an institution where parents of Igbo extraction living in the Diaspora in particular could bring up their wards in the enviable Igbo tradition with sound moral upbringing and lauded Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his commitment to bequeathing qualitative education to the state.

CDS to Explore Knowledge of Diaspora Military, Security Experts

Itunu Babalola Wrongly Charged, Incarcerated in Cote D’Ivoire, Says Dabiri-Erewa

Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË

Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has expressed his willingness to tap into the skills, competences, knowledge and exposure of Nigerians in the Diaspora who specialise in defenceandsecurityarchitecture.

The CDS said this during the visit of the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

On the proposed Diaspora Defence and Security Conference, the CDS said given the security situation in the country,

it would be most appropriate to synergise and exploit the enormous resource base of Nigerians in the Diaspora for National Development.

He commended the NIDCOM boss for engaging Nigerians in the diaspora for meaningful contributions to national development, while promising to also sustain the drive for gender equity in the Armed Forces as well as a well-structured data mapping of Nigerian military personnel serving in different countries globally.

Dabiri-Erewaexpressedgratitude for the warmth and cordial

reception accorded her and her team, even as she congratulated the Chief of Defence Staff on his appointment.

She however maintained that giventhenumberofhighlyqualifiedNigeriansintheDefenceand Security Sector in the diaspora and how they had been excelling, it became germane to bring them on board at the proposed diaspora defence and security conference.

She also made a case for the enlistment of more women into the military for gender equity, and commended the CDS for coming up with a gender policy for women in the armed forces.

Minimum Wage: Kogi Organised Labour Suspends Proposed Strike Ibrahim Oyewale ÓØ ÙÕÙÔË Kogi Organised Labour has suspended its planned strike over non-implementation of N 30,000 minimum wage scheduled to take off from Midnight of Sunday 21st March 2021.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed yesterday by the Secretaries , Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade OwoeyeAnthony, Trade Union Congress, (TUC), Comrade Kolawole James and Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, (JPSNC), Comrade I.Abubakar said to avert the looming strike, the State Government ordered membersofthe17-mancommittee to resume work immediately with a mandate to submit its report in a very short time.

According to the statement, "Over the months, the Leadership of Organised Labour had patiently waited for this Government to conclude with Labour leaders the negotiation on the New Minimum Wage currently signed into law by President Muhammed Buhari in April 2019. The committee was inaugurated February 2020.

"It is on record that Organised Labour in the state wrote severally to the State Government on the critical need for the committee to conclude this all-important assignment but none of our letters was responded to until a notice of a 21-day ultimatum was issued on 2™ March 2021.

"Consequently, the Leadership of Labour therefore has decided to put on hold the

proposed strike scheduled to begin on mid-night of Sunday 23rd March 2021 pending when the committee would submit its report".

While appreciating workers for maintaining a very cordial industrial relations atmosphere prevailing in the State, the organised labour in the state therefore appealed to workers to go about their normal and legitimate business while praying that God should touch the hearts of the government to do the needful.

It could be recalled that the organised labour on March 10th issued an ultimatum to the state government to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage or ready to face strike from workers in the state.

TheNigeriansinDiasporaCommission(NIDCOM)yesterdaysaid ithadestablishedthataNigerian, Itunu Babalola was wrongfully chargedandincarceratedinCote D’voire.

AstatementsignedbyGabriel OduoftheMedia,PublicRelations andProtocolsUnitoftheCommissionsaid:“Followingpainstaking investigations by the Nigerians inDiasporaCommissionandthe NigeriaMissioninAbidjan,Cote D'Ivoire,itwasnowconfirmedthat ItunuBabalola,aNigerianlivingin Abidjanwaswronglyfullycharged and incarcerated for a crime she did not commit.”

He said the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa revealedthattheChargeD’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Côte D’Ivoire, Mr. Mohammed Gana sent officials of the mission to Bondoukou, a city eight hours outside Abidjan when the case was brought to his attention.

Dabiri-Erewa said plans were underwaytoengagetheservices of a legal luminary to prove the innocenceofItunuBabalolaatthe CourtofAppeal aftertheaccused had spent two years out of a 10year jail term for an offense she did not commit.

The NIDCOM boss said reports had indicated that the new prosecutor assigned to the casehadgivenassurancesofafair and unbiased review and retrial of the case to secure the release of Itunu Babalola.

Dabiri-Erewa said: “ Reports also allegedly indicate that the formerprosecutorincollaboration withthepolicetwistedthecaseand

accusedItunuBabaloloofhuman traffickinghenceherconvictionfor 20yearsalthoughthesentencewas reduced to 10 years from which she has served two years so far.”

She revealed that Babalola whose family is from Oyo State, Nigeria, has been living in Bondoukou, Cote d'Ivoire for a long time but got entangled in a legal

battle when she reported the burglaryofherhousetothePolice She however said on efforts made to secure her bail, the prosecutor said it was only the court that could grant her bail as she had already been convicted, promisingthat:“Wewillcontinue tomonitorthecaseasitunfolds.”

CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͸, 2021

SPORTS XTRA

Spanish Club Blocks Sadiq Umar from Super Eagles’ AFCON Qualifiers Enyimba’s Iwuala replaces Almeria striker Promotion-chasing Spanish Segunda Division clubAlmeria yesterday issued a statement informing Umar Sadiq not to honour his invitation to the Super Eagles for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations

qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Almeria have argued that their top scorer will not be released to the Nigeria Football Federation because health and safety conditions have not been

met.

Umar has beendelivering spectacular performances for Almeria this season, scoring 14 goals and providing five assists in 26 league games.

His scintillating form earned

him his first call-up to the senior national team, having previously starred for the West African’s U23 side.

Football’s governing body, FIFA has always forced clubs to release their players but

as a result of the coronavirus pandemic the rule has been relaxed because of the risks.

French Ligue 1 clubs have banned their Africa footballers from traveling to join up with their national teams this month, meaningMosesSimon(Nantes), Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux) and Terem Moffi (Lorient) won’t be available for selection in the two AFCON qualifiers.

“Due to the pandemic crisis that we are experiencing, due to the sars-cov-2 virus (Covid 19) and thoroughly evaluating all the impacts, we believe that the sanitary, security or bureaucratic conditions are not met, so that our player Sadiq Umar present himself to the call-up of the Nigerian National team,”Ameria said in a statement.

“Therefore, based on article 3.1b of Annex 1 of FIFA RSTP,

we have notified the player not to appear at the aforementioned call”.

Sadiq would have missed three matches against Leganes, Malaga and Rayo Vallecano assuming he was allowed to report for international duty.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed this afternoon that Enyimba’s Anayo Iwuala will replace Sadiq for the Benin Republic and Lesotho clashes.

Nigeria lead Group L of the Afcon qualifiers with eight points and a win over either Benin or Lesotho will seal their place at the continental showpiece in Cameroon.

The Super Eagles finished third in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt behind winners Algeria and Senegal.

Anjorin Part of Tuchel’s Plan against Sheffield in FA Cup

Umar Sadiq

Shoretire, Eze Five Other Nigerians Eligible for England’s Squads The English Football Association has finalised its rosters for upcoming international matches this month and U21 head coachAidy Boothroyd has selected Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and PSV Eindhoven winger Nonso Madueke in the squad list for the 2021 European U21 Championship group stages.

TheU18andU19rosterswereannounced

on yesterday, with five Nigeria-eligible players making the cut.

Head coach of England U18s, Kevin Betsy has handed a first time call-up to recent Manchester United debutant Shola Shoretire and joining him on the roster are Arsenal fullback Daniel Oyegoke, Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and Manchester City winger Samuel

Edozie.

Shoretire previously earned caps for the Young Lions at U15 and U16 levels, and could make his U18s debut against Wales in Cardiff on Monday, March 29.

For the U19 age group, Arsenal midfielder Miguel Azeez has been named in Ian Foster’s 21-man squad for a training camp in St. George’s Park.

GOtv Boxing Night Returns with Two WBF Titles Bouts Boxing fans in Nigeria and across Africa will on April 2, watch GOtv Boxing Night, the continent’s premier boxing show return with two World Boxing Federation (WBF) title bouts.

The show, which holds at Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall of the Rowe Park Sports Hall in Lagos, will be behind closed doors in line COVID-19 safety protocols. It will however be telecast live by SuperSport on DStv channel 209 and GOtv channel 34 The night’s biggest bouts will see two Nigerians in action against foreign opponents.

Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu will take

on Ghana’s Emmanuel “Afuko Addo” Quartey for the WBF Intercontinental super featherweight title, while his compatriot and West African Boxing Union (WABU) welterweight champion, Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, will duel with Tanzania’s Mkalekwa Salehe Omari for the WBF International welterweight title.

Five other bouts, across weight categories, are also lined up. The light heavyweight division will see Timothy ‘Nsiefinagaije’ Gonze up against Segun “Success” Olanrewaju in a challenge duel. In the super middleweight category, Femi “Small Tyson” Akintayo will

try Sulaimon “Olags” Adeosun for size.

The super featherweight division will equally see Yusuf “Innocent” Ogunbunmi test himself against the slightly more experienced Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan.

Two other welterweight bouts will see Sikiru “Lion” Ogabi against William “Kaki” Amosu and Isaac “I-Star” Chukwudi against Taiwo ‘Gentle Boy’ Olowu respectively.

This edition of the event, its 22nd, was billed to hold on 1 January, but was postponed because of a spike in COVID-19 infection figures in the country.

8,000 Athletes for Edo 2020 Festival, Says Sports Minister The much postponed Edo National Sports Festival will go ahead as planned from April 2- 14 with 8,000 atheletes taking part, Minister of Youth and sports Development Sunday Dare has assured.

Speaking in Benin yesterday after undergoing a tour of facilities and a meeting with Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Dare said “On April 2, the camp for the Edo Festival would be opened, on April 6 the official opening of the festival by Mr President would take place. But beyond that, we are also working closely with the PTF, NCDC and others to ensure that the necessary

support we need in terms of vaccination of atheletes, test kits will be available.

We are also toning down the number of athletes that would be participating from 14,000 to 8,000. I must thank the governor and his deputy for taking the lead on this” On accomodation of athletes, he said: “We have been able to get the University of Benin to host our athletes.

There are still some works to be done here which may not be in the radar, but everything is on track I can tell you with certainty that the Edo National Sports Festival will hold.

“After meeting with the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy Comrade Philip Shuaibu, we are reassured that we are on track to host a successful National Sports Festival. All obstacles have been cleared; we are ready for a great festival. The event is coming at the most auspicious time when we are preparing for the Olympics.This is our local Olympics and we shall make the most of it.The President has given his nod for the festival to take place, there’s no going back” The Festival billed for last year was postponed due to the outbreakof Covid-19.

Chelsea Manager Thomas Tuchel has hinted at including Faustino Anjorin in the Blue’s Emirates FA Cup quarterfinal clash against Sheffield United making it the second consecutive Cup fixture the Aglo-Nigerian would be featuring.

The England youth international, who is eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian father, has been part of the first team bubble since the appointment of the German coach but has found game time difficult to come by, logging only 21 minutes and it came in the FA Cup win at Barnsley last month.

Anjorin attracted interest from other English clubs in the winter transfer market and Tuchel admitted that the club vetoed the move because he has done well in training.

In quotes relayed by Football London, Tuchel said on Anjorin: “He has the physical ability to play and train with us at this level.

“He has some minutes against Barnsley in the cup game and we try to involve him in the group against Sheffield because he trains very well.

“We decide to keep him instead of him going on out loan in winter. I feel him very strong in finishing in training. He is a nice guy, another nice guy from the academy, very humble.

“He has both feet on the ground and he is here. I am very grateful to have this chance to learn at this level.

“I am happy with him and he needs to be patient and impatient at the same time which is always the target for the young guy.”

Anjorin watched proceedings from the bench as Chelsea defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0 to progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

Joshua, Fury Clash Still Awaits Venue Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must accept a venue for their world title fight in a few weeks, with “pressure on” to meet a deadline, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Britain’s rival world champions have signed a contract for an undisputed world heavyweight title fight, although a location and date are yet to be agreed.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that seven countries have offered to stage Joshua vs Fury, but a deadline of 30 days has been set to find a venue in time for the fight to be staged this summer.

If an agreement is not reached by then, Hearn told Sky Sports: “Well I guess it depends where we are. If we’re on the verge and it has to go a few days after that.

“That’s a date set by everybody to push forward with the summer fight. We are in March, we want to get this wrapped up as soon as possible. I think far better to put the pressure on and work to a deadline, and I think it’s a fair deadline.

“Ultimately that’s a very sensible timeframe to be able to get a deal done. A lot of conversations with the sites have actually been started a couple of weeks ago, because of the slight delay, so we’re in a good place.

“Both sides on the phone to relevant sites this week and we’ll catch up at the end of the week with an update and I believe in the next week or so, we’ll be ready to provide the fighters with an update of the offers and the various sites on the table.”

Saturday, March 20, 2021

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Masari to Gumi “Gumi is wrong in his approach with bandits. It is wrong to legitimise criminality. Gumi is ignorant of the operations of bandits who kill, rape, steal and kidnap innocent people. Rather than make case for them, he should preach against these vices to them” – Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State condemning Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for repeatedly canvassing amnesty for bandits.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Why President Buhari May be A Blessing in Disguise

F

ellow Nigerians, I’m sure, just like me, you’ve been wondering what could be driving the Federal Government of Nigeria towards pushing the country into perdition and collapse. I’m very convinced that President Muhammadu Buhari has no plans of succeeding in the governance of the country as a whole, or indeed of his beloved Northern part of the country, otherwise how can any serious leader not see the dangers and peril ahead. Practically every section of the country is in one turmoil or the other. And the lamentations are getting louder by the day.

At the end of the day, on greater reflection and rumination, as I travelled back from Port Harcourt to join in celebrating and felicitating with the dynamic and resourceful young female entrepreneur, Oyindamola Samira Lami Adeyemi as she celebrated her birthday yesterday, my conclusion is that Nigeria actually needed to have a leader as standoffish as Buhari to push our country to the brink of disintegration and it is now looking like a matter of time, seriously.

It is not by coincidence that my hurried flight to join a small group of other close friends, including my great friend and brother, Damola Aderemi, Dr Deolu Akande and Dr Tunde Ayeni, in rejoicing with Oyindamola Adeyemi on her birthday, prompted me to ponder about wither Nigeria with Buhari in the saddle?

The beautiful, brainy, bright, classy Oyinda (as she is fondly called by friends) is the new face of Nigeria’s future. She is a cross between Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria. Her mother is from Gombe State whilst her father is from Ondo State. She is an entrepreneur par excellence who having conquered the male dominated world of Heavy Construction with her company, Still Earth Construction and Realty Limited, has delved into another male oriented space, that of upstream Oil and Gas services, with her exponentially developing company, Tirex Petroleum and Energy Limited.

For young entrepreneurs and visionaries like Oyinda, with the background of both local and imperious Ivy League academic credentials that she possesses, the future of Nigeria lies in its cohesiveness and unity, which allows its citizens to enjoy its size and might as its strength, not only in Africa but also globally.

A unified Nigeria is feared by all for the giant leap that its young leaders like, Oyinda in the business world and Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Burna Boy and Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizkid, David Adeleke, Davido, and others in the entertainment industry and Medical Doctor, Dr Onyema Ogbuagu, a leading contributor to the breakthrough in the Pfizer/Biontech COVID-19 vaccine, can deploy in bringing Nigeria to global focus and attention. Similarly, Nigeria can be the subject of dread for the international community, because of what its balkanisation and being split will mean to the world, as there will be large number of displaced persons that would be victims of the tragedy that would unfold, if the country is to break up into small ethnic nationalities that the prophets of doom are foretelling with their drums of war and warmongering.

I soliloquised and thought about how President Buhari and his aides and acolytes seem impervious to the ruination that Nigeria is being propelled headlong into at breakneck speed. Indeed, it seems that they are enjoying the giddy ride, as they justify all the monumental aberration that the Government has foisted on the people in the name of carrying on with Fulani hegemonistic propaganda and mantra.

If we continue with this administration’s mad

Adeyemi

pursuit of imposing one tribe over others, and violently suppressing the yearnings and aspirations of the others, we will soon come to the cataclysmic end. We will all dance and partake in the macabre orgy of wanton destruction and death that will be unleashed on the country and its poor uncomprehending citizens. To me on sober, sombre contemplation and cogitation it seems this doom is what the President and some of the people closest to him wish for and desire. Perhaps there is an element of truth in what I previously considered to be the Niger Republic agenda!

Unfortunately, there seems to be no ambitious or vigorous opposition on ground to stand fast and firm and, insist that the country must return to the basic founding principles of true Federalism, where each Federating unit is free to chart its own course.

The biggest opposition Party, PDP, is already misbehaving like a victim of proper African jazz.

It is sad that the Party that should naturally find it easy to pay the APC back with its own poison is talking plenty nonsense. How on earth can PDP leaders that should urgently cash in on the dwindling popularity and fortunes of APC be talking of zoning the 2023 Presidential slot to the North East after eight years of monumental disaster brought upon us by the APC? Sadly, the other younger political parties and politicians are simply not formidable enough, either individually or collectively, to challenge and defeat the status quo. This is my candid view.

My prediction is that Buhari may force Nigeria to break up violently if care is not taken. His I-don’t-care attitude is just extremely dangerous and bodes ill for the country’s future existence.

In case he has not read the communique issued at the end of the Pan-Yorùbá Meeting, on March 17, 2021, at Mapo Hall, Ìbàdàn, Oyo State, I hereby forward it to him in full. I’m yet to see a more powerfully worded summary, from one of the largest Nigeria ethnic nationalities, of the pestilence, superintended by Mr President, that is desperately trying to finally crush and exterminate Nigeria as a nation: “We, the Yorùbá Leaders of Thought, comprising bas, Chiefs, policy shapers, politicians, technocrats, intelligentsia, securityrelated groups, and socio-cultural groups, have met and decided for the Greater and Common Good of the Yorùbá, as follows: 1) The Yorùbá are resolute in their determination not to stand idle and watch our space and land desecrated. Only an arsonist allows a fire to burn and destroy.

We will not permit strangers to abuse our hospitality and desecrate our hallowed land and our sacred spaces. Indeed, we invoke the ancient maledictions reserved for such malefactors. Our forests need no permission to swallow them.

2) The Yorùbá, are confronted by the realization that we are living in a time of bad metaphors.

A time when dogs do not hearken unto the whistle of the hunter and the rivers which have forgotten their sources, still continue to flow. The world is turned inside out, and the socio-political fabric of Nigeria is ripped into shreds. Today in Buhari’s Nigeria, the ship of state has veered dangerously off course, and heads almost irreversibly towards jagged rocks of destruction. Insecurity has reached such an abyss that hundreds of people are kidnapped in broad daylight with impunity.

3) The Yorùbá are convinced that Nigeria is on the verge of a catastrophic calamity, of potentially greater magnitude than either the internecine conflict of 1967 to 1970 or the brazen disenfranchisement of 1993! Nigeria as we know it, has embarked on uncharted seas, with nihilists as crewmen. We are a country divided along distrusting ethnic lines, exhausted by its failures, cynical about its own future, authoritarian by reflex and controlled as a personality cult by a section of the country.

The relentless pursuit of power by a group of self-servers, the ruthless cabal that respects neither Equity nor Equality, with an entrenched sense of entitlement, has taken away any sense of belonging to this union, by the Yorùbá.

When injustice becomes law, resistance will be a duty!

4) The Yorùbá announce their exhaustion with this Government’s obsession with Lies and Denials of truths and facts. Farmers-Herders clashes are denied despite photographic evidence of massacres and eye-witness reports of mayhem.

Terrorists roam the land in the garb of herdsmen, killing, raping, kidnapping and maiming, with little or no reaction from constituted authority.

A high-ranking Government official declares that bandits are not criminals.

5) The Yorùbá are perplexed by the fact that the Nigerian state is bombing the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Yet, the same Government is embracing and romancing terrorists. It is now safe to say this is a Government that panders to terrorists, protects terrorists, pays ransoms to terrorists, and prevaricates Terrorism, with absolutely no sanction by the Northern dominated security apparatus of Nigeria. How exactly can such a Government continue to seek the support of the Yorùbá going forward!?!

6) The Yorùbá hereby make known their opposition to Sheikh Gumi’s interaction with these dreaded terrorists. A video circulating on social media that shows the Sheikh trying to divide the Nigerian Army along religious lines is an abominable wake-up call. The Sheikh is guilty of incitement, when he claims that it is Christian soldiers who attack bandits to sow religious tension. To encourage bandits to be selective in their reprisal attacks and avoid women and children is tantamount to aiding and abetting Terrorism and sabotage. The Sheikh has forgotten that thousands of Christian soldiers have lost their lives battling Boko Haram and other Terrorists. The Nigerian Military is one of the few institutions that have resisted division along religious lines. By condoning Sheikh Gumi’s felonious pronouncements, the Government is allowing him to fan the embers of crisis, while hiding under the cloak of mediation.

7) The Yorùbá are convinced that the North is already at war with itself. Rather than face that situation squarely, the Northern-controlled Federal Government keeps trying to divert attention by teasing out conflicts in some areas and exporting crisis to other locations. The Yorùbá call it, “da bi mo se da”. It will not work. The Yorùbá will not swallow the bait and allow our hard-won inheritance to be consumed in the consequent conflagration.

Cognizant of the foregoing, it has become imperative that the territory that was known as Western Region under the 1963 Constitution, along with other peoples having affinities with the Yoruba Nation in Edo, Delta, Kogi and Kwara be organised in pursuit of our political identity and socio-economic welfare of all.

Notwithstanding any politically correct labels, our quest is to think through and fashion out the pathway for the progress of our peoples at the homeland and across the world.

The Yorùbá hereby resolve as follows: i) The Yorùbá have decided to embark on a venture of massive resistance to the issue of insecurity. Àmòtékún and other support systems, fully incorporating both Traditional and Modern security measures and systems have been integrated to form the South West Security and Stakeholders Group (SWSSG) which is presented to the Yorùbá and the world today. The role of SWSSG is the protection of our patrimony, our physical and human assets, our forests and our intangible legacies which have been inviolate and inviolable for over a millennium. ii) The forests of the Yorùbá are sacred, untouchable, and out-of-bounds to terrorists.

May the curses of all our forefathers hold to account all who attempt to cede even one inch of our forests to any ranch or settlement for the use of foreigners, despoilers, ruiners, ravagers and desecraters of our forests. Our forests house our spirituality, our Essence.

Our Egungun, our Oro, our spirit, our food security, our culture, our Being! iii) The Yorùbá distance themselves from the oft-repeated untruth that “Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable”. This is nothing but a falsehood.

Be it known, now and ever — “The unity of Nigeria is highly negotiable!” If we cannot be happy together, then let us find peace and joy, apart. Nigeria can only remain Nigeria if all parties agree to deal equitably with each other. iv) The Yorùbá are resolute in their fierce determination to pursue vigorously our own chosen destiny to be FREE men and women, and never to be 2nd class citizens in our own land and space...”

A big thanks to my childhood friend, MOGAJI GBOYEGA ADEJUMO for this wonderful rendition of what is heartfelt by many diverse nationalities in Nigeria. He may have been speaking on behalf of any one of them.

This course, presently being pursued by President Buhari and his cronies, may well be a blessing in disguise because it is forcing leaders of thought, different from politicians, to stake their claim to this country and say it will not be destroyed by the pervasive insanity that appears to have afflicted a few people.

Instead, there will be orderliness and method to how Nigeria survives as a fair organised and structured society or how it is dismembered into separate smaller but viable recognisable nations.

It is left to the President to decide which way the die will be cast and what his legacy will be, survival or ruin, continuation or cessation!

God bless Nigeria always!!

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