SATURDAY 19TH JUNE 2021

Amina Mohammed Gets 2nd Term as UN Deputy Secretary-General Describes her selection as ‘absolute honour’ Bennett Oghifo with agency report Secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres yesterday appointed Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed

to serve as Deputy Secretarygeneral for a second term, shortly after the UN General Assembly re-appointed him for a second term.

Guterres’s second term starts on January 1, 2022, and will

run for a period of five years.

He succeeded Ban Ki-moon in January 2017 as the ninth secretary-general.

Speaking with journalists after taking the oath of office for a second term, Guterres

said he had extended an offer to Mohammed to continue in office.

“After being elected, I have the pleasure to invite the deputy secretary-general to remain in my second mandate

and I hope she will accept,” Guterres said.

Mohammed, who was standing behind Guterres at the press briefing, responded with the comment: “absolute honour”.

She had also served as the special adviser to Ban Ki-moon on post-2015 development planning, which focused on the 2030 agenda for sustainable Continued on page 5

President Has Power to Extend Tenure of Retiring IG, Court Rules… Page 5 Saturday 19 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9567

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Buhari Tells MTN to Reduce Tarrifs, Provide Quality Service to Nigerians Osinbajo: Corporate bodies must ensure accountability in service provision

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday charged the MTN Group to make its services

affordable and in high quality to its Nigerian subscribers.

The President's charge came the same day Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo urged corporate

organisations operating in Nigeria, including the MTN, to ensure there is accountability in the provision of services to customers and to pay greater

attention to the needs of the people.

Speaking yesterday at the State House, Abuja when he received in audience members

of the board of MTN Group market in Africa, Asia and led by its President and Chief the Middle East, as well as Executive Officer, Ralph the source of a third of the Mupita, President Buhari said: Continued on page 5 “Nigeria is your most lucrative

Student Dies in Crossfire as Troops Free Five Kebbi School Abductees Bagudu visits school, promises all abductees will be rescued Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi One of the students abducted by bandits who attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State, last Thursday night has died during a crossfire between the kidnappers and security agents.

The kidnappers, who stormed the school in large number, were armed with sophisticated weapons, abducted 30 students, and killed a policeman. A teacher, a vice-principal, the school’s security officer, and the wife of a teacher, were also abducted.

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State visited the affected school yesterday, where he met with the parents, and promised that all abducted students would be freed.

The shootout that claimed the life of the student happened

yesterday morning when the fleeing kidnappers ran into men of the Joint Taskforce of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North-West Zone, at a roadblock, while heading out of Kebbi State.

According to the Deputy Force Commander, Operation Hadari Daji, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadir, as a result of the duel, the bandits were forced to abandon five students and a teacher.

Sadly, one of the students, who was unidentified, died in the crossfire. No further detail was given on how the death occurred.

Abdulkadir said: “In the early hours of this morning, we came across the kidnappers.

They came to our blocking point, and we engaged them.

At that point, they abandoned five of the students and one of the teachers. Unfortunately, Continued on page 5

TOWARDS A NEW LAGOS...

8 Confirmed Dead in Lagos WORKING L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye; and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, during the commissioning of the newly LPG Explosion... Page 8 upgraded and rehabilitated network of roads in Ikoyi…yesterday

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President Has Power to Extend Tenure of Retiring IG, Court Rules Festus Akanbi The controversy surrounding the power of the President to extend the tenure of any retiring Inspector General of Police, pending the completion of the process of appointing a successor, was yesterday laid to rest with the affirmation of the President’s power to do so by the ruling of a federal high court in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on February 4 extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as Inspector-General of Police

by three months after he clocked the mandatory 35 years in service on February 1.

However, a legal practitioner, Maxwell Opara, dragged the president and IGP to court, arguing that by virtue of section 215 of the Nigerian Constitution and section 7 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Adamu cannot continue to function as the IGP, having completed 35 years in service.

In his defence, the IGP told the federal high court that the new Nigeria Police Act gave him a four-year tenure, which

would only lapse in either 2023 or 2024.

Supporting Adamu’s position, President Buhari and the attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami - who are the second and third defendants in the matter - told the court through their lawyer that the law permits the IGP to remain in office until either 2023 or 2024.

In his judgment yesterday, Ahmed Mohammed, the presiding judge, held that since the constitution and the police act empower the president to appoint an IGP, by

implication, he could extend the tenure of a retiring IGP before concluding the required consultation with the police council and other processes required for the appointment of a substantive replacement.

The judge also observed that the constitution and the police act were silent on the issue of whether or not the president could extend the tenure of a retired IGP. Some senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had assailed Buhari for extending Adamu’s tenure.

They declared his action as violating the 1999 Constitution as (amended) and the Police Act (2020).

Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Mohammad Dingyadi, told State House reporters in Abuja that Adamu’s tenure elongation would allow for proper screening of all qualified senior police officers before the eventual choice of a new IG. He said then: “Mr. President has decided that the present IG, Mohammed Adamu, will continue to serve as the IG for the next three months to

allow for a robust and efficient process of appointing a new IG. “This is not unconnected to the desire of Mr. President to not only have a smooth handover but to also ensure that the right officer is appointed into that position.

Mr. President is extending by three months to allow him to get into the process of allowing a new one.”

Adamu was eventually retired on April 6, when the current IGP, Usman Alkali was named by the President as the acting IGP.

to show commitment to improving services and to build confidence in the people.

While noting that there have been hiccups in the relationship, the VP commended MTN for its contribution to the country, adding that the company is clearly an important part of Nigeria’s story.

According to him, "Corporate organisations should be more accountable in their services, in the ownership structure, and also in paying attention to the needs of the people.

Companies that ensure this will experience progress, as this is the right direction to go. Going forward, most corporates will find that attaching greater importance to the people is the way to go.

"For telecommunication firms like MTN, financial inclusion is crucial, so is broadband connection in deepening access and will

help to connect hard-toreach places, and to retail social welfare and services.

The company’s investment was crucial when Nigeria needed to show that not only is there a large population in the country, but that it is a large market. The market was severely underestimated for a long time. So, MTN is an important part of our story, we regard MTN as an important partner."

Speaking earlier, Mupita said that they want to deepen structure of ownership in Nigeria.

While disclosing that the company wants to have the largest retail-based shareholding in Nigeria, Mupita said they plan to sell another 14 per cent to Nigerian individuals and institutions.

He added that MTN as a corporate citizen is responsible in all the countries where it is represented.

Post-2015 Development Agenda process, serving as the Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Post-2015 development planning. In this role, she acted as the link between the SecretaryGeneral, his High Level Panel of Eminent Persons (HLP), and the General Assembly’s Open Working Group (OWG), among other stakeholders.

From 2014, she also served on the Secretary-General's Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development.

Mohammed served as Federal Minister of Environment in the cabinet

of President Muhammadu Buhari from November 2015 to February 2017. During that time, she was Nigeria's representative in the African Union (AU) Reform Steering Committee, chaired by Paul Kagame. She resigned from the Nigerian Federal Executive Council on 24 February 2017.

In January 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced his intention to appoint Mohammed Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations.

In this capacity, she is a member of the UN Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG).

the student from the bandits.

He said: "We will do anything to bring the children back. We have already engaged the necessary security agencies and they are working to rescue them. All we need to do we have done. What we need from you are your prayers and support."

Bagudu said the state government was alerted two weeks ago that the bandits were sighted around the school area, adding: "We planned to move them but the school authorities said the students have two weeks left to write their final exams.

For this, the commissioner of police was gracious enough

to dispatch 22 men and officers from the counterterrorism unit to the school but they were overpowered because the bandits came in hundreds.”

BUHARI TELLS MTN TO REDUCE TARRIFS, PROVIDE QUALITY SERVICE TO NIGERIANS income of the entire MTN Group. As such, we urge you to offer top-of-the-range and affordable service to Nigerians.

“As we seek to make broadband widely available and affordable, we urge MTN to continue to support our efforts by expanding high quality connectivity to Nigerians in unserved and underserved areas.”

The President also called on the group to support the implementation of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.

“I recently unveiled and launched the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian telecommunications sector. I call on MTN to support the implementation of this policy and train and engage more Nigerians in your company.

“In particular, we would

like you to continue to support our efforts by improving the quality of service and enabling a downward price review of the cost of data and other services, in view of your large market in Nigeria.

We also urge you to step up your Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and support Research and Development that will enhance your services in Nigeria.”

He assured his visitors that his administration was doing everything possible to make Nigeria investor-friendly by addressing identified challenges: “We are implementing a number of policies and programmes to ensure that institutions like MTN have a conducive environment for doing business in Nigeria.

Our massive jump in the Global Ease of Doing Business Ranking is proof that our efforts are yielding positive

results.

“We have identified and addressed the key challenges that affected the growth of the digital economy sector. One of such challenges was the high Right of Way costs and another was the vandalism of critical national infrastructure.

“I am happy to note that the Right of Way charges have now been pegged at a maximum of N145/linear metre and I have given directives for the protection of critical national infrastructure and this has addressed the issue of vandalism of such infrastructure. Service providers should always appreciate the effort of government and not undermine it.”

President Buhari expressed his delight that the Information and communications technology sector was doing very well despite the global economic downturn.

He said: “The information and communications technology sector was the fastest growing sector in both the fourth quarter of 2020 and the entire year 2020, based on the report by the National Bureau of Statistics. The sector’s 14.70% double digit growth rate played a principal role in supporting our country to exit the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The growth rate of the sector exceeded four times the next fastest growing sector of Q4 2020, which had a growth rate of 3.42%. This is truly commendable.”

Meanwhile, Osinbajo, delivered his message on Thursday when he received members of the board of telecoms giant, MTN, led by the company’s Group President and CEO, Mr Ralph Mupita, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

He stated that it was critical for corporate organisations

AMINA MOHAMMED GETS 2ND TERM AS UN DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL development goals.

Mohammed is a diplomat and politician who is serving as the fifth Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations.

Previously, she was Nigeria’s Minister of Environment from 2015 to 2016 and was a key player in the Post-2015 Development Agenda process.

Mohammed was born in Liverpool, UK to a Fulani Nigerian veterinarian-officer and a British nurse. She is the eldest of five daughters.

She attended a primary school in Kaduna and Maiduguri, and Buchan School in Isle of Man. She further attended Henley Management College in

1989. After she finished her studies her father demanded she return to Nigeria.

Between 1981 and 1991, Mohammed worked with Archcon Nigeria, an architectural design firm in association with Norman and Dawbarn United Kingdom.

In 1991, she founded AfriProjects Consortium, and from 1991 to 2001 she was its Executive Director.

From 2002 until 2005, Mohammed coordinated the Task Force on Gender and Education for the United Nations Millennium Project.

Mohammed later acted as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on

the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In 2005, she was charged with the coordination of Nigeria's debt relief funds toward the achievement of the MDGs. Her mandate included designing a Virtual Poverty Fund with innovative approaches to poverty reduction, budget coordination and monitoring, as well as providing advice on pertinent issues regarding poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development.

Mohammed later became the Founder and CEO of the Center for Development Policy Solutions and as an Adjunct Professor for the

Master's in Development Practice program at Columbia University.

During that time, she served on numerous international advisory boards and panels, including the UN Secretary-General's Highlevel Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development.

She also chaired the Advisory Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Monitoring Report on Education (GME).

From 2012, Mohammed was a key player in the

STUDENT DIES IN CROSSFIRE AS TROOPS FREE FIVE KEBBI SCHOOL ABDUCTEES I think we lost one of the students.”

The Nigerian Army in a statement yesterday confirmed the death of the student but attributed the death to “exhaustion during a rescue operation as troops of Operation Hadarin Daji engaged kidnappers in a fire-fight, culminating in the rescue of five students and two teachers of Federal Government College, Yauri.”

A statement issued by the Army Spokesman, BrigadierGeneral Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers and bandits, following the abduction of the students.

"The rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today (yesterday) 18 June 2021 after trailing the kidnappers from Yauri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children, while the second group conveyed rustled cattle," it said.

The update on the abduction said the land troops in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support during the rescue mission, intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am.

It said the troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits and maintained that the gallant troops were still on the heels of the kidnappers to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity.

"The rescued teachers and students will be handed over to the Kebbi State Government.

The Nigerian Army appreciates the cooperation so far from good-spirited citizens and wishes to solicit more. "The Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya has directed the commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones," it said.

The rescued students and teachers are currently receiving medical treatment at the Yauri General Hospital.

Bagudu Promises Freedom for Abducted Students Meanwhile, Governor Bagudu yesterday met with parents of abducted Yauri students at the school premises, assuring them that they would be rescued soon.

He assured the parents that the state government, relevant security agencies, and the presidency were working together to rescue

‘How Bandits Took Our Children Away’ Worried parents of the abducted Yauri students yesterday narrated to Governor Bagudu how the bandits came in hundreds, overran the security at the school, and went away with many students.

Continued on page 38

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2021

ÏáÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚ ×ËÓÖ ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

8 Confirmed Dead in Lagos LPG Explosion Bennett Oghifo ËØÎ Sunday Ehigiator

Eight people have been confirmed dead and eight are receiving treatment for various degrees of burns at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital, Gbagada, as a result of the gas tanker explosion on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday night.

The Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, yesterday, stated that a tanker bearing

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) exploded on Thursday at about 10:32p.m. in front of OPIC Plaza, a facility owned by Ogun State Property Investment Company. The plaza, which is next to Sheraton Hotel, hosts different businesses, including a Chinese Restaurant.

Farinloye said the fire was put out yesterday at about 12:30 a.m. through collaboration of five fire trucks from Lagos State Fire Service and two trucks from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit.

According to Farinloye, “The initial search and rescue activi-

ABCON Mobilises Forex Dealers against Hoarding

ties revealed that 13 persons sustained various degrees of burns. Out of this, nine are males while four are females.

“Preliminary assessment on vehicles damaged indicated that about 25 were destroyed as at now” (yesterday morning).

However, giving update on the incident and confirming the level of casualty, the Director General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu told THISDAY last night that 13 people were rescued but that five succumbed during treatment at the various hospitals, adding that they had recovered three bodies yesterday morning at the scene of the incident.

Oke-Osanyintolu said, “We rescued 13 people, and out of this number that was receiving

treatment at LASUTH and General Hospital Gbagada, we lost five. Eight are with us that are receiving adequate treatment. We recovered three bodies in the morning. During the process yesterday those in hospital received various degrees of burns; some 100 per cent, 80 per cent and 70 per cent and others 20 per cent.”

He said they had improved treatment coordination which was being supervised by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stating that the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, whose state property was directly affected, was also in touch with his Lagos counterpart.

He said their response was between five and 10 minutes, adding that it was “swift, prompt, effective and efficient.”

He noted that they were able to

manage the situation to prevent the fire from spreading to the Sheraton Hotel, and to a petrol station which are on both sides of the OPIC facility.”

The lesson learned from this incident, he said was that “we need to put a lot of safety measures in place concerning the LPG that is being conveyed everywhere in a metropolitan and cosmopolitan state like Lagos State.”

Also yesterday, the Ogun State Government expressed shock at the fire incident, in a statement it issued through Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation.

The SpecialAdviser and Managing Director of the corporation, Arc. Abiodun Fari-Arole described the incident as “tragic, a rude shock and unforeseen one, as it was understood from a preliminary

report that the fire was caused by a LPG tanker that exploded right in front of the Plaza.”

He added that people injured during the unfortunate incident were presently receiving adequate treatment, while he expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

The MD commended the efforts of the fire service men who promptly responded when called upon last night and appreciated the efforts of security officials who prevented hoodlums from taking advantage of the incident.

Fari-Arole noted that speculations on the general impact of the incident should be avoided, saying that the report of the investigation into the fire incident would be awaited as events continue to unfold.

Naira crawls back to N490/$ Festus Akanbi

In an apparent response to the sustained spike in the foreign exchange rate in the country, the Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has begun the mobilisation of its members to narrow the spread between spot and illegal market value of dollars Consequently, the association has asked its members not to hoard foreign currency, Aminu Gwadabe, president of the association, said in a text message to Bloomberg.

He explained that a group of officials had been checking on compliance in cities across the country.

Money market dealers disclosed that dealers hoarding dollars may be barred from the central bank’s foreign-exchange auctions.

The naira, which plunged to a four-year low of N505 a dollar on Monday, gained

0.6% to N490 yesterday in the unauthorised market, according to abokifx.com, a website that collates the data. It opened at N411.58 a dollar on the nafex window also used as the official rate by the central bank.

With inflation at almost 18%, many people have been accumulating foreign currencies to protect their wealth, often buying dollars from illegal traders. The demand in the parallel market distorts the exchange rate, according to the Central Bank of Nigeria, and has prompted it to take steps to narrow the spread.

“We advise, and warn our members in particular, and the public to desist from any behaviour of speculation and hoarding,” Gwadabe said. Such actions “will definitely lead to a very big collateral loss,” he said A central bank spokesman said the lender was taking steps to block arbitrage opportunities resulting from the gap between the official and parallel markets.

President’s Body Language Encouraging Killer Herdsmen, Says Group Omon-Julius Onabu ÓØ ÝËÌË

The League of Professionals for Strategic Advocacy has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of fueling the persistent attacks and killing being penetrated

by Fulani cattle herders in parts of the country through the president’s utterances and body language.

The group said that Buhari’s directive to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to restore so-called grazing routes in a 1960s gazette was a deliberate attempt to encourage the herders disobey the ban on open grazing in the 17 announced

by Southern governors forum last month.

The group said in a media statement, made available to THISDAY in Asaba on Thursday, that President Buhari, by his recent action and public statements, was determined to continue to encourage the widespread attacks, killing

and destruction by the herdsmen.

“After reviewing the interview President Muhammadu Buhari granted Arise TV and broadcast on June 10, 2021, the League of Professionals for Strategic Advocacy has come to the conclusion that the president is unequivocally committed to enabling the streak of attacks on peaceful farmers and farming communities by Fulani cattle herders.”, the group stated in a press release issued in Asaba.

The statement, signed by Pince Obaro Unuafe (Convener), Pius Mordi (Chairman) and Fred Akpewe, (Secretary), said, “At a time that all stakeholders in the Nigerian project, especially Northern Governors and the Arewa Consultative Forum, had welcomed the decision

by Southern Governors to ban open grazing of cattle, the President chose to torpedo what was supposed to be an enduring resolution of the herders’ attacks.

SERVING HUMANITY . . .

L-R: The President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Dotun Lampejo with the District Governor, District 9110, Bola Oyebade and Rotarian Lanre Lawal, the Rotary Foundation Chair, Rotary Club of Ikeja, at the Club’s Rotary Foundation Evening last Sunday, June 13, 2021 at Erith Apartment Opebi, Lagos.

Ortom Calls for the Proscription of Militant Fulani Groups, Others George Okoh ÓØ ËÕßÜÎÓ

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the federal government to proscribe all militant Fulani groups and other extremist groups as was done in the case of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ortom stated this, on Thursday, when he declare open the 2021 Law Week organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi Branch, in Makurdi.

Governor Ortom said given that the Global Terrorism Index ranks Fulani militia as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world the federal government should proscribe all militant Fulani groups and other extremist groups should be proscribed.

He said the federal government should publicly condemn the atrocities perpetrated by armed herdsmen, arrest and prosecute the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and other Fulani socio-cultural groups who have consistently admitted to the wanton killings

and destruction of communities across the country.

He called on Mr. President to uphold his Oath of Office as President of all Nigerians and to lead in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and be the President ‘for everybody and for nobody’ as well as ensure equity, fairness and justice as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ortom said Benue State vehemently stood against grazing routes and any other policy under the guise of open grazing because grazing routes were not only archaic but antidevelopment and retrogressive.

He advised them to use the period of this year’s Law Week for sober reflection over the future of the country especially how to make Nigeria a better habitation for all.

“Nigeria is on life support and is running out of oxygen.

All hands must therefore be on deck irrespective of political, ethnic, religious and cultural differences

to ensure the resuscitation of the country.”

Declaring the Law Week open, Governor Ortom noted that the occasion is coming at a time when the country is faced with a lot of challenges saying the theme for this year’s Law Week ‘Open Grazing in Nigeria: Threat to National and Food Security. National Cohesion and Sustainable Development’ is apt.

He said the NBA, Makurdi Branch had been a reliable partner to his administration in ensuring quick dispensation of justice and implementation of government policies.

“I must acknowledge the critical role played by the Bar in the process that led to the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.

“I wish to commend the security agencies and the judiciary for their support towards the implementation of the Ranching Law and the maintenance of law and order.

Ortom further called on President Muhammadu Buhari

to keep to his promise to recruit more security personnel to meet the overwhelming security challenges.

Ortom who described peace as a panacea to sustainable development enthused that the entire country had accepted the ranching alternative, insisted that open grazing is inimical to peace and tranquility and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in the communities.

Welcoming dignitaries earlier, the Makurdi NBA Chairman, Mr. Justin Gbagir, said the disturbing trend of the activities of militia herdsmen in Nigeria and the attendant security threat to the corporate existence of the country necessitated the choice of the theme.

Gbagir said the security architecture in the country was in doldrums as all parts bleed uncontrollably as over 250 million inhabitants, travel routes have become awesome for danger of either being attacked and killed by militia herdsmen.

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NEWS GbagiVisits PDP’s Chairman, Extols Okowa’sVirtues Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

ALL FOR SECURITY. . .

L-R: Ogun State Head of Service, Alhaja Selmot Otun, former deputy governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru, Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs. Bolanle Oluomo, and wife of former deputy governor, Pastor (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adesegun, at the prayer service for Nigeria’s Peace and Security, tagged ‘Ogun Women’s Day of Prayer’ held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Schoolchildren Kidnapping Threat to Education in Nigeria, Says UNICEF Francis Sardauna in Katsina The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has lamented that the mass abduction of school children, particularly girls in Nigeria, was posing a serious threat to the future of children and development of education in the country.

The organisation said efforts must be ramped up by both federal and state governments to protect learning facilities and well-being of children in the country considering the rising wave of kidnapping and other security challenges.

The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Maulid Warfa, who stated this during the signing of commitment for the continuation of Girl’s Education Project (GEP3)

by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Farouq Umar, at his palace, said the kidnapping of schoolchildren was a worrisome development in the education sector.

The GEP3 programme, funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, is being implemented by UNICEF in six northern states of Katsina, Bauchi, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kano to support girls’ enrolment, retention and transition in school.

He admonished traditional institutions to facilitate the safeguarding of children in schools and their homes as well as to support government at all levels to ensure that learning facilities were protected against

kidnapping and other nefarious activities orchestrated by hoodlums in the country.

He said: “Education of our children is facing very serious challenges, including the mass kidnapping of boys and girls. mass kidnapping of school children is something that is very worrisome to all of us and as UNICEF, we condemned the act.

“Children are the future of the country, they need their rights to be fulfilled, they need their education to be assured. Therefore, we urged federal and state governments, communities, parents and all well-wishers to ensure the safety and the well-being of children at school, home, market and everywhere.”

He, however, said 330,000

girls had been enrolled in public primary schools and 550,000 boys had benefitted from various UNICEF social intervention programmes through its GEP 3 project in the state.

The Emir of Duara, Dr. Umar, while responding, vowed to put proactive measures in place to ensure the sustainability of GEP3 and other notable UNICEF programmes in the state that would enhance the enrolment and retention of children, particularly girls in schools.

Meanwhile, the same commitment was also endorsed by the Kaura Katsina, Alhaji Nuhu Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, where he assured UNICEF of the emirate’s unflinching support.

NIDCOM, NDLEA to Build Drug Rehabilitation Centres in Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is set to collaborate towards building more rehabilitation centres in the country.

The Chairman/CEO of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, expressed the willingness of her commission to work at this, during a courtesy visit on Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman of NDLEA in his office in Abuja.

A statement signed yesterday

by Gabriel Odu of the Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, NIDCOM, said DabiriErewa revealed that with the alarming rate of drug abuse in the country, some Nigerians in the Diaspora have shown interest in building rehabilitation

centres across the country but their major challenge is land and a lot of them are even willing to offer free counselling services.

The NIDCOM boss explained that the visit to NDLEA had become expedient against the backdrop of the Zainab Aliyu’s case of May 14, 2019 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Zainab Aliyu was allegedly accused of drug trafficking and consequently sentenced to death but through the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari, facilitated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIDCOM, she was set free with Ibrahim Ibrahim.

Dabiri-Erewa noted that the intriguing thing here was that judgment on the matter is yet to be adjudicated giving room for those culpable walking

about freely without led or hindrance.

She added that ‘’the culprits have been apprehended but they are walking about freely.

It’s been two years and nothing has been done.”

Zainab Aliyu who was present at the visit with her sister while appreciating the intervention of President Buhari in her case, also pleaded for justice. She said “my case has been in court for over two years and some months now.

All I want is justice for me and other victims like me.”

The Chairman, NDLEA, Marwa who commended NIDCOM for its excellent public image and accomplishments within a short period, revealed his interest in the case and assured that his office will not relent until justice is served.

Marwa gave assurances that

the airports were now more strict and efforts had been intensified in the airports to safeguard innocent citizens and reduce drug-related incidence.

Marwa also welcomed NIDCOM’s initiative where

by Diaspora Nigerians embark on sensitisation and counselling against drug use, abuse and trafficking especially by young adults and the building of more rehabilitation centres across the country.

The NDLEA boss stated further that more rehabilitation centres are needed, “as we seize and prosecute, we should also consider those who abuse substances and find ways to rehabilitate them,” he said.

Marwa also said President Buhari is very keen at drug demand reduction and has mandated that it should be balanced.

Ex-PDP Governors Berate Federal Government Over Insecurity Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday in Abuja criticised the federal government for what it referred to as “poor handling of the security situation in the country.”

The former governors operating under the aegis of Forum of Former PDP Governors noted that “insecurity in the country had deteriorated so

much that citizens in every part of Nigeria were living in fear and trepidation.”

The former PDP governors expressed their position in a statement signed by the director, media and communications to the chairman of Forum, Bala Bitrus, after a meeting in Abuja.

It added that the Forum was concerned about the state of insecurity in the country, and called on all former governors to shun political differences and

unite in finding a solution to the problem.

“The Forum notes with serious concern the continuous decadence in Nigeria’s polity and the scaling threats to the lives and property of citizens across the country.

“The meeting called on all former State Governors in the country, irrespective of their political lining, affiliations and sympathy, to come together to mainstream in the search for a workable solution to the myriad

security challenges bedeviling the country,” the statement read in part.

“The meeting commended the party’s Reconciliation and Strategy Committee for a job well done and for the successes recorded so far in uniting the party members across the country. It similarly enjoined members of the party to cultivate the virtue of forgiveness, love, peace, maturity and tolerance of one another.”

Women and youths practically ‘hijacked’ the visit of former education minister and 2023 gubernatorial aspirant in Delta State, Kenneth Gbagi, to the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kingsley Esiso, as they thronged the Sapele venue of the meeting in their hundreds, dancing and singing solidarity songs.

The residence of Barrister Esiso and the entire neighborhood in Sapele, the administrative headquarters of Sapele Local Government Area of the state, assumed a carnival-like atmosphere yesterday as the women and youths sang and danced in expression of solidarity with Gbagi in his desire to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa come 2023.

The youths also urged the state party chairman to stand firm and ensure that the PDP gubernatorial primary was free

and fair, saying that the people have “a rare opportunity to elect an entrepreneur and industrialist as the governor who will industrialize our state and create jobs for our youths.”

They said that though the visit

by Gbagi to Sapele was only part of his ongoing consultations with stakeholders and PDP leaders across the state, they had stormed the place “simply to drum support for the former minister of education, lawyer, criminologist and industrialist, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi”, urging the party and Deltans to give the man the chance to transform the state.

“We want a capable governor who will industrialize Delta State and continue the good work the present governor, Dr Okowa, is doing; and, we are also calling on the governor to throw his weight behind a capable manlike Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi”, one of the youths, Uroyi Agbabi, said.

Drug Abuse, Major Cause of Nation’s Insecurity Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Chief Executive Officer of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has attributed drug abuse to the major cause of insecurity in Nigeria. He described it as a national tragedy and has become the nation’s number one problem.

Gen. Marwa who made the disclosure at a meeting with critical stakeholders held in Lokoja, lamented that drug abuse had led to majorly the causes of insecurity in the country.

He explained that bandits, kidnappers and several many other persons were usually on drugs, noting it has become a problem every Nigerian must all join hands together to tackle.

Marwa stated that the time for all hands to be on deck and work collectively on stemming the negative trend caused by drug abuse in the country was now, adding that the NDLEA has resolved to reduce to its barest minimum incidences of drug abuse. He noted that the NDLEA was working majorly to fight against accessibility to drugs by seizing and destroying the intake of

cannabis sativa.

He added that the NDLEA was equally committed to fighting the scourge of drug supply chain and to discourage the users of the drugs.

He described the drug demand consumption level of the country as alarming, insisting that all stakeholders have critical roles to play in bringing down the demand for consumption of drugs in the country.

The NDLEA boss who urged parents to be observant of their children and wards, also said religious leaders should use their platforms to preach against the dangers of drug intake and abuse.

He described parents particularly mothers, religious leaders, as having the responsibility and burden to check drug intake and abuse, pointing out that for the country to come out of the present insecurity it has found itself, the intake and abuse of drugs must be a priority to all.

Marwa who commended the initiative by state government to establish three rehabilitation centres in their states, assured that the NDLEA was also working towards establishing one per geo-political zone of the country.

Gunmen Murder Medical Doctor in Niger Laleye Dipo in Minna

Gunmen have murdered a private medical practitioner, Dr. Precious Chinedu in Salka town of Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

Dr. Chinedu, the proprietor of a private medical facility in Salka town was reportedly killed by the masked gunmen and his remains abandoned in the bush.

The six gunmen according to the report stormed Precious’ hospital at about 9p.m. demanding for him. Immediately Precious was identified, he was taken away only for his remains to be found in the bush the next day.

It was said that a report was immediately made to the police in the area but no action was taken.

A staff of the deceased said

“When they took the doctor away we reported to the police and the local vigilante.

“The following day (Thursday afternoon) the vigilante called us that they have seen a corpse inside the bush and we were able to identify it as that of our oga.”

Calls made to the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, for confirmation of the story were not responded to but the state chapter of the Ohaneze Ndigbo confirmed the story.

The President of the group, Chief Emmanuel Ezeugo, described the killing of Precious as ‘very unfortunate’ and added that the ‘Igbo community is investigating the death of the medical doctor.

SATURDAY JUNE 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 19,2021

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NEWS OML 150: Relief for Conoil as Host Communities Settle Leadership Dispute Sylvester Idowu in Warri

FOR DRUG-FREE SOCEITY …

L-R: Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) when he led some members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Lokoja, during his ongoing assessment tour of the Agency’s Kogi State Command ... Yesterday

Court Acquits Nwaoboshi of N322m Fraud Charge Davidson Iriekpen

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday, discharged and acquitted a Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chieftain, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, charged with laundering N322 million.

Aneke held that the case of the prosecution collapsed when it failed to call vital witnesses and lead concrete evidence to prove and establish its allegations.

Nwaoboshi, a senator representing Delta North, was arraigned in 2018 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on two counts of money laundering.

Also charged were two companies: Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail.

Trial commenced before Justice Mohammed Idris on April 25, 2015 but following the elevation of Idris to the Court of Appeal in June 2018, the case began afresh on October 5, 2018 before Justice Aneke.

The EFCC said that Nwaoboshi committed the offences between May and June 2014, in Lagos.

He was said to have acquired a property described as Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa Lagos, for the sum of N805

million.

The prosecution said that he reasonably ought to have known that N322 million out of the purchase sum formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

The sum was said to have been transferred to the vendors by order of Suiming Electrical Ltd. The prosecution filed its written addresses on January 21, 2021, while the defendants respectively filed their written addresses on February 3 and February 9, 2021.

Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Aneke first, read out counts of the charge for which the defendants were charged, and then reviewed evidence as tendered by the witnesses,

as well as evaluated essential ingredients of the counts.

The court held that the evidence led by Pw1, Prince Kpokpogri, was based on a call from an anonymous caller, adding that he did not tender the documents supplied to him by the said anonymous caller who was also never called as a witness to testify.

He held that the evidence of the first prosecution witness could therefore only qualify as hearsay.

“Pw 2, Abubakar, he said works with Nexim Bank and the summary of his evidence was that the sum of N1.2 billon was granted to the third defendant on his application for a period of five years with interest.

Sanwo-Olu: Lagos’s Strategic Investments in Infrastructure for Economic Growth Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the state’s huge investments in infrastructure development was to shore up economic prosperity of the state.

The governor who stated this at the inauguration of the Upgraded Rehabilitated Ikoyi Network of Roads which included Thompson Avenue, Milverton and Mac Donald, Lateef Jakande roads, said that at the inception of his administration, an audit of

the road infrastructure in the state conducted showed that that roads were the critical infrastructure on which almost all other activities depended.

He said, ‘’We were mindful of the fact that improved access across the state would lead to increased productivity.

The report of this audit revealed that many of the roads in our urban centres needed to be upgraded and this explained the slow vehicular and sometimes slow pedestrian movement being experienced by the people.

‘’The resultant eͿect was a loss of man-hours and a slowdown of the economy. This was totally unacceptable and inimical to our Greater Lagos and 21st Century Economy Vision. ‘’In consideration of the economic importance of Ikoyi as the real estate hub of Lagos and to address the perennial Áooding issues peculiar to the axis, we formally Áagged oͿ a regeneration initiative comprising infrastructural renewal and upgrade/rehabilitation of road and drainage projects in July, 2020.‘’

According to him, apart from addressing perennial Áooding, the initiative was targeted at re-engineering the designated roads to improve tra΀c Áow and network e΀ciency. ‘’Today, the completion and formal commissioning of these rehabilitated and upgraded roads (Lateef Jakande/MacDonald, Milverton and Thompson Avenue) is a testament to our determination to keep improving the living conditions of our people through well-thoughtout policies and programmes,’’ he said.

NiMet, FAO Strategise to Combat Food Security in Nigeria Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Bothered by the growing food insecurity in the country, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) yesterday hinted that it was collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to strategise on best weather and climate services model to mitigate negative impact of weather to agriculture.

This it said, was to improve food security, noting that weather plays an important role in agriculture as it dictates

if farmers would experience bumper harvest or not.

The Director General/CEO NiMet, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, in a statement in Abuja signed by the General Manager/ Public 5elations O΀cer, NiMet, Mr. Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, opined that weather had profound inÁuence on growth, development and yields of a crop, incidence of pest and diseases.

According to him, water needs and fertiliser requirements were also mainly dictated by weather patterns. “Due to this, the

Nigerian Meteorolocal Agency annually presents the overall Seasonal Climate Prediction (SRP) of the country, with a view to help diͿerent sectors of the economy, not just agriculture comprehend the weather outlook for the year to enable them infuse knowledge weather information into their plans to reduce the multiplier negative impacts.”

The NiMet DG, informed the FAO delegation during a virtual meeting that the Agency was committed to continuous monitoring of the developing

weather patterns in order to update its partners of the observable changes especially in areas that churn out large output of food because failure to do this would impact negatively on food security in the country at large.

Matazu observed that the Food and Agriculture Organisation being the specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international eͿorts to defeat hunger, the two organisations’ collaboration is not far-fetched due to their visions.

Relief has come the way of Conoil Producing Limited, prospecting OML 150 oil Àeld, as seven Itsekiri host communities settled their leadership crisis in Delta State.

It would be recalled that the crisis had threatened operations of the oil Àrm with protesting Itsekiri host communities occupying OML 150 oil Àeld since penultimate Wednesday.

Chairman of OML 150 Communities Consultative Forum in Warri, Hon. Monday Agbeyi, in a statement yesterday, said the leadership crisis is over and urged the immediate past Chairman of the Forum to join hands with the new executive in bringing development to the communities.

He appealed to the immediate past chairman of the forum, Mr. Charles Omadeli, to join hands with his team rather than fanning the embers of disunity in Iwere land.

Hon. Agbeyi said what the residents of the seven Itsekiri host communities in IÀekpo, Uwakeno, Omadino, Ewekwara, Jaluwa Efueye, Aja Osolo and Obodo, who comprised the OML 150 Communities Consultative Forum, needed most at this point in time is development, which can only be engendered in an

atmosphere of peace and unity among the populace.

Against this backcloth, Agbeyi said he was ready to meet and dialogue with the former chairman, Omadeli, whose tenure expired on December 21, 2020, on cooperating with the new executive in order for the communities not to lose all the developmental beneÀts expected to come from Conoil Producing Ltd. in its Corporate Social Responsibilities agenda.

The chairman also urged Conoil, which is prospecting oil in the area, to respect the proclamations of the people by stopping further dealings with the expired Omadeli-led exco.

“I want to emphatically state that Conoil should respect constituted authorities and give expression to the endorsement of the new exco by our people, the Olu of Warri Palace and the Delta State Government by dealing with us as the authentic representatives of the people.

“The oil Àrm should forthwith desist from its divideand-rule tactics by hobnobbing with the old exco in order to shirk in delivering its corporate social responsibilities to the host communities,” he said.

Agbeyi said it is only in an atmosphere of peace that Conoil can operate, assuring the giant oil Àrm of the cooperation of the host communities.

NFF Seeks End to Violence against Women, Girls Tobi Soniyi As the world today observes the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence, (June 19) the Nigerian Feminist Forum has called for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.

In a statement issued yesterday, NFF stated that for more than 10 years, Nigerian women and girls had been subjected to rape, incest, death, kidnappings, discrimination and a host of other sexual violence as a result of the insurgency taking place in various parts of the country.

The statement signed by NFF’ s Communications O΀cer, Angela Nkwo, said women had been the biggest victims of the sexual violence pandemic and lack of political will to enforce existing laws.

The women group lamented that there was no justice for women and girls as many families decided to settle sexual violence cases out of court, due to stigma, the family name, and the fact that law enforcement o΀cers took these accusations lightly and often blamed survivors.

The statement said: “The Nigerian Government at diͿerent levels have failed to protect women and girls from sexual violence in the war against insecurity, sometimes from the law enforcement operatives.

“Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights problem with both short- and long-term consequences on women’s physical, mental,

and sexual and reproductive health.

“Whether sexual violence occurs within the context of an intimate partnership, within the larger family or community structure, or during times of conÁict, it is a deeply violating and painful experience for the survivor.”

NFF therefore called on all survivors to end the culture of silence and speak out against perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

It also called for the release of Leah Sharibu and all other women and girls held against their wish by their abductors, and being used as sex slaves.

NFF asked all states to immediately pass the Violence against Persons Prohibition Bill (VAPP) to protect everyone from all forms of violence even as it called on government to provide absolute protection of lives and property across the country.

It appealed to the authorities to stop abduction and kidnapping of women and school girls by insurgents and other criminal elements, for sexual violence and for ransom purposes.

NFF further demanded that the Nigeria Police establishes a gender desk in every station and handle sexual violence cases as criminal oͿences and not a civil matter to be settled out of court.

NFF said: “We demand a safe Nigeria! We demand a safe and peaceful environment for women and girls! We demand an end to insurgency and killings across the country.”

SATURDAY JUNE 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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JUNE 19, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim urges all to partner with government to ensure refugees are given the needed support

T

he 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as: “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.”To honour refugees around the globe, the United Nations has designated June 20 of every year as a World Refugee Day. The day celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. It is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Together We Can Achieve Anything”, while the sub-theme is “Together we heal, learn and shine”, which calls for a greater inclusion of refugees in health systems, school and sports.

In Nigeria, the World Refugee Day is commemorated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

There are 26.3 million refugees in the world. Out of this figure, 73,000 are in Nigeria, out of which 71,400 are refugees and 1,600 are asylumseekers. Nigeria plays host to refugees and asylum seekers from these countries: Cameroon, Niger, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Cotre d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, Togo and China. The World Refugee Day is significant to the global world and the 26.3 million refugees because it shines a light on their rights, needs and dreams, helping to mobilize political will and resources so that they cannot only survive but also thrive. While it is important to protect and improve their lives every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution, as many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.

This piece while highlighting the significance of the World Refugee Day, is also meant to present an overview of the implementation of the pledges by Nigeria at the Global Forum on Refugees (GRF) Conference which held in 2019 at Geneva, Switzerland. Nigeria at the conference made the following four pledges: One, to include refugees, IDPs, returnees and their host communities in National Government Development Plans. Nigeria has adopted the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020 that covers humanitarian assistance; relocation; rehabilitation; resettlement; peace building; security; infrastructure; agriculture; health; education; and governance; Two, to strengthen its protection capacity, by ensuring the integrity of the asylum system in line with international legal instruments and freedom of movement for refugees, IDPs and returnees; maintaining its open-door policy; and promoting legal pathways to durable solutions.

Three, to ensure availability and access to durable solutions for refugees and IDPs, in consultation with affected populations and host communities, with particular attention to children, youth, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups; and four, to continue playing an active and constructive role in regional and sub-regional efforts to address the root causes of displacement.

Nigeria, through the NCFRMI, an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has taken steps in the fulfilment of the pledges, through collaboration with some other agencies. Some of the actions

THE WORLD REFUGEE DAY IS SIGNIFICANT TO THE GLOBAL WORLD AND THE 26.3 MILLION REFUGEES BECAUSE IT SHINES A LIGHT ON THEIR RIGHTS, NEEDS AND DREAMS, HELPING TO MOBILIZE POLITICAL WILL AND RESOURCES SO THAT THEY CANNOT ONLY SURVIVE BUT ALSO THRIVE

taken are listed hereunder: One, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, in 2020, made a special provision for NCFRMI in the designing of Economic Sustainability Plan so as to ease implementation of key actions relating to refugees and IDPs. One of the key Economic Sustainable Plans is the commencement of the building of resettlement cities in Borno, Edo, Zamfara and Katsina States for returnees and IDPs towards ensuring durable solution for their shelter needs.

Two, in February 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued directive to banks and financial institutions to recognise refugee identity card issued by NCFRMI and UNHCR, and Convention Travel Document (CTD) issued by NCFRMI and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for the purposes of identification in opening of bank accounts to facilitate access to financial services in Nigeria.

Three, there are ongoing discussions for inclusion of refugees in national social safety nets through the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO). This is being done in conjunction with NCFRMI and UNHCR. Four, refugees are included in the national educational and health systems, including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), at par with Nigerian citizens.

Five, there is government-led provision of lands for refugees’ settlement and use for agriculture in Cross River State in South-South Region of Nigeria and Benue State, in the North-Central Region.

Six, Nigeria maintains positive protection environment by ensuring the integrity of the asylum system in line with international legal instruments and freedom of movement for refugees, IDPs and returnees; maintaining its open-door policy; and promoting legal pathways to durable solutions.

Seven, Nigeria is facilitating access to birth registration and the enrolment of refugees, IDPs and returnees into the national identity management system to prevent and reduce the risk of statelessness and facilitate access to services. As of 2021, NCFRMI has been licensed to facilitate enrolment of refugees on the National Identity Number (NIN) as required by government through the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

Eight, action on the repeal and replacement of the NCFR Act to incorporate the protection of migrants and internally displaced persons under its mandate has been concluded and awaiting Presidential assent.

Nine, domestication of the Kampala Convention relating to refugees and IDPs has been concluded and incorporated in the new NCFR Act. Ten, launch of Project Reliance, which is a flagship project of NCFRMI in collaboration with the CBN designed to provide loans to returnees, IDPs and other Persons of Concern (PoCs) to make them self-reliant.

Eleven, Town Hall Meetings held by NCFRMI with PoCs-refugees, migrant returnees and IDPs- to identify their needs and areas of support for quick intervention.

Twelve, Nigeria has been at the forefront of ensuring regional approaches to addressing issues that causes forced displacement through ECOWAS and Lake Chad Basin Commission. The Third Regional Protection Dialogue on the Lake Chad Basin held in 2020 focusing on conflict resolution and peace building.

Hajia Suleiman-Ibrahim is Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Abuja

FOOD STORAGE AS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Entrepreneurs must begin to look more creatively at the potential of food storage, writes Patricia Pessu

E

ven though it sounds like ancient history now, agriculture was actually once the mainstay of our economy. From rubber and oil palm in the Midwest and the East of Nigeria to cocoa in the West and groundnuts in the North, ours was an agricultural haven in the ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Due to the oil boom of the 1970s, agriculture gradually descended in our order of priorities. It is instructive that oil is now in decline globally.

With countries setting targets for the deployment of electric cars and global focus now increasingly shifting towards green energy, there is an imperative for developing countries like Nigeria to strategically plan an exit from their decades-old over-reliance on oil.

Thankfully, not only is Nigeria blessed with an abundance of arable soil and good weather, our human resource endowment is also formidable. Simply, we have all it takes to reap bountiful harvests from agriculture to feed ourselves, and with enormous excess for export.

In the last few years, Nigeria’s agricultural value chain has witnessed a steady incursion of dozens of educated professionals, young and old. Retired top civil servants, former bankers, IT experts, and indeed, entrepreneurs of different hues are steadily embracing farming and giving a new lease of life to a vocation with boundless potential in Nigeria.

While the agricultural value chain is steadily growing, majority of entrants into the agriculture space, appear to be focused on such aspects as more efficient cultivation of crops and animal husbandry, value addition to agricultural commodities via food processing, logistics and others.

These are all critical elements in the continuing growth of the agricultural sector in Nigeria.

Entrepreneurs, however, must also spare some time

to examine the prospects of food storage.

Food storage is particularly critical in Nigeria because of the sheer volume of food that goes to waste after harvests annually. From grains like rice, beans, soya beans and maize which may get infested by insects such as weevils or moulds; to tubers like yams and potatoes which become rotten and even vegetables and fruits, which wilt and rot; tonnes of food commodities are wasted after harvests annually.

Farmers and other members of the agricultural value chain often have challenges in the handling and storage of these agricultural commodities.

Entrepreneurs can examine effective ways to consolidate a good proportion of these commodities that would ordinarily be wasted. They could store these commodities when they are in excess supply in the immediate aftermath of these harvests and then release them for sale in the medium term, when being out-of-season, these commodities are in short supply. This would be a big win-win scenario for farmers whose losses would have been considerably mitigated, the consumers who will have food more readily available and at a cheaper cost, and the entrepreneurs themselves, who will make a decent profit from making this happen.

Interestingly, there is a growing number of innovative storage facilities that are home-grown, with which agricultural entrepreneurs may execute such a strategy. What is particularly instructive about these home-grown facilities is that having been developed by scientists locally, they are cognizant of Nigeria’s weather and other peculiarities, so by design, they are practically fit-for-purpose. This is as opposed to facilities of this nature that are imported from other countries. Secondly, the storage facilities are constructed by local engineers largely from local raw materials. For this reason, among others, construction

costs are much reduced and the facilities, much more affordable.

Grains for instance, can be stored in inert atmosphere silos. These are silos that have been developed locally by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute specifically to aid grain preservation in our environment without the use of pesticides. Beans can remain fresh and in fact retain its original food quality even after storage in these silos for more than three years. Entrepreneurs can invest in these silos, engage farmers either directly or through the farmers’ cooperatives and buy off much of the surplus for which farmers may have had challenges handling or storing appropriately.

Entrepreneurs can therefore make a respectable profit in supplying these grains long after the harvests and when the grains are no longer in excessive supply in the market.

Food storage, in this case, I must clarify, is not referring to hoarding of food. Rather, we are looking to evolve a system where we systematically mitigate post-harvest losses in such a manner that entrepreneurs turn what would ordinarily have been losses, into profits even while helping to make food more readily available and at a cheaper cost, for the country.

The same principle applies to fish. All over the country, it is common to see agro processors smoking fish directly over open flames. Such smoked fish, though avidly consumed locally, find very little acceptance in international markets for many reasons including presentation and hygiene.

But specialized smoking kilns suitable for this environment have since been developed by the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute as well.

These kilns smoke fish in a manner in which the fish is dried uniformly and comes out in an attractive

golden-brown colour with any unnecessary oils carefully eliminated. With good packaging, they are widely acceptable in international markets. There is therefore, a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to buy up fish from fish farmers for fish processing, and sale both locally and internationally.

There is a lot of work currently ongoing in the search for long-lasting and effective preservation methods for fruits and vegetables. Traditional evaporative cooling mechanisms for preservation, for instance, which have been used in traditional societies for decades, are currently being examined by local scientists with the hope of gradual step-bystep improvements. In the near future, we envisage the introduction of affordable innovative mechanisms which can preserve fruits and vegetables for a reasonably long period of time and which can be profitably deployed by entrepreneurs to store fruits and vegetables for purposes not only of mitigating waste but of doing so in a manner that is profitable.

Entrepreneurs who can afford it may also look at other ways such as freeze-drying and refrigeration, by which they can preserve fruits in season for instance. Refrigeration in this case, should consider the possibility of alternative energy sources, given Nigeria’s electricity challenges. This way, rather than allow excess fruit to go to waste as commonly happens here, these harvests can be stored and made available for consumption well after the said fruits are no longer in season.

If Nigeria is to fully optimize the potential of our vast arable land and our incredible human resources, then an increasingly creative approach to agriculture is required. Entrepreneurs must begin to look more creatively at the potential of food storage.

Dr. Pessu is Executive Director of Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Ilorin

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JUNE 19, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Will there be an end?

Akume and the All Progressives Congress

O

ne of the most important functions which the All Progressives Congress (APC) must perform soonest is the convocation of a National Convention through which the National Working Committee of the Party would be elected.

Although no official date of the convention has been announced, some form of conversation and consultations are being held amongst top members of the party to arrive at a free, fair and non-acrimonious convention when it is finally held. There are also some suggestions that possible arrangements may be made in such a manner that some party positions are achieved by consensus. If that were to be the case there is this saying that ‘why the far-flung search for a woman of your dream when she lives just in the neighborhood’? That is why the name of the former Governor of Benue State and the present Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Senator George Akume comes to mind.

Although Senator Akume comes from the family of the political legend Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, not much was known about him until the election of 1999 where he successfully won two consecutive terms as Governor of Benue State from 1999 to 2007.

At the moment he is the indisputable leader of the APC in Benue State. He had successfully spent 12 years in the Senate representing the people of Benue North/West Senatorial District. In the 2015 Governorship election in Benue State, he again led the APC to victory in a historic election that defeated the then ruling party in the state, which had held sway for 16 years.

Although Akume was born in his native town of Wannune over six decades ago, he also spent quite some time outside his immediate native environment thus widening his scope of influence and contacts.

For example, he spent five years at Government Secondary School Otukpo, two years at St. Louis College Jos for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) and successfully attended Nigeria`s premier university, University of Ibadan.

Akume served as a Director at the Federal Ministry of Education, during which he attended Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Badagry to gain more administrative knowledge.

In terms of political reach, he still has the links that his political godfather and late uncle Senator Joseph Tarka had built over the years, with the politicians in the Western part of Nigeria, when his United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) went into Alliance with Action Group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then Premier Western Region to contest the 1959 general elections. The Alliance won almost all the seats in the then Benue province. That connection which has lasted for over four decades, is still alive and kicking up to this moment.

Senator Akume as Governor of Benue State

was adjudged a good governor, a humble man and was intensely loved by his people. He has a large following from all the three Senatorial Districts of Benue State.

A detribalized man, he carefully weighs all sides of the coin before commenting on any issue. This attitude has endeared him to most people of different political opinions, not only in the Northern part of the country but across Nigeria. No wonder he received large support of his colleagues in the Senate when he contested the position of President of the Senate of the seventh Assembly which he narrowly lost. The way he quickly adjusted into the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs as Minister demonstrates his ability and capacity for achievements, if confronted with new challenges. One of his mandates to achieve a synergy between all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies has been largely achieved because of his belief that although the Ministries are different and variant they now work in harmony to move the country forward.

For Senator George Akume many possible synonyms can be said and one of the greatest gifts he has as a person is his kindness and humility. Above all, Senator Akume is a team player; he has proved it at executive and legislative levels. He will blend these experiences at party level and move the APC and the country to the next level.

Given the co-operation and tolerance shown by President Muhammadu Buhari, the two will come together to give level playing ground to all aspirants in the 2023 elections as prescribed by the constitution of the party.

Usman Adams, Abuja

The Sun and Birdsong Yesterday was turbulent And today, it did’nt relent But sure as I am sitting here And as there’s a breath of air The sun will rise tomorrow And open numerous doors As it always does The birds will sing On the trees in the wood Songs of joy, not sorrow To lift you off dingy floors And from on your fours Songs on which to cling For each and every mood The morning breeze

Shall softly ease The turbulence of yesterday And gently tease A happy new day When sorrows will cease In case you don’t know Just look out the window The sun and birdsong Are always there at dawn When all is said and done We’d all sing along And it’ll be a happy day To dance and make hay O. Jason Osai, ozomogoosai@gmail.com

Save Ningi from Deforestation

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t saddens one’s heart to see truckloads of timber and charcoal going out of Burra Forest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State almost every minute. These illegal businesses are in creasing every day, the residents of the area are crying out loud as a result of indiscriminate felling of trees in Burra axis.

For quite a long time, there were several complaints about the issue of deforestation in Ningi, especially when almost all the bushes around the area were being disturbed by tree fellers. Lame–Burra Game Reserve, where the act is being perpetrated, is one of the reserves in Nigeria and has an elevation of 640 metres. It covers 2,351.92 km2. The forest borders two states of Kano and Plateau.

Since 2019 when the present administration of Governor Bala Mohammed came to power, deforestation has been one of his concerns, he had once taken serious actions against some of the people involved. The government suspended a caretaker chairman in Ningi largely because of this. But it seems the government is still not aware that this ugly act is still ongoing across Ningi.

The government has arrested and seized trucks loaded T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R with charcoal that were heading to Kano from the Burra EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE community. This deforestation is putting the residents of DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI Burra and Ningi in fear during the rainy season. We witMANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO nessed climate change, a sandstorm that clouded us for DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI hours. Everyone knows that trees release much-needed EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN oxygen and cutting them down indiscriminately is equal MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE to denying ourselves the precious gift of life. Lack of trees cover will also result in trapping of greenhouse gases which will adversely affect the ozone layer and could cause diseases like leukemia and cancer.

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D About 40 percent of trees in the area are destroyed by EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA the charcoal dealers. As it stands, the local government GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, authority is doing nothing about it. The loss of trees and ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE soil erosion, fewer crops, and flooding. In the year 2020 DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI the then local administration confiscated truckloads of SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI charcoal worth millions of naira coming out from Lame/ CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI Burra forest. We are calling on the state government DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO to please address this matter urgently and save our HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA environment.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Usman Abdullahi Koli, Dept of Mass Communication, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ JUNE 19, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Chioma Okafor ka or

I Like Making Money, Receiving Credit Alerts; Anything Money Matter Makes Me Happy Actor and model, Chioma Okafor made the cast of OMG the Musical, staged g last weekend at Shell Hall of the Muson Centre, Lagos. g A historical, educative masterpiece p and p proudlyy Nigerian g Broadwayy style y Musical in honour of the lives of g great women making g an impact p in society. y It follows the storyy of a woman (Gafuma) marginalized g byy patriarchyy in her society. p y To discover her p potential, she revisits the p past where she meets with three legendary g y Nigerian women namelyy Olufunmilayo g y Ramsome-Kuti, Margaret g Ekpo, p and Gambo Sawaba who helped p her identifyy her strength. g In the role of Margaret g Ekpo p is Chioma, whose act cuts across stage g and screen acting, g and with pro p found interest, as her co-lead women. The fast-rising g actress, shortly after the performance, talks about her craft, career and creative space in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

M

argaret Ekpo and the other two Nigerian women depicted in the show, OMG, are prominent historical figures.

What was it like taking up their characters?

It was quite an experience because Margret Ekpo was a Nigerian women’s right activist in her time yet so calm, gracee ful, and full of poise. She also established a sewing institute in Aba. And she was a powerhouse and I had to incorporate all of that into becoming her on stage.

Was it much of a task preparing for the role and how long did it take you?

I absolutely loved her and becoming her was a beautiful ride, so which was about three weeks of intense rehearsals as soon as the research was done. And working with the team, from the dancers, to the actors to the singers, the drummers, to the keyboardists, the music director, the drama director and the choreographer, all that synergy that we all shared made OMG the Musical look beautiful on stage.

Tell us a bit of your journey into acting; what attracted you… What was the first movie you featured in?

My journey into this creative world has been very challenging I must say but I’m grateful. My first movie was “Getting Over Him”. It was in the cinemas in January 2018 thereabout. Aunty Koko (Closer Pictures Production), gave me that big break after she saw me perform on stage (Man Talk Woman Talk). I think wanting to be in the arts has always been a part of me. To think that in primary school, I was in the cultural and drama group.

Even in secondary school, when it is time for extracurricular activities, I was always in the drama group and I love it and they loved me. How come I didn’t study Theatre Arts but I can perform on stage and on screen? The only reason why I didn’t study Theatre Arts back then was because my mum told me I would pay my school fees by myself so I studied Busii ness Administration (at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka). But I never knew I was going to be a professional actress per se. I knew I liked the arts but back then it felt like an extracurricular activity looking back now it all makes sense.

What has the experience been like since venturing into acting?

‘Omo the experience oporrrr’ . . . there has been good and bad days. The ‘nos’ hit the heart the most. But the ‘yes’ has been encouraging to say. There have been good days. Some even want something else in order to give me the job which is not moral regardless.

You also have a career in modeling.

Which came first, modeling or acting?

Modeling came first. In University I had contracts with brands, makeup artists and photographers. At one time, I was on the largest billboard at a central junction in the east. Then I ventured into commercial modeling for television, adverts, in print and all.

Between stage and screen acting, which would you prefer?

I can’t say I prefer screen to stage. The experience is totally different but is still story telling.

What challenges you as an actress and is there any role you can’t play?

As actors, we tell stories and hope to make an impact. So, we have to tell it as authentic as it can be. So, we have to have real experience/connection with others or sometimes from ourselves . . . of course No nudity.

What excites you most as an artiste and what inspires you?

The process of acting excites me because that is where the lessons and the evolution lie.

What do you keep up with when you are not on set?

Doing things that make me feel like myself; my Forex business (money matters anytime), spending time with my family.

Giving me some self-care/love it’s always in the little things.

What are the things that you treasure most in life?

My family, the fact that they have my back, unconditionally, regardless of the ups and down. At first, they were not supportive to my acting move. It was more of ‘I don’t understand what you are doing’ or ‘why you want to do this’. Or ‘Do you really have to do this? I don’t get it’. . . Now it’s more like ‘I get it now, you really love what you are doing. And you really want to do it, okay!’

Tell us about your background, growing up as a child and what fond memory do you hold?

Growing up was pretty traditional I would say. I grew up in Lagos. It was just normal basically. I am the only girl in a family of four.

Who is Chioma Okafor? Tell us your likes and dislikes; your hobbies; turn on, turn offs; phobia, your favourtie food, favourite colour, and things like that…

I like making money, I love receiving credit alerts, anything money matter makes me happy. My favourite colour is black. You can sell me with spaghetti and stew not Jollof o! I love new adventures, watching movies, and traveling new places.

Chioma

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2021

08054699539

Extolling Open Grazing in the 21st Century

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here is no way that rampaging criminal herders and Fulani militias will persist in their nefarious activities against crop farmers without the tacit support of the powerful leadership in Abuja that controls all the security agencies. That has always been my position on the unending killings and abductions by lawless herders across Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed my conviction with his recent infamous remarks extolling cattle grazing routes. Our dear President supports this archaic and ruthless cattle rearing method in this modern era. Buhari is obsessed with this outdated animal husbandry practice and he is now looking for laws to enable him revive grazing routes for herders.

So, herders must continue moving cattle from Sokoto to Lagos, and beyond, unhindered. No wonder security agents are always lethargic in their response to SOS messages from crop farmers and communities ravaged by criminal herders.

Obviously, they have no clear instructions to tame rampaging herders. This is why huge swathes of this country have become killing fields as killer herders, claiming a right to unencumbered feeding ubiquitously, are cruelly destroying lives and farms. They are never apprehended. In Benue State, the criminal herders control several local government areas.

The truth which Buhari must swallow is that nomadic cattle rearing is an aberration in modern societies. Nigerian can’t be an exception.

A President in this modern era must not be seen promoting this abnormality. I often wonder if Buhari is interested in the welfare of everybody in this country. He is always struggling to rise above primordial sentiments and often pursuing parochial ethnic agenda. Open grazing is a big danger to all non-herders and must end. The way to go is ranching. Any President interested in peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria must motivate herders to return to their base and curdle ranching.

What legal grazing routes is Buhari even talking about? Looking at the issue from a lawful angle, I can unequivocally say that there is nothing like grazing routes or grazing reserves rules in the laws of the federation of Nigeria.

There is no federal regulation that Buhari can implement on such matter. The defunct Northern Nigerian grazing reserves law, promulgated in 1964, which is what Buhari is looking at, cannot apply to the entire Nigerian federation. Even in the North, with the Land Use Act, the law has become outdated. So, it is not applicable anywhere in the North.

The Land Use Act empowers governors to control land in their states. The President can only control land within Abuja. Governors of the 36 states met earlier this year, agreed to discontinue open grazing and embraced ranching.

So, Buhari’s talks about reviving cattle routes are preposterous. My dear President, open grazing is no longer practicable. Not with the killings, rape, crop destruction, kidnapping, and geographical hegemony that comes with

The truth which Buhari must swallow is that nomadic cattle rearing is an aberration in modern societies.

Nigerian can’t be an exception. A President in this modern era must not be seen promoting this abnormality. I often wonder if Buhari is interested in the welfare of everybody in this country. He is always struggling to rise above primordial sentiments and often pursuing parochial ethnic agenda. Open grazing is a big danger to all non-herders and must end. The way to go is ranching. Any President interested in peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria must motivate herders to return to their base and curdle ranching it. The culture of nomadism can be eliminated.

Lee Kuan Yew proved this in Singapore. Late Muammar Gaddafi proved this in Libya.

Attacks on crop lands and farmers by criminal herders have led to astronomical hike in prices of food across Nigeria. This is a fact. Daily, farmers are deserting large fields for fear of being killed.

They have every reason to be afraid. Many have been slaughtered on their farms by killer herders and Fulani militias. Buhari should be worried if indeed, he loves everybody in this country. How I wish he would spend quality time reading the World Bank report released this week, which truly reflect how rising prices of largely food, pushed close to seven million Nigerians below the poverty line in 2020.

The World Bank notes: “Prices are increasing rapidly, severely impacting Nigerian households.

As of April 2021, the inflation rate was the highest in four years. Food prices accounted for over 60% of the total increase in inflation.”

The only way to stem rising prices of food is for all our farmers to return to their businesses. Herders must vacate farms for this to happen.

I also find absurd, President Buhari’s message to state governors to exclusively tackle security challenges in their states. Yes, the governors should be seen doing something pragmatic based on the security votes collected.

That is why they need to fortify regional security arrangement like Amotekun and Ebubeagu.

However, Constitutionally, Buhari remains the Chief Security Officer of this country. He controls all security agencies. Trying to abdicate his responsibility is laughable. Our President still can’t take responsibility. If he can’t do the security job he swore to accomplish, he should just resign.

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State was

apt when he reiterated that it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure protection of lives and property of citizens in all nooks and crannies of this country: “When you look at the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the issue of security is under the Exclusive List. So, it is the responsibility of the Federal Government and states can only complement and that’s what we have always done and are still doing. But sincerely speaking, based on provisions of the Constitution, the blame should go to the federal government for the general state of insecurity in Nigeria.”

Governor Nyesom Wike added: “It is not only to borrow money for Nigeria that you’re in charge of. You must also be in charge of other things like security. It is not when things are going bad concerning security that you say you’re not in charge, and it becomes governors’ responsibility.”

On the flip side, the two interviews granted

by Buhari to mark his 6th year in office affirm that the President is very much aware of the killings, kidnapping, suffering and economic crunch in this country and he is so much confortable just sitting down at Aso Rock Villa, and doing very little to tackle the challenges. That was what the interviews revealed; that Buhari is unperturbed by the unprecedented failings of his government in the last six years.

He is untroubled by the blood, tears, hunger, disease and pains in our land. He is cool and calm while the country burns. Families are struggling for a meal a day while millions have been thrown out of jobs. Daily, our children are abducted in their schools, families kidnapped at homes, farmers killed on their farms. As at press time, 135 Niger State Islamic school kids, some as young as eight years, were still languishing in the dungeons of their abductors. Add this

Figures of Killings are Dizzying Residents of Kadawa Village, in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State are still mourning the deaths of their loved ones murdered by bandits eight days ago. Many women have been widowed and children orphaned. In all, 93 innocent souls were butchered in this Zamfara State community.

Many others were severely wounded. Security agents were nowhere to be found during the attack that lasted several hours.

Few days back, it was the turn of eight communities in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area (Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State), to bury scores of beloved ones. In all, 88 human beings were slaughtered by bandits in Koro, Kimpi, Gaya, Dimi, Zutu, Rafin, Gora and Iguenge communities. They were Hausa farmers. Last month, in this same Emirate, bandits killed nine policemen, a DPO inclusive, while they were responding to a distress call by the locals in the emirate.

Few months ago, four mobile police personnel were killed at Danko Wasagu while four soldiers were also ambushed and killed in March, this year.

These are the gory figures we now regularly get in this country. Human beings slaughtered in large number like animals. These are the types of death figures from war zones. But Nigeria is not at war, yet people are regularly killed in hundreds by bandits, Fulani militias and Boko Haram. These killings often leave me in tears. How can this be happening in a country with a legitimate government?

The killings in the North-west are largely a result of the fighting between Fulani militias and Hausa farmers over land. The herders want unfettered access to farm lands. The Hausa farmers resist using their own militias called Yan-Sa-Kai. Blood has been flowing on both sides in the last six years, in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states. Kebbi

State recently joined this inglorious club.

Unfortunately, governors of the affected states have been taking sides, thus prolonging the conflict. Some banned Yan-Sa-Kai and left Fulani militias roaming freely. That was why the chairman of Yan-Sa-Kai vigilante group in Zuru, Sani Usman urged government to allow it “deal” with the security challenge posed by Fulani militias.

Usman said after the latest attack in Danko Wasagu: “The world should know we are under siege and the chains on our hands did not allow us free those on our legs.” Forget about Usman’s “chain” story. Yan-Sa-Kai has evidently been fighting back.

The only way forward in the North-west is for the federal government to enforce the laws of our land. Those who kill must be apprehended and dealt with. Regrettably, this is not being done. Once justice is not served, then, the killings will continue.

to the pain of scores of pupils abducted last Thursday at Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State. The 10 students seized at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria are still begging for freedom. The agony is becoming unbearable for all.

Our diversity mismanaged. Our unity practically destroyed. Brothers are killing brothers. Nigeria is facing a hopeless situation and Buhari is not showing any sign of raising his game; that is if he has any game plan at all. This country has never been this mismanaged. But we will survive Buhari’s incongruity. Nigeria will survive and return to that path of a peaceful, brotherly and loving country. We have less than two years to go.

Still On Twitter Suspension Democracy is about doing the will of the people. It is about responding to the needs of the people. Nigeria is under a democracy. Regrettably, those running the show in Abuja don’t fully understand the essentials of democracy; otherwise, we won’t still be talking about lifting the suspension of Twitter’s operations in Nigeria. In the first place, the suspension was absolutely unnecessary. Those leading this country must rise above paltriness, focus on pressing issues and stop presenting Nigeria in bad light abroad.

Now, majority of Nigerians are demanding for the lifting of the suspension of Twitter.

What is expected in a democracy is for the government to respond appropriately. The Buhari government must unconditionally lift the suspension. The will of the people must prevail in a democracy. Nigerians need Twitter more than Twitter needs us. So many Nigerian businesses tied to Twitter are already suffering. Buhari should let Twitter be.

The talk about Twitter and other social media registering in Nigeria to continue operation is balderdash. Any form of registration of the media is censorship and must be resisted.

Saudi Arabian Lessons for Nigerian Imams The news was good music to the ears of those of us opposed to noise from our places of worship. It was that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs has imposed restrictions on the use of loudspeakers in mosques, allowing the use of loudspeakers only for calls to prayers - Adhan and Iqamat.

A circular has been issued by Abdul Latif Al Sheikh, Saudi’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, to all mosques across the Kingdom, limiting the use of loudspeakers only to Adhan and Iqamat, and lowering the volume of loudspeakers to one-third level.

Adhan is the first call for prayer, while Iqamat is the second call for prayer, indicating the Imam has taken his place and the prayer is about to commence. The circular is based on Prophet Mohammed’s Hadith in which he said, “Lo! every one of you is calling his Lord quietly. One should not trouble the other and one should not raise the voice in recitation or in prayer over the voice of the other.”

The rule is also based on fatwas (rulings) by most senior Islamic scholars like Sheikh Mohammed bin Saleh Al Othaimeen and Saleh Al Fawzan, that loud speakers in mosques should only be used for Adhan and Iqamat.

The primary objective of the ruling is to deter ulama (Imams), who speak non-stop loudly for hours, causing disturbance to neighbours.

I sincerely hope all mosques in our part of the world will emulate the Saudi Arabian initiative. Noise pollution must be reduced in the interest of the health of everybody.

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SATURDAY JUNE 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

Yetunde Juliet Adeshile Despite the Many Doors Slammed in My Face, I Never Took No for an Answer

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2021

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PLUS Despite the Many Doors Slammed in My Face, I Never Took No for an Answer Self-driven, sociable, hardworking, determined, calculated, tenacious, an Amazon who doesn’t take‘no’for an answer.That’sYetunde Juliet Adeshile, the CEO/founder of United Kingdom-based The Next Chosen Generation CIC. Born to a Nigerian billionaire father, the late Chief Oyedele Ashamu, her UK-trained dad had raised an unbelievably high bar and pressure for a child to have to live up to, but that was his bar and not hers.Yetunde has, for a considerable length of time, established herself in the United Kingdom as a successful professional, with many hats. She is a chartered project and programme management professional, John Maxwell-certified leadership expert, author, politician, trained and certified education and career coach, and a clergywoman. She is celebrated in the United Kingdom for her experience in leadership and talent engagements across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors where she has delivered high profile projects and programmes.Yetunde, the first black woman on the board of UK’s Association of Project Management (APM), believes in justice, equity and is passionate about young people and their development and welfare. She shares her journey so far on her advocacy for young people, why she finds justice and equity intriguing and black women in leadership with ADEDAYO ADEJOBI

Yetunde

I

n the wake of heightened negative reputation damage on Nigeria and Nigerians in the Diaspora, innocent Nigerians in the Diaspora have been on the receiving end of the stick

and wrath of the law in host countries for no fault of theirs. As a result of the atrocious and unprintable behaviours of few Nigerians and Africans, the rest have been labelled “bad eggs.”

Away from the repertoire of bad news

reportage on Nigerians in the Diaspora, the good news, however, is that there are quite a handful of Nigerians who have stood out in the crowd for good causes, innovations, jaw-breaking discoveries, and are shattering glass ceilings. Notable

and equally worthy of note is a classic success in Project and Programme Management. That’s Yetunde Adeshile, a Nigerian based in the United Kingdom, who is no doubt a woman of unsung glory, a distinguished politician and a known advocate for young people, women, justice, and equality.

Yetunde, beyond anything else, finds her appointment an honour, even though she has refused to agree to be called the first black woman to hold such a highly prestigious position. She said, “Right now, I feel privileged to hold such a position, especially as I did not get on the board via the election process. Many people applied through the election stage, but only three people got elected. I was number four, missing the election by less than one hundred votes. I had planned to go through the election again this year, but God was ahead of me. He got me on the board by appointment, sooner than I thought.

I am delighted and forever grateful to God for the opportunity.”

The smart-as-a-whip politician got into project management after her first degree in social policy and management.

Whilst seeking a supposed permanent job, providence threw her right into the jaws of project management. Her temporary job as a project administrator birthed the curiosity to dig deeper into what it takes to be a project manager.

That was at the time the profession was a novelty in the United Kingdom.

She attended internal training and got an opportunity in her new role. After eight months, Adeshile got an opportunity as a project manager when her first-choice career as a human resource manager didn’t pick up as expected.

From that moment on, she has continually developed herself and now that she has gotten to the acme of being a registered chartered project professional, a full member and an appointed board member of the Association for Project Management, she’s indeed very grateful.

Grateful to God, her many bosses and mentors since the very beginning, her father and the air beneath her wings, and Pastor Peter Adeshile - her husband.

Keeping an open mind and a sturdy willingness to learn from other people’s experience at the job have been the building block on her solid foundation.

Yetunde is self-driven.

In the thick of our conversation, she has this to say about the notion of black executives taking bigger risks than their counterparts: “I would say they are right, especially in the western part of the world. My dad trained me to always work hard, no matter what or where I find myself. He always used to say ‘whatever you work for will always be yours and the good works of your hands will make way for you in pleasant places.’ I always try to work hard and work smart to achieve the best results

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2021

PLUS To Be Rich, Investment is Key. You Can’t Afford to Spend Everything That Comes in

Yetunde and her husband

possible.”

With calls from the global community to be more inclusive of black women in key positions of the corporate ladder, Adeshile believes self-doubt plays a huge role in stopping these women who can apply for these positions. She recalled her experience about a decade ago: “I remember a colleague of mine approaching me about 10 years ago, saying he wanted me to meet his mum who would want to hire someone like me for a top job in the United States.

He said the job was just a phone call away. I declined. Unfortunately, I didn’t think I was worth it or ready for it, even though my husband encouraged me to go for it. I was afraid of the change and of failing. This same feeling has stopped many black women from taking up these roles in the past, which is why we still have this gap today. I hope that this appointment will open up new opportunities and encourage other black women to step forward.”

The tradition of women as care providers has been the bane holding women back in business, politics and society.

Yetunde Adeshile believes that to be successful in business, politics and other endeavours, hard work, determination and tenacity are very paramount. Despite the many doors slammed in her face, she never took ‘no’ for an answer.

Smiling, resolute and calculated. She finds equality intriguing, yet open, because of the diverse drivers driving the conversation in different communities across different climes. In the United Kingdom, there is an urgency to bridge the gap. There is a lot of training being filtered through companies and organisations. There is intentional recruitment

and development of people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, a UK demographic (BAME) community for senior roles.

When the reporter probed what it feels like to be a John Maxwell- certified leadership expert, a pastor and all the other lofty heights she has attained, Yetunde said: “Being a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Expert supports me in all my other leadership roles. The training and network help me be a better leader in all areas of my life. Project Management is my main profession, so being a registered, chartered and experienced Project Management Professional who is also on the Board provides me with a greater opportunity for collaboration in my profession.”

In the heart of what she does is humanity-people. Their development, welfare and everything in-between. This is the fuel that runs her through. How to add value to people. Like they say it in business analysis, “from current state to future state.” Giving people opportunities and seeing them take advantage of them makes her happy. An astute believer of equality and justice, she said for there to be any form of justice in this world, “we must serve equality on the table.”

Away from work and her polity, Adeshile is a book lover. Her all-time favourites are Act like a Success, Think Like a Success by Steve Harvey, No Matter What by Lisa Nichols and the Holy Bible.

This family woman with a sentimental attachment still finds time for days to unwind with her family. These are the noncooking days where meals are ordered from their favourite Nigerian restaurant.

Those are the days she watches movies

and plays games with her husband and children. There are also family holidays, which are not always in the UK. As a Nigerian in the Diaspora, here’s what she had to say when quizzed on her position on the state of the nation: “My honest view is that there is no leadership in Nigeria. Well, none in how I understand and have been taught leadership.

That is why Nigeria is where it is today.”

Reminiscing on her life, and the best advice she has been given, she said: “The best advice I received was from my mum, a very long time ago. She said to me, ‘don’t let anyone take your place as the mother of your children.

Let your children be wherever you are.’

At the time she said it, I didn’t quite understand, but I do now. A shame she is not here for me to let her know that I now understand.”

To her children, she taught them dependence on God and living in Christ, i.e., relationship with God and understanding of The Word. Same gift her parents passed unto her.

Being a good mum comes with a lot of sacrifices but these are her top five: Relationship and obedience to God; Unconditional love; Patience; listening and empathy with the ability to be firm on decisions; and creating time for the family.

With every family tradition kept intact, she has taught her children to call her mum, which she prefers, because it makes her feel younger, and the power of equal opportunities. Juggling motherhood and a career comes with a great deal of time management, planning, and open and effective communication.

Coming from a very wealthy business-

man and prominent father, the late Chief Oyedele Ashamu, who was highly successful, Adeshile had to sit up, find her person and create her path. Coming from that pedigree meant a raised bar she had to surpass, but she’s content with the bar of God and walking in him. She is full of appreciation for what her father who was a family man, a believer and lover of God and His Word achieved.

To her, making money comes in diverse ways: Work, Steal or Beg. The latter was the in-thing in her father ’s generation, while the last is common amongst this generation. She believes in giving to the poor, which is one lesson from her father.

Her guiding rule for money is the 10:10:10:70: “10% to God (tithes), 10% for lifetime savings (i.e., Do not touch unless there is a real emergency), 10% savings for essentials and 70% for all your bills and everyday affairs.

“To be rich”, she said, “investment is key.” You can’t afford to spend everything that comes in. That goes hand in hand with being a cheerful giver and the wisdom to decipher where to draw the line.

Adeshile, who holds God in her life as the zenith of it all, has enjoyed many rewards and happy to be finally elected as the Councillor Vange in Basildon.

Especially as this is her fourth time standing.

Her plans going forward is to continue to support the residents of Vange to resolve their local issues; “I am now working with the Basildon Conservative Group to deliver, in order to improve the current state of Vange. I see a challenging future ahead in this role, but I know that I will succeed in it God helping me.’’

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 19, 2021

20

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

Kae-Kazim Leads in ‘Pillars of Africá Ferdinand Ekechukwu

I

n the trailer for an upcoming movie, “Pillars of Africa”, gory scenes of rape, massive killings of human, sporadic gunshots blaze somewhere in Africa…children are kidnapped, many became victims of rape and sex slavery. “It was a thing that has never been imagined before. Children were separated from their parents. Those who resisted were killed instantly. We have been robbed of our future, our legacy,” a voice narrates, showing visuals of the barbaric and dastardly acts in this gritty war tale set in the fictional Izambi Republic.

The images look real and relatable, plays up an imaginary image of a popular South-south militant, more like set in the creeks of the Niger Delta where blood flow. And somewhat reminds one of Hotel Rwanda, a movie based on the Rwandan genocide, which occurred during the spring of 1994, the film documents Paul Rusesabagina’s (Don Cheadle) efforts to save the lives of his family and more than 1,000 other refugees by providing them with shelter in the besieged Hôtel des Mille Collines.

But this is not Hotel Rwanda except that it borrows one of its main cast Hakeem Kae-Kazim, a British-Nigerian actor (his portrayal of Georges Rutaganda) in the 2004 drama film.

In ‘Pillars of Africa’, Kae-Kazim plays Captain Ortega. “This is our land,” he says to his forces who reciprocate with chants as they fight for their land. There’s Hector whose is raising army to take out Ortega’s camp. His subjects have been taken far away to another land, through a strange and agonizing road they know not. While in the midst of the chaos, destruction, a local joint thrives, and business as usual. “Stop…Na the money you dey give me dey run this place? Abeg make I hear word!”, a voice roars from the joint.

Luckily, help came. Reprisals...

Kae-kazim

Special Force arrives. With a sterling cast of Nollywood veterans, “Pillars of Africa” is coming to the big screens on 23rd July 2021. Hollywood’s Hakeem Kae Kazim is joined by his Nollywood peers Sola Sobowale,

Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede, Segun Arinze, Elvina Ibru and Zach Orji.

Look out for Bukky Okorodus, Bryan Okoye, George Nanakwesi Chux and Mor Okonkwo. Written and directed

by Ideh Chukwuma Innocent of

One Soul Films who also served as producer alongside Johnson Iyoha of Bayrock Media, “Pillars of Africa” is distributed by Silverbird Film Production and will be in all cinemas nationwide.

Wadude’s ‘Rice After Beans’ Omolayo Iyanuoluwa Olamidé professionally known as Wadude is a singer, rapper and song writer. He is an energetic performing artiste with quality sound in Afrobeats, Acapella, Apala, Hiphop and Amapianos. Wadude was Àrst noticed online in 201 when he dropped his single CatÀsh, and he has been consistent with his craft since his Àrst appearance till date.

In 2021 Wadude under Slaughterhouse Records dropped MS Parker and Pull Up and Now ‘Rice After Beans’, produced and mixed by azxxy, Mastered by Jaypopin.

The visuals of the video is out on all platforms directed by Naya EͿects.

Wadude, speaking at the single’s listening party says it is not easy for an unsigned artiste to be heard in this country, adding: “A lot of artistes who are lucky to be signed are not even as talented as I am.”

The criteria of record label picking artiste is always based on relationship and can be misleading. Wadude is known for the uniqueness mix of reggae bop, followed by King Kong Àngers which got a lot of underground attention, question and heavy wave online on various platforms like Audiomack with over 1,000,000 active plays within the period of three months of release.

Wadude

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 19, 2021

21

SHOWBIZFLAIR Kuchi

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

I Don’t Mess with My Drums

Musician, producer and sound engineer, Akuchi Amadi, popularly known as Kuchi boasts of versatile musical knowledge and strong business background. His musical career started in 2017 when Nigerian hiphop artiste, Olamide discovered his music titled, “elChapo”, after which Olamide featured him on a song titled, “Underground” and Akuchi simultaneously featured Olamide on ‘ringiringi’ which was a monster hit.

After taking three years off and working tirelessly on his brand and artistry, Kuchi is back with a huge drive towards holding a ground on the music scene. He shares this dream and more with Tosin Clegg

I

How I started my musical career grew up in Warri, Delta State. It was rough at first and then it got better. I always dreamt of being a scientist, but I guess my studio is a lab in its own way. I don’t think anyone truly lives their childhood dream, at least not in every way because things change along the line. My journey into music started when I dropped out of school and started making music with Leumaz, 007, HOD and when Olamide reached out to me for “Underground”. After which I simultaneously featured Olamide on ‘ringiringi’ which was a hit.

people a story no one can make up and no one can re-make as my music is free with honest energy in every song. I majorly spent that break learning sound engineering, music producing, show promotion and business.

I can do anything with my music I do free music and it means I can do anything with my music. I’ve always been good at any kind of music I put my mind to.

Good music for me is music what can give me a good feeling. That’s why I’m always keen on smart production and I never mess with my drums. I draw inspiration from other songs and personal events in my life.

My music is different because I’m different, I have different experiences and a different voice.

My musical influences My strongest musical influences are 2 baba, Drake, Michael Jackson and Travis scott. Let’s add Tory lanes for good measure. I would love to work with all my musical influences and would especially love to go bar for bar with Burna and Koffee.

Why I took a long break from music I went on a break to go to school and live an ordinary life because I knew it was going to be huge when I got back. My strategy is to give the

What my fans should be expecting I have made a major comeback in 2021 with my newly released hit track titled ‘Solo’ which I produced with help from Sigag and Elder Maxwell and final mixing and mastering

by Mix Monster. So far, I believe I have proven myself to be resilient, diligent, and ready to rule the music industry.

Goals as an artiste My goal is to have a solid fan base across the continents in the world, and to be the first artiste to perform on the moon. To achieve this, I have to grow my team and believe in them.

From my view, I could choose to see everything as a challenge or to see every challenge as an opportunity and I see myself in front of the whole world singing hit songs I haven’t yet made.

Kuchi

6pin’s World of Blessings It took the listening ears of his uncle to notice he had the gift of poetry and ability to put some word Áow into action and that was the beginning of his long journey into the ever-increasing music industry. For Comrade Izuchukwu Emmanuel aka 6pin, getting the right audience to appreciate his brand, while in a faraway country, was one huddle he was bent on over coming. That conscious fact brought him to that point where he had undergo a self-examination, trying to Àgure out if he was indeed ripe enough to be devoured by the ever growing music industry in Nigeria. With his own far share of swindlers in the industry, he was skeptical about taking the next move but as a determined young star, he was ready to deep foot into that ocean again without fear.

The inspiration behind his recently released record, Bless Me, is a more of a personal journey, experience, and constant cry to God. A trip down his

6pin

growing up days shows it wasn’t all bed of roses as some might want to imagine and knowing that he’s not just the only one drinking from the well of hardship, he decided that his story must be heard, not just for the

sake of releasing a record, but to also be a form of mirror to the youth and everyone who has had and is having a rough path in the journey of life.

As an independent artiste, aiming for greatness in an industry Àlled with lots of talents and cash to go round, it’s been an interesting ride for him thus far, having to headline a few concerts outside the shores of this country and being able to stamp his feet in the sands of history. One major obstacle that seems to be gradually giving room for dominance, has basically, been the ability to have a steady fanbase and always wanting to be better than his last. “ 6pin said: “With the feedbacks we have gotten so far from this project, we have decided to raise the bar a little higher so we always get to break new grounds with our projects, so Àngers crossed. lots of collaborations, within and outside the Nigeria music industry. Fingers crossed.”

SIPI out with ‘Oshofree’ Budding singer, Sipi Merit Oyebade otherwise known as SIPI has dropped yet another mind blowing single titled ‘Oshofree’ oͿ her yet to be released Extended Playlist. The new song, SIPI revealed, shows her ability to explore other sound other than her regular and believes her fans would appreciate her more.

The Delta born singer and songwriter grew up in PortHarcourt and currently residing in Lagos, the hub of entertainment, to explore every given opportunity. The multi-talented Afrobeat singer noted that her love for music started from childhood; however, she started recording and releasing songs in 2012.

Describing herself she said:

Sipi

“I’m a very diversiÀed artiste. I tend to Áow with whatever kind of music I’m given, I try as much not to limit my options and try to work with every sound.”

22

˜ ˾ JUNE 19, 2021

FEATURE

Senior Special Assistant to the President on African First Ladies Peace Mission, AFLPM, Dr. Mairo Al-Makura (middle) flanked by diplomats and other dignitaries at the 2021 International Day for the African Child commemoration at the Peace Mission in Abuja, Thursday

African First Ladies Push for a Continent Fit for Children June 16 every year is commemorated across the continent as Day of the African Child. Olaoluwakitan Babatunde traces the origin of the day, and writes that the African First Ladies are shinning the light in championing the wellbeing of the African child and could do better with international and more stakeholders’ support

A

rtheid government of South Africa, by storm on June 16 1976 when they trooped out to the streets of South West Town (Soweto) to protest the poor quality of education and systemic discrimination that put black students at grievous disadvantage. Also at the root of the uprising was the Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974, which sort to make Afrikaans (associated with white minority and described by Bishop Desmond Tutu as the language of the oppressor), the second official and compulsory learning/instructional language for black students.

The estimated 10,000 to 20,000 protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Down with Afrikaans”, “Viva Azania” “If we must do Afrikaans, Vorster must do Zulu”. Balthazar Johannes Vorster was Prime Minister of the apartheid government from 1966 to 1978 and President between 1978 and 1979. But security forces set police dogs after the peaceful protesters, who retaliated by killing the dogs. The police responded by shooting at the children, wounding many and killing several others, including 12-year old Hector Pieterson, whose photographed dying body became the face of the two-week uprising. Buy the time the smoke cleared, over 179 children laid dead, while about 4,000 were wounded.

It was in commemoration of the resilience and courage of these African children in defence of their rights and in honour of the dead, and need to uphold and create awareness around the ideals of quality and equitable education, welfare, and socio-economic justice that those children fought for that the Organisation of African Unity (O.A.U), now the African Union (AU) in 1991 designated June 16 every year as the Day of the African Child (DAC).

Since then, the DAC celebrates the children of the continent, under specific themes for each year, calling for serious reflection and commitment towards addressing the many challenges facing children across the African continent. For DAC 2021, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), which has spearheaded the DAC remembrance since 2002, chose the theme “30 Years after the Adoption of the Charter: Accelerate Implementation of Agenda 2040 For An Africa Fit For Children”.

Why Agenda 2040 matters Pursuant to the commitment of the African Union to actualise the ideals of the DAC and the objectives of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (the Charter), the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, ACERWC, established under Articles 32 and 33 of the Charter, adopted a 25-year agenda in 2016 for the long-term and strategic progress in implementing children’s rights in African continent.

Known as “Agenda 2040: Fostering an Africa fit for children”, the Agenda provides a child-centric focus based on Paragraph 53 of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which highlights children’s rights and welfare concerns and envisages an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens, and representing a dynamic force in the international arena. Thus, Agenda 2040 is a step towards the implementation of the Charter, which has been ratified by 50 nations, and provides for civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

Agenda 2040 is guided by 10 aspirations: the African Children’s Charter, as supervised by the African Children’s Committee to provide an effective continental framework for advancing chil-

dren’s rights; the existence of an effective child-friendly national legislative, policy and institutional framework in all Member States; the registration of every child’s birth and other vital statistics; every child survives and has a healthy childhood; every child grows up well-nourished and with access to the necessities of life; every child benefits fully from quality education; every child is protected against violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse; children benefit from a child-sensitive criminal justice system; every child is free from the impact of armed conflicts and other disasters or emergencies; and African children’s views matter.

However, despite the awareness created through DAC commemoration, and the lofty visions of the Charter and Agenda 2040, stakeholders believe and it is indeed self-evident that there is still not a long way to the ideal destination sought for African children. UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) reports that of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion. Over one-fifths of children between the ages of about 6 and 11 are out of school, followed by one-third of youth between the ages of about 12 and 14. In fact, nearly 60% of youth between the ages of about 15 and 17 are not in school.

The picture is grimmer for the girl-child. Across the region, UIS estimates that 9 million girls between the ages of about 6 and 11 will never go to school at all, compared to 6 million boys. Their disadvantage starts early. 23% of girls are out of primary school compared to 19% of boys. By the time they hit adolescence, the exclusion rate for girls is 36% compared to 32% for boys.

Conflicts and violent crimes such as terrorism and abductions are also part of the major factors currently militating against education and socio-economic welfare of the African child in general. This newspaper reported in March this year that 618 schools were shut down in the northern states of Niger, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, and Yobe states due to constant abductions by bandits in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria. Also, at least 936 students of secondary and tertiary institutions have been abducted between December 2020 and June 5, 2021.

African First Ladies pushes the Agenda Nevertheless, African First Ladies under the auspices of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, AFLPM, are not relenting in their push for children’s rights and welfare. It rallied children and stakeholders to Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on the occasion of the 2021 DAC to raise the ante in creating awareness on issues affecting African children and pushing for a better life for them.

Welcoming guests to the event attended by the diplomatic corps, international development partners, NGOs, the Civil Society, school children, Internally Displaced Children, and the Street Children Parliament, among others, the Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on African First Ladies Peace Mission, Dr. Mairo Al-Makura, said the Mission put the event together “to salute the courage of the African child and invest attention in their cause”.

“It is worthy to acknowledge the success, struggle and sacrifice of the African Child across the globe. We have witnessed the rise of the African child to positions of authority just as we have as well seen the undeniable plight of the African child. However, the zeal and spirit of the African child endures and persist in its resolve to thrive. The will of the African child would never be broken”, Dr. Al-Makura stated.

In their goodwill messages, Representatives of the UN Women to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Comfort Lamptey; High Commissioner of Cameroun to Nigeria, represented by Deputy

High Commissioner, Njoka Dinka; and the Ambassador of the Republic of Congo, among others, emphasised the need for African children to be heard and also supported to actualise their potentials.

On her part, the First Lady of Nigeria, and Chairperson of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, observed that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), classified the child rights under four broad themes: Survival, Development, Protection and Participation, stressing that none must be glossed over.

Mrs. Buhari also called on African governments, stakeholders, and families to continually show deserved commitment to the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child to ensure holistic growth and development of the continent’s children.

She averted their minds to Articles 16 (1) and 20 (1), which elaborately stipulates the roles of government, parents and guardians in protecting the child from all forms of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and also ensuring a total development and stability of the African child.

The Nigerian First Lady said: “The two Articles remind us of the popular saying ‘charity begins at home’. Parents and Guardians play a vital role in raising children that will grow up to be better citizens as they are the future leaders.

“I therefore call on all parents, guardians and states to take appropriate measures in bringing up our leaders of tomorrow!

These rights must therefore be safeguarded by all, and particularly by the family and the state. It is also very important to keep our dear children informed on their basic rights”.

She lamented the prevalence of child labour and the muzzling of children in Africa.

“It is indeed sad to note from research conducted by some organisations that Africa has the largest number of child labourers.

72.1 million African children are estimated to be in child labour and 31.5 million in perilous work. In most African countries, the voices of children have not been heard. Certain cultures and norms equally put children in the continent at a disadvantage.

“We are also aware that every disaster or conflict comes with terrible consequences for children. Besides protecting children from harm whenever we can, it is equally important to help them cope with the shattering effects of violence. This involves setting up child friendly spaces and emergency education “I urge all stakeholders to always make a difference, as we all know that every child has the right to survive and thrive especially in the face of violence. The African child is portrayed as one whose future is bleak.

“My concern presently is the right of a child to healthy living, right to care, right to go to school without fear of the unknown.

I appreciate the effort of governments to secure schools to avoid abductions of children, but I want to appeal to all stakeholders not to leave this aspect to governments alone”.

All hands on deck While the efforts of the AFLPM stand commended and worthy of emulation; and as the curtains fall on DAC 2021, it is crystal clear that improving the lots of African children requires a multistakeholders approach with everyone playing his/her part.

Mrs. Aisha Buhari summed up when she stated: “To ensure that the African Charter for children works, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to play their role effectively; we must work together to make Africa great!”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 19, 2021

23

FAIRGROUND with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Lagos State Funded Students Graduate at Ebonylife’s Creative Academy

T

he Àrst batch of 120 Àlm students of EbonyLife Creative Academy, (ELCA), Lagos State, graduated June 11 at an historic ceremony.

The students completed twelve weeks of classes and all their courses were free of charge, courtesy of funding by Lagos State Government through Lagos State Creative Industries Initiative (LACI), under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

The students took courses in Art of Screenwriting, Producing for Success, The Director’s Toolkit, Acting for Screen, Cinematography and Lighting, Art Direction for Film and TV, Audio Essentials for Film and TV, and Visual Postproduction.

Planned by local and foreign industry experts, the courses were designed to help working Àlm professionals improve their skills, and to equip beginners with the skills they need to launch their careers. Technical support and computers were provided by partners HP and Zinox, whose representatives were on hand to witness the ceremony.

At the end of their courses, groups of students from diͿerent disciplines merged into teams to produce a short Àlm each for exhibition. These six Àlms were shown during the graduation at EbonyLife Cinemas (EbonyLife Place), the lifestyle resort where the ceremony took place.

Each Àlm was greeted by sustained applause from the students and their VIP guests, as their impressive Àlmmaking skills were exhibited.

Several prizes were awarded to outstanding students, to recognise their eͿorts and the quality of their work.

Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf and EbonyLife’s CEO, Mo Abudu, addressed the academy’s Àrst set during the graduation.

Akinbile-Yusuf, remarked: “I am so proud of this Àrst batch of young Àlmmakers, who have spent the last three months honing their skills.

They are well on their way to becoming the highly skilled technical and creative Àlmmakers that we need to help us to drive the creative economy forward.”

Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, was equally impressed: “These graduates have made the most of the learning opportunities made possible by Lagos State’s funding of this Academy. As Nigerian Àlms begin to make an impact in world cinema, I believe that this new generation of Àlmmakers will tell our story in new and original ways.”

Beaming with pride, as his charges took photos and celebrated their success, Head of School, Mr. Theart Korsten spoke about their journey. “This group faced all the challenges we set and found a way overcome them. My hope is that they see the twelve weeks they spent at ELCA as the beginning of a never-ending process of lifelong learning, as their skills and the technology they use continues to evolve.”

The second intake of students at ELCA have started classes and set to graduate in September.

L-R: Head of School, Theart Korsten, Lagos Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Uzamat AkinbileYusuf and Mo Abudu

L-R: Mo Abudu and Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf

Mo Abudu, The Hon. Commissioner of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf and the Head of Departments (HOD’s ) of Ebonylife Creative Academy

Mo Abudu and Karima Effendi, HOD scriptwriting

Students of Ebonylife Creative Academy

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin Ajayi and Mo Abudu

Some of the students of Ebonylife Creative Academy

L-R: Head of Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI) Mrs Toyin Ogunlana, The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin Àjàyi; Mo Abudu; students of Ebonylife Creative Academy and Theart Korsten

Mo Abudu (3rd right) and students of Ebonylife Creative Academy

24

˜ ˾ JUNE 19, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

INEC’s Spelling Blunder

I

received two meaningful calls and a mail with regard to last week’s entry which declared that there was no such word as “invitee”. Both callers—one of them a purist, my chummy and soul-mate Kenneth Ugbechie—insisted that the word existed. Another contributor, Dr. Joe Aguolu, said in his definitive mail (below) that the word is listed in an unnamed and undated dictionary and thesaurus.

“I just read your column, where you said there was ‘no word known as invitees’. On the contrary, there is. A dictionary definition has ‘invitee’ as ‘a visitor to whom hospitality is extended.’ A thesaurus has ‘invitee’ as a synonym for guest.”

Let me reiterate that the focus of this column is formal (modern) British English usage—not traditional or regionalized English, which is usually dialectical with a dose of applicative circumscription!

“Invitee” is a piece of Americanism that has invaded Nigeria by way of language imperialism. Persistent abuse of a word or phrase does not confer acceptability or correctness on it. Sticklers must cleanse themselves of the juvenile indoctrination that everything in the dictionary is correct. This columnist, without being immodest, has developed the capacity and competency to justifiably question literary status quo and conventions.

This columnist is not interested in colloquial and informal (non-standard) entries, which may exist in ‘Abrahamic’ (ancient) registers, dictionaries and thesauruses! Personally, language currency is the sustainable path to toe—not faddishness, lexical conservatism, conventional wisdom and normative reliance. I have dictionaries, thesauri, English language textbooks and other general interest books which contain grammatical and factual blunders! For me, these publications

are guides which are not inviolable. Even the Bible, thesaurus and Shakespearean materials, as authoritative as they are, still contain lexical, structural and informational contradictions, if not fallacies. The edition of references is also critical because what is right today may be wrong tomorrow, depending on human strides, dynamism and universal language development.

Our familiarization with dated words or expressions in vogue in our locales should not mislead us into believing that they are sacrosanct and immutable. I welcome more constructive reactions to this and other issues raised here. My position on “invitee” still stands. According to D. W. Williams, past experience (sic) should be a guide post, not a hitching post.

Last week, I bought Webster’s Universal Dictionary & Thesaurus in further exploration of the two controversial words—‘invite’ and ‘invitee’. Of course, the book stood by me and even gave me more insights into these words and others that I will share with readers here in the weeks ahead. That a word is listed in some learner’s dictionaries does not make them absolutely right. There are lexical mistakes in some dictionaries and in almost all the bibles I have come across.

This is no blasphemy, please! Constructive reactions are welcome.

Back to our usual business: ”FG to conduct census on (of) older persons (simply the aged)” “Reps (Reps’) panel grills Monguno over $44m NIA fraud” “Continous Voter Registration (CVR)” (Full-page advertisement headline by INEC, most national newspapers, June 16, 2021) Always spell-check: Continuous. We must make our grammar count, too! “…systems hosting classified national security information amongst (among) oth-

ers.”

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is currently in a dilemma over the inability of five of the eight banks that failed the stress test in the industry in 2009 to get suitable partners.”

(NIGERIAN Tribune Front Page, 2 May) By every shred, “is” indicates currency. So, I do not understand this ubiquity in Nigerian newspapers: “is currently”. A rewrite: The CBN is in a dilemma….

“My most embarrasing day” (SUNDAY PUNCH Beauty Corner, May 30) Spell-check: embarrassing, but harassing.

“Exploitation of the underaged” (Sunday Tribune, May 30) Get it right: underage.

“Embattled community demands for ceasefire” (THISDAY Sunday, May 30) ‘Demand’ when used as a verb does not take ‘for’.

“First Bank Nigeria PLC’s result for the period is an attestation of the trend” (Source: as above) Money: attestation to (not of) the trend. “…there is no doubt that she will be able to steer the ship of the bank without any doubt, writes….” (THISDAY SUNDAY BUSINESS PEOPLE, May 2) Why the overkill of ‘doubt’?

“His Excellency…the Governor of…wishes to seize this opportunity….” Straight to the point: the governor uses or takes this opportunity. ‘Wishes’ and ‘seizes’ are pedestrian and obsolete in the circumstance. ‘Seize’ means, essentially, ‘to take by force’, et al (vide Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 9th Edition, and The New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary of English Language 2010). This could not have been the Executive Governor’s contemplation.

“Let sleeping dog lie!” (Vanguard, May 29) Sweet and Sour: Let sleeping dogs lie.

“More grease to your elbow.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, May 29) This way: More power (not grease) to your elbow. What future for the English language?

Kimono: 3 Years After, Nigeria Is Still ‘Under Pressure’

T

he bravura and symbolism of June 12, and the elements that coloured its significance, made this tribute impossible to produce last week - contrary to the ideal. Friday, last week, June 10 was exactly three years since the indefatigable reggae maestro and copyright activist, Augustine Onwubuya, the colourful son of Ekeleke Elumelu, in Delta State, danced off stage in his usual lumpy-slumpy ambling steps.

This was my tribute in the same week he died in 2018: “Barely two weeks ago, we were celebrating the shining star of one 60-year old...and about ten days after (on Sunday, June 10), Life happened to another 60-year old, Okwudili Ukeleke Elumelu Onwubuya, whom we all love to call Ras Kimono.

Both were born in the same month and year (May, 1958 - Ras on May 9 and Shina Peters 30th).

I remember on the day SSP was being celebrated at Federal Palace Hotel, VI... the top management staffers of COSON were abuzz about plans to storm the venue with a powerful delegation in solidarity with one of their nonexecutive directors. Of course, Tony Okoroji was the chief organizer of the party-going ensemble...but Ras Kimono, also a director at COSON, appeared to be delaying the trip... And it was well past 4pm...in Ikeja...for a 5pm event on the island.

When Tony eventually got the man with the longest dreadlocks I’ve seen on any man (or woman sef) on the telephone... he assured Tony not to be UNDER PRESSURE... that for that day, he was a LONE RANGER...as Lagos traffic had made him RUN FI COVER... But Tony wanted to know WHAT’S GWAN?...and the RUB-A-DUB master immediately BROKE THE BARRIER... revealing that he was storming the venue in a RHUMBA STYLEE and wasn’t going to GIMME LIKKLE SUGAR... since it was KIMONO DEY WANT. Well, Tony didn’t want BABYLON BURNING...he agreed with him to let NATTY GET JAIL... And surely, it wasn’t a day to chant WE NO WAN war!

Never a man to cling to the vanities of life...a deeply motivated pacifist who somehow separated his professional struggles from age-long friendships and camaraderie. One of his best pals and music soul mates is Orits Williki, the then chairman of MCSN - the other collecting society that has been in bitter, court-strewn battles with COSON, and its predecessors, for over 20 years! Yet, Ras Kimono, undazzled and undaunted, has been fervent as a member, and for many years, a director at COSON! Incredible humanist. Always in tune with old comrades...

before he shattered our ignorance in 1989 with his massive album, Under Pressure (which housed the evergreen Rhumba Stylee), Ras was peripherally associated with the rave Reggae band of the early ‘80s, Jah Stix - but he wasn’t a member (the original members were the lavishly talented guitarist and composer, Amos McRoy Jegg (now Pastor Amos Osifo), the inimitable Majek Fashek (who died two June’s after Kimono on June 1 - when we all thought he had been rehabilitated from drug abuse), the frenetic drummer, Black Rice Osagie (now a sage) and, later, George Orwell.

A great lover of the downtrodden... An unashamed talented voice for the ghetto dwellers; infused with a near idyllic romance with the concept of people power - a universal template where the Black people all over the world believe in the oneness and completeness of their genesis and civilization; and therefore interface so deeply and intricately that poverty, diseases, corruption, misgovernance and all the ailments besetting the black race would be eliminated. He believed in the capacity of the black man to evolve into a greater space and activity than is allowed by the shackles of neocolonialism and seemingly friendly imperialists.

I salute a good friend, brother, and kindred spirit...you have fought a good battle...be sure that you have finished your race with great aplomb. Your fans and music lovers will miss you greatly. Fight on...!

POSTSCRIPT: I, therefore, dedicate the following article (published in 2010) to the memory and exertions of Okwudili Ukeleke ‘Ras Kimono’ Onwubuya... the rub-a-dub grandmaster... Watch over your legacy! Maybe the living will embrace wisdom, and do the needful.

‘HOW TO REVIVE OUR REGGAE MUSIC I have a great fondness for Reggae music, right from secondary school age. My interest in it soared with the coming of age of our home-grown stars in the ‘80s and 90’s - Terra Kotta, Majek Fashek, Mandators, Ras Kimono, Orits Williki, Daniel Wilson, Alex Zitto, and a few others. Don’t even mention the international stars, too many to remember. Our boys were talented, energetic, and full of passion. They made great music, and we loved them to bits.

But the masters of our lives, Time and Change soon scattered our joy. One after the other, they dropped out of circulation. Some left our shores to seek better pastures in other lands. (The result of that is not my business today). Some others left the mic completely so that they can feed their family. Few others were stuck with the music, even when only a sprinkle bothered to listen.

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“I believe that our politicians ought to have become more mature, and that the maturity would manifest in their conducts (conduct).”

“My mission was to present a review of the book at the occasion.” (THE GUARDIAN, May 4) Return to the source: on the occasion.

The next three blunders are from the Nigerian Tribune of May 4: “They are taken through a two-week orientation seminar on American culture and press at the onset (outset) of the fellowship programme in June.”

“It is sad, very sad that the Nigerian police has never been known to use rubber bullets.”

Checking the excesses of security operatives: The Nigeria Police have (not has).

“The assistance of government is urgently needed in this matter as lack of co-operation by many residents is hampering the activities of vigilante (vigilance) bodies.”

“Similarly, at the advent of any coup in Nigeria, we discover that power in all ramification (ramifications) is taken over by the military.”

“An average number of the Southerners are readily willing even at short notice (a comma) to stab their own brother on (in) the back, if only to have a piece of the national cake.”

“Furthermore, the South seem (seems) to have taken the north for granted for too long.”

THE GUARDIAN of May 3 powered two mistakes: “We must entrench into (in) the statute books provisions for the recovery of stolen loot from outgoing governors, ministers and their proximate beneficiaries….” Is there any loot that is not stolen?

ADDENDUM: Today is my birthday! Pray for me and “show me love”, equally!

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

Since life does not like a vacuum, other types of music have taken over the streets. After Reggae music, came Pop music (we like to ‘’follow’’ America in chanting R n B, rhythm and blues)... and on its tail, hip-hop music quietly and stylishly seized the hearts of our kids. Today, as it has been since the turn of the millennium, Hip-Hop is the new spirit ruling almost all across the globe - the American wonder!

Despite all this, I believe Reggae music can make a spirited and successful attempt at taking a slice of the heart of our youth. After all, it is the authentic language of the oppressed and the ordinary folks. Its rhythm and lyrics speak to the inner coils of our rebellious resilience, and doggedness to survive against all odds. All they need to reclaim a chip of their old glory is to be more creative and accommodating.

At this juncture, a cliché is in order: one tree cannot make a forest. No. The first concern is, where are the performers who can give life to this glorious energetic music? And the worry is correct, because when you look at the field of play, what you see is not encouraging. There is the recent returnee, Ras Kimono. The last time I hugged Kimono, I could hardly reach his back to pat him. So, how will he do those his stage ragga jumps and belt out those throaty soulful lyrics? And you need a strong stomach to sing well.

Is it Orits Williki who is perpetually in struggles with his co-artistes on issues of ‘’who go collect royalties’’...you will think our artistes are more worried about old works than creating new ones? Dan Wilson is busy running between Abuja, PH, and Lagos seeing to his father’s business, we can even forgive him if he no longer knows how to switch on the microphone. And so on.

It does look gloomy and daunting, but it can still be done, with a little first step that can grow giant ideas. Let the best-known Reggae musicians put their egos under their beds, and come together, to produce one truly outstanding album.

Let them all contribute to each song according to their lyrical gifts and creative talents. Let them see this as a “survival” project not because they are hungry, poor, or jobless; but that the glory of Reggae music may return with greater impact.’”

The word is still on the streets unheeded, even as our flowers are plucked, now and again, by the grim reaper. So long, Kimono… the Natty warrior.

SATURDAY JUNE 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

19.06.2021

NEWS

GOING FOR BROKE PAGE. 31

Simy Nwankwo Latest Serie A Beautiful Bride

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2021

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Simy Nwankwo scored a stunning goal against Juventus

Simy Nwankwo Latest Serie A Beautiful Bride After his 20 goals last season failed to save Crotone from relegation, it was obvious that Super Eagles Striker, Simeon Nwankwo will not sink with the team especially with Lazio, Fiorentina and two other Serie A clubs already making enquiries on the Nigerian. However, it is Spanish side Real Betis that are making serious contact, and the future of the Nigerian international may be in La Liga, while not ruling out Belgian sides

T

he summer transfer window is barely a few days old, but La Liga side, Real Betis have joined Lazio in showing early interest for record-making Nigerian striker, Simeon ‘Simy’ Nwankwo, as reported by the Italian-based outlet TuttoMercatoWeb (via La Lazio Siamo Noi).

Lazio were among the first clubs noted to be planning on swooping for Simy, who banged in 20 Serie A goals despite playing for struggling Crotone.

But Betis have seemingly overtaken their Italian counterparts in the pursuit of Simy for a possible permanent transfer deal.

While Lazio have reportedly only made preliminary contacts with Simy’s representatives, Seville-based Betis have already established firm contacts with the Nigerian towards a potential summer move, the report added.

Simy is coming off an excellent campaign in Serie A.

The Super Eagles striker scored 20 goals for Crotone, which tied him with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile as the joint-fifth on the Serie A goalscorer’s chart.

In doing so, the 29-year-old became the Nigerian to have scored the most goals in a single campaign in Europe’s top five leagues, overtaking Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s previous record of 17.

Simy also eclipsed former Inter Milan star Obafemi Martins as the highest scoring Nigerian in the Serie A. Martins scored 28 times in 88 matches for Inter Milan, but Simy ended with 30 goals, all in the colours of Crotone.

Fiorentina are the latest club to join in the race to sign Nwankwo, according to Repubbilca, Fiorentina are now interested in signing the striker.

The newspaper said the striker is affordable and negotiations will be further helped by the fact that his club Crotone will play next season in the lower Serie B. Crotone have already said ‘Simy’ has attracted offers from teams in Serie A

as well as in the German Bundesliga.

His transfer market value is put at eight million Euros. He however, does not seem focused on the transfer window.

“I do not know. For now I’m in a place where I feel good and people love me, the transfer market doesn’t interest me,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport when he was asked about his future.

Despite dismissing concern about his future at Crotone, the club’s Sporting Director has revealed that the striker will certainly be sold.

“Simy has requests from Serie A, but above all from the Bundesliga. Many Serie A teams have requested for him, and he will certainly be sold. Simy is on the market because he is in great demand,” Crotone’s Sporting Director Beppe Ursino told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport earlier in June.

According to reports, newly promoted Salernitana lead the Serie A race for the Nigerian ahead of Lazio, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Genoa and Monza.

There are also French and Belgian clubs interested in the Super Eagle, whose contract with Crotone ends in 2022.

The Nigerian striker scored 20 goals in Serie A in the just-ended season. Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku scored more league goals in Italy than the Nigerian international.

Nwankwo also broke and surpassed the record as the highest Nigerian scorer in a single Serie A season.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Tottenham have also been mentioned as good destinations for Nigerian international Simeon Nwankwo.

Retired Super Eagles ace Christian Obodo believes the 29-year-old striker should pick the Gunners or Spurs over Brighton.

However, Simy wasn’t able to help his side survive in the top flight, and now looks likely to leave.

Simy’s contract runs until the summer of 2022 so chances are Crotone could cash in on their asset.

The four-cap Nigerian international is said to be on the radar of Premier League side Brighton, plus a few Serie A sides.

However, Obodo doesn’t want his compatriot to join the Seagulls, instead urging him to consider Arsenal or Tottenham if he wants a move to England.

“If Simy wants to move to England, not to join Brighton,” Obodo told All Nigeria Soccer.

“He should go somewhere like Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, the big teams.”

However, Nigeria’s all-time Serie A record appearance holder would like Simy to remain in Italy.

“For me the best place for him to go as a player because I was in those three clubs Fiorentina, Udinese and Torino, I would prefer Fiorentina,” he said.

Asked when was the first time he kicked a football, Simy said: “I was little, I was maybe four years old.

I started playing at home, outside, everywhere. Every time. I always wanted the ball between my feet. My father said I was sick from this game. It didn’t take much to give birth to my passion, or rather obsession, for football.”

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EURO 2020…EURO 2000… EURO 2020…

Portugal, Germany Jostle for Round of 16 Ticket When the fixtures for the Euro 2020 was made and defending champions Portugal were pitched alongside world champions France and European football powerhouse, Germany in group F, the group was immediately tagged ‘Group of Death’ and it has not failed to live up to its billing.

That is why Europe would be on a standstill as Cristian Ronaldo’s Portugal would be hoping to cement their position in the group having won their first match, while Germany would be going for broke after losing their going down to France in their first match

Portugal’s Captain, Cristiano Ronaldo rounds up Germany defender, Mats Hummels

Portugal will be looking to book their spot in the knockout round of the European Championship with one match to spare when they take on Germany in Munich today.

Fernando Santos’s side opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 3-0 win over Hungary, but Germany have work to do in Group F, having suffered a 1-0 loss to tournament favourites France.

Portugal were actually level with Hungary approaching the final stages of their contest in Budapest, and it did appear that it would be a frustrating start to the section for the reigning champions.

However, Raphael Guerreiro made the breakthrough in the 84th minute of the contest before Cristiano Ronaldo came up with a late double to make it a three-goal success for Portugal and ensure that he would become the all-time leading goalscorer in European Championship history.

Santos’s side will head into today’s clash knowing that a win would book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition, while

they would confirm a position in the top two if they triumph and Hungary do not overcome France in Group F’s other contest on the same night.

A Selecao have a strong overall record in this competition, reaching the semi-finals in 1984, 2000 and 2012, while they were present in the final eight of Euro 1996 and Euro 2008.

Portugal were also runners-up on home soil at Euro 2004 and are, of course, the holders, having beaten France 1-0 in the final of Euro 2016. Santos’s team are now on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, but they have lost each of their last four international fixtures with Germany, including a 4-0 defeat when the two teams last locked horns at the 2014 World Cup. Germany, meanwhile, will enter this key contest off the back of a 1-0 defeat to France on Tuesday, with an own goal from Mats Hummels deciding the contest in Munich.

In truth, it was a disappointing performance from Joachim Low’s side, who struggled to create opportunities, and it will be fascinating to see whether there are any

changes for this clash with Portugal.

Die Mannschaft will be unable to finish in the top two positions if they lose this match and Hungary do not beat France, but third, which could potentially bring a spot in the round of 16, would still be open.

Germany will be desperate to bounce back today, though, as they bid to qualify for the knockout round of the European Championship for the fourth time in succession. Having won the tournament in 1996, the Germans then failed to make it out of the group stage in 2000 and 2004. DFB-Elf finished as runners-up at Euro 2008 before making the semi-finals in 2012 and 2016, though, and it would not be a surprise to see them advance deep into this competition despite their issues against France.

In the other group game, France will aim to maintain their perfect start to Euro 2020 when they make the long journey to Budapest to face off against Hungary today.

The hosts fell victim to a 3-0 defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal during their first game, while France started as

EURO 2020 Continues this Weekend on DStv, GOtv

The Euro 2020 group stage matches continue this weekend and all the live football action will be available to SuperSport viewersonDStvandGOtv. Football fans can watch live on the dedicated SuperSport EURO2020 channel (DStv channel 204 and GOtv Channel 32).

Group A fixtures for this week is scheduled for Sunday evening when Switzerland faces Turkey at 5pm and Italy also clashes with Wales at 5pm. These matches will be shown live on SuperSport EURO2020 Channel (DStv channel 204 and GOtv channel 32).

In Group C, North Macedonia to take on Netherlands on Monday 21 June at 5pm live on SS EURO2020 (DStv channel 204

and GOtv channel 32), while Ukraine’s clash with Austria at 5pm will air live on SS Football (DStv channel 205 and GOtv channel 31).

The Group D matches goes underway on Tuesday 22 June, when Croatia faces Scotland at 8pm live on SS EURO2020 (DStv channel 204 and GOtv channel 32) and Czech Republic will face England also at 8pm live on SS Football (DStv channel 205 and GOtv channel 31).

It’s a tougher week for the group E teams, as Spain clashes with Poland today at 8pm, live on SS EURO2020 (DStv channel 204 and GOtv Channel 32). While on Wednesday 23 June, Slovakia versus Spain to air at 5pm live

on SS EURO2020 (DStv channel 204 and GOtv Channel 32) and Sweden versus Poland to air live on SS Football (DStv channel 205 and GOtv Channel 31) Today, Hungary versus France will air at 2pm, and Portugal versus Germany will air at 5pm, both live on SS EURO2020 (DStv channel 204 and GOtv Channel 32). On Wednesday, at 8pm, Portugal versus France will be showing live on SS EURO2020 (DStv channel 204 and GOtv Channel 32), while Germany versus Hungary will be live on SS Football (GOtv Channel 31).

Viewers on DStv and GOtv can see all their favourite European stars vying for UEFA Euro 2020 glory in June and July 2021.

they mean to go on with a 1-0 success over Germany.

The almost alien sight of a full arena of spectators was a breath of fresh air as Hungary welcomed Portugal to the Puskas Arena on Tuesday, and the reigning champions failed to make their dominance count until a seven-minute flurry in the dying embers of the match.

After substitute Szabolcs Schon had a goal ruled out for offside, Portugal drew first blood in the 84th minute as Raphael Guerreiro’s effort trickled past Peter Gulacsi, and the man for the international stage Ronaldo would add a further two strikes to break Michel Platini’s European Championship goalscoring record.

Hungary manager Marco Rossi took the blame on the day after making in-game alterations which he felt did not pay off, but the 56-year-old witnessed his determined outfit keep Ronaldo and company at bay for 84 minutes on the day, and that is certainly something to be applauded.

Occupying a spot in the group of death with France, Germany and Portugal was always expected to end in dismay for Hungary whose 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions was ended at the hands of Portugal but Rossi’s men have proven that they will not go down waving the white flag.

A shock result against 2014 World Cup winners Germany - who also lost their opening game could yet spell a remarkable third-placed finish for 37th-ranked Hungary, who were eliminated by Belgium in the last16 stage five years ago, but not many will be placing bets on Rossi’s men getting one over the reigning world champions.

Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe will not be making friends with the officials anytime soon after both strikers had goals disallowed versus Germany on matchday one, but Didier Deschamps’s men nevertheless managed to sink Die Mannschaft five years after dumping them out of the Euro 2016 semi-finals. With 20 minutes on the clock, veteran defender Mats Hummels inadvertently turned Lucas Hernandez’s cross into his own net for the game’s only goal, as France made the ideal start to their group of death campaign en route to an expected top-two finish in the group.

Les Bleus will renew hostilities with their 2016 final opponents Portugal next Wednesday and will be desperate to enact revenge on Fernando Santos’s men, so sweeping aside a normally resilient Hungary outfit would be the perfect tonic for the early favourites, who have now won five in a row with five clean sheets to boot.

Roberto Mancini’s well-drilled Italy outfit are the only nation in Europe to boast more clean sheets than France since the turn of the year, and another shut-out on Hungarian soil would see Les Bleus register six successive clean sheets for the first time since 2007 - when they were under the tutelage of the evercontroversial Raymond Domenech.

Furthermore, France head into today’s game on a five-match winning streak against Hungary - who have not prevailed over Les Bleus since 1976 - and goals from Djibril Cisse and Florent Malouda saw France win 2-1 the last time these sides met in a 2005 friendly.

EURO 2020 GROUP F Team P W D L F A GD Pt Portugal 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3 France 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3 Germany 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0 Hungary 1 0 0 1 0 3 -3 0

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Newly elected Deputy President, African Table Tennis Federation, Enitan Oshodi flanked by African top ping ponger, Aruna Quadri

CEO TMCL Kenneth Ezaga

After Maiden Lagos Tennis Cup, TMCL Thinks Bigger Lekki-based Tennis Management Company Limited put its first show on the road – the recently concluded Lagos Tennis Cup. The tournament featured 16 of the best players in Nigeria comprising eight men and eight women. All participants qualified for the tournament after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2021 CBN Open. Speaking about the experience, TMCL CEO Kenneth Ezaga says stakeholders can expect bigger and better tournaments to follow as his company marches on with its vision to take Nigerian tennis to the top-end of the global game in 20 years.

Asked to rate he maiden edition of the tournament, Kenneth Ezaga said: “The Lagos Tennis Cup is designed to be annual event featuring the best Nigerian players. I think we laid a good foundation with our maiden tournament

last week.

We learned a lot and I can assure you that what will follow next from our stables are bigger and better tournaments.

On whether tennis is popular enough to attract the kind of sponsorship needed to sustain this, he said, “We had a few sponsors, but we have to be patient. The Lagos Tennis Cup will take time and investment to build into a formidable product. It’s all about innovative thinking and staying power. Tennis is popular with the middle to upper class bracket.

It was one of Nigeria’s most popular sports before the collapse of the domestic sports industry in the 1990s.

Even today, go to any sports recreation club in Nigeria and you’re likely to find that their tennis sections are the biggest and most active. There are many strong brands that

target these people if you have a solid product.”

The numbers could have been better surely. However, two major factors proved decisive. First, the Covid-19 situation, and second, the June 12 protests that happened over the weekend of the tournament. People were apparently scared to leave their homes.

Some even bought our tickets but chose safety over entertainment. Those who came had a blast, so going forward we expect a bigger crowd.

“We are doing the Abuja Tennis Cup next in November-December.

It will be a year ending event like the ATP finals.

It will involve the top eight ranked players in the country in both the men and women’s games.

Sports lovers in Abuja can expect a great time,” Ezaga noted.

ISL Dominates at Maltina School Games International School, Lagos (ISL) team were the cynosure of all eyes at the Lagos State finals of the 2021 Maltina School Games held at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex after winning most of the awards at the tournament.

Over 410 schools in the six education districts of Lagos took part with ISL carting home most of the individual awards. Apart from the individual awards, ISL was also adjudged the best 2021 athletics school in Lagos.

ISL won seven gold, five silver, and two bronze medals to add to the medal haul of Education District four

with the duo of Oluwademilade Ajayi and Olufemisola Mohammed contributing the majority of the ISL’s medals to be adjudged the best U-17 (boy) and U-15 (girl) athletes of the competition. Mohammed Tiamiyu of Ijaiye Housing Estate Junior School and Alimot Alowonle of Tindip College, Ikorodu emerged as the best athletes in U-15 (boy) and U-17 (girl).

Education District two emerged as the overall champion with 12 gold, 10 silver, and two bronze medals. District four finished second with 10 gold, five silver, and four bronze medals, while

District one came third with seven gold, seven silver, and eight bronze medals.

Ajayi claimed gold in the long jump, 4X100m as well as silver medals in 400m, 200m and 100m to be named the best (boy) in the senior category while 14-year-old Mohammed emerged as champion in 200m, 400m, and long jump to be rated the best junior athlete (girl).

For their feat, Ajayi and Mohammed got N500, 000 each as well as other consolation prizes and trophies.

An excited coach of ISL, Ernest Ijeoma attributed the feat to the commitment of the athletes cum support from the school management and parents.

Crunchy Fixtures in Euro 2020 Live on StarTimes this Weekend

This weekend will be packed with exciting fixtures in EURO 2020.

Wounded Germany will seek to rekindle their title chase when they clash with Portugal.

StarTimes is offering a wide range of affordable watching options to ensure every home can enjoy the thrilling tournament.

StarTimes brings all the matches on Basic Bouquet (antenna users) for N1700 monthly or N160 daily, and Smart Bouquet (dish users) for N2200 monthly or N200 daily. New subscribers can get StarTimes dish and decoder kit for N8900 to see all the EURO 2020 matches live in HD. Today, Group F’s Group of Death will provide an exciting match with Portugal facing Germany at 5 pm on StarTimes World Football channel.

Portugal beat Hungary 3-0 in their opening

game, with Raphael Guerreiro opening the scoring before Ronaldo scored twice to take his European Championship haul to an all-time record of 11 goals. Germany lost their opening game against world champions France 1-0.

On the same day, France will try to take the Group F lead against Hungary at 2 pm while Spain vs. Poland match will kick off at 8 pm.

Italy became the first side to book their place in the last 16 of Euro 2020 after a 3-0 win against Switzerland. Wales took a significant step towards qualifying for the knock-out stages after prevailing 2-0 against Turkey. They will seek a win against Italy on Sunday to secure the second qualifying spot in Group A, after drawing 1-1 with the Swiss in their opening game. Italy and Wales will clash on Sunday at 5 pm. Switzerland will take on Turkey at 5 pm.

My Priority’s Repositioning African Table Tennis, Says Oshodi Enitan Oshodi’s passion for table tennis knows no bounds, it therefore came as no surprise when he emerged as the Deputy President, African Table Tennis Federation, the first Nigerian to achieve the feat.The former President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation revealed to Kunle Adewale how he hopes to reposition African Table Tennis, improve the rankings of African players and many more

P

layers such as Aruna Quadri and Jide Omotayo may not have gotten to the height they are today in table tennis but for the effort of Enitan Oshodi. As the President of Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, he took the sport to a new level, little wonder the continent is counting on the newly appointed Deputy President of African Table Tennis Federation, ATTF for the repositioning of ping pong in Africa.

Asked how he hopes to reposition African Table Tennis, he said: “I think the most satisfactory thing about the election results was the number of people of like minds who have now been elected into the board of the ATTF. I think we are all agreed on the need for change in many areas of our sport and the urgency in making this change so we would not be left behind. We need to make our sport more exciting and we need to find new ways using old and new media to showcase our top talents across all age groups.

“We have so many gifted athletes and we must develop pathways that will help them achieve their goals in the sport. We also must note that our different member associations are at different levels in their development. We have to be creative in seeking ways to fast-track development of some Associations to enable them catch up with others. We have a great team on board and I am quietly confident that within the next couple of years the impact of the Board will be felt around the continent.”

The gap between African ping pongers and that of their European and Chinese counterparts is getting wider by the day, making the continent’s players to be at par with their European and Chinese counterparts is on the priority list of Oshodi.

“African players need a lot more help to get them to that level. We must help them by giving them the best coaching and guidance at a much earlier age. We are lucky that we now have loads of young talents across the continent who are following the good example and success of Aruna Quadri and Omar Assar but we need to harness this talent much earlier. This needs more training programmes for the development of our coaches and young players from a much earlier age. This will assist in identifying the really talented players and guide them into world class players. “Currently we have five African players in the world’s top 100 but we need to aim to get around 15 more players there and possibly three or four in the world’s top 20. We need to find the funding to assist our players attend the ITTF training camps as well as professional tour events where they play regularly against the best in the world. This is how our top players like Quadri, Jide Omotayo and Omar Assar have improved to the level of the best players in the world. Funding is critical to the development of our players,” the former Lagos State Sports Commissioner highlighted.

On how his immediate constituency-Nigeria can benefit from his new position, the engineer cum lawyer reacted thus: “What is most important is that being on the board gives one a broad view of the help that is available to all member associations in helping to develop the sport in individual countries. There are many ways that this will ultimately benefit Nigeria. Training programmes, hosting of events, sourcing of scholarships for young players. One can advise the Federation on ways to help them achieve their goals.

“As a former President of NTTF, I know what we need in Nigeria and it goes without saying that one will always keep an eye out for how one can work with the ATTF in getting us the needed help.”

The Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, alumni attributed the overwhelming support he enjoyed during the election to the works he had been doing in Nigerian table tennis and across the Western Region of Africa.

“It was really heartwarming to receive such an endorsement from one’s colleagues and peers. It is a great honour. I had received a lot of encouragement from different countries to run and in turn we had tried to reach out to a lot of the delegates. The outcome was really pleasing and hopefully a testament and endorsement of the work we have been doing in Nigerian table tennis and across the Western Region of Africa,” an excited Oshodi said.

The former NTTF boss would however not want to be dragged into the issue of what he would want to be remembered for as an administrator in years to come.

Due to the thankless nature of the job and family commitment, Oshodi had quit administering the game severally, but his love and passion for the sports lured him back.

“Everybody who has worked at the top of sports administration has definitely felt the need to quit at some time. It can be a thankless and frustrating job quite often. Especially when you realise that most times you are really working as a volunteer in an unpaid capacity. I have quit as an administrator on a couple of occasions but the lure of the sport draws you back. Despite my busy practice as a lawyer, I still really enjoy being involved in sports. After my family and friends sport is my happy place,” he noted.

“I am really too concerned about that. People will judge you and make their views known then. But for me the important thing is that I always tried to do the best for the athletes I worked with and for sports generally.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Osayi-Samuel

Bright Osayi-Samuel Torn Between Two Scottish Top Clubs

His move from Queens Park Rangers to Fenerbache during the January transfer window was with high expectation but an injury he sustained cut short his dream as his playing time was reduced. Bright Osayi-Samuel is now hoping for a return to UK with Scottish bitter rivals-Rangers and Celtic setting to pounce

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freportscomingoutofTurkeyisanything to go by, Nigerian-born winger may be dumping Turkish side Fenerbache, though he is still undecided between joining Glasgow Rangers or Celtic.

According to Turkish sports daily, Fanatik, Osayi-Samuel is undecided over his future at Fenerbahce ahead of the forthcoming season.

The former Queens Park Rangers dazzler is having a hard time choosing whether to accept an offer from Scottish Premiership champions Glasgow Rangers or their bitter rivals Celtic.

Osayi-Samuel transferred to Fenerbahce in the winter transfer market but things have not gone as planned, with the player scoring just once in 19 appearances across all competitions.

Towards the end of the season, the 23-yearold lost his place in the starting lineup, starting only one of the last eight games played by the Yellow Canaries in the division.

The Anglo-Nigerian has not been helped by fitness issues, with an ankle injury ruling

him out of the home game against Kasimpsa.

Osayi-Samuel is worried about not getting playing opportunities next season should he remain at Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce are willing to sell OsayiSamuel and some fringe players to boost their transfer kitty.

Meanwhile, Rangers are once again set to miss out on Osayi-Samuel, according to Football Insider.

The report suggests the Scottish champions have approached Turkish giants Fenerbahce over a potential move for the 23-year-old, having missed out on his services when he initially left Queen Park Rangers.

However, the Istanbul club are believed to have indicated that they had no interest in selling the player this summer.

Given Rangers are thought to have attempted to sign him twice, it seems reasonably fair to assume Osayi-Samuel is highly thought of by those at Ibrox.

Predominantly a right-winger, the former Blackpool youngster could well have offered Steven Gerrard more competition on that

flank amid suggestions Ianis Hagi could leave the club this summer.

Since moving to Turkey, the forward has undoubtedly struggled.

According to WhoScored data, he averages far fewer shots per game (0.7 to 1.3) than he did in the Championship during the first half of the season, as well as fewer key passes (0.6 to 1).

Clearly, it’s hard to be too critical of that considering this is a young player adapting to a new league and, with all due respect to the Scottish Premiership, there is an argument to suggest the Turkish Super Lig is of a higher quality.

With that in mind, perhaps judging Osayi-Samuel solely on what he’s done for Fenerbahce would be slightly unfair.

With Hagi linked away, it does look like an area in which the club could strengthen.

While Rangers don’t exactly struggle for firepower, Joe Aribo is the only other recognised option there and, without Hagi, Gerrard would lose his most prolific source of assists.

To suggest the Scottish champions desperately need another winger would be a touch hyperbolic considering their success in the season just gone but, to build on their title win, it does look like an area in which they could do with investment.

Speaking on Sky Sports back in December, EFL pundit Don Goodman predicted a big future for the player.

“This fella, I think he will go to the next level,” he said.

“I don’t think I have a shadow of a doubt that he will go to the next level.”

Confusion surrounds the origin of claims in a Turkish report which suggests Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are not interested in selling at Rangers current offer for Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Urfa Degisim claim that the Turkish giants “did not look forward to selling Osayi-Samuel with its offer” but suggested “an agreement could be reached on the rental formula.”

Whilst the translation is unidiomatic, the outlet appears to believe that Fenerbahce have knocked back Rangers’ approach at the current price but would be open to a loan-tobuy deal.

However, the confusion comes when the report claims that this has been made clear in Scottish reports despite the origins of the links coming from Turkey.

Reports surrounding apparent Rangers interest in Osayi-Samuel intensified this week after a leading Turkish journalist claimed the Gers had made an offer for the player.

Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has claimed that the Gers had made an official approach for the player and Fenerbahce coach Emre Belözolu will now decide the player’s future.

The 23-year-old ex-QPR forward was linked to Rangers in January but would sign a pre-contract deal with Fener the same month before the move was made permanent not long after.

Fotospor have also previously credited the Gers with an interest and claimed OsayiSamuel wants a return to the UK with Fenerbahce looking for around £3m (€3.5m) for the player.

Osayi-Samuel was managed by ex-Gers manager Mark Warburton at QPR, with the former Ibrox gaffer admitting he didn’t want the player to leave Loftus Road.

“I think I made my thoughts clear in that I thought Bright would have benefited enormously from another full season at QPR to get that consistency of performance and to keep on learning,” said Warburton.

“He’s a very young player with tremendous attributes in terms of pace and ability.

“But it’s a steep learning curve and, when you take these moves and he and his representatives are well aware of this – the pressure grows significantly.

The spotlight on you intensifies significantly and you have to deliver.

“I always worry about young players because that learning and development is so important.

“Sometimes you can miss one or two lessons, which comes back to bite you further down the line.

“I hope very much it’s a good move for him and that we see him back in the UK at some stage at a really high level.

“But it’s a very, very tough learning curve – have no doubts about that.”

Rangers fans will be eager to get to the bottom of the claims as they continue to look forward to new signings ahead of the next campaign.

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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˜ ˾ JUNE 19, 2021

EVENTS

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t was a celebration galore on Saturday June 12th, when family members and friends gathered at a private reception in Lagos in honour of an accomplished and committed family man, Engr. Owen Babatunde Dawodu who turned 70 on May 1st, 2021. In their tributes, his immediate family, church members and former colleagues talked glowingly about this transparent and humble man who has continued to be a role model in the circular world and in the vineyard of God. Here are some of the invited guests at the ceremony.

L-R: Officiating Minister and Bishop of Methodist Diocese of Ereko, Lagos, Rt. Rev. Olukayode Adeogun, Dr. Adekola Akinleye and wife, Deaconess Kehinde Akinleye

L–R: Alhaja Adebisi Ebiti, Celebrant, Engr. Owen Babatunde Dawodu and wife, Mrs. Oluremi Dawodu and Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti

Celebrant, Engr. Owen Babatunde Dawodu and wife, Mrs. Oluremi Dawodu cutting the 70th birthday cake

L-R: Son of the celebrant, Bamidele Dawodu, his wife, Omotoke and Moyosore Idowu

L-R: Brother of the celebrant, Mr. Olasumbo Dawodu and wife, Mrs. Olatayo L-R: Engr. Abimbola Obitayo, Engr. Kehinde Adeniyi and Mr. Rafiu Williams Dawodu

L-R: Mrs. Efua Ajose-Adeogun, Mrs. Biola Siffre and Mrs. Foluke Soretire

L-R: Mrs. Margaret Bajulaiye and husband, Mr. Babatunde Bajulaiye

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁˜ ͰͮͰͯ

EVENTS

L-R: Kehinde and Idowu Soretire

L-R: Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and Mr. Saula Olokodana

L-R: Mrs. Oluwaseun Seriki and Mrs. Olubunmi Labinjo

L-R: Barrister and Mrs. Onakoya

L-R: Deaconess Tinuade Adelaja and husband, Deacon Kunle Adelaja

L-R: Mrs. Yemisi Daramola and Dr. Paul Olojede

R–L: Mrs. Adeola Idowu (sitting), baby Mowaserere Dawodu and Mrs. Omotoke Dawodu L-R: Mr. Harry Agbo and Master of Ceremony, Mr. Feso Oyebade

Celebrant and his wife, Engr. and Mrs. Babatunde Dawodu

Alhaji and Alhaja Rafiu Adisa Ebiti

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 19, 2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Tips for Maintaining the Shocks and Struts of Your Vehicle Riding along hilly or rough roads can be a hell of a joy ride. You feel your body bounce and sway with thrill and excitement at every bump but not when you’re thinking about your car’s suspension. And it’s even worse when you’re supposed to be cruising along a smooth highway but you’re still feeling like you’re operating a jackhammer. That’s a major cause to be alarmed. When this kind of thing happens then you can be sure there’s already a problem with your car’s shocks and struts. Shocks and struts are two distinct items that are part of your car’s suspension system.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo test-driving Hyundai Kona assembled in Nigeria, in Abuja… recently

Osinbajo Test Drives Locally Assembled Hyundai Kona, Says Fantastic

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ice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the Hyundai Kona Electric Car assembled in Nigeria as a fantastic machine, after a test drive.

The Hyundai Kona was one of the exhibits at the made-inNigeria products at the opening ceremony of a Àve-day Nigeria @ 60 Expo being held recently at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The event was organised by the Inter-ministerial Committee on Nigeria @ 60 in collaboration with Business Visa and Training Co Ltd. Osinbajo expressed excitement at the innovation and said he was hopeful of a bright future for Nigeria.

“A very good drive; fantastic; it just shows what is possible,” he said, adding, “I am glad to see that this is an assembled-in-Nigeria Electric Car. “You can literally charge it anywhere; I think it is a very fantastic innovation; fantastic product, and I can tell because I drove it.”

Not being discouraged by the infrastructural challenges in the country, Stallion Group, Nigeria’s exclusive assembler and distributors of Hyundai brand, rolled out Hyundai Kona, the nation’s

Àrst ever Electric Vehicle (EV) in conjugation with Hyundai Motors Nigeria, purposely to embark on the attitudinal change for a clean environment.

And Hyundai Motors Nigeria recognised this paradigm shift in the transportation sector by bringing in electric mobility that is a step towards the same goal.

Assembled in Stallion Group’s VON Assembly plant at Ojo, Lagos and launched into the Nigerian market late 2020, Nigeria’s Àrst ever Electric car has since attracted kudos from various government functionaries, including the National Assembly.

100 electric with zero carbon emission, the Kona can go up to a range of 482 km with an acceleration of (0-100kms) in 9.7 seconds on a single battery cycle of a capacity of 64 KWH. The ease of charging is unmatched and can be plugged in at home or work for 9.35 hours for a full battery.

Since debuted worldwide, KONA Electric has been widely lauded for its class-leading driving range, fast-charging capability, safety and convenience features. Though an EV, Kona comes with some of the safety features that are not even available in cars powered by the traditionally known Internal Combustion engine. For instance, aside

multiple safety airbags, it comes with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which uses the car’s front-facing camera and radar to help detect an imminent collision and avoid impact or minimize damage by braking autonomously, thanks to the new Hyundai SmartSense safety technologies.

No wonder, the Kona went through the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) carried out by the United States’ National Highway Tra΀c Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was awarded the highest safety rating of 5 stars.

Kona is so smart that it is capable of sensing road markings, using Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), which helps to prevent accidental lane departure and may automatically steer the car if required.

This Àrst EV to be locally assembled in Nigeria also comes with Driver Attention Warning (DAW), which monitors the owner/driver’s driving patterns.

It even detects drowsy or inattentive driving and alerts the driver with a sound cue and warning message on the instrument panel. Additional safety technologies in the vehicle include Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross Tra΀c Warning (RCCW). No wonder, it recorded a Àrst-rate crash test result.

Lifestyle Update for Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé

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he globally successful AMG GT 4-Door Coupé is now even more individual than ever, so strengthening its position as the perfect automotive companion for any life situation. An exclusive edition underlines the multifaceted character of the four-door sports car. In addition, there is an extended choice of wheels, upholstery, trim, exterior colours and a retuned suspension with an even wider spread between sportiness and comfort. Thanks to an extensive update last summer, the AMG GT 4-Door Coupé already has state-of-the-art technology. New features include updated driving assistance systems and, fitted as standard, the Widescreen Cockpit including the MBUX multimedia system with AMG-specific displays and functions. The new models will make their debut with the 6-cylinder variants, which will be arriving at European dealerships as early as August.

The third complete vehicle to have been developed

by Mercedes-AMG is a continuing success story.

The AMG GT 4-Door Coupé has opened up new customer groups and generated a lot of liking for the brand. It combines the supreme driving dynamics of the AMG GT sports car with enhanced everyday practicality, thanks to four doors and space for up to five passengers. The sophisticated air suspension, the active rear-axle steering, the fully variable all-wheel drive and modern overall concept are delighting customers all over the world. Given that the car is the holder of the record for the fastest time on the North Loop of the Nürburgring, it is also clear that the technology and fine-tuning are at the highest level and set benchmarks in the segment.

This model series has also raised the bar further in the interior with the high-quality and precise design of all surfaces and components, the innovative display controls, the steering wheel buttons and the numerous seat and equipment configurations.

Although it already offered an impressive range

of customisation options for this segment - from three seating configurations in the rear and a range of equipment packages through to AMG-specific individual options - further attractive choices have now been added.

“We constantly maintain our AMG GT 4-Door Coupé at an outstanding technical level. With the current update and the exclusive edition, we are reaching out to the target groups that place the greatest value on individuality and an expressive lifestyle. In this way, we continue to develop our profile as a “Performance Luxury” brand and go on to substantiate this with tailor-made products

AMG GT 4-Door Coupé

and options. In addition, we will soon be presenting our first E PERFORMANCE hybrids in this model, thereby driving forward the electrification of the powertrain,” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The design of the six-cylinder versions remains unchanged, but the front view can be optionally adapted to the look of the eight-cylinder models.

There are three new exterior colours for all models: spectral blue metallic, spectral blue magno (matt finish) and cashmere white magno (matt finish). A total of five matt finishes, five metallic shades and two solid colours are now available.

What’s a suspension system?

The components that make up the car’s suspension include the chassis, the spring coils that bear the weight of the car, and the shock absorbers that shield the springs any time you walk over the hump. The struts, along with the anti-sway bar, are also part of the suspension.

The struts provide structural protection for the needs of the car and provide a stable structure and body for the engine.

The anti-sway bar helps to move the wheels and holds the car steady, particularly when turning around corners. The tires are also a part of the suspension, and it is important to keep them in good condition, too.

Your car is a machine that generates a great amount of vibrations, force and inertia so it requires structural balance and this is what the car’s suspension system provides.

Each tire of your vehicle has a shock or strut but never both. A shock cannot be used in place of a strut and a strut cannot be used in place of a shock.

SO WHAT ARE SHOCKS? Despite what is commonly believed, a typical shock absorber does not support vehicle weight. What it actually does is control the spring and suspension movement. This is being done by this component by turning the suspension’s movement from kinetic to energy into thermal or heat energy, to be dissipated by the hydraulic fluid.

Shock absorbers are essentially oil pumps. Attached to the end of the piston rod is a piston that works in opposition to the hydraulic fluid in the pressure tube.

As the suspension goes up and down, the hydraulic fluid is pressed through orifices, which are tiny holes inside the piston. However, these orifices only let small amounts of fluid through the piston. This slows down the piston, slowing down the spring and suspension movement as well.

The degree of resistance the shock absorber produces depends on the height of the suspension and the amount and scale of the piston orifices. All current shock absorbers are velocity responsive hydraulic damping devices-the quicker the suspension goes, the greater the resistance of the shock absorber. Thanks to this function, shock absorbers are suited to road conditions. As a result of this, shock absorbers decrease the risk of rolling or swaying, bouncing, brake diving and acceleration squat.

(Source: Cash Cars Buyers)

FRSC RS5 Zonal CommanderTasks Special Marshals on Diligence, Unity Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Federal Road Safety Corps RS5 Zonal Commander, Assistance Corps Marshal A.A. Kumakpaye has reiterated the roles of special Marshals as critical agents in the road safety architecture of the country.

Speaking at the formal decoration of the new RS5 Special Marshals Zonal Coordinator in Benin City, Edo State ACM Kumakpaye noted that the activities of special marshals were not only complementary but also vital in the drive for safety on the nation’s highways.

The FRSC Zonal Commander said the Corps has ensured that only men and women of proven integrity and passion for voluntary service are vested with the responsibility of special marshals because of the critical nature of road safety activities.

He therefore charged the RS5 Special Marshals Zonal Coordinator, Mr Friday Ekhator to endeavour to carry along all special marshals in the zone which comprises of Anambra, Delta and Edo states.

ACM Kumakpaye assured him that the Corps would continue to provide all necessary technical support to enable special marshls in the zone carry out their activities effectively.

Responding, Mr. Ekhator promised to discharge his duties as the FRSC Special Marshals Zonal Coordinator with diligence and utmost responsibility.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 19, 2021

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AUTO WORLD

GIG Logistics Launches Electric Vans, Commits to Carbon Neutrality

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fast-growing e-commerce logistics company in Nigeria, GIG Logistics has started its steady migration from the use of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for its operations to electric vans, following its unveiling, recently, of the first set of EVs it acquired from Jet Motor Company, an indigenous assembler of Jet Mover vehicles in Nigeria.

The Director of Operations, GIG Logistics, Ocholi Etu and Head of Strategy, Jet Motor Company, Wemimo Joseph signed a memorandum of understanding on partnership in the supply and use of the EVs. Also at the signing ceremony were Rupani Sanjay, Director, Sales & Marketing, Jet Motor Company, and Odafe Ojomah, Deputy Director, Expansion and Growth GIG Logistics.

According to Etu, the first set of electric vans would be used within Lagos alone and they are expected to run for 240 kilometres on full charge. There is a charging point in their Gbagada office that can service two vehicles at a time and it takes two hours for a full charge.

He said it was another significant step forward for GIG Logistics in their commitment “to a sustainable future for our environment, people and businesses we support.

“The launch of these Electric Vans is the first practical step in our journey towards carbon neutrality which is a core strategy for us.

“We are the first Nigerian and, perhaps, African company in the logistics space to be able to deploy Electric Vans for operations. We are able to achieve this feat due to our partnership with JET Motor Company, also a futuristic player in the automotive space, with focus on sustainability.

“We are proud of our carbon neutrality focus and this is our first physical step on the path to becoming a zero carbon logistic company.”

Officials of GIG Logistics and Jet Motor Company by the EV, at its launch… recently The entire global logistics industry, he said is presently focused on issues around environmental sustainability, as reports have shown logistics as an industry contributes the largest share of carbon emissions. “We are a technology-driven company that has embraced electric vehicles (EV) because they are eco-friendly, have zero emissions, zero noise pollution, and lower maintenance

costs, among others.

“Studies have revealed that EVs have 70% lower maintenance costs compared to the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

“This means that in the immediate and long run, our services will become more affordable, and will in turn enable us to render cost-friendly excellent service to our

teeming customers, while taking ecommerce in Nigeria and beyond to greater heights.

“Finally, we want to encourage the government to take a cue from what we have done by investing in sustainable energy infrastructure for the transportation sector, helping to create a whole new ecosystem that will expand opportunities for Nigeria’s businesses.

New 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Debuts

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MW is proud to announce the new 2nd generation BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Combining the power, dynamics and agility of the 4 Series with a beautiful long, sleek body, 4-doors and 5-seat comfort and a rear hatch leading to a large trunk compartment, the BMW 4 Series has been a very popular design with BMW enthusiasts. The newest 2022 4 Series Gran Coupe models promise and deliver class-leading design, performance, infotainment, connectivity and advanced driver assist safety systems.

Production of the all-wheel drive 430i xDrive Gran Coupe and rear-wheel drive M440i Gran Coupe models will follow at a later date.

Production of the new 4 Series begins in July with the first cars expected to arrive in August 2021.

Body Construction The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is 5.9-inches longer, 1-inch wider and 2.1-inches taller than its predecessor, while the tracks have grown by 1.6-inches in the front and 0.7-inches in the rear. The wheelbase is 1.8-inches longer than before. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe body includes optimized aerodynamics to improve both driving dynamics and efficiency. An active air flap control

system, air curtains, streamlined light-alloy wheels and an almost completely sealed underbody serve to channel the airflow effectively. The drag coefficient (Cd) for the 430i Gran Coupe is 0.28, a reduction of 0.01 over the previous model.

An intelligent mix of materials helps to reduce vehicle weight while enhancing the body’s rigidity and crash safety. The hot-stamped steels and aluminum alloys used for the safety passenger cell are supplemented by multi-phase steels for extra reinforcement.

The front end includes an engine side member made from extruded aluminum and die-cast aluminum spring struts. Weight reduction over the outgoing model has also been achieved by using aluminum for the hood and front fenders.

Comprehensive passive safety maximizes occupant protection in an extremely wide range of collisions and factors in the requirements of crash testing procedures in markets around the world. Besides the extremely rigid passenger cell and highly resilient load-bearing structures, it also includes integrated safety electronics which deploy the restraint systems in the right sequence, at the optimum moment and with the required effect for the specific collision type and severity.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

My Cycling Phobia

A study from the University of Bristol found that among 200 employees who exercised before work or at lunchtime improved their time and workload management, and it boosted their motivation and their ability to deal with stress. The study also reported that workers who exercised felt their interpersonal performance was better; they took fewer breaks and found it easier to Ànish work on time.

It is also helpful in Weight control and Obesity treatment. Sports physiologists have found that the body’s metabolic rate ² the e΀ciency with which it burns calories and fat – is not only raised during a ride, but for several hours afterwards. ( M. Simpson Loughborough University).

One recent study showed that cyclists who cycled fast burned three and half times more body fat than those who cycled constantly at slower pace. Cycling is a good way to lose unwanted calories.

Steady Cycling burns approximately 300 calories per hour. If you cycle for 30minutes every day, you would burn Àve kilogramme of fat in a year.

If you have issues with sleep, catch the bug and ride as riding aids better Sleeping habits. Researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine asked sedentary insomnia suͿerers to cycle for 20- 30

SAFE DRIVING with

Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

minutes every other day. Time required for the insomniacs to fall asleep was reduced by 50percent, and sleep time increased by almost an hour. Professor Jim Horne from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre explains that “Exercising outside exposes you to daylight.” This helps get your circadian rhythm back in sync, and also rids your body of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent deep, regenerative sleep. Cycling is also helpful in improving your bowels function. Experts from Bristol University found that “Physical activity helps decrease the time it takes food to move through the large intestine, limiting the amount of water absorbed back into your body and leaving you with softer stools, which are easier to pass.”

In addition, aerobic exercise accelerates

your breathing and heart rate, which helps to stimulate the contraction of intestinal muscles. This prevents you from feeling bloated and helps protect you against bowel cancer. Furthermore, it increases brain power, alertness and improvement in Mental illness. Researchers from Illinois University found that a Àve percent improvement in cardio- respiratory Àtness from cycling led to an improvement of up to 15percent in mental tests. That’s because cycling helps build new brain cells in the hippocampus – the region responsible for memory, which deteriorates from the age of 30. “Cycling boosts blood Áow and oxygen to the brain, which Àres and regenerates receptors. This may explain how exercise helps ward oͿ Alzheimer’s.

Mental health conditions such as depression, stress and anxiety can be reduced by regular bike riding. This is due to the eͿects of the exercise itself and because of the enjoyment that riding a bike can bring.

Cycling helps to improve coordination such as arm - to- leg, feet – to- hands and body – to- eye co- ordinations. Some months after commencing cycling, dexterity and precision have been found to improve.

According to C. Collins, a Chief dietician at St George’s Hospital in London Moderate exercise makes immune cells more active,

so they are ready to Àght oͿ infection.

Research from the University of North Carolina, says people who cycle for 30 minutes, Àve days a week had about 50percent reduction in sick days as persons who do not indulge in exercise.

And for those who are wary of ageing, a study from Stanford University has found that cycling regularly can protect your skin against the harmful eͿects of UV radiation and reduce the signs of ageing. “Increased circulation through exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to skin cells more eͿectively, while Áushing harmful toxins out. Exercise also creates an ideal environment within the body to optimise collagen production, helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles and speed up the healing process.”

Being more physically active improves your vascular health, this has eͿect of boosting your sex drive A study from Cornell University concluded that male athletes have the sexual prowess of men two to Àve years younger, while physically Àt females have delayed menopause by about the same time. A study from Harvard University found that men aged over 50 years who cycle for at least three hours a week have a 30 percent lower risk of impotence and erectile dysfunction than those who do little exercise.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 19, 2021

POLITY

20 Years of GSM and Adenuga’s Factor Chidiebere Nwobodo

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he year 2021, marked twenty years of GSM operation in Nigeria. Two decades ago, NITEL was the king of telecommunications in Nigeria.

Then, one of the major signs of highbrow streets; exclusively reserved for the rich and influential, was telephone wires that crisscrossed the poles. It showed high tele-density in the area. Inhabitants of those locations felt like the most tele-connected set of people in the country.

Back then, any office you entered without a fixed telephone line, would had looked retrogressive and uninvolved in the current happenings of the time. Those that owned active fixed phones in the neighborhood were seen as gateway to the telecom world. Everyone around the street tried to be in good terms with them, in order to maintain the goodwill that would enable continuous usage of their phone lines as contact addresses.

I remember with nostalgia how NITEL technicians behaved like the sun that gets orbited by planets vis-a-vis their over-bloated feeling of self-importance; as a result of inadequate demand of their attention. They were highly sorted after by customers whose lines developed one fault or the other. The challenge of ineffective billing system made NITEL offices beehive of activities where people trooped in to lodge one complain or the other. Only the mighty made used of cellular phones then. Agovernment official was allegedly quoted to had said that mobile phones were not for the poor!

Nigerians slept in NITEL offices and call centers while trying to make and receive calls, especially international calls. NITEL telecom infrastructure were mostly analogy and antiqued.

Challenges of congested lines, fluctuating billing system and drop calls plagued the industry. At that time, NITEL had relatively 400,000 active lines. Apart from fixed lines and Fax, Nigerians had no other option of communication except postal services—aka letter writing—that usually took up to two-three weeks to arrive per post.

In 1992, when Decree 75 was promulgated, it signaled huge step towards deregulation of the telecom sector. But NITEL was still the mafia here—with monopolistic powers—but the nation was already at the verge of a new dawn of telecommunications revolution. By 2001, the revolution was ignited. The first set of GSM licences were bided and issued. Mobile phone sector was liberalised. Two foreign telecom companies, in partnership with some Nigerian investors got the licences and hit the ground running.

Adenuga

Nigerians were buying phones and lines at very exorbitant rates. One SIM card sold as high as N50,000. Calls were being charged at N50 per minute. You could only buy N1500 recharge card—that had 14-day lifeline. At the end of two weeks, if you could not finish the airtime, whatever airtime left would be frozen until you renew your line in like sum. I could remember a time I had up to N4,000 airtime “trapped” because I could not exhaust the N1500 each time I recharged.

How Adenuga’s Factor Changed the Game Though GSM had been launched in the country, but within few months the euphoria that greeted it began to fade. Expensive nature of SIM cards, recharge cards and per minute billing system still kept mobile phones only in the hands of the rich and upper middle class. The roll out was very slow. The two GSM companies that first debuted in Nigeria’s market were creating almost a duopoly—holding Nigerians at jugular, until Chief Mike Adenuga

took the gauntlet to float Globalcom Limited two years after.

In August, 2003, Glo mobile network was born. The real revolution started in the telecommunications industry. The entrance of Glo—being the first indigenous GSM company, altered the mobile telecom market and changed the game for the good of Nigerians. The hold of duopoly of the first two legacy mobile companies in the country, was broken. Anew ray of hope for affordable GSM services waved across the land. Abreath of fresh air was felt in the sector.

Chief Adenuga-led Globalcom did not only introduce cheaper SIM cards to Nigerian waiting telecommunications industry but came out with a masterstroke X factor called per-a-second billing system, against others’ per a minute. Others said it was not possible to run per-a-second billing—Glo made it possible.

Competition was birthed. Prices of SIM cards began to nosedive like a waterfall. GSM services got cheaper and affordable.

More Nigerians got interested. Enthusiasm and optimism blew harder. Mobile operators started massive roll out of infrastructure via fiber optics, base transceiver stations, etcetera, with attendant adverts cum commercials to outfox rivals and dominate the market.

Interconnectivity grew bigger. Mobile phone manufacturers discovered gold mine in Nigeria because of sudden upsurge in the demand of phones and accessories from the importers. Ahuge multi-billion dollar market was opened in Africa’s most populous nation. Millions of direct and indirect jobs were created for the nation’s teeming unemployed cum underemployed populace.

In 2011, to give broadband services a major boost, Glo became the first telecom company to build an $800m dollars high-capacity submarine fiber optics cable known as Glo 1, that successfully connected Nigeria to Europe. It was a humongous project that needed courage and resources to execute. Chief Mike Adenuga midwifed it. This milestone upended Glo’s share of the market and heightened competition that benefited Nigerians more. In retrospect, after two decades of turbulent sojourn, Nigeria’s active telephone lines astronomically rose from 400,000 active lines to conservatively 180 million lines. Glo is the second biggest mobile operator in terms of subscriber base—with over 50m active lines.

The nationalistic roles played by Chief Mike Adenuga is not lost on Nigerians. The timing entrance of Glo in the race, broke duopoly, created a highly competitive market and fast-tracked the telecommunications connectivity in the country.

––Chidiebere Nwobodo wrote from Abuja via chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com Read full article on www.thisdaylive.com

Kwara’s 9th Assembly Rekindles Hope in Democracy Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

T

he 9th Kwara State House of Assembly has, in the last two years, been working to rekindle the hope of the common man in the state. The legislators, who were sworn in on June 10, 2019, have been involved in serious legislative activities that cut across lawmaking, over-sight function, and confirmations of series of appointments presented to it by the Executive led by Governor AbdulRazaq.

Though, majority of the present members of the house of assembly are new, except a lawmaker representing Oke Ogun/ Offa State Constituency, Saheed Popoola, who was part of the 8th assembly, the lawmakers have been working in unison towards providing a new direction in the lawmaking processes that will be capable of advancing the needs, aspirations, and yearnings of the people.

It is on this premise that the members of the house, led by its speaker, Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu recently rolled out drums to celebrate their second anniversary as lawmakers representing their various state constituencies at the assembly complex located along Asa Dam Road, Ilorin. He said the day was significant because it marked the completion of the first half and the beginning of another legislative year.

Danladi-Salihu said it was a day that should be characterised by stock-taking and appraisal of their past activities as it is also the one that will birth a roadmap for seamless legislative activities in the years ahead. The celebration also coincided with the screening and confirmation of three commissioner- nominees sent to the house by the state governor.

Danladi-Salihu added: “This ninth Assembly has been able to prove its mettle beyond.”

Reeling out the assembly’s achievements in the years under review, the lawmaker said: “No report presented on the floor of the house ever ended up on the shelves. They are rather ones that generated robust debates among honourable members on the floor and on which resolutions were forwarded to appropriate quarters for actions.

“As partners in progress with the executive arm, the resolutions of this house since assumption of office have assisted in very significant ways in reshaping governance in the state. The house has also since inauguration in June 2019, passed a total of 14 bills while 32 motions have been moved with resolutions passed on them.”

In the bid to enable the present administration in the state fulfill

its campaign promises to the people, the speaker said: “We have always ensured that consideration and passage of all money bills, especially the appropriation bills, conform to the yearnings of the people, as well as international set standards.

“The house has also ensured that all bills and other legislative functions affecting key sectors such as health, education, Social security, youth employment, and job creation, land and housing, commerce, women affairs, people with disability, child rights, works, and transport, etc. received the desired attention.

“Also, we did not leave provision of infrastructure solely in the hands of the executive as we facilitated in our various constituencies, construction of classrooms and health facilities, sinking of boreholes, the opening of rural roads, etc., under the grassroots development project, an initiative of the present administration in the state that commenced in 2020. All the projects under this initiative have been completed and delivered for the use of our people.

“You will recall that during my first-anniversary speech, I did acknowledge that the modest achievements already recorded by us in our first one year were enough to forecast the good things in the delivery of dividends of democracy that the good people of Kwara State stand to enjoy under the administration of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

“I also did say that that record was a tip of the iceberg on the goodies coming the way of Kwarans from the present administration. I did not mince words in assuring our people that we were poised for better service delivery in the years ahead.”

The speaker hailed the governor for his austere and altruistic attitude to governance: “I will say that Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq is a God-sent governor at this material time. He is a man that means well for the state. He is not a governor that is materialistic, that is why the administration can boast of many projects in these last two years.”

During the screening of the commissioner-nominees, one of the nominees Salman Jawondo submitted that the just concluded industrial action by judicial workers was ‘a right action’ done at the wrong time. Jawondo, who was re-nominated by Governor Abdulrazaq a few days ago, was untill the dissolution of the state cabinet by the governor in December 2020, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Disclosing the steps Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration had taken to decongest police stations and correctional facilities across the state, Jawondo said before the dissolution of the state cabinet by the governor in December last year, he was aware that the state government had come up with the idea of

Danladi-Salihu

having lawyers posted to all courts in the state to speed up ‘trial process’.

While it was well established that anyone who commits an offence should ordinarily be arraigned within 24 hours, he said the fact that the police will investigate and still take suspects to court has slowed down ‘trial processes’.

After their confirmation by the house, Danladi-Salihu prevailed on the Commissioner-designate to reconcile all the warring All Progressives Congress (APC) members in their respective wards and local government areas.

Speaking on the assembly leadership in the last two years, a chieftain of the APC in the state and a national chairmanship aspirant of the party in the forthcoming national convention of the party, Alhaji Saliu Mustapha said: “By all accounts, the Kwara State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi has performed beyond expectations in the last two years. They have delicately balanced their roles as both watchdogs and gatekeepers of government.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ JUNE 19, 2021

POLITY

AAAN Seeks Amendment of APCON’s Act Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

T

he Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has called for an amendment of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) Act, which it deems inadequate as a regulatory legislation for the numerous strands of the practice.

AAAN made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the public hearing of a bill to amend the APCON Act organised by the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values.

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Hakeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, seeks to wreak major changes in the extant APCON legislation.

In its submission, titled “Review of the Bill for an Act to Amend the Advertising Practitioners (Registration Etc) Act CAP A7, LFN 2004,” AAAN called for the establishment of the Advertising Regulatory and Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria to replace APCON. AAAN contended that the proposed replacement for APCON will provide suffi f ciently broad coverage of every

advertising practice in the country, irrespective of whether persons or organisation involved are registered.

The advertising body specifically noted that the inclusion of “Regulatory” and “Practitioners (Registration)” in the name of the proposed council will confer on it the duty to regulate any form of advertising in the country and the powers to establish the code of practice.

AAAN also noted that the proposed council will ensure a non-repeat of a litigation in which the Federal Court of Appeal ruled against APCON in a suit filed by MIC Royal Limited, with the court holding that the plaintiff was not a registered advertising practitioner and not under the APCON Act. AAAN also demanded the establishment of a seven-man governing board to be appointed by the president and chaired by a distinguished fellow of the profession; an offi f cer of the Federal Ministry of Information, not below the rank of a director to oversee the council; and three persons from the general public to represent public interest.

“The entire members of the Governing Board shall be appointed by the President. This is a fundamental deviation from the provision of the principal act where the president appoints only the Chairman, the Minister appoints nine

persons and the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria elects ten persons. The twenty-man council in the principal act is reduced to a seven-man governing board. The core advertising sectors will have only two representatives in the seven-man governing board. The overseeing Ministry will have one representative. The public representative will be three. AAPN is mentioned instead of AAAN,” AAAN stated in its submission.

It explained that the proposals are in the overall interest of the industry, which deserves to be adequately represented in view of its professional capacity.

Mr. Jenkins Alumona, AAAN’s Vice President, stated that the association led by Steve Babaeko, the President, is convinced that the new act will force out quacks from the advertising industry.

“The advertising industry and the Nigerian business environment will be the greatest beneficiary of this change.

We need to end the use of the advertising space to sell lies in the guise of advertising. Under the current law, non-practitioners can get away with placing unvetted and unprofessional advertising messages in the media. This must stop and the new law will ensure this,” Alumona said.

Oloriegbe Hopes for Truce Between FG, Twitter Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

C

hairman, Senate Committee on Health, and senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe says there is hope insight in the ongoing talks between the federal government and Twitter over the suspension of the operations of the latter in the country.

Oloriegbe who spoke with journalists in Ilorin yesterday on the sidelines of the Grand Finale of Ilorin Emirate Culture and Heritage Competition organised for public primary schools in Kwara Central Senatorial District believed that a dialogue between the federal government and the management of Twitter would see to the return of micro-blogging platform for the usage of the Nigerian people.

The competition was at the instance of Matta Girls Foundation, a pet project of Hajia Maimunat Ibrahim Oloriegbe, wife of Senator Oloriegbe where troupes from the Ilorin West local government area emerged overall winner.

Oloriegbe believed that the interface between the two would lead to the desired outcome.

The lawmaker said, “Federal government did not proscribe Twitter. So, that’s wrong. I think they only suspended its activities based on certain observed security challenges that are in it and there is dialogue ongoing between Twitter and the federal government. I hope at the end of the dialogue, they will return Twitter”.

Oloriegbe stated further that the competition was organised to tap talented young ones in various schools in the Ilorin emirate to make them more useful to society.

He noted that the Ilorin indigenes are blessed with various cultural values that can be used to move the state forward and

to make them self-reliant after their academic pursuits.

Also speaking at the event, the founder and initiator of the programme, Hajia Maimunat Oloriegbe stated that “the programme was developed and implemented against the background of. the identified relegation of our cultural practices and values by our youths”.

She said: “ Most of the youths these days do not have an understanding of our cultures, they rather know and practice foreign cultures with negatives consequences on our social development.

“In recognition of this social challenge, my husband, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe pledged during his campaigns to restore our community cultural orientation and heritage, this programme is part of the fulfillment of the pledge”.

Hajia Oloriegbe, therefore, assured the people of the Ilorin community that the programme would continue to be a major one to revive all the forgotten traditions and heritage of the town.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: R Head of Department, p Criminology gy g y and Security y Studies, Nile University, y Dr. Ngozi g Obila Anad; HOD Political Science and International Relations, Nile University, P y P Professor Ahmed Arabaci; Dean Faculty of Management g Sciences, Nile University; yP Professor Benedict Akanegbu; g and Head, Human Resources, R Uche Ogbonnaya, g y during g the Career Day Event by Development Bank of Nigeria Plc. held at the Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja...recently

L-R: Chairman Medical Advisory y Committee, National Hospital, p Dr. Aisha Umar; Chief Medical Director, National Hospital p Abuja, j Dr. Jaf Momoh; Award recipient, p Dr. Abdussamad Ayinde; y repre p sentative of the Minister of Health and Director of Hospital p Services, Federal Ministry y of Health, Dr. Adebimpe p Adebiyi; y and Director of Sales, 9mobile, Mr. Tosin Olulana, during the 9mobile Health W Workers Recognition event held at the National Hospital Abuja...recently

L-R: Brand Development p Manager, g Premier Cool, PZ Cussons Plc. Eniola Ogunlade; g Reality TV Star, Elozonam Ogbolu; g Nollywood y Actor,Deyemi y Okanlawon; and Head of Category g y – Personal Hygiene, yg PZ Cussons Plc, Kemi Longe, at the official signing of the Premier Cool Brand Ambassadors in Lagos... recently SUNDAY AY ADIGUN

L-R: Mother of late P Pastor Ibidunni Ighodalo, g Mrs. Monisola Ajayi; j y Senior P Pastor, Trinity y House, Pas P tor Ituah Ighodalo; g Lagos g State Governor, Babajide j Olusola Sanwo-Olu; and his Deputy, p y Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, at the one year memorial service of P Pastor Ibidunni Olajumoke Ituah-Ighodalo held at Trinity House in Lagos…recently

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁˜ ͺͮͰͯ

NEWSXTRA

Buhari to Attend ECOWAS Summit in Accra Today Deji Elumoye ÓØ ÌßÔË President Muhammadu Buhari will today participate in the 59th Ordinary Session of the ECOWASAuthorityofHeadsof State and Government inAccra, the capital of Ghana.

Arelease issued yesterday in Abuja by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said that the President will depart Abuja today for the summit.

President Buhari is expected to join other Heads of State of

GovernmentofECOWASforthe mid-year statutory meeting of the regional bloc, with the exception of Mali, which was recently suspended from the group.

The release stated, inter alia: "Former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator to Mali, is expected to present areportonhislatestworkingvisit totheWestAfricancountrytothe Summit of the Heads of State.

"The Heads of State and Government will also receive a

reportonECOWASinstitutional reforms, single currency programmes and a memorandum on the proposed mechanism of rotation of ECOWAS Member States’ candidature to the Chairmanship of the African Union.

"Acommuniquéwillbeissued at the end of the Summit.

"The 59th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government was preceded by the 46th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at

the Ministerial Level and the 86th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, in Accra, Ghana.

"The MSC, comprising Ministers responsible for Defence and ForeignAffairs from ECOWAS Member States, considered the security situation in the ECOWAS Region, among other topical issues on the agenda while the 86th Ordinary Session considered a memorandum on the post COVID-19 industry recovery plan, the 2021 mid-

GOOD TO SEE YOU...

L-R: Governor of Ogun State, Chief Dapo Abuodun, with the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, during a courtesy call on minister, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Towers, Abuja, recently.

˾ ǏǐƿǀljǏ DŽǀǎ DŽlj ǍNJǎǎǁDŽǍǀ Ƽǎ ǍNJNJNjǎ Ǎǀǀ DŽǑǀ ǀƽƽDŽ ƾǃNJNJLJ ƽƿǐƾǏǀǀǎ ˾

A parent and one of the cooks engaged for the security personnel deployed to the school, Mrs. Aliheri Gabonchok said she was at the kitchen when the bandits stormedthepremisesandstarted shooting sporadically.

She said: "When they came, I rushed into hiding with some of the students I could gather.

I told them to lie down till the gunshot subsided. I came out when they had left, only to hear fromotherstaff,whoalsoescaped, that they went away with some students, school staff, and even my husband."

Another parent, Ainan Muhammed, said the bandits who invaded the school were about 400.

Another parent, Aliyu Wushishi said his five children were among those abducted by the bandits and appealed to the governortodowhateverhecould dotorescuethestudentsfromthe bandits.

TheEmirofYauri,Dr.Sayyanu Abdullahi charged the government to have the political will to deal with banditry.

The emir also said people in the various communities should seeitastheirdutytoexposethose serving as informants to bandits in their communities.

Theroyalfathergavethecharge when governor Badugu visited his palace in Yauri after meeting withsomeparentsoftheabducted students.

Vehicle Used for Abduction Meanwhile, the police command in Kebbi State yesterday explainedthatoneofthevehicles used for the kidnaping belongs

to a high court judge in the state.

Nafi’u Abubakar, the Kebbi police spokesman, said the van washijackedbybanditsonBirnin Yauri road.

Abubakar said the police are yet to determine the number of students kidnapped from the school located in Ngaski LGA of the state.

He said the reports making the rounds that 50 students were kidnappedfromtheschoolwere false.

The Kebbi police spokesman said: “The attention of the police has been drawn to reports made by some media stations that a police vehicle was used in kidnapping about 50 students of the FGC. A White Hilux Van with registration No. kBSJ 29 belonging to a High Court judge withtheinscriptionofKebbiState Judiciary, hijacked by bandits on BirninYauriroadwastheoneused inthekidnappingandnotapolice vehicle as stated by some media stations.

“Thecommandwishestomake itclearandsettherecordsstraight thatyettobeascertainednumber of students are still missing as rescueoperationisstillongoing.”

Though the Kebbi State Government and the school’s authorities are yet to release the official number of students and staff abducted in the school, unofficial sources said, in all, 30 students and four officials were kidnapped.

“25 students and two officials oftheschoolarestillwiththekidnappers,” said a source close to the school.

Yauri Lawmaker Laments

Thelawmakerrepresentingthe Igaski/Shanga/Yauri in Kebbi StateattheHouseofRepresentatives,YusufSununu,haslamented attacks by bandits in Kebbi State.

Sununuwarnedthatthegrowing insecurity in Kebbi State was a major threat to food security in the country.

Sununu said the pervading insecurity in the country was becoming worrisome, saying, “gone are the days when Kebbi used to be the most peaceful in the country.

“Aweek ago, we had another calamity when bandits – according to eyewitnesses – numbering about 250 to 300, each with an AK-47 rifle and using very strong motorcycles, came into myconstituency.Theyhadafield day and operated for more than eight hours, going from house to house, room to room, collecting money, handsets, motorcycles, and cattle. That led to a massive influx of internally displaced persons to the headquarters of the emirate in the town of Yauri.

“However, we were able to convincepeopleandtheystarted going back to their respective areas. But they (bandits) left a message that they would be coming back. Taking it seriously, some people refused to go back, and in the early hours of today, they repeated what they had done earlier, and they came into the constituency, somehow around 10:30 am or thereabout.

Theywereabletogainaccessafter strong fights with some security guardsandpolicemenguarding theFederalGovernmentCollege, BirninYauri,andtheymadetheir way into the school.

“Thisisacauseforconcernand as representative of the people, I had to come here and make a call on the Federal Government to look atYauri’s position with its neighbouring Niger State. It has directaccesstoZamfaraStateand west of Yauri is the bank of River Niger. We fear that their major target is to enter Yauri. Now, we arecallingontheFederalGovernmenttoprovideadequatesecurity.

I have got in touch with security agencies.Wehaddiscussionsand it has been confirmed to me that militaryaircraftareinsurveillance in the area.

“We have to make it clear that KebbiStateandindeedYauriholds a unique position in the food security of this country. Over 90 per cent of the land of Yauri is for rice farming. But as of today, no farmer can comfortably go back to his farm and farm and come backtosleepwithhiseyesclosed.

“We are right now facing an influx of some people into Yauri with a higher rate of internally displacedpersons.Accommodation,feeding,andothernecessary logistics are being affected. The worst part of it is that a nation can only develop when it is sound educationally.

“Theso-called Boko Haram is almostbecomingarealitybecause parents cannot feel free to send their wards to school for fear of being kidnapped. As it is now, a lot of primary schools in the emirate in Yauri town are being occupied by IDPs. This tends to detertheprogresssofarachieved by the Kebbi State Government in terms of agriculture and in terms of promoting access to education.”

term report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission and theongoinginstitutionalreforms at ECOWAS, among others."

President Buhari will be accompanied on the trip by the MinisterofForeignAffairs,Geoffrey Onyema; Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada; MinisterofDefence,Maj.General Bashir Magashi (rtd); Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Minister of Finance, Budget and

National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the National Security Adviser, Maj. General Babagana Monguno (rtd); Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar.

The President is expected back in Abuja at the end of the Summit.

Botswana's Female Pilot, STEM Educator on Glo-Powered African Voices Botswana's female flying wonder, Kgomotso Phatsima, will this week onAfrican Voices regale viewers with the story of how she rose from being the girl next door to becoming the Ambassador of Youth in Aviation and Aerospace in her country.

The 30-minute CNN magazine programme which is sponsored by telecommunications solutions provider, Globacom, will equally parade Ernest Teye Matey,Ghanaian spaceengineer who is credited with designing his country’s first satellite. The two stars are experts in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics , otherwise called STEM education.

While Phatsima, a social entrepreneur helps with the empowerment of Botswana's youth in aviation and aerospace, STEM education awareness and equipping the upcoming generation with business entrepreneurial skills, Matey

is replicating the same feat in Ghana where he is uplifting students through STEM programmes. Phatsima is among the first female military pilots in Botswana Defence Force, and she won the Botswana Youth Awards Best Female of the Year 2017. She was one of the exceptional emerging young leaders in Africa in the Obama Foundation Africa Leadership Program of 2018, and devotes her time and resources to professional coaching, team building exercises for corporate organizations, schools and universities in Botswana.

On his own part, Matey has, through theAll Nations University – Space Systems Technology Laboratory (ANU-SSTL) which he co- founded, organized Space and STEM education programs for more than 7,000 students from over 50 different high schools in more than 30 different districts in Ghana.

...As HeApproves Appointment of 5 New Permanent Secretaries Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of five new Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service following the recent conduct of the selection process.

A statement from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan yesterday said the appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries and their states of origin are:

Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso, Ekiti; Onwudiwe Maryann Ngozi, Enugu; Yusuf Ibrahim Idris, Katsina; OgunbiyiMarcus Olaniyi, Lagos and Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Nasarawa.

The Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, AbdulGaniyu Aminu, said the date of the swearing-in and deployment of the appointees will be announced in due course.

CHANGE OF NAME

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹΁, 2021

SPORTS XTRA

French Authorities Investigate Osimhen’s Napoli Record Transfer

F

rench authorities have opened an investigation into the transfer that took Victor Osimhen from Lille to Napoli last summer.

Osimhen joined Napoli from the Ligue 1 side on a five-year

deal for a club and African record fee of €81.3 million last August.

While it has been almost a year since the transfer took place, former Lille owner, Gerard Lopez, is the subject of an investigation from the French government.

FG Appoints Mikel Youth Ambassador, Midfielder Says He Feels Honoured by Appointment The Federal Government has appointed erstwhile Super Eagles skipper, John Obi Mikel as Youth Ambassador to inspire young Nigerians to strive for excellence.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, described the former Chelsea star as a role model whose lasting legacies in football development have continued to impact on youths in the country.

The Minister promised to support Mikel’s visions for sports development in the country and assured the Stoke City midfielder of Federal Government’s unalloyed support whenever he chooses to invest in the country. “ Time will not permit me to say much about Mikel’s success as a footballer. He is our legend and a role model who has continued to impact the lives of youth positively. “ It is it my pleasure to appoint you as Nigeria Youth Ambassador. It’s a new portfolio and your role as youth ambassador will be made known to Nigerian,” the Minister asserted.

Meanwhile, the Stoke City midfielder has confirmed and accepted his appointment as

Nigeria’s youth ambassador after meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development yesterday.

Mikel Obi recently identified with the government in power in when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Bello is rumoured to be nursing a presidential ambition under the ruling party, All Progressive Congress.

A modern-day legend of the game, Mikel Obi, in his new role, will be expected to champion the causes of the youth and inspire them to be better.

And reacting to his appointment, the ex-Chelsea ace expressed his delight while promising to wield his influence far and beyond the beautiful game that brought him fame and riches.

“I feel highly honoured to be appointed as Youth Ambassador of this country. It is a great feeling,” the 34-year-old said.

“I am happy with this partnership, and I promise to do my best to encourage and inspire the youths towards national development, not just in football but in other sports like Basketball, Boxing among others.”

Man Utd Charged to Sign Ndidi Manchester Evening News sports pundit, Dominic Booth has told Manchester United to consider signing a defensive midfielder to bolster the squad ahead of next season and Super Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi has been identified as a potential target along with West Ham’s Declan Rice and Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli.

The Red Devils Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has prioritized the signings of a winger, central defender and right back in this window, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and Atlético Madrid’s Kieran Trippier mentioned as targets.

Manchester United fans feel it would be wise for the club to sign a defensive midfielder to boost their chances of winning the Premier League title next season.

Solskjaer settled on Scott McTominay and Fred as his preferred double pivot last season, and Paul Pogba, who can operate in a variety of offensive and defensive

EURO 2020 RESULTS Sweden Croatia England

1-0 1-1 0-0

Slovakia Czechs Scotland

midfield positions, continues to be linked with a departure from Old Trafford.

“Thrown in the possibility that Paul Pogba could finally call time on his United career this summer, with a year remaining on his contract, and the calls to sign someone like Declan Rice must be heeded,” Booth wrote.

“Nemanja Matic turns 33 this summer and can no longer be expected to perform the task.

“So signing a Rice, a Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester, or someone like Italy’s impressive Euro 2020 pivot Manuel Locatelli would make inordinate sense.”

Prior to Ndidi’s move to the Foxes in January 2017, former Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho sought approval to sign the Nigeria international but the powers that be dragged their feet in approving the request.

The Nath Boys product has a contract with The Foxes until June 2024 and is valued at 60 million euros by Transfermarket.

According to L’Equipe per SS Napoli News, Lille only received €10m from the transfer fee, with reports suggesting that Lopez might have invested some of the money into his personal business.

The LuxembourgishSpanish businessman is yet to respond to the accusations, but the French justice system has begun a probe into the transfer.

The deal itself took weeks of negotiations before it was completedalthough it had to do with

Osimhen and not the two clubs.

There were many question marks overthedealevenatthe timewhenitwascompletedover the summer.

Lopez hadbeeninchargeofthe Ligue1club at the time, but has since moved on.

It was seemingly the new owners who arrived in December and raised a few doubts over the accounting for transfers.

Among them, the Osimhen sale to Napoli w a s c redited at €81.3m, yet it only provided LOSC

with under €10m in profit.

According to CalcioNapoli24.it, the problems are purely with the Lille accounting and Napoli do not risk anything from the investigation.

The lack of profit right now could be because the deal was organised to pay in several instalments over a period of years. It had already been widely reported that Lille would only receive circa €40m in cash, with another €10m in performance-related bonuses.

The extra €30m was made up from player sales, as Na-

poli handed veteran goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, plus youth team players Claudio Manzi, Ciro Palmieri and Luigi Liguori over to Lille.

However, the youth players never actually represented Lille, as Manzi and Palmieri were immediately loaned to Fermana in Serie C. So was Liguori, but he moved again on loan to Lecco in February.

Playing in the third division, one wonders how these three combined to be worth €30m.

Victor Osimhen

TOKYO 2020 TRIALS

Amusan, Nwokocha, Okezie, Okon-George Shine on Day 2 It was a big disappointment for the fans that thronged the YabatechSportsComplexLagos yesterday, the Day 2 of the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Trials and Invitation Relays, after the timer malfunctioned during the final of the women 100m hurdles.

Track aficionados were looking forward to Tobi Amusan

dropping the current African and National Record of 12.44secs set by Glory Alozie in 1998, but with the timer not working,her12.3secshandtimer resultwoulddefinitelynotcount.

OyeniyiAbejoye raced to the men’s 110m hurdles title to add it to the National Sports Festival gold he won at Edo 2020.

Grace Nwokocha won the

women 200m in 22.87secs with Jerry Jakpa winning the men’s in 20.80secs.

Chidi Okezie added the National Trials title to the gold he won at the National Sports Festival in the men’s 400m while PatienceOkon-Georgereturned towinningwaysinthewomen’s 400m, beating Knowledge Omovoh and Imaobong Uko

to silver and bronzerespectively The buzz of activities at the SportsCentreincreasedintempo with the arrival of BBNaija star, Mike Edwards.

Fanswerenotdisappointedas hewonthemen’shighjump,with a jump of 2.20m Oyesade Olatoye won the women’s Shot Put with a throw of 17.52m.

Eriksen Discharged from Hospital The Denmark Football Association has announced that football star, Christian Eriksen, has been discharged from the hospital and is now free to go home, after a successful operation.

The country’s FA disclosed the cheering news in a tweet yesterday.

Eriksen was hospitalised last Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest during the first half of Denmark’s Euro

2020 Group B opener against Finland at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen which his team lost by a lone goal.

Paramedics rushed to the field to give the 29-year-old CPR for about 13 minutes before he was eventually resuscitated.

The Inter Millan midfielder was fitted with an under-skin heart starting device known as Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICB) during the

operation.

The Danish FA in the tweet said, “Christian Eriksen has beenthroughasuccessfuloperation and was today discharged from Rigshospitalet. Today, he also visited the national team in Helsinger and from there, he will go home and spend time with his family.”

Speaking after being discharged from the hospital, Eriksen said, “Thank you for the massive number of greet-

ings – it has been incredible to see and feel.

The operation went well, and I am doing really well under the circumstances.”

Encouraging his team mates ahead of their next group match on Monday, he added that, “it was really great to see the guys again after the fantastic game they played last night.

No need to say that I will be cheering on them on Monday against Russia.”

Eagles’ Invitee, Olise Urged to Shun Top Premier League Sides for Now Former Reading ace, Lawrie Sanchez, has urged Michael Olise to ignore the attraction of big Premier League clubs and remain with the Royals for at least another year to aid his progress. Olise enjoyed an excellent campaign, as Reading finished the Championship season just outside of the playoff spots.

The Super Eagles invitee scored seven goals and 12 assists in 46 games for the Royals

during the recently concluded season.

Olise’s brilliance has been rewarded as the 20-year-old was named the Championship Young Player of the Season and in the Team of the Season.

Olise also went home with Reading’s EA Sports Young Player of the Season award.

It is expected that a host of clubs would be knocking on the doors of Reading to take away their most prized asset.

Arsenal should once again be at the forefront of teams looking to sign the talented midfielder, with the Gunners believed to be one of three clubs that had a £5m bid turned down at the end of the 2020 summer window.

With the transfer window kicking off and Olise’s release clause reportedly set for £8 million, Arsenal are again interested in the Reading star.

Chelsea, Spurs, Leeds, Lille and Bayern Munich are the

other clubs interested in the youngster.

However, former Reading hero Sanchez, who once managed Northern Ireland, Fulham, and Barnet, has advised the youngster to delay any move to a top Premier League side.

“I read somewhere there’s an £8 million release clause – I’m sure clubs will offer that this year for him, I’ve no doubt,” Sanchez told Football League World.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

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Okogie to Buhari “A country fails when it is no longer able to protect its citizens from harm and secure their welfare. A country fails when, instead of being a harbour of refuge for its citizens, it turns out to be a cauldron of fire and sorrow that consumes its citizens” – Former Catholic Archbishop of the Lagos Diocese, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, lampooning the Buhari administration over worsening insecurity.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

My Close Encounters with Gov Nyesom Wike

F

ellow Nigerians, please permit me to bring you some good news in this season of anomie. The reason I want to do this is simple. Just last week, President Muhammadu Buhari threw a challenge at Nigerian Governors, suggesting that they should take care of their States, instead of jumping on the planes to Abuja at the slightest opportunity, in search of largesse from the Federal Government.

The impression that that heavy statement created and the lurid picture it painted was that of little kids in search of lollipops.

To some extent, I agree with the President as I will expatiate upon in the course of this discourse.

I believe that our States should be generating their own incomes in significant sums that dwarf whatever they may receive from the Federal Government. However, President Buhari is wrong to suggest that what the States are seeking from the Federal Government is a largesse. These are monies that they are entitled to. Indeed, on one view, it is the Federal Government that is feeding on the benevolence of the States, because it is resources of the States that transform to the income which is generated by the Federal Government.

Furthermore, if the system worked efficiently, and the Federal Government played its part and did not want to be seen as Father Christmas, nobody needs to come to Abuja at all. There is already a revenue sharing formula in place. There is no reason it cannot be automated. Instead, in this hugely technological and automated age, things are being done manually. This is why the Governors, and their Finance Commissioners require to oversee the process to ensure that the division and splits are being done fairly and promptly. Even at that, there are great anomalies, with the Federal Government evidently not acting uberrimae fidei, in utmost good faith, by not providing full and earnest disclosure of funds received and available. It is like extracting teeth from a ferocious animal.

It is very true that most of our Governors prefer to spend more time in Abuja than in their home States. While it may be true that the Federal Government controls most of the cash cows in Nigeria, any State that can think out of the box should be able to achieve something tangible with the available funds and resources.

The first step in the process is to use what they can garner now to expand their coast. A few Governors have demonstrated such capacity of vision and mission. I have been privileged to see and interact with one such enigmatic leader in the last one year. The next step in the process will be to unburden themselves and lift the yoke that the Federal Government has placed on the States by creating the enabling environment for private enterprise to thrive without taxing them to death. The more the productivity, the more wealth is created. Thus, the greater the revenue that will accrue to the States. This is not to mention the overriding achievement of enhanced welfare and well-being for the people both economically and socially.

I now come to this Governor who is doing remarkable stuff with the minimal resources currently available to his State, in order to provide the springboard for the next phase of the development of the State. Governor Nyesom Wike has been a household name in Nigeria for some time now. I read a lot about him, but I felt and found him very controversial. Perception can change or distort reality. I met people who were ready to swear that Wike was nothing but a rabble rouser. I was told he was doing nothing in Rivers State. What was worse, he was accused of being occultic and all what not, which he has denied vehemently in our deep conversations.

No worries, a story for another day.

Wike The first opportunity to meet him one on one as Governor came at the invitation of the late Malam Ismaila Funtua who had called me in Ghana and requested that I join him, Nduka Obaigbena and Kabiru Yusuf on a trip to Port Harcourt. I accepted the invitation from a man popularly known and addressed as Godfather, a man who never denied being a member of the Buhari cabal, and actually took pride in being one of its pointsmen and focal point. So, I flew to Abuja from where we were flown to Port Harcourt for the Guild of Editors summit.

There and then, I witnessed Wike’s masterful hospitality big time. It did not matter that he had fundamental differences with the ruling party, APC. He demonstrated that he makes friends across party lines but is never afraid to speak up his mind. For example, he minced no words in telling me how I had written about him on one occasion and his body was shaking badly with fury. He wondered what he did to me to deserve such a blistering attack. Honestly, I could not remember what triggered the article, but he never forgot. I’m sure he must have felt I had taken sides in the fight between him and his immediate predecessor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi because he is known to be my very good friend. This is far from being the case.

I love my friends dearly, but my personal life and my work do not mix in that way. Furthermore, it could never have been the case because I always write based on personal convictions and never on the basis of friendship, loyalty, vendetta or bitterness.

Those of us present, including my traveling companions all laughed it off, the tension was defused, and we went back to our hotel after dinner. The first thing I noticed during the dinner was the camaraderie that existed between him and most of the political leaders in Rivers State.

It was obvious he was carrying along most of the stakeholders, and they were happy. I was convinced that it would be impossible for any force to dislodge his second term ambition. It later transpired that I was a bit naïve in not recognising the power of the Federal might in Nigerian elections, and the elections turned out to be a major battle for the soul of Rivers State, and almost a bloodbath. Eventually, Wike won at the end of the highly combustible exercise.

Rivers State was far from my mind when it came back unexpectedly through the most unanticipated channel. I had interviewed the IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and naturally I had asked Kanu about the altercations between the Governor and himself and also the bounty of

N50m Kanu had placed on the head of Governor Wike. Of course, the Governor, had instantly responded and retaliated by placing his own bounty of N100 million on Kanu’s head. It was in the middle of this brouhaha that I was opportune to interview Kanu, and naturally this issue came up.

Apparently, there had been some savage and sporadic attacks against some security personnel and installations in Oyigbo Local Government area of Rivers State. The security forces immediately went after the IPOB members they suspected must have been behind the dastardly attacks.

IPOB in return accused Wike of masterminding the massacre of its people. The IPOB supporters challenged me to invite Wike for an interview, which he agreed to pronto. The rest is history.

In the course of the interview, Wike went beyond my expectations. He spoke passionately about his work as Governor, his running battle with IPOB and invited me to come with the Ovation Media Group team to see for ourselves. I have never seen that level of confidence before. He was so sure of the quality work he has been doing. We accepted his challenge, went to the Lion’s den at Oyigbo, the centre of the conflagration between IPOB in that community and the Government, and came back with the double assurance that life was returning to normal. I offered my neutral recommendations in a piece on this page. That was however, one leg of our journey and mission to Rivers State. The other aspect was to critically examine and evaluate the work that Wike was doing through our pictorial lenses.

The good news that I want to share is that while the whole country is seemingly embroiled and engrossed in crises galore, Governor Nyesom Wike has almost miraculously restored law and order in Rivers State. He has demonstrated an uncommon ability to develop the State and guarantee security of lives and property, which is key to any development. The cities are alive. The villages are active. Businesses are growing. Roads are springing up where they never existed before. World class hospitals are sprouting, burgeoning and thriving. The beautification of Port Harcourt is amazingly remarkable. Many are wondering and asking “where is Wike getting his money from that he’s able to build all these humongous structures, pay contractors fully or 70 percent upfront, engage the numero uno construction firm, Julius Berger, the company building flyovers left right and centre?” I won’t lie, I’m pleasantly surprised myself at the phenomenal work ongoing in all parts of the State, a lot of them completed. I recently told a friend that Buhari won’t have any problem if he could just execute half of what Wike has done in Rivers State alone. This is not an attempt to ridicule anyone, but the brutal truth.

What I also love about Wike is his ability to market the State to insiders and outsiders. Since seeing is believing, he constantly invites special guests from both his party PDP and APC to see for themselves. I know the world is full of cynical people who will pass snide remarks at this good news (many people prefer negative stories), I will now give you some verifiable details… In due course you will also see them in pictures and glowing technicolour.

Let’s start from this. After 41 years, Wike has begun implementation of the multiple campus that was envisioned for the Rivers State University with his establishment of campuses in Emohua, Etche, Ahoada and Gokana… This includes the foundation Laying ceremony of the first-ever College of Medical Sciences, RSU and proper buildings for various Faculties, including the Faculties of Basic Clinical, and Clinical Medicine,

Medical Pathology, Orthopaedic & Trauma Centre, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Construction of the Senate Building and many more…

Other notable infrastructure being built by Wike include the N25.9 billion Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre, being built by Julius Berger. There are also the Haemodialysis and Renal Centre with ability to perform Kidney transplants and such hi-tech procedures, the Mother and Child Specialist Hospital & Doctors Quarters, all part of his insatiable urge to leave a befitting legacy of fantastic medical facilities for the State.

In terms of road and rural development, Wike has embarked on the Ogoni-Andoni-Nkoro Unity Road and achieved the distinction of constructing the first road to enter Ogoni and Andoni Communities in over 100 years - He thus became the first Governor to drive into Opobo town…

Other roads completed or nearing completion are Abonema Ring Road. It is noteworthy that, before now, the State had only one narrow single carriage road that led into Abonema and Obonoma townships. It has now been widened and dualised in parts. It is envisaged that for Odufor-Akpoku-Umoye Road, a 21km road, will mark the very first time a road will be constructed in that axis. All Roads in Old and New Port Harcourt GRA Constructed. A 33km Saakpenwa Bori-Kono Road (Phases 1 and 2) are in the process of completion.

In relation to schools, there has been complete Restoration of Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonema and the flag off of construction of Government Secondary School, Kpor and restoration of Government Secondary School, Abuah, Community Secondary School, Eteo, Eleme LGA and Community Secondary School, Obeakpu-Ndoki. Oyigbo LGA...

The judiciary has not been left out. There is now full Autonomy for the Judiciary, upgrade of facilities of state and federal judicial officers…

He constructed and furnished a new High Court complex of two storey building and a Court complex of four Magistrate Courts, Judicial Service Commission’s office, a multi-door Court house, and a family court.

A construction and furnishing of a new ultramodern Court complex for Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court.

A construction and furnishing of a new ultramodern court complex for the Port Harcourt Division of National Industrial Court.

A comprehensive rehabilitation of the Federal Court of Appeal Complex, Port Harcourt. A massive renovation of the headquarters of the State’s Customary Court of Appeal Complex.

A complete rehabilitation of Customary Court of Appeal courtrooms across the State.

A magnificent renovation and furnishing of the official residence of the Chief Judge.

An establishment of the Rivers State Multi-door Court House and the Family Court.

Building of a new secretariat complex for the Port Harcourt branch of the NBA. Quarters for Judges of National Industrial Court of Nigeria In Sports Development, Rivers State Real Madrid Academy…

With regard to Agriculture, completion of the Cassava Processing Plant, in Oyigbo Local Government, Ogbunabali/Eastern Bypass Road…

And much, much more.

The essence of this page today is to inspire other leaders to work harder and not to disparage anyone. I have no doubt that Governor Nyesom Wike has built an enviable and enduring legacy for himself and his family. He deserves a standing ovation.

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