SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST 2021

82 Yauri Students Spend Day 52 with Bandits in Forest Anguished parents lament kids’ continuing stay in jungle Ismail Adebayo,Birnin Kebbi Eighty two of the 94 students abducted by bandits at the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State on

June 17 are spending their 52nd day today with the kidnappers in the forest.

The heavily armed bandits, who came on motorcycles, entered Yauri from the

neighbouring Rijau forest in Niger State, and abducted the students and staff of the school unhindered.

Some students and staff, 12 in all, have since gained

freedom, leaving 82 in captivity.

Parents of the students still with the bandits remain in anguish over the fate of their children.

Their anxiety was heightened by unconfirmed reports quoting the leader of the bandits, saying they had married the females among the students out to their members

and were training the males for banditry.

The parents, on hearing this, gathered at Yauri, and after Continued on page 5

Wema Bank Mulls Merger or Acquisition, to Raise N40bn Through Rights Issue… Page 5 Saturday 7 August, 2021 Vol 26. No 9616

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Army Chief: We’re Set to Take Battle to Terrorists’ Enclaves Says operations now reinvigorated, optimistic about positive results soon Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Nigerian Army yesterday said it had reinvigorated its operations and strengthened them to enable the troops

take the war to the enclaves of insurgents, bandits and other criminals terrorising the country.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-Gen Faruk

Yahaya, disclosed this shortly after addressing troops at the Fort Muhammadu Buhari Forward Operating Base, Daura, Katsina State.

He reiterated that the

Nigerian Army would carry out its operational battles to the enemies’ enclaves both in the North-west and North-east where most of their operations were being conducted to

pave the way for peace and development to thrive.

While admitting that there were challenges afflicting the war against insecurity in the country, the Army chief

said with determination and the right efforts by all and sundry, “the Nigeria security challenges are surmountable.”

Continued on page 5

IBB on Corruption: With the Fact on Ground Now, My Govt a Saint Wants next President to be versed in economics, able to talk to the people Says military overstrained in war against terrorists Ahamefula Ogbu Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has described his regime as a saint, when compared to the level of corruption being witnessed today in the country under a democratic government, and further denied the notion that he popularised corruption in Nigeria.

Babangida, who spoke in an exclusive interview on Arise News Channel yesterday from his Minna Hilltop Mansion, also wants the next Nigerian president to be an acceptable person who has contacts across the country, and given the peculiarities in our economy, should be well versed in economic matters,

and be in his 60s in terms of age.

Answering directly on the allegation that he popularised corruption, Babangida, who was head of state between 1985 and 1993, said: “Well, you can’t compare it with the fact on the ground now. From what I read, from analysis, I think we are saints when compared to what is happening under a democratic dispensation.

“I sacked a governor for misappropriating less than N313, 000; today billions are there in the streets. Those who have stolen billions are in courts, and are now parading themselves on the streets.

So, who is better in fighting corruption?”

Continued on page 5

Remanded Aminu Yar’Adua Not Late Ex-President’s Son... Page 6

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Wema Bank Mulls Acquisition or Merger, to Raise N40bn Through Rights Issue Dike Onwuamaeze The management of Wema Bank yesterday hinted that “it is considering” the acquisition of a fintech firm or a merger with another commercial bank, as part of its growth plans.

Speaking in Lagos during the company’s half-year 2021 investors/analysts presentation (virtually), the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Moruf Oseni, said a merger and acquisition (M&A) was part of its plan to ensure organic growth.

Oseni said the acquisition “is not limited to the financial sector space.”

Oseni said: One of our pillars is inorganic growth. It is either you merge or acquire.

It is not limited to acquiring from the Nigerian financial space or with a fintech. We are looking at all possible options this time around “A merger and acquisition

in terms of inorganic growth could be with another financial player in the Nigerian bank or it could potentially be with a fintech or it could be the acquisition of the smaller fintech. But as time goes on, we will engage the market on that.

“We are looking at all possible options, whether you like it or not, no matter how efficient you are. In this game, we are playing skill to skill, and we also have huge aspirations to scale up in the shortest possible time.”

Oseni also announced Wema Bank’s plan to sell shares to existing shareholders to raise additional capital of N40 billion by September.

He said the capital raise would give the bank an expanded base of business over the coming years to compete favourably in the industry.

“The rights issuance is

expected to hit the market in September, this month of August is for us to have a court-ordered meeting to get shareholders together and agree on the scheme of the arrangement,” he said.

He said the bank would embark on a road show from next week to sensitise shareholder groups and associations on growth plans.

Oseni explained that the bank would reduce its shares in issue before embarking on the rights issue to ensure enhanced growth for shareholders.

“Wema Bank today has a large number of shares in issuance, but before we float the right issue, we need to get the shareholders to reduce the shares in issue and on the back of that we then issue those rights.

“This will not change the shareholding structure of the shareholders. We just want to

manage the number of shares in issue, and that will impact on our ratios. It makes sense to have more efficient shares in issue before doing the rights issuance,” Oseni said.

He also said that regulatory cost was among the issues that keep the bank awake at night and explained that Wema Bank “is capable of containing” the regulatory risk: “Are we able to navigate around it? The answer is yes.

The whole thing (regulatory risk) is to make sure that the Nigerian economy is bootstrapped and that there is growth in the economy. Our job is to navigate them as they are part of the business.”

The bank said its operating cost moved from N17.6 billion to N20.8 billion largely due to regulatory costs like AMCON levy and NDIC premium.

Oseni said: “The AMCON levy grew around 50 per cent and the NDIC premium by

almost 90 per cent. Between 2019 and 2020 we grew our deposit by almost 50 per cent. We will use revenue to cover the increase caused by regulatory cost. Also, costs were driven by inflation, forex and energy costs.

“We believe we have started well and will end this year very well. Although the external environment is very tough we believe the opportunities are numerous and will continue to focus on growing our businesses across retail and corporate segments as we continue to execute our three year strategy to capture all the values in it and will continue to play on our digital domain.”

The Chief Finance Officer of Wema Bank, Mr. Tunde Mabawonku, said during the virtual event, that the bank had started a process that would hopefully grow its capital base to N100 billion.

Mabawonku said: “When the CRR dropped below 15 per cent the board approved immediate implementation of the bank’s capital management plan to bring shareholders capital from existing N60 billion plus to above N100 billion mark.”

He also shared insight into the bank’s performance.

According to him, the bank’s profit before tax improved from N1.7 billion in half year 2020 to N4.3 billion in 2021 half year, while its total assets crossed the N1 trillion mark and “the margins are better than this time last year.”

The chief finance officer also said that the bank had grown its deposit base to N808 billion with hope of reaching N1 trillion deposit mark He said: “Growth is less than N500 billion in the first half of the year. But the interesting thing is that retail deposit has grown by 10 per cent.”

Nigerian Army in synergy with other security agencies.

He said: "We need more cooperation and synergy from other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, particularly traditional and religious institutions as well as community and opinion leaders to curtail or bring to the barest minimum the issue of banditry and kidnapping".

On his part, the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, while in audience with the Army chief, attributed the spate of insecurity pervading the nation

to the activities of informants whom he termed dangerous elements fueling banditry and kidnapping in the state.

The traditional ruler also opined that lack of credible information sharing and synergy among security personnel “are responsible” for the security challenges afflicting the country, especially the North-west region of the country.

The emir vowed to support the Nigerian Army to achieve the desired goal in its ongoing war against insecurity in the country.

thanks to the engineering and Maradonic way we handled you guys in the society; but that could have given room for more instability in the country.”

Prodded further on whether the sentiment was among the military or cut across civilian population, he said, “Both. The military, they can do it because they have the weapons to do it but the other society members will agitate.”

On insecurity, he admitted that the military needed to be better equipped, trained and offered improved leadership, adding that “they are not overwhelmed but overstretched” because of the expansive areas of coverage arising from spread in insecurity.

Babangida regretted that the stultified system of things in the country was due to what he described as tyranny of the elites who had made no efforts to harness the positive

qualities naturally embedded in the multi-ethnic composition of the country.

According to him, Nigerians are too intelligent, resourceful and hardworking not to be able to pull the country back from the brinks, but regretted that poor leadership had been the bane which had divested the nation of a rallying point.

While proffering solution to the myriad problems of the country, he pulled his weight behind resource control but warned that some people who either misunderstood the working principles of the proposition would call for the head of whoever propounds such.

Apparently not backing zoning and power shift, he was insistent that unless the country wanted to introduce its own whims and caprices in the practice of democracy, there was need for politicians to allow the principles of democracy, as

globally practiced, to choose its leadership, insisting that it would be done now or in the future.

He argued that with time, people with the finest qualities of leadership, that had popular appeal, would emerge no matter what part of the country such would come from which would be immaterial once things start working fine.

To him, the economy was being overregulated as he called for freeing it, while arguing that production and export would be the twin redeeming principles for the sliding Naira, pointing out that Nigerians had the capacity to achieve it.

He denied being anti-media, claiming that he libralised it, leading to the birth of many private media, both print and electronic. He further dismissed as silly, trying to muscle the press as it would be an exercise in futility.

our children’s abduction. It’s taken longer than expected; we don't even know what might have happened to them. We are worried.”

A top Niger State Government official, who spoke to our correspondent under condition of anonymity in Birnin Kebbi, said the federal government “is working with the state government to rescue the students from the bandits. “ The official adds: “Both the

state and federal governments are working together to secure the students. I think it will not be right, and for security purposes for government, to disclose its strategy on its engagement with the bandits.

“Sure the government is working hard to rescue the students from their abductors and I can assure them that soon their children will be reunited with them. They should just keep supporting

the government in its efforts to get the students safely back home."

Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu met with parents at the premises of the school a day after they were taken by the bandits, assuring them that the state and federal governments were collaborating to rescue the students.

The distraught parents are still waiting for Bagudu to fully actualise his promise.

ARMY CHIEF: WE’RE SET TO TAKE BATTLE TO TERRORISTS’ ENCLAVES He said: "The essence of my visit is to reinvigorate our operations and strengthen them to ensure that the troops take the fight to the enclaves of these criminals and destroy them.

"That is what we are doing and this is what we will continue to do. For every place that I pass, that is my message. We must carry the battle to the enemies’ enclaves both here in the North-west and even in the North-east where we are conducting them.

"This is done in synergy

with other services and other security agencies and indeed other stakeholders. We are all partners and together with this synergy we will achieve result, like we have seen, it has started gaining ground.

"There are challenges.

Sometimes, you see them, but they are not unsurmountable.

With the support we have from the President and Commander-in-Chief, and with the cooperation of other service chiefs, we will get there".

The Army Chief called for effective inter-agency

collaboration between civilmilitary and paramilitary organisations to checkmate the activities of the hoodlums within their respective areas of responsibilities in order to ward off insecurity.

The COAS, who also paid homage to the Emir of Daura, Dr. Umar Faruk Umar, appealed to traditional rulers to support the military and other security agencies by providing actionable intelligence to combat security challenges besetting some parts of the country.

The Chief of Army Staff

explained that traditional and religious institutions had vital roles to play in the fight against insecurity in the country.

He added that giving security operatives vital and actionable information on the whereabouts and movements of insurgents, bandits and kidnappers would help the authorities in containing the situation.

He however noted that the worrisome situation in the North-West was already improving, due to steps taken by officers and men of the

IBB ON CORRUPTION: WITH THE FACT ON GROUND NOW, MY GOVT A SAINT On the kind of President Nigeria deserves in 2023, Babangida ruled out former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, because they would be in their 70s by the next election.

Although IBB, as Babangida is fondly called, did not in any way mention their names as ineligible for the nation’s number one seat, he however suggested that individuals in their 60s should be the focus of Nigerians as potential presidential candidates in 2023.

By the next general election in 2023, Atiku, who is 75 this year, would be 77, while Tinubu, who marked an official 68th birthday in March, would have turned 70 years.

Specifically on the importance of leadership in nation-building and where he thought the likes of Atiku and Tinubu no longer fit the bill, IBB said: “If you get a good

leadership that links with the people and tries to talk with the people; not talking on top of the people, then we would be okay.

“I have started visualising a good Nigerian leader. That is, a person, who travels across the country, has a friend virtually everywhere he travels to and knows at least one person that he can communicate with.

“That is a person, who is very verse in economics and is also a good politician, who should be able to talk to Nigerians and so on. I have seen one, or two or three of such persons already in his sixties.”

But when asked if the person could emerge victorious in the 2023 presidential election, the Minna-born former military leader said, “I believe so, if we can get him.”

Responding to a question on whether or not he still believed in the future of Nigeria, IBB, who turns 80 on August 17,

2021, said: “I do believe in the future of Nigeria, but Nigerians don’t believe in the future of their country. They created and they destroyed.”

Reiterating his belief in the future of Nigeria and urging Nigerians to remain patriotic, Babangida, who claimed to feeling good as he was about to turn 80 years, with gratitude to God for sparing his life, advised Nigerians to go for the person that has what it takes to transform the country when the time comes.

He also stated that the need to avoid a bloody coup, which would have set the country back several decades, informed the annulment of the 1993 Presidential election presumed to have been won by late Moshood Kashimowu Abiola.

Babangida said: “You want me to be honest with you? If it materialised, there would have been a coup which would have been violent, that’s all I can confirm. It didn’t happen

82 YAURI STUDENTS SPEND DAY 52 WITH BANDITS IN FOREST a meeting, agreed to embark on prayers.

Few days ago, they also held a prayer session at Yauri for the release of their children.

At the prayer session, they expressed fear and disappointment with the state’s government, alleging that they were not being told anything positive about their children still with the bandits.

One of the parents told THISDAY recently: "We

don't even know what has happened to our children.

Government is not telling us anything. We had made several attempts to engage government over our children that are still in the hands of bandits but we were turned down. We wanted to know what they are doing to rescue them. Their continued stay with the bandits is not good at all. We as parents are willing to do what the parents of abducted students

in other places did if that will make the bandits release our children."

Another parent adds: "I think it’s time government engages the bandits. We are worried about our children staying with terrorists for this long. The bandits have not made any demands from us, we wouldn't know if they are making any demands on government. But we don't think it is right for government to be silent on

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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News Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

Remanded Aminu Yar’Adua Not Late Ex-President’s Son A Contrary to reports that 36-year-old Aminu Yar’Adua remanded for allegedly killing four persons in an auto crash in Yola, Adamawa State last Thursday, was the son of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, THISDAY checks have revealed that the accused is actually the son of the elder Yar’Adua, Late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

The report, which had gone viral on different social media platforms and news portals had identified Aminu as the late former president’s son, after a Magistrate Court in Yola ordered his remand.

But a family source, who pleaded anonymity, stated that Aminu, who works with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, remained a member of the

family and the clarification was not in any way denying his membership of the Yar’Adua family, but a sincere effort to set the facts right.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had reported that Yar’Adua, a student of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, was charged to court for allegedly causing death by dangerous driving on June 23, 2021.

The Police First Information Report (FIR) tendered in court by the prosecutor, Inspector Zakka Musa, stated that the accused had, while driving along Yola bye-pass in June, ran over six people as a result of overspeeding.

The court heard that four of the victims were killed and the

other two were injured in the accident, with the victims all hailing from Sabon Pegi, Yola South Local Government Area of the state.

“Those that died in the accident were identified as Aisha Umar (30), Aisha Mamadu (32), Suleiman Abubakar (2) and Jummai Abubakar (30); while Rejoice Annu (28) and

Hajara Aliyu (27) sustained injuries,” the report stated.

The prosecuting officer had told the court that the relatives of the late Aisha Umar, Suleiman Abubakar and Jummai Abubakar had demanded the sum of N15 million from the defendant as compensation.

But, when the FIR was read

to the defendant as prayed for by the prosecutor, he denied committing the offence, describing the allegation as untrue.

At that point, the prosecutor pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter, to enable him duplicate the case file and forward same to the Department

of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The Magistrate, Jummai Ibrahim, therefore, granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the matter to August 19, 2021, for further mention, and ordered that Aminu son be remanded in prison custody until then.

Gambian President Commends Nigeria’s Drug War Campaign Michael Olugbode in Abuja President Adama Barrow of Gambia has commended Nigeria’s commitment to the war against illicit drug trafficking and abuse, even as he called for more collaboration among anti-drug law enforcement agencies in Africa and the world at large.

He gave the commendation at the State House in Banjul when he received Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) who was in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) bothering on cooperation in combating illicit production, manufacture, and trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of the Gambia, DLEAG. Speaking during the courtesy visit on Thursday, President Barrow applauded the decision by the NDLEA to sign the agreement with DLEAG, saying such will strengthen and integrate ECOWAS member states especially in the area of war against drug trafficking and abuse.

According to him, “drug cartels work as a network and are linked; as such, institutions fighting them must also partner and work together. The whole of Gambia has an important guest in Gen. Marwa who we have heard so much about his leadership traits.”

He acknowledged that: “Nigeria has been helpful and supportive of the Gambia in various forms and we are grateful. The signing of this MoU between NDLEAand DLEAG is a clear indication that Nigeria is more than willing to partner with us.

“His coming to Gambia is an indication of Marwa’s personal commitment to the war against drugs and I believe the agreement will benefit both countries because drug use is a national threat and a big security issue, and without security no nation can progress.”

In his remarks, Marwa expressed happiness that Gambia was a willing partner in the fight against drug cartels in the West African sub-region. He said: “We are facing enemies of the worst grade and so we need all the support and partnerships at the national, regional and international levels.”

Oba of Benin’s Fifth Wife Delivers Quadruplets Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II has welcomed the delivery of quadruplets from his fifth wife, Princess (Oloi) Esosa into the Benin Royal family.

The Oba had in May 2020, welcomed his first infant Prince after he ascended the throne of his forebears as the 40th Oba of Benin from her Royal Highness, Princess (Oloi) Iyayota Ewuare II. The traditional ruler made the announcement at 4:57p.m. at his palace yesterday in Benin City, amidst jubilation by guests and members of the Benin royal family Disclosing the sexes of the babies who are yet to be named, comprising three infant Princes and a Princess, the monarch paid

tribute to God Almighty and the ancestors for the blessing.

The presiding Priest of the oldest West African Church, better known as Holy Aruosa Church, Ohen-Osa Igbinoghodua Edebiri, also offered prayer to God for wisdom and guidance of the newborn.

The brief ceremony coincided with the visit of National executives of Immaculate Conception College, ICC, Benin City which is the Alma-mater of Oba Ewuare II. The group which was led

by Mr. John Osa- Omoregie thanked the Benin monarch for his support towards the development of the school and sued for more support.

Princess (Oloi) Aisosa Ewuare II is the youngest among the wives of the traditional ruler.

A WORTHY PARTNERSHIP...

L-R: Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi after the meeting with President of Wilson Centre, Mane Hartman in the USA on Wednesday

IG Assigns New Commissioners to Enugu, Kaduna, FCT, 10 States Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, yesterday ordered the posting of new Commissioners of Police to take over command leadership in 13 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

A statement issued by Force Public Relations, Mr. Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said the posting of the senior officers was part of efforts aimed at repositioning the force for greater efficiency and

stabilising the internal security order and scaling up the fight against crimes and criminality in the country.

The affected state commands and senior officers are Niger, CP Monday Bala Kuryas; Kwara, CP Emienbo Tuesday Assayamo; Nasarawa, CP Soyemi Musbau Adesina; Taraba, CP Abimbola Shokoya; Benue, CP Akingbola Olatunji; FCT, CP Babaji Sunday; Kogi, CP Arungwa Nwazue Udo; Kaduna, CP Abdullahi Mudashiru and Jigawa, CP Aliyu Sale Tafida.

Others are Enugu, CP Abubakar Lawal; Cross River, CP Alhassan Aminu; Bayelsa, CP Echeng Eworo Echeng and Kebbi, CP Musa Baba.

Other Senior officers deployed are CP Ndatsu Aliyu Mohammed, a former Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, who is now the CP AntiFraud Unit FCID, Abuja; CP Sikiru Akande, a former CP in Cross River State, who is now redeployed to the Department of ICT as the CP ICT, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Similarly, CP Bankole Lanre Sikiru is deployed as the CP INTERPOL, FCID Lagos and CP Augustine Arop who is posted as the Deputy Commandant, Police Staff College Jos. The statement said the IG while charging the officers to justify the confidence reposed in them assured the citizenry of sustained efforts by the force to stabilise security in the country.

He enjoined citizens in the affected states to cooperate with their new commissioners of police for efficient service delivery.

AdCademy Masterclass: AAAN Announces Resource Persons

Ugwuanyi Swears-in Late Mathias Ekweremadu’s Wife, Others

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has announced the line-up of local and foreign experts billed for its second Academy Masterclass.

The Masterclass, which holds virtually from 26-29 August, is in partnership with the prestigious Henley Business School.

The line-up of experts was announced via a statement jointly signed by Jenkins Alumona, AAAN Vice President/Chairman of the AdCademy Committee; and Olasunkanmi Atolagbe, acting AdCademy Director.

Those expected at the three-day training programme include Professor Adeyinka Adewale and Mr. Barry Van Zyl of Henley Business School, Mr. Bayo Adekambi, a reputed data expert: and Barrister Ayuli Jemide, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Business Law Section.

Also billed to be at the programme as facilitators are marketing and communications big names such as Professor Emevwo Biakolo of the School

Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday, swore-in Mrs. Stella Akpa Ekweremadu, wife of the late Commissioner for Transport and former member, who represented Aninri Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mathias Ekweremadu Jnr., as Commissioner in the Enugu State Civil Service Commission.

Ugwuanyi also swore-in retired state Permanent Secretary, Mr. Robinson Ogbonna Odo, mni, as Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission.

Other Commissioners inaugurated by the governor at the EXCO Chamber, Lion Building, Government House, Enugu, alongside Mr. Odo and Mrs. Ekweremadu, were Dr. Mrs. Eucharia Offor (Member 1), Mr. Nathaniel Chidiebere Anike (Member 2) and Mrs. Joy Chinenye Odike (Member 3).

Ugwuanyi equally swore-in Commissioners in the reconstituted Enugu State Local Government Service Commission, with

of Communication of the Pan-Atlantic University; John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria; and Leke Alder of Alder Consulting, Austin Ufomba, Chief Executive Officer, Tytron Group; and Mrs. Chioma Afe, Group Head, Retail Marketing and Analytics, Access Bank Plc. The Masterclass, which has as theme “The Winning Strategy”, is a continuation of the AAAN’s efforts at expanding the industry talent pool. The programme is open to mid-level management staff in brand and client service, copywriters, artists, account/ strategic planners, media managers and professionals involved in related functions in the private and public sectors.

Speaking on the programme, Steve Babaeko, AAAN President, explained that it is aimed at providing participants with deep strategic thinking skills and practical advertising craft that will help them become first-class professionals.

Professor of Political Science and renowned Consultant, Prof. Osy Okanya, as Chairman.

Other members of the state LG Service Commission sworn-in

by Governor Ugwuanyi were Hon. Rodrick Ugwu, Nnaji Peter Nnaji, Mrs. Florence Ifeyinwa Igboji and Hon. Eugene Odo. Swearing-in the Commissioners in the State Civil Service Commission, Ugwuanyi charged them to be honest, transparent, accountable, fair, just and committed in the exercise of their mandate of appointing persons into the State Civil Service and carrying out disciplinary control.

He told the new Commissioners that their enviable track records, competencies and training recommended them for the job, adding: “You are expected to midwife a skilled, competent and disciplined workforce that will ensure the attainment of service delivery goals of our administration through merit, skill and character driven recruitment.”

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Edo Police Rescue Seven Trafficked Minors Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. . .

L-R: Senator Emmanuel Essien, National Chairman PANDEF; Rt. Hon Owoidighe Ekpoattai, SA to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Cottage Industries Clutters (representing the Governor) and Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) at the closing ceremony of the three-day training workshop for members of the Strategic Communications Committee in Uyo... recently.

Afenifere Slams IBB Over Claims on State of Nation

James Sowole in Akure

The Pan Yoruba SocioPolitical Group, Afenifere, yesterday slammed the former Nigeria’s Military President Ibrahim Babangida, for his interview on a national television, Arise TV on the state of the nation.

The Secretary General of Afenifere, Chief Sola Ebiseni, in a statement made available to journalists, described the interview as “A sour taste in the mouth.”

Specifically, Ebiseni said Babangida’s excuse for the

annulment of the June 12 presidential election, was unacceptable to Nigerians.

He said, “Babangida has not said a new thing worthy of any reaction in respect of his treasonable acts of the annulment of the adjudged freest and fairest election in the country’s political history.

“Nigerians are not interested in any excuse being now given by IBB. It is even most preposterous that IBB will only now be insulting the intelligence of Nigerians that he annulled their mandate to forestall

a violent coup, which, by reasonable inference, he was aware of.

“He lost the opportunity of being the hero of democracy and father of a new Nigeria, an eternal regret that no whitewashing on television can redeem.

“However, it is no gain saying the fact that the present administration has made saints of all previous administrations in every aspects of governance.

“The Buhari government has failed, even in the areas of his promises to Nigerians

on security, economy and anti corruption. Nigeria has been rendered a failed state in its obvious inability to secure life and property.

“The Babangida administration cannot be accused of sectional and sectarian disposition which is the hallmark of the Buhari Government. Rather than indulging in comparing any government with the present, those who still have faith in the unity of Nigeria are only fervently praying and counting days for this evil cup to pass over.”

Press Freedom Shouldn’t be Restrained, Fayemi Warns Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has restated that the freedom of the press shouldn’t be repressed in the country despite the perceived inadequacies on the part of some practitioners.

Fayemi insisted that no matter the excesses being exhibited by the press, that under no guise should its freedom be abridged or tinkered with.

The Chairman, Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum, spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday evening, during a dinner organised

by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti Council.

Fayemi contended that journalists had etched their names indelibly in the history of the country, having at various times fought for Nigeria’s independence and cleared the way for Nigeria to navigate to constitutional democracy from the military junta.

“In the fight for our Independence and the sustained agitations against military for the journey to Nigeria democracy, journalists

played prominent roles, even at the risk of their lives and jobs.

“The press stands for the people. It is the voice of the voiceless. Though, you may have some things that appeared so terrifying now that we have social media, because of lack of control, but you still have to go to the mainstream journalism to confirm, because they have control and gatekeepers, who can be held accountable.

“Even if there are excesses, the freedom of the press should not be restrained. We should look for other ways to correct these perceived inadequacies.”

Fayemi said governing Ekiti had been so challenging since 2018 due to paucity of funds, saying he would continue to look for humble ways to seek understanding of Ekiti people about his policies and delivery while also maintaining prudence in the management of the state’s scarce resources.

Based on the request of the NUJ Chairman in Ekiti, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, demanding a befitting Press Centre from the government, Fayemi promised to set machinery in motion to ensure that the project comes to fruition.

FG Urges States to Domesticate Relevant Economic Policies

Fulfil Your Empowerment Promise, Ijaw

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Sylvester Idowu inWarri

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has advised sub-national governments to continue to support, replicate and domesticate germane economic policies of the federal government in their respective states to ensure developmental consolidation, impactful deliverables and huge successes.

She called for a collective spirit and aspiration in building a nation of everyone’s dreams, especially for the upcoming generation in particular, and the world at large, by ensuring transeconomic development of all sectors of the economy that will support job/wealth creation and unimpaired operational security across board.

Ahmed spoke at a meeting of the 20th National Council on Development Planning (NCDP) in Maiduguri, Borno State, organised by her ministry in collaboration with the Borno State Government.

The NCDP is a meeting of states’ commissioners for budget and economic planning organised annually to serve as a veritable platform for senior officials of the federal and state ministries, representatives of the organised private sector, development partners and civil society organisations.

It is designed for such stakeholders to engage in technical discussions on contemporary economic policy issues in order to come up with effective and functional approaches towards enhancing economic management processes at both federal and sub-national levels.

Youth Author Pleads With Osinbajo A 32-year-old Ijaw youth writer and author, Prince Shedrack Bebenimibo, has appealed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to fulfill his promise to empower him with the publications of his unpublished books.

He said that the Vice President, during his visit to Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State in 2017, to douse brewing tension in the Niger Delta region, promised to assist him with the publications of his unpublished scripts.

Narrating his ordeal to THISDAY in Warri yesterday, Bebenimibo said five years after the promise, he was yet to hear from the Vice President Office while his scripts remain unpublished.

The author said, though he received a letter from the Presidency in 2018, he followed up

with instructions contained, but nothing came out of his efforts.

Bebenimibo, who has written and published over three books with some titled: Disappointment To Appointment, Self Discovery In Nation Building and Battles Of Life, said further: “On the 16th of January 2017, I met with the Vice President during the his Peace Keeping and Fact Finding visit to the Niger Delta Region, particularly at Kurutie Community, the temporary site of the Nigerian Maritime University in Gbaramatu Kingdom, in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“I approached the Vice President and expressed my passion and desires to him. And how I needed the support or empowerment of the Vice President in the actualisation of my dreams of remodelling and reorienting the minds of Nigerians, particularly the youths.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued six girls and a male who were allegedly being trafficked to Cote d’ Ivoire and Libya.

The victims are, Innocent Godfrey (male) 20, Success Okogbowa (17),Gift Osabuohien (18), Endurance Edigho (18), Gift Edigho (17), Oghayero (19) and Happiness Oliver (16) all female.

The girls who disguised themselves as Muslims by wearing hijab were intercepted at Isihor Police Check-point, Benin City on the Benin-Lagos Road.

The victims who are from Delta, Edo and Enugu states but residents of Edo State were allegedly recruited by Godfrey’s sister for the journey.

Addressing journalists yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Philip Aliyu Ogbadu, said the police were able to intercept the victims following an intelligence report.

He said, “Some of the victims were minors. On interrogation, we found out they were being trafficked to Cote d’ Ivoire by one Godfrey. It is a case of trafficking. They would be handed over to National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffick in Person (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation.”

In an interview, one of trafficked victims, Innocent Godfrey, said the journey was arranged by her sister for someone in Libya.

“I am not the one conveying them. I am going to Libya while they are going to Cote d’ Ivoire. We were arrested at the check point in Isihor. I am not the one trafficking the girls. I also paid N200,000 for this trip but the person that is trafficking the girls is in Libya and he paid money to sponsor the girls.”

One of the girls, Endurance Edigho, said they were recruited

by Godfrey’s sister at a birthday party of one of their friends.

Lagos Police Command Gets New PPRO Sunday Ehigiator The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has approved the posting of Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to the Force Public Relations Department, Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters, Garki Abuja while CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu has been posted to take over as the new PPRO of Lagos State Police Command with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement yesterday, signed by the outgoing spokesperson of the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

Ajisebutu, before his new role, was the Second-inCommand, Area E Festac Area Command of the state.

He was one time the PPRO, Oyo State Police Command from 2015 to 2019 and PPRO Zone 11, Osogbo from 2019 to 2020.

According to the statement, Ajisebutu “has worked in various capacities in the force such as Deputy PPRO, Ogun State, Personal Assistant to Commissioners

of Police in Ogun State Command and Personal Assistant to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters Abuja, DIG Leye Oyebade, mni (rtd) in 2021.

“He is an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

“With this development, Ajisebutu has taken up the responsibilities of the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command with immediate effect and could be reached on cell phone number 08036536581.”

CSP Adejobi therefore expressed gratitude to the IGP, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, the entire workforce of the Lagos State Police Command, the Government and good people of Lagos State, especially gentlemen of the press for their unflinching supports during his tenure as the PPRO, Lagos State.

Disabled Persons, Other Aggrieved Investors Barricade Baraza Cooperative Society Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Dozens of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) and other Bayelsans numbering in hundreds yesterday stormed the headquarters of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society at No 1, Otiotio Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, demanding for the refund of the monies invested in the cooperative society.

The PWLDs who came in crutches and wheelchairs barricaded the MbiamaYenagoa Road for several hours while the able bodied ones who gained entrance

to the office carted away office equipment from the office.

This is as the veil of expectations covering over 40,000 Bayelsans who invested in Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society may have finally been pulled off their eyes.

Many of them who are now faced with the bitter reality of a failed business venture with glaring indications that their monies may have gone down the drains, expressed their anger at the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Baraza, Pastor Miebi Bribena, an ordained Pastor of Christ Embassy.

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NEWS HURIWA Asks IG to Lift Siege on Enugu Community over Land

MARITAL BLISS… L-R: The groom, Lukman Adewale Faniyi; parents of the bride, Professor Ramat Olohuntoyin Na’Allah; her husband/Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah; the bride, Saarah Asabi Na’Allah and her sister, Haleemah Na’Allah, during the wedding ceremony of Lukman and Saarah in Ilorin, Kwara State... recently.

Kaduna Postpones School Resumption as Security Agencies Battle Bandits John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has announced the postponement of schools in the state scheduled for Monday August 9 following advice on ongoing security operations.

The government also suspended the execution of ongoing projects in high risk areas pending further security advice.

In a statement yesterday, jointly signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Af-

fairs, Samuel Aruwan and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Shehu Muhammad, said the state government has accepted the security advisory and directed total compliance by all schools and agencies involved in delivering infrastructure projects in high-risk areas.

Kaduna State is facing serious security challenges occasioned by killings, abductions and destruction of communities.

The statement commended the military and police high commands for the ongoing

Wema Bank Partners SheCan to Support Women In furtherance of its commitment to women’s empowerment and the transformative impact of empowered women in society, Wema Bank Plc is partnering with SheCan Nigeria to organise a workshop with a goal to help women realise their potentials and develop capabilities to achieve success in society. SheCan Nigeria is a movement for today’s woman to realise her potential and develop her capabilities to achieve success through collaboration and empowerment and to become active players and contributors in our world today.

The partnership between Wema Bank Plc and SheCan Nigeria in previous times has produced pieces of training and workshops where women have gotten support and mentorship in various areas from tech, crafts, education, etc.

This year’s edition of the SheCan conference, which will

be both Virtual and on-site, will drive a change in the culture and perception of women in today’s world.

In a statement issued by the bank, one goal of the conference is to reinforce the fundamental change that women can do more even in the face of the global economic meltdown, and as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Funmilayo Falola, Head, Marketing Communications and Investor Relations, “this year, the conference will address the changing needs and growing demands of today’s world.

“This special edition will focus on addressing relatable issues that deal with career growth/swap and development, job transition, mid-life crisis, how to do More in business, preparation for the next big role, venturing into male-dominated sectors/Àelds,µ she said.

security operations against armed bandits across the state.

“The government praised the doggedness and courage of o΀cers and troops carrying out air and ground operations around the Kaduna/Niger/ Katsina/Plateau and Zamfara boundaries. KDSG has also requested the military and police high commands to expand the operations to newly identiÀed hideouts.

“As the security operations proceed, the Kaduna State Government has been advised

to postpone the resumption of schools, previously scheduled for 9th August 2021, and to pause the continuation of infrastructure projects and construction in highrisk areas, while awaiting further assessments by the security agencies,µ the statement said.

The statement said further that, “The Kaduna State Government has accepted the security advisory, and hereby directs total compliance by all schools, and agencies involved in delivering infrastructure projects in high-risk areas.

It’s a Sin to Deny Baby Breast Milk, Say UNICEF, Experts Omon-Julius Onabu inAsaba Failure or refusal to give your baby breast milk has been described as amounting not only to denying the child of its fundamental human rights but also a sin against God, experts on nutrition and breastfeeding have warned.

This view was expressed by experts at the one day multi-zonal media dialogue with journalists on 2021 World Breastfeeding Week organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The media dialogue, whose theme was, ‘Protect Breastfeeding, A Shared Shared Responsibility’, drew participants from Abia, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, and dwelt primarily on issues relating to prospects and progress of breastfeeding initiative in Nigeria as well as how the media can support advocacy in

order to improve implementation of Breastfeeding Policies Action Plan vis-a-vis commitments by stakeholders including media practitioners.

Giving an overview of the breastfeeding initiative in Nigeria, in terms of prospects and challenges, Mrs. Ngozi Onuorah, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Rivers Field Office, stressed that both the mother and the government would be guilty of a serious offence by standing in the way of the newborn to be breastfed exclusively for six months, beginning from the Àrst hour of birth, and up to two years or more.

“It is a sin for a mother to deny a child breast milk,µ Onuorah stressed, adding, “And, it is a crime for the government to invest in and encourage breastfeeding advocacy and policy implementation initiatives; because breastfeeding initiative is a shared responsibility.µ

I Will Use Culture to Unite Nigeria, Says Runsewe The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has said that his ultimate goal was to use culture to unite Nigeria and bring about sustainable peace and national development.

This is as the wife of the state governor of Ekiti, Erelu

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi received the award of MaMa NAFEST 2021.

Runsewe, who is also the President of the World Crafts Council, African Region, stated this at the opening of a 3-day meeting of the National Technical Stakeholders of the National Festival of Arts and Culture held in Ado Ekiti, in

Ekiti State.

Runsewe added that time has come for Nigeria stakeholders to change the narratives of culture in Nigeria.

According to him, it is time for all hands to be on deck to take our good hands, good ideas and good culture to other parts of the world.

He also commended the

EKiti State Cultural Troupe for their wonderful performances and promised to give them more exposure to the outside world. He urged the Culture Commissioners and stakeholders to tap into the SWOT analysis and emphasise the good aspect of our country for the time has come for the nation to blow its trumpet.

A rights and advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has charged the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to stop the arbitrary deployment of its SWAT officers against hapless natives of Ndiaga Awkunannaw, Enugu State in a bid to seize their lands from them.

HURIWA in a petition pointed out that the locals had cried out to them over the repressive activities of the said SWAT officers by the Force CID which allegedly laid siege on the community, violating their rights to freedom of movement and peaceful existence.

A statement from the Executive Director of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, citing a Save Our Soul appeal from the community alleged that the use of the police was to scare them from their land in a grab style.

“We the people of Ndiaga Amechi Awkunanaw have decided to cry out for help against the incessant harassment of the officers of SWAT, Force CID, Abuja who have laid siege on our community, and have been on a prowl, hounding every member of the community over an allegation which many members of the community know nothing

about.

“We have however now become aware that this unfortunate vendetta was orchestrated against the community by a known land grabber, (name withheld) in order to assist the said land grabber to forcefully take over our communal/ancestral land.

“We now understand that the situation was borne out of a misunderstanding arising from the illegal use of some mobile police officers by the referenced land grabber.

“We are equally aware that the law permits us to defend our property, just like any other owner of a property, against any forceful or unlawful takeover of same, and we cannot therefore be annihilated, completely wiped oͿ or jailed because we resisted abusive use of a few compromised mobile police o΀cers on illegal duty, who were hired and gave themselves out as hirelings and whose presence on the land is clearly to support the greedy, acquisitive tendencies of a land grabber who has selfishly instigated and unleashed them (SWAT, FCID, Nigeria Police Force, Abuja) against the community.

Abia PDP to Retake Constituencies

by Fielding Popular Candidates Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogoin Umuahia

Stakeholders of the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have vowed to sustain the culture of fielding popular candidates during election, saying that the policy paid off during the Aba North/ Aba South Federal Constituency by election.

The ruling party in Abia had reclaimed the Aba Federal Constituency following its choice of Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike as its flag bearer, who comfortably won the election. With the victory PDP was able to reclaim the Aba Federal Constituency, which was hitherto held by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Speaking at a thank you meeting organised by Hon. Ebisike, who is barely three months old in the House of Representatives, the state chairman of PDP, Hon.

Asiforo Okere, stated that the federal lawmaker has justified the party’s confidence in giving him the ticket.

He assured that the victory of the party in Aba Federal Constituency has set the ball rolling for the “season of recoveryµ of other constituencies held by the opposition, which would be accomplished in subsequent elections.

The PDP chairman harped on the need for Abia people to enroll in the ongoing nationwide voter registration exercise of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to ensure active participation in the electoral process.

Hon. Ebisike was lauded by all the party stakeholders who spoke at the event, saying that he has earned their confidence with his quality representation so far in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

FG Inaugurates Justice for Children Coordination Forum AlexEnumahinAbuja The federal government has inaugurated the Justice for Children Coordination Forum, reiterating its commitment towards the provision of access to justice for vulnerable children in the country.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, said to this end, the federal government amongst others would establish special court to try cases of rape and gender related offences.

Malami spoke at the launch of the EU-UNICEF Access to Justice Programme targeted at children on the move and other vulnerable children.

The programme organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with Nigeria Police Force and UNICEF, is sponsored by the National Human

Rights Commission, Buni Yadi Foundation, federal Ministry of Water Resources, Nigerian Bar Association, University of Abuja and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes.

Speaking at the event, the AGF said, “This administration will continue to do its best in the protection of the rights of children and vulnerable persons.

Recently, at a function together with the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), Mr. Tony Ojukwu, I disclosed that my office is currently engaging with respective Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based Violence Offences in the country.µ The move according to the minister will fast track such cases and result in justice for child victims of sexual violence.

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COMMENTARY

HARUNA AND WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE The enlistment of the retired general in the battle against drug abuse is heart-warming, writes Chuks Akamadu

I

t had been with a remarkable sense of relief that I read a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report on August 1, 2021 that quoted the workaholic Chairman/Chief Executive of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as saying that the agency arrested 5000 offenders, prosecuted 3000 and counseled 2,303 victims of drug abuse within five months – January to May. It was equally refreshing to note that under Gen Marwa’s phenomenal watch, NDLEA has, to its credit, seized more than two million kilogrammes of assorted drugs as well as recovered drugs and cash worth well over N90 billion! Truly where there is a will, there always will be a way.

What this simply means is that whilst it’s not entirely out of place for Nigerians to be alarmed by the growing prevalence of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in and around Nigeria, NDLEA’s commendable leadership in ridding the nation of narcotic and potentially harmful psychotic substances presents prospects of early victory – especially if the current momentum is sustained.

It is against this background that the Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths (CERANY), a voluntary organization conceived 19 years ago to be a catalyst for moral reawakening of Nigerian youths is proud to be associated with NDLEA in its renewed commitment to rescuing the nation from the fetters of drug abuse.

In retrospect the CERANY initiative was, after all, not a wasteful venture by very distinguished Nigerians who had stepped forward in 2001 to co-midwife what has become a special purpose vehicle (SPV) today, for the campaign against drug abuse in Nigeria.

Perhaps I should at this point note that by far the single greatest support base we had at inception was late Chief Debo Akande (SAN) who substantially funded our activities and also joined us in the field work. Chief Akande was later joined by Mr. George Eke – a foremost patron and veritable source of inspiration, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, nationalist and doyen of public relations practice in Africa, Chief Bob Ogbuagu (OON), Emeritus Professor Ayo Edwards, Mr. Cyprian C. Udenwa, Prof. C.S Momoh and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, President, Neimeth Pharmaceutical PLC (as he then was).

By the time we started our “Catch-Them-Young” campaign against drug abuse, more notable Nigerians who we actually considered to be, in their individual rights, beacons of morality like late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Amb. Timloh Butven, Prof. C.K Agomo and Prof. E.O Akanki had actively joined and promoted the efforts of CERANY in combating the scourge of drug abuse among young people of Nigeria.

We had traversed the length and breadth of Lagos State– and beyond, taking part in orientation programmes for freshmen in tertiary institutions and organizing special anti-drug abuse counseling sessions for secondary school students. I recall, with nostalgia, CERANY’s impactful interactions, in 2004, with students of Apata Memorial

THIS HONOUR IS WELL-DESERVED AND SHOULD SERVE AS A CHALLENGE TO OTHER WELL-MEANING NIGERIANS TO APPRECIATE THE URGENCY OF THE TIMES, MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE AND PLAY A PART IN THE ON-GOING WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

College Isolo, Atlantic Hall College Maryland, Beautiful Gate and Effortswill Colleges Ejigbo and Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School Ede, in Osun State, to mention just a few.

It had been a most rewarding exercise. For the most part, we dipped our hands into our pocket-money and funds meant for handouts to offset the cost of logistics. We were united in our shared belief that to build a great Nigeria, we needed to jealously guard the moral health as well as physical and mental wellbeing of our youths – to whom the future of Nigeria belongs.

It is therefore an emotional moment for me that on the eve of CERANY’s 20th anniversary, the flame of the anti-drug abuse fire the aforementioned great Nigerians ignited almost two decades ago has forced a retired general to voluntarily quit the “Reserve List” and join the war against drug abuse as an octogenarian, with a pronounced resolve to lead from the frontlines.

It is also interesting to note that this history is being made at a time the NDLEA, our dependable partners-in-progress, has unleashed, for good measure, legitimate terror on all players, active and passive, in the drug abuse and illicit trafficking “value chain”.

We at CERANY are fascinated by the interest shown and support extended to us in our unrelenting campaign against drug abuse by elder statesman, quintessential patriot, soldiers’ soldier, fine officer, gentleman and legal luminary, Maj-Gen IBM Haruna (rtd) OFR; and it is for this reason, his sterling professional accomplishments and the beautiful portrait of decency we see him as, that the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of CERANY have formally enlisted him as combatant in the anti-drug abuse army, by bestowing on him the honour of serving as CERANY’s pioneer Grand Patron at the auspicious occasion of his 81st birthday celebration on July 24.

To cap it all, with the official launch of War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 26th, 2021 and in line with our avowed commitment to complementing the commendable efforts of NDLEA and government in the fight against drug abuse, CERANY shall be commemorating its 20th anniversary with an aggressive nationwide campaign against drug abuse to be named and known as “Gen. IBM Haruna Anti-Drug Abuse Nationwide Campaign”.

This honour, to our minds, is well-deserved and should serve as a challenge to other well-meaning Nigerians to appreciate the urgency of the times, make themselves available and play a part in the on-going war against drug abuse - a hydra-headed monster that leaches on the individual, wrecks the family unit and fuels insecurity in the land. Let’s join hands to defeat this scourge that, inter alia, leads to stroke, cancer, damage of blood vessels, cardiovascular and terminal diseases as well as overloads the brain, kidney and other vital organs.

Akamadu, M.IoD is President, Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths

THE OLYMPICS: OUR KIDS, OURYOUTH, OUR FUTURE Chris Gyang canvasses the need to give more attention to our children

T

he idea of writing this piece began swirling in my mind when China’s Yang Qian won the first gold medal of the on-going 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the women’s 10-metre air rifle final on July 24, 2021. The 21-year- old would later win a second gold in the mixed 10-metre air rifle event alongside Yang Haoran on July 27.

And as it has turned out, this work has been generously tinged with three coincidences that are tied to the Tokyo Games which have themselves not been spared the vicissitudes of coincidences – most of which have not been favourable.

It must be said that, but for the dogged determination of the Japanese, the COVID-19 pandemic would have completely scuttled the Games. The fact that the Olympics are being held at all - one year behind schedule - with athletes and sportsmen and women from all over the world enthusiastically competing for honours, in spite of the pandemic, is a glowing testament to the resilience of the human spirit and man’s determination to survive and thrive, even under the harshest conditions.

Thus, the theme of the Games, ‘Moving Forward: United by Emotion’ could not have captured the very essence and historicity of the current moment and times in a more succinct and appropriate fashion.

Now, the first coincidence: On July 26, 2021, the 13-year- old Japanese skateboarder, Momoji Nishiya, won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. On that same day, the news broke about the previous day’s release of 28 out of the 115 school children who had been forcibly seized on July 5 by armed bandits from the Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. Apparently, their poor, distraught, parents had been able to pay a cash ransom to the kidnappers.

The winners of the silver and bronze medals in that Olympics skateboarding event were all 17-yearolds. Therefore, as those teenagers celebrated their gold, silver and bronze medals in Tokyo, parents of the 28 school children in Nigeria were also celebrating their reunion with their children. But the remaining 87 children are still in bondage, likewise

hundreds of others in Nigeria’s extremely restive Northern region. Among these are the more than 100 students of the Salihu Tanko Islamiya School in Tegina, Niger State, who were abducted in May. DAILY SUN newspaper (July 26) captured the mixed moods of the parents of the Baptist students this way: “It was a tale of sadness and joy for parents of kidnapped students of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, yesterday. While those [parents] of the 28 released students heaved a sigh of relief, families of the 87 others still in kidnappers’ den wept; one of them slumped.”

At the time of writing this, 13-year- old Momoji was the youngest gold medalist in the Tokyo Olympics. She would have been the youngest in Olympics history but the American diver, Marjorie Gestring, holds that record. She won gold in the springboard event during the 1936 Olympics when she was about two months younger than Momoji when she won hers.

When you consider the exploits of these teenagers, whom we are wont to dismiss as ‘children’ in African tradition, you begin to wonder about the prospects of 13-year- olds today in Nigeria, especially in the core north where death is never far away. Unfortunately, here 13-year- old girls are routinely coerced into marrying men old enough to be their grand-fathers or are abducted from school and turned into slaves by sex-starved Islamist terrorists, devilish predators, who exploit extremist religious ideologies to satisfy their beastly lusts.

Here, those that are 21 years old just like China’s Yang would most likely be found in Internally Displaced Peoples’ camps taking shelter along with their parents, having fled from Fulani terrorists or jihadists who had forcibly dispossessed them of their ancestral lands. In our country, girls within the same 17-year- old bracket with those proud winners of silver and bronze in the Tokyo Olympics skateboarding event could also be found abandoned by their families in rehabilitation centres for Vesicovaginal Fistula patients, uncontrollably leaking putrid urine. Their innocence had been brutally plucked when their physiological make-up

was still that of mere kids.

Here in Nigeria, the mates of those teenagers that are making waves at the Olympics and attracting accolades and adulation from the whole world are almajirai roaming the nooks and crannies of northern Nigeria begging, scrounging for a daily living, in the name of seeking religious education.

These huge armies of drifting, traumatised children and broken youth are ready conscripts for Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist, gangs of armed bandits, the assorted criminal elements that now freely prowl the core north and foot soldiers for their self-serving political and religious elite. It is these rudderless youth and children that are used to swell and manipulate election figures in the core north in order to perpetuate its mythical superiority at the polls.

The second coincidence: When the ebullient Bishop Hassan Kukah made the valid assertion recently that it was now apparent that Nigeria had become a country “consuming its own children and [is] faced with the prospects of an uncertain future,” it seamlessly dovetailed with all the views and opinions in my head which had been triggered by Momoji’s Olympics exploit, the release of the Damishi school children and the agonies of hundreds of others still languishing in the captivity of gunmen and Islamist jihadists all over the much troubled Northern Nigeria. We shall return to the irrepressible Bishop Kukah later.

The third coincidence: On Wednesday, August 4, 12-year-old Kokona Hiraki of Japan and 13-yearold Sky Brown of the United Kingdom won silver and bronze medals in the park skateboarding event. That was the day the full extent of a sustained armed attack launched by Fulani herdsmen on the Irigwe community of Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, which lasted for more than two days, began to unfold.

Sadly, an orphanage accommodating 156 children was among the more than 250 houses burnt down, aside farmlands with soon-to-be-harvested crops and other property which were destroyed.

While addressing newsmen on August 3, 2021,

before the ashes of the once boisterous Binta Orphanage Home in Jebbu-Miango, Bassa LGA, a tearful Mr. Daniel Asama, who is the Plateau State Coordinator of the Association of Orphanage and Home Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), lamented: “The orphanage is destroyed, the whole community is destroyed, many people lost their lives, those that survived the carnage are vulnerable and have been running for their dear lives while we have 156 children in hands struggling to survive…

I can’t just understand why a human being would be this brutal and go as far taking the life of a fellow human being and destroy [the] abode of orphans.”

He disclosed that although the authorities of the institution where able to evacuate the children before the marauders executed their heinous assignment, the very act of attacking such an establishment would surely leave an indelible scar on the highly impressionable minds of the children, most of whom were orphaned when their parents were killed in similar attacks. Mr. Asama’s bitterness is thick and palpable: “It’s a shame on humanity. I am so sad because we are now orphaning these children the second time and they are going through a lot of trauma, more so that the parents of most of them were killed in manners similar to what happened here.”

Analysts say that the Miango and Kwall massacres, in which not less than 68 locals were killed, is part of the on-going campaign of terror launched by heavily armed Fulani herdsmen and their militia against Central Nigeria’s non-Muslim Christians aimed at dispossessing them of their ancestral lands. The Buhari-led federal government has been accused by local and international human rights groups of doing little to curb the impunity of these herdsmen who are believed to be executing a much bigger agenda of creating a homeland for Africa’s Fulani population now scattered in much of the Sahel. The Buhari Presidency has continuously denied these claims.

Gyang is the Chairman of Journalists Coalition for Citizens Rights Initiative

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AUGUST 7, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Pls mask up!

The Menace of Insecurity

Nigeria and Collapse of Foreign Investment

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igeria’s population is exploding while its economy is shrinking. Which is why financial figures released this week make such scary reading. Forecasts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predict economic growth in Nigeria to be just a third of the global figure for 2021.

And statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics showed a 61% year-on-year decline in foreign money flowing in Nigeria.

This means fewer and fewer international customers for Nigerian businesses, and crucially, fewer and fewer investment capital for Nigerian companies.

International businesses and investors spent $2.8bn in Nigeria in the first half of 2021. In the first half of 2020 this figure was $7.2bn.

Of these figures, foreign direct investment – overseas companies setting up in Nigeria - fell 36% year on year. The World Bank has also estimated that foreign investment in Nigeria is down 80% in recent times. Foreign portfolio investments – the purchase of Nigerian securities or other assets fell from $4.7bn to $1.5bn in a single year – a drop of nearly 70%.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic will have of course played a part, with many businesses across the globe practically mothballed for months.

But there is long-term systemic reason for the collapse of foreign investment in our nation. Nigeria does not appear to be safe for investment.

But we should be an unbeatable one. In population terms alone we offer overseas organisations one of the largest domestic markets on Earth. Then there is our vast human capital. We have ambition: Our young people are the most likely in all of Africa to have considered running for elected office. We are entrepreneurial: 71% of our young people have an idea for a business. We are innovative, having been described as “Africa’s most attractive tech hub for investors” and home to the most start-ups in Africa.

Just last year, consultants McKinsey reported that Nigeria’s Fintech sector has raised more than $600 million in funding between 2014 and 2019.

But if that funding dries up, how are the companies of tomorrow supposed to take their businesses to the next level, growing their international sales, workforces and – yes government – tax bills, which in turn will pay for better public health, education and infrastructure.

This investment is the lifeblood our future economy. But investors are increasingly looking elsewhere.

For a reason why they are doing that, we need look only to the recent research from pressure group YIAGA, who have suggested an astonishing $582bn has been lost to corruption in our nation since independence. Investors will not see a return on their investment when it is quite clear how much of it is likely to end up in the back pockets of the duplicitous, the dodgy and the dishonest.

We need to build international trust in Nigeria. And that battle begins at home. At the digital democracy campaign I lead we are looking to rebuild the relationship between

government and governed using the power of social media.

We have created a free smartphone app called Rate Your Leader to bring elected officials closer to the people who elect them.

Rate Your Leader which connects verified political figures with verified voters in the divisions they serve, giving local people the kind of direct personal access only previously granted to the privileged few like lobbyists and party donors.

If you want to raise something with your local leader, you can.

If you want to ask them a question, you can. If you want to put forward an idea to make your community better, you can.

Apps like Rate Your Leader show how transparent, responsive and accessible political leaders can be, which builds wider trust in our political class and political system. Rate Your Leader also lets users rate local elected officials for openness and responsiveness, rewarding our most transparent and accessible politicians and highlighting their qualities to other voters.

The app also gives politicians a real-time insight into what matters most to the people who elect them – allowing them to take action, make changes and win the respect, trust and affection of the people they serve.

We are a nation held back by the notion that everyone else is only out for themselves – from the very top of the country down. This isn’t true.

But the idea is spreading to other nations too. And that is something that our economy simply cannot afford.

Joel Popoola is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur and digital democracy campaigner

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want to draw the attention of the federal government to quickly empower youths to put an end to the unprecedented security challenges bedeviling the nation. This could be achieved by introducing entrepreneurship programmes in the various sectors of the country and in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

The more youths are engaged, the more secure our nation will be.

Nigeria has been battling with insecurity of various forms for more than a decade. These include Boko Haram insurgency, secessionists, kidnapping, banditry, communal clashes, cyber crimes, cultism, among others. All these are poverty and unemployment- related problems.

However, these problems persist despite the huge money being allocated to security every year.

Therefore, the best way to end insecurity is to create job opportunities for the youths. The number of jobless youths outweigh the number of the employed youths, and our

tertiary institutions keep graduating students yearly.

Thus, it will be difficult to tame insecurity no matter the amount of money government will be allocating to security.

On the other hand, the menace of insecurity takes different dimension in some states, it’s gradually becoming a religious crisis. Burning of churches and mosques is now commonplace. This reflects the exact mission of the masterminds in their quest to split the country.

Similarly, insecurity is greatly affecting Nigeria’s economy negatively over a long period of time. Therefore, creation of job opportunities for youths should be our priority so as to end the menace of insecurity in Nigeria. The government and other major stakeholders should create an enabling environment for peace to reign in the country, and for the progress of the nation.

Ukasha Rabiu Magama, Toro LGA, Bauchi State

Covid, Vaccines and Deaths T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

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here are so many headlines about COVID and vaccines and deaths that they eventually blur into one mass that now seems to pass by but one recent case that gave the fact that Indonesia’s total deaths has passed 100,000 is a stark reminder of reality.

A few facts need to be written in stone.

Yes there is a pandemic, and the best approach is vaccination and lockdown, sorry Boris Johnson the UK Prime Minister has got it wrong. Those that deny this should be blocked from all media and, yes freedom of expression does not override the freedom to live. In reality, should the covidiots who protest in mass, unmasked, crowds, be charged with manslaughter?

There are, or more accurately 100,000 people in Indonesia that may have had an opinion on the matter.

Get your vaccination now, mask up and stay at home, please!

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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NEWSXTRA

FG Invokes No Work, No Pay Rule on Striking Doctors

‘Allegations of Funds Misappropriations in NEDC Mischievous’

Onyebuchi EzigboinAbuja

The Chairman, North East Youths and Elders Forum, Alhaji Salihu Muhammad Magaji, has described the allegations of misappropriation of funds against the North East Development Commission (NEDC) under the leadership of Mohammed Goni Akali as “mischievious and a deliberate attempt to paint him black for selfish reasons.”

Magaji stated this during a press conference yesterday in Bauchi, while reacting to some publications in the media where the North East Youth Progressive Forum of Nigeria (NEYPFN) Chairman Comrade Maina Bukar alleged

Federal government has issued an order to stop payment of salaries of the resident doctors in the country who embarked on nationwide strike last Monday.

The government also said that it would refer the dispute between it and the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to the National Industrial Court for arbitration.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige while confirming the measure to THISDAY in a telephone interview

last night, said that the federal government had decided that if

by Monday, the resident doctors fail to return to their duty post that they would be made to lose the pay beginning from the day of the commencement of the strike until it is called off.

“The no work, no pay rule has been triggered off with effect from Monday August 2, and if by Monday they do not return to work, government will be compelled to implement the order to the letter,” he said.

Ngige said that the government would also compute the period that

the resident doctors went on strike in April and seize their salaries.

According to the minister, a circular to this effect has been issued and communicated to NARD and its members by yesterday.

He added that the government would by Monday declare talks with doctors on a failed negotiation and proceed to refer the issue to the Industrial Court.

“I will also take additional steps to declare discussions with the doctors a failed conciliation and refer the matter to the arbitration panel or National Industrial Court,” he said.

NARD had issued a commu-

niqué at the end of their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State capital, directing its members nationwide to begin strike last Monday.

The association said: “after critical appraisal of the performance of both federal and state governments on all the issues affecting the welfare of our members as observed above and the insincerity of government in implementing the Memorandum of Action after 113 days, the NEC unanimously resolved by vote to resume the total and indefinite strike action from 08.00hrs on Monday, August 2, 2021.”

Segun Awofadeji inBauchi

misappropriation of funds in the NEDC. He said that the so called NEYPFN that made those false allegations was a faceless group, stressing that the group was not known in the whole of the Northeast region.

Magaji said it was unfortunate for some people who claim to have come from the Northern part of the country to make false claims and accusations against Alkali, pointing out that even though the group petitioned the National Assembly and Federal House of Representatives committee to carry out investigations in the NEDC, Alkali was vindicated and commended for his transparency.

Arrive Alive Opens Diagnostic Centre for COVID-19 Testing Ugo Aliogo

EXCELLENT INVESTITURE… L-R:Vice-Chancellor, Adeleke University, Professor Solomon Adebola; Mrs. Adeleke-Sanni; Chief Modupe Adeleke-Sanni; and the Registrar, Africa Institute of Public Health Professionals, Prof. Ayodelele Bankole; at the investiture of Mrs Adeleke as a Fellow of the institute held at Adeleke University, Osun State... recently

Former Presidential Hopeful OlawepoHashim Pitches Tent with APC In what is said to be a move to rejuvenate his long-term struggle for the improvement of the lot of the people, former presidential aspirant, Mr. Gbenga OlawepoHashim has joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Olawepo-Hashim announced in a statement that he is opting for the APC to actualise his vision because the party is not just populated by people with whom they founded the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but also because the

party is a reasonable pathway for the preservation of the unity and progress of the nation.

He stressed that he is now also convinced about the passion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption movement even though critics have questioned the effectiveness of his anti-corruption crusade.

“Ironically, the other party does not even care a whim about curbing corruption and regrettably, its members celebrate their newly

adopted legacy of graft and display of criminal opulence. The other party is a far cry from the community of honourable men and women that it was in 1998 when we launched it,” he said.

Lately rated with President Buhari as one of the most engaging political leaders online, Olawepo-Hashim revealed that he has formally registered in Usuma Ward as it is procedurally required, saying this was after series of consultations with his longtime

friends and associates of over 23 years, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara State.

He added that he has also received support and encouragements from former Governor of Benue State, George Akume, who is equally an important leader of the party in the North-central zone, and a major political ally since their days as founding members of then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999.

134 Nigerians Receive Erasmus Scholarships

‘FG to Engage Oil Bearing Communities over PIB’

Michael Olugbode inAbuja

Following threats and counterthreats over rising tempers concerning the three percent allocated to oil bearing communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill just passed by the National Assembly, the federal government has moved to engage host communities.

The move is in a bid to douse tensions as protests have been rife as the host communities had pressed for 10 percent stake.

The move to engage the Niger Delta communities was announced yesterday by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Timipre Sylva who assured some visiting Ijaw leaders of the commitment yesterday in Abuja.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Ijaw leaders congratulated Sylva for breaking the jinx and ensuring the passage of the PIB after over 20 years of gathering dust.

The European Union (EU) has awarded scholarships to 134 young Nigerians for various master’s degree programmes in universities across Europe under its Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Programme.

Erasmus, often described as a prestigious international study programme is part of the EU’s Áagship educational and training programme, Erasmus+, which supports education, training, youth, and sport in Europe.

The beneÀciaries of the award this year as the highest in the annal of the scholarship award in a single year in Nigeria.

The Àrst Counsellor, deputy head of delegation, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Alexandre

Borges Gomes, said for over 30 years, students and staͿ have moved between European universities in the Erasmus programme.

He disclosed that since 2016 Erasmus+ has allowed short-term mobility to Europe from ACP countries for students, researchers, and staͿ.

He noted that there is a distinct budget for diͿerent regions that are divided, however, $32.5 billion would be spent for the programme.

The envoy said with 134 students it is an achievement for Nigeria this year, noting that Nigeria is top from Africa and top six across the world for Erasmus students.

Gomes explained that the selection process is based on merit, adding that their applications were reviewed by panelists.

He stressed the need for communities to protect national assets also charged them to ensure proper management of the funds and avoid bickering which had made Bonny Island communities to be unable to access funds paid to them by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) owing to litigations.

Sylva assured the Ijaw leaders that he had extracted understanding from multinational oil companies to relocate their operational headquarters to the region.

“We are planning, alongside the Minister of Information and Culture, to hold town hall meetings in the host communities after the presidential assent to the PIB. “We need to have more stakeholders’ engagement on the three per cent allocated to the communities, people need to know that it is from production costs, not from profit.

Arrive Alive Diagnostics and Imaging Services (AADIS) has opened a new diagnostic centre dedicated to the testing of the Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

The wholly-owned indigenous company with a vision to be the foremost in quality healthcare made this move to bring e΀ciency to the process of COVID-19 testing and result delivery.

Speaking on the reasons for creating the new site, the director of Arrive Alive, Dr. Maame Fuwaa Antwi-GyamÀ, stated that “We identiÀed gaps in COVID-19 PCR testing which include long turnaround times as well as cumbersome registration and results tracking processes.

The laboratory practitionerin-charge, Ms. Lilian Ogechi Vincent, said “By the estab-

lishment of the Ikoyi COVID testing centre, we are able to Àll these gaps with our robust IT infrastructure, state-of-the-art PCR equipment and evidencebased improved work processes.

What we hope to achieve with this is e΀ciency. We are bringing convenience to the entire testing process and aim to give all our clients quality services that will exceed their expectations.”

THISDAY learnt that Arrive Alive has its new testing centre at Ikoyi, Lagos with drive-through testing services available.

The facility undertakes corporate or group COVID-19 testing upon request and has home testing services available in Lagos, while “sample collectors are trained on biosafety issues.

Hence, they ensure samples are taken, stored and transported to the laboratory without contamination.”

Certificate Forgery, Attempt to Dent My Name, Says House Spokesman Udora Orizuin Abuja Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has described the lawsuit questioning the authenticity of his names as nothing but a mere attempt to sprinkle an imaginary dent on his clean image.

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Okechukwu Ezeala, filed a suit asking an Umuahia High Court under trial Justice O.A. Chijioke to sack Kalu over alleged certificate forgery and impersonation.

Other defendants in the suit No. HU/265/2020, include the ruling APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Speaker, House of Representatives.

In the originating summons, Ezeala alleged that Kalu’s primary and secondary school certificates had irregularities, saying the surnames on his certificates are completely different from his current names.

But arguing the matter, Kalu’s counsel, K. C. Nwufor (SAN) in a statement said that the matter was not tenable.

Speaking to THISDAY, the House Spokesman, said as a lawyer, he had confidence in the judicial system, urging his constituents to be patient and allow the court to take a position on the matter.

“Maybe the name Rep Benjamin Kalu is so sparkling clean for a

politician who is rising so this is their way of attempting to sprinkle imaginary dents on my image. It is sub-judicial to begin to discuss the content of the matter in detail.

Again, my constituents, friends and family should not worry it will end in praise for what God cannot do does not exist. They shall gather and take counsel but it shall not stand, only the counsel of God shall stand,” he said.

“Let them dent my image, I’m confident the truth will clean it.

After all, when I signed for politics I signed for smear campaigns like this. I have my eyes on the ball, it does not matter how threatened they are, I am going for the goal and not perturbed at all. They know this, that’s why they are paying all media platforms to discuss my simple change of name as illegal.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

08054699539

Terrorist Ali Kachalla Must Be Brought to Justice

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or those who have not been following the story, this first bit of information will be useful. Ali Kachalla is the leader of the main gang terrorising Zamfara State in particular and other parts of the North-west. He has been doing this for almost five years. This Fulani militia leader, based in Dansadau, has the blood of hundreds of innocent people on his hands.

Kachalla enjoys a free rein in Zamfara State and beyond. He goes about, unhindered, killing, maiming and kidnapping for money.

Everybody in the state knows Kachalla has his major camp in the notorious Kuyambana forest (Maru Local Government Area) from where attacks are launched on other parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina states. Security agents know this. Governor Bello Matawalle knows this.

Unfortunately, concrete steps have not been taken to checkmate him. The military, Police and DSS pretend to be unaware of his location. Perhaps, they are waiting for “clear instructions” from President Muhammadu Buhari before moving against Kachalla.

This outlaw has an estimated 200 fighters stationed in the Kuyambana forest, all armed with AK-47. His armed men outnumber those of other terrorists in the North-west. Last month, Kachalla masterminded the downing of the fighter jet of the Nigerian Air Force near Kabaru village, about 15 kilometres west of Dansadau town. There were no repercussions. That tells you how powerful Kachalla has become. This terrorist, in his thirties, has become a law unto himself. Daily, he whips residents of Dansadau who dare to oppose or hinder his lawlessness.

The people persistently send ransom to him.

Recently, when some people in the community blocked supply of food to his troops, Kachalla captured and inflicted pain on them. The fear of Kachalla is palpable in Dansadau.

In an attack on the community on July 23, Kachalla killed four villagers, abducted scores and set ablaze a military armoured personnel vehicle in the community, while the soldiers fled.

On that occasion, the villagers were punished for reporting his movement to security agents.

Kachalla also punished them for allegedly assisting security personnel to rescue the pilot whose fighter jet was shot down.

Daily, Kachalla kills and kidnaps Hausa farmers in Dansadau. He has cornered hundreds of plots of land from these people and uses them for his own cattle rearing. Kachalla’s cattle graze with ease on this conquered land in Maru LG. A resident of Dansadau remarked: “Kachalla’s settlements, consisting of several strings of thatched huts, is on Birnin Gwari

This Fulani militia leader, based in Dansadau, has the blood of hundreds of innocent people on his hands.

Kachalla enjoys a free rein in Zamfara State and beyond. He goes about, unhindered, killing, maiming and kidnapping for money. Everybody in the state knows Kachalla has his major camp in the notorious Kuyambana forest (Maru Local Government Area) from where attacks are launched on other parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina states. Security agents know this. Unfortunately, concrete steps have not been taken to checkmate him side of the river. But, his large herd of cattle, manned by his heavily armed boys, is based in Zamfara State. As I’m talking to you, his boys can be found in Dandalla, Madada and Gobirawa Kwacha communities. The villages are all situated southeast of Dansadau town.

They are all controlled by his armed men.”

Right in Matawalle’s backyard is another notorious Fulani militia leader, Dogo Gide, who controls the southern part of the Zamfara forest and further into Niger State. Matawalle knows the whereabouts of Gide and his boys. All the security agents know this location; yet, the militias still launch attacks unhindered. Dogo Gide’s gang also operates in Kaduna State. This team is suspected to have recently killed 18 people, including a police officer, in five communities in Chawai chiefdom, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Another terror kingpin enjoying free rein in Zamfara State is Halilu Sububu. His men are based in the Sububu forest located between Shinkafi and Maradun local government Areas.

From the forest, they launch attacks on travelers on Sokoto-Gusau Road as well as villages in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Dungun Muazu forest located in the Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State is also home to hundreds of military-uniform-wearing terrorists who attack across the North-west. Here, there is no clear leader. Dogo Najaballah, who

many thought was the leader of the bastards in Dungun Muazu forest, was killed few weeks back in a fight that broke out between his gang and a rival gang of bandits in the state over the marriage of a woman.

It is so painful watching these terrorists control territories, kill and maim citizens, in a country supposedly with a government. Many women have been widowed and children orphaned across the North-west by these guerrillas. Last Wednesday, the gang rampaging in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State abducted the father of the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Nasiru Muazu Magarya. They also kidnapped the Speaker’s stepmother, uncle and four others in a raid on his community, Magarya, Zurmi LGA. I will never forget how the terrorists based in Kadawa Village, in the same Zurmi LGA, butchered 93 people early last June. Residents of this Zamfara State village are still mourning their loved ones killed. Within three days last April - 20 to 22 - 80 people were killed by the terrorists and counter killings by Yan Sakai who defend Hausa farmers, in series of attacks in four villages - Gobirawa, Rini, Gora, and Madoti Dankule - in Bakura and Maradun LGAs. In Zamfara State, the terrorists control vast areas in Maru, Dansadau, Zurmi, Shinkafi, Bungudu, Bakura and Maradun LGAs. In Katsina State, they control large land in Batsari, Jibia,

A Word for Mai Mala Buni

Governor Mai Mala Buni

My dear Governor Mai Mala Buni, you have spent virtually the last 15 months in Abuja, working as the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the expense of your main job as the elected governor of Yobe State. You need to be honest about your impact on the party in the last 15 months. Apart from successfully intimidating some PDP governors to join the APC, you have nothing tangible to show in

terms of achievements.

The APC remains a divided house, with the CPC, ANPP and New PDP legs permanently at daggers drawn. Besides, majority of the founders of the APC see you as an agent of destruction, out to terminate the APC. Of course, you were not there when the APC was formed. I guess that is why you, a sitting governor is insisting on running the show for the APC as National Chairman, even when it is obvious that it will destroy the APC. My advice to you this morning is a straight forward one: Resign honourably and let the APC be. You have no business being the party’s National Chairman.

I am also surprised that you said governance was not suffering in your beloved Yobe State because of your APC job. My dear governor Yobe, you have simply abandoned your people. This is the truth that must be told. How can a man elected governor be this cruel to the electorates? You once said you visit Yobe at least three times in a month, in defence against the accusation of desertion. This is preposterous. Were you voted to spend just few days in a month in Yobe State? Obviously, there is no way these two jobs can be combined. They are both tasking. Project Yobe is now suffering because Buni is spending more time on project APC. Huge files are always on your table in Damaturu waiting for attention. The other day when Boko Haram attacked Geidam, you were not even available for condolence visit to the traumatised

people. The Yobe APC stakeholders were right to demand your impeachment because of your “unavailability in the state to discharge your constitutional duties as governor.”

The Chairman, Yobe APC Stakeholders, Hussain Muhammad, said recently: “Buni has abandoned the state and only visits once in a month. It has become expedient to draw the attention of the public, especially the state House of Assembly, to the aberration of having a governor who is non-functional. Buni was not elected as APC’s Acting National Chairman, but as Yobe State governor and he swore to obey the constitution. It is our position that he had become a self-serving governor, who failed and betrayed his people when they needed him the most.

“As stakeholders, we have made both individual and collective efforts at letting Mai Mala Buni realise his mistakes, but it appears that as we inch closer to making him realise, he digs in further into his sit-tight plans at the party’s national secretariat. We, therefore, call on the Yobe State House of Assembly to begin impeachment process if he fails to resign as governor.”

These Yobe stakeholders are making sense. Unfortunately, the Yobe State House of Assembly is incompetent. Buni, please return to Yobe and face your constitutional duties.

Allow the APC to look for another person to pilot its affairs. This is clearly not a job for an incumbent governor.

Faskari, Sabuwa, Safana, Kankara, Danmusa, Dutsin-ma, Danja and Kurfi. Governor Bello Masari lamented when he met Army Chief, Faruk Yahaya, last Wednesday, saying: “10 out of the 34 Local Government Areas in Katsina state are under severe daily attack by bandits.

These bandits kill, rape, injure the people, burn houses and rustle cattle.”

I’m shocked the Army, police, DSS and other security agencies are yet to invite leaders of these terrorists in the North-west for questioning.

Our security agencies have not declared them wanted. They know them and the territories they control; yet, special squads are not after them. Even when President Buhari ordered that people carrying AK-47 should be dealt with, nothing happened. Of course, it was just a comical instruction from the President. The extremists are enjoying a free rein while security agencies look the other way. Clearly, there are things the Buhari government is not telling Nigerians about these terrorists and their leaders.

Members of the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the British parliament - Caroline Cox, Rowan Williams, David Alton, Mervyn Thomas and Ayo Adedoyin – were apt when they noted that Nigerians under President Buhari administration are at the mercy of non-state actors who unleash attacks on individuals and communities at will. They expressed their fears in a recent protest letter to the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, citing a recent event where bandits shot down a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet.

“We fear that Nigerian citizens are now at the mercy of non-state actors who have been allowed to evolve and now have the capacity to shoot down a fighter jet, as has recently occurred in Kaduna. These non-state actors are currently unleashing terror at will, particularly in the North-East and North-West,” the letter said.

The world must not allow Nigeria to sink.

These British Lawmakers must go beyond protest letters. They must hold Buhari accountable and put him under pressure to secure the lives of Nigerians. Perhaps, a push from outside would do the magic. I’m just hoping.

War in Katsina Emirate over Open Grazing The Wakilin Kudin Katsina, Alhaji Abdu Iliyasu has never hidden his dislike for open grazing of animals in the Emirate. Hundreds of lives have been lost in clashes between herders and crop farmers in this domain. But getting the Emirate Council to join the clamour for a ban of open grazing has been tough, despite the atrocities of herders. An obviously angry Iliyasu did the extraordinary last Wednesday, when he openly made a case for the ban of open grazing in Katsina metropolis and its surrounding communities. He wants the Emirate to put machinery in place for its effective implementation.

But the palace was quick to openly repudiate Iliyasu. The spokesman for the Katsina Emirate Council, Mallam Iro Bindawa, said it was not an official position.

Pressure is also mounting on Iliyasu to renounce the statement. For now, he is still standing by his position.

But I doubt if it would be for long.

My message to the Katsina Emirate Council is a simple one: Open grazing of animals is an aberration in modern societies. Katsina can’t be an exception. This Emirate must work towards ending this abnormality and close the killings arising from clashes between herders and crop farmers. This is the only way forward for Katsina Emirate in particular and Nigeria in general.

The truth is constant.

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SATURDAY AUGUST 7, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Jim Iyke Takes on Internet Trolls Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ften time, celebrities get attacked or bullied following their social media posts or activities online by trolls. This sometimes leave these stars bruised and troubled within their quiet space to some extent that they feel they could get hold and exert their pain on these cyber bullies who have untowardly become a thorn in their flesh. Sometimes these trolls, having bashed their victims with vile comments, leave behind mischievous remarks like “I’m in my house, come and beat me”, knowing that it’s unlikely to reach or locate them wherever they are at any particular moment.

The foregoing is the crux of a forthcoming movie titled Bad Comments. Produced by ace Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, Bad Comments bares supposed contempt, hatred and jealousy celebrities go through daily and how just a moment can be used to define and tag their personalities, not excusing their humanity. Aside being popular in Nollywood, Jim Iyke is also well-known for his deadly clapbacks at internet trolls.

In Bad Comments’, which marks his debut production, Iyke plays the role of Frank Orji, a Nollywood actor living the ideal celebrity lifestyle, being the biggest star in the industry.

He soon embarks on a revenge-thirsty mission after getting excessively bullied by internet trolls. The film stars Chiwetalu Agu, Osas Ighodaro, Patience Ozokwo, Sharon Ooja, Ini Edo, Timaya, among other big names in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Opening in cinemas across the country and Ghana from Friday 27th August 2021, a two minutes twenty seconds trailer for the highly anticipated movie was released last Monday by the director, Moses Inwang.

Inwang posted alongside the trailer, “See eh, if I could, I would make 10 blockbuster films for y’all every year,” But I don’t have the mental capacity to do that. Just one or two maybe. So enjoy the 2nd one this year.

It’s one of the most exciting films you’re going to see on the big screen.

It is themed around the social media shenanigans that we see here every day. It’s intriguing, it’s explosive, (and) it’s called BAD COMMENTS!

Jim Iyke

Enjoy the trailer.”

Scenes from the trailer depict fastpaced fusion of drama and thriller, with a blend of momentary comedic relief. Inspired by true-life events, it mirrors the life of celebrities and how their careers can be at the mercy of propaganda circulated by social media trolls. Once speaking on the movie, Inwang said it was the situation of one of the biggest Nollywood stars that fell into depression because of the “Bad comments” on social media targeted towards him.

Jim Iyke at the same occasion confirmed it, adding that the need to make a statement and represent how everyone actually feels made him tell the relatable story from his point of view. He explained in a recent chat with this reporter: “The script resonated with me because I wanted a script that has a ‘now’ propensity to it, a script that is abreast with the times, a script that the millennials as well can wrap their heads around, a script that is part of our lives. I said it at the conference sometime that

between the ages of perhaps 2 to even 100, we all have to live in the internet space; we’ve all dabbled into the internet or the social media space one way or the other.

“So I needed to create a script that resonates across all board. I don’t just want to create a normal Nollywood film or an African film or American film. I wanted a film told from the prism of our perspective that will resonate with any individual in the world. And that was why I chose this film.”

Viktor Snipes’ Debut EP is Ready

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

After a good outing last year following his #EndSars inspired single ‘Soro Soke’, and Amapiano single ‘Kpo Kpo’, fast rising act and lyrically-impressive Viktor Snipes has made good his promise as he gears up for a packed final quarter of the year with his debut EP scheduled for release on August 27, 2021. Titled S2DNi, the 6-tracks EP will lead with the single “International Vocal” which is set to drop on August 13, a fortnight to the EP release date.

Speaking on the forthcoming body of work, Snipes, who has been around since 2015 as a disc jockey before transiting to a recording artiste in 2020, says the project tells his story and

showcases him as a person and his Afro/hiphop fusion genre. “S2DNi is my introduction, it’s my message opener, it’s my ‘Hello I’m Snipes, it’s nice to meet you’, Snipes explains.

“On this EP, I tried to showcase all parts of who I am as a person, the good, the bad and the ugly.

“This project is honest, this project is me. I focused more on telling my own story and painting my own portrait as opposed to conforming and talking more about what the audience would like to hear in a bid to sound more appealing. As a new artiste I want to grow organically, build my identity and sound and grow my niche audience.”

Born Victor Emuan Omovbude,

the Edo state singer is currently the only artiste signed to his record label, Snipes Record. After testing the waters previously with several freestyle tracks, in March 2021, Viktor Snipes released “Puta”, a collaborative effort with alte hip-hop artiste BlaqBonez.

This earned him a spotlight on Vol. 128 of ‘Who Get Ear’, a Pulse Nigeria flagship weekly feature for some of the best songs and upcoming acts in the music industry. ‘Puta’ has gone on to garner over 200,000 cumulative streams and was featured on several editorial playlists.

The new artiste holds two Bachelor degrees - Computer Science and Civil Engineering - from foreign universities.

Viktor Snipes

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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INTERVIEW

Babangida

Babangida: I Have Started Visualising a Good Nigerian Leader…I Have Seen 1 or 2 or 3 Already in Their 60s The name General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida evokes a lot of emotions, some positive and others negative but love him or hate him, he is intellectually sagacious, militarily tactical and socially amiable hence the sobriquets, Maradona and evil genius which he credits the media with dressing him in the togas. He is turning 80 soon and fielded questions fromoursisterStation,AriseNewsNetworkwhereheaddressedmyriadofissuesrangingfromleadership,insecurity, anticorruption and explained why the June 12 election was annulled…Excerpts

F

irstofall,itwillbespotontocongratulateyouonyour 80 years, how does it feel turning 80?

I feel good but I continue to be very grateful to God for allowing us to see this day, I think I am grateful to God.

Looking back 80years, your childhood, growing up, joining the military, being involved in the Nigerian civil war, being involved at every level of governance inNigeriainthelast50yearsormore,whatarethethingsthatstand out for you looking back?

Now I think one thing, if I look back, I keep on saying I wished my parents were alive to see certain level of my development. I lost them when I was in my formative years. By the time I was 14, I lost both parents and everyday it comes to me that I wished one of them or both of them were alive when I became a military officer.

Did losing them at 14 affect you in anyway?

I used to hear them talking , they were always wishing me well; they

were confident that I will one day grow up to be somebody within the society and as God will have it, they didn’t get to see me grow up within the community. Of course I turned out to be more than their expectations.

Youcan’ttalkaboutthehistoryofNigeriawithouttalkingaboutthe roleyouhaveplayed,fromwaybackin1966whenthefirstcouphappenedandthenyouhadtointerveneatsomelevel;in1976youfoiled the coup against the late Murtala Muhammed and all those iconic periods, tell us that fight you had to fight to keep Nigeria one and thefactthattoday,Nigeriaisstillstrugglingwiththeissueofunity?

Well, I think that at that time, the first problem started in 1966, Nigeria was six years old as an independent country. We were just struggling; we were trying to be a nation. We haven’t fully become a nation, just a group of people in a geographical environment called Nigeria; I didn’t believe we built a nation and that is the major problem.

That was why there was instability within the country; this culminated into a civil war and all developing countries had to go through that process.

I was quite aware of this and convinced that this is only developing country

especially in Africa. We had to go through this, Africa, Latin America and so on so we were not an exception.

So you think the civil war was not inevitable?

If you watch, before the civil war, we had a lot of problems, we had instability in the system, we had Tiv riots, operation wettie, we had a lot of stability operations in the country that culminated into the civil war. So, it didn’t come to us as a surprise.

Let’stalkaboutyourroleinthemilitaryandtheroleofthemilitaryin governanceovertheyearsuntil1999.Alotofpeoplearguethatthe incursionofthemilitaryintogovernancesetNigeriabackdecadesif notcenturies,what’syourthoughtonthat,doyouthinkthemilitary coming in to power was a setback to Nigeria?

Well, I saw the military’s intervention as part of developing process in a developing country like Nigeria. I can take you back to the whole continent of Africa, sometime in 1952 military started intervening in governance in Africa. 1952 was Egypt and then from Egypt it started going through

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

INTERVIEW The Leaders Should Understand Nigeria and Nigerians to other countries and it was a vogue then to stage a coup in a lot of these countries and we couldn’t be an exception, we had officers who were trained, highly educated and following the events that were happening in other countries; so it is not unusual to develop these people that had this type of mentality. I think we came in at a time these things were happening throughout the world and they were acceptable.

Fundamentally,Nigeriaisstillstrugglingtobeanation, what do you think is wrong at the base that the Fulani man doesn’t seem to have a sense of belonging, the Igbo man doesn’t, the Yoruba man doesn’t, everybody is thinking about their own part of the country, what do you think is responsible for that?

On the contrary I think again if you look back, if you take a place like Bagga up in the north east, the Igbo man, the Yoruba man travels up to Bagga for trading, he lived very comfortable, he lived very well with the people around there, they do their normal trading and so on. Even politically, in Enugu, in the 50s you had an Hausa man who was a mayor. If you go to Lagos the same thing, you have Yorubas, Igbos who are holding political appointments at local levels and live very well with the people. I think we the elites we did not succeed in imbibing that culture for the country so we rather lived with the culture that Europeans handed over to us, distinct Northern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria, Western Nigeria until the first time when we had Midwestern but we did not mould ourselves as a nation; so I feel very strongly that was what happened, the political elites then that were being developed they ran back to their cocoons and accept o yes, I have to be an Igbo man to be this or that and till today unfortunately, the political class are not going into this very seriously and say how do we build a nation.

So how do we build a nation?

We have to rewrite the narrative How? Okay, You are now arguing among yourselves on how to build political parties; we knew it was doable because we did it, we had political parties that were being led by people from other parts of the country and they blended very well, they talked to people, they had the same common vision about this country, what they want the country to be and I give you an example, I believe in free market economy so anybody who will come to talk and not talk about free market economy I wouldn’t talk with him because we don’t have core values in this country, these are core values beyond which no one is going to allow you to do anything and the politicians, the elites all, I think we have to blend in this country.

Would you say then that the tyranny of the elites is what has contributed to the security situation forexamplethatNigeriafindsitselfnow;banditry, kidnappinginnortheast,northwestandsecessionist sentimentsintheSouthEastandevenSouthWest, banditry,kidnappingallacrossthecountry,what doyouthinkisthefundamentalproblemandwhat is the way out of the vicious cycle of insecurity?

I think the problem is leadership. There is disconnect between the leadership and the followership. If there is no disconnect, when people connect with each other at the various leadership levels and talk about the community, state and federation then we will not have problems whatsoever but we don’t have core values in the country that everybody depends and defends all the time. You defend that core value and this is what you believe in, anything short of that are not going to be acceptable. I give you an example, when we were in the military we talked about settled issues about Nigeria. The unity of Nigeria as far as we were concerned was a settled issue, presidentialism was a settled issue, free market economy was a settled issue, not socialism, the federation was a settled issue, nobody will come and say that Nigeria is no longer a federation.

Whenyousaysettledissueareyousayinginanother way that it is not negotiable because seem to be the refrain?

Yea Butsomearguethatitshouldbenegotiable.That weshouldsitdownatatabletodecidewhetherwe want to be one and if we want to go our separate ways, why not?

No. We decided to be one how many years ago, about 50, 51 years ago and we have been in that position for the last 51 years, why should we keep on repeating let’s sit down. You can have not less than five or 100 conferences in this country that Nigerians themselves sat down and talked about how to remain one , how to work with the federating units in this country, how to operate locally and so on. I think there are issues we should not be talking about now.

Babangida

What should we be talking about?

We should be talking about how to encourage, how to strengthen what we have agreed; if we agree we are going to be united Nigeria since 51 years ago, we should now be talking on how to strengthen that unity.

If we are going to have a federating unit, we are going to be talking about how we want to see our federation; if we want to talk about the local governments on how they should have free fund , whether they should govern themselves, we should be talking about how that should be achieved.

So what is the way out?

The way out, when I told you leadership, the leaders should understand Nigeria and Nigerians so anybody who wants a position of leadership, you must be a person who will be able to use your intellect to benefit Nigerians. There are things you believe whether in Niger or wherever and I want to lead a state, fine, this is an agrarian state, my thought will be how to take advantage of that God-given situation to better the wellbeing of the people.

Doyouthinkitisjustthelackofunderstandingof Nigerians that is missing or just outright lack of loveandcareinNigeria,whatisactuallymissing?

From my experience, Nigerians are very resilient people, very fertile minded people so if you want to lead them you have to take a lot of things into consideration.

They are very good, very resilient, very industrious so how do I put all these together to get a common objective?

Soisthatwhererestructuringforexamplecomes in? Some people have blamed you as part of the problem in terms of the structure of the country presently;youcreated11statesduringyourtimeas militarypresidentwhichsomesayfurtheralienated theleadershipfromthepeopleandyouarequoted as saying that the time to restructure Nigeria is now, if we say restructuring is the way to go what manner of restructuring are we talking about, is it regionalism or what?

No. It is amazingly interesting if you check from my findings, restructuring means different things to differentpeopleinthiscountry.Wedon’thaveacommon interpretation, that’s a basic common problem that we are going to have. What does it mean? We have not defined it. The way I see it is what we started. Give the people from the lowest to the highest level opportunity to determine how they are governed or in governance.

I will tell you a story, we had Reverend Adasu, may he rest in Peace, I had an argument with him, he was a governor in Benue, one of the local governments was NRCandhewasSDPandhedecidedhewasgoingtocut his funding for the local government. The information got to me and I called him, he is a very good friend of mine and I said Reverend come let’s talk. We sat down and I said why did you cut funding to the local government? He said no because he was not in the same party. I said look, this man went round the local government he campaigned and told people vote for me I will provide for you. People accepted and based on that, it was on that basis they voted for him even if he is responsible, you promised them A, B, C D and it

was on that basis they voted for you so why not give him his money and hold him responsible, you promised them ABCD what have you achieved? Because you are on top and they are your people; you should be their governor notwithstanding you have different political belief. He looked at me and said I should be a politician I said no I rather be a Reverend but this is the argument I argue with a lot of my friends. I believe for example in resource control but mention it to a lot of people somebody will cut your head.

Why won’t they have resource control, what is responsible for that?

This belief that this is our own God-given thing in our own environment; I want my people to benefit from it, this is our own area, this possession thing.

Letmeexploretheissueoflocalgovernmentyoujust talkedabout,thecurrentPresidentMuhammadu Buhari signed Executive Order 10, the governors frowned at it. I remember during your time you increased allocation from 10 to 20 per cent what are your thoughts on that, don’t you think the governors should take a lot of responsibilit from the way local government situation is now?

This is where your restructuring comes in. At the state level I want to see a situation where the governor is there, the constitution describes his area of responsibility, it defines his powers; anything that has to do with administration at the local government level the state governor does not have to but if it comes to something bigger like during some disasters the state can come in to help the local government that’s what I am saying. The laws are there. I saw somebody talking about the concurrent and exclusive lists that is something along that line I am not a lawyer, I have no idea but I think it should give people more within their capability, give them more control over their affairs over their resources.

Wouldyouconnectthestructureofthepolitytothe dismalstatetheNigerianeconomyactuallyfinds itself?Underyou,youintroducedSAPwhichobjectivewasdiversificationoftheeconomyawayfrom dependencyonoiltobringaboutinclusiveness,bring inmorepeopleandlibralisetheeconomy,Nigeria is still grappling with the economy, struggling to keepthedollarstablewhichwasoneofthethings youwantedtodowithSAP,stabiliseforex,weare stillwherewewereduringyourgovernment,What do you think is responsible for that and how can Nigeria fix the economy beyond what some will describe as panic mode?

That’s the right word, I think panic mode. I think it is the consistency in the policy and say yes this is the right thing to do and keep it going and not to be swayed by other people’s opinion. If you believe in the right thing, pursue it but keep on explaining it to the people also, we insist in this because of this, maybe one day they will get fed up and say go ahead and do it or become even more informed.

Whatdoyoumakeofthisadministration’shandling of the economy so far?

For the fact that it hasn’t collapsed, so I think they are trying to keep it moving?

What are the indices that make you think they are doing or should be done to actually move the economy forward?

I think it is to mobilise the people towards achieving this common objective. You should prove to them they can do it, the resources are there and you are there to provide the leadership and to support them.

Are you concerned that the Naira side by side the dollar is about 550 presently, what do you have to say to that?

It says a lot but I think we can address it… production.

Once people can produce a lot of things they can easily sell either export or within the country I think it will stabilise.

Howcanthatproductioncomeaboutandyouhave unemployment at about 33 per cent, you have a huge youth population, almost 70 per cent of the populationareyouthsandyetNigeriaIsthepoverty capital of the world?

There is too much control in the way the economy is being run, we should open it further, if we do that and tap into the God-given talent that we have I think we will go far.

Let’s go back to insecurity, what would be your recommendation in terms of the need to train the military, is the military overwhelmed and some people will argue (cuts in) Not overwhelmed but maybe overstretched. The militaryIbelievehasthewherewithaltofightthisbanditry and bring the system back but I think the problem is that they are doing too much, they are overstretched and subsequently because of the space they have to occupy they have fairly obsolete equipment but one of the most important thing which they don’t have to lose sight of the military must believe in what they are fightingfor,they mustbeprovidedwiththewherewithal to meet up with that objective of the country and then it must be well trained and well led.

Do you think leadership is what is missing at that level?

I think they should do more from my experience, they should do more I’mnottoosuremuchhasbeensaidintheroleyou played in midwifing the fourth republic. I recall in 1999beforedemocracyyouwereintheforefront of getting President Olusegun Obasanjo to take over the helm of affairs, why was that necessary at the time and would you say you are impressed with the democratic trajectory that Nigeria has found itself?

If there is one Nigerian who passionately believes in Nigeria it is Olusegun Obasanjo, I give that to him.

He believes very strongly in this country so it is easy for us to conclude that the person who takes over must have the core belief, belief in the oneness and stability for the future development of the country so that is one reason we sold him to Nigerians. Then he has the experience, he has seen it all, took part in the war of keeping the country one, led the country in political engineering and development

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

INTERVIEW My Relationship with Buhari is very Good family was with me so when I asked there was no opposition whatsoever. Few months later we got married.

WhenyouwerePresidentshecameupwithBetter LifeforRuralWomenandthatseemtohavemarked somekindofentry-point inwomeninvolvement in governance, tell us more about that?

I think what went for her was that she worked with some of the best brains, women in this country and they were really committed to uplifting the status of women in the country some of them in the university, some in public service, they were always working, what do we do, how do we do it and that was the secret behind the success Unfortunately you lost her in 2009, not just you but Nigeria a regal woman. How has it been since them, you didn’t even remarry why?

The women don’t like my face ..laughs. Meanwhile I think it is not easy, that is the way I am And you have four children together?

Yea, very nice kids

Babangida

Butsomewillsaythatitisanattempttoassuage certain sections of the country because of the eventsoftheimmediatepastandthewayofclass of 63 to which you belong to continue to have a hold or grip on Nigeria?

No. I think what was happening is that we always believedthatthepersonwhomustrunthecountrymust have the following antecedents; if he doesn’t believe in Nigeria, we wouldn’t look for him at all because we wanted a Nigerian and this is what we continue saying, even if we have a democratically elected Nigerian or the militarily imposed, he must have that core belief, belief in the country and experiences over the years in leadership, public service and the rest of them.

Who is that?

A person who travels in this country and had a friend virtually everywhere he travels and he knows at least one person he can communicate with, a person who is very vast in economy because of the development and then a good politician who should be able to talk to Nigerians and so on. I have seen one or two or three already in their 60s

Areyouimpressedwithourdemocracysofar,isit deliveringandIalsowanttoknowtheroleyouare playinginthePDP.ThePDPheldontopowerfor16 yearsandyouareoneofthefoundingfathersand manyaresayingwiththisadministrationNigeria seem to be moving towards one-party state I know that Nigerians will not allow that to happen, they will make so much noise that whoever attempts to do that will not do it, this is the good thing about this country, they will talk they will demonstrate they will engage you in all sorts of things so as not to do the wrong thing.

So what do you think about these irredentist sentiments coming not only from the South East but also from the South West? The general situationwithNnamdiKanuandSundayIgboho who have been championing the course of their people, what’s your thought s about that?

Well my thoughts are it is always good to agitate but because there is this belief that this country should be one, when they make the noise they will find out that it won’t get support because Nigerians don’t generally believe on anything that will disturb their peace of mind

Areyoustillinpartisanpolitics,areyoustillinvolved in PDP as an opposition party?

No

TheDSShasbeenintheeyeofthestormandyou created so many institutions, DSS, NDE and so many and the Intelligence agencies like the NIA, DSSofcourseweresupposedtohelpaddressthe problems of insecurity and all that. The DSS has evolvedfromthatandseemtohaveamindofits own not to obey court orders , what do you make of today security service?

Well I think they are fairly well trained and as far as flouting court orders are concerned, I don’t think it is the right thing for them to do. They should obey court orders, that’s why we ought to have strong institutions but institutions that obey the due process, I don’t share their flouting of court orders at all

Why sir?

I am an elder statesman now Let’s talk about 2023, so much has been said about giving a sense of belonging to every part ofthecountryincludingtheSouthEast.Manyare saying come2023becauseoftheperceptionthat the South East has not had a fair share of being atthehelmofaffairs,whatareyourthoughtson power shifting to the South East or the need for it to shift to the South East?

Well, we have to make a choice either we have to practice democracy the way it has to be practiced or the way it is being practiced or we define democracy with our own whims and caprices. If we are going to do it the way it is done all over the world you allow the process to continue because it is through the process that you will be able to come out with a candidate that will lead the country, his qualifications, beliefs should be known to Nigerians before somebody ever throws his hat into the ring regardless of where he comes from.

Are you saying that Nigeria now should jettison the idea of zoning or power shift?

Whether we do it now or we will have to do it. Time will come when someone will emerge in this country whether he is from Okpella or from Minna the thing is he is known, everybody knows him and everybody thinks we should accept what his beliefs are and then if he throws his hat into the ring and people will say

yes I heard that name before, why not. I have started visualising a good Nigerian leader

You think that person should emerge in 2023?

I believe so if we could get him

SpeakingofstronginstitutionstheEFCCisoneof the strong institutions that was set up to tackle corruptionandtheyarehavingquestionmarkson theissueoffightingcorruptiontostandstill,how do you feel when you hear from certain quarter thatunderyouradministrationcorruptionactually thrived; is that a fair assessment?

Wellyoucan’tcompareitwiththefactontheground now. From what I read, from analysis, I think we are saints when compared to what is happening under a democratic dispensation. I sacked a governor for misappropriating less than N313,000, today billions are there in the streets, those who have stolen billion and are in courts and are now parading themselves in the streets so who is better in fighting corruption?

Whatisyourassessmentofthisadministration’s waroncorruptionbecauseoneofthethreemajor planks upon which it came to power was anticorruption?

That is where politics comes. Somebody will come now and say APC made promises on three planks, Nigerians voted on three planks, economy, corruption and security so it is for Nigerians to decide how these have been met.

As a Nigerian what would you say?

I would rather wait and see what the other party how they react, if they convince me that they didn’t succeed in this and they show me proofs, I will go for them What is your relationship like with President MuhamaduBuhariconsideringthefactthatyou wereinvolvedacoupthatoustedhimfrompower?

Our relationship is still very good and I am happy we relate good but the seeming bad relationship was the creation of your people the media Let’stalkaboutthemediaduringyourtimethere wasthisseemingnolovelostrelationshipbetween themediaandyouradministrationandweseemto findourselvesinthesamesituation.Youabrogated Decree 2 and Decree 4 fair enough but today the media is contending with another decree 2 and 4inanotherguise,thePressCouncil billthathas just been thrown out but there is an attempt to stifle the media in the eye of the media. What is it that makes government fear the media?

I didn’t fear the media, I libralised you, don’t forget.

Today youhaveprivatetelevisions,privatenewspapers and so on so I have no fear with the media I believe they are an essential part of the society and they should play the role for the society so I have no fear of the media whatsoever What do you make of the seeming attempt to clampdownonthemediabythisadministration?

The media and the public will not allow that to happen and it is even silly to start trying clipping them. I said Nigerians are very wonderful people , you cannot intimidate them Let’stalkaboutyou;youturned80.Yougotmarried in1969andbarelyfivemonthsyouwentbacktothe warfront,whatmadeyoudothatandwhyMariam BabangidathenMariamOkogwuwasyourchoice?

Okay. The story was this , in 1969 I was wounded in Uzuakoli, in Abia so I was lucky I was flown to Lagos samedaywhichwasunusualbutGodiskindandGeneral Gowon got married around that period, April-May and here was my Commander in Chief and I was very impressed the way the marriage was going. The first thing that struck me was when I was on hospital bed, I said why the hell, I could have been dead so I wouldn’t be a married man just like my commander so I made up my mind I will get married immediately I get out of this hospital bed and God was kind I got well so getting married became my first priority, that’s it And you met her?

IknewherbeforeIgotwounded.Iwasveryfrequent to their house and her brothers, cousins and whole

Alotofpeoplehavedescribedyouasagreatbuilder ofmenandwomenwhatexactly isthemotive,was ittoearntheirloyaltybecausetheHiltopissome Mecca of sorts. Anybody who wants to become President sees it as a duty to visit you or consult you, whatever they want to be they think they need to consult you, what exactly is it about you that attracts people from everywhere?

I feel comfortable wherever I am, whether in Minna or in Lagos and I quickly make friend and I don’t disown people, even those I don’t know very well, I don’t disown them, I stick with them, I think that is the main reason.

How do you like to be remembered, what do you think is your legacy and before we round off, do youhaveanyregretswhethertheroleyouplayed whenyouwerePresident;haveyouhadclosureon someofthethingsthatseemtobeadarkshadow over some great achievements that you scored , what are those?

Regrets?

Yes, what are those?

Now having left office for the last 28 years I don’t think that come to think of it I think we were right here. A lot of things are happening and those things convince me that after all we didn’t do badly maybe those things we were not understood, for example you mentioned SAP, I told Nigerians in 1986 when we were introducing SAP that people who take advantage of what we were trying to do will succeed in life but those who can’t will go under. I said that in 1986 and today I was proved right; people took advantage of what we did and today they are the powers of industry, economic gurus and they were provided an environment to say what you want, when you want and how you want it and you don’t get shot or locked up in prison so I think I made a contribution in society in order to make the society better June12hasbeendeclaredaPublicHolidayinhonour of MKO Abiola but it hasn’t been given closure so Nigerians still want to know what happened, they talk about a cabal that figuratively had a gun to your head to annul June 12, that you also were a victim of June 12?

You want me to be honest with you? If it materialised there would have been a coup detat which would have been violent, that’s all I can confirm.

It didn’t happen thanks to the engineering. The Maradonic way we handled you guys in the society but that could have given room for more instability in the country.

Was the tension within the military or outside because…

Both. The military they can do it because they have the weapons to do it but the other society members will agitate Are you still the evil genius, did you call yourself that?

No I never did , the media did PeoplecallyouMaradona, what’s thatallabout?

That’s a very good thing about Nigerians media and people. You have to anticipate them and if you anticipate them you live very well with them. I marvel at that contradiction, you can’t be evil and a genius so you have to make up what you think is evil genius.

Maradona I got it again from the definition of the media, they said deft political moves, that’s what the media described it.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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IMAGES

Faces at a recent reception hosted in Lagos by Ansar-Ud-Deen High School, Surulere, Lagos Old Students’ Association (AHOSA) for their ex-classmate Mr. Segun Balogun to mark his 60th birthday and retirement.

Celebrant, Mr. Balogun and wife, Olufunmilayo surrounded by Senior Members of AHOSA at the reception

L-R: Ms. Temilade Olakuleyin and Alhaji Sulaiman Agbomeji R-L: Mr. Ojo Oluwafemi and Alhaja Abisoye Idiat Fagbayi

L-R: Mr. Anwoju Olumuyiwa and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Oduwale

L-R: Mrs. Lateef-Yusuf Mary and Mr. Olorunoje Taslim Oladipo

R–L: Alhaja Jayeola Fujah-Ogunwolu and Mr. Benjamin Sunday

L-:R Hamzat Anwoju and Mrs. Funke Owoyemi (LASACO Assistant Director, National Insurance Commission, Mr. L-R: Mr. Tony Aletor and Mr. Tope Smart Gbenga Jayesinmi Assurance Plc)

Mr. Akinwale Sofile and wife, Bosede

L-R: Mr. Razaq Abiodun and wife, Mrs. Taiwo Abiodun

L-R: Mrs. Bola Fahm and Mrs. Yomi Salami

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Ernest Obi

I Used to Be Very Temperamental, Emotional Before I Met My Wife Veteran in every sense of the word aptly fits Ernest Obi as an actor, director and producer in the world of film and theatre. For over 30 years, Ernest has been doing what he knows how to do best on stage and screen, and it is no surprise that he has outlived his craft in that he cuts across both the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ Nollywood. Growing up Ernest was addicted to film and television so much that he was intrigued by the art itself. Little wonder he describes his entire life as film.

He shares more in this conversation with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, talking about his craft, family, and career as he sets out on a location

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hat set are you currently on?

It’s a Rok movie, produced by one of their top producers. The location is in Enugu, it’s a family story; a very emotional family story. It’s about strife and pain, and as usual the resolution at the end of the day, good.

Our people don’t like tragedy, so you must resolve it well. Africans are not very good in handling tragedy, that’s starts from the beginning and end.

Enugu, Asaba appear quite a veritable space for you to operate from; you don’t quite seem to consider much of Lagos anymore?

The thing about it is that you work where you can express yourself better. Lagos has now become the home for many and most of the movies shot in Lagos are basically maybe conventional stories of love and all that, which we also Àlm in the east. So, it’s not just Asaba, Enugu, Owerri, and that axis. So if I want to do like a real village story, or an epic story, I can’t do that in Lagos because there’s no space for that in Lagos. I like to tell a lot of traditional stories, not necessarily epic but I do a lot of traditional stories, family stories that have a background of the local community. So I think that’s why the east is viable. The last movie I shot anyway was in Ibadan.

That’s Yemoja, I shot Yemoja in Ibadan.

So it’s not just about the east. I can Àlm anywhere. But the work space has to match the story I have.

Looking at your works; they are not often seen on the big screen. And to some people who only follow Nollywood via the cinemas, your name rarely pops-up and it now appear as if you have been R; WKH VFUHHQ IRU D ZKLOH" Let me put it this way; I have been doing this since about 30 years plus. And the very dedicated Àlmmakers or Àlm watchers or viewers know what I do. And in comparison, the percentage of people who do cinema and the percentage of people who watch the original home video is like 70-80% compared to cinema. If you ask yourself where’s the bulk of the cinema?

It’s in Lagos, maybe one or two in Port Harcourt. Enugu is not really a very key place to do cinema. And some other places, maybe Abuja. So, but Lagos, concentration is on Lagos. Maybe if you say they don’t know, I don’t know if I will agree with that (laughs). But I don’t do cinema if it’s not necessary. And again story matters for me. I like to do or shoot movies that will challenge me. I don’t want to Àlm for Àlm sake. I have gotten one or two scripts and I wasn’t too comfortable with the stories.

They were slap. And I told them, I said ‘I can’t go to the cinema with something like this just because I want to add my name in the cinema. So, maybe when the time comes. But I have done or two that were

Ernest Obi

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

25

SUPER SATURDAY My Life is Film; My Entire Life is Film aired in cinemas in the UK… That was a year ago or so.

come into it because you heard that you can make money, they have Àne girls or I like this actor so I want to be working with him. That’s for the wrong reasons; let me put it that way. You would have issues.

So it’s not about that. I have met people when I was really doing stage then there’s this great director, Bayo Oduneye. And Uncle B brought a young man who came for his audition he had his Post Graduate in Theatre Arts… a PhD and he could not act to save his own life. He could not act but he was so educated but he could not Àt in. And Uncle B then said ‘I will use you as a masquerade’ because that’s the only thing he can because his face will be covered and he will stand in one spot and be ‘crooning’. So it’s not about how educated as you are in drama or Àlm school or what your degrees are. It’s applicable in every Àeld if you are not passionate.

Let’s talk about your career trajectory.

You set out studying Dramatic Arts?

Yes I did.

And by that at that point you already GHÀQHG D FDUHHU SDWK IRU \RXUVHOI :DV WKHUH DQ\ VHFRQG WKRXJKW DORQJ WKH OLQH RI \RXU FDUHHU PD\EH IURP \RXU SDUHQWV WKDW you ought to have been doing something HOVH LQVWHDG RI DFWLQJ" Not just my parents, my entire family (laughing). My entire family! Everybody felt I should be doing something else. They thought I should be doing something else and not Àlm. Growing up I was addicted to Àlm, I was addicted to the television.

I was intrigued by the art itself. And my family knew that. And so when the transition into acting came, they were not shocked. But it wasn’t something they initially supported. But when they saw the growth, even when I went into the University to study Dramatic Arts at OAU, they felt I could do better. So they keep saying ‘oh you are very intelligent’.

And I said this is what I want to do. At a point they let me. And then when I started with television, I did stage for a long time, did television for some time. Then I went into full stream acting on television with...

There was this series then ‘Fortunes’. So I went on Fortunes; they were impressed but you know there was no money then it was not about money but passion you give it all… Gradually I think they adapted so to speak. And so right now, every member of my family think it’s a great thing for me to have done and they are proud to say ‘this is my brother’, ‘this is my cousin’ and all that. So it’s a good thing.

At that point, was there a particular FDUHHU WKH\ IHOW \RX RXJKW WR KDYH EHHQ doing this?

Erm not necessarily…but you know I’m from Nnewi South in Anambra and the thing there is 70% of all of us (Nnewi men) back then you have to learn trade and because that’s where the money is. Back then, it wasn’t really about getting too much education. My family likes education. I had sisters who were all educated; I have Àve sisters. But everybody felt that the best way to go is trade. ‘If you want money we give you money, go and do business’, because the money for Àlm or acting was not there then there was no money at all (laughing).

This was early 90’s there about. . . Instead you will put your money.

Ernest Obi and his wife wife, Evi

this Abba Kyari now and I want to make it into a movie it will be stopped! A member Let’s talk about you Ernest Obi in of ours, he’s late now shot a movie about comparison to character roles you play the ‘Apo Six’. That movie was stopped by LQ ÀOPV DQG \RXU ZRUNV" &DQ \RX GUDZ the Censors Board. That movie was held a distinction between both? down for years by the Censors Board and In Àlms, you are allowed to interpret it was never released. So when you say roles of varying characters. In life you need ‘oh tell the stories of the things going on to come to terms with who you are. I’m in the society and all that’, yes it’s a good an extremely emotional person. I used to thing. But what you are told is you must be very temperamental before I met my promote Nigeria in everything you do. <RX DUH IDPRXV DV DQ DFWRU SURGXFHU wife. I’m a very strict person. I try to be Now when I know that this thing is not and director. Is there any other job title extremely prim and proper. I’m a very what is going on, there is no truth to it, religious person. I’m a traditional person. then there’s a problem. People are being one can add to these?

My life is Àlm; my entire life is Àlm. Each My traditional background reÁects in my given compensation for the shooting at time I’m asked this question ‘if you were productions. I’m very emotional I don’t Lekki Tollgate. Abi?! But I bet you if you not doing Àlm what else would you be like people being cheated. I don’t like being shoot a movie about the Lekki Tollgate the doing?’ I said I don’t know. I have never cheated too… So basically I think that’s it. Censors Board will never pass it. They will tell you that you are trying to incite a civil given it a second thought. But outside 3HRSOH EHOLHYH WKDW WKH 1LJHULDQ ÀOP disobedience. So there’s a lot of restricÀlm I do business, I do some small, small business by the side. I have a wife who is industry is not living up to expectation tion. So it’s not about us saying we want also a business minded person. I think she as regards using movies to address social to tell stories to change the society. You can’t change a society that does not give handles most of it. Because she knows my ills. Do you think so?

Okay anybody who is a Àlmmaker wants you room to change it. So if we are asking entire concentration is on Àlm. So if there’s any other business we need to do she will to sell stories that will change the society ourselves why our scope of Àlmmaking basically. Everybody is bent on doing that. has not been expanded or explored, there just step in and handle it.

But the question is, how many copies of are so many things restricting us. There’s And you have been able to manage that Àlm will you sell? Who would want so much we can talk about but I’m tired to watch it? What does the audience want of complaining. So I would swim the tide your home and career so well?

Well the truth is no marriage is perfect. to see? You want to portray the police in and do my own thing in my own little way, You stay married because you want to be good light but have they actually been or and tell my stories and establish myself married. Once you stopped being happy is that the picture of what the police is? as a Àlmmaker with my own genre that in that marriage space then it all ended. So, Now if you portray the police in the right I’m good at. But I will not come and shoot you need to create that space for happiness. light, of the government in the right light, a movie where I will praise the politician As much as I’m passionate about Àlm, my the Censors Board will stop your movie or praise the system where I know it’s not family comes Àrst in everything. If I feel and say no that you cannot show this. You functional. that at a certain point this business of mine go to Censors Board and somebody tells 8QOLNH \RX D JRRG QXPEHU RI SHUVRQ would shot down my family, then I would you ‘I’m not comfortable with this’. It’s that’s the only reason that would make me not about you been comfortable; is what V ZKR DUH LQWR DFWLQJ QHYHU ZHQW WR ÀOP stop Àlming. That’s the only thing in this they are saying the truth? Or is it an inter- institutes or through the training or world that would make me just shot down pretation? A director has the right to tell studied any course related to acting...

It’s actually not necessary if you know Àlming if I feel it will aͿect my family in a story. A Àlmmaker has the right to tell a anyway. So I always make out time for my story from his own perspective. People tell what you are doing. There’s somebody I family. What I do most times is if I’m away stories about Heaven that does not mean always use as an example, maybe because maybe for 2-3-4 weeks Àlming, the next they have ever been to Heaven. People he has talent. He’s a foreign Àlmmaker, thing my wife has to come wherever I am. compare Heaven, people compare Hell. director, Quenton Tarantino. Quenton didn’t With the kids if they are not in school. So But the question is who has ever been to go to Àlm school. But he is one of the most it’s an important thing. Or I go back home. Hell or Heaven? But it’s allowed because recognized Àlmmakers in Hollywood. I Without your family you are nothing. I’m we have this very religious tilt to our nature. think beyond going to Àlm school, if you not getting younger. I’m not ready to start But since you are talking about societal do not have the passion forget it. You might building another family. She has been with ills when you tell stories about the police, go to Àlm school for ten years and you me for about 20 years where will I start the politician, maybe I take a story of, say are not passionate about it. Maybe you from again? It’s not possible.

<RX DUH RQH RI WKH PDLQ VWDUV RI WKH blockbuster Nollywood movie Glamour *LUOV 7KHUH·V EHHQ D UHPDNH RI WKDW PRYLH DW WKH PRPHQW DQG \RX ZHUHQ·W SDUW RI LW right? I just want to have your opinion on WKH UHPDNH RI WKHVH ROG 1ROO\ZRRG ÀOP" No, I wasn’t part of it. I basically have no problem with anybody remaking any old Àlm that did very well. I have no problem with that. So, I wasn’t invited for the remake of Glamour Girls. I would not say I was not invited. It doesn’t take anything away from the fact that I was in the original and I’m happy for them. I’m in my 50s and you ask yourself would I still be able to play what I played then? No. Except they have something like a cameo appearance that’s the only way I could have come into the picture. Same thing happened in Rattle Snake. I was in the old Rattle Snake. The owners didn’t feel it was necessary. So I have no problem with that. The only problem I have with the remakes is that it’s not giving room for other fresh projects.

They have done the Àrst remake ‘Living in Bondage’ which was beautiful. They have done ‘Nneka The Pretty Serpent’, they have done ‘Rattle Snake’, they are doing ‘Glamour Girls. Maybe that’s the path of the company; maybe they want to be doing remake. I think they should diversify into fresh movies because at a point it gets tiring.

So it’s sort of indictment on Àlmmakers now like there are no new stories that can hold sway. It’s an indictment on the writers we have now. So I think at a certain point they should do new stories, fresh stories and work on promoting it and spend the kind of money they spend.

6RPH RI WKH FKDSV \RX PHQWRUHG IRU instance Swanky Jerry, are doing pretty ZHOO :KDW ZRXOG \RX OLNH WR WHOO EXGGLQJ creative who have interest in acting?

First and foremost I would say is this what you really want to do? That’s the Àrst question. Its not be strong, believe in yourself, no. I tell people Àlm (acting) is a profession. It’s not a hobby. Don’t tell me I’m a lawyer, I have always act liking so; I just want to be doing acting by the side, no.

It’s what we do for a living. So you need to be sure that this is really what I want to do and you are going to dedicate your life to doing it. And then look in the mirror and tell yourself the truth, ask yourself ‘do I have what it takes to be an actor or can I be a crew member?’ Everybody must not appear in front of the camera. It’s not about being beautiful. You might be beautiful and your intellect is low. Do you have the power of the craft? So an actor would have passion for the craft.

So if you don’t have the passion you are wasting your time.

You roam around. I know a lot of people who have gone round in circles for over 15, 20 years and they just like being around Àlmmakers and when you ask them they would say ‘nobody has given them the opportunity, people are demanding for ridiculous things’. That brings me to when people tell you ‘oh they tell you they want to sleep with me’. It’s not always like that.

We have a few idiots who do that, male and female. So let’s not look at it from the angle that it’s only male producers and Àlm directors. People get harassed by male and female Àlmmakers. But it is not enough you need to tell yourself that it is not a must that you sleep with anybody and then you become a star.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

EBERE WABARA

Alumni, Alumnae Plural

Y

OU are welcome to this edition of our language series: “As part of efforts to ensure that its new cash withdrawal policy succeeds, the CBN said it is (was)….” (THISDAY, July 5) “LBS alumni hosts Amaechi, Okorocha” My alumni association hosts or our alumni host Amaechi, Okorocha. No mix-up.

“A peasant farmer in Ogbomoso…has founded two police AK-47 rifles hidden in green leaves on (at) his farm.” (THE NATION NEWS, July 5) These juvenile blunders were found (not founded, please o!) by an anonymous reader via cell phone number 08033154530. More contributions from other readers are welcome. An aside: would the leaves have been yellow?

A commuter to a bus driver on Victoria Island: “Can I drop” (before the bus-stop)? Driver: “No! Vicious LASTMA officials are lurking (about)!” You alight (not drop) from a vehicle. But, you can be dropped (off ).

Overheard: “I don’t want to be insultive….” (The Beat 99 FM, Lagos, July 5 Morning Belt) Rudeness is an insulting (not insultive) behaviour!

“SGF swears-in 14 new officials” (Nigerian Tribune, July 3) What is the challenge in complying with a basic and simple grammatical rule: phrasal verbs do not accept hyphenation? Shall we keep drumming this into sub-editors’ heads? Headline casters, or whoever is assigned the responsibility, should avoid this recurring embarrassment. By the way, the officials would not have been old!

“Bombing out beer parlours”

(NATIONAL NEWS, July 1) A public drinking-place is called a pub. There are other variants where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks may be bought and drunk among other utilities: inn, tavern, saloon bar, lounge and public bar. There is nothing known as “beer parlour” outside Nigerian shores! You can call it our own Native English in its parlous condition.

“Beware, gift items could be ladened (sic) with bombs—Army chief” (Vanguard, June 30) Even at first sight, thoughtlessly, something points out this etymological buffoonery! Newspapers and magazines these days are pitiably laden with inexcusable lexical and structural lapses.

“EFCC arrests director over land deal” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, June 29) Once more, ‘arrest’ takes ‘for’—never the much-abused ‘over’.

“FRSC begins special patrol to reduce road crashes” (BUSINESSDAY, June 29) Except in a state of war or social infrastructural decay, roads do not crash. The special patrol is to reduce accidental/vehicular crashes. No lexical commotion, please.

“Armed bandits kill two cops in Yola, pick 2 AK-47 rifles” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, June 29) News: Who’s a bandit?

Or: Can there be banditry without arms? A bandit, according to OXFORD Advanced Learner’s DICTIONARY, is a member of an ARMED (emphasis mine) gang that robs people. Therefore, there can’t be banditry without arms. Let us be circumspect in collocation and do away with sterile applications and reference books. As a testimony to this assertive advisory, THE NEW LEXICON WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, astonishingly, declares

Random Thoughts: Of Superheroes, Olympics and Advocates

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e are now at the next level where you are assailed on all sides by issues, memories and news designed to make you lose your bearings, and provoke you to either lash out in futile exasperation, or choke in indignant lethargy. Such is the capacity of the Nigerian condition: devastating and demoralizing news tumble after disclosures, after hairbrained actions, and after flamboyantly nonsensical pronouncements.

If you are gifted in the art of dispassionate dissection of information, and presentation of facts in clear distinction from fallacies, Nigeria is a head-spinning fantasy - a maelstrom that never stops giving.

Sometimes, your senses are numbed by the sheer weight, number and regularity of our misadventures that it is difficult to settle on one or two particular issues from the legion besieging us. In these times, we resort to staccato ‘attack’ on as many ‘problems’ and as randomly as possible. Perhaps, your conscience would be less burdened by the consequences of prolonged lethargy, and vicarious acquiescence.

Certainly, not because you ever believe that your prose or thoughts would, by any means, stem the flow of idiocy and menace. Such nonsense only happens in the movies.

Let us start with the latest scapegoat of Nigerian systemic corruption - no less a personality than our most decorated sleuth, the quietly garrulous Abba Kyari, the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police. His travails, puerile efforts at redemption and disoriented antics to sway public opinions reveal a sad replica of the finest traditions of the Grecian tragic hero.

Our former super cop has found himself in a hole, whether self-made or designed by Karma, we cannot now say; and instead of maintaining a moment of solitude and wisened contemplation, he chose to dig further furiously and aimlessly. His efforts to dignify his alleged complicity, and protect his gilt-edged reputation as a supercop have further tarnished his accomplishments, and exposed a deeply flawed and disorderly hyper-intelligent sleuth. From his social media interlocus of N300,000 payout for a recommended tailor (before the FBI indictments became public); to revision of N8m as a tripwire between contending fraudsters (after the indictments went viral); to pictures of Kyari beaming in cosy photos alongside notable figures of disreputable insinuations, the man in the eye of the storm, could not stop digging for face savers, and losing himself in a consuming hole made to measure.

Few years ago, while observing his quiet, but vigorous display of valiant acts and crime bursting results of his team in a WhatsApp group that we shared, my worried thought was that Kyari was trying too

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

that a “bandit is a robber, especially one of a group roving in uninhabited districts.” This, obviously, contradicts language currency, emotional and environmental factors associated with word usage. It is imperative to nurture a critical mind in communication to foreclose simulation and travesty.

“For the inauguration art exhibition, there was no man know man connection” (National News, June 29) This is sheer illiteracy! What is ‘man know man connection’? Do you mean god-father, stooge, or crony connection? Certainly, not the excerpt!

“Nigeria’s economy may overtake South Africa by 2025” (Source: as above) Business & Finance: either South Africa’s (preferably) or South Africa’s economy (verbosity).

“Panasonic brace-up for market challenges” (THISDAY Banner, June 29) Again, phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. “…our eating and living habits can predispose our systems for (to) such diseases as....”

“2 vigilante men roasted” First: vigilance men; second: the men were burnt, not roasted! For goodness’ sake, we are talking of human beings–not consumables or objects!

“During his visit to the troubled spots.....” The shades of violence: trouble spots, but troubled waters. That is the beauty of the English language. “…that is a prerequisite for development in (on) the continent.”

“Nigeria was re-admitted into (to) the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), according to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).”

“This is tragic and a degradation of human specie (species).”

much to be noticed, and be recognized for his boldness, intelligence and doggedness. Really, those virtues are so scarce in many areas of our national life that they ought to be encouraged and decorated when we see them in action. But the Kyari exhibitionism was a little self-serving and too eagerly in-your-face. While we didn’t imagine he could be felled so cheaply by antics of a young rascally confidence trickster, it speaks to the traditional flawed character of all superheroes... that something so detestable, uninspiring, lame, sentimental or ordinary would often be the grave Achilles’ heel that brings untold tragedy: remember Sophocles’ Oedipus and his hubris; Macbeth and his Lady; Samson and his Delilah; Romeo Montague and his Juliet, etc.

In all tragic heroes, catastrophe is usually inevitable as a consequence of one or more errors of judgement. Kyari, stop digging, and face your hubris...or Karma - as your former acquaintances emerge from the crannies with more damning revelations.

Awash with the glitter and glory of excellent competitions and triumphs at the outgoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Nigerians have, on the other side, endured the shame and infamy of losing medal chances, and grueling inefficiency of sports officials who brought our athletes late to the Olympic villages in conditions that guaranteed insipid performances. We watched as our bright hopes were eliminated by different self-orchestrated means: exposure to banned drugs, disqualifications through poor coaching, ineffectual training regimes, disorientation from jet lag induced by cheap flight arrangements; non availability of official jerseys which were supplied by Puma, but grew wings, etc. (Puma, red faced by such barefaced self-enrichment by Nigerian sports mafia, cancelled its four year contract barely after two years!)

The ultimate shame came when some of our athletes were seen washing their single jerseys (probably training jerseys for others) while opponents had excess to share with fans and loved ones who came to cheer them. We watched in morose submission to the incorrigible greed of our sports colonisers as athletes of other countries draped their national flags in dizzying celebrations after winning one medal or the other - yet, many of those winning athletes bore obvious Nigerian names! Their joy in escaping the dross and drudgery that is Nigerian sporting establishment was unmistakable, as they celebrated their good decision to leave Nigeria for the ‘golden fleece’ on other talent-loving continents. Surely, a timely warning, and invitation to their contemporaries still wallowing in the cesspit of Nigerian sports to get out, so as to get an Olympic medal. It will be interesting to see how many of our younger talents at the Tokyo Olympics, and those left behind at home, would be anywhere near the Nigerian camp at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Congratulations to the Nigerian Olympic committee, we have successfully and officially exported our shame

“Staff of the Federal Ministry of Education and its parastatals in Lagos has (have) been told they have till next weekend to present their papers.”

“As he spoke to the admiration of the labour leaders and journalists at (on) the occasion….”

“The stories, in the opinion of the trial judge, was (why this recurring discord?) considered embarrassing to the government.”

“Journalism schools should include courses on shedding crocodile tears to (in) their curricula.”

“The police has an image problem, too.” Bound to correction: The police have....

“I have persistently advocated, without much success, the need to align policy making to (with) crime control….”

“But if the House Ethics Committee fails to sanitise affairs, then we would be setting a dangerous precedence contrary to the Dimeji Bankole example.”

Not yet: a dangerous precedent.

“Additionally, signals suggest that a lot of work still need (needs) to be done to get us on the democratic superhighway.”

“The purchasing power in the hands of consumers have (has) been going down; it means that demand for goods and services are (is) reducing.” “…the executive cannot acquiesce to a patently wrong situation in demur in a similar situation.” The legislature we deserve: acquiesce in (not to).

“It was later gathered that the mayhem was as a result of conflict (a conflict or conflicts) between two cult groups.” My viewpoint: delete ‘two’ (which is implied) to avoid headaches.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

onto the global platform - proudly unashamed!

Now, back home, where shamelessness walks in broad daylight.

The fire this time is as a result of the Supreme Court judgement which narrowly retained Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State in power.

The jurists were finely split four to three in disfavour of Eyitayo Jegede, the PDP candidate at the October 10, 2020 governorship election. At the core of the dispute before the Supreme Court, apart from electoral irregularities, was if the national caretaker committee of APC as led, on ad hoc basis, by the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, was in contravention of the Nigerian constitution which forbids holders of executive offices from holding any other public offices.

Before the ink had dried on the two contrasting judgements, Festus Keyamo (SAN) who is not exactly a politician, but a junior minister in the cabinet of an APC government, wrote a confidential memo, (which conveniently leaked into the social media), advising his party to take a cue from the near devastation of losing Ondo State to PDP by relieving Buni, and similarly appointed persons from the party’s caretaker committee… just few days to their nationwide party congresses. That caused quite a stir, and a flurry of unsolicited supportive and counter arguments. Not to be outdone, the Federal Attorney General, and cabinet mate of Keyamo, Abubakar Malami (SAN) fired off his own salvo in a confidential letter (no doubt) to APC governors. Of course, in opposition to Keyamo’s position. While one cannot begrudge Malami’s right to take a position on any matter, not to mention law that he superintends here, the tone of his intervention raises more questions beyond alternate legal opinion. He lacerated Keyamo’s focus, calling it “meritless” (don’t mind some media outlets that transformed it to “senseless”). And that contrary to the suggestion of interlopers that the apex court declared Buni’s ‘ad hoc’ position as illegal, Malami argued that since PDP did not think it fit to join Buni as a respondent at the lower trial, the Supreme Court did not make any pronouncement on the person or status of Buni; and therefore the congresses could go on.

All is fair in war - but is this President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet at war within itself? Why would supposed colleagues wash their linens, dirty or clean, in the market square, when they could have jostled intellectually, and exhaustively, in their cosy chambers, thus sparing us the growing sentiment of imminent political catastrophe. We will be excused if many Nigerians begin to fear that ministers and people elected to guide this nation right are engaged in power play and such aggrandizing peccadillos with grave consequences for the health and welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

GLOBAL SOCCER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

07. 08.2021

NEWS

MORE THAN A CHARITY

PAGE. 29

TOKYO 2020 OLYMPICS

Blessing Oborududu

A Golden Silver

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Blessing Oborududu A Golden Silver Blessing Ogborodudu sizes up her opponent

Before the start of Tokyo Olympics if there was one sport that Nigerians were hoping for a gold medal it’s in wrestling which had eluded the country since Atlanta ’96.

But while all eyes are in the direction of African number one wrestling sensation Odunayo Adekuoroye for the expected gold, it was 32-year-old Blessing Obordudu that climbed the podium with a‘golden silver’on her neck

B

lessing Oborududu won Olympic Games’ silver medal in the women’s freestyle 68kg, the first by a Nigerian wrestler in history.

The 32-year-old won the Tokyo 2020 silver medal on Tuesday in her third appearance at the Olympics since 2012 in London.

Oborududu announced herself to the wrestling world in 2007 when she was invited to join Nigeria’s team for the African Games. She was unrivalled in secondary school, where she started wrestling, and quickly caught the attention of the Bayelsa government, a Southern state in Nigeria, that invited her for the prestigious National Sports Festival.

Two years later, she cemented her position in the National Wrestling team and has maintained the spot, being a regular in continental tournaments.

“My first medal was a bronze in 2009,” she told Olympic Channel while competing at the 2019 African Games in Rabat.

“And then 2010, I started winning, then every other African championship I win gold, gold, gold…All African Games gold, gold, gold…”

She dominated 59kg, was unrivalled in the 63kg, before stepping up to her current 68kg, winning a record 10 African titles across the weights.

Oborududu has won all African titles apart from 2012 when she skipped the

continental event for London 2012, the first of her three Olympic appearances.

After Commonwealth gold and 10 African titles, the 30-year-old wants to leave a mark at Tokyo 2020.

As Oborududu made great strides in her career she met some opposition at home, while some people around her doubted her potential.

Her parents were against their daughter practicing the combat sport, regardless of Nigeria’s rich tradition of wrestling.

“When I was growing, my parents used to tell me wrestling is for boys and not for girls,” she recalled in an interview with Olympic Channel.

“But when I saw female wrestlers shining in the sport and traveling outside the country, I said I want to be traveling like them, I want to do this thing [wrestling].”

Even as she became a household name in Nigerian wrestling, it took some convincing to show her potential.

“A lot of people would see me and tell [me], ‘you are not a wrestler; you don’t look like one.’”

But her coaches encouraged her, and she also believed in her ability.

“I kept doing it for me and my coaches. They believed. Whenever I went to the Worlds, Olympics they always encouraged me that, ‘Blessing the best is yet to come. You just need to focus, because you are strong, you are young, you can make it’. This is what has kept me going for the past

10-12 years.”

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 34-year-old finally won the gold that had eluded her in two previous attempts.

Oborududu held on for a slim 4-3 victory over her Canadian opponent Danielle Lappage.

She strode around the mat in a delirium of joy, rolling down, kissing the mat, and praying.

She then ran off to one of her coaches who carried her around the mat as they celebrated her biggest career win then.

That celebration went viral.

“I didn’t plan it. The moment I knew I won gold, the joy. The joy of winning a gold medal… I didn’t know how to express myself. That is why I rolled on the ground and I said, ‘God I give you the glory for making this possible for me.’ That was special. I never imagined that moment,” she said.

Officially, Oborududu is the first Nigerian to win an Olympic medal in wrestling. But another Nigerian had in fact won gold at the Olympics, 21 years ago.

Daniel Igali, who also hails from Bayelsa State, won 69kg freestyle gold at Sydney 2000.

He won in it for Canada. Igali switched nationality in 1998, and is the current president of Nigerian Wrestling Federation and is Oborududu’s idol.

In fact, Igali’s Olympic moment has been a huge source of inspiration for the former world number two.

“Nigerian wrestling is special because we always want to win, we want to be number one in the world, number two at worst. And our president Igali, is an Olympic champion. And when he told us about himself and how he won it, that is what every wrestler wishes for, be in the Olympics and to win,” she said.

“Sometimes when we watch the Olympic video of our president Daniel Igali, how he received his medal, how he was crying. You know everything that happened at the Olympics, that is our desire, we want to be like him.

Everybody in the team wants to be Olympic champion.”

The final against Tamyra MensahStock could be the last time we will see Blessing Oborududu grappling on the mat.

“I think this Olympics will be my last Olympics,” she said upon qualification for Tokyo 2020.

After three Olympics, her first being the London 2012 Games, she had set herself a target of clinching a medal at the World championships or Olympics.

With that done, the Business Administration graduate now plans to retire after her long career, but she might stay heavily involved in Nigerian wrestling.

She remains a role model for many Nigerian girls looking to take up wrestling.”

However, after winning the medal, she appears to be making a U-turn.

According to her, it might not be the end just yet.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Rodgers, Guardiola Begin Season’s Rivalry as Leicester, City Battle for Community Shield Leicester City and Manchester City will today at Wembley Stadium clash in the 2021/22 season curtain-raiser as they compete for the Community Shield, courtesy of Brendan Rodgers Foxes FA Cup victory and Pep Guardiola’s Citizens Premier League title glory last season. Those triumphs earn both managers another crack at silverware today. While the Shield may have little bearing on the upcoming season overall, it never hurts to get off to a winning start to build momentum

Leicester City stricker, Kelechi Ihenacho watched by Manchester City’s duo of Phil Foden and Aymeric Laporte

FA Cup winners Leicester City and Premier League champions Manchester City will lock horns in the Community Shield at Wembley this evening.

Leicester secured their first ever FA Cup trophy last season courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the final on May 15, while Manchester City ultimately finished 12 points clear of second-place Manchester United at the top of the 2020-21 Premier League table to reclaim the title from Liverpool.

The 2020-21 campaign will forever be remembered in the history of Leicester, as the Foxes won the FA Cup for the first time, but the season ended in disappointment in terms of the Premier League, with a 4-2 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day seeing them drop out of the top four.

Brendan Rodgers’ side ultimately finished fifth last term, meaning that they will play in the Europa League again this season, rather than the Champions League, which looked to be a strong possibility for long spells.

Leicester have now reset for the new season, and they have been involved in four friendlies this summer, losing

their first two to Burton Albion and Wycombe Wanderers on July 24 and July 28 respectively before ending last month with a 3-3 draw against Queens Park Rangers.

The Foxes finished their preparations for the new campaign with a 3-2 victory over Villarreal on Wednesday, though, with Caglar Soyuncu, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez on the scoresheet.

Rodgers’s side have managed to bring in Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare and Ryan Bertrand this summer, and more new additions are expected before the transfer window closes.

Man City, meanwhile, are bidding to win the Community Shield for the seventh time, having previously lifted this particular trophy in 1937, 1968, 1972, 2012, 2018 and 2019.

The Citizens proved to be too strong for the rest of the competition in last season’s Premier League and will be looking to make the perfect start to the new campaign when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur in their opener on August 15, with Harry Kane’s future still very much up in the

air.

Pep Guardiola’s side, who closed in on a £100m deal for Jack Grealish, have only been involved in three pre-season matches this summer, opening their preparations on July 27 with a 2-0 victory over Preston North End before putting four unanswered goals past Barnsley last weekend.

Man City then recorded a 4-1 win over Blackpool on Tuesday evening and will view today’s contest as a valuable exercise with the new Premier League season just around the corner.

Leicester City could be facing the Premier League’s first 100 million pound player which could just be added motivation for Rodgers.

Media reports have suggested Guardiola could give the England playmaker a first outing in the curtain-raiser to the season.

The Foxes upset Chelsea 1-0 at the stadium in May to win the FA Cup for the first time and has shown money is not everything.

“You can look at it two ways and think you can never compete or you try and create a culture and an environ-

ment that means you are going to be competitive,” Rodgers said of Man City’s spending.

“We know the level in the Premier League but it doesn’t stop us competing,” added the Northern Irishman.

City has won the shield six times previously, from 12 appearances, and most recently in 2019.

Leicester’s 1-0 FA Cup win was the club’s first in their history but today will be a third appearance in the curtain-raiser.

Both sides will be keen to start the campaign with some silverware, even if the match will be lacking some of the big guns yet to return after a busy summer of international football.

“It’s a fantastic game for us. It means we won the FA Cup,” said Rodgers, who lost French defender Wesley Fofana to injury on Wednesday.

“It’s a wonderful occasion and there’s something there at the end of it.”

Only 20,000 spectators were allowed into Wembley for the FA Cup final but today offers the chance for many more fans to enjoy a day out at the stadium, with a capacity crowd and Leicester allocated 26,639 tickets, of which City has been allocated 26,602.

Kane remains a leading target for the Citizens, and it will be fascinating to see whether the Manchester giants manage to sign both players before the end of the window.

Leicester will be missing Timothy Castagne, James Justin and Jonny Evans this weekend through injury, while Wesley Fofana suffered a fractured fibula during the pre-season clash with Villarreal on Wednesday, meaning that the centre-back’s 2021-22 campaign is now in doubt.

There is a chance that Wilfred Ndidi could be pressed into action alongside Soyuncu at the back, with Ricardo Pereira and Bertrand lining up in the full-back positions.

Kelechi Iheanacho could be given the nod alongside Jamie Vardy as part of a front two, with Daka starting on the bench, while Barnes and Youri Tielemans are also in line to feature for the Foxes.

Man City, meanwhile, had Ferran Torres back in pre-season training on Wednesday following his involvement in Euro 2020, while fellow Spain international Rodri was also present during the same session.

The Citizens will still be missing a number of key players, though, with the likes of Ederson, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus all unavailable for selection.

Zack Steffen s set to start between the sticks, while there are likely to be spots in the first XI for Cole Palmer and Sam Edozie, who have impressed for the English champions during pre-season.

Bernardo Silva continues to be linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, but the Portugal international could feature in the final third of the field alongside Riyad Mahrez.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Nigeria’s 4*400m quartet of Clement Chukwu, Jude Monye, Sunday Bada and Enefiok Odo-Obong

21 Years after Sydney Olympics Nigeria’s 4x400m Relay Team Wants a Gold Medal Ceremony Former Nigeria sprinter Enefiok Udo-Obong said the 4x400m relay team that won silver in Sydney 21 years ago, which has since been upgraded to gold, had their moment of glory ‘stolen’ by the USA. The American team, led by Michael Johnson, won gold on the day but doping violations revealed in subsequent years saw the gold change hands to Nigeria. Although the African team have since received their medals, albeit 14 years later, they want to stand in front of the world and hear their anthem played.

Enefiok Udo-Obong, who ran a blistering final leg in the final for Nigeria in Australia, told ESPN: “It’s a feeling that was stolen from us.

“We raised that issue when we had the Athletes Forum in Switzerland, with the IOC, and it is one of the things that we feel should be given back to the athletes because that moment of pride cannot really be replaced.

“Standing in front of the world with a billion viewers watching you... That was one of the things I wanted to enjoy and I didn’t enjoy that.

“That’s the kind of feeling I would have used to influence other younger ones, especially in my continent and in my country. I didn’t have that experience, or I didn’t have that opportunity to do so.

“We are hoping that doping will stop but even when it doesn’t, people who are clean must have a way to regain that honour which they lost.”

Nigeria’s 4x400m men’s relay team won silver on the night in Sydney in 2000, and were delighted at the time, coming second as they did to the great Michael Johnson. John Giles - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images Looking back, Udo-Obong concedes that Johnson’s team was superior on the night, and as their wild celebrations immediately after the race showed, the Nigerians were ecstatic with the silver medal they had won.

Johnson, who picked up the baton in the final leg of the race, opened up such a wide gap it was impossible to do anything but fight for second. Udo-Obong stretched his every last sinew to close a 10m gap and sneak home for a silver medal, ahead of two Caribbean nations.

“Winning the silver was an extraordinary thing,” UdoObong said. “It was a feat we were so proud of and I would have happily lived with that.

“It was a rare feat, something we had worked hard for. It’s something that we felt, ‘Okay, fine. We’re second best in the world at that point in time.’

It was bold enough for us.”

But then, in 2004, the IAAF ruled that Jerome Young, a member of the USA team in the semifinals, was ineligible to run due to doping offenses and stripped the USA of their medal, moving everyone else up one place.

It was almost too good to be true, and Udo-Obong did everything he could to keep

himself in check, admitting that the USA could have brought any of their talents and won the races fair and square.

He said: “When we started hearing news about how there was discrepancies in testing of some of the American runners, I started to think, ‘Oh, what if?’

“But I had to keep myself in check because I don’t like to deceive myself. The Americans could have brought any of their top 16 athletes and probably would have won the gold.

“That’s how talented their pool of quarter milers are from the college level to the international level. They were actually the king of the sprints. So, we didn’t feel hard done by even when the stories were coming out.”

Antonio Pettigrew, Alvin and Calvin Harrison, and Michael Johnson won gold in Sydney.

Of the four, only Johnson has never been implicated in doping violations. Mike Powell / Allsport The Nigerian was right to be cautious. USATF appealed the decision and a year later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in their favour, upholding their argument that the Young did not run in the finals and so the team should not be disqualified on the basis of his drug use.

And then three years later in 2008, Antonio Pettigrew [who did run in that final and died in 2010], admitted that he had taken performance enhancing drugs under the direction of now-banned Track and Field coach Trevor Graham.

UEFA Super Cup Final Live on DStv, GOtv The 46th edition of the UEFA Super Cup will see UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea take on UEFA Europa League winners Villarreal at Windsor Park in Belfast on Wednesday, 11 August 2021 at 8pm on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203) and SuperSport Football (DStv channel 205 and GOtv channel 31).

Villarreal were surprise winners of the UEFA Europa League last term, but the Spanish side is looking to build on their success and will use this clash against continental champions Chelsea as a yard-stick to measure their progress ahead of competing in the UEFA Champions League this term.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will want to keep up the momentum they built under coach Thomas Tuchel. Winning the UEFA Champions League seemed an unlikely outcome when the German manager joined them midway through last season, but the challenge now is to keep up their level of performance across all competitions for a whole campaign.

This is going to be a match to look forward to as this will be the first meeting between Chelsea and Villarreal. Both teams have got interesting players starting with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante. The French midfielder put in one of the all-time

great final performances to help Chelsea defeat Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League back in May. While Nigerian winger, Samuel Chukwueze is Villarreal’s most creative and effective attacking player, using his pace and trickery to devastating effect down either flank.

It’s also expected to be a classic midfield battle between Etienne Capoue and Villarreal’s Jorginho with the former hoping to give Villarreal a foothold in the middle of the park, while Jorginho will be focused on keeping Chelsea ticking over with his efficient passing. Villarreal’s new Senegalese signing Boulaye Dia.

Messi

What Next for Messi ?

“Messi shall not be staying”.

The statement, released by Barcelona just before 8pm Spanish time on Thursday, was unequivocal and shocked the world of football.

The 34-year-old Argentine, a free agent since 1 July, had been set to sign a new deal to extend his 21-year stay at the Nou Camp.

Barca said the contract was due to be signed on Thursday, but the Spanish league’s “financial and structural obstacles” scuppered that.

So what now for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner? Is this really the end of Messi at Barca, or is there set to be one final twist?

Earlier this month, Spanish football writer Guillem Balague revealed Messi had agreed a deal until 2026 that included reducing his wages to half of his previous salary.

But Barca needed to sell players to fund the deal - reducing their wage bill by about 200m euros (£172m) to meet La Liga’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) requirements - and are yet to achieve this. Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho - among others - remain on their books. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily, Balague said: “Barca had to find a creative way to pay Messi’s wages, bonuses and signing on fee and every time I asked them ‘how are you going to do that when you can’t register new players you signed on a free?’ the answer was ‘just trust us’. “The message from Messi’s side was ‘hang on, just wait’. Laporta [Barca president] was optimistic, Messi’s side less optimistic. But not one single time was it said to be impossible.

“Now it has been confirmed that there is no possible economical way for this to happen. But I don’t think it is the end of the story.”

The club’s financial situation is “exceptionally critical”, says Radio Catalunya’s Ernest Macia.

He told BBC World Service: “Many people are still trying to imagine how life will be after Messi because nobody had imagined this three days ago.

“In fact, we heard some voices in the club, even president Joan Laporta, saying that Messi would stay. There was already a contract there to be signed, a contract was already written.

“In their statement it seems that Barcelona and Messi agree - they are on the same side. Instead it seems the financial situation of the club, regulations of La Liga... and the bottom line was not meeting the FFP regulations.”

Stop writing the obituaries, shelve those plans for a grand farewell... as dramatic as it seems, Barca’s announcement does not definitely mean Messi is leaving.

Not yet, anyway.

In fact, rather than being a final and definitive statement it is actually a very risky tactical move in the club’s powerplay with La Liga, whose salary cap regulations are preventing Messi and Barca from signing the new contract the club claim they have both agreed.

The backdrop is Barca’s crippling financial situation and their connected ongoing desire to form a European Super League, which club president Joan Laporta has continued to pursue along with his Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez.

Crucially, La Liga has just announced a major new deal with investment fund CVC, which would immediately hand Barca about £200m - enough to re-sign Messi.

To receive that, however, the club would have to sign a long-term commitment to La Liga, renouncing the idea of a Super League. And minutes after Barca’s statement, Real Madrid released their own, saying the CVC deal was done “without the involvement or knowledge” of the club and saying they cannot support the venture. Laporta is saying to La Liga president Javier Tebas: ‘Well, let’s see what your new investment fund partner makes of a league without Messi. Your move.’

What that move will be... who knows? But this multi-billion-dollar game of chess is not over. Laporta has called ‘check’. But it’s not necessarily ‘checkmate’.

It was just a year ago that Messi said he wanted to exercise a clause in his contract to leave on a free transfer, but Barca said a 700m euros (£624m) fee had to be paid.

Now there are no such restrictions.

He has long been linked with a reunion with former Barca boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. But with City having signed Jack Grealish for a British record £100m, and being linked with a big-money move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Balague does not think the Premier League champions “have the financial viability to get Messi”.

Man City sign £100m Grealish from Villa England midfielder Jack Grealish joins Manchester City from Aston Villa for a British record transfer fee of £100m. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s not like getting someone who will earn, say, 50m euros. Whatever it is, you have to double it.

But you also have to pay a signing-on fee, that could be 50-60-70m. It’s a signing from another club almost.

“So from that point of view I don’t think City have got the finances now, and we all suspect it has to be Paris St-Germain next.” French football expert Julien Laurens added: “I still think Barca are bluffing. From a PSG point of view and what they have said over the last year is that if Messi becomes available, and is interested, then they believe they have got enough in bank and resources to make that deal happen. “The outcome may be he still stays, but they will repeat to Messi family that they hope for something if he wanted to join PSG.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

Chuba Akpom Can Boro Ward off Besiktas’ Interest?

A

mid speculation linking Chuba Akpom with a possible move to Besiktas in the summer transfer window, Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has provided an update on the future of Super Eagles hopeful.

Warnock has yet to give the green light to Akpom leaving the club because he feels that he does not have enough experienced strikers on his roster ahead of the new Championship season.

Should the former Arsenal star move on to new pastures without Boro signing a replacement, Warnock would be left with only Uche Ikpeazu as the senior striker in the squad.

Warnock has indicated that whoever wants to sign Akpom, including

Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas, will have to meet their asking price for the 25-year-old.

In quotes relayed by Teesside Live, Warnock said when quizzed on Akpom’s future: “At the moment we’ve only got him and Uche.

“I think everybody knows if the right offer comes in we’d consider that but at the same time we are still looking at other forwards.

“I know Crooksy can go up there but we need another couple of strikers there. If Duncan gets injured, we’re short.”

Akpom scored five goals and assisted two others in 39 outings for Middlesbrough over the course of the 2020-2021 campaign.

Media reports in Turkey said

champions Besiktas have submitted an offer to English Championship club for Akpom.

He was also linked to Besiktas last season and according to Fotomac, they have now made a first formal bid for the striker, who returned to England last summer from PAOK of Greece.

He cost Middlesbrough three million Euros.

Last season, Akpom scored five goals and made four assists in 42 appearances for ‘Boro.

Besiktas want the striker on a season-long loan during which they hope to showcase him on the UEFA Champions League shop window so as to shore up his transfer market valuation.

The report said Besiktas trump card

in these negotiations is Champions League football.

The 25-year-old goal poacher revealed his intention of featuring for the Super Eagles at senior level and has turned his back on England to play international football for Nigeria.

Born and raised in the European country, Akpom has represented England at every youth level between U-16 and U-21, featuring 41 times and scoring 18 goals. However, Akpom disclosed he was swapping allegiances permanently, after giving the issue a great deal of thought.

“I’ve only just recently switched my allegiance, so I’ve signed the documents and hopefully in the next few weeks it will be approved to enable me to play for Nigeria,” he told BBC Sport.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for many years now but not many people know this. It’s just been a matter of sorting it out, which is now in a process. I’m looking forward to it. It was a personal decision. I’m Nigerian and my whole family feels very Nigerian and it will be nice to represent Nigeria.”

Akpom had trained with Gernot Rohr’s men at Barnet in March 2017, and he is excited with the prospect of linking up his childhood friend, Alex Iwobi. “It will also be nice to link up with Alex Iwobi again and play for the national team. We started playing when we were younger together and to make that step to play for the national team together will be amazing,” he continued.

“I wasn’t surprised because at the time he wasn’t playing for England, he came out of nowhere and he started playing for Arsenal and from there he just progressed, so I wasn’t surprised when he picked to play for Nigeria.

“It was the better decision to make, now he’s played in the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. I’ve always said that I’d like to play with him again for Nigeria, we’ve always spoke about that.

“We’ve played together since we were five and six years old, we grew up together. It took me a while to settle down and to get used to the environment in Greece. Going to play abroad and in another league has helped me, but I hope to take my career to the next level with Nigeria.”

Before joining the Greek Super League outfit, the 25-year-old was sent on loan at Brentford, Coventry City, Nottingham Forrest, Hull City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and SintTruiden following his inability to get regular action at his boyhood club, Arsenal.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

POLITY

Igbonine Debuts for Advancement of Ndigbo

Sam Ekpe

I

t is appropriate that this year, which marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Ohaneze Ndigbo, we should take stock of the achievements of the socio cultural organization and its many ‘children’ which are contributing their various endeavours to enhance the progress and development of one of the most enterprising races in the world.

As the late Ikemba Emeka Ojukwu, Ezeigbo gburugbum would say, “because I am involved”, I tell the Ohaneze foundation story since my humble self was the courier of correspondences among the founding fathers of the organization at inception. I recall with nostalgia the early days of the organization, the mission and vision of its founding fathers, its role over the years and the birth of its latest child, Igbonine on 21st June 2021.

Ohaneze Ndigbo was established in 1981, as a regular meeting point for political, traditional, religious and business leaders of Ndigbo, in order to forge unity of purpose and sense of direction for the present South East political zone in the affairs of Nigeria.

The initiator was the Rt. Hon. Dr. Kingsley Ozuomba Mbadiwe, Agadagbachiriuzo, the then Special Adviser to President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic, (1979 – 1983). I had the honour and priviledge to serve as his Public Relations Officer during the period.

Eight prominent Igbo personalities were the foundation members of the new association. They were Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe himself, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. M. I Okpara, Chief Dennis Osadebay, Chief M.N Ugochukwu, Justice H.U. Kaine, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, who hosted the inaugural meeting at his Unwana Afikpo residence and Chief Jerome Udoji who served as the first Secretary General. Dr. Azikiwe could not attend the meeting personally but wished it well as he was said to be convalescing in his Opanda Resort near his Nsukka residence.

Chief Dennis Osadebay could also not attend as he was confined to his Asaba residence following a car accident. That was the first time I heard of the name, Opanda. Dr. Mbadiwe himself gave the name Ohaneze to the new association. The correspondences on this vital issue are available for easy verification.

Subsequent meetings were held at the Afugiri Umuahia residence of Dr. M.I Okpara, Umunze residence of Chief M.N Ugochukwu, Ozubulu residence of Chief Jerome Udoji and the Palace of the People Arondizuogu residence of Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe. After these inaugural meetings, other traditional rulers, politicians and business men were invited to the enlarged group which held meetings at the Imede Lodge of Dr. Akanu Ibiam near Government House Enugu. Chief Udoji was later succeeded as Secretary General by Prof. Ben Nwabueze.

The main political action of the group was the mobilization of material and financial resources, combining with “Federal Might” to ensure the defeat of Chief Jim Nwobodo, the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) Governor of Anambra State by Chief C.C Onoh of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1983. It was argued then that Ndigbo should align with the Center, most significantly, as the number two citizen of the country, Vice President Alex Ekwueme was an Igbo man. On the 31st Dec. of 1983 the military struck and terminated the Second Republic. The rest as they say is history.

Ohaneze Ndigbo has since undergone much structural transformation establishing branches in all nooks and corners of Nigeria where Ndigbo reside. Still existing as a socio cultural organization of Ndigbo, it is the apex organization of Ndigbo all over the world. Many organizations have been coming up, all under the umbrella of Ohaneze, each aimed at protecting and projecting the interest of the Igbos everywhere in Nigeria. The organization has tried with some measure of success to disentangle itself from partisan politics but only concern itself with the interest and welfare of Igbos. However man is a political animal and the organization finds itself unable to completely detach itself from the politics of Nigeria, hence its intervention at some critical periods in national politics in the interest of Ndigbo. The present travails of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader in which it has sent an observer team to the court trial of Kanu is a case in point.

As stated earlier, many groups and associations have been established to assist Ohaneze pursue and realize its aims and objectives. They include, but not limited to Alaigbo Development Foundation; Aka-Ikenga, Concerned South East/South-South professionals, Mgborogwu Igbo and many offers.

The latest of the organizations Igbonine, was launched in Enugu, June 21 2021 at a very elaborate ceremony which had the attendance of many Igbo personalities led by High Chief Emeka Okonkwo its President General. It has a Board of Trustees comprising six successful businessmen and professionals including Emeka Okonkwo himself, Dr Augustine Metu, Dr Dennis Ude Ekumankama, Engr. Mark Uchendu, Chief Capt.

(Rtd.) Frank Ntima, and Chief Eze Ezeilo. The new organization has been duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission and has a central Executive Committee comprising the President General, Dr. L.D Agbasi, Prof. Steve Nwokocha, Chief Emeka Eriobuna, Dr. Marcel Ezenwoye, High Chief Benito Mac Ozigbo, Dr. Charles Oluwuwa, Ozomkpu Eddy Nwokoye, Arch. Stan Nwanna, Barr. Smart Iheazor and Engr. Frank Aghabalu.

It also has a State and Diaspora Committee and a Standing and Adhoc Committees. Igbonine has its Corporate Headquar-

L-R: The President General, Igbonine, High Chief Emeka Okonkwo; Senator Abaribe; and Prof. Kingsley Muoghalu at the inauguration of Igbonine

ters at No. 25 Vosan Street Independence Layout, Enugu and a regional office in Owerri.

Its goals include to foster unity of Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora, build prosperity through creative innovation and excellence, promote Igbo language and culture, promote security and safety and work in synergy with Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo umbrella and other Igbo organizations and also collaborate with other ethnic groups in Nigeria, promote credible public leadership and good governance and also promote the formation and implementation of effective public policies.

The organization is non-partisan and has no affiliation to any political party in Nigeria or elsewhere. Igbonine is a product of the quest for global Igbo Unity Action, and Prosperity. It was further borne out of the need to institutionalize a new regime of consultation and enabling relationships between Igbos and other ethnic groups in Nigeria and the entire humanity.

Moved by these aspirations, leading Igbo think-tanks from the various works of life and across the Nigeria States and the diaspora formerly declared Igbonine into existence in 2020. The organization’s membership is open to all Igbos in Nigeria and the diaspora.

Its formal inauguration in Enugu on 21st June 2021 was attended by many prominent personalities while some who could not attend sent goodwill messages.

The Chairman of the occasion, distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is the Senate Minority Leader, congratulated the organization for appearing at this period in Nigeria political history, to assist in bringing problems of Ndigbo to world attention. He observed that the Nigerian Union is stifling the Igbos and that Igbos are “making a lot of noise to loosen themselves”.

He noted that the present Government of Nigeria manifests sectional preferences as Boko Haram has devastated the entire North East of Nigeria but are not branded terrorists while young people carrying placards against sectionalism and injustice are

tagged terrorists, hounded and killed.

He further observed that Ndigbo had been pushed to the fringes of the Nigeria Society and that denying them the Presidency of the country in 2023 will be very unfair and unjust, He recommended restructuring as the only solution to the country’s political, social and economic problems.

The guest speaker, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, speaking on the topic ‘Igbos, what do we want’ regretted that the Igbos are disputably the largest ethnic group in Nigeria but are now called minority.

He observed that the Old Eastern Region was the fastest growing economy in the world in 1966 but regretted that the Civil war has reduced same economy to very low levels. He was however hopeful that with the energetic industrious and enterprising spirit of Ndigbo, their bones shall rise again. He then recommended that the future of Ndigbo lies in their reorganizing themselves and taking partisan politics more seriously, instead of relying only on trading. He advised that Ndigbo must opt out of righteous anger over their Civil war experience and face a restructured Nigeria for their wellbeing and businesses.

He advised that war views should be resisted but persuasion and negotiation with others should be the new weapons. Elected representatives must overcome psychological defeat, negative values and culture must be jettisoned and that Ndigbo must insist on power rotation to South East in 2023. He further advised that Ndigbo should look beyond APC and PDP as vehicles for achieving Igbo Presidency in 2023 and that they must think differently and be very strategic in their politics.

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Evercare Sets Standard with Molecular Imaging System Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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vercare Hospital, Lekki, a state-of-the-art medical facility located in Lagos, has raised the bar in clinical excellence and diagnostic versatility with the procurement and installation of the GE SPECT-CT 870 DR, a premium hybrid molecular imaging system developed by GE Healthcare.

One of five nuclear medicine systems in the 800 series, the GE SPECT-CT 870 DR machine puts into practice everything that the global medical technology and digital solutions innovator has learned over the course of 20 years by bringing the latest in SPECT/CT advancements to a wider range of clinical environments.

“At Evercare Hospital, quality patient care is our goal.

And it starts with making an accurate diagnosis. That is why we are constantly investing in technologies and solutions—like the GE SPECT-CT 870 DR—that increase our diagnostic capabilities and lead to better patient outcomes. This machine provides shorter, more tolerable exams for greater patient comfort. Also, it is able to detect small lesions, allowing us to diagnose diseases faster and provide better care,” said Rajeev Bhandari, Chief Executive

Officer of Evercare.

Eyong Ebai, GE Healthcare’s General Manager for SubSaharan Africa said: “It is this ability to make visible what could normally be invisible that enables true discovery in nuclear medicine. Leading clinical discovery is about improving care for as many patients as possible. Everything we do is with the purpose of providing top private facilities like Evercare, as well as public hospitals, with the tools they need to go in search of true discovery. The GE SPECT-CT 870 DR reflects our continued commitment to helping improve quality, access and affordability of SPECT/CT, so they can continue in their work to change lives for the better.

“All our 800 Series SPECT-CT systems build on the success of the 600 Series with a collection of SPECT technology enhancements that add to the value of nuclear medicine. The GE SPECT-CT 870 DR is Digital Ready. The system’s modular design enables an in-field upgrade to a CZT-based technology from the current NaI/PMT detector design. Such investment protection allows hospitals that acquire the equipment future access to the latest digital technology to expand Nuclear Medicine applications and research opportunities, without a need to fully replace the hybrid system and also to facilitate capital planning.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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POLITY

Amplifying Youths Development in Katsina Francis Sardauna writes that the inauguration of Aminu Bello Masari Youth Foundation will help in integrating the youths into the economic diversification policy of the Katsina State Government

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s the race for the 2023 presidential election continues to gain momentum, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State is not thinking about vying for any political or party office, rather, he is adopting revolving strategies and sustainable policies that will curb the rate of poverty among the teeming unemployed youths within and outside Katsina State through entrepreneurial skills and mentorship development.

The governor believes that when youths are wellequipped with essential skills, they can utilize the acquired skills to fend for themselves and others by either being gainfully employed or engaging in entrepreneurship, which results in living a life of dignity, and provides for futuristic investments, thereby aiding the nation to thrive economically.

Masari, who has always been at the forefront in empowering and canvassing supports for youths across Nigeria, is of the view that the fate and future of the youths in the country are tied to the realities of the nation’s political economy and the kind of youths groomed in any society, has a direct link with the opportunities provided to them by the society.

Therefore, “An economically empowered youth is more likely to be patriotic, hard-working and realiable in the drive to achieve sustained development”, and all must put in place revolving strategies or programmes to tackle the spirit of frustration and crime in youths by providing them with sustainable ventures and ideologies that will better their lives.”

One of such revolving strategies adopted by the governor to sustain his empowerment drive and other youth-oriented programmes, especially the physically challenged in the state even when he leave office as the Governor of Katsina State, is the recent inauguration of his personal foundation christened, “Aminu Bello Masari Youth Empowerment Foundation.”

The foundation was inaugurated to ensure that youths acquire new skills and develop already existing skills to sustain a decent means of livelihood, thus, shielding them from the influence of negative vices due to idleness or inability to secure a stable source of livelihood. This is also expected to curb the rate of crime in the state “because

Head office of the Aminu Masari Youth Empowerment Foundation in Katsina most of the youths would be empowered with relevant entrepreneurship skills to avert overdependence on government for jobs.”

With empowerment as the epicenter of the foundation’s programmes, the Aminu Bello Masari Foundation will also create a vast job market, as it provides an avenue for refinement of potentials within the youths in the thematic areas of education, youth empowerment, medical outreach and positive mentorship opportunities.

The foundation, which has it headquarters in Katsina, according to economic coaches, has the capacity to contribute significantly to promoting the role of youths in shaping the future of Nigeria, particularly at this critical moment that the nation is bleeding as a result of nefarious activities orchestrated by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents.

Masari’s intention is to intervene directly in the lives of the people, not only of Katsina State, without prejudice to any partisan belonging, especially in the scheme of affairs that affects youths development. This perhaps, informed his decision to energize the foundation now as he commenced his journey of leaving public office by 2023. Rarely, this will be an ample opportunity for him to give the foundation more time and the desired attention.

Accordingly, he is putting machinery in motion to run the foundation without government direct involvement as “not a single kobo belonging to the government” would be used to finance the foundation’s activities.

With zero tolerance to money sharing, the foundation is using the existing entrepreneurs to train the new ones as apprentices and assist those with small businesses to develop into a “much bigger business” so that they can have more hands to work with and enhance productivity.

During an interactive session with journalists on the activities of the foundation, Masari, said: “It is a non-partisan foundation and whatever we do won’t be partisan because it is personal. When l finally leave office, I will put arrangement in place that the foundation will be sustainable even after my life.

“Our intention is not to give money to people. No, it’s to train them and put them to work. With the level of the skill, we are planning to give to any person...once you give him that skill, he will use the skill to earn a living.

It is high time to start forcing our youths to be more productive and depend on themselves, not depending on government’s patronage or employment.

“As a governor, we have tried empowerment to several strata of youths in this state and we have seen very few of them that put efforts in the businesses they were trained for. Our approach now is using the existing entrepreneurs to train the new ones as apprentices and see how we can help those with small businesses to develop into a much bigger business so that they can have more hands to work with”.

According Masari, the foundation was established when he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and he tried to distant the foundation from his political activities. He explained that the foundation had rendered numerous humanitarian services to citizens of the state, particularly in the area of scholarship to indigene students, stressing: “We have gone as far as Bauchi, Borno and many other northern and southern states where Katsina state students were. And we have lots of medical outreach, especially around Malumfashi area.”

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Abiodun, Come to ‘Macedonia’ and Help Us Femi Ogbonnikan

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t a stage, when the hopes of the people being governed are dashed and also, their spirit dampened, resulting from several years of neglect and marginalisation, it takes the courage, magnanimity and candour of a God-sent man to come to the rescue and restore the lost confidence in the citizenry.

The recent local government campaign train of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to Imeko-Afon Council Area, on Monday, July 12, 2021, was literarily a blessing in disguise to its inhabitants and an eye opener to the states helmsman. The event amply afforded the Governor an opportunity to feel the pangs and pains motorists and other road users plying the only age-long-single-entry-and-exit route that traverse three local governments (Abeokuta North, Yewa North and Imeko-Afon), go through on a daily basis.

Honestly, the governor, in his humane stance, begged the people of the area on behalf of the state government, stating that he never knew that the road was as terrible as that.

“This government belongs to you; continue to support us in prayers. On my way from Abeokuta, enroute Lafenwa to Rounder and through Olorunda, until I got here, I saw how deplorable the road is. I feel your pains. I want to promise you today that, before I come here next time, this would almost have been completed”, he averred.

It was a clear demonstration of empathy by the governor who beat the youths to it, with their torrents of demand. All was a chorus for the rehabilitation of the Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko road, with various placards, beckoning on the governor to come to the rescue of the people of the area. But a placard carrying the inscription of, “Come Over to Macedonia (Imeko) And Help Us,” caught the attention of Mr. Governor. It was reminiscence of a Holy Scripture injunction in ‘Acts 16:9’ where a man of Macedonia sought the intervention of Apostle Paul to come to their aid, while in dire need.

Given the promise by Mr. Governor to reconstruct the road, in due course, it is expected that the rehabilitation would, to a large extent, ease the hardship travelers of the route often encounter.

It is seldom of a man, especially a Nigerian politician, to live up to his billing within a space of two years in office to execute 52 projects across different parts of the council. With these projects,

they aptly lent credence to fulfilling the electoral promises of ensuring an even, fair, just and equitable development of all parts of the state; that no section would be developed at the expense of others. In clear terms, it is the gospel of an inclusive government, which always involves the people in the decision-making process on the issues that affect them and by extension, a transparent and accountable administration which always ensure strategic allocation of resources in order to derive optimal benefits from all the spending.

Imeko, the administrative headquarters of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, is an ancient town that shares common borders with neighbouring communities and villages in the Republic of Benin. Local dialect (Yoruba-Ketu), culture and tradition, except currencies and official language barriers distinguish the locales of the neighbouring communities and villages between the two West African countries.

Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, is 68-kilometres to Imeko. With its historical development, the rich and vast arable land of the area is second to none, thus, making it a food basket of the state.

Predominantly, the inhabitants are both commercial and peasant farmers. Notwithstanding, apart from the locally reared cattle in the area, on a daily basis, there is an influx of herds of cattle from both Republic of Benin and Togo via Save (Republic of Benin) for the supply of very big markets in and around Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Meanwhile, the realisation of the enormous and potential socio-economic significance of this Federal road (initially constructed by the defunct Western Administration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the early 60s) to the state, and the nation, at large, prompted the facilitation of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), under the then, Chairmanship of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, now President, in financing the resurfacing of the Abeokuta/Imeko Federal Route 102 in 1996. It could be recalled that a passionate appeal letter the duo of Professors Anthony Asiwaju and Segun Adesina to the then, Minister for Works, Gen. Abdulkarim Adisa, facilitated the quick and speedy adoption of the Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko road project for reconstruction, amongst others in the state, in 1996.

Resulting from the proximity of Imeko (Nigeria) to Ketu (Republic of Benin), the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in 2003, took it upon itself and facilitated the extension of the road to link Ilara, another commercial nerve centre

that shares a common border with Kanga, a neighbouring community in the Republic of Benin.

Worthy of note, the 2003 extension route, linking Ilara (Nigeria) to Ketu (Republic of Benin) and hence Southward through to Port Novo and Cotonou via Pobe and Westward to the Republic of Benin-Togo border via Gbohicon, all in the Republic of Benin, has significantly impacted positively and also increased trade and commercial activities in the wider member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Looking inward, also worrisome is the 16-kilometre deplorable road condition linking the people of Okeagbede-Moriwi, Okuta-Wasimi and Iwoye-Ketu/Jabata from Imeko. From time immemorial, and as early as human existence, the road has never been asphalted, but it has always been at the mercy of communal efforts. Whenever it is wet season, the residents of these affected communities often come together and engage in the road maintenance-with the cutting of logs to fill wide-gap and sand-filling eroded portions-to facilitate the movement of their farm produce from one location to another.

Of paramount importance, Imeko, being the International headquarters of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), attracting pilgrims from all walks of life, annually and especially during its bi-annual events (Easter and Christmas festivities), often occasioned with heavy traffic jam (both human and vehicular), lends credence to the importance the road deserves for its urgent rehabilitation. The road, owing to total neglect from previous administration, has degenerated into death traps for motorists and also bait for kidnappers and armed bandits who often cash in on several potholes along the route to make brisk business of collecting ransoms from their victims in exchange for their release from captivity.

Still fresh in memory, the armed robbery attack on a bullion van conveying cash from Imeko branch of Zenith Bank to Abeokuta, at a location within Olorunda axis, along the Abeokuta-Imeko road, sometime in August 2011, was a sad reminder of the deplorable road condition.

Ogbonnikan wrote from Imeko, Ogun State Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

POLITY

Umeoji, Soludo and the Verdict of Equity in APGA Sunny Igboanugo

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here was this drunken lawyer that I met back then in Asaba, Delta State. It was during the tribunal case involving then Governor, the late Olorogun Felix Ibru and Eric Opia. Ibru became governor on the back of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as against Opia’s National Republican Congress (NRC), the two political parties that former Military President, the gap-toothed Nigerian political Maradona, Ibrahim Babangida gifted the country during his ill-fated transition programme, about 30 years ago.

Such a man that loved his bottles, this lawyer was!

Like every drunk, his shrivelled, shrunken stature, glazy eyes, alcohol-laden smelly mouth and all that went with constant matrimony with the bottles would always hit you.

Yet, he was actually in the legal team of the Ibrus! I can’t really recall the circumstances, because I know it was the late Kehinde Sofola that eventually won the case for Ibru over the late Rotimi Williams, who represented Opia.

However, my man actually came from the state ministry of justice in the state. He was always passing notes to one of the female lawyers, who was leading the team. That lawyer is now at the Supreme Court as one of the justices.

Even with my little experience as a rookie, few months into journalism, and being in a courtroom for the first time of my life, I had wondered then, how such a person of failing character, could be entrusted with such a responsibility. But I was to learn later that he was a brilliant lawyer apart from being a senior officer in the ministry.

It was while reviewing the case during one of the intermittent breaks that I heard for the first time the expression – he who goes to equity, must go with clean hands. As he lectured me further about the implications of the argument of the team, he added – when equity is equal, the law prevails. What is the law in this case? The votes! I didn’t quite understand the second leg of this lecture, talking about equity being equal and the votes. But the first part held a kind of fascination to me that for a long time after, I found a way of infusing it into my lexicon, oral or written.

I couldn’t help recalling my encounter with this lawyer with whom I became very attached mainly because of

his gifted sassy wits, concerning the political macabre dance that is going on in Anambra State where I come from, particularly in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as it relates to the adherence of this time-tested principle or lack of it.

Could anybody in good conscience discountenance the issue of equity in the entire APGA saga or play down the import and consequences of not approaching it with clean hands? That is the question anyone getting involved either as an active participant or an observer, must attempt to answer.

Is it not evident that like in other Nigerian political parties, APGA habours its own fair share of injustice against its members, particularly aspirants? Would it even be farfetched to infer that the party has even elevated crooked selection of candidates for its elections as a way of life?

Isn’t this what is playing out in the current saga?

“APGA is a fraud. It is more than a ponzi scheme and a continuous criminal enterprise. It is an Anambra business to defraud and make money using aspirants every four years. It’s a scam. Every four years, people are defrauded.

It’s no longer nkea bu nke anyi to nkea bu nke ndi ori (It is no longer this is our own, it now means this for thieves).

Some people lost millions and millions to the cartel, some people were given certificates of returns four times.”

That was one Tony Gray Okpe, an aspirant for the senatorial elections in Imo State about three years ago, at the approach of the 2019 elections. Of course, you needed to hear the version of other candidates including Bianca, wife of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, on whose back the party rode to power in Anambra State to underscore that Okpe’s vituperation, utter disappointment and anger and the likes of Sam Amadi, former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), whose fingers were burnt trying to contest elections under APGA. Incidentally, many analysts simply paper over this central issue. Even Chukwuma Charles Soludo, while on Channels Television a fortnight ago failed to focus on this unfortunate aspect in his analysis of the current crisis in APGA in Anambra State. That he did so, speaks a lot to the odious nature of Nigerian politics and its propensity to taint, if not consume those who venture into it, no matter their pedigrees, hitherto.

Instead, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), regaled his audience about how Anambra people were begging him to become governor. He conveniently failed to stress how the disqualification of Chukwuma Umeoji, his major opponent for the APGA ticket in the November 6 governorship election in the state birthed the crisis. As usual, he also blame outside forces.

Umeoji had posed the greatest threat to the Professor of Economics, whether real or imagined in the run to the party’s primaries. Unlike Soludo, who has never held any political office in the state or even in Nigeria, either elective or appointive, apart from his CBN job, Umeoji, was not only a local government chairman through elections, but a two-time member of the House of Representatives, relying on the votes of the people – the same people that would likely have voted at the primaries.

Obviously, he was only too happy that this obstacle was removed for him by the APGA hierarchy and that a make-shift arrangement was made to select him as the candidate of the party by his camp by putting him up against some agreeable, but paper-weight candidates, to give the process a veneer of credibility.

Now, should a character like Soludo have accepted that the process be skewed in his favour in any political contest? Should desperation for power, no matter how genuine his intentions drive him to the dark part of history as a beneficiary of a rigged process? Having done so, hasn’t he lost the ground to wax moral and submit himself to the jankara politics that is now playing out as the outcome? These are the questions begging for answers – the crux of the matter.

It is unfortunate that the same Soludo was once a victim of the APGA poisoned chalice, having been similarly disqualified in 2009 a few days to clinching the ticket for that year’s election, using the same inexplicable hammer of electoral roguery. It is more saddening that the same man, who did not accept the situation then and ran to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he contested and lost, would now be singing praises of what he condemned only a few years ago.

Sunny Igboanugo, a journalist and public analyst wrote from Lagos.

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PHOTO NEWS

L –R: Chairman , Abuja District of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mrs. Clara Nnachi; the Accountant General of thee Federation , Ahmed Idris and the President of the Institute, Mr. Adesina Adedayo during the courtesy visit of the institute to the Accountant General office in Abuja ….yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

L-R: Director, Lagos State Library Board, Mr. Amao Oyadipe;Representative of the Executive Secretary , Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs. Tinuola Idowu; Special Adviser Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education , Mr. Adeniram Kasali; Senior Special Assistant on Tertiary Institutions and Students relations, Mr. Sanya Olu Omotayo; and Director, Agency for Mass Education, Mrs. Oluwakemi Kalesanwo, at the 3-day Capacity Building Retreat organised by the office of the Special Adviser on Education in Epe, Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya and President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Abubakar during her visit to launch agriculture road map & red meat value chain partnership plan with the Lagos state government to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance in food animals in Lagos...recently

L-R: State Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Bolanle Emmanuel; Head of the Atisbo LG, representing the LG Chairman, Mr. Samson Ilori; Executive Director, Initiative for Gender Empowerment and Creativity (IGEC), Mrs. Olasumbo Adeleke, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe; and Secretary, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Mrs. Fadekemi Akande at the launch of the Climate Smart Shea Processing Facility project, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, recently.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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POLITY APC Ward Congresses in Kwara, a Leading Model Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

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ast week, the Kwara State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted its ward congresses in all the 193 wards, alongside other states to ensure the day-to- day running of the party’s affairs at that level. The party had been enmeshed in crisis for over two years now without any amicable resolution in sight, and this has split the members into two groups. Despite this development, the party recorded sound and hitch-free ward congresses.

One group is led by Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and has its state secretariat at Flower Garden Area, GRA, Ilorin, while the other group’s state secretariat, supported by the governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has its own state secretariat at Commissioner’s Lodge, Area, Ilorin.

During the congresses, party members from the 193 wards trouped out in large numbers to be part of the exercise, while the various security officers were strategically positioned across the wards to avoid possible breakdown of law and order.Also, representatives of the national caretaker committee ofAPC witnessed the exercise in different centres in line with the law, just as party loyalists, INEC officials, among others.

Prior to the conduct of the congress, the three-member committee fromAPC secretariat inAbuja briefed journalists in Ilorin on the guidelines for the exercise. The chairman of the committee,Alhaji Yusuf Umar said, “We are for all in the party and all members of the party are free to come and obtain nomination forms so as to partake in the exercise.Any interested member of the party willing to vie for the executive positions in the wards would pay a certain sum of money in the bank and bring his or her bank teller to the committee before he/she can get the nomination forms for the exercise.”

Umar, who assured members of equity and justice in the assignment given to them from Abuja, said “We are from the same family and the members of the party should endeavour to work as one united entity so as to move the party forward in the state.”

The group loyal to the information minister, Alhaji Mohammed had, few days to the ward congresses, also obtained nomination forms to vie for various elective posts. They even accused the national chairman caretaker committee of the party, Mallam

Bai Buni of being the brain behind the crisis in the state. After this outing, a stakeholders’ meeting was held at Banquet Hall of Government House, Ilorin with the governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, his deputy, Mr..Kayode Alabi and other top APC leaders in the state jointly agreed to use consensus model to produce ward executives in the 193 wards, but two of the wards insisted on elections, which also went peacefully.

At the end of the stakeholders’ meeting called by the APC National Headquarters’ Congress Planning Committee in Ilorin, members of the party unanimously settled for consensus candidates across the 193 wards.

The pre-congress stakeholders’ meeting was attended by top party chieftains from the state, including Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Speaker of the House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi Salihu; Senators Yahya Oloriegbe (Central); Lola Ashiru (South); House of Representatives members; House of Assembly members; Kwara APC Caretaker committee chairman Abdullahi Samari; and many others. Governor AbdulRazaq said the party congress is a democratic process designed to ensure smooth running of the party and reiterated the commitment of the APC administration to serve the masses: “We are here only for Kwarans. They voted for us and we must continue to think about our people. We must not disappoint our people. We know what we are doing tomorrow. Speakers have spoken and I wish everyone safe journey to our respective places. May we have a successful outing tomorrow,” according to the Governor, who was represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi.

Senator Oloriegbe said: “We are a united family as a party in Kwara. APC in Kwara is the party in government and no king will constitute an enemy against himself. What brought (to the people of) Kwara is ‘Otoge’ and change that we promised our people.

And what we said Otoge for is bad governance. We promised good governance and that is what the governor and all of us elected under the party have been delivering.

“There is no household or community without a leader and only God appoints leaders. Anybody God has appointed, we should all cooperate with him. That is the person’s time. We should all cooperate as one family. What we want and what we need is unity of purpose. We shouldn’t be fighting ourselves. We

should come together to deliver what we promised the people of Kwara State.

“I want to assure the chairman (congress committee) that we are known for peace because Kwara is not known for thuggery. The congress will go peacefully tomorrow. It is through dialogue and consensus that we will arrive at conclusion.”

Chairman APC caretaker committee in the state Abdullahi Samari said: “The purpose of this meeting is to take briefings on the ward congresses that will take place in the state. The national secretariat of our great party has sent a team to conduct the ward congresses and that team is led by Prof Jonathan Ayuba. I want all members here (as representatives of various communities) to take back the correct position of how the exercise is going to be conducted. With the collation of ideas we have this evening it is agreed that we are going home for consensus candidates.”

The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker Raphael Adetiba, said members of the House have agreed to consensus arrangement.

“What we are saying is that we have only one leader per term.

God has given us Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at this time and if anybody has a dissenting voice, maybe he is not a citizen of this state. As far as we all know from the leadership of the party in the state, we are prepared for discussion and dialogue.

That is consensus. Our assurance to the national headquarters of APC is that it is consensus for Kwara,” he added.

However, on the day of the congresses, for instance, election was adopted at Baboko ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area, while similar process was used to elect Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi who emerged as the chairman in Badari ward of Ilorin West Local Council Area. Attempts by APC coordinator, Tunde Aluko, at the venue of the congress, to convince the people to adopt consensus arrangement met brick wall.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Electoral Officer, Mr Danlami Zakari, also hailed the peaceful and seamless conduct of the ward Congress in Gwanara ward of Baruten Local Government.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Michael Williams

I’m Driven by Passion to Create, Innovate Michael Igagha Williams is a graduate of Marketing Communications from Ashworth College, Atlanta GA, United States. He also studied Graphic Design at the University of the Arts, London, United Kingdom. Igagha is a consummate marketing communications expert with almost two decades’ experience in the advertising field. He launched GOGAGA IDEAS in 2018. We caught up with him on his entrepreneurial journey so far while. This is just our third year in business and today, we may not yet be considered a major player in our industry, but interestingly, we did not even set out to be a big agency in the first place, we set out to be the most effective agency for our partners. As long as we are effective at delivering unique solutions and winning ideas, we will do just fine! The reason we do business with the likes of Guinness, Diageo, Betking, Grand Cereals Limited, Orisun Gallery amongst many others today is a testament to how effective we are in delivering solutions that work.

What is GOGAGA IDEAS all about?

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Our company is GOGAGA IDEAS, an effective design, digital and marketing communications firm for the digital era. I started out in the marketing communications “space” when I joined Commstrat Associates Limited in 2003 as a Graphic Artist. Commstrat was promoted by my late boss, Hakeem Adenekan, who was popularly known by his sobriquet “Krimo”. The rest, as they say, is history.

What programme is your company presently involved in?

We have got a host of initiatives in the pipeline that our confidentiality agreements will not allow us disclose at this time, but one project we are very excited about currently is our digital TV channel GogagaTV® officially launching worldwide later this year. Building a robust media platform is the future and we are taking the lead with GogagaTV; a unique digital TV channel that will deliver unique and paid content in Movies, Music & Comedy like never seen before in Africa.

What influenced your choice of profession?

It is almost a clichéd, as it may sound. My choice of profession was always going to be driven by the passion to create, the drive to innovate and the fulfilment that comes with nurturing brands. Back in the day, I always marvelled at how agencies create the winning idea. Agencies like Insight Communications, Lintas, Centerspread FCB, SO&U and Prima Garnet at the time were masters of the game and I was always fascinated even as I believed that was the sphere I belonged to.

How did you start the journey of becoming the CEO? It was just natural that I was going to lead a creative agency.

At Commstrat Advertising, I started out as what was then called Graphic Artist, to Senior Art Director within three years. Then I was promoted from Senior Art Director to Group Head and ultimately became Creative Director all within five years. The position of Creative Director in my specialisation is naturally the peak, but then I believe my leadership abilities found me out, within another three years having led the agency in my capacity as Creative Director, I was made the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Agency. As COO, I was already managing and running end-to-end activities of the agency, from leading the Creative team, Client Servicing to job delivery. So, after serving in that role of COO for another five productive years, the only way to go was up, so it became natural that I was going to take the bold step of managing an agency and that gave birth to GOGAGA IDEAS today. But then at GOGAGA we just wanted to do things differently, so we’re not your conventional ad agency.

Igagha What were the challenges you had initially and how were you able to surmount them?

The major challenge for me personally was how I was going to get clients. Even in my capacity as COO, I focused more on getting the job done and growing the agency that I did not really pay attention to how to bring in clients. But then again, I always believe in the power of collaborations and co-creation and that is the magic for us at GOGAGA. We have fostered amazing partnership with like-minds and I honestly believe that is how to do businesses will be conducted, going into the future. Agencies that were ordinarily considered competitors became co-collaborators. We found key strength areas to add value to each other and became stronger together than alone.

How has the company fared in meeting its set out objec tives?

I believe we have done very well for ourselves in a very short

What is your company’s competitive advantage?

We go for ideas that work, no stories. We bring ideas that deliver effective value to our partners, not ideas that we think will make us money. Over the years in this industry, I have seen companies literarily waste money on campaigns they do not need to waste money on. I was a part of that era too. I believe that era is long gone now, because, today there are awesome innovative tools at our disposal that never existed even 10 years ago that we maximise for optimum results for our partners. So, If we demand change today it is because we know that things must be better. Not every campaign must go on TV or radio or even the print without assurance of value. At GOGAGA, when we spend your money, we account for the value it delivers. That’s our cutting edge. The media landscape is changing fast, so it’s obvious, agencies must innovate or become extinct! A new future beckons and we are well positioned in shaping it.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK Tips on How to Maintain Your New Car Simple tasks that can make your car last longer One of the reassuring qualities of contemporary cars is that they need much less-frequent service to keep them running well. Changing the spark plugs, breaker points, and condenser used to be a seasonal exercise, and body rust was accepted as a normal if unfortunate hazard of aging.

Now many spark plugs can go 100,000 miles between changes. Electronic ignition has done away with the points and condenser. Chassis, suspensions, and even some transmissions are lubed for life. And factory rust-through warranties typically run six years or longer. What’s more, reliability has improved significantly. The result is that most late-model cars and trucks should be able to go 200,000 miles with regular upkeep.

L-R :Aftersales Manager, Jaguar Land Rover, Coscharis Motors, Mobolaji Afuape; General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde; General Manager, Sales, Jaguar Land Rover - Coscharis Motors, Ufuoma Umukoro at the official reveal of the All New Jaguar F - Pace into the Nigeria market held at the Lagos showroom of Coscharis Motors in Awoyaya… recently

Coscharis Motors Unveils All New Jaguar F Pace to Media

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t was one of the highlights of the fair when the leading auto dealership in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors Plc recently introduced the all new Ford Explorer at the recently held 2021 Lagos Motor Fair, which took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Coscharis’s participation at this edition of the Motor Fair was in a bid to ensure customers get the opportunity to experience the new Ford Explorer among other Ford variants on display.

Speaking at the fair ground, Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group expressed excitement at the company’s participation in the fair. In his words, “we are excited to showcase all the variants of our Ford brand at this fair to the delight of everyone that visited our stand; most especially the new Ford Explorer on display with all its unique features that has

been one of the most sorted after through the duration of the fair and beyond.”

“The platform equally was a perfect place where we showcased the Ford Escape that is currently on a special promotional discount - nearly up to two million naira for every purchase, amongst other packages.

“To complete the total package we oͿered at the fair was to give Ànance scheme support to discerning prospects as a way to ease STAY CHARGED Up to 9 available power points, including 2 new USB-C outlets, are located throughout the All-New EXPLORER interior to help keep everyone’s devices charged and ready to go.

Driver-Assist Technology The Explorer features as standard a series of driver-assist technology including: Auto-on/oͿ

headlamps, Hill Start Assist, Apple CarPlayTM/ Android Auto/AppLink 3.0, Reverse sensing system, Lane-keeping System, Auto high-beam headlamps, Auto hold, Pedestrian detection, Forward collision warning, Dynamic brake support, Post-collision braking, EcoCoach and Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor.

Go further You can go further with the Ford Protect which oͿers a holistic suite of service, maintenance, warranty and roadside-assistance products aimed at keeping the vehicle in perfect working condition in addition to a 3-yr/100 000km Comprehensive Warranty.

Coscharis Motors Plc has the exclusive franchise for Ford brands in Nigeria with Ford dedicated sales showrooms, parts and Aftersales workshops in all the six geopolitical zones.

Biden Aims for 50% Electric Vehicles by 2030 with Industry Support

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.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order this week aimed at making half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 zero-emissions and proposed new vehicle-emission rules to cut pollution through 2026,

the White House said.

Reuters reports that Biden’s goal, which is not legally binding, won the support of major U.S. and foreign automakers that warned it would require billions of dollars in government funding.

After he signed the order, he walked away and jumped into an EV Jeep, which he proceeded to drive rapidly around the White House grounds, even honking at one point to let people know he was coming.

“To unlock the full potential, we have to keep investing in our workers and our manufacturers,” Biden said.

General Motors Co (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis NV (STLA.MI) said in a joint statement they aspired “to achieve sales of 40-50% of annual U.S. volumes of electric vehicles... by 2030.” Reuters reported the planned automaker announcement on Tuesday.

Biden’s 50% goal and the automakers’ 40-50% aspiration includes battery electric, fuel cell and plug-in hybrid vehicles that also have a gasoline-engine.

Biden has repeatedly resisted calls from many Democrats to set a binding requirement for EV adoption or to follow California and some countries in setting 2035 as a date to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered light duty vehicles in the face of opposition by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.

UAW President Ray Curry, who attended the event, noted the EV goal but said it was focused “on

Hyundai Kona electric car assembled in Nigeria preserving the wages and benefits that have been the heart and soul of the American middle class.”

Biden’s new executive order sets a new schedule for developing new emissions standards through at least 2030 for light duty vehicles and as early as 2027 for larger vehicles.

Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign, said the plan “relies on unenforceable voluntary commitments from unreliable car makers... Voluntary pledges by auto companies make a New Year’s weight-loss resolution look like a legally

binding contract.”

General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra and Ford CEO Jim Farley were among those in attendance.

Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) CEO Elon Musk, whose company makes EVs, tweeted early on Thursday: “Seems odd that Tesla wasn’t invited.”

Asked if White House was not inviting Musk, because from Thursday’s event, because it is not a union shop, White House press secretary, Jen Psaki said “I’ll let you draw your own conclusion.”

Here are a few simple, periodic checks and procedures you can do that will help you get there.

Check the Engine Oil Do it regularly—monthly for a vehicle in good condition; more often if you notice an oil leak or find you need to add oil routinely. The car should be parked on level ground so you can get an accurate dipstick reading. Don’t overfill.

And if you do have a leak, find and fix it soon.

Check Tire Air Pressure Once a month and before any extended road trips, use an accurate tire-pressure gauge to check the inflation pressure in each tire, including the spare. Do this when the tires are cold (before the vehicle has been driven or after no more than a couple of miles of driving). Use the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer, not the maximum pressure embossed on the tire’s sidewall.

The recommended pressure is usually found on a placard on a front doorjamb, in the glove compartment, or in the owner’s manual. Also be sure to inspect tires for abnormal or uneven wear, cuts, and any sidewall bulges you can see.

CR advises that digital tire-pressure gauges (which cost about $15 to $25) are probably the best bet overall because they will give an accurate reading or none at all. Many pencil-type gauges (typically $10 to $15) are good as well.

Note that to check the pressure in a temporary spare tire, which is often 60 psi, you will need a gauge that goes higher than that—say from 0 up to 90 pounds.

Wash the Car Try to wash the car every week, if you can. Wash the body and, if necessary, hose out the fender wells and undercarriage to remove dirt and road salt. It’s time to wax the finish when water beads become larger than a quarter.

(Source: Consumer Reports)

Lafarge Driving Institute Produces First Certified Female Truck Drivers Lafarge Africa Plc., a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building solutions company and member of Holcim, a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, has announced the graduation of its first set of female drivers from the Lafarge Driving Institute (LDI) in Calabar, Cross River state. This reiterates the company’s commitment to inclusive workplaces for women, a deliberate pledge to Gender Diversity, all round safety on Nigerian roads through the availability of qualified drivers within its operations, and creation of jobs around its host communities.

While speaking during the graduation ceremony, the County Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Khaled El Dokani, stated that the graduation of the first set of female drivers from the Lafarge Driving Institute aligns with the company’s deliberate policy on gender diversity which underscores its overall commitment to sustainability and promotion of a healthy, safe and inclusive work environment.

“The Lafarge Driving Institute was set up to ensure safety on our roads as enrollees are taken through months of rigorous training and practical sessions on the road as well as simulator exercises that expose them to defensive driving techniques. Upon their graduation, they are absorbed as a key part of the logistics value chain to ensure the adequate and timely delivery of products to customers in a safe, efficient and timely manner”.

The Chief Financial Officer Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi said that Lafarge Africa is constantly investing in critical areas of the business to guarantee safety of all stakeholders at all times. He noted that Lafarge Africa is committed to sustainability and innovation as the vision is to be the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. He remarked: ‘On the 24th of March 2021, the Lafarge Drivers’ Institute (LDI) in partnership with Automated Integrated Services Limited admitted 53 female trainees to embark .

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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AUTO WORLD

Mercedes-Benz Produces new S 680 GUARD 4MATIC Protection Machine

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ercedes-Benz has introduced the new S 680 GUARD 4MATIC that meets the highest ballistic test level for civilian vehicles and is particularly resistant to explosive charges.

According to the automaker, “For what really counts”: heads of state and business leaders can take this S-Class slogan literally when they entrust their lives to the new special protection version of the luxury model. For, with protection class VPAM VR10, the new S 680 GUARD 4MATIC (combined fuel consumption (WLTP): 19.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions (WLTP): 442 g/km) meets the highest ballistic test level for civilian vehicles and, moreover, is particularly resistant to explosive charges. The certification by Beschussamt Ulm (ballistic testing authority) was carried out for the first time using so-called biofidelic dummies. With bone and soft tissue-like constructions, these test dummies imitate the human body particularly realistically. The S 680 Guard 4matic is the first Guard saloon from Mercedes-Benz with all-wheel drive and is powered by the familiar V12 (M279) with 450 kW/612 hp. The basic price is € 457,100[2] plus value added tax. The S 680 Guard 4matic will celebrate its world premiere at the IAA in Munich.

“The S 680 Guard 4matic is one of the most customer-oriented products from Mercedes-Benz.

That is because this special protection model focuses on people and their safety,” says Dirk Fetzer, Head of Product Management S-Class.

“No other series-produced saloon fulfils the highest protection class for civilian vehicles quite as comprehensively. And at the same time quality and durability are at series standard, thanks to extensive development and testing activities. The new special protection version ‘protects what matters’.”

Mercedes-Benz has been building special protection vehicles since 1928 and thus for over 90 years.

Customers of the new S 680 GUARD 4MATIC benefit from these many years of experience. The integrated protection system (iSS) reaches a new level: whereas the necessary protective materials were previously integrated into the standard bodyshell structure for the GUARD saloons, a GUARD-specific bodyshell of protective elements has now been developed.

This self-supporting protective cell represents the core of the iSS. Ultimately, the (aluminium) outer skin serves as a design shell and ensures an inconspicuous appearance.

In addition to the armouring, the iSS includes the adaptation of the suspension, engine and transmission to ensure handling that is virtually on a par with that of the series vehicle. Due to a parallel development process alongside the large-scale production models, the longevity of the GUARD vehicles also reaches series production level.

In addition to the unseen armouring elements, the

The new Mercedes-Benz S 680 GUARD 4MATIC luxury armoured car transparent area of the windows is an integral and essential part of the protection concept. The material and thickness of the multi-layer glass ‘sandwich’ meet the high requirements of the VR10 safety classification. The inner surfaces of the glass are coated with polycarbonate

for splinter protection. Despite their comprehensive protective effect, they offer excellent visibility. And they have been integrated in such a way that they are not noticeable at first glance - another significant advantage of the integrated protection system.

Invest in Natural Gas Vehicles now, OMAA CEO tell Nigerians

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he chief executive o΀cer of OMAA, Chinedu Oguegbu has urged Nigerians to use natural gas-powered vehicles, to key into the federal government’s transition to the use of cleaner energy, which is abundant in the country.

Oguegbu stated this during his technical presentation of the beneÀts of using natural gas vehicles, at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association’s (NAJA) annual training and capacity building workshop, held in Lagos recently. The theme of this year’s event was “Migration to Electric Vehicles and Gas-powered Vehicles; Opportunities and Challenges for Nigeria.”

The lead sponsor of the event was the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

Other sponsors of this year’s training workshop are Toyota Nigeria Limited, Weststar Associates Limited, franchisees of the Mercedes brand, Jet Systems Limited; assemblers of Jet brands of electric vehicles for passenger and commercial uses and Autochek Africa, provider of online automotive marketing and Ànancing option.

Other sponsors include Stallion Motors CFAO Motors, Coscharis Motors, OMAA, Kojo Motors, franchise owners of Yutong electric buses and the Federal Roads Safety Commission, (FRSC).

As one of the training facilitators, Oguegbu said that the increasing importance of natural gas in the

world, which is expected to form 26% of the energy mix by 2040, cannot be under-estimated.

According to him, “Government policies and technological advancements have led to focus on increasing the output of electric vehicles (EVs) and natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Transportation currently accounts for 15% of Carbon Emissions and vehicles represent a major part of this Àgure”.

He added “With Nigeria committing to the Paris Agreement to reduce the rate of climate change globally, there is an increased push by the government to promote more environmentally friendly vehicles: EVs, NGVs and Hydrogen.

The advantages of using natural gas include up to 60 per cent savings in the cost of fuel relative to other options like diesel and petrol, and up to 90 percent reduction in knocks and carbon emission for a healthier, cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel alternative.

Another opportunity lies in the development of export businesses with other African markets, thanks to the implementation of AfCTA. According to Oguegbu, mass education of the public as well as consistent government policy is also required in order to promote investments in natural gas vehicle assembly and production in Nigeria.

Chinedu Oguegbu said during the technical presentation that OMAA is one of the pioneers in this Àeld of local assembly of gas-powered vehicles.

OMAA gas-powered bus From its facility in Igbo Ukwu, Anambra State, OMAA provides sustainable energy and mobility solutions to address today’s environmental challenges, while empowering people to create rugged solutions

How To Prevent A Tyre Blowout (1) When was the last time you ran a check on your tyre pressures? Was the check done with a quality tyre pressure gauge (not the abused/ overused road side vulcanizers gauge) It is only when you run such checks that you will appreciate why the above alarm is sounded. Such a check may reveal that at least one of your tyres is incorrectly inflated. Very few vehicles, if any, will pass this test. Incorrect tyre pressure is the number one cause of tyre blow-outs, sudden tyre failures and premature tyre wear. Incorrect tyre pressure is an invitation to disaster even if the tyres are brand new! It is a time bomb waiting for the right time to explode. The implication is that each time such a vehicle is driving; the occupants are facing grave danger without being aware of it. Flip through any of our daily newspapers and you will be shocked with news of fatal road traffic crashes as a result of tyre blowouts. These crashes is irrespective of your gender,societal status,vehicle type,driving experience,political leaning or even time of travel. Who would be next? No one knows, but may it never be you.

If you run a check on you tyre pressures now with a quality tyre pressure gauge (not the abused/ overused road side vulcanizers gauge), you will appreciate why the above alarm is sounded. Such a check may reveal that at least one of your tyres is incorrectly inflated. Very few vehicles, if any, will pass this test. Incorrect tyre pressure is the No. 1 cause of tyre blow-outs, sudden tyre failures and premature tyre wear. Incorrect tyre pressure is an

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

invitation to disaster even if the tyres are brand new! It is a time bomb waiting for the right time to explode. The implication is that each time such a vehicle is driving; the occupants are facing grave danger without being aware of it. Flip through any of our daily newspapers and you will be shocked with news of ghastly motor accidents as a result of tyre blowouts. Top military officers, top government functionaries, top business executives as well as ordinary people have lost their lives. Who would be next? No one knows, but may it never be you.

If you run a check on you tyre pressures now with a quality tyre pressure gauge (not the abused/ overused road side vulcanizers gauge), you will appreciate why the above alarm is sounded. Such a check may reveal that at least one of your tyres is incorrectly inflated. Very few vehicles, if any, will pass this test. Incorrect tyre pressure is the No. 1 cause of tyre blow-outs, sudden tyre failures and premature

tyre wear. Incorrect tyre pressure is an invitation to disaster even if the tyres are brand new! It is a time bomb waiting for the right time to explode.

The implication is that each time such a vehicle is driving; the occupants are facing grave danger without being aware of it. Flip through any of our daily newspapers and you will be shocked with news of ghastly motor accidents as a result of tyre blowouts.

Top military officers, top government functionaries, top business executives as well as ordinary people have lost their lives. Who would be next? No one knows, but may it never be you.

If you run a check on you tyre pressures now with a quality tyre pressure gauge (not the abused/ overused road side vulcanizers gauge), you will appreciate why the above alarm is sounded. Such a check may reveal that at least one of your tyres is incorrectly inflated. Very few vehicles, if any, will pass this test. Incorrect tyre pressure is the No. 1 cause of tyre blow-outs, sudden tyre failures and premature tyre wear. Incorrect tyre pressure is an invitation to disaster even if the tyres are brand new! It is a time bomb waiting for the right time to explode.

The implication is that each time such a vehicle is driving; the occupants are facing grave danger without being aware of it. Flip through any of our daily newspapers and you will be shocked with news of ghastly motor accidents as a result of tyre blowouts.

Top military officers, top government functionaries, top business executives as well as ordinary people have lost their lives. Who would be next? No one

that are relevant to their local economy.

The company launched the Àrst local assembled, dual-fuel, natural gas-powered commercial buses in Nigeria earlier this year.

knows, but may it never be you.

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

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

There are two types of incorrect tyre pressure.

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

Blowouts; under-inflation is the cause Under-inflation is the major cause of tyre blowouts.

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

Under-inflation is the major cause of tyre blowouts.

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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Rotarian Wuyiwa Akintunde; Rotarian Olayinka Ogunsan; Rotarian John Odiboh; Rotarian Modupe Sewoniku; President, Rotarian Victor Amaraegbu; Rotarian Olamide Abegunde; Rotarian Deji Shonuga; and Rotarian Adebukunola Soile-Balogun at the presidential handover and awards night of Rotary Club of Akowonjo, Lagos… recently

Cakasa Delivers Sanitary Care Packs to Female Students The menstrual health and hygiene needs of adolescent girls were placed on the front burner when 1,500 female adolescent students in Agege, on Tuesday, July 27, received free personal hygiene kits.

The packs which were handed over to them at the Annual Free Summer Empowerment Day – Care Pack Initiative being driven by Ornaments of Grace and Virtue (OGAV) and Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation (CEF) held at Government Senior College, Agege, contained reusable sanitary towels and underwear, toiletries, face masks, hand sanitisers and writing materials.

In his speech on the occasion, the Chairman, Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation and Managing Director, Cakasa Nigeria Limited, Engr.

Philip Balami Yaro said that the NGO was proud to be identified with the initiative because empowering young girls was fundamental to their objective of enhancing the lives of women

and children.

Represented by General Manager, Financial Services, Cakasa Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Shuaibu, the NGO’s Chairman said, “We are ardent on empowering the adolescent girl because adolescence is a critical period in the transition from childhood to adulthood.”

Engr. Yaro revealed that from the CEF partnership with OGAV, 10 girls were already enjoying scholarships up to tertiary level.

According to him, “All over the world, girls face unique challenges during adolescence, with the ominous prospect of increased school dropout, child marriage and pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and HIV infection, and, even more sadly, the experience of violence.”

Engr. Yaro continued, “Researchers have noted that better sanitary care and reproductive health education for indigent schoolgirls does indeed improve school attendance by adolescent

girls and does indeed reduce the risk of school dropout.”

He admonished the girls to live a purpose-driven life.

“Please note that having a good life, which includes education, access to good health services, and participation in the community, is your right. It is not an option.

An empowered girl child means you would have healthier families in the future. It also means that you will not be poor. Education will bring you a steady income.

Beyond all these, it means Nigeria would have a better economy because not only men would be driving big companies, but you will also. And more than anything, it is always the right thing to do – that everyone must be empowered to do great things.”

He concluded.

In her remarks at the event, the Lagos State Tutor General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs Titilayo Margaret Solarin, said that “changing the narrative of

empowering the girl child starts from the home because the family is the first change instrument which a girl encounters.”

She stated that a girl must be treated specially as training a girl meant training a nation.

Mrs Solarin then admonished young girls to be focused as the future belonged to them.

Speaking with journalists on the occasion, the President and Founder, OGAV, Mrs Busola Kolade said, “The main objective for the day is to support the girl child as times as these are very unprecedented times which expose the girl child to many hazards.”

“In supporting the girls, a hand of fellowship extends to the parents because we are giving the girls, not only personal hygiene items but school materials and food items as well. The girl child is not in isolation and so we are looking out for her in totality. As we look out for the girl child, we are looking out for their parents as well.

Mr-Mohammed Shuaibu representing CAKASA CEO-making a speech

Lush Hair Academy Produces First Set of Graduates Indigenous hair extension brand, Lush Hair has produced the first set of graduates from its academy as part of its empowerment programmes.

The new graduates, numbering 15 were certified professional bridal stylist having completed an initial 7-week course in bridal styling and fulfilled the requirements to major in the field.

The graduation ceremony held at the academy in Surulere and well attended by stylists, Lush hair staff and one of Lush hair Brand Ambassadors, Denrele Edun.

Speaking at the ceremony,Brand Manager of Lush Hair, Ritambhara Kakkar extolled the graduands, adding that they have demonstrated passion and commitment to the training.

“Today, we joyfully celebrate with our very first set of graduates who have shown dedication and passion right from the commencement of the programme, now they have become professional bridal stylists and we can’t be prouder.

“We cannot contain our pride as what started off like an ordinary piece of idea has steadily metamorphosed into a life changing project for Nigerian youths who

have chosen a path in hairstyling.

Loads of entries were received and 15 students followed through, this clearly shows dedication and hard work on their past, so we celebrate every one of them. We are most confident that they will excel out there as they have learnt from the best hands in the industry.”

Also speaking, CEO of Tobbies Touch, Tobiloba Ogunbiyi -the celebrity hairstylist who coached the graduands from the basics through to completion said, “congratulations to all our students who benefited from first ever Lush Hair Academic scholarship. You should feel very proud finding yourselves at the starting point of this glorious adventure and we have no doubt that you will excel beyond expectations.”

One of the graduands who also won the award of the best student 2021, Ogunseye Temitope thanked the company for the privilege and promised to make a good use of the knowledge acquired.

It would be recalled that Lush Hair had earlier in the year unveiled its hairstyling Academy to train both existing stylists and aspiring Nigerian youth who have expressed interest in professional hair making and styling.

SON Deploys Standards to FG, CSR-in-Action Unveil Sustainability Sustain Growth, Development Report on Nigerian Businesses The Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, efforts to live up to its mandate of protecting Nigeria and Nigerians from the adverse effect of fake and substandard products was further given a boost last Tuesday at a one day capacity building workshop for Journalists in Lagos.

Declaring the workshop open, Director General of the Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, Mallam Farouk Salim set the tone for the day’s discuss when he assured of his readiness and that of the Executive Management team to make SON better by building on existing structures and past achievements, thereby improving on its service delivery as well as relationships with stake holders including the media.

Since his assumption of office as the Director General of SON 10 months ago, Mallam Salim has interacted extensively with different categories of stakeholders on how to collectively take SON to greater heights in the overall good of the Economy the people.

In this regard he revealed that an independent committee of distinguished Nigerians charged with the

responsibility of taking a critical look at the structure, processes, practices and service offerings as well as public perception of the organization was set up in order to assist in developing a template to address operational service delivery and staff welfare challenges to entrench equity and fairness in service delivery as well as staff welfare and provide greater opportunities for staff to better contribute to the attainment of organisational goals.

Salim said his organisation is committed to improving on its communication with stakeholders

at all levels to get greater buy-in into it’s programs and activities that are targeted at customer satisfaction, consumer protection and welfare as well as the positive growth of the nation’s economy.

He said “without doubt these efforts have begun yielding fruits as the organization is working with the National Assembly to strenghten its quality infrastructure such as equipping regional laboratories to bring our services nearer to the stakeholders and make greater contributions to the diversification of the nation’s economy.”

The federal government has unveiled the 2020 Corporate Sustainable Investor Report (CSIR): Nigeria, to guide investors on opportunities in the country.

Developed by Africa’s foremost Sustainability Consulting and Advocacy outfit, CSR-in-Action, the landmark research document analyses the sustainability progress of companies operating in Nigeria and provides critical insights into the sustainability approach of Nigerian companies in line with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors.

The report is endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, and supported by Global Rights and the Open Society Foundation.

The CSIR is modelled after international reports on sustainable investment and certified a valuable source of information for anybody seeking to do business in the West African region, especially Nigeria.

While unveiling the document in Abuja, Minister for Industry, Trade & Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, affirmed that the document is a

Microsoft 4Afrika, IFC Partner for Africa’s Agri-food To support digital transformation in Africa’s agribusiness sector, modernise supply chains and boost farmers’ productivity and incomes, Microsoft, through its 4Afrika initiative, and IFC recently partnered to make digital tools and training resources more accessible to small-scale farmers, and agriculture-linked small businesses.

The partnership will leverage Microsoft 4Afrika’s unique digital

platforms and IFC’s Agribusiness Leadership Program to help smallscale farmers, their cooperatives, and “last mile retailers” access information and digital tools to strengthen farming practices, build business professionalism and improve food security and traceability throughout the supply chain.

A mobile platform will be piloted among farmers including in Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Uganda.

The first pilots aim to support 50,000 farmers and at least 50 cooperatives.

Digital technology can improve the operation of key supply chains in the food system through greater agricultural efficiencies, improved business practices, traceability, food safety and, access to finance. However, the use of digital tools in Africa’s agriculture sector remains limited, often because of infrastructure, affordability, awareness,

and regulatory issues. Agribusiness contributes about 25 percent of Africa’s GDP and 70 percent of its employment.

“Now more than ever, we need to pay close attention to how agri-tech organisations transform digitally, what challenges they face acquiring new technologies, and the daily challenges they may be facing in the area of digital skills development. Microsoft 4Afrika’s strategy is to invest in agri-tech.

good reference point for investors, most especially now that Nigerian government seeks to ramp up inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the country.

He added that Nigeria generated $2.6 billion in FDI last year.

“I am optimistic that this report will be beneficial in providing key investors with additional information to make informed decisions on investment opportunities in the country.

“The report has been developed in line with leading practices, effectively documenting corporate strategies being executed by local companies in their quest for sustainability.”

Now in its 4th edition, the 2020 CSIR features and rates 210 organisations across seven sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Contributors to the report included: Executive Director, Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC),Tony Ojukwu Esq; Founder/CEO, Emerging Africa Capital Group, Toyin Sanni; Chair, Mobile Software Solutions Limited, Chris Uwaje, and Group CEO, Access Bank Plc, Dr. Herbert Wigwe.

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 7, 2021

SPORTS XTRA

Iheanacho Primed to Halt Old Club, Man City in Community Shield Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho was in prolific form last season as the Foxes won the Emirates FA Cup and enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Premier League.

And now, back at Wembley today for the FA Community Shield against his former club Manchester City, he hopes he can hit the ground running for 2021-22.

The Super Eagles striker

is indeed looking forward to a chance to begin the season with a piece of silverware.

“Yes, it’s very important. It’s a trophy that we want to win, so we need to really come out strong and work hard, defensively and offensively. We know that they’re a good side, so we need to work really hard to get the win,” Iheanacho said.

On how he has been preparing ahead of the match.

He said, “it’s been going quite well, we’ve been working really hard, running, so I think we are ready.”

The FA Cup victory against Chelsea means a lot to Iheanacho. “It means a lot. It was a dream for everyone. For me, for my family, for Leicester City, for the fans. For everyone, it was a dream. It’s been a long time coming. Everyone is happy and we are still living the dream.

“The fans always make an impact. Playing without supporters is something we don’t want but it was something we have to deal with. We are happy to have them back. They really made a great impact in the FA Cup final and hopefully they will make a good impact in the Community Shield as well, and into the new season.”

Comparing his old manager, Pep Guardiola, to Brendan Rod-

gers, the U17 World Cup winner said: They’re quite similar in some ways, and different as well. The two managers are great managers, they have their different tactics. I’ve had the opportunity to play for them both. They are both wonderful managers. Hopefully our tactics will work on the day, though, and we will get the win.

Asked how he feels to be

named alongside the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Nwankwo Kanu, he related thus: “I didn’t even know that! Haha. I didn’t even know that but yeah hopefully I will get the goals and join that. Of course, we need to concentrate on the games and take it one game at a time, and hopefully I will get It. Of course, I will do more.”

Dalung Blasts Sports Minister, Says He’s Incompetent

Kelechi Iheanacho in action

UEFA Sacks Data Staff Following Police Raid on Headquarters The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has sacked staff in its information andcommunicationtechnology (ICT) department after a police raid on its Swiss headquarters.

The public prosecutor in the UEFA office in Nyon initiated an investigation into members of staff at European football’s governing body, which led police officers to visit the premises in April.

In a statement released to the

PA news agency, UEFA said it had terminated contracts of the members of staff with immediate effect.

“Wecanconfirmthatthepublic prosecutor of the canton of Vaud initiated an investigation against certain activities conducted by former staff members of the UEFA ICT department.

“The investigation is in relation to arrangements with external ICT service providers to thedetrimentofUEFA,anddoes

not concern the sales of rights or any commercial arrangements with official partners.

“UEFA terminated the employment contracts with the staff concerned with immediate effect.

“Our organisation cooperated immediately and fully with the Swiss authorities when contacted on the matter and will continue to provide every possible assistance to the authorities with their investiga-

tion.

“As an injured party, UEFA has constituted itself as a private claimant in the preliminary proceedings.

“We are very satisfied with the way the investigation is conducted by the prosecutor of the canton of Vaud.

“Since the proceedings are still ongoing, we are not able to provide further information for the time being.”

Los Angeles FC Sign Ibeagha from New York City FC Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC have announced the acquisition of Warri-born defender Sebastien Ibeagha from New York City FC in exchange for $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM).

LAFC will receive an additional $50,000 in GAM if certain incentives are met.

Ibeagha is credited with 64 appearances in the American top-flight, all of them in the colours of New York City, where he spent three years.

The 29-year-old began his career at the Houston Dynamo Academy before enjoying a collegiate career at Duke University from 2010-2013.

His first professional club

was AC Horsens in Denmark and had loan spells with FC Fredericia and Fram Reykjavík before returning to America to sign for Houston Dynamo in 2016.

“Sebastien is a key acquisition for us at this stage of the season,” LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington

Aluko Close to Ipswich Move

Forgotten Nigerian forward Omatsone Aluko is closing in on a move to League One side Ipswich Town. The former Reading striker, whose contract expired at the end of last season, has spent the entire pre-season training at Wayne Rooney’s tutored

Derby County side.

It however did not turn out well for Aluko as the Derby County hierarchy are not interested in signing him.

According to Getreading, Derby boss Wayne Rooney stated his interest in the Nigeria international but blamed

a transfer embargo for their inability to land their man.

However, it doesn’t look all bleak for the Hull City man as Ipswich Town fan site TWTD now reports that Ipswich Town have their sights set on signing the 32-year-old.

The versatile forward can

said.

“With his experience, we believe he will be a great fit and is an important addition to our Club.”

Ibeagha, a former United States U20 international, was named the 2017 USL Defender of the Year and was also named to the 2017 USLAll-League First Team.

play as a striker, supporting striker, or on the right-wing.

After representing England in the age-grade competitions, Aluko switched allegiances to Nigeria in 2008.

The 5’8 forward has two goals in seven caps for the Super Eagles.

Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has blamed Sunday Dare led Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for what he described as “show of shame” meted on Team Nigeria at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Speaking on Arise TV yesterday, Dalung accused the sports minister of failing to provide leadership that could protect the image of country.

The sports minister Dare had in April dissolved the boards of 31 National Sports Federations and constituted three-man Caretaker Committees to take charge of the federations.

He said that even when he was in charge of sports in the country the federations were never crises free, but he ensured that athletes and other sportsmen and women were not affected.

Asked on what was responsible for Team Nigeria’s woes at the ongoing Olympics, Dalung said, “I think the dissolution of boards. It is a lack of patriotic political will to consolidate on the gains on the ground.

“When I was the minister, I continued from where my predecessor ended. When we get to the field, we built on previous successes and Nigeria did very well.

“Dissolving federations three months to Olympics is an indication that we are not prepared for Olympics. No general dissolves his troops on the eve of an attack and expect to win a war. The dissolved boards have trained and catered for the he athletes for more than two years. Crises are part of human existence, the management is what determines the quality of leadership. I inherited many crises, but I resolved them.

“Leadership is about taking responsibilities. When things go wrong, somebody has to be responsible. The entire drama of shame is avoidable. This is a shame that the country has found itself.”

Team Nigeria suffered jersey shortage, athletes disqualification that resulted in protest, public outcries by members of the team; and conflict among officials and athletes over Samsung 5G phones.

Moses Simon Helps Nantes Draw against Monaco in Ligue 1 Opener Super Eagles forward Moses Simon delivered a satisfactory performance to help Nantes begin their 2021/22 Ligue 1 campaign positively with a 1-1 draw against Monaco at the Stade Louis II. Nantes escaped relegation by the whiskers last season but will be happy with a point in the opening match of the new campaign against a side that finished third in Ligue 1.

Monaco had the best home record in the French top-flight last term with 41 points from 19 games and Niko Kovac’s men appeared to have picked off from where they left off with an early goal.

Brazilian full-back Ciao Henrique put in a great cross to which Cape Verde Islands forward Gelson Martins supplied a fine right-foot finish to hand the home side a 14th-minute lead.

Last season, Simon waited until his side’s matchday four clash with Saint Etienne before directly contributing to a goal. But he wasted no time in getting off the mark this term, after claiming the

assist to Jean-Charles Castelletto’s equaliser for the Yellow Canaries yesterday night.

The Nigerian international swung in an inch-perfect corner kick which Cameroonian centre-back Castelletto guided into the back of the net three minutes before the interval to drag Nantes back on levelled terms.

Monaco enjoyed more than two-thirds of the ball possession and were constantly on the front foot but found a determined Nantes side difficult to break down.

None of the two teams could outwit the other after the break as Nantes secured their first point against Monaco in seven meetings.

Before kick-off, Monaco had won their last six face-offs with Nantes, handing them two 2-1 defeats in Ligue 1 last term.

Seven minutes from time, Simon made way for Quentin Merlin as Nantes manager Antoine Kombouare’s tactical nous dumped Niko Kovac’s strategy into the dust bin in the season opener.

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Jega on APC and PDP “Both the APC and the PDP have ruled the country, but from all we have seen, they do not mean reform. If you look at the fight against corruption, all the people who are said to be thieves and will be punished because they stole under PDP, they have now defected to the APC, and nothing happened to them” – Former chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Muhammad, chastising the APC and the PDP.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

UT H

& RE A S O

N

26 years

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Has APC Bewitched PDP or What?

F

ellow Nigerians, it is difficult for any keen observer of Nigerian politics not to reach the same conclusion with me, that the main opposition party, PDP, has been in a somnambulist state in the last six years. It has blatantly refused to take advantage of the failed Buhari Presidency and offer itself as a vibrant alternative and viable opposition to what has been a turgid even torrid and toxic government for Nigerians to deal with. I will explain comprehensively in this epistle why I have come to that logical conclusion.

As far back as 2018, I had reasonably concluded that APC was far worse, in government, than the PDP administration that it had cleverly and adroitly sacked from power by beguiling and mesmerising Nigerians with sweet words that had by 2018 led to little or no action. PDP had suffered almost irredeemably from the blistering propaganda attacks against its apparatchiks and certain colourful and powerful personages, in particular. Two things stood out in those poisonous campaigns of calumny mounted against the PDP by some of the best in the business; one, that PDP was the most corrupt political party in Africa and that some of its Ministers vamoosed with looted cash running into billions of dollars; two, that PDP lacked the capacity to tackle the abysmal security failure in the country and that only one Messiah, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, was the only saint left on earth to tackle both major weaknesses of the then PDP government. There was no doubt that most Nigerians bought into that superlative narrative as they trooped out en masse and expectantly to vote for the gentle and taciturn General.

However, as you know, if lies run upfront for 20 years, truth would catch up with it in just one day. APC had built a castle of spittle that was ever so brittle and only a mere dew would collapse it in no time. Many discerning Nigerians were quick to realize that they have been fooled by the new, but really only rebranded Party called the APC, .and taken on a flight of fancy. They were not different from the inconsolable preys of 419, victims of an abracadabra that makes it possible for someone to obtain huge sums from you, instalmentally and exponentially, by false pretence!

What you would have expected a serious political party to do upon losing the elections in the manner that they did was to quickly embark on a meticulous re-appraisal and reorganize its home in preparation for the next election. Instead, the Party seemed to have gone into total disarray.

Its frontline men were suddenly abandoning a ship that was not really sinking but was only flailing in a turbulent sea. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of Nigeria’s politicians. The belief is that once you join the APC, the vaunted protector of anti-corruption, you would be safe notwithstanding the public stance. The aphorism is “sinners join the APC and have your sins wiped away and sin no more” even if seen to still be doing so. I am even of the opinion that if the ousted President Jonathan had had the guts to take on President Muhammadu Buhari in the same manner his good friend, former President John Dramani Mahama, did in Ghana, Nigeria would not have been thrown into what now seems to be a one-party state, today.

He should have immediately become the leader of opposition who would rally his footsoldiers nationwide. This apparent lacuna in a strong and versatile leadership of the PDP inadvertently gave Buhari the power of life and death over us all.

Despite this obvious fact, the PDP could still not paper over its divisions and close its ranks. Rather it continued to fight a war of attrition amongst its senior members. The air was stale and heavy with the bile of envy, jealousy and meanness.

In 2018, after I had finally given up on Buhari, I

Uche Secondus, PDP National Chairman visited the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Abuja and asked him a pertinent question?

“Sir, don’t you think PDP has become a damaged brand and it may need urgent rebranding before the next election? No matter what you say, that name PDP would always evoke negative emotions in Nigerians, even if we now know that APC is much worse!” His response: “Dele, you’re very right, we need to rebrand PDP but there are serious challenges, more so, time is not on our side. A lot of resources have gone into producing souvenirs and such items…” That sounded reasonable but of course, I was not totally convinced. It was at that point that it physically dawned on me that we were living in a failed State and that we are all doomed. There was clearly no opposition worth mentioning in existence. It was indeed a great joke, but we still had to support the candidate thrown up by the PDP because the choice of the Party in power seemed anathema to us. Giving the huge failings we had seen by then and our prognosis of what the future entailed, it was clear that an unfocussed PDP was still better than a tried and tested APC Government that had shown itself as an expert in maladministration, graft, insecurity, nepotism, bigotry and anarchy. Notwithstanding our stance as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the APC crushed the PDP in obviously manipulated elections. This was made possible because the PDP had simply gone AWOL (absent without Leave)...

But what happened after the 2019 elections when a failed political party still won the elections? It was more of the same. PDP has simply not gotten its act together. Instead, the petty squabbles have increased and there is no clear leadership path in the Party Secretariat. I wonder! Should it not have occurred to PDP that it needed to undertake major surgical procedures in order to stay alive.

Rather, the Party simply went into deeper slumber, sleeping and snoring.

The PDP even failed to correct some of the exaggerated and preposterous allegations and indictments against its prominent members and officials. How come APC has not found it necessary to prosecute any alleged major culprit of the previous government? If APC knew those who stole billions of dollars, how come it has not attempted to abduct and crate them (a la Umaru Dikko) back to Nigeria to face justice instead of borrowing recklessly from the Chinese banks to plug the gaping financial hole that the APC government has sunk us into? At least we now know that this level of perfidy and crudeness is not beyond this government in the light of the Nnamdi Kanu debacle and the detention of the Igbo freedom fighter. The story of Chief Sunday

Igboho Adeyemo is not too different.

In my view, PDP has bungled many chances because of its docile nature and tepid leadership.

Everything is wrong with the country and yet we do not see any bright spark from the PDP. It is so painful.

Our economy is in tatters. The Naira has gone totally South. The President’s apparition of a country with its currency at almost parity with the US Dollar has been revealed as being exactly that, an apparition for the President, and a continuing nightmare for the citizenry forced to endure rates never before experienced for any sustained period.

And we are told, by those who should know, that this is just the beginning.

The country is constantly plunged into darkness.

The promises by our Ministers in charge of Power, that this would be a thing of the past within a short period of the assumption into office by the government in each of its two terms, has proven to be a mirage. There is no solution in sight. On the contrary the country seems to adopt half-baked policies which are badly implemented to solve what others have found to be a basic problem that does not need rocket science solutions. We must simply brace up for greater darkness. It is probably a fitting epithet to this Government, which prided itself as the Party of light, that gloom, darkness and doom abounds and follows it around.

Corruption has gripped the nation by the jugular.

The very fabric of government and its appurtenances is woven up in a web of deceit, lack of integrity and astonishing and amazing corrupt practices that make the antics of previous governments pilloried and crucified for their corruption as mere child’s play. We have simply never had it so bad. It is unbelievable and mind boggling.

Insecurity has become a cancer eating voraciously and rapidly at the very heart and soul of the nation.

It is not just tolerated by the government; it is being festered and fostered by it. Bandits, hoodlums and terrorists hold sway all over the land. They control and command significant territories, particularly in Northern Nigeria. People are afraid of their well-being. There is not much they can do, except hope and pray. Recourse to prayer is becoming unfashionable because the problems seem to be growing in leaps and bounds rather than them abating. Our Pastors, Imams, Alfas and Marabouts are definitely getting it violently wrong, or we are fast becoming an accursed nation with the very worst devils springing from the pits of hell to come and torment, torture and traumatise us.

Nepotism, parochialism, bigotry and ethnicity have become the order of the day. The President seems to favour one part of the country at the expense of all the other parts. They are so far in the ascendancy and believe in their invincibility because they have their patron in power.

To top it all, it is a fact that if you remove Buhari from APC, the Party will fall yakata and smash into smithereens. And inexorably, the time constitutionally appointed to vote the new President draws nearer and nearer. One would have thought that an efficient opposition Party would realise this fact, and coupled with the gargantuan challenges currently facing the country, they would seize the moment, seize the initiative and drive the APC out of power. What do I see instead, indolence and inaction? This grieves my spirit because it means there’s virtually no hope for the country, if we allow a one party State to ultimately emerge!

No other opposition party currently has the structure, experience and exposure to take on the APC behemoth apart from the PDP. I have told many of my friends who are still nursing Presidential ambition that they should all gather in the two mainstream Parties or perish the thought completely. PDP remains formidable and potent if it allows itself to be well organised and well drilled.

Politics is a game of money and PDP controls some of the richest and most viable states in Nigeria.

They are Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and a few others. But for Rivers and Lagos in 2015, it would have been most difficult for Buhari to win on his fourth attempt. PDP still possesses the magic wand to produce the next President, if Nigeria remains intact by then, and the hawks of power do not succeed with their selfish rascality and dangerous plans.

In order to regain power from an obviously desperate APC that is hell bent on retaining power, PDP must rebrand urgently, change its name, attract younger folks and all those already disenfranchised, solidify its base in the South East, South South and grab a substantial chunk of South West. It already has some serious footholds in the North Central as well as North West and North East.

If the next election holds, it is unlikely that APC would be able to replicate a Buhari phenomenon again. PDP should jazz up its game by changing its tactics and becoming more serious. At the moment it does not appear that the Party or its members have faith in themselves. They appear to be stumbling along and are happy to accept whatever PDP dictates to them. ImI’m yet to see any evidence of panic and needful reactions as APC countinues the onslaught of poaching more and more of PDP members.

Part of the necessary rebranding would be for PDP to begin to showcase the amazing performances of its Governors. Most people agree today that the PDP states are performing far better than the Federal Government and its allied states. States such as Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Oyo have become poster boards for the party. If PDP decides to stick to its old ways and refuses to be more audaciously creative, they should forget coming back to power soon.

I will urge those who do not like PDP to also try and proliferate APC. We should stop dissipating our energies and resources on new political parties.

It is obvious that Nigeria is not ready for more than two major parties at the moment.

As for APC, all is not lost. It can still drag itself away from the precipice of defeat, It needs to consolidate on the strong talents and brains it has in the current government, starting from the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The Party must retrace its steps and abandon the path to destruction and oblivion on which it has currently firmly placed itself and the country. It must eschew sectionalism, ethnicity and tribalism.

It must act equitably, fairly and judiciously in the spread of appointments. It must be seen not to deploy favouritism and bias as its hallmark and handiwork. By doing that, it would also engage the cankerworm of insecurity and begin to win the war against bandits, terrorists and insurrection.

For me, it is not about which Party eventually wins the coveted prize. No, it must always be about which Party is best for our country at any particular time. Which party offers the array of talent that can take us from the age of backwardness to the technological age of hope and prosperity.

Nigeria is too blessed to be controlled endlessly by its dregs. For too long now, we have been largely ruled by mediocres. Both PDP and APC have a chance to stop the rot and field the best. From this, only the nation and our dear pulverised and pummelled citizens can be the beneficiaries. I align with the recent thoughts and postulations of former President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on this sentiment. We all must learn useful lessons from the past and make necessary changes urgently.

If the PDP assumes its proper role and status, as the conscience and critic of the ruling Party, we will see tremendous improvement in both Parties and in the governance of our great country.

Let’s hope, it is not all a mirage...

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