SATURDAY 21TH AUGUST 2021

Jonathan, Johnson-Sirleaf Move to Foster Peace in W’Africa Fine-tune proposed West Africa Elders Forum Bennett Oghifo

to brainstorm on measures that could help foster peace and political stability in West Africa.

The two former leaders also used the meeting to fine-tune the planned West

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and former President of Liberia, Ellen JohnsonSirleaf, met late into last Thursday night in Abuja

Africa Elders Forum, an initiative being promoted by the President Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, which would utilise the experience of former leaders to intervene in crisis spots in the sub-region.

The former Liberian President, who spoke to journalists after her meeting with Jonathan, said it was also targeted at deepening already established initiatives aimed at promoting smooth transition

of power within the West African region, which was demonstrated by Jonathan and her, when they handed over power in their respective countries.

Johnson-Sirleaf said: “The

main purpose of this visit, besides re-establishing good contact with him (Jonathan), is to promote the good relationship that we have.

Continued on page 5

NNPC Upbeat as it Regains Ogoni OML 11 from Shell in Court… Page 5 Saturday 21 August, 2021 Vol 26. No 9630

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FG: We’re Not Prosecuting Repentant Terrorists in Line with Global Practices Says stories of planning to recruit them into Army false, demoralising Nigeria getting closer to an agreement with Twitter

Charles Ajunwa The federal government yesterday said the demand by some Nigerians for the prosecution of repentant Boko Haram fighters rather than granting them amnesty, was against global best practices, and that it would not accept such call.

The Minister of Information Continued on page 5

Top Leaders Storm Bichi for Yusuf Buhari and Zahra Bayero’s Wedding Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Yusuf, son of President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday married Zahra, the daughter of the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, in presence of the President, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and other dignitaries.

The much-awaited wedding, which held at the palace of the Emir of Bichi in Bichi Local Continued on page 5

BUHARI WEDS BAYERO...

Seated back row: Former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; former President Goodluck Jonathan; former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou; and President Muhammadu Buhari. Seated in front of the Bayeros are 91-year-old businessman, Aminu Dantata, representing the bride; and Maman Daura, representing the groom; at the wedding of the President’s son, Yusuf and his bride, Zahra, daughter of Emir of Bichi, Nasir Ado Bayero, in Bichi, Kano State…yesterday

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NNPC Upbeat as it Regains Ogoni OML 11 from Shell in Court Mele Kyari: It’s huge victory for Nigeria, NPDC will use it to bolster production Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ Peter Uzoho ÓØ ËÑÙÝ The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has hailed the recent Appeal Court judgment affirming its ownership of the Oil Mining License 11 (OML 11), describing

it as a huge victory for Nigeria and the beginning of moves to address decades of restiveness in the host community.

OML 11 is in Ogoniland, Rivers State, South-eastern Niger Delta and contains 33 oil and gas fields.

The Appeal Court sitting in

Abuja had on Monday upturned the August 23, 2019 ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja which held that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was entitled to the renewal of the lease on OML 11.

In the ruling, the Appellate

Court held that the minister of petroleum resources “has the discretion whether or not to renew the OML 11 Lease in favour of SPDC.” The Court further held that the Minister rightly exercised his discretion in awarding the OML 11 Lease to NPDC,

a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

A statement yesterday by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Garba Deen Muhammad, quoted the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele

Kyari, as saying “the ruling has paved the way for the NPDC to lead a formidable OML 11 team towards bolstering productivity in a responsible, efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable manner.”

Continued on page 16

Buhari: Late Ahmed Joda’s Services to Nigeria Immeasurable Declares he was a good, hardworking man, who never asked him for favours Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola President Muhammadu Buhari has described the services of the late former "Super Permanent Secretary", Ahmed Joda to Nigeria as immeasurable, saying all the years he knew him, the revered public administrator never requested for favours from him.

The President spoke yesterday in Yola, Adamawa State at the palace of Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, during a condolence visit to the families of three elder statesmen and prominent sons of the state who passed on recently.

The families are those of Joda, Chairman of the transition

committee that ushered in the Buhari’s administration in 2015; Dr. Mahmoud Tukur, former Minister of Commerce and Industry during his military administration, and Abdullahi Danburam Jada, Minister of Animal Health and Northern Cameroons Affairs in the defunct Northern Region Government.

Buhari, who was accompanied

by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, recounted his personal relationships with the deceased, noting that at various points, the three Adamawa sons played very supportive roles in his public service.

On late Joda, the President said, “Since I became Governor of North East, under General Olusegun Obasanjo and later

Minister, Joda was part of those who assisted me, until his transition.

“He was very supportive each time I called on him as governor, Minister and President and he never demanded any favours from me, either in cash or any form of gratification.”

Also speaking on late Mahmoud, the President said: “He was a bosom friend to my brother and they studied together in Europe. He also contributed much during my military administration and did well in his assignment.”

Buhari noted that from the antecedents of his close working relationship with the people of Adamawa and how they had distinguished themselves, he

appointed one of their sons the Minister of FCT, to a very important position.

He said: “I gave an Adamawa indigene, Mohammed Bello, a huge and complicated assignment as FCT Minister.

Although he is young, he is performing very well with the fear of God." He said the indigenes of Adamawa State “are very reliable and trustworthy in all aspects of life.”

The President said since his days as a military ruler, to now that he is a civilian President he had found Adamawa people very reliable.

"The late Ahmed Joda was equally a good and hardworking person. He headed my transition

committee in 2015. The only thing I can say to Adamawa people is thank you. I appreciate all you have done for me. May the souls of the departed rest in peace; may God rest their souls."

The President prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and divine comfort for their families.

In his remarks, Fintiri thanked the President for the condolence visit, saying “given your closeness to the deceased we should have been the one travelling to Abuja to commiserate with you.”

He commended the President for taking out time off his busy schedule to visit Adamawa, on the same day his son, Yusuf, was getting married to Zahra,

the daughter of Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi.

The Adamawa governor thanked the President for sending a delegation last week, as well and for coming personally to condole with the state.

"Just few days ago you sent a powerful delegation led by the Secretary to Government of the Federation and today you are here personally to console us.

We thank you sir for this show of love," Fintiri said.

On his part, the Royal father, Lamido Adamawa also conveyed the Emirate’s appreciation to President Buhari and his entourage, pronouncing blessings for safe travels and success in the President’s engagement in Kano for his son’s wedding.

in Bichi today by virtue of Mr. President's son's wedding to Sarkin Bichi's daughter. So if we can look beyond this country to foster unity, all the governors are here, from even different parties, PDP governors are here, APC governors came. So, there are some things that can bind us together in this country. So if we focus on what will bind us the country will be better and things will be easy for us.

"Even with the issue of security, we all went to Bichi and everything went well and peacefully. Tomorrow it can be anywhere else in the country."

Also at the event were former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Abubarkar Atiku, and a former president of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou.

Others were the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha and IGP Usman Baba Alkali.

The President’s delegation had the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Minister of Defense, Bashir Magashi; and Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussein Adamu.

TOP LEADERS STORM BICHI FOR YUSUF BUHARI AND ZAHRA BAYERO’S WEDDING Government Area of Kano State at about 2pm, after the Juma'at Prayer, was conducted

by Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

Yusuf, who met his wife Zahra, a graduate of Architecture from Brighton University, in the United Kingdom, paid N500,000 as bride price.

The president's uncle, Maman Daura, who stood in for the groom, paid the N500,000 bride price to the ace business mogul Aminu Dantata, who stood in

for the bride, to seal the marriage according to Islamic injunction.

The elated groom, Yusuf Buhari, dressed in traditional white attire with a head gear to match, was surrounded by his friends throughout the ceremony.

The wedding had caused traffic gridlock within the town and its environs, business activities were paralysed as people thronged the venue of the wedding to witness the event.

THISDAY gathered that VIPs had since Thursday thronged Kano State, as hotel rooms became scarce as they were all booked to

accommodate the guests.

There had been heavy presence of armed security personnel since Wednesday, as the state witnessed twin ceremonies of the wedding of the president’s son and today’s coronation of the bride’s father, Nasru Ado Bayero as the Emir of Bichi.

Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, who described the wedding as a national event, advised the couple to live peacefully as a family and in accordance with tradition and culture of the Nigerian society.

"They should do everything possible to live peacefully and

remember the society they come from and do things according to the tradition and culture of the society."

In his reaction, the Ooni of Ife Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi told reporters at the Airport that "Certainly, if our leaders have been using such initiatives and platforms to move to various positions and actions in Nigeria, the economy will continue to grow.

"Look at the living example of what happened in Bichi today.

Bichi is a subset of the entire Kano State, look at the economy and the activities that have happened

FG: WE’RE NOT PROSECUTING REPENTANT TERRORISTS IN LINE WITH GLOBAL PRACTICES and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this yesterday in Washington, U.S.A., during his engagement with global media outlets, think-tanks and influencers.

The minister said: “I personally spoke to the military authority before I left Nigeria and they said what they were doing was what the global practice dictates about soldiers that surrendered; that they should be treated as prisoners of war.

“You cannot just shoot them because there are international conventions that give rights also to prisoners of war. What the military is doing is that, when they surrender, they profile them to ensure that they are genuine and reintegrate them into the society,” he said.

Mohammed also said government will not recruit the repentant Boko Haram fighters, who have been surrendering to the military, into the Nigerian Army as being rumoured in some quarters.

The minister described the claim as “false and demoralising”, adding: “fifth columnists and naysayers to stop spewing negative and false narratives around Boko Haram members who are surrendering in droves in the North-East.”

He said it was unfortunate and inconceivable that some Nigerians would be going about such fake news.

No fewer than 1,000 Boko Haram fighters and their families had handed themselves over to Army units in recent weeks in

the southern Borno towns of Konduga, Bama, and Mafa.

The minister also berated those alleging that the surrendered insurgents were not actual Boko Haram fighters and that if they were, they should be shot rather than granted amnesty.

Mohammed said rather than changing the narratives, President Muhammadu Buhari and the military should be respectfully commended for their resourcefulness and doggedness respectively, in the fight against insurgency.

He said: “The fact that we are witnessing insurgents submitting in droves calls for commendation of our military for their doggedness.

“We must not forget that two months ago, Nigerians were putting pressure on the President to recruit mercenaries to fight the war against terror because they said we were losing the war.

“The President, however, remained focused and confident in his belief in the Nigerian military that they have what it takes to defeat the insurgents.

We thank God that Mr. President today has been proven right.

“We were able to achieve this, largely because of the leadership of Mr. President in providing the wherewithal continually to the military and ensuring that their fighting morale is sustained by way of welfare packages.”

Mohammed also said that the situation in Afghanistan was not the same as in Nigeria because there was no time in Nigeria that the military had engaged repentant militants.

For those yet to surrendered, the minister said the military would not rest on its oars but continue to pursue Boko Haram and ISWAP members until they could no longer be harmful to Nigerians.

FG Getting Closer to an Agreement with Twitter In a related development, the federal government says Twitter has agreed to seven out of the 10 demands it made to lift the suspension on the social media platform in Nigeria.

The Information Minister also disclosed this yesterday during his engagement with global media outlets, think-tanks and influencers.

The government on June 4 announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.

The government had said

the reason for the suspension was because of the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

“We believe that even the other three outstanding demands, are not really about whether they agreed or not but about timing and scheduling,” the minister said.

He adds: “That is what gave me the confidence that we are getting nearer to an agreement.

As recently as last week, we exchanged correspondence with Twitter, and when I left home a few days ago, we were expecting a reply from them.

“It is left with Twitter to respond to grey areas that we asked them to look into.

We are not inflexible in our negotiation with Twitter because we recognise both the positive and negative aspects of the social media.”

The minister said, among the

demands made to Twitter, was for the platform to register as a Nigerian company, pay taxes from revenue made from the country and ensure that harmful contents were regulated.

He said the Twitter ban was effective in the country because less harmful contents had been seen on social media since then.

According to him, other social media platforms have also been more conscious and alert to injurious contents likely to threaten national security.

The minister added that from the talks with Twitter, when the platform resumes operations in the country, it would not be business as usual.

‘Terrorism Has No Boundary’ At another forum in Germany yesterday with global media outlets, think tanks and

influencers, the Minister of Information declared that terrorism had no boundary and that no part of the world is safe if it is allowed to thrive.

He underscored the need for the developed world to see terrorism as a global threat, saying: “Terrorism is global and has no boundary. For the world to be saved, every corner of the world must be saved.”

He adds: “We can see from the example of the US, where Taliban takes over Afghanistan, a pointer to how difficult it is to fight terrorism driven by ideology.

“The western world should look into helping developing nations like Nigeria in developing their infrastructure.

“This will help to create employment and quality livelihood that will make it difficult for an ideological group like Boko Haram to recruit the youths.”

JONATHAN, JOHNSON-SIRLEAF MOVE TO FOSTER PEACE IN W’AFRICA “It is also to discuss with him, the planned West Africa Elders Forum, an initiative that he (Jonathan) is promoting through his President Goodluck Jonathan Foundation. The purpose of that is essentially to have former presidents of ECOWAS meet, to promote democracy, promote safe political transition in our countries and mitigate in those areas where there will be tensions.”

She said the planned Elders Forum would also respond to requests and suggestions from heads of state who want to

benefit from the experiences of former presidents and their colleagues and that they would make themselves available for promotion of peace, stability and development in West Africa.

Sirleaf added that the two former presidents also discussed issues on the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, an initiative chaired

by Jonathan.

“I think what he hopes to do is promote these initiatives with ECOWAS, to form some relationship between the two, so that the effort is collaborative and collective, to address the

issues.

“We have so many tensions in our countries today. We have elections coming up and we all want to see the kind of smooth transitions that he ushered and which I also ushered to ensure peace and stability.”

The first elected female Head of State in Africa added that she also briefed Jonathan on her Centre for Women Development.

She said: “I came to let him know that we promote women to ascend higher positions in public service.

“We have started. We already have dynamic women who have achieved several positions in their societies but are inspired to do more.

“I want him to know about this initiative and to call upon him to see himself as a strong supporter of women… to provide him with opportunity to expand that reach and to see areas he can have some global effects.

“Whatever he does here with the West Africa Elders Forum is something that will go beyond Nigeria, beyond West Africa.”

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ICT Sector Rakes in N1.054trn for FG in Two Years As NIN enrolments reach 61 million

Emma Okonji The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has said the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector alone generated a total of N1.054 trillion for the federal government, within a space of two years.

The money was generated between August 2019 and July 2021, from across all ICT agencies and parastatals, under the supervision of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami.

The ICT agencies and parastatals include: Nigerian

Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE), revealed this in its recent scorecard, which highlighted the statistics of some major achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, through the national policies and supervision of parastatals of the ministry, under the leadership of Pantami, since

he resumed office on August 21, 2019.

The scorecard also revealed that NIMC attained over 61 million enrolments for the National Identification Number (NIN), as at August 11, 2021, up from 42 million in September 2020.

A breakdown of the total

N1.054 trillion revenue generated from ICT in two years, showed that over N358.8 billion was generated as revenue largely from the sales of spectrum licences allocated by the National Frequency Management Commission (NFMC) to the Nigerian Communications

Commission and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), for commercial purpose. It also showed that over N601.6 billion was generated as revenue from taxes paid by ICT companies to the account of the federal government, remitted through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS),

while over N94 billion was generated as revenue for the federal government and approved by the National Assembly members, in line with relevant laws, as part of the 2020 appropriation for personnel, capital projects, capacity building interventions, among others.

FG Extends Tenure of JAMB, NUC, UBEC CEOs, Others Kuni Tyessi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the tenure extension of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed.

The two appointments are for a tenure of five years each, with effect from 1st August, 2021.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Ben Going, the recommendation for the extension was said to have been made by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

Also reappointed is the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi,

for a second and final tenure of four years with effect from 1st August, 2021.

The statement read: “It will be recalled that the President had earlier approved the reappointment of Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe as Registrar/CEO of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) for a second term of four (4) years to sustain the efforts at sensitising Nigerians on the critical role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and business subjects in the new knowledge economy.

“To give further impetus to mathematics education, approval was also granted for the appointment of Prof. Promise Mebine as the Director/Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Centre for an initial tenure of five (5) years with effect from 17th August, 2021.”

UN: 8.7m People in North-east Need $1.1bn Humanitarian Assistance Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The United Nations has said that 8.7 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states required $1.1 billion in humanitarian assistance this year.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, made the revelation on the occasion of 2021 World Humanitarian Day and the formal presentation of the National Humanitarian Development Peace Framework.

He stated that an estimated 4.4 million people also need urgent humanitarian intervention with almost 800,000 in need of immediate aid.

He described the crisis in the North-east as a complex emergency that presents an intricate web of issues that require the engagement of different actors in the search for a durable solution.

The UN said the humanitarian crisis in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states was one of

the largest in the world.

The UNRC said currently an estimated 1.9 million people, mostly women and children, were displaced in the three North-east, 1.4 million in the North-west and over one million in the North-central.

The UN said there were 41 million people worldwide at risk of dying of hunger across 43 countries.

According to the UN, 11.4 million of the affected people live in North-east Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Southern Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen.

The UNRC expressed worries that the ongoing conflict ravaging the North-east had resulted in a deteriorating security situation, increasing food insecurity and risk of catastrophic food insecurity.

He warned that the situation could present dire outcomes if preventive measures were not scaled up and enhanced during the lean season.

HELPING HAND. . .

L-R: Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; and the Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu; during the inauguration of the Area Command Office and Senior Officers Quarters of the Nigeria police in Agbor, built by the Jim Ovia Foundation ...yesterday.

Ugwuanyi Intervenes on Bridge Linking Nkanu East Communities Enugu State Governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has announced that his administration will intervene on the Agu Eduma Aniyi Bridge across the river linking Amagunze-Amechi Idodo-Oruku, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state, which was recently ravaged by flood.

Governor Ugwuanyi stated this at Amagunze when he flagged off the construction of 5.4-Kilometre Amagunze asphalt road, being solely funded by an

illustrious son of Ishienu Amagunze Community in Nkanu East LGA, Chief Everest Nnaji, an outstanding entrepreneur, popularly known as “Odengene”.

Earlier in his welcome address at the event, the Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Abel Uchenna Nwobodo, disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi upon receiving reports about the wrecked bridge, immediately dispatched him and a team of engineers to the site to ascertain the true situation for necessary

Nigeria, South Korea Seek Broadening Bilateral Relationship Nigeria and South Korea have shown interest in broadening their bilateral relationship especially in the areas of political, economic, defence and education.

This was expressed during the visit of South Korean 1st Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Choi Jong Kun to Nigeria.

The Korean minister who was received by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, was told of the intention of the Nigerian government.

Ambassador Dada told his Korean counterpart that Nigeria and the Republic of South Korea shared many things in common.

He noted that the visit was timely and it would enable the two nations to explore more areas of friendship that would be beneficial to both countries.

According to Dada, Nigeria cherished and appreciated the visit of the South Korean Vice Minister to Nigeria and Africa which is the first of its kind from South Korea.

He said the visit would open up a new chapter in the NigerianKorean relationship.

Dada however said to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, the two countries would be meeting again in the 6th Session of the Nigeria-South Korea Joint Commission in Seoul, Republic of Korea in October this year.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs also stressed the need to further deepen both countries’ ties of cooperation in various areas.

He stated that Nigeria attached great importance to the political, economic, defence, education and other spheres of her bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea.

On global security challenges, Ambassador Dada said that countries were still witnessing global terrorism of enormous magnitude and Nigeria had its own share of these challenges, especially in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin as well as piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

action.

Nwobodo pointed out that the governor had made several interventions in the council area such as the rehabilitation of the bad portion of Nkerefi Road, the Amechi Idodo Road, and the Amagunze LGA Secretariat Road.

Other interventions, according to Nwobodo, were the 40-meter concrete bridge along Ugbawka-Nara Road and the 40-meter concrete bridge along Nara-Nkerefi-Ebonyi State Road.

The council Chairman thanked

the governor for his administration’s peace and grassroots development initiatives, stressing that “it is because of your good works that Odengene (Everest Nnaji) agreed to do this road.”

Flagging off the road, amid jubilation, Ugwuanyi said that “this wonderful project is deserving of our commendation and prayers for its successful completion”, adding that his administration was fully committed to identifying with such projects, from flag-off to inauguration.

Plateau Killings: Fix Security Challenges or Resign, CAN Tells Buhari Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and his government to stop paying lip service to the unending killings in the country.

It said the federal government should either “fix the security challenges or throw in the towel.”

A statement issued yesterday by the CAN’s General Secretary, Mr. Joseph Bade Daramola said until the government showed the political will by arresting and bringing culprits to book, the shedding of innocent blood would not cease.

CAN said the police and the military should be tasked to wake up to their responsibilities before the criminals turn the country into another Afghanistan.

It also suggested that the government should make haste to institute state police now, adding

that some states like Kano have religious security outfits that are being used to enforce their laws.

“We don’t want to believe the thought of many that it is either the government has sympathy for those criminals or some of its top functionaries have sympathy for the terrorists, bandits and murderous herdsmen.

“The security architecture has collapsed and the evidence is the unending killings, kidnappings and other criminalities and we call on the federal government to wake up to its primary responsibilities.

“We don’t have to remind President Buhari that it is his responsibility to protect lives and property of the people under his watch irrespective of their religious, tribal and political persuasions. This we are yet to see.

“Nigerians are still waiting for the disclosure of those who are financially supporting terrorists as promised by the federal government,” it said.

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NEWS FAAC Shares N760.7bn July Allocation to FG, States, LGs Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of N760.717 billion revenue to the federal, state and local governments for the month of July.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the virtual meeting of the committee yesterday night.

The N760.717 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N617.705 billion; distributL-R: Director, Performing Arts, NCAC, Mr. Sam Agbi; Director General, NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; and Director, Special Duties; NCAC, Dr. Gerald able Value Added Tax (VAT) Adewole, when the NCAC boss addressed stakeholders in the arts, culture and tourism sector at the Lagos Airport Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday revenue of N140.555 billion and Exchange Gain of N2.457 billion.

Cost of collection, statutory transfers and refunds accounted for N63.501 billion during the ously. His son is wedding today what remained to be handled. that it would be in the month in view.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja He expressed hope that with interest of the country if the (Friday) in Kano, but he gave The communiqué confirmed Minister of Labour and me permission to bring all the the presence of the leadership of dispute was resolved at the that from the total distributable revenue of N760.717 billion; the Employment, Senator Chris ministers and government the Nigeria Medical Association end of the meeting.

However, the NMA federal government received Ngige, yesterday, said that officials here, some of them (NMA) which will be negotiatPresident Muhammadu would have loved to attend ing along with its affiliate, the president, Prof. Innocent Ujah, N321.226 billion, the states got Buhari has directed that the president’s son’s wedding National Association Resident alleged that his association had N222.514 billion while the local negotiations with striking in Kano, but they are here to Doctors (NARD), issues will been sidelined in the discussion resident doctors should see that we resolve the issues be put in better perspective with the resident doctors.

Ujah also attributed the and resolved once and for all. amicably,” he said. recommence.

Ngige prayed for all the frequent strikes by doctors He said that a lot of conSpeaking at the resumption of talks with the doctors in sultations had been made by parties to be positive and to and hospital workers to the Abuja yesterday, Ngige said the Ministry of Labour and allow issues to be resolved as nonchalant attitude of some that the president urged that Employment and Federal the meeting went into a closed government officials who John Shiklam in Kaduna tend to treat issues affecting the ministry should ignore Ministry of Health with various door technical session In his remarks, the Min- the equipment of the hospitals technicalities, and also work stakeholders in the sector to Nine bandits have been killed in line with the injunction prepare ground for an amicable ister of State for Health, and welfare of doctors with in Giwa Local Government Area Senator Olorunmibe Ma- contempt and levity. by the Industrial Court to resolution of the dispute. of Kaduna State following a fight FG’s meeting with the striking over sharing of ransom paid by According to Ngige, the mora urged the resident further explore avenues for a negotiated settlement of meeting will take decisive doctors to call off their doctors ended at the wee hours their victims. the issues in dispute before steps to review all the areas strike since their case was of Saturday and both sides agreed The two rival groups were the adjourned date of the suit. that needed the federal govern- receiving attention at the to adjourn till 10a.m. today to said to have disagreed over sign new MOA and to brief the the sharing of an accumulated “Like I said, Mr. President ment’s intervention to know highest quarter.

Senator Mamora said media on the status of the strike. sum of money they made from takes this meeting very seri- what has been addressed and kidnapping people.

Kaduna State Commissioner

EXPANDING POTENTIALS. . .

Buhari Orders Restart of Negotiations with Resident Doctors

government councils received N166.562 billion.

The sum of N50.415 billion was shared to the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

Also in the month of July, the gross revenue available from VAT was N151.134 billion. This was lower than the N154.465 billion available in the preceding month of June by N3.331billion.

The communique explained that the sum of N4.534 billion allocation to North East Development Commission (NEDC) and N6.045 billion cost of revenue collection were deducted from the N151.134 billion gross VAT, resulting in the distributable VAT revenue of N140.555 billion.

From the N140.555 billion distributable VAT revenue, the federal government received N21.083 billion, state governments received N70.278 billion while the local government councils received N49.194 billion.

Nine Bandits Killed in Rival Fight Over Sharing of Ransom in Kaduna

US: Second Batch of Six Super Tucano Fighter Jets Due in Nigeria by September

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The United States Government said yesterday that the six remaining A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets would arrive in Nigeria by September this year.

This is coming as the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), debunked reported allegations of human rights violations levelled against the country by international human rights

groups on the account of the modus operandi of the nation’s fighting forces in the on-going counter terrorism operations in the North-east.

The six fighter jets recently delivered by the US, part of the 12 ordered by the federal government, are designated for air interdiction while the remaining six, yet to be delivered, are for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Speaking during a visit to the Ministry of Defence, United States Acting Ambassador to Nigeria, Kathleen Fitz Gibbon, said the attack aircraft would arrive Nigeria

by September.

A statement issued by the minister’s office said the ambassador “pledged continued support to Nigeria adding that the remaining six Super Tucano aircraft will arrive in the country by September.”

Gibbon appreciated the

progress Nigeria has made in fighting insurgency and the nation’s compliance with protocols.

She thanked the minister for the audience and agreed with the plan to reconvene another meeting to consider various documents touching on the way forward for the promotions of human rights and Child Protection Act among other areas of common concerns to the two countries.

Grazing Reserves: Buhari’s Approval,

Paris Club Allocation: Alleged

Waste of Money, Says Afenifere

Disbursement of N243.8bn to States is

James Sowole in Akure

False, Says Governors Forum

The Pan Yoruba Socio Political Group, Afenifere, yesterday, described the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari to review, with dispatch, 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states in the country to determine the levels of encroachment, as not only a waste of taxpayers’ money, but also a sweet pipe dream in a “fool’s paradise”.

The Secretary General of Afenifere, Chief Okusola Ebiseni, stated this yesterday in a statement, made available to journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Ebiseni said the approval of the president was not surprising to Nigerians, in view of his disposition to the issue and other matters in the country.

He said, “The approval by President Muhammadu Buhari to review, with dispatch, 368 Graz-

ing Reserves across allegedly 25 states in the country to determine the levels of encroachment did not surprise Nigerians. It does not also matter that having felt the pulse of the nation in his interview with the Arise Television in June, the President is still wasting taxpayers’ scarce resources on a programme which conception lacks all conceivable growth capacity.

“It is instructive that the recommendation and implementation committee is headed by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to the President who, in conjunction with Professor Attahiru Jega, during the first term of Buhari, presented a “Memorandum On Pastoralist-Farmers’ Conflicts And the Search for Peaceful Resolution” published in January 2018, which contained the same recommendations now being foisted on the nation.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Crisis is brewing between the 36 state governors and the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) over the disbursement of Paris Club’s N243. 8 billion to the states, as the governors have denied receiving any allocation.

The said disbursement was part of the Paris Club.

In a strongly worded statement by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the governors described the news of the allocation as false.

He said that the announcement making the rounds that a disbursement of N243.8bn to states in the month of August had been made came to the at-

tention of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as a surprise.

According to the statement, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum wishes to state categorically that nothing can be farther from the truth as this disbursement did not happen and could not have happened as there are no further possibilities, that they can happen now, or in the future.

“The so-called disbursement is therefore a big lie and a figment of the imagination of its author.

The lie is further accentuated by the fact that the announcer has remained anonymous and to all intents and purposes, faceless.

“If it were true and the announcer was sure of his facts, he would have owned the announcement in case anyone wanted to verify the information.

But alas!

for Information, Mr. Samuel Aruwan who confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday said, “Nemesis caught up with two groups of armed bandits in Giwa local government who in a fratricidal gun duel killed nine of their fellows.”

He said, “credible human intelligence networks informed the Kaduna State Government of the development, which was further corroborated by security

Estimated Billing: FG Set to Begin Second Phase of Mass Metering Programme Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday said that it had concluded arrangements to commence the second phase of its National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) which it expects to drastically reduce estimated billing by the Distribution Companies (Discos).

Astatement from the office of the Special Adviser on Infrastructure to the President, Mr. Ahmad Zakari, noted that the next phase of the initiative will ensure consumers are billed appropriately for the electricity they consume by installing meters free of charge in households and

business premises that are currently unmetered.

The federal government described the programme which is being funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as “unprecedented”, saying that it had led to the supply of meters to many Nigerian homes for free.

The first phase, tagged ‘Phase 0’ was launched later than expected in December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a target of 1 million meters across the country and has yielded about 750,000 meters nationwide in about eight month, the statement said.

JOHESU Kick Against Discriminating Hazard Allowance Health workers in the country under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have kicked against discriminatory stratification of hazard allowance for health workers in Nigeria.

According to a statement by the Chairman of JOHESU, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, the bodies insisted that a flat pay template for hazard remuneration across board be maintained and should be the basis for the proposed upward review of hazard allowance by the federal

government.

According to him, JOHESU and AHPA hinged their submissions on the 2014 report of the Collective Bargaining Committee which reviewed the 2009 CBA between the FG and JOHESU. “We agreed that if the CONMESS Salary that was adjusted recently created a disparity between the CONMESS and CONHESS Salary Structure, the CONHESS should also be adjusted to reflect the adjustment made to the CONMESS Salary.

“This remains the basis for agitation for the adjustment of CONHESS as was done with CONMESS since 2014.

SATURDAY AUGUST 21, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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COMMENTARY

‘PLEASE PRAY FOR ME’

George Ehusani asks for support as he marks 40 years of priesthood

A

s I reflect with immense gratitude on my priestly vocation today, I request for your support, dear friends and fellow travellers, as I ask the good Lord – who has seen me through these last 40 extremely busy and often restless years – to grant me a new insight, to endow me with a fresh perception and to let me come by a wholesome discovery, of my true self that is hidden with God in Christ.

I ask the Lord to grant me the grace of inner transformation; to give me a new heart, a new spirit, and a new soul, as I recall the day of my ordination and rededicate myself today to privileged service at his altar. I realise that I have often done too much in these last 40 years of my priestly ministry. Yes, I admit before you all today that in my grandiose illusion and presumptuousness, I have often carried on as if all it takes for the world to be transformed for Christ is for me to work even harder, undertaking ever more innovative programmes and projects, most of which I have executed with extraordinary zeal and unusual passion, and ending up on many occasions with frustration and discontent, over what I often perceived as failure in results.

As I arrive at this landmark of 40 years today, restless and breathless, like Elijah in the desert, I ask the good Lord to quieten my agitated nerves, to hush my troubled heart, and to calm down my perturbed spirit. I ask the Lord to grant me the inner peace that surpasses understanding; that peace which He has promised to endow the faithful with, even as we go through such precarious circumstances as we are confronted with in our country today. I ask the Lord to slow me down and let me hear His soothing voice in the inner recesses of my soul. I ask the Lord to help me to appreciate today the truth I should have comprehended long ago, that I am not the messiah he has sent into the world; that it does not all depend on me; and that in fact I can do only very little.

I ask the Lord to help me embrace in the inner recesses of my soul, what I know only too well in my head, that He is the Overarching Controller of the universe; that His plan for me and for the whole universe is for good and not for ill; and that all appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, light will eventually outshine darkness and love will ultimately triumph over hate, in my life, in the lives of my brothers and sisters, and in the life of my country, which is today thoroughly challenged by executive profligacy and brigandage on the one hand, and popular criminality and idiocy on the other. I ask the Lord to help me embrace deep in the recesses of my heart another truth that I know only too well in my head, namely, that the God we serve, the God of Jesus Christ, is a God of surprises, and that as St. Paul says, He has a way of turning all things unto good – yes He has a way of bringing utmost good out of the worst circumstances and tragedies of the lives of His beloved children. I ask the Lord to calm down my agitated nerves therefore and to comfort my harassed spirit; to take my restless hands into His tranquil hands and to let me walk alongside with Him. At this stage in my sojourn here below and in my priestly vocation, I ask the Lord to help me to constantly seek to BE MORE, and not to DO MORE or to HAVE MORE. Those close to me know for sure that I really do not desire any more positions in life, nor do I wish to have any more properties or titles. I know I have already achieved a lot in worldly terms, some of which amount to sheer vanity; and I am often embarrassed about the many things I have acquired which I constantly need to give away. All I really desire at this point in my life is to slow down, to become familiar with sound of silence and to constantly stand still and look in. All I desire now is to create such physical, psychological and spiritual environment as is suitable for the cultivation of the habit of solitude that will facilitate my journey into that

IN CHRIST’S NAME I WANT TO BE A BEACON OF LIGHT AND HOPE AND A SYMBOL OF JOY AND WARMTH TO SOME OF THE DISTRESSED PEOPLE WHO ARE GRIEVING AND DESPAIRING AROUND ME

emptiness where the God of all fullness is to be found. In other words, what I desire most today after 40 years of incredible pastoral and social activism, is to nurture and promote the interior life – a subject matter that has haunted and captivated me for many years now.

True, friends, brothers and sisters, rather than expand further, what I desire henceforth is to nourish my interior being, to live more from within, and to explore that rich territory which Blessed Teresa of Avila describes as the interior castle. I want to spend more time enjoying God’s peaceful presence here and there, even amidst the commotions and confusions, and the distractions and pervasions of contemporary life. I want to spend more time henceforth reading and reflecting upon some of the spiritual and literary classics of our Christian heritage, as well as learning the contemplative and mystical traditions of the Carmelites and the Benedictines among others. Such engagement, I know, will provide for me the much-desired transition from a life of extreme busyness and restlessness, to one of serenity and restfulness.

As I grow older each day, I want to become wiser, sending my roots deeper into the soil of life, while having my gaze firmly fixed on the God of love and His eternal kingdom. In this way I look forward to living the rest of my life purposefully, aging gracefully, and hopefully exiting this world gallantly, whenever it pleases God to draw the curtain on my earthly sojourn.

As I face the rest of my active years, I want to be a person of influence, but only on a deeply spiritual, psychological, and moral level.

I want to be able to touch people more profoundly for God in Christ.

I want to be good news to those around me. Though we live in an environment that is saturated with bad news of violence and wickedness, as well as corruption and infidelity, even among religious leaders, I want to be good news in my society and among my friends and fellow travellers. Yes, precisely in this perverted and debauched society, I can hear a loud call for me to serve as a sign of contradiction and to be a godly presence among those who cross my path. And I am willing to answer the call. In Christ’s name I want to be a beacon of light and hope and a symbol of joy and warmth to some of the distressed people who are grieving and despairing around me.

I desire that my life should show the young people in our environment that there is still some godly design in nature; that God is still present in creation; that God has not abandoned humanity to the Evil One; and that it pays to get to know Him, to get to love Him, and to get to serve Him. I want to be for the young people around me an example of what it means to be truly human, so that those of them who get to encounter me in person or through my works, may come to appreciate something of the glory of God, something of the beauty of creation, and something of the wonder of the human reality; for I see these elements as the ingredients of true worship. Someday, if it pleases the Lord, I shall revisit my interest in Christian music and re-ignite my passion for Christian poetry, by which in the past I sought to use the power of language and the wonder of music to appeal to the hearts of young people for God. Finally, as I grow older, I would like my daily prayer and worship, my work and study, and the conduct of my friendships as well as my hobbies, to become a single symphony of praise to the Almighty God. I ask you all, my friends and fellow travellers in this mysterious journey of life, to pray for me that until I am called out of life’s unfinished symphony, to join the eternal chorus of praise in His Majestic Presence, I may always be at my post, singing my part and playing my tune, to the glory of God the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Ehusani is a priest and scholar

BAUCHI 2023: COME ONE, COME ALL

Abdulrashid Yunus writes that former chief of air staff, Sadique Abubakar, has a good chance

F

rom all indications, Bauchi State will be the state to watch for “revolution” in the politics of transition climaxing in 2023 with the emergence of a new governor. The incumbent, Kauran Bauchi, Bala Mohammed has his head in the clouds of presidential ambition, repeatedly claiming to have the “nod” of the PDP national caucus and throwing illadvised controversial brick bats across the Niger, which rebound with costly implications even for his northern home base. Meanwhile, he unwittingly provokes local opposition by blaming emergent challenges to his incumbency on “Abuja politicians,” as if he is not one of them.

Inevitably Governor Bala Mohammed will gamble his gubernatorial pre-eminence in a wild goose chase for the presidential ticket of the PDP thereby enabling the emergence of a level-playing field. A host of aspirants, mostly local champions of Bauchi elective politics with clannish constituencies, will be consumed by mutually-assured destruction fuelled by uncompromising rivalry -- a perfect political equation for the successful debut of a dark- horse aspirant!

Latest feedback on Bauchi State 2023 governorship aspiration dynamics reveal fading embers of Governor Bala Mohammed’s freak interest and relics of serially-scrapped bids of Abdul Ahmed Ningi, 2019 PDP gubernatorial candidate, reinforcing strongly expressed confidence in APC being the party to call the 2023 shots at all levels across the state. The most mentioned APC favourites are Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, former Governor; Lawal Yahaya Gumau, Bauchi South

Senator; Musa Babayo, former Tertiary Education Trust Fund Chairman; Jika Dauda Halliru, Bauchi Central Senator; Bala Mohammed Jibrin, 2019 APC gubernatorial candidate; Yusuf Tuggar, Ambassador to Germany,; Farouk Mustapha, 2019 NNPP Bauchi North senatorial nominee; Abdullahi Babani Tela, a Deputy Comptroller General of Customs; Sadique Abubakar, former Chief of Air the Staff; Abubakar Maikafi, former Bauchi South Senator and Danmadamin Bauchi, Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa, Bauchi North Senator and Nura Manu Soro, former Commissioner of Finance.

The crowded line-up of APC prospective governorship aspirants is additional testimony to the popularity of the party on account of its astounding take-over of the commanding heights of democratic edifice from an entrenched PDP coupled with the unprecedented change agenda personified and powered by President Muhammadu Buhari. However, in the context of a consolidated quest for the governorship ticket of Bauchi State, quantity queries quality and might even be counterproductive to the presumed guaranteed success of the party. Similarly, the crowd of aspirants denotes a mad rush, not a calculated competition, among them. This is what raised the issue of clannish constituencies and uncompromising rivalry as a self-inflicted setback on the prospects of the uncompromising aspirants.

But the clincher lies in the shared background of recycled ambitions and expired relevance of the aspirants, most of whom flaunt mere ambition for governorship without cognate capacity as the anchor of their political careers. Such professional politicians

abound in Nigeria not just in Bauchi State and they bear responsibility for the leadership failure that is identified as the crippling cog in the nation’s democracy and development. Nostalgic reminiscences of the Abubakar Tatari Ali era and a couple of military administrations are triggered by panoramic glances across Bauchi State as a depressing inventory of the cumulative stagnation attributable to the plague of professional politicians.

If there can be a good side to a bad situation it can only be that the masses of Bauchi State have learnt by sheer adversity how to differentiate between performers and politicians. They even have the audacity to shake-off those who betray them and the guts to vote--in political anathema just to prove the point as they did in 2019. Such stunning political sophistication is precisely what the Bauchi electorate is expected to deploy in filtering the crowd of 2023 aspirants even as experience will teach them best who not to trust in the crowd of aspirants.

The Bauchi electorate will fortunately have no cause to exert themselves in sorting out the most eligible and most deserving of their mandate to govern the state from 2023 because all but one of the prospective aspirants has been recycled severally.

Only one of the aspirants comes with a genuinely new breed proven proficiency in terms of national leadership capacity outside the circle of professional politicians lured by their insatiable appetite for positions of power and privilege.

Only one of them has a proven capacity to provide leadership in challenging times with convincing outcomes. All but one will be coming from a unique

background to present an amicable rallying point for all political elements seeking a clean break from the past in Bauchi State. This will also diffuse political tension associated with electioneering and engender compromise for consolidating party membership and structures towards a more decisive election victory while paving the way for emergence of an all-inclusive government focused on delivering good governance.

Such an enabling configuration for fixing the political quagmire and economic stagnation hampering Bauchi State’s development is what the fortuitous availability and suitability of recently retired Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar signifies, even without delving into the details of his meritorious service in the defense of the nation. He certainly stands out as second to none in the crowd of governorship aspirants in Bauchi State and his non-partisan antecedents aptly qualify him to gain the endorsement of the “professionals” without any of them losing face. It is obvious that none of the aspirants has a leadership pedigree or experience comparable to the office of the Chief of Air Staff, so if the progress and development of Bauchi State is uppermost in their minds, they should rally round his candidature rather than contest it.

Scanning through Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar’s highly rated military career records provides outstanding testimony to his impressive performance in various postings and command appointments in the Nigerian Airforce, culminating at the peak.

Yunus wrote from Bauchi

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AUGUST 21, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Happy married life...

President Buhari and Closed Schools in the North

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has signed a commitment to increase the funding for the education sector by 50 per cent in the next two years and address the problem of over 10,000 closed schools in the north. The new agreement will see Nigeria steadily increasing investment up to 100 per cent by 2025. President Buhari is declaring that the new agreement is aimed at improving learning outcomes through strengthened educational institutions, encouraging better teaching capacity, among other means.

Now that the president is winning the war on terror, there is hope he will soon reopen the more than 10,000 schools closed in the north due to banditry and insurgency. Speaking during a panel session at the global education summit, in London, United Kingdom recently, the president said his administration is committed to raising the budget for education by 50 per cent in the next two years, adding that Nigeria will attain 100 per cent budgetary increase by 2025. He said no Nigerian parent jokes with education, as they are aware that if their children missed the opportunity of being educated, they have missed a lot.

Buhari noted that the population of the country is a challenge for any administration; but despite this, the government and people have realised that education is the starting point for success.

“You can’t succeed outside your educational qualification. Anybody who missed education has missed everything. Nigerians are acutely aware of the priority of education, and parents are making sacrifices to ensure that their children and wards get educated,” Buhari said.

President Buhari has seen that the failure of the security agencies to effectively deal with these attacks on schools is portraying his administration as weak, ineffectual and unable to inspire confidence in its citizens. President Buhari has understood that the persistent government negligence in ensuring the safety of Nigerians is a failure of governance and dereliction of constitutional responsibility. This significantly erodes the legitimacy of the government itself with the failure of protecting its people.

It is of utmost urgency for the president to correct this impression and handle the security of all schools especially in the northeast, northwest and north-central regions of Nigeria. This would ensure coordinated and collaborative efforts to end the menace of abduction of schoolchildren. The number of out-of-school children will continue to rise because parents whose children are back from

bandits’ enclaves will begin to think otherwise and will not want them to go to school. The children will then begin to roam the streets and in the future, these children will be recruited into criminal activities.

Findings revealed that at least 15, 000 schools are affected by the closure of schools. A source at the Ministry of Education said that more than 4,000 public primary schools across Nigeria, and over 4,000 public secondary schools were among the closed schools. No fewer than 10,000 schools have remained closed in six northern states over the fear of attack and abduction of pupils and members of staff. The six states where some schools have remained closed are Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Niger and Yobe. Still, while concerted efforts are underway by Northern leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and International development partners like the World Bank to improve the rate of enrolment in schools across all levels amidst the spate of terrorism in Northeastern states, enrolled students themselves became the target of an expanded scope called ‘bandits’ consisting of kidnappers, armed robbers, Fulani militias, and of course terrorists for monetary gains.

Inwalomhe Donald, Abuja

Classrooms, Not Photo Studio

G

oings-on in the polity have triggered a need for a review of certain actions and inactions which have crept into mainstream lifestyle. The times are sordid. Hitherto weird occurrences now manifest at neck-breaking frequency.

Everyone seems culpable - directly or indirectly.

The upcoming generation seems to suffer the brunt of the actions and inactions of the older generation. Their proper grooming, safety and mentorship have been apparently hampered to a large extent. The damage transcends the boundaries of homes to schools. Schools which were hitherto safe havens for the younger generation have now become breeding grounds for ills and hunting grounds for internal and external paedophiles and even predators, who abduct them.

Our news channels now run regular familiar but sordid tales of how hordes of pupils or students are abducted and taken to God-knows-where, and how the abductors are vowing to figuratively skin and eat them alive if wads of million currencies are not paid for their release. The trend is on the increase.

Cyber bullying and early exposure to x-rated content have also become associated risks of the malady. Many have screamed their lungs hoarse, decrying that adults, through their actions and inactions, are aiding and abetting the issue.

Parents are guilty, guardians too, even teachers in some instances.

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

A statement of fact is the surge in upload of unauthorized social media content by teachers.

Teachers concerned have developed a knack for taking pictures and capturing video clips of their students/pupils, and uploading same on social media platforms. They let social media “friends” into some exciting moments and the not so exciting ones in schools.

I wish to emphasize that I admire the zeal exuded by teachers in their professional field. I also admire their patience, perseverance, commitment, and most importantly, their passion for their profession. But in displaying passion, rules of engagement have often been violated.

No doubt, social media services can be utilized for educational purposes. Such purposes should however not cross the boundaries of privacy, security and right content. Educators have to teach the safe use of social media and use it safely themselves. Although the issue has not yet become an epidemic, there is need for restraint. School management, parents and guardians have a role to play in this. My suggestion is for schools to have media content generation agreement with interested parents and guardians - on this, both parents and students should be properly briefed in advance about the purpose of such content generation and the target audience.

Ofonime Honesty, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

The Taliban and Women’s Rights

T

he Taliban press conference announced that women’s rights would be respected “within the framework of Islamic law”. The concern is that people should all have the same rights irrelevant of what they believe or do in life.

Most religions and their texts do present positive suggestions on how to live your life, but simple obedience may be challenging as shown by some of the lines of Exodus in the Christian Bible. The line that “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” could see many if not most modern children in real trouble. Another rule allows slavery “If a man sells his daughter as a servant...”

There is however one Biblical concept that perhaps everyone should consider, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” but I fear it is not going to be the future for women in Afghanistan.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

08054699539

Boko Haram and the Lessons from Afghanistan

Y

es, it’s good news that hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists are surrendering.

About 500 fighters have so far pulled out of this evil gang. The bulk of the combatants who submitted are from Bama and Gwoza. I’m hoping that in the coming days, more will pull out. The traumatised people of the North-east in particular and Nigerians in general want an end to this madness called Boko Haram. However, the response of the military and the Nigerian government to the terrorists’ capitulation is appalling. They have been pampering the fighters that surrendered, which is absolutely unnecessary. The display of new clothes, assorted food items, groceries and toiletries given to the repentant terrorists and their families is repulsive. Then came this drive to rehabilitate and reintegrate the ex-fighters into the society. This is most frightful and may end up putting this country into a bigger problem in few years’ time if this response is not swiftly amended.

Much as I would not want more Boko Haram terrorists discouraged from surrendering, this reintegration “deal” should be suspended. For now, fighters surrendering should not be on the streets and in our communities. For me, they should be moved into special detention facility for the purpose of deradicalisation. Repentant terrorists should be in this special facility, helping the military with information to dislodge thousands of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters scattered in the North-east. They are capable of supplying information that could help end the war.

Now, here is the real danger with rehabilitation and reintegration: Terrorists hardly change.

They become moles when quickly allowed back into the larger society. Before you know what is happening, they will resume working for their terror organisation. When reintegrated, they can also infiltrate security agencies by getting recruited as seen in the case of Afghanistan.

Here, they become informants and eventually destroy these security agencies. There is really nothing like “repentant” terrorists in the real sense of it. They can never be trusted. In the case of Afghanistan, so many Taliban fighters “repented”, got integrated and found their way into the Afghan army. The Afghan government was even forced by its American ally to release over 5,000 hardened insurgents to lock down a peace deal that never materialised. The released

I am immensely saddened that some men will come out with schoolgirls they abducted years back; girls they raped and forcefully turned into teenage mothers, and then, they are celebrated for surrendering. Government and the military should put “repentant” terrorists aside in special detention camps, and hopefully, they will be useful to the military. They cannot be in our communities and must not be celebrated or spoiled. For now, they should be prisoners of war terrorists simply went back to strengthen the camp of the Taliban. That was why they were able to take over Afghanistan with ease.

Another scary thing about our so called repentant Boko Haram is that they surrendered without coming along with their weapons. They can’t be fighters without weapons. I did not see a single weapon in the footage shared by the military. A senior Boko Haram commander called Amir Adamu also known as Rugu Rugu, surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Gwoza without a single weapon. Rugu Rugu is responsible for the deaths of troops and innocent citizens around Mandara hill and Sambisa forest in Gwoza. Bomb makers - Musa Adamu a.k.a Mala Musa Abuja and his second in command, Usman Adamu a.k.a Abu Darda – surrendered without a single bomb. Then, the Army is talking about reintegration and rehabilitation, while celebrating the “repentant” terrorists. This country can’t afford to embrace and trust these “repentant” terrorists extensively. Their moves may not be informed by genuine repentance.

I understand the feelings of those who care less, if the surrender is genuine or false. They just want to see the terrorists surrender because they are fed up with the war. We are all fed up with war, but these capitulations require great

caution to avoid a bigger crisis in the future.

The response of Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to the ongoing surrender by Boko Haram fighters is thought-provoking. He thinks the development has left the state with two extremely difficult situations. Zulum remarked recently: “We have to critically look between two extreme conditions and decide our future.

We have to choose between an endless war or to cautiously accept the surrendered terrorists, which is really painful and difficult for anyone that has lost loved ones; difficult for all of us and even for the military, whose colleagues have died and for volunteers.

“No one would find it easy to accept killers of his or her parents, children and other loved ones.

In the last 12 years, we have been in this war, and we have lost thousands of fellow citizens.

We don’t know the whereabouts of thousands of others; we don’t know whether they are alive or dead? In these 12 years, millions have been made homeless and many wealthy farmers, transporters and others have been rendered poor. Accepting Boko Haram has the risk of seriously offending the feelings of victims with potential of civil rebellion, just as there was the risk that if Boko Haram fighters willing to surrender were rejected, they could join ISWAP to swell

Petrol Smuggling: The Shame of Hammed Ali

Ali

The Controller-General of Customs, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, who, with his men, are saddled with the responsibility of tackling the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries, is lamenting, instead of taking action to tame the menace. Last Monday, Ali was a big mess at the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance on the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, blaming everybody, except himself and his boys, for Nigerian petroleum products diverted to as far as Mali.

The Customs boss is censuring the Department of Petroleum Resources for approving filling stations along the land borders, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, for

supplying the commodity to the stations against Customs’ advice.

Ali said: “The issue of smuggling of fuel from Nigeria to the neighbouring countries is simply because of price differential. The prices outside our shores and borders are higher, and that is what attracts people to move this product outside. And this product is not only limited to Benin, Niger or Chad, it goes up to Mali.”

Smugglers are not invincible. Ali and his boys know them. They can end smuggling of petroleum products if they wish to do it. This is the truth that must be told. Ali and his boys must be held accountable. Enough of this mess at Nigeria’s boundaries. Enough of the smuggling of Nigeria’s petroleum products abroad.

The Katsina, Zamfara Debacle Terrorists enjoying free rein to pummel the people of Katsina and Zamfara states spent most of this week killing and kidnapping innocent people. They broke into the College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Bakura, Zamfara State, last Sunday and abducted 19 students and one staff. The guerrillas want N350 million as ransom.

Also last Sunday, a mother and her baby were among the 13 persons killed by the terrorists when they invaded Randa village in Dansadau, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Most of the victims were burnt to death

in their houses, while 30 others were abducted.

The federal and state governments have failed to protect citizens. Frustrated residents of these two states no longer know where to run to. That was why youths in Yantumaki, Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, took to the streets last Monday to protest this deplorable state of security. The youths, who shut the Katsina/Funtua Highway, were moved by the latest attack on Amarawa village in Dansadau, where scores of people were killed and houses destroyed.

The message from the protesting youths of Yantumaki is clear: Government at all levels have failed the people. Governor Aminu Masari and Bello Matawalle of Katsina and Zamfara states, respectively, have failed the people.

President Muhammadu Buhari that controls all the security agencies from the centre has been a big disappointment.

Who will save the people of Katsina and Zamfara states? Clearly, not these governments. Masari has already told the people of Katsina State to acquire arms and ammunition for self-defence.

I guess this is the way to go.

the ranks of fighters in the bush and the path of peace becomes narrowed.”

The scenario painted by Zulum is what is called Catch-22, a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations. The term was coined by American author of novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays, Joseph Heller. His bestknown work is the 1961 novel Catch-22, a satire on war and bureaucracy, whose title has become a synonym for an absurd or contradictory choice.

But the issue of absurd or contradictory choice for the people would not come up if the military and the Nigeria government did not start pampering repentant terrorists. This dilemma Zulum talked about was created not just by the Army, but also by the federal and Borno State governments. I am immensely saddened that some men will come out with schoolgirls they abducted years back; girls they raped and forcefully turned into teenage mothers, and then, they are celebrated for surrendering. That was what happened with two of the terrorists that surrendered in Borno State last week. They brought along two Chibok girls they adducted in 2014, now with four kids. This is not good for the psyche of the trumatised people of Borno State in particular and the North-east in general. Government and the military should put “repentant” terrorists aside in special detention camps, and hopefully, they will be useful to the military. They cannot be in our communities and must not be celebrated or spoiled. For now, they should be prisoners of war.

Nigeria’s Stifling Debt Crisis A massive N2.02 trillion! Yes, that’s what the federal government spent on debt servicing within the first six months of this year. It amounted to 35 per cent of the Buhari government’s expenditure during this period under review. The N2.02 trillion debt servicing figure dwarfs the N1.3 trillion spent on capital expenditure during the first six months of 2021. The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, confirmed the figure last Monday in Abuja.

The implication is that the federal government will be spending more on debt servicing in coming years as more loans mature. When Nigeria’s debt portfolio was N32.92 trillion in December, 2020, the federal government’s share was a total of N26.91 trillion, leaving a balance of N6.01 trillion to sub-national governments - mainly, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory. This means 83.78 per cent of the nation’s debt stock, as at December, 2020, belongs to the federal government, with the sub-national governments accounting for 16.22 per cent. This comes with huge repayment commitments for the federal government and our sub-national governments.

It is also pertinent to note that out of the N3.42 trillion which accrued to the federal government last year, N3.34 trillion was spent on debt servicing. This implies that for every N100 earned as revenue in 2020, N97 was spent on debt servicing. More loans had to be taken to fund budget 2020.

What the Buhari government has been doing in the last six years, with its incompetent economists, is reckless borrowing, and it has evidently borrowed beyond its repayment convenience. This is why the federal government is in a mess with debt servicing.

Accumulated debt is hindering Nigeria’s development, especially when a huge part of the revenue generated is used to service debt. For me, going forward, all foreign loans should be prohibited. The federal government should genuinely tackle revenue diversions and corruption in revenue-generating agencies to fund its budgets.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

NEWS NDLEA Declares War against Illicit You Are Already a Failure, Drugs, Seizes Cocaine, Others PDP Mocks Buhari Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday told President Muhammadu Buhari that he was already a failure in governance and would leave a failure, adding that his attempt at political damage control could not help his fizzling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The PDP described the statement by President Buhari that he would not leave office as a failure as “medicine after death”

noting that as long as he was a product of the corrupt, inept, directionless and anti-people APC, he would leave as a failed leader.

The party in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, asserted that President Buhari’s veiled admission of failure, which smacks of a tactic to exonerate the APC, was an exercise in futility as the APC, which now only exists on paper, would soon fizzle out from the political firmament, having shown itself as perverted platform that

could not be entrusted with governance at any level in the country.

According to the PDP, “President Buhari and his APC have failed in their threepronged promises of security, anti-corruption and economic development.

“They have instead wrecked all sectors of our nation’s life with no hope in sight.

“What explanation can the Buhari Presidency and the APC offer for failing to decisively tackle

terrorists, insurgents and bandits, who are daily ravaging our communities, killing and maiming our compatriots in various states across the country, despite the huge resources at their disposal?”

“How do President Buhari and APC leaders sleep at night when they know that due to their incompetence and compromises, hundreds of Nigerians, including school children are languishing in kidnappers’ den at the mercy of their assailants and the elements?”

PDP asked.

Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared war against illicit drugs like Cocaine and Metavitamin which it said had started entering the state making the fight against hard drugs more fierce.

This is as the Chief Whip of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, has expressed the commitment of the House to tackle the issue of drug abuse among the youths in the state through the passage of various motions and resolutions

on the floor of the House, adding that it is also partnering with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight.

The declaration was made by the State Commandant of NDLEA, Segun Oke yesterday while speaking at the launch of war against drug abuse in Bauchi where he called on all stakeholders to rally round the campaign in order to have a free drug abuse society.

The Commandant said that the stakeholders’ meeting was aimed at getting meaningful inputs from them on how to join hands with the agency in securing the society from the activities of drug peddlers.

Buhari Stoking Civil War with Grazing Sites Review, Says HURIWA A human rights and advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned that President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for a review of 368 grazing sites across 25 states in Nigeria was an inevitable invitation to civil war.

The body therefore advised the President to perish the “illegal and toxic idea” unless he nursed an agenda to destabilise Nigeria.

HURIWA in a media statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, said it was unthinkable that President Buhari

EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE… L-R: Manager, Alumni Development, Teach For Nigeria, Ms Olutele Odutola; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Executive Officer, Teach For Nigeria, Ms Folawe Omikunle; and Founder, AGS Tribe, Ms Ifedayo Durosinmi–Etti, at the Alumni induction retreat dinner for the 3rd cohort of the Teach For Nigeria Fellows in Abeokuta... recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

EFCC Seals Kwankwaso’s Property in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sealed a property of former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The sealed property is situated at Kwankwaso residence on Miller Road in Kano metropolis.

Kwankwaso is a two-term governor of Kano, who represented Kano Central Senatorial District at the Senate between 2015 and 2019.

The EFCC operatives sealed the property as result of a follow up on a petition sent to the anti-graft agency by some members of the family of Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo, a former National Security Adviser during the late Abacha regime.

Reliable source informed that the family members of Alhaji Gwarzo had alleged that one Abdullahi Muazu Gwarzo popularly known as Baban Gandu, a former Managing Director of the defunct REMASAB in Kano,

sold the property belonging to the family to Kwankwaso and refused to remit the money to the family.

“The issue regarding the sealing is a personal issue among members of Ismaila Gwarzo’s family and Kwankwaso was only involved because he was a buyer of one of the properties,” the source said.

Sources conÀrmed that several houses had been sealed at Gwarzo Town belonging to the former Managing

Director of REMASAB and other properties at Danbare, Bompai among others.

It was also gathered that nine bank accounts belonging to Mr. Gwarzo had been frozen.

He was a member of PDP before left for APC and began nursing for political positions within the party.

A source at the anti-graft commission conÀrmed that they are investigating allegations contained in a petition sent to them.

Insecurity: Tambuwal Says Army Jos Killings: Niger Evacuates its Needs More Personnel, Equipment Students from University of Jos Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said that more equipment, personnel and joint decisive steps needed to be taken by the security forces to roll back the current deplorable security situation in the country.

Governor Tambuwal made this observation when he received the new General Commanding Officer (GOC) 8th Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto, Major General Uwem Bassey.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Muhammad Bello, Governor Tambuwal urged the Chief of Army Staff to come to the rescue of Sokoto State, which he said needed urgent intervention as bandits’ attacks are becoming alarming in the state.

Assuring the new GOC of his

administration’s sustained and improved collaboration with him and the other security agencies in the state, the governor stated that plans are already underway by the state government, which held a stakeholders meeting on insecurity a day before to tackle the problem.

In his remarks, Gen. Bassey said the support of every citizen of the state was required in order to maintain peace in the state and commended Governor Tambuwal for convening the security summit held with all stakeholders in the state.

He assured that the Nigerian Army is going to do its work effectively and professionally to enable the people of the Eastern zone of the state plagued by bandits’ attacks to go about their normal businesses without let or hindrance.

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Following the recent killing of over 20 travellers in Plateau State and the attendant crisis that followed, the Niger State Government has ordered the immediate evacuation of its students from the University of Jos. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello gave the order yesterday evening in a statement made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje.

According to the statement, the state government action became necessary because the university authority has been compelled to suspend the second semester examination for the 2019/2020 academic session.

The statement reads in part: “The state government said the

action became necessary as the security situation has compelled the University Management to suspend the second semester examinations for the 2019/2020 academic session of the institution.

“Worried about the well-being of her citizens and for them not to be left stranded as well as become victims of circumstances, the state government through the Commissioners for Local Government and Chieftaincy AͿairs as well as Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, made arrangements for vehicles and security personnel to ensure safe evacuation and return of the students.

“The government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the safety of its citizens irrespective of their geopolitical locations.”

was bent on coercing native peoples to surrender their ancestral lands for the purposes of donating such involuntarily by his administration to Fulani herdsmen.

They added that the preferential treatment by the President of his kinsmen since coming to office including his failure to arrest and prosecute suspected armed Fulani herdsmen responsible for some 6,000 deaths since 2015, his decision to give them a lot of concessions in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Water Resources in the execution of projects, were all unconstitutional acts.

NNPC Upbeat as it Regains Ogoni OML 11 from Shell in Court Con’t dfrom Pg. 5 Kyari adds: “Accordingly, resumption of operations on OML 11 will demonstrate the NPDC’s full commitment to develop and add value to its communities and the nation as a whole.

“We now have an opportunity to reconstruct a new beginning on OML 11, driven by global best practices and a social contract that would put the people and environment of the Niger Delta above pecuniary considerations.

“This is a huge victory for the government and people of Nigeria as we now have the impetus to responsibly unlock the oil and gas reserves the block offers for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

The statement further explained that efforts by the NPDC to take over the assets and operations were in full gear, adding that the company “is working closely with all stakeholders and partners to achieve the new vision of responsible, smart engineering and environmental sustainability that the federal government has endorsed for OML 11.”

The NNPC GMD stated that the NPDC “will pursue promotion of clean energy via its gas production with prospects of gas-to-power initiatives to light up opportunities in the region,” and provide the much deserved industrialization.

The statement noted that the environment would be a top priority for NPDC’s operations, as well as implementation of a robust host community engagement strategy to address subsisting issues, while agreeing to a transparent engagement model going forward.

The NNPC cautioned against any further legal challenge by the SPDC, stressing that it was about time Nigeria derived the benefit of the OML11 after over three decades.

“It is time to roll back the decades of despair and destruction with the emphatic Appeal Court ruling.

It is time to unlock opportunities for economic development in the region.

“In the light of their inability to work on the Ogoni region of the block for over 30 years and the new beginning this judgement presents, further legal action by Shell will not only be futile, it would be depriving Nigeria of an opportunity to make meaningful gains from OML 11 when the nation needs all the revenue it can get to move Nigeria forward,” the GMD said.

The NNPC, the NPDC is now set to begin oil production activities at OML 11, after years of dispute over the asset.

Though, a Joint Venture (JV), Shell had not produced a drop of crude oil from Ogoniland for several years and that partners were not earning revenue as a result of the development.

In 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the NNPC, through the NPDC to take over the operatorship of the asset from SPDC. At the time, a letter signed by the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, urged the national oil company to take charge not later than April 30, 2019 “and ensure smooth re-entry given the delicate situation in Ogoniland.”

OML 11 remains one of the most important oil blocks in Nigeria.

Located in a swampy terrain, it has Port Harcourt in the northwest of the block, while the major yard and logistics base at Onne is sited by the Bonny River.

While the NNPC will take over the operatorship of the facility, it was however learnt that it will not affect the joint ownership arrangement of the block by four partners.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

22 Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Yemi Alade

Yemi Alade onTour with ‘Queendon Come’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

I

ts brand spanking new EP from ‘Mama Africa’, Yemi Alade, as she is set to embark on her Empress World Tour in US next month. The tour will begin in Berkeley, California on September 9, 2021 and ends in New

York on October 10, 2021. Some of the places that she would visit include Los Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; North Adams, Washington; Toronto, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Washington, DC; and New York.

On the new project ‘QueendonCome’ are seven tracks, two of which were previously released to

critical acclaim. ‘Enjoyment’, the first single of the new body of work, followed by ‘Ogogoro’, a song which centers on how much she’s “high” on romantic affection. In ‘Ogogoro’ she sings about an intoxicating love comparing it to the West African alcoholic drink extracted locally from palm trees.

Other tracks that make up the ex-

tended play include ‘Sweety’, ‘Ike’, ‘Ella’, ‘Fire’ and ‘Dada’. The project sticks mainly to her typical sound with a slight deviation in tracks where she infused Amapiano, a South African sound, to pass across her message. The Afropop star prior to the album release hosted a listening party for the album. The event had her celebrity friends and colleagues including Falz, Alex Ekubo, Lasisi Elenu, Nancy Isime, and a host of others in attendance.

QueendonCome follows her fifth studio album ‘Empress’, released in 2020. Yemi Alade has consistently released quality projects back to back over the last four years.

The year 2021 is no exception, as she released Queendoncom, a follow-up to her last album, “Empress. ” Her single ‘Pempe’ with Seyi Shay is still pretty much on play lists since it dropped in May this year. The music star hit the limelight after she won the Peak Talent Show in 2009.

Thereafter, she got signed to Effyzzie Music Group, and had a breakout with her single Johnny in 2014. Since then, Yemi has gained prominence in the music industry and considered one of the biggest artistes in Africa. The release of her albums - King of Queens and Mama Africa - with huge commercial success recorded for both projects, made her embark on world tours consecutively. Her debut studio album, King of Queens was released on October 2, 2014.

She promoted the album by touring several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. The album’s deluxe edition was released in November 2014. It contains French versions of songs originally performed in English. Her second studio album, Mama Africa was released on March 25, 2016.

The album, which combines elements of Afropop, highlife, R&B, coupé-décalé, hip-hop and pop, according to Alade, focused on the strength and weaknesses of the African woman.

Yemi attempted to correct the flaws of ‘Mama Africa’ in ‘Mama Afrique’, her 2017 EP, before releasing the 63-minutes long 2017 project ‘Black Magic’, which served as her third studio album. Her 2019 acclaimed “Woman of Steel” album birthed the global ‘Shekere’, featuring multiple Grammy winning Angelique Kidjo.

Aristokrat Group, Boomplay, Empower Music Talents Born out of the need to structure, reposition and repurpose the backbone of the music industry to ensure quality music delivery, creative direction and encourage growth sustainability, Aristokrat Group, famous for developing award-winning and globally recognized artistes and producers like Burna Boy, Leriq, and Kel P, has launched its “Open House Series”. It will be powered by Africa’s #1 music streaming service, Boomplay.

The mentorship programme, set up to empower, mentor and realign Nigerian talents, help them understand how the music business runs and how to earn from it, is for producers and artistes who want to hone their craft and take it to the next level, grow musically and deliver high-quality music.

With this Open House Series programme, which will run through an intense fourmonth period starting on August 9, 2021, Aristokrat Group, in conjunction with Boomplay, opens its doors to various learning opportunities, including extensive music business courses on songwrit-

ing, production, performance, touring, marketing, social media, style and brand identity, all in three compelling stages for participants.

The Àrst stage will kick oͿ with selected participants enrolled on various mentorship sessions, including the Music Business Africa course taught by Godwin Tom. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one chats with industry mentors in sessions that will help the selected participants determine the next steps in their careers and aid their creative growth.

The Ànal phase of the project will see selected participants join top music business professionals and artistes in a 2-week production camp at the Aristokrat Music Studio in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where they will work together to produce a collaborative album with tracks performed, produced and fully mixed and mastered by them in a project album that will be distributed and promoted worldwide by Boomplay.

Finalists stand to beneÀt from a photo-

shoot for promotional purposes, music distribution and promotion through top streaming app and major sponsors: Boomplay and Career consultation services.

Speaking on the project, Tosin Sorinola, Boomplay’s Director of Artiste & Media relations, said, “This partnership aligns with Boomplay’s commitment to helping the music industry unlock its full potential; by discovering, nurturing, promoting and supporting the growth and development of budding African artistes.” She continued by commending the Aristokrat team and reiterating Boomplay’s unwavering support for the advancement of African music, with the Open House Album positioned to be the Àrst of numerous music projects scheduled to be produced from the Open House Series.

Piriye Isokrari, CEO of Aristokrat Group added:“Last year I and the Aristokrat team decided to open our doors and lend a helping hand to a few upcoming artists, producers and music business professionals. It was truly an enlightening experience and we knew we had to Ànd a way to do more.”

Piriye

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Paul and Anita Okoye Crumble While the blogosphere is agog with the news that Anita Okoye, wife of popular Nigerian pop-star and one of defunct Psquare, Paul Okoye, is seeking dissolution of her seven year old marriage, it defies imagination going by their love story. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

C

ome on! This shouldn’t be, not for any reason whatsoever because the reality of this is quite disheartening.

Though not surprising considering Nigeria’s entertainment industry has witnessed and registered most pathetic of divorce cases overtime, the news that Anita Okoye, wife of popular Nigerian pop-star Paul Okoye has Àled for divorce deÀes imagination going by the fairytale of these lovebirds who have nestled each other for 17 years as friends and as husband and wife. Anita, who runs TannkCo for Kids, a retail outlet for children clothing and accessories, is seeking the dissolution of her 7-year marriage to Paul (Rudeboy) at a High Court in Abuja, according to a court document.

In the court document which made the rounds on social media platforms after it was purported to have been leaked online, Anita requested the dissolution of their marriage, citing irreconcilable diͿerences. She also advised her now estranged husband in the petition for the divorce to challenge the application if he feels disgruntled.

Sooner than the court papers surfaced online, Anita had posted on her Instagram, alongside a picture, saying: “Sometimes you have to get knocked down lower than you have been, to stand up taller than you ever were!

Cheers to friends that make sure every day is #pictureperfect.”

Paul, popularly known as Rude Boy and one-half of defunct music group – Psquare - got married to Anita in 2014 after dating for 10 years. Both who were campus sweethearts back in their days at University of Abuja got married in 2014 in a very Áamboyant wedding ceremony held in Port Harcourt. They welcomed their Àrst son, Andre, the previous year. In 2017, they welcomed a set of twins, Nadia and Nathan.

The news of their pending divorce is even more shocking in that the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary in March 22, 2021.

Maybe their wedding anniversary celebration was mere formality as recent happening between both has shown otherwise. Words from Paul and Anita weren’t as sweet and inspiring as expected but drab as the couple celebrated their seven years of being married. “Happy 7th anniversary to us”, Paul wrote, with some throwback photos from their traditional wedding ceremony in 2014. Anita also then took to her Instagram page with photos from their wedding day as well which she captioned “Seven years of marriage to this big head.”

Reports revealed that Anita Àrst sparked divorce rumours in April when it was reported that she relocated with their three children to the United States of America. Anita sparked rumour of the breakup again, after she recently deleted her husband’s photos from her Instagram account, @Anitaokoye. Paul who is currently promoting his Àrst new album as a solo artiste is yet to respond to the notice of divorce.

According to a source as at the time of Àling this report, however, there’s ample evidence that Rudeboy’s lawyer has yet to get a brief in that respect.

Barrister Somadina Eugene Okorie of Senocean Law Practice, counsel to Paul ‘Rudeboy’ Okoye, said: “I don’t think this subject worth breaking a sweat on, since as I talk with you, I’m yet to receive a brief touching the news

Paul, Anita and kids

already in circulation. If the story is real, I would have been briefed by now and this is devoid of sentiments.”

This reporter had in a one on one interview with Paul in July 2019 inquired about his family life. He also inquired about how he’s been able to manage and balance both his music and family. And what he enjoys most as a family man. He responded thus: “Okay, basically I’m good. You know I’m a family man. I have three kids; twins – a boy and a girl, and my Àrst son a boy. Their names are Andre, and Nadia and Nathan and my lovely wife, Anita. Being a family man and being an entertainer is very tasking. It’s very difÀcult to manage music and marriage.

“Thank God for technology, you can call and video and do stuͿ but it’s still not enough. Well, I try my best to balance it. But at the same time, I think it depends on who you are married to. Because at the end of the day, you Ànd out that if you go like this you are hurting the fans, and if you go like this, you are hurting the family. If the

person you are married to does not understand, trust me, there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to understand it that this is who I am before I met you and I’m still with you.

“You try as much as possible not to over travel, you try as much as possible to make out time for them. Even part of your trips, you create and make it like a holiday. I think this thing of travelling and when you come back the way they rush you, they embrace you. Most times, I travel and I come back like Sunday morning. While I have not slept, I still tell everybody ‘take a shower let’s go out’. And I do that every time I travel. Sometimes, I might call from the airport and say ‘please start getting them ready, I’m coming.’ And they will like ‘no need let’s do it next week if you are free’. I will say ‘next week I’m travelling let me just do it now’”.

For Anita in an interview in August same 2019, she said, “It’s great!” when asked how it feels being married to one of Nigeria’s foremost music star, adding “We live a very normal life

and enjoy the company of our family.”

She would however assume that she doesn’t think there are any peculiar challenges as a wife to a superstar and as entrepreneur. “I don’t think there is any peculiar challenges per say. We are very humble people (my family), I am also very industrious. I want to build a brand for myself and I want to leave a legacy for my children also.

“I believe I face the same challenges that every single wife with children faces – pursuing that career and ensuring home is good too. I make time to cook, do assignments with the children, read to them before they sleep, attend functions with my husband, listen and be a part of his projects, attend school functions, connect with other moms and run a couple of businesses as well. It is not an easy task to Ànd the time to do everything you love. But I have learned how to prioritise, and I have learned how to balance my work life and home life. It also makes it easier that I have a family that supports me.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

POLITY

The War against Drugs: NDLEA Reborn?

Achike Chude

H

e was picked as the military administrator of perhaps, the most important, most politically volatile and tempestous state in the country. To say that the political environment in Nigeria in 1993 was toxic would be a great understatement.

In fact, the culmination of eight years of political gimmickry and ‘maradonic’ maneuvering of the seemingly endless transition program by the Babangida administration had ended up putting the country in a cul-desac: The Nigerian ship of state had been run aground, and the subsequent crisis that was generated by the annulment of the then adjudged freest and fairest election in the history of the country by General Ibrahim Babangida was generating fierce ripples both home and abroad.

The response from within the country was the formation of home grown resistance movements of civil society who drew the battle line against the military dictatorship. The campaign for democracy, led by great Nigerian patriots led the way, while NADECO, made up of politicians and some elites followed suit. The foreign component of the opposition was being marshalled by foreign governments led by the United States, Britain, France, etc., who all agreed that Nigeria be designated a pariah state for anti-democratic activities and state repression of her citizens. The government of Sani Abacha that had inherited the political turmoil of the June 12, 1993 annulment and was responsible for the overthrow of the three-month-old Shonekan government contraption naturally found itself in a cauldron of political intrigues and instability.

At the heart of the national political crisis was the city of Lagos, home to the greatest concentration of urban city dwellers in the continent of Africa.

Not only was the city of Lagos, reeling from the fallout of the political quagmire brought about by the Babangida administration, Lagos had a very serious issue with crime, especially of the violent type. Carjacking, bank robberies, and home invasions by armed robbers were a common occurrence.

Other associated problems were in the areas of transportation, healthcare infrastructure and housing, etc. In the search for a military administrator for Lagos, Abacha obviously understood that he needed the right kind of a point man in the state

to give his administration some needed respite through good governance, and to probably attenuate the negative impact of his dictatorship.

Enter Brigadier Buba Marwa, who was appointed administrator of Lagos state in 1996 - 1999. His deeds and works as military administrator of Lagos state at a most iconic period in Nigeria’s socioeconomic development are now a matter of history. But suffice to say that the flurry of activities by his civilian successors to efface, wipe out or reduce the impact of his accomplishments in the state is a testimony and acknowledgment of the tremendous achievements and successes of his three-year stint as governor of Lagos state.

That he touched in fundamental ways, the lives of the citizens is not a matter for debate. Perhaps, one of his biggest achievements which was accomplished in record time was in the area of security. Carjacking and armed robbery which had grown exponentially in the state was brought down to the barest minimum. As a result, nightlife activities, a major mainstay of Lagos life, gradually returned and people found renewed comfort sleeping with their eyes closed at night. Healthcare infrastructure in the state began to take a turn for the better as new vigor was brought to bear in the sector.

In housing, the Abiola Garden at Alausa is testimony to the very modest impact he made in the area of housing. Perhaps, it is evidence of the impact he made in that area that Lagosians have stubbornly stuck to calling the housing estate ‘Marwa Gardens’ rather than the name change by politicians that were too eager not to give a man the credit that was due him. In transportation, the ever ubiquitous ‘Keke Marwa’ in the state is also a testament to the indelible marks he made in Lagos state.

But he had his detractors in the workers of the Lagos civil service led by the great, late Ayodele Akele who battled the government severally for improved workers welfare.

But perhaps of monumental importance in explaining the Marwa Lagos ‘phenomenon’ was the fact that though he was beholding to a military head of state who was being confronted by a critical segment of the civilian populace, the military administrator of Lagos state somehow had a way of staying above the fray. While his principal was receiving the opprobrium of Nigerians, especially the elites, the reaction to

Buba Marwa

the Buba Marwa personality was different and accepting.

When he was appointed Chairman of the NDLEA a few months ago by the present administration, the question over the appointment was not about his ability or motivation to perform, but whether the twenty-two years hiatus away from high stakes public office would have mellowed him in zeal and slowed him down in action. In a way, the outcome of the activities by the NDLEA in the last few weeks would seem to have answered the questions: The results of the first five months of this year gives cause for great optimism and is suggestive of a greatly renewed vigor in the battle against illicit drugs: over 5, 000 arrests have been made, over 3,000 people charged to court with more than 500 convictions. In the same period, 2,772 individuals were counselled and treated for drug-related problems. $IVEF B XSJUFS OFXTQBQFS DPOUSJCVUPS BOE QVCMJD BGGBJST DPNNFOUBUPS MJWFT JO -BHPT 3FBE GVMM BSUJDMF POMJOF XXX UIJTEBZMJWF DPN

Energy Systems Evolution, a Disruption of the Status Quo Chidi Elendu

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enewable energy is derived from the earth’s natural resources, which are not finite or exhaustible, but can be replenished at a reasonable rate as it is being consumed, either naturally or by other recurring processes. It can also be referred to as any energy that can be derived from biological materials or materials of plant and animal origin and can be easily replaced or replenished as they are being used up. For example, Biomass, Bio gasolines/ Biodiesel and Biogas. It can also be referred to as clean energy. However, some renewable energy such as Biogas can be derived from biodegradable wastes, (generated as a result of human activities), which are subjected to some chemical process (Anaerobic Digestion).

It is important to state that most renewable energy derived from natural resources such as solar, wind, hydrodynamic, Geothermal, etc are mostly derived as electric energy/electricity. This is because most of the natural forms in which these energy sources exist are either as heat or kinetic energy, which cannot be easily stored to be used later. They are therefore converted into electric energy which can be easily stored and can be easily converted other form of energy. Other renewable energy sources like Biomass, Bio-gasolines and Biogas are usually derived in the form of chemical energy which can be easily converted to other forms of energy.

Fossil fuels on the other hand are fuels mainly composed of hydrocarbons, which are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals, which have been buried and laid up in the earth’s crust for over millions of years, and have lost a great amount of moisture due to heat and pressure. Such fossil fuels include coal, crude oil and natural gas. Fossil fuels are NonRenewable energy sources. This is due to the fact that they cannot be replenished at a similar rate at which they are being consumed. Recall that fossil fuels were formed at the earth’s crust over millions of years of accumulation of dead plants and animals, followed by exposure to heat and pressure and consequent dehydration. This is a very sluggish process when it takes place naturally. Fossil fuels are said to be non- renewable because the process that leads to their formation is very slow and takes millions of years, hence a significant amount cannot be formed within a finite amount of time in a human time scale.

There are various kinds of renewable energy with their several advantages, challenges, availability/abundance and ease of exploitation. Various Renewable Energy sources are described below: Solar Energy: This is the energy derived from the sun. This

energy exists and can be exploited in the form of heat energy from the sun and the Photons (electric charge or energy) being released by the Ultraviolet light emitted from the sun. Various photovoltaic cells popularly known as solar cells or solar panels have been developed to trap and convert the energy in the ultra violet light of the sun directly into electricity. This electricity is normally in the form of direct current and is usually stored in batteries and used anytime it is needed. Scientists have also developed solar thermal power plants which have made it possible to absorb and convert the heat from the sun into electricity. Here some heat exchange mechanism is used to trap and concentrate (increase) the heat from the sun, while the heat is used to boil water, producing steam in the process.

The steam so produced is used to turn a steam turbine which drives alternators, thereby producing electricity. The electricity produced by this method is the alternating current. Solar energy can also be used in house heating/ warming, home water heating, kitchen cooking as solar stove, etc.

The sun is always available as the sun will keep shinning. It is also very abundant especially in most tropical climate like that of Nigeria and most African countries. Therefore, utilising the free energy from the sun will be beneficial as it is clean and its exploitation does not lead to serious pollution problems.

However, certain challenges associated with the exploitation of solar energy ought to be considered as well.

They include the ease of exploitation, costs of solar panels, inverters, batteries and cost of building solar thermal power plants. Also, the sun does not shine at night. However, batteries are used to store excess energy during the day and used in the night when there is no sun, though with the use of inverters. Also, scientists are continually conducting research to develop solar panels and other accessories that will be more affordable.

Wind Energy: It is the energy derived from the wind. It is trapped mostly in the form of kinetic energy. Here, a wind turbine is developed to trap and convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity, using the aerodynamic force from the rotor blades of the turbine. The wind turbine is designed in such a way that the wind hit the blades of the turbine at a certain angle to enable them rotate freely. The turbine has an alternator adapted into it and this alternator rotates as the blades of the turbine rotates, thereby producing electricity.

To generate a large scale electricity, wind turbines of high capacities are installed in large numbers in a given place called wind power plants. There are various ways through which wind energy can be exploited using the wind turbines.

They include the Inland, Coastal and Offshore wind turbines.

Inland wind turbine system are the wind turbines installed on land away from the ocean or coastal regions. Coastal wind

turbine is the wind turbine designed and installed within the coasts or shores of oceans due to the abundance of wind at the ocean coast. Offshore wind turbines are the ones designed and installed in the oceans in order to exploit huge abundance of wind energy within the ocean region.

Hydrodynamic Energy: This is the energy derived from water resources like rivers. The kinetic energy of flowing water is trapped and converted into electricity, through the means of turbines. Here, a Dam is constructed across a water or river course, in such a way as to increase the speed of water flow. Turbines are installed in the Dam with water flowing at a higher speed. The turbines are turned by the pressure of the water flowing through the dam. The rotating turbines are linked or connected to alternators which rotates as the turbine rotates, thereby producing electricity.

Geothermal Energy: It is the form of energy that is derived from the heat from the earth’s crust or subsurface of the earth.

This energy is usually trapped and converted into electricity through the use of water or steam. The heat in the earth’s crust is contained or generated in the rocks or fluids beneath the earth’s crust and from current radioactive decay of materials in the earth’s crust. Geothermal energy can be captured and harnessed for cooking, bathing, space heating, electricity, etc.

Two or more holes are drilled into the earth’s crust. Water is pumped into the earth’s crust through one hole and the resultant steam is collected from the second hole. The steam which reaches the earth’s surface at a very high temperature and pressure is further converted into electricity using a steam turbine. Geothermal heating is currently being used in about 70 countries, while Geothermal Electricity is being used in about 26 countries of the world.

Biomass Energy: This is the form of Renewable energy derived from organic materials in order to generate electricity or heat. Examples of such organic materials include: wood, energy crops, waste from forests, farms, municipal solid waste, households, animal wastes, etc. Biomass contains stored chemical energy which can be easily converted to heat or electricity.

Biomass can be used directly as a fuel hence; it can be referred to as Biofuel. Biomass seem to be the oldest form of energy being utilised in our society, as people have been making use of fire wood to make heat for cooking and other reasons including house warming, before the advent of technology and the exploitation and use of fossil fuels. t &MFOEV JT B -BHPT CBTFE &OHJOFFS 3FBE GVMM BSUJDMF POMJOF XXX UIJTEBZMJWF DPN

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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POLITY

Banking in Today’s Digital Age: The User is King Tolulope Ibukunoluwa

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t is a new age for banking in Nigeria, given the disruptive changes to the banking landscape.

Ours is an era of data-driven insights, with the value for banks now lying in the quality of their data. To stay afloat in today’s digital landscape, banks now need to integrate their products/features with customers’ unique life moments to engage with them in a more meaningful way. It has become critical for banks to invest in reusable, technical assets and continue to bring new propositions to market.

In the years before 2017, banking services in Nigeria were predetermined – based on capital adequacy, branch network, products, and rates – no one could have ever imagined the time would come when carrying out a bank transaction could happen on one’s mobile device.In 2017, Wema Bank Plc, driven to redefine banking for us all, chose a life of speed, access, partnership, and trust for its consumers by launching Nigeria’s first fully digital bank - ALAT by Wema. One thing became immediately clear: banking at the speed of thought and desire had never been impossible; we just believed it wasn’t.

So, Wema Bank Plc took matters into its own hands and led the “Bank of the future” movement in Nigeria by creating Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, ALAT . It broke barriers and gave a foretaste of what’s possible.After this bold and innovative move by Wema Bank, we have witnessed the launch of digital banks every single year since then.

A month ago, Polaris Bank announced the launch of its digital banking platform, VULTe. In March 2020, V Bank, a product of VFD Microfinance Bank was launched. In June 2020, former Diamond Bank chief executive officer (CEO) and tech entrepreneur, Uzoma Dozie launched digital banking startup Sparkle. Sterling Bank Plc. also launched a new but simple banking application

Ademola Adebise

its customers can use for all banking and payment transactions.In 2019, QuCoon—a fintech and consulting firm—launched Rubies Digital Bank.

Eyowo, which had been a mobile money service for two years, was also re-launched as a digital bank.In 2018, online savings and lending platform—Kudimoney—mutated into Kuda Bank.

Many tech experts have argued that Kuda bank is the first truly digital bank in Nigeria, because, at its launch, Kuda bank had no affiliations to a traditional bank, unlike ALAT which was affiliated with Wema.ALAT’s launch was an earth-shattering shift in the Nigerian banking industry.

This disruption in banking and digital services gained momentum with a straightforward hypothesis: Banking is no longer somewhere you go but something you do. And the customer who used to be king will become a highly impatient, skeptical, and cynical dictator.

Since its inception, ALAT by Wema has shown that the future of banking will hinge on the degree to which banks leverage the unique opportunities they have, how well they use the wealth of information at their disposal, the extent to which they capitalize on the insights they hold, the innovation that they can birth, and the extent to which their strategy, processes and activities revolve around consumer ’s everyday life.User-centricity has played a critical role in ALAT by Wema’s success. An obsession with the user, completely immersing itself in the user ’s problems and thinking about the user from start to finish has been integral to their processes.

In a nutshell, everything users go through when trying to use the ALAT app is about them.

And this is big news, especially when user habits and preferences are rapidly adjusting to a world where speed, efficiency and multiplicity are the new normal. Users now want a bank that provides the solutions to their problems and answers to their questions instantaneously on their mobile devices. They want financial information and the ability to transact at the push of a button.

This is what ALAT by Wema has represented in the past 4 years. A bank that doesn’t just take money from users but partners with them to grow their money, like it’s doing with the ongoing ‘earn on the go’ scheme – an opportunity for customers to earn money to referring the ALAT app to others.

A bank that users can access at the speed of choice.

A bank that empowers users to bank on their terms.

A bank that understands users, their uniqueness, preferences, prejudices, and individual expressions.

ALAT is just getting started and will keep pushing harder and faster into the futu

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Regional Sales Manager, Access Bank Plc. Nasiru Bello; Winner, Accessprenuer Challenge, L-R: Rotarian Samson Olayiwola; Rotarian Kakandar Adebisi- Enemoh; Past Assistant Governor, Opeyemi Etiwe; Regional Director Northwest, Access Bank Plc. Aminu Inuwa; and Staff, Access Nosa Edo-Osagie; and Rotarian Angela Obaitua, during the installation ceremony of Ibhafidon Bank Plc, Ijeoma Ora during the Accessprenuer challenge presentation held in Kano… recently Odiahi as President of the Rotary Club of Benin held at vichigate hotel, Benin City recently.

Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Monsurat Adeleke (left) L-R: Chairman, Betking, Toyin Pinheiro; brand ambassador, Betking, Jay Jay Okocha; and man- and Officer-In-Charge, Gender/Reproductive Health Analyst, United Nations Population Fund aging director, Kingmakers, Gossy Ukanwoke; at the unveiling cocktail event of BetKing’s new (UNFPA), Dr. Esther Shomefun during a Courtesy Visit and Presentation of Male and Female Condoms donated by UNFPA to the Agency in Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT brand identity in Lagos… recently.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

POLITY

Abiodun: Building Trust through Road Constructions Femi Ogbonnikan

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he just concluded Ogun State council poll which produced 20 local government chairmen and 236 councilors could best be described as a grand norm that has put democracy to test. The election of all the candidates of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), into the 20 local government offices wasn’t the basis for excitement, but the generally acceptable campaign train of the Governor Dapo Abiodun, into all the council areas during the two-week electioneering campaign. This lent credence to the fact that, with the attendant jubilation and excitement that greeted the inspection of the various completed and ongoing projects, the dividends of democracy had actually been taken to the doorsteps of the people of the state.

Like Oliver Twist, it was another rare occasion that afforded Mr. Governor the opportunity to meet with the people, listen to their complaints and requests and his subsequent interventions, with more laudable projects to ameliorate their living conditions in their respective communities.

Fast forward, in the last two years, it is a living testimony, quite glaring that, an era of half-truths, lies and deceit had given way for a more dedicated and committed administration that sees the entire state as a family unit for even development, with respect to the interest to the principles of equity, justice and fair play.

Reminiscent of his inaugural speech on May 29, 2019, an emphasis on the priority to immediately look into how to upgrade, rehabilitate, repair and restructure both township and rural roads that are of economic benefits underscores the importance the current administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun attaches to infrastructure. In comparison, the administration is not sectional in its approach to qualitative and balanced governance and with the current reality on ground; it has demonstrated fairness in equitable distribution of resources, across the three senatorial districts (Ogun West, Ogun Central and Ogun East) that make up the state.

Only a blind person would feign ignorance of the giant strides the administration had made in various developmental projects that have impacted positively on the lives of the people. As a promise -keeping administration that has lived up to its billings, the last seven months (January 2021 to June) under review, the execution of 54 road projects across the state, with Ogun Central taking the lion share of 29, Ogun West 10 and Ogun East 15, shows the commitment of the government to ensure that no section or part of the state will be developed at the expense of others.

It is only the cynics and pessimists who see nothing good in the various lofty programmes and projects the current administration is initiating and executing would be economical with the truth. Without mincing words, Abiodun has built

trust through good road networks across the state to enhance socio-economic growth and development.

However, from the outcome of the “Report of the Contract Review Committee” chaired by Mr. Adekunle Mokuolu and submitted to Prince Abiodun, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, it showed that the current administration would need more than N218 billion to complete all the abandoned projects spread across the three senatorial districts, resulting from the various contracts the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel (between 2009 and 2011) and his successor in office, Senator Ibikunle Amosun awarded between 2011 and 2019.

As a clear departure from the old practice of deceit, pretense and lies that characterised the polity, the government is not missing in action in making good its electoral promises in the various completed projects which include Raypower, Navy-Osi-Ikola roads (Ado-Odo/Ota LGA), Fajol-AjegunleAmerica Junction-Alogi road and American Junction-Unity Estate road, which cut across Abeokuta South and Odeda Local Government Areas, and as well, Ejirin-MobalufonOluwalogbon road (Ijebu-Ode LGA) and Ilaro-Owode road (Yewa South LGA).

Not left out, Joju road (Ado-Odo/Ota LGA), Lantoro-EliteIdi-Aba road (Abeokuta South LGA), beautification of NNPC Mega Station road (Abeokuta South LGA), Somorin-Kemta-Idi Aba Road (Odeda LGA), Imasayi-Igan Okoto-Ayetoro Road (Yewa North LGA), sectional rehabilitation of Papalanto-Ilaro road (Ewekoro LGA), the asphalting of Lafenwa-Rounder road (Abeokuta North LGA), palliative works along Sango junctionOjuore road (Ado-Odo/Ota LGA) and the construction of City Gate monument at Sagamu Interchange (Obafemi-Owode LGA), construction of Journalists’ Estate, Arepo (Obafemi Owode LGA), the construction of an internal road linking Ifo General Hospital and renovation of Ifo Fire Station, rehabilitation of both Olowomore-Sanni and Olowomore-Brewery roads (both in Abeokuta North LGA), among others.

From findings, it needs to be pointed out that, more money is being spent in the Ogun Central district than the two others, Ogun West and Ogun East. The demand for speed brakers and light-up project of all the nooks and crannies, stretching from the Gateway City Gate/Sagamu Interchange to Abeokuta, also reinforced the confidence reposed in the administration to give a befitting status on the state capital.

Despite the huge amount of money the immediate past administration claimed it expended on all the much-touted “legacy projects”, between 2011 and 2019, the Ogun Central took 80 per cent share, yet it couldn’t account for, and complete them before it exited office on May 29, 2019. It was a good tiding that it took the courage, listening ears and kindness of Abiodun to take up the responsibility of the completion of the abandoned link road between NNPC flyover and Kuto flyover when the contractors vacated the site. The same gesture was replicated in the completion of resurfacing

and expansion of the link road that connects Alaba Lawson School/CBN/MTD, Ibara.

For a reminder, Lafenwa-Olorunda-Aiyetoro road that was awarded to contractors for reconstruction in 2012 was abandoned; ditto Mowe-Ofada-Ibafo road covered about four kilometres was subsequently abandoned in 2018 for no just cause. To enhance traffic flow, Mr. Governor directed stoppage of work on the inherited concept the administration of Amosun initiated on account that it didn’t conform with the reality on ground and subsequently approved the erection of a flyover at Lafenwa across the railway line to ease flow. The government also undertook the relocation of powerline at Odeda in order to pave way for the railway line that passed through the state to connect Ibadan.

Other abandoned road projects, including Mowe-OfadaIbafo (Obafemi-Owode LGA), Adatan-Saje (Abeokuta South LGA), it was gathered that the Governor had given an express approval for their reconstruction and rehabilitation, pending the availability of funds to execute them. Local Governments that were expected to enjoy financial autonomy were all castrated. The deductions made from the Joint Account and were expected to be expended to touch projects in these various local councils were converted solely for the development of the state capital, Abeokuta. To this end, its aftermath brought an untold hardship on the finances of these local governments who had to depend solely on what they were handed.

Above all, the mindset of every Nigerian politician is rooted in the use of the electorates whenever they are needed and soon afterwards, dump them, having realised their dreams.

And this is a betrayal of the trust reposed in them as a result of their failed leadership by example.

This unsavoury development cuts across all political parties, irrespective of their ideologies or leanings.

Thus, the situation remained ‘ab initio’ when the immediate past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun boasted and promised sometime in March 2019 that, it would not abandon ongoing projects in the state and that, he would work till the last day in office to ensure the completion of the projects. The helmsman got applauded.

Like some of his (Amosun) ilks, little did the good people of Ogun State realise that the promise would subsequently turn out to be a mirage.

Thereafter, the roads not only remained uncompleted when he left office on May 29, 2019, but were totally abandoned by the contractors who had not been adequately mobilised for the jobs, contrary to what the people had been made to believe. t 0HCPOOJLBO XSPUF GSPN "CFPLVUB 0HVO TUBUF DBQJUBM 3FBE GVMM BSUJDMF POMJOF XXX UIJTEBZMJWF DPN

Exit of Queen Ruth Oyeyode Hammed Shittu pays tribute to Queen Ruth Adebola Anike Oyeyode, the First Wife of Ogiyan of Ejigboland, who died recently

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or all mortals, death is an inevitable end. The journey of life can be aptly likened to a commercial vehicle conveying passengers to a destination and each person dropping off at his and her own bus stop. The Royal Majesty, Ogiyan of Ejigboland, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, one of the Chairmen of Osun State Council of Obas and Chiefs, on July 27, 2021, lost his first wife Queen Ruth Adebola Anike to the cruel hands of death.

The Queen of Ogiyan Kingdom has gone to be with her maker after a short illness, leaving a vacuum for his Royal majesty, children, friends and well-wishers, particularly the people of Ejigbo. It shows that this life is indeed vanity upon vanity.

The passage of the late Queen Ruth Oyeyode after a brief illness, in one of the hospitals in Lagos, also shows that every mortal will taste death and therefore nobody has a right to query the decision of God because He giveth and taketh at His own time.

Late Queen Oyeyode, fondly called “Mummy” in the Palace circle lived like a burning candle that the wind of life abruptly put out without a chance to say goodbye to any of us.

The Queen has truly gone now and the reality is that all the seas of tears would never bring her back to life but her sweet memories will forever live in our hearts because mummy lived a fulfilled life that is worthy of emulation.

The litmus test for any great leader is not how long but how effective and productive his/her life was and how beneficial to the people they led and what mattered to them the most. If we judge the late Queen Oyeyode by those indices of leadership, I will submit that our mother has done pretty well and could have done more.

Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and the Lion of Judah, lived for 33 years but he accomplished his life’s mission in three years as confirmed by the Bible. John Fitzgerald Kennedy

was President and leader of the United States of America, the free world, for less than three years, but he made an impact and left a legacy that many of his predecessors and successors could only dream of in four to eight years.

Murtala Mohammed was Head of State of Nigeria for only 200 days and in that short time, he did what Yakubu Gowon or Ibrahim Babangida and even Olusegun Obasanjo could not do with their longevity in the same office.

It is no doubt that our mother, the Late Queen Ruth Adebola Anike Oyeyode lived a memorable life worth of emulation that no one can controvert in view of the volumes of tributes written about her death. She was a sweet mother that everyone would love to remember because she was excellent in her caring and also very accommodating during her lifetime. No wonder various sympathisers from all walks of life trooped enmasse to the palace of Ogiyan of Ejigboland to pay tribute to the deceased.

Among those that paid tributes were traditional rulers, chiefs, women groups, youth groups, market women, students and a host of others in the town.

Queen Ruth Adebola Anike hails from the family of the Pa Matthew Babalola Alawo Akinyanran of Owu, descent in Ejemus compound, Ejigbo and that of Madam Esther Eesuola Adedoja of Arogbos compound in Ejigbo.

She was born in Denu, Ghana, in the late 30s. Our Jewel traveled back to Nigeria in the early ‘60s to live with her uncle, Pa Nathaniel Oluwusi, who was then a staff of the Nigeria Railway Cooperation in Jebba.

Consequent upon the need to learn a trade, the young Ruth was sent back to Ejigbo to learn the art of sewing under the apprenticeship of Mrs. Deborah Ilupeju and under the supervision of her grandmother Madam Bilewuomo Elizabeth Babalola Alawo.

Mama’s attention was drawn to the then Prince Omowonuola Oyeyode because he looked much like her brother, Pa Joseph Babalola Alawo.

Oyeyode

The love birds got married on the 3rd of March, 1963, on the same day she graduated from her vocation training.

Being an industrious woman, while practicing her vocational activities which she enjoyed doing, she engaged in making small chops (puf-puf) in order to support her family finances.

Mama Olori was a successful trader in Kolanut, Palm-Oil and lots more. She was also a member of the Tailoring Association, Ejigbo Branch. Mama learned to read and write (especially her name as signature).

Outside formal school, most especially, she was able to be able to read her Yoruba Bible. Apart from Yoruba her mother tongue, she speaks Ashante, and a few other languages from Ghana where she grew up. She picked and pronounced few syllables of English from her children and often tries communicating with this tongue whenever she was with her grandchildren.

Mama was a devoted Christian, a Custodian of African Cultural Heritage. She was given an Award of Honour as a devoted wife in 1996 by the National Council of Women’s Society (NCWS). The English Peoples Club also honored her with the Award of Excellence and Distinguished Service in 2002. And above all, she was so blessed with male and female children. She died at the age of 83.

As the remains of our mother is being committed to mother-earth today, our prayer is that God will give the deceased eternal rest and give the Royal Majesty, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin and the entire family the fortitude to bear the loss.

GLOBAL SOCCER

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

21. 08.2021

NEWS

ITS LONDON DERBY

Tosin Adarabioyo Will He March in with the Saints?

PAGE. 29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

No way...Tosin Adarabioyo seems to be telling Chelsea striker, Timo Werner

Tosin Adarabioyo Will He March in with the Saints?

With 193 clearances - the most by any defender and having recorded the fastest sprint time by any centre-back in the Premier League last season, one would have expected Tosin Adarabioyo to be starring for a club playing in the top flight but he went on relegation with Fulham.The former Manchester City defender may soon find his way back to elite club fast with the Saint now prowling.

After shipping in three goals in their Premier League opener, Southampton have identified the AngloNigerian as the answer to their frail defence

S

ince losing defender Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester City in a £15 million move last week, Southampton have been looking at potential replacements for the Dane.

It put Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl in a situation where he had to field an untested centre-back pair of Mohammed Salisu and Jack Stephens in their Premier League opener against Everton.

After conceeding three goals in their 3-1 loss to Everton in the Premier League opener, the Saints can no longer wait to sign a new central defender.

Following the result, Southampton are hoping to land Adarabioyo to solve their defensive issues.

Hasenhuttl has made his desire for a new addition clear on several occasions and his thinking is aligned with the club’s hierarchy in that sense.

It has become abundantly clear as fans already know, that both Hasenhuttl and Southampton have a certain profile of player they are trying to attract - young, hungry, yet to sign a big contract and someone they can sell for a profit in the future.

Their search for Vestergaard’s replacement may have hit a brick wall but a

source who operates in football recruitment believes that the transfer window could very well come to life now for many clubs.

The 23-year-old came through City Academy but couldn’t break into the Manchester City fold, which meant that he had to go on different loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and West Brom.

The defender then decided to end his association with the Citizens permanently to sign for Fulham last season.

Adarabioyo said after joining Fulham last season: “I’m very excited, very excited to get going and finally be playing Premier League football.

“I felt like the time was right to leave Manchester City and push on. It was the right time in my career to move on and hopefully get a lot of Premier League games.”

He has a release clause of 10 million pounds inserted into his contract.

Aside, Southampton, Adarabioyo has attracted interest from two Premier League sides that did not have a good start to the season-the duo of Newcastle United and Arsenal.

Players left out of their Premier League squad on the opening day of the season will already be questioning their future

and whether they need to make a move.

The 23-year-old had a great season despite Fulham’s demotion to the secondtier, finishing the campaign with the most clearances in the Premier League-193, and also recorded the fastest sprint time of any centre-back.

Before joining the Cottagers on a permanent deal in October 2020, Adarabioyo enjoyed back-to-back loan spells at West Brom and Blackburn Rovers.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta knows Adarabioyo really well, the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City before he was appointed head coach of his former club.

Adarabioyo is available for £10 million this summer due to a release clause in his contract.

The former Manchester City centre-half was one of the Cottagers’ best performers in the Premier League last season, forming a solid partnership with Joachim Andersen in the heart of Scott Parker’s defence despite their relegation into the Championship.

But the 23-year-old is set to leave Craven Cottage this summer as it emerged he can join another club if a bid of £10m is tabled.

The news will be of interest to a number of Premier League clubs ahead of

the transfer window, with Arsenal and Newcastle believed to be among the clubs monitoring the defender’s situation.

Adarabioyo is expected to remain in the top flight next season following a string of impressive performances for Fulham.

His stats for last season were rated among the best in the Premier League for central defenders alongside the likes of Ruben Dias, Harry Maguire and John Stones.

The former Man City star was one of Fulham’s best players last season despite their relegation.

Indeed, Fulham received widespread praise for their defensive play last season - six teams conceding more goals than the Cottagers despite their bottomthree finish.

However, with Andersen’s loan spell from Lyon expired and Adarabioyo destined for a return to the Premier League - it is looking increasingly Fulham will be required to form a new central defensive partnership in the new season.

Adarabioyo was born in Manchester to Nigerian parents. He has represented England at the youth level, but according to FIFA rules, he can still feature for Nigeria.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Can Arsenal Redeem Self against Chelsea with London Derby?

With just a week into the season, pressure is already on Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Premier League new boys-Brentford in the season’s opener. With neighbours, Chelsea visiting tomorrow in another London derby, the Gunners will need more than the crowd behind them to survive the Blues invasion. Arsenal will however be boosted by their last season’s victories in both fixture even when they were not favourites Guardiola’s side thumped Norwich 5-0 when the two teams last locked horns at the Etihad Stadium in July 2020, but the Canaries did record a 3-2 win over Man City at Carrow Road in September 2019.

Norwich’s start to the 2021-22 Premier League season could not have been much more difficult considering that they opened against Liverpool and are now preparing to take on Man City.

It is not as if it gets much easier, though, as Farke’s side are due to face Leicester in their final match of August before opening September away to Arsenal, and it could be a tough season if the promoted side are unable to put some points on the board in their opening four matches.

Norwich started brightly against Liverpool last weekend but conceded once in the first half and twice in the second half, as the Reds recorded a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road.

Head to Head

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante jostles for possession with Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette

A

tantalising London derby takes place in week two of the new Premier League season, as Arsenal and Chelsea face off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners opened the new campaign with a dismal 2-0 defeat at Brentford, whereas Thomas Tuchel’s side eased to a 3-0 success over Crystal Palace.

Only now has it been confirmed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette’s ‘illnesses’ last week were in fact COVID-19, as the two strikers were ruled out on the morning of the Brentford game before Mikel Arteta’s side were taught a footballing lesson by the newbies.

Sergi Canos rifled in the first goal of the Premier League season and Brentford’s first in the competition in the 22nd minute, and as Arsenal’s futile attempts to claw their way back into the game failed to bear fruit, Christian Norgaard bullied his way through the Arsenal defence to propel the Bees to a historic win.

Many believed that a campaign without European football would only benefit Arsenal domestically, but the Gunners - albeit one depleted by injuries and illnesses - kicked off the season in the manner that Gooners feared following an equally woeful pre-season period.

However, as disgruntled supporters prepare to make their return to the Emirates, Arsenal can take some solace in the fact that they claimed back-to-back wins in their final two home games last term, although they were against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Bromwich Albion.

Having had 22 shots without finding the back of the net against Brentford, the

potential absences of Aubameyang and Lacazette are well and truly felt in the Emirates ranks, and worryingly, five of Arsenal’s last 10 opening home games have ended in defeat.

While their London counterparts were being humbled, Chelsea simply cruised to three points in a capital derby of their own, striking three times without reply against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Marcos Alonso’s free kick represented a stellar way to open the Blues’ account for the new season, and the Blues would add to their tally through Christian Pulisic’s tapin and Trevoh Chalobah’s long-range effort - some way to score your first goal for the European champions.

Keeping the momentum going from their enthralling yet draining victory over Villarreal in the Super Cup, Chelsea have already risen to second in the fledgling standings, but the Champions League holders will undoubtedly have their eyes set on wrestling the crown off of Manchester City’s hands. Chelsea fans need no reminding that their final away game last season ended in a dampening 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, but they had witnessed their side win six and draw two of their previous eight on the road before that and have not lost to Arsenal on a Sunday since the 2008-09 season.

However, Frank Lampard and Tuchel both had no answer to Arteta’s fluid Arsenal in the 2020-21 season, as the Gunners kickstarted their revival with a 3-1 Boxing Day win at the Emirates before Emile Smith Rowe capitalised on Jorginho’s error at Stamford Bridge for a

1-0 win, although Chelsea did prevail 2-1 in the Mind Series earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Manchester City will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur when they welcome Norwich City to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Citizens suffered a 1-0 loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the opening weekend of the 2021-22 campaign, while Norwich were beaten 3-0 by Liverpool at Carrow Road on their return to this level.

Man City are regarded as the favourites by many to successfully defend their Premier League title this season, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a difficult August for the club thus far.

A proposed deal for Harry Kane appears to be no closer to going through, while Pep Guardiola’s side have suffered 1-0 defeats to Leicester City and Tottenham in their two competitive matches this season.

Indeed, the Foxes beat the English champions in the Community Shield on August 7, before Tottenham ran out 1-0 winners in the Premier League last Sunday courtesy of a second-half effort from Son Heung-min, meaning that there is already pressure on the Citizens to put three points on the board.

Man City’s need for a new striker was shown in the defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the club will soon enter a difficult run of fixtures, taking on Arsenal, Leicester, Chelsea and Liverpool in four of their five matches after this weekend’s contest with Daniel Farke’s team.

12/05/21 Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal 26/12/20 Arsenal 3-1Chelsea 21/01/20 Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal 29/12/19 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea 19/01/19 Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea 18/08/18 Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal 03/01/18 Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea 17/09/17 Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal 04/02/17 Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal 24/09/16 Arsenal 3-0 Chelsea 24/01/16 Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea 19/09/15 Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal 26/04/15 Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea 05/10/14 Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal 22/03/14 Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Liverpool Aston Villa Crystal Palace Leeds Utd Man City Brighton

v Burnley 12:30 v Newcastle 15:00 v Brentford 15:00 v Everton 15:00 v Norwich 15:00 v Watford 17:30

SUNDAY

Southampton Wolves Arsenal

v Man Utd 14:00 v Tottenham 14:00 v Chelsea 16:30

MONDAY

West Ham v Leicester 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Alavés v Mallorca 16:00 Espanyol v Villarreal 18:30 Granada v Valencia 18:30 Bilbao v Barcelona 21:00 SUNDAY

Sociedad v Vallecano 16:00 Atlético v Elche 18:30 Levante v Madrid 21:00 MONDAY

Getafe v Sevilla 19:00 Osasuna v Celta Vigo 21:00

cco, will day hes son the and the the

tant eens that en’s tely ver ing

iece the ame dea the ment nt of

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R: Managing Director, TGI Distri, Sunil Sawhney; Chairman WACOT Rice Limited, Farouk Gumel; Chairman, Kebbi State Beach Soccer Association and President, African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU), Mahmud Hadejia, and Marketing Manager, TGI Distri, Govind Agarwal, during a courtesy visit of the Nigeria Beach Soccer Association to TGI’s Office in Lagos….. recently

Participants taken through the basics of baseball in the ongoing Lagos Summer Camp Phase One in Badagry

LOC Inspects Mobolaji Johnson Aren Ahead of Aisha Buhari Cup

Lagos Sports Summer Camp Kicks off in Badagry

Members of the Local Organising Committee for the Dr. Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament (Aisha Buhari Cup) were at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena yesterday morning on check out the facility and ascertain the pace of work at the venue.

During a courtesy call to his office a fortnight ago, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State assured the LOC members that work would proceed apace at the facility to ensure its readiness to host matches of the maiden edition

of the Aisha Buhari Cup. He also assured that renovation work at the Agege Stadium would be done expeditiously.

At the Draw Ceremony on Wednesday, the organisers announced that the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which is the site of the old Onikan Stadium, would serve as Venue A of the tournament, while Agege Stadium would be Venue B. Yesterday, the LOC members, including Seyi Akinwunmi (Chairman); Ms Aisha Falode (Director

of Organisation) and; Ayo Omidiran (Member) as well as Technical Committee members, Bola Oyeyode and Dotun Coker, were at the Arena to see for themselves the state of things.

“We thank Governor Sanwo-Olu and the entire Lagos State Government for the accelerated pace of work here, and at the Agege Stadium. We believe that both venues will be ready and allgood-to-go for the tournament,” Akinwunmi said at the end of the visit.

Serie A Season Kicks off this Weekend on DStv, GOtv DStv and GOtv Max customers can look forward to Round 1 action from Serie A, with matches scheduled to run from today to Monday.

The 2021-22 Serie A season gets underway this evening with defending champions Internazionale opening their campaign with a home clash against Genoa at 5:30pm SuperSport Football (DStv channel 205) and SuperSport GOtv Select 1 (GOtv channel 33).

“The journey begins, and we hope it will be another beautiful

one for Inter,” said new manager Simone Inzaghi, who has seen key players such as Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku sold due to the club’s financial issues.

“We will fight to keep the trophy in Milan and with black and blue ribbons on it.”

One of the teams hoping to dethrone Inter will be serial champions, Juventus, who have brought former manager Massimiliano Allegri back to the club in the hope that he will return the glory days to the Bianconeri, starting with

a win on their season-opener away to Udinese on Sunday at 5:30pm on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1.

Another team looking to knock Inter off their perch are their city rivals, AC Milan.

The Rossoneri will be in action in the final match of the first round, heading away to Stadio Communale Luigi Ferraris in Genoa for a tricky clash against Roberto D’Aversa’s Sampdoria on at 7:45pm on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1.

Rite Foods Partners King’s Cup Golf Tourney Rite Foods Limited has announced its sponsorship of the second edition of the King’s Cup Golf Tournament, scheduled for October 10, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The company restated its commitment to sports development and connection with consumers through the golf tournament.

Assistant Brand Manager, Beverage and Bakery, Rite Foods Limited, Boluwatife Adedugbe,

stated that the company’s operations were centered around consumer satisfaction, and sports to create a unifying platform for consumers to connect with their various brands.

“As a company, we ensure we throw our weight and support for such sporting platforms like the King’s Cup Golf Tournament because it helps us connect and get closer to our consumers. The golf tournament creates a unifying platform to help us unite

consumers with our brands and the people of Abeokuta, hence, the reason for sponsoring this golf tournament,” she added.

Mr. Bukola Olopade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organiser of the tournament, expressed his sincere appreciation to Rite Foods Limited for sponsoring the tournament and called on other organisations to emulate the brand.

Founder Hails Maiden Edition of Fusion Tennis

The founder of Fusion Sports Foundation, Fuad Quadri, has described the maiden edition of Fusion Sports Foundation in conjunction with Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Tennis Summer Clinic as amazing.

Quadri, former Nigeria number one Junior ranked player said the foundation’s aim was to discover talents and as well monitor the progress of the discovered talents during the summer clinic.

According to Quadri,”if we

keep organising this tennis tournaments, we can get more than 500 children who will later turn to stars in future. We’ve seen Mofifunoluwa Atilola in under 10 and under-12 category, the Osajis’ siblings and other talented players that we can groom for the future.

“I owe everything to the game of tennis, it has given me the opportunity to become what I am today and if the kids are given more opportunities, they

will do more than what I have done.”

Quadri, head performance coach of Emirates TennisAcademy in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE) Dubai hinted that the plan was to make the summer clinic a quarterly one, adding that Fusion Tennis Foundation was set to ensure that the kids have their O-levels certificates in order that their scholarship to university in the United States would be an easy ride through tennis.

Badagry Grammar School is agog as the first phase of the season two of the Lagos Sports Summer Camp organised by Lagos State Sports Commission.

The first of the three phases is made up of 60 per cent sports and 40 per cent life skills which commenced on August 15 and will end today has 120 participating students aged between nine to 14 from both public and private schools in Lagos State in attendance.

Participants at the camp are being exposed to sports such as athletics (track and field), basketball, chess, darts, judo, karate, scrabble, table tennis and volleyball.

For the life skills activities at the camp, all participants were divided according to their area of interest such as artwork, art and craft, tie and dye, makeup, hairdressing, hat- making as well as how to make a power bank and power bank battery.

Some of the participants speaking about their experience at the camp disclosed that they were so excited to be at the summer camp.

According to a female participant, Ayomide Akin- Idowu, a 14-year-old student of Badagry Senior Grammar School. “ I am happy to be here and my area of interest is to learn the game of scrabble and as well as to learn make-up.

“My first two days has been exciting with a lot of activities going on and I am very happy to be part of this experience.

“I want to thank the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for making this happen.”

To Fawole Adegoke, a 12-year-old male student of Grimos International College, Alabado, “My two days here so far has been a lot of fun, music, good food and conducive environment”. “ So far, I am enjoying myself and hoping to go back home after learning new things that can be a life changer to me”.

“I am eagerly waiting to learn how to make power bank and power bank battery at the end of this Lagos Sports Summer Camp”.

“Thanks to Lagos State Government for organising this at no cost.“ Also speaking, Omoregie Mobolaji, a 14-year- old male student of Holyway Schools, Meran, Lagos said he was interested in fives sports and also want to learn the vocation of how to make power bank.

“I just want to say that I am very excited and happy to be here and I am going to make use of all the opportunity that will come my way at this camp.” “ In just two days that I have been here, I can say that I am beginning to learn new things.

In her opinion, Fatile Ruth Olubunmi, 12-Year-Old Student of Badagry Junior Grammar School stated that Lagos Sports Summer Camp was a place to be. “ My coming here is by chance, my friend told me that there is going to be a Sports Summer Camp here in Badagry and asked me to be part of it. “ Here I am today participating and I am happy that I am part of this very educative and informative camping”. “ At this Lagos Sports Summer Camp, I am participating in Board Game. Thanks to Lagos State Governor for organising this,” She concluded.

The second and third phases of the camp will come up from August 22 to August 28 in Ikorodu and Surulere from August 29 to September 4.

IBB Golf Club to Host International Pairs 2021 National Finals

IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, will come alive once again when the Falcon Golf Development Company (FGDC) organised International Pairs competition berths in Abuja.

The two-day competition which is already generating interest among golfers across the country is the sixth edition of the tournament. This year’s International Pairs will hold from September 3 to 5.

The Chief Executive Officer of FGDC, Remi Olukoya who disclosed this in Lagos during the week, said this year’s competition would be a keenly contested affair, noting that the winner will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Algarve in Portugal, where the world final of the competition has been schedule to hold in October 26-30, 2021 Only 60-pairs would be allowed to participate in the competition which Olukoya said would be on first come first serve basis.

“We are planning to make this year’s event unique in the sense that spaces for would-be participants is limited to just 60-pairs. This is to enable us manage the players well and get result ready on time and to also be in compliance with Covid-19 rules,” he explained.

While pleading for support from corporate organisations and individuals, Olukoya disclosed that Rwanda Air had already joined the fray with a business class ticket to Kigali.

“We need a lot of support; we need individuals and corporate support to make the championship a success. And don’t forget the winners will not just be representing themselves at the world finals but the Country as well,” he added.

The International Pairs World Final Series is an International Golf Tournament, played globally.

Since its inception, more than 1.5 million amateur golfers from over 50 countries have enjoyed competing in this exciting, friendly and hugely prestigious event.

The tournament would be played with strict adherence to Covid-19 rules.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

William Troost-Ekong, Emmanuel Dennis and Oghenekaro Etebo all start for Watford in their season-opener versus Aston Villa

Watford, New Home of Super Eagles’ Players With six Nigerian players in their fold,Vicarage Road is fast turning a new home to Super Eagles players, and the NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick attested to it. It was therefore no surprise that three of them-Emmanuel Dennis, William TroostEkong and Oghenekaro Etebo were on parade in the opening week of the Premier League and they all gave a good account of themselves with Dennis scoring the opener in Watford‘s 3-2 defeat of AstonVilla

W

hen Tosin Adarabioyo, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and Josh Maja were all paraded in the Fulham team last season, it was seen as something unprecedented, at least from the Nigerian football perspective.

Little did anyone know that the feat was just a dress rehearsal to what would happen a season later, after Watford signed six Nigerian players in its fold, which of course has prompted an unconscious support for the Vicarage Road club.

Having gained Premier League promotion after a year away, Watford’s summer business has certainly caught the eye in recent weeks for varying reasons.

The Hornets’ signing of Emmanuel Dennis from Club Brugge raised a few eyebrows owing to the underwhelming nature of the forward’s last campaign, which included a rather torrid spell in the Bundesliga with Koln.

Dennis, whose finest hour to date were those pair of goals against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu however justified his signing by scoring the first goal in the Premier League win against Aston Villa.

After the match, the Nigerian said playing alongside Ismaila Sarr would be vital for his success this season.

“We get along well in training when we play together and I know he’s going to be really important for me if I’m going to be in the number nine,” Dennis told the club website.

“I’m really happy with the combination.

It’s a process, so I’m really happy we started in a good way and we keep working.”

After just 10 minutes of the match, Dennis had swept the ball beneath Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal to open his Watford account and it’s a moment he says he will never forget.

“I’ll remember this for all my life,” he added.

“I’m speechless; I don’t know what to say. We have energy, I’m really happy because we’ve been working hard for a really long time so I’m happy we could give the fans a good performance and they can go home smiling.”

Despite two goals in 23 appearances for Club Brugge and Köln, a challenging time in Germany and alleged attitude problems, Watford have taken a gamble on Dennis.

In early July, Xisco’s team completed the temporary signing of Oghenekaro Etebo from Stoke City for the 2021/22 season.

Given the Premier League’s popularity in Nigeria, this is a positive move for the diligent midfielder. His move to Stoke in 2018 was met with criticism and some admiration, with observers either reckoning he should have decided on his future after the World Cup or understanding why a switch to England had its merits at the time.

The midfielder’s arrival in Hertfordshire prompted interesting comments from president of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

“Watford FC is gradually becoming a Super Eagles camp,” said Pinnick as per a statement made available to Goal by the NFF media department. “I told Cristiano Giaretta (Watford Sporting Director) that we have six players at Watford FC now and three of them are regular Super Eagles teamers and therefore, we need to forge a stronger relationship with the club.

“Watford are returning to the Premier League in the coming season, so it is a good feeling all around.”

While the initial statement may have

been a tad hyperbolic, the presence of so many Nigerians at Vicarage Road immediately increases the interest in the club from enthusiasts in Nigeria.

Throw in the Super Eagles status of William Troost-Ekong and his important role under Xisco in the promotion campaign, instantly making him the most eye-catching West African from the glut of players.

Tom Dele-Bashiru, Isaac Success and Scotland youth international of Nigerian descent Dapo Mebude comprise other players who hail from the populous nation, and the latter’s recent claim reminded fans why they might consciously or unwittingly root for the Hornets next season.

“Watford are a massive club, I have watched them in the Premier League for a few years,” Mebude told the club’s official portal. “I have been a fan of the Premier League and watched players like Troy Deeney, and Odion Ighalo who is a countryman of mine, so there are a lot of things that attracted me.”

In truth, the ex-Manchester United striker’s time at the club increased their popularity among supporters of the country, with his performances and goals causing several people to tune in whenever Watford played.

Ighalo, by and large, got Nigerians invested in the Hertfordshire club when he thrived and the current situation could prompt a similar reaction, if not higher.

Admittedly, the influx of new players suggests Xisco may still have to let players leave either on loan or permanently and Success’ position at the club is precarious.

The forward’s injury hell meant he missed a chunk of their promotion year, and while he would love to prove himself, game time cannot be promised in 21/22.

Troost-Ekong’s journey to the Premier League is particularly charming. He didn’t make the grade at Fulham or Tottenham Hotspur, leaving him to put his dream of playing Premier League football on ice for around a decade.

The 27-year-old gave up Serie A football at Udinese for a move to Watford, a transfer that might have surprised some but made sense to the defender. Aside from his ambition to play in English football’s top division was an inclination to be closer to his family.

After the irrepressible Ismaila Sarr netted to seal the Hornets’ 1-0 win over Millwall which confirmed their elevation to the Premier League, the ex-Bursaspor man couldn’t hide his happiness.

“It’s amazing. I can’t really put words to it now,” said Troost-Ekong, speaking in the moments after Watford sealed promotion. “It’s one of the best days in my life and my career so far. We worked so hard for it and now we’ve done it, so I’m really pleased for all the boys.”

In 21/22, Nigerians will root for the perceived-to-be problematic Dennis, the tenacious Etebo and the defensive rock that is Troost-Ekong.

Ighalo got fans interested in Watford, but the aforementioned triumvirate ought to take that interest up a notch as Xisco seeks to withstand the Premier League pressure cooker.

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

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

EBERE WABARA

‘Discuss About’ Incorrect

W

ONG: All manners of troubles Right: All manner of troubles THE NATION ON SUNDAY Life of July 25 circulated this embryonic (immature) line: “Lagos is known as the honey-pot of Nigeria, attracting all and sundry from different nooks and corners of the country.”

Goodbye flood-ravaged Lagos: nooks and crannies. Now, all those who ignorantly and mischievously accuse me of leaving out titles on this stable can prance!

“My grouse with PMB—Wike” Till eternity: my grouse about (not with)….

“The present situation is that the federal government has between 50 to 53 per cent of national income….” (THE NATION, July 9) Still on fiscal federalism: between 50 and 53 or from 50 to 53. No muddle, gentlemen of the Press.

The next five solecisms are from THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper of July 9: “The family of the deceased is currently seeking proper investigation (investigations) to unravel….” Special feature: “is” confirms currency exclusivity.

So, “is currently” is murderous abuse of language!

“They ought to have used that as an opportunity to prove their acceptability in Osun rather than resulting (resorting) to….”

“NFF at crossroad over Argentina rematch” Sports gist: at a/the crossroads.

“This protest is…to talk to Sanusi concerning his plan to impose Islamic banking in (on/upon) the country.”

“Nobody has raised any eyebrow against Kayode Fayemi.” Formal expression: eyebrows

“Governorship tussle: Court ordered joint inspection stalled” Get it right: Court-ordered (take note of the hyphen) joint inspection stalled. “…the problems of the education sector” Agenda for education: noun (education); adjective (educational).

Therefore, educational sector “FG needs to allow states, LGs run educations—Prof. Bayejo” ‘Education’ is uncountable.

“Is it lawful to give riot victims mass burial without the permission of their living relatives? Would it have been their dead relatives? What’s going on here! Let us think before collocation.

“This is neither the time or (nor) the place to discuss about (sic) the fractured lives of urban dwellers.” Yank off “about” in the interest of lexical sanity.

“The President has a (an) onerous responsibility not to give in to the expensive desires of his ministers and members of the National Assembly.”

“In Ibadan where I live, we sure are reaping the fallouts of Nigeria ’99” The state of our grammar: fall-out (noncount).

“Lagos of yesteryears” This way: yesteryear (uncountable).

“Lagos on the match Again”: ‘match’ for ‘march’? Why not vernacular at once instead of this malapropism that borders on stark illiteracy!

“Civic education advocated for sustainance of democracy” ‘Sustenance’ is it. This apparently infinitesimal difference defines the character of writing.

“New eatery debuts at Victoria Island” In formal writing, “debut” is strictly a noun, but in informal entries, it functions as either a noun or a verb. And this: on (not at) Victoria Island. “…more so when most countries in

Mazi Ukonu: Salute to An Unsung Superstar

E

arlier this year, while finessing the writing of my latest book, ‘Reflections: Anthology of Thoughts on Nigerian Movie Industry…’ I was made aware of the eloquent accomplishments of one Nigerian who showcased his talents alongside winners of Grammys and Oscars in the entertainment center of the United States of America, even before Nigeria became independent.

He was hardly known to the people of my generation, much less the generations afterwards - how do you honour whom you do not know? The little foothold I had on his incredible story dragged me to further inquiry, and below is the summary of the extraordinary life and talent of a unique African creative superstar who died a few days before the launch of the book in June, 2021, at a grand old age of 91 years.

“We had a fleeting knowledge of this old man, but the little we had was all about music and show business. So, it’s true when they say reading makes a man better...if he applies his heart to it. We became more enlightened and more deeply respectful on coming in contact with the true and ungarnished story of Mazi Anyogu Elekwachi Ukonu. Great thanks to Ed Emeka Keazor, the director of a historic and wellsupplemented documentary, entitled The Legend of Mazi Ukonu. One was transformed into the chequered and impressive lives (he has virtually lived more than one or two lifetimes) of the man simply called Mazi Ukonu.

He marked his 90th birthday on March 5, 2020 by narrating his story with the verve and enthusiasm of a 50-year old folklorist - animated by the fond recollections of his exploits, and immeasurable contributions to global entertainment, and the Nigerian media. How do you describe a true African icon who shared sets with Hollywood darlings, Clark Gable, Susan Hayward, Tyrone Power, Robert Mitchum; and shared a performance stage with Harry Belafonte at the sparkling new Riviera Hotel, on the LA Strip.

Let’s bring it closer home: here was the man who mentored the broadcasting career of the great actor, Pete Edochie; who took ‘Lady of Songs’ Christy Essien as a greenhorn teenager, and strapping Sonny Okosuns

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

(on) the continent have been turned into banana republics” “Redressing the dilapidation that have (has) unfortunately become its hallmark is a task that must be done and urgently too.”

“The NLC led over 3,000 workers to parliament to protest the jumbo furnitures allowances.” I thought we had gone beyond the learner’s stage, which deals with etymological fundamentals: furniture allowances!

“Cast your minds (how many minds does a reader have?) back to those nightmarish years of fuel scarcity....”

Perhaps, the writer was addressing free readers’ association members!

“The era of racketeering, panic buying and stocking of petrol at home are (is) over.” Got the verb determinant? Here: The era.

“Anybody who happened to stumble unto (on) some millions of naira by fair or foul means dabbled into that business.” “…there seems (seem) to be more than enough petrol stations for motorists....”

“Other motorists have to make do with old jalopies (are there new ones?) with a life span of between ten to 20 years....”

Either: between 10 and 20 or from 10 to 20.

“Aminu, Akintola, Awo on 103-man envoys list” Who pocketed the good, old apostrophe (envoys’ list?) Live in truth if you want to serve.

“The current curricula were due for renew 11 years ago”. Back to the classroom: renew (verb) and renewal (noun).

“The dead doesn’t (don’t) talk.”

“The Lagos State Governor who had come to be part of history was ferried

under his wings when the one to become Ozziddi star was still a bumbling “mechanic on Aguiyi Road”! That last quote was scooped up by the mastermind of the easterly popular Ukonu’s Club of the 60s.

However, in spite of the excitement of awesome revelations, we have to begin at the outset of this incredible story, so as to fully comprehend the novelty, and his remarkable pedigree. Ukonu completed his early education at Elementary School, Igbere, Abia (1944) and Hope Waddell College, Calabar (1949). With the help of his older brother, he found himself in the USA (Los Angeles City College, California) around 1950, to study medicine. The death of his brother soon after toppled that dream, and since he was in the heart of the American capital of make-believe, he switched to UCLA to study Dramatic Arts - perhaps the first Nigerian to earn such a degree - in the year the first university in the East was founded, 1955.

To pay his way through school, he tapped into inner reserves of talents: worked all day at a hotel; and for night time, he set up a band (Afro-Calypsonians), created a dance and cultural show fused with Calypso, Highlife and African percussion. In fact, he made three EPs: Choba’m Aku Mo, Anyogu Ukonu and The AfroCalypsonians (1955 - 1960). Remarkably, his music was rendered essentially in Ibo language.

Ukonu introduced the self-acclaimed world traveller, Olabisi Ajala to the producers of Hollywood movie, White Witch Doctor (headlined by Mitchum and Hayward) when he was unwilling to risk his student visa by working on an American movie set. He, however, joined the set of White Witch Doctor the next summer holiday.

Ukonu was also an actor in the following Hollywood movies: Luis Bunuel’s Robinson Crusoe (1954); he was the gold trader in Untamed Youth (1955, starring multiple Oscar nominee, and winner, Susan Hayward and Tyrone Power). He played himself in Teacher’s Pet (1958) with the legendary Clack Gable (media-dubbed as ‘King of Hollywood’, Oscar winner, Gig Young; Doris Day, and Mamie Van Doren. He was also in Panama Sal (1958) with Elena Verdugo, Edward Kemmer and Carlos Rivas.

Ukonu returned to Nigeria in 1960, inflamed by the giddiness of independence from Britain. He was part of

out of the troubled (trouble) spot without any bruises.”

“And certainly, we must look forward to a final end to Boko Haram incursions into (upon or on) our political life, whether by ‘invitation’, collusion or whatever.” Grumbling from the North: either finality or an end: ‘Final end’ sounds chaotic.

“On May 29, we swore into the highest pinnacle of our country a man who has re-kindled a light of hope over the quagmires of our global despair.” It is best to rewrite this catastrophe: On May 29, we swore into the pinnacle of our country a man who has rekindled our hope. Let us avoid verbiage.

“A man who, aware of the risks and challenges of the job he has sworn an oath (sworn to an oath) to carry on….”

“For my part, it is clear that primordial attitudes, prejudices, hatreds, arrogant claims of superiority….” My reaction: ‘hatred’ is non-count.

“In fact, since the collapse of Nigeria’s dependent on oil income.…” Get it right: dependence. “…not helping matters in the search for solution to unemployment problem in the country....” No redundancy: ‘unemployment’ is clearly a problem.

Good this way: solution to unemployment in the country.

“The huge colossal damages (damage) the air strikes inflicted on the innocent Libyan people….” Also, ‘huge’ and ‘colossal’ cannot co-function.

“His only other coaching experience came last winter when he had a short spell in charge of Sampdoria”. No sports fix: delete ‘short’, which is implied in ‘spell’.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

the official programming for the independence celebrations. Recognised and adored as a Hollywood returnee, and an acclaimed professional entertainer, he was part of the pioneering effort to set up the second television station in Nigeria, the Eastern Nigeria Television Service, ENTV. He launched the Ukonu’s Club (reminiscent of Art Alade’s Bar Beach Show on NTV); it was the Mecca of the top bands of that era: Rex Lawson, Victor Uwaifor, Victor Olaiya, etc, thronged his variety show.

Then the war came, and everything scattered. He suffered indescribably, like millions of his compatriots, from the harrowing effects of the civil war. But he withered through the storm, until January, 1970 when calm returned. He was back in Enugu, rebuilding the destroyed media structure, and rebuilding hope and passion in the hearts of his compatriots. Nine months after the war ended, he led the East Central State, (as they were then called post war) to the National Arts Festival, and won the Golden Gong (the first position)!

Ukonu represented, in those dark, trying days, an irrepressible strength and uncommon resilience that was necessary to rebuild, retool, and revamp for greater impact. He worked hard, along with others, to rebuild the new East Central Television Service; relaunching the Ukonu’s Club with even greater gusto, and wider appeal, on air, and in the physical, somewhere in Aba City. He ignited the fervent throbbing Afropop, Funk and psychedelic twangs of the 70s, which drew to his show, and his influence, the raving bands of the 70: Wrykkers’ Experience, The Apostles, The Funkees, Hygrades, Aktion, and so many others.

Such was the incremental influence of Mazi Ukonu that he was, at different times, the Controller of Programmes at NTA Enugu (1974 -1975); at NTA Aba (1975 - 1976); Director of Programmes, Enugu (1976 - 1977), and General Manager (1977 - 1984).

Mazi Ukonu would (have been 92 years old) on March 5, 2022. What a life! What an influence. What grace to see and hear from such a boisterous spirit of creativity.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY

Omawumi

Omawumi’s ‘Love Deep High Life’

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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n exclusive album launch party for her new body of work titled Love Deep High Life had heralded the project prior to its release on a recent Thursday evening. Joined by fans, friends and colleagues in the industry, the multitalented artiste and afrobeats performer, Omawumi Megbele gave a good account of the songs to the delight of the guests including Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Bovi the comedian, actress and OAP Nancy Isime, Di’Ja, ace photographer Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Mai Atafo, her inseparable friend and sister, Waje and a host of other celebrities in attendance at Otis Place, Victoria Island venue of the intimate listening gig.

The album already streaming across digital platforms, strings Afro-pop, R&B, and Ballad rendition in 30 minutes, showing the singer and songwriter, wife and mother makes music that suits her current standing in life and offers young artists an insight into the beauty of her life. The 10-track project comes on the back of the release of ‘Bullshit’ as the lead single in April. From Afro-fusion and Jazz to R&B, ‘Love Deep High Life’ embodies tracks of multiple genres which include ‘Joy’, ‘Billionaire (Go Baby)’, ‘My Darling’, ‘Sugar Baby’, and ‘Fefe’.

Other tracks that make the album are ‘My Darling’, ‘My Life’, ‘Milk and Honey’, and ‘Coast To Coast’, featuring top-rated singers like Brymo, her friend and sister Waje, Phyno and Ric Hassani. Two years after her

husband’s inspired EP, ‘In her Feelings’, the vocal powerhouse officially released “Love Deep High Life” (LDHL), her 5th studio album covering topical issues such as love, family, relationships, and socio-political entanglement.

The album revolves around the core areas of the title. It portrays Omawumi’s growth over the years.

According to Omawumi, “This album project is important to me and I am very intentional about it because I’m making a conscious effort to keep in mind timeless lessons that reflect on the way we live that we do not take into account. These lessons cut across our relationships, politics, family, religion, and more.”

The project cements the strings of success and recognition Omawumi has garnered since she emerged as a runner-up of the

2007 West African Idols, a music reality show contest.

She has since made a career through making intersectional music that fuses pop with traditional folk elements in storytelling. She is also one of the most prolific live performers in Africa and has performed over a dozen concerts across the African continent. Previously she released Wonder Woman (2009), Lasso of Truth (2013), Timeless (2017) and In Her Feelings (2019).

‘In Her Feelings’ follows her 2017 album ‘Timeless’, which reflects the fact that her songwriting was not hooked to any specific sound or trend. The album was met with universal acclaim, with many praising her decision to incorporate a vast number of styles in the album’s sound palette, such as afro-pop, jazz, funk, and even techno.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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PEOPLE

Ashraf Ghani

Ashraf Ghani

The Man Who Abandoned His Throne in Afghanistan Charles Ajunwa

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ormer Afghan President Ashraf Ghani prided himself on being one of the foremost global experts on failed states, only to watch his administration collapse. He fled the country last Sunday, as the Taliban took Kabul with no resistance by government forces.

“The former president has left Afghanistan, leaving the people to this situation,” Abdullah Abdullah, who heads the government’s peace process, said in a video message.

Ghani was elected in 2014 on promises to remake Afghanistan. But the 72-year-old may ultimately be remembered for making little headway against the deep-rooted government corruption that likely underwrote his demise.

In his last years in office, Ghani watched as he was first cut off from talks between Washington and the Taliban that paved the way for the US exit from Afghanistan, and then forced by his American allies to release 5,000 hardened insurgents to lock down a peace deal that never materialised.

Dismissed as a “puppet” by the Taliban, Ghani was left with little leverage during his final months in the presidential palace, and resorted to delivering screeching televised diatribes that did little to improve his reputation with Afghans.

He has variously been described as visionary, short-tempered, academic, and overly demanding. Before becoming president in 2014, Ghani enjoyed a stellar

career abroad as an academic and economist, focused on failed states, only returning 24 years later to pursue his dream of rebuilding the country.

He studied at New York’s Columbia University, before teaching in the United States during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.

He worked with the World Bank from 1991, becoming an expert on the Russian coal industry, and finally moved back to Kabul as a senior UN special adviser soon after the Taliban were routed in late 2001.

In the days that followed, he was a key architect of the interim government and became a powerful finance minister under President Hamid Karzai from 2002 to 2004, campaigning hard against burgeoning corruption.

Renowned for his intensity and energy, Ghani introduced a new currency, set up a tax system, encouraged wealthy expat Afghans to return home, and cajoled donors as the country emerged from the austere Taliban era. But he also earned the divisive reputation that dogged him until the end.

“He never allowed anyone to get too close, remaining aloof,” wrote veteran author Ahmed Rashid, who has known him for nearly three decades.

“Unfortunately, his explosions of bad temper and displays of arrogance

with fellow Afghans and Westerners were all too frequent and soon made him a loathed figure.”

Ghani is married to Rula, whom he met while studying for his first degree at the American University in Lebanon, and has two children.

He maintained a disciplined daily routine since losing part of his stomach to cancer, leaving him to nibble on snacks as he is unable to digest a full meal.

After performing poorly in the 2009 election, Ghani shocked many Afghans in 2014 by winning after choosing as a running mate General Abdul Rashid Dostum, an Uzbek warlord accused of numerous human rights abuses.

A Pashtun, he started using his tribal name Ahmadzai a couple of years ago to underline his background, though he stresses the importance of unifying Afghanistan’s disparate ethnic groups.

“I’m not going to have an isolated life,” Ghani told AFP in an interview before he became president, but in the end he did exactly that - increasingly confined to the presidential palace with only a handful of trusted aides.

In his Facebook video message, Abdullah — a long-time rival - suggested Ghani would be harshly judged.

“God hold him accountable, and the people will have their judgment,” he said. Formed in 1994, the Taliban

are made up of ex-Afghan resistance fighters, known collectively as the Mujahedeen, who fought the invading Soviet forces in the 1980s. They imposed their interpretation of Islamic law on the country and resisted foreign influence.

The Taliban led a pariah regime in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, infamous for a brutal rule in which girls could not go to school, women were barred from working in jobs that would put them in contact with men, and people were stoned to death.

The Taliban first captured Kabul in 1996 and the Sunni Islamist organization mandated women to wear head-to-toe coverings, women were also not allowed to study or work and were forbidden from travelling alone.

On September 11, 2001, 19 Taliban fighters hijacked four commercial planes in the US, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers, amongst other places. Over 2,500 people were killed in the attacks, according to CNN. The attack was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The US responded with swift fury and invaded Afghanistan, aiming to stop the Taliban from providing a safe-haven to al Qaeda — and to stop al Qaeda from using Afghanistan as a base of operations for terrorist activities.

US-led forces toppled the Taliban government.

In the 20 years they were ousted from power, the Taliban, led by Mawlawi Akhundzada, waged an insurgency against the allied forces and the USbacked Afghan government.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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PEOPLE

Bichi Agog as Nasiru is Installed Emir Ibrahim Shuaibu, in Kano, reports that Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero will today be installed as the second Emir of Bichi.

Also yesterday, the Emir married his daughter, Zahra to Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari. The wedding fatiha attracted hundreds of personalities from across the country

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housands of well-wishers will this morning troop to the Bichi township stadium to witness the historic coronation ceremony of Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero as the second Emir of Bichi after his brother, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero served as the first Emir, following the creation of four additional emirates by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero is now the Emir of Kano, ascending the throne after the state government dethroned Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. Bichi Local Government, which is about 30 kilometers from Kano city, houses business people, academics, technocrats and politicians. The town hosts the Federal College of Education (Technical) and is also the hometown of the Director General of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS), Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi.

Alhaji Nasiru Bayero, a first class Emir, is officially being crowned today after receiving the staff of office.

Bayero, who was born on February 2, 1964, is the third son of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero and was the first child to be born at the official residence of Kano Emirate House, known as Gidan Dabo. He is a unifier of cultural and religious divides, as well as an accomplished entrepreneur.

The former Ciroman Kano’s appointment was based on section 1 subsection 13 of the Emirate Council Law 2019 which empowers the state governor to appoint new emirs in the state after the government created four additional first class emirates.

Bayero has, on appointment, thanked the Almighty Allah and appreciated the good upbringing they got from their parents. He prayed to Allah to give them the strength to discharge their responsibilities conscientiously and with all commitment.

According to him, “Insha Allah, we will discharge this responsibility placed on our shoulders. All we need are your prayers and support. We are also assuring His Excellency of our good support and loyalty for the development of the state and the nation in general.”

Before his appointment as the second Emir of Bichi, his father, late Alhaji Ado Bayero had appointed him Tafidan Kano and District Head of Waje on May 6, 1994 and later transferred him to Nassarawa Local Government Area as District Head and then to Tarauni on the same status.

He was promoted to Turakin Kano and Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar-Gida in 2000. He was also appointed Ciroman Kano by the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II and transferred back to Nassarawa LGA as District Head.

He had his primary and secondary education in Kano from where he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri to study Mass Communication. He is also a graduate of the Executive Programme of the prestigious Harvard Business School in addition to having a certificate in German Language.

He has had extensive experience working with Continental Merchant Bank, Nigeria; Coastal Corporation (Oil and Gas) Houston, Texas and Hamlet Investment Inc. London, UK. An accomplished entrepreneur and consummate Manager of people and businesses, he sits on the board of several successful businesses. Prominent among them are SEPLAT Petroleum (a Nigerian independent producer); Platform Pe-

Bayero

troleum Limited (Nigerian independent producer); and Intels (Oilfields) Services Nigeria Limited said to be the largest marine logistics company in Nigeria.

He was appointed chairman of 9Mobile following the exit of the CBN appointed board and the transfer of ownership of the firm to the new investors, Teleology Nigeria Limited. He is the Chairman of Enclo Limited, a Nigerian company providing currency operations support services to the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions, as well as security documents design and printing solutions. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Admiralty University of Nigeria which was established under a Public-Private Partnership with Nigerian Navy Holding and Hellenic Education Nigeria.

Among dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are traditional title holders, businessmen, state and federal government officials, as well as governors and people from all walks of life who will throng Bichi stadium to witness the

historic occasion and pay obeisance to the Emir.

Before today’s coronation, Chairman of the organising Committee for the wedding and Coronation events, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed disclosed that Governor Ganduje is expected to present staff of office to the Emir, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero today.

“We have two historic events on Friday (yesterday) and Saturday (today) in Bichithat are the wedding of Fatiha of Buhari’s son with the daughter of Emir of Bichi and Coronation of the Emir.

A special prayer session was conducted on Thursday at the Central Mosque in Bichi to seek Allah’s blessings to the coronation ceremony taking place today.

Also, the coronation lecture was held at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi and was attended by Governor Ganduje and other members of the state executive council.

The security situation has been tight in and around the town, as the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Army, DSS and other para-

military personnel have been on hand to ensure a hitch-free coronation.

All entrances to the Bichi township stadium along the ever-busy Kano-Katsina road have been cordoned off by security personnel to forestall any problem.

Vehicular movements are also restricted around the venue, while vehicles that convey VIPs, Governors and traditional rulers are to park on adjoining streets.

The venue for the coronation has been colourfully decorated, just as the nearby buildings were cleaned to compliment the beauty of the place.

Traditional horse riders, according to sources, will stage a colourful durbar by accompanying the Emir to his Palace after the coronation.

Also, sirens have wailed continuously since Wednesday as traditional rulers and other dignitaries’ troop into Bichi town to witness the historic occasion.

Drum beaters have thronged the ancient city, just as food vendors set up their stands in order to take advantage of the event to make brisk businesses.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

PEOPLE

Emiko Gets Crown as 21st Olu of Warri

Emiko

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

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arri, the commercial nerve centre of Delta State, has been electrified with various festive preparations in readiness for today’s crowning of Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri Kingdom.

All the major roads, streets and corners are adorned with festive banners, balloons and buildings decorated with white and red clothes, the Itsekiri flag symbol.

It’s obvious the people of Warri Kingdom are prepared for today’s crowning of their brand new and young king as thousands of them have been adorning customized clothes, polos and jeans in preparation for today’s event.

The Palace of Olu of Warri has undergone paintings while the lawns have been trimmed to give the expansive palace a new and befitting outlook.

At Ode Itsekiri, otherwise known as Big Warri, and the ancestral homes of Itsekiris, is also wearing a new look in anticipation of hosting dignitaries from far and near for today’s crowning of Omo Oba Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko as the new Olu of Warri.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Oni of Ife. Oba of

Emiko

Benin, and host of other traditional rulers are expected to grace today’s event.

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro will lead the state delegation to participate in the event. Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi

Okowa is to have been personally interested in hosting the dignitaries expected from far and wide but for the scheduled burial of his father which coincided with the coronation day.

Just yesterday, Omo Oba Tsola Emiko

proved that he is physically fit to rule the kingdom as he personally led thousands of his subjects and admirers in a peaceful and endurance trek round some roads in Warri.

It’s going to be a forever memory walk his people trooped out with different customized polo and fully kitted attires specifically designed for today’s event.

At the end of the trek, the Omo Oba Emiko addressed the huge crowd that followed him to t the Palace where he gave them words of encouragement and prayers.

To also bring class to today’s crowning ceremony, Omo Oba Tsola Emiko gifted himself two brand new customized luxury cars, a Rolls Royce and Bentley 2021ahead of the t coronation.

The customized Rolls Royce will be used to t usher in Emiko as the new king today, his glorious day, while the Bentley will be put to g use on tomorrow, Sunday, for his thanksgiving service. The Olu will ride from his seclusion (Idaniken) to Warri Club.

On arrival at the Warri Club, he would walk into a waiting regatta boat and proceed to t Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of his subjects, for the crowning proper.

About 1,000 police operatives have been deployed to ensure watertight security before, during, and after the coronation of Omoba Tsola Emiko as the 21st Olu of Warri, Kingdom.

Today’s event will mark another chapter in the t history of Iwereland as Warri kingdom is traditionally called. t Omo Oba, Tsola Emiko, was on May 5, this year, announced by the Iyatsere of Warri y Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amataserunlege, on behalf of Warri Traditional Council, as the Olu of Warri designate after the demise of the 20th monarch, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

He was selected by the Ruling House of Ginuwa 1 for the exalted Traditional stool, in accordance with the age long traditional practice.

Prince Utieyinoritsola Emiko was no doubt born into royalty, three years before his father; Prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko succeeded his father Ogiame Erejuwa in 1987.

Prince Utieyinoritsola’s father, Olu Atuwatse II, was Olu of Warri from 1987 to 2015. He was the t 19th Olu of Warri Kingdom, with the title of Ogiame Atuwatse II. He was crowned on May 2, 1987.

The blue-blooded and prince charming Emiko was born on April 2, 1984 to Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri and Olori Gladys Durorike Emiko, in Warri, Nigeria. He gained his early education at the NNPC Primary School, Warri and from there proceeded to Adesoye College, Offa, Kwara State, for his secondary education between 1995 and 2001.

He later proceeded to Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree between 2002 and 2006, majoring in International Studies and Political Science. In 2007, the young and very ambitious prince bagged a Master of Science in Management, from his alma mater.

With his exposure and education overseas, he has been able to galvanized himself into the corporate and business world, thus making him ready to face the business and industrialized world.

Industrious Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko sits atop many companies and business concerns like Noble Nigeria Ltd., Coral Curator Ltd; and he is a Director at the Ocean Marine Security Ltd., Gulf of Guinea Ltd and Vessellink Nigeria Ltd. This brand new royal majesty is a caring husband to his heartthrob, Ivie Uhunoma, and an exemplary father to his children.

His coming on the throne today is definitely going to attract many developments and progress to the town, as he will deploy his experience as a businessman on all fronts.

This is definitely a testimony of a round peg in a round hole as the world gets set to witness the mother of all coronations in the South-South region of the country.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK Top 10 Tips for Maintaining Your Car For most vehicle owners, their car is their pride and joy, a status symbol, that also brings convenience and comfort for the entire family. To ensure that your beloved vehicle stays in prime running condition for many years to come, here’s what you need to do: Know your car Just checking the tyre pressure and washing your car is not enough. Knowing how to do the basic inspection of your car’s vitals is important for your car health in the long run. It is always good to go through the user manual, as it gives you important know-how on the features of your vehicle and even tips on how to prevent certain issues.

Perform maintenance regularly Going for regular servicing is important. Skipping these will let minor problems develop into major, expensive problems. Nowadays, dealers and service centres also offer doorstep pickup facility for getting your car serviced.

So now, there is no reason for you to be skipping this essential aspect.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, built for all-terrain

Casually on its way in easy Terrain: The new C-Class Estate as an All-Terrain

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or those who find a conventional estate car less than suitable off-road, and an SUV too high-legged, Mercedes-Benz now offers an all-rounder as an alternative in the C-Class segment: the C-Class AllTerrain. Following the introduction of the successful All-Terrain concept with the E-Class in spring 2017, the C-Class is now also launching as a second multi-talent with a striking look and versatile capabilities.

With around 40 millimetres more ground clearance than the conventional C-Class Estate, 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard and two off-road driving modes, the C-Class All-Terrain makes light work of light terrain such as unmetalled tracks with its larger wheels. The off-road design features include the distinctive radiator grille, the special bumpers, the simulated underride guard at the front and rear and the wheel arch linings in matt dark grey. In addition, the crossover model

features many highlights of the just recently launched new C-Class. These include efficient four-cylinder engines with 48-volt technology, the adaptive and intuitive MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, and the latest generation of driving assistance systems. DIGITAL LIGHT (optional equipment) includes a special off-road light. The C-Class All-Terrain will celebrate its world premiere at the International Motor Show in Munich in September, and will reach European dealers later this year.

“Over 10.5 million units of the C-Class sold since 1982 show how popular the C-Class is with our customers. And the new generation has also got off to an excellent start, with over 50,000 orders in just three months. With the C-Class All-Terrain, we are adding a new variant to our strong lineup in this successful segment, alongside the Saloon and Estate models,” says Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Sales.

Compared to the conventional C-Class Estate, the All-Terrain has slightly increased dimensions.

It is four millimetres longer and measures 4755 millimetres in total. Because of the wheel arch linings, the width is increased by 21 millimetres to 1841 millimetres. The increased ground clearance of around 40 millimetres has also increased the vehicle height to 1494 millimetres. The standard tyre size is 225/55 R 17 on 7.5 J x 17 H2 ET 44.5 wheels, while 245/45 R 18 on 8 J x 18 H2 ET 41 wheels and 245/40 R 19 on 8 J x 19 H2 with an offset of 41 mm are available as options.

The capacity and variability of the load compartment remain the same: the sporty rear has a load capacity of 490 to 1510 litres. The rear seat backrest of the Estate model is 40:20:40 split-folding. The EASY-PACK tailgate included as standard can be conveniently opened or closed at the touch of a button, using the button on the ignition key, the switch in the driver’s door or the release handle on the tailgate.

Napmantronix Plans Electric Vehicles in Nigeria

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n indigenous auto company, Napmantronix has said it plans to enter the auto frontier of the future by dealing in Electric Vehicles.

Napmantronix Limited is into the supply of automotive Vehicles and is also a Fleet Management Company.

“Napmantronix Limited is the only accredited Auto Service Garage for GAC motors in Lagos State outside the GAC headquarters on Ligali Ayorinde street Victoria Island, according to the Chairman of Napmantronix Nigeria Limited, Napoleon Agbelogode.

The company, he said currently holds the Service Level agreement for all GAC cars belonging to the Dangote ReÀnery in Akodo Lekki Lagos.

Napmantronix Limited currently owns an Ultra-Modern State of the Art Napmantronix Auto Plaza at Ibeju Lekki Lagos, sitting on 6,700 square meters of prime real estate in Ibeju Lekki, where all brands of vehicles can be maintained and serviced. The services available at the Napmantronix Auto Plaza are the following: Engine repairs; Tire sales/maintenance; Car Wash and Detailing; Radiator Steam Washing; Engine Overhaul; Wheel Balancing and Alignment; Used and New Cars and Truck Sales; Automotive Diagnostics; Auto A/C Repairs/Maintenance; Car Key Programming.

They also engage in Complete Auto Body Work/Excellent Car Paint Jobs; Event Center; Boutique; and Food Restaurant and Bar. Napmantronix is also a member of the BOSCH Global Automotive Garage Chain and it is also teaming up with FIXIT45 to bring unmatched auto service delivery to Lagos state inhabitants.

Speaking on the Journey been so far, he said “It’s been a challenging journey so far from concept to project execution over the past 27 years, Napmantronix was incorporated as a limited

Change oil regularly A car has thousands of moving parts that need to be lubricated to be working in top-notch condition.

The engine is the major component that needs proper lubrication to function. Over time, the engine oil gets dirty, and wear and tear begins to happen faster. Oil changes at recommended intervals will keep the car running for years without any trouble.

Replace important fluids Apart from engine oil, there are also other fluids that need to be replaced. Brake oil, power steering oil, transmission oil and coolant also lose out on their effectiveness over a long period of time and need to be changed.

Change filters and belts Consumables such as filters, belts and spark plugs also need to be inspected from time to time, and replaced if found to be worn or damaged. Clogging of air and oil filters results in a loss of power and reduction in mileage.

Engine belt and spark plugs, if worn, can also lead to fuel efficiency and pickup issues. Proactively monitoring these parts and addressing them in time can lead to strong performance and lower maintenance costs.

Check tyres Tyres are the most neglected part of a car, despite being the most important. They are your car’s only point of contact to the road, and hence, are subjected to maximum wear and tear. It is recommended to check tyre pressure every week and do the ‘tyre rotation’ process every six months to improve longevity of the tyres.

Juice up the battery The car’s battery is the source of power for all electrical systems. Minor issues with the battery can lead to a burnout of wires and fuses that lead to even bigger problems.

Give your battery a once-over at least once a month.

Check for water level, loose connections, rust and so on.

Replace worn wipers and lights The car’s wipers need to be checked before every monsoon. They should not be hard or leave a mark on the windshield during operation. If they do, they need to be replaced. The lights are the way a driver communicates with others on the road. It is essential that all of them are working, or they could be a safety hazard. If even one is not working, get it replaced from a trusted mechanic.

Clean windows Windows are your view of the world outside the car.

Therefore, it is imperative that you maintain them well, as they could hamper visibility and lead to accidents. Look for cracks or damages to them and be sure to replace them immediately.

A car hoisted at Napmantronix workshop

liability company in Nigeria on October 10, 1994, with CAC registration number RC:254570, our current headquarters situated at Km42, Lekki Epe Expressway was opened to business on August 13, 2013.

“The biggest challenge with providing auto maintenance services in Nigeria is the lack of competent mechanics to carry out the jobs.

“It is of utmost importance to note that no matter how much advertisement an auto maintenance company embarks on, the ultimate positive advertisement of the auto maintenance company is timely delivery of quality service

and avoiding returns jobs as low as practicably possible “The almost complete absence of OEM representatives for car spare parts is also a major cause for worry in the industry.

“This causes most auto maintenance garages in Lagos state in particular to rely on “fairly used spare parts” sourced locally from Ladipo, Ojuelegba and Owode Onirin Markets. Unfortunately, procurement of spare parts from the above-named markets have no guarantees and the spare parts quality is usually suspect at any point in time.

Make your car spotless This applies to both the exterior and interior of the car. Regular exterior cleaning and waxing can prevent rust, while regular cleaning of the interior (preferably by a professional) will prevent an odorous cabin. Instead, your car will smell nice and the material inside will retain its splendour and comfort for long.

If you are planning to buy a used car and want a used car loanused car loan urgently, get in touch with Reliance Money. If you want to know the eligibility criteria, head over to this page. We understand your needs and offer a customised car loan that suits your requirements at competitive rates (Source: reliancemoney)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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AUTO WORLD

How To Prevent A Tyre Blowout (3)

Bmw-ix5-hydrogen

BMW iX5 Hydrogen to Feature at IAA Mobility 2021

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he BMW Group is systematically pushing forward with development of hydrogen fuel cell technology as an additional option for sustainable individual mobility.

Two years after unveiling the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT concept car, the company will present the BMW iX5 Hydrogen at the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, according to a statement by the automaker. Currently still in series development, the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with hydrogen fuel cell drive train will be one of several vehicles visitors can experience as they are driven along the Blue Lane connecting the main exhibition grounds with other exhibition venues in the city centre.

A small series of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, developed on the basis of the BMW X5, will be used for demonstration and testing purposes from the end of next year. Its hydrogen fuel cell system is further proof of the BMW Group’s leading development expertise in the field of electric drive technologies. “With its high-performance fuel cell and optimised power battery, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen’s drive system is unique in the world,” said Juergen Guldner, head of BMW Group Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology and Vehicle Projects. “With this, we are forging new paths for sustainable driving pleasure.”

With the right conditions, hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to become a further pillar in the BMW Group’s drive train portfolio for local CO2-free mobility.

The BMW i brand, which is entirely geared towards locally emission-free mobility, could in the future also offer vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell drive trains, in addition to battery-electric models such as the BMW i3, BMW iX3, BMW iX and BMW i4. Provided the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure is available, this technology can complement the BMW Group’s electrified drive train portfolio – and, in particular, meet the needs of customers who do not have their own access to electric

charging infrastructure, frequently drive long distances or desire a high degree of flexibility.

Model-specific design elements 3D-printed for locally emission-free Sports Activity Vehicle.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen is a modern luxury Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) that combines ground-breaking drive technology with the powerful proportions, convenience and versatility of a BMW X model. Individual exterior and interior design elements highlight the car’s ties to the BMW i brand, as well as its specific drive technology. The inner edging of the BMW kidney grille, the inserts in the 22- inch aerodynamic wheels and the attachments in the outer portion of the rear apron are all in BMW i Blue. The entry sills and cover trim for the instrument panel also sport a “hydrogen fuel cell” badge.

The mesh inserts covering the cooling air openings at the front of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, as well as the rear apron and its diffuser element, also have their own unique design. The ornamental grilles covering the BMW kidney grille, the lower and two outer air inlets and the body elements for the lower rear end trim all come from the BMW Group’s Additive Manufacturing Campus, which uses 3D printing to produce prototype and standard parts. Additive manufacturing enables fast and highly flexible production of components – some of which have geometric shapes that cannot be realised with conventional production methods.

Systematic sustainability: Aerodynamic wheels and tyres made of natural rubber.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen’s aerodynamic wheels come with sustainably produced tyres made of natural rubber and rayon. The raw materials for this are extracted in compliance with the standards of the independent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) organisation. The BMW Group is the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to use Pirelli tyres made exclusively from certified natural rubber and the wood-based material rayon in its production vehicles.

Today, I wish to draw the curtain on my focus on tyre blowout which has run for two weeks.

Before I do, please remember that in the Àrst half of 2021, a total number of 5,320 road tra΀c crashes occurred accounting for 2,431 deaths while 15,882 people sustained various degrees of injuries. The record shows that within the same period, 15,398 were rescued without injuries with a total of 33,751 people involved. Some of these crashes and deaths were caused by tyre blowout. Some of these fatal crashes according to the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, occurred at night. This, he noted explains why the Corps is Àne-tuning arrangements to commence night patrol once the Federal Government gives the nod for the operations.

So, if you missed the Àrst and last week’s edition, I will passionately appeal that you grab a copy and read as I am convinced that you will Ànd the two editions interesting and educative especially if you are a car owner or even a regular traveler. To refresh your memory, I concluded last week with a focus on preventing tyre blowout by listing the appropriate actions to take to avert a possible blowout. The gamut of prevention is contained in the Àrst and second part of my focus.

Meanwhile I did state that there are two very eͿective options to prevention or drastic reduction of blowouts and other form of tyre failures. They include owning a quality tyre pressure guage. This, as stated last week is because incorrect tyre pressure is the major cause of blowouts and sudden tyre failure. So, correct tyre pressure is a must for any safety conscious motorist. But the big question is, how do you ensure that what the vulcaniser pumped into your tyre is the correct pressure?

Only a quality tyre pressure gauge will tell you.

The second which I equally stated last week is for you to installing a high proÀle automatic tyre monitors. For reminders, I told you that a high proÀle automatic tyre monitor is a state of the art device that use sensors and a wireless monitor to monitor your tyres on a 24 hours basis. It alerts the driver well in advance about an impending tyre blowout or failure. It pinpoints the exact tyre so that the driver will take appropriate measures to deal with the situation. It also eͿectively takes care of premature tyre wear.

I need to equally remind you of an earlier piece I did as a precursor titled, Buying Tyres. It is crucial you know that you cannot isolate tackling tyre blowout without you Àxing standard tyres in your vehicle. This is why you need reminders on the things to again look out for while buying a new and standard tyre for your vehicle. You must Àrst give serious consideration on the size of the tyre, the age of the tyre and the physical conditions of the tyre. Let us treat this in bits: the Àrst is the tyre size: On the side wall of your tyres, you will see Àgures like 215/75/15r, 195/65/14r and so on. These are designations for your tyre sizes. Check your own tyre to know what is written on it. The Àrst Àgure from the left is the width (from side wall to side wall) of the tyre in millimeters; the middle number is what is known as the aspect ratio used to calculate the height of the side wall of the tyre. The last number is the

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

ream diameter. There are various sizes of tyres in the market that can Àt your type of vehicle but that does not mean that those sizes are good/safe for your vehicle. Every vehicle has tyre sizes speciÀed by the vehicle manufacturer. If you check the tyre placard by the end of your driver’s door, hood or the vehicle’s manual, you will see the speciÀcation for your vehicles tyre sizes, please stick to these speciÀcation while buying replacement tyre. The manufacturer of your vehicle has taken a lot of factors into consideration before specifying your vehicle tyre sizes. If you change that, you may be risking a blowout. The next is determining the age of the tyre: Even more important that the size of the tyre is its age. Why the emphasis on the emphasis on age of a tyre?. Do not be deceived by a tyre’s looks. Every tyre has an eͿective life span beyond which you will be entering the danger zone. As a general rule, any tyre more than 6 years old should be discarded although 4years is the ideal. So how do you determine the age of a tyre? Every tyre provides information about its age but in a coded form. Look at the side walls of your tyre and check for the letters dot. Look around the dot (to the left or to the right) until you get to either a three digit or four digit number boldly imprinted on the tyre without any alphabet attached to it. Some tyres though, may not have the letters dot printed on them. Just look around the side wall you deÀnitely will see a 3 or 4 digit number clearly imprinted on the tyre. The 3 or 4 digit number is the code designating the date of manufacture of the tyre Let us now deal with your vehicle’s correct tyre pressure? By the end of the driver’s door of your vehicle, or in the vehicles’ manual, you will see speciÀcation that shows size of tyre for your vehicle and the inÁation pressure for the tyre in psi (pounds per square inch) religiously stick to that speciÀcation. Do not allow anyone (especially the vulcaniser) tell you otherwise unless you want to gamble with your life. It is instructive to note here that it is not the tyre manufacturer that determines the pressure for your tyre, but the vehicle manufacturer. It is the vehicle manufacturer that speciÀes the size of tyres and the pressure to be given the tyre. He has taken into consideration the weight, speed, number of passengers, artiÀcial inÁation by the heat and other factors to determine what the proper inÁation pressure should be. The speciÀcation you see on the tyres are to enable you match the speciÀcation of the vehicles’ manufacturer. In this light, it is equally dangerous to use tyre sizes diͿerent from what the vehicles manufacturer speciÀed for the vehicle.

FG Patents Zaria Academy’s Solar-powered Electric Car

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igeria’s drive towards renewable energy as substitute to the environmentally harmful fossil fuel has received a remarkable boost following the design and construction of a solar-powered electric vehicle by Zaria Academy Center for Innovation and Renewable Energy (ZACIRE).

Code-named Munyegal Z20E, the technological breakthrough has been acknowledged by the Federal Government which recently presented a patent certiÀcate to Zaria Academy through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The certiÀcate bearing patent number NG/P/2021/5, was personally presented to the Chairman of Zaria Academy, Dr. Haroun Adamu, by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, who commended the institution for its commitment to the development of renewable energy in the country.

Giving a brief insight into the project, Dr.

Adamu said Munyegal Z20E was designed, simulated and constructed by a team at Zaria Academy to address the economic challenge posed by the rising cost of petrol and key into the global quest for a renewable energy.

The car was built with 90 percent metal as a teaching aid involving a mechanical and electrical technique.

Munyegal Z20E is propelled by DC ^direct current} electric motors using electric energy in rechargeable batteries as power source to move about.

Zaria Academy’s solar-powered electric car project is in tandem with eͿorts being made in the Nigerian government through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to ensure that the country is not left behind in the global quest for a renewable energy.

The NADDC recently commissioned solarpowered electric vehicle charging stations at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS) and the University of Lagos, while a third one is expected to be opened soon in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, presenting patent certificate No. NG/P/2021/5 for solar-powered electric car, MUNYEGAL Z20E, to Dr. Haroun al-Rashid Adamu, Chairman, Zaria Academy Enterprise Center for Innovation and Renewable Energy {Zaria Academy}, Zaria, Kaduna State, ... recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R:; HR Services Manager, Nigerite Ltd, Mr. Femi Akinbode; Coordinator, Kanu Heart Foundation, Mr. Onyebuchi Abia; Head of ICT, Kanu Heart Foundation, Christian Nnaji; Procurement Manager, Nigerite Ltd, Mr. Ogunsola Adetunji and Factory Manager, Nigerite Ltd, Mr. Paul Brinckman during the presentation of a cheque of 2500 Euros as charity donation from ETEX Nigeria to the Kanu Heart foundation in Lagos... recently PHOTO ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: Damilola Oluwatoyinbo, author and public speaker, Olawale Ayilara, GMD, LandWey Investment Ltd, Mfon Ekpoh, a learning and development coach at the 2021 Alvin Grey Mid-Year Conference

Etex Group Contributes Cash Awards to Kanu Heart Foundation Following the conclusion of a phase of the Etex Challenge, a global initiative launched in April 2021 to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of Etex employees by registering and engaging them in various sporting activities where points can be earned and prizes won to support chosen local charity organisations, the Etex Group represented by 2 companies in Nigeria - NIGERITE LIMITED Lagos and EMENITE LIMITED Enugu has awarded the Kanu Heart Foundation the sum of 2500 Euro.

The prize money was also donated to support the Foundation’s plan to build and equip an ultra-modern Cardiac Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The project which will be the first of its kind in the country is expected to perform at least 250 open-heart surgeries annually.

Commenting on the emergence of the Kanu Heart Foundation as the recipient of its whopping prize money, Etex submitted that through its global footprint across 42 countries, employees were encouraged to choose a charity they would like to donate to and support through prize monies available to be won by those countries.

“Nigeria is one of the countries that won this challenge by the efforts of our employees who participated in the challenge and had high scores. Kanu Heart foundation is the charity we put forward for Nigeria based on its pedigree and the various assistance the Foundation has provided in connecting and caring for heart disease patients that cannot afford the required surgeries. We also saw in the Kanu Heart Foundation, an example of how the coming together of people as a

team (donors, supporters etc) can help save lives and inspire ways of living.”

“The money won for Nigeria is 2,500 Euros and we at Nigerite and Emenite intend to donate this prize to the KHF. We are also aware that the KHF is proposing to build and equip an ultra-modern Cardiac Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The project which will be the first of its kind in the country is expected to perform at least 250 open-heart surgeries annually when completed and we have decided to donate the prize money to support this cause,” Denis Simonin, MD Etex Nigeria (Nigerite and Emenite).

Mr. Tony Large, the company’s Commercial Director, in his remark said “It is our pleasure to make this donation to the KHF trust to support such a great cause from a great competition.

Ragnarok Property Unveils New Project Ragnarok Property Development Limited (RPDL), one of Nigeria’s leading real estate development companies has announced the launch of its second major housing project. Named ‘The Alverton’, it’s the company’s latest project in the real estate sector having successfully completed the delivery of its Flagship Westbury Homes project.

Speaking about the project the CEO of Ragnarok, Adeniyi Alex-Adedipe said: “With prices of real estate skyrocketing year on year in Lagos, and with the continuous growing need for housing; more particularly comfortable, safe, af-

fordable and serene housing in areas that are within proximity to jobs and other economic opportunities, the launch of The Alverton couldn’t have been better timed.

Like the Chinese proverb goes, ‘the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.”

The property oͿers 2 & 3 bedroom terraces all carefully designed from planning stage to remedy the existing limitations in the real estate market, and carefully crafted to give even more comfort to families.

Apart from the estate features like 24hrs power, uniformed security, mini gym, kids playground, interlocked road

network potable water supply and more, each unit, whether 2 bed or 3 bedroom has its own maid’s room that opens to the backyard, 2 living rooms, 2 parking spaces for cars, Àre alarm, Àtted kitchen with pantry, bluetooth enabled home entertainment system, boundary cameras, box room and so much more.

He adds; “Whether for investment or for accommodation, with a Áexible payment plan, The Alverton ranks ahead for prospective real estate buyers. This intellectually crafted Smart Estate is a guaranteed valuable investment for prospective home owners & investors.”

Rotary Club of Akowonjo Spreads Development Projects in Alimosho Rotary Club of Akowonjo under Rotary International District 9110, on Monday August 16, 2021stormed Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos in its usual style spreading humanitarian services to impact lives and the environment with the commissioning of renovated blocks of classrooms and tree planting at State Senior High School, Alimosho by the District Governor Rotarian Remi Bello (FCA) as the high point of the event.

The club whose aim is ensuring that society witnesses positive development, embarked on this exercise to mark the official visit of the District Governor, Rotarian Remi Bello (FCA) for the 2021/2022 Rotary

year under the club’s leadership of Rotarian President Comrade Victor Amaraegbu.

In an interview by journalists, the District Governor, Rotarian Remi Bello (FCA) stated that the Rotary Club of Akowonjo has gone the extra mile in ensuring that the Rotary International standard is upheld despite the global economic downturn owing to the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

According to him, “although Rotarians, the world over have had their own share of financial challenges with regards the Covid-19 pandemic, I am glad we are able to tackle that to make sure the club’s dream remains intact”.

CreditPRO Wins Best Small Business Lender Award CreditPRO Business Support Services Limited, an SME-focused money lender based in Lagos has emerged as the 2021 winner of the best ‘Small Business Lender of the Year’ award in Nigeria The SME money-focused lender was awarded at the 2021 African Excellence Awards organised by the MEAMarket which is based in Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

“It is a big honor to be recognized by an international award body like MEAMarket. For us, it is a confirmation that we are living our original purpose for starting the business about 2 years ago,” said Sola Adeyiga, founder and

CEO of CreditPRO in a statement.

“Consistently providing customized working capital financing that is suited for small businesses has been a key success factor for CreditPRO,” Adeyiga said.

“To drive home our value proposition, we have introduced a couple of fintech lending applications which aim to remove the complexity of lending to small and medium scale businesses,” he further said.

“We hope to be able to deploy some of these innovations in some other sub-Saharan African countries in coming years,” he added.

Trading, Jobs Insufficient for Bold Drink Becomes Official Sponsor Swarovski Reveals its Latest Brand Influencers in Nigerian Market Learners’ Bills, Says Agency Boss of Chronicles of Ushbebe Swarovski Nigeria has unveiled buyers, fashion enthusiasts and fans two notable fashion enthusiasts of the brand.

The scarcity of foreign exchange and the new regulations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have compelled many parents of Nigerian learners abroad to seek the option of trading or getting approved jobs to augment their expenses.

However, the parents of these students have been advised to approach the CBN for reprieve rather than subject their children and wards to the unpalatable experience of trying to balance academics and work in an attempt to pay their tuition and other expenses.

“As an agency we try to discourage students to think that the jobs they will do as students will pay all their tuition fees and also their living expenses,” said Mrs. Nnembu Ada Nwokeji; Director at Drums School Finders..

According to her, “Ireland, USA, UK, and Australia all oͿer options for students to work and earn some money to help with some expenses. In all these countries generally students are allowed to work 20 hours during term time and full time during the holidays. It is possible to work while studying. There are jobs available students just need to multi-task and manage their time properly so that they concentrate on their academic pursuit which is the main reason they have been granted a visa and then balance that around working.”

She said in the case of the UK, prospective students are required to show proof of all the funds for their tuition fee and living expenses in an account for 28 days before they can apply for a study visa.

Bold soft drink, a brand from the stables of The LaCasera Company plc has been announced the official soft drink sponsor of the 15th Edition of ‘The Chronicles of Ushbebe Live’- the Vaccine Edition’ that held recently at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos.

The comedy show has played host to millions of Nigerians and other nationals over the years. This year’s edition was however limited to 500 guests in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines.

The Bold brand which comes in four flavours of Ginger, Orange, Tropical and Bitter lemon extra has received wide acceptance across the nation by numerous consumers since it launched into the Nigerian market in February 2020 Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Managing Director of The LaCasera Company Plc, Mr. Chinedum Okereke stated that Bold

partnership with the comedy show was inspired by the brand’s shared personality of fun and excitement.

He added that the idea was also to give consumers present at the show the opportunity to taste and experience what the brand has to offer.

Group Marketing Director, Jotna Nig Ltd of The LaCasera Company, Mr. Emmanuel Agu stated that the partnership would further extend its footprint to the class of people that will be present at the event, with the aim to drive sampling of new drinkers, conversion and showcase the fun side of the brand.

He added, “Bold Ginger is Nigeria’s first ginger soft drink with spicy taste and pleasant peppery bite, perfect for your on-the-go life; while Bold Orange is different because it has that uniquely refreshing taste and aroma enjoyed by Fun, Trendy and Stylish consumers.

and Social Media Influencers, Temi Young and Diana Eneje as its new brand influencers during an event at its flagship store in Lagos recently.

Temi Young and Diana Eneje will join a diverse and influential portfolio of brand Influencers to the Swarovski tribe in Nigeria.

Temi Young is a Lawyer, Presenter, beauty blogger and represents a tribe of rising stars with modern grace and tasteful glamour. While Diana Eneje, who is a model and recipient of the Nigerian Teens Choice Most Influential and Fashionable Model award represents a very youthful tribe conversant with street couture and new label glamour.

Through its “Ignite Your Dream” campaign, SW Nigeria will also be deploying its e-commerce platform as a tool to amplify the voices and personalities of the brand influencers to inspire its existing customers, potential

Speaking on the new Signings, Executive Director of Polo Luxury Group, Jennifer Obayuwana said: We welcome Temi young and Diana Eneje to the Swarovski Nigeria family. As our new influencers, they represent young hardworking women, igniting their dreams and achieving with dedication, independence and authenticity”

Eneje

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

TRIBUTE

Pa Okowa Takes Final Glorious Ride Home Today Today, Saturday August 21, 2021 the traditional kingdom of Owa, and the peaceful town of Owa-Alero in particular, is set to witness a momentous and historic event with the final passage rites being conducted for Sir (Chief) Arthur Okorie Okowa, the late father of the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. Tagged as ‘Celebration of Life’ in honour of the late retired educationist and community leader, the decision by the governor to put on hold the social outing or public celebration of departure of his father until seven months later was neither whimsical nor opportunistic, writes Omon-Julius Onabu in this piece.

D

elta State would be practically standing still today with Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State assumes the cynosure of all social and cultural attention as the quiet and peaceful town in Owa kingdom hosts thousands of people from far and near to the official burial ceremony for an illustrious son and resounding harbinger of progress and development. The town, which has in a few decades bourgeoned into an urban centre with all the metropolitan trappings of a modern city, has for several weeks been blowing like a beautiful damsel awaiting the formal visit of a royal suitor. From the adjoining areas of Boji-Boji Agbor in Ika South to Owa-Oyibu, the administrative headquarters of Ika North-East, the whole undulating strech of land has since assumed the posture of a scenic tourist layout. Needless to say, Asaba International Airport has since become a beehive as dignitaries have continually poured into town with reports of hotels in Agbor, Asaba and adjoining Okpanam being fully booked.

Sir (Chief) Arthur Okorie Okowa, the father of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State passed away in January this year at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba the state capital. The his son, the governor, on Thursday, January 28, 2021, had personally broken the news to the world of the transition of the patriarch of the Okowa family at the age of 88 years. Although, he was committed to mother Earth in February, the usual social activities associated with such high-profile burial ceremony could not take place until today due to the then ravaging Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, for those knowledgeable about the strong filial bond which existed between the incumbent Delta State chief executive officer and his late father, the decision to postpone what is known in local.parlance as ‘social outing’ was far from being a politically motivated or prodigal social jamboree.

The late Pa Okowa was not only a renowned teacher and community who earned himself several respected traditional titles in Owa Kingdom and other areas, he was also a thoroughbred politician. His political activities and exploits were well-known, not only in Ika and Anioma area but across the length and breadth of the them Bendel State and beyond, especially in the days of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) headed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

By his own admission, Governor Okowa was painstakingly taught the rudiments of politics by his father, which culminated in his venturing successfully into politics starting from the local government council level where the young medical doctor was a supervisory councillor and local government council chairman. And, despite the vexacious hiccups that characterized the political landscape in Nigeria following the serial interventions in the nation’s politics by fidgeting military regime, the physician-turned politician bounced back in 1999 with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. He subsequently served as civil commissioner in two different ministries, and was also the secretary to the state government before his election into the Nigerian Senate in 2011.

As a professional educationist, the late Pa Arthur Okowa was both meticulous and purposeful, not only in the in his earlier days in the classroom and as an administrator but he was true to type in the home as well. Watching him speaking with so much conviction and candour during the maiden

Okowa Delta State Education Summit in 2016 at Asaba, which brought together some of the countries seasoned educational Eggheads and administrators, the late Sir Okowa left none in doubt as to how passionate he was about education. He was then 84!

The youthful Mr Wisdom Okowa, who is the youngest of Governor Okowa’s siblings, put succinctly in a recent interview with this reporter, when he said that their late father’s commitment to education was legendary.

Fortunately, their mother, the late Victoria (Victory) Okowa, perfectly complemented his efforts.

“My parents made sure that we can speak our local language, or the Ika dialect. And, my dad being a teacher - may his soul rest in peace - also made sure our English was good. Today, I am so happy and so proud that I can speak my own language. But the kids of today....Even when they try to learn the local language, some parents get upset. They don’t want their children to know how to speak their local language. All they want want is for their kids to speak the white man’s language.

They don’t even want to give them traditional names”, Wisdom Okowa said while harping on the crucial role of parents in building a progressive society.

Therefore, today’s event is certainly worthy of its label, the Celebration of Life. Through

his personal vision, passion and commitment, a truly illustrious son of Ika and Anioma has been thrown up from Owa Kingdom for Delta and Nigeria at lage like a bright star that has illuminated the enter environment, pointing the way forward for a people that were practically peering through the dreary darkness.

Thus, when the Governor Okowa expressed the desire of his family to ‘hold a private burial’ for his late father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa, the patriarch of the Okowa’s family of Owa-Alero in February, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Deltans generally showed understanding.

And, in a statement signed by him, the governor disclosed that a public reception to celebrate the life of his late father would hold later in the year in August, with the hope that the curve of the Coronavirus infection would have dipped remarkably by then.

“In view of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, we have opted to hold a private burial ceremony for my late father (in February) while a celebration of life event will take place on August 21, 2021”, Dr. Okowa stated.

The governor added: “Hopefully, by then, the current challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic would have given way to a freer and more assured environment. On behalf of the Okowa family of Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local

Government Area, I wish to thank all those who have taken time to commiserate with us on the death of my beloved father, Sir Arthur Okorie Okowa.

“My siblings and I are deeply grateful for the show of solidarity, which have, in no small measure, helped us to cope with Papa’s passing. Although he died at what may be considered a good old age, the death of someone so dear cannot but leave one with a sense of void.

“My late father was a strong pillar of support all through my political/public service career. I drew immeasurably from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom, and he was very passionate about the growth and development of our beloved state. As a family, we will greatly miss his physical fellowship, but we thank God that he lived a good and fulfilled life; he has etched his name in gold with his legacy of hard work, selfless service, discipline, godliness, love for others, community, and passion for positive, lasting change.”

The late Sir Athur Okowa was a devout Christian of the Anglican faith and was honoured with the knighthood of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

He also held the traditional title of the Ojenyagbe of Owa Kingdom, aside being the ‘Okparan’ of his village (Idumuebor). Incidentally, the Obi of Owa Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, is the current Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

TOURISM/PERSPECTIVE

Revolutionary Music of Gerald Eze in Awka Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

T

he music was more arresting than a lover’s summons.

Call it the music of the spirits that intervolves the ancient and the modern. It was revolutionary music being dished out by the Igbo classical music exponent Gerald Eze and his Ichoku Ensemble at Testimony Place, oͿ Ukwu Aki Junction, on IÀte Road in the Anambra State capital city of Awka on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

The Igbo musical instrument Oja can summon the spirits with the accompaniment of Ubo-aka. The spirit in me was thus summoned to the grand performance of Gerald Eze, a First Class graduate of Music and a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

With a supporting cast of multiform musicians he mentored and his students, Gerald Eze bestrode the stage like a revolutionary maestro of music.

The event titled “Uwa Mgbede”, to wit, eventide life, was graced by the pupils walking into the venue wielding their umbrellas.

Whole families were around to enjoy the rare spectacle. The Uwa Mgbede experience was romantic in the best sense of the word.

Gerald Eze was full of gratitude to “Mmiri Mara Ugo who, though in Imo State, bought tickets for 20 students to attend.”

In the words of a fulÀlled Gerald Eze, “We planned for only 20 student-tickets but 50 student-tickets sold out.”

The band in full play consists of Gerald Eze (Band leader), Alexander Ugwu (Xylophone), Dieudonne Ezeanyim (Trumpet), Victor Ikenna (Oja and Trumpet), Silver Momah (Ubo-aka), Bruno Okafor (Uboaka), Emmanuel Ezedimbu (Ubo-aka), Benita Amaluwa (Udu), Jennifer Okpalaoka (Ekpili), Somto Paul (Bass Guitar), Somto Onyejekwe (Percussions), and David Chiedozie (Drums).

The event also featured the Christi-Harris Family Singers, consisting of Oluoma Odimegwu (Ubo-aka), Ifunanya Odimegwu (Oja and Piano), and Nwabuogo Odimegwu

Ichoku Ensemble

(Voice and Ekpili). Their performance of the classic folk songs “Omalugo” and “Udara Asaa” ranked up there in the league with the renditions of Nelly Uchendu.

Oluoma Odimegwu told the interesting story of how she took the musical instrument, Ubo-aka, to her secondary school boarding house. It elicited a measure of resentment at Àrst that she was bringing the strange instrument to school but it turned to astonishment and eventually to exquisite aͿection when she played the tunes.

The original folksy compositions of Gerald Eze kicked oͿ the evening with a touch of class that never ebbed.

Classical music like Miriam Makeba’s “Pata-Pata” got served up with gusto

by Gerald Eze and the Ichoku Ensemble together with hip and contemporary tunes of modern day Nigeria.

It was enlightening to notice that Igbo instruments like Oja and Ubo-aka could seamlessly mix with the xylophones, guitars and trumpets.

The music was pulsating enough to drag the young and old ones to the dance Áoor, dancing away soulfully.

It was remarkable for me to see that Emeka Anozie whom the Àlmmaker and novelist Onyeka Nwelue had sent to interview me for a documentary in Lagos was right there at Awka working behind the camera.

Emeka Anozie undertook the comely artistic design of the concert Áyer and the video coverage of both the rehearsals and the performance itself.

Gerald Chidi-Onuigbo served as the masterful sound engineer while Kingsley Ezeabasili took charge of still photography.

The support rendered by Professor Greg Obiamalu, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka gladdens the heart of the Global Ogbu-oja no end.

Gerald Eze was full of thanks for the couple who oͿered him free accommodation, Dr Ezeno Patrick Anayo and Barrister Amaka Ezeno. Such committed patrons of the arts are hard to Ànd in these shores. .

Reverend Father Ifesinachi Uduh brought four Catholic priests from the Old Priests’ Home to grace the occasion.

“At this point I was emotional,” Gerald Eze said. “I kept imagining what classic entertainment events we have that can accommodate people of all ages and classes.

Chukwu Daalu, thanks be to God that we thought out Uwa Mgbede!”

The folk music collector and performer Gerald Eze had unstinting praise for his musicians: “I thank my Band Mates, the best set of creative people you can Ànd.

Indeed, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma!” As Chinua Achebe said, “If one thing stands, another will stand beside it.” The Uwa Mgbede Concert by Gerald Eze has revolutionary companions to be hosted at the same venue such as the Nyokometer Àlm-viewing introduced by Emeka Anozie and the Eagle Nest Book Club and Arts Movement facilitated by Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera and Obumneme Osuchukwu It is indeed a revolutionary cultural spring in Awka, Anambra State.

How Chrisland School is Grooming the Future African Leaders Tolulope Ibukunoluwa

A

s Africa continues to grapple with diͿerent economic and political challenges, the need for accountable leadership cannot be overlooked.

Arguably, poor leadership is responsible for the snail pace development in the continent.

However, a critical demographic that will play a key role in leading Africa right is the youths. With most African leaders in their advanced age, usually between 55-75 years, Africans are turning to their young and vibrant population for building trust and accountability, economic transformation and social development. The continent’s young population is estimated to be at 70 per cent with a possibility that one out of three young people in the world will be living in sub-Saharan Africa by 2050. The Àgures, therefore, underscore the need for the continent to equip its young ones with the right leadership skills.

One institution that is preparing the young generation for their future roles is Chrisland Schools, a renowned educational

institution in Nigeria, known for its excellence in educational values. It has been in existence for over four decades and was rated as the best private school in Lagos by the Ministry of Education in 2017 and in 2021, Chrisland was adjudged the Most Outstanding Private Secondary School at the National Education Summit and Award.

Beyond education, Chrisland is known for its leadership and training sessions for students and staͿ members, a programme which it kicked oͿ over 10 years ago.

The leadership programmes cut across diͿerent levels and usually takes place after the term examinations. For instance, there is the Sea School Experience, also known as ‘Citizenship and Leadership Training’.

The training serves as a preparation ground for the students as they progress to senior school. The skills taught can also be applied in the real world. Over 200 Year 9 students can access the leadership programme which is usually held in various venues such as La Campaigne Tropicana, Whispering Palms, Winifred Awosika Leadership Training Centre, Sea School, Apapa.

Apart from the Sea School Experience, there is “African Leadership Academy Model African Union, ALAMAU”, usually held in South Africa for Year 10 and 11;

and for Year 11 and 12 students, there is Nigerian International Secondary Schools Model United Nations, NISSMUN Conference in America and Abuja.

To date, over a thousand students have been beneÀciaries of the conference across all levels.

“We take the leadership training programme very seriously with all our students. The idea is usually to equip them generally with the expectations of the next level,” said Dotun Sotunde, Executive Assistant to the Managing Director/Head, Academic Support Unit.

Like the students, the staͿ and management also undergo similar training tailored to meet their requirements. It is speciÀcally for those who have performed exceptionally within and outside the school in areas higher than their level. It is a sort of compensation and incentive for the staͿ. A notable one is “Leaders in Education”, which was held in the United Kingdom at the University of Hall in 2013. Other trainings include Council Of British International School (COBIS), NICE Conference and Principals Conference held in the UK, US and South Africa.

In addition, there is a quarterly training workshop where those who participated

in the training are allowed to impart the knowledge garnered to others. Recently, the school announced that it is collaborating with the Leadership Training Centre in Apapa, to have a training session at the Winifred Awosika Training Centre on the school grounds at Idimu.

The signiÀcance of these training sessions on participants cannot be overemphasized and speaks volume of the school’s commitment to using education to prepare future leaders.

It is no news that Africa has an alarming rate of out-of-school children due to poverty, religious or traditional beliefs.

Through these leadership programmes, Chrisland is changing that narrative and leading the way for youths to be part of policy decision-making in the country.

It is preparing them to reach positions of inÁuence and build strong institutions that will rival any in the West. According to the African Leadership Institute report, about 700,000 young Africans have already been exposed to some form of selective leadership initiative, such as the one Chrisland is oͿering.

This way, Africa can prepare its youths to beam the light on Africa as a progressive continent.

SATURDAY AUGUST 21, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

52

NEWSXTRA ‘Sadiya Farouq Has Delivered on Mandate’

SERVING HUMANITY… L-R: District Secretary, Ehi Braimah; The Doyen, PDG Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; District Governor, Rotary Club of Nigeria, District 9110, Remi Bello; wife of the District Governor, Mrs. Bello; and President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, Gbenga Badejo, during the visit of the District Governor to the Club ...recently

Anxiety among Parents of Kidnapped Islamiyya Pupils Laleye Dipo in Minna

After staying over 80 days in the hands of their abductors, the patience of the 136 children of the Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School Tegina in the RaÀ Local Government Area of Niger State may have now run out.

THISDAY gathered that the children whose ages range between 5 and 15 years now weep profusely on a daily basis, one of the parents who was allowed to speak to four of the children on Thursday revealed.

According to the parent, he heard the cry of other children

when he was talking to his children.

The parent who did not want his name in print said the children pleaded with other parents to come and rescue them because they are suͿering in the bush.

The children are said to fed three times daily but only given pap in the morning, spaghetti in the afternoon and any other meal in the night THISDAY was told that some of the parents are now living in fear of what could become of their children because some of them are suͿering from severe cold, swollen feet and stomach.

The Head Teacher of the School Alhassan Abubakar when contacted, told THISDAY that he was there when the children called some of the parents, saying the situation was very pathetic.

Abubakar said the parents and the school are now distressed Ànancially as “everything we have we have sold to pay the ransom demanded by the bandits, they collected this money yet they did not release our children, they are demanding for more money, they want more money and six New Bajaj Motorcycles. Where can we get this money? We have sold everything,” Abubakar lamented.

THISDAY had reported that

the relations of the children, philanthropists, school authority and other individuals contributed about N50m in two tranches which they took to the bandits in the forest but on both occasions the kidnappers claimed the money was short by a total of N7m.

The courier of the second tranche of the ransom was even detained before being released after about two weeks in the den of the bandits.

The Niger State Government had insisted it will not pay ransom for the release of the school girls Kidnapped since May 30 this year.

CBN Orders Banks to Restrict Tension in Modakeke as Accounts of 18 Firms Gunmen Kill Five Farmers Bennett Oghifo The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday ordered banks to place a post-no-debit on the bank accounts of 18 companies, which would only allow inÁows but no withdrawals either from automated teller machines (ATMs) or by cheques or other methods.

The directive to banks on the blockage of the 18 companies’ accounts is contained in a circular issued on Thursday and signed

by CBN’s Director of Banking Supervision, Haruna B. Mustapha, which also instructed banks to send details of their accounts.

The CBN, which did not give reasons for directing the freezing of the accounts, said the aͿected companies’ accounts belonged to bureaux de change (BDCs), construction Àrms, investment companies, laundering services,

and property companies.

The CBN’s circular to the banks said, “You are hereby directed to place all accounts of the under-listed customers on Post-No-Debit (PND) restriction.”

The aͿected companies include Bakori Mega Services, Ashambrakh General Enterprise, Namuduka Ventures Limited, Crosslinks Capital and Investment Limited, IGP Global Synergy Limited, Davedan Mille Investment Limited and Urban Laundry.

Others are Advanced MultiLinks Services Limited, Spray Resources, Al-Ishaq Global Resources Limited, Himark Intertrades, Charblecom Concept Limited, Wudatage Global Resources.

Also included are Treynor Soft Ventures, Fyrstrym Global Concepts Limited, Samarize Global Nigeria Limited, and Zahraddeen Haruna Shahru.

AhamefulaOgbu There was palpable tension yesterday in Modakeke, Osun State, following the killing of five farmers by unknown gunmen who waylaid them on their way to farm and shot them along Toro Road.

However, a source told THISDAY that though the attack was allegedly carried out by unknown gunmen, the attack had the signature that suggested a resurgence of the Ife-Modakeke crises which has prompted the government of the state to rush consultations and mobilise security personnel to ensure there was no escalation.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola has called for calm and foreclosed a resurgence of the Ife/Modakeke crisis. He pleaded with the people not to allow criminal elements to steal the peace they had been enjoying and assured that the culprits responsible for the killings would

soon be apprehended.

Osun State Police Command confirmed the killing, adding that the victims were on motorcycles when the gunmen ambushed and shot them. Police Spokesperson in the state, Yemisi Opalola, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olawale Olokode had already deployed a tactical team to the area to forestall breakdown of law and order.

According to a statement from the Osun State Information Commissioner, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, a security meeting had been held where issues about Ife/Modakeke were examined.

“Government, while sympathising with the families of those that died in the unfortunate incident, also called on security operatives to get to the root of the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased and counsel residents and citizens not to take the laws into their own hands.

Okowa Seeks Wealthy Nigerians’ Support in Fighting Insecurity Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, called on wealthy Nigerians to support the government’s eͿort at Àghting insecurity and other challenges in the country.

Governor Okowa made the call at the inauguration of the Area Command O΀ce and O΀cers Quarters, Nigeria Police Force, donated by Jim

Ovia Foundation at Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

He said that there were lots of security and other challenges facing the country that the government alone could not handle.

The governor commended Jim Ovia Foundation for the facility, saying “I am very

excited to have this project built and donated by Jim Ovia, the founder of Zenith Bank Plc and Jim Ovia Foundation.

“It is good to have this type of serene environment for a police command and I am truly happy and appreciate you.

“Too many things need to be done but the government cannot do them alone, that

is why we keep calling on well-meaning individuals to Ànd a way to help.

“This is not the Àrst time you are coming to our aid and I am told that there are many more to be done.

“The good thing is that when a son of the soil is doing well, the only thing is to pray for him and request that he does more.

The Minister of Humanitarian AͿairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has been commended for eͿective leadership in the eͿorts of the federal government to manage the massive humanitarian challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, and vulnerable Nigerians.

The commendation was given at the weekend by the Honourable Federal Commissioner (HFC), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally (NCFRMI), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, as Sadiya Farouq clocked two years as pioneer Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian AͿairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

In a statement by her Media Assistant, Sadiq Abdullateef, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said: “It has been exactly two years since His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR created the ministry to develop

humanitarian policies, provide eͿective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions; ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response; and manage the formulation and implementation of fair focused social inclusion and protection programs in the country.

“The ministry under the humane and passionate leadership of the Honourable Minister, Sadiaya Umar Farouq, has greatly helped in managing the challenges arising from the sprawling number of persons displaced by insurgency, communal clashes, banditry, and natural disasters.

“Through the support of the ministry and the honourable minister, the NCFRMI in particular has been able to scale up its interventions in the areas of welfare, healthcare, and skills acquisition as well as the Learning Centres in IDP camps, which are to be launched soon.”

Gov Udom Implementing SDGs, Says Umo Eno The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, has said that Governor Udom Emmanuel was passionate about the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the State.

The commissioner stated this yesterday, when he received members of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), on inspection of some SDGs projects in Akwa Ibom.

Pastor Uno said that one of the things the Completion Agenda championed by Governor Emmanuel focused on was food security, adding that the governor has set diͿerent machineries on

CPs, Others Hail IGP’s Leadership Quality The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has been rated high by senior police officers and rank and file for his performance.

Assessing his performance since he came on board, the senior police officers described him as “a true and sincere leader.”

Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Hakeem Odumosu, said the IG is “a true father”, adding, “He has a genuine mission to make the people’s police. He does not listen to gossip and that is why he is succeeding. He handles issues relating to staff with maturity and with fatherly attention. There is no doubt that his tenure will be one of the best.”

Also speaking, Delta CP, Ari Mohammed Ali, said IGP Alkali “is no doubt a father. He handles issues with maturity and with fatherly attention. He does not harass or intimidate officers, rather he corrects officers with humility.

He is a very humble officer. I am learning from him. He also takes the welfare of officers very seriously. In the area of operation, he is very proactive.

motion to achieve the set objectives and ensure sustainability.

According to him, Akwa Ibom State government is approaching agriculture from a diͿerent perspective to ensure food su΀ciency and security, adding that the constitution of the technical Committee on Agriculture and Food SufÀciency, and the Directorate of Agric Investments are strategic moves towards attaining the goals.

The commissioner reiterated that it is a fundamental objective of the Governor Emmanuel-led administration to ensure that 80 per cent of food consumed in the state is produced internally.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

53

NEWS EXTRA

Rainoil Decries Invasion of its Lekki Petrol Station

PARTNERING FOR DEVELOPMENT...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (2nd right), State Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji (right), Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ferotex Construction Company Limited, Chief Festus Onu (left) and the Chairman/CEO, Odengene Airshuttle Services (OAS), Chief Evarest Nnaji, when Ugwuanyi flagged off the 5.4km Amagunze asphalt road, being funded by Nnaji, for his community, in support of the governor’s rural development agenda… yesterday.

Inclusion: S’West Women Single Yahaya Bello out as Model Governor Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has been singled out as role model for the Nigerian government in the area of women inclusion.

Women across key professions from the South-West said the Kogi State Governor deserved the honour for helping to demonstrate, through his appointments, that when women hold strategic positions in government, the society is the better for it.

The women, under the aegis of South West Women Arise for Nigeria (SWWAFON), declared this position in a communique read at the end of the Second ‘One Nigeria’ Conference of SWWAFON, held in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday.

The communiqué was jointly

signed by SWAFFON President, Dr. Hannatu Adeeko, and Coconvener, Mrs. Bolanle Idowu.

According to the women, Bello’s inclusion of women in strategic positions in his cabinet and across the Kogi State Local Government Areas, was already producing good results in major sectors of the state.

They said, “As women, we decided to give honour to whom it is due. In this regard, we have resolved to single out Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State as the role model for the Nigerian government in terms of women inclusion.

“Where women are put to good and strategic use, peace and growth are the results. The

result is showing in all aspects of governance in the state, including security, education, agriculture and other sectors.

“He is the first Governor ever to appoint a female ADC in the history of Nigeria. His SSG is also a woman. More important to add is the fact that all the Vice Chairmen of the local governments in the state are women, among other key appointments.”

“This is why we are saying that the problem of Nigeria is not about political parties but about the person who can do the job and take us out of the quagmire,” SWWAFON said.

The women called for peace in the land, saying, “We as women must come in and prevail on our husbands, on

our children, to toe the path of peace and not allow agents of destruction use them to cause greater destruction in Nigeria.”

SWWAFON said, “We must be the voices of reason across our families, offices, communities and wherever we find ourselves to drum it into the ears of the people that war is an ill wind that blows no one any good.

“It is our sincere desire that this quest be sustained and that it yields the desired fruits across the land.”

Women of substance from all walks of life, including ace Nollywood women, bankers, senior journalists, entrepreneurs, medical practitioners and lecturers, were present at the conference.

Insecurity: Matawalle Meets Zulum , Says Situation Needs Knowledge Sharing Onuminya Innocent

The Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle yesterday met his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Umaru Zulum at his Kano residence in order to share and review the security situation in the two states towards restoring lasting peace.

During the meeting, efforts of the two governors in addressing the security situation affecting their states and the

dimensions which the terrorists are carrying out attacks on innocent citizens were discussed The duo noted that there “is need for total cooperation” from citizens of the affected states in order to defeat the insurgents.

Both governors also shared notes in the mode of their operations in handling the security situation with a view to using both approaches to achieve the set objectives.

In a statement by Mutawalle’s Director General of

media and public enlightenment, Yusuf Idris Gusau said the duo also agreed to share genuine intelligence in order to maintain the firm stance in dealing with those fomenting troubles and undermining government efforts of restoring peace and maintenance of security of citizens lives and properties.

The governors also agreed to deal decisively with anybody found undermining their efforts of peace building especially from state as well as non-state

actors.

They noted the roles of traditional institutions in the restoration of peace and agreed to work closely with the traditional rulers but noted the unpleasant attitude of some traditional rulers who allow themselves to be used by mischief makers to thwart the efforts of the government and security operatives by refusing to provide intelligence information that would lead to the arrest of criminals in their domains.

Rivers Vs FIRS: Court Reserves Judgement on Stay of Execution on VAT Collection Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday, reserved judgement in the relief sought by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to restrain the Rivers State Government from enforcing the judgement it got over the collection of Valued Added Tax (VAT) in the state.

The FIRS lead lawyer, Mr. Reuben Wanogho, in a motion on notice told the court that his client had filed an appeal against

the judgment of the court delivered on August 9, 2021 which declared that it was the Rivers State government and not FIRS, that was constitutionally empowered to collect VAT in the State.

Based on this, the FIRS urged the court for a stay of execution of the judgment against it.

It would be recalled that the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt under trial Justice Pam had on August 9, declared that the collection of VAT by FIRS in Rivers State was illegal.

After listening to the argument canvassed by both the lead lawyer

to the Rivers State government, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) and FIRS’ lawyer, Reuben Wanogho, the trial judge, Justice Pam said the date for ruling on the matter would be communicated to the parties.

Speaking to journalists after the court had reserved its ruling, a member of the Rivers State legal team, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe ( a Senior Advocate of Nigeria) said FIRS did not want enforcement of the judgment that declared Rivers State Government was constitutionally empowered to collect VAT in the State.

According to him, “The argument as usual is that they are on appeal and therefore the valid judgment of this court should not be obeyed and we find that a bit curious.”

Adedipe explained that having canvassed argument in opposition to FIRS position, the crux of the issue was that the law does not permit a vacuum. According to him, the Rivers State House of Assembly had already passed the Value Added Tax Bill of Rivers State into law and the same had been duly accented to by the Governor of the State.

The management of Rainoil Ltd has decried the alleged recent invasion of its retail station located at Admiralty Way, Lekki I on the 13th of August 2021, by officials of Quest Petroleum Limited, purported owners of Ascon Oil Limited, accompanied by several armed mobile policemen in the guise of enforcing a court order.

The said ruling from Federal High Court Ikoyi, dated 24th July 2020, as per Liman J. in Suit No FHC/L/CS/567/2020, Olawale Akani (SAN) vs Ascon Oil Limited which Rainoil claimed was not in favour of Ascon Oil and however had gone on appeal.

A statement from Rainoil said, “The ruling referenced was delivered in 2020 and was not in favour of Ascon Oil. The ruling delivered by

Justice Liman J. in the case reaffirmed the power of the receiver as appointed by Stanbic IBTC Bank. Dissatisfied with the ruling of Justice Liman on 24th July 2020, which was not in their favour, Ascon Oil went on to appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal. The matter remains at the Appeal Court.

“We then wonder how Ascon Oil can return a year afterwards to execute a judgment which was not in their favour and for which they have gone to the Court of Appeal.

“The matter instituted on the above date is still in litigation and as a law-abiding organisation, we choose not to comment further on the subject of litigation.

“We assure the public and our esteemed customers that this matter will be resolved expeditiously.”

Soludo: My Opponents Can’t Govern Anambra with Only WAEC Certificate David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has chided his fellow governorship candidates from other political parties for declaring only WAEC certificates as their highest educational attainments.

Soludo who spoke at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the inauguration of the APGA National Campaign Council, said Anambra had outgrown being governned with such lowly educational qualification.

The candidate who was on Thursday enlisted as standard bearer of APGA by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

Nneora Maria Nwabunike Dies at 91 The death has occurred of Nneora Maria Nwabunike (Nee Chukwuma), popularly called Iju Wagon of Ezenwelike Village, Ukunu-Eziora, Ozuobulu, Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra State, A devout Christian and Community leader, Nwabunike was born on March 30, 1930 into the family of Chief and Mrs. Michael Obi Chukwuma and she died at the age of 91.

A statement by the family said Thursday August 26, 2021, by 5pm would be service of songs at Late Chief Johnny Okafor Nwabunike’s compound , Ezenwelike Village UkunuEziora, Ozuobulu, Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra state, on Friday while August 27would be burial mass at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ukunu-Eziora, Ozuobulu, Ekwusigo LGA, by 10am and reception at Central school Sacred Heart Catholic Church, UkunuEziora, Ozuobulu The outing thanksgiving mass will hold at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ukunu-Eziora, Ozuobulu by 9am on August 29,2021.

after series of legal battle said the November 6 governorship election in the state is APGA’s.

“APGA has a star-studded team for this election, and it is the party with the best brains.

“Look at other political parties and their candidates, and you will find out that they have just First School Leaving Certificate and others WAEC as their highest qualification.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 21, 2021

54

SPORTS XTRA

Isaac Success Joins Udinese on Loan from Watford Nigerian striker Isaac Success is set to undergo medicals at Italian side Udinese to compete his transfer from Watford after spending five years.

Italian journalist Gianluca Dimarzio confirmed the development yesterday.

Success, a former Nigerian

international at the Under-17 and Under-20 level, leaves English side Watford after his five-year ran out this summer.

The 25-year-old joined the Hornets from Spanish side Granada in 2016, netting his first goal againstAFC Bournemouth in 2017.

He was on loan to Malaga FC before returning to Watford in 2018/2019, scoring four goals in 13 appearances for the Hornets.

The White and Blacks are hoping to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new Serie A campaign, which starts this weekend.

Udinese signed the forgotten Super Eagles player on a loan deal. The Serie A club are short in the attacking areas, having lost talisman Rodrigo De Paul to Atletico Madrid.

AndwiththeItaliantop-flight set to kick off this season, The Whites and Blacks are hoping

to strengthen their attack by bringing in Success.

Both clubs are owned by the Pozzo family.

There was a similar deal involving another Nigerian international between the two parties last season. Super Eagles vice-captain William TroostEkong moved from the Serie Aclub to sign for Watford, who were in the Championship last campaign.

Successhasnowmovedtothe opposite direction this summer.

It’s also a move that benefits the former Granada man as he offers him an opportunity to get more minutes under his

belt. At the same time, he is also familiar with the surroundings at Udinese, having played for the U-19 team before.

The 25-year-old has struggled for game time at Watford in the last two years. He played just over 300 minutes of football in the Skybet Championship last season, while he did not feature in the Premier League opener against Aston Villa last weekend.

However, the move to Italy could reignite his career.

Success is a full Nigerian international with four caps, but he hasn’t played for the country since 2018.

Onazi Returns to Denizlispor on a One-year Deal

Onazi at his unvielinhg at Denizlispor

Atletico, Atalanta Monitor Super Eagles Forward, Moffi There has not been a shortage of suitors for one of Nigeria’s finest strikers in Europe, Terem Moffi after a fine debut season in France.

2021 La Liga winnersAtletico Madrid and Serie A side Atalanta are looking in the direction of Nigerian the forward as a possible attacking reinforcement before the summer transfer window slams shut.

According to FootMercato, both clubs sent representatives to watch the former Kortrijk star

in action last weekend as his side took on AS Monaco.

The scouts would have been impressed with the profile of Moffi after the youngster inspired Les Merlus to a surprise 1-0 win over Niko Kovac’s men.

Moffi won the penalty and converted the resulting kick in the 31st minute to score the only goal of the matchday two Ligue 1 clash and earn his side’s first three points of the season.

It’s an excellent way to begin the new campaign for a striker

who notched 14 league goals last term to help Lorient avoid relegation troubles.

While some of Europe’s biggest sides are constantly linked with Moffi, it would take something special to tempt him away from Lorient.

The two-cap Super Eagles striker has made it clear he has no intention of leaving the French club, where he has found a home and has a contract until June 2024.

There is also the small matter

of making the Nigerian squad to next January’sAfrica Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.

Still a Super Eagles fringe player, Moffi will be aware that playing regularly for his club will boost his chances of impressing head coach Gernot Rohr.

However, the youngster has a market value of €10 million, which should be no significant financialburdenforthebigclubs looking to take him away from France.

Standing Ovation for Onyeka from Brentford Fans on EPL Debut Frank Onyeka had a memorable Premier League debut penultimate Friday, helping new boys Brentford register a shock 2-0 win over Arsenal in a London derby at the Brentford Community Stadium courtesy of goals in each half from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard.

The Nigeria international played with intensity, showed his willingness to work for his team, was calm in possession and drove forward when necessary.

The Bees fans appreciated

the performance of the summer signing from sister club FC Midtjylland, giving him a standing ovation as he went off the pitch in the 80th minute.

Onyeka has admitted that it was tough for him and the Brentford central midfielders in the second half as Arsenal came at them and he had to do a lot of running.

“It was tough for me, Chris Nørgaard and Vitaly Janelt.

It was hard for us but what can we do, we just need to push ourselves and make

sure they don’t get a goal,” Onyeka said to Brentford’s official webpage.

On receiving a standing ovation when he was replaced

by Mads Bidstrup, The Bees number 15 said : “It was a great feeling. I was tired then I was going out and I saw everyone standing, this is amazing.

“None of my family came, just one person from Nigeria, a journalist, she came to watch the game”.

Asked if he talked to the

Arsenal players during the game, Emile Smith Rowe and Xhaka in particular, Onyeka replied : “No. Why should I talk to them? The only thing I was thinking about was just us - what can we do to get this result.

“I don’t talk to the opposition, maybe later on.”

Onyeka and his Brentford teammates have another London derby coming up, a trip to Selhurst Park where they battle Michael Olise’s Crystal Palace this afternoon.

Anambra‘II Back Edoga-Solaja for Badminton Board Position

Glo Sponsors EPL Game Broadcast as Season Enters Week 2

Chairman Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Tony Oli, has pledged that Anambra State will back Mrs Oby Edoga-Solaja for election into the Board of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN).

Oli said this at the Commission’s Headquarters, when the former African Badminton Champion paid courtesy call on him at the Ukwu Orji office of the commission.

“Badminton is one of the major individual sports that we have been identifying with as a commission, because of the potential it has offered us from the last National Sports Festival (NSF), Edo 2021.”

Match day 2 of the English Premier League comes up this weekend with football fans in Nigeria and Ghana set for another round of excitement as they watch their clubs live courtesy of Globacom-sponsored live broadcast on SuperSport channels on DSTV. This is the 9th season that the telecommunication company has brought EPL matches live to the living rooms and event centers of football fans in the two countries through sponsorship of the broadcast.

“Right from 2003 when

“We are also proud of that Edoga-Solaja facilitated 30 rackets and shuttles to aid the Anambra State Badminton Association to develop the sport at the grassroots.”

Earlier, Edoga-Solaja, a South East representative in the last board of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), and former African champion, said she was driven by passion as a former player to explore ways of supporting the growth of the sport she loved and practiced up to the 1996 Olympics.

She represented Anambra State at the Kaduna ‘77, Oluyole ‘79 and Edo ‘81 National Sports Festivals, where she won gold and silver medals.

we rolled out services, our company has been connecting with the passion of football fans across the continent. The sponsorship of telecast of EPL matches in Nigeria and Ghana is, therefore, an extension of this commitment. Football fans on the continent deserve the best and we will continue to delight them”, Globacom said in a statement.

The star match of the weekend is the game between Arsenal and European Champions, Chelsea, a London derby scheduled for Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Denizlispor have secured the services of one of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations heroes on a free transfer after Ogenyi Onazi signed a oneyear deal with his former club.

Onazi joined the TFF First League side after parting ways with Lithuanian club FK Zalgiris Vilnius just six months after signing for them.

This will be Onazi’s second spell with The Roosters after playing for the club in the first half of 2020. Onazi is familiar with the Turkish environment, having previously spent four years in the country.

The forgotten Super Eagles star moved to the country in 2016 to sign for Trabzonspor after leaving Lazio. He played for the Black Sea Storm for three and half years before signing for Denizlispor.

Onazi had a decent spell with Vilnius, scoring three times and providing one assist in 26 appearances. Denizlispor will hope he can build on that as they hope to gain promotion back to the Turkish top-flight.

The 28-year-old has won 51 caps for the Super Eagles, but he hasn’t played for the team since 2018.

World Athletics U20 Championships

Onwuzurike Sets New Record in Men’s 200m Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike has set a new championships record in the men’s 200m with a time of 20.13 seconds to become the sixth Nigerian to qualify for the half lap final at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

Accompanied by his father to the ongoing World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, Onwuzurike left no one in doubt about his mission to Nairobi which is to succeed Francis Obikwelu as the next Nigerian World U20 champion in the 200m.

In the semifinal, the high school graduate stormed to a personal best of 20.13 seconds, the fastest 200m time ever witnessed in the history of the championships and a new Nigerian U20 record

to qualify for today’s final.

Standing between Onwuzurike and a second World U20 200m gold 25 years after Obikwelu won in Sydney are two Africans, Bostwana’s reigning World U20 100m champion, Leslie Tebogo who ran a new 20.31 personal best to qualify for the final and Uganda’s Tarsis Orogot who scorched to a new 20.37 national record in the semifinal.

Interestingly, all Nigerian athletes who have made the final of the event ended up at the podium starting with Olapade Adeniken who won a silver medal (20.88s) in 1988 in Sudbury, Canada. He was followed by Davidson Ezinwa two years later in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Nnamdi Wins Nigeria’s First Field Event Medal in 19 Years Chinecherem Nnamdi became the nation’s first medallist in the field event since 2002 as he cliched Bronze in the Men’s Javelin final at the ongoing World U20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nnamdi, whose 78.02m throw qualified him as the top athlete with the best throw two days ago, put up a good series of throws as he laid down the gauntlet to his competitors with an opening-round throw

of 70.57m. He went better in the second round as he launched his spear to a distance of 72.63m.

“I feel a bit disappointed because I was really going for the gold here, but I will still take this medal and hope to build on the progress going forward,” Nnamdi said.

Nnamdi also became the first Nigerian athlete in 19 years to win a field event medal at the Championships since Esther Aghatise (Long Jump) achieved the feat in 2002.

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PDP to Buhari

“What explanations can the Buhari Presidency and the APC offer for failing to decisively tackle terrorists, insurgents and bandits, who are daily ravaging our communities, killing and maiming our compatriots in various states across the country?”

– The opposition PDP slamming President Muhammadu Buhari for saying he won’t leave office as a failure.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

UT H

& RE A S O

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26 years

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

80 Gun Salutes for the General at 80

F

ellow Nigerians, love him or loathe him, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) is a man in a class of his own.

His toothy smile and grin are a familiar trademark which immediately disarm you once you meet him. His memory, which is like that of an elephant, commends him to several soldiers of the rank and file, administrators, technocrats, politicians and businessmen who served under him or interacted with him. He is reputed to remember the birthdays and notable events in the life of his subordinates and friends and their families particularly the children and wives. It is apparently not a rarity for Babangida to call the wife of his lieutenants, aides or friends on the occasion of the birthday of one of their children, buy and send them a present or even turn up unheralded at an occasion, incognito, in a relatively ramshackle car driven by himself.

A man with several monikers, IBB, Maradona, Machiavelli or Evil Genius, Babangida was already an established figure in the Nigerian political firmament and consciousness before he captured our imagination like a quintessential spellbinder from 1985. This was when he unceremoniously sacked the dreaded Buhari/Idiagbon military junta from power and brought about an unusual variant of military administration into Nigeria. Prior to this latest daring coup plotting escapade against a duo that the country had thought invincible, Buhari had been more than a casual participant in all the main coup plots that had taken place in Nigeria apart from the January 1966 coup.

Indeed, he was either the pivotal figure, main orchestrator or mastermind of the coup plot or he was at the forefront and vanguard of those crushing a rebellion. It is worthwhile just chronicling and putting his exploits in this area into proper perspective because it probably helps in defining the remarkable nature of this extraordinary soldier.

Babangida was one of the young Turks who gathered round the irrepressible leadership of the late General Murtala Mohammed to revenge the January 1966 coup which had led to the slaughter of many Hausa-Fulani politicians and military leaders and some of their Western counterparts. The July 1966 coup, also known in military circles as the July Rematch because it pitted most of the Northern military elite against their Igbo counterparts, is probably the bloodiest of all the coup plots and attempts that have taken place in Nigeria.

It was a retributory reprisal with vengefulness and vengeance. It was bloody because the protagonists were blood thirsty. Seeing their leaders almost out of control set the rank and file on a course of almost no return. It can be said that they simply lost their mind. It is instructive that most of the Northern officers who took part in the coup, Babangida included never regretted their action or felt the need to apologise for it. They actually continue to justify it as being something that was required given what had gone before.

In July 1975, Colonel Babangida, as he then was, joined forces with other radical elements of the Nigerian Armed Forces to overthrow General Yakubu Gowon’s government. They were unhappy with the slow pace of the Gowon administration particularly his reluctance and unwillingness to hand over to a democratically elected government. Babangida, as commander of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, played a key role in this bloodless palace coup which was made easier by the fact that Colonel Joseph Garba of the Brigade of Guards was deeply and intricately involved in the plot.

In February 1976, Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka of the infamous ‘dawn to dusk curfew’ debacle attempted to overthrow the military government of General Murtala Mohammed. In the process that led to the assassination of Murtala Mohammed and

Babangida his aide-de-camp, Lt. Col. Akintunde Akinsehinwa, in a hail of bullets. The abortive coup attempt almost led to the death of Murtala Mohammed’s Chief of Staff and Deputy, General Olusegun Obasanjo. As it was, Colonel Raymond Dumuje was mistaken for Obasanjo, who had chosen to hide in the Ijesha Lodge residence of the wealthy Chief S. B. Bakare on Queens Drive in Ikoyi, and Dumuje was badly wounded in the ensuing farce of an assassination. It was Babangida who literally snuffed out the coup and crushed the rebellion by recapturing Radio Nigeria broadcasting station from Colonel Dimka who then fled but was captured and executed.

Babangida was soon again at his government ouster antics at the end of the December 1983.

He was one of the arrowheads of the coup that deposed the civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and brought the dreaded duo of Major General Muhammadu Buhari and Brigadier General Tunde Idiagbon to power.

Upon overthrowing Buhari in 1985, Babangida tried to be the exact opposite of Buhari by running a populist government. He released hundreds of the ill-assorted politicians it had pleased Major General Muhammadu Buhari to haul into his gulag. Some of them were meant to spend several lifetimes inside prison with impracticable sentences as high as a thousand years. This singular feat endeared him into the hearts of many Nigerians because not only were the sentences too harsh, they were also in most cases unjust and unjustifiable. Babangida was indeed like a “Daniel come to Judgement” as far as millions of Nigerians were concerned.

The manner and speed in which he promptly dismantled the apparatuses and appurtenances of coercion and ruthlessness that General Buhari and, his sidekick, General Tunde Idiagbon, had manufactured and concocted.

Babangida knew Nigeria like the back of his palm and hypnotized the people endlessly. He appointed Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe an upstanding and astute Naval officer as his Deputy and Chief of Staff. It is interesting that Ukiwe had served in the Biafran Army but was reabsorbed into the Nigerian Navy after the civil war and this also demonstrate the sterling leadership qualities of Babangida in refusing to let that influence his judgement. Babangida demonstrated his ruthless streak and his brooking of no dissent when he casually dumped Ukiwe because of his strident objection to Nigeria joining the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Babangida then appointed another fantastic Naval officer, Augustus Aikhomu, who later became an Admiral as replacement for the truculent Ukiwe.

Babangida showed in his choice of deputies that

he was concerned to recruit the best talents to support him in nation building at this time, and he did this with much success. He continued in this vein and mesmerised us with his cabinet appointments by attracting a star-studded team of technocrats and administrators from all parts of Nigeria. He became the ultimate showman.

His “poster boys” included Jibril Aminu and Babs Fafunwa in Education, Chu Okongwu, Olu Falae and Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji (AAA) in Finance, Bolaji Akinyemi, Ike Nwachukwu, Rilwan Lukman in Foreign Affairs, Olikoye RansomeKuti in Health, Bolasodun Ajibola and Clement Akpamgbo in Justice, Tam David-West, Rilwan Lukman, Jibril Aminu in Petroleum, Olawale Ige in Communications, Alani Akinrinade and Gado Nasko in Agriculture, Alex Akinyele in Sports, Tam David-West and Nura Imam in Mines and Power, Mamman Kontagora in Works and Housing, Tony Momoh and Alex Akinyele in Information, John Shagaya and Tunji Olagunju in Internal Affairs, Emmanuel Emovon and Gordian Ezekwe of the Biafran ‘Samba Ogbunigwe’ bomb fame, in Science and Technology, Kalu Idika Kalu, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji and Chu Okongwu in Budget and Planning, Wole Soyinka in Road Safety, Tai Solarin and Maria Shokenu in People’s Bank...

Such a galaxy of well-respected and well-meaning stars helped him stabilize the government. He was smart enough to move these men and women imbued with great talent, dexterity and skills amongst the various Ministries so that they could bring their expertise and experience to bear in several areas of governance in the country.

His beautiful, adorable and elegant wife, Maryam Ndidi Babangida, of blessed memory, was one of the finest and most impactful First Ladies ever. Her Better Life for Rural women initiative won her accolades from far and near.

In 1991, she was a co-winner of The Hunger Project Award alongside the Professor Wangari Mathai of Kenya.

Babangida is known to have introduced economic measures that welcomed IMF conditions and conditionalities after the desperate years of the Buhari government. The Buhari administration had strenuously resisted the devastating implications and effects of this poisoned chalice, but Babangida was determined to forge ahead with it believing that it was best for Nigeria at the time. He felt that the pains were outweighed by the relief it would bring to the economy and the living conditions of Nigerians. In this, he seriously miscalculated and was very gravely wrong.

Rather than receive any succour, Nigerians groaned under the heavy sacrifices that they were being forced to make, and the punishments that they had to endure because of the compulsory and mandatory devaluation of the Naira which was an obligatory condition of the IMF loan. Indeed, this unfortunate economic policy to which Kalu Idika Kalu gave his imprimatur is the harbinger of the wholescale and seemingly interminable devaluation and erosion of the value of the Naira we see today.

Babangida’s government was nearly truncated by a coup led by Gideon Orkar. After the coup failed, Babangida bared his fangs, retaliated ruthlessly and showed his dark streak. One of his best and long-standing friends, Mamman Vatsa, paid the ultimate price with his life despite spirited and passionate pleas for forgiveness from the troika of Nigeria’s literati, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and John Pepper Clark. Babangida hurriedly packed his bags and absconded from Lagos into the warm embrace of Abuja which he set about developing at break-neck speed. It is to his credit that the capital city is what it is today as the foundation for the development was effectively laid by him. Lagos will also remember Babangida for the Third Mainland Bridge which permanently changed traffic and life in Lagos

and turned it into a truly international city.

Babangida’s government was sadly dogged by some calamities and strange occurrences. Notable amongst these was the dastardly murder of the talismanic, gifted, cerebral journalist and socialite, my brother from Ife and Ugbekpe Ekperi, Edo State, Dele Giwa by a letter bomb, the likes of which had never been seen in Nigeria. The Babangida administration was suspected of being complicit in this gruesome and heinous murder but till today the truth is still shrouded in secrecy. The other purportedly linked incident was the Gloria Okon fiasco in which a lady drug trafficker, Gloria Okon was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport whilst trying to travel abroad. This was in April 1985 just before the Buhari administration was booted out of power by Babangida. Okon died in mysterious circumstances in police custody six days later.

Speculations mounted about her ties with the Babangidas but there has never been any shred of evidence and it seems Babangida, and his wife have merely been much maligned in this respect.

It is as a result of his failed promises to return Nigeria to Democracy that Babangida’s image and reputation seems to have been much tarnished.

Politicians were banned and unbanned in a game of chess in which all the officers were controlled by him and everybody else was a willing or unwilling, witting or unwitting pawn.

Proper musical chairs! Babangida was also a consummate footballer who demonstrated a dexterity in dribbling all other players in the game. Ultimately, he made the mistake of forgetting the side he was playing against and began to dribble himself and others facing his own goal. It was inevitable that he would score an own goal against himself. He soon dumped the military uniform for impeccable traditional robes. After several attempts at transitioning, he was forced to conduct the 1993 Presidential election which was won by his bosom friend, Chief Moshood Abiola. For reasons better known to Babangida and his apparatchiks, an election adjudged as the best and fairest Nigeria has ever witnessed to date was annulled and the winner, Chief Abiola, eventually landed in prison where he ultimately died. This incidence continues to haunt Nigeria. Everything has unfortunately nosedived for a great country since the tragedy that unfolded following that unfortunate and terrible annulment.

All of Babangida’s innovations and legacy were obliterated by this singular occurrence. He has tried on several occasions to explain, weakly, the circumstances under which he cancelled his best moment. Many Nigerians have refused to buy his reasons while the more charitable ones have grudgingly forgiven him. What is clear is that nobody has forgotten, and nobody will forget. It is my fervent hope that history will be kinder to him than it is now because at the end of the day IBB is the exemplary Gentleman Officer, loyal to a fault to his friends, accommodating, kind and generous. As those close to him will attest, the IBB in the public glare is totally different from the IBB the loving and doting family man, the affectionate friend, the philanthropist, the effervescent and bubbly personality who can sometimes appear too good to be true. In effect, IBB is an enigma, a unique blazing comet that’s seen once in a lifetime. For good or for ill, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida cannot be ignored.

Despite everything, he continues to be relevant in the affairs of Nigeria. As he turns 80, Ovation International magazine has produced a magnum opus on IBB that presents the most compelling story of a most complex and complicated character, generously and lavishly laced with never seen before pictures. It is a fitting documentary and special tribute to this human prodigy...

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