Gunmen Kill 3 Policemen, 5 Others in Emir of Kaura Namoda’s Convoy Zangon-Kataf erupts, 7 killed, houses razed Traditional ruler of Ankpa abducted John Shiklam in Kaduna, Francis Sardauna in Katsina and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the convoy of the
Emir of Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad, killing eight people. In Kaduna State, seven people were killed by gunmen in Gora Gan
community, Zangon-Kataf Local Government area of the state, while security operatives in Kogi State have declared a manhunt for the kidnappers of the traditional ruler of Ankpa, the Ejeh of Ankpa, Shuaibu
Usman, who was abducted yesterday. The gunmen attacked the Emir of Kaura Namoda on his way home from Abuja, killing three of his police security details and five other people.
According to an eyewitness, who escaped during the attack, “The Emir’s convoy was ambushed by the suspected gunmen along Zaria-Funtua highway. The Emir was coming back to Zamfara
from Abuja in the midnight in a convoy of official vehicles. “Eight occupants of the Toyota Hilux, including the driver, were all shot dead by Continued on page 5
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Buhari Celebrates Rescue of Kankara Boys in 6 Days, Echoes Resolve to Secure All Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Omololu Ogunmade, Kigsley Iweze and Udora Orizu in Abuja, Francis Sardauna in Katsina President Muhammadu Buhari was upbeat yesterday when he met with the returnee Kankara boys at the Government House, Katsina, and reiterated
his determination to provide security for all in Nigeria. The schoolboys were abducted when gunmen stormed their school, Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, on December 11. The president, who spoke in Hausa, was excted by the rescue of the schoolboys within
six days and congratulated the children for their safe return. He stressed that the government would continue to improve the nation’s security system. Buhari advised the freed students to remain focused in the pursuit and acquisition of good education despite their ill-fated experience.
The President, who tasked the pupils not to be distracted by the misfortune of their kidnapping, said the reward of knowledge acquisition was non-negotiable. The President described their plight as a test of character and determination to succeed in life. He assured them that the
WE BROUGHT BACK OUR BOYS... President Muhammadu Buhari addressing rescued students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State ...yesterday
federal government would upgrade the security structure in the country to ensure more safety. Imploring the students to put their predicament in the hands of their abductors behind them, Buhari insisted that there is no alternative to education “My dear children, don’t
be discouraged with what has happened,’’ he said, “give your attention to acquiring knowledge and developing good character, and you will be distinguished in life. “I know that you have been through a lot. The suffering you went through, please put Continued on page 5
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WTO’s DG: US Makes Weird Proposal for Restart of Process Okonjo-Iweala’s fate hanging, body laments absence of substantive head Obinna Chima and Dike Onwuamaeze The United States has suggested that the process of finding a new directorgeneral of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which is almost completed, needs to be reopened. US President, Donald Trump's trade chief, Robert Lighthizer, told the BBC News on Thursday that the WTO needs "someone with real experience in trade, not someone from the World Bank or a development person.” This is coming on the heels of WTO’s lamentation that the absence of a substantive director general is hurting its operations. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian minister of finance and former managing
director (MD) of the World Bank, had gotten the support of 110 out of 164 member countries but the US opposed her candidacy. The trade organisation operates based on consensus, that is, if one country opposes, a final decision cannot be made. Iweala and Yoo Myung Hee, South Korea’s trade minister, are the final candidates for the top job at the WTO following the resignation of Roberto Azevêdo in May. Following the lack of a consensus, the WTO had postponed the general council meeting to consider the appointment of a new DG till further notice. Lightizer confirmed that there is no way the Trump administration would be persuaded to back Iweala in
its remaining weeks in office. He said the WTO is “massively in need of reform”, especially its dispute-resolving appellate body, which according to him, has evolved into a body creating a common law of trade, “taking away benefits” that members had negotiated for and putting restraint on things that had been conceded.” The appellate body of the WTO has been rendered inactive by Donald Trump’s administration vetoing the appointment of new judges. “I think there’s a consensus developing at the WTO that we need the appellate body reform. We need to start negotiating again, we need to start making headway. So I’m glad you brought up the WTO, it’s been clearly a
focus for us and to us it’s an organisation that started off as a good idea and basically isn’t functioning very well, but I think that can be sorted out also,” Lightizer said. James Bacchus, a former chairman of the WTO appellate body, as well as a former US trade negotiator, said: “Effective multilateral cooperation to lower barriers to trade is urgently needed to help jumpstart the global economy and recover from the pandemic. That requires creative leadership from an honest broker in the role of director-general.” Despite speculations that the Joe Biden administration might have a different stance on Iweala’s appointment, the US president- elect has not confirmed his preference. “We need to be aligned
with the other democracies.. so that we can set the rules of the road instead of having China and others dictate outcomes,” Biden had said on trade recently. Simon Lester, a WTO expert at the Cato Institute in Washington, said that it would be a good idea if the Biden administration could trade off support for Iweala for political capital on other reforms. According to Lester, this would be the fastest way to appoint a new WTO DG, because “opening up the selection process could be messy and complicated, and would lead to delays”.
WTO Laments Absence of Substantive DG Meanwhile, the WTO yesterday
stated that the absence of a substantive director general is hurting its operations and would not describe 2020 as a very successful year. The WTO made this statement during a press briefing, adding that a special general council early in the New Year is needed to make a decision on the matter. It re-echoed during the press briefing the words of the Permanent Representative to the WTO Ambassador David Walker, who told the council that there was no change in the situation about selecting a substantive DG and that “it remains elusive.” The trade organisation stated that the absence of a substantive director general is hampering discussions on important issues like the fisheries subsidy.
GUNMEN KILL 3 POLICEMEN, 5 OTHERS IN EMIR OF KAURA NAMODA’S CONVOY the gunmen. The Emir escaped unhurt. Three policemen were among those killed,” said the eyewitness. Usman Nagogo, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police confirmed the incident yesterday. Spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, Gambo Isah, also confirmed that the hoodlums attacked the paramount ruler along Funtua-Gusau Road. Isah, a superintendent of police, said: "On 18/12/2020 at about 0030hrs, the convoy of Emir of Kauran Namoda, Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi while on transit from Abuja to Zamfara State was attacked at Funtua, along Funtua - Gusau road. "The policemen in the front escort vehicle engaged the bandits in a gun duel and as
a result of which the driver of the vehicle was shot at and lost control of the vehicle and summersaulted off the road and fell into a nearby pond." He added: "Subsequently, a team of policemen, led by DPO Funtua, arrived the scene, rescued the Emir and recovered eight dead bodies, comprising three policemen and five palace guards. Investigation is ongoing." There has been a spike in the activities of bandits in the North-west recently.
7 Killed, Houses Razed in Zangon-Kataf The rising spate of violence was also experienced in Kaduna State where seven people were killed by gunmen in Gora Gan community, Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of
the state. One person was also injured, while 13 houses and two shops were burnt by the bandits. The incident occurred on Thursday night when the gunmen invaded the community and opened fire on residents. It was learnt that the bandits surrounded the community and were shooting sporadically as residents scampered for safety. The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan confirmed the incident in a statement yesterday in Kaduna. “The security agencies carrying out internal security operations in parts of Southern Kaduna State have reported that Gora Gan community in Zangon Kataf Local
Government came under attack on Thursday night,” Aruwan said. According to him, “Security agencies, comprising the military and police, reported that Gora Gan community was attacked on several fronts, including the market area and houses stretching towards the Tudun Wada area of Gora Gan.” +The statement said troops repelled the attackers, stabilised the general area and retrieved corpses of seven persons. The statement gave the names of those killed as Peter Akaho 70, Ayuba Steven Sheyin, 67, Jummai Ayuba,55, Ishaya Joel 35, Yakubu Saviour, 14, Ayuba Goodluck, 11 and Patience Ayuba, 6. According to the commissioner, troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH),
Special Forces of the Defence Headquarters and police personnel are trailing the attackers. He said Governor Nasir ElRufai condemned the killings of innocent citizens, describing it as barbaric and inhuman. The statement added that the governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to take inventory of the damage done and provide relief materials with immediate effect.
Ejeh of Ankpa Abducted In a related development, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba Ede has disclosed that operatives of the State Command have been trailing the suspected kidnappers of the Ejeh of
Ankpa, Shuaibu Usman. Ede said that the traditional ruler was abducted when he went to mosque for morning prayers. The Commissioner of Police explained that the Kogi State police command had swung into action by deploying detectives in a bid to rescuing the traditional ruler. He stated that the Police had cordoned all entry and exit points into the state, with a view to rescuing the traditional ruler. According to CP Ede, the kidnappers had laid ambushed at the mosque, and zoomed off immediately with the traditional ruler to an unknown destination. It was gathered that, the abductors of the monarch are yet to make any contact with the family.
BUHARI CELEBRATES RESCUE OF KANKARA BOYS IN 6 DAYS, ECHOES RESOLVE TO SECURE ALL it aside, and try to forget the painful experience. There is no substitute to good education, so you must return to school and continue. “If I wasn’t educated I will not be standing here today in front of you. I schooled in Katsina for nine years. I moved on to join the army, served as a governor, head of state, went to prison, came out and later joined politics. I contested presidential elections three times, and finally I was declared a winner in 2015.’’ He commended the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, for working tirelessly to ensure the kidnapped boys were freed unharmed. He also expressed appreciation to all security agencies, traditional institutions and individuals who played key roles in the rescue efforts. Buhari said the military and security agencies still had a lot to do to secure both the country, and its citizens. “This is their job. They signed for it. Whether they like it or not, they will have to provide security for the country," Buhari said. Governor Masari, in his address, told the President of the traumatic experiences the students had in the hands of their abductors. He said, “These students returned barefooted. None of them wore any sandals
while they were being brought here.” There was also controversy over the modalities adopted for the freedom of the Kankara boys, as allegations of financial inducement of the kidnappers rent the air yesterday. While the federal government and the Katsina State Government insisted that the schoolboys were actually kidnapped by bandits and not Boko Haram, and that no ransom for their release, the Yoruba pan-social group, Afenifere faulted the government’s claims, saying it had no doubt that the federal government, contrary to its claim, paid the terrorists to secure the freedom of the school children. Also, there were controversies over the true identity of those responsible for the freedom of the schoolboys, with the Nigerian army debunking the claims of the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari that the operation leading to the release of the boys involved the security agencies and members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN. The Commander of the 17 Brigade, W.B Idris, who handed over the students to Masari yesterday, said they were rescued by a team of security operatives in the state.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, also told journalists in Abuja that there was no ransom to the bandits before the boys were released. “The release of these school boys is a testament to the importance that this administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians. “There is no government in the world that will not face the challenges of security at one time or another. “No government in the world is immune to terrorist attacks. What stands any government out is the way and manner it responds to such challenges”, he stated Explaining the global security challenges, the minister said school shooting had been a recurring challenge in the United States, stating that between 2010 and 2020, almost 200 school children were killed and many more injured in various school shooting incidents. He further stated that President Buhari would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of these school abductions, insisting that the federal government has moved with speed and determination each time it has faced the challenge of school abductions. The minister claimed that some Nigerians simply threw
decorum to the wind and allowed their emotions to take a better part of them, adding that when disasters and tragedies strike, people come together. We hope the naysayers have learnt their lessons. “And we hope those who have started trading and politicking with the hashtag 'BringBackOurBoys' can now go home, as our boys have been brought back, even before their dubious campaign could take off,’’ he added.
Aminu Masari Insists No Ransom was Paid Corroborating the federal government's claims, Governor Masari insisted no payment was made to secure the release of the abducted Kankara pupils. Speaking when he received the freed schoolboys at the government house yesterday, the governor said his administration did not offer a penny to the abductors of the boys for their release. He said security agencies and members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, were instrumental to the release of the schoolboys.
Ransom Made to Terrorists, Afenifere Insists
However, the Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere yesterday said it has no doubt that the federal government, contrary to its claim, paid the terrorists who abducted the Kankara boys. Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, said the Kankara abduction was a clear signal that Nigeria is finished and that concerned Nigerians, especially the elites in the Northern part of the country must speak up. Afenifere urged Nigerians to come together and rescue the country from the chaos and precarious conditions the Buhari administration had plunged it into. The statement reads; ''Those who harbour any illusion that something is left in this joke of a country called Nigeria must have their eyes cleared after the Kankara practical joke of abduction of hundreds of school boys by Boko Haram bandits. The tragedy was Chibok foreplay in 2014 which was a regime change platform but in which previous lives were involved. ''But with God with his big sense of humour intact, the Chibok practical joke was re-enacted a few days back as President Buhari arrived Katsina and hundreds of Kankara schoolboys were abducted by Boko Haram in broad daylight and along
military routes like in Chibok. This time around those who celebrated Chibok to the hilt in 2014 are now in power and fumbled like amateur comedians in a big revelation that what is called terror in Nigeria is most likely a big scam being played at our expense. ''At a point, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu who on different occasions had given impression that he had never been too far from the key room of Boko Haram told what he regards as a silly nation that only 10 boys were kidnapped as against 344 figure given by Governor Masari. A more accurate figure would have been given by this administration if their precious cows were the ones rustled. ''The height of stupidity in governance was when it officially came out that another terror group called Miyetti Allah was the front for negotiation confirming our suspicion that this government rolls with all that troubles this country. Even when the boys were cheekily released and there was official lie of rescue Governor Masari in the boldest official cover – up for the terror enveloping Nigeria said he needed a third party to tell him who abducted and released them.'' Continued on page 39
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 19, 2020
ÏáÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚ ×ËÓÖ ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com
COVID-19: Again, Lagos Shuts Schools Indefinitely, Restricts Churches, Mosques Festus Akanbi ËØÎ Segun James The Lagos State Government yesterday responded to the rising cases of COVID-19 pandemic infection as it announced an indefinite closure of public and private schools, restriction on churches and mosques, among other measures to reduce fatalities in the state. The state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, who reeled out the measures explained that “The Lagos State Government is now sounding a clear note of caution to all residents on the importance of maintaining the guidelines that we have put in place to protect us from the ravages of COVID-19. We cannot afford a reversal of the gains we have made against this pandemic.” Consequently, the governor directed that all public and private schools should be shut down with immediate effect until further notice. The governor also directed that “All Places of Worship (Churches, Mosques, etc.) must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours and also that no gathering exceeds 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.” To reduce the number of public servants at their duty posts, the governor also directed all public servants from GL 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders to begin to work from home as from Monday, December 21st
for the next 14 days – in the first instance. The governor also directed that concerts, carnivals and street parties were banned in Lagos State until further notice. The restriction order affects night clubs also, with the governor saying night clubs had not been allowed to open yet. He therefore directed that all night clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice. Governor Sanwoolu reminded Lagosians that the midnight to 4a.m. curfew imposed by the federal government remained in place. “The protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places: Offices, Businesses, Markets, Shops, and so on. “All event planners must obtain prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission (www. lasgsafetyreg.com) for all events, and ensure that any planned gathering do not exceed 300 people,” the governor ordered. He explained further that where the capacity of a venue exceeds 300 and permission had been granted, the occupancy shall not be more than 50 per cent of such a venue. Other measures stipulated included the need for ample ventilation at all times in all venues, and that deep cleaning of the premises must be carried out before and after every event. According to the governor, “A minimum of two meters’ distance should be maintained
Police Trail Abductors of Kogi Traditional Ruler, Says CP Ibrahim Oyewale ÓØ ÙÕÙÔË Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba Ede has disclosed that the operatives of State Command had been trailing the suspected kidnappers who abducted the traditional ruler of Ankpa , the Ejeh of Ankpa Shuaibu Usman who was kidnapped in the early hours of yesterday. Ede who disclosed this while confirming the report to journalists yesterday , said that the traditional ruler was abducted by unknown persons when he went to mosque for Shubhi morning prayers. The Commissioner of Police explained the Kogi State police command had
swung into action immediately by deploying detectives in bid to rescuing the traditional ruler . He stated that the Police had cordoned all entry and exit points into the State, with a view to rescuing the Traditional Rulers. According to CP Ede, the kidnappers had laid ambushed at the mosque, and zoomed off immediately with the Traditional Ruler to yet to be ascertained destination. The traditional ruler was said to be a Director of Local government in Ankpa Local government area and secretary to late Ejeh of Ankpa . Usman, who is the current Acting Eje Of Ankpa was kidnapped yesterday morning at about 5:30am while entering a Mosque in Ankpa.
COVID-19: 806 New Cases Recorded Nigeria recorded 806 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking the number of confirmed cases to 77,013 with 67,484 discharged and 1212 deaths.
between seated or standing guests. “All guests and service providers at events MUST wear nose masks/coverings before entry. “Hand sanitisers or hand washing units are to be positioned at the entry point and various spots within the hall.
Provision must be made for all guests and service providers to wash their hands before entering the venue or use hand sanitisers, as well as undergo a temperature check, which is mandatory. “Guests and service providers with high temperature (above 37.5) are to be politely turned
back and referred to paramedics or the emergency response team that must be present. “Health, safety and environment officers must be present at all public gatherings (Religious or Social) and must be trained in basic first aid procedures. “All Events’ Staff must also be educated on recognising
COVID-19 symptoms. “The Safety Commission has been directed to visit event centres and gauge compliance with the established guidelines, to stop the virus from spreading. If there is evidence of lack of compliance at any event centre, it will be shut down immediately.”
CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP… L-R: Director, Admin & HR, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos, Mrs. Toyin Ogunlana; Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Babatunde Olaide Mesewaku; Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile - Yussuf; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Tunji Seymour; and President, Del-York Group, Dr. Linus Idahosa, at a press conference in Lagos... yesterday
We’re Ready to Link Phones to NINs, MTN Assures Festus Akanbi The management of MTN Group Ltd., yesterday promised to work with the federal government to implement a regulatory requirement that all mobile lines be linked to residents’ identity numbers by the end of the year. As part of the push by government to tackle rising insecurity in a country where only one in four people have official identification, telecommunications companies have been ordered to link SIM cards to national identity numbers by the end of the year. Those that do not comply by December 31 risk having their phones cut off, with millions of lines at risk. “We embrace and support
the government’s push to broaden national identification numbers, or NIN, enrollment and will continue to engage with relevant authorities on the matter to establish implementation processes and time-lines for execution,” Group Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita said in an interview with Bloomberg. The NIN is used to match a person with his or her biometric data and other details in the National Identity Database during verification and authentication. The federal government has granted MTN and other operators a license to register identities of citizens. “This will enable us to enroll NINs on behalf of the National Identity
Management Commission and validate information against their database, incoming MTN Nigeria CEO, Mazen Mroue, said on an investor call. “It is a license and capability we have been seeking for some time,” Mroue said. MTN executives will form part of a high-profile team with other operators and the government that will assess the practicality of the two-week deadline. The Johannesburgbased company has ordered 14,000 new devices to enroll and capture NINs, which are expected to arrive in Nigeria in two weeks. Africa’s largest wireless carrier by sales is experiencing an increase in call-recharge activity
and other services in the country that will assist it in reaching a double-digit growth in service-revenue despite complying with an order to stop registering new lines, MTN Nigeria CEO and incoming Group Chief Risk Officer, Ferdi Moolman, said on an investor call. In a bid to clamp down on the use of unregistered lines, the Nigerian Communication Commission in 2015 fined MTN for failing to disconnect undocumented SIM cards as part of a security crackdown. The matter was resolved a year later, when the company paid 330 billion naira ($859 million) after extensive negotiations.
APC Determined to Remain Vehicle for Nigeria’s Emancipation, Says Lawan Adedayo Akinwale ÓØ ÌßÔË President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was determined to remain the vehicle for the emancipation of Nigeria, saying the APC-led federal government will not be distracted. Lawan stated this yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the 2020 Conference organised by the APC Press Corps in Abuja. The Senate President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ola Awoniyi, said the ruling party understands the workings of democracy, through its aggregation of variegated
interests, and how it has managed the interests. He added that Nigeria had been on this steady path in the last two decades, stressing that the federal government will consolidate on this despite challenges. Lawan opined that the task of consolidating on the gains of democracy was a painstaking effort which required sacrifice from leaders and patience on the part of followers. He stated: “Though there are challenges but they are not always insurmountable. They are like the storm in the tea cup. They will always blow away, given our continued resolve to remain the vehicle for the
emancipation of Nigeria. We have come a long way and will not be distracted.” Speaking on how the party had managed its internal issues, the Senate President said the APC story was a story that wa founded on fostering understanding amongst a divergent interest. He added, “It is the story of creativity and ingenuity in the management of difference. The APC story is a pacy story of brilliance in the administration of a plural system. “It is a story that hallmarks how well democracy should flourish, for its adaptive capacity, and its potential as a lesson, and the
possibilities it bears for the future. “While we are talking about contestation therefore, we are referring to a competitive process that is not just healthy, but also reflective of a widely acceptable culture, an appreciated norm, and a predictable value system. “Achieving this is not however a day job. It is founded on processes, growing to become beneficial, and helpful to social, and economic development.” The Senate President noted that conscientious interplay of the two would eventually result into a rewarding outcome, considering that patriotism and nationalism would emerge therefrom.
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Kankara Abduction and the Nigerian Wonder
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ine days ago, terrorists walked into Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State and abducted 361 students. That’s a massive number. How were they able to pin down such a large number of students unhindered? The terrorists must have operated with at least 1000 men. How did they move to the school with such a large number of forces undetected by our security agents? Then, after pinning down the students, they moved them into the Kankara forest, some kilometres away. It takes massive logistics to move 361 students for a journey of this nature. The terrorists must have used at least 10 mass transit buses. If it was done with trucks, as was the case of Dapchi, they must have used four trucks taking an average of 100 boys per truck. For seven days, this large convoy of terrorists and students moved undetected from the school to Kankara forest and further to Zamfara forest in Tsafe. They went 82.5 kilometres into Zamfara State. For seven days, the so-called rag tag terrorists effectively handled the logistics of providing food and healthcare for 344 students (17 supposedly escaped within Kankara forest). According to the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo, the schoolboys were looking healthy, and none complained of any ailment when released. While all these shenanigans were on, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACABAN, moved in, took over the responsibility from government and security agents, and started negotiating with the terrorists. Eventually, the highly influential Fulani MACABAN facilitated the release of the schoolboys last Thursday. Did money change hands? MACABAN obviously spoke the language understood by the terrorists. The truth is that bandits are Fulani militias. What a country! Critical questions are trailing the abduction and release of the Kankara boys. I have raised some of these in this piece. Some people are obviously hiding so many things about the Kankara abduction. They are having a good laugh, thinking they have fooled Nigerians. Many of us are not fools. I know that the true stories of all that transpired in Kankara will eventually emerge. All the deceits, fraud and trickeries will one day emerge. There is nothing hidden that will not be eventually revealed. For now, let’s celebrate the return of these traumatised kids. Let’s flip to our security agents. The bane
Sadique Abubakar
of Nigerian security agencies remains the failed leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and the inept heads of the various centrally-controlled agencies. As a result, they are deprived of high tech equipment and motivation for the job. They also lack capacity for intelligence gathering. This is why the military, police and DSS could not rescue the Kankara boys. Modern technology and manpower for such rescue operation are missing in Nigeria. It is a big shame. I did not see a single attack helicopters hovering around the Kankara forest and surrounding areas after the abduction. I did not see Drones in action carrying out air surveillance. There was nothing like high-tech command and control centre for the rescue operation. The approach was analogue and archaic. So, where is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for surveillance said to have been produced by the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, and inaugurated with fanfare by Buhari in February 2018? The President told us that the UAV codenamed TSAIGUMI would be used to fight terrorism, banditry and other sophisticated crimes through enhanced air surveillance. We were correctly told that the UAV could loiter and maintain an unblinking
stare over a chosen area for hours and that its operator, often miles away, can provide a continuous stream of vital information on enemy activities and if the platform is weaponised, it patiently chooses the best moment to engage. Yes, the employment of UAV capabilities for intelligence, surveillance/reconnaissance and, where possible, strike operations, significantly increases the chances of success while minimising unwanted collateral damage. Buhari told us that this UAV would boost on-going and future security operations. So, why was the UAV not in action in the Kankara forest? According to our President (and rightly too), the world is witnessing an ever increasing surge in the employment of UAV in military operations because, while standard air weapons such as missiles, fighters and bombers work against well-defined targets like conventional enemy forces or installations. They are not as useful in today’s complex wars that are fought against adversaries who are often hidden amongst innocent populations or in locations similarly sensitive or difficult to strike by normal conventional means. Yes, this is the modern trend. Unfortunately, Nigeria has been left behind. Our country’s UAV launched by Buhari in February 2018 is a ruse. I challenge Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, to mention a single operation in which the UAV was used since inauguration. Buhari was simply deceived to inaugurate a fantasy Nigerian UAV. No doubt, this country urgently needs real UAVs with attack capabilities and weaponised platforms to demolish Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers. The truth is that we don’t have any UAV. We must seek help from countries with such capabilities. For me, the first choice, if this government truly want an end to insecurity across our country, would be Israeli private military contractors. They will come in with superior equipment/manpower and get the job done. The abduction of the Kankara schoolboys occurred while the Commander-in-Chief/Chief Security Officer of the country (President Buhari) was in his home state. I suspect it was to taunt him and make money from the government, because they know he can’t bite. There are speculations that the bandits got good money before releasing the Kankara boys. The security of this country had long been compromised under Buhari’s watch. The Kankara abduction
The Prickly SIM Registration Rules The instruction to mobile phone companies to blocked subscribers who fail to link National Identification Numbers, NINs, to their telephone lines within two weeks is strange, coldblooded and disgusting. It shows this government is not in touch with the people they claim to represent. Those with NINs can do this in minutes, but what happens to millions of others without NINs? The process of getting NINs has been slipshod since commencement, with little progress after almost 10 years. Only about 43 million Nigerians have so far been registered. Of course, the incompetent National Identity Management Company, NIMC, cannot register over 160 million telecom subscribers within two weeks. This is where the weird agenda of the federal government comes in. The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has hired 173 private companies and 30 other government agencies to handle the enrolment and data capturing. Billions of Naira has been paid out. It’s job for the boys. Notwithstanding, there is no way these hired firms can capture and register about 160 million Nigerians within two weeks. No such magic
Isa Pantami
can be done. So, telling subscribers to add valid NINs to SIM records within two weeks is preposterous. Millions of Nigerians will now desperately storm the registration centres, thus, creating a crisis. For me, the Minister of Communica-
tions and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who is driving this new SIM registration rules, is obviously high on something. Only God knows what it is. Pantami is even threatening operators, saying “violators of this directive will get stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.” Pantami’s objective is to inflict pain on already traumatised Nigerians. This minister is horrible and has no business remaining in government a day longer. The most annoying thing about this rubbish called SIM update is that they are asking us to link the same finger prints/personal details already existing in the SIM registration we did with the telecoms providers. This is an unnecessary repetition. What is Pantami trying to achieve with this nonsense? I need to point out that kidnappers don’t use their phones to negotiate with families of victims. They use that of the victims. So, this talk about registering SIMs over and over again, in order to nab criminals is rubbish. The National Assembly must rise up and stop this garbage engineered by Pantami. The pain on Nigerians is excruciating. Enough is enough.
is one disgrace that should ordinarily jolt our President into action. But it won’t happen. Buhari can no longer be jolted by anything. This is why he did not directly speak on the abduction. He did not openly give any instruction to heads of security agents while the drama was on. Nigeria is in a big mess, running on auto pilot. Patriots must continue to condemn this depressing and lethargic response of our President to the Kankara abduction. Not even a visit to distraught parents or the school. Would he have acted in this manner if his son were to be among the abducted children? The Christian Association of Nigeria was apt when it said “from all indications, government is not bothered about the security of the people despite all the killings recorded daily.” CAN adds: “The President turned down the invitation of the House of Representatives to explain and rob minds with the legislators on the way out of our deplorable security situation in the country. What an attitude of ‘I don’t care!’ President Buhari should remember that history is being written about him with the way he is addressing all these security challenges just as we are talking about the Chibok schoolgirls and the Jonathan administration.” The pan-northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum adds that Nigeria as a country is no longer safe under the Buhari government. For the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Nigeria’s security challenges indicate that Buhari is incompetent. The group calls for the immediate resignation of the President and reorganisation of the nation’s security architecture. The National Coordinator of the Coalition, Balarabe Rufai explains: “The audacity with which the over 300 school children were abducted right under the nose of the President who was a few kilometers away in Katsina at that time, confirms fears that government has completely lost it and therefore no longer reliable.” Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has not helped matters with his hopeless amnesty for bandits in this state. In fact, Masari has contributed to the growth of terrorism in Katsina State by putting money in the hands of bandits in the name of amnesty. Let’s flip back to our gallant security agents. They are disillusioned because their commanders have abandoned them. So, they can’t effectively end Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers. There is no motivation. Imagine soldiers on the war front being owed allowances and denied things as ordinary as water. We’ve seen video of soldiers lamenting over lack of basic amenities on the war front. Many have overstayed at the war front contrary to the rules of engagement. Some once rebelled against the Theatre Commander in Maiduguri. In 2018, there was a mutiny at the Maiduguri Airport as aggrieved soldiers barricaded some sections of the airport and fired shots in the air, causing pandemonium. They claimed they had overstayed and resisted redeployment to another location in Borno State. I just laughed when the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, challenged the military to occupy Lake Chad and the whole of Sambisa forest, in order to curb Boko Haram. He remarked: “Now, I don’t know why we can’t occupy the whole of Lake Chad and why we can’t occupy the whole of Sambisa forest. If we want peace, we have to dominate these areas. If we want peace, we have to do away with those terrorists who occupy that place.” Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State had also challenged the military to take the fight to Lake Chad and clear that place of terrorists. Our gallant soldiers are willing but where is the motivation to do this? Where is the equipment and technology to do this? Where is the Army Chief and also the Air Chief, that should lead from the front? Patriots must continue the pressure on Buhari to seek help from abroad by embracing foreign military contractors (mercenaries) to help Nigeria end the madness of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers. Our President has to put his ego aside, that is if he still has any, and do the needful. Developed countries also engage military contractors. The United States used them during the gulf war and also in the war in Afghanistan.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 2020 • T H I S D AY
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 19, 2020
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NEWS HealthPlus Petitions AIG Zone 2 Lagos on Alleged Assault of Employees Bennett Oghifo
HealthPlus Limited has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force on an alleged assault of its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. George by a person simply identified as Mr. Chidi Okoro, whom they accused of carting away some of the company’s documents. The “Petition to the Nigeria Police Force on Assault of Employees and Unauthorised Movement of Company Documents by Mr. Chidi Okoro” was signed by HealthPlus’ Head, Legal, Tolu Oni and sent to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, Attention: AIG Ahmed Iliyasu PSC(+). Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) being presented with the Heroes Award of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing (Worldwide), after being Giving details of what led to honoured as the best and the most peaceful governor in the South-east and Igbo land, by executives of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation’s youth them seeking the help of the police, wing, led by the Youth Leader, Comrade (Amb.) Arthur Uchenna Obiora (5th right), at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday. the petitioner said, “At about 5:15pm on Monday, 14 December 2020, myself and the CEO, Mrs. George had just returned to our office from an external meeting. We approached the main entrance to the office floor at 11B, Victoria Arobieke Street, Lekki, Lagos but the door was locked from inside. “After minutes of knocking the door, the CEO called the HR Bennett Oghifo Kano, and Yobe states due to due to the threat of indiscriminate Some areas have increased risk.” Manager, Mr. Tunde Awofeha on On COVID-19 in Nigeria, the phone who confirmed he was in violence. kidnapping.” “Terrorists continue plotting advisory said “the Centre for The alert said terrorist groups The United States Embassy in Nigeria has cautioned American based in the North-east target and carrying out attacks in Nige- Disease Control and Prevention citizens to reconsider travel to churches, schools, mosques, ria, especially in the North-east. (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel installations, Terrorists may attack with little or Health Notice for Nigeria due Nigeria due to COVID-19, government crime, terrorism, civil unrest, educational institutions, and no warning, targeting shopping to COVID-19. “Nigeria has resumed domestic kidnapping, and maritime crime. entertainment venues, adding centers, malls, markets, hotels, The U.S. government, however, that “approximately two million places of worship, restaurants, and international commercial air warned its citizens to be careful Nigerians have been displaced bars, schools, government instal- travel. National land borders are Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto during their stay and travel in as a result of the violence in lations, transportation hubs, and not yet opened. Business operaother places where crowds gather. tions (including daycares and the country because “crime is North-east Nigeria. The Governor of Sokoto “Sporadic violence occurs religious institutions) are slowly State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, “Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, endemic throughout Nigeria.” The Holiday Security Alert Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and between communities of farmers reopening in phases. Visit the yesterday said he was on selftweeted by U.S. Mission Nigeria Yobe states – Do Not Travel. The and herders in rural areas. There Embassy’s COVID-19 page for isolation. (@USinNigeria) also warned U.S. security situation in North-west is maritime crime in the Gulf more information on COVID-19 In a statement he personally in Nigeria.” citizens against traveling to 12 and North-east Nigeria is fluid of Guinea. signed and made available to However, U.S. citizens who newsmen in Sokoto, the governor “Crime is rampant throughout states, giving specific reasons. and unpredictable, particularly The states listed are: Borno, in the states listed above due Southern Nigeria, and there is a decide to travel to Nigeria were said, “following my official trips in Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, to widespread inter-communal heightened risk of kidnapping advised to see the U.S. Embassy’s the past few days, during which and maritime crime, along with web page regarding COVID-19; I was in close contact with some Kaduna, Kano, Akwa Ibom, violence and kidnapping. The security alert also listed violent civil unrest and attacks visit the CDC’s webpage on personalities, some of whom have Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, “The Coastal areas of Akwa against expatriate oil workers Travel and COVID-19; carry tested positive to COVID-19, I and Rivers. proper identification, including have been medically advised to “We remind U.S. citizens to Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and facilities.” The U.S. government, it said a U.S. passport with a current go into self-isolation. exercise caution while travelling Delta, and Rivers states (with the and residing in Nigeria. Crime exception of Port Harcourt) due has limited ability to provide Nigerian visa if needed; exercise “I will withdraw from official is endemic throughout Nigeria, to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, emergency services to U.S. caution when walking or and physical engagements for citizens in many areas of Nigeria driving at night; review travel the period prescribed by the ranging from petty street crime to and maritime crime.” routes and times to vary your COVID-19 protocols, with The Mission’s Country due to security conditions. carjacking, and crime levels tend predictability; visit our website effect from Friday, December to increase during the holidays.” Summary said: “Violent crime The government urged its for Travel to High-Risk Areas; 18, 2020.” Specifically, the tweet said “Do – such as armed robbery, assault, Not Travel to: Borno and Yobe carjacking, kidnapping, and citizens to “reconsider travel do not physically resist any He directed that in his States and Northern Adamawa rape – is common throughout to Nigeria due to COVID-19, robbery attempt; and to be absence, the Deputy GoverState due to terrorism; Adamawa, the country. Exercise extreme crime, terrorism, civil unrest, extra vigilant when visiting nor of Sokoto State, Manir Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, caution throughout the country kidnapping, and maritime crime. banks or ATMs. Muhammad Dan’Iya (Walin
EXCELLENCE REWARDED...
US Warns Citizens against Travels to Nigeria over Crime, COVID-19 Lists 12 states as highly unsafe
his office and informed her that he will open the door. About a minute before the door was opened, we heard what soundedlikeanaltercation betweenoneMr.ChidiOkoroandMr. TundeAwofeha. When we entered, Mr.AwofehasaidMr.Okoroassaulted him by tugging at his shirt in an attempt to stop him from opening the door, hence the altercation. Mr. Okoro did not deny the allegation. Mr. Okoro, speaking to no one in particular started screaming that “the CEO should never be allowed in the building.” Oni said he proceeded to the legal office where he met an “unknown lady, two Distribution Centre Assistants and a driver packing all the company’s legal files into two large coloured bags. I asked who gave them the instruction to pack the legal documents but they all ignored me. The CEO approached the entrance of the legal office and asked the DC Assistant to stop. “Mr. Okoro came and screamed that they should carry the bags out. At this point, the CEO started making a video with my phone. Mr. Okoro snatched the CEO’s phone from her and when she asked him to return her phone, he assaulted her by pushing her hard in the chest in the presence of several staff (including me) and security personnel.
COVID-19: Tambuwal Self-isolates Asks Deputy to Take Charge
C’River CP Dies of Suspected COVID-19 Complications Bassey Inyang ÓØ ËÖËÌËÜ
The Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mr. Abdulkadir Jimoh, is dead. Jimoh died yesterday morning at a COVID-19 Isolation Centre, located at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. However, a close relative of the late police commissioner who spoke in confidence to THISDAY, said he was working down the staircase of his official residence when he slumped and immediately went into coma from where he was rushed to the health facility. However, the source who refused to believe the claim that Jimoh died of COVID-19 complications, said he was actually not feeling well for
some weeks before his death. He said the commissioner may have had a bout with pneumonia before he died. Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Professor Ikpeme Ikpeme who confirmed the death of commissioner of police, said he was brought in to the hospital practically dead. As a result of the death of Jimoh, the CMD has advised all those who had close contact with him some days before he died to visit the UCTH for COVID-19 test, and also embark on self-isolation for the clinically specified period of 14 days. In his reaction to the tragic development, the state governor,
Professor Ben Ayade lamented saying he was shocked and saddened over the death of Jimoh, describing his passing as a great loss to the state, country and the police force. Ayade in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, described Jimoh as “a brave and courageous officer who was a central figure in the fight against kidnapping and other crimes in the state.” Eulogising the fallen Commissioner of Police for his commitment and dedication to ensuring safety of lives and property in the state, Ayade said: “You were a hero in our relentless quest to ensure peace. Your gallantry and bravey will remain an enduring memory
as we mourn your sudden demise.” Continuing, the governor said: “You kept us safe and gave us your all. We will forever remember you for your courage and bravery. Nothing will fill the void your passing has created, especially in our fight against criminality.” Ayade said, “late Jimoh’s skills, dexterity intellect and expertise will be sorely missed as we unite to confront the security challenges in the country. I have indeed lost a true friend and a brother.” Urging the late commissioner of police’s family to bear the irreparable loss with equanimity and total submission to God, the governor prayed the Almighty Allah to grant Jimoh’s soul peaceful rest in Ajana.
Sokoto), will carry on all official functions as laid down in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “During this period, I will subject myself to the prescribed testing procedure as required by the Sokoto State Task Force on COVID-19, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols. “In due course, I shall avail you all with the outcome.” He urged the people of our state to adhere to and observe all the protocols laid down by the relevant health bodies in the prevention and management of COVID-19. He also solicited the prayers of the people of the state in these trying times and prayed Allah to continue to bless the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
I Need Justice for My Slain Husband, Says Widow Segun James
Following the killing of her husband during the EndSARS protest, a widow, Mrs. Olamide Erinfolami, has pleaded for justice over her husband’s killing. Mrs. Erinfolami who said that her husband, Inspector Ayodeji Erinfolami, was shot on the stomach on October 12 in the Surulere area of Lagos during the #EndSARS protest, told the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing allegations of rights abuses by the police, that she believed that her husband was shot by one of his fellow policemen. Led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr. Gbemiga Ogunleye, Olamide told the retired Justice
Doris Okuwobi-led panel that though the Lagos State Government gave the family N10m compensation, “money cannot buy our joy.” She narrated that on the morning of October 12, her husband had called on the phone that he was going to work and she told him to call her once he got to the office, but said she waited in vain for his phone call until someone from Maiduguri called and asked her if she had heard that her husband has been shot during the protest. She said that twice she called his number and it rang out but “about 45 minutes later, I called again and a girl picked and said my husband was shot. I asked her how, the lady said I should be praying, I should call a pastor.”
SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 2020 • T H I S D AY
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˜ ͺͺ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
COMMENTARY
THE PRICE FOR SUCCESS
Adesh Kalpesh writes that the attempt to blackmail Leo Stan Ekeh is unfortunate
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ecently, there has been a sudden burst of corporate blackmail aimed at one of Africa’s most illustrious entrepreneurs, Leo Stan Ekeh. Most appalling is the pettiness and clear lack of intelligence displayed by the clique of blackmailers and their hirelings. It got me thinking about how much premium Africans place on their brightest and best, especially those who by sheer dint of hard work, tenacity, courage to dare the odds, have chiselled their way from the lowest nadir of their enterprise to the top of it. Leo Stan, as he’s simply called, is in this class of rare African achievers. And he did it in the mentally-engaging and knowledge-demanding Information Communications Technology (ICT) turf. I knew Leo Stan decades back in his undergraduate days at the Panjab University, Chandigarh, one of the oldest universities in India established since 1882. At that time, there was a sizeable sprinkling of African students in India and Panjab University was no exception. I had a good number of Africans at that time as friends and acquaintances. But young Leo Stan was special. He was gregarious, affable and outgoing. It was easy to notice him in a crowd: rangy and endowed with gift of presence. Besides his imposing height, you could tell from the manner he got going with the cosmopolitan university community that he’s cut out for the big stage. Most people knew him as Leo Stan; only a few knew his full name, Leonard Stanley Ekeh. He was a man on a mission whose genial and studious disposition tells you he was not there just to add to the number. The quest for knowledge and a burning desire for self-discovery drove him into the hallway of adventure. He soon distinguished himself both socially and academically to earn the respect of fellow Africans and recognition from the university authorities. In no time, he was leader of the African students’ contingent in Panjab and instantly became their voice in the university community. At that time, India had already become the breeding ground for outliers. Graduates from Indian universities got straight employment at Microsoft, Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and other top corporations across the United States and Europe. Some others got straight into entrepreneurship and made a success of it. Such was the high profile of Indian universities noted for their lavish infusion of numerate skills into their curriculum. It was therefore no surprise to me when many years after, the name Leo Stan became a household name in Africa ICT ecosystem. The man I once knew as a restless, zesty African student has turned his energy to creating values, creating wealth and jobs for many. Rather, what has come to me and perhaps others who knew him and have followed his life’s odyssey from India to United Kingdom and back to Africa, as a surprise is the desperation by his own people to pull down the man who gave
FOR A MAN WHO HAS BUILT A WORLD-CLASS AFRICAN BRAND, ZINOX, AS A COUNTERFOIL TO THE DOMINANCE OF EXOTIC BRANDS, NATIONAL AND CONTINENTAL GARLANDS OUGHT TO BE HIS REWARD, NOT A BLIZZARD OF UNINTELLIGENT BLACKMAIL
Africa a voice in the global ICT space, an area where India has become a global force. India has created tech billionaires in this century. The Shiv Nadar family, Azim Premj family, Jay Chaudhry, Byju Raveendran among others make up this list of worthy Indians. Some of these entrepreneurs just like Leo Stan and many others across the world built their businesses from the scratch. Indians can tell their story. They praise them for their industry and stellar example. They don’t blackmail them for being successful or try to pull them down. These tech entrepreneurs play critical roles as enablers of India economy. For this, the government and the people protect them. This is what is lacking in Africa. Those who show capacity to create wealth through entrepreneurship are often left to the vagaries of jealous competitors and atrocious blackmail from those who are failing and even those who have failed in their businesses. Trying to link Leo Stan and any of the companies associated with his name to unhealthy corporate governance smacks of desperation and primitive show of disrespect for a man whose collateral is integrity. Any African who plays big in the Africa ICT marketplace knows that without integrity, you cannot have as much as a handshake with global brands like Microsoft, Apple, HP, Samsung, among others. It’s the nature of ICT. Here, the game is not measured by the depth of your pocket. It’s a function of trust, your capacity to make your word your bond. This must reflect on how much of technical competence you have, enough to keep your technology and service ready, functional and available. Leo Stan had long established all this and it’s to his credit that Microsoft, Samsung, HP, Apple and others have not only established strong technical presence in Nigeria which has led to knowledge transfer to young Nigerian techies, but has also created thousands of direct and indirect jobs across different demographics and human resource cadres. So, why blackmail such a man? Why try to pull him down just because he has succeeded where many failed? Success is not served on a platter. For a man who has built a world-class African brand, Zinox, as a counterfoil to the dominance of exotic brands, national and continental garlands ought to be his reward, not a blizzard of unintelligent blackmail. At the twilight of last year, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred the prestigious National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award on Leo Stan, Oba Otudeko, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and other distinguished Nigerians. This is how to reward your best. India has similar reward system, a roll call of national honours. It’s to encourage those who have helped to build the society through industry, service and philanthropy. Shiv Nadar, for instance, holds the Padma Bhushan award for “distinguished service of a high order”. Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India. r,BMQFTI XSPUF GSPN "DDSB (IBOB
BREAKING NEW FRONTIERS
Air Peace Airline makes an inaugural flight to Johannesburg, writes Chidiebere Nwobodo “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke
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n the early hours of 17th December, 2020, precisely 1a.m., Air Peace made us proud again by breaking new aviation frontiers. The fastest growing indigenous airline in West Africa launched its Lagos-Johannesburg route inaugural flight. It was its first commercial flight that left the terminals of Murtala Muhammed International Airport for Johannesburg, South Africa—signaling the beginning of a new dawn in the nation’s aviation industry. The aircraft was welcomed with the traditional water salute from South African authorities. This is not the first time Air Peace airline will be landing in South Africa. In September, 2019, at the heat of unfortunate xenophobic violence, Nigerians living in South Africa were caught up in the crisis—many were stranded—and needed to be rescued. While some countries were busy sending in planes to airlift their citizens out of the then troubled nation, Nigerians were being overrun by xenophobic chauvinists and instigated savagery. Chief Allen Onyema, honcho of Air Peace Airlines, feeling the anguish of reprisal attacks at home, could not withstand the pathetic images of stranded Nigerians in South Africa. Out of sheer sense of patriotism, he asked the Nigerian government for the needed diplomatic support. Once that was given, Air Peace’s aircraft left Nigeria for South Africa to carry out what has been known
today as the biggest rescue cum evacuation mission sponsored and carried out free of charge by a private company to help stranded Nigerians outside the country. In the same spirit of patriotism embedded in business acumen, laced with visionary leadership, Air Peace is about to redefine standard and position Nigeria’s aviation industry to compete in regional cum world aviation industry. Like Lagos-Dubai route it launched in 2019, the new Lagos-Johannesburg route is a strategic commercial route for Air Peace in particular and Nigeria’s aviation sector in general, owing to the high volume of traffic in that route. It will strengthen the ties between two economic capitals of two largest economies in Africa—Lagos and Johannesburg—by extension, Nigeria and South Africa. The route will receive two flights weekly—Thursdays and Sundays, according to Air Peace. Nigerians who frequent South African routes will be the highest beneficiaries of this new horizon, because Air Peace is about to provide more affordable and reliable aviation services on the route. Before now, Nigerian indigenous airlines have never succeeded in the international aviation routes. In fact, international routes used to be the Achilles hill of Nigerian airlines until Air Peace emerged and blew off the lid of failure. There have been myriad of excuses and plethora of reasons for this limitation. Air Peace, seeing the previous failure of Nigerian airlines in the world stage, took proper inventory of causes of these
abysmally performances, with purposeful leadership in place, decided to take calculated risks by taking a dive of faith into the ocean of global aviation industry to compete with sharks, whales, leviathans and Titans of the industry. Chief Onyema—the brain behind Air Peace, as its chairman/CEO, has an uncommon philosophy that drives the growth of the airline. The ideology is: it is better to be a small fish in the ocean than to be a big fish in a small pond. This is why despite being the biggest investor in Nigeria’s aviation sector, as of today, yet he does not count it as an achievement because the gaze of the airline is set on carving a niche for Nigeria in the international routes. Limited jets, lack of adequate maintenance of aircraft and weak management structures were part of the landmines that torpedoed the growth of Nigerian airlines in the international routes in the past. But Air Peace has broken the jinx. It made sure that it got at least four jumbo jets—777s in its hub before venturing into international routes. It places safety as number one premium in its hierarchy of priorities. The airline just received from abroad some of its aircraft back from extensive maintenance. It has firm order of over 13 new aircraft that will start arriving the country very soon. So, Air Peace is well-prepared for the challenges associated with international routes. With strong-willed leadership and eagle-eyed vision, coupled with diplomatic support from Nigeria government, the airline has been navigating the aviation politics such as landing
rights, unfair charges, etc. In the light of this context, the Lagos-Johannesburg will be a blessing to Nigerian traveling public. The anachronistic monopoly of these foreign routes by some foreign airlines, at the huge expense of Nigerians and the nation’s aviation industry, will be checkmated. Never again shall Nigerian travelers be unnecessarily exploited by foreign airlines. Imagine an ugly situation where the airlines charge Nigerians higher to fly the same destinations compared to what is obtainable in other countries. For instance, a flight from Johannesburg to London is nine hours, while a flight from Nigeria to London is five hours, yet we pay higher than those traveling from South Africa. These are seeming injustices that Air Peace debut in Lagos-Johannesburg route will correct. The airline has started with promo prices for its tickets on this new route. Apart from providing alternative for travelers, this aviation milestone will create job opportunities for teeming Nigeria youths; bring in foreign direct investment; attract tourists; help to launder Nigeria’s image, most importantly put Nigeria as one of the leading countries in the aviation industry in Africa. Air Peace, as an indigenous airline, deserves standing ovation for heralding this new horizon of international route into the nation’s aviation industry, especially when global aviation industry is still hemorrhaging from the aftermath of Covid-19. The great attribute of the eagle, of which Air Peace’s logo represents, is to soar in the midst of the storm.
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˜ ͺͺ ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
INSIGHT
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Gridlock on Abuja-Keffi Road
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write to remind the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muhammad Musa Bello, on the above subject matter. He should please come to our rescue. The gridlock on AbujaKeffi road is no longer news; commuters spend hours to get to their offices. This is a journey that ordinarily will not last up to 10 minutes from Nyanya to AYA, but because of the number of cars, people pass through hell to access Abuja. It is even worse on Monday(s). The minister should use his good offices to address this menace. Driving from Karshi to AYA has become a nightmare when there is a by-pass that would have been a smooth ride if completed. What has been the condition of Apo -Karshi road? I remember when the minister came on board, he assured the residents that the project was 50% completed. What would have caused this tormenting delay now? He also reiterated his total commitment towards the completion of the Apo -Karshi road as well as other projects within the satellite towns with the aim of alleviating the sufferings of the masses in the areas. Please permit me to use this medium to inform him of the trauma the masses in that axis are going through. The secretary, satellite towns development (STDD), Tanko Yamawo even assured newsmen that the administration absolutely has the interest of the masses at heart and has not in any way neglected the road. Where is the interest NOW? He said then: “We are all humans and we will be very happy to complete the project,” disclosing that the Apo-Karshi project is still on-going. He added that the Karshi -Apo project is 13.125km long while the asphaltic surface is 7.95km, and formation level competed was at 10.825km. What a promise! Maintaining that the FCT Minister, Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello is very much aware of the importance of the road, the secretary said: “The project may have taken a little bit longer not because of neglect but due to some technical issues that came up some time ago but has been resolved long before now.” Please Sir, use your good offices to find out from them why the problem persists and had been resolved. Why this prolonged neglect when they even assured the masses that the contractors are back to work? The minister should please try as much as possible to fulfil his promise because time is running out. Rita Okwuchi Wilcox, ritauwaks@gmail.com
Farewell Jummai Gwamna Kulli Nafsin Za’ikatul Maut. “Every soul shall taste death’’ (2VS BO 7
T
he above verse from the Holy Qur’an gives solace to us at this particular time. Death is inevitable to any living thing. Allah SWT ordained the appointed hour which is only known to him. We as human beings have to take what was ordained by Allah SWT. The death of Hajiya Yaya on 10th December 2020 came as a shock to all of us in the family and beyond. When I left you at home to travel to Abuja on 3rd December 2020 you didn’t show any sign that your days are coming to an end. You were having a mild fever and catarrh. I wanted to cancel my trip that day, but you insisted that you would be fine. So I did travel that day. But on Monday when you were admitted in the hospital I did speak to you and you kept insisting that you would be fine, even the doctors assured me that they were keeping you for observation because of your age.
But when I did return back on 9th December 2020 and I came straight to meet you on your hospital bed, you looked stable. So I sat by your bedside throughout the night and you didn’t show any sign that you were leaving us in few hours’ time. That’s why your death in the morning was shocking. Hajiya Gwamnati, as she is fondly called by her grand children, is a mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, adviser, guardian and counsellor to all. After the death of our father in February 1983 we thought that was the end of the world for us. Because Baba meant everything to us and all those who knew or came across his path. But Hajiya Yaya came up immediately after his death to be the guardian, adviser and unifier to the family. She was the house patriarch who was always there for us. Visit her anytime and you would receive that sumptuous welcome with a smile and what to eat. Fall sick and feel her motherly care and affection. For a wedding in the family you will
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 BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA
Tanko Isiaku Gwamna, tgwamna <tgwamna@yahoo.com
Truth is Fictional
T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE
receive the best reception that you never imagined. When you give birth, that’s when she will make sure that baby receives the best care and affection. Hajiya Yaya was magnanimous in her conduct and character. She won’t disappoint you whenever her involvement is needed in the family. So losing her comes with a thundering shock, confusion and pain that will last through our lifetime. Many of my friends lost their mothers and I did condole them. But none told me of the pain that came with it. Mine came with a different pain. Because as the only male child among eight siblings, the attachment to her was natural, she was always there for me on my lifetime journey to adulthood. She was my life. Hajiya Yaya as you travel to the hereafter I will be with you in my prayers every minute, every hour and every day of my life. May Allah SWT forgive your shortcomings and grant you Al-Jannat firdaus, Ameen.
T
here has been a massive hacking of American computer systems apparently including those at the Departments of Treasury, Commerce and Homeland Security. It may take years to recognise what has been changed and to remove these changes. Although some of the changes may be subtle and hard to detect if you see any of the following headlines, they may be a result of hacking. President Trump’s 4th inauguration has the biggest crowd ever. Elvis concert sells out in under an hour. YouTube, Twitter and Instagram are no longer popular. Putin collects 9th Times person of the year award. The other year it was Lex Luthor. If you see these, first consider the saying that the Truth is stranger than fiction. Of course, maybe nothing will happen.
TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ DECEMBER 19, 2020
SUPER SATURDAY Tayo ay yo Kimberly ly Adejumo deju jumo mo o
My Background Prepared Me for Greatness, Most People Are Surprised ITurned Out a Success Whenever the name, Tayo y Kimberlyy Adejumo j is mentioned, what readilyy comes to mind are the p posh Kimberly’s y Apartments p in Lekki, Lagos. g Yes, Tayo y loves providing p g posh p apartments. p But there is more to this founder of Kimberly’s y Apartment p Management g Company. p y With over five yyears expertise p manag ging g and growing g g medium and large g companies, p Tayo y also manages g corporate p marketing g and sales. As a visionaryy leader, she leverages g on her strong g network and vast resources to provide p hospitality p y solutions and alternatives for travelers both local and international. Tayo talks to Azuka Ogujiuba about her background, career and hospitality business
W
ho is Tayo Kimberly Adejumo? Tayo Adejumo is a woman trying to strike a balance with work, family and life. My standards and expectations towards things and people are high. I’m also a person who loves to learn, who is curious, supportive, and extremely experimental. I strive to be good and perfect in my eendeavours. More importantly, I am a work in progress, and I’m well on my way to being a better mum, wife, boss, service provider w aand citizen. This is Tayo. Tell us more about your journey into the short-let space and interior decoration? a If someone had told me I’d be in the short-let business, 10 years aago, I would have been confused. My passion and desire from when I was a child had nothing to do with properties, or interior w design. I had no clue as regards interior decoration back then; d however, I have always had a good taste of fine things and some h id dea on how houses should be. At what point did you decide to venture fully into short-let housing and decoration? h Starting with my deceased neighbour’s house, I was fortunate to have met Mr. Amon of ‘MakeitNigeria’ through an uncle in an eestate. Mr. Amon loved my customer service and passion for the business and started introducing me to property owners. Some b houses needed furnishing and from the complaints got from h the first apartment, I sought to correct some mistakes in the new th aapartment. I envisioned each house with the aim of making guests feel at home, to offer a suitable fit for them, provide a memorable fe eexperience and especially something to admire at every corner of the house. th This became the foundation of my furnishing for Short-let aapartments. Furnishing for Short-lets is so different from that of a house. Most people make that mistake mainly because they don’t h understand what guests look out for, want or expect. Keep in mind u that furnishing for Short-lets is like furnishing a house for everyone. th Luckily that, I do very well. Everyone likes different things, L eeveryone wants different things, and everyone experiences different th things. How was it like for you starting up Kimberly’s Apartt ments? m Every step that brings us to where we are has prepared us for this moment. Life was challenging for me. I was lost a lot of time th aand made mistakes severally, now I see things differently from most people. By the time I started Kimberly’s Apartments, I wasn’t m ssuccessful in many ventures. For me, they are needed experiences for me now. They all add up to what makes Kimberly so special. fo All the things that would seem like a discouraging challenge became a friendly challenge. Mistakes I would have beaten myself b on became an experience. Everything life taught me leading up to o that point became useful. Let me give you an analogy. Over the th years, I have picked up hammers, spanner, bolt, screwdrivers. I have y these tools from my life’s journey. I am now at a place where my th ssize 10 spanners did wonders, but guess what? I have it, I am in a ssituation that warrants needing a Hammer, I got that too. I picked up skills over the years, including graphics (Corel draw not Canva), u web design, events planning, prints, hotel housekeeping experience w from my time in the UK, my love and curiosity on tech, serve me. fr All the random things I thought I failed at became a necessary tool to start up Kimberly’s. It has been an amazing journey, challto leenging but easily adapted with new experiences. Every challenge iss an experience or an exam to graduate to the next level. I love c challenges.
Tayo
What is the one thing that has shocked you the most about tthe property market in Nigeria? Developers…Nigerian developers. One of the problems and the most shocking beyond my control are the houses we buy from m developers. We once got a house, five months after, all the sockets d
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ DECEMBER 19, 2020
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SUPER SATURDAY I’m Work in Progress, On My Way to Being a Better Mum went bad while a guest was in. A pipe burst in the wall and everywhere was flooded. It was a bad look, as devices were damm aged. No one foresaw that, I have never heard of that happening. With that experience, when a client wants to purchase a property, I engage in an intense survey of these things and more. It amazes me, how rare a well-built house is in Lagos. Very few developers deliver a gorgeous house that ticks all boxes. Headroom, aesthetics (especially on tiles, wish I can put an emoji here to project my feelings) the cabinets, the lightning. It once took me four months to get one of my existing owners to get a second house for Short-lets, it is that bad. The shocking part is they sell quickly, I wonder who buys these poorly built houses. This still shocks me till date. What has been your driving force over the years establishh ing a reputable short-let company? Passion. Simply that. I love what I do. I enjoy it and marvel in it. I am delighted to host guests and manage properties like it is mine. My passion for the houses is more than that of the owners even. Also, my integrity, anything that has my name or has to do with me has a standard that comes with it - Accountability, transparency and quality. This is my force; this is my motto. Transparency and accountability are very important to me, communication with owners with these two, are my integrity. They can always take it to the bank. These qualities are so rare in the country we live in; that’s why my owners’ appreciate me. I make the business stress free for them. They can always go and sleep with no worries at all. My passion for always wanting to succeed in my business too is what makes Kimberly’s special, Kimberly’s is me. I always come up with innovative ways to grow and make my staff grow along with me, to stay afloat, and ensure customer experience and satisfaction. How do you handle pressure from clients and your contemporaries? No pressure at all, my contemporaries and I are one and same. We reach out to each other and share overflows. We talk about our common challenges and agree on the way forward. I have been able to pull everyone together in the business. If you are with me, then you are with everyone in the business. I believe we can all grow together; the sky is big enough for us to fly. We can all coexist efficiently. On clients, communicating upfront about terms and conditions of the apartment in clear terms; written and verbal helps to avoid pressure. Some still try you out but there are consequences for violating clear terms and conditions. Staffs are also a challenge we constantly battle from. Dishonesty is a thing. However, being in sync with my contemporaries helps a lot. I am happy we are all aligned. Why did you choose short-let apartments over long-term? What inspired your move into this segment of the real-estate market? I love meeting new people, my business gives me that. Many clients always turn to family. Long term rental won’t give me that opportunity. However, due to popular demand from our clients, I have started my premium rentals, and that’s for long-term rentals. Getting a good house to rent is like finding a needle in a haystack. Our Kimberly’s premium rentals sift through the houses in the market and select the very good ones from our clients to choose from. What personal development plans do you have for yourself as a leader in your space and field? I have learnt something, anything you do for someone directly or indirectly, you do it for yourself. I encourage people who want to get into the business of managing properties. I help them and teach what I know. What I didn’t realise would happen is, these wellmanaged properties become part of Kimberly’s and gives us more unique properties to give to our clients. The market is big enough. Everyone has their strengths, and helping people to attain my level of growth has turned out to make me even bigger. I plan to continue grooming and mentoring people around me. I give room for their experiences too. Part of mentoring as experience is the best teacher. Personally, it’s important to me that anyone that comes or passes through me never forgets me. I always do significant things to help people grow or learn something. This helps me develop too, buttressing the saying ‘we rise by lifting others’. Can we say you were born with a silver spoon? Silver? Not even plastic! My parents gave us (my siblings and I) something against all odds - a good foundation. No matter what, my parents ensured we went to the best schools. Sadly, when I was 12/13 years they broke up, making me a product of a broken home. It was not easy, as most things I know are self-thought. As the first born of my Dad, the break up affected me the most. It wasn’t an easy experience growing up. Sadly, parents don’t think you have a problem at the time, largely because they are still figurr ing things out. More so, we all are eventually. I love my mum and dad so much; they gave me their strength and intelligence and my mother’s resilience also had a positive effect on me. I will choose them in a thousand lifetimes. They both give their all, every time. How did your background shape your life? My background prepared me for greatness. It didn’t feel like it at that time, especially with my disciplinarian parents. I was a very stubborn child. Most people who knew me then, are surprised I turned out this way. I was clearly misunderstood, as I was expelled from secondary school at some point. But I knew what I wanted and I wasn’t going to stop until I got there. I challenged a lot of things, knowing Yoruba/Nigerian parents; you get stigmatised and labelled as a ‘bad child’. Every ‘bad child’ is mostly a misunn
Tayo, husband and daughter derstood youth. When I talk to my mum now, she says ‘I didn’t understand then.’ If you have a child at home giving you problems please take a step back and try to understand the child. Children are different; the stubborn ones turn out to be the greatest. You can make or break that child and that is dependent on the route you take.
to be more patient; most of all, I desire to be a catalyst to great change for my country and the lives of people around me. I desire to make more impact in people’s lives. I have recently discovered my activism side, and on that, I want to make a difference in this country starting from my local Government Odo-Otin, in Osun state.
What’s your favourite food and colour? I love food too much to have a favourite. I love yummy food, but I’m not a fan of dry food. I love to cook and I have gotten private lessons in culinary (Na so I like food reach). My preferr ence for certain colours changes and depends on my mood, but I love Emerald Green, Amethyst Purple and White. I love white too much with a touch of any of the above.
What are some of the lessons life has taught you? Life teaches everyday. It has taught me to love to share and to keep dreaming. It has taught me to be honest as life is easier that way. It has taught me to speak up and be blunt with discretion. It has taught me to be the good mum and better wife to my husband. I am still learning, to handle disappointment. I really learnt that most disappointments are blessings and it may take years to know and understand, but looking back, I’m grateful I didn’t get something I prayed for because I was destined for more but I didn’t know or see it at the time. Life has taught me that anyone can become anything, irrespective of whatever circumstances. Life teaches me no condition is permanent. It can be good or bad or nice or exciting, but change is constant, so expect the change. Life is the greatest teacher and I’m a privileged student.
If you are not working, how do you relax? Movies! Name a movie I have seen it. I love series. I also enjoy computer or phone games. It steadies me and calms my mind. It is also a good distraction from pressure. As a growing child, was what the best gift you received? Christmas Dresses. My dad always bought the dress in April or May, and my mum keeps it in the wardrobe. My siblings and I will always go and inhale the new scent of the dress. I still need to ask my dad where he got the dresses from. I love my dad. Every time I go down memory lane there are bits and pieces of things, he did that wasn’t relevant at the time but means everything to me now. Those dresses are the best for me. Are there things you still desire? Yes. More travel destinations, more children, patience. My patience level was zero but now, I can say I’m at 25%. I desire
What are your thoughts on domestic violence? Anyone that can use their words to communicate and express how they feel should continue to do so but those who only know how to do that violently should get help immediately. You may be bipolar and not know it. I strongly feel it’s a mental health issue. Unfortunately, their partners keep indulging them rather than encouraging them to ask for help. If they don’t accept help, kindly d leave to avoid death that can’t be prosecuted by pleading insanity with evidence.
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˜ ˾ DECEMBER 19, 2020
TRIBUTE
Saraki at 58: A Man for All Times Yusuph Olaniyonu
S
ince he left the Nigerian Senate in June 2019 as its president, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has remained relevant and on top of his game. He has proved that politics goes beyond seeking and holding top political office. A good politician is one who contributes to policies and programmes directed at the development of his constituency at every point, in and out of office. The good politician is the one who at all times attends to the problems and seek the progress of his immediate and larger constituency. Since last year, the former Governor of Kwara State has immersed himself in discourse and engagement with individuals who have the experience in policy formulation and execution. Snippets of some of the sessions he has had appeared in the various newspaper op-ed articles he recently authored and the tweeter messages he posted to air his views on key national issues. In the same manner, Saraki has given speeches at some fora, on and offline, both at home and abroad. On several occasions, his views had been sought by diplomats and the country’s development partners on key issues. These engagements have also created opportunities for him to seek support for Nigeria and her various institutions. The last 18 months have also been utilised by Saraki to organise his various businesses and get more involved in supervising them. It is now that he is directly involved in the co-ordination of his businesses that we got to know that he owns a packaging company somewhere in Kwara State where over 100 youths are gainfully engaged. There are many of such endeavours aimed at creating employment and helping to grow the economy that are not mentioned in the media. The interesting thing is that at the driver’s seat of most of these private companies are youths who are having the best experience in showcasing their managerial ability. His love for the youths have been demonstrated in his pre and post-Senate years. Issues concerning the youths touch him more and elicit passionate, incisive and brilliant response from him. This passion about the youths is however not new. Since his days in the private sector up to his years as Governor, Senator and Senate President, Saraki has always surrounded himself with young, brilliant and committed ladies and gentlemen. Perhaps, he holds the record as the Senate President with the highest number of people between ages 24 and 35 serving as key aides. Even now, most of the people around him are still within that age bracket. One remembers how, working with his colleagues in the Eighth National Assembly, he championed the realization of the demand of the YIAGA group to get a constitutional bill passed that will lower the age requirement for various public offices so as to enhance and facilitate the participation of young people in governance . The Bill is known as the Not-TooYoung-to-Run Bill. It was one of the 12 Constitution Amendment bills which were passed by the 8th National Assembly and given assent by President Muhammadu Buhari. Perhaps, the most symbolic representation of his love for the youths came when during his address to national delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Port Harcourt convention where he sought the Presidential ticket of the party, Saraki was accompanied to the stage by then 24-year old Aminu Waziri Mohammed, a special assistant in his office as Senate President. It was a message to the nation that the aspirant would give adequate posts, space, say and recognition to the youths, if elected. He has also spent more time with family and the post-Senate years have seen him become a grandfather. As for a man who at the age of 38 started occupying public office and continuously held key posts for 19 years, the huge time that he probably has for his children and grandchild in the last 18 months, must have been unprecedented. Even outside public office, the Waziri of Ilorin has not stopped the philanthropic endeavours he inherited from his late father, Dr. Olusola Abubakar Saraki who was the immediate Past Wazirin Geri Ilorin. From Ile Arugbo where hundreds of old women were provided with food, money and health care, to the mass distribution of food and cash items during Ramadan and other Muslim festivals and the distribution of health materials and food items as palliatives during the lockdown resulting from the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, Saraki continues to provide succour and support for the less privileged in his immediate constituency. That is why in his first publicized visit to Ilorin, his home town, after leaving office, the entire people of the emirate and other parts of the State of Harmony turned out en mass to welcome their hero, political champion and most influential personality back home. It was a weekend which was only reminiscent of how people usually rejoiced when they welcomed his late father back home any time he stayed out of the state for a considerably long period of time. In recent years, the only time the entire state poured out to welcome an individual was when the younger Saraki visited Ilorin after his victory at the Supreme Court in the case on asset declaration filed against him by the Federal Government. Again, like his late father, the Oloye, Saraki has continued to demonstrate that he is not a politician who bears the name only when elections are coming. He is a man working hard to serve the people all the time. Outside office, he has continued to play the role of a community leader, opinion moulder, powerful influencer, policy wonk, ideas man, statesman, man with vast network and net worth, as well as a reliable party man.
Saraki
Again, when he was outside the country during and immediately after the post-Covid19 lockdown, Saraki was working with top party leaders in the PDP on the need to strengthen the party. He played key role with others during the gubernatorial election in Edo State which the party won against the ruling party. On some other critical issues, the former Senate President kept in touch with governors, National Assembly members elected on the platform of the party and other top leaders. He has been an advocate of the need for genuine reconciliation of members, rebranding of the party, rejuvenation of the structures, review of the manifesto, constitution and composition of the various organs and broadening of the bases of the PDP. This was the reason why less than two weeks after his arrival in the country, the National Working Committee of the Party led by Prince Uche Secondus appointed him chairman of a National Reconciliation and Strategic Committee which has another former Senate President, Pius Anyim, three former governors, Ibrahim Dankwanbo (Gombe), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and ex-Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mulikat Adeola Akande as members. Saraki and the other members of the committee have since demonstrated their eagerness and determination to succeed by hitting the ground running. The consultations with key members of the party and visit to trouble areas have since commenced before the inauguration of the committee. With the work of the committee and the results it is already yielding, some positive news are now in the media about the PDP. The party is on the bounce again. If there is a politician who is worried and disgusted about the fact that with the various crises plaguing Nigeria, top politicians are not seeking, proffering and discussing solutions, but rather
still engaged in politics as usual, gallivanting and fawning over the subject of who will get what post in the post-Buhari Nigeria, it is Saraki. At every point, he would engage this writer about how it seems illogical for anybody to just be thinking about his ambition and how to run for office when the country herself is sliding into the abyss. “Yusuph, are you not disturbed that with the challenges of insecurity, economic crisis, indiscipline, disunity, internal and external aggression, collapse of infrastructure, erosion of national values and the anger of unhappy citizens, some people are still just concerned only about 2023 and they are not talking about what needs to be done to solve all these problems?”, I will just smile. He gave full expression to this feeling when in the speech he read at the inauguration of the PDP Reconciliation and Strategic Committee, he stated that “...This is a critical time in the life of our nation when politicians must forget about our individual ambitions and focus on building a nation...After all, it is only when there is a nation that somebody can aspire to govern or lead her”. The statement reflects the thought of a statesman, a patriotic citizen and a leader who seeks to be a solution not a part of the problem of his country. It should also be the refrain for others who are grand-standing and scheming for 2023 which is still 29 months away. A time long enough for ordinary mortals to have the fear of who will be alive till then, who will not and in what state will the country be by then. As this consummate politician, medical doctor, banker, husband to a cerebral woman, father of four lovely children and grandfather of a lovely young girl, turns 58th today, one can only wish him a happy birthday and many happy returns. ––Olaniyonu is Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, Abuja.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ˜2020
SHOWBIZFLAIR
Omah Lay, Tems Back from Ugandan Hell I Love Singing Songs of Hope pg. 19
‘Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again’
pg. 20
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ˜2020
SHOWBIZFLAIR
Omah Lay, Tems Back from Ugandan Hell After enduring months of no performances due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, music lovers in Uganda were treated to a double dose of super-rich Nigerian lyrical flavour last weekend by the duo of Stanley Didia, aka Omah Lay and Temilade Openyi, popularly known as Ms Tems, in the capital city of Kampala. But the Nigeria artistes ran into trouble after the concert over Covid-19 restrictions and were detained in prison for two days. They eventually had a narrow escape, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu . Omah Lay
Tems
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t was at The Big Brunch, a concert that held at Kampala’s Speke Resort. The show, which is the first music concert in Uganda since the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were imposed by the Ugandan government sold out. Shortly after performances by Omah Lay and Ms Tems, it turned out that they had broken COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and the Ugandan authorities insisted that the duo must face the law. The singers were arrested on Sunday, December 13 and charged in a magistrate court the following day for “negligently doing acts likely to spread an infectious disease C/S 171 of the Penal
Code Act.” According to the Uganda police, the Nigerian artistes “connived with area police officers, who guarded the illegal event.” The some police officers were arrested for “failing to detect the criminal acts that took place in their area of jurisdiction.” The Ugandan police condemned the acts of the suspects who they described as selfish individuals ‘‘bent on violating the directives on COVID-19 with the purpose of making money while risking the lives of many Ugandans.” The show held at a time when political rallies and churches in Uganda were restricted to 100 people. Ugandan artistes and citizens condemned
the widely promoted concert which had more than 1000 people in attendance. Tems would not eat or drink in custody. She was placed in handcuffs alongside colleague, Omah Lay, during court appearance. The manager of the venue where the musicians performed, Dungu Ivan, and the events manager, Prim Kasana, and Ms Tems’s manager, Muyiwa Awomiyi, were also arrested. The second day, they were jointly charged alongside the area officer and three police officers and remanded in prison. Reacting to the news of the arrest, an Ugandan wrote: “I am proud of you. I have been depressed and extremely discouraged by this event. How it went unnoticed is another thing our Intelligence services must look into. In everything we do, we must have moral decency in it. I support NRM and President Museveni 100% and will defend him always.” Another citizen said the Nigerian singers should not have been arrested. He tweeted: “Do not touch the artistes. Arrest the promoter, Immigration officers who permitted him entry knowing his purpose of visit, Police officers who permitted personnel to provide security and the owner of the premises.” Ugandan musicians like Bebe Cool Mun G, Cindy, Crysto Panda, King Saha, and Geosteady, expressed shock and had felt cheated when they discovered that Omah Lay and Ms Tems had held a music concert in their country. After their arraignment, the singers remained in custody for two days, before the matter was resolved through diplomatic intervention. A Chief Magistrate Court dropped the charges against the Nigerian singers. Did Omah Lay and Tems commit an offence? Section 171 of the Ugandan Penal Code 1950 provides that, “Any person who unlawfully or negligently does any act which is and which he or she knows or has reason to believe to be likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.” So yes, they did. However, some argue that Omah Lay and Tems were only artistes and the
organizers of the event should be held accountable. The Ugandan government argues that even though Omah Lay, Tems and Muyiwa Awoniyi didn’t organise the event, they are the main attraction and should have also been cognizant of COVID-19 restrictions in the country. Omah Lay is popular for his hits ‘You’, ‘Lolo’, ‘Damn’, ‘Bad influence’ and a lot more. His latest hit ‘Godly’ occupies the number one spot on the charts for more than a week now. His ordeal nonetheless, Omah Lay’s songs have become very popular following is ordeal in Uganda. Growing up, Oma Lay started producing music at an early age as he took after his grandfather who was a percussionist for legendary Highlife singer Celestine Ukwu. His dad, who also was a drummer, in as much as he didn’t reach higher heights, was the sounded hero in their locality in terms of drumming. According to the singer, he started music at the age of 15 when he was a producer for a very long time and the started singing again. His style of music is Afro-fusion. Singles like ‘Hello Brother ’ and Do Not Disturb which was released in 2019 heralded his emergence in the music scene but got everybody’s attention with “You” and “Bad Influence” which was off his debut EP, Get Layd. Ms Tems, on the other hand, is behind the singles ‘Looku Looku’, ‘Mr. Rebel’, and the viral hit ‘Try Me’. Tems was born in Lagos in 1995. Her father is British, but her parents separated when she was five and she was brought up by her mum. At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and she learnt the piano. She practiced singing with her brother’s guitar accompaniment. Tems attended Dowen College in Lekki and graduated in economics in Johannesburg. In 2018 she recorded Mr. Rebel – a song of her own composition. In August 2019, Tems released the single Try Me. It became a major hit and currently has over 3.7 million views on YouTube. In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of “ten artistes to watch” that year. She was recruited that year by American singer Khalid to join him and fellow Nigerian Davido on an Afrobeats remix of “Know Your Worth”.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ˜ 2020
SHOWBIZFLAIR TINUADE ILESANMI
I Love Singing Songs of Hope Tinuade Ilesanmi is a songwriter, praise and worship leader, and music minister. Her humility has always proven her worthy of all the great blessings God entrusted to her and she has flourished. Her music is not left out, as she keeps having leading results on every platform and on different stages of her ministration. Tinuade talks to Tosin Clegg about her music career, why she chose gospel music, dreams, goals, style of music and a lot more trusting God to be out next year, and so many other things to come, please watch out. My inspiration is God He’s my driving force. I will say that the love for God and drive to serve Him. The passion for singing and music has also helped me. I love to sing about God, His faithfulness, who He is and His capacity. I love to sing uplifting and encouraging songs of hope to God’s people. Current depth of gospel music I personally won’t like to go with that school of thought; we cannot generalise. We still have songs with deep revelations that bring people back to the feet of the master in awe of His glory and also in repentance. The word Gospel is same message of Christ given to us in different diversities, to connect the Jew, the Greek and the Pharisees. So, each pattern and genre of song may appeal to each person differently but the breath of God in it gives life; the spirit gives life. Message and mandate define my ministry I believe that the industry is actually not saturated, as we are called of God to show forth His praise. The Bible says in 1Cor12:4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” But the difference is either you are operating talent, or a given assignment. Most of what we do and call brand today are God given vision (assignment) and each artiste is called into various assignments to function. That’s what usually differentiates artistes. My message as I said is ‘I am sent as God’s instrument to usher His people into His presence in Praise and worship.’ Highlights career By God’s election, I signed on a label, Diadem Records as Gospel Artiste on 30th June 2018. Since then, it has been from glory to glory. On 1st November 2018, it was great excitement when my first single ‘You are Beautiful’ was released. Thereafter, my 1st music video ‘Amazing God’ followed. It was indeed amazing experience and joy. Also, on quarterly basis, by the grace of God, I anchor ‘Atmosphere of Praise with Tinuade’. I also co-host ‘Voice of Worship’ and ‘Praisewine’.
Tinuade Ilesanmi
I grew up with God-fearing parents in Akure remember at a very young age, I just loved listening to music; it gets my attention and creates an atmosphere of joy within and around me. Wayback as a child, I looked forward to Saturday and Sunday mornings because my father starts those two days with music from his stereo. I attended St Peter’s demonstration Primary School and St Helen’s Unity Secondary School in Akure. I proceed to higher institution, where I obtained a degree in Urban and Regional Planning in 2001. As a child, it was my dream that one day I will see myself in the midst of multitudes singing.
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My journey into gospel music I recall that at age nine, due to my passion for music, I was auditioned into home church choir in Akure. As soon as I gave my life to Jesus and yielded myself to Him, the essence of worship arose deeply in me. This was during my higher institution days. At this time, singing gospel music became my expression for joy. I immediately joined the NIFES (Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students) choir and served there until I graduated. I was privileged to be part of the music team of the Nigeria Youth for Christ. Since then,
with the help of God, I have served in various music groups and I’m presently serving with my Church Choir at Living Faith Church. In June 2018, by God’s election, I signed on a label, Diadem Records, as a Gospel Artiste. True meaning of Gospel Music Gospel Music, for me, means music with deep revelations of God and it brings people back to the feet of the master in awe of His glory and also in repentance. It is my earnest desire to see gospel music in line with what the Lord wants from us per time as His “Called and Chosen” and see more blessed individual/organisation supporting the Gospel Music Industry. I am sent as God’s instrument to usher His people into His presence in Praise and worship. It gives me great joy and fulfilment when I see nations of the earth return to God to show forth His Praise. The people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise - (Is 43: 21) Current projects By the grace of God, a lot is in the pipeline, a lot of good things are cooking, as being inspired by God. The official video of my 4th single, ‘Who you are’ will soon be out and I’m also currently working on my debut album which I’m
It is great grace to answer Gods call As a female gospel artiste, it is demanding as a wife, and a mother but the grace of God always backs the assignment; also with the support of my family. The cost of making music, distributing and promoting gospel music in Nigeria is still challenging. We don’t have many people and organisation willing to commit resources to support the gospel industry in Nigeria. With God, I know all mountains can be subdued, so we move and win by His grace. I believe churches can still do more to support gospel artistes with their music projects. Churches can provide more enabling environment by putting more values on the music ministry. Looking into the future In five years, I will be one of the leading Praise and Worship leaders in Nigeria, blessing lives with my songs on every platform as enabled by God. I’ll, thereafter, become a voice around the nations of the world. As part of the ongoing plan, I will be mentoring and coaching the younger generation of gospel artistes and giving them opportunity to record their own songs and publish them through the God-given platform (Diadem Multimedia) on a yearly basis. Through our ministry foundation, I will be actively involved in charity work, helping those in need and bringing hope and encouragement to all those I’m directly or indirectly connected to, in order to fulfill God’s given purpose.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ˜2020
SHOWBIZFLAIR
‘Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again’ Investment banker cum theatre producer and columnist, Joseph Edgar is literarily going mad with his new production titled ‘Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again’. Fondly known by his platform The Duke of Shomolu Productions, Edgar, talks about the play which he says is a socio-political commentary on life in Nigeria in 2020. He also talks about his other projects with Ferdinand Ekechukwu some of our colleagues that have passed. Bikiya Graham-Douglas, a wonderful actress will stand out there on the day and pay homage to all of those people at the beginning of the play. That’s why we are having that dress code there.
You are set to stage your latest production called ‘Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again’. What is the theme of the play?
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ou Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again’ is a compilation, an anthology. During the lockdown, there were a lot of issues, a lot of themes that was going in and out of my head that affected me as a person and also affected our society. You know things that people would not want to engage and that’s me trying to provide a platform for them. So that’s me trying to show the society their lives through my own eyes. Themes like love, themes like anger, themes like how do you react to the loss of a loved one, economic themes and then it’s with a lot of humour. It’s a 6-man production; it has Patrick Diabuah, it has Kemi Bickersteth, it has Chantel Edgar, and it’s coming up somewhere called The Finery, Ikoyi. It’s because of the pandemic it’s a very close, exclusive play. That place sits 500 people but we are taking just 200 people per show; four shows on the 25 and the 26 December. It is a socio-political commentary on life in Nigeria in 2020 and it’s a must watch. This is your seventh theatrical effort. Compared to your other productions, what makes this upcoming performance distinguishable? Yes, it’s my seventh theatrical production and like you know before this we have done Loud Whispers, we have also done Isale Eko, and we did that twice. And we had Oba Esugbayi which was phenomenal. And then we had the great, wonderful boundary pushing 3Some. After 3Some we had Emotan which was very, very successful I must say because it was named the official play of the National Festival for Arts and Culture in Benin. And then we have done Aremu. Now the difference between this particular play is that this play throws me out there through that persona Joseph Edgar, the Duke of Shomolu, without shame. So all my thought processes, my contrarian views about life in Nigeria, about life in itself, about the themes I mentioned earlier like themes of love, themes of marriage, themes of premarital sex, themes that make society oddly is put out there. So for the first time in my short career in theatre actually, the focus is on me. This is coming out of the phenomenal followership that we have been able to garner in the last five to six years across all platforms. From the THISDAY column to the over four five books we have written and then all of these other productions. It’s a 98 percent dialogue production. It’s going to be directed by one of the most talented theatre directors, Segun Adefila. And it’s going to really, really be epochal because it’s going to really push the boundaries, take logic on its head and begin to open up general thought processes to a different kinds of assessments. Going by the play performance at the well-heeled Ikoyi neighbourhood with dress code for attendees, this production seems to be targeted at
It seems you have completely abandoned your investment banking profession for media and theatre? Noooo I have not abandoned investment banking o! I’m still an investment banker. But just that it could be very, very sensitive so you don’t really, really hear me talk about my mandates or talk about my clients like that, that’s investment banking. So, because theatre is something that has to do with entertainment, it has to do with the people, it has to do with media, that side of me is very, very prominent. I’m still a thoroughbred investment banker. Investment Banking is my passion and I have not left it for anything.
Joseph Edgar
upscale audience. Why so? Yeah it looks like it has an upscale feel about it you know judging by its location, it’s pricing, and then in dress code and I will tell you why. The pandemic as at the time we started designing this production we were just coming out, that’s if we have come out of the pandemic now. So we (I for one) couldn’t be very comfortable in wanting to put people in an enclosed compartment. That’s one. Then so the idea of having an open air play came up. And then where in Lagos can you get such a beautiful place as The Finery? I think you should go see that place. It’s in upscale Ikoyi, it’s on Probyne Rd. So you would agree with me that because of the location, the costing of that venue is almost a thousand percent of the cost of what we are trying to do here. And then again because we do not want to risk, because we are pushing for safety, we try to put the pricing out there so that it can be a little bit easier to control. Now we are having Ogele which is the largest aggregator of African content in this world with over 20,000 content and with 1.1 million followers to live stream it all over the world so you don’t really have to physically come and see the play to enjoy it. So Ogele will live stream it and then do a second showing again sometime in January for those who missed it again. And for the dress code the idea behind that dress code is that we have lost a lot of people this year. I for one have lost my wife, Erelu and so many other close friends. Even as we speak I just lost my greatest mentor, Albert Okumagba. So I decided to celebrate those who had lost loved one, celebrate loved ones that have gone this 2020. So we said let’s wear white. So we have pictures of those that have gone
Funding of theatrical entertainment projects isn’t a tea party. Tell us about the funding and budget and how much of your investment banking reach/background do you explore to hitting targets and getting sponsorships and partnerships? I have a different idea towards funding. I do not believe that some sponsorship is sustainable for a vibrant theatrical industry or a vibrant entertainment industry. I feel as an investment banker there are structures; institutionalization should be put in place that would allow for the continuous funneling of funds towards theatre and entertainment assets. So in funding some of my productions in the last three, four, five years I have built on my network as a 22 year veteran in investment banking. But in also pushing those relationships and those networks, it takes a lot of value. So the difference between myself and other people is that when you go to seat in front of a business person, someone that has target, someone that has product to shift he wants to know how he can leverage on that platform to shift his goods, to shift his services. So as an investment banker I understand that language very well. So I sit down with them we discuss figures, we discuss his targets, we discuss how he’s going to leverage on my platform and that gets him interested and that’s why on this production we have about sixteen corporates on it because I understand their language and they understand mine. Your plays are for matured minds and adults. Is this play in any way similar and restrictive by any age limit? (Laughs) I think you are looking at me with the idea of ‘3Some’. Or my new book that is coming up called ‘Anonymous Nipples’. Yes, this latest play may not be too child friendly. But my seventeen year old daughter (Chantal Edgar) is in it. But it addresses adult themes. So I think a teenager from the age of sixteen and above can see this play. It has a lot of contrarian views; it has a lot of deductive reasoning. Because the challenges we are having in this society right now is a lot of emotive argument, a
lot of emotive positions taken on issues. So this particular play is going to look at these issues in a didactic manner, it’s going to look at these issues in a logical sequencing manner and it will not attempt to answer any question even though it’s going to throw up a lot of issues in the air. But we expect the audience to go home and reason differently. I think we should start rebuilding the renaissance of this country from reasoning. Do you have any plans of bringing your previous productions back on stage; especially the Ahmed Yerima scripted ‘Aremu’ which celebrates ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s life? Of course… you know the Covid-19 pandemic dismantled a lot of things but just temporarily shutting things down. The plan was to have a Duke of Shomolu Theatre Festival this December and already a committee had been in place. We were going to have all six of our productions over a weekend. But all of that is going to happen next year 2021. And then we add one new play I can’t call right now. We have not really finished with Aremu just yet because of the lockdown we are hoping to bring Aremu back early next year. We are going to be having Aremu first half of the year. It is in the public domain that you are putting a team of experts towards raising funds for a massive theatre space. How far have you gone with this initiative? Yeah I’m putting plans in place to raise a lot of money to build The People’s Theatre. There’s nothing to hide there. People’s Theatre is going to be a massive structure that would recreate wealth around the entertainment industry using theatre specifically. The plan is to have over 500 Nigerians own shares in this theatre, provide sustainable funding for productions and then open up the space widely all over the country and Africa as a whole. We are going to start first quarter next year (2021) and then we hope to deliver on that project first quarter 2022. Any plans of venturing into Nollywood cinemas or adapting any of your stage productions into movies? We don’t have any plans in the immediate future to go into Nollywood. I have had people come to say ‘oh let’s put Esugbayi on movie or let’s do Emotan on movie and all of that. For me I look at it from a business angle. Movie is a very huge production, it’s a very huge project and that comes with a lot of leakages. But most importantly comes with the inability to control everything around it; that’s sucking for me and it’s a no-no. I want to be in control of everything from entry to exit. Because if I’m going to get the kudos, then I must know what’s up. If I’m going to get the flag, then I must know what’s up. I don’t know what the future hold. We might want to get to that point at some point. But as at today, where I’m seated, Nollywood is no-no for me. I’m beginning to think about documentaries; I love documentaries. Just maybe in the near future we might do one or two on a very interesting subject.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 2020 • T H I S D AY
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SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 2020 •T H I S D AY
SATURDAY DECEMBER 19, 2020 • T H I S D AY
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 19, 2020
POLITY
Aisha Buhari Tasks Groups on Women, Girl-child Emancipation Laurence Ani
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igeria’s First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari has charged women groups in the country to work hard towards the emancipation of the female folk, young and old, so that they can contribute their quota to nation building.
She stated this recently in Abuja at a conference organized by Aspire Women Forum, a non-governmental organisation founded by a frontline female activist, Mrs Zainab Marwa-Abubakar. While urging Nigerian women not to be discouraged, the First Lady urged them to continue to pick up challenges which will build them as well as empower themselves to aspire to greater heights. Represented by her Special Adviser, Dr Hajo Sani at the event, the First Lady later launched the NGO’s quarterly magazine and also unveiled the logo of the Aspire Women Network Project. The President/Founder of Aspire Women Forum, Barrister Zainab Marwa-Abubakar pointed out that the NGO was aimed at promoting the interest of women, while advising them to always believe in their abilities and strive for happiness through living a purpose filled life. “The Happy Conference was borne out of the idea that every woman has a right to the pursuit of happiness. We chose this focus because there is a growing rate of suicide, murder, despondency, hopelessness and drug abuse among Nigerian women. This, coupled with the recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused women to develop fear, anxiety and depression”, she stated. She said the mission of the AWF “is to be the foremost forum for igniting gender equity by advocating and engaging in the areas of Motivational Behavioural Coaching (MBC), politics and financial inclusion. To encourage positive aspirations and a mindset reset for success thus creating a new intellectually liberated generation of women and girls.” Also speaking at the conference, former EFCC chairman and founder, Women Youth, Children and Crime Organization, WYCCO, Mrs Farida Waziri said: “A woman’s position is now associated with development and giving a woman a position in any country is like giving the nation the best. As such, we must be seen as women who want to advance not only for women but for the country we live in.” In her remarks, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs ,
Some of the participants at the Aspire Women Forum Happy Conference
Disaster management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk said the aspire women forum is a practical demonstration of what women can do for families , friends and the nation. She charged all women to contribute their quota irrespective of age, tribe and religion in order to make Nigeria great. Hon. Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, a member of the House of Representatives representing Damatura/Gujba/Gulani/ Tarmuwa federal constituency of Yobe State, commended AWF as a platform for ensuring women’s voices are heard. She stated that the happy conference is a welcome initiative. Abike Dabiri Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, said at the conference that “women are seen as multi-tasking especially when building the home, hence the society by extension.” She called on Nigerian women to be fulfilled in finding their purpose in life.
The Executive Director of Nexim Bank, Stella Okotete, stated: “As women, we face a lot of enormous challenges particularly in politics. It is very tough surviving the political terrain in Nigeria.” Okotete therefore urged women to find ways to make themselves happy in any situation. “Aspire Women is a network of women which provides togetherness and that must be replicated by joining the Aspire Women Network.” Hajiya Hadiza Aminu, the Coordinator of United Nations Spotlight Initiative also speaking at the event stated: “We at the United Nations support women in every aspect of life. Aspire Women Forum connects every woman, therefore there is a need for women to come together and support and connect with the Forum.” The theme of The Happy Conference was “A Woman: My Purpose.” It was a one day interactive session with over 350 women and young girls from government secondary schools in FCT and 88 organisations.
Rafiu Ibrahim
Bukola Saraki, an Exceptional Human Being Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim represented Kwara South Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly. He was also Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance. He talks to select journalists in Ilorin on the 58th birthday of Immediate past President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his leadership style among others. Hammed Shittu was part of the chat. Excerpts:
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hat is your relationship with Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki? Perhaps, contrary to public guess, my relationship with Dr. Saraki is completely brotherly. He is a big brother (he personally adopted me as one, long ago), an outstanding one for that matter. He is a mentor, a guide both in personal and public life, and a very loyal friend. He radiates loyalty - reciprocal or not. In my own case, in fact, I believe he is more loyal to me than I am to him. What makes our bond very natural is that Baba Saraki, the late Waziri, personally handed me over to him. Baba himself was a father figure (I wish I could tell the entire story here) who gave us, sons of no bodies, the opportunity to not only succeed but to make impacts in life. So, how Dr. Bukola Saraki is my brother is unequivocal. Our bond is beyond political interest or gains. Onthisbirthdayoccasion,howwouldyoudescribeDr.BukolaSaraki,hisperson,leadershipstyleandmodusoperandi especiallyasitconcernscriticaldecisionmaking? Let me first of all offer hearty birthday wishes to my leader and mentor.Abiding health, prosperity and greater exploits are my prayers for him and his family as he celebrates another year in life. He is to me and millions of others, an exceptional human being ahead of his time and an exemplary one just like the late Waziri of Ilorin, Dr. Olusola Saraki. This means he is Olusola Saraki incarnate. But if I can distil him into one word, he is an enigma. Bukola Saraki is a twentyfirst-century builder, national pathfinder, a democracy warrior with the farthest vision. He is the architect of the modern day Kwara State both in infrastructural development initiatives and human capital development; hardworking and competent. On these two qualities, I have known him for, I take a personal pride in the fact that no mediocre or hero-worshipper can survive for too long around him. Dr. Saraki’s leadership acumen cut across all ramifications. He is popularly called leader. His leadership is entirely formed by his passion for human development, most especially his immediate
Youtalkedaboutloyalty,Saraki’steamspiritandrespect forsuperioropinions.Whatisonecollectivedecisionthatyou werepartandproudof? The answers to this question are too many but I’ll restrict myself to your limit, just one; and that is our collective decision not to challenge the conduct and outcome of the 2019 general elections in Kwara State despite various and conspicuous irregularities including the unlawful arrest of my person, two days to election. The undeniable truth is that the elections were flawed by many electoral malpractices, manipulations and militarisation. The point is, if we had decided to challenge the whole election results, from senatorial downwards, I have no doubt we would reclaim our victory. But we decided not to toe that path, and I am very pleased and happy with that resolution.
Ibrahim constituents, the people of Kwara State, and the leadership that is unmatched with any persons or group of persons that had surpassed any one that I have ever seen in my entire life journey. To speak more about leadership, Bukola Saraki is honest and loyal to a fault. He is shrewd yet very open to superior opinions. He is a good listener, extremely focused, hardworking and, above all, undauntedly passionate about Nigeria’s development. I have never seen him take decisions without inputs from his team members. I have seen him in many occasions make personal sacrifice for his own team members especially at national level. The examples, I mean different events, scenarios both in Kwara and whilst he was the Senate President, among others were many to mention but I can confirm that consultation and teamwork are the bedrock and fulcrum of his style. That said, I must note that he is a strong fighter against injustice. So he is not a very good adversary to look for.
Whatdoyouthinkmakeshimthick?Personalaccomplishments,philanthropyorpoliticalconquest? Dr. Saraki is a man thatAllah uses to create and sustaining the systems for the teeming masses of Kwarans and others in the parts of the country. He dwells on the development of people across all spectrums. He has a huge knack for philanthropy, a trait which he obviously picked from his father, Oloye. This is what makes him thick, legendary and, of course, the major cause of the void in Kwara today. No one dares to compete with his philanthropic gestures and politics because of his wide exposures in the management of human resources that he had exhibited while serving as the two terms governor of Kwara State, as a former senate president and others areas of endeavours that he had served. Inyourownview,howdidDr. BukolaSarakiinfluence KwaraPoliticiansinthenationalspaceespeciallyduringhis SenatePresidency? Like they say, charity begins at home. So let me approach this question by first drawing attention to how Dr. Bukola Saraki influenced Kwara politicians even before the Senate Presidency.
Read full interview online - www.thisdaylive.com
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ECEMBER 19, 2020
POLITY
Abatete Digest Debuts December 22 Ejike Anyaduba
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batete Digest, a bi-annual news and social activities magazine will be launched on December 22, 2020 at Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The magazine, which is designed to inform, educate, entertain, and bring the activities of government closer to the people is published by Pat Onukwuli, a lawyer and Estate Surveyor who currently teaches at Bolton University, United Kingdom and holds the traditional title of Omesilincha Abatete. The launch will be headlined by the President General of Abatete Development Organization and chaired by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Engr. Charles Emeka Efobi, the traditional ruler of Abatete community. The event will take place at Seat of Wisdom Library, Abatete, at 10am. The 64-page magazine is arranged in sections that include, but not limited to news reports, heritage, politics, economy, health, etc. Being the first of its kind in the town, the magazine is at once accepted as a vital news medium to close the gap of information in Abatete. It is seen as not just chronicling and reporting important milestones in the town, but also documenting same for posterity. It therefore hopes to fill this gap and bring authentic information on social and economic activities in the town to the people, especially the segment of the society that is easily influenced by mass media. Aware of the challenges facing Abatete community – the things that had held up its development, Abatete Digest tries as much as possible to report the progress made by a few individuals in furthering the peace and development in the town while encouraging others yet to be persuaded to make up their mind. To that extents, it refrains from reporting issues that will negatively impact on the sudden burst of developmental strides evident in the town in the last two or three years. It does not fail to commend the humanity of the few who invested their time and resources in reshaping the communal landscape through building of roads, library, hospitals, schools, community bank, community town halls, boreholes, fencing of government schools, offer of employment, empowerment, among others. In its mission statement, the magazine thinks there should be a balance between leadership and followership, insisting that neither should suffer unduly. While commending the efforts of those who
offered to invest in the collective good of the people, the magazine discourages any attempt at manipulating the dreg of humanity through those gifts. And to stem possible occurrence and avoid that common failing of mankind not to anticipate a storm when the sea is calm, it calls for collective responsibility as to the choice of project, location, and protection. Abatete Digest observes that since the town is strategically located, providing an alternative thoroughfare to traffic from the commercial city of Onitsha through Anaocha in Anambra State to Orlu in Imo State, and between the industrial city of Nnewi and the capital city of Awka, every effort at developing the town as another portal should be encouraged. Accordingly, the magazine commends the efforts of the traditional ruler of the town, His Royal Majesty Igwe Emeka Efobi and members of the Igwe- in-Council whose leadership has provided the peace that encouraged the development. The magazine is no less impressed with the unsparing effort of such benevolent developers like Ezinaeliaja III, Odogwu Abatete, Ochiagha Idemili, Ichie Nnadiebube, Ochendo Abatete, Ezechinetugo, Ozi-Uzo, Ogalanya Umuazi, Agunechemba, Chike Oranika, Ezennia Joe Ezigbo,Idejiuno Chukwuelue among others. While not discountenancing the abiding role of the Abatete Vigilante Services which works hard to rid the town of criminal elements. Regardless, Abatete Digest, believes that all these efforts may come in vain if there is no structured media support to
expose the positive developments on a regular basis and encourage those yet to make impact to do so. It therefore urges other great sons and daughters of Abatete to enlarge the number of the altruistic few. On the cover story of the magazine is Prof. Charles Egbu, a worthy son of Abatete who was appointed the First Black Vice Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University in the United Kingdom. The magazine also recalls the contributions of late football legend Albert Onyeanwuna, another great son of the town as well as the 2010 most beautiful girl in Nigeria, Fiona Amuzie. It also broached the issue of Omanne, the story of ancestral kinship, linking Abatete, Umuoji and Nkpor which it hopes to exhaust the narrative in its next edition. There are goodwill messages from the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Dr. Nkem Okeke and many other great sons and daughters of Abatete. There is also input from the Anambra State coordinator of SMEDAN, Engr. Chito Onuzulike, who expressed interest in partnering with the magazine to organize training for Abatete youths. Every story written, every interview conducted, and every graphic detail was done with great attention to facts and delivered in simple English. There may be nothing lacking in the magazine regarding its set objective. However, it admits of no claim to perfection and allows enough room for correction against the next publication. ––Ejike Anyadub writes from Abatete.
Professor Adedotun Phillips Dies at 79
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he Phillips Family of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State has announced the transition into glory of Professor Adedotun Oluwole Phillips which happened on December 13, 2020 in his country home in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state. He was aged 79 years. An economist and an accomplished academician, he served in various capacities in the University of Ibadan including as the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Chairman Committee of Deans. He served the nation meritoriously as Commis-
sioner for Finance in Ogun State, President of the Nigerian Economics Society, Chairman of the Nigerian Tax Reform Committee, Chairman Nigerian Industrial Development Bank and Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, amongst other key roles. A condolence register is open on the following link https://www.remembr.com/ adedotun.phillips A statement signed by Oluwole Phillips for the family said funeral announcements would be made in due course.
PHOTO NEWS
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 19, 2020
POLITY Creating an Oasis on Lagos Island The Lagos Polo Club’s Eden Project involving massive landscape transformation with tree planting around the club and its environs will not only create a world class environment, it will also re-create a new vista in the heart of Ikoyi, support and strengthen the climate and ecosystem’s resilience. Sunday Ehigiator reports
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he harmattan breeze which blew relentlessly from newly planted trees offered the occupants and the environs some cool and fresh air. The latest project of visionary leadership of Lagos Polo Club is already receiving a lot of accolades. There is a clear vision to create a comfortable and world class environment through The Eden Project, which is dedicated to massive landscape transformation by planting over 160 trees around the Club premises in its initial phase. There are plans to extend this project to its environs. This green sustainability project will not only create a world class environment, it will also re-create a new vista in the heart of Ikoyi and support and strengthen the climate and ecosystem’s resilience. The club has a rich pedigree of remarkable achievements since its inception over a century. Founded in 1904, the Lagos Polo Club is the first to be established in the history of Nigeria. It was created by a team of British Naval Officers who loved the sport of horse riding and horse racing. With its yearly tournaments, standard horse riding academy, and affiliations with international Organisations, the club has grown to become the best and famous polo clubs in Nigeria. Every year, the Lagos Polo Club holds one main tournament and several mini tournaments. The main tournament is the Lagos International Polo Tournament held around February and March for a two-week. It is the largest Polo tournament in Africa as it attracts large number of polo players and lovers from several countries. Also, professional polo players all the way from Argentina come to participate in the tournaments. The recently concluded 2020 Lagos Polo Tournament which featured 39 amazing polo teamsthe highest in the history of NPA Tournaments came to a grand finale on the 18th of February 2020. The Lagos Polo Club Tournament is arguably one of the biggest social events in Nigeria. However, apart from its renowned glamour and the never-ending after-games party, the highlight this year was the commissioning of the newly built state-of-the-art viewing stand by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The new Lagos Polo club viewing stand is a pioneering world-class, marking the beginning of a new era for the most premier club in Nigeria. It delivers an exclusive VIP box experience with an unobstructed panoramic view of the field on the first floor and a vibrant state-of-the-art bar beneath it. Just as it’s known for its glamour, Lagos Polo Club has been involved in several Corporate Social Responsibility activities over the years. For example it partnered with an NGO on an educational literacy campaign for the horse grooms. During the pandemic, it supported Lagos State’s efforts and also the local government area with contributions towards alleviating some of the unfortunate situations caused by Covid-19. They have had children come to ride at the polo club to get exposure to horses and horse care. The goal is to expose people – both young and old to horses and riding. Like an old wine that gets better with age, the premier club keeps evolving with innovation. Over the last 10 years, the Club has gone through various transformations by various committee members with the sole aim of making it a world class club. Recently, the visionary leadership of its President, Ayo Olashoju and his committee members embarked on tree planting as part of their contributions to the club. Commenting on why the commitee embarked of the Eden Project, Olashoju confirmed that Lagos Polo club commenced a regeneration project as far back as 10 years ago and since then, each successive president had been working to improve and enhance the status of the club in one way or the other. He said: “Historically, the grounds were densely populated with stable and a host community and over the years, successive Presidents and committees have made various contributions to lead the club to where it is today by limiting the number of stables to something that is more manageable, lift the value of the environment, lift what exists and the facilities here. “whilst the club has been in the heart of Ikoyi since 1904, it is important that steps are taken to modernise our club facilities to a level whereby it’s truly world
L-R: CEO, Arabela, Mr. Tola Akinkungbe; Lagos Polo Club’s Secretary, Adeyemo Alakija; President of the club, Ayo Olashoju, First Vice President, Timi Akinwunmi, Second Vice President, Bode Makanjuola, during the tree planting exercise…recently class, adds value to the neighbourhood and impacts our environment in a sustainable and beneficial way. When I became president in July of 2019, one of my key objectives was to ensure that the trajectory of development in the club was kept and increased. Since then we have carried out several projects to enhance the club and now we commence our landscaping project. The ‘Eden Project’ basically involves landscaping our neighbourhood by planting over 160 trees, walled gardens and more to enhance the environment within this part of Lagos. “Since we live in a big, populated urban city – Lagos, an oasis like this is a welcome idea. We commenced planning over three months ago, getting everything in place and now we are at the actual delivery and installation of the trees and walled gardens. We are optimistic that by the end of the year we would have finished the installation and planting phase of the project and within the next 6 -12 months it will be a whole different Lagos Polo Club.” The project is capital intensive but Olashoju has got the back of his reliable, committed and dedicated members: “The project is large with significant costs, but the good thing is that we have had a lot of support from our members who have in one way or the other supported the project. We also have a partner – Arabella, who have invested in the project. The main costs of the project include preparing the grounds, introducing irrigation systems, logistics and transportation and the cost of the trees that are fully grown and are being transplanted from different parts of the country. “Fortunately, we are blessed to have a membership of likeminded people. From the commencement of Lagos Polo Club, there has always been continuity. This is most evident in the last 10 years where each successive President and Committee had made tremendous value contributions to the club through multiple projects. For example, this building where we are having this particular interview – the new VIP stand and bar, was the brain child of the immediate past committee, but was completed by our current committee. Corroborating Olashoju on sustainability of the
project, Tola Akinhanmi, said: “The need for creating a legacy and which resonated amongst members and hence the buy in for the project conceptually. In this regard, we have proposed a fund-a-tree campaign’ as a way of raising funding internally and which encourages each member to support the project in one way or another. So that is the whole concept around ensuring that there is a permanent thing, sure that the whole club buys into it.” From a Corporate Social Responsibility view, the Lagos Polo Club Eden Project is a means to improve the environment, improve the air quality and positively impact the environment in a sustainable manner. This project will improve the value of the whole neighbourhood and in addition some trees are going to be planted on Awolowo road and Ribadu road to beautify and make it green in the subsequent phase in early 2021. Basking in the euphoria of his committee’s recent achievements of tree planting, Olashoju said: “We are very excited about this project; it is something that we are all very passionate about. The support from the club has been overwhelming with everybody buying into it, this is evidenced by the support, little or largely. That is why I am confident that it will stand the test of time and definitely we can make Lagos green.” On why he is passionate about Lagos Polo Club tree planting project, CEO, Arabella Landscape, Tola Akinkungbe said the most asset one can bequeath to our children is our environment: “This discussion has gone on for almost 10 years and so I believe it is time for it to come into reality. Every asset in this club – the fence, the grass, is something that we can enhance. We can create an oasis within Lagos Island, we can even create it in such a way that along the fence line, people can come in and have a family picnic. All they have done is that they just made a better presentation of the environment. These are potentials that Lagos can have. I am pro-Nigeria, I believe very strongly in this country and we can do great things. And if everybody can put their foot forward the way Lagos Polo is doing, we can create world class environments.”
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011
GLOBAL SOCCER A
WEEKLY PULL-OUT
19.12.2020
NEWS
FIRM GRIP OF THE TOP PAGE. 29
Bryan Fiabema
Aiming to Star for Nigeria
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 19, 2020
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GLOBAL SOCCER
Bryan Fiabema battling for possession against a Manchester United player during the FA Youth Cup
Bryan Fiabema Aiming to Star for Nigeria Though Bryan Fiabema has played for Norway at the age-grade level, the Chelsea U-23 player’s quest to play for the country of his father is unprecedented
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espite Chelsea super kid Bryan Fiabema being provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth, Norway, his father, Mina Fiabema, has however assured that his international future lies with the Nigerian national teams. Bryan comes from a sports family as his father played field hockey back in his secondary school days and his sister also plays football. The 17-year-old has had a fine start to the 2020-2021 season, scoring four goals in seven Premier League 2 appearances for Chelsea U-23s and was nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for October 2020. “Bryan is eligible to represent Nigeria and Norway, I have always advised him to play for Nigeria and he’s actually open to it,” said Fiabema to allnigeriasoccer.com. “He wants to play for Nigeria, he’s 17 now so can’t play for Nigeria U-17s, in the next one, two years if there’s an opportunity for him to play for the U-20s, he’ll want to come. “It’s not just about me influencing him, he has followed Nigerian football, followed Nigeria at the World Cup, and at a very tender age of 10, 11, he had the Nigerian flag in his room. “The last World Cup we went for, he asked me to buy him a Nigerian jersey, so he loves Nigeria but unfortunately he hasn’t been there.” Fiabema Senior revealed that his son was crazy about former Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo in his formative years as a footballer and started out his career as a winger before he was converted to a number 9 by Norway’s U-17 national team, then Chelsea. “I don’t know if he idolises any Nigerian player, I only know of one international player
he idolises and follows and that player is Cristiano Ronaldo. “From what I saw, his best position is playing from the right of attack but Chelsea are playing him as a main striker and he’s also delivering. “The Norwegian U-17 were using him as a top nine and he was playing from the wing at Tromso. “He models his game after Ronaldo, when he was younger he always asked for boots with CR7. “He’s grown now so he’s beginning to be himself, when he was much younger he walks and balances like him, everything about him was Ronaldo. “He has speed and is good at dribbling,” he added. Fiabema played non-binding games for Norway’s U-15 and U-16 national teams but became provisionally cap-tied to the Scandinavian nation when he started against Bulgaria in an U-17 EURO qualifier in October 2019. Fiabema is Chelsea’s first signing under Frank Lampard, after joining from Norwegian side Tromso IL on January 1, 2020 for a fee of £540,000, the young striker now 17-years old, has had an incredible 11 months in the academy set-up. Fiabema joined his local side in 2016, who was playing in Eliteserien, Norway’s top flight at the time. The division has been a great incubator for developing players, while also giving first team experience at noticeably young ages. Two examples of this are Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard and Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland. In 2015, Odegaard became the youngest player to ever play in Norway’s top division, at 15 years and 158 days. Just 11 days later, he would go on to earn the accolade of becoming the division’s
youngest ever goalscorer. Haaland on the other hand, made his Eliteserien debut in 2017-just a month shy of his 17th birthday, scoring the winning goal six minutes after being introduced as a substitute. Although Fiabema was not able to get as many minutes compared to other Norwegian talents, recording just one substitute appearance, he was able to get minutes at the international youth level. There, he represented and scored for the Norwegain national team at every level from U-13 to U-17. Ultimately, it was only after a trial with the Blues that he was able to seal a move to west London. Upon starting the next phase in his young career, Fiabema was placed in Chelsea’s U-18s, but progressed quickly. He made one substitute appearance before getting his chance in the Development Squad, coming on once again as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Everton U-23s. He would play as the lone striker from the 62 on, with a freshly rehabilitated Ruben Loftus-Cheek playing behind him in a 4-2-3-1. This season, the young Norwegian has been able to continue his progression at a fantastic rate. After starting the campaign in the U-18s, he was once again moved back to the Development Squad, where he has remained a key player. He has been in fantastic scoring form, registering four goals in five appearances as a part of England’s reserve league, known as Premier League 2. Playing for both club and country, he has shown himself to be a confident player who loves to attack from central areas. From these areas, he shows off his anticipation and positional awareness. Furthermore, he has displayed a cool head from the penalty spot, calmly putting away two penalties
against Walsall and Liverpool. Simply put, Fiabema is a highly adept striker. His prowess up front and natural eye for goal can be summed up with two wonderful strikes against Derby County U-23s, which changed the game and helped Chelsea turn around a 2-1 deficit. The first, a left-footed shot from outside the box, he managed to squeeze the ball in from a tight position after it got away from the Derby defenders. The second is taken after a lovely run from Thierno Ballo into the box from the left side. Fiabema ran through the middle, anticipating the incoming pass, and putting the ball away nicely to the keepers right. He scored despite pressure from a number of surrounding defenders. The two goals showed his technical ability, scoring with both feet and taking his shots first time. While the young Norwegian has shown his exploits whenever he has been given the opportunity, his winning goal against Manchester United in the semifinal of the FAYouth Cup is undoubtedly his stand-out moment this season. In a game that was broadcast live in the United Kingdom, Fiabema again showed his ability to exploit space in central areas and hit a first time shot into the roof of the net. Fiabema is indeed quickly gaining a reputation as the star striker in Chelsea’s youth set-up. If he can keep his confidence high and keep performing on the pitch, one would think that he will be marked for a call up to the senior squad, alongside Development Squad captain Tino Anjorin, who is highly regarded at the club and has already been handed two senior appearances under Lampard. Of course, it is too early to tell what the next steps will be for Fiabema. In a club that demands excellence across all teams, Andy Myers will be pleased to have a new exciting talent that he can assist in moulding into a player good enough to take the leap into the first team. All while simultaneously helping him to clinch a second successive Premier League 2 title. The club, however, will probably want to assess him for at least another season before a loan move would be on the cards. Chelsea’s record of keeping young players focused, whether they make the grade into the first team or not, has been excellent over many years. This, paired with his ability, should give him the opportunity to realise his potential. Whatever the future holds, these are exciting times for Fiabema and the future of the No. 10 role at Stamford Bridge.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 19, 2020
GLOBAL SOCCER Premiership Table
Liverpool Seek Firm Grip of Top Spot with Visit to Selhurst Park Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita could not stop Liverpool striker, Sadio Mane from scoring the winning goal when both side met last season
After overtaking Tottenham on the top spot of the Premier League table midweek, Liverpool will be hoping to establish their lead as they visit Crystal Palace at lunchtime today
C
rystal Palace welcome champions and league leaders, Liverpool to Selhurst Park today for both sides’ final outings before Christmas. The Eagles have only won one of their last five league games but face a Liverpool team struggling on the road despite their lofty league position. It has taken far longer than last season, but Liverpool are back out on their own at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over previous leaders Tottenham Hotspur. The top-of-the-table tussle, which Liverpool dominated in the first half before surviving some glorious Spurs chances in the second, looked destined to end level until Roberto Firmino’s pinpoint stoppage-time header finally opened up some daylight between the two front-runners for the title. If anything could dampen Jurgen Klopp’s delight at the victory, it would be another Wednesday night to today lunchtime turnaround - a piece of scheduling which led to a furious reaction the last time it happened less than a month ago. Liverpool drew 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion on that occasion - one of five successive away league matches which the champions have failed to win in a run which stretches back almost three months now. The Reds have not gone six away league games without winning since January 2011 and could draw five in a row for the first time since December 1991, having been held by Everton, Manchester City, Brighton and Fulham since their 7-2 humiliation at the hands of Aston Villa. Indeed, the discrepancy between
Liverpool’s home form and away form is the biggest in the league; they have won seven from seven at Anfield this season in an incredible run which stretches a lot further back than just 2020-21, yet on their travels they have won only one of their six league outings this term. That away run also stretches further back than just this season, with three wins, four defeats and five draws in their last 12 such outings, having won 16 and lost none of their previous 17 before that. However, they have won each of their last five league visits to Selhurst Park and have only lost one of their last 13 top-flight trips to London, where their only away win of 2020-21 came too. Why there is such a gulf between Liverpool’s home and away form is something of a mystery to Klopp, and he will no doubt be wary of a Crystal Palace side that held Spurs to a draw in their last outing at Selhurst Park. How Palace turns up could be the deciding factor as to whether they could also come away with something from the other member of the top two this weekend, with the hosts having won three, drawn three and lost three of their last nine league games. That inconsistency is mirrored in their home form - two wins, two draws and two defeats so far - but manager Roy Hodgson can still point to signs of progress ahead of the visit of his former club. The Eagles are three points and one place better off than the same stage of last season, and crucially have improved upon their biggest weakness from 2019-20 by increasing their goal threat. It is at the other end where the main issues lie now, with Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw at West Ham United making it 12 games without a clean sheet and just one in their last 21 top-flight outings. Considering Palace have failed
to keep a clean sheet in any of their 14 league meetings with Liverpool since earning promotion back to the big time in 2013, Hodgson will know that his team will likely need to score more than once if they are to come away with all three points today. That makes what the veteran boss described as a “ludicrous” red card for Christian Benteke in midweek even costlier, with the Belgian set to miss out against his former club just as he was beginning to find a bit of form. Meanwhile, Manchester City make the trip to high-flying Southampton this afternoon on the back of successive draws that have further derailed their Premier League title hopes. The Citizens are eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, while Southampton are four points better off in third after a superb start to the campaign. City seemed to accept a point from their recent derby clash with Manchester United, but there was little to celebrate following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Guardiola accepted after the game that his side cannot afford to drop points against sides such as West Brom, who still went ahead and sacked boss Slaven Bilic after the match. City have won back-to-back league games j u s t o n c e a l l s e a s o n a n d a re a l re a d y p l a y ing catch up on Liverpool w i t h t w o t h i rd s o f t h e s e a s o n to go. This trip to St Mary’s is not exactly the easiest of matches on the face of it, e i t h e r, w i t h S o u t h a m p t o n i n great form at the moment. S o u t h a m p t o n will feel on recent form that they may well be the favourites to win this game and keep their outside title hopes alive.
Tottenham Liverpool Tottenham Southampton Leicester Everton Man Utd Chelsea West Ham Man City Wolves Aston Villa Crystal Palace Leeds Newcastle Arsenal Brighton Burnley Fulham West Brom Sheff Utd
11 13 13 13 13 13 12 13 13 12 13 11 13 13 12 13 13 12 13 13 13
Hot Shot PLAYERS
14 10 13 7 7 5 3 12 5 6 -4 8 1 -2 -5 -5 -6 -12 -10 -16 -17
CLUB
Calvert-Lewin Son Heung-Min Mohamed Salah Jamie Vardy Patrick Bamford Harry Kane Bruno Fernandes Callum Wilson Wilfried Zaha Ollie Watkins Danny Ings Jack Grealish Marcus Rashford Diogo Jota
24 28 25 24 24 23 23 22 21 20 20 19 18 17 17 14 11 10 9 7 1 GOALS
Everton 11 Tottenham 11 Liverpool 11 Leicester 10 Leeds Utd 9 Tottenham 9 Man Utd 7 Newcastle 7 Palace 7 Villa 6 Southampton 6 Villa 5 Man Utd 5 Liverpool 5
Head to Head 08/03/20 Man Utd 2 : 0 07/12/19 Man City 1 : 2 24/04/19 Man Utd 0 : 2 11/11/18 Man City 3 : 1 07/04/18 Man City 2 : 3 10/12/17 Man Utd 1 : 2 27/04/17 Man City 0 : 0 10/09/16 Man Utd 1 : 2 20/03/16 Man City 0 : 1 25/10/15 Man Utd 0 : 0 12/04/15 Man Utd 4 : 2 02/11/14 Man City 1 : 0
Man City Man Utd Man City Man Utd Man Utd Man City Man Utd Man City Man Utd Man City Man City Man Utd
PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY
Brighton v Crystal Palace v Southampton v Everton v Newcastle v
Liverpool Liverpool Man City Arsenal Fulham
12:30 17:30 15:00 17:30 20:00
SUNDAY
Brighton Tottenham Man Utd West Brom
v v v v
Sheffield Utd Leicester Leeds Utd Aston Villa
12:00 14:15 16:30 19:15
v v
Wolves West Ham
17:30 20:00
v v v v v
Elche 13:00 Valencia 15:15 Sociedad 17:30 Villarreal 17:30 Valladolid 20:00
v v v v
Alavés Real Betis Getafe Madrid
MONDAY
Burnley Chelsea
La Liga TODAY
Atlético Barcelona Levante Osasuna Sevilla SUNDAY
Celta Vigo Granada Cádiz Eibar
13:00 15:15 17:30 20:00
SERIE A TODAY
Fiorentina v Verona Sampdoria v Crotone Parma v Juventus 19:45
14:00 17:00
SUNDAY
Torino Benevento Cagliari Inter
v v v v
Bologna Genoa Udinese Spezia
11:30 14:00 14:00 14:00
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 19, 2020
GLOBAL SOCCER
Wilfred Ndidi tries to dispossess Everton striker, Richarlison
Gernot Rohr and Ahmed Musa
Rohr, Musa Differ in Choice of FIFA Best Player Awards Super Eagles German coach Gernot Rohr and the team’s captain Ahmed Musa Ahmed Musa played a role in crowning the best coach and best men’s player in Thursday’s award ceremony Musa voted Lionel Messi as the best men’s player for 2020 while coach Rohr picked Robert Lewandowski for the Best Fifa Men’s Player award. Following an incredible 2019-20 season with Bayern Munich, Lewandowski claimed the coveted recognition on Thursday after beating Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Messi to the top prize. Despite their contrasting choice of winners, Rohr and Musa both had an African star who helped Liverpool end their 30-year wait for an English topflight title and also won the Fifa Club World Cup last season, in their picks
After selecting the Polish striker as his winner, Rohr picked PSG star Kylian Mbappe for the second spot while Senegal’s Sadio Mane was placed in the third position. Musa, on his part, chose Messi to lead his pick followed by Lewandowski and Mane in the second and third places, respectively. When the official voting results were released, Lewandowski had a total of 58 points while Ronaldo managed 38 points and Messi had 35 points. For the Best Fifa Men’s Coach for 2020, Musa and Rohr chose HansDieter Flick for the honour after the German’s success in his first season at Bayern Munich. Flick led the Bavarians to a domestic treble of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal (German Cup), and the DFL-Supercup.
He also guided them win the 2019-20 Uefa Champions League and the Uefa Super Cup. They both voted Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp as the second-best manager in the world after his Premier League success last season but the third spot took a twist. Musa went for Sevilla’s Julen Lopetegui as his third choice after he helped the Liga club win last season’s Uefa Europa League, while Rohr chose Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane, having led the Blancos to claim the Spanish top-flight crown in July. Although he was level on 24 points with Flick, Klopp was declared winner for the second time in a row after gathering the highest number of votes from national team coaches while Leeds United’s Marcelo Bielsa was third with 11 points.
Fury Optimistic of Confrontation with Joshua Next Year Tyson Fury has criticised Anthony Joshua for not being vocal enough about their proposed super-fight which he says “has to happen”. Joshua retained his IBF, WBAandWBOtitlesagainst Kubrat Pulev last Saturday then said about the WBC belt: “Whoever has got the belt, I would love to compete
with them. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury.” A fight between Joshua and Fury, who hold every major title between them, is being discussed for 2021 to decide the undisputed heavyweight champion. Anthony Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev to edge closer to a dream fight
against Tyson Fury. “Next year, the fight has to happen,” Fury told The Jonathan Ross Show. “He’s come over his final hurdle last week against Pulev. And now we’re both free to make this fight. I’m willing to do the fight. “He was asked the question: ‘Do you want to fight Tyson
Fury?’ “Very plain and simple, and he never answered the question. It was a simple yes or no answer, wasn’t it? “Then they said: ‘Do you think you’re the best heavyweight in the world?’ “And he went (holds hands up). Didn’t answer the question. Ask me: ‘Do you want to fight Anthony Joshua?’
Ola Aina Names the Player He Gets Along Most Nigeria international Ola Aina has revealed that Michael Hector is the Fulham player he gets along with the most. The aforementioned duo were together at Chelsea for a couple of years before becoming defensive partners during their loan spell with Hull City for the 2017-2018 season. Hector isn’t the only player with a Chelsea connection currently at
Fulham as England star Ruben Loftus-Cheek is spending the entirety of this season on loan at the Cottagers. Joshua Onomah, Ademola Lookman and Tosin Adarabioyo are the players of Nigerian descent in Fulham’s ranks but Aina has gone for Hector as the player he gets along with the most. Speaking to Fulham TV, Aina said : “The most, probably Michael Hector just
because you know we were at Chelsea together, then we went on loan together at Hull City. “I have known Hector for quite some time so I think knowing Hector is get a house on fire.” Aina has been playing regularly since joining Fulham on a season-long loan and stated that he has fully settled in at the club. On what he makes of his
StarTimes to Beam NBA Matches on ESPN StarTimes will beam all the actions of NBA live and exclusive on its ESPN channels. With the 75th season starting next week, the Lakers are amongst the favourites, especially since digging deep and issuing 35-year-old James with a two-year contract worth 85 million dollars. Other teams expected to be strongaretheMilwaukeeBucks, theMiamiHeatandtheDenver Nuggets. ThestarplayerfortheBucks is
GiannisAntetokounmpo, who won the NBA MVP award for the last two years running and teamsupinMikeBudenholzer’s team with his brother Thanasis. Born in Athens to firstgenerationNigerianimmigrants, the “Greek Freak” as he is nicknamed for his impressive 6 foot 11 inch height and 11 inch-long hands, has said he considers himself both Greek and Nigerian. “The Nigerian and Greek cultures are always present in
my home, whether it’s through music, or food or what’s being watched on TV. The first thing I did when I arrived in 2013 [in Milwaukee] was to locate the closest Greek and African restaurants,” he said. “Non-StarTimes subscribers can stream the matches live on StarTimes-ON mobile app at N400 weekly, with an option to subscribe with MTN airtime. “NBA lovers with active StarTimes subscription can also stream the matches live
performances so far, the Fulham number 34 said: “I think I’ve had some pretty decent performances, earlier in the start of the season obviously it was a bit shaky but I feel like I have settled in pretty well and started to get into my stride, into the team as well, so it’s pretty good for me as well”. Aina and his Fulham teammates face Newcastle United in the Premier League tonight.
on their mobile phones via the StarTimes-ON streaming app at no extra cost by linking their smartcard numbers to StarTimes-ON apps on three various mobile devices. Thus, access can be shared with loved ones to watch their favourite content simultaneously. “This handy application provides users with over 100 TV channels which include live sports, replays and highlights,” Lazarus Ibeabuchi, PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria said.
Leicester Doing Everything to Protect Ndidi from Injury Relapse, Says Rodgers
L
eicester City Manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed the club is doing all it takes to ensure Wilfred Ndidi does not suffer a relapse. The midfielder suffered a groin injury in September which ruled him out from action for more than five weeks, missing a number of the Foxes’ games. Ndidi is gradually being introduced to action after recovering from the injury and has continued to deliver solid defensive performances. The midfielder was drafted into the defence in Leicester’s defeat to Everton in their last Premier League game due to the unavailability of some of the club’s players, including Jonny Evans, who served a one-match suspension and gave a good account of himself. Rodgers has praised the performances of the Nigeria international, reiterated the importance of the midfielder to his team and revealed the club will continue to protect him to regain his full fitness. “Wilf Ndidi dropped into the backline and was outstanding during the week,” Rodgers said in a pre-match press conference. “But obviously when you have to move him, you’re taking a top player out of the midfield sector, so Jonny coming back will be very important for us. “That’s what we’ve done in the other games that Ndidi has played. We’re building him up towards that 90 minutes. He’s such a pivotal player for us, so we’re just trying to manage it. “Whether you’ve been injured or not, it’s a really tough schedule. As you’ve seen with our squad, we’ve tried to use the whole squad to try and have that intensity. “Him in particular, coming back, we’re trying to ensure we do everything we can to protect him.” Ndidi has been playing a significant role for Leicester City since he teamed up with the club from Belgian side Genk in 2017. The midfielder has featured in more than 130 games and helped the Foxes qualify for the Europa Leagut last season. Ndidi has, however, only made seven appearances across all competitions for the King Power Stadium outfit in the current campaign due to injury problems. He will be expected to play a part when Leicester square off against Tottenham Hotspur in their next Premier League game on Sunday.
Kwara Open Organisers Limit Participation to 100 Entries due to Covid-19 This year’s entry for the sixth edition of the Kwara Open Golf Tournament has been limited to 100 participants in a bid to allow for full compliance with Covid-19 protocols. Luqman Owolewa, a former Board Member of the Nigeria Golf Federation and Consultant/ Marketer for the event said the number of golfers registering online has been increasing by the day but a decision was taken to restrict the number of entries to 100 as having a full course will be counter productive to efforts of the government in curbing the spread of Covid 19. “Golf by design allows for easy compliance with social distancing already but other measures that will limit contacts and promote hygienic practices during play have been put in place,” he further assured golfers during the practice round yesterday. Aside players from the host
club, a number of golfers teeing off this morning came in from Ibadan, Ekiti, Minna, Shagamu, Kaduna, Abeokuta, Tiger, Shiroro, Ikeja, and Ikoyi Golf Clubs, among others. Top among players that practiced yesterday included, Dr Isaac Ishola, the proprietor of Hassabary Golf Club, Shaki, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, former Commissioner for Works, Osun State and Ganni Elelu Sanni, the Managing Director of Northern Nigeria Investment Limited, Kaduna. Meanwhile, Chief Dele Arowolo, Director of OPAS Nigeria Limited one of the co-sponsors of the event has also arrived to be part of the event. “Kwara Open is a major event for us here and most golfers across the country have come to identify it as one trademark event and that is why it has such a huge following,” Owolewa added.
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 19, 2020
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GLOBAL SOCCER
Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham tries in vain to stop Wolves Owen Otasowie
Ebeguowen Otasowie Delighted by Premier League Debut American-born Nigerian midfielder, Ebeguowen Owen Otasowie has expressed his delight at earning a breakthrough into the English Premier League.The 19-year-old came in as a substitute in Wolves 2-1 defeat of Chelsea
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ineteen-yearold, New York–born midfielder,Owen Otasowie made his Premier League debut for Wolves on Tuesday and helped the club come back to beat Chelsea, 2–1. Otasowie technically assisted on the equaliser, with his header to Daniel Podence being followed by a patient move and fabulous finish by the Portugal international. Otasowie, who came on as a halftime substitute, won the aerial
challenge and directed the ball Podence’s way before he bided his time, dodged defenders and beat Edouard Mendy with a powerful shot. For Otasowie, who made his debut for the U.S. men’s national team last month as a substitute against Wales, the appearance came nearly a year to the day of his last first-team showing. His full debut for the club came December 12, 2019, against Besiktas as a substitute in the Europa League. “The confidence he showed is fantastic, stepping out with the
ball, showing how powerful he is,” Wolves captain Conor Coady said after the match. “He’s a great lad, you see him improving every day in training, which he does all the time now. He gets on with his business, gets on with trying to get better. It’s fantastic to see him out there. Over the years we’ve played quite a lot of young lads, and he’s the next one. He kept his shape. It’s not an easy game to come onto.” Wolves won on a goal deep into stoppage time from Neto, spoiling the day for the more established U.S. star taking part in the match,
Christian Pulisic. The Pennsylvania native was recovered from another minor injury and got the start, and he looked up for it early, taking on defenders and drawing a team-high five fouls. Otasowie had two key passes on 30 touches in 45 minutes and could’ve scored had a pass not been sent behind him. The teenager had four interceptions, two tackles, and a blocked shot in addition to his assist. “The confidence he showed is fantastic, stepping out with the ball, showing how powerful he is,” Coady said on Wolves’ YouTube channel. “He gets on with his business, gets on with trying to get better. It’s fantastic to see him out there. Over the years we’ve played quite a lot of young lads and he’s the next one. He kept his shape, it’s not an easy game to come onto. …. I think he was getting annoyed with me because I kept going up to him to tell him to stay inside and he wants to go get the ball.” Espirito Santo said Otawosie “did well,” branding the physical teen “a project we have to work on and try to develop.” The Wolves boss was thrilled to see Wolves respond from a lastgasp loss to Aston Villa. “We were always in the game,” said Espirito Santo, via the BBC. “We were well organised. In the second half we played really good football. ... It’s a strange season. We miss our fans today. There are too many voices around the referee and technical staff. Too bad the fans are not here to celebrate with us.” He was looking to a higher power when Pedro Neto bagged the stoppage time winner. “It was needed,” Coady said. “You’re just praying for him to score, honestly, just a bit of magic to put it in the bottom corner like he did. There’s no better feeling than coming back from 1-0 down. The lads kept on going. Bit of a basketball match at the end which you don’t want to do but we dealt with it.” Chelsea, which missed a chance to go level with Liverpool and Tottenham at the top of the table, will return to action Monday at home versus West Ham, while Otasowie will be hoping to see some more time in Wolves’ next match, Monday at Burnley. G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR
THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR
THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR
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˜ ˾ ECEMBER 19, 2020
PERSPECTIVE As Arthur Eze Enters Anambra’s Political Turf Chuks Collins
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rince Arthur Eze, aka Ozoigbondu is in a class of his own in philanthropy, unparalleled donations to worthy causes – Widows, Orphanages, Churches, Schools e.t.c. Name them, Arthur Eze is ever ready and willing to make significant donations. For these selfless actions of his to humanity in many years, he has been hailed by all and sundry, especially for the fact that all his donations have no strings attached. It is just his style to give and continue to give. However Ozoigbondu has of recent enlarged his coast in his act of generosity and philanthropy. An oil magnate, with significant oil wells in Nigeria and some countries in Africa, it appears he now wants to use his wealth, goodwill and contacts to also determine who occupies the Government Houses in some state capitals, especially in Igboland. He has been in the game for some years in some South-east states as he is alleged to have doled huge volumes of cash to the campaigns of some governors, including Rochas Okorocha, Dave Umahi and others. However his past attempts in this direction in his home state of Anambra had not been successful. Despite his huge war chest of support to Dr. Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2017 election in Anambra State, his candidate lost to Dr. Willie Obiano of All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA). It seems that this time around, Arthur Eze will no longer provides only fi financial and other forms of support to his choices for various political offi ffices, but he has also decided to be directly involved in media campaigns, including having his photograph displayed on bill boards. His face-off with Obiano in the past few months on allegations that the governor misappropriated local government funds allocated to the state in the past seven years is still trending. This confrontation coincided with some traditional rulers in the state being suspended for one year for travelling to Abuja with Arthur Eze on a “thank you” visit to President Buhari without informing and obtaining the consent of the state Governor. The present campaign in which the Ozoigbondu is involved in the politics of Anambra State looks much deeper and penetrating. Because some billboards with the photographs of Buhari and Prince Arthur Eze were mounted in some strategic locations in the state, including beside the foot of the pedestrian bridge at the popular UNIZIK junction and some other locations in the state, as well as the popular commercial city of Onitsha. The sponsors and promoters of the billboards – the Anambra
Arthur Eze G21 Vangaurd - captured what they called “the numerous achievements of President Buhari in the South-East states” in their explanatory notes on the media blitz. They include but not limited to Onitsha Seaport which will soon open Igboland to importers from Nnewi, Onitsha, Aba, Enugu, Abakaliki, and other parts of the South-East. They claim that the port will open avenue for multiple direct and indirect employment to thousands of citizens of the area. They also listed the 2nd Niger Bridge which the former President Goodluck Jonathan and his PDP administration paid only lip service to, despite the massive support of Ndigbo to the PDP from 1999 to 2015 and beyond; Zik’s mausoleum/library completed and commissioned by Buhari; Onitsha-Enugu Dual-
Carriage Way abandoned by both the Federal and Anambra state Governments for many years before President Buhari assumed offi ffice in 2015 and directed that work on its massive rehabilitation should start; Onitsha-Okigwe Federal Highway abandoned for several years and now being rehabilitated; Onitsha-Owerri Federal Highway and Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Way. They observed that the rehabilitation of these highways would improve the economic wellbeing of Ndigbo as they will hence forth experience less hassles while moving both passenn gers and goods from one destination to another. Upgrading of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu was executed by the PMB Administration despite the fact that Anambra State produced two former Ministers of Aviation, -Osita Chidoka and Stella Oduah - who did little or nothing to uplift the status of the Airport. The group also listed the establishment of the Court of Appeal Awka, various youths empowerment schemes – GEEP, N-Power, SIP, CCT, Trader Moni, boosting key sectors of the economy in agriculture, health and education, establishment of Modular refinery fi in Imo state, South-East men and women appointed into top Federal positions in the country as the numerous projects of President Buhari and his APC Governn ment for the benefit fi of Ndigbo. Suprisingly these bill boards which have the photograph of President Buhari at the right side and that of Prince Arthur Eze on the opposite side were pulled down barely 24 hours after being mounted. One wonders why this apparent displeasure of agents of the Anambra State Government with President Buhari, especially as it is generally known that Governor Obiano enjoys a chummy relationship with the President. It is therefore easy to conclude that the grouse with the message on the bill boards is rather with Prince Arthur Eze and not the President. The Anambra G21 claim that the Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) pulled down the bill boards as the message was “offensive and political” and that the ESMIC Advert Agency, owners of the bill boards, was years behind in its statutory operational fees to the Anambra State Government. Political analysts are wondering if Prince Eze is now a functionary of the APC Federal Government led by Buhari, to be appearing with him on bill boards or it is just a mere publicity stunt to promote PMB in Igboland and announce that the media blitz for the President is being sponsored by the oil magnate. Is this a pointer to how the Ozoigbondu will throw his hat into the political ring as 2023 draws closer? Only time will tell. ––Chuks Collins is a political analyst based in Awka
ZEBS Breaks Barrier, Makes Manpower Improvement Easier Peace Obi
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or experts in human capital development and management, quality manpower remains the livewire of every establishment. In essence, the quality of mann power available to either a private or public corporation determines its productivity level as well as its survival. Invariably, no business can survive in the absence of competent and experienced employees who are rightly equipped to tackle the challenges of a changing world. Interestingly, Africa’s ambition for industrialisation has seen the continent centre its development strategy on investment. In its drive to attract sector by sector investment, the continent has also shown considerable commitment in building capacity. Today, a lot of emphases is being laid on the need to develop more capacities so as to propel the continent’s self-sufficiency in manpower supply. This is especially as Nigeria and other African countries are confronted with the rising challenge of youth unemployment. In Nigeria, both government and the private sector operators have come to the realization that human capital development is the basis for economic development. This understanding has also prompted a number of programmes, partnerships and even legal provisions targeted at ensuring the availability of quality manpower. In one of such moves, the Federal Government through the instrumentality of law – the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act of 2010 provided the guideline for the building of indigenous capacity. This piece of law has its focus on deepening Nigerian Content in the nation’s oil and gas value chain through capacity building. Taking cognizance of the fact that true, beneficial and sustainable industrialisation is built on the back of strong manpower base, founders of Zurich Elite Business School (ZEBS) has indicated its interest to support Nigeria’s industrialization ambition with a ‘Real-World-Skills MBA for Nigerian youths. The Real World-Skills MBA according to the founder and President of ZEBS, AdonisEmmanouil Fragkakis offers leadership and strategy, entrepreneurr ship, innovation and sustainability, blockchain/AI, among others to its students. Fragkakis noted that with what seems like a paradigm shift in the pattern of demand for manpower by employers, the need for real-world skills through job-training techniques has become inevitable. This is coming on the heels of the observation that Human Resources (HR) experts now lay more emphasis on skills than degrees.
According to him, a US survey showed that the majority of 750 HR leaders undertake an effort to de-emphasize degrees and prioritise skills. “A two-third of the HR leaders also believe that online credentials are of generally equal quality to those completed in-person. The don stated that major employers now hire candidates who don’t have traditional degrees. “They are looking primarily for job-related skills sets and not just theoretical knowledge.” He added that some of the fortune 500 companies, such as Google, Apple, Starbucks and IBM, among others no longer require candidates to have a four-year degree. “The aforementioned demonstrates not just the future but also the present of the job market. Employees have to acquire during their business education, real-world skills through job-training techniques in order to be successful. This is exactly what we teach our students at the Real-World Skills MBA, he said. Speaking further, Fragkaki, said, “We aim to educate future African leaders and entrepreneurs and prepare African talents through their acquired business know-how to transform the African continent, create innovations and successful, sustainable businesses, which will lead Africa to a brighter future!” Also, Fragkaki stated that the RWS MBA students from Africa would also become part of the fastest growing business community. “Networking in Africa in a way like never before! RWS MBA students meet, exchange business ideas and network in regional and transnational communities with other executives and entrepreneurs in the entire African continent.” Speaking on what propelled the extension of its vision of RWS MBA to Nigerian students, the ZEBS founder said that in the last years, he has come across many young African managers whose dream to embark on further training in their field has been hampered by lack of money and time. “I realised that with many International MBAs being too expensive, non-flexible, requiring qualification from top universities and extensive work experiences, the huge opportunities and potentials of the African youth could not be realised. “This is when I said to myself: “This, we have to change!” Why should people in the rest of the world have better chances than people in Africa? So I called my old friend, educational expert and entrepreneur. In his word, Director Africa, ZEBS, Dr. Akanimo Odon, said he responded to the clarion call by saying, “we have to do something for the African youth. Let us join forces and design based on our global experience a unique MBA programme that will give access
to the top modern business education models and tools to every student in Africa regardless of his/her wealth, ethnic origin, race and education status! Let us revolutionise and transform business education in Africa! Continuing, he said, “The result is the RWS Real-World Skills MBA for the Future of Africa. After consulting and advising several international universities, I can categorically say that ZEBS RealWorld Skills MBA is exactly what Africa needs. In an environment where challenges abound, an MBA that empowers you to be innovative and to align with the current industry needs is crucial for your professional success,” Odon said. He further stated that in the Real-World-Skills MBA for the Future of Africa, participants learn all the practical business skills required in the real business world in order to become successful managers and outperform as entrepreneurs. “We also offer the unique ZEBS African Entrepreneurship Fellowship, a first of its kind training dedicated to our students and designed to help African entrepreneurs to maximize their chances of success through mentorship, provide access to industry experts and seed capital. On what makes ZEBS MBA unique, the founder stated that contrary to the conventional and popular practice of knowledge transfer through theoretical courses and case studies, ZEBS offers practical and hands-on business education. Adding that “it is the real alternative to the typical MBA with no degree or prior experience required. It will boost your career in high-growth career fields and lead you to the path of prosperity.” According to him, the ZEBS’ RWS MBA is not the conventional or national MBA programme. He described the scope of its network to be about the biggest network that has ever been created with no borders in Africa. “RWS MBA students will meet, exchange business ideas and network in regional and transnational communities with other executives and entrepreneurs in the entire African continent. Sharing his experience, the Site Reliability Engineering Manager, Google, Vasilis Kazazakis, “It is all about your skills, not your degrees! When it came to my MBA decision, accreditations and rankings didn’t really matter; it was all about the best learning experience from top industry experts. “The Real-World-Skills MBA for the Future of Africa teaches you top-class, real-world skills, the ones the best companies ask for. Here, you will learn how to be a successful manager or entrepreneur. The high quality of the program practically guarantees immediate employment in the job market.” Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ
Extensive Remake Brings Back Nike Lake Resort’s Groove Laurence Ani
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t the height of its glory, Nike Lake Resort was a touchstone of the hospitality business, boasting a reputation that went far beyond Enugu and playing host, literally, to the society’s who’s who in business, politics and entertainment. But it has over the decades experienced its own cycle of boom and bust, living through times when securing a reservation at the facility was a challenge, and the embarrassing days of barely functional amenities when the rooms were rarely ever fully booked. The latter has however been the more dominant image lately, with the hotel built in 1988 literally knocked off its enviable perch by newer entrants which derisively refer to it as a brand merely living on past glory. Successive attempts at restoring it to that former status have proved largely inadequate, or produced at best short-lived moments of revival. This time though, an extensive refit, coupled with the requisite political will, have both combined to give a fresh cause for optimism about the hotel’s future prospects. Its vastly refurbished exterior and interior now truly offer standard lodging options to families who typically return home for Christmas. The massive upgrade has seen an overhaul of furniture and sanitary wares in 126 rooms (the resort has 200 rooms, and another 25 from its stand-alone villas designed for families seeking a short, but exclusively private stay.) In addition, rugs in the rooms which had become threadbare from long years of use have been replaced with floor tiles. Indeed, with regard to global standards, the new-look Nike Lake ticks several boxes: installation of CCTV cameras at strategic spots to further enhance security; replacement of outdated kitchen equipment with modern ones; water reticulation system for adequate water supply; renovation and refitting of the Omenala Bush Bar with artistic works that give the facility a more welcoming ambience. This bar with its idyllic location on the cusp of Nike Lake (the about one thousand-metre natural lake from which the resort’s name was derived), serves essentially traditional cuisine such as achicha, isi-ewu, nkwobi, abacha, ugba, point-and-kill, and palm wine. Its various pagoda style huts with thatched roofs were designed to create a countryside feel. Diners here can have a bird’s-eye view of the lake and its jetty, from where a boat could be hired by the intrepid guest desirous of exploring the lake. It’s no surprise the resort’s board chair, Mrs Ugochi Madueke, cites the Omenala Bush Bar as a major selling point. And the rehabilitation is merely still at the first phase. The impressive changes made so far is an indication that the second stage will easily usher the hotel to “the next level”, as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had enjoined the board and management during his visit to formally launch upgraded facilities. Since the board’s inauguration last March, there has barely been any rest day for Madueke. “There was decay everywhere,” she said, noting that she inherited the building’s “carcass” almost in a literal sense. “It was obvious why a lot of the hotel’s customers left,” she added. There were more stark revelations: the taps in the rooms - that is whenever they ran - yielded brownish water; the machines in the
Lake Eesort in Enugu
laundry were all broken down; none of the three cold rooms was functional. Equally worse, the condition of the kitchen left much to be desired. “If you entered that kitchen then and was served a meal afterwards, you’re unlikely to eat it no matter how appetizing it looked,” she said. Nine months after that picture of desolation, a pleasant turnaround is very evident. From the 500-capacity convention centre to the main restaurant that seats over 200 diners with a view of the swimming pool to boot, and the lobby of the main bar where the smell of factory fresh upholstery hung mildly in the air, every section bore some traces of rejuvenation. The kitchen, laundry and cold rooms too all received a remarkable facelift. “We’re doing a lot of things simultaneously. The hotel had suffered leakages for a long time. So, we started from the roof because we could not do the rooms without fixing the roof. We also fixed the wings that were burnt sometime in 2018, which was of course before we came in,” she explained, thanking the governor for the swift release of the grant that made the retool the hotel has experienced possible. One other point for which she is grateful to the governor is how he helped ensure that Nike Lake Resort is run professionally as a business, and not seen as some perks of office by government officials. “We have a wonderful governor in the state who insists that government officials must pay their bills when they use the hotel’s facilities. In fact, he always sets a good example by paying
upfront for guests of the government,” she said. The first phase of the turnaround rounded off just before December could not have come at a more auspicious time. Indeed, right from the remodeled gatehouse leading into the resort that sits on acres of land, Christmas is very much in the air. “We’re trying to recreate that which they would have travelled out to get. So, when you come in, you can have that festive feeling all around,” said Doris Nwoha, the hotel’s sales and marketing manager. Besides slashing room rate considerably, the management has outlined a weeklong of activities to give both the individual guest and families a wholesome experience at Christmas. This includes special brunch, poolside barbecue, dance competitions, and a diverse range of children’s games. But Madueke is actually looking beyond this Christmas. “I have a wonderful team that can take this hotel to the next level,” she said. She is hopeful that the resort will be a “strong competitor to major hotel brands like Hilton, Radisson, and become the best east of the Niger”. It sounds audacious. However, anyone who knew the kind of acclaim Nike Lake Resort had enjoyed in the late 1980s through the 1990s would know that it surely has got the potential. Ani, former editor of THISDAY - The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is a senior communications aide to the governor of Enugu State.
‘Anabel Suites will Project Tourism in Abuja’ ÒÏ ØËÌÏÖ ÚËÜÞ×ÏØÞÝ ËØÎ ßÓÞÏݘ ÓÕËÝ ËÓØÓ ÎÓÝÍßÝÝÏÝ ÞÒÏ ÒÙÞÏÖ˪Ý ÝÞÜËÞÏÑã ÐÙÜ ÚÜÙ×ÙÞÓØÑ ÞÙßÜÓÝ× ËØÎ ÚÜÙÔÏÍÞÓØÑ ÌßÔË. Olawale Ajimotokan ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ
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he Vikas Saini has rolled out the vision of bespoke Anabel Apartments and Suites to use well-tailored service to tap into tourism potentials of the Federal Capital Territory. He seats as the General Manager and Chief Operational Official of the hotel, which is strategically located at the high brow Asokoro Residential District and within the security perimetre of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the National Millennium Park. The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is less than 30 minutes away. Saini’s enthusiasm for Abuja is very discernable even though he has only lived in the city for one year. The Indian, who is bringing 19-yearexperience in the hospitality industry garnered in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and India, has been in Nigeria for the past four years. He worked with Tudunwada Development and Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos before taking up his latest role at Anabel Suites, formerly known as Lezsco Luxury Apartment. Though he considered Abuja as the most beautiful city in Nigeria, he notes that there is lull in tourism activities in the FCT because the territory is perceived more as a business city that has more government officials and companies. Saini expresses the desire that Anabel Suites would serve as a tourism hub by catering for the needs of that clientele.
Saini
“Abuja is the most beautiful city in Nigeria, with many government officials and businesses. Our target and focus are the government officials and corporations including the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). The tourism level in Abuja is very low because majority of the people that come to Abuja only visit for the purpose of doing business. We want to use our service delivery to partner government and others to develop tourism in the FCT,” Saini said. Saini expresses optimism that tourism can thrive in Abuja like the major cities in the world
because it has an international airport while it is surrounded by many destinations that people can visit. He also says security must be provided round the clock by the police for tourism to thrive. Anabel is not open to everybody. Saini says it is an exclusive place and they run a profile before anybody can enter the hotel. Speaking about the food offering, Saini described the hotel as a multi-cuisine environment where guests can fill their stomach from the options of Nigerian and continental cuisines. He says “Anabel’s kitchen has been upgraded for this kind of development to make the food tasty for people who are not used to Nigerian food.” He vows that Anabel Suites will be guided by its motto, “Service with Grace” to provide one of the highest quality accommodation and impeccable hospitality services to an expanding array of noble and appreciative customers: “We have services that guest need. We have everything like laundry, bar, swimming pool and spa. So when somebody is here, he will not want to go out for anything and this is a central area, we have shopping area nearby.” The hotel boasts of a well-equipped multipurpose hall, ideal for conferences and meetings and with a seating capacity for 200 guests. Guests can choose from the options of classy and stylish serviced apartment suites, posh business suites and the single double bed executive rooms that are all exquisitely furnished. In all there are six
apartment suites, 10 one-room apartments, four two-bedroom apartment and 12 single rooms all elegantly furnished to the taste of the guests. “We are more focused on personal service for everybody. In each apartment, guests have personal server that will ensure they get all they need. We also have multi-lingual people also who can speak French, German, English and the local languages. That apartment is big, comfortable and modern, with king-sized bedroom. It is like a royal apartment. Our guests will feel more relaxed as have everything they need in the apartment. We also have lounge, dining area and fully equipped kitchens for the guests,” Saini said. The apartments feature free high speed wi-fi connection, mini- bar, fully equipped standard kitchenette with utensils, crockery, glassware, reading alcove, large size LCD television with wide range satellite channels among others. On the aspiration the management for next year, Saini says Anabel wants to build a brand where guests can come in for exclusive time, enjoy the time and still do whatever they want in the city. The Indian described Nigeria as a country with huge potential that could be tapped for economic benefits. He noted that the country of 200 million people has a long stretch of coastal line, which if developed will bring economic fortunes for the government. In addition, he says Nigeria has beautiful wildlife that can be a very big tourist attraction if nurtured.
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ
AUTO WORLD
Bennett Oghifo 07052343083 Email:bennett.oghifo@thisdaylive.com
Coscharis Motors Debuts Renault Assembly Plant, Sales, Services
Renault
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he respected Nigerian auto dealer, Coscharis Motors Plc, a subsidiary of Coscharis Group has officially reintroduced the Renault auto models into the Nigeria market with complementary after-sales facilities in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo. According to the Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group, Josiah Samuel, “if you recall in July 2019 we formally announced our partnership with the Renault Group to represent their auto brands in Nigeria. This was done with fanfare when we equally showcased our ultra-modern Semi – Knocked DownAssembly Plant located at our group head office in Lagos. As at today, Coscharis Motors is set to commence Renault vehicle sales based on locally assembled models and fully built models for Nigeria roads. The plan is to ensure that we continually deliver value for money by providing quality automobile like the Renault brand vehicles to discerning Nigerians at affordable price range”. “So far, we have secured all the requisite OEM’s ratings and approvals to commence assemblage of the Duster and Logan while we are presently bringing in fully - built Koleos, Kwid and Oroch (which is to be introduced at a later date)”. Coscharis Motors is offering customers the options of 1.0 to 2.5-litre engines across the models.
Furthermore, Samuel pointed out, “Coscharis is fully equipped to handle all after-sales services and repairs. We have the original parts coupled with the right tools to fix the parts and Renault Certified Technicians to fix your vehicles. With the technical back up of our Renault partners, we are positioned to deliver a seamless aftersales services across our available facilities across the country for both existing owners and potential new customers. This gives us the confidence from our pedigree in representing iconic brands in Nigeria that we are set to simply delight our customers once again with the Renault brand as the exclusive franchise owner in Nigeria”. The Koleos The Koleos is designed with a sense of detail and personality enhanced by its sleek appearance and athletic curves. Behind its chic urban styling, Koleos has the DNA of a true 4X4. The ALL MODE 4x4-i technology allows you to select the transmission mode that your vehicle will need to be equally at home on dirt, mud or sand as it is on tarmac. Koleos comes with a range of driver assistance technologies including active emergency braking, blind spot detection system, easy trunk access and R-Link 2 media system. Duster Customers can choose from 1.6-Litre to 2.0Litre engine but whichever engine, it is built with a robust off-roader looks. With the superb ground clearance, the Duster is a practical and durable
vehicle for the Nigerian road. The interior of the All-new Duster reflects its generous, adventure-seeking nature. The spacious cabin is bright and reassuring. The driver and passenger seats provide plenty of support to ensure your comfort wherever you go. The upholstery features a high-quality finish, as does the dashboard, where particular emphasis was placed on ergonomic design. Simple and intuitive, the multimedia system Media Nav with touching screen allows you to navigate through all the different functionalities: navigation, phone, radio, Aux/USB ports and Bluetooth® connection to listen to your favorite music. It also comes with hands free card to lock and unlock the doors from a distance as well as assist to start the air-conditioning before getting into the car. Logan New Renault Logan has an even more modern and dynamic design. With redesigned front and rear end panels featuring the new Renault brand light signature, New Renault Logan is a beauty to behold. New Renault Logan has 5 generous seats to comfortably accommodate all your passengers. Enjoy useful and smart new storage areas, including a phone pouch and a front passenger side net pouch. There’s a new 12 V output in the rear for charging your devices. There’s also a 1/3-2/3* split-fold rear bench seat and a spacious boot to transport everything you need in the way that suits you. Combine utility and pleasure for a journey you’re sure to love. *Depending on the version. Logan’s ground clearance level (155-164mm) enhances its capacity to cope with extremely poor road surfaces (potholes, cobbles, uneven surfaces. The mechanics, bodywork (opening panels), air conditioning/ventilation system and passenger compartment all specially designed to cope with certain countries’ environments where dust is omnipresent. Logan has an excellent thermal comfort standard (the vehicle is designed to deal with “extremely hot” conditions. Kwid Inside Renault Kwid, there’s plenty of headroom, legroom and elbowroom for the driver plus up to 4 passengers. There are ingenious storage spaces everywhere. The Renault KWID’s class-leading boot space of 290L can be extended up to 1100L, making it the perfect partner for a long road trip. Customers can also personise their vehicle with a pack connect that offers you the possibility to integrate a black front grille with a chrome embellisher, a chrome ring around the fog lamps and a black pearl color for side mirrors.
Nord Launches Five Models Assembled in Nigeria
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ord Automobiles Limited has launched five models assembled in Nigeria, introducing the much needed excitement in the Nigerian auto industry. On the line-up presented at the Landmark event centre, Victoria Island Lagos, were five solid models, representing passenger and commercial vehicles. The five Nord models assembled in Lagos and unveiled are the Nord sedan A3; the Nord SUV A5; Nord Flit mini bus; Nord Max pick up; and Nord Tank pickup. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi, Nord was born out of the need to check the importation of substandard vehicles into Nigeria, and to drastically reduce the huge amounts spent annually on automobile importation. He stated that the fast-evolving Nigerian market has shown a strong demand for vehicles that are stylish, comfortable and have premium features, hence, Nord models have come to meet the demand. With the launch of these vehicles, he added, “we aim to exceed expectations by offering our customers world standard products at very competitive prices.” “The Nord vehicles are designed for the discerning customer, who craves daily satisfaction and full automobile experience. They are a perfect combination of style, performance and fuel efficiency.” Exterior design: The exterior design of any Nord vehicle replicates class and luxury with a striking presence and bold looks to make sure
A bus assembled in Nigeria by Nord Automobiles
that your car stands out anywhere you are. The popular Nord Tank has a led daylight running light and a four-wheel drive, the exteriors are powerful and elegant. Interior design: The interior design is rich and sophisticated and includes several features including a one-button drive function, Ecodrive system, touch screen infotainment, blue tooth, audio streaming, HDMI-in-slots, USBin-slots. The interior is made with premium
upholstery. Safety Features: Nord vehicles are equipped with Antilock Braking System, Electronic Brake Distribution, dual front airbags, and with the highest safety rating by Euro NCAP and C-NCAP. Colour Variants: Nord vehicles have over 6 different colours variant to customize your car with, with options on the website to customize your vehicle giving it a personalised feel.
TIPS OF THE WEEK Air Cabin Filter: Everything You Need To Know An air cabin filter is an important component in any vehicle’s heating and cooling system. It helps protect the passengers from contaminants in the air they breathe. An air cabin filter is an important component in any vehicle’s heating and cooling system. It helps protect the passengers from contaminants in the air they breathe. Learn more about this part of your vehicle and how to care for it properly. Cabin Air Filter The cabin air filter in a vehicle helps remove harmful pollutants, including pollen and dust, from the air you breathe within the car. This filter is often located behind the glovebox and cleans the air as it moves through the vehicle’s HVAC system. If you notice that your car has an unpleasant odor or the airflow has decreased, consider replacing the cabin filter to give the system, and yourself, a breath of fresh air. This filter is a small pleated unit, often made of an engineered material or paper-based, multifiber cotton. Before air can move into the interior of the car, it goes through this filter, trapping any contaminants within the air to prevent them from infiltrating the air you breathe. Most late-model vehicles contain cabin air filters to catch airborne material that can make it less pleasant to ride in a car. Cars.com reports that if you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other health conditions that impact your respiratory health, the cleanliness of the air you breathe is especially important. According to AutoZone, whether you’re behind the wheel or riding as a passenger in a vehicle, you deserve healthy, clean air to breathe. The best way to make sure the air is clean is to change the cabin air filter as frequently as the auto manufacturer recommends. Within the owner’s manual for your car, you might find mileage stamps for recommended cabin air filter changes, although they vary depending on the type of vehicle and manufacturer. Champion Auto Parts reports that some recommend changing every 15,000 miles, while others recommend a change at least every 25,0000-30,0000 miles. Each manufacturer has its own recommendation, so reviewing the manual for your specific make and model will provide you with insights into what it needs. The area where you drive can also play a role in how often you change the filter. Those who drive in urban, congested areas or places with poor air quality might need to replace their filters more frequently. If you live in a place with a desert climate, your filter might get clogged with dust faster, requiring frequent changes. If you don’t have your owner’s manual or you want to know the signs that your filter needs changing, watch for: Reduced or weak airflow, even when the heat or air conditioner is set to high A whistling sound coming from the cabin air intake ducts Musty, unpleasant odors coming through the air in your vehicle Excessive noise when the heating or cooling system is running If you are experiencing any of these signs in your car, consider replacing the filter to see if that resolves the problem. ReplacingYour Cabin Air Filter In most cars, the cabin air filter sits behind the glovebox. You might able to access it yourself by removing the glovebox from the fasteners that hold it in place. If this is the case, your owner’s manual should provide guidance on how to remove the glovebox. However, if your cabin air filter is beneath the dashboard or under the hood, it might not be as accessible. If you’re having your vehicle serviced at a repair shop or dealership, the technician might recommend a cabin air filter replacement. Before you agree, ask to see your current filter. You could be surprised to see a filter covered in soot, dirt, leaves, twigs, and other grime, which confirms the replacement service is important. However, if your cabin air filter is clean and free of debris, you can probably wait. Failing to replace a dirty, clogged filter will impact the efficiency of the heating and cooling system in your car. Poor efficiency can lead to other problems, including a loss of air volume, bad odors in the cabin, or premature failure of HVAC components. Simply replacing a dirty filter can make a big difference in the car’s air quality. (Source: CAR and DRIVER)
35
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ
FAJ/JOE
THEFRONTLINES
Apapa Gridlock Worsens as Presidential Task Force Goes Rogue
JOSEPH USHIGIALE
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ho are the sole beneficiaries of the current revenue drive being enforced by the Presidential Task Force on Ports Decongestion and Easing Apapa Gridlock? The question has become pertinent because whoever is vested with the responsibility of supervising the task force, if he is not the sole beneficiary, ought to know by now that the task force has since outlived its usefulness and it is now operating beyond its brief extorting various sums ranging from N50,000 to N200,000 to grant access to port users. To maximum its profiteering, it has also resorted to illegally mounting all mann ner of obstacles and roadblocks which constitute the revenue collection points all over Apapa to make life utterly unbearable for port users and residents of Apapa. Across all the security agencies, posting to the task force is a goldmine, place to be and there is a scramble for postings with people bribing those in charge of postings with as much as N150,000. A story is being told of how a police officer with the rank of sergeant serving in Kano suddenly made it big in Lagos. Sergeant Aliyu Bala (not real name) has been in the force for over 20 years. With his nine children and two wives, life was treacherous. He could hardly feed his family and was perpetuu ally borrowing before month ended to make ends meet. But then, he saw a junior colleague of his who was recently posted to Lagos and just within three months, he came back to Kano with a car and the family was doing well. Determined to get to the root of this sudden opulence, Bala pressed his colleague for information but his junior colleague only told him Lagos was a jungle and survival was a way of life. Bala got his break when his sister, who resided in Lagos invited him to come and spend some few weeks of his leave with them in Lagos. It was an eye opener for him. Once he returned to Kano, with the help of his sister, the money was raised, paid and he was transferred to Lagos and to the task force. Today, Bala’s story has changed completely for good. In just about six months since he arrived here, regardless of the initial obstacles of accomodation and resettlement, he has not only rented and furnished his house in Lagos, he has also bought two cars, one for himself and another for his wife. He is also planning to build a befitting house too. This is just an aspect of the corruption and racketeering going on at the task force. The main revenue drive which is the real reason Apapa gridlock would never ease and rather than finding a solution, the situation is deteriorating, worsening the traffic snarls, making nonsense of the much vaunted ease-to-doing business and holding port users in a vice grip. Firstly, all available spaces from the National Stadium all through to the ports including areas like Orile Iganmu, Bode Thomas, and Ijora Olopa axis all through to the ports are taken over by vehicles and each vehicle pays N5000 per night for the parking space. For vehicles going to drop off empty containers, the payments range from N50,000 to N100,000 depending on whether it 40 feet or more. Then it costs N200,000 for a transporter to access the port for his cargoes. “From First Gate to Second Gate, we have about four
roadblocks mounted by the security agents and the trucks must part with money before they can move. As we speak, we pay between N1.1 million and N1.2 million per truck as against N100,000 to move our containers out of the port. The cheapest truck you can get to hire is N1 million. We have never experienced it this way before.” The National Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Kayode Farinto, called for the disbandment of the Presidential Task Team, which he said has become “a money-making machine” – According to him, clearing agents lose an average of N300 million weekly to illegal collections by NPA security officials, the police and members of the Presidential Task Team, adding that to enter the port, truck operators pay as high as N280,000 to security operatives. Farinto also lamented the absence of an electronic call-up system, saying that the manual call up system being used by the NPA is fuelling corruption. “It is high time the NPA began the electronic call-up system. The manual call-up system is full of anomalies and it is encourr aging corruption and it looks as if the government is not even ready to stop corruption,” he stated. Secondly, to make these collections possible, there are various strategic revenue collection check points right on the top of the ramp leading to Ijora Badia for vehicles coming in from Bode Thomas, Orile and Iganmu. Another one is mounted on the right intersection off Eko Bridge immediately after National Theatre towards the ports. If you managed to maneuver them, there is another check point opposite Julius Berger Yard. Thirdly, before climbing the bridge over 7-Up Bottling company, there is another check point as you come down to join the vehicles coming up the ramp from Surulere and Orile. There is a combined team of security agents who unilaterally block the road with tankers and trucks narrowing it to just very little space for smaller vehicles and buses that have to take turns to squeeze through. Around the Lily Pond warehouse area, that is the only space that you have to drive on the main expressway, further down, the remaining part of the road is sufficiently blocked by tankers and other road users are forced to divert to Malu road and make a U-turn by Mobil station and take an untarred side street to link Airways in front. Most times, some of these overzealous security agents still forcefully send other road users off the road clearing it for trailers and tankers that have paid them to gain access to the ports. The part of the road right from Airways/Flour Mills to the main port is blocked by trailers and trucks waiting to get into the port. On the Creek Road to Tin Can/Liverpool axis, trailers are parked on both sides of the roads leaving very little room for other vehicle users to maneuver their way out. Meanwhile, the entire inner roads including Burma, Warehouse, Calcutta, Randle have all been taken over by trailers and trucks that literally block access with impunity. This is because, the task force deliberately connives with the road construction company to use huge concrete slabs to block access to vehicles on roads they have no manpower to superintend for revenue collection. Thus, in the last few months, Apapa has completely become
Of Love and Life:: When Love Is Poison
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ometimes, you just don’t feel like talking to anyone - including your loved ones. Some wives don’t understand such “insensitivity” and can disrupt your already ‘defragmented’ attitude. That was the reason I couldn’t write my conclusion as I should. I just couldn’t be bothered, that’s a confession. Now, this is the point to say sorry... I’m not one of the supporters of my big uncle, Mr. Wale Adenuga, about men’s stress in saying sorry - well, some other time for that topic. I’ll watch my “aggro” next time so that it doesn’t affect my job. People like to advise that you don’t carry your worry on your face or head. I have also given out such ‘wisdom’! Until you jam a big trouble; trying out your own recipe will be a great task. Only God can keep your face serene when your insides are churning like a tipper’s tyre out of control. Well, to end my last bit on Thomas and Yetty; the major problem is for Tom (he represents all men who are married and want a long-lasting family cordiality) to act like a real man. Real men don’t allow their wives to grow grey hairs because they (the men) want to impress some folks out there so they can be regarded as “good-natured”, “kindhearted” and “nice” men. Nice my foot! The problem with some men is they hardly see when the young girl they are trying to mentor stroll from being mentored to a tormentor; or when the beneficiary fi of your “kindness” becomes an adversary. Strangely, when the aroma starts drifting, our usually sharp brain goes into “reverse gear”! The consequences of such crazy emotions are subtle, silent, and deep-rooted. That is why sometimes, “love portion” becomes “love poison”. And current wrestlers are really former “toasters”! Really, what does a man gain by impressing people
outside of his home, and losing all his family in avoidable emotional multiple ‘fatal’ accidents? As for Yetty (of course, she stands for all women who think they love their men, and cannot understand why men are so blind to see it) confronting the other woman is not exactly wise. First, you expose him to public ridicule. And he’ll want to take his pound of fl flesh back - even when he assures you all is forgiven - by “completing” the “task” he has been “unjustly” accused of attempting. His ‘reaction’ could be a traumatising private disgrace you may fi find too hard to swallow. Hope, you get my drift? And scowling, nagging, pouting and all such “putoffi f sh” mannerisms are just what they are - PUT-OFF-fi - sh. He’ll simply ride over it - if he’s sensitive, by staying away from both parties. And you are one of the parties! Frankly, no woman deserves to be ignored. So, what should you do? Bite your tongue, smack yourself in the face or take the anger off any way you can - but ... don’t let him know how the miracle is being done. Because, really, it takes a special grace of God to get to that level. So, try and revert to your “old-school-lovey-dovey” days. Give him the red-carpet entry into every department - you do understand that, don’t you? Then, force yourself to enjoy the whole ceremony. Sincerely, play up the mutual excitement - after all, the ultimate result we all want is a lasting, more exciting, and mutually trusting relationship. When you know that the edges are thawing, and that deep lines are smoothening, put your fears on the table - not in his face as they do in courts (where allegations tumble over allegations). No, please, no. That is the slippery spot where love is burnt and souls are lost. Do a responsible summary of your pains and anguish; give him the benefit fi of doubt (after all, if it’s the fault you want to detect, you could hire an investigator and carefully destroy your own home
jushigiale@yahoo.co.uk, joseph.ushigiale@thisdaylive.com 08023422660 (sms only)
a no-go-area as the nefarious activities of these unscrupulous task force personnel cripple activities in the port. Ironically, as the nation’s economy gradually grinds to a halt because of the dysfunctional ports, the task force smiles daily to the bank with loads of ill gotten cash. Already, the nefarious activities of these security agents is putting importers, clearing agents and truck owners unease and they are worried over the worsening gridlock on the port access road at the Tin Can Island Port Complex (TCIPC) in Lagos. They accused officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) security department, police and the Presidential Task Team on Apapa gridlock, who were deployed to manage the traffic of extortion. A truck owner and an executive member of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Sanni Bala, said the security agents including the Presidential Task Team demand huge sums, ranging from N70,000 to N200,000, depending on the ‘bargaining power’ of the truck driver, to be allowed into the port. According to him, “Unlawful extortion by NPA security officials, police and the Presidential Task Team along Apapa and Tin Can Port road axis has become a daily occurrence and an institutionalised phenomenon that is taking a serious toll on the income of truck owners and exacerbating the plight of motorists.” His position was corroborated by the Chairman of AMATO Remi Ogungbemi who asserted that “What is happening at Tin Can is a situation of the more you look, the less you see. Business is going on as usual and the Task Team has refused to leave because they are benefiting from the chaos. They have formed a cartel and if you are not in that group, they will not pass your truck no matter who you are”. However, this intractable gridlock and illegal activities of the task force have started impacting negatively on the the cost of shipping containers into Nigeria, which has risen by 600 per cent. On average, 100,000 containers, carrying various cargos are discharged in Lagos ports monthly. With shipping companies now charging $6,000 to ship a container to Nigeria, it costs shippers in Nigeria $600 million (N234 billion) every month to transport 100,000 containers to Nigeria according to a recent THISDAY report. As a result of the blockage of the roads in and around the ports, millions of containers are trapped in the ports and shipping companies have had to stay at anchorages for between three to four months incurring various surcharges due to circumstances beyond their control. Numbers obtained by a THISDAY investigation revealed that in the first half of this year, it cost $1,000 to ship a 20-foot container to Nigeria from the Far East. Today, the cost charged by shipping lines for the same service is between $5,500 and $6,000. Also, haulage cost from Tin Can Port to any other part of Lagos has risen by more than 1,000 per cent from about N100, 000 to about N1.2 million Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com
COUNTERPOINT
FEMI
AKINTUNDEE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)
and life). Remember, that man you think is foolish can actually sell you without a document! And if you have an orator for a husband, your mature, confi n dent but proactive handling of the situation will make him tongue-twisted. Now, this is the hard part. Pray hard before you start this process. Because it must have only one end; powered by only one motive. Love must conquer; happiness must return; trust must breathe again. And no one can trust alone - it’s another name for foolishness. Did I say pray? No, fast, pray, read the holy book, and let God control your TONGUE. Why do I emphasise this? Because, whatever the man professes or confesses, you not only have to listen quietly to it all; you also have to believe. And not only should you believe, but give him the greatest gift; you also have to forgive. If God gives you the grace to forgive a man who even has “fallen” - and he sees and feels that you have indeed forgiven him, you have a reformed man on your bosom. Even if he’s addicted to adultery; you’ll have broken his wings irreparably. Tell me, will you stop calling a bird without useful wings a bird? The answer is No? But such an animal cannot be flyers. That is what men become counted in the comity of fl when women get it right. But can you? Will your tongue allow you? Will your friends not abet in dismembering your home? Think about it.
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˜ ˾ DECEMBER 19, 2020
FEATURE
Blessing, Lower Limbs Deformity Patient Seeks Additional N.7m Godwin Ifijie
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iss Ijachi j Blessing g Maria, a lower limbs deformity yp patient, who had before now undergone g two successful surgeries g at the National Orthopaedic p Hospital, p Igbobi, g Lagos g in an effort to correct her severe bowing g of both limbs and deformities, is in a p precarious situation for lack of funds to continue with her treatment. Blessing g had her fi first surgery g y at the hospital p in August’ g 2019 in a bid to redress her situation, using g Ring g Fixator/Taylor y Spatial p Frame due to the g grotesque q nature of her deformities and a second surgery g y last July y to effect some adjustments, j arising g from the first operation on the legs to make it possible for her to walk. fi The 18-year old Benue State born Blessing, who was explicit in her gratitude to Nigerians and the media in particular for financial contributions to her medical their love, support and fi care so far while narrating the diffi f culty she was now faced with continuing with her treatment as she was completely without funds any more, pleaded for additional N750, 000 support to fully undergo her treatment, recover and become fit fi to live well. Re-stating her appeal for assistance, Blessing struggled to first operation on the first fi continue in between tears: “I had the fi leg in August’ 2019 and on the second, which was more severe, the following month. I was billed originally after the operations to undergo treatment for eight months but nine months after the surgeries, one of my legs became very bad, it was swollen and bent and my doctor said I would need to undergo another surgery to effect some adjustments, arising from the operation, if I am to ever walk on my legs. “The doctor said I needed the surgery for adjustment of Tibia Joint Fibula (TJF) and bone gratting to rectify some arisen anomalies in the course of my treatment. “I experienced severe pains from both limbs and was placed on painkillers, which I took regularly to reduce the pains as I was later told that I had a slight gap between my right limb and the joint while the limb of my left leg was said to have been disconnected from the joint. To make matters worse, I couldn’t go to the hospital to see the doctor again due to the COVID-19 lockdown, I just kept turning the Ring Fixators/ Taylor Spatial Frame on the legs as instructed, then my left limp shifted slightly out of the knee joint and got swollen and flappy, just as I developed a gap between my right limp and the knee joint, it required another surgery to correct them and I cried out to Nigerians again and they came and supported me to have it done, the people have been so good to me, but with about N3million raised for me by the media from the public already expended in trying to get me treated, I am appealing that it does not end there if they have to ensure that I get through with it completely and realise the essence of those contributions. “Now, the Fixator/Taylor Spatial Frames on my legs have been removed, there are deep injuries on the legs, I have to nurse and treat them for some time to come, the legs are not balanced either, one is a little bit short, making them unequal and may probably take another surgery to correct. I am seeing the doctor fortnightly for medications, medical tests, x-rays and treatment, I need a whole lot of money, over N750, 000 outside the cost of medications, as it stands now, I have no option
Blessing Maria
but to go public again to beg for help, I have nothing on my own, I am appealing that they kindly do this for me once more, provide me in the name of God with the money to complete the treatment and ensure that the huge sum already committed on me is not wasted. “Donors should please in the name of God make their contributions to my account, John Blessing Maria, GT Bank Account No. 0468466784 to save my life, I can’t afford not to continue and get fully through with it to get off the ground, halting the treatment at this stage for lack of money would be very bad for me, I won’t survive it as I stand to be worse hit and not able to move anymore.” Blessing experienced a 12-year unabating harsh pains from severe bowing of both limbs and dropped out of school in the Senior Secondary School (SSS) Form 1 in 2016 as she could not walk to and fro to school any longer.
She developed problems with her legs at age two and half and was taken to the General Hospital, Ikeja, from where she was first referred to the National Orthopaedic fi Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. “Igbobi prescribed a surgery for me at that age, my dad was to raise the money for the operation but he became sick and died. We couldn’t get the money for the surgery after my dad’s death, so, it became impossible for us to go back to Igbobi for the operation,” Blessing said the mother told her of the beginning of what has become a threat to deform and make her life meann ingless. She managed to go through elementary school and then Junior Secondary School (JSS) at the Ikeja Junior Secondary School, Oshodi, Lagos. But with the pains and her level of deformity worsening as she grew older, it became impossible for her to walk to school daily, sit all through in the class and walk back home. Described by her teachers as good and brilliant, Blessing painfully dropped out of school in Form 1 at the Ikeja Senior Secondary School in 2016. “It was a very painful end to the education of a most academically promising child,” one of her teachers then, remarked of Blessing, who remains committed to returning to school once she fully recovers and confi nfirmed okay. The hope-raising medical report for Blessing signed by Dr. Izuagba Emeka B., Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Padiatric Orthopaedics and Limb Reconstruction Unit, NOHIL, dated March 26, 2019 and entitled: Re: Medical Report on Ijachi Blessing Maria/ Female/17years, Hospital No. 639273, reads: “The Above named patient of our hospital was fi first seen on 17/09/2018 with complaints of severe bowing of both limbs of 12years duration. There is associated knee pains, diffi f culty in walking or running. “She initially presented to the hospital 7 years ago for treatment but defaulted as she could not afford the cost of the required surgery. The deformities have since progressively worsened up to the present state. “On presentation, she was thoroughly re-examined and a diagnosis of severe Bilateral Infantile Blounts disease to rule out skeletal dysplasia was made following clinical assessment and X-ray imaging studies. “She requires a surgical treatment of gradual correction of lower limb deformities, using Ring Fixator/Taylor Spatial Frame due to the grotesque nature of the deformities. “A surgical assessment has already been given to her detaill ing the cost estimates required for the surgery.” Now in her last stages of treatment, complaints of lack of funds are hampering her treatment.
AVM Muhammed Renews Hope in NEMA Manzo Ezekiel
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he increasing g spate p of disasters have continued to generate g global g concerns as many y lives are being g affected, communities devastated and environments negatively g y impacted. p These have been largely g blamed on g global warming g that is responsible p for climate change, g which is caused by y increased concentration of greenhouse g g gases in the atmosphere. p This is mostly y attributed to human activities such as burning g fossil fuels, deforestation and farming. g Climate change g is the cause of erratic weather with consequences q of unusual and excessive rains, low rainfall, drought, g rise in sea level and the likes in many y locations, exposing p g the p people p and environ nment to unexpected p dangers. g The effects of other human induced disasters such as urban flooding that often result from blocked drainages g and unplanned p settlements, technological g accidents and p poor waste management are also too glaring to be ignored. Some of the common natural disasters that have also become more frequent with devastating impacts include earthquakes, earth tremor and tropical storms. International efforts to address concerns from the increasing spate of disasters have produced a number of global protocols and action plans such as the Sendai Framework of Action and the Climate Change ParisAgreement of 2016.All these geared towards addressing the rising trends of disasters and providing necessary assistance to people and communities. However, local efforts remain the most critical in addressing
the problem of disasters. Disaster management in Nigeria dates back to 1906 when the Police Fire Brigade (now Federal Fire Service) was established to function beyond firefighting role to saving of lives, properties and provision of humanitarian services in emergenn cies. However, between 1972 and 1973, Nigeria was hit by a devastating drought which affected the socio- economy of the nation and resulted to loss of lives and property worth millions of Naira. This made it imperative for the governn ment to consider a response body to take care of disaster issues because of its serious and adverse effects to the life of her citizens. Thus the establishh ment of National Emergency ReliefAgency (NERA) by Decree 48 of 1976, which was created as an Inter-Ministerial Committee, charged with the task of collecting and distributing relief materials to disaster victims. The function of NERAwith regards to Disaster Management was very limited because of the scope under which it operated. In 1993, the government, based on the objecc tives and goals of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) decided to expand the scope of managing disasters to include all the areas of disaster management. This included prevention, mitigation, response and recovery. Having realized the obvious shortcomings of NERAin the management of disasters, in 1999, the National Emergency Mann agementAgency (NEMA) was established with mandates that encapsulate holistic approach to
disaster management in Nigeria. NEMAis the agency of the Federal Government that is responsible for disaster management under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanii tarianAffairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The management of this agency is very important as its supports are easily the last line of defense to persons in distress. The recent appointment of retiredAir Vice Marshal Muhammed Muhammed as Director General of NEMAwas a milestone decision by President Muhammadu Buhari that ended years of controversies and confusions in leadership of the agency. Being aware of the problems in the agency, the new DG accepted the responsibility to serve with altruism to restore its focus in the service to humanity. Few months after assuming office,AVM Muu hammed has re-established the lost partnership of the agency with its critical stakeholders including the supervising ministry, NationalAssembly, States Emergency ManagementAgencies and the relevant Ministries, Departments andAgencies (MDAs). The renewed rapport was responsible for the success in the management of the 2020 flood. For instance, the NigerianAir force in collaboration with the agency used its specialized surveillance aircraft to conduct aerial assessment of the flood plains along River Niger from Kebbi State to Kogi State. The deployment of flood assessment and response teams comprising of NEMAand stakeholders staff to affected states was made easier because of the synergy with the States Government
Muhammed
and their respective Emergency Management Agencies. At a recent interactive session with staff of NEMAinAbuja, the Director General emphaa sized the imperative for collectivism in disaster management and unveiled his roadmap to reinvent and reinvigorate disaster management in Nigeria. These include deliberate efforts on disaster awareness and risk reduction, targeting 100% of Nigerians. Manzo is off the Media Unit of NEMA - manzoezekiel@gmail.com
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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ
FAIRGROUND
The Vices Came Out to Play at Nneka The Pretty Serpent’s Premiere
I
t was all about vainglory and lascivious enticement at the themed premiere of one of the most anticipated movies of the year, Nneka ThePretty Serpent which held on Sunday, December 13 and the guests stunned the black carpet at Genesis Cinemas, Palms Mall, Lagos. The premiere was graced by stars of the entertainment industry such as Adunni Ade, Stephanie Coker, Uti Nwachukwu, Denrele Edun, and Omawumi. The Seven Deadly Sins was the theme of the premiere and the guests showed up dressed to the nines, reflective of the seven deadly sins - Pride (Violet), Wrath (Red), Sloth(Black), Gluttony (Orange), Lust (Blue), Envy (Green) and Greed (Yellow). A classic remake of Zeb Ejiro’s 1992 film, Nneka The Pretty Serpent, executively produced by Charles Okpaleke, founder
with
azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com
of Play Network Studios, directed by Tosin Igho, and produced by Chris Odeh. The remake features breakout star Idia Aisien, Ndidi Obi, Shaffy Bello, Bovi Ugboma, Chioma Akpotha, Kenneth Okolie, Charles Inojie, Keppy Ekpeyong and a host of other A list actors. ‘Nneka The Pretty Serpent’ is a story of deceit, revenge and love. Nneka must avenge her mother’s assassination. On this journey, she discovers innate powers, realises she has been deceived, stumbles on wealth and has to decide if this mission is worth losing the love of her life for. Can she defeat this diabolical force? Distributed by Genesis Pictures, the movie premiere garnered standing ovation from guests and reviews have started pouring online, encouraging people to see this classic remake which is out in cinemas nationwide. Idia Aisien
Charles Okpaleke and Francisca
Adunni Ade
Vanessa Azar
Uti Nwachukwu
Uru Eke
Waje
Stephanie Coker-Aderinokun
OnyiiBekeh
Omawumi
Denrele Edun
Isi Atagamen
Kris Asimonye Ugboma
Ada Ukoh and Jennifer Awuzie
y
38
THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͮ
NEWS
Education Cannot Wait Approves US$20.1m Resilience Programme in Nigeria In response to the armed conflict and escalating humanitarian crisis in North-east Nigeria that has left over one million girls and boys in need of educational support, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) yesterday announced US$20.1 million in catalytic investment grants to accelerate the response to the protracted crisis. The initial programme will run for three years, with the goal of leveraging an additional US$98.7 million in co-financing from national and global partners, the private sector and philanthropic foundations to reach over 2.9 million children and youth. “Education Cannot Wait has been supporting the education in emergencies response in Nigeria since 2018 through the First
Emergency Response intervention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ECW was the first donor to offer support to conflict-affected North-east Nigeria. Once more, ECW is supporting Nigeria in the advancement of education in emergencies through the multi-year resilience programme. This is highly commendable, and a much appreciated endeavor,” said Dr. Shettima Bukar Kullima, Executive Chairman, Borno State Universal Basic Education Board Nigeria. Kullima added: “Children and teachers are being targeted in violent attacks. Killings, rape and other forms of sexual violence, abduction and child recruitment are putting girls and boys at extreme risk. Education
is not only every child’s right, but the protection it provides is also all too often life-saving,” said Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait. “This new education in emergency response, which delivers across the humanitarian-developmentpeace nexus, helps sow the seeds of peace and tolerance, while also ensuring girls and boys have access to safe and protective learning environments. “Nigeria is making progress in addressing the protracted crisis in the North-east of the country, but with limited resources and continued violence, progress has been uneven,” said Sherif. “There are still approximately 1 million children, including 583,000 girls, and 18,000 education personnel
that are in rapid need of support to either resume or sustain education in North-east Nigeria. I call on public and private sector donors to urgently help close the $98.7 million funding gap for this crucial programme. There is no time to lose.” The number of children and youth with chronic needs in education remains high across the three states targeted through the Education Cannot Wait investment. Estimates indicate that nearly 60 per cent of primary school-age children and adolescents are not attending school, with girls disproportionally affected. Despite a decrease in the number of security incidents targeting education structures since 2017, the risk of violent attacks, abduction, and kidnappings remains a constant
threat. Poverty remains one of the greatest barriers to educational access. Parents simply cannot afford to send their children to school. COVID-19 has made matters even worse. Classrooms often lack school furniture and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, teachers are poorly paid, and schools and learning centres often lack high-quality learning materials. Implementing in partnership with the Government of Nigeria by UNICEF, Save the Children, and a consortium between the Norwegian Refugee Council and Street Child, the overall multi-year resilience programme targets 2.9 million children and adolescents from 2021 to 2023. Half of the targeted beneficiaries are displaced children and youth, while the other half live in host communities that are affected by conflict. The programme builds on the success of the Education Cannot Wait funded ‘first emergency response’ in North-east Nigeria that reached 290,000 children.
Education Cannot Wait seed funding will initiate the implementation of the programme by focusing on reaching girls and boys in the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. In total, over 482,000 girls and boys will access learning opportunities of whom over 60% are girls and adolescent girls. The programme also targets 48,000 girls and boys in early learning programmes, 380,000 at primary level and some 50,000 at the secondary level, in both formal and non-formal education settings. Among its various outputs, the programme will build and renovate classrooms and learning spaces, support stipends for teachers and increase continuity by working with local partners to keep children and youth in school. It will also ensure educators have the training and tools they need to build gender-responsive learning plans, and safe and protective learning environments that respond to the specific needs of girls, children with disabilities and crisis-affected children in need of psychosocial support.
I Won’t Abandon Projects in Delta, Says Okowa Omon-Julius Onabu ÓØ ÝËÌË
CHRISTMAS MOOD... L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anafiu Elegusi; Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor,
Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Wife of Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; and Speaker, House of Assembly, Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, during the Lagos State Government 2020 Christmas Carol Service of Lessons 14th Edition "Lord Over All" in Lagos
Rush for NIN Registration will Hasten 2nd COVID-19 Wave, Warns Rights Group An Advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA) has warned that with dearth of registration facilities and the rush by Nigerians to avoid being cut off from their mobile phone lines following the directive to cut off those without National Identification number, the second wave of COVID-19 spread would be hastened. The group while drawing flak on the directive and approach of the Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Mr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami to
within a short period and without putting facilities on ground to enable compliance by the over 100 million subscribers within 14 days, saying that such was wont to create panic and rush that would have scant regard for social distancing. HURIWA described the directive as “grotesque and an irregular attempt at causing massive catastrophic health emergency of unimaginable dimension.” A statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade
Emmanuel Onwubiko, charged Nigerians to resist such arbitrariness while the National Assembly should ensure that such an approach that rampled on the fundamental rights of the citizens were not allowed to stand. Onwubiko pointed at the long queues and scramble to get registered, adding that the desperation would not allow for the observance of the laid down protocols whcich further exposed the country to danger of spreading the infection. "It is unbelievable that a
minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be so callous, capricious, crude and tendentious by issuing a public directive on another round of SIM cards registration at a time that the world over, nations are adopting and taking scientific, medical and precautionary measures to stave off the dreaded and grave consequences of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with stricter enforcement of the World Health Organisation's Protocols such as wearing of face mask and social distancing."
We’ll go Ahead with Protest Unless Metuh: EFCC Kicks, Heads Paid, Amnesty Trainers Insist to Supreme Court The group of trainers enlisted by the Presidential Amnesty Programme protesting the non-payment of salaries have while insisting that unless their concerns were attended to, they would still go ahead with the 30-day protest but flayed being classed as ex-militants as they were professional engineers. However, they acknowledged that the office had reached out to and were currently engaging them towards addressing and resolving their complaint which they insisted were genuine. They explained in a statement that it was a mistake to refer to them as ex-militants simply because they worked under
the programme, pointing out that they were chosen, trained to help train the ex- militants, a reason they were issued with employment letters for the job Garanwei Pere Pere-Uge , Simon Ebizimor, Andrew Daubry, Usen Osasere Stelios, Ikiriko Ibiwari, Appah Michael Oyinprebi, Alagha Ebinidenge Emmanuel, Odiki Esther Ebimoboere and Ugochukwu Bon Nwakanna said they were law abiding citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and were never involved in any form of criminality or arms struggle, hence we are not enlisted as Ex-militants in the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said it would approach the Supreme Court to set aside Wednesday December 16 decision of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, quashing the conviction of Olisa Metuh, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, and his company, Destra Investment Limited, a statement by the commission said. Metuh was prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven count charge of illegally receiving monies to the tune of
N400 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, under Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). On February 25, 2020, Justice Abang convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment. Dissatisfied with the decision of the court, Metuh approached the appellate court with an application to set aside the ruling of the lower court, alleging among others, that the trial Judge was biased and failed to accord him fair hearing. Delivering judgment on the appeal on December 17, Justice Stephen Adah, who led a panel of three justices, agreed with the appellant that the trial judge was biased and nullified the judgment.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has assured that no project begun by his administration would be left uncompleted. He, therefore, charged the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to execute projects that would add meaningful value to the socio-economic lives of people especially in oil bearing communities in the state. Okowa gave the charge on Thursday in Asaba while swearing-in a new member of the Commission, Mr. Bright Abeke, replacing late Joyce Overah who died this year. He however expressed satisfaction with the interventionist efforts of DESOPADEC in host communities in the state, saying the best way to address the basic needs of the people was to carry them along in the conceptualisation of projects.
He, therefore, urged the Managing Director of DESOPADEC and the commissioners to continue to stay in touch with the people at the grassroots to ensure that they can identify with those development efforts. "Despite economic downturn, infrastructural transformation of the creeks and riverine communities would continue to receive priority attention from his administration because of their enormous contributions to the economy of the state and the nation at large," he noted. While advocating that the best way to deepen peace and unity in oil bearing communities was to attract development projects to the areas, he congratulated Abeke on his appointment and urged him to work with the leadership of the Commission in attracting development to Sapele and other oil bearing communities in the state.
Osun Assembly Passes N109.8bn 2021 Budget Yinka Kolawole ÓØ ÝÙÑÌÙ The Osun State House of Assembly has passed the 2021 budget presented by Governor Gboyega Oyetola before the legislature on November 10, 2020. The passed budget has a total of N109,855,051,640 (One Hundred and Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Fifty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Naira) with the recurrent expenditure of N50,620,283,140,00 and capital expenditure, which stands at N59,234,768,500,00. The year 2021 budget is N9,695,349,400 lower than the 2020 budget passed by the State House of Assembly. The Speaker, Rt. Hon.
Timothy Owoeye at plenary commended his colleagues and the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for their painstaking effort in swiftly considering the 2021 Appropriation Bill. He noted that the budget focused strongly on post COVID-19 recovery with huge investments in the economy and N1.4bn budgeted for Youth Development to address the issue of youth festiveness in the state. Owoeye charged the implementing ministries and agencies not to dampen the morale of the Assembly by continually working hard to deliver on all the components of the budget.
39
T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ECEMBER 19, 2020
NEWS Buhari Celebrates Rescue of Kankara Boys in 6 Days, Echoes Resolve to Secure All
US Tells Nigeria to Hold Kidnappers Accountable The United States government has asked the Nigerian government to hold those responsible for the abduction of the Kankara schoolboys “to the full extent of the law”. In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State spokesperson Cale Brown after the release of the abducted students on Thursday, the US condemned the incident and also stated that schools should be a safe place where children can learn and thrive. Arrival of the Abducted Schoolboys Completely exhausted but smiling, freed Katsina schoolboys arrived home yesterday, many of them barefoot and clutching blankets. Television pictures showed the boys dressed in dusty clothes, looking weary but otherwise well, getting off buses in the city of Katsina and walking to a government building. One of them, with flecks of dried mud on his face, told Channels TV the captors had fed them bread and cassava. "It was cold," he told the reporter. Asked how he had felt when the bus arrived in Katsina, he said: "I was really happy," and broke into a smile. "We are very grateful. We are very grateful. We are very grateful," a man who said he was the father of two of the boys told the Arise television station. Hours before the rescue of the boys was announced, a video started circulating online purportedly showing Boko Haram militants with some of the boys. Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of the footage
or who released it. Yesterday, the boys from the Government Science Secondary School walked from the buses in single file, flanked by soldiers and armed police officers, and were taken to the government building to meet the governor. They were then brought back and driven off for medical checks, officials said. A group of their parents waited to be reunited with them in another part of town. "I couldn't believe what I heard until neighbours came to inform me that it's true," Hafsat Funtua, mother of 16-year-old Hamza Naziru, told the Reuters in a phone interview. Garba Shehu Apologises for Inaccurate Figure Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, yesterday apologised to Nigerians for providing perceived misleading information on the number of boys kidnapped in Government Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State last weekend. Shehu, who had following the breaking of the news of the abduction last weekend, announced that only 10 boys were kidnapped, explained that the figure was not his own creation but rather provided to him "by persons that should ideally know." Describing the number as incorrect, Shehu said that figure actually conflicted with the huge number of missing pupils at the time. While emphatically apologising for the misleading information, the presidential spokesman further explained that his action was not meant to underplay the depth of the seriousness of the abduction.
Schoolboys Vow Not to Return to Attacked School Some of the abducted students have vowed not to return to school until adequate security measures are put in place by the state government. The students, who spoke in an exclusive interview with THISDAY in Government House yesterday, also urged Governor Masari to relocate the school to Kankara town. They were driven into the Government House in a convoy escorted by the 17 Brigade Commander, Brig-General WB Idris and other top security operatives. One of the students, Yusuf Suleiman, SS1, said lack of adequate security in the school was responsible for their abduction by the bandits. He said: “We suffered in the hand of the bandits and for me, I will not return to the school again because it has no security and it is located at the outskirt of Kankara town”. Umar, a JSS3 student, said: “It will be difficult for us to return to the school. Most of us have agreed not to go back to the school again. We will seek for transfer to other schools within Katsina metropolis". On his part, Ismail Jamilu, while reliving his six-day nightmare in the bandits' den, said the hoodlums who launched onslaught on his boarding school claimed to be on a rescue mission but later opened fire when they noticed the presence of some security personnel. He said: "After our night prep on Friday night, we heard gunshots at the school gate. Few minutes after, some men entered our hotels, saying they came to protect us but some of my friends starting running when they saw them. "Some of us that could not run or jump the school fence, they asked
us to assemble in one place and directed us to start moving out of the school through the gate. When we got to the gate we saw our security man on the ground crying with blood all over his clothes. "We were being pushed and beaten, we spent two nights trekking in the bush to unknown destination with them, sometimes walking on thorns. When they discovered that we were tired, they asked us to sleep in one forest". Military Insist Schoolboys Were Rescued Contrary to claims by Masari that the release of the Kankara schoolboys was negotiated by Miyetti Allah and the military, the Commander of the 17 Brigade, W.B Idris, who handed over the students to Masari yesterday, said the schoolboys were rescued by the combined team of security operatives in the state. Idris said: "Consequent, upon the kidnapped that took place on the 11 of this month, the combined efforts of the security forces and the state yielded requisite result. We are here this morning (Friday) to formally hand over the 344 students of Government Science Secondary Kankara that were rescued from the bandits yesterday night (Thursday). "The students were taken to Guzau in Zamfara state where they were adequately taken care of. They slept through the night at Gusau and glory be to almighty God we are here with them to formally hand them to state for subsequent hand over to their parents", he said. The Defence Headquarters also claimed that troops rescued the Kankara schoolboys.
Priest Bids Farewell to School after 38 Years Charles Ajunwa A senior priest of the Catholic Church inAwka Diocese ofAnambra State, Msgr. Sylvester Mgbemfulu, has bid farewell to St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha, where he taught Chemistry for 38 years. The extraordinary send-forth party organised by the staff and students of the school at the school premises in Isuaniocha for the priest who has reached the canonical retiring age of 75, witnessed great outpouring of emotion by diverse groups.
The Rector of the institution, Rev. Fr. Paul Mary Chukwukebe including some former Rectors/Acting Rectors, in recalling Mgbemfulu's invaluable services to the church in different apostolates, especially as the first Rector of the school, Spiritual Director, Academic Dean, Chemistry teacher, among others for many years, lauded his commitment and extra-ordinary sense of service, as well as his spirituality. Leading the Bosco Alumni Association, her President and a lecturer at Federal Polytechnic, Oko
Dance Queen Kaffy, Pacbro Glow on African Voices Nigerian globally-acclaimed dance queen, Kaffy, is the guest this week on African Voices Changemakers, a statement from Globacom, sponsors of the programme has said. The programme chronicles her journey from a mere teenage dance buff in Lagos to a winner of the Guinness World Record for “Longest Dance Party". Forty-year-old Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, popularly known by her stage name Kaffy, a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, dance instructor and fitness coach would be joined on the programme by her Kenyan counterpart, Tileh Pacbro. The svelte mother of two led her dance group, Imagneto Dance Company, to break the Guinness Book of Record for "Longest Dance Party" in 2006 after they danced for 55hours and 40minutes. She also emerged African Muzik Magazine Best Female Dancer of the Year in 2014. Kaffy will be telling viewers on the programme how she has employed her talents as instruments
of youth empowerment as well as how she has been giving back to her country especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. On his own part, Pacbro, born July 9, 1997, is a YouTube star, artist, dancer and choreographer who runs a dance academy named Dance 98 from his base in Lavington, Kenya. His recent dance video, Coronavirus, was used by the artist as a means of driving home his campaign on the importance of taking precautionary measures against the pandemic. With his ‘Dance 98', Pacbro won worldwide acclaim this year when the video raked in hundreds of thousands of views on the social media within 72 hours of its release, catching the attention of international music stars including Cardi B. Regarded as a dance movement in Kenya. African Voices Changemakers will be on CNN on DSTV Channel 401 on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. and 5 30 p.m. It will again be on air on Sunday at 4.30 a.m. ,7.30 a.m. and on Monday at 5.30 a.m.
Mr. Celestine Ostende Oguegbu, who was accompanied by many old boys, after announcing the gift of a cow redeemable with half a million Naira, with which the members wish to say “thank you for a job well done”, said Mgbemfulu “Throughout his stay in this our alma mater, he was an outstanding tutor who was profoundly committed to promoting excellence in both our academic and spiritwual lives.
CHANGE OF NAME
The DHQ spokesman, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said the military had kept its promises of ensuring the rescue of the hostages. The DHQ in its statement said: “Keeping to its promise to ensure the safe return of all abducted students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji rescued all 344 abducted students on Thursday 17 December 2020. “The students were rescued on the heels of credible intelligence by our gallant troops, with high degree of professionalism to ensure they were all rescued alive. “The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, including all security agencies for their dexterity. The general public who volunteered
information is also hereby appreciated.” Schoolboy Says He was Told to say Abductors are Boko Haram One of the freed Kankara schoolboys while narrating his six-day ordeal in the hands of his abductors, said he was “convinced” by the kidnappers to speak in the video. “I don’t know who they are but they said I should say they are Boko Haram - gang of Abu Shekau,” the student said at the Katsina State Government House. Leader of terror group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, had earlier released two video footage claiming responsibility for the dastardly act.
Saturday, December 19, 2020
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CAN to Buhari “The fact that the unfortunate incident happened while the Chief Security Officer of the country and the President, Buhari, is in his home state means these criminals have sent a strong message to him that the security architecture of the country has been compromised under his watch” – The Christian Association of Nigeria, condemning the abduction of students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.
PENDULUM DELE MOMODU
dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com
Helpless Nigerians in the Hands of President Buhari
F
ellow Nigerians, it is difficult to ignore the helplessness and hopelessness which hapless Nigerians have suffered since the year of our Lord 2015, when our presumed Messiah descended upon our section of this planet. Before then, Nigerians had reasoned that there was only one saint standing and he is no other than Major General Muhammadu Buhari, our brutal disciplinarian and former Head of State. In our selective or collective amnesia, and out of an incredible frustration and pathological hatred for the ruling party, PDP, and the President fate had contrived to foist upon us, Goodluck Jonathan, it was generally assumed there must be a regime change, by all means. At that time, we believed that anybody was better than President Jonathan and his rambunctious PDP, and that things could definitely never get worse than it was. However, to make the choice easy and palatable for Nigerians, we believed that there was a godsent replacement waiting in the wings. One who commanded the mythical stature, status and authority that was capable of driving the fear of God into our recklessly profligate politicians. His name was Muhammadu Buhari and he had no equal in Nigeria’s political firmament, or so we thought. As events would show sooner than later, after he was sworn in jubilantly, and after a stentorian inauguration speech which we found out had been plagiarized, the scam we sold to ourselves, at a premium, began to crumble, before our very eyes. Perhaps that speech was the harbinger of the level and depths of misery and calamity that we were about to sink into. However, in our euphoria, we paid little or no attention to the tell-tale signs that things would never be at ease, that the falcon would no longer listen to the falconer! In short, we generally lost our brains, and our minds, and with them, our sense of history, not just momentarily but almost permanently. Today, the rest is history. I do not know what Buhari’s fanatical supporters, or his combative aides, tell him now, but I can fathom a guess that at the time of his ascension to power, when he was still himself, his big ego was already being pumped up and massaged regularly and endlessly. Nowadays, nobody seriously knows what the President thinks or believes. Too many stories abound, some so far-fetched that they can only exist in the realms of fairytales or Aesop’s Fables, some so unreal and surreal, others still fictional but speaking to some kind of morality or truth. Yet, nothing can be discountenanced or discounted anymore. We may just as well be living in a world of make believe, like a virtual Alice in Wonderland scenario! That is how bleak and depressing things have become. On an even more serious note, and I have been quite serious thus far, the office of the Nigerian President is too powerful, and our current experience is the reason why we must never again let just anybody occupy that “supernatural” position. Just in case you didn’t know that fact and you mistakenly find yourself working in the Presidential villa, you will immediately discover that your options are limited. One. When in Rome, you must live like the Romans. If you can’t, please, have a quick dialogue with your feet and vamoose at the speed of light. End of story. All our friends who went into the accursed Villa with their seemingly towering and impeccable credentials were soon forced to forgo or forget their lofty aspirations and ambitions and climb down
Buhari
their high horses. It has been that bad! Many were turned into robots, and some became a complete mimicry of circus clowns. Only a tiny few returned home with some sanity. The simple truth is that you can hardly enter a place that has become a den of iniquity and treachery and hope to return to society with your head still sitting on your neck. Since 2015, we have practically been in a state of stupor, waltzing from one monumental crisis to another, like a drunken somnambulist. In all fairness, President Buhari was, initially, slowed down by his undisclosed ailment that kept him outside Nigeria than inside in those early days. But while we submit to that reality, the fault still remains his. No one expected him at his age and with the fragile state of his health to be in top form or operate at full capacity. He was expected to do the proper thing in such circumstances by delegating his duties and roles as required by the Nigerian Constitution. However, he stoically refused to delegate to the right people. Instead, he chose to play games, by trying to be a political strategist when that has never been his forte. It was a ploy doomed to fail and it did so spectacularly. Buhari’s government lost steam once he kowtowed to the whimsical dictates of a cabal that started ruling by proxy in his name. He gave this otherwise cowardly group the fillip they needed by his taciturnity and egregious overpowering silence in the face of humongous atrocities and brigandage. While they could bully and intimidate as a collective, backed by the unseen hand of their protector, the few times they felt the absence of that protection the façade crumbled, and they were shown for the pitiable specimens that they really were. Since then, It has been obvious that this government is not likely to achieve anything tangible at the expiration of its two terms in office, because the ship of State has floundered on the high seas ruddelessly and is taking in water at an abnormally rapid rate such that the State may sink imminently if care is not taken. In the meantime, like the proverbial Emperor Nero who fiddled while Rome burnt, our President goes to Katsina to milk his cows, whilst marauders, murderers, assassins and terrorists annihilate us like cattle. The biggest problem bedevilling Nigeria today is that of an unprecedented insecurity. Only this past week, hundreds of schoolboys were
brazenly abducted by bandits and gangsters in the President’s home State of Katsina. Just imagine that level of embarrassment for one of the strongest and most powerful leaders in the world. The shame is that this leader has lost all sense of propriety and decorum that he didn’t even seem embarrassed, despite the public and international outcry. He turned up in his home State, went to his hometown and thereafter, mum was the word. The world remained dumbfounded and flabbergasted. As always, the international media went to town massively on us and our perpetual incompetence and this must have helped to secure the immediate return of the boys so that we would not end up with another Chibok Girls fiasco and nightmare. Mercifully, the young boys have all returned but with unending and horrendous tales of woes. Many Nigerians are still not convinced that the boys were just freed like that without the Federal Government paying some outlandish ransom to the abductors or compromising our territorial integrity and sovereignty, or otherwise paying a yet unknown price too great. It is symptomatic of the times we live in and the unfathomable depths to which we have been plunged that Nigerians have become so paranoid to the extent that many of our people actually believe President Buhari is not the man in The Presidential villa. It is a regular debate I have not been able to win to the extent that I myself am now beginning to feel too weak to engage in such conversations. Such people have asked me to secure a live Instagram interview with him. I am hoping to succeed with the President one day soon, no matter how much management is being done right now. I won’t give up, not only because I want to satisfy my teeming followers, but also because I believe that it is imperative that our President answers some hard questions if we are to survive as a nation. There are too many pending questions for me to ask him. The first question is whether the President is aware the country is collapsing over his head or if he feels this is how a normal country should be run! Does he know that due to his own careless and lackadaisical attitude and approach to issues of grave dangers, Nigeria is speeding fleet-footed towards the way of Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan and other such failed nations where insurgency is rife, and anarchy is the order of the day. There are Nigerians today who believe that the sponsors of terrorism are right inside the seat of power and that President Buhari is not serious about fighting banditry, hooliganism, or even terrorism. It is said that he seems to have some soft spot for the people of his clan who indulge in wanton destruction of lives and properties, or at best that he will turn a blind eye to the terrible damage that they are doing to the Nigerian State because he actually aligns with their beliefs. It is my fervent hope that this is untrue! Two. Is it that our military guys have become so cheaply powerless or some senior officials are unwilling to allow them apply maximum force to obliterate the threat posed to our nationhood by the insurrectionists? It is naturally tempting to associate with those spreading the conspiracy theory that the government is over pampering the terrorists, including rehabilitating them into the military while they wasted no time in proscribing IPOB and other Southern militant groups who have more worthy causes and declaring them as terrorist groups and organisations. This belief is given significant
traction by the fact that the insurgents seem capable of being visibly invisible, blindingly oblivious and carrying on as if they are an integral part of our security, or, in fact, the armed forces itself. The equipment, armoury and arsenal at their disposal beggars belief and it is totally astonishing and disturbing. A motley collection of ragtag individuals is making a mockery of our highly trained and supposedly sophisticated military personnel and might. The kind that was so gung-ho and trigger-happy in dealing with peaceful and unarmed #EndSars protesters but timid, fearful and pusillanimous when confronted by Boko Haram and the wicked minority Herdsmen given their kinsmen a bad name. Three. Is the President aware that our economy has virtually collapsed or someone is lying to him that it is so buoyant that a Naira is now equal to one US Dollar, rather than the reality that the Naira now equals about five hundred US Dollars and is still going south? Please, with due respect, what was the reason the Southern borders between Lagos and Benin Republic were shut down while the porous borders in the North remained in business? And after severely punishing the poor hapless petty traders that trudged and hustled along the Seme axis, the same erratic government suddenly wakes up to tell us that reopening that route will re-energize our economy! Was that not taken into consideration in the first instance? Please who manufactures these political and economic somersaults to assail and assault the sensibilities of poor, forlorn Nigerians? Four. What exactly is our strategy for protecting Nigerians globally? Just there in nearby Ghana, Nigerian businesses have been shut down and our traders made to look like pathetic orphans, yet not much intervention or succour has come from our government and the minimal effort deployed has naturally not achieved anything worthwhile. Why have we become so despised, disrespected and disgraced in many countries around the world? Five. What are we doing about unemployment? Our young ones are mostly frustrated and disillusioned. The palliatives being distributed are more concentrated in a particular region of the country. If anyone denies this fact, let them release a comprehensive list of the beneficiaries, if any such exists. The money being thrown around can be better channelled. Nigeria must as a matter of utmost urgency invest in vocational studies instead of promoting idleness and laziness. Six. Education. When will this government and ASUU resolve their intractable problems and crisis? Why does education not have a pride of place in the priority of this Government? And why is it that budgetary allocation to the sector is paltry and derisory? Seven. Health they say is wealth. When are we going to have world class facilities in our dear beloved country? When will our leaders stop flying abroad to seek medical attention to the minutest of ailments because of the lack of faith in our medical infrastructure which they bludgeoned into a comatose state by their inaction and ineptitude? Eight. Infrastructure. Nigeria is generally backward infrastructurally. Something drastic must happen. What is the government doing about sustainable and regular power supply, good roads and the rest? I can go on ad infinitum... This snail speed won’t get us anywhere...
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