SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2019

TCN Bemoans N270bn Stifling Debts By Discos, Seeks NERC’s Intervention Arrears hindering loan repayment to foreign agencies FG, Greenville LNG negotiate gas supply to Kaduna Genco Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) yesterday disclosed that the total indebtedness of the 11 electricity distribution

companies (Discos) to it (TCN) now stands at about N270billion.

Also yesterday, the federal government disclosed its willingness to have a private gas supplier – Greenville

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), take gas to the 215 megawatts (MW) Kaduna power generation company (Genco) which had been delayed from producing electricity almost 10 years

after it was initiated.

Speaking at a meeting with donor agencies in Abuja, Managing Director of the TCN, Mr. Usman Mohammed explained that the N270 billion unpaid debt was for

the electricity transmission services it rendered to the Discos.

The TCN boss, who stated that the company was working hard to attain self-sustainability in its operations, stated that

the debts, if paid, would enable it pay multilateral donor agencies that loaned it monies to execute transmission projects.

Continued on page 6

Sultan Abubakar Pleads for Unity to Move Country Forward‌ Page 6 Saturday 28 September, 2019 Vol 24. No 8937

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CAN: Corruption Allegations against Osinbajo a Sham Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday described the corruption allegation against Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as a sham and urged Nigerians to discountenance the claim since those peddling it could

not provide evidence to substantiate it.

The Vice President was accused of mismanaging N90 billion allegedly provided by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the 2019 election campaigns, an allegation he has vehemently denied, threatening to sue

those behind it.

The CAN President, Dr. Olasupo Ayokunle, who spoke to journalists in Abuja after a meeting with the Vice President said no one should crucify Osinbajo over an unsubstantiated allegation.

"We were there to pray for him and asked him to tell us

about the allegations made against him, whether they are true or false. He has cleared the air that there was no iota of truth in what some people put out against him and that he was ready to prove himself and to go all out with them. “If there is an allegation, there must be evidence. We

see it as rubbish and that can never happen with him and will never happen,� he said.

Ayokunle urged Nigerians not to give room to those who want to persecute the innocent but to join hands with government to salvage the country especially at this critical period.

While assuring the Vice President of the association's support, the CAN President, warned that nobody should toy with the innocent that are faithfully serving the nation, adding that the whole country will rise up to fight for him.

Continued on page 6

P&ID: FG Mulls Fresh Suit to Quash $9.6bn Judgement Debt Lai Mohammed: Delegation to the UK succeeded in changing narrative Bennett Oghifo Apparently basking in the euphoria of the reprieve given by a British commercial court, which ordered a stay of execution of the $9.6 billion judgement debt against Nigeria and the leave granted the country to appeal the judgement, the federal government has said it would file a separate suit to set aside the entire judgment.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the indication in London after the Thursday’s ruling of the court on the arbitration

award to British firm, Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID).

Mohammed also said besides the stay of execution and the leave to appeal the judgement obtained

by Nigeria, the federal government’s delegation to the UK succeeded in changing the narratives of the case in favour of Nigeria before the international community.

On the opportunity presented by the judgement, he said: “We now have a fresh opportunity of arguing our Continued on page 6

Buhari Meets with Nigerian Youths in New York over Climate Change... Page 15

NIGERIA@59...

L-R: The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, during the 59th Independence anniversary prayer for the country at the National Mosque, Abuja... yesterday

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Sultan Abubakar Pleads for Unity to Move Country Forward Says after 59 years of independence, Nigeria still hamstrung by litany of challenges Olawale Ajimotokan Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar has expressed concern that Nigeria is still hamstrung by a litany of challenges 59 years after it attained independence and appealed to all Nigerians to come together to move the country forward.

The head of Jama'atu Nasril Islam, made the heart felt request yesterday during the Independence Day Public Lecture held at the National Mosque, Abuja.

He said Nigeria was plagued with many issues of governance

and other socio-economic challenges in spite of her endowment with human and natural resources.

The Sultan, who bared his mind on a wide range of issues which beset the country, questioned the readiness of the political class to address the challenges and take the people to the next level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We should search ourselves where we are right now. Are we in the Nigerian nation of our dream? Can 200 million people say 'yes' this is the country which we desire?

It is a question for which I don't have answers," he said.

He threw a gauntlet at President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, and other political players, urging them to address the questions.

He declared: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governance is not a one man show. It is for us to come together and move the country forward. As Muslims, we know the import of leadership. We should not be shy to ask our leaders to do the just and be just in handling the affairs of our people.â&#x20AC;?

The Islamic spiritual father, in particular pinpointed leadership failure as the

underlying reason why Nigerian youths often embark on the perilous migration to Europe, with many of them perishing in the desert and Mediterranean Sea. He tasked the political leaders to find solutions to the problems prompting Nigerian youths to leave the country in droves, saying it was the reason why they were elected to office.

According to him, if Nigerian youths are gainfully engaged, they will not be at risk of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, and the urge to migrate abroad would be minimised.

"Our youths should be our pride. I say yes and no.

Some of them have excelled all over the world in all fields and have won laurels. At the same time, some involve in criminality like banditry, insurgency and advance fee fraud. What pushed them into this, we must find out and correct", he maintained.

He also bemoaned government failure to curb the large number of out of school youths in the northern part of the country and expressed regret that about 10 million youths are roaming the streets as Almajiris.

He queried: "What is government doing about this?

There was a programme by the previous government of Goodluck Jonathan, which built buildings across the country. What happened to that programme? Government should revive the programme and bring the children on the streets to school. Some of the children are victims of hunger and are looking for food. Islam does not allow begging".

He described the situation as a time bomb, pointing out that if the Almajiri grow and are uneducated, they will become a menace to the society.

The federal government delegation included the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and the Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.

P&ID had taken Nigeria to arbitration in London over an alleged breach of the gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA) signed by the ministry of petroleum resources in January 2010.

The company won the liability case in July 2015 and was awarded $6.6 billion.

A British commercial court had in August affirmed

the ruling of the London arbitration tribunal.

The tribunal had ruled that Nigeria was liable for $6.6bn in damages, which increased to about $9.6bn with accruing interest.

The Nigerian government had stridently contested the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim, insisting that the contract was a scam, in which P&ID did and spent nothing on the failed project, adding that it was a heist that could impoverish the over 200 million Nigerians.

Besides, a former minister of Defence, Lt.Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), has since contended that the $40 million the company claimed to have spent on the project was provided by him, claiming that the main promoter of the company, Michael Quinn, double-crossed him in the

deal.

P&ID signed the GSPA with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in 2010 to build a gas plant that would process wet gas into dry gas for electricity generation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nigeria is to supply the wet gas to the plant, to be built by P&ID in Cross River State.

The GSPA documents, however, contained what has been described as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;curiously careful provisions for what should happen if the deal soured.â&#x20AC;?

When the deal went sour, the arbitrators awarded all the theoretical profits P&ID might have made in a perfect world in 20 years, in a very imperfect part of the world (Nigeria), according to an analyst.

pray for him.â&#x20AC;?

He said the country was facing serious challenges and urged all Nigerians â&#x20AC;&#x153;to stay together to fight the challenges

and overcome it.â&#x20AC;?

Recall that a statement posted by the spokesperson of the Vice President, Olaolu Akande on his Twitter account on Wednesday,

said all corruption claims against Osinbajo were false.

Akande warned that legal action would be taken against sponsors of the libelous claims.

to the best of our ability if they keep to the terms of agreements, so hopefully we are in partnership. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want power for Kaduna and Nigeria and the president also wants power for everyone.

I promise to facilitate the progress of feeding Kaduna plant from here.â&#x20AC;?

Commenting on the development, the Chairman of Greenville, Mr. Eddy Van den Broeke, stated that the company was ready to deliver gas to Kaduna Genco, and would be fully ready to supply it all its gas requirements by the end of January 2020. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The visit is to realise that everybody claims there is no electricity in the country, but if facilities like this are repeated like this in the same area, that would give a huge advantage and before pipelines gets to the north, we can develop all the industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a socio-economic problem in this country were the north has no gas or electric energy. We are absolutely ready to power the Kaduna power plant because GE has abandoned the site, we have taken everything upon ourselves. Train-one would be running by the end of November and train-two would be running by the end of January 2020 so the full organisation would be in place by the end of January 2020,â&#x20AC;? said Broeke.

Asked if the company had formally begun gas sales and supply agreement with the federal government for the Kaduna Genco, Broeke said the negotiations were ongoing.

Similarly, to meet up with the gas deliveries if the supply deal sails through, the Managing Director of Greenville, Ms. Ritu Sahajwalla, stated that the firm had a good number of standardised specialised LNG delivery trucks to sustain supply to the Genco.

Sahajwalla said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have 300 but 5000 trucks are coming on board. We are honoured that someone from government is looking to solve the power problem from a different angle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this LNG, small industries can be mushroomed and by the time there are pipelines, they will grow at full capacity. We want to go through the power plant in Kaduna though we can choose to supply to other customers directly.â&#x20AC;?

She informed that Greenville commenced commercial production and supply of LNG in April 2019 to customers spread across the country, adding that at the moment it supplies LNG to Dufil Prima Foods in Port Harcourt which has a tank capacity of 110-meter cube with two vertical tanks.

According to her, Greenville has an initial fleet of 300 LNG fueled trucks, each with 23ton cryogenic tanks, as well as LNG refueling stations strategically located Rumuji part of Rivers; Koton Karfe in Kogi state; Shagamu in Ogun state; Ikpoba in Edo; and Kakau in Kaduna, with plans to set up new stations in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Bauchi, Maiduguri, and Sokoto.

P&ID: FG MULLS FRESH SUIT TO QUASH $9.6BN JUDGEMENT DEBT case and even filing separate suit to argue that the entire judgement be set aside. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we have been saying everywhere we go, we have been compiling arguments that will make our case and position to set aside the judgment debt, an easy thing.â&#x20AC;?

He expressed optimism that the entire arbitration decisions and the whopping judgement debt of N9.6 billion against Nigeria over a botched gas contract would be set aside.

Mohammed said with the reprieve granted by the court, Nigeria has the opportunity to take appropriate steps to set aside the entire judgement debt in favour of P&ID. According to him, the federal government delegationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with investors and other

stakeholders, helped to change the negative narrative that the case might hamper foreign investments into Nigeria.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of them at the meeting are investing in Nigeria and holding key positions in the society. By the time we came out of the meeting, they had more empathy for our course and even many of them volunteered to serve our course in a very patriotic manner.â&#x20AC;?

Mohammed further added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We came here with the sole purpose of not just winning in court but also winning the minds of the international community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We started by visiting key media outlets, key business and financial groups such as Bloomberg, Financial Times, the Economists and others.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I must say that over 24 major publications that published our stories are from our own viewpoints.

What we are saying is that, until now, only the voice of P&ID was heard; only their own side of the story was heard but in the last four days our efforts in visiting the key media outfits and think tanks have paid off in changing the narratives.â&#x20AC;?

The minister said prior to the visit, the plaintiff, armed with the court judgement, had been threatening to enforce it by way of attaching financial and associated assets of Nigerian.

He said with the relief granted by the court, the harassment by the company and its handlers of compiling the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assets for attachment would stop.

CAN: CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST OSINBAJO A SHAM "If the allegation is not true and the people alleging it could not prove it, then we will all be proud of him and all Nigerians should join hands to fight for

him," he said.

When asked the mission of CAN delegation to the vice president, Ayokunle said they went to hear him out and to

pray for him.

According to the CAN president, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the church and all Nigerians are proud of the vice president and will continue to

TCN BEMOANS N270BN STIFLING DEBTS BY DISCOS, SEEKS NERCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERVENTION He however noted that the transmission company had reformed its project procurement and implementation processes and would be able to offset about $1.661 billion worth of loan it secured from multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) amongst others, to upgrade the national grid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Discos owe us N270 billion cumulatively as uncollectible debts. We can finance our operation and so all the loans we have been taking, we are now signing agreements with the federal ministry of finance that we are going to pay the loans by ourselves,â&#x20AC;? said Mohammed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also ask that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should agree to reset the books of the Discos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are owing the TCN N270 billion but is it possible to collect that money until the books are reset so they can be clean. NERC (is) supposed to provide tariff that is cost reflectiveâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

Mohammed equally stated that with reforms and improved in-house engineering capacity in the TCN, the company recovered 775 stranded equipment containers out of 880 units that were left in Nigerian ports for years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have delivered 67 power transformers with this method of taking over projects and completing them and also helping contractors to finish their projects,â&#x20AC;? he

explained, even as he claimed that transformers installed from the recovered equipment containers have added up to 3100 megawatts (MW) of electricity transmission capacity to the grid.

According to Mohammed, the TCN would reconduct some major transmission lines in the country to recover up to 3000MW of transmission capacity.

Some of the lines to be reconductored, he stated, included the lines between Birnin Kebbi and Sokoto; Itu and Aba, as well as key transmission lines in Lagos.

Decrying the status of investment in the power Discos, Mohammed said they required up to $4.3 billion worth of investment to meet up with the transmission capacity which he noted was now above 8000MW. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Discos require at least N4.3 billion dollars investment in the network.

In capitalising the Discos, we have to recognise that we made a mistake in the privatisation. So, government should bring 40 per cent and owners of the Discos should bring 60 per cent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This money should come in a form that has an agreement of 20-year period and five-year moratorium so that we can have five years to reduce Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, build the lines before we start paying the interest,â&#x20AC;? Mohammed explained.

In his remarks at the meeting, the Permanent

Secretary in the ministry of power, Mr. Louis Edozien, said it was an opportunity for the TCN to brief donor agencies on utilisation of their loans for transmission projects.

Represented by the Director of Transmission in the ministry, Mr. Emmanuel Nosike, Edozien said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before the donor gave the funding, the transmission network has not been as it is, but the current management came up and has been doing all that you are seeing today. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to hear from you what you will be doing to improve transmission and of course, help us with suggestions on what we can do with distribution because TCN has done much on transmission. Where we have problem today is the Discos.â&#x20AC;?

FG, Greenville LNG Negotiate Gas Supply to Kaduna Genco Meanwhile, the federal government yesterday disclosed it would be willing to have a private gas supplier â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), take gas to the 215 megawatts (MW) Kaduna power generation company (Genco) which has been delayed from producing electricity almost 10 years after it was initiated.

Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, stated during a visit to the LNG conversation and supply facilities of Greenville on the outskirt of Port Harcourt

in Rivers state, that the government was desirous of growing the volume of power available for supply to Nigerians and would in that regard welcome a gas supply arrangement with the firm.

Contract for the 215 Kaduna Genco was reportedly awarded in November 2009, to General Electric (GE) and Rockson Engineering. Located within the Kudenda Industrial Area of Kaduna, the plant was designed to operate with dual thermal plant using Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and natural gas. It also has eight installed units of generation turbines but has not taken off due to sundry reasons which included fuel supply challenges.

But in his remarks after the facility tour, Jedy-Agba said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am sure the federal government will be interested in what is happening here, with the three trains, but the fact is that the supply is high enough to supply the need of power plants for instance to Kaduna, Mando, Kano. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;If we have these two plants powered by this facility, we are good to go. It will help in power generation, which is the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priority, with the supply from here power supply would improve.

Kaduna power plant could use LNG from here of course, but I am not in the capacity to commit, but it is a buyer and seller (arrangement).â&#x20AC;?

The minister further stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an important facility to invest in and can supply the power needs of the country.

We would patronise Greenville

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28,, 2019

NEWS

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

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L-R: Council Officer, Peoples Republic of China, Zhang Yalong; Staff of LASG; Manager China National Offshore Corporation Lagos, Zheng Mei; Staff of LASG; Council General, Peoples Republic of China, Chu Maoming; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu; Deputy Council General Peoples Republic of China, Guang Zhongqui; Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Chairman, Choice International Group, Chief Diana Chen; and General Manager, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Huang Xigong, at the Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

World Bank Ranks Nigeria Among Top-20 Improvers on Ease of Doing Business Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Two years after it moved up 24 places in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index, Nigeria recorded another milestone yesterday with the apex bank naming it “one of the top-20 improvers in doing business out of 190 countries.”

According to a release by Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, World Bank team made the announcement yesterday ahead of the formal release of 2020 World Bank Doing Business rankings.

Oduwole described the World Bank Doing Business Report as an objective assessment of prevailing business environments based on a

number of ease of doing business indicators, noting that in Nigeria, the report assesses doing business conditions in the two largest commercial cities of Lagos and Kano.

According to her, Nigeria attained that feat in view of World Bank’s acknowledgement of reforms spearheaded by Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee (PEBEC) in the areas of “operationalising a new electronic platform that integrates the tax authority and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).” PEBEC is chaired by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo.

She also said Nigeria secured a rank of that magnitude in acknowledgement of the reforms it carried out in some of the World Bank Doing Business indicator areas including

“starting a business, registering property, getting construction permits, getting electricity, enforcing contracts, and trading across borders.”

Explaining further innovative moves which earned Nigeria that feat, Oduwole said the decision

by Corporate Affairs’ Commission (CAC) to upgrade its reservation platform in Kano, transparent digitisation of Cadastral plans in Lagos, simplification of access to electricity in Nigeria and efficiency of commercial litigations in smaller cases were factors which propelled Nigeria to that height.

“The CAC also upgraded its name reservation platform and, in Kano, there is now an electronic platform for registering business premises online, eliminating the

need to appear in person. In Lagos, land administration was made more transparent following the digitisation of cadastral plans in a geographic information system; digital copies of cadastral plans are now easily obtainable.

“Nigeria also made getting electricity easier by allowing certified engineers to conduct inspections for new connections.

Initiatives also made commercial litigation of smaller cases more efficient. The Chief Judges in Lagos and Kano issued practice directions for small claims courts introducing pre-trial conferences and limit adjournments. “Finally, customs integrated more agencies into its electronic data interchange system, and port authorities launched

an e-payment system, speeding up both exports and imports,” she said.

According to the presidential aide, Nigeria’s score has witnessed a steady improvement in World Bank Doing Business Report since 2016, after initial years of decline in both score and ranking.

However, she said the reforms which started in 2016 began to yield results in 2017 when Nigeria moved up 24 places in the Doing Business rankings adding that Nigeria was also recognised as one of the top 10 reformers in the area of doing business the same year.

Oduwole noted that “the recognition being given to Nigeria as one of the top 20 most improved countries, who have implemented the most reforms this year, is significant

because we weren’t even able to achieve some of the key reforms we had pursued, but what we have done so far is being recognised.

This validation confirms that our strategy is working and we will continue to push even harder.”

She boasted further that “with the impending ratification of the Companies and Allied Matters Bill and the introduction of the Business Facilitation (Omnibus) Bill, 2019 in view, along with other pending regulatory, judicial and sub-national reforms, Nigeria is poised to meet its goal of being a top 100 ranked economy by 2020.

The announcement is indicates that our goal of moving into the top 70 doing business destinations by 2023 remains achievable.”

I Inherited over N32b Pension Arrears from My Predecessor, Alleges Gov Emmanuel

Bayelsa Speaker Allegedly Buckles, May Resign Monday

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has revealed that he inherited over N32 billion pension arrears from his predecessor.

The governor who revealed this while briefing newsmen in Uyo, the state capital on the activities of the state government stressed that since coming on board he had been paying pension same time salary of civil servants were being paid.

“Even when things were so rough, we didn’t owe even a day salary. Statutory allocation or no statutory allocation we have fixed date to pay salary.

“All those who said they have not received their salary or pension tell them to come with evidence that there are state government workers.

“I inherited pension arrears of over N32 billion but there is no human being who had worked in the state civil service today that can say he does not get his pension on time. As we are paying salary, we are paying pension even gratuity we are clearing turn by turn,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the governor has approved the release of promotion arrears for the over 6,000 workers in its employ who took part in the 2017/2018 promotion examinations.

The State Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien who made the disclosure during an interview in his office said Governor Emmanuel’s decision to approve and facilitate the release was to give way for the 2019 promotion to be closely followed.

The Head of Service said the governor had also ap-

proved the release of funds for the scheduling of the pre-promotion examination seminar and subsequent conduct of the Administrative and Professional Officers Compulsory Class Examination (APOCE) and other Promotion formalities.

Essien who described the governor’s gesture as another demonstration of his usual sincere concern for his workers said in addition to regular payment of salaries and gratuities, the state government was also constructing affordable houses for workers.

He said the two housing estates located at Ikot Ntuen Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, along Abak Road and Ikpedip Ibiono /Itak Ikono, along Uyo Ikot Ekpene Road were to ensure that public servants own their own houses on a rent- to-own basis.

After over a week-long resistance from stepping down as Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Tonye Isenah, may have finally caved in to pressure to resign, in obedience to the power brokers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state , it was learnt yesterday.

It was gathered that the Speaker would likely throw in the towel Monday and barring any last-minute politicking hand over to Monday Bubou Obolo, who is the current Majority Leader of the Assembly in a move meant to ensure balance of power as the November 16 governorship election approaches.

He had come under immense pressure to quit following the emergence of David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Southern Ijaw as the party’s candidate and Douye Diri, who hails from the same council as the PDP standard bearer, throwing up the need to rearrange the sharing of positions in the PDP to get substantial

votes from the area.

The key PDP leaders have been insistent that without the resignation of the Speaker who comes from Kolokuma/Opokuma, the smallest local government in the state, the governorship as well as the speakership would be retained by the council in the event that Diri, the PDP candidate wins in November.

However, Isenah was said to have insisted that his resignation would not in any way enhance the votes from Southern Ijaw, with the second largest voting population behind Yenagoa, the state capital, maintaining that the deal was for him to step down in February when a governor would be officially sworn-in.

Yesterday, the Speaker met with staff of the House of Assembly to intimate them of the latest development, disclosing that he did not want to bear the brunt in case the PDP failed to win the November poll.

The address came after the Speaker who was elected in May, presided over plenary yesterday

during which some bills, including the Judiciary (Funds Management) Bill, 2019 and the Legislative Funds Management and House of Assembly Service (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bills, 2019, were passed, making them the first under him in the 6th Assembly.

It was learnt that mixed reactions were expressed by the workers in the Assembly, during the address which left many of them sullen after he bade them farewell and thanked them for the support extended to him as Speaker.

It was further reliably gathered that members of the House that were present during the Speaker’s briefing were Felix Bonny Ayah, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 1, and Moses Marlon, representing Southern Ijaw Constituency III. A few days ago, the Speaker in an apparent show of frustration, warned that his loyalty to the political leaders in the state must not be taken for cowardice and further called on his late mother to guide him as he had found himself at crossroads.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

Shutting Borders, VAT Surge and Absurd Cashless Policy

A

fter failing woefully to effectively tackle insecurity/smuggling, the federal government suddenly decided that the solution was to shut all land borders with neighbouring countries. So, all borders have been shut since August 21.

When did severing the head become a solution to unending headache? Well, that was precisely what government did with the closure of land borders. The pains are miles ahead of the limited gains. For example, rice is still smuggled into the country daily.

Closure of the formal borders only means the smugglers will follow longer routes, with higher cost. This is why the price of rice has skyrocketed. The smugglers simply pass the extra cost to Nigerian consumers. So who is feeling the pains? Certainly not the smugglers.

Petroleum products are also still being smuggled out through illegal routes. I always shudder when I hear the Nigerian government talking about petroleum products being smuggled to other West African countries. It is preposterous. If we have a good government in place with good policies, this country should be exporting refined petroleum products to the rest of West Africa and earning forex.

As for illegal arms and ammunitions, those who smuggle them in don’t even follow the shut border posts. Most illegal arms come in through illegal land routes and the sea ports. This is why armed robbery, banditry and terrorism are on the rise. What has to be fixed is our failed leadership; not shutting of land borders.

Those feeling the pains of the current border closure are the people involved in legal trans-West Africa businesses and Nigerian consumers. I often wonder if the federal government is unaware that there are Nigerian factories that produce for the West African markets. The goods are transported by land to these countries. These Nigerian companies pay taxes and earn forex for this country. They are the ones now hindered

Rice is still smuggled into the country daily.

Closure of the formal borders only means the smugglers will follow longer routes, with higher cost. This is why the price of rice has skyrocketed.

The smugglers simply pass the extra cost to Nigerian consumers.

So who is feeling the pains? Certainly not the smugglers from doing their legitimate businesses by this pointless border closure. Hundreds of trucks of such legitimate businesses are stranded at the borders.

The indefinite closure of our borders is evidently hurting the Nigerian economy and massive legal cross-border economic activities. Just as the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase, remarked early this week, the closure will not serve as solution to smuggling. Rather, it will result in pains for Nigerians as we are witnessing at present. Already, the prices of food predominantly imported through land borders are on the rise. Small business owners plying

legitimate trade across the borders are gasping for breath. Nigerian manufacturers exporting to West African countries are being hindered. We should be thinking about expanding trade to countries within the West African sub-region, instead of shutting our borders.

I have heard some people say that shutting out imported rice will encourage local production. First, government has not banned the importation of rice. The rule is that imported rice must come in through the ports. Even with this, the price per bag has doubled within four years. If the land borders are closed from now till eternity, local producers will still not be able to meet demands and prices will still be on the high side. Apart from the difficulty of meeting local demands, this country lacks comparative advantage in the growing of rice. The yield is lower compared to that of countries like Thailand. This is why the price is on the high side here. We should leave rice alone and concentrate on crops we have a comparative advantage in producing like cassava and yam.

On the flip side, another unfriendly policy set to inflict pain on Nigerians is the approval to increase Value Added Tax, VAT, from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent. An economy in recession like ours can’t be raising VAT. This is tax on consumption passed to consumers.

It is capable of reducing consumption and production will ultimately drop. In a country where millions have lost jobs and those with jobs are struggling to survive, an increase in VAT is the least expected.

Besides, all the benefits of the minimum wage increase will be neutralised by the 50 per cent rise in VAT. The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Timothy Olawale, captures it appropriately thus: “Increase in VAT will further reduce the purchasing power of the citizens, leading to increase in prices of goods and services, resulting in upward movement of the inflation rate, and further contraction of the economy. Since the purchasing power

Boko Haram and the Courage of Jaha, Monguno It was heartwarming seeing two federal lawmakers from Borno State getting up to say a bit of truth about Boko Haram and the territories they control in their state.

Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Ahmadu Jaha opted out of the club of heartless and deceitful Nigerians. They decided to join the few telling the government the fact about the sagging war. Monguno, who sponsored a motion of urgent national importance on Tuesday, said eight local government areas were under the control of the terrorists. Corroborating Monguno, Jaha gave graphic details of how Boko Haram had taken control of areas in his constituency, saying that more needed to be done to motivate soldiers on the frontline so as to win the war.

Jaha added: “The truth of the matter is that a substantial number of locations in Borno are still under the occupation of Boko Haram whether we like it or not.”

However, Monguno and Jaha were still economical with the truth by saying that the gains of the Buhari government in the war against Boko Haram were being reversed. There was never any progress against Boko Haram by the Buhari government. I guess these two men decided to play politics here to massage the ego of Buhari and his cohorts. The Buhari government squandered all the gains made against Boko Haram by his predecessor because of ineptitude. When Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015, Boko Haram had been pushed to the fringes of the Sambisa forest. Many local government areas were retaken by the terrorists under the Buhari government. As I pen this piece, aid agencies can’t access many local

government areas of Borno State. This government has failed woefully in this war against terrorists. We must all, at all times, embrace the truth, if we want this country to make progress. Only honesty can exalt a nation.

The biggest drawback to the war against Boko Haram is the persistent fabrications that the terrorists had been defeated and no longer control any territory in Nigeria.

I always quiver whenever I hear President Buhari and his cohorts echo this dubious line. The truth that must be told is that many local government areas in Borno State are controlled by Boko Haram. The terrorists run a government and collect taxes in these areas. As at press time, I can confidently report that 22 out of the 27 local government areas in Borno State are either fully or partially controlled by the terrorists. Military sources corroborated this.

The guerrillas are roaming freely in many areas in Borno State, after successfully dismissing military bases in these places.

Residents are so frightened to return to their homes; this is why the IDP camps in Maiduguri are overflowing. The military inadvertently advertises that the terrorists are alive and kicking. The hand writing is always all over the press statements they issue. A technically defeated Boko Haram keeps drubbing our soldiers, military formations. Our gallant soldiers are doing their best but lack the capabilities to end the war. Boko Haram is growing stronger daily, with better equipment. Over 27,000 Nigerians have been killed by these terrorists in 10 years.

Monguno

Going forward, this government has to accept the fact that the war against Boko Haram is beyond the capabilities of our gallant soldiers. The leaders of the military have failed the soldiers on the war front by denying them quality equipment and welfare. Technology, quality equipment and quality manpower will be needed to destroy Boko Haram. The way forward, as I had persistently suggested, is to engage mercenaries for this war against Boko Haram. The strategy for getting result against Boko Haram is largely through aerial power. It requires quality fighter jets, quality armoured attack helicopters. Our military lacks the capacity for these. We must hire mercenaries to finish this war.

This is the way forward if President Buhari is genuinely interested in ending this fratricidal conflict.

of the citizens would be reduced, sales of goods and services would reduce and inventories for business would be high.

This could lead to closure of businesses that ought to be supported by government in reducing the alarming unemployment rate in the country.”

In a depressed economy like this, I expect a government seeking to increase its revenue to focus on getting more people into the existing tax basket; not a VAT increase. All those behind the proposed VAT increase are enemies of the people. I sincerely hope those sent to the National Assembly by the people will stop the Executive from implementing this draconian VAT increase.

Then came the bank charges on deposits and withdrawals approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which they say would discourage people from cash transactions.

The apex bank imposed three per cent processing fees for withdrawals and two per cent processing fees for lodgements of amounts above N500, 000 for individual accounts. For corporate accounts, the CBN imposed five per cent processing fees for withdrawals and three per cent processing fee for lodgements of amounts above N3 million.

I have never seen any decent society where these kinds of charges are imposed on people for withdrawing or depositing their money. These are added charges to the burden that customers already stomach.

Ours is truly a confused system. It is absurd justifying the decision to penalise cash depositors. I thought our CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele should know that people will simply open multiple bank accounts for cash transactions. Besides, the CBN is aiming at financial inclusion, yet, it is discouraging people from taking cash to the banks. For me, this policy is ridiculous and will not in any way promote cashless transactions.

The CBN should concentrate on proactively promoting the use of cashless platforms for deposits and withdrawals instead of this measure that will be counterproductive.

Rogue P&ID is Falling Down

The bid by the rogue British firm, Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) to reap where it did not work is finally collapsing like a pack of cards.

The firm with scoundrel eye fixed on a dubious $9.6 billion arbitral award arising from a sham gas contract has now been cut to size by a British court, following the proactive response by Nigeria. The bogus dream is now dying. All the false noise that it was set to seize Nigerian assets in Britain has died down. Last Thursday, the court granted Nigeria a stay of execution of the award and leave to appeal against the award/enforcement of the judgment. All the noise that the award was a fait accompli has been shattered.

Just as I indicated in earlier post, the blare was aimed at stampeding the Nigerian government.

The biggest factor working for Nigeria now is the facts and figures to show that P&ID bribed to fix the questionable contract. There is evidence of two bank transfers by P&ID, amounting to $20,000, to a former Director, Legal Services of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources through Allied Irish Bank. The contract is rooted in corruption and procedural circumvention and can’t stand. The conviction of P&ID local affiliate for sundry crimes also supports the fact that the contract was a scam. This is what we should now formally challenge in court.

Now, P&ID is on the defensive. Nigeria has launched a bid for the extradition of the co-founder of P&ID, Brendan Cahill and the son of the late founder, Adam Quinn, over their roles in the scam. These guys have murdered sleep. They will not sleep again. Kudos to AGF Abubakar Malami and his team.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

SUPER SATURDAY Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Soldiers on at 53 The former managing director and co-founder of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede was 53 on Tuesday. The man, whose image resonates modesty and humility, marked the day quietly, but the charities he now devotes considerable time to celebrated him fervently, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

“H

Aig-Imoukhuede

appy birthday to our founder and Chairman – Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede CON”, reads the message on the Facebook page of Africa Initiative for Governance congratulating astute banker, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede on the occasion of his birthday as he marked 53 on Tuesday. As simple as the birthday shout out appears, it befits the cofounder of Access Bank whose image resonates modesty and humility.

Aigboje is not averse to big partying for birthdays. But the one on Tuesday was done quietly with family members. This entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and leading figure behind Nigeria’s finance and investment industry, now spend quality time on charities. Maybe, that was why merriment was limited on Tuesday.

He is passionate about quality public service, perhaps, because his parents were public servants.

This was what informed his Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG), a partnership programme with the Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government. This incorporates a scholarship scheme that sends qualified Africans to Oxford for a Master of Public Policy degree. AIG works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance. This pioneering initiative brings proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding in a private-public partnership to attract, inspire and support future leaders of the public sector. “With our continuing support, these high-calibre individuals will drive best practice standards of governance across Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice,” remarks Aigboje.

He is also involved in the improvement of wellbeing globally. Aigboje is the first African Co-Chairman of the Global Business Coalition on Health, GBC Health. His appointment as co-Chair of GBC-Health is consistent with his profile and reputation as an ardent advocate on issues of responsible business practices, good corporate citizenship and sustainability.

He is also the Chairman of Friends of the Global Fund – Africa (Friends Africa). In 2010, he made a $1 million contribution to the Global Fund, and he has since made donations to the Global Fund through the ‘Gift from Africa’ campaign. Friends of the Global Fund Africa are the strong voices communicating to donors the importance of financing the future of so many Africans. It was founded in order to create and sustain visibility and awareness for the Global Fund across the African continent, as well as to build political and financial support for the organisation.

It was at the 2001 Special Summit of the African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, held in Abuja that African leaders jointly called on the global community to create a “Global Fund” to raise and channel large amounts of additional resources to assist countries in fighting the three pandemics. The Global Fund, as a lean and efficient organisation, does not have country offices. As a result, it needed to find another way to raise awareness and carry out advocacy efforts worldwide. Aigboje and others came to an innovative solution: independent associations known as

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

11

SUPERSATURDAY Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Soldiers onat 53...

Aigboje and his wife, Ofovwe “Friends” who help to develop contacts and allies, promote a good understanding of the Global Fund’s mission and mobilise political and financial support.

In 2010, Aigboje launched the “Gift from Africa” campaign, a first-of-its-kind initiative among African businesses which has so far raised several millions of US Dollars from African corporations in support of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. He assumed leadership at GBC-Health as the organisation broadened its mandate from fighting the three major infectious disease pandemics to a comprehensive global health mandate.

This shift is meant to increase the scope and effectiveness of corporate engagement on strategic public health challenges around the world.

Where his peers flounder and stumble, Aigboje soars like falcon. His distinguished banking career spans over two decades and has seen the move of a “Fourth Tier” bank to a First Tier bank, amongst other achievements. Aigboje is a pioneer in Nigeria’s finance and investment industry and the CEO of Coronation

Capital. Upon setting up Coronation Capital in 2014, he declared: “I have founded and I am currently Chairman of Coronation Capital. I am responsible for full scope leadership, strategy, governance, execution and return on investments for the company. In partnership with the board, I am ultimately responsible for the success of the company by guiding the Board and executive management team to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and polices.”

This former Access Bank CEO was born on 24 September 1966 in Ibadan, Oyo Nigeria to parents who were civil servants. He hails from Sabongida-Ora, Edo State. Aigboje lived with his family in Lagos but went to school in Kaduna.

He later attended St. Saviours School in Lagos and at 16, he enrolled to study law at University of Benin. He graduated with a LLB degree in 1986 at 20 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.

He holds a Trium MBA, awarded jointly by the London School of Economics, New York University, and HEC Paris.

Aigboje is married to Ofovwe and they

have four children - Aima, Zoje, Renuan, and Morenike. Interestingly, he is a pastor at the Promised Land Pentecostal Ministry in Lagos, Nigeria.

He was conferred with Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2011 by then President Goodluck Jonathan for his contributions to the development of banking and finance. In 2011 he was inaugurated into the Ernst and Young World Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame as the Ernst & Young West Africa Entrepreneur of the Year, as well as the African Banker Magazine’s “African Banker of the Year” in 2013.

He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was appointed a member of the International Advisory Board of Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government. He is a fellow of the African Leadership Institute through the help of Aspen Institute in Colorado, USA. He is also honorary fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. In 2018, he was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) by the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

He is passionate about quality public service, perhaps, because his parents were public servants. This was what informed his Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG), a partnership programme with the Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government. This incorporates a scholarship scheme that sends qualified Africans to Oxford for a Master of Public Policy degree.

AIG works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance

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ÍşÎ&#x20AC; Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

TAKING POLITICS TOO FAR

Leaders should be tolerant, broad-minded and mature, writes Adewale Kupoluyi

R

ecent happenings in the polity have reminded us that there seems to be a mix-up when it comes to playing politics and public service. They are not the same thing. Naturally, one should not be too surprised about the confusion because it is on the platform of political parties that candidates get elected into public ofďŹ ces in Nigeria. It is for this reason that most positions of authority in government are occupied by politicians at the exclusion of technocrats and non-politicians.

Recall that the co-founder of BudgIT announced his resignation shortly after being appointed as technical adviser to the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba. BudgIT is a social enterprise that is dedicated to the call for accountability and transparency in governance and a leading fiscal transparency group for building civic awareness on the right of Nigerians to be knowledgeable on public resource management. Onigbinde is well-known as a critic of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Spearheading the rejection of Onigbinde is the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), which lambasted Onigbinde for taking up the offer in the same administration he had seriously criticised, saying that his nomination was a travesty that desecrates the honour and integrity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. The Chairman of BMO, Niyi Akinsiju stated further that Onigbinde lacked the decency to reject the appointment if indeed he believed the insults he had hurled at the government. Akinsiju added that those who criticise government constructively can take up appointments unlike Onigbinde, who was accused of engaging in name-calling and insulting the president and his supporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like a person, you cannot relate with such a person and it is illogical to say you want to work for that same personâ&#x20AC;?, Akinsiju noted that the debate was not about party affiliation but ideology, saying that a critic should only puncture government policy and avoid raining insults on people. BMO later congratulated the BudgIT co-founder for resigning the position and that he took the honourable path by that singular action after the outburst.

Earlier in the year, Dr. Festus Adedayo was also appointed as special adviser to the Senate President (Media and Publicity), but he was forced to resign, even though his appointment was said to have been based on merit, experience, track record, and competence. Adedayo is a versatile political communicator and member, the editorial board of Nigerian Tribune newspapers. The Senate President, Ahmadu Lawan, claimed that he wanted him, but eventually bowed to pressure and reversed the appointment. Just like Onigbindeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the appointment of Adedayo had generated heated debate mostly on social media. Supporters of APC had described Adedayo as unfit for the job simply for the offence of being a fierce critic of Buhari.

Adedayoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response that he had no apologies over his actions, as a fearless professional journalist, was apt. Onigbinde said that he neither deleted nor deactivated his Twitter account as alleged. Criticisms also mounted for his appointment to be reversed while others applauded the offer such as the likes of social commentators and public affairs analysts; former minister of education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; and political economist, Dr. Joe Abbah, who had served the nation in various capacities, by encouraging him (Onigbide) to prove his mettle by accepting the offer. From the scenarios that played out, it can be seen that there is confusion when it comes to what is constructive criticism and having disdain for a particular leadership. Criticism is not hatred. That is where we are getting it wrong in this country. The fact that someone

THE FACT THAT SOMEONE IS YOUR REGULAR CRITIC DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE CANNOT BE INSTRUMENTAL OR MEANINGFULLY ENGAGED BY OFFERING USEFUL PIECES OF ADVICE THAT COULD SPUR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

is your regular critic does not mean that he cannot be instrumental or meaningfully engaged by offering useful pieces of advice that could spur national development. We should get it right that those who serve in government must only be politicians. This is wrong. Yes, eligible party supporters and politicians should be rewarded for their commitment and dedication. There are still many people out there that can transform this country if given the opportunity without belonging to any party. At times, the views of critics are the needed tonic to make the desired change.

Governance is a serious business that should be all-encompassing, robust, broad and open to diverse shades of opinions and input for better results and outcomes. Hence, the services of Onigbinde and Adedayo should have been retained for their brilliance and experience.

However, a social commentator and public affairs analyst should never have it in mind that he must be in government before making a difference. The Consent of the Governed political theory argues that the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legitimacy and moral right to use state power is only justified and lawful when consented to by the same people over which the political power is exercised.

This reasoning is strengthened by Article 21 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states that the will of the people form the basis for the authority of government. Many public affairs analysts that are inspired by the Consent of the Governed theory in evoking literal consent on the logic that valid consent means that final authority, which is the essence of democracy, belongs to the people, rather than the few privileged and elected officials. Therefore, public policies should always be geared towards satisfying the majority of the people. Society should always appreciate its social commentators and public affairs analysts for what they are contributing to national development in their little way. From personal experience, the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;enemiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the government are true friends in the sense that they are always thinking of how to improve the lives of the people and build the nation. They are constantly ruminating over several key issues at the same time, researching and putting down their thoughts for possible consideration by relevant authorities. They do this, not because they want any political appointment or cheap popularity, but are simply showing their genuine passion towards society.

The least that can be done in appreciation of such doggedness and nationalism is to pause and listen to what they have to offer. At times, some people simply criticise any government in power to get attention, such people are never consistent in what they preach. Onigbinde, Adedayo, and others should continue doing what they are naturally committed to doing; they should not be portrayed in bad light or seen as disgruntled elements. I had an encounter with Adedayo after the whole brouhaha and I could feel the pressure that he went through when he never lobbied for the rescinded appointment.

On a final note, political leaders should be firm and consult widely while soliciting the support of whomever they feel can genuinely help them provide good governance to the people. They should ever be conscious and wary of sycophants that usually flock around them and could becloud their objective sense of reasoning and judgment. They should endeavour to be tolerant, broad-minded and mature. That is what true leadership entails and how not to take politics too far.

Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

WILL XENOPHOBIA DEFINE OUR HUMANITY?

Oluwadaisi Olaseinde canvasses the strengthening of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and South Africa

H

asnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Xenophobia become the new expression on the lips of many Nigerians, and by extension other Africans? Little wonder the tension in the land has been more in the last few days.

The word, Xenophobia, comes from the Ancient Greek words (xenos), meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;strangeâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;foreignerâ&#x20AC;?; while (phobos), meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;fearâ&#x20AC;?. Hence, Xenophobia can be said to be â&#x20AC;&#x153;the fear or hatred of that which is perceived to be foreign or strangeâ&#x20AC;?.

A lot has been said about this trending misconduct, the blame games being played by countries involved, and the need to show innocence or justifications of actions as the case may be. But are we going to allow this evil monster determine our humanity? Nigeria has prided herself for too long on past glories of her â&#x20AC;&#x153;big-brotherâ&#x20AC;? role, especially as regards the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

Truth be told without being prejudiced, the sacrifices made by the Nigerian state and her citizens cannot be overlooked in a hurry.

The likes of Sonny Okosun, Majek Fashek, Onyeka Onwenu and The Mandators, who used their talent to fight against the apartheid regime cannot be forgotten in a hurry. The sonorous â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fire in Sowetoâ&#x20AC;? tune still blares relevantly on the airwaves till today.

First Republic Minister, Mbazulike Amaechi is popular today for his role in housing Nelson Mandela for six months in Nigeria. The same man was responsible for Dr. Barangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employment as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). Barangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father was the lawyer to the South African nationalists at the time. Nigerian students, artisans and civil servants contributed certain percentages from their earnings to finance the war against apartheid. The

government played a very prominent role right from the time of Independence in 1960, when the then Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, lobbied for the white dominated apartheid South Africa to be expelled from the Commonwealth in 1961.

While this was on, the prime minister ensured the annual sum of $5m was remitted to the African National Congress (ANC). This continued even after the First Republic. Gen Olusegun Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government joined previous administrations in paying $3.7m into the Southern African Relief Fund (SARF); the general personally contributed $3,000 while members of his cabinet made personal contributions of $1,500. This foreign policy was the noblest at the time. Among the outstanding gestures by the Nigerian government was the establishment of the National Committee against Apartheid (the only nation worldwide to do this), the refusal to sell oil to the Apartheid-controlled South Africa losing over $41b over the years, giving express passports to Black South Africans whose passports had been seized by the callous regime, accommodating Thabo Mbeki in Nigeria between 1977 and 1984.

It was until the involvement of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Committee against Apartheid in the 1960s that the needed awareness was created. The ANC until the 1960s was fighting alone. But with the able leadership of Nigeria, other African countries fought against the Apartheid regime. The UK and the US which inadvertently or subtly supported Apartheid began to cringe as South Africa became a world issue. This is the prominent role Nigeria played.

But where did we miss it? Decadence overtime has robbed us of our enviable role among the comity of nations. The corruption that has subtly crept into our core and existence has now become a monstrous and systemic bane. This has deprived us of the relevance

we once had.

Today, our youths have been prevented from having quality education. They are left to become a nuisance in the society. And that is why we experience what we see today; a situation where they took to â&#x20AC;&#x153;reprisal attacksâ&#x20AC;?, yet looting shops and businesses owned by Nigerians, inflicting pains on their own people. In their ignorance, they do not know that all the South African companies here in Nigeria have a 51% Nigerian ownership. They are of course bereft of the fact that majority of the employees in these companies are their fellow countrymen and women.

But do they know these things? Can we really blame them? This is what foolishness of a generation that is largely unemployed can cause.

I am sure they do not also understand that it is the insurance companies in Nigeria (not South Africa) that will pay the costs of the looting and destruction. Our brothers and sisters in South Africa, whose businesses and livelihood have been destroyed were left for dead. The South African government has unequivocally stated that they are not paying any compensation. But do our uneducated and unemployed youths know this? They are only concerned with â&#x20AC;&#x153;reprisal attacksâ&#x20AC;? that will lead to quick avarice for their present want.

Are our youths aware that whereas the xenophobic attacks were going on in South Africa with the Police looking away, ours (the Police) killed a Nigerian here in Nigeria who was caught up in the so-called reprisal attacks?

The time is now for the government to attain the enviable â&#x20AC;&#x153;big brotherâ&#x20AC;? role in Africa again. This wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen overnight as we have progressively gone down the doldrums over the years.

Some 178 Nigerians returned to Nigeria from South Africa recently. The reason most of them left

in the first place was to look for greener pastures.

The government should take a cue from these latest developments to build Nigeria up again. The educational sector, the economy, security, infrastructural development, the health sector, should be overhauled. We have all it takes to be a great nation.

God has so blessed this nation with everything, we should be the cynosure of all eyes.

Once there is a steady and progressive improvement in all these, Nigeria will become attractive beyond words, and the lost glory of yesteryears would gradually return.

Commendation however, should be given to President Muhammadu Buhari for his painstaking approach in addressing this sensitive issue. If he as the head acts in a reactionary manner, diplomacy will definitely breakdown completely. Winston Churchill said â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is better to jaw-jaw than to war-warâ&#x20AC;?. Remember how Abraham in the Bible dealt with Lot his nephew, when their herdsmen clashed at intervals. However, the Nigerian government must be assertive in not condoning the unending belligerence on immigrants in South Africa. Much blame really canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be shifted to South Africa as they have always been known to be boisterous. Nelson Mandela was just one of a kind, who Robert Mugabe once described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;too saintlyâ&#x20AC;? to have forgiven the whites. Unfortunately, the South Africans never learnt from this manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit of forgiveness and tolerance. We cannot treat them as a Pariah nation as many have advocated.

Governments of both countries should endeavour to strengthen their diplomatic ties, yet without condoning the irresponsibility of South African violent citizens.

Olaseinde is a photographer and copy editor based in Lagos

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ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The road less travelled?

Did El-Rufaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Child Go To School?

Safe and Effective Medicines for All

T

he World Pharmacistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day is celebrated every year on September 25th under the sponsorship of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). The theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Pharmacists Day is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Safe and effective medicines for allâ&#x20AC;? which aims to promote pharmacistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; crucial role in safeguarding patient safety through improving medicinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; use and reducing medication errors by policy attention, political consideration and administrative frameworks.

The role of pharmacistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in safeguarding patient safety through improving medicine use and reducing medication errors has increasingly been seen in introduction of a variety of measures designed to strengthen drug safety and to increase patient safety thereby reducing medication-related errors.

In Nigeria, like other countries of the world, it is a study in contrasts. An ambitious middle-income country and Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest economy, it also struggles to provide some of the most basic of services to its residents. Access to essential medicines is yet threatened by high poverty rate. Affordability declines drastically down the population profile of poverty line; an anti-diabetics drug costs N1500 for a 30-day supply of drugs, thus costing a minimum wage worker two daysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of work; cancer care costs about five times the monthly minimum wage for a government employee and an anti-hypertensives costs about half a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work for a month course of treatment in Nigeria.

It is disheartening that out-of-pocket health service and detaining patients to pay their bills are a reality.

There is great disparity in the availability of health services between urban and rural areas. Some years ago, all African countries met, and agreed in Abuja to give at least 15 per cent of their entire national budget to health. Unfortunately, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health budget is hovering between five and nine per cent annually.

The state of Pharmacy Practice in the country poses a public health crisis mainly with access to medicine, weak standard of practices and a weak regulatory of medicines in Nigeria. It is no coincidence that Nigeria currently has one of the worst drug market controls in the world, a high rate of medication resistance and one of the worst cases of drug abuse.

In order to fulfill the declaration â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health for Allâ&#x20AC;? which encompasses â&#x20AC;&#x153;Safe and Effective Medicine for Allâ&#x20AC;? the WHO presented the concept of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;universal health coverageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (UHC), which is defined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;all people receiving quality health services that meet their needs without exposing them to financial hardshipâ&#x20AC;?.

Research has also shown an existing data indicating a shortage of pharmacists necessary to achieving safe and effective medicine in Nigeria. This is supported by a research being done by Aniekan etal, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Analysis

of pharmacy workforce capacity in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;? that suggests that only 12,807 pharmacist are in active professional practice as indicated by the number of licensed pharmacists in 2016 which represent 1:15,000 of the country population.

Restructuring the drug distribution sector is key to achieving safe and effective medicine for all.

Distribution of drugs requires efficient supply chain systems and appropriate regulation to ensure that the medicines that reach the consumers are in their intended qualitative state, ensure that the medicine that gets to the consumers are qualitative, effective, affordable, safe and supported with the required instructor to ensure rational use in entrenching a distribution system that drug and related facilities must be well-managed to ensure they can deliver quality service.

Today, we are talking about the spread of chronic illnesses like kidney and liver problems. A lot of these problems could be traced to the uncontrolled proliferation of medicine stores in Nigeria. When medicines are available everywhere, people tend to abuse them.

Yusuf Hassan Wada, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto

N

igeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social media space had trending on Monday, the news that Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State enrolled his child in Capital School, Malali, Kaduna, a school established in 1952.

The move had been lauded in a country where the citizens are used to public schools and other facility good enough for the masses - as terrible as they ever get - but never good enough for the children of the wealthy and political class who would rather use the international standard available overseas or the local recreation of those international standards in private institutions.

Seeing the boy, Abubakar el-Rufai, in his green nice-patterned uniform, seated on his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lap and about to enrol in a public school was beyond the enrollment for Nigerians who commended the feat. It was instead for then an endorsement of the educational system which his father presides over as the governor as being good enough for his own use. El- Rufai seemed to say loudly to Nigerians â&#x20AC;&#x153;this is good enough for me to useâ&#x20AC;?.

Some have commended this and that is understandable in a country where the hospitals are not good enough for the political class, the schools are not good enough, the roads are not

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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 TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

good enough in addition to their deplorable condition becoming kidnap hotspots.

Nothing the government ever provides in Nigeria would you find high-ranking officers in the same government using except it becomes inevitable and unavoidable. For El-Rufai, it seems a promise to do so made the enrollment binding on him as an obligation. The faith of the governor in that particular school would not be misplaced especially when he has perfected plans to spend N195million on the same school in 2018. With this sum already guaranteed for upgrades, one can see why the endorsement is being made so boldly.

I daresay if you request a change of the school for another in the same Kaduna, it would never materialize.

Obviously, the school would receive an upgrade that brings it at par with those in overseas that are Nigerian leadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favorite. Lauding the enrollment move should come only in the light of being happy for the other kids who would benefit from the luck of being in the school El- Rufai chose for his child.

But can El- Rufai choose another public school in that same Kaduna as a reflection of his trust in the system? A school this time with no N195m upgrades and renovation as reported by the media? The social media jubilation and commendation is a dance of illusion. It is amazing how one shot of a camera, one image uploaded online and one picture taken with such fanfare could rewrite the harsh reality of public education in Nigeria.

The titling of this piece regardless, the schooling of El Rufaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son is not my concern in this piece. If Abubakar requests not to go today or tomorrow and his father obliges, good and fine. Rather, the titling is to draw attention using the already created media frenzy to the much broader concerns of education reflected in the number of out-of-school children in the country amidst other concerns that incapacitate several from accessing education.

Statistically standing at 10.5million children, the children that are out-of-school are enough to populate some countries of the world. This is not only dangerous now but also later as these uneducated ones would grow into adults that later make the society.

El Rufai himself voiced this concern in his speech delivered to Northern Hibiscus, an NGO: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the largest number of poor people in the world, most of them in northern Nigeria. Nigeria also has the largest number of out- of -school children, virtually all of them in northern Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;?.

Koye-Ladele Mofehintoluwa, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í°ÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

NEWS

BUK Expels 63, Rusticates In Brief 13 over Exam Malpractices

U S Partners Edo on HumanTrafficking

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Authorities of Bayero University Kano (BUK), have expelled 63 and rusticated 13 other students for a year over their alleged involvement in various forms of examination malpractices.

A statement by the Director, Examinations, Admissions and Records (DEAR), Amina Abdullahi, made this known yesterday in a statement.

She said the action followed a recommendation earlier submitted by the Senate Committee on Examinations Misconduct

and Leakages on August 28 and approved at its 374 meeting.

The university also explained that the expelled students included 10 from the School of Postgraduate Studies, 10 from the School of Continuing Education and seven each from the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Computer Science. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, the Faculties of Education and Management Sciences have six each and Engineering, FEES and Physical Sciences four and three, respectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Faculty of Arts and

Islamic Studies have two expelled students and Faculties of Communication, Allied Health Sciences and Life Sciences have the least number of affected candidates with only one student each. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The following candidates were expelled for being involved in examinations misconduct in accordance with Category 20:17(Ai, iii, iv, v, vi, vii x, xii) General Examinations and Academic Regulations (GEAR) and 3.4.2 (Ai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; xi) General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies (GRGPS) as the case

may be,â&#x20AC;? the statement added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Senate had also rusticated 13 other candidates for one year or two semesters for their involvement in examination misconduct in accordance with Category 20:17 (Bi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bv) General Examinations and Academic Regulations, GEAR, and 3.4.2 (Ai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; xi) General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies, GRGPS, as the case may be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It equally directed that 19 other students be served with written warning letters. The candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; actions contravened category 20:17 (Ci-v).

The United States of America Government has assured its continuous committedcollaborationwithEdoStateGovernmenttofighthumantrafficking and other forms of modern slavery through the prosecution of traffickers, the protection of victims. It also commended the Nigerian government and Edo State Government for making impressive efforts at combat trafficking and illegal migration in Edo State and elsewhere. Ms Claire Oierangelo, the United States Consular General who stated this in Benin City at the launching of U.S. Consulate Girls' Mentoring and Football Programme titled: 'Goal! Strong Girls, Bright Future' held at Iyoba College, further warned about the trend in human trafficking. She stressed that though the Nigerian Government had made impressive efforts to combat trafficking and illegal migration in Edo State and elsewhere, the citizens had a responsibility to stop trafficking."The United States commends both Federal and Edo State Governments for what they have done and we encourage them to do more.

But it is also the responsibility of citizens to help stop trafficking.Through

Reps Support North-east War EďŹ&#x20AC;orts

House of Representatives yesterday promised to provide the needed legal instrument and funding for troops in the frontline to see the war on Boko Haram to quick ending.The Chairman House Adhoc Committee on thePlightofinternallyDisplacedPersons(IDPs)andHumanitarianActivities, Hon.Igariwe Enwo, made this promise during a visit to the Head of the military counter-insurgency operation in North-east (Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole), Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi in Maiduguri. Enwo, who explained that they were in Maiduguri to assess the condition of IDPs in Borno State following a motion raised by Hon. Zainab Gimba representing Ngala, Bama and Kala-Balge Federal Constituency on plight of IDPs in the North-east region.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Evolve Ways to Foster Unityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, Oyo State, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has charged Nigerians to evolve ways of fostering unity in the country in the face of multi-faceted challenges. He gave the charge yesterday, in a statement while congratulating the new Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba. He said it had become imperative for clerics across various religious divides, to always say and do things that could unify the nation and its people, than things that could engender crisis. "The project Nigeria, should primarily be the concern of all us and as such, we, the heads of religious bodies, have roles to play by always egging our followers on, to always be law-abiding.Without peace, nothing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, could be achieved," he counseled.

Ekiti to Relocate Traders

FOR HEALTHIER SOCIETY...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) cutting the tape to inaugurate De Paul Hospital of The Vincentians, Province of Nigeria, located behind Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Maryland, Enugu, yesterday. With him are the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Callistus Onaga (right) and the Hospital Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Richard I. Diala

Adamawa Doctor Gets Life Ban for Cutting off Patient's Kidneys Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja A medical doctor working at the Jimeta Clinic and Maternity, Adamawa State, Yakubu Kojiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practising licence has been withdrawn and a life ban by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) placed on him for cutting off the kidneys of a patient named Isa Hamma, who died in the process.

A tribunal set up by the council, sitting in Abuja yesterday found the doctor guilty of the 12 charges of unprofessional act against him.

While handing down the

judgement, Chairman of the tribunal, Prof. Abba Hassan, said that Koji was guilty of engaging in malpractice by failing to use his sense of judgment and honour by acceding to the demand of his patient to undergo a surgery on him.

Hassan said the respondent exhibited incompetence in the assessment of Hamma.

"He failed to correctly diagnose the illness of Hamma and advise him. He undertook a surgical operation on the patient and removed an organ he could not identify," he said.

According Hassan, the respondent also failed to refer Hamma in good time when such referral was necessary.

The tribunal chairman said: "He failed to do all that he reasonably ought to have done under the circumstances in the treatment of the patient.

The respondent violated laws 29.4d, 29.4a, 29.4g, 29.4h, 29.4i, 31, 33, 33.1, 33.0 and 43.3 of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria in 2008 Edition.

"The name of Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, is hereby struck out of the register of the Medical and

Dental Council of Nigeria."

Koji was said to have failed to conduct his medical duty in accordance with standard decorum and by methods adjudged acceptable and appropriate in the generality of the registered members of the Medical profession in the treatment of one Isa Hamma, a patient under his care.

The tribunal further found Koji guilty of not passing the details and medical history and treatment of Isa Hamma, to Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, when he referred the patient to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

I Kill for Power,Benue Killer-kidnap KingpinTells Police George Okoh in Makurdi In continuation of the fight against crime in Benue State, the Benue Police Command in Makurdi yesterday paraded the leader of the kidnapping gang that specialises in killing and burying their victims in shallow graves.

The police also disclosed that it arrested 40 persons in connection with armed robbery and kidnap cases, recovered 23 arms, 17 live ammunition, 12 cartridges, and charged eight kidnap/robbery cases to court for investigation.

According to the Benue State Police Commissioner, Mukaddas Garba, the gang leader Iorwuese Ikpila and five others were arrested in Gbaste Ushongo when the police got information on the activities of the gang. He said, "Intelligence was gathered that a kidnap/robbery gang operates within Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Upon receipt of this information a crack squad was deployed to the area for investigation. On 21/09/2019 at about 1630hrs, the gang leader, one Iorwuese Ikpila, and five other suspects all men of

Mbagwaza council ward, Ushongo were arrested in connection with the case. During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they have been armed robbers operating within Zone A, Ukum, Kwande, Kastina-Ala and Ushongo Local Government Area who opted for kidnapping as a result of tight deployment of security operatives on the highways.

He said the gang kidnapped sixteen (16) persons, robbed them of their vehicles, motorcycles and other belongings, killed their victims, buried the corpses and planted

cassava on the graves as a way of covering the crime.

According to him, further investigation led to the discovery of 16 shallow graves. Eleven corpses had been exhumed and identified by their family members. "Areceiver of the properties stolen by the gang; one Shizoon Nyityo of Zaki-Biam has also been arrested. Items recovered from the suspects include; one locally made single barrel gun, a rope used by the gang members to strangulate their victims and assorted charms.

Investigation is still in progress," he stated.

Inabidtopreventavoidablelossoflives,theEkitiStateGovernmenthas unfoldedplanstorelocatetradersplyingtheirtradeonmajorhighwaysand roadstodesignatedmarkets.TheDeputyGovernor,ChiefBisiEgbeyemi disclosedthisyesterday,atseparatemeetingswithmarketwomenleaders,OhanaezeNdigbowithsomerepresentativesofIgbotradersinhis officeinAdoEkitionFriday. InastatementbyOdunayoOgunmola,the SpecialAssistantonMediatotheDeputyGovernor,heexplainedthat governmentwasconcernedaboutthesafetyoftraderscarryingoutthe theirbusinessesonhighways,roadmediansandroadsidesnotingthat themovewouldpreventdisastersandprovideenvironmentconducive to them. The Deputy Governor explained that the administration of GovernorKayodeFayemiwasdeterminedtofulfilltheelectioneering campaign promises made to market women and Igbo traders during theelectionperiod.

2019 Young Wigs Conference

TheYoungWigs Conference, an annual conference aimed at orientating young lawyers and law school students on what to expect after school and in the course of their legal practice has held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Tagged 'Divergence', the event which started in the year 2015 in Port Harcourt, had several practicing lawyers in attendance that facilitated on various issues. Speaking at the conference, the convener, Inemesit Dike said the conference was meant to serve as a pathway for young lawyers and students of law school to avoid certain professional mistakes. "It was birthed out of the issues I had when I got out of law school, I fell flat on my face many times, I made many mistakes that I could have avoided if I had more information available to me.

Tambuwal Swears-in Advisers

Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Amino WaziriTambuwal yesterday inaugurated 40 special advisers. Among those who were inaugurated were Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu the secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and Muhammad Ahmed Bello the Special Advisers to the governor on Media and Public Affairs. Speaking shortly after the appointees took the oath of office at International Conference Centre, Sokoto, Tambuwal said their appointmenst were based on merit . He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience to bring about good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state ."You are close to the people you have to relate with them to know their problems," he said. The governor stressed the need for them to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the people while urging them to be transparent and accountable in all their dealings.

TechnoServe Trains 300 Youths Aspartofitsplantobuildcompetitivebusinesses,aswellastacklingyouths unemployment in developing countries, a non-governmental organisation, TechnoServe Nigeria has trained 300 unemployed youths in Abuja and Enugu State. The training under the Pan-African Youth Entrepreneur Empowerment Programme (PAYED), and funded by Citi Foundation was aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the country. Speaking with THISDAYduring the graduating ceremony of the participants yesterday in Abuja, the acting Country Director ofTechnoServe, Ms. Ayokanmi Ayuba, said that the mission of the organisation was to work with enterprising people - men, women and youths to build competitive businesses, farms and industries.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

NEWS

Unpaid Salaries: ASUU Cries Out Over Increasing Deaths Among EKSU Lecturers Victor Ogunje Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;

Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), Ekiti State University (EKSU) chapter, has cried out over increasing rate of deaths and illnesses among members over unpaid salaries spanning over nine months.

The academic body said it would no longer tolerate or cooperate with the university authority over unpaid salaries and wages.

Addressing a press conference at EKSU in Ado Ekiti yesterday, ASUU chairman, Dr. Kayode Arogundade, explained that the geometric increase in the wage bill of the university from N380 million to N502 million caused the inability of the institution to pay up to date. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The academic community of the university has become a source of scorn, ridicule and victim of embarrassment from the members

ON THE WOLRD STAGE ...

L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the UNGA74 in New York ...recently

Buhari Meets Nigerian Youths in New York over Climate Change Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in New York met with some Nigerian youths where he gave insight into severe climate challenges confronting the country.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari met with the youngsters under the aegis of Nigerian Youthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Climate Group shortly before departing the United States for Abuja at the conclusion of his engagements on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General

Assembly (UNGA74).

According to the statement, the president blamed Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience on climate change on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proximity to Sahara Desert, shrinking Lake Chad, population explosion and insufficient rainfall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is a neighbour to the Sahara Desert; Lake Chad is shrinking while population is exploding. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a challenging situation. With less land, less rainfall, these are very unique problems for the country,â&#x20AC;? he was quoted as saying.

The statement also said Buhari lauded the youths for representing Nigeria at UNGA

as Climate Change champions, telling them â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is good you are participating so that you can appreciate the problems older people are having.â&#x20AC;?

Adesina also quoted Esther Agbarakwe, one of the leaders of the youth group as saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the first time we are seeing a President sit with us. It gives us hope.

We young people understand the problems, and are in the vanguard of advocacy. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Change Department works with us for solutions.â&#x20AC;?

Adesina said Agbarakwe also

acknowledged the support the group was receiving from the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed and the Ministry of Environment, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are in it together.â&#x20AC;?

He also quoted another leader of the group, Hamzat Lawal, as saying the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment was to find solution to problems in Sahel Region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We seek solutions to problems in the Sahel region. If we provide solutions to the Sahel, the world will be at peace. You have announced planting of 25 million trees and we youths plan to match it,â&#x20AC;? Lawal said.

of the larger society, owing largely to inability to live up to their family expectations. We view this with serious concerns, moreso that the university has not shown enough commitment to staff welfare. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ASUU as a matter of urgency and civility impresses it on the management to pay up all the nine months outstanding salary of workers with immediate effect,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Arogundade said except the university pay up all salaries, that he could no longer guarantee good working relationship between his members and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eddy Olanipekun, who is a former ASUU chairman in EKSU and Ilorin zone.

The ASUU boss urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to implement the outcome of the Prof. Bode Asubiojo-led visitation panel, which vividly addressed the issues of tax, wage bill and other academic issues in the university.

Expert Suggests Ways to Access $60bn Prosper Africa Funding Bennett Oghifo

The Nigerian business community and the organised private sector have been advised to devise potent strategies that would enable them access the $60 billion Prosper Africa Initiative and other Global Africa funding for Africa projects and business ventures.

Chinese President XI Jinping, last year, in Kenya, announced $60 billion funding over the next three years at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAL).

FOCAL is designed to accelerate Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engagement with Africa, regarding financial support.

Vice Chairman, China-Africa Business Council, Chief Diana Chen gave the advice while speaking at the Global Capital Strategy Session 2019 at the Nigerian Stock Exchange Lagos.

Chief Chen, who also is the Chairman, Choice International Group (CIG), advised that it was time Nigerians moved to access the

funding and attract investments to grow and transform businesses, and importantly peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives in Nigeria.

She said it was not all about the money but how efficiently the money could be utilised to transform peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would only take Nigerians to trigger development in the country and not the outside world,â&#x20AC;? she added.

According to her, the Nigerian business community should immediately come together under one umbrella to invent strategies that would enable it access the funding seamlessly, while also making the best use of it, she advised.

Nikky Okoye Organisation, facilitators of the Global Capital Strategy Session 2019, titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;$60 billion Prosper Africa Initiative and other Global Capital funding for African Prospects and Business Venturesâ&#x20AC;? said: the session was aimed at helping the business community devise technicalities of accessing the funding.

IPAC President Advocates Political Oyetola Meets LAUTECH Management, ASUU to Avert Strike Party Registration Commission Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State has met with the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) over the threat by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on strike.

The governor, who is attending the UNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 74th General Assembly, was represented at the meeting by the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi, while the LAUTECH delegation to the meeting, was led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ologunde.

ASUU had on Wednesday threatened to embark on strike because Osun was owing its members two monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arrears of salaries.

But the representatives of ASUU at the meeting disowned the content of the story as published by most online and traditional media outlets, saying there was no time the union ever singled out Osun as being responsible for the delay in paying their salaries.

The union was represented at the meeting by Dr. Olaniyan Olatunji, Welfare Officer, and Chief Adeniyi Adediran.

The unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim that it did not single out Osun in its communique was supported by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Ologunde, who read from the copy of the communique to buttress their argument.

To this end, the governor requested ASUU to issue a rejoinder, since it was disowning the report that accused Osun wrongly with regard to the running of LAUTECH. On the salaries being owed ASUU, the governor said, â&#x20AC;&#x153; As a state, we have never been found wanting in the discharge of our responsibility and we will never waver in our duties to our citizens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The arrangement was that when Oyo is paying salaries of the workers in LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, we will be paying that of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, here in Osogbo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But since 2013, we have been

paying that of Osogbo alone.

In addition to that, we were still contributing to LAUTECH Ogbomoso.

In fact, in 2017, when it was agreed that we should pay N1 billion each, we paid ours. But did our sister state pay? Mr. VC, I am asking you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The records are with the university management. We make our releases promptly. Whatever grey areas that need to be sorted out will be done between the two states. I appeal to ASUU to extend its ultimatum by another week.

Before the expiration, we would have met to decide the way forward,â&#x20AC;? Oyetola added.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, who confirmed at the meeting that Oyo State did not pay the said N1 billion but only made some payments by instalment, appealed to Osun and Oyo governments to save the institution from losing its rating as one of the best universities in the country.

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Worried by the numbers of registered political parties and attendant shortcomings in Nigeria, the National President, Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh yesterday advocated the establishment of Political Party Registration Commission.

He spoke yesterday at the annual Democracy Lecture/ Merit Award with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;2019 General Elections in Nigeria Post Mortem: Curbing Electoral Challenges: Panacea to Democratic Valuesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organised by Osun State chapter of IPAC. Chief Ameh also said for credible and acceptable elections in Nigeria, electronic transmission of results is inevitable for future elections.

According to him, there will be less litigations if and when electronic voting and electronic transmission of results are incor-

porated into our electoral process.

Ameh who also called for electoral reform that would encourage conducive atmosphere for credible election adding that all registered political parties under the umbrella of IPAC should unite to make democracy flourish in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, Osun State IPAC chapter chairman, Prince Bello Adebayo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant stakeholders for the success of 2019 general elections.

He urged Osun State governor to provide good governance and embrace all-inclusive government he professes.

In his lecture, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Olusegun Agbaje identified funding as a major challenge to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adding that late release of funds to the electoral body affects logistics.

He noted that the attendant bureaucracy in releasing funds to INEC should be relaxed because according to him, when funds were released late, it affects logistics.

According to him, amendment to the Electoral Act was inevitable so that some hindrance to easy electoral process might be removed to ensure acceptable results.

He urged politicians to change their attitudes to politicking adding that election should not be a do or die affair.

In his remarks, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola urged politicians to always dialogue and brainstorm to nurture the nation democracy.

He said the dialogue would form foundation for building strong democratic values to erect a peaceful, prosperous and developed nation.

The governor also advised politicians to brainstorm to arrive at future solutions to the challenges of the elections.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

NEWS

Gunmen Kidnap 2 Senior NSCDC Officers in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Gunmen were reported to have abducted two senior officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on their way to Benin city, Edo State capital.

The two officers identified as Francis Okunwe, the Area Commander of the Edo North Area Command who is an Assistant Corps of the NSCDC; and the

Divisional Officer of Irrua, Chief Superintended of Corps (CSC) Albert Egauvoen were said to have been kidnapped on their way to Benin City.

It was gathered that because of bad state of the Benin-Auchi highway, the two officers decided to travel through Igueben when they were attacked at Ewosaa before Ekpon near Ebele in Igueben Local Government Area.

The incident was said to have

occurred around 2p.m. and sources from Edo North area said the Toyota Sienna car they were travelling in had been recovered from where it was abandoned just as it was gathered that some personnel of the NSCDC had been deployed to the area.

According to a source, “They were on their way to Benin but because of the bad state of portions along the Auchi–Benin Road, they decided to pass through Igueben to cut off the bad spots but unfortunately the incident happened around Ewossa before Ekpon.”

When contacted yesterday, Spokesperson, Edo State Command of NSCDC, Efosa Ogbebor could not confirm the incident but promised to call back when he gets detailed report of what happened.

However, the Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed confirmed the incident, saying “a combined operation of security agencies in the state had been deployed to apprehend the abductors.”

DPR Raises the Alarm over Operators’ Non-compliance Peter Uzoho with agency report The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has stated that operators in the downstream sub-sector of Nigerian oil and gas industry are increasingly flouting Standard Operating Procedures bordering on health, safety and environmental in their operations.

According to NAN, the acting Director of the DPR, Mr. Ahmad Shakur, disclosed the ugly trend at the annual zonal meeting of the department in Owerri, recently, saying, there was high level of non-compliance with the regulatory framework of the downstream sector by some key stakeholders.

Shakur, who was represented at the meeting by the agency’s Head of Downstream Monitoring and Regulation, Mr. Alaku Musa, said the trend had constituted major setbacks in the industry.

He stressed the need for collaboration amongst stakeholders in order to drive compliance.

He said the industry had been plagued with various challenges of operations and regulation including sub-optimal refining capacity utilisation, long-time neglect and under-utilisation of inland depots, adding that this had given rise to an increase in importation of petroleum products at exorbitant costs.

The director maintained that DPR had consciously embraced emerging trends by initiating and implementing several projects and activities starting with the automation of

some processes and procedures to address challenges.

According to him, the introduction of digital technology to improve operations could change the oil and gas industry landscape, especially in driving economic viability and the future of the sector.

“The DPR has made some new innovations in its operations in order to serve the public better and carry its statutory responsibilities more efficiently and effectively.

One of the innovations is the full implementation of online processing of downstream licenses, permits and approvals.

“These were achieved through the Retail Outlets Monitoring System (ROMS), Depots System (DEPOT), Import and Export Permit (IMPEX), Lube Blending Plant System (LBL), Coastal Vessel License System (CVL), and Refinery Operations System (RPL),” Shakur said.

He further stated that the department intended to use this to drive transformation through optimising their regulatory roles ranging from inspections, surveillance to monitoring compliance and enforcement.

While reassuring new and existing businesses, the DPR chief reiterated the call for compliance with regulations and guidelines, especially as it concerns safety in various operations.

He, however, assured stakeholders that the oil and gas industry guidelines and regulations were investor-friendly, designed to ensure operators safely, efficiency and effectiveness.

Jasper Jumbo Decries Poor Implementation of NDDC Mandate Olaoluwakitan Babatunde The Chairman of Niger Delta Projects Consortium, Prof. Jasper Jumbo, who wrote the blue print for the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC and its fore-runner OMPADEC has lamented the poor state of affairs at the NDDC. In a 23 page presentation he made to the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on Abandoned Projects on Wednesday, he traced the origin of the interventionist agencies and the sacrifices the founding fathers of the Niger Delta made to establish the Commission in order to improve the lot of the Niger Delta inhabitants.

He regretted that the main aims and objectives of the Commission to attract massive infrastructural development projects to the area and provide employment to the teeming youths had been

abandoned, as contracts are allegedly being awarded to influence peddlers and political contractors, instead of genuine businessmen and indigenes of the constituent states of the Commission.

He disclosed that the provision in the NDDC Act which provides for location of infrastructure in the constituent states, in accordance with their oil production statistics had been neglected and frowned at the practice where contracts of the Commission are being hawked and sold openly by agents of the Commission staff.

He further disclosed that they, the founding fathers of the Commission had been holding the restive youths of the area from returning to militancy, as they are being frustrated by the massive corruption and inadequacies of the management of the Commission.

He requested the Probe Panel to look into the reasons for nonpayment for completed projects with certificates while other projects are paid for and abandoned.

GOLDEN MOMENT...

L-R: Senator Magnus Abe; Mrs. Inaingo Sunny Amadi and MD/CEO, Sunnik Ventures, Engineer Sunny Amadi, during his 50th birthday bash in Port Harcourt, Rivers State...recently

Women Representation in Elective Offices Very Appalling, Laments Yakubu Chuks Okocha in Abuja As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences the review of the 2019 general elections, the chairman of the commission, Prof. Manhood Yakubu has rated women representations in elective offices across the country as very appalling.

The INEC chairman who spoke at the review of the general election seminar on gender participation, said that the ratio of women elected into offices in the last general elections was very poor when compared with other African countries.

According to the INEC chairman, “It is appalling that despite a general commitment to the principle of non-discrimination as enshrined in Section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, the country falls short of the deserved result of giving males and females equal opportunities to advance socially, politically and economically.”

He further said, “Evidences abound of several negative aspects of gender relations such as disparities between male and female access to power and resources. These played out in the last general elections. INEC, as a gender responsive organisation

and Election Management Body committed to inclusive elections, is interested in interrogating all factors that played out before and during the elections and how it affected women.”

He explained that the roles different stakeholders played in encouraging or hindering women’s participation will be relevant in the meeting and how to consistently change the narrative.

The 2019 general election activities and engagements, he said showed high level participation of women in the electoral process as aspirants but due to barriers they regressed in the number that won elections.

Moreover, he said that the party primaries amongst others fell short of expectations as many women could not secure tickets to represent their parties.

Giving instances of poor representations during the last elections, he said, “only five out of the 73 candidates who ran for the position of President were women, 1,668 men and 232 women vied for the 109 Senatorial seats while 4,139 men and 533 women contended for 360 seats in the House of Representatives.

“At the end of the election, only seven women won Senatorial seats and 11 were elected into the House of Representatives while four were elected as deputy Governors.”

FUOYE : Fayemi Clears Victims’ Bills Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has taken over the medical and funeral expenses of victims of the violent protest held at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti(FUOYE) in fulfilment of his promise during a state wide broadcast recently.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Chief Security Officer to the governor, Mr. Ajayi Adeyanju, who was directed by the governor to ensure all victims were taken care of.

Adeyanju said other actions would be taken by government after receiving the outcome of the panels set up by the Police and the university authorities to investigate the protest that resulted in the death of two undergraduates and left many, including two policemen injured.

Fayemi’s Chief Security Officer, said two of the injured, who were still being treated at LASUTH Ikeja and FMC Ido Ekiti, were reported to be recuperating well.

“The multiple investigations into the incident are aimed at identifying those responsible for the degeneration of the protest and ensure justice for the dead students.

“The report of the investigations are expected to be presented to the State Government by end of September.

“We have taken care of the bills of those receiving treatments and those already buried. We are looking at all sides and justice will be done to all sides in this matter,” he said.

The governor had, in his broadcast, expressed government’s regrets and resolve to get to the bottom of the incident.

Fayemi expressed sadness at the unfortunate incident, reiterating the

rights of citizens to protest and the need for the police to explore less fatal prone ways to manage citizens unrest.

The two students who lost their lives, late Kehinde Dada

and Joseph Okonofua, have since been buried in Usi Ekiti and Edo State respectively. Ekiti State had earlier paid a condolence visit to the bereaved families and participated in their funeral ceremonies.

Late Madam Obabiolorunkosi The Obabiolorunkosi family has announced the death of their matriarch, Madam Veronica Bolaji Obabiolorunkosi (Nee Oladunjoye) aged 104 years. A statement by the family said the body of the late Bolaji Obabiolorunkosi, a.k.a Mama Aderemi would be laid to rest on Saturday October 10 after a funeral service at Christ Church Cathedral, Ifaki Street, Ijero-Ekiti. Reception will follow at Boulevard Hall along Aramoko Road, opposite Omoboriowo Villa, Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Obabiolorunkosi

Plus

Rita EzenwaOkoro Street Project Foundation Moves to Reduce Youth Unemployment

GLOBAL SOCCER FASHION FILE FAIRGROUND SHOWBIZFLAIR

pg. 29 pg. 20 pg. 36 pg. 43

Allen Onyema Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Always Been a Man of Peace, At Age Eight, I Engendered Reconciliation Between My Father and His Brother

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

PLUS What was your childhood like? y childhood was good.

I have always been an adventurous child right from the beginning. Even among my peers; I have always been saying or suggesting some things that we should do and they will like... not achievable, we can’t do this as a kind of answer and in those days, I will undertake to do those things myself.

At the age of eight, I saw my father and his elder brother fighting and I didn’t like that.

In order to bring about peaceful resolution of their issues, I ran after my father’s elder brother. I ran away from the house and was able, with the help of people, to locate where he was living in a remote village somewhere. Remember I was living with my parents in the city and as should be, they were looking for me. They brought me to his house from the garage, when he saw me, he sent for his brother that your son is in my house o, so, my father didn’t do anything about it and I was the only son then. That was the beginning of the end of their feud. So I have been a peaceful person in my life, so at the age of eight – nine years, I had already engendered one successful reconciliation between feuding brothers, that was me. In all my life, I have been doing things like that.

M

Where were you born and in what circumstances?

We were living in Benin and there was a festival going on in the village and my mother went home as most women went home for that festival. Two days before she was to go back, she started having pains.

The hospital where she was undergoing antenatal was in Benin all these while, my father had gone back after the festival and my mother was to join the following week.

That same day she was to go back to Benin she started having labour and my father had gone back to Benin with his car so nobody to take her to the hospital. They were to trek to the hospital; coming out of her own house, she had done barely 500 meters and she couldn’t hold it any longer so she branched into another clansmen’s house and had me right there. So I was born in somebody’s home. Message was sent to my Dad and he sent his driver back to the village and they took us back to Benin maybe after two weeks or so. So I grew up in Benin a little bit and some other in Warri and that also shaped the way I think because right from childhood, I started mingling with people from other tribes and I didn’t see them as different. So my love for people transcend ethnicity and religion and all those kind of considerations.

Tell us some fond memories and adventures as a child?

Onyema

I’ve Always Been a Man of Peace, At Age Eight, I Engendered Reconciliation Between My Father and His Brother He is blind to race and place; only sees people. He has been a detribalised restive soul from infancy which metamorphosed into chilling childhood adventures. He practicalises virtually every imagination that comes to his mind, leading to only possibility notions. That’s Chief Allen Onyema, owner of Air Peace Airlines. He does not retaliate any wrong but when unjustifiably inflicted with pain, nature always avenges for him. Onyema shares the story of how he started life, value for women, general attitude to life and more with Charles Ajunwa and Ahamefula Ogbu. Excerpts.

See, I have always been an adventurous person right from childhood and when as an adventurous child, there was no room for pampering, nobody pampered me even though I was the only son. My father was not rich, he wasn’t poor; how do you judge someone who was feeding well? Had cars, so I was born into that kind of family, seeing my father having all those kind of things, so we were okay but I refused to be okay; I refused to belong, I was like a street boy because I was always playing, I was always on the street looking for my friends. I could go without food for 24 hours growing up.

What use to give me joy was whenever I was with my friends. Once I was in company of my friends, I never remembered food. I use to be very slim; it was my wife that taught me how to eat. Before, I could go 24 hours I won’t eat, I will just be drinking Coke. It was when I married that I started eating. If you look at my wedding picture you will see how slim I was, food was never one of my preferences; I never disturbed myself about food but a good crowd was always my preference, so growing up, I did not allow anybody to pamper me, my father was not the type to pamper a child, neither my mother. I was the only son for a long time and when I was to go to secondary school, some of my father’s friends would tell him to go and cook your son o, you know those days people would say you need to do this you need to do that but my father never believed in all those trash; my father never believed in juju and he brought us up like that to the extent that none of us in my family believes that there is anything like juju.

Some pastors will even say oh there are principalities and there is juju but we don’t believe; we just look at it as another form of 419. We don’t believe because if you

ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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PLUS hand to throw it away. The only thing that may affect us is what you eat but to say you sit down in one place and conjure up something, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it in my family because that was how we were brought up.

My father never stopped me because I could play football from morning till night.

I have a wound by the side of my laps, I got that wound because my mother was pursuing me, I ran and fell. I was a good child but not always staying at home was a problem, I always looked forward for morning, I never liked sleeping and till date I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sleep. Most times I go to bed 3a.m., 3:30a.m. and I could wake up 5:30a.m. and I have come to realise that it is not good but I have been like that since childhood because I always looked forward to going to meet my friends so that we play football, sports, I love sports. I was adventurous, there was a day a vehicle was passing in front of our house, I think that was in Onitsha and I just looked at it, looked at it and I said what if I stoned this car now? I was a kid, either 10 years or so and I picked a stone and threw on the windscreen gbaaa, I just wanted to try whether it will break and the man screeched to a halt and I took to my heels and ran away. Because of that I knew they will beat me and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come back, I was in the bush till the next day, they were looking for me and my mom was crying. It was adventure.

Because of adventure, I danced for these people that vend drugs in the streets, those people who used to play Congo music those days. I was in primary school and my parents never knew I was doing that because one day we closed from school and were going home, we saw those people selling medicine, playing music and dancing and we told the man we can dance o, so the man recruited us and we started dancing. I was just less than 10 years old so we started dancing for the man. Every morning on my way to school I will dance and the man was using us. He gave us singlet, then raffia palm on our waist with bells on our legs and we will be dancing and people will be throwing money; at the end of the day, he will just give us only puff puff and ice water until one day someone told my dad that I saw your son on Bida Road dancing.

So someone asked my father, Michael, why should you of all people with your money allow your son to be dancing for people and my father said what are you talking about, that was how he drove to the place and almost committed murder.

Beating you?

No. The man, I was only a kid. I was enjoying the popularity, oh look at that boy that dances for JC, so everybody loved us. We were not dancing it for money, just the fun, we were enjoying ourselves but it was going to affect our education, even at times, my sisters would say brother, you know you would have been one useless person by now if something didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen that stopped you from these adventures, it was an adventure and we were enjoying it dancing for the man. I could sing all those Congo songs and you think I understand Congo language because whatever you learn as a kid you will hardly forget it. In fact, when I meet some Congolese and I sing for them at times, they marvel. During my fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burial recently, I went on stage and performed with Ebenezer Obe, I went on stage with Rough Coin and I think I did the same thing with KC the Popo Master and they were shocked but Ebenezer Obeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own, because my father used to like Ebenezer Obe. So growing up as a kid, we used to listen to Obe a lot in my house. Even though I schooled in University of Ibadan, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t speak Yoruba much but I understand it, not everything anyway but I love Obeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music till date, that was why when my father died I decided to honour him by bringing Obe to perform and that day I was on stage performing with Ebenezer Obe, singing it very well.

Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t being adventurous get you into trouble with your parents?

No, because I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really indulge in vices, my adventure is I might sit down here and be thinking , let us try and manufacture medicine; then we go into the bush and be plucking leaves and try to mix them together. If we are playing football and somebody sustains injury, we will say let us try and invent something that can be curing wounds, those were the type of things I was doing and I will pluck some leaves, squeeze them, extract the juices, mix them, even stems from trees then we put it on and it will be very painful but in the end those

Onyema and his wife, Alice

wounds would be gone.

So there was no time you played pranks?

The only pranks I played was dancing for medicine sellers and throwing stone at someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s windscreen to see if my stone could break it.

How were you able to combine such restive life with education?

I was a brilliant child. I was very intelligent, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if I am still intelligent now. Even up to secondary and university, my friends will tell you; I will be playing football, I am a sports person, all I need is to see your notes, I may not have attended the class. I could read anywhere, I could prepare for my exams in a party; once I am determined to do something I will do it. I could be there and other students dancing and the inspiration comes, I start reading there. I never read anything twice, any note, once I read it, I never go back to it again and I will now come back to teaching the others and they will marvel. I was not involved in pranks, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t smoke, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink and still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drink or smoke. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t involve myself in anything. I use to flock around women a lot growing up but I never knew woman till I was in the university because I respect women, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that women should be sex objects. Women have far more useful values than being sex objects, you know a lot of men see women from the point of sex, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Women are my best friends.

Seeing you are now very successful and prominent, how do you handle very beautiful women throwing themselves at you?

Very easy. Because I am not seeing her the same way every other man is seeing her. I see her like a human being like I would see every other man and that a woman is coming after me does not make me lose respect for her, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Some guys if a woman tries to toast them or something they will start telling everybody, no, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean I will fall for that but I understand where she is coming from, she sees a man she likes, she wants to become your friend, so when they get close they see that I am too deep, and

when they notice that I am too deep, those of them who may have wanted something beyond friendship will start regretting ever making such moves because they want to be your friend for life and they know going beyond that could cause frictions. I have a lot of friends and they could tell me anything, the same way they discuss with fellow women and I respect women because I love my mother.

What then is your guilty pleasure?

Do I have any guilty pleasure? In fact the only guilt I feel is not having enough time with my children but thank God for the kind of wife I have. I live for other people.

All these things you see I do, I do it for other people, I work hard to keep other people happy and sometimes, I neglect my family. My son said one day, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Daddy do you know we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know you because you are always working.â&#x20AC;? I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any social life; my life begins from my house to the office, my office home. I use to club perhaps 10 or 20 years ago but not anymore, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any social life now.

Where did you get the character strength you exude; from your Dad or Mom? I took from both. I like both of them equally. I am very close to all of them and my character trait from both parents too.

My parents were very kind, however my father was stronger and firmer. My mother was overtly kind and may not be able to know when somebody should be put in his place and I imbibed that trait from my mother too. I took the other side from my father, so a good mixture for me.

What was the relationship between you and other siblings given your adventurous nature?

We had a cordial relationship but I used to beat my immediate younger sister, Tina a lot. Oh God! I never liked her because she was talking too much, so we were always fighting and I was always beating her because she would never keep her mouth shut but now she is the closest to me. Those attributes of her are still there, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try her but we were children then.

For a man who sees women beyond the physical, how did you meet your wife?

I went to Abuja to do a job for my principal then, Chief Nwizugbe and Co, I met her in Abuja. When I saw her, I said kai, I like this Hausa girl because she was dressed in northern wear and I told her that I would want to marry her and that was not a good approach, so she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find that funny. First of all I was in my early 20s talking about marriage. She was a Youth Corper and her friends told her that Igbo, especially Anambra men donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t marry early until they were in their 40s which was a lie or maybe it was happening in those days, so she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take me seriously, she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the approach. I trailed her to the place of her primary assignment, which was the Corporate Affairs Commission and told her that I mean it and really want to marry her but she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe me until I did a lot of flying to Abuja to and fro every morning till one morning my sister was going to get wedded and I was buying stuff for my sister, kind of send forth items, fridges, television beds and all sort and when I got home, my mom said â&#x20AC;&#x153;you need to tell us who your girlfriend is? Your dad and I have been talking about it.â&#x20AC;? I was shy because I never had that type of discussion with my parents like marriage and girlfriends because I was too young. At night, about 3am, I felt someone sitting by my side and that was my mom, she woke me up. You know when parents want to tell you they want something and are serious about it, she said they were serious about what they told me. I asked her why she was interested in girlfriend, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have. Already I had started making money in Lagos and was living in a guest house instead of a normal house; so they felt I was living a careless life but I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

What happened was I had a lot of friends, I faced my property, real estate business, so I was buying and lawyers were coming to take my property to sell and I give them commission. I was big. I already started being big by 1991. For my friends, I will pay for rooms for them; while they were there with their girlfriends. I would be in the bush looking for fallow lands to buy and sell. So I was very busy but my friends were busy enjoying the money with their girlfriends.

So, when they enter into trouble, my name will come out in soft sells and they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like it. My dad told me he wanted me to get married in five year time, however â&#x20AC;?we want to know who that person would be, stay with one person so that me your mom and your uncles can go and meet the parents of the girl so that in five yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time, you will be mature.â&#x20AC;? I said okay, no problem. In the morning I went to her and said I have seen someone I want to marry but she is Hausa and my mom said Hausa, I said yes and she asked do you like her I said yes, do you love her, I said yes. Meanwhile I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know my wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full name, I only know her as that Hausa girl and she was pretty and she looked like one of my cousins too and I said this one looks like us, that was another attraction. She said â&#x20AC;&#x153;do you like her, I said yes and she said ehn, she is a human being.â&#x20AC;?

Why I told my mom that was so that her fellow women would not be harassing her.

You know to Igbo, anybody after Nsukka is Hausa, Benue is Hausa, everywhere is Hausa. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell them I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know her full name and I thought she was Muslim but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t discriminate based on religion. My mom told my Dad, who said he even liked it that way.

They asked me to invite her to my sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding so they can see her. That became a problem for me because the girl has not agreed to talk to me or have anything to do with me. I got back to Lagos, went to Abuja and told her my parents want to see you and that also angered her. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know me yet your parents want to see me. To her, I was trying to use marriage to get her down and she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like that.

I tried to convince her, to cut a long story short, few other people talked and I am sure she started seeing other people liking me in their office and that must have sent her some signals. She agreed and we went together for my sisterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding. That was the first and last she was to see my mother because my mother died without any atom of symptom of kidney failure. She was never diagnosed of that before. Within four days of feeling feverish, they said her kidney failed, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how I lost my mother. I now decided and married her. I was very close to my mother, I loved my mother so much, very peaceful woman. That was how I told my father thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the girl and he asked if I was ready and I said yes, that was how I got into early marriage, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my story.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

Fashion File

KOLZ Brand

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

FASHION FILE

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Kolz Brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collections are casual and ceremonial - both male and female.

Names of the collections include Merry Men, Koltage, Sassy sisi, Ankara Sauce and Effizzy.

Ajisafe Kolawole Ojo is the CEO KOLZ Brand.

He is a native of Osun State but born in Zaria, Kaduna State. The KOLZ Brand boss was born into a family with vast experiences in quality textile products. After some years, he decided

to start his own clothing line: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know the fashion industry is very competitive but even amid this, I thought of standing out and producing quality products that are affordable. I had to source for my materials myself, since I have a good background with textiles and combining them with shirts.â&#x20AC;?

His passion for music also is a drive for this brand, because it covers all sectors of life.

21

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Treasurer, Dr Alonge Babatunde; 2nd Vice President, Dr. Fowokan Titilayo; President, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun; 1st Vice President, Ogbonnaya Donatus; and Secretary, Edobor Pius, all of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Lagos State chapter, during the association’s training for members and non-members in Lagos ... recently

L-R: Chairman, Apapa Local Govt., Hon. Adele Owolabi; Customs Area Controller, Abba Kura; Exec.

Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni; Ports Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority, Apapa, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu; and MD. APM Terminals, Mr. Martin Jacob, during the clean-up and evacuation of refuse exercise along Apapa-Wharf corridor, organised by APM terminals in partnership with LAWMA, at Apapa, Lagos… recently

Foundation Gives Lagos Schools FaceLift In line with its objective of improving learning outcomes in public primary schools, the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation (BAF), has inducted not less than 75 Head Teachers in Lagos for its 2019-2020 Education Intervention Programme.

The 75 teachers are beneficiaries of the foundation’s continous in-service training for Primary School Teachers (CITPPST) designed as part of BAF’s efforts to fulfill its drive to improve learning outcomes in public primary schools in Lagos State.

BAF also disclosed that it had concluded plans to retrain 1054 public primary school teachers as part of its programmes for the 2019-2020 session.

Speaking during the flag-off of the programme, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Hamzat, lauded the foundation’s efforts since inception, which he confessed that had yielded results in the state in terms of education and economic growth.

Represented by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, he affirmed that Lagos had education as part of its priorities,

hence, its support for BAF. He explained that on the part of the state, it had developed three key strategies to enhance learning outcomes, which include : strengthening the curriculum, improve infrastructure as well as the learning space. He also charged the newly inducted head teachers to be more proactive in their approach to teaching and learning.

He said, “As part of our commitments to education, the present administration has agreed to increase education allocation year in year out,which it has already effected this year.

The pursuit for education is a task for all and so we enjoin all stakeholders to join us in this noble cause for a greater tomorrow “ At the occassion, Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, expressed optimism in the activities of the foundation to improve literacy level of Nigerians and urged public-spirited persons to support its cause for a better outcome.

“Education is the vehicle for sustainable development. We all need to be actively involved in

contributing to this global commitment. Various efforts have been on to change the literacy level of citizens in the country which is still at an alarmingly low rate hovering around 40-50 per cent according to different reports. Therefore , the onus is on all of us to work more strategically, to show the effect of various education interventions on our society and ensuring equitable distribution of necessary resources, to effectively achieve the ambitious goal of attaining quality education for all”.

On his part, Board Chairman of BAF, Mr Babatunde Akinleye, expressed appreciation to private partners as well as Lagos state government for providing a platform that permits collaborations between government and citizens,adding that there is need to make the process more seamless.

“We are presently working with top-ranking educational consultants to provide year-long online and off line training workshops, monitoring, evaluation and one-on-one mentoring, towards the improvement of teachers in the state”, he said.

Be Strategic with New Taxes, ACFE Charges Govt The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Lagos State chapter, has urged federal government to be strategic about imposing new and increasing existing tax rates.

The association bared its mind on the tax environment during a training session it organised for ACFE members and non members in Lagos recently.

Speaking during the training, President of the Association, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, stated that a complex tax regime would scare away investors and further lure them to seek means of evading tax payment.

He added that rather than increasing taxes, government should widen the tax net such that would

accommodate more taxpayers.

Making reference to the proposed 7.5 Value Added Tax (VAT), increment, he noted that in effect, quite a lot would resort to making open market purchases and avoid structured and formal markets like Shoprite, which on the other hand, would rub off negatively on the buttom line of formal retail outlets. He said that VAT increment would also affect consumption level, disposable income and cost of doing business.

Oyedokun also cautioned government to thread softly in introducing punitive measures to aid tax compliance. According to him,”This in most cases is always counter productive as it gives room for undue negotiations and compromises from both tax

payer and tax authority respectively. While I am not completely against penalty, I would say that the authority should use it selectively and also apply palliative measures before adapting it.”

The 2nd Vice President of the association, Dr. Titilayo Fowokan, added that government could resort to moral persuasion and tax education instead of enforcing penalties.

She said: “There should be tax justice such that tax payers can see the dividends of their efforts and be willing to pay more without being forced or pushed.

Government should also strive to create an enabling environment that would make companies to generate employment.

GtBank Plans Big for Fashion Weekend Foremost financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank, has concluded plans for the 2019 edition of its annual fashion show sets to hold in Lagos.

According to the company, the event aimed to promote enterprise in Africa’s rapidly growing fashion industry, which in the last eight years, has brought together renowned fashion experts and personalities to interact with hundreds of thousands of young Africans ,who are passionate about fashion and entrepreneurship.

This year, the event is arranged to feature over 30 distinguished fashion leaders, designers and industry experts, whilst providing more than 130 indigenous small businesses with free stalls to showcase and sell Africa’s finest ensemble of apparel and fashion accessories.

The free to attend show will hold for two days and will put a spotlight on Africa’s emerging fashion industry whilst showcasing the talent and creativity of indigenous small businesses in the fashion space.

Commenting further, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the bank, Segun Agbaje, said; “Africa is home to some of the most creative fashion talents on the planet, and we are delighted and proud to provide them with a global platform that connects them to the world. As we work towards the 4th edition of the biggest fashion showcase in Africa, which holds between 9th and 10th of November, our goal is to not only showcase the wealth of talent, innovation and enterprise that abound in Africa’s fashion space, but to also grow the continent’s contribution to the global fashion industry by empowering budding entrepreneurs at home with everything they need to thrive on the world stage”.

Continuing, he said, “At the heart of the GTBank Fashion Weekend is our vision of promoting enterprise in industries where we believe that we can help small businesses grow and dominate.

Youths Empowerment Tops Agenda Glo Thrills Subscribers in at Lagos KayoKayo Festival New TV Campaign

As the 2019 edition of Kayokayo Festival climaxes today , the organisers of the programme have expressed confidence on the life changing impact of the festival among the youths of Epe community in Lagos state.

They noted that asides the cultural and social values that characterised the annual feast, this year’s activities centred more on the economic well-being of the community through meaningful investment in the youth segment.

Speaking earlier at a press conference on the 2019 edition of the feast, Festival Cordinator, Saliu Okulu, explained the purpose of the activity was to commemorate major events that shaped the Epe community including the the arrival of King Kosoko to Eko-Epe in 1851 and the new Islamic calendar year.

Providing an insight into the uniqueness of the occasion this year, Okunu stated that while the

exercise stand to sustain its past legacies, new and interesting initiatives have been brought on board to spice up the general effect of the show.

He said, for instance, as part of our commitments to the youths, we have launched a scholarship scheme to be presented to a not less than 35 tertiary students to support their education pursuit, there is also the Kayokayo empowerment raffle draw where a car and other consolatory prizes will be won as well as football competition and other activities to keep the youths engaged even after the celebrations have ended.

In particular, the Aremo of Epe Kingdom, Otunba TJ Abass, noted that the week- long programme was also designed to promote the tourism potential of Epe community and Lagos state, which informed the deliberate choice of Water Front venue for the occasion.

Indigenous Telecommunications firm, Globacom, is making a hit with its new Television commercial, TVC, that was designed to further promote its latest product, ‘Glo Amebo Offer’ The commercial features the trio of Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade, Bolaji Amusan popularly called ‘ Mr. Latin’ and Wale Akorede aka ‘Okunnu’ who combined to give the piece a loud voice and and the message a reverberating effect.

The commercial begins with Madam Amebo, acted by the legendary Ibidun Allison, of the classic Village Headmaster fame, chatting with her daughter, acted by Yvonne Jegede, who is preparing for a party, saying, “Aso ebi ati tawon golden accessories. Eso to bad!” (meaning, family party uniform complete with golden accessories) prompting her daughter to ask “Mummy is it not

too early to be dressed up?”

The conversation continued with Madam Amebo boarding a bus and answering her daughter, “Too early, ke? Sho! I don dey inside bus since now.

You think say I go miss all the small chops and all the orisirisi (different varieties of meat)… As for my women group, na KSA o or nothing at all!”.

She sits between Okunnu and Mr. Latin in the bus, needling Okunnu, who is sleeping, and Mr. Latin, who is snacking on groundnuts, with her voluminous gele (headgear) as she continued to chat with her daughter about her tenth wedding anniversary which she is travelling to Lagos to attend.

Piqued by the endless chatter, Okunnu tries unsuccessfully to shut Madam Amebo up by querying her, “Yes ke, shoshosho, na only you get mouth?

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

INTERVIEW

Cash, Biggest Problem Facing Women in Politics, Says Ononuga Delectable and articulate former Manager, Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga is the member representingIkenne/Shagamu/RemoNorthfederalconstituencyintheHouseofRepresentativesinthe9thassembly.She is also the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development. In an interview with select journalists, shespokeaboutherpassionforhelpingwomenandtheagedinNigeriathroughlegislation.Shealsosharedherexperiences onhowwomencannavigatethemurkywatersofpolitics. Shola Oyeyipo

S

urely, you have had experiences, would you say politics is a new turf for you?

I have been doing politics now for 16 years, so I would not say it is a new turf for me, but with regards to everything I have ever done, yes, it is new turf for me.

But I have been in it a few years, it is part and parcel of me now. I have been in the race for this House of Representatives since 2015. In 2015, I was asked to step down for another party person and as a party person, I did step down. I found myself here through hard work.

If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing?

I will probably be running a homeless kitchen feeding people. That is what I will do.

Off the street, really.

The number of women in the National Assembly has been on the decline. The 35 per cent affirmation failed woefully, so what is your opinion?

I think it is one of those things that we ladies are talking about because I think the 35 percent affirmation is just not enough. Nobody is asserting any pressure on it – even when the women push for it the men try to knock it down!

I say may be we are not lobbying well enough, maybe we need to assert ourselves some more, maybe we need to intensify our efforts in lobbying and see that it even goes beyond politics. It is not just affirmation in politics, maybe in appointments or in elective positions, what about civil service and public service appointments and elevation for women. So, we are going to look into a broader perspective of the affirmation and then widen our net.

Why did you go for a Gbajabiamila candidacy?

When I came in here, the person that reached out to me was Hon. Speaker, Gbajabiamila, the others sent in their profiles and their brochures and all the things they wanted to do. When I read through the Speaker’s profile and the fact that he spoke with me, he took me to a place where I want Nigeria to be generally and a place where I expected the House of Representatives to be in order to be able to work properly in regard to legislation, with regards to how he would take care of old legislators and that for me, he showed compassion. I felt this is someone who had the brain, who had the compassion and who showed he has the capacity to carry a lot of people along. That was why I worked for him.

Politics in Nigeria seems to be a hard turf for women. It is not easy for Nigerian women to play politics because of the money, the violence and other things involved. How has it been for you playing politics?

I want to believe what helped me more was the fact that I am a peoples’ person and for you to be able to appeal to your constituent you have to be a peoples’ person, you have to be someone in the grassroots. I don’t live away from my constituency; I live in my constituency.

I have people who come to me sincerely, dishonestly; they come and they tell me all the stuff that want. They spin me stuffs. When we investigate we find out some are just yearn. I let them know you came, you just

gave a yearn but because you came - but you don’t have to lie about it and then I will try and meet them at that point I know that you came to tell a fib here but you came to say that because you don’t know how I would respond. So, in this instance, take this and sort yourself out, but we would try and see how we would put you in a system where you will be able to work for yourself and you won’t have to go to someone to beg for anything.

So, on a daily basis they go around, they come back and they see I am there. It is not like I am 50 miles away and you would have to call me before they see me. I am right in their faces.

So, for most women that want to play politics, it is not knowing people at the top that will help you, you need to let your people know you, you need to be able to buy the truths, the lies and the blackmail; everything and still stay firm. And let them see you are here. This person is not going anywhere.

You might has well just go with the flow.

So, you need to be a grass root person first of all and then you need to work hard and let the people who are able to make the decision know that you are on ground – that if they refuse to understand how much your people love you, electoral success might me an issue.

So, you will be a party person, be a peoples’ person and you have to be on ground. You can’t be a runaway politician.

What do you consider as the major challenges confronting women in politics in Nigeria?

For me, it would be cash. It is not like you need to break the bank but if you need to be in peoples’ faces all the time – you don’t need to have a deep pocket; you just need to be sincere with whatever you have with you.

Sometimes some people come to me and say “I have not eaten for the past three days,” and you will see that this person has not eaten for three days and you have only N5000 in your wallet and you open your bag and say “come, this is all I have, I didn’t you were coming. This is my wallet and you put everything on the table. How much do you need to survive today and then what do you think we can do to get you off ‘I can’t afford this,’ what can you do on your own to get you to stand on your feet?” And you guys work out a plan together but that money you have in your wallet you are able to share it with that person.

The person will say, this person can help my life. The person will take that straw, cling to it, feed him or herself that day and come back to tell you I have a passion for doing this or that but I need somebody to help me. If you help me, I promise I will help other people. That is what you need!

To do that, it takes sincerity and it also takes knowing the places to go to help other people. You don’t necessarily need to take all the money from your pocket. Talk to NGOs that are willing to assist other people and you let the people know that you can access these things if you can do certain things.

So, the problem that women have really and truly in politics is finances.

What are your legislative interests?

The aged, the women and the youth, but principally is the aged. I need a law that will make it priority for the aged to have a place to recreate – just chill out – just have fun. You know? They have served their time, whether with government or the companies they have worked with or even their children; some

Onanuga people have never worked a day in their lives, all they did was just to find a way to sustain their children to go to school. Now they are too old to do anything, even for themselves and they have no were to turn to.

Unfortunately for some people, those children that they laboured over are dead.

Nobody is out there looking after them – to get a meal a day is a problem, let alone having clothes to wear. So, when I say recreation facilities for the aged – at least they can leave their homes on a daily basis, get to the centre, eat a meal – may be not breakfast, maybe not dinner but at least lunch, even if it is an apple or a cup of tea they have for dinner and they go to bed, at least they would have food in their tummy. It doesn’t have to be a place where they stay – I am not saying old peoples’ home, even though I will agitate for that as well, but at least, let’s start a recreation centre first so that on a daily basis they can come there and eat. Let’s have a homeless kitchen that anyone who is not able to feed themselves can go in there and have a meal a day.

There needs to be a legislation towards that, especially for the aged people, so that at least somebody is looking after them. All the people we are agile today will grow old and if we don’t put something in place, I am afraid all the old people in this country would have problems. Some will even die before their time. Some people live up to 100 in other countries because they have people who care for them. We should care for our aged people like that in this country.

Do you really have any agenda for your constituency?

My state is a state of learned people because we have a lot of firsts. There are a

lot of educated people from Ogun State. And as much as we have that, we have some people who are also not as learned. Probably they were not opportune to have access to education. One of the agenda for my state would be adult literacy.

Because I don’t want to go out and repeat a lot of stuffs, it is taking me this time to study past legislations raised on the floor, maybe they got to second or third reading, even those that have been passed, I am researching into things that are my desire. I want to know why they failed and if they didn’t fail, why are we not implementing it?

You managed the Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageant, what is your perspective about people dressing half naked?

When I was Pageant Manager, Miss Nigeria, all the pageant that I did were no bikini. No swim suit pageants, because I don’t believe you will have to wear bikini to show how beautiful you are. The first year I was going to do it, I had a lot of antagonism, even from the office. And I said, if I am the Pageant Manager then we are not going to have bikini and we are not going to have swim suit pageant.

Instead of that segment we had on casuals – they had on shorts and T-shirts because we are looking for the intellect of whoever the contestant is. Women are not cows. They are not out to be displayed for you to see what God has endowed them with.

When Miss Nigeria started in 1957, they were only doing it with pictures, and I said why should we have bikini and swim suit sections. So, for me, Miss Nigeria, when I was there had nothing to do with bikini and swim suits and I think its high time that we have to go back to that time.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

POLITY

Aftermath ofTribunal’s Verdict: Abiodun Entice Opposition Femi Ogbonnikan writes on the olive branch extended to the APM governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade and his supporters by Governor Dapo Abiodun, shortly after the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal affirmed his election

W

hen it was announced that the Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal would deliver its verdict on September 14, in the petition brought by the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) and its governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, against the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, neither did the defendant nor the people of the state fret. The truth was not far-fetched. From the outset, without an augury to foretell the outcome of the verdict, it was glaring that the premises of the petition were destined to fail.

True to type, the three-man panel headed by Justice Yusuf Halilu, in a unanimous judgement, said the petition lacked merit and described it as “lazy, deficient and shallow”. It further said Akinlade “did not only fail, but also irredeemably failed to prove” allegations of over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the ElectoralAct. With the euphoria of the affirmation of the electoral victory, it was another moment to show solidarity forAbiodun, as traders, road transport workers, students,APC supporters and chieftains, clad in “yellow revolution” T-shirts, positioned themselves strategically at every location close to the Tribunal’s sitting venue, Isabo,Abeokuta. They subsequently took to the major roads and streets upon receiving the good news that the panel had struck out the petition of theAPM governorship candidate and subsequently, re-affirmedAbiodun, as governor.

The overwhelming joy and happiness of the day knew no bounds. The governor described the verdict as the triumph of rule of law; victory for democracy and further re-validation of the mandate bestowed on him at the polls.

He said he remained magnanimous in victory and extended, once again, a hand of fellowship to all opposition elements in the State and called on the oppositionAPM to forget about 2019 guberna-

Abiodun

torial elections and join hand with his government in its “Building Our Future Together” agenda.

Abiodun, who was on the retinue of President Muhammadu Buhari to Burkina Faso, said rather than dissipate energy and resources on litigation, the aggrievedAPM leaders and their supporters should have a rethink of either negotiating their return to theAPC where they were or start preparing for 2023 elections.

“Opposition strengthens democracy and I appreciate the fact that he (Akinlade) went to the Tribunal in the exercise of his constitutional rights.

The Tribunal has validated the mandate freely given to us by the masses at the polls.

“The governorship candidate and all members ofAPM and indeed members of other parties are free to joinAPC. Those who are still aggrieved

should learn that democracy is about majority rule. The people have spoken and the Tribunal has validated their choice of me.Anybody who feels otherwise should start preparing for 2023.”

Without mincing words, he expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their unflinching support and solidarity throughout the travails and promised not to take their mandate for granted.

Specifically,Abiodun commended the judiciary for the impartial verdict, which he noted, has further strengthened and restored confidence in the psyche of the people as the last hope of the common man.

The governor said his legal team, led by Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), demonstrated depth, dedication and brilliance during the proceedings and further applauded the support and cooperation of theAPC leadership for their solidarity, love and firm commitment to the course of justice.

“Let me assure the people of Ogun state of our administration’s commitment to providing focused and qualitative governance anchored on fairness, equity, just and inclusiveness,” said the governor.

By and large, to calm the frayed nerves,Abiodun has extended an olive branch to the aggrieved APM candidate, chieftains, supporters, loyalists and their principal, because he (the governor) believes, in unity, we stand to “build our future together” in Ogun State. Not limited to theAPM camp, other opposition groups are being courted to join the moving train to to the next level.

In the last 113 days, the landmark achievements are unprecedented and unsurpassable and the administration’s footprint is etched in gold.

Abiodun is more passionate in exploiting the endowed potentials (both human capital and natural resources) towards making the state self-sustaining.

He resumes office by 8:00 am and closes late at night. He works round the clock in conjunction with seasoned technocrats, made up of Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy-Governor; Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the State Govern-

ment; Shuaib Salisu, Chief of Staff; Dapo Okubadejo, Chief EconomicsAdviser; Olakunle Olude, Special Adviser on Job Creation, and a host of others.

With a clear vision,Abiodun leaves no one in doubt in his deft approaches to formulating laudable projects and programmes that are capable of improving the lot of the people of the state. Like never before in the past, residents can now heave a sigh of relief and attest to the rehabilitation of major roads within their various neighborhoods, courtesy of the swift intervention of the governor. He has directed officials of the Ogun State Public WorkAgency (OGPWA) to move their equipment into the affected communities.

The workers of the state government have had cause to commend the governor for living up to his social contract of ensuring the prompt payment of salaries before the last working day of every month. Congratulatory messages keep pouring in quick succession. Leading the pack, is the national leader of theAll Progressives Congress (APC),Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who said Abiodun truly deserved the victory that came “despite the intimidation, harassment and violence unleashed on your numerous supporters and other shenanigans perpetrated by known opposition elements within and outside our party,APC.” Also joining the fray of those that congratulated Abiodun, SenatorAdegbenga Kaka, former DeputyGovernor of the state and anAPC chieftain, admonishedAkinlade to accept the verdict in good faith and noted that Ogun could not afford to be held down by unnecessary litigations.

Besides, Kaka, former Senator who represented Ogun East at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly between 2011 and 2015, counseled theAPM candidate to put an end to what he called “unpatriotic pursuit” by heading to the Court ofAppeal. The Ogun State chapter of theAPC, according to its caretaker Publicity Secretary, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye, commended the panel of judges “for a detailed and thorough job that was so clear, convincing and beyond reasonable doubt.”

But in his riposte, theAPM governorship candidate rejected the judgement of the tribunal and has decided to appeal.

––Ogbonnikan is a Media Consultant to Governor Abiodun

Timipre Sylva:A Glorious Dawn Sam Ekpe

A

n appraisal of the literature on the life and activities of this 55 years young man reveals a life packed full with activities, vigor, dynamism, enthusiasm, foresight and leadership skills.

Born on 7th July 1964 in Okpoma, Brass Local Government Area of present day Bayelsa State, he started primary education at St. Paul’s Anglican School Okpoma and finished at Ajeromi Central School Lagos in 1976. After secondary school at Government Secondary School Brass from 1976 to 1981 he secured admission into the University of Port Harcourt where he studied English Language/Linguistic. He served the nation for one year (The Mandatory National Youth Service Corps) programme at Shell Petroleum Development Co. Ltd at Warri Delta State and started his working career with the National Minority Business Council Port Harcourt, where as the Executive Secretary, he ensured the creation of employment opportunities for his people. It is said that a gold fish has no hiding place. His people soon discovered the potentials in him and elected him into the Rivers State House of Assembly 1991/1992 on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

His tenure in the House was however short lived as the late Sani Abacha truncated the Civilian Regime then. Thereafter he went into private business.

On the eventual lifting of the ban on partisan politics he became a founding

Sylva

member of the United Nigeria Congress Party UNCP which he served as the State Financial Secretary. He later joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and became Political Adviser to former Governor DSP Alamaesigha until 2002 when he resigned.

As fate would have it he became the Special Assistant to the then Minister of State Petroleum Resources between May 2007 and April 2008 before he was elected Governor of Bayelsa State and served from 27th May 2008 to 27th January 2012.

He has numerous achievements to his credit when he presided over the affairs of

Bayelsa State of which a few need mentioning. They include: Completion of Rivers State Judiciary Complex, Completion of Government House Phase II, Construction of Transparency Building, Yenagoa Business Office, Construction of Modern UBE Schools across communities, Construction of 52 Link Roads in Yenagoa Metropolis, Construction of New House of Assembly Estate, Building and furnishing of Multi-billion naira Glory Land Castle, Construction of New House of Assembly Estate, New Commissioners Estate etc.

His administration employed over 8,000 youths in Bayelsa Volunteers from all the eight Local Government Areas in the State and ensured payment of salaries and promotion of public servants when due and ensured other welfare schemes for public servants. Sylva’s administration also attracted the Nigerian Law School to Yenagoa, built and furnished the School and established a Special Fund for the construction of New and Upgrade of Existing facilities in the Law School, in order to meet the required standards stipulated by the Council for Legal Studies. The Adimistration further provided ICT Training for Bayelsans in Advanced Computer Programmes in India, initiated Amnesty Programme to boost security of the State and its economy.

Other Federal projects Sylva’s Administration attracted to Bayelsa State include Federal University Otueke, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, and connection of Bayelsa State to the National Grid.

The New Junior Petroleum Minister’s appointment is a return to familiar territory.

As earlier stated he had served as Special

Assistant to a former Petroleum Minister in the past. Although he was massively prevailed upon by some critical stakeholders in Bayelsa State to enter the political contest and run for State Governorship Election in the November 2019, President Buhari, having decided to avail the nation of his service in the Next Level Administration, he had to face the new challenge.

Of course the challenges are enormous given the unstable price of crude oil in the international market, the inadequate quantity of refined petroleum products by the country’s refineries due to old age and dilapidation of equipment, activities of oil bunkerers, pirates and militant activities and even the fact that the country has to consider alternatives to oil since electricity and other sources of energy are now about to make oil lose its cash flow status few years hence.

These matters are quite demanding as Sylva assists President Buhari in directing affairs of this major revenue earner of the country.

However, it is said that when the going is tough the tough get going.

Sylva has gone through thick and thin in the Nigerian Political environment. He has seen it all, through blackmail, betrayals, conspiracy theories, deceit, false allegations and media trial all in efforts to pull him down politically.

But, as asserted by the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, after the darkness comes the glorious dawn. The glorious dawn is certainly coming for Chief Timipre Sylva, the young but old war horse in the political waters of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

–––Sam Ekpe is an Abuja based Media Consultant

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

POLITY

Street Project Foundation Moves to Reduce Youth Unemployment Tolulope Ibukunoluwa

S

treet Project Foundation, an NGO, has designed a creative solution to alleviate the youth unemployment crisis in Nigeria. With the support of VOICE, they have commenced preparations for the third edition of their Creative Youth Boot Camp themed Art for Social Transformation. This has necessitated a call for Employer Partners in the creative arts and corporate sectors in Abuja, to collaborate with them to build the capacity of gifted young creatives aged 16 – 25 years old, in the bid to prepare them for the world of work.

Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, Founder and Lead Visionary of Street Project Foundation stated: “Our model for youth development explores the power of Play and Performance in Facilitating the Process of Cognitive Learning and Mental Growth for young people. We use a model called the Youth Engagement Cycle, which consists of Discovery, Training, Internship, Mentorship and Showcase.”

She says what makes the initiative unique is how performance is used to build soft skills such as critical thinking, public speaking, time management, project management, team work and communication. She also stated that the Creative Youth Boot Camp serves as a safe space for youth to build their confidence and social consciousness. At the end of the six weeks boot camp, participants are placed on internships and matched with mentors.

Mrs. Ezenwa-Okoro, said the foundation was established because of the need to see young people pursue their passion for what they love. Giving an example of her five siblings who all studied courses in the university that was contrary to what they had a talent for, and struggled to get jobs after graduating, she resolved to follow a different path. She followed her passion and went on to study creative arts in the university and unlike her siblings, got a job right away as a copywriter in an advertising agency.

A decade later, she now owns her consultancy and established the Street Project Foundation to create development and youth employment using creative arts as a tool.

She said: “We waste time in Nigeria. We waste human resources, we waste materials resources and I dare say that we waste our young talents.” She reiterated that in Nigeria, it is difficult finding child stars that are truly making

Rita it and generating a large enough income that commands world attention. To her, youths in the developed countries thrive because they are not pressured by their society and their parents to fit into a box but are allowed to express themselves and follow their passions and innate gifts. All of which enable them to thrive.

Mrs. Ezenwa-Okoro acknowledges that creative art as a tool can facilitate youth employment and enterprise development. She stated that entry-level jobs require soft skills and those who are hiring these youths are looking out for the character of work, all of which creative arts help facilitate. She said: “When you are teaching drama you are teaching young people diction and communication. When you are teaching dance you are teaching

stance, for public speaking, it is non-verbal communication; in the area of improvisation you are building their critical thinking skills, team building, project management, and teamwork.”

Mr. Ezenwa Okoro the consultant and programmes director of Street Project Foundation stated that the Creative Boot Camp one of the projects under the Street Project foundation started in 2016 with a second edition in 2017: “Both editions were a success as 200 young people from low-income backgrounds were trained. 80% of these young people were placed on an internship, while 50% of them were able to start their businesses and have secured full-time jobs.”

He went on to state that the Creative Boot Camp projects that held in Lagos, got sponsorship and a grant from the United State government, through the US consulate in Lagos. The project also was done in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

Mr. Ezenwa Okoro urged employers interested in accepting interns through the Creative Youth Boot Camp programme to attend the Street Project Foundation’s Employer Partnership Forum scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2019.

Ezenwa Okoro added: “To register visit www. streetproject.org.ng/employerforum/. The goal of the foundation is to ensure that all 100 participants split into four cohorts of 25 each, will be placed on internships especially 30 gifted youths living with physical disabilities. It is noteworthy to state that this initiative ran in 2016 and 2017 in Lagos State, with a total of two hundred young people upskilled, 80% placed on internships and 50% securing full time jobs and starting their own businesses shortly after participating in the programme. For more details visit www.streetproject.org.ng or follow us on facebook and Instagram @streetprojectfoundation and twitter @streetproject1.”

Street Project Foundation is a social enterprise that facilitates opportunities for youth employment and enterprise development using creative arts as a tool. In more than a decade of its existence over 1,500 youths have benefitted from its programmes and in the next three years, their agenda is to scale up activities through the inclusion of young people living with disabilities and capacity building focused on young women and girls.

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L-R: Product Head, Bhojsons PowerHub Kirloskar, Balaji Thiruvenkatam; Chief Executive Officer, Bhojsons Plc, Sivarama Krishnan; Service Engineer, Kirloskar, Jitendra Jagdale; and Sales Manager, Bhojsons PowerHub, Vincent Uwagbai, during the launch of Kirloskar Remote Monitoring System(KRM) at the Power Nigeria 2019 Expo held in Lagos...recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Facilitator/Managing Consultant, Blue Mouse Media, Ijeweme Ojo; Facilitator, Olamodimu Damilola; Participant, Rita Uloko; Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Herbals, Mrs. Olasumbo Quincy Ayodele; Managing Director, Quincy Herbals, Tobi Ayodele-Keeney; Chairperson, Arise 2019, Ronke Olusile; and Director, Charge Dâ Affairs, Iyabo Ladipo, during the Arise empowerment campaign in Lagos....recently ETOPUKUTT

L-R: Beneficiary of Sabaoth Nursery and Primary School, Iwaya, Lagos, Mrs. Aina Isa; Proprietor, Mr. Paul Dehji; Founder, Concerned Parents and Educators Initiative, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde; and the former President, Association of Formidable Educators, Mrs. Dada Ifejola, at the donation of funds to low cost schools in Lagos by Concerned Parents and Educators Initiative held in Lagos...recently g y SUNDAYADIGUN

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

POLITY Kare-Dadin Kowa Joins Solar Power Communities Federal government’s commitment to providing alternative sources of energy through off-grid plant recently yielded result as Kare-Dadin Kowa in Kebbi State joined a growing solar power community in Nigeria, when a 98.8KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant provided by the FG was inaugurated, writes Sunday Eghiator

T

he saying that there is a shining light at the end of dark tunnel can be compared to Kare-Dadin Kowa Community in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State when they watched in amazement as they got a new lease of life after staying in darkness for too long.

The old ones were very appreciative, the not too young were joyous and the young ones were excited as they lined the street to witness the historic moment in their lives. The traditional troupes’ added merriment as they sang, danced to the admiration of the invited guests.

It was indeed a significant moment for a community which has been in darkness for centuries.

Determined not to rest on its oars until the unserved and underserved communities across the country have equitable access to uninterrupted and sustainable power through an off-grid independent power plant, the Buhari administration again fulfilled one of its mandates, when on Tuesday, September 17th 2019, the entire Kebbi State converged on Kare-Dadin Kowa to witness the historic inauguration of a 98.8KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant. Kare-Dadin Kowa is a small riverine community whose major economic activities are agriculture and fishing. The newly inaugurated solar hybrid mini grid plant would provide clean energy to 483 residential buildings, schools, places of worship, health centres, 82 commercial buildings which would also serve over 3,000 inhabitants of Kare-Dadin Kowa community.

Implemented by Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under its Rural Electrification Fund (REF), that strives to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification grants, to promote off-grid electrification, and to stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification.

The first call of the REF will energise 12 communities and deploy 19,000 Solar Home Systems. REF projects are administered using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Applauding the grassroots oriented administration led by President Buhari, Minister, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr. Saleh Mamman, congratulated all parties involved and stated that his ministry under his leadership was committed to electrifying Nigeria. “Under my leadership, the Ministry of Power will continue to provide requisite policy interventions to ensure that transformative projects like this will have the desired impact of electrifying Nigeria.”

In his remark read by the representative of Governor of Kebbi State and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development,

L-R: Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, Engr. Aminu Umar, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare and Anayo Okenwa Nas unveiling the 98.8kw Solar Hybrid Power Plant at Kare-Dadin Kowa Community in Kebbi...recently

Mr. Aminu Umar, Governor Abubakar Bagudu commended the Buhari administration’s Next Level Road Map in rural electrification and noted that “the solar hybrid mini-grid would expand and transform the economic landscape of Kebbi state. “Small businesses like welders, cold rooms, as well as processing mills can now operate more effectively with reliable and clean electricity as a result of this project. This solar installation has 380 panels that will provide electricity to over 3,000 residents of this community. We are the land of equity and this project is further ensuring the distribution of equitable power to the people of Kebbi State.

“My vision is to industrialise Kebbi, making it an economic business hub.

This is why we have focused on the provision of electricity within Kebbi State by partnering and supporting on-grid providers, with new transformers and injection of funds to stabilise and ensure constant power supply to the state.

“This power project’s impact will also be felt in other sectors, in tourism for example. With an available supply of clean energy, commerce and industrial activities will increase in the state. We all aspire for a fully electrified Nigeria and we will achieve this with your continued support and dedication,” he said.

In his address, the representative of managing director of Rural Electrification Agency and Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare extolled the commitment of federal government by staying true to its words. “Kare-Dadin Kowa community is the second of twelve communities earmarked to benefit from Rural Electrification Fund (REF) grants. The project being commissioned today is implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency, with the goal of

providing equitable access to electricity across Nigeria. Today, REA provides electricity to 82 commercial businesses, 482 residences and over 3,180 residents (including women and children). I must state that these are exciting times because history is being made in KareDadin Kowa, Kebbi State and in Nigeria as a whole.

“Not only have the people of KareDadin Kowa been provided with access to stable electricity, but also, this project provided job opportunities for the industrious people of this community in engineering, construction and project management. Thanks to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Next level Roadmap, more Nigerians can look forward to a Nigerian dream, where access to stable power is no longer dependent on alternative sources of electricity that are harmful to our health and the environment. “ Ohiare expressed his appreciation to the Kare-Dadin Kowa Community for their openness and support, the private sector developer, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited for delivering the project to its full capacity and also his team in the Rural Electrification Agency, particularly to the MD/CEO, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, for the guidance and tenacity in ensuring that the various initiatives earmarked under the Rural Electrification Fund come to fruition.

Expressing his delight at the initiative which has brought his community out of perpetual darkness, the district head of the community, Alhaji Musa Maina Jantullu said he recognised the significance of the project and delighted to be one of the beneficiary communities.

“This community has been in darkness for too long and this is why my subject, my community is grateful to the Federal Government and the people of the Rural

Electrification Agency, for counting us worthy to benefit from solar technology.

There is no doubt that the electricity will improve the way of life of my people, intellectual ability of our students by having electricity to read. This is an agrarian community which produces the best and largest rice and millet in Nigeria. As a border community, this will, undoubtedly, develop our community.

I am elated, my subject is joyous and we promise to protect and sustain it.”

In his goodwill message, by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammed Mera, who was represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan said: “This is especially gratifying for us and our rural communities in Kebbi State. We can now experience what we would normally refer to as ‘the city life’ now that we will have access to reliable and stable electricity.

We are a small fishing and agricultural community so this is a major development as new business opportunities in milling, processing, storage and fishery will now become a reality for our industrious people. I appreciate the dedication of the Federal Government of Nigeria in ensuring that Nigerians, irrespective of their geographical locations, can now have access to constant electricity.”

In line with REF’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, private sector participation and investment was also critical to the successful implementation of the project. MD/CEO, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, Anayo Okenwa said that the installed solar hybrid mini grid was constructed in line with international standards and best practice.

“As an indigenous firm, we are proud to have leveraged the skills and capacity of our host community, in addition to providing the enabling environment for skilled labour and job creation.”

In his vote of thanks, director, Rural Electrification Fund, Bulus Maiyaki commended President Buhari for working to ensure that Nigerians have increased access to clean and reliable electricity in their homes, businesses and schools. He also gave Kudos to the efforts of the Ministry of Power, the National Assembly and their Committees on Power, in creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of Rural Electrification Fund projects across Nigeria must be commended.”

Maiyaki acknowledged the outstanding leadership role of MD/ CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi and Governor Bagudu of Kebbi State for his support, the emirs and district heads for creating enabling environment for the project to be executed, Nayo Tropical Technology Limited for its incredible efforts and professional expertise demonstrated on the project with the state-of-the art installation.

Heart of Sapphires Donates Borehole Hammed Shittu

P

iqued by the water problem facing some communities in Kwara state, a non-governmental organisation, Heart of Sapphires International Foundation has donated four handpump boreholes to the people of Efue, Age and Ogundele communities in Asa Local Government Council Area of the state.

The foundation decided to construct of

the boreholes for the affected communities because of the deplorable condition of the people occasioned by non- availability of portable water.

Prior to the donation, some residents of the affected communities were getting their water from swamps around them which led to health related diseases.

Speaking at the commissioning of the boreholes project at Efue village, the founder of the foundation, Mr and Mrs. Adebola Ogunnusi said that, the donation would bring a new lease of life to the people of the

communities.

Represented by the Secretary of the foundation, Ms. Tola Adefaye, they said: “The gesture is to spread kindness to the world by assisting the less privilege people in the local communities with various kinds of social amenities like water, health, education among others.”

He said that the choice of Efue, Age and Ogundele communities was based on the field report conducted by a team set up by the foundation.

“The outcome of the report of the founda-

tion is what we are witnessing today with the official commissioning of the borehole project for the people of the affected communities. I belief that, with this giant stride in making water available to the people of the affected communities, their lives would surely change for good and this would boost their socio-economic development in the affected areas.”

Responding, the Alangua of Efue, represented by Mogaji of Efue, Alhaji Saidu.

Jimoh lauded the effort of the foundation for making life better for them.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

POLITY Oyo State

We Are Working for Quick Turnaround of Oyo’s Vital Sectors Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, was on the state’s broadcasting corporation recently, where he fielded questions from panelists and residents on the activities of his government in its first 100 days.

Below are excerpts from the interview session as monitored by Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

D

uring your campaign, you promised to make life comfortable for all and sundry. How will your government address the issue of employment in the state?

Let me repeat what I said during the electioneering campaign. It is true that I said the youth is central to our government.

Oyo State has a comparative advantage over and above its counterparts when it comes to the landmass that God gave to us. We are blessed with many things, including solid minerals.

People have been thinking that we should have achieved many things within a short period of time. For someone like me who studied Engineering, I know there are processes towards achieving certain things. In the Engineering field, at times, we complete the process of building a structure on the paper before the actual process begins. Truth is, it might take time to lay foundation that can bring about employment for the teeming youths in the state, though we have started.

About two weeks ago, we launched FarmCrowdy farming initiative with a private company and about 50,000 farmers will benefit from this programme.

Secondly, most of the farm settlements we have will be turned to farm estates, which would not only take care of farmers that will process what we want to plant. We will build schools and some other infrastructural facilities that will make people live comfortably in those places.

Of course, we have given our youths the impression that the future will be bright for them.

There are also some of our youths who have been engaging in some unwholesome acts before, but they are now retracing their steps. Some of them have approached us for help. They told us they want to be responsible and stop constituting nuisance to the public and we have been acting on that. I can tell you that three months of this government is too short to fix the rot and bottlenecks created by the past administration.

But I know if we are on the right trajectory.

Now, everybody knows the path we are moving towards, which is agriculture and its value chain, to attract foreign investors into our state.

One last thing I want to say is, if we fail to do the right thing for the youth, it means that this government has failed already. So, I want this to be in the mind of our youths. They must know that they are our main focus.

What do you want to do differently from what has been done in the past to improve the education sector in the state?

On my way to this studio, I came with a book without even knowing a question like this will come up. I came to show it to the people of Oyo State. The book is a compendium of past questions and answers for students preparing for WAEC and NECO, starting from 2012 through 2018. When I was in the secondary school here in Bishop Philip Academy, Ibadan, a public school, we looked for those who have sat for WAEC around the neighbourhood and requested for their past questions to study. We used that to prepare ourselves ahead for examination. We are publishing this book with the aim of giving them to our students preparing for exams for free. We don’t have a book like this in Oyo State before now and it is the initiative of this government.

The books will be distributed freely to those in private schools too.

Similarly, we have put in place free tutorial classes for students that would write the WASSCE exam and we are making it mandatory for them.

We are doing this because we know that the evaluation process cuts across students in both private and public schools. The teachers too will

Makinde be given these books for free to teach the students, particularly Mathematics and English.

We will employ teachers and deploy them to schools entirely different from where they teach such that the students will have different teachers taking them from time to time.

The idea is, from Mondays to Thursdays, teachers will teach from 2 to 4pm and on Saturdays, students will receive lecture from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. With this, we believe that the result of our students who will write the next May/June exam will be better than what we have had in the past.

Therefore, I encourage the parents to cooperate with the government to make this happen. They should make time for their children to participate in this exercise and not give them things to hawk when they are supposed to be receiving lectures.

If these children become great in life, they can afford to give to their parents whatever they (parents) need. So, parents should allow their children go for these extra-mural lessons that the government is organising for them for free.

There are many projects scattered around the state, which have been uncompleted or abandoned by previous administrations, what should the people of the state look forward to in this administration?

I actually passed along Iwere-Ile road and noticed that close to the election time, the past administration laid asphalt to a particular point and stopped. I am very sure that where the asphalt covered is not up to one kilometre before the election ended. There are many projects that have been abandoned since 2010 but I have promised the people that good governance supersedes the gimmick of politics. Because of this, I told the contractors who were paid by the immediate past government but abandoned the projects that they should go back to the site and do the work they collected money to execute. If they do well, we will allow them to finish with the work irrespective of the party that gave the project out. As long as it is Oyo State’s money, they can go ahead. This administration always wants to see value for any money spent on whatever project.

When I went to inspect the Silo project in Awe, I understood that the state government had paid

over N1billion for the project but zero value is what is on ground for the state. The contractor handling the project said the case was in court because he had not been paid completely but I asked him to withdraw the case from court so that we could sit down one-on-one to discuss and settle the matter once and for all. During our discussion, he said if he could get another N350 million, the job would be completed and I immediately approved the money to be given to the contractor. I learnt that he has gone back to site and he has been an ultimatum of four months to complete the project.

So, for us, it does not matter when a project starts, even if it was awarded during the time of Governors Akala or Ladoja, what is important to us is the value it will add to the state. Our government will continue to show commitment to whatever will add value to the people of this state.

For instance, we have revoked the MoniyaIseyin road construction project. But right now, we are in the process of re-awarding the road project to a more competent contractor. The last time I also passed along the road from Iseyin that leads to Saki during my campaign, I saw the nature of the road. Perhaps the people working on that road designed it in a way that one part must be tarred and the other should not be tarred. But what is left now is to just tar the remaining part and it is among the project that is surviving.

If you look at it, you will observe that we signed a budget into law. The past government came up with a budget of N280 billion. Meanwhile, all the money that has been realised till this moment is N70 billion. So, how come they have budget of N280 billion? That was why we reduced it because it is completely unrealistic. We thought that we need to cut our clothes according to our material but not to our size, because a small cloth is easy to sew.

What is the key message of your administration ahead of the next four years?

Let me start by saying that I am happy to be serving this state. During the electioneering period, we came up with the roadmap for the ac-

celerated development of Oyo State. Now, what we plan for the state is anchored on four pillars; health, security, education and security. We know if we perform well in these areas, people will enjoy the dividends of democracy.

For you to know that we are making efforts in raising the standard of education, I just came back from Oyo where we went to commission a SUBEB project of 20 blocks of classroom. If we give our children necessary education, exposure, they will succeed. We also know that if we take the issue of health seriously, this will make us productive and make our economy favourable.

For us, once the economy is tackled such that the means of livelihood is considerably improved for all, you will see that standard of living will be okay for everyone and even the government won’t be preoccupied with the expectation of federal allocation. The federal allocation we get is not enough, but if we can expand our own economy, the money government gets from Internally Generated Revenue IGR will equally increase. If we can also utilise most of our infrastructure to target our economy, things will take a good shape for us in the state.

So, we believe education and healthy living of the people will lead to productivity and expansion of our economy.

I must sincerely repeat that all of these cannot be done in an atmosphere that is not safe and secure and that is why the fourth thing we want to do is to enhance security. We want to ensure that everyone goes about his lawful business without hindrance. We want absolute peace and security in the state for the people.

I think we need to always pass our messages across to the people comprehensively. A secure and safe environment is what we cannot compromise. If you look at it very well, investors, investments and foreign money won’t come to an environment that is not safe.

You have also said you will improve on health care delivery. What will your government do on the mortality of pregnant women and children?

The statistics being put out there could be real or not but what is most important for us is to go to our primary health centres and also the state-owned institutions to know what exactly they have there. This is also same with the health family. If I ask for the number of patients being attended to in our hospitals and the number of doctors we have on ground to attend to these patients, you will be surprised that they may not be available. How much do they budget for drugs they get in the hospitals? What we will find out is that the amount that is being released does not tally with the drugs being procured.

If you also ask from them how they register patients, you will find out they don’t have. There have not been records and we are starting from the basis. We are looking at how we can capture the data in a reliable manner. No offence to the past administration but it is our responsibility to do the needful as a government. If there was mistake in the past, we don’t have to continue but make some corrections. There is also a programme which the World Bank is supporting on nutrition and to ensure that pregnant women deliver safely. There are many primary health care centres that have no equipments and working facilities.

I can remember that when we got to the Radiology Unit of Adeoyo Hospital, Yemetu.

We saw all the facilities inside. But we were told that it has never been used since it was installed. Meanwhile, I saw letters from 2010 that everything was working perfectly there because I went with the contractor that installed the machine in 2010. So, we do have challenges and that is why we have been encouraging people to say something to us when they see something.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

POLITY

Iworiso-Markson: Diri Emerged from a Fair Contest Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State and Governor Henry Seriake-Dickson’s end of tenure in February, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Commissioner for Information, sheds light on the emergence of Senator Douye Diri as PDP guber flag-bearer, Seriake-Dickson’s positives, his Bayelsa story and more. A core Bayelsa indigene, Iworiso-Markson who concedes he is a ‘Lagos-Boy,’spoke with Stanley Nkwazema

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an you walk me through your public service engagements in Bayelsa State and background generally?

First, it has been a rare honour serving the Restoration Government and, particularly, Governor Dickson for the last seven years, plus. I am the longest serving political appointee and for me its humbling that he found me worthy to serve in various capacities. First, I was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Media/Publicity and then Chief Press Secretary, within six months. I believe this was His Excellency’s attestation to my commitment, dedication and productivity on the job. After winning his second term in 2015, I was re-appointed as his Chief Press Secretary. Barely a year after that, I was elevated to the position of Commissioner for Information. For me, it has been a worthwhile journey and one that I consider a rare privilege, especially given the number of very qualified people - perhaps even more qualified than I am - yet Governor Dickson decided I work with him and give me the opportunity of a lifetime to serve my state and serve him. As political appointees we serve at the pleasure of the governor who is the leader of the government and I dare say he is a rare and uncommon leader. I have learnt a lot working with him. It is one experience I will never trade for anything in the world. As for my background, both of parents are from the same community in Bayelsa but I was raised in Lagos and spent all my life in Lagos. Coming to Bayelsa and being asked to remain in Bayelsa to work in Bayelsa, was a new environment for me. First and foremost a lot of people viewed me as an outsider. At a point a lot of people did not believe I was a Bayelsan. In fact, the governor received a lot of flak that his first appointment was a non-Bayelsan because they did not know me before I became part and parcel of the system. But Governor Dickson is your activist’s activist - and one who is well schooled in the Ijaw struggle so you can understand where I am coming from. Not many people know this - but the job of a media aide to His Excellency is very tasking. I brought everything that I have learnt to the job, both from the theoretical and practical part of it. I have a Master’s degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. So that helped a great deal. The classroom experience and the practical work experience, gained from working at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria FRCN in Lagos, coupled with the fact that I transited to working as a PR practitioner for several firms in Lagos and then started running my own PR consultancy, greatly helped my Bayelsa engagements.

Walking a tight rope I don’t have the mandate to speak regarding others. I can only speak confidently about our experience. The candidate has emerged. Right now we are reaching out to all the other 20 aspirants and so far the results we are getting in terms of the reconciliation for want of a better word is going on very well and that is how it should be because as members of one family we can all only win if we support Duoye Diri in the November 16 2019 general election.

The deputy governor’s slot and the zoning arrangement is a very touchy one. This issue of zoning from my own reckoning, Bayelsa never sat down and agreed or have a written agreement how offices should be zoned. In principle we respect the principle of zoning and therefore we agreed that the governor must come from Bayelsa Central and that is the choice that has emerged now. As for the deputy, do not mind what is going on now with the disagreements within the family.

What is most important is that at every point when we have disagreements like that, there is a converging point.

In the course of your job with Governor Dickson, have there been times you disagreed on certain issues?

I wouldn’t put it that way. Truth be told, your leader is your leader - any day and any time.

One of the things I have come to respect about the governor is that he is not a dictator. He is a democrat. He is one who bows to superior arguments. He encourages us as his aides to engage him. Over the years, I have seen the governor defer to some of our suggestions and ideas.

Iworiso-Markson

As a PR practitioner working with an activist state chief executive, how have you been able to merge that background with managing your activist principal?

One of the things I take enormous joy in, even in my PR practice is the fact that I am first and foremost a crisis manager. I am an image maker but in managing image, crisis management is my forte. So I wouldn’t say it was easy too because of that background to be able to work with his Excellency who is an activist. But I knew from the very word go that given my background in crisis management, a lot of that skill will be brought to bear to managing the image of His Excellency and also to work with him even as a governor with clear responsibility and mandate of his people. What I find most fascinating is the fact that the governor is a man of very strong convictions.

He is one who loves his people dearly. That also comes from his activist background. He is one who believes in the Ijaw struggle and will go to any length to defend it. For me, I recognised from the very word go that these are common virtues of the man and that I also was learning first-hand - some of the principles he espouses both in public functions and everywhere. Long before I even joined him, as an Ijaw man living in Lagos, I saw first-hand some of the harsh treatments meted to our people and sometimes I find it difficult to reconcile why I cannot be given the same attention and privileges as an Ijaw man living in Lagos with my counterparts from the other parts of the country. Often we are relegated to the background in terms of job opportunities and everything. Often, you are told to ‘go back to your state.’ Even when you get the job on merit, it becomes a struggle to be promoted. You see your juniors being promoted ahead of you. Those were some of the things I was struggling with while I was in Lagos.

After seven years, the governor should have a preferred candidate?

Let me correct that impression and put the facts as they are on record. The 21 people who contested are Ijaw people and knowing the governor very well, he will not want to be seen as depriving any Ijaw man opportunity of aspiration. The governor is also a democrat with very strong convictions. So, it will be unfair of him to pick any one and impose on the others. He, as a proud Ijaw man, will provide the level playing field for all of the 21 aspirants. But in doing so, people tend to forget that the governor too like any other human being also has the right to vote for a candidate of his own choice out of the 21. Just as anyone has the right to support any of those 21, the governor too has the right to support any of them. As you saw clearly, the primaries that eventually produced the candidate of the party in the person of distinguished Senator Duoye Diri was keenly contested. This goes to show that the level playing field was provided.

Senator Diri is the candidate now, though initially perceived unpopular, but he is gradually proving critics wrong First you said that people felt that Senator Duoye Diri is an unpopular candidate. If it was any of the other aspirants that emerged, they would have said the same thing of them. Popularity is subjective.

Secondly, people will not argue that the emergence of Duoye Diri today makes him the candidate to beat in this election. You must have heard him say that nobody lost that primary that everybody was a winner and that the PDP won and that is the spirit because it’s a contest of family members. It must necessarily favour one member of the family, since there was an agreement from the outset.

What are your thoughts on power generation in the state?

Until recently, power was an exclusive thing. It’s only now that government after government are talking about deregulation of that sector. When I came into Bayelsa State, a number of communities were not hooked up to the national grid. It was this same Governor Dickson that ensured that. Right now, in Bayelsa as part of his policy of ‘light up Bayelsa’, a number of our communities are hooked up to the national grid. We may not enjoy 24 hours power supply like every other state in the country but we have fared better. Looking at where we are coming from, don’t forget Yenagoa just managed to retain 10% of the population as the capital.

The bulk of our people reside in our rural areas.

Governor Dickson is governor of both the 10% in the metropolis and the 90% in the rural areas, including the fishing ports. Therefore, what he has done is to democratize governance by ensuring what the man in Yenagoa is enjoying, the man in the fishing port in Akasa is enjoying same. By so doing, he feels fulfilled that through his light-up Bayelsa policy, he has hooked up a number of these communities to the national grid. Of course, you know that part of the challenge with governance was that we came into government at a time when a number of things were in a very terrible state. Bayelsans knew the state of affairs that we inherited at the time. Governor Dickson did not begin to indict previous governments like others do now. What he did was just to take up the task head on. As you mentioned earlier, we inherited so much liabilities and debts running into billions of naira. Governor Dickson did not probe his predecessors. He believes that government is a continuum and when you take over government you inherit the liabilities and the assets. As part of our efforts to diversify the economy, we cannot begin to genuinely talk about inviting investors when investors don’t know the way to enter your state. That was why we built that airport and we believe very strongly that once that airport is fully operational, hopefully in October, Bayelsa will begin to see the dividends of that airport.

What do you expect from the incoming government?

The incoming government will be led by His Excellency Distinguished Senator Duoye Diri. He has appropriately christened his campaign theme as ‘Prosperity’ and prosperity is very apt because what Governor Dickson has done in the last eight years is to restore Bayelsa. Now is the time to create wealth for Bayelsans. That is why Duoye Diri’s campaign theme is very apt. Bayelsans will now see that the continuity we are asking them to vote for is to build on the wonderful legacies that the restoration government has put in place and that legacy we will build on is one that will provide prosperity for the people.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

28.09.2019

Faustino Anjorin

NEWS

PEP KEEPS PRESURE ON LIVERPOOL

The History Maker

PAGE. 32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

30

GLOBAL SOCCER

Faustino Anjorin

The History Maker Anjorin got the better of Grimsby Town goalkeeper in his debut game for Chelsea in the League Cup

When Fikayo Tomori debuted for Chelsea in a Premier League game in May 2016 aged 18, he was hugely celebrated as it was an unprecedented record by any player of Nigerian descent. What many did not reckon with was that two years down the line the height would be scaled by another Anglo-Nigerian -Faustino Anjorin, when he starred for the Blues at 17 years, 10 months and two days

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helsea midfielder, Faustino Anjorin on Wednesday night, made history for Premier League Club, Chelsea as he came on in the 7-1 thrashing of Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup. Aged 17 years, 10 months and 2 days, Anjorin became the youngest player of Nigerian descent to debut for Chelsea in a UK football competition, breaking the record previously held by Fikayo Tomori (another Nigerian), who was aged 18 years, 4 months and 26 days when he debuted for Chelsea in the Premier League in May 2016.

Anjorin was given a chance by the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new management team, after

the teenager enjoyed a blistering start to the season, scoring five goals in his first seven games for Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Under 23.- including a brace in the EFL Trophy win over Swindon last month.

He is currently Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development group top goalscorer, opening his account in the UEFA Youth League, Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.

Faustino Anjorin is a classic midfield powerhouse - who grew up idolising current Blues manager Frank Lampard.

Lampard, who has made it his mission to promote the youngsters this term, has faith in the raw talent, as does his assistant Jody Morris and the pair have been impressed

by Anjorinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapid rise since they arrived in the summer.

His progress within the Blues academy has seen him compared to fellow graduate Ruben LoftusCheek, who also impressed at youth level.

Anjorin was born in Poole to a Nigerian father and a English mum.

He was named after the Colombian legend Faustino Asprilla who famously became the first player to score a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Champions League when he was playing up front for Newcastle.

By the age of seven Anjorin was scouted by Chelsea and invited to train in their youth set-up before officially joining at the age of nine.

It was a dream come true for the boy, who idolised John Obi Mikel and wanted to play for the same club.

By the age of 16, Anjorin, who stands at an impressive 6ft 1 in, lifted the FA Youth Cup. Not only was he the youngest player in the Chelsea side that beat Arsenal 7-1, his goal to end the rout was the icing on the cake.

Internationally, Anjorinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s form has been equally as impressive as it has for his club, and the FA have high hopes for him.

He has played for England at every junior level up to the Under-19â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, but without a full cap to his name there could be a tussle with Nigeria for his services in the future.

Both-footed, Anjorin has a contract with Chelsea that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expire until 2021 but the club is already looking to tie him down to a longer deal.

Technically heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s underrated,

despite his lanky frame, runs with the ball at pace and is strong in possession.

And heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got decent vision, often able to pick out the perfect pass for a forward to run on to.

But it is his finishing that helps him stand out from the crowd.

In fact, Jody Morris once revealed he was the â&#x20AC;&#x153;best finisher at the club.â&#x20AC;?

Born in Poole on the south coast of England, Faustino Anjorin has a Nigerian father and English mom and can choose to play for either the three-time African champions or the Three Lions.

He was discovered to be very talented at a young age and it was Chelsea that beat other London clubs to the signature of the midfielder.

It can be revealed that Anjorin chose to join the Stamford Bridge outfit at the age of seven because they have the best academy in England to this day.

An England U18 international, Anjorin has made a big impact for Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this season, with the highlight being a sevengame scoring run, and was rewarded with a three-year professional deal in November 2018, shortly after he turned 17.

Faustino has been utilised in the youth setup and has also debuted for Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U-23 team as he is highly rated.

The youngster who has represented England at U-16, U-17 and the U-18 level is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria due to his parents and he has not played for the English senior set up.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

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Chuba Akpom Settles for Fatherland The plan of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to woo European players of Nigerian descent to the Super Eagles seems to be working very well as its net caught another fish with former England youth international, Chuba Akpom dumping his country of birth for fatherland

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hile it needed lots of persuasions to convince most European players of Nigerian descent to the don the green-white-green colours of the Super Eagles, Chuba Akpom does not need coaxing to play for the three-times African champions, in spite of having played for England at the youth level.

“All the while I was starring for England at the youth level I was not lost of my parents’ background as Nigerian and the country’s culture. So I knew I would one day play for Nigeria at the senior level.

“I was always in contact with Alex Iwobi, who we both played at youth level for Arsenal and he always intimates me of how loving Nigerian fans are, which also encouraged me the more to want to play for Nigeria,” Akpom said.

The PAOK of Greece forward also said he was always looking up to Kanu Nwankwo while growing up as a footballer.

“When I was younger, people always compare my style of play to that of Nwankwo and the former Super Eagles star has always been my role model,” he noted.

Former England youth international, Akpom, has dumped the country of his birth-England and has pledged his international allegiance to the country of his parents, Nigeria.

The 23-year-old striker who plays in Greece for PAOK is eligible to play for the Super Eagles as he holds dualnationality and has not played for England at senior level.

“I have always known I wanted to play for Nigeria, despite playing at every age grade for England.

Although I have played in all the youth groups for England, I have always known I wanted to play for Nigeria,” the striker said.

“I am ready and I’m only waiting for the call-up. My agents have been in talks with the coaches and federation, so maybe in a few months, I would get an invite. I have signed off my allegiance.”

Speaking about his chances of playing for England, Akpom admits there were no guarantees of longevity.

“It’s always good to play where you’re loved. If you play for England you may only play a few games or caps and then you’re dropped for the next striker, who is hot.”

In March 2017 ex-Arsenal youth player Akpom trained with the Nigeria senior side at Barnet alongside then Chelsea defender Ola Aina and now hopes to line up with his life-long friend Alex Iwobi for the West African country.

“I’ve only just recently switched my allegiance, so I’ve signed the documents and hopefully in the next few weeks it will be approved

Akpon set to play for father landw

to enable me to play for Nigeria,” Akpom told BBC Sport.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for many years now but not many people know this. It’s just been a matter of sorting it out, which is now in a process.

I’m looking forward to it.

“It was a personal decision. I’m Nigerian and my whole family feels very Nigerian and it will be nice to represent Nigeria.

“It will also be nice to link up with Alex (Iwobi) again and play for the national team. We started playing together when we were younger and to make that step to play for the national team together will be amazing.”

London-born Akpom scored 18 goals in 41 youth caps for England from U-16 to U-21 level.

He joined Arsenal at the age of six and spent time on loan with Brentford, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Hull and Brighton, but failed to break into the Gunners’ first team.

A final loan spell at Belgian side Sint-Truiden resulted in six goals in 16 games and after six different clubs over five seasons, the academy graduate managed just 12 appearances for his

boyhood club before heading out to Greece on a permanent deal in August 2018.

He provided six goals and four assists as PAOK went unbeaten to seal the 2018/19 Greek as well as the only goal in the FA Cup win against AEK Athens to complete a dream double.

Now established in Greece and with three goals in eight matches this season, Akpom would love to follow in the footsteps of Iwobi.

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

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

“We’ve played together since we were five and six years old, we grew up together. It took me a while to settle down and to get used to the environment in Greece.

“Going to play abroad and in another league has helped me, but I hope to take my career to the next level with Nigeria.”

Akpom, who was born on October 9, 1995, joined Arsenal at the age of six.

He made his debut for the Arsenal U-18 side at the age of 15 and signed his first professional contract with Arsenal in 2012, a day after turning 17. In December 2012, Akpom received his first call into the Arsenal senior squad, when he was an unused substitute for a 2–1 Champions League defeat to Olympiakos.

On 30 December 2013, he joined Brentford on loan and in February 2014, Akpom joined League One side Coventry City on loan until the end of the 2013-14 season, with an agreement that he would rejoin the Arsenal squad for games in the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League.

He had other loan stints with Nottingham Forest, Hull City, Sint-Truiden before joining Greek club, PAOK Salonika on a three-year deal and was part of the team that won the first Super League title in 34 years. He also scored the only goal in PAOK’s 2019 Greek Cup final win against AEK Athens.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

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CAF President , Ahmad Ahmad laying the foundation of Real Madrid Academy on May 28, 2018

Real Madrid Football Academy Comes Alive in Rivers In order to promote professional football in the state and the country in general, the Rivers State Government last weekend unveiled the ultra-modern Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt, writes Davidson Iriekpen

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hen Governor Nyesom Wike two years ago promised that the Rivers State Government would build a Real Madrid Football Academy in the state, most of his critics thought it would be another jamboree or a white elephant project. Even those who took him seriously, did not envisage the magnitude of what they saw at the unveiling of the sport complex last week.

The Academy is simply stunning and a delight to all those who were present at the event. The complex boasts of modern equipment and all the necessary facilities needed to encourage and aid young talents. To many who spoke off the record to THISDAY at the event, it was as if they were in Madrid. Even the officials of Real Madrid Footbal Club who were at the event, could not believe what they saw â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a complete replication and reproduction of their complex in Spain.

The Academy which has hostels, would also boast of a secondary school for the two to go hand in hand. According to the state government, the Academy would be tuitionfree for Rivers indigenes.

At the unveiling of the ultra-modern football training facility in Port Harcourt, Wike again reiterated that the project was constructed to promote professional football in the state and the country in general.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, while inaugurating the academy alongside officials of Real Madrid Football Club, said the Academy would groom the next generation of stars. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have always been great football talents from Rivers State. Great players like Taribo West, George Finidi and Joseph Yobo.

This project will create more stars,â&#x20AC;? stressed the Oyo State Governor. This project will allow the early discovery and harnessing of football talents in Rivers. This project will create more stars,â&#x20AC;? the Oyo governor said.

He described sports as one of the greatest

unifying factors in Nigeria and commended the idea behind the Academy. The Oyo governor also hailed Wike for indirectly promoting national unity and for his commitment to the development of the state, adding that as a person who lived in Port Harcourt, he knows the high level of infrastructural development the state had witnessed under his administration.

In his address, Wike said the unveiling of the Academy was one of the happiest events of his life, as it marked the beginning of a new football era. The governor said the state government resolved to construct a school and hostel in addition to current facilities at the academy.

The governor added that the people of Rivers deserved the best, and this was why his administration was committed to initiating and executing quality projects for the people.

He said that 70 per cent of the students of the academy would be from Rivers, while other Nigerians would form 30 per cent of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today is one of the happiest days of my life. Today, our dream has come to fruition by the help of God. The money used to execute this project is from Rivers. Therefore, Rivers money is for Rivers people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seventy per cent of the students will be indigenes of Rivers, while the remaining 30 per cent will be from other states. All Rivers indigenes to be trained in the academy will school here free of charge,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.

Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation for Africa and Middle East, Inigo Vallejo, assured the state government that the club would continue to support the academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustained development. He said after series of engagement with Wike on the Academy, the club had keyed into it and would help drive the project.

Vallejo, who thanked Wike for his commitment to football development, stated that Real Madrid Football Club would provide the necessary technical support to develop the Academy.

Gov Wike with Sergio Ramos when the project was initiated

Earlier during a courtesy visit to Wike at Government House, Vallejo described the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt as the Mother of All Football Academies in Africa.

He said Real Madrid Football Club positively responded to the dream of Wike to set up an academy in Rivers State.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr Governor, you had a dream to deliver sports programmes to the children of Rivers State. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real Madrid has responded to your dream and today, we have the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mother of All Football Academies in Africa.â&#x20AC;?

He said the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt was the first by the club in Nigeria, noting that it had facilities that were of international standards.

Responding, Wike, thanked President Perez of Real Madrid for approving the setting up of the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt.

The governor noted that the Rivers State Government had developed the best facilities

to groom future international stars. He added that the final agreement for technical partnership and cooperation between Real Madrid Football Club and the Rivers State Government would be signed in the coming weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to through you, thank President Perez for approving the development of a Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt. We have the very best facilities to groom new stars. This will be the very best. From the players that will be trained in this academy, some players of Real Madrid Football Club will emerge,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, also stated that the governor made outstanding contributions to sports development to merit his award â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power of Sports in Africa.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In a project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers Ministry of Sports, James Enebeli, said the project marked the opening of a new chapter in football development in the state.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

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Man City Target Victory at Everton to Keep Pressure on Liverpool Premier League champions Manchester City travel to Goodison Park this evening looking to keep the pressure on Liverpool with victory over their Merseyside neighbours Everton. Pep Guardiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side have roared back to form in intimidating fashion since their slip-up at Norwich City after the international break and face an Everton side struggling for form under Marco Silva

here are not many things more dangerous in world football than a wounded Manchester City.

Ever since their stunning 3-2 defeat at Norwich earlier this month, Guardiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side have gone into overdrive with 14 unanswered goals in their last three games, including eight against Watford in their last league outing.

An unprecedented blitz of five goals in the opening 18 minutes gave an indication of the mood Man City were in, going on to add three more for the second-biggest Premier League victory ever.

Preston North End provided slightly sterner opposition for a second-string City in midweek, although the frightening strength in depth at their disposal means that they were still able to play the likes of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and David Silva in their 3-0 win at Deepdale.

City will be expecting a tougher test again away to Everton, but in terms of sheer firepower they are Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very best right now. Indeed, their tally of 24 goals from their opening six league games - an average of four per match - is the most at this stage of a top-flight season since Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1955-56.

Guardiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side have also scored in each of their last 28 Premier League games - the thirdlongest run in the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history - with their last top-flight blank coming at Stamford Bridge in December 2018.

City have rarely had problems at that end of the field, particularly in recent years, but it is in defence where the main concerns lie, with Nicolas Otamendi the only fit senior centreback in the squad.

Despite that, City have not conceded a single goal in the three games since John Stones joined Aymeric Laporte on the sidelines, with Fernandinho slotting in alongside Otamendi and young duo Eric Garcia and Taylor Harwood-Bellis providing a timely reminder of their qualities in midweek.

It therefore already seems a long time ago that Norwich shocked the football world at Carrow Road, although it will not be lost on Guardiola that the result came in their most recent away league game - they have not lost two in a row since Boxing Day. For all of their fine form since then, the gap to leaders Liverpool remains at five points and could even grow to eight by the time this match gets underway, with Jurgen Kloppâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side in action against Sheffield United in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early kickoff.

There is perhaps a glimmer of hope for Everton, then, particularly considering they have won 10 home Premier League matches against the defending champions in the past - only Liverpool have won more in the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

This is an Everton side in poor form, though, languishing 14th in the table after back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Sheffield United.

Indeed, it is now three losses in four league games for a side many tipped to push for a top-six spot this season, piling the pressure on the shoulders of Silva following some extravagant spending.

Losing to Man City is unlikely to be enough to tip the board over the edge - assuming another 8-0 hammering is not on the horizon - but last weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defeat to Sheffield United certainly pushed him closer to the exit door and will have damaged their confidence hugely too.

All of their disappointment had come on the road prior to that result, with Everton having won six in a row at home, going unbeaten in seven and keeping six clean sheets during a run which included triumphs over Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United - not to mention being the last team to take league points off Liverpool.

Sheffield Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smash-and-grab 2-0 triumph at Goodison was Evertonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first loss in front of their own fans since Man Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last visit in February and will leave many fearing the worst as the champions come to town again.

The Toffees did at least return to winning ways against Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steel City neighbours Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting both goals in a 2-0 triumph at Hillsborough.

While the prospect of a first trophy since 1995 will always be appealing to the club, for now it is their league form that they need to sort out, and a heavy defeat this weekend would only raise more questions as to the future of Silva.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

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Joe Boy, Real One in clash of the titans

Anthony Joshua

US Consulate, Fortem Inspire Using Football to Fight Sex Trafficking Sports has been a strong tool in fighting social vices in the society and that is why the United States Consulate in partnership with Fortem Inspire is using football to fight against sex trafficking.

The Consul-General of the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Claire Pierangelo has called on both federal and state governments to intensify efforts towards the fight against human and sex trafficking which she described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;modern day slaveryâ&#x20AC;?.

Speaking at the opening session of a special programme, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Goal! Strong Girls, bright futuresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, put together by Fortem Inspire in collaboration with the US Consulate in Nigeria, Pierangelo said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the US government is committed to combating this form of modern slavery through the prosecution of traffickers, protection of victims and the

prevention of human trafficking.â&#x20AC;?

She continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Participation in sports teaches leadership, teamwork and communication skills that help young people succeed in all areas of their lives,â&#x20AC;? adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;sports diplomacy is an integral part of our effort to build even stronger ties between the United States and Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

The organisers brought together about 70 girls from different secondary schools to educate them on the evils of human trafficking and imparting in them the virtues of pursuing better future through sports. Former stars of the US national women football team, Johanna Lohman and Staci Wilson who are US Sport Ambassadors were also present to inspire and mentor the girls on how they could use sports and become stars in future.

They were joined by former Super Falcons goalkeeper, Precious Dede who also relayed her experiences to the girls and urged them to emulate her and shoot their way to the top through sports.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke said the programme which moved to Benin, the Edo state capital Wednesday was initiated as a way of combating the monstrous evil called sex trafficking, which is prevalent among Nigerians who take innocent youths abroad as sex slaves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to see how we can stop this by telling these young girls not to fall victim to the trickery of those unscrupulos Nigerians who come to deceive them with promises of brighter opportunities abroad,â&#x20AC;? MbonuEzeoke said.

GOtv to Air Madrid Derby, UEFA Champions League Afierce football rivalry will be rekindled today in La Liga whenAtletico Madrid and Real Madrid clash in the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The game, which will be the 165th encounter between both teams in La Liga, will be exclusively broadcast live on SuperSport Select 4 at 8pm to GOtv Max subscribers.

The two giants meet for the first time this season, although Atletico trounced Real 7-3 in a pre-season game in July.

Real Madrid, however, have recovered from their patchy pre-season form. They currently remain unbeaten and top the

league table with 14 points after six games.

LosBlancosmanager,ZinedineZidane,now has the full complement of his squad and can call on Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and VinĂ­cius Jr. in attack, while relying on midfield marshal, Casemiro, defenders Raphael Varane and captain Sergio Ramos to keep opponents at bay.

On the other hand,Atletico have endured mixed fortunes, losing and drawing one game apiece in their last three games. Los Rojiblancos, currently third, will however, want a change of fortune. Manager Diego Simeone can call on attackers Joao Felix

and Diego Costa; midfielders Thomas Partey and captain Koke and defender Luis Jimenez.

Coverage of the UEFA Champions League, Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite football competition, continues with matchday 2 games during the week.

Juventus will continue their match to advance from the group stage when they face German side, Bayer Leverkusen, at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday at 8pm, while Chelsea travel to France to face Lille at 8pm. Both games are live on SuperSport Select 4, exclusive to GOtv Max subscribers.

3rd Edition of Heel Race Competition Gets November 15

The third edition of the annual 4-Inch Heel Race competition has been slated for November 15 at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Centre.

According to the organisers, DAK Marketing Services Limited, the 4-Inch Heel Race competition is a special sport event aimed at creating excitement, entertainment and confident among young women in Nigeria. It is the first of its king in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Young Nigerian women between the

ages of 15-35 are entitled to participate in the competition wearing 4-inch high heeled shoe to compete in a 100-meter race.

Over the last two years, DAK marketing services limited has successfully hosted the competition, with the last edition held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Speaking with journalists at a press conference held at the Lagos State Polytechnic, the Managing Director and CEO, DAK Marketing Services Limited, Elder

Dede Kalu, stated that the event is geared towards giving young Nigeria women a platform to showcase their talents and also to support their dreams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This event is aimed at empowering and enlightening young ladies on how to be smart and confidence on high heels. The rationale behind this event is that we are concerned about the numerous injuries ladies encounter almost on a daily basis when walking on the streets wearing high heels because of lack of confidence to walk smartly,â&#x20AC;? Kalu said.

Ikoyi Club Kick-starts 81st Anniversary with 7.5km Charity Walk As part of activities to mark the 81st birthday anniversary of Ikoyi Club 1938, the club last Saturday kick-started the anniversary with a 7.5km charity walk.

Tuesday was the Music Night, while Wednesday was Elders Day, a day specially made to celebrate elders who had contributed so much to the development and growth of Ikoyi Club 1938.

On Thursday members of the club visited the old peoples home and was also the Anniversary Lecture Day. Anniversary Turn Up/ Pub Night took place on Friday,

while today is Family Fun Day which is also designed for the entertainment of members wives and children.

The grand finale is slated for Sunday September 29, which is the actual birthday of the club.

Speaking at a press briefing at the club to intimate journalists of its activities on Tuesday, Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938, Tafa Zibiri- Aliu, who also doubles as Chairman,Anniversary Sub Committee said the club is built on the foundation of global harmony through recreation.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anniversary â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Building Family Valuesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is targeted at ensuring that apart from the club achieving global harmony through recreation, members of the club and families are encouraged to see Ikoyi Club 1938 as a veritable ground for bonding together.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The dynamism being experienced in the club today is none other than the contributions of the past and present administrations who have continued to work tirelessly in seeing to the growth and development of the club,â&#x20AC;? Zibiri- Aliu said.

GOtv Boxing Night 20

Joe Boy, Real One Clash Divides Boxing Fraternity Ahead of the African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight title bout, boxing fans have been giving their opinions on who they think would triumph between reigning champion, Oto â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joe Boyâ&#x20AC;?

Joseph, and West African Boxing Union (WABU) champion, Rilwan â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real Oneâ&#x20AC;? Oladosu.

The bout, which headlines GOtv Boxing Night 20 slated for 12 October at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, is widely rated as the biggest boxing bout on Nigerian soil in more than two decades, the reason it has provoked enormous interest among boxing fans who have taken to the social media to express their views.

Both boxers remain undefeated since turning professional and are currently involved in a long-running war of words which, on four occasions, saw them being pulled apart to prevent an exchange of bare-knuckled punches. The rivalry dates back to their amateur days, during which they were said to be the best of the crop and view each other with no little degree of sporting animosity.

A boxing fan, Moses Adejoh Mansa, believes that Joe Boy is a better boxer and will retain his title. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joe Boy all the way. Any day. Any time,â&#x20AC;? he posted on a Facebook thread on the coming bout. Sharing the same sentiment is another fan, who identifies himself simply as Adeola.

He is convinced that the ABU champion is more skillful and will win the fight.

However, many others are rooting for Real One. Adetokun Abayomi Mike, for instance, admits that both boxers were very good, but tipped Real One to carry the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I go for Real One. I know both boxers well, but power will change hands on that day,â&#x20AC;? he wrote. He found many others agreeing with his sentiment, with Oluwatobi Sunday, Martins Abiola and Oladunjoye Lateef Olawale both posting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real One all the way.â&#x20AC;?

To others, the fight is too close to call. Rising lightweight boxer, Isaac â&#x20AC;&#x153;I-Starâ&#x20AC;? Chukwudi, is torn between the two boxers, who he described as his favourites on the domestic scene. He stated that if it was up to him, he would prefer that they do not meet at this stage in their careers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I never wanted this fight to happen now because both are the best we have in Nigeria. I was hoping that Joe Boy would vacate the ABU title for Real One, while he goes after a bigger title. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want either to lose,â&#x20AC;? he said with barely disguised regret that they two have been paired.

Another Facebook user, Zeezo Reezo, is similarly in two minds and just wants to see the better boxer win. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real One is good, but Joe Boy is a good puncher, so let the better man win,â&#x20AC;? he wrote.

Joe Boy, a three-time winner of the best boxer award at GOtv Boxing Night, is facing arguably his toughest opponent yet in Real One, who has also won the award on two occasions.

2019 Nigeria Cup Donates to Charity As a way of giving back to the society, especially the less privileged one, the organisers of 2019 Nigeria Cup has decided to donate to charity and fund open heart surgery of a Nigerian as a part of the Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Social Responsibility Chairman, 2019 Nigeria Cup Organising Committee, Uwem Udoh, who disclosed this during the week explained that the gesture was in line with the Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to give back to the society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the things we decide to do this year is to give back to the society, be our brothers keeper and extend a hand of fellowship to those in need. A portion of money raise will be used for Charity works,â&#x20AC;? Udoh said.

Apart from the Charity initiative, the Committee will also be honouring founding father of the Nigeria Cup and those who nurtured the Cup at the its teething stage.

Udoh who said he appreciates the support he has gotten members of the Club and corporate organisations. added that notable Nigerians like John Momoh, Tunde Afolabi, Layi Fatona and Soji Awogbade, would be honoured while late Tony Awa and Tunji Ogunkanmi would also be remembered for the contribution to Nigeria Cup at the early stage.

ÍşÎ&#x20AC;Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

35

GLOBAL SOCCER

Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho Coming in From the Cold After an unimpressive performance last season, Kelechi Iheanacho had hoped to use the 2019 AFCON in Egypt to bounce back but it was not to be as he was not listed for the biennial competition. With the Premier League in its sixth week, the former Manchester City striker is yet to feature for Leicester City. However, on Tuesday night, he came in as a substitute in the Foxes 4-0 rout of Luton Town in the League Cup and registered his name on the scorersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sheet, which led to some believing he might have found his groove

K

elechi Iheanacho was on Tuesday evening praised by Leicester City assistant coach Chris Davies after the Nigerian international ended the longest goal drought of his career by scoring in the 4-0 rout of Luton Town in the League Cup after he had failed to register a goal in 28 matches for the Foxes, culminating in his being ignored in Super Eagles 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt.

The match against the Championship team could have been his 29th competitive game in a row without finding the net for the Foxes if he had not scored in the 86th minute.

Iheanacho was out of favour in the first sixth Premier League matches of the 2019-2020 season and was finally rewarded with game time after working hard behind the scenes.

Speaking after the game, Davies stated: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great for Kel, because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been outside of the squad, let alone the team, just recently. But heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been working hard in training, the manager has given him an opportunity tonight and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come in and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not been on the pitch for long but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made an impact. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scored , heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressed the game well, he showed a good hunger, a good appetite, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an instinctive finish to chip the goalkeeper.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Iheanachoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leicester City teammates were delighted to see the Nigerian get off the mark

even though he missed some goalscoring opportunities before ending his poor run. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;The squad was pleased for him. He works hard in training, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got the right mentality, so everyone was pleased for him to get that. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;He had a couple of half-chances leading up to that that hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite gone in, so you just hoped he could get himself a goal. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very pleased for him.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; With Iheanacho ending his goal drought, Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has a big decision to make in the coming days regarding the strikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inclusion in the squad for the friendly against Brazil.

Nigeria soccer fans still blame Kelechi Iheanacho for Super Eagles early exit at the 2018 World Cup, while fans of Leicester will find it had to forgive the Nigerian for missing a late seater against Manchester City last season culminating in Leicesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loss to the English champion.

Former Manchester City striker Iheanacho cost Leicester ÂŁ25million when he moved to the King Power Stadium two summers ago and has netted just eight times in the Premier League for the Foxes. He ended last season on a barren run of 24 league games without a goal, so is he feeling the pressure to perform for his country? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am relaxed, just being focused and ready for the task ahead. There are drought times for every striker and I am not an exemption but I will keep my head up, stay focused, determined

and ready for the task ahead.â&#x20AC;?

Iheanacho came under criticism against City last season when he spurned a golden opportunity to level matters at 1-0 down after Hamza Choudhury split the championsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defence but the striker shanked his effort wide against his old side. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My critics always spur me to do more, I have nothing to say about that I just want to stay focused on my set goals and be professional to the core. People have opinions about me but my opinion should be supreme,â&#x20AC;? Iheanacho added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am a striker, I want to score goals, I should be able to prove myself as regards that. I am a player who believes in my God-given talent, I believe I can do it and that has always been my source of inspiration right from my formative years,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Earlier this year, Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr had questioned Iheanachoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment and professionalism to the national team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think he must be more professional,â&#x20AC;? the German coach said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not satisfied with his performances the last time he was with us.â&#x20AC;?

Asked whether he expected more from the Nigerian international and he responded thus: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not good enough to be funny all the time.

You must show that you are serious by working hard every day in the training sessions. And show that you seriously want to come back into

the team at the club and also with us.â&#x20AC;?

However, in a swift reaction to Rohrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s criticism of Iheanacho, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers praised his professionalism following a scathing assessment of the Nigerian striker by his national team manager.

Rodgers said Iheanacho had shown a â&#x20AC;&#x153;wonderful appetiteâ&#x20AC;? for learning at Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Belvoir Drive training ground, contradicting the criticism from Super Eagles boss. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I saw him at Manchester City, he was always a young player that could come in and affect the game,â&#x20AC;? said Rodgers ahead of Leicesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with Bournemouth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s come here with a big price-tag. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen in training and when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spoken to him, he has shown a wonderful appetite and enthusiasm to get better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a culture where we want to improve players and make them better and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s responded very well to that.â&#x20AC;?

Iheanacho did not score a Leicester City goal in more than seven months, but his opportunities to end the lengthy goal drought have also dried up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult for him because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up against one of the best strikers in this league, in Jamie Vardy, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always going to be difficult unless the system changes,â&#x20AC;? said Rodgers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great boy to work with and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to play more Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At this minute, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creating confidence because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scoring goals in training and working very hard and adapting to how we want to play. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure when the time comes if he gets a chance to play consistently, he will take that chance.â&#x20AC;?

Rodgers was however forced to eat back his words after Iheanacho missed a golden chance to give Leicester the equaliser against Manchester City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had probably the best chance in the game with young Kelechi, which unfortunately he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take,â&#x20AC;? Rodgers said.

Iheanacho has 11 goals in 60 matches for Leicester City since joining the former Premier League champions from Manchester City in August 2017.

At the international level, he has scored eight goals in 24 appearances for Nigeria since making his senior debut against Swaziland in November 2015.

He starred as Nigeria won the 2013 U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates for a record fourth-time and emerged as the tournamentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outstanding player, being voted the Most Valuable Player.

He scored six goals to secure the Silver Boot as the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-highest goal-scorer.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

FAIRGROUND with

'Made in Heaven' Premieres

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

T

hematic fashion came to town at the premiere of Made in Heaven, which held at the Filmhouse Imax Cinemas last Sunday. The star-studded event, which was amplified by the Angels and Demons dress code was well attended by the crème of the entertainment and business world.

The premiere, which came on the heels of the September 20 release of the movie was attended by the cast and crew of the movie including Ay, Lasisi Elenu, Nancy Isime, Uche Nwaefuna, Jdess, Jay Franklin Jituboh, Chinonso Young, and the producers Darlington Abuda and Aloysius Okeke.

Majority of the guests who attended the premiere came dressed to the nines in their exquisite interpretation of the Premiere dress theme and regaled in the refreshments presented

by Intercontinental Distillers Limited.

The movie, which was supported by the House of Tara tells the story of Richard and Angela, two romantics who have always fallen into bad and sometimes abusive relationships.

According to Mr. Okeke, one of the producers of the movie, MIH was designed to ensure that viewers get the best of the cinematic experience. He revealed that the movie was the product of a co-production venture between Newlink Entertainment Limited, Peekaboo Global Consulting and NewOhens Limited.

“As a consortium we are always looking for ways to improve our art.

And this involves putting a lot of effort into scripting, shooting with the best equipment and an array of first-rate stars. All of these come to bear in Made in Heaven. Viewers are in for an exciting treat when the film finally starts showing at the cinemas from September 20.”

‘Made In Heaven’ features a selection of talented Nigeria actors and actresses including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ayo Makun, Toyin Abraham, Prince Jide Kosoko, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Nancy Isime, Lasisi Elenu, Kemen Big Brother, Uche Nwaefuna, Erica Nlewedim, Greg Ojefua, Sam Sunny, Jay Franklin Jituboh and a host of others.

L-R: Nancy Isime; Ayo Makun; Steph Zbili; and Jay Francklin Jituboh

L-R: Joy Abuda; Mabel Makun; and Lanre Makun

L-R: Uche Nwaefune; executive producer of the movie, Darlington Abuda; and Nancy Isime

CEO of Japparel Clothings, Joy Abuda Ayo Makun and Steph Zbili

Lasisi Elenu

L-R: Steph Zbili; and Ebunoluwa Dosumu

L-R: Tochukwu Okeke; Nancy Isime; Aloysius Okeke; and Elijah Umanu Nancy Isime and Steph Zbili

Uche Nwaefuna

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

FAIRGROUND

Jideonwo, Williams Get YouWIN! Connect Award

C

o-Founders of RED | For Africa, Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams, are set to receive the YouWIN Connect Award of Excellence at the first edition of the YouWIN Connect Enterprise Education Book and Awards, which will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

The young entrepreneurs are being celebrated for their outstanding work in the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Entreprises (MSMEs) niche, especially with the establishment and operation of a successful business that has transformed the lives of many Nigerians, especially Youths.

Established in 2010, RED | For Africa is a Nigerian media company, with successful youth-focused brands across public relations, communication, media production and human development such as YNaija, Red Media Africa, Generation Y!, The Future Project, The Zed Company and StateCraft Inc. YouWIN! Connect is a multimedia programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria, implemented by the

Williams

Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National planning (FMFBNP), with the goal of funding young entrepreneurs on their journey to becoming successful business owners by utilising training materials and tools to build the skillset and amplify exposure of MSMEs. Jideonwo and Williams were named in Forbes 30 Under 30: Africa's Best Young Entrepreneurs in February 2013, and co-winners of the Young Business Leader of the Year at the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards 2014. In 2017, Jideonwo was selected as a 2017 Greenberg Fellow at Yale University, and was also selected among 17 other young African leaders for the 2018 Tutu Leadership Programme.

Adebola William, the company’s Group CEO, was named The African Young Achiever by EMY Ghana in 2017; one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent the same year.

He was also selected for the Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellowship and the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Young African Leaders Initiative in 2018.

Famery Entertainment Plans Big for Music Industry

C

eo of Famery Entertainment, Oluwafemi Mojeed Ogundare is a man seasoned with excellence and good will. He is a former US Army Captain with so many educational degrees he has credited to his name. Femi’s incredible passion for music and entertainment prompted his decision to improve on the ways music artistes and music business was being handled in Nigeria to enable artistes make name for themselves and maximise profit in the music industry.

Famery Entertainment started in Maryland, USA in 2012. Femi's dedication and steadfast devotion procured the completion of Undisputed Intercontinental Champion album by Olajide Akanni aka Sketo J, Fuji Blessing by Toheeb Atanda aka Small Remi Ayata, My Father My Daughter featuring Alhaji Pasuma and Bukola Apeke "Yeye Oganla" hip hop singles Sweet Lagos, Gotta get it, Famery Anthem, 2018 Money, kokoro Famery,

My Money, Ronaldo, Dada Toja all by the talented T Code.

Talking about music, Femi had this to say: "Music has always been a passion of mine more so I have long desire to help give the voiceless the ability to be heard.

My inspiration in music is Percy “Master P” Miller CEO of No Limit Records out of New Orleans Louisiana USA. The business minds that he was able to turn a $50,000 loan to a $300 million empire known as the New No Limit Records has given me the motivation, dedication, and the confidence in my own abilities to build my own music empire. Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue. Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don’t understand the language that you’re singing in, they still know good music when they hear it”.

Femi is passionate about the Nigerian Music industry and he is relentless on making more industrious and enriching for all its stake holders.

Ogundare

Sylva Commences Work

M

Timipre Sylva

inister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva alongside executives and directors of the ministry, held a retreat recently on how the work and priorities of the ministry can be delivered in line with the mandate handed down by the President.

The press briefing was held on September 21, after the two-day ministerial retreat held at the Legends Hotel, Airport Road with Directors and Executives of the ministry, including Dr. Yau Usman Idris, Mr. Ahmad Rafau Shakur, Dr. Bello Aliyu Gasau, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan and many others.

Sylva disclosed how stakeholders in the sector can help develop strategic priorities, a road map and a delivery frame work. High level strategy was also discussed with clear deliverables to be achieved over short, medium and long

terms.

Accordingly, the heads of the agencies all agreed to strengthen their collaboration and hold monthly business meetings with the minister to continue the ongoing collaboration to deliver the objectives of the Ministry.

Sylva also clarified on the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production cut saying: “We didn’t say there was going to be OPEC cut by 50 per cent, that means we will not survive at all.

What came out and it was actually misrepresented in the press was that we are cutting 50 per cent of our overproduction, so it was not our products that is going down by 50 per cent. Cost-cutting is something we’ve been discussing because the government must have more profit from oil activities and the bottom line is affected very much by the cost of the business. So we are definitely looking at cost reduction issues."

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

38

AUTO

Mercedes-Maybach ultimate luxury

Mercedes Hinges Maybach’s Success on Latest Technology, Extraordinary Luxury Stories by Bennett Oghifo

C

ombining the latest technology with extraordinary luxury is the formula for the success of the Mercedes-Benz Maybach brand, the automaker has said.

A statement by officials said a number of events in the history of Maybach illustrate how the brand has always managed to realign itself and shape the future.

TheMercedes-Maybachbrandstandsforexclusive luxury, maximum comfort and state-of-the-art technology in automotive engineering, services and accessories. It is seen as a trailblazer in defining style and status. At the start of the 20th century, the man who gave it its name, Wilhelm Maybach, developed products that combined pioneering technologies with intuitive operation and fine design. His maxim was to create the very best from the very best. The brand combines this long tradition with visionary concepts for the require-

ments of the future. Naturally this means that it also takes its lead from new trends and customer requirements in the luxury segment. The brand will present its first SUV in the autumn.

In 1900 Wilhelm Maybach, technical director of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and long-standing companion of Gottlieb Daimler, developed the first Mercedes. With its low centre of gravity, longitudinally installed aluminium engine in the front, twin camshafts and an innovative honeycomb radiator, the Mercedes 35 HPknown as the Simplex, is considered to be the progenitor of all modern passenger cars. When the racing week in Nice was dominated by the new model in spring 1901, Wilhelm Maybach was respectfully titled “Roi des Constructeurs” – “King of designers”.

While Wilhelm Maybach was designing the first Mercedes,anotherGermanvisionarywasdreaming of mobility in the skies: Count Zeppelin. But it was only an innovative engine with a high output, low weight and a fireproof carburettor that gave the idea of the airship its breakthrough. The architects

of this breakthrough were Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl, who had already followed in his famous father’s footsteps as an apprentice at Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft from the age of 17. In 1909 the two entrepreneurs founded “LuftfahrzeugMotorenbau GmbH”, the germ cell of the later “Maybach-Motorenwerke” in Friedrichshafen.

Their powerful engines powered aircraft, ships and buses, as well as the “Flying Hamburger” locomotive, the progenitor of all high-speed trains.

When Karl Maybach developed his first automobile in 1919, he had recourse to Mercedes: the “W 1” test car was based on a chassis bearing the star.

Like the father, the son was a gifted designer. His inventions, for example the innovative “overdrive transmission”, and his bent for technical perfection founded the legend of the Maybach brand and its circle of illustrious customers: emperors and kings, bankers and captains of industry, top athletes and stars.

In the 1920s and 30s, long-distance travel was a matter of status and style. When the French

New Toyota Hilux Legend 50 Stands from Crowd

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he new Toyota Legend 50 is a bakkie that stands out from the crowd. What we have here is an expertly designed vehicle, sculpted to make you feel like a Legend.

Legendary Power I had the pleasure of spending a good amount of time with the new Hilux DC 2.8GD-6 4x4 MT. Keeping in mind that I have driven quite a few bakkies in my time, I believe that Toyota has yet again exceeded expectations.

When it comes to what is under the hood, the 2.8GD-6 turbodiesel motor produces torque of 420Nm @ 1400-2600 r/min (ideal for overtaking or towing). Furthermore, the engine returns an impressive average fuel consumption cycle of 7.6ℓ/100km.

With two driving modes, The Hilux 2.8GD-6 turbodiesel motor offers the following: Eco Mode: Developed for a relaxed drive that reduces acceleration input, this mode uses less power and less fuel when using the air conditioner.

Power Mode: Making use of the turbodiesel motor, this setting would be used when maximum power is required, delivering a sharpened throttle response.

What’s Inside This Legend?

The strength of the Legend 50 is balanced with its luxury interior. Sporting an accentuated black trim, perforated partial leather seats* and a high gloss black instrument panel, this is comfort combined with style.

When it comes to the technology, Toyota has excelled. Ensuring peace of mind, all driving informationthatisdisplayedontheMulti-Information Display can be toggled using the buttons on the multi-function steering wheel. For added functionality, the Xtra and Double Cab versions of the Legend 50 include a push start button, linked to

“Normandie” and the British “Queen Mary” were launched as the most beautiful ocean liners of all time, Maybach was building the ultimate automobile - the Maybach “Zeppelin”. The most stately German luxury limousine of its time combined technology, performance and comfort at the highest level.

The list of exemplary attributes is practically endless. In 1960 Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH was acquired by Daimler. In 2002 the next vehicle to be produced under the Maybach name appeared.

The Maybach, which DaimlerChrysler presented to the public in autumn 2002, elegantly continued the great tradition of the brand.

These automotive works of art were created on the basis of personal discussions between customers and the designers at the Maybach Centre of Excellence” in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, and were then individually built in the Maybach manufactory. Until 2013 the Maybach 57, Maybach 62 and Maybach 62 Landaulet were delivered to customers all over the world.

Auto Report Africa, Cartar Australia Seal Distribution Deal

A

The new Toyota Hilux Legend

the smart entry system.

Created with the user experience in mind, these integrations are very easy to use.

Legendary Safety The Hilux Legend 50 had to be as safe as it is tough, so Toyota has installed state-of-the-art safety features to keep you and your loved ones unharmed at all times, no matter the terrain. \Equipped with seven airbags (distributed as driver, front passenger, curtain*, driver knee and front side* airbags), extra-strength steel and a high-strength structure, the possibility of passenger injuries has been greatly diminished.

Safety features include: Anti-Lock Braking System Brake Assist Electronic Brake-Force Distribution Vehicle Stability Control Final Thoughts Toyota has yet again surprised us with another Legend.

For us to say that the Legend 50 impressed us wouldn’t be enough. As someone with a fair amount of bakkie experience, I can confidently say that Toyota has done an excellent job with this powerhouse of a vehicle.

uto Report Africa, the leading panAfrican online automotive news agency, has sealed a new marketing partnership deal with Cartar Australia for exclusive distribution of Cartar Mobile Lifts in Nigeria and Ghana, with future plans for the larger West African market.

A statement by Auto Report said the new deal is the result of a series of discussions and consultations between ARA and the Australian company.

In line with the partnership, details of which were conveyed in the agreement between the two parties, ARAbecomesthesoledistributorforCartarAustralia with exclusive mandate for sales and distribution of Cartar products in the Nigerian and Ghanaian market just as it would also be responsible for the development of the market in the two West African countries.

Managing Director, Cartar Australia, Bill Carter, is quite optimistic about the partnership.

“We are aware of your company and see a good synergyoftheCartarBrandwithAutoReportAfrica,” he was quoted as saying during one of the discussions that eventually led to the sealing of the deal.

Managing Editor, Auto Report Africa, Olaolu Olusina, is also excited at the new partnership that is coming two years after a similar deal was signed between his company and IKAGermany, a leading global player in the automotive parts business, for the sales and distribution of GEBE range of auto parts across West Africa.

“This is another good deal for us at Auto Report Africa and we give God all the glory for making this possible despite the obvious challenges at home, “ Olusina was quoted as saying. “ At Auto Report Africa, we’ll continue to represent our partners very well as we promise to bring original automotive parts to the market in line with our collective resolve to rid our market of fake and substandard products.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

39

AUTO

Jaguar Land Rover Unveils its Advanced Product Creation Centre Land Rover’s history. The site is 4,000,000m2, the equivalent to almost 480 football pitches.

The new facility delivers more than 50,000m2 of additional world-class innovative workspace which has been designed to encourage collaboration throughout the entire vehicle development process – from sketch to showroom. It includes the new Jaguar design studio, co-locating Jaguar and Land Rover design for the first time.

Gaydon’s new offices are rated in the top 10 per cent of most sustainable non-domestic buildings in the UK. Up to 20 per cent of its energy will come from almost 3,000m2 of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof, and the remainder from 100 per cent renewable sources. The same glazing technology as the Eden Project has been used to bring natural light into the building wherever possible and make it more energy efficient.

Bringing the outside in, the company has created a natural environment in the expanded facility to promote the personal health, wellbeing and productivity of its employees at Gaydon.Anatural landscape is at the heart of the site, creating an ecologically diverse area reusing 80,000m3 of natural soil excavated during the construction process, the equivalent of 30 Olympic sized pools.

Stories by Bennett Oghifo

J

aguar Land Rover has unveiled new facilities at its Gaydon site in Warwickshire, creating one of the UK’s most sustainable non-domestic buildings and the country’s largest automotive creation and development centre. The Gaydon site forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero mission; an ambition to make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner. Delivered through relentless innovation, the company’s focus is on achieving a future of zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion – across its facilities, and through its products and services.

Gaydon is home to almost 13,000 highly-skilled engineers and designers who are developing the current and next generation Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. The industry-leading centre is also creating future autonomous, connected, electrified and shared mobility technologies that will enable Jaguar Land Rover’s long-term, sustainable growth.

Speaking at the opening event, Prof Sir Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Megatrends like urbanisation and sustainability are fundamentally changing the automotive industry. At Jaguar Land Rover, we not only participate – we are shaping future mobility.

Our vision is for a world in which zero emission vehicles, public transport and self-driving pods will form one smart integrated and networked transport system.

Technicians tending a Jaguar at Gaydon site At Gaydon, we have invested into the future and an inspiring environment for our people.

We have created the prerequisites that Gaydon can design and engineer the next generations of outstanding cars in highest quality. We have consciously invested with a ‘Destination Zero’

attitude.”

Gaydon – created with people and sustainability in mind The advanced product creation centre brings design, engineering and production purchasing under one roof for the first time in Jaguar

Journey to Destination Zero has begun Jaguar Land Rover has already taken several significant steps towards its Destination Zero mission. During today’s event, it has showcased both latest vehicles and research technologies that will deliver this mission.

Kia Motors Produces Three Millionth Vehicle in the U.S.

K

ia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) reached another milestone yesterday evening when the plant’s three millionth vehicle – a white 2020 Telluride SX Prestige – rolled off the assembly line in West Point, Georgia.

Representing an investment of more than $1.1 billion, KMMG began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009 and today produces more than 40 percent of all Kia vehicles sold in the United States, according to a statement by the automaker.

“Producing three million vehicles in less than 10 years is another example of the commitment and results of the KMMG Team’s ‘One System, One Team’ philosophy,” said KMMG President and CEO Jangsoo (Jason) Shin. “The world-class quality that goes into every Telluride, Sorento and Optima we build is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our team members, and today we salute their commitment to excellence.”

KMMG, which will celebrate its 10th year of production later this year, has consistently been recognized for the outstanding qual-

ity, reliability and performance of its Kia products in evaluations and reports by J.D. Power & Associates, Consumer Reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a variety of media outlets.

“KMMG is an outstanding example of hardworking Georgians performing at world-class levels,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

“The company’s continued investment here is yet another result of our pro-business atmosphere, and I am proud to see KMMG’s relationship with the State of Georgia continue to strengthen. I want to congratulate Kia’s team members on the latest of many accomplishments.”

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. With an annual capacity of 340,000 units, KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009. KMMG is home to the Sorento SUV, the Optima mid-size sedan and the Telluride SUV.

2019 Kia Sportage

Rules for Changing New Tyres Should your new tyres be installed in the front or back axle? When most people buy new tyres, they tend to install them in the front axle. They give a number of reasons for doing so. Among such reasons are: with the engine in the front, new tyres should be in the front since they are stronger so should be able to effectively support the weight of the engine.The second reason is that since new tyres will be less prone to suffer a blowout and since blowout of a front tyre is more dangerous than that of a rear tyre, it is safer to install new tyres in the front. Lastly, they also reason that front tyres suffer the rigors of acceleration, braking, steering and bad road conditions more and so wear out faster than the rear tyres. So new tyres are better installed in the front.

The above reasons sound logically but unfortunatelyfollowingthatlogicwouldlandyouinserious trouble. It is downright dangerous to install new tyres in the front axle especially during the rainy season. Why? Because of a phenomenon called hydroplaning. What is hydroplaning?You will observe that your tyres, if not worn out, have some grooves and channels on the treaded portion that is in contact with the ground. Those grooves and channels are designed to, among other functions, help to remove water under the tyres on a wet surface so that the tyre will maintain adequate contact with the road surface for proper traction.

A situation may arise where the channels are not able to remove water fast enough or where

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa (Corps Commander) Corps Public Education Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. + 2348033026491 the channels are not deep enough because the tyres have worn out. In either situation, the tyres will not maintain contact with the road surface and will simply float on the pool of water. This phenomenon of floating on water because of lack of contact with the ground is called hydroplaning. It is dangerous and may lead to loss of control and a crash. When a vehicle is hydroplaning, application of the brakes will make matters worse!

Now let us consider the effects of hydroplaning with new tyres in (a) the front axle and (b) the back axle starting with new tyre in the front axle. (Old tyres at back axle) New tyres, by nature, should have more tread depths than tyres in use. So the tyres at the back – because they have less tread depths – will hydroplane before the new tyres in front. With the rear tyres hydroplaning first, a situation called over steering may occur. This is a situation where the rear tyres will lose traction before the front tyres and the rear of the vehicle begins to slide. Oversteering is

far more difficult to control, and in addition to the initial distress felt when the rear of the car starts sliding, quickly releasing the gas pedal in an attempt to slow down may actually make it more difficult for the driver to regain control, possibly causing a complete spinout, loss of control and a crash.

What of new tyres at the back axle? (old tyres in front axle) When you have new tyres at the back axle, the old tyres in the front will hydroplane before the back tyres. This may lead to understeering .

This means the vehicle will continue to move in the straight forward direction even when you want to steer it either to the left or to the right. This is easier to control. By easing up on the gas pedal, the vehicle will slow down and make it very easy for the driver to control.

Now let me share a testing experience with you to drive home the point. Members of The Tire Rack team had the chance to experience hydroplaning at Michelin’s Laurens Proving Grounds. Participants were allowed to drive around a large radius, wet curve in vehicles fitted with tires of different tread depths - one vehicle with new tires on the rear and half-worn tires on the front, and the other with the new tires in the front and half-worn tires on the rear. The ability to sense and control predictable understeer with the new tires on the rear, and the helplessness in trying to control the surprising oversteer with the new tires on the front was emphatically proven. It is better to experience this phenomenon in the safe, controlled conditions of

Michelin’s Laurens Proving Grounds rather than in traffic in a rainstorm.

In case there is any doubt, when tires are replaced in pairs, the new tires should always be installed on the rear axle and the worn tires moved to the front. It is safer to replace your tyres in pairs, if not in fours. When you have problem with any of your tyres and you want to replace it, it is advisable you equally replace the other tyre on the same axle with the bad tyre so that you have tyres that are exactly the same make, same age, same physical conditions, same size – the same everything – on same axle. This will make for vehicle stability, effective control and better handling. Infact, the ideal thing is to change all the four tyres at the same time.

What does the yellow/red lines on dots on a new tyre? When you buy new tyres, you will observe that most of them have red or yellow lines running on top and round the entire perimeter of the tyre and red or yellow dots on the tyre’s side walls. Are those marks simply decorations or are they there for information? They are there with fascinating bits of information. Let’s start with the red or yellow dots.

The red and yellow spots.When a tyre is made, the weight is not perfectly uniform throughout the entire size of the tyre. There are some areas of deformity where the weight is greater than in other portions of the tyre. That point is always marked with either red or yellow dot and is called the tyre’s high point . What do you do with the dots? When you are fixing the tyre onto the rim, you should align that spot with the inflation valve stem on the wheel.

40

อบฮ ห อบอธอนฮ หพ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

อบฮ ห อบอธอนฮ หพ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

41

42

Ë&#x153; Ëž SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Amidstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Amongstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Outdated

Y

OU are welcome to this edition: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śamidst criticisms over the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising debt profile as well as the burden to service such debts.â&#x20AC;?

Modern trend: amidâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not amidst. Also whileâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not whilst; amongst (among). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Payback period is between 3-10 years.â&#x20AC;?

(Full-page advertisement by Access Bank, THISDAY, September 21) More than banking: between 3 and 10 or from 3 to 10.

DAILY SUN of September 26 welcomes us this weekend with a few improprieties commencing from a full-page advertorial: â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a heart of felicitation and love, I wish to congratulate (I congratulate) my husbandâ&#x20AC;Ś over (on/upon) his merited doctorate award.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your diligent nature and tenacity of purpose has (have) singled you out for recognition.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śbut you have shown the world that good things comes (why?) to those who work for it (them).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;NPFL title: Imama leads Rangers to promise land (sic)â&#x20AC;? Sports journalists: (the) Promised Land (take note of the capitalization) THISDAY of September 17 circulated copious blunders beginning from the front page: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In spite of the current division amongst (among) members of the terrorist groupâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Amidstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;amongstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whilstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;join togetherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;log of woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;heavy downpourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (the list is endless!)â&#x20AC;Śbelong to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;old schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! â&#x20AC;&#x153;His present command and control (command-and-control) tactics must end.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śargues that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;foreign terroristsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are being treated with kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gloves.â&#x20AC;? Get it right: kid gloves â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am sure those of them that participated in both competitions will tow (toe) the line of reasoning.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;IGC sets (set) for 2019 Corporate Challenge

Cupâ&#x20AC;?

From THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER we move over to DAILY SUN of September 19 also starting from the front page: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Biafra asks Igbo to switch-off (switch off) phonesâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śwhile incidences of diseases and death (deaths) have worsened.â&#x20AC;? Please note that even as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;incidenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is countable, it is usually singular. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lagos is a vibrant city with enormous potentials.â&#x20AC;? Either â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;potentialitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or just â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;potentialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (without any inflection) The next set of solecisms is from a full-page congratulatory advertorial by the Plateau State Government, as published by DAILY SUN under review: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Celebrating one of Plateauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quintessential legal luminary (luminaries)!â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your several (many) years of practice and public service as commissionerâ&#x20AC;Śfor about nine years has (have) no doubtâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Preferably â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;manyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am no doubt confident that Plateau State, the National Assembly where you now serve as a (an) honourable memberâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

Let us welcome SATURDAY TELEGRAPH to this column. Its September 21 edition committed a few infractions: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ashes to beauty (Ashes-to-beauty) story of the cameraâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śbrings to the fore issues concerning some non-governmental organizations set up under the pretext of helping the needy but turn out to be scamsâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a guy likes me and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going online to check for my statusâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Delete â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;forâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; because it is redundant â&#x20AC;&#x153;FG seeks China (Chinese) cooperation to tackle piracy in entertainment industryâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strenghtening (Strengthening) commitmentâ&#x20AC;?, but straightening Last entry from the back page of SATURDAY Telegraph under focus: â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is a bogeyman who pushes, shoves, pulls, elbows and even scratch (scratches) players on the faceâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banksâ&#x20AC;? Phrasal verb: clamp down (two words). â&#x20AC;&#x153;An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellenceâ&#x20AC;?

This way: leader par excellence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;New trends in electioneering campaignsâ&#x20AC;?

Just electioneering or political campaigns â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Electioneering campaignâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is sheer verbiage! â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Electioneeringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; encompasses campaign and other related electoral issues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.â&#x20AC;? The will to die: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;damageâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the launching (launch preferably) of the poverty alleviation (a hyphen) programme by the Federal Government, not a few Nigerians desire to see it effectively in place. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śwhat happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.â&#x20AC;? This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Riff-raffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is uncountable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; keepers.â&#x20AC;? This way: brotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion paradeâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gossipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, in this context, is uncountable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More overaged players for youth soccerâ&#x20AC;&#x153; Get it right: overage players. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Residents of some of the troubled spots in South Africa in disarrayâ&#x20AC;? Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śrummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.â&#x20AC;? Stock expression: nook and cranny.

Nostalgia: Fraction of A Youth Well Spent

I

have always loved the media and the arts. As a young man growing up in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, it was inevitable that you were exposed to artistic influences of the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. I remember â&#x20AC;&#x153;truantingâ&#x20AC;? around the Noble Street (Yaba, Lagos) home of the late doyen of theatre, Hubert Ogunde...just to watch his groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rehearsals and banters...in my childlike admiration, I was made for the theatre.

Down Brickfield Road, where I lived for about 10 years of my adolescent years, also lived music maestro, Sonny Okosuns...

Then, I was filled with a tremendous passion to hug a guitar, and lead a band. I even gathered some street friends to bring alive our dreams to be superstars. Somehow, the band never got off the ground.

Then, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;FESTAC 77â&#x20AC;? came to town, and took the lead off my creative marbles, more or less. I wanted to perform motley of artistic genres: Ipi Tombi and other mesmerizing dance troupes suggested I should be a dancer... At least many of them looked like me - tall, wiry and energetic.

Sundry crafts and pan-African motifs revealed my deep lying artistic gifts... Of course, I used to serenade awed adults and envious mates with my pencil and crayon drawings of American western film stars and Indian filmic heroes...even earning few kobos from appreciative neighbours and indulgent strangers.

I actually had made up my mind to study Theatre Arts in the university - after touting the idea of reading law. My teenage friend, Orii (Sunday Oribamishe, now late) and I had become some sort of fixtures at the National Arts Theatre (Abe Igi) hunting for acting opportunities. It was there I met and sustained a thoroughly bohemian and interesting relationship with friends who shared my craze for the theatre and the written words (we were easily infatuated with the bombastic and the obscurantist). In between the hiatus created by seasonal tussles with almighty JAMB after secondary school and gaining admission into the university, I formed a remarkable â&#x20AC;&#x153;musketeering unitâ&#x20AC;? with Wale Obadeyi, aka Walejay (now MD of MaxiMargin Communications Ltd. PostScript: he died last year) and Muyiwa Kayode (current CEO of USP Brand Mgt).

Between late 1981 and early 1983, our peregrinations (one of our favourite words) usually spanned the National Arts Theatre (where UK-returning star actor, Lari Williams was struggling to knock us into some recognisable artistic shape); to the Theatre Annex where Bassey Effiongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anansa Playhouse was holding brutal auditions and rehearsals; to the then NTA 7 station (Tejuoso, Lagos) where young producer, Kunle Ajala was whetting our acting thirst with rehearsals for sundry TV drama series; to the Guardian, ThisWeek offices where our star writers were building their reputations in serious journalism.

We virtually had crushes (the intellectual type, that is) on great journalists like Sonala Olumhense, Tunji Lardner, Lanre Idowu, Taiwo Obe, Ben Tomoloju, and few others. They graciously listened to and encouraged our dreams and exertions; tried to read and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;editâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; our bellicose and bombastic articles, poems and pure vituperation... That was how we learnt about â&#x20AC;&#x153;stringingâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;freelancingâ&#x20AC;?...running here and there to contribute to the greatest journals of the day. And when any of our articles got into print, which were far in between, we

went deliriousâ&#x20AC;ŚI still have a copy of my poems published in Times International (a news magazine publication of Daily Times) around 1982! In the frenetic search for relevance and identity, I stumbled on co-travellers like Segun Aina (now Arinze, whose voice was larger than his body); Francis Onwochie (who would never accept that since he looked the youngest, he should be running errands for us); his older sister, Josephine; Mike Odiachi (now late), and some others I cannot now recollect.

However, a chat at the male restroom of the National Assembly Service Commission (Race Course), with a very senior colleague, the dashing and handsome Femi Oyewoh, convinced me that it would make sense to study English Language and acquire a canopy of knowledge which could also accommodate my first love, Theatre Arts. Less than two years later, I found myself in the English Department of University of Jos. It was love at first sight. I met great scholars like Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike (famous novelist, now a monarch), Dr. Memudu (HOD), Mr. Ngwaba, etc. That was some 28 years ago...(now 36 years).

Fast forward to 1987 when I landed at the NYSC camp of OdeAye, Ondo State. It was in Akure, Ondoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital city that I met Akin Ibisagba, a double degree holder in Drama and English Literature from University of Ilorin (now a branch manager at Fidelity Bank, Lagos - PS: he died few years ago). Akin and I formed a successful creative and artistic â&#x20AC;&#x153;collaboâ&#x20AC;? that produced â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Clarion Callâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a staged musico-drama which won the Zonal and National drama competitions for all NYSC state drama troupes. Akin was the director and co-writer; I was the main actor, chief dancer and co-writer (how and why - I wangled myself into those roles will take a full chapter).

We presented the final show at the Hall 2 (my second home five years earlier) of the National Arts Theatre with federal ministers, permanent secretaries and other dignitaries in attendance.

I remember the then Group Captain Bayo Lawal (a military officer who was in charge of Sports and Youth Development ministry), Prof. Olikoye Ramsome Kuti (Health) and his lovely wife; super permanent secretary (and thespian), Mrs. Francesca Emmanuel; then NYSC director-general, Brig. Edet Akpan, among others. Our ebullient state chief inspector, Chief Banjo Akinnigbagbe was visibly swollen with obvious pride at the superlative command performance we put up that day in 1987. I sang and danced so hard that I lost my voice, and use of most of my limbs for three days! That performance fetched us (Akin and I) the State Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award...it confirmed my long-suffering belief that I could make it as an actor... in another life!

We also organised the first Miss NYSC Ondo State, in a great climax, and with great support from an ebullient NYSC staff, Gbayode Somuyiwa (fondly called Show, now a director at ThisDay newspapers). My experiences in Ondo State can fill another book... that service year (not the heinous maelstrom it has now been turned to) was pivotal in my single-minded attraction to the entertainment entrails of Nigeria. Then, in September 1988, barely a month after our NYSC adventure ended, by the grace of God, I took a note from Ben Tomoloju (former Deputy Editor of The Guardian) to Punchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-standing and dashing daily editor, Demola Osinubi (now MD

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I inquired from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of campaigns.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is (are) no electricity, no security, no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2023 elections right.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;...given the lame-duck posture of the opposition parties, the APC simply held sway from the onset (outset).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reactions on (to) the Popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit, however successful, were mixed in Egypt, a country inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prior to the Popeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit, Egyptian Catholics have (had) opted out of theâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first part was published last week Friday.â&#x20AC;? Monday politics: either last Friday or Friday, last week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vigilante (vigilance) groups, committed to the enforcement of the by-law, are being set up.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of these areas include producing enough food to feed our teaming (teeming) population.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rather, the money, including the N200 million per state released for special purposes, was diverted to other uses.â&#x20AC;? We certainly do not need the last three words in the extract, having been taken care of by â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;diversionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless the detonating mechanism of extremist religious chauvinism is diffusedâ&#x20AC;? Get it right: defused (not diffused). â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have decided to sheath their machetes and seek vengeance no more. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Noun: sheath; verb: sheathe.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

- PS: currently GMD). That was after missing a chance to get into The Guardian... I started work in The Punch that same week... And there, I simply flew... And thus began my ponderous and sometimes meddlesome interventions in Nigerian entertainment.

Before you go deep into my recollections, I wish to salute those that have gone ahead of me, whom I have a grunting regard for...I used to enjoy the write-ups of Chinaka Fynecountry... and I was delirious when I met him in the early 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s while doing business with the then fast-fading Daily Times...he was like a demi-god at Lagos Weekend...for my generation then.

I have always admired the quiet dignity and dogged professionalism of Ladi Ayodeji, many years ahead of me as the anchor of Punchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship entertainment pages (Saturday Highlife, SH), now I suspect itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s referred to as Life & Beats...how times fly). Even after Punch, Ayodeji refused to lie low... he flagged off Beats, running on the streets for many years.

Perhaps the most influential in my prominence in entertainment reporting was Azuka Jebose-Molokwu, who is six months older than me, but carried himself around me like a very senior brother.

Azukaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ebullience, his swanky, peripatetic lifestyle struck a chord with some moorings in me, and we hit it off spectacularly. I had always been an Arts person... And that was what I was at home with at the Features department of Punch - where I shared office space with good writers like Dele Adeosun, Joe Dudun, Tunde Kolawole, Jude Arijaje, Azu Ishiekwene, Peju Odelola, Patience Akpan, Mercy Ette (last two are now UK/US-based lecturers).

Three smashing babes ruled the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at that point in time: Toyin Olafunmiloye, Iretunde Willoughby and Joy Ofulie. I also remember the enigmatic â&#x20AC;&#x153;horoscopistâ&#x20AC;?, Joshua â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Astroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Adeyemo. Our boss was the radical Bola Bolawole. There were other great colleagues scattered across different departments in The Punch - Uncle Ben, late Jide Kutelu(?), Pa Ajumobi, lithe Linda, Funke Aboderin (Madam Library), Moses Ebong, Oga Chris Mammah, Victor Ifijie, Fidel Otuya, Lawal Ighienagbon, Bankole Falade, Saka (Paso Alhaji) Jimoh, Joshua Ogunsemi, Remi Ibitola, Uncle T (Tunde Aboderin) and so many more.

But Azuka was a different breed; he sapped the notorious adulation and fretful attention his presence and writings engendered, especially his columnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gossip strip, Whispers. 1988 was giddy... and then by the second month in 1989, Azuka simply vanished... to the United States of America... And no prize for guessing right who was asked to take over the great SH pages - less than four months as a bona-fide Puncher... and as they say in movies...the rest is history.

[Disclaimer: First written in 2011. Postcripts are efforts to â&#x20AC;&#x153;up-the-datesâ&#x20AC;?]

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

43

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Peruzzi

From Medicine to Music Dbanj: Relishing New Baby Boy pg. 45

UCHE ELENDU Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Touching Lives, Helping Women Achieve Their Body Goals without Surgery

pg. 46

44

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER t 4&15&.#&3 , 2019

SHOWBIZFLAIR PERUZZI

From Medicine to Music Afropop artiste, Peruzzi (Tobechukwu Victor Okoh) is signed to Davido Music Worldwide (DMW). His breakthrough followed the big hit collaboration titled Amaka with legendary musician 2Baba. The singer/songwriter, who dropped medicine for music, is certainly having a good time in the music scene, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

D

avido Music Worldwide (DMW) artiste, Peruzzi, is exceptionally talented; let’s say unique in the sense of his strong vocals. You could easily single out his voice from his collaborative efforts. That’s if you’ve followed his career since his emergence in not really a short while ago. Like in the hit song Amaka by 2Baba featuring Larry Gaaga and Peruzzi, whose real name is Tobechukwu Victor Okoh. Or in the bubbly jam Azaman

by Slimcase which also has the once intended medical doctor Peruzzi, and a couple of other stars, including 2Baba again. Peruzzi’s late 2018 single, Majesty, featuring no artiste has his voice etched.

Prior to the success of Majesty, the singer/ songwriter had been maligned by many who claimed he only shines on featured songs.

However that notion is fast changing with listeners now respecting the artiste for his lyrical prowess. Peruzzi’s vocal sound peculiarity is outstanding. “That’s the voice,” a colleague and friend, Rotimi Agbana noted as we sit for a chat with the Afro-pop musician who had just started talking. “My year has not really started right now considering the things I’ve been working on. But yeah it’s been good it’s been wholesome, thank God.” He had just recently dropped the video for the song Majesty “…and so that one brought back the song I dropped last year to show that I’m ahead of the game,” Peruzzi boasts. “I mean like I dropped the song in December and its now people are just catching up, you understand. So, I’m still riding on the Majesty wave. But I’m recording my album already, my first album; it’s called Honcho Vibes. It’s a whole community of vibes, different genres and that’s basically where you would get to understand what I’m about.”

Peruzzi’s career has really taken a quantum leap since he teamed up with 2Baba in the song Amaka. He revealed that Amaka was another song that changed his life, money wise, because it brought him shows. Speaking on how the collaboration happened he said, “I was in Larry Gaaga’s (music businessman) place and then we were vibing. I wrote everything in the major part of the song and 2Baba came and added his legendary flavour to it.”

Peruzzi’s first introduction to the entertainment scene came with his single For Your Pocket. And ever since has kept not a few interested in him. He’s certainly having a good moment right now coasting high on the scene with multiple collaborative efforts to his credit, like he did with Mayorkun last year in the song Red Handed. Peruzzi is predicted as Afro-pop’s next big star, and he certainly deserves it, as he’s a good singer and an even better songwriter.

Right from time, Peruzzi has always been about music. “I was born into a family where everybody sings. I have two sisters. My dad bought me a piano when I was seven years old. At that time, I had to learn how to play even though it was rubbish,” he said jokingly.

“I remember the first song I ever learnt how to play was ‘this is the day that the Lord has made’. So every morning devotion they must sing ‘this is that day’. I mean like that’s the

Peruzzi

first song I sing like ten times before we end the praise session.”

So from there, Peruzzi got into the choir normally as a church boy born into a Christian family. His dad is a deacon, his mum was a deaconess. “She was and we were like as it was a major normal thing always in church on Sundays, choir practice on Saturdays, prayer meetings on Wednesdays, just like that (laughter across) so it was quite a normal family. My dad is an engineer, my mum was a doctor. I used to sing in high school normal group and all that stuff before I went to university.”

This was a new phase in his life entirely as he enrolled to study Medical Surgery at Odessa State Medical University in Ukraine.

To him, he didn’t do anything music his first year because it was new to him and he needed to be serious.

However a chance to sing in his second year at a Valentine party exposed him and before he knew it they started paying him to come perform at shows then in school. But he hadn’t enough songs and was battling trying to shuffle his music and study at the same time. So whenever he got the time he would go to studio and write songs. “Once I’m in the studio I’m ready to sing we record that day because I may not have time again,” Peruzzi explains.

“So I go to studio and then I would record all the songs I have rehearsed and stuff. So I was doing it like that till my third to fourth year. After my fifth year, I had issues with my passport; somebody stole my passport.

As at that time, I was already tired because I was seeing things happening in Nigeria music industry and I knew I could do better.”

Peruzzi had to find his way back to Nigeria, abandoning his medical study. But that was

not without an excruciating experience in the hands of a Nigerian embassy official who would only issue him a travel certificate on condition that Peruzzi present his flight ticket first. “In my mind I’m like, ‘you devil you’ve really given me a certificate instead of a passport,’” Peruzzi recalled that challenge while narrating the moment.

Prior to his arrival in Nigeria, Peruzzi was made one or two record offers, especially one from X3M Music, through a known agent but it didn’t actually work. “I did all and tried and tried in Lagos the music thing with X3M Music didn’t work out. I didn’t even hear anything from them again. Then one guy from Malaysia somebody showed him my music, he now signed me and I was happy. He put me in a different house with some boys and was sending money through somebody to me and I was just there like that recording songs.”

That didn’t work out again as he had imagined. It was a moment of upheaval that he started debauching in alcohol and women. “I just got tired at a point and had to leave them. Because I kept trying to tell them like ‘guy, I’m a serious guy! Like I left something (medical study) for this shit you know what I’m saying, I’m not really down for all this I don’t really have time. I have people watching and waiting like they want to know what’s up you get but they didn’t understand.”

Meanwhile his family, especially his dad was disturbing him to go back to school; his girlfriend’s mum was disturbing him to go back to school. He had lost his mum to cancer. There was a lot he needed to be focused; he just had to focus on writing so he had to channel all the energy into his music.

He didn’t listen to any Nigerian song for

like three years. . . “Then three years later, I met this guy so the first song we dropped was For Your Pocket. Then we now came back to Lagos. . . I just slept one evening like that; I was tired then I woke up, checked my phone I just saw messages from people hitting me up to go check Davido’s Instagram handle.

“I did; the first thing I saw was ‘Davido official liked your video’, that’s ‘For Your Pocket’ video on Instagram. I just checked the page again to be sure because I just woke up I now saw that verification badge. . . The next day, the same thing, I slept again, in the evening woke up ‘go and check Davido’s messages’ because I was following him then.

I just checked he was playing the song he wrote my name there. ‘Eh that one like guy…I don’t blow that was it.’ But still after that I didn’t know what to do.” At that point even he claimed he wasn’t tempted to direct messaging Davido whom he met afterwards through Davido’s Chioma, who happens to be Peruzzi’s distant cousin.

“To cut the long story short, we did ‘For Your Pocket’ remix and dropped it. So one time like that I went to Ekiti and I was coming home; he (Davido) just called me. Then he was like ‘omo come house o!’ I said ‘ah where I’m staying is very far o!’ And I was really tired. He now said ‘eh no wahala you can come tomorrow. But I have recorded ‘FIA’ (a song Peruzzi wrote. That song would then turn out one of the best songs from Davido).

‘Omo I just told the Uber guy about turn lets go.’ And he played it. And it was too perfect like it was his story . . . so it really sounded perfect and that was what changed my life. Many people think it was For Your Pocket that actually changed my life, but no it’s that song, that particular song that changed my life.”

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Dbanj: Relishing New Baby Boy

Dbanj and his wife, Lineo

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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t isindeedgoodnewsforsuperstarsinger, D’banj, real name Oladapo Oyebanji and his wife, Lineo Didi Kilgrow as they take pleasure in the birth of their new baby.

The child will expectedly bring joy and happiness to the family and serve as succor for the son they lost tragically last year. Two days after welcoming another son with his wife, Dbanj expressed his gratitude and appreciation for life. The Koko Master took to Instagram to write, ‘so grateful and speechless right now. In fact, every show, appearance or concert I do from now on, is going to be a celebration of life’.

The Nigerian entertainer had welcomed a son with his wife, Lineo Didi Kilgrow in the United States of America barely a month after revealing that he was expecting a child. Recall that in August 2019 during an interview in London, D’banj announced that he was expecting another son, when asked about how he coped with the difficulty of losing a child.

The energetic performer who was in London for his Koko Concert had revealed the cheering news in

an interview with OAP Shopsy of Beat FM London.

“I am going to be a father in a few months after praying for restoration after the sad incident. And we are expecting a boy,” the singer had revealed.

Lineo Didi Kilgrow gave birth to a bouncing baby boy in United States of America on September 19, 2019. News of the birth triggered excitement on social media as report of the baby’s arrival filtered online. This news has come a year after D’banj and Didi lost their first child, Daniel Oyebanjo III. Fans and followers of the music star took to social media to congratulate him and his wife for this bundle of joy and blessing God bestowed on his family.

Two months after the incident, the artiste dedicated a song to his wife. D’banj also said that he never thought he would ever lose a child and that the sad incident really broke him. During the interview, the Nigerian superstar singer thanked everyone that supported him and his wife throughout the trying time. He said, “First, I want to thank everyone out there who has supported us, but the truth is in everything we do we need to give thanks to God and more importantly, I believe there is God that granted me the grace and mercy over my family

and my wife to be able to be here today. It’s not something you wish for your worst enemy. To lose a child is not something you think about, and I have never thought about it before.” He also revealed that he only attended therapy once with his wife but stopped going after it “brought up a lot.

“If I told you I thought about it, unlike other things you asked me and I told you I am focused and I go in, this was one that broke me. It was just that it just took the grace of God and a bit of therapy. I think I went for therapy once and I said this no be my style because it was bringing out so many things.”

The singer also expressed delight that he had been able to channel the pains into creating god music for his fans. “I am happy that over time I have been able to channel that into my music, which is more important for me. You haven’t heard any of them yet but very soon…because the most important thing that I believe, and pray for, is restoration. I know that no matter how many times I tell my wife that everything is okay, God has to give us restoration.”

The former Mo’Hits Record co-owner had also

hinted on having a two-part series album. He said one part of the album will address the challenges he faced when he lost his son, while the other part is his “every day” rhythm.

The singer recently made his Nollywod debut in Jade Osiberu’s film titled ‘Sugar Rush’ which will hit the cinemas in December. D’banj who was scheduled to release a new body of work this week has moved the release date forward and will announce the birth of his son in a few days.

D’banj combines Afrobeat and Afropop to bring his music to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humour.

His songs are based on his life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English. D’banj’s debut album, No Long Thing, was released in 2005. It yielded several singles with Tongolo as the lead single. This proved to be his breakthrough single and a hit. It also provided his “Koko Master” persona, with the term, koko, taking on a variety of meanings.

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SHOWBIZFLAIR UCHE ELENDU

I’mTouching Lives, Helping Women AchieveTheir Body Goals without Surgery Uche is an actor, producer and a beauty entrepreneur. She has featured in numerous Nollywood movies. She tells Tosin Clegg about herself, acting, producing and her new product line, among others I’m having a fantastic year ’m so fulfilled. God has been very faithful this year. This year has been amazing. I have achieved a lot of my goals, meeting my expectations.

Though the year is not yet over, but I have been able to achieve all my goals for 2019. I have just set up my personal brand and I’m pushing it to limelight and it’s about helping a lot of women to achieve confidence with their body, which is something I’m really passionate about. I feel so fulfilled that my brand is reaching out to a lot of people and they are getting good results. I’m also working on my personal movie this year. I hope to get to the cinema this year.

The plan to start filming is on top gear and things are falling in the right way.

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I didn’t take any break for movies It is my first love. So, I’m still very much in the sector, but only slowed down because the movie sector doesn’t pay like before. Not like I am into movies, just for the money, but it is my job, so I am supposed to make a living out of it.

Recently, we have had lots of piracy issues and that’s why producers no longer invest in movie productions. There was a drop in the production and marketing of movies. That’s the main reason, most of us decided to venture into other businesses to boost our finance.

I’m into beauty generally I’m a beautiful woman and I know what it takes to keep being beautiful. So, I’m extending it to other women who don’t know how to keep their body in good shape after delivery. I am also into skincare, hair, body sculpting; I run a beauty store basically.

The birth my products The birth my products was prompted by my passion for beauty, passion for looking good, and passion for helping women to achieve their beauty goals. It is actually something that I’m passionate about and fortunate to benefit from a product that I was introduced to by a friend of mine in the United States. It was very good for waist training. So, I gave it a shot for like five months and when I came back to Nigeria, everybody was complimenting my new look. And that time, I thought if I could achieve this for such a time, why would people risk going under the knife for the same purpose. So, I ordered for a few friends of mine and after using it for a while, they all said to me, ‘Uche this thing they really work oh’. This is really good. That’s how I decided to do more research on it with the mind of making a living out of this.

I traveled and checked other products.

I can now proudly boast that I have the best effective waist product in Nigeria.

I really wanted to touch lives with my products and Killer Curves gave me that satisfaction. I was able to touch lives and help women achieve their body goals without surgery. I started in November 2018, and that was when I brought my first batch of products. So far, it has been awesome.

Uche Elendu

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Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Gists I’m Touching Lives, Helping Women Achieve Their Body Goals without Surgery Killer Curves has different kinds of products We have the sculpting garment. I gave it that name because of the way it defines the body. It flattens the body, takes inches off the waist, lifts the breast and has a butt lifter. I made sure I have the best quality ever with the sculpting garment. I make very little profit from it, but seeing the customer’s satisfaction makes me more fulfilled. I also have waist trainer, slimming product that burn fats and detoxify the body. They work together with the waist trainer and sculpting garment.

Picking ambassadors for my brand Actually, I have only one actor as my ambassador, which is Destiny Etiko.

I picked her because she’s one person that encouraged me in the business.

When I started my business, she bought my products, used them, was supportive, told her social media followers about the product. She’s also a hard working girl, uses herself as an example because she has killer curves. She is the Killer Curves Queen. So, I don’t regret using her as an ambassador.

Running multiple businesses, acting and coping with every other thing Yes, I run multiple businesses; from CEO Killer Curves, CEO Lendy Hair and more. I’m also a mother of two lovely children and I’m an actor extraordinary. Actually, I won’t say it’s easy as an entrepreneur that’s still trying to get her brand well recognised because I have to be in the picture at all times. My business is not something I can employ people to run. Killer Curves has four staff, and Lendy Hair has two. I have people handling my social pages, those in charge of logistics, among others.

But it’s not enough; it’s something that has to do with the body, so I have to be there, so it’s not easy. It is very tasking and I have to create a time table for myself. Of course, I have kids, they go to school and they are my world. It is very tasking. But I also have siblings that help them with their homework.

I also have an amazing mother that comes around whenever I’m out of the country for a shoot to make sure I keep in touch with my kids. So, basically I try to attend to every responsibility in a very responsible way.

I actually find time to relax and my relaxation is spending time with my kids I’m not really an out-going person.

You can’t find me out there except I’m really forced by friends or when someone close is celebrating something. Apart from that, my best moment is when I’m home with my kids. I try as much as possible when I can afford it to go on a vacation with my kids. I eat, sleep, read and search online. Basically, that’s what I do at my relaxation moment.

Men should know that good women are scarce So, when you find one, learn to protect her, love and appreciate her efforts. Make her happy. There are lots of women out there but we have very few good women. Most women out there are materialistic, wicked; they are out to frustrate men because they have been hurt. So, when you get a

woman that loves you unconditionally with or without money, appreciate her.

Not all women are materialistic some women just want you to show them love, most of them go to church to pray for their husbands to have money, pray for their husbands protection and favour. Most spend their last card on their husbands to make sure they are happy but at the end what they get is rejection. Their husbands leave them to follow slay queens that will suck the little one they are able to get. It doesn’t have anything to do with my personal life. It is just painful and obvious that’s it happening in our society today, that’s why marriages are crashing. Men feel that when they marry a woman or probably she’s given them a child, then she doesn’t have any other place to go.

They prefer to go out and look for those slim girls, wearing bum short, that’s why I say women should stop tying wrapper at home, they should buy Killer Curves, shape up their bodies, so, that your man will respect you. So, in one way or the other men appreciate women because of their looks. Respect your woman, and give them a sense of belonging. Show them love, do not drive women into depression, that’s why I advise if the marriage is violent and you can’t bear it anymore my dear run for your life. Being single is better than single in the casket. I’m not in any way encouraging divorce, rather men love your wives. Women should also know their worth, love their husbands and be faithful. But never stay in a toxic relationship. Run for your dear life.

What makes a good marriage It is understanding, tolerance, love of God. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. When you have a woman that fears God, the marriage is bound to work but when you have a woman that fears God and a man that doesn’t, and you try to make the man fear God and he refuses, be at alert. Because people that fear God have conscience, they do things because they feel He owns their life. For me, my say is before a woman goes into marriage, make sure it is with a man that fears God, loves, tolerates, share thoughts together and understands you well. The two parties should love each other, tolerate each other, pray together and share ideas together.

Talking about celebrity marriages Celebrities are human beings and as much as celebrities’ marriages crash, marriages around the world crash, it’s not about beeing a celebrity, but it’s just about the individuals. Marriage is coming together of two different people from two different opinions, different backgrounds, different understanding of life and marriage. So, when that understanding is not there it’s a big problem. Most men feel insecure and threatened when they marry celebrities.

They are jealous because their wives are celebrities and most likely have more fame, more money, meets a lot of people out there and all that. Most people feel female celebrities always cheat, but it is not always that way in most cases.

Celebrity women have admirers, they are also admired by their fans, they have male colleagues, but their ability to keep these relationships cordial is the main issue. I don’t like to hear people say ‘female celebrities’ marriages don’t last.’

Sound Sultan Unveils Plans for ‘Jungle Story 2’ Multi-talented Nigerian musician, Lanre Fasasi, aka Sound Sultan, has unveiled details of the second edition of his star-studded Broadway-styled musical, tagged Jungle Story 2. The live stage show, which features many of Nigeria’s most prominent actors and musicians, is scheduled to hold from October 4 to Sunday 6 at Terra Kulture, in Lagos with the weekend events showing twice, 3pm and 7pm respectively.

Jungle Story 2 which is a sequence to the successful edition he had in 2018 is also produced by his Naija Ninja productions.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the name Jungle Story, Sound Sultan explained that it was his take on the goings-on in the country.

“The story is about a land that became a jungle because the motherland cast a spell on its people that whosoever indulged in corruption would be transformed into an animal and over the years, with one transformation after another it became a full-fledged jungle,” he said.

Sound Sultan ventured into the music industry by singing about social issues that affect his fellow Nigerians through his debut single “Jagbajantis” which was released months after Nigeria returned to a democratic system of government in 1999.

His seven albums since then have all been social commentaries and it is a core part of his artistry, while his 8th album is set to drop soon.

A-list celebrities on the line-up include Femi Kuti, Odunlade, Osas Ajibade, Femi Branch, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Lasisi Elenu, AY, Yaw, MI, Buchi, Basket Mouth, Kate Henshaw, Harry Songz, Helen Paul, Ninja Band, Johnny Drills, Crown Troupe, Wale Ojo, Poco Lee, 2Baba, Seyi Shay, Dare Art-Alade, Senator and more.

Sound Sultan

‘Fearless Lagos Comic Convention’ Comes to a Close In its eight-year of growing Africa’s creative industry, Nigeria’s own Comic Convention went fearless and triples the fun from 19th to 21st of September 2019. Lovers of comics, animation, film and gaming had the time of their lives at the Fearless Lagos Comic Convention 2019 - their first ever 3-day event. The Lagos Comic Con, now known as the Fearless Lagos Comic Con has for nearly a decade been the hottest platform for celebrating and promoting the best of Africa’s creativity in the form of comics, animation, film, books and gaming with thousands of young and vibrant enthusiasts, industry players and investors gathering to exhibit, interact and keep in touch with the latest trends in the industry.

Speaking about the event, Raymond Anyasi, one of the organisers said, “We started this event because we understand we have talents here and someone has to celebrate and showcase them.

Over the years when people come here and see

Lagos Comic Festival

all these they get amazed at the kind of skills they see from Nigerians. We do this to make more people know about the creative industry.”

This year’s event featured exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, competitions, pitches and cosplays. Unlike previous events, the convention was free access to all zones. The Fearless Lagos Comic Con 2019 held from the 19 to 21of September at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

On the success of this year’s convention, Anyasi added, “In these three days we saw local publishers of novels and comics make millions in sales of their titles, we had exhibitors of game and animation from all over Africa and even from the US. Beyond confirming that this is Africa’s biggest geek and pop culture marketplace, it shows us the latent ability of the creative industries to bolster our economy via foreign exchange and raising employment levels.”

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Tiwa Savage Rocks Milan Fashion Week While the models walked the runway during the Milan Fashion Week last Sunday at the Iceberg Spring/Summer 2020 show, Afro-beat sensation, Tiwa Savage brought down the house with an electrifying performance of her new hit “49-99.”

She donned a white swim set and blazer from the Italian brand for the show

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Toke Makinwa Shimmers On Air Personality, Toke Makinwa was the cynosure of all eyes at the premier of one of Nollywood’s most anticipated movies for 2019, “Love is War” in Lagos. She dazzled with her eye-popping attire on the red carpet

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A scene from the movie

The Ghost and the House of Truth Accomplished actor/producer Ego Boyo and Akin Omotoso have teamed up again for a new movie titled, The Ghost and The House of Truth, reports Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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oming soon to Nigerian cinemas, reads a promo for the movie The Ghost and The House of Truth.

Although without a release date yet, expect to see the movie in cinemas later this year. The Ghost and The House of Truth is from Temple Productions Slate 1 Films and The Mission Entertainment. The movie was directed by Akin Omotoso and produced by veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Ego Boyo.

Akin Omotoso is known for directing recommendable features, which makes The Ghost and The House of Truth one film to look out for. In 2017, Akin Omotoso and Ego Boyo collaborated on Nigeria’s first silent film,AHotel Called Memory.

The experimental project was screened at film festivals; while it appears the film has not been released to the rest of the public that were not at the film festivals, Ego Boyo and Akin Omotoso teamed up again for the new movie.

The film stars veteran filmmaker Toyin Oshinaike as Uncle Joe, Mario Obruthe as Tomi, BAFTA award-winner, Susan Wokoma as Bola Ogun, Imoleayo Olusanya as Nike, Dara Egerton-Shyngle as Susan and Kate Henshaw as Inspector Folashade Adetola, alongside Fabian Lojede (Jacob’s Cross) and Kemi Lala Akindoju.

Ego Boyo had called for an online audition to fill child actors in the film. She had also listed Genevieve Nnaji as a lead but that changed, with Kate Henshaw as replacement.

The movie tells the story of a counselor whose 8-year-old daughter goes missing. “Frustrated with the police investigation, she takes it upon

herself to catch the perpetrator, but as time runs out things take an unexpected turn.” The Ghost and The House of Truth is a major production from Ego and has generated a lot of discussion amongstakeholdersandcinemaaudienceaswell.

The movie premiered globally on September 2019, at the Urban World Film Festival, EMC Empire Theater 12, New York, United Sates of America.

Boyo has worked extensively in the Nigerian film industry since the 90s. She made her debut as an actor in the critically acclaimed soap opera Checkmate, which aired on the NTA network service for five years, playing the role of Ann Haastrope, a role which endeared her to Nigerian audiences.

In 1996, she produced her first feature film Violated, a Moving Movies Production, directed by the lateAmaka Igwe. The film was considered oneofthehighest-sellinghomevideoproductions of its time and has gone down in Nigerian film industry history as one of the best Romantic Dramas, and the benchmark for Romantic films in Nigeria. Ego Boyo set up her own production company later that same year and continues as MD/CEO of the company.

In 1998, Ego Boyo delved back into production with another collaboration with Amaka Igwe, this time the film was To Love Again, which was directed by Amaka Igwe and went on to garner several THEMAaward nominations, and REELaward nominations and eventually to win best Film/Picture at the Reel Awards in 1999.

In 2002, Boyo produced arguably the biggest romantic feature film of the decade, Keeping Faith, directed by Steve Gukas.

Ego-Boyo

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I Grew Up Around Music, It’s a Gift from Above Emmanuel Benjamin popularly known as Eben is a leading gospel musician. Eben has bagged a number of honours at the Believers World Wide (BLW) awards including the 2014 and 2015 Worship Song of the Year. He converses with Tosin Clegg about his music, marriage with singer, Jahdiel and the turning-point when Pastor Chris Oyakhilome changed his life among other things Growing up hail from Abia State. My parents are late though but I am number five of six children. We were raised in Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos. From there, we all grew and went our different ways. I put my degree on hold many years ago for some reasons and will continue from where I stopped soon.

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I grew up listening to Bob Fitts I grew up listening to Bob Fitts and his songs helped my faith.

I thank God his work has positively affected many. I feel like he is a little bit under-celebrated and that is why I feel like we need to honour him and celebrate the grace of God upon his life. Like I said, he has been a huge blessing to me and I want my audience to draw directly from this stream as well.

Indelible high points in my life My turning point would be when Pastor Chris took note of me in 2006. I did a song entitled ‘Iwo Ni Kan’ at our youth conference and it was huge, Pastor Chris took note of me. From then on, I started to get invitations and call-up from different places. He announced me publicly at the crusade while I was at home. They got me a ticket to rush down to Aba to join Pastor Chris’ crusade. Before I came up on stage, Pastor Chris said I had impressed in the word. Prior to that point, we never had a one-on-one conversation. The kind of faith that Pastor Chris has shown towards me and my works till date have been a huge blessing. God has used him to announce me to the world and chisel my axe as well as open my eyes to the knowledge of the word of God. Even till date, whenever you sing a word that is not in line with the scripture, he will tell you that we do not say this. This has helped me write songs from a standpoint of understanding. The result of this is that people are able to connect with my music irrespective of age, gender and tribe, My story is not an overnight success I have had times when my faith was really tested. I was in a church where I functioned in the youth and adult choir at a young age. I was there for over a decade until God wanted me to move. This was in Lagos. I grew up around music. Music for me has always been a gift from above. At a point, I try to restrict my music to one genre but the spirit of God told me not to limit His grace upon my life. Infact, due to this prejudice, I almost did not include my popular song, ‘All The Way’ in my album at the time it was released. I felt like it didn’t fit into my genre of music which I coined as ‘Afro Rock.’ I would take credit for creating that genre in Nigeria at a time nobody was identified with it. I felt like if I released ‘All The Way,’ it would be a departure from my brand of rock music. But the spirit of God told me that I am permitted to express myself in any way that I want to. I thank God that I listened. Of all the beautiful songs in my second album, till date, that song took my career to a whole new level.

I have had three and half albums My first album was entitled, ‘On The Rock’ and released in 2006. It had popular songs like Mmara Mma, Iwo Ni Kan and Tell Them Say. It was the album that launched me and got me on the radar of Pastor Chris. The next album was ‘Phenomenom’ in 2010 which had great songs also. I like to take my time in putting an album together. I am not the type that like to churn out songs randomly. By the grace of God, I guess this is why everything we put out has a lot of depth. After that came ‘Justified’ in 2013.

It had songs like ‘All The Way’ among others. In 2017, I released the album, ‘Victory’ with the popular title track. I told people this when we first recorded that song in December 2015; I said it on social media that it will be the biggest song of 2016. I kept saying it until there was a confirmation.

Music is not a career for me, it is my life There is a difference between a job and work. Your job is what you do to earn a living but your work is the full expression of your design or gifting. You cannot retire from being yourself but you can retire from a job. It has never crossed my mind. I

Eben

have never been in doubt of the grace of God upon my life to a successful musician. I didn’t grow up to be a musician. I wanted something more stable that I could plan with. I wanted to be every other thing but music. But God assured me and told me.

He said ‘my word never fades. As long as you have my word contained in your songs, your songs will be timeless. Settle down with my word and make sure it is part of the constituents of your music and then you will be relevant for life.’ I settled it with God. Everything happening now is just mere shadows compared to what God showed me. We are just getting into it.

When you are called by God to do something, courage is an important virtue to have. That is why God commanded Joshua when he called him to be courageous. When God inspire you to do something and you are there considering what people will say then you are not ready for great things. One must be ready to be misunderstood. Most people don’t have a clue about it and that’s why everybody cannot be successful. I welcome such opinions. I see as an expression of people’s perception.

Not everybody must understand one 100%. Once this is settled in one’s heart, then one must celebrate those who understand and empathise with those who do not and move on. That is where my confidence comes from. Once I check in my spirit and my music is consistent with God’s word, that’s just fine. I reckon also that we are the light of the world and not the light of the church. Music is not supposed to make sense to church people alone.

You understand me?As a gospel artiste, we are called to culture people with the lifestyle of Heaven through our music and not

people trying to streamline our music. That is the idea. If the people are not relating well with your message, then you are not doing a good job. You need to be an effective communicator of the grace of God upon our lives. This is why I do all the different type of music genres that I do. That is the idea. Gospel music has to be in the streets not within the walls of the church. It has to be user-friendly to the people in the streets.

What it means to be married to another artiste We make music in the kitchen. It’s a huge blessing being married to an artiste like Jahdiel. If I was married to a Lawyer or Doctor, we are in two different fields and will labour to find a meeting point. That could be a struggle. When your spouse is part of your industry, there will be areas that you are not paying attention to that he or she will see and cover for you.

From my own angle, there would be things I can see as well and suggest. Many times, when I receive inspiration, two of us work on it together. You can imagine. One of them is ‘Jesus at the Centre,’ was written by her; I arranged it and completed the remaining part. It was her idea. There have been so many.

Jahdiel has been working She has been doing a lot. She has shot a few videos.As a mother, she took some time off to nurse our kids both of whom came in quick succession. That required a lot of attention and it was quite demanding. She took some time off but all that time, her mind was working. As of now, she is recording songs and very soon, her work will be in the face of everyone by God’s grace.

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EYE ON BIG BROTHER HOUSE

Mercy in a retaliatory attempt against Tacha

Surprise Eviction, Crazy Week, Tacha Disqualified…

Since it’s the final stage of Big Brother Naija 2019 themed ‘Pepper Dem’, tensions are running high with N60 million grand prize hanging in the balance. With 10 housemates and 10 days left in the show, there would be a surprise eviction which eventually fell on Cindy, and more to follow as the show enters its final week 14. As expected, the reality show has taken on a darker turn as it turned almost violent yesterday between Mercy and Tacha. But for the timely intervention of Omashola, one can only guess that the fight may have become bloody.

However, it didn’t end there… Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports Surprise Eviction

M

ore so the conflict in the house has spilled into the street, pitting fans of one of the housemates against the other, especially fans of Mercy and Tacha.

A billboard erected to promote Tacha in Owerri was destroyed, leaving many wondering if a reality show meant purely for entertainment has become a do or die affair.

But in all, it’s been a crazy week in Biggie’s house and with yesterday’s surprise eviction; nothing can get crazier than this. Or can it? Yes… it got crazier in the house when Mercy and Tacha got confrontational.

Though there have been speculations since the night before that there would be a surprise eviction which eventually fell on Cindy, making Cindy’s eviction the first in the series of ‘surprise evictions’ planned for the week. Cindy was up alongside Elozonam, Mike, Ike and Tacha.

No thanks to Frodd who had used

his Ultimate Veto Power Holder to nominate the housemates. The Pepper Dem Gang have had such an exciting week with visits from Nigeria’s finest stars from the showbiz and fashion.

The surprise eviction had sent the house into frenzy with Tacha throwing verbal missiles at Mercy while Omashola and Frodd engage in their own war after Cindy was evicted.

Nonetheless, the other housemates put up for eviction couldn’t shake off the feeling that their names could be called up next. Amidst hugs and goodbyes from the Pepper Dem Gang to Cindy, the cold and tense atmosphere in the house couldn’t go unnoticed. One more eviction was to follow the night in the ‘The Dinner Edition’ session.

Tacha Disqualified Eventually when the announcement was made, it turned out a disqualification. Tacha was disqualified from the Big Brother Naija reality show, abruptly ending her dreams to be in the house for 99-days! Her disqualification comes after her very

messy and nasty fight with Mercy.

Tacha had grabbed Mercy’s hair and she, in turn, tried to defend herself with an electric iron.

The Port Harcourt first daughter had stirred endless controversies in and outside the house with her unruly “Pepper Dem” behaviour. In the judgment by Biggie, Mercy was also not spared as she was issued two strikes “for not stepping away from a volatile situation.” Shortly after the announcement, social media went agog.

A Crazy Week As per tradition, the housemates had a chat with Ebuka about everything that went down in the house.

While at it, Tacha and Mercy did not fail to go at it on what may appear to be their fifth fight round. “What has been the most challenging part about staying in the House?” Ebuka asked Seyi. To which Seyi replied that staying in the house with what he termed as “these crazy Housemates” has been difficult for him.

In the chat, Diane and Omashola revealed to Ebuka that they were

surprised to find themselves moving to the fourteenth week in Big Brother house. Not coming into the game with a strategy like they said, seemed to be working well for them, perhaps?

Ever wondered what it would look like with Mercy and Tacha in a wrestling ring? In what may have started off as a pretty chilled morning, Mercy and Tacha got into the most intense fight that has ever gone down in the history of the ‘Pepper Dem’ Season. Following the outcome of the fight, one might say their fight was brewing from day one.

Similar to the fight between Omashola and Tacha, Frodd was caught in the background of this fight and this time, he had a different partner in crime.

The fight may have been that intense because it’s been inflaming for a long time. One question though, what exactly would have caused the tension between these two?

However, one is sure Biggie’s house won’t forget this fight in hurry and neither will viewers.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž Í°ÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

NEWSXTRA

Ogwashi-Uku Stool: Nathan Okonjo Writes Delta Govt, Demands Staff of OfďŹ ce Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

Barely two weeks after the installation of Ifechukwude Chukuka Okonjo as successor to his father, thelateObiofOgwashi-UkuKingdom, HRM Benjamin Chukuka Okonjo, controversyovertheroyal stool of Ogwashi-Uku has taken anotherturnasthenephewtothe late Obi has written to the Delta StateGovernmenttorecognisehim as the monarch by presenting to himhis''StaffofOffice''asthenew

ObiofOgwashi-UkuKingdomin AniochaSouthLocalGovernment Area of the state.

In a formal application under the seal and office of His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Nathan Chukwudebe Obahai II, and addressed to the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, through the state Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, and made available to THISDAYinAsaba, the applicant stressed that there werenoimpedimentstoprevent

thestategovernmentfromaccording him due recognition with the official symbol of office.

Specifically, the applicant said that the staff of office from the governmentwouldcomplement andcompletetheprocessofhisinstallationasObiofOgwashi-Uku, which he noted had been duly concluded with all the relevant traditional rites in accordance conducted by at the appropriate places.

HestressedthatthestoolofObi

of Ogwashi-Uku was not under contention as he remained the only prince in the land qualified and duly crowned monarch of the community, urging the state government to do the needful by presenting him with his staff of office.

Henotedthatagainstthebackdrop of different subsisting legal orders of courts of jurisdictional competence vis-a-vis the demise of the kingdom's immediate past monarch, there appears to

AT THE GLOBAL STAGE...

L-R: Managing Partner, RDF, African Women on Board, Dr. Nkiru Balonwu; President of the National Council of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo; His Royal Majesty, Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, and Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, at the global launch of African Women on Board (AWB) held as a side event during the United Nations General Assembly Forum in New York, USA

INEC Releases Lists of Qualified Candidates in Kogi, Bayelsa Elections Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday released the names of political parties that qualified to contest the governorship elections in the November 16 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

In a statement by the INEC national commissioner in charge ofInformationandPublicEducation,FestusOkoye,thecommission said that at the close of the time stipulatedbysections31,33and35

ofElectoralAct,2010(asamended) forthesubmissionofthenamesof nominatedcandidates,49nominationswerereceivedforKogiState.

It further said that out of these, 41nominationswerevalid,while eight were invalid.

According to the statement, INEC further said that 18 political parties withdrew from contesting the elections.,while,23 politicalpartieswouldcontestthe GovernorshipelectioninKogiState.

For Bayelsa State, INEC said that a total of 52 nominations

were received, explaining that out of these, 46 were valid, while six were invalid.

Italsosaidthatonepoliticalparty had since withdrawn from the contest,leavingatotalof45political partiestocontesttheGovernorship election in Bayelsa State In view of this, INEC said, "In compliance with section 34 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), thefullnamesandaddressesofall candidates standing nominated will be published in the relevant offices and on the website of the

commissiononMonday, September 30, 2019.

The statement said that the commission had on September 12, 2019 informed the public that 64 political parties conducted primaries in Bayelsa State and 59 in Kogi State, adding that "Out of these, 52 political parties for Bayelsa State and 49 for Kogi State respectively, submitted the list and personal particulars of their candidates at the close of nominationat6p.m.onMonday, September 9, 2019.

Three Jailed for Impersonation in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Three persons, Augustine Ekeson, Obinna Ureahi Ifeanyi and Osho Olalekan Micheal, have been sentenced to various jail terms by Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, for criminal impersonation.

The trio were convicted in cases filed against them by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Patricia Ajoku after considering the facts of an amended one-count charge against Obinna and Ifeanyi, pronounced them guilty and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each.

The duo had earlier been arraigned on a three-count charge based on the allegations raised against them in a petition received from one, Mobolade

Dele Akinbuluma, a doctoral student of the University of Ibadan.

Akinbuluma alleged that the accusedhackedintoheremailaccounttomisrepresentthemselves as staff of a Kenyan University where she was to undertake a study as part of her doctorate programme.

She was, in the process, defrauded of N875,490 (Eight hundred and seventy five thousand four hundred and ninety Naira). The duo however pleaded not-guilty to the charge, but later approached the EFCC for a plea bargain.

Following an agreement on the terms of the plea bargain, they were re-arraigned on a one-count amended charge.

The latest charge read, â&#x20AC;&#x153;That you Augustine Ekeson M and Obinna Ureahl Ifeanyi on or about the 3rd of December 2015

at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conspire amongst yourself to commit felony to wit: fraudulently impersonated one Mrs. Lillian Igweta, a secretary to Professor Torto with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of the cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act." They pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting a prayer by theEFCCcounsel,IfeanyiAgwu, for their conviction.

The trial judge accordingly sentenced them to two years imprisonment each.

Meanwhile, Justice JoyceAbdulmalik, equally of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, also jailed Osho, for an internet-related offence. Osho was found guilty of

falsely representing himself to be anAmericancitizennamedJack, usingsametodefraudoneMaria.

be divine intervention in the affairs of Ogwashi-Uku especially concerning the over 127-year old tussle about the royal stool.

Nathan Okonjo said in his prayer, ''I am writing to the State Government that my strenuous and unyielding resolve to have the State Government obey the Enrolment of Order in Suit No. 0/14/2007 (which arose as a result of my dissatisfaction with the interpretation of Suit No. 05/5/85, Annexure I) and indeed My Expected Outcome in that suit has borne fruit as my only opponent in the suit, Professor Benjamin Okonjo is now deceased. ''I have been advised by lawyers, and I have accepted the advice, that his demise opens the way for the State Government to recognise me as the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku since the late Professor Okonjo's children were not part of the (aforementioned) Suit. ''For clarity sake, the Suit No. 0/14/2007 is Between Nathan Okonjo (Plaintiff/Applicant) and Professor Benjamin Okonjo, Attorney-General of Delta (and) Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Delta (Defendants/Respondents).''

The writer also dismissed the September 13, 2019 installation of ''one of late Professor Benjamin Okonjo's sons, Prince

Ifechukwude Okonjo'', alleging that the ''chalking'' was conducted ''by the same House that illegally chalked his father, and which was frowned against in Suit No. 0/33/2008 (Annexure IV).''

Nevertheless, the royal family of Ogwashi-Uku had earlier faulted claims in certain quarters that the newly crowned ruler of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obi Ifechukwude Chukwuka Okonjo, was crowned in default.

In a statement jointly signed by the Acting Diokpa of Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family, Prince Emmanuel Nwokolie Ohei, the Ozoma of Ogwashi-Uku, Prince Nkemjika Lawrence Okolobi and Palace Secretary, Prince Ifeakanachukwu Emordi (JP), the royal family urged the general public, and the people of Ogwashi-Uku in particular, to disregard any misinformation currently being peddled by those it called ''disgruntled individuals determined to bring the revered communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s royal institution to ridicule''.

The seven-paragraph statement read in part, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has come to our attention that one Patrick Okonjo, a renegade and serial petition writer has issued a statement in which he claims to be speaking for the Umu Obi Obahai Royal family.

Music, Protection of Marine Life Trend on African Voices Globacom-sponsored African Voices on the Cable News Network (CNN) will this week feature three change makers in music and ecotourism and how their concern for the youth fan their daily engagements.

Theguestsaremultiple-awardwinning Mwila Musonda, popularly known as Slapdee and regarded as one of the pioneers of Hip-hop in Zambia, Mogamat Shamier Magmoet, a SouthAfricanwhoisalsotheVice Chairperson of Sea The Bigger Picture and teaches kids the importance of pollution-free oceans and Albert Ndereki, a Motswana, who deals with ecotourism under the aegis of Chobe Game Lodge to which he has dedicated more than 40 years of his life.

Magmoet fell in love with sea diving four years ago. The sport helped him realise the threat that humansposetotheoceanandits inhabitants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I found out that bil-

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the Loss of Original Copy of Land Document C of O No:. 1857w-3ac 52-715r-eabau-10 Covered

By KN30005 with Purchase Receipt of the Property at Plot No. A02/1219 Dwelling Plot, 2780/03 Dwelling Unit. Located at Flat 8, block 304, Cadastral Zone (A02) Wuse District, Abuja belonging to DR. DEMIAN ODOEMENE. The said documents got missing in April 2006 at Aba Town and all efforts made to trace the said document proved abortive. If found, kindly return to the nearest police station.

Signed: DR. DEMIAN ODOEMENE.

lionsoftonsofwasteandgarbage end up in the oceans every year, andkillthemarineandplantlife,â&#x20AC;? he tells African Voices.

Withthatrealisation,Magmoet started taking children from his locality to the beach regularly to educate them on the beauty of underwater, how to take care of the ocean by fighting pollution and how they could help the protection of marine life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This way, these kids also get to see thereissomethingbetteroutthere than gangs and crime. The aim is to spread awareness and love to protect our dying oceans and give many kids an opportunity for better future,â&#x20AC;? he added.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as LOVEDAY WAAKAE ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as INAANIA WAAKAE LOVEDAY. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as CHIOMA UGOCHI DURU, now wish to be known and addressed as CHIOMA UGOCHI PEACHES EGBERIKE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADILUR FAVOUR EZINNE, now wish to be known and addressed as ADIZUO FAVOUR EZINNE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ARCHIBONG MERCY ENOBONG,now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMED MERCY ENOBONG. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

55

ÍşÎ&#x20AC; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

SPORTS XTRA

Juve Brazilian Defender Out of Nigeria/Brazil Friendly Italian champions Juventus have informed that Danilo has withdrawn from the upcoming friendly between Brazil and Nigeria at the National Stadium in Singapore.

According to the medical bulletin, the former Manchester City star has suffered a left thigh muscle injury which was confirmed after medical examinations performed at JMedical and he will return to the pitch only after the international

break.

Daniel Alves (SĂŁo Paulo), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi (AtlĂŠtico de Madrid), Thiago Silva, Marquinhos (PSG), ĂŠder MilitĂŁo (Real Madrid) and Rodrigo Caio (Flamengo) are the other players classed as defenders on the Brazil roster for the friendlies against Senegal and Nigeria.

The Brazilian Football Confederation have not yet announced a replacement for Danilo.

As for Nigeria, Gernot Rohr is sweating over the fitness of Glasgow Rangers star Joe Aribo, who suffered a nasty head injury against Livingston on Wednesday.

Manager Steven Gerrard has hinted that the central midfielder will not return to action until after the international break.

Benficaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tyronne Ebuehi and Brightonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leon Balogun have not been handed call-ups because of concerns about their fitness.

Despite ending his 28-match goal drought a few days ago, Leicester of Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kelechi Iheanacho has been left out, same as Bryan Idowu who was invited for the last friendly against Ukraine.

However,, the Super Eagles Manager has picked in-form Granada of Spain midfielder Ramon Azeez, who scored against Barcelona, as well as Czech -based forward Peter Olayinka, who was one of the goal scorers in the matchday 1 of

Ukraine attacker tries to waltz through Super Eagles players during the friendly game against the two countries in Dnipro

Solomon-Otabor Opts for Nigeria Ahead of England Nigeria and England will be thrown into the ring for another battle, this time over Efosa Solomon-Otabor following the playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to play for his country of birth.

Solomon-Otabor, 23, has roots to former Super Eagles player Thompson Oliha, who is his uncle.

The Winger was born in London to parents originally from Edo state, Nigeria.

Victor-Banks Otabor, his father, played for Bendel Insurance before moving abroad.

Currently on the books of CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian Professional Football League, the energetic winger has played for Birmingham City, Bolton

Wanderers, Blackpool and Oxford City in the past.

In 2018 he was offered a chance to play for the England U-21 team. Aidy Boothroyd called him up for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Andorra and Scotland but declined the opportunity.

He is a right footed forward who can operate as a central striker or on either of the wide areas.

He is adapting well at in the Bulgarian Professional Football League where his explosive pace is a useful weapon.

Viv Solomon-Otaborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only individual award was when he won the Birmingham City Young Player of the Season in 2016.

His pace and aggression on the flanks adding to his technical ability have won him praises from several coaches who have tutored Solomon-Otabor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take decision alone. I have discussed with my parents if the Nigeria Football Federation contacts me to play.

But for now, I am ready.

My parents want me to represent Nigeria and that is what I will do.â&#x20AC;?

The CSKA Sofia star declared his readiness to defend the colours the three-time Africa champions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to be a patriotic and a committed footballer who will never turn his back on the nation when given the opportunity to

play for the good people of Nigeria. I believe I have what it takes to make the most out of the opportunity when afforded one. I am ever ready to represent my beloved country should I be invited by the technical handlers.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know the competition for places in the squad wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be easy but I am a fighter whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always prepared for a battle and I believe I can thrive under the charges of Coach Gernot Rohr because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tactical genius who can easily bring the best out of any player.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My parents have always helped me to trace my roots and it will be their wish to see me play for Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Roma Ban Fan for Life after Racist Abuse Roma have handed a lifetime ban to a supporter who racially abused Brazilian defender Juan Jesus on social media.

The Serie A side tweeted an image of the messages - including details of the account and confirmed they had reported the incident to the police.

The public denunciation was met with widespread appreciation on Twitter.

It comes after antidiscriminatory body Fare said Italian football authorities and their disciplinary systems to combat racism were not fit for purpose.

Fare executive direc-

tor Piara Powar added â&#x20AC;&#x153;the rot is deepâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;no-one is taki n g t h e issue seriouslyâ&#x20AC;?, but Serie A insisted it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;seriously and constantly engaged in activities against racismâ&#x20AC;?.

AC Milan launched a n a n t i - r a c i s m t ask force at last weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

derby against Inter, christened the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Derby Against Racismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, in response to recent racist incidents.

Inter striker Romelu Lukaku had been subjected to monkey chants

by Cagliari fans during a Serie A game on 2 September, however Cagliari were cleared of racist chanting.

the UEFA Champions League group phase Also, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem have returned

from injury. Beyond that, the squad is largely unchanged from the side that was forced to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in Dnipro on September 10.

World Footballer of the Year Award

FIFA Gives Reason for Salahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Egyptian Votes Void Two votes for Mohamed Salah in the Best Fifa menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s player award were not counted because signatures were in capital letters, says Fifa.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said acting Egypt coach Shawky Gharib and Captain Ahmed Elmohamady voted for Liverpool forward Salah.

Fifa said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The signatures on the voting forms were in capital letters and thus seemed not valid.â&#x20AC;?

The forms also lacked a mandatory signature by the EFA general secretary.

Barcelonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lionel Messi won the award on Monday ahead of Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

Fifa said on Friday said reports in the media questioning the integrity of the voting process are â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfair and misleading.â&#x20AC;?

Salah finished fourth in the voting, although the invalid votes would not have affected the standings.

Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world governing body Fifa said voting was supervised and monitored by independent observer PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland.

It said it contacted the EFA twice on 19 August to submit properly signed voting forms but did not receive a response in time for the votes to be counted.

Fifa also said the Egyptian FA had â&#x20AC;&#x153;undergone a few structural changesâ&#x20AC;? after the voting period opened.

Since the awards ceremony Salah has removed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Egyptâ&#x20AC;? from his Twitter profile, which now reads: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Footballer for Liverpool FC.â&#x20AC;?

He also posted a tweet which translates as: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatever they do to try to change my love for Egypt, they will not succeed.â&#x20AC;?

Egyptian Football Association president Amr ElGanainy said he talked with Salah. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I talked with Salah explained to him it was an administrative mistake.â&#x20AC;?

In 2018, Salah came third in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award and also took the Puskas award for goal of the season.

Each nation has three voters - the national team coach, the national team captain and a media representative - who each select their top three players in the world.

The EFA said Gharib and Elmohamady picked Salah as their first choice.

The media representative Hany Danialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choices were Sadio Mane followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Salah.

Salah threatened to quit the national team last year following a row over his image rights.

Nicaragua captain Juan Barrera called into question the authenticity of his countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s votes in the awards as he said he did not submit any votes.

Fifaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s records show that Barrera voted for Lionel Messi as best player and Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jurgen Klopp as best manager. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did not vote in the awards #TheBest2019 any information about my vote is false,â&#x20AC;? 30-year-old midfielder Barrera tweeted.

Fifa said it has asked the Nicaraguan Football Federation to investigate the matter after receiving â&#x20AC;&#x153;votes signed by the playerâ&#x20AC;?.

The Nicaraguan federation have been approached for comment. The Sudanese Football Federation also said its published votes did not match the votes it cast.

Fifa said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have checked the voting documents submitted by the Sudanese FA and all documents are signed and confirmed with the official stamp of the Sudanese FA. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having compared with the vote sheets, we confirm that we have the right votes signed by the player/ coach. We are asking the Sudanese Football Federation to inquire on this matter.â&#x20AC;?

Xhaka Named as Arsenal New Captain Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has named midfielder Granit Xhaka as the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new permanent captain, replacing Laurent Koscielny, who left for Bordeaux in the summer.

Emery told the squad of his decision on Friday, after consulting with players.

The Switzerland international, 27, has led the side in six of their eight games in all competitions this season.

Arsenalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next game is away to Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday.

Emery is still deliberating over a vice-captain, with forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang understood to be the leading contenders.

TR

Saturday, September 28, 2019

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MISSILE

Ayokunle to Politicians “We plead with politicians in power to desist from provocative political decisions that border on religion that can set the religious groups against one another” – The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Samson Ayokunle reacting to the withdrawal of the threat by the Kaduna State Urban Planning Agency to demolish St George Anglican Church, Sabon Gari, Zaria.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

President Buhari and His ‘Fuji House of Commotion’

F

ellow Nigerians, the title of my epistle to you this week is an adaptation of the title of a sitcom which was produced and directed by the legendary Amaka Igwe of blessed memory. No other title better describes and encapsulates the total confusion, chaos and conflagration ongoing in the powerhouse of Aso Rock in Nigeria right now. I swear, it won’t be an exaggeration to say I have never witnessed such rivalry combined with ribaldry, and tomfoolery before.

Let me paint a picture of this ugly scenario as best as I can as a compulsive storyteller. Major General Muhammadu Buhari was Nigeria’s military Head of State from the last day of 1983 to sometime in August 1985. His military rule was hinged on a purported war against indiscipline which seemed to leave certain privileged persons unscathed but ensured that life was more than tough for the usual recalcitrant fellows who were unlucky not to find favour with the government. The administration did not last too long, but it left its indelible mark, for better or for worse, depending on which side of the divide you belonged.

The Babangida coup that guillotined and torpedoed Buhari’s regime wasted no time in hounding Buhari and hauling him into detention. Many would have thought it was the very end for Buhari in the game of politics, but man proposes, and God disposes. Buhari kept a few years in confinement before he was eventually released. And we all thought that any ambition he nursed to return to power was over. Buhari was known to be introverted, a man of few words. He returned home quietly.

The military handed over to a full-fledged civilian administration after the botched “Third Republic” and suddenly soldiers and other military personnel came out of the woodwork in civilian toga to contest elections with their civilian counterparts. It was a mismatch. The military men had more guile, gusto and guts.

They also had esprit de corps which they used to their overwhelming advantage. Then suddenly, words reached us that almost from the blues, Buhari was seriously considering coming back from retirement to contest for the post of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, a real reincarnation. He was instantly dismissed by many Nigerians as embarking on an impossible mission. And this proved to be the case. He contested first in 2003 but lost to another retired General and former Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo. It was difficult to tell if theirs was a relay race and an exchange of baton. But predictably Buhari lost.

In 2007, Buhari contested again, this time against Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He lost. And cried foul but the judicial umpire ruled otherwise.

Buhari did not relent. Indeed, his failures and woes seemed to goad him on. In 2011, he came back to contest against the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan. I was part of this particular race as a Presidential candidate myself, but I flunked and was trounced mercilessly. That’s another story for another day, except that I would say that I learnt the lesson that if you are not a member of a mainstream party you are wasting your time contesting the highest office in the land. Your popularity and good works count for nought. Buhari was palpably frustrated because he felt he had a good chance and there were newspaper headlines which claimed he wept and that he had vowed never to contest again.

However, things were soon to change. The 2015 election season came around. Unexpectedly and surprisingly, given the events of the 2011

Buhari election and the aftermath of the results, Buhari’s name was being bandied about as a possible Presidential aspirant of an all-inclusive new opposition group. One thing led to another and Buhari was suddenly considered not just as a potential aspirant but a promising candidate that was capable of dismantling the PDP monopoly and dislodging President Goodluck Jonathan from power. In my view, as a minor participant in the events that culminated in sending PDP packing, Buhari was in the right place at the right time. The lines simply fell into place for him. The stars aligned and his number came up. The Nigerian public was simply fed up with Jonathan and the gross ineptitude and unbridled corruption that characterised his PDP government. This was what catapulted Buhari back into reckoning. Let me put it succinctly, the opposition politicians coalesced in their desperation for power and settled for Buhari’s candidacy despite the many misgivings about him based on what was felt to be his inglorious past. There was hardly any politician or critic of the time who had not said unkind words to and about Buhari on tape and on paper.

But their permutations were as selfish followers who seemed too eager to come in from the bitterly cold wilderness of opposition politics. They based their support for Buhari on the following matters: One, bring Buhari as a Mandela option, more of a ceremonial figure, to help destroy PDP and serve in the interim, probably for only four years. He himself had said at his age he would serve only one term of four years. His supporters found that attractive because they can then ride on his back to power in four years, almost effortlessly. There was obvious concern that the man would become the scourge and Frankenstein that had been unleashed in his first coming, but the lure of power was too much for the power-hungry supporters. It is noteworthy that at this stage in the planning, there was no cabal, or any of those who would form its core, in sight.

Two, they needed to repackage Buhari as a reformed leader and born-again Democrat because many had raised questions about his dictatorial past. The packagers even toyed with dropping his biggest achievement on earth, the title of Major General, out of fear of a possible backlash about his past. They reassured themselves that Buhari was not really the one in charge of affairs in his first outing as a military Head of State and that his fame or notoriety for delegation of authority would mean that he could be checkmated. So, the theory was that his Vice President, this time again, will do the bulk of the work. This was the reason the job of Vice President, which used

to be that of a glorified errand boy, suddenly became popular and competitive and everyone wanted it. Still no one took the invisible cabal into consideration.

Three, the issue of religion was a controversial one hanging around Buhari’s neck like an albatross because of the perception that he’s an Islamic fundamentalist. It was that label that ultimately nullified Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of becoming running mate to Buhari. Buhari himself was too scared of a Muslim/Muslim ticket as this would have provided ammunition for his enemies. Again, it was this desperation not to be tagged a religious bigot that led to picking Pastor Tunde Bakare as Vice Presidential candidate in 2011 and Pastor Yemi Osinbajo in 2015. The unseen cabal supported the choices. No problem.

Four, Buhari’s personal assets were his ascetic and frugal comportment, his supposed incorruptibility, and very strict ability to punish crime. Even his ardent critics would readily agree and admit that Buhari had been well packaged and marketed as the last saint standing in Nigeria. Till this day, Brand Buhari, is yet to be rubbished despite the ghostly rumours of a shadowy past.

Five, the insecurity in the land was another major consideration. Who else but Buhari can exterminate the nuisance terrorists and terrorism that had been constituted and seemingly consecrated in Nigeria? It was as if Buhari possessed some talismanic power to disperse Boko Haram and its likes from the forests of a thousand daemons.

To achieve all these, it was absolutely necessary to assemble the good and the bad into one huge party. The desperation to win at all cost necessitated the move to proliferate the new mega party with saints and sinners. Buhari was no longer under any illusion about the mega costs and expense of political campaigns and how the bad guys must fund it. The hidden cabal had no objection to the association of strange bedfellows. All PDP renegades were welcome. Large sums of donations and private jets came handy.

Win, we must.

I’m sure, you can see I love history and telling stories by moonlight. I’m leading you somewhere, indeed to a nice crescendo, because we must never forget how we got here. We all worked in unison, there was no other way to arrive at our destination. The elections came and the coalition forces won spectacularly! The world rejoiced. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of total confusion. Major participants came forward with their plates and cutlery thinking they were partners in progress, entitled to large chunks of the fat meat they had all helped to roast. But not a few of them were soon told to calm down.

Yes, there was a new Sherriff in town, but he had come complete with a hitherto unknown team which was not prepared to share the spoils with all comers. So, trouble started. Too much time was wasted in getting a simple, uninspiring cabinet together. All we had and heard were cacophonous excuses and free for all punches from every direction as to why a government in which there was invested great hope and expectation was showing crassness, ineptitude and cluelessness. Even the wife of the President, Lady Aisha Buhari, soon cried out. She became the leading critic of a government of which her husband is the head and she fingered a powerful cabal as the cause of our woes.

Anyway. The first term of four years soon evaporated as we all knew it would. Time always flies. The President sought a second term

and got it, by fire and by force. A substantial credit must go to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who staked everything to promote his boss and project his party. He nearly worked himself to the point of death.

Frankly speaking, his reputation suffered a collateral damage in the process of struggling to defend the indefensible. Unsuspecting, and probably suffering from political naivety, he went overboard and stepped on so many toes.

Also unknown to him, the battle for 2023 had already started in earnest well before the ink had dried on the paper that the election results had been written upon. Osinbajo would soon be the fall guy and whipping boy of a group of desperate politicians intent on cornering the Nigerian conglomerate and clasping it to their bosom forever.

According to one analysis, the North is not interested in rotating any Presidential position. They want to hold on fastidiously and ceaselessly to power. Other regions can fight themselves for the remaining slots. The South believes that the principle of rotation which has unwittingly been foisted on the nation means that it is their turn. Thus, two major groups have already shown subliminal signs of wanting to contest, one in the North and one in the South, Nasir El Rufai and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, respectively. Both groups are suspicious of what they consider surreptitious and clandestine moves by friends of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to spring a surprise at the most auspicious time. He has therefore become their number one target. Since he is fair game, he is being used for target practice, but the anointed man of God knows that all power lies with God and that no evil can befall those that God has chosen. He refuses to play their game nut simply continues to smile. Indeed, that smile seems like a playful knowing smile. Time will tell.

The cabal is not left out of the shenanigans.

Although El Rufai is supposedly a putative member of the larger group, the innermost core of the cabal seems to have some interest in Baba Gana Kingibe, at least for now. That is if they are not hiding a darker horse in a cave and using Baba Gana as a red herring, in typical fashion of the underhand and sinister way they have been playing their politics. There are other ambitious Governors and former Governors who are interested but perching or lying low in the grass like rattlesnakes. For now, they all have a common enemy they must crush urgently, Yemi Osinbajo. The reason is simple. The longer he stays with Buhari, the more powerful and visible he becomes. His access to state apparatus and appurtenances of office will be a major advantage to his cause and a debilitating weapon against their interests. So, they have started the elimination process. Take out Osinbajo and let’s have a level playing field is what they all seem to be agreed upon. They are dancing ‘kpalongo’ to their own music, but it is Osinbajo who seems to be dictating the tune for now, much to their chagrin.

No one knows where Buhari belongs in all these groups. Will he allow them to terminally damage his Vice President and present him a weak replacement? Will he in good conscience believe the campaigns of calumny and hate and abandon a man who gave his government some credibility? Not that it really matters who becomes their candidate ultimately but will their ever be an end to this cycle of chicanery?

The world is watching and waiting to see the climax of this war, with bated breath...

For now, it is all noise and fury, a bit like some Fuji music!

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