SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024

All Eyes on CBN as It Schedules MPC Meetings without Quorum of Committee First meeting holds Feb. 26th James Emejo in Abuja After initial postponements, the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has tentatively fixed its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting

since the appointments of the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso and the Deputy Governors last year,

for February 26th and 27th, 2024.

Ahead of the meeting, the CBN in a statement by the Acting

Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, disclosed that the apex bank

held a two-day strategic session for Continued on page 5

Archbishop Adewale Martins: Killings, Insecurity Escalating in Nigeria Because Perpetrators are Not Punished...

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Insecurity Festers in FCT, Gunshots as 3 Abducted at Estate Despite Special Intervention Squad Halt deadly, coordinated attacks, NADECO tells Tinubu Security experts query absence of tracking technology, level of superior firepower Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The deteriorating security situation

in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) heightened yesterday with the abduction of three people at an estate behind the Nigerian Army

Post-Service Housing Scheme in Kurudu.

Kurudu is one of the communities on the border between the FCT and

Nasarawa State and is located in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

In another development, there was an exchange of gunfire between

kidnappers and policemen, who rescued an Abuja resident, Segun Akinyemi, who was kidnapped as he was driving out of his home.

These came as the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Continued on page 5

Kwankwaso: Kano Govt to Revisit Issue of Five Emirate Councils Says they were created with bad intentions Declares NNPP open to merger with interested political parties Residents call for Sanusi's return

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano Former governor of Kano State and the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that the issue of the creation of five new Emirates would be revisited by the state government.

Kwankwaso, who spoke in Hausa during a live interview programme on Thursday night in Kano, stressed that the issue of the Kano Emirates would be revisited by the current administration.

“Honestly, it is one of the things that nobody has sat with me to discuss so far, but I am sure we are going to sit and see how to go about it, whether it is going to be allowed, restructured, or whatever. It will be revisited.

Whatever is supposed to be done, will be done.

Continued on page 5

SECURING NIGERIA'S NATURAL RESOURCES ON THEIR MINDS… L-R: Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; Minister of State Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during the inter-ministerial security meeting on securing Nigeria’s natural resources chaired by Dr. Alake as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja...yesterday

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With Litigations over in Six More States, Governors Say Its Time for Governance Abiodun, Oborevwori, Yahaya, Idris, Sani, Sule woo challengers Mixed reactions trail judgements APC hails verdicts Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, James Sowole in Abeokuta, John Shiklam in Kaduna, Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Governors of Gombe State, Mohammed Yahaya; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule; Kaduna, Uba Sani; Kebbi,

Nasir Idris, and Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, who yesterday, won appeals challenging their respective elections at the Supreme Court have extended olive branches to their challengers and members of the opposition, stressing that they were now focused on the delivery of the dividends of democracy in their states.

They stated these in separate

reactions to the Supreme Court judgements just as they called for peace and reconciliation in their states.

The Supreme Court yesterday resolved all appeals challenging the election of six governors in favour of the incumbent, saying their victories meant that there were no winners and losers.

In the six appeals decided by

different panels of the apex court, the major opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) failed in its bid to unseat five All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governors, just as the APC also failed to capture power from the PDP in one state.

This came exactly one week after the Supreme Court put to rest legal battles arising from the March 18, 2023 governorship elections in eight

states, bringing the total number of such cases resolved to 14. The cases resolved last Friday, were for the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, his Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Kano, Plateau, Zamfara States counterparts; Alex Otti, Bala Mohammed, Bassey Otu, Abba Yusuf, Francis Nwifuru, Caleb Mutfwang, and Dauda Lawal.

However, in yesterday’s

judgements, the various panels in their respective judgments held that they did not find any cogent reason in any of the appeals to warrant a deviation from the lower courts decisions.

The apex court accordingly dismissed all the appeals for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

Continued on page 26

INSECURITY FESTERS IN FCT, GUNSHOTS AS 3 ABDUCTED AT ESTATE DESPITE SPECIAL INTERVENTION SQUAD based in the United States, yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu, to halt all deadly and coordinated attacks on innocent Nigerians.

Also, the precarious security situation, which had elicited desperate circulation of security tips and precautionary security measures on social media to guide residents, has been condemned by security experts on account of the huge investments in security technology, including linking sim cards to National Identification Number (NIN).

According to them, phone numbers not linked were not expected to function and that phone calls could be tracked, stating that it was regrettable that kidnappers continue to go on the rampage, kidnapping people on highways, at their homes and even in hotels, demanding and receiving ransom without being tracked and arrested.

An assessment of the security situation in the FCT conducted

by Beacon Consulting, a security consulting firm that conducts assessment of security trends across the country, revealed that kidnap for ransom incidents showed a gradual but steady rise in the nation's capital, comparable to the levels of kidnap for ransom in states like Sokoto, Borno, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger.

The firm, in its latest report, stated that in December 2023, there were 26 documented events, comprising security operations and security threat events, resulting in five fatalities and 67 individuals abducted in Abuja.

"When compared to the previous month's analysis, there is a 36.84 per cent increase in incident occurrences, a 75 per cent decrease in fatalities, and a 168 per cent increase in abducted persons.”

Speaking on the abduction, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that the incident happened in the estate at about 9.00 p.m. on Thursday.

Residents of the estate said the abductors fired gunshots before escaping with their victims.

However, Nwachukwu said troops responded to a distress call from the estate and were currently on a search and rescue operation.

In the second kidnap case, the abductors were taking Akinyemi from Army Estate in Dutse, Abuja to Kano State, when the police swooped in on them, according to the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan.

He said on January 18, 2024, operatives attached to Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna State, received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja.

He noted that they were alerted that the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.

The FCT Police Command confirmed, "the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, a notorious Abuja kidnapper by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday 18th January, 2024.

"The suspect has been handed over to FCT police Command today being Friday 19th January, 2024, and currently in police custody", said a statement issued

by the Spokesperson of FCT Police Command, Superintendent of Police (SP), Josephine Adeh.

In a chat with THISDAY, the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Advocacy Center (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, queried the rationale behind the non-application of the call tracking system which was the reason for National Identification Number (NIN).

He also flayed the setting up of a Special Intervention Squad by the Inspector-General of Police for the FCT, describing it as a knee jerk approach.

Nwanguma said, "I'm not sure that setting up a Special Intervention Squad is the appropriate response to the escalating spate of kidnappings in Abuja and indeed, in other parts of Nigeria.

“This looks more like a knee jerk response to the pressure on the IGP to rise to the occasion. I think there already exists so many tactical teams in the NPF that could do what this new team has been purportedly set up to do.

"The question is, how equipped are the police generally to tackle crime?

Do they have the motivation and the firepower that can match those of the bandits?

"How come that despite huge investments in security technology, including linking sim cards to NIN which entails that no phone number that is not linked can work and every phone call can be tracked, kidnappers continue to be on the prowl, kidnapping people on highways, at their homes and even in hotels, demanding and receiving ransom without being tracked and arrested?

"There is no other conclusion than that there is compromise and collusion by some powerful vested interests within the government who probably are the sponsors and beneficiaries of crime.

“If the NPF has not been able to tackle kidnapping and other crimes before now, it is not because a special team does not exist to do so.

"It is because there are powerful people behind the crimes or there is no political will to do what needs to be done to tackle crime."

In an interview with THISDAY, a former Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Sani Usman (rtd), lamented the rising incidents of kidnapping in the nation's seat of power and called for concerted efforts to contain the trend.

"Indeed, the rising crime rate within the FCT, especially kidnappings, is worrisome and calls for concerted efforts to mitigate it. It is heartwarming to see the FCT Minister holding meetings with security heads and also the President having meetings with heads of security agencies, possibly on the same issue among other things.

"Nonetheless, there is an urgent need to address the issue by first understanding why the sudden surge of kidnappings in the FCT and then taking drastic measures to address it.

Such efforts should be far-reaching and comprehensive.

"There should be proper collaboration, cooperation and

coordination of the activities and operations of the security agencies.

The government should involve the leadership of communities and traditional leaders, especially in the areas of information and intelligence gathering.

"Security agencies should have more human resources equipment and means of transportation to respond timely. Above all, the government should address the root causes of some of the conflicts which should

be predicated on political, social and economic framework.

"Let us enhance the criminal justice system to make it more responsive and efficient. Above all, we have to strengthen and enhance our policing system and revive the community police, among others.

"In addition, they should leverage technology and capacity building, as well as harmonisation and utilisation of available data to fight this crime," he said.

Meanwhile, NADECO, based in the United States, yesterday, called on Tinubu, to halt all deadly and coordinated attacks on innocent Nigerians.

In a statement tagged ‘Urgent Call for Action: Addressing Key Issues in Nigeria’, and signed by the Chairman, NADECO USA, Prof.

Mondy Gold, expressed concern over the impunity of some political office holders and their dictatorial actions at the detriment of other Nigerians.

According to the group, “NADECO expresses deep concern over the tragic Christmas Day incident in Plateau State, where over two hundred Christians lost their lives. The organisation sees this as indicative of a resurgence of religious persecution, a matter that requires immediate national and international attention.

“The security situation in Nigeria Continued on page 26

ALL EYES ON CBN AS IT SCHEDULES MPC MEETINGS WITHOUT QUORUM OF COMMITTEE members of the MPC, preparatory to their first meeting under the tenure of Cardoso.

However, all eyes would be on the apex bank whose Board has not been constituted and the tenure of previous MPC members expired last year, to see if the CBN Governor and his deputies are enough to form a quorum for the meeting that among other mandates, is responsible for making interest rate decisions and determine appropriate stance of policy in the short to medium term.

Section 12 (1) of the CBN Act 2007, categorically states that: “In order to facilitate the attainment of the objective of price stability and to support the economic policy of the federal government, there shall be a Committee of the Bank known as the MPC. (2) The MPC shall consist of- (a) the Governor of the Bank who shall be the Chairman; (b) the four Deputy Governors of the Bank; (c) two members of the Board of Directors of the Bank; (d) three members appointed by the President; and (e) two members appointed by the Governor.

(3) The MPC shall have responsibility within the Bank for formulating monetary and credit policy.

(4) The appointment of a member of the MPC pursuant to Sub-section 2 (d) and (e) of this section, the remuneration, filling of temporary vacancies, qualification, tenure of office and disqualification shall be subject to the same terms as are stipulated for a Director under sections 10 and 11 of this Act. Presently, apart from the CBN Governor and the four deputy CBN governors, the other seven members of the committee as stipulated by the CBN Act, have not been appointed.

Furthermore, Ali in the statement, disclosed that the strategic session was aimed to brainstorm and engage in an in-depth discussion about the committee's objectives.

She revealed that the critical focus areas during the retreat included deliberations on the strategic plan to effect necessary improvements in the monetary policy transmission mechanism.

According to her, the sessions were facilitated by former MPC members, monetary policy communication specialists at the IMF, and Directors of Departments critical to the MPC process.

“The valuable insights gained from these discussions will significantly contribute towards the robustness of the forthcoming MPC meetings,” she noted.

The committee held its last meeting in July 2023, when the benchmark interest rate was raised by 25 basis points to 18.75 per cent from 18.50 per cent.

According to the "MPC Meetings Tentative Calendar for 2024," which was posted on the apex bank's website, a total of six meetings had been slated to hold in the year.

The calendar of meetings on the CBN website indicated that the meetings was scheduled for February, March, May, July, September and November 2024.

Precisely, the first is slated for February 26 and 27, 2024; the second for March 25 and 26; and the third meeting for May 20 and 21.

The fourth MPC meeting is billed for July 22 and 23; fifth for September 23 and 24 as well as November 25 and 26 for the last meetings.

Earlier in November, there were indications that the 294th meeting of the CBN MPC which was slated for between November 20 and 21 may not as scheduled, raising concerns

among investors.

That was the second consecutive time that the MPC meeting would be skipped since Cardoso formally assumed office on September 22, 2023 – three days to the 293rd MPC which was scheduled between September 25 and 26 – and failed to hold.

However, the inability of the central bank to convene the MPC meetings under its new leadership had continued to generate concerns among analysts and stakeholders amid the current economic hardship fueled partly by the removal of fuel subsidy, rising inflation, FX liquidity challenges, and the increasing cost of funds in the economy among others.

In an interview with THISDAY, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dignity Finance and Investment Limited, Dr. Chijioke Ekechukwu, however, cautioned the committee against making hasty policy pronouncements.

He said, “Many factors are contributing to the macroeconomic headwind, most of these factors do not have monetary policy solutions and therefore not controlled by CBN. Holistic solutions must be sought in arriving at economic solutions.

“The U.S, Eurozone, China, and other developed economies are experiencing a major drop in their inflation rates, while Nigeria's inflation rate continues to increase month on month irrespective of measures taken by the apex bank.”

Also, Managing Director/ Chief Executive, SD&D Capital Management Limited, Mr. Idakolo Gbolade, said the inability of the CBN to hold the meetings so far may send mixed signals to both local and foreign investors regarding the direction of the economy.

He said, “The MPC meeting is the official policy direction

platform to project the monetary policies of the Federal government through the CBN and its positions on economic issues go a long to determine various positions taken by critical stakeholders in the economy.

“The inability of the CBN to hold the meeting so far might send mixed signals to both local and foreign investors as regards the policy direction of the economy.

“Although the CBN has been communicating its policies in the past couple of weeks the MPC meeting is critical and should held regularly. If the new CBN Management team fails to hold its maiden MPC meeting this week, it could cause anxiety in the economy.”

For his part, Wealth Management and Business Development Consultant, Mr. Ibrahim Shelleng, said lack of clear guidance on interest rates, inflation targets, and other monetary policies may result in market volatility and reduced investor confidence.

He said regular MPC meetings play a crucial role in providing a framework for economic decision-making and maintaining stability.

He told THISDAY, “If the CBN fails to hold regular MPC meetings, it could lead to increased uncertainty in the investing public. The lack of clear guidance on interest rates, inflation targets, and other monetary policies may result in market volatility and reduced investor confidence.

“Additionally, the absence of timely policy adjustments in response to economic changes could impede the central bank's ability to effectively manage inflation, exchange rates, and overall economic stability. In the long run, this could have negative repercussions on the economy, hindering sustainable growth and development.”

KWANKWASO: KANO GOVT TO REVISIT ISSUE OF FIVE EMIRATE COUNCILS “There are a lot of things involved and this might even be a trap, who knows. But the truth is that all these things were not done in good faith, nor with good intention. They were done with some bad intentions which every one of you here and our listeners are aware of.

“Sometimes you come with things that are good and they turn out to be bad, while sometimes you bring bad things and they turn out to be good," he said.

Kwankwaso, who spoke for

over an hour on several political issues also said that on the issue of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) merging with other political parties, the doors of the party were always open to discussions with interested parties where the need arises.

The former governor and now National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, had split the Kano Emirate into five, thereby creating Gaya, Bichi, and Rano Karaye Emirates, all carved out

of the Kano Emirate. He further dethroned the 14th Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Following the victory of the NNPP at the Supreme Court last Friday, Kwankwaso said the government of Abba Kabir Yusuf would review the dethronement and balkanisation of the Kano Emirate.

Some residents had been agitating in the State, calling for the removal of the Emirs, changing the status quo, and for the re-installation of the 14th

Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the sole Emir of Kano.

Governor Yusuf had while delivering his appreciation speech on his victory during a rally at Fili Mahaha, on his return to Kano after the Supreme Court verdict, was severally obstructed by supporters chanting, "Sabon Gwamna!, Sabon Sarki!" meaning New Governor! New Emir.

They also sang songs and chants calling for the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

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News Editor: Charles Ajunwa 09157401421 (sms only) Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

LAUNCH OF ‘WE ARE EQUAL’ CAMPAIGN… L-R: First Ladies of Kenya, Rachel Ruto; Botswana, Neo Jane Masisi; Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Mozambique, Isaura Ferrao Nyusi, and President of Mozambique, Fillipe Nyusi; First Ladies of Zimbabwe, Dr. Mnangawa, and Malawi, Monica Geingos, at the Launch of the ‘We Are Equal’ campaign in Mozambique…yesterday

Wike: We Have No Reason Being in Power If We Can't Protect Lives,Property Approves two more police divisions for Gwagwalada Chuks Okocha and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Federal Capital Minister (FCT), Nyesom Wike has declared that the federal government has no reason to be in power if it can't secure lives and property.

He disclosed this yesterday in Gwagwalada Area Council during a town hall meeting on insecurity with stakeholders and residents of Gwagwalada.

The minister assured FCT

residents of their security, while also announcing the arrest of some informants working for kidnappers responsible for the recent daring onslaughts on some parts of FCT. "The President has asked me to come here today. The other day I was in Bwari and next week I will go to Kwali.

"Security is one thing the President promised Nigerians because his job is to protect lives and property. If we can't

protect lives and property, then we have no reason being in government.

"The President has asked me to assure you that he will not abandon you. So, all these criminals, be ready. Your time is up. You know if I say I will do something, I will do it. And now that I am here today, if you know you are an informant or even one of the criminals, the end has come for you. I and security agencies will follow you

to the point that you won't enter Gwagwalada again.

"Some of the people giving them information, we have arrested them. If they haven't arrested you, it doesn't mean that we won't arrest you tomorrow or even before we leave this place," Wike said. He vowed that the time is up for kidnappers and their informants, vowing to go after them.

The minister similarly urged the FCT Police Commissioner

to work out the modalities of government urgently providing two more police divisions in Gwagwalada, saying it is a security matter that must not be bogged down by bureaucratic bottlenecks.

"The President has given me power to buy more vehicles. By next week, we shall give more vehicles to all police stations.

We shall give them modern communication gadgets. The President has said he does

Mutfwang: We're Exploring Legal, Political Solutions on Issue of Sacked Plateau PDP Lawmakers Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared that both political and legal solutions are being explored to address the injustice meted out to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

lawmakers from the state that were sacked by the Appeal Court over pre-election matters.

Governor Mutfwang disclosed this yesterday at the State House, Abuja, when he paid a 'thank you' visit to President Bola Tinubu for al-

Ali Seeks Collaborative Efforts to Consolidate Democracy in Nigeria Funmi Ogundare

The Principal Partner Ghalib Chambers and Pioneer Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association Section on Legal Practice ( SLP), Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, yesterday, called for collaborative efforts from government institutions, civil society, political actors, and the public so that the country can achieve democratic consolidation.

Prof. Ali made this call during the second Nigeria Academy of Letters ( NAL), virtual dialogue series titled, 'Electoral Litigations and the Challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria', expressing concern about the failure of governance in the country.

He stated that by addressing the identified challenges and implementing targeted reforms, Nigeria can build a more resilient and stable democratic system

that reflects the aspirations of its citizens and contributes to the overall development of the nation.

According to him, "addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including electoral reforms, strengthening the judicial system, promoting political culture transformation and insisting that people with character hold political positions, otherwise, we will be going around in circles."

The principal partner stressed the importance of electoral reforms that will foster a more robust democratic consolidation, adding,"it will go a long way to enhance INEC's (Independent National Electoral Commission's) efficiency, coupled with measures to strengthen the judicial system's capacity that will handle electoral cases efficiently."

legedly resisting all the pressure mounted on him by interested political stakeholders to interfere and influence the apex court's judgement.

Addressing journalists after the courtesy visit, Mutfwang while commenting on the way forward for the PDP lawmakers that were sacked at the Appeal Court, said different options were being explored, adding that the Plateau matter will enrich the jurisprudence of the country.

According to him, "Yes, I think this is an ongoing discussion and I can’t tell you anything now, because we are looking at all the possible

solutions, both legally, politically or otherwise, to ensure that my interest is to have a peaceful state where I can focus on development and governance. And therefore, we want to ensure that we reduce all areas of friction as much as we can.

"I want to particularly thank Nigerians for the interest they have shown in the Plateau situation. We do not take it for granted. And I believe that out of the Plateau situation, our jurisprudence will be enriched and that justice will find sure footings in Nigeria in the future."

The governor said he also

discussed the issue of insecurity with the President, stressing that the security apparatus is on the trail of those that perpetrated the dastardly act in some local government areas in the state during the last Yuletide period.

Explaining the purpose of his visit, the governor said, "I came to see the President purposely to say a very big thank you to Mr. President, for keeping democracy alive in Nigeria.

"As you all know, I went through a very protracted legal battle and I've said it openly and I am repeating that the Nigerian President is a powerful President.

not want to hear any story of kidnapping in Abuja again and the security agencies have promised to rise to the occasion. We are very serious. We are not playing. But we need your support too because security agencies cannot do this work alone. They need information. When you give them information, they will work better," Wike said.

He also reiterated his earlier warning to FCT residents to stop crowdfunding for ransom, saying such action only serves to encourage kidnapping.

He said; "It is also not good to go on the radio to raise ransoms. It is a way of encouraging criminals. We know it is not easy when your people are in captivity but we have to avoid raising ransom. It fuels the activities of kidnappers" The FCT Minister approved in principle a request by Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Abubakar Jibrin Giri, for the demolition of some uncompleted structures, which he noted had been providing safe haven for criminals.

Earlier, in his remarks, Giri had requested for the establishment of more police divisions, although the council had not suffered much attacks since last year.

He said: "From January last year to December, we here in Gwagwalada didn't have much issues of kidnapping. We used to have before but with the synergy among stakeholders, it was reduced.

Envoy Says Palestinians Awaiting ICJ Ruling in Few Days Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abu Shawesh, has said that his country is awaiting the pronouncement of the International Court of Justice on the Israeli continuous bombardment of Gaza in a few days.

Shawesh also appealed to the international community to join in calling for a halt to Israeli military action on Palestinians which has led to over 25,000 deaths since 7th October 2023 retaliation attack.

According to him, “South Africa (SA) has brought the matter to the court as a matter of extreme urgency

and with a priority and stipulation to order Israel to halt and suspend its onslaught campaign in order to protect the Palestinian people and preserve the evidence.

"We expect to hear the decision in the coming days. We must wait until then to know whether the court is convinced by the evidence that SA presented."

The envoy, while also commending South Africa for instituting the case at The Hague, explained that “in its application to the ICJ, South Africa based its accusation both on actions taken by Israel throughout the war and controversial comments made by

Israeli officials regarding Palestinians in Gaza and how they should be treated."

He argued that Israel is a signatory to the Genocide Convention adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 and is therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the ICJ, a UN organ, and its rulings. Under the terms of the convention, Israel is obligated to send representatives to the court following the submission of a filing against it.

Shawesh said: “At the outset, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the political leaders and people of South Africa for their strong moral stance and for standing

steadfastly in support of international law and justice by suing Israel for its genocide of the Palestinian people, the occupying power, before the United Nations International Court of Justice. In this regard, we also urge all countries that side with Israel's acts of genocide and are neglecting to condemn Israel’s war crimes to acknowledge what is actually happening and to review their moral and legal position.

“Three things cannot be hidden for long: the sun, the moon, and the truth. The truth is that the behaviour of the Israeli government is in fact forms of genocide against the Palestinian people.

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AKPABIO VISITS AKWA IBOM APC LEADERS… L-R: Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, Steven Ntukekpo; Senate Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate Whip, Onyekachi Nwaeboyin, when Akpabio visited party members in Uyo Senatorial District....yesterday

Ondo Governorship: Jimoh Ibrahim Ups the Ante, Begins Ward Tours No automatic ticket for Aiyedatiwa, APC declares Fidelis David in Akure As politicians in Ondo State begin the political shuffle to pick the tickets of their parties, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo South and a foremost governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), would

next week embark on a consultation tour of the 203 wards in the state.

This comes just as the APC has ruled out an automatic ticket for the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the 2024 governorship election in the state, slated for November 16.

Senator Ibrahim, who had

completed a consultation tour of the state’s 18 local governments before travelling last week to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF), was expected back from Davos Switzerland this weekend, to pick up where he stopped, but this time on a whirlwind tour of all the wards in the state.

The billionaire entrepreneur with interests in insurance, banking, hospitality, property, oil and gas, education, and the media, with the local government consultation tours is seen as one of the early birds, presenting his political agenda around key pillars of education, health, job creation and infrastructure.

Ibrahim has plans to extend to the wards the generous palliatives he distributed to the APC executive members and to an additional 10 leaders in each local government.

All the 27 executive members of the APC in each ward and an additional 10 leaders from every ward are expected to be beneficiaries.

Akobundu: My Late Inauguration in Senate Cost Abia Central Tinubu's Christmas Palliatives Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Austin Akobundu, has blamed his delayed inauguration in the 10th Senate for the failure of his constituents to benefit from the Christmas palliatives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akobundu took his seat at the 10th Senate on November 15, 2023 after reclaiming his mandate from Darlington Nwokocha of Labour Party, who the appellate court eventually ruled was not the rightful owner of the mandate.

Speaking at a New Year

get-together he organised for party leaders, stakeholders, women and youth groups at his Amuzu Oloko country home, Ikwuano, Akobundu said that he did not receive the said presidential palliatives.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator explained to his constituents that the processes for the sharing of the palliatives to National Assembly members had been concluded before his arrival at the Senate.

President Tinubu had reportedly doled out N200 million worth of food items, including 6,000 bags of rice to each federal lawmaker to share in their respective constituencies.

Corruption: ActionAid Says Transparency International Ranking Shows Nigeria’s Deplorable Anti-Corruption War Michael Olugbode in Abuja ActionAid Nigeria has condemned the pervasive corruption in the country, insisting that Nigeria’s current ranking on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) underscores a deplorable performance by the Nigerian government in its anti-corruption endeavours.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday in the wake of the damning revelations from the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International on the Thursday, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said the report has exposed the harsh reality of the anti-corruption war in Nigeria He said: “The Transparency International report is an unequivocal indictment on the Nigerian Government and the collective conscience of Nigerians, especially public

office holders. The persistent corruption scores, fluctuating between 25 and 28 out of 100 from 2012 to 2016, and continuing a downward spiral through 2022, underscore a deplorable performance by the Nigerian government in its anti-corruption endeavours.

“The report further highlights what Civil Society Organisations and fellow Nigerians have long been decrying – the anti-corruption endeavours of the Nigerian Government, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are nothing short of a grotesque mockery of the citizens' intelligence. In stark contrast, Denmark, with its consistent top ranking as one of the least corrupt nations, serves as a stark reminder of the stark disparity in the global fight against corruption.’’

Though some members of the National Assembly have continued to claim ignorance of the food palliatives from Mr. President, Senator Akobundu appeared to have confirmed its authenticity, saying that it would have been very beneficial to his constituents.

However, the brand new Abia Central Senator, promised his constituents that he would "very soon" provide them his personal palliatives to cushion the effects of the present economic hardships.

He used the occasion to show his report card to his constituents covering the short period he has been in the Senate before going

on recess for the Christmas/ New Year celebrations.

Akobundu said he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs owing to his quality performance even as a first time Senator.

Recalling his long journey to the Senate, Akobundu thanked both God and members of the PDP in Abia Central for making it possible for him to eventually emerge as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He reiterated that he will remain "a Senator for everybody" in his constituency irrespective of political party affiliations,

adding that he would do all in his power to attract dividends of democracy to his constituency.

According to him, the inputs he made in the 2024 budget would yield good result and be beneficial to his people, adding that he remained committed to fulfilling his campaign promises as encapsulated in his five-point agenda.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Abia PDP, Alwell Asiforo Okere represented by the State Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Obinna Nwachukwu, described Senator Akobundu as a seasoned administrator with demonstrable capacity for effective representation.

The ward consultative tours would provide Ibrahim a platform to showcase his achievements in the relatively short time he has been in the Senate, better understand the needs and expectations of Ondo people and outline his vision for the future.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently scheduled the Ondo State governorship election on November16, 2024 and the party primaries to between 6 and 27 April 2024.

In December 2023, Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in as governor of Ondo following the death of the former governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and thus, by law, Aiyedatiwa is expected to complete the joint tenure of the late Akeredolu and himself, which ends in February 2025. Besides, Aiyedatiwa is also eligible to contest the November 16 governorship poll in the state.

However, speaking on national television on Thursday, spokesperson of the party, Felix Morka, said members would decide who would get the governorship ticket.

Akpabio: APC Lost Two Senatorial Seats in Akwa Ibom Because I Wasn't Invited to Campaign Sunday Aborisade in Abuja President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost two senatorial districts in the 2023 National Assembly elections because the APC leaders in the affected zones did not invite him to their campaigns.

He said there was no way he would have gone there to campaign that the people would not vote for the party.

Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media (Print), Jackson Udom, stated this yesterday while addressing

a stakeholders' meeting in Uyo. He vowed to reunite the party so that it would be positioned to take over the state reins of government in the state in 2027.

Te Senate President insisted that, "there was nowhere I would have entered to campaign for the party, (in 2023) that the people wouldn't have voted for us."

He called for the immediate commencement of reconciliation within the rank and file of the party.

Akpabio who noted that the party needed to be united towards the 2027 general elections for a better electoral

outcomes, mandated Chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, to set up a reconciliation committee to address the differences rocking the party in the state.

Akpabio said, "A situation where someone will be in one party and be working for another party will not be tolerated.

"We will make sure that APC in Akwa Ibom State is one, we will give people the option that either you belong to us or to them. There should not be any in-between.

"We are going to resolve all the issues in APC and also

advise some people you can't be here and there.

"I have mandated the Chairman of the party to set up a reconciliation committee in the state, we have to bring our members together. If we are united, there is no barrier that we can not break.

"I pray against confusion among my leaders not in Uyo alone, but in all the senatorial districts. We must reconcile among ourselves, On the 2027 elections, the number one lawmaker, expressed hope that APC, which is an opposition in the state, would emerge victorious.

Obaseki Receives New NSCDC Commandant, Assures Sustained Support to Combat Cultism, Drug Abuse, Others

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, received the newly deployed state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Agun Gbenga Joseph, reassuring sustained partnership with the corps and other security agencies in the state to reduce the incidences of crime and other social vices.

Receiving the new Com-

mandant at the Government House in Benin City, Obaseki said the government is working assiduously, collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the state is peaceful and crime-free.

Obaseki, while reassuring the NSCDC Commandant of sustained collaboration and support, reiterated the need for increased partnership between states and the federal

government to tackle crime and criminality in all its forms and guise.

He said, “You are coming at a very critical time in the security of the state. All our security heads have been changed without reference to the governor. That is the way the federation government operates, changing all security heads.

“I wonder how we can oper-

ate and manage the security of the state with such a strategy instead of them having basic interaction with the state to understand what is going on.”

According to him, “Edo State is always secured because we have mutual cooperation amongst the security agencies but when you move all the security heads out of the state at the same time, it means we have to start all over again.

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NEWS

COLLABORATING FOR IMPROVED SECURITY ...

L-R: Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, during a courtesy call on Umahi in his office in Abuja ... recently

Rise Up to Technological Development, Tinubu Urges Nigerian Graduates As Oko Polytechnic holds combined 19th convocation David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian graduates to brace up to technological advancement and ensure that Nigeria does not lag behind in the area.

The president gave the advice yesterday in his visitor's address during the combined convocation ceremony of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

The president was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof.

Tahir Mamman.

The event was the 19th convocation of the institution which had graduates from the 2010/2011 and 2020/2021 academic sessions.

In the address, which was

read by the Director Polytechnic Education in the ministry, Dr. Ejeh Usman, Tinubu said: "We live in the era of Science and Technology. With technical revolution and innovations in science and technology, labour-market needs have significantly evolved.

"Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a new global player and has thrown up new challenges. As a nation, we must ensure our relevance in the global landscape and set the stage for long term progress and prosperity.

We cannot afford to lag behind in global technological development.

"I therefore call on you as graduates in technical and technological field to rise up to

the challenge. The government is not relenting in developing the science and technology base of the nation. As a government, we are aware of the role and impact of quality education with respect

The oil and gas producing communities in Delta State, yesterday, alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deliberately ignored their petition against the former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, pending before it.

They have therefore asked President Bola Tinubu to prevail on

the anti-graft agency to summon Okowa so that he could account for the 13 per cent oil derivation funds for eight years amounting to over N1.2 trillion received and spent by his administration.

Leaders under the aegis of Association of Oil and Gas Producing Communities of Delta State, stated this in Abuja at a news conference addressed on their behalf by Chief Mulade Sheriff of the Ijaw ethnic

Concerned Edo State's All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders have called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and other party leaders to call the former governor of the state, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and his co-travellers to order ahead of the Edo State governorship primary scheduled for February 17.

The stakeholders said Oshiomhole does not have the authority to constitute a screening committee

for the primary election.

In a statement issued yesterday, which was signed by Dr. Atsikidi Leonard and nine others, the stakeholders said it was worth noting that Oshiomhole's previous usurpation of nomination powers, as witnessed in the nomination of Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shuaibu as governor and deputy governor, respectively in 2016, resulted in the party's opposition status in Edo State today.

The party stakeholders noted that it was evident that he intends to repeat this indelible error in 2024.

that there are several grants and intervention schemes which educational institutions are beneficiaries of in order to train and develop manpower, promote research and aid teaching and learning.

Northern group kicks against relocation of FAAN, CBN departments to Lagos Chinedu Eze and John Shiklam in Kaduna Labour unions in the aviation industry have expressed support for the plan of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace

nationality.

The group also urged the EFCC to act swiftly on the petition in the interest of the downtrodden people of the Niger Delta.

The statement was jointly signed by Mulade; Sir Mathew Itsekure of the Itsekirii ethnic nationality; Hon. Mark Ikpuri, (Urhobo); Chief John Etenero (Isoko); and Comrade Osita Ijeoma (Ndokwa).

Development, Festus Keyamo, to relocate the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos, where it had existed for several years.

This is as the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) yesterday opposed the relocation of FAAN and some key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos, saying the relocation, apart from having negative implications for the country, is also capable of undermining the status of Abuja as the nation's capital city.

Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) in a joint statement expressed their support to the relocation plan

Edo Guber: Call Oshiomhole to Order, Pharmacists Decry Inappropriate Drugs APC Stakeholders Tell Tinubu, Ganduje Prescription, Dispensing in Nigeria

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

the educational growth of our nation. Government has made giant strides in the funding of education and will continue to do so."

Tinubu added that he is aware

Aviation Unions Welcome FAAN’s Plan to Relocate Headquarters to Lagos

N1.2tn Derivation Funds: Delta Oil Communities Allege EFCC Ignored Petition against Okowa Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

to science and technological development.

"It can never be overstated that education is the key to this. This informed government's unwavering commitment to

Pharmacists under the auspices of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), have raised the alarm over the safety of Nigerians due to inappropriate drug prescription and dispensing practices in the country.

In a letter to President Bola Tinubu, the ACPN drew the attention of the government to unwholesome practices, including the violation of relevant laws on prescription and dispensing of drugs by private hospitals, which puts

Nigerian health consumers at risk.

The document which was signed by the National Chairman of ACPN, Adewale Oladigbolu, noted that the sale, prescription and dispensing of drugs in Nigeria is "ravaged by a departure from global norm in many respects."

ACPN accused private hospitals in the country of promoting quackery in the health sector through abuse of privileges of the medical profession.

and described it as a welcome development.

“The recent instructions for redeployment of staff relocated to Abuja is a welcome development. It could be recalled that the unions have on several occasions expressed our concerns over the hasty manner in which staff were relocated to Abuja when no adequate arrangement was made in the areas of office accommodation, infrastructure and other logistics for smooth relocation. Senior management staff were left stranded without an office and working tools while junior workers were helpless, no provision for documents and working files and most worrisome absence of backup for data,” the statement said.

The unions also said that it is their hope that if such movement was requested in future all necessary infrastructure must be in place.

“We are also of the opinion that staff who have collected relocation allowance even though not sufficient should not be paid for this redeployment. We, however, urge the management to make Lagos convenient enough for staff to operate,” the unions said.

FAAN on Thursday issued a statement, saying that after wide consultations with stakeholders in the industry, which also involved the unions, it was agreed that the relocation of its headquarters to Lagos was in the best interest of the Authority. and the country for now.

Chief Onyenweama Passes to Glory It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived that the family of Chief Enoch Nwakwuribe Onyenweama (Akuoma Isingwu) of Umuda Okpuala community in Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State announces the passing to glory of their father, Chief Enoch Nwakwuribe Onyenweama, at the age of 94 years. He was survived by his wife, Mrs Regina Obiageli Onyenweama (nee Ojukwu) and four children, among whom are Sir Collins Chukwudi Onyenweama; Group Managing Director and CEO of Techno Oil Limited, Mrs Nkechi Obi (OON); Mrs Victoria Nkechi Nnaji; and Engineer Tony Obinna Onyenweama, in addition to four half siblings, many grand and great grandchildren, and in-laws.

According to the burial arrangement as announced by his son, Sir Collins Onyenweama, there will be a Service of Songs at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos at 4pm on Friday, January 26, 2024; and a Christian Wake at Umuda Okpuala Isingwu, Umuahia, Abia State at 4pm on Friday, February 9, 2024.

The funeral service will be held at Wesley Methodist Church, Umuda Okpuala Isingwu, Umuahia at 10am on Saturday, February 10, 2024, while interment and reception follow immediately at 1pm and 1.30pm, respectively, at the family compound.

Chief Onyenweama who was the second of two brothers, was born on December 24, 1929, and passed Late Onyenweama to glory on November 14, 2023.

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JANUARY 20, 2023 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Who did it?

T

Review New Passport Policy

his is a call to President Bola Tinubu to wade into what maybe the ill-advised and ill-timed Passport automation process recently ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ȱ Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Passport applicants across the length and breadth of the country especially Nigerians in Diaspora who returned for the Yuletide and who paid cursory visit to some selected passport offices in different geopolitical zones revealed thousands of Nigerians stranded as the new system foisted on the service has made the process worse and indeed unfriendly to applicants.

In the three passport offices in Lagos, namely Ikoyi, Ikeja and Festac, applicants were seen running from pillar to post, trying to make their payments online and upload their photos and documents online by themselves as the new system made it impossible for applicants to be helped by the immigration officers.

In the Abuja HQ and Gwagwalada offices, some immigration officers spoken to said that although they welcomed any innovation to make passport process less tedious and seamless, some aspects of the technological development were counter-productive. For instance, asking applicants to upload ICAO standard photos without breaking down. What exactly are the specifications of the ICAO for passport photographs?

Someone should help us ask the minister the meaning of ICAO, and not to talk of knowing its standards for passport applications.

The immigration staff expressed regret that such a good idea from the minister was only introduced to the officers for one week before it came on stream and so left them helpless as they couldn’t even guide the applicants who equally appeared frustrated because most of them had no access to scanners and devices to upload their birth certificates, state of origin certificates, NIN and ICAO standard passport photos.

Some Diaspora applicants who went to the Enugu and Owerri passport offices, the officials told them they only recorded two or three applicants per day as against 50 to 60 applicants per day prior to the new automated

‘Witchcraft’ and Court System in Tanzania

system. Nobody was able to achieve the desired results in uploading all the required information especially photos.

So is the government really putting them into consideration before starting this new system, knowing that most of us who returned to be part of the Yuletide, usually had less than two weeks to return to our base?

They queried the reason for the rush to introduce a novel idea when half of the passport centers had less than four hours of steady power supply a day.

Also the minister now made it mandatory for all adults seeking for passport to obtain the 10-year booklet which costs about 85k.

Hitherto, citizens had the option of either the five- year validity booklet which cost 35k or the 10-year option for 80k.

A particular applicant in Gwagwalada asked that what if someone genuinely and urgently needed a passport but came from a poor home? Like a winner of a scholarship program?

Ugochukwu Unwegbulam, Ontario, Canada

T

ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ę ȱ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ ǯȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ £ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ £ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱŞǰȱŘŖŘŘǯȱ ȱ ȱ quashed the sentence by a lower court on procedural ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ jurisdiction to hear and determine the case because the £ ȱ Ĵ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ DZȱ ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱśǻřǼȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ it is my considered opinion that the trial court could ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ě ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȄȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ The Advocacy for Alleged Witches applauds Justice Mirsha for his bold and courageous decision, for point-

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR OBINNA CHIMA DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

ing out this fundamental error and nullifying the conviction of the accused. AfAW salutes him for ensuring justice for the accused, and for vindicating the innocent.

Justice Mishra’s pronouncement signals hope for alleged witches who are persecuted, prosecuted, or convicted in Tanzania and across the region. The ruling is another indication that there is some light at the end of the dark tunnel of witch persecution and witch hunting in the region. That the injustice of witchcraft accusations could be rectified. That the wrongful conviction of alleged witches could eventually be nullified.

AfAW urges other judges and magistrates in Tanzania and across other African countries to emulate Justice Mishra and refrain from such errors of judgment and other procedural missteps that often lead to the conviction and sentencing of innocent people accused of witchcraft. Courts should stop caving into fear, intimidation, and pressure from witchcraft accusers and the witch-hunting mob. Courts should endeavor to uphold justice and the rule of law without fear of witchcraft, witches, or witch-believing folks.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches, which works and campaigns to end witch hunting in Africa by 2030

What Does Private Mean Now?

T

he concept has been parodied brutally and ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Ȃ ȱ ¡ Ȃȱ ȃ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ Ȅǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ¢ ȱ by themselves.

A number of papers have recently reported on Jacinda Ardern, a former New Zealand prime minister, and her private wedding but ‘private’ might be disputable. The articles describe her dress and name the designer, her shoe maker, her hairdresser and even the story of her daughter’s dress. There were photos to show how well this came together and we all wish her and her family the best.

The current US election is thriving on broken privacy where Donald Trump has been associated with a porn star, an insurrection, business impropriety and the misuse of secret documents, all of which are being examined by various legal authorities. Time will tell which are significant but I would be hiding in the deepest cave if I were facing these accusations.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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NEWS

COURTESY VISIT ...

Newly posted Controller of Correctional Service, FCT Command, Dr. John Frank (left) and FCT Comptroller of Immigration, Tony Akuneme, when Frank visited him in his office... yesterday

PDP Governors Commiserate with Makinde Over Ibadan Explosion Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has sympathised with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State for the unfortunate loss of lives

and property resulting from the explosion that rocked Ibadan late Tuesday.

The PDP governors said that they are saddened by the painful loss, impacting not only the government and the people of Oyo State, but also the entire country.

In a statement by the Director General of the PDP Governors' Forum, Cyril Maduabum, the governors said, "Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of victims who lost their beloved ones, and we pray that all who sustained various levels of injuries

would have a speedy recovery.

"We commend Governor Makinde’s swift response to the incident and are confident that he will deliver on his promise to bring justice to victims by ensuring that all parties indicted in the investigation into the matter are

brought to book.

"Governor Makinde's actions so far, especially in ensuring that those in need of medical attention receive it at no cost," the statement added, stressing that it demonstrates the governor’s love and resolute interest in the

welfare and well-being of the entire people of Oyo State.

The PDP governors called on security agencies and regulatory authorities in charge of mining and explosives to step up action to ensure that this type of incident does not reoccur.

Banditry, Customs Generates FG Re-arraigns Emefiele on Amended 20-Count Charge Despite N1.132bn in Katsina, Promotes 30 Officers

AlexEnumahand Kingsley NwezehinAbuja

Barely 24 hours after the bail granted former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, was varied to allow him travel outside Abuja, the federal government yesterday re-arraigned him on a 20-count amended charge.

In the amended charge read to him before Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Maitama, Abuja, Emefiele is alleged to have obtained the sum of $6.2 million by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The government said the offence was contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006,

and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. The charge read, That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about February 8, 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollar ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 "in line with Mr. President's directive" which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence."

He was also accused of conniving with one Eric Ocheme who has been

at large to commit forgery.

The government said the offence was contrary to Section 96(1) and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws Federation, 1990.

It read: "That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) sometime in January 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: forgery of a document titled: RE: Presidential Directive On Foreign Eection Observer Missions dated 26 January 2023 with Ref. No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and you thereby committed an offence."

Emefiele was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage on his wife, Omoile Margret and Brother In-law, Omoile Macombo, by awarding a contract for the renovation of a portion

of the CBN Governor's residence in Lagos to the tune of N99.8 million.

The government said the offence was contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The charge read: "That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in March 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on your wife, Omoile Margret, and brother-in-law Omoile Macombo by awarding a contract for the external renovation of the CBN Governor's Residence lying, being and situate at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of N99,826,452.47 to Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, a company wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders and you thereby committed an offence. "

Francis Sardauna in Katsina Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated over N1.132 billion in 2023 fiscal year despite the challenges of banditry and border closure with the neighbouring Niger Republic.

The Command’s Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Umar, disclosed this yesterday while decorating 30 newly promoted officers of the command at the command's headquarters in Katsina, the Katsina State capital.

He said the N1,132,831,484.75 revenue generated within the period under review was a shortfall from the 2023 revenue target of N1,304,548,912.93 given to the command by the federal government.

“This figure represents about 87.8 per cent of the revenue target issued.

It however indicates an improvement in revenue by N299,110,632.35 from N832,946,852.40 revenue generated in the preceding year 2022,” he said.

Umar said the command has also intercepted 369 contrabands, including used vehicles, tyres, second-hand clothing, vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice, among others, with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N553,339,240.00 in its ongoing anti-smuggling operations.

He added that the command under his watch has made significant progress in fostering synergy with other security agencies in the state for intelligence gathering and improved operations within and outside the border corridors.

BATN Foundation Empowers Lagos Smallholder Fish Farmers Mbaise Connect Redefines Community Self-Help Initiative Peter Uzoho

In a bid to support the livelihoods of Smallholder farmers in Lagos, the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation in partnership with the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) has donated 20 fifty-kilogram smoking kilns to farmers and agribusinesses.

With the support of the BATN Foundation, the LSADA also facilitated several weeks of intensive capacity building and established four demonstration sites for practical training for over 200 beneficiaries cutting across agricultural zones in the state

including Agege, Ojo, Ikorodu and Ibeju-Lekki.

The foundation said the initiative was programmed to enhance the productivity of the farmers and equip them to successfully overcome the challenges prevalent in the aquaculture industry.

The handing over ceremony of the smoking kilns to the beneficiaries held at LSADA office, Oko-Oba Agege, had in attendance government officials, fish farmers’ groups, and cooperative societies across the state.

The donation of smoking kilns is part of the Foundation’s effort to prevent post-harvest loss and support the socio-economic

development of smallholder farmers in the state.

Commenting on the initiative, the General Manager, BATN Foundation, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, in his remark at the handing over ceremony, said that the Foundation's longstanding assistance to farmers had revealed the importance of not only imparting optimal agricultural practices for enhanced fish production but also ensuring market access and empowering them to enhance the value of their commodities.

This approach, according to him, is essential for building resilience against price volatility.

The Mbaise Connect Global Initiative, a not for profit, non governmental community based organisation is redefining the concept of “Think Home” with their multidimensional approach to community development.

The group, which closed their annual calendar full of activities early this year, took a giant leap with a proposal to build an allencompassing community centre in Mbiase, Imo State.

The President of the group Mr. Waya Ejerenwa, used the opportunity to urge other wellmeaning sons and daughters of Mbaise at home and in the diaspora to refocus development

towards their ancestral home.

On the proposed project, Ejerenwa said that on completion the Mbaise Community Centre would be one of a kind in the country. An all encompassing complex that would house a state-of-the-art physical and virtual library, a skills acquisition centre, an ICT training centre, a museum to curate Mbaise history and heritage, three events halls, sports centre, accommodation facilities, and full recreational centre.

At an event graced by who-is-who in Mbaise, some prominent sons of the community commended the group for their steadfast efforts at

community development interventions, especially in the areas of primary healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

TECH HUB

AYODEJI AKE 07056085642

Assessing the New Automated Passport Portal

Ayodeji Ake assesses the newly launched automated passports portal by the federal government

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igerians jubilated as the federal government recently announced the launch of the automated passport portal. It was a good way to start the new year.

While Nigerians hailed the activation of the automated passports portal as promised, the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, noted that the new process would eliminate corrupt practices.

While speaking on the successful launch of the online passport portal, the minister said the process, which would involve uploading passport photographs and supporting documents online, would also reduce human interfaces.

He ascribed credit for the project to the visionary leadership and support given by President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, “This project is a success today because of the vision, support and enabling environment created by the president. “I am bold to say that credit for this project should be given to President Bola Tinubu because nothing could have been achieved without his support, encouragement, and visionary leadership.

“I am indeed grateful to the father of our nation for his trust and confidence in my ability. Notwithstanding the project’s success, we have only been inspired to do more and continually justify the confidence reposed in us by the president.”

He also added that the new system would speed up the entire process of obtaining a new passport by Nigerians in any part of the world.

“This initiative is sure to bring relief to all Nigerians who desire to obtain a passport.

The portal has undoubtedly ended the long waiting period for passport issuance. It has also ended the cycle of daily wastage of man-hours by passport applicants.”

Tunji-Ojo confirmed that applicants can now go online, through the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Portal and apply for the documents, while personnel of the NIS have gone through intensive training for the flag off of the exercise.

However, THISDAY spoke with some tech experts who assessed the new initiative.

While the experts admitted it was a commendable initiative from the federal government, they also revealed that Nigerians may be skeptical about the security architecture of the portal. Speaking with THISDAY, a Software Developer, Joshua Adeogo, expressed concern about the issue of mismatching information especially on the National Identification Number (NIN) certificate which is very crucial to the registration process.

He said: “The initiative is very commendable. It’s a shift from manual to automatic.

The process is long overdue. As Nigeria is growing technologically, there shouldn’t be a physical or manual process of passport processing.

“The security architecture of the website is also commendable. One can see at a glance the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate of the website is up to date. This will give Nigerians an assurance that every information

Tunji-Ojo_

input on the portal is secured and not open to third parties.

“I have done an assessment check on the portal, and I ran into some challenges.

Firstly, I already have a passport, so I applied for a renewal. I was asked to fill in my NIN and date of birth.

“That did not work, I was getting an ‘Invalid NIN’ error message. I had to change my date of birth to continue. And since I was applying for a renewal, I had to enter the old passport number and my date of birth, which did not work either till I changed my date of birth.

“So, it looks like there’s a mismatch of my record on the NIN database and the passport database.

The issue of the NIN might be frustrating especially for Nigerians in the diaspora. It’s not new that some Nigerians here at home still have issues with their NIN which may be difficult or impossible for them to access the full potential of the portal.”

He admitted that although the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had been saddled with the responsibility of the automated passports portal, there is no way Nigerians with mismatching NIN certificate can register without the collaborative effort of the two agencies to rectify mismatching information.

“The government needs to again focus on NIN because there is an issue of data mismatch. Some have either their names or their date of birth incorrect and some have both issues to deal with. “Understandably, the NIS is different from the NIMC but it is very important to work together to allow Nigerians to benefit from the automated passport portal without stress.

If the information on the NIN is incorrect then there is no way registration can be made on the portal.

“The automated portal will solve the issue of backlog faced by the NIS and it’s easy to access because the portal is accessible to everyone. it’s bygone the physical and manual passport process,” he said.

While commending the government, Adeogo, also noted the challenges of Nigerians that are not technologically inclined. He argued that there should

be accredited private centres that would help people in that category.

“One of the challenges could be on the part of the users. Some Nigerians are not technologically inclined. It will be difficult for Nigerians who are not familiar with technology to make use of the portal and this is where education sets in.

“The government must educate the people on how to easily register on the portalFrom. “For now, we can say the portal is good enough as it is. From assessment, it is obvious the portal will serve Nigerians better. everything on the intuitive and easy,” he said.

Speaking from another perspective, a Project and Product Manager, Amarachi Nwiwu, explained that the portal is too open and may be prone to security issues.

She said the portal should give Nigerians a sense of privacy and security assurance by allowing new users to create a profile with personal login details.

She again advised that the portal should be comprehensive enough for the inclusiveness of Nigerians with informal education.

“This is a good one from the federal government and I don’t want to think the unthinkable, I’m sure for the automated passport portal to have been launched, security would have been considered and perfected. “Unfortunately, I have seen portals in Nigeria that are very prone to security issues. For instance, the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) portal and the NIN portal. We also had the issue of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal that was hacked some time ago and the Anambra student allegedly upgraded her score. But I feel lessons should have been drawn from that security malpractice.

“The portal is still a newborn, so we are catching up with it. but there is a need to study the portal over again for early detection of whatever may go wrong or make the portal vulnerable to security malpractice. Such can be tackled early before it escalates. The government should know that through this portal, Nigerians are entrusting their personal information.

“I feel the portal needs to be more informative so that it can be easy to access by everyone. The government should not forget that they are also dealing with people who may not have formal education which is why every part of the web app should be inclusive and intuitive.

“I feel it’s improper and insecure to access the portal from the homepage. It should have been designed to enable everyone to create their account for personal login details. New users should be asked to create an account and not just start the registration process or log in if he or she is an existing user.

“Creating personal accounts gives the users a sense of security. Although, creating an account with email may seem obsolete but gives the users a sense of privacy and security. They will be assured that whatever detail they are entering on the portal is secured,” she said.

PalmPay Urges Users to Revalidate KYC Details Ahead of Jan. 31 Deadline Ahead of the January 31, 2024 deadline by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for customers to upgrade their wallets, fintech company, PalmPay has urged its users to upgrade their Know Your Client or Customer (KYC) details.

Fintech users affected by the CBN directive were grouped into three categories.

New users were mandatorily required to provide their NIN or Bank Verification Number (BVN) for tier - wallet opening. Also, those with existing Tier 1 wallet but yet to add their NIN or BVN have until March 1, 2024, to do so, and all existing users across the three tiers, whose National Identification Number (NIN) or BVN information does not match, have until January 31, 2024, to revalidate.

In response to the CBN’s recent directive to promote financial system stability by strengthening the KYC procedures for customers, PalmPay released an updated in-app version that mandates all new users to input their BVN or NIN numbers before a wallet can be created.

To upgrade their wallet KYC level using their BVN and NIN, PalmPay users were required to log into their app and follow the steps by - clicking on your profile and access your KYC Levels, clicking on “Upgrade” at the bottom of the page showing your account KYC level, and filling out the form with your correct details and submit for verification.

Managing Director, PalmPay, Chika Nwosu, welcomed the CBN directive on all existing and new users having BVN or NIN, stating that, “We are committed to ensuring compliance and fostering a secure financial ecosystem.

“As a forward-thinking fintech platform, we believe that this measure will enhance the overall security of users; wallets and the protection of users; data while providing seamless financial services. “Through various in-app activities, we have always encouraged our users to link their wallets with their BVN or NIN. We are fully aligned to drive the new directive.

“In all of this, we believe this measure will reduce fraudulent activities and provide a safe banking environment for all.”

Nwosu, encouraged users to, “update their KYC information on the app to ensure compliance with the directive.”

Samsung Unveils Mid-Range Smartphone Samsung Nigeria has released its new mid-range smartphone, Galaxy A05 series.

Packed with cutting-edge features and a sleek design, Galaxy A05 aims to redefine user expectations in its class.

Galaxy A05 boasts a vibrant 6.7-inch HD+ display, delivering stunning visuals with vivid colours and crisp details.

The device is powered by a robust Octacore processor, ensuring smooth multitasking and efficient performance. The device comes in multiple storage configurations, including an expandable option, catering to users with diverse storage needs.

This combination allows Galaxy A05 users to capture moments with striking clarity and versatility. The front-facing camera, embedded within a subtle notch, enhances selfies and video calls, elevating the overall user experience.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy A05 is its long-lasting battery life. With a sizable battery capacity and optimized power management, users can confidently go through their day without worrying about running out of charge. Additionally, the device supports fast charging technology, providing a quick boost when needed.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Galaxy A05 to our fans in Nigeria. This is a device that embodies our commitment to delivering innovative technology to a wider audience,” said Head of Retail for Mobile Division, Samsung Nigeria, Olaoluwa Olayera, adding “With its impressive display, powerful performance, and clear camera system, the Galaxy A05 sets a new benchmark for what users can expect from a mid-range smartphone.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 20, 2024

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

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It’s Good to Dream, Important to Have Right Associates Ace presenter-producer and creator of Hitlist ‘N’ Cruzin, an entertainment programme on major TV stations, Mursty Adinoyi shares his views on music and entertainment. The multiple-award-winning television personality, whose career spans over a decade and a half, spoke to journalists at a recent award ceremony in Lagos. Excerpts:

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itlist ‘N’ Cruzin has been in the entertainment scene and still growing stronger.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 20, 2024

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18

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024

SUPERSATURDAY

Archbishop Adewale Martins:

Killings, Insecurity Escalating in Nigeria Because Perpetrators are Not Punished The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins is sad over the rising level of insecurity, killings and other social vices in the country which he regretted are threats to the continued existence of Nigeria. He told Ferdinand Ekechukwu that the onus is on the federal government and the security agencies to do more by bringing the killings to an end and prosecuting the perpetrators. The clergy also describes corruption as monster that has been holding the nation down, considering recent happenings in the present administration. He used the opportunity to shed some light on the controversy surrounding blessing of same sex couples; excerpts: Given the myriad challenges Nigeria faces, what is your greatest fear about the country?

The continued existence of Nigeria in a peaceful situation is the greatest fear that I have. Several times in the past, we have reached like the precipice, but, by the Grace of God, we were able to draw back and not fall over the precipice. But the way things are now seem to me that we are going towards the precipice again as a nation and we must decide to begin to do things differently. Talk about the killings going on all over the country at this point in time, the fact that they happen and there are no consequences that anybody can point at is gradually driving people to the edge. And I believe that as we are beginning to see peaceful demonstrations going on, for example in Plateau State, if it is not taken seriously, very soon, people would begin to take laws into their hands and chaos and anarchy may grow from there. We continue to see situations of attacks on some communities by the so called unknown gunmen in the east for instance and the bandits in the north, these are very dire things that are happening. Whatever the grouse maybe, I think we have not had adequate response to those challenges. I mean if people feel that they are not being listened to, if people feel that they do not have adequate stake in the life of the country, and therefore they begin to act and react to that, you cannot justify the way they react. There’s absolutely no justification for people just simply going to police station and killing people. We cannot justify that. But at the same time, it is important that government and the security agencies act in a proactive way to identify what the issues are and find ways and means of responding to them. Otherwise, these activities as they continue would not only hamper

the economy of those areas but they would also as it were, drive people to the edge.

What are those things that should be done to address insecurity in Nigeria?

First of all, governments need to listen to people in a way that it is more of wanting to hear them, rather than as it were, listening just for the sake of we have heard you. They have to listen to them and respond to the issues which they bring up. That’s one. I believe also that it is important for us as a people to go back to the values that make for proper human co-existence. The respect for life seems to have constantly been put on the back burner these days. We need to go back to those values of respect for human lives. In those days, if a person stole anything, it’s treated like a communal problem to correct that child; but these days it could seem that when people, as it were, steal something that belongs to the entire country they are celebrated in the communities; they are given titles, they are given awards, and the rest of it, not minding how the person may have gotten the money. So going back to the traditional basic values as a nation is very vital.

And of course, you can talk about what government needs to do. I have talked about listening to the people with the intention of hearing them speak.

It’s also important for government and security agencies to literarily take every act of criminality as a criminal act, pursue, investigate and ensure that those who are responsible are brought to book. So, I believe if we begin to do and see things differently, perhaps things will change and life will become better for us a nation.

In your speech recently, you highlighted the

danger corruption is causing to the nation and you stressed that, ‘corruption, inefficiency and lack of transparency cast doubts upon our shared aspiration for peaceful co-existence.’

What is your take on recent allegation of corruption in the present administration where we have seen one minister being suspended, another asked to resign and all manner of documents flying around?

Nigeria is a very rich country as it were in terms of human and natural resources. It is very rich in terms of even the possibilities and prospects, but corruption is what I might call a monster that has been holding us down as a nation. You have mentioned an instance of ministers being pulled out because of their alleged corrupt activities. But when monies that were meant for the lowest in terms of the poorest of the poor, the monies meant to alleviate their pains and their situations are being siphoned through some means that are not good for the poor, that corruption is actually holding down the good life of people. But it is also important for us to recognise that when these people begin to speak, they are also pointing fingers at other people which means the corruption is not just their own problem, but also problem of others within government in particular at this point in time. And so there has to be a will to deal with inappropriate use of government resources. There has to be the will to follow through in order to kill this idea of impunity that is very present in our time.

Looking at the level of criminality and banditry, especially the Plateau killings which you recently commented on, some have argued that there is a link between criminality and

inter-religious tension between Christians and Muslims, what is your take on that?

Well, tensions between Muslims and Christians have been there for a long while. I think since that old issue of bringing Nigeria into the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), it has become even worse. So, that problem has been there for a long time. But what I believe is that people who are not living according to the objective demands of their faith are responsible for the problems we are having now. People who have criminal tendencies are latching on to it, or rather abusing their faith in order to fulfill their criminal tendencies. That is what, in my estimation, is responsible for the problems that we are having in Plateau State. And of course in many ways, it also goes back to economics in some sense because if a herdsman does not have adequate grazing land, the criminal thing within him, makes him to want to take over the land of other people and therefore trouble begins in that way. So, I know it is not as simple as it is, but more complicated than this. But looking behind, criminal intensions, economic problems and the desire to take over the lands of people, they are the problems in my own understanding. But they would continue to be problems unless government and the security agencies do the needful. When there is an infraction of the law, bring the offenders to book. Now we are hearing that a number of people are being arrested concerning the present Plateau killings, I think everybody should be alert to see what will happen. That is because sometimes in the past we saw arrests that were made and at the end everything just frittered away when attention was directed to other directions. So, I Continued on page 19

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R

SUPERSATURDAY

‘Why Pope Approved Blessing of Individual in Same-sex Relationship’ bless an individual in that situation of same sex relationship who, as it were, desires blessing from God with the hope that if he gets that blessing from God it might assist him or her to begin to see the true reality of the situation in which he is involved and therefore, is like if the church blesses that individual, who’s asking for blessing, it is in order that he may call down the mercy of God on that person in order that the mercy of God might begin to make that person to think differently about the situation in which he or she has been involved. So, it is not the blessing of the union. Rather it is the blessing of some individuals engaged in inappropriate relationship and we pray that God will lead the person out of that. So, that is what the blessing is really all about. And if you do that kind of blessing, you are following the kind of pattern Jesus himself laid down because Jesus condemned sin, but he did not condemn the sinner. In the Bible, when the woman was caught in adultery and people were trying to stone her to death, in the end Jesus said to her, ‘has no one condemned you?” In other word, no one has thrown a stone at you? Okay, go away and don’t sin anymore. He acknowledged the sin, condemned it by telling the sinner to go and sin no more, but then, the sinner was not condemned. So, the blessing is all about not condoning the sin but asking that the mercy of God should be showered on the sinner.

believe all of us, it’s important for even the press to ensure that this matter is not swept under the carpet. Otherwise, the problem will continue. People are right to read religious motive into the killings especially since it has continued to happen mainly in Christian dominated places (both in Kaduna and Plateau States especially) and there is no real effort to bring those responsible to justice. The onus is upon government and security agencies to prove that reading religious motives into the killings is wrong by bringing the killings to an end and also by prosecuting the perpetrators.

In all of these, what is the role of leadership?

Well, even by the definition of the word, they are supposed to lead the people, to give leadership to people, working the direction of general welfare of people and the realisation of common good. Leaders are supposed to lead by example in directing people towards that which is best, the practices which are best, to attain common good. In other words, leaders who expect the followers to make sacrifices in order that goals will be achieved, must lead by example.

As it were today, the economy is in very bad shape; there is hardly money for people to do their normal things. Even for sick person to buy drugs, simple malaria drugs and the rest are becoming more and more difficult. Yes, sacrifices are supposed to be made, but I believe the leadership also has a responsibility of leading the people and not just telling them what to do but being in the front to lead them in the direction that is right. Well it was good to hear that the President has decided to cut down on the entourage. But I think obviously it can still be better.

When people begin to think about how to lower the cost of governance in such a way that people can see that government and its officials are making efforts, I think it will go a long way. That is the kind of thing I expect from leadership, particularly leadership in general. I think it’s necessary for leadership to address issue of good governance by leading people in the direction of making the required sacrifices to bring the nation to par once again. We are all living in the reality of the removal of petrol subsidy, living in the reality of the depreciation of the naira and the economic hardship and people are suffering.

They are suffering and leadership needs to reassure them that they are really leading them by not only taking steps to address the issue of poverty but also, showing example in governmental policies.

Talking about challenges, economic hardship, and rising level of poverty in the country, they appear to have stoked up the ‘Japa’ syndrome which has seen many youths leave the country for greener pastures. Is japa the solution to the problems of Nigeria?

It is not the ultimate solution, but it is like shortterm solution for individuals who are concerned.

They have goals they want to achieve, they look at the situation and it looks impossible to achieve them and it looks more possible to go elsewhere in order to achieve them. And so you really find it difficult to say ‘don’t go’ or ‘it is not good to go’.

But at the same time, we know there are challenges with going out of the country. I mean you go there, all the promises of good life, all the promises of job opportunities, by the time they get there, they evaporate most times. Unless they are really the professionals that the country needs. Even we now see that there’s a lot more pushback with regards to people who are emigrating in those countries and therefore we can say that the ultimate solution is not in going away. However, the ultimate solution lies in government actually giving good governance such that people don’t want to go away. So the ultimate solution is not in ‘japa’, but is rather in providing good governance that gives people a sense of ‘I have a future’, or give people a sense of ‘I can actualise my potentials without having to go out of the country’.

Do you think the church has lived up to its responsibility in the midst of all these challenges?

Well the church is part and parcel of the society in which we live in the sense that it is a unit within the society. The church is not some foreign body, that is just there. It’s made up of people; you and I are the church. And so the responsibility of ensuring that things are different devolves from all of us together who have faith in Christ and who want to live like Christ. So, if there are problems we should be asking ourselves whether we are living the values that Christ has given unto us. We should be asking ourselves whether we are making efforts to be faithful to the faith that we profess. So if we have not lived up to expectation, then I think each of us needs to begin to think. But then of course on the other hand, the leadership of the church also has the responsibility to lead the church; to that extent we need to continue to challenge ourselves to ensuring that the right kind of leadership, for instance not just focusing on all the good with regards to material things that you can get; not just focusing on the good things of life in this world, but also focusing on the kind of virtues needed in order that this world can be better. We should be focusing on teaching people about the common good. The things that we need to do in order that everybody can get a bit of the goodness

“The respect for life seems to have constantly been put on the back burner these days. We need to go back to those values of respect for human lives. In those days, if a person stole anything; if a child stole something, it’s treated like a communal problem to correct that child. But these days it could seem that when people, as it were, steal something that belongs to the entire country they are celebrated in the communities; they are given titles, they are giving awards, and the rest of it, not minding how the person may have gotten the money” of this world. So, our leadership needs to also work in this direction.

The line between politics and religion appears to be getting blurred. Now you see some so called men of God hobnobbing with politicians or even going into politics and this has to some extent created some issues within the society. How do you think this can be addressed?

Well, it is important that there should be a separation of roles: Politicians should play their politics and men of God - priests and pastors - should be the conscience of society giving direction to what needs to be done. So there should be a clear separation of roles. Of course at the same time, there has to be some point of connection. But it should not be to the detriment of the roles that the priest for instance should play. If to begin to make statement that are partisan, then naturally we run into deep waters. If we begin to make statements that seem to be in ways not appropriate to praise and sing praises of people, then we would get into trouble. I mean of course when people are doing well, it is appropriate to commend them and to say ‘please continue to do this’.

But even beyond that, to even begin to go into partisan politics itself, for me it is not right. The politician should do their politics; the priests should be giving them the kind of values that they need to bring in to governance; should be guiding them in the way and path of God and make them to do things right. So that distinction should not be blurred.

But there is the case of a Reverend Father who is now the Governor of Benue State?

Well, it is an aberration that the Catholic church does not permit. In fact, everyone knows about his relationship with the church at this point in time.

On the issue of blessing of same sex marriage which the Vatican recently took a position on, what is your understanding of that statement by the Pope?

I believe that what the Pope said has not in any way undermined the perennial position of the church as far as same sex issue is concerned. It has not undermined it in the sense of the fact that that document (Fiducia Supplicans) said over and over again that marriage is between a man and a woman and that it has got to be a relationship that is capable of bringing children into the world. Also, it has got to be a relationship that is stable, that is committed and that is meant to last till death do us part. In order words, that is the perennial teaching of the church and it was reconfirmed in that document. But I think in many ways, that aspect of the document has not been given the right kind of publicity that it should have been given in the discussion around this matter. I think what has been given much more publicity is the issue with regards to blessing. The blessing, is it blessing of the union of people of same sex or is it the blessing of the individuals who are in the union? Again it was said that the blessing cannot be of the union between the two people of same sex because the church does not even have the power to endorse the union of people of the same sex as it is considered inappropriate and even sinful for people of the same sex to engage in marital or sexual relationship. It is evil and the church cannot bless per se. So, that is also clearly stated in my understanding of that document. What is said to be, so to say, you can

But do you think it was appropriate for the Pope to have mentioned it the way he did in the sense that the catholic church had always preached against same sex marriage?

I think it is even important to recognise the context as we have been told. The context is that the dicastery that is responsible for that document which the Pope cited has been receiving questions from people all over the world – should we bless people who are in this relationship or not? – What kind of blessing is appropriate to give them? And so it was just simply a response to the questions that were coming to the decastery from all over the world. And in any case, we know that in some countries, they are already planning blessing of unions and so the Pope had to say ‘no you can’t bless unions’. But you can bless persons.

So, that is the real thing behind this. People need to look beyond the headlines that are given in reporting these issues. Headlines can sometimes be misleading. Headlines don’t tell the whole story of what is being told. And so it is important to go and read the document itself and get not reported speech, not the understanding of somebody, but rather what the document said so that you can as an adult who has adequate intelligence see the thing itself. And I think that is what is lacking in my understanding why this whole thing has become such a big issue.

You will be 65 this year; do you feel the number in your age?

Well (chuckles), what I can say is that God has been good to me; God has been good to me perhaps more than I deserve. And I will only continue to thank God for it that I’m able to carry out my duties without too much stress. And I think that is the Grace that I have received and I am thankful for it.

So how has it been as the Archbishop of Lagos?

Well the position of the Archbishop of Lagos is Grace given to the person and my experience of being in this position for this last number of years is that by the Grace of God we have people who are ready to work together in order to achieve the purpose for which the church was established.

We have priests who collaborate well, we have lay faithful who are in their different roles doing their portions and we have the religious who are also doing their own bit. Of course there are issues along the line, but whatever issues that arise, they are not such as to be the main focus.

Rather for me it’s the great things God is doing for his people. And so my experience has been to face the challenges of life but also take the good things that God has sent my way.

Finally, what are your hopes and expectations for Nigeria this year 2024?

I look forward to a Nigeria that is peaceful. I look forward to a Nigeria in which the common good is the priority of the values that we all pursue. I look forward to a 2024 in which government shows people that it is interested in their welfare by the policies that it takes, by the life and activities of those in governance. And I also look forward to a situation in which citizens themselves recognise that we have responsibilities. I mean if we do not do things right ourselves, we are also partly to blame for the circumstance in which we find ourselves. And if we want a clean environment but we do not stop throwing trash around, how do we expect to get a clean environment? So in other words, everybody needs to simply do that which is required of him or her as citizens in order to get better as a country. I look forward to that.

20

ENTERTAINMENT

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 20, 2024

Social Media Bit by Sunday Ehigiator

Top Celebrity Live Bands to Watch in 2024 Live band performances have always been more than just entertainment, as they reflect Nigeria’s high society, symbol of cultural and societal narratives and clout. These select bands played a crucial role in 2023, not only as performers but also as architects of experiences that resonate with the collective conscience of big parties in Nigeria. Adedayo Adejobi looks at the bands that will dictate Nigeria’s social pace in 2024 The Shuga Band: Akinloye Tofowomo KHUH·V D GLVWLQFW GLͿHUHQFH EHWZHHQ WKH SKUDVHV ¶WKH EHVW· DQG ¶WKH ELJJHVW· ZKHQ DWWHPSWLQJ WR GHFLSKHU D FRPSOH[ GHEDWH 2QH LV D VXEMHFWLYH VWDWHPHQW ZKLOH WKH RWKHU LV REMHFWLYH $OWKRXJK D GHJUHH RI VXEMHFWLYLW\ LV W\SLFDOO\ WKH FXOSULW EHKLQG D EROG FODLP ZKLFK WKHQ VSXUV D YROOH\ RI SURWHVW RQH WKDW FRQÀUPV LWV RZQ ELDVHV WR EH IXHOOHG E\ D VXEMHFWLYLW\ GLVJXLVHG DV DOOHJHG REMHFWLYLW\ ,W VHHPV DV LI ZH FDQ QHYHU HVFDSH WKH UHDOP RI RSLQLRQV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ ZH DUH WDONLQJ DERXW PXVLF RU DQ\ RWKHU W\SH RI DUW 7LPH LV DQRWKHU VLJQLÀFDQW IDFWRU LQ GHFLGLQJ ZKLFK JURXS KDV VXUYLYHG ZLWKLQ WKH DQQDOV RI Akinloye Tofowomo-The Shuga Band Ayo Ajekigbe-Faith Band SRSXODU RSLQLRQ $V QHZHU JHQHUDWLRQV RI PXVLF OLVWHQHUV HPHUJH VLPSO\ DVN WKHP ZKR WKH\ WKLQN LV WKH ELJJHVW EDQG 7KH DQVZHU ZRXOG SUREDEO\ GLͿHU IURP JHQHUDWLRQ WR JHQHUDWLRQ %XW MXVW DV WLPH FDQ EH KLJKO\ XQIRUJLYLQJ WR EDQGV DV PDQ\ JUHDW JURXSV KDYH EHHQ IRUJRWWHQ RYHU WKH \HDUV VHYHUDO FODVVLF EDQGV KDYH VXUYLYHG WKH WHVW RI WLPH ZKLFK FRXOG DGG D OHYHO RI DXWKHQWLFLW\ WR D VXEMHFWLYH DQVZHU 7R EH PRUH VSHFLÀF DFWV VXFK DV 4XHHQ ,N 'LDUR )HOD $QLNXODSR .XWL 9LFWRU 8ZDLIR 2VLWD 2VDGHEH DQG PDQ\ PRUH KDYH DW RQH SRLQW RU DQRWKHU LQ \HDUV SDVW EHHQ FRQVLGHUHG IRU WKH WLWOH RI ¶WKH SRSXODU EDQG LQ 1LJHULD· 7KH DQVZHU KRZHYHU LV PRUH GHÀQLWLYH WKDQ ZKDW WKH Elijah Odiakose- Cool Ice Band DPELJXLW\ RI VXEMHFWLYLW\ ZRXOG KDYH XV EHOLHYH Desmond Emokiniovo-Veentage Band 7KH 6KXJD %DQG JRHV DERYH DQG EH\RQG DQ\ RI LWV ULYDOV ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR WKH VKHHU YROXPH RI ERRNLQJV VDOHV DQG VWUHDPV RI WKHLU PXVLF $V DW WKH\ SOD\HG WKH ELJJHVW KLJK SURÀOH FRUSRUDWH DQG VRFLDO FLUFOH JLJV LQ WKH FRXQWU\ HQGLQJ WKH \HDU ZLWK D VSHFWDFXODU SDUW OLYH SHUIRUPDQFH RQ $ULVH 7HOHYLVLRQ RQ &KULVWPDV GD\ RQ WKH LQYLWDWLRQ RI WKH &KDLUPDQ DQG (GLWRU LQ &KLHI RI WKH 7+,6'$< 0HGLD *URXS DQG $5,6( 1HZV &KDQQHO 3ULQFH 1GXND 2EDLJEHQD 7KH KRXU SHUIRUPDQFH ZDV EURDGFDVW DFURVV WKH ZRUOG $NLQOR\H 7RIRZRPR KDV SURYHQ WLPH DQG WLPH DJDLQ WKDW KH ZDV ERUQ ZLWK DQ HQWUHSUHQHXULDO VSDUN PRQXPHQWDO GUHDPV FDOFXODWHG DXGDFLW\ DQG DQ LUUHSUHVVLEOH ÁDPH WKDW UHIXVHV WR EH Maryanne Omolabake Ogunnaike- Zigma Band H[WLQJXLVKHG E\ WKH SUDJPDWLF IHDUV WKDW RIWHQ Kolawole Rogbinyin -The Metro Band JULS RWKHUV $NLLQ 6KXJD·V VW\OH DQG DSSHDUDQFH ZKLFK 6WDWHV RI $PHULFD SOD\LQJ KLJK SURÀOH JLJV DQG QR GRXEW IDVFLQDWH KLV IDQV PD\ FKDQJH 2QH DQQLYHUVDU\ RI WKH 9HHQWDJH %DQG UHOHDVLQJ D FOLQFKLQJ UHFRJQLWLRQ DZDUGV DW KRPH DQG DEURDG RQH KRXU PXVLF FRPSLODWLRQ RI PDMRU FRYHU VRQJV WKLQJ WKDW UHPDLQV FRQVWDQW LV KLV PXVLF +LV 7KLV \HDU KH LV ORRNLQJ WR WRXU /RQGRQ DQG WKH DV LQWHUSUHWHG E\ KLV EDQG PXVLF LV GLYHUVH DV PXFK DV KLV HTXDOO\ YDULHG 8QLWHG 6WDWHV XQGHU H[FOXVLYH QHZ PDQDJHPHQW 7KH 9HHQWDJH %DQG NQRZQ IRU WKHLU HQHUJHWLF IDQ EDVH +H LVQ·W MXVW D VLQJHU EXW D VSHFWDFOH +H·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³DQ LQ SOD\IXO DQWLFV DQG LPSURYLVDWLRQ )RU DQ\RQH H[SDQGHG LWV RSHUDWLRQV DQG RWKHU DUPV RI WKH H[WHQVLRQ RI KLV DUWLVWU\ SDUHQW FRPSDQ\ IRU PD[LPXP H΀FLHQF\ +H 7KHUH DUH KXQGUHGV RI EDQGV LQ WKH FRXQWU\ ZKR DSSUHFLDWHV JRRG PXVLF 'HVPRQG DQG KLV LV VHW WR UHHO RXW XQGLOXWHG IXQ LQ DFURVV EDQG GLG D QXPEHU RI WKRVH VRQJV EXW RYHU WKH \HDUV WKH SRSXODU FRQVHQVXV E\ M M~ )XML DIUREHDW KLJKOLIH DQG RWKHUV :LWK DQ DUUD\ RI XQIRUJHWWDEOH JLJV LQ

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21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 20, 2024

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Point Accusing Fingers’ Wrong

EBERE WABARA

Y

OU are welcome: “Nigerian universities have continued to go down in rating with its (their) antiquated and obsolete equipments….” ‘Equipment’ is uncountable. “…he left Abuja en route (en route to) South Africa, yesterday afternoon.”

(Source: as above) Finally from the Back Page of THE GUARDIAN comes this fault: “…especially at the beginning as those that paid the piper will certainly desire to dictate (call) the tune.” He who pays the piper calls (not dictates) the tune.

“Questions over N500m Benue flood relief (flood-relief) fund” “It is no gain saying (gainsaying) that both officers and civilians sentenced on the incidence (incident) must….”

“The suicide bombings, according to reports, had happened at about 4.30 pm (p.m.) when….” Time precision: either at 4.30 p.m. or about 4.30 p.m.

The idea of using both in the same environment smacks of cloudy thinking!

“Of course, the damages in goods and even cash will remain….” ‘Damage’ is non-count except in legal or other reparative circumstances. “…write on the enduring power of the moneybag and confidant of presidents.” The second coming of Arthur Eze: power of the moneybags. ‘Moneybag’ is the bag containing a moneybags’ money.

“In one of the minster’s house (houses) I saw….”

“The man said he will (would) never say….”

“Sources close to Aisha who became the third wife of Shinkafi in 2008 said the union has (had) broken down irrevocably….”

“Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays (sic!).” This way: every Sunday or all Sundays!

THISDAY of January 4 is the next offender with a few flaws: “He is also advocating for airlines to have the right equipment and manpower to prevent

BY

future air accidents.” First, you cannot prevent past accidents! Delete ‘for’ and ‘future’ for lexical safety.

“Vigilante (Vigilance) groups partner to beef up security in Ikorodu” (Vanguard Metro, January 2) “But I have not seen it happened (happen) in Rivers State” (THE GUARDIAN, January 2) “Tragedy as civil defence personnel kills mobile policeman” (DAILY TRUST, January 2) ‘Personnel’ is a collective term and should not be used just for an individual.

“Successor administrations had always declined paying backlog (backlogs/a backlog) of debts….”

Mental handicap: Successive administrations.

“Expectedly, the man at the centre of controversy had spared no effort to deny the allegations, pointing accusing fingers at the press and his detractors.”

I say no to moronic writing: Yank away ‘accusing’ because pointing the finger (not fingers!) means accusation.

“The opposition is (are) not resting on its (their) oars, and have equally picked up the gauntlet to wade through the web of litigation.” Oppositional usage must be consistent with the verb formation: either singular or plural—not a mix.

“Now that he had taken a honourable step, it is left for the rest of his colleagues to do justice to the allegations.” Powers of thought: an honourable step.

“It is significant that the AU’s plan for the continent at the onset (outset in this context) does not include either democracy or development.” “…the president and his wife were some of the notables (notabilities) who arrived for the service.”

“The innocent undergraduate is fast becoming a rare specie (species) threatened with extinction.”

“Victims of this psychosocial hypnotism remain most pathetic human beings literarily going through life with mental numbness.” The yoke of linguistic freedom: a distinction between literarily and literally, which applies here.

“Today, we present to you some of those inspiration (inspirational) touches and personal hints and tips that will make your year.”

“For some (quite otiose) fifty years now, both countries have been at each others (other’s) throat over the status of….”

“The last but not the least” This way: Last but not least “…the creation of a new society different from that inherited from colonialism will amount to allowing Africa to continue to groan under the reigns of bad governance.” A departure from arrested English: reins of bad government.

“NURTW accuses LG officials of harrassment” Please, spell-check always: harassment.

“Directional posts in the secretariat complex is (are) desirable” Faulty sentence as headline!

“In this speech at (on) the occasion, the editor of. …”

“The police…has (have) reacted to the situation by threatening a shoot-at-sight order.” In pursuit of justice in service of community: shoot-on-sight order.

“Everything put together, therefore, the citizenry has (have) a right to expect more effective policing then it has (they have) got.”

“Some police (policemen) have been involved in what looked like armed robbery activities.”

“The nation is seeking to forget the state violence of yesteryears.” Our complete newspaper, a new-look product: ‘yesteryear’ is uncountable.

“Sokoto Police poise (poised) to rout robbery gang” “…there is bound to be real problem (a real problem) in the country.” “…as unmitigated abuses in this all important (all-important) department of our national life.” “…they stock sub-standard equipments in addition to….” ‘Equipment’ is non-count. “…the agency carried out massive inspection (a massive inspection) of private health facilities in the state.” “…some were located in distressed building (a distressed building) and some others (and others) were located (cited) in filthy environments.”

Reminiscences: My Journey to Kirikiri Prisons - 3

E

arly the following morning, my Pastor called again, and prayed for me.

I was almost moved to tears as his mellifluous voice cooed through the telephone very, very early that Wednesday morning.

He had earlier, in a meeting with my wife, agreed that it was only decent and upright to respect the undertaking I gave. So, I told him my decision to see Chief Gani Fawehinmi before going to the police, and he concurred.

More than two hours before my meeting with the Police, about 7.45a.m. (I think), I was in Chief’s G.R. A. Ikeja (Lagos) house. The uniformed ‘gateman’ said Chief was still in his bedroom; and I had to wait for the only person authorised to enter and notify him of my presence.

About two hours later, the chap had not come. I could not see the Chief and the time was getting close to the 10 a.m. appointment. I was in a frenzy. So, I decided to go, and on my way, grabbed a telephone and called Chief’s bedroom straightaway. Ten minutes later, I got through to Chief.

And he was livid! He was annoyed that I could not reach him when I needed to see him. He had once said I should wake him up anytime of the day, if I had any emergency (legal) problem.

Even before I laid out the problem, he insisted I took down the names of three persons I could reach who were capable of getting across to him wherever or whenever: his two wives and Funmilayo, his daughter.

Eventually, after relating my dilemma, especially as it concerned my undertaking, he advised that we should meet in his office by 12 noon; that the letter would be stopped, and re-written; and if I must go, a lawyer would escort me. Was I relieved!

END OF THE BEGINNING Six hours after I made the call, I was still in Gani’s chambers (with my partner and Harry). Decisions: Letter was typed, stating our inability to accept the invitation due to the aforesaid reasons: and that my undertaking was made without legal advice, and it was therefore of no effect. The lawyer left for Milverton Road - and returned. He told us he met Dutse and his boss, and the lawyer from “our friends”. Of course, the first accused was nowhere near the place. There, our lawyer was shown a fresh charge sheet meant for us. He also found out that the DPP had advised that the case be taken before Justice Inumidun Akande of the Ikeja High Court (Court Room 6) a few months ago! And it was coming up the following day! They advised we should make ourselves available before the Judge. Just like that!

I heaved again, discharged of my guilt concerning the undertaking, and prepared for the next battle at the High Court. Unknown to us, that was the beginning of our trip to the most famous prison in Nigeria, the Kirikiri Maximum Prison. What a day!

IKEJA COURT 6 AS if urged on by some positive force, I kept my toothbrush of the previous day in the car as I left for the Ikeja High Court. We always wanted to get to court as early as possible even before the judge or magistrate would sit. Thus, we were in the courtroom before 9 a.m.; and the judge sat about 10 a.m. She went through all the cases firmly and dispassionately.

In fact, I got carried away with the amusing routine of the “senior prosecuting counsel” standing and recounting her futile efforts to get the

IPO’s suspects or Black Maria to come to the court... and the no-nonsense hammering of the judge - promptly discharging some, and adjourning others.

Then it was our turn. I had no fears at all: ‘this woman would be fair and square; and we would be out of here in minutes,’ so I thought.

Of course, a third of the courtroom audience was made up of our people. Some work with us at National Encomium; some were related by ‘blood’ and some close friends. Others were business partners - the men who printed for us, who supplied us newsprints and bond paper every week. Some of them had brought requisite land papers to stand as sureties for us. My nephew (Tunde), who was also one of our lawyers, was nervous. A tall gangling quiet fellow (Dunni) who was sent by my Pastor, alongside my Pastor’s silent and serious assistant, Christian Ike, to hold a watching brief.

Surprisingly, when the charges were read in the open court, the name of the fourth accused, Harrison Bayagbon, had been remarkably dropped - and stranger still - he was conscripted to become a prosecution witness. What a vindication. (My spirit tells me it would soon be our turn. It would become clear to all that the hullabaloo was a wild goose chase, afterall).

Our lawyer was ready and confident; he is Edwin Anikwem, Esq. The indefatigable Lagos lawyer, Mr. Fred Agbaje (he later died on November 26, 2016)

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“Some of the hospitals he disclosed operated….”

A rewrite: Some of the hospitals, he disclosed, operated….

“Quite a number of the clinics (a comma) he stated (another comma) have (had) male nurses functioning as medical doctors.”

“It is an open secret there is sizeable (a sizeable) number of quack doctors practicing (practising—British English verb) in Lagos….”

“It is sad that we have degenerated to (into) a level….”

“But what is not known is what happen (happens) to such impostors at the end of the day.”

“Asides (sic) from the dearth of medical doctors in the health sector has put immense pressure on those on ground.” Existential humanism: just begin the sentence from (or overhaul the entire wrong-headed entry): The dearth or aside, the dearth “…listen to their patients (patients’) complaints.” “…thousands of Nigerians that seek for health care abroad.” Delete ‘for’ to avoid raucousness!

“Amidst this (Amid these) most Nigerians have opted to patronize private clinics despite its (their) obvious shortcomings.” “…considering the capacity crowd the adoration ground attracts on weekly (a weekly) basis….” “…some fellows raised alarm (the alarm) on (about) ‘fire’, which made the worshippers trooping (troop) out to scamper for safety and, in the process, fell over themselves (one another).”

Lastly from the back page: “The NFF…must get its acts (act) together by looking….”

Please note that remuneration, like infrastructure, is both a countable and uncountable noun in stateside English. Machinery has the plural machineries.’

Avoid ‘gather together’, ‘join together’ and other such biblical expressions—use just ‘gather’ or ‘join’.

Apart from elegance, they convey the message intended devoid of clumsiness.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08033622806- (SMS Only)

only got to know that morning, at the court premises, of the recent chapter in our unending history, and he also announced his presence as a friend of the court (amicus curiae).

Trouble entered the matter as soon as the judge decided to separate the first accused, Jonathan, from the second and third accused (that is my partner and I). She heard arguments for the first accused and refused him bail - because her court would not entertain an oral application for bail.

Aha!!!

I prepared myself for a similar shock, and mumbled my fear to my partner.

He apparently didn’t hear me, as his mind was still somersaulting from the pronouncement.

Just as I was resigning myself to fate, the lawyers were battling to save our weekend, and badgering the Judge with authorities upon authorities “on precedence of oral application for bail”, tearing through the Law Reports.

Even the FAME lawyer, who for the first time, stepped down as the first accused’s lawyer, and identified with the complainant, objected. He undertook to vouchsafe our not jumping bail.

Some gall!

The ebullient Fred Agbaje rose up in support... the Judge was not moved.

She stood her ground, and ordered that we should all be remanded at the Kirikiri (Male) Prison till 4 November, 1999 - when next the case would be called!!

(To Continue)

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

PERSPECTIVE

Dapo Abiodun’s Road to Ultimate Judicial Vindication Kayode Akinmade

Y

esterday, in a supremely well-argued judgment, Nigeria’s apex court validated the election of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the governor of Nigeria’s Gateway State.

Leading a five-member panel, Justice Tijjani Abubakar threw the appeal filed by Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18, 2023 in the state, into its natural habitat: the trash can. Immediately the news filtered through, joyous celebrations erupted across the state. The people had endured a lot of tribulation from shameless characters who turned electoral contest into robbery, then sought judicial validation through comedy, infecting the airwaves with salacious stories meant to undercut the people’s governor but only putting their pernicious personalities into bold relief. The people endured the audacity, knowing that they had elected a performing government and confident that the courts would affirm their freely expressed choice.

Hurray!!!

The ongoing celebrations across Ogun State have been richly deserved, but the road to victory was paved with thorns. In the last four years, Abiodun has had to endure a path strewn with pebbles, murky waters and broken bottles. In 2019 when he first emerged governor, he had done so against all odds. His predecessor fought him to a standstill and he couldn’t campaign freely across the state.

His campaign posters were torn and if you appeared in the yellow vest associated with his supporters, you were immediately pounced upon by thugs. He won the election, but the vehicle used during his inauguration on May 29, 2019, was borrowed from a neighbouring state: such was the Establishment’s onslaught on the Iperu-born prince and business mogul. And the battle from the tribunal to the appellate court and the apex court was nothing short of titanic.

Like in 2019, so in 2023 when, in a fitting testimony to his life-changing projects, the people rewarded him with another term of office. The year presented memories that will linger. As he crisscrossed local governments in the state campaigning vigorously for re-election, adversaries within and without mounted fierce opposition. His predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, who had failed to install a crony in 2019, and who had mounted vigorous campaigns of calumny across the state for the four years of his (Abiodun’s) administration, anointed yet another failure in the build-up to the 2023 polls even while remaining in the All Progressives Congress (APC). As Amosun conducted his onslaughts, taking advantage of a climate of peace impossible in his own day, the main opposition party, PDP, perfected its own act, banking on vote buying. In order to manipulate the electoral process, the PDP candidate, according to the charges filed against him and his cotravellers by the Federal Government, allegedly printed

Abiodun over 200,000 ATM-like cards and suborned POS agents to carry out electoral fraud. And, what is more, dissidents within APC, including ex-leaders who collected millions to work against their own party, mounted roadblocks on his way. However, the people were determined to stand by their governor.

And then came the court cases and the hate campaigns.

The opposition, united by lust for power, called him every evil name under the sun. They robed him in the garb of a villain, spurned his people-oriented schemes as a gimmick, and sponsored write-ups by hack and hired writers to distract him, intent on aborting the climate of peace in the state. Indeed, they did not even spare members of his cabinet, some of whom they wrote salacious stories about as a way of derailing his government. The governor could not believe the audacity.

He said: “I don’t know what moral standing a Ladi Adebutu would have to call my mandate freely given to me by the good people of Ogun State, a stolen mandate. Someone who did everything to buy the election, someone who went ahead and printed cards and was distributing them; someone who is facing criminal case, someone who has been arraigned!”

The PDP and its allies indeed turned political opposition, a credible democratic institution meant to keep government on its toes, into pure mischief, deploying excoriation and demonization as articles of faith. They deployed character assassination, false allegations, innuendo, outright lies, accusing the governor and his team of the very things they had done in a satanically shameless manner. This makes Friday’s verdict such a sweet victory. The governor defeated Adebutu three-nil across the courts, replicating the 2019 pattern. Dissatisfied with the governor’s victory, Adebutu had approached the Elections Petitions Tribunal with his cancerous case, and the tribunal in a well-reasoned judgment had thrown it out for lack of merit,

a decision later approved by the Court of Appeal in a majority judgment in Lagos. Friday’s Supreme Court verdict, then, is a glorious icing on the cake, a testament to Abiodun’s pact with the people. The battle was fierce but the governor was never distracted. Rather, he was firmly focused on delivering good governance.

It is no wonder, then, that Ogun State is first in many things: ease of doing business, growth in revenue, industrial base, etc. The Economic Confidential, a subsidiary of PR Nigeria, recently showed that Ogun State is Nigeria’s most economically viable state and topmost investment destination outside Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital. Nigerians are aware that Ogun has consistently ranked among the three topmost revenue-generating states in the country since Abiodun came into office in 2019. They are aware of the huge, unprecedented infrastructure outlay that has made Ogun Nigeria’s top investment destination, and the key deliverables in the state’s Budget 2024 that will consolidate on the achievements.

The Gateway State now has one of the best airports in the country, not only for cargo but also for passenger traffic.

It has an aerotropolis (airport city) with a globally certified raw materials processing centre meant to enable farmers and importers get standardization for items scheduled for export.

Long before the Federal Government removed subsidy on PMS, Abiodun rolled out a gas-powered public transport system, with the state’s wifi-enabled buses converted from PMS to gas-powered vehicles, believing that with gas costing significantly less than PMS and offering better value, public buses would cost much less and offer the people relief as they commute from one point to the other. That was apart from the launching of electric motorbikes and tricycles all over the state. That was quite visionary. Abiodun’s economic strategy was further validated as Ogun State was ranked as Nigeria’s leading Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) state on Index A1 in the State of the States 2023 report by BudgIT. Ogun, which beat other states to emerge as Nigeria’s most improved state on Index A1 with an index point of 0.53, was closely followed by Kaduna (0.47), Bauchi (0.41) and Rivers (0.36) in the ranking. The Light Up Ogun State project is on course as Ogun becomes one of the first states to take advantage of the constitutional reform in electricity generation and distribution.

This is besides the resuscitation of water supply in Abeokuta, the state capital, and around the state.

As the governor himself said: “When we assumed office on the 29 of May, 2019, we were committed to a vision to ensure that we create an enabling environment for investments and investors to strive in Ogun State, believing that that is very fundamental to the economic development of our state and the individual prosperity of our people.” That is why the people re-elected him, a verdict which has now been affirmed by the Supreme Court, drowning the distractions of the opposition.

Hurray!!

Akinmade contributed this piece through kayodeakinmade809@gmail.com

Garland for Kajola Champion, Yusuf Alli Tunde Akanni To the delight of everyone at the Obafemi Awolowo Mosque Complex, Sunday January 7, 2024, was a playback of 1987 with Emeritus Prof. Omar Rahman and Prof.

Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, switching roles. The courteous male ushers ensured every guest collected the one page programme leaflet parading a slide of the 1987 reception Lawyer Ali had staged for the new Professor Rahman, then.

Also in that photograph is the then budding scholar, now Prof. Kehinde Yusuf of the English Department.

Interestingly, the choice of colours and styles worn by the two key players were symbolically parallel. Rahman donned a bright navy blue cotton material sewn into a free flowing danshiki and moderately baggy sokoto. His blue colour echoed in the fashionably embroidered agbada of the Punch newspaper’s foremost editor of all times, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh.

Ali on the other hand did not leave folks in doubt about his trendy sartorial taste. Sporting slim-fit, whitish top and trouser combined with smooth footwears and a matching cap almost pitching him in contest with high society, all white, city shindig rockers. Ali’s whitish outlook, as if predetermined, literally spread to his regulars including his former roommate as an undergraduate, Prof Siyan Oyeweso; Prof. Abefe Sanusi, YKO Kareem, former acting managing director of Trade Bank, High Chief Jamiu Ekungba; JAMB Registrar Is-haq Oloyede and Engineer Mudathir Abisoye, who retired recently as the Director of Works of the University of Ilorin. The occasion was Emeritus Prof. Rahman’s celebration of the recent conferment on the Principal of the renowned Ghalib Law Firm, Ilorin, Kwara State, Yusuf Olaolu Ali,SAN, the inspiring title of Professor of Practice by the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, FUOYE. I had hardly finished sharing the announcement of the January 7, 2024, reception in honour of our own Yusuf Olaolu Ali, when my inimitably attentive mentor, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh, remarked that that intervention from “the great rallying point at Ife”, Prof Rahman, was a huge challenge to us all.

“How can we get to sufficiently appreciate this honour to

Yusuf Ali, who’s most masterly in honouring all of our high flying folks to come from a retiree, big brother?”

He then went on to add: “This is a question we must all strive to resolve in appreciation of the great SAN” As if Alhaji Jimoh forged any consensus with fellow guests from different towns and cities, the venue of the multiple meal reception and prayer session recorded an unusual turnout of well-wishers for the one being celebrated as well as the host. It was payback time and one done in full measure. But the host was really fully prepared for what may be described as complete hospitality handed out at what qualified as the unmistakably biggest university campus mosque in the entire south with “all amenities completed”, as they say. The completeness of the R-L: Rahman, Akanni, Ali and Egbewole reception indeed manifested fully with enough to eat and drink as breakfast, pre-lunch snack, lunch proper as well as decent ‘take- brother consistently relieved me, even when I became the VC, of away’ accompanied with well packaged fruit juice and water. the burden of organizing reception for some of our professors on But there was far more to fancy than the meals. As soon as attaining that height. He has been relentless in doing these. Now, the breakfast was over, the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, shared this honour done him was never anticipated. So what good can out in hisbs and surahs, to no fewer than 50 reciters commenced. Allah not grant us with persistent good deeds and prayers?”.

After Quran recitation were generous prayers concluded with Oloyede finally concluded: “Eni adua ni Brother wa, Yusuf Alli”. the khutba rendered by Imam Sanusi. Intermittently, additional It was time to move upstairs for the reception. But the inimitaguests just joining the congregation were recognized. These bly generous duo of Rahman and Ali was an uncommon crowd included former and serving Vice-Chancellors, some other profes- puller. The programme turned out to have availed a profound sors, MSSN veterans, captains of industries and several others too reunion for old friends, alumni and non-alumni of OAU alike, and many to recount. Professor of Medicine and veteran Imam, Abefe therefore loud salutations, pumping of hands and hugs almost Sanusi, who coordinated the prayer session could not hold back continued interminably. his robust testimonial on the new professor, Yusuf Ali, SAN. Next But that break was also timeous for urinals and stretching of was the top banker, Chief Ekungba. According to the Owo High legs. And then the gradual re-convergence. High table, as well as Chief, it was most imperative for all to keep thanking the Alits extension guests scheduled to make celebratory speeches took mighty for His ceaseless baarakah on us. “Even if Allah had given turns to settle. In addition to the host, Emeritus Prof Rahman, us the freedom to appropriate as much as we could to ourselves were the immediate past chair of the governing council of Summit at the stage of our lives when our destiny was to be fashioned we University, Offa, Kwara State, Alhaji Ebiti; Vice Chancellor of may not have done as much as He did for us”, he added.

FUOYE, Prof Sunday Fasina; the honoree himself, Prof Alli; And although there was ample provision for tributes as part of former VC of Uniosun, Prof Labo Popoola; Rector of Federal the post prayer reception, many more guests volunteered to share Polytechnic, Ayede-Ogbomoso, Dr Taofik Hammed, Alhaji nuggets of wisdom on the man of the moment. Thus began Prof Najeem Jimoh and so forth.

Oloyede, the JAMB registrar. He argued that it was only Allah Akanni, PhD, is an associate Professor of journalism at that determined how best to reward good deeds. He recalled that Prof Ali rightly deserved to be honoured with professorship LASU. Follow him on X via@AkintundeAkanni. having been doing pro bono teaching and research, for instance, at UNILORIN for no fewer than two decades without looking Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com forward to this kind of honour. “Added to all these was that our

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 20, 2024

AUTO WORLD

23

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK How to Fix a Leaking Car Sunroof A sunroof is a great addition to any car, allowing fresh air and sunlight to let in while driving.

However, a leaking sunroof can quickly turn this feature from a perk to a problem. To fix a leaking car sunroof can be frustrating, but it is a common issue that many car owners face. It can cause serious damage to your car’s interior and electronics by allowing water during rain or a car wash. If you’re dealing with a leaky sunroof, don’t panic.

We will take you through the steps to identify the source of the leak and provide tips on how to fix a leaking car sunroof. Once it is fixed, you can get back to enjoying a ride without any unwanted water dripping into your car.

Plug-in hybrid version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz Customers Charge at Over 1.5m Points Worldwide Bennett Oghifo

M

ercedes-Benz consistently embraces an all-electric future, providing customers with a seamless charging and payment experience through its charging service, Mercedes me Charge. “In January, a significant milestone was achieved: the Mercedes me Charge network now bundles more than 1.5 million charging points worldwide from over 1,300 charge point operators. Mercedes me Charge is currently one of the largest public charging networks globally, consistently operated under the same product name worldwide,” the automaker said in a statement.

Mercedes-Benz offers customers in 31 countries a comprehensive charging service thanks to a close-knit, cross-border charging network.

Approximately 600,000 charging points are located in Europe, more than 800,000 in Asia and around 100,000 in North America. The charging stations in the Mercedes me Charge charging network are strategically situated at key locations, including city centers, shopping malls, hotels and along highways. In Germany, for example, the Mercedes me Charge network has more than 100,000 charging points, integrating more than 90 per cent of all charging points in the country. Of the total of 1.5 million charging points, 170,000 are fast charging points delivering 150 kW of power or more.

“Mercedes me Charge is one of the fastestgrowing charging networks. In 2023, an average

of 40,000 charging points were integrated every month. By doing so, we provide our customers a comprehensive network featuring transparent prices and easy access. Mercedes me Charge fulfils essential customer needs for public charging.”

Franz Reiner, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG Mercedes-Benz is actively advancing electric mobility and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and customer-focused mobility with Mercedes me Charge. In Europe, the US and Canada, Mercedes-Benz ensures that an equivalent amount of electricity from renewable energy sources is fed into the power grid for charging processes in Mercedes me Charge, if no electricity from renewable energy sources is provided.

Kia Signs MoU to Offer Drivers on Uber Platform Ride Hailing PBVs

K

ia Corporation and Uber have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, U.S.A, committing the two companies to collaborate on Kia’s planned development and deployment of PBVs (Platform Beyond Vehicle).

With the goal of enhancing electric vehicle RͿHULQJV DYDLODEOH RQ 8EHU·V PRELOLW\ SODWIRUP and supporting the global ride hailing leader in achieving its 2040 zero-emission goal, the partnership will seek to produce Kia PBVs RSWLPLVHG IRU GULYHUV DQG ÁHHWV DV SDUW RI .LD·V ¶3ODWIRUP %H\RQG 9HKLFOH· VWUDWHJ\ LQ WKLV ÀHOG of the mobility market.

“PBVs will play a key role in the customization of mobility, and by partnering with Uber, Kia aims to deliver industry-leading technology with advanced software and services to enhance the ride hailing experience,” said SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, president & CEO, Kia North America, and Kia America.

Cockpit of Kia Sportage “Drivers on the Uber platform will also have the ability to choose Kia vehicles with a FRPSUHKHQVLYH VXLWH RI RͿHULQJV WKDW ZLOO HDVH concept, prototypes, and the production of PBVs WKH UDPS XS RI HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ DQG KHOS DFKLHYH tailored to the needs of drivers that use the Uber platform. both Kia’s and Uber’s sustainability goals.”

“PBVs will play a key role in the transformation The intentions of the collaboration are for .LD WR LGHQWLI\ RSWLPDO VSHFLÀFDWLRQV IRU 3%9 of mobility. This collaboration will enhance Kia’s models, with the possible further integration PBV development, with optimized vehicles for RI WHFKQRORJ\ DQG VHUYLFHV WR EHQHÀW GULYHUV drivers’ and riders’ needs,” said Sangdae Kim, and ride hailing users alike. The partnership’s Head of PBV Division, Kia. “This will focus goals also extend to the creation of proofs of on advanced software and services, with the

Signs You Need to Fix a Leaking Car Sunroof There are several signs that your sunroof is leaking. Here are a few to look out for: Water stains on the headliner or upholstery: If you notice water stains or discolouration on the headliner or car upholstery, it’s a sign that water is getting into your car from the sunroof.

Wet carpeting or floor mats: If you find that your carpets or floor mats are wet, even if it hasn’t rained, it could be due to a leaking car sunroof.

Damp or musty odour: Water that has leaked into your car can lead to a damp or musty odour, which can be unpleasant and hard to eliminate.

Mould or mildew growth: If you notice any signs of mould or mildew growth in your car, it’s a sign that there’s excess moisture inside, which could be caused by a leaking sunroof.

Electrical issues: Water can damage your car’s electrical components. Therefore, if you notice any electrical car problem, such as flickering lights or malfunctioning electronics, it could be due to a leaking sunroof.

Water dripping from the sunroof or ceiling: If you notice water dripping from the sunroof or ceiling of your car, it’s a clear sign that there’s a leak. Moreover, check the sunroof if encountered water leaking from under the car.

Once you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action to fix the leak as soon as possible.

Otherwise, it can cause further damage to your car’s interior and electronics.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fix a Leaking Car Sunroof Here are some steps you can take to try and fix the leaking car sunroof.

Step 1: Identify The Source Of The Leak The first step in fixing a leaking sunroof is to identify where the water is coming from. Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying the interior and exterior of the sunroof and surrounding areas. Then, run water over the sunroof, using a hose or a bucket, and observe where the water is entering the car. Note the location and the intensity of the leak.

Step 2: Check The Seals And Drains One common cause of a leaking sunroof is a damaged or worn seal. Check the weatherstripping around the sunroof for any signs of cracks, tears, or gaps. If you notice any damage, replace the seals. Additionally, check the drains designed to channel water away from the sunroof.

These drains can become clogged with debris, causing water to back up and leak into the car.

Use a small wire or a toothbrush to clear any debris from the drains.

Step 3: Adjust The Sunroof Alignment Another possible cause of a leaking sunroof is misaligned tracks or cables. If the sunroof is not properly aligned, water can seep through the gaps between the sunroof and the car’s roof.

To fix this issue, adjust the alignment of the sunroof. Refer to the car’s owner’s manual for instructions on how to do this.

integration of interactive In-Vehicle Infotainment and advanced safety technology.”

New driver and passenger experiences could be facilitated through the development of optimized operational solutions, building connected car experiences for all. Personalized riding environments, including climate and sound control, and interactive rear-seat entertainment systems, may also follow.

Step 4: Tighten Any Loose Screws Sometimes, the problem with a leaking sunroof can be as simple as loose screws. Check the screws around the sunroof and tighten them if necessary.

Step 5: Clear Any Debris Debris, such as leaves or dirt, can accumulate around the sunroof and prevent it from closing properly. Clear out any debris and make sure the sunroof is closing completely.

(Source: Carsblog)

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

TRIBUTE

Those Unforgettable Years with My Dad, Christopher Adeniyi Badejo Yetunde Badejo

C

herished moments of those childhood years, when with my brothers, I would listen to my father’s enthralling tales in the cosy ambience of our living room, float back from the mistiness of distant memories. I recall how his animated gestures and impeccable mimicry breathed life into his captivating narratives. Whether recounting his wild escapades or mischievous exploits he orchestrated himself, Dad had this extraordinary penchant for infusing humour into every situation. This remarkable ability not only endeared him to his loved ones but also left an indelible mark on the countless individuals he encountered along the winding path of his life’s journey.

Born on May 2, 1946, into the Badejo (Oloyemarun) family from Ijebu-Ife in Ogun State, Daddy bore the name Christopher Adeniyi Badejo. He attended the (great) St. Anthony Catholic School, Esure, from 1962 to 1966, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC). He worked briefly at the Nigerian Printing Press, a division of the Federal Ministry of Information in Apapa, Lagos. Following this, he travelled out of the country to Germany, where he spent a year, and then moved to the United Kingdom to continue his education.

In the bustling city of London, he furthered his studies at the esteemed London Polytechnic School.

There, he obtained his well-deserved “Diploma in Transportation.” Embracing the challenges and opportunities bestowed upon him, he seamlessly worked for different companies in the United Kingdom for about a decade. Throughout, he paid his dues, shaping his destiny through tireless determination and unwavering drive. With each passing day, he journeyed through a myriad of experiences, leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of his life.

After his return from the United Kingdom to Nigeria in 1977, he joined the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO). Joining the company’s operations department, specifically in the “Ramps and Cargo” division, he assumed responsibility for overseeing the activities of foreign airlines. His dedication and

proficiency propelled him to the position of cargo manager within NAHCO. Later on, he was appointed as the Kano Airport Station Manager, serving in that role until his retirement in 2001. In 1999, while still employed, he pursued higher education at Bayero University Kano, successfully completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy and Administration. Building on this achievement, he subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the same university in 2002, fulfilling his passion for management.

During his early years back in Nigeria, Otunba Christopher Adeniyi was a known active member of the Island Club, Lagos, and Lagos Country Club, where he was known for his lively, generous demeanor. His notable philanthropy led to his being conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Bobagunwa of Ijelu-Ekiti” from the Oba of IjeluEkiti in July 2017.

Our father was also a diligent and committed worker, known for his boundless energy and love for learning. He possessed a vibrant personality, relishing in his passion for travel. A true socialite, he cherished attending gatherings and spending time with his close-knit group of friends, affectionately known as “the boys,” alongside his beloved brothers, particularly Uncle TMC, the late Uncle Banjo, and Uncle Augustine. With his remarkable listening skills and genuine warmth, he easily won the hearts of many.

Our father, whom we affectionately referred to as Daddy, was fully immersed in the lives of his children and grandchildren. His non-judgmental nature allowed us to freely share the funny, not-so-funny, and peculiar anecdotes with him, knowing he would listen with an open heart. He constantly checked in on us, showing genuine concern for our overall well-being and seeking intricate details of our daily activities as well as our future aspirations. Our family’s welfare and care were his top priorities, and his love extended wholeheartedly to his children, daughters-in-law Yetunde and Dr. Maureen, and most notably, his cherished grandchildren. With immense pride, he would beam and proclaim, “I am the proud Grandpa of four remarkable boys – My Boys!” A radiant smile etched across his face as he bestowed endless affection upon them.

He was an avid supporter of Manchester United, enthusiastically cheering for his favorite football team. It was always an entertaining scene to witness him engaging in

Badejo lively banter with my brothers over the game. Our household reverberated with laughter as he delighted in both dancing and staying updated with the latest news from Al Jazeera and CNN. Moreover, he consistently provided us with encouragement, offering unwavering support and urging his children to pursue their aspirations. His humor was infectiously delightful, and he would regale us with countless hours of humorous anecdotes and life lessons. He was happily married to our beloved mother, the late Grace Modupe Badejo, who bore him three lovely children.

Snatched from us suddenly by the cold hands of death on November 28, 2023—a day we will never forget. His words still echo in our thoughts: “With hard work and patience – every good thing in time will come.” Oh, how we miss those moments, filled with laughter, security, and a profound sense of pride that he was our father.

Daddy, it really hurts us to see you gone. Alas, life will indeed be different without you! Our solace is that you have ascended to the comforting embrace of the Lord. Till we meet to part no more, you will be forever cherished.

From your dear children, Anthonia Yetunde Badejo, Dr. Christopher Adeniyi Badejo (Jnr.), and Michael Adegbenga Badejo.

Ms Badejo writes from Lagos

L-R: Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Lagos State, Dr. Macaulay Rasheed; Chairman House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Olotu; Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Abisola Olusanya; Head of Service, Lagos State, Olabode Agoro and Special Adviser to Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Food Systems Stakeholders Breakfast Meeting held in Lagos … yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Business Manager, MX Division, Nathan Lee; Head of Marketing, Samsung West Africa, Chika Nnadozie; CEO, Samsung West Africa, Sung-won Jung; Head of Group, MX Division, Joy Tim-Ayoola; and Product Manager, Steven Okwara, during unveiling of Galaxy S24 series in Nigeria held in Lagos… recently

L-R: Masters Graduants, Ken Adegboyega; Iyaduah Vincent Igietemho; Sub-Dean, Faculty of Art and Masters in Diplomatic Strategic Student (MDSS) Coordinator, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Henry Ogunjewo and Aisha Ishaku during the graduation ceremony for MDSS 2022 Set, UNILAG, held at Akoka, Lagos…recently

L-R: Masters Graduants, Ken Adegboyega; Iyaduah Vincent Igietemho; Sub-Dean, Faculty of Art and Masters in Diplomatic Strategic Student (MDSS) Coordinator, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Henry Ogunjewo and Aisha Ishaku during the graduation ceremony for MDSS 2022 Set, UNILAG, held at Akoka, Lagos…recently

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 20, 2024

PERSONAL FINANCE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Managing Director of UpdateAfrika, Joseph Effiong being decorated with a Doctor of Leadership and Communication Management by the Director of Membership Services,Institute of Leadership Manpower and Management Development (ILMMD) Dr. Theophilus Cornerstone during ILLMD’s 25th induction and investiture ceremony in Lagos, recently

Investors’ Guide to Exporting Women4Africa Awards to Honour Entrepreneurs from Nigeria (I) Omolabake Fasogbon

N

igeria’s export boasts of massive opportunities for individuals and the economy at large.

In fact, experts say by adopting export led-growth, Nigeria could reach its potential as an economic super-power.

“But this is only when attention is deliberately shifted to the non-oil sector, beyond paying lip service to HFRQRPLF GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ µ &KDLUPDQ of Multimix Group, Dr. Obiora Madu said.

Unfortunately, Nigeria economy is still very much oil dependent, with the commodity still the country’s largest export accounting for 82.50 per cent and its major source of revenue.

Madu whose career in export spans from his days in a commercial bank DV RQH RI WKH SLRQHHU VWDͿ RQ WKH export desk encouraged more investors to explore non-oil and services export to grow their businesses as well as economic growth.

Exporting, according to the trainer cum consultant, is quite lucrative depending on the amount invested, stressing above all that skills and knowledge of the business are success determinant.

Madu, who observed skills and knowledge gap in the business as far back in the 80s, said he was later compelled to exit banking where he had been guiding and putting people through.

“People just want to export but they don’t know how to go about it. Realising this, I decided to leave banking in 1992 to set up Multimix.

The idea is to establish export power house to educate people and help them to start export business.

“Once a player myself, I realised the demand for knowledge from individuals and institutions was huge, hence focused on training alone”, he said.

To make a good opportunity of the business, Madu said a new comer must be very familiar with the terrain and be committed such that they are not distracted by any other business.

“You can’t do export as a side hustle or do another business with export, except you have a trusted SDUWQHU ZKLFK LV YHU\ GL΀FXOW WR come by in this clime,” he stressed.

He said of importance is also business registration, after which an investor then learn about the

technicalities of the business and others.

He added: ‘It is also compulsory that one registers with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), though they don’t issue licence but one must register with them, without which one may probably not be able to export.

“Like I mentioned earlier, export is capital intensive. For instance, exporting cocoa won’t cost you less than a N100 million, but then you have to look at your capacity and operate within your means.

“For those considering a low scale, charcoal is an area to look at costing about N10 million in capital. Other areas like processing food items is also less capital intensive” “Know however that the higher capital intensive export will give you more money and the lower capital intensive one will give you less money. But \RX ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ PDNH PRQH\ particularly if you handle your ORJLVWLFV ZHOO µ KH FODULÀHG He further enlightened that a determined entrepreneur who is cash strapped can look to the bank for support, but emphasised the need for knowledge so that an intending borrower would be able to sell himself and convince lender.

2Q VSHFLÀF VNLOOV QHHGHG KH said, “you need to understand procurement, logistics and supply chain skills. You will also be needing skills on the technicalities of international trade as well as the processes at the port.

All of these are needed to go far in the business. “ The trainer averred that like any other business, exporting comes with its own risk, identifying the greatest one as ignorance.

“Lacking in understanding of WKH WHFKQLFDOLWLHV RI WKH ÀHOG FDQ actually destroy the business. It is often said that any fool can import but no fool can export.

“Any fool can import because all he needs is money in the bank, while the bank completes the task for them. He just needs to append signature and the goods come in. The reverse is the case in export, in that the business man will practically do everything himself, including goods preparation and documenting, amongst others.”

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rganisers of Women4Africa Awards has said the 10th edition of its award is devoted to empowering women while celebrating them.

Described as one of the of the most competitive global women’s events, the award initiative has grown to promoting growth of women through life-changing initiatives, including empowerment through talk shows and seminars.

Speaking, Co-convener of the event, Sam Onigbanjo affirmed that empowering women would not only see to the productivity of women and family members, but also the economy at large.

He said that this year’s programme holding on May 10th and 11th, would host hundreds of women to unforgettable two days of empowerment and celebration.

“This year’s event is about the celebration of

resilience and doggedness at the NatWest Bank London venue. It will feature arrays of speakers from all walks of life, across the globe to inspire and engage women on topics bothering on key economic areas, including technology, real estate, capital markets, leadership, education, philanthropy and motherhood,” Onigbanjo explained.

He explained further that the first day devoted to the summit would provide opportunities for women to network and forge business partnerships with global players.

He further hinted that the award and dinner programme would honour outstanding achievers, who would also have the privilege to meet and unite with past award winners on the platform.

Past Nigerian winners of the award include Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin and Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa.

Others are: Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, Dr. Bisi Akin-Alabi and Actress Yvonne Jegede

Bigi Partners Chess in Slums, Fetes Children in Lagos Community

R

ite Foods, a product of Bigi, in partnership with Chess in Slums recently hosted children at Mushin, a suburb community in Lagos.

The programme was part of the company’s Christmas activities to connect with children and reward them for staying true with the brand.

As part of the programme, the children took part in several fun and learning activities including chess training, talent showcases, literacy challenge and fun games.

Speaking, Assistant Brand Manager for Bigi at Rite Foods Limited, Biola Aransiola, stated that beyond the fun, the programme was an

avenue to engage the children intellectually in order to improve educational output.

She stated that the exercise also gave the brand an avenue to bond with the children as well as communicate the brand’s objective.

She said, “The initiative was intended at bringing excitement to the children which the yuletide season connotes. Also, to prepare them for a sound academic future.”

The event climaxed with a chess competition between children from Mushin and Ikorodu.

Also there was a spelling bee competition in which the winner got a one-year scholarship courtesy of Octa.

0RUHVR WKH ÀUVW DQG VHFRQG UXQQHUV XS got a laptop gift as part of their back-toschool kits.

Blanche Aigle CEO Makes 50 Influential Women in Marketing

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KH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI Blanche Aigle Communication, a foremost public relations agency, Nene Bejide, has been named RQH RI WKH LQÁXHQWLDO ZRPHQ in marketing communications

by Brand Communicator.

Bejide was recognised alongside others at the Women in Marketing Communication (WIMCA) Conference/Awards organised by Brand Communicator, in Lagos, recently.

Themed, ‘Positioning for Premium Performance,’ the event brought together thought leaders in marketing communications who charted growth SDWK WR LPSURYLQJ SHUIRUPDQFH DQG H΀FLHQF\ in the communications sector.

Bejide, a panelist during a session at the event, spoke on “Maximising Digital Access in Building Strong Personal Brands,” where she HPSKDVLVHG WHFKQRORJ\ DGRSWLRQ IRU HͿHFWLYH brand building.

Speaking on her recognition, she said the feat was due to the exceptional delivery at Blanche Aigle, dedicating the award to her team.

She further expressed appreciation to WIMCA, partners and client for being part of the organisation’s success story and believing in their expertise. ´:H ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR PDNH DQ H΀FLHQW LPSDFW in communications across the globe and drive brand narratives that will propel organisations to success,” she assured.

26

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2024 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R

NEWS WITH LITIGATIONS OVER IN SIX MORE STATES, GOVS SAY ITS TIME TO FOCUS ON GOVERNANCE Delta State The first appeal to be dismissed was that of former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege that sought to unseat Oborevwori as Governor of Delta State.

The apex court held that the appeal of the APC as well as that of Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Ken Pela, were all incompetent and lacking in merit.

Justice John Okoro, who read the lead judgment subsequently affirmed the two lower courts judgments which earlier held that Oborevwori was lawfully returned winner of the March 18 governorship election in Delta State.

According to the panel, all the appellants failed to show why the judgments of the Court of Appeal and tribunal should be upturned to favour them.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had last March declared Oborevwori winner of the March 18 governorship election in Delta State, having won majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.

Not satisfied, the three separate appellants went to governorship election tribunal to challenge the PDP's victory. However, the tribunal dismissed the various petitions for lacking in merit, just as the appellate court held that Oborevwori was lawfully elected governor.

Still not satisfied, the individual appellants approached the Supreme Court to nullify the election of Oborevwori, conduct a fresh election or declare them winner of the governorship election.

While Oborevwori scored 360,234 votes to win the governorship election, his closest rival, Omo-Agege of the APC, polled 240,229 votes.

Amongst grounds that Omo-Agege, sought the nullification of Oborevwori's election were that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act. He told the apex court that the results of the governorship election were not properly recorded at some polling units, adding that the forms that contained some of the recorded results did not have serial numbers.

However, the five-member panel held that the appellants failed to prove their allegations of non-compliance.

Justice Okoro, who pointed out that the case of the appellants was hinged on claims that the governorship election was not properly recorded at some polling units, said even if the said excluded votes from the said polling units were added, it would not have substantially affected the outcome of the election.

Besides, the apex court held that all the appellants; Omo-Agege, Gbagi and Pela did not adduce credible evidence to show that Oborevwori was not qualified to contest the election in the first place.

The apex court subsequently dismissed all the appeals and affirmed the two concurrent judgments in favour of the governor.

Meanwhile, Oborevwori has dedicated his victory at the Supreme court to the Almighty God, the unwavering support of Deltans and his legal team.

Addressing the media in Abuja after the five-member panel of the apex court affirmed his victory, Oborevwori said his triumph meant that there were no winners and losers. He called on the opposition parties in the state to join him in the task of developing the oil-rich state.

While acknowledging the enormous drain in energy and resources occasioned by the legal tussle, the Governor stressed the need for all Deltans to close ranks and support his administration to realise his four-point development strategy encapsulated in the MORE agenda.

A statement by the Executive Assistant, Media to the Governor, Igho Akeregha, quoting his principal to have said with legal fireworks over, he was now poised to fully implement the MORE plan of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security for all Deltans.

Addressing his supporters at the

Governors lodge who had earlier thronged the Supreme court in their traditional yellow fez caps, Oborevwori assured them of his commitment to uplift the state.

"You have shown me love. I and my Deputy will not disappoint you. We will continue to serve all Deltans with renewed vigour and commitment. What happened in the court today is a victory for all Deltans," Oborevwori said.

Amidst deafening chants of "On your mandate we shall stand" by his supporters, the Governor expressed appreciation to all Deltans for their unwavering support promising not to let them down.

Also, the governor, at a thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel in Asaba, said he had every reason to thank God for granting him victory in unprecedented 38 cases challenging his gubernatorial victory, from the primary election to the ultimate appeals to apex court.

Oborevwori assured Deltans that he would now settle down for governance.

In a related development, OmoAgege, congratulated Oborevwori on his apex court triumph and expressing his desire to support him towards the development of Delta State.

In a statement he personally signed, Omo-Agege told his supporters at local and national level, that the interest of Delta State supersedes that of any individual citizen, referring to Oborevwori as "my brother, Governor Sheriff oborevwori."

Ogun State After Delta, the apex court went ahead to dismiss the appeal filed

by Oladipupo Adebutu of the PDP against the election of Dapo Abiodun as Governor of Ogun State.

The judgment read by Justice Tijjani Abubakar held that the appeal was incompetent and liable for dismissal.

The apex court subsequently affirmed the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal and the Ogun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which declared Abiodun as winner of the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State.

Adebutu, had told the apex court that the case of the appellants was misconceived at the lower courts, adding that evidence were presented before the tribunal to prove that results from 99 polling units with votes of over 40,000 were cancelled.

He had argued that the said 40,000 votes were far more than the margin of 13,000 votes between Abiodun and Adebutu.

He had submitted that INEC was wrong to have gone ahead to declare results of the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, when the issue of canceled votes in 99 polling units had not been resolved.

However, all the respondents citing Section 179 of the Constitution argued that the election of a governor cannot be challenged on grounds of margin of lead.

The apex court however agreed with the respondents and dismissed the appeal for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos had in a two-to-one judgment last September, affirmed the electoral victory of Abiodun in the March 18, 2023, governorship election in Ogun State.

The majority judgment delivered

by Justice J.S. Ikyegh and supported

by Muhammed Mustapha, dismissed the appeal of Adebutu, and the PDP) for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

The majority judgment went ahead to affirm the earlier decision of the Ogun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal which sat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, had on September 30, 2023, upheld Abiodun’s declaration as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

Dissatisfied, Adebutu had approached the Court of Appeal, seeking a nullification of the tribunal's judgment as well as an order returning him as the authentic winner of the governorship election in Ogun State.

In dismissing the appeal, the majority judgment held that “it is a

petitioner who bears the responsibility to prove that an election was marred by corrupt practices and that appellants did not so prove”.

Justice Ikyegh further held that the appellants did not prove the allegation of certificate forgery against Abiodun and noted that the tribunal did not believe the evidence of certain witnesses because of their demeanours and because of the chorused nature of their testimony.

While upholding the expunging of the evidence of the forensic experts, the court held that there is a huge crater in the petition of the appellants, making same castrated, sterile, and with no legs to stand on.

The court followed the principle that when a decision is ultimately correct, it is immaterial that some reasons may have been applied since the appellate courts concern themselves with the conclusions mainly.

On the issue of disenfranchisement raised by the appellant, the court held that it was the duty of the appellants to prove disenfranchisement by calling voters who could vote but were disenfranchised, adding that in this petition rather, the appellants did not call any disenfranchised voter. Instead, the appellants called persons who truly voted.

Meanwhile, celebration yesterday, greeted the Supreme Court judgment in Abeokuta and some other major towns of the state.

At the Gateway International Agro Cargo Airport Iperu Remo, where the private jet that brought the governor from Abuja landed, the governor, was welcomed by tumultuous crowd after which he moved to the Iperu Town in a motorcade.

The entire Iperu township was agog as residents of the town and that came from different parts of the state, trooped to streets to cheer him on his victory.

At the Palace of Alaperu of Iperu Remo, Oba Adelekan Basibo, the governor thanked the people of the state for standing with him during the struggle.

At Abeokuta, while addressing the crowd at the Arcade Ground, said the victory, would mark the beginning of new things in the state.

Abiodun explained that the victory was a testament that with God, everything is possible having won at the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and Court of Appeal.

He described the people of the state as partners in progress for standing with him during the trial, assuring that his administration would improve on the successes recorded during his first term by making the state better in appreciation of the people’s support.

He commended the people of the state, for supporting his administration during his first term, promising that

the victory, would spur him to do more for the state.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Solomon Adeola, who is representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has congratulated Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on his latest and final electoral victory at the Supreme Court.

Adeola in a statement in Abuja stated that the final victory of the Governor once again validated the overwhelming support of majority of the people of Ogun State for his second term based on his demonstrable and visible performance in office during his first tenure.

Nasarawa State The third appeal however to be dismissed was that of Hon. David Ombugadu of the PDP against the election of Governor Sule.

The apex court in the judgment delivered by Justice Kudirat KekereEkun held that the appeal was incompetent and lacking in merit.

The five-member panel subsequently upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal which had in November voided and set aside the judgment of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in favour of Sule. The appellants had approached the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had nullified the judgment of the tribunal which declared Ombugadu the authentic winner of the governorship poll in the state.

But the apex court in a unanimous judgment held that the decision of the lower court was in order in affirming the election of Governor Sule.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal had on November 23, 2023, reversed the sack of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

The panel in a judgment held that the Nasarawa State Election Petition Tribunal erred in law in concluding that Sule did not win majority of the votes cast in the election.

Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgment of the panel, held that the tribunal breached the principle of fair hearing when it refused to rule on the preliminary objection of the respondents challenging the competence of the petition and the jurisdiction of the court.

While holding that the issue of jurisdiction was fundamental, the court held that failure of the tribunal to rule one way or the other in the respondent’s application challenging the competence of the petition and the court's jurisdiction renders the judgment invalid.

Besides, the appellate court held that the tribunal erred in law when it held that there was a case of over-voting at

the March 18 governorship election that produced Sule as Governor for a second term.

According to the judgment for overvoting to be proved, the petitioners must provide the voters register, BVAS machines and forms EC8As used in the election in addition to oral evidence.

While observing that the respondents belatedly brought the BVAS machines and other documents to prove allegations of over-voting, the panel stated that the documents were "simply dumped on the tribunal".

Besides, Justice Onyemenam pointed out that the evidences were not admissible in law.

It was also the position of the appellate court that the, "tribunal was in error when it deducted the votes from the appellant's score when the first respondent did not prove over-voting."

Similarly, the appellate court held that the tribunal was wrong to have admitted and rely on the evidence of some witnesses whose statements of oaths were not filed alongside the petition and such statements frontloaded to parties in the petition.

According to the judgment, once the time limit for filing has elapsed the content cannot be amended, adding that any witness whose statement was not frontloaded their evidence cannot be admitted to vary the petition.

The witnesses whose statements were not filed alongside the petition and frontloaded to parties include: P5, P6, P 7, P8, P12, P13, P20 and P21. Justice Onyemenam held that where a court rely on such witnesses' statements, "it is the duty of the Court of Appeal to ensure that such evidences are expunged from the lower court's judgment.

"The evidence and all exhibits tendered through them are incompetent and accordingly struck out", the court held.

It further held that the evidence of the remaining witnesses cannot sustain the judgment of the tribunal, haven expunged the evidence relied upon in deducting votes accrued to Sule.

Besides, the appellate court further faulted the tribunal for recomputing votes in some polling units in favour of the 1st respondents.

"On the whole, I hold that this appeal has merit and succeeds, the majority judgment of the tribunal delivered on October 2 is hereby dismissed," Justice Onyemenam held.

She went ahead to set aside the majority judgment of the tribunal which returned Ombugadu as governor.

In addition, she voided the order of the tribunal which directed the withdrawal of certificate of return issued to Sule and a fresh one to be issued to Ombugadu.

"I make an order affirming the declaration of Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress as duly reelected Governor of Nasarawa State", she added.

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, had last month sacked Governor Sule of the APC and declared PDP's, David Ombugadu, as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state.

In a virtual court session on October 2, the chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, had ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return from Sule, while the same should be issued to Ombugadu as the validly elected Governor of Nasarawa State.

Justice Ajayi’s lead judgment was supported by Justice Chiemelie Onaga but the third judge, Ibrahim Mashi, delivered a dissenting judgment upholding Sule’s election.

However, the Nasarawa State Police Command yesterday arrested 38 suspected miscreants following the Supreme Court Judgment that affirmed Sule’s election.

The State Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu Nadada, disclosed this to journalist in Lafia.

The Commissioner of Police also revealed that the command recovered no fewer than 29 motorcycles, adding that the matter was being investigated at the command's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in the state.

He said: "The command apprehended 38 suspected miscreants in connection to the protest and we have recovered 29 motorcycles."

"Those suspects arrested are currently with the command's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), helping the police with useful information to enable its identify their sponsors or those behind them.

And as soon as the command identified their sponsors they will be arrested and prosecuted to face the wrath of the law to server as deterrent to others," he added.

Gombe State In Gombe, relief came the way of Governor Muhammad Yahaya following the dismissal of the remaining appeal against his election.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun held that the appeal filed by Jibrin Barde of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), was incompetent and lacking in merit.

The panel had on Thursday. dismissed the appeal by the African Democratic Party (ADC) and his candidate, Nafiu Bala, for lacking in merit.

INSECURITY FESTERS IN FCT, GUNSHOTS AS 3 ABDUCTED AT ESTATE DESPITE SPECIAL INTERVENTION SQUAD is a matter of great concern, with NADECO calling for a concrete response to the insecurity crisis.

The deadly coordinated attacks must be halted, and there is a call for a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of the security measures in place. If necessary, a realignment of priorities and strategies is demanded to ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens.

“NADECO emphatically calls for a detribalised, accountable, and peopleoriented leadership in Nigeria. The organisation highlights that achieving this goal may necessitate a proper restructuring and amendment of the current constitution.”

The group also expressed dismay over the way recent monetary allocations were made while Nigerians suffered due to poor access to basic amenities, including high food prices amid daunting insecurity challenges.

“The specific allocation of funds has drawn scrutiny, as outlined

by NADECO. The allocation of substantial amounts, such as N20 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s official quarters, N10 billion for digitalising the quarters of the President and Vice President, N8 billion for the President’s quarters’ renovation, N12 billion for building a Legislative Library, N3 billion for

purchasing books for the Library, and N6 billion for the members of the National Assembly’s parking lot, has raised questions about the prioritisation of national needs in the face of a depressed economy.

“NADECO poses critical questions about the apparent misplacement of priorities and expresses concern about the recklessness in allocating such significant sums.

“The organisation contends that these expenditures will not translate into increased productivity, particularly in vital areas such as agriculture and transportation, and will not effectively address the unemployment crisis faced by millions of Nigerian youths.

“Furthermore, NADECO notes economic indicators pointing to a depressed economy and urges decisive action to address the macroeconomic crisis,” it said.

NADECO demanded a transformative shift in Nigeria’s trajectory, freedom from the shackles of divisive forces, and others.

Military Conducts Ground, Air Surveillance in FCT The military high command said yesterday that troops launched ground and air surveillance in kidnap hot spots in the FCT.

It said a joint operation with other security services and stakeholders was afoot to investigate and gather more intelligence on kidnap gangs around the FCT. It assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) was working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation.

A statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said troops increased the tempo operations in order to find, degrade and destroy the terrorist and cohorts wherever they were hiding.

"In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared by troops so far include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State.

"There have also been intensified night patrols in the Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others", it said.

The statement said"the armed forces is not unaware of the terrible impact of kidnappings on the families of those affected.

"Indeed, our hearts and thoughts go to their families and loved ones.

We also recognise the fear that these

kidnappings creates among the citizenry, following recent events in the FCT. "While troops probably don't have all the answers as at now. Citizens should be rest assured that the armed forces is working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation" It said troop were synergising with other security services and stakeholders to investigate and gather more intelligence on these kidnapping gangs, particularly around the FCT. "Troops have prioritized the areas of these kidnappings, increased both ground and air surveillance over the areas. Technologies have also been deployed to more easily detect these kidnapping gangs in their hideouts and enclaves.

"Furthermore, troops increased the tempo operations in order to find, degrade and destroy the terrorist and cohorts wherever they were hiding.

In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared by troops so far include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State, as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State.

There have also been intensified night patrols in the Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others", it said.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

EAGLES JOIN FAVOURITE RANKS

20.1.2024

PAGE. 27

AFCON 2023

STANLEY NWABALI Eagles’ Missing Piece of the Jigsaw?

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

GLOBAL SOCCER AFCON 2023 ... AFCON 2023 ...AFCON 2023 ...AFCON 2023 ...

Nwabali thwated everything the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire threw at him

Stanley Nwabali Eagles’ Missing Piece of the Jigsaw?

That the Super Eagles were eliminated in the round of 16 of the last AFCON staged in Cameroon was blamed on school boy goalkeeping error. That Nigeria’s flag was not hoisted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was down to the team’s goalkeeper’s blunder.

Prior to the 2023 AFCON, lack of a reliable safe hand between the sticks was the fear of many soccer crazy Nigerians and with Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye having proven unworthy, the team finally settled for a ‘dark horse’ in the mold of Stanley Nwabali. In the ongoing Africa’s greatest soccer fiesta, the two-capped goalkeeper has however been blameless. The big question is whether the Chippa United safe hand is really the missing link in the Super Eagles fortune

W

eeks ago, Stanley Nwabili was a relatively unknown player, having left the Nigeria Premier Football League side, Katsina United in October 2022, for the South African league side, Chippa United, but that is no more since debuting for Nigeria against Mexico, and with an above average performance so far for Nigeria at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Nwabali was in goal for the Super Eagles in their first match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations clash against Equatorial Guinea in which Nigeria forced their opponent to a 1-1 draw and the South African-based goalkeeper indeed expressed his disappointment about conceding in his first appearance.

“The game against Equatorial Guinea is not really good for me today. I know what I can do. To be honest, I know what I can do.

But despite that, the 1-1 draw is not really good for me.

“We must win, definitely we must win. I know the next game will be tough, but we must win,” he added.

Nwabali indeed lived up to expectation against Cote d’Ivoire and despite keeping a clean sheet in Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over host country at the Stade Olympique Ouattara on Thursday, the Chippa United goalkeeper was left unsatisfied with his performance.

Nwabali, 27, was drafted into the Super Eagles squad after the coach, Jose Peseiro, went to watch him in action for his club side before the former Lobi Stars goalkeeper was included in his eventual 25-man list.

There were questions over who would take over the number one spot as the Nigerian team headed to Ivory Coast, considering the consistent errors from Francis Uzoho.

The Portuguese coach opted to start Nwabali in goal in the opening Group game against Equatorial Guinea, and although largely untested, showed good signs with his calmness, ability on the ball and how he commanded his back-line.

The 1.97m tall goalkeeper made three crucial saves to secure a clean sheet and deny the hosts a chance to equalize as Nigeria got all three points in the hugely anticipated clash, but the goalkeeper was not happy with his performance.

“No, I’m not happy. I feel I should be doing more for my country, so I don’t feel it was a great game for me, or how my game usually is. I’m happy for the team’s win, but my performance is unlike me. I want to play the ball more, be more confident, and enjoy myself,” the 27-year-old said after the game.

Nwabali’s outstanding performance against Cote d’Ivoire however did not go unnoticed by his former NPFL colleagues

and have showered encomium on the former Enyimba shot stopper as he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over the hosts on Thursday.

The former NPFL shot stopper recorded his first clean sheet for the Super Eagles and his former contemporaries have expressed their admiration for Nwabali’s confidence, precise ball distribution, and crucial saves against the host nation.

“Nwabali’s command of the box was exceptional, and he truly stood tall for the national team when he was needed the most,” Doma United goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi stated.

“Nwabali’s performance was a reflection of his dedication and hard work. He made the nation proud with that clean sheet,” Rivers United defender Endurance Ebedebiri said.

“As a fellow goalkeeper, I appreciate his style of play. It was a top-class performance from Nwabali,” Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole expressed.

Doma United centre-back, Nelson Abiam added, “In a game of such magnitude, Nwabali’s crucial saves and composure were game-changers. He deserves all the accolades.

“Nwabali’s saves were nothing short of spectacular. He played a very important role in securing the victory for Nigeria,” Sporting Lagos midfielder Henry Ndedi added.

Peseiro recently revealed that he decided to include Nwabili in his 25-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations because he was impressed with his performance for Chippa United.

The Super Eagles have had a goalkeeper issue for the last two years. Nigeria have lost important games due to mistakes from goalkeepers. Since José Peseiro took over as coach, he has alternated between Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and Adebayo Adeleye.

Peseiro has always defended his goalkeepers, but ahead of the 2023 AFCON, Nwabili’s name came into the fray.

Peseiro was even pictured with the goalkeeper after a game at his South African club. Eventually, Nwabili was named in Nigeria’s provisional 40-man squad for the AFCON alongside Uzoho, Olorunleke Ojo, Adebayo Adeleye, Christian Nwoke, and Obasogie Amas.

In an interview on NFF TV, Peseiro explained his decision. The Portuguese explained that he consulted Nwabili’s club coaches and watched the player live before adding the 27-year-old.

“There were not many videos of the South African league available for us. But some friends sent us videos of Nwabili’s matches in the South African league,” Peseiro said.

“I asked the NFF President to let me go there. So, I was there in South Africa for four days to speak with him, I spoke to the coach, and a lot of people. I watched the trainings, the practice, and I watched one match. In the final list we decided to add him in the list after the whole evaluation.

“We believe in him because he showed good quality, good performance, and good capacities. Now, I hope he displays the same quality he shows at his club.”

Peseiro confessed that the Chippa United goalkeeper was recommended to him by the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

How consistent Nwabali will be between the post for the Super Eagles remains to be seen as many have come before him and showed flashes but faded after a while.

The Super Eagles will play their final group game against Guinea-Bissau next week Monday as they look to seal qualification from Group A. The match and other AFCON 2023 matches will air live on Sports Premium, channel 252 or 246, on StarTimes, as well as on StarTimes-ON app.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

GLOBAL SOCCER AFCON 2023 ... AFCON 2023 ...AFCON 2023 ...AFCON 2023 ...

Eagles’ Defeat of Elephants Changed AFCON Fovourites’ Dynamics Before the kickoff of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles were only the fifth favourite team to win the competition behind defending champions, Senegal, Morocco, last edition’s finalists, Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire, but with Nigeria’s victory over the host country on Thursday and with Egypt’s struggle after two matches, the title favourites’dynamics have changed, Kunle Adewale writes

William Troost Ekong coolly converted Nigeria’s penalty against Cote d’Ivoire

W

ith some unimpressive results during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in which the Super Eagles could not beat Lesotho on home soil, forced Zimbabwe to a 1-1 draw in a neutral ground and with injuries to key players days to the kickoff of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria was not one of the foremost teams favoured to lift the trophy by bookmakers.

Indeed, the team did little to prove bookmakers wrong with a lacklustre performance against Equatorial Guinea in their first match on Sunday, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw in spite all the begging chances that came their way.

Against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, an encounter in which the Super Eagles were far from being favourites, the three-time African champions surprised the host with a 4-5-1 formation, which the Elephants found totally strange and unknown of their opponent and the Ivorians lost 1-0 to their West African opposition.

The most successful team in the competition’s history, Pharaohs of Egypt, were second only behind Senegal as one of the favourites to cart away the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire, have only managed 2-2 draws scoreline against Mozambique and Ghana, coming from behind on both occasions have halted the winning dynamics, as a slip in their last Group B match against Cape Verde might see the Egyptians packing their luggage early out of Cote d’Ivoire.

In his reaction, Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro, says they used a strategy that worked for them in their hard-fought 1-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

The Portuguese technician is delighted to have put in place “a strategy that worked” against the hosts who had the backing of a highly vocal crowd at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.

However, he acknowledged having noted some improvement areas during this match

won, thanks to a penalty caused by Victor Osimhen and converted by William TroostEkong in the 55th minute.

“For the next match we have to control the game, try to be less timid and not give possession to the opponent,” he said.

However, for Peseiro, the victory does not suddenly make Nigeria one of the favourites of the competition.

“I told my players not to savour the victory. We have four days left before the next match. From day one I told them: “you must win the AFCON,” he said.

Nigeria’s forward, Victor Osimhen, who was named Man of the Match, shared his elation during a post-match press conference, stating, “It’s a beautiful victory; we knew we would face a strong Ivory Coast team.”

Acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge posed by Cote d’Ivoire, Osimhen added, “This match was a significant test for us, and we are thrilled to have overcome it.

“In the first match, we had numerous chances that we didn’t capitalize on. Today wasn’t different; we maintained the same mentality, and we hope this victory brings joy to everyone. We will carry this mindset into the remainder of the competition.”

Osimhen emphasized not underestimating their opponent, stating, “We aim for a strong performance against Guinea-Bissau. They will undoubtedly approach the game with determination, and we won’t underestimate any team, considering what they’ve done to qualify.”

Meanwhile, erstwhile Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has congratulated the Nigerian football team after they defeated Cote d’Ivoire lavishing praise on the players and the tactical organization that held the team compact in defence.

“It’s a very nice victory for the Nigerian team against Cote d’Ivoire who were not in the game at all. The organization with the 5-4-1 formation was decisive because we didn’t see the strikers of Ivory Coast at all,” the German tactician said.

Despite lavishing praise on the Nigerian players, the 70-year-old urged the team not to relax yet, highlighting that the journey isn’t over.

“It’s a very good result, I’m happy for my players. There had been so many criticisms in the past that they answered with this big match, but they have to be careful and humble, because in the last AFCON they won the three games in the group and they got knocked out in the next round. Each match is very important,” he added.

In a related development, 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning midfielder Austin Okocha heaped praises on the Super Eagles for their performance in the 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The win puts the three-time African champions in a good position to advance to the round of 16, having now garnered four points same as table-toppers Equatorial Guinea, who have a better goal difference.

In his post-match reaction, Okocha praised the performance of José Peseiro’s side and also said they were deserving of the victory “It was an important victory for us. It puts us in a very good position,” Okocha said to France 24.

“It was a very difficult game, it is never easy to play against the host but we showed a lot of character today and deservingly we won the game.”

Okocha also spoke about Ivory Coast and was of the opinion that the host nation can still go further in the competition despite the loss to their West African counterparts.

“It is always difficult to play at home, the pessure is always on you and Côte d’Ivoire love their football.

“They just don’t want to win, they want to win in style which puts the player under a lot of pressure but I think they still have a good chance of going far in the tournament.

Today’s Fixtures Algeria v Burkina Faso Mauritania v Angola Tunisia v Mali

RESULTS TODAY

Cape Verde Senegal Guinea

3-0 Mozambique 3-1 Cameroon 1-0 Gambia

GROUP A 1 2 3 4

Team Equat. Guinea Nigeria Cote d’Ivoire Guinea-Bissau

P 2 2 2 2

W 1 1 1 0

D 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 2

Pts 4 4 3 0

“It is football and you know anything is possible in football. Sometimes, you might need the defeat to bounce back, you might need to lose a game to correct your mistakes.

“If everything is going fine, you think you are untouchable, so sometimes defeat helps teams to bounce back”.

The Elephants already have three points which means all hope is not lost ahead of their last game against Equatorial Guinea on Monday.

Of all the foremost favourites to win the title, only Taranga Lions of Senegal have really justified their favourite tag having won their two matches with a total of six goals and booked their place in the round of 16.

Morocco too are living up to expectation after defeating their opponent Tanzania 3-0 in their first game.

Nigeria’s next match comes up on Monday against Guinea-Bissau, at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan for their third and final round of Group A matches, which will air live on Sports Premium, channel 252 or 246, on StarTimes as well as on StarTimesON app.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

GLOBAL SOCCER

Ismaila Sarr scores for Senegal against Cameroon at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Umar Sadiq in action for Real Sociedad

AFCON 2023 ... AFCON 2023 CAF Picks Nwabali’s Stop against Cote d’Ivoire as Save of the Day Sadiq Explains AFCON Departure The Confederation of African Football has picked Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali’s excellent stop against Cote d’Ivoire as the Save of the Day on Thursday.

Three matches were played on the day, with the six goalkeepers making a combined 13 saves, as Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria claimed wins over Guinea-Bissau and Cote d’Ivoire, respectively. In contrast, Ghana and Egypt played a thrilling 2-2 draw. Equatorial Guinea’s Jesús Owono made three stops, one more than Guinea-Bissau’s Ouparine Djoco. Despite conceding two goals each, Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy and Ghana’s Richard Ofori still impressed with two and three saves, respectively.

In the enthralling clash between the West African powerhouses, Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana had no saves when his Nigerian counterpart, Nwabali, was called upon three times to prevent the ball from finding his net.

Nwabali made the first of those saves early in the encounter when a poorly executed Zaidu Sanusi header allowed Christian Kouame to smash a left-footed effort goalwards.

However, Nwabali made himself big enough for his ribs to divert the ball out for a corner.

It was a decisive moment as the Super Eagles would have gone a goal down within the opening 10 minutes if that ball had nestled into the net.

Ahead of all his contemporaries, Nwabali’s excellent stop has been selected by CAF as the best save of the day.

The recognition from the competition’s organisers can help boost the confidence of Nwabali, who made only his second competitive appearance for Nigeria against the Ivorians.

Not in the conversation for Nigeria’s best goalkeepers only a few months ago, Nwabali was scouted by head coach Jose Peseiro weeks before the start of the AFCON. The Chippa United goalie debuted for Nigeria in the 2-0 friendly loss to Guinea on the eve of the tournament.

Nwabali was in goal for Nigeria’s opening match at the AFCON – a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea – before he kept his first-ever clean sheet for the Super Eagles in the Cote d’Ivoire clash.

Senegal Beat Cameroon 3-1 to Book Round 16 Ticket Defending champions Senegal booked their place in the last 16 round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over Cameroon in Group C. Ismaila Sarr put Senegal in front in the 16th minute and Habib Diallo made it 2-0 midway through the second half.

Jean-Charles Castelletto headed in to pull one back with seven minutes remaining to set up a nervy ending. But, after George-Kevin Nkoudou had missed a free header to equalise, Sadio Mane sealed the win in stoppage time.

Cameroon, five-time continental champions, have one point after two games and will most likely need to win their final group tie against The Gambia on Tuesday (17:00 GMT) to progress to the knockout stages.

Andre Onana was back in goal for Cameroon, having missed their 1-1 draw against Guinea on Monday after deciding to play for Manchester United in the Premier League 24 hours earlier.

But the 27-year-old was arguably at fault for Senegal’s opener when his clearing punch from a corner was headed back into the box

by Pape Matar Sarr and forward Sarr fired into the bottom right-hand corner.

The West Africans doubled their lead after some neat interplay in the 71st minute when

Diallo ghosted in between Enzo Tchato and Castelletto to slide home Ismaila Sarr’s low ball from six yards out.

Cameroon lacked a threat up front for most of the match, with striker Vincent Aboubakar - the top scorer at the 2021 finals - absent again through injury and Karl Toko Ekambi dropped to bench.

But the Indomitable Lions sparked into life in the final 10 minutes when centre-back Castelletto powerfully headed in Olivier Ntcham’s cross following a short corner.

They pressed forward in search of a draw but Nkoudou wasted the best opening when he could only divert another right-wing cross wide at the back post in the 94th minute.

Senegal went straight up the other end to make sure of the points as former Liverpool forward Mane carefully guided Idrissa Gana Gueye’s pass into the bottom left-hand corner from just inside the area.

Aliou Cisse guided the Teranga Lions to their first AFCON title two years ago, and their title defence has started perfectly as Senegal bid to become the first side to retain the trophy since 2010, when Egypt won their third in a row.

AFCON Heats Up on StarTimes this Weekend The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is in full swing, and this weekend promises to be a scorcher on StarTimes. With underdogs pulling up shockers, the storylines are as hot as the African sun.

The matches will air on Sports Premium, Sports Life and Beta Sports channels on StarTimes, as well as StarTimes-ON mobile app.

Today, Algeria will face the fierce-looking Burkina Faso team at 3pm. The Desert Foxes of Algeria are hungry for another AFCON title..

They’ll lock horns in a clash that’s sure to be a tactical chess match. Both teams

boast passionate fans and a never-say-die attitude, so expect fireworks under the floodlights.

Mauritania and Angola go head-to-head at 6pm on the Sports Premium channel.

The Al-Murabitun, despite being underdogs, are eager to prove their mettle on the continental stage. Angola, seasoned with AFCON experience, will be looking to spoil the party.

Tunisia will take on Mali at 9pm. This Group E showdown is a clash of titans, with both teams boasting ambitions to lift the trophy.

The beautiful game contin-

ues on Sunday with Morocco’s Atlas Lions facing off against the unpredictable Leopards of DR Congo at 3pm on Sports Premium channel. Both teams are eyeing the knockout stages, so expect a fierce battle for possession and a fight for dominance.

Meanwhile, Zambia, hungry for pride, will square up against Tanzania, aiming to avoid defeat. This match promises attacking flair and a chance for both teams to showcase their skills on the continental stage. The match will air at 6pm on Sports Premium and Sports Life channel.

Amidst Quick Sociedad Return

Real Sociedad star, Umar Sadiq yesterday provided an insight into his departure from the Nigerian national camp for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The name of frontman Sadiq has returned to the forefront of the headlines in Spain over the course of the last 48 hours.

This comes after the 26-yearold, just days on from being sent home from AFCON duty with Nigeria owing to an injury, marked his return to the pitch.

Sadiq was introduced off the bench late in Sociedad’s 2-0 downing of Osasuna in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.

Speaking to the media on

Thursday, Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro, in turn, admitted that he had been left bemused by the situation: “I’m also confused,” the Super Eagles boss began, as per ESPN. “What I can say is, I saw the report from the medical test that he’s injured and that he cannot recover in 15 days, at least, or more time … The report went to the club, and the club said he must come (back) to recover.

“I am happy that he recovered well. I am sad that he’s not here to help us,” Peseiro concluded.

It therefore came as little surprise to hear of Sadiq himself moving to clear up the lingering suspicion surrounding the situation.

In an official statement, cited

by El Chiringuito TV, the former Roma attacker confirmed that he was diagnosed with a meniscus injury by the Nigerian medical staff on the back of the country’s meeting with Guinea.

Consequently, it was suggested that Sadiq depart, to be replaced in Peseiro’s squad by a fitter option.

Upon his return to Spain, however, Real Sociedad’s team of doctors insisted that the club’s in-form striker had suffered little more than a bruise.

Hence his swift return to the pitch, and ensuing confusion on the part of Nigerians the world over.

Door of Success Opens to Super Eagles, Says NFF President President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau said yesterday that the Super Eagles’ victory over hosts Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals has opened the door of success for the three-time African champions.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this victory has opened the door of success for not only the Super Eagles, but Nigeria Football on a general level. The win has brought the needed confidence for us to build on, and achieve more successes. Defeating a host

nation in a competition of this magnitude is no mean feat.

“Alot of people will say nothing has been won yet, and that there is no need for so much excitement.

My message to them is that some little wins do serve as inspiration and fillip for bigger achievements, and it is important to celebrate those little wins so that they actually lead to bigger accomplishments.”

Gusau commended the players for their calmness and superb organization in a highly tactical game with the Elephants, and said it was a good response to the heavy flaks that followed Sunday’s

1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.

“I was not happy at all over the draw with Equatorial Guinea and I didn’t hide my feelings from the team. I thank God that they responded well against the Ivorians. I believe they have enough in their tank to go all the way in the competition.

Now, they have the magic wand, they will make very good use of it,” said Gusau, as he called on Nigerians from all walks of life to keep supporting and praying for the Super Eagles’ success in the ongoing finals.

Osimhen Asked Me to Take Nigeria’s Penalty, Says Troost-Ekong Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong says striker Victor Osimhen asked him to take what proved to be the match-winning penalty in their Group A victory over Ivory Coast at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Osimhen, the African Footballer of the Year, was fouled early in the second half to win the spot-kick and is the team’s designated penalty taker.

But the 25-year-old Napoli star, who was leading scorer in Serie A last season, passed duties on to the centre-back - perhaps based on the latter’s successful penalty against Ghana in a 2022 World Cup

qualifier.

“Victor is our first choice he said he wanted me to take it,” Troost-Ekong, 30, told BBC Sport Africa.

“Of course I couldn’t say no.

“We practice penalties and I took one against Ghana. Maybe it was the moment of the game but I was feeling good.

“I would also have been happy for him to take it but I’m sure he’s going to score many more goals for us.”

Osimhen had found the back of the net in Nigeria’s opener, a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea which made it crucial for the Super Eagles to pick up a positive

result against the Afcon hosts in Abidjan on Thursday.

Osimhen, who was said to be upset by a social media post by Napoli after missing a penalty earlier this season, said the crucial aspect about the spot-kick against the Ivorians was that it was scored.

“For me I don’t mind. I can take it and if I score or I miss, it is part of the game,” the striker said.

“But of course he took it and he scored it, and it shows great leadership. The team winning is the most important thing.”

Former Watford defender Troost-Ekong was happy to take the responsibility in the 55th minute, with Nigeria then able to hold out for a 1-0 win.

31

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 20, 2024

GLOBAL SOCCER PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Arsenal v Crystal Palace 12:30 Brentford v Nott’m Forest 17:30 SUNDAY

Sheff Utd v West Ham 14:00 Bournemouth v Liverpool 16:30 MONDAY

Brighton v Wolves 19:45

La Liga TODAY

Vallecano v Las Palmas 13:00 Villarreal v Mallorca 15:15 Valencia v Bilbao 17:30 Celta Vigo v Sociedad 20:00 SUNDAY

Osasuna v Getafe 13:00 Real Madrid v Almería 15:15 Real Betis v Barcelona 17:30 Girona v Sevilla 20:00

Premier League Table TEAM

P

GD

PTS

Liverpool Aston Villa Man City Arsenal Tottenham West Ham Brighton Man Utd Newcastle Chelsea Wolves Bournemouth Fulham Crystal Palace Nottm Forest Brentford Everton Luton Burnley Sheff Utd

20 20 20 20 21 20 20 21 20 20 20 19 20 20 20 19 21 20 21 20

25 16 25 17 13 3 5 -5 10 3 -1 -7 -7 -7 -11 -5 -4 -14 -21 -34

45 42 43 40 40 34 31 32 29 31 28 25 24 21 20 19 17 15 16 9

Hot Shot PLAYERS Will Arsenal put a smile on the faces of their fans?

Arsenal Revive Title Push with Palace Visit After relinquishing the Premier League top spot and finding themselves in fourth position, Arsenal will try to revive their title push in today’s London derby with Crystal Palace at the Emirate Stadium

R

eturning from a two-week hiatus with the intention of ending a three-game losing run, Arsenal are back in Premier League action today’s lunchtime, when London rivals Crystal Palace stop over at the Emirates.

The Gunners have been soaking up the Dubai sun since being dumped out of the FA Cup by Liverpool in the third round, while the Eagles are also reeling from a knockout defeat, losing their replay to Everton on Wednesday night.

From topping the Premier League table on Christmas Day to finding themselves at risk of dropping out of the top four entirely, Arsenal’s winter attacking woes have come to the fore throughout the festive period, and Mikel Arteta’s troops have now been punished for such alarming profligacy on more than one occasion.

After producing toothless attacking performances in successive top-flight defeats to West Ham United and Fulham, Arsenal passed up a surfeit of opportunities to

draw first blood against Liverpool in the FA Cup, until Jakub Kiwior managed to make the net ripple in front of the Reds fans.

Unfortunately for the Pole, he sent the away end into elation as he inadvertently headed Trent AlexanderArnold’s free kick into the net before Luis Diaz offered Arsenal a lesson in ruthlessness with a thunderous finish into the roof of the goal, leading Arteta to admit that his side may have developed a mental block when it comes to finishing chances.

Pleas from Gooners to splash the cash on a new number nine in January are likely to fall on deaf ears - unless an audacious loan move for Karim Benzema comes to fruition, leaving the onus on Arteta and co to pull fourth-placed Arsenal, who are only above Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference with a game in hand, out of their offensive rut.

With just one win to show from seven matches in all tournaments and even then, wasted chances nearly proved costly in a 2-0 beating of Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal have never endured a worse seven-game

run under Arteta, and they have now lost their last two Premier League London derbies after going unbeaten in 17 capital clashes before that.

A lack of killer instinct was also the root of Crystal Palace’s problems in their FA Cup opener with Everton, who dug in for a goalless draw with 10 men at Selhurst Park to add another fixture into the calendar for both sides, which was played out on Wednesday evening at the Toffees’ Goodison base.

Another drab draw was not beyond the realm of possibility between two sides devoid of confidence and conviction, especially in the final third, but Andre Gomes’s 42nd-minute effort was all that Sean Dyche’s men required to prolong their cup journey, and the disgruntled Palace fans made their feelings known in the second period.

Hodgson’s decision to substitute the effervescent Eberechi Eze early in the second half did not go down well with the travelling fans, although the veteran coach stated that such a change was a necessity given the imminent 12.30pm kickoff, where 14th-placed Palace will

Arsenal vs Palace, Liverpool vs Bournemouth Matches Live on GOtv Arsenal will look to get their Premier League title charge back on track when they host Crystal Palace today at the Emirates Stadium. This and other exciting matches are set to be broadcast live on GOtv and the GOtv Stream app.

Mikel Arteta’s men have seen their title bid falter in recent weeks, most recently in an away loss against Fulham, which saw the Gunners drop to fourth position on the league table. Securing a win against 14th-place Palace could prove pivotal for them. Tune in GO Premier League (ch 66) at 1:30pm to watch the match.

Tomorrow, Westham United will continue their

Champions League bid when they visit Sheffield United. The hosts are currently 20th on the league table, having picked up nine points from 20 games this season. David Moyeswillbehopefulofpickingupthree pointsawayfromhome.TuneinGOPremierLeague(ch66)at 4pmtowatchthematch.

Leagueleaders,Liverpool,willbeonawaydutyattheVitality StadiumagainstBournemouthwithoutthetrioof Dominik Szoboszlai,AndyRobertsonandTrentAlexander-Arnold, whiletheirtalisman,MoSallah,isawayoninternationalduty withEgypt. TheRedsarejusttwopointsaheadofreigning champions,Manchester City, who recently received a

boost with the return of Kevin De Bruyne. Tune in GO Premier League (ch 66) at 6:30pm to watch the match.

In La Liga, Real Madrid will be on home duty against Almeria, on Sunday, as they pile pressure on the league leaders. The match will be live on GO La Liga (ch 62) at 4:15pm. Reigning champions, Barcelona, will face a tough test away from home against Real Betis, live on GO La Liga (ch 62) at 6:30pm. In the late kick-off on Sunday, league leaders, Girona, will lock horns with Sevilla, as they hope to continue their impressive run in the league. Tune in GO La Liga (ch 62) at 9pm to watch.

CLUB

Mohamed Salah Erling Haaland Son Heung-min Dominic Solanke Jarrod Bowen Hwang Hee-chan Alexander Isak Ollie Watkins Cole Palmer

GOALS

Liverpool 14 Man City 14 Tottenham 12 Bournemouth 12 West Ham 11 Wolves 10 Newcastle 10 Aston Villa 9 Chelsea 9

bid to increase their five-point buffer to the drop zone.

The visitors’ final top-flight fixture of 2023 did end in a London derby success, where a 3-1 beating of Brentford ended their abysmal eight-game winless run in the Premier League, but the Eagles have now gone nine league matches without shutting the opposition out.

A tally of six London derby points in the 2023-24 Premier League is also the lowest of its kind, and after restricting Arsenal to one win from eight meetings between October 2018 and April 2022, Palace have been beaten in their last three contests with the Gunners, although only a Martin Odegaard penalty separated the teams in August.

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

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Saturday, January 20, 2024

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Price: N400

MISSILE

TI, Others to Nigeria Govt. Officials “We find it disturbing that money, rather than supporting the security forces fighting Boko Haram, was diverted to enrich the country’s ruling class. We on this note call on the Nigerian Government to strengthen the procurement process in the defence and security sector through enhanced transparency and accountability, regular review as well as independent auditing” –Executive Director of CISLAC/TI, Auwal Rafsanjani

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OKEYIKECHUKWU Mr. President, Arm Your People EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

O

ur people say that a father who allows his son to enter the village square for a wrestling contest and then enforces a family rule of not grappling with anyone in public has guaranteed the defeat of his son even before the latter’s opponent is known. That appears to be the position of the average Nigerian today. Thus, except the Federal Government urgently reviews the existing policy on arms possession in Nigeria, the nation’s growing reputation as a mass killing field will become its marker, and identity trademark.

A few days ago, Miyetti Allah set up a Nomadic Vigilante Group in Nasarawa State, which is within spitting distance of the Presidential Villa, in order to help improve national security. If reason and common sense are not being stood on their heads here, why should Miyetti Allah’s expression of “shared commitment to economic prosperity, job creation, and the fight against banditry and cattle rustling” not start in Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno and Bauchi states.

The states have the highest negative security indices, extremely high poverty ratings and every other thing that diminishes life in Nigeria today.

If, as stated by the initiators of the vigilante programme, part of the reasons for setting up the group is to “help flush out the bad elements among them in the state”, the question WHY NASARAWA STATE? Still remains.

The fact that kidnapping and banditry are going on unabetted and even increasing all over the country, plus the additional fact that the Federal Capital, which is the seat of power and the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, is now favorite hunting ground for freelance bandits, sundry criminals and kidnappers, now makes it mandatory for President Tinubu to ask himself why adult Nigerians of both gender, whose character and means of livelihood can be vouched for, should not carry arms and ammunition for self-protection.

It is incomprehensible to basic common sense, logic and any decent interpretation of holistic national security that Nigerians who are not in military, police or security-related jobs are forbidden from owning, or possessing, a short gun; or any such weapon. It was not always so.

The ban came at a point, due to the exigencies of a specific historical hour. That historical hour, which is far behind us now, led to new rules that limited any interested persons to either a single or double barrel, cartridge powered, long snout rifle. This species of guns have limited firepower and cumbersome loading protocols, which leave is possessor at a clear disadvantage in the face of any real danger that requires prompt response.

Before this development, the Mossberg Shotgun, including the short barrel option, were available under government license. So was the .22 Gevam Sporting rifle, a lovely French product, my favourite, with its twelve round slim magazine.

Is it not strange that there are citizens – sometimes of questionable origins - who freely and openly wield banned military assault rifles within the same country where such hardware is banned? They flaunt it everywhere, ostensibly to protect their cattle from cattle thieves. So, should all other trades group also arm themselves against whatever dangers threaten their members

Tinubu

and their goods? Would that be the way to go and still remain a viable 21st century nation?

In the same country that banned military assault rifles are impudently wielded by teenagers in defense of the cattle they are rearing for some members of the elite, a pastor who was caught on social media brandishing the same military assault rifle is on trial for illegal arms possession.

One of the charges against the former Central bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was illegal possession of arms. But little boys are walking freely all over the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the same military hardware unchallenged by the national security machinery.

As was said on this page on July 17, 2019, “The strength of the criminals all over the country today, some of them Fulani from outside Nigeria, actually comes from the fact that they are unchallenged for now. When the government of Ghana took concrete and firm steps to contain their excesses it became obvious that they had no capacity to do anything. But that is because the Ghanaian State took its own survival seriously. The Fulanis, and Myetti Allah, did nothing when Sule Lamido, as governor of Jigawa State, forbade open wandering of cattle in his state. They also did nothing when Lamido authorized every citizen of Jigawa State to kill and barbecue any cattle found roaming in the city. No one heard their whimper about this “Lamido’s free gift to the people of Jigawa State,” as it was then called. And Lamido is Fulani, and of the right breed if you like”.

It should not be in the midst of the current bedlam in national security that Miyetti Allah, which has not been particularly helpful in building bridges, should launch a vigilante outfit. Recall that the same group created an uproar when, a few years ago, it tried to make pretensions about providing the same service in Imo State. Sheik Gumi and several other advocates of a romance with bandits and banditry, must be clapping right now for Miyetti Allah, an organization

for cattle herders and related trades, and its Nomadic Fulani Villante Movement.

Is this, perhaps, a pro-Fulani hegemonic outfit that was quickly cobbled, to make life impossible for the new “inferior” governor of the state; and possibly as a Dess Rehearsal for a Fulani Army that will protect Fulani-wide interests; including the occupied lands of the Middle Belt? Just asking.

Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, the national president of the association, said in his inaugural address that the primary objective of the nomadic vigilante group was “to help secure the livelihoods of farmers and herders, and aid sharing of information and intelligence with security agencies”. This will come such voluntary activities as “first aid, community security, and relief services to affected communities as well as help in communal development efforts”.

Alhassan Sule, the national secretary, told Nigerians during the flag off that the vigilante personnel “will undergo rigorous training from renowned security organisations before commencement of operations”. So, the launch is not the commencement of operations? What are the renowned security organizations being mentioned here? Who approved and funded everything connected with this vigilante group?

Can any other association do the same, “in support of national security”? Are the personnel now on full time job, for which they are paid regular salaries? What is their background, and what will you do with them in the next one, two, five, or ten years? Who assessed them, and on what basis were they recruited? Etc. etc.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Usman Nadada, while advising the group to abide by “rules of engagement in carrying out their duties”, urged the general public to cooperate with the vigilantes in the fight against kidnapping and banditry in the state. Nasada’s statement, that the group is not allowed to bear arms, “except the ones provided by the police,

in the discharge of its duties” rests on some questionable assumptions.

The first is that the police can, and should, arm the group. The second is that an undermanned, underreamed and under-equipped Nigeria Police can oversee this group. The third, and final, questionable assumption is that the police can control this group once it becomes operational.

Will the farmers in Nasarawa State and environs not see this as a signal for a final ditch contest for living space?

The corollary to the above is that there is no reason why any other association should not, following this precedent, set up is own vigilante group, “to help secure the livelihoods of farmers and herders, and aid sharing of information and intelligence with security agencies”.

Is The North really paying attention to what is happening to it, especially on account of its refusal to count the toll of insurgency and banditry?

As was said on this page three years ago, under the title ‘Northern Nigeria: The Pretense persists’: “A recent lengthy submission from the elder statesman, Ahmed Joda, rested on a telling conclusion: Northern Nigeria is not developing its human capital. It also does not have the time to do so anymore. Therefore, it is now ill-equipped to fit into either the knowledge-driven world of today or the new world of tomorrow. It needs at least 20 years to become significant in any way. But, rather than wake up to this benumbing fact, there is the pursuit of the illusion of dominance.

Meanwhile the people of the region lack the skills for tomorrow, as majority of its youth lack everything that could make them part of a 21st century world. The major point in Joda’s intervention is that the triumphalism of cattle rearers, whose illusion of invulnerability is fuelled and sustained by a national security framework that is skewed to promote insecurity in specific regions of the country, will go burst sooner than later. Confiscation of the headship of institutions of state is not the same thing as creating a “replacement generation” that could be part of a 21st Century world.

Drugs, poverty and rapacious daredevilry have chased northern big men to Abuja. But is Abuja itself still safe? Are some high-profile estates and exclusive neighbourhoods in Abuja not being quietly attacked these days?”

The above was written three years ago. What is the situation today?

As a last shot from the aforementioned piece, you have this: “As local economies collapse, as re-desertification takes over many places, as farmlands and animal husbandry are abandoned, as the proceeds of crime become the new means of livelihood for the unlettered, the threat to the children of the elite will multiply. The peace of mind of those who had the chance to make a difference but failed to do so will evaporate. The free-band society of cattle herders will collapse before their very eyes, as much of the North is taken over by “degenerate marauders who know nothing about modern statehood, law and order etc.”

As I said at the beginning of this article, “Except the Federal Government urgently reviews the existing policy on arms possession in Nigeria, the nation’s growing reputation as a mass killing field will become its marker, and identity trademark.

Mr. President, please, arm your people!

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