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CBN Steps up Nationwide Sensitisation on New Naira Notes Directs DMBs, MMOs, to swap cash in rural, underserved areas Nume Ekeghe, Sylvester Idowu, Yinka Kolawole, David-Chyddy Eleke, James Sowole Exactly 11 days to the deadline set by the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) to end the use of the old 200, 500 and 1000 denomination of the Naira notes, the apex bank has sent its officials out into the streets across the nation to aggressively sensitise the public.

On the same day, in a bid to further deepen the penetration of the redesigned naira notes to the general public, unbanked and underbanked, the CBN has directed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs),

Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), and super agents to swap the old notes in rural and unbanked areas, to improve circulation of the new notes. In Warri, Delta State, the CBN

took its sensitisation and awareness campaign on the redesigned new naira notes to the palace of the Olu of Warri and major markets in Warri and environs. Team leader of the apex bank

and representative of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Sunny Amorighoye Daibo, a Deputy Director of Finance, Continued on page 5

NCDC Moves to Checkmate Diphtheria as Disease Claims 25 Lives in Kano... Page 5 Saturday 21 January, 2023 Vol 27. No 10147

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FG Fixes March 29 to April 2 for National Population Census Non-Nigerians to be counted Deji Elumoye in Abuja

L-R: Mrs Ete Ambah; Ms. Temi Tuoyo; Mr. John Tuoyo; widow, Mrs Henrietta Shayegbe Tuoyo; Mr Peter Tuoyo and Ms. Tosan Tuoyo, during the funeral service for Brigadier General Sunny Esijolomi Tuoyo (former military Administrator of Ondo State) held at First Baptist Church, Warri, Delta State.... yesterday. KUNLE OGUNFUYI

The 2023 National Population and Housing Census will hold from March 29 to April 1, 2023. The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) Nasir Isa Kwarra, disclosed this to State House Continued on page 5

Allow People’s Choice to Prevail, Abdulsalami’s Peace CommitteeTells Presidential Candidates Urges them to moderate language at campaign grounds

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Peace Committee (NPC), led by a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), yesterday in Abuja met with the leadership of the nation's 18 registered political parties and their presidential candidates, and demanded that they should allow the people’s choice to prevail in the 2023 elections. Addressing the gathering before the committee and the presidential candidates entered into a closeddoor meeting, Abdulsalami said the aim of the interactive session was to build confidence amongst the people in the electoral process “and to ensure that we do all that

is possible for these very crucial elections to be successful.” Abdulsalami continued: "Our intention is to hear from the Presidential candidates themselves and see how we can rally all our people to ensure that all citizens are able to elect the leaders of their choice. It is impossible to have all contestants in one room and so, we hope that whatever we discuss here affects all contestants in these elections. "I want to appeal to all Nigerians to appreciate the seriousness and significance of these elections. We have gone through many difficulties and survived them." Continued on page 5

FESTIVAL OF JOY… Ekweremadu’s 40 Buildings: Court GLO L-R: Nollywood actor, Uzzy Usman; Globacom’s Regional Manager, North Central, Kemi Kaka; house winner in Glo Festival of Joy promotion, Bello; Senator Amos Bulus Kilawangs of Gombe South Senatorial Zone; and Nollywood actress/ brand inﬂuencer, Uche Nwaefuna, at Vacates Interim Forfeiture Order... Page 5 Ridwan the presentation of the house by Globacom to Bello in Abuja…yesterday

SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R

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NCDC Moves to Checkmate Diphtheria as Disease Claims 25 Lives in Kano Lagos, Osun, Yobe record cases Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) yesterday said it had taken clinical steps to address laboratoryconfirmed cases of diphtheria in Lagos and Kano states and that it is also monitoring the situation in Osun and Yobe states where cases are now being picked up. The Kano State Government has already confirmed that 25 persons - mostly children - had died as a result of the Diphtheria

disease outbreak in the state. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual. The symptoms include fever, runny nose; sore throat; cough; red eyes (conjunctivitis) and neck swelling. The NCDC said in severe cases, a thick grey or white patch appears on the tonsils and/or at the back of the throat associated with difficulty breathing.

A statement signed by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa said, "There have been laboratory-confirmed cases and the NCDC is working with State Ministries of Health and partners to enhance surveillance and response to the outbreak. "This includes keeping the public informed on staying safe at home and in their communities." The NCDC said people most at risk of contracting Diphtheria are children and adults who have not received any or a single dose of the

pentavalent vaccine (a diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine). According to the NCDC, other categories of persons at risk of Diphtheria are people who live in a crowded environment, people who live in areas with poor sanitation, healthcare workers and others who are exposed to suspected/ confirmed cases of diphtheria. NCDC further explained the mode of transmission of Diphtheria, saying that it spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected

Ekweremadu’s 40 Buildings: Court Vacates Interim Forfeiture Order Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday set aside his earlier order of interim forfeiture against 40 properties linked to former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. Justice Ekwo discharged the order on the grounds that it was obtained on concealment of facts. Delivering ruling in Ekweremadu's motion challenging the interim forfeiture order, the court faulted the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in asking someone who is currently detained in the United Kingdom to come and show cause why the affected properties should not be permanently forfeited to the government. Following an exparte application by the EFCC, Justice Ekwo had last year ordered the federal government to temporarily seize 40 landed properties belonging to the former Deputy Senate President, pending the order for affected persons to show cause why the properties should not be permanently given to the federal government. Since the order of interim forfeiture was issued, Ekweremadu through his lawyer, the Anambra State Government and a medical firm have come out to challenge the order. While Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, had argued on behalf of Ekweremadu, federal government's lawyer, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, who had opposed the request for the setting aside of the forfeiture order, stated that he would however not oppose an order of status quo, pending the return of Ekweremadu, who is currently being detained in the United Kingdom over allegations bordering on organ harvesting. In the application for setting

aside of the order of interim forfeiture, Ekweremadu accused EFCC of being responsible for his travails at the London Court where he has been held since June this year for allegedly taking a minor to the UK for the purpose of harvesting the minor's organ. Although Ekweremadu, who was arrested alongside his wife, Beatrice, pleaded not guilty to the charge, emphasising that the alleged victim was not a minor as claimed, adding that the victim had agreed to follow them to the UK to donate part of his organ for Ekweremadu's sick daughter in a London hospital. Awomolo, in supporting the allegations, informed Justice Ekwo that the commission wrote a letter to London, following which the foreign court denied Ekweremadu bail. Speaking further, the learned silk claimed that the forfeiture order was granted to the federal government in error because the EFCC suppressed information and facts in respect of the properties. According to Awomolo, the anti-graft agency fraudulently obtained the forfeiture order for the government by concealing information that investigation on the 40 properties started as far back as 2008. Among others, he alleged that the EFCC was fully aware that Ekweremadu was in detention in London when the application for forfeiture of the properties was filed and argued. He said the anti-graft agency deliberately refused to disclose to the court that the former DSP is being held in London and would not be able to counter the forfeiture request. Awomolo therefore prayed the court to set aside the forfeiture order and stay proceedings in the matter until Ekweremadu resolves his ordeal at the London Court.

Responding, EFCC's lawyer, Tahir denied that his client was behind Ekweremadu's ordeal. Tahir, however, admitted that EFCC wrote the London Court based on a special request, adding that it was a routine for anti-graft agencies to exchange information that would be of help to one another. Tahir did not oppose request for stay of proceedings till Ekweremadu fully resolved his matter before the London Court, but vehemently opposed the request for setting aside of the forfeiture order. Justice Ekwo, after taking arguments from parties, fixed January 25 next year for ruling in the matter.

HURIWA Condemns EFCC

Meanwhile, civil liberties advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association, HURIWA, has rebuked the EFCC for misleading the Federal High Court Abuja into granting an earlier order of interim forfeiture of properties linked to Ekweremadu, and called for the censure of the hierarchy of Abdulrasheed-led anti-graft agency for judicial subterfuge HURIWA said the ruling yesterday by Justice Inyang Ekpo of the Federal High Court had further exposed “the alleged unholy alliance of the EFCC and the London Metropolitan Police and authorities” in the continued detention of the Senator, reiterating that failure to penalise the EFCC would further entrench the abuse of court process. HURIWA said: “We commend the court for this show of courage despite the well-known tactics of intimidation and arm-twisting of the judiciary allegedly by the EFCC. “This well-grounded ruling has

ALLOW PEOPLE’S CHOICE TO PREVAIL, ABDULSALAMI’S PEACE COMMITTEE TELLS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Against the background of mudslinging and personality attacks by the leading presidential candidates, Abdulsalami advised them to tone down their language and avoid recourse to violence while campaigning for people's support. The ex-head of State said: "We appeal to you all to be moderate in your language, show respect to the views and concerns of one another. We are not here to find out who is wrong, but what is wrong and to see how to correct it. "We are pleased that there are measurable improvements, and that INEC is assuring us that it has resolved some of the areas that have often caused violence. "The security agencies have also continued to give us assurances. Our hope is that you can raise your areas of concern and let us see what can be done to instill confidence in this process." Abdulsalami urged politicians

and stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians are encouraged to elect leaders of their choice at the forthcoming general election. He said the people should take the election of credible leaders seriously. Abdulsalami recalled that on the 29th September 2022, the committee invited them for the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. He said, "You may also recall that we placed advertisements in all major newspapers and the social media calling on all Presidential candidates to be mindful of the concerns of Nigerians, on such issues are the need to use temperate language, avoid raising the tone of violence and to conduct themselves in a manner that does not undermine the electoral process." He added that the meeting was not to listen to accusations and counter accusations, neither was

it to trade blame but to raise issues and concerns so that the forum can explore the best means of resolving the concerns. Though the meeting went into a closed door, Abdulsalami promised that the media would be briefed after. However, there was a mild drama before the commencement of the meeting, when the Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore, protested the sitting arrangements. It took spirited efforts by Gen. Abdulsalami to make Sowore to sit down, after he threatened to remain standing or leave the meeting if the NPC did not give assurance that there would not be a repeat. According to Sowore, "The sitting arrangements should have been alphabetical, I note that this happened at the ICC during the signing of the peace accord and this is not fair."

confirmed our November 4, 2022 position that the asset forfeiture lawsuit at a time Ekweremadu was in custody, facing trial in the United Kingdom, and unable to defend himself was malicious, immoral, in bad faith, and tantamount to a country throwing her citizen under the bus. “We are equally happy with the court with the report that the judiciary in this ruling reportedly made it obvious to Nigerians and the entire world that the London prosecutors relied on EFCC’s letter to block Ekweremadu’s bail for an alleged offence that is bailable, but only for the same EFCC to come home to ask a man they helped to keep in perpetual detention to come forth to show cause why his alleged properties should not be forfeited. “It is therefore our view that this willful subterfuge, concealment of facts, misleading of the court, and obtaining of court order by false pretence by the EFCC as contained in the ruling must be met with adequate legal censure to serve as a deterrent to other agencies.”

people, droplets from coughing or sneezing and contact with contaminated clothing and objects. The Centre said that the disease starts with signs and symptoms after two to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria. On preventive measures, NCDC said Nigeria childhood immunisation schedule recommends three doses of pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria toxoid-containing vaccine) for children in the 6th-, 10th- and 14th -week. To reduce the risk of Diphtheria, the NCDC offers the following advice: Parents should ensure that their children are fully vaccinated against Diphtheria with three doses of the pentavalent vaccine as recommended in the childhood immunisation schedule while healthcare workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for Diphtheria i.e., be vigilant and look out for symptoms of diphtheria. It also said that individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of Diphtheria should isolate themselves and notify the local government area (LGA), state disease surveillance officer (DSNO) or the NCDC through its toll-free line (6232). In addition, NCDC advised that close contacts with a confirmed case of Diphtheria should be closely monitored, given antibiotics prophylaxis and started on diphtheria antitoxin treatment when indicated. It urged all healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, support staff etc.) with higher exposure to cases of diphtheria to be vaccinated against diphtheria.

Diphtheria Claims 25 Lives in Kano State

At least 25 persons, mostly children, have died as a result of the diphtheria disease outbreak

in Kano State. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Aminu Tsanyawa confirmed the outbreak and death toll last Thursday. Victims of the outbreak, which is now nine days old in Kano State, are being treated at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano. From the record of the state Ministry of Health, not less than 58 suspected cases of the disease were documented at the outbreak, while six were placed on admission while 25 patients died as of January 13, 2023. Already, Médecins Sans Frontières, popularly known as Doctors Without Borders, have established a case management centre at the Murtala Muhammed Hospital and have been providing essential drugs. While confirming the outbreak to journalists on Thursday, Tsanyawa said the state’s Rapid Response team had been reactivated and an index action plan to check the spread of diphtheria has been put in place. He said the low routine immunisation, which escalated the spread of the disease, was due to the hard-to-reach areas in the state. He noted that the state is, however, strengthening its routine immunisation exercise. Besides the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital designated as an isolation centre, Tsanyawa said other isolation centres would be established, to check the spread. Tsanyawa said the state health ministry has set up an emergency preparedness committee (EPC), which is currently holding meetings, “with a view to evaluating the casualty figures, reviewing the data and measures to address the situation.”

CBN STEPS UP NATIONWIDE SENSITISATION ON NEW NAIRA NOTES said the traditional institutions remained critical in the sensitisation of the public, particularly the rural dwellers on the naira redesign programme. Speaking when the team paid a courtesy call on the Olu of Warri, before the advocacy visits to markets in Warri, Daibo said the team's deployment to Warri was to sensitise the people about the new naira notes and ensure compliance in the disbursement of the new notes. Oluaye of Warri kingdom, Chief Eugene Ikomi urged the central bank to review the January 31 deadline upwards noting that "up till now, so many people haven't seen the new naira notes in Warri and

environs." The Ogwa-Olusan of Warri kingdom and former Assistant General Manager, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc., Chief Brown Mene urged the apex bank to activate its inspectorate unit to ensure that the commercial banks adhered to its directives. The CBN team later stormed the popular Igbudu and Ibo markets where traders were sensitised about the redesigned naira notes and assured them of the availability of the new currency. During the sensitisation programme at Ayegbaju Market in Osogbo, Osun State, the Branch Controller of CBN, Osogbo,

Madojemu Ajuma Daphne lamented that Nigerians were hoarding bank notes, refusing to take them to banks. Represented by Adebayo Oluyemisi Omosolape, Daphne further explained that the statistic shows that 84.71 per cent of currency in circulation are outside the vaults of commercial banks, with only 15.29 per cent in the central bank and commercial banks' vaults. "Second, is the worsening shortage of clean and fit banknotes with attendant negative perception of the CBN and increased risk to financial stability,” she said. Continued on page 10

FG FIXES MARCH 29 TO APRIL 2 FOR NATIONAL POPULATION CENSUS Correspondents yesterday shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. “From March 29 to April 2, our staff will be in the field enumerating people,” declared Kwarra. The NPC boss also assured Nigerians that there would be no room for the manipulation of the 2023 population census, saying it would conduct a more credible exercise with the aid of available technology. Kwarra said technology would make it difficult for anyone to manipulate the exercise. The NPC boss said the exercise would be different from the past ones, marred by controversies, as the Commission would be making use of cutting-edge technology, including Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite images, noting that

every building in the country has already been coded for the purpose. According to him: "This census is going to be different from past censuses. The theory and practice are essentially the same, but we're using high-end technology to conduct this census and it’s such that nobody can tamper with any figure. Nobody will be counted more than once. "We’re visiting households to do direct interface with the household and collect data. In the past, if you're doing such operations manually, it's very cumbersome, but this is being aided by technology and I believe it's going to be transparent, very fast and it is going to be verifiable because we are able to provide data up to local government, up to wards level. So, it is something that you can always verify." Kwarra said the demarcation

of enumeration areas had been completed, affirming that the exercise proper would take place between late March and early April. He also stated that a portal had been opened by the Commission to recruit ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the exercise, adding that people recruited will be deployed to work in their localities. Speaking against the worrisome security situation in parts of the country, the NPC Chairman expressed hope that the exercise would be conducted smoothly in the areas affected. He also noted that nonNigerians will be counted so long as they are in the country at the time of the exercise. In the 2023 Appropriation Act, the federal government earmarked N40 billion for the National Population and Housing Census.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

NEWS

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

Buhari to Inaugurate Landmark Projects in Lagos Segun James President Muhammadu Buhari will be in Lagos State between January 23-24, on a two-day working visit to inaugurate projects undertaken by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration. President Buhari will open five iconic projects between his arrival and departure on Monday, January 23 and Tuesday, January 24. The projects slated for inauguration are the Lekki Deep Sea Port; the 32-metric tons per hour Lagos Rice Mill; the 18.75-kilometre six-lane rigid-pavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway; the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, and the iconic Lagos Blue Line rail project. The President will also open a private sector project, the MRS Lubricant factory, in Apapa. Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this while addressing reporters on the government’s plans for the President’s visit. Omotoso said: “As you are well aware, this will be Mr. President’s first official visit to Lagos State since assumption of office by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat. To this end, we have tagged the President’s visit ‘A Festival of Project Commissioning’. “Mr. President is scheduled to arrive in Lagos on Monday, January 23, via the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed

Airport, where he will be received by Governor Sanwo-Olu, top government officials and dignitaries. There will be a short ceremony, which will include a cultural display, presentation of a bouquet and inspection of a guard of honour by the special guest. “Thereafter, Mr. Governor will lead the guest to the Lekki Deep Sea Port for the official commissioning of the largest Sea Port in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. President and his host will be received at the Lekki Deep Sea Port by top government functionaries and board members of the Lekki Deep Sea Port. The chief host, Governor Sanwo-Olu, is expected to deliver a speech to formally welcome our guest to Lagos. There will be a tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port facility by the President, Mr. Governor and other guests. “The President is then expected to drive through and commission the newly constructed Eleko Junction to Epe Road project before departing for the Lagos Rice Mill in Imota. He will take a tour of the Rice Mill - a solid testimony to the Lagos State Government’s readiness to bridge the deficit in local rice production. “We all know that Lagos is known for its remarkable hospitality and conviviality. These attributes will be on display in the evening of Monday January 23 during the state banquet to be organised in honour of our guest.

Mr. Governor and his spouse, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, will lead other dignitaries to give President Muhammadu Buhari a befitting Lagos welcome. There will be musical performances and other forms of entertainment to make the evening a very memorable one for Mr. President and all the invited guests. “On day two (January 24), Mr. President will commission the MRS Lubricant factory, a private sector project in Apapa. He will depart Apapa for the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and

History for its commissioning. The John Randle Museum, a bold attempt to curate our history and culture, will afford the President an opportunity to interact with art enthusiasts, curators, historians and academia, and students who have been invited to the programme. “After that, Mr. President will move to the Lagos Blue Line Rail Project in Marina, where different activities have been lined up for him. At the Blue Line Terminal, Mr. President will witness the signing of the second phase of

the rail project, from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. He will also commission the Phase I and take a train ride from Marina to Mile 2 and back, before departing for Abuja.” To ensure Lagosians are not prevented from attending their businesses, there will be traffic restriction on the first day, between 6a.m. and 3p.m., while some roads will be closed on the second day, and alternative routes provided for motorists. Omotoso was supported by Commissioner for Transport

Frederic Oladeinde, Special Advisers to the governor, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye (Works and Infrastructure) and Femi Martins (Tourism, Arts and Culture), General Manager of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) Abimbola Akinajo, and Permanent Secretaries, Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Mash (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture) and Femi Osayintolu (LASEMA). Meanwhile, the state government has announced that traffic will be restricted on the fixed date for the inauguration.

EYES ON VICTORY… L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Peter Mbah, former governor of the old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, and his wife, Mrs. Pat Nwobodo, at the Enugu East Senatoral Zonal Rally in support of Mbah, at Okpara Square, Enugu, on Friday.

Keyamo Drags Atiku, CCB, ICPC, EFCC to EFCC Lacks Power To Probe, Enforce Tax Payments, Says Court Wale Igbintade Court over Corruption Allegations in a suit marked FHC/L/ Service (Establishment) Act, 2007 and Section 2(1) of the

Lawyer petitions EFCC, ICPC, others,

demands arrest, prosecution of Tinubu, Obi Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Thirty-five days to the general election, the Director of Public Affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Fetus Keyamo, yesterday approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, for an order compelling three anti corruption bodies to arrest and prosecute former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over allegations bordering on misappropriation of public funds. The anti-corruption agencies which were sued alongside Atiku as 2nd to fourth defendants include; the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Meanwhile another lawyer, Obunike Ohaegbu has petitioned the EFCC, ICPC, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) and the CCB to arrest and interrogate the presidential candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, over

their alleged involvement in corruption. Keyamo told the court that the legal action was triggered by the refusal of the anti-graft agencies to honour his petition against the former Vice President as well as Atiku’s refusal to make himself available to the agencies for investigation of corruption allegations. Keyamo in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/84/2023 and filed on his behalf by one Fetus Ukpe submitted that the defendants are duty bound to investigate and prosecute anyone who has been accused of corruption in the country. In an 18 paragraph affidavit deposed in support of the suit, plaintiff averred that “on or about December 2, 2022, a certain whistleblower known as Michael Achimugu went public and gave graphic accounts of certain events that transpired between him and the 1st Defendant.” According to the plaintiff, Achimugu made available to the public a Certified True Copy of an affidavit to which he swore capturing those events between 2017 and 2022, when he “worked closely with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in media matters. “The whistleblower recalled of a N100 million bribe allegation against Atiku by the former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye.”

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lacked the authority to assume the statutory powers for the assessment, collection and enforcement of payment of taxes in Nigeria. Specifically, the court held that the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS) is the only body empowered and vested with statutory duty for assessment, collection and enforcement of company tax in Nigeria. Justice Aluko stated this while delivering judgement

CS/244/21, filed by a firm, Wheatbaker Investment and Properties Limited (operator of Wheatbaker Hotel) against the EFCC and FIRS respectively. The plaintiff had through its lawyer, Williams Bello, approached the court for the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007 and the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 1998. The plaintiff asked for the court to determine “Whether having regard to the provision of Section 8 of the Federal Inland Revenue

2007 and Section 2(1) Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 1998, it is the legal and statutory responsibility of the EFCC to undertake the assessment, enforcement and collection of taxes on behalf of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “A declaration that it is illegal for the EFCC to assume the statutory powers for the assessment, collection and enforcement of payment of taxes in Nigeria contrary to the combined provisions and effects of Section 8 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act,

Taxes under Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 1998. “A declaration that any attempt by EFCC to subject the plaintiff to any form of tax assessment for the purpose of computing and enforcing payment of tax is ultra vires its powers under the relevant laws of State in Nigeria. “A declaration that the EFCC’s interrogation of the plaintiff’s representatives, on January 13 and 27, 2021, and the subsequent unilateral assessment and computation of new and/or additional tax against the plaintiff for any period whatsoever is illegal and unconstitutional.

NSIL to Discuss Security, Corruption, Democracy at 44th Conference Bennett Oghifo | Nigeria’s security situation, corruption, international law and democratic governance will be in focus as members of the Nigerian Society of International Law converge on Abuja later this month. President, Nigeria Society of International Law, Professor Yinka Omorogbe, SAN, in a statement

said the 44th Annual Conference of the experts would equally consider issues around self-determination and secession. Slated for 24th to 25th of this month at the ICPC Auditorium, ICPC National Headquarters, Abuja, Omorogbe said the conference would be tagged ‘Realising the Nigeria of Our Dream in Global Governance: The Challenges of Institutional Corruption, National

Insecurity, International Law, and Democratic Governance’. Expected to also accommodate the award and annual general meeting of the group, she noted that the conference would be declared open by former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Under Secretary General for Political Affairs at the United Nations, the current Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu

Buhari and a Patron of the NSIL, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari. “The conference is expected to bring together International Law experts, political scientists, judges, transnational corporation experts and diplomats among others. Its deliberations will include policy initiatives and recommendations for consideration by the government,” Omorogbe said.

Terrorists Slaughter Family of 6, Two Others in Makurdi George Okoh in Makurdi

Yet to be identified bandits yesterday attacked Abagana town opposite the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp Makurdi and slaughtered eight residents of the area including six members of a family.

According to sources, a man with his wife and four children were all wiped out in the attack. He said the casualty figure may likely rise as three other persons were fatally shot on the chest and may not survive the injuries. He added that the attackers came in the night around 2100hrs

to hack down any one in sight. “So far, eight corpses including women and children have been recovered and eight others seriously injured were evacuated to hospital for treatment. Some of the bodies were beheaded and their heads taken away,” the source said. According to the source, sur-

rounding bushes are still being combed for more victims. Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incident. The police PPRO, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the report but said more details will be made available later.

SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

NEWS Disregard Reports of Petrol Price Increase, FG Tells Nigerians Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government yesterday said it had not approved a new petrol pump price, stating that such decisions were usually not taken in secret or without consultation. In a statement in Abuja, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, urged Nigerians to disregard

any information to the contrary, explaining that “this is not the time” for any such upward review. Some news outlets had yesterday reported that the government had officially increased the price of petrol by 8.8 per cent to N185 per litre, from the existing N170 per litre. They also insinuated that the ex-depot price had shot up from N148 per litre to N167. But in the statement signed by

Minister Tasks New NDDC Board to Focus on Core Mandate, Warns Against In-ﬁghting Okon Bassey in Uyo The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana has warned the new Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) against unnecessary in-fighting that could derail the core vision and mandate of the commission. Umana, who gave the warning yesterday at a retreat for NDDC board and management that is going on at the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, tasked them to live above board in the discharge of their duties. At the retreat with the theme, ‘NDDC: Making a Difference’, the minister charged them to strictly adhere to the rules of due diligence and transparency in line with the Establishment and Public Procurement Acts. He said the inauguration of the board was meant to enhance the development of the Niger Delta region, saying the region, which had suffered neglect and deprivation for so long, needed a new lease of life.

Umana called on the board members and management to set a template that would facilitate rapid development of the region and Nigeria in general. “This retreat is principally to ensure that the new Board is properly equipped to provide a new direction for the development of the Niger Delta region,” he stressed. The Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, explained that “the Board is expected to do something differently in order to take the Niger Delta region to greater heights.” Ogbuku said the new Board has a template for a sustainable programme for youths and every citizen of the region. He assured that the Commission would endeavour to create partnership with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other stakeholders through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. He urged participants to come up with fresh ideas, programmes and blueprints towards taking the region to a new level of development.

Obi: I’m Not Like Candidate That Doesn’t Know His Age Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has said that his candidature represents the present generation, adding that he’s not like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate that is over 70 years old and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate that does not even know his age. Obi said that it is better to elect those that are stingy for prudence and accountability than to choose people that will squander the commonwealth of Nigeria He added that Nigeria is physically challenged and needs total deliverance, which can only be done by a patriot. Obi who stated this while addressing the mammoth crowd that thronged the venue of his campaign rally at Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos, Plateau State, said Nigeria needs urgent deliverance, adding that if elected, his administration will build a country that all citizens will feel a sense of belonging. He expressed disappointment that Nigeria has suddenly become the poverty capital of the world, noting that the economy of the country will be rejigged to eradicate poverty and restore the lost hope of an average Nigeria.

He said, “It is a shock that Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world through bad leadership. A vote for Obi/Dati will restore lost hope. The two of us are educated, Nigeria should look at the pedigrees and backgrounds of all the candidates and choose the right one. We are the most qualified of all the candidates; we are not like the PDP candidate that is over 70 years, and the APC candidate that does not even know his age. “2023 is not the turn of anyone, but the turn of all Nigerians to a choice for credible leadership; it is the turn of Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands. I am contesting because I am a Nigerian. There’s no difference between the rich and the poor; they both go to the same market, we shall bridge the gap if elected.” He assured the people of Plateau State that if elected, he will restore the lost glory of the state and make it a tourist destination in Africa. Also addressing the crowd, the gubernatorial candidate of the party in Plateau State, Dr. Patrick Dakum, implored the people of the state to brace up for the challenge, and collect their PVCs before the deadline, adding that by so doing, their labour will not be in vain.

the Senior Adviser, Media to the minister, Mr. Horatius Egua, Sylva insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari had not approved any price increase for the product “as it is being bandied around.” He stated that any increase now would mean the president backtracking on his pledge to make sure prices are not raised at this time given current national challenges. “President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any increase in the price of petrol or any other petroleum product for that matter. There is no reason for the president to renege on his earlier promise

not to approve any increase in the price of petrol at this time. “Mr. President is sensitive to the plights of the ordinary Nigerian and has said repeatedly that he understands the challenges of the ordinary Nigerian and would not want to cause untold hardship for the electorate,” Sylva pointed out. He added: “Government will not approve any increase of petrol secretly without due consultations with the relevant stakeholders. The President has not directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) or any agency for

that matter to increase the price of fuel. This is not the time for any increase in pump price of PMS.” While promising to ensure normalcy returns to the supply of the product soon, Sylva said the rumours were planted by people he described as mischief makers. “What is playing out is the handiwork of mischief makers and those planning to discredit the achievements of Mr. President in the oil and gas sector of the economy. “I appeal to Nigerians to remain calm and law abiding as the government is working hard to bring normalcy to fuel supply and distribution in the country,”

the minister stressed. In the meantime, members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have pegged current product availability at 50 per cent despite several claims by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that it has sufficient products in stock. The marketers also contended that there is confusion currently in the downstream sector of the oil industry as scarcity continues to linger nationwide. In many states of the federation a litre currently sells for as high as N400.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. . . Awwal Garba, Chairman, Magma Group of Companies (left) welcoming His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to his oﬃce in Abuja… recently.

Abiodun Assures Residents of Fair Distribution of Infrastructure James Sowole in Abeokuta Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday reassured the people that no part of the state would be neglected in terms of infrastructural development. He said areas yet to feel the impact of his administration would soon begin to enjoy infrastructure developments, while asking them to be patient as efforts are being intensified to spread more infrastructural amenities in line with the vision of his government Abiodun gave the assurance during the inauguration of 5.7 kilometre Oru-Awa-Alaporu

Road in Ijebu North Local Government Area, as he continued his second term campaign tour in Ijebu North Local Government. He described the newly inaugurated road as an important bypass that would boost the socio-economic development of the axis. Explaining that the inauguration of the road was another testimony of his administration’s drive to open up the state through ease of movement of people, foods and services, he noted that the road is the third to be inaugurated in a month within the local government area.

He said: “This will be the third time we will be in this local government to commission road projects. We were here to commission the Igan Road in Ago-Iwoye. About five weeks ago, we were at Ijebu-Igbo to commission the Molusi College Road and today we are here to commission the Oru-Awa-Alaporu Road. “This local government area is indeed lucky to have three projects in less than four years. You can recall that this local government did not benefit from any project from the past government, but now you have three,” he said.

Enumerating the importance of the road, the governor stressed that the road would serve as a bye-pass to ijebu-Igbo and travellers from the state to Ibadan in Oyo State, stating that the road would also serve as a facilitator of goods and services across the local government. Admonishing the residents to support his re-election in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy, the governor stated that all the legacy projects are reference points that his second term would bring in more developmental projects into the state.

Gov Wike Approves Rivers Mega Stadium for Atiku’s Campaign

Plateau Traditional Ruler Kidnapped, Rescued By Police, Palace Guard Killed

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has finally approved the use of Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, for the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji AtikuAbubakar, to hold on February 11 this year. Governor Wike explained that the stadium approval granted at no cost to the Presidential Campaign Council PCC of PDP in the state, would be accessible to the council 48 hours to the February 11th, 2023 presidential campaign. He disclosed this yesterday while speaking at the campaign flag-off rally by the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state. The governor said the DirectorGeneral of the PCC in Rivers State,

Dr. Abiye Sekibo, has no right to want to take possession of the stadium one month before the date of the stipulated event. He warned Sekibo not to provoke the Rivers State Government by desperately wanting to take possession of the state-owned stadium weeks to the campaign, or else the approval will be cancelled. Wike, however, said by the approval he signed, Sekibo and his group can only begin to access the stadium two days before the event to verify and put in place what they required for their rally. “Let me also use this opportunity to warn Abiye Sekibo, we have made approval for your presidential candidate to use Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, February 11th, you have no right to begin to go to the stadium now.

The paramount ruler of Izere kingdom (Agwom Izere) in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, His Royal Majesty Adagwom Isaac Wakili, was kidnapped in the early hours of yesterday. In the confusion that ensued during the kidnap, a palace guard was shot dead. An eye witness said that the gunmen stormed the kingdom at about 1a.m. in the early hours of yesterday and broke into the palace of the monarch at Shere community and took him away, shooting sporadically. He added that it was in the process that a palace guard who had attempted to rescue the monarch was shot and he died. Spokesman of Police command

in Jos, Alfred Alabo, confirmed the development yesterday afternoon, but added that the monarch has been rescued. Alabo said that the police had been on the trail of the gunmen since they received the report of the abduction, adding that two suspects had been arrested. He said that one of the palace guards was killed during the invasion and that a police officer was shot but has been taken to the hospital for treatment. “The monarch has been rescued and two suspects have been arrested. The police officer that was shot has also been rescued and thank God, he is responding to treatment,” Alabo confirmed. He said, “We have been on the pursuit since 1a.m. when we received the distress call and at about 11a.m., we were able to rescue them.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

NEWS Ohanaeze Seeks Kanu’s Freedom to Join Planned Peace Summit Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

AIR SAFETY OUR PRIORITY … L-R: Key Account Manager, United Airline, Olumide Olaleye; Regional Sales Manager, Northern Europe, BEL, Lucas Geerts; General Manager Finchglow Travels, Eziekel Ikotun; and Country Sales Manager, Nigeria & Ghana, Bola Sadipe, at the award launch of United Airlines in Lagos... recently

Commander Brigade of Guards Assures on Security of FCT, Niger, Nasarawa States

The apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to free the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him participate in a proposed dialogue that can bring an enduring peace in Nigeria particularly in the South-east. The body formally announced the passing of the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, who recently joined the ancestors. The communique issued at the end of the meeting of Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide held on the 19th of January, 2023 in Abuja, the

Follow National Trend by Voting Atiku/ Okowa, Saraki Tells Kwara North Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The new Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brig. Gen. Aminu Umar, has assured that apart from the primary task of the protection of the President, his immediate family members and the seat of government in Abuja, the Brigade will also protect Abuja, parts of Niger State and whole of Nasarawa State. He made the assurance yesterday when he and his

predecessor, Maj. Gen. MT Usman met with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello. Brig. Gen. Umar assured that he would maintain the high standards set by his predecessor and also put in his best to ensure the security and safety of the residents of the FCT. He also called for the continuous support of the FCT Administration, saying, “I will continue

to count on the support of the FCT Administration, especially the office of the Minister of the FCT and I want to pledge that I shall put in all I’ve learnt over the years in the service to ensure that we bring the safety we’ve known Abuja for and ensure that the good behaviour of my troops also rubs on the citizenry so that together, we can at the end of the day say we’ve done very well.” The FCT Minister urged the

new Commander to build on the successes of his predecessor. While congratulating the out-going Guards Brigade Commander on his elevation to the rank of Major General, the minister also thanked him for his contributions in the fight against crime and criminality in the FCT. He also pledged the support and cooperation of the FCT Administration to the new Brigade Commander.

PDP Dissolves Ekiti State Executive Committee, Suspends Nnamani, Others Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

the state excos. He said: “Following the recent The Peoples Democratic Party developments in the Ekiti State (PDP) has suspended the Ekiti Chapter of our great party, the State Executive Committee with National Working Committee LPPHGLDWH HͿHFW (NWC), after careful deliberations In its place the National Work- and extensive consultations, on ing Committee (NWC) of party behalf of the National Executive approved the appointment of Committee (NEC) and pursuant Ekiti State Caretaker Committee to Sections 29(2)(b) and 31(2) WR UXQ WKH DͿDLUV RI WKH SDUW\ LQ (e) of the Constitution of the the state for a period of three PDP (as amended in 2017), has PRQWKV HͿHFWLYH IURP )ULGD\ dissolved the PDP Ekiti State January 20, 2023 and to function Executive Committee with pursuant to Section 24(2) of the LPPHGLDWH HͿHFW PDP Constitution (as amended “In its place the NWC, on in 2017). behalf of NEC has approved The National Publicity the appointment of Ekiti State Secretary of the party, Debo Caretaker Committee to run Ologunagba, in a statement is- WKH DͿDLUV RI WKH 3DUW\ LQ WKH sued yesterday said the national State for a period of three (3) leadership of the party relied PRQWKV HͿHFWLYH IURP WRGD\ on Sections 29(2)(b) and 31(2)(e) Friday, January 20, 2023 and of the party’s constitution (as to function pursuant to Section amended in 2017) to dissolve 24(2) of the PDP Constitution

(as amended in 2017).” The NWC also approved the appointment of Mr. Sadiq Obanoyen as Chairman of the PDP Ekiti State Caretaker Committee. The party urged all leaders, critical stakeholders and members of the party in Ekiti State to remain united and focused on the task ahead. Meanwhile, the NWC of the party has also approved the suspension of former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, Chief Chris 2JEX ,PR 6WDWH ZLWK HͿHFW from Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities. Ologunagba said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has after a very extensive review and consideration of the

DͿDLUV RI RXU 3DUW\ LQ WKH FRXQWU\ pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State) and Chief Chris 2JEX ,PR 6WDWH ZLWK HͿHFW from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities. “The party also approved suspension of some members of the party in Ekiti State with HͿHFW IURP WRGD\ )ULGD\ -DQXDU\ 20, 2023.” The suspended members are: Ayeni Funso (Ekiti North); Ajijola Lateef Oladimeji, (Ekiti Central); Emiola Adenike Jennifer (Ekiti South II); Ajayi Babatunde Samuel, (Ekiti North II); Olayinka James Olalere, (Ekiti Central); Akerele Oluyinka (Ekiti North I); and Fayose Oluwajomiloju John (Ekiti Central I).

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

unquenchable desire to develop Abia State. He said that he shared Emenike’s vision for Abia and his action plan to take the state to the desired level of accelerated development, adding that it was unfortunate that Abia “has been left in the hands of fraudsters” for so long. Apugo vowed to do everything in his power to ensure the success of the APC gubernatorial candidate at the forthcoming poll, explaining that his choice of Emenike was purely based on his outstanding quality and capacity to do great

things. “You will succeed in this election and I can assure you that you will have all the votes in areas under my authority,” he assured the APC governorship hopeful. The party chieftain took time tracing his long years in politics dating back to the Second Republic with relevant photographs to back his claims. He lamented the stunted growth of Abia State due to bad governance, adding that even Umuahia, the capital city has not witnessed development befitting its status.

organisation expressed the desire that Kanu should be released to participate in a peace dialogue. The communiqué which was read by the Chairman of the Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said: “The Council took a decision on the need to have a Peace Summit. It goes with the desire that Nnamdi Kanu should be released because we want to dialogue with his participation in order to have an enduring peace in Nigeria particularly in the South-east. “The Council therefore called on the federal government and all other persons concerned to release Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. He cannot be in the Prison while such crucial summit is being held,” it said.

Former Senate President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bukola Saraki, has urged the people of Kwara North to follow national trend by voting massively for the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and vice presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in the February 25th presidential election. Saraki, who said this on his tour of Kwara North on Thursday and Friday where he spent two days meeting with leaders and stakeholders from the senatorial district in Edu and Patigi local government areas of the state noted that, “Atiku/ Okowa remains the choice of

the entire North West, North East and North Central regions and that Kwara North should QRW EH GLͿHUHQW µ According to the statement LVVXHG E\ KLV 3UHVV 2΀FHU RQ Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki said Kwara North and the entire Kwara State should vote overwhelmingly for the PDP presidential candidate because they stand to gain more from Atiku presidency. He noted that no presidential candidate has the experience and the policy clarity of the PDP presidential candidate aimed at tackling the problems of insecurity, economic crisis, youth unemployment, and the disunity in the various sections of the country.

Three Benue House of Assembly Members in Ghastly Accident George Okoh in Makurdi Three members of the Benue State House of Assembly have been hospitalized after their car in the convoy of the Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, was involved in a ghastly accident along Ado/Okpokwu Road in the state. The Assembly members and the governor were on their way to campaign for the People Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday when the accident occurred. Among those injured were Hon. William Ortyom, member Benue State House of Assembly

representing Guma State &RQVWLWXHQF\ +RQ *HRͿUH\ Agbatse of Gwer-East State Constituency and Hon. Sugh Abanyi of Kwande West State Constituency. Eyewitness said a bus which they were travelling in skidded RͿ WKH URDG DQG KLW DQRWKHU upcoming car. The occupants were rescued and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Reacting to the accident, Governor Ortom who described the accident as unfortunate expressed appreciation to God that it was not fatal and there was no casualty recorded.

Okowa Celebrates Delta’s Oldest Apugo Endorses Emenike, Vows to Pull Votes for Him Monarch, Owhorode of Olomu At 106 The strong man of Abia politics, Ochiagha Benjamin Benedict Apugo has finally broken his silence on the 2023 governorship race in Abia, by endorsing the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ikechi Emenike. His endorsement of Emenike came on the heels of a series of endorsements the governorship flag bearer has continued to enjoy across the state in the run up to the March 11, 2023 governorship poll.

It was gathered that the longstanding politician, popularly known as BB, endorsed Emenike on Thursday when Prince Apugo received the APC governorship flag bearer and his entourage at his county home in Nkata Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area. Apugo, who is a member of APC Board of Trustees (BoT) and Caucus, was excited to receive Emenike, whom he repeatedly referred to as “my brother” noting that he has long been admiring his doggedness, forthrightness and

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Governor and vice presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated the Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Richard Layieguen, Ovie OgoniOghoro I, as he turned 106 years old yesterday, saying his reign has been peaceful and progressive. Speaking in Asaba through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.

Olisa Ifeajika, the governor commended the respected traditional ruler for his wisdom and humility, noting that his contributions to the prevalence of peace in the state were immeasurable. He remarked that since ascending the ancient throne of his forebears, the reign of the monarch, who is also the Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers, had EHHQ YHU\ EHQHÀFLDO WR KLV kingdom in particular and Urhobo people.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

NEWS Ex-Defence Minister Unveils Manifesto for Senate, Pledges Quality Representation for Abia Central Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

ROYAL BLESSING… Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi visits the Palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman, Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba...yesterday

Finally, Akpabio Clinches APC’s Ticket for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial As Supreme Court Reverses Sack Alex Enumah in Abuja

The apex court in a unanimous judgement delivered by The Supreme Court yesterday Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, redeclared former Akwa Ibom turned Akpabio as candidate in governor and former Minister the forthcoming election shortly RI 1LJHU 'HOWD $ͿDLUV *RGVZLOO after it set aside the judgement Akpabio, as the authentic can- of the Abuja Division of the didate of the All Progressives Court of Appeal, which had Congress (APC) in the February sacked Akpabio as candidate 25 Akwa Ibom Northwest of the APC in the said election. According to the apex court, senatorial election.

the lower court erred in law when it assumed jurisdiction in the internal matters of a political party. The Supreme Court therefore set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal and upheld the judgement of Justice Donatus Okorowo, which held that Akpabio was lawfully nominated by his party.

The Supreme Court had on Wednesday adjourned to Friday to decide on who is the authentic candidate of the APC for the said senatorial ticket. Akpabio and retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom had been locked in battle for the Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District seat.

CBN Steps up Nationwide Sensitisation on New Naira Notes Cont;d from Pg. 5 While explaining the features of the redesigned N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes, Daphne said the banknotes would enhance security, greater durability, and attractiveness. In Anambra State, traders in Nkwo Nnewi New Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, reacted angrily to the unavailability of the new Naira notes in banks. 7KH WUDGHUV SURWHVWHG WR R΀FLDOV of CBN, who were in the market to sensitise them on the need to ensure that they pay-in all old notes to the banks on or before January 31. Some of the traders told the YLVLWLQJ &%1 R΀FLDOV WKDW DV DW yesterday, they have still not been able to access the new Naira notes in banks in Anambra State. The traders said they only buy the new notes from black market retailers, wondering how black market operators could have the notes in large quantities, when commercial banks complain that they are scarce. 7KH R΀FLDOV ZHUH DOVR LQ WKH Building Materials Market, Nkpor, near Onitsha, Odera Market in Awka, where they sensitised the traders on the security features of the notes and the deadline for usage of the old notes. 7KH EDQN R΀FLDOV KDG RQ WKH previous day also visited Tools and Allied Material Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha. CBN’s Director, Other Financial Institutions Department, Mrs Nkiru Asiegbu, who spoke to the traders announced that the CBN will not extend the deadline for the usage of the old notes. However, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the CBN, yesterday, said no fewer than 95 per cent of EDQNV YLVLWHG E\ LWV R΀FLDOV have complied with the directive to dispense only new Naira notes through their ATMs. The bank said two commercial

banks, whose ATMs dispensed old notes, had been sanctioned appropriately. The CBN Abeokuta Branch Controller, Alhaji Wahab Oseni, disclosed the level of compliance to journalists in Sagamu during an interview after the sensitisation on the redesigned Naira notes at Awolowo Market, Sagamu. Wahab, at the sensitisation attended by market men and women, said the CBN had supplied commercial banks with enough new notes, so that they can load their ATMs with the new notes. The controller advised the traders and members of the public not to wait till January 31, 2023, before they rush to banks to deposit their PRQH\ DV WKH GHDGOLQH À[HG IRU the exercise has not changed. The Abeokuta Branch of the CBN, had organised the sensitisation at Kuto and Lafenwa markets in Abeokuta, while the Sagamu event, was the third to be held in Ogun State. In Lagos, the CBN extended its sensitisation of the redesigned Naira notes to the Muslim community. A team of the apex bank visited the Iman and the congregation of the Lagos Central Mosque in the Balogun market area yesterday. The Deputy Director, CBN, Mohammed-Jamiu Solaja, and Deputy Director, CBN, Seyi Badmos led a team to address a huge crowd on the need to deposit their old notes, embrace the new notes, as well as inform on the reasons the apex bank took on the initiative. Solaja said: “Out of over N3.2 trillion, we have over N2.7 trillion that was not in the banking system. This gave us a lot of challenges which also has to do with the integrity of our Naira which is our national symbol. Also, there was the issue of dirty notes and

the third one has to do with counterfeiting and it being used for criminal activities. So, we had a lot of cash in the hands of so many people which is why we QHHGHG WR SURͿHU D VROXWLRQ E\ coming up with the redesign of the Naira. “It is an international best practice for any central bank to redesign their currency every ÀYH WR HLJKW \HDUV DQG WKH ODVW time we redesigned was 20 years ago, which has made the issue of counterfeiting easy.” CBN Directs DMBs, MMOs to Swap Cash in Rural Areas In a bid to further deepen the penetration of the redesigned naira notes to the general public, unbanked and underbanked, the CBN yesterday directed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Money Operators, and super agents to swap the old notes in the rural areas, to improve circulation of the new notes. The CBN in a circular signed by the Director Banking Supervision Department, Haruna B Mustafa and the Director of, Payment System Management Department, Musa Jimoh titled, “Naira Redesign Policy: CBN Launches Cash Swap Programme in Rural/Underserved Areas” released yesterday stated that it would enhance the availability of the new notes and ensure people don’t lose their money as a result of the policy. The circular also states that WKH SROLF\ ZRXOG HͿHFWLYH IURP Monday, January 23, 2022. It states: “In recognition of the need to maximise the channels through which underserved and rural communities can exchange their Naira, the Bank is launching a cash swap programme in partnership with Super Agents and DMBs. The programme enables citizens in rural areas or those with OLPLWHG DFFHVV WR IRUPDO ÀQDQFLDO

services to exchange old Naira notes for redesigned notes. “The agent shall exchange a maximum of N10,000 per person. Amounts above N10,000 may be treated as cash-in deposit into wallets or bank accounts in line with the cashless policy. BVN, IN, or Voter’s card details of the customers should be captured as much as possible. ´7R SURPRWH ÀQDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ this service is also available to anybody without a bank account. Agents may, on request instantly open a wallet or account, leveraging the CBN Tiered KYC Framework. This will ensure that this category of the populace is able to exchange or deposit their cash seamlessly without taking unnecessary risk or incurring undue cost.” It further states that agents shall sensitize customers on opening wallets/ bank accounts and the various channels for conducting electronic transactions. “Designated agents are eligible to collect the redesigned notes from MBs in line with the Revised Cash Withdrawal Limit policy. Agents are also permitted to charge cash-out fees for the cash swap transactions but prohibited from charging any further commissions to customers for this service. Agents shall render weekly returns to their designated banks regarding the cash swap transactions. MBs shall in tum render same to the CBN on a weekly basis. “Principals (Super Agents, MMOs, DMBs) shall be held accountable for their agents’ adherence to the above guidelines. Cash Swap agents will be readily LGHQWLÀDEOH LQ DOO ORFDO JRYHUQments, particularly those in rural areas. The CBN will continue to monitor implementation of the programme and provide further guidance as may be necessary,” the CBN stated.

to the social contract which would be validated at the polls Former Minister of state for on February 25, 2023. “My campaign centres on Defence, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd) has strengthened his bid citizens’ empowerment, huto represent Abia Central in man capital and infrastructure the state by unveiling his development which shall drive “actionable manifesto” to stronger production of goods guarantee Abia Central quality DQG VHUYLFHV WKURXJK HͿHFWLYH representation in the Senate. legislation and oversight,” he He said that the contents said. of the manifesto represent Akobundu, who is a former “a direct statement, vision, zonal chairman (South East) aspiration, desire and collective and military administrator of hope” of the people of Abia Rivers State, vowed “to raise Central as expressed during his the bar and up the game of “extensive consultations” across representation” for the people the 62 wards of the senatorial of Abia Central. district. He would vie with senatorial “I want to be held account- candidates of other parties to able through my manifesto,” he occupy the seat which would said, adding that the unveiling be vacated by Senator Theodre RI WKH ´SHRSOH ÀUVW DJHQGD Orji after two terms of eight document” is the precursor years.

Senate Panel Summons NNPCL Boss Over N48bn Pipeline Surveillance Contract Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The pipeline surveillance contract was awarded by the The Senate Committee on federal government to Global Ethics, Privileges and Public West Vessel Specialist Limited, Petitions yesterday summoned a private maritime security the Group Chief Executive Of- ÀUP IRXQGHG E\ (NSHPXSROR ÀFHU RI WKH 1LJHULDQ 1DWLRQDO also known as Tompolo, an Petroleum Company Limited erstwhile Commander of the (NNPCL) Mr. Mele Kyari, over Movement for the Emancipation the N48bn Pipeline Surveillance of the Niger Delta (MEND). 7KH 7RPSROR RZQHG ÀUP Contract awarded to stakeholders in the Niger Delta region. was expected to protect all oil pipelines criss-crossing nearly all the states in the Niger Delta in collaboration with other major stakeholders in the oil bearing communities in the region.

Murdered Catholic Priest Achi’s Remains Interred Bennett Oghifo

The charred remains of Very Reverend Father Isaac Achi, who was killed by suspected terrorists that invaded his home and burnt it down along with his lifeless body, has been buried in Minna, Niger State. The burial, which took place yesterday at the St. Michael Catholic Church grounds in Minna, was witnessed by family and friends of the late priest, who poured encomiums on him for his good works. In his eulogy, the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna, said Rev. Fr Achi was “very generous to all” as well as a problem solver. Very Rev. Samuel Gwimi, Dean in the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Catholic University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said Achi’s gruesome murder was shocking, stating “we’re still searching for answers to the killing.”

SATURDAY JANUARY 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

JANUARY 21, 2023 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

The crisis continues...

A Yoke Around Nigeria’s Neck

auri. Remember the name. The town located in Kebbi State remains sleepy in spite of the presence of a Federal Government College. But since June 17, 2021, the town has lost all sleep with the date going down as the day the whistle blew to begin a nightmare. Different dates represent different dreams for different Nigerians with some of those dreams being nightmares. For the girls who became known the world over as Chibok girls, it was April 14, 2014. For the 59 students brutally roused in the dead of night and rustled to their death at the Federal Government College Buni Yadi, Yobe State, the date is February 24, 2014. For Fr. Isaac Achi who slept inside his rectory but awoke inside a furnace fired up seven times, the date is January 15,2023. For Yauri, June 17, 2021 remains etched into its memory. On that day which had started like any other day, bandits invaded and abducted 80 students from the Federal Government College. In spite of piecemeal rescues and releases of the victims, as the invisible clock which ominously ticks towards Nigeria’s doom inevitably closes on the second of the pair of 365 days,11 of the girls remain captive. Many of them are said to have become teenage mothers with others newly pregnant to confirm the horrific theories of sexual slavery that are so popular with the terrorists tormenting Nigeria. The anguished parents of the girls who have heard only mostly silence from the Nigerian authorities recently cried out to Nigerians to help them raise N100 million so that the demands of the terrorists could be met and the girls released to them. It is no rocket science to tell that these anguished parents would be receiving back if ever not the daughters they knew and loved but shadows, unrecognizably stretched by the specters that stalk Northern Nigeria. Were familial bonds not so strong, the parents would have as well given up the girls many of whom have now become inseparably joined to their captors by the new life they carry within them or have brought forward already. What more ignominy can a country suffer at the hands of vicious criminals? What more humiliation, what more indignity does the ‘Giant of Africa’ need to suffer before it rouses itself to confront and confound its mortal enemies? What more does Nigeria need to see before it challenges and changes the pattern which is undeniably clear? Nigeria is a signatory to the Safe School Declaration,

AfAW, FIDA and Witch Persecution in Nigeria

he Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) will work with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Bauchi to address the problem of witchcraft accusations and witch persecution in the country. Abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs have ravaged many communities without adequate institutional response. This unfortunate situation will soon be a thing of the past because the AfAW plans to collaborate with FIDA and other institutions across the country. Recently, a FIDA contact in Bauchi reached out to the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) regarding a case of witchcraft accusation and persecution in the state. A widow was accused of witchcraft in 2021. She was subsequently tortured and banished from her village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area. The FIDA office in Bauchi intervened. It worked with the National Human Rights Commission office to sensitize the community. But the accused woman feared for her life. And the FIDA office relocated her to a safer part of the state and got her some accommodation and a temporary job that pays only N10,000 a month. The alleged witch has four kids and the FIDA office is asking the Advocacy for Alleged Witches to join efforts with it to support this woman. The AfAW commends the FIDA branch in Bauchi for responding to this situation and for rehabilitating this woman. An institutional synergy is critical to tackling witch persecution in Nigeria because witchcraft accusation is a complex phenomenon. It has many dimensions. Witchcraft accusation has health, legal, political, social, economic, and religious aspects. Witch persecution has gender and human rights currents. Faced with limited resources, no one institution can do it alone. It is imperative for organizations to collaborate. FIDA is an organization of women lawyers in 36 states of Nigeria. it has a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and children in Nigeria. Bauchi is one of the states in northern Nigeria where abuses T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R linked to witchcraft beliefs are widespread. The EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE FIDA must step up efforts to address cases of DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU witch persecution in the region because women MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO and children are among those who are most DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI affected by allegations of witchcraft. In December, EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN a man murdered his uncle after accusing him of MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI witchcraft. According to this report, the suspect, THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE who is in police custody, killed the uncle after the child confessed that the uncle initiated him into the witchcraft world where he was asked to murder the father. Even in cases where men T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D are affected, accusations involve, connect and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA negatively impact women and children either GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, as accusers or as accused, or both. Witchcraft ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE allegations endanger the lives of women and DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI children and lead to situations where they suffer SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH egregious violations with impunity. The AfAW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI will partner with the FIDA and other institutions CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI in sensitizing the communities and providing DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO additional support to alleged witches in the TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com country.

but in the last four years, where in Nigeria has been more unsafe than schools? The kids ripped off Bethel Baptist Secondary School Chikun in Kaduna State spent months in captivity. To secure their freedom, the Baptist Convention spent about N250 million. The children from Tegina in Niger State who spent 89 days in captivity were snatched from their school. Nigeria is a country where public officers send their children to the safety and tranquility of foreign schools with public funds while the children of the great unwashed are left to languish in dilapidated Nigerian schools where they are easy pickings for dysfunction and predators. Nigeria is a country where criminals who thumb their noses at the redoubtable power of education and have never known the intoxicating freedom that wells between the four walls of a classroom stampede their way into schools, slaughter students and abduct others for ransom and sexual slavery. Nigeria is a country where mad men hold citizens in alternate spaces carved within the country and dare the government to open its toothless mouth. Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

Leo Igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

TRIBUTE Basil Umeozulu, the Amesi Tree that Made the Forest Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

here is the popular proverb that goes thus: “A tree cannot make a forest.” I write here to refute that proverb because I witnessed the life of one man who represented a tree that made a forest. Chief Basil Okafor Umeozulu, aka Akuyie-NwataEgwu, who was interred at the ripe old age of 92 on Thursday, January 23 was one tree that made a forest. Chief Umeozulu, through his Amesi Commercial Enterprises (ACE) Limited, created more millionaires than many state governments in Nigeria. Born on February 2, 1930 in Amuwo village of Amesi town in Aguata LGA, Anambra State, the young Basil Umeozulu was educated at the native St. Vincent’s Catholic Church School before being apprenticed to his uncle Peter Ozigbo to learn the art and science of trading. He began his business career in 1954 in Aba, trading in bicycle parts. He then took his trading to Onitsha where he grew his business acumen until the outbreak of the Biafra War in 1967. After the devastating war, he shifted his business venture to Enugu in 1971 and set up Amesi Commercial Enterprises that grew into a business empire trading in building materials, tiles, industrial hoses, white

Late Basil Umeozulu

cement, terrazzo etc. A resourceful international businessman, importer, and exporter, Basil Umeozulu had business partners scattered all over the world in countries such as Italy, Greece,

Germany, Spain, and the United States. Chief Umeozulu’s personable daughter, Ifeoma, reminds us of the heyday of his lionized father when it used to be said: “If you are building a house and haven’t visited Amesi Commercial Enterprises, you have not even started.” A devout Catholic, Chief Umeozulu got married to his beloved wife, Josephine, on September 4, 1957, and they have been married for all of 65 years and blessed with eight surviving children made up of ﬁve boys and three girls, namely, Joachim, Robert, Ifeoma, Nkechi, Amaka, Tochukwu, Chinedu, and Uchechukwu. The handsome and beautiful grandchildren are 32 and counting in number. Chief Umeozulu was an unstoppable philanthropist who had a home for all where I used to enjoy above my means in the company of my schoolmates Joachim and Robert. My bond with the family is such that I in fact I spent my holidays in the United States in the Baltimore home of Robert from where he regularly drove me to Maryland nightclubs, movie theatres and cultural soirees. Joachim, my classmate and ﬁrst son of the family, addresses his

father thusly: “Growing up as your children, we never lacked anything as you made sure all our needs were provided for.” The second son, Robert, who happens to be the classmate of my younger brother Isidore, says of his father: “Through your company, Amesi Commercial Enterprises Limited, you introduced Amesi Town to the whole world.” Popularly hailed as Akuyie, Chief Umeozulu had a close shave with death in 1990 which his daughter, Ifeoma, narrated this way: “My family and I cried like babies when he took ill in 1990. The thought of losing our dad terriﬁed us, but thankfully, God gave him a second chance at life. Upon recovery, he had to relearn how to walk and use his hands and got to live for another 30 years.” The 200-plus Old Boys of Amesi Commercial Enterprises are scattered all over Nigeria, from Enugu, Onitsha, Sokoto, Lagos, Abuja, Jos, Kaduna, Gusau, to Ibadan. It was indeed akin to a carnival celebrating the life and legacy of Chief B.O. Umeozulu (Akuyie) in the company of old-time friends and personages such as Igwe Raphael Okpaleke (Akalabo III of Amesi), the Orizu Royal Family of Nnewi, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, AIG Chris Okey Ezike –rtd- (Onwa Ogboji), Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude Ezeanokwasa, the Ezeabasili family, the Azodos, Chuma and Vivien Osuorah, Dona Azubuike, Dulue Mbachu, and the riveting tribute of the front-running Presidential Candidate Peter Gregory Obi.

BRANDDAY

Terra Seasoning Cubes Becomes Favourite Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

ave you added the seasoning cube to the food being cooked? “I have tasted it and thereisnoseasoningcubeinit, where is the jar of Seasoning cubes?” As simple as these statements sound, we may have used them on various occasions to describe cooking or meal experiences. Seasoning cubes improve the taste and aroma of any food it is added to and so when in 2019, Terra Seasoning Cubes was launched, it was designed to meet the palate requirements of the Nigerian consumer, especially in terms of taste, aroma and flavour. Like a singer would instinctively know that he had crafted a hit song even before it is released, TGI Group, makers of the now fast-rising Terra Seasoning Cube knew that after months of conscientious toil, their new brand of seasoning cube would make an instant impact in the market. Now, in 2023 - four years after launching Terra seasoning cube-- the belief and conviction that initially inspired the creation of Terra seasoning cube appears not to have been misplaced as it has not only resonated with buyers and sellers in the market, it has gone on to become the preferred seasoning in Nigeria. Any doubts as to claims that Terra seasoning cube is the country’s favourite has since been blown away by the result of a recent nationwide survey by Allied Integrated Promotions Management Limited which confirmed this status. While being honoured with the award as the OutstandingSeasoningCubeBrandoftheYear at the National Quality Conference Award ceremony held in Lagos recently, organisers of the event, stated that Terra Cube Seasoning won the hearts of millions of consumers all over the country because it satisfied their cravings of what a complete seasoning need for their soups, stews, vegetable sauces, jollof rice, etc., should be - heady, inviting aroma and a mouth-watering taste! Consumers from virtually the country’s six

geopolitical zones are lending credence to the product’s quality. Mrs. Victoria Egberi, a civil servant and housewife in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State testified to the goodness of Terra Cube Seasoning: “A friend introduced Terra Seasoning Cube to me in 2021. I had complained of too much salt in my former seasoning cube that I regularly used then she asked me to try Terra seasoning cube. I have not stopped using it ever since. I prefer the chicken variant.” Mrs. Katherine Obasi, a secretary and housewife who lives in Awka, Anambra State is not left out in praising the rich taste of Terra Cube Seasoning which she says has become a major staple in her kitchen since 2019: “I didn’t know exactly when Terra seasoning cube was introduced into the market. But I remember that I switched from the former seasoning I was using to Terra a couple of years back. Ever since then, I have not stopped using the product. I particularly like the aroma and taste ofTerra seasoning cube in my soups and stews.” HerstanceonTerraseasoningcubeiscorroborated by Mrs. Grace Ibikunle, a Lagos-based trader who says she likes the shrimp flavour of Terra seasoning cube: “Apart from the fact that Terra seasoning cube is easy to use, I really like the unique taste of Terra’s shrimp variant. Andwhencomparedwithothersinitscategory, it simply stands out for me.” It will not be difficult to get similar testimonies from a vast spectrum of users nationwide if interviewed. That says a lot for a 4-year old product that has continued to push for a major share of the seasonings’ market in Nigeria. Market watchers, including even the most conservative, have admitted that the success of Terra Seasoning Cube in the Nigerian market has been a result of a deliberate policy by TGI Group to carefully conceptualize, design, plan and commercialize a product which is now enjoying huge patronage by homemakers, chefs, caterers, and common folks alike. Tastes differ, and so are choices. While there appears to be a high acceptance level of the chicken variant in the country’s south and mid-west states like Lagos,

Ibadan, Abeokuta, Akure and Benin City, there’s a marked attraction towards the beef and shrimp variants of Terra Seasoning Cube in both the northern and southeastern states of the country. These differing patterns in taste and preferences are also replicated in nearly all the other regions of the country. And that is not the whole story! From the level of the hardly recognized brand it was in 2019, Terra Seasoning Cube has risen to a distinguished status, riding on the back of its unique taste, exciting aroma and flavour. It’s other unique selling points, according to consumers are its affordability, positioning it as a pocket-friendly high-quality brand and its availability in various pack sizes suitable for every consumer – homemakers, chefs and caterers. Market share indicators show that Terra Seasoning Cube has been appreciating steadily since the last three years, and there are even bigger signs of progress in 2023 if the percentage of growth it recorded in the outgone year is anything to go by. Deepanjan Roy, Group Executive Director - TGI in his response gave a hint as to why the brand has achieved such remarkable success in so short a time to the painstaking attention paid tomaintainhighqualitystandards:“For us at TGI Group, it is not only crucial to maintainthehighqualitythathasmade Terra Seasoning Cube the number one choice of consumers in 2022, but to work harder to ensure we maintain the quality and standard that would continually make the brand the choice of consumers. Probal Bhattacharya, Group Chief Marketing Officer-TGI also seconded the stance on quality, saying he is delightedwiththespeedwithwhichTerra

Seasoning Cube has risen to the status of a majorstapleinthelivesofmillionsofhomemakers, chefs, caterers and all those who use it to enhance the taste of their food, while pointing out that the journey has just begun. “The award is an assurance to us that we are on the right track to achieve the objective of providing consumers a seasoning that adds quality and value to their lives”, he said. No doubt, Terra Seasoning Cube’s fairy-tale success story is a motivator. Building on that success in a highly competitive market with a long list of other brands is sure to task TGI Group’s ingenuity to the optimum. Ifthebrand’svisionistobetheleadingseasoning brand in Nigeria, then the business must not relent on the brand’s present quality of unique taste, exciting aroma and flavour combination along with the associated consumer delights that it brings for the discerning seasoning cube consumer. Terra Seasoning Cubes are made up of wholesome, carefully sourced essential ingredients specially designed to meet the discerning Nigerian consumers’ needs in every meal, offering unique taste, exciting aroma and flavour for that distinctive cuisine experience. Every meal cooked with Terra guarantees an enjoyable meal and a rich signature homemade taste experience. Available in Beef, Chicken, Shrimp and Jollof flavours, in various consumer-friendly pack sizes nationwide. Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is an international investment and holding company with diversified interests and investments across Africa, The Middle East, Asia and other emerging markets. TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets. Across markets, TGI Group owns over a hundred leading brands in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Agricultural Inputs, Industrial Chemicals, Homecare Products and Pharmaceuticals.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

RingTrue 08054699539

Yemi

Adebowale

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Wanted Terror Leaders and NAF’s Mishits

thought the Nigerian military was finally ready to take out the leaders of the terror gangs ravaging the North-west when on November 14 last year, it declared no fewer than 19 of them wanted. The military offered N5 million cash reward to anyone who could provide information that would lead to the arrest of any of the wanted terrorists. For years, I persistently rolled out names of these terror leaders (with locations) and challenged the military to take them out for peace to reign in the region. There was no positive response until November 14, 2022 when the military declared blood suckers like Ado Aliero, Kamfanin Daudawa, Ali Kachalla, Bello Turji, Hallilu Sububu wanted for a long list of killings and kidnapping for ransom. Thousands of innocent Nigerians have been sent to early graves by these mad men. But almost 10 weeks down the line, not even one of the terror leaders declared wanted has been apprehended. Nigeria’s lethargic secret police, the DSS has also not been able to help the military with vital information to arrest the terrorists. So, the terrorists are still killing, abducting and maiming in Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna and Zamfara states. They are also walking freely across these troubled states. The impression created by the military when they declared the terror leaders wanted was that they are in hiding. No! Turji Bello is roaming freely in Gidangoga village, Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. This is the LG of Governor Bello Matawalle, who holds the title of Matawalle Maradun. Residents of Gidan-goga are being traumatised by Turji who imposes all sorts of levies on them. The latest was his demand for N20 million, early in December last year, with a deadline. Matawalle seems incapable of rescuing these villagers from the grip of Turji. To avoid being attacked by Turji, the community had to raise and deliver the money to the terrorist. An additional N6 million was also paid by the community

Amao

for the release of five people abducted by Turji’s men. Many are fleeing Gidan-goga to avoid Turji’s unending pain. Security agencies are aware of the villagers’ predicament but nothing is happening in terms of helping them. An outlaw is roaming freely unhindered and security agents pretend to be unaware of his location. On January 9, seven personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed by terrorists in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The officers were ambushed and killed while on routine duty of protecting a mining site in the area. A yet to be determined number of worshippers were abducted at New Life for All Church in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State by one of the terror leaders’ gang on January 15. The following day, another band of terrorists invaded Kira village, in this same Katsina State and abducted the Vice Chairman of Musawa Local Government Area, Aminu

Umar Kira, along with one Isah Paiki. As at press time, the LG vice chairman had not been released. Another set of terrorists went on rampage on January 15 at Kafin Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, during which Reverend Father Isaac Achi of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church was burnt to death at home. For peace to reign in Zamfara, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kaduna and Katsina states, the military must take out Sani Dangote, Bello Turji, Leko, Dogo Nahali, Hallilu Sububu, Nagona, Nasanda, Isiya Garwa, Ali Kachalla aka Ali Kawaje, Abu Radde, Dan-Da, Mamudu Tainange, Sani Gurgu, Umaru Dan, Nagala, Ado Aliero, Monore, Gwaska Dankarami and Baleri. It is good that these criminals have been declared wanted. However, I challenge the military to go beyond this because they know the hideouts of these criminals. The military should go after them with venom and take them out. This idea of waiting for civilians to provide information is preposterous. The DMI and DSS should rise and do their jobs efficiently. On the flip side, the Nigerian Air Force must rejig its mode of operation to reduce the number of civilian casualties during air raids across various theatres of operation. They must stop dropping bombs on innocent civilians while trying to kill terrorists. The mistakes are embarrassing and appear unending too. The killing of about 400 IDPs in Rann a few years back is still fresh in our memory. Last year alone, there were five wronglydirected airstrikes by the Air Force that resulted in the death of 78 innocent persons while 45 residents were injured. One of them took place on December 19, 2022, when 64 people were killed and many injured in an airstrike by Nigerian Air Force at Mutumji community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. On July 7, 2022, one person was killed and 13 injured following an airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force at Kunkuna village in

Eulogies to Reverend Father Achi

rdinarily, I would have challenged security agents to produce the killers of Reverend Father Isaac Achi who was the parish priest of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kafin Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State. But there is no point doing so. It is a waste of time in this part of the world. Father Achi was burnt to death by terrorists in his residence last Sunday. Just like previous killings by terrorists, his killers may never be apprehended. So sad! Terrorists operated for hours unhindered at Father Achi’s house, set it on fire and waited for it to burn to ashes before departing. No single security man came to the scene until after the terrorists had left. This is the level beloved Nigeria has deteriorated in almost eight years of the Buhari government. So, what crime did Father Achi commit? I guess the terrorists are angry that he is shepherding people within their stronghold. Father Achi was a blessing to all in Kafin Koro, whether Christian or Muslim. He was always ready to share all that he had, particularly his food and drinks. He was a blessing to many families during the trying period of the Madalla bomb blast. Father Achi lived a life of service to humanity. At the General Audience last Wednesday at the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke glowingly about Father Achi. The late cleric survived the December 2011 bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Suleja Local Government Area of

Niger State. He escaped a previous kidnap attempt when terrorists invaded his residence in 2013, and survived a robbery shooting in 2020. But they got him on January 15, 2023. I can confidently say that the killers of Father Achi have murdered sleep. They will never sleep again. The vengeance of God is certain. Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State has shown great concern about the killing of Father Achi. The governor declared: “I am saddened and horrified to learn of the killing of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, who was set ablaze by bandits at his residence in Kafin Koro. This senseless act of violence is a heinous and unacceptable crime that has no place in our society. The tragedy has undoubtedly caused a great deal of pain and suffering. There is no justification for such a heinous crime, and those responsible must be brought to justice. As governor, I assure the people that we will do everything in our power to ensure those responsible are held accountable. We will also work to ensure that all religious communities are protected and respected.” I’m impressed with Sani-Bello’s denunciation of the monstrous crime in Kafin Koro. He has vowed to bring the perpetrators to book and directed the security agencies to work towards arresting the culprits. But I have no confidence in this directive. Nothing concrete will happen. Quite impressive verbal response, no doubt. Nonetheless, this governor should practically fight terrorists in Niger State. This state is in a

Father Achi

big mess. Governors must work (practically) as Chief security Officers of their states. I urge Sani-Bello to use more of his security vote to properly mobilise security agents to troubled areas of Niger State.

Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State. Seven children were killed and five injured in the neigbouring Niger Republic during an airstrike by the Air Force on February 20, 2022. In March, 2022, six children between the ages of five and 12 were killed by the Nigerian Air Force airstrike in Kuregba community of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Properties of residents were destroyed in a miscalculated airstrike in Kaduna on December 13, 2022. In September 2021, scores of innocent fishermen were killed in Kwatar Daban Masara, a border town in Monguno LG of Borno State, when the military dropped bombs on them in error. The mishit in Kwatar Daban Masara came barely two weeks after 10 villagers were killed in error in a similar airstrike during a pursuit of Boko Haram members in neighbouring Yobe State. I was delighted when it was reported last week that the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had expressed concern over the number of civilian casualties during miscalculated air raids. Amao said there was a need to ensure that measures at reducing these incidents are put in place to enhance the legitimacy of the Air Force’s operations in the country. He has gone ahead to set up a committee to investigate past incidents and the circumstances leading to the mishits. Amao, in the December 2022 edition of the official magazine of the Nigerian Air Force, Airman, said, “I strongly believe that the efforts to mitigate and respond to civilian harm are a direct reflection of our values as a Service, as doing so is a strategic and moral imperative. We must therefore note that taking appropriate measures to minimise civilian casualties can further NAF’s mission objectives; help maintain the support of vulnerable populations; and enhance the legitimacy and sustainability of NAF operations critical to Nigeria’s national security. “Concerned by the need for extra measures to minimise civilian harm and casualties, as well as take all feasible precautions in the strategies and methods of air attack to be deployed to avoid, or at least minimise civilian collateral damage, I recently instituted a committee of officers to compile all allegations of accidental strikes on civilians as well as investigate the circumstances leading to such strikes.” He also said he had instructed the committee to go as far as interviewing those that might have been affected as well as local authorities and government officials, all to proffer far-reaching recommendations that would mitigate future harm to civilians in NAF operations: “We must accept that the need for effective investigations and reviews into civilian harms can help address important questions for affected victims or their families, promote accountability, and allow the NAF to learn valuable lessons for avoiding or mitigating similar harms in the future.” The NAF Chief must go beyond instituting a committee to compile accidental strikes on civilians as well as investigating the circumstances leading to such strikes. The Nigerian Air Force has to show a greater sense of professionalism. In this modern era, consistent mishit by the Air Force is unacceptable. Our fighter pilots must be properly trained and properly equipped. Amao must seek for help in developed climes to ensure appropriate training of fighter pilots, with fitting attack equipment too.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

PEOPLE Uwana Essien

I Strive for Uniqueness in My Designs Ferdinand Ekechukwu

“A

beautiful outfit is the mark of a distinguished lady.” With these few words, Nigerian-born Uwana Essien introduced the Wanawanadesigns Made in Nigeria outfit with slogan ‘Talior wey no dey Disappoint”. Her vision is to create responsible clothing. “The point is that when we make clothes, we must be able to make them lasting”, Uwana explains. “The waste produced should not be harmful to the environment. Because, as we all know, the fashion industry is one of the industries that contribute the largest waste to the environment. Furthermore, the fashion industry workers are pushed to work and get paid that is not appropriate with their efforts. Based on that I created this brand, I added my idealistic values, which include producing clothing that is responsible, environmentally friendly, and sustainable as well as providing local tailors with proper pay and benefits”. The journalist turn fashion-designer stays up to date with fashion trends via readily available means of information. She says “Fashion is always evolving, so I do my research by reading magazines, browsing the internet, attending fashion shows and so on. Studying the history of fashion has greatly helped me to know the ins and outs of fashion.” Speaking on her future aims, the University of Lagos, Mass Communication graduate said, “In the near term we look towards adding accessories and developing a men’s line of fashion. Down the road we plan to offer a full range collection for both men and women. Our ultimate goal is that Wanawanadesigns becomes a globally recognizable brand, known for helping individuals present themselves in their finest by offering them a unique combination of exclusivity, quality and style.” On her goals, she said, “My goal for the next five years is for my brand to become more well-known both locally and internationally. Then, become a brand that can encourage others to care about the environment. No matter how small our contribution to the environment is. Furthermore, I make an effort to incorporate elements of Nigerian culture into future collections in order to present Nigeria culture to a wider and international audience.” Uwana highlights some of the Wanawanadesigns distinguishing details. “There are many details that make up a beautiful outfit. We strongly feel that they are all equally important. This is why we place such high emphasis on finishing. In addition to manufacturing details we strive to be unique in our design. Always focused on offering sophistication with an edge, we strongly feel that there is a fine line between the two. Pushing it too far and you risk becoming tacky, don’t push far enough and you remain boring. We like bright colors.” Her inspiration is diverse. ”Inspiration

Essien

comes from everywhere; when small details of daily life merge with past experiences to spark new and exciting emotions. These emotions in turn build upon the foundation of our brand, which is inspired by the Wanawana culture. We focus on using Africa print to make beautiful designs. “From a design perspective, we are inspired by Nigerian cheerful culture. Seeing images of all these scenes blended together, but with the colors blaring through is what dictates the texture, color and pattern in each fabric we select,” adding that she wears her designs with passion as someone who works in an office, she brightens the day with her fun, colorful funky ankara pieces. “ She continues to explore fashion while gaining experience in the real world working in a corporate setting but vows to make designing a full-time career in the very near future. Uwana, outside fashion, loves helping couples who are struggling with infertility. “So I founded Gen128fertility Foundation. I also love to write and sing.”

Uwana Essien in one of her designs

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

A Wizkid, Davido Joint Tour at Last? Ferdinand Ekechukwu

igerian music lovers especially of the afrobeats genre and the pop culture enthusiasts have longed been yearning for a joint tour headlined by two of their favourite artists, Wizkid and Davido. They had imagined such experience to be groundbreaking as both artists for long have been at the top of their games and considering their wide fan base across the music world. Not like these two superstar singers aren’t aware of the wish to see them together on expedition. As a matter of fact, Davido sometimes back did talk about a joint album and tour plans with Wizkid. But it just never happened, leaving their fans to their imagination. While Wizkid on his part as usual pretended not to be aware and continually kept to himself. Although there’s been the notion of ‘who’s a bigger star’ but that seems to be among their fans. In what would be a momentous event in the music scene and the Afrobeats genre, Nigerian fans might be seeing Davido and

Wizkid perform together on same stage later this year. Wizkid last Wednesday announced that he will be going on tour with Davido. The Starboy took to his Instagram story to post that the proposed tour will take place after his fifth studio album tour WLWOHG ¶0RUH /RYH /HVV (JR 0//( · Wizkid also asked fans to anticipate ahead of the long-awaited collaboration although he did not give a specific date. In the post he made on his insta story, :L]NLG ZURWH ´$IWHU P\ 0//( WRXU 'DYLGR DQG , JRLQJ RQ WRXU 6DYH \RXU FRLQV , QR ZDQ KHDU SLPµ 7KH FLW\ ¶0//(· WRXU ZLOO EHJLQ RQ 0DUFK LQ +RXVWRQ 7H[DV DQG end in Los Angeles, California on April 7. Davido though liked the post and was expected to repost or comment. 7KH DQQRXQFHPHQW WRRN WKH · %LOOLRQ Gang” and “Wizkid FC” by surprise, but at the same time ignited excitement in both camps. It wouldn’t be the first time the duo will be performing together. 7KH\ VKDUHG WKH VWDJH DW :L]NLG·V December concert where he brought Davido out as a special guest to perform.

Davido and Wizkid

Funa Maduka among 2023 Sundance Film Festival Jurors Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Funa Maduka

Danny Young Ties the Knot in Style Ferdinand Ekechukwu

inger, Ajibola Danladi, aka Danny Young, is now a married man. Danny Young refused to end the year a bachelor or engaged man so he tied the knot with his beautiful lover, Remilekun. In a clip captured by Showbiz, the musician and his beautiful bride exchanged their vows of loyalty, faithfulness, and love before God, friends, and family. Danny looked dapper in his white suit and shades, while his wife equally looked regal in her white dress with her veil and accessories to match. Danny shared some moments before his wedding as well as friends who showed up to celebrate with them on his Instagram story channel. The wedding ceremony which was held in Lagos assumed a carnival like atmosphere when Young’s colleagues in the music industry took over the reception with performances tagged ‘grab the mic’. Among the celebrities present at the wedding ceremony are Kenny Blaq, Style Plus, Peruzzi, Korede Bello, Seyi Law, Sean Tizzle and CDQ. Royalties also graced the occasion. Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, The Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin, Olu Of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III were some of the bigwigs present at the marriage ceremony of the Afro Beat singer. The well decorated

ixteen critical voices from DURXQG WKH ZRUOG DFURVV ÀOP art, and culture will grant this year’s awards for feature DQG VKRUW ÀOPV DW WKH Sundance Film Festival, which NLFNHG RͿ ODVW :HGQHVGD\ in Utah, United States. Among them is 1LJHULDQ ÀOPPDNHU )XQD 0DGXND 6KH is distinguished as one of the three jury members of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, alongside Shozo Ichiyama and Annemarie Jacir. The festival closes RQ 0RQGD\ -DQXDU\ 7KH QRQSURÀW 6XQGDQFH ,QVWLWXWH DQnounced granting awards for artistic DQG FLQHPDWLF H[FHOOHQFH DW WKH Sundance Film Festival, including the ÀYH MXU\ PHPEHUV 'U +HDWKHU %HUOLQ -LP *D΀JDQ 'U 0DQGs +ROIRUG 6KDOLQL venue for the wedding was packed with guests DQG GLͿHUHQW GLVSOD\V &RUSRUDWH FDSWDLQV RI industry and state executives were not left out of the gathering. Personalities such as the former Deputy *RYHUQRU RI 2VXQ 6WDWH 0UV 7LWLOD\R <RPRUL 0' &(2 =HQLWK %DQN 0U (EHQH]HU 2Q\HDJZX &KDLUPDQ &(2 -2) /LPLWHG Dr. Segun Olugboyegun, First Bank Group Executive and Executive Director, FBN, UK, Omoba Oluwatosin Adewuyi, Chief (Dr.) Rotimi ,ELGDSR &(2 0LGDV *URXS RI &RPSDQLHV Group Captain Oguntoye Rtd. were among the many dignitaries at the event. Speaking on their relationship, Danny Young who is a prince of the Ogunoye Dynasty in Owo Kingdom of Ondo State disclosed that he met his wife Remilekun years ago. “I met Remilekun many years ago and we’ve been friends and waxing stronger. She’s a very intelligent and special lady and I love her so much,” Danny Young said.

Danny Young and Remilekun

Kantayya, and Lydia Dean Pilcher - who awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Film Prize. 7KLV \HDU·V MXURUV LQFOXGH -HUHP\ 2 +DUULV (OL]D +LWWPDQ DQG 0DUOHH 0DWOLQ IRU 8 6 Dramatic Competition. Others are W. Kamau Bell, Ramona Diaz, and Carla Gutierrez for U.S. Documentary Competition; and Karim Amer, Petra Costa, and Alexander Nanau for World Cinema 'RFXPHQWDU\ &RPSHWLWLRQ 0DGHOHLQH 2OQHN for the NEXT competition section; Destin 'DQLHO &UHWWRQ 0DULH /RXLVH .KRQGML DQG Deborah Stratman for the Short Film Program Competition. The awards ceremony will be an intimate gathering of artists comprising the festival lineup, with the Festival’s social channels sharing the award recipients as they are announced. The awards for feature and VKRUW ÀOPV ZLOO EH DQQRXQFHG RQ )ULGD\ -DQXDU\ )XQD 0DGXND LV DQ DZDUG ZLQQLQJ ÀOP-

maker and the former head of International 2ULJLQDO )LOPV DW 1HWÁL[ ZKHUH VKH ZRUNHG with the world’s top global and emergLQJ ÀOPPDNHUV 2YHU VL[ \HDUV VKH ZDV positioned at the frontline of the company’s global expansion, managing the launch of WKH ÀOP RͿHULQJ DFURVV FRXQWULHV 6KH SLRQHHUHG 1HWÁL[· PRYH LQWR LQWHUQDWLRQDO ÀOP SURGXFWLRQ EXLOGLQJ D GHYHORSPHQW VODWH DFURVV (XURSH 0LGGOH (DVW $VLD DQG $IULFD 0HDQZKLOH KHU ÀOP DFTXLVLWLRQV EURXJKW 1HWÁL[ LWV ÀUVW ÀOP nominations at both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. Previously she ZRUNHG DW 3DUWLFLSDQW 0HGLD GHYHORSLQJ DQG PDQDJLQJ FDPSDLJQV IRU ÀOP DQG television projects. Funa is credited with writing, producing DQG GLUHFWLQJ WKH ÀUVW 1LJHULDQ ÀOP WR ZRUOG premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. She is a member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Love Story ‘Danfo and The Rose’ Gets on Set Ferdinand Ekechukwu

¶$0$ 3VDOPLVW· $NLQURJXQGH ZKR GLUHFWHG Iren’s last feature, ‘Loving Amanda’, which went ahead to top the charts after its release uthor, producer Laju Iren has on Amazon’s Prime Video when the platform commenced shoot of his new launched in Nigeria last year. Said Akinrogunde: ‘’I have a personal bias movie ‘Danfo and the Rose’. 7KH ÀOPPDNHU DQQRXQFHG for the story of Danfo and The Rose, it truly that she’s excited with the is one of the most exciting scripts I’ve read principal photography and LQ P\ FDUHHU 0RUH VR ,·P ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG that she and her team are convinced without to be working yet again with Laju Iren Films D GRXEW WKDW VKH·V PDNLQJ D ÀOP HYHU\RQH to creatively execute such a brilliant vision.” would love. Adding that, it’s an incredible story, told by the most talented cast and crew who have worked and continue to work diligently WR JLYH WKLV ÀOP WKH H[FHOOHQFH it deserves. The movie which is from the stable of her Laju Iren Films, has Sam Dede, Sunshine Rosman, Amanda Dara, Akah Nnani, Adunni Ade, Seun Ajayi, Olu ´6/.µ 6DODNR DQG 0LFKDHO Dappa as just some of the big names among the cast of WKH IHDWXUH ÀOP ,UHQH VKDUHG some behind the scene footages ZKLFK DOVR FRQÀUPHG PRVW RI the cast members on set. ‘Danfo and The Rose’ is a young adult love story about a \RXQJ ZRPDQ·V HͿRUW WR IROORZ her dreams against the backdrop of a fresh canvas of street life in Lagos, while covering a wide range of social impact themes as child welfare, children’s education, drug abuse and the family unit. Laju Iren and Sam Dede, 7KH ÀOP ZLOO EH FR GLUHFWHG E\ WKH DZDUG ZLQQLQJ 0LFKDHO

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ruger Blazes with ‘Asiwaju’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

uger blazes the trail in the Afrobeats game with hits back to back. Making his musical debut in the form of an EP, titled “Pandemic”, the young artiste has kept the pace, making waves and shaking the table ever since. He describes his music in just a couple of words as - melodious, energetic, relatable and toxic! At 23, and firmly within Gen Z, Ruger is able to tap into the phenomena that captivate our youth. But Ruger, born Michael Olayinka, in his chest thumping single, ‘Asiwaju’, lyrically claims “I be old man, no go dey call me Gen-Z / Brother see, steady giving them gap / Mo ti lo far, they can never near me”. The song highlights his status as one of the most talented artistes in Afrobeats. The blossoming Afrobeats artiste, off his forthcoming album, dropped ‘Asiwaju’, the second track of a double song released same day.

Ruger

‘Asiwaju’ comes with refreshing bait. And that’s the focus here. Convincingly, the song is another enduring and captivating hit song right from the opening verse. Ruger’s anticipated debut album, not titled yet, is set to be released soon, according to his timetable. The LP would be a jam-packed project. On ‘Asiwaju’, its vibes hooks you with a repeated beat, which then bursts into

pure chillness. Earworm guitar melodies and toe-tapping syncopated drums underpin Ruger’s cascading flow – and all together makes for a track that one can’t stop hitting replay button. It’s already this writer’s ringtone. He croons ‘See, I’m ahead of them, Asiwaju / See, omo na me dey lead, Asiwaju...’ “’Asiwaju is just about my lifestyle as Ruger now. I’m saying I’m ahead of them and nothing can stop me,” Ruger boasts in a recent chat. The song is without a doubt already blazing fire. Ruger seems to have attracted a lot of attention and quite a fan base across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and further. All thanks to his songs, style and lyricism. And to add, he’s favoured by the groupies. To some music critics and observers, and with the title, ‘Asiwaju’ was dropped at the right time; leveraging on the election trend. “The song was dropped at the right time; leveraging on the campaign of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appeal to the politician’s followers and so far, Asiwaju is Ruger’s biggest song according to Turntable, Nigeria official chart,” a critic wrote.

Recall that Asiwaju is the traditional title of the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC). Asiwaju is one of the names of Tinubu, and also a name that connotes “being ahead”, “infinity”, etc. Ruger’s Asiwaju boasts of this. With ‘Asiwaju’, Ruger, who is signed to Jonzing World, stays top spot on the music charts. After his song knocked Zinoleesky’s “Personal” down to second place, the pleased singer tweeted about the outcome on January 1st. Before being briefly ousted by “Personal” in the final week of December 2022, ‘Asiwaju’ led the music charts for four weeks in a row. Ruger recalled how he began the year 2022 with ‘DIOR’ as the top song in the nation in a thank-you post to God and his followers to celebrate his achievements as he wrapped up the previous year. The singer promises his adoring audience that ‘this year will be a more amazing year for me and my fans.’ The song’s return to the top spot has Ruger reeling with excitement, and 2023 may already be shaping up to be a fantastic year for the patched eye singer.

Rachael Oyiza Bags Most Promising Actress Award ‘Dream Alive Talent Show’

Holds 2023 Edition

Tosin Clegg

anada-based producer and Actress, Rachael Oyiza won the Most Promising Actress award at the Coolwealth Awards held last Sunday. Her work in the industry has spanned over the years, detailing true artistry, excellence second to none and an undiluted passion for her craft. Oyiza’s journey started at a young age when she joined Calabash Dramatic Troupe in Kogi State. Not too long after her university education, she went to the United States and then moved to Canada where she got better established as an actress and producer. Speaking about her award, she said, “It’s a thing of joy for me to have been nominated and eventually win this award. Coming from the days I barely had a role to a time when I have my own production and a very busy schedule as a producer, I’m more than grateful to God

programmes for winners. This is to further HQFRXUDJH WKHP DQG ÀQDQFLDOO\ ERRVW WKHLU fter discovering and pro- entertainment careers. “At Dream Alive Talent Hunt show, we are moting Rema and Alpha P, organisers of the annual sincerely passionate about our youngsters’ Dream Alive talent hunt say artistic development, committed to their they remain committed to becoming admirable and award-winning creating a unique platform entertainers/entrepreneurs and giving them for activating the overall prowess of the an avenue of becoming the greatest in their youths in music, movie, comedy, dancing, chosen artistic careers. “The show promises to be exciting, folklore and other forms of entertainment interesting and fascinating. We promise in the 2023 edition. “This is borne out of our passion in seeing to provide a platform where the talents WKH KLGGHQ WDOHQWV RI \RXQJ 1LJHULDQV ÀVKHG of youth in the country can be developed, out, harnessed and promoted to the highest while still encouraging them in their academic SHDN RI WKHLU LQGLYLGXDOO\ FKRVHQ ÀHOGV µ pursuits.” Counting on the past success of the said the organisers Speaking on the 2023 edition, MC Pikolo, show, organizers of Dream Alive Talent the man behind the show said, “This year’s Hunt are set to tour all 36 states to harness edition goes beyond talent hunting as the the untapped natural talents hidden in all organizers have included empowerment nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Tosin Clegg

Oyiza

for bringing me to where I am today and also thankful ahead for what he is yet to do.” Oyiza has produced and co-produced several projects such as Man in Between in conjunction with EmpireGoose Production, Tomiwa, Love Letter (a short film), Eeru, Aramanda 1 and 2, Igbabon Eni and several others. For 2023, she is very optimistic about doing more projects and further establishing her name in the industry.

Foundation Pledges to Preserve Culture of Uruan Nation Okon Bassey in Uyo

he second edition of Iboku Uruan Cultural Festival, a unique annual cultural experience put together by the Akpe Iboku/Etongko Mkpe Uruan Heritage Foundation came to a crescendo in Mbiaya Uruan, Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State recently. The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Obong Iyamba Otuekong P. J. (ÀRQJ VD\V WKH DQQXDO IHVWLYDO LV DLPHG DW preserving and showcasing the deep and revered culture of the Akpe Iboku/Etongko Mkpe Uruan people in particular and the richness of Uruan heritage in general. (GLGHP (ÀRQJ ZKR LV WKH FODQ +HDG RI $NSH Iboku/Etongo Ekpe clan in Uruan LGA of the state paid tributes to members of the Iboku Uruan Heritage Foundation for the vision, SDVVLRQ FRPPLWPHQW DQG VHOÁHVV VDFULÀFHV which saw to the birth of the festival in 2021 and its grand outing in 2022. The Board of Trustees helmsman lauded the sponsors and partners, particularly Orijin (Guinness Nig Plc), Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf 5HVRUW ([SRUW /DJHU *HODWR DQG &RͿHH University, amongst other brands for believing in the festival project and giving their support. He tasked people of the area to soak in and savour the scintillating cultural displays immersed in the beautiful scenery and experience of a deeply-seated cultural renaissance which Uruan people are charting. The former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke who was the Special Guest of Honour at event thanked the Akpe Iboku/ Etongko Mkpe Uruan Heritage Foundation for inviting him for the event and commended

Elders of Uruan praying at the event

the organisers for holding the festival. He showered praises on the Akpe Iboku/ Etongko Mkpe people for fostering unity, love and togetherness amongst themselves and their brothers in the neighbouring Cross River State through the festival praying for the sustainability of the annual event. The Chairman of Barracuda Capital Partners Nig Ltd and a member of the Board of Trustees of Iboku Heritage Foundation, Mr Larry Ettah thanked the people for exhibiting a wonderful cultural experience. He particularly thanked His Excellency, Donald Duke for gracing the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and Mr Udeme Ufot of SO&U for honouring their invitation. He also lauded all sponsors and supporters of the event for their goodwill and prayed for such partnership in the unfolding years of the festival which he said has been institutionalised as an International annual event and a Cultural

head also graced the festival in their numbers. Key point of the 2022 Iboku Uruan Cultural festival was the competitive of Nyoro Ekpe masquerade where ten idem ekpes competed, showing their mastery and artistry in the signs and symbols of ekpe displays. $OVR &HUWLÀFDWHV RI *RRG &RUSRUDWH &LWL]HQship were presented to all sponsors and partners by the festival organisers. Among the recipients were Orijin (Guinness Nig Plc), Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, 33 Export Lager (Nigerian Breweries Plc), Ibom Heritage 2UJDQLVDWLRQ *HODWR DQG &RͿHH 8QLYHUVLW\ Barracuda Capital Partners Limited, SO&U, Brand Believers, Akwa Savings and Loans, amongst others. Dignitaries who graced the occasion also included Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Aniekan Bassey, represented by Dr. Eventus Edem; the Patriarch of Ibibio icon of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria. The occasion, which provided an opportunity Land, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon to re-enact the rich cultural heritage of Akpe D. Etuk, represented by the Paramount Ruler Iboku/Etongko Mkpe Uruan community and of Uyo, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Sylvanus Uruan Inyang Atakpo as a whole featured Okon; the Paramount Rulers of Uruan LGA notable Ekpe masquerades and other cultural , Edidem Cosmas Nkanga; Nsit Atai LGA, troupes which thrilled the enthusiastic audience (GLGHP 3HWHU 2NRQ (΀RQJ ,EHVLNSR $VXWDQ LGA, Edidem Clement Francis Ekpenyong with their enthralling displays. Among the Cultural displays were Abang, and Itu LGA, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang, Nyok, Ekombi, Atemtem, while the shades represented by Chief Nicholas Williams. Also in attendance were the Chairman of of Ekpe masquerades included Ekong, Ibom, Ebonko, Murua Okpoho, Murua Nkanda, Murua Uruan Local Government Area, Iniobong Iyamkpe and Idem Nkanda also thrilled the Ekpenyong, Akparawa Prince Godwin Ntukude, Chairman Akwa Ibom State Roads and other gathering. Other Highlights that added colour to the Infrastructure Maintenance Agency, Obong festival were various Women Groups from 2΀RQJ 8VHQ $NSDELR DQG ZLIH 0PHPH Uruan led by Professor Eno Abasi Urua, who Barrister Usenobong Akpabio, former member showcased their talent at the arena in colourful of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Prof DWWLUHV ZuWK GLͿHUHQW VW\OH JODPRXU EHDXW\ Nse Essien, Vice Chancellor Akwa Ibom State University, Professor Joseph Ushie, Dean of and royalty. The Eku Nyoro Ekpe masquerade from Arts, University of Uyo and his colleague, Calabar, with Etubom Bassey Eyo Ndem at the Professor Inegbe among other personalities.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Adenuga Coughs Out N8b?

ROM the January 11, 2023, editorial of one of the country’s national newspapers (name withheld for security reasons!) come the following openers for today: “President Muhammadu Buhari has (had) recently admitted that the Federal Government (needless capitalization except the ‘Federal Government of Nigeria’ thus becoming a proper noun—not a loose phrase!) might pay….” “This puts the country in serious fiscal crisis.” Get it right please: a serious fiscal crisis or serious fiscal crises (depending on the intended context). DAILY TRUST of January 10 showed its characteristic language indiscipline: “Two arrested over (for) murder of 50-year-old woman” “Traffic law: Driver bags three months (months’) imprisonment” “...he told the nation that the unemployment problem was grave.” My own view: he told the nation unemployment was grave. ‘Unemployment’ is clearly a problem! Avoid pleonasm. Now to one of the editorial columns of the above edition: “Worrisome reports about rampant fire outbreaks nationwide….” All the Facts, All the Sides: rampant fires nationwide “…and there was a minor fire outbreak (fire) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos (another comma) few (a few) days to the last Christmas “Which will help explain why General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) (retd)….” “This seems imperative, given the fact that the country is currently witnessing the harmattan season….” What is ‘currently’ doing here? “…they are found at (on) the scene of fire incidents.”

“…the arrival of fire fighting (fire-fighting) agencies….” The next two blunders are from the Back Page of DAILY TRUST under review: “Traditionally, the expensive past time (pastime) of our rulers has always been how to perpetuate themselves in power by hook or by crook.” THE GUARDIAN of January 8 laboured in vain five times: “Ogun councillors seek payment of salaries arrears” Conscience, nurtured by truth: salary arrears. “There was review (a review) of our salaries after we had been sworn-in (sworn in)….” “The report said the country lacks (lacked) Aircraft Hanger Maintenance facilities, to take charge of the maintenance of aircrafts.” First: ‘aircraft’ is non-count. Second: The Guardian thinks that its readers are daft by the unnecessary inclusion of the phrase ‘to take charge of the maintenance of aircrafts’! What else would the facilities be doing? The sentence should have ended at ‘facilities’! THE NATION ON SUNDAY of January 15 entertained readers with errors: “When a white woman is displeased with her marriage, she calls it quit (quits).” “Mike Adenuga coughs out (up) N8b for new office building” Beyond coughing up (not out!), the expression is contextually wrong because the billionaire Grand Commander of the Order of The Niger is doing it willingly! Going by the principles of sociolinguistics, this medium should apologise to The Bull because he has superfluous fiscal capacity to dole out billions of local currency for his fantasies. In the circumstance, ‘coughing up’ diminishes Uncle ‘Niyi immeasurably. The only time the idiomatic expression will be right is if the government or any of its agencies compels the entrepreneurial quintessential icon to pay a fine. Social Circuit: Adenuga

spends/splashes N8b on…. For an indigent person, the headline would have been quite perfect—not for a genius who dollarizes 24/7 and swims in oceanic pound sterling on the Bellisima Waterfront on Banana Island with the Euro as his foot mat, ﬁguratively speaking! “As the year draws to a close….” The year that has just started? Obviously last year’s copy sloppily carried into the New Year without an update by the medium on Fatai Atere Way! “…a process that would required (require) the go-ahead of at least two non-regional member (members).” “…but it is also important to ensure that these workers are not unduely exposed to temptations.” Get it right: unduly. “Nevertheless, since the world at large now gravitates towards the engaging concept of a global village, Africa as part of the human race, can just not be obliterated or be immune against this gale….” A re-awakening desire for Africa: immune to (or from); not against. “As at press time, several aspirants have (had) emerged, and more are being expected to join in the race….” “…those who were nurtured on cassava and its allied products, children from the grassroot (grassroots).” “This is the reason we see the oil industry as the life wire of the Nigerian nation.” Limits of capital investment: livewire. “This was at the launching (launch) of the N20 million education appeal fund of the Federal Girls’ College in Yola.” “When we noticed this oversight, we quickly mobilized ourselves (one another) and drew attention of the local and the (needless entry) state governments.” “The starting point of new outlook is to jettison our selﬁsh individualism and foster

Revisiting Remnants: Of Lost Etiquette and Social Dislocation

n dealing with the fifth element that may provide us the power to lift our people out of diverse manifestations of poverty, and therefore promote and produce a great nation lies in how we moderate our interactions and transactions within the fabric of a heterogeneous society. Let us ask ourselves a few questions. And answer them with honesty at the tip of our tongues. What do we hold dear nowadays? Who do we celebrate in our society today? What do we justify? We cannot hide under the cool shade of “in our own days…” - it won’t cut. We are seeing the perfidy of today because of what our children saw in some of us, read about many of us, and watched as some of us struggled in the mud with greed and shamelessness. What exactly do we hold dear as Nigerians? It is useless rhapsodising about a great period in this nation when every adult in the community was a disciplining parent to any wayward child, irrespective of tribe and tongue; when the scandalized ‘owner’ of the child would seek the surrogate out for thanksgiving - and a reassurance that remedial ‘works’ were ongoing. It is pointless luxuriating in the glow of the 60s and 70s when low fences were mainly to prevent straying animals from disturbing your household; when there was not wrought iron behind your curtains to irritate burglars or robbers; when driving against the traffic flow (‘one-way’ we call it now) was unheard off, except in a serious emergency. Now is our problem. Now is what is letting us down, and showing us in discomforting probe-lights that our descent into total damnation is certain, unless we reverse and recapture our innate human essence. Today, we see and behold head-shaking spectacles, and we shrug in resignation - ‘children

of nowadays’ is our national mantra of acquiescence. Young men and women in flashy cars drive around the neighbourhood, plunking money in the air for the next generation to scurry after, with seeds of future conquests and acquisitions sowed in their fragile minds. When we justify villainy because others are doing it...or because governments have been irresponsible...or the country has gone to the dogs...and several other puerile ‘reasons’… we inevitably pauperise our country, and besmear all as a people whose long history of academy, sophistication and high culture is now seen as merely a poorly sewn dress to cover a mind predisposed to crime and subversion of rules - that crime without punishment is locked deep in our DNA. So, because of the roguery of a few, the entire nation is condemned into ignominy. Our hardworking, law-abiding citizens are dragged through the guillotines as possible fraud artists, drug barons, or mules - and indecently treated and filtered at international airports. For the sake of a few, we are all tarred when you engage in legitimate online transactions, and your currency and nationality suddenly become an irritable issue - a cause for caution. The picture of eating with the devil while wielding a long spoon pops up - simply because some of your ‘compatriots’ had gone ahead of you to muddy the waters. Sadly, this level of depravity is not synonymous with youth. The generations before them, in

places of trust and responsibility, have also been involved in activities that suggest mental retardation, spiritual hocus-pocus, or some level of group mysticism. How do you steal from your company or business (even if you have the largest shares, or serve as the chairman) then pocket 90% of the loot, and go to church to give God 10% as tithe? The amazing part is the tendency that some people indeed believe that the penance of paying the tithe bestows on them a sense of restitution, a settled conscience. Laughable as it may sound, it is altogether possible that some righteous rogues actually believe that giving to God, or more appropriately, to the church (or the pastor) a portion from proceeds of their corruption, would make their crime less sinful! More soul-sapping were reports of some pastors who have allegedly taken possession of physical property (cars, buildings, other hardwares) that some harebrained worshippers willingly transfer to the church, in moments of ‘spiritual’ catharsis...but in fact, those property, in some cases, actually belong to the entire family who are completely ignorant of the generous giver’s sudden beneficiary, nor of his mental or religious evolution. However, on being made aware of the wilful duplicity of the ‘righteous’ giver, the pastor plays the ostrich, or acts affronted! And these are the end-time bastion that would be relied upon to pull us back from the awesome pestilence of the devil and his infernal host, in the coming Armageddon. So, mentally, spiritually and governmentally, the Nigerian society is in a depressing cul-de-sac. Then, on another leg, our ethnic and tribal relations are sorely tested. Nigerians are so divided, with obvious push from politicians and profiteers

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

voluntary groups and ethic upon which the vitality of nationhood rest (rests.)” “A stage was reached in 1975/76 when excessive importation created severe port congestion due to proliferation of items arriving at (on) our shores.” “Indeed, the death of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was that of a great democrat whose political activism in life brought her at loggerhead (loggerheads) with the might of gun trotters (gun-totters).” FEEDBACK “PLEASE, tell me what you intend to do to your colleagues at The Nation, considering what they do to the English language? See The Nation, Saturday, January 14, 2023: “Assassins forcibly forced their way….” (Ony Nwabufo/Abuja/080366487027) This is sheer Pidgin English! On behalf of the reporter, I apologise for the collateral damage to your purity. “TUC is the abbreviation for Trades Union Congress, not ‘Trade Union Congress’ as it is called by civil servants and the media. This is because it is a union of people in diﬀerent trades. See the Oxford English Dictionary.” (Stanley Nduagu/Aba/08092925996) “A kindergartner (not a kindergarten) cannot write like this! To write ‘brethren’ instead of ‘brothers’ is either illiterate or delinquent!” (From the archives) “YOU are indeed doing a great job here. I buy a copy of DAILY Sun every Wednesday just to learn and ‘drink from’ your wealth of linguistic knowledge. You are truly a language purist. Keep up the good work comrade. It takes only few experienced and outstanding minds to do such a critical analysis.” (Nwachukwu Collinsdivine/FGC Odogbolu/08039584379) More constructive observations are welcome.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

of irredentism, that every act and statement are now filtered through frames of ethnicity, religion and tribal affiliations. It is grotesque when every kidnapping is surely by the Fulani herders; every fake product is likely by an Igbo trader; most, if not all, romance fraud, is, of course, by a Yoruba chap. Broken and brittle are words that now describe our national fabric which ought to be a one-size-fits-all coverlet for our more than 200 nationalities. The entreaty, ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ is trampled in these times. We accept abnormal tendencies, and normalize deviants and pedeophiles who have star-rights, not just human rights. We indulge buffoons as political representatives because some hawk-eyed godfather has assumed power of omniscience to identify great works of God in one man or woman, instead of another. We are no more shocked or incensed when ritualists kidnap and disgorge our children for money-making condiments. We are no longer troubled when kidnappers ask for and receive humongous ransoms, even from highly placed persons, and strategic state functionaries - in a world where phone calls and electric messages can be traced to the tiniest end of the pinpoint. We are now in a society that vilifies honest actions of upright individuals, and deodorizes the unfortunate excesses of dubious characters. Are you sufficiently worried?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

PERSPECTIVE Peter Obi and the Road to Chatham House Valentine Obienyem

hatham House in Central London is a place where the best rub minds in a rarefied atmosphere. It has continued to host personalities interested in governing states, where their knowledge about policy and emerging developmental trends are gauged. This is what informs a question session even after a written speech has been delivered. As I contemplate Obi’s road to Chatham House, I remember an Igbo folk song about a crooked man, who married a crooked wife, beget crooked children and walked along crooked paths, so that everything about him was crooked. Crookedness is what defines the nature of men Obi is contesting against. They represent the jejune Nigeria of the past that Nigerians, young and old, are queuing behind Obi to supplant from the Nigerian political field for their colossal damage to the nation. In their characteristic crookedness, they planned to embarrass Obi in London. Who else read an open letter that was widely circulated on social media platforms? The letter was a warning to Mr. Obi not to visit London, not to talk of Chatham House. Checks proved the authenticity of the contents of the letter. Some people who performed woefully guessed rightly that if allowed, Obi would shine. Steeped in crookedness and mischief, they tried to stop him. However, they failed mournfully because they were dealing with a man whose life is defined by integrity. After all was said and done, Obi was in London at Chatham House on Monday, the 16th of January, 2023. His performance proved that those who wanted to stop him did not have the moral force to do so. As he was being introduced by Dr. Alex Vines, the Director of African Programme, his confidence and looks bespoke a mind serene, erect, and firm. Kingsley Anajemba (Aluta Panorama), who came all the way from Manchester and seated beside me asked a question: “I hope our man will bubble with ideas as usual?” Now, let us recall Obi’s performance at Chatham House, where he inhaled cold and exhaled wisdom. His speech was an interesting narrative, not fatiguing and in strange tongues, but a clear and flowing stream, sparkling now and then with substance of governance. He built the speech around the theme of the engagement: “Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: a Vision for Policy Change and Institutional Reforms.” He could be relied on to say something whenever he spoke. Obi started with the foundations of the problems of the country by tracing the roots thus: “The Nigerian state is captive to an elite gang-up and a rentier political economy that has concentrated political power in the hands of those who came to power and influence mainly through their own contrivances and not through the affirmation of the people, and therefore, do not have the incentive to serve the people’s interest. It is the capture of the State that has led to the problems she faces on all fonts. On the insecurity and economic fronts, he said: “We have alarming insecurity that has led to loss of many lives and properties, significant decline in food and economic output, immense trauma that has compromised the mental health of communities, and in some cases, irredentist pressures

Ob Obi bi

and disaffection with the Nigerian project. The economy is in crisis with a troubling debt profile worsened by oil theft of proportion once hard to even imagine, two economic recessions in six years and a lamentable power sector that significantly constrains manufacturing and social life.” The continued economic decline of Nigeria has led to widespread poverty in the realm. Using statistics, Obi explained to the audience how poor Nigerians are: “How did we (Nigeria) plunge into such economic decline that we have overtaken India as home to the biggest pool of the absolute poor in the world? While the poverty rate in India is about 16%, that of Nigeria is about 63% with about 133 million Nigerians classified as multi-dimensionally poor.” Peter Obi was evidently appalled by what could be termed the mutation of morals and manners among politicians, when he spoke of the need to maintain ethical standards and introducing positive values into governance by exploiting one’s rich upbringing. His words: “In many ways, this is at the heart of my remarks today which are deeply rooted in my upbringing, particularly my mother’s counsel that I live a life of positive impact and manage both personal and public resources most prudently for sustainable/inclusive growth and development of the society. It is the principle that guided my stewardship as Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria and led to our much-commended performance with some priced awards to show for it. Some of the awards were for outstanding accomplishment in key Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) now Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It is the same counsel and principle that is guiding and motivating me to oﬀer to serve in a New Nigeria!” On what could be regarded as the second part of his speech, Obi introduced his running mate, and an economist respected for his suave resourcefulness, Sen. Datti Ahmed. The business of restoring the glory of Nigeria would be a joint eﬀort. Obi gave a little insight, including the colour of their Cabinet: “Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, my running mate, and I are committed to a new politics that starts with the ethics of servant-leaders and anchored on the marriage of clean hearts and skillful hands.” Noting what disunity has done to the country, and that the strongest incentive to cohesiveness is internal unity, Obi expressed his commitment: “To secure Nigeria, end banditry and insurgency, and unite our dear nation to manage our diversity, such that no one is left behind”. On insecurity, he implied that bad times accentuate that phenomenon. The arm ready to strike is always held back by the abundance and watchfulness of the Police. Here, he promises farreaching reforms. He hopes to achieve it “by pursuing a robust reform of the security governance structure with a strong coordinating mechanism that assures that all levels of government – Federal, State, and Local (with 3-level policing structure) – are aligned with strong collaboration with partners

By his every step, Obi has proved his preparedness for the job. Age being on his side, he would absorb readily, unlike others, the drain the arduous task of governance will make upon his resources of body, mind and will. More than others he understands the country and her problems better. More still, he has never been part of the problem. This is why each time he speaks about Nigeria; he is so plain and truthful that they affect that catharsis of emotion that even set some crying. Many cried at Chatham House

from both the private sector and development groups to provide the required services and deliver results for every Nigerian. Once this is done, it is also important to have a single, clear, coherent, and consistent communication system to keep the government accountable, citizens engaged and involved in the development process. It is important for institutions to be able to provide strong leadership, coordination capability, partner and engage collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders in an environment that mutually reinforces values.” Peter Obi is not happy with Nigeria’s monoeconomy. He laments the criminality of subsidy and oil theft as resting on the fact that as Nigeria is today, only oil flows in her economic arteries. He consequently insists that he “will move Nigeria from a country of rent-seekers sharing Oil receipts and consuming conspicuously, to one that produces, based on vast factor endowments whose value-chains can move us towards a high employment economy.” He foresees an agricultural revolution too, and dreams of a country in which agriculture shall be given the attention it deserves as one of the pivots around which the shift from consumption to production shall rotate. Hear him: “The second plank of my policy thrust is to ‘Shift emphasis from consumption to production by running a production-centered economy that is driven by an agrarian revolution and export-oriented industrialization’. With about 70 million hectares of arable land, we will pursue an agricultural revolution through proper segmentation of Nigeria to activate and harness the factor endowments of different parts of the country for both rapid and mechanized agricultural development and as a pillar for Nigeria’s other sectoral development and industrialization. We will incentivise and invest in agro-cluster and industrial cluster development across our geo-resource zones to take advantage of agglomeration and scale effects particularly in North-West, North-East and North-Central regions of Nigeria. We will dredge both Rivers Niger and Benue, build dams and massively support the planting of economic trees across the country for local usage, poverty elimination, export and revenue generation.” Obi is a product of the rule of law. He was the first person to assume office as a State Governor through the court process to retrieve his stolen mandate. It was also through the courts that he returned from impeachment and had his full tenure. His marriage to the rule of law always plays a key part in his political life. As President, he says he would “Restructure the polity through effective legal and institutional reforms to entrench the rule of law, aggressively fight corruption, reduce cost of governance, and establish an honest and efficient civil service“. The world talks in terms of Artificial Intelligence, robotics and all the marvels of the time. Here, the world has left us behind, but the Obi/ Datti presidency will be desirous of catching up. In his words, “The fourth plank of our governance priorities is to ‘Leapfrog Nigeria into the 4th Industrial Revolution through the application of scientific and technological innovations to create a digital economy’. Building on the gains of the agriculture-led manufacturing and export, we will pursue the development of knowledge and skills to leverage on the emerging disruptive digital technologies, automation, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, block chain technology, biotechnology and data science – all of which are at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution.” Understanding the effect of transportation and power on economies of the world, and how the comatose state of both militate against economic development in Nigeria, he offered a blueprint: “The fifth plank of our governance priorities is to ‘Build expansive infrastructure for efficient power supply, rail, road and air transportation, and pipeline network, through integrated public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurial public sector governance.’ Read full interview online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

PERSPECTIVE Makinde Takes Campaigns to Oyo Towns, Villages Saheed S’alola

here is a reason Governor Seyi Makinde’s ongoing campaigns across Oyo State have become more like a festival, with people trooping out in unprecedentedly large numbers and getting ‘lost’ in song and dance: his personality and record of performance. As an administrator, Makinde has approached the business of governing Oyo State with utmost humility, fellow feeling, and abiding concern for the electorate, particularly those trapped in horrendous economic conditions by decades of misrule. Rather than lecturing people about his place as the constituted authority in Oyo State, he keeps winning the people over with his congenial and decent conduct. That is why he is being honoured without demanding for it; he was recently garlanded by Oyo students as Nigeria’s first Deserving Authority. A climate of calm pervades Oyo State—so resolutely does Makinde abhor tempest-- as the people’s governor springs one infrastructures surprise after another. This week, there was a carnival when Makinde and his team landed in Akinyele local government area of the state, with the people expressing firm resolve to keep the governor in office. An excited Makinde remarked: “Our people in Akinyele LGA are solidly behind us and looking forward to Omituntun 2.0. The outlook for Akinyele is very bright with Ilutuntun Business District, the Dry Port and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) coming on board under Omituntun 2.0.” The itinerary included visits to Christian and Muslim leaders, and to Obas and Chiefs led by Kabiyesi Onijaiye, Oba Lasisi Akano, as well as the Seriki of Sasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin Katsina. For the governor, the visit was particularly nostalgic, as this was the spot where, in 2019, he took the decision to cancel the N3,000 education levy imposed by the Abiola Ajimobi administration when he saw children sent home for non-payment. That decision returned over 54,000 children to school. Campaigning across Iware, Jobele, Ilora, Aawe, Fiditi and parts of Lagelu local government area, the governor met ecstatic crowds, promising to do much more for them in his second term. In Lalupon, he promised to revive notable industries such as the Nigerian Gas Cylinder, Exide Battery and Leyland, while also attending to concerns by traditional rulers. His key message to the people: whatever good development they had seen “is little compared to what is coming under Omituntun 2.0.” The message was the same as the team toured Oyedeji, Oja Olorunda, Igbo Elerin, Baale Ojurin and Akobo campaign points. Representatives of the traditional council, religious and community leaders commended Governor Makinde for being a listening governor, pledging to work for the success of his second term bid. When the man fondly referred to as GSM/ Seyi speaks, humility sallies forth, yet he leaves no one in doubt about his firm resolve to lift millions out of the morass of poverty. Apparently, unlike many a governor in this clime, he detests the deployment of can’t, clownishness and verbal salvos as articles of governance. He is measured in speech and temperament, and points to the bigger picture when many cannot avoid allowing their emotions to boil over. Consider just how, within a short period, he doused the conflagration that was about to engulf Oyo State over the Ibadan obaship tussle, and how he resolved the LAUTECH issue to the delight of commentators’ home and abroad. Of course, he is not perfect, but his ability to apologise and make corrections when he is wrong on any issue, and to govern without pretending to have infinite knowledge, continue to raise his stock among not just the Oyo electorate but Nigerians in general. Go to social media and see people

Massive crowd at one of the rallies

wishing that Makinde were their own state governor! He is that loved. The excitement about Makinde is not just because of roads, including the 65-kilometre Moniya-Iseyin Road, the Idi Ape-Basorun-Akobo Road with the new General Gas Flyover, the ongoing Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho Road; the ongoing first phase of Ibadan Circular Road; the 12-kilometre Apata-Benbo-Jankata Road; the Apete-Awotan-Akufo Road; EruwaLanlate-Maya Road, etc. The real gist is that the massive road work across the state is giving vent to the projected industrial yield: The brand new 76-kilometre Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road has now attracted the Brent Sugar Plantation and Factory, a multi-billion Naira project. And with the Oyo-Iseyin road and the upgrade of Fashola Farm Settlement to an Agribusiness Hub has come Friesland WAMCO, a major milk producer. There is of course the Psaltery International’s Sorbitol Plant, the second of its kind in the world. And where are Makinde’s challengers? During political campaign seasons, it is usual for the electorate to be talking of different political actors, what they

are promising and how their background justifies or nullifies those promises. In Oyo State at the moment, however, there is any hardly any talk of other candidates apart from the sitting governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. The refrain, from Ibadan to Ogbomoso and from Iseyin to Igboho, is “Omititun ti take over.” (Omititun has taken over). Omititun, meaning fresh water, is the catchphrase of the Makinde campaign, but it has become something of a political anthem among the Oyo electorate who are apparently resolved to repeat the massive victory they gave the governor four years ago. Makinde’s soaring popularity notwithstanding, it is important to ask why his co-contenders, silent and seeking a shortcut to power, are not even making any effort to be heard by the Oyo electorate. The voters are asking that question. One plausible reason is the realisation of certain defeat, and it’s not difficult to unpack. For one, the major opposition parties in the state are being widely panned by the electorate for putting forward severely limited candidates. Speaking during a radio programme, one of the candidates angling

Some political charlatans were saying that the N10,000 Makinde gave each pensioner as Christmas bonus was a bribe. When they were in government, why did they not ‘bribe’ us? They were in government for eight years and they did not deem it okay to ‘bribe’ us with our entitlements. They said that Makinde had been bribing us since he came on board. I said yes, he has been ‘bribing’ us with the payment of our pension every 25th day of the month. If the 25th day falls on a Sunday, he would pay on Friday. He has been ‘bribing’ us with the payment of our gratuities that were held by somebody for eight years

to take over the Agodi Government House declared, quite unabashedly, that he would convert the ultramodern motor parks built by Governor Makinde in Challenge, Ojoo and Iwo Road to libraries! The implication, namely that Oyo State does not need bus terminals, that bus drivers should return to the roads, causing traffic chaos and orchestrating accidents, is quite asinine, and the people took notice. This same radio campaigner declared unabashedly that the police were complaining of neglect in Oyo State because more money was being used to fund Amotekun. He did not mention that Makinde had given at least 110 operational vehicles to the police, a federal agency, while upgrading their communications system. As if to show the man’s utter hollowness, at the handing over of 10 additional operational vehicles to the Oyo State Command, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Williams, had stated that Governor Makinde had been paying a monthly stipend to widows of policemen killed during the #EndSARS protest, and to DPOs and senior management cadre of the police, while providing fuel support and repairing Armoured Personnel Carriers! The opposition man claimed that teachers, who had been receiving their salaries on the 25th of every month and getting their 13th month salaries since Makinde came on board, were complaining. But this was just after the governor received the Golden Prize for Teachers Award. The people wisely dismissed him as a clown. The other candidate, noted for unbridled arrogance and vile talk, is even more pathetic. He accused Makinde of completing projects initiated by the Abiola Ajimobi administration, creating the impression that he would leave projects initiated by his predecessor(s) to rot if he were in charge. To make matters worse, while proclaiming that Makinde’s prompt payment of salaries and pensions “is not an achievement”, this opposition candidate failed to explain why his own party could not pay salaries and pensions while in power. Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

POLITY

Ademola Banu: Saraki, Ahmed Delivered Resounding Dividends of Democracy to the People of Kwaran State

Mr Ademola Banu was Kwara State Commissioner for Finance between 2011 and 2019. In this conversation with THISDAY, the former banker turned politician analyses Kwara State and national matters. Excerpts: Why does the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still want to recapture power in Kwara State having been rejected by the people in the last elections in 2019?

in the Ilorin metropolis. This also puts a lie to the governor’s assertion that all the 94-water works were not working.

There was an allegation of ﬁnancial misconduct against you, which included money laundering of N411 million. What is the state of that allegation today? The matter was withdrawn from court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as they did not have any evidence to prove the allegations against me. Meanwhile, I will like to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to the new leadership of the EFCC for their professionalism. Governro Abdulrazaq has accused the Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administrations of not paying pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants…. (Cuts in) This is another misrepresentation by this government to cover up its failure. Sometime in 2005, the state’s government invited the leaders of the pensioners for a meeting to resolve the issue of the outstanding liability since the beginning of the creation of the state which amounted to about N3 billion. It was agreed that the state should pay 50% of the outstanding amount. The state then took a loan from the bank and paid the 50% as agreed. Meanwhile, the government then was not blaming the previous administration for the outstanding pension liability. Afterwards, the state was paying pension regularly while 150 million was paid for gratuity monthly. It was reduced to N100 million and then N50 million when the finances of the state became abysmal low.

he defeat was a result of false propaganda against the previous administrations despite their spectacular performance. The administrations of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his successor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, delivered resounding dividends of democracy to our people. The Saraki administration provided a network of urban and rural roads, the first flyover in the North Central, Kwara State University, (KWASU); Aviation College, Banquet Hall, Kwara Commercial Micro Finance Bank, the modernized Government House and many other infrastructures. The civil servants received their salaries as and when due. There was the security of lives and property which also enhanced the attraction of investors such as the (Zimbabwe farmers) Shonga farm; Kwara Mall, Dangote Industry, Olam and many others. His successor, Ahmed’s administration also constructed many roads, vocational centres, underpass at Geri-Alimi and many others. He also enhanced the internally generated revenue (IGR) by increasing those taxable. There was also enhanced security of lives and property. The 2023 candidate of PDP, Alhaji Shuaibu Yaman, who is an experienced politician and technocrat has encapsulated his programmes and vision for the good people of Kwara State. He has been able to articulate how he intends to raise the Internal Generated Revenue to an appreciable level using agriculture as a springboard to prosperity in the state. Furthermore, he has the willingness, experience and knowledge to carry on the legacies of Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed.

But the current state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is said to be delivering superlative governance to Kwarans? The State government has not been able to fulfil any of its campaign promises three and half years after being in office. The issue of minimum wage was only addressed recently when they realized that another election is close by. At a time, the State government took the civil servants to court for demanding for minimum wage. This government is an undertaker whose only achievement in the state is the destruction of the legacies of its predecessors. The Governor sacked more than 4,000 legitimately employed and qualified teachers, paralysed Kwara Hotel, and Kwara Express; destroyed Harmony Diagnostic Centre and immobilized the civil service by giving their responsibilities to consultants. The major road leading to Ilorin, to the northern part of the State, Kulende to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) road, was awarded and almost completed by the last administration, only to lay second coat and Asphalt was left undone. Also, the government terminated the contract for the maintenance of the underpass that was commissioned close to the end of the last administration. Consequently, the filter installed in the underground sub-drainpipe was blocked, thereby allowing water to get to the subbase of the road, causing damage to the surface of the underpass. These underscored their lack of interest in the infrastructural development of the state. It may even interest you to note that the last administration left over N8.5 billion at the time of exit which included N5.2 billion Tax refund and May 2019 allocation. Furthermore, it is disappointing that in spite of almost half a trillion-naira revenue that has accrued to this State Government since the beginning of the administration, including a huge debt of over N60 billion, they have not been able to commission any landmark project. Unfortunately, this Government has not been able to add any value to the impressive Internal Generated Revenue met on the ground. This government lacks transparency and accountability as they have refused to give accounts for the revenue and expenditure since they assumed office contrary to what was obtainable during the previous administrations.

Banu

Many Kwarans opined that after spending billions of Naira on the water project, the Saraki government did not achieve any result. In addition, all the waterworks were not working too until Abdulrazaq became governor? The government of Dr Bukola Saraki paid N2.2 billion for the rehabilitation and upgrading of Asa Dam water treatment plant referred to as Primary Rehabilitation in 2009. Furthermore, the administration of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed completed the reticulation of pipelines across Ilorin metropolis referred to as Secondary Reticulation at the cost of N6.5 billion in 2019. In the Hand-Over note submitted by the former General Manager, Water Corporation, to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water dated 23rd July 2019, it was confirmed that all the 94-water works were working at their various capacities. It was recommended in the report that the proposed tertiary reticulation of the Ilorin metropolis, to complement Primary rehabilitation and Secondary reticulation, is a ‘must-do’ as this will bring water service to the doorsteps of residents in their various houses in the Ilorin metropolis. It was also recommended that Asa Dam water works needed turnaround maintenance after 10 years of rehabilitation. The tertiary distribution and maintenance of Asa Dam were not given the required attention. The water treatment plant has deteriorated and now working at about 40% capacity which accounts for the worsening water situation

We should also focus on and design a ﬂexible funding model for mechanized agriculture as was done in Kwara State during Dr Bukola Saraki’s administration. A subsidiary of Shonga farm holding, Valentine Chicken Ltd with an investment of over $100 million has a daily production of 22,000 chickens per day, 110,000 per week and more than 1,500 staff which has transformed and developed the host and neighbouring communities. This was the same project that this clueless government termed a scam

How did you enter politics? I attended the University of Ilorin where I obtained a Bachelor of Agric Engineering in 1988 and Master of Business Administration (MBA), from the same university. I became a chartered accountant in 1996. I am also an auditor. I left United Bank for Africa in 2005 where I won several awards, to take up an appointment as Special Assistant on Economic Planning. I had heard that politics is a dirty game, and this had regularly worked on my mind. I had avoided getting involved but I had a new orientation when I was introduced to Dr. Saraki in 2005. He told me about his laudable plan for the development of Kwara State. I was moved by his passion and love for our people. Subsequently, I was elevated to Special Adviser in 2007 and Commissioner for Finance in 2011. Governor Abdulrazaq commissioned a forensic audit into the ﬁnancial transactions of the state from 2011 to 2019 when former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was the governor. You were then the Finance Commissioner, and the audit report indicted or accused Ahmed’s administration of stealing N11.9 billion. What is your take on this? The so-called auditor’s report is laughable because it is a bunch of imaginary accusations and trash. I am a fellow of chartered accountant, so I know when an auditor followed the principles and procedure of auditing. The report was silent on the nature of the transactions, audit tray, who approved the transactions, through which banks if any, which accounts the funds were transferred to, etc. So, the report is technically faulty. What is your view on the rising unemployment in Nigeria? The high unemployment rate is a time bomb. The government should do something that will bring confidence to the economy. The first thing is security. We also need to encourage our local manufacturers. Multiple taxes should be addressed. They should encourage entrepreneurship. We should also focus on and design a flexible funding model for mechanized agriculture as was done in Kwara State during Dr Bukola Saraki’s administration. A subsidiary of Shonga farm holding, Valentine Chicken Ltd with an investment of over $100 million has a daily production of 22,000 chickens per day, 110,000 per week and more than 1,500 staff which has transformed and developed the host and neighbouring communities. This was the same project that this clueless government termed a scam.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

POLITY

Alex Otti and the Abia State Challenge Jones Ike

ost development indices indicate a declining trend in our nation’s development effort. Despite various Government officials claim to the contrary, fresh figures emerging from both the world bank and the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics show a continuous decline in such indices as Poverty rate, unemployment rate, debt burden, inflation rate, access to health, drinking water etc. The national average in the standard of living has been on a downward slope, with Nigeria now being regarded as the Poverty Capital of the World. However, there are variations amongst the Regions and States. In the South East Region, Abia State is adjudged as having the worst indices of development as indicated by figures from the Federal Bureau of Statistics. For instance, while the National Unemployment Rate is 33% Abias own is 51%, its Poverty rate is 31%. The state has the worst network of roads in the South East. Aba, its main commercial city and the honey pot of the state has the worst network of roads amongst all the cities in Nigeria. There is no functional public water supply system anywhere in the state just as well as there is no Airport. Most of its local Government Headquarters are in varying forms of dilapidation, its only Tertiary Health Institution, the Abia State University Teaching Hospital has lost its accreditation, just the same way, the Abia Polytechnic lost theirs. Most of its workers and pensioners are being owed arrears of salaries. The list indicating its decline could go on and on. Discerning observers have since attributed such state of affairs to the bad governance structure that exists in the state with its accompanying culture of greed and graft. Most Abians themselves are all aware of their peculiar problem and the most conscientious of its political elite have always struggled against it with a view to instituting a good governance system in the place. The bad governance structure in the state, its accompanying culture of greed and graft, the underdevelopment indices it has spewed over time and the past failed struggles to dismantle it is what constitutes the Abia Challenge. The most stringent of such struggles was waged in 2015, when one of its most brilliant minds, Dr. Alex Otti a first-class economist resigned his lucrative job as the Managing Director of the Diamond Bank to lead the charge. Even though he was adjudged to have won that governorship 2015 election by a wide margin, INEC then at its worst behavior did what was considered incomprehensible even by its own standard when it suddenly brought back its cancelled results that was adjudged then by its own returning officers and international observers to have been falsified results. Such bad behavior

Otti of INEC top officials was challenged by Dr. Otti in the Court and the matter became a ding dong affair until he lost at the Supreme Court when the learned Judges averred that the card reader was not backed by law. Even though Dr. Alex Otti lost the case, the matter generated a nation-wide concern and interest that triggered the struggle for reforms of the electoral process, the result of which has been the introduction of BVAs or simply the electronic transmission of results. The reform at INEC with the introduction of BVAS has gone a long way in improving the current electoral process in Nigeria. Smarting from the controversial loss of the 2015 election, Dr. Otti though bruised was still determined to continue. Thus, he contested the 2019 Governorship election whereby the same situation that happened in 2015 repeated itself. Undaunted, Dr. Otti continued to Champion the struggle for better Nigeria using various other platforms like his column in the THISDAY Newspaper. He has consistently used such platform to engage in a lot of introspection about our national development efforts. Most importantly, the reform of the electoral process has provided a fresh impetus for Dr. Alex Otti and his comrades another opportunity to mount a more determined and spirited effort at scorching and finally defeating the Abia challenge.

Thus, in alliance with other experienced politicians in the state that includes the likes of Hon. Acho Obioma, the outspoken Former House of Representative Member as the Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Dr. Otti is once again in the struggle to win the governorship election under the banner of the Labour Party. They are now junketing the entire nooks and crannies of the state soliciting for votes in a renewed effort to wrestle power from the iron grip of the incumbents. Accompanying Dr. Otti and his team in the campaign tour as a Member of the Campaign Council has been a most rewarding experience. It would have been impossible to imagine the organic relationship that exists between Dr. Otti and the generality of Abia people nor appreciate the state wide support which he enjoys without such participatory engagement. The enthusiastic support and endorsements which Dr. Otti and his team are gathering from the different strata of the Abia society could be equated to a revolutionary ferment. From the far-flung communities of Nneato, Isuochi to the hilly communities of Uturu and Ovim. From the rich agricultural basins of Okporoenyi and Nkpa in Bende Local Government to the oil producing communities of Ukwa. From the shoe manufacturing hubs in Araria Aba to the civil service centre of Umuahia, down to the agrarian and warrior communities of Abam, the enthusiastic support and endorsements have been the same. The quest for change seems to be the same whether it’s the council of Ndi Ezes, Christian stake holders, the clergy, youth and women organisations, party faithful. Indeed Dr. Otti and his team seem to be getting the support he is requesting for in other to win the governorship and deliver other Labour Party Candidates in the State. Dr. Otti has cashed in on the revolutionary ferment to reiterate his determination to dismantle the bad governance structure in the state, abolish the criminal security vote system and use the proceeds for his empowerment programs, industrialise the state, restore governance at the local government level, develop the health system and build modern infrastructure etc. His campaign promises that is encapsulated in a 42-page Manifesto document seems to be comprehensive enough. There is no doubt such campaign promises resonate with the aspirations of Abia people because of his antecedents and personal integrity. The reality of the current situation in Abia is such that one could assert with optimism that the determined effort of Dr. Otti and his team coupled with the wide spread support he is receiving from the different strata of the Abia society is such that there is no doubt that the former Bank Czar and his Labour Party faithful may this time around scorch and finally overcome the Abia challenge. Hon Jones Ike, the former Chairman, Arochukwu LGA is a member of Dr. Alex Otti Campaign Council.

Nation Building: Three Lessons from an American Shipyard Austin Tam-George

this many-sidedness as it tells its stories. No nation needs to pathologize its history. Despite the imperfections of their history, most AmeriTwo months ago, in October 2022, I was on a tour of cans seem to be unofficial historians of their country. the Boston Naval Shipyard with my colleagues in the They seem to have stories behind their canals, bridges Senior Executive Fellows cohort at Harvard Kennedy and trees. And they have stories about war, resilience School. The Shipyard is home to the oldest naval ship built in the United States. The “USS Constitution”, as the and the pursuit of justice. On a flight from Boston to Detroit, a lady told me that she and her colleagues were ship is called, was launched in 1797. pursuing a lifetime commitment to identify and retell As the US naval staff took us from deck to deck into the bowels of this iconic ship - a ship that has seen many as many “repressed American stories as possible”. The world is a narrated entity, and storytelling is an integral battles and turbulent seas - my thoughts began to shift part of national myth making. A nation that preserves towards a series of questions. How is it that a battle its public memory may likely escape the mistakes of its ship built in 1797 remains afloat and in almost pristine past. condition in 2022? What can we learn from the work Civic Leadership Matters: When the “USS Constituethic of the builders of this ship? tion”, the naval ship, was designated to be scrapped Monuments and public institutions are important cultural windows into the soul of a nation, enabling us to in 1905, it took the intervention of a single American revisit its history and assess a nation’s “present condition citizen, Moses Gulesian, to rouse civic groups around the United States, to save the world’s oldest ship. Moses of health”. So, what does the maintenance of this naval Gulesian’s example is important because it reminds us frigate tell us about the American society? I ask these questions, not as an American citizen, but as that in any era, nation building and the preservation of public memory are not tasks for the State alone. Citizens a Nigerian. Since 1960 when Nigeria became an indeand civic groups have critical roles to play in the politics pendent State, our country has had a rather traumatic of remembrance. encounter with its public memory. The fratricidal civil In Nigeria, social media is proving to be our new war of 1967 to 1970 that claimed over one million lives virtual frigate. It is the converging point for individuals did not only deepen the divisions within the country, and groups who are challenging old thinking and but it also accentuated our nation’s ambiguous attitude advancing new ideas on nation building. But crucially, towards its national institutions. social media also serves as an alternative archive of In Nigeria, history is an inconvenient subject, and Nigeria’s fast-evolving social memory. In 2020 when monuments that attempt to reconstruct the past are met the Nigerian government was accused of suppressing with the casual inertia of a disinterested state. But as evidence of mass killings at anti-police brutality protest I moved around this 225-year old ship, inspecting its impeccable line up of large-calibre cannon and feeling its sites in the commercial city of Lagos, activists resorted to social media to circulate graphic images of what came to be known wooden surfaces, I could glean some lessons in nation as the “Lekki massacre”. building, storytelling and leadership. Here are three Like most developing countries, Nigeria is witnessing lessons from that tour: the emergence of a protean, technologized and young civic Embrace Your History: A nation’s history is often leadership. And social media is the daily archive to which more complex than a spotless string of bedtime stories. we turn if we want to keep track of Nigeria’s contested As a nation evolves, so will its history. A nation may modernity. experience moments of war or national shame, as well Ask What You Can Do: The maintenance of the naval as periods of great triumph. This means that history is a ship for 225 years is an admirable act of American patriomany-sided coin, and it is better for a nation to embrace

tism. Patriotism is not only a feeling of love for one’s country, it is also a commitment to preserve and engage with its history. The preservation of the iconic frigate has enabled generations of Americans and foreign tourists to visit the ship and reflect on its place in American and global history. Patriotism is an important value in nation building. And when patriotic feelings are broadly shared by citizens of a country, they could come together for a common cause. Working together, the United States Congress and civic groups across America have kept the world’s oldest ship active for over two centuries, as a floating lesson in civics and history. In Nigeria, perceptions of patriotism are almost ideologically dialogic. The political class tends to imagine Nigeria mainly in culinary and edible terms. For this group, Nigeria is the provider of a “national cake” to which a privileged few may go again and again for generous servings. But the problem is, if a nation is conceived as a national cake, then its politics and decision-making institutions will be dominated by insatiable gluttons, not patriots. But on the other side of the Nigerian civic spectrum is a vibrant arena of innovation and cultural revivalism. This is the space where you find teachers, researchers, creative workers, comedy skit makers, fintech innovators, musicians, culture workers, entrepreneurs, etc, who are committed to moving Nigeria towards a productive rebirth. For this group of citizens, Nigeria is a land of exciting and infinite promise. Their kinetic passion is to work towards the realization of that sovereign promise where no citizen is left behind. As my colleagues and I departed from the Boston Naval Shipyard, I was convinced that the only way to resolve the dialogic confrontation between the competing visions of Nigeria’s modernity, would be for all its citizens to heed President John F. Kennedy’s civic appeal to his fellow Americans: Ask what you can do for your country.

Dr Austin Tam-George is an alumnus of the Senior Executive Fellows program at Harvard Kennedy School.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

POLITY

11 Plc Unveils Mobil Super Lubricants’s Radio Campaign 11 plc, sole distributor of Mobil fuel and lubricant brands in Nigeria has unveiled a pan- Nigeria radio campaign for its teeming consumers and target markets. The new creative initiative by the foremost lubricants company is aimed at strengthening its brands equity while educating motorists, mechanics and other key stakeholders about its Mobil Super 2000 and 3000 unique selling points respectively. The campaign which hits airwaves last month was launched to create fresh awareness for all category users of the premium lubricants during the yuletide and beyond. The campaign with the theme celebration of the best quality of its products while re- enforcing and

re-emphasizing their competitive and unique selling points. Industry watch reveals that Mobil’s lubricants have over the years continue to keep millions of vehicles perform at their optimal best notwithstanding difficult driving conditions. The Company’s Mobil Super brands is a global family of premium passenger vehicle engine oils that provide different levels of protection to match whatever conditions users of the products may encounter so tthat they can drive with full confidence. 11 Plc said: Mobil Super 2000 is an enhanced premium semi- synthetic motor oil which is said to meet the latest industry engine oil specification. It is designed to provide an excellent level of protection and performance under the most

demanding conditions. “Similarly, Mobil Super 3000 is a full Synthetic engine oil tailored for smoother acceleration and provides outstanding engine wear protection even under the most demanding condition. The company’s vision is to be the number one business group in Nigeria in terms of sustained service, quality and reliability and the first brand of preference by the consumers whilst conduction operations with high safety standards and environmental compliance. “It also aims to provide the best in class products, services and solutions to customers with a focus on safety and environmental standards. 11 Plc recognizes that product quality and customer satisfaction are of primary importance to the value of its brands on offer.”

Report: Wema Bank Has Best Performing Financial Stocks in 2022 Wema Bank Plc’s stocks emerged as the best-performing financial stocks on the Nigerian Exchange during the 2022 financial year. In a report titled “The Best Performing Stocks in Nigeria in 2022,” Nairametrics compiled and analyzed the best-performing stocks in 2022, comparing their share prices as of December 31st, 2021, and December 30th, 2022. The analysis considered all 159 publicly listed companies during the period. According to the report, Wema Bank’s share price appreciated by a whopping 441.7 percent. This helped it to close the 2022 year at N3.9, down from the 72 kobo recorded at the end of 2022. The bank recorded a healthy 51% increase in gross earnings in the first nine months of 2022 and a 31% increase in post-tax profit. Investors rallied around the bank’s stocks despite a general downturn in most banking stocks during the year. Similarly, Wema Bank declared a final dividend of 24 kobo per ordinary share to its shareholders in 2021. This fuels speculation that increased profitability in 2022 could suggest a better dividend payout to shareholders. The Nigerian equity market rallied by 19.98% in 2022, higher than the 6.07% recorded in the previous year. After many years of dividend freezes, the bank has resumed dividend payments to shareholders in the last

three years. Wema has modernized its processes and has increasingly leveraged digital technologies to serve its customers, boosting efficiency and productivity in the process. Additionally, the bank enjoyed a profitable year in terms

of its financial performance and equity performance. Nairametrics ranked the bank as the best-performing commercial bank in the first half of 2022 based on metrics from its financial statements. Wema Bank also won the “Highest Dividend Yield” award at the Pearl Awards in 2022

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye; her counterpart for Tourism, Femi Martins; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; his counterpart for Transportation, Dr Federic Oladeinde; and the Managing Director, LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo at a press brieﬁng as part of activities towards hosting President Muhammadu Buhari during his two-day working visit to Lagos… yesterday.

L-R: High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Shri G. Balasubramanian; Chief Executive Oﬃcer, Lagos Free Zone, Dinesh Rathi; European Union Delegation Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi; and Consul General of India, Chandramouli Kern, during a courtesy visit of the diplomatic heads of the EU Delegation and India to Lagos Free Zone… recently

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Inovation (FMSTI), Mrs. Monilola Udoh; Minister of State FMSTI, Henry Ikechukwu; Minister, FMSTI, Sen. Adeleke Olorunnimbe and Director, Fabrication Centre, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State, Pius Nwosu, during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Technology EXPO in Abuja … recently ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Chairman. African Union Cybers Security Expert Group, Mr. Abdul Hakeem Ajijola; Mr. Afolabi Adkaiyaoja; Founder of Rise Network, Mrs. Toyosi Ogunsiji; Deputy County Director Wife of APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; First Lady of Imo state, Barrister Chio- MacArthur Foundation, Mr. Dayo Olaide, during the presentation of new mobile app RUN-AM, ma Hope Uzodimma; and wife of APC’s Vice presidential candidate, Hajia Nana Shettima,.during the to enabled elections fake news veriﬁcation during the 2023 general elections, held in Abuja... South-east Women Presidential Campaign Rally in Owerri, Imo State... recently recently KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

POLITY

Michael Auta

Govt Must Address Neglect of Southern Kaduna Michael Ayuba Auta, an engineer and Chairman of KYC Group of Companies is the Labour Party’s Senatorial candidate for Southern Kaduna. He believes his people in Southern Kaduna have consistently been marginalised by successive governments at state and federal levels, in the allocation of resources and projects. He bares his mind to THISDAY on the situation, his chances of victory and what his mission will be if he wins Many people know you as a supporter of the All Progressives Congress. What led to your joining Labour Party and seeking the position of Senator?

ver the years, I have been supporting candidates for election in Kaduna State, especially in Southern Kaduna in both the PDP and the APC. But like many people, I am so disillusioned by the marginalization of my people in the Southern Kaduna. It is the people that came to me and insisted that this time around, I have to be the one standing for the contest. They said if really we desire change, we must be the change we desire.

So, what are the key issues in this contest and what are your chances of winning? The key issues in this contest are the continued marginalization of Southern Kaduna. It is not something personal. Over the years, governments at state and federal levels have marginalized the people of Southern Kaduna and we must do much more than armchair complaints. There is no sub-group in Northern Nigeria that have been neglected like the predominantly Christian population in Southern Kaduna. To make matters worse, the area has continued to witness unprecedented insecurity which is largely sponsored because of the rich mineral deposits. To say that the people face existential threat is to state the obvious. Away from the general term, in what specific ways has Southern Kaduna been neglected? The marginalization of the Area is so obvious and it has persisted due to a combination of factors: structural and systemic. It is structural in the sense that, in spite of our large area and large population, we have a disproportionate number of representation in both the State House of Assembly and the National Assembly. Out of the 12 local government areas in Southern Kaduna, only Zango Kataf has more than one Assembly member. Jemaa for instance is the size of about three local government areas, same with Sanga, Kagarko, Kachia and Kaura, but in spite of their large sizes, they have one Assembly member each. Of course, this affects their allocation and representation. This is a far cry from what obtains in other parts of the state. Beyond that, successive governments at both federal and state levels appear to have connived to ensure the Southern Kaduna area and its people are permanently held down. That’s what I mean by systemic marginalization and those are what I will fight against if elected as Senator. You used to be close to Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Why have the leaders of the zone not intervened? Governor El-Rufai is someone I used to respect so much but I am so disappointed in the lopsided manner in which he has been siting his projects. When he came in, based on his promises, many of us expected that he would depart from the old system and govern with fairness but he did not. He has done well in provision of infrastructure but he has been lopsided so much that about 80% of his projects are sited in the two other zones, leaving the Southern Kaduna to its fate. There is no single project that he has completed in Southern Kaduna. Sometime ago, the President commissioned a major road which we understand was running across the state That’s the road dualization project leading from Ungwar Rimi junction to the centre of Kafanchan. He brought the President to commission that project but as I speak to you now, that road has still not been completed. Many believe it has been abandoned. That’s unlike the road projects in Zaria, Kaduna city and other parts of the state that are promptly completed. The complaints have been consistent for some time and one would expect that your people in government should be voicing out these concerns. What is the position? We have been doing our best but our representatives in government have been timid in voicing our concerns or dancing to the tunes of the people in power. El-Rufai has used our own people to work against the interests of Southern Kaduna. The most pathetic is that those we elected to represent us have all suddenly lost their voices or have been sucked into the system.

What are your chances considering that Labour Party has not featured in past electoral victories in this state? Well, let us not dwell in the past. The dynamics of politics in this state and across the entire country have changed substantially so much that many see the APC in Kaduna and at the federal level as opposition-in-waiting. The people are disappointed with the sub-human level under which they live today and the cloud of insecurity that hangs over every inch of the country. Talking specifically of Southern Kaduna, all the indices point to a paradigm shift in our electoral pattern. We have tested the two major political parties and found them to be two sides of same coin. Only the Labour Party and its presidential candidate Mallam Peter Obi promises something refreshing. To answer your question, Labour Party will do well in Kaduna State and I will be elected Senator for Zone III. Considering the alleged neglect of the zone, what will the Labour Party do that present and previous governments did not do? One thing you cannot take away from Mallam Peter Obi and his Vice-Presidential candidate is their sincerity. They are not deceptive. Besides, Datti Babba-Ahmed is from Kaduna State so he is quite conversant with our plight. He understands for instance, that Kafanchan which is the only major city in Southern Kaduna deserves urban renewal. That’s a city that is reputed as the centre of Nigeria where the major rail lines from the two Southern parts of Nigeria cross. There is no single government presence in the area; the State College of Education in Kafanchan is a glorified Secondary School and that is the major post-Secondary institution in the entire Southern kaduna. There are other higher institutions… Well, there is the School of Nursing which is also nothing to write home about, and we are talking of Kaduna State that has concentrated all the big centres of learning in the Northern part of the state. And we are all paying our taxes like the other zones; that’s not fair. The present flag bearer of APC in Kaduna, Uba Sani as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking and Finance in the 9th Senate secured a massive loan which Gov. El-Rufai deployed for infrastructural development of the other zones, to the exclusion of Southern Kaduna. Again, there was a N5 billion grant from the Central Bank Nigeria for upgrade of the Faculty of Science of the state’s University. Now because that Faculty was moved to Kafanchan by the late Governor, Patrick Yakowa, that money was never used for that Faculty, but diverted to other areas. Which kind of injustice is that? Now the same Uba Sani is the governorship candidate of the APC and he is asking us to vote for him.

Auta service and the courage to ask for justice for the people you represent. When the South-east as a whole was excluded from the list of projects to be executed with the loan that President Buhari was asking the Nigerian Senate to approve, Abaribe had the singlular courage to ask for justice for his people. At a time other Senators from the South-east lost their voice, he single handedly got the Federal Government to include the South East in that list. That courage I admire and it will underline my stay in the Senate because I will seek justice for all Nigerians and effectively represent my people in the Red Chamber

How realistic is the concept on Northern unity and how much of that do you agree with? Northern unity has over the years been a rallying point for Prior to aspiring for the Senate, what has you’re your the Northerners, but it hardly holds anymore. The Middle antecedents as it concerns empowerment of the less Belt is increasingly pulling apart, same with the North East privileged? and the reason is because in that so-called Northern unity, Since I started making money as a businessman, I have been there is inequity in both the allocation of resources and the acinvolved in activities that alleviate the poverty in the area. Don’t cess to political power. That is why the sermon by my leader, forget a large population in the Southern Kaduna are either civil servants, farmers or retired civil servants with only a few involved Mallam Peter Obi is catching on. People should choose their leaders on the basis of conviction and competence, not the in commercial or business activities. I connect with the people deceptive mantra of so-called regional unity. and I do my best and this is not because I am contesting for the Senate. Giving, especially to the women and the less privileged, has been my way of life long before politics. As at today, I have dozens of my constituents on my scholarship program and more will start soon. In the area of agriculture, I have bought 100 Southern Kaduna doesn’t have tractors for the rural farmers, not the big tractors but the manual federal presence in whatever one that costs about 2000 dollars. We are trying to lift our people. Aside your disappointment with Governor El-Rufai, what is your assessment of the federal government’s presence in the area? Southern Kaduna doesn’t have federal presence in whatever form. The only federal agency here is the Federal School of Statistics here in Kafanchan. One of my most important assignments when I get to the Senate will be to get the Federal Government to turn one of the institutions into a Federal University. As I speak, we don’t have a Federal Medical Centre that other areas as big as we are, take for granted. The Federal Medical Centre approved for us was moved to Rigasa, outside of Southern Kaduna. In case of big medical cases and emergencies, our people are on their own. I will insist that these diversions and neglect of Southern Kaduna be addressed. Who is your role model in politics? Which one man or woman do you admire his sense of public service? I don’t have a godfather or political mentor, but I admire the courage of Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe. Politics to me is about

form. The only federal agency here is the Federal School of Statistics here in Kafanchan. One of my most important assignments when I get to the Senate will be to get the Federal Government to turn one of the institutions into a Federal University. As I speak, we don’t have a Federal Medical Centre that other areas as big as we are, take for granted

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 21, 2023

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Have You Ever Thought About Servicing Your Car’s Airbag? You service your car regularly, but have you ever thought of servicing your airbags? An airbag is one of the most important safety systems in your car, and it makes sense that you know you can depend on yours. Even so, not many people know how and when they should service their airbags. We’ve taken the time to answer the three most common questions regarding airbags, to help you make an informed decision when it comes to their maintenance. New Range Rover Sport production rises

JLR Reports Wholesales Rise in Q3 as Chip Supply Gradually Improves

aguar Land Rover has reported increased wholesale volumes for the third quarter of FY23 (three-month period to 31 December UHÁHFWLQJ JUDGXDO improvement in chip supplies. Wholesale volumes were 79,591 units in the period (excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China joint venture), up 5.7% compared to the prior quarter ending 30 September 2022 and 15.0% compared to the same quarter a year ago. Compared to the prior quarter, wholesale volumes were higher in North America (+17%), UK (+13%) and Overseas (+10%)

and lower in China (-13%) and Europe (-3%). Volumes in China were impacted by COVID, the automaker said in a statement. The production ramp up of New Range Rover and New Range Rover Sport continued with 27,456units wholesale in the quarter, up from 13,537 in Q2. Retail sales for the third quarter were 84,827 units, up 5.9% compared to the same quarter a year ago and 3.7% lower than from the prior quarter ending 30 6HSWHPEHU UHÁHFWLQJ WLPLQJ EHWZHHQ retails and wholesales. The Company continues to see strong demand for its vehicles. As at 31December 2022, the total order book increased to 215,000 client orders, up around 10,000

orders from 30 September 2022. Demand for the New Range Rover, New Range Rover Sport and Defender remain strong and represent 74% of the order book. Jaguar Land Rover expects to report unaudited results for the third quarter ending 31 December 2022 on 25 January 2023. On a preliminary EDVLV IUHH FDVK ÁRZ LV OLNHO\ WR EH RYHU £400 million positive in the quarter. In December 2022, the Company completed a renewal of its undrawn revolving credit facility with 23 banks at £1.45 billion with the maturity date extended from March 2024 to April 2026.

Toyota Launches All-New Prius HEV in Japan

tylish design, sporty driving performance, and greater fuel efficiency combine to create a car customers will enjoy and cherish for generations to come Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) has commenced sales of all-new Prius Series Parallel Hybrid (HEV) models. The company said this in a statement, adding that it will also launch Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) models around March this year. Launched in 1997 as the world’s first massproduced hybrid car, the Prius has driven uptake of HEVs as a new-generation eco-car with outstanding fuel efficiency. These days, hybrid technologies are employed in a wide range of different models that are loved and enjoyed by people all around the world. With a range of powertrain options being developed to promote carbon neutrality, Toyota wanted to create a new Prius HEV that customers would enjoy and cherish as the car of choice for generations to come. Developed under the “Hybrid Reborn” concept, this new model is an exhilarating package that adds a design inspiring love at first sight and captivating driving performance to its core strength as an environmentally friendly car. The main features of the new Prius are as follows. Vehicle outline A design inspiring love at first sight Inheriting the signature monoform silhouette of the original Prius, the new Prius has been reborn with a lower center of gravity and even more stylish proportions. The simple yet sculpted body expresses exhilaration that appeals to the senses and a universal beauty that will remain popular into the future. The “island architecture” concept achieves a

All-New Prius HEV low-stress, spacious interior with a cockpit that makes it easy to concentrate on driving. Altogether, the interior offers intuitive operation and an enjoyable driving experience. A total of eight body colors are available, including two newly developed, solid base colors of Ash and Mustard that create a sporty impression, bringing touches of color to the daily lives of customers to create a stronger sense of attachment. Captivating driving performance The new Prius is equipped with the latest fifth-generation hybrid system in both the 2.0-liter and 1.8-liter models. Compared to the previous model*1, the 2.0-liter Prius (Z and G grades) achieves improved fuel

efficiency of 28.6 km/L*2 and maximum system output of 144 kW (196 PS), which is 1.6 times higher than the previous model*1. This model achieves a high level of balance between the outstanding environmental performance of a Prius and the captivating driving performance of a car that reacts as expected with satisfying acceleration and responsive driving. With a long list of improvements, including updates to all electric modules, the 1.8-liter Prius (U and X grades) achieves great fuel efficiency of 32.6 km/L*3. The refined driving performance and seamless acceleration of a hybrid provide feelings of agility when starting off and the responsiveness of direct driving power.

Do they need to be replaced, and how often? Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer on when you should replace your airbag, or if at all. Guidelines in owner’s PDQXDOV GLͿHU EHWZHHQ FDU makes and models. Your best RSWLRQ LV WR ÀQG RXW ZKDW your owner’s manual says, but keep in mind that if you have an older car, the manufacturer might not have had the same information about airbags then that they do now. In the case of airbags, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you think it’s time to have them serviced, or have never had them serviced since buying your car, it’s probably time.

What does airbag replacement and maintenance entail? Most modern cars have diagnostic systems in place that should give you ample warning about airbag replacement. If the corresponding warning light comes on, it’s time to have it checked out. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you have your airbags serviced or replaced at reputable and professional servicing stations, using manufacturer-approved airbags. Always remember that LQVWDOOLQJ D NQRFNRͿ DLUEDJ can have lethal consequences. Another concern you should keep in mind is to stay away from repacking airbags. Apart from the potentially lifethreatening results, repacking an airbag is illegal, and no professional service centre will engage in the practice. What is the cost of replacing airbags? Just like the servicing guidelines, airbag replacement DQG ÀWPHQW FRVWV YDU\ DFURVV vehicle makes and models. Despite any costs involved, we recommend that you insist on using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) equipment. The price may be steep, but it’s an investment in your passengers’ safety that you cannot ignore. (Source: MiDAS)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

REVIVAL BATTLE AT ANFIELD

21.01.2023

PAGE. 29

Michael Olise The Ingenious Player Super Eagles is Missing

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Michael Olise’s freekick threw Selhurst Park in frenzy

Michael Olise The Ingenious Player Super Eagles is Missing Nigeria’s national team once boasts of seasoned free kick takers, amongst whom are Christian Chukwu, Sylvanus Okpala, late Stephen Keshi, Austin Okocha to name but a few. Of late hardly can the Super Eagles score through a set piece. Franco-Nigerian Michael Olise, indeed gave Nigeria soccer fans a dose of what they are missing in him as his dead ball with a minute to go gave Crystal Palace a valuable point in the Premier League

ith just a minute to full time in the Premier League encounter between Crystal Palace and Manchester United on Wednesday night, and the Red Devils’ goalkeeper catching everything thrown at him by the Eagles, Old Trafford faithful were already seeing the game as another three points in the kitty but Michael Olise had other ideas. He stood over a late free kick and curled the ball to a tight angle of the post beyond the reach of the goalkeeper to throw the Selhurst Pak Stadium in wild jubilation and the travelling United fans in agony. Ipswich Town legend Matt Holland has indeed hailed the quality of the goal scored by Olise against Manchester United. The Red Devils had gone ahead and seemed to be running away with a win which could have taken them above rivals, Manchester City in the league table, but Olise produced a moment of magic to deny Erik ten Hag’s men. The player, who is eligible to represent Nigeria through his father, delivered a fantastic free-kick in stoppage time that David de Gea could not stop. “It’s a moment of genuine quality from

Olise. They (Palace) have been much better in the second half and they caught United on the back foot. “But they haven’t created too much. And it’s taken something really special to beat De Gea. From a free-kick into injury time, Palace are level,” Holland, who was on commentary duties for the Premier League world feed, said on air. On his appointment as national team interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen alongside Emmanuel Amuneke took a trip to the United Kingdom to convince Olise to dump the country of his birth for fatherland. Olise had played for France at the U-18, but in continuation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) ‘VIP Scouting’, the Crystal Palace forward was being wooed to play for Nigeria at the senior level, culminating to the then Super Eagles interim technical adviser, Eguavoen and his assistant, Amuneke to embark on a trip to United Kingdom to convince the player to switch nationality. Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and he is eligible to represent France, Algeria, England, or Nigeria. The 20-year-old has represented France at the youth level in the past, after he made his debut in 2019, against Qatar

U-23 and was also called up to the France U-18 squad for the 2019 Toulon. According to source, Eguavoen had met with UK-based Nigerian David Doherty, ahead of the botched World Cup qualifiers playoff game against Ghana in March 2022. Doherty played a role in Ola Aina’s decision to switch allegiance to Nigeria, he also brought Ebere Eze to the Super Eagles training camp in London in 2017. He is said to still be very close to Eze, who in turn is a very close friend of Olise. Erstwhile NFF President, Amaju Pinnick never hid his resolve at ensuring that youngsters of Nigerian origin who are doing well in England and other leagues wore the Nigerian colours at the appropriate time. He said it was in the plans of his administration to build a young Super Eagles team ahead of the 2022 World Cup, (which Nigeria failed to qualify). “What we are trying to do is what we call VIP scouting – talking to these young players that are playing abroad to play for their fatherland. No Nigerian, even if they have four or five passports, they are always excited being Nigerians. I can assure you that we

shall get them to play for us at appropriate time,” Pinnick had said. Despite joining Crystal Palace in the summer of 2021 with a broadened horizon, having won Championship Young Player of the Year the season before, there was still a moment of hesitation among the Palace fans over how quickly Olise would adapt to Premier League standards. Turning defences inside out, conjuring a pantheon of tantalising crosses into the box, and getting Selhurst Park off their seats-Olise is the real deal, and he has proven to be the fulcrum of Patrick Viera’s youthful revolution. Olise’s £8 million arrival to South London from Reading in July 2021 was Vieira’s first acquisition since being appointed head coach, and it kick started a dramatic shift in the club’s transfer policy. Starting the season on the backfoot could have hindered the youngster’s opportunity to get first-team football, but the injury he suffered seemed to do nothing but add further determination to the maquillage of Olise. He showed straight away that he was comfortable in the presence of giants. How well the NFF officials would be able to convince Olise to star for Nigeria remains to be seen as Algeria Desert Foxes are also said to be on his trail.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Liverpool, Chelsea in Season’s Defining Battle at Anfield Two giants of the English game languishing in mid-table obscurity kickoff this weekend’s Premier League action, as Liverpool take on Chelsea at Anfield today Premier League Table Arsenal Man City Man Utd Newcastle Tottenham Fulham Brighton Brentford Liverpool Chelsea Aston Villa Crystal Palace Nottm Forest Leeds Leicester Wolves Bournemouth West Ham Everton Southampton

18 19 19 19 20 20 18 19 18 19 19 19 19 18 19 19 19 19 19 19

28 47 30 42 8 39 22 38 8 33 3 31 10 30 4 29 9 28 1 28 -5 25 -9 23 -19 20 -7 17 -7 17 -15 17 -23 16 -10 15 -11 15 -17 15

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Liverpool right wing back, Trent Alexander-Arnold tries to stop Chelsea Mason Mount when both sides met last year at Stamford Bridge

he ninth-placed Reds and 10thplaced Blues only have 28 points to boast from their top-flight outings approaching the midway point of the season, although the hosts hold a game in hand over their capital counterparts. Only a few days after being forced to witness the “worst” game of his Liverpool career in a 3-0 humbling at Brighton & Hove Albion, Jurgen Klopp got what he wanted in terms of a response when the Reds travelled to Wolverhampton Wanderers for their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday. A wonder strike from Harvey Elliot booked Liverpool’s spot in the fourth round via a 1-0 triumph - and with it another trip to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton - as the Merseyside giants finally claimed their first victory of 2023 at the fourth attempt. Defeat at the Amex marked the first time since 1993 that Liverpool had suffered back-to-back league losses at the start of the calendar year, and a season without European football beckons, lest the Reds enjoy a remarkable turnaround in the coming months, as they are two points off Brighton in seventh and a further 10 adrift of the Champions League spots. A first clean sheet in seven games at Molineux was a sight for sore eyes, as is Liverpool’s imperious home record in the Premier League, as they have lost just one of their last 32 top-flight contests at Anfield and have scored 23 goals on home turf so far - only Manchester City have more in the league this term. Not since a 1-0 loss to Fulham in March 2021 have Klopp’s men failed to score in a home Premier League match, and the German will take charge of his 1,000th game as a manager this weekend, no doubt eyeing a priceless three points to celebrate in the right way. Speaking of esteemed teams finally winning their first fixture of the calendar year, Graham Potter’s Chelsea were indebted to both Thiago Silva and Kepa Arrizabalaga during the visit of Crystal Palace, but the West London powerhouses just about got over the line in a 1-0 triumph.

Kai Havertz’s header with 64 minutes gone separated the two capital counterparts at Stamford Bridge, where new signing Mykhaylo Mudryk was unveiled after Chelsea pipped Arsenal to the signature of the highly-rated Ukrainian attacker - their fifth acquisition of a hectic winter window. Having avoided a fourth game without victory in the Premier League, Chelsea are just about clinging onto their top-half spot in 10th place - behind Liverpool on goal difference and with an identical gap to make up to the top seven and Champions League places. Potter continues to receive the backing of the Chelsea board, despite only winning two of his last 10 Premier League games at the helm, and the Blues have embarked on an abysmal five-game winless run away from home in the top flight since overcoming Aston Villa in October. Both Premier League meetings between Liverpool and Chelsea ended level last term before the Reds overcame the Blues in the FA Cup and EFL Cup final on penalties, but Klopp’s side cannot rely on their 12-yard prowess to inflict more misery on the Blues here. Aiming to take points off a top-four side for the second time in the space of four days, Crystal Palace host Newcastle at Selhurst Park in today’s Premier League contest. Patrick Vieira’s side left it late to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in midweek, while the Magpies also waited until the dying embers to scrape past Fulham 1-0 at the weekend. How Michael Olise kept his celebrations to a minimum on Wednesday night is anybody’s guess, as the Eagles starlet produced a magnificent free kick in second-half stoppage time to ensure that Palace would deny Man United the chance to go second in the Premier League table. The Red Devils made the breakthrough just before half time, with Bruno Fernandes curling home from Christian Eriksen’s pass, but Olise fired an unstoppable free kick in off the crossbar with minutes remaining to rescue a well-earned point for Palace. One point could have even become three for the Eagles if David de Gea did not tip

Odsonne Edouard’s effort onto the bar, but Vieira took pleasure in once again haunting Man United, although that point sees Palace still languishing in 12th place and five points off the top half. Wednesday’s stalemate with the Red Devils ended a three-game losing run in all tournaments for Crystal Palace, whose February fixtures are daunting to say the least, with Man United to come again alongside showdowns against Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool. The Eagles could very well find themselves slipping down the table as spring approaches, as Vieira’s side are now winless at home in three Premier League contests, and the superstitious fans among us will be interested to hear that Palace have suffered eight consecutive defeats in Premier League games at Selhurst Park kicking off at 5.30pm today. What could have been a dream return to St James’ Park for Aleksandar Mitrovic quickly turned into a nightmare, as the ex-Newcastle striker thought he had given Fulham the lead from the penalty spot last Sunday, only for replays to show that the Serbian had touched the ball twice as he slipped. Having been handed a bizarre reprieve, Newcastle called upon the cavalry and waited until the 89th minute to get the job done, as substitute Alexander Isak headed home to settle a tight contest in which the patience of Eddie Howe’s men was tested to the limit. While any talk of a title challenge may be premature, Newcastle are very much in the Champions League mix at the halfway point of the season, clinging onto fourth place in the table and lying just one point behind Man United and Manchester City, as well as being five clear of Tottenham Hotspur before the Lilywhites face the champions on Thursday. Entering today’s clash on a 14game unbeaten run in the top flight, Newcastle’s staunch rearguard have kept clean sheets in their last five Premier League matches and have still conceded just 11 goals all season long - unsurprisingly the best defensive record in the league.

Liverpool v Bournemouth v Leicester v Southampton v West Ham v Crystal Palace v

Chelsea 12:30 Nottm Forest 15:00 Brighton 15:00 Aston Villa 15:00 Everton 15:00 Newcastle 17:30

SUNDAY

Leeds Utd v Man City v Arsenal v

Brentford 14:00 Wolves 14:00 Man Utd 16:30

LA LIGA TODAY

Vallecano v Sociedad 13:00 Espanyol v Real Betis 15:15 Atlético v Valladolid 17:30 Sevilla v Cádiz 20:00 SUNDAY

Villarreal v Girona 13:00 Elche v Osasuna 15:15 Barcelona v Getafe 17:30

Head to Head 21-09-25 Chelsea 0-1 Man City 22-01-02 Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool 21-08-28 Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea 21-03-04 Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea 20-09-20 Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool 20-07-22 Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea 19-09-22 Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool 19-04-14 Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea 18-09-29 Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool 18-05-06 Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Erling Haaland Harry Kane Ivan Toney Aleksandar Mitrovic Rodrigo Moreno Miguel Almiron Marcus Rashford Martin Odegaard

CLUB

Man City Tottenham Brentford Fulham Leeds Utd Newcastle Man Utd Arsenal

GOALS

22 15 13 11 10 9 8 8

Furthermore, four of the visitors’ last six Premier League games on the road have ended in victory, and they have played out a pair of goalless draws with Palace already this season - the most recent of which ended in a penalty-shootout win in the EFL Cup third round.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Will IMC Delivers the League Nigerians Crave for? With the League Management Committee disbanded and a new board christened, Interim Management Committee (IMC), headed by Gbenga Elegbeleye, put in place to shepherd the affairs of the league, the 2022/2023 Nigeria Football League, slated to kickoff on 28 December 2022, was eventually moved to January 8, after agreement between the new custodians of the league, club owners, and other concerned parties. After the completion of two fixtures, the IMC has been praised for a job well done, but the big question remains if the momentum could be maintained

Enugu Rangers slugging it out against Akwa United in one of the Nigeria Premier League matches

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 21, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Osimheb

Andy Cole Charges Man Utd to Sign Osimhen Former Manchester United attacker, Andy Cole has given reasons why the English Club should secure the signature of the Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen. According to the Englishman, the Super Eagles talisman is a long-time buy for the Red Devils, considering his age and his talent. The Three Lions veteran, whose career spanned 1988 to 2008, feels Osimhen’s goalscoring style will be enough for the Red Devils to beat Arsenal and Newcastle to his signing.

However, Osimhen’s recent success for Napoli has aroused the curiosity of certain European powerhouses, like Manchester United, who are keen on replacing Ronaldo’s gap at Old Trafford. While the Prince of Naples remains their top summer target, rumours claim that Manchester United are planning a move for Goncalo Ramos if the transfer deal falls through. Meanwhile, recently, United signed Netherlands international Wout Weghorst

last week as they strongly need an attacker. The former English international was ‘a bit surprised’ by the transfer and believes his former club might have to look elsewhere for Ronaldo’s ‘long-term’ replacement. However, in an interview with Betway, Cole identified Osimhen as the perfect striker and explained why. “I think Victor Osimhen at Napoli is very good and could be the long-term natural fit. The question is whether Napoli would be prepared to let him go.

Super Eagles-eligible Player Joins Chelsea after Passing Medical Premier League side Chelsea are on the verge of confirming the capture of Super Eagles-eligible player Nonso Madueke. The England U21 international of Nigerian descent has passed a routine medical after arriving in London on Thursday night, paving the way for him to sign a multiyear contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit. According to transfer market guru Fabrizio Romano, Madueke became a new Chelsea player after the signing of documents and contracts, and

only an official announcement of the transfer is pending. PSV Eindhoven have decided to end their association with the right winger two and a half years before the expiration of his contract in exchange for 35 million euros (N17.3 billion in Nigerian currency). It is unlikely that Madueke’s registration as a new Chelsea player was completed in time for him to be eligible to face Liverpool this afternoon. Speaking at yesterday’s press conference ahead of his side’s blockbuster Premier

League clash against The Reds, manager Graham Potter was, as expected, asked to comment on reports linking the AngloNigerian wonderkid with an imminent move to Chelsea. Potter responded: “I know there’s a lot of noise around there, but at the moment there’s nothing to announce. “The club hasn’t announced anything and I’m not in a position to speak any more until he’s a Chelsea player. “Until then there’s nothing else to say. I don’t like to speak about players who aren’t Chelsea players.”

Venue Stands between Fury-Usyk’s Uniﬁcation Fight Bob Arum, the CEO of Fury’s American promoters Top Rank, has revealed the venue is the only remaining obstacle to the heavyweight unification fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk being confirmed, with the Middle East leading the race. Arum told Sky Sports News the WBC king and WBA, WBO and IBF champion Usyk have agreed to the showdown and expects a location to be finalised in the next week. An unspecified country in

the Middle East is the likely host for the hotly-anticipated contest due to the huge sums of money being talked about for both boxers, but if that does not happen then Wembley Stadium would be on the table. “I’m very optimistic the fight is going to happen,” Arum told Sky Sports News. “Both fighters have agreed to do the fight, the question is the site and we’re talking to the Middle East because allegedly they’re going to come up with the biggest purse ever

in boxing history. “And if they do, that’s where the fight is going to go because money is money. If they don’t, both fighters will agree to do the fight this spring at Wembley... but the fight will happen in my opinion, certainly within the first four months of the year. “Fighters want to do the best for themselves because a fighter’s career, no matter how great he is, is limited and they want to make as much money as possible.

Juventus Docked 15 Points for Transfer Dealings Serie A giants Juventus have been docked 15 points following an investigation into the club’s past transfer dealings, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has confirmed. The FIGC says Juve used transfers to artificially boost their balance sheet. Juventus had been in third place but the penalty will drop them to 10th. The sanction comes after the club’s board of directors, including president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved, resigned in

November. Juventus have denied any wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the decision. The FIGC has also hit Agnelli and the club’s former chief executive Maurizio Arrivabene with two-year bans. In a statement in November, the outgoing board said their resignations were “considered to be in the best social interest to recommend that Juventus equip itself with a new board of directors to address these issues”.

Juve’s former sports director Fabio Paratici, now Tottenham’s managing director of football, has been banned for 30 months. The Turin-based club were initially acquitted in an investigation in April 2022. The investigation concerned “revenues from player registration rights” between 2019 and 2021 and it was reopened in December 2022. Agnelli was president of Juventus for 12 years during which time the club ran up record losses.

L-R: Secretary General/Head of Legal Department, Kishikan Ryu Martial Arts College, Olusola Mesele; Group Chief Executive Oﬃcer, The Temple Company, Idris Olorunnimbe; and President/Head Instructor, KRMAC, Shihan Paschal Mac-Brown at the presentation ceremony of Shodan First Dan Black Belt to the executive at his Ogidi Studios, Lekki, Lagos... recently

Karate Organisation Unveils Idris Olorunnimbe as Patron In recognition of his sterling qualities and positive contribution to the society, Group Chief Executive Officer of Temple Company, Idris Olorunnimbe, has been honoured with a Black Belt by Kishikan Ryu Martial Arts College (KRMAC) and unveiled as Patron. The award was presented at a private ceremony at the Lekki, Lagos office of the founder of foremost creative agency, Temple Company, owners of the top production outfit, Ogidi Studios. Speaking about the award, Shian Paschal Mac-Brown, President and Head Instructor, KRMAC, noted that the selection of awardees of the Shodan Black Belt was for people who have distinguished themselves. The

Karate coach also unveiled Idris Olorunnimbe as Patron of Kishikan Ryu Martial Arts College (KRMAC), joining other distinguished personalities to help drive the impact of martial arts in the society. He disclosed, “As an organisation, we are very proud to award the rank of Shodan First Dan Black Belt to our most distinguished sponsor, Mr Idris Olorunnimbe. In Karate, Shodan is awarded to a person who has mastered the basics of the art and we view Mr Olorunnimbe as most eminently qualified for the honorary award of the rank not because he is a practitioner of the art but he has demonstrated certain virtues like vision, discipline, civic responsibilities and consistent

success which are in line with our ethos and practice.” Kishikan Ryu Martial Arts College is a foremost Shitoryu Karate College with footprints across public, as well as private Nigerian institutions working with children and teenagers to help them achieve peak physical and mental health. Through Karate, KRMAC hopes to “instill discipline, strong moral character and leadership skills.” The organisation has produced several national and international karate champions some of whom are based in Nigeria and the Diaspora. It has also worked in capacity development with the Nigerian Police Force, NationalYouth Service Corps and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Stakeholders Laud NSSF on World School Athletics The two-day World School Athletics Trials organised by the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) has been concluded in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with stakeholders lauding the event which provided participants with opportunity to showcase their talents. Over 1,300 participant from primary and secondary schools across 24 states, including Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa and host, Ogun participated in the trials to select Nigeria’s contingent for the 2023 World School Athletics Championships holding later in the year. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) also

hailed NSSF for the smooth organisation of the trials which they believed would help to unearth talents for the country. AFN President Tonobok Okowa and Secretary General of NOC, Tunde Popoola were particularly impressed with the turnout of teams from more than 20 states, while hoping that athletes from the trials would be nurtured to become world stars. While some of the students will represent the country in Turkey in June/July, others will have opportunity to compete with their counterparts across the globe when the Nigerian flag is hoisted in Brazil at the International School Sport Federation Gymnasiade

for under 15 boys and girls in August. At the finals of the event held on Thursday at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta, dignitaries, administrators and officials lauded the performance of the athletes and expressed optimism that the country will do well at the international championships. The World Athletics Trials featured track and field events with competitors in Under 12, Under 15 and Under 18 showcasing their talent. President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, Olabisi Joseph stated that students selected from the event will begin camping ahead of the country’s participation at the global events.

Pumas Terminate Alves’ Contract Amid Arrest for Sexual Assault Dani Alves has had his contract terminated by Mexican side Pumas after he was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault on Friday. The full-back was arrested after a woman claimed that he sexually assaulted her in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30. The 39-year-old, who has denied the accusations, was

taken into custody and appeared in front of a judge the same day. He was then ordered to be held without bail. Liga MX side Pumas have reacted by terminating the ex-Barcelona star’s contract, which was set to expire in July 2023. Club chairman Leopoldo Silva announced in a brief statement

to the press on Friday evening that the veteran Brazil international is no longer part of the club. Alves joined the Mexican side in July last year and has made 13 appearances, most recently in the first game of the Liga MX Clausura on January 8. He was not part of the side that lost 3-0 to Santos Laguna the following week.

Gagaar Wins Ikoyi Club Badminton Chairman’s Cup Kailash Gaggar beats over 50 other competitors to emerge winner of the 2023 Chairman’s Cup of the Badminton Section of Ikoyi Club. Gaggar, who competed in Group B, scored the highest number of points to cart home the top prize at the expense of Group A winner, Siddharth Saboo, who edged Vitus Akudinobi and Sunny Orizu to second and third places, while Daniel Adeoye

ruled in Group C. Outgoing Section Chairman, Mazi Nwankwo expressed delight at his tenure stating he is fulfilled to have made significant impact during his tenure, prominent among which is enhancing the revenue base of the section, increasing membership to an all-time high of 338 and also turning the section to a five-star facility.

The highpoint of the day was the award given to 86-year-old Pa Eric Okoye, who has been a member of the section since 1979. He attributed his healthy look to his playing badminton for over 60 years. Awards were also given to eight other previous chairmen of the section, notably among was Francis Orbih, a former president of the Nigeria Badminton Federation.

Saturday, January 21, 2023

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Justice Ekwo to EFCC on Ekweremadu

“I have been asking myself the question repeatedly, how can a citizen of Nigeria, who is incarcerated outside the country, to the knowledge of the respondent (EFCC) be expected to show course in an action in Nigeria, brought by the respondent, at the same time? This, in my opinion, is an unconscionable act.” –Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja chastising the EFCC while setting aside the interim assets forfeiture order against Senator Ekweremadu.

RAPHAELOPAWOYE GUEST COLUMNIST

A Loving Tribute to Very Rev Fr Achi I

t is with great sadness that the Christian community in Nigeria, Niger State in particular, mourns the death of one of its most highly respected leaders, Very Rev Fr Isaac Achikpili Achi who was gruesomely murdered by bandits in the early hours of Sunday, January 15, 2023. Father Isaac Achikpili Achi, a Catholic priest, was killed in a most grisly manner inside his house at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kafin-Koro, Niger State. The terrorists decided to burn the building with Father Achi when they could not access where the priest was. In the course of his ordained ministry which spanned almost twenty-eight years, Father Achi was a Reverend Father, a Shepherd, a Priest, and Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Paikoro Local Government Area, Niger State. No matter the order of ministry to which he was called, the office he held, or the title he bore, the most distinguishing mark of Fr Achi’s ministry was friendship, that friendship into which Jesus called his disciples in the Upper Room on the Eve of His Passion, Death and Resurrection, that friendship into which he calls his followers in every age. Rev Fr Achi as the Coordinator of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Paikoro Local Government Area worked assiduously to unite the body of Christ in the Local Government and beyond. He was a voice to the Church. He survived multiple attacks, abducted in Madalla and spent days in captivity until his Church members raised some ransom before he regained freedom. He survived the Christmas Day bombing that caught global attention, where a Boko Haram suicide bomber struck around the Church leading to the death of about 44 persons, many of whom were his parishioners. Scores of his parishioners were injured as some had gone permanently blind. Surprisingly, about a year after Father Achi conducted the requiem mass for victims of the devastating attack in Madalla, he stood before the congregation and appealed to them to learn to forgive all those who deliberately hurt them. He said those who perpetrate evil against the state and innocent citizens require prayers. In his homily, the priest appealed to Christians “to learn to forgive all those who deliberately hurt them.” He urged “Christians to remain prayerful,” stressing that “the power of prayer and love can overcome all situations.” What a rare gem! Fr. Achi had indeed lived the life of a saint. He practically lived his life as a true disciple of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Testimonies abound. He catered for humanity as one beyond the flock of his faith. He provided drinking water for the people of his community. He offered succour to the needy in various forms. He promoted education to as many as came his way and showed the desire to be assisted. He was a peacemaker. A lot of people looked up to him as their mentor. He was a youth counselor, and was able to sponsor many people to universities across Nigeria. He had a large heart. He will surely be missed by all that were privileged to come across him.

Father Achi

Rev. Fr. Achi, stretched himself to cater for both Christians and non-Christians, Catholics and non-Catholics. For a man known to have dedicated his life to serving his local community of Kafin-Koro and its environs, providing them essential social amenities through his personal efforts, Fr. Achi did not hold back from his community anything he could give to uplift their wellbeing. His blood will forever cry out against his killers, even as their lives are already headed to perdition. Fr Achi was one of those Priests in whom as Rowan Williams would say, you could see “The Gathering Christ” … someone around whom it is possible so see what the Church is, the Body of Christ, each and every one of us, members one of another. Father Achi enjoyed gathering the Church for worship and fellowship, for dialogue and discernment of the Spirit’s work in our midst. Across differences in theological perspective he gathered people and enabled them to speak and listen to each other with respect. Throughout his entire ministry he upheld the wonders of diversity in unity. He worked hard to help us live by St. Paul’s

counsel that we be “forbearing in love”, and “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”. Indeed, he embodied that long cherished principle among the body of Christ holding one another in “bonds of affection” in Christ. Late Father Isaac Achi is a pretty coolheaded man who had stolen the hearts of people everywhere he went. He celebrated five hundred years of priesthood last October. He also marked the twenty-eight anniversary of his ordination as a Reverend Father few days ago at a mass that was attended by forty other Reverend Fathers. Among the Reverend Fathers who attended the Mass were Fr. Vincent, Fr. Paul Bawa and Fr. Musa. It was incumbent of them to attend the mass as it was an ecumenical thanksgiving mass service. 15th of January 2021, it was Rev Fr John Gbakan. 15th of January 2023, its Now Fr Isaac Achi, both of Minna Diocese, Niger State, Nigeria. Both gruesomely killed by bandits. We stand with the church at this critical period, May God protect and save the church, we are deeply hurt and Our hearts are heavy…. May the soul of Rev Fr Isaac Achi rest in perfect peace.. Amen. The late cleric survived the December 2011 bombing at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Suleja Local Government Area, escaped a previous kidnap attempt when terrorists invaded his residence in 2013, and survived a robbery shooting two years ago. Congregants described the deceased as an easygoing man ready to help at any time. One of them, David Bulus said he could not hold back his tears when he saw the burnt body of his priest. “My Father was roasted by those people. You cannot imagine what he went through. To have died just like that, roasted like ‘boli’. Now, who would I run to when I need advice? He has always been there, he always had time for us. Now, our Father is gone,” David said with tears. An NYSC member, Daniel Ezieonu, described the priest as a big brother figure to them in the council “as he never hesitated to share his food and drink with everyone around the church.” A parishioner of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Micheal Oche, said the deceased was a blessing to many families during the trying period of the Madalla bomb blast. He called on the government to ensure the culprits are brought

Surprisingly, about a year after Father Achi conducted the requiem mass for victims of the devastating attack in Madalla, he stood before the congregation and appealed to them to learn to forgive all those who deliberately hurt them. He said those who perpetrate evil against the state and innocent citizens require prayers

to book. A Twitter user, Chinaza Asogwa, recalled how the priest came to their aid when thieves invaded their house: “When my mom was pregnant with my younger sister and my dad was out of town. I was just 6 at the time and thieves attacked our house. My mom called him panicking and he drove straight to our house with police men. You dare not step on his parishioners. This cuts my soul deep,” Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State, who vowed to bring the perpetrators to book, directed the security agencies to work towards arresting the culprits. The governor, who urged the people of Kafin-Koro and the entire parishioners to remain calm and allow security agencies do their work, adds: “I am saddened and horrified to learn of the killing of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, who was set ablaze by bandits at his residence in Kaffin Koro. This senseless act of violence is a heinous and unacceptable crime that has no place in our society. The tragedy has undoubtedly caused a great deal of pain and suffering. There is no justification for such a heinous crime, and those responsible must be brought to justice. As governor, I assure the people that we will do everything in our power to ensure those responsible are held accountable. We will also work to ensure that all religious communities are protected and respected.” Pope Francis also called for prayers for the soul of Father Achi. At the General Audience at the Vatican on January 18, 2023, Pope Francis also asked everyone to remember in their prayers the many Christians who suffer violence directly. He spoke in particular about Father Achi. Fr. Isaac Achi, who was 61 years, hailed from Kafin-Koro in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State. He had served in his home parish over time, but was said to have been posted out to the parish at Madalla, Suleja, recently and was yet to relocate. He has been celebrated as the first indigenous Catholic priest from Gbagyi/Koro land. After his ordination on January 7, 1995, Rev Fr Achi was later transferred to Minna Archdiocese of the Church from where he was moved to different parishes. He was drawn into the Church in his early childhood and was very magnificent as a staunch Catholic until the killers cut short his life’s journey. Fr Achi was in 2011 the Pastor of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Father Achi has now gone to a place where he would no longer be troubled. He is comforted by Mathew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” May the soul of very Reverend Father Isaac Achi and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in perfect peace. Good night Very Rev Fr Isaac Azekpili Achi, until the end of time, when the Master of the Universe will reign, for ages upon ages. •Pastor Raphael Opawoye is the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter.

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