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In Move to Allow Limitless Loan Recovery, CBN Amends Operational Guidelines of Global Standing Instruction James Emejo in Abuja The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has amended the operational guidelines of the Global Standing Instruction

(GSI) to allow for continuous and unrestricted loan recovery by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and financial institutions in the country.

The GSI creates a

contractual mandate from an individual borrower, in favour of a creditor bank to apply monies standing to the credit of the borrower in a third-party financial

institution or electronic wallet to offset the debt obligations of the borrower.

It helps to facilitate improved credit repayment culture.

The CBN in a circular

titled: "Re: Global Standing Instruction (GSI) – Individuals," dated January 19, 2022, signed

by CBN Director, Policy and Regulations Department,

Chibuzo Efobi and addressed to all banks and other financial institutions, stated that following the Continued on page 6

Zoning: Buhari will Guide APC on Way Forward, Says Abiodun… Page 6 Saturday 29 January, 2022 Vol 27. No 9790

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US: War against Sleaze in Nigeria, Core Priority of Biden Administration Declares American President committed to supporting Nigeria’s anti-corruption initiatives Bennett Oghifo The United States Consul General, Claire Pierangelo

yesterday stated that countering corruption "is not only a key concern" in Nigeria but also a core

United States national security priority for the President Joe Biden’s administration.

As a result, she said the Biden government “is committed” to supporting anti-corruption initiatives

and collaborative efforts to prevent graft, strengthen investigation and prosecution of corrupt persons and

institutions in Nigeria.

Pierangelo stated this Continued on page 6

Osinbajo: Only Leaders Not Inspired by Personal Profit Can Bring about National Transformation Asserts Nigeria will overcome its challenges and rise again Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday took a deep look at the countless problems bedeviling Nigeria and declared that only people not inspired by personal profit could bring about the desired national transformation in the country.

Osinbajo, who was speaking in Abuja at the 1st Annual General Assembly of Catholics in Politics and Catholic Business Leaders, also highlighted the imperative of servant leadership and transformational leadership at different levels in society as a force for the common good.

He said: "History teaches us that everywhere there has been a national transformation, it has been brought about by public-spirited men and women of goodwill who, inspired by their belief in a higher purpose other than their own profit, have entered the public square to champion

the common good."

Osinbajo said transformational leadership, particularly in a multi-ethnic and multi-faceted country like Nigeria, “is needed” across all levels of government and spheres of society, as its primary focus is the pursuit of the common good to ensure fairness, justice, unity and development in a nation.

According to the VP, "building credible institutions of justice, the rule of law and orderly society are crucial expressions of the pursuit of the common good."

Recalling the words of His Holiness Pope John Paul II during his visit to Nigeria in February 1982 in an address at the State House in Lagos, the VP stated, “only the harnessing of all the forces for the common good, in true respect of the supreme values of the spirit, will make a nation great and a happy Continued on page 6

REJOICING WITH DAHIRU MANGAL……

L-R: Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; an unidentified guest; and Katsina business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, at the wedding fatiha of Shamsuddeen and Ayuba, both sons of Mangal, at Aliyu Ibn Abi Talib Juma’at Mosque in Abuja…yesterday

Tinubu in UK for Consultations, Not Sick, Says Aide...

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Zoning: Buhari will Guide APC on Way Forward, Says Abiodun Deji Elumoye in Abuja Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has given an assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari would give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) the necessary guidance to achieve equity and justice in its zoning formula, ahead of the party's national convention scheduled for February.

Abiodun, who spoke with newsmen yesterday at the State House, Abuja, after leading Ogun leaders of thought on a thank-you visit to the President, expressed confidence that Buhari, as the leader of APC, would continue to provide the direction to move the party forward.

He said he was not in a position to advise the APC on zoning as a governor, noting however that the party is working on the formula, which he said, would be made known after the National Executive Council (NEC) would have met to approve the formula.

He said: “We have a President in place, we are the party that’s in government; our President is the leader of the party. I believe that His Excellency, Mr. President, will continue to offer us the guidance that’s required and will do that which we need to do under his leadership.

“I am not sure that I am capable, or have the capacity to begin to advise the party, when I am just a member of

IN MOVE TO ALLOW LIMITLESS LOAN RECOVERY, CBN AMENDS OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES OF GLOBAL STANDING INSTRUCTION amendment, the frequency of recovery attempts via the GSI platform had been altered from a specific number to continuous and unrestricted.

The bank explained further that in effect, the GSI’s automated loan recovery feature, applicable to all loans in the industry, shall remain perpetually in place throughout the life of the loan and/or until the loan is fully repaid.

The guideline contains lists of sanctions to be meted on banks and financial institutions in the event of violation or misapplication of the GSI. The apex bank stated further that the move was in furtherance of its mandate to promote financial system stability.

The central bank had in July 2020, issued a guideline on the GSI, which was aimed at enhancing loan recovery and monitoring chronic loan

defaulters.

The initiative was fundamentally conceived to address the recurring instances of willful loan default in the industry with a view to identifying and watch-listing recalcitrant debtors, enhancing loan recovery from all eligible and funded accounts/wallets in the banking industry, improving credit repayment culture and reducing NonPerforming Loans (NPLs) in the Nigerian banking system.

However, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele had, at the recent meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), disclosed that total Non-Performing Loans in the financial system had declined to about 4.85 per cent, the first in 10 years.

The updated framework is expected to further reduce incidences of loans going bad thereby worsening NPLs position.

the party and a governor, and the party has a leader who is the President.

“We are aware that the party is working on zoning and when that is formalised and ratified by NEC, then it will be made public. So, we'll know where the chairman of the party will come from, we’ll know where the President will come from and things will

evolve in their own time”.

With Abiodun on the visit were former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former deputy governor of the state, Mrs Salimot Badru; the Akarigbo of Remoland, and Chairman of Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi; and the Chairman of Rite Foods, Alhaji Sulaimon

Adegunwa.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has described roads and housing estates he inaugurated recently in Ogun as “projects of outstanding quality”.

Speaking while playing host to Abiodun and his delegation, the President said the new roads would cut travel time considerably, lauding Abiodun for also

working hard on security, and other projects that touch the lives of the people.

The President also appreciated Osoba, saying “we have known each other for a very long time.”

Abiodun assured that he would continue to make life abundant for the people of Ogun State, through adequate security and economic emancipation.

Burkina Faso: ECOWAS Leaders Demand Immediate Return to Constitutional Order Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government yesterday rose from an emergency meeting with a resolve to engage with the coup leaders that recently seized power in Burkina Faso.

Already, the ECOWAS body has agreed to send military and diplomatic emissaries to Ouagadougou, the capital of the country, today to assess the situation.

This was disclosed to newsmen by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, after an emergency virtual meeting of the ECOWAS apex decision-

making body, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari, was in support of the decisions taken.

According to him, Nigeria is fully in support of the ECOWAS demand for an immediate return to constitutional rule, release of the detained President Roch Marc Kabore and total cooperation with the regional body in the process of sorting out the current situation.

He said: “The position is, of course, we condemn the coup and ask for immediate return to constitutional order, the release of the President and anybody else who's being detained and to cooperate with ECOWAS and to be part of ECOWAS decisions.”

On what President Buhari told the ECOWAS meeting, Onyema said: “He said he was in support of the decisions that were taken at this summit. They condemned the coup. They demanded immediate release of the President, who is being detained, and an immediate process of return to constitutional order.

“A decision that the Chiefs of Defense Staff of ECOWAS Member States should head tomorrow (today) to Burkina Faso to assess the situation from a strategic also military angle, and to be followed immediately by a visit of a team of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of ECOWAS countries, again, to assess the situation

and then report to a meeting of the Heads of States, and then a definitive decision will be taken as to how to proceed. ECOWAS is going to have to engage with the junta. Well, you have to.”

Asked what might happen if the demands were not met, the Minister said: “That'll now be for the summit meeting, that's what I was saying, to now take a definitive decision because they would have had the benefit of the input of the Chiefs of Defense Staff, the benefit of the input of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, who would have gone there, and then they will be in a position to now take an informed and definitive decision.”

US: WAR AGAINST SLEAZE IN NIGERIA, CORE PRIORITY OF BIDEN ADMINISTRATION when the Inter-Religious Coalition Against Corruption in Nigeria, in collaboration with the US Consulate, launched ReportMagoMago. com, a web-based portal that leverages citizen engagement to fight corruption.

Pierangelo explained that ReportMagoMago.com puts the power to report corruption in the hands of Nigerians.

She urged Nigerians

to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against corruption by making use of the innovative online platform which seeks to address the daily instances of corruption faced by millions of Nigerians.

“Growth and development, consistent with the richness and strength of Nigeria, depend on a new narrative and a culture where corruption has no place,”

Pierangelo was quoted as saying in a statement signed

by Temitayo Famutimi of the Consulate’s Public Affairs Section.

Pierangelo further expressed optimism that the new initiative would encourage Nigerians affected by corruption to feel empowered to share their experiences and spark a new movement in citizen engagement in fighting the

scourge that has hampered development and stifled prosperity in the country.

The global anti-corruption coalition, Transparency International, last Tuesday rated Nigeria the second most corrupt country in West Africa, after Guinea.

In the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index, Nigeria dropped five places, scoring 24 out of 100 points in the 2021 index.

OSINBAJO: ONLY LEADERS NOT INSPIRED BY PERSONAL PROFIT CAN BRING ABOUT NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION dwelling place for its people.”

The Vice President stated that the common good as an imperative of public policy and governance was articulated by the second chapter of the Nigerian Constitution, adding, “The challenge of actualising the common good is coterminous with our quest to actualise the Directive Principles and Objectives of State Policy.

Achieving both requires transformational leadership across all levels and spheres of our society.”

Highlighting why transformational leadership is critical to national life, the VP noted that it would spur positive changes across all sectors and spheres of society.

He added that as a model of leadership, transformational leadership operates by serving and uplifting others because it is servant leadership.

The VP noted: “The purpose of power is service, not domination; it is to uplift and empower others rather than to control or oppress.

This is a model of leadership that is inseparable from our

conception of the common good. “ Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n a l leadership is, therefore, the pursuit of the common good. But the pursuit of the common good itself is not as easy as it sounds. This is especially so where the wounds and enmities of ethnic and religious conflicts are deep.

“The common type of leadership will seek the path of relevance and popularity within their own ethnic or religious camps by seeking only the good of their own.

The servant-leader will serve his people by emphasising the letter and spirit of the gospel that even our worst enemies were still made in the image of God. “And the pursuit of the common good is the pursuit of the good of those who hate us and have hurt us even in the recent past. " Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n a l leadership means that we do not mourn and condemn the killing of those who belong to our own tribe or faith alone, or seek justice for ours alone,

because all men are equal before God, and that the pain and anguish of a mother's loss of a child, is not different from one faith or tongue to the other.”

One of the ways to cultivate the values that promote the common good (that seeks out the good of others) is in the delivery of justice and cementing the foundations of integrity in society, the Vice President noted.

He said: "The most progressive expressions of faith are concerned with justice and justice is impossible without taking the institutions that govern public life into account. In this sense, the purpose of governance and public policy is to establish a paradigm of justice that is measured by how well society deals with its most vulnerable members, settle disputes fairly and speedily, meting out punishment to violators of law without bias or fear.

“Our courts of law must be courts of justice. It means that we must pay attention to the quality and caliber of

the men and women who are appointed judges. We must be concerned with their remuneration, and welfare.

We must be unrelenting on insisting on their integrity.”

Osinbajo also described corruption as a "cancer" noting that "the cancer in governments anywhere is corruption: "When public officials, (be they high or low in the executive, legislature or judiciary) are toll gates for the extortion of the populace while seeking government dispensations, the common good, happy and prosperous lives for the people is impossible."

He added that the pursuit of the common good must “involve a relentless pursuit of integrity and transparency of public officers: “We must think through the systems that will reduce human discretion in public-facing institutions. So we must, as a collective, condemn and call out corruption and corrupt practices.”

The Vice President also encouraged Nigerians not

to despair, despite some of the challenges, but have hope and belief in the promise of a great nation while urging that Nigerians must be willing to pay the price to achieve national greatness by actively pursuing the common good of all, regardless of tribal and religious differences.

"Fulfilling the immense promise of our nation requires men and women of goodwill from various communities and faiths to collaborate in advancing the common good.

This is all the more important because it is such coalitions that can heal society of the wounds inflicted by the crude identity politics of religion and ethnicity."

“Our future will be shaped by how well we make common cause with other citizens of progressive persuasions to transform our communities,” said the Vice President.

He emphasised the importance of forging collaborative partnerships, “not only within ourselves but with other forces which are committed to the common

good to positively impact society.”

Osinbajo adds: “Our greatest adversary in our task of national renewal is a feeling of hopelessness - a sense of futility that seems almost overwhelming. However, we cannot afford to even indulge in such despondency and despair. There is hope and there is much work to be done.

“Nigeria will overcome its challenges and rise again.

Contrary to opinion in some quarters, this house will not fall. It is being built and needs yet many more people to commit to building the sort of nation that we want.

The throes and pangs of birth must not be interpreted as the pains of impending death.

We are by the grace of God, more than able to overcome our present difficulties and we will overcome them.”

The summit, otherwise known as the AGORA Conference, had as theme: “The Advancement of the Common Good towards Justice, Unity, Structure and Development of Nigeria.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 29, 2022

NEWS

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

Ekiti APC Primary: All Governorship Aspirants Participated, Says Badaru Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Chairman of Ekiti State Governorship Primary Election Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Governor of Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, has said that contrary to media reports, all the governorship aspirants participated in the just concluded primary election in the state ahead of the June 18 governorship election.

It would be recalled that seven aspirants expected to participate in Thursday’s governorship primary of the party, boycotted the race over allegations of fraud and manipulation of the process in favour of the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, believed to be the anointed candidate of

Governor Kayode Fayemi, and eventual winner of the election.

But addressing journalists after submitting the results of the primary election at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja yesterday, Badaru revealed that elections in 11 wards were disrupted during the exercise.

He, however, added that the results of the 11 wards were cancelled, but assured that the cancelled results had no capacity to upset the outcome of the election Badaru stated: “We have submitted the results sheets and reports where they were conducted, 166 wards. 11 wards were disrupted and we cancelled those areas but in 166, people actively participated. And I think you all have the videos of what

transpired in all the 166 wards except the 11. Even the 11 that had crisis, I am sure you have seen the videos.”

The governor insisted that none of the aspirants boycotted the exercise as reported in the media.

He added: “That is absolutely not true. We landed on the 26th.

I had meetings with all the aspirants and seven attended out of eight. And we discussed the guidelines and we agreed on all the terms.

“What they were alleging probably that party members

loyal to the governor were chosen to serve as returning officers in various wards and local governments. And they raised that at the meeting. And I asked them, the guidelines is to use the party people to do the job?

“We cannot hire or take people that are not from the party. But they can also give us 20 each from the party people that they believed will do justice to them. And they provided those 20 lists which we incorporate into returning officers. And this was communicated in the early

morning to them because they sent their own list very late and that was what even delayed us that night.

“But we managed to incorporate all the 20 people each they sent to us to participate also in the exercise. But you can see from what happened that they are supposed to have agents in all the 177 wards. And these 11 wards that the primaries were disrupted were wards that had relationships with most of the aspirants. So, you can see if they have that power, to stop the congress, they could have

done it also in the 166 wards.”

Badaru noted that unlike what happened in the Anambra governorship election, what Oyebanji got was realistic.

According to him, “You can see the numbers. The winner got 101,000 votes out of 180,000 registered members. So it is a very realistic fact. It is only 60-65 per cent membership that comes out to vote which is very realistic. And for those of you that have been there on the field, you have gone round ward by ward by yourselves that it is actually people.”

Bisi Akande Backs Oyetola for 2nd Term Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Former governor of Osun State and first interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, last Thursday evening gifted Governor Adegboyega Oyetola a horse which he said, he should ride to power.

Governor Oyetola had after his strategic engagement tour of Ila Federal Constituency, visited Akande at his residence in Ila. The tour is a statewide consultation to the nine Federal Constituencies in Osun which the governor is using to fraternise with the newly elected APC executives at the wards and local government levels and to inform them and party members of his intention to participate in the party’s forthcoming primaries in preparation for the July

governorship election.

The presentation of the horse to the governor by “Baba Omo Ke ke ke” as Chief Akande is fondly called, is highly symbolic and seen as a declaration of an unalloyed support for the person and candidature of Oyetola.

Horse, political pundits say, symbolises strength, power, freedom, triumph, heroism, nobleness, stamina, tireless, confidence and intelligence. In fact, they say it is a precious gift of life and highly celebrated animal. Although, it is used for different purposes, what is constant, according to political pundits is that it is used as a ride to celebrate good things.

While accepting the gift, Oyetola who was obviously surprised and excited with smiles on his face said “thank you very much.”

China Promises to Assist Nigeria Overcome Challenges Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The People’s Republic of China has promised to deepen cooperation with Nigeria to overcome major challenges of the country and to enhance development especially in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun gave the promise in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2022 Chinese New Year celebration tagged ‘The year of the Tiger’.

Cui said that as China marks its New Year, and also in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic going down, it is a great opportunity to assist African countries, especially Nigeria in new areas.

He said: “The year of Tiger is really very important for China I do believe that in the year 2022, after the COVID pandemic we will embark on new cooperation.

“I just laid out that we have five strategic goals and also we have five prioritised areas within infrastructure, ICT, industry, investments, imports, exports.

“So I do believe that in the year 2022, China is working hard on building our second

goal and during this process, it is very important for two countries to work together.”

He added that: “For Nigeria it is also very important and it is good for both countries to try to utilise the atmosphere of Tiger year.

“That means we will have ambition, we will have bravery, we will have strength, not only defeating the difficulties of the COVID-19 but will embark on deeper, broadened cooperation.”

Cui said that during the last Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November 2021 in Senegal, Presidnet Xi Jinping pledged to scale up Chinese interventions in Africa in nine major sectors “President laid out the initiatives between China and Africa the most important thing that we have nine programmes.

“The first is about health, the second is poverty alleviation, the third is trade promotion, the fourth is about investment, the fifth is about green development, the sixth is about economy, seventh agriculture.

“The eight is about peopleto-people communication the ninth is about security. And of paramount importance is that we have to focus of security.”

WE APPRECIATE… L-R: Business mogul, Bola Adegunwa; Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; Governor Dapo Abiodun; President Muhammadu Buhari; his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite and former deputy governor, Salmat Badru, during a thank-you visit by Ogun State leaders on the recent visit of the President to the state at Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday

Ohanaeze Extols Soludo on Use of Locally Manufactured Goods Ahamefula Ogbu

The apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has extolled the stance of Anambra State governor-elect, Professor Charles Soludo, on what it described as far-reaching policy statement among which is that Innoson vehicle would be his official car while in office.

Ohanaeze in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, said it was inexcusable that after proven ability to produce and market good quality vehicles which other countries were using, governments were yet to take

such far reaching decisions on adopting the brand as its official vehicle in line with using what we produce.

“It is therefore morally reprehensible and indeed the worst form of imperialism for Nigerian governments at all levels to prefer and patronise foreign companies as against the locally manufactured goods.

For instance, while other African countries patronise IVM, the Nigerian lawmakers in 2019, placed an order for Japanese cars valued over N5.5 billion.

On the other hand, the aggregate expenditure on foreign cars by all the levels of Nigerian government is over 200 billion

per annum.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo posits on a firm wicket that when the volume of import into a country far exceed its exports, the balance of trade is distorted and the value of its currency severely threatened. The self-induced imperialism and mass poverty by the Nigerian leadership takes various forms: most people in government own buildings in the USA, UK, Germany, France, etc, and their children attend schools in foreign countries; the fuel for cars, gas for bigger machines, including kerosene; healthcare, etc are sourced from foreign countries. In fact,

almost everything which can be sourced within is imported without corresponding effort for meaningful exports. This obnoxious self-inflicted injury has already thrown Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world and fragile states index status; and counting,” it lamented.

Ohanaeze said it had in October 2019, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and other state governments to patronise locally manufactured goods and described as heartwarming that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in one day, procured 100 Innoson Hilux vans for security operatives in Enugu State.

Enugu Partners AUDA-NEPAD on Farmers’ The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has taken measures in furtherance of its efforts to cushion the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people and the economy of the state.

Consequently, the Enugu State office of the African Union Development AgencyNew Partnership for African Development (AUDA-NEPAD), yesterday, held an interactive meeting with stakeholders in the state –traditional rulers of autonomous communities and Presidents General of town unions on the agency’s agricultural project aimed at empowering small holder farm-

ers and boosting food production to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the stakeholders, the Enugu State Commissioner for Special Duties and State Coordinator/Focal Person in charge of AUDA/NEPAD, Enugu Office, Hon. Mrs. Mabel Agbo, disclosed that AUDA-NEPAD Continental Office in collaboration with some International Agencies took bold measures to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the citizens by initiating the project, entitled ‘Innovative Strengthening of Small holder Farmers Capabilities Towards Productive Land Restoration Amid COVID-19 in Nigeria’.

Mrs. Agbo said that “this

project as the title connotes is aimed at empowering small holder farmers in our different communities in all agriculture value chains and segments (crops and livestock) to boost their capacity for food production, especially in the aftermath of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on our economy.”

She stressed that “to reduce the negative impact of this pandemic, we must step up efforts to enhance the capacity of our farmers to provide food for the well-being of our citizens.”

Revealing that the African Union (AU) has set the ball rolling by providing the required money for the realisation of the agricultural

project, the AUDA-NEPAD state Coordinator pointed out that “our goal-oriented Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was equally not found wanting as he readily approved the provision of the counterpart fund required for this project.”

She, therefore, urged the traditional rulers of the autonomous communities in Enugu State and the Presidents General of Town Unions to ensure that lands are made available for use by the potential farmers, who she said are eager to embrace the challenges of cluster farming but do not have the requisite land space for the agricultural project in their various communities.

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JANUARY 29, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

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INSIGHT

One tooa many...

What waste!

In Praise International Day of Education andof ThePresident Nigerian ChildBuhari

W

hen President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of

I

On Kaduna’s Four-Working DayAttacks Stop Ritual and Killings

by the EFCC, President Buhari by his action has successfully brought back to

school. But schooling does more than prepare the state government wants to adjust the closing “All children, no matter where they live or t is no longer news that the Kaduna State governthe public consciousness the need to treat public funds with the highest level power on May 29, 2015, Nigeria was sadly a broken state in to make bad money. It equips children forand accountability. working hours to augment for losing a day. While the what their circumstances, right to othersomeone ment has migrated to four working days. With the of transparency many respects.have As a the result of many factors including life government in general. could not move may temporarilyfor address the Witches concern, increasing quality education” – UNICEF. newon policy, servants work from After keeping treasury looters theircivil toes and atare bayexpected throughtothe governance and untold level of corruption, he Advocacy Alleged (AfAW) However,ateven who attend workingurges hoursthe willNigerian have negative impacts on ritual both the to Thursday.

According to thespending state governor, Day of obligations Education istoobserved particularly, President Monday Buhari moved to curb unnecessary liventernational up to its financial citizens and service providers bothfor thechildrenEFCC, public to stop school, there still exist some problems tutors and their and students.

Theybecause will be exposed to stress. the new measurecall is designed boost productivity, everyand yearstate on January habits ofthat the can nation on what economists articles oftoostentation.

Part federal levels. 24 to celebrate the role attacks killings the notion hinder the child carried from receiving education.

In addition, the state mayand incurwealth financial The improve work-life balance andhow enable of education forthe peace development.

The that President ofproper the disclosures of the President’s stock taking was the workers countryto have Indeed one of firstand official assignments Buhari of ritual money is burden. completely These include: overcrowded government has to or this cough outfollowing millions ofthe naira more time for theirbyfamilies, rest goods, and agricultural activities. for approval this year’s of (2022) International Day frittered away billions in foreign currency importing which can baseless.

AfAW is source making call outtheme was the billions of Naira in bailout funds to problems enable state be produced of such items was rice, a major staplethe among reported of suspected something as basic as workers’ salaries.

Granting thosemake bailout classrooms which learning difficult, at home. One to pay forarrest overtime allowances.ritualists in Oyo State I think these are good reasons to warrant adoption of ofgovernors Educaton pay is: “Changing Course, Transforming Nigerians. banning rice intointhe theofPresident one in southern Nigeria.

Thepolicy local ismedia reported funds wasAccording a huge boost to national security becauseabsence the pressure of arrears of suitable learning facilities due By to poor My concern about the that unless it is theimportation policy. Besides, thecountry, aftermath Covid-19on pandemic, Education.” to ‘en.unesco.org,’ this year’s hand saved the nation in that foreign currency that members theeducation Westernsector Nigeria Security of unpaid monthly salaries building dangerously allfunding, over theacountry was a poorly remunerated and had therefore quickly reversed,ofthe which have it isbillions reported some westernannually. countries have adopted International Day of Education is a platform to And, on the other hand, theworking President boosted domestic Network, Amotekun, suspected ritualists ticking bomb. unhappy teaching staff, and so on.

Therefore, it multiplier effects wouldarrested suffer greatly.

One recalls that four dayshas policy and has workedproduction perfectly well showcase the most important transformations andinterest in the processfor had nudged the country self sufficiency in with body parts ofofa governor 73-year-old man.came on naysayers they would readily remind you of how long it is important that parents take of anrice active since the the administration El -Rufai them.

However, there isinto nothing wrong for developed thatAsk havethe to be nurturedand to realize everyone’s food production. He also created millions of jobs for young people in the rice The various suspects, whoare were apprehended in the took President Buhari to appoint his ministers and how that contributed to in what their children are learning at school. policies being pursued to transform countries with strong institutions and effective workforce to board, fundamental right to education and build a more value chain.

Boluwaji area in Ibadan, said that a Muslim collapse of the economy as if, without ministers, governance was frozen.

They should get acquainted with the teachers, the sector. In 2017, a competency test was conducted for migrate to such a new policy. They have adequate trained sustainable, inclusive and peaceful futures. It will What is most admirable about President Buhari and his government is cleric asked them to procure some human body But buying that narrative would amount to what a famous Nigerian writer, especially each term.management They primary the widespread sacking of over experienced manpower.toBy reducing the working generate debate Adichie, around how to strengthen educafrugal ofand scarce national resources attain optimum goals. day, parts forschools’ rituals.teachers Ritualleading attackstoare Chimamanda termed “the danger of a single story”. at Yetthe thebeginning whole of its coulddecrepit ask forathe teacher’s advice onthat howsince the Presidentnothing 27,000 believed to have scored less thanof70% marks. change. tion as was a public andcitizens common good, Recall Buhariwill stepped in the saddle, oil revenue dropped in Nigeria.

Irrational conceptions how to The story thatendeavour many of our did not know how state children can become better students.

Theas teachstate government andwealthy hired other teachers to In the case of Kaduna, is thehefirst statetoin the how to steerBuhari the digital transformation, abysmally if to sabotage him knowing all the bigwhich promises made make money ormoved become and successful President inherited in 2015. support replace the sacked ones. Though, the state government country adopt the policy seems have in, come teachers, planet and ers maythe thus feel appreciated citizens and be motivated during his campaigns.

Buttowith theit,little resources thattotrickle theat undergird these atrocities.

Many Nigerians It wassafeguard thereforethe necessary forunlock him tothe take stock against background is said to have beeninrecruiting teachers,known availablein a wrong time. With extension of the policy from potential in every person to contribute to collective the educational to make a cooperate greater effort President is achieving what governments thatthe received oil windfalls could strongly believe blood money, of the fact that the departing government did not, reportedly, fullto meet record local has indicated that as there is accute shortage of ministries to education sector, which means public well-being sharedgovernment home. needsworkable of the children. not dream of. some languages Ogun Owo (Yoruba) well withand the our incoming in terms of leaving handover Today, the of trains are upschools and running daily from to Kaduna.

And to or Ogwu ego the (Igbo). that they notes.

Although President Goodluck in defeat, many of high teachers across state. They While think the state is struggling can only open for Abuja four days, one is forced Education is a human right, a publicJonathan good was gracious Regarding the problem number fromit Lagos to Ibadan a brand newentirely rail track was and completed; could become rich, successful ritual of his appointees were stillWithout sulkinginclusive over what they saw as their personal with this problem, the or government hasthrough introduced the disagree with thestarted state government’s action. and a public responsibility. out-of-school children in Nigeria, is important citizens already commuting daily tomust and fro these two that major cities operate in the sacrifice.

Unfortunately, thismust is not the case. losses and therefore all the to make things difficult the and address four working days policy. One have expected The governor have known schools and equitable quality pulled education andstops lifelong to first of all for consider theare factors country seamlessly reapsyllabus from theand dividends of democracy. with Ritual wealthNasir has no basistoinhave reason, science, Buhari government. that Governor El-Rufai consulted widely using curriculum developed And

by Naopportunities for all, it will be difficult to break that contribute toward their high number.

Such as they the way this government is going, before 2023 when the President would or reality.

Home movies known as Africa Even with the obvious and unpatriotic obscurantist behaviour of the PDP before he came up with the policy. The policy lacks the the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of tional Educational Research and Development Council contributory factors include the acts of terrorism thethe entire country would be linked by rail with all of its economic nottheir helped appointees andand their supporters hell-bent on making supportor of Nollywood Kaduna State films peoplehave and for interest, children, youth adults behind.still in governmentespecially (NERDC).

The syllabus is being in the North-Easternleave, part of used by private schools. magic matters. These movies continue to reinforce things difficult for Buhari, the President moved on with his methodical repair advantages.

Nigeria is a ‘country of the young,’ with country, where the highest number of out-ofIf our poorly funded public schools are to continue with the policy should be discontinued. these mistaken notions and other superstitions. of a broken country. The first thing he did was to identify all possible sources Ainofenokhai Ojeifo, Abuja Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, around 43 per cent (almost half the entire school children are found. the four-working day policy, it means their counterparts Families, churches, mosques,Kaduna and other public of income to the nation and directed that all inflows be population) currently under the age of 15. in the private sector and others states will move far Daniel Ighakpe, Tendertouch Primary institutions do not encourage the interrogation paid into one single account in line with the policy of Nevertheless, a survey conducted ahead of them. This is sad development. I learnt that School, FESTAC Town, Lagos of these traditional occult beliefs. There are Single Treasury Account (TSA). by the United The of Out-of-School Children T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R Nations Children’s (UNICEF) indicates noScourge robust efforts to criticize or dispel these The TSA policy,Fund interestingly, was mootedthat by the EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school irrational and paranormal claims in schools, PDP government but its penchant for imprudence DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU children world (aboutdenied 10.5 million), even of ecentlyand UNICEF bemoanedSo themillions effect of outcolleges, universities. of ofand lackinofthe accountability it the courage MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO Nigerians grow up blindlyenunciating believingitsthat they implementing policy. What the President though Primarythe education is officially free andliterally school children in Nigeria, severity.

T HDEPUTY E SATMANAGING U R DAY NDIRECTOR E W S PAISRAEL P E R IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE could make ritual sacrifice of did was to gather all the nation’s money into one box compulsory.

This constitutes a serious problem Nigeria hasmoney about 10through million children who are not EDITOR NATION’S IYOBOSA AHAMEFULA OGBUUWUGIAREN DEPUTY EDITOR CAPITAL human bodyI must parts.

The belief has led many and it up with a big and watched for for thelocked country.

Knowing the padlock future impact of in school. reiterate that the severity of the MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO Nigerians to overemphasized commit crimes and perpetrate any thief to come close. having a population largely filled with uneduproblem cannot be because the rippling THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU Many circumstances.

Nigerians have Who can blame the President for almost developing effectatrocities. will bring chaotic Truthbeen to tell,jailed the outcated children, this menace will (if not properly CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI or arechildren undergoing to ritualparanoia over thethe safeguard of the national treasury EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN of -school scourge court is like trials a activedue volcano ready to curtailed), reduce world’s largest Black nation related attacks and murder. with revelations and reports of mind-boggling looting MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI spill out disaster if nothing is done about it. It would interest to a hub of vulnerable children with no access to Not too long ago, the police arrested some that took place in the 16 years of the PDP? With THE T OMBUDSMAN H I S DAY N EKAYODE W S PAKOMOLAFE PERS LIMITED you to know Nigerians that the insecurity black hole we have today quality education. young for stealing female pants, such disclosures of how billions meant for fighting EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA was created by the outofschool children of yesteryears.

A good education prepares children to cope which they intended to use for ritual sacrifice. insurgency in the Northeast ended up in the pockets of GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, Those out-of-school children are the Bello who have successfully with life in today’s society.

It equips ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI AfAW is asking all Nigerians toTuji’s desist from a few individuals while our gallant soldiers fought with DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE become a terror and abuses a destructive element to the peace and them skills, including ability Buhari ritual-related because ritual money bare with handsacademic and on empty stomach, the President TDEPUTY H I S DAY N E W SDIRECTOR PA P E R SOJOGUN L I M I TVICTOR E D DANBOYI DIVISIONAL stability of ourare nation.

The cancer of neglect Nigerian is now hunting towas read andbound write well and sanity to do arithmetic. beliefs baseless superstitions. duty to bring and accountability back EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH us down everywhere and that is why we must save Moreover, affects their interaction with others media, schools, and colleges should helpthe in nationalit spending.

GROUP EXECUTIVEASSOCIATE DIRECTORS DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, PATRICK EIMIUHI andthat reorient the public.

They Ishould futureeducate and ensure our children are educated. have andThus, helpsunder them build up wholesome President Buhari, thestandards Economic and CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI assist in reasoning of this (EFCC), which had DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO always advocated a change Nigerians to Al majiri out system, it must be ofFinancial morality.Crimes Also, asCommission human society becomes DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKAPRINTING MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE killer-superstitious absurdity and nonsense. remained years, was woken DEPUTYTO DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI a holistic and targeted change to incorporate children and even more comatose complex, afor good education takesup onto resume SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH directs the Alleged its duties.

Apart from the trillions of Naira of looted buildLeo themIgwe on a foundation for Advocacy the future. Wefor must also greater importance.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI Witches funds property recovered from corrupt improve on the (AfAW) socio-economic circumstances of the nation.

Manyand people feel that the main purpose ofpoliticians CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI I believe the government and the informal sector must education is to earn money. Yet, some educated DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO work frantically together to be able to get solutions to these people are unemployed or do not earn enough TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com problems. to meet basic needs. Some parents may therefore Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com think that it is not beneficial to send a child to

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 29, 2022

NEWS

Osinbajo Commends Resolution of African Church’s Internal Dispute Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has commended leaders and members of the African Church for peacefully settling their differences and the internal dispute in the denomination, noting that such reconciliation is true to Christian ideals.

According to him, “love of brothers and sisters prevailed and we are able to show the world that amongst Christians, men and women of faith, certain disputes shouldn’t ever become a matter that would be difficult or impossible for us to resolve.”

Osinbajo said this yesterday when he received a delegation from the African Church led by His Eminence, Dr. Emmanuel Josaiah Udofia, Primate of the African Church, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Joining the Primate were also His Eminence Julius Abbe and other leaders of the denomination.

While extolling the African Church for the maturity dis-

played in settling the internal dispute in the church, the Vice President observed the leading of the Scriptures in resolving disputes.

“We have all it takes and scripture points us in the right direction and there is no reason at all for it to be difficult in settling disputes. The devil has been put to shame in the African Church.”

He then restated the firm commitment of the federal government to freedom of worship, adding that it remains a fundamental responsibility of the Buhari-led administration.

According to the Vice President, “one of the critical things for us just as our Constitution states, is freedom of worship.

“It is our duty as a government and we intend to maintain that duty in every possible way. This is why repeatedly when visits like this take place, the President reasserts that principle. Every man of faith, even those who

FG Yet to Receive Letter from UAE Lifting Flight Restrictions Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that it was yet to receive official communication from the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the lifting of flight restrictions placed on Nigeria and 11 other African countries following the discovery of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa late last year.

The agency however said that once an official letter was received from the UAE, the Ministry of Aviation and the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 pandemic would act appropriately.

The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu who made this known yesterday in Lagos, disclosed that the Country Manager of Emirates Airlines visited his office on Thursday to convey the lifting of the flight services restriction on Nigeria and 11 others.

But, he said that the NCAA could not act on it until the UAE Civil Aviation Authority writes officially to the Nigerian government through the diplomatic channels known to the two parties, maintaining that flight operations between the two countries was based on Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) arrangement.

“The Country Manager of Emirates Airlines came to my office yesterday (Thursday) and he submitted a letter of release by the Dubai Airport lifting the ban on Nigeria and 11 other African countries.

Of course, we still have some protocols that have to be complied with. I think it is acceptable.

“But, what I told him is that the issue of flight operations between Nigeria and UAE is based on BASA. Nigeria as a government, we don’t deal with an airline, we deal with the authorities of UAE. “

Family Confirms Kidnap of Azibaola’s Brother in Yenagoa Bennett Oghifo The family of Jephthah Robert Yekorogha yesterday confirmed his kidnap by gunmen in front of his home in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The family said this in a statement issued by one of the siblings, Azibaola Robert on their behalf, titled, ‘Our response at a time like this: Statement On The Kidnap Of Our Elder Brother Jephthah Robert Yekorogha in Bayelsa State’.

According to the family, they had to issue the statement because “in the last few days, we have been inundated with inquiries by well-meaning Nigerians and the media for confirmation of the kidnap of our sibling.

“Consequently, this statement has become necessary to clarify the situation.

“Our elder brother, Mr.

Jephthah Robert Yekorogha, was kidnapped at about 8:40p.m. on Monday, 24th January, 2022, in front of his house gate at Biogbolo in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by four ‘gunmen’ in black uniform, who, at gunpoint, seized him in his car and forced him into their vehicle and zoomed off.

“This incident was reported to the law-enforcement agencies immediately it happened and is receiving maximum attention.

“We want to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who by way of calls, text messages and visits have stood by us since the incident occurred. We ask for the support of the public on any lead for the quick release of our brother.

“In particular, we express our appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) for their determined assistance.

say they have no faith, must be allowed to practice whatever systems or beliefs that they wish.”

Osinbajo encouraged the members of the delegation to make a conscious effort to “actively promote all across the country and speak about

freedom of worship because it is very important that we respect the rights of others. Government stands ready to protect your rights as Christians just as we protect the rights of men and women of other faiths.”

In his own remarks, Most Rev. Udofia expressed his gratitude

to the Vice President for his role in resolving the dispute within the church.

“On behalf of the management and members of the African Church, I wish to express our profound gratitude to God Almighty for the miraculous way our

two-year internal wrangling was brought to an end. We are grateful for the role played by the ecumenical affiliated bodies we belong to, and most importantly the special interest Your Excellency has shown and demonstrated in our church.”

ROYAL VISIT. . .

L-R: Wife of Osun State governor, Khafayat Oyetola; Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola; Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Afolabi and Queen of Apomu Olori, Janet Afolabi, during the visit of Oyetola to the Palace...recently.

PDP: Buhari Cancelled Zamfara Visit for Fear of Terrorists Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday berated President Muhammadu Buhari for cancelling his planned visit to troubled Zamfara State.

The party dismissed President Buhari’s excuse of not travelling to Zamfara State because of inclement flying weather, saying he had the option of travelling the short trip from Sokoto to Gusau by road.

In a statement by the National

Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP questioned the President’s decision to cancel the trip to Zamfara State.

“We ask, did Mr. President cancel the trip to Zamfara State out of fear of terrorists? Was Mr. President, an Army General, with all the security apparatus under his command afraid to travel by road because he was not sure of his security as well as the dilapidated state of our roads under his watch?

“From Sokoto to Gusau, the

Zamfara State capital is about 206 kilometers, a journey a leader who has the interest of the people at heart and who is sure of his security could have undertaken by road,” the PDP asked.

The PDP stressed that the President ought to have reassured Nigerians by travelling to Gusau, instead he opted for a video broadcast in which he promised the troubled people of the state that he looks “forward to a more weather-friendly period when I will visit.”

According to PDP, “This is another sad demonstration of the President leading from behind against his own promise and commitment to Nigerians to lead from the front in the fight against terrorism.

“Such attitude to governance speaks volumes as to why our nation is in a shambolic state under the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration which is largely laidback, unconcerned and corrupt.”

WHO Alerts on Threat of Tropical Epidemic in Nigeria, Says 1 Million InfectedYearly Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked the Nigerian government to take urgent and decisive measures to end the silent epidemic of Neglected Tropical Diseases currently ravaging the rural populace.

It said that more than one million neglected tropical diseases new cases are being detected

yearly with about 50 million persons at risk of infection yearly.

While giving a Goodwill Message at the event to commemorate 2022 World NTD Day WHO Head of Mission and Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, warned that Nigeria is presently occupying the second position in the ladder of high burdened countries which might degenerate further

if nothing concrete is done to arrest the situation.

He said that currently the health challenge posed by the neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria far outweighed that of COVID19.

“More than one million neglected tropical diseases new cases are still being detected yearly, while around 50 million persons are at risk of infection yearly,” he said.

Mulombo, however, said that Nigeria remained important in the global NTD eradication road map and has made significant progress in treatment and control of NTD. “I want to encourage individuals, communities, and local governments to encourage surveillance, testing and treatment for NTD and to learn more about these diseases, to end the silent epidemic it causes,” he said.

APC Government Will Not Return to Power in Kwara, Says Bankole

Lekki Residents Laud Sanwo-Olu, Urge Him

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Wale Igbintade

An associate of the former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, Dare Bankole, has said that the alleged non-fulfillment of electoral promises of the incumbent administration of the ruling APC in Kwara State would deny Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq reelection in 2023.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin yesterday, Bankole, who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Isin, Irepodun/Oke-Ero/ Ekiti House of Representatives candidate in the 2019 National Assembly election, said it would be a disservice to the people of the state if the incumbent governor

seeks re-election.

The PDP chieftain also said the governor was yet to fulfill his campaign promises, adding that the development had allegedly made him unpopular.

Bankole, who is an aspirant for a seat in the House of Representatives in the next general election, said Governor Abdulrazaq and his aides used attacks on the former Senate President as a diversionary tactic to allegedly cover up the governor’s poor leadership style.

“Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has never done anything to taunt the governor or any government official in the state but they have used every available opportunity to call him names and attack him.

to Halt Coastal Road Encroachment The Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), the umbrella body of over 150 estates and communities stretching from 1004 Estate to Epe, has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the association’s Chairman, Olorogun James Emadoye.

LERSA noted that the proposed bridge, which it described as one of the numerous projects

to better the lives of Lagosians, will ease traffic congestion around Ikeja and environs.

“We are pleased to note that while flagging off the construction of the bridge tagged the project a ‘legacy project,’ the governor said the project was an i n n o v a t i v e solution to the perenn i a l g r i d l o c k a ro u n d Opebi/Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way/Ojota/ M en d e c o r r i d o r. T h i s is a very commendable step in the right direct i o n , ” t h e s t a t em en t s aid.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 29, 2022

08054699539

Endless Tears in Chibok Amid UN’s Frank Report

W

hen Boko Haram struck in Chibok, Borno State, nine days ago, four people were killed, 22 women/two men abducted and 110 buildings razed. Yes, 110 buildings were razed in Kawtakare, Korohuma and Pemi communities in Chibok, and this is according to official figures. The terrorists were able to burn such a large number of buildings because they were in the local government for almost a whole day, unhindered. They also went from house to house cherry-picking women.

The most painful about this persistent attack of Chibok by terrorists is that this town is home to the Nigerian Army’s 28 Task Force Brigade. These soldiers have not hindered the terrorists.

Within just the first 29 days of this New Year, Chibok LG was attacked three times by the terrorists. On January 3, six soldiers and a civilian were killed when the guerrillas attacked a military base in Kuda, Chibok. After leaving the military base, the attackers burnt 40 houses in the village and then looted the community’s food and livestock.

Boko Haram returned to Chibok LG on January 14 and inflicted pain on residents of Kautikari village. As usual, they spent over two hours moving from house to house in the community. Three people were killed and scores of buildings razed.

Some of the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 at a boarding secondary school in Chibok are yet to be found.

Over 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped back then. Notwithstanding, attacks, killings and abduction have continued in this town for seven years. For how long shall these people continue to bury their loved ones? The hapless people of Chibok have obviously given up on the Nigerian state that persistently fails to protect them.

Last Monday, Governor Babagana Zulum was in Chibok to shed tears. He also interfaced with heads of security agencies and discussed breaches and ways to improve security in Chibok communities. This is the same Zulum that earlier refused to list Chibok LG as one of the unsafe areas in the state. This time around, Zulum was a bit honest to admit that four local government areas - Biu, Askira, Chibok and Damboa – were faced with serial attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP. It is not enough for Zulum to shed tears. The Borno Governor should put pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to clear the terrorists in the state. He should confront the President with the truth; that 20 of the 27 local governments in the state are not safe.

Those genuinely interested in decapitating Boko Haram and ISWAP persistently contend that the Nigerian Army is doing its best in

The developed world now fights enemies with drones and pin-point missiles. It is still not happening in Nigeria. The United States did not step into Libyan soil to fire the missile that destroyed Muammar Gaddafi. A U.S. predator-drone operated from a base near Las Vegas fired the first missiles at fleeing Gaddafi’s convoy, hitting its target about three kilometres west of Sirte. This is the modern warfare I’m talking about this war, but this best is not enough to end terrorism. This is the truth Zulum must key into and put pressure on the federal government to do the needful. The truth is that Nigeria must seek help from developed countries. We need foreign military contractors to end this war against Boko Haram and ISWAP. Technology, modern equipment and quality manpower are required in modern warfare. Our gallant military lacks these.

The developed world now fights enemies with drones and pin-point missiles. It is still not happening in Nigeria. The United States did not step into Libyan soil to fire the missile that destroyed Muammar Gaddafi.

A U.S. predator-drone operated from a base near Las Vegas fired the first missiles at fleeing Gaddafi’s convoy, hitting its target about three kilometres west of Sirte. This is the modern warfare I’m talking about.

Nigeria must hire foreign military contractors, who will come with their equipment and manpower to decapitate Boko Haram.

The alternative is to approach leaders of the United States and its European allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to help clear terrorists in Nigeria as they did in the middle-east, decapitating al Qaeda and Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who delivered a special address (virtually) at the just concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, made an appeal that was close to this suggestion of mine.

Osinbajo declared: “It is imperative for the international community to make more robust interventions to clear terrorists from Africa just as it did in the Middle East and other parts of the world. The United Nations Security Council must find unanimity in working with and assisting African countries to eradicate the menace of terrorism in the continent once and for all.”

The Buhari government should go beyond Osinbajo’s appeal on behalf of the entire

African continent. If this government is genuinely interested in ending terrorism, it should directly approach the US and its NATO allies, to help clear the terrorists in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government must end its pretenses of having decapitated Boko Haram and ISWAP, and face the terror challenges squarely. It was good that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria punched a big hole in the charades last week. The Head of the office, Martin Griffiths, professed that Boko Haram, and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, “are still very, very dangerous and very threatening.”

Griffiths thereafter urged the world not to take attention away from the insurgency-ravaged North-east Nigeria, noting that the region needs not less than $1billion in aid this year. According to him, “the funds are needed to provide food and health care for the millions of people displaced and to those who remain in their homes but are vulnerable to attacks.”

The UN official also told the world not to forget the continuing devastation being caused by the terrorists that had killed several thousands of residents and displaced millions: “This is a very different kind of operation and very difficult also to deter … a grave, clear and present danger, obviously, to the people and a priority for the government. The world needs to remember this is a tragedy that needs to be sorted out.”

Griffiths is indeed a friend of Nigeria. His intervention, done in good faith, is highly commendable. I hope the Buhari government will digest his blunt assessment of the strength of the terrorists in the North-east and act appropriately. Boko Haram and ISWAP are still, daily, sending scores of Nigerians to early graves.

I just ran into some statistics showing that

Let’s Hold Customs Liable for Smuggling Last Tuesday, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan challenged heads of security agencies to end smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries. While meeting with them, Lawan declared that smuggling of the products must be eliminated to reduce the cost of subsidy paid by the Nigerian government.

But Lawan did not narrow down to the failings of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the body specifically charged with policing our borders and preventing smuggling. If the 30,000-men NCS can’t get the job of policing borders done, then, they have no business remaining there. The leadership of the NCS must be held accountable.

The truth Lawan is running away from is that men of the NCS aid and abet the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries. They also aid and abet smuggling of rice, vehicles and so many other goods into Nigeria. These NCS men dine and wine with smugglers. Those who visit the borders regularly understand what I’m talking about.

Until this government is ready to face this fact

and act appropriately, smuggling in and out of Nigeria will persist.

Honestly, I can’t understand why the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali is still in office. He was at the meeting with Lawan and came up with weird reasons for the failure of this agency.

Ali wants Nigerians to believe that the NCS “has been doing a lot in trying to ensure that the smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria is minimised.” The man charged with leading the policing of Nigeria’s borders came to the conference complaining about porous borders and lack of modern equipment.

Nigeria has thousands of Customs men manning its boundaries. They persistently fail to stop smuggling; yet, these border defenders are still keeping their jobs. It means the leadership of this country has failed. The NCS as presently constituted cannot stop smuggling.

If the federal government is keen about limiting smuggling, the NCS must be massively overhauled. Ali is the first person that should go. A fresh Comptroller General to overhaul

Ali

the NCS should then be appointed. This is the only way forward.

in the first 11 months of 2020 alone, there were a total of 142 attacks by Boko Haram or ISWAP in the three North Eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, making an average of 13 incidents a month.

Of these 142 events, 17 ended with no fatalities while at least 1,606 people were killed in the 125 fatal incidents. This bloodshed must end.

Akeredolu

Memo to Akeredolu on Cannabis Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is the frontrunner in the campaign for the legalisation of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) or Indian Hemp in Nigeria. He has been going about this with so much passion. For Akeredolu, Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from this banned psychotropic drug, particularly in the area of medicine. The Ondo State governor says Cannabis can be a strong foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.

The governor argues: “We must find a way to legalise the cultivation of Cannabis for medicinal purposes. There is nothing wrong about it. We are only shooting ourselves in the foot. It is a foreign exchange earner for people outside the country. People want this. We ourselves, even our pharmacies want to develop it.”

Akeredolu has even travelled to Thailand to study the cultivation of Cannabis for pharmaceutical use. He disagrees with those who argue that decriminalising Cannabis would lead to more Nigerians being sucked into drug abuse.

This governor has an ally in the House of Representatives, in the person of Miriam Onuoha. She is pushing a bill for the validation of cultivation and trading in cannabis for medical and cosmetic use, research purposes as well as revenue generation for Nigeria.

Well, my dear Akeredolu, I have with me the latest research result by scientists at the University of Montreal, Canada, showing that using Cannabis for any purpose can affect memory, concentration, and decision-making.

The Canadian experts reviewed the scientific evidence surrounding the drug, and warned that the effect of Marijuana can persist well beyond the period of intoxication.

They discovered that children who smoke Marijuana perform worse at school because of its effects and that adults who use the drug could also suffer at work or impair their driving ability.

Dr. Alexandre Dumais, a psychiatrist and co-author of the study, argues that cannabis can impair “several areas of cognition” and that heavy use may worsen depression in the long term by reducing the brain’s ability to let go of bad memories. According to the researchers, Marijuana can also worsen mental health problems among people who already have them, or increase users’ risk of psychosis or schizophrenia.

The Montreal academics analysed existing Cannabis studies involving more than 43,000 people. With these facts and figures, I hope Akeredolu will reconsider his pro-Marijuana campaign. The effect is devastating, whether medicinal or recreational use.

The Ondo State Governor is also dreaming about earning forex from Cannabis instead of forex from the good old cocoa, coffee, palm oil and other export produce his state was known for during the Western Region era. If there is so much USD in Cannabis, then, Thailand that legally grows and exports it for medicinal purposes will be a prosperous country today. Thailand remains a third world country.

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SATURDAY JANUARY 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ayoola and Koya

Through Friends, Partners, We Expose Talents to Opportunities At the maiden edition of its talent hunt competition in 2021, five winners emerged in the areas of acting, modeling, singing, and dancing. One of the winners, Aduni teamed up with top Nigerian singer, Ric Hassani on her debut single/ video under the management of AYKO, a talent and modelling agency born of a shared passion of its co-founders, Ayoola Bakare and Koya Onagoruwa. With a simple vision to discover and nurture raw African talents and showcase them to the world, AYKO, has within a short space of time since emergence, registered its presence in the creative industry while deepening Nigeria’s entertainment ecosystem. In this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, Ayoola and Koya talk about their formation, opportunities and plans beyond just identifying and managing these talents… Excerpt

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here are other talent management agencies. What makes AYKO different?

What makes us different is that we set out to ensure that emphasis was placed on up skilling and supporting the talents and models to the very highest standards, giving them every opportunity to proudly represent the best of the industry, on the world stage.

Also, applications to enter our competitions are FREE, we don’t charge

Was Koya also into modeling in UK? Sadly not, but he is often mistaken as one!

What prompted your decision to relocate to Nigeria and startup AYKO Agency?

This is quite simple……there are so many talented young people in Nigeria who could easily grace the creative and entertainment industry; what they lack is opportunities.

AYKO was started to focus on creating such opportunities for young and upcoming talents.

After having discovered these talents do they get signed for a particular number of years?

The duration of contracts between AYKO and the talents range from between one and three years.

How much of exposure do they get and through what avenues?

AYKO has been blessed by the amount of creative and entertainment industry friends that we have picked up along the way.

Through these friends and partners, we are able to expose our talents to opportunities that will help them further their careers.

AYKO see the success of its talents as success for the organization.

How did this partnership between Ayoola and Koya come about?

Ayoola and Koya have been family friends for so many years and had always had this idea to do something that would support the youth and upcoming talents in Nigeria. The idea finally came together about two years

How has the business aspect of the agency been?

It has been both wonderful and challenging. Setting up the Agency has been a life’s ambition of the Co-founders but like anything in life, hard work pays off. It has been, and continues to be, a life-changing experience Is Nigeria really encouraging for your idea?

Absolutely, we will do it again in a heartbeat!

Ayoola and Koya

ago and they have been working hard to establish what we have today.

We are aware Ayoola is a top model in the UK; tell us about your journey in the modelling industry in UK? My journey in the modeling industry has been exciting as I am mainly a beauty and commercial model in the UK. I remember coming out of Oxford Circus Train Station

where I got stopped by an agency scout, a Polaroid picture was taken and I was asked to sign to their agency which I ignored at the time. Then a few months later, I was in Camden Market when a photographer approached me, pleaded to take some of my pictures, which he later uploaded online.

This led to my 1st professional Job, which was also my 1st cover page for Black Beauty Magazine and here we are now.

What’s the future plan for AYKO beyond just identifying and managing these talents?

AYKO’s strategy beyond identifying and management talents is two-fold: (i) focus on the sustainability and staying-power of the talent, so that they can have a long and rewarding career, and (ii) establish AYKO in as many African countries as possible, whilst also exploring European and American opportunities.

Kush Jnr Delivers on Newest EP

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inger/songwriter Kush Jnr panache stays his sounds of music, delivering upmost and fantastic mixes of his worldwide anthem.

The rap artiste delivers a message on his newest EP “Sound Dragon” declaring a reminder that it’s all about the Benjamin’s.

The 4-track EP which contains songs such as Kolomentality, Gwara Fever

and Juicy shows Kush’s eclectic reach of musical style and taste. “I specialize in mixing my multiple strengths and world influences to my music,” said Kush Jnr. Kush Jnr boasts of international and African fans and a renowned base worldwide.

The Akwa Ibom native represents a new breed of the caliber of singers, one who is savvy but has enough swag to appeal to both overseas and American

audiences. He’s that one who needed to balance R&B music. His music rings around the globe.

The blend of his rich cultural background enables Kush Jnr to lyrically go in directions which others are afraid to. Listeners and new fans will find that Kush is an introspective lyricist who pays attention to social details, love, culture, and environmental behavior as articulated in his songs and recent EP.

Kush Jnr

‘Dinner at My Place’ Opens in Cinemas Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Timini, Sophie on set of the movie

Multiple-award winning filmmaker, Kevin Apaa had earlier released official trailer for his first theatrical debut, ‘Dinner at My Place’.The romantic comedy premiered across cinemas nationwide just last night.The movie stars actorsTimini Egbuson, and Sophie Alakija in the lead, alongside other favorite Nollywood stars such as Bisola Aiyeola, Uche Montana, Debby Felix, Charles Etubiebi, Oluyemi Solade and Michael Sanni (MC Lively).

“Dinner at my place” is a romantic comedy with element of humour, suspense and intrigues. It tells the story of Nonso (Timini Egbuson) who plans to propose to his girlfriend Chioma (Sophie Alakija)

over dinner at his place where he intends to pop the question. “I’m going to ask Chioma to marry me”, he tells his friends. However things take a turn for the worst when his ex-girlfriend Bisi (Bisola Aiyeola) shows up uninvited in her usual dramatic style.

From the synopsis and fantastic cast, the movie promises a fun watch and a perfect date movie for one, your partner and family to see at the cinemas, especially for the coming season ofValentine. ‘Dinner At My Place’ is just another feel good movie, written and directed by Kevin Apaa, produced by Chiamaka Ebochue for Duku Pictures, and entirely shot in Lagos. It has Filmone Distribution on its delivery wheel.

“Get ready for a love story like never before!

‘Dinner At My Place’ is about to blow your minds

away”, Apaa’ post reads. “It’s one movie you don’t want to miss”.

On the choice ofTimini and Sophie as the lead, Apaa explained to this reporter in a chat: “Timini and Sophie are undoubtedly talented and fantastic actors. I had seen them done quite a number of great movies in the past. I saw how they embodied their character and interpreted them very well.

“So I could tell that they were going to be a great cast to work with. Also the fact thatTimini and Sophie are both young at heart, I knew they were the perfect match to connect with my target audience. And right now I feel it was a great decision I made to work with them on this project because their energy and chemistry in this movie is simply beautiful.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Adekunle Gold’s New Album is Ready Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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fter huge success on a number of songs, such as ‘It is What It is’, ‘Sinners’, and ‘High’, released last year, Afro-fusion singer, songwriter Adekunle Gold is off to a good start this year following the release of a new single titled ‘Mercy’, the fifth track off his forthcoming album, ‘Catch Me If You Can’, which is set for release by midnight on February 4, 2022. “First banger of the year: #Mercy out now worldwide”, he posted on his Instagram page.

‘Mercy’ is another groovy midtempo song that maintains his current unique vibe. AG on the song prays for God’s mercy in order to identify fake friends with fake love and overcome his enemies. Hours after its release,, lovers of his music and fans flooded social media with positive comments reviews, a good sign for Adekunle Gold’s upcoming album. The ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is a follow-up to his previous project, “Afropop Vol. 1,” which

was dropped in 2020.

The singer took to his social media pages to put out footage containing track list for the project ahead of its February 4 release date. The upcoming album houses thirteen tracks including recent releases and fresh new songs; Sleep, Sinner, One Man, and Selah, featuring internationals acts American singers Ty Dolla Sign, Lucky Daye, Fousheé, BritishJamaican rapper Stefflon Don, Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, and Davido.

With ‘High’ still doing wonders on the charts, the singer still featured on a song with DJ Tunez and the legendary Ashanti titled Energy.

Speaking about the project, he wrote: “How long it took to finalize the track list is unforgivable (sorry to my team). But all passengers are boarded and we are ready to take flight. Buckle up, It’s about to be a movie #cmiyc”.

Adekunle Gold has released three albums so far, namely: ‘Gold’ (2016), ‘About 30’ (2018), and ‘Afropop’ (2020).

Adekunle Gold

Gospel Concert Secures Fresh Talents Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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he Worship and Rap (WAR) Concert project, a series of music events, charitable programmes and tours headlined by Port Harcourt based gospel singer, Sir Vic – real name Victor Ekpo – recently witnessed a spectacle of amazing talents in Akwa Ibom State.

The rapper/songwriter, had recently dropped a 5-track Extended Play (EP) – ‘Take Over’ – took the option of launching the project, which many see as an investment in budding talents in the state, in other parts of the region.

According to Uduak Umo of Jabborro Public Relations, managers of the Sir Vic brand and projects, “ He had the option of launching the project anywhere else and could easily afford to do so.”

The decision to start in Akwa Ibom State was based on the artiste’s belief in the people of the State. Umo explained: “Sir Vic, who is a native, has always believed that there is significant talent for entertainment projects in Akwa Ibom. This is why we only brought in five individuals from outside the State for this project, and they were guests.

“The actual session men and workers were sourced locally. Subsequent editions of the WAR Concert project are slated for Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and the UK, according to the organizers. The plan is to retain most of the Akwa Ibom guys that worked with us everywhere we go.”

Affirming the assertion, Sir Vic stated that “I am not just a singer; I’m also a business man. I’ve managed talent in the past elsewhere. And I observed that Akwa Ibom people are both enterprising and really talented.

Highpoint Event Centre & Suites for Grand Opening February 3

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Sir Vic on stage at the ‘WAR’ Concert...

This is the reason investing in the people and the economic environment is worthwhile for me. I’m aware of other factors that matter, but to me, the people are the most critical.”

The Uyo leg of the project involved a concert in the city centre, Ibom Plaza, followed by an album listening party held before more than 15,000 guests from within the State Government’s Christmas Village festival in December. The WAR

Concert was one of the annual 30-day yuletide fiesta’s best ever event, with the support of Members of the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Christmas Village organizing committee.

In the course of the WAR Concert project, school fees were paid for 8 University students, 20 small businesses were directly funded, and 65 Uyo-based professionals were hired in what was a combination of business and charity.

ll is now set for the grand opening of a state-of-the-art event Centre, Highpoint Event Centre & Suites onThursday, February 3 by 11am.

Located at the heart of Ikeja Business District, precisely at Number 5, Impressive Close, Off L.J Dosunmu Street, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, the eye popping edifice which sits on approximately 10,000 square metres is set to offer a comfortable and luxurious choice for all kinds of ceremonies in the state’s capital.

One of the unique features of the double-floor Centre is its capacity to accommodate 3,000 guests.

Guests are also given the opportunity to opt for the Banquet style with a capacity of 1000, or theTheatre style with a capacity of 2000 guests sitting The event centre is equipped with top class sound system, CCTVcameras, A-grade stage lights and eye catching chandeliers and interior decor that will leave guests stunned with a satisfying feeling of value for money.

The three standby generators with a capacity of over 500 KVA ensures that guests are guaranteed uninterrupted power supply while they party hard.

The event centre also comes with a luxurious 20-room lounge including a two-roomVIP lounge and 18 single rooms that will make guests feel at home away from home.

Unlike most event centres in Lagos, where guests are subjected to inadequate parking space and at the risk of having their vehicles towed or vandalized, Highpoint Event Centre boasts of a 500-vehicle car park with top notch security.

The event centre, owned by the Omolara Adebiyi, wife of arguable Nigeria’s biggest contractor, Lekan Adebiyi will no doubt up the ante in the hospitality industry in Lagos while offering a one-stop-shop for all that is required for guests to have a memorable event.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

PEOPLE Juliet Imonije

My Passion for Empowering, Mentoring Young Girls Non-governmental organizations have always bridged the gap for governments in the provision of essential, humanitarian services to the citizens, usually touching many sensitive areas, by mobilising private funds. Over the years, dubious operators have found the terrain an easy channel to garner funds for personal enrichment. In this interview with THISDAY founder of Jawani Foundation, Juliet Akpesiri Imonije, also known as Queen of the Street Kids, bares her mind on the role of NGOs, her own street experience as a kid, which informed the establishment of the foundation and other issues

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health because people can be unhelpful and look for any chance to take advantage and financial constraints in executing projects. Majority of my projects are self-funded with minimal contributions from friends and family.

ell us a bit about your background?

I hail from Delta State but was born and raised in Lagos in the 80’s.

I studied Sociology at Delta State University, Abraka but have spent several years in the fashion world and have carved a niche for myself before delving into the corporate world as an Administrator.

I am convener of Jawani Foundation and have over a period developed a deep passion for empowering, mentoring, and inspiring young girls and women who are less privileged. I am also a life coach for preteens, teenagers, and youths. I coach and mentor them of challenges they might face so they can know how to overcome them. A few years ago, what is Jawani Foundation today was an elegant fashionista that launched a foundation designed to positively touch the lives of the Girl child, especially the wellbeing of children, women and the needy in the society.

What informed the establishment of Jawani Foundation?

My journey as a girl child was what led me to the establishment of Jawani foundation and it all came from a true-life experience. I had a very humble beginning. I come from an average background. My parents helped us by simply teaching us values even when we had nothing.

They managed and struggled to train us. My parents were the best gift God gave me. I was a sheltered teenager growing up, so when I got my first admission to a polytechnic to study Public Administration in the year 2013 and I lost it. I went astray all in the name of freedom. After a year, I realized the route I was heading was not the right path and could lead me to destruction. Reminding myself of the vow I made, I had to return home like the prodigal son in the Bible and start all over. This was a trying and sensitive stage in my life, but it became a turning point because my life changed dramatically. I had to make good use of the second chance God gave me, took my studies very seriously and gained admission to study Sociology. I graduated, and I am doing excellently well today.

Looking back, isn’t it safe to say without that experience, there would probably be no Jawani Foundation today?

Looking back, I am grateful and thankful to God for the experience thus far, I vowed I was going to make good use of my experience to bring up younger girls so as not to go astray in life and teach them the need to be educated. My purpose is not my plan, but one designed by God for me, which I am living right now. In school, I learnt that no dream is too big for me (62 million girls don’t have that chance). At that point, things started crystallizing for me and I had this conviction there was so much to be done and there was so much at stake. It was time to be an agent of change and make impact. So that was how Jawani foundation came about Supporting the Girl Child.

Quite some people think NGOs are mere channels to enrich people more than what they claim to represent. What’s your take on that?

Yes, people have the freedom to think, say or believe what they want to, and which is acceptable, but I really do not blame them, because the bad ones amongst us are spoiling the integrity of the good ones. These bad apples use NGOs to get rich quick. I would always say ‘any philanthropy without sacrifice is no philanthropy.’ Most times what we see in the clime is transactional and self-centered philanthropy.’ Most people venture into it as a channel to enrich themselves not for the love of humanity, that is why people no

What are your programmes for 2022?

‘The Widows Mite’ aimed at empowering 200 widows on various vocational and empowering them for startups. There will also be a talk titled, ‘Just because I am a Girl Child’ (A session where we bring together youths and facilitators that deal with issues pertaining to the wellbeing of the Girl Child), and ‘Christmas on the Street’ (It is our annual event where we gather and cater for over 1,000 children).

How do you or can you measure your impact in the lives you touch?

I would say excellent, because they have access to me and the kids under Jawani foundation scholarship are doing exceptionally well in their academics. Previous programs to empower women have been successful with many candidates going on to support themselves and their families with the skills they learned.

Do you think in terms of regulation, more should be done?

Sure, if it is for the right cause. Creating a regulatory body for NGOs to oversee and vet their activities to weed out the bad apples.

What is your philosophy about life?

‘Live life with love and compassion, destroy it and it would destroy you’.

Juliet Imonije

God made each one of us special, we are clothed in His strength, natural beauty, and dignity, we are ambitious and strong, and we need to be our sister’s keeper. We must follow our dreams, and while doing so, bring our fellow girls along to pull the generation close, empowered and inspired. I believe this is the true mark of a good role model longer have faith committing their resources because they feel it won’t be used for the particular purpose in helping humanity, but like I would always say ‘Your work would make you stand out; there are no two ways about it and that is my belief. If God has given you a ministry or an assignment and you feel it is a way of enriching yourself, my dear, ‘whatever a man soweth that shall he reap.’ I rest my case.

What have been some of your core achievements?

Providing succour for the Girl child; providing a sense of community for girls going through challenges and a safe space for them to share their thoughts, fears, and aspirations; raising awareness of the importance of education to these young girls and youths from my experience. Empowering the girl child to know their worth and have

confidence in themselves from a tender age to become powerful leaders of tomorrow, showing, teaching love and healing from past traumatic experiences of being a girl child in Africa, giving the girl child a voice through education by providing scholarships for children, as well as donation and outreach of school materials for 1,000 street children.

Which areas of the work are more challenging?

Generally, the work is challenging but specifically I would point to the areas enumerated like sexual harassment victims who find it difficult to confide in people because of the prejudice and judgement they are subjected to; the inability to accept change, people would rather remain where they are instead of embracing change; mentally and physically strain. This path I have embarked on can be quite exacting. It takes a toll on my

How do you balance work and family?

Hmmm, it has not been easy I must confess, it is all about sacrifice and thanks to my family that has been very accommodating and very supportive. The truth about life is that you must create time for whatever is considered your treasure.

It is very challenging and hectic combining the two together, but I have been able to joggle all together because I have a great team and a wonderful family. This is what I have passion for, so I am delighted joggling everything together.

After a hard day’s work, how do you wind down?

Family time for me is foremost on my list and I treasure the moments I spend with family and friends. I indulge in so many guilty pleasures whenever I have the opportunity such as going on movie dates with my family, dining, reading, pampering myself at the spa, dancing, swimming, my me-times are very important and essential to me.

Your parting shot to Nigerians?

God made each one of us special, we are clothed in His strength, natural beauty, and dignity, we are ambitious and strong, and we need to be our sister’s keeper. We must follow our dreams, and while doing so, bring our fellow girls along to pull the generation close, empowered and inspired. I believe this is the true mark of a good role model.

My good people of Nigeria, as the Beatles sang ‘Love is all we need’. Let’s forget about our differences and come together as one to fix this country. It takes you and I to effect the change we seek. We cannot sit and watch thing deteriorate.

We all have a part to play in our own little way. The big question is: are you playing your part well?

Finally, for our leaders, there is so much expected from them, together we can make the world a better place. Long live Nigeria and God bless Nigeria.

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SATURDAY JANUARY 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY JANUARY 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

FAIRGROUND with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Future Face of Africa’s Grand Finale

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uture Face Africa, the continent’s largest model search competition is set for its grand Ànale in Lagos. After a rigorous selection process involving physical castings in eight countries, as well as thousands of digital applications from all over the world, the Future Face Africa judges have selected Ànalists who have Eeen Áown into Lagos for a chance to turn their modelling aspirations into a reality.

The event will take place on January 30 at Eko Hotel & Suites, where models will Ee competing for a chance to win a two-year contract with a top international modelling agency, as well as a $5,000 USD cash prize.

The FFA project is spearheaded Ey ElizaEeth ,siorho, a pioneer in the African modelling industry and the founder of Beth Model Management Africa, Africa’s largest modelling agency.

Over the past 17 years, Beth Model has served as an industry pacesetter, helping to launch the careers of dozens of internationally-placed models, and has

cultivated some of the Eest talents in the industry, such as Mayowa Nicholas and Davidson OEenneEo. ,siorho previously organised Elite Model Look Nigeria, Eut after a two-year hiatus, re-emerged with Future Face Africa to expand her model search Eeyond the Eorders of Nigeria alone, and oͿer a wider range of hopefuls a chance at success. ,siorho said ´FFA will Ee giving opportunities to people from various countries, Eackgrounds and skin tones, aiming to go Eeyond the Euzzwords of "diversity" and "inclusivity" to create an initiative that truly celeErates the range of Eeauty that the industry has to oͿer. ´FFA will Ee eTuipping selected models with the knowledge and skills to achieve international success and to have long-lasting careers in a very competitive industry. For these models, Future Face Africa will Ee a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could change their lives forever.”

FFA is proudly sponsored Ey ATuaÀna, EcoEank, Mac, Haute &outure and Nature’s Gentle touch.

Elizabeth Elohor Isiorho

Warri Kingdom Miracle Crusade 3rophet Tomi Arayomi, founder of 5,G Nation is inviting Nigerians to Warri Kingdom to come and receive creative miracles in healing, Ereakthrough, and more and ´most importantly come to encounter Jesus, the King of all kings face to face.”

The crusade holds on January 31 at the 3alace Grounds, UgEori, Warri.

Arayomi remarked ´There s a move of God sweeping across the earth like never Eefore. There s a yearning for the sons of God to reach the poor, the sick, the Eroken, the needy and the likes. The kingdom of God has come to Warri Kingdom and gospel of Jesus will Ee preached, not with Áowery words Eut Eacked Ey the Spirit of God Ey the demonstration of power.”

L-R: The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, Bashir Are; Marketing Manager, Betway Nigeria, Dotun Adepegba; and Chief Operating Officer, Kunle Olamuyiwa during the presentation of N5 million for medical assistance to Osagbemi Adebayo...recently

Betway Donates N5m to Lagosian in Need

Prophet Tomi Arayomi and the Olu of Warri Kingdom

Leading gaming and entertainment platform, Betway Nigeria recently donated N5 million to a Lagos State resident, Osagbemi Adebayo, to cover his medical expenses.

The entertainment platform partners Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) to provide medical financial assistance under its Corporate Social Responsibility project.

The aid provided represents one instance in a long line of community causes the leading brand has taken on over the past year.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Kunle Olamuyiwa, Chief Operating Officer, Betway Nigeria said, “Corporate Social Responsibility is embedded in our culture at Betway, and we have always been committed to the welfare of our

customers and the communities we operate in.

We are happy any time we have the opportunity to give hope to our people, and this donation to Osagbemi through LSLGA is meant to renew hope, going a long way in helping to solve his health issues.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, Mr. Bashir Are, received the donation on behalf of the beneficiary.

In 2021, Betway, through its community support programme, donated over 14 million worth of fitness and sports equipment and health support to beneficiaries across Nigeria. With this medical finance support, Betway hopes to continue going above and beyond for the brand's communities.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 29, 2022

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POLITY Inuwa Waya

Why I Want to Govern Kano Malam Inuwa Waya retired as a general manager at NNPC after over 30 years of service, to pursue his ambition of becoming the Governor of Kano State in 2023. He talks to Ibrahim Shuaibu about his plans to run on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his dreams for the state Why did you resign from NNPC to join the 2023 governorship race in Kano?

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have been inundated with questions and queries on why I decided to voluntarily retire from my very important and prestigious position in NNPC to come into partisan politics and to chase what, in some people’s opinions, may not be possible or realisable. But I know why I decided to quit, even though I know it is not easy, especially having reached the climax of my career. I have been in NNPC since 26 August 1991. I can tell you that the corporation is the most credible and transparent government agency you can ever think of such that anyone who found himself in such a place would rather want to continue to stay till the last day of his retirement. Because of the level of transparency and accountability, NNPC is the only surviving agency among other corporations established almost at the same time. Think of where the National Electricity Commission, National Electric Power Authority, Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Postal Services, and Nigerian Railway Corporation. Except the Railway Service that until recently was resuscitated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government, others are now history. But NNPC is still there and waxing stronger and with the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, the corporation has assumed a new dimension in terms of more accountability, more profitability, and responsibility to justify shareholders’ resources and, who are the shareholders? So, when I realised I have been part and parcel of all this progress, it is only fair to ask why you are leaving the corporation this time. But as I said, I am happy that I left the NNPC in an excellent position. President Buhari has done extremely well to reposition not only the NNPC but the entire oil and gas sector.

And NNPC, being the driving force, has set the center stage for this reposition. Again, I realise there is a time for individuals to come and the time to leave the stage to the younger generation.

With all these reforms already taking place which are designed to increase the commerciality of NNPC, remember NNPC is no longer a corporation it is now a limited liability company that is why it is called NNPC limited. So you need to realise as a senior and management staff that these changes will usher in a rebirth of the corporation and it is only fair for those of us who have been there for long to step aside to allow the younger generation to take the mantle of leadership and deliver it to the Promised Land.

That is my sacrifice and I know it is not easy but we just have to do that if we want the corporation to stand and to compete with other notable oil and gas limited companies in the world. Like Petro-brass in Brazil, Petrol Nass, Saudi Aramco, and the rest are all public companies, but on their own. So the NNPC will have to operate at an international level which needs young, talented, agile, and viable staff to carry the company to the international level. In my view, we need to understand that society and what we do is changing and that we must come to speed with the dynamism of global development.

I am not sure if I’m going to be governor because there is no degree of certainty to prove that, but my sacrifice to resign from NNPC is more important to me than anything else. I believe the issue of becoming a governor is in the hands of God, even when you say it is in the hands of the people, you must also acknowledge the hands of God because we have several examples where many wishes have failed. Prince Audu won the election but died before the result was announced. We have another case in Zamfara where APC was elected and the Supreme Court returned the ticket to PDP. Thank God the state is back to APC. I am not out, technically speaking, because I want to be governor, but for a purpose.

Can you tell us the kind of leadership Kano State requires at this time and what will you do differently if elected to govern the state?

First, we have to understand that we are elites and most of the lifetime achievements of elites are limited to what they have done during their services in mainstream civil or public services.

And when they finish they come back home to help their communities because, in the course of their service, they have been introduced to several aspects of developments across the globe with interaction with the high and mighty in the world. So when they return, some of them will start lamenting about what is happening in the country and become armchair critics. Because at that time they felt it was too late for them to join the league, thinking politicians will harass and intimidate them since they are not in the mainstream. Politicians see people like us as endangered species, as far as they are concerned. They believe you have all that it takes to develop society, then they begin to block you, using legal, illegal, and supernatural means. But one should not be a coward or intimidated to retract from the step being taken.

You have to be brave enough to break rank and instill yourself in the system to contribute and make a meaningful impact in the larger society. That is why people like us have decided to pick up the challenge and sacrifice to go into politics. The two years that I have left in service to retire from NNPC is now enabling me to understand the nitty-gritty of the political process and I imagine what would have happened if I were to wait until one month

Waya

I have told the youths and challenged them to tell any politician who asks them to take drugs and carry dangerous weapons against their opponents to bring their children to lead the fight. By the time you begin to ask the political class to bring their children to campaign and cross opponents, you will notice that in no distant time this violence would be eliminated. before retirement, as provided by the electoral act, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere. The mere fact that people like us are joining politics is already unsettling the political class. It is making them sit up and do what is right. That is a big plus for me knowing full well that my involvement has gingered the political class to begin to think of probity and accountability.

Now, on what I would do differently, already I am a member of APC, so I believe in the party’s manifesto. And what I will do is to align myself with the party because, for now, I believe in it. I believe in what the president is doing by carrying out the objectives of the party and that is why the president usually challenges his critics to show where he has violated the constitution. President Buhari is my hero and I see him as a role model and he was the major reason why I joined politics. The intent to join the political class was because of President Buhari. I support what the federal and Kano State governments are doing as APC governments.

What I’m going to do differently depends on whether or not APC changes her manifesto, but for now, I fully support what the APC government is doing both in Kano and at the federal level.

Can you state clearly what your developmental agenda for Kano will look like if you become governor in 2023?

My concern is education, because I realise that we could not develop because we don’t have quality and functional education.

I realised that our major challenge began from lack of education and that is why I commend the policy of free education being implemented by the Kano State Government. The policy of free and compulsory education is commendable and we need to support it. But the challenge the state will face is resources to sustain the system because schools will no longer charge any fee and that means the government will need to find alternative means to sustain the system. For me, I have decided to assist the government on the policy of free education with the provision of instructional materials, uniforms, and the like, especially to children of the less privileged. I do this in public schools in the state. We introduced debate and competition in the schools to encourage scholarship and we dish out gifts to best-performing students.

Again, we have an issue of drug abuse in Kano, which is also largely due to a lack of education. This unfortunate act has led to school dropout and resorted to insurgency and terrorism. If I become governor, I will build more schools, rehabilitate existing structures and ensure that teachers are not only well paid but qualified enough to provide the services they are employed to

do. There is no time for criticism because I don’t want to be an armchair critic, the very reason I joined the race in the first place. I understand when one is in power you understand the situation well and you hope it will be better, but when you leave the government you begin to criticise. Every government wants constructive and not destructive criticism. I will not do politics with education because I believe it is not about a given quota system or federal character but the need for the immediate development of your environment. We would take education for development not for business. Training of teachers will be paramount.

There is division in APC in Kano, how would you circumvent this situation, and given the complexity of Kano Politics, why did you choose to contest the highest political post and not the most achievable post?

To start with, I’m not a novice in politics. I remember when we were in secondary school in Rumfa College we used to visit Mallam Aminu Kano to see and learn how he addressed his political disciples. We cultivated that habit and that created an impact in my mind that one day in the future I will take full part in politics.

When I graduated from college, I began several movements in politics and it was because of my involvement in politics that attracted the interest of the then governor of Kano, the late Abubakar Rimi, to employ some of us to work in the research unit at the government house, set up by the late Dr. Bala Muhammad. Our responsibility then included administering a questionnaire to the public to sample public opinion about government policies and activities, whether or not the public is satisfied. I did that for a few months before I moved to the school of preliminary studies preparatory to my university education. When I was there, I was a student representative, later the speaker of the assembly, and then became president of the student union. Similarly, when I was at Ahmadu Bello University, I was the president of the Society of Law Students for a while, Secretary-general Kano State students union, and a member of the Progressives Union. So with all this participation over the years, I don’t think you can refer to me as a new-be because of my 32 years in NNPC. And the kind of challenges I went through in NNPC, especially in the hands of the politicians and how I survived it before my retirement will tell you how resilient I am.

I was harassed, intimidated and they made all sorts of threats to frustrate me out of the system because that is their stock in trade. They want good people out of the system. I have had advice from people who rather asked me to return to university because to them politics is a dangerous game. They simply don’t want you to join them and to hold them accountable. I have been abused by the media and they even plot against me with a dangerous petition setting me against my employer, alleging that I’m in public service but sponsoring political activities in Kano. Unfortunately, they have forgotten that I am a Lawyer and I’m doing that in consonance with the provision of section 40 of the Constitution that allows every individual to pursue his or her interest and to participate in trade unions and political parties for the protection of their interest. And this section was consolidated by the Supreme Court judgment in the case of Chief Gani Faweyinmi, Chief Balarabe Musa, Alh. Kala Gazali against INEC and Attorney General of the Federation. Justice Uwais, CJN, as he then was, declared in clear terms that it is obvious that the public service rules prevented civil servants in partisan politics but those civil service procedures can never be accepted to be inconsistent with the position of the Constitution and, if you check, these civil service rules are directly in conflict with the provisions of the constitution. This was the reason the Supreme Court, according to Justice Uwais, decided that the civil service rules are null and void because of their inconsistency with the Constitution. I had a legal opinion while in service and for my management to understand the situation even before my retirement. And what the Constitution did was to reinforce the political jurisprudence of man as a political animal. We know some people believe the political activities of a state are their exclusive right and they have to determine who plays the game, forgetting that parties are simply an amalgamation of interested persons coming together to form an entity. So I’m not a novice, I have legal rights, and the reason why I’m joining the race is to protect the interests of the poor and I will not fall into any intimidation or harassment by any politician in this era. With crisis in Kano APC, people may want to know where they belong.

The crisis in APC is normal because everyone gets more interested and you begin to see a rise in alignment and realignment. I’m also in alignment with some groups and as far as I’m concerned APC in Kano is one. As far as I’m concerned Abdullahi Abbas is still the chairman and the current executive of the party is the recognised leadership of the party. Where you have splitter groups that want to bring about conflict because of the protection of their selfish interest, then you know it is about who gets what, where and time. So in politics, you use a sledge hammer to kill a mosquito sometimes.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 29, 2022

POLITY

Will Soludo be the Moses of Igboland?

Sunny Igoanugo

I

was one of those who agreed that Chukwuma Charles Soludo, had grown beyond being governor of Anambra State. As one of the star-boys of the South East, if not Nigeria, I supported the view that he should rather be gunning to be President.

So, when I heard some people asking, what he is looking for in Anambra, I couldn’t agree more. But beyond this, I also had another personal grudge against him. I wasn’t enamoured of his politics. That I must confess.

Here’s why! I was completely scandalised by his apparent approval of the shenanigan of the crowd in Awka either from the government in power or the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in recent years, as it seemed to me then.

His notorious statement in the wake of the 2017 governorship election that Anambra was not broken and needed no fixing really did it for me. It practically gnawed at my intestine.

Firstly, coming from Anambra I could attest that Soludo’s position was not factual. Anambra was broken on many fronts then and even to a great length, now. On the other hand, having basically providing the media backbone for the formation of APGA, I bore and still bear grudges against those that alienated Chief Chekwas Okorie, the founder of the party. That has not changed. These were enough for me to, at best, be circumspect about Soludo rather than enthusiastic.

Besides, the manner he emerged APGA candidate for the November 6 2021 governorship election after the party switched to its invidious tactics of banning potential threats, was for me a confirmation of my worst fears.

But look at me now taking the front seat as a cheerleader.

I’ve already gone full circle. His actions and pronouncements in the last fortnight are the turning point.

Within a few days, I have begun to see signs that Anambra, my state might, just be on the verge of another clean break, in the same manner Chris Ngige and Peter Obi, broke away from the Chinwoke Mbadinuju parlous era.

Soludo’s high-priced academic credentials, have never been the major appeal to me too, because many leaders I know with similar pedigree had failed in the past and are still failing now. We’re currently dealing with one of them in the South East, making waves in the media for his many gaffes. The use to which those credentials are to be put, was, for me the

Soludo

important issue.

You can now see why I find the current vibes coming from Awka, as quite alluring. One, that Soludo was able to gather the 80-man Oby Ezekwesili-led transition committee in such a jiffy is a feat only a man with immense reach and capacity could.

As Woodrow Wilson, former US President, wrote in his book, What is Progress? “The direction is just as important as the impetus of motion.”

This early hand Soludo has shown, looks good. It is a fundamental departure from the current picture in the state.

What is more? To think that the eggheads are conducting the task on pro bono basis, also says quite much. Many had wondered from whence Anambra would source the funds to pay them, given their pedigree.

Though I heard the Prof say it that they were paying to do the job, Ezekwesili particularly upped the ante, when she

confirmed that she was even going to foot her hotel bills, pay for her food and buy her own water. That is huge.

Imagine what this committee, which parades the very best of the Nigeria’s elite thinkers in all the sectors of the economy and the professions is capable of coming out with. And without pay to boot.

Again, the man of the moment, hits another bulls eye. He has shunned flamboyance for a lean government structure.

He has dumped the tag, Your Excellency for his first name, Charles. “Call me Charles, Charlie, Charlie Nwamgbafo, or Mr. Governor,” he says.

Not a few have complained that in recent years of Governor Willie Obiano, Anambra government house and around it had turned into places of obnoxious revelling, uncontrollable binges and other illicit activities, at the expense of the people’s commonwealth.

In fact, you may have heard that the governor-elect is currently at a loggerheads with the powers in Awka over the budget of his inauguration, insisting that it be cut down from the more than N600million to just N20million and that instead of a fanfare at the new International Conference Centre, in Awka, he would prefer to be sworn in inside government house banquet hall. The way to go, you might say.

But that is not the true picture. Hear the correct version from the man himself: “I do not wish any event, dancers or players and all that. I just want to show up for work, like every first workday. Though it is going to be a Friday, which is the weekend, I’m going to work for over eight hours that day. “No ceremony, no event, no party, nothing. Not even 10 Kobo will be spent. So the people who are saying N20million has been budgeted should go and tell us where they will get that money.

It is going to be work, work, work, and that is what we’ll epitomise.”

I’m beginning to see a Soludo who would carry his own bag at the airport or his own umbrella in the rain, the exact picture that depicts prudent public officers in other thinking and progressive climes - the exact image I prefer for my governor.

– Igboanugo, a journalist, writes from Lagos Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Buni’s New APC

Charles Ajunwa writes that Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has restored order and sanity in All Progressives Congress

A

fter a chaotic period in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that preceded his emergence as the party’s Chairman Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has been able to restore order and sanity in the party since coming on board.

As a ruling party political party with responsible structures and built-in integrity to preserve the kernel of democratic institution, the Buni-led CECPC leadership on assumption of administration of the party recognised that it cannot entertain the flagrant display of impunity in the management of the party most especially as it regards the crucial processes that would lead the party into its National Convention.

These concerns of CECPC are the flagrant abuse of set constitutional and procedural steps that, if not promptly addressed, may create a volcano of crisis both for the coming party convention and general elections ahead.

To this end, CECPC has been judiciously guided to observe all prerequisite political processes to the convention, and has been working to set the party structures aright to ensure compliance with all sacrosanct rules and regulations of the party and the electoral law as regard to the conduct of National Convention of the party.

The party, under the CECPC administration conducted relatively very successful Ward, LGAs congresses, and States congresses, across the wards, LGAs, the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

There is no doubt that the achievements of the party under CECPC has further endeared the party to the electorate and APC has become a stronger party than it was years back. It is very easy to identify and list the achievements of CECPC overtime because they are uniquely visible for all party members and Nigerians to see.

Among the many landslide feats achieved by the Buni-led committee is the conscious efforts to bring the party totally out of conflicts that had bedevilled it which culminated in the emergence of the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led Reconciliation Committee that worked assiduously and recorded huge outcomes.

A source at that the party’s headquarters in Abuja, who

commended the efforts of the Buni-led committee to put APC on a solid pedestal recalled with nostalgia how the party was hit by image-damaging crises which defied all political solutions.

“We are all conversant with the condition of the party as at the time the erstwhile chairman, Comrade Oshiomole was being excused from the chairmanship position of the party; the party was literally in shambles and destabilised. The CECPC came on board, and in no time was able to stabilise the party. It was on record that the party was bedevilled with numerous conflicts and litigations, with many strong members taking their leave from the party and the party losing its number of strategic political officeholders in its fold. The conflict resolution committee set up by CECPC did a good work that led to various consensus agreements that led to the withdrawal of almost all court cases against the party and among members of the party.

“We had earlier lost the governor of Edo State to the main opposition party, but CECPC was able to recreate trust in the party that swells the rank of governors in the party from 19 to 22 since its resumption of duty. For the first time in the history of a political party in the country, and as an aftermath of the peace that was restored in the party after the conflict resolutions, CECPC on behalf of the party puts together the plan for and executed a nationwide membership registration that has significantly swollen the membership population of the party and has allowed the intake of many bigwigs that trust the party enough to dump PDP for APC. Thanks to the successful membership registration exercise, the party now enjoys a robust membership register across the 36 states and FCT.” Not limited to these alone, the further said that “CECPC successfully set up a constitutional review committee that reviewed the Party Constitution to give the party a more contemporary and proactive rules of engagement. The party under the administration of CECPC has assumed total ownership of the Party National Secretariat, after meeting all financial commitments with the former owners of the structure. Before now, the building has been held by the party on a yearly rental agreement, a situation that is unbefitting of the status of the party as a ruling party in the country.”

It would be recalled that when CECPC came on board, the party was hugely indebted to lawyers as a result of several lined up litigations in the immediate past. “It is now on record

Buni that CECPC has offset the entire bulk of this debt in the course of the period under review,” the source enthused.

As part of the preparation for the party’s National Convention and the 2023 elections, the Buni-led committee began its array of congresses with successful ward congresses across the 36 states and FCT. According to the source, “The ward congresses were uniquely successful, because unlike past experiences of political parties in the country, we were able to midwife peaceful, seamless congresses without a single report of casualty or litigation. The LGAs congresses had followed suit with similar success levels across the entire local governments in the country.

“The state congresses were conducted towards the end of the year and recorded successes in about 80 per cent of the state, enough to adjudge it successful. It is without controversy that the party under the leadership of CECPC has become much better than anticipated. With a stronger membership base, influx of political bigwigs from other parties and a whole list of successful pertinent undertakings, including legal prerequisites to the convention. By any reasonable consideration, CECPC deserves many commendations and at these critical times, a vote of confidence that it is more than capable to round up its assignment by delivering to the party a National Convention that bears the same mark of successes associated with the committee.”

As table is set with the timetable rolled out for the APC National Convention, CECPC deserves the support of the entire members of the party at all levels, units, and groups within the party and of whatever remote connection to the party. The Buni leadership of the party will no doubt deliver as usual.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 29, 2022

25

POLITY

Between Kassim Afegbua’s Scarecrow and Atiku’s Scorecard Chijioke Okeagu

Have we not seen wet trees die while the dry ones live much longer? The mortality experience rdinarily, it would have been of humans does not justify this lazy frenzy. Do the best to ignore the uninformed young not die just as much as the elders? Do the and inconsequential treatise on infirmities of health not affect all humans? the aspiration of the former Vice The reality of what the contest demands will President, Atiku Abubakar for the manage the garrulousness of infantile lackeys of Peoples Democratic Party’s presi- the kindergarten wannabes. Shall we not examine dential ticket for the 2023 general their scorecards on the assignments and opportuelections but for the obvious need nities granted them before now? Sure Nigerians to unbundle the mischief in Kassim Afegbua’s will do it! scheme.

We know those younger leaders that can bring According to Afegbua’s statement titled “2023: something to the table, and we know the unstable Atiku and the Age of Methuselah Politics” the over-ambitious office seekers who are simply former commissioner in Edo State under Adams deceiving themselves. Time will tell.

Oshiomhole and erstwhile aide of the former Afegbua thinks he is smart by trying to wrap his military Head of State, General Ibrahim Baban- paid campaign for one of the aspirants in sectiongida, posited that “it will be immoral for Alhaji al or rather regional sentiment. Hear him, “Given Atiku Abubakar to continue to express interest PDP’s doctrine of political power balancing and in seeking election in the 2023 presidential elec- fairness, it will be against its own unwritten rule tion having attained the retirement age.” to cede the ticket to any Northern aspirant least of When President Buhari signed the “Not Too all Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. It will offend national Young To Run” bill on 31st of May 2018, we did sentiments, emotions and logic for anyone from not see any clause in it that says age is now a the North to show such interest given our diversidisease or an impediment to anyone aspiring ties and heterogeneous political configurations. to be anything in our country, Nigeria. The bill “For me, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should quit signed is “Not Too Young To Run,” not “the his quest for presidency and support a southern elderly must die.”

Nigerian candidate in the spirit of fairness, equity We have listened and watched with nauseatand justice that will assuage the feelings of stakeing amusement, the fixation on age as the only holders from the Southern part of Nigeria.” parameter, especially to the high office of the On the surface, Kassim’s posits sounds like a presidency, under some silly assumption that patriotic suggestion, but below the surface, it is an the presidency of Nigeria is a stone quarry obvious vengeance mission by a man that could where the occupant is expected to use Stone Age best be described as an ‘adult almajiri’.

Tools to chip mountains into chips for building.

On what pedestal is Afegbua standing to tell the Can Afegbua and his paymaster get busy and PDP who or where to zone the party’s presidencome to the able with ideas and snap out of tial ticket to? Is he still a member of the PDP or these bully tactics directed at the elderly. he is just trying to buy his way back to the party As said by a concerned Nigerian, No one is he ridiculed and was eventually expelled from in stopping anybody from aspiring for any office Edo state? of their liking. We do not have an age ceiling on He has no moral ground to lay claim to membereligibility to contest. ship of PDP. So, describing himself as a chieftain

O

of the PDP is dubious and an outright insult on the sensibilities of the party leadership in Edo state.

Afegbua is well known in the state for his antiparty activities for lucre. And his latest antics is to drop left, right and centre the name of the former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, whom he does not even see nor discuss any political issue all these with the thinking he can use that to intimidate politicians in both PDP and APC in the state.

As he has been telling whoever wants to listen that his anger against the former vice president is that Atiku massively supported Governor Obaseki who denied him the opportunity to be selected as his deputy governor. How do you reconcile that the same Oshiomhole, whom Afegbua served and who knew his penchant for betrayal was the same person who dissuaded Obaseki from considering him for the deputy governorship ticket?

Afegbua should name his own candidate and campaign for the person instead of maligning a man who has an accomplished record of public service. How much was he paid to pen this nonsense?

Atiku cannot be described with the same words Afegbua used for the incumbent president saying, “with the abysmal performance of President Muhammadu Buhari on account of age, incompetence and lack of capacity and political will to take deliberate and sustained action to bail out the country from all manner of challenges.”

Atiku is not old for the job. Biden, Trump and Pelosi are older than Atiku yet they were elected to serve. Atiku is healthy and has some workable ideas on how to turn around the mess the present government has thrown Nigeria into. Thankfully each and every one that is qualified is free to aspire.

– Okeagu is a political commentator and wrote from Owerri

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Gateway, Nnaemeka Onwuorah; Past Assistant Governor of Rotary Club of Benin, Nosa Edo-Osagie; President, Rotary Club of PH Garden City, Precious Ovie; District Governor, Rotary Club of Asaba Metropolitan, Eyone Andy Uwejeyan; Assistant Governor, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Adaure Odu; President, Rotary Club of PH North, Kingsley Ikeokwu; President, Rotary Club of PH GRA, Ofon Harcourt White; and President, Rotary Club of Woji Town, Paul during the Rotary International District 9141 held its Mid Year Assembly at Lady Daima Memorial Event Centre at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.. recently R-L: Head Corporate Services, Development Bank of Nigeria, Idris Salihu; Representative of Chairman FCT UBE, Director Junior Secondary School FCT, Hajiya Ramatu Musa; DBN Chief Operating Officer, Bonaventure Okhaimo; and Principal, Junior Secondary School, Durumi, FCT, Abuja, Mr. Tanimu Musa at the inauguration of a renovated block of classroom at the JSS Durumi School FCT recently in Abuja.

L-R: Managing Director Velhberg Ltd, Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor; Gas and Commercial Director Shell Exploration and Production in Africa,Mr. Hans Nijkamp; Director Shell Nigeria, Mr. Bashir Bello; Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga L - R : Paul Okoye of P Square; CEO Bantu, Ernest Mbenkum; Peter Okoye of P Square; Mr Leo; Grace Charis Komolafe; Executive Commissioner, Finance and Accounts, NUPRC, Mr. Hassan Gambo; and Man- Bassey; Yemi Alade; Ada Irikefe; and COO Bantu , Victor Akoma-Philips at the presentation of the first Bantu aging Director, Dutchess Energy, Dr.Timbo Ayinde, during the NUPRC stakeholders engagement BlockChain Brand Ambassadors in Lagos ... recently. forum with 2020 marginal field bid round awardees in Abuja recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Trouble, Not Troubled, Spot

T

HE NATION FOREIGN NEWS PAGE of January 3 committed the worst blunder so far this year.

First, the headline: “Assad’s wife, children caught trying to escape” Now the story: “Scroll down to see video of yesterday’s troop offensive.” Newsreel extracts for publication should be edited and not slothfully and slovenly slammed without any modicum of professionalism and regard for the reader. “…although there may be some few flaws” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Politics, January 3) ‘Some’ and ‘few’ cannot cofunction. Either: a few or some flaws. “…journalists working in troubled spots around the world” (Editorial from the above edition) This way: trouble spots “…for instance the Nigerian Union of Journalists, is largely, a trade union.”

(Source: as above) Get it right: Nigeria Union of Journalists. Who is this journalist who does not know the correct name of his professional association?

THE GUARDIAN of January 3 vitiated its profile: “…it signifies the complete failure of the Police in its (their) duty of safeguarding lives and property (life and property or lives and properties—if classically applied).

More from Rutam House: “How to bouy Nigeria’s capital vote profile, by NACCIMA” Spell-check: buoy.

“His very presence in (on) a government premises in the company….”

“We’ve restored peace in (to) Rivers— Wike” (Vanguard, January 3) “…hired assassins have done great havoc with guns acquired illegally.” (THE NATION, January 3) All mercantilist killers (assassins) are hired! So, there is no need padding/qualifying the obnoxious word.

On the other hand, willful killing is murder.

“He said the trend is (was) that customers will (would) be served….” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, January 23) “Clerics calls (why?) for national confab (sic)” (Source: as above) The cleric called for a national conference. ‘Confab’ is an informal word.

“Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late General Sani Abacha….” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Caption, January 3) A voice of your own: Former CSO to the (take note of the article) late….

“The magnitude of their losses also vary (varies).” (Saturday Tribune, January 22) DAILY INDEPENDENT of January 7 did not disappoint its readers as it goofed on three occasions: “Minister, electricity workers in close-door meeting” No power holding here: closed-door meeting.

“It would interest some people to know that in spite of series of attacks….”

Politics: a (take note of the article) series of attacks….

“We gave our all—Senegal captain” A voice of your own: Senegalese captain DAILY INDEPENDENT of January 2 lit two errors: “Uzodinma urges Nigerians to be their brothers’ keepers” No news (fixed expression): brother’s keeper (plural context notwithstanding).

“Pogba looses (loses)…in Manchester United dispute” “Ready for enhanced cashless?” In your best interest: Ready for enhanced mobile and internet banking? Alternatively: Ready for enhanced cashless banking/services/ transactions…?

“160 Chadians arrested over (for) Kano attacks” (THISDAY, January 7) When will this goof stop?

“Embattled Adamawa Speaker sworn-in (sworn in) as Ag. Governor” Phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. Yet another

recurrent misunderstanding that has been corrected repeatedly…. “…it was seen as a child of necessity aimed at restoring the primary education sub- sector which was in crisis (a crisis or crises) then back to a sound foundation.”

Scrap ‘back’ to avoid being charged with word abuse. ‘Restoration’ has taken care of the verbiage.

“All that we have in the present Nigerian society is an hostile (a hostile) environment for the youths and children.” Either: youths or the youth.

“Having succeeded in intimidating their opponents at primaries, the electorate became a work-over....” A time to learn: walk-over.

“Thereafter he shifted to Malta Guinness where he warmed (wormed) his way into (to) the hearts of journalists and advertising agencies alike.”

“In Samaria of old, when Ben-Hadad, King of Aram, laid a siege on (to) the capital of Israel….”

“Anyone who monitored the mobilization of women in the last fifteen years in Nigeria could imagine positive results that could have been achieved if the country’s First Ladies have (had) been sincere.”

“Because of an improved revenue base, the governor said that the government is (was) in a good position….”

“What stops us from returning to the heydays (heyday) of the school.…?”

“This does not mean that a lady should not be congratulated for (on or upon) a safe delivery.”

“Many of the specie (species) had run amuck simply on the suspicion that another woman is nipping at the apple.”

“Industry players blamed the high cost of borrowing from the money market to (on) a number of factors.” “…especially with regards to human

Perceptions 2023: Fayemi, Moghalu

H

ere is the third leg of our perceptual exploration of the busy highways that lead to Aso Rock in 2023.

KAYODE FAYEMI, 56 It appears many people juxtapose the claim that Dr. John Olukayode Fayemi may be considering running for the Nigerian presidency with his performance as governor of Ekiti State (first in 2010-2014, and since October, 2018); including his stint as a Minister of Solid Minerals Development (2015 - May, 2018); and more often than not, their conclusion would make the handsome gap-toothed scholarturned-activist nurse a mild migraine.

My perception is a little less dramatic. I actually like his persona, his academic credentials, and unobtrusive determination to be in the forefront of the power calculus. Let us step back a bit, and understand what could be provoking (or is it instigating) Fayemi to dare what many be-decked angels have trodden, and fallen spectacularly.

Armed with three degrees, and a doctorate focused on the dynamics of war strategies, Fayemi is well-positioned for battles in a Nigerian space besotted with schemes, skirmishes, ambushes, tactical retreats, coup d’etats, and such dark martial concoctions. Astute in teaching, journaling, developing strategies for democratic and governance infrastructures, it is thus obvious that Fayemi is cerebral, of the right age, eminently self-propelled, and unwary of the self-limiting itch that stagnates less-endowed political entrepreneurs.

Not given to sartorial splendour, and spartan in stature, Fayemi’s doggedness is emblazoned in the titanic legal tussle he waged to upturn his electoral failure as the gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress, AC, in the 2007 Ekiti election. He was later declared the winner in 2010, and the ill-fated incumbent, Olusegun Oni, was toppled. Fayemi’s shocking defeat, four years later, by the garrulous Ayodele Fayose (in 2014) revealed another strain of the Fayemi character.

The campaigns were nasty, bloody, sometimes bordering on pettiness. Soon after, Fayemi was compensated with a ministerial seat which was not sufficient to quench his thirst for a return

to the Ado-Ekiti governor’s lodge. He craved a return match with Fayose, and he got it. So, 2018 happened: in all its macabre glory! Eventually, Fayemi knocked out Fayose’s proxy, Olusola Eleka, in a poorly attended election.

As usual with Nigerian politicians in high offices, tales of corruption and sharp practices trailed him from his first tenure as Ekiti governor; as minister of solid minerals - and as usual, none of these allegations and petitions have led anywhere.

My perception of Dr. Kayode Fayemi is as hazy as his national pedigree in governance. He projects a lightweight image, vaulting ambition, a ‘Sokugo’ spirit (lulled by his current position as Chairman of the governors’ forum) with a tendency to become a makeweight in a political crossfire - but then, his wife, Bisi, will make a great ‘First Lady’.

Fayemi appears to me a man high-strung on rhetorics and strategems, but completely nonplussed in the skulduggery of managing a nation pulsating with grief and groans in virtually all sectors of her development. He also seems a man in a hurry to rule for the sake of adding a ‘hardware’ to an already impressive CV. Nigeria needs more than just another doctorate degree holder.

KINGSLEY MOGHALU, 58 Here is a man who was born (in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria); bred in rich diversity (Switzerland (Europe), Washington (USA), and Nnewi - Southeast Nigeria); and groomed across world-class schools and development centres, signifying that he will be a great president - resourceful, well-prepared, articulate, unflappable and dignified. Your first impression when you meet Prof. Kingsley Bosah Chiedu Ayodele Moghalu, is likely to imagine him as a man ‘ready-made’ for the biggest office - a husband of one wife and four children, international lawyer, political economist, scholar, author, and more.

On paper, Moghalu has spent all his life studying how to govern his country competently and effectively: in 1992, he obtained a Master’s degree at Tufts University’s School of Law and Diplomacy, where he was also a research assistant in the International Political Economy programme.

In 2005, he obtained his Phd in international relations at the University of London’s School

of Economics and Political Science. Among his attainments are international certificates in the following areas: Risk Management, macroeconomics and financial sector management, corporate governance, and global strategic leadership...in the ivy league spaces like the International Monetary Fund Institute, Harvard University, Harvard Business School, and the Wharton School of Philadelphia.

In acquiring experience and exposure, Moghalu has been methodical. He has worked at different levels in the United Nations, UN (from 1992): human rights and election officer in Cambodia (1992); political affairs officer (peacekeeping operations) in New York headquarters (1993); political adviser to the UN special representative in Croatia (1996-1997); legal adviser and spokesman to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (1997); WHO’s head of global partnerships with assets and investment in excess of $20b at Global Funds to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM); and other global assignments until he resigned in 2008, to start his own consultancy firm. President Umaru Yar’Adua poached him in 2009 as CBN’s deputy governor (financial systems stability).

Fantastic preparations, sadly he has zero “certificate” or “experience” in how to get his hands on the presidential seal!

So, what is wrong with Moghalu, a man who contested the 2019 elections as the candidate of a new party, Young Progressives Party, YPP - and has indicated his intention to run again in 2023 from as far back as June, 2021? Why does his ambition seem far-fetched, and inchoate?

Moghalu appears like a perennial journeyman, an election circle actor, who, perhaps for reasons of logistical immensity and sheer brutality of electioneering management and expenditure, gives a picture of a “waka-pass” in the presidential race.

Even the constant irritation and annoying contrived mayhem of an Omoyele Sowore, now and again, keeps him somewhat at the fringes of national discourse, than a Moghalu, in spite of his weighty credentials and undoubted intellect.

He could also borrow a page or two from the playbook of the young man whose big ambition

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

development” This way: as regards or with regard to.

“While congratulating the Federal Government for (on) this bold move....” “…as the North would be placed on an even keel or competing favourably with their kiths and kin in the South.” Fixed expression: kith and kin (plural) “Tears of instability of power has (have) caused many a Nigerian to turn their attention to alternative sources of power supply.”

“The most interesting news item in recent times is the marching order given to the Nigerian Police” Stock phrase: marching orders.

“The police strenght is inadequate to cope with the security of a large population of 120 million Nigerians.” Spell-check: strength. And this: straight.

“News from reliable sources tend (tends) to portray a government tendency itching (do you mean inching?) towards sustenance.…”

Clean advert copies make a good read because of their usually interesting nature and editorial slant. “That way you don’t miss any of the action (actions) in….”

(MultiChoice Nigeria advert) “Please note that vehicle plate numbers with proofs of ownership are required for obtaining new Tags/Stickers.” This way: number-plates “Solutions for a cash-lite Lagos” (FIDELITY Bank Full Page Colour Advert) Solutions to (not for) “Cote d’ Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea in make or mar encounter” Sport: make-or-mar encounter “…there was no indication that they were intending to build on a troubled spot.”

Standard expression: trouble spot

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

is to ruffle feathers of entrenched majordomos in the Lagos political establishment. Olajide Abdul-Azeez Adediran (aka Jandor), with his Lagos4Lagos political pressure group appears to have created some sort of groundswell of recalcitrant fanbase, banded in the hope and hunger of breaking the vice grip of prebendal politics, otherwise dubbed “Baba Sọpe” (the godfather speaks) in Lagos politics.

While in APC, and for more than three years, his team had percolated the fringes of APC teeming with disgruntled and displaced elements, and other core Lagos interest groups, with his “subversive” message of enthroning popular democratic tenets in intra-party politicking. His ultimate goal is getting someone (read Jandor) into the Alausa seat of power by sidestepping the ‘agelong’ succession paradigm.

He recently formalised his defection to PDP in a ceremony alien to Lagos PDP in its noise, drama, coverage and bravura.

Now, it may all be for nothing; he could however sway some votes to the point of irritating the calculations of Lagos power brokers - or not at all. One thing is clear though: Jandor’s consistent, insistent, undaunted and below-the-radar mobilisation, consultations, communication, and animation of the lethargic masses of dislocated party people, and other cadres of the society, have led to a significant upward flick on the political barometer of Lagos State.

People are now aware of the young rebel’s exertions, if not his pedigree; people are now familiar with his intention, if others call it tantrums.

In Lagos politics, you cannot feign ignorance of a Jandor - even if only to dismiss him as a neophyte in the treacherous game of power.

That, my dear Professor, is how to be taken as a serious aspirant with a serious antecedent. Roll up your sleeves, or roll over. See you in 2027!

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

SCRAMBLE FOR S’FINAL TICKETS

29.1.2022

PAGE. 29

Augustine Eguavoen A Bungled Opportunity for Home-grown Coaches?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 29, 2022

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Augustine Eguavoen A Bungled Opportunity for Home-grown Coaches ?

Augustine Eguavoen’s tactical deficiency was exposed against Tunisia

When erstwhile Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr was sacked and Augustine Eguavoen appointed as the team’s interim coach to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, it was seen as victory for advocates of local coaches for our national teams. After three victories in the group stages, the idea of making Eguavoen’s job permanent was even gaining traction. However, against a Coronavirus-depleted Tunisia side in the Round of 16, the former international showed how tactically deficient he could be, something even hisTunisian counterpart noted. Kunle Adewale looks at how theTechnical Director at the Nigeria Football Federation may have bungled a good cause for local coaches

T

hat the Super Eagles did not have the best of preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations would be an understatement. As if sacking and appointing a new coach three weeks to the African showpiece was not enough, some of the team’s best legs were missing mostly due to their foreign clubs’ refusal to release them for the competition.

As a result, not much was expected from Nigeria in Cameroon. But after an impressive outing against seven-time champions and one of the tournament’s favourites, Egypt, and being the only country to amass all nine points at stake in the group stages the Super Eagles were then beginning to look like favourites and rightly so.

Even sacked Rohr could not hide his conviction that Eguavoen’s men could go all the way.

Rohr said he was not surprised by the performance of the Super Eagles in Cameroon, branding the Eguavoen tutored side the most efficient at AFCON 2021.

“It is for me the favorite after the group stage.

This is the team with the most legs, the most efficient. The team has been built to win for five years,” Rohr told Ouest France.

“They know each other very well. It makes

me happy to see them fulfill the contract even if they have to be wary of direct elimination matches, it’s completely different.

“I think they can handle the pressure. It’s still a young team but it has maturity. Some have made the World Cup in Russia. Many have collected an experience which must serve them now.”

It was however not to be as Eguavoen showed how naive and tactically deficient he could be when the stakes are high.

The Carthage Eagles had only qualified as one of the four best third-placed teams, but they played a perfect tactical game to dump their opponents out of the competition, courtesy of a second-half strike from Youssef Msakni.

It was a result no one, especially Nigerians, the team and the fans are still reeling from the loss, but with time, the hurt will heal.

And it indeed happened last Sunday night as Eguavoen was tactically found wanting. In the group stages, Nigeria’s attacking threat came from the wings, especially from the lively Moses Simon.

Nigeria’s wide players were blunted by Tunisia and nullified Nigeria’s press as the Cathage Eagles overloaded the middle. It

was clear the North Africans had done their homework.

“We know Nigeria are very strong and very fast in the wings,” assistant coach Jalel Kadri said at the post-match press conference. “Today we came up with tactics to put pressure on the Nigerian wingers because they are very dangerous. And we also know they have difficulties when they lose the ball.”

Eguavoen approached the game with the same style, but he did not know that Tunisia had done their homework, and they found a way to contain Simon and Chukwueze by doubling up on them It meant Nigeria struggled to create chances, while they could not go through the middle due to the Tunisian’s low block.

The double-pivot midfield pairing of Wilfred Aribo and Wilfred Ndidi did not help and made them vulnerable on the break.

Tunisia went into the game hoping to get a smash and grab win, which was what exactly happened. When Msakni scored the goal, it was the first time Nigeria conceded first and in open play in the competition, putting Eguavoen’s tactical acumen to the test.

However, despite making a host of changes,

Nigeria still struggled to create clear chances, although Alex Iwobi’s dismissal did not help them.

At the end of the day, it was clear that Eguavoen had been outsmarted by a better manager.

Eguavoen has indeed admitted that he was wrong to leave Chidera Ejuke out of the squad that lost to Tunisia in the second round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Although Eguavoen made a couple of changes from the bench, he could not bring on Ejuke, who was one of the creative players in the squad and he admitted it was a mistake to leave him out as he could have solved Nigeria’s problems in the attacking third.

“I think it was a mistake on my part not dressing Chidera Ejuke for the game against Tunisia,” Eguavoen said after the game.

“I take responsibility for whatever that happened at the Round of 16,” he added.

The Tunisian coach boasted after the game that the Eagles of Carthage nullified the threat of the Nigerian team by targeting their wingers, especially Simon.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Eguavoen said: “When you talk about the Tunisian coach talking about the team being predictable, that’s not 100 per cent correct.

“Our wing play is our strength but the only thing is that we have to vary it, we tried to play through the middle which means open up the field and play from the sides, then the ball must come in Awoniyi’s feet or Iheanacho’s feet but it wasn’t coming.

“Why? Because they had a lot of midfield players who tried to block the line of pass.

“We are not a team who want to play long ones behind defenders who possess the ball very well.”

With the obvious tactical deficiency Eguaveon showed at the 2021 AFCON, it remains to be seen if a local coach would ever get another opportunity at managing the Nigeria’s senior national team again.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 29, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Gambia to Tackle Cameroon as Tunisia Hope to Build on S’Eagles’ Win against B’Faso The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon might have installed themselves as competition favourites with a string of impressive victories, yet an upset may be on the cards as debutant, the Scorpions of Gambia hope to continue their Cinderella run in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Buoyed by their victory over the Super Eagles,Tunisia would be hoping to get the better of a very physical Burkina Faso side in the second quarter final match

Indomitable Lions of Cameroon celebrating their victory against Comoros in the Round of 16

The Carthage Eagles would be spurred against Burkina Faso by their victory over Nigeria

H

ost nation, Cameroon gets the ball rolling in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations when they lock horns with Gambia at the Douala Stadium today.

Gambia have enjoyed a sensational debut at the tournament, claiming three wins and keeping three clean sheets from their four games and will look to cause another major upset.

Despite being the lowest-ranked side in the Africa Cup of Nations, Gambia find themselves in contention for a place in the semi-finals after a superb run so far.

The Scorpions, who are making their first appearance at the tournament, kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Mauritania on January 12, before holding out for an impressive 1-1 draw with Mali four

days later.

Tom Saintfiet’s men wrapped up the group stages in style as they stunned Tunisia to a 1-0 victory at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium.

Gambia carried on their habit of causing upsets into the knockout stages of the tournament as they put on a sensational show of class to grind out a 1-0 victory over Guinea in Kouekong last time out.

In what was their third 1-0 victory at the competition, Bologna forward Musa Barrow struck the winner in the 71st minute to send Guinea crashing out of the tournament.

Meanwhile, with just three games away from conquering the continent, Cameroon will feel delighted by their performance on home soil and confident in their chances of going all the way on home soil.

The Indomitable Lions enjoyed an

unbeaten run in the group stages, claiming successive wins over Burkina Faso and Ethiopia in their opening two games, before being held to a 1-1 draw by Cape Verde in their final group game.

With seven points from three games, Cameroon secured smooth passage into the knockout stages after finishing at the summit of Group A, three points above Burkina Faso and Cape Verde, who were level on four points.

Toni Conceicao’s side continued their charge for their sixth Africa Cup of Nations title last time out when they claimed a 2-1 victory over a Coronavirus-hit Comoros side when they squared off at the Paul Biya Stadium.

After Karl Toko Ekambi opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, Vincent Aboubakar continued his sensa-

tional goalscoring form as he doubled the advance in the 70th minute before Youssouf M’Changama scored an absolute beauty from a free kick to pull one back for the newcomer.

Cameroon head into today’s game unbeaten in each of their last eight games across all competitions.

Meanwhile, fresh off the back of eliminating tournament favourites Nigeria, Tunisia square off against Burkina Faso for a place in the semi-finals at the Roumde Adjia Stadium today.

This will be the first meeting between the sides since they both met at this stage of the tournament back in 2017, when the Stallions claimed a comfortable 2-0.

Burkina Faso’s journey at the Africa Cup of Nations has been nothing short of a bumpy ride, but they have made it to the last eight all the same and will be delighted with their performance so far.

The West Africans got their tournament underway with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of host nation Cameroon in the opening game before narrowly edging out Cape Verde 1-0 four days later.

Kamou Malo’s men wrapped things up in the group stages with a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw with Ethiopia.

Despite picking up four points from nine available, Burkina Faso finished runners-up in Group A, three points off first-placed Cameroon and level on points with Cape Verde, who secured qualification as one of the four best third-placed sides.

Les Etalons then needed penalties to see off a spirited Gabon side in the round of 16 at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium last Sunday.

After going ahead courtesy of Bertrand Traore’s’s first-half strike, Adama Guira scored an own goal to level matters and with nothing separating the sides after 120 minutes, the game progressed to penalties where the Stallions secured a 7-6 victory in a nervy encounter.

Burkina Faso, who will be looking to make it to the semi-finals for the first time in five years, head into today’s game unbeaten in all but one of their last 10 games across all competitions.

Tunisia, on the other hand, picked up their biggest result at the tournament so far when they stunned Nigeria to a 1-0 victory in their last-16 clash last time out.

In a nerve-racking encounter at the Roumde Adjia Stadium, 31-year-old forward Youssef Msakni, scored the winner when he drilled a long-range shot past Maduka Okoye two minutes after the interval.

This followed a disappointing run in the group stages, where they finished as one of the four best third-placed sides after managing just three points from their three games in Group F. Buoyed by their victory over the Super Eagles, Mondher Kebaier’s’s men, who are making their 15th consecutive appearance at the tournament, will now look to go all the way and repeat their 2004 run, when they made it to the final and defeated Morocco 2-1 to clinch their first continental title.

FA CUP Q’FINAL TODAY

Gambia v Cameroon 5pm B’Faso v Tunisia 8pm SUNDAY

Egypt v Morocco 5pm Senegal v E’Guinea 8pm

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 29, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Super Eagles now turn attention to World Cup qualifier

Rafael Nadal...eyes on 21st Grand Slam

Australian Open

Medvedev Stands Between Nadal and Record 21 Grand Slam Sixth seed, Rafael Nadal will face number two ranked Daniil Medvedev in in the final of the Australian Open final on Sunday and if victorious, it would be Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam title which takes him ahead of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the all-time list.

Nadal overcame a stern test from Matteo Berrettini to reach his sixth Australian Open final in Melbourne.

The 35-year-old remains on track to win a record 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne and his first Australian Open title since 2009.

“It means a lot to me to be in the final again here,” Nadal said on court with a smile on his face.

“For me, it’s all about the Australian Open more than anything else. It’s just an amazing event that I’ve been a little bit unlucky at with some injuries in my career.

“Also, I’ve played in

some amazing finals with good chances against Novak Djokovic in 2012 and Roger Federer in 2017, I was close a couple of times.

“I was very lucky to win it once in my career and I never thought about having another chance in 2022, so I’ll just try and enjoy the victory today and then just try my best.”

Medvedev qualified for a second successive Australian Open final after he overcame a mid-match meltdown to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas yesterday.

Medvedev’s victory means he will play for a second successive Grand Slam title after his maiden success at the US Open last summer.

Following two competitive sets, Medvedev launched into an extraordinary rant at the umpire focused on his opponent allegedly receiving coaching from his father Apostolos.

“His father can talk every point?” Medvedev shouted at Jaume Campistol. “Are you stupid? I’m talking to you, look at me. How can you be so bad in the semi-final of a Grand Slam?”

Medvedev was upset that the Chair Umpire was not punishing his opponent for what he believed was coaching from the player box.

Medvedev finished his rant by then calling the official a “small cat”.

“To be honest I don’t think that bad emotions help me too much,” Medvedev said.

“When I have them, many times I lose the match because of them as you lose concentration. As soon as I did it, I thought that it was a big mistake.

“I’m happy that I managed to concentrate again and pull out some serves which brought me back into the match.

…Barty Hope to Break 44-Year-old Drought as She Battles Collins Ashleigh Barty will bid to become the first home Australian Open singles champion for 44 years when she takes on Danielle Collins in today’s final.

Christine O’Neil was the last Australian of either gender to win the singles tournament in 1978.

World number one Barty has been in ominous form, having not dropped a set on her way to the final.

Barty won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2019 French Open and went on to win Wimbledon last year.

She has lost just 21 games on her way to the Melbourne Park final and enters it on a 10-match unbeaten streak.

Barty leads the head-to-head 3-1 over Collins, but Collins won their last meeting in Adelaide in 2021.

Barty previously reached the women’s doubles final at the Australian Open when she partnered Casey Dellacqua as a 16-year-old in 2013.

She took a break from tennis a year later, reflecting afterwards that her rise was “too much too quickly for me”, and played some cricket in the women’s Big Bash League before returning in 2016.

She has received raucous support from the crowds at Melbourne Park but the expectations of her home country have not daunted her as she eased

Ashleigh Barty...history in the making

to the final.

“Australians are hungry for sport. They love it. They’re addicted to it,” Barty said of Australia’s relationship with tennis.

Collins may be the underdog but she has been in strong form, demolishing seventh seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals to ensure she will break into the top 10 next week.

Known for her feisty on-court demeanour and aggressive hitting, Collins broke through at the 2019 Australian Open, where she reached the semi-finals.

She backed that up with a quarter-final run at the French Open a year later but began to struggle physically and mentally with the impact of

endometriosis, a condition where cells like the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body.

Collins stepped away from the tour to undergo surgery, and had a tennis ball-sized cyst removed, before returning at Roland Garros last year and subsequently won two WTA titles.

Asked about her opponent Barty, Collins said: “Something I really admire about Ash’s game is her variety, playing a different game style than pretty much all of the players on tour.

“I think when I go out against her we’re going to have another battle hopefully and put on a good show for everyone.”

Eunisell Urges Super Eagles to Bounce Back, Return to Winning Ways Following a disappointing exit of the Nigerian Super Eagles from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Mr. Chika Ikenga, the Managing Director of Eunisell Limited, has urged the team to brush off the defeat in Cameroon and return to winning ways quickly.

Ikenga explained that the final round of 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs against Ghana in March presented a fresh opportunity for the team to excite Nigerian fans.

The Eunisell boss said: “Eagles should use the loss as an opportunity to show resilience and put things in proper perspective. I urge them to quickly recover from the defeat and use the circumstance to grow and improve themselves for better performances in the future.

Chika Ikenga...MD of Eunisell Ltd

“The Eagles must understand that they carry the hopes and aspirations of the nation. They should dig deep and apply themselves to work harder and ensure they qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. “They have a golden

opportunity to win back the heart of disappointed Nigerian fans with the fast-approaching World Cup qualifiers against Ghana,” he noted.

Ghana will host Nigeria at home in the first leg in March 2022 before playing away to Super Eagles in the second leg of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Eunisell has been sponsoring Rivers FC United of Port Harcourt in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) since 2015 and an ardent advocate of developing Nigerian football.

In 2018, it initiated and has since maintained the Eunisell Boot Award which honours and rewards highest goal scoring players with cash prizes at the end of the football season with a N200, 000 per goal premium.

Salah Craves for Victory against Morocco Live on StarTimes The only time the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations took place without Ghana or Nigeria participating was in 1998.

But when the last-eight matches of this years’ competition gets underway in the Japoma Stadium in Douala today, the two powerhouses of African football will be missing.

Ghana failed to make it out of the group stages, while Nigeria were humbled by Tunisia in the first knock-out round.

Affordable pay-TV platform, StarTimes is broadcasting all 52 matches live and in full high-definition on its sports channels as well as streaming service StarTimes ON. Cameroon’s progress in this

competition has much to do with the scoring prowess of Vincent Aboubakar.

Gambia coach, Tom Saintfiet will be looking towards Sampdoria’s Omar Colley and James Gomez to prevent Aboubakar from adding to his impressive tally.

Today’s other match sees Burkina Faso take on Tunisia in Garoua.

Two of the favourites to lift the trophy – Senegal and Egypt, will be in action in a double-header in the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium on Sunday.

Although they have one of the worlds’ best strikers (Mohamed Salah) in their squad, Egypt have scored just two goals in their four games. They take on Morocco in a North African derby in

the early game.

Salah, who has won the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the Premier League with Liverpool, said winning the Africa Cup of Nations would top that.

“I want to win something with the national team. It’s my country, that I love the most. This trophy for me would be completely different, would be the closest to my heart,” the Pharaohs’captain said.

Sadio Mané is doubtful for Senegal’s quarter-final against Equatorial Guinea.

The striker suffered a concussion during Senegal’s 2-0 victory against Cape.

StarTimes, Africa’s leading digital-TV operator will be showing all the games live and in HD.

Osayande Emerges Captain as Benin Golf Club Swears-in New Exco Benin Golf Club Section (BCGS), Edo State has elected new executives that will pilot the affairs of the club for the next 12 months.

The well attended Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Election into key positions saw Mr. Edward Ikponmwosa Osayande emerged as the new Captain of the golf section, while Joseph Idahosa emerged Vice Captain just as Dr. Isoken Florence Osagiede becomes the Lady Captain.

Others elected are Ehiorobo Osazuwa (Secretary); Enehikhare Osawaru (Treasurer); Stephen Ebaretonbofa (Competition/handicap

officer); Collins Eghosa Otabor (House officer); Ben Oghuma (Course officer), and John Madu (Caddy officer).

In his post-election acceptance speech, Osayande stated that he would be focusing mainly on the golf course, noting that golf course has to be in good condition.

He said: “I am also focusing on discipline in three key areas namely members, employees and caddies. This game as it is known is a game base on integrity, everybody has to have the feeling aright all the time.

“This year is a different year for the club, every

position was contested, so I have a team that needs to get to work. By next week, we will sit and deliberate on how to move the club forward, we have to hit the ground running in time.

“The capital project is to be done. When you look at the golf course now, if you want to make it green all through the year, we need to have water sprint glass.

There is need to work on the bunkers so that they are not kick and hard.

“We need to introduce cart pass for golf cart even during rainy season, and for trucks and other vehicles that come into the course.

There are many things that needs to be done.”

31

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 29, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Akinkunmi Amoo Enlarging Nigerian Contingent at Ibrox Akinkunmi Amoo

But for CAF’s refusal to allow Nigeria to replace Odion Ighalo after his club refused to release him for the AFCON 2021, Akinkunmi Amoo would have been part of the Super Eagles party to Cameroon. With Rangers not able to guarantee holding on to their jewel, Joe Aribo, the Gers have been linked with the wonder-kid as the Nigerian contingents continues on the rise at Ibrox

G

lasgow Rangers already have four Nigerians on their roster, but they are looking to add one more to give them some bite in attack as the Scottish Premiership champions have been linked with a move for Nigerian youngster Akinkunmi Amoo.

The Gers already have four Nigerians on their books- Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, and Nnamdi Ofoborh, but manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst wants to add some extra firepower up front.

And a move for Amoo could be in the works. The former Nigeria U-17 star has been excellent for Swedish side Hammarby since he joined in the summer of 2020. The 19-year-old has quick feet and is a good dribbler.

Last season, Amoo was the second best young player in the Allsvenskan.

He scored nine goals and assisted five in 29 appearances, helping the Bajen to a fifth-place finish.

According to givemesport, Amoo is one of three targets the Gers are looking to add to the team.

Amoo was part of the Nigeria U-17 squad, who was dumped out of the 2019 U-17 World Cup in the Round of 16.

However, Hammarby chief scout has responded to Amoo’s link with Glasgow Rangers saying the speculation linking Amoo with a move to Glasgow Rangers before the close of the January transfer window is incorrect.

The 2019 U-17 World Cup star made a splash in his first full season with Hammarby with a goal involvement of 18 (13 goals, 5 assists) in 36 appearances in domestic matches, and also showed off in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

Amoo’s outstanding form in 2021 saw him nominated for the Allsvenskan Young Player of the Year but he missed out on the award to Malmo’s Veljko Birmancevic.

Interim coach of the Super Eagles Austin Eguavoen namechecked him when talk of the likely replacement for Odion Ighalo in the Super Eagles 2021 Africa Cup of Nations squad came up but Nigeria was refused a late squad change by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

When contacted to verify claims that Amoo could be joining Rangers, Hammarby chief scout Mikael Hjelmberg said: “There has been no contact with Rangers, I don’t think

he’s leaving Hammarby in the January transfer window.”

Amoo’s agent Patrick Mork added: “I have heard nothing from Rangers.”

Sidos FC will benefit from the future sale of Amoo having inserted a sell-on clause into the deal bringing him to Hammarby in June 2020.

The 19-year-old is expected to start pre-season training with Hammarby this week.

When Amoo put pen to paper on a fouryear deal with Swedish side Hammarby in June 2020, even though he would have done well to imagine how the next 17 months of his career would go.

The teenager likely anticipated a slow integration into then-head coach Stefan Billborn’s team, but his fast-tracked development under Milos Milojevic has led to a breakout campaign for the winger that has clubs from Europe’s biggest leagues taking notice.

Aided by Alexander Kacaniklic’s departure to six-time Croatian champions Hajduk Split, Amoo has seized his opportunity to assume an important role for the Stockholm outfit.

Over the course of the 2021 season, the teenager has contributed 13 goals and five assists to the Hammarby cause as their campaign enters its final

weeks.

How he got here from his formative years growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria, is a fine story.

Despite being a beneficiary of Hammarby’s inclination to snap up young talents and develop them, the determined 19-year-old has not had this opportunity handed to him. Rather, he has had to prove himself.

The timing of his transfer to Europe was doubly complicated due to the pandemic, but any adaption concerns there might not have been shown on the pitch “I worked hard during the lockdown in Nigeria as it’s not easy playing professional football, so I had to put in the necessary effort,” Amoo said shortly after his arrival in Scandanavia.

“The coaches have welcomed me like a son and I talk to them regularly.”

Having seldom been exposed to competitive football, the fact Amoo has almost seamlessly adapted in Sweden is a credit to the player’s drive and determination.

A product of the Brightville Academy in Ibadan, he left his roots for a move to Sidos FC in Lagos, which in turn opened the door for participation at breakthrough youth tournaments in 2019 - the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in April and FIFA U-17 World Cup months later.

Even though the Golden Eaglets could not claim either title, a goal in the junior AFCON in Tanzania and a trio of assists at the World Cup in Brazil announced Amoo to a broader audience.

He subsequently said no to overtures from AC Milan and Monaco, instead preferring the Hammarby project and choosing to move to a club that had monitored him for about two years before signing him permanently.

In just a year, the youngster - who fondly remembers his first conversation with Hammarby’s most famous partowner, Zlatan Ibrahimovic - has fulfilled his ambition of becoming a first-team regular at Bajen.

“It was incredible. I was very impressed and happy. Zlatan is an incredibly great football player that I look up to, but above all a very nice person,” the teenager told SportExpressen in June last year.

“We talked a lot when we met and he gave me advice for the future. It felt like I became even braver after our conversation.

“Zlatan said that I should dare to play my game, stay focused all the time and not be afraid of anyone because then I will develop.”

His desires to win the club’s second Allsvenskan title (a first since 2001), participate in Champions League football and simply play in front of his mother highlight both Amoo’s lofty ambitions and tender years.

“I usually hear that I play like Leo Messi, so I am sometimes called ‘Little Messi’,” he said. “He’s my role model.”

Read full article online - www. thisdaylive.com

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 29, 2022

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾JANUARY 29, 2022

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Car MaintenanceTipsThat Can Prevent Major Repair Costs Keeping up with your car maintenance can be a real drag. Changing the oil every 5,000 miles and rotating the tires can be annoying—we get it. But paying a little bit here and there to keep major repairs at bay is completely worth it. And if you have an older vehicle, each day you can extend your car’s life is a win.

A little extra eͿort can go a long way toward curbing the repair costs of your vehicle maintenance. Here are 12 car maintenance tips that can delay or even prevent the need to pay for a big Àx to your ride.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan

Mercedes-Benz Streamlines Packaging Structures for All-New C-Class

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he next-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan is poised to set new benchmarks in the segment when it arrives in U.S. dealerships in the spring. Starting from $43,550, the C-Class Sedan oͿers a wide range of high-tech features and luxurious reÀnements derived from the Áagship S- Class. The progressive new interior is also perfectly complimented by the sporty exterior design and powerful and e΀cient electriÀed 4-cylinder engine.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan will be oͿered in three highly-equipped and strategically curated trims for the U.S. market: Premium, Exclusive and Pinnacle.

In addition to the generous standard features, each trim level builds upon the previous, creating three compelling oͿerings with additional optional features, including Àve new paints and all new upholstery options. This will allow customers the opportunity to seamlessly customize the C-Class Sedan to a wide

variety of preferences and individual requirements.

The progressive interior of the C-Class demonstrates a clear focus on technology with a freestanding 12.3” digital instrument panel and new large, portrait orientation 11.9” central touchscreen multimedia display. As an exclusive new C-Class feature, the 11.9” central display is also slightly tilted towards the driver by six degrees for the Àrst time, further underscoring the drivercentered design and performance of the C-Class Sedan. Additional developments includes the latest generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), bringing the C-Class technology on par with the Áagship S-Class, providing a sophisticated, learning-capable infotainment system with advanced Voice Control, and individual proÀles that can be activated by biometric authentication via the Àngerprint sensor.

Enhancements go well beyond the interior as the all-new C-Class debuts a new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine

with an integrated starter generator and 48-volt mild hybrid technology—-the Àrst four-cylinder gasoline engine in the Mercedes-Benz lineup oͿering this sophisticated technology. The systematically electriÀed 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the C 300 and C 300 4MATIC Sedan boasts eͿortless and e΀cient power and improved comfort and performance. With an output of 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, the C 300 models beneÀt from an increase of 22 lb-ft of torque compared to the predecessor. The 48V mild hybrid system provides a further 148 lb-ft of torque as well as up to an additional 20 hp for short periods for smooth acceleration and power delivery.

The next generation C-Class is poised to redeÀne the benchmark and take comfort, safety and the overall driver and passenger experience to a completely new level. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the spring of 2022.

12 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money 1. Check your spare tire.

It’s just as important to keep the backup tire inÁated as it is the four tires under your car.

The last thing you want is to discover your spare is Áat while you’re pulling the jack out of your trunk. That’s when you’ll need to call a tow truck—which can run you hundreds of dollars. It’s better to spend a dollar on an air pump to inÁate your spare. That way you’re spared the cost of a tow.

Maintenance Tip: Test the air pressure of your driving tires and your spare tire once a month.

2. Change the oil.

How much can your car’s oil aͿect your budget? Oh, plenty. Oil problems can be some of the costliest car maintenance issues to Àx, since oil aͿects a lot of your car’s functions.

It’s better to spend as little as $25 to get the oil changed than to put it oͿ and risk wearing out your engine—which costs a lot more than $25 to replace.

Maintenance Tip: Change the oil every 5,000 miles or follow what is recommended by your car manufacturer.

3. Keep the battery clean.

Corrosion (which looks like white or bluish powder) can form on the terminals of your battery. If you don’t keep them clean, the battery could develop a crack or not function properly, leaving you stranded. Since a quality car battery can cost upwards of $100—and a tow can run you even more—buying a $5 wire brush and keeping the terminals looking spiͿy is money well spent.

Maintenance Tip: Test your battery twice a year and inspect it for corrosion.

4. Replace the brake pads.

Do you hear a squeaking sound when you hit the brakes? If so, your brake pads could be on their last legs. A new set can cost up to $300 for all four wheels, plus the labor charge if a professional installs them. We know that price tag may seem hefty. But being able to stop before rear-ending that Lexus in front of you is priceless.

Maintenance Tip: Check the brake Áuid every time you change the oil to be sure it’s not dark in color. If it is, you’re going to need to change the brake system sooner rather than later.

(Source: Ramsey)

BMW Group Joins Leather Working Group for Sustainable Sourcing

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he BMW Group is underlining its corporate responsibility in the field of sustainability, by becoming the second automotive manufacturer worldwide to join the Leather Working Group. According to the automaker, the aim of the not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation is to ensure uniform environmental and social standards for leather supply chains worldwide and to certify manufacturers. The Leather Working Group represents about a quarter of the world’s leather producers – from tanneries to leather-processing industries and associations to retailers and buyers.

“As a leader in supply chain sustainability, joining the Leather Working Group is the next logical step for us,” says Nadine Philipp, BMW Group’s head of Sustainability in the Supply Chain, Energy. She emphasised that: “Leather is still in demand from our customers – depending on the model and region – and is very important in the premium segment. That is why supporting sustainable production and processing of leather at our suppliers is a priority for us. At the same time, we still want all our customers worldwide

to be able to choose the optimal product, so we also offer leather-free vehicle equipment options.”

The decision to join the Leather Working Group ties in directly with the BMW Group’s business alignment, with its focus on sustainability and resource efficiency. One of the BMW Group’s objectives is to create the most sustainable supply chain across the entire automotive industry. Sourcing leather from certified facilities is an important step on the road to achieving this ambitious goal.

As well as leather from certified suppliers, BMW Group also offers customers alternative interior materials The BMW Group already sources all leather in the BMW iX from a certified manufacturer. The natural leather used is tanned in an especially environmentally-friendly process that relies on olive leaf extract. The BMW Group already offers leather-free alternatives, including textile options, Alcantara® and Sensatec. The company is also conducting research into resource-efficient leather alternatives, such as Deserttex®, which is made from cactus fibres, and the durable and fully recyclable plant-based Mirum®, from the startup Natural Fiber Welding, in which BMW i Ventures acquired a stake in 2021.

All-leather interior of BMW X5

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Hyundai TUCSON, IONIQ 5 Get Auto Bild Awards

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yundai won in two categories at once in the “Best Import Cars of the Year” of the trade magazine Auto Bild. in the “Medium SUV” category, the Hyundai TUCSON convinced the editors and stood at the top of the podium, while IONIQ 5 won in the “Electric Car” category.

Both TUCSON and IONIQ 5 impressed the test editors. “Hyundai serves both the new and the old world with the virtues needed to convince customers: design, innovation, AND performance.” The judges praised their “decent amount of space”, clever technology such as Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), and an “attractive shape”. The fully-electric midsize CUV IONIQ 5 earned additional praise for its innovative 800-volt ultra-fast charging technology: “The IONIQ 5 charges faster than almost any other car on the market.”

Hyundai TUCSON opens up new customers for Hyundai with its exciting design but doesn’t make

the mistake of wanting to be too modern in the interior. Added to this is its balanced priceperformance ratio.

Tom Drechsler, said the Editorin-Chief of Auto Bild After our product Àreworks last year, Auto Bild’s award for our best-selling TUCSON and our revolutionary IONIQ 5 as ‘Best Import Cars’ is a conÀrmation that we have done many things right. I am very pleased that we were able to convince the test editors with both our innovative technologies and the reliable quality and bold design of these two newcomers. AndreasChristoph Hofmann, Vice President Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe The winners in Auto Bild’s “Best Import Cars of the Year” are chosen by the editorial team.

The decision is based on the points scored in each of the tests carried out by the trade magazine Auto Bild.

Hyundai Tucson

All-New Lexus LX Premieres as 2nd Model of Next Generation

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exus’ Áagship SUV aims to provide an exceptional driving experience and expand our customers’ diverse life experiences As the second model of the nextgeneration of Lexus following the NX, Lexus held the world premiere of the new LX today in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and the reveal video is available online. The new LX, which embodies the brand’s commitment to meeting the diversifying needs and lifestyles of customers, is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in early 2022.

Since its establishment in 1989, Lexus has always been committed to the spirit of innovation and has continued to take up the challenge of providing new technologies and value to its customers. Since its launch in 1996, the LX has been well received as Lexus’ Áagship SUV due to its high-quality, ride comfort, and driving performance that can withstand all kinds of roads around the world. This has been achieved by reÀning the founding concepts of the LX: “reliability”, “durability”, and “rough-road driving performance”. The LX has sold a cumulative total of approximately 500,000 units in more than 50 countries and regions as of the end of August 2021.

The new LX is designed to provide vehicle oc-

The new Lexus LX

cupants with exceptional comfort and enrich their life experiences. While maintaining a traditional body-onframe structure to ensure reliability, durability, and d driving performance, it renews its characteristics by adopting the new GA-F platform, realizing a weight reduction of approximately 200 kg, and achieving a digitally-developed high-rigidity body. The new LX will be available with either a high-output, high-torque 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine.

Electronically controlled brakes (ECB) and an electric power steering system (EPS) are also adopted to ensure customers will be able to enjoy Lexus-unique driving performance to the fullest, both on-road and oͿ-road. These innovations, plus the adoption of two new available powertrains, will also contribute to improved environmental performance, reducing annual CO2 emissions when the vehicle is in use by approximately 20 percent on a global cumulative basis compared to the previous model, thus contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society. In harsh oͿ-road environments, to promote a safer and more comfortable driving experience, the instrument panel features Lexus’ Àrst dual display with a 12.3-inch upper screen and 7-inch lower screen, as well as Back UnderÁoor View, which displays the area beneath the rear part of the vehicle as a world Àrst .

Have You Installed a Speed Limiter?

Did you read the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi disquiet over the spate of avoidable road traffic crashes in 2021 as well as early 2022? Did you also read his riot act to operatives of the Corps on the necessity for sustained enforcement of the installation of speed limiting devices by commercial vehicles as a strategy to tilt the trend.

Did you read of the crash that triggered his apprehension? It occurred around Bagauda Law School, on Kano-Zaria expressway. The crash was caused by speed violation involving two Toyota Busses. Out of the 45 passengers, 26 were injured while 19 comprising of 15 male adults and 4 female adults were killed.

The riot act to crackdown on deviants is in tandem with the Presidential directives of 2016 on the enforcement on compulsory installation of speed limiting devices by commercial vehicles. The FRSC helmsman stated that tilting speed related crashes is one of the strategic goals of the Corps in 2022. He also stated that eradicating speed limited crashes from the highways has been his major focus. He regretted that most of these crashes are highly avoidable.

As I reflect on the riot act and the worry by my boss as well as the progress made so far, I recall when my friend and brother, Patrick Adenusi of Safety Beyond Borders, a Non-Government Organization on road safety, threw a thought provoking poser to a gathering of stakeholders when he asked rhetorically; ‘what is the value of the life of a Nigerian’? Frank Nneji of ABC Transport threw a similar poser when in response to the issue of the cost of a speed limiter;

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. he asked if the cost of a speed limiter, no matter the amount could buy a life.

This same question haunts me each time a road traffic crash claims the life of a Nigerian on our roads.

It equally haunts me each time I receive a report of a staff killed by a driver for merely slowing him down from killing himself or maiming others. The same thought ran through my mind when prior to the April 1 deadline,2016 for the enforcement of speed limiter, some people questioned the rationale behind the move by the Corps, while others challenged the authority of the FRSC to enforce the speed limiter.

I remember when the initial enforcement date was halted by the House of Representatives’ resolution on April 1,2016. Despite these initial hiccups, I knew that Nigerians will naturally applaud the novelty in the introduction of the limiter by the Corps.

My optimism was further boosted when I had the privilege to attend the public hearing of the House Committee on the Federal Road Safety Commission on this subject where overwhelmingly the impera-

tives for the initiatives was drummed up by over 99percent of stakeholders who attended the hearing.

Even those who had reservations merely proposed for its implementation to be complimented by other technologies.

However, my optimism was again partly jolted when a litigation was filed at the Federal High Court Abuja by the Registered Trustees of International Human Rights and Anti Corruption Society in Suit No FHC/ Abj/CS/805/15 challenging the powers of FRSC on the speed limiter. Candidly, I was relieved when the High Court Presided over by Justice Chukwu dismissed the suit, describing the position of the opponents to the device as lacking in merit, stating that the FRSC has acted in line with its statutory powers by introducing, imposing and implementing the use of the speed limiting device in Nigeria.

This statutory powers referred by the Court on the regulation on the compulsory use of speed limiting device on vehicles in Nigeria is contained in the FRSC Establishment Act (2007) and the National Road Traffic Regulation 2012.In Section 10, sub section (m) of the (Establishment) Act, 2007, the Commission is empowered with „ determining and enforcing speed limits for all categories of roads and vehicles and controlling the use of speed limiting devices. It states that „ All motor vehicles plying the highway shall be in possession of good electric or air horn, jack, wheel spanner, tools, fire extinguisher, inflated spare tyre, first aid box, emergency warning triangles or cones, laminated windscreen and mirror, speed governor (speed limiter), wipers, insurance certificate and road

worthiness certificate. Similarly, in the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR, 2012) it provides that,’’ A person shall not drive a vehicle on any public road which is not fitted with a speed limiter (speed limiting device).

I am not a human rights activists and I have nothing against them as I am convinced that their initial passion was for our general good which I believe includes buying into government strategies to check excessive speeding. Speed is identified as a key risk factor in road traffic injuries, influencing both the risk of a road crash as well as the severity of the injuries that result from injuries. Speed affects the driver, the vehicle, other road users and the environment underscoring the reason behind the FRSC initiatives.

The functions of the speed limiting device he further maintained are therefore multi-dimensional. The effects of speed include: increased driver’s response time to objects and increase risk of collision, reduces the driver’s ability to steer safely and around curves and objects on the roads, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.

The benefits of the initiatives include; lower speed resulting in less fuel consumption by vehicles; lower speed also cuts down vehicles maintenance cost, slows down depreciation value thus vehicles last longer. It will significantly impact positively in changing the individual driving behavior which has been hard to achieve over the years as it will reduce the speed of vehicle to pre-set limit, thus reducing overall crash risk and likely to lessen severity of crash.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

IMAGES The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Mr Joseph Olaoye Jaiyeola, and his wife, Soledemi, recently gave out their daughter, Ibukunoluwa Oloruntobi, to Tijesunimi Oluwakayode Olaoye in holy matrimony.

Below are some of the dignitaries who attended the Wedding ceremonies in Lagos.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Olaoye

L-R: Groom’s Parents, Rt. Rev Abiodun Taiwo Olaoye and wife, Theresa

L-R: Bride’s parents, Mr Joseph Olaoye Jaiyeola and wife, Soledemi

L-R: Mr Olusegun Adeniyi, Mrs Dupe Olupona and her husband, Prof Jacob Olupona

L-R: Evangelist Oluwafemi Olaoye and wife, Caroline

L-R: Rear Admiral Leye Jaiyeola and his wife, Osaretin

L-R: Mr Tunde Akinyemiju and wife, Adunola

L-R: Ms Busayo Olupona and Mrs Funmilola Fagbamiye

L-R: The Bridesmaid, the couple and the Best Man

SATURDAY JANUARY 29, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

NEWS

PDP Appeal Committee Upholds Bisi Kolawole’s Victory, Calls for Reconciliation of Stakeholders Chuks Okocha in Abuja After deliberating for over 90 minutes on the Ekiti State governorship appeal, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Appeal Committee yesterday upheld the election of Bisi Kolawole as the candidate of the party in the June 2022 governorship election.

Addressing journalists after its meeting, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the appeal committee headed by the National Chairman, Iyorchia

Ayu, agreed that the primary election conducted by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom was transparent.

He said the party also commended the winner, Bisi Kolawole and urged all aggrieved stakeholders to close ranks to enable the party win the June 2022 government election.

The PDP spokesperson said that the only correspondence received by the appeal committee was from Senator Biodun Olujimi who notified the appeal committee of her desire to withdraw

from the governorship election because of no congress in two local governments which are part of her primary constituency Ologunagba said that the national leadership of the party would take active part in the reconciliation and campaigns in the forthcoming governorship in the state Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has approved Saturday, February 19 for the conclusion of its outstanding State Congress for the purpose of electing new State

Executive Committee members in Lagos State.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature.

The NWC, according to the statement, also scheduled a crucial meeting with Lagos State stakeholders on Monday, February 7 at the Zonal Headquarters, Ibadan, Oyo State.

It added that the NWC would continue to update stakeholders on any development in that regard.

APC Leaders, Stakeholders Bank on Musa to Reposition Party Nseobong Okon-Ekong Ahead of the February 26 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, stakeholders in the ruling party have zeroed in on the Senator from Niger East District, Senator Sani Musa, to lead the party for the next four years.

Senator Musa, who is a leading contender for the national chairmanship seat of the APC, has been having a flurry of endorsements and backings from the leaders and stakeholders of the party since he declared his ambition for the position.

Over the weekend, the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, paid a visit to Musa, who is the Chairman, Senate Services Committee, in his Maitama, Abuja residence, assuring the chairmanship aspirant that the contribution

he made to the APC since 2015 would not go in vain.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a former deputy governor from a North-west state, who is also a statutory delegate to the February convention, disclosed that Senator Musa is the likely consensus candidate for the national chairmanship position.

While stressing that the lawmaker possesses the requisite experience and commitment to provide leadership that will lead the ruling party to a massive victory in the 2023 polls, he also identified his capacity to effectively relate and bring everyone on board in the party.

He said, “The decision to queue behind the senator was thoroughly scrutinised by stakeholders in the party especially since there are handfuls of former governors whose influence in the party cannot be shoved aside.

Runsewe Calls for Reactivation of Nigeria’s Cultural Houses in Beijing, Nanjing Charles Ajunwa

REWARDING HARDWORK… R-L: Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, receiving the First News ‘Man of the Year 2021’ Award from Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Chairman/ Publisher First News Media Network Limited on Thursday in the Governor’s office, Yenogoa...recently

FAAN to Expand GAT at Lagos Airport Chinedu Eze

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has yielded to the clamour of air travellers for the expansion of the terminal facilities at the airports, especially the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and has announced that it would expand the facilities at the General Aviation Terminal, known as MMA1.

The agency said it would expand the Zulu Wing of the terminal to enhance passenger facilitation.

The agency said the expansion project, which would commence any moment from now, would only hamper passenger facilitation minimally at the terminal, as normal passenger check-in would not be aͿected in any way.

“However, the Protocol and VIP lounge at the terminal will be aͿected, as the facilities will be relocated temporarily till the end of the project, since major construction works will be carried out in that axis of the terminal,” FAAN said in a statement signed by the General Manager,

Public AͿairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu.

Meanwhile, the Authority is already making arrangements for temporary spaces to be used as Protocol and VIP lounges, while the project is being executed.

“When the expansion project is completed, the terminal would have been enhanced in terms of capacity, aesthetics and passenger comfort, as the expected and expanded new lounges will be twice what is presently on ground.

“The Authority will like to appeal to passengers and

other airport users to please be patient and bear with us for any inconvenience, while the project will last,” FAAN said.

Passengers’ surge last December witnessed the stretching of facilities at the terminal; that it caused Áight delays and the carousel was overworked and it broke down severally.

Reports indicated that the agency recorded the highest passenger tra΀c from the terminal last month and exposed the obsolete facilities and lack of capacity, hence the planned expansion.

Globacom Presents 15 Cars to Winners Pharmacists Demand Equity as Extravaganza Promo Ends in Health Sector Reform Emma Okonji The grand finale of Globacom’s customer reward-promo, Joy Unlimited Extravaganza, was held recently at Glo world in Lagos, where 74 new winners went home with prizes including a brand new Kia Rio saloon car.

The presentation of another brand new car at the grand finale brings to 15, the number of cars won and presented since the commencement of the promo last year.

The15th car was won by a Lagos-based cab-hailing driver, Japhet Egbede, who in

an appreciative mood declared, “Globacom has empowered me.

I now have a brand new car for my cab business and would no longer need to rent and pay for a car to use on weekly basis. I am grateful to Globacom, the caring network, taking care of Nigerians.”

The exciting promo, which was launched last year, has gone round the country spreading joy and ecstasy among subscribers of the network, 15 of whom won brand new cars, while 500,000 others won television sets, refrigerators, power generators and Glo freebies.

Pharmacists under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have drawn the attention of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, on the need to restructure the leadership of the country’s health sector for desirable equity amongst health workers and better healthcare delivery.

President of PSN, Professor Cyril Usifoh, who alleged imbalance in the composition of the Health Sector Reform Committee, headed by Prof.

Osinbajo, observed that it negates the principle of equity and fairness, and discriminatory

against some key professionals in the sector.

The PSN boss said, “We observe that of the 28 members, about 23 appear to be physicians while only 1 Pharmacist (PSN), a Nurse (NANNM) and a Laboratory Scientist (AMLSN), the DG, BPE and DG, Federal Consumer Protection Council are conÀrmed not to be physicians.

He said since the obnoxious Decree 10 of 1985 was enacted and physicians were placed in charge of the sector at all levels from the federal, state and LGA as well as the health institutions under their jurisdiction.

Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has called for the reactivation of Nigeria’s cultural houses in Beijing and Nanjing, saying this would enhance the cultural ties between Nigeria and China.

Runsewe, who is the President of World Crafts Council (Africa), received an award from the Head of Hauxing Art Troupe, Dr. Eric Ni, for his continued support to the Chinese community in Nigeria.

The NCAC boss, who made the call at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games Beijing and Chinese New Year celebration in Lekki, Lagos, said Nigeria’s collaboration with the Chinese government would enhance tourism and national development.

According to him, organising regular cultural troupe/ performances and exhibitions among the two countries who share the same Independence

Day among other things would enrich a win-win cooperation between the countries.

Nigeria and China bilateral diplomatic and cultural relationship which dates back to 1971, according to Runsewe, was rejuvenated by strategic partnership accord in 2005.

He said: “Even as recently as last year, China and Nigeria demonstrated their continued commitment to this robust, healthy, progressively dynamic and holistic relationship when they signed the governmental Memorandum of Understanding during the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit.

“China remains one of Nigeria’s key allies, with key bilateral trade and strategic cooperation, as well as trading import and export partnerships. With 80 per cent of Nigeria’s population indicating a positive perception of Nigeria-China relations, according to the BBC, Nigeria is clearly one of the most pro-China nations in the world.

Group Wants TASUED Acting VC Appointment Confirmed James Sowole in Abeokuta The national leadership of Ijebu Youth Association (IYA) has written an appeal to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, pleading for the conÀrmation of Prof. Wole Banjo as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) Ijagun.

Prof. Banjo was said to have been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the university in acting capacity over a year ago after his predecessor, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu was appointed as the Commissioner for Education in the state.

In a letter to Abiodun, signed by the National President of the association, Comrade Okikiola Fayomi, copies of which were presented to the journalists during a press brieÀng held at Iwe Iroyin, secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun State Council,

Abeokuta, the youth group declared that acting VC had so far demonstrated exceeding capacity and managerial acumen to take the ivory tower to higher height of excellence.

Fayomi, who was supported by other executives of the youth group, disclosed that it was high time Prof. Banjo becomes the substantive Vice Chancellor of the university having risen to the challenges of eͿective management of the school, the staͿ and its teeming students as well as other stakeholders since his appointment for over a year.

He explained that Banjo was no doubt a thoroughbred academician of repute and administrator par excellence.

“He had since his appointment proved beyond reasonable doubt that he has what it takes to continue to make TASUED reference point of excellent university education.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JANUARY 29, 2022

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NEWS Tinubu in UK for Consultations, Not Sick, Says Aide The media aide to Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Rahman yesterday said the former Lagos governor is in the United Kingdom for consultations and not ill as being speculated.

In a statement, Rahman said the presidential aspirant is in “excellent spirits” and speculations about his visit to the UK are “inaccurate”.

He said Tinubu would return to Nigeria next week.

The media aide added: “Asiwaju Tinubu is in Àne health and excellent spirits.

The speculations in a national

DESERVED RECOGNITION… Abia-born renowned philanthropist, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, a.k.a Don Lulu (2nd left) emerges The Unity Magazine Personality of the Month of January, 2022...yesterday

Catholic Church Vows Not to Endorse Presidential Candidate for 2023, Asks Buhari to Sign Electoral Bill Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria has said that it would not engage in any form of partisanship in the politics of the country, including the choice of the next president.

The church said that it was against the delay in signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

Speaking at the media brieÀng

to Áag-oͿ the church’s Communication Week, the Priest in charge of Church and Society, Rev. Fr. Uche Obiechina, said that the church does not dabble into partisan politics.

“Politics is about governance, about well-being of the people, so the church in Nigeria and Catholic Church anywhere in the world, supports politics and encourages its members to play politics.

“Catholic Church does not play

partisan politics but members of the church are expected to play party politics, just that the church as an institution ought not to play party politics. Party politics means politics of APC, PDP, PRP and whatever. The church cannot play such politics, because there are members of the church that are in APC, PDP or PRP. Because of this we cannot identify with any political party,” he said.

Obiechina said that what the

does is to recognise individual church members and to encourage them participate actively in politics but not to support the parties.

“But church identiÀes with our sons and daughters in various political parties. And that is why the church will not Àeld a candidate and say vote for PDP or APC. The church does not do that and would not do that,” he said.

USAID Partners Media Executives on Nigeria’s Development Challenges Nigerian partners of the USAID Nigeria Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project hosted media executives from across Nigeria to explore partnership opportunities for addressing some of the country’s development challenges at a business breakfast meeting in Abuja.

SCALE strengthens the Ànancial, management, and advocacy capacity of local civil society organisations to create a more accountable, transparent, peaceful, and democratic Nigeria with more eͿective and e΀cient

public service delivery.

The meeting deepened the understanding of the media on the SCALE project objectives, interventions, and approaches to building the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Business Membership Organisations (BMOs) for a stronger and more sustainable civil society sector with access to resources, tools and new competencies that enable them to fully engage with citizens and government to bring about good governance in Nigeria.

In her opening remarks, the Chief of Party of the SCALE

Project, Lydia Odeh, reiterated the need for the media to partner with development organisations to help share results on how development eͿort is bringing about positive change.

“A strengthened relationship between CSOs and the media would enable the telling of lesser-known but important stories that provide an opportunity for the voices of the people most aͿected by these stories to be heard.”

She was hopeful that “by the end of the project, CSOs working in priority policy areas including health, education,

tra΀cking in persons, sexual and gender-based violence, civic space, elections, youth development and others will collaborate more eͿectively, resulting in eͿective governance and improved services for Nigerians.”

Speaking on behalf of SCALE partners, Dr. Otive Igbuzor of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), highlighted that SCALE results will be delivered through Nigerian partners who will take on increasing responsibility over the project lifespan.

declared winner, late on Thursday, Oyebanji commended members of the APC for thronging out in their large numbers to participate in the electoral process as a sign of deepening the internal democracy of the party.

He promised to jealously guide the confidence reposed in him, promising that his campaign would be issue-based and would dwell on track records of competence, compassion, character and visions for moving the state forward.

Oyebanji promised to reach out to his co-aspirants on the best way to resolve their grievances and enlisted their support for an effective campaign ahead of the June 18 election in the state.

He lauded his campaign team and volunteers for their demonstrated commitment to the success of the campaign.

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

raided a criminal hideout at Yankara village, Koza District, Mai’adua LGA of Katsina State and rescued seven victims of human tra΀cking hiding in the house.

“In the course of investigation, the victims stated that they were brought to the village by their agent, who on sighting the police team, took to his heels and escaped with their GSM phones.

“They further stated that they are on their route from Nigeria to Libya through the Niger Republic border and investigation is ongoing.”

Isah added that the victims will be handed over to the Kano o΀ce of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Tra΀cking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation and arrest of the tra΀ckers.

Wike: Rivers Should Expect End to Oppressive VAT Policy Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimistism that the ongoing dispute between the state and the federal government will bring to an end the alleged illegal and oppressive Value Added Tax (VAT) policy in the country.

The governor stated that the over legitimate authority by the federal government to impose and collect VAT has enormous constitutional implications that should be addressed.

Governor Wike made the assertion yesterday at the book presentation titled: ‘Contemporary

The winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, Hon. Biodun Oyebanji, has said his victory is “a win for all and a win for participatory democracy,” with a promise to work together with other aspirants to ensure victory for the party in the June 18 governorship election in the state.

Oyebanji, who was declared winner by the Governor Baduru Abubakar-led Governorship Election Committee, after polling a total 101,703 votes at the primary election, also thanked former governor Adeniyi Adebayo and the incumbent Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as well as the leadership and membership of the party for their steadfastness and support during the contest.

Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti shortly after he was

The Katsina State Police Command has raided a suspected human tra΀ckers’ hideout in Yankara Village of Mai’Adua Local Government Area of the state and rescued seven victims.

The Command’s Public Relations O΀cer, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement issued to journalists in Katsina yesterday, said the rescued victims were from Abia, Ondo, Niger, Delta and Oyo states.

He explained that the victims, who were on their way from Nigeria to Libya, were rescued by operatives of the command after raiding their hideout in the village.

He said: “On 20/01/2022 at about 1120hrs, based on credible intelligence, the Command

Essays on Law & Practice’, in honour of retired Justice Anwuri Ichegbu Chikere of the Federal High Court.

The governor stressed that the entire country was waiting for the speedy resolution of the VAT dispute now at the Supreme Court.

He also stated that in reality, the judiciary remained the ultimate guardian of the nation’s constitution.

According to him, the judiciary is the protector of the rule of law and the guarantor of the constitutional rights and freedoms of the people, which he said should play out in the VAT dispute.

Kushemi-Moses Family Raises the Alarm over Communal Clash, Appeals to Sanwo-Olu to Intervene Innocent Megbolu The royal family of KushemiMoses of Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, to urgently intervene in the Obaship tussle in Ikeja Kingdom to avert communal clash and bloodshed.

Within the past seven years the stool of Oba of Ikeja has

2m Nigerians have Benefited from Primary: My Victory is for All of Us, Police Raid Human Traffickers’ Hideout, Oando Foundation, Oyebanji Tells Aggrieved Aspirants Rescue Seven Victims in Katsina Says Tinubu

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

newspaper and on social media are just what they are: unfounded and untrue speculations.

“Asiwaju’s trip to the UK is not to rest or because of any illness. While abroad, Asiwaju is maintaining a vigorous schedule of meetings and consultations on a range of important matters.

Whether at home or abroad, the daily schedule of Asiwaju is vibrant and full. Most people couldn’t sustain his high level of activity.

“He will return to Nigeria next week once this set of meetings and talks abroad are completed.”

The founder of Oando Foundation, Mr. Wale Tinubu, has revealed that over two million people have beneÀtted from the foundation.

Tinubu, who is very proud of the foundation’s achievements in the past 11 years, showed his excitement when he wrote on his twitter handle last Tuesday, “The role of education for peace and development cannot be overemphasised. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries cannot break cycles of poverty and inequality.

“I am constantly inspired by Oando Foundation’s 11-year journey. We set out to bridge the education gap in Nigeria with infrastructure development, scholarships, and teacher capacity building. So far, we’ve impacted the lives of 2m Nigerians.

remained vacant after the death of the former king, Oba Raufu Matele Amore, who died on July 1, 2014.

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Saturday, January 29, 2022

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Dogara to Bala Mohammed “Suspension of traditional titles of political opponents at the behest of the governor Bala Mohammed has become routine now. Before mine, our father, the Wazirin Bauchi, had been suspended. Likewise, my comrade in the APC, the Wakilin Birni” –Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, accusing Gov Mohammed of masterminding his suspension as Jakadan Bauchi by the Emirate Council.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

A Standing Ovation for Abdulsamad Rabiu

F

ellow Nigerians, I was extremely pleased to be invited to Sokoto two days ago, January 27, 2022, by one of the world’s richest men, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, my friend of over 20 years. I would have been very sad had I missed the official commissioning of the new 3MTPA BUA Cement (Sokoto) Line 4 Cement Plant and the groundbreaking for Sokoto Line 5. It was an epochmaking event for many reasons and therefore an occasion that even wild horses would not have stopped me from attending. The Plant is easily one of the biggest businesses of its kind in Northern Nigeria. It is certainly the most technologically advanced business of its type not only in Northern Nigeria, but Nigeria as a whole. The Cement Plant uses and exploits the latest cutting-edge technology available in the industry not only to enhance capacity and productivity but also to ensure increased safety, performance and durability for staff, users, and buildings.

No one should be surprised about the remarkable successes and progress of the BUA Group under the Chairmanship of the amiable, easy-going, humble but audacious Abdulsamad. The secret is simple and straightforward; he’s very hands-on without being a micro manager.

He is dedicated and finicky, but he doesn’t seek to be a perfectionist as he knows perfection is impossible.

He merely strives to attain the best possible results using the resources available to him. He takes delight in being innovative, accepting and implementing novel ideas whilst working with imaginative, knowledgeable and brilliant people. He is adept and successful at doing multiple things at once. I caught a glimpse of his multitasking abilities when he started chatting with me as early as 7.00am wanting to know if I was fine and my crew also. And I heard he personally contacted many of his friends who were booked on the special chartered flight from Air Peace to make sure that the arrangements he had put in place were working perfectly and that they would be punctual. As I transpired, everything went like clockwork, and we had a pleasant and enjoyable trip to Sokoto.

We were well catered for by Air Peace as was befitting of the grand occasion that we were attending.

As if this was not enough, more surprises awaited us in Sokoto. As soon as our plane touched down and we taxied to our parking spot, who did we see at the foot of the plane? None other than Alhaji Abdulsamad who was on hand with a decent welcoming party to personally welcome us all to Sokoto.

For someone I’m sure could not have slept more than a few hours, given his penchant for seeing that everything was in place for the splendid event that he

Dele Momodu with Abdulsamad Rabiu in London 20 years ago

had diligently orchestrated, we were pleasantly surprised and honoured to see him at the airport.

More than enough buses and Jeeps were neatly parked outside the airport to transport the visiting dignitaries to the venue of the commissioning and groundbreaking. The drivers, mostly Yoruba, were very warm and welcoming.

I didn’t realize there were so many of them resident in Sokoto. We drove smoothly to our destination where everything had been meticulously planned and assiduously executed.

Security was very tight due to the large number of VVIPs around, but it was not obstructive or obtrusive. The event was well choreographed, and everything

was handled practically seamlessly. It was indeed a spectacular occasion that held us all spellbound.

It was indeed a glorious day for the BUA Group. Seated comfortably in the event centre were some very very important personalities, young, middle aged and old. I was most delighted to see, meet and greet some of the most influential African monarchs, such as His Imperial Majesty The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar; The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; The Emir of Bichi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, (my friend of about

No one should be surprised about the remarkable successes and progress of the BUA Group under the Chairmanship of the amiable, easy-going, humble but audacious Abdulsamad. The secret is simple and straightforward; he’s very hands-on without being a micro manager. He is dedicated and finicky, but he doesn’t seek to be a perfectionist as he knows perfection is impossible

three decades who I was delighted to see again after his recent turbanning; The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Mr Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigeria Bar Association; Mr Sijibomi Ogundele of Sujimoto; Mr Segun Awolowo, former helmsman at the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Dr Taiwo Afolabi of the SIFAX Group; Mr Jubril Adewale Tinubu, the Group CEO of OANDO PLC; Chief Sam Iwuajoku, the founder and Chairman of Quits Aviation; Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mr Tayo Ayeni, Chairman of Skymit Motors, Senator Mohammed Daggash; Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar, former Minister of Commerce and of the FCT; Balogun Akin Osuntokun, and many others. The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal played his part as the ecstatic, enthusiastic quintessential host. The force, momentous and historic nature of the occasion was underscored by the fact that the ceremony was presided

by President Muhammadu Buhari who led the way in showering praises and encomiums on Abdulsamad Rabiu.

All the speeches reflected the determination and success of the BUA Group to remain one of the leaders in all its spheres of endeavour as well as being the largest employer of labour in the Northern part of Nigeria. The BUA Group continues to excel in its planning and execution of its projects and corporate goals. It is determined to propagate the message that economic and social activity can thrive in a wholesome and fulfilling manner in the North and that the impact of this on the security challenges the region faces can be a thing of the past with such ventures that will improve the life and livelihood of the people.

Briefly, the BUA Cement Sokoto Line 4 was built to the following specifications: three million metric tonnes per annum capacity; 6,000 TPD ILC with the highest energy efficiency and latest pollution abating equipment; 48 MW dual fuel power Plant and so on. The Line 5 is already in the works and should be ready in the first quarter of 2023.

Many of the distinguished guests attested to the uncommon energy of the BUA Group Chairman. On a personal note, I have been a keen watcher of his gargantuan business exploits and feats since we first met at Mr Terry Waya’s 40th birthday extravaganza in London on June 2001. His capacity for taking on seemingly impossible tasks continue to confound his friends and critics alike. Thus, it is no surprise that he has continued to reap the harvests of his daredevil and fantastic initiatives abundantly.

And therefore, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu deserves a standing ovation from us all.

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