SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2024

Senegal, Nigeria Extol Dangote over Industrialist's Massive Investments Propelling Africa's Devt.

Billionaire urges African investors to increase stake in continent Describes award by Senegalese President as clarion call to spearhead Africa’s rapid industrialisation Peter Uzoho President of the Republic of

Senegal, Macky Sall and the federal government of Nigeria have eulogised Africa's richest

man, billionaire industrialist and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for investing heavily

in the continent and ultimately helping to catalyse growth and development in the two countries

and the continent at large.

This was just as Dangote has urged his fellow African investors

to scale up their investments in the Continued on page 5

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Super Eagles Soar into AFCON Semifinal, Defeat Angola 1-0 Kunle Adewale in Lagos and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, yesterday, defeated the Palancas Negras of Angola 1-0, in Super Eagles celebrating the goal against Angola yesterday

Continued on page 5

In Move to Further Stabilise Market, CBN Reviews Banks’ CRR Framework Naira now N1,435 on official FX window, N1,430/$ on parallel market Analysts lament upward review of import duty, say it’s double jeopardy for real sector operators

James Emejo in Abuja, Nume Ekeghe and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos As part of efforts to stabilise the financial market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday announced a cessation of daily Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) debits for Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

This was just as the naira exchange rate against the United States dollar appreciated slightly yesterday, on the

official Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange (NAFEX) window as it closed at N1,435/$1, while on the parallel market it closed at N1,430/$1.

The official FX window gained N26.37 to close yesterday at N1,435.53 compared to the N1,461.90 recorded on Thursday. However, the exchange rate depreciated on the parallel market yesterday, after gaining the previous Continued on page 5

COMMANDER OF NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LION… President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote (left) and President of Senegal, Macky Sall during the conferment of the award of Commander of National Order of the Lion on Aliko Dangote in Senegal...yesterday

NUPRC: Ongoing IOCs' Assets Divestment to Local Firms Not Yet Complete, Undergoing Due Diligence...

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INEC: Rerun Elections Hold Today, Parties Denounce Attempt to Boycott Polls in Plateau Vehicular movement restriction only in Surulere, Lagos Police Clarify Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Okon Bassey in Uyo The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stressed that contrary to rumours making the rounds on social media, the rerun elections scheduled to take place in Plateau and other affected states today would will be held.

INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Education & Publicity Department, Plateau State, Egwurube Otokpa, said the clarification became imperative after fake news circulating on social media claimed that the election in the state had been postponed.

He said: "The attention of Plateau INEC Head Office has been drawn to a so-called Breaking News circulating on the social media

claiming the re-run Senate/House of Representative elections scheduled for tomorrow (today), February 3rd has been postponed until further notice because of the absence of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on the ballot.

"The Plateau INEC wishes to inform the public that contrary to the so-called breaking news, it has concluded all preparations

for the conduct of the election tomorrow.

"We also wish to inform the public that the Nigeria Police, as the lead security agency, has given us assurance that it has made all arrangements to secure the election, along with all the sister security agencies."

The electoral body urged members of the general public to troop

out peacefully in their numbers tomorrow to cast their votes.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on 29th January, 2024, lost its bid to get INEC to include her on the ballot as Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja struck out its application for lack of jurisdiction.

However, in solidarity with the PDP, the Inter- Party Advisory

Council (IPAC) in Plateau State had consequently announced a boycott of today's rerun election for the vacant seats of Jos North/ Bassa Federal Constituency and Plateau North Senatorial District.

Responding to the press conference

by Plateau IPAC, the national body of the council dissociated itself from the purported boycott of the rerun elections in Plateau state.

IN MOVE TO FURTHER STABILISE MARKET, CBN REVIEWS BANKS’ CRR FRAMEWORK day, to close yesterday at N1,430/$ compared to the N1,350/$ it closed on Thursday indicating a N70 loss in one day. The official window recorded an increase in daily turnover from $156.86 million on Thursday to $440.13 million yesterday indicating a 180.67 per cent increase.

The highest spot rate recorded yesterday was N1,526/$1 while the lowest spot rate recorded was N838.96/$1.

However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) yesterday, described the recent upward review of the exchange rate for the calculation of import duty from N952 to N1,357 as a double jeopardy for investors in the real sector.

The apex bank disclosed the

latest CRR policy in a circular dated February 2, 2024, titled, “Cash Reserve Requirement Framework Implementation Guidelines” which was signed by CBN acting Director, Banking Supervision Department, Dr. Adetona Adedeji, and addressed to all banks.

The banks had been complaining about the previous CRR regime which they had viewed as a punitive policy as it was constraining on the amount of cash available for lending.

The central bank explained that it would be adopting an updated CRR mechanism intended to facilitate banks’ capacity for planning, monitoring, and aligning their records with the CBN. The bank stated that the

SUPER EAGLES SOAR INTO AFCON SEMIFINAL, DEFEAT ANGOLA 1-0 a highly competitive encounter, to book a semifinal ticket in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the first time since 2019.

The Angolans would have been up as early as the fourth minute of the match after the ball fell kindly to Palancas Negras captain, Fredy but his poke home was blocked expertly by Stanley Nwabali in goal for Nigeria, who displayed good reflexes to ensure result remains goalless.

It was an even exchange until the 41st minute when Zaidu Sanusi picked out Moses Simon’s run on the left flank. The Nantes man danced past his marker before setting up Ademola Lookman, who made no mistake from seven yards out.

The goal placed Lookman into the record books as the fourth Nigerian to score three or more goals in the knockout rounds of a single AFCON edition, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Austin Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).

Just before halftime, Nigeria could have doubled their lead, but Sanusi failed to find Osimhen when he was well-placed.

The second half started with the Super Eagles on the high, but Sanusi and Iwobi fired wide in succession from good positions in and around the box.

As the game approached the hour mark, Calvin Bassey headed just wide after a little mix-up with Victor Osimhen before the best chance of the match fell to Angola.

Zini beat the offside trap and rolled the ball past goalkeeper Nwabali, but the ball struck the post, and William Troost-Ekong cleared to safety as Nigeria heaved a sigh of relief.

The chances continued to open up for the Super Eagles, and moments after Simon had his shot blocked after an excellent mazy run, Sanusi aimed a freekick for the top corner, only for goalkeeper Antonio Signori to make a fine save.

All efforts by the Super Eagles player to increase the tally was in futility and the closest they came to increasing the tally saw Nigeria’s striker; Victor Osimhen’s header, ruled for offside.

The Angolans would however not bow out easily as they mounted severe pressure on the three-time African champions but Troost-Ekongmarshalled defence warded off everything thrown at them.

With the victory over Angola, Nigeria now awaits the winner of

Cape Verde against South Africa tomorrow for a semifinal showdown at the Stade Bouake Stadium, on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the Super Eagles for their 1-0 victory against the Palancas Negras.

In a statement, Obaseki hailed the superlative performance of the Super Eagles during the 90 minutes of the match, expressing confidence in the team to bring home the trophy.

The governor said, “I heartily congratulate our dear Super Eagles for their superlative and impressive performance against Angola in the quarterfinal stage of the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), leading to the 1-0 win over the Palancas Negras to secure the semi-final ticket of the tournament.

“The Super Eagles of Nigeria have continued to shine, improving at every game with their show of skills, strength, teamwork, and resilience.

The victory is well deserved and commendable and we celebrate your exploits and accomplishments.”

Obaseki added, “We are confident that you will maintain your winning streak throughout the competition and bring home the trophy. Go for gold, champs. Congratulations.”

Also, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, congratulated the Super Eagles for qualifying for the semi-final. He urged the team to do Nigeria proud by qualifying for the finals of the African football showpiece.

He said: "I extend my warmest congratulations to our beloved Super Eagles on their impressive triumph over Angola, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations.

"The team's extraordinary display of skill, tenacity, and teamwork has made our nation proud. This victory is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and I commend every player and member of the coaching staff for their exceptional performance.”

In the same vein, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their victory over Angola.

The minister commended the fighting spirit of the Super Eagles, saying it was a gladiatorial performance that had gladdened the hearts of Nigerians across the world.

determination of the segment of deposits subject to sterilisation with the CBN as CRR would follow processes outlined in two phases.

According to the CBN, the first stage would involve the utilisation of the Incremental Approach – where the extant ratio of 32.5 per cent will be applied to increases in the banks' weekly average adjusted deposits.

The CBN added that in the second phase, a CRR levy of 50 per cent of the lending shortfall would be enforced for banks that do not meet the minimum Loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) as per CBN correspondence to all banks referenced BSD/DIR/ GEN/LAB/12/049 dated September 30, 2019.

The bank said it would provide banks with details of the applied charges and their underlying computation rationale going forward.

Commenting on the new policy intervention by the apex bank on CRR, an Associate Director at Agusto Consulting, Mr. Jimi Ogbobine, said the circular was aimed at further correcting the challenges inherent in the FX market as well as regularise CRR. In a chat with THISDAY yesterday, he noted that before now, there had been an arbitrary CRR administration which was utilised to part-fund the Ways and Means of the federal government.

Ogbobine said, “The CBN is now saying we want to return to orthodox monetary policy. So, you have bad behaviour and your bad behaviour doesn’t come with a consequence; because when you borrow very high, it will reflect in your interest rate which will go higher when you borrow anyhow. So, this new CRR framework is aimed at correcting the market.”

In order to stabilise the FX market, Ogbobine advised the CBN to take steps to ramp up dollar supply. He recommended that Nigeria’s should approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank for support.

“We have already taken the bitter bill, which is devaluation and so let’s take the sweetener from them which is the FX. The IMF support would send confidence signal to investors

that we are back to business. So, if we are able to unlock IMF funding, we would be able to attract foreign investments,” he added.

For his part, the Managing Director/Chief Business Officer, Optimus by Afrinvest, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, also stressed the need for the country to take steps to increase dollar supply.

“A massive problem has been created in the FX market and it requires drastic measures. It might look expensive now, but if they are able to raise about $10 billion, clear the backlog and increase FX supply, and within the next six months or one year, we would begin to see foreign portfolio investors and foreign direct investments come in.

“Most of our external reserves are encumbered, so we need fresh money. Also, the security agencies must address oil theft so that we can raise our crude oil production to about 1.65 million barrels per day. That is what will show sincerity. The major steady source of FX has been crude oil sales. That is why we need to significantly reduce crude oil theft and increase supply,” Ayodeji explained.

Meanwhile, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has described the recent upward review of the exchange rate for the calculation of import duty from N952 to N1,357 as double jeopardy for investors in the real sector.

The CPPE added that this may be the last straw that would culminate to total devastation of businesses across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, told THISDAY yesterday that, “the drastic upward review of the exchange rate for the computation of import duty from N952 to N1357 would have a devastating effect on businesses across all sectors. This is a whopping 42.5 per cent increase. This is like the last straw.

“It is double jeopardy for the investors across all sectors, especially those in the real sector. This action will further fuel inflation as production and operating costs get escalated. The vulnerable segments of the population will be further impoverished as cost

push inflation gets exacerbated.”

Yusuf noted that it was worrisome that the upward review was coming at a period when businesses were yet to recover from the shocks of the new round of currency devaluation resulting from the sudden unification of the exchange rate, which has driven the official exchange rate to about N1400.

The CPPE appealed to the CBN to reverse the rate hike in the interest of the already impoverished segments of our society and the numerous businesses that are already on the verge of collapse.

Yusuf argued that the shocks, disruptions and dislocations that would follow the review would be of immense proportions for businesses to bear.

He said: “It is even worse that the rates take immediate effect. This is a policy action that is difficult to justify, especially in the context of the multidimensional headwinds that businesses are grappling with.

“The CPPE recommends that going forward the determination of the exchange rate for import duty computation should be treated as a fiscal policy matter and located within the remit of the fiscal authorities which is the finance ministry. This is necessary for proper alignment with extant fiscal policies.”

He argued that the continuous decision by the CBN to increase the customs exchange rate would worsen the already prohibitive production and operating costs for businesses in the country.

It would also inflict more pains on the citizens, erode profit margins, reduce purchasing power and put the survival of businesses at an elevated risk.

According to him, the frequent changes in rates is also creating serious issues of uncertainty for investors and making the international trade process increasingly unpredictable.

He recalled that he CBN had severally increased the rate since June 24, 2023, when it adjusted the exchange rate from N422.30/$ to N589/$. On July 6, it was re-adjusted to N770.88/$, and again on November 14, it was re-adjusted to N783.174/$,

and it was reviewed to N951.941/$ in December 2023.

“Already businesses are contending with an incredibly difficult operating environment arising from severe macroeconomic headwinds. The persistent currency depreciation is making access to intermediate products very difficult for manufacturers, energy cost remains very high, purchasing power is weak, investors’ confidence is declining and consumer confidence is on the downward trend.

“This is not a good time for the CBN to increase the exchange rate for the computation of import duty and the clearing of cargo by importers.

This review will impact the cost of all imports, including raw materials for manufacturers, pharmaceutical products, machineries, energy products, petroleum products and many more,” Yusuf pointed out.

Reacting to the increase, the Public Relations Officer, Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onome Joy Monije, said this was not what Nigerians bargained for, adding that the sharp increase would definitely affect the profit margins of stakeholders in the industry.

"The increase is too sharp. We are going to reach out to the world to hear us by Monday. We are not fighting with anybody. We are going to come out enmass to let the world know what we are going through. The last increase was done in December last year and people are yet to recover from the increment. This increment is too massive from 956 to 1356. We are being pushed to the wall," she said.

"We woke up this morning without any notifications or information on the custom portal. The increment is massive, this is bad and unacceptable.

It is we the common masses that are going to suffer," she lamented.

On his part, the National President, Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA), Adeyinka Aroyewun, stated that the maritime transport industry was greatly affecting businesses, saying the volume of import and export has reduced while the transport and logistics is on the decrease.

SENEGAL, NIGERIA EXTOL DANGOTE OVER INDUSTRIALIST'S MASSIVE INVESTMENTS PROPELLING AFRICA'S DEVT. continent, noting that the award bestowed on him was a clarion call to spearhead Africa’s rapid industrialisation.

The praises by the two nations followed the conferment of the highest civilian award in Senegal, National Order of the Lion Award, on Dangote by the Senegalese President, in recognition of the successful partnership between Senegal and the Dangote Group.

At the award ceremony held yesterday in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, Sall described Dangote as a blessing to his country and Africa as a whole and lauded the entrepreneurial and philanthropic activities of the frontline businessman.

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Government, the Counsellor/Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, Musa Abdulqadir, was quoted in a statement to have also commended Dangote for enhancing Nigeria’s reputation across Africa.

Abdulqadir, said Dangote Cement

was regarded as having the best quality in the Senegalese market, which he noted, had helped to create a favourable perception of Nigeria in the country.

According to him, Dangote Cement has become a household name, which has rebranded Nigeria and Nigerians in Senegal and proves that quality goods can be produced

by Nigerian companies.

In his acceptance remarks, Dangote urged African investors to scale up their investments in the continent, reiterating that “only Africans can develop Africa as they understand the continent better than foreigners.”

He said they should consider it a patriotic duty to continue to invest in Africa, especially in the manufacturing sector.

The Chief promoter of the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is now in operation, stated that the vision to continue to invest in the continent had propelled

Dangote Cement to become Africa’s leading cement producer with 52.0Mta capacity across the continent while effectively eliminating Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement.

Dangote, who commended the government and good people of Senegal for the award, described it as a clarion call to spearhead Africa’s rapid industrialisation.

“I regard this award as a call to do more in terms of investments across Africa as appreciating the efforts of African investors in creating value across the continent will spur them to do more.

"There is an urgent need to move Africa from the export of raw and unprocessed materials and a net importer of finished goods to selfsufficiency in the manufacturing of goods where the basic inputs are available,” he said.

According to him, the decision to invest in Senegal was part of Dangote Group’s Pan-African vision of creating value and providing

thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Dangote who called on African entrepreneurs to invest in other African countries, said, “Our cement plant in Pout, Senegal is one of our leading success stories across Africa.

"It is contributing to the Senegalese economy in taxes, direct and indirect jobs, and a boost of ancillary sectors such as block-making, and building projects, among others. The plant has also contributed to the welfare of its host communities with several corporate social responsibility projects.”

Dangote had earlier been conferred with the Commander of the National Order of Valour of the Republic of Cameroon, the Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin, and Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger.

He was also honoured with the Grand Commander, Order of the Niger (GCON) by the Nigerian Government.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

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

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO SANITISE FX MARKET… L-R: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede and the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, in a strategic alliance to stimulate the forex market in Abuja…yesterday

Edo APC, State Govt Trade Words over N9bn Fresh Loan Approval Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to stop securing loans, noting that the N9 billion loan recently approved by the House of Assembly was needless and will plunge the state into financial distress.

But in a swift reaction, the Edo State Government said it was perplexed to learn of what it termed “laughable and incredibly ridiculous tantrums attributed to the new acting chairman of the Edo State chapter of APC, Jarret Tenebe where he made baseless and spurious allegations on the fiscal management of our dear state by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government.”

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Tenebe had said the state was already suffering under a debt profile of N135 billion and $35.6 billion.

He said, "While it is a monumental disaster that Edo State patrimony has been swindled by Obaseki-led

administration with an unassailable, humongous debt profile of N135 billion and $35.6 billion, the governor is unyielding and unstoppable in his characteristic design to leave Edo State in ruin, by asking for a facility of N17.5 billion few days ago, which was said to be N9 billion."

Tenebe, said "It is important to state, that it is now in public and political space that the fiscal budget of Edo State was passed few weeks ago before the Edo State House of Assembly proceeded on leave without the commencement of the execution of the budget by the executive.

It is most disheartening that the Edo State Government now is requesting for a facility of N17.5 billion with no corollary of project attached there to the said facility and also that the facility is not contained as loan to be taken in the 2024 fiscal budget just recently passed. A cursory perusal of the entire budget does not reveal where the project for the facility is ever captured.

"Information at the behest of the members of the Edo State House of Assembly is to the effect that they were recalled from their holiday or leave by the Speaker on the request of the state governor for the immediate approval of the said facility which according to them is said to be N9 billion but as event unfolded, after the mammoth request by the opposition in the House as to the rationale for a facility as stupendous as N9 billion for

The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has announced plans to launch a 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade in primary schools across the country.

He made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ibadan during a working visit to Oyo State.

He said 1,000 Citizens’ Brigade would be set up in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to promote national values as of old, stating that the essence of the Brigade was to

revive and rebuild the national values and create positive models among the youthful population.

He said the government is worried that about 72 per cent of the nation’s youthful population have become foreigners through the influence of cartoons and movies which are foreign in contents, values and cultures.

Issa-Onilu said as a way out of the malaise, NOA would soon launch a Mobile App containing indigenous cartoons through which local contents, national values and culture would be promoted.

According to him, "These vari-

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has described the United States (US) as Nigeria’s longstanding ally and strategic partner for the nation’s

ous policies are geared towards changing the narratives and the wrong impression that the outside world is having about the country.

“We are establishing, this year, 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade in Primary School. 1,000 in each state, including FCT, Abuja. These Citizens’ Brigade are going to be like Boys’ Scout and Girls’ Guild of the olden days.

“Across the world, Nigerians are known to be the smartest people on earth. This is a positive development but some people mischievously tend to portray us in negative light. But this is not who we are as a people.

Oyo Govt Suspends Monarch in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Oyo State Government, yesterday, suspended Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola, as the Onido of Ido in Ido Local Government Area of the state.

The government, in a letter dated 2nd of February, 2024 and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola,

indicated that Governor Seyi Makinde approved the suspension on 1st of February, 2024.

The letter read in part, "I wish to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-section 1&2 of Section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and by virtue of all other enabling powers in

the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki across all sectors of the state over the past seven years.”

“Tenebe has been on a frenzy looking for lies to tell since he assumed office as Acting Chairman. Rather than focus on reawakening his completely comatose party, which is unable to provide constructive criticisms expected of a viable opposition, he has resorted to spreading misinformation in a desperate attempt to curry cheap popularity.

“In his infertile rambling, Tenebe made wild and completely off-themark comments suggesting that Edo State is owing $35 billion.

Even if that was what was written for him, he should have known that the figure is wrong and can't be true.

"In reality, our debt stock is not a secret and in fact, we are ‘under borrowed’. Emperor Tenebe would have known this if he understood the economics of governance, fiscal responsibility and debt-to-GDP ratio.

Mining Development: Nigeria, US Explore Areas of Strategic Partnership

NOA DG: FG to Launch 37,000 Citizens' Brigade Nationwide Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

phantom projects which only existed in the imagination of the governor, it was discovered that the facility was not even N9 billion but a figure wrapped in secrecy as much as N17.5 billion to which the opposition in the house rejected and or refused to be part of the approval.

But in its reaction, the Edo State Government stated that the Edo APC was “obviously pained by the achievements of

that regard, has approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State."

It directed Oba Babalola to hand over all government properties in his possession to the Chairman of Ido local government. In the meantime, the state government has vowed to hit hard at anyone, no matter how highly placed, who contravenes the law.

mining sector development.

Speaking while receiving Charge d'Affairs, US Embassy, David Greene, in his office on Thursday, Alake lauded the United States’ commitment to fostering cooperation with Nigeria in diverse sectors of the economy, stating that it underscores the significance of the smooth bilateral relations between both countries.

“I thank you for your visit. I met the US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffrey Pyatt, on the sidelines of the Mines and Money conference in London past year, and we had a fruitful engagement. I did analyse all our issues, and fundamentally, we just want to diversify our economy from oil. Not just for our own economic survival but also to be in tune with global trends for

reduction in global warming. We also want to be part of the move to reduce global emissions and put our mining sector on the global map. We have critical minerals that are in commercial demand globally,"Alake said. The minister welcomed partnership with the US on investments in the mining value chain, expanding access to technology in extracting and processing minerals and securing mining areas.

Throwing light on reforms embarked upon by the federal government, the minister highlighted revised Community Development Agreement (CDA) guidelines geared towards reducing friction in host communities; on-going plans for new security architecture to secure natural resources; efforts to generate big geo-data; the formalisation of

artisanal miners into cooperatives amongst others.

"The mining sector provides a veritable avenue for increased trade between Nigeria and the United States, especially in the area of value addition, which implies processing of extracted minerals and setting up factories here. We would also require financing from multilateral institutions for our local operators. We are providing incentives for investments like tax waivers for mining equipment, policy of full repatriation of profits to home countries amongst others," Alake emphasised.

In his remarks, the US Ambassador commended the renewed interest of Nigeria in solid minerals, stressing that the sector has huge potentials to rival the contribution of oil to the nation's economy.

BurningofRiversAssemblyComplex:CourtDismisses Application Challenging Competence of Charge Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, dismissed the application by two Rivers State indigenes challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try them over alleged complicity in the burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Prince Lukman Oladele, were among five persons charged with terrorism and murder. The others are Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod.

They were last week arraigned on a seven-count criminal charge

bordering on terrorism and murder.

Although, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges, the judge however, ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center, pending the hearing of their bail application fixed for February 2, as well as the motion of the 1st and 2nd defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit against them.

Ezebalike and Oladele had argued that by the provisions of the Terrorism Act, it is only the Attorney General of the Federation that can file any charge of terrorism against them.

Their lawyer, Mr. Lukman

Fagbemi, SAN, submitted that the charge having been filed by the Inspector General of Police, was incompetent and asked the court to strike out counts 1,3,4,5,6, and 7 of the charge or strike strike out the entire suit for been incompetent.

Responding, Police lawyer, Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the application for lacking in merit.

According to Lough, besides Sections 4 and 66 of the Police Acts that empower them to bring the charge against the defendants, Section 5 and 99 of the Terrorism Act, shows that the police have powers to also initiate terrorism charges against the defendant.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

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SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS… L-R: Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, after a meeting with service chiefs on the state of security in Ekiti State held at Defence Headquarters, Abuja...recently

NUPRC: Ongoing IOCs' Assets Divestment to Local Firms Not Yet Complete, Undergoing Due Diligence Says oil & gas assets in Nigeria can only be transferred in accordance with requirement Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has refuted social media speculations suggesting that certain international oil companies (IOCs) have completed the sale of their assets to some indigenous companies, noting that the assets cannot be deemed sold yet.

The commission in a public notice

issued yesterday, which was signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, clarified that oil and gas assets in Nigeria could only be transferred in accordance with the requirements of the relevant laws and regulations.

Although the commission did not mention the particular IOCs and local firms in question, but THISDAY understands that at the

moment, three separate Asset Sale and Purchase deals between some IOCs and local firms are pending and waiting for approvals by the federal government.

They include the February 2022 deal for Seplat Energy’s to acquire Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from Exxon Mobil Corporation at the sum of N1.283 billion; and the September 2023 agreement for

Oando to acquire the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), a subsidiary of Italian energy group, Eni. The last is the $2.4 billion January 2024 deal where Shell agreed to sell its entire shareholding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, a consortium of four Nigerian companies and one Switz firm.

However, all the three divestment deals are still pending and waiting for final approval by the government.

But in a swift reaction to the social media speculations that the IOCs have completed the deals and transferred assets to the local firms, NUPRC said nothing of such had happened.

NUPRC explained that the

Saraki, Others Task Security Agencies to Fish Out Killers of Monarch in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed concern over the spate of insecurity in the country.

Saraki,who condemned the killing of the Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, His Royal Highness Oba Peter Olusegun Aremu-Cole by suspected kidnappers and the

kidnap of his wife and other family members, tasked security agencies to fish out killers of the monarch.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command has deployed men of the command to the Koro community in order to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The state police command in a statement issued yesterday signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP

Akpabio Berated Over Comment On 2027 Election Okon Bassey in Uyo The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been advised to learn from history and avoid mistakes he would live to regret.

Former Nigeria's Ambassador to Russia and Director General Umo Eno's Campaign Organisation, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, gave the advice while reacting to a statement by Senator Akpabio over the 2027 election.

Senator Akpabio was reported to have organised several meetings with his party stakeholders across the state, boasting that he will ensure that Akwa Ibom State is taken

by All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Responding in an interview, Chief Assam said that the current Senate President is merely exhibiting his trademark, which is to talk before he thinks.

He said he was not surprised that Akpabio spoke the way he did in his usual manner, but

warned that the former Akwa Ibom governor seems to have forgotten where he ended up in 2019 after similar boasts.

Assam stressed that he is "not worried about it at all because anybody in this political clime can wake up and make a statement like that."

“Of course, the President of Senate is my friend and I am satisfied that I know him and would have been shocked if he didn't make that statement.

“In my writeups, I keep telling him 'you talk too much and you talk before thinking."

Frowning at Akpabio's statement, Assam questioned why he said he is out to change the political narrative of an entire state - an act he sees as impossible.

Appraising Governor Umo Eno’s development strides in the past eight months, Assam said, "Governor Umo Eno from the beginning had said that he would rather under promise than under deliver."

Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, said the command would do everything possible to arrest those behind the dastardly act.

However, Saraki in a statement issued in Ilorin yesterday signed by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Mr. Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, said the insecurity in the country called for urgent attention in order to restore the peaceful co-existence of the populace.

He said, "It is disturbing to

witness this level of carnage in a state that has always been a haven of peace and harmony."

Saraki described the killing of the monarch as dastardly, inhuman, and unpardonable.

He condoled with the traditional council of Koro, the royal family, and the people of Koro over the loss, praying God Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear it.

He said that, "These criminals must be apprehended and made

to face the full wrath of the law".

"I commiserate with the Koro traditional council, the bereaved royal family, and the people of Koro community over this huge loss," he added.

He therefore said, "While we continue to pray for the safe rescue of the abductees, we ask the government and security operatives to be up and doing, to ensure adequate security for the people in Kwara State."

assets purported to have been sold by the divesting companies cannot be deemed sold yet, as the commission was currently carrying out due diligence on the transaction to ensure that the divestment does not result in unwarranted liabilities for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The statement read, "The attention of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has been drawn to the ongoing discussions in the social media suggesting that certain international oil companies (divesting companies) have completed the sale of some of their oil and gas assets to some indigenous Nigerian companies.

"The Commission wishes to clarify that oil and gas assets in Nigeria can only be transferred in accordance with the requirements of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the Petroleum Act (where applicable), the Guidelines and Procedures for Obtaining Minister's Consent to the Assignment of Interest in Oil and Gas Assets, 2021 (together the Applicable Laws).

Keves Global Leasing Opens New Corporate Office in Port Harcourt David-Chyddy Eleke in Port Harcourt Keves Global Leasing, an oil servicing company, yesterday opened a new corporate head office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Ikenna Okafor, in an opening address told the story of the establishment of the company.

"Our dream has not been in

vain. We started this company in one room on Abacha Road, Port Harcourt, in 2003 with no capital, no brother, no sister, but with a clear vision. Then, I had just resigned from my job and was determined to do something.

"Our dream was to provide a one-stop logistics shop that would help grow the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The story of Keves is a story of honesty.

"Someone was saying to me once, why haven't I built a

corporate headquarters for your company, but I said to him, in the business I'm doing, asset acquisition is very key.

"It took us up to two years to get our first boat and that boat was a money spinner. Today we have far too many boats.

"Nigeria is a good country, and we are determined to help its growth. What Nigeria needs is clear policy direction and not policy summersaults.

It needs good governance, not

one where one policy can cripple dreams. We didn't plan to make this a big event, but a memorable one. Keves is just at its starting point, and we believe that our dream will last another three generations."

The event was attended by several government functionaries, including the Senator representing Anambra Central senatorial zone, Senator Victor Umeh, and key players in the equipment leasing industry in Nigeria.

SGBV: Study Shows Heightened Scourge among Girls Despite several interventions, including legal instruments like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to curb Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), the menace has continued to increase in the country.

This is according to the findings of a new study titled: 'Adolescent Girls and SGBV in Nigeria: Policy Issues and Perspectives'.

The research being a PhD thesis conducted among adolescent girls in Lagos and

Ibadan, Oyo State capital also identified poor response by health providers to cases of abuse, as being strengthening culture of silence amongst survivors.

It noted that this has further emboldened perpetrators of abuse across the country.

Speaking during a programme to disseminate study findings, the author who is a PhD student at University of Basel, Switzerland,Olutoyin Ikuteyijo averred that the stage of adolescence remained a challenging one for girls, given vulnerability

from their gender and status as young persons.

The World Health Organisation(WHO) recognised violence as a major challenge of adolescent girls, which according to it, girls between ages 15-19 suffer Intimate partner violence most.

The study also blamed increasing incidents on poorly equipped frontliners and delayed justice,while drawing attention to manners of abuse girls suffer, including threat of rituals.

Ikuteyijo said the reality on ground required the government

to pay special attention to this age-group considering their naivety and vulnerability.

To overcome the menace, she called for special budget for gender units across government agencies. "The agencies devoted to this cause are not sufficiently equipped, this is why cases mostly don't end in favour of survivors. Besides, we need government to invest in shelter, other than orphanage homes.

The is important so that when a breadwinner is jailed, a survivor's safety is assured.”

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

NEWS

EYES ON OSADEBE HOUSE ...

L-R: National Organising Secretary, Labour Party, Clement Ojukwu; former President, Nigeria Bar Association and gubernatorial aspirant of Labour Party in Edo State, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata; and National Women Leader, Labour Party, Manuga Dudu Mamman, during the handover of party’s nomination form to Akpata in Abuja… recently

US Govt Organises Peace, Security Summit in Nigeria Ugo Aliogo

The U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) renewed its commitment to supporting peace and tolerance in Nigeria by holding a youth, peace and security summit in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the USAID Development Outreach and Communications Team, it was noted that the Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio Ibrahim, attended the event as the keynote speaker.

The statement also noted that participants at the summit represented youth groups and networks that received support for the USAID Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) activity.

The statement hinted that USAID CIPP is a five-year $15 million activity that promotes peaceful coexistence and collaboration in Nigeria by mitigating violent conflict in at-risk communities.

It further explained that the United States is committed to working with Nigeria in addressing security challenges.

According to the statement, “Our partnership harnesses the diverse strengths of its religious and traditional leaders, women, youth groups, government officials, and civil society. Through initiatives like USAID CIPP, the U.S. government is jointly identifying and promoting community-based solutions, empowering these groups to enhance community responses to

challenges and build a resilient and peaceful future together.

This summit showcases learnings and best practices from USAID’s investment and achievements towards youth participation and leadership in peace processes across six northern states: Kano,

Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Kogi, and Plateau.

“Key highlights from the summit include panel discussions and presentations on strengthening peacebuilding efforts, and building sustainable partnerships between youth-led organisations,

government agencies, and civil society groups. Additionally, the summit is amplifying youth voices through the sharing of experiences, successes, and innovative approaches for addressing challenges to insecurity.”

On his part, the United States Chargé d'affaires, David Greene, remarked: “By attending today’s conference, you’ve each signaled how important the cause of peace is for Nigeria. Youth are the bedrock of society’s social and economic development.

Otti Outlines Project to Reclaim Aba from Perennial Flooding Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that his administration would soon embark on an "ambitious project" of reclaiming Aba, the commercial city, from perennial flooding.

He made this known yester-

day during his monthly media interaction at Government House Umuahia, saying that the project would be completed within 18 months in phases.

Otti noted that without finding a solution to the perennial problem of flooding in the commercial city, the ongoing infrastructural transformation

would be a waste of effort and resources.

"We will save the roads we're building from flooding and also save the environment," he said, emphasising the multiplier effect of the project.

The flooding of Aba has defied previous administra-

tions as none of the projects undertaken to checkmate the flooding of Enyimba City yielded the desired results.

But this time around, Otti stated that the present government would find a lasting solution to the problem of Aba flooding as part of the Aba development programme.

BOI, IFC to Partner for Nigeria’s Industrial Growth PDP Appoints Arong Woman Leader, Toyese S’West Vice Chairman Nume Ekeghe The Bank of Industry (BoI) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are set to host a stakeholder conference to examine the current realities of the operating environment and foster growth of Nigeria's industrial base.

The conference themed, 'Empowering Futures: A Collaborative Journey in Financing Nigeria's Industrial Sector' is scheduled to hold on Monday,

February 5, 2024 in Lagos, and will bring together chief executives of commercial banks, microfinance banks, insurance companies, and real sector companies.

The event will feature the visit of IFC’s Regional Vice President for Africa, Sérgio Pimenta, to Nigeria.

Speaking on the conference, Managing Director/CEO, the Bank of Industry, Olasupo Olusi, said: “As Nigeria’s leading DFI, one of the primary drivers of BOI’s

development strategy is to accelerate Nigeria’s development through supporting environmentally friendly and sustainable projects across the key sectors of the economy.”

IFC’s Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, Dahlia Khalifa said: “A robust industrial sector in Nigeria must be based on innovation, technological advancement, and skills development, contributing to a more sustainable and growing national economy.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Hon. Amina Divine Arong from Cross River State as the party’s new National Woman Leader.

The party also approved the appointment of Hon. Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese from Osun State as the party’s new National Vice Chairman (South West).

Arong, who holds a Diploma in Banking and Finance and B.Sc. in Accounting is to serve out the term of the late National Woman Leader, Prof.

Stella Effah-Attoe, who died on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the new National Woman Leader brings on board to the national leadership of the PDP her intellectual capacity, as well

as experience, competence and vigour in mobilising women for the party at both the state and national levels.

The PDP noted with satisfaction Arong's long standing commitment to the growth of the party particularly her leading roles in the mobilisation of several party women and youth groups at various levels, as well as in the conduct of party primaries and congresses in several parts of the country.

Anambra: Labour Party, APGA in War of Option A International Partners Project Pink to Commemorate 2024 World Cancer Day Words Over Lawmakers’ Performances Blue the care gap’, seeks to call on all in supporting the efforts of Project Sunday Okobi

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Ahead of the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, the Labour Party and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are at war of words over the legislative performances of their parliamentarians at the state and national assemblies.

While the Labour Party chided APGA that its spheres of influence is limited to Anambra State, it claimed that the Labour Party has a national spread.

The National Publicity Secre-

tary of APGA, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, had claimed that "Labour Party faithfuls in Anambra State and National Assembly are mere disgruntled elements and power mongers with misplaced priorities and bunch of jokers with no clear-cut directions as to why they were elected to occupy public offices."

But in a swift reaction, Chibuzo Udekigbo, Director of Communication of the Labour Party said that his party is a national party.

According to Udekigbo, ''At

the National Assembly where Labour Party has eight serving members from Anambra State; three are chairmen of various Standing Committees and Deputy Minority Whip; while APGA got none. APGA is a regional party in Anambra State alone.

"It is obvious that Prof. Soludo has entered panic attack, for he is aware that the 2025 governorship election is around the corner and Labour Party is set to rescue Ndi-Anambra from Governor Soludo's impoverishment policies."

An award-winning technical event management company, Option A International Resources Limited, has announced its partnership with Project Pink Blue to commemorate the 2024 World Cancer Day activities.

World Cancer Day is a global annual event that raises awareness of cancer to encourage its prevention, early detection, and better treatment.

Since 2015, Project Pink Blue has been observing the health day, Option A has supported the event since 2021.

This year, the event tagged: ‘Close

individuals, private sectors and the government to take action in advancing cancer care in Nigeria'.

The Event Programme Director of Option A International and Resources Limited, Boliuma Olusayero, said: "Cancer is now ravaging our friends and people close to us, and I do not think that one single organisation can tackle this disease. Hence, as an event company, we are using this opportunity to give back to the community. We've supported this cancer walk for the past three years, and are committed to doing more

Pink Blue and the government in addressing cancer incidence and mortality in Nigeria.

“For the 2024 World Cancer Day, we are deploring two activities: first, the World Cancer Day Walk, where we are expecting over 3,000 people to participate in the 5km walk, 20km cycle, 10km race, 40km ride and marathon against cancer on February 3, 2024, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

"We hope to honour those lost to cancer, raise funds for those battling the disease, and show support for cancer awareness and prevention in Nigeria.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024 • T H I S D AY

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12

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

T

Farewell, Emmanuel Itoya Ijewere Tony J.K. Nnachetta pays tribute to Emmanuel Ijewere, businessman and ex-president of ICAN

here is some difficulty in writing this. My faith asserts that death is not final but the departure of EII compels another test to convince that this is only another chapater of our lives. Because my life with him had spanned upwards of 30 years, his presence to chat with, or shoot the breeze somewhere was always taken for granted. An iroko has fallen!

We became family as we had moved into the neighbourhood early in 1989 and soon had this neighbour who was ever present at our nearby Parish Church and was prone to teasing my infant children too. That became his trademark, the humanism of EII: he would chat with the high and mighty, and mingle with the lowly too,hardly discriminating and remain cheerful all through the day.

I attest to this man, one of the most accomplished Nigerians of his generation, who never wore his ranking on his sleeves and shunned appurtenances, the glory and protocols. Even in our shared brotherhood.

For a long time, he was my sounding board. For his candour and network of persons and events, EII could place every situation in enlightened context for a career minded executive as I was then and growing. And then his humour!

He enabled your conversation and argument by his naturalness. His calling as an accountant and bean counter only showed when he danced with numbers and figures. Clear headed always and ever ready to stand alone on his point of view. He could be a contra man without the arrogance often associated with high rank.

EII was a famous workaholic. Was he restless? Obviously because he engaged in a spectrum of causes for the common good. Very often, he will shed his corporate mien from a busy workday to run into the Church and, within minutes, turn to duties as Church warden without losing a stride!

In 1997, he and late Commodore Anthony Ikhazoboh nominated me to the Church of the Assumption Falomo Parish Council. I arrived as Second Assistant Secretary and was privileged to serve variously on that Council until 2022. He was there all along hands-on.

EII became the Parish Council Chairman and I dare say, that so much of his life’s work took place on the platform of that Falomo Parish Council.

He was a thorough bred Catholic man, imbued with very robust instincts for Catholic action. For several decades, EII was an ambassador of the Church and the Parish. I was lucky to work closely with him. He was a natural organiser, a details man, cobbling disparate persons and groups to a task in the Parish, often successfully. Holding the hands of overworked priests, tutoring them on the norms and traditions of the place,

HIS CALLING AS AN ACCOUNTANT AND BEAN COUNTER ONLY SHOWED WHEN HE DANCED WITH NUMBERS AND FIGURES. CLEAR HEADED ALWAYS AND EVER READY TO STAND ALONE ON HIS POINT OF VIEW. HE COULD BE A CONTRA MAN WITHOUT THE ARROGANCE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH RANK

trouble shooting in a parish of many enlightened Catholics, mediating in standoffs, the resolution of several squabbles.

EII was instrumental to the formation of many organisations spending time, talent and treasure. He had a such a full plate for several years it became easy to classify him as a fixed asset of Falomo!

As he got his diagnosis on July 15th 2022 and the reconfirmation on the 19th, we saw the fighter in him. He struggled and fought for 18 months for precious life! He immersed himself in the work of the Thinktank for a better Nigeria, as passionately as ever. He had so much oxygen from the engagement with diverse generations and peoples in the course of our work until March 23. No one has recalled any patient being so knowledgeable and expressive in detailing his health challenge. The candour of EII was there to listen to.

Many were numbed by the frankness of the man and others were in tears.

I saw him insist on meeting obligations to attend brotherhood meetings using the inconvenient staircase at great physical pain. He told me he would accept no waiver and would have it no other way.

EII, through the last six months gave us an example of dignity in pains and suffering, through his ill health he showed to family and friends the courage a man can bring to bear on life and imminent departure.

Oga mi, your life story is out there but with my family and I, you have left a legacy of genuine mentorship and friendship.

You have left a testament as a man of courage and humour in difficult hours. You, who sought no honours even where you eminently dwarfed those being serenaded. Accomplished and distinguished, you were a leader with a large dose of humility and empathy. Though you kept saying to me, that you are only a Lafiaji boy, it is obvious that you are a citizen of the world, urban and suave. We salute all you have done to make this world a better place.

Another of your instructions is to thank your Lady Jayne, the love of your life. Yes, she shone through our ordeal. Her pains couched in love, energy, calm and graciousness held out to all the family and friends, are in themselves, a fitting tribute to a thoroughly bonded family. Another example of courage and grace.

We shall miss your presence, an assuredness, but God has taken your pains away and He knows best. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I know He will put you in His Army. Him, will grant consolation to the family and so many beholden to you.

Farewell, my Oga, friend and brother. Pax Christi to you.

Ogbuefi Nnachetta, FCS, F. IoD, Ksm writes from Lagos

Ojodu-Berger And The Environment

L

ate Afro beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, means different things to diverse people. While some people see him as a gifted musician and inexorable activist, others see him as a social nuisance.

Despite this varied perception of the maverick musician, one thing that is, however, incontrovertible is that he provided a voice for the voiceless in the country and, indeed, the continent through his music.

His music was his weapon to fight perceived oppressive military and civilian governments and their collaborators to a standstill. When Fela sang, powerful men in the society simply ran for cover.

In one of his ever-green songs, “Beasts of No Nation”, released in 1989, the iconic Afrobeat originator, as usual addressed important social and political issues prevalent in Africa. In the song, Fela attacks corruption and military dictatorship, while advocating for freedom and justice.

In “Beasts of No Nation”, Fela refers to some of those in power as “animals in human skin”, suggesting that they have lost their humanity and are disconnected from the needs of the people. The song conveys a strong message about the sacrifices and struggles faced by ordinary citizens under a corrupt government.

Years after Fela symbolically used the message of “animal in human skin” as a satire to draw attention to the oppression of the masses by those in power, I actually witnessed a scenario that tend to endorse Fela’s position.

A few days back, while driving along the Ojodu-Berger end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, I was stunned by the sheer volume of excreta on the newly constructed roads, especially on the median strip ( the

Defecating in the open is unhealthy, writes Tayo Ogunbiyi central reservation, roadway median, or traffic median that is usually reserved to separate opposing lanes of traffic on divided roadways).

It was highly shocking to see defecation covering the long stretch of the median strip from Ojodu-Berger to OPIC, a distance of almost two kilometers or so.

As I was pondering on whether what I was seeing was the defecation of animals or that of men, right in the sunny afternoon, I saw three guys at different parts of the road, defecating on the median strip.

Generally, the people complain about the government not providing enough basic amenities, but is it not ironic that the same people mess up the same infrastructure as soon as they are put in place?

As I continued the trip along the road, I couldn’t help but keep meditating about the gory sight of largescale excrement on the over two kilometer stretch of median strip.

“Why on earth should a human being openly engage in such a disgusting act?

Could the contemptible action be justified by any means? Is there really any major difference between man and animal, especially when it comes to such shameless practice as open defecation? Was Fela really right that there are truly animals in human skin?

Out of utter curiosity, I tried to make enquiries about the availability of public toilets across the axis. My finding was astonishing. That axis has enough public and mobile toilets (indeed, the late Otunba Gadhafi popularized mobile toilets along the area), and they are in fairly good shape.

Yours truly saw quite a few.

I did not stop there. I made efforts to seek information from some folks along the axis about their views on the messy sight. Many

were of the opinion that the government should build a barrier on the long stretch of median strip to prevent people from having access to it. Others are of the view that such barricades would be vandalised, as it has been done in the past.

Some are of the view that the government should deploy some personnel of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) to protect the place from such environmental abuse. But the snag with this idea is what happens at night?

As puzzling as the issue is, I think it is important for stakeholders to be united in educating the public about the danger of open defecation. Open defecation is one of the fundamental aspects of sanitation that mirrors our underdevelopment as a people.

It is a terrible practice with various consequences on human health, dignity and security, the environment, and social and economic development. The profoundly damaging health and developmental consequences of this menace has often been overshadowed by other aspects of our socio-economic life that are also in decay.

Many people seem not to understand that the quality of our lives as human beings is substantially a reflection of the quality of the environment which we inhabit. Many still seem not to comprehend that open defecation creates a host of problems that exceed the merely aesthetic.

The spread of numerous gastrointestinal and diarrheal diseases is associated with it, whether through direct contact with faecal matter or via tainted food and water.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 88 percent of diarrhea cases are attributable to poor excreta management.

Diarrhea is the second largest killer of

children below five years, only next to pneumonia yet open defecation practice is commonplace in our country.

Hygienic lifestyle helps in creating a strong economy, as well as improving health and protecting people’s safety and dignity, particularly women’s and girls’.

Therefore, aside from the health risks inherent in the lack of proper human waste disposal, it also has significant impacts on dignity and security, the environment, and social and economic development.

It needs to be stressed that the people cannot live a truly productive and fulfilled life if they persist in living in an unsanitary environment.

Employers of labour and owners of businesses should endeavour to provide good toilets for their employers, not leaving out motor parks and markets.

Priority attention should also be accorded the provision of good and hygienic restrooms for travellers and customers respectively. This would contribute to healthy living in the society.

More importantly, major stakeholders should not relent in carrying out public enlightenment activities to promote attitudinal change towards eradicating open defecation and other such unhygienic habits.

The citizens should handle issues of the environment with zest because the environment is the superstructure on which the survival of every one of us rests. It is whatever we throw at the environment that it throws back at us.

On a final note, we should all, by our actions, always endeavour to prove Fela wrong that there are a whole lot of differences between human beings and animals.

Ogunbiyi writes from Lagos

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FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

To restore peace and order...

Nasarawa Women’s Right to Protest

N

ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĝ ȱ A.A. Sule as governor of Nasarawa State, ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ The protesters first cried foul immediately after the election of March 11, 2023. They knew their winner whom they voted for and poured into the streets. Women, young, old, baring their breasts, they bore down on Akwanga and Lafia, bearing their grievances. Another electoral heist had been carried out, they cried. The incumbent announced as winner could not have won.

As minutes became hours and hours days, the government panicked. At the sight of women clad in black baring their breasts and calling for justice, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) quaked in its boots. Calling them prostitutes was easy. As was dismissing them as hired harlots.

What was not easy was dismantling their allegations. Solving the riddle they posed proved a Sisyphean task.

They accused the returning officer in the polls of manipulating the polls. For them, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cleared the state until a computer scientist who is the preeminent academic cooked results in favour of the APC. The courts have since spoken, a limited umpire handing out limited verdicts. But like Rachel, the women have refused to be consoled. Their nakedness offered in protest is serving as a mirror to those stripped naked by a lack of conscience.

Thirty-eight of the women arrested for nothing more than exercising their freedom of expression and assembly were denied bail. The PDP believes A.A Sule is determined to send a message: that his administration will no longer be embarrassed by rabble-rousers. His only challenge is that the women are no ordinary troublemakers. They represent the midwives of Nigeria’s democracy.

Firm, fierce and almost feral, they represent an awareness that is growing teeth.

They aren’t rioters. They have no interest in chaos. Preternaturally focused, they have their eyes on what happens in their government.

Especially on who forms their government. The Court may have denied them bail, but they are used to denial. Their defiance comes from denial.

Their self-denial is coming from denial. Denied once of the sum of their votes, they no longer fear denial. They are defying denial.

Half-naked, they are showing up Nasarawa’s

naked consciences. They may be poor women.

Farmers. Petty traders. Housewives. But they are showing that they could not have been bought. Or silenced. Mothers, they are also ready to be martyrs.

Like pregnant women, they can feel the coming of Nasarawa’s emancipation.

Like sirens, their cries for justice will corrode the confines of their prison. It is good to feel the soul of Nigeria’s Northcentral stirring. While the APC narrowly escaped in Kaduna and Nasarawa State, Plateau State proved a bridge too far.

Despite decisions draped with dubiety, the state’s rejection of the APC stood. It is ironic that the man Nasarawa blame for truncating their will came in from Plateau State. Nasarawa was carved out of Plateau State. It is ironic that it was at the instance of someone coming in from the state that its votes caved in.

The final word on the election has been said by the Supreme Court. But there are those who do not understand words. Or finality.

The protesting women do not. They know what they saw. They alone know what they feel.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

Ghana and Politics of LGBTQ+ Persons

W

est African Humanist Network urges ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ persecution of gay people in the region.

The statement has become necessary ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ remarks by politicians in Ghana. Commenting at a recent meeting with the clergy, Mr John Mahama, ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ¢ Ȃ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ against gay marriage because same-sex relationships were incompatible with his Christian faith.

He reportedly said: “The faith I have will not allow me to accept a man marrying a man, and a woman marrying a woman...I don’t believe that anybody can get up and say I feel like a man although I was born a woman, and so I will change and become a man”.

Before now, other politicians have made statements sanctioning discrimination and persecution of gays in Ghana. The president of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, said while addressing an Anglican church community in February 2021 that same-sex relationships would not be legalized under his presidency. His statement elicited thunderous ap-

plause from ardent attendees at the event, including clerics. The speaker of the parliament, Alban Bagbin, said that he would rather die than support the rights of gay people.

Unfortunately, politicians allude to their faiths to justify their opposition to gay rights.

It is pertinent to remind politicians that Ghana is a secular country, not a religious state. The constitution guarantees equal rights for all Ghanaians without discrimination.

The West African Humanist Network condemns the wave of hatred and persecution of LGBTQ+ persons in the region. As the presidential election draws near, the network urges candidates of the various parties to exercise caution and wisdom.

They should desist from playing politics with the rights of LGBTQ+ persons in Ghana. Politicians should learn to separate religion from politics. They should realize that gay people are human beings, they are citizens. And their rights are human rights.

Politicians should campaign to represent all citizens, both gay and straight, and protect the rights of minorities They should campaign as democrats, not as Christian or Muslim theocrats. Politicians should strive to govern based on the constitution, not according to their faiths and beliefs.

Leo Igwe is a member of the West African Humanist Network.

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

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

Less is Better

A

local Melbourne gym, Doherty’s, has ȱ ȱ ȱ ę ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ £ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ space for their perfect Instagram post or YouTube ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱę ȱ ȱ ¡ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ Maybe it would be easier to ban influencers from this and all gyms and leave it to the people who actually want to exercise rather than those who want to pose and film themselves ‘exercising’. Does anyone really doubt the world would be better off with fewer photos and far fewer ‘influencers’?

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

NEWS

COLLABORATING FOR PEACE, NATIONAL STABILITY ...

L-R: Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Caroline Wura-ola Adepoju; Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdul Ganiyu' and Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi, at an event in the Presidential Villa, Abuja... recently

UBA Appoints Mulili, Samoura MD/CEO for Kenya, Sierra Leone Nume Ekeghe The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced the appointments of Ms. Mary Mulili and Mr. Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, as the new Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of its subsidiaries in Kenya and Sierra Leone, respectively.

It explained in a statement

yesterday, that Mulili's appointment marked a significant milestone for UBA Kenya, as it coincides with the subsidiary’s 15th anniversary of operation and being the first female MD/ CEO of UBA Kenya, her selection exemplifies the bank’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles.

Mulili, a Kenyan, boasts of

experience in the corporate, commercial, public, institutional banking, SME, retail, and digital banking sectors with an extensive career spanning over two decades in the banking sector.

She served as Executive Director for UBA Kenya and pivotal executive and senior roles in other commercial banks with her expertise, and leadership,

delivering comprehensive business advisory services and innovative solutions.

Speaking on her selection, the Board Chairman, UBA Kenya, Mr. Alphan Njeru, disclosed that the Mulili’s appointment - which took effect last month subject to regulatory approval - comes at a crucial juncture for the subsidiary, as it is focused on accelerating

growth through regional trade opportunities, digital innovation, and SME financing, aligning with the broader vision of sustainable banking.

Responding, Mulili expressed her gratitude for the opportunity towards steering UBA Kenya's strategic vision, leveraging the UBA Group's extensive network across 20 African countries

and globally. She expressed her commitment to provide tailored financial solutions, emphasising UBA's dedication as a financial partner of growth for all stakeholders.

On his part, Mr. Samoura whose appointment as MD/ CEO took effect last month, has received relevant approval from the Central Bank of Sierra Leone.

Women Protest Hike in Flour Price, Musawa Rolls Out $617m IDICE Fund in Collaboration with AfDB High Cost of Living in Kano Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

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Women in their hundreds including local bread producers popularly known as "Gurasa" marched through the streets of the ancient city of Kano yesterday, protesting the high cost of living especially the hike in the price of flour used largely for the production of the staple food.

Most of the women including children were chanting: "Everything is expensive, especially flour and grains, Tinubu come to our aid, we cannot feed our families, most of us are widows,

and people are dying of hunger."

Speaking with journalists shortly after the protest, the leader of the group, Hajiya Fatima Auwal, demanded better living conditions at a time when high inflation is making it even tougher for people to make ends meet.

"We are out here on the streets protesting to let the leaders know the deteriorating situation in which we are at the moment."

According to Auwal, "This is how our small-scale business is facing deterioration due to the rise in the price of flour, it is a business for the poor that the

Omoyele, Others Harp on New Approach to Human Resources Management It was a new day for human resources executives in both private and public sectors last Saturday, as the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management inducted new members into various categories of membership- doctoral fellowship, full fellowship and Associate fellowship.

The chair of the award and guest lecturer, Ayoade Abike Igbeye, a renowned human resources expert based in the United States who spoke via scape gave a comprehensive rundown on the demands of

today's human resources management.

In a lecture titled: 'Building a People Management Human Resource Community' Ayoade provided a different perspectives to human resources management at different work settings and contexts.

She emphasised the importance of employees engagement and empowerment as key to motivating workers towards efficiency and creation of job satisfaction.

rich cannot dare venture into.

"We are in a very difficult situation, we need help. This is a small-scale industry mostly run by women. Life is becoming more difficult, we can hardly feed or send our children to school due to this hardship," she lamented.

"Many have lost their capital.

It is such that only 25 per cent of us are now remaining in the business as many others have closed down due to lack of capital.

"We used to buy floor at the rate of N16,000 in the past but now it sells for N43,000. This is absurd. What we produce is a

common food for the poor and is now becoming unaffordable.

Any time we go to buy flour we get an increase of N1,500 to N2,000.

The Auwal, who doubled as the chairperson of local Gurasa producers in Kano called on the authorities and those concerned to look into this matter as they are running out of business which affecting their families.

"Currently, we cannot afford it any longer. If nothing is done, we have no choice but to close down and this will affect the general public."

Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has engaged with African Development Bank (AfDB) on the roll out of the $617 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDICE) Fund.

The engagement took place in Abuja at a high-level meeting with the Director General of AfDB, Mr. Lamin Barrow, where Musawa highlighted the huge potential of the creative economy to generate employment opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

“With eager anticipation from the creative community,

Dettol Unveils Ini Dima-Okojie as Face of Newly Relaunched Skincare Soap Dettol has announced superstar actress Ini Dima-Okojie as the new brand ambassador of its newly relaunched category product, Dettol Skincare, which is now formulated with an extraordinary blend of 2X glycerin dosage and enriched with argan oil.

The super-talented actress known for her leading star performances in movies such as the Netflix series ‘Blood sisters’, ‘Kpali’, and ‘Namaste Wahala’, has risen to be one of the most revered in the entertainment industry.

The newly relaunched Dettol Skincare soap now has a unique formulation featuring 2X glycerin dosage and the enriching touch

of argan oil. The soap ensures an unparalleled level of moisturization, ensuring your skin stays beautifully hydrated and healthy while protecting your skin from 99.9 per cent germs.

Sharing her excitement about becoming Dettol Skincare’s Brand Ambassador, the actress said, “Dettol has been around for a long time, and I remember using it as a child; it feels like home for me. It is a testament to how much work goes into the brand for it to be here today and still at the peak of the quality of its products. What I love most about the relaunched Dettol Skincare is its gentleness on the skin. It also

protects against germs and has argan oil and glycerin infusion that moisturises your skin and gives you a 2X moisturising effect. It is also suitable for everyone. People will love this soap because it is the best of both worlds.”

Speaking on the choice of the new ambassador, Zara Adoki, Category Manager, Dettol Sub- Saharan Africa said, “Ini Dima-Okojie’s elegance, poise, and commitment to skincare align with our brand ethos. With this partnership, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of good hygiene and skincare practices, while improving the health and wellbeing of our consumers.

the IDICE fund emerges as a landmark transaction, providing a strategic platform for directing additional long-term financing into this dynamic sector,” she said.

Expressing her enthusiasm, the minister affirmed: "We are delighted that the conditions precedent for the release of IDICE funds are nearing completion. We eagerly anticipate providing start-up funds to young creatives, facilitating the development and monetisation of their talents."

She lauded AfDB and other parties to the transaction for the remarkable achievement, now being emulated by other African nations.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

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TECH HUB

AYODEJI AKE 07056085642

Leveraging Digital Tracking Devices to End Kidnapping Epidemic Ayodeji Ake writes on the need for the federal government to urgently deploy digital tracking devices to address rising cases of kidnapping in the country

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he federal government through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, recently disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved emergency procurement of digital tracking devices to track the operations of kidnappers in the nation’s capital.

Digital trackers are Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices designed to provide users the power to keep track of the location of a vehicle, asset, or even a person.

However, lamenting the dearth of the equipment in the past, Wike said the tide would now turn against kidnappers with the emergency procurement approval by the president.

“Digital tracking devices are the special equipment they need and that equipment, we know how expensive it is, but we had it and that was able to help us reduce the level of crime. “It was able to track the specific phones, not one that would say for example the criminals are around the city here.

“With that equipment, it was specific.

It can track a particular phone to the exact spot or room. So, what we have done with the approval of Mr. President is that we have been able to identify what each of the agencies need and we will be able now to provide them.

“But if you have this equipment, you don’t need to seek approval of your headquarters to begin to seek equipment to track the criminals,” Wike said.

A tech expert and Founder of Praiz Tech, Mr. Victor Madu, told THISDAY that the awakening of the federal government to the potential of technology was long overdue.

He confirmed that with the Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled tracking device coordinates – the latitude and longitude of the kidnappers’ hidden dens could be accurately located.

He noted that technology has the potential of putting a competent security structure in place.

Speaking further, Madu explained that tracking devices could be external devices pinned to a person and internal devices injected into the body.

He added that, although tracking devices have more advantages, their disadvantage was that it could lead to infection when injected into the body.

He said: “The tracking device with software will help in tracking someone or something anywhere not too far from the signal point. A tracking device has advantages and disadvantages especially when it comes to the types of device implored.

“Trackers could be internal - injected into the body, and can be external - probably tacked on a cloth or pocketed. Depending on which is considered for the operation it is needed for. The government can explore any of the two types.

“Although, the benefits are more than the disadvantages. Some of the benefits are - that tracking devices especially, can

Tinubu

help to eliminate the problem of kidnapping, enhance security and law enforcement in general.

“The only disadvantage of a tracker is when it is injected into the body it may cause infections. “We trust the security operatives have a reservoir of strategies and the use of digital devices like trackers will be a plus for seamless operations. “The government and security operatives can implore GPS trackers. This will help them get the specific coordinates of the kidnappers as long as it’s within a location of the satellite.

“We have been using GPS in Nigeria on our phones for location and on some major apps which have been effective and accurate.

“When the GPS tracker picks a coordinate, it will be easier to get the location without the internet through the latitude and longitude. Each tracker comes with a GPS sensor and can be in different sizes depending on where they want to apply it.

“It can be of a micro size if they want it unnoticeable and could be injected for security measures.”

He urged the government not to consult private firms so that information would not be altered, saying, “because we are talking about the security of the country, I will suggest that the tracking and all other information should be managed by the government.

“Consulting and contracting it to private organisations will subject the process to abuse,” he said.

Speaking on the potential of the device Madu said tracking devices would not only help solve the epidemic of kidnapping, but also expose corruption if strategies are put in place.

“I’m very sure if the digital tracking devices are put into use properly, it will solve the problem of kidnapping. The thought of the government imploring tracking devices will repel and throw caution on desisting from crimes.

“The tracking device will not only help to tackle kidnapping but also reduce the level of corruption if properly put into use.

“Before now, car theft was a trending issue until car trackers were introduced.

Today, car theft has drastically reduced.

And a lot of cars today have trackers that make it very easy to retrieve when stolen,” he said. He concluded by appealing to the government to invest more in technology by building tech hubs across the country.

“I feel the government is not doing enough in terms of technology. The potential of technology is underestimated in Nigeria.

“The Japa syndrome is also affecting the tech industry because our best hands are being taken abroad and they earn in dollars. The government should set up tech hubs across the country to train young Nigerians.

“I understand the Three Mullion Technical Talent program (3MTT) program is ongoing and there are robust tech programs, but building a fully equipped tech hub across the country will help.

“Also, the government should create a platform where young Nigerians would showcase their tech skills and help sponsor projects. The government will be amazed to know that thousands of Nigerian youths with good tech projects will rewrite the history of Nigeria in the tech ecosystem if funded,” he stated.

In his contribution, a tech security expert, Mr. Seyi Akanni, lauded the government for deploying technology to tackle insecurity.

He, however stressed that the National Identification Number (NIN) database should be used in the course of tracking.

He argued that with the use of both NIN and digital tracking devices, the locations of the kidnappers would be easier to spot.

“According to the former Minister of Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, there’s a NIN database that can be used to effectively identify the owners of the phone numbers used in calling the families of the victims.

“If the security agencies make use of this database with the tracking device(s) then it’ll be possible to track the locations where such calls originate from.

“I believe that the calls might not come from the camp where the hostages are held but it’ll help to identify the kingpins of the kidnapping syndicate. This tracking device(s) can be best utiliSed if integrated with the NIN database,” he said.

He also called for collaboration between security agencies and telecommunications operators.

“SIM cards used for their calls can be tracked by telecom service providers to enable the security agencies to know the cell tower under which the calls originated.

“Working closely with the telecoms operators and security agencies listening to the phone conversations between three kidnappers and the families of the victims.

“There’s a need for inter-agency cooperation/collaboration to allow for the effective use of technological innovation within the security architecture. Records and database should be shared between the security agencies,” he said.

Pepework Launches Freelance Platform To reduce the burden of unemployment in Nigeria and beyond, the founder of Pepework International Nig. Ltd., Mr. Daniel Akinyemi, has the Freelancers’ Marketplace would create millions of remote jobs.

Addressing newsmen at the official launch held in Lagos recently, Akinyemi explained the platform would serve as a meeting point for users and freelancers to employ professionals in various fields to get jobs done virtually.

He said: “We are here for our business launch and product presentation. As a blockchain developer, we have been working for the past few months and we can design a product that will empower people to work from their mobile phones anywhere in the world and earn money in dollars. “We have been able to create a freelancers’ marketplace to allow professional service providers to join our platforms for free.

Users from across the globe will hire and pay them for their professional services.

“As mentioned, one of our products is the Freelancers’ Marketplace. We have credited a lot of security on the platform and also a flexible mode of payment.

“The freelancers have the opportunity to sell their brand and also to issue an invoice during the project. The payment does not go directly to the freelancer but stays within the ecosystem and when the job is delivered satisfactorily, then we approve the payment to the freelancer.”

Speaking further, the blockchain expert explained that although there are existing platforms, Pepework was bringing something new to the table whereby users can pay with Bitcoin. “We have existing platforms like Upwork which is our model platform but we have added some. One of those is that our platform allows users and freelancers to send and receive money also with crypto, and we charge less.

“We also give a reward of five percent if you do a transaction of $2000 on our platforms as a cash-back reward,” he said.

One of the attendants, Mr. Oladeji Ape, commended the initiative, saying it would not only help Nigerians invest in blockchain, but also create self-employment opportunities for millions of Nigerians who are ready to work.

Lagos Land e-Portal to Improve Doorstep Services The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently launched the Lagos State Land Administration e-Portal system, describing the initiative as a significant advancement in the digitisation of land administration in the state.

Speaking at the official product launch of the initiative held at Ikeja, the Governor explained that the integration of advanced technologies into land administration processes signified the emergence of a new dawn in the State’s land administration system.

The electronic portal, according to him, represents a significant step in the state’s commitment towards realising the goal of the “M” pillar of his administration’s “THEMES Plus” Agenda, which is to make Lagos a 21st Century Economy, saying, “With this technology-driven initiative, we are strengthening our position as Africa’s model megacity and a pacesetter in bringing public service closer to the citizenry as well as advancing the Ease of Doing Business.”

While stressing that Lagos was fast emerging as a global leader in technology-driven Land Administration processes by adopting the Aumentum Land Administration solutions, the governor explained that the reliable tool customises and streamlines business workflows, aiming for higher productivity, enhanced revenue generation, document security, and improved customer service delivery at the doorstep of the esteemed customers.

Speaking on the significance of digital innovation to effective governance, Sanwo-Olu confirmed that the automated process would foster collaboration among government agencies, creating a one-stop-shop inquiry that would facilitate seamless access and an end-to-end Land Administration platform that is sustainable and productive.

“The launch of the Lagos State e-Portal grants our esteemed customers the privilege and right to access our services from the comfort of their homes or offices.

“It provides a secure shopping cart experience, self-service options, easy online record and data search, and the ability to analyse site traffic and trends through tracking reports.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Davido, Ayra Starr, Asake, Olamide Hopeful at 66th Grammys Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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‘Anikulapo’ Returns Bigger, Bolder in ‘Rise of the Spectre’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

LQ ¶$QLNXODSR 5LVH RI 7KH 6SHFWUH· LQ D UDFH against time to avoid a dismal fate, traveler 6DUR UHWXUQV WR WKH 2\R .LQJGRP ZLWK RUGHUV to complete a nearly impossible task. :LWK .XQOH 5HPL UHWXUQLQJ DV 6DUR DQG %LPER Ademoye as Rolake, the lovers-turned-foes are MRLQHG E\ D XQLTXH SDFN RI 1ROO\ZRRG YHWHUDQV DQG VWDUV VXFK DV 6ROD 6RERZDOH -LGH .RVRNR /LQFROQ 2ZR 2JXQGH 7DLZR +DVVDQ *DEULHO $IROD\DQ $GHZDOH (OHVKR 8]HH 8VPDQ DQG /DWHHI $GHGLPHML Other fan favorite and exciting new cast PHPEHUV LQFOXGH $GHED\R 6DODPL 0RML $IROD\DQ Aisha Lawal, Adeniyi Johnson, Funky Mallam, Sokoto Alabgedeorun, Ropo Ewenla, Olayiwola 5D]DT 2ODVXQNDQPL .D\RGH $GHUXSRNR 'DPLOROD Ogunsi, Oyindamola Sanni, Sunday Omobolanle, 6LVL 4XDGUL DQG 7LWL .XWL The much anticipated ‘Anikulapo: Rise of the 6SHFWUH· ZDV VROHO\ VKRW DW WKH .XQOH $IROD\DQ 3URGXFWLRQ .$3 )LOP YLOODJH LQ 2\R ZLWK D cast and crew of 600 people. Upon its debut in March, the series will be available for streaming LQ FRXQWULHV

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The original movie tells the story of Saro, who arrived in Oyo as a stranger and a traditional textile weaver.

Saro and Arolake are caught in a forbidden URPDQFH DV VKH LV DQ XQKDSS\ ZLIH WR WKH .LQJ The two eloped and Saro becomes a man of LQÁXHQFH DIWHU EHLQJ VDYHG IURP GHDWK E\ D mysterious bird. Soon, the lovers are torn apart E\ 6DUR·V EHWUD\DO ,W HQGV ZLWK $URODNH GLVDSSHDULQJ DIWHU destroying what made Saro powerful. While Poster image of ‘Anikulapo’

Amazon Prime’s Exit Leaves Gaping Investment Hole in Nollywood Obi Emelonye

,

Q D VKDUS WXUQ RI HYHQWV UHFHQWO\ $PD]RQ 3ULPH 9LGHR DQQRXQFHG GRZQVL]LQJ LWV Africa and Middle East operations in a move that affects both Nigeria and South Africa. Following the move, Prime Video will stop contracting originals in Africa and Middle East markets.

However, shows already given go-ahead will continue as planned. The shakeup comes months after Prime Video signed multi-year licensing agreements with production companies to bolster their investment in Africa and Middle East and set up teams in Nigeria and South Africa.

7KH ¶3ULPH [LW· VDJD MXVW UHPLQGV HYHU\RQH LI WKH\ needed reminding, how vulnerable our industry is.

Firstly, we have to understand that the American streaming platform is a global business that owes no allegiance to any country but simply acts based on the best interest of its bottom line.

So, they have not really broken any laws by changing business strategy even though their action might be tantamount to turning off the light for the entire continent of Africa.

They are within their rights to close any departments,

so long as the employees affected by such closure are treated fairly within the provisions of employment ODZ , WKLQN ZKDW ¶SULPH [LW· UDLVHV D PRUH V\VWHPLF issue with our cultural economy in Nigeria.

Nigerians have toiled for over 30 years now to build Nollywood, a fiercely independent film industry in which we have controlled the factors of production, distribution and monetisation.

However, as soon as we have forged the industry to number 2 in the world in terms of production and started taking black audiences away from Hollywood, global players from the Hollywood cosmos became interested in the same industry that was previously dismissed as ‘artisanal filmmaking practice that is beneath cinema run by a bunch of untrained creative hustlers and built on informality DQG LOOHJDOLW\· They are drawn towards Nollywood by huge improvements in our films, the exciting potential RI 1LJHULD·V PLOOLRQ SHRSOH DQG WKH JURZLQJ economic power of its local and diaspora populations.

7KH ,JERV VD\ WKDW D PDQ WKDW·V DWWUDFWHG WR \RXU home by the smell of your cooking will not stay when the food finishes.

6R DERXW \HDUV DJR , VWDUWHG D GRFWRUDO UHVHDUFK DW *ROGVPLWK 8QLYHUVLW\ RI /RQGRQ WR H[SORUH WKH

correlation between Nollywood and the African American film movements of the last century. For FRQWH[W WKHVH LQFOXGHG WKH UDFH ILOPV RI WKH V DQG WKH EOD[SORLWDWLRQ ILOPV RI WKH V ERWK RI which were black independent film practice that were infiltrated by Hollywood, undermined from WKH LQVLGH GHVWUR\HG DQG MHWWLVRQHG My research was trying to use the experience of the African American film movements with Hollywood studios to forecast what the future holds for Nollywood when, and not if, the Hollywood studios that are now throwing their dollar around leave our creative economy.

Would Nollywood go the way of blaxploitation films that simply disappeared from the face of history, or LV WKHUH HQRXJK LQ 1ROO\ZRRG·V LQIRUPDOLW\ DXGLHQFH support and legendary intrepidity to make it survive? ,QFLGHQWDOO\ RQO\ D IHZ ZHHNV IURP FRPSOHWLQJ P\ UHVHDUFK WKDW SURMHFWV LQWR D IDUDZD\ WLPH LQ WKH IXWXUH ¶SULPH [LW· EURXJKW WKH PDWWHU LQWR D UXGH contemporary focus.

You can call it prophesy or a knack for artistically visualising things before they happen - think Last )OLJKW WR $EXMD DQG WKH DLU FUDVK LQ 1LJHULD but the Nollywood industry is scrambling to find answers for the gaping investment hole left by

$PD]RQ 3ULPH·V H[LW ZKLOH EUDFLQJ LWVHOI IRU WKH Hollywood players still left in the system to also react to the situation with business calls that may not be illegal but which may be inimical to the health of our industry.

We were not alone in this abandonment as South Africa was also hit. But South Africa has got ShowMax. What does Nigeria have? NTA? This must be a wakeup call for our country to think ‘strategically QDWLRQDO· DERXW RXU FUHDWLYH DQG FXOWXUDO HFRQRP\ How do we open up our industry to the world and still retain authenticity and our unique identity?

The answer is in ownership of the infrastructure of our cultural economy- cinemas, production houses, VWUHDPLQJ VLWHV VKDPH DERXW WKH GHPLVH RI LURNR WY For unless we build our own instead of allowing strangers to take from us without even respecting Nigeria with a postal address in the country, we may wake up one morning with our industry used and MHWWLVRQHG OLNH WKH H[SORLWDWLRQ ILOPV RI WKH V 8QOHVV we wake up, strangers will continue be attracted to our home by the smell of good food and leave without even washing the plates or saying thank you when the food runs out.

Emelonye, a filmmaker, writes from the UK.

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Feyikemi Kukoyi:

I See Love as Universal Force That Transcends Cultural Boundaries Feyikemi Kukoyi, also known as FTK, is a seasoned international wedding and event planner with over 14 years of experience. Her expertise extends to curating, planning, and coordinating exceptional events. Renowned for exceeding client expectations, she is the creator of the annual luxury romantic experience, The Bond With Me 007 Series. In this interview with Tosin Clegg, she speaks on her journey, managing events, unveiling her annual romantic experience in Lagos among other things

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create a dream celebration within the agreed-upon budget.

ho is FTK and how did you come about the name?

FTK is derived from OluwaIH\LNHPL P\ ÀUVW name, and the TK is my husband’s middle and last name as he’s fondly called TK. I would like to state that I demonstrate YHUVDWLOLW\ E\ IXOÀOOLQJ WKH UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV of a wedding planner, a dedicated mother, DQG DQ DͿHFWLRQDWH ZLIH ,·YH EHHQ PDUULHG for 17 years now and my marriage will be 18 years by May 2024. My passion for orchestrating beautiful and memorable events is evident in my bold pursuit of excellence, turning dream into reality for clients celebrating their various events.

In what ways do you collaborate with vendors, and how do you go about selecting WKH ULJKW YHQGRUV IRU D VSHFLÀF HYHQW RU wedding?

Collaborating with vendors is crucial. I establish strong relationships based on trust and communication. Understanding the client’s vision guides my vendor selection.

I carefully vet vendors, considering their expertise, reliability, and compatibility with the event’s style, ensuring a seamless and cohesive execution. Also I prioritise open and consistent communication channels.

Regular updates, clear documentation, and active listening help me understand clients’ expectations. For vendors, detailed briefs and scheduled check-ins ensure everyone is on the same page. Keeping lines of communication transparent fosters a collaborative and successful planning process.

What motivated the decision to initiate the annual Bond With Me event?

My mission was to create a space for singles looking for love and dating or married couples to put their love stories at the forefront and celebrate them. Since its launch in 2015, we have had over 2000 attendees engage in this one-of-a-kind Luxury Love Experience at some of the most sought-after venues, including Hotel Monaco in DC, Spirit of Washington DC Yacht, Sequoia Hotel DC, and Tampa, Florida. We have also been privileged to collaborate with some of the most innovative vendors to design, plan, and coordinate what can only be described as a once-in-a-love-time experience.

How did you get into the event and wedding planning industry, and what inspired you to pursue this career?

I began my journey in event and wedding planning after organising few friends and family members’ celebrations and realising my passion for creating memorable experiences. The joy of turning ideas into lasting magical moments inspired me to pursue a career in this G\QDPLF DQG IXOÀOOLQJ LQGXVWU\ You’ve organised countless weddings DFURVV GL;HUHQW FRQWLQHQWV DQG VHHQ several couples in love. What does Love mean to you? /RYH WR PH PHDQV GLͿHUHQW WKLQJV DW GLͿHUHQW VWDJHV RI OLIH F\FOH KRZHYHU overall, I’m romantic at heart and I feel super blessed that I get to have a front URZ VHDW DW WKH GLͿHUHQW ORYH VWRULHV I have been a part of via planning diverse weddings across the globe.

Being involved in organising weddings DFURVV GLͿHUHQW FRQWLQHQWV DQG ZLWQHVVLQJ numerous couples in love, I see love as a universal force that transcends cultural boundaries and connects people on a profound level. Simply put by an international wedding and event planner, Love is a powerful and unifying force in the human experience.

Can you describe your approach to

stakes action. The franchise has achieved widespread popularity and has become a cultural phenomenon over the decades.

Why Lagos for the next edition and what should we expect?

Lagos is the best canvas for such an event like this. We are going to change the narrative of the same ol’ same ol’ valentine’s day HYHQW ,W LV WKDW ´RQFH LQ D OLIHWLPHµ W\SH of event hence we’ve labeled it a Luxury Love Experience and that is why it is such an exclusive event. The Bond Fashion, the electric ambiance, great entertainment with top notch food complete with a champagne dinner are some of the experiences we have RͿHUHG VR IDU LQ SUHYLRXV HGLWLRQV %XW ZH SODQ RQ UHSOLFDWLQJ WKH HͿHFWLYH SODQQLQJ strategies, engaging activities, successful collaborations and all the components that contributed to the success of previous events. The goal is to learn from past experiences and apply those lessons to enhance the quality and success of the upcoming event in Lagos.

Who are your target audience?

Matured, singles, dating, married couples and divorcees seeking a unique and upscale Valentine’s Day celebration with potential of networking and or meeting WKHLU VLJQLÀFDQW RWKHU 7KRVH ZKR HQMR\ gourmet dining experiences, exquisite cuisine and upscale venues. People who DSSUHFLDWH WKH ÀQHU WKLQJV LQ OLIH DQG enjoy a luxury lifestyle.

What is the key highlight of the event WKDW PDNHV LW GL;HUHQW IURP RWKHU HYHQWV" The key highlight is the authentic James Bond experience, including themed decoraKukoyi tions, elegant venues which we’ve chosen The theme, Bond With Me 007 what top notch ones over the years, and an budget management when planning events inspired it?

DWPRVSKHUH WKDW UHÁHFWV WKH VRSKLVWLFDWLRQ or weddings and how do you ensure that We are a premium international event and excitement of the Bond world. We you stay within the budget while still planning company and wanted to curate a create a glamorous entrance with a red meeting the client’s expectations? themed event that aligned with our brand carpet, paparazzi-style photography, and an I meticulously assess the client’s priorities and as such James Bond theme was the overall VIP experience to make attendees and allocate funds accordingly. Regular most appropriate in terms of look, vibe, feel like they are part of a grand Hollywood communication helps me understand their DQG DPELDQFH 7KH -DPHV %RQG ÀOPV DUH event. We infuse Bond-inspired activities, YLVLRQ DOORZLQJ PH WR VXJJHVW FRVW HͿHFWLYH known for their stylish cinematography, games that allow attendees to experience alternatives without compromising quality. memorable theme music, and the recurring the world of espionage and thrill that is 6WD\LQJ WUDQVSDUHQW DQG ÁH[LEOH HQVXUHV ZH elements of espionage, intrigue, and high- synonymous with James Bond movies.

Folabi Nuel Looks Forward to Exciting Collaborations in 2024 and his Inaugural Concert in London

F

olabi Nuel, a prominent Nigerian gospel artist, seamlessly intertwines his genuine love for God with a profound passion for music, creating a powerful resonance among global music enthusiasts. Renowned for his KHDUW WRXFKLQJ JRVSHO KLWV OLNH ´6DWLVÀHGµ ´,Q P\ %RDWµ DQG ´<HVKXDµ KLV VLQFHULW\ and musical brilliance have left an indelible mark, fostering a deep connection between listeners and their spiritual journey.

Accolades for his impactful contributions have been countless but recently he won the esteemed Kingdom Achievers Award, where

he clinched the Worship Leader of the Year WLWOH :LWK KXPLOLW\ )RODEL UHÁHFWV RQ this recognition, stating, “Being celebrated in such a manner is humbling, and knowing that my music has profoundly impacted many PRWLYDWHV PH WR VWULYH IRU HYHQ JUHDWHU KHLJKWV µ $ZDUGV DVLGH KLV VLPSOLFLW\ DQG ÀUP understanding of his role in Christ shine through his persona. Collaborating to make great songs with notable artists such as TY Bello, Jo Deep, Greatman Takit, Nosa, and Limoblaze, he has also ventured into event hosting, partnering with Make Music Lagos for a successful songwriting camp. Looking ahead to 2024, Folabi Nuel is poised for greater

endeavors, announcing that, “I will be hosting P\ YHU\ ÀUVW KHDGOLQH FRQFHUW LQ WKH FLW\ RI London on the 5th of May 2024 and I am really looking forward to that. Also excited about the music collaborations scheduled for the year as the opportunities are endless and knowing that we having the wisdom and EDFNLQJ RI *RG ZH DUH XQVWRSSDEOH µ Folabi’s dynamic music career serves as an inspiration to both emerging and established gospel artists worldwide, marking various seasons of growth and success. His unwavering commitment to sharing the message of faith through music continues to resonate and elevate the gospel music landscape.

Nuel

22

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024 • T H I S D AY

23

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

TRIBUTE

Fare Thee Well, Amaka Ahaba Tunde Olusunle

T

here was almost always a familial disputation between his friends, about the most appropriate moniker to prefix to his name, at every point in time. He aggregated quite a number of them over several decades of leading his organisation to deliver global standard, durable public infrastructure as commissioned by an avalanche of government ministries, departments and agencies. Most famous of his references were the chieftaincy titles Ochendo Awka-Etiti and Eziafa Amaka Ahaba. He was also a Knight of the Anglican Communion who was at liberty to prefix the honorific “Sir” to his name. He was also the chairman and chief executive of his companies. The title Ochendo conferred on him in his hometown, Awka-Etiti, Anambra State literally means “the umbrella.” This was most fitting considering his various contributions to his traditional community.

He assisted in modernising and beautifying Awka-Etiti by building roads and engaging qualified professionals in departments of his organisation.

Eziafa Amaka was bestowed on him by His Majesty, Obi (Professor) Joseph Chike Edozien, Asagba Asaba in Delta State, about 20 years ago and it translates as “a good name is better than riches.”

Instructively, he was honoured on the same day with the iconic retired Lieutenant General and political figure, Jeremiah Timbut Useni. Being draped with a knighthood in his religious denomination must have been informed by his attributes in secular service.

Useni, we got to know, was instrumental to inspiring the subject of this treatise, to explore opportunities in the construction industry back in the days when Useni was military Governor of the former Bendel State in 1984, before its sectioning into Edo and Delta states in 1991.

I first met Nath Okechukwu early January 2002, through Onyema Ugochukwu, the revered economist, redoubtable media practitioner and pioneer Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC). Olusegun Obasanjo was President at the time and part of his official schedule was to regularly tour the nation’s 36 states. He elected to check up on how well the dividends of democracy which he assured Nigerians democracy would beget was actually impacting people at the grassroots. Obasanjo took the visits very seriously and passed at least one night in the host state. State governors used the opportunity to showcase projects they had completed, initiatives they were driving and new grounds they intended to break.

In the course of Obasanjo’s visit to Delta State that January 2002, the intuitive Nigerian leader took special note of the fact that InterBau Construction Ltd featured recurrently at various points. James Onanefe Ibori, the Delta State helmsman led the President to perform the ceremonial “cutting of the tape” of roads, hospitals, stadiums, and so on and Obasanjo asked to meet the Inter-Bau boss, Nath Okechukwu.

He was impressed that the construction firm was a wholly Nigerian outfit doing good things as it were. Ugochukwu himself recorded Okechukwu’s Inter-Bau’s good works and asked for a formal meeting at the corporate headquarters of the NDDC in Port Harcourt. Those who know me, know my relationship with Ugochukwu over the decades. Whether it is in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt, I’ve never been far from him. It therefore followed that I would get to meet Okechukwu at

Ahaba some point.

Inter-Bau, is a subsidiary of Landgold Holdings Limited. The parent company was originally in the business of foreign trade, logistics and the supply of medical and pharmaceuticals. After delivering on the procurement and installation of medical equipment to General Hospital, Benin City in 1984, Jerry Useni reportedly engaged Okechukwu about if his organisation ever gave any thought to diversifying into construction.

Useni admonished that foreign partnership would be inevitable at the beginning but the future was bright for the construction sector. This, Okechukwu once told me, sired the baby, Inter-Bau. The first ever projects assigned the newly formed organisation was by the Useni government in 1984 in the old Bendel State. The company was commissioned to build Asaba township roads; the Asaba/Anwai link road, and to reconstruct the Isele-Uku/Olona/Illah Road. All of these are in the contemporary Delta State.

Inter-Bau acquitted itself on its primary assignment and became a much sought-after bride across sectors.

It built capacity in civil and highway construction; engineering works; bridges and allied structures; flood and erosion control; engineering consultancy services, marine works and quarrying among others. Under Okechukwu’s guidance, Inter-Bau bravely sited an operational base in Asaba. This was in response to the continuing request for its services by state governments and federal organisations in the Niger Delta are. Inter-Bau had become more and more acquainted with the peculiar terrains and topography of the Niger Delta area. Consistent with the desire of the Obasanjo government to encourage homegrown expertise in national development, Inter-Bau’s experience easily recommended it for partnership with several MDAs. The clientele of Inter-Bau blossomed under the handson leadership of Okechukwu who refused to recline into the comfort of the corporate headquarters of the organisation on Lugard Street in Ikoyi, Lagos. Neither did he ensconce himself into the coziness of the Asokoro, Abuja annex of his office. Successive administrations in Delta State continued to engage Inter-Bau even as Anambra State followed suit. The federal ministries of Works and Housing; aviation; transport; the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) and the National Inland

Waterways Authority, (NIWA), variously engaged InterBau. The organisation has also worked with the World Bank on projects in Nigeria.

At the last check, Inter-Bau’s imprimatur featured in Lagos, Delta, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Rivers, Edo, Enugu and Kogi states. “Legacy” projects undertaken by InterBau include the construction of the Ekeoba-Umudibia road which links Imo and Abia; the upgrading and rehabilitation of Onitsha River Port and the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt International Airport. InterBau also built the perimeter fence around the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos and its service roads. The company built the Utor road and bridge which connects Edo and Delta states, even as it is working on the Lokoja River Port project, under Okechukwu’s watch. As far back as March 2013, the plants and equipment owned by the organisation was valued at over N30Billion. Given the heedless downward spiral of Nigeria’s naira besides global currencies, the current value of equipment and devices owned by Inter-Bau would be in three-digit billions.

Despite his affluence and relative comfort, Sir Nath Okechukwu was a simple, genial, unobtrusive gentleman. He was renowned for his restlessness and would typically drag me on his extensive road trips across sites and locations where his company was engaged. We could begin from Lagos for instance, traverse Edo and Delta states and end up at his favourite “Grand Hotel,” Asaba. We’ve been through Iyuku, in northern Edo State where his outfit has a large quarry; inspected the river port project in Lokoja and passed the night in Abuja. All of these tours were before Nigeria got lost to ransomseeking kidnappers, freestyle bandits and malevolent insurgents. He would typically patronise hawkers on the highways as a means of supporting locals. Sir Nath was ever a good host wherever you found him. He loved the banter and laughter of friendly communion.

He was an unyielding stickler for perfection in everything, especially on issues of professionalism and integrity.

He sought second opinions about whatever seemed fuzzy to him. He called you on phone for clarification or asked that a contentious document be screenshot and forwarded for your input. He received several personal plaques for philanthropy and freewill discharge of corporate social responsibility, (CSR), as well as corporate recognitions for professionalism and innovation. His golden, grey hair was a standout characteristic. He was unmissable in a crowd. He doted on his family, his wife Lady Anne Okechukwu, his children and grandchildren. As his business engagements broadened, he engaged his children, Obinna, Doris, Kenneth and Onyeka as understudy. He was a very keen lawn tennis player and a respected member of the Ikoyi Club 1938 in Lagos. He received awards from the club for his contributions. His racquet and kits were always part of his luggage even as he challenged his friends to duels at any court of their choice!

News of his departure after an illness filtered in on Monday January 22, 2024. Chief Ugochukwu who called to inform me, actually sympathised with me on the development. He was familiar with my closeness to Sir Nath. Amaka Ahaba patented a nickname for me, Atuna derived from my name, Tunde, to underscore our chummy relationship. The news was a most unsavoury way to start the new year. He would have been 79 on October 3, 2024.

By whatever name he was known, “Sir Nath,” “Chairman,” “Ochendo” or “Amaka Ahaba,” Sir Nath Okechukwu will be surely, sorely missed by us all. He was a remarkable personality no doubt, a man of style. He had his distinct ways of doing things. You would usually find some of the latest, most coveted beverages in his cellar. Fare thee well, Amaka Ahaba.

Olusunle, PhD, poet, journalist, scholar and author is a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA)

Tribute to Emmanuel Ijewere Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata It is with profound sadness and deep respect that I pen down this tribute to Sir Emmanuel Itoya Ijewere, a man whose impact on the Nigerian business landscape and the lives of many is immeasurable and whose remains was committed to Mother Earth yesterday, Friday, February 2, 2024. He was a renowned Chartered Accountant, an exemplary businessman and entrepreneur, and also a humanitarian with the largest of hearts, whose accomplishments and contributions to humanity will not easily be forgotten.

As the former president of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Institute of Directors (IOD), his leadership and wisdom guided these institutes during his tenure. Across the accounting

profession, banking, finance, agriculture, and more, he created economic opportunities and prosperity for countless individuals.

On a personal level, he was an elder brother, a mentor, and a guiding light to me who illuminated the path forward.

His kindness and generosity touched many lives, including my own. I will forever cherish his unwavering support and counsel, which have proven invaluable, embodying the true spirit of mentorship.

Sir Emmanuel Ijewere was not just a proud Edo man; he was a Pan-Edo man who served as a rallying point and a unifying force for Edo professionals, especially those of us in Lagos. His ability to transcend boundaries and extend a listening ear and helping hand to all, irrespective of their ethnic origins within our beloved and cherished Edo State, was a testament to his selflessness and commitment to the

community.

My condolences to his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, all other relatives, and close associates who mourn the passing of this exemplary man and outstanding human being.

Edo people in particular and Nigerians in general have lost one of their finest: a trailblazer, a devoted Catholic, and a caring human being whose influence will continue to ripple through generations. Though he may no longer be with us, his spirit lives on through his many contributions and through the people he uplifted. We will continue to honour his memory by continuing his selfless service for the betterment of our country.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Akpata is a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association and governorship aspirant in Edo State under Labour Party

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

25

TRIBUTE

As Obasanjo, Governors, Royalty Gather to Mark Pat Utomi at 68 Oluchi Chibuzor To the de Great leadership matters because it creates a set of behaviour that help a people to align their collective direction. In that way leaders inspire members of society to pursue their dreams.

In recognition of the central role of effective leadership in shaping culture, Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned scholar, on March 10, 2004 set up the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) as a not-for-profit organisation to equip generations of young people with values and leadership skills which, will make them become effective, values-driven leaders that will serve as catalysts for improvement of the quality of life in our society.

The overall goal of the Centre is “to be a global centre of excellence for leadership development.”

In the pursuit of its goals and vision, CVL has over the years been in the fore to determine, through research, influence and advocacy, the way leaders are shaped, for the next generation.

One of the programmes it uses to drive this objective is its flagship, the Annual International Leadership Symposium, a veritable platform for great intellectual discourse and a think point for national issues.

So, consistent with the commitment to assemble noted thought leaders across the nation and the globe to strengthen democracy and advance good governance, Prof. Pat Utomi, announced former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, six serving governors, eminent royal fathers, captains of industry, and international scholars, as part of the key participants in this year’s two-day international symposia to celebrate CVL at 20, Patitos Gang TV at 25 and his 68th birthday. The two-day events are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, February 5 and 6, 2024, respectively.

The day one of the event, Entrepreneurship Symposium, scheduled to hold at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, has as its theme, “Skills Driven Entrepreneurship.” The keynote speaker is Dr. Adiele Nwankwo, an innovator in planning applications, who initiated and completed the first Geographic Information System Transportation application in the state of Michigan, USA and is credited with the development and implementation of a methodology for integrating traffic safety with regional transportation plans. The co-speaker is Dr. Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, Director, Business Innovation Accelerator and an associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Lagos Business School.

The Panel of Practice include Mustapha Njie, a Gambian, regarded as one of Africa’s most successful property developers.

Mr. Njie’s Group, TAF Africa Homes, is present in eight African countries; Engr. Alfred Okoigun, founder and Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc, a diversified company with operations spanning maintenance engineering support services, Marine Logistics, Pipelines & facilities Inspection, property development, and consumer power generation; Dr. Leemon Ikpea, chairman/Chief Executive Officer, LEE Engineering and Construction Company Limited; and Dr. Cosmos Maduka, founder, President and CEO of Coscharis Group, an indigenous conglomerate with diverse interest in Manufacturing, Petrochemical, Auto care, Auto Components, Automobile Sales and Services.

The day two event scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, will be the Leadership Symposium and Launch of Professor Utomi’s New

L-R: First runner-up, Nigerian Breweries Distributor Awards, Jimoh Ogungbola; of (J.Ogungbola and Sons Limited), Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Hans Essaadi; National Volume Champion, Odiaka Christiana of (Chrisemua and Sons Nigeria Limited), Second runner-up, Chidi Ndupu of (Chidi Ndupu Enterprises Limited), and Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ayodele Lawal during the 2023 Nigerian Breweries Distributor Awards in Lagos …. yesterday.

First vice president, Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) ESV. Victor Alonge; inducted Fellows Mr Yemi Idowu; President, NIESV Johnbull Amayaevbo and former chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke at the 2024 Inductions in Abuja

Book: ‘Power, Politics, Public Policy Process and Performance.’

The theme of the symposium is, “Democracy, Governance and National Performance: The Mutual Relationship.”

The keyote Speaker is Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, a globally acclaimed authority on democratisation in Africa, and Senior Associate for Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Washington DC, USA. The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organisation working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Since its founding in 1983, NDI has worked with local partners in 156 countries and territories, bringing together individuals and groups to share ideas, knowledge, experiences and expertise. Partners receive broad exposure to best practices in international democratic development that can be adapted to the needs of their own countries. NDI’s multinational approach reinforces the message that while there is no single democratic model, certain core principles are shared by all democracies.

Today, as senior associate and regional director at NDI, Fomunyoh has organised and advised international election observation missions, designed and supervised country specific democracy support programs in partnership with civic organisations, political parties and legislative bodies across Africa.

In the course of his work, Fomunyoh interacts regularly with heads of state and government, cabinet ministers, elected officials, political and civic leaders. He recently designed and helped launch the African Statesmen Initiative a program aimed at facilitating political transitions in Africa by encouraging former democratic Heads of State to stay engaged in humanitarian issues, conflict mediation, public health and other key sectors of political economic and human development on the continent.

As an authority on democratisation in Africa, Fomunyoh is highly solicited by news organisations and makes frequent guest appearances on major mainstream media.

Also, early last year, Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh was appointed by Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky as one of the first ambassadors of grain from Ukraine initiative for the African continent as part of the expansion of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Grain from Ukraine initiative and the involvement of international experts familiar with the issues of the African continent in its implementation. According to the Head of the President’s Office, since the launch of the Grain from Ukraine Initiative in November 2022, more than 30 donor countries have joined the program. These are the EU countries, Qatar, Turkey, Japan, Norway, Korea, Canada and the United States. So far, participants have pledged nearly $200 million.

Onuba, a Chartered Accountant, wrote from Abuja Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Co-founder/CEO, Inter Lagos Football Club, Lanre Vigo; COO, Oluwatosin Fashoyin; head coach, Gabriel Ezema; General Manager, Adigwe Gabriel; and, Co-Founder, Olumide Fayankin during the press launch of Inter Lagos Football Club in Lagos….recently

L-R: Co-founder/CEO, Inter Lagos Football Club, Lanre Vigo; COO, Oluwatosin Fashoyin; head coach, Gabriel Ezema; General Manager, Adigwe Gabriel; and, Co-Founder, Olumide Fayankin during the press launch of Inter Lagos Football Club in Lagos….recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

SUPER SATURDAY Nwodo: Nigeria’s Present Political System Constrains Economic Development, National Prosperity The Founder of XL Africa Group Limited, Charles Nwodo Jnr, argues that there is need to restructure Nigeria’s present political system, which according to him prevents the attainment of any meaningful progress towards national transformation and socio-economic prosperity. He also proposes the setting up of what he called the Nigeria Force for Good, which will negotiate a reconfigured Nigeria’s political system with President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the other two main parties that constitute the Nigeria political class, for the benefit of the growing army of young people across the country. Obinna Chima and Dike Onwuamaeze bring the excerpts:

Nwodo

W

hat is your view about the current state of the Nigerian economy?

The Nigerian economy is clearly challenged more than ever before and I am sympathetic towards those charged with the management of the economy at this time, from the president and his economic management team to the teams at the subnational levels like the Governors and Local Government Chairmen. On the one hand there is huge public expectation which is understandable for several reasons but on the other hand there is the reality which is defined by multiple headwinds in the form of local and external problems with many beyond our control. Internally, we have problems in the areas of unsustainable debt service provisions, excessive and growing costs of governance, accumulated de-industrialisation leading to undue reliance on oil and gas export as main forex revenue source, high level and growing unemployment, and income inequality, reduced forex inflows, huge infrastructure gaps, unattractively high rates of interest and inflation, unstable exchange rates and widespread insecurity and sporadic cases of ethnic and regional agitations. The list goes on. Externally, but impacting our local environment are issues like the Russia-Ukraine war and the attendant supply chain, financial system and commodity challenges, the Middle East crisis, climate change issues including erosion, flooding, desertification, aqua-marine dislocation and the impacts on agriculture value chain, and displacement of households and communities. In the light of the foregoing, this is certainly not the best of times to be the Minister of Finance, or the Governor of CBN so both Wale Edun and Yemi Cardoso do have my sympathy. But then there is something called the Nigerian spirit that is typified by resilience, tenacity, never say never, hope in the face of hopelessness and an indomitable can-do spirit which offers me confidence that the future is bright for Nigeria and that the policies

of the current administration will ultimately propel us away from the current despair to increased and sustainable socio economic development provided that the right things are done.

What do you think are the right things to be done?

First and foremost, we need to dispel the long-held notion that Nigeria is a rich country. Many of our countrymen and women and some in critical public sector positions are beholden to this view and therefore carry on without consideration for prudence and accountability in the management of delegated responsibilities and even in our private activities. Nigerians should know that we are not a rich country based upon all the acceptable indices of economic progress. Do we have resource endowments and potential for greatness? Yes, we do. But having resource endowment and a large population do not necessarily mean that we are a rich country. A Nigeria with a mono product economy that accounts for 80-85 percent of export earnings cannot be described as rich. A Nigeria without an industrial base , without adequate and stable power supply, with over 20 million out of school children , with 63 percent of the population mired in multi-dimensional poverty, with GDP per capita ranked at number 21 in Africa, with a Gini coefficient (measure of income inequality) of 35% or 11th in West Africa, is not a rich country and our citizens need to come to terms with this truth as a starting point to our redemption. Nigeria may host the richest persons in Africa, but Nigeria also hosts the poorest persons in Africa and perhaps the poorest persons in the world if we believe recent media reports to that effect. From the hard statistics about Nigeria, it is clear that to even support the current population level and fill existing gaps in national revenue and domestic productivity we must do much more

than has been the case in our recent history but to position Nigeria as the economic powerhouse that our founding fathers envisioned, demands that we do the extraordinary and think outside the box in all respects. Our leaders need to familiarise themselves fully with the dire statistics on the state of our nation and I sincerely hope when they do so, the required sobriety, sanity, diligence and a sense of urgency and sacrificial disposition will be embraced by our leaders at all levels. Above all we must seek extraordinary and unorthodox solutions to dig ourselves out of the hole in which we have found ourselves. As an aside, the unflattering situation recommends that the government and people of Nigeria should celebrate with accolades all of us who set up and operate legitimate businesses in Nigeria, because believe me it is tough, very tough to operate here. When I see our leaders, especially the current president, travelling to different countries to pitch for foreign investments, I am perplexed because I think the audience for such pitches should be fellow Nigerians who have invested in Nigeria. The government should do more to improve the ease of doing business environment urgently and significantly in the realisation that it is far easier to get already invested Nigerian entrepreneurs to expand or diversify their operations for the benefit of job creation and improved productivity than to persuade foreigners to come to Nigeria and establish. I mean this is not rocket science, is it?

Nigerians are some of the most enterprising and resourceful people in the world, but over the years, and across different administrations, we have found the situation where it seems that our government officials and agencies of our governments operate with the mindset to frustrate local businesses and businessmen, and this is partly to blame for some of the problems we have in Nigeria today. In my view, it is important for us (the leaders and the led) to come to come to a consensus on what needs to be done for Nigeria to achieve the kind of destiny that we have the resources to achieve at least if not for our

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

SUPER SATURDAY Nigeria’s Present Political System Constrains Economic Development, National Prosperity consensus on what needs to be done for Nigeria to achieve the kind of destiny that we have the resources to achieve at least if not for our own generation but for future generations. We have a ticking time bomb in our hands, which is the growing population of educated and active young people that seek expression for their skills and academic qualifications but are roundly frustrated by lack of job opportunities and a near total absence of support structures for enterprise incubation and business operations in the country. The logical expectation from this situation if urgent remedial actions are not taken, is increased criminality, widespread hopelessness, drug abuse, banditry, kidnappings, increase in frauds and scams and other vices, all of which misrepresent the Nigerian spirit. Our young people need jobs. They need a Nigeria that works. They need a Nigeria where there is equality of opportunities and equality of access to justice and the resources of the country.

How do you think the country can extricate itself from the economic development quagmire it faces?

The present political system we operate in Nigeria is a constraint to economic development of Nigeria and will continue to prevent the attainment of any meaningful progress towards national transformation and socio-economic prosperity. Let me explain this. We have political appointees and elected officials at the local, state and federal levels whoessentiallyremuneratethemselvesandapportion to themselves in the annual budgets monies from the commonwealth that are in disproportion to their usefulness or job content and in clear disregard to critical national development priorities. If you add up the resources associated with these political office holders across the 774 local governments, the 36 states and FCT and the Federal level and add the cost of servicing accumulated debts at all of these levels, it is nearly impossible to be able to fund infrastructural development, or fund it at the level and rate required to achieve our SDG objectives or even attain the basic standard of a 21st century economy in the areas of education, health, security, agriculture, water and sanitation, housing, defense and security etc. Actually some states are even borrowing to finance the upkeep of these political office holders. One does not need to be an economist to understand that this situation is unsustainable. There is an urgent need to resolve this political system problem quickly, amicably and for the benefit of the growing army of young people in the east, north, west and south of Nigeria who are increasingly giving up on the hope of a better country. My proposal is to float a “Nigeria Force for Good (NFG)” which will negotiate a reconfigured Nigeria political system with President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the other two main parties that constitute the Nigeria political class. The NFG should comprise about 100 Nigerians from the six zones of Nigeria, who will commit between N100 million and N1 billion of their own funds to the project, and forswear interests in any government contracts, appointments or elective positions. I believe that such a group to which I volunteer membership upfront, can engage with the political class of the present political dispensation to persuade them to accept a modified political system through a constitutional amendment to make all legislative positions part time and for the salaries and expenses related to office holders in every local government, states and the federal government not to exceed 5-10 per cent of the IGR of each local government, state government, and federal government. Furthermore, the structure at the federal level should incorporate six vice presidents (VPs) who should represent each geo-political zone and should be nominated by the assemblies of the respective zones and ratified by the part-time National Assembly. Such VPs should hold office for life and the Presidency of Nigeria should rotate among them in cycles of four or five years. Furthermore, monthly FAAC allocations should be abolished. In its place, every one of the six zones should receive a one off take off grant of between $500 million and $1 billion and after this all states shall retain 100 per cent of the revenues from their states and remit taxes to the federal government as shall be agreed. Most of the current federal bureaucracy should be devolved to the six geopolitical zones with the centre retaining only external affairs, defence, national security, finance/ economy and any other functions to be agreed upon.

In return for agreeing to legislate and enact these changes, the NFG shall commit to support President Tinubu and other current office holders who have not completed two terms to roll over their first terms unopposed, so that the proposed structure will kick in at the end of their respective current tenures. In

Nwodo fact, the NFG may work towards having no general elections in 2027, once it is agreed that the present office holders with second term aspirations and qualified for that should be re-elected unopposed.

That will save the country over N300 billion that INEC spends to conduct elections every four years.

I believe there is an urgent need for Nigerians to think our way out of the current crisis of arrested socio economic progress because if we don’t do so intentionally, uncontrollable and even hostile forces of change may compel us to transform into a country or political structure that is imposed on us for the benefit of outside interests.

You operate in the cash processing sub-sector.

Since last year we have been seeing a new trend in Nigeria where cash is now scarce. What do you think is responsible for that and how can it be addressed?

There are two reasons I will suggest. The first is regulator induced through a poorly implemented regulatory intervention, and I am referring to the currency redesign exercise of the last CBN administration. Central banks implement such policies but there are proper ways to implement them and ideally such an exercise ought to be preceded by a detailed need assessment to determine if the exercise is justified, and then the exact scope and type of intervention in terms of volume requirements, denomination demands data across cities, across seasons across institutions etc. In the end the data sets gathered and accurately analysed feeds into the implementation of the exercise following due consultations with the industry stakeholders. In the case of the exercise in reference, none or most of the above steps were implemented and I can tell you that it was so bad that even some staff of the CBN were completely unaware of the redesign exercise and certainly ourselves as operators in the sub sector were not consulted at all and were specifically and intentionally excluded from playing our roles as entities licensed and regulated by the CBN during the implementation of the exercise.

So, even if we assume without conceding that the motive for the redesign exercise was altruistic, the implementation was very poorly executed. That is partly why it created such a negative effect in the economy and in our everyday life and why those effects have endured to this time. The second reason is purely a case of strategic misfit, and I will explain this. At a point in time when it was in the interest of the government to expand productivity and increase the velocity of cash in the system, it was unwise for the then CBN administration as the monetary policy anchor of that government to decide to implement an exercise whose objective was the exact opposite of the advertised growth and expansionary targets of that administration.

The timing at year’s end and in the middle of general elections couldn’t have been any worse for the Nigeria economy for clearly obvious reasons. I mean, Nigeria is basically a cash dominant economy to an extent that it can be said that in Nigeria, cash is king. I would suggest that in conceiving and in implementing the

policy, the CBN misadvised itself about the entire currency operations value chain because a country’s currency serves two purposes. One of them is a means of exchange, and this purpose theoretically lends itself to regulatory manipulations through monetary policy tools, and sundry intervention mechanisms according to our laws and market practices. But the second purpose of a country’s currency is a store of value, and this characteristic does not lend itself to the same level of regulatory control or manipulation. Put differently, the CBN as regulator has little or no direct control over how citizens elect to store wealth in the type of liberal capitalist economy that we practice in Nigeria.

For the most part, whether people choose cash, property, or other asset classes as store of value is the outcome of rational personal decisions and cannot be decreed by regulation without harmful consequences to economic development and national peace and tranquility. If I have to be blunt, what the then CBN administration did was essentially to confiscate peoples’ savings and investments in cash and then deny them the opportunity to retrieve these from the banks by rationing the amount of cash that people were allowed to withdraw from banks and ATMs. Note that the CBN implemented this scheme at a time it was launching financial inclusion campaigns aimed at encouraging the unbanked but bankable segment of the population to embrace banking services. With latest CBN data showing an unprecedented volume of currency circulating outside the banking system the currency redesign exercise succeeded in reducing confidence in the banking system, thus pushing a growing number of people to embrace cash as a preferred store of value. Another way to look at the situation is that people have a diminished trust in the central bank and commercial banks, and this should worry our economic management team. According to one research sponsored by one of the European Central Banks, there is a well-established correlation between perception of instability and uncertainty (as evidenced by wars, changes in government, political instability, economic unpredictability, etc and an increased desire to hold cash. This is a statistically validated hypothesis that should explain the growth in cash outside the banking system.

Even today cash is still scarce as the ATMs hardly dispense.

Again, I can suggest some reasons for this unfortunate development. The first reason is a carryover from the Naira redesign policy which I just explained to you while answering the previous question. In the aftermath of the Naira redesign exercise, the general elections and the instability generated by the controversies and legal disputations following the general elections you can clearly find justification for the scarcity of currency notes because of increased cash holdings by households outside the banking system. Ordinarily the CBN would have responded by releasing more currency notes into the system but the challenges of controlling inflation as well as interest and exchange rates must weigh

heavily as a constraint to the CBN in this direction.

So, this trend is likely to continue for as long as the citizens perceive that there is a general sense of uncertainty in the system. The other reason for the scarcity is that the natural circulation process that culminates in the feeding of ATMs with cash was interrupted as an unintended side effect of the referenced action. The circulation of cash in the economy operates within the context of what is called the cash value chain. This chain begins with the CBN as the overall manager of monetary policy and includes the Mint (NSP&M Plc), commercial banks, cash processing companies, cash distribution companies, ATM operators and other ancillary entities like security providers and vehicle providers etc. Under normal circumstances each of these entities plays a vital role in the chain starting from design and approval of currency notes, printing of the notes, release of the notes, circulation of the notes and finally return of the notes to the CBN for destruction. I do not wish to bother you with the fine details of the process but the point to note is that the efficient operation of this chain in any modern economy demands a high degree of professionalism, inter agency coordination, technological inputs and appropriate security and safety systems and above all, such a system demands the proactive and well-informed supportive oversight of the CBN. I regret to say that the last CBN administration did not live up to the above requirements, which is why some of the problems you have identified still linger. The CBN has tended to place too much reliance on the commercial banks as the main drivers of currency circulation and in this respect, there are guidelines and policies developed by the CBN to regulate the activities of the commercial banks in relation to currency circulation and interaction with the other stakeholders in the cash value chain. But because commercial banks do not consider it prudent to make the capital intensive investments in the cash value chain infrastructure, many Nigerian banks have resorted to operating in continuous breach of the operating policies and paying the stipulated penalties which are insignificant. Meanwhile the companies licensed by the CBN to process cash and distribute cash for the industry have not been supported by the CBN to any meaningful extent or at least to the extent demanded by the fact that the Nigeria economy is cash dominant and therefore requires an efficient and robust currency operations stakeholder ecosystem to power the economy. So the result is that the cumulative actions of the CBN have combined to disintermediate the critical stakeholders in the cash value chain and the result of this disintermediation is on full display in the form of scarcity of currency notes at banks and at ATMs and the scarcity has in turn created a thriving black market for newly minted currency notes which desperate Nigerians snap up for spraying at parties and other public events. This is a sad and truly pathetic situation I must admit.

So, what is the way out?

The way out is regulatory rethink. My humble opinion is that the CBN needs to take more seriously its currency operation management function. I say this with a sense of responsibility as somebody who has worked in the banking industry before venturing into currency operations and I can tell you that there is need for greater awareness about the critical importance of cash as the lubricant of such an economy as we have in Nigeria, with our stated ambition to dominate Africa and position to attract resources from all over the world. Until we properly position cash in terms of efficient management of its release, circulation, integrity and availability across all channels and geographies of market exchange and capacitate the relevant offices and officers of the CBN to provide expert oversight of the entire value chain like other countries that share the same ambition as we do, then we are nonstarters. An average central banker or commercial banker in Nigeria will tell you that we are pursuing a cashless policy and very soon cash will disappear, but such a conclusion is not supported by available statistics and projections on cash demand across the country. There is nothing like a cashless system in today’s world and certainly not in Nigeria of today or in our lifetime. There are individuals that have vested interest in the digital and electronic payment spaces that managed to sell to key figures in past CBN and federal government administrations the bogus scheme of so-called cashless Nigeria campaign which the regulator and many ordinary Nigerians embraced with enthusiasm and at huge costs from public resources.

Read full Interview online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

PERSPECTIVE

‘Abusive’ Legacy of Nigerian Megachurch Boss Lives on from Lagos to London Madeleine Jane and Ayodeji Rotinwa

instant healing in their lives,” he declared.

A rapturous attendee at the Moi International Sports Centre, who was interviewed by Emmanuel TV, said what many others were feeling: “I know the legacy of TB Joshua continues.”

With more than nine million followers on social media, Emmanuel TV last month announced plans to cease broadcasting on cable channels in Africa in January 2024 and move to a purely satellite and digital distribution model, through apps for Apple TV, Android, Roku and Amazon.

A

decade ago, a top lieutenant of Nigeria’s most successful Pentecostal pastor split from the Lagos-based megachurch and started his own ministry in Cameroon, where he claimed he could heal HIV/AIDS and cancer.

In 2015, a second lieutenant, also claiming to have the gift of miracle cures, branched off to lead another religious group in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Years later, a third former favourite of controversial televangelist Temitope Balogun Joshua founded a separate evangelical community in Wales, where he offers “interactive prayer” that his digital followers claim can cure maladies like epilepsy and meningitis.

Their mentor TB Joshua, as he was commonly known, died in 2021 as one of the most influential Christian leaders in Africa – and one of the most controversial. His global ministry boasted followers on five continents, including presidents, leading football stars and celebrities.

Yet at least eight former top ranking members of his ministry claim to have witnessed or experienced physical, sexual and psychological abuse from the former leader of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN), an investigation by the BBC in partnership with openDemocracy has found.

Today we can also reveal that ministries founded by more than a dozen of his former disciples are propagating some of the Nigerian televangelist’s abusive spiritual practices even after his death.

Our six-month investigation across Nairobi, Buea and London included interviews with more than two dozen former and current members of Joshua’s church – The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN) – and an analysis of hundreds of church documents and videos from these offspring ministries.

From Lagos to London, Wales to Washington State, and from Tampa, Florida to Thessaloniki, Greece, the ministries of ex-Joshua loyalists boast a collective five million followers on social media and more than 194 million views on YouTube. Together their reach is far greater than Joshua’s church, which continues operating under his wife and successor, Evelyn Joshua.

Many of these leaders left not because of misgivings about the self-styled “prophet” who boasted spiritual powers that included raising the dead, healing HIV/AIDS and fixing what he called the “demon” of homosexuality – nor due to allegations detailed by more than two dozen former disciples about rape, forced abortions and torture in a documentary released on Monday by the BBC and co-produced by openDemocracy.

Rather, they appear to have left to replicate the religious and institutional infrastructure that had made Joshua one the most powerful figures in global televangelism.

These ministries represent a clear and present danger to hundreds of thousands of church-goers around the world equal to the ongoing operations of SCOAN itself, according to Rae Rencken-Holmes, a former disciple of TB Joshua who is among the 19 former church members who spoke on the record for this investigation.

“This is his legacy: destruction, turmoil, pain, agony,” Rencken-Holmes said. “The spiritual abuse, though, has not ended.” openDemocracy asked all 20 of the offspring ministries to comment on the views of TB Joshua and allegations of abuse. Two – The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations Thessalonica and Christ Our Choice International Ministries – responded by defending Joshua as a man of God and quoting scriptures that reference unjust persecution.

Charalambos Tsakonidis, the leader of the Greece-based ministry and who is also called “the man of God Harry”, denied that TB Joshua abused female disciples at SCOAN. “Harry, clearly, does not believe in any of the accusations of any disciples or others against Prophet TB Joshua, because he [lived] with other male disciples of Prophet TB Joshua in his house, where he was literally 24 hours a day with him,” according to a statement emailed to openDemocracy by the ministry. “If Prophet TB Joshua had done anything ungodly and if any of the accusations were true, the man of God Harry would have known.”

Paul David, head of Christ our Choice Ministries, said in a statement: “Every allegations [sic] against him are not true. TB Joshua is a man that always wanted the best for the world.”

Leaders of these offshoot churches attribute their success both to Joshua’s spiritual lessons and to his business strategy, utilising high-production media to brand themselves miracle workers, prophets and social media influencers.

The Quintessential African Miracle Entrepreneur

From his early days as a spiritual leader in the 1980s, TB Joshua pioneered a unique blend of West African Pentecostalism and American televangelism. Miracles and signs have a long history in the Christian church and were exceptionally popular in the ’80s and ’90s in Nigeria amid the AIDS crisis and crumbling public infrastructure. While many churches in Lagos advertised the healing gifts of their leaders, Joshua was one of the first to leverage the media to bring supposed miracles to a mass audience, starting with VHS tapes and cable in Nigeria, but eventually moving to global satellite and digital channels.

As a tool for increasing his fellowship and his finances, TV and then digital media became core to his ministry and

London links

Late Joshua his brand. Among thousands of Pentecostal Christians, TB Joshua’s sermons and miracles broadcast over his Emmanuel TV station became must-watch events, and a sign of favour within his church was to be promoted to work in his media division.

During the 24 hours of daily programming, dozens of videos of purported miracles are shown on Emmanuel TV, including people allegedly healed from HIV/AIDS, cancer and paralysis. The satellite channel became the growth engine of Joshua’s media business and, in the estimation of religious studies professor Asonzeh Ukah, made him “the foremost and quintessential African miracle entrepreneur of the 20th and early 21st centuries”.

Journalists, congregants, and unaffiliated Pentecostal leaders have been questioning the authenticity of those alleged healings since at least 1999.

Nigerian journalist Adejuwon Soyinka was part of one of the earliest investigations into TB Joshua’s claims of miracle cures for people infected with HIV/AIDS that had been broadcast on Nigerian cable channels.

The reporting in Nigeria’s Tell Magazine revealed that the address for a “hospital” issuing medical reports that backed claims Joshua had healed people of HIV was, in fact, the location of an apartment owned by SCOAN. The supposed address of a nearby hospital lab was an empty shop front. “There was no lab. There was no hospital at all,” Soyinka told openDemocracy.

Bisola Johnson, who worked for TB Joshua from 1995 until 2008, was part of the media team in charge of producing and editing the videos for SCOAN. She told openDemocracy that the miracles were part of a propaganda campaign to mislead vulnerable people.

“People said they were healed of HIV. They were not healed,” she said.

“Many people watch Emmanuel TV and think it’s real. I am speaking now as someone who was an insider… What is happening on Emmanuel TV is not real. We organise it.

We project what you see to you. And what we don’t want you to see, we cut away.”

Yet TB Joshua’s so-called “deliverance” and “healing” videos remained a staple of his global broadcasts until early 2021, when openDemocracy revealed how the televangelist was spreading hate speech in sermons streamed on the Emmanuel TV YouTube channel.

Among those religious broadcasts were claims by TB Joshua that he could “cast out demons” that he said were responsible for addiction, mental health struggles and “the demon of homosexuality.”

In response to enquiries made by openDemocracy about the false and harmful homophobic messages that he was propagating, YouTube shut down the channel, which had previously been one of the largest Christian YouTube channels with over a million subscribers.

Joshua died less than a year later, and several senior disciples left SCOAN as part of a leadership struggle.

The reconstructed SCOAN led by Joshua’s wife and her new team of disciples revived the YouTube channel at a new web address, hoping to utilise the powerful tool that former church insiders said had been key to sustaining and growing SCOAN’s financial health.

Among the highlights of the new broadcasts are miracle services performed by Evelyn Joshua – such as one witnessed by openDemocracy that took place in early October in Nairobi, Kenya, during a day-long religious revival that promised healing and blessings to the faithful.

It was attended by tens of thousands of believers waving national flags from countries across Africa and Europe.

Evelyn Joshua took the stage after more than four hours of singing and testimonies of divine healing. A 45-foot banner above her bore a huge image of Evelyn and her late husband while Emmanuel TV cameras showed her “laying on hands” for hundreds of people wanting medical cures. Some held printed and hand-written posters describing ailments like HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, difficulty walking, broken bones and tumours.

An announcer trumpeted the pastor’s talents as Evelyn prayed. “Through the hands of the Woman of God, pastor Evelyn Joshua, and the Evangelists [senior church leaders who are allowed to preach], people are receiving that

By the time the newly constituted Emmanuel TV YouTube Channel started streaming, SCOAN had stiff competition among audiences looking for evangelical prayer and healing. Televangelism remains big business in Nigeria and beyond – but SCOAN could no longer corner the market on TB Joshua content.

Many of Joshua’s disciples have been building ministries that trade on his public image, making similar claims that they could perform miracles. None, however, has replicated his legacy in scale and structure as thoroughly as John Chi – a Cameroonian national who broke away from Joshua in 2013.

Both the physical exterior and interior of his Ark of God’s Covenant Ministry in Buea, Cameroon, resemble the mother church in Lagos. So do Chi’s sermons and live-streamed services.

Like SCOAN, Chi’s ministry has incorporated multiple British entities with Companies House, the UK government’s official company register.

One of these, the Ark of God’s Covenant Ministry, established a London branch in September 2022. Led by Caster Mpangi, the church broadcasts its Sunday services live on Facebook from a community centre in Forest Gate. About 50 people turned up to a recent service attended by openDemocracy, where a queue for “deliverance” through prayer lasted over an hour with multiple women undergoing lengthy exorcisms.

One of those members, Lungile Nyavi (also known as Geraldine), and her husband Samuel Nyavi, who is a registered doctor in the UK, regularly make claims of having been healed at the church from problems as wide-ranging as eating disorders, chest pain, knee issues, compulsive nail biting, fertility problems and sexual dysfunction, claiming all were caused by demons.

Lungile Nyavi’s LinkedIn profile lists her as a cognitive behavioural therapist treating in-patients at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. The trust confirmed it was looking into the allegations but declined to comment further.

In one video, she advised people struggling with eating disorders to, “seek the face of God” and said people struggling with addictions should pray. The Nyavis had not responded to openDemocracy’s requests for comment as this story went into production.

Chi has also developed upon his former mentor’s global media model. Ark of God TV has a satellite channel, a YouTube presence with close to 50 million views, and Apple, Android and Roku apps from which his followers in Europe, North America and the rest of Africa can receive his spiritual messages and witness his purported miracles in real time.

Chi’s YouTube channel spreads misinformation and disinformation about illnesses like cancer, liver and kidney disease, as well as claims that Chi has resurrected dead foetuses. Ark of God TV also amplifies conspiracy theories about the Illuminati, “human lizards” and snakes, and mermaids. One video is titled: “If You Don’t Believe There is a Demon Behind HIV/AIDs, Watch This!!!”

In multiple interviews in his own Ark of God broadcasts and on his church websites, Chi credits his success as a global megachurch leader to TB Joshua. “If not for my mentor prophet TB Joshua, I would not be what I am today,” he told openDemocracy, “Without prophet TB Joshua, you would not have heard about apostle John Chi.” Chi, it appears, has not spoken publicly about the multiple allegations of sexual abuse by his mentor against former SCOAN members. In 2016, after Chi had set up his own church, three former SCOAN disciples met with Chi and his wife in Cape Town and told them about abuse they had suffered, including explicit details of sexual assault by Joshua.

One of these former disciples who met with Chi told openDemocracy that – although Chi acknowledged their abuse and Joshua’s predatory behaviour – he told them he would continue to honour Joshua publicly. This was confirmed by a witness present during the whole of the 2016 discussion with Chi. Chi did not respond to openDemocracy’s requests for comment. At his Buea church compound in November, Chi’s affiliation with Joshua was part of the attraction for hundreds of men and women who queued in the pre-dawn darkness for a chance to see the self-styled prophet in person.

The lights of passing cars revealed people in wheelchairs, or the infirm with wrapped bandages carried in the arms of family members, each hoping for a miracle cure during what would be a 12-hour Sunday service. Inside the church compound, Chi’s disciples had vials of holy water for sale. The “Living Water”, as they called it, sold for 20,000 West African CFA francs (just over £26), which is the equivalent of half a month’s rent in Buea.

Some followers of John Chi say it’s better to spend their funds on the so-called holy water blessed by their pastor, than on medical care at local hospitals.

Select believers, meanwhile, were chosen to have miracles performed live on the prayer stage and beamed to Chi’s global audience. A man introduced as Jean Paul testified that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that doctors had recommended immediate surgery, but that he instead went to the Ark of God Covenant Ministries.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

PERSONAL FINANCE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

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Investors’ Guide to Exporting from Nigeria (II) Omolabake Fasogbon

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romoting non-oil export remains the surest way to diversify the Nigerian economy so as to overcome the shocks associated with crude oil.

However, operators in the business must ensure that they guard against risks to ensure the continuous existence of the business.

To guard against risks, the Chairman of Multimix Group, Dr. Obiora Madu particularly stressed that a potential would-be investor must be familiar with the sector.

“By this, they can be able to overcome any shocking situations that may come around”, he said.

According to him, while the challenges RI ÀQDQFH DQG PDUNHW DUH TXLWH YLVLEOH they may just be a tip of the iceberg where there are other grave constraints within the export chain.

“Therefore a potential investor must be ready to face and overcome other headwinds, including longer receivable time, distance, information gap as well as skills and technicalities challenges,” he said.

On movement of goods, the expert said this is less a challenge as far as goods are going outside the country.

Albeit, Madu said that logistics accounts for why Nigeria’s exports are not competitive.

He maintained that knowledge of the business remained sacrosanct.

“At this stage, an exporter does less other than to hire the service of a freight forwarder who will book a space in the ship if the goods are bulky. Light and perishable are lifted by air but of course, lifting goods by air is more expensive.

“Ninety per cent of world cargoes are moved by sea,” he added.

But beyond products, Madu revealed that there are untapped treasures in service export, which to him, is the way to go to improve non-oil export in the country.

By service, it includes areas as transSRUW WRXULVP ÀQDQFLDO DQG LQVXUDQFH services, amongst others.

“Unfortunately, this area is not being targeted in the country,” he lamented.

According to data and business intelligence platform, Statista, Nigeria’s value of service exports as of 2021 totaled to around $3.62 billion.

Continuing, he enlightened, “That HͿRUWV DQG KDVVOHV \RX SXW LQ SURGXFWV is limited in service export because this time around, you are selling your brain which is the capability and capacity. In

service, you do not need capital, inventory and all that.”

He enlightened that the popular impression about export is around products or commodities, adding that the opportunities are massive but constrained by unwillingness in the system.

He said, “An investor can look to export process, services, manufactured items, apparel, arts and craft and even cars like Innoson is doing in West African countries at the moment.

“We also have transports that are traversing the entire continents, WKHUH DUH ÀQDQFLDO LQVWLWXWLRQV RXWsourcing companies and educational institutions across Africa.

“It is that simple that you may not even own a company since you are only selling intellectual property. It’s about having a service that can sell internationally”.

He disclosed further that existing African trade agreements even tend to favour service than products export. ´)RU LQVWDQFH WR EHQHÀW IURP African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), one must have a service to render. In other words, there must be a value addition to any products being exported.

“While you may not be able to export some products to some countries, your service will sell you to any country of choice.

Product like raw cocoa cannot be exported to Ghana or cotedI’voire, but your service can have you LQ µ KH FODULÀHG “Service is where we should be now. I see more future in AFCTA on services for Nigeria,” Madu asserted. +H LGHQWLÀHG RWKHU SUH H[LVWLQJ trade agreements that can be harnessed by an exporter as the European Union- West Africa Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was signed into law by former United States President, Bill Clinton. This provides preferential duty-free access to U.S. markets for nearly 6,400 product lines from sub-Saharan Africa.

The operator further lent his voice to the argument around creation of export ministry in the country.

“This may not be necessary. All we need is to be deliberate and intentional about service export.

7KLV LV YHU\ NH\ WR GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQµ he submitted.

communication technology company, the 21st Century Technologies has keyed into United States of America’s vision to propel digital transformation and foster digital ecosystem in Nigeria.

The vision received a boost recently as the US unveiled a tech and creative space ‘ America Corner’ in 21st Century’s corporate headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.

By this stride, 21st Century becomes one of the 245 centers where the US has established American Corners since 2000.

The center was commissioned by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who was joined

by CEO of 21st Century Technologies, Wale Ajisebutu.

Blinken disclosed that America Corner which now has presence in approximately 60 countries was poised to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity amongst youths.

He explained that US partnership with 21st century was deliberate and aligns with the country’s objective to advance technology and creativity among Nigerian youths.

VW &HQWXU\ LV UHSXWHG WR EH ÀUVW LQ 1LJHULD to have deployed Fibre optics network in 1997 and also pioneered Nigeria’s data centre infrastructure, which has been shaping the country’s digital landscape.

Blinken said, “Back in November of 2021, I had an opportunity to come to Nigeria and to talk about building a 21st century partnership, a 21st century partnership with Africa countries,

United State’s Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Chief Executive Officer of 21st Century Technologies, Wale Ajisebutu at the launch of ‘ America Corner’ in 21st Century’s corporate headquarters ,Lekki, Lagos.... recently

and to move from those questions about what ZH FDQ GR IRU $IULFD WR D GLͿHUHQW TXHVWLRQ what can we do with Africa.

“I see this playing out in so many places now as we work together to meet shared challenges WKDW QR VLQJOH RQH RI XV FDQ HͿHFWLYHO\ PHHW alone, and the bottom line, to actually deliver results to our people.”

Experts Task Researchers on Economic Growth

E

xperts have challenged academic researchers to wake up to economic challenges in the country.

They stressed that expectations were high of them to resolve anomalies around the economy.

6SHFLÀFDOO\ WKH H[SHUWV ZDQW researchers to break new ground in research by exploring gaps and unresolved questions in the social system.

Speaking at the second edition of Research Seminar, organised by OGE Research Initiative, President of the initiative, Prof. Godwin

Oyedokun, maintained that research was crucial in policy formulation to enable growth across the board.

The economist stated further that for research to meet social demands, it must be done right, starting with the title.

“The importance of a well-crafted research title cannot be overstated. Research title should be innovative and covers areas not yet explored.

“There are several macroeconomic questions begging for answers. We need to look into these areas and answer the questions via purposeful research,” he said.

Lagos, Amo Farm Empower Residents to Boost Food Security

T

he Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has announced a partnership with Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited to empower residents on poultry farming.

This was in a move to boost food security in the state and enable financial independence of Lagos residents.

This was even as the number of Nigerians affected by food insecurity recently increased by 133 percent as reported in 2023 State of Global Food and Nutrition Society.

The collaboration would see to the empowerment

of no fewer than 50 residents selected from the Lagos State Social Registry.

The beneficiaries who would be empowered with 1,000 Noiler birds would also receive a start-up pack consisting of 20 five-week-old Noiler birds, 25kg of Amo Byng Grower Pellet, and a pack of Divertamin, a nutrient blend for optimal bird growth and production.

At a micro-enterprise support ceremony organised by the ministry, Amo Farm’s National Sales Coordinator for Noiler, Olayinka Akorede explained that Noiler, being an innovation of Amo Farm aimed to boost personal income and caters to nutritional needs of children.

Blanche Aigle CEO among Top 35 Young Marketing Players

T

he Chief Executive Officer of Blanche Aigle Communication, a public relations agency, Nene Bejide, has emerged as one of the exceptional 35 marketing players who are below the age of 35 in Nigeria.

Bejide was recognised alongside 34 others at the annual BrandComm 35 under 35 Awards organised by Brand Communicator in Lagos, recently.

The award followed shortly after Bejide’s recognition as one of the 50 influential women in marketing at the Women in Marketing Com-

munication (WIMCA) Conference/Awards.

The organisers stated that the idea of the award was to reward professionals who have been upholding marketing standards in the country.

A statement by the organisers described Bejide as being young, creative, and an innovative marketing and communication professional who has contributed immensely to growth of brands in the marketing eco-system.

Responding, Bejide said, “I’m honoured by this recognition. We will continue to make an efficient impact in communications across the globe and drive brand narratives that will propel organisations to success. “

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

Social Media Bit

with

SUNDAY EHIGIATOR 07064693603

You Nigerians just like to overdo, Ghanaians tell their Nigerian colleague who just resumed and was asking they resume work earlier than they are used to

The main YouTube channel of Prophet TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations has been taken down by the video-sharing platform.

His Eminence, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has said shouting God’s name while killing people is not religion.

Onaiyekan, who spoke on Thursday, February 1, 2024, during the celebration of his 80th birthday and book presentation, said religion should be used to promote peace.

The cardinal said he was happy that people keep talking about the need for peace in Nigeria, adding that the country cannot make progress without peace.

A 48-year-old lawyer claims he is in love with his 103-year-old girlfriend, despite sceptics thinking their love wasn’t real.

Mart Soeson, from Estonia, has been in a relationship with Elfriede Riit, 103, since 2013 and the couple lived together until she was forced to move into a nursing home in 2022. Now, Soeson pleads to stay in Australia with his older girlfriend.

Ms Riit, who was also born in Estonia, is the widow of Mr. Soeson’s grandfather. She was his second wife and will celebrate her 104th birthday later in February.

: Update: Benue man marries three women on same day A Benue man, Tersugh Aondona, has married three women, Blessing, Nancy and Sulumshima, on the same day in Benue State.

The wedding held at Lante Kukwagh Comprehensive Secondary School, Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

Ivorian man apologises to his wife and kids after going viral for asking a Senegalese lady for her number during an AFCON game.

The man, identified as Anselme Santos, said: “I told her ‘give me your number’. But she didn’t want to. So I didn’t insist. I want to take this opportunity to apologise to the lady, my wife, and my children!”

: The Anambra State Government has banned the public display of caskets for fabrication and sale in the state.

This was contained in the law passed by the state House of Assembly on Thursday, February 1, to control burial and funeral activities in the state.

By this law, all mortuary attendants are to report to the Ministry of Health on any corpse that has stayed beyond one month from the date it was deposited.

Husband orders wife to quit her job after her boss asked her to stop using his account to receive her salary.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

31

AUTO WORLD

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

Looms at CFAO Mobility Open Day Unveils Cutting-Edge Crisis Oshodi Terminal as Hikes Service Solutions, Celebrates 120 Years of Innovation Lagos Charge for Luxury Bennett Oghifo

Bus Passengers

C

FAO Mobility, a pioneering name in the mobility solutions industry, recently hosted the “CFAO Mobility Open Day” in Lagos, recently.

The event lived up to LWV SURPLVH RͿHULQJ DWWHQGHHV DQ LPPHUVLYH experience in the realm of cutting-edge mobility solutions.

The Open Day featured an impressive line-up of top-tier brands, including Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Fuso, JCB, Howo, Kinlong, Techking Tyres, Yamaha, Winpart, Auto Fast, Otis, and Loxea. From brand-new cars to elevator and escalator installation and maintenance, motorcycles, RXWERDUG HQJLQHV FRUSRUDWH OHDVLQJ ÁHHW PDQDJHment solutions, spare parts, and aftermarket expertise, the event served as a comprehensive hub for all mobility needs.

Attendees were treated to insightful talks from industry and technical experts, providing valuable insights into the latest advancements in mobility solutions.

Beyond a product showcase, the Open Day served as a dynamic platform for networking, learning, and exploring the future of mobility.

The venue buzzed with excitement as SDUWLFLSDQWV H[SORUHG WKH GLYHUVH RͿHULQJV and interacted with representatives from CFAO Mobility and its partner brands.

Throughout the day, exclusive discounts, surprises, and opportunities to connect with industry experts enhanced the overall experience.

L-R: Group Treasury Manager, CFAO Nigeria, Mr. Yinka Ogunnubi; Financial Director, CFAO Mobility, Mrs Helene Paradisi; Managing Director CFAO Mobility, Mr. Patrice Porte; Chairman CFAO Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode; General Manager Suzuki by CFAO, Mrs Aissatou Diouf; Head of Sales CFAO Equipment, Mr. Idris Siyaka, during CFAO Mobility Open Day in Lagos… recently

Managing Director of CFAO Mobility, Mr. Patrice Porte, said “Today’s event is a momentous occasion for us as we bring our showrooms together in one location, providing an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the wide array of RͿHULQJV WKDW GHÀQH &)$2 0RELOLW\ µ 5HÁHFWLQJ RQ WKH FRPSDQ\·V \HDU OHJDF\ in Nigeria, he added, “CFAO Mobility celebrated D VLJQLÀFDQW PLOHVWRQH ODVW \HDU ² \HDUV RI dedicated service and contribution to Nigeria.

Today, as we stand here at the forefront of the

DXWRPRWLYH LQGXVWU\ ZH UHÁHFW RQ RXU ULFK KLVWRU\ DQG ORRN IRUZDUG WR DQ H[FLWLQJ IXWXUH ÀOOHG with innovation, customer satisfaction, and a continued commitment to nurturing local talents.”

The Open Day included insightful panel discussions on industry-related topics. Former Director of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Luqman Mamudu, presented a paper on “The Future of Mobility in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.”

Jetour Flaunts Elegant Features of New X70 Plus in Nigerian Market

J

etour has unveiled features of its new model, X70 Plus, also called Elegance in the Nigerian market.

The auto Jetour Mobility Service says in a statement that the model comes with stylish design and outstanding power.

Looking for a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that is pragmatic, stylish, and comfortable, delivering power on demand? Then the Jetour X70 Plus, newly introduced in Nigeria by Jetour Mobility Services, is what you desire. The Jetour X70 Plus has both 1.5T 6DCT and 1.6T 7DCT just like the Dashing,” it states.

It is equipped with a 20-inch aluminum wheel KXE IHDWXULQJ OLJKW ZHLJKW KLJKHU ÀUPQHVV IDVWHU heat dissipation and better aesthetics, which enhances better fuel consumption, stability and safety.

Still on the exterior features, the vertically aligned transparent LED light, as well as the VKDUN ÀQ DQWHQQD LPSURYHV VDIHW\ DQG UHGXFHV wind resistance respectively.

According to Jetour, “its impressive grill, large wheels and four LED daytime running lights perfectly complements its bold and muscular look.

Featuring a wide, captivating, 62-inch ultra-wide

Jetour new model, X70 Plus angle panoramic roof that enhances your drive with natural lighting and ventilation.”

The Jetour X70 comes with a number of other features such as a touch screen panel that controls the air conditioning system; infotainment system compatible with latest generation smart phones; digital cockpit; front and rear parking radars; and a 10.25- inch full LCD Dual smart screen.

Its rear seat can be folded for increased cargo space, and the automatic luggage door makes access to the luggage compartment easier.

The vehicle also comes with intelligent air

SXULÀFDWLRQ V\VWHP LQWXLWLYH LQIRWDLQPHQW V\VWHP advanced wireless technology, 360-degree parking system and electrical 6-directional control driver seat.

Other features include cruise control, lane departure warning system, blind spot monitoring, keyless engine start, keyless entry start, multi-functional steering wheel, anti-lock brake system, front and back air bags and tyre pressure monitoring system.

Jetour X70 Plus advanced safety and stability features also include Hill Start Assist, Traction Control, electronic stability.

Paired with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, the vehicle’s 1.6 litre turbo engine produces maximum of 197 horsepower, facilitating EHWWHU IXHO FRQVXPSWLRQ H΀FLHQF\ The suspension system has been engineered WR ZLWKVWDQG ERWK 2Q URDG DQG 2Ϳ URDG WHUUDLQ be it city drive or highway drive.

The Jetour X70 Plus, known for its charming and radiant appearance and friendly ambience, comes in a variety of colours such as red, gray, blue among others.

With an apt slogan of Drive Your Future, Jetour is a product of a well-established family, the Chery Holding Group, with more than 120 billion Yuan in total asset.

All-new Mercedes-Benz GLC Sets New Standards for Midsize Luxury SUVs in Nigeria

W

eststar Associates Limited, the Authorized General Distributor of MercedesBenz in Nigeria, has presented the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC, stating that it marks the dawn of the next era in midsize luxury SUVs. This fully redesigned model represents the second generation of the GLC, harnessing Mercedes-Benz’s legacy of comfort, refinement, and cutting-edge technology to redefine luxury in Nigeria’s automotive landscape, said a statement by Weststar.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC debuts with the GLC 300 trim, featuring a dynamic turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 258 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. What sets this model apart

is its integration of an advanced mild hybrid system, enhancing fuel economy by enabling the engine to shut off and coast under lighter loads. Anticipated future models include sport-focused AMG variants, promising even more diverse choices.

The new GLC exemplifies luxury expectations with its exceptionally smooth ride over various road surfaces. The cabin is meticulously crafted to provide a serene and quiet environment. The mild hybrid system allows the vehicle to seamlessly glide to a stop and shut off the engine when coasting, delivering an unmatched level of tranquility. While the front seats offer firm and supportive cushions, they provide comfort without extravagant flair. The GLC has made notable improvements to its on- and off-road capabilities, particularly in challenging weather conditions and on rough, unpaved roads.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC interior

There is palpable tension at the section of the Oshodi Terminal Interchange (OTI) occupied by long distance luxury bus transporters following a sharp increase in service charge from the XVXDO 1 WR 1 ZKLFK WRRN HͿHFW IURP Thursday February 1.

Following this development, the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), yesterday, sent a protest letter to the Lagos State Government through the Managing Director, Planet Project Limited that operates the terminal.

The letter is titled, “Protest against imposition of 333% exorbitant increase in access charge payable per passenger at the OTI from N600 to N2000 per passenger” They said, “We are compelled by the recent ugly development at the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) to forward this protest letter to you.

“In a meeting our Association held with your Management at the OTI Conference room on 25th January 2024, the Association’s Representatives were informed that your Management has decided to increase the Passenger Access Charge payable at the OTI from N600 to N3000 per passenger. Our members at the meeting strongly protested this unconscionable increase of nearly 500% in the access charge and that the same was too exorbitant and choking and did not have a human face.

“However, in order to show our good faith in the negotiation, our representatives proposed D FRXQWHU RͿHU RI 1 WKDW VKRXOG EH DGGHG to the already existing access charge of N600 to bring the total access charge payable per passenger “Trustees: Chief (Dr) Vincent Obianodo,MON; Chief (Dr) Chidi Anyaegbu, MFR; Mr. Frank Nneji, OON; HRH Igwe Leonard N. Ezeh Sir, G. U. Okeke MON; Chief Eugene N Ojukwu MON; at the OTI to N800. However, as both parties were still negotiating,you reluctantly informed our Representatives that your management has agreed to reduce the access charge from N3000 you had earlier proposed to N2000 per passenger. But ALBON maintained and is still maintaining that the N2000 being demanded, which is over 333% increase, is still unconscionable and capable of ruining our business completely at the OTI based on the following grounds.

“1.ALBON is maintaining that the N2000 increase in the access charge which the OTI management is proposing that should be passed on to the passengers in the form of extra cost in the existing bus fare payable at the OTI cannot in any way be transferred to the passenger in the form of an increase in bus fare because WKH $/%21 WDULͿ LV XQLIRUP WKURXJKRXW WKH country including all transport hubs in Lagos State. For example, if the ALBON bus fare is N18,000 in all its branches in Lagos State LQFOXGLQJ 27, SDVVHQJHUV DW 27, ZLOO ÀQG LW H[WUHPHO\ GL΀FXOW WR SD\ DQ DGGLWLRQDO 1 being imposed by the OTI Management às the new access charge.

“ALBON also argues that since transport fares are elastic in demand,virtually all our prospective passengers will choose to go to other zones or branches in Lagos State where WKHUH LV QR H[RUELWDQW DFFHVV FKDUJH 7KH HͿHFW is that passengers’ patronage at the OTI will be drastically reduced to a low level of about 20 or 25 passengers in a bus with 51 or 59 loading capacity.”

It was gathered at Terminal 1, where the luxury buses operate from, that the transporters are urging the Lagos State Government to rescind the upward review in view of the harsh economic realities of the day, even as the regular passengers insist they won’t pay the new charge.

Further checks at the busy inter-state terminal 1 on Thursday revealed that in reaction to the RUGHU E\ WKH ÀUP PDQDJLQJ WKH 27, 3ODQHW Projects Limited - that the collection of the new VHUYLFH FKDUJH PXVW WDNH HͿHFW IURP )HEUXDU\ 1, the transporters have not been loading their buses at the terminal since Thursday.

One of the managers disclosed that they were waiting for directives from the bus owners who ZHUH VDLG WR EH PDNLQJ HͿRUWV WR FRQYLQFH the government to shelve the plan or, at least, ensure that the increase does not go higher than N800 - a N200 increase.

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER FEBRUARY 3, 2024

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Poke-nosing’ Incorrect

EBERE WABARA

“H

E said that Nigeria posses (possesses) the right leaders, but yet to get it right despite its huge potentials (potential).”

Daily Independent Online of January 8 joins the fray this week with too many faulty lines: “Bring back our girls protest hits Rivers” This way: ‘Bring-back-our-girls protest’ hits Rivers “He said the state government is (was) delivering on affordable homes as promised.” I do not know why basic principles of reported speech should be challenging for some journalists!

“UNICAL expels 107 students over (for) certificate forgery” “The practice of ruling party wins-allcouncil (win-all-council) offices has made stakeholders to see the SIECs as irrelevant and undesired (undesirable), thus leading to calls for its (their) scrapping.” “…SSA to the acting governor of Taraba State on Media and Publicity recently speaks to (recently spoke with) journalists….”

“Librarians blame high cost of printing on incessant power outage” Education Today: incessant power outages/cuts “Polytechnics (Polytechnic) Medical Directors elect officers (officials)” “Forging Pan African (pan-Africa) integration through unified marketing education” “Dollar falls to lowest since October on lower yields” Global News: lowest level “Genetics explain (explains) why some twins are bigger than others” “Why DStv staged All Stars (all-star) show” “Lack of funding, poor management

BY

(mismanagement) and lack of vision has (have) stunted the development of….”

“OSSAA reads Riot Act to outdoor owners” Brands & Marketing: the riot act The January 30 back page of Daily Trust rounds off the long introduction: “Maybe the scales has (have) now fallen off the president (president’s) eyes….” “…to advise and not to keep poke-nosing into the affairs of the nation….” There is nothing like ‘poke-nosing’. Get it right (informal): poke your nose into something!

So, the man should be advised not to keep poking his nose into. Nobody has the right/ licence to change fixed/stock phrases, especially as borrowed users of the English language.

Usage note: both ‘singlehandedly’ and ‘singlehanded’ are correct and can interchangeably be used.

Someone should inform Classic FM 97.3 presenters, editors and newscasters that the right expressions are ‘mature people’ and ‘marching orders’—not ‘matured people’ and ‘marching order’! (Thursday, January 25 evening belt programme and Tuesday, January 30, 11.15 a.m. bulletin, respectively) Wrong: A force to reckon with Right: A force to be reckoned with The next two contributions are from Charles Okogene: “95,926 candidates to write (do/take/sit) exams” (THE NATION ON SUNDAY, January 28) “The late National Security Adviser, Andre Owoye Azazi, said that modern equipment had to be provided as a way of bringing the insecurity crisis (security crisis) to an end.”

(DAILY TRUST, January 17) Usage note: we correctly say or write insecurity or security crisis/security problem/security challenge.

Similarly, unemployment or employment problem/crisis/challenge….

Our next capture is THE NATION ON SUNDAY of January 7 which could not police its pages: “…the fallouts from the aborted visit are still reverberating in democratic circles all over the country.”

Barometer: ‘fallout’ is non-count.

“Nyanya blast: Troops arrest 8 Nigerian (Nigerien), Cameroonian suspects” The comment page of the above edition follows with just two minor drawbacks: “It tells of how we value human lives, compared to how people in more civilized climes value same (the same)….”

“More worrisome is the harsh reality that majority (a majority) of the victims were pupils….”

“Group sensitises (sensitizes, preferably) traders on (to) security” “…on discovering the business potentials (potential) in comedy….”

The next serial errors are from a full-page press release signed by (name withheld): “To review the overall conduct of the wards congresses with view to determine harmonious acceptable outcome….” Get it right: … ward congresses with a view to determining a harmonious and an acceptable outcome….

“To monitor and supervise the process and resolution of any problem that might have arise (arisen).”

“The state congress committee, therefore (another comma) wish to announce the reschedule (rescheduling) of the congresses in the state.”

Finally from the blunder-ridden press release: “By this notice, all card carrying (card-carrying) members of APC (the APC) in the state are advice (advised) to prepare for the congresses.”

SATURDAY INDEPENDENT Comment s Page of January 6 takes over the baton: “…and majority (a majority) of media

Reminiscences: My Journey to Kirikiri Prisons - 5

“T

he five of us entered, and the door was bang-shut - I was in a Black Maria! If the experience of being cupped inside the ventilated metal prison was sobering, the drive - which was less than 15 minutes - was premeditated torture. There was nothing to hold on to, except the slides of the four vents that served as peepholes or ‘windows’, and a diagonal positioning of one’s body to counterbalance the violent surges and bashing. The driver recklessly chose potholes, embankments, shallow gutters, and kerbs to ply and climb - in an attempt to beat the snarling Lagos traffic, between the GRA, Ikeja location of the courts, through Agege Motor Road, detouring at Bolade (Oshodi) and bursting onto the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway at the tail end of Oshodi main bus park. Even on the smooth Expressway, the driver would switch lanes suddenly, and frantically apply the brakes almost every 10 seconds. So, it seemed. He obviously was not expected to “off-load” his cargoes in a healthy physical condition.

Inside the small section, were lumps of wood, six inches thick and eight inches wide (about three); one of them provided my partner with a seat - he folded his long sparking white Senegalese toga in between his legs and bore down, stretching his legs wide to maintain balance.

I stood throughout, savouring the glares - the coos and hails of Lagos road-users.

Many times, I saw Danfo commuters shake their heads in pity, disdain or disgust. I really wouldn’t know. For all they cared, we might all just be armed robbers or murderers!

BLACK MARIA (2) During the hellish ride in the Black Maria, the only respite was a two-minute stop at a petrol station on Agege Motor Road. It couldn’t have been more than two minutes! Even then, the driver was in so much of a hurry. When the engine of the lorry ceased, it had to be pushed.

And with almost 25 persons on board, two or three policemen would not be adequate. But we could not be counted on to be of help. Friendly

or not, we were still suspects, and they could not hazard believing that we would not bolt from justice.

While the shake-down was on, Jonathan complained about the beastly nonchalance of the driver in a discussion with the other two fellows. And my partner donated a cold stare before shutting him off with a severe grunt, asking him who was the architect of our present predicament, and what would become of him now that his erstwhile benefactor and co-conspirator seemed to have turned his back to him? Bravely, Jonathan tried to say something, but my partner pinned him down with another barrage: asking if indeed he was told to resign and then suspended (from Fame)? Jonathan tried to correct him that he voluntarily resigned, and his letter was rejected... But my partner did not hear. He had said his mind, and shut the gates.

The very brief drama was a pleasant distraction. I silently prayed it would last the journey.

No such luck. So, I concentrated on avoiding any crippling injuries due to the insane driving.

Chief M. K. O. Abiola’s strangulated misgivings of his Black Maria experience crossed my mind.

He said it was like a special punishment before the imprisonment. I now understand.

KIRIKIRI PRISONS About 5pm, we arrived at the village-like precinct of the then Nigeria Prison Services, Kirikiri, Apapa (Lagos). First port of call was the Medium Prison, said to be home to the world’s most virulent skin diseases, and thorough-bred mosquitoes. Over-populated and immensely unhygienic. Knowledgeable suspects dread Medium.

Ikoyi Prison was said to be in custody of such a reputation, in time past; but Kirikiri Medium has since dethroned it. Really, it should be made compulsory for our judges and magistrates to spend two days of their annual vacation in the Kirikiri Medium Prison - no one will ever recommend that any soul should be remanded there. More details later on the huge inhuman number of ATMs (Awaiting Trial, Male) in the two prisons, and their appalling state.

When the lorry stopped in front of the freshly-painted gates. I said a little prayer; hoping not to join the motley being shepherded inside Medium. While this was going on, our friends and family in various cars pulled up opposite the prison, in a short staggered convoy.

Harrison and Mike sped down to the mini-market just outside the precinct’s enclave. They got bottles of Eva water, sardines (I hate that), big loaves, pairs of slippers (a bit small for me, but did I care?) and toiletries. Earlier, my wife had taken the only jewelry I could use, my wedding ring. Unusually, I was fairly well-dressed for the day, and I wanted to enter the prison with my apparel prim and proper.

On thatThursday evening, 16 September, 1999, our police escorts knocked on the huge, foreboding gates of our jailers. A small door opened within the gate, and we filed in. The first warder we met, Owolabi, railed at us - not very seriously, though. He wanted us to squat, as it was usual (we saw the okada riders being so ordered at Medium). Well, we pretended deaf and dumb. And others, more senior, took over, and told us to sit on a long bench in the prison porch.

The questions soon came. Everyone wanted to know what we stole that we were sent to Kirikiri. As usual, I grew deaf in such circumstances, allowing my partner to narrate. He could say the same thing over and over, 200 times, without fainting or floundering. And he really could cut the whole two-year struggle to 20 words, more or less. Brisk, punchy and embracing all the kernels of a good story: the beginning, middle and end.

When they were told the psychological make-up of the mastermind behind our predicament, the warders ventilated their precise opinion of him. Mostly unprintable. But what did it matter?

We were in Kirikiri, and the guy was in

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

practitioners (professionals)” We can talk of medical or legal practitioners. Journalists do not practise ‘media’ as doctors and lawyers practise medicine and law respectively!

From THE NATION ON SUNDAY Classified Page comes this recurrent foible: “Change of name is now published every Sundays….” Either every Sunday or all Sundays: this is a yellow card!

The lexical crises continue as usual: “Police arrest 20 students over (for) protest in Delta” “PDP commends non-partisan approach on (to) terrorism” “Borno records low malaria-related deaths” News extra: low malarial (adjectival) deaths, preferably THISDAY banner of January 26 lacked reason: “President shelves Adamawa trip over mood of the nation” A rewrite: President shelves Adamawa trip over nation’s mood” “He was rascally parading as a masquerade (masquerader) during Christmas.”

‘Masquerade’ is the mask/wooden or plastic symbol/effigy/facial caricature or covering while the wearer/carrier is the masquerader.

It is close to ‘dupe’ (the person tricked) while the felon (trickster) is the ‘duper’ and the heinous act is known as ‘dupery’. But, often, people use ‘dupe’ to mean everything! A senior colleague of mine insists that the entry (masquerade) is correct, but I strongly disagree!

“Below are photographs of personalities at (on) the occasion.”

THISDAY of January 29 extended the medium’s blundering profile: “…the board said the extension of Otti’s tenure is (was) in recognition and appreciation of his ….”

“Flight operations restored in (to) Kaduna”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

his bedroom.

Our money, personal effects and reading materials were taken and registered against our names. I had been aiming to read an espionage novel, Extraordinary Powers (by Joseph Finder), for weeks. I thought Kirikiri would allow me the chance to read it. But the warders disagreed. It was removed from my ‘load’. Only my big Dake’s annotated Bible and a religious booklet were allowed. Thank God for little mercies.

After few minutes waiting, the Records Officer (called GOC) arrived to take our bio-data: Age: (I inadvertently added one year to my age, my partner reminded me later in our cell. Now, don’t start thinking of Enwerem or Tinubu - and no comparison, please - for or against).

Religion: (he actually asked for and wrote down my church). When he knew I was a member of Latter Rain Assembly, he chuckled, and hailed the boldness and freshness of my Pastor’s Moment of Truth (his weekly television programme).

Hometown: he threw down his pen, in frustration, when I told him that I originated from Oyo State, but my family had established Idofian in Kwara State as our homestead). I spent a few minutes explaining to him why Kwara could not be my “state of origin”. Eventually, he elected to use Oyo - since his big book asked for ‘home town’, and not state.

Then, he took me aside to an old measuring rod. G.O.C wrote “5ft, 11 inches! I was scandalised.

All my life - at least, since over a decade ago when I found out I could not add an inch after 25 years of age - I had assured myself that I was a six-footer. I looked at the measuring rod, and declared it defective, and the result null, void, and of no effect….”

(The END - Series extracted from 2021 memoir titled “It’s A Dog’s Life: Kirikiri Prison Diary & Other Memories”)

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

3.2.2024

NEWS

AFCON TRUE FAVOURITE PAGE. 33

AFCON 2023

KENNETH OMERUO Eyeing Second AFCON Title

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

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

Kenneth Omeruo puts pressure on Cameroon’s Vincent Abubakar

Kenneth Omeruo

Eyeing Second AFCON Title He was an integral part of the Super Eagles squad that won the third Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria in 2013 and with the three-time African champions set for the semi-final against Cape Verde or South Africa, Kenneth Omeruo is already looking forward to hanging another AFCON gold medal on his neck

K

enneth Omeruo played all seven games as the Super Eagles triumphed in South Africa during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, under the mentorship of the Late Stephen Keshi.

Ahead of Super Eagles quarter final encounter against Palancas Negras yesterday, the Kasimpasa centre back urged his teammates to show their doggedness as they tackled Angola.

Omeruo, 30, was part of the team that tasted continental success in 2013 as they brought the AFCON trophy back home after a Sunday Mba strike sent shivers down the spine of the Burkina Faso team, ending their dream of glory and handing them gloom.

Eleven years later, the former Chelsea defender urged Jose Peseiro’s men to avoid history as both sides have five draws between them.

“We do not need to go into back-andforth chatter with any team. The Super Eagles are in Cote d’Ivoire for serious business. We have not played Angola for a long time but I remember we played them in 2012 in a friendly and it ended in a draw. I have also read of how previous encounters between the two countries have been quite close,” the former Leganese defender said after one of the team’s training sessions.

For Omeruo, nothing but a win will do, and he called on his teammates to channel the NAIJA spirit ahead of the

match as they want to walk the talk and go all the way in Ivory Coast.

“There is no possibility of Friday’s (yesterday) match ending in a draw; a winner must emerge. So much talk has been going on. Our collective resolve is to do the talking on the pitch. The Nigeria Spirit trumps all,” the 1.85m tall defender added.

The 2013 AFCON winner sounded a note of warning to all the remaining teams in the tournament, telling them the Super Eagles compete with the aim of nothing but glory.

“We drew our first match and many people concluded that we are not here to compete strongly for the trophy.

They have since admitted that we may be up to something after we defeated Cote d’Ivoire, and then Cameroon. We must continue to work hard, believe in ourselves and put in a solid shift each day and time we get onto the field,” he added.

Nigeria slightly edges ahead considering the history between them and Angola. The Super Eagles have won three, lost two and drawn five games against the Palancas Negras.

The 30-year-old was an integral part of the Super Eagles squad that won the AFCON 2013 tournament in South African, partnering Godfrey Oboabana at the heart of the Nigerian defence, with Vincent Enyeama in goal.

The former Chelsea defender came on

to replace Zaidu Sanusi in the final 10 minutes of the game against Cameroon and was pleased with the performance of the team as they qualified for the AFCON 2023 quarter final.

“It’s a very important victory because we knew if we didn’t win, we’d leave, but then kudos to the coach as well. We stayed in shape and followed our game plan, corrected some lapses from the last game and we were able to add another goal to the lead,” the former Leganese defender said in his post-match interview.

Peseiro’s men were then drawn against Angola in the quarter finals of the AFCON 2023 tournament and Omeruo was confident the Super Eagles can get past them.

“I don’t know much about them, but I think we have enough time to watch them and analyse their game individually. We have six days to prepare for this game and we have to do better,” he added.

Quizzed on his stance if he believes the team can replicate the success of the 2013 AFCON winning side, Omeruo said; “We’re definitely on track.”

Had the quarterfinal against Angola dragged to penalty shootout yesterday, Omeruo would certainly have been one of the Super Eagles stars to take a penalty kick.

The Kasimpasa was very successful

from the penalty spot, as the Super Eagles trained for penalties ahead of yesterday’s showdown.

Omeruo indeed lauded Jose Peseiro’s tactics in Nigeia’s win over Cameroon, just as he praised the Super Eagles’ performance as they secured a 2-0 victory against their arch-rivals in the AFCON 2023 last 16.

Two minutes after dangerman Vincent Aboubakar was introduced, Omeruo was brought on by Peseiro in the 80th minute to replace Zaidu Sanusi, to contain the pressure from the opposition.

After the game played at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Omeruo was asked if he was brought in to stop the former Al Nassr of Saudi striker, and he said: ”Yes, I was brought in to maintain the great job that the team was already doing. I’m happy we could keep a clean sheet; it was important for us.”

When asked about the changes under the management of the Portuguese, Omeruo praised the tactics, noting the perfect execution by the players while highlighting the coach’s emphasis on not conceding goals.

Omeruo added: “Kudos to him. He has worked hard to make us understand the tactics he brought into the team, and we are doing it perfectly.

He was also a last minute substitute against Angola yesterday.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

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

Moses Simon goes down to the challenge of Angolan defender yesterday

Super Eagles, Now True Favourite With initial tournament’s favourite, defending champions, Senegal, Qatar 2022 World Cup sensation, Morocco, last edition’s finalist, Egypt, all having capitulated and host country, Cote d’Ivoire struggling, Nigeria have been handed unexpected chance to end a generation of missed opportunities

T

he Super Eagles were once Africa’s greatest hope in international football but have had a lean decade since their last Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

Rewind to the mid- and late-1990s and there was just one African nation widely expected to become the big challenger to European and South American countries on the international football landscape: Nigeria.

The Super Eagles reached the last 16 in both ‘94 and ‘98 World Cups. The iconic team of Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi, later added to by Nwankwo Kanu, Taribo West and Celestine Babayaro. With a significant section of the latter squad aged 24 and under, it seemed they should only grow from strength to strength, particularly after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in ‘94 as well.

It didn’t quite happen that way. Nigeria withdrew from the following AFCON after Sani Abacha’s coup d’etat, and they were banned from the ‘98 edition as a consequence. It was 19 years until they won their next (and so far last) AFCON and more notably perhaps - it is now a full quarter of a century since France ‘98, during which time they had won matches on just two other occasions at World Cup finals.

An entire generation of supporters, of citizens and indeed of playing talent have grown up since that early promise and had to watch on as Nigeria squander chances or fall short - but perhaps this time around the stars have aligned for the modern Super Eagles to reach their potential and fly to glory in Ivory Coast.

This year’s AFCON has already seen them somewhat cruise almost unnoticed

through five matches unbeaten; while pre-tournament storylines centred around Mohamed Salah, around the hosts, around Morocco’s attempt to equal their exploits at Qatar ‘22 and around Senegal’s quest to retain their title, Nigeria have simply turned up and done largely what they needed to do.

Three group games yielded seven points: two victories by a 1-0 scoreline and a 1-1 draw. Low key, largely, no fuss, not setting the tournament alight - but not setting fire to their own hopes either, as Ghana managed to do in the groups and Senegal did likewise in the round of 16. Their own first knockout encounter was Nigeria’s most impressive outing yet; they created more chances than Cameroon, certainly a lot more high-quality ones, prevented a single shot being taken on their goal and ultimately had the cutting edge through Ademola Lookman to win 2-0.

And now it’s impossible to argue anything other than the route to success having opened up for Nigeria. They are the highest-ranked nation left in the 2023 AFCON - not always a great yardstick, but at least indicative - while none of the eight quarter-finalist countries from two years ago in Cameroon have made it that far this time around. Nor are there any of Africa’s five representatives from the men’s World Cup a little over 13 months ago left in the tournament.

Not that it was that easy: they face and defeated Angola and next could get Cape Verde in the semis, both of whom matched Nigeria’s record in the group stage. South Africa are the alternative to the latter, and they’ve already seen off the much-fancied Morocco. And looking ahead to a potential final? It could now easily be the hosts Ivory Coast, who the Super Eagles have already beaten in the group stage.

Ademola Lookman celebrates his goal against Angola yesterday

Nor is it typically easy to point to star names for the Super Eagles and say that’s where wins should come from: Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Moses Simon should present a formidable attacking line but it’s three clean sheets in a row which have instead see them progress this far. Angola have also been relatively free-scoring during the tournament, but Nigeria have the lowest xG conceded: just 1.6 for the entire tournament so far.

Nigeria kept clean sheets against Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon and Angola.

Solidity, then, will doubtless remain their first port of call - but if the heat of battle makes them resort to an effective shootout of attacking talent, the Super Eagles have to again be highly fancied. They’ve created 16 big chances at the AFCON, more than anyone else, but they’ve also missed 12 of them - again the highest in the category.

Osimhen, an elite striker with Napoli for the past few seasons, has been the biggest culprit. But given his track record and his strike record of 21 goals in 32 caps thus far, there’s again reason to suspect he’ll revert to

the mean if chances keep coming his way.

Of the teams left fighting it out, Nigeria have the history, the recent form and the best No.9 striker. International success has been a long time returning for those in the famous green; now it’s up to them to seize this unexpected chance and start writing new reasons, new chapters, of valid hope for the future. With yesterday’s quarterfinal victory over Angola at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Nigeria now awaits the winner between Cape Verde and South Africa today.

All the remaining matches of the AFCON 2023 will air on Sports Premium channel 232 or 246, on StarTimes, as well as on StarTimes ON app.

TODAY’S FIXTURES Mali vs Ivory Coast 6pm Cape Verde vs South Africa 8pm RESULTS

Nigeria 1-0 Angola DR Congo 3-1 Guinea

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

36

GLOBAL SOCCER

Arsenal, Liverpool Stake Title Credentials at Emirates

All eyes will be on the Emirates for what promises to be an exhilarating Premier League contest tomorrow afternoon, as third-placed Arsenal take on leaders Liverpool for the third time in the space of two months of Everton’s last three Premier League matches have seen the Toffees fail to find the back of the net as the hosts revert to their previous toothless ways, but in contrast, Tottenham’s club-record scoring streak in the top flight remains alive and well. Football, darts and UFC were the trifecta of sports linked with Spurs’ enthralling 3-2 win over capital counterparts Brentford on Wednesday evening, where Destiny Udogie, Richarlison and Brennan Johnson rendered Neal Maupay and Ivan Toney’s strikes inconsequential at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Everton v Tottenham 12:30 Brighton v Crystal Palace 15:00 Burnley v Fulham 15:00 Newcastle v Luton Town 15:00 Sheffield Utd v Aston Villa 17:30 SUNDAY

Bournemouth v Nott’m Forest 14:00 Chelsea v Wolves 14:00 Man Utd v West Ham 14:00 Arsenal v Liverpool 16:30 Monday Brentford v Man City 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Liverpool’s forward, Mo Salah tries to go pass Arsenal wing back. Takehiro Tomiyasu

B

oth outfits enhanced their title credentials in midweek, as the Gunners emerged victorious 2-1 in a sticky affair with Nottingham Forest, while Jurgen Klopp’s merciless crop demolished Chelsea 4-1.

An unwanted reversion to their old attacking ways briefly bedevilled Arsenal during Tuesday’s clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, a stadium where they had fallen to defeat in each of their previous three visits, as Mikel Arteta’s men endured over an hour of frustration against a compact Reds rearguard.

However, Forest’s diligent defensive work was ultimately undone by a pair of blunders, as erstwhile Gunners goalkeeper, Matt Turner, allowed a Gabriel Jesus strike to squirm through his legs at his near post, before World Cup winner Gonzalo Montiel cheaply gave the ball away and was powerless to prevent Bukayo Saka clinically finishing off the counter-attack.

The bulldozing Taiwo Awoniyi did set up a nail-biting finale, but the yellow-clad Arsenal clung on to record their second

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

successive Premier League win since a much-needed winter break, having obliterated Crystal Palace 5-0 upon their return from the Dubai sun.

Arsenal’s curse-lifting victory briefly propelled the Gunners into the silver medal position in the table, but they have since been bumped back down to third spot by Manchester City - who are only ahead on goal difference but boast a game in hand, while Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa remain on the coat-tails of last year’s runners-up too.

Boasting six wins from their last seven top-flight contests at the Emirates Stadium - the one aberration being a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United - vengeance will be the special dish on the North London menu this weekend, as Arteta’s men seek to right the wrongs of an identical FA Cup loss to their Merseyside foes.

Hitting the road for the first time since Jurgen Klopp’s extraordinary exit announcement, Liverpool have commenced their legendary manager’s farewell parade with a customary glut of Anfield goals, putting five past Norwich City in the FA Cup before outclassing, outfighting and outwitting Chelsea on Wednesday night.

An electrifying display from Conor Bradley saw the fledgling right-back bank his first senior goal for the Reds while also providing assists for Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota, becoming the youngest Liverpool player in five years to set up multiple goals in one Premier League match, while Luis Diaz also got in on the Anfield act.

Christopher Nkunku’s crisp finish did present a lifeline for Chelsea, who had a right to feel hard done by after seeing two strong penalty shots waved away, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men were firmly second best throughout the contest and should have travelled home with an even worse goal difference, had Darwin Nunez not hit the woodwork an unprecedented four times.

The Uruguayan’s unwanted record mattered little in the grand scheme of things, and Liverpool, who are without defeat in 11 games in all tournaments will hold an eight-point lead over Arsenal should they

come up trumps at the Emirates, where they could put the biggest dent in the Gunners’ title aspirations yet.

Klopp masterminded a smash-and-grab 2-0 FA Cup win on Arsenal’s turf only a few weeks ago, a contest where Arteta’s men were left to rue an abundance of missed chances but by leaving Anfield with a point in a 1-1 December draw, the Gunners made it three Premier League games unbeaten against the Reds ahead of tomorrow’s landmark 200th league meeting.

Earlier today, an Everton side who have dropped below a dreaded dotted line host a Tottenham Hotspur side who have climbed above a desired dotted line in today’s early Premier League kickoff at Goodison Park.

The Toffees are back in the drop zone owing to a goalless draw with Fulham in midweek, while the Lilywhites came from behind to overcome Brentford 3-2 in a tetchy London derby. Sean Dyche’s travellers had more than one motivation to put Fulham to the sword at Craven Cottage on Tuesday evening, having seen their EFL Cup dreams crash and burn at the hands of Marco Silva’s men in December, but both teams had evidently left their best shooting boots in the dressing room. A total of 46 shots were fired in West London - 21 of which came from an Everton side who only enjoyed 31 per cent of the ball, but the referee’s whistle would blow without the net rippling once, thanks in no small part to Jordan Pickford’s heroics and a horror miss from Beto at the other end of the pitch.

Taking a point home from a ground where Arsenal failed to one month beforehand was no mean feat for Everton, but on account of Luton Town’s phenomenal 4-0 beatdown of Brighton & Hove Albion, the Toffees now find themselves down in 18th spot ahead of today’s lunchtime battle. The points deduction bounce has now firmly worn off for Dyche’s goal-shy crop, who now have just one win to show from their last nine affairs in all tournaments - a 1-0 FA Cup beating of Crystal Palace and the stalemate with Fulham marked their fifth top-flight game on the bounce without a maximum points haul. Furthermore, each

Valencia v Almería 13:00 Granada v Las Palmas 15:15 Alavés v Barcelona 17:30 Girona v Sociedad 20:00 SUNDAY

Villarreal v Cádiz 13:00 Osasuna v Celta Vigo 15:15 Betis v Getafe 17:30 Madrid v Atlético 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

GOALS

Erling Haaland Man City 14 Mohamed Salah Liverpool 14 Dominic Solanke Bournemouth 13 Son Heung-min Tottenham 12 Jarrod Bowen W/Ham 11 Alexander Isak Newcastle 10 Hwang Hee-chan Wolves 10 Ollie Watkins Aston Villa 10 Cole Palmer Chelsea 9

Premier League Table TEAM

P

GD

Liverpool Man City Arsenal Tottenham Aston Villa West Ham Man United Newcastle Utd Brighton Chelsea Wolves Bournemouth Fulham Crystal Palace Brentford Nott;m Forest Luton Town Everton * Burnley Sheffield United

22 21 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 22 22 21 22 21 22 22 22

19 24 21 33 30 33 32 33 37 35 35 40 36 36 36 40 38 28 45 54

PTS

32 27 23 14 14 3 -4 11 1 1 -2 -11 -8 -11 -5 -13 -10 -4 -23 -35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾FEBRUARY 3, 2024

37

GLOBAL SOCCER

Razzl, the official soft drink sponsor of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, has offered an opportunity for both trade partners and consumers to savour the excitement live in Ivory Coast

Nigeria Sambo team ready to take the All African Games by storm

DR Congo Beat Guinea 3-1 to Razzl Delights Trade Partners, Book AFCON 2023 Semi Ticket Consumers with AFCON 2023 Trip DR Congo came from behind to beat Guinea 3-1 and book a semi-final spot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mohamed Bayo put Guinea ahead with a 20th-minute penalty after the forward was fouled by Chancel Mbemba, who then fired in from a narrow angle at the other end to equalise seven minutes later.

DR Congo had a penalty of

their own in the second half when Julian Jeanvier clipped the legs of Silas and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa converted to give the Leopards the lead with 25 minutes left.

The West Africans had little in response after going behind and the result was sealed when Arthur Masuaku’s free-kick from wide on the left caught out Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone at his near post.

DR Congo had drawn all four of their previous games in Ivory Coast, beating Egypt on penalties in the last 16, and now prepare for a first semi-final outing since the Central Africans finished third in 2015.

Sebastien Desabre’s side will face the winners of today’s quarter-final between Mali and hosts Ivory Coast in the last four on Wednesday.

Increase in Prize Money Key to 2023 AFCON Gap Narrowing, Says Caf An increase in prize money has contributed to the success of lower ranked teams at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, according to the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Patrice Motsepe was speaking ahead of the quarter-finals, which got under way in Ivory Coast on Friday.

A number of pre-tournament favourites suffered early exits including holders Senegal, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco and former winners Egypt and Algeria.

On the eve of the Nations Cup, CAF announced that the overall winners will pick up $7m (£5.5m) in prize money - a 40% increase on the last Afcon.

“Many of the players [at Afcon] don’t earn the same money, and I have learned over the last 20 years, if you increase the money that

goes into the pockets of the players, and tell them ‘We have increased the prize money’ it inspires them immensely,” Motsepe told BBC Sport Africa.

“There’s also more money going to academies into football development and some of the results of the investments we can see now but we will see many in future. So the future looks bright.”

A number of so called “smaller” nations produced shock results in Ivory Coast including Namibia who beat Tunisia, Mozambique whose comeback draw led to Ghana’s departure and Equatorial Guinea who stunned the hosts 4-0 in the group phase.

Of the eight quarter-finalists, only four have won the Africa Cup of Nations before, with this tournament producing 105 goals from the 44 games - an Afcon record.

Hammed Craving to Change the Face of Sambo in Nigeria Vice President of Sambo Association of Nigeria (SAN) Sheriff Hammed believes the country’s participation at the African Games in Ghana would help to raise awareness about the sport. He spoke on the essence of the sport, as well as other benefits of the sport to Nigerian athletes For Sheriff Hammed, after Nigeria must have participated at the African Games in Ghana, the sport of Sambo would not remain the same in the country.

Sambo is similar in many ways to judo and jujutsu but also incorporates different types of wrestling and various self-defense systems. The most interesting thing about sambo is that it’s a combination of all the martial arts.

“We intend to organise different seminars and training programmes and work with the School Sports Federation in other to develop and promote the sports in Nigeria. And we are hoping to have the first sambo demonstration at the next National Youth Games in Ogun later this year.

On how Nigerians will get involved with the sport, he said, “Myself and my co pioneer, Mrs Loveth Howell and the president have got our plans in place. We hope to organise seminars and training programmes across the country and possibly have the first sambo demonstration at the next National Sport festival

in Ogun State later this year and introduce Sambo to all schools in Nigeria, working and meeting the School Sports Federation in order to develop Sambo here in Nigeria.

As we speak we have athletes in all states of the federation.

“We want to be the best in the world and definitely we want to be at the Olympics and most importantly to use sambo to do things differently in sporting development and sport administration and marketing mostly in combating sport as we need to start doing things differently here in Nigeria. We intend to engage a lot of our youth to impact the society and solve most of our societal problems in Nigeria.

According to him, Sambo is a martial art and combat sport developed and used by the Soviet Red Army in the early 1920s to improve their hand-to-hand combat abilities.

“Nigeria has been involved in sambo sport for a while now but mainly in the United Kingdom with some of our UK based athletes and we think it’s high time it’s introduced here in Nigeria.

Razzl, the proud official soft drink sponsor of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has offered an opportunity for both trade partners and consumers to savour the excitement of AFCON 2023 live in Ivory Coast. This exclusive offering follows the earlier extension of similar opportunities to the first batch of select fans, trade partners, and media partners during the opening stages of the tournament.

In an exciting turn of events, select consumers were chosen through a mystery shopping initiative, injecting an element of surprise and anticipation into the participant selection process.

Razzl elevated the AFCON 2023 experience by providing its select trade partners and consumers with exclusive access to one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament – Nigeria vs. Cameroon. The match unfolded at the iconic Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to witness the intensity of the game up close and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The memorable journey to AFCON 2023 also unfolded across three remarkable locations, each offering a unique facet of Ivory Coast’s charm. It

commenced at the prestigious Sofitel Abidjan Hotel, where luxury and cultural events seamlessly intertwine. Razzl’s trade partners and consumers reveled in the opulence and vibrant atmosphere that set the tone for an extraordinary adventure.

Participants embarked on a thrilling speed boat ride to Rosa Beach, an idyllic coastal retreat.

The sound of the waves and the exquisite beachfront lunch created a moment of sheer bliss.

The activities reached its cultural zenith at the African market, a bustling hub where partners immersed themselves in Ivory Coast’s rich heritage.

W’African Basketball Classic Unveils Regional Tournament The West African Basketball Classic (WABC), which is spearheaded by an independent group from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo has been unveiled in Lagos to organise competitive basketball action across the region.

Speaking about its inaugural edition, the WABC President, Olumide Oyedeji, said teams have been selected to partake in this groundbreaking project, marking the formation of the WABC. The clubs include Gidi Gi-

ants and Kwara Falcons from Nigeria, ASPAC and ELAN Coton from Benin Republic, Customs from Ghana and Swallows from Togo.

He said WABC is committed to advancing club basketball in the region under the FIBA Africa Zone 3 umbrella.

The initial phase will hold in Togo from February 24 to March 2 while the second phase will happen in Benin Republic in April.

The highly anticipated Final

Four is slated from June 8 to June 12 in Ghana, leading up to the grand finale set to unfold in Abuja.

The competition format will feature round-robin games during the group stages, intensifying the thrill and competition among the participating teams.

Notably, a championship trophy and medals await the top-performing team, first runnerup, and second runner-up as the winner will embark on a playing tour of China sponsored

by PEAK.

Schools Jostle for Podiums Finish at Nigeria sambo is not Season 5 of Dolphin Swimming League

operating in isolation as it is affiliated with several international bodies and federations.

The federation is affiliated to the British Sambo Federation, Africa Sambo Confederation and sports world governing body-Fédération Internationale de Sambo.

With Nigeria competing at the Africa Game, Sheriff said the athletes are ready to don the country’s colours.

“Nigeria will be at the games with the best sambo fighters we discovered and had been naturing in the country and I can assure you they are always ready to go out there to make the country proud as we have been training them for the past few months now for the games since we got invited by the African Confederation through our affiliation and this All-Africa games won’t be an exception. The athletes who will be flying the colours for Nigeria are Kajido Jonah 79kg, Chegwan timkat James 58kg, Fatima Ogbonyomi 65kg and Charity Jatau 59kg.”

The second leg of the season five of Dolphin Swimming League takes place today, at Grange School, Ikeja, Lagos.

Host - Grange School will slug it out with St Saviour’s School, Atlantic Hall, Greensprings School, Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School, Meadow Hall School, Lagoon/Whitesands Schools, Children International School, Italian Priory and Boken Aquatics.

According to the coordinator

of the league, Oluseyi Oyebode, the tournament continues to attract teams and clubs as it enters a crucial stage where teams are aiming for points.

“We are excited that the tournament continues to grow with each leg and what has been encouraging for us has been the massive support from parents and guardians who have been supportive since the inception of the league. We hope and believe new stars will emerge and more teams will continue to

showcase their skills. We must also commend the efforts of the coaches who have been very supportive in ensuring we have a successful league this season even as they all look forward to the grand finale in May,” he said.

The battle for supremacy in the secondary and elementary divisions has been between Grange and St Saviour’s who have both been dominating the divisions, but other schools are working tirelessly to upstage the two schools.

AFCON 2023: StarTimes Promises More Exciting Time for Viewers With two of the quarterfinal matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations down yesterday, with Nigeria and DR Congo booking their places in the semifinal in the biennial competition after scintillating matches against Angola and Guinea.

The PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Lazarus Ibeabuchi, said officials of StarTimes are pleased with the response from football fans and viewers promising

that more exciting times await them as the tournament progresses.

“The feedback we’ve gotten from football fans since beginning of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations have been very encouraging and more scintillating matches await them ahead of today’s two quarter final matches, semifinal games, third place and indeed the final matches,” Ibeabuchi said.

StarTimes is the home of

AFCON 2023 matches in Nigeria, ensuring that fans across the country can watch all the action live and in high definition. With expert commentary and match analysis, StarTimes provides a comprehensive and immersive viewing experience for football fans.

The excitement of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 continues as StarTimes brings live coverage of the highly anticipated quarterfinal matches live and in HD.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R •SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024

BACKPAGE CONTINUATION OGBENI OJA KUKU: GENIUS•ICON•MAGNATE•MENTOR to an already impressive collection of medical degrees. With such CV at an early age, Dr. Sonny Kuku would attain any position possible within the government health system. Therefore, a career path in this direction was perfectly in keeping with conventional logic. But not one who seek comfort in convention, Dr. Kuku, without wealth or benefaction, without sponsorship, traded the security of a certain career path for the uncertainty of private practice. With two other colleagues, an apartment and a bank loan, he took the plunge to establish the hospital.

Today, the hospital is one of the top, most successful private health facilities in the country. Olorogun would tell you that “the vision was more important than the material gains”. No doubt the vision has produced value beyond any gain that can be measured. Today, the facility serves as a top destination, not only for therapeutic medicine, but for medical research and training which are the foundations of advancement in medical science.

But as significant as this achievement is, Dr. Sonny Kuku’s other accomplishments make even the EKO Hospital one sound like only a footnote among the rich array of qualifications and attainments in the course of his career and business. In the field of medical science, Dr. Sonny Kuku’s credentials read more like an aggregation of professional qualifications of several people than that of a single individual acquired

in one lifetime. For starters, Dr. Sonny Kuku holds several degrees including a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Master of Science in Pathology, Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy. His remarkable feats in the field of endocrinology have undoubtedly propelled him to the prestigious fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Science and a senior fellow of the National Postgraduate College of Nigeria of which he also holds a trusteeship. He is the president of the Nigerian NDC Alliance, the national arm of the Global Non-communicable Disease Alliance.

And of course, the recognition of Dr. Sonny Kuku’s accomplishments deservedly extend beyond the shores of Nigeria and even the continent. He was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, the first black Master of the American College of Physicians, and the first African honorary fellow of the Colleges of Physicians of South Africa and Glasgow.

Olorogun Dr. Sonny Kuku is simply a colossus in size and accomplishment.

At Kings College, Sonny as he was popularly called, was clearly at the top of his class. Outside the institution, he became a mentor to younger ones who came after him. One would say Dr. Kuku is a quintessential Kingsman. In fact if one were to look in the dictionary for the meaning of the word “kingsman”, the picture of Sonny Kuku would immediately pop up.

In the institutions he attended, his preeminence followed him beyond the walls of those institutions. It is certainly not by chance that he became the president of Kings College Old Boys Association and also the president of the University of Lagos alumni association.

Beyond his academic and professional achievements, and as a testament to his versatility in industry, Olorogun Sonny Kuku has played and still plays a prominent role in the Nigerian banking sector, having sat as director of Midas Merchant Bank and chairman of Eco Bank.

Like a golden fish with no hiding place, Dr. Sonny Kuku has consistently been singled out for leadership among his peers in practically every sector in which he has participated. He was chairman of committee of university pro chancellors, chairman of committee of chairmen of university teaching hospitals and chairman of bank directors.

Olorogun Dr. Sonny Kuku’s appointment as Ogbeni Oja is by no means the first recognition of his accomplishments by the traditional or political establishment.

He was Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council University of Benin, Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, Olabisi Onabanjo University and also received the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Indeed, Dr. Kuku’s odyssey through life is epic, his academic prowess is legendary, and his interdisciplinary accomplishments

awe-inspiring. Kuku is simply of the stuff from which successes are made.

There is no doubt then that Dr. Sonny Kuku has done very well. He has also done a lot of good. For two decades the Sonny Kuku Foundation has devoted resources and expertise to tackling the scourge of diabetes and sickle cell in Nigeria. As one who has invested over half a century of his life and work in the field of medicine, there is no doubt that his compassion and devotion to the cause would have been borne out of his deep knowledge and awareness of the burden that sickle cell and diabetes have brought upon millions who suffer from these afflictions.

As the new Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olorogun Dr. Sonny Kuku becomes only the third person in history to hold the title, which also makes him a kingmaker in Ijebu Kingdom.

Having previously held the hereditary title Olor’ogun of Ijebu Ode, Dr. Sonny Kuku can rightly be described as one who attained royalty both by blood and sweat. He became Olor’ogun by birth, now he has attained the prestigious title of Ogbeni Oja by industry and hard work.

Having attained the very distinguished age of 80 on January 3, there can be no more fitting birthday present.

•Dr. Kasim Ibrahim-Imam (OFR, CON) is a former president of the Kings College Old Boys Association

EFCC’S WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY INITIATIVE values. Take for instance, a man who decides to steal a billion Naira. It is not just the lack of money that would make him do that, no! It is his rejection of the value of honest warehousing of the common good and rejection of the virtues of responsible leadership, in favour of selfish accumulation of what he is not entitled to.

The presence of a car alone, as well as the desire for it, for instance, won’t make someone kill another in order to take the car from him. To do such a thing, you need (1) The presence of a car, (2) The desire for it, (3) Disregard for the sacredness of human life, (4) Rejection of the commandments of God, (5) Rejection of the communal norm, which says that you cannot take what does not belong to you without the consent of the owner, etc.

If your values do not approve an action, you won’t do it. Once you do it, we can see your true core values, no matter what you profess in public. Thus, any change in a person’s notions of right and wrong will also reflect as changes in his actions, choices and what he considers attractive and commendable.

So, how do societal values get to become entrenched? They are inculcated and spread from the family and through schools, traditional institutions, institutions of state and religious organizations. It will always take all of society, involving institutions and individuals, for any lasting and sustainable change to occur in the domain of values.

I refer to the aforementioned as the Custodians of Value. If you take away these Custodians, namely, the family, schools, teachers, traditional rulers, institutions of State, religion and religious leaders there will be no shared norms. Also, if these Custodians are not well primed to deliver on their mandates, they become the Patron Saints of distortion of values, moral decay and the death of the future.

What emerged in the course of last week’s programme was the fact that the EFCC set out very deliberately to “involve multiple stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes”. It was an attempt to put forward new paradigms through a “Whole of Society Approach” to social engineering. And this attempt to widen the network, and net worth, of custodians, is obviously designed to build synergy around the foundational principles of social stability.

Equally commendable is the focus on the youths, with particular attention to their involvement in cybercrime. This segment of our population represents the future of

EFCC chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede

this nation. If our youths are allowed to walk into the future with the wrong set of values, then the tomorrow, of which they are said to be leaders, is already in jeopardy. Our youths must be properly groomed on the right value, for them to become that right Replacement Generation for the Nigeria of our dreams.

Religion espouses lasting values, which ought to form the human character and personality for the better. The EFCC used the event to draw our attention to the formative impact of those values espoused by the various religions as a tool for youth reorientation. And the reason is simple: (1) Values drive, and determine, the quality of life in any society, (2) Values form the hidden pillar guiding the disposition of

citizens and the orientation of the youths in any nation, (3) The youths, in particular, are like receptacles into which the society ours its core norms; through conscious and unconscious mentoring, (4) This makes them the most vulnerable demographic group in any society, especially when we think of how easily they can be being damaged by the wrong values and the wrong role models.

Once the wrong values are promoted and condoned, the wrong actions will become the norm. And the immediate casualties and inheritors of what is thus distorted would be the youths. What they then end up propagating with great vim, vigour and rigour, through their actions and their choices, would be the values of decay, social ruination and death.

This is because the youths are like receptacles into which every society pours its dominant values. Because they are the Replacement Generation for every society’s current leaders, once the wrong values are dispensed to them, the foundation is laid for ruin, degeneration and decay, rather than development. Thus, the task at hand, and which was part of the purpose of EEFCC’s event, is to create the right Replacement Generation for our fatherland.

If the Custodians of Value target the same ideals, and work towards the same goals, the society enjoys lasting, and holistic development and value stability. If parents play the role of parents and make the home a nurturing platform, and the schools, teachers, leaders and Institutions of State all play their respective roles in the right way, they will so reinforce each other that misconduct will become very unattractive; and easily isolated and penalized..

Considering that the etymology of the word “religion” also means to link up’, and to bind or tie fast, the aspiration of all religions is to connect us with something higher than our everyday mundane aspirations and purely earthly goals. When the right values are inculcated in the youths, it moderates the ease with which many of them would embrace crime and criminality; because it gives them a higher sense of purpose as well as a moral counter force to the pull of instant earthly gratification.

The dangers of religious extremism must be properly contextualized for our youths, so that they do not become destructive their true humanity out of ignorance. Since the presumed goals of the dominant religious faiths in Nigeria is to imbue man with that goodness which is pleasing to God, religious and ethnic tolerance should be made essential components of human goodness. We cannot be striving to eliminate, or undermine, others who are different from us without also acting against the Will of God. The work of the Interfaith Anti-corruption Advisory Committee (IAAC) can benefit from the efforts of the now-defunct national Association of religious and Ethnic Tolerance (NARETO) which was started by the late Prof C.S. Momoh, of which I was one of the national coordinators. All said, the EfCC’s “institutional attempt at a more holistic, more realistic and more sustainable approach to the fight against crime, criminality and corruption in Nigeria” needs to be taken seriously.

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Atiku to FG “The government must, therefore, respect the provisions of the law and allow the NNPCL to run as an independent company based on sound commercial objectives and in line with international best practices and standard principles of corporate governance. Only then would the new NNPCL grow into a formidable institution with track records, requisite technical and financial capacity, and readiness to operate in public space” –Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar

KASHIMIBRAHIM-IMAM Ogbeni Oja Kuku Genius•Icon•Magnate•Mentor GUEST COLUMNIST

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hose who leave their mark on history typically do so by excelling in a field of human endeavour. Their paths to greatness are normally defined either by genius, industry or altruism. Rarely does one individual acquire iconic status by affecting society in all these spheres as signposted by Olorogun Sonny Kuku.

On January 3 2024, Dr. Sonny Kuku turned 80. On February 3, he will be conferred with the prestigious title of Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, only the third person in history to hold this most prestigious non-hereditary crown.

For significant context, the Ogbeni Oja literally translates as “leader of commerce and industry”. In practice, it has attained greater significance of prime minister.

Even here, further context is required to situate the weight and implication of this recognition. Historical accounts of

Ogbeni Oja Kuku

the evolution and establishment of Ijebu Kingdom is hardly complete without the affirmation of Ijebuland as a hub of

commerce and industry. In fact, credible history has proclaimed Ijebu eminence in African commerce, and particularly during colonial adventure in the continent.

For this reason, the title of Ogbeni Oja is proclaimed to be “as old as Ijebu Ode” the political, commercial and cultural capital of Ijebuland.

An alumnus of very prestigious institutions including Kings College Lagos, University of Lagos and University of London, Dr. Sonny Kuku’s ascension to this prestigious title can therefore not be perceived in the realm of the regular ‘chieftaincy’ conferment. To put the title (Ogbeni Oja) in more context is to appreciate the different sectors of enterprise in which Dr. Sonny Kuku has excelled. In fact Olorogun’s story is one that can aptly be described as that of a man of many trades and master of all of them.

A renowned endocrinologist, Dr. Sonny

Kuku co-founded the prestigious EKO Hospital of which he is also a co-chair. The hospital, which was the first private health facility to be recognised by government, is also the first to be listed on the stock exchange. The import of this distinction is that it effectively laid the template for sustainability in health and human service enterprise.

To be sure, the story of how the EKO Hospital vision evolved is a classic lesson in entrepreneurial courage and calculated risk-taking. It is also a testimony to strategic thinking and sacrifice of shortterm economic security for long-term visioning. By 1978 when EKO Hospital was established, Dr. Sonny Kuku already had a promising career as a medical doctor in the university teaching hospital. At only 34, Olorogun Sonny Kuku already held a Doctor of Medicine degree, in addition Continued on page 38

OKEYIKECHUKWU EFCC’s Whole-of-Society Initiative EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) flagged off some programmes and activities under the theme, “Youth, Religion and the Fight Against Corruption”. This is an institutional attempt at a more holistic, more realistic and more sustainable approach to the fight against crime, criminality and corruption in Nigeria. Whereas the main thrust of the event was to address the challenges of youth involvement in cybercrime, the Commission used the occasion to launch its freshly produced “Interfaith Preaching and Teaching manual”.

The manual was developed by its Interfaith Anti-corruption Advisory Committee (IAAC).

The document is a handy reference material that would be used by preachers to deepen the positive values espoused by the various religions. Thus, it is really a matter of using religion, or, more appropriately, working with the teachings of religion and the platforms offered by religious leader, in a partnership for attitudinal change and

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

values reorientation.

Perhaps a caveat is needed here, especially in order to accommodate and address the possible concerns, and/or even objections, of those who may be wondering how religion and religious leaders come into the matter of youth criminality, and even the fight against corruption, at all. Begin with, the EFCC Chairman lamented the involvement of a religious organization in a fraud case up to the tune of seven billion Naira. Religion, and especially several religious leaders, have brought religious morality into disrepute because of their preachments and conduct.

In the face of religious bigotry, fanaticism, extremism and the banality of many who are prancing all over the place with the name of the Creator of heaven and earth on their lips, should anyone really be excited to hear about religion being partnered to build a better Nigerian society?

This question is often raised by people who truly take religion seriously, but who have been repeatedly disappointed by the commercialization of religion and fake

religiosity. Their concerns, and perspectives, are perfectly understandable; give the benefit of experience. But there are other perspectives as well.

It is trite to say that the goal of what we now call religion is to make people better human beings. It is true that many people are now masquerading with themselves in the name of religion. But, should this warrant a blanket condemnation of all preachers and all religious organizations?

False preachers, and even false prophets are not new. Yes, they are not. I even wager that they are an absolute majority today.

But is it just false preachers and contrived religiosity? Where do you not have one species of epistemological summersaults, commercialized spirituality, romanticized debauchery and intellectual shadowboxing today?

My suspicion is that the EFCC has said to itself: Let us see what can be salvaged via this platform that traditionally should be the custodian of the highest moral values. The Commission’s anticipation of the prospect

of some positive outcomes – no matter how marginal – is the point here.

Without prejudice to the fact that the lifestyle and media reports about elite corruption pose the greatest challenge to the anti-corruption war, the effort at values restoration, and reorientation, is expected to percolate, over time, into something worthwhile. But that is if other agencies of government, and institutions of state, also explore new approaches. In sum, the EFCC has initiated a values-driven approach to the war against crime and criminality.

Let us look at the philosophical foundations of such an approach to social reengineering, before concluding on the detailed actions and activities that could consolidate whatever gains are made over time.

It rarely occurs to most people that crime and criminality, at the end of the day, always revolve around values. The choices we make about what to do, or what not to do, in any situation is usually based on our core Continued on page 38

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