SATURDAY 18TH MARCH 2023

Buhari Signs 16 Constitution Amendment Bills; States Can Now Generate, Distribute Electricity, Own Railway State assemblies/Judiciary get financial autonomy President must appoint ministers within 60 days Deji Elumoye, Sunday Aborisade and Udora Orizu in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law the constitutional amendment allowing

states in the country to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national

grid.

This is one of the 19 bills the President assented to yesterday,

16 of which altered some provisions of the 1999 Constitution - Fifth Alteration Bills 2023.

Another of the Constitution Continued on page 5

Atiku: Yakubu’s INEC Working for APC...Page 12 Saturday 18 March, 2023 Vol 28. No 10202

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Emirates: Blocked Funds Reason for Not Returning to Nigeria... Page 12

Tension As 28 States Elect Governors Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, Sokoto, Delta, Rivers, Benue, Plateau are battle grounds 993 state assembly seats also to be filled today INEC promises uploading of results from polling units to Result Viewing Portal real time

Ahamefula Ogbu Voters in 28 states across Nigeria will today file out to elect governors who will run their affairs for the next four years, effective May 29.

There will also be voting into 993 state assembly seats across the 36 states of the federation in this rescheduled governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after a slipshod performance at the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, Continued on page 5

Babagana Zulum

Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Dapo Abiodun

Seyi Makinde

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Abdullahi Sule

Umaru Fintiri

Inuwa Yahaya

Mai Mala Buni

Bala Mohammed

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PAGE FIVE TENSION AS 28 STATES ELECT GOVERNORS largely due to failure to transmit and collate results electronically as assured, promised an improved performance today.

INEC’s Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu vowed that today’s polls will be free and fair.

Yakubu urged parties and candidates to speak to their agents and supporters to see the elections as a contest and not war and to “refrain from acts of violence that may mar the elections or compromise the security of our personnel, observers, the media and service providers.”

By yesterday morning, INEC had concluded the distribution of sensitive materials for the governorship and house of assembly elections to all the wards.

INEC Promises to Upload Results Real Time Yesterday, INEC gave an insight into how polling unit results will be transmitted during today’s governorship elections.

The Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, while speaking on Arise News said “the law as of today prescribes a dual mode of either transmission of results or transfer of results.”

He said when polls closed at the level of the various units, the Presiding Officer who superintended the polling unit would enter the scores of the various political parties in form EC8A which is the polling unit level result.

“The PO will sign that particular result sheet and stamp it, the PU agent or party agent if available will also countersign and copies will be given to them and the police.

“That original result is what will be scanned and uploaded to our INEC Result Viewing Portal for public viewing. Not only that, the accreditation data that has arisen from that polling unit will also be uploaded, but the physical result and the BVAS itself will also be taken to the Registration Area Collation centre,” said Okoye.

According to him, the Collation Officer will have the benefit of seeing the original results and the BVAS itself and have the benefit of looking at the accreditation data as transmitted, and the result sheet as transmitted from the polling unit.

“That is the dual mode which the law has prescribed for the commission and that is the mode that we’re going to use for the purpose of this election,” said Okoye.

Speaking on real-time IREV

delivery on Saturday, Okoye said results would be transmitted as soon as the polls closed from various polling units.

“The commission is determined to improve on its previous performance. What we have done is to learn valuable lessons from previous elections that we conducted, and we’re going to put those lessons into our planning purposes and processes, and into our deployment purposes,” Okoye said.

On INEC’s readiness, he said, “In all the states of the federation, both the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines and all the sensitive election materials have left the Central Bank and the various state offices of the federation.

“We want to ensure that all polling units open on time.

Secondly, we made sure that we reconfigured all the BVAS that will be used for this particular election in terms of making sure that the BVAS perform optimally and also making sure that some of the challenges we had in the previous elections do not reoccur.”

Police Pledge Tight Security The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, is deploying over 400,000 officers and men for today’s operation.

Baba, who urged voters to come out and vote without fear, promised tight security.

He has also ordered the restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 am to 6 pm on Saturday in all states where elections will be conducted.

Baba said those on essential services such as officials of INEC, electoral observers, accredited media and observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, amongst others are exempted from the restriction.

He noted that the directive excludes the Federal Capital Territory, as no election is being conducted therein.

The IGP reiterated the ban on all security aides to VIPs and escorts from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

State-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits are also barred from participating in election security management.

The IGP has also extended additional human and logistic support to police commands and formations across the country

for effective election security management today.

The additional support includes the deployment of personnel, operational vehicles, non-lethal weapons, personal protective equipment (body armour), and anti-riot equipment among others.

violent disposition of some old politicians. Allegations of arms stockpiling is already rife and it will be a tough fight between PDP struggling to retain the state and LP/APGA bent on wresting it from them.

Gubernatorial Battlegrounds Abia State

This is an APC state with a gladiator in the person of Rabiu Kwankwaso that has moved to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of APC, though none of them is on the ballot.

While Kwankwaso who swept the presidential ballot in Kano is supporting Abba Yusuf, Ganduje is backing Yusuf Gawuna.

The candidates of the governor and Kwankwaso are not only contesting but there is an ego war of who has the bragging rights over the state. Kano State is too close to call. The prize can go either way.

It’s a three-horse race in God’s own State. Incumbent Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP is pushing for his former Chief of Staff, Okey Ahiwe to succeed him.

This appears to be in danger because of Ikpeazu’s poor performance in the last eight years.

The bad situation is at a boiling point in this state. Teachers and civil servants are owed backlog of salaries, pensioners not paid, tertiary institutions losing accreditation, and all forms of development arrested, while political office holders and their families flourish.

This anger of the masses has already claimed the ambition of the Ikpeazu who desired to retire to the Senate but was trounced at the polls.

The PDP has Alex Otti of the LP and Ikechi Emmenike of the APC to contend with. The LP has upset the apple cart in several states and Otti who is riding the crest of the euphoria appears set to clinch the prize in Abia State.

Emmenike of the APC will no doubt give him a good fight.

It's too close to call here.

Enugu State The state parades an array of strong contestants with front runners being Peter Mbah of PDP, Chijioke Edeoga of Labour Party and Frank Nweke of APGA. Mbah enjoys a broad spectrum of support from political bigwigs in the state and with the state treasury at his disposal, being the candidate of the sitting governor and the state being a PDP state for long, Mbah who also parades a personal war chest will give a good fight.

However, Edeoga of the Labour Party might ride on the back of the tsunami sweeping through the political space, added to the sympathy of having their senatorial candidate murdered, to clinch the coveted seat, especially as the Labour Party is wearing the messianic toga now.

Frank Nweke, who even some “Obidients” favour because of his past records, is also a strong contender which also makes the state a battleground, especially as the state is known for its

Kano State

Benue State There is a marked departure from the past as a Catholic Priest, Father Hyacinth Alia, contesting under the APC, survived all intrigues to hold on to the ticket, while Herman Hembe latching on to the Labour Party’s acceptance to struggle to be elected governor to succeed Samuel Ortom, one of the G5 governors that bloodied the nose of their party over power shift to the South.

Ortom, who lost his senatorial election, would strive to ensure his candidate of the PDP, Titus Uba wins, so there won’t be a double loss of his seat and that of his successor. Allegations of arming youths to steal mandates are rife in Benue. It’s a three-horse race here and too close to call.

Ebonyi State Since Governor Dave Umahi moved over to the APC on account of complaints of inequity in PDP, Ebonyi was suddenly racked by spates of violence and the governor is one to ram through his wish on issues of interest.

So, it is expected that he may, against all odds, do everything he can to deliver Mr. Francis Nwifuru to succeed him.

Umahi however has Chief Francis Odii of the PDP to contend with in a predominantly PDP State before Umahi jumped ship.

On the shadows to spring surprises might be Labour Party’s candidate, Chief Edward Nkwegu who is riding on the back of Peter Obi and his Obidients. As usual, violence will make or mar the outcome of the contest. Nwifuru

of the APC may pick this ticket.

Rivers State Old rivalries have been rekindled as former governor Rotimi Amaechi and incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike have squared up again with their support for candidates of their parties and brickbats are flying, often leaving issues to attack personalities.

Wike is pushing Similaye Fubara for his party, PDP, which he had campaigned vigorously against in the presidential election over the sharing of party positions, while Amaechi came back in full force leading the campaigns for APC, which fortune had dwindled with exit of many members over choice of candidates, with his candidate, Tonye Cole.

The presidential election saw a lot of violence when their direct interests were not at stake, and this signposts what will happen today. Candidates were attacked with dynamites and guns during campaigns so worse would be expected today as Wike will struggle to break the jinx of Rivers State governors not being able to determine their successors.

Senator Magnus Abe of Social Democratic Party (SDP) is also in the race and can make the contest to go anyplace.

Oyo State It is going to be a straight battle between incumbent Seyi Makinde of PDP and Teslim Folarin of APC. Makinde, being a G5 member that dared the party, is not enjoying the backing of some of Oyo PDP big wigs.

Even with being an incumbent, with some of the parties collapsing their structure for him, Makinde still does not have that edge. Folarin is looking good for the Oyo State governorship.

Plateau State With Governor Simon Lalong’s failure to grab his senatorial seat, his quest to determine who takes over from him has become a serious agenda.

So far, his candidate, Dr. Nantwe Yilwada of the APC has Caleb Muftwang of PDP and Yohanna Margif of Labour Party to slug it out with, given their performances during the presidential elections. Margif has been bogged down by court orders which were cleared a few days ago.

With the backing of the incumbent governor, APC will strive to retain the state which has been a core PDP state till Lalong took it to APC.

BUHARI SIGNS 16 CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILLS; STATES CAN NOW GENERATE, DISTRIBUTE ELECTRICITY, OWN RAILWAY alteration bills assented to (Constitution Fifth Alteration Bill No. 45, Timeframe for the Submission of the Names of Ministerial or Commissioner Nominees) mandates the president-elect to transmit names of his minister-nominees to the National Assembly within two months of his inauguration.

The law, which takes immediate effect, is also applicable to all the governors-elect as they are expected to seek the approval of the state assembly for their commissioner-nominees within 60 days from the date of their swearing-in.

A statement issued yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare explained that the President had also signed into law financial independence for State Houses of Assembly and States’ Judiciary - Fifth Alteration Bill 2023 No 9.

He said the provisions were part of the 16 bills in the Constitutional Alterations of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), transmitted to the President by the National Assembly early this year.

With the Fifth Alteration Bill No. 33, Devolution of Powers (National Grid System), Nigeria’s 36 states can now join the electricity generation business.

Another Constitutional alteration approves the renaming of the Nigeria Prison Service to the Nigeria Correctional Service -Fifth Alteration Bill No. 31, Devolution of Powers for Correctional Services.

Another one granted rights to the state governments to establish their own railway service - Fifth Alteration Bill No. 32, evolution of Powers, Railways. With this, the railway moves from the Exclusive Legislative List to the concurrent list.

Part of Omoworare’s statement reads: "The highlights of the assented Constitutional Alteration Bills, amongst others, are: Ensuring financial independence of State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary; Regulating of the first session and inauguration of members-elect of the National and State Houses of Assembly and for related matters.

"Ensuring that the President and governors submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or State House of Assembly; and for related matters.

"Enable states generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid; and for related matters; Excluding the period of intervening events in the computation of time for determining pre-election matters petitions; Regulating the

first session and inauguration of members-elect of National and State Assemblies.

"Changing prisons to correctional service and re-designate correctional service in the concurrent list; and moving item "railway" from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list."

Omoworare added that the President also assented to three other bills which included: "The Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology Act, The Nigerian Institute of International Relations Act, and The Federal Medical Centres (Amendment) Acts."

The National Assembly had in January transmitted 35 Constitution amendment bills to the President for assent following the Senate resolution directing the former Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Olatunde Ojo, to forward all the proposed legislation that had

met the requirement for assent as provided for in Section 9 (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase has commended President Buhari for assenting to some legislations that altered some provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Wase, who doubles as the Chairman, Special Ad-hoc Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, noted that the Constitution (Fifth Alteration) bill, 2023 is fragmented into 16 bills.

He noted that four of the bills centred on devolution of powers/promotion of true Federalism and also strengthening of State Houses of Assembly and Judiciary.

The Deputy Speaker also commended members of the 9th National Assembly for working tirelessly to ensure the passage of “these legacy legislations”.

Also, the general acceptance of the Labour Party in Plateau and the performance of its presidential candidate in the last election may throw up some upsets in favour of the Labour Party. Muftwang looks determined to return Plateau to the PDP. But anything can still happen in Plateau State today.

Lagos State The loss of Lagos by the APC to little known LP in the Presidential election threw up a gamut of variables which sent strategists hurrying back to the drawing board.

Whereas Lagos was seen as tug of war between the APC and their usual PDP, what could be a rib excised from PDP ended up causing an upset that has made the poster boy of Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to start losing sleep due to the possibility of Gbadebo RhodesVivour of the LP upstaging him.

This factor has seen a flurry of activities in churches, football stunts and visits to places that ordinarily would not be contemplated.

Later statements by RhodesVivour that he was going to open the account books of Lagos for people to see how funds of the state had been applied will definitely lead to a do or die contest. Moreso, when it comes with the threat that may smear reputations. The heat is already on in the state with threats of Oro cult and warnings to non-Yorubas not to rock the boat.

Delta State As for Delta State, apart from being the sitting Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa was also Atiku’s running mate, and the least expected from him was to deliver maximum votes in the Presidential election.

However, he managed to garner 161,600 votes, trailing the LP by a distance.

Okowa will be fighting today to take his preferred candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the Delta State Government House, Asaba.

Apart from the rising popularity of the Labour Party, Okowa also has the candidate of the APC and Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege to contend with.

With PDP chieftains, including the former governor of the state, James Ibori, and Senator James Manager both working at cross purposes with the Okowa administration, it would be interesting to see which of the parties have the last laugh today.

It’s a three-horse here.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State may have won the North-west state for Atiku and his PDP in the February 25 presidential election. Yet, a dark cloud of uncertainty hangs over the governorship election. Today’s voting will be a keenly contested poll between Saidu Umar of the PDP and the APC’s Ahmad Aliyu.

The race is too close to call in Sokoto State.

Kaduna State In Kaduna State, Governor Nasir el-rufai will require a miracle to determine his successor.

El-rufai and the APC were badly trounced in the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections by the PDP, making today’s election a tough one for his favoured Ubah Sani.

Isah Ashiru of the PDP will give el-rufai’s man a good run for his money. Victory can go either way. The race is too close to call in Kaduna State.

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˜ ˾ SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2023

NEWS

Incumbent Governors Seeking Second Term Nigeria’s governorship election cycle is supposed to run at the same time. Suddenly, the off-season elections emerged due to litigations and such winners are legally allowed to enjoy the fruit of their tenures completely.

Of Nigeria’s 36 states, Imo, Anambra, Kogi, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Bayelsa states fall under the off-season election category and therefore, not included in today's governorship elections. Of the remaining 28 states, 17 of the governors will complete their two terms by May 25. That leaves 11 incumbents jostling to make it back for a second term. The incumbents seeking reelection are in Lagos, Adamawa, Borno, Ogun, Kwara, Oyo, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Zamfara and Gombe, writes Ahammefula Ogbu Babajide Sanwo-Olu

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Sanwo-Olu looks good to win a second term in today’s election in Lagos State. He has been adjudged cool headed and a team player who has not ruffled any feathers and therefore has the backing of the powers that be. This APC candidate also has the support of the people because of his brilliant performance in the last four years.

Already, nine of the governorship candidates in the state have stepped down for him. Notwithstanding, Sanwo-Olu was all over – on the streets, shopping malls and bus stops - canvassing for votes, which may be a plus for him. Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour of the Labour Party, the leading opposition governorship candidate in Lagos State may turn out to be a flash in the pan.

After several attempts at trying to govern the state, mother luck smiled at AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State in 2019. That year saw the Otoge slogan wrestle power from the ruling PDP and he realised his dream of becoming Kwara State Governor.

However, since assuming office, intra-party squabbles have refused to go away especially with factions loyal to Information Minister, Lai Mohammed and Senator Gbemisola Saraki. Some of the aggrieved APC members have since decamped to the SDP and PDP. AbdulRazaq’s support base looks strong enough to weather the internal crises of the party. Besides, this governor is getting very little challenge from the opposition candidates in the state. The PDP is dead here.

Dapo Abiodun Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, is seeking a second term based on his success in the past four years.

A soft-spoken man, who has worked to deliver on his campaign promises. Apart from that, he has worked to bring big names like former governor of the State, Gbenga Daniel (who has won a senatorial seat in the just concluded national Assembly election) as well as former Speaker of the House of representatives, Dimeji Bankole among others into the Ogun APC fold.

They are expected to work their contacts and followers in his favour.

Seyi Makinde Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is a prominent member of the G5 that rebelled against their party (PDP) over complaints of equity and fairness. He would have had a smooth sail to his second term based on his innovative and developmental strides but now has to contend with powerful forces within the party who may have been aggrieved by his unyielding romance with the G5.

Makinde is adjudged to have substantially delivered and steered the state in the direction of his promise to reduce poverty and create prosperity. This is a plus for him. But he has the APC candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin to contend with today.

Abdullahi Sule Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has made a success of his poverty reduction efforts and forced down criminality in the state, in addition to ensuring human and physical development.

However, the APC candidate will still face stiff opposition mainly from the PDP, LP and SDP. Sule was jolted at the presidential elections when a less known LP won his state. He has since tried to pander to the interest of the voters most of who are settlers but never-the-less, might determine whether he gets a second term or not. Although he has been credited with taking development closer to his people, his failure to develop or provide amenities in satellite towns that spilled from the federal capital territory may hurt his bid due to the huge voter population in the area who feel left out of his developmental programmes. He has however promised to make amends and may retain his seat.

Babagana Zulum An egalitarian administrator who showed his hands right from the time he was appointed into the state cabinet, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has sustained the steam and may have no rival in getting his second term.

Zulum appears born with a development mind mixed

with human feelings, so much that he has stood out in various standards of measuring good governance, even when his state has the unenviable record of hosting insurgency of various genres.

He will face little or no opposition and is expected to easily get a second term.

Umaru Fintiri He is the governor of Adamawa State, the home state of the presidential candidate of the PDP, A t i k u Abubakar.

An experienced politician, Governor U m a r u Fintiri was Speaker and later, Acting Governor when Murtala Nyako was impeached. He faces no serious opposition inspite of complaints that he has been developmentally docile.

He however insists that the work his party had done in the state in the past and under him were enough to give him a smooth ride to his second term.

Fintiri claims to have reinvented Adamawa, leaving nothing untouched.

Even if he did not match words with action, for the bragging rights of his presidential candidate, his people will do everything to ensure he wins and make Atiku a prophet with honours in his place. This will propel Fintiri to another four years on the saddle.

Inuwa Yahaya Governor I n u w a Yahaya of G o m b e State exudes confidence that he has worked for his people and openly invites anyone who cares, to contest against him.

Gombe has been one of the states ravaged by insurgency but Yahaya made the best out of the situation by attending to the needs of his people especially in physical development as well as in education which makes him one of the incumbent governors that may have a smooth ride.

Gombe being an ardent APC state might be difficult to take by any other party.

Support for him right from nomination till date shows he either has the structure of the party in his firm grips or that he is loved by his party and by extension, his people.

Mai Mala Buni Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State was for almost two years the acting national chairman of the APC. He superintended the APC through its convention and really

pulled his weight against all odds.

Though people accused him of abandoning his state to rule over his party, it was easy for the referee to award himself a goal and he has the mandate of the party and gunning to emerge governor again today.

Buni brags of having changed the story of the state to such extent that his people would gladly reward him with another mandate. His forte includes timely payment of counterpart funds for education and other forms of development that require his intervention and he particularly worked hard on standardising basic education which later touched on secondary education in what he says is laying solid foundation for the state.

Buni took the burdens of fees off parents who may decide to reward him with a second term.

Bala Mohammed A former Minister of the federal capital territory, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has distinguished himself in transparency and developmen t, though he was riled against when he was pruning the civil service and removing ghost workers from its payroll.

He went further to recover stolen government properties which people saw as working for them.

This governor has tried to work on infrastructure, education and health, so may convince his people of the need to give him another four years to realise his plan of repositioning the state. He may have a smooth sail to his second term as opposition is feeble in the state.

Bello Matawalle Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State ascended the seat when the Supreme Court voided the primaries of the APC in the state leaving his of the then PDP with the prize. Matawalle, who had vowed not to dump the party that brought him to power was to later eat his words and jump ship with the mandate. That action, which was a calculation to preserve his second term, has now become his albatross. His tenure has seen continuous squabbles with his party members as his crossover led to the displacement of people who had been sustaining the party while he was in PDP. If the APC leaders in the state are able to sort out their problems, Matawalle may well have a second term.

SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 18, 2023

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NEWS

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

GOVS/HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS…GOVS/HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

Four Rivers Guber Candidates Protest at Police Headquarters, Allege Intimidation by Wike Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Four governorship candidates from different political parties in Rivers state, yesterday protested

to the headquarters of the Police Command in the state, alleged intimidation and illegal arrest of party members by security personnel loyal to Governor Nyesom Wike.

Election Violence: Lagos, Imo, Delta Top List of High Risk States Alex Enumah in Abuja An Election Violence Monitoring and Mitigation group, the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has listed Lagos, Imo and Delta amongst 13 other states as areas that are at high risk of violence in Saturday’s governorship and state houses of assembly’s election.

KDI, which observed that there were a total of 131 cases of violence in the month of February alone, “with 89 of them being presidential Election Day violence”, called on all election stakeholders to ensure that all efforts are made towards having a violence-free election on Saturday.

KDI Executive Director, Mr. Bukola Idowu, in a Preliminary Statement ahead of the 2023 Governorship and State House of Assembly Election, disclosed that Pre-election environment

monitoring showed that there had been 482 cases of electoral violence in Nigeria, “leading to over 160 deaths between January 1, 2022 to March 17, 2023”.

Idowu noted that as the country moves closer to the state elections, there have been increase reports of incitements and political party groups attack in Lagos, Kano and Rivers States amongst others.

“While we know that stakeholders are spreading peace messaging around the states, we strongly suggest that on March 18 election special attention should be given to Lagos, Imo, Delta, Rivers, Oyo, Cross River, Ebonyi and Ogun in the south, while Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano and Bauchi are states that our analysis has been marked as areas at the risk of violence in the election”, the group stated.

The governorship candidates include Tonye Cole (All Progressives Congress), Senator Magnus Abe (Social Democratic Party), Tonte Ibraye (African Democratic Congress) and Dumo Lulu-Briggs (Accord) The gubernatorial candidates and their supporters stormed the Police command, protesting declaration of some persons wanted by governor Wike.

The aggrieved opposition governorship candidates are raising alarms over activities of Local Government Council Chairmen in collaboration with security agencies who have been allegedly instructed to execute the orders of arresting members of

opposition parties.

The Guber Candidate of APC, Tonye Cole while addressed journalists at the Command Headquarters on Moscow road, Port Harcourt, demanded the Inspector General of Police to instruct that no political arrest must happen and those arrested must be released immediately.

Cole demanded that traditional rulers must come out to redirect that everyone should come out to vote candidates of their choice contrary to their earlier directives that anyone who must come out must for the interest of a particular candidate.

“This is a multi-party decision.

We have on good record that we

have been victimised, intimidated, our members are being arrested.

The Governor, Nyesom Wike gave an instruction to all local government chairmen and their party cohort to enforce intimidation on the people of Rivers state.

“As we speak now, party members across board are being arrested. We have come to Force Headquarters, we met with the Commissioner of Police briefly. We told him what the situation was, he said he is not aware of what is happening in the state. There AIG elections who also does not know that people are being arrested in this state.

“Elections cannot hold

under this situation and that is why we are here today. We are here to intimate the people of Rivers state that we have done everything within our power to ensure that there is a secure environment for free and fair elections. You know what happened on February 25; the election after it was conducted, the results were mutilated. We cannot have that tomorrow”.

Cole disclosed some their demands to the police as include that “If this situation continue tomorrow, we demand that the Inspector General of Police must instruct that no politically motivated arrest should happen and everybody that were arrested on political reason must be released.

Abians in Diaspora Deploy Poll Monitors Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Abia State indigenes in the diaspora have deployed election monitors across the state to keep track of developments in the March 18 governorship/state assembly poll in all the 184 electoral wards.

This was made known in a statement jointly signed by Professors Chukwubuikem Anosike (US), and Udenwa Nnabuikem (UK), saying that “we are not interested in political parties but concerned about the birth of a new Abia”.

“Therefore, nobody should attempt to subvert the will of the people for whatever reason,” the group said, adding that having had their time to present their manifesto, all the candidates should allow voters to make their choice.

“Tomorrow, they (politicians) should allow Abians to decide who will lead them. Abians in diaspora will resist any attempt to

intimidate people into voting by coercion the wrong candidates”.

They urged Abia voters to shun politicians offering them money to buy their votes, adding that selling their votes for monetary gains would yield unpalatable political dividends.

For those behind the alleged plots to unleash violence during the polls, the diaspora Abians warned them to desist from such acts as they would regret to face the consequences.

“There should be thorough investigation of the allegations and anybody no matter how lowly or highly connected but found to be engaging in any activity capable of plunging the state into chaos must face the music,” the group said.

The group said that they would resist any group or individual that intend to scuttle efforts aimed at having a peaceful transition to another democratic government in Abia.

Yiaga Africa Urge INEC to Avoid Pitfalls of Presidential Election Chuks Okocha in Abuja Yiaga Africa, a pro election, civil society group has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the shortcomings observed in previous Presidential and National Assembly elections were properly addressed ahead of the Governorship elections.

Addressing a press. Conference in Abuja, yesterday, Ezenwa Nwagwu For Chair, Watching The Vote Working Group Yiaga Africa and Cynthia Mbamalu Director of Programs Yiaga Africa said, “INEC should ensure proper and consistent communication with the transport union and

companies providing logistics support to ensure early Election Day deployment.

“This also includes the need to ensure that only trained ad-hoc officials are deployed on Election Day. Contingency plans should be put in place in situations where transport unions /companies withdraw or default in their contractual obligation to deploy election materials and personnel” According to the Yiaga chieftains, “INEC Should ensure proper and timely communication with stakeholders on the election day process, challenges experienced and immediate plans to address those challenges to inspire citizens’ confidence in the process.”

YOU’RE WELCOME… L-R: Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Comptroller General of Nigeria immigration Service, Isah Jere when the former paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja... yesterday

Women Beg INEC, Security Agencies for Enabling Platform in Today’s Election Alex Enumah in Abuja A women group, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in the country to provide an enabling platform for women participation in Saturday’s governorship and state houses of assembly’s election.

The group’s call was predicated on the need to enhance women’s participation in the second round of the 2023 general elections.

In a Pre-election Statement on the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly’s Elections, presented to journalists in Abuja, FIDA’s Country Vice President/ National President, Mrs. Amina Agbaje, stated that the just con-

cluded elections experienced some technical hitches which led to the dis-enfranchisement of a lot of Nigeria voters inclusive of women.

“A major fallout of the elections witnessed women low representation in the forthcoming 10th National Assembly as only 16 female candidates amounting to about 6% won elective positions out of 378 female contestants.

“We have witnessed only three women wining seats in the Nigeria Senate, while 13 winning seats in the Federal Houses of Representative. Comparatively only 3.7% of National Assembly seats were won by women out of the 423 seats declared thus far by the Independent National Election Commission.

“This has clearly reiterated the fact that Nigeria’s democratic experience has not expanded

opportunities for meaningful participation and representation of women in politics and governance and a reduction in participatory elective positions for females”, Mrs. Agbaje said.

To remedy the situation, she called for a strategic deployment of security personnel across the176, 606 polling units of the state towards forestalling any form of violence at the polls which will limit the participation of women in the general elections.

“In the light of the foregoing, key actors in the electoral processes particularly INEC, political parties, security agencies, mass media and Civil Society Organisations need to pay increasing attention to factors limiting women participation ahead of the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Election.

“As such, the following recommendations are considered pertinent: Deployment of Electoral materials (Sensitive & Non –Sensitive) across all Registration Area Centers and polling units timeously is key for an improved political participatory process for women.

“Effective collaboration and synergy with other stakeholders especially INEC, Security agencies and Election Observation Groups should be cultivated and sustained.

“Security agencies should continually adhere to the principles of impartiality and neutrality toward securing the polls which will help in mitigating electoral violence especially those perpetuated against women in elections”, the group demanded.

Vote Buying: INEC Bans Party Agents from Taking POS to Polling Centres David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has banned party agents or anyone affiliated to political parties from taking Point of Sale (POS) machines to polling units across Anambra State.

Also banned from being taken into polling centres are any material that are capable of being used as inducement to lure voters into selling their votes.

Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr.

Elizabeth Agwu stated this in a press briefing yesterday, ahead of today (Saturday) House of Assembly election in the state.

During the presidential election, there were allegations of people using POS to transfer monies to voters as a way to beat the cashless policy of the federal government, while some political parties deployed bales of wrappers, cartons of noodles and other food items to induce voters.

Agwu during the press briefing said the commission was ready for the election, and that election

materials have been moved to all parts of the state.

“The commission will not tolerate vote buying. We will not allow party agents to take POS machines into the polling centres, or any other material that can be used to induce the people.

“We have 21 local governments and we have watched and distributed our materials down, most especially the ballot papers that are meant for the State Assembly elections and this has been properly

and systematically outlined so that there won’t be a mix-up.

“It is a tradition that we normally move our materials, particularly, the sensitive materials to the local governments, from the local governments to the RAC centres, then to the polling units.

“We’re assuring that by 8:30am on Saturday, voting is expected to have commenced across the polling units in the state. We have sorted out all issues concerning BVAS for the election, and we hope for optimal performance.”

SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 18, 2023

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NEWS GOVS/HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS…GOVS/HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

INEC: We’ve Not Scheduled Elections Arising from Presidential, N’Assembly Elections Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has not scheduled the conduct of supplementary elections arising from the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye in a statement issued yesterday said the supplementary elections would take place on a date to be announced by the Commission immediately after the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

The commission said the clarification became imperative following media report that conveyed the impression that the Commission intended to

conduct supplementary elections arising from the Presidential and National Assembly elections together with the governorship and State Assembly elections taking place Saturday.

Okoye said: “The Commission has not scheduled the conduct of supplementary elections arising from the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

For clarity, the supplementary elections will take place on a date to be announced by the Commission immediately after the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

“However, this should not be confused with the two National Assembly elections earlier suspended by the Commission and rescheduled to hold along with the Governorship and State Assembly elections.

“First is the Enugu East Senatorial District election which was countermanded to allow the Labour Party conduct a fresh primary election to replace its deceased candidate in line with

the provision of Section 34(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. The second is the Esan Central/ Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo State following issues with the

ballot paper for the election.

These are not supplementary but main elections that could not be held earlier.”

The commission advised the public to disregard any

report alluding to the conduct of supplementary elections alongside the Governorship and State Assembly elections taking place Saturday, 18th March 2023.

Polls Shouldn’t Be Seen As War in RECOGNISED FOR SERVICE …

A’Ibom, Gov Emmanuel Warns

L-R: Imaginative President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Sola Akinsiku; Guest Speaker and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage and Water Resources, Lagos State Ministry of Environmen, Engr. Nurudeen Olalekan Shodeinde receiving his appreciation plaque from PP Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, CON,OFR, FCA at the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Environment lecture during the club’s meeting at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Okon Bassey in Uyo Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has warned the citizens against indulging in any negative behaviour that may constitute security breach during the conduct of the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the state.

He said the March 18th elections in the state should not be seen as a war, but a process of choosing leaders, and for God to determine who is to lead and what is to happen.

The governor who noted anxiety and suspense trailing the rescheduled Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state assured that the peace which the state is known for will be sustained during and after the exercise.

Governor Emmanuel

spoke yesterday while fielding questions from Journalists shortly after the March edition of the Government House Monthly Prayer Summit, lauding the peaceful disposition of people of the state.

Encouraging the citizens to maintain peace at all times especially during the elections, he accordingly urged all eligible voters in the state to go out enmass and exercise their civic responsibility without any fear of molestation.

“Go out and exercise your civic rights and responsibility without any molestation.

“I want to appreciate our people, we are very peace loving people but I also want to sound a note of warning to those who may want to disrupt the peace that tomorrow the security agencies will be ready for them.

Police Bar Vigilante Operatives from Involvement in Election Duties David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Police in Anambra State have barred non-state actors, including operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Services from involving themselves in Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

Commissioner of Police in charge of election duties in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye stated this yesterday evening, in a press conference.

CP Adeoye said police personnel have been adequately mobilised for the election, and operatives of the state vigilante services are not permitted to engage in any election duty by way of guarding VIPs, intimidating voters or trying to coerce them against their wish, and that any one arrested for that would be dealt with.

He said: “I brief you journalists today on behalf of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Rudolf Obe Echebi, and

he has asked me to tell Anambra people that the police is ready to provide a safe environment for free and fair election in Anambra.

“We will also provide security for the people of the state, and they should feel free to go out and vote in the election.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, had already ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 12midnight to 6:00p.m. on Election Day, with the exception of those on essential services and other emergency situations.

“We also announce to you that non-state actors, like the vigilante group are excluded from participating in any manner in this election.

“They are warned not to attempt to participate, either by intimidation, or by any means to coerce voters against their will, or they will be dealt with.

NHRC Expresses Concern over the Use of Hate Speech Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about the rise in hate speech across the country, fueled by politicians seeking political patronage, decrying that this has led to ethnic and religious sentiments being used to create division, fear, and hatred among different groups.

Executive Secretary of the Commission Chief Tony Ojukwu stated this in Abuja ahead of the Gubernatorial and State Assembly polls slated for Saturday. He lamented that the menace has crept into places of worship where religious leaders have joined the unholy enterprise of spreading

hate speeches.

He noted that the use and misuse of social media to spread ethnic and religious hate-laced messages is also worrisome, with far-reaching and complex implications, insisting that these incidents can lead to violence and tension between different religious and ethnic groups, disrupt social, cultural, and religious harmony, and affect rights to associate, assemble, freedom of movement, and the right to live in any part of the country.

He also warned that this situation can lead to a breakdown of law and order, increasing vulnerabilities and risks, including death, internal

displacements, kidnapping, drug use, recruitment into terrorist activities, and other forms of human rights and humanitarian concerns.

He however reiterated that Nigeria is a party to regional and international human rights instruments that reinforce and guarantee everyone’s right to association, assembly, residence, expression, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

He said: “The Commission affirms that Sections 38 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) protect these rights. In addition, the Nigeria’s Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 criminalises the use of the

internet to send offensive messages or post messages that are intended to cause harm, fear, or distress, Individuals who engage in hate speech online can face severe consequences.”

He called on the government to take all steps to reaffirm its commitment to the secular nature of the Nigerian State under section 10 of the Constitution, stating that: “It should protect all persons from the violation of their right to freedom of residence, association, assembly, political party, or association of choice, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion while also protecting everyone’s right to participate in elections and vote for candidates of their choice anywhere in the country.”

Oyo NUJ Condemns Pre-election Violence in Ibadan Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Ademola Babalola, yesterday, condemned the pre-election violence, which claimed three lives with many injured in Ibadan, urging security agencies to step up security for the electorate and staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during and after the gubernatorial and State Assembly polls today.

This is just as he called for the arrest of the perpetrators

of the killings, stating that Oyo State should not be allowed to descend into “war of political thugs” and killing of innocent citizens and residents.

Babalola in a statement made available by the NUJ Secretary, Sola Oladapo, bemoaned the clash between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday.

He described the development as reprehensible, ungodly and barbaric, which should not have happened at all, if the gladiators

had prevailed on their supporters to toe the path of honour and embrace peaceful conducts before, during and after the elections.

While appealing to the gubernatorial candidates in the state to caution their supporters to stop violent attacks and counter attacks, he noted that violence could threaten voters turn out and suppress participation in the election.

According to him, “The senseless attacks and attendant killings of three people in Ile-Titun area of Ibadan South East local govern-

ment area of the state ought not to have happened at all.

“This development has shown that our people are yet to learn their lessons that no blood of any individual is worth the aspiration of any candidate or their corresponding political party.

“It is a shame and highly reprehensible that despite the peace accord signed by the political parties and their gubernatorial candidates, supporters could still go overboard and engage in supremacy battle to the extent of shedding blood.

Alleged Attack Plot: PDP a Liar, Says Oyetola’s Aide Yinka Kolawole in osogbo Spokesperson to the immediate past Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, has described the claim by the Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that a certain meeting was held at the Tinubu/ Shettima campaign office on Thursday to plan the attack the members of the PDP as not only outlandish but bogus.

In a statement issued in Osogbo yesterday, Omipidan said Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the Osun

acting PDP chairman, and all those who sat down to put the content together, simply cooked up a lie to suit their satanic purpose.

“The first reaction was to ignore Dr. Adekunle and his co-travelers. But coming from the PDP at this critical time in our history, I am compelled to put the records straight.

“I have always said that some of the Osun PDP leaders and their handlers are liars. They strive on propaganda and cheap blackmail.

“A simple tracking of the immediate past Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola itinerary would make their lies and claims fall flat on their face.

“For the records, Oyetola was nowhere near the Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Office yesterday. Therefore, the PDP should provide another venue for the imaginary meeting purported to have been held on Thursday by Oyetola and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, where the purported plot to allegedly

attack them was hatched. That is one.

“Two, from morning of Thursday, till about 8pm when Oyetola returned to Osogbo, he was busy canvassing for support for the APC candidates ahead of tomorrow’s election.

The tour took him to Gbongan in Ayedade Local Government Area; Garage Olode in Ife-South Local Government Area; Ilesa in Ilesa-West and Ilesa-East Local Government Areas, where he was warmly received by the party’s loyalists and supporters.

SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

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NEWS Blocked Funds Reason for Not Returning to Nigeria, Says Emirates Chinedu Eze

LAST RESPECT S… L-R; Victoria Gowon; her husband, former head of state, retired General Yakubu Gowon; Speaker, House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila; wife of the Vice President, Dolapo; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the funeral service for Hilda Adefarasin at the Guiding Light Church, Ikoyi, Lagos…yesterday.

Photos: Tolani Alli

Atiku: Yakubu’s INEC Working for APC Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has knocked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its explanation on the award of contract to a company owned by candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying it shows the commission is working for the APC. INEC had in a statement

by its National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, admitted to awarding a sensitive contract to the Binani Printing Press /LPLWHG D ÀUP ZKLFK KDV QRZ been revealed to be owned by APC governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Senator Aishatu Binani.

Okoye however said Binani was not listed as one of the Directors of Binani Printing Press Limited.

Atiku, through his Special

Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu said INEC’s excuse was watery and unconvincing.

Shaibu said it was unfortunate that despite being given an allocation of over N300 billion as ZHOO DV ÀQDQFLDO DVVLVWDQFH IURP foreign governments including the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, the leadership of INEC had continued to run the commission without scruples.

He said, “INEC’s latest statement cannot even fool a primary school student. An ordinary search on CAC’s portal by youths on Twitter had already revealed that Senator Binani owns Binani 3ULQWLQJ 3UHVV /LPLWHG D ÀUP that was given a contract to print sensitive INEC material.

The company with RC 310024, which was registered on March 13, 1997 has Senator Aishatu Ahmed listed as number one.

Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu in Attendance as Adefarasin Buries Mother in Lagos Omolabake Fasogbon Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo led dignitaries to the funeral of Late Mrs. Hilda Adefarasin, mother of Metropolitan Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin.

Mrs. Adefarasin died on February 5, 2023, and was aged 98.

The nonagenarian was laid to rest yesterday in Lagos amid encomiums and prayers.

Adefarasin in his tribute during the funeral service that held at Guiding Light Assembly, Ikoyi, Lagos, described his mother as a mentor, not only to his children but to everyone that crossed her path.

He said his mother was a public servant, humanitarian and women’s right activist who

dedicated a great part of her life to the right of women which she believed in.

“She always speaks truth to power as regards the equity and equality of women. She ZDV D ÀUP EHOLHYHU LQ WKH HWKLF of nation building and was committed to devoting her time, energy and resources to anything that would help 1LJHULD OLYH XS WR KHU SRWHQWLDO µ he enthused.

Osinbajo on the other hand described late Mrs. Adefarasin as a true Nigerian patriot who devoted her life to active public service from her youth, being one of the earliest nurse and active social activist being a former President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS).

In his teaching, titled, “the

PHPRU\ RI WKH MXVW LV EOHVVHG µ presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo said late Mrs., Adefarasin lived an impactful life and was full of positive character.

He said, “She is one who loved God dearly and this UHÁHFWHG LQ KHU DWWLWXGH WR OLIH Love is the overriding spiritual virtue in the kingdom of God, everything works together for ORYH DQG WKLV LV UHÁHFWHG LQ KHU lifetime. No wonder she lived long because being in love with *RG JXDUDQWHHV D ORQJ OLIH µ Other prominent Nigerians at the funeral included, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Secretary,

National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Olusegun Awolowo.

Others are: Founder of the First City Monument Bank Otunba, Dr., Olasubomi Balogun; Award-winning fashion designer, Abah Folawiyo; General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community, Pastor Tunde Bakare; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Ituah Ighodalo and Senior Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Idowu Iluyomade.

Also in attendance were: Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro and a two-time governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state, Jimi Agbaje, amongst other dignitaries.

10th Assembly: We Have Not Zoned Key N’Assembly Positions, Says APC

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described reports circulating on social media on purported zoning of key positions of the incoming 10th National Assembly as fake.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka in a statement issued yesterday said the report indicating that the positions have been zoned was false, misleading, and should be disregarded in its entirety.

He said: “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a report circulating on social media on purported zoning of key positions of the incoming 10th National Assembly.

“The report is false and misleading, and should be disregarded in its entirety.

The party has not made any decision on zoning of positions RU R΀FHV RI WKH WK $VVHPEO\ “As soon as a decision is made on zoning, it will be made public through the Party’s of-

ÀFLDO FRPPXQLFDWLRQV FKDQQHO µ Recall that at the meeting with new members-elect to the National Assembly last Monday, the President-elect, Bola Tinubu revealed that he has no preferred candidates for the leadership of both chambers who would constitute the 10th National Assembly.

Also, at the meeting National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu said the party leadership and Tinubu would make appropriate consultations in

working out a formula for the sharing of National Assembly R΀FHV He assured that whatever sharing formula the party and the President-elect arrives at would be fair, just, equitable and satisfy the majority of party members.

The chairman noted that the party was not comfortable with the tone adopted by those who VRXJKW WKRVH R΀FHV VD\LQJ WKRVH R΀FHV DUH QRW WULEDO RU sectional rights and must not be so portrayed.

Dubai-based mega carrier, Emirates Airlines has explained that the reason why it may QRW UHVXPH ÁLJKWV WR 1LJHULD anytime soon is because of the failure of the federal government to facilitate the airline’s repatriation of its revenues still trapped in the country.

Emirates spokesperson said in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday that it VWRSSHG ÁLJKW VHUYLFH WR 1LJHULD ÀYH PRQWKV DJR EXW VLQFH WKHQ nothing concrete has been made to enhance the repatriation of its trapped funds.

Although the Middle East carrier did not state the amount of money yet to be taken out of Nigeria, it said that it was 50 per cent of the total of the blocked funds.

Emirates, which stopped ÁLJKW RSHUDWLRQV WR 1LJHULD on November 3, 2022, said it was exasperated by the fact that nothing cheerful has come from the Nigerian government about

remitting its trapped revenue from Nigeria despite assurances from the highest quarters. ´,W KDV EHHQ ÀYH PRQWKV since Emirates suspended operations to and from Nigeria, and during this time we have seen little progress in the clearing of our backlog of funds. As of today, Emirates still has a substantial balance of blocked funds that have yet to be repatriated, and the progressive clearing our backlog remains beset with constant delays. Today, around 50 per cent of the amount approved for clearing within our backlog is still overdue for repatriation.

“We have made many FRQFHUWHG HͿRUWV WR HQDEOH D swift return to Nigeria. We had proposed a number of solutions and measures to recover our funds, and engaged in dialogue with government stakeholders and industry bodies. Regretfully and despite many media reports of public assurances made at the highest levels, solutions continue to be stalled.

Taraba APC: Sitting Lawmaker Loses Senatorial Ticket to First-timer, Alex Enumah in Abuja

merit.

The judgment delivered A current Lawmaker repre- by Justice Adamu Jauro as senting Wukari and Ibi Federal prepared by Justice Centus Constituency, at the House of Nweze, observed that there Representatives, Hon Danjuma was no need to tamper with 6KLGGL KDV ÀQDOO\ ORVW KLV ELG the judgment of the appellate to clinch the ticket of the All which set aside the decision of Progressives Congress (APC) the trial court for not conformfor Taraba South Senatorial ing with the law.

District seat.

7KH ÀYH PHPEHU SDQHO OHG This is due to the dismissal of by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, his appeal against the judgment subsequently upheld the judgof the Court of Appeal, Abuja, ment of the 3-man panel of the which upheld the nomination of appellate court that recognized a First-timer, Mr. David Jimkuta the nomination of Jimkuta. as the lawful candidate of Justice Hamman Barka, of the APC in the February 25, the Court of Appeal, Abuja, senatorial election in Taraba had in a judgment delivered South Senatorial election. last month, held that because Shiddi, had last month ap- the primary election which Jimkuta was proached the apex court to produced reverse the judgment of the conducted by the National DSSHOODWH FRXUW DQG D΀UPHG Working Committee (NWC) the decision of the trial court, of the APC, his nomination which upheld his nomination was valid and in accordance as candidate of the APC in the with the relevant laws.

The court held that “only said election.

However, the apex court in its the NWC of the APC has the judgment delivered yesterday, powers, the rights, and vires dismissed his appeal for being to conduct a valid primary incompetent and lacking in HOHFWLRQ IRU WKH SDUW\ µ

Coalition of Edo Communities Vow to Reclaim Lands Ceded to Multinationals by Obaseki Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

Communities in Edo State have vowed to resist the state government’s decision to allegedly cede their lands to some multinational in the state without the consent of the people.

The communities described the decision by the state government to forcefully acquire their ancestral lands and cede same to investors, as a subtle means of telling them to go into extinction.

The Coalition Against Land Grabbing & Deforestation (CALD), supported by Okpamakhin Communities Initiative, who stated this yesterday, in Benin City, said the people have resolved to

take back their lands.

Addressing the Media, the Coordinator, and Founder of Okpamakhin Communities Initiative, Mr. Tony Erha, said that they have over the past 10 years conducted 28 protests to draw government attention but all fell on deaf ears.

He said they have instituted a case billed for hearing at the ECOWAS court and other courts in Nigeria with the hope that justice will be delivered Erha, maintained that, despite the cases at the ECOWAS and other lower Courts, the people have been subjected to hardship and denied access to agricultural produce.

13

MARCH 18, 2023 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Vote right...

Guidelines on Elimination of Witch-hunting

T

he Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) commends the proposed launch of some guidelines on the elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks. This launch will be organized by the Pan African Parliament in collaboration with the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, Ms. MulukaAnne Miti-Drummond, and the Centre for Human Rights, the University of Pretoria on March 15, 2023. It must be recalled that in 2021, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution urging member states to take all necessary measures to ensure the elimination of harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks. The UN asked countries to ensure accountability and effective protection of all persons particularly persons in vulnerable conditions. While this resolution was addressed to all UN member states, it is evident that the states in question are mainly member states in Africa because it is in Africa that most of these violations take place. Africa is a region that still grapples with the problem of witch hunting. The AfAW is delighted by this initiative to step down this resolution and make it relevant to the African situation and circumstances. The AfAW welcomes this effort to transform and translate the resolution into a mechanism to address the problem in the region. African countries face peculiar situations that colonialism, the advent of Christianity, and Islam have further complicated. Witch hunting has social, economic, political, cultural and religious aspects and the guidelines must address these specifics or they would be of no relevance.

Practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks have strong religious, traditional, Christian, and Islamic connections. As a matter of faith, many African traditional religionists, Christians, and Muslims believe that alleged witches do the harm they are accused of doing. They believe that attacks, killings, abuses, and maltreatment of alleged witches are justified. In addition, there are traditional, Christian, and Islamic religious experts who claim to have the power to identify and exorcise witchcraft. These religious professionals engage in witch-hunting as a form of religious service to the communities. Witch hunters operate with impunity across the region. The guidelines should contain steps to weaken the grip of witch and ritual beliefs on the minds of Africans. The guidelines should outline mechanisms to hold witch hunters accountable and responsible for their crimes. The legal situation has contributed to the persistence of harmful practices linked to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks. Although witchcraft accusations and witch-hunting are against the law in many African countries, these legal provisions are seldom enforced.

Many Africans regard these legal provisions, introduced during the colonial era and adopted as a part of the national laws at independence as western and inconsistent with African norms

and values. There have been calls and recommendations to repeal these laws and introduce provisions that criminalize witchcraft. In some African countries such as Cameroon and the Central African Republic, the law criminalizes witchcraft. The guidelines should suggest ways to address this complicated legal situation.

Furthermore, the witchcraft accusation is a public health issue and shows the decadent health infrastructure and appalling state of health care programs in the region. Africans use witchcraft narratives to make sense of public health challenges such as diseases and death. Often witches are held responsible for various ailments, including malaria, heart attack, and HIV/AIDS. They have been accused of causing accidents and other misfortunes in families and communities. The guidelines should contain some health-related angles that address those gaps that Africans use accusations of witchcraft or ritual attacks to fill.

Lastly, the guidelines must address the human rights of those who identify as witches and ensure that steps are taken to protect their rights as human rights. The launch of these guidelines signals hope for the realization of a witch hunting free Africa. The AfAW envisions an end to abuses linked to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks in Africa by 2030.

This launch will help realize this important vision and objective.

Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches

Open Letter to Hon. Ngozi Okolie

I

want to first use this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the polls. My purpose of writing you this letter is to let you know that the reason residents of Aniocha Oshimili Federal Constituency voted massively for you was because of the poor representation of your predecessor Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for the past 12 years.

For 16 years residents of Aniocha South Constituency have not seen power supply. Communities like Ashama, Olodu, Olloh, Adonte, Nsukwa, Egbuduaka, Ejeme Aniogor, Ejeme Uno, Ewulu, Isheagu, Okwuoba, Abaunor, Azagba, Igbudu, Ubulu Okiti, Mute, Otulu, EdoOtulu; these communities do not have electricity neither do they have good roads, health facilities and network coverages, etc.

We as a pressure group for good governance in Aniocha South Constituency came particularly to tackle the issues of underdevelopment and poor representation in our communities and would hold all representatives accountable from henceforth because enough is enough. Our communities have suffered enough.

We hope you will give us efficient and reliable representation.

Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, One Voice, Our Choice, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State

Tiv People and Benue Valley T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI 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, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, 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

T

he migration of the Tiv tribal stock from the Congo to the present-day Nigeria’s Benue Valley in the late 19th century coincided with the period in which Leopold II held a private interest in the then Congo Free State and brutally oppressed the natives over there. By some estimates, the population of the entire Congo Free State was determined to have declined from some 20 million to 8.5 million between 1891 and 1911. Is it any wonder today that a head honcho at the Greater Congo Area today is known as Denis Sassou-Nguesso?

If he were a Nigerian Tivman, this honcho would be called Dennis Sesugh-Nguesugh. Check it out. Of their Congo origins, Nigerian Tiv have no doubt. Over now to the anthropologists and the DNA specs. Upande ve?

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

14

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

NEWS

Redeem Your Image Today, Catholic Bishops Tasks INEC Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

PRESIDENTIAL INTERFACE… L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic/former army chief, retired Lt Gen Tukur Buratai at the State House Abuja…yesterday

Senate Presidency May Go North-west, Barau Favoured Bennett Oghifo

Against the backdrop of the jostle for the top job of the President of the Senate, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) looks set to zone the position to the North-west Geo-political zone.

Sources told THISDSAY last night that the decision was reached by the leadership of the APC after consulting with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The decision overrides earlier suggestions in some quarters to zone the position to the South.

Another APC source revealed that what swung the decision in favour of the North-west was because Tinubu got his highest

number of votes from the zone.

Some top leaders of the party from the zone were said to have made that very strong case for the North-west based on this.

They maintained that the zone should be rewarded for its performance during the presidential election.

They went further to argue that having the Senate President from the North West will spur the zone to give His Excellency more votes in his reelection in 2027 God willing.

A source close to the APC National Chairman told THISDAY: “It would amount to a great mistake if the position of the President of the Senate is gifted to zones where we got very little votes. This should not be done due to the pressure mounted

by those who are calling for the so called “religious balance’.

“This country has gone beyond this kind of sentiment. There must be reward for performance otherwise, God forbid, our party will be doomed in future elections. We should not rob Peter to pay Paul. We must take a cue on how Tinubu won the primary and the general elections to become the President-elect.

“He succeeded based on his foresight, hard-work and above all Merit. He never resorted to evoking religious sentiment. This was emphasised in his statement to the nation yesterday that his cabinet shall be devoid of ethnic and religious considerations. There are several other positions that could go

to such zones.”

It was gathered that the decision to zone the Senate Presidency to the North West KDV QRZ RSHQHG D ÁXUU\ RI support for Senator Barau Jibrin from Kano North Senatorial District.

Amongst the aspirants for the Senate Presidency, Senator Jibrin is the highest ranking, having spent a term in the House of Representatives and now a third termer in the Senate.

A Senator from the Southsouth said: “Senator Jibrin has handled some very critical Committees in both Chambers like Appropriations and Education.”

Most Senators-elect, our investigations reveal, have been meeting secretly pledging support to Barau.

Court Orders Electronic Transmission of’ Results Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit results of the governorship and state houses of assembly’s election in accordance with its regulations and guidelines.

Besides, Justice Egwuatu, ordered the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to INEC Result Viewing Portal

(IReV) immediately after the completion of all the polling units voting and results’ procedures in Akwa Ibom.

The elections initially slated for March 11 was shifted to March 18, to enable the Commission UHFRQÀJXUH WKH %LPRGDO 9RWHU Accreditation System (BVAS) earlier used for the presidential and parliamentary elections.

However, delivering judgment LQ D VXLW ÀOHG E\ WKH /DERXU Party (LP) and its governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Uduakobong Udoh and 13 states House of Assembly candidates

in Saturday’s elections, directed INEC to conspicuously paste the publication of its result posters EC60 (E) at polling units after completing the EC8A result sheets in the state.

He equally ordered INEC to enforce the observance and compliance of Section 27(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 in the distribution of electoral materials during the conduct of the polls in the state by engaging the services of independent, competent, and reliable logistic companies who are non-partisans or known supporters of any political for the

distribution of electoral materials and personnel.

Egwuatu held that since the electoral umpire averred in its ÀOHG D΀GDYLW WKDW LW ZDV DZDUH RI its responsibilities under the law and had not failed to carry them out, granting the prayers sought by the applicants would not do any harm to the commission but instead, energise its performance.

The applicants, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ $%- &6 GDWHG DQG ÀOHG on March 15 by their lawyer, Moses Usoh-Abia, had sued INEC as sole defendant.

Police Investigating MC Oluomo’s Alleged Threat against Igbos, Says Commissioner The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa has said the command is investigating the Chairman of Parks and Garages, Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) for allegedly threatening to harm Igbos who come out to vote in today’s elections.

Owohunwa stated this in an interview with Arise TV yesterday, saying, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms any act, statement, or an action that could be interpreted as hate speech or that could be

interpreted as deepening political tension regardless of the brain that might be behind it.”

Akinsanya was seen in a video recorded at a political rally that went viral on Thursday warning people who do not intend to vote for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship and state assembly elections not to leave their homes.

He said, “We have begged them. If they don’t want to vote for us, it is not a fight. Tell them, Mama Chukwudi, if you don’t

want to vote for us, sit down at home. Sit down at home.”

However, the Lagos Police Commissioner said, “With regards to this specific video you mentioned, it is currently a subject of a detailed investigation.

Of course, we are deploying our cyber security access to solve that. And, I can assure you that nobody is above the law.

“This country is regulated.

Anybody that tries to use his position, or his influence on others to deepen hate, or engender political tension which could, of

course, snowball into violence, it remains the responsibility and the mandate of the Nigeria Police to investigate such cases.

“This specific one you mentioned will not be in isolation.

It is already a subject of review.

And it will be in the interest of the actors behind it and all others that might wish to also engage in such ill-informed, indirect action to be very careful, to be firmly warned because in the fullness of time, the full law will take its course and it will be not different in this instance if established.”

In view of the widespread complaints that trailed the conduct of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to seize the opportunity of the governorship and state Assembly elections to redeem its damaged reputation.

The Archbishop gave this charge yesterday at the St Joseph Cathedral, Aguleri, during the Holy Mass for the canonical erection of the new Diocese

of Aguleri and the installation of the new bishop, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh.

According to a statement by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the prelate took a swipe on INEC for “betraying the trust of Nigerians during the Presidential elections last month,” noting that the failure of the body to use the BIVAS machine “gave room for allegations that results were manipulated, doctored and compromised.”

Ahead of today’s governorship and other elections, the Archbishop charged that “this is not the time for lame excuses about logistics, technical glitches and the like.

Peak Performer Africa Honours Sanwo-Olu, Atuwatse III, Obaigbena, Others The Peak Performer (TPP) African is to honour the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 111, Chairman, Shoreline Energy Group, The Agbaoye of Ibadanland, The Publisher/Chairman of THISDAY Newspaper, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Dr. Benson Uwheru, the Managing Director DQG &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU (MD/CEO) of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc, among others.

The event is slated for March 23, 2023 at the Muson Centre in Lagos. The honourees are considered exceptional leaders on the African continent who are being celebrated for their performance as industry leaders, culture shapers, and game changers in transformational leadership in their respective spheres as peak performer.

According to the organisers, other personalities among the 100 personalities to be honoured from Nigeria are: the Chairman,

Shoreline Energy Group, Agbaoye Kola Karim; Group CEO of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Ibru; Ex-Chairman, KPMG Africa, Mr. Kunle Elebute; Founder, StanbicIBTC Group, Mr. Atedo Peterside and Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru.

Others Honourees are: the Country Managing Director, Access Bank (Rwanda), Mr. Faustin Byishimo; Managing Director, CLM Africa, Mr. Mbulelo Clive Khoza, (South Africa); Ghanaian Celebrity Blogger, Mr. Ameyaw Debrah, (Ghana); MD/CEO, United Bank of Africa (Sierra Leone), Mr. Mohammed Alhaji Samoura; CEO, MOREM Consulting & Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Mohammed Gillen (The Gambia) and CEO, Enterprise Group, Keli Gadzekpo (Ghana).

The awards covering fourteen (14) categories ranges from TPP Elite, TPP Hall of Fame, and TPP Legacy to Excellence, across multiple professions and sectors in the African continent.

Pharmacists Set Agenda for President-elect, Tinubu Pharmacists under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Lagos branch, have advised the incoming government to give quality healthcare delivery in the country a priority in its agenda.

Worried by the challenges in the healthcare sector of the nation’s economy, the Lagos PSN, at its 2023 Annual General Meeting(AGM) emphasised on the need to build an effective and functional health delivery system, saying it is ‘’imperative in this new order.’’

In a document signed by the Chairman, Gbolagade Iyiola, the PSN Lagos called on the President-elect to critically appraise the Charter of Demands of PSN submitted to him since November 2023, where it highlighted some demands including a change in the procedure in appointing the Ministers of Health and Heads of MDAs in the health sector and better funding.

The body demanded “improvement on the welfare of public sector Pharmacists and the generality of health workers in our country”, to stem the tide of brain drain as well as instituting

an “Executive Bill for a Bank of Health.”

It recommended for “Universal Health Coverage and proper implementation of National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, also enabling Local manufacturing of drugs and active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), excipients and related matters.”

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

This Buhari is Evidently Not Compassionate

I

often quiver whenever I remember the lives lost to President Muhammadu Buhari’s callous and useless Naira redesign policy/swap in the last three months. Take the case of Taiwo Oluwole (well known as Baba Bintin) an Ibadan-based radio presenter, who was desperate to get to the studio for his programme. He had money in his bank account but could not get cash to buy. This is the level Nigeria degenerated under Buhari. With the Naira scarcity, Nigerians are using Naira to buy Naira at a very high price.

Let’s flip back to Baba Bintin. Out of desperation, the man decided to walk to the radio station from his house, a journey of about 10 kilometres. He did not make it to the studio. The poor fellow slumped and died trekking to work in the early hours of March 11.

Baba Bintin had enough cash in his bank account to take a taxi to his office but was denied access to his money by a hopeless policy.

Another heart-wrenching story is that of Oreoluwa Aina, a National Youth Service Corps member who was serving in Lagos State. She was one of those who died in the Lagos train/bus collision that claimed six lives. Daily, Oreoluwa took public bus to the Lagos Alausa secretariat where she was serving. But on this dark day, she had money in the bank but no cash. So, she trekked to the nearest staff bus pick-up point and boarded the bus heading to Alausa.

Unfortunately, she did not make it to the Lagos State secretariat alive. Oreoluwa came to serve her father’s land in Lagos State but was rewarded with death, no thanks to Buhari’s heartless Naira redesign policy/swap. Late Oreoluwa’s father, Femi Aina puts it aptly: “The Naira scarcity led to my daughter’s unfortunate death.”

Nigerians have been experiencing unprecedented suffering and economic loss in the last three months because of the Naira scarcity. Buhari’s failure to amend the swap policy clearly shows that our president is coldblooded.

When the Supreme Court plainly in an interim injunction on February 8 ordered the suspension of the February 10 Naira swap deadline, and also directed the continued use of all the old notes, Buhari refused to budge.

Our President went on air on February 16 and invalidated the old N500 and N1000 notes, returning only the old N200 notes for a few weeks. What lawlessness!

The apex court eventually delivered

Buhari

judgment on the legality of the Naira redesign policy/swap deadline on March 3, declaring the policy unconstitutional and a violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerians as provided under the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended. It also ordered the use of the old Naira notes alongside the new notes till December 31 of this year. It took our President 10 days before approving the implementation of the judgement.

There was no way the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele would move without Buhari moving. So, while everybody was waiting for calamity Buhari to “speak”, the Naira scarcity pain persisted.

Haba! How can a President do this to his people? Government is about the people; it is about positively impacting the lives of citizens. I’m not sorry to say that Buhari enjoys seeing Nigerians wallow in pain.

The statement issued on behalf of the President by one of his media aides, a day before he bowed to the Supreme Court’s judgement, stating that the CBN had no reason not to comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Naira redesign policy, is a ruse. The addition that Buhari did not instruct Emefiele, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, “to disobey any court orders involving the government and other parties,” is a shameless admission of guilt. So, why did the President not query Emifiele and Malami for failing

to obey the judgement? For ten days after the judgement, this did not happen. This is hypocrisy of the highest order on the part of Mr. President. The CBN governor was obviously waiting for Buhari’s approval before issuing the directives allowing banks to comply with the judgement of the Supreme Court.

This is the truth.

The aspect of the March 13 statement that Buhari is of the strong belief that we can’t practise democracy without the rule of law and that “the commitment of his administration to this principle has not changed,” is disgusting. That Buhari has been an absolute respecter of judicial process and the authority of the courts since his assumption of office about eight years ago? This is ludicrous.

The Buhari government has a history of disobeying court orders. Just on March 2, he refused to obey the Supreme Court.

The court’s interim order was a simple one: Put on hold the implementation of the Naira redesign policy pending the hearing and determination of the case brought by the state governors.

Buhari disparaged the ruling.

We can all remember that the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky was detained for years by the Buhari government, contrary to court’s instruction. Also, the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki was detained illegally for over five years by this same government. There is a long list of court disobedience by the Buhari Government. So, which respect for the judiciary is Buhari talking about?

“Buhari rejects the impression that he lacks compassion. No government in our recent history has introduced policies to help economically-marginalised and vulnerable groups like the present administration.” That was how his media aide ended the March 13 absurd statement exonerating Mr. President from the failure to swiftly respect the Supreme Court’s judgement. What nonsense! So, Buhari has compassion and scores of Nigerians are dying from a policy he approved and he refused to rescind it?

He is unmoved by the suffering and economic loss Nigerians are experiencing as a result of the Naira redesign, yet, he says he is compassionate. As at press time, despite the Supreme Court’s judgement, there were still long queues in banking halls and ATMs because the CBN has so far refused to push out old Naira notes in its vault to the banks. Where is the President’s compassion here? The little cash paid out by banks early this week were from the vaults of their different

A Word for Godwin Emefiele

T

he International Monetary Fund’s 2022 Article IV Consultation report on Nigeria is 29 days old today. Sadly, I have not seen any move towards implementing any of the suggestions made.

The IMF made a number of recommendations, including a call for a review of the CBN Act 2007 to strengthen its autonomy, and governance and for the CBN to establish price stability as its primary objective. It also urged the CBN to resume the publication of its annual financial statements, as well as abide by international standards, while doing so.

The other recommendations that

CBN’s financial autonomy should be safeguarded through clear statutory limits on credit to the federal government and the need to prohibit the bank’s quasifiscal operations/developmental lending activities are key. The IMF wants these quasi-fiscal operations phased out, warning that an excessive expansion of quasifiscal activities would worsen financial repression, weaken the credibility of the CBN’s price stability mandate, and intensify the tendency for fiscal deficit monetisation.

The IMF sadly noted in the Article IV Consultation report that “a safeguard assessment of the CBN was completed in April 2021 but progress on implementation

of recommendations has been limited.”

My dear Godwin Emefiele, these IMF recommendations are vital if you truly desire a successful monetary policy for this country. Endless credit to the federal government by the CBN must stop. The era of the CBN funding the growing of rice and tomatoes must end.

You must allow Nigeria’s industrial and Agric development banks to focus on their jobs.

Emefiele, you should start working towards amending the CBN Act 2007 in order to strengthen its autonomy. Your target should be the 10th Senate. The Senators have already emerged. You should start lobbying now.

branches. The CBN, obviously under the influence of Buhari, is stalling the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgement on the old notes.

Scores of Nigerians are slaughtered daily by Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, kidnappers and other terrorists without appropriate response from Buhari, yet, Buhari says he is compassionate.

In almost eight years as President, I can’t remember “compassionate Buhari” visiting those who survived terror attacks or families of victims. When terrorists attacked the Abuja/Kaduna train, our President did not deem it fit to visit relations of those killed. I was not shocked. Even under his nose at the Villa, when terrorists killed five officers and men of the Brigade of Guards, on that day, our President simply jumped into his Presidential jet and travelled abroad. Under “compassionate Buhari,” Nigeria surpassed India as the country with the largest number of people living in life-threatening poverty in the world and became the poverty capital of the world.

Our compassionate President is unaware that Nigeria’s economy is grinding to a halt and has lost trillions of Naira following the over 70 per cent mop-up of cash by the federal government through the CBN. According to a Lagos-based economic think tank, these losses arose from the deceleration of economic activities, crippling of trading activities, stifling of the informal economy, contraction in the agricultural sector and the paralysis of the rural economy.

There are also corresponding job losses in the hundreds of thousands. What a compassionate President!

If indeed, Buhari still has any compassion left in him, he should go and spend quality time reading this report on the negative impact of the Naira redesign released by the economic think tank, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) last Sunday, and take steps to tackle the issues raised.

The think tank estimates that Nigeria’s economy has lost about N20 trillion since the Naira scarcity started.

The report continues: “The protracted acute cash scarcity has not only crippled economic activities across the country, but is now a major risk to the livelihoods of most Nigerians. Millions of citizens have slipped into penury and destitution as a result of the disruptions and tribulations perpetrated by the currency redesign policy, especially the mopping up of over 70 per cent of cash in the economy.”

Few days before Buhari bowed to pressure, the Director of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf declared: “Nigerians have never been this traumatised in recent history.

The economy is gradually grinding to a halt because of the collapse of payment systems across all platforms. Digital platforms are performing sub-optimally because of congestion. The citizens are consequently left in a quandary.”

The Naira scarcity triggered riots and other forms of civil unrest nationwide, still “compassionate Buhari” was unperturbed. So, to say that no president in the history of this country has ever inflicted this much pain on Nigerians is truthful. Even when former presidents of this country went to Buhari and pleaded for the amendment of the brutal Naira swap policy, he was unyielding. The blood of Nigerians who lost their lives to the Naira redesign remains on his head. History will never forgive him.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

16

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Head of Business Excellence, Tejumade Salami; CEO, Chukwuerika Achum and Marketing Consultant, Ayodele Arowosegbe all of The Adrenalina at the launch of the business in Lagos, recently

L-R: Assistant General Manager, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited (SCBN), Olusola Ayanda; CEO, SCBN, Lamin Manjang; Hon. Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie; Chief Technology and Operating Officer, SCBN, Rachael Asonibare; and Independent Non-Executive Director, SCBN, Mrs. Adiba Ighodaro, at the Bank’s International Women’s Day event in Lagos… recently.

CWAY Expands, Launches New Products Nigeria’s food and beverages giants, CWAY Group has expanded LWV RͿHULQJV ZLWK WKH ODXQFK RI QHZ lemon drink and Darjeeling Ice Tea to the Nigerian market.

According to the company, the new Darjeeling Ice Tea is a blend of tea and fruit with abundant

antioxidant properties.

The manufacturer while announcing the launch on its social media handle explained further that the new products boast nutritional elements that guarantee to keep consumers healthy and refreshed.”

It said, “Darjeeling is made from

SystemSpecs’ 4th Children’s Day Contest Financial technology provider, SystemSpecs has kicked off activities for the fourth edition of its nationwide Children’s Day Essay competition.

The firm also announced that it will be rewarding states which pull the highest valid entries in this year’s edition of the programme.

The competition comes in two categories- junior and senior, with the former for children between ages 9 and 12 and the latter for children between ages 13 and 16.

According to the organisers, participants are expected to write an essay on the theme: “Making Nigerian Children Better Citizens through the use of Technology”, which will then be submitted through the official competition portal.

Group Head, Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, Oluwasegun Adesanya explained the rationale for the contest as to be able to stimulate and sustain interest of young Nigerians in technology by giving them the opportunity to share bright and original ideas.

He informed that entries should not exceed 1,000 words for the junior category and 1500 for the senior category.

He said entries should be participant’s original ideas, devoid of plagiarism and to be endorsed

by an accredited school official, parent, or legal guardian for submission.

“This is the fourth edition of what has now become a major point of interest for thousands of public and private schools in Nigeria, as evidenced by the increased participation witnessed every year.

“A major aspect of SystemSpecs Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focuses on equipping young Nigerians with opportunities to become technology informed, empowered and fulfilled.

We believe technology capability has become an essential component of raising globally competitive children and that Nigerian children should not be left behind”, he explained.

According to him, the first-place winner in each category will receive a high-capacity laptop, a topnotch headphone, a portable laptop stand, a smart wristwatch, 120-gigabyte internet data for one year, and other gift items at the national award ceremony to be held in Lagos.

Adesanya added, “Second-place winners will also receive a high-capacity laptop, a top-notch headphone, 60 Gigabyte internet data for one year, and other goodies, while third-place winners will receive a high-capacity laptop, a branded hoodie, and lots more.

ICSAN Forecasts FDI Growth with Amended The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), has anticipated growth in the nation’s Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, following the amendment of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA 2020.

According to the institute, the amended CAMA which now enables Public limited companies (PLCs) to conduct Annual General Meeting (AGM) electronically comes with a horde of benefits.

President of the Institute, Mr. Taiwo Owokalade in a statement said that the new CAMA was a manifestation of what the institute had always advocated for.

He explained that the newly signed Business Facilitation Act 2023, which amended CAMA 2020, has now paved the way for PLCs in Nigeria to hold AGM without having to specifically seek the permission of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). He expressed that the move was a positive

development for the Nigeria’s business regime.

He said, “Under Section 240 (2) of CAMA 2020, only private companies are allowed to hold their AGMs by electronic means. PLCs could only be permitted to hold AGMs if specifically permitted by the CAC. This in itself was an improvement to what obtains under the old CAMA1990 which only recognized physical meetings. But we had recommended that whenever an opportunity for amendment of CAMA 2020 comes, the permission to hold AGM electronically should be extended to PLCs. “This is exactly what has been done now by Section 11 of the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 was signed into law on 13 February 2023, which now allows PLCs to hold AGM as long as it allows all the shareholders to participate and it is following the provisions of the articles of association.

the Darjeeling teas – famous for their strong and special aroma and RIWHQ IUXLW\ DQG PXVN\ WHD ÁDYRU often called the “Champagne” of tea, as it boasts top-quality.

“It is the only tea in the world to get protection under the Geographical Indication (GI) trademark

and it is grown in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, India.”

The Darjeeling Ice Tea brand joins the CWAY food and beverages portfolio that includes Nutri-Milk Fruit Milk, Peach Fruit Drink and Nutri-Yo Yoghurt, among others.

Adrenalina Reiterates Commitment to SMEs Growth (QWHUSULVH EDVHG &RZRUNLQJ RXWÀW 7KH Adrenalina has expressed its growth interest in the SMEs segments of the economy, as it NLFNHG RͿ EXVLQHVV LQ /DJRV The company listed its business focus as enhancing visibility, capacity building and facilitation of loans for smes operators registered on its platform. $W WKH R΀FLDO ODXQFK RI WKH EXVLQHVV LQ /DJRV &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI $GUHQDOLQD &KXNwuerika Achum stressed that the organisation aimed to create an environment where budding creatives and entrepreneurs can freely work, innovate and collaborate. +H VSHFLÀHG VRPH RI ÀUP·V RͿHULQJV DV provision of working spaces and collaborative opportunities for entrepreneurs, creatives, and freelancers on a subscription basis, amongst other.

Speaking further, Achum said, “Africa is the next frontier for economic development, and its teeming youths are the key to the actualisation of a prosperous future. Therefore, we want to enhance the capacity of these young people to create and grow businesses.

“We are seeking to de-risk the process of VHWWLQJ XS D EXVLQHVV E\ WDNLQJ RͿ WKH EXUGHQ RI

capital requirements such as infrastructure and regulatory requirements. We are also providing ÀQDQFLDO VWUXFWXULQJ KHOSLQJ EXVLQHVV WR JHW VWUXFWXUHG LQWR HQWLWLHV WKDW FDQ DFFHVV ÀQDQFLQJ µ Moreso, the company’s Head of Business Excellence, Tejumade Salami stated that the organisation places premium on delivering value to communities and members of the public, in addition to building businesses.

She disclosed that the organisation has unveiled series of initiatives, including a periodic podcast WDJJHG ¶9ROW]]]]· DV SDUW RI HͿRUWV LQ DFKLHYLQJ the organisation’s objectives.

Podcast co-host and the company’s Head of Customer Service Excellence, Hilda Edet explained further, “Voltzzzz a 30-minute interactive podcast that features celebrities from YDULRXV ÀHOGV GLVFXVVLQJ UHOHYDQW WRSLFV ,W FDQ be accessed on digital hosting platforms such as Sound Cloud, and via the social media.

“With Voltzzzz, we are creating a social space to contribute positively to trending issues in the society. The discussions are not limited to the podcasts because members of our online community are also encouraged to participate.

Through this we can receive feedback on our operations.”

Rite Foods Advocates Inclusion of Women in Tech Food and beverage manufacturer, Rite Food has called for more women involvement in digital transformation on the occasion of International Women’s Day, IWD, 2023.

This according to the organisers would help address the issues of gender inequality and inclusiveness desired for a progressive nation.

Marked every March 8, IWD is a day set aside to celebrate social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

This year’s IWD is themed, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

Marking the day, Managing Director of Rite Foods, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa beseeched corporate and public organisations to prioritise gender equality, noting that the gap in digital

access would keep women from unlocking technology’s full potential.

He stated that the organisation which boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure and DUWLÀFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH LQ LWV IDFWRU\ KDV WKH presence of skilled and innovative women in all units, whose expertise has helped grow the business.

“Having acted as great mothers at home with exceptional qualities, women would do well if given equal chance like their male counterparts in the digital transformation process that is experienced in various sectors of the economy, especially in the technological development of the nation.”

Also speaking, Assistant Brand Manager of the company, Boluwatife Adedugbe described the organisation as being women friendly, providing the gender group with creativity and greater opportunities for a better future.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Adekunle Gold Joins Def Jam Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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frobeats star, Adekunle Gold is set to take his music career to a whole new level following a recent signing with Def Jam Recordings. The deal was disclosed in a statement

by Nigerian Def Jam’s music executive, Tunji Balogun. The Afro-fusion singer, songwriter, since his rebranding from Adekunle Gold to AG Baby, has continued to hit major milestones.

Owned by Universal Music Group, the contract with the American multinational UHFRUG FRPSDQ\ 'HI -DP FRPHV DW D GHÀQLQJ moment and will see Gold join the league of Nigerian artistes pushing the frontiers internationally. Adekunle Gold’s latest single ‘Party No Dey Stop’ marks his debut for the label. “I’ve been following Adekunle Gold VLQFH , ÀUVW KHDUG KLV UHFRUG ¶6DGH· LQ µ Balogun noted in the statement.

Balogun added, “Over the years, everything in AG’s world has elevated — his songwritLQJ KDV UHÀQHG WKH VFRSH RI KLV DUWLVWU\ KDV widened, his vocals have strengthened, his approach to fashion is more distinct, and his showmanship and performance ability KDYH JURZQ H[SRQHQWLDOO\ µ %DORJXQ IXUWKHU explained. “He’s stepped into stardom on his own terms and is completely comfortable being his true self.

“When I started at Def Jam, I knew I wanted to bring the label into the Afrobeats space tastefully, with the right artistes and partnerVKLS $GHNXQOH IHOW OLNH WKH SHUIHFW ÀW ² KH·G already done so much work on his own to build a base, but I knew that we could scale his audience to an even bigger level if we FRPELQHG RXU HQHUJLHV DQG ZRUNHG WRJHWKHU µ %LOOERDUG LQ D UHSRUW D΀UPHG WKDW %DORJXQ KDV been playing a monumental role in bolstering Def Jam’s roster with more talent from the $IULFDQ 'LDVSRUD ,Q 6HSWHPEHU WKH ODEHO signed an exclusive worldwide joint venture with Native Records to develop African artistes.

Balogun added: “I think AG is a truly global

Adekunle Gold artiste, and a rightful ambassador for Nigerian music and the emerging Afrobeats scene. He has the talent, virtuosity, focus, work ethic and temperament required to be a worldwide

superstar. I’m excited to work with him and the Def Jam team to bring more fans into KLV ZRUOG µ Gold, born Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko,

Photography Exhibition: Alliance Francaise Partners Aize Paul Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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or its fourth Imagery and Visual Exhibition, RA Management NYC, the management arm of photography artist, Aize Muhammed Paul is collaborating with Alliance Francaise to exhibit the 99-image series.

The announcement was made recently at the Mike Adenuga center in Lagos during a media parley. Aize, disclosed that about 59 physical and virtual reality (VR) images would be exhibited within a month, starting with a two-day private exhibition opening on March WK -RXUQDOLVWV DW WKH PHGLD SDUOH\ KDG D ÀUVW KDQG H[SHULHQFH RI WKH 95 LPDJHV ZKLFK were quite refreshing.

7DJJHG ¶(UHQ 2JKH 2NKD]D ² (NS 2JKH XOH 2EDED· D VDIH SODFH WR ÀQG SXUSRVH IRU your story), Aize describes the essence of the exhibition as a means to create a sustainable channel for the artist and the market.

He said: “To put the art out there, it’s about the art for me. The idea for my art is to create a sustainable channel for both artist and the market as well. So, the idea is going across Africa, shooting black people and interpreting it into art and get to sell it to people and giving SDUW RI WKH IXQGV EDFN WR WKH SHRSOH µ This is following the successful debut of his solo photography exhibition called “Frozen &KRLFHV 6DFUHG 6SDFHµ LQ $L]H GHVFULEHV KLV MRXUQH\ WKXV IDU ´, VKRW P\ ÀUVW VHULHV during the lockdown and it’s been a glide ever since. Although I already experimented with fashion photography but capturing humans for humanity is certainly one of my life purposes, and

Aize Paul

having art pioneers such as Nicholas Logsdale, Caroline De Beaufort, Katie Barker and few RWKHUV DSSURYH RI P\ ZRUNV ZKLFK GHÀQLWHO\ EURXJKW D GLͿHUHQW VHQVH RI SXUSRVH WR P\ MRXUQH\ DV D SKRWRJUDSK\ DUWLVWµ Highlighting the inspiration for this exhibition and what he aims to achieve, he said: “The pre-shows for me is exhibiting means to connect by creating a space solely for a spiritual, Tech and Art experience. I want everyone fortunate to be present at the pre-shows to leave with WKH QRWLRQ RI 6(/)µ Speaking on their collaboration, the marketing manager, Allaince Francaise, Precious Naador said. “We are very keen on promoting art.

Alliance is an institution for art and culture, every year we usually have an open call where

we call for projects and this project was very intriguing. For us, we are providing the space, we are collaborating technically for communication and anything that will make the exhibition an accomplished project. We like to collaborate ZLWK VWDQGRXW SURMHFWV EHFDXVH LW ÀWV RXU EUDQG DQG LV DSSHDOLQJ WR WKH FRPPXQLW\ µ Aize’s art streak has seen him traverse Lagos, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya. A law graduate from Benson Idahosa University Nigeria, with a decade-long history of working in the fashion industry as a Creative Director and Fashion Stylist.

Aize said: “The ethos of my art is ‘Self’, a means to navigate one’s life purpose. The mission is to inspire individualism, to creatively encourage humanism on a global scale. For artistic purposes, my drive comes from aligning the individuals I capture with a creative process that enables conversation, sustainability and constructive engagement.

“I use both my native Benin dialect and English in expressing my art. I have had WKUHH H[KLELWLRQV VLQFH 7KH ÀUVW ZDV DQ LQVWDOODWLRQ DW WKH $IULFD *DOOHU\ LQ Lagos. The next in the series was at my private studio in Lagos. This included a virtual reality experience of my work ranging from archive pieces to the latest. ´/DPX .HQ\D ZDV P\ WKLUG LQVWDOODWLRQ this took place at Peponi Hotel, featuring the virtual reality experience and physical prints.

6KDUHG H[SHULHQFHV IURP WKH VKRZ UHD΀UPHG the people’s self-awareness and life purpose featuring art and a voice-over narrating tales of life and death.

“Integrating the virtual reality experience to a wider audience proves that creative possibilities DUH OLPLWOHVV ZKLOH QDYLJDWLQJ RQH·V OLIH µ

GHVFULEHV KLV VLJQLQJ DV D ´IXOO FLUFOH PRPHQWµ after Balogun tried signing him years ago, prior WR WKH H[HFXWLYH·V DUULYDO DW 'HI -DP LQ 7KH ´ 6WDUµ VLQJHU VDLG KH DQG %DORJXQ share Nigerian roots: “He understands it, so signing to Tunji makes sense. He’s like my studio buddy that just comes everywhere I go. The day he doesn’t have time to be there, I know he must’ve been like stupidly busy.

He’s great. When it comes to signing with Def Jam, the track record is there.

“The history is there. They break artistes, and they have niche, unique artistes like me, so I think it’s the right move for me. All of the things that I’ve done for myself already, they know already and that’s why they’re RQ ERDUG µ +LV ÀIWK VWXGLR DOEXP FRPLQJ XS LQ -XQH ZLOO EH GLVWULEXWHG ZRUOGZLGH XQGHU Def Jam. Gold recalls Balogun was in Lagos when he and fellow Nigerian singer Zinoleesky were ZULWLQJ DQG UHFRUGLQJ ´3DUW\ 1R 'H\ 6WRS µ That’s Gold’s new single featuring Zinoleesky that marks his Def Jam debut. He says of the song: “When we started to make the music, it was so easy for me to go in and just attack the song. I wrote my verse, I wrote the chorus, and it was a rap. I knew from then that this song was a jam. ´3DUW\ 1R 'H\ 6WRSµ DUULYHV DKHDG RI *ROG·V ÀIWK VWXGLR DOEXP GXH LQ -XQH ,Q VXSSRUW RI the project, he’ll embark on a four-month world WRXU WKDW·V VHW WR NLFN RͿ LQ 1RUWK $PHULFD in September and run through the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the Caribbean through next year. *ROG ÀUVW URVH WR IDPH LQ ZLWK WKH VLQJOH ´6DGH µ D KLJKOLIH ORYH VRQJ WKDW VDPSOHV LQVWUXPHQWDOV IURP 2QH 'LUHFWLRQ·V KLW ´6WRU\ RI 0\ /LIH µ *ROG HYHQWXDOO\ VLJQHG KLV ÀUVW UHFRUG ODEHO GHDO ZLWK 2ODPLGH·V <%1/ Nation and released his debut studio album, *ROG LQ ,W SHDNHG DW 1R RQ %LOOERDUG¶V World Albums chart.

Following his departure from YBNL Nation, $GHNXQOH *ROG XQYHLOHG KLV EDQG ´7KH WK Element in reference to the atomic number of gold. The Afrobeats star then started his own label, Afro Urban Records which he once confessed was the best decision he ever made DQG SXW RXW WZR DOEXPV ·V $ERXW DQG ·V &DWFK 0H ,I <RX &DQ +H UHOHDVHG KLV DOEXP $IUR 3RS 9RO

StarTimes Delights Viewers with New Turkish Series on Novela E

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tarTimes has premiered a new Turkish series, Three Sisters, on its Novela E channel.

The gripping family drama ÀOOHG ZLWK ORYH DQG VXVSHQVH airs every Monday to Friday at 30 Three Sisters, adapted from acclaimed 7XUNLVK DXWKRU ͦFODO $\G×Q·V EHVWVHOOHU LV RQH of Turkey’s top three most-watched shows in LWV ÀUVW HSLVRGHV This family drama series follows the lives of three sisters, their complicated relationships with each other and the secrets they share.

As they navigate their own lives, they uncover dark secrets, lies and betrayals that threaten to tear their family apart. Will WKH VLVWHUV ÀQG WKH KDSSLQHVV WKH\ VHHN" 6HULHV ORYHUV ZLOO ÀQG RXW LQ WKLV FULWLFDOO\ acclaimed series.

“We are very excited to bring this captivating series to our viewers. We know our viewers will enjoy being treated to a new world of telenovelas. A widely held opinion among novella lovers is that Turkish series have a great package of drama, music, acting, and beauty. And with a huge following of Asian series in Nigeria, adding a new treat to the menu will further enrich our viewers’ experience. StarTimes is committed to providing quality entertainment and content to its viewers. This series tapped from one RI 7XUNLVK ÀQHVW LV JXDUDQWHHG WR QRXULVK IDPLO\ HQWHUWDLQPHQW µ /D]DUXV ,EHDEXFKL 35 Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Rema Narrates How He Gave up Academics for Music Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Rema

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Tems at the Oscars

Afrobeats star, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed that he has ditched his admission and is fully focusing on his music career. Recalled that in 2022, the “Soundgasm” singer, in a post revealed he just gained admission into the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Creative Arts. He noted his decision was pre-informed by his mother’s desire for him to acquire a degree.

However, relating his decision to ditch his tertiary studies for music, the 22-year-old singer blamed it on the prolong industrial action by the $FDGHPLF 6WDͿ 8QLRQ RI 8QLYHUVLWLHV $688 However, a month after his admission, the ASUU went on 7 months strike.

He spoke in a recent interview with Count Down Radio about his smash hit single, “Calm Down”, working with Selena Gomez on the remix and buying his mom a car before blowing and others. “I got admission last year but I bailed on from ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ clocking up hundreds of thousands of views. it. I bailed on it because they went on strike,” (Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski).

Others also accused the star of being “rude” by Rema said. Taken aback, the interviewer asked Tems lost to ‘Naatu Naatu’, the soundtrack blocking the view of other attendees. During for clarity saying, “They what? What school of Bollywood blockbuster ‘RRR’. Aside from the live broadcast, captured via various Tweeter is that?”

ORVLQJ KHU ÀUVW 2VFDU QRPLQDWLRQ 7HPV· handles, there were several moments where Rema continued, “University of Lagos. In H[WUDYDJDQW RXWÀW VDZ KHU WUHQG QHDUO\ you could see the people right behind Tems fact, all school went on strike in Nigeria. “So hours. The bridal-style dress was said to peering over her shoulder to get a glimpse of they are back but it took a couple of months. be designed by Ukrainian-born, LA-based the stage or of Kimmel, the host.

But I wanted to really like strategise how I was fashion designer Lessja Verlingieri of Lever It doesn’t appear anyone said anything to going to do part-time schooling and touring but Couture. New York Post, RollingStone, and the Grammy-winning artist. Following the the whole strike made it look awkward. It was TMZ magazines had the moment captured backlash the singer received, a few Nigerians like a glitch so I just had to move on from it.” in jovial captions. “She stole the show — at have tagged the criticisms as a racial attack.

So are you gonna pass on it?” the host asked. least for the guests behind her,” one wrote.

7KH 2OXZDEXNXQPL ZURWH ´7HPV LV LQ KHU ÀUVW “I’m going to pass on it”, retorted Rema. “Because Another wrote. “Twitter Is Feeling Sorry racially motivated Hollywood drama. Yeah, right now, life is crazy, life is fast. So, Yeah! Right for Whoever Got Seated Behind Tems at the she’s doing very well.” Meanwhile, a section now, I’m full music, I told my mom. Though 2VFDUVµ 7KH VRQJVWUHVV ZRUH D SXͿ\ of users apportioned the blame to her stylists, Rema had earlier revealed his mom truly desired white gown that wrapped around the back who could have opted for a more functional that he acquired a tertiary education, he however, of her head. And while she stunned on the dress after the red carpet.

QRWHG VKH ZDV ÀQH ZLWK KLV GHFLVLRQ WR IRUJR red carpet, the dramatic dress was probably “Tems, meanwhile, is yet to address the studies and focus fully on music. less loved by those sitting inside the Dolby conversation herself — hopefully because she’s ´0\ PRP LV ÀQH ZLWK LW 6KH WUDYHOV ZLWK Theater. A video clip showed a woman behind made the most of her Oscars night even without me too. She was in London with me but it was Tems struggling to see what was happening a win to celebrate. And besides, cocooned as quite cold so she had to run back home”, he on the stage. she was inside her dress, it’s very possible the added. Meanwhile, the host told sent his regards Photos of the “Crazy Tings” hit maker standing controversy has missed her entirely,” wrote to the singer’s mom, telling his to inform her out in the crowd quickly went viral on Twitter, CNN African Voices. that he’d like to meet her someday.

Tems Lost But Stole the Oscars with Her Outfit Ferdinand Ekechukwu

N

ot a few Nigerians had hoped and looked up to the emergence of Nigerian singer, songwriter, Tems, in the nomination list at the 95th edition of the Academy Awards (the Oscars), which took place last Sunday night at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, United States.

She was nominated for her work as a contributor on ‘Lift Me Up,’ one of the songs on Marvel’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, becoming WKH ÀUVW 1LJHULDQ 2VFDU QRPLQHH Real name Temilade Oyeniyi, Tems was nominated in the category of Best Original Song following collaboration with singer Rihanna; music producer, Ludwig Göransson; and Black Panther’s director, Ryan Coogler.

The singer was nominated alongside ‘Applause’ from ‘Tell It like a Woman’ (Diane Warren), ‘Hold My Hand’ from ‘Top Gun Maverick’ (Lady Gaga and Blood Pop), ‘This Is a Life’

‘Arise Monalisa Foundation’ to Celebrate Women’s Achievements, Contributions Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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very year, women from around the world mark International Women’s Day (IWD), a day globally set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements

of women.

The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year’s International Women’s Day (March 8) cantered on the theme #EmbraceEquity.

March is also Women’s History Month and is a time to celebrate and recognize the amazing contributions of women throughout history.

The world comes together for IWD to celebrate women’s achievements and enforce a commitment to women’s equality. As part of events, activities marking the on-going International Women’s Day 2023 celebration, and also Women’s History Month, Arise Monalisa Foundation (AMF) is pleased to announce that the Foundation will be organising an event to support the theme and celebrate the

contributions of women.

Tagged “Equity versus Equality, Redefining Gender Roles,” the event which will take place on Sunday 26th of March, 2023 is billed to celebrate International Women’s Day, and also Women’s History Month. With the sub theme “Embracing Equity (Empower One Woman Empower Generations)”, preceding the event is a Green Carpet session for 11:30am while the main event is scheduled for 12:30pm at the Envoy Hotel, CBD Abuja.

Highlights of the event will include Networking Session, Charity Event, and Product Showcase and services. This significant occasion, according to the Founder Monalisa Chinda will be celebrating female entrepreneurs from diverse fields who are breaking forth in a male dominated industry.

However, there’s a twist to this remarkable event as it will also celebrate male folks.

Chinda added. “We will also be

celebrating men who have embraced their feminism sides and are proudly strutting their stuff in otherwise female dominated industries. And at the end of this event, we will be reaching out to the less privileged ones. We are banking on the support of the friends and stakeholders of the foundation to donate food items, money, clothing, books and anything that you have that you are no longer using.”

International Women’s Day has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.

IWD is not country, group or organization specific. Arise Monalisa Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation founded by veteran multi award-winning actress, TV Show Host and Humanist, Monalisa Chinda.

With the mission to inspire hope, promote creativity and create opportunities, the Arise Monalisa Foundation has over the years, actively worked in association with other well-meaning organisations to provide empowerment initiatives for indigent women, youths and children in Nigeria.

Monalisa Chinda

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

AUTO WORLD

19

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK Warning Signs that Your Engine is Overheating Knowing the warning signs that your engine is overheating can save you from seriously damaging your car. When your engine overheats, the pistons powering your car can expand and seize in the cylinder bore. If you continue to run the engine in this state, you can end up cracking the engine block and cylinder heads, resulting in a very expensive trip to the mechanic.

Your engine can overheat for a number of reasons. Some of the most common causes of this are mechanical failures such as broken fans or blown head gaskets. Problems with your car’s radiator and cooling systems, such as leaking coolant or a stuck thermostat can also result in your engine reaching a dangerously high temperature. Luckily, there are a number of warning signs that your engine is overheating.

If you respond quickly, you will have the best chance of minimizing serious damage.

Mercedes-AMG GLA interior

More Features, Improved Technology for Mercedes-AMG GLA, GLB

W

ith many innovations and an expanded range of standard features, MercedesAMG compact SUVs are embarking on the next model cycle.

According to a statement by the automaker, the newly styled front apron with the AMG logo and the light signatures at the front and rear make a strong visual statement. LED technology is now the standard lighting package, with MULTIBEAM LED headlights optionally available. Standout features of the model updates: The GLA wheel arch extensions are now painted in the same colour as the vehicle. $0* HQJLQH HOHFWULÀHG ZLWK K\EULG IXQFWLRQV 2Q WKH HQJLQH VLGH WKH */$ 0$7,& (combined fuel consumption: 9.2-8.8 l/100 km, FRPELQHG &2 HPLVVLRQV J NP > @ DQG */% 0$7,& FRPELQHG IXHO FRQVXPSWLRQ O NP FRPELQHG &2 HPLVVLRQV J NP ZLOO QRZ EH ÀWWHG ZLWK WKH EHOW GULYHQ VWDUWHU JHQHUDWRU 56* DQG DQ DGGLWLRQDO YROW RQ ERDUG power supply as standard. The second-generation

RSG functions as a mild hybrid. In addition to WKH WHPSRUDU\ SRZHU ERRVW RI N: 36 LW permits such functions as coasting and recuperation IRU JUHDWHU H΀FLHQF\ 7KH YROW WHFKQRORJ\ DOVR improves comfort, with the transitions of the start/ stop and coasting function barely noticeable. The N: KS RXWSXW RI WKH DJLOH KLJK WRUTXH 2.0 liter 4-cylinder turbo engine is distributed to all IRXU ZKHHOV YLD WKH $0* 63(('6+,)7 '&7 * WUDQVPLVVLRQ DQG WKH $0* 3HUIRUPDQFH 0$7,& all-wheel drive. The sporty driving performance is combined with a wide range of driving experience modes, from highly dynamic to smooth touring.

Enhanced interior with the latest MBUX generation The latest generation of the AMG Performance steering wheel is standard. The AMG steering wheel buttons impress drivers with bright displays and the intuitive control logic. Drivers can access important functions and all driving programs without taking WKHLU KDQGV RͿ WKH ZKHHO The MBUX infotainment system is also state-ofWKH DUW ZLWK DQ $0* VSHFLÀF VFUHHQ GHVLJQ DQG

H[SDQGHG IXQFWLRQV 0LQL JDPHV ZLOO KHOS WR ÀOO LQ WKH ZDLWLQJ WLPH ZKHQ SDUNLQJ $SSOH &DU 3OD\ DQG Android Auto can be connected wirelessly to the YHKLFOH &RQQHFWLYLW\ LV LPSURYHG ZLWK KLJKHU 86% FKDUJLQJ SHUIRUPDQFH DQG DQ DGGLWLRQDO 86% & SRUW The models are also provided with several driver assistance systems such as the Active Lane Keeping Assist that improves comfort by intervening with a gentle nudge instead of activating the ESP® system.

The next generation of the Parking Package supports SDUDOOHO SDUNLQJ DQG RͿHUV YLVXDOLVDWLRQ LQ camera-assisted parking using 3D images.

New options for all models New light-alloy wheels are available for all Mercedes AMG GLA and GLB models: in the 19-inch range, a 10-spoke AMG wheel in bicolour PDWW EODFN ZLWK WXUQHG VXUIDFH ÀQLVK 7ZR LQFK AMG wheels in a 5 double spoke design are also available in bicolour matt black with turned surface RU ZKHHO ÁDQJH 1HZ SURWHFWLYH FRYHUV IRU WKH standard sports seats or the AMG performance seats optionally available for the GLA give the SUV interior a contemporary feel.

Micking Wins Engine Oil of the Year at NAJA Awards

M

icking Engine Oil, a reputable motor oil lubricant company in the country, was recently voted the Engine Oil of the Year at the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards held in Lagos recently.

The event was attended by stakeholders in Nigeria’s auto industry. Micking Engine Oil is seen in the industry as a preferred brand, particularly by standard workshop owners. The product range covers all grades of engine oil needed by both petrol and diesel engines.

Speaking after receiving the award, the Managing Director of Golden Stone Investments Limited, distributors of Micking engine RLO LQ 1LJHULD 0U $QG\ 2ͿRU OLVWHG WKH qualities of the engine oil that made it the leading lubricant not only in Nigeria but also in South Korea, where the oil is rated as the best. He said Micking gives up to 10,000 mileages before changing, extends the service interval as well as engine life, and drains the engine. The oil also improves protection against sludge and harmful deposits. Apart from guaranteeing easy engine starting, and excellent high – and low temperature performance. it has remarkable anti-wear and anti-oxidation properties.

He said that as a result of its quality, Micking has a very large customer base, including Dangote Automobiles, Briscoe 0RWRUV 0DQGLODV $XWRPHGLFV &OXVFR 0RWRUV Kewalram, GIG Motors, and Mercedes-Benz.

Winners at NAJA Awards 2WKHUV LQFOXGH $%& 7UDQVSRUW ,QHK 0LF Motors, Izuchuckwu Motors, German Motors, and other corporate companies. “Micking’s exploit is all over the world because it covers all engine oil needs for any vehicle brand.

From OW20 to 5W30, 5W20, 10W40, 20W50, etc Micking has it all and is the best too,” he added.

He stated that winning the award was just the beginning of what the product was about to do in Nigeria. He advised motorists and auto companies that were yet to test the

product to do so and give their engines the oil they have been waiting for. “We have done our comparable analysis, and I can FRQÀGHQWO\ WHOO \RX WKDW 0LFNLQJ SURGXFW stands out, and no company in the country has the kind of wide range like Micking.

Many have confessed to the quality, as it has solved smoking due to sludge, drying of oil in their engines, among others. It should EH UHFDOOHG WKDW 0LFNLQJ LV WKH ÀUVW .RUHDQ oil maker to win a NAJA award since its inception.”

Hot Hood When the engine is running, you can expect the hood to emit heat and feel warm to the touch. This is completely normal. If however, your car’s hood is extremely hot, this could be cause for concern. You should be able to comfortably place your hand on the hood for 10 seconds without burning it.

Temperature Gauge or Light On your dashboard, you should see a warning light or gauge indicating the temperature RI \RXU HQJLQH ,I WKH OLJKW ÁDVKHV RQ RU WKH gauge reads near maximum, it means there is excessive heat generating in your engine.

However, this warning light cannot always be trusted to alert you of an overheating engine.

It functions by measuring the temperature of the coolant, so in the case of a huge coolant leak, there would be nothing for it to measure.

Ticking Noise If your engine is making an audible ticking noise, it means that your engine oil is failing to OXEULFDWH WKH PRYLQJ SDUWV VX΀FLHQWO\ :KHQ engine oil is overheated, it loses its lubricating properties and behaves more like water than oil. At high temperatures, if the mechanical parts of your engine are clacking against each other audibly you can expect them to undergo wear and tear at a much higher rate than usual.

Coolant Leaking on the Ground If you notice a puddle of coolant under your car, it could be a sign of a leak somewhere in your cooling system. It also could indicate that your engine has overheated and boiled the coolant within the radiator, causing the RYHUÁRZ WDQN WR UHOHDVH H[FHVV OLTXLG WR UHOLHYH the high pressure created. In either situation, your car’s cooling system no longer has the FRUUHFW DPRXQW RI FRRODQW ÁRZLQJ WKURXJK the engine, so it will be prone to overheating.

Smells “Hot” There is a distinctive odor emitted when the engine heats up enough to start burning oil. As the temperature increases, the rubber seals, plastic valves, and bits of resin holding the whole engine together may begin to melt, releasing fumes that you would not normally smell otherwise. Most people describe this unusual odor as a ‘hot’ smell. It’s also possible that leaking coolant containing ethylene glycol ZLOO ÀOO \RXU FDU ZLWK VZHHW VPHOOLQJ EXW WR[LF fumes. Any unusual odors are a bad sign and should not be ignored.

Steam Coming from the Hood Steam billowing out from underneath your hood is a sure sign that your engine is overheating. As soon as you notice, pull RYHU DQG WXUQ RͿ WKH HQJLQH &RRODQW WKDW KDV reached its boiling point will convert into steam and build pressure within the cooling system.

(Source: Bowers Automotive)

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SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

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n Sunday March 12, 2023, family, friends and members of academic community came out in large number to celebrate a distinguished academia, an accomplished and erudite scholar, a man of many firsts in person of Prof. Amidu Olalekan Sanni who recently completed his tenure as third substantive Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo in Osun State. The memorable sendforth reception hosted by Ibeji Foundation and Misbaudeen Islamic Centre at Radisson Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos and accolades from the celebrant’s allies attested to Prof. Sanni as a man of sterling qualities in his chosen field. Here are a few guests that graced the event.

R-L: Celebrant and immediately past Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University Osogbo, Osun State Prof. Amidu Olalekan Sanni and wife, Hajia Aminat Sanni

L-R: Chief Hosts and Founder, Misbaudeen Islamic Centre, Alhaji Misbaudeen Bolarinwa, Chairman, lbeji Foundation, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti and his wife, Alhaja Adebisi Ebiti

R-L: A retired Civil Servant, Dr. Abdullahi Omotoke Awelenje and wife, Alhaja Moriam Odunola Awelenje

R-L: Chairman, Lagos State Pilgrim Board, Imam (Engr.) Shakiru Gafar a.k.a Mofesaye, Chief Imam, Badagry Division, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Ishola Uwais Akewusola and Alhaji Tiamiyu Nasir Adisa

R-L: MC of the occasion, Alhaji AbdulWaheed Tella, Hon. Justice Lateef Akapo of High Court of Lagos (Ikeja Division) and lmmediate Past Vice-Chancellor, LASU, Prof.

Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun

R-L: Managing Director/CEO, Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muniru Bankole and Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Health, Dr. Lateef Lawal

R-L: Former Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Prof.

Liasu Adele Jinadu, Dr. Daud Oniyide of Foreign Languages Department, Lagos State University (LASU) and Dr. Mustapha Bello, Religions and Peace Studies (LASU).

L-R: Vice-Chairman, Island Muslim Community (IMC), Alhaji Tijani Borodo, Chief Air Transport, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Chindo Ahmad and Chairman, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Ebute-Metta Branch, Alhaji Ahmed Niyi Odusanya

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Sterling Assurance, Dr. Fatai K. Lawal, and Dr. Saheed Olurotimi Timehin of Department of Foreign Languages (Arabic Units), LASU

R-L: Chief Missioner, Jejewiyyat/HOD, Dept. of Religious and Peace Studies (LASU), Prof. Abdulkadir Olawale Paramole and Amir Ikhuran-ul-Muslim Foundation, Imam AbdulHakeem Muhammed.

Son of the Celebrant and Managing Director, AVICENA Hospital, Magodo GRA, Lagos, Dr. Farouq Sanni and wife, Mrs. Hajara Sanni

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

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R-L: Imam, Lagos State House of Assembly Central Mosque, Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, Member, BoT, Island Muslim Community (IMC), Alhaji Suleman Raji and Member, BoT, Fountain University, Alhaji Olalekan Saliu

R-L: Former Senior Lecturer, LASUCOM, Dr. Mujidat Mosanya and Alhaji Ismail Animasahun

L-R: Member, Governing Council, Fountain University, Alhaji Sheriff Yusuf, AHOSA President, Mr. Rafiu Williams and Vice-Chairman, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, Ebute-Metta Branch, Alhaji lssac Alabi

L-R: Alhaji Jamiu Savage and Summit University Councellor (representing the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University), Dr. Mustapha Toyin Sanbe

L-R: Air Vice Marshal Sikiru Oladeji Smith (PhD) and Alhaji Mohammed Jamiu Anifowoshe

L-R: Chairman, Business Nest Investments, Alhaji Abimbade Adeshina and celebrant, Prof. Amidu Olalekan Sanni

R-L: Vice Principal/Director, Lagos State Teaching Commission, Alhaja Rukayat Olayinka Salisu and husband, Dean Faculty of Arts, LASU, Prof. Taiwo Moshood Salisu

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, AIMS Media, Hajia Aminah Muhammad and General Manager, Summit University Advancement Bureau, Dr. Nurat Akinlabi-Babalola

L-R: Daughter of the Celebrant/Consultant Psychiatrist, LASUTH, Dr. Azizat Lebimoyo and Head, Human Resources, Istabaraqim Nig. Ltd, Mrs. Folasade Otubusin

L-R: Imam, Light House Estate, Lekki, Alhaji Najeem Jimoh and Imam, Falomo Central Mosque, Dr. Tajudeen Adebayo

R-L: Mr. Tajudeen Ayanniyi and Alhaji AbdulLateef Ajenifuja

L-R: Mr. Temitope Bokoh and Member, lbeji Foundation, Dr. Akinfenwa Hakeem

L-R: Son of the celebrant, Mr. Yusuf Sanni, wife, Hajia Hauwa Sanni and baby Hamid

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

POLITY

Nigeria Scammer, Obije Halted in the US Using fake identities, online scammers in Nigeria or overseas, like Charles Obije who is facing time in US prison for his role in an online romance scheme targeting elderly women, preyed on US citizens seeking love companionship through dating sites and social media. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

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Millions of people, according to an online report, use dating apps or social networking sites to meet someone with hope of finding romance, but instead, many find a scammer trying to trick them into sending money. They fabricate attractive online profiles to draw people in, often lifting pictures from the web and using made up names. Some go a step further and assume the identities of real people.

Another report explains that the scammers will tell you to wire money through companies like Western Union or MoneyGram; put money on gift cards (like Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, or Steam), and give them the PIN codes, send money through a money transfer app, or transfer cryptocurrency. Scammers do these things to pressure you into acting immediately by paying money.

Dating scams, according to a study conducted by a group, Techshielder, cost the world a massive $218million in 2021, which works out to be an average loss of $17,661 per victim, with Nigeria ranking second most notorious country, next to Philippines. Nigeria accounted for 1,129 reports of scams. The total amount of money lost due to Nigerian dating scams was Obije put at $16.8 million, this total an average loss per victim of $14,892.

Obije, after being arrested while trying to leave the country, In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam, subsequently reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and and reported losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion. The median waived an indictment process. reported loss: $4,400. Using fake identities, the scammers in The US court documents revealed that Obije accepted huge Nigeria or overseas, like Charles Obije who is facing time in funds from at least three older women whom he duped into US prison for his role in an online romance scheme targeting believing they were in long-running online relationships with elderly women, preyed on US citizens seeking companionship a man, despite never meeting him in person. According to the through dating sites and social media. report, Obije’s victims were swayed to make several wire transA US citizen, Obije had a 2004 conviction in Ashland fers — sometimes taking loans or second mortgages — in order County for misdemeanor theft of a credit card. Obije, now to help the fictitious man with a variety of forced expenses.

40, following a recent report quoting Duluth News Tribune, The suspect was not indicted of perpetrating the schemes; on December 28, 2022, while attempting to board a flight to federal prosecutors said he was able to offer domestic bank Amsterdam, was taken into custody at Minneapolis-St. Paul accounts for the wire transfers. The defendant is a former St. International Airport. It was barely a few weeks prior to his Louis County social worker who most recently worked arrest that he had a meeting with the US Attorney’s Office as program director at the Lincoln Park Resource Center. regarding his status as a target of the investigation and the He ran unsuccessfully for the Duluth School Board in possibility of reaching a plea agreement.

2015 and also applied for a vacancy in 2019.

Obije pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit international Obije, who is free on bond pending sentencing, could money laundering in US District Court in St. Paul last week. face prison time. He referred questions to defence The online media added that Obije helped launder more than attorney John Hughes. “I can’t talk right now other $350,000 in stolen proceeds from online romance scams and than to say that Charles is a longtime member of the other schemes, forwarding the money to family in Nigeria. nonprofit community and takes full responsibility,” Hughes

said. The court documents revealed: “The scams were perpetrated from Nigeria, targeting U.S. citizens who were looking for romantic partners or friendship on dating websites and social media platforms.

“The scammers would create profiles using fake names, locations, images and personas — sometimes stealing others’ identities to cultivate relationships with prospective victims. A 69-year-old California woman told investigators she met a man online in December 2016 who said he was an officer in the U.S. Army and was eligible to receive retirement benefits, but his check had mistakenly been sent to Canada.

“He first asked the victim for $100 to help acquire the check, then continued to seek additional funds to help get the check past customs. Internal Revenue Service agents later discovered the profile was based on an actual Army member who was deployed overseas. That victim, who took out a loan secured by her house, ended up transferring $199,475 to accounts controlled by Obije and co-conspirators between September 2017 and June 2019.

“Agents traced the transactions, finding that Obije on several occasions received the funds and then quickly wired the profits to Nigeria, using descriptions such as “family expenses.”

“A 71-year-old California woman fell prey to the scam a few months after her husband of 43 years died. She described meeting a man named “Morris Walter” on an online dating website, and told investigators she spoke with him daily. Despite never seeing him, she indicated she was in a relationship with him.

“Walter” told the woman he lived in the San Francisco area and worked as an engineer for an oil company. He said he had gone to work overseas on a rig and needed money both to pay for the storage of oil barrels and to get off the ship. Sending the money, he promised, would allow them to begin their life together.

“The victim started by purchasing approximately $1,800 in iTunes gift cards, eventually agreeing to wire large sums. She was directed to send funds to several people, including Obije.

Investigators found that he received at least $20,000 from the woman in November and December 2018, forwarding $17,030 of it to his father in Lagos, Nigeria.

“The woman told agents she eventually cut off contact after “Walter” called her at one point and threatened to have a friend hack into her accounts if she did not send more money.

“A 68-year-old Oregon victim said she communicated via phone, email and text message with a “Ken Ebe,” who said he was from the United Kingdom and worked at the Nigerian Petroleum Co. She believed she was engaged to the fictitious man, who was arranging for them to get married.

Frank Mba in Ogun: A Take from Jose Mourinho Banji Ojewale

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ose Mourinho is the unpredictable, irritable, yet unforgettable, Portuguese soccer coach renowned for a host of feats confounding forecasters. He took clubs to great heights in his in-form days. Few tenderers of his era have matched his history: he has won a domestic title record in four different countries; he is one of only three managers to have lifted the UEFA Champions League twice with two different clubs; he is the first manager to clinch a European hat-trick, after winning the inaugural 2022 Europa Conference League with Roma, having previously secured the Champions League and the Europa version.

What’s the magic, if there’s any, that earns you prized international accolades in such a gritty sport? Once, in the newsroom of a popular TV station in Lagos, I listened as an analyst previewing a Mourinho match, attempted an answer; he sought a “demystification” of the ways of the 60-year-old who calls himself the “Special One”. He said all you needed to second-guess the Portuguese in a game was to look closely at his starting selection; it would lead you straight into his secret.

On this occasion, Mourinho’s Chelsea was facing a heavy-scoring side in the English Premiership League. The coach fielded Nigeria’s Mikel Obi and two or three others in irregular positions to begin the game. Upon noticing this tactical formation, our analyst concluded, “Chelsea would play a defensive game to deny little access at goal for even the deadliest strikers in the world.” He predicted finally, “With this Mourinho approach, the favoured visitors won’t get any chance at goal; nor would Chelsea attempt deep forays beyond their defensive wall into the opponents’ 18.” I think the forecast came to pass: although not a drab show in the long run, the match ended goalless.

I have lately been reminded of these winning ways of a famous football figure following the appointment of Frank Emeka Mba as Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command. As in the field of soccer, where a discerning coach aligns his team in recognition of the perceived or experiential threat of the opposite side, the Police authorities have brought into the Ogun scene not only an officer to prevent crime, but

also to fight it if and when it erupts. So, as soon as Mba was named as the new CP in the Gateway State, observers came to the conclusion that, given his background of a string of successful exploits where he has operated, he’s here to upset the old order and still the storm of criminality in Ogun.

Clearly, the Police undertook an avid reading of the security portfolio in the state and the outcome is that a figure would be needed now to change the game from a normal run to an asymmetrical style. The authorities would appear to have taken the Mourinho course in giving the citizens Mba to police the state. A Mourinho wouldn’t battle you with the conventional rules in the books. He’d be guided largely by a determination to contain you as you throw in your best. One moment of a Mourinho-contrived tactical slip by the ambushed, mortally harassed, pressed and stressed enemy during the skirmishes would be the invitation for the killer move.

That’s been Mba’s style. Newsmen who covered his days as Assistant Commissioner of Police at State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos State, say he established a policing standard whose hallmark was countering violent extremism while identifying with his community. Crime beat journalists have also spoken of Mba’s habitation in Ajah, a mixed-multitude haven of the hoi polloi and patricians. There as Area Commander, Mba reportedly took the battle to the doorsteps of the criminals; in some instances, he neutralised them before their operation.

Where they went ahead of him, Mba nonetheless didn’t give up. He put up a chase, leading to significant arrests and subsequently, a fall in crime stats in the area under his watch. These are the primary functions of scientific policing: preventing crime and defeating it if it shows its vile and venomous visage.

But in Ogun, a state speeding to overthrow the crime leaders, Mba, the troubleshooter, would need to go outside the box and rifle through his own ideas bag for innovative strategies. I believe the Police Command saw in him a man who could read a festering situation and respond in real-time to tame it. Ogun borders a bursting Lagos, which is emptying its flotsam and jetsam into Ota, the Gateway State economic hub. It is just a neat example of where the best of policing should take place. It has a long stretch of road that

opens Nigeria to the whole of the West Coast of Africa and, indeed, the world. It boasts an assembly of manufacturing plants second only to Lagos in the entire South-west. It is home to more universities than most of the country’s urban centres.

These vibrant features combine with other economic, cultural and social facets of the state, to make it an alluring investment destination.

Yet if insecurity is allowed a free ride in Ogun, this massive potential would remain latent and void growth and development not only in the state, but also in Nigeria, because within the state are revenue-bringing holdings benefiting the country.

The CP will realise that Ogun is troubled by an army of kidnappers, armed robbers, rival cultic groups, etc., who have terrorised the community and put progress on hold, despite the laudable efforts of government and security bodies. Mba must complement what has been done with other initiatives he successfully applied elsewhere.

Mba would also be expected to work with the government to free Ogun from the vicious grip of land grabbers (omo onile) whose activities have retarded the development of Ota. There’s a law barring them from their exploitative business. But it seems this piece of utilitarian legislation has gone into a retreat.

The new CP, as an experienced public relations person (three times he was appointed Police PRO, one of which saw him as Force PRO in Abuja), would need to work closely with the community and the media in the state. These platforms are veritable structures required in building trust between the Police and the people. Lack of mutual trust is responsible for lack of vital information-sharing in our society. The Police under Mba can thaw the icy situation by letting his men and officers establish more friendly presence in the society, notably in the inner communities. The Police must be our friend, indeed, not on the ubiquitous posters at the Police station.

When the analyst at the opening of this article saw the selection of the football coach at the commencement of a game, he correctly predicted the tempo of the match. Can we also here in Ogun hope that Frank Mba’s coming as the CP would reenact his fame as a redoubtable crime fighter?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

POLITY

Foundation Uplifts Gender Equality on International Women’s Day Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

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s the global community marks International Women’s Day (IWD), Cakasa Engineering Company and the Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation have emphasized the need for gender equality and women empowerment.

They made the call at an event to mark International Women’s Day on Wednesday at Mushin, a suburb of Lagos.

The Managing Director/ CEO of CAKASA Nig. COY Ltd, Mr Barnabas Olise said that IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign topic was created by its initiators to start a global conversation on why equal opportunities are not enough. Represented by Mrs Folake Akangbe, Manager, Personnel Service, Olise said that true inclusion and belonging require equitable action since everyone has their own distinctiveness.

The CEO said that flowing from the general theme for 2023, the United Nations has further made their theme for the year: “DigitALL Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

According to Olise, “In both our business operations and as an organization, Cakasa Nigeria Company Limited continues to place a high priority on gender equality and empowerment. This is in line with accepted international best practices. At Cakasa, we are aiming to develop novel approaches to assist our women in realising their human capital and become leaders, and change-makers for resilient and inclusive development. Women’s participation is crucial for organizational and societal advancement. As part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives, led by Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation (CEF), our CSR arm, we have encouraged women’s economic empowerment in tandem with girls’ educational advancement as a strategy to accelerate women’s inclusivity.”

He said that Cakasa was currently sponsoring the education of 10 young girls up to university level in Education District 1 Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State as a means of promoting gender equity.

He stressed that Women’s opportunities to pursue careers in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are reduced if they are unable to access the Internet and do not feel secure doing so.

“This is because they are unable to acquire the digital skills required to participate in digital spaces,” Olise said, adding, “75 per cent of jobs by 2050 will be in STEM fields.”

Officials of Cakasa Engineering Company, with other women cutting the International Women’s Day cake.

He, however, said that just 22 per cent of roles in artificial intelligence, for example, were held by women in the world today. He maintained that when women were involved in technology, more innovative solutions and innovations that support gender equality and cater to the needs of women are produced.

Olise furher stated: “Contrarily, their exclusion has significant financial consequences. We, at Cakata Nigeria Company Limited, will continue to drive for women inclusiveness especially in our core practice areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I wish you a Happy International Women’s Day.” On her part, the Executive Director of Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation, Mrs Helen Egbe urged Mushin women to be change makers: “We need women who would come and change the world. The men have done it so long. It’s time we need women to come up, and let’s see what women can do.”

Egbe supported her position by lending some quotes from renowned women across the globe thusly: “Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States of America says that if we do not lift up women and families, everyone was so short. Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the US, says that there’s no limit to what we as women can accomplish.

And Maya Angelou, a renowned revolutionist, says each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women. Serena Williams said that every woman success should be an inspiration to another. We are strongest when

L-R: National Organising secretary, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Kazeem Ibrahim; President OPC, Alhaji Wasiu Afolabi; first Vice President, Olasunkami Balogun; and women leader, Taye Ibrahim, during the press conference on Governorship and House of Assembly Monitoring held in Lagos....recently

L-R: Head, Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Dr, Gloria Uzoigwe; President Nigerian Dental Association of Nigeria, Dr. Tope Adeyemi; and Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr TAB Sanusi at the world Oral Health Day, held in Lagos…. recently

we cheer each other on.”

The Executive Director said that the Foundation decided to partner with the five schools within the Mushin area to celebrate women because of its vision to transform society and give hope to the less privilege.

According to her, the foundation has prioritised education, empowerment, Health, Research and development tools that are five focal areas. Mrs. Egbe said that as part of the foundation’s CSR, it decided to impact the women, mothers of the children of New City Primary School, Papa Ajao, Oduduwa, New Estate Primary School because they are the ones who really are home most of the time with the children.

She said that their impact on the lives of the children cannot be underestimated. She informed that the foundation would be partnering another foundation to expose the women to digital technological innovation.

She expressed gratitude to the women for given up their tight schedule to honour their invitation, and the education secretary of the district and the teachers and pupils of the schools fir their participation.

Also speaking, Princess Olu Akinlude, Education Secretary, Mushin Local Government Education Authority, expressed appreciation to Mushin women for their resilience.

“Many of the women in our community are so strong,” Akinlude said.

She stated that the “I can do it” spirit of the women is second to none, adding that they have also trained their children in like manner.

“We are going out every time wherever we are, to propagate the resilience of these women and to find a way of encouraging them in the area of specialties,” she stressed, adding, “That is what we have been doing even in our LGEA, empowering them in some training on the use of their hands.”

She said that the council was in talks with some development partners to build the capacity of the women in their chosen career.

In her keynote address, Engineer Agboola Olusola, called on the women to leverage technology to better their lives. Olusola said that with the aid of technology, the ordinary things you do could be transformed with better value addition. According to her, there is a world of possibilities for women to thrive in the world.

She advised the women not to spend precious time gossiping away or watching movies on their phones, and admonished them to make good use of their smartphones to improve on what they do.

The event was graced by women within the Mushin locality, staff of the foundation, the Cakasa Company, teachers from selected schools, and principal staff of the LGEA.

L-R: Co-Founder and Executive Director, I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival, Femi Odugbemi; Brand and Business Development Manager, AfiaTV, Vera Chidimma Okoh; Consul General, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Lagos, Michel Deleen and Co-Founder and Director (Programme), I-Represent International Documentary Film Festival, Jahman Anikulapo at the screening of Afia TV’s flagship documentary, Oso Afia, in Lagos… recently

L-R: Member Board of Trustees, TAF Africa, Dr. Tony Epelle; Member, TAF Board of Trustees, Hajiya Zainab Usman; Chairman, Board of Trustees, TAF Africa, Prof. Vincent Anigbugu and Chief Executive Officer, TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, during the TAF Africa pre-election meeting on the 2023 gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in Abuja yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 18, 2023

FEATURES Wema Bank Celebrates Female Customers at International Women’s Day 2023 Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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ema Bank Plc celebrated International Women’s Day 2023 on March 8 with a theme “Embrace Equity”, devoting the day to building an inclusive workplace and starting a conversation on gender equality.

The bank’s MD/CEO, Mr. Moruf Oseni, explained that celebrating International Women’s Day helps recognize women’s achievements as the driving force behind social, cultural, and economic progress.

He added that despite progress in recent years, gender inequality remains a significant issue globally, and IWD draws attention to the barriers women still face in education, healthcare, and representation in leadership positions.

“Wema Bank has been deliberate about embracing equity, we launched a tailored value proposition, Sara by Wema, to cater to female customers’ needs, and focuses on improving access to finance through low-interest loans to support women and women-owned enterprises. we remain committed to providing a conducive environment for women to thrive, as women are found in all cadres, from entry-level to a director, said Oseni.

The keynote speaker, Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, challenged men to drop their conquest and feel-good disposition by suppressing women and keeping them down. Highlighting that, studies have shown that having more women in leadership positions produces better corporate performance.

One of the main highlights of the Women Proposition is the financial education and training it provides to women.

The bank offers workshops, seminars, and online courses to equip women with the financial knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions and manage their finances effectively.

Many women have benefitted from the Women Proposition initiative.

Customers like Mrs Sarah Ebhomielen and Mrs Abimbola Olufunmilayo Payne, were honored with the “Most engaging customer” in the SARS community and “ the oldest “ customer respectively. They were presented with plaques for their awards at the event.

Speaking on the recognition, Ebhomielen said the award came as a big surprise to her as she did not expect it. “ Anytime I am on my Instagram account and I see any post by SARA, I click the like button. I do this every time. So, I happen to be the customer who is always interfacing with SARA. That is why I was honoured as the Most engaging customer of the SARA community”, she explained.

Ebholiemen said the staff of the bank always respond to her requests in a fast and efficient manner both online and offline, adding that their excellent customer service endear the bank to her. “ In terms of loans and services, they are fast, responsive and don’t waste time.

It is not only in financial terms alone that they are good. There is the education aspect too. They train customers, they bring us together to network and build a community. I don’t miss their training.

“Last year, I attended She can conference that they organised. I met a lot of people and we interacted together. I was very happy because I met people I have been seeing on Television.

“I have benefitted a lot from the training and mentoring programs of the bank.

Those things mean a lot to me”, she said.

L-R: MD/CEO, Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni; MD/CEO, FITC, Chizor Malize and the Founder/CEO of The Gem Stone Group, Fela Durotoye, showing their support at the SARA by Wema International Women’s Day event themed “embrace equity”, in Lagos...recently

Moruf Oseni

On her part, Payne said she was first, a civil servant who became a project manager and adviser. She said her interaction with the bank was initiated in respect of her projects, then she became a customer.

“I have enjoyed being their client because I have always received the services I want and the staff have always been polite, courteous, and proactive,” Payne said.

The Women Proposition, Sara by Wema, is not just about providing financial products and services. It is a platform that empowers women to take control of their finances, make informed decisions, and achieve their financial goals.

is also helping to create a more equal and inclusive society.

In a related development, Wema Bank has sponsored 40 career women for a mentoring programme aimed at helping them achieve professional and career success, break barriers to growth, and excel in their workplaces.

The programme was facilitated by the renowned international speaker and coach, Mr. Fela Durotoye, who co-opted 10 power women who have achieved success in their various fields in the corporate world for the mentoring.

The women underwent a six-week course, covering various aspects of development training, empowerment, and goal setting and achievement.

At the 2023 International Women’s Day event with the theme “Embrace Equity,” Oseni, presented the certificate of completion to the women and congratulated them for successfully completing the program.

Oseni stated that Wema Bank practices gender equality within its fold through non-discriminatory recruitment, promotion, placement, among others, and added that women have added value to the bank.

“What we are trying to do is to give what I call equity to the women, trying to give equal footing to the women. A lot of products are developed towards this end - savings product, loan product - and a lot of them will be unveiled in the course By offering women the tools of time”, Oseni said. and resources they need to As an equal opportunity employer, succeed, Wema Bank is making Oseni said Wema Bank practices gender a significant contribution to equality within its fold through nongender diversity and inclusivity discriminatory recruitment, promotion in the financial sector. and placement, among others. He added Wema Bank’s Women Proposi- that women have added value to the tion is a great example of how bank. banks can support and empower The keynote speaker, Mrs. Audrey women through tailored fiJoe-Ezigbo, urged the women to work nancial products and services, towards breaking the barriers that education and training, and a hold them back in the corporate world. commitment to gender diversity According to her, equity in the workplace and inclusivity. With this initiais crucial as studies have shown that tive, the bank is not just catering more women in leadership positions bring to women’s financial needs but about better corporate performance.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

18.03.2023

NEWS

GETTING SET FOR NPFL PAGE. 29

Folarin Balogun Torn Between San Siro Giants

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Samuel Chukwueze tries to out paces former Real Madrid captain, Marcelo Vieira

Folarin Balogun scores the equaliser for Reims against PSG after getting past goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma

Folarin Balogun Torn Between San Siro Giants His sterling performance for Stade Reims has made him one of the most sought after youngster in Europe, with San Siro giants-AC Milan and fierce city rivals, Internazionale both mulling a move for Folarin Balogun

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C Milan and neigbours, Internazionale are known for their fierce rivalry at the San Siro Stadium, but their rivalry would go out of the field to the transfer market this summer as both sides are keen on signing Arsenal’s on-loan striker, Folarin Balogun ahead of the summer.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Balogun is in Milan’s sights for next season as they look for a future No.9, but Inter have also been following him for some time and have asked for information ahead of the summer mercato.

Balogun is attracting plenty of interest as he is having a great spell on loan at Stade Reims having scored 15 goals in 25 appearances, and at the end of the season he will leave Ligue 1 to return to Arsenal.

He is a movement-based striker who is very quick at attacking spaces and his margins for growth are still big. He would be ideal both for Milan – who have been focusing on quality young players for years – and for Inter who must rejuvenate their attack.

At 21 years and 252 days, Balogun became the youngest player to score at least 16 goals in his first season in Ligue 1 since Mohammed Salem with Sedan-Torcy in 1960/61. He is currently the third highest scorer in the French topflight division behind Lille’s Jonathan David and PSG’s

Kylian Mbappe.

His price tag is currently around €2025m, but if he continues to score between now and the end of the season, the figure will increase again. It remains to be seen if either Milanese side make the investment.

The 21-year-old was always one of the most prolific strikers in the Gunners’ academy. Everyone who watched him tipped him to have a huge future in the game, but success at senior level didn’t come immediately.

However, Balogun is now showing his quality at the top level, and top clubs in Europe are keeping an eye on him.

Balogun will enter the final two years of his contract at Arsenal this summer.

The 21-year-old, who has scored more goals in Ligue 1 than Lionel Messi and Neymar this season, will want to play regularly after having a campaign as good as this one, but that won’t be easy at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta has Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard up top, while Gabriel Martinelli has also played there this season. That’s more than enough firepower, which leaves Balogun in a tricky position.

That’s probably why other clubs are interested in his signature, with Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that Inter Milan are keen to secure a deal for the talented

forward this summer.

The report claims the Nerazzurri see Balogun as an ‘interesting investment.’ It has further been reported that Balgun’s current price tag stands between £17 million and £22 million, but everyone knows that figure will go up if he continues his fine form.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played a lot for the senior side, but following his incredible campaign in France for Reims, Arteta has to consider giving him a chance this summer.

On the flip side, Balogun’s stock has never been higher. Arsenal are guaranteed to make good money if they decide to sell him.

Meanwhile, the Arsenal loanee has dismissed the narrative about Ligue 1 being a sub-par league as he continues to thrive.

The striker has headed to Reims for the season and has been prolific, scoring 16 times for the side who currently have the longest unbeaten run in Europe’s top five leagues. The French top flight has copped criticism over the past decade for its perceived lack of quality.

PSG, backed by their wealthy owners, have won the league eight times over the past decade to underline their dominance. No French side has won a major European trophy in that period either, but Balogun maintains that critique of Ligue

1 is off the mark having now played in it.

He told Onze Mondial : “Ligue 1 is really very difficult. I am very shocked when I hear people saying that the league is easy. I don’t understand why this league isn’t sometimes respected like it should be, especially on the internet. As a Ligue 1 player, I can say that it’s a very, very difficult division.

“There are lots of good, aggressive teams, and that’s without saying that the best players in the world are currently playing in this league, and despite that, they don’t win all of their matches.”

Only Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David have scored more than the Arsenal loanee, who has long been highly-rated in north London, but has been unable to get the minutes that would aid his development.

Ligue 1’s reputation on English shores was highlighted by Peter Crouch’s recent take on Mbappe, who he believes has to move on. He said on BT Sport: “He’s in a league that is below the standard that he’s set. He’s been unbelievable for France, he’s record goalscorer for PSG and I think the time has come to try it in a top league, either Spain or England.”

Despite the perception, Mikel Arteta is hugely impressed with Balogun’s exploits across The Channel having previously seen a spell at Middlesbrough not go to plan.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER NPFL TABLE GROUP A TEAM

Bendel Enyimba Akwa Utd Plateau Utd Remo Stars Gombe Shooting Kwara Nasarawa El Kanemi

P W D

L

PTS

9 7 2 9 5 1 9 4 3 9 4 2 9 4 2 9 2 4 9 2 4 9 2 3 9 2 1 9 1 2

0 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 6 6

23 16 15 14 14 10 10 9 7 5

P W D L

PTS

GROUP B TEAM

Lobi Stars 9 6 1 2 Sunshine 9 4 3 2 Rivers Utd 7 4 2 1 Abia Warriors 8 4 1 3 Tornadoes 9 3 3 3 Doma Utd 9 3 3 3 Rangers 8 2 3 3 Bayelsa Utd 9 1 5 3 Wikki Tourist 9 2 2 5 Dakkada 9 2 1 6

19 15 14 13 12 12 9 8 8 7

TOP SCORERS

Heartland warming up for NPFL

Heartland Technical Adviser, Obi Backs Team for NPFL Promotion this Season Kunle Adewale

The technical Adviser of Heartland Football Club of Owerri, Christian Obi is optimistic that the club would return to Nigeria’s elite football division at the end of the 2022/23 Nigeria National League season.

According to the 2005 U20 bronze medalist in Moscow, “arrangement is in top gear at ensuring Heartland gain promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL at the end of the season,” Obi said.

“I have prepared a crack team of players that are determined and ambitious, with the ultimate ambition of playing in the elite division with Heartland after this season,” he noted.

Some of the players like the former Julius Berger of Lagos safe hand is hoping to prosecute promotion are, Jeremiah Ndukwe (Defensive Midfielder, Solo FC), Anthony Okemiri (winger, Abia Warriors), Tunde Franklin Oyewole (striker, Sunshine Stars), Onyekachi Okafor (Striker, Alisman, Oman), Chukwujekwu Onuoha (Centre back, Nnewi United) and Chukwuma Nwankwo Others include Fabian Omaka (attacking midfielder, Enyimba), Udeozor

Heartland Technical Adviser, Obi

Ikechukwu (Left back, Nnewi United).

Others include, Bright John Chimezie (Goalkeeper, Dakkada FC), Afolayan Peters (Centre back, Dino Sporting Club), Gideon Julius (Akwa United), Arum Chukwuebuka (striker, Amanda FC), Chibuzor Ezeocha (Striker, Heartland Comets), Wohuruche Victor (midfielder, Go Round) and Chisom Chiaha (Goalkeeper, Nnewi United).

It would be recalled that the Com-

missioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Emeka Okoronkwo had charged that Heartland FC should focus on their league games right from the start against Abia Comets as they eye a quick return to the NPFL. Okoronkwo noted that Imo State Governor, Senator, Hope Uzodinma has assured the team of adequate support during the NNL season and that he has given them the marching order to ensure premier league games return to Owerri.

“We are happy with the development here today. It is the wish of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma to see that Heartland FC return to the premier league at the end of the season,” Okoronkwo said.

“The Governor has told me to inform you that you are going to get all the necessary support and encouragement to ensure Heartland FC leaves the lower league.

“We have unveiled the new players whom we know will carry out the Governor’s aspiration to the letter.

Heartland FC belong to the premier league and we are certain the present crop of players in the team will achieve

Lobi Stars Set for NPFL Resumption Lobi Stars head coach, Mohammed Babaganaru has revealed that the team’s State Federations Cup final match against Red and Black Flames FC will be used to assess their readiness for the second stanza of the season.

Babaganaru stated that it is important for the team to improve their performance in the second half of the season.

The experienced tactician also reminded the players of the need to work tirelessly in achieving their set goals in the league.

“Our next game is the final of the

State Federation Cup against a team that has defeated some big teams already,” he told the club’s media.

“We are looking forward to utilising this opportunity to further prepare intensively ahead of the second stanza.”

Lobi Stars occupy top spot on the NPFL Group B table.

Meanwhile, the captain of Wikki Tourists Football Club of Bauchi, Manu Garba has revealed that they are focused on improving their performance when the league resumes.

The Bauchi Elephants are battling to escape relegation this season. The management of the club in a bid to improve the team’s performance beefed up the squad with a number of quality players.

“We are focused on improving our performance,” Garba told an online tabloid.

“We have looked at our lapses and we are trying to improve on that on a daily basis.

“With the spirit in camp and the new players coming in, the challenge is healthy and we are going all out when the season resumes.”

C. Obioma Enyimba I. Osarenkhoe Insurance R. Mizo Bayelsa O. Ifeanyi Plateau K. Suur Lobi Y. Taiye Gombe I. Seriki Bendel J. Atule Lobi U. Abba Lobi

7 6 6 4 4 4 4 4 4

that.”

However, Obi has expressed his displessure over the 23-man list released

by Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro following his refusal to invite enough home- based players.

The Portuguese invited only one NPFL player- Victor Sochima of Rivers United along with two Academy players who featured for the Flying Eagles at the just concluded Africa U-20 AFCON. “The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF egg heads believe only in foreignbased players, but its high time the federation should start considering home-based players for invitation for Super Eagles matches, if not for anything but exposure,” Obi expressed.

The former goalkeeper also noted that, “inviting NPFL players to the national team gives them hope and want them to aspire for more.”

For Obi, the difference between the foreign and home-based players is the exposure to better facilities of the foreign-based players. “Aside the better facilities they are exposed to, talents abound in the NPFL,” he concluded.

It would be recalled that Super Eagles assistant coach, Finidi George expressed optimism that players from the NPFL will be selected for the 2024 AFCON qualifier against Guinea Bissau on March 24 and 27.

Finidi claims that the league has players that are talented enough to be part of the squad.

“The game against Guinea Bissau, if it’s necessary, we have to mix the team; bring some home-based players and overseas-based players and see how we can get the result.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER

Wilfred Ndidi could not stop Brentford’s striker, Ivan Toney from scoring against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium

Brentford Set to Compound Ndidi, Iheanacho’s Woes

Having lost their four Premier League games and sitting 16th on the log, Super Eagles duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho’s relegation-threatened Leicester City’s woes might be compounded as they visit a Brentford side that are seeking to climb into the top six of the league at the Gtech Community Stadium today

W

hile the Bees are looking to extend their unbeaten home run in the top flight to 10 matches, the Foxes are hoping to avoid a third successive away defeat.

Brentford saw their 12-game unbeaten league run come to an end at the hands of Everton last weekend, but they quickly returned to winning ways with a routine 2-0 victory away against basement club Southampton on Wednesday night.

Ivan Toney, who has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad – increased his top-flight goal tally for the season to 16 with an opening strike just after the half-hour mark before setting up substitute Yoane Wissa in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to seal Brentford 10th league win of the campaign.

Thomas Frank’s men have moved above West London rivals, Fulham into eighth place in the Premier League table, and with both Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion not in action this weekend, the Bees can climb into sixth place with a victory over Leicester.

Brentford have enjoyed playing in front of their own fans so far this season as they have accumulated 63.4% of their Premier League points on home soil, winning six, drawing six and losing only one of their 13 matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.

However, success today is not a given as they have failed to win any of their previous three Premier League meetings against Leicester, although they did come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Foxes at the King Power Stadium back in August.

Leicester appeared to have turned a corner earlier this year after winning three successive games in all competitions, including a 4-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur. However, a miserable run of five straight defeats has since followed, piling the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.

After suffering a disappointing 1-0 loss

at Southampton, the Foxes were beaten 3-1 at home against Chelsea last weekend to condemn the hosts to their 16th league defeat of the campaign.

A run of five successive top-10 finishes in the Premier League is all but certain to come to an end this season, with Leicester embroiled in one of the tightest relegation battles in years, sitting 16th in the table and just above the bottom three on goal difference.

Leicester have picked up as many points on home soil as they have on the road (12) so far this season, although suffering nine top-flight away defeats in 13 games is a cause for concern. The Foxes have won only three of their last eight away matches in all competitions since the end of December, with two of those victories against League Two opposition in the FA Cup. However, Rodgers and co can head to the Gtech Community Stadium with optimism as they are unbeaten in their last seven league meetings against Brentford, including a 2-1 away win last season.

Meanwhile, two sides striving for three points for entirely different reasons meet at St Mary’s this afternoon, as Southampton host Tottenham Hotspur.

Ruben Selles’s basement-dwellers were put to the sword by Brentford in midweek, while the Lilywhites most recently cruised past Nottingham Forest 3-1 last weekend.

There was no shortage of attacking endeavour from Southampton during a rainy visit of Brentford on Wednesday night, but the Bees’ cutting edge set them apart from their South Coast counterparts, whose survival task became all the more arduous with defeat to Thomas Frank’s crop.

From arguably being unfortunate not to have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford to remaining bottom of the table with a humbling loss to Brentford, Southampton still only have a

two-point gap separating them from the safety of 17th spot, but their relegation rivals now crucially boast a game in hand.

Southampton can only rely on so many James Ward-Prowse set-piece situations to bail them out of trouble, but the Saints can now boast a paltry three goals from their last eight Premier League contests, while six of their last seven Premier League home games have now ended in defeat.

Silver linings are few and far between at St Mary’s right now, but conceding just three goals in their last five Premier League matches - keeping clean sheets against Chelsea and Man United - can be viewed in a positive light, although that may not count for much against a rejuvenated Spurs outfit.

Southampton are a far cry from the team they were under Mauricio Pochettino, who has been strongly linked with a sensational return to Tottenham as Antonio Conte runs down the final few months on his contract, but the Italian’s fiery passion on the touchline was there for all to see during the visit of Forest.

Richarlison may have seen a strike chalked off within three minutes as his wait for a first Premier League goal for Tottenham goes on, but Harry Kane’s 19th and 20th goals of the season preceded a final Son Heung-min effort before Joe Worrall gave the Forest faithful something to cheer in the dying embers.

Conte’s side were also indebted to a last-gasp Fraser Forster penalty save from Andre Ayew for preventing a true squeaky bum time finish, but by bringing a miserable week to a pleasant end, their fourthplaced standing in the Premier League table remains safe for the time being.

The Lilywhites are out of sight of Liverpool, but Newcastle United have two games in hand to make up a four-point deficit, so Spurs’ hopes of Champions League qualification - which Conte claimed would be akin to winning a trophy are still out of their own hands.

Premier League Table TEAM

P

GD

PTS

Arsenal Man City Man Utd Tottenham Newcastle Liverpool Brighton Brentford Fulham Chelsea Aston Villa Crystal Palace Wolves Nottm Forest Everton Leicester West Ham Bournemouth Leeds Southampton

27 27 26 27 26 26 25 26 27 26 26 27 27 27 27 26 26 26 26 27

37 42 6 12 20 18 15 9 1 1 -7 -13 -17 -27 -18 -9 -10 -26 -11 -23

66 61 50 48 47 42 42 41 39 37 35 27 27 26 25 24 24 24 23 22

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Aston Villa v Bournemouth 15:00 Brentford v Leicester 15:00 Southampton v Tottenham 15:00 Wolves v Leeds Utd 15:00 Chelsea v Everton 17:30 SUNDAY

Arsenal v Crystal Palace 14:00

LA LIGA TODAY

Almería v Cádiz 13:00 Vallecano v Girona 15:15 Espanyol v Celta Vigo 17:30 Atlético v Valencia 20:00 SUNDAY

Real Betis v Mallorca 13:00 Osasuna v Villarreal 15:15 Sociedad v Elche 15:15 Getafe v Sevilla 17:30 Barcelona v Madrid 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

Erling Haaland Harry Kane Ivan Toney Marcus Rashford Gabriel Martinelli Mohamed Salah Aleks Mitrovic Miguel Almiron Bukayo Saka Martin Odegaard Rodrigo

Man City Tottenham Brentford Man Utd Arsenal Liverpool Fulham Newcastle Arsenal Arsenal Leeds Utd

GOALS

28 20 16 14 12 11 11 11 10 10 10

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 18, 2023

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

Goodman

Nigeria Loses Future Goalkeeping Sensation to England U20 Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Super Eagles’ hope of shoring up its goalkeeping department with the promising 19-year-old England based kid, Owen Olamidayo Goodman, is now on the brinks as he has been invited to the England U20 team ahead of the U20 World Cup. The goalkeeper, who was born in United Kingdom to a Nigerian mother and a British Father, is one of the two goalkeepers invited in the 22- man team by the Technical Director, John McDermott.

Goodman, who recently penned a new deal with Crystal Palace U21s is expected to report to the team camp tomorrow along with other players.

The team is expected to play three friendly matches before the departure for the 23rd edition of the U20 World Cup in Indonesia scheduled for May 20 to June 11, 2023.

Preparation for the summer tournament will see England play France, USA and Germany.

The English fans will have the opportunity to see some of the most exciting young players in the country when the U20 take on Germany at the Manchester City Academy Stadium on March 22 (7.30pm GMT kick-off).

The squad will then head to the Marbella Football Centre in Spain to take on the USA (Saturday 25 March) and France (Tuesday 28 March) as

preparation for this summer’s tournament ramps up.

Goodman has been the first-choice keeper for Paddy McCarthy’s Under-21s this season, keeping three clean sheets in 12 games.

He is a man spoilt with choice when it comes to his international football career.

He is eligible for Canada, Nigeria and England for his international career.

A young goalkeeper with a clear head and directions recently opened up on how he will arrive at a decision.

“Whoever calls me first, I will honour the invite,” he said.

When pushed further on the possibility of Nigeria, Owen gave an emphatic answer.

Leicester, Leeds Keep Tabs on History-making Nigerian Striker, Orban Premier League duo, Leicester City and Leeds United are reportedly keeping tabs on red-hot Nigerian attacker, Gift Orban ahead of a potential move.

In an interview with Teamtalk , foremost journalist, Ben Jacobs claimed that Leicester City have scouted Orban but stressed that nothing is advanced at this stage.

The report added that Leeds United could be in the running for the 20-year-old as they are in the market for a

young striker to help ease the goalscoring burden on Patrick Bamford.

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported three days ago that Orban has no immediate plans to leave Gent amid rumors suggesting that he could be jumping ship in the summer, and he is potentially being watched by top European clubs.

Jacobs confirmed as much, saying that he is not desperate to leave Gent come this summer and a

transfer in 2024 seems more realistic.

Orban has been in unbelievable form since transferring to Gent from Stabæk Fotball, breaking two records in the space of three days.

On Sunday, he became the first Gent player to score four goals in the Jupiler Pro League this century, and three days later, scored the fastest ever hat-trick in a UEFA competition, which was officially measured at three minutes and 25 seconds.

Calderano Halts Aruna’s Run at WTT Singapore Smash Hugo Calderano continued his dominance over Quadri Aruna at big stage as the world number five defeated the Nigerian 4-0 in the quarterfinal of the men’s singles at the WTT Singapore Smash taking place at the Sports Hub in Singapore.

The Brazilian played his best match against the African champion dominating in all departments to put an end to the unbeaten run of Aruna at the lucrative WTT Smash Series.

Both players started well in the first game playing with a lot of caution and matching each other in all departments.

It was the South American that claimed the first game at 11-7.

The second game was bal-

anced but Aruna raced to the lead at 10-7 needing a point to win but Calderano changed gear for the Nigerian to deuce the tie at 10-10 and went ahead to win at 12-10.

The third and fourth games were dictated by the tournament’s number five seed as he won 11-2, 11-2 to complete the 4-0 thrashing of Aruna and secured his place in the last four where he will face Olympic champion Ma Long of China.

Despite losing to Calderano, Aruna described his quarterfinal outing as not too good but took consolation in his overall performance in Singapore. “I think playing in this competition has increased my confidence going

into any tournament because there was no easy match here and I gave my all in all the matches.

I was not too happy with my display in the quarterfinal but I am happy that I once again showed what I can do on a big stage. I look ahead to more tournaments hoping to do well.

I thank Nigerians, Africans and my fans all over the world for their outpouring support.

The Nigerian media has been my strong supporters and I must also thank them for putting me out there. I will not stop working hard and giving my best all the time,” an appreciative Aruna said.

Super-Eagles were unimpressive at the last AFCON and missed out of Qatar World Cup

Nigerian Football Suffering from Eight Years of Neglect, Says Ladipo The President-General of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo has strongly lamented the low state of Nigeria football. The man who has led Nigerian football supporters to different countries in the last two decades says the drop in overall performance is a result of the ground the country lost in the last eight years.

Ladipo said, “We actually had eight underutilised years with the last administration. We achieved far less than we should have done because the man who was in charge focused more on himself and aesthetics than proper development of football in Nigeria. Rather than build up the system we focused too much on elections and people getting into international offices.”

Ladipo who lamented on the backdrop of the Flying Eagles performance in Egypt said the lack of growth pattern is now showing in our teams and clubs on the continent.

“Did you see how we lost to The Gambians? That is just a sign. Are we ever sure of the Super Falcons anymore? Did the Super Eagles qualify for the last World Cup? No is the answer.

Okojie Organises Golf Tournament, Moot Court Competition to Mark Diamond Jubilee Friends and associates of Chief Percy Okojie will storm Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS), Edo State for his 60 Birthday Pro/Am Charity Golf Tournament billed for March 25th, 2023.

Also, the maiden edition of Chief Percy Okojie Moot Court Competition among Law Faculty students from universities in Edo State will hold same day at the conference room,

Percy Okojie & Company Corporate Office, Benin-City.

As a renowned property lawyer, the competition area will be on Commercial Law, and it is being organised by Policy and Law Reform Centre.

Similarly, the caddies tournament holds on Friday as well as arrival, registration and cocktail in the evening, while the main golf event tees-off on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at BCGS golf course, Benin City.

In a chat with sports writers, Okojie noted: “I am greatly privileged to inform you that

by God’s grace I shall celebrate my 60th birthday anniversary on Saturday March 25th in Benin City, although March 20th is the actual date, but it’s on Monday.

“The birthday celebration programme will commence with a Holy Mass service at St Paul Catholic Church, Airport Road, Benin City on Monday 20th during the Mid-day Mass.

UK-based Coach Reveals Urge to Develop Nigerian Tennis Patrick Cole is a familiar name with tennis enthusiats in Nigeria having been involved in the game for well over 35 years as a player and now a coach.

Cole has been involved with Nigerian tennis and his knowledge of fhe game is top notch as he is highly skilled in youth development and athlete programming with in depth knowledge evolving into a high- performance coaching ability.

As a former tennis player

who represented Nigeria in several international competitions himself, Cole has played a key role in helping the Nigerian coaching team to mentor aspiring professional players win trophies in tournaments like Davies Cup, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and other top tournaments in the world.

“My immediate goal is to come back to Nigeria before the end of the year and work alongside some

of the Nigerian tennis coaches to help build a future champion for Nigeria,’ he declared whose ingenuity and high degree of professionalism has earned him widespread commendations from.colleagues.

The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has always welcomed his unique and outstanding coaching skillset acquired from years of practice in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

El Clasico, Guardiola Versus Kompany Live on GOtv Palace Sack Vieira after 12-game Winless Run The rivalry between La Liga giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, will continue this weekend at Camp Nou, in one of week 26 fixtures of the Spanish La Liga.

A victory for Madrid will reduce their point deficit to league-leaders, Barcelona.

However, a win for the home side will extend the point gap to 12, increasing their chances of winning the title. The match will be live

on SuperSport La Liga (GOtv Ch. 32) at 9:00pm on Sunday.

Before Sunday’s El Clasico, Atletico Madrid will play Valencia on SuperSport La Liga (GOtv Ch. 32) at 9:00pm today.

Today, Manchester City will face Vincent Kompany’s Burnley in one of the FA Cup quarter finals matches on SuperSport Football (GOtv Ch. 31) at 6:45 pm.

As manager of Burnley,

Kompany, a former Manchester City captain, will face his former club in order to give his current team a chance at the FA Cup. City will need to defeat Burnley to keep their treble hopes alive. On Sunday, Sheffield United will host Blackburn Rover in another FA Cup quarter final fixture at 1 pm on SuperSport Football (GOtv Ch. 31).

Crystal Palace have sacked manager, Patrick Vieira after a 12-match winless run.

Palace have not won a match in 2023 and were beaten 1-0 by Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday, their third defeat in a row.

They are 12th in the table but are only three points above 18th-placed Bournemouth, who have a game in hand.

“It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made,” chairman Steve Parish said.

“Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.”

Frenchman Vieira, 46, was appointed before the start of

the 2021-22 season and led the Eagles to a 12th-placed finish, earning praise for an attacking style.

However, this season they have scored just 21 goals in 27 games - only Wolves, Everton and bottom-of-the-table Southampton have fewer.

Before their defeat by Brighton, Palace had gone three consecutive games without a shot on target.

Saturday, March 18, 2023

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

Muda Yusuf on Naira Redesign “Nigerians have not been this traumatised in recent history.” ––The Director, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) Dr. Muda Yusuf, lamenting the impact of the Naira redesign policy.

How FIFA Rescued Me from INEC

F

ellow Nigerians, please, let me express how happy I feel returning to writing my Pendulum column today. Special thanks to the Publisher of Thisday newspapers and Chairman of Arise News Television Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena for always inspiring me to excel. So I’m back to what I truly love and treasure, READING and WRITING... But politics of opposition remains my part time vocation. A story for another time.

You must be wondering already, I’m sure, about what FIFA has got to do with INEC, a most notorious Nigerian electoral Commission that has attracted unprecedented odium and global condemnation to our already battered country’s image.

Yes, you can say Nigeria is not new to election rigging but the recent Presidential contest took the cake and its reverberations are yet to subside.

Let me go straight to my point. INEC managed to scam most of us by pretending to be serious about its job. I have had to go back to many of Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s speeches in the last couple of years and I have come to the conclusion that he’s nothing short of a drama king but a very poor one at it. It remains a mystery how he manages to keep such a straight poker face when selling lies to his captive audience.

Let me give one example only. I lost my last hope and faith in him while watching the melodrama that played out during the last collation exercise, an unnecessarily drab and terribly cumbersome exercise, at this time and age. Why do we need to assemble and engage those Professors as returning officers when the right and easiest thing to do was to TRANSMIT the results straight from the polling units!! Why would a so-called learned Professor not work towards changing and improving on the illiterate methodology and processes he met in place? Yet this man, Mahmood, sits comfortably for hours, like the Lord of the flies, supervising a complete charade while rushing palpably to Golgotha, a place of death.

I will never forget, nor ever comprehend, how and why Mahmood appeared so recalcitrant and unmoved by the pleas of Senator Dino Melaye who had tried to rescue him and our dear beloved country from eternal damnation that has befallen him and his team and the calamity that was wittingly foisted on Nigeria. All that was needed by anyone with a conscience, love for, and loyalty to his country was to allow more time to re-examine the barrage of obvious and obnoxious infractions arbitrarily committed nationwide. But Mahmood studiously ignored all genuine and germaine entreaties. It appeared like a case of a man on suicide mission and reminded me of the tortoise in one of Ola Rotimi’s plays who was asked when it will return from its senseless journey and responded “not until I have been disgraced...” In one fell swoop, Mahmood Yakubu recklessly frittered away a golden opportunity to join the rare and exclusive pantheon of great Africans who saved their countries and people from perfidy and brink

FIFA Council Members Amaju Pinnick and Ms Isha Johansen with Chief Dele Momodu and President Paul Kagame at the FIFA Council dinner in Kigali days ago...

of collapse.

Please, note that I have not written about who won or did not win but only about the lack of transparency in the entire process. The same technology that worked well for the other electoral offices suddenly developed tuberculosis and high fever for the Presidential race. This is the crux of the matter.

Mahmood was just too predictable. He was working from answer to question, like a somnambulist or a victim of hypnotism.

Everyone knew he was acting a dangerous script and that his macabre dance would reach its crescendo in the dead of the night, as if it was a meeting of witches and wizards.

So I switched off my phone in order to spare and save my eyes from witnessing this inglorious show of shame. And when that minute finally came, it was a cataclysmic fall for a country that parades some of the brightest men and women on planet earth.

The damage and its collateral effects were absolutely brutal and almost irreversible.

Even the supposed winners appeared too stunned that it could not celebrate its pyrrhic victory. It became a de javu of sorts. The world instantly joined Nigerians in mourning.

It was the global press that jolted us out of our comatose state.

On a personal note, I had so much faith in the promises made by President Muhammadu Buhari about wanting to leave a worthy legacy, despite my usual reservations and paranoia about such grandstanding in the past. I had prayed fervently that the President would not blow this second chance God has mercifully granted him after contesting for a record four times. But, unfortunately, the man on whose behalf I was fasting was actually busy gulping away voraciously...

Anyway, in order to unwind, I decided to travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar. But man

proposes and God disposes. A call from a prominent member of FIFA Council, Ms Isha Johansen, former boss of the Sierra Leone Football Federation and a football club owner, changed my plans. “Bros D,” as she fondly calls me, “if you’re passing through Kigali, let me get you a VIP invitation to the 73rd FIFA Congress...” I can smell a good opportunity for networking from hundreds of kilometers away and I was not going to let this pass me by. Let me confirm that what eventually transpired in Rwanda actually surpassed my expectations.

Last Sunday, I boarded Rwandair after seeking permission from my bosses at the ATIKU/OKOWA Presidential Campaign Council. I needed a break after the frenetic work we had put into one of the most phenomenal Presidential campaigns ever. As soon as we got off the plane in Kigali, I felt the overwhelming power of FIFA. Rwanda has become one of the most welcoming destinations of choice for global events and I must say FIFA chose right. Rwanda’s biggest strength lies in President Paul Kagame’s magical performance in a country that went through one of the worst genocides in human history.

Love him or loathe him, history will record him as a leader who brought his people back from eternal perdition. PEACE is what makes Rwanda livable. I saw some of the world’s most famous stars under one roof at the Kigali Marriott hotel. We bonded as one big family and there was no discrimination whatsoever.

For me the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, was quite a big revelation and huge inspiration, for a man his age and at his peak of success.

He is extremely friendly and down to earth.

He is a good friend of Africa. This was evident in the way he relates to my two friends on the FIFA Council, Ms Isha Johansen and Mr

Amaju Pinnick. He laughed heartily when I told him he is probably the most powerful President in the world.

I met and mingled with the movers and shakers of the football fraternity. I was profoundly honored to meet the former Manager of my favorite football club, Arsenal, Mr Arsene Wenger, as calm and composed as ever. Meeting him a few times was surreal.

Our videos went viral several times.

Our African representatives on the FIFA Council are making us very proud. Isha and Amaju introduced me to who’s who in attendance. I met the FIFA Vice President & CONCACAF President, Mr Victor Montegliani, former US Soccer Federation President and current Adviser to FIFA President, Mr Carlos Cordero, the 2002 Senegalese World Cup hero, Mr Kalilu Fadiga, Ghanaian soccer star Asamoah Gyan, our own indomitable Jay Jay Okocha, The Bull Daniel Amokachi, and too many superstars to mention from over 200 countries. It was such a delight meeting the extremely influential UEFA President, Mr Aleksander Ceferin, the great Senior Vice President of FIFA and the Asia Confederation President, Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. I met the South African Billionaire businessman and CAF President Mr Patrice Motsepe.

I was truly humbled by the humility of the Secretary General of FIFA, Mrs Fatma Samoura. But my biggest inspiration came from meeting President Paul Kagame at the FIFA Council dinner where he mingled freely with some of us. I discovered in him a hands-on leader. He was available and approachable. He even played in a soccer match. He’s admirably cosmopolitan.

The FIFA President has worked assiduously to take the organization to a much higher level than he met it. I saw the joy of fulfillment on his face as he reeled out highlights of his spectacular achievements. He was given a standing ovation after he was reelected unopposed for another term of four years.

The voting process was electronic and it was done almost effortlessly. It brought back memories of a dashed hope and lost opportunity back home in Nigeria. I wondered what’s wrong with us such that when we think we’ve taken two steps forward, we actually take ten backwards. All I could muster was SHAME UNTO INEC for its ignominious rascality.

I remembered my Boss, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and felt a sense of pride that I took the right decision when I chose to support him and Governor Ifeanyichukwu Okowa. The Wazirin Adamawa has demonstrated the traits of a true democrat.

His faith in the rule of Law is unassailable.

You will never see hooligans around him.

His supporters will never terrorize anyone on social media. This is the kind of gentleman Nigeria desperately needs.

To those crying that I should have supported someone else, I have nothing but pity. I marvel when highly educated people tell me I should be loyal to a friend and not to my country. I made my choice with my eyes wide open and I stand by him, in thunder, lightning and in rain.

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