SATURDAY 21ST MARCH 2020

CBN Intervenes at N380/$1 on I&E, BDC Windows Devalues official rate from N306/$1 to N360/$1 effective Monday

Obinna Chima and Dike Onwuamaeze The raging effect of the COVID-19 pandemic which has damaged appetite for assets across the world, as

well as the significant crash in the price of crude oil, have forced the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to technically devalue the Naira exchange rate.

Going forward, the Naira/

Dollar exchange rate on the Investors and Exporters' (I&E) window is now pegged at $380 to a dollar and would be allowed to freely move around the targeted band, THISDAY gathered from a reliable CBN

source. The Naira closed at N372 to a Dollar on the I & E window yesterday.

"You may choose to call it technical devaluation if you like, but all I am saying is that there's an adjustment in I &

E window of the market to reflect developments foisted on the market by the COVID-19 crisis.

"So, what we have done is to allow the Naira mirror developments in the market-

determined I &E window," the source explained.

In addition, the source told THISDAY that from Monday, the exchange rate for the USD Continued on page 5

FBI-Indicted Nigerians Jailed over N322m Fraud…Page 14 Saturday 21 March, 2020 Vol 25. No 9112

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COVID-19: Italian Index Case Recovers, Discharged FG adds Austria, Sweden to travel ban list Death toll surpasses 10,000 worldwide NMA directs doctors to suspend strike Sanwo-Olu orders arrest, dispersal of large gatherings Okowa: Vessels arriving Delta ports to observe 14-day quarantine Sirika: Lagos, Abuja airports may be shut later NCDC warns against use of Chloroquine for treatment WAEC postpones examination Fayemi directs Ekiti civil servants to work from home WHO: 20 vaccines being developed to tackle virus Italy’s death toll surpasses 4,000 Omololu Ogunmade, nyebuchi Ezigbo and Olawale Ajimotokan Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja, Segun James in Lagos, Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Italian that brought Coronavirus to Nigeria has fully recovered and has been discharged. Lagos State Governor, Babajide SanwoOlu, who broke the news to THISDSAY last night, said the Italian tested negative to the virus twice and was thus allowed to go home.

On the same day, the Nigerian government announced the inclusion of Austria and Sweden on the list of countries affected by the coronavirus travel ban, while the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, stated that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja

might eventually be shut, as part of measures to contain the virus.

The number of people who have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic globally has now exceeded 10,000, with more than 232,000 infected in 158 countries and territories, according to an Agence FrancePresse (AFP) tally based on official data, as at yesterday morning.

"You can quote me, he has been discharged. He is now clean of the virus," the governor told THISDAY. The Italian, Nigeria’s index case of coronavirus, flew into the country from Milan on February 24.

He had lodged at a hotel close to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, before moving to Ewekoro in Ogun state, the next day, for a job at the Continued on page 5

A PLEDGE OF LOYALTY...

L-R: The new Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abiola Ajimobi; President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, during the formal presentation of Ajimobi to the President, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ....yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE FIVE COVID-19: ITALIAN INDEX CASE RECOVERS, DISCHARGED cement company in the town.

He fell sick on the third day of his stay in the country and tested positive for the disease two days after.

In total, 10,080 deaths have been reported, most of them in Europe (4,932) and Asia (3,431). Italy is the worst affected country with 4,032 fatalities, followed by China with 3,248, the initial epicentre of the outbreak, and Iran with 1,433.

The virus can cause respiratory failure, particularly in the elderly.

The number of infections and deaths in the rest of the world has surpassed those in China, which appears to have staunched the virus with strict measures including a complete quarantine of Wuhan since January.

As the toll surged in Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the national lockdown, which had been copied around Europe, would be extended beyond April 3.

Italy yesterday reported a record 627 new deaths from coronavirus and saw its worldleading toll surpass 4,000 despite government efforts to stem the pandemic’s spread.

The Mediterranean country’s daily death rate is now higher than that officially reported

by China at the peak of its outbreak around Wuhan’s Hubei province.

Italy’s previous one-day record death toll was 475 on Wednesday.

Italy has seen more than 1,500 fatalities from COVID-19 in the past three days alone.

It has now recorded the five highest one-day tolls officially registered around the world.

Italy’s total number of deaths now stands and 4,032. Infections rose by nearly 6,000 to 47,021.

The nation of 60 million currently accounts for 36.6 per cent of the world’s coronavirus deaths. “There are so many people walking around who have the virus and who are at risk of infecting others,� Matteo Bassetti, the director of the infectious diseases department at Genoa’s San Martino clinic, told Italy’s AGI news agency. “The 40,000 cases we are talking about could actually be 100 times higher.�

The Italian government intends to extend a ban on public gatherings and the shutdown of almost all businesses past their March 25 deadline.

Regional leaders and city mayors are urging the Italian government to adopt even tougher restrictions such as a ban on outdoor exercises and the closure of all stores on Sundays.

France also mooted extending its two-week lockdown ordered this week by President Emmanuel Macron, as the interior minister blasted "idiots"

who flout home confinement rules and put others at risk.

In Argentina, President Alberto Fernandez announced a "preventative and compulsory" lockdown from yesterday to March 31, while Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state will close its famed beaches as well as restaurants and bars for 15 days to try to contain the pandemic.

The disease continued to hit high-profile figures with EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, Monaco's Prince Albert II and at least a half-dozen NBA players in the United States among those testing positive.

Countries are taking increasingly drastic steps to stem infections, with Australia and New Zealand banning non-residents from arriving.

The United States warned against international travel due to the pandemic and advised citizens to come home if possible.

Britain closed dozens of London Underground stations and shut down schools.

The EU closed its borders to outsiders and in many countries bars, restaurants and most shops have closed their doors until further notice.

Spain, which is on a near-total lockdown, on Thursday ordered all hotels to close immediately.

Spain has postponed formal funerals and wakes for coronavirus victims in the worst affected areas of Madrid and Barcelona.

Elena Guijarro, a 25-years-old physiotherapist from the capital, was been forced to bury her father while her mother and brother are still ill in hospital being with the virus.

FG Adds Austria, Sweden to Travel Ban List Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has announced the inclusion of Austria and Sweden to the list of countries affected by the travel ban in the light of the outbreak of coronavirus disease.

A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, who is also the Chairman of PTF on COVID -19, said Austria and Sweden had been included to join China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, United States of America, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Switzerland on which flight restriction was earlier placed.

The addition of the two European nations now brings the total number of countries affected by the travel ban imposed by Nigeria to 15.

Lagos, Abuja Airports Will Be Shut Later The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, yesterday in Abuja said even though the Murtala

Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja might not be shut immediately, the two airports would eventually be shut someday.

Sirika who made the submission while speaking with State House reporters after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, said other international airports in the country would be shut today in enforcement of the travel ban placed on countries with huge volume of COVID-19.

Asked why the Lagos and Abuja airports with the highest volume of international flights would not be shut in the face of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, he said the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had the responsibility to take the best decision, reiterating however, that all the airports would yet be shut at a given time.

"Well I think differently, this is my individual perspective. At some points these airports must be closed, this is my opinion. But like I said, there is Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to which I am a member.

"But certainly and definitely at some point, these airports must be closed (Abuja and Lagos), all of them in Nigerian will be closed. I think it is the safest thing to do because these things, they multiply exponentially.

Earlier in the day, President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of Nigerians especially over the spread of COVID-19 around the world.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said the president noted that protecting Nigerian citizens from the disease was the federal government's priority.

According to the statement, Buhari who made the remarks while receiving the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in State House, advised members of the commission to ensure that the safety and security of pilgrims are guaranteed.

Sanwo-Olu Orders Arrest, Dispersal of Large Gatherings Following Lagosians utter disregard to the state government’s pronouncement on religious gathering and large gatherings, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed law enforcement agencies to arrest and disperse any large gatherings to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

In the same vein, the government has ordered the closure of all tertiary institutions in the state with immediate effect.

Governor Babajide SanwoOlu during a live broadcast

on the Coronavirus yesterday said also cautioned residents against panic-buying of the Chloroquine drug, foodstuff, and other household items.

According to the Governor, several religious outfits defied the order earlier issued by the government and conducted their services including Friday congregational prayer (Jummah prayer).

"To protect and save lives, law enforcement agencies, especially the Police, have been directed to enforce compliance with the directive against any assemblage of a large number of people at any location.

"You will all agree with me that these times call for us all to act responsibly and abstain from all large outings or gatherings of any kind, be they academic, family, professional, political, religious or social", the governor said.

According to him, investigation revealed that the disease often spread easily at a large gathering.

"In South Korea, and Singapore, the disease spread largely through organized religious gatherings. The issue is of course not cause religion, but that the virus can spread through any large assemblage of people or gathering".

He ordered that all tertiary institutions in the state be shut down immediately to also prevent any further spread of the disease.

"We have also, following due consultations, announced the closure of all public and private schools in Lagos State with effect from next Monday, March 23, 2020; and I hereby direct that all Lagos State tertiary institutions shut down immediately," SanwoOlu said.

The Governor, who is the Incident commander on the Coronavirus also announced proscription of a large assemblage of people in any form to halt the spread of the disease.

Sanwo-Olu started by acknowledging that it was a trying period for leaders and citizens all over the world, noting that the virus had impacted every part of the globe negatively, with a heavy toll on human beings and the global economy.

He said: ‘’the impact has been enormous, on households, healthcare systems, global supply chains, and the global economy.�

He warned on the reported use of chloroquine to suppress Coronavirus, while cautioning residents to avoid consumption of chloroquine without prescription, noting that it could cause more harm than good in their system.

"On our part, we are going to commence a clinical trial of Chloroquine at our facility.

What I advise the community is that this drug has significant side effects. It is not a drug that you should use without

medical supervision. ‘’We are also extremely prepared and capable of containing the threat that the Coronavirus represents. Our bio-secure isolation facility at the Mainland Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba is equipped and able to contain the disease. “As the Chief Incident Commander of Lagos State, it is my duty to update you regularly on this disease, and on the steps we are taking, in Lagos State, to fight it, working in close collaboration with the Federal Government and other partners, including the private sector.’’ Sanwo-Olu disclosed that there are eleven confirmed cases in the State, with eight among them under isolation and in admission in the biosecurity facility in Yaba.

The governor also announced that the Italian index case had tested negative, and would be discharged soon.

WHO: 20 Vaccines Being Developed to Tackle Virus The World Health Organisation representative in Russia, Melita Vujnovic, yesterday said WHO had received certification requests for 40 coronavirus tests, as 20 vaccines are being developed. “As of this moment, the WHO has received 40 requests to consider and approve diagnostics tests, 20 vaccines are being developed, and many medicines are in clinical trials.

We are expecting first results in several weeks,’’ she said.

Ehanire: All States to Set Up Isolation Centres Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja shortly after the end of the Inter-ministerial Presidential Committee on Containment of Covid-19, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the 36 states government and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been asked to set up isolation centres to compliment the existing ones.

He said currently “there are about 350 intensive care units across the country designated to cater for Coronavirus emergency.�

While giving update on the spread of Coronavirus in the country, Ehanire said there are currently 12 confirmed cases, while the earlier two cases, the Italian index case and his main contact had been treated and discharged.

Speaking on the endorsement made by United States president Donald Trump regarding the efficacy of Chloroquine for treatment of Coronavirus, the minister said that the federal government did not accept it.

He said although the government was not limiting

options for dealing with the virus, it would always be guided by the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

"Chloroquine is no longer being used in Nigeria.

President Trump made some pronouncements about Chloroquine but we are not going to accept that, we are going to be working with WHO's recommendation," he said.

NMA Orders Striking Doctors Back to Work Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association has directed all its members currently on strike to suspend their action as part of efforts to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The association’s President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, gave the directive at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.

Faduyile said that the directive was one of the NMA’s guidelines towards the management of the COVID-19.

He said, “We direct all state branches of NMA to set up a five-man committee of health professionals including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses to monitor the level of preparedness and management of our hospitals. “This committee should interact with the different committees set up by their respective state governors and FCT Minister. “In line with the above, we direct all medical associations that have declared strikes against their management to suspend all actions as the national NMA shall take over the disputes and interact with the different organs/agencies of government. “In this regard, the Association of Resident Doctors of FCTA, Gombe, ESUT-Parklane and Kaduna as well as NMA Cross Rivers are directed to report back to work and treat Nigerians. “This gesture is geared towards treating fellow Nigerians notwithstanding the inhuman treatment meted on our members nationwide.�

WAEC Postpones Examination The 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination has been postponed indefinitely, as part of effort to stem the spread of Coronavirus.

The West African Examinations Council made this known in a statement yesterday.

The statement quoted WAEC Nigeria’s Head of National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, as saying that the examination scheduled to begin April 6, 2020, was postponed as a result of coronavirus pandemic.

Continued on page 53

CBN INTERVENES AT N380/$1 ON I&E, BDC WINDOWS on the Bureau De Change (BDC) window would also be adjusted to N380 to a USD, as against N360 to a Dollar it is at present.

The N380 to a Dollar would also apply to the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as well as customers requesting the greenback for invisibles such as tuition fees, Personal Travel Allowance and Business Travel Allowance.

Furthermore, THISDAY learnt that the official exchange rate would from next week, be adjusted to N360 to the USD, as against its current rate of N306 to a Dollar.

A circular from the CBN that was obtained last night confirmed the development. The circular addressed to all banks and BDCs titled, “Weekly Exchange Rate

Disbursement of Proceeds of International Money Transfer Service Operators (IMTSOs), dated March 20, 2020, seen by THISDAY last night, the central bank stated that from Monday, the applicable exchange rate for dollar sales from IMTSOs to banks would be N376 to a Dollar.

Also, the circular that was signed by the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, CBN, Dr. O.S. Nnaji, further stated that the exchange rate for banks to the CBN would be N377 to a Dollar; CBN to BDCs would be N378 to a Dollar; BDCs to end-users would not be more than N380 to a Dollar. “Volume of sale for each market is $20,000 per BDC. Kindly note that the GBP rate

should be derived from the dollar cross rate on the date of sale,� it stated.

Trading data from Bloomberg terminal showed that at Thursday's auction of the CBN open market operations (OMO) instruments, demand had dropped significantly, which is a reflection that Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have since adopted a wait-and-see approach to the raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Global markets have continued to suffer volatility as fears of the spreading COVID-19 weigh on asset prices. The unfortunate development has seen central banks and policy makers around the world continue to introduce stimulus package tackle the impact of the disease

on economies.

The CBN had on Wednesday announced its decision to increase its intervention to boost local manufacturing and import substitution with the injection of an additional N1 trillion across all critical sectors of the economy.

The move, which was in line with the banking sector regulator’s efforts to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy, came two days after it had unveiled a six-point palliative to ameliorate the continued impact of the global pandemic on the country.

The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, also announced a fresh N100 billion loan to support the health authorities to ensure laboratories, researchers and innovators work

with global scientists to patent and or produce vaccines and test kits in Nigeria, to prepare for any major crises ahead.

Emefiele had also said an implementation committee to drive the private sector contribution of N1.5 trillion infrastructure funding that will link farming communities to markets as agreed at the recently concluded ‘Going for Growth,’ economic roundtable held in Abuja, last week, would be set up next week.

Reacting to the development, the Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Musa Yusuf, told THISDAY that current macroeconomics realities as well as developments in the global economy has made exchange

rate adjustment inevitable.

Yusuf, however also said he was not clear about what the position of the central bank on the issue of devaluation or exchange rate adjustment was.

"But the reality is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to subdue the market.

"My view is that current macroeconomic fundamentals cannot support the current exchange rate regime. This underscores the inevitability of an exchange rate adjustment. “We actually do not have a choice in the circumstances. To do otherwise is to create new complications and precipitate a crisis for the economy. You cannot give what you don't have. The facts are glaring and overwhelming,� he added.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 21, 2020

NEWS

News Editor Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (sms only) Email ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

FOR HEALTHY NATION...

L-R: Chairman,Nigeria Governors’Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr.Kayode Fayemi; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi Kebi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, during the Nigeria Governors’Forum meeting on Coronavirus and Economy in Abuja...recently KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Senate: Ex-NIA DG Collected $289m from CBN without Presidential Approval

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Senate has disclosed that $289 million was paid in cash to former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke, in February, 2015 without the approval of the then President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, who made this revelation said from the reports before the committee the $289 million was released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from Niger Delta Security Votes without presidential approval.

NNPC and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had appeared before the Committee to explain why the money was released in cash to former NIA Director General against extant law.

Senator Uroghide, who spoke on behalf of other committee members, queried NNPC for giving order to the nation’s apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria on February 24, 2015 to release such huge sum of money to the NIA without presidential approval.

According to him, there was no document before the committee that showed that the former President gave approval for the release for

Oshiomhole Presents Ajimobi to Buhari Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday in Abuja presented a former governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to President Muhammadu Buhari, as the newly appointed Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party.

Ajimobi was appointed by the South-west caucus of the party, to fill the vacant position created by the appointment of a former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, as the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment by the president.

Briefing journalists in the State House, after presenting Ajimobi to the president, Oshiomhole said the former governor was not a strange face to the president having played notable roles at the pioneering stages of the party.

He said the president was glad to have him coming on board of the party leadership of the party with a wealth of experience as a former governor, senator and oil worker.

“I came essentially to present the former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, whom

the South-west has nominated to fill the void arising from the vacancy of the Deputy National Chairman, South, created by the appointment of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

“Of course, Mr. President already knows him. He hosted us a couple of times when he was governor of Oyo State and played a pioneering role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obviously, he is not a stranger to the president.

It’s just a way of formality that I have to present him.

“Mr. President was delighted about someone with his background - a complete gentleman.

He has been in the oil industry, a senator and a two-term governor.

So, he will bring on board a wealth of experience that will help to reinforce the quality of leadership of the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

Reacting to the rejection of Ajimobi by the Ekiti State of the party, Oshiomhole said Ajimobi was chosen by the South-west caucus of the party and if only one of the six states of the zone objected to it, it is a common reflection of the popular axiom that the minority will only have their say whole the majority will have their way.

such money to the NIA boss.

He further stated that from the documents made available to the committee by the Auditor-General of the Federation it was NNPC that advised CBN to pay the money to former NIA DG in cash which is against extant law.

Urhoghide said based on the audit query from the AuditorGeneral of the Federation, the NNPC granted a request from the NIA to pay $289m in cash to the Director-General of the NIA and that the NNPC complied by directing the CBN to pay the cash to the NIA. Urhoghide asked if the NNPC

had a mandate from the Presidency directing it to pay money in cash to the NIA. He wondered why the NIA should insist on cash payment when the procurement of the security equipment was coming from outside the country.

Urhoghide agreed with the submission of the Auditor-General of the Federation in his audit query that there was no way the President would have directed the NNPC to pay $289m in cash to the NIA. His words, “We want NNPC to convince this committee why you think that the transaction must be done by cash payment.

Tell us if the President expressly stated that the money should be paid to the NIA in cash. There is no way government business involving such huge sums would be transacted in cash.”

In his response, NNPC’s Director of Finance, Godwin Okonkwo, confirmed to the committee that the amount requested for by the NIA was actually paid out in cash.

His words: “Yes, we complied with the request. It is not true that we said the money should be paid to the Director-General but to the NIA as an institution.

I’m not defending NIA for requesting for the money to be

paid in cash but considering the circumstances which is for security purposes.”

He further defended the action taken by the corporation saying “NNPC obliged because we are not in charge of security, if they request for payment in cash and they said it is for security, NNPC cannot say no, and that it must be transferred through electronic means to a particular account.

“If anything happens afterwards, NNPC will not be held responsible.

It is the man who insisted that the money be paid in cash that would answer.”

Air Peace Identifies, Isolates Passenger with Suspected Coronavirus at MMA2

Gbajabiamila, Akala, Folarin, Olubadan, Others Defy COVID -19, Gather in Ibadan

Chinedu Eze

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

A Nigerian passenger who was billed to travel from Lagos to Asaba on Air Peace flight yesterday was stopped and isolated by the airline’s Coronavirus screening team when it discovered that he was very sick at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, known as MMA2.

An official of the airline told THISDAY that the passenger was supposed to travel on Monday but deferred his flight to yesterday probably because he was too sick to travel.

On Monday, Air Peace deployed personnel at every airport it operates in to check passengers’ temperature and subject them to hand sanitisation and anyone with high temperature was referred to Port Health.

It was when the temperature of this passenger was being checked that the airline personnel discovered that he was very sick and the temperature was very high.

The airline isolated him immediately and notified the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Port Health.

THISDAY also learnt that the passenger, who was immediately

denied flight by Air Peace, returned recently from UK and that he had been taken to hospital where he had undertaken treatment without informing concerned authorities, the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Air Peace, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the passenger was checked in by proxy; maybe, because he did want to be noticed to be sick, but the management of the airline had deployed staff that strictly monitors passengers checked in by agents, especially since the Coronavirus became a pandemic.

“A passenger who we learnt came into the country from UK and was very sick was stopped by our screening team when he was found to be very sick and we referred him to NCAA, FAAN and Port Health.

“Our records showed that he was supposed to travel on Monday but he movedhisflighttoyesterdaybutbecause of the stringent measures we put in place, our staff was able to detect him. We made it mandatory that every passenger must be screened and must use sanitiser before boarding our flight. He was not allowed to board our flight, he was immediately isolated.

A member of House of Representatives representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Musliu Akinremi, defied one of the precautions in the spread of Coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19 by gathering people for the final burial ceremony of his father, Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Akinremi Adisa.

The event held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, UCH, Ibadan, was graced by political office holders and politicians across different political parties.

Those in attendance that defied the precaution include the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

Others at the party are the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo; the 2019 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo

Adelabu; Senator Teslim Folarin, representing Oyo Central in the Senate; governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State in 2019, Dr. Olusola Ayandele; and Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Akin Oke. The 2019 governorship candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the state, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli; chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that include Alhaji Abass Oloko and Wasiu Emiola, were also in attendance.

Though, proper screening against COVID-19 was conducted for every person before entering the hall with digital thermometre and alcohol-based hand sanitiser provided by the organisers, which individuals used to disinfect their hands against Coronavirus.

The popular Fuji music icon, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, was the artiste for the occasion and he did what he knew how to do best.

The hall was filled to capacity and provision was also made for special canopy outside the hall, where political followers of Akinremi, a business tycoon, were entertained.

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Killing Nigeria with Binge Borrowing (II)

T

he Buhari government is notorious for binge borrowing and does it with so much impunity, throwing this generation, and indeed, the future generation, into bottomless debt. Binge borrowing has been on in the last five years, amid so much poverty, and this country has very little to show for it. This government cares less about wise counsels in this direction. That was why it recently railroaded our kick and follow Senate into approving a mind-boggling $22.7 billion 2016-2018 external borrowing plan, which the president said would be used for critical projects across the country. The House of Representatives is yet to take a decision on it. I won’t be surprised if it follows the Senate to approve the loan request. The two institutions are dominated by stooges of the federal government; people who care less about the Nigerians that sent them there.

This was the same loan request rejected by the 8th Senate because it was absolutely ridiculous. Nigeria will soon be imprisoned

by China, with over 70 per cent of the loans coming from the Exim Bank of China, while the remaining funds will come from the World Bank, Africa Development Bank among others. The Chinese have their neo-colonial plans well-laid out but this government is too blind to see it. They will give us a loan, solely decide how much the project will cost and their contractors will handle the projects. They solely fix the bills and pass it to us. We don’t have a say in anything other than to repay the loan. This is the level my beloved Nigeria has degenerated into.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) persistently warns Nigeria and other third world countries that mounting debt to China is dangerous. It stresses that Chinese creditors create some instability or vulnerabilities.

Those managing our economy must spend quality time reading the IMF caution.

There is a lot wrong with taking foreign loans to fund projects that should be private sector-driven as shown by the document that accompanied Buhari’s $22.7 billion loan request. Now, let’s take a critical look at some of the 35 projects listed. The phase 2 of the Abuja mass rail transit project will gulp $1.25 billion; the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project/coastal railway project will gulp $5.53billion; the Calabar-Port Harcourt-Onne deep sea port will gulp $3.47 billion; Mambila hydro-electric power project will gulp $4.8 billion; the Nigeria Electricity Transmission and Access Project will gulp $364 million and NTA’s digitisation project will gulp $500 million.

In this modern era, a responsible government has no business with virtually all the projects listed. Any government in a modern economy ensures that projects like these are driven by the private sector. A judicious government would have worked on a BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) with local and international companies to actualise these projects. It is embarrassing that after privatising the power sector, this government is planning to spend almost $6 billion foreign loan on electricity projects. I also find it shocking that public hospitals and schools are not listed to benefit from these loans.

Only few items on the list submitted deserve foreign loans. Here, I am talking about the nationwide emergency road rehabilitation and maintenance, the National Social Safety Net Project, the Multi-sectoral Crises Recovery Programme for the north-east and the Integrated Social Protection, Basic Health, Education, Nutrition Services and Livelihood Restoration Project, also for the North-east. Every other thing on the list is balderdash.

This government thinks only about accumulating debt and not about the repayment implications. The N2.45 trillion set aside for debt servicing in the 2020 federal

Ahmed

budget is more than the N2.14 trillion for the entire capital expenditure in the budget, yet, the country is sinking deeper into debt.

Aggregate revenue available to fund the phony 2020 federal budget is projected at N8.155 trillion and N2.45 trillion of this expected revenue will be used for debt servicing in 2020. This is almost 30 per cent of target revenue. It is just one of the numerous shenanigans contained in our dear country’s budget 2020.

There was a report in 2018 that the Buhari government was spending 69 per cent of its revenue on servicing both local and international debts. I thought government officials would come out to dispute this figure when the former Vice-President (Africa) of the World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili unveiled it. It did not happen. The following year, in the 2019 budget, over N2.1 trillion was set aside for debt servicing. No country can attain development with this kind of arrangement. With Buhari government’s binge borrowing, in few years, Nigeria may be plunged into insolvency by the huge repayment commitments.

Our country’s revenue to debt repayment ratio is evidently horrendous. Agents of this government dubiously harp on debt to GDP ratio, instead of the lucid debt to revenue standard. Ezekwesili’s remarks on this, back in 2018, are instructive. She said: “The Federal Government is digging in instead of digging out. Already, the debt service to revenue is so high. Today it is 69 per cent. 69 per cent of revenue is used to service our debts. That is not a sustainable situation. I see the government quote all the time `Debt to GDP ratio’, but that is like a blunt instrument in an environment where your GDP is not reflective of your productivity.

We measure your productivity by the revenue the GDP generates in the form of revenue of government that comes as a result of the GDP. Your debt to GDP is three per cent and you think that gives you the legroom to borrow and borrow. No, that is not your instrument.

Your instrument is your debt service tool, which is the revenue.”

I can clearly remember the then Chairman, Senate Committee on Debts, Shehu Sani, remarking that if Nigeria must borrow, it must borrow responsibly. He added: “If we must bequeath to the future generation a pile of debt, it must be justified with commensurate infrastructural proof of the value of the debt.

The payment plan of this debt will undoubtedly last the length of our lifetimes and possibly beyond. We must leave behind a legacy that will appease and answer the questions the next generation of Nigerians will ask.”

The words of wisdom of the SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, on binge borrowing, would also be useful to the managers of Nigeria’s economy. She stated: “In a country where fiscal regulation is weak, debt may be accumulated in ways that are not transparent, and very seriously to the detriment of its citizens… with interest rates at historically low levels, borrowing becomes an attractive proposition yet heightens the concomitant risk of debt ballooning to levels which are not sustainable over the longer term. This situation raises the possibility that countries which have ‘borrowed their way out of trouble’ following a setback will eventually face very severe debt distress.”

Indeed, the burden of these loans on our star-crossed generation and indeed future generation is weighty. The way the federal government celebrate these loans

often leaves me crestfallen. They create the impression that it would be a quick fix for all our problems. Unfortunately, it does not often turn out that way. What hapless Nigerians have been gaining from these massive borrowings is poverty, hunger, disease, malnutrition, unemployment and infrastructure decay.

These loans are not good for the health of Nigeria. The Buhari government must explore innovative ways of increasing revenue and using its limited resources only in those areas with massive impact on development, instead of accumulating more debt. Taking a loan to develop an institution like NTA and the railways is irresponsible. Government should create an enabling environment for the private sector to handle these. Spending money on already privatised power sector is also reckless.

Our Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, did not unequivocally say that the Buhari government was dumping the quest for the $22.7 billion as reported by a section of the media early in the week. I have reviewed her remarks and she only stated that “current market indices do not support any external borrowings at the moment, despite that the parliament is still doing its work on the borrowing plan.”

The minister added: “One arm of the parliament has completed its work, and the other arm is still working. So, it is a process controlled entirely by the parliament itself. We are waiting. The expenditures that are not critical must be deferred to a later date when things become more normal.

Several national plans, programmes and projects have been directed at diversifying the production and revenue structures of the economy.”

I sincerely hope that the economists around our President will learn and act on incisive analysis by patriots, before binge borrowing cripples this country.

The $22.7 billion loan pursuit must be dumped. Nigeria’s public debt profile stands at N26.215 trillion as at September 2019. The federal government, which accounts for over 90 per cent of this debt profile, has been very careless. The Buhari administration is evidently looking good for the unenviable record of being the most notorious for binge borrowing in the 59 years’ history of this country.

The $4m Legal Fee from ECA Some of the payments made by the Buhari government for some comical services often leave me wondering whether the interest of the public is paramount.

The latest of such puzzling expenditures is the $4 million paid to an unknown lawyer from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for God knows what. Precisely 14 days ago, the Senate asked the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to supply details of the lawyer who was paid the $4 million from the already depleted excess crude account, and the nature of the job done. Ahmed is still struggling to come up with this information. I guess the reason for the depletion in the ECA is now obvious.

The ECA, an escrow account set up by the federal government, into which the difference between the budget benchmark price of crude oil and the actual sale price thereof in the world market is paid, is now in a mess. The money in this account is used to serve as buffer in the event of fluctuation in oil price or reduction in supply to the international market.

Unfortunately, this is now impossible.

Nigeria currently has $71.8 million in the ECA, down from the $2.2 billion which

Idris

the Buhari administration inherited from the Jonathan administration in 2015. The

money in the ECA, rose to $2.6 billion in 2016, but went down to $2.4 billion in 2017. The money was further depleted in 2018 to $631.4 million; $324.9 million in 2019 and reduced drastically to $71.8 million in 2020.

Now, crude oil price has fallen far below Nigeria’s 2020 budget benchmark price of $57 per barrel, no thanks to Coronavirus. Economic crisis looms as crude oil price continues to slide. The ECA that should help us at this period has been badly depleted. The exhaustion of the ECA has made Nigeria more vulnerable.

The ECA, created by the Obasanjo government in 2004, rose from $5.1 billion in 2005 to more than $20 billion in November 2008. The depletion of the account has been unending since 2009. This means that the Yar’Adua and Jonathan government are also guilty of plundering the ECA. The Obasanjo government saved for the rainy day while others depleted the savings. Now, the ECA that should serve as our buffer while oil price is tumbling is gone. The storm is already gathering. Tougher times are around the corner.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 21, 2020

SUPER SATURDAY Sinach Gets YouTube’s Gold Plaque Highly revered gospel singer, Osinachi Joseph (Sinach) has been awarded a golden plaque by YouTube for amassing 1.14 million subscribers on its platform, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Sinach

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 21, 2020

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SUPERSATURDAY Sinach Gets YouTube’s Gold Plaque

Sinach

O

ne of Nigeria’s highly revered gospel singers, Osinachi Joseph, popularly known as Sinach, got a golden plaque from YouTube this week, for amassing over one million subscribers on its platform. Sinach has precisely 1.14 million subscribers on her YouTube page as at March 7, 2020. This gospel artiste, who is most known globally, for her 2016 critically acclaimed song, Way Maker, is one of the few channels and musicians from Nigeria, that have surpassed the 1 million subscriber mark on YouTube.

Her hit single, Way Maker, is the second most-viewed Nigerian music video on Youtube, with over 143 million views. Sharing a post on her Instagram page, Sinach thanked her fans and also praised God for the milestone achieved with the Gold plaque: “Look what came in the mail!!

Thank you my friends for celebrating GoodNews music in a big way!! Pray with me: I see victories and possibilities only; I’m bold and courageous.

I win, irrespective of the challenges and circumstances that I face; they’re ‘bread’ for me. As I set my gaze on God’s unfailing and eternal Word, I walk continually in victory, health, success, prosperity and righteousness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. RoR with Pastor Chris.”

Her record-breaking Youtube views for video of the single, Way Maker, became a hit in countries across Africa and the Diaspora, with over 100 million views. This made her the first gospel artiste from Nigeria to have that number of views and also the first African gospel artiste to gain one million subscribers.

The other musician to achieve this feat is highlife singer Flavour who was awarded his Gold Play Button during the YouTube Week in June 2019.

The singer’s “Sinach Live in Concert 30 Years Celebration of Worship” (SLIC30 2020) was recently postponed to 18th October 2020. The concert is a celebration of the gospel music artiste cum minister’s 30 years of music ministry.

Sinach is well-respected as a gospel singer in Nigeria and abroad and has constantly won souls with her gospel. The Ebonyi State songwriter and worship leader started her music journey at Love World Church (Christ Embassy), as one of the church’s worship leaders. With hits like Great Are You Lord, This Is My Season, Rejoice among others, she has gained popularity and was inducted into Bethlehem Hall of Fame in 2017.

This gospel artiste has written hundreds of awe-inspiring songs from her heart and known globally for several of the songs. Some of her songs including, “Great Are You Lord”, “Overflow” and many others like “Jesus is Alive”, “Awesome God”, “For This”, “This Is my Season”, “I Stand Amazed”, “I Know Who I Am”, “The Name of Jesus”, “Simply Devoted” are noted as equally popular ones. Once speaking on how she came by her stage name Sinach, she said: “I chose that from my name Osinachi because it is easy to pronounce and catchy”, like her songs.

These songs have turned into anthems in many homes and churches and reached millions of people all over the world by fostering encouragement, hope, healing, and strengthening their belief. As a child growing up in a family of seven where, she is the second daughter, the blessed gospel musician

had a dream where she saw herself singing to large crowds, but didn’t actively pursue anything musically as a career besides joining the choir and also working as an administrative staff in the Church.

“I had a dream as a little girl that one day I will change people’s lives. I would have dreams of singing to many people from different nations and tongues but when I opened my eyes I was right there still on my bed waking up to the sound of my father’s early morning BBC radio news to start my seemingly uninteresting chores before school.

“It was just a dream. As the years went by, my parents insisted that I train my mind. Then I met Jesus and he changed my purpose and changed my reason for singing. Challenges along the way built my character. Like clay, I’ve been beaten, poured upon, torn apart, rolled over, put into the fire, and continuously moulded into shape in the process of making me.”

According to her, music was her dream. Her father objected to her musical career. He told her she would go hungry as a musician that musicians amount to nothing. It was when she met Pastor Chris that he changed her perspective. He told her she could be anything she wanted to be in life with God’s word.

Sinach is a spiritually gifted woman in terms of gospel music. She has given hope to the hopeless all over the world through her inspiring songs. She is a multiple award-winning song writer, recording artiste, producer and worship song leader. Despite the criticisms from her father, she started singing at a young age, and she has received pleasure by doing this.

In 2017, she was inducted into the

Bethlehem Hall of Fame, joining Dwayne Johnson, Pope Benedict XVI and a host of other internationally recognised celebrities on the list. Aside, Sinach became the first gospel artiste from Africa in September 2019 to tour India, headlining concerts with several thousands in attendance. She has nine albums and many hit singles to her credit. The talented songstress has also performed in several countries including Kenya, South Africa, US, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, Uganda at the Miracle Centre Cathedral, Barbados, The British Virgin Islands, Zambia, Saint Maarten and UK. The YouTube creators award commonly known as the YouTube Play Buttons, are plaques awarded as a form of recognition, to its most popular channels and content creators, categorized into different tiers that include: The Silver Play Button, for channels that reach or surpass 100,000 subscribers; The Gold Play Button, for channels that reach or surpass one million subscribers; The Diamond Play Button, for channels that reach or surpass 10 million subscribers; The Custom Creator, for channels that reach or surpass 50 million subscribers; The Red Diamond Creator, for channels that reach or surpass 100 million subscribers.

Sinach was one of the Top 10 most viewed Nigerian artistes globally in 2019, alongside Burna Boy, Davido and WizKid. Another popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, was one of the Top 10 most viewed artistes in Nigeria in 2019, alongside Naira Marley, Teni, Zlatan and Kizz Daniel. Ada Ehi’s Only You Jesus, made it to the Top 20 Nigerian Songs of the Decade, with 56 million views as at the time of compilation.

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ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

BLACK SUNDAY AND THE MOURNING AFTER Tayo Ogunbiyi argues the need to get to the root cause of the explosion in Abule Ado

I

t was a Black Sunday. A day when darkness forced its way through the cloud and enthroned despair. The day began gloomily and ended tragically. Ironically, Sunday is generally considered a day of rest. Not Sunday, the 15th of March. It was a Sunday of great turmoil. It was one Sunday that residents of Abule Ado and Ado Soba in Amuwo-OdoďŹ n Local Government Area of Lagos State wouldn’t want to remember in a hurry. It was a day of sorrow, tear and blood. It started early in the morning. First, there was a sudden bang. But it was not an ordinary bang.

It was a bang that shattered lives, buried dreams and constricted hope.

By the time the dust it raised died down, lives were lost, properties were razed to rubbles, persons were displaced and billions of naira lost.

Such was the magnitude of the damage caused by the fury explosion that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, declared he had never witnessed such level of destruction before. It was that terrible. In fact, as at the time of putting together this piece, emergency workers were reportedly still searching for the body of a man who was declared missing by family members, days after the murderous explosion.

According to the Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, 276 persons were displaced as a result of the explosion, while 57 others, who were trapped under the rubbles, were rescued.

According to him, three others were still being treated at various hospitals across Lagos. “One is on admission at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), another is being treated at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital Ojo, and the third is at Gold Treat Hospital. “Twenty bodies were recovered, 40 cars and three articulated trucks were destroyed, 170 buildings were affected, which included seven schools, three churches, one hotel and one shopping complex; 93 buildings were categorized as mildly affected, 44 buildings as moderately affected and 33 buildings as severely affected. All the unstable buildings would be brought down.�

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, who paid a visit to the explosion site, described the incident as devastating beyond description. Farouq was in company of the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Maihaja and the deputy governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

She noted that had she not visited Abule-Ado, she would not have understood the magnitude of the effect of the explosion, saying that the federal government would work with the state government to forestall future occurrences.

As Mr. Governor promised when he visited the site of the incidence in company of his deputy and members of the State Executive Council, there is a need to get to the root cause of the explosion.

Naturally, various fashions of the cause or causes of the incidence are already flying in the public space. For instance, one report blamed it on gas explosion which occurred after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near a Pipeline Right of Way. Another report has it that the resulting fire later spread to the oil pipeline passing through the area which aggravated the explosion.

Yet another fashion likened the explosion to some military aerial

REV. SR. HENRIETTA ALOKHA CHOSE A DIFFERENT PATH. A PATH OF PAIN, BUT FULL OF GAINS. THE GALLANT WOMAN COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE INFERNO AND LIVE, BUT SHE DECIDED TO SACRIFICE HER LIFE SO HER STUDENTS CAN LIVE. WHAT A WOMAN! WHAT A HEART!

bombardment, claiming it does not sound like pipeline explosion.

Proponents of this school of thought are of the view that the scale of destruction was nothing like any of the pipeline explosions we have experienced of late. They, thus, likened it to military grade explosions or aerial bombardment.

For now, nothing really concrete has been established as the cause of the depressing event. Many questions are still left unanswered.

Fortunately, Mr. Governor has put in place an all-encompassing committee to look into the cause(s) of the event and make necessary recommendations. One can only wish the committee the best of luck as it carries out this all-important assignment.

Meanwhile, it is important to commend the Principal of Bethlehem Girls College, Rev. Sr. Henrietta Alokha, who reportedly lost her life in the explosion while trying to save the lives of her students who were trapped in the blast.

As in the case of the Ebola Virus, when Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh sacrificed her life to free a whole nation from the pang of the deadly virus, the late Principal has also taught us a lesson in sacrifice and selfless service. She has shown us the true meaning of life. She remains one of the shinning lights in the annals of our nation. In a country where selfishness and greed reign supreme, she has chosen to be different.

She chose a different path. A path of pain, but full of gains. The gallant woman could have escaped the inferno and live, but she decided to sacrifice her life so her students can live. What a woman! What a heart!

Something must be done to keep the memories of this amazing amazon alive. She must not die in vain. One way of ensuring this is to unveil the root cause of the explosion and make certain that those culpable do not escape the wheel of justice.

It is commendable that the State government has established a N2 billion Emergency Relief Fund for victims of the sad incidence. It is even more gratifying that the government has equally gone ahead to immediately donate N250 million into that Fund. In the words of the governor: “The process of rebuilding this place is beyond what the Government, either at the national level or state, undertake on its own�.

It has, therefore, become imperative for all our compatriots to donate into this good cause. Already, some individuals and organizations have heeded the call by making their contributions into the Fund. That is the Nigerian spirit that we grew to identify and it is quite commendable. In as much as we cannot bring back the dead, we can give hope to those still alive. Some of the victims woke up that fateful day as landlords and ended the day homeless. We need to give them a thought.

For donation, please pay into the following accounts: Polaris Bank (4030017510), Zenith Bank (1017184516) and GTBank, with (0568615688).

The name of the three accounts is Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund.

While commiserating with those who lost loved ones and valuables to the ill-fated episode, kudos should be given to operatives of the Nigerian Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA); Lagos State Fire Service; the state’s Ambulance Service; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Commission among others who worked tirelessly and endlessly to coordinate rescue and emergency operation that mitigated the effects if the gory episode.

Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

MOVING FROM PRIVILEGE TO PURPOSE No victory comes without a fight, writes Ladi Ayodeji

F

ew authors are as passionate about their work as Michael Nwimoh, who is also a gospel minister, conference speaker and counselor. This passion reects in his writings and the conviction that drives his vision.

Moving from Privilege To Purpose (Living Out Your God – Ordained Purpose) is one of his two books I have read out of about ten he has published. And he deals with the subject of purpose in a thorough, down-to-earth manner, which clearly satisfies the reader who is patient to read all eleven chapters of this book with the attention it deserves.

Let me warn that, like virtually all inspirational books written by Pastors, the readers of this book should have a basic knowledge of the Bible to fully appreciate it. Don’t be disappointed because the author is dealing with the subject from a Biblical perspective.

The book is subtitled-Living Out Your GodOrdained Purpose. Therefore, Nwimoh wants us to see God as the author of real purpose. However, we can’t deny him the right to take us through scripture to advance his argument. From chapter one, he quotes, the famous words of the Bible the ultimate book of wisdom, Proverbs: “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails-Prov 19-21.

The author, drawing from his Christian religious experience, writes that God’s methods are different. He declares that God finishes a plan before bringing it to existence, and he foreknows the end of all things from the beginning. This is the reason every object, material or otherwise, serves a unique purpose on earth.

Therefore, everyman’s destiny derives from God’s

pre-ordained purpose for that individual.

Since we are God’s creations, men were made to point men to God through godly living. In other words, according to the author, whose pastoral gift is at work here: Your purpose on earth is to win lost souls for God. To support this position, Pastor Nwimoh says, “God created light to solve the problem of darkness. God is the light of the entire universe and his children are the light of the world. All God’s children are here to win over the dark-world from Satan to God. However, the author chose to give us a broad definition in chapter 3. Again, he writes, “Purpose, from the Biblical perspective means to will, wish, resolve or determine. Taking it further, it means the very aim or desire that drives a person; the motive and reason for an action; or what a person resolves to achieve before stepping out. “Purpose sets goals for your life�. A purposeless life is like football players playing without a goal post.

With no aim to score, the game becomes boring. “This is typical of a life without purpose;� he asserts.

One of the things purpose does, according to the author is that it brings out the best in you. Your best is measured by what God gave you to achieve; not the expectations of men. When we follow the dictates of men, we could lose focus, he warns. Any counsel that takes you out of the Divine will for life is dangerous.

Here’s a powerful nugget from Nwimoh on discovery of purpose in the opening paragraph of chapter 4: “What you hear is information, but what you see is a discovery‌when it comes to purpose, there’s no substitute to discovery because until you

discover you cannot recover or fulfill it�. He goes on to show that the three components of the discovery of purpose are-vision, mission and passion. He says vision is like a dream through which insight is given to man. Vision is foresight, the ability to see far ahead of time, into the plans and purpose of God. Apart from vision, you can discover your purpose if you use your divine endowment to serve your generation according to the will of God. Passion is an avenue through which you could discover your purpose. Passion is the fire that burns inside you.

Passion moves you to act on something that others ignore. If, for instance, you can’t stand suffering, you may be called to a Help ministry; fighting for justice; or a liberation movement of sorts. This motivation is a pointer to your divine purpose in life.

Chapter 5 addresses people who are easily swayed by every kind of fads or trends, without commitment to any definite goals of their own. The author gives us four marks of a definite purpose. The assignment God gives you will be bigger than you and your natural capacity to achieve, and your purpose should outlive you. This purpose should fit into the larger purpose of God’s kingdom. It would not require a family history, but merely a step of faith to actualize. Every real purpose must satisfy these four criteria.

In the pursuit of your purpose, Nwimoh’s nugget is helpful: “Under pressure, some people breakdown while others break record. Under pressure, something must break, either you, or an existing record, what is not already in you. Pressure only reveals what is already in you�. That’s on point.

Now, to the heart of the matter. It is in the very last chapter No II that the author finally deals with the main theme of this book: Moving From Privilege To Purpose. This chapter is the meat of this book.

Nwimoh says here that to move from privilege to purpose, you’d go through tests and trials. However, he adds, “You must learn to find purpose in pains, otherwise you will forfeit the intended lesson and may need to go through the process again.�

To terminate this cycle, he says, “Everything you go through in life contains two lessons: God’s mercy to see you through it, and a lesson to learn from it. If God’s mercy is not with you, you will get consumed by the circumstances of life. And if you fail to learn the lesson, you would have to go through it again, because in the school of the Holy spirit there is no promotion. If you fail, you repeat the process.�

Again, we learn a valuable truth: “Tribulation is the last stage in divine repositioning. There are three sets of people in the world today: those who are going through a test; those who are coming out of a test, and finally those who are about to enter a test.�

One major example of a man who moved from privilege to purpose is Joseph, the dreamer. Loved by this father who gave him a coat of many colours, Joseph’s envious brothers tried to kill him by throwing him into a pit. Egyptian travellers saw him and took him to Egypt where he ended up as a servant in Potiphar’s home. Despite resisting the adulterous advances of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph, nevertheless, got thrown into jail, from where his gift of interpreting dreams paved the way for him to get Pharaoh’s attention.

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ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What options?

Okeho General Hospital: A Morbid Healthcare Centre

O

keho is renowned community. The area was ďŹ rstly known as Okeho/Iganna district council, which was created in 1955 with 36 wards in the defunct Western region of Nigeria. In 1976, Kajola local government was created, with headquarters at Okeho. The local government is one of the 33 local councils in Oyo State and the major towns in Kajola LG are Ilero, Ilua,Ayetoro-oke, Isemi ile, Iwere-oke,Ilaji-oke, and other hamlets.

In 1987, the Oyo State Hospital Management Board was inaugurated. The board has three zonal offices at Ibadan/Ibarapa, Oyo/Ogbomoso and Oyo North managing 51 health outlets within the state. The board is expected to provide an all- encompassing health care that is accessible, affordable and high quality with a view to restoring, transforming and repositioning our health sector. Other health facilities within Oyo North are located at Saki, Iseyin, Iwere, Iganna and Ado-Awaye.

Few weeks after the board was inaugurated, the General Hospital Okeho was commissioned by the then Military Governor of Oyo State, Col. Adetunji Olurin on the 11th of June, 1987. While going through the facilities it was seen that the administration of the late Governor, Alhaji Lam Adesina, also commissioned projects such as the Female/Children’s Ward and the Mortuary Block in the year 2000. Unfortunately, within the space of 20 years of commissioning, the hospital has become a morbid secondary healthcare institution.

The hospital, being one of the oldest General Hospitals in the state, with the best structure, is grossly underutilized and wasting away.

Located on a large expanse of land at the entry of the town cum junction that leads to other neighbouring communities, the hospital has become a shadow of itself. In fact, the people of Okeho and environs can attest to the fact that this hospital does not provide affordable, accessible and quality medicare. People have either of these two choices - visit private health service providers within their localities or move to the state capital, Ibadan- when they need medicare.

At the moment, the two major storey buildings within the hospital, the administrative and Female/Children’s Ward had their roofs blown off.

When I attempted to climb the stairs, I was almost stung by wasps and on getting upstairs, bats flew out of one of the rooms. What sort of equipment would be in an uncovered building?

Going further into the premises, one would see that the mortuary is no more functional. The whole building is equally abandoned. It’s quite

disheartening to see that nothing can be preserved in its current state.

Prior to this time, people usually believe that drugs given to patients in any government health facility is always genuine. However, the Pharmacy of this hospital is not well-stocked, inversely, patients would be required to get their drugs from any private pharmacy in town.

From what I can see the Laboratory in this hospital is working but one can be sure that it is just the basic tests that would be carried out here.

All of this attest to the overall “commitment� of the government to the welfare of her citizenry.

Equally, the waste disposal method is also sordid, it’s all emptied in a shoddy pit and burnt periodically. It should not be too much to build an incinerator for proper disposal.

Having said all this, there is no ambulance in the entire hospital. The physically present vehicle is no more serviceable. I was told the other ambulance is abandoned in Ibadan because it was not fixed after developing fault. This shows that the hospital cannot provide emergency care for any patient within this locality.

Olutayo Irantiola, Ogbinte, Okeho

Beyond The COVID-19 Lockdown in Nigeria

A

s Africa recorded the 17th death in 24 hours (WHO), it is crucial that the government takes more stringent and immediate actions to mitigate against a runaway infection spree of the COVID-19 as other countries unfortunately have experienced.

The UN health agency said so far, there has been 633 confirmed COVID-19 cases in 33 African countries and the latest figures of COVID-19 virus infection in Nigeria from relevant state and health authorities are not heart-warming.

As at today, there are 12 confirmed cases with a few suspected cases under observation.

At a time like this, we need to recognize the grim challenge humanity faces in this ruinous infection, and roll up the sleeves to prepare for the worst case scenario. Our government needs to mobilize all the national assets, in a controlled manner and confront the challenges head on, motivating those working in the frontline of our defense and control efforts to perform at their best.

For these reasons, the President now needs to address the nation and continue to do so to give hope to the nation, ignite determination and highlight his government’s strategies to win the war against this infection and adequately mitigate its impacts on our

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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 BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

social and economic situations.

Nigerians are able to watch other nations grapple with this COVID-19 pandemic in different ways and as such they have different expectations of how feasible leadership is important and why stronger measures should be put in place to clamp down the speed and spread of infection and save us from recording fatal statistics due to lack of adequate preparation and planning.

Our surveillance system needs to be more robust and uncompromising, while greater emphasis must be placed on detection, isolation/quarantine and treatment.

After the state and federal government directives to limit social gathering, it is good to see the positive and immediate responses from the religious communities to the guided directives.

As a result, most Islamic organizations have issued directives to their members to immediately stop all religious activities involving more than 50 people at a time, including cancelation of Friday communal prayers. This shows the extent to which Nigerians are prepared to sacrifice and co-operate to ensure that we protect ourselves from tragedy. This is necessary and commendable.

Now, it is time to build a strong coalition against the threat of this terrible infection. Citizens and governments need to work together to make sure that we stop the spread of the infection in its track by all means necessary. Governments at all levels must continue to build capacity in the public health sector just as they increase investment in primary healthcare.

Now that the economic and the social lives of the populace are being locked down as a precautionary measure, with travel restrictions to 13 countries (effective 21st of March, 2020), measures on meaningful engagement and family subsistence sustainability are equally vital.

It may be necessary for the government to seriously consider a mandatory isolation procedure for Nigerians entering the country from high risk countries and to constantly review the ‘banned’ countries in response to fresh information and on-going changes.

Lack of a coherent and special social protection initiative specifically to deal with the individual economic challenges of Nigerians may work against the fight against the spread of the infection.

How the government deals with all these issues together and in delicate balance is very important to how quickly we make progress in overcoming this exceptional challenge.

AbdulWarees Solanke, Director, Media & Strategic Communications MPAC Nigeria

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Coronavirus‌ Coronavirus‌Coronavirus‌

Bello Orders Closure of Schools, Bans Gathering of over 30 People Ibrahim OyewaleËœ Ă“Ă˜ ÙÕÙÔË

ECOWAS ON THEIR MINDS ...

L-R: President of ECOWAS Commission, H.E Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and President Muhammadu Buhari during an audience at the State House Abuja. Ëž

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has ordered the closure of public and private schools (tertiary, secondary and primary) in the state indefinitely as measures in preventing the spread of Coronavirus disease in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed in Lokoja yesterday, said the closure of schools and other public gathering places take effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.

The governor also banned all forms of gathering involving 30 people and above as part of the preventive measures against the pandemic.

Bello explained the measures became imperative given the strategic location of the state which serve as transit point for travellers connecting various parts of the federation.

The statement urged citizens of the state to be cautious and observe high level personal hygiene practice such as constant hand washing with soap and hand sanitisers as well as observance of social distancing.

As part of its preparedness, the state government has set up an isolation centre in Lokoja, the state capital and an Emergency Response Team had been constituted too.

At the moment, sensitisation and awareness are being created on the disease through the media as well as in parks, markets and community levels.

According to the statement, government is leveraging on the existing house-to-house Lassa Fever campaign to take the message of COVID-19 to the grassroots.

The government also provided the following emergency telephone numbers for rapid response:08064469625, 07067918835, 08030607102, 08034732988, 08076288933.

FCT Records 29 Suspected Cases Osun Bans all Public Gatherings Restricts congregants in places of worship to 50 persons

Olawale Ajimotokan Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has declared that there were no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the Territory. This is also coming on the heel of its decision to restrict the number of congregants at places worship at any given time to 50.

The Director FCT Primary Health Care, Dr. Josephine Okechukwu, who allayed the fear of the outbreak of the contagious virus in Abuja, said last night that 29 suspected cases of Coronavirus were investigated

by the health authority after the individuals manifested symptoms similar to the disease.

She said results of the test carried out on the suspected cases proved negative after they were monitored and their blood samples taken to the National Disease Control Centre in Abuja.

Okechukwu said the suspected cases were a mixture of Nigerians and foreigners residing in the FCT. In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Media, Abubakar Sani, the FCTA said the decision

to curb the number of worshippers at places of worship, was taken on yesterday night, after the FCT Minister Muhammed Musa Bello and Christian and Muslim religious leaders across the territory met on how to present a robust response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Apart from mosques and churches, the FCTA also said the restriction measure on maximum number of people would also apply to social gatherings at event centres, football viewing centres, night clubs to mention a few.

The essence of the restriction,

according to the FCT authority was to make tracking of suspected cases, if any, easier for the health authorities.

FCT residents were also enjoined not to engage in panic buying but should always seek for information about Coronavirus from the FCT Public Health Department and other government agencies.

Religious leaders and worshippers were also enjoined to follow all laid down health protocols as stipulated by the relevant health authorities for the control of the virus while intensifying prayers for the safety of all Nigerians.

Rivers Government Closes Abuja Residents Besiege Schools, Directs Restriction Shopping Malls, Markets of Religious Activities on queue to access Sahad Stores, NdubuisiFrancisĂ“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË ErnestChinwo Ă“Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž

The Rivers State Government has announced the closure of all schools in the state with effect from Monday, March 23 and directed all religious organisations to restrict their activities as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic.

The government also said it would punish institutions that violate the order.

In a state-wide broadcast yesterday, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, said the action was taken in the interest of Rivers State.

The closure affects public and private Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions, he said.

He said: “Based on the above precautionary measures, the state can be described to be at an alert state. To further strengthen our resolve to protect our citizens, the State Government has taken the following decisions: All schools in the state are to be closed down with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020, and all religious organisations are to restrict their activities.�

Wike said that his administration took the decision with a deep sense of responsibility.

He said: “As you are aware, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has described Coronavirus as a global pandemic. This development calls for

collective action by all well-meaning citizens. “As a responsive government, even though we have not had a confirmed case of Coronavirus, we did not rest on our oars as we set-up a Five-man Inter-ministerial committee to carry out an aggressive public enlightenment that will protect all those living and doing business in the state from the disease. “This decision was taken because we understand that we are the headquarters of the Hydrocarbon Industry and also a major commercial hub in the country that attracts people from all walks of life.�

The Rivers State governor noted that with actions taken, the state was alert to address any situation. “The committee had since its inauguration carried out stakeholder engagement with Community Development Committees, Religious Groups, Principals and Head teachers of schools, Traders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Military, Paramilitary, Police, International Oil Companies and The Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON). “In addition to this, radio and television jingles, flyers and billboards have been fully utilised by the committee to pass the prevention message to all

Residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and environs are ‘invading’ major shopping malls and local markets to shop for food and other household items in anticipation that the government might order a lock down following increasing cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Some of the major supermarkets which have witnessed what an observer described as unprecedented patronage in the last 48 hours, according to investigations, are NEXT Carry ‘N Carry in Jahi, outlets of Sahad Stores in various parts of the city as well as Shoprite outlets along Airport Road, Jabi and Central Area, among others.

Residents were also seen shopping at local markets in Nyanya and Karu (Abuja) as well as Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

The unusual traffic situation at Sahad Stores close to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aroused the curiosity of our correspondent.

THISDAY investigations revealed that motorists who caused the traffic build-up were

thereby making it difficult for other road users to move freely.

Some shoppers, who spoke with our correspondent said they had no choice than to stockpile food items in anticipation of a possible lock down over COVID-19 outbreak.

Items in hot demand are cereals, protein, beverages, cabohydrates, toiletries and other household items.

A resident, who simply identified herself as Obiageli told THISDAY that when she heard about the shopping spree by Abuja residents on Wednesday, she called her husband to visit any Shoprite outlet and shop for the family.

A visit to Karu Market in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) where our correspondent went to buy some items showed that most of the shopping centred around garri, beans, rice and protein.

The residents, who could afford to buy household items in Abuja are already buying and stockpiling basic necessities in anticipation that the government might order a closure of markets and other public facilities.

Yinka Kolawole Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ™

The Osun State Government has placed ban on all gatherings that would bring together 50 or more persons in the same place.

This measure takes immediate effect and would be in place until further notice.

The ban will affect all schools in Osun, Churches, Mosques, Night Clubs and Sports arenas among others.

The government, which advised the citizenry not to panic, especially because no case had been recorded in the state so far, noted that it arrived at the decision it took after wide consultations with health professionals and stakeholders in the health sector over COVID-19.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, the government noted that the ban became necessary following federal government’s directive to ensure precautionary measures are taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

Besides, the government noted

that the mere fact that few cases had been reported in its neighbouring states made it imperative to act. “As at 18th March 2020, the total number of cases as announced by the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, stands at eight with one of the five recent cases confirmed on Wednesday, in Ekiti State. “Though we have not recorded any case of the deadly virus, as a responsible government, we must be prepared so that we are not taken by surprise. The Corona virus scourge is a complex public health emergency, the type the world had never seen. “Therefore, to protect our dear state, our children, and our economy will require our collective response and sacrifice. Government at both state and local government levels will lead but we will all need to do our bit to get through this bad patch. “As a responsible and responsive government that places premium on the well-being of its people, we will protect our citizens from potential and actual threats.

Umahi Shuts Down Schools, Night Clubs Benjamin Nworie Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă“

Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has directed for the immediate close down of all private and public nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.

The directive was part of measures to contain any possible spread of the ravaging dreaded Coronavirus in the state.

In a statement issued by the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, the governor also closed down night clubs and other night activities in the state.

Umahi also directed the Ministry of Health and State Committee on Anti Coronary Virus to deploy all health officers to all market, rice mills, banks and other public event management centres to carry out test on people randomly.

The statement reads: “I am directed by His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Nweze Umahi, to request all private and public schools from nursery and primary schools, secondary and tertiary institutions to round off and close down their school activities by twelve noon of 20th March, 2020.� “Government is by this announcement directing all security agencies to ensure that all private and public schools are immediately close down in line with this directives. “The Ministry of Health and State Committee on Anti coronary virus are hereby directed that they should deploy all health officers to all markets, rice mills, quarry ,banks and other public event management centers to carry out test on people randomly.�

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Coronavirus‌ Coronavirus‌Coronavirus‌

Imo to Establish Specialist Hospital, Closes All Schools As part of efforts to nip the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the bud, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma has ordered the immediate closure of all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state. He also announced plan to establish a Specialist Hospital for this disease.

Governor Uzodinma who made a broadcast to the people of Imo State on measures to prevent and control the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), yesterday stated that he was taking elaborate steps to ensure that the health and wellbeing of Imolites remain priority of his administration.

He stated: “As a responsible Government, we have done our homework and I can assure you that there is truly no cause for alarm. All the necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that the virus does not find a breeding space in Imo State.

Be rest assured that we shall not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that our people are safe, well protected by providing the necessary tool and expertise needed for maximum protection He further reiterated that he had inaugurated a star-studded Coronavirus Protection and Control Committee headed by

Prof. Maurice Iwu to commence round the clock surveillance of all strata of the state for effective prevention and control of the disease.

To this end, Governor Uzodinma said that arrangements had been put in place to test all passengers arriving at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri for symptoms of the virus.

The governor assured that “any passenger that manifests signs of the disease will first be taken to a bay that has been set up at the airport for further examination.

If confirmed that the symptoms are manifest, the passenger will immediately be taken to the test centres and if positive, quarantined at the isolation centre.�

On some of the actions already taken by the government for prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Uzodinma stated: “A state-of-the-art modern Ambulance has been provided for the Committee to facilitate its operations. This Ambulance is equipped with necessary medical gadgets for quick analysis and test for the virus and will be on 24 hours standby to respond to any emergency anywhere in the state.

In addition, we are liaising with the National Centre for Disease Control to ensure that we buy

into the Federal Government’s Corona Virus prevention roadmap.

Similarly, we are tracking global updates on the disease so as to

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and CNL, has affirmed that none of its employees has contracted the dreaded COVID-19.

The oil major stated this yesterday in a statement signed by its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn.

According to Brikinn, “Chevron continues to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak around the world and has been utilising the guidance of international and local health

authorities. “We are regularly updating our workforce and will continue to adjust plans as appropriate as we receive more information�, “Our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of our workforce and their family members, and we are taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of exposure.�

He, however, confirmed that one of the company’s employees, an expatriate in its Escravos operation, who was recently monitored over flu-like symptoms had tested negative to the Coronavirus.

He added that Chevron was actively responding to the CO-

concluded to establish a Specialist Hospital specifically charged with control and prevention of the contagious disease. This, he said will

ensure that neither Coronavirus nor any other contagious virus will be a threat to Imo people in the future.

TWO HEADS AGAINST COVID-19 ...

L-R: Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Committee Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu after the inauguration.

No Positive Case in Our Company, Says Chevron Peter Uzoho

remain ever vigilant on global efforts, control and eradication.�

Governor Uzodinma further noted that arrangements had been

VID-19 outbreak, noting that some of the preventive measures in CNL include: “daily temperature screening at the entry points to our offices and field locations, issuance of travel advisory to guide all rotational/business and personal travels, pre-embarkation screening, more utilisation of non-face to face meeting tools and minimising inviting external parties to CNL’s office.�

Brikinn maintained that advisory on simple personal hygiene measures, like regular washing of hands, covering cough and sneezes, we’re shared with the CNL workforce as safeguards for protecting themselves and their families in these times.

AEDC Restricts Visiting OfďŹ ces for Complaints Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said yesterday that it was restricting customers to its social media platforms, following the increasing cases of Coronavirus in the country.

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Ernest Mupwaya, said in a statement in Abuja that the events of the past few weeks had made it clear that the world is facing an unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic. “We at AEDC are deeply concerned and want to do all we can to help keep our country, families, employees, customers and communities safe and healthy. “On behalf of AEDC, I’d like

to assure you that we are taking concerted steps to manage the situation at hand. “In doing this, AEDC is closely monitoring the health guidelines of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the latest developments and guidance on COVID-19. “AEDC will adhere strictly to all recommendations of the NCDC on health and safety protocols as they are provided from time to time. “In strict compliance with the guidelines, the following protocols have been adopted by AEDC to keep a safe social distance and reduce the number and frequency of one-on-one meetings with effect

from Wednesday, 18th March, 2020,� he said.

The company which covers Abuja, Niger, Kogi and Nassarawa, added that contact channels for fault reporting or any form of complaints are forthwith temporarily restricted to AEDC 24-hrs contact centres. “Customers are encouraged to contact AEDC exclusively through our Customer Service Contacts as opposed to walking-in. “As usual, all complaints received through any of the aforementioned channels will be given utmost attention. Customers are, therefore, requested to please provide sufficient information such as contract/meter number, phone number(s), physical address with identifiable landmark (s) for ease of location.

Makinde Calls for Calm, Sets up BESEC Stops Ortom from Receiving Visitors Task Force against Disease

UI Directs Students to Vacate Campus

George Okoh Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ“

Kemi Olaitan Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜

The Benue State Executive Council, (BESEC), has asked Governor Samuel Ortom to refrain from receiving visitors, especially those from outside the state.

Benue State Commissioner for Education, Professor Dennis Tyavyar, disclosed this during an interview in Makurdi, the state capital.

He said the move was aimed at protecting the state governor from contacting the Coronavirus disease which has posed a grave danger worldwide.

Professor Tyavyar also informed that all forms of communication with the governor would henceforth be carried out through telephone.

Sunday Ehigiator

“We have also, as Execute Council, even advised the state governor not to see many people, especially those coming from other places. “And the government of Benue State would usually be asking questions on telephone.

If you want to discuss with the governor, you can call him and talk to him, and only in very rare cases will people be in contact with him. That is what we have advised,� the commissioner emphasised.

The commissioner, however, did not disclose the dedicated numbers to reach out to the governor for both internal and external visitors as well as the duration of his public contact restrictions.

In response to recent concerns raised by the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, the Governor of Oyo State, Siyi Makinde, has called for calmness amongst the people of the state.

He also revealed that the state had set up a Special Task Force, led by himself, to proceed measures to combat the pandemic in the state, should need be.

He made this revelation through a statement, Thursday and seen by THISDAY. According to him, “Between yesterday and today, a lot has come to light in Nigeria regarding COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus Disease, which

has been ravaging the world for the past few months. “At a point, some people thought we were immune to this disease. I know some among you may still hold that opinion. Although as stated by our Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello, at a press conference this morning, we do not currently have any confirmed case of Coronavirus in Oyo State; we still all need to be more proactive. “I want to assure you that our administration is doing everything in our power and working with the agencies of the Federal Government, to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of this virus. I urge members of the public to not give in to any form of panic.

In compliance with the federal government order on closure of schools towards curtailing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, the authority of the University of Ibadan, yesterday directed students of the institution to vacate the school.

The university in a special release, marked 4297 and titled, ‘Closure of the University to Students’ and made available to THISDAY in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said the decision was taken as precautionary measure to curtail the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the university.

The statement signed by the institution’s Registrar, Olubunmi Faluyi, directed all students, undergraduates and post-graduates to vacate the campus with effect

from Friday, 20th March, 2020.

The release reads, “This is to inform the University Community that the Board of Health of the University of Ibadan at its meeting of Thursday, 19 March 2020 considered the state of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. “As a health safety precautionary measure, it recommended that all students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) vacate the Campus immediately. The Vice-Chancellor has approved this recommendation on behalf of the Senate.�

The statement added that the institution would remain closed till further notice.

It also directed that all primary and secondary schools in the university would be closed until the pandemic is brought under effective control.

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In Brief FBI-Indicted Nigerians Jailed over N322m Fraud

Fayemi, Deputy for ADICO 50th Anniversary

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the convictions of two FBI suspects and four others before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State for various offences bordering on impersonation, internet fraud and operating a vessel within Nigerian Waters without due registration and license by appropriate authority.

One of the convicts, Patrick Erakposhere Onajokpe, alias John Mark was arraigned on a two count charge of fraudulently impersonating the identity of John Mark through which he defrauded unsuspecting American

ladies.

One of the count reads: That you Chief Patrick Onajokpe (alias James Mark) Glory Agbare (at large) Alfred Akpewe (at large) Elena Onah (at large) sometime between 2014 and 2015 in Warri within the jurisdiction of this honourable court fraudulently impersonated the identity of one James Mark claiming to be a black American working in deep sea off coast of taxes, USA, in your hush app account where you enticed unsuspecting American ladies into romantic relationships online and in that process, obtained the aggregate sum of $878,489,24 from ladies and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 22(2)(b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (prohibition

prevention, ets) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2) (b)(iv) of the same Act. Upon his arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

However, the defence counsel, Paul Ejiga, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first time offender and had become remorseful.

Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced Onajokpe to five years imprisonment, in the alternative, a fine of N6, 000, 000 (Six Million Naira). He is also to forfeit all items recovered from him which include

a Range Rover Jeep, a Petroleum Filing Station, an uncompleted plaza and phones. Justice Nwite also ruled that the properties be sold with the proceeds restituted to the victim of the crimes.

In a similar vein, the court also convicted MacDonald Chukwuma Nnamdi who was arraigned on a two count charge of obtaining personal identification information and using same to file fraudulent tax returns with the inland revenue service, USA. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. The Prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. The defence counsel John Okhuihiev prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

EkitiStateGovernor,Dr.KayodeFayemi,hisdeputy,OtunbaBisiEgbeyemi, traditional rulers and other top government functionaries are billed to attend the golden jubilee anniversary celebration of the Aramoko District Commercial Secondary School (ADICO), Aramoko Ekiti, a statement signed by the chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Wole Awodire has stated. The governor is also expected to commission a multi-million hall refurbished by the old students.The presentation is one of the events penciled down to commemorate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the institution, which has been fixed between March 26th to 28th for the school’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration. According to a statement signed by the Chairman Planning Committee of the anniversary celebration, Mr. Wole Awodire, which was made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the golden jubilee anniversary was conceived to celebrate and bring all old students under the same umbrella. He also indicated that the anniversary celebration, which is the first formal gathering of the students of the institution in the last 50 years, will give members the opportunity to reconnect and think of the best way to intervene in the area of infrastructural development of the school.

Fake Drug Unsettles Onitsha Market Allegations by some members of Onitsha Bridgehead Drug Market that fake drug dealers had taken over the market has unsettled traders there. A group in the market, Concerned Committee of Friends had on Monday raised allegation that there were plans by fake drug dealers to hijack the election in the market and install one of its own. But leaders and traders at the market have denied the allegations, saying that that since after Prof. Dora Akunyili-led National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC closed the market in 2007, there had been no case of sale of fake drug in the market. Chairman of the Market Mr. Anthony Ezioba and the Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. MaryChaplet Igboameze who spoke to THISDAY in Onitsha called on Governor Willie Obiano and the police to investigate the allegation and make the accusers to produce those fake drug dealers in the market.

Road Safety OďŹƒce Torched

Irate mob suspected to be Okada riders yesterday burnt down the Federal Road Safety Corps office in Bida, Niger State. THISDAY learnt that the okada riders in their numbers invaded the office brought out some furniture before spraying the building and the furniture with petrol after whichtheysettheplaceonfire.Itwasgatheredthattheactionoftheokada riders was the climax of their faceoff with operatives of the FRSC in the town. According to an eyewitness some FRSC staff had pursued an okada rider who was said to be carrying a passenger. In the process the FRSC men allegedly hit the okada rider with their vehicle seriously injuring him and the passenger he was carrying. The okada riders were said to have assembled and staged the attack on the Road Safety office. All efforts by the police to stop the building from being burnt was abortive as the crowd was said to have outnumbered the policemen. The Chairman of Bida local government Council, Alhaji Mohammed Sheshi ,immediately after the Friday prayers visited the scene to assess the extent of damage.

Adhere to Circular on Schools Closures

SUPPORTING EDUCATION...

Vice Presidential candidate of PDP, Mr. Peter Obi (4th right), accompanied by Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna (3rd left), when the former governor of Anambra State presented another cheque of N1 million (making it a total of N2m) to the students of Patterson Memorial Grammar School of Anglican Diocese on the Niger for the rehabilitation if their burnt hostel...recently

Summon President Buhari Now, Ezekwesili Charges N’Assembly Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Presidential candidate in the 2019 General Elections, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has urged the leadership of the National Assembly to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to address the lawmakers and the Nigerian public on his administration’s strategies and account of efforts at containing the Corona virus pandemic and the global economic shock.

In a press statement made

available to journalists, yesterday, through her Spokesperson, Mr. Ozioma Ubabukoh, she stated that “at a time Nigeria is at war against a rapidly escalating pandemic of Corona virus and an increasingly distressed, deteriorating and declining economy, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Buhari, is missing in action.�

While posing questions about President Buhari’s whereabouts, Ezekwesili, who is also a Co-

convener of Bring Back Our Girls, declared, “Fellow Citizens, it is grossly irresponsible of Nigeria President, General Muhammadu Buhari, to hide away from addressing and assuring his citizens at a time like this when leaders of other nations are doing much more.�

The former Education Minister maintained that “it is grossly incompetent of the President that he moves around ‘Majoring in the Minors of declaring events open’,

while his citizens are panicked about the fast accelerating health and economic crises.�

She added, “As a citizen of this country, I demand that the National Assembly, the leaderships of the Senate and the House of Representatives, must in exercise of their oversight role, immediately invite President Buhari to render account and plans of his stewardship on the pandemic and economic wars the country is thrown into. Do this NOW.�

COVID-19: NAFDAC Approves Chloroquine for Clinical Trial

Ben Murray-Bruce Broken as Wife Dies of Cancer

Sunday Ehigiator

Bennett Oghifo in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

In search of cure for COVID-19, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has approved the production of chloroquine for clinical trials.

The Director General of the agency, Mojisola Adeyeye, made the announcement yesterday.

According to Adeyeye, NAFDAC was not approving Chloroquine for the treatment of COVlD-19 but for clinical trials to find treatment for the virus.

"NAFDAC is not approving

Chloroquine as a product that can be used for Coronavirus because there is no submission to us for registration, but because it is under clinical trials, NAFDAC approves medicines meant for clinical trials.

"Therefore, the medicine is being approved just for the clinical trials,� Adeyeye said.

Furthermore, she called on experts and researchers that were interested in doing a clinical trial on Chloroquine to approach approved outlets.

"Right now, we have asked one company to make a batch of Chloroquine for the purpose of the clinical trial."

Former Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has said that he is broken by the death of his wife, Evelyn, as she battled cancer.

Announcing the sad passage, yesterday, via his Twitter handle, Senator Ben Bruce, founder of Silverbird Group posted, “I’m broken. Just lost my beautiful wife to cancer. She was my best friend for 43 years and my wife for 41 years. “Our children are devastated, I am too. But I have to be strong for them.

Please put our family in your prayers.

Like the sun, my wife was a blessing and touched the lives of everyone she met. Though she’s gone, she’d

remain alive in our hearts forever.�

The Peoples Democratic Party, in a condolence message, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said "Indeed, Evelyn’s death is a huge blow and irreparable loss not only to the Bruce family, but also to the PDP, the people of Bayelsa state and the nation at large, given her roles and sacrifices towards the development of humanity.

“Despite her challenges and eventual death, Evelyn MurrayBruce radiated life, love, happiness and piety. She was a dutiful wife, dedicated mother; a good soul and epitome of humility, honesty, hardwork and exceptional philanthropy and hospitality.".

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Adamawa State has called on all its affiliate unions, the Association of Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS and Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria, AOPSHTON and all teachers to strictly adhere to the circular of the state government on schools closure. In a statement issued by NUT the state Chairman, Comrade Rodney Nathan said the circular for closure of schools was a preventative measure against the Coronavirus pandemic bedeviling the country.

Nathan also noted that the circular by the Ministry of Education was timely in view of the spread of the disease across the globe, describing it as worrisome. He called on parents to take good care of their wards from contacting the disease while the schools closure lasted.

FG Suspends Medical Outreach The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) has suspended the implementation of the Integrated Medical Outreach Programme earlier scheduled to commence from March 23rd till March 27 in all states of the federation and the Federal CapitalTerritory (FCT) due to the outbreak and increase in the Coronavirus in Nigeria. The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NPHDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said that the suspension was in line concerns over the increase in number of CoronaviruscasesinNigeria.AstatementsignedbytheHead,PublicRelations at NPHCDA, Mohammad Ohitoto said the outbreak would unavoidably affect the rollout of the I-MOP initiative. "Experts have recommended that crowded places be avoided to reduce chances of spreading the virus.Thus, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has temporarily suspended the I-MOP intervention being an activity that will pull Nigerians to health facilities in large numbers," he said. He said the management of the NPHCDA has assured Nigerians that a new date will be communicated in due course. He also expressed the hope that with the measures being put in place by the federal and state governments, the epidemic will be contained in the shortest possible time.

BuhariCommendsOoroverBooksDonation

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Mr. Emeka Offor, President of Chrome Oil and Founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation over the distribution of books to schools and educational institutions in Nigeria and Africa. Buhari who spoke in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State yesterday, during the 2020 book distribution exercise of the foundation said he was impressed, and hoped to support the foundation to continue to engage in the laudable project.

The president who was represented by Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said, "Anambra was lucky to have a man like Emeka Offor, Nigeria was lucky to have him, but I think Africa is luckier.

"He is a man who lives for humanity. Every governor is looking forward to this kind of help in their state. Emeka has accepted to help in the area of health and education.

Plus

FASHION FILE

pg. 20

GLOBAL SOCCER

pg. 29

FAIRGROUND

pg. 36

SHOWBIZFLAIR

pg. 43

Mosunmola Malik Never Allow Your Background to Keep You on the Ground

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 21, 2020

PLUS

Never Allow Your Background to Keep You on the Ground Focused and goal-driven Mosunmola Malik has been in the Nollywood industry for over 10 years. This beauty behind and off the cameras is one of Nigeria’s fast rising actresses, with excellence as her watchword.

Mosunmola’s admirable character stands her out in the industry. She shares her starting-out experiences, progress and challenges in the industry with Tosin Clegg

How the journey into Nollywood started

I

t started about 10 years ago. In 2012, I featured in a movie titled; ‘Married but Living Single’. It’s a day I can never forget in my life. I was so happy that day because I acted with Funke Akindele and Joseph Benjamin. Later on I went to Odunfa Caucus to learn more about acting.

To me, acting is an act or practice of representing a character on a stage or in front of camera.

Growing up in Lagos Island I attended Olowogbowo Methodist Primary School, Lagos Island and later on went to Eko Akete Grammar School for my secondary education. After that I went to Interlink Polytechnic in Osun State where I did my OND and HND. I come from a family of six and I’m the last born.

My mum is late but my dad and siblings are very much in support of my career.

I can say practically that growing up in Lagos Island helped shape the person I am now. Those times were very much my formation years and I’m grateful to my parents, who took time to enrich me with values, ethics and a morally upright life. Growing up in Lagos Island was not by choice. But then, I realised it made me strong. So, I strive to be better and make a difference. That and a lot more, are what helped me to where I am today.

Regardless of where it all started, for me, I’m working hard to improve daily and be a better person. So, I take my work seriously and also look forward to other opportunities out there to earn something but most importantly I focus more on my career as an actress and try to shape my life towards the direction of bringing excellence to my craft.

Never let your background keep you on the ground There is a saying that ‘never let your background keep you on the ground’ and I learnt to fight my own battles on my own with my head held up high because

I know giving up is not an option. I have to be better than my parents. This was why I ensured I worked my way round the movie industry, looking out for opportunities to be a better interpreter of roles and gradually emerging to a much bigger name in the industry.

Best gift as a child The best gift I received as a child was on my birthday and it was a bicycle from my dad. It came at a time when I was so looking forward to something that would challenge me and bring a new excitement to me. Getting the bicycle was everything and I was indeed overjoyed when I started riding it and showing it off to my friends.

I have always wanted to be an actress Right from secondary school, I have always wanted to be an actress and I decided to join a cultural group in my school. So, there was a day we went for a show and there was this role I played and the audience was impressed and I was told if I venture into acting that I will be a great actress. Since then, my passion for acting became stronger. It was all the motivation I needed and I’m glad it came at the time it did. It was a major propeller and gave me every reason to keep my dreams alive. Much later, I featured in a movie titled, ‘Married But Living Single’ in 2012. Being on set that day remains a day I can never forget in my life. I was so happy that day because I acted with Funke Akindele and Joseph Benjamin.

Later on, I went to Odunfa Caucus to learn more about acting.

When my dad lost his job, the comfort I had was lost The most difficult thing that ever happened to me was when my dad lost his job. Things became really difficult because the comfort I had was lost. So, I had to start coping with the new phase of life without much finance from my dad but Alhamdulillah, everything was restored much more later. It was a leap of joy in the house for us all back then but I would

Mosunmola

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 21, 2020

19

PLUS ... I Focus More on My Career and Try to Shape My Life Towards Excellence say the grace of the Almighty Allah did stand for us and made itself available.

I’m on a new path to doing so much more for myself My biggest mistake was not traveling out of the country when I had the opportunity. Well, travelling out would have given me more opportunities to explore and so much more but as I passed on that time; I can never forget; I guess things would have been a lot different but regardless, I’m on a new path to doing so much more for myself and my career.

I want to be able to live my life right My biggest fear in life will be leaving this world without making a positive impact and living a life not worth emulating. That would be a major failure on my own path if I don’t at least make this happen. This is why everyday, I’m always up and about with my career, trying to make a difference and not submit to the pressures here and there.

I want to be able to live my life right and build my career correctly as well, regardless of how long it takes. I know one day, I would be able to confidently share my success story with everyone.

The sky is my starting point I’m looking forward to traveling all over the world. For me it has started already and I’m not stopping anytime soon. The sky is my own starting point and I don’t know about others but I’m thankful for the opportunities so far and a lot more to come, knowing full well that with Allah on my side, everything will fall in place and I would attain heights of successes that would blow my own mind as well.

I fight my battles with prayers Life has taught me never to depend on anyone and it’s just the bitter truth; you can take it or leave it. Telling your problem to someone who has no solution is like washing your dirty cloth in public because the person will use your story as an example or broadcast it to the wrong people. I fight my battles with prayers and I only look up to Almighty Allah.

Most young actresses are scared to speak up because of the fear of gang up against. I have experienced a few situations where a director or producer told me he can’t give me scripts except I have sex with him

Every role I get featured in I try to bring my character alive Acting in my own word is an act or practice of representing a character and that can be on a stage or in front of camera. So every role I get featured in I try to bring my character alive by playing the role as though I’m the person taking notes of the expected character, personality, mindset and everything else that encompasses that character.

My big break I consider the film, ‘Aye Onilara’ as my big break. It was written and produced by Taiwo Opeyemi Ibrahim in 2016 and directed by Okiki Afolayan. It was a movie that gave me the opportunity to express myself and give a character the essence it deserves. I’m always thankful for the chance and that more or less opened more doors of opportunities for me.

Joke Silva is my mentor Joke Silva is my mentor. She lacks any form of negativity or bad press and has proven herself overtime as a woman of virtue, high standard and disciple even from her roles on Project Fame and other things she has worked on. And her spoken English is top notch and I wish to be speaking like her though, with her excellence composition of words, dictions and more. I love the fact that she has been able to achieve a balance between her marriage to a prominent actor, Olu Jacobs and acting effectively with years of excellence in records.

Sex for role challenges

Mosunmola

My challenges have been largely sex for role and it’s really been crazy. Sex for role in Nollywood is real and most production managers, directors and producers are into it. So it is making young female talents not to have opportunity to express their creativity without sexual harassment.

Most young actresses are scared to speak up because of the fear of being victimised. Most young actresses are scared to speak up because of the fear of gang up against. I have experienced a few situations where a director or producer told me he can’t give me

scripts except I have sex with him. This existing selfish desire in the industry is saddening and degrading. By having an effective policy and procedures, this form of abuse will be prevented, thereby giving more confidence to the younger generation.

I always try to connect So far I have achieved things money can’t buy. I enjoy networking a lot and each time I go to locations and events, I try to connect and get along with people as much as possible. I’m building a wide

range of friendship with filmmakers that would later yield something great, like being called for films, projects and more.

Few years from now, I see myself as a great actress, playing lead roles and making waves in the industry.

Projects in the pipeline I’m working on a project and it’s going to be out soon. Just watch out for this space. For me, in the next five years, I see myself becoming a true expert and master of my roles and making waves in the industry and travelling all over the world.

20

Fashion File

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ 2020 with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Chidinma Obairi’s Fall 2020 Collection

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

21

FASHION FILE

Chidinma Obairi’s Fall 2020 Collection Chidinma Obairi’s Fall 2020 ready-to-wear collection captures the luxurious lifestyle of the strong, powerful and fearless woman it represents.

The heightened style power of the African style icons and the timeless silhouettes of the Nigerian Owambe scenes capture the essence of

this beautiful season.

Golden hues dresses, intricate and decadent beading, pristine embroidery and exquisite fabrics make a timeless silhouette.

Images courtesy of Chidinma Obairi Photography: @Emmanueloyeleke Makeup Artistry: @stephanieani_mua Model: @tanseycoetzee Model: @chiomahh_ For @bethmodelafrica Styling & Directions: @chidinmaobairi Hair: @Styledbycharles Styling Assist: @vanessa_chinonso

22

˜ ˞ MARCH 21, 2020

FAJ/JOE

THEFRONTLINES

Abule Ado: Where’s Our Humanity?

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

W

e are passing through a very tough and difficult time not only in Nigeria but globally. To say human beings have come under severe threats caused by their own machinations and the elements would be an understatement.

In reality, the world is confused and in utter turmoil.

In recent times, we have seen the effects of the bushfires in Australia and the devastation they wrecked on lives and property and the economy in that country. In the United States of America, a combination of climate related typhoons, cyclones and flooding cost the economy over $1 billion.

India, Japan, Africa, China also had their fair share of these devastating heatwaves, flooding, typhoons, cyclones as each of these countries recorded very high fatality rates. Even before now, countries like Japan and Indonesia have been wrecked and brought to their knees by powerful Tsunamis that killed thousands of people and destroying property rendering millions homeless.

In the US, a combination of Hurricane Katrina and Ima set the country back by over $200 billion according to a New York Times report. Today, the world is grappling with the COD -19 (Coronavirus) believed to have originated in China. This virus has so far locked down people into quarantine across the globe; disrupted production processes; challenged the health systems of even the advanced countries and brought global economy to a halt.

At the time of this report, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that over 10,000 persons have so far died as the pandemic sweeps across 49 countries with strong potential of spreading to more countries especially in the African continent in the coming days.

So far, global reactions have been spontaneous. The Chinese, for instance rose to the occasion by building new hospitals, researching new drugs to tackle the pandemic and strengthening its entire health systems to keep its people safe.

President Donald Trump of the United States, working with congress has approved new legislation that would put in place the required measures to protects all Americans from the scourge of the pandemic. Europe is not left out as countries like Germany, United Kingdom, Italy have all announced financial stimuli to cushion the losses that would impact businesses, people and the economies generally.

Exactly one week ago, the joy, certainty and serenity of Abule

Ado, a sleepy backwater community off Badagry expressway was cut short by a huge gas explosion which left over 20 persons dead including the Principal of Bethlehem Secondary School. In addition to the loss of lives, several houses, vehicles, shops and businesses around the area were either completely razed down or suffered tremendous damage.

If you visit the community today, the once bustling community is a shadow of its past. While some are still in a trance wanting not to believe what has befallen them, others are still prowling the grounds with the hope of rescuing a family member alive or the corpse from the rubble.

Those who are not looking for lost relatives are busy searching what used to be relics of their abode, looking for any piece of valuable that could be recovered from the place.

As you read this piece, majority of those affected in the gas explosion who have no family members or relatives to hang on to are homeless, hopeless and with no help and have no where to go.

These people are literally on their own, abandoned to their fate by those who should take care of them.

The saddest part of their predicament is that the government ab initio never provided any facilities for them like housing, electricity, potable water, transportation, medicare, school system etc.

These people, just like millions of other Nigerians who are engaged in the endless struggle for survival, have always resorted to self help to fend for themselves and families. Therefore, in Abule Ado, the affected people sweated to build and provide themselves accomodation, potable water, electricity through generators including every facilities that could standardize their living without a single government assistance.

Yet, every year, government collects taxes from both individuals and businesses to provide basic amenities that are never in existence. The question to ask is: what is government’s responsibilities to its citizen? Where is the humanity in government? Why are our leaders so callous and insensitive to the yearnings of the people and display absolute disdain for the people?

Imagine the immediate response that greeted the terrorists attack on the World Trade Centre in the United States. Within minutes, fire fighters, patriotic Americans poured in scurrying all the floors for signs of people alive to rescue and bring them to safety. When Lousiana came under severe Hurricane Katrina flooding, the response was spontaneous. Shelters were built overnight and catering booths were set up to take care of people who had been displaced by the unfortunate incident. In the end, those affected were resettled peacefully in new abodes provided

When A Joke Has Gone Too Far

W

hat else shall we say about the formerly arrogant Nigerian senator who caused quite a storm inside an Abuja sex-toy shop in July last year... and has now been canonised as patron saint of the Nigerian body of professional actors? Of course, we join our voice in condemning the process and pundits that co-joined to promote such a man whose acrobatic onslaught on two women store owners provoked widespread uproar across the world. The CCTV video seemed like a scene out of Nollywood’s depiction of savagery against women.

In verbal and physical demonstration of extreme anger mismanagement, the newly elected senator from Adamawa sought to teach a pesky woman how not to talk to a distinguished and utterly disconnected member of the power elite with few unforgettable slaps, and some kicks. The viral video was a sordid illustration of the depth and wantonness of our leadership misery.

The following scenarios of public apologies, feigned humility and dosage of intransigence, spiced with veiled hints of undisturbed collapse of any punitive consequences... all these built up simmering animosity against Nigerian men, irrespective of status and origin, who are seen as closet predators and abusers of women’s rights and privileges.

Elisha Abbo was justifiably vilified and held up as an example of human specie incapable of adequate emotional intelligence, among other inadequacies. The power of the men-dominated media, the unrelenting roll of Time, and tumbling series of unfortunate and distracting events conspired to sweep the matter under the carpet. Or so we thought. Well, that delusional thinking must have been the cause of the robust lapse in judgement of the men and, I suppose, women of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, who recently stirred the devil awake by appointing Abbo, and some other notable (some would say objectionable) names into their board of trustees and patrons. The Emeka Rollas-led actors’ body (well, they seem to have assumed the American loose profiling of “actor� to represent both male and female species of the thespian way) has walked into a blinding gale of opposition to the selection of Abbo especially, and arguably to a lesser degree, that of former senator and noted amateur comic, Dino Melaye. Interestingly, Melaye has also been known to “molest� women verbally, and some would swear, physically... with names mentioned within the same acting enclave.

While one cannot legislate for a group of people on who they should associate with or pick as lamp-holders of their vision and principles, it is wise to respect and respond to

the sensibilities of your people, the vast majority of whom you dote on to validate your creativity, and basically sustain and promote your economic rights and aspirations. Some sympathisers of the AGN’s gaffe argued that since Abbo has fully apologised (debatable) and the primary victim has duly accepted (very doubtful), it is incumbent on the nation (read the aggrieved womenfolk, especially feminists) to rise to the biblical injunction (to err is human, to forgive is divine), and let a contrite “sinner� be fully reintegrated into the comity of responsible and reasonable citizenry. Very well.

May be one of our problems in this country is that we are too forgiving, to the point that our tolerance is used as mop to smash us in the face, as so-called repentant rogues design bigger and more devastating schemes and heists to diminish and impoverish us further.

When people do bad things, and show contrition or remorse, it is good to forgive. It is also important that in forgiving, a kernel of punishment, corrective and regenerative, is served the guilty party to swallow. The purpose of this is two fold: the severity of the punishment is tempered in such a way that a repentant soul is not further crushed by heavy-handed censure. Secondly, the automatic consequence of wrong-doing is certain in a regime of corrective actions that ignores status or stature, and therefore serves as unmistakable deterrence to would-be offenders.

In the light of the foregone, it is remiss for the AGN to assume that Abbo has served enough punishment in the heart of an abused nation, and therefore should be decorated as some sort of refurbished saint. It is irresponsible of AGN, and vicariously those in support of his selection for whatever reason, to throw up issues that make our leaders confident in their infantile belief that they can get away with anything in Nigeria...it’s just a matter of time...and cash.

It is truly hoped that as you’re reading this, the AGN, or those who appreciate the meaning and possibilities of their statuses as lightning rods of our society, would have done the needful, and retraced from what is, all too clear, a stroll into ignominy.

A word for Senator Abbo though...if you seek to perform some acts of retribution, or suppress the demons that worry incorruptible misogynists, you can start by fronting a process or campaign that seeks to re-educate and reintegrate violators of women’s rights and space...using yourself as example of a wrong made right by the power of true repentance and forgiveness flowing from an indulgent society.... it’s a matter of time, and guts.

May the days ahead lead the characters involved in this non-evento to take the right steps, and not sit hunchback on a stinky pile of indecision or infamy.

jushigiale@yahoo.co.uk, joseph.ushigiale@thisdaylive.com 08023422660 (sms only)

by government or their agencies.

Japan and Indonesia that suffered huge losses from Tsunamis that ravaged their respective countries recovered in record time along with their people whom they positioned as central to their recovery. They never abandoned their people to their fate and never demonstrated the kind of lackadaisical attitude Nigerian officials who are fed and paid with tax payers money have always displayed.

China where the COD - 19 originated from and which suffered about the highest casualties including huge economic losses is on the throes of a recovery. The casualty figures are down, shops are reopening and the country’s hub or engine room of production is gradually humming back to life. All because it placed it people as central to its recovery.

This brings me to the second leg of this discourse. Do our leaders understand the difference between service and being served.

In 2007, the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua promised Nigerians in his inaugural address that he was going to be a servant leader who would put the people first in his policies and programmes.

According to him “I most humbly offer myself as a servant leader. I will be a good listener and a doer. I will serve this nation with honesty, transparency, accountability and absolute fear of God. Let us work and strive together to restore our time-honored values of honesty, decency, generosity, modesty, selflessness.�

At that time, the former president was apparently rankled by the rot in government and was determined to set out on a new trajectory to change the corruption narrative that has festered to this day. Regrettably, he did not live long enough to fulfil his wishes.

Nigerian leaders and politicians would continue to treat their constituents with disdain and high level insensitivity, something that cannot be tolerated in even nearby Ghana or Senegal, for so long as we have the prevailing weak institutions that hold no one accountable.

In 2009, during a visit to Ghana, former United State president, Barack Obama told the Ghanaian parliament that no country moves forward where lawlessness prevails, bribery and corruption are order of the day and where institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions.

Readers can continued online www.thisdaylive.com

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

COVID-19: A Life-Changing Twist The world is coming to an end... No, the world is not coming to an end... The onslaught of the dreaded Novel Coronavirus (aka COVID-19) across the universe; the attendant struggles of governments and health authorities in the so-called advanced countries; and mid-level panic mode yonder in running supermarkets and grocery shops out of necessities... have combined to chase down other important news across the world. In Nigeria, we are so busy counting the days and weeks, and waiting with baited breath amidst flagging optimism that our list of probable victims and confirmed patients of COVID-19 would remain within the low ambit of our suspected capacity.

We are praying our government, notorious for bungling of numbers during moments of calamities, are not macromanaging the actual numbers of suspected victims. We are worried that the world, especially Europe, were not proactively attentive to preventive and precautionary measures to manage and control their territorial borders, especially the very busy and open international airports.

These streaks of Armageddon and such end-time conspiracies and prophecies have saturated the internet, especially the social networks...that Nigerians hardly had time to worry about the impending implosion in APC as its chairman, Adam Oshiomhole fought for his political life... No one was engrossed with the multiple signatures of Amotekun bills across the South West states, nor did the musings of governors of South East and North West to knock out their versions of Amotekun warrant our interest.

Coronavirus has so overtaken our conversations and other narratives that we have not had time to evaluate the implications of Joe Biden’s late rally to shatter the dream of socialist-democrat, Bernie Sanders in the march to November, 2020 US presidential election.

One thing is certain though: our lives have been so scarred and defined by a wondrous pandemic which at once seems ordinary, and yet provocatively deadly. We will continue to monitor its sweep and spread... hoping and preparing for dwindling destruction and fewer deaths in its wake... We shall continue to report and review how our lives have completely transformed and, in some cases, reformed by the way and measures we respond to the threat and curse of Coronavirus, the invisible, sporadic killer.

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION/RELATIONSHIP

BY

EBERE WABARA

Choice of Words

T

HISDAY Window of March 14 failed to boost us: “As at Tuesday this week, we have (had) released N285 billion to a number of agencies (to some agencies).�

From The Nigerian Stock Exchange come the next three slips as contained in a full-page advertisement in THISDAY under review: “Will there be a dominant shareholder of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, post demutualisation (postdemutualization)?� “What is next after the successful hosting of the Court Ordered (Court-ordered) Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting (a question mark)�

Uzodinma swears-in (swears in) first female judge in Imo Stateâ€? â€œâ€Śwho trooped out in large number (numbers)‌.â€? “Election: Ijaw leaders should ensure IYV Worldwide get (gets) it right this timeâ€?

(POLITY, March 14) Both ‘publicity’ and ‘strategy’ (as employed by some offices) are otiose on the grounds that a governor does not need any publicity as his accomplishments, if any, will speak volumes for him. Similarly, there is nothing anyone engages in that does not involve ‘strategy’—what matters, ultimately, is the quality of such a strategy vis-Ă -vis the realization of goals informed by the strategy. Even legitimate intercourse requires ‘strategy’ otherwise there would be diminished spousal orgasmic attainment, which may be lacking in “short-timeâ€? erotic escapade/lustful roguery! Can we, therefore, do away with the balderdash of ‘publicity’ and redundancy of ‘strategy’?

MEDIA Gaffes retrospection amid allied issues: When Otunba Femi Adesina was appointed the Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to President Muhammadu Buhari,

gossips went to town and declared that he got the job because of his unflinching and unparalleled support for PMB before, during and after the last presidential electioneering. Must a man/professional sit on the fence? For me, it is a weakness of character for anyone not to take a position at any point. It is even worse to swim along with the tidal wave in vogue. None of such idle talkers could evaluate Femi’s bursting pedigree as a distinguished journalist-cumadministrator par excellence.

For those who do not know me, I am a developmental journalist not swayed by inducements as I will elucidate shortly. This is not to say that I am indifferent or opposed to post-work appreciation in any form willingly done—without any blackmail or intimidation in the intervening period.

Any contrary view to this is blatancy of falsehood and demonstrative of self/public deception.

I was one of the most critical journalists of the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency on grounds of his dictatorial tendencies and anarchical policies in a democratic regime.

All through his tenure, I consistently faulted his autocratic credentials. Despite my stridently oppositional avowals, the late Egbon Tunji Oseni, who at the time was the SSA (Media) to Chief Obasanjo, never failed to engage me in robust intellectual arguments over the issues I threw up concerning his principal. There was no time and need for perfunctory rebuttals and criminalization of opponents as is the vogue!

Oga Oseni was a thoroughbred journalist and media manager and consistently underscored that in his media relationships unlike what we have these days. In spite of my critical disposition to Chief Obasanjo and his combative governance, I was invited to participate in one of the presidential media chats in the heyday of the programme by my mentor Oseni. On

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

the live national broadcast of the media chat, President Obasanjo rebuked my family and demonized me for asking an innocuous question to wit: “With the violent build-up to the upcoming general election, don’t you think, Your Excellency, that there would be cataclysmic upheavals after the polls?�

President Obasanjo lost his cool during and after the live show—even as we walked down from the makeshift TV studio upstairs for refreshment downstairs at his Ota Farms where the special edition took place.

I recollect, as the editor of The Post Express years back, one of the bold front page headlines I used shortly after the media chat: “Rimi blasts Obasanjo� Weeks later, as Chief Oseni took only me to NICON-NOGA Hotel from Aso Rock in his official car after yet another presidential meeting with select editors of national newspapers, he kept wondering why I persistently criticize his boss despite his elucidatory interventions and our cherished relationships right from our Daily Times days, where he showed me great affection surpassing that of a man for a woman! May the gentle soul of Egbon Tuni Oseni continue to rest in peace.

When also my first cousin, Chief Adolphus Wabara, became the Senate President during the second term of the Obasanjo presidency, I unrelentingly pointed out the rudderless descent of the upper chamber and its slavishness to Baba.

My stout position on this untoward and spineless romance between the executive and the legislature caused brouhaha in many quarters and eventually resulted in seemingly perpetual estrangement between Egbon Adolf and this columnist! Of course, I was ultimately vindicated in what is now history. My age-long brand of journalism is no respecter of cousinship, “brown/white� envelope and any other influencing/intimidating agent.

The recent reaffirmation of my vistas on

Bola Tinubu’s fabulous opulence and illimitable wealth needlessly, unprofessionally, abruptly and rudely ended my language column in THE NATION ON SUNDAY. This is a good example of the implications and consequences of one’s choice of words in any communication.

The above recollections catapult me to current chief press secretaries (previously cub reporters) to state governors. I now understand why most of them do not last in that position. They hero-worship their fumbling bosses and most times do not have access to them or allowed by the system to make any input to governmental engineering largely because they are rightly seen as neophytes/errand boys.

Instead of these incorrigible reactionaries engaging their masters’ critics in absorbing cerebral exchanges and building bridges, they resort to propagandistic mayhem, name-calling, platitudinous celebration of their masters’ sainthood and make-believe achievements that culminate in adversarial relationships amid adumbration of the systemic rot in their states.

Fortunately for today’s megaphones, the prevailing poverty, corruption and survivalist pressures among the media, most reporters and columnists (including editors of all cadres) are opportunistic platforms for any indolent and numbskull CPS to mortgage impoverished journalists without minding the societal antitheses or karmic retributions that await both the giver and the recipient when rapture comes, inevitably.

In summation, for some of us columnists, God has so blessed us that we do not expect peanuts or handouts from any CPS or Security Vote bloody gift from governors because of our established independence and verifiable comfort.

Archbishop Okeke at 18 Fr. George Adimike

T

he Catholic Archbishop of OnitshaValerian Okeke has just clocked 18 years as an Archbishop.

It is proper and fitting to x-ray the spirituality that has contributed to the success of the venerable Archbishop. Christian life runs on grace is a sufficient warrant for Heideggerian position that nothing nothings. In Christianity, grace precedes faith. However, the Christian’s response to the gift of faith is effortful. This response entails a spirituality of an active self-surrender that snatches victory from the grip of the new age spiritualities rooted in self-sovereignty. In this way, active passivity relative to spirituality serves as the right receptive mode. Hence, in Christian spirituality, active passivity preserves the transcendence of God but at the same time appropriates and cooperates with grace in the active engagement of the whole being.

An incarnational spirituality appreciates the truth that through the Incarnation of Christ, God healed all materiality. He recreated the creation such that the metaphysical quality of being as good resonates with the biblical foundation that everything God created is good (cf Gen. 1:31). As such, materiality acquires instrumental value in the salvation mystery, implying that no genuine spirituality discountenances materiality and the world of human affairs, because they are signs of the fullness in God. Relative to Christianity, shirking of responsibility defeats true spirituality and misrepresents Christian religion. It hides lack of response-ability under cover of spirituality and ends up distorting the correct rubric of Christian spirituality, thus providing an alibi to lapsed and weak Christians. Indeed, one of the challenges of contemporary Christian expressions is the distortion of its nature, which affects the appreciation of its spirituality. Consequently, one of the malaise affecting Christian spiritualities is a disincarnated conception of its nature. This challenge expresses discomfort with living in the body and craves for spiritualism that discountenances the mystery of the Incarnation. It is spirituality fraught with a residue of gnostic suspicion of matter or materiality, which, inadvertently, behaves as though Incarnation did not happen.

Spiritualism tends to be devoid of any contact with humanness and with earthiness in disregard for the New Testament spirituality that is rooted in the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, in which Christ and the Spirit have a functional identity. The New Testament spirituality hinges on the ground that there is no Spirit without Christ and that Christ exists through the Spirit. Thus, it is an incarnational spirituality that is sufficiently historical, eschatological and mystical.

It serves and builds the present as the imperfect manifestation of the kingdom of God, which is incipiently growing through the ministry of Christians.

Okeke

The sheen of Archbishop Valerian Okeke’s spiritual texture glows with the disposition that spirituality should help man to appreciate his identity as a child of God and assume the role of the stewardship of the earth. It is a spirituality that makes one assume the responsibility of cultivating our current home in preparation for our eternal home. Additionally, it transforms one and disposes him to collaborate with Christ in bringing about his salvation to the ends of the earth. Responding to grace, the Archbishop focuses on the overall wellbeing of man by working to connect him to Christ and to empower his response-ability. He spends himself forming his flock to assume their responsibility in the world and thus become good stewards of creation. Thus, Maduka forms the rubric of his spirituality. As such, Maduka, man’s pre-eminent quality given his intimate connection to God through Christ in the Spirit, leads to calling out the greatest in man that energizes him to unleash such greatness on his world. Devoid of any guile, pretence of every sort is the Archbishop’s abhorrence while he positively encourages hard-work and honesty, industry and scholarship.

Further, the mystery of God’s definitive and ultimate self-revelation in Christ makes Incarnation the divine principle of salvation for all times. Through the Incarnation, Christ of God becomes the text, nay, the context that reveals the meaning of our particular texts. In the typical incarnational pattern, God accomplishes His salvation through, and for, man, whose entire mystery spells instrumental

significance relative to salvation. Consequently, God continues to raise human instruments through whom He extends the merits of salvation. As such, in the choice of Archbishop Valerian Okeke, who has been most actively deploying Maduka principle with great success for the fullness of life and human flourishing, He equipped him to touch all aspects of life. It has been a life centred on the best of values, characterized by love and hope, compassion and consideration, faith and fraternity, excellence and empathy. He lives and ministers the full definition of Maduka with candour, giving it a genuinely Christian imprimatur.

By stretching the pastoral and leadership imagination, he has been able to let hearts soar and minds roar, thus causing the abridgement of misery and forlornness. Through his ministry, God has made his presence felt, touched and loved by sheer audacious love, generosity, faith, industry, vision, intuition, courage and singularity of devotion to God. Neither would you attribute aloofness to him, nor does he pontificate from Olympian heights. Instead, as a servant-leader, the Archbishop embodies the transformation he seeks in the society. It beggars belief the lofty contributions he has made to transform lives and peoples. Ever ready to make a self-gift for the overall advancement of humanity, his Maduka spirituality prods him to focus significant attention to formation, for, according to him, it is better not to have been born than not formed.

His incarnational spirituality is the force that sustains him. The pastoral fruits of his ministry are the indicators of the corresponding spiritual roots. The principle is simple: ‘because I live others will live better lives’. He personifies hope, encapsulates charity, exudes prudence, and radiates joy and confidence to humanity characterized by despondency and harassment. The sheen of his ministry is sufficiently God-glorifying and man-edifying. Spiritual formation, Education, economic empowerment, human development and capacity building are being aggressively pursued and are yielding enormous dividends in the society through the direct or proximate instrumentality of the Archbishop. One immediately thinks of his multitudinous socio-economic and human developmental interventions. Let me save you of the endless litanies of the accomplishments. The infrastructures he put in place pale when compared to his investment in human capital development, ethical revival and spiritual formation.

In sum, Archbishop Okeke, earlyish in life, understood man as the greatest resource, such that he deployed God’s grace to the best use and greatest advantage, making him a quintessential manager of time, talent and treasure. Through Maduka spirituality, the Archbishop dedicates his ministry to uplifting the dignity of man to the glory of God and man’s salvation. Clearly, he typifies this dignity through his response-able steward of creation as a son of God and brother to all humans. ––Fr George Adimike, illuminatugozie@gmail.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

24

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Firm Unveils ‘Kasala App’ toTackle Insecurity In view of the rising wave of insecurity in the country, a holding company, Rector Group of Companies, has launched an innovation, ‘Kasala App’, to strengthen the safety of Nigerians.

Kasala works as an emergency alert and tracking app, that is designed to keep citizens safe, protected and confident especially in their most vulnerable moment.

Managing Director of Rector Group of Companies, Onyedikachi Erete, pointed out that the alarming figure of casualties from security challenges continued to pose a danger to the polity, adding that it was important for Nigerians to screw up their personal security. “The escalation of insecurity across the country as of today is unpleasant and indeed worrisome. Everyday, it is one news of kidnapping, armed robbery or bloodshed.

Crime rate is at an all-time high. The Nigeria Police Force reports that between January and April, 2019, at least 685 persons were kidnapped across the country. Another report revealed that over 8,000 were widowed, 16,000 children orphaned, 5,000 people killed

while 9,000 more were injured since 2009 as a result of banditry. “Insecurity related to gender violence is also on the surge while statistics from transportation accidents is not plummeting,� he said.

Erete noted that despite the fact that safety and law agencies were grasping at straws to save the situation, responses have been low while crime rates continued to increase.

He said that the new app, which can be accessed via kasalaapp.com, would enable citizens to notify security agencies and or loved ones before, during or after emergency and dangerous situations.

Describing the solution further, he explained: “Kasala which is available on App Store and Google Play uses the latest location and GPS service tracking technology. It allows one to select emergency contacts that can respond when one or loved ones are in distress.

It also has a built-in feature to activate an alert. The app lets one live-stream an event, and while live streaming feature is in use, the audio and video are also automatically recorded and sent to select guardians or

Mouka Enlightens Nigerians on Healthy Sleep Culture In celebrating this year’s World Seep Day, Mouka has urged Nigerians to develop a healthy sleep habit while also educating them on how to go about same.

This is to further spread knowledge and shed more light on the theme of this year’s ‘World Seep Day, ‘‘Better Sleep, Better Life, Better Planet�.

Speaking at the well attended event, Chief Executive Officer of Mouka, Raymond Murphy, stressed the importance of healthy sleep to overall physical and mental wellness, adding that a quality sleep is non -negotiable.

Quoting reports, he said: “It is more difficult to commit to memory, a piece of new information after a night of inadequate or disturbed sleep. Studies have shown that there is a link between adequate sleep and concentration, cognition and productivity.�

He added that in addition to the company’s innovative range of products to aid quality sleep, the firm being a responsible company deemed it right to follow suit with the global body in raising awareness on the importance of the day.

This include educating the masses on sleep disorder and how to prevent it as well as reducing the burden of sleep disorder that threatens health and quality of life.

In her lecture, Vice President of Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Nnenna Chigbo, explained that good quality sleep consists of 7-9 hours,which among other things, reduces labour-related and road transport accidents as well as improves

circadian clock which ultimately reduces premature ageing.

The physiotherapist also offered tips on how to imbibe healthy sleep culture and urged Nigerians to go for Mouka brand as endorsed by the society.

He said: “Avoid heavy spicy or sugary foods four hours before bedtime; exercise regularly but not right before bed; use comfortable bedding; find a comfortable setting for sleeping and keep the room well ventilated; block out all distracting noise and eliminate as much light as possible, reserve the bed for sleep and sex�.

Also speaking at the event, a representative of Nigeria Association of Orthopedic Manual Therapists (NAOMT), Dr. Ayodele Onigbinde strongly encouraged Nigerians, either with special needs or not to opt for orthopaedic mattresses to get the best of sleep. “This helps to minimise body pressure and designed to offer a firmer sleep surface.

It also ensures correct spinal alignment that helps alleviate stress on the spine and reduces back pain. Orthopedic mattress also aid the adoption of correct posture for sleep, promoting healthier blood circulation throughout the night.�

He added that orthopedic mattress offers optimum push-back for perfect sleeping position, reduces tossing and turning to wake up and spreads body weight to prevent the build-up of pressure points, particularly in the neck, back and hips.

Vascorp, RIFAN, Partner to Reward Junior Chef No fewer than 100 children have taken part in the indigenous Rice Junior Chef Competition in Kano State, recently.

The competition is an initiative of Kano State Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in conjunction with Vascorp Nigeria Ltd, a Fast Moving Consumers Good distribution company.

According to the sponsors, the initiative was conceived to inculcate the traditional culinary skills among the youths in the so-called fast food generation as well as preserve the Nigerian food culture.

The competition which involved children between ages 12- 15 was a flurry of cooking fun and exhibition of Nigerian food, particularly jollof rice, where contestants prepared their favourite dishes.

Jollof rice was at the centre stage at the

competition and Jolly Jollof, a ready to use spice mix with chicken flavour was the star of the event.

Jolly Jollof is a ready to use blend of jollof spice mix with chicken flavour and tomato that when added to rice gives an authentic taste of Jollof rice and makes a ready pot of jollof in 20 minutes. It comes in 800g derica-size 800g.

Speaking, Chairman of RIFAN, Kano State, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu , urged Nigerians to take pride in locally produced food and stop being dependent on imported rice.

The RIFAN chairman also thanked the sponsors of the programme, especially Vascorp, for their commitment and support to ensure the success of the programme.

Winners of the competition were rewarded based on their performances.

security agents in real time. “Its innovative features make one feel safer in the case of an ill-fated event, especially when one needs an instant response from loved ones or security agents in one’s proximity. Its most advanced and reliable personal safety feature is its ability to let

one sends SOS alarms to other Kasala app users anywhere and anytime around one to come for one’s rescue.

The app can be used to report cases such as rape, domestic violence, accidents, robbery, kidnapping and fire. It can also be used for public safety and community policing�.

Winner of the star prize, Aisha Mansur of First Grade International School holding a cheque of N150,000 presented to her by oďŹƒcials of Vascorp and the Kano chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria that organised the cooking competition for children aged between 12 to 15 years in Kano‌ recently

FoodCo Gets Substantive CEO Indigenous diversified consumer goods company, Foodco Nigeria Limited, has confirmed Ade Sun-Basorun as its substantive Chief Executive Officer.

Following the confirmation, Sun-Basorun, who before now was operating in acting capacity, will lead the growth and expansion drive of the company.

He replaces Mrs. Sola-Sun Basorun, the former CEO and founder of the firm who is now the chairman.

Sun-Basorun is a seasoned executive, who has gathered deep experience leading business transformation at FoodCo, McKinsey & Company and General Electric (GE) in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and the US. He joined FoodCo in 2017 as an Executive

Director and successfully repositioned the business from a supermarket-chain operation to a diversified consumer goods company with interests in retail, quick service restaurants, manufacturing and entertainment.

Growing from five outlets, FoodCo is now the largest supermarket chain in South-West Nigeria, outside Lagos, and employs more than 500 staff.

The company was named the 2019 Multigenerational Business Leader of the Year at the inaugural edition of the Nigerian Business Leaders’ Awards organised by BusinessDay Media Ltd. It’s bread brand, Sunfresh, was also recently recognised as Africa’s Best Premium Quality Bread by the African Brand Congress (ABC).

Kellogg’s Superstars Contest Hits Top Gear As a way of strengthening the impact of its flagship children scholarship scheme, Kellogg’s said that it has increased the number of beneficiaries of the scheme to 100 from the previous 50.

The firm has also informed that it would stop accepting entry for the 2nd edition of the initiative by the end of March, 2020.

The scholarship scheme is such that gives children an opportunity to take part in Kellogg’s contest after which they qualify for reward based on their performances.

According to the firm, Kellogg’s Superstars contest is a school-based essay writing competition designed for primary school pupils to sharpen their writing skills while also bringing out their creative talent.

The essay contest was introduced in March 2019 and reached out to more than 1.8 million pupils at approximately 12,000 schools across Rivers, Lagos and Oyo State in Nigeria.

At the end of the competition, 50 outstanding pupils emerged and cumulatively received N5 million worth of scholarship.

This year, the competition will produce 100 winners, scaling up the scholarship value to 10 million naira.

Marketing Manager of Kellogg’s, Mr. Darlington Igabali, hinted that the programme this year has been extended to cover north central region of Nigeria (Abuja) in addition to Lagos and Ibadan. “ In January 2020, entries were declared open

to all primary schools within these regions with the task to write a short and concise essay of not more than 100 words on the topic “Why my Mum is a Super Mum�, this will see hundred outstanding pupils emerge as winners to receive a N100, 000 worth of scholarship each. “This edition topic was carefully crafted because the brand recognises the value and the contribution of mothers to growth in the society , while on the other hand, the contest coincidentally falls within the period when mothers are globally celebrated (International Mother’s Day),� he said. “It is important to note that the essay writing competition is generally open to children within the Age bracket of 6 -11 years old whose schools fall under the three identified cities, we also receive entries directly on our facebook and Instagram platforms�, Darlington explained.

Speaking further, Public Relations Manager, Tolaram Group, Mrs. Omotayo Abiodun, stated that the the initiative was borne out of the brand’s passion to contribute to the development of education in the country.

She added that initiative aligned with the company’s belief that that supporting children’s education at a very tender age would pave way for a brighter tomorrow for the children and country at large.

Winners will be determined by judges who will sit to deliberate on the most outstanding hundred entries . The winners will be announced in April.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The Ruins of Abule Ado Charles Ajunwa ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËŞĂ? Ă?âÚÖÙĂ?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ™ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă–Ă?Ę° ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?ËÞÒĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĘľĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ

R

esidents of Abule Ado, a suburb of Lagos State, woke up last Sunday morning not knowing that danger was lurking around the corner.

Many families left early to worship in different churches while others embarked on different activities. Commuters were also on the ever-busy roads heading to different destinations. But all these changed suddenly when a deadly explosion occurred. The sound of the blast was heard several miles away from the scene. Within seconds of the explosion, residential quarters, schools, hotels and other business areas were shattered by the force of heavy explosion. At the last count, 20 bodies had been recovered from the scene of the explosion. The injured were rushed to hospitals by the first responders to receive proper treatment.

This reporter that fateful Sunday morning, was at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Restoration Parish, Area 25, Province 64, Ejigbo, participating in the Sunday School class. Around 9:15a.m., we heard a big bang that shook the two-story building we were worshipping in. Information later filtered in that there was a massive explosion in Abule Ado. It was a black Sunday! I was very curious to find out what really caused the deadly explosion.

The probable cause set tongues wagging with conspiracy theories flying around. On Tuesday, after saying my morning prayer, I set out for Abule Ado for on the spot assessment.

From Cele Bus Stop, I boarded a bus to Mile 2. Within a few minutes we were at Mile 2.

Shattered Bethlehem Girls College

I boarded another bus going to Abule Ado. When I disembarked at the bus stop along the Badagry Expressway, I noticed that commuters and roadside traders were moving about as if nothing happened. One of the Okada riders I asked to take me to the explosion site, told me the police stationed along the Otunba Gani Adams Road leading to the explosion site denied them access. But I persuaded one to take me to the place. Shortly after I mounted the Okada, the Okada man said “Oga journalist, fresh fire ignited there this morning. We even hear that over 100 bodies were recovered from the explosion site.� Less than 60 seconds into the ride, the damage by the explosion became evident. Rubbles from impacted houses very far from the actual explosion site began to be noticeable in the horizon and on both sides of the road.

Sighting a heavy presence of the police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNSC), Nigeria Red Cross Society, Federal Fire Service and other plain clothe security personnel, I told the Okada man to stop a few metres from the barricaded zone.

Many people who came to see first-hand, the massive devastation caused by the explosion clustered around discussing it in low voices. I approached one of the police officers standing in the barricaded zone and identified myself as a journalist. After clearing me to access the site, the officer chipped in “Please be careful, your life is more important.� I told him I would and proceeded straight to the site.

The whole place was desolate. The destruction was massive and unbelievable. I gathered that over 300 residents have vacated the area. The ruins after excavation area. Nobody was allowed to come near to On the left side of the road, I saw what the main excavation site. A burnt tanker was parked on looked like a mechanic village completely reduced to the explosion point, which many said ignited the fire. rubbles. Parked vehicles were burnt beyond recognition Structures along the pipeline right of way and others and nearby houses shattered. What used to be a hotel located very far were ripped apart by the ravaging was badly destroyed. A few metres away is the Bethleinferno. Roof tops were forcefully blown off, walls, hem Girls College, which was not spared by the inferno. windows, and doors damaged beyond repairs. Debris of The roofs of the school were blown off and parts of the burnt and mangled vehicles also littered the whole place. structure ripped apart. I gathered that about five staff The cause of the explosion, for now, still remains in of the school died including the Principal, Rev. Sister the realm of speculations. On its part, the Lagos State Henrietta Alokha.

Government has constituted a committee of stakeholders On the right side of the road, I saw workers of the to unravel the cause of the explosion.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Controller General of Federal Fire Service, Dr. Ibrahim excavating the ground where the explosion occurred.

Alhaji Liman, while addressing journalists on Tuesday On the ground also were officers of the Federal Fire during an on the spot assessment of Abule Ado exploService who parked two of their trucks very close to the

Ë? Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹

sion, gave insight to the possible cause of the large scale destruction. “I’m here to have the on the spot assessment of what happened. And you will see with me top management of the Federal Fire Service from Abuja, Director Lagos State Fire Service, the Commanding Officer of Federal Fire Service, and the DG Lagos State Emergency Management Agency. I have had discussions with them, I have inspected the site and the governor has set up a committee to investigate what actually happened and Fire Service is one of the members of that committee. From day one, we have started gathering our information which by the time the committee sits we will present our findings.

Continued on Page 26

26

˜ ˞ MARCH 21, 2020

FEATURE The Ruins of Abule Ado... Continued from Page 25

A mangled car and an impacted hotel

Other destroyed buildings

Damage by the explosion

Personnel of dierent agencies at the explosion site

“Now, I don’t want to preempt what the committee is going to come up with but what happened is very unfortunate.

I saw petrol on the ground still and the NNPC people are here to take control of that one. Two, I have seen the massive destruction of properties. Also, I was told up to 20 lives were lost. Now, you want me to talk about the cause of the fire, it’s too early for me to tell you the cause of this fire because there are so many stakeholders, so many factors to be considered before we arrive at the supposed cause of that fire. Whatever anybody has said before now as the cause of the fire is his personal opinion.

We are professionals in this line and we work with other stakeholders, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the NNPC, and the police, we will work together to arrive at what is the supposed cause of the explosion,� he said.

On how to avert future occurences as buildings have been built on the right of way of gas pipeline, Liman said: “The government has to come in here because from what I’m seeing people have abused the master plan, Lagos State and the government has to take necessary action to either relocate these people or revoke whatever authority they have to own those properties. And in future also they should monitor physical development especially structural development in Lagos to make sure people abide by rules not to violate the master plan of the state.

Not only Lagos, but this also cuts across the 36 states and FCT. Other governments should learn from what we have seen

here so that people will not abuse the master plan and where this is found they should please immediately dismantle such structures.�

Speaking on the challenges faced by his men last Sunday, the fire service boss said “The only challenge we have which is mainly major problem to fire service is crowd control because the crowd didn’t allow us to do our work effectively.

Everybody is anxious, they want the fire to go off within 10 minutes, 15 minutes struggling with our equipment. But thank God the police came and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency they were able to put the crowd under control and that gave us free hand to carry out our operational duty.�

On the allegation that there was not enough water to put off the fire, Liman said: “Well, I didn’t receive that report from my men. We had about 20 fire trucks and water tankers and each of those trucks were taking 6,000 litres of water and 500 litres of chemical to fight the fire and the tankers were taking 10,000 litres of water capacity. I think the major challenge my men experienced on Sunday was crowd control but thank God for the police and other security agencies and the Lagos State Emergency Management were able to arrest such situation.�

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who described the Abule Ado explosion as a war sight directed the release of N200 million to cushion the effects of the explosion to the affected people. He also announced a N2 billion emergency relief fund for the victims,

Destroed buildings and cars calling on corporate entities to contribute to the emergency relief fund.

On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari described the Abule Ado explosion as a national disaster. “I have received with sadness the news of this unfortunate incident, which caused loss of lives and

property. A misfortune of whatever scale anywhere is a tragedy to the country, and while the NNPC makes efforts to determine the cause of the incident, I send my deepest and profound sympathies to the victims, their families, government and people of Lagos State.�

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 21, 2020

27

POLITY

Coronavirus: Looking Inward for Summer Travel Festus Olanrewaju

G

radually, this firmament known as our world is shutting down. Streets are being deserted. Public places are turning to ghost towns. Restrictions are being placed on movements not only to nations but individual homes and the whole world is becoming an island unto itself. No thanks to the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease 2019 otherwise known as COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2).

Since the outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019, towns, cities, states, nations and countries have closed doors to foreign nationals.

In a solemn Television address just last Monday, President Emmanuel Marcon of France urged people to stay indoor unless when going for shopping, going to pharmacy or those going to absolutely essential work. With over 5400 infected in France already resulting in 127 deaths, the president announced a closure of borders even with all European countries.

The story is about the same in America, Canada, United Kingdom, China, Italy, Saudi Arabia and

many more countries as various measures to slow down the effect and spread of the pandemic intensify. While Portugal and Spain have announced a suspension on tourism activities, many more are either cancelling flights or placed total ban on flights especially from high risk countries.

Arguably, a major business concern that this global scourge will shake to its foundation is the tourism industry. For an industry that thrives on movements of people from one place to the other, the extent of economic loss that stands to be affected as movement round the world is impaired and restricted is better imagined. As at 12th of March, reports have it that stocks of major airlines have dropped considerably as investors reckoned with the prospects of cancelled flights, loss of sales and substantial reduction in service for months to come.

As health officials and pharmaceutical industries round the globe battle to begin safety tests of vaccines to combat the devastating effect of the disease, it is said that a minimum of 18 months is required to fully validate the potency any breakthrough. As reported by Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease “you are talking about a year to a year and half before any vaccine could be

Hi-Impact Amusement Park and Resort

ready for widespread use” The implications of this on the tourism industry is quite huge and since summer and other vacations are always planned ahead for a minimum of three months in advance, it then means summer travel is up in the air for the entire globe. Vacationers are known to always pick their diaries at the beginning of the year to do their vacation plan for Easter, Summer and other periods when they intend to take their work-leave.

While the situation in the next three months is unpredictable, international travelers and affluent vacationers in Nigeria need not fidget as there exist so many fun destination places both old and new ready to take care of their desire to visit and tour interesting and fun places thereby saving their hard earn dollar which is even becoming so high with the continued plunging of oil prices. A very good aspect of these home and local destination places is the opportunity of spending less as they are pocket friendly compared to what is obtainable in these locked down nations and they offer stunning and adventure sceneries.

A fact that cannot be disputed is that Nigeria is a beautiful country and half of its beautiful tourism potentials are waiting to be tapped. From the Agodi Garden in the ancient city of Ibadan Oyo State, the awesomeness beauty of Tinapa and Obudu Mountain Resort both in Cross River State, Coconut Beach Badagry, Apapa Amusement Park and Omu Resort Epe all in Lagos State, and so many others spread across the country.

A recent visit to one of new addition to the many lists of places worthy of visitation for relaxation, adventure and winning down is a place called Hi-Impact Amusement Park and Resort located opposite the Mountain Top University on Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway. Since its inception in 2016, this world-class Amusement Park has continued to provide thrilling outdoor rides and exiting indoor games for children, teenagers and the whole family to a fun-filled experience compared to anywhere in the world.

Other attractions to a would be visitor beside the rides and indoor activities at this Park include over 150 well-furnished self-service luxurious apartments, outdoor pools, multi-purpose halls, restaurants and executive lounge. The Park also boasts of a well-equipped clinic with qualified health and safety personnel, uninterrupted power supply, 24-hours security all in a safe and serene environment, adequate parking space with free WIFI as well as availability of shuttle buses for visitors within Lagos and Ogun State.

While the whole world waits and prays for a quick solution to this menacing scourge, Nigerian travelers and vacationers should try to explore what nature and God have given us in our backyard by staying home to enjoy the best of holiday in Nigeria.

‘Greater Lagos Regatta and Festival will Spark Economic Growth’ Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

T

he Greater Lagos Regatta and Festival (TG-LARAF) will accelerate the economic growth of Lagos State by heightening investor’s interests in the potentials of state, the organisers have said.

At a press conference to announce the event on Tuesday, Mr. Ivor Ekpe, Chief Executive Officer of Gradient Hill Limited, organisers of the event, said TG-LARAF is conceived to combine elements that have never been put together before to draw attention to the economic prospects of the state.

“The objective of TG-LARAF is very simple. It is not to have another party that will be forgotten till the next one. We saw an opportunity to do what will help Lagos beyond just the entertainment and to see how we can combine what nobody else has done before. We have put together a conference, which centres on the prospect, growth and opportunities in Lagos and combine that with the regatta and festival. So, this provides a wonderful opportunity to combine these elements and have a greater impact,” Ekpe said.

The event, being organized in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, is scheduled to hold from 10-12 April. It will open with a conference tagged “Greater Lagos Inland Waterways Optimization and Business Conference.” The conference, slated to hold at the EkoAtlantic city, will be addressed by experts in

L-R: The Permanent Secretary, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku; the ministry’s commissioner Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Solomon Bonu and the Chief Executive Officer, Gradient Hill Limited, Ivor Ekpe, during a Press Conference on the Greater Lagos Regatta & Festival held at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday tourism/ hospitality, finance, insurance, maritime as well as arts and culture sectors, who are expected to come up with ways on how best to harness water assets of the state to accelerate its economic growth.

The same day, the event will be formally declared open at an elaborate ceremony by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The second day will feature a boat regatta, racing competitions by traditional and modern marine vessels at the waterfront of the Five Cowrie Creek, while the third day will see awards presented to winners of the competition. Each day of the event, the organisers explained, will feature family funfair and bazaar as well live musical performances.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 21, 2020

POLITY

NACJ Integrity Awards Gathering Momentum Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

T

he battle for this year’s Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) Integrity Awards is gathering momentum. Top on the list is the categories for Integrity Governor of the Year, The Most Active Governor of the Year and The Most Outstanding Governor of the Year.

According to a statement by the Secretary General of NACJ, Charles Okhai, the governors nominated for these three top awards include David Umahi (Ebonyi), Oluseyi Makinde (Oyo), Nyeson Wike (Rivers), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Abdul-

Umahi

lahi Ganduje (Kano) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

The awards, which come in various categories, cover all areas of human endeavors such as politics, education, sports, banking and finance, entertainment, judiciary, public service and business. Nominees for these other categories include Senator Victor Udoma Egba; Senator Ade Fadaunsi; President/Group CEO, Transcorp PLC, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo; educationists and ICT expert, Chief I B Okafor; former Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside; Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi; Speaker, Cross Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Eteng William; the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Hon Femi Onanuga and Dr. Hillard Etta. All the

Makinde

Wike

candidates were nominated strictly based on their sense of integrity.

Okhai said: “The NACJ Awards are designed to promote the spirit of integrity amongst Nigerians, especially the leaders. This is predicated on the fact that integrity is the direct opposite of corruption, and no nation can attain meaningful development without leaders who are integrityconscious.

“The theme of this year ’s lecture/awards is Integrity is Everything, while the keynote tagged, integrity, key Factor for Building a Virile Nation, will be delivered by Chief Fani Femi-Kayode, former Minister of Aviation, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, ABUJA, on April 23.”

Ozigbo

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Comedian, Dr. Helen Paul; Publisher / founder, Genevieve magazine, Betty Irabor; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Yinka Sanni; Executive Director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pensions Manager Limited, Nike Bajomo; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle, during the unveiling of the sixth edition of the Blue Women Network magazine to mark International Women’s Day held at Muson Centre, Lagos...recently

L-R: DPO Salau Abiodun receiving a gift from PPRC Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Abatan, during SP Abiodun’s sent forth party from Atan Ota to State CID Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, held in Otta...recently

L-R: Chief Officer, Hapag Lloyd, Grudinel Cagatan; Master, Hapag Lloyd, John Trafiero; Managing Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Ltd, John Jenkins; and Operations Manager, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Ltd, Harrison Evbonaye, during the maiden call of Hapag Lloyd’s Liner (Navious Azure) to Ports and Cargo terminal in Lagos...recently

L-R: Consul General of UAE to Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullah Al Mandoos and Managing Director, Sujimoto Construction, Sijibomi Ogundele, during Ogundele courtesy visit to Consul General of UAE to Nigeria on business, tourism and future of Sujimoto Group in Lagos... recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

NIGERIA ALWAYS IN HIS MIND

21.3.2020

Mikel Obi Another Display of Courage

PAGE. 29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 21 2020

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Mikel Obi Another Display of Courage If there is one thing that is not disputable about Mikel Obi, it is his act of bravery. Twice, his father was kidnapped and on both occasions, he starred for Chelsea and Super Eagles respectively whilst his father was still in the hands of his captors. Just last week, the former Nigerian national team captain again rose to the occasion by refusing to play for his Turkish club, arguing that league should have been postponed like their European counterparts as a safety measure against the deadly coronavirus. However, while most hail the courage of the former Stamford Bridge midfielder, some school of thoughts are of the opinion that he was already tired of the Turkish side and just capitalised on the deadly virus for an excuse

F

ormer Nigerian captain and ex-Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi and Trabzonspor have parted ways by mutual consent, days after expressing his concerns about the Turkish Super Lig continuing amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

The 32-year-old played a crucial role in helping Trabzonspor

soar to the summit of the Super Lig after joining Black Sea Storm as a free agent on a two-year deal last summer, at the end of his brief stint in the Championship with Middlesbrough.

Obi’s refusal to play in the top of the table clash between Trabzonspor and Istanbul Basaksehir is said to be the reason for the mutual termination of his

contract and the club has said the Nigerian midfielder has given up his remaining wages.

“The professional football player agreement between our company and John Obi Mikel on 30.06.2019 start date 31.05.2021 has been mutually terminated.

With a mutual termination agreement, the football player gave up all his forward-looking

receivables,” the club announced, The former Super Eagles captain had last weekend, criticised Turkish football authorities for not suspending the Super Lig season despite the spread of the coronavirus across Europe, stating he did not feel comfortable during the Covid-19 outbreak and called for the season to be

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MARCH 21, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Obi

cancelled.

On Saturday, Obi had written on his Instagram “there is more to life than football” and added: “I do not feel comfortable and do not want to play football in this situation.

“Everyone should be home with their families and loved ones in this critical time. Season should be cancelled as the world is facing such turbulent times.”

The post, which was made a day before Trabzonspor’s game against Istanbul Basaksehir, received positive responses from two fellow Turkey-based former Chelsea players.

Galatasaray forward Radamel Falcao replied “you are right John”, while Didier Drogba said they were “words of wisdom”.

The number of coronavirus cases in Turkey stood at six at the time of Mikel’s post, though it has now leaped to 47.

The government has ramped up measures to halt its spread, closing schools and universities, holding sports events without spectators and halting flights to many countries.

Meanwhile, players from Galatasaray’s basketball team released a joint statement urging the Turkish Basketball Super League to suspend games.

“We appreciate the Turkish government has taken measures to slow down the spread of the

virus however we find it quite bizarre that we keep playing, despite it being behind closed doors,” they said.

“We have seen how hesitation to take extreme action has provoked a spike in cases in neighbouring countries and we believe now is the time to take extreme action.”

While La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, MLS, Eredivisie and the Premier League have all postponed matches amid fears of coronavirus, fixtures are being fulfilled in the Super Lig and the Turkish government has confirmed all football matches will be played behind closed doors until the end of April.

Speaking on a radio programme on Wednesday, former Nigerian international Ifeanyi Udeze hailed Mikel for standing up for what he believed in, but said the speed at which the consensus for Obi to leave the club was reached leaves much to be desired.

“Leaving a club when it’s not the transfer season is not something that comes easy between a player and a club, that is why I want to believe that Obi was already tired of the club and wanted a way out,” Udeze opined.

Obi joined Turkish club Trabzonspor on a two-year deal with an option for another year.

He has been a free agent after his contract ended with Chinese side Tianjin TEDA. The veteran midfielder spent the last six months on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.

“A 2 + 1-year agreement was signed with the free captain of the Nigerian National Team, Professional Footballer John Mikel Obi, with a one-year option to transfer to our club,” Trabzonspor had said then on their official website.

Trabzwonspor was Mikel’s sixth club in his professional career which started at Nigerian side Plateau United, but it was at Chelsea that the midfielder enjoyed huge success winning two Premier League titles, three FA Cup trophies, a Football League title, the Champions League and Europa League.

Following the departure of Mikel from Trabzonspor his partner Olga Allegra replied a curious observer as to why he decided to part ways with Trabzonspor.

The explanation on the official Instagram account of Allegra on Wednesday, March 18th replying the observer said, “You are vile, but My man is a Hero. Family over everything. Good friends show their love in times of trouble, not just in times of happiness. — Euripides.

“Thank you Trabzonspor fans that understand and for those

who don’t, I’m sorry, but family first no matter what.

Mikel also officially spoke after he parted ways with Trabzonspor with another message on his Instagram account which said, “I would like to thank all the fans for their support. I also want to say thanks to all my teammates, technical crew, medical team and kit men Ayatabe for all we’ve achieved this season so far, wish you guys best of luck in winning the league. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make, but in the current situation, we all need take care of our families, spend time with them and protect them.”

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR CHIKA AMANZE-NWACHUKWU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Semi Ajayi Rues Missing Changing Shirt with Neymar Trials at Dutch champions Ajax, discussions with Arsenal’s serial Premier League winner, Arsene Wenger, and now battling the likes of Neymar on the international stage... there have been some intriguing stories on Semi Ajayi’s journey to The Hawthorns. The Albion centre-back has been a model of consistency and excellence in Slaven Bilić’s back-line since arriving in the summer. A sparkling student, he decided to set aside his academic achievements to focus on a career in football and, like his defensive partner Kyle Bartley, has arrived at the Club via a circuitous route around the various levels of English football.

He’s now an established Nigerian international and is flourishing with the Baggies.

What do you think should be on your football bucket list?

Hmmm... well, I would say play in the Premier League consistently and that’s obviously something I would like to do here with Albion. That would be in there. And definitely play in the World Cup. A third one?

Win the African Nations. All three would be excellent.

worked hard at school and studies and didn’t have chance to get into any trouble. Football, though, was a big part of my life - and my brother’s – and as we grew older it became a big part of dad’s life too! He would have to run us everywhere to play games.

But at the same time my grades were good and mum and dad remained very keen on my education and that got me and my brother into grammar school...

So if those are the targets by the time you finish playing, how did it all start?

I was born in Croydon but just after my brother was born, when I was two, we moved to Thamesmead where I grew up. I suppose it was a bit of a rough area and my mum and dad really made sure me and my brother

What were your favourite subjects?

I enjoyed my studies and I was good at languages, science, mathematics, business studies... that sort of thing. I studied French and Spanish but leaving school at 16 to take

up a football scholarship, I didn’t get the chance to continue. But that’s something I would like to pick up in the future.

me and my brother Fikayo who was just as keen on football. Between us, dad would be taking us to football six days a week.

Charlton Athletic were the one’s to provide you with your start in football…?

Yes, going to Charlton at 16 was a big moment for me because it would mean leaving school and my academic career.

But my parents left the decision to me. I had really good grades and football definitely represented a bigger risk. But that was what I wanted to do and they stood by my decision.

My mum (Dayo) was born in the UK but moved back to Nigeria where she met my Dad (Biyi)... yes, mum and dad did a lot for

What happened to your brother, Fikayo?

He was a good prospect too but when he was 16 he suffered a broken leg which really set him back. He missed the chance of a scholarship and I think when he came back he found himself that year behind everyone else. But he has done well – he got a scholarship in America and he now works for a business management company in New York. He follows my career through the TV games... but he was over for the Fulham game

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MARCH 21, 2020

33

GLOBAL SOCCER You helped your country get a really good result against Brazil too‌?

That was a great confidence boost for me, to be able to measure myself against players of that quality and come out with with a 1-1 draw. It’s a good feeling to be at that level and it was a very good performance and very good result for us. The only disappointment was not getting Neymar’s shirt. But I don’t think he was in a very good mood after the game. I asked at the end but it was already taken – I think the other lads in the team must spend the entire game asking him which is something I would never do. But I got Coutinho’s so I’m happy enough with that.

The Nigerians love their football and they are becoming more aware of me now that I am playing a lot more consistently with the national team. They know about Albion of course but they love the Premier League – all the Premier League players are worshipped out there.

Was it extra special to blunt the nation which produced your favourite player?

Ronaldinho? Yes, there was nobody like him at the time. He did things no other player was trying; definitely my first football hero.

What happened after Arsenal?

What I needed most of all, I felt, was firstteam football and I left to go in search of a club where I might be able to get it. I had trials all over that summer... Sunderland, Ipswich, Cardiff and Ajax...

Ajax‌ that must have been an interesting experience in your development?

It was fantastic. They’ve got that famous philosophy of playing of course, developing talented young players. But they have the system whereby the ‘B’ team play in the second division to get that competitive football. It was a really good experience and I really enjoyed it. They have non-position specific training where it doesn’t matter what position you may consider yourself, you are expected to be able to play in any other part of the team. So one day you might be a central defender playing as a winger and the next the full-back might be playing centre-forward.

They demand that you develop the technical skills to be able to handle the ball in any part of the pitch. It is, like they say, total football and is why they produce such well-rounded footballers. When they get to the first team then their positions are set but by then all the players understand and can cope with each other’s roles.

so he got to see me score my first goal. We were able to spend some time together that weekend which was good.

Going back to your time at Charlton‌ So yes, Charlton was really good for me.

I had been going there since I was nine. But we were in half-term and I think mum just wanted me and Fikayo out of the house so we went off to one of those football camps they were running. It was nothing too serious but I think I got recommended from that.

My dad came to get me one day and didn’t tell me where I was going just that I would need my boots. I didn’t know it but he was taking me for a trial and I did well enough to get into their development school and then their Academy. We had a really good team and the focus of their Academy was about the development of the person, not just the footballer. They felt good human beings would make better footballers and they had a great record then for producing a lot of players; a lot had come through during the previous 10 or 15 years. I got a great football education at Charlton but the one thing that I couldn’t see was a pathway to the first team.

So what was the next step?

I was doing well enough to be picked by Nigeria for the Under-21 Toulon tournament – mum and dad hit the road again and spent 10 hours driving down to the south of France to watch me – and from that I must have been scouted because the offer came to go to Arsenal. I couldn’t see a way through at Charlton at the time and the quality of the Arsenal academy – the coaches, the facilities – made that impossible to turn down. In fact, I got close to the first team. At one stage

I was first understudy behind Mertsacker and Koscielny but they then bought Gabriel Paulista in the January. Arsene Wenger was very honest with me in that he said he wanted me to stay and develop but he couldn’t offer me first-team football at that point.

Yours and Kyle Bartley’s stories are very similar, wouldn’t you agree?

Yeah... I just missed him at Arsenal by a few weeks apparently. And it’s strange but we’ve got a really good understanding and have had from the start. We seem to know each other’s thoughts even though we’re not familiar with each other. Kyle left Arsenal just as I joined and the lads who knew him started telling me how much my game reminded them of ‘Barts.’ I didn’t know who he was; we hadn’t met. But they were always telling me that we both had the same attributes. It’s strange how we have ended up together and I do think we have built a good partnership, a good understanding. As I say, we seem to know each other’s thoughts on the pitch and that’s a really positive thing.

Was your allegiance always with Nigeria or was England ever an option?

The decision was made a long time ago. I decided to play for the Under-20s when I was 19 and the goal was always to play for the first team. As a youngster, we would go there every two years to visit my mum and dad’s families... it was nice to meet my grandparents and all my cousins. It’s a really nice country; mum’s family is in Lagos. She makes Nigerian food at home but it’s different when you go out there and get the real thing. The ingredients are that bit fresher I think. It’s lovely food; I really enjoy it...

But the summer trials ended up in South Wales at Cardiff‌ I went to Cardiff under Russell Slade where I thought I was going to play but he said afterwards that I was a development project... it annoyed me a bit because I was looking for the one thing I needed, first-team football, and I thought I was going to get it there. So I went out on loan to AFC Wimbledon - where I broke my nose and got concussed in my third game. I don’t remember a thing about it to this day and that’s despite seeing the video play back. I don’t know how it happened.

But Rotherham was the first place I found a home in football. At other places I always felt I was playing for my parent club and not the team I was in. But at Rotherham I really settled down and became a main part of the team and at last I got that regular first-team football I knew I needed. When I first got in there, I think they thought I had played a lot more than I had... I was held up as someone who had already played 100 times but I had only made 20, 30 appearances at that point. But it was great. I got a place just by the ground, the people took me to their heart and made me feel at home and of course we got involved in a promotion season which was massive. We kind of knew what we were doing and hit our form just before Christmas and we flew up the table thinking we could even get top two. In the end we finished fourth and made the Play-Offs but we got past Scunthorpe and then Shrewsbury in the final after extra-time and the feeling... it’s one of the best I can imagine. It was like the whole town turned out for us when we got back and it’s great to see how much a football team can bring to people. Seeing that huge amount of joy being experienced by a community was unforgettable.

It was a tough season for Rotherham last year and especially so when you came up against your current employ-

ers‌?

The strange thing is I felt in both the games it was a pretty harsh scoreline on us.

I think in the first match, we had as many goal- scoring opportunities but Albion were just so much more clinical. It seemed every time they shot at goal it went in. And of course we got relegated at The Hawthorns at the back end of the season although again, I felt we played well. But we just couldn’t match that finishing in front of goal. I think Albion were already in the Play-Offs by then but what impressed me that day was the stadium. I hadn’t played at The Hawthorns before, I’d just seen it on TV. But to be honest whenever we went away that season, because Rotherham were not a big draw, most of the stadiums were not very full but The Hawthorns was... it showed me how well supported the Club were.

When did you know you would be back in front of those fans?

When I got back from international duty that summer my agent got in touch to tell me about the clubs who had been in contact with him wanting to sign me. Albion was the name that leapt out straightaway for me. That was June and by July the negotiations were underway but I think the first attempts fell through and I thought the deal was dead. I was pretty devastated to be honest. Thankfully it all got done in the end.

I needed to stay in the Championship at the very least, especially with my international career – it would be hard to play for Nigeria as a League One player.

It’s proving to be the right decision judging by your performances this term‌?

Yes, it’s going well. The Championship is... it’s so difficult to read what’s going to happen next. Teams will have these runs when they get three wins in a row in a burst of form and then you look three games later and they have been beaten each time.

It happens the other way around too. It’s almost as if it’s all about at what point you face these teams. I don’t think we’ve had any amazing spells yet but we’ve not had any bad ones either. We’ve just put together some good form for the majority of the season and that has put us in a position which we would have all accepted back at the start.

That’s been our theme all along really – not to get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.

Are we seeing you in your best position - or are you secretly a midďŹ elder? That’s what the Rotherham fans have said‌ I feel most comfortable at centre-half.

Always have done. I’m more than happy to step into midfield if asked but I’ve never thought of myself as a midfield player.

What about when it comes to relaxing?

What else do you like to do?

I’m basketball mad. Always have been. It was that or football growing up. I’m a big fan of the 76ers... The Philadelphia 76ers.

Their’s was the first basketball top I got, a present for Christmas one year. Absolutely loved basketball; still do. I’ve been to the States a few times but I’ve gone always out of season and I’ve never seen an NBA game. Have you heard of Allen Iverson? He was my big hero. I loved the way he played. He was quite a small guy in a land of giants but he never let that deter him. He played with such spirit; a never- say-die attitude. What else? “My music is R&B and hip-hop and “Game of Thrones� is the best box-set ever�. Okay, the last season was a little disappointing but that shouldn’t detract from the rest of the series. Absolutely brilliant.

Thanks Semi. I think we can speak on behalf of the fans by saying it was a pleasure to speak to you‌ It’s pleasing to hear they appreciate me as a human. That’s really nice to hear and massive credit to my mum and dad. They instilled all these values in me. They now live in Kent but come to see me play a couple of times a month.

One last thing‌ can you help us out with your full name, and what does it mean?

Sure. Phonetically, it’s “o-loo� then “Wah� and “Shemmy� and “logo.� And it means: ‘The Lord has glorified me.’

t $VMMFE GSPN XCB DP VL OFXT UIF ofďŹ cial website of West Bromwich Albion.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 21, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Director, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls (middle),Mrs Olufunke Fowler- Amba; with the Members of the Purple House the Overal winners of the 15th Inter House Sport Competition of the College held at the Agege Stadium in Lagos recently

Chairman, Blaugrana Sports Group International , Leslie Oghomienor , (left), and a Sports Psychologist , Dr. Clifford , addressing FC Bulmaro technical crew before the Free Football Clinic session at Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu,

Joshua’s Confrontation with Fury May Take Priority over Pulev Fight Anthony Joshua’s undisputed world title fight with Tyson Fury could “start taking priority” over his IBF mandatory clash with Kubrat Pulev, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Britain’s unified heavyweight champion is scheduled to defend his titles against Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20, with Hearn still hopeful that this confirmed fight date will go ahead.

But the Matchroom Boxing boss has a contingency plan due to the coronavirus pandemic and refused to rule out a blockbuster battle in 2020 between Joshua and Fury, who is also trying to fit a third fight with Deontay Wilder into his schedule.

Hearn told Sky Sports: “Well I think, all of a sudden, does the Joshua-Fury fight start taking priority, maybe over a Pulev fight, if the Pulev fight extends beyond

the summer. There’s so much that could happen right now.

“I mean anything is possible, but contractually Deontay Wilder is going to want his fight next, whether that’s in July or whether there’s a force majeure that takes that to October, November wherever.

“Right now, for us, we’re fighting Kubrat Pulev, June 20, and it could be July 25, but everything is uncertain at the moment, whilst the country and the world tries to contain this pandemic.”

The Premier League will not return until April 30 at the earliest, with the current season extended indefinitely, which might affect plans to stage the Joshua fight at the home of Tottenham football club.

Matchroom Boxing have postponed events until the end of April, but Dillian Whyte is scheduled to

IOC Says Cancellation of Tokyo 2020 not on the Agenda as Flame Arrives Japan The International Olympic Committee is “considering various scenarios” for Tokyo 2020 but cancellation is not one of them, according to President Thomas Bach.

The Olympic Games, scheduled to start on July 24, have been thrown into major doubt as the coronavirus pandemic has cancelled or postponed the vast majority of major sporting events across the globe.

Both the IOC and the Japanese government faced complaints over their resolution to stage the Tokyo Games as expected, with the IOC holding “constructive” talks with athlete representatives this week.

“We don’t know what the situation will be,” Bach told the New York Times.

“Of course we are considering different scenarios, but we are contrary to many othersportsorganisationsorprofessional leagues in that we are four-and-a-half months away from the Games.

“They are even more optimistic than

we are, because most of them have postponed their events until April or the end of May. We are talking about the end of July.

“I will not speculate, but we owe it to all the athletes, and we owe it to all the half of the world that watches the Olympics to say we are not putting the cancellationoftheGamesontheagenda.

“To be very clear, we said we strongly advised the athletes to respect the regulations in place in their country and to consult with the national authorities.

We are committed to the health of the athletes and to contain the virus.

“We are committed to the success of these Games.”

The Olympic flame arrived in Japan on Friday at a scaled-down ceremony after travelling from Greece and will now start a four-month relay, although that too could be affected by the coronavirus.

But Bach is hopeful the Olympic torch can be the “light at the end of

fight Alexander Povetkin in Manchester on May 2, while Oleksandr Usyk is due to face Derek Chisora at the O2 on May 23, and Hearn has lined up alternative dates.

“May is going ahead, but we also understand that we have contingencies in place to move Dillian Whyte to the middle of June, to move Derek Chisora-Usyk back into the end of June, early July, and of course Anthony Joshua, who was due to go June 20, at Tottenham Hotspur football club,” he said.

“Really relies on the run of the Premier League now, because if the Premier League extend their season, Spurs will need their stadium. We already have a reserve date that we’re discussing with Spurs of July 25 for Anthony Joshua against Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.” the tunnel” and give fans a reason to rejoice when the global pandemic will end.

“Thanks to our risk management policies that have been in place for four years and our insurance, the IOC in any case will be able to continue operations and continue to accomplish our mission,” Bach said.

The IOC and Tokyo 2020 organisers have faced strong criticism over their insistencethatasthingsstandthissummer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games will go ahead as planned, with the Olympics due to begin on July 24.

Bach said as the flame reached the host city: “While we do not know how long the tunnel we are all in at this moment will be, we would like the Olympic Flame to be a light at the end of this tunnel.”

A four-month torch relay will now begin, although that too could be affected by the outbreak.

The torch relay in Greece was stopped during its second day and did not resume because of large crowds. Japanese officials have asked people to be restrained, warning the relay could be stopped or delayed if they are not.

La Liga President Says European Football is Aiming at Mid-May Resumption

La Liga president Javier Tebas says Europe’s top leagues and competitions are planning to resume in mid-May following Euro 2020’s postponement.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to the suspension of all club football.

The European Championship’s move to next summer means there

is more time to complete domestic league seasons.

“There are 30 affected leagues, 30 cup t o u r n a m e n t s , a n d w e h a v e t o c o - o rd i n a t e e a c h schedule at both a national and international level,” s a i d Te b a s .

“In mid-May we should be back

with all European competitions. If circumstances permit, we could bring that forward.

“We need to work together.”

On Thursday, English and Scottish football extended their suspensions until 30 April. The Football Association said the current season can be “extended indefinitely”.

Okakuro Partnership, a Great Motivation, Says Oghomienor After due consultations with the FC Bulmaro technical crew led by the head coach Gonzalo Dibiasi, and representative of Okakuro Group in Nigeria, Idemabasi Mkpokporo, Leslie Oghomienor, Chairman, Blaugrana Sports Group International told the media that his organisation and the club was overwhelmed by the sports performance.

He said no matter how resourceful and wealthy in diverse ways an individual or institution like Blaugrana Sports Group International was, inspiration and motivation were very strong and potent useful lubricants in the wheels of helping others make impactful progress.

“We are excited and happy for Okakuro to agree to help us, assist others to live their dreams by extending her support for our CF Bulmaro. Free Football Clinic for the academic institutions, leaping with agreed schools in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, which began with Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu, Lagos. We all know that the education of the child in the days of the old was collectively done, and the society then was better for it. The vices we are seeing today, if any, were like fiction, rare. Today, the reverse is the experience.

Our little intent is to help and see how we can travel those very good and smooth roads again. With our willful and genuine collective efforts, directed on the right paths, and timely, we are convinced we are bound to do better than the past good evergreen days,” Oghomienor explained.

In her response, Idemabasi Mkpokporo, speaking on behalf of Okakuro Group, stated that the future wellbeing and economic viability of any great nation was dependent on the quality of her education system and the cultural and social upbringings of the children, and the acceptable values taught them, who will in few years’ time become the leaders of the nation in various capacities and in diverse sectors of the economy.

“Therefore, since our yeaning is for a far better society than the old, our sincere quest is to open-handedly encouraged and motivate novel causes such as the FC Bulmaro Free Football Clinic for schools. These children are the only future we have, and to be fully secured we must invest in them in any way humanly and legally possible. This informed our decision.

One, we believe it’s one of the best taken ever. Knowing that in the long term the gains of this social investment we will all enjoy,” Mkpokporo said.

Commending the initiative, Dr. Austin Eruotor, President, Whitehouse Group, who has been following the activities of the two sports giant bodies, said a nation that ignored the sole interest of the children which is holistic, well sustain quality education and upbringings was bound to be troubled resulting from the negative restiveness of the young vibrant youth population.

“We must be bold as a nation and take our responsibility of raising complete and excellent human beings in our hands in order to enjoy the wealth God has given to us as a nation.

Thus, we should strive to help in any way little we can.

Like in the award of scholarships, and not only that but see the children through by motivating and inspiring them by leading well, with good experiential results to show for, as in like what Blaugrana and Okakuro are doing,” he advised.

In another development, the head coach Gonzalo Dibiasi, revealed that to further build on the ideals and vision of the club, arrangements were in place to present to the sports publics, the FC Bulmaro elite female team that had been undergoing training under the tutelage of the female coaches of the Barca Academy Group Nigeria.

“Like we always wish to let people know our FC Bulmaro, is a well-articulated platform of opportunities and of discovery.

We are here to make sure that with the full support of the promoters of the project we help others in any possible way, we can ensure they realise their dreams. So FC Bulmaro allfemale team is another way of assisting the young female youths explore their world. With your help we will berth a global brand strong enough to compete with the biggest names in the Football world,” Gonzalo said.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 21, 2020

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Odion Ighalo Proved Doubters Wrong When Manchester United signed Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo on the last day of the January transfer window, critics not only condemned the club for the signing but mocked the player. However, with just two months in the club, he is fast turning to fans favourite

M

anchester United made perhaps the most unexpected signing of the January transfer window when Odion Ighalo arrived on loan from Shanghai Shenhua.

The Nigerian international striker, who scored 39 goals in 99 matches for Watford between 2014 and 2017, was recruited to strengthen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attacking options which, in Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood, Daniel James and Jesse Lingard already represented a significant strength.

If he was expected to remain peripheral, he has already made a promising start, and to the extent that suggestions are already growing that his loan move could be made permanent. “Odion has done really well when he’s come in and he’s enjoying himself,” United manager said.

“He will improve and get better, but he has qualities that we saw in him that we needed and we’ll still need those qualities for next season so let’s see what we do. He is very good back to goal; you can play up to him. He is a great link player.”

On the occasions he has played, Ighalo has featured as the central striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. In United’s highest-profile fixtures Solskjaer favours a 5-3-2 while out of possession and a 3-4-1-2 with it, and the striker has therefore then played fewer minutes.

When featuring as their lone striker Ighalo receives possession to feet and makes runs in behind. When the ball is in central areas or half-spaces, and there is pressure

on his in-possession teammates, he attempts to position himself for passes into his feet; if there is no pressure on the ball carrier, he will instead offer movements in behind.

He offers intelligent movements away from defenders.

When possession advances beyond midfield he takes a diagonal step away from it before pulling on to the blindside of the furthest central defender when two are positioned closely together, or the nearest one when there is a significant space between them.

When teammates play possession into central areas, Ighalo makes short, sharp movements in an attempt to deceive defenders who prefer to simultaneously monitor both the attacker and the ball. If he is behind possession he will then prioritise moving into the penalty area at a late stage, to position himself for rebounds or cutbacks, as was demonstrated when he scored his second goal against Derby County in the FA Cup. If one of Ighalo’s strengths is his ability to protect possession and then bring others into play, he does so by backing into opponents to control long, direct passes, instead of pursuing flick-ons. He is deceptively strong and, once the ball is under control, able to hold off defenders, often by using his arm to keep his opponents at the necessary distance before locating a teammate to link with.

It is those qualities that make him so suitable in the latter stages of fixtures when Solskjaer’s priority is to protect a lead. He retains possession in advanced territory, drawing fouls, and effectively undermining an opponent’s attempts to build an attacking threat, as was demonstrated in United’s recent, impressive victories over Chelsea, and

Manchester City.

When his team is without possession Ighalo is capable of offering a significant amount of energy, often through pressuring opposing goalkeepers and defenders and in the recovery runs he makes, or when pursuing the ball after losses of possession. If that encourages intensity from his teammates and can lead to mistakes from opponents, he regardless needs to show a greater awareness of the spaces he vacates.

Ighalo arrived at Old Trafford at the same time as Bruno Fernandes, who has made an even more impressive start to his time at the club and has swiftly developed a fine understanding with his new teammates. The Portuguese has largely operated as a central attacking midfielder, often with two attackers – most commonly Martial and James – ahead of him and attempting to run in behind. Ighalo’s movements towards the ball invite Fernandes to advance into the spaces he vacates, offering United a further dimension that their attacks had previously lacked.

Though recruited to offer their squad greater depth, his performances so far suggest he could remain valuable to Solskjaer. When Rashford is again fit he is expected to play less, but he remains capable of deputising for Martial in United’s 4-2-3-1, when Rashford plays towards the left and James remains on the right. In both United’s 4-2-3-1 and 3-41-2 Ighalo offers Solskjaer a different option to that he has lacked, largely since Romelu Lukaku’s departure to Inter Milan. If a higher-profile attacker is recruited in the coming months Ighalo is unlikely to be signed permanently, but he has regardless proved he remains capable of performing in the Premier League.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

FAIRGROUND

The Thrills, Frills and Dramas at AMVCA 2020

with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

I

t was an emotionally charged night full of entertainment, glamour and red carpet extravaganza as Africa’s biggest film and television stars gathered at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos for the seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

Hosted by the duo of IK Osakioduwa and AMVCA newbie Amina Abdi Rabar, the event held on Saturday, March 14, and was organised by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice. The 7th edition of the AMVCAs was also sponsored

by Amstel Malta.

The biggest winner of the night was Nigerian thriller ‘Living in Bondage the sequel, the movie rights was bought by business man Charles Okpaleke.

Living in Bondage the sequel walked home with seven awards including Best Overall Movie and Best Director, which went to Nollywood legend, Ramsey Nouah. Charles Okpaleke is looking like he is not storming Nollywood to shine his teeth at some of the ‘Ngwogwor’ productions , he is coming with a different dimensional approach.

Timini Egbuson won Best Actor in a Drama whilst Toyin Abraham won in the Best Actress in a Drama, both wins for their performances in the movie ‘Elevator Baby’. Meanwhile, The MultiChoice Academy award went to East Africa for the movie ‘Promises’.

One of the highlights of the night was a family affair as a cinematic father-son duo took home awards. The Industry Merit award was presented to veteran broadcaster, Peter Igho, who is best known for his achievements with the Nigerian Television Authority where many of his produced works laid the foundation for the Nigerian film and television industry. Breakout Living in Bondage star, Swanky JKA won the 2020 Trailblazer award.

Another highlight was the performance by award winning African music icon Innocent ‘2baba’ Idibia who performed a medley of his popular songs, whilst talented vocalists Mercy Aghedo, Adeniyi Timilehin Adeola, Ighwiyisi Jacobs also gave special renditions of songs nominated for the Best Soundtrack award.

The Big Blunders of the Award Night The organisers of the AMVCA embarrassed their organisation with the criteria they used in picking their best dressed at the event, which was awarded to the pepper dem edition of the big brother naija 2019 house mates - Mercy Eke and Mike Edwards but for the first time Nigerians buried sentiments and threw away the Nigeria and Ghana Jollof war to give a verdict of the best dressed to Ghanaian actress Nana Akua Addo, who was the first to post her outfit on social media and immediately everyone cut the bug, as her outfit started trending before the red carpet of the AMVCA began. Her outfit was designed by an lndian, known as Gaurav Gupta.

Her outfit was a piece of art , a fashion statement that would stand the test of time on any international red carpet and above all no actress in Africa might beat this in a long while. Fashion blogs and individuals kept reposting her outfit and for the men, the best dressed male should have been Denola Grey and not Mike Edwards.

His outfit was designed by a Nigerian designer known as Mazelle Studio. It is very couture and very irregular. It has the 3 D elements of the tuxedo and above it is refreshing to look at.

The organisers claimed that the fans voted and how can that be a criteria for choosing the best dressed for a high profile event like this? Mercy Eke and Mike Edwards were two of the last set of the house mates in BBNAIJA and of course they have a huge fan base unlike Nana and Denola.

The organisers need to understand sometimes that they can’t leave such judgement for the fans who will do anything sentimentally to support their preferred celebrities and that was the embarrassing thing that happened this year.

The Trail Blazer winner this year was Jide Kene popular known as Swanky. He was the lead actor in Living in Bondage the sequel. Now, his award comes with a car normally. All the past winners have gone home with their cars but this year Jide Kene is not getting his car. This is unacceptable and it is a big embarrassment to the organizers of the award . The truth is AMVCA owns Jide Kene his car, come rain or sunshine. How can an international event like this relent on their efforts to improve the show instead they are moving backwards? There

Nana Akua Addo

Denola Grey

Sola Sobowale

Winners S/NO CATEGORY 1 BEST ART DIRECTOR RATNIK DIMEJI AJIBOLA & IWAOTAN OLUSOLA ROBERTS 2 BEST MAKE-UP GOD CALLING LILIAN OMOZELE PAUL 3 BEST COSTUME DESIGNER MOVIE OR TV SERIES RATNIK DIMEJI AJIBOLA 4 BEST PICTURE EDITOR SEVEN TOSIN IGHO & BRYAN DIKE 5 BEST SOUND EDITOR MOVIE OR TV SERIES LIVING IN BONDAGE CRISTINA ARAGON 6 BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER IN A MOVIE OR TV SERIES GOD CALLING CARDOSO 7 BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER LIVING IN BONDAGE JOHN DEMPS 8 BEST DOCUMENTARY SKIN BEVERLY NAYA 9 BEST SOUNDTRACK MOVIE OR TV SERIES LIVING IN BONDAGE LARRY GAGA & FLAVOUR - TENE

Charles Okpaleke

L-R: Jide Kene (Swanky) and Wangi Mba- Udokwu

10 BEST WRITER LIVING IN BONDAGE ASINUGO NICOLE & CJ OBASI 11 BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE (SWAHILI) SUBIRA RAVNEET SIPPY CHADH 12 BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE (HAUSA) TUNTUBE MUHAMMAD T. FINISHER 13 BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE (YORUBA) ALUBARIKA YEWANDE FAMAKIN 14 BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE (IGBO) NNE VICTOR IYKE 15 SHORT VIDEO ONLINE THORN BOLA AKANBI 16 BEST TV SERIES TRUTH ANIS HALLOWAY 17 MULTICHOICE TALENT FACTORY FILM PROMISES EAST AFRICA 18 BEST MOVIE SOUTHERN AFRICA DALITSO ABRAHAM KABWE 19 BEST MOVIE EAST AFRICA PLAN B SARAH HASSAN 20 BEST MOVIE WEST AFRICA LIVING IN BONDAGE STEVE GUKAS

Funke and Abdulrasheed Bello

John Ugbe

is no good tangible excuse for Dstv and AMVCA not to present the winner of the Trail Blazer award his or her car. The category of that award comes with a car gift . And if Jide Kene does not get his car now or forever , it means he has been robbed by the organizers. If he is not getting a car, we hope the next year winner won’t get one too. They they should have made sure all the categories got their sponsors before fixing a date for the award . The Headies Award has a car category too which is the Rookie Award, year in and out Ayo Animashaun has ensured that the winner of that category goes home with his or her car. AMVCA do something as soon as you guys can if not history will judge you guys for robbing Jide Kene of his car gift .

And Kemi Adetiba block buster movie‘King of boys didn’t win any category? AMVCA what actually happened this time around? Who are the judges? Did they watch the King of Boys movie?

Because it is one of the best movies that has come out of Africa.

The actress should be Sola Sobowale in her magnetic role in the King of Boys but she was ignored and that made me realized that the Judges didn’t watch the movie at all . The AMVCA disrespected Sola Sobowale thespian prowess this time around.

The King of Boys and Living in Bondage the sequel are the two best movies that have emerged not only in Nigeria but in Africa in the past two years .

21 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE/TV SERIES GLORIA SARFO PERFECT PICTURE: 10 YEARS LATER 22 BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE/TV SERIES PASCAL TOKODI DISCONNECT 23 BEST ACTRESS COMEDY IN A MOVIE/TV SERIES FUNKE AKINDELE MOMS AT WAR 24 BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY CHIBUNOR “FUNNY BONE� STANLEY SMASH 25 BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) TOYIN ABRAHAM ELEVATOR BABY 26 BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) TIMINI EGBUSON ELEVATOR BABY 27 BEST DIRECTOR RAMSEY NOUAH LIVING IN BONDAGE 28 BEST OVERALL MOVIE LIVING IN BONDAGE STEVE GUKAS INDUSTRY MERIT AWARD PETER IGHO TRAIL BLAZER AWARD SWANKY JKA

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Paul Play Returns, Remakes Angel of My Life Steve Chuks It’s Okay to Fall and Rise… Never Be Scared of Failing pg. 51

Nyekachi Douglas as Forbes Africa Leading Woman pg. 52

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Paul Play Returns, Remakes Angel of My Life RnB singer/songwriter/producer, Paul Babatunde ‘I.K’ Dairo, aka Paul Play, features Runtown, in the remake of his mega hit song, Angel of My Life. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

P

aul I.K Dairo, aka Paul Play, whose prominent days in the formative years of the Nigerian afro hip-pop, saw him releasing great songs like the re-creation of the classic, Mo So Ri Re, a resurrected version of his father’s classic, makes a wonderful return with the remake of his mega hit song, Angel of My Life. The RnB singer/songwriter and producer who made a mark during his reign in the music scene with this love song, features Douglas Jack Agu, popularly known as Runtown, in this remake.

The Mad Over You crooner and Soundgod Music star, Runtown is famous for making good songs like Mad Over You and Gallardo and featuring in other great songs by other artistes, including Nasty C’s hit song, Said. The new hit Angel of My Life, which has Afrobeats flavor, was released on March 13, 2020. It is believed that while people who grew in the 2000s will like the original version, the remix is not a bad project at all.

One takes it that this remake of the veteran singer’s alluring number from a 2007 album is a whole vibe with new melody tipped to surely bring Paul Play back for the new decade. This is not the first time the smooth singer will make a comeback after a period of disappearance, as he was found missing in action some years ago, following an ill health that sent him out of the music scene for a long time.

In an interview he granted then, Paul Play admitted his disappearance; blaming it rightly on an illness that almost wiped his name clean off the slate of music or perhaps this very world. That was in 2009 when he fell ill in South Africa while shooting some music videos for his album and had to be rushed to a hospital.

Paul Play’s late father, IK Dairo, was a legendary Juju artiste, who ruled the airwaves for years. And then suddenly, his father quit music before he passed on and passed on his shoes to him (Paul Play).

Paul Play is a mechanical engineer by training, who has warmed the hearts of many, with his love and incurably romantic songs. His creative mix of R&B, rap, traditional highlife and juju music, account for his uniqueness in the Nigerian music scene. Paul started singing at the age of 11. At 19, he made his first entrance into the music industry as a producer and songwriter, producing radio jingles for various advertising agencies. He’s known to have produced a lot of Nigerian artistes in the 80s and 90s, riding on his father’s goodwill and success.

In 1999, after being signed to Kennis Music, Paul Play released his first album with the hit song Mo So Ori Re, a remix of his father’s

Paul Play

original and other great songs to his credit. Under the same record label, he released the second album with big songs like Mo Wa Dupe and Lead Me On. Paul eventually left Kennis Music on the expiration of his contract in 2002 and set up his own record label, Playground

Entertainment.

Although critics constantly argued that Paul Play was riding on the success of his father’s musical glory, but when he released his first album, Hitsvile, comprising nine tracks under Playground Entertainment, he shocked critics and music

marketers, being the only Nigerian successful R & B album without a local language.

The success of the Hitsvile album expanded Paul’s fan base to other African countries. Interestingly, in the album was the hit song, Angel of My Life.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

L-R Paul Sambo, Senator Dino Melaye, and T.T. Temple on set of the movie Silent Prejudice

Dino Melaye Delights in Silent Prejudice Perhaps his pastime, Senator Dino Melaiye may have finally found his true calling, with his appearance in the film titled Silent Prejudice, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

T

he flamboyant politician and former lawmaker from Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye is making his third movie appearance in season 2 of the movie series, Silent Prejudice. He joined former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and his beauty queen and actress wife, Precious, on the set of the new movie which is used for social reengineering. Melaye took to social media days back to make the announcement which got mixed reactions from his followers, some of whom were surprised following his post. “On set‌Silent Prejudice,â€? he captioned a picture post on his Instagram page. The television series, which exposes the evils associated with the Osu caste system in the Southeastern part of Nigeria, is currently being shot at various locations in Abuja. The production is

reported to have the endorsement of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, who’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, also makes an appearance.

Season 1 is already being aired on AIT on Wednesdays at 9.00 pm. Other distinguished personalities on the set of the series include businessman Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and former governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife. Produced by Chris Oge Kalu, the 13-episode series also features Nollywood veterans such as Clems Ohameze, Amaechi Muonago, Monalisa Chinda, Chuks Chyke, Vitalis Ndubuisi, Steve Eboh, and Ofiafuluagu Mbaka.

Also starring in the series is another veteran, Larry Koldsweat, Obi Idejimba, and T.T. Temple. Melaye’s fans are eager to see the movie screened. Melaye is popular in the social space being not one to shy away from airing his views on topical issues as often seen in the

polity. In a recent interview during the premiere of ‘Lemonade’, a movie he also featured in, Melaye was metaphorical, describing “entertainment as a weapon.�

According to him, “the entertainment industry is one of the strongest weapons we can use in ameliorating our problems in this country. We must have a nation where leaders must be responsible, where followers must ask questions, where every Nigerian must decide to either walk in the light of creative altruism or perish in the darkness of destructive selfishness�.

Melaye said he only accepts movie roles that resonate with his ideals and aim at correcting societal ills or encourage leaders to do the right thing, citing his character in the movie as a politician who stood for a just and egalitarian society. He added: “That in any way through music, through movies, to help build a better society. I will be willing to participate

and I am doing this pro bono.�

Often around entertainment circles chitchatting with comedians and actors during shows, he once sang at AY live show in Abuja. Melaye’s love affair with entertainment dates back to 2013 when he trended online as a result of a baby paternity allegation with Yoruba actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe. Percieved as controversial, senator Melaye made his debut as the first serving Nigerian lawmaker to venture into acting when he first appeared in a music video by Afro trap star, Kach, titled Dino, in 2017.

He made his acting debut in the TV series, ‘Equity Unbound’ earlier last year, featuring as a lead actor. He is fond of singing and dancing to debase his perceived ‘political enemies.’ Remember his ‘Kogi Koya‌Kogi ko Bello’ song against Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State‌Remember his hit song ‘Ajeku Iya’ which went viral in 2018.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR Babs Cardini

I Enjoy Leaving People Amazed Babatunde Kasumu Tinubu, better known as Babs Cardini, is a teenager with the exceptional ability and gift to do magic. He gained the celebrity status after he was featured on BBC and he has never looked back since, with the likes of Reuters, CGTN, Genevieve Magazine, featuring him as well. It is safe to say that the young magician is the biggest so far in the world of magic as a form of entertainment in Africa in this century. He talks to Tosin Clegg about magic, growing into a household name, his plans, career at large and much more My style of magic appeals to a wide range of audience knew that I would become a magician and believed I was gifted with the ability, hence I acquainted myself with Magic. I love playing with people’s minds and emotions by performing tricks and illusions for them when they least expected. I like making people believe in the impossible and leaving them amazed, sometimes leaving them confused. But in the end, it is all about making people happy. Moreover, creating magic on stage, be it illusion, mental class act and hypnotism, can be termed in a word as magic. My style of magic and the presentation of my routines appeal to a wide range of audience.

I

My childhood was pretty amazing I was given the best of care and attention by my parents who always encouraged their kids to chase, as well as aspire high from academics to creatives. I’m the second of three siblings of my mother; my family is relatively large. A phase of my dream is what I’m living now, being a magician, whilst I believe the other is near (hope to be a robotics engineer), so as to fuse magic and technology to achieve the ultimate goal of making, holding my audience spellbound during the course of entertaining them. I recently completed my OND at Yaba Tech where I studied computer engineering.

My journey into the world of magic My journey into the world of magic started from when I was five years old and that’s if I’m not mistaken. I was always interested and fascinated by magicians when watching their performances on television. Magic caught and called out to me from then. To be honest, it was only recently, when my manager, Mr. Ono Mccaulay, reached out to me and made me understand that my creativity and talent in magic could take me to places if I believed. It was then I geared up to do more. Magic, first for me, will always be something I will forever enjoy doing for fun. It is relaxing and I do it to make other people feel happy.

My challenges My challenges were huge at the beginning and that was because I had no one that shared my dreams for magic as a means of entertainment here unlike how it is in other countries.

I had no financial aid to get materials, no connection for visibility and so much more. But as God would have it, I was approached by a believer that shared the same passion I have for magic and the rest they say is history.

It beats me that it had to take a foreign media, BBC, to put me out for the world to see and appreciate what I do, before our own media started to

open up. Don’t get me wrong, we are still trying to break through and hold our ground for acceptance just like my forebears- respect to the late Professor Peller in the late 80s and 90s.

Inspiration comes from God Although I am young but I believe getting better takes nothing but constant practice, research, looking into those before me. Candidly speaking, I don’t think I have accomplished anything yet, for I only just began my journey, when there’s any accomplished feat, Nigeria and the world would hear.

Though there are lots I sometimes relish in and relive, but I would say my breakout point would be when I was given the opportunity to perform at the then One Lagos fiesta and I made a page in a book vanish and reappeared in a spectator’s pocket. The crowd went wild with cheers and amazement and I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Fame is like a double-edged sword I was raised by my parents to be calm, no matter what and in addition to that, I am signed to a management that constantly instill the essence of what being humble would do for an individual. Dealing with fame is for those that see themselves as being famous, for I can tell you for free that I am not. I have been told that fame is like a double-edged sword or a coin with two sides; there’s the good side likewise the not so good part to it.

Our true characters and personality as individuals would be enhanced when little attention is shown our way.

Thanks to my management Through my management I have been fortunate enough and I have graced platforms. I’m still going to grace more but I’ll use this opportunity to say a big thank you to Alibaba’s January 1st Concert and Spontaneity, Sir Aremo Oniru’s Concert, Hennessy Artistry, Traceinthecity Tour, Stefflondon Concert, Zlatan Concert, Mike Adenuga’s Private Party, Sujimoto Anniversary to mention but a few. All the shows I have had the opportunity to perform at hold different experience for me, as they aren’t the same, plus the approach to my performances tend to differ as well. In essence, I would say they are all big in their own rights.

My management is working round the clock and that is to make sure the brand has tie-ins to major household brand products’ names and corporate bodies. I have some tours already lined up, but for the recent epidemic it would have commenced.

I’m trying to create a television series based on my magic performance with various people I get to meet in the streets, known people during the course of my travels.

God willing, I see myself as a global brand representing the motherland Nigeria and Africa as a whole with my craft on a positive scale.

Babatunde Kasumu Tinubu

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

MY STORY

Gists Ikechukwu Nnakenyi Miracle, aka Big Dol, is an artiste in his own class with musical creatives that are designed as audible art.

He draws inspirations from the likes of Fela, Wizkid, Davido, Olamide and a lot more.

He talks with Tosin Clegg about his music, Last weekend, Christiana Barlet, the host of DMD Talk Show, which airs on Ben TV London, his forthcoming projects and more was awarded the Best TV Presenter of the year at the Fashion Art and Media Award,

Christiana Barlet Wins Best TV Presenter Awards in UK held in Scotland, UK. This award comes at a time the show is getting set for its second anniversary and it has, undoubtedly, proved its impact on its viewers over the years.

Winning this for the host shows a work well done and a lot more can still be done.

Christiana Barlet said: “I’m very excited to be awarded this prestigious award and I want to thank the Fashion, Art and Media Award’s team for the recognition, especially Lydia Cutler. I’m humbled, however I didn’t walk alone to achieve this award. So I would appreciate and thank those who made it all happen, God, My team, family and friends, for everything they have done for me. I want to encourage others to never give up, as hard work pays.’ DMD Show is one of UK’s most celebrated TV shows, which gives both men and women the voice through the media to educate viewers on a range of issues concerning women and men such as health, relationships, lifestyle and more.

Lydia Cutler and Christiana Barlet

Lagos Socialite, Segun Klux’s Wedding If there be a lasting memory that we will take time to forget or fade off in 2020, then it will be the famous “TheKslovestory� between Nigeria’s foremost young brand developer and showbiz enthusiast, Nathaniel Segun Koleosho, Doro Musicaka Team Segun Klux, and his soulmate, Olafunke Balogun that took place on the Second Saturday in March 2020 at the popular Balmoral event center on Oregun road, Lagos.

The ceremony, as of today, is still the talk of town based on the glint and glamour starting with the pre-wedding pictures.

The wedding party had the best of decor, menu and series of appetizer and the hierarchy of personalities in attendance such as Regant Olu Iboropa of Iboropa Kingdom, Queen Ayo Balogun, Prince Oloto, Nollywood actress Tayo Sobola, Adunni Ade, Funke Etti, Nkechi Blessing, Bukola Adeeyo, Folorunsho Adeola, Abiodun Adbanjo, Taiwo Adeyemi just to mention a few with a lot of media personalities which were also present.

The guests were well thrilled with melodious tunes from Awesome Band and Dj Murbeatz with a surprise performance from Timi Dakolo who serenaded the couples with a couple of his love songs. MC Ajele was the Master of Ceremony for the day and he did a good job in spicing up the event.

The couple

Maltina Storms ISL, UNILAG, to Share Happiness Maltina recently paid a surprise visit to the International School, University of Lagos to ramp up excitement among staff and students on a regular Monday morning. The visit featured lots of dancing and of course sharing happiness in the form of free Maltina drinks. Elohor Olumide-Awe, the Senior Brand Manager, Maltina inspired students through the Maltina value of sharing happiness. “At Maltina, we understand that happiness is the overall wellbeing that comes with an active lifestyle, community bonding, and a drive for secondary school students to compete and grow in sports through our Maltina School Games�, she explained “Two qualified gold medalists and a silver medalist from our competition are from your very own school and we are here to celebrate them today. Maltina is here to share happiness with all the students of ISL to inspire you to see the importance of imbibing sports culture from an early age so that you too can one day be honored and have the opportunity to represent Nigeria on a global stage as a champion.�

The Maltina School Games is a series of track and field sporting competitions held across Nigeria as an inter-school sports competition to grow future sports champions in secondary schools across Nigeria.

Mr. Ijeoma Ernest, Head Coach at International School, University of Lagos, expressed his excitement “that Maltina chose our school to bring us a happy surprise on a regular Monday morning.

Our qualified student-athletes are training hard and excited to compete with students from other states in the National Finals of the Maltina School Games.� Having concluded state finals in Abuja, Kano, and Anambra, the Maltina School Games has uncovered top talents that will now compete in the National Finals in Lagos from Monday, March 9, 2020, at the Yaba College of Science and Participants at the event Technology Stadium.

Didi Edet

Didi Edet

Anyone with a Busy Schedule Can Consult a Match-Maker Didi Edet is an in-house dating coach at Lagosmatchmaker, a focused match-making platform for singles of over 25 years. She is the first United Statescertified and award-winning dating coach in Nigeria.

She has been matchmaking for over seven years. Didi shares the need for matching-making, challenges of a matchmaker and lots more with Tosin Clegg

T

ell us more about what you do?

I am a certified dating coach with Lagosmatchmaker.

We focus on connecting singles above 25 years and letting them enjoy the dating process. We do not delve into the relationship aspect which is a bit broader. We focus on meeting an individual, having a first and second date.

Why did you go into match-making?

Lagosmatchmaker is a match-making platform for like-minded individuals and was birthed out of the need for privacy in certain aspects of our lives, like dating. A lot of my friends I spoke to wanted to search for a date without letting you known who they are.

In this age of Internet fraud, how can one trust online matchmaking?

I don’t think there is any worry with internet fraud with lagosmatchmaker because it’s not strictly an online matching platform. We do have an office located off Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, where clients can come in and have a discussion about the process, if they so wish.

But we discovered that a lot of people don’t have the time which is why a lot of our work is done online.

Who qualiďŹ es you to consult as a match-maker?

Anyone with a busy schedule can consult a match-maker. I always say, it’s the same as outsourcing cleaning or cooking because you don’t have the time to do those things yourself. The same way match-making is a service that helps busy people who have little or no time to socialise and meet someone at their convenience.

Why are men shying away from making the ďŹ rst move?

I would not say men are shying away from making the first move.

Men for decades have been told they alone could make the first move but in this new era, women are now able to make the first move. So, you might find an increase in the number of women searching for a man, because it’s new and it’s effective than having to choose a spouse out of just the ones that choose you. These days, you can make a choice rather than choosing from your available options.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ͹˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Cee-C Nwadiora Hot on the Red Carpet Well, the organisers of the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held in Lagos last weekend have selected their best-dressed celebrity for that night. But for us at showbizflair, the best dressed for that night was Cee-C Nwadiora (Cynthia Nwadiora). This actress, lawyer and award-winning brand influencer, killed it on the AMVCA Red Carpet with her daring looks.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Regina Loved Up with Ned Nwoko

Actress Regina Daniels is proving that she won’t stop loving her 60 year-old billionaire husband, Ned Nwoko, no matter what. She uses every photo opportunity to prove this. This week, the 20 year-old Regina took to her Instagram to share a picture where she sat beside Nwoko inside a jet with her hands around him. The actress captioned the picture: “Forgive negativity from entering your frequency.�

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Seun Kuti

Burna Boy

Glastonbury is Waiting for Burna Boy, Seun Kuti Ferdinand Ekechukwu

N

igeria’s Burna Boy and Seun Kuti will join global superstars like Kendrick Lamar at the British Glastonbury Festival this summer despite fears that the event would be rescheduled or cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. More than 90 names were added to the first line-up list on March 13, 2020, joining co headliners Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney for the UK show which is to witness its 50th anniversary.

Glastonbury Festival is a fiveday celebration of contemporary performing arts that takes place in Pilton, Somerset, in England. In addition to contemporary music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts.

Leading pop and rock artistes have headlined, alongside thousands of others appearing on smaller stages and performance areas. The US rap star Lamar will be the fourth rapper to headline the major stage, following Jay-Z, Kanye West and Stormzy, whose 2019 set was widely hailed as one of the greatest ever.

Diana Ross is among those lined up to play at the legendary event.

More artistes will be announced later as the handlers revealed. Following announcement, the organisers say the festival is currently still scheduled to go ahead in June despite the Coronavirus scourge.

Co-organiser, Emily Eavis wrote on social media on Monday: “So, after much consideration, given the current circumstances, and with the best of intentions, here is the first list of musical acts for Glastonbury 2020. As things stand, we are still working hard

to deliver our 50th anniversary Festival in June and we are very proud of the bill that we have put together over the last year or so. No one has a crystal ball to see exactly where we will all be 15 weeks from now, but we are keeping our fingers firmly crossed that it will be here at Worthy Farm for the greatest show on Earth! �As always, this is just a taste of what is to come, we plan to announce many more artistes and attractions, area by area, over the coming weeks leading up to the full line-up in May. In the meantime, we post this with much love to all.�

In view of the Coronavirus, the UK government is not currently planning to ban largescale events, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of future events being cancelled because of the burden they would place on emergency services Organisers of the Glastonbury event announced: “Glastonbury

Festival thoroughly plans each year ’s event, and puts in place all necessary measures to protect the public and maximise safety. We work closely with all of the relevant agencies, including Public Health England and the NHS, and always review our plans as any circumstances change.

With this in mind and with our 2020 Festival still 16 weeks away, we continue to plan and prepare for the event, whilst at the same time closely monitoring developments with the coronavirus situation.�

Seun Kuti was billed to perform at Coachella 2020 before it was postponed till October 2020. Burna Boy also performed at the 2019 Coachella and the 2020 BRIT Awards. Festivals including Coachella, Stagecoach and other major events in the US have been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, while acts including The Who, Madonna and Miley Cyrus have cancelled live dates.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR Steve Chuks

It’s Okay to Fall and Rise‌ Never Be Scared of Failing Steve Chuks is an actor, host, vlogger, brand influencer and online comedian. He has starred in several Nollywood movies and series over time. In 2017, he started making Instagram skits where he introduced his characters ‘Madam Gold’ and ‘Cleopatra’. Both characters have become house hold names in the Nigerian entertainment space and social media circle. The young creative strives to be known for his work and not the name hence, the producton of his YouTube series “The Steve Chuks Showâ€? which has over 100,000 views at the moment. Again, with his annual show, “I Be Manâ€? which has been a success so far, Chuks is unstoppable. He talks about his journey around entertainer, formative years and those that inspire his craft, among other things, in this chat with Azuka Ogujiuba

Y

ou act, inuence and create content online.

How did it all start?

I have always wanted to act. It’s been my passion since I was a child but I started officially in 2013.

Starred in my first movie titled ‘To have and to hold’ by Alex mouth. I also got into school and was studying theatre arts around the same time which gave me a chance to explore stage and star in plays such as Wizard of law, Human Cargo among others. I was also creating contents on YouTube on the side and running a blog.

Why did you decide to name your characters“Madam Gold�and“Cleopatra?�

Which other characters do you have?

Give us a line and the personality behind these characters?

The names don’t have any specific thing tied to them. My younger sister loved the name Cleopatra Williams growing up, so I kind of stole it from her lol. As for Madam Gold, I always heard the name growing up, so it kind of stuck with me and when I decided to play a mother figure character it had to be Madam Gold!; especially because I had already played a similar character back then in school on stage. I have about five other characters, Sister Ebele, Karen Jide, Chief Chike, Udodi, etc. With respect to the personality behind these characters, it’s basically from the society. I try to create characters that are very relatable so as to enjoy the skits better, hence I pay more attention to my acting in my videos.

Your show,‘I Be Man’ has been widely accepted since your started.At what point did you decide to have your own show? ‘I Be man,’ is not just a show or a play. It’s a vision to stop toxic masculinity. I knew that I had gathered fans that turned family so I wanted to use the medium to push a motion dear to me hence I started the play which has had two shows since 2018 and I don’t plan to ever stop it.

Have you always been comical?

Lol. I guess I can say yes! I have always loved making people laugh and people have always called me funny.

As far as what you do is concerned, who do you look up to?

Genevieve Nnaji and Leonardo Dicaprio have always been my major inspirations for going into the acting and I look up to them majorly!! In the skits ‘making game,’ I really love Maraji and her creativity inspires me.

We have loads of people coming up with skits these days, what stands you out?

I think it’s the originality and reliability

that stand me out. I try not to copy or follow a wagon.

Tell us about your formative years?

I’m an only son with two sisters. I lost my dad to the hands of armed robbers at an early age, so my mother basically raised me.

I was around women all the time growing up and it made me appreciate them more.

My childhood wasn’t rosy as I got first hand ticket to see how single mothers struggle.

My strong queen of a mother who raised all three children alone, with school fees etc really helped my growth. I basically understood life early through the struggles of my single mum raising three children. There were times it got so bad but we thank God today.

Give us an insight into your educational background and career?

I attended Genesis Primary School then moved on to Unique Heights Secondary School; then I studied theatre arts at the University of Lagos. I joined some private stage groups at the time to better my stage presence and acting. While I was in Unilag, I was attending movie auditions and I got a few by-pass roles in movies and series which include The agony, Hush and Industreet. I then went ahead with my NYSC in Lagos State.

How did your background shape your life?

My background helped me become the man that I am today! From my home, to the University I attended to the society in general.

It helped me put my life in perspective and understanding most of what I know today.

What was the best gift you remember receiving as a child?

A mini toy driving car my father bought or money lol. I didn’t get so many gifts as a child.

What do you consider the biggest mistake you have ever made?

Probably a bad investment but I tend not look at mistakes.

What are some of the lessons life has taught you?

Always remember there’s tomorrow and that it’s okay to fall and rise back! Never be scared of failing!

What are your plans moving forward?

I plan on returning back to the acting game, producing and directing my own movie, going to film school, having a full YouTube series with all my characters, venturing into my love for fashion and producing more stage plays that focuses on social courses.

I am presently on the set of a series titled “Dr. Love� and produced by Uche Jombo.

Steve Chucks

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Nyekachi Douglas as Forbes Africa Leading Woman The 2019 MBGN Queen and reigning Miss World Africa, Nyekachi Douglas, was the star at the Forbes Africa Leading Women Summit in Johannesburg, as part of the International Women’s Day, reports Ferdinand Ekechuku

W

inning a crown at a beauty pageant has and will remain the dream of many young ladies who have grown up with dreams and aspirations of becoming a queen. For Nyekachi Douglas, the 21 year old Nigerian Miss World Africa, hers was not totally a different ball game growing up. She saw as her idol the first black Miss World from Nigeria, Agbani Darego, and many beautiful queens. Nyekachi is proud of how far she has come.

The beauty queen defeated 36 other contestants to emerge winner of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria beauty pageant. The 2019 MBGN represented Nigeria at the Miss World pageant last December in London where she placed top five and was crowned Miss Word Africa and Miss World Top Model. She trended worldwide for her joyful reaction to Miss Jamaica, Toni-Ann Singh’s win.

Nyekachi Douglas was a guest at the recently concluded Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit in South Africa, and she shone in the spotlight, talking about her journey from a dreamy little girl to becoming Miss World Africa. The Rivers State native from Port Harcout exuded grace and glamor in a lovely dress as she sat with CNBC Africa’s Fifi Peters for a one-on-one interview to talk about her her role and vision as Miss World Africa.

Giggling in between the chat, gesticulating at some points, the Public Health major at the University of South Florida also spoke glowingly about her primary project in Makoko slum, the largest floating slum in the world and how she is planning to extend it to other communities in Africa.

On her reaction to Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh’s win, she said: “I think it was just excitement. You know I’m a very expressive person. At that point, I was really just expressing what I was feeling inside.

And I don’t know if you watched all the other queens there, you would see that they were all very excited and I feel like I was acting out what everyone else was feeling inside their heart because I’m just that expressive.�

On growing up, Nyekachi said: “I grew up in a home. I am from Port Harcourt it’s in Rivers State in Nigeria. It’s my home.

And I would say that I grew up as child in a place where I saw a lot of people beg and I wanted to‌the first Miss World from Nigeria, Agbani Darego. She was crowned when I was three years old and she lived down the street from me and she went to the same primary school as me. So I grew up always seeing her and thinking ‘my God this is the way that I want to impact, this is the way that I want to be seen’. “And honestly envisioning myself as a queen. I would wear my mummy’s clothes and shoes and walk around the house and paint lipstick on my face all the times. And I say ‘yeah I’m Agbani (giggling) and little did I know that I would actually be there. And I think I grew up in a place where I saw many beautiful queens and I saw many beautiful people but I had little. I grew up in a place where

Nyekachi Douglas with CNBC Africa’s FiďŹ Peters at Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit in South Africa

Nyekachi Douglas

my community, we weren’t exactly the most what I would say ‘fancy’. I went to school wearing my sister’s uniform that she has passed on because that’s what my mum wanted that’s what they could afford at that time.�

On her job as Miss World Africa, the MBGN 2019 queen said: “Oh my job is to sit down and look pretty (jokes). I

think that for me, Miss World Africa is really for me to be able to reach out to the communities. First of all, to start with from where I’m working with I am trying to improve the communities known as the largest floating slum in the world and it’s in Nigeria; it is called Makoko in Lagos. They really have very poor waste management system there and

that’s something that I’m really trying to work on infection prevention and control. “So, my job pretty much is to meet these people, improve the way they live, get funding. We just finished building a school there and now we are going to start teaching these kids not just to learn biology. In Nigeria, most people focus on the book, book, book; you have to be very, very book smart, you have to be an engineer, a lawyer. And I want them to explore this part and also to explore their creative sides like the fashion designers, the hairdressers, the makeup artists, the artistes and all of these things. So that’s what I want. “I really want to teach these kids about their personal hygiene in a way that they would learn it and teach it. Just a generational thing and they would just keep going and keep growing. So I would say my job is to teach and to learn at the same time. “I’m hoping that with what I’m doing obviously with personal hygiene in Makoko is tied to my education. I am a Public Health major at the University of South Florida right now. And I’m hoping that when I am done with my education, I will be able to go into infection prevention and control. I really want people in the community that I’m working with and in general around the world to be more aware of personal hygiene. Things like coronavirus now really would have been curbed if we do stay safe and practicing persona hygiene like we are washing our hands daily with hand sanitizers and a lot of these. “And really what I dream for (when I’m probably on the Forbes list) is to be making impact where people are practicing better personal hygiene from a young age so that they have grown into it and its now part of them to be a way they believe.�

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ÍşÍšËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

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NEWSXTRA

One Killed, Six Injured as Rainstorm Renders 400 Homeless in Ondo James Sowole Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?

One person was killed and six persons were injured during a rainstorm that rendered about 400 persons homeless in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The storm, which accompanied rain that was said to have lasted not more than 30 minutes

ravaged Olu Foam, Omoniyi Estate and Igoba area of Akure.

The deceased, Faith Utobo, according to his father, Mr. Daniel Utobo went to church for evening service when the rain started.

Utobo, a retired civil servant said his son died as a result of the injury sustained when

the church building collapsed during the rainstorm.

The rain also destroyed several electric poles and the roofs of some building were totally blown off.

When journalists visited the community, affected residents were seen removing blown off roofs from the streets just as

carpenters were hired to remove roofs that fell on other buildings.

Some residents were seen with their properties outside their houses. A community leader, Mr. Ayeni Abayomi said “What happened yesterday was beyond human knowledge and imagination. It started around 6p.m. It was the worst.

It destroyed over 80 houses.

Most of our properties have been destroyed."

A woman, Mrs. Helen Eniola, described the situation as terrible and devastating.

“The rain started and what we heard was a big storm. Our properties were destroyed. We lost many things here. I was inside the house but nobody died."

LBSL Transports 10m Lagosian Mary Nnah The Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), has successfully transported 10 million Nigerians in 10 months of its operations. This disclosure was made in Lagos by the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Idowu Oguntona after a commemorative bus ride with the 10-millionth passenger of the company from the Ojodu-Berger Terminus to Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

The 10-millionth commuter, UwuadilekeChinedu, was identified before the trip commenced and

was given aone-month free bus pass at a short commemorative ceremony at the bus terminus.

Oguntona, who was accompanied by senior management staff of LBSL, some commuters and guests during the trip, gave company's scorecard and assured stakeholders that its best was yet to come.

He further assured commuters who use the Lagos Bus Services of its commitment to excellence as the gold bar of its operations by moving them to their destinations timely, conveniently, comfortably and at affordable fares.

Ihiala LG Supports Orajiaka's Bid for Anambra Governorship Nseobong Okon-Ekong

YOU'RE WELCOME...

L-R: The Assistant Secretary-General of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Mr. Emmanuel Adelana; the Forum’s National PRO, Elder Aramide Tola Noibi; the Osun State Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; The Governor, Elder Gboyega Oyetola; the Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; and the Forum’s Organising Secretary, Princess Olabisi Sangodoyin, during the Yoruba Unity Forum’s courtesy call on Governor Oyetola of the State of Osun

COVID-19: ITALIAN INDEX CASE RECOVERS, DISCHARGED Areghan said the timetable for the examination would be reviewed after the coronavirus pandemic situation improves.

Fayemi Directs Ekiti Civil Servants to Work from Home Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, yesterday barred social, political, religious and family gatherings of more than 20 persons as part of efforts to check the spread of coronavirus.

The governor, who announced that “all public and private schools and institutions in Ekiti State are to close down from Monday, March 23�, also directed that “all non-essential workers in private and public sectors are encouraged to work from home from Monday, March 23�.

Fayemi, in a statewide broadcast in Ado Ekiti, said: “Now that we are aware of its presence in our midst, we must leave no stone unturned to make Ekiti State coronavirus (COVID-19) free. We must combat and curtail its spread by ensuring our people are actively involved in government’s efforts to fight this global pandemic. While the world frantically searches for a cure, our best and only defense is prevention.�

Ekiti on March 18 recorded its first case of coronavirus.

He listed the non-essential workers in private and public sectors who should work from home to include civil and public servants from level 12 and below; except essential services like health workers, caregivers, social welfare officers, fire service officers, emergency response officers, and security guards/watchmen in public

institutions.

NCDC Warns against use of Chloroquine for Treatment Also yesterday, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) warned against the use of Chloroquine for the treatment of Coronavirus. According to the NCDC, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not approved the use of Chloroquine for the treatment of Coronavirus.

The NCDC declared: “WHO has not approved the use of Chloroquine for #COVID-19 management. Scientists are working hard to confirm the safety of several drugs for this disease. Please, do not engage in self-medication. This will cause harm and can lead to death.�

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's Senior SpecialAssistant on Health, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih also warned against indiscriminate use of Chloroquine for the prevention of Coronavirus.

He said some hospitals in the state were now receiving patients suffering from Chloroquine poisoning.

She urged people against massive consumption of Chloroquine as a measure to fight Coronavirus.

According to her, there is a lot of unverified information in circulation about the pandemic, and that it was important for people to be sure of their facts before taking any medication.

California Governor Orders 40 million Residents to Stay at Home United States’ state of California's 40 million people were under lockdown yesterday in the most drastic quarantine efforts by a US state to contain the fast-spreading

The entire Ihiala Local Government Area have unanimously supported the CEO of Auldon Group, Mr. Paul Orajiaka, in his quest to become the next Governor of Anambra State in 2021.

The declaration was made at the Bindell Hall St. Martins Church, Odoata Ihiala by the

Continued from Page 5

coronavirus, as the global toll surged.

The United States was fast-tracking antimalarial drugs for use as a virus treatment, President Donald Trump said, as he lashed out at China for not informing the world earlier about the original outbreak.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the lockdown would begin Thursday evening in "recognition of our interdependence".

In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country could "turn the tide" on coronavirus within 12 weeks - but only if people heed advice to avoid social contact.

Okowa: Vessels Arriving Delta Ports to Observe 14-Day Quarantine Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that as precautionary measures against COVID-19 pandemic, all incoming sea vessels to the three ports in the state would observe a 14-day quarantine period to be cleared by the Port Health personnel before berthing.

Governor Okowa, who said this in a statement yesterday, added that arrival cards would be completed by all in-bound passengers and crew in the two airports in Warri and Asaba and at the three seaports in Warri, Koko, and Sapele. All passengers arriving Asaba Airport are already subjected to temperature measurement; Okowa said although there was no confirmed case of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state, but that the government established a purpose-built and well-equipped isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba to handle any emergency.

He said these were among proactive steps taken by the government to prevent the spread of the disease and stop transmission if it occurred.

He also directed that “all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions are to be closed effective Thursday, March 26, 2020 for 30 days. Parents should endeavour to provide hand sanitisers for their children. “Hand wash stations must also be provided at easily identifiable points in the markets; the leaders of the various market associations to please take note.�

Offices must ensure that they are fitted with the right type of sanitisers, he said and that supermarkets, malls, churches and other places of worship should provide hand sanitisers for customers/worshippers.

The State Government, he said would spare no effort or resources to ensure the health, safety and protection of citizens, but that “it is important for us to know that observing proper hygiene and World Health Orgainsation-mandated safety protocols remain the best way to protect ourselves and stop the spread of this virus.�

He said the government had embarked on training of healthcare personnel to work at the isolation ward, adding that training and engagement of 129 Red Cross workers across the state was on-going.

The government has identified and established holding rooms in all zonal and all state hospitals; training of five members of the Rapid Response Team in each Local Government Area; and training of laboratory scientists on sample collection.

“We are also assisting in the local production of alcohol-based hand sanitisers The Ministries of Health and Information have been mandated to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to inform and sensitise the public on safety protocols regarding COVID-19,� he said.

The governor appealed to Deltans to remain calm and vigilant. “We must not panic. We can easily overcome this threat if we abide by the above measures and all other information from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). “We will easily defeat the spread of this virus if everyone sees himself/ herself as a potential carrier who does not want to spread the virus.

To adopt a superstitious approach as many of us do that ‘it is not my portion’ could prove to be fatal. “This is no time for selfmedication. If you notice at any point in time that you have fever, do not hesitate to call on the relevant authorities/ or visit the nearest hospital.�

political class, led by Kenneth Emeakayi, women leaders and youth Leaders of Ihiala, who all indicated their preference for Orajiaka, following a motion initiated by Hon. Simeon Ohajianya and seconded by Hon. Theo Nnorom.

Other personalities present at the meeting include; former member of the House of Representatives for Ihiala Federal Constituency, Hon. Vitalis Okafor; former members of the Anambra State House of Assembly; former Anambra State Commissioner; Hon. Mrs. Bridget Obi; former Chairmen of Ihiala Local Government Council, Chief S.I. Nwaeme; Hon. B.I. Abajuo; Chief Chinedu Ukachukwu; former Deputy Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Council, Barr G.O. Eleanya; former Chairman of ANPP in Anambra State, Ichie Mike Ejezie, among others.

In his speech, Chief Emeakayi, said that “the political class in Ihiala without a doubt have carefully appraised the pedigree, philanthropic contributions to the state and background of the Harvard-trained business man who has done well to excel in all his chosen field with remarkable success to booth and collectively come to a clear conclusion that he is more than suitable for the exalted job.�

Emeakayi said that the show of support became necessary for the progress and development of Ihiala community and Anambra.

CHANGE OF NAMES I, formerly known and addressed as MISS QUEEN CHINWENDU NWOHA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS QUEEN CHINWENDU OHABUENYI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EUSTANCE IFEANYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MBEAYI IFEANYI OBIMA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NZENWATA UDO CHUKWU FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UCHE UDO CHUKWU FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

7KLV LV WR FRQÂżUP WKDW WKH EHDUHU RI WKHVH names AKULASA DORRIS TARE and SEIBA DORIS TARILASU refers to one and the same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as SEIBA DORIS TARILASU. All former documents remain valid. UBA, FIRST BANK and the gernaral to take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MARCH 21, 2020

54

SPORTS XTRA Premier League Postponement

Manchester United Face Ighalo Contract Dilemma

M

anchester United could be deprived of Odion Ighalo before the end of the season after the Premier League reiterated its intention to finish the campaign.

All professional matches in English football have been postponed until April 30, but the Football Association has agreed to an indefinite extension for the season to conclude in order to maintain the integrity of the competitions.

Should club football in England resume on April 30, there will have been a seven-week period

without matches.

The FA’s rules and regulations state ‘the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June’ and Premier League clubs have either nine or 10 fixtures left to play. The likelihood is matches would continue well into July and Ighalo’s shortterm loan contract with United expires on June 30. United have refused to comment on Ighalo’s contract situation and the Nigerian would be under no obligation to play for them after his contract ends but an extension could be arranged.

Fifa said it is monitoring the issue of players’ contracts in a statement last week: “FIFA is analysing the current situation

and the potential impact it may have on all areas of football, including player contracts.

More information will follow in due course.”

Ighalo’s parent club Shanghai Shenhua were due to start their Chinese Super League season on February 22 but the start date was pushed back following the outbreak of the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan.

Meanwhile, Ighalo has said he could not afford to have a Manchester United player’s name on the back of his shirt when he was growing up in Nigeria.

Boyhood United fan Ighalo, 30, joined the club on loan for

the rest of the season from Shanghai Shenhua in January and has already scored four goals in three starts.

Following the announcement of the deal, Ighalo’s agent, AttaAneke, posted an old photograph of his client wearing the 2005-06 blue United away shirt that Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo donned in the League Cup-winning season. The shirt was only used for a year in that form since United switched their shirt sponsorship from Vodafone to AIG in 2006.

United retained the blue kit in 2006-07 with the AIG logo.

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were Ighalo’s idols when

he was growing up but the pair left United for Blackburn Rovers in 2001 and 2002. “I had a United jersey but no player name on the back,” he told the United magazine.

“It was one of the old blue ones but definitely no name on the back. You have to pay to put names on the back and there was no money to pay for that! I just got the United top.

“It was a blue one but a long time ago. I can’t remember [which season] as I was very, very young.”

Ighalo did a tour of Old Trafford in 2013 and started for Watford in their 1-0 defeat at United in March 2016.

John Obi Mikel was poised to become the first Nigerian to play for United when he signed a contract with the

club in 2005, but Mikel soon expressed his desire to play for Chelsea and United ended up pocketing £12million from the Stamford Bridge club.

United supporters have quickly warmed to Ighalo, who has fond memories of watching the team in Nigeria.

“It’s good. You have to go to an event centre and pay to watch the games.

“Any time United were playing, I’d go with my siblings.

You’d have to pay to watch the games and now people are watching me and United. It is a big fanbase and it is growing even bigger.

“Everybody is sending me messages saying they can’t wait to see me and watch the United games. I am very happy about that.”

Salah, Mane won’t Leave for La Liga Giants, Says McManaman

Salah and Mane....will they be able to resist La Liga giants’ duo of Barcelona and Real Madrid if they come calling

Ighalo, Ndidi, Osimhen, Rohr Make Nigeria Pitch Awards Shortlist Former Super Eagles and Manchester United new sensation, Odion Ighalo, Leicester City F.C midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, Lille hitman, Victor Osimhen and Villarreal FC playmaker, Sanuel Chukwueze are among names of Nigerian footballers, officials and football administrators shortlisted for honours at the 7th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

Speaking in Lagos at a world press conference attended by journalists, Mr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria PitchAwards expresses the appreciation of the organizers to the President and Management of the Nigeria Football Federation and all voters

across the country who voted. He said in the last seven years, organizers have worked hard to sustain the core values.

‘Since 2013, we have continued to sustain this incredible platform which rewards footballers, administrators, coaches, clubs, sponsors and journalists for their industry, commitment and passion for the game and for the nation. In seven years, the Nigeria Pitch Awards has become the longest running football awards in Nigerian history.

The awards are ranked among the 10 best awards in Nigeria. We are unarguably one of the few audited awards in Africa,’ Shina said.

Also speaking at the press conference, NnekaEneli,SIAOPartners’HeadofHuman ResourcesandCorporateDevelopment,who represented Pastor Ituah Ighodalo said the accounting firm observed all due process while collating and auditing the results.

While announcing the names of nominees, Mr. Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Communication, stated that the federation endorsed and have continued to support the Nigeria PitchAwards because the award process is credible and transparent. ‘Every time the organizers announce results, there are no controversies because the award process is credible and transparent.’

Nigeria’s No1, Pelomoh Shines at PwC Chess4Change Mentorship Nigeria’s female number one chess player, Jessica Pelomoh was the star attraction at the sixth edition of the PwC Chess4Change mentorship programme held in Lagos recently.

Pelomoh,whowasanalumnaofthePwC Chess4Change mentorship programme shown like a million stars in the two-day event held at the Dolphin High School, Lagos Island and Immaculate Heart Comprehensive High School, Maryland.

The highest FIDE rated Nigerian female player shined brightly when she was simul pited against student representatives from schoolsfromtheLagosIslandandMainland in the PwC Chess4Change programme.

In her remarks, the Lagos State Polythenic student and a beneficiary of the 2016 edition of the Chess4Change programme, urged students to continue to practice and constantly aim to improve in the game.

Pelomoh said her first contact with the game was in early 2016 at the Chess4Change tourney, stressing that, she went on to qualifying to represent Nigeria at the African Youth Championships the same year just four months after her first game.

She emphasized the importance and impact of her coach as a senior guardian and mentor in the game, someone who made sure she practiced constantly. She also gave

some gameplay tips asking young players to take their time in making decisions on the board.

Ajuh John Owie, an alumnus of the PwC Chess4Change programme and a Bio-chemistry student of University of Lagos also took part in the mini challenge.

PwC’s facilitators’ Chinasa Ken-Ugwuh, David Neagbara, TaiwoAfolayan and Kate Ajayi took the students through topics such as Decision Making: Successful decision making tips, Bullying: How to Handle Physical and Cyber Bullying, Goal setting; Practical steps to achieving your goals and social vices; The ability to identify and avoid immoral attitudes

Steve McManaman has dismissed suggestions that Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah would consider leaving Liverpool this summer to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

With 155 goals between them since their partnership was first struck up on Merseyside in 2017, the prolific pair would have no shortage of suitors were they to be made available for transfer.

But McManaman, who began his career at Anfield before enjoying a successful stint in Spain with Real, isn’t convinced that a similar move is quite as attractive in the current climate.

That is because of the strength of the English clubs compared to their Spanish rivals, and the fact that his former employers in LaLiga are well-stocked up top.

“Well Real Madrid already have Eden Hazard, they bought Rodrygo last summer and they’ve just invested in Reinier in January, so I’d take rumours like that with a pinch of salt,” he told HorseRacing.net.

“Regardless of how the Champions League turns out this season, the best teams in the world at present are the English teams. Real Madrid and Barcelona are not.

“They both want to start again and bring in a few new players because they’ve both had disappointing seasons this year, so they’re going to start turning their squads over.

“Despite this, I don’t think there’s any chance of either Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah going to either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Beckham to Lure David Silva to Inter Miami with Big Money Salary David Beckham will reportedly offer David Silva a big money salary in a bid to tempt the Manchester City midfielder to join Inter Miami this summer.

Silva will be a free agent once his contract has expired at City in June, bringing to an end a 10-year, trophy-laden stay at the Etihad.

Despite turning 34 in January, Silva is likely to receive offers from a host of top clubs this summer, with MLS teams sure to be among them.

According to the Daily Mirror, Beckham wants to add Silva’s quality and experience to an inexperienced Miami side playing just their first season in MLS. The club signed a host of largely unknown players to form their first ever team but have lost their opening two games by narrow margins.

As a result, Beckham sees Silva as a player who could help his youngsters over the coming months, once football returns following the coronavirus suspension.

Silva will end a trophy-laden 10-year stay at City when his contract expires in June The former England captain also believes the Spaniard is the sort of figurehead who could excite Miami’s hispanic community and continue their impressive support so far.

Back in December it was reported in The Sun that Silva was close to agreeing a move to Miami and become their first big name signing.

However, the latest reports suggest a move to the US is still some distance away but Miami remain hopeful of convincing him to join the club.

SATURDAY MARCH 21, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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Saturday, March 21, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Secondus on the Buhari Government “The facts are indisputable that President Buhari-led APC administration has woefully failed the people of Nigeria. No segment of our nationhood is in good shape as we speak.“ – The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, bemoaning the state of Nigeria.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

The Truth President Buhari Must Be Told

F

ellow Nigerians, as much as I tried to resist the temptation of offering any advice whatsoever to President Muhammadu Buhari, let me apologise, that because of the recent global crisis that the world faces I will have to do a volte face. It is therefore with a heavy heart that I confess that I’m unable to keep the promise I made recently that I won’t bother about our dear President again.

Anyone who’s been following my column would have noticed the copious letters I wrote to our President in the last four years. This was based on the discussion we had when he invited me to his office in 2015. I had promised to keep him on his toes like I did to President Goodluck Jonathan before him and he seemed to have acquiesced and pleased by my selfless offer. At that time, he had told me that he was an avid reader of newspapers and that he ensured he followed what was happening in the country using the newspapers as the barometer for assessing his performance. I was assured and felt confident that this was a President who would regularly feel the pulse of the nation, and it was on this basis that I began to offer him my advice through letters written in my column. I was convinced that we had definitely made a wise and necessary choice in March 2015 and I was personally pleased that I had personally gone out on a limb, in my own small way, to ensure the election of Mr President. But how the times have changed.

President Buhari has twice been the beneficiary of being returned to what I refer to as the most powerful seat in the world. On the first occasion, in 2015 there was no doubt at all as he was much loved. In 2019, the jury seems to be out as to how he got back to this most powerful of seats. Clearly, it can be said that on any view, he acquired power for a second time, as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution.

What is certain is that he no longer needs to engage in such finesse and diplomatese as was demonstrated in the early halcyon days of 2015 again. He is not also likely to contest again, unless the fifth columnists are right and he seeks an extension or a further time by whatever means, and so President Buhari can afford to behave or misbehave anyhow as he pleases him to do.

The malaise seems to have afflicted his cronies and acolytes. It is with a tinge of sadness that I observe the present trend that as for his handlers and supporters, Buhari can do no wrong. He should not be disturbed or challenged in any way and on any matter whatsoever in his gilded cage. To them, Buhari is our Alpha and Omega, a Messiah who has come to liberate us from our sins of commission and omission, give us salvation from the so-called pits of hell that the PDP had wittingly or unwittingly consigned us to in their frenzied looting spree, and we must therefore accept him as our Lord and saviour. But I vehemently disagree with this unfortunate, useless and reckless hagiography that is already turning our country upside down and tearing us all apart, especially in this time of great turmoil.

I wish to save President Buhari from his own skin. For a man whose age is nearer 80 than 70, I’m sure he is familiar with the English word sycophancy. That word is so contagious and worse than the CORONA virus contagion that we are witnessing its ravaging effects on political, social on economic life of all countries in the world. Sycophancy has destroyed many leaders and continues to wreak havoc on its unwary victims. I have no doubt that all the

Buhari people genuflecting like lizards around the Aso Rock Presidential villa today will disappear immediately power moves to someone else in 2023, or whenever it pleases God to bestow power on another Nigerian mortal. President Buhari should therefore not allow himself to be scammed by the town criers who pretend to love him more than his own immediate family, or even himself, as some of these journeymen merchants of power are wont to assure him to achieve their own nefarious ends. Please, mark my word, the time will definitely come, whatever the machinations of these false apostles.

The reason for my sermon today is simple. I read reports in the past couple of days that the Presidency had attacked the Nigerian Senate for asking the President to surface, from whatever boudoir he may have been ensconced in, to address, convince and reassure the nation that he is in command and control of the CORONA virus brouhaha and the attendant panic it is now causing in Nigeria. Buhari’s personal staff are so touchy over any criticism of the President’s actions or inactions, his sluggishness or laggardness, his lethargy or malingering in addressing issues of national or international importance. They often forget that when they felt that it was necessary, they wheeled the President out, asked him to summon the strength and stamina to campaign, albeit tiredly and less vigorously than required, when he needed votes in February 2019. The President made certain promises both in 2015 and 2019, most of which he has failed to keep since attaining power on both occasions. Nigerians are resigned to their fate and are apparently just waiting for the game of musical chairs to resume and for the President to be startled and astonished, wake up from his slumber and realise that he no longer has a seat! One promise the President never made to Nigerians, and one which even we, his fawning public would never have tolerated in 2015, not to mention now, is that there would come a time when he would tell Nigerians that he would abdicate power and authority to some proxies or cronies, or that he will become so incommunicado once elections are over, that we would sometimes wonder about his state of health. That is the position we almost find ourselves today, and it is the position that his sidekicks and blind followers seek to justify. This is tragic. It is unfair to treat Nigerians like orphans. We hoped for much more, expected greater and

deserve much better.

Since Buhari returned to power in 2019, his demeanour has changed even more. And it is as if there is now all the time to waste. Aso Rock Presidential Villa has become a palace where the subjects come to pay homage and obeisance and pledge obedience to HE who is on the throne, who must be worshipped and obeyed. Nigeria does not merit or require an Emperor or absolute monarch at this time that we are confronted by all manner of challenges, afflictions and difficulties. What our country desperately needs is a sober, disciplined and competent leadership and not a ceremonial or titular head. We deserve full time attention to affairs of state, but more time is being wasted on receiving an endless retinue of political jobbers and party warriors. Professional visitors of all hues and shades are busy being invited to or gate-crashing our sacred sanctuary of power and our Emperor is busy fiddling and entertaining them while the country literarily is consumed by an inferno. While the urgent needs of State are studiously ignored and the country bleeds to death, the President is busy intervening in petty squabbles and being the headmaster whipping recalcitrant students into line for failing to tuck in their shirts or supporting his helmsman.

Nothing has further embarrassed us in recent times than the outbreak of CORONA virus and our vapid, tepid and uncoordinated response to it. While world leaders daily go into mental gymnastics and sweat profusely on and off television to fashion out short, medium and long term solutions to a scourge that is causing pandemonium in the world, whilst at the same time reassuring their people that the best is being done for them, we are being told our leader does not have to talk to us. The insolence and insult are simply outrageous, and I say a big No to this. There is no one better or necessary to speak to us than the head of the house in the days of trials and tribulations. I am even prepared to concede that on health grounds, the President may be excused from this tedious chore. I’m also happy to admit that he may not have a good enough grasp of the issues at stake and might be embarrassed to be shown up for his lack of knowledge and clarity for the finer niceties in combatting a pandemic virulent disease, that has got the whole world practically gasping for breath.

But it is unpardonable that the President will totally ignore a man as modern, cerebral, diligent and conscientious as his own Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN and instead ask the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Boss Mustapha, to handle what is a global crisis.

With all due respect to Mr Mustapha, I believe that Professor Yemi Osinbajo commands the status, standing, capacity, intelligence, capability and craftsmanship not only to understand and undertake such a powerful assignment but also to coordinate and proffer solutions specifically adaptable to the Nigerian terrain.

What we cannot have at this time is the cut and paste approach presently being adopted by the Presidential task force. There is a knee jerk reaction to all that is happening around us akin to a macabre kpalongo dance where the protagonists do not know where they are coming from or where they are headed.

There are only two reasons why Professor Osinbajo is seemingly being side-lined. The first is the politics of 2023 and the second is the unforgiveable feeling that he will upstage the President by once again delivering a stellar performance in governance. Nobody knows what will happen in 2023, and I really don’t

care for now, but we are all concerned about what is presently happening around us. As for upstaging the President, had this not been so tragic it would have been just plain laughable.

Unless, and until, the President’s men get it, that the Presidency is a two man team, with both members of the team having their own strengths which are meant to complement each other, no progress will be made in Nigeria, and certainly none will be made in the fight against COVID-19. No one is interested in the petty squabbles ongoing in Aso Rock, they only pull us down, but we expect everyone to rise above the pettiness of political rivalries and embrace a new camaraderie for a common purpose which is the battle against the spread of COVID-19 in our country.

On a more serious note, only the President can sign executive orders like most countries are doing at this tragic moment. There is no visible harmonised action like we have seen elsewhere. All the relevant Ministers and State Governors should have been assembled under the central command of our Vice President.

It is not remarkable to us that the only ray of hope shone when the National Economic Council headed by the VP met yesterday and immediately charted a course that the Presidential Task Force had found practically impossible. I believe that this is a situation where all hands must be on deck. Even members of the opposition should be invited to offer their own advice, logistics and support, like we saw in South Africa. Nigeria is not owned

by APC and there is no reason to claim a monopoly of wisdom.

Our social fabric, economy and health are already dangling precariously and dangerously on the cliff edge. We are on the precipice of a grave evil. We need an authoritative voice to reassure us, break things down in a convincing language and direct us on the right path. There are huge sacrifices required to be made by all. I feel we must ensure that our financial institutions play their part by reducing interest rates, giving moratoriums on mortgages and lending to small businesses who will need the support as customers dry up. The government itself needs to demonstrate that it is not about money making for the country’s coffers but providing palliatives that would assist the common man. The recent reduction of the price of PMS is a joke. It is simply too little.

Nothing has been done to other petroleum products like diesel and kerosene when the international price of crude has tumbled by almost 200%. We must be able to convince the wealthy that it is time to sacrifice and prop up the common man, and that even the common man must feel some pain including the strict enforcement of social distancing through the closure of most if not all places where people congregate in significant numbers of more than 10 and the banning of inter-state travel.

The position of Nigeria and our population would suggest that we cannot afford to lock out our own citizens by closing all airports and imprisoning citizens of other countries by not allowing them to leave as is being suggested by some naive government functionaries.

The time to act and pass the mantle on to an astute visionary leader and commanding presence is now. Let the Vice President take the helm as Deputy Chairman, with the President as the notional Chairman of the reconstituted task force on this damaging and debilitating COVID-19. The Government must not fail, because that will mean all of us have failed.

We shall continue to pray for our dear beloved country...

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