SATURDAY 1ST MAY 2021

First Bank: Adeduntan Resumes, Assures Depositors, Shareholders of Stability Declares bank’s operations unhampered Obinna Chima Following his restatement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Adesola Adeduntan yesterday officially returned to his position as the Managing

Director/Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited.

The bank, in a statement signed by its Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake

Ani-Mumuney, confirmed Adeduntan’s resumption, stating further that the bank has accepted the board changes effected by the CBN. The CBN had last Thursday removed all directors of First

Bank Nigeria Limited and those of its parent company, FBN Holdings Plc to stave off a boardroom crisis that led to the short-lived retirement of Adeduntan, on Wednesday. The CBN

Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, subsequently announced the reinstatement of the bank’s CEO. The bank, in a statement issued to announce the resumption of Adeduntan,

reassured depositors and shareholders of the safety of their funds and investment.

The statement said: “Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has since Continued on page 5

COVID-19: NAFDAC Approves Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for Emergency Use… Page 6 Saturday 1 May, 2021 Vol 26. No 9512

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Masari: The North is Not Afraid of Restructuring Only justice, fairness to all can keep Nigeria as one country, states Katsina governor

Francis Sardauna in Katsina Katsina State governor and Chairman North-west

Governors' Forum, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari has dismissed insinuations that northerners are not favourably

disposed to the persistent clamour for the restructuring of the country.

He said it was important for

Nigerians, particularly those spearheading the affairs of political offices to discuss the way and manner the country

would be restructured to promote fairness and equitable allocation of both human and natural resources for the good

of all.

Masari, who spoke in an Continued on page 5

Amid Unending Killings, Buhari Mulls Fresh Strategy at Security Meeting Says FG determined to decisively end assault on nation In 3 months, bandits kill 323 in Kaduna State; Boko Haram attacks Yunusari LG of Yobe State Deji Elumoye in Abuja and John Shiklam in Kaduna Amid deteriorating security across the country, caused by Boko Haram, bandits and other terrorists, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday convened a meeting of the National Security Council at the State House, Abuja, to fashion out new strategies to stem the unending killings.

The meeting is coming less than 24 hours after Boko Haram intensified their assault on the country by attacking Kanamma, headquarters of Yunusari Local Government Council of Yobe, State, barely a week after they invaded Geidam and displaced over 6,000 residents.

It also emerged yesterday that 323 persons had been killed while 949 others were Continued on page 5

TACKLING INSECURITY...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongonu; Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, during the National Security Council meeting at the State House, Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

IG Overhauls South-east’s Security, Appoints New CP for Anambra…Page 6

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NBS to Ngige: You Lied, Our Unemployment Statistics Accurate James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), yesterday accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, of distorting facts and casting aspersion on the credibility of the employment statistics they produced.

Yesterday, the Minister had through the verified official twitter handle of the ministry, alleged that the country's employment data might be inaccurate, particularly the methodology used in arriving at the figures.

He stated further that the World Bank had also queried

the methodology adopted as it does not conform with global standards, especially that of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Ngige tweeted: "There has been a little confusion as to the accuracy of data generated by the NBS. So, we want to align everything tomorrow.

The World Bank says the NBS methodology doesn’t conform with the global standard, especially the ILO format of arriving at such Employment Index.”

Ngige had on Wednesday, while receiving the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management

in his office in Abuja, first restated his position that the NBS’ methodology for unemployment data was faulty.

But the Statistician General of the Federation/Chief Executive, NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale, in his reply faulted the claim Ngige made in his statement,

pointing out that the Bretton Woods Institution, as well as the Economic Advisory Committee had variously affirmed their "confidence, commendation, support and close working relationship with the NBS on its publications."

fairness and equity, as well as responsible and good leadership could make Nigeria remain as one indivisible entity, saying "unless we start to see ourselves as one body and that can only be achieved where there is devolution."

He, however, explained that the nomadic cattle rearing and open grazing systems "must change" in order to checkmate the prevailing herdsmen and farmers' clashes and meet the present demands and prepare for the future.

He noted that his administration was working with the federal government

throught the federal Ministries of Agriculture and Finance to raise N12 billion to develop ranches in Rugu forest and parts of Funtua and Daura zones to tackle the age-long nomadic system of rearing cattle.

Consequently, he urged his colleagues from other states to key into the federal government proposed ranching system to tame what he christened endless roaming about of cattle and herders in the country.

He called on the federal government to empower state governments to carry out

the ranching system, adding that "If the states and local governments are properly empowered, I am sure a lot of progress would be made because people live in states and local governments."

He said: "The issue of animals wandering endlessly without control, grazing without properly mapped grazing routes should be over.

All these must end. How can I support open grazing? We are talking about a controlled situation where there will be proper records, good breeds of cattle, proper processing of milk and the meat."

Continued on page 44

MASARI: THE NORTH IS NOT AFRAID OF RESTRUCTURING exclusive interview with THISDAY recently, noted that it was false and misleading to say that prominent politicians in the region were against the restructuring of Africa’s most populous country.

He said: "Who said the North is not interested in restructuring? You see, there have being different definitions of restructuring. I think the North believed that there should be devolution and in devolving you know many things are going to come with it. So, the North is not afraid of restructuring.

"Individuals have their

own views and it is part of the freedom of speech and expression. What I am telling you, I know, is more than my own personal opinion because even from the Northern Governors' Forum, there is unanimity on the issue of devolution, so the extent is what has to be worked out."

The governor reiterated that the devolution of power would avert the duplication of federal, state and local governments' efforts in terms of infrastructural development and enhance centralisation of activities in all tiers of government.

According to Masari, "We need to make government, especially at the local government and state levels more functional, and this can only be done through proper allocation of resources and responsibilities."

He said if the country was devolved realistically, governors would be "the chief security officers" of their respective states as was done under the First Republic in order to pave the way for them to provide adequate security to the citizenry, which he said, was in dire need in the country.

He added that only

FIRST BANK: ADEDUNTAN RESUMES, ASSURES DEPOSITORS, SHAREHOLDERS OF STABILITY resumed work as CEO in line with the directives of the CBN. We can confirm that the bank is cooperating with the CBN and other regulators while the operations of the bank are not hampered or hindered in any way and are in fact running smoothly.

“We further wish to reassure the public, our esteemed customers and stakeholders in the words of the Governor of the CBN in concluding his press conference, ‘The CBN hereby reassures the depositors, creditors and other stakeholders of the bank of its commitment to ensuring the stability of the financial system. There is therefore no cause for panic amongst the banking public, given that the actions being taken are meant to strengthen the bank and position it as a banking industry giant.’”

Emefiele last Thursday explained that the CBN begged the board members of First Bank severally not to remove Adeduntan but the pleas were

ignored.

He said: “This decision (to remove Adeduntan) came to us as a surprise. This bank has been under regulatory forbearance intervention since 2016.”

The CBN boss stressed that given the apex bank’s regulatory intervention and forbearance regime, it felt that if there was any misconduct on the part of Adeduntan, he should have been queried.

He said the CBN should have been informed and the apex bank should have been a party to such an action to punish Adeduntan.

“We were not informed of any misconduct, neither were we informed of any query,” the CBN’s helmsman stated.

Emefiele noted that indeed, the CBN had been satisfied working with Adeduntan on a stabilisation regime for First Bank since 2016.

He said Adeduntan had played his role to the best of CBN’s knowledge and the

best that could be done of a professional banker.

The CBN boss went further to state that Adeduntan had insisted on best governance being put in place, adding that the apex bank had the suspicion that Adeduntan was removed because he took decisions that did not favour major shareholders Last Thursday, Emefiele announced the appointment of a former Minister of State for Finance and former Executive Director of First Bank, Mr. Remi Babalola, as chairman of FBN Holdings. He took over from Mr. Oba Otudeko who was sacked by the banking sector regulator.

Other new directors on the FBN Holdings’ board are Fatade Oluwole, Kofo Dosekun, Remi Lasaki, Alimi Abdulrasaq, Ahmed Modibbo, Khalifa Imam and Peter Aliogo.

Mr. UK Eke retained his position as Managing Director of FBN Holdings.

First Bank Nigeria Limited’s new Chairman is Tunde

Hassan-Odukale, who replaced Mrs. Ibukun Awosika.

Other board members are Tokunbo Martins, Uche Nwokedi, Adekunle Sonola, Isioma Ogodazi, Ebenezer Olufowose, Ishaya Elijah B. Dodo and Adeduntan. Gbenga Shobo, deputy managing director; and Remi Oni and Abdullahi Ibrahim, executive directors, are members of the reconstituted board.

Emefiele told journalists that with the changes, the bank must assume its leadership position in the industry, adding that the central bank would be looking into allegations of insider abuse in the bank and would ensure that corporate governance was restored.

According to him, the CBN will insist on proper re-capitalisation of the bank to restore its capital adequacy ratio.

He stated that the CBN took the action because it considered itself a stakeholder in management changes involving First Bank due to

AMID UNENDING KILLINGS, BUHARI MULLS FRESH STRATEGY AT SECURITY MEETING kidnapped by bandits in in our communities."

Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo In 3 Months, Bandits the last three months across Monguno stated that Amoo; and the acting Inspector Kill 323 in Kaduna Kaduna State.

President Buhari's concern General of Police, Usman Baba. State The National Security about the persisting security Adviser (NSA) to the President, challenges in parts of the Boko Haram Attacks The Kaduna State Government Major-General Babagana country was the reason he Yunusari LG of Yobe yesterday disclosed that 323 Monguno (rtd), in a statement called the crucial meeting State persons were killed while after the meeting, stressed the yesterday, as he continues to readiness of President Buhari to decisively end all forms of security challenges facing the nation.

The NSA also stated that the Council would reconvene next Tuesday to conclude all discussions on how to end the security assault on the country.

He said: "While the criminals continue to test the will of the Nigerian government, the President and the Council, which adjourned today's critical meeting until Tuesday morning to receive further briefings from the Security Chiefs, are set and determined to decisively end the assault on the nation and will do all that it takes."

He emphasised the readiness of the President to take profound measures in the wider interest of the people and the Nigerian nation, adding that "there shall be no relenting until peace and security is significantly restored

frontally confront the situation in the country.

He said: "At today's meeting, the President made it abundantly clear that while the insurgents, bandits and criminals are still at it, he has no doubt that the Nigerian security agencies and all of us as a nation will certainly overcome all the current security problems and defeat the forces of evil marauding about in different parts of the country."

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (retd.); and Monguno attended the meeting.

Others at the meeting were Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff; Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu; Chief of Air

Meanwhile, Boko Haram intensified their assault on the country by attacking Kanamma, headquarters of Yunusari Local Government of Yobe, State, barely a week after they invaded Geidam and displaced over 6,000 residents.

Spokesman of the Yobe State Police Command, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim confirmed the attack.

Abdulkarim said: “As a matter of fact, Boko Haram insurgents attacked an outskirt of Kanamma on Thursday night, unfortunately, we have lost contact with our people there due to the absence of a mobile network in the area.

We will update you when we reach out to them."

A local source further revealed that upon hearing gunshots around the military base, the residents fled to the bush for safety.

949 others were kidnapped by bandits in the last three months across Kaduna State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan stated this yesterday while presenting a report on the security situation in the state at a security meeting which held at the Government House, Kaduna.

Aruwan also said 64 bandits were neutralised by troops while several gunrunners were arrested during the same period.

According to the commissioner, “The report covers banditry, kidnapping, cattle-rustling, attacks, and reprisal attacks.

"The report also includes the aerial missions conducted over identified bandit hideouts and locations across the state, during which multiple scores of bandits were engaged and neutralised, with their camps destroyed.”

the forbearance and its close monitoring of the bank over the last five years.

The CBN boss stated that FBN was one of the systemically important banks in the Nigerian banking sector given its historical significance, balance sheet size, large customer base and high level of interconnectedness with other financial service providers, amongst others.

“By our last assessment, FBN has over 31 million customers, with deposit base of N4.2 trillion, shareholders’ funds of N618 billion and NIBSS instant payment processing capacity of 22 per cent of the industry,” Emefiele said.

He added, “To us at the CBN, not only is it imperative to protect the minority shareholders that have no voice to air their views, also important, is the protection of the over 31 million customers of the bank who see FBN as a safe haven for their hardearned savings.”

He observed that the

bank maintained healthy operations up until 2016 financial year when the CBN’s target examination revealed that the bank was in grave financial condition with its capital adequacy ratio and non-performing loans ratio substantially breaching acceptable prudential standards.

Emefiele said the problems at the bank were attributable to bad credit decisions, significant and non-performing insider loans and poor corporate governance practices.

He said the shareholders of the bank and FBN Holding Plc also lacked the capacity to recapitalise the bank to minimum requirements, adding that these conclusions arose from various entreaties by the CBN to them to recapitalise.

Emefiele said the CBN stepped in to stabilise the bank in its quest to maintain financial stability, especially given FBN’s systemic importance.

Giving statistics of the killings, he said, “Deaths linked to banditry, violent attacks, communal clashes and reprisals in the first quarter totaled 323 across the state,”adding that 20 of them were women and 11 were minors.

He said, “Out of the 323 citizens killed, 292 were males. All the 236 of the deaths occurred in Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, Giwa and Kajuru LGAs.” According to him, “Birnin Gwari recorded the highest figure of 77 deaths, followed

by Chikun with 52, Igabi 45, Giwa 42, Kajuru 20 deaths, in the first quarter.

"Southern Kaduna Senatorial District had 68 deaths in total, of which five were women and two below the age of 18.

"Kajuru had 28 deaths, followed by Zangon Kataf with 14 and Kagarko with 12 "And the Northern Senatorial Zone is the least affected with 19 people killed, and Zaria has the highest casualty of six.”

He said 64 bandits were neutralised during engagements with ground forces.

The commissioner said, “Scores of bandits were neutralised via about 150 targeted aerial missions conducted by the Nigerian Airforce.

“These missions were initiated based on credible intelligence of bandit activity and locations of camps, which were targeted and destroyed.”

He said further that “Several gunrunners have been intercepted and arrested with arms and ammunition recovered in the first quarter.

Thirty six AK47 Rifles, 1959 rounds of live ammunition and one rocket propelled grenade were recovered.”

He said, investigations were ongoing towards dismantling more gun-running networks and block arms routes into the state as these are central to the perpetuation of violence and banditry.

The state government expressed empathy towards individuals and groups who have suffered terrible losses and untold hardship as a result of violence and insecurity, adding that efforts were being intensified towards ensuring lasting peace and security across the state.

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NEWS

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

COVID 19: NAFDAC Approves Pfizer-BionTech Vaccine for Emergency Use Festus Akanbi

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday approved Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, at a press briefing at its headquarters in Lagos.

She clarified that the approval given was not a full one, pointing out however that it would be in effect within the period of getting people vaccinated and gathering data about the adverse effects following immunisation.

Adeyeye also revealed that the agency relied on a more mature

regulatory body for its approval, adding that NAFDAC was at liberty to review its stance since the World Health Organisation (WHO) had given emergency use listing.

She said, “The purpose of the press briefing is to announce that NAFDAC has just approved Pfizer-BionTech vaccines for possible use in Nigeria.

“They were reviewed carefully by the NAFDAC staff COVID-19 vaccine committee to make sure that the science behind the development is well understood and in accord with our world regulatory activities.

“We used different mechanisms to approve the vaccine.

We used reliance, meaning that a more mature regulatory agency

IG Overhauls South-east Security, Appoints New CP for Anambra Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, yesterday began the overhauling of the South-east police structure with the appointment of Mr. Chris Owolabi as the Anambra State Police Commissioner.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said the deployment of the new CP was part of the ongoing efforts at “re-ordering, overhauling and strengthening” the security and policing architecture in Anambra State and other states of the South-east and South-south geo-political zones of the country.

Police formations in the zones had recently become the target of armed groups, leading to the destruction of the Imo State Police Command and the killing of police personnel in Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi and other states.

The statement said the shakeup was “designed to improve the operational efficiency of the commands and enhance public safety and security.”

CP Chris Owolabi takes over from CP Monday Bala Kuryas, who was redeployed to the Anti-fraud section of the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos.

In the same vein, the Acting IG ordered the posting of other strategic and tactical commanders within the zones. Two Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), 14Assistant Commissioners of Police and other mid-level officers were also affected.

The IG charged the new CommissionerofPoliceinAnambraStatetotake adequate measures in consolidating and improving on the gains of his predecessor. He further charged the CP “to rejig the security apparatus of the state, harness the full potential of the command, its workforce, assets and stakeholders

in advancing the collective safety of all citizens.” The IG equally enjoined the people of South-east and South-south zones to cooperate with the police and other security agencies to enable them succeed in the responsibilities of safeguarding them and the commonwealth of the nation.

Meanwhile, Federal Capital Territory Command has launched an operation against the use of unauthorised covered number plates and tinted vehicles.

A statement by the command said the operation had become “extremely necessary due to the recent security threat analysis conducted by the Joint Team which reveals that criminal syndicates now execute their nefarious activities using tinted vehicles with covered number plates.”

There have been palpable fears of possible infiltration of the nation’s capital by criminal elements, following the alarm raised by Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, that fighters of Boko Haram had taken over 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag.

He had warned that Abuja was only a two-hour drive from the state and was within reach of the insurgents.

The command in a statement issued by the Spokesperson, ASP Mariam Yusuf, said the FCT Joint Security Team chaired by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Ciroma, “warned residents using unauthorised covered number plates and tinted vehicles within the FCT to desist as violators will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

The CP implored residents to cooperate with security agencies and report all suspicious movements to the police through following numbers: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883 or 112

COVID-19: 55 New Cases Recorded Nigeria recorded 55 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, taking the number of confirmed cases to 165,110 with 155,102 discharged and 2063 deaths.

across the globe, we can use that as a basis for our review.

“We will get the assessment report, know the peculiarity there, then our COVID-19 committee will get to do their job.”

NAFDAC had earlier ap-

proved AstraZeneca vaccine for use in Nigeria.

Nigeria commenced its vaccination programme against the novel Coronavirus last month with 3.924m doses of AstraZeneca vaccine doses.

According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, over one million doses of the vaccine have so far been administered across the country in the first phase of the vaccination programme.

Over 160,000 Covid infections and more than 2,000 associated deaths have been recorded in the country in the last one year, according to statistics by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

SOLIDIFYING ENGINEERING.…

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Bwari Branch Abuja, Mrs. Halimat Adediran, President NSE, Alhaji Babagana Mohammed, and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, during the NSE 2021 annual lecture in Abuja... Yesterday

Planes in Maiden Flight Land in Newly Opened Anambra Airport Obiano: Airport most audacious of my projects David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË Three aircraft landed at the newly constructed Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, yesterday, laying to rest controversies about the state of the airport project.

Two of the aircraft in the fleet of Air Peace Airlines landed at exactly 2:24p.m. and 2:44p.m. respectively while the third, a private jet owned by chairman of Nest Oil, Mr. Ernest Obiejesi, landed at 3:30p.m., amidst

jubilation.

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano while speaking at the test landing of aircraft at the airport, described it as the most audacious of his projects, adding that the project began in January 2020, and was completed at exactly 15 months.

He said: “Our brother, Allen Onyema volunteered the aircraft for this air landing test at no cost to us.

“We waited patiently for this day and it is sunrise in Anambra State today. The airport is the

FAAC Letter: NNPC Not Bankrupt, Says Corporation Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday maintained that its recent letter to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, stating its inability to contribute to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in May was not a sign of bankruptcy.

The national oil company clarified that the revenue projection contained in the letter to the Accountant General being cited in the media pertains only to the federation revenue stream being managed by the corporation and not a reflection of the overall financial performance of the NNPC. A press release by the corporation’s spokesman, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the explanation had become necessary in the light of media reports

insinuating that the corporation was in dire financial straits.

NNPC insisted that it was conscious of its role and is doing everything possible to shore up revenues and support the federation at all times.

“The shortfall will be remedied by the corporation as it relates only to the federation revenue stream being managed by the NNPC and does not reflect the overall financial performance of the corporation.

“The NNPC remains in positive financial trajectory for the period in question,” the release stated.

The corporation pledged to continue to pursue and observe its cost optimisation process with a view to maximising remittances to the federation account.

It noted that the correspondence was leaked by those it described as unscrupulous elements, stressing that it had nothing to do with the corporation’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Onyema: Largest aircraft in the world can land here most audacious project and the most remarkable too of all my projects.

“We worked on this airport during the pandemic, and we rose above the gloom and doom of COVID-19 to build this airport in 15 months. The most interesting thing for me is that Anambra did not borrow a Kobo to build it,” Obiano said.

Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Allen Onyema who was a lone passenger in one of his aircraft, which touched

down at the airport at exactly 2:24p.m., expressed joy at the commencement of flight at the airport.

He said, “I shed tears when I landed here because many didn’t believe that this day will come.

“Many people condemned me when I talked about the pace of work here. I thank the federal government for the approval of this airport and the test landing.

It is the fastest approval that has ever been made, and I believe this is because of the quality of work.

Insecurity: Atiku, Obi Say Nigeria Needs Leadership, Political Will Chuks Okocha ÓØ ÌßÔË Former Vice President and the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate in the 2019 general election, Peter Obi, have said that what Nigeria needed most to overcome the present state of insecurity in the country was leadership and political will.

Both made their views in separate fora on how to surmount the state on insecurity in Nigeria.

Atiku who took to his verified tweeter handle said the challenges currently facing Nigeria were enormous but surmountable.

According to Atiku, “Yes, the challenges we face are enormous.

But they are surmountable. What we need is the leadership and the will to do what is right for our country and its people.”

He said that it was with political sagacity and the right attitude that could drive investors’ confidence to tackle poverty and unemployment in the country.

He said, “But for as long as we do not address this

worsening state of insecurity, the investments needed to lift our nation out of its current abyss shall continue to elude us, unemployment will worsen, and poverty rife.”

Also, former Governor of Anambra State, Obi, has advised Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliations, to join hands in tackling the challenges facing the country.

Obi who ran for Vice President in the 2019 general elections listed the challenges as insecurity, poverty, and unemployment.

According to him, Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state, adding that the downward spiral should not be allowed to continue.

“All Nigerians, irrespective of party and other affiliations, should immediately join hands to tackle the specter of insecurity, poverty, and unemployment that are now ruling and ruining our dear country. We are fast becoming a failed state.

“We cannot allow the downward spiral to continue.

The government should also urgently seek foreign help,” he said on Twitter.

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NEWS Drug Trafficker Excretes N360m Cocaine at Lagos Airport Michael Olugbode ÓØ ÌßÔË

FACTS BEHIND DBN’S FIGURES . . .

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Development Bank of Nigeria, DBN, Tony Okpanachi; Executive Director, Ijeoma Ozulumba; Chairman, DBN Board of Directors, Dr. Shehu Yahaya and representative of AfDB/EIB, Emmanuel Akinwunmi at the recently held AGM of the Bank in Abuja.

Amotekun Arrests 45 NorthernYouths, Allegedly for Military Training in Ondo James Sowole ÓØ ÕßÜÏ Tension gripped residents of Okitipupa ,the headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, following arrest of no fewer than 45 youths from the Northern part of the country by men of the Ondo State Security Network, the Amotekun.

The youths loaded in a truck, were said have been intercepted in front of the Okitipupa Army

Barracks at about 10p.m. on Thursday and were taken to Akure, the state capital.

Many residents of the town were said to have gathered at the scene expressing apprehension that the Northern youths were in the town to causes havoc.

A source said, “The Amotekun corps arrested the Fulani youths who were loaded in a trailer in front of the army barracks. As the Amotekun corps accosted them, some of them jumped down from

the vehicle and ran away into the town but about 45 of them were arrested.

“When they were interrogated, they said they were sent from the North to come and undergo military training in the barracks.

After that, the Amotekun corps took them away from the town.”

When contacted, the state Commander of the corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the arrest, saying investigation had commenced.

“We have commenced investigation into the matter,” Adeleye said.

Reacting, the chairman, Okitipupa Local Government, Mr. Igbekele Akinrinwa who addressed the people at the scene of the incident, alleged that it was an indigene of the town that facilitated the travellers trip to the town.

Akinrinwa said the person had also been apprehended by the state Amotekun.

Again Herdsmen Kill 5 in Benue State as Ortom Chides Presidency George Okoh ÓØ ËÕßÜÎÓ Five people were yesterday killed by suspected Fulani militia herdsmen in four different villages in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State in the early morning attack.

This is as the Benue State Government has described as reckless and insensitive a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu where he was quoted as saying President Muhammadu Buhari had expressed “his disappointment and sadness to hear Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents

in the state.”

According to a local source, five dead bodies had been recovered by security agencies, including a pregnant woman rescued alive with severe gunshot injuries and many still missing.

He gave the names of those killed in Tse Gbuusu in TyoughAtee/Njaha Council ward as Zegeor Ugbakyaa (Male 70yrs) and Igber Ahungur (male 75yrs) .

Shagbaor Vershima (male 45yrs) was killed at Onmbaagbu Village also in TyoughAtee/Njaha ward, Halem Ayeeye (female 65yrs) was killed at Tse Tûgh Village also in TyoughAtee/Njaha Council ward and Avindigh Agîr (male 41yrs) was killed at mbatyough in Saghev/Ukusu Council ward.

“Mrs. Nancy Tyobee (pregnant woman 30yrs) from Tse

Tanyaregh, Iior Shundan (Male 70yrs) from Onmbaagbu Village and Kwatakpa Kwaghbee (female 60yrs) both from TyoughAtee/ Njaha Council ward of GwerWest Local Government Area are currently receiving treatment for their varying degrees of gunshot injuries by the attackers,” he lamented.

He said Shagbaor Vershima had already been buried by his family in his Onmbaagbu Village, while the rest of the corpses had been deposited at the General hospital Naka.

Security agents are currently on patrol in the danger areas According to a release by Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, Shehu was referring to Governor Ortom’s clarion call on the President to

act decisively and in an unbiased manner to end the spate of killings

by Fulani herdsmen in Benue and other parts of the country.

He said, “We are convinced that Mr. President was not aware that his aide Shehu made such a statement on his behalf. It is clear that the media aide didn’t speak for the President in the said statement.

President Buhari wouldn’t have given approval for such a reckless and insensitive press release.”

Akase asked what was wrong with Governor Ortom’s call on the President to address the nation, convene a national security summit and declare a state of emergency on security, following the spate of killings taking place in Benue and the remaining states of the federation?

Bandits Kill 2, Kidnap Niger Lawmaker’s Mother Laleye Dipo ÓØ ÓØØË The mother of the one of longest serving members of the Niger State house of Assembly, Alhaji Bello Ahmed Agwara, has been kidnapped.

The 78-year-old Hajia Salamatu Ahmadu was abducted at about 9p.m. on Thursday night when some heavily armed gunmen riding on four motorcycles raided the country home of the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) member in Agwara town.

This is coming on the heels of the killing of two people and kidnap of several others at Tegina in the Rafi local government also on Thursday.

According to eyewitnesses the bandits were armed with different types of weapons, among them AK-47.

Immediately they stormed the town they started shooting sporadically making members of the community to scamper for safety.

In the confusion it was learnt

that the bandits went straight into the private residence of the lawmaker and whisked away his mother and some other villagers to an unknown destination.

The bandits also reportedly rustled some cattle.

The eyewitness said the shells picked from the community after the operation were so many and some experts claimed “even the Nigerian Army did not have those types of bullets.”

A very senior official of the state House of Assembly who

did not want his name in the press when contacted confirmed the story.

“We have gone to his house in Minna to commiserate with him,” the official told THISDAY. It was learnt that the bandits had already made contact with the legislator during which they asked for N100m ransom before the woman would be released.

All efforts to contact Alhaji Bello was abortive as he was not picking his calls or responding to text messages.

A 47-year-old drug trafficker, Chigbogu Obiora has excreted 97 wraps of cocaine after his arrest and being placed under observation by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA,) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos.

The street value of the drugs weighing 1.55 kilogrammes is put at N360 million.

A statement yesterday by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi disclosed that Obiora was arrested at about 1:16p.m. on Sunday 25th April, 2021 during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline.

Babafemi said Obiora had arrived Lagos on board the airline from Entebbe, Uganda via Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Commander, MMIA Command of the anti-drug law enforcement agency, Ahmadu Garba, speaking on the arrest said: “Obiora was intercepted in the E-arrival hall of the airport by the operatives of NDLEA on

the suspicion that he ingested drug substance.

The suspect was taken for body machine scan and the result was positive for ingestion of substance suspected to be illicit drug. The suspect was promptly moved to the NDLEA excretion/observation facility.”

He disclosed that barely an hour after he was arrested, Obiora excreted 31 wraps of cocaine weighing 500 grammes and another 47 wraps (750 grammes) in the evening of same day while 19 warps (300 grammes) were excreted the following day, Monday 26th April, bringing the total to 97 wraps, that is, 1.55 kilogrammes.

He said under interrogation, Obiora claimed he was promised $1,500 if he successfully trafficked the drug and that he opted for the ‘deal’ because he needed money.

He was quoted to have said: “I did it so that I will be capable of feeding my family. I was living in Madagascar but due to the COVID-19 and the lockdown in the country, I couldn’t go back to my place of work.

Igbo’s in US Berate South-east Govs over Region’s Insecurity Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ The Igbo Union, an umbrella body of Igbo communities and cultural associations in the United States of America (USA), has condemned what it described as “South-east governors tacit disposition in handling spate of insecurity, banditry, terrorism in Igbo land.”

The Diaspora group maintained it was displeased with the South-east governors for not being active towards the protection of lives and property of their people.

The Union, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Chief Ike Orji; the Secretary-General, Mr. Matthew Ohanele and others sent to THISDAY yesterday, stated that the South-east governors failed to heed to suggestions from various groups in tackling the rising insecurity in the region.

It endorsed the Eastern Security Network (ESN) urging the governors in the region to desist from contemplating the use of military force against

their people but to evolve ways to partner ESN to eradicate killings in the zone.

The group bemoaned the Southeast Governors Forum on their incompetence to promptly treat the letter the association purportedly wrote in June and August 2020, on the need for a security network to protect the South-east geo-political zone against rampaging Fulani herdsmen.

“To date, the governors neither responded to the letter nor did anything to guarantee the security and safety of Igbo lives and property but curiously, a few weeks ago, came up with a phony trojan horse code-named Ebube Agu,” it alleged.

The group expressed regret that, while the federal government paid ransoms and were busy negotiating with the terrorists, Igbo men and women who lost their lives, crops, property, raped and sexually assaulted were left to cater for themselves”, adding that such lame and naive approach by the governors only emboldened the murderers and killers.

HURIWA Wants Youth Trust Fund Implemented President Muhammadu Buhari has been charged to ensure the coming into effect of Youths Trust Fund as it would constitute the best empowerment and strengthen plans which seek to interface the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with a view to protecting corps members in service of their fatherland.

A rights body, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) made the charge and asked the President not to relent as it would ensure adequate security for deployed corps members in any part of the country A statement by HURIWA said it is aware that the NYSC, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army

had a good working partnership to jointly activate proactive mechanisms to prevent the occurrences of any kinds of security threats that will put the lives of our youths at risk.

“This is a very patriotic step that must be commended by all and sundry and to encourage these partners to ensure that their good intentions are consistently met. HURIWA has called on all citizens to work for national peace and dialogue because war has no solution to our challenges as a developing society. “ (HURIWA) has resolved to write to the President of Nigeria and the National Assembly to activate mechanisms to legally bring into existence the NYSC Youth Trust Fund as envisaged and articulated.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

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MAY 1, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

INDIA’S COVID-19 CATASTROPHE India’s calamity holds lessons for developing nations, writes Rajendra Aneja

I

t is ironic that India, which produces around 60 percent of the global vaccines, is facing a horrendous second wave of Covid-19. It is starved of vaccines, oxygen, ventilators, ICU beds, etc. Indian Covid-19 cases have augmented from about 100,000 daily in end-2020 to about 350,000 daily now.

The health infrastructure is crumbling. Patients are dying in prestigious hospitals due to lack of oxygen. There are chilling pictures of patients lying in the hospital corridors, relatives of patients begging and borrowing oxygen cylinders and mass cremations and burials. Between 2,500 to 3,000 people are dying daily. Many crematoriums are short of firewood to burn dead bodies.

The USA, UK, UAE, Singapore are air-lifting oxygen, vaccines and ventilators to India. What transformed the “pharmacracy of the world”, into the global “hotspot of Covid-19”, literally overnight? How can the fifth largest global economy gasp for oxygen? What lessons can countries in Africa and Asia learn from the Indian debacle?

Strong Leadership: The Prime Minister should take charge of the Covid-19 crisis, establishing an All-Party War Room and managing it 24x7. The management of Covid-19, cannot be left to pious prayers or chance. It requires proactive management.

Prepare Worst Case Scenarios: India became casual, when the Covid-19 numbers dipped in early 2021. Covid-19 requires a war-like mindset. What will happen if cases in India spiral to 500,000 or a million per day? People could die in vast numbers. Countries should plan resources for the worst-case scenarios, even as they hope for the best.

Build Vaccine Buffers: Vaccinations had to be halted in many towns in India, due to shortages. India should have built a buffer of vaccines, before commencing inoculations or exporting the vaccines to 70 countries. From 1st May, India will inoculate the age group above 18 years. The country has 36.3 percent, translating to 500 million people in the age range of 19 to 44 years. Thus, India needs a billion doses for this age group. However, most vaccination centres do not have vaccines today. So, how will India source a billion jabs in the next few weeks?

Vaccination 24/7: Vaccinations are the only way, to arrest the spread of Covid-19. They should continue at a furious pace. India has been lackadaisical in vaccinations. India gloated that it has vaccinated 138 million people in 15 weeks. Devoid of hyperbole, India has vaccinated just 10.1 percent of its population with one jab and only 1.6 percent with both the jabs. Pathetic. At this rate, India will need 15.6 years to vaccinate its population. Absolute numbers are irrelevant; the percentage of population vaccinated is important. India must replace stances, with substance.

Free Jabs for All: India is announcing free jabs, as a munificent favour to its citizens. Bizarre. Unless the pandemic is controlled, the country is frozen. Smart nations will even pay their populations to get vaccinated, to reignite their economies. Vans, health workers on motor-cycles, foot soldier health workers, should visit slums and villages to vaccinate people. Shopping malls, university compounds, parking lots, etc., should be deployed to accelerate vaccinations.

Postpone Elections: All elections should be postponed to 2022. No public rallies should be permitted. Many leaders in India, including the Prime Minister, battled elections in the states, instead of Covid-19.

Production Boost: Production of vaccines, oxygen, Remdesivir,

syringes, etc., should be augmented on a war-footing. Lifesaving drugs are being sold in the black market in India. The USA has deployed war laws to boost the production of vaccines. Developing countries need to do the same.

Clear Global vaccines: Vaccines cleared by WHO, USA and UK, should be approved immediately by governments. There is no need to haggle prices when people are dying. Developing countries should produce vaccines locally, through third-party manufacturing agreements.

Basket of Vaccines: Countries should source a basket of vaccines, rather than limit to one or two brands. In large populated countries like India, Nigeria, Egypt, the Johnson vaccine would be ideal, for it requires just one jab.

Night Curfews: If the disease spreads, cities with more than 500,000 population, should have night curfews. Whilst some lockdowns are imminent under these circumstances, they should be humane. Food, medicines should be available.

Ban Gatherings: Large religious gatherings should be banned for the next six months. In India, pilgrims flocked in millions, at the Kumbh Mela Festival, for a dip in the Ganges river. Cases spiralled. The festival should have been postponed. Attendance at marriages, celebrations, etc., should be restricted to 20 guests. Ideally, couples should get married in civil courts and celebrate when Covid-19 is harnessed.

Decentralise: Control on distribution and sales of the vaccines should be decentralised. The vaccine tap should not be controlled by a few persons in the central government. Large institutions, private and public, which have clinics and doctors should inoculate their own employees. Railways and airlines are large institutions with their own medical panels. They should vaccinate their staff. Similarly, large private companies like Colgate, Unilever, Nestle, etc., should source vaccines and inoculate employees and families. This will reduce the pressure on governments.

Incentivise People: Health departments should introduce vaccination contests, with daily targets for health workers, hospitals, and states.

There should be generous financial rewards and recognitions for those who achieve vaccination targets.

Intensify Research: Scientists and pharma companies should research simpler forms of protecting people from Covid-19. Scientists in Cuba are conducting trials with a nasal spray vaccine. Pharma companies need to research whether oral forms of vaccination are feasible, like the polio drop, so that people do not have to visit hospitals for the jab.

Urgent research is also needed into the new double mutant variant of COVID-19, B.1.617, which is ravaging India. It should be controlled, before it claims more lives and cripples the economy.

Eschew Arrogance: India’s catastrophic plight is due to becoming overconfident, thinking it had kicked Covid-19, insouciance led by the leadership of the country and rotten planning and distribution of the vaccine and oxygen. Developing countries should avoid the state of hubris, in which India had descended.

INDIA’S CATASTROPHIC PLIGHT IS DUE TO BECOMING OVERCONFIDENT, THINKING IT HAD KICKED COVID-19, INSOUCIANCE LED BY THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COUNTRY AND ROTTEN PLANNING AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINE AND OXYGEN

Aneja was the Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania.

He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and the author of books entitled, “Rural Marketing across Countries and ‘Business Express’. He is a Management Consultant

BETWEEN DSS AND REGIONAL SEPARATISTS

Manzo Reuben writes that regional groups constitute major hindrances to peaceful coexistence

R

epeated warnings by the DSS to “persons and groups” whose utterances and activities persistently constitute provocative disruptions of the ethno-religious environment and threaten harmonious co-existence of the majority common folks of this country, were beginning to sound monotonous and unconvincing until “guilty conscience” forced the prime suspects out of their deceptive demeanor. Lingering questions about “who” or “which” persons and groups the security agency was referring to were promptly vaporized in the heated rhetorical outbursts of the nation’s prominent geo-ethnic agitators –Afenifere, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Ohaneze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

It then dawned on all that indeed these were the “persons and groups” that have “continued to resort to inciting, unguarded and divisive statements, acts and to pit citizens against one another in order to apparently inflame the embers of tribal and religious discord,” as the DSS charged in one of its warnings.

Interestingly, none of these prime suspects in the exploitation of “some fault lines to cause ethno-religious violence in some parts of the country” could categorically distance itself from the treacherous and subversive activities detected by the security agency. They chorused a common conviction that the DSS “knows” those responsible, differing only in the respective directions of their accusing fingers. While Afenifere retorted “these people know those who are responsible for these acts but can’t touch them because of their connections”, PANDEV rehashed its grouse about “many people feeling alienated” and ACF feigned ignorance, asking “who are the people? Since the DSS knows them and their satanic mission, they should be

proactive in dealing with them.” The NEF sounded unconvinced with “If there are people pushing the country into deeper crisis and they are known; they should be treated according to the law.”

You don’t have to be a spook to know what the DSS knows about each and all of these flag bearers of geo-ethnic politics in Nigeria or to understand why they all “know” that DSS knows them yet they insist on passing the buck outside their cliques.

The truth is that these champions of ethnic politics know of no better solution to Nigeria’s myriad problems than for their sectional enclaves and chiefs to lord it over the rest of the country as rulers, not leaders! So desperate and unscrupulous are they in pursuing their inordinate ambitions that they absurdly and frequently agitate for “break-up” of Nigeria.

Ambition-powered mind games intoxicate their geographical consciousness to reduce all it takes to excising the territorial contours of their enclaves with the frenzied ease of cutting their portion of the remaining crumbs of the proverbial national cake. But, for the land-locked ACF/NEF agitators and their Afenifere antagonists, the only way out of a broken up Nigeria is to cascade down a mega sink hole, if their myopic maneuvers are not to lead to a suicidal breaking into neighboring Benin and Niger republics, currently hosting herds of gunmen, turbaned terrorists and ISWAP insurgents on border patrol.

The Ohaneze and Pan Niger Delta chieftains’ historical incompatibility remains a contemporary political conundrum posing even more treacherous logistic challenges to breaking up, either collectively or severally, none of which can compare or compete with the militant ambitions of Biafran belligerents or

entrenched mangrove swamp marauders as deadly deterrents to any empire building plots in the area.

Simply put, breaking up or out of Nigeria as an ultimate political panacea or consolatory opportunity to achieve inordinate ambitions of persons or groups restlessly undermining aspirations of majority wazo-bia Nigerian commoners for enduring peaceful coexistence, is easier said than done.

These regional groups actually constitute major hindrances to the steady attainment of unity and peaceful coexistence that Nigeria has been laboring for since flag independence. For as long as they continue to parade the political terrain as ethnic champions, for so long will they regard Nigeria as an entitlement for their ethnic stake in the population, to be claimed or seized and, if all else fails, deconstructed and disowned as a “failed state.” Whenever they meet the agenda is not for Nigeria’s progress and development, unless its leadership is firmly in their grasp, otherwise it is all about heckling and jostling around with barely concealed determination to deploy the notorious Nigerian Ph.D, pull-him-down syndrome against the incumbent “non-indigene” President. Whether its ACF, Afenifere, Ohaneze, PANDEV or Northern Elders Forum, their existence and activities will always be antithetical to Nigeria’s quest for unity, peace and development.

Another undeniable indictment of these regional separatists is that they are all self-styled political pressure groups masquerading as representatives of various ethnic groups. From their membership, it is plain to see that they consist of ex-this-ex-that and motley groups of their hangers-on and other political prospectors who share the handicap of lacking genuine and verifiable mandate of those

they claim to be “fighting” for.

Ironically, this political deficiency gives them the impetus to come together, desperate to remain relevant in a democratic system run entirely by elected representatives through registered political parties with legislative and executive institutions constitutionally established to dispense good governance and dividends of democracy. The geo-ethnic groups only have a nasty nuisance value in our democratic setting as they persist in acts of mischief, sabotage, blackmail and subversion, all brazenly intended to “make Nigeria ungovernable” as they often threaten and attempt, so that, perchance, they can regain political relevance if not control. That is why their frequent clandestine meetings trigger security alerts!

With such predator-politicians lurking around the parameters of power with dubious intent of undermining an elected government just because they are not involved, it is beyond reasonable doubt that there must be a convergence of interest linking their overt activities and the covert criminality of kidnappers, insurgents, armed robbers, bandits and allied terrorists, combined to make Nigeria ungovernable. Double jeopardy aptly describes the predicament of the Buhari Administration having to contend with such array of formidable foes unleashing incessant assaults on national security in a time of unprecedented economic adversity.

To that extent, there can only be two groups of politicians: those who are positively participating in the democratic dispensation as partners in moving the nation forward against all odds and those who are negatively engaged in sowing seeds of discord and disorder to destabilize the country. By their utterances and activities, we all know them!

Reuben is a youth leader in Lokoja

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MAY 1, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

What’s the way out?

Sustainable Solutions to Stressful Living in Lagos

L

agos is currently the most populous city in Nigeria, second in Africa after Cairo and 18th in the world. It is a South-Western Nigerian State located on latitude 60 22’N and 60 2’N, and longitude 20 42’E and 32 2’E. The city shares boundaries with the Atlantic Ocean in the south; Ogun State in the north east; and Republic of Benin in the west; and has a landmass of 3,577km2.

Its history dates back to 5th century as home to Awori subgroup of the Yoruba Kingdom. The name Lagos, coined from the Portuguese word “Lago” meaning “Lake” was bestowed on the city by Portuguese sojourners. Created on 27th May, 1967, by virtue of States Decree No. 14, the state initially functioned as the Federal Capital of Nigeria before it was relocated to Abuja. Currently, it has 20 Local Government Areas (LGAS) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAS).

With a GDP of over 90 billion dollars, Lagos accounts for 30% of Nigerian GDP. If the state stands as a country, it is Africa’s 7th largest economy and second biggest in West Africa after Nigeria. As at 1960, the population was almost one million. Now, it has skyrocketed to over 20 million and accounts for 10% of Nigerian population. The mega city has been the financial capital of Nigeria for decades with multivariate economic opportunities resulting in continuous influx of people to the state and overcrowding. Persistent uprisings in the country, particularly in the North have also displaced lot of people and hosts of them keep fleeing to Lagos for refuge and greener pastures. In fact, most habitants of the state are economic migrants from other states in Nigeria and West Africa. Thus Lagosians have heterogeneous cultural background.

There’s hardly a Nigerian tribe and West African country without person(s) residing in Lagos.

The population structure is made up of 80% work force and generally growing at a rate of 3.34% amidst a small landmass consequently leading to high stressful living for inhabitants of the state. Stressful Living in this discourse means mental tension and worry caused by problems emanating from residing in Lagos. Out of all challenges causing the stressful living in Lagos, traffic congestion and environmental pollution take huge toll on the health of the inhabitants and have correlation with increasing mortality. They are silent killers that need to be urgently curbed. Ample workers leave home as early as 4:30am and get back 10pm in the night. An average worker spends four hours in traffic daily and 84 hours monthly minus weekends.

Lagosians don’t have access to clean fresh air. A 2019 study by World Bank titled “Cost of air pollution in Lagos,” revealed that exposure to air pollution was responsible for various illnesses and 11,200 premature deaths in the year 2018. Children under five were

the most affected and accounted for 60% of the total deaths in the state. The study further buttressed that the cost of mortality and morbidity due to air pollution is estimated at $2.1 billion, or 0.5% of Nigeria’s GDP, representing about 2.1% of Lagos State’s GDP in the same year. Generally, main pollutants in the city are particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide. However the principal sources of pollution are fumes from millions of vehicles in the state, big industrial emissions, generators and smokes from waste burnings.

Though the Lagos State Government spends several billions of naira annually on land reclamation especially on the Island, construction of new roads, urban renewal, fixing of dilapidated roads, construction of flyovers, industrial pollution assessments, environmental monitoring and sanitation; all to ease the stressful living and improve the standard of living for Lagosians. These strides haven’t yielded tangible results due to the population growth and influx of people. For instance, the incumbent Governor alone has constructed 51 roads and rehabilitated 632 in two years. Without an iota of doubt, the best solutions are decongestion and depollution. The former literally means to relieve the city from overcrowding while the latter means to eliminate, clean up, or decrease pollution.

Bright Chukwuca Samson, brightsamson37@ gmail.com

Time to Join the Tinubu Presidency Train

I

t’s almost becoming a reality that the rein of power and authority of our dear nation would move to the southern part of the country come 2023. Thanks to the patriotic zeal and display of statesmanship by our northern brothers, especially the political class. They’ve realized that to protect and safeguard the fragile unity, togetherness and oneness of this country, that’s the safest and best thing to do. Provident will reward them accordingly for this unique display of maturity. With the expected northern concession, keen observers of the nation’s political space would not be groping in darkness, with respect to the particular segment in the south where the pendulum would spring.

The South/South is constitutionally and technically out of it. Dr Goodluck Jonathan, an ex-president of that geo-political stock, just handed over power to the incumbent president.

That region would therefore have to wait till the time when other segments of the south would have had their turns. The South/East that ordinarily should be in good stead to lay claim to the crown come 2023 have not justified why Nigerians should repose confidence in them. For the purpose of emphasis, the people of the south east have not displayed the needed commitment and loyalty to ensuring the oneness, togetherness and indivisible status of this country. As I write, there are vociferous voices in support of Biafran Republic in the nooks and crannies of the zone.

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI 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: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

It’s therefore incumbent on our Ndigbo brothers to put their house in order, by checking those unnecessary and destructive agitations that would always subject Igbo to suspicion by other zones in Nigeria. It’s after this unfortunate exercise would have been carried out that they could aspire to lead the country. After all, Nigeria belongs to all of us, as we all have inalienable and unfettered rights to aspire to lead her, but things must be done in orderly and responsible way.

The center piece of this write-up is therefore to implore and encourage the good people of Niger Delta and our south east brothers on the need to present a formidable and indivisible southern front to the northern aristocrats and political class that has graciously conceded the 2023 presidency to us by rallying and mobilizing support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is indisputably the candidate of the south west. And the appropriate time to do this is now. Why must it be now? This is the time the soup has already been placed on fire. This is the time that various groups - political, sociocultural, women, youths groups across the nation have chosen to endorse the candidacy of APC national leader. This is also the time governors, even within the opposition parties have clandestinely elected to identify with Tinubu presidency bid. This is the time that the endorsement is gathering momentum. This is therefore the right time political class and leaders of thought in the South/south, as well as South/ east should come out to openly identify with the project. If they chose any other time, the train would have moved and endorsement would have become meaningless and inconsequential.

Endorsing Bola Tinubu now for 2023 presidency would also firmly place them on the driver seat, as they automatically become a major stakeholders in the project. As major stakeholders, they would be in good stead to co-direct the direction of the project.

The stakeholders’ status would equally afford them opportunity to sit down one on one with Tinubu to negotiate what exactly they want in his government.

They could boldly enter into agreement with him, with respect to what they desire in his Federal Executive Committee, The composition of National Assembly Leadership, their involvement in MDAs, projects they would like Tinubu to execute in the regions, and of course, restructuring of the country.

More importantly, they could also agree with him now on the imperative of his maximum support and cooperation for their presidency bid after his tenure might have expires. Politics is a game of tact and diplomacy. The most strategic player gets the larger cake.

Kola Amzat, FCA, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ MAY 1, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Anthonieta ta Kalunta lunta ta

I’m Always Working Towards a Better Version of Myself Whenever Anthonieta Kalunta’s name p pops p up, p her central role as Aisha, in Desmond Ovbiagele’ g s criticallyy acclaimed movie, “The Milkmaid,” readilyy comes to mind. In the moving g drama, Aisha and Zainab are Fulani sisters taken hostage g byy the extremist group g p that kidnapped pp more than 250 schoolgirls g in 2014 from the town of Chibok. Aisha, a milkmaid, escaped p abduction from terrorists, onlyy to return to them in a bid to rescue her yyounger g sister, Zainab. The first-timer and Theatre/Performing g Arts g graduate talks to Ferdinand Ekechukwu about her acting debut, experience on set of the movie, the character, Aisha, and more

C

ongratulations on the success of your performance on The Milkmaid. How have you been?

I’ve been great. Thank you

You are now widely talked about for your role in The Milkmaid, following your heroic depiction of Aisha which won hearts.

Interestingly this is your screen acting debut. Take us through the process/offer that birthed your character in this movie?

In 2018, after I had graduated and was now waiting the call-up letter for NYSC. A lecturer in my department called me to inform me that some filmmakers were looking for an actress and she thinks I should try it out. I got in touch with director Desmond Ovbiagele, and then I was asked to audition in Taraba.

I travelled for the audition and to my shock and pleasure I got casted to play the lead role.

What was the experience on set?

The experience was exhilarating. I was working with the best of the best in the industry, alongside some very talented actors.

But most importantly, we were telling a beautiful story that delves into salient issues, so I was simply happy to be a part of it.

For a first time actress, lead role can be quite challenging how did you overcome it?

Well, I’ve played the lead role for stage productions many times and although they are different, I believe my stage background prepared me for screen in many ways. But in order to transit effectively, I studied and built myself for it. I had to read and listen to stories about survivors of insurgency in order to try to understand what they go through. And for the most part, in order to become that rural girl, I had to simply observe the girls in the community. Observe from videos.

Has your goal always been acting and entertainment?

Absolutely. Since I was 13, I wanted to be an actress. When it was time to go to the University, I applied for Theatre and Performing Arts and got the admission. A little over four years later, The Milkmaidd came knocking. I believe it to be Fate.

Is there any difference between Anthonieta and Aisha in terms of character traits and was there daunts playing that role?

Well I’d say a straight up yes. Anthonieta is different from Aisha in so many ways that range from their temperaments to the kinds of decisions each is capable of making. I don’t think I view anything about playing Aisha as challenging but I’d tell you that this project was physically tasking and portraying emotions.

Has there been any offers to you for movie roles? Are we seeing you soon on the big screen?

Of course there have been offers. And about seeing me on the big screen, you definitely will. I live there now. LOL Tell us about your background…

Uhm... My father is from Abia and mother from Imo state. I was born in Zaria, Kaduna state. I attained primary to secondary school there. I also earned a degree in Theatre and Performing Arts still in Zaria. During my years in the university, I started to build myself in acting and presenting; fields I currently work in now.

The Milkmaid story is based closely on the activities of insurgents in northeastern Nigeria (especially abduction of young girls) and you growing up in that part of the country and then been coincidentally tasked to play that role, how do you feel?

For me, I was glad this story was being told. So that people,

Anthonieta detached from this reality; who unlike me, haven’t heard about these things closely may now at the very least know what these victims face. And one thing playing this role taught me is that I and those around equally have our parts to play in ensuring that there is proper reintegration for victims of insurgency.

Any awards and recognitions?

I’ve had many recognitions from Ynaija, Pulse Nigeria, Bella Naija, Net entertainment and a host of others. All of which I’m thankful for. I also got my fi first academy nominaation from the just concluded AMAA Awards.

Aside acting, what are your other interests?

I have a whole lot of other interests but my baby, after acting, is presenting. At various points I’ve worked as a presenter for both radio and TV stations and I’d say it’s something I’m great at.

What scares you the most as a human?

Hmmm. I think that would be ‘not being able to give

back to the community that raised me.

Who is Anthonieta? Tell us your likes and dislikes; your hobbies; turn on, turn offs; phobia, your favourite food, favourite colour, and things like that…

Anthonieta is a vibrant young girl interested in arts, social issues and human development. I like to eat out, hang out with friends and family and read crime novels. When around new people or unfamiliar faces, I’m really shy and may be perceived as introverted. I have a dislike, and it’s simple, beans. I dislike beans. Uhm. My favourite colour is lemon green. My favourite food is white rice and stew (can never go wrong). I like to be around goal oriented people and I’m turned off by things I perceive to be an aberration of values.

What’s the goal for you moving on as an actor/ presenter?

My goal is to ensure that at every point, I’m working towards a better version of myself.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͸͹, 2021

08054699539

Chaos as Boko Haram, Bandits Spread Tentacles

K

ebbi State was the most peaceful in the entire North-west until few days ago when that serenity was shattered by bandits who invaded Sakaba Local Government Area of the state and killed 12 people, including the Divisional Police Officer, SP Jimoh Abdullahi, eight of his men and three local vigilantes. Makuku area of Sakaba was the precise slaughter house when the bandits attacked last Sunday, April 25. The policemen were overwhelmed by the better-equipped attackers.

It was the first time any community in Kebbi State will come under militia attack since the guerrillas commenced their murderous activities.

Seven days after the heinous crime, not even one of the attackers has been apprehended.

So sad! Kebbi State has joined the inglorious club of bandit-ravaged states.

Boko Haram has also, for the first time, berthed in Niger State. They are in Kaure, a community that is about two hours’ drive from Abuja. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello spent most of this week lamenting: “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger State, here in Kaure. I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here, meaning they have taken over the territory. The wives of the villagers have been seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. I just heard that they have placed their flags at Kaure. This is what I have been engaging the federal government on. Unfortunately, it has now gotten to this level. If care is not taken, even Abuja is not safe. We have been saying this for long. All our efforts have been in vain.”

The Niger State Governor is asking for a more coordinated military activity to flush out Boko Haram from Kaure. Where will that come from? The military is already overwhelmed, poorly-equipped and poorly-motivated.

Otherwise, Boko Haram would not be moving deeper and deeper into other states. There is really no formidable force to stop them. That was why the terrorists returned to Geidam town in Yobe State last week, killing and maiming.

The military post in the town simply tipped and there was no help from other formations.

As at press time, the terrorists were firmly in

Attahiru

control of the town.

Boko Haram also reentered Adamawa State nine days ago with an incursion into Kwapre, a village in Hong Local Government Area of the state. Thousands of people were displaced with scores killed. During the attack, so many houses, worship centres, markets and schools were burnt. There were also reports of massive abductions in Kwapre by the guerrillas.

Last Monday, the terrorists attacked Gwoza, Borno State, leaving behind blood, tears and pain. The previous week, they took the battle to an Army Super Camp in Mainok, Borno State, killing an officer and scores of soldiers. The terrorists are manifestly spreading their tentacles to other parts of the North-east and beyond, with ease. Is it that they have more men than our military? This is not true. Boko Haram fighters are not more

in number than Nigerian soldiers. However, they have showed that they are better equipped with better intelligence network. What the terrorists further found out of recent was that the barriers against their expansion did not really exist. They were obviously surprised by the ease with which they could move beyond their current strongholds. That was why they advanced further.

It is shocking to see terrorists move in convoys for several kilometres unchallenged in our towns and villages. So, what has happened to the Directorate of Military Intelligence?

Is the Department of State Security dead?

What about the intelligence departments in the various police commands? It is obvious that intelligence gathering has also collapsed in all security agencies. With the way Boko Haram, Fulani militias and bandits are spreading their tentacles, the entire North may be consumed.

I heard Governor Bello warning that Abuja itself is no longer safe. The Fulani militias and bandits are already in so many southern states, with so many abductions recorded daily.

Has President Muhammadu Buhari suddenly forgotten that he took an oath to protect Nigerians? He has refused to rise and perform his constitutional responsibility of shielding Nigerians. Our security agencies evidently lack the capacity to end Boko Haram’s madness. They lack the capacity to stop Fulani militias, bandits and other terrorists ravaging this country. President Buhari seems unaware that the pain across Nigeria is unbearable. He has refused to act, perhaps, waiting for the whole country to be consumed by terrorists?

My submission on what should be done to stem terrorism has not changed: We must hire the best brains from anywhere in the world to assist our military end this war against Boko Haram, bandits and Fulani militias. The ultimate aim is to decapitate them and bring peace to our country.

The strategy for getting result against these terrorists is obviously largely through aerial power. Technology, quality equipment and quality manpower will be needed. It requires quality fighter jets, quality armoured attack helicopters and quality attack drones. Our

gallant military lacks the competence, manpower and equipment for these. So, this country must hire Israeli or Russian mercenaries to finish these terrorists. This is the only way forward for Nigeria.

Regrettably, Buhari still does not understand the significance of hiring foreign military contractors. Begging him to seek help from abroad has not yielded any result. There is no point continuing with this futility. The other option is to urge the Senate to impeach Buhari.

Unfortunately, senators who believe in this don’t have the number needed to impeach the President. We have a coldblooded (rubber-stamp) National Assembly. This is why this country is in a quagmire. For how long will the slaughtering of Nigerians by terrorists continue? A tough question begging for answer. Nigeria is in a big mess. We are in a “one chance” bus.

On the flip side, Fulani militias are still striking with frightening ease in Kaduna State. They roam freely, enter anywhere they like, kill and cherry-pick those to take away.

That was how, few days back, they attacked Haske Baptist Church in Chikun LG, killing a medical doctor while four other worshippers were abducted. In the same Kaduna State, in a show of sheer callousness, the militias have so far killed five of the students abducted at Greenfield University in cold blood. The terrorists are still holding on to 18 other students, while insisting on N800 million ransom. Just under the first four months of this year alone, 35 persons have been killed while 145 other members of the Baptist Church in Kaduna State alone were kidnapped by the militias. It can only happen in Nigeria.

Opeyemi Bamidele and Federal Character Quagmire The endless lopsidedness in federal appointments by the Buhari government is the major factor stoking agitations for Nigeria’s breakup. This is the truth that must be told.

President Buhari is unperturbed. The more we shout, the more he does it. How do you explain the situation whereby virtually all heads of military and paramilitary agencies are from a section of this country? Why should most of the key federal government departments and agencies be headed by people from a section of this country? This must not continue in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria. Buhari evidently cares less about the unity of this country.

It was heartwarming hearing a key voice from the Senate joining this clamour for the respect of Nigeria’s federal character law. It was the voice of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, cautioning Buhari against further lopsidedness in federal appointments in the country.

During the screening of Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, as Chief Judge of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Bamidele specifically asked the presidency to henceforth adhere strictly to the federal character principles in further appointments to all the arms of government.

He insisted that the provision of Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as altered), as it affects the issue of federal character, must be adhered to at all times: “The need for merit and compliance, in the consideration of citizens for an appointment, including the ones that will come before the Senate for confirmation, must be re-emphasised for the record.

“Adequate care must also be taken to ensure that the federal character principle

Bamidele

established by virtue of the clear provision of the 1999 Constitution is not undermined.

For the avoidance of doubt, the above-cited Constitutional provision clearly states that ‘The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”

Bamidele tasked those who participate in the process of executive and judicial appointments in the country, especially individuals and bodies saddled with the responsibility of making recommendations to the President, to ensure

compliance with both the eligibility criteria and the federal character principle.

He argues that the federal character law was put in the Constitution, “to avoid heating up the polity unnecessarily and eroding the unity and strength of our country and in the process, weakening the foundation of our country as well as the hope of its federating units.”

Bamidele added: “We have an extremely bright and exciting future in one indivisible and indissoluble nation that is propelled by unity in diversity and all hands must be on deck to ensure this aspiration is guided jealously. This shall remain our guiding principle in the 9th Senate under Senator Ahmad Lawan’s watch as we continue to guard jealously the spirit and letters of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which we all swore to protect in the overriding public and national interests.

“May I also add that it is not only morally and politically correct to ensure compliance with Section 14 (3) of our Constitution, establishing the federal character principle. It is in fact, a fundamental obligation imposed on government and all its functionaries as contained in the preceding Section 13 of the said 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered), which unequivocally states that ‘it shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.”

Those around the President, who genuinely believe in the unity of this country, should pass Bamidele’s message across to him. In a multiethnic and multi-religious country like ours, federal appointments must be balanced. This ensures sense of belonging for all.

Kuru

Buhari Should Swiftly Sign Amended AMCON Bill In beloved Nigeria, bank debtors live big and file all sorts of court cases to frustrate repayment. Many of them fly around in private jets while their debts remain unattended to.

More often than not, these borrowers do a lot of diversions of the facilities obtained from the banks. The amended bill of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, passed this week, which empowers the corporation to seize all assets of debtors, whether used as collateral or not for the loan, should address recalcitrance of debtors.

The amended bill empowers AMCON to, amongst others, take possession, manage or sell all properties traced to debtors, whether or not such assets or property are used as security/collateral for obtaining the loans. It also empowers the corporation to access the Special Tribunal, established by the Banking and Finance Act 2020, for dealing with financial matters. Stringent measures are clearly needed to recover loans from unruly debtors. The amended bill would help AMCON recover over N10 trillion with these defaulters.

Buhari’s assent is urgently needed for this bill. The President should do the needful so that AMCON can get down to work.

16

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021

17

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

Elvis Chucks Delights with ‘Slay’ ‘Slay’, a star-studded movie by Elvis Chucks - Nigerian based in South African - shows off fictitious lifestyle. But Netflix pulls it down few days after, following claims of copyright infringement by a Ghanaian songstress. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

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Blaqbonez’s Power of ‘Sex Over Love’ For Blaqbonez, an artiste who unwinds playing games, playing football, and having sex . . . the title ‘Sex Over Love’ for his album which dropped yesterday is not anathema, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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Blaqbonez

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

18

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Ige Premiers Amid Ovations

I

ge, the unlikely oil merchant, is an inspirational story oI ambition and tenacity with a splash oI love which Iollows the wonderIul Mourney oI a young man destined Ior greatness. It tells the childhood and ¶grass to grace’ story oI an oil and gas magnate, Aare Bashir )akorede. Produced by Toyin Abraham, Moyo )akorede and directed by Biodun Stephen, the movie stars Toyin Abraham, Kolawole AMeyemi, Bimbo Ademoye, Adetola AdedimeMi LateeI, BolaMi

Ogunmola, Teddy A, Oyebade Adebimpe, Jaiye Kuti and many other amazing talents.

The movie was premiered at IMAX Cinemas, Lagos during the 0th birthday celebration oI the wiIe oI the Chairman oI Bash Distinct Oil, Mrs Tayo )akorede.

The premier had a lot oI personalities in attendance. They include the wiIe oI the 9ice President, Mrs Dolapo OsinbaMo; Ooni oI IIe, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Toyin Abraham, Bimbo Ademoye, AdedimeMi LateeI, BolaMi Ogunmola

Oyebade Adebimpe and Jaiye Kuti.

Speaking about the movie, Mrs )akorede said: ´The movie is to encourage the youths and teach them that hard work and determination pay and that most successIul people don’t Must wake up in a day and become rich.

There is always a story behind those successes. I have noticed that the youths oI these days are always on the Iast lane, and movie is also a way oI telling them to ‘calm down’. When they watch the movie, they will understand the reason why it’s good to grow in their own pace.µ

Mrs Tayo Fakorede, Aare Bashir Fakorede and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja

Duke of Shomolu Details Culture of Akwa Ibom

Edgar

InÁuential theatre producer, Joseph Edgar also known as The Duke oI Shomolu continues with some superlative engagements despite the pandemic slowing down things in the space. On the back oI the highly successIul ´The Duke has Gone Madµ, which took place at the height oI the second wave oI the pandemic in December and which drew a highly representative crowd oI over 800 people, he is this month dropping one oI the biggest ever staged theatre productions in the Niger Delta this April 30 at the prestigious Ibom Hall in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The play titled Ibiom, written and Directed

by William Benson, is a colorIul and rich story

oI love. It draws inspiration Irom all the ethnic groupings that make up Akwa Ibom to tell a very engaging and exciting story that has been designed to bring out varied emotions Irom the audience.

Edgar in a statement said: ´Ibiom begins to catalogue the dignity oI a proud heritage. Pulling together the very essence oI the People oI Akwa Ibom into a well told story spiced with ornamented dance sequences that spice up the perIormance in a way that would leave audiences in awe.µ The proMect would include a Iree training session Ior Akwa Ibom youths curated by Iamed

ProI Ahmed Yerima, who is the Iormer DG oI The National Theatre. This session, which is in partnership with the Dakada Initiative, would see attendees taken through the very complex sections oI theatre in a contribution to the human capital development drive oI Governor Emmanuel Udom’s administration. The proMect has the Iull endorsement oI theAkwa Ibom State Government with its Commissioner oI Culture and Tourism, Mr Orman Esin playing a very critical role in ensuring its success. The Play is being supported by MTN )oundation, Anchor Insurance, Monty Suites, Ibom Air and many more Corporates and individuals.

Sinach Breaking New Grounds with ‘Greatest Lord’ Worship leader Sinach is currently making waves with her new album, Greatest Lord. It has already surpassed million streams in its Àrst month oI release. Greatest Lord debuted on Apple Music at number 2 in several countries including Nigeria; number 1 in Papua New Guinea and according to Kworb, it has been on the Apple Music chart in Ghana, Uganda, Botswana, Nigeria, Kenya, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South AIrica, Sri Lanka, )iMi,

Barbados, )inland, and more.

It·s also the Àrst time any Nigerian is Ieaturing a high assemblage oI some oI the biggest names in American gospel music such as Darlene Zschech, Leeland, Maranda Curtis, Michael Stampley, Jekalyn Carr and Da’Dra Greathouse.

There were earlier reports that Travis Greene was e[pected on the proMect, but Irom the album’s line up, we observe it didn’t happen.

Greatest Lord is Sinach’s 12th studio

album. She released Àve promotional singles Ior this proMect and the Àrst oI them all was titled Greatest Lord, and it’s close to a million views on YouTube. It is noteworthy that Sinach has been consistently on the scene Ior so many years, and has heaped success upon success. Her Youtube video, Way Maker still remains the 2nd most streamed video Irom Nigeria, and the song itselI became a global hit, with over 70 proIessionally released covers in many languages.

Sinach

Mmzy

My Ascension from Nothing to Something Budding Afrobeats singer, Akachukwu Emmanuel Uche who goes by the stage name, Mmzy recently released his debut EP after he had dazzled the music scene with two singles, “Animal” featuring Seun Kuti and “Dominate”. This EP is the culmination of his musical efforts and defines the singer’s ascendancy from nothing to something of a looming force in the music industry. Mmzy talks to Tosin Clegg about the EP, his journey into music, career at large and much more My music started in Benin Republic tarting music in a country where the entertainment industry is not as big as that oI Nigeria was a tough one Ior me. I was out there but I was in Nigeria, very current with the happenings in the entertainment scene.

I knew every song that was trending in Nigeria. I recorded my Àrst song ´Amoureu[µ over there and promoted it over there. It wasn’t easy because I had no Ànancial support. Amoureu[ is a )rench word that means ¶Loveµ. I recorded the song and shot the video the same year. I promoted the song over there and through some oI the Alaba production outÀts.

It was not easy.

happened.

It was really a rough process in the beginning.

AIter I released my second song, my parents wanted me to go to school. I decided iI I was going to go to school I would be in Lagos to be at the heart oI the entertainment world. I tried University oI Lagos and I got admitted to study )rench while I still pursued my music. While studying I was still pushing my musical career. I was in school when I got my Àrst recorddealwithKerae5ecords.Iwasactuallyworking in a studio while in school.

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I still remember how I got scammed by an Alaba Mi[ outÀt. I met a guy who claimed to be IromAlaba Mix on the Internet, he told me he was into music promotions. He said I should send money that he would promote my song in the Alaba Mix produc-

Mmzy

tions. I had to run around and gather cash and sent to him. At the end oI the day I did not see my song on any Alaba Mix production. I had to travel all the way Irom Benin 5epublic to Nigeria to Ànd out what

My childhood was great Although my parents were not Ànancially stable but they really gave me the best, the best education.

A lot oI ups and downs, but in all, I am grateIul to God and my lovely parents Ior always being there Ior me. My dream has always been to dominate and my desire is also to be a role model to others and to help people in need and also make people happy with my good music.Yeah, prophecy coming to pass.

My New EP is titled ‘Ascent’ It’s all about the little poor boy ´Ascending Irom nothing to a superstarµ. It’s all about believing in your dreams and working towards it. )ans should be expectingnewdopemusicvideos,perIormancesand a lot oI great songs Irom me. ´Ascentµ is a multicultural, multidimensional appealing body oI work that chronicles the struggle oI an average Nigerian youth, trying to make something oI himselI in a country that oͿers nothing to make the way easy Ior him. It is a motivational tonic laden with message to upliIt the spirit oI the beaten but not broken Nigerian youths to rise up and take their destiny in their hands while being grateIul Ior the giIt oI liIe and breath oI another day by the Almighty God. Music is an emotional business I stay Iocused and studied people’s emotions, knowing that music is an emotional business. With the EP, I want to be one oI the voices that speak the truth about the state oI the nation.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

19

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Burna Boy Releases First Song of the Year Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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rammyAward-winning star, Burna Boy, has dropped his Àrst solo single oI 2021, together with its gripping new visual. Titled ‘’Kilometre’’, the song sees a boisterous Burna Boy brag about his talent, wealth, status and achievement. Since its release yesterday, streams and views oI this smashing single have been outstanding with 2 7,000 listens on Audiomack, 26 ,000 views on YouTube, clinching the number one spot on Apple Music’s top 100: Nigeria songs and AIrobeats Global on SpotiIy. ‘’Kilometre’ was produced by Chopstix, who is known Ior his versatility and Áexible style that highlights hip-hop and dancehall, creating hybrid sounds Irom a blend oI diͿerent genres oI music. One oI the most successIul AIrican artistes on the continent and known Ior his indigenousness, Burna runs wild and Iree in this new tune; a song that chronicles his Mourney, detailing how Iar he’s come in his career and so, slaps diͿerent.

Shot in Lagos and directed by the proliÀc Clarence Peters, the art direction oI the visual is Áawlessly synchronized with every pulsating rhythm oI the song, transIorming the Kilometre visual into a racy, exciting piece Iull oI visual eͿects.

With this visual, the multi-award-winning AIro-Iusion artiste tells us everything we need to know about his musical state oI mind, chapter and verse. Unapologetic with this song, Burna Boy raises his game with ‘Kilometre’ making a masterpiece oI this song which is like a balm oI help in tough times that Must makes you Ieel good listening to it.

So Iar this year, Burna Boy whose recent musical achievements include a Grammy in the Best Global Music Album category Ior Twice as Tall and a Best International Act nomination in the Brits awards, Moined Iorces with diverse Iellow artists Ior collaborations; Becky G in ´5otate,µ Ieatured in Pepsi’s global Iootball campaign, ´Music Keeps Us )izzingµ, and most recently, Canadian superstar Justin Bieber in ´Loved by youµ.

‘Kilometre’ which premiered on NewMusicDaily playlist on @AppleMusic saw Burna Boy rendering a brilliant perIormance

Burna Boy

oI his new hit single on The Zane Lowe Show. With ‘Kilometre’, the AIrican giant proves that he is still achieving milestones, exporting Nigerian music to the world and without a doubt an instrumental role player as one oI the outstanding AIrican musicians who continues to shape the new AIrica sound.

Speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple

Music 5adio, Burna Boy says, ´It’s really me talking about how Iar I’ve come, I’ve come a long way. At the same time, Must having Iun with it. When the song drops, start running around, wherever you go.

Just start running around. It doesn’t need an explanation. ´It was Must Iun, really, man. We had a retreat beach house slash Must paradise

place in Ghana where I was working in, and one Must came oͿ. That’s one oI the ones that Must came oͿ Irom that. I actually, took it to the club that day. I actually tried to visit the club back here. We got one.µ He also added: ´I’m deÀnitely planning to drop my next album this year. Especially, at the same time I dropped the last one.

I’m trying to do that as long as I can.µ

Sylverline Onuoha

Budding Humanitarian, Voice of Underprivileged Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ewly crowned ´Miss AIrica America Nationµ 2021, Queen Sylverline Onuoha is pretty excited about her new position which she says gives her a great Moy, especially working under an organization like Miss America Nation that empowers women oI all age, cultural backgrounds and status. She added that being Miss AIrica American Nation has given her a voice to reach a lot oI underprivileged communities both in USA and Nigeria.

Queen Onuoha recently at an historic event in the US emerged winner oI the 2021 edition oI ‘Miss AIrica America Nation’ beauty contest. She was crowned winner oI the competitive contest aIter several critical screenings and reviews on her visionary prospects, especially in areas oI promoting women’s rights through humanitarian activities and campaigns.

´On stage presentation was very intellectually driven. I had to physically and mentally train myselI and body to be prepared Ior the competition,µ she said, recalling the process leading up to her emergence.

A health care worker, the newly crowned Miss AIrica America Nation 2021 is a Nigerian Irom Imo State and she is known to have made several remarkable impacts in areas oI supporting underprivileged children, households and communities in Nigeria, using the Chinancy Helping Hands )oundation, which she established in 2020. ´My Ioundation Chinancy )oundation was established in the year 2020. The inspiration was a result oI the sad Ànancial challenges my nation AIrica pass through, maMorly my country Nigeria. I want to be the change I have always hungered to see in the world,µ she said. Adding that ´With the acquisition oI my status as the newly crowned miss AIrican American Nation, I would try to reach out to so many Iamilies that are Iacing much challenge, and show support to them.µ

Meanwhile, the young, ambitious beauty Queen is also an entrepreneur, who has been honoured with one oI the most reputable awards as ‘MHA )emale Personality oI the Year’

by Mbaise Home and Abroad.

As a budding humanitarian, she is described as a person who has remained diligently committed to helping people in need always. This is not surprising owing to her background which motivates her. ´Actually, I had a very tough start, setbacks and distractions were a weigh down agents, but at a stage in time, I pulled my stocks up and knew that I had to build that real truthIulness in me.

I got up and pursued my dreams. I have a lovely Iamily, we are 8 in number, and the bond in my Iamily played a maMor role in my build up today. I love them all, and God bless them all, she said.µ

Sylverline

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 1, 2021

POLITY

Ondo’s Amotekunand Challenges of Crimes Despite numerous challenges confronting the operations of the Ondo State Security Agency, Amotekun, the outfit is recording successes, reports James Sowole

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onsidering the magnitude of criminal activities being recorded on daily basis in Nigeria, it is clear that the conventional security agencies like police, as presently constituted, cannot tackle the problem. Stories of kidnapping, robberies, destruction of farmlands and crops and violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen are rife. It was in realisation of this fact that it became imperative for the governors of the South-west states of Nigeria, to come up with the Regional Security Network codenamed, Amotekun. Right from onset, the Chairman, South West Governors Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, clarified that the security outfit, was not out to rival the existing conventional security agencies, but to complement their efforts. Of the six states in the geopolitical zone, Ondo State, inaugurated the Amotekun Corps at a colourful ceremony on August 2020.Since inauguration, Ondo Amotekun operatives have recorded many successes through foiling of kidnaps, arrest of armed robbery suspects. One of the successes recorded recently was the arrest of some northerners, for illegal gold mining in Owo Local Government Area of the state. The suspects were immediately handed over to the state police command.

In the area of mediation, theAmotekun corps has met with the state leadership of the MiyettiAllah Cattle BreedersAssociation of Nigeria and the leadership of the Ondo State FarmersAssociation to fashion out ways to end the incessant destruction of farmland by the cows of the herders. In the parley, it was resolved that any farmer whose farms or crops were destroyed by cows would be compensated by the owners of the cows.And since then, it was gathered that there had been compensations for many farmers.

The OndoAmotekun forces have been able to rescue some kidnapped victims. The rescue of the wife of the Chief of Staff to GovernorAkeredolu, Chief OlugbengaAle, who was abducted along Akure/Ondo Expressway in November last year was carried out by Amotekun corps, who worked with some local hunters in the areas.

Within 24 hours of thorough search, the woman was rescued.

Apart from this, many herders had been arrested and over 5,000 cows seized for destroying farmers’ crops in some villages. This has drastically reduced the incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes in the state. The recent order banning open grazing and ejecting herdsmen from the state’s forest reserves byAkeredolu are being enforced by the corps.

However, the forces have recorded injuries from attacks by criminals during operations just as the corps had lost operational vehicle and motorcycles. In early February this year, herdsmen at Sanusi Village, in Owo Local GovernmentArea of the state, set the operational vehicle and motorcycles of the Security agency ablaze and thereafter ran away when the men of the corps visited the village following a distress call.

It was gathered that the distress call was about a fight that ensued between members of the vigilante group and some armed Fulani herdsmen, who allegedly destroyed the farmlands of the farmers in the village. But unfortunately, a farmer and one member of the vigilante group lost their lives in the battle before the men of the

Ondo State Amotekun

Amotekun corps arrived the village.

When the news hit the town that two people were killed while vehicle and motorcycles were burnt by the herdsmen in Sanusi Village, many thought it was members of theAmotekun Corps until the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, MrAdebayoAyeni cleared the air on the incident, saying the two killed were not Amotekun operatives. He however confirmed that the burnt vehicle and the motorcycle belonged to the corps.

Despite these achievements, the corps is still perceived as a lame duck by some people, who believe that it has not been able to stem the tide of kidnapping and banditry in the state, especially in the Northern Senatorial District where kidnapping is almost a daily occurrence.

Since the inception of theAmotekun, last year, many kidnap cases had been recorded and victims freed after ransom.

One of the cases in point is the one involving Mr. Gbenga Ibikunle, who was kidnapped by some Fulani herdsmen for three days along Akure-Owo Expressway. Ibikunle said theAmotekun corps and other security agencies were nowhere to be found at the scene where he was kept by the abductors for three days but released after a ransom of N2 million without any effort from the security agencies to rescue him or apprehend the culprits.

Ibikunle said, “Throughout the horrific experience, we didn’t see anyone of them. I even felt that during the payment, security operatives ought to have laid ambush for the kidnappers as the ransom was paid along the highway. We didn’t come across any policeman

orAmotekun corps or a soldier throughout. The police did not know how I got home until I went to the anti-kidnapping Squad to write a statement the following day.”

The right people are clearly not being recruited into the security agency. Many would love to see local hunters who can use native means to carry out their operations, recruited into the agency.

Asource among the corps also admitted that the security outfit had not been able to perform up to expectations due to certain constraints particularly on the use of firearms and modern equipment to track the location of bandits.

The state Commander of theAmotekun, ChiefAdetunjiAdeleye, listed insufficiency of personnel and equipment to operate as part of the drags of the Corps. He however noted that inspite of that inadequacy, through total commitment and dedication of his personnel, the corps had been recording successes. He added that none of his men had been so far lost or missing in the fight against insecurity in the state.

He said: “You know this is a new organisation. For now, the first major challenge has to do with manpower. Secondly, we want to be better equipped. The state government is trying, stretching itself to sustain us. We give kudos to them but we still want more.And to the Federal Government, we want them to empower us to be able to face the security challenges by providing the same kind of sophisticated weapons that is allowed for other security agencies.”

Sterling Bank’s CEO, Environmental Groups’ Beach Cleanup

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equel to the multi-city beach cleanup exercise initiated by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, members of the initiative’s board of governance, environmental groups, volunteers, and the media flagged off the project at Alpha Beach in Lagos recently.

Speaking at the flag off, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, said the event was a beach adoption initiative that will empower the youths and women in coastal communities. The initiative will also provide alternative source of income for the communities and ensure that the beach gets cleaned every week for the next one year at the minimum.

She added that the project is also aimed at addressing a minimum of seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On how funds were raised for the project, Mrs. Ibekwe said, beyond individuals that donated N500 and above through Giving.ng, the crowdfunding platform of Sterling One Foundation, donations were also received from corporates and other partners on the project. She listed some of the corporates that partnered on the project to include Rite Foods, Sterling Bank Plc and Bonnie Bio. According to her, the platform has successfully raised about N3 million for the project with

L-R: Lanre Olalusi, Head, Creatives and Entertainment Business Financing, Sterling Bank; Taiwo Adewole, Executive Director at Recycle Points; Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation and Akanbi Williams, Director of the International Ocean Institute (IOI-Nigeria) during the flagoff of the multi-city beach cleanup exercise at the Alpha Beach in Lagos.

about N1.3 million contributed by individuals and the balance donated by corporate partners.

Ibekwe said, “We will get human resources from the coastal communities, train and empower them on how to clean beaches in a way that their health and safety are guaranteed while ensuring that the recycling of the waste is done properly. They will also be given the responsibility of cleaning these beaches every week and paid for the next one year. So, we are increasing their capacity and providing them an alternative source of income.

“We are going to replicate it in all coastal cities

across the country after the flag off event. We will start to clean the other beaches one after the other by engaging the coastal communities.”

Also speaking, Mr. Akanbi Williams, a member of the governance board of the multicity Beach Clean Up Project and Director of the International Ocean Institute (IOI-Nigeria) and Chief Research Officer at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research in the Fisheries Resource Department, said it was about creating awareness and carrying out an activity to eliminate some of the problems created by humans along the beaches.

According to him, “Marine litters or marine debris are materials that are processed by man that end up in the sea. Unfortunately, this has been going on for decades, particularly plastics.

We are now seeing the consequences because what we throw at the sea is now being thrown back to us and because it is throwing it back to us, either directly or indirectly, we are feeling the impact.

“The clean-up is to start a process which helps us reduce what we have put in the sea.

We also try to reduce the pressure of the debris on both aquatic life and the whole ecosystem.

The marine debris affects individual organisms, including man, and the ecosystem,” he said.

Taiwo Adewole, who is also a member of the governance board as well as Executive Director of Recycle Points, a waste recycling and social benefit venture based in Lagos, said the initiative will empower the coastal communities and provide input for some of the over 40 recycling companies in Lagos.

The Chief Executive Officer of Bonnie Bio Nigeria, Mr. Lanre Adesida, said the company was proud to partner with the Sterling One Foundation and Nigerians on such a timely and environmentally impactful project due to the environmentally friendly nature of the multicity beach cleanup exercise.

He said his company’s products were made from natural corn and vegetable ingredients with no chemical additives to ensure nontoxicity and allow for complete composting and biodegradability sequel to use.

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 1, 2021

POLITY

Hope for Indigenous Players as House Moves to Amend Cabotage Act The ongoing amendment of the Cabotage Act 2003 by the National Assembly will reposition the nation’s maritime industry and promises a world of opportunities for local industry players, writes Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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ith nearly 900km coastal line and about 10,000km of inland waterways, matched with enormous potentials and opportunities, Nigerian maritime sector is capable of generating at least US$1.6 trillion or about 30 times the nation’s annual oil revenues. This is according to a research by the World Bank.

Sadly, the nation has not been able to harness these potentials to adequately benefit from it.

In this light, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 was enacted to help grow indigenous participation and ownership in the shipping industry. The idea is to reserve commercial transportation within Nigerian coastal and inland waters to vessels flying the Nigerian flag, owned and crewed by Nigerian citizens, and built-in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Act establishes a Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to provide financial support to indigenous operators interested in ship acquisition. These, it was hoped, would stimulate coastal shipping business and local shipping capacity.

But nearly two decades since the Act came into force effectively in 2004, the expected gains are yet to be substantially realised. Despite slight increase in Nigerian participants since the implementation of the Act, the sector is heavily dominated by foreign operators, especially in the areas of vessel ownership and crewing.

The situation has been blamed, among others, on administrative bottlenecks and loose ends in the Act. The world has since moved on since the enactment of the Act and some provisions of the Cabotage Act no longer reflect present realities. These informed several efforts to identify and correct the shortcomings of the Cabotage regime.

Several committees have been set up with a view to reviewing the implementation of the Act in order to further reposition the sector for economic growth. Among them was the Ministerial Committee on the Review of the Cabotage Law set up in 2008.

The main shortcomings/challenges identified are: unknown number of vessels operating on our domestic waters due to refusal by operators to register their vessels in the special Cabotage Register which has resulted in improper planning, poor monitoring of operators and loss of revenue for the government; contrary to the intentions of Section 9, debit notes appear to have replaced the need for waivers – as foreign vessels are allowed to continue their operations on our waters without restrictions prior to obtaining waiver; inadequacy of the waiver review system as provided for under Sections 9–14, which can be linked to the highly centralised process of obtaining permits, have resulted in proliferation of foreign vessels on the waterways; inadequate penalty regime for non-compliance with provisions of the Act; and restrictive use of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

Regrettably, effort by the 8th National Assembly to amend the Act to address the challenges was not consummated, for although it was passed, President Muhammadu Buhari, however did not sign it into law owing to certain concenrns.

Enter the 9th Assembly Nonetheless, the 9th National Assembly, particularly the 9th House of Representatives, is not relenting on the quest to amend the Cabotage Act for national good. This informed the “Bill for an Act to Amend the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, No. 5, 2003 to Restrict the Use of Foreign Vessels in Domestic Coastal and Inland Commercial Activities, to Promote the Development of Indigenous Tonnage and Establish a Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund; and for Related Matters” sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu.

Leading the debate on the Bill, the ranking lawmaker recapped the journey to a better cabotage regime.

“Today, we are presented with another opportunity to make significant stride in our shared vision for a maritime domain capable of driving economic growth.

“I say ‘another’ because this is not the first attempt at this all-important amendment. A bold attempt at this was done in the 8th Assembly. In fact, the amendment Bill was passed, but however failed to receive the assent of Mr. President, citing certain reservations as regards the Cabotage Vessel Financing funds.

“This has been addressed in the Bill, as the fund which is specifically set up to build capacity in the sector has been redirected for intended purpose and not to be distributed for the recurrent expenditure of various Government Agencies.

“The Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020, therefore, aims to address the challenges of the current cabotage regime by adequately and effectively developing and protecting the rights of Nigerians to dominate in the area of commercial transportation of goods and services within Nigeria’s coastal and Inland waterways”, she said.

Jamoh

Ikpeazu

the Principal Act, an infringement of Section 40 (contravention of any provision of this Act, where no specific amount has been previously stated) curently carries a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only). But the Bill proposes an upward review of the penalty sum to N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira Only). These upward reviews reflect prevailing realties and will importantly serve as strong deterrents to breach of the law.

Clause 13 amends Section 42 of the Principal Act by expanding the scope and purpose of the Cabotage Vessel and Financing Fund such that the purpose of the Fund, currently limited to ‘indigenous ship acquisition’, will now also cover ship building, ship repair, and capacity development, thereby opening up access to funding and more avenues for indigenous participation.

It is noteworthy that the Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Highlights of proposed amendments Jamoh, alluded to this need for expansion in 2020 during a public A critical analysis of the Bill shows that Clause 4 of the Bill hearing by the Senate Committees on Local Content, Petroleum introduces a new Section 3B. This new Section 3B (2) expressly Downstream, and Legislative Compliance investigating alleged provides for the delegation of the powers of the Minister to the breach of the Cabotage Act of 2003 and the Local Content Act 2010 administering agency to expedite efficient management of the leading to influx of foreign vessels into Nigeria downstream sector. day-to-day administration of the cabotage system.

“Ship owners shouldn’t wait and be talking only about ship. We Part III of the Principal Act, which provides guidance, to have not less 2,400 vessels coming to the Gulf of Guinea in a year. 70 the Minister, for the application and issuance of waivers to foreign vessels, touches on the day-to-day administration of the per cent of these vessels are coming to the Nigerian shore. Where cabotage regime. A delay in this area, which is unavoidable due do they do bunkering? Certainly not in Nigeria. The bunkering is being taken out by foreign companies or our neighbouring to the extensive portfolio of the Minister generally translates to countries. Secondly where do they repair their vessels? The ship foreign vessels operating unchecked in the guise of waiting for maintenance industry is down. So, the ship owners have to look at approval and the Nigerian people being continuously edged that”, he argued. out of operations on one hand; and on the other hand, loss of Meanwhile, Clause 14 amends Section 44 of the Principal Act by revenue for the government.

Still on the issue of waivers, Clause 6 introduces a new Section directing that Funds be deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria as opposed to the previous practice of depositing with commercial 12B, which provides a timeframe for the approval or refusal banks. This provision promotes probity and accountability, and of an application for waiver. That way, a decision on a waiver safeguards the loss of funds, while effectively bringing the law in application must be reached and communicated to the applicongruence with the Federal Government Treasury Single Account cant between 7 and 14 days. This time limit is very critical to the Policy. effective administration of the Cabotage Act Clause 7, on its part, effectively amends Section 22(5) of the Principal Act by expanding the Act’s coverage with regards to Imperatives of Presidency’s, stakeholders’ cooperation vessels that require registration. This is to ensure that specific Having passed the Second Reading in the House, it is now up vessels carrying out commercial activities within our maritime to the industry stakeholders, the Civil Society, and other interested domain are adequately covered.

Nigerians to step forward with more ideas to strengthen and To this end, the Bill precisely requires the registration of drillprime up the Bill, and ultimately the cabotage regime, with a view ing rigs, mobile off-shore drilling rigs, Seismic survey vessels, to building a more virile, lucrative, and well harnessed maritime Floating production, storage and offloading platforms, amongst sector. And having addressed the concerns of the presidency that other. This will effectively improves the revenue generating lead to the veto of the Cabotage Act Amendment Bill passed by the capacity of the government.

8th National Assembly, it is expected that the Presidency not only Clauses 9, 10, 11 and 12 amends Sections 35, 36, 37 and participates actively in all the process, thereby sharing its concerns 40 of the Principal Act by increasing the penalties for the ab-initio, but also ultimately lends its signature to the Bill when contravention of specific provisions. A good example is the eventually passed by the National Assembly. penalty for contravening Section 21 as stated in Section 35(1)(b) As Hon. Lynda Ikpeazu puts it “A periodic review of the (operating without a licence), which has been increased from Cabotage Act to ensure that it is in tune with current realities, and N15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira Only) to N250,000,000.00 above all, protects the rights of Nigerian operators, has become (Two-Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only). Furthermore, in exceedingly imminent”.

On specifics, she said: “The key objective of this Bill is to amend the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, No. 5, 2003, to promote effective administration of the cabotage regime through the delegation of specific powers of the Minister to the administering agency, i.e. the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; review the current waiver regime to actively limit the participation of foreign owned vessels; expanded coverage with regards to vessels that require registration under the Act; upwardly review of existing penalties for violators of the Act; expansion of the scope of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund; and enshrine clearer accountability channel and protection for funds and revenues generated”.

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 1, 2021

POLITY

L-R: An official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mohammed Yahaya; World Bank Country Director, Shubhan Chaudhuri; Actis Principal, Tolu Sokenu; Special Guest and Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jeddy Agba; Deputy High Commission, United Kingdom, Ben Llewellyn-Jones and Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Saihijo Ahmad during Agba’s visit to Jabi Lake Mall Solar Hybrid Project, Powered by Actis UK in Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja…recently

Solar Energy: Jabi Lake Mall with 106 MSMEs Cuts Energy Bill By 30% As the world embraces the Paris Agreement on Sustainable Development, the 609kwp solar hybrid power plant at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, Nigeria, the first rooftop facility for a Nigerian mall, which was recently inspected by the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba is another example of Nigeria’s pioneering role in clean energy transition. Sunday Ehighiator reports

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he rising cost of electricity in doing business is a major thorn in the flesh of budding entrepreneurs and even already established large scale firms in third world countries. The trend is gradually changing as Actis UK, along with CrossBoundary inaugurated a 609Kwp Solar Hybrid project at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja a year ago. This first of its kind renewable energy for a Nigerian mall, will cut the Mall’s reliance on polluting diesel generators, thereby reducing carbon emissions by over 13,000 tonnes in line with the Paris agreement on SDG. This clean energy is an excellent example of private investments in renewable energy in Nigeria.

Acccording to an outlook statistics by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in March, the cost of electricity accounts for 40 per cent of their production cost, which also accounts for the increase in the price of goods and services. Despite this high cost of electricity, more business firms are daily complaining of the epileptic power supply and the quality of electricity when it is available. According to Mr. Joe Onuoha, a water and beverage producer in Abuja, he would always turn on his diesel-powered generator, away from grid electricity during production to avoid breaking the chain in the event of grid power interruption.

However, 106 Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) owners have seen their electricity bills dropped by 30 per cent at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja.

This was after its manager, Actis UK commissioned a 609 kilowatts peak (kWp) solar hybrid power plant that drastically cut down the reliance on diesel generators and reducing carbon emissions in line with the COP26 Energy Transition Campaign.

The Minister of State for Power on Monday, April 19th, 2021 inspected the Jabi Lake Mall solar hybrid power plant that has powered the facility for 14 months. Commenting on this innovation of Actis, a United Kingdom managed firm, the minister called on investors to urgently replicate this to drive down the energy cost for MSMEs. “Actis is proving that one can cut down energy bills through this project and this should be replicated in other places,” said Jedy-Agba.

Beyond running independent off-grid solar mini-grid, the

minister advised investors to consider the hybrid model like the Jabi Lake Mall where they can partner with the Distribution Companies (DisCos) who have the franchise to integrate solar energy into grid power supply for commercial and industrial facilities.

“The solar hybrid project at Jabi Lake Mall is another example of Nigeria’s pioneering role in clean energy transition,” said JedyAgba.

According to Actis, which is driving the hybrid model with support from the United Nations Special Representative of Secretary-General for Sustainable Energy for All, Ms. Damilola Ogunbiyi, the visit of the minister to the hybrid power plant was for three objectives. It is to showcase large scale sustainable solar energy projects in Nigeria, to highlight private sector investments (Actis) in sustainable buildings and power supply in Nigeria and to recognize world class clean energy projects in Nigeria in line with the Paris Agreement and UKCOP26 Energy Transition Campaign (ETC).

Ogunbiyi, who is also the CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, had stated prior to the visit that the project was a good example of energy transition in Nigeria, to clean and reliable energy.

“This represents a good example of a UK private sector companies like Actis are implementing a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition at scale across the African continent with a particular focus on energy efficiency and renewable, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UK’s COP26 Energy Transition Campaign,” said Ogunbiyi.

Actis Principal, Mr. Tolu Sokenu, who explained the plant’s component during the minister’s visit, said Actis/Jabi Lake Holdings Limited own the 25,000 square metres mall, which is the first of its kind in Abuja, hosting 106 brands that include Shoprite, Game, and Silverbird as well as parking capacity for 733 vehicles.

“Jabi Lake Mall adopted a “green-by- design” approach, guided

by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Sustainability Principles,” said Sokenu.

He also said Actis “is a signatory to the United Nations backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI).”

In Nigeria, Actis has created and managed four assets, delivered over 100,000 square metres of lettable area with over $500 million

asset value. Some of these projects include Heritage Place, Ikoyi and Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja.

Explaining the project components, he said, 1,848 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate 850 megawatts hour (MWh) of electricity annually and has a 15 year Solar Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) between Jabi Mall Development Company Ltd and CrossBoundary Energy, the developer.

It is targeted to reduce carbon emissions by 13,000 tonnes as it is the first solar rooftop facility for a Nigerian mall, cutting the energy bill by 25 to 30 percent, said Sokenu.

On the billing, Sokenu told the minister that the primary focus of the operator was to cut down the energy bill by 30 percent which has been achieved. “The bills of tenants are cheaper as 30% of energy is delivered by the solar plant. When we expand, we could scale up more which will translate to more savings on their energy bills.”

The Business Development Manager, CBE, Ugo Nwankwo, said the Jabi solar power plant had already cut down carbon emission by 413.78 carbon dioxide, equivalent to planting 39,220 trees.

He also said the project, due to its innovativeness, won both the industrial and commercial awards by the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) recently.

Also speaking during the visit, the Deputy High Commission, United Kingdom Ben Llewellyn-Jones, said there was a need for more private sector-led partnerships. Earlier, he had lauded Actis for the project.

“I am delighted that Nigeria is a prominent member of the COP26 Energy Transition Council, which seeks to accelerate the transition to clean power as part of a green economic recovery, through enhanced cooperation,” he said.

The Country Director, World Bank, Shubhan Chaudhuri, urged the replication of the project across similar commercial establishments in Nigeria.

An official of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mohammed Yahaya, also urged the federal government to adopt the Kenyan model which has no regulatory hurdle for developers with other incentives to do more as the excess power is channeled into the national power grid.

Ramadan Feeding Programme of Pious Muslim Women Hamdallat Yusuf

P

ious Muslim Women International Organisation, a faith-based non-governmental organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria has since inception striven to add value to the Nigerian society. The organisation has core mandates of Da’wah, widow empowerment and orphan care through the sponsorship of the education of orphans and an orphanage for children with no family to care for them. Also, during the holy month of Ramadan, Pious Muslim Women International Organisation focuses on extending assistance to the less privileged through the distribution of food items and cash. Many individuals and homes benefit from this programme organised and run by members of the organisation who fund the project primarily from personal means.

Pious Muslim Women International Organisation also hosts Iftar (breaking of fast) every Saturday and Sunday at Tanke, which is the host community for the University of Ilorin.

This makes it easy for students to attend and be impacted by life-changing sermons.

The activities of Pious Muslim Women Organisation draw from the admonition of the Holy Quran to spend out of what Allah has bestowed upon Muslims to bring succour to those who are less privileged. For instance, in Quran 3 verse 92, Allah says “You shall not attain righteousness until you spend out of what you love (in the way of Allah). Allah knows whatever you spend.” Also, in Quran 14 verse 31, Allah says “Tell those of My servants who believe that they should establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided them with, both secretly and openly, before there arrives a day when they will be no bargaining nor any mutual befriending.”

Specifically, since 2015, the organisation has distributed food

items and cash to many communities across Nigeria heeding Allah’s call in Suratul Baqara verse 274 that “those who spend from their wealth [in Allah’s way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly – they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.”

In 2015, N2 million was raised and spent on Ramadan feeding. This initial effort focused on communities in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. By 2018, this fund increased to N5 million and the communities extended to Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States. By 2019, Pious Muslim Women International Organisation reached out to communities in eight states during the month Ramadan. The states were Kwara, Niger, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, and Ogun.

––Dr. Hamdallat T. Yusuf is the founder, Pious Muslim Women International Organisation Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 1, 2021

POLITY

Hijack of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over Programme

Livinus Acholonu

R

ecently Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information of Information and Culture, who many industry players have alleged has usurped the role of the NBC as the regulator as the driver of national digital switch over (DSO) process, issued a directive to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for current pay terrestrial operations of GOtv and StarTimes to migrate to the Free TV platform. This, according to the NBC, is in line with the guidelines of the Federal Government Whitepaper on the DSO. However, this directive and many more actions of the minister point to a larger attempt at using the DSO to effectively take over the Nigerian broadcasting market and place it at the disposal of certain political actors in preparation for the 2023 presidential election.

Starting from last year’s controversial Broadcasting Code Amendment, which has continued to draw heavy criticisms from industry players, including the NBC Board, for its lack of stakeholder input and rush to pass through such a major industry code amendments to the recent ministerial directive for StarTimes and GOtv to handover their digital infrastructure to the fledgling Free TV platform, which currently has very limited service in only six states, there are valid grounds to suspect that there is a design to capture the broadcasting regulator for political objectives.

The Minister’s regulatory capture strategy, as widely believed within the industry, is the brainchild of the promoter of a failed pay television venture, who is deemed as his de facto special adviser. The failed pay TV promoter, who is close to Mohammed’s political benefactor, is a member of the Ministerial Task Force on the DSO and he is in charge of Free TV, NBC’s vehicle for delivering DSO; the middleware company providing conditional access to DSO as well as that of the one providing video-on-demand service on the DSO platform.

Effectively, these put him in control of the national television system by virtue of his position in Free TV, which has pay television service written all over it.

It is important to note that the simple objective of the DSO is to convert analogue Free-to-Air TV services to digital, not to create a pay television service. The adopted architecture for the DSO is one that is at variance with the cardinal principle of DSO and has the appearance of an attempt to use government funds and infrastructure to set up a private pay television service.

Given that the Minister and his de facto adviser have the same political family roots, the capture of the regulator and digital

Lai Mohammed

broadcasting infrastructure will present the Minister’s political platform with a full deck of cards as the control of the media is known to be a powerful ammunition in electoral campaigns.

The DSO, as it stands, lacks a legal framework, as the Whitepaper is no law. This fact has been noted by the National Assembly Ad hoc Committee, which wondered why such a huge national undertaking has no effective legislative framework guiding it.

The absence of a sturdy legislative framework has also inhibited public accounting of funds spent on the first stage in the six pilot states. This should have been done in accordance with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) guidelines for DSO implementation, as it outlines the level of implementation based on the following criteria: Legislative, Policy and Regulatory Goals Undertaken, Infrastructure Roll-out/Digital Penetration and Spectrum Utilization, Level of Consumer Buyin, Communications and Customer Support, Digital Content Proposition (new channels available compared to analogue) and Budgetary Spend.

As it stands now, the entire process is fraught with mis-steps, lack of industry buy-in and opacity, leading many to suspect other motives in addition to the political. Like many others familiar with the process and the N2.5billion corruption scandal

that blew an NBC Director-General out office, via suspension, and into the prosecutorial hands of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), I am worried that the N9.4billion recently approved for outstanding payments to service providers such as signal distributors may be mishandled, leading to a derailment of the programme.

Since the start of the DSO process in 2016, the Minister, who has shunted aside the NBC and DigiTeam in driving the process, is yet to provide any detailed report or breakdown of expenditure of the amount spent so far on the process or a comprehensive report on the status of the DSO implementation in the six states where the digital switch on has been launched, without effective coverage.

The Minister’s takeover of the financial mandate for the DSO is viewed by many industry stakeholders as ministerial over-reach, with a potential for avaricious conduct that could derail the DSO programme. The DSO, as currently constituted, has the look of a disaster-in-waiting because of its hijack by the Ministry of Information and Culture, which has no institutional memory/data on the DSO project. Despite the promise to switch on Lagos on 30 October, companies being owed for years of services provided have continued to provide platforms, but are unsure of being paid, as the ministry’s plans appears to be the creation of ancillary but unnecessary services that will gobble up the money released by the Federal Government.

Suspicions of the Minister’s aversion to autonomy of the NBC are not new. Last year, Professor Tonnie Iredia, a former DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), currently a broadcast management and media law lecturer in a university, accused the Minister of robbing the NBC of autonomy and deploying it for a political end.

“Everybody expects a broadcasting commission to be an autonomous body that has no place in politics. If you listen to the news, who has been speaking? The minister of Information! Is he the Director-General of NBC? When the minister is speaking, there is no way broadcasters can see that the regulator is speaking. He is not a regulator. He should leave the broadcasters in NBC to do their professional duty. The law gives him the right to supervise, but not to take over the job. The moment the minister is speaking, no matter how well-intentioned he may be, the people become suspicious because he belongs to a political divide,” the media reported Iredia as saying on the controversial amendment of the National Broadcasting Code.

As yet, views like Iredia’s have been treated with studious indifference.

–––Acholonu, a retired broadcast engineer and public affairs analyst, writes from Asaba.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Dangote Industries Ltd., Nglan Niat; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Ravindra Singhvi; an awardee of the Salesand Marketing Dept., Olive Edokwe; and an awardee of the Company Secretary/Legal Dept, Tewogboye Jegede, during the maiden edition of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc Employee Motivation and Recognition Award for Excellence held by the company at Apapa, Lagos…recently

L-R: Country Sales Manager, Bayer Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Temitope Banjo; Director General, National Agricultural Seed Council of Nigeria (NASC), Dr. Olusegun Ojo; and National President, Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Dr. Bello Abubakar, at the 3rd edition of the just concluded Nigeria Maize Conference organised by Bayer Nigeria Ltd to discuss ways to improve maize productivity in Nigeria, held in Abuja…recently

L-R: Director General, Nigeria Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma and Managing Partner, Principle Legal Consult, Prada O. Uzodimma, during the launch of Uzodimma’s scholarship grant for law students held in Abuja...recently

L-R: Special Assistant to the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Omolara Adewunmi; Chief Executive Officer, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Adhi Narto; First Lady, Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun; and Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Temitope Ashiwaju, during the Ogun State First Lady’s visit to Dufil Head Office in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

24

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

25

26

˜ ˾ MAY 1, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

EBERE WABARA

Take, Not ‘Pick’, Calls

T

HISDAY of April 24 welcomes us today: “Yusuf seeks CBN intervention on (in) forex for steel manufacturers” “There are tales and complaints about the fact that he (Dr. Mike Adenuga) does not pick (take) calls nor reply messages but….”

“Despite his unmatched support for the media, Dr. Adenuga often suffer (suffers) savage attacks from those seeking his attention but he has a solid principle: never indulge a blackmailer!”

“I am elated to join your friends and well wishers (well-wishers) to congratulate you for (on/upon) honour (an honour) well deserved.”

“Malaria is among the killer diseases (killer-diseases) currently ravaging Nigeria.”

‘Currently’ is redundant here!

“Though the government has, through the push back malaria (push-back-malaria) initiative and other programmes….”

“The environment should be regularly fumigated to kill malaria breeding (malariabreeding) mosquitoes.”

“You always taught us that hard work and prayer are the keys to success; keys that opens (how?) many doors.” “…we are proud to walk in your steps because in it (them) lies true success.”

“NICON Insurance faults report on senate summon (summons)” Singular (noun): summons; plural: summonses. Verb: summon “NMA tasks FG on health workers (workk ers’) safety” (NATIONAL NEWS, April 28) Again: “Wike congratulates Rivers Angels for (on/upon) winning NWFL” “Today, we celebrate our flag-bearers, those who go the extra mile to put You First.” Happy Customer Service Week: standard-bearers; not ‘flag-bearers’ which, unfortunately, has been subjected to notoriety by non-ideological Nigerian politicians and popularized by a few unintellectual colleagues of mine!

“Several videos shared on social media showed some of the protesters bolting away from the tear gas….” According to my copious

dictionaries and other reference books, ‘bolt’ means “to suddenly run somewhere very quickly, especially in order to escape or because you are frightened.” Therefore, there is no room for ‘away’. Often times, you hear or read: “The armed robbers bolted away before the police arrived.” The bandits simply bolted before…. “…he is unable to do same (the same) in….”

“Kwara Express staff seek governor’s intervention on (in) company’s N36.9m debt” “Did you bought cake for me…?” No comment!

“Just imagine a young man that rounded up his apprenticeship as a welder.” This is an indication of the current malaise in scholarship: a situation where a lecturer cannot distinguish between phrasal verbs, ‘round up’ and ‘round off’ (which applies here).

“Will anybody please let us know which country became a super-power by allowing its best brains to roam about the world?” ‘Roam’ encompasses ‘about’.

“News from the universities are no longer about innovation.…” News is news (uncountt able). “The condition, which is said to be due to an abnormality in either the number or structure of the chromosomes, cuts across every races.” Get it right: every race or all races.

“Janet, a twelve-year-old and the third child of her parents’ four offsprings and the only one with the problem…” ‘Offspring’ is non-count.

“Since 1993, funding of oil exploration have (has) been beset by different levels of problems.”

“In answering this question we classify the outcomes into long term and short term implications.” The greatest problem of journall ists: unnecessary embellishment (outcome) of words.

“This is clearly a danger signal as the time between discovering an oil field and commerr cially putting it on stream could be between four to five years.” No analysis: between four and five or from four to five years.

“THISDAY checks reveal that every terminaa tion penalties goes from 500,000 US dollars to 2 million US dollars”. Check the discord as already discussed above.

Great Nation, Poor People:: Sinking Etiquettes

I

n truth, we are so far away from where we hope to be, and too near to where we believe we should not be. The ongoing hoopla about the alleged sexual peccadillo of a Nigerian movie star concerning an underage girl - a torchlight for reprehensible social abominations that have, in the past fi five years, taken a more rapid frequency. This tragic narrative eloquently typifies the fifth element in lifting our people out of diverse maniifi festations of poverty, to promote and produce a great nation.

Society.

Let us ask ourselves a few questions. And answer them with honesty at the tip of our tongues. What do we hold dear nowadays? Who do we celebrate in our society today? What do we justify? We cannot hide under the cool shade of “in our own days…”- it won’t cut. We are seeing the perfidy of today because of what our children saw in some of us, read about many of us, and watched as some of us struggled in the mud with greed and shamelessness.

What exactly do we hold dear as Nigerians? It is useless rhapsodising about a great period in this nation when every adult in the community was a disciplining parent to any wayward child, irrespective of tribe and tongue; when the scandalized ‘owner’ of the child would seek the surrogate out for thanksgiving - and a reassurance that remedial ‘works’ were ongoing. It is pointless luxuriating in the glow of the 60s and 70s when low fences were mainly to prevent straying animals from disturbing your household; when there was not wrought iron behind your curtains to irritate burglars or robbers; when driving against the traffic flow (‘one-way’ we call it now) was unheard off, except in serious emergency.

Now is our problem. Now is what is letting us down, and showing us in discomforting probe-lights that our descent into total damnation is certain, unless we reverse and recapture our innate human essence. Today, we see and behold headshaking spectacles, and we shrug in resignation - ‘children of nowadays’ is our national mantra of acquiescence. Young men and women in flashy cars drive around the neighbourhood, plunking money in the air for the next generation to scurry after, with seeds of future conquests and acquisitions sowed in their fragile minds.

More often than not, the neighbours murmur against the spend-loose behind hooded curtains - ‘only God knows where they get their money from!’ Of course, that’s a lie. We know the ‘wherefrom’ - Yahoo-Yahoo, and other wire frauds.

But their mothers pray for them - to be successful, to evade

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“Lack of funds cripple waste management activities” Another error of attraction: Lack of funds cripples.

“Nevertheless, the donor country is also interested in this decision to ensure that the loan is repaid as at when due with its accrued interest.” Without any periscope: the loan is repaid when due (not as at when due which is pleonastic).

“Government should consider the destructive effect that further delay in the sale of ‘shaky’ banks would mete out on the banking system”.

Stock phrase: mete out to (not on) the banking system.

“If the family cannot truely relish at least a decent meat….” Spelling counts: truly.

“A man does not have to be a money bag (sic) before he can dress well and look charming in his own little way.” Brighten up your English usage: A man does not have to be moneybags…. Moneybag is a sac! “…in addition, (sic) to dispensing drugs for immediate relief and giving counsel on the steps necessary to prevent a reoccurrence.”

Good grammar: recurrence. “…it sent the signal that those responsible for the security of lives and properties in Oyo State are working at cross-purposes”. Some caution, please: life and property.

“The arsonists usually escape with their loot as the embattled market lays in ashes, leaving many traders terminally ruined financially.”

There should be no dilemma: ‘lays’ for ‘lies’? “…Nehemiah whose determined efforts to rebuild the tottering walls of Jerusalem was (were) undertaken purely out of love for his country.” “…analyst whose intellectual prowess and deep understanding of social issues knew no bound (bounds).” (NATIONAL NEWS, April 7) “Poly senior staff union gives FG 21-days to address IPPIS complications” (Source: as above).

This way: 3-week or 3 weeks’ ultimatum—not 21-days Corrigendum following last week’s inadd vertent misrepresentation here: “The yearnings for the special status for Lagos is (are)….”

Thanks to the 70-year-old elder-statesman who

capture, and to prevent evil spirit and vengeful partners from disrupting their new prosperity. All the prayers are to the same God who abhors evil, cheating, ostentation and swindling.

When we justify villainy because others are doing it... or because governments have been irresponsible...or the country has gone to the dogs...and several other ‘reasons’… we inevitably pauperise our country, and besmear all as a people whose long history of academy, sophistication and high culture is now seen as merely a poorly sewn dress to cover a mind predisposed to crime and subversion of rules. That crime without punishment is locked deep in our DNA. So for the roguery of a few, the entire nation is condemned into ignominy. Our hardworking, law-abiding citizens are dragged through the guillotines as possible fraud artists, drug barons, or mules - and indecently treated and filtered. For the sake of a few, we are all tarred when you engage in online transactions, and your currency and nationality suddenly became an irritable issue - a cause for caution. The picture of eating with the devil wielding a long spoon pops up - simply because your ‘compatriots’ had gone ahead of you to muddy the waters.

Our level of depravity is not synonymous with the youth.

The generation before them, in places of trust and responsibill ity, have also been involved with activities that portend mental retardation, spiritual hocus-pocus, or some level of group mysticism. How do you steal from your company or business (even if you have the largest shares, or serve as the chairman) then pocket 90% of the loot, and go to church to give God 10% as tithe? The amazing part is the tendency that some people indeed believe that the penance of paying the tithe bestows on them a sense of restitution, a settled conscience. Laughable as it may sound, it is altogether possible that some righteous rogues actually believe that giving to God, or more appropriately, to the church (or the pastor) a portion from proceeds of their corruption, then all would be well.

When we find a scintilla of justification to contextualise the villainy of the tither, and the consuming ignorance of the church (some bordering on arrogance), then we add to the layers of foundations that pauperise our struggles for a virile, great nation under a righteous God who takes so much time and give so much rope in dispensing immediate righteous condemnation.

More soul-sapping were reports of some pastors who have allegedly taken possession of physical property (cars, buildings, other hardwares) that some harebrained worshippers willingly

pointed out this mix-up. More constructive and highly-appreciated observations, questions (clarifications/elucidations), interventions and general contributions are welcome from all readers. The essence is to make this column an interactive and all-inclusive platform for the exchange of cerebral perspectives.

CLASSIC FM 97.3 Front Page News Review of March 25 joins the hall of shame with this non-classical entry: “What is the criteria for…?”

Get it right: criterion (singular) and criteria (plural). So, what are the criteria for…?

“Rumble in the ‘Desert’: ‘Joshua needs confident (confidence) to over come (overcome) Ruiz” “Mr. Quality Projects is a labour friendly (labour-friendly) governor” “We invite you to the commissioning ceremony (We invite you to the inauguration) on Wednesday….”

“Reps (Reps’) minority crisis: PDP torn between devil and deep blue sea” (Politics & Power, March 25) This way: between the devil and the deep blue sea (fixed/stock idiomatic expression that should not be altered).

“Banks in last minute (last-minute) rush to meet new lending ratio” “Independence: Onitsha Main Market, other markets shutdown (shut down) in Anambra” (South East News, March 25) From Arewa News of March 25 comes the next headline solecism: “Kebbi invests N4bn on (in) new settlements infrastructure” “Zimbabwe opposition lawmakers walk out on president” Either Zimbabwe’s opposition or Zimbabwean opposition “Okowa preaches fair play, as Delta principals’ cup kicks-off (kicks off)” “Recent statistics from the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) indicate that hundreds of Nigerians are presently (sic) in (on) death row in some countries….”

“There should be proper legal assistance to (for) our citizens accused of trafficking….” “…if any of its citizens is properly tried or convicted or (for) any offense abroad” “Payback period is between 3-10 years.”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUN AK NDE E-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

transfer to the church, in moments of ‘spiritual’ catharsis... but those property, in some cases, actually belong to the entire family who are completely ignorant of the generous giver’s beneficiary, nor of his mental or religious evolution. However, on being made aware of the wilful duplicity of the ‘righteous’ giver, the pastor plays the ostrich, or acts affronted! And these are the end-time bastion that would be relied upon to pull us back from the awesome pestilence of the devil and his infernal host, in the coming Armageddon. So, mentally, spiritually and governmentally, the Nigerian society is in a depressing cul-de-sac.

Then, our ethnic and tribal relations are sorely tested.

Nigerians are so divided, with obvious push from politicians and profiteers of irredentism that every act and statement are now filtered through frames of ethnicity, religion and tribal affiliations. It is grotesque when every kidnapping is surely by the Fulani herders; every fake product is likely by an Igbo trader; most, if not all, romance fraud, is, of course, by a Yoruba chap. Broken and brittle are words that now describe our national fabric which ought to be a one-size-fit-all coverlet for our more than 200 nationalities. The entreaty, ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ is trampled in these times.

We accept abnormal tendencies, and normalize deviants and pedeophiles who have star-rights, not human rights. We indulge buffoons as political representatives because some hawk-eyed godfather has assumed power of omniscience to identify great works of God in one man or woman. We are no more shocked or incensed when ritualists kidnap and disgorge our children for money-making condiments. We are no longer troubled when kidnappers ask for and receive humongous ransoms, even from highly placed persons, and strategic funcc tionaries - in a world where phone calls and electric messages can be traced to the tiniest end of the pin-point. We are now in a society that vilifies honest actions of upright individuals, and deodorizes the unfortunate excesses of dubious characters.

We are sinking!

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

A DIFFERENT KIND OF RIVALRY

01.05.2021

Kelechi Iheanacho

From Foxes Flop to Rodgers’ Ace

PAGE. 29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͸͹, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Kelechi Iheanacho From Foxes Flop to Rodgers’ Ace Kelechi Iheanacho’s strike against Southampton sends Leicester into the FA Cup final

After an unimpressive start to the season with no goal to show for his efforts with more than half of the season gone and even squandering an opportunity from the spot against Crystal Palace, that cost the Foxes two valuable points, the Kelechi Iheanacho’s future at the King Power Stadium was then hanging in the balance. Now, with 17 goals to his name and Leicester Palace top scorer, the former Manchester City man may now be the first name on the lips of Manager Brenden Rodgers

W

ith Jamie Vardy, now 34 and nearing the twilight of his career, former Foxes star, Emiley Heskey had urged the club to start looking for the forward’s replacement as he was convinced Kelechi Iheanacho was not the right man to replace Vardy as the club’s first-choice attacker.

Heskey had advised the Foxes to look elsewhere for Vardy’s replacement as Iheanacho would struggle to fill the void of the 34-year-old if he leaves the club.

“When Vardy doesn’t play you see a difference in the way they play and effectiveness of them going forward,” Heskey had told Premier League Productions.

“They haven’t quite found someone who could actually fill that gap and this is what they are going to be looking at. Can Iheanacho be that next player? I can’t see it so they have to go and get someone else.

“I don’t know if there are any youth players that can actually take up that mantle now and play them in certain games so they have to go and look out for a new Jamie Vardy.”

That narrative had since changed with the Nigerian now fast turning to a goal machine.

“He is a top lad and a top striker in the world, everyone knows,” Iheanacho said about Vardy.

“I am playing with him in training and watching him which inspires me as well. I will keep going. We can play as two strikers or we can play one striker as well. It depends on how the manager wants to play and set up the

squad and everyone is important. We need everyone.”

Iheanacho had to wait until almost the third quarter for his first league goal of the season. Since then the Leicester City striker is the Premier League’s top goalscorer.

The Nigerian assisted the equaliser and scored the winner as the Foxes beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to gain a seven-point cushion in the race for a Champions League place.

He is the Foxes’ top scorer this season with 17 goals, the first time since 2014-15 that Jamie Vardy has been in danger of not leading the way.

“That race to be top scorer is not what we talk about,” Iheanacho told BBC Sport. “As a team we work for each other, it doesn’t matter who scores the goals.

“There’s so much to improve in games so I’ll keep going, keep doing my best.”

Boss Brendan Rodgers said: “Over the last few months Kelechi has been absolutely incredible. It wasn’t just his goal but his work-rate; he wants to press the game.

He has no ego whatsoever and he works so hard.”

The turning point in Iheanacho’s Leicester City career has been starting alongside Vardy up front.

They only started eight games together last season and did not do so this campaign until 28 February - and even then it was only because of injuries to James Maddison and others. They have played every game together since.

Nigeria’s Iheanacho has scored 14 goals in his last 14 appearances, as many as he managed in his previous 76 for Leicester.

Only Harry Kane (18) has been in-

volved in more goals than Iheanacho (15) among Premier League players in all competitions this year.

Former England international Karen Carney said: “I think Iheanacho’s confidence has come because he knows when he plays he’s not going to get substituted for Jamie Vardy.

“As a player you’re always looking over your shoulder thinking you are going to get taken off.

“But because he’s playing next to Jamie Vardy he’s confident and that one goal turns into two and three.”

Rodgers said: “The top priority for me as a coach is helping players to develop.

It’s been difficult for Kels because of the style we normally played which was one striker - Jamie Vardy.

“We had to change it round with injuries, he’s come in and been exceptional. Not just his goals, he’s so happy to work hard for the team and his quality is phenomenal.”

Iheanacho has shown potency in front of goal recently rarely seen in his career.

His 10 Premier League goals this term outstrips his expected goals - the number of goals he would be expected to score from the chances he receives - by more than three goals, and his shot conversion rate is his highest since joining the Foxes.

Carney said: “I was speaking to Emile Heskey about him and apparently he does these things in training, he’s done it for a very, very long time. But he never really had the confidence when he was given the opportunity in games. That’s changed.

“That’s shifted, he’s now delivering in the games. That type of goal, in the pressure moments when he needs to deliver for his team, he’s pulled it out

Iheanacho has proven he can succeed Jamie Vardy

of the bag and they’ve got three points from it.”

Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel told Sky Sports: “Kele is incredibly intelligent when it comes to his finishing - he knows how to shift and shoot so quickly, he’s so good at the particular one where he shifts it and then puts it through the defender’s legs and wrongfoots the goalkeeper.

“He does it in training all the time.

He’s a nightmare in training to be fair.

He’s just a big strong lad who can put himself about, he’s fast, he’s got absolutely everything to be a top striker and he’s showing it now, which is great.”

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Liverpool Take Top-four Battle to Old Trafford The two most successful teams in the history of English football-Manchester United and Liverpool will go head-to-head tomorrow at Old Trafford in the Premier League, with United looking to return to winning ways when they welcome Liverpool Head to Head 21/03/10 Man Utd v Liverpool 19/09/10 Man Utd v Liverpool 06/03/11 Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd 15/10/11 Liverpool 1-1 Man Utd 11/02/12 Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool 23/09/12 Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd 13/01/13 Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool 01/09/13 Liverpool 1-0v Man Utd 16/03/14 Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool 14/12/14 Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool 22/03/15 Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd 12/09/15 Man Utd 3-1 Liverpool 17/01/16 Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd 17/10/16 Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd 15/01/17 Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool 14/10/17 Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd 10/03/18 Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool 16/12/18 Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd 24/02/19 Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 20/10/19 Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool 19/01/20 Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd 17/01/21 Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd

Premiership Table Man City Man Utd Leicester Chelsea West Ham Liverpool Tottenham Everton Leeds Arsenal Aston Villa Wolves Crystal Palace Southampton Burnley Newcastle Brighton Fulham West Brom Sheff Utd

33 33 34 33 33 33 33 32 33 33 3 33 32 33 33 33 33 33 33 33

45 2 22 20 10 16 18 4 0 7 29 -13 -20 -18 -15 -18 -6 -18 -34 -38

77 9 67 63 58 55 54 53 52 47 46 45 41 38 37 36 36 34 27 25 17

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Crystal Palace v Man City 12:30 Brighton v Leeds Utd 15:00 Chelsea v Fulham 17:30 Everton v Aston Villa 20:00 SUNDAY

Newcastle v Arsenal 14:00 Man Utd v Liverpool 16:30 Tottenham v Sheffield Utd 19:15 MONDAY

West Brom v Wolves 18:00 Burnley v West Ham 20:15

La Liga TODAY

Eibar Elche Huesca Madrid SUNDAY

Valladolid Villarreal Granada Valencia

v v v v

Alavés 13:00 Atlético 15:15 Sociedad 17:30 Osasuna 20:00

v v v v

Real Betis 13:00 Getafe 15:15 Cádiz 17:30 Barcelona 20:00

MONDAY

Sevilla v Bilbao 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Manchester United’s Luke Shaw tries to dispossess Liverpool’s striker, Mohammad Salah of the ball while Marcus Rashford watches with keen interest

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he Red Devils put one foot in the final of the Europa League on Thursday as they recorded a 6-2 victory over Roma in the first leg of their semi-final.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are also comfortably inside the top four in the Premier League, sitting 12 points clear of fifth-placed West Ham United, making this weekend’s contest a bigger game for Liverpool, who currently occupy sixth position in the log.

Former England striker, Michael Owen, who had the rare priviledge to star for both sides is envisaging a close encounter on Sunday.

“Both these sides played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier in the season. That was followed by another close encounter in the FA Cup, a game United won 3-2, so I believe we could be in for another tight match here.

“Away from home United have been sensational this season. Their home form had been a bit patchy up until recently, however, they come into this undefeated at Old Trafford in six league matches.

“I think United will happily give Liverpool some territory here in the hope they can catch them on the counter. To some degree, I think this can work, although it will be hard to keep Liverpool out playing like this over the full 90 minutes.

“With that in mind, I could see this one ending all square with both sides cancelling each other out. 1-1.”

Liverpool are not in great form at the minute. They have drawn their past two Premier League matches.

In fact, Jurgen Klopp’s side have dropped points in 18 Premier League matches this season, which is hard to

comprehend when one looks back at last season.

The Reds only dropped points in six league games last season. Therefore, there is no denying that Liverpool have dropped off this season, which will make claiming a victory at Old Trafford that little bit harder.

Liverpool have not won at Old Trafford since 2014. Hopefully that changes come Sunday, but with how Liverpool are playing this season, a draw would not be the worst result for the Reds.

Meanwhile, Liverpool striker, Diogo Jota is eagerly anticipating his first experience of encountering Manchester United as a Liverpool player.

He missed the previous two meetings this season through injury, but is now out to help the Reds get back to winning ways when they visit their fierce rivals in the Premier League on Sunday.

“Obviously every game is important but obviously being a Liverpool player, playing against Man United is always a special game – maybe even bigger than other big matches that we have in the Premier League. So, of course, we are really looking forward to it because we know how much it means to the fans as well,”Jota said.

Manchester City could be celebrating Premier League title glory by the close of play this weekend, assuming they can get the better of Crystal Palace today.

The hosts will have had five days to recover from their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Leicester City on Monday night, while Man City overcame Paris Saint-Germain by the same scoreline in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final in midweek.

Despite boasting a 1-0 lead as the halftime whistle blew, Palace soon fell victim

to two almost identical goals from Timothy Castagne and Kelechi Iheanacho, as both men produced left-footed thunderbolts to complete the Foxes comeback and leave Palace’s top-10 hopes in jeopardy.

Even though the 13th-placed Eagles are not mathematically safe just yet, they are 11 clear of the dropzone with a game in hand on the bottom three, so their Premier League status is all but assured and Hodgson will simply want his players to give a good account of themselves before the season concludes.

However, Palace can boast just one win from their last seven Premier League matches, and having faced Everton, Chelsea and Leicester in recent weeks, the fixtures do not get any easier after Man City pay a visit, as Arsenal and Liverpool lie in wait in the final two weekends of the campaign.

While the Eagles have managed to keep three clean sheets in their last four home matches, only West Bromwich Albion (33) and Newcastle United (27) have conceded more goals on familiar territory than Palace (25) this season, so City can certainly aspire to replicate Liverpool’s seven-goal showing as they attempt to prise the title off the Reds.

In what was truly a game of two halves at the Parc des Princes, Mauricio Pochettino was the one sitting more comfortably in the dugout as his PSG side dazzled and delighted in the opening exchanges, and the French side took a deserved lead through Marquinhos’ header.

However, Pep Guardiola ultimately had the last laugh as his Man City team came out all guns blazing in the second half, with Kevin De Bruyne’s fortuitous effort and Riyad Mahrez’s sublime free kick - which somehow founds its way through the PSG wall - giving City a 2-1 advantage at half time in the semi-final.

Harry Kane Mohamed Salah Bruno Fernandes Son Heung-min Calvert-Lewin Patrick Bamford Alexandre Lacazette Jamie Vardy Ollie Watkins Ilkay Gundogan Callum Wilson Marcus Rashford Chris Wood Danny Ings Wilfried Zaha Kelechi Iheanacho Harvey Barnes Emerick Aubameyang Raheem Sterling Riyad Mahrez Jesse Lingard Tomas Soucek Matheus Pereira

CLUB

GOALS

Tottenham 21 Liverpool 20 Man Utd 16 Tottenham 15 Everton 14 Leeds United 14 Arsenal 13 Leicester 13 Aston Villa 12 Man City 12 Newcastle 10 Man Utd 10 Burnley 10 Southampton 10 Crystal Palace 10 Leicester 10 Leicester 9 Arsenal 9 Man City 9 Man City 9 West Ham 9 West Ham 9 West Brom 9

The Citizens must temporarily forget about their continental endeavours, though, as they could wrap up the Premier League title should they win at Palace and Manchester United lose to Liverpool - results which would open up an unassailable 13-point lead at the top with four games remaining.

Despite two home slip-ups to Man United and Leeds United, City’s dominance on the road is showing no signs of letting up, as Guardiola’s men have won their last 10 Premier League away matches, and another victory on their travels here would see them equal the English top-flight record of 11 consecutive away wins.

Guardiola’s side cruised to a 4-0 success over Palace when the sides met at the Etihad in January, and they have strung together a five-game unbeaten run at Selhurst Park since losing 2-1 in the 2014-15 campaign.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Okocha was a cult hero at Bolton

Shearer Heaps Praises on Okocha, Says He Made Difficult Things Easy Former England star Alan Shearer has namedAustin JayJay Okocha among the biggest cult heroes in Premier League’s history.

Okocha is among the 10 players included in Shearer’s list. Shearer, who along with Thierry Henry is the first player in the newly formed Premier League hall of fame, said Okocha did things no other player did.

The Premier League all-time top scorer revealed he tried to copy some of Okocha’s skills,

but he failed at every attempt.

“He made the difficult things look easy, Shearer said on BBC’s MOTD. “I must’ve tried that flicking over heads a million times, and it’s never come off once. Gifted, natural ability, superb player,” he added.

Shearer ’s opinion was also shared by Micha Richards, who said the former PSG star was one of the players he loved watching.

Okocha spent four years in the English Premier

League with Bolton, and during this period, he gained popularity for his mastery with the ball.

The former Super Eagles captain was a nightmare for opponents because of his trickery and skills. Okocha joined Bolton in 2002, and he instantly became a favourite, helping them avoid relegation.

Okocha assumed the role of captain the following season, and he led the Trotters to the 2004 league cup final, where they lost to Middlesbrough.

Enyimba Get Egyptian Opponent in Confederation Cup Egyptian Premier League outfit, Pyramids FC, have been set to meet Nigerian club Enyimba in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals after the conclusion of the draw on Friday afternoon.

Pyramids have made the final of the 2020 version of the Confederation Cup but fell short to a narrow 1-0 defeat to RS Berkane, and will hope to

replicate their journey this term as well.

Pyramids passed by some struggles in their group stages path after suffering two consecutive defeats to Morocco’s Raja Casablanca. With nine points to their name, they set themselves in second place three points ahead of third-place Nkana and six behind group winners Raja Casablanca.

After the draw unfolded yesterday, it was decided that Pyramids will face Nigerian club Enyimba in the quarterfinal in the coming month.

Pyramids are set to take on the Aba Warriors in the first leg on May 16 in Egypt, before heading toAbia, Nigeria to play the return leg encounter on May 23.

Lagos Commissioner Hails PwCChess4Change Tourney Ahead of the PwCChess4Change Grand Slam slated for next month, the Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo has commended the organisers and sponsors for impacting positively on students in the state.

The Commissioner gave the commendations during the sponsors of the tournament’s courtesy visit to her office recently.

According to her; “As an educator, I’m a great believer in chess and it’s fantastic that the competition provides the students with the opportunity to travel, to network and also to learn king among games. So, I’m excited about it.

“Chess teaches a lot. It teaches you about decision making. You can’t make a move without thinking of the impact on your opponent and what your opponent’s reaction would likely be. So, that means you really have to think deep. I believe in transporting skills and they

can take that skill into thinking strategically and creatively.

“The game also teaches you that you will win some and also lose some.

“When you win. you should be gallant and gracious for winning and should be gracious in losing knowing that tomorrow is no another day. So, what you need to do is to go back and sharpen your skills and find out what you did wrong in order to get better.

“I love students to play it because I could see the impact on them. So, let me use this opportunity to thank the sponsors for impacting positively on our students.”

Speaking during the visit, PwC’s partner, Mr. Pedro Omontuemhen said; “Education is an area we focus on at PwC. We continued to support education since the last administration and even the present administration by getting involved in so many ways.

YSFON Commences Oduduwa Unity Cup Prelims in Ibadan ObafemiAwolowo Stadium, Ibadan, has been playing host to the preliminaries matches of the Oduduwa Unity Cup, an Under-17 boys and Under-18 girls football tournament initiated and sponsored by The Arole Oodua, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife as contribution to grassroots football development.

The preliminaries of the tourney which is being organised

by Youths Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) South/ West zone under the leadership

of Abayomi Alabi had commenced since two weeks ago in all other states in the region.

Grassroots teams from Ibadan and it’s environ such asMALAGACF, Sunlight FC, Young Stars, Africa Vision, Adewale SC, PSI, ARYFAD FC, Stars Machine FC and Ilaji FC have been locking horns to determine the two teams that will represent Oyo State in the finals.

Alabi while speaking with newsmen during the tourney said all the teams

had been carefully screened in compliance with the stipulated age categories which was the objective of the sponsor to checkmate the over-age syndrome rocking our age grade competition.

“We are expecting two teams to qualify from this one-week play-off and join 10 others from Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Ogun for the finals that will be staged at a date that we will announce soon”, Oluaye as the YSFON boss is popularly called noted.

Members of the Palle Group, Ibori Golf and Country Club, David Anuku, Ifeanyi Osuoza, Hetty Egbai, the Lady Captain; Squating: Patrick Ukah, George Ugbomah; Alfred Ebreneyin, Club Captain; Larry Ossa, Tam Brisibe; Proprietor of Job Ophanage Home, and inmates Gabriel Okpuno, and Femi Ajaniran while presenting food items and toiletries to Job Orphanage Home, Agbor during the Palle Group Golf Kitty held at IGCC golf course on Saturday in Asaba.

IGCC Palle Group Holds Golf Kitty, Donates to Orphanage Home

I

tems worth hundreds of thousands of naira have been donated to Job Orphanage Home by Palle Group, Ibori Golf and Country Club (IGCC), Asaba, Delta over the weekend.

The group under the leadership of Tam Brisibe donated items such as bags of rice, cartons of vegetable oil, packs of Indomie noodles, toiletries amongst other things to the orphanage home at the end of its golf kitty held at the IGCC golf course in Asaba.

Brisibe while speaking at the event where about fifty golfers within the club and from other sister clubs took part, narrated the need to identify with the less privileged and to share parts of what God has given members of the group to help those who were in need.

Brisibe thanked all members of the group and the leadership of the IGCC for the leverage and support to achieve this feat.

At the end of the energy sapping golf kitty tagged ‘Palle Group Kitty For Charity’, the duo of Nelson Obiyio and Edith Umeh were declared champions in their various categories.

Obiyo having played a net score of 77 emerged best in the men’s category ahead of Henry Onianwa who beat Tam Brisibe on count back as they both played 78 net to place second and third respectively.

Similarly, Umeh recorded the best performance at the one day golf event to win the trophy just as the Lady Captain, Hetty Egbai settled for second place with 77 net while third place went to R. Iroawa due to her 81 net recorded at the kitty.

In the ladies veteran category, Mrs M. Attoh was adjudged winner with a net score of 83, as L. Ogbetou who played 94 net emerged second.

Ben Egonu with 75 net emerged best in the vet men’s cadre ahead of George Ugboma who recorded 76 net to place second having beaten K. Emu who placed third on count back with a 78 net.

The longest drive ladies award went to G. Ogeil while Henry Onianwa won the men’s category, just as nearest to pin men’s award was won by I. Oduah.

LaDStv Liga, Serie A Games on DStv, GOtv this Weekend and GOtv viewers can look forward to action from the 2020-21 La Liga and Serie A seasons, with matches scheduled for 30 April – 3 May 2021.

The pick of matches for this round sees Valencia host Barcelona on the evening of Sunday at 8pm.

The weekend’s action also sees a relegation six-pointer between Eibar and Deportivo Alaves from Estadio Municipal de Ipurua today afternoon at 1pm, while title hopefuls Atletico and Real will be in action late the same day.

The Rojiblancos head to Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero to face relegation-threatened Elche at 3:15pm, while Los Blancos will welcome Osasuna to Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano at 8pm.

Another tasty clash on the menu is the round-closing battle between Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao on the evening of Monday.

The headline fixture from Serie A this weekend sees Sassuolo host Atalanta on Sunday 2. La Dea have completely dominated this rivalry in recent years, racking up eight straight wins over the Neroverdi dating back to 2017 and scoring no less than 29 goals in the process.

The weekend also features a ‘black and white’ derby between Udinese and Juventus at 5pm.

Internazionale will be clear favourites for three points when they visit Crotone at 5pm, while Milan will feel the same way about their home clash against Benevento at 7:45pm.

Betway Donate Gym Equipment to Ikorodu Community In an effort to improve the services rendered to residents of the Lagos community, leading online betting provider, Betway Nigeria, on Thursday, donated gym equipment to ForeverLiving Fitness and Wellness Centre in Ikorodu.

Led by Udeaja Oluwasegun, ForeverLiving Fitness and Wellness Centre is a pop-up gym that encourages members of the community to adopt fitness routines and meal plans vital to maintaining a healthier lifestyle. The centre was established in 2020 and initially offered a free membership plan as part of its early campaign. Oluwasegun is a certified fitness coach trained in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, where he was based before returning to Nigeria in 2018 to set up the fitness centre.

The centre has grown by providing fitness and wellness programmes to people who otherwise would not have had access to them. Currently, the fitness centre records a remarkable attendance of up to 150 fitness enthusiasts who seek the services and guidance of well trained professional fitness coaches on a daily basis.

During the handing over of the equipment, Oluwasegun expressed gratitude to Betway for helping him achieve his dream of setting up a world class fitness centre that would impact the lives of people living in the rural community of Igbogbo Baiyeku.

“It has always been my dream to touch the lives of those around me through the promotion of fitness and healthy living. I have been active for as long as I can remember, and I know the benefits of keeping fit, and that’s my true passion. Setting up a fitness centre here in Igbogbo Baiyeku, Ikorodu, is my own way of promoting healthy living among a much-overlooked community,” he said.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Terem Moffi

Terem Moffi

Can Lorient Hold on to Their Jewel?

With 14 goals in Ligue 1, bettered only by France superstar Kylian Mbappe, Lorient may find it hard to hold on to their jewel Terem Moffi. His recent form has been so captivating that even Super Eagles German Manager, Gernot Rohr, said the Enugu-born striker has a place in the senior national team despite the array of strikers it boasts of

B

undesliga giants, Borussia Dortmund are reportedly on the trail of Lorient’s new kid on the block, Terem Moffi as the German side are in the market for a seasoned goalscorer as a possible replacement for their in-demand striker Erling Haaland.

Reports suggest the youngster may have caught the attention of the Bundesliga giants after proving to be one of the finest finishers in France in only his debut season.

Red-hot Terem Moffi has reacted to reports linking him with a move away from France following his scintillating goalscoring form in Ligue 1.

Moffi is reportedly on the radar of German side Borussia Dortmund. The Bundesliga giants are in the market for an expert goalscorer as a possible replacement for their in-demand striker Erling Haaland.

A transfer to one of Europe’s biggest clubs, notably Manchester City, is being mooted for the Norwegian finisher, and Dortmund are looking at bringing in Moffi in his stead.

Just 21, Moffi has taken the French topflight by storm, netting 14 goals for lowly FC Lorient in just his debut season in France.

Six of the Nigerian’s goals have come in his last three games as he continues to power struggling Les Merlus away from relegation troubles.

The former Kortrijk ace smashed home his first hat-trick of the campaign in Lorient’s 4-1 triumph over Girondins Bordeaux to send Christophe Pelissier’s men four points clear of the drop zone.

His excellent performances have only raised his profile the more, and it is unlikely he remains at Lorient should the 17thplaced side suffer demotion to the lower league.

But Moffi insists he is enjoying his time at the club and is completely focused on helping them maintain their top-flight status.

Despite the lure of playing for some of Europe’s best clubs regularly featuring in the UEFA Champions League, Moffi says he would love to be at Lorient next term.

“The road to survival is still long,” the Super Eagles hopeful told Le Télégramme, as per Walfoot.

“We have four games left. That’s what we have to focus on. But I want to stay. I love my partners. We have a great relationship.”

Lorient will remain in Ligue 1 if they can win two of their remaining four league matches, starting with a home game against Angers this weekend.

Indeed, Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr believes Moffi can become a good striker in future given his qualities.

The German football tactician has yet to run the rule over the 21-year-old at close quarters as the player was prevented from linking up with the national team last month for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Moffi recently made the headlines back in his homeland after netting his first career hat-trick in the French Ligue 1 against a club very close to Rohr’s heart, Bordeaux and he is among the strikers in the frame to be called up for the World Cup qualifiers.

“Christophe Pelissier (the Lorient coach) is in a better position than I to know, because he sees him every day in training,” Rohr told French newspaper Ouest France.

“Personally, I am waiting to see him in training. I think he can be a good striker; although the bar is quite high in Nigeria, there have always been good centerforwards.

“But I must say that the progress he is making at Lorient is impressive.”

Rohr added: “He gained confidence. You can see it in his game; he dares to dribble, to perform technical gestures that can only be done when you are confident.

“He is in great shape, in full physical

possession of his means.”

Since the start of 2021, Moffi has been involved in 14 of the 27 goals scored by Lorient in Ligue 1 - 51.9 per cent of their goals.

The German football tactician spoke glowingly about Lorient’s new kid on the block.

When asked before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin and Lesotho if there were surprise names in the squad list, Rohr said to News Central TV: “All the time new players try to show us their qualities. We have very good strikers now, when you look at the striker from Lorient who scored the winning goal against Paris Saint-Germain, Moffi, who scored a brace against Monaco and with a left-foot. It will be interesting to see him.

On if he would want to play for the Nigeria national team, Moffi said he would love to play for the Super Eagles but have not heard from the German-born Nigeria tactician.

“I haven’t heard from the coach. But if the opportunity arises, I would be extremely happy to represent my country.

“Like any footballer, I dream of playing for top clubs. But now, I am focused on Lorient.

“Soccer is the most important sport in Nigeria. When the national team plays, the country stops. Everyone is in front of their TV. I wouldn’t say it’s a religion, but everyone loves football back home.

“I grew up watching Jay-Jay Okocha, Obafemi Martins, Nwankwo Kanu, then Victor Osimhen play. I watch him play a lot, we played together (with Golden Eaglets), he’s a real example.

“Otherwise, I am very often compared to Romelu Lukaku, but I am far from his level! Otherwise, I love Didier Drogba, especially when he was playing for Chelsea. I am also a big fan of Robin Van Persie. He was the best, for me.“ The ex-KV Kortrijk has been on an incredible run of form in the last four months, and that has earned him praises from many.

Moffi grew up in a football family as his father played as a goalkeeper. It has now been revealed that Moffi’s father, Leo, was a teammate of Alex Iwobi’s father, Chuka, at Vasco da Gama of Enugu.

The two played together in the local league during the 80s and developed a bond which has now been passed on to their children.

According to Ligue 1 official site, Moffi and Iwobi spent a lot of time growing up before the latter moved to London at the age of six.

A few years later, Moffi also left Nigeria for London to complete his education at the Buckswood Football Academy.

“I managed to get into an English school at the age of 17 because of football.

I chose this life, and I wanted to succeed in football,” Moffi told Ouest France per Ligue 1 website.

The 21-year-old joined Lithuanian side, Kauno Zalgiris, shortly after arriving in England before signing for another Lithuanian club, FK Riteriai.

His spell at Riteriai got the attention of Kortrijk, who brought him to the Belgian top-flight in January 2020. Eight months later, Lorient paid eight million euros to bring him to Ligue 1.

After a dream start, which saw him score on his debut, Moffi went on a barren spell before his incredible run of form in the New Year.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Third Party Motor Insurance is Valuable

The new four-door Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupé

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates All-electric EQB Model at Auto Shanghai 2021

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t Auto Shanghai 2021, Mercedes-Benz celebrated the world premieres of the new, all-electric EQB compact model, the long-wheelbase version of the new C-Class and the new four-door CLS Coupé. Alongside the long-wheelbase version of the EQB developed for the Chinese market, the all-electric EQS luxury saloon and the compact, all-electric EQA were on display at the same show for the first time. All three Mercedes-EQ models already had their debut during the evening preceding the Auto Shanghai show, as part of a Mercedes-EQ Night, according to a statement by the automaker.

In November 2021, the new EQB will be launched in China as the fully-equipped top model with seven seats and AMG Line. European customers have a choice between five and seven seats, all-wheel drive and different output levels. Production of

the EQB for the European and North-American markets will likewise commence at the end of the year, in Kecskemét, Hungary.

“China is not only the most important passenger car sales region for us, it is also the world’s leading market for electric cars”, says Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China. “We are extremely delighted to present the all-electric EQB here in China for the very first time. With its seven seats the new EQB meets the needs of very family-oriented customers. In addition to the right products, our local production footprint is one of the decisive factors for sustainable growth in China.

That’s why we are looking forward to produce the all-electric EQB in Beijing.”

World premiere of the new long-wheelbase C-Class and the new CLS As a further highlight in line with the motto “Made in China, for China”, Mercedes-Benz presented

the long-wheelbase version of the new C-Class. As well as more legroom, features such as luxury head restraints and a larger armrest with a particularly spacious stowage compartment, USB ports and cupholders ensure additional, luxurious comfort in the rear. Other special, market-specific features include the comfort suspension and enhanced noise insulation for an even quieter interior.

The new CLS celebrated its global debut. The sharpened design expresses the dynamism of the four-door coupé even more strongly. At the same time, the interior has been upgraded with additional leather and trim combinations as well as a new-generation steering wheel. A latest-generation diesel with an integrated starter-generator has been added to the model range. A sporty and exclusive special edition of the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ (combined fuel consumption 9.0-8.7 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 206-199 g/km)[1] limited to 300 units spearheads the model range.

OMAA Begins Assembly of Gas-powered Buses in Nigeria

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he Àrst dual fuel natural gaspowered OMAA range of buses has rolled out of their assembly plant at Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State.

According to the assemblers, these range of buses are built such that they can be used for passenger school shuttle or for commercial transportation, cargo vans for moving farm produce, ambulances for critical life care, logistics van for the burgeoning e-commerce, utility vehicles, and for various needs of SMEs both small, large or multinationals, corporate and government agencies Managing Director of OMAA, Chinedu Oguegbu, recalled that, “What we are rolling out today is the beginning of a trend that will that will revolutionize not just the transportation industry, but the energy industry in Africa, by transforming the way we utilise the abundant energy resources available to us, namely natural gas.

“We have hundreds of technical partners to ensure we introduce world class products, but everything here was executed by local home-grown talents.

“OMAA is an energy start-up with a mission to energize your life; be it work or play, residential or commercial. SME or global or multinational. What do we stand for? We want to empower Africa, care for the environment and develop people.

“Our vehicles are adapted to Nigerian roads, rugged and can withstand any rough terrain.

And most importantly, it runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) that is also available in Nigeria and several times better when compared

with others.”

He said, “For many years, Nigeria has been Áaring this valuable source of energy while importing reÀned petroleum products that’s heavily subsidised at the expense of government investing in education, health care and infrastructure. Our eͿorts today and the sustained drive in accelerating gas utilization will change

this narrative. More investments in the gas value chain would drive the fuel cost down, thereby leading to increased consumption.. This means that electricity, transportation and even food prices will go down.”

On the advantages of using the conventional premium motor spirit (petrol) and gas, he said gas is a more aͿordable source of energy.

L-R: Technical Adviser to minister of state for petroleum Ishaku Abner; Special Adviser on legal matters to the Anambra State governor, Pat Igwebuike; Chairman, National Gas Expansion Programme, MM Ibrahim; and MD/CEO, OMAA Motors Limited, Chinedu Oguegbu, during the official roll-out of OMAA gas-powered buses from the newly commissioned OMAA assembly plant at IgboUkwu, Anambra State... recently

Most people that acquire the N5,000 Third Party Motor Insurance cover in Nigeria do so to avoid being penalised by regulating agencies. They do not know that this insurance cover has value of up to N1 million.

Third Party Motor Insurance is a compulsory insurance policy in Nigeria, as it is backed by law. It is the legal minimum level of motor insurance cover that any motor vehicle owner plying Nigerian roads is required to hold.

The benefits of the policy make it a must-have for every Nigerian motorist. The policy takes care of the damage caused by the insured to the Third Party’s property or vehicle, including the Third Party’s medical expenses (if any) in the event of an accident, if the policyholder is at fault. It is highly essential for all vehicle owners to comply with this law.

However, the car insurers do not tell the policy holder about this claim and most people do not read the document to see what it promises. So, people resort to needless fights over who pays for damaged property or vehicle or when there is injury to the Third Party that is determined to have been caused by the policy holder.

People with comprehensive insurance cover can make claims for themselves. The Third Party holder cannot.

It is called third-party insurance cover because it does not cover losses you incur in an auto accident. You are the first party; the insurance company is the second party; while any other person hit by your vehicle is the third party. So you have insured your car for any damage done to any other road user. If you want your car to be covered, you do the comprehensive insurance.

But if you and someone hit each other and damage each other’s vehicles and both of you have that N5,000 insurance cover, the person’s insurer should pay for the damage to your vehicle, while your insurer should pay for the damage done to the person’s vehicle.

Take a look at your car insurance document and read it and you will see that the N5,000 you paid to the insurance company is meant to protect you from fighting with another car owner or property owner in the event of an accident that put a dent on their vehicle or broke its head lamps or rear lights or bumper or fender or bonnet, or removed their external rearview mirror or brought down part of a fence. It also has an unlimited cover limit for any death or bodily injury you cause a third party with your vehicle.

The policy holder does not need to part with money because the insurance company will pay after investigation, but remember to procure a police report. So, when you hit someone’s vehicle or damage someone’s property or injure someone or even kill someone, as long as your N5,000 insurance is valid, your insurance company will pay that person the cost of the damage within one million naira, if it is property, but if it is bodily injury or death, the amount may be decided mutually or by the law court.

So, when Nigerians are involved in minor accidents, there is no need for all the drama they engage in. They just need to confirm that the other party has a valid N5,000 insurance cover. And because of the fear of the police on the highways, most private car owners have that insurance. Only the drivers of private intra-city commercial buses usually default in this.

However, when you want to renew your insurance cover, do not give it to touts, to avoid spending your money to get a fake document. Check around you for the nearest office of an insurance company, broker or agent, or check for the list of Nigerian insurance companies online and send a message to them. They may even come to your office to collect the material.

That many Nigerian car owners or drivers don’t know their right is to the advantage of the insurance companies. What it does for them is that most people who are involved in road accidents do not report such to their insurers. Most car owners ignorantly pay the other party, if such is demanded, and go away to repair their vehicle. Sometimes, the owner of the vehicle decides not to collect any money and goes on to repair the vehicle. Such people are prayed for and called good men or women.

Naturally, the insurers do not bother to explain to those who patronise them what their rights are. Most times, vehicle owners do not even get the vehicle insurance cover themselves. They give money to a tout to procure it. Ironically, getting an insurance policy for a vehicle is the easiest paper one can get for a vehicle.

Unlike other vehicle-related documents like driving licence, road-worthiness licence, vehicle licence, proof of ownership, registration number document and the like, the insurance cover is the only one that is not issued by a government agency. Therefore, it does not involve any bureaucracy, which usually causes delays which lead to bribery and corruption in the name of “processing fee.” There is nothing to process in an insurance policy.

Just like banks are open all over the country looking for customers, so do insurance companies have branches and outlets all over the country looking for patrons.

And just as banks are regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, so are insurance firms, brokers, and agents regulated by National Insurance Commission.

(Source: Agents online)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

35

AUTO WORLD

Lagos Deploys Technology for Effective, Efficient Transportation

T

he Lagos State government is deploying technology to integrate road, rail and water modes of transportation to make movement of people, goods and services across the state eͿective and e΀cient.

The three modes of transportation, road, rail and water, are to be synchronised to make movement Áuid to save time and money, according to the Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde, who presented the two-year scorecard of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the state’s transportation sector, recently.

To achieve this, he said the administration set out to complete existing projects such as the rail ‘blue and red lines’, which is part of the inter-modal transportation system the government set out in the strategic transport master-plan.

Stipulated in this master plan is the construction of six rails and a mono rail, 40 BRT and over 20 motor routes to move people seamlessly from one point to another and to improve connectivity and access to the network, he said.

To ensure eͿective control of tra΀c, he said the governor signed an executive order in 2019 that extended the work hours of LASTMA to 11 PM and that over 1,000 o΀cials were recruited, their allowance increased to encourage them.

“More importantly, we procured 500 communication gadgets so that we can improve communication among these o΀cials. Also, tow trucks were added to the infrastructure that they require so that they can remove broken down vehicles before they cause congestion of tra΀c,” he said.

In addition to these, the government addressed 60 gridlock points on the state’s roads, adding that 28 of them have been completed. Twenty two and still be worked on because they need enforcement, stating that three of them are at concept stage.

He listed such junctions as Maryland., Allen Avenue, Ikotun, Lekki Àrst and second roundabouts, Abraham Adesanya, Pen Cinema, Apongbon and Eko bridges Others are; SandÀll junction, Oniru, Four Points Sheraton junction, Akin Bolade junction, Muri Okunlola roundabout, and Ligali Ayorinde, among others.

A lot, he said has been achieved in the e-hailing business, stating that they got the buy-in of key stakeholders. “Five e-hailing companies have been registered and for safety, all of these companies are to bring their comprehensive insurance cover for all their vehicles. It will cover the drivers and the passengers. They will also have cameras.”

He said the government also has a bus reform to match the large number of people in Lagos. “Of the 24 million trips that we deal with in Lagos, about 15 million of them are public transport trips, and this is set to grow in the next 10 years and will continue to increase.”

On account of this, the government decided to modify the existing small bus system in collaboration with the key stakeholders, emphasising that “we are not taking out danfo drivers as people have reported in the past, we are reforming them into the new system. So, they form a cooperative and

High capacity buses for Lagos intermodal transport system they have a road franchised to them and then we can regulate them properly.”

This reform, he said would provide reliable bus service, to formalise the operation so that we can hold any operator responsible if they violate the tra΀c laws, to improve connectivity.

“When we embarked on this bus reform, there were 824 routes in Lagos that were very ine΀cient and we have been able to rationalise them to about 400 routes. Every operator is assigned to a route that will be monitored and they have to meet certain parameters that we set for them.

“Most importantly, it will enhance city life as we begin to connect various parts of Lagos, environmental pollution will be cut down. We are going to bring high-capacity buses. For example, one high-capacity bus is equivalent to Àve danfos.

When you take out Àve danfos and you bring in one high-capacity but, it will reduce emissions.

Also, it will improve safety and security because a lot of these buses will have camera and we will be able to track them. So, drivers cannot vie oͿ their routes.”

He said the most important of them all is the consolidation of duplicated motor parks, explaining that Ikeja, for instance, has 14 motor parks, which is very confusing, especially if you don’t

know your way around Lagos. “So, if we have a consolidated bus terminal where 24 routes can emanate from, then it becomes very easy for me to describe to you that it is the place to get a bus to your destination.”

He said there would be three categories of buses, the BRT that will ply the more busy routes, then the connectors or feeder routes where Lagos bus services will be plying to bring people to the BRT and to the rail when they come on board. Then, there is the First and Last man buses that will take people from their communities where they live to the connectors/feeder routes and then to the BRT. According to Dr. Oladeinde, the government produced close to 300,000 vehicle plate numbers in 2020 for use by motorists and that it did lanemarking on over a hundred kilometres of road to encourage lane discipline. “We have also completed 420 kilometres of kerb painting to enable people recognize where they are and to increase visibility, especially at night and during the raining season.”

The government, he said has also produced special plate numbers for articulated vehicles to enable it track them. These are three number plates mounted in front, rear and on top of the vehicle.

There is also a temporary vehicle tag for people who are yet to register their vehicles within the

Tackling Incidences of one for the Road Sometime last years ago, my staff shared a sad story of a young man who cut his life short just before the 2020 Christmas celebration. The young man according to a tweet she read, took a bottle too many and dared to drive under the influence of alcohol. He was involved in avoidable road traffic crash and died. He was the only casualty. The sad crash and death reminded me of some effort to address the incidence of drinking and driving globally. One of such efforts is an international conference on drink driving. I was privileged to be one of the over 300 participants and discussants at the conference to reduce harmful drinking. It was an initiative of the International Centre for Alcohol policies, held in Washington DC, in the United States of America.

The Global Action On Harmful Drinking is a collaboration of initiatives dedicated to help reduce the harmful use of alcohol. This initiative reflects the collective commitment made by major international alcohol producers to make a significant effort to address harmful drinking through a combination of global and local actions with an emphasis on low and middle income countries such as Nigeria where they are working in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other road safety NGOs. These leading producers of beer, wine and spirits took on a new commitment that built on their long standing effort to reduce harmful drinking. The were 10 targeted actions in five key areas such as checking under-age drinking, strengthening and expanding marketing codes of practice, providing consumer information and responsible product innovation as well as reducing

SAFE DRIVING with

Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

drink-driving in addition to enlisting the support of retailers to reduce harmful drinking.

Globally, there are about 1.35 million road traffic deaths yearly and millions of injuries. Although an estimate of crashes caused by drink-driving vary from country to country, one point is clear, it is a leading contributor.

I have chosen to discuss these initiatives in view of rising cases of drink driving even in the face of the need to comply with COVID-19 protocols and the FRSC renewed deployment of breathalyzers to check drink-driving. My focus however will be on efforts in reducing under-aged-drinking and drink driving which is pronounced during festivities such as the coming Sallah celebration and weekends in major cities across the country.

With respect to reducing under-age drinking, there are concern over the extent and harmful consequences of underage drinking as expressed by governments from all over the world, including the concern by World

Health Organization. In most countries, there is minimum age for purchase and or consumption of alcohol, yet drinking by those under the minimum age of 18 is a concern in many parts of the world and can lead to serious public health consequences. Under-age drinking is a societal challenge that is only possible to prevent through expanded cooperation among governments, enforcement agencies, cleric, retailers, parents, educators and others in the community. The focus is therefore to encourage national governments to set ambitious but realistic and measurable targets to significantly reduce under-aged purchase and consumption of alcohol. In doing so, there should be commitments to actively seek enforcement of government regulations for under-age purchase and consumption in all countries especially where a minimum purchase and /or consumption age has been set.

In countries where no such limits exist, there is the need to encourage government to introduce a minimum purchase age and to enforce it. In addition, there is the need to strengthen the work of other interested stakeholders, including NGOs and IGOs. Developing, promoting and disseminating educational materials and programmes designed to prevent and reduce under-age purchase and consumption among young people or those known to have strong influence over their behavior is critical. This, strategy will include consulting experts on the development of best practice educational materials for use by parents, schools and community groups and in social media.

Recall that Pillar 4 of the UN Decade of Actions on

stipulated 30 days. These people can get the tag that is registered in their name. “This is important to improve safety on our roads.”

The commissioner said the rail line would begin from Agbado, extending to Oyingbo but that it would share the rail line from Iddo to Ibadan that was built by the federal government. An agreement to this was signed recently, according to him. There are eight stations along the route – Agbado, Iju, Agege, Oshodi, Mushin, Ikeja, Yaba and Oyingbo.

The rail is expected to ferry over 500,000 people daily in addition to cutting travel time from two hours to 40 minutes. He said they are shutting down level crossing and putting over-passes in place.

This rail and road modes, he said would be connected to water transportation, which was the drawback in the past, because people had to wait long hours to connect to the next mode of transportation, he said.

“One of the drawbacks we had with water transportation was that it was not connected.

So, each time you go to a terminal and want to travel to another terminal it could take you an hour before you Ànd a connecting mode to take you to your Ànal destination. We are working with Lagos Bus Services Limited to ensure that every bus terminal is connected.”

Road Safety (2011-2020) emphasizes, the need to improve road safety and behavior of road users and reducing drink-driving. In the area of reducing drink-driving, there is the need for government, international agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector to use the plan as a guiding document for their activities.

We must acknowledge the preventable contribution that drink-driving makes to road traffic crashes and fatalities which has more impact among the youth as illustrated in the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2009. The key point to note is that governments should enforce existing drink-driving laws and regulations while advocating the introduction of effective drink-driving laws, including a BAC limit for novice drivers backed by appropriate enforcement.

I am excited by these developments but saddened by the slow pace of our legislations. As I write I am not aware of a national legislation restricting the purchase and consumption of alcohol by the under-aged in keeping with best practices. Even where they exist, there is hardly any concrete attempt at enforcement. The exception is the Lagos State Traffic Regulations which takes special exception to driving under the influence but I doubt if it recognizes the need to restrict purchase and consumption of alcohol. I am however elated by the 2012 National Road Traffic Regulations which aptly prescribed the alcohol limit permitted to be 0.5grammes in 100millilitres of alcohol or 80milligrams in 100millilitres of urine or best test. The same regulations prescribe a fine of N5,000 or six months’ imprisonment or both against offenders. For me, the efforts of the Corps in 2014 may not yield significant results if other states don’t emulate Lagos State by baring sale of alcohol and intoxicants at motor parks.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

37

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹˜ ͺ͸Ͱͯ

PEOPLE Oluyemi Showumni

My Beauty Routine is Very Simple, I do a Lot of Water ÖßãÏ×Ó ÓÞÓÖËãÙ ÒÙáßØ×Ó ÓÝ ÙØÏ áÙ×ËØ ÙÐ ÜÏ×ËÜÕËÌÖÏ ËØÎ ËÎ×ÓÜËÌÖÏ ÝÞËÞßݲ ÒÏ ÓÝ Ë ÏÚßÞã ÓÜÏÍÞÙÜ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ËÑÙÝ ÞËÞÏ ÍÓàÓÖ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ áÓÞÒ ÙàÏÜ ͺ͹ ãÏËÜÝ ÓØ ÝÏÜàÓÍÏ˛ ÏÜ ÔÙßÜØÏã ÍßÞÝ ËÍÜÙÝÝ ÝÙ ×ËØã ÖÓÐÏ ÖÏÝÝÙØݘ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍÏÝ ËØÎ ÝÙ ×ßÍÒ ×ÙÜÏ ÞÒËÞ ÒËÝ ÒÏÖÚÏÎ ÒÏÜ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÒÏÓÑÒÞ ÝÒÏ ÒËÝ ËʵËÓØÏÎ ÞÙÎËã˛ ÖßãÏ×Ó ÙÚÏØÝ ßÚ ÞÙ Tosin Clegg ËÌÙßÞ ÖÓÐÏ ËÞ ͽ͸˜ ÒÙá ÝÒÏ ×ÏÞ ÒÏÜ ÒßÝÌËØΘ ÖÓÐÏ ÖÏÝÝÙØݘ ÌÏÍÙ×ÓØÑ Ë ÚÏÜÝÙØ ÙÐ ÓØʮßÏØÍÏ ËØÎ ×ßÍÒ ×ÙÜÏ

I

thank God for the gift of life I thank God for the challenges of life. I thank God for what I am able to surmount. I thank God that I don’t look like what I have been through and I thank God for everybody who has been around me, particularly. First, I will give glory to the almighty God, as I have said. I will thank my husband who has been very supportive. I thank my parents for the value they instilled in me, and of cause, family-friends who have become family members. I also thank everybody I have come across in life, colleagues, both juniors and seniors, everyone has been awesome. For everyone I have met, I have learnt something from them, so being 50, in one word for me, is edifying. It is sort of enlightenment, but most importantly it is about being grateful to God for the gift of life.

Creating experiences with people Iam lucky that I work in an environment where I am not doing a strictly 9am to 5pm job, so I have the opportunity to meet a lot of young people. I have the chance to interact with them. I could relate with them and motivate them, and when I see people with talents and watch them grow, it makes me really happy. I could see potential in people and I could buy into it, living a life of legacy, living a life of inspiring people to grow, that’s my achievement.

I am more of an introvert But I think I am more of an ambivert. I can do oneon-one with you and be free when I know you, but when it comes to being an extrovert; I can’t come into the room and suddenly chat with people. I would want to thank God for my husband; he has been extremely supportive and enlightened. He has promoted me in many ways, and I am not just saying this about, him, I think my husband has made me a better person. He is my greatest critic, the person I fear most to talk about issues with is my husband, because he would raise it to a higher level and I would have to go inward, challenge myself and come up with something I know can be helpful with his intellectual abilities. So, I’m grateful for that, and he is not that kind of person that will lay pressure on you to do things that you don’t necessarily want to do like, you know, he goes to his parties, I am his cheerleader, I clap him on.

Sometimes I go to the parties with him, but he is comfortable with me not wanting to go out, and with the nature of my job again, when you are a civil servant, you have to be behind the scene, you have to implement the policies of the government, you are not supposed to be seen all over the place. So, this person I am is the combination of my parents, my background and my job.

The hobby I picked up early in life was reading. You know our own generation was nothing compared to what we have now that there is more innovation, you have better programme on the television, the internet, the social media and the rest, but the only thing we had then was rolling tires, skipping, ten-ten and playing with sand. So, the other thing you could do that would actually occupy you most of the time was reading. I picked up reading at a very young age, so sometimes when you see that I am indoors, I am actually reading, because reading takes me into different worlds, and it even takes me to different personalities, such that I am able to know people easily.

Before I ever travelled out of the country, I was so familiar with some of the things I expected to see in terms of culturisation and westernization, and by the time I travelled out, it was as if maybe I had been part of them or I grew up there. For me, knowledge is enlightenment, its edifying, it takes you to places and up till now I still make sure that I read every day, and

Showunmi

the internet makes it easy.

I did my NYSC with INEC, where I work incidentally, in Maiduguri The country was safe, not what we have today, I graduated early, I was 20 by the time I was finishing and my parents were not scared. It was even a good opportunity for me to even go, I could relate with people from other cultures. So when I see what is happening today in the country, it makes me really sad, because the people that actually helped me with my work attitude and work mentality were even some of the people we are asking to leave our land, due to ethnic profiling. I pray that Nigeria comes out of this and I pray that we actually become one again, truly in the sense of being one, such that we can have one nation where people will speak with one voice and we can say that the fact that I am from this place, or the fact that you are from this place does not really matter.

In life you have to be humble I have told this story to a lot of people and Iam glad that I’m sharing it with you today. The one thing that my dad taught us in life is about being humble, and being humble is not thinking less of yourself, it’s not being totally absorbed with yourself and thinking you are all that. Let me tell you about my friend Jumai.

When I went to serve in Maiduguri, I was a corper,

Jumai was a receptionist, I could have been thinking that why would I relate with her, but she was always there with me, anytime I was on break, we had tea together, we took lunch breaks together, she was my good friend. Incidentally, the governor of Borno State was Col. Marwa, and so they were coming to open the INEC office and I was told I had to do something, which was like carry a tray such that they can pick the scissors to cut the ribbon. I was thinking in my head like, is this why I went to the university, to come out and be holding trays, but I was like I am here already, maybe they picked me because I was the youngest and there were no too many women around, and didn’t complain.

My boss then said, Yoruba girl, when you are coming dress in iro and buba, and I was like they are even telling me what to wear. One of our national commissioners, Ambassador Hagazali noticed and said who was that and they told him I was a corper, he now said, ask her whether she would like to be retained at INEC, that was in December, and I was like no I don’t want to be retained, you know I was just part of the ceremony, not that I wanted to be there.

Immediately they finished and they were doing the reception, I left. So, it was at the reception he told them to ask me if I wanted to be retained at INEC. On Monday when I got to the office, Jumai told me what the man said, and I said no, that my parents were in civil service, that there was no money in civil service; I did not want to be retained.

My mom later called me in March and she said, be behaving well at work so that they can retain you. I told her about the offer I had and that I already said no. My mom said to me, your father has a company where you have been born on the wrong side of the track, you might not have been educated. So, in as much as you are asking for something, you are also thanking God for other things.

My beauty routine is very simple; I do a lot of water I watch what I eat, but everything has to be in moderation. There was a time someone was telling me not to do vegetable oil at all, and I found out that when I was not doing oil, fine I was not getting bigger, but my skin was getting wrinkled and my sister-in-law used to make fun of me. But water definitely is good, it hydrates the skin, and once the skin is hydrated you are good, and the fruits too, if you can’t eat your fruit, you can juice it, even if it’s just watermelon.

I got my fashion style from my mom In her wardrobe, she had a lot of shoes, but I could not relate that to who she was at that time because she was not into makeup. She had never even permed her hair, not even once. She had never put on a lip stick in her life, but I saw that she had really nice and classy shoes for whatever she was at a young age. Also for books I read, I was inspired by the likes of Erelu Ojora, Maryam Babangida, and wanting to be like them, and in reading, I saw that less was more, that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, so I try to look for pieces that you can never place and it will be nice.

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹˜ ͺ͸Ͱͯ

PEOPLE

Mary

An Amputee’s Story of Deceit ËÜã ËØÓÏÖ˜ ÞÒÏ ÚÒãÝÓÍËÖÖã ÍÒËÖÖÏØÑÏÎ áÙ×Ëؘ áÒÙ ÝßÎÎÏØÖã ÌÏÍË×Ï ÝÙÍÓËÖ ×ÏÎÓË ÝÏØÝËÞÓÙØ ËʰÏÜ ÒÏÜ ÝÞÙÜã áËÝ ÝÙÖÎ ÞÙ ×Ï×ÌÏÜÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÚßÌÖÓÍ ËÝ Ë ÝÓØÑÖÏ ×ÙÞÒÏÜ ËØÎ ÙÜÚÒËؘ áÒÙ ØÏÏÎÏÎ ÒÏÖÚ ßÜÑÏØÞÖ㘠ÒËÎ ÒÏÜ ÍßÚ ÐßÖÖ ÖËÝÞ áÏÏÕ áÒÏØ ÞÒÏ ÖÓÎ áËÝ ÌÖÙáØ Ùʥ ÐËÕÏ ÝÞÙÜ㘠ËʰÏÜ ÜËÕÓØÑ ÓØ ͓͖ ×ÓÖÖÓÙØ˛ ÒÏÞÒÏÜ ËØÓÏÖ ÒËÝ ÍËÝÏ ÞÙ ËØÝáÏÜ ÙÜ ØÙÞ áÓÖÖ ÎÏÚÏØÎ ÙØ ÒÙá ÞÒÏ ËÑÙÝ ÞËÞÏ ÙàÏÜØ×ÏØÞ ÒËØÎÖÏÝ ÒÏÜ ÍËÝϘ ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ Festus Akanbi

T

he drama concerning a now popular Lagos amputee, Mary Daniel, found to have connived with a syndicate to hoodwink Nigerians, especially Lagos residents and government for financial assistance, took a twist last week as lawyers picked holes in the handling of the case by the Lagos State Government.

Some observers of the drama expressed disappointment that Daniel’s case was being handled with kid gloves. They warned that unless she is used as a deterrent, many fraudulent people will be encouraged to engage in such undesirable conduct, where Nigerians’ culture of kindness and generosity would be abused.

The 27-year-old Daniel, whose story has attracted widespread attention, particularly on social media, attracted overwhelming sympathy as Nigerians jostled to assist the physically challenged but hardworking Daniel, said to be hawking bottled water in Oshodi area of Lagos.

Her media handlers sold the picture of an orphan and single mother who lost both parents in an accident said to have claimed one of her legs. Within a short period of time, about N25 million was raised on her behalf and that was where her story began to fall like a pack of cards.

She was found to be an object of a syndicate who invited her from Kogi to Lagos. Trouble however started when Daniel became an object of blackmail by some individuals who were said to have weaved the evil plot. Last Thursday, the Lagos State Government, which had earlier raised the alarm over the fraudulent activity, appeared lenient in its decision as it handed over the amputee sachet water hawker to leaders of Igala Community in Lagos State.

Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Civic Engagement, said that the state government would continue to protect all residents in the state, especially the vulnerable.

Adebowale said the state government took the step to shield Daniel from possible fraudsters who might target the funds donated to her by well-meaning Nigerians.

He said that Daniel was handed over to a committee comprising the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

She said that other committee members at the handing over was Mr. Sanni Ejima, Leader of Igala Community in Lagos; Divisional Police Officer, Alausa and representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

Adebowale explained that the police were involved to demonstrate that the state had taken proper care of Daniel, while in its custody, and to ensure her safety thereafter.

She said that the committee was to oversee Daniel’s rehabilitation and ensure that the donated funds were judiciously utilised to improve her standard of living and that of her baby.

According to her, the ultimate desire of the state government is to ensure that Daniel becomes a civically responsible citizen in the state.

Adebowale said “she (Daniel) now has the resources to take care of herself and her baby and have a new lease of life.’’

No clean of bill for Daniel In their reactions, some legal experts told THISDAY that technically, Daniel cannot be tried for any fraudulent act since the donations she got were voluntary. An Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr. David Udofia said her case did not fall under the famous section 419 of the criminal code of Nigeria.

Another lawyer, who prefers to not to be named said there was no law in Lagos State or in the Criminal Code Act to secure conviction against the amputee.

He said, “I have not seen any section of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011 or the Criminal Code Act to secure conviction against the amputee. Not Ss 314-315 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, or Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act which deals with obtaining goods by false pretences.”

Tweaking a Pathetic Story In his contribution, a social media commentator, Mr. John Jibogu said Daniel’s handlers should be blamed for blowing her case beyond reasonable proportions. He said, “Those behind her that influenced her to tweak her story to make it more sympathetic are the guilty ones. Doesn’t she deserve help yes?

She does. The poor lady knows her story, she told her story to someone who decided to tweak her story to look more attractive. I believe someone decided to take advantage of her.

“People should let her live her life. As to her supposed father where was he all these years? Now the daughter has found fame he wants to come and eat where he has not sown. The Lagos State Government should ensure the raised money is paid into a trust fund set up for her and be paid out monthly, full access should not be granted.”

Becoming social media sensation Before the bubble burst, things were fast falling into place for Mary Daniel and her life was showing significant transformation. Few weeks ago, the single mum, marked her 27th birthday with fanfare.

Acknowledging her new social status, she was quoted in one of the interviews she granted on her birthday: “I feel happy today. I didn’t celebrate my birthday last year. I am grateful to God for what He has done in my life. I never thought I would mark my birthday in a big way like this.”

She added, “People who know me before now have been calling me and making kind remarks about me. They said I have changed for good and they can hardly recognise me again.”

She expressed her plan to establish a supermarket with donations she received from within and outside Nigeria.

Her cooked story In her well-orchestrated story in the media, she had narrated how she went through difficult times after losing her parents and her right leg to an accident in December 2006 while they were travelling to their hometown in Ayingba, Kogi State from Katsina State for Yuletide.

According to her claims, she dropped out at Junior Secondary School 3 after she took to the streets in Onitsha, Anambra State, selling sachet water to cater to herself and her aged grandmother.

She said she was impregnated in 2018 by her fiancé who she said denied responsibility for the pregnancy, forcing her to relocate to Delta State out of shame.

She said she relocated to Lagos in March, hawking bottled water in chaotic traffic and passing the night on the balcony of a building on Suwebatu Street, Oshodi.

The report generated overwhelming emotions as people sought help for the orphan while praising her rare grit.

For fear that she might fall prey to fraudsters due to huge donations pouring into her bank account, the Lagos State Government took over her welfare and put her in protective custody pending the conclusion of plans to settle her.

“I want to set up a supermarket where I will be selling cartons of noodles, bottled water, drinks, food stuffs and other items,” Daniel, who marked her birthday at a lounge in Ikeja, said.

Remarkably, Daniel is also an employer of labour in waiting, with two persons to work with her at the supermarket.

She said, “I plan to employ two of my cousins. One is based in Awka (Anambra) while the other is based in Asaba (Delta).

They will relocate to Lagos and join me in running the supermarket. As soon as I get my own apartment, I will bring my daughter to Lagos. I hope my story will inspire people in my condition to always try to struggle to earn a living.”

Unfortunately, the story took a disappointing twist during the week when it dawned on the Lagos State Governor, who had offered a helping hand like other well-meaning Nigerians that Mary was an object of a well-orchestrated fraudulent plot to swindle her potential helpers.

Analysts said Nigerians were watching the way the Lagos State Government would resolve this drama and that whatever decisions arrived at would either encourage or discourage people from playing on others’ intelligence.

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T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021

41

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Vice President Membership, Association of Forensic Accounting Researchers, AFAR, Dr Titilayo Fowokan; AFAR Global President and Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun; Vice President Financial Services, AFAR, Dr Gbenga Alonge, and Training Director, Dr Bolarinwa Olaoti at the 11th Inaugural Lecture of the Lead City University Ibadan....recently

L-R: Co-ordinating Editor, For Art’s Sake, Jess Castellote; Author, For Art’s Sake, Yinka Fisher and Founding Partner of Ukiri Lijadu, Femi Lijadu at the recent Book Launch of “For Art’s Sake: A selection from the Yinka Fisher Collection” hosted by the Spanish Embassy in Lagos.....recently

CITN Restates Need for Tax Enlightenment Post-COVID-19 The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN has harped on the need for intensiÀed tax enlightenment campaign and education as Nigerian economy struggled to get out of COVID-19 mess.

The institute stressed this during its 44th induction ceremony of 286 associate members.

President of CITN, Glady Simplice, in her address, referred to the harm COVID-19 has caused to the global economy, including Nigeria’s, whereby taxation has become a major policy instrument needed for stability post COVID-19.

To this end, the CITN boss recognised the need for aggressive tax awareness in order to boost tax education among citizens.

“More than ever before, there is a compel-

ling need to reinvigorate our enlightenment and education mechanisms. For this reason, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) must wake up to its statutory responsibilities.

“The CITN Council has approved District Societies as part of our concerted plan of action to change the part of its responsibilities. The continuous engagement in regular education and enlightenment programmes at the national level and through our District Societies, is required to change the narrative of poor tax awareness among the citizens.

At governmental level, it is important that tax policy initiatives and reviews in tax laws are well thought-out and followed through”.

Simplice cautioned government against the

propensity of introducing earmarked taxes with the intention of raising revenues, not minding the consequences on individuals and businesses.

“As a matter of fact, the thinking of Section 2.2.6 of the Revised National Tax Policy 2017 is that our taxes should be few in number, broad-based and high revenue-yielding. In eͿect, the administration of the taxes should be simpliÀed for ease of enforcement and compliance.”

Admonishing the inductees, Lagos State Auditor-General, Helen Deile, urged them to commit themselves to the ideals, ethics and standards of the profession.

She also tasked them on IT skills update in a world of new normal.

MTN Partners Remita to Enhance Post-paidTransactions Telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria has partnered with electronic payment platform, Remita to enhance the management of its post-paid transactions, including post-paid invoicing, payment as well as service-andexpense reconciliation needs.

As a result of this development, customers including enterprises and individuals on MTN’s post-paid billing system will now be able choose an invoice and amount to pay through any of the multiple payment channels available on Remita.

Customers will also be able to receive a payment notiÀcation as well as updated transactions record.

MTN made the announcement recently after integrating its system with Remita’s

invoicing and payments solutions suite.

According to the telecommunication Àrm, the partnership is expected to improve the experience of post-paid customers, enable them consummate transactions in the most convenient way, achieve payment Áexibility as well as maintaining a up-to-date record.

Speaking on the collaboration, David Okeme, Divisional Head, Vertical Markets and Payment Applications at SystemSpecs, providers of Remita, said: “With the increasing competition in every sector of the economy today, we are always exploring opportunities for collaboration, with the objective of improving customer experience across various levels of existence.

“Partnering to power the payment needs

of MTN Nigeria’s post-paid customers is yet another step in this direction which aligns with our insatiable longing to add value through the provision of innovative payment technology.”

Okeme clariÀed the deal further saying, “With post-paid payments now to be made on Remita, customers can centrally view, pay and manage all their bills.

“They can also retrieve their invoices and complete payments for their total outstanding bills or selected invoices. They would also be able to enter a custom amount to be settled through a wide array of payment options available on Remita including card, internet banking, electronic wallet, USSD, bank transfer, phone number and registered Remita proÀle.

Forensic Experts Charged to Leverage ICTto Gain Relevance Given the penetration and competence of technology, accounting and tax professionals have been tasked to up their game in the area of technology to remain relevant in a dynamic world.

According to experts, staying up- to -date with technology directions during this era is non-negotiable, especially as Nigeria prepares to transit to a digital economy.

Speaking at the 11th Inaugural Lecture of Lead City University in Ibadan, a Professor of Management and Accounting, Prof. Godwin Oyedokun, averred that a digitised economy would create beneÀts and e΀ciencies.

He added also that technologies would be needed to drive innovation, fuel job opportunities and ultimately spur economic growth.

Oyedokun who delivered the inaugural lecture themed: “Growing our Digital World in Nigeria: Forensic and Tax Accounting Perspective”, noted that as economies and businesses are beginning to adjust to modern realities, so also should accountants and tax professionals.

He said, “The accounting and tax profession is witnessing major developments as a result of changes in technology. In addition to traditional accounting services, accountants are also involved in services as attestation reviews, forensic accounting, and fraud examinations while tax professionals are involved in Àling, tax management, planning, and other tax-related services.

“To this end, today’s accountants and tax professionals must be grounded in the digital world, possess the knowledge to remain updated, and the skills to critically analyze and solve various problems. With this, we will continue to get our direction well In Nigeria.”

Oyedokun maintained that nations and businesses that embrace IT oͿerings would stand to enjoy better access to remote working, relevant software, cloud-based applications and online training amongst others.

He however disagreed that technology tools, especially artiÀcial intelligence (AI) would take job away from accountants, adding that they have always adopted automated waves to

improve e΀ciency and eͿectiveness.

“AI in accounting, taxation and Ànance is nothing to scare. While some jobs may disappear, new roles will deÀnitely emerge and instead of replacing accountants, AI will allow forensic experts to focus on higher-level tasks that require human instinct and insight.

AI will work alongside them to increase productivity.

“AI can make more e΀cient accounting while reducing errors and eliminating the annoying and slow work of our hands.”

Oyedokun also urged government to develop appropriate measures to ensure e΀cient use of AI and other Ànancial innovations like crypto assets, blockchain technology and Àntech.

He noted that doing so would translate into improving economic growth and development through Taxation and Forensic Accounting.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof. Kabiru Aderemi Adeyemo who alluded to the expertise of the inaugural lecturer urged policy makers to refer to Oyedokun submissions for directions.

Mortein, Ogun Join Forces to ‘Fight to End Malaria’ In marking this year’s World Malaria Day, Reckitt Nigeria, makers of Mortein insecticide Brand has joined forced with Ogun state to unveil “Mortein Fight to End Malaria” campaign.

The campaign sought to raise awareness and educate Ogun indigenes on how to prevent malaria disease and ultimately eliminate Malaria in the state.

In implementing the campaign, the firm said it will reach its audience via on-ground market and community engagement activities, digital education and radio engagement.

As part of the campaign too, the brand also engaged in waste evacuation from blocked drainages and refuse heaps in markets.

Addressing the press in Ogun State, Marketing Director of Reckitt Nigeria, Mr Tanzim Rezwan reiterated that the efforts was part of the firm’s purpose driven initiatives to stem the prevalence of malaria scourge in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

He said, “In everything we do, we’re driven bys purpose; to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world. As a leading global insecticide brand, we are working

on a mission to enable and empower our consumers with knowledge and expert solutions to rid themselves of vector borne diseases such as malaria.

“In that spree, we not only try to bring in world class products to the consumers but also aspire to drive awareness on preventive measures.”

In her remarks, Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker, commended the initiative,adding that interventions were apt.

Coker who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayinde Adesanya said, “I wish to appreciate the assistance rendered by our partners – especially Reckitt, makers of Mortein insecticide and donor agencies. Let me seize this occasion to call for the support and cooperation of all and sundry to ensure that all aspects of malaria elimination programmes are addressed and are well funded for the benefit of all , especially our children and pregnant mothers.”

According to United Nations for Child Mortality Education, 91,250 children under the age of 5 die of malaria each year, 60% of people who visit the hospital are diagnosed with malaria and 4 out of 5 people are at risk of contracting malaria in Nigeria.

Hollandia Yoghurt Unveils New Communication Campaign Hollandia Yoghurt, Nigeria’s leading drinking yoghurt brand, has unveiled a new communication campaign themed “Wholesome Nourishment From Your Favourite Brand”. The campaign is aimed at increasing brand awareness as it looks to further endear the brand to consumers as the favourite drinking yoghurt brand for wholesome nourishment.

Deployed across different communication channels including TV, Radio, Print, and Digital platforms, the new campaign features recently signed talented Actress, TV personality and Influencer, Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu. Through her versatility in the campaign, Balogun-Nwachukwu stimulates positive consumer experiences with her favourite Hollandia Yoghurt and connects them with the nutritious benefits of the brand.

The “Wholesome Nourishment From Your Favourite Brand” campaign will particularly strike a chord with millions of Muslims across Nigeria as they embark on the Ramadan fast this season. Experts say that when it comes to building a healthy diet during Ramadan, the key is to go for lighter but filling foods

and dairy that will help your body meet and replenish the amount of energy and nutrients it needs during the day. Hollandia Yoghurt provides the wholesome nourishment for active replenishment and revitalizing energy that keeps you positively recharged to be at your best for the day.

Hollandia Yoghurt can be consumed on-the-go, at work, at school, at play, or at any other time or place and comes in delightful variants, as well as convenient pack sizes. It is loved by consumers who want a healthy and great tasting dairy beverage that provides an exciting way to add the required nutrients to their daily diets. Hollandia Yoghurt contains B-Vitamins (B2, B5, B12 H), Vitamin A, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Calcium, Potassium and Iron, which are essential to support the body’s development and overall wellness.

Commenting on the new campaign, CHI Limited Marketing Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, stated that the new Hollandia Yoghurt “Wholesome Nourishment From Your Favourite Brand” campaign will drive consumer awareness and appeal to a larger audience to adopt the brand for its quality nutritional benefits, convenience and value.

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T H I S D AY ˾ SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021

˜ ˾ MAY 1, 2021

43

PERSPECTIVE

Abubakar Malami: A Cat with 9 Lives Solomon Yamai

R

ight from the outset of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2015, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has been marked for vilification by forces within and outside the government who saw and still see his gain as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as their loss. As it were, barring any act of God, they will have to live with their sense of loss until May 29, 2023 when the second term of the administration comes to an end.

The forces had calculated and, in fact, wished that Buhari would drop him as a cabinet member in his second term, or possibly move him to another ministry. But that did not happen. The 54-year-old technocrat/politician stays to their uttermost chagrin. The man from Kebbi is taking the series of man-created storms after his appointment in his strides.

All the anti-Malami forces have yet to relent in their pull-him-down enterprise. This predilection has continued to feed on their first shocker, which was caused by the emergence of Malami as Justice Minister/AGF, thinking that his emergence was a happenstance. After his nomination had received the requisite legislative approbation, he had gone ahead to further earn a presidential validation for the position, prompting some persons who were equally lobbying for the position to have possibly asked one another in exasperation: Abubakar who, as AGF? Nevertheless, Buhari had already answered that question before naming him into that strategic and consequential ministerial position, which is the only cabinet position provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And, the President’s answer, I believe, would have been circumscribed in the context of his trustworthy interactions with Malami as National Legal officer of their original party-Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). But that was not the event that proved his steadfast loyalty to Buhari. The test of his commitment and loyalty crystallized in the presidential election petition that was instituted after the 2011 election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dr Goodlcuk Ebele Jonathan as the winner.

Very senior lawyers were reluctant to take on Buhari’s brief. Scores of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) represented Jonathan and the INEC while only three SANs represented Buhari, to wit: Malami, Oladipo Okpeseyi and the late James Ocholi.

Okpeseyi was the leader of the legal team. The

In navigating the storm of existential threats in the discharge of his official duties, Malami’s nine lives, like those of a cat, have become quite evident in the atmospherics and nuances of the story of his survival.

And just recently, the malicious forces resorted to wishing Malami dead. The takeaway from their celebration of the purported collapse of Malami at an event in Kebbi was that if they could not get President Buhari to remove him from office, they would be satisfied for him to die so that his place can be taken by another. But the impression they created was that Malami was seriously sick on account of the incident and was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of one of the hospitals in the country

Malami

essential motivation for the Buhari legal team was not pecuniary as Buhari did not even have the money to pay the standard fee. The team believed that Buhari had a case that could be proved in court: not that he won the 2011 election, but that Jonathan did not win the majority of the validly cast votes.

The legal team had unsuccessfully argued to convince the court to declare a run-off in which case anything could have happened during the run-off.

The Supreme Court, however, upheld the outcome of the election. But in 2015, with the emergence of Buhari as president via his candidature of a coalition of parties that birthed the legacy All Progressives Congress (APC), some of the lawyers that shunned Buhari’s petition because he was acting from a disadvantaged position had gravitated into the APC and were close to some gladiators that positioned them for appointments.

That was to be the beginning of Malami’s quandary when he was named the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. Had Malami not been named into the position, he would not have been assailed by the campaigns of calumny that were crudely choreographed by a proxy whose benefactor had planned to nominate into the cabinet solely for the position of the Minister of Justice and AGF for some selfish ends. But the good luck Malami has had working for the President is that he had been able, before Buhari became president, to earn his trust. And the trust remains unbroken.

The President’s avuncular disposition to Malami has proved very salutary in the discharge of the mandates of his office. But the forces against him have been raising sundry issues with which to upend his stewardship. That has not worked. The forces had tried to insinuate that the Abacha loot was being relooted because Malami determined the contract of the Swiss lawyer, Enrico Monfrini, in 2016 and appointed a team of Nigerian lawyers to complete the repatriation process.

What they would not tell the world was that by doing so, Malami had put an end to Monfrini’s opaque professional charges since 1999 when he was contracted by the Federal Government to handle the deal. Interestingly, Monfrini had requested to be paid at least another 20 per cent to complete the repatriation of the remaining $322.5 million in Switzerland, which Malami rejected. The Nigerian lawyers, who were contracted in his stead, had accepted five per cent professional fee on the value of the money to complete the process.

Immediately the Federal Government, through the former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, announced the receipt of the money to the last cent, lodged with the Central Bank of Nigeria, which she said was more than the $321 million that was widely reported in the media (having attracted about $1.5

million interest), forces began to bat eyelids. And following her clarifications that there were no problems with the repatriation and the request by the Nigerian lawyers that completed the repatriation process to be paid $16.9 million, the campaign of calumny against Malami was intensified.

But that clean bill was significant for Malami as it underscored the transparency and integrity of the processes and procedures adopted. He had also passed his memo for payment through the Federal Executive Council (FEC) even when he has the constitutional powers to authorize the payment. His action had added some great values to the Buhari government. Regardless, the forces fought on, moving to the National Assembly to seek to use the House of Representatives to throw spanner in the works. The ad-hoc committee set up by the House to probe the payment of $16.9 million to the Nigerian lawyers did not eventually see through the assignment. Malami’s decision to follow due process in the repatriation process helped to dismantle, with good arguments and documentary evidence, the allegation of planned re-looting of the Abacha loot.

In 2020, a coalition against corruption, comprising Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) and Say No Campaign called on President Buhari via a petition to probe Malami. The coalition had listed fourteen high-profile corruption allegations against him, ranging from financial sleaze to influence peddling. The group’s allegations, in most of the particulars supplied, centred on Malami using his office as AGF to direct withdrawal of several cases.

The question then was: did the office of the AGF have the powers or not to do so, to enter nolle prosequi or instruct the Solicitor General of the Federation or Director of State Prosecution to discontinue a matter in the national interest? The question was resolved in Malami’s favour in critical public discourses. What the group tried to play up was to mention names of the people allegedly involved in the belief that Nigerians might feel somewhat scandalized about such cases review-the Malabu case involving Dan Etete, Mohammed Adoke; Diezani Allison Madueke, the late Mohammed Inde Dikko, Abdulrasheed maina, and Danjuma Goje, among others.

The group had also listed some property in Kano and Kebbi allegedly procured by Malami after he became Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation as issues in its allegation of corrupt enrichment. The details were too salacious to be true.

Their goal was made very clear in their call for the immediate resignation of Malami.

There were reports that some forces allegedly working in cahoots with a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were the masterminds and sponsors of the petition to sully Malami’s reputation and cause his removal from office by the President. Although, Malami reportedly wrote to the President to defend himself against the allegations, the Presidency, as learnt, quietly undertook an independent investigation of the allegations, and discovered that they were not true and therefore not an issue to dissipate energy on.

While that was on, the said former EFCC chairman who had become a subject of investigation based on an official report, which led to the setting up of panel headed by retired Court of Appeal President, Justice Ayo Salami, whose report had since nailed him, thus paving the way for the emergence of a new chairman, was already sinking deeper and deeper into the mud of corruption allegations against him.

In navigating the storm of existential threats in the discharge of his official duties, Malami’s nine lives, like those of a cat, have become quite evident in the atmospherics and nuances of the story of his survival.

And just recently, the malicious forces resorted to wishing Malami dead. The takeaway from their celebration of the purported collapse of Malami at an event in Kebbi was that if they could not get President Buhari to remove him from office, they would be satisfied for him to die so that his place can be taken by another. But the impression they created was that Malami was seriously sick on account of the incident and was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of one of the hospitals in the country.

Whereas there was nothing of such, Malami has continued to carry out the functions of his office, living out an old English proverb, which states: “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays; for three he strays, and for the last three, he stays.” Malami is staying in office in the home-stretch to the end of the second term of the Buhari administration, having successfully strayed in the midst of enemies within and without, and played with wolves donning the garbs of associates.

––Yamai writes from Abuja.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 1,2021

NEWSXTRA Over 590 Nigerians Murdered in Violent Attacks in April, Says Report Bennett Oghifo

SUSTAINING LEGACIES… L-R: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State with former Super Eagles Coach and Ex-Rangers International Football Club player, Christian Chukwu, during the launch of a book on Enugu Rangers, titled ‘The New Dawn’, at The Base Event Centre, Enugu, yesterday

‘Nigeria Needs $1.6tn to Lift 100 million Out of Poverty’ Festus Akanbi

As the nation battles the spike in poverty rate, the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) has disclosed that $1.6 trillion was needed to effectively tackle the scourge in Nigeria within a period of 10 years as it expressed optimism in the ability of the federal government to achieve poverty reduction within the specified time frame.

The council, which warned against borrowing for the fight against poverty, also raised the need for government to reduce

its size in order to free funds to other productive areas.

The PEAC position was contained in a document, titled National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) prepared to assist President Muhammadu Buhari achieve his aspiration to fight poverty in the country.

According to the document prepared in March this year, “Over the 10-year-programme period, (2021-2031), the total cost of the execution/implementation of the policies and programmes underpinning this strategy is estimated at US$1.6 trillion, giving

an annual average of about US $161billion.

“This estimated cost covers the dual objective of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty as well as achieving all the country’s development objectives in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030,” the document stated.

The council, which also noted that as a middle-income country, around 50-60 per cent ($80bn-$97bn) financing needs is expected to be covered by government, said going by its recent budgetary resources, such financing needs are beyond what the government can shoulder

alone.

“The challenge, however, is that in the recent past, specifically in 2020, the total consolidated national budgetary resources (federal and state governments) was only around US$54billion.

“The PEAC is thus conscious of the fact that in the current situation, public sector financial resources are inadequate to achieve the goals of poverty reduction and the SDGs. The capacity of the Nigerian government to increase investment and thereby spur post-COVID recovery and job creation is significantly impaired.

President Buhari Reappoints Runsewe, DG NCAC DejiElumoyeinAbuja andCharles Ajunwa President Muhammadu Buhari has reappointed the Director General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, for another term of four years after an eventful first tenure that attracted local and international recognitions to Nigeria’s rich cultural

heritage.

Runsewe, was appointed four years ago in the month of April, and his reappointment has put to rest all the speculations about his future in the NCAC. The President’s Senior Special Assistant, Media, Garba Shehu, announced that President Buhari found Runsewe worthy to continue the good works he was doing at

NCAC and for Nigerian culture.

Acting President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkerewuem Onung and President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, have congratulated Runsewe for his reappointment President Buhari and also thanked the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai

Mohammed, for his support to NCAC. Meanwhile, Runsewe has received with great shock the news of the sudden demise of the President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN)), Alhaji Saleh Rabo, saying he was an outstanding Nigerian who contributed greatly to the development of tourism, arts and culture in the country.

A new report by SB Morgan (SBM) Intelligence says over 590 Nigerians lost their lives in violent attacks in various parts of the country last month.

The report, an analysis of the number of killings reported in the media, listed 160 instances of violent attacks from April 1 to 27 in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory, excluding Kogi, Jigawa, Kwara, Bauchi, and Kano states.

The death Àgure of the report in April this year more than doubled that of last year’s which was 256 people from 67 instances in various parts of the country.

According to the report, last month’s high murder statistics was because of an upsurge in violent crimes, in diͿerent parts of the country, such as arson, coldblooded murder, and kidnapping that occurred almost every day.

The report says Benue State has the highest number of deaths with 127 people killed in 11 attacks, followed closely by Zamfara with 86 deaths in six attacks, while Borno is next with 85 deaths in nine incidents.

The number of deaths in other states include: Kaduna (32), Katsina (31), Anambra (29), Imo (25), Rivers (24), Yobe (21), Gombe (18), Niger (12), Kebbi (11), Akwa Ibom (10), Taraba (10), Lagos (9), Adamawa (6), Delta (6), Ebonyi (6), and Plateau (6).

Bayelsa and Ekiti recorded Àve deaths each, Cross River, Edo, and Osun have four deaths each; Ondo recorded three deaths; Abuja, Abia, Enugu, Nasarawa, and Ogun recorded two fatalities, and Oyo and Sokoto recorded one death each.

The north-west region of the country recorded the highest number of deaths with about 161 people killed.

North-east: Army Reviews Operations DV +DGLQ .DL 5HSODFHV /DÀ\D 'ROH Kingsley Nwezehin Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday approved the renaming of the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the North-east from Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) to Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).

Operation Lafiya Dole and Army Super Camps were launched by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai.

The super camp concept which entailed massing troops in a particular location, came under severe criticism during Buratai’s reign as army chief.

Borno State Governor, Prof.

Babagana Zulum, among other critics, said the super camp concept mopped up soldiers from critical areas leaving such places at the mercy of the insurgents.

A statement signed by Army Spokesman, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, said the change was premised on the fact that the Nigerian Army (NA) had made progress over the years

and needed to re-align for better efficiency.

Also affected by the redesignation are “the Army Super Camps which now reflect the nomenclature of the formations and units followed by the name of the locations they occupy while sub-units are redesigned as Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) followed by the name of their locations”.

The army headquarters said the changes take immediate effect.

It said the renaming was in line with the army chief’s vision of having “a Nigerian Army that is repositioned to professionally defeat all adversaries in a joint environment”.

The statement noted that “it is the belief of the COAS that the complete defeat of insurgency is a process that requires the participation of the entire nation using all elements of national power”.

He further assured that the army under his leadership would continue to pursue the path of jointness in prosecuting the counterinsurgency war.

NBS to Ngige: You Lied, Our Unemployment Statistics Accurate Cont’d from Pg. 5 Father Mbaka Fighting Buhari for Failing to Kale stated that the World Bank had outrightly denied making such denigrating comments, as alleged by the minister on the data generated by the statistical agency.

According to him: “The World Bank has denied making any such statement and rather together with the economic advisory committee affirmed its confidence, commendation, support and close working relationship with @nigerianstat.

The World Bank can be contacted, if in doubt.”

According to Kale, the NBS had approached the bank to verify the claim by the minister, adding that it was found to be untrue.

It is however, not uncommon for politicians to criticise data releases, especially when it is not in their favour.

The latest Labour Force Statistics: Unemployment and Underemployment Report (Q4 2020), published by the NBS in March, had put the country’s unemployment rate at 33.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020 (Q4 2020), compared to 27.1 per cent in Q2, implying that

23.18 million of the country’s labour force were jobless by the country’s definition of unemployment.

The employment figures had obviously unsettled the current administration which had promised to create 100 million jobs for Nigerians over the next 10 years.

The NBS, had in May 2015, officially unveiled the revised concepts and methodology for computing labour statistics in the country, resetting the new unemployment rate at 6.4 per cent as at Q4 2014.

Kale had, while justifying the change in methodology, explained that there was “no universal standard definition of unemployment, as various countries adopt definitions to suit their local priorities.”

He said: “Virtually all countries, however, use the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition, or a variant of it to compute unemployment.

“The ILO definition covers persons aged 15–64 who during the reference period (which is

usually the week preceding the time the survey is administered) were available for work, actively seeking work, but were unable to find work.”

According to him: “The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, like most countries in the world, uses a variant of the ILO definition such that the unemployment is the proportion of those in the labour force (not in the entire economic active population, nor the entire Nigerian population) who were actively looking for work but could not find work for at least 20 hours during the reference period to the total currently active (labour force) population.

“Accordingly, you are unemployed if you did absolutely nothing at all or did something but not for up to 20 hours in a week.

“Under-employment, however, occurs if you work less than full time hours, which is 40 hours, but work at least 20 hours on average, a week and/or if you work full time but are engaged

in an activity that underutilises your skills, time and educational qualifications.”

He said: “Consequently, rural farmers, only farming seasonally, will be considered underemployed if they only work on their farms during the planting and harvests period and do nothing in between.

“If farmers are, however, working in dry and wet seasons as is increasingly becoming the case, they will then be considered to be involved in full time employment.

This applies to drivers, cooks, bankers, teachers etc who, in most cases, work well over 40 hours and hence are considered full time employed as their working hours and skills meet the adopted methodology.

He said: “The suitability of wages or job fulfilment is covered under other indices such as the living standard, poverty rate or happiness index, but not in determining whether one is employed, unemployed or underemployed, which is a function of economic engagement.”

Influence Govt Contracts, Alleges Presidency

Deji ElumoyeinAbuja The Presidency yesterday formally responded to recent call

by Catholic priest, Father Ejike Mbaka, for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the cleric was after the President for failing to influence government contract in favour of his contractor-friends.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement yesterday entitled Father Mbaka Is Everything Apart From What He Claims To Be’, said the priest who supported Buhari to win the Presidency twice changed overnight because the President failed to award contract to three of his contractor-friends.

The statement reads: “An outsider distilling the avalanche of verbiage, will be surprised that after supporting the President two times to win the Presidency, Father Mbaka has made

a complete U-Turn, preposterously asking President Buhari to resign or be impeached.

“Here is the point of departure: Father Mbaka asked for a meeting and to the shock of Presidential Aides, he came accompanied by three contractors. The President graciously allowed them in, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Mbaka asked for contracts as compensation for his support.

“Anyone familiar with President Buhari knows that he doesn’t break the laid down rules in dealing with contracts or any other government business for that matter. He requested the appropriate authorities to deal with the matter in accordance with laid down rules.

“Inside the Villa, discretion prevailed, that if those pictures and requests were made public, the followers will turn against the religious leader. None of it was released. Now, this is what is eating Father Mbaka.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹, 2021

45

NEWSXTRA

=HQLWK %DQN 4 3URÀW 5LVHV E\ WR 1 EQ Nume Ekeghe In a clear demonstration of its resilience, Zenith Bank Plc yesterday announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended 31st March 2021, with profit after tax (PAT) rising by five per cent to N53.1 billion, from N50.5 billion recorded in March 2020.

This was despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the bank’s

unaudited statement of account presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) the Group’s profit before yax (PBT) also grew by four per cent, from N58.8 billion to N61.0 billion in the same period.

The statement explained that the profitability was driven by the optimisation of the cost of funds and improvement in non-interest income.

In addition, the bank’s cost of funds reduced significantly from 2.6 per cent in March 2020, to 1.1 per cent in March 2021.

This, it stated also reflected in interest expense which dropped by 45 per cent from N32.8 billion to N18 billion over the same period.

Non-interest income increased by 10 per cent from N46.6 billion to N51.2 billion, driven by growth in credit-related fees and fees on electronic products.

Non-interest income was boosted by the increase in fees and commission income, which resulted from the increased volume of transactions across all the bank’s channels. Similarly, Zenith Bank’s

cost of risk in the period under review, dropped from 0.6 per cent in March 2020 to 0.5 per cent in March 2021, which affirmed the bank’s prudent risk management, even as gross loans increased by two per cent from N2.92 trillion to N2.98 trillion in Q1 2021.

The results showed that the bank’s robust customer acquisition strategy and the effectiveness of its electronic platforms and digital channels enabled it to deliver a N54 billion increment in the savings account balance, which

is solely retail.

Also, customer deposits grew by six per cent, from N5.34 trillion in December 2020 to N5.68 trillion in March 2021. Transactions on electronic channels also grew astoundingly as new customers continue to be attracted to the Bank’s various user-friendly digital platforms.

Going forward in 2021, the bank expects that the ongoing economic recovery and improvements in the yield environment will translate into improved numbers for the

Group. “This is expected to be supported by local and international COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, rising commodity prices, and global economic growth of up to six per cent, as estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“The Group will continue to position itself to take advantage of positive developments in the domestic and global economy to deliver improved financial performance and returns to all its stakeholders,” it added.

8QLWH WR 6DYH $ELD IURP 0LVUXOH 8QGHUGHYHORSPHQW Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo ÓØ ×ßËÒÓË The political elites of Abia State have been urged to set aside their diͿerences and come together in unity of purpose to save the state from “misrule and sluggish development” which has been its lot over the years. The secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Contact/Strategy Committee, Dr. Ikechi Emenike made the call at a stakeholders meeting held at Umukabia Okpuala in Umuahia North local government. during which strategies were discussed to save Abia from misrule.

The senior party chieftain noted that Abia elites were usually indifferent to issues of governance thereby wittingly encouraging things to continue go wrong in God’s Own State.

He told the gathering of over 1,000 stakeholders comprising professionals, academics, women and youth groups drawn from the 17 local governments of Abia that time had come to save the state and realistically change its narrative To achieve this goal, Emenike called on Abia elites to do away with docility, promotion of mediocrity, apathy, and political hypocrisy that have been doing much harm to the state over the

years.

He said that it was self-deceit for the elites to remain in their comfort zones and allow Abia to wallow in poor development indices, adding, “What is happening in the state is enough to make someone ashamed”.

However, he assured that 2023 would be a deÀning moment for Abia as there would be no room for business as usual syndrome at the polls “because the people have had enough misrule (and) we have to anchor on and believe in God for the desired change”.

Emenike, who is a development economist, publisher and consultant to international Ànancial organisations including IMF, World Bank, and AfDB, noted that he has deep knowledge of how backwater economies were transformed to global players to the beneÀts of citizens.

He stated that his desire to lift Abia out of underdevelopment remained unquenchable and if given the opportunity to serve the state as the governor in 2023, the people of Abia would deÀnitely experience a new lease of life.

The highly principled politician said that his international experience has exposed him to the location of resources which could be accessed to make governance work eͿectively for the people of Abia.

$WLNX %HPRDQV (FRQRPLF 'HFLPDWLRQ RI :RUNHUV Chuks Okocha ÓØ ÌßÔË

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lamented what he called the persistent and frightening economic decimation of the Nigerian working class in the face of appalling inÁation and declining living standards.

In his 2021 May Day solidarity message to the Nigerian workers, Atiku notes that the conditions of the Nigerian workers were worrisome in our ever hostile economic environment, a situation that made saving and survival almost impossible.

According to him, “even what we call basic food items are unaͿordable and we are in a situation where the price of a bag of rice is nearly at par with the value of our minimum wage.”

The former Vice President added that the “increase in the national minimum wage has been matched or neutralised by astronomical inÁation that is accelerating at a breathtaking rate almost daily. Even the

locally produced foods are prohibitively expensive.

“The Nigerian workers have never had it so bad.

The impacts of the lockdown and worsening inÁation have taken their heaviest toll on the working class. The situation is so bad that they are now living from hands to mouth,” Atiku further lamented.

He also explained that in the face of low morale and poor motivation, productivity would inevitably take a nose dive.

“This situation”, he said “will only create favourable conditions for corruption and aggravate depression and mental health problems among civil servants.”

“Let me be clear: these challenges of economic survival are not limited to the civil servants alone. They aͿect the working class at all levels, including artisans and other low income groups that are struggling desperately to put food on the table in the face of declining incomes and rising inÁation,” the former Vice President added.

SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS...

Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao and the Chief of Naval Staff, Awwal Zubairu Gambo at the security meeting in Abuja ...yesterday.

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(QXJX 5DQJHUV· (QWKXVLDVWV &HOHEUDWH 8JZXDQ\L·V 5HVLOLHQFH -LQ[ EUHDNLQJ 6SLULW Fans of Enugu Rangers International Football Club, yesterday, paid glowing tributes to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, for his dexterity, resilience and achievements in revamping the club and returning it to its winning ways.

The enthusiasts, who spoke during the launch of The New Dawn’, a book on Enugu Rangers International Football Club, written

by Basil Ojengwa, at The Base Event Centre, Enugu, narrated with nostalgia how Governor Ugwuanyi repositioned and gave maximum support to the club, which enabled it to win the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and the 2018 NFF/ AITEO Federation Cup, after 32

years without winning a trophy.

Describing Ugwuanyi as a jinx-breaker, the Rangers fans, said that the governor’s achievements, commitment and steadfastness in returning the club to its winning ways as well as other feats in the sport industry were legendary and unprecedented.

They added that lovers of Rangers football club all over the world were indebted to the governor for resuscitating the club’s ‘Never Say Die’ spirit, which according to them, was the pride of the Igbo man, after the Civil War. Reviewing the book, the member representing Ezeagu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chima Obieze, highlighted that

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Six suspected kidnappers who had been terrorising the people of Odo-Owa town in Oke- Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State have been arrested by some youths of the town The arrested suspects according to THISDAY checks were said to have been doing their nefarious activities in the area for past few weeks before luck ran against them in the town yesterday.

The suspected kidnappers whose gang leader was identified as one Ramoni were said to have kidnapped four persons, including a Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officer in Odo-Owa on Wednesday and

thereafter demanded N8m ransom.

A source told our correspondent that the family of the victims paid N2m to the suspected kidnappers as the first tranche and it was when they were about to pay the balance of N6m that the youths pounced on the kidnappers and arrested them.

He added that the kidnappers had been handed over to security agents in the area.

It was also learnt that a building belonging to the leader of the gang was set on fire by the irate youths in Omu-Aran.

When contacted, the spokesman of Kwara State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said the command has not been officially informed about the development.

the author narrated “the contributions of a great leader (Ugwuanyi) who can best be described as a Peaceful Leader, Lover of Football, Silent Achiever and a Consensus Builder”.

Hon. Obieze added that “the author dedicated this book first to the Almighty God and then to the man God used to bring Rangers back to her winning ways, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.”

The lawmaker explained that the five-chapter book also dwelt on the evolution of football and football clubs, the advent of football in Africa as well as the metamorphosis of the name Rangers “through a military name used during the Nigerian Civil War”, among other narratives.

Emphasising on Chapter four of the book, Hon. Obieze pointed out that it aptly captured the title of the book and the leadership role played

by Gov. Ugwuanyi in ushering in “A New Dawn” for Rangers and her fans across the globe.

He stressed that “this underscores the position of our father, the former Chairman of Rangers and Governor of old Anambra State, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo who said in the book: ‘…Sadly, 32 years after I left as Governor, Rangers failed and failed until another Governor whose name is Ifeanyichukwu came into office and broke the jinx. I was very happy to see him turn the table again in favour of Rangers”.

)* 3URSRVHG (OHFWULFLW\ 7DUL; +LNH :RQ·W EH 6LJQLÀFDQW

Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÌßÔË

Minister of Power, Mr. Sale Mamman, yesterday stated that there would be no major hike in electricity tariff, but failed to completely dismiss the statement released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERC), giving Nigerians a 21-day feedback period before the increase in July.

In a statement he personally signed in Abuja, the minister said Nigerians should expect an increased efficiency in the sector that would eventually lead to reduced tariffs while managing issues associated with foreign exchange and inflation.

Making the announcement during the week, NERC had

explained that the latest notice was issued to inform the general public and industry stakeholders of the commission’s intention to conclude the extraordinary tariff review process for the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos).

In addition, NERC stated that it was also set to commence the processes for the July 2021 minor review of MYTO (2020) to consider changes in inflation, foreign exchange, gas prices, available generation capacity and capital expenditure.

But Mamman explained that the order issued by NERC on the 26th of April 2021 titled “Notice of Minor and Extraordinary Review of Tariffs for Electricity Transmission and Distribution Companies” was a routine procedure.

46

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͯ

NEWSXTRA

We’re Committed to Nigeria’s Stability, Security, Says UK Minister Festus Akanbi The United Kingdom has expressed its resolve to collaborate with the Nigerian government to promote stability and security in Nigeria.

The UK Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, who disclosed this yesterday, said the UKNigeria relationship mattered to both countries.

Duddridge, who held series of meetings with government officials, agencies, business leaders and civil society groups, said the UK-Nigeria relationship matters

to both countries, especially in strengthening trade and investment cooperation.

He was accompanied by Helen Grant, UK Prime Minister’s special envoy for girls’ education and trade envoy to Nigeria.

Part of his itinerary was a high-level discussion with Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama; President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commission, Jean-Claude Brou, as well as governors of Kaduna,

Jigawa, Lagos and Edo states.

Duddridge also visited Apapa seaport, where he took a tour of a terminal and met with officials of agencies to discuss law enforcement and trade facilitation between the UK and Nigeria.

During the four-day visit, the UK minister covered a wide range of issues, including human rights, girls’ education, and electoral reform. Discussions also centred on how the UK could work in partnership with Nigeria to address insecurity and support economic development as the world builds back better from

COVID-19.

Giving a recap of his visit, the minister said, “The UK-Nigeria relationship matters to both countries. Over four days, we have covered a wide range of issues, including how best to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, how to get and keep more girls in school, and how to work more closely together on global challenges such as COVID-19 and on climate change ahead of COP26.”

“I also heard from Nigerian civil society the importance of delivering electoral reform and

GRATEFUL TO GOD...

Very Rev. Jacob Ayedona, with the Bishop, Diocese of Oyo, Rt. Revd. Joseph Osifuwa, the host Bishop of Remo, the Rt Revd. Bamidele Ibikunle and the Guest Preacher, the Rt. Revd. Simenon Oluwole Onaleke at the 2021 annual 30th Synod Sunday thanksgiving service at the Oko Circuit, Sagamu, Remo Ogun State

Tompolo's Monarch Assures Ijaws Won’t be Instigated into another War With Neighbours Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ The traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, yesterday gave an assurance that the Ijaws would not be instigated into any war with their neighbours.

Consequently, he warned war-mongers to steer clear noting that Gbaramatu Kingdom was a peaceful place desirous of development and not war.

The foremost Ijaw monarch gave the assurance during the celebration of Gbaraun Egbesu/ Ibolomobo-Ere/Amaseikumor festival, held at Oporoza town, the ancestral headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom and homeotwn of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias "Tompolo" in Warri SouthWest Local Governing Area of Delta State. The royal father, who, also marked his 5th year on the throne, attributed the prevalent

peace in his domain and across the entire Ijaw communities in Niger Delta region to the yearly celebration of Amaseikumor festival which cleanses their homelands.

"May we use this opportunity to reiterate that the Gbaramatu people will always live in peace with their neighbours and will continue to foster unity amongst us and our neighbours. Therefore, it is imperative for the public to note that we cannot be instigated

or plunged into armed conflicts with our neighbours by bloodhungry merchants of war.

“Gbaramatu kingdom broke into national and international limelight on many notes and descriptions but peace. We were deliberately painted as a habitation of troublemakers, lawless and ungrateful people by outsiders who knew nothing about us but relied on the concocted tales told to the by mischief makers.

citizens wherever they choose to live and engage in legitimate businesses. "Herdsmen who are Nigerians must be protected and encouraged to embrace modern technology and practices of ranching their cattle and not engage in open grazing of cows in farms which creates conflicts," they said.

The Rights group further asked the National Assembly to impeach the President for failing in his primary constitutional obligation of protecting lives and property of the citizens and for betraying his constitutional oath by siding with Miyetti Allah Cattle Owners Association which has been behind many attacks across Nigeria.

OneofNigeria’sTelecommunicationsCompanies,Globacom,has commendedNigerianworkersfor theirpatriotism,diligenceanddoggedness even in the face of global economicchallenges,urgingthem tousetheMayDaycelebrationto reaffirmtheircommitmenttothe service of their fatherland.

In a statement issued in commemoration of the 2021 International Workers' Day, Globacom, described Nigerian workers as "the most resilient in the world”, adding that they have shown commendable dedication in spite of the challenges facing the nation and its people.

While calling on Nigerian workers to remain dedicated to duty and redouble their efforts at

that the meetings afforded her the opportunity to enhance macro-economic reform and promote new trade and investment opportunities for the UK through support to British businesses that want to invest in Nigeria.

Ayiri Remains Suspended as Ologbosere of Warri, Iyatsere Insists Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ ÓÞã The Acting Ologbosere and the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Atseleghe yesterday insisted that the former Ologbosere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami remained suspended and cautioned the media from referring to him as such.

The Itsekiri factions ahead of plan towards the coronation of the Prince Tsola Emiko, the Olu of Warri designate met for the third time at the Nigeria Police Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin in furtherance of peace move to end the crisis that trailed the emergence of Prince Emiko.

Attempts to get an interview from the both sides however was rebuffed. But Atserunleghe on the sideline of their meetings cautioned the media to desist from addressing Chief Ayiri as the Ologbosere of Warri Kingdom.

Recall that the Police had last week questioned Chief Ayiri Emani for several hours over the invasion of the palace of the Olu of Warri where it was reported that the 400 years old crown and the symbol of the Itsekiri monarchy were declared missing.

The demise of the immedi-

ate past Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, in December 2020, had created a succession tussle which eventually produced Prince Tsola Emiko as the chosen Olu-elect (Omoba) in Warri.

Ayiri, had last week told journalists that he was “invited based on the incident in Warri and it happens to be the invasion of the Olu palace that was why I was invited and I told them I know nothing about that because I was not in town when that incident happened so I know nothing about it and I told them I know nothing about it.

“It is about that laid down procedure, which is one of the reasons why I am here and I have told the police. The police have questioned me on that issue, what led to the invasion; I have answered that and other issues I can’t divulge.

Alluding to his interest in ensuring peace had stated “The person in question (Olu designate) is my brother; he is my friend, so, I have no personal issue when you say Ayiri is not in support, whatever we are doing as Itsekiri, there are laid down procedure and that is what I am trying to do so it is not that I am not in support in whatever they are doing.

Pensioners to Earn New Minimum Wage Bennett Oghifo

The nation’s pensioners are to earn new minimum wage, followinganapprovalbyPresident Muhammadu Buhari.

The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, who informed journalists of this development yesterday, stated that “The arrears from April 2019 will be paid along with the pensioners’ monthly benefit starting from May 2021 payroll.”

She said the upward adjustachieving excellence in the work ment of the pensioners’ benefits place, Globacom advised labour would be done through the unions to continue to contribute Pension Transitional Arrangement towards building a strong work Directorate (PTAD), as promised culture that will help set Nigeria in a statement issued on March 22. on the path of industrialisation and “I emphasise that the Nigeria true greatness.

Union of Pensioners has no reason “Globacom congratulates to go on protest because the matter Nigerian workers as they join their has been finalized,” she said. counterparts all over the world to According to her, “True to that mark another Workers’ Day. Their statement, we are here today to commitment to nation building confirm that the consequential and their resilience over the years adjustment will be implemented is well appreciated. We salute their from May 2021 payroll. dedication and uncommon courage, “As a responsible agency of and wish to use the occasion of the government saddled with the Workers’ Day celebration to urge responsibility of overseeing the them to rededicate themselves to the payment of pension benefits to social and economic development of pensioners under the DBS and the country", the statement added. their welfare, we are encouraged

Stop Myetti Allah’s Threat on South- Glo Celebrates Nigerian east, HURIWA Tells Buhari Workers on May Day President Muhammadu Buhari has been asked to stop the attack being planned by MiyettiAllah Kauta Hore targeting South-east of Nigeria and arrest the chief mastermindoftheterrorismplot, one Saleh Hassan who issued a media statement to that effect.

The call was made by Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) which urged all groups in the Southeast of Nigeria and all over the country to reject violence and opt for harmonious relationships amongst all ethnicities and religious affiliations.

The Rights group also charged all relevant law enforcement agencies to protect Nigerian

addressing human rights concerns.

“Nigerian stability and security matters to the UK. We want to work with Nigeria to improve both, and encourage all in the country to work together to promote peace and unity.”

On her part, Grant noted

to do more for our pensioners.

“And we will continue to strive to improve the quality of their lives.

“We have concluded arrangements to send SMS to all pensioners, informing them of the payment and to caution them on the activities of the pension scammers.

“The time has come for DBS pensioners to continue to eat the fruits of their labour.

“We appeal to pension unions to always cooperate with the directorate in order to further facilitate better welfare opportunities for our pensioners.”

CHANGE OF NAME

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹, 2021

SPORTS XTRA

No Grudge against Rohr over Super Eagles’ Snub, Says Simi Nwankwo Simy Nwankwo’s goals for Italian Serie A side Crotone mean he is rated one of Europe’s best scorers in 2021, yet considered surplus to requirements by Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr.

His 19 goals for Serie A’s bottom club is a new record for a Nigerian striker in a single season in one of Europe’s top leagues to overtake Yakubu’s Aiyegbeni’s 17 goals in the 2011-12 campaign for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League.

Despite these impressive statistics the Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr, has indicated Simy is not part of his plans at the moment, something the player says does not worry him.

“As I said before, I have never stopped following his performances, but I believe that next year he must go and play in a club and in a team that is stronger than Crotone,” Rohr told website Europa Calcio.

“It will not be equally easy, but he would already have a better chance of returning to the national team.”

Simy’s 15 goals in 19 Serie A appearances since the start of the year is only bettered by Robert Lewandowski (19 goals in 14 games), Lionel Messi (19 goals in 17) and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Andre Silva (16 goals in 17) in

Europe’s top five leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France).

The 28-year-old, who was a shock call-up to the Nigeria 2018 World Cup squad but has since been overlooked by Rohr, is philosophical about not adding to the five caps he won in 2018.

“I won’t say I am bothered about the Super Eagles. As a Nigerian I am a fan of the national team, we are all born to be fans of the Super Eagles,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“I share the same dream and ambition of every young footballer to one day represent the country.

But it’s not in my hands, it’s not something I can control.

“I focus on the only thing that I can control, which is my my day-to-day performances, improvement, becoming better every day, working hard and doing the things I have to do for my club.

“That’s the only thing that I am able to control. What happens in the Super Eagles is out of my control.

“If it happens again, it happens and if not.. life goes on.

I am not worried.”

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is preferred in the Nigeria squad to his Serie A rival Simy Rohr also pointed out that at

the moment Simy faces a lot of competition up front in the Super Eagles squad.

“However, the competition is huge: we have Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho from Leicester and Paul Onuachu

from Genk, who is very similar to Simy in terms of features and physical build,” Rohr pointed out.

“Without forgetting Umar Sadiq and Odion Ighalo. So it is very difficult to be part of the

The former Queens Park Rangers dazzler has played in a variety of positions for the Eagles, including attacking midfielder, central midfielder, right midfielder and left midfielder.

Hodgson has lavished Eze with praise, adding that he is encouraging him to be an all-round midfielder.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Hodgson stated: “Well Eberechi’s a player that’s played in lots of positions.

“He’s a very talented ball player, a very good offensive midfielder. We’re trying to encourage him to be a good all-round midfield player.

“I don’t think it’s a problem playing

him in a position slightly in-field because that’s where he spent a lot of his time for Queens Park Rangers. He even spent a lot of time centrally in behind the forward.”

He added: “So it’s just a different position that we asked him to play on Monday night in terms of giving us the set up to play Leicester that we wanted, but it certainly wasn’t asking him to do anything that he’s uncomfortable with, and if you ask him, of course, he prefers to be further infield than playing out wide”.

Eze has been one of Crystal Palace’s brightest sparks in this season’s Premier League, playing 30 games with seven goal involvements.

Onuachu Makes History, Reaches 30 League Goals Mark Paul Onuachu becomes only the second player to score 30 league goals in Europe’s top 10 leagues this season and the first Nigerian to reach that mark as he was on target in Racing Genk 3-2 win against Royal Antwerp in a Belgian First Division A clash at Bosuilstadion yesterday.

After Theo Bongonda opened the scoring for the visitors in the 19th minute, Antwerp netted twice in the space of four second-half minutes to go 2-1 up.

Onuachu equalised for the visitors in the 73rd minute, before Bongonda wrapped up the scoring with two minutes left.

With his second half strike, the Nigeria international has taken his goal total for the season up to 30 in the league, with 29 registered in the regular season.

He is the second player to reach 30 goals over the same campaign in the 21st century after Wesley Sonck in 2001-2002.

Since Onuachu returned from interna-

tional duty this month, he has scored in each of his last four games in the league, starting with the win at OH Leuven, before strikes against Sint-Truiden and Antwerp twice.

The former FC Midtjylland man won his first silverware in Belgium last weekend as Genk defeated Standard Liege in the Belgian Cup final.

Onuachu found the back of the net twice in the Beker van Belgie, making it 32 goals in all competitions in 2020-2021.

Fans Return for Premier League Matches Mid-May Away fans could be allowed back at Premier League matches for the final two rounds of the season, following a change in stance from the government.

Only home fans have been permitted to attend top-flight games since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Up to 500 away fans could be allowed to watch games in May’s final two matches.

The Premier League has also moved round 37 fixtures back to midweek, 18-19

league for Inter Milan between 2002 and 2006, he holds no grudges against Rohr.

“I need to make it clear that making the national team squad is not an obsession for me,” he added.

Simy Nwankwo’s 19 goals is the highest by any Nigerian player in the top-five leagues

Palace Manager Corroborates Rohr’s Opinion on Ebere Eze Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson and Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr have said the same thing about England U21 international on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation, Eberechi Eze. Last week, Rohr described Eze as one of the best offensive midfielders he has ever seen in England and it is something that has been echoed by the Palace boss.

With what he is showing now, Eze has been tipped to be a future Premier League superstar and produced an impressive performance playing in a slightly different position against Leicester City four days ago, providing the assist for Wilfried Zaha’s goal.

Nigeria attack, we have very good players.”

Simy adds that despite, his 29 goals erasing the record set by compatriotObafemiMartins(28 goals) - as the all-time leading Nigerian scorer in the Italian

May, so each club has one home game with fans before the end of the season.

From 17 May, outdoor sports venues are due to be allowed up to 10,000 fans or 25 per cent capacity, whichever figure is lower.

An email from Premier League chief executive Richard Masters to clubs on Thursday revealed that the government is set to allow up to 5 per cent of the capacity to be made up of away fans.

Therefore, clubs have been asked to

respond by the close of play yesterday on whether they are in favour of welcoming up to 500 away fans and whether they think it would be possible, given they would need local authority approval.

BBC Sport has been told some clubs are opposed to the move because of logistical complexities and wanting to give the maximum number of tickets to their fans, who have been unable to attend matches for several

Fury-Jushua Fight ‘Dead in Water’, Says Arum Top Rank promoter BobArum turned the Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight negotiating drama up a notch on Thursday when he referred to the discussed blockbuster boxing match for this summer as “dead in the water.”

It happened as Arum, who co-promotes Fury in the United States, told the UK’s Telegraph that talks with the fight’s Saudi Arabian hosts “will take months” or more to resolve and Fury and Joshua will have to take other opponents in the meantime.

However, sources told ESPN’s Mark Kriegel on Thursday that Fury-Joshua fight negotiations are still “inching forward.”

The Saudi hosts are on board to pay the proposed site fee of $150 million to stage the megafight and documents are currently being sent back and forth, the sources said.

The Fury-Joshua deal is for two fights, but Saudi Arabia is only involved with the planned first bout, the sources said.

Arum told the Telegraph that it’s not just the site fee at play, but “ancillary demands from the Saudis stretching into the broadcast deals and other things.”

“It could even take until 2022 the way it looks right now,” said Arum.

Meanwhile, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, has repeatedly said that Fury vs. Joshua is a “done deal.”

He reiterated that on Thursday. Asked if fight talks between the camps of Fury and Joshua had stalled, he said, “There are no delays.”

Ex-Junior International Adamu Axed from Today’s Menemenspor Game for Indiscipline Former Nigeria U20 international Ibrahim Alhassan Adamu will play no part when Menemenspor take on Ankara Keciörengücü on game week 33 in the Turkish First League today.

Through a press release, Menemenspor stated that Adamu has been excluded from the playing staff with the decision of the board of directors due to his undisciplined behavior.

In the current season, the defensive midfielder has appeared in 27 matches in the second-tier and has one assist to his name.

On the field of play, the former Flying Eagles star also has a poor disciplinary record, picking up ten yellow cards, has been sent off once, and missed two games as a result of a yellow card suspension.

The 20-year-old joined Menemenspor in August 2020 from another First League club Altay SK. A product of Kano Pillars, Adamu was a key member of the Flying Eagles squad to the 2019 U20 AFCON, going the distance in all their five matches during the tournament in Niger, but missed out on the World Cup roster.

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Ortom to Buhari “We are being overstretched and the people are fed up. We all cast our votes for President Buhari. He must not continue to be aloof. He must tell us where we are going in this country. The body language of the President shows that he is the President of the Fulani people” – Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, lamenting the continuous killings in the state by suspected herdsmen.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Ovation International and 25 Years of Uncommon Strategy

F

ellow Africans, please, permit me to make an open and audacious declaration today.

No Professor of Business Management or Mass Communication could have published Ovation International successfully for the period of time that we have done. I apologise if it sounds immodest but that’s not my intention.

It is a fact that’s solidly backed by 25 years of an epic journey and with the sight of many would be competitors sadly falling by the wayside within a short time of debuting.

One of the most frequently asked questions everywhere I go is how have we managed to keep Ovation going when much older, bigger and richer publications have long collapsed, dead and buried? I will try to expose some of the strategies that have truly helped us, since April 1996, when the first copy rolled out, like a new-born baby.

First, we had limited funds, so we were forced to be disciplined or perish before we even started.

I must expressly state and reiterate my oft repeated expression that publishing is the ultimate casino.

If you’re not a compulsive gambler, don’t even go near it. We were ready to sacrifice everything possible to sustain this amazing dream and the heavens know that we have done so. It is by the grace of God that, in the words of my cherished and adored brother, Professor Dele Ajayi, “we have not lost our shirt”! We had abundant faith in our abilities and capabilities as a team but the only thing we lacked was funding. After the initial take off plank provided by my Uncle, Chief Ezekiel Olasunmoye Fatoye, it has been a battle of wits these last twenty-five years. The more money we spent, the more we needed to sustain the brand. We were never ready to produce a mediocre magazine. We went for the best printers, photographers, designers, cameras, drum scanners, international cargo companies, in order to source, obtain, produce and deliver extraordinary stories, special events, global travels, super adventures, and so on. We simply went all out to make our dream and vision a reality and God has helped us tremendously.

From the outset, we decided on publishing a world class magazine. We chose our niche, the lifestyle of the rich and famous, the celebration of achievers, celebrities, entertainers and sportsmen. We knew that to penetrate this genre of personages, we must operate like a member of the privilegentsia.

We must talk the talk, and walk the walk, and essentially look the part. We also knew that this would cost money. Every copy of the magazine must be a collector’s item, attractively readable but not disposable. We wanted it to be an integral part of the lifestyle of the rich and famous that we chronicled. We were under no illusions that this would be tough, rough and tedious. Naysayers said that we were too ambitious, that our quality was way too high to be sustainable. But we were not going to compromise on our incredible quality in order to make ends meet. We owed it a duty to our readers, advertisers and clients in general to keep the fire of beautiful African journalism burning.

We chose our focus and developed it. We decided to go against the norm by publishing positive stories about Africa, Africans and Blacks of African descent, wherever they are on this planet.

Again, doubters told us only bad news attract the biggest readership. We were told Africa did not have enough of good stories to tell and sell. They were right and wrong at the same time because we were ready to create what did not exist. For every David Beckham, we decided that we shall respond with George Weah, John Fashanu, Nwankwo Kanu, Tony Yeboah, Austin Jay Okocha, Didier Drogba, Finidi George, Quinton Fortune, Mikel Obi, Abedi Pele, Sunday Oliseh, Michael Essien, Taribo West, Daniel Amokachi, Shola Ameobi, Asamoah Gyan, and so many others. For every Richard Branson, we shall line up Moshood Abiola, Antonio Fernandez, Mike Adenuga Jr, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and others. We shall tap into our robust arts, culture

Dele Momodu with Mrs Titi Adenuga and Dr Mike Adenuga in London 18 years ago and literature and parade Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta, Ben Okri, Chimamanda Adichie, and others.

We showcased the most beautiful Black homes on earth. For every Bishop’s Avenue or Knightsbridge in London, we photographed eye-popping edifices in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, in Maiduguri and Kano and in Oguta and Benin. The world must know and see that Africa is rising. The world must notice us by fire, by force. In music, in sports, in business, in fashion, in hospitality, and all fields of human endeavours, we are thriving. We decided not to discriminate against anyone. Every soul must have a voice even if we disagree vehemently with the person. This approach turned out to give us the biggest headache. Many Nigerians did not know the difference between reportage and opinions. Every feature is regarded as an opinion and promotion. It remains a miracle that we survived the plethora of attacks against us. But we remained undaunted. We are now vindicated. Our inimitable style is regularly unashamedly duplicated and mimeographed by the species we have spawned.

Our niche market was clear. Ovation was designed primarily as a magazine for the upper class elites but it was also aspirational in nature.

If you get hold of a copy, it must inspire you to dream big. And we are happy and proud to say

that we achieved this. Too many budding young artistes, fashion designers and sporting talents have expressed their appreciation to us for providing them with the inspiration and platform to achieve their dreams.

Access became our biggest asset. We were able to connect to the high and mighty. We built on our integrity and trustworthiness. Of course, many emergency publishers emerged from nowhere and began to try to imitate, and sometimes intimidate us because of their vaunted deep pockets, but we were too confident to be bullied by those who thought money was all that was needed. Our foray into other African countries also helped our brand.

We soon became the interconnectivity that Africa badly and urgently needed.

Africa should no longer be synonymous with wars, diseases and famine. A new Africa must emerge where an individual, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr would singlehandedly lay submarine cables from Europe to Africa and change the lives of millions on the continent as a result. A Tony Elumelu would grow a global bank in about 20 countries and empower new entrepreneurs in all African countries. A Philip Emeagwali will feature on the cover of a magazine for designing the fastest computers and not for internet fraud. A Keem Belo-Osagie will be a case study and academic icon at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard.

We set forth to work and navigate our ways through the labyrinth of a thousand daemons. Our tall dreams soon became our albatross. According to Chief Moshood Abiola “the bigger the head, the bigger the headache...” We confronted many challenges, and soon ran out of funds. Many friends tried to help but what was needed was much bigger than their strength could muster.

There were times I considered packing it up or handing it all over to a moneybag in order to free myself from the bondage of perpetual stress. I wrote to Dr Mike Adenuga Jr to please take over the company from me while I would just be his staff. He responded by telling me to work harder. “Ovation is your baby; I can’t take it from you.” The message rekindled my determination. On another occasion years after, I ran into Dr Adenuga and his adorable wife, Mrs Titi Adenuga, at Hilton Park Lane, when Chief Igbinedion marked his 70th birthday dinner some 18 years ago. Dr Adenuga was happy to see me and promised to ask GLO to give us massive support. This was a turning point. Only God can thank him for this stupendous support.

Whenever business slowed down, the Spirit of Africa would miraculously emerge from nowhere

and solve our problems. I once told him that our relationship was definitely spiritual. He told me he loves reading everything I write and even refers to himself as a student of the Dele Momodu school of writing. Imagine such generous words from one Iroko tree that everyone would love to touch.

We made sure we invested heavily in our products.

We were lucky to embrace social media before most journalists realised the times have changed.

This was another game changer for us. Not just that, we became the connecting bridge between the old and the young. We updated ourselves and upgraded our art and our craft regularly in order to keep up with the times. We knew this was going to be a long-distance race and we were prepared for every eventuality.

We’ve added The Boss newspaper (an online publication for those who value the news behind the news. For example, we broke the news of the boardroom coup at First Bank days ago). By introducing Ovation International Television, we now seriously contend for anything media by being a one stop company. Our Public Relations capacity and capabilities are super-hot.

Interestingly, and graciously, I was awarded honorary Fellowship of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), in Kigali, Rwanda, two years ago. Most of the famous African men and women have been featured by Ovation International. Many diplomats have told me how they buy Ovation International as a catalogue for studying who’s who in Africa and Nigeria in particular. It is such a big honour to be so relevant.

Many magazines also came out to compete with us but sadly none had the stamina or staying power. The occasional competition pushed us harder, but we never felt threatened at any time.

One of our biggest strategies was the launch of the Ovation Platinum Club, a membership only elite group for special corporate organisations. There is a hefty annual fee attached to it, but it gives the clients global access to our services. The first bank to sign the package was Access Bank, under the leadership of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. This package further provides us sufficient cash flow annually. It also eliminates the need of going cap in hand begging governments for patronage, which we have always been determined to avoid because it would otherwise compromise our integrity and independence.

We are truly exploratory and original. We are quite versatile and will not relent or rest on our oars. The journey has been long and tortuous, but it’s been worth the pain and pleasure...

Tribute to Shola and Funsho Oshunkeye Journalists hardly have the luxury of time and space to celebrate themselves, but we must try to do on special occasions such as this. One of Africa’s journalism icons, Mr Shola Oshunkeye, recently turned 65 on April 20, while his ever-radiant wife, Funsho turns 60 today.

Our paths crossed in June 1989 at the Weekend Concord where Oshunkeye and I both became star writers. After I left in May 1990 we kept in touch. I followed his meteoric rise as a reporter and prose stylist. I was unsurprised about his accomplishments because he is a tireless, dogged and adventurous reporter who gets his scoops because of these attributes based on the foundation laid by our boss Mr Mike Awoyinfa.

Born in Ilesa, Osun State, Shola Oshunkeye studied Science Technology at the University of Lagos. He quit Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service after 17 years of meritorious service to begin his journalism career in 1989 at Concord Press of Nigeria, as a Senior Correspondent with Nigeria’s first Saturday newspaper, Weekend Concord. Within 5 years he had been promoted Deputy News Editor in December 1991 to Associate Editor in October 1994.

Following the proscription of Concord Press, Oshunkeye was appointed Editor of Weekend Classique, a Lagos-based tabloid, in June 1994.

He returned to Weekend Concord as Associate Editor in October 1994 after the ban was lifted.

On December 1, 1999, he was named Editor of the best-selling newspaper.

In May 2001, Oshunkeye became the Associate Editor and Abuja Bureau Chief of TELL, Nigeria’s largest circulating weekly newsmagazine at the time.

He was later accredited to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, as State House Correspondent He became a Senior Associate Editor with TELL till he joined The Sun Publishing Limited in November 2005, as General Editor. In February 2008, Oshunkeye was named Editor of the newest title in the Sun’s stable, The Spectator. He was later appointed General Editor, Magazines, for the group and then General Editor, West Coast, covering Benin Republic to the Gambia.

On December 1, 2013, he was named Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited. Oshunkeye retired from The Sun Publishing group in 2016. Together with other professional friends, he founded The Crest

Publishing and Entertainment Company Limited, publishers of The Crest Online newspaper and proprietors of The Crest Journalism Enhancement Foundation, CJEF. Oshunkeye is the President/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

A much-respected journalist, Shola Oshunkeye is Fellow of The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, St. Petersburg, Florida, and The Media Project; He is also Fellow of the CNN International Professional Programme and an alumnus of the United States Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme. He has attended several international conferences on power reporting and investigative journalism.

Among other awards, he was winner of the Best Print Journalist Award of the Nigerian Media Merit Award, 1996, and the overall winner of the prestigious CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year, 2006.

Shola Oshunkeye is married to Funsho, a seasoned administrator-turned-school proprietor. The family is blessed with children and grandchildren.

I salute Shola and Funsho Oshunkeye and raise a special toast to his lovely and adorable wife, Funsho, who turns 60 today.

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