SATURDAY 7TH MAY 2022

Buhari Dashes Hopes of Igbo Leaders on Nnamdi Kanu, Says Court will Decide IPOB Leader’s Fate Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday, on the last day of his two-day working visit to Ebonyi State, told leaders of

the South-east geo-political zone that the court would determine the fate of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Igbo leaders, during a

meeting with the President at the Government House, Abakaliki, had pleaded with Buhari to release Kanu.

The Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Eze

Charles Mkpuma, delivered the plea.

Responding, the President said: ‘‘I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional

leaders regarding a wide range of options, and as I have said previously, this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.

“My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like Continued on page 5

Insecurity: President Meets with Security Chiefs, Northern Governors... Page 5 Saturday 7 May, 2022 Vol 27. No 9888

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Head of Service Orders Civil Servants to Stay out of 2023 Partisan Politics... Page 10

Imo Loses, S’Court Cedes 17 Oil Wells to Rivers State Declares only Rivers entitled to 13% derivation from the wells

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court yesterday resolved the issue of the state

entitled to the revenues from 17 oil wells in Akri and Mbede communities in favour of Rivers State.

Both Rivers and Imo states have been engaged in legal battles over the ownership of the 17 oil wells located in

boundary communities between the two states.

The National Boundary Commission had in the Nigeria

Administrative Map, 10th, 11th, 12th, and other maps delineated the two communities in which the 17 oil wells are

located in Imo State.

But, Rivers State, citing Continued on page 5

Game on as Rice Farmers Buy APC Presidential Forms for Emefiele, Unsettles Other Aspirants CBN gov: I have not accepted the challenge South-West presidential aspirants meet in Lagos, agree to ensure region gets ticket Number of aspirants with forms hit 22 as Yerima, Onu, Bankole, Boroffice join race Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos A coalition of rice farmers and other crop growers yesterday moved to drag the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele into the 2023 presidential race by purchasing the N100 million All Progressives Congress’ presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for him.

On the same day, Southwest APC presidential aspirants and leaders met in Lagos and reached an agreement to ensure that the next presidential candidate of the party is produced by

the region.

As at last night, the CBN governor had not responded to the challenge. Emefiele has not officially indicated interest in competing for the Presidential flag of the APC, saying he is focused on strengthening the nation’s economy.

Expressing the reason for their push for Emefiele, the farmers said the CBN governor's tenure as head of the Nigerian apex bank, “has shown capacity, focus, courage and worked tirelessly with the economic team of President Mohammadu Buhari to keep the economy of our great country afloat above recession Continued on page 5

GODSON MEETS GODFATHER… L-R: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, before the meeting of South-west All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirants convened by Chief Bisi Akande and Chief Olusegun Osoba in Lagos…yesterday

CAN Accuses ICC Prosecutor of Snubbing Victims of Terror Attacks in Nigeria... Page 8

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022

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Insecurity: President Meets with Security Chiefs, Northern Governors Deji Elumoye in Abuja Apparently piqued by raging insecurity across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday presided over an enlarged meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) attended by no fewer than nine Northern state governors.

The meeting, which was held behind closed-door in the Executive Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja,

commenced at about 3pm and lasted till 5.45pm.

Although details of the 'crucial' meeting was not made public, sources, however, told THISDAY that the meeting was convened by the President with a view to proffering solutions to security matters affecting some states, especially the Northern states whose governors were in attendance.

A presidential source, who spoke on condition of

anonymity, also stressed that the meeting was in connection with the security situation in the states whose governors were in attendance.

"It was all about finding a sustainable solution to the security situation in those Northern states. If you observed, the problems facing all the states represented are almost uniform; banditry and terrorism.

So it's something like a central situation room thing," the source

said.

Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), led the security team, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd); the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to the meeting.

Other security chiefs that attended the meeting included Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal

Gambo; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao.

Also in attendance were the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman; the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

The Northern governors at the meeting were Simon Lalong

of Plateau; Nasir El-Rufa'i of Kaduna; Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano; Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto; Sani Bello of Niger; Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa; Babagana Zulum of Borno; Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara.

It was gathered that the governor of Katsina State, Bello Masari and that of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, were also expected, but were unavoidably absent.

GAME ON AS RICE FARMERS BUY APC PRESIDENTIAL FORMS FOR EMEFIELE, UNSETTLES OTHER ASPIRANTS and outright collapse.”

They said they took the decision having realised that the CBN governor “is one of the trusted and tested Nigerians that have the commitment and competence to protect the interests of farmers across the country and give priority to commodity and agricultural value chain.”

The leaders of 30 farmers’ associations met in Abuja last

Wednesday to articulate their position on the Nigerian presidency, saying that they are the biggest stakeholders in the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.

One of the conveners of the meeting, Malam Ibrahim Garba said the robust national security the country needs now could only be achieved through food security.

Garba said: “Agriculture is

the key to achieving national security. Through agriculture, millions of Nigerians are economically empowered and gainfully engaged, our industries are revived, a multifaceted value chain ecosystem created, and food security is ensured.

“Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Nigerians were never short of food. We were never hungry even when every

country in the world shut its borders for nearly a year.

“Only God knows what would have happened if we were importing the food we eat. There would have been war. But that was averted due to the resilience of Nigerian farmers and commitment to agriculture by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.”

A leader from the South-

BUHARI DASHES HOPES OF IGBO LEADERS ON NNAMDI KANU, SAYS COURT WILL DECIDE IPOB LEADER’S FATE to earn a decent and honest living. ‘‘There are many that fit this profile and the government owes them that obligation to protect lives and property. ‘‘I will once again repeat, no one has the right to carry an AK-47, and anyone seen in any part of the country doing so and is not a law enforcement officer is a threat to our peaceful coexistence and should be treated as such.”

President Buhari pledged his administration's readiness to protect innocent and hardworking Nigerians from terrorists and those causing break down of law and order in the South East zone.

He expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, reiterating his directive to security agencies to “flush out” those perpetrating violence in the land.

He said: “I must register my deep and grave concern with regards to the deteriorating state of security affairs in this region.

“In the last 48 hours, I have been informed of the latest in the round of brutal actions carried out by gun-wielding terrorists, who prey on innocent and hardworking citizens.

Unfortunately, these barbaric acts were visited upon those who have committed their lives to protect their fellow citizens.”

The President paid tribute to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces who recently lost their lives in the region.

On infrastructure, President Buhari highlighted some of his government’s achievements in the zone, dismissing those peddling false narratives of lack of care and consideration for the people of the South-east by this administration The President said he was proud of the reconstruction of the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and ongoing upgrade of the International Terminal Building, assuring Ndigbo that the N200 billion Second Niger Bridge and 10km six-lane expressway in Onitsha and Asaba would be completed before the end of the year.

He added that the $5.5 million Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia was already operational.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State said President Buhari would be remembered as a man who did not use the plight of the people of the Southeast to play politics, but came to their rescue severally.

The governor urged South Eastern leaders to work towards finding a political solution in resolving some challenging issues, warning that the region was at “crossroads.”

Umahi said: “On this issue of a political solution, I have never believed in IPOB’s method of operation, I disagree with them, but we have gotten ourselves to a very terrible and pitiable situation.

“Some of us warned that we will get to this situation and some were playing politics with it.

“Mr. President, we are at a crossroads. I have been to you and I have begged you for a political solution. Surprisingly and graciously, you granted that. You said our people should initiate that and at the forefront is Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer.”

The governor, therefore, urged the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo to meet with elder statesman, Mbazuluike Amaechi, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East, the Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer and a few others to initiate the political solution.

On the forthcoming 2023 elections, Umahi said he believed strongly in the demand for the presidency to be zoned to the South-east region on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and morality.

The Ebonyi State Governor, who is also a presidential aspirant, commended some

east, Chief Madu Ndubuisi, said the representatives of farmers and their leaders decided to acquire an APC form for Emefiele, who is the driver of the Buhari agricultural revolution, to sustain this unprecedented agricultural feat.

22 APC Presidential Aspirants Pick Forms

leaders from outside the region for expressing their support for the next president of Nigeria to emerge from the South-east.

The Chairman of South-east Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma and CAN Chairman, South-east, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, also spoke in favour of the President of Nigeria of South East extraction come 2023.

The leaders, while expressing support for a united Nigeria, appealed to the President to grant pardon and release the IPOB leader, urging other agitators to cease all forms of hostilities.

The Ohanaeze had in a statement on Tuesday hoped that Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi State would kick-start the process to get Kanu freed.

The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, in the statement said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has given assurances of peace and security ahead of the planned presidential visit to Ebonyi State.

Kanu is standing trial on an amended 15-count charge bordering on treasonable felony.

In April, a federal high court in Abuja struck out eight out of the 15-count charge filed against the IPOB leader.

Mike Ozekhome, Kanu’s lead counsel, described the charges as “defective and baseless.”

As at last night, no fewer than 22 presidential aspirants had purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the APC ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

The new aspirants that picked forms are Emefiele; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; the Senator representing Ondo-North, Ajayi Boroffice and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. Others that had earlier picked forms are Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Minister of State, Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba; former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and Uju Kennedy, the only female aspirant.

The APC has also sold forms to Pastor Tunde Bakare; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the youngest presidential aspirant, Nicholas Bello; Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige.

Others are Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru; the former Governor of Zamfara State, Sani Yerima

and Mbede, including the oil wells identified on Rivers State Map showing the location of oil wells wrongly attributed to Imo State, including Akri 012, Akri 009, Akri 010, Akri 004, Akri West 002, Akri 001, Akri West 001, Akri 003, Akri 002, and Akri South 001, Mbede 017, Mbede 010, Mbede 019, Mbede 018, Mbede 002, Mbede 009, and Mbede 005 are all oil wells within the territory of Rivers State and form part of Rivers State and that it is only Rivers State that is entitled to receive the full allocation of the distributable revenue derived from the oil wells on the basis of the 13% derivation principle as provided for under Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, among others.

"A declaration that the Plaintiffs’ Map No. 2020/0303 — LD of 22/12/2020 showing the boundary line between the Plaintiff and the 2nd Defendant represents the correct boundary between the Plaintiff and the 2nd Defendant.

"An Order of Injunction directing the 1st Defendant to withdraw from circulation its Administrative Map 10th Edition, 11th Edition and 12th Edition and to refrain from relying on any of the said Maps for the purpose of determining the boundary between the Plaintiff and the 2nd defendant."

The apex court, however, refused to make an order of Mandatory Injunction directing the AGF "to calculate, to the satisfaction of the Plaintiff, and refund to the Plaintiff all revenue that have been wrongly denied the Plaintiff and wrongly attributed to or paid to Imo State on account of the limit or extent of their territories, including earnings due to the Plaintiff from distributable, revenue derived from the Akri and Mbede oil wells."

The court also refused to order the defendant to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N500 million as costs for the prosecution of the Plaintiff's suit.

IMO LOSES, S’COURT CEDES 17 OIL WELLS TO RIVERS STATE decree No. 14 of 1967, Decree No. 12 of 1976, the White papers/conclusion of the Federal Military Government on the Irikefe and the Nasir Boundary Commission/ Boundary Adjustment Commission, amongst others, claimed ownership of the disputed communities and urged the court to declare same.

Delivering judgment in the suit that had the Attorney General of the Federation and Imo State as 1st and 2nd defendants respectively, the apex court held that from the evidence before it, the affected oil wells fell in the area belonging to Rivers.

In the summary judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, which was prepared by Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, the Supreme Court held that "the plaintiff's case succeed in part" and went ahead to declare that "it is only Rivers State that is entitled to receive the full allocation of the distributable revenue derived from the oil wells on the basis of the 13% derivation principle as

provided for under Section 162 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, among others."

The court based its decision on the fact that the boundary between Rivers and Imo states, as delineated in Nigeria Administrative Map 10th, 11th, 12th, editions and other maps bearing similar delineation was inaccurate, incorrect, and did not represent the legitimate and lawful boundaries between Rivers and Imo states.

The apex court had earlier declared that the correct instruments, map and documents to be relied upon in determining the boundary between Rivers and Imo states were those used by Rivers State in delineating the boundary line between the two states, including Decree No. 14 of 1967, Decree No. 12 of 1976, the White papers/conclusion of the Federal Military Government on the Irikefe and the Nasir Boundary Commission/ Boundary Adjustment Commission, the Eastern

Nigeria Map, the Provincial Map of Owerri Province, Warri Province, Onitsha Province, Rivers Province, the Ahoada District Map and Aboh Division Map. The apex Court also declared that based on the correct instruments, maps and documents for determining the boundary between Rivers and Imo states, the following Rivers State communities wrongly attributed to Imo State, among other communities, are communities within the territorial boundaries of Rivers State and therefore communities in respect of which Rivers State was entitled to exercise governmental and administrative powers, including entitlement to benefits derivable from mineral or other resources within the communities.

Other reliefs sought by Rivers State, which were granted by the unanimous judgment include: "A declaration that all the oil wells within Akri and Mbede communities, usually identified with the names Akri

and the former speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Yerima, Onu Join Race to Succeed Buhari Yerima joined the presidential race yesterday, declaring that he had informed President Buhari of his ambition.

Yerima, who spoke after meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja, said he was seeking the presidential ticket of APC with the aim of improving on the efforts of the Buhari administration.

On his plans to set things straight for Nigeria, Yerima said he would be focusing on three critical areas of needs namely insecurity, poverty and ignorance.

Likewise, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday officially declared his intention to vie for the APC’s presidential ticket ahead of next year’s elections.

South-west presidential aspirants meet in Lagos South-west APC presidential aspirants and leaders met in Lagos yesterday and reached an agreement to ensure that the region produces the next APC presidential candidate.

A former National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, made this known while addressing journalists at the end of the meeting.

He said the South-west APC presidential aspirants, governors and other leaders are united ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The party stalwarts and aspirants also agreed “to talk to themselves and the public with absolute decorum.”

Akande said: “We are united as we will ensure that the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will come to the South-west.

“We had a fruitful discussion. We also resolved that everybody should maintain absolute decorum because we are united.”

Those present at the meeting included Osinbajo, Tinubu; Amosun and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

The governors of Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Oyetola, Dapo Abiodun, Rotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi, respectively were present.

Also at the meeting were the Ministers of Works and Housing, Trade and Industry and Investment, and Interior, Babatunde Fashola, Adeniyi Adebayo and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively.

The National Secretary of APC, Chief Iyiola Omisore was also at the meeting.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

NEWS

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

Clark: Growing Number of Presidential Aspirants from South is Madness, Unrealistic Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Elder statesman and leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has described the growing number of presidential aspirants from the southern part of the country as “madness

and unrealistic”.

Clark, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja while interacting with select journalists, said most of the aspirants from the South that have declared interest to contest for president in 2023 are playing double games.

Plagiarism: TETFund Insists on Scrutiny Over Research Proposals KuniTyessi in Abuja The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says all research proposals by lecturers and other scholars will be subjected to an anti-plagiarism test before attracting the funding of the agency.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, who made this known yesterday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), said only the proposals that would scale through the CVC-developed anti-plagiarism software would get its grant.

TETFund lamented the attitude of Nigerians that now depend

fully on the internet or engage the services of foreigners in the writing of projects and theses.

“We have received feedback, we heard it is now possible to go to internet and copy complete thesis or to engage even private actors outside this country, some countries have become notorious for that and we believe in the anti-plagiarism device you have developed we go a long way in detecting this and ensuring compliance.

“Indeed, we have adopted a policy in TETFund that going forward all proposals coming to us for support must go through your system and receive certification that they have acquired the minimum standard required from

Presidential aspirants from the South that have either declared interest or obtained forms were: Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, former Imo State governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Minister of State, Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu and Uju Kennedy, the only female aspirant have picked forms.

Others are: Pastor Tunde Bakare, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, Minister of Science,

Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, Ihechukwu Dallas China, former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

He stated: “It is madness.

If I’m to be realistic they are not serious; particularly the southerners from the Southwest and the South-south.

There are some people that have gone to be bottle bags to play double games. So when it comes to where we say no, some people would come out to say, yes, we are contesting.

So they know why some of them are there.”

Clark wondered where aspirants from the ruling APC were getting N100 million to

pay for the forms considering the level of hunger in the country.

“You have everybody in Nigeria where there is hunger, where there is lack of employment, where there is kidnapping going on every day, where children cannot go to school, where the economy is going down, these people were able to mobilise N100 million to pick form. .

“So, if these governors and ministers use their salaries, I don’t think they have it because they must eat in their houses, and so also the governors. But they went back telling Nigerians that their friends contributed money for them.”

The elder statesman wondered why Oshiomhole recently declared to contest for

President when it was known to all that he was supporting Tinubu.

Clark said he was also surprised that Amosun also declared for president in spite of the fact that Osinbajo is from his state and he’s also in the race.

He added: “So you come back to the South-south, Nyesom Wike wants to be president of Nigeria, Rotimi Ameachi wants to be president of Nigeria, both of them are in small Ikwere. You can imagine what is going on.

“I understand Timipre Sylva would soon declare. Meanwhile, people are asking me questions about Goodluck Jonathan and they are in the same senatorial zone in Bayelsa State. So they know what they are doing.

Anyim: Why Boko Haram Became a National Crisis Laleye Dipo in Minna Former Senate President and People’s Democratic Party presidential aspirant Pius Anyim Pius has said that the Bokoharam became a national crisis because the nations leaders treated the issue as a purely Borno state affair.

“The worsening security situation in some regions of the Country is caused by the decision of other parts of the Country not directly affected to see it as their own problem Similarly, Anyim explained that the insecurity problems in the country was initially being treated as regional matter until it enveloped virtually all regions of the country.

The presidential hopeful made the remarks when he addressed PDP delegates

to this year’s national convention of the party at the party’s secretariat in Minna yesterday afternoon.where he also submitted that, “The insecurity across the Country will continue to fester unless Nigerians stop treating the menace as a Regional problem and confront it head-on”.

He therefore advised that “Security issues should not be viewed from the lens of a regional problem, but should be treated as a national problem deserving collective effort to solve” He told the delegates that if given the opportunity to emerge the party’s flag bearer and subsequently elected President, he will adopt a holistic approach to solving the security challenges confronting the Nation.

UTME 2022 Begins Nationwide with 1.7m Candidates KuniTyessi in Abuja The 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) commenced yesterday, nationwide with the total number of 1.7 million candidates writing the entrance exams that will end on May 16.

According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a total of 1,761,338 candidates that successfully registered for the examination in 755 registered computer based centres were taking the examination.

JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin said the board had put in place all measures to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.

Fabian said that all candidates would be checked into the examination hall, using the Biometric Verification Machine (BVM), which is also a register of attendance in line with the Board’s policy.

He further said that the ban on prohibited items was still in force, hence called on candidates to be careful not to run foul of the law as necessary sanctions would be meted out to violators of JAMB’s code of conduct.

Benjamin identified banned items within the examination hall to include but not limited to flash drives, smart watches, calculators, recorders, mobile phones, spy reading glasses, jewelry, among others.

WARMEST WELCOME… Presidential Aspirant, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi with Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, during a consultation visit at the Government House, Calabar,..yesterday

Saraki Laments Over Worsening Insecurity, Economic Challenges in Nigeria Francis Sardauna in Katsina The former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday, lamented over worsening insecurity and economic challenges in Nigeria under President Muhammudu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

Saraki stated this in Katsina while addressing delegates, leaders and executives of the state Peoples Democratic party (PDP) at the party’s headquarters in Katsina, the state capital.

He explained that the country

is in a very bad situation under the present APC administration and it needs competent leaders like him to rescue it from the security and economic challenges.

The former governor of Kwara State said he would tackle insecurity, unemployment, poverty and food inflation by ensuring massive production of food and security of lives and property of the citizenry if elected as the president of Nigeria in 2023.

He said: “Nigeria today is in a very bad situation under APC. The security in this country needs to be rescued. In 2005 and 2006 I

remember I came to Katsina and from Katsina we went through Jibia to Zamfara State. But you cannot do that now.

“It is of great importance that we restore security in Nigeria particularly in the North-west that didn’t have this kind of insecurity.

“And I have made a commitment here that when I become president this will be my first task and major priority to restore security back in the North-west and Nigeria so that farmers can go back to farm.”

He added: “We can bring

down inflation by increasing food production. Jobs will be available for our youths and also our women. This is key because without security there cannot be prosperity.

“That is why a place like Katsina is so important that we must restore security and increase our agricultural production.”

In his remarks, the former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, described Saraki as a competent, educated and politically exposed Nigerian who is capable of spearheading the affairs of the country.

LERSA Pledges Support for Deceased LASTMA Official’s Family The Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA) has promised to provide support for the family of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official, Jamiu Issa, who was recently killed on duty by a traffic offender on the Lekki Expressway.

The promise of support was announced when LERSA’s Secretary General, Mr. Gbemi Adelekan, led the association’s delegation on a condolence visit to the family on Tuesday Adelekan assured Issa’s widow and three children that members of the association will not abandon the family.

He explained that LERSA resolved to provide the family with financial and material support to cushion the effect of the unfortunate development.

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with the entire family at this grieving period, while we pray for his soul to continue to rest

in perfect peace.

“We want to assure the entire family of our unwavering support at this difficult time.

We shall assist the family with material and financial aid to help with getting by with the sudden death of the head of the family,” Adenekan said.

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NEWS

CAN Accuses ICC Prosecutor of SnubbingVictims of Terror Attacks in Nigeria

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) protested against alleged snubbing of the victims of terrorist attacks in Nigeria by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Karim Khan during his recent visit.

It said that a conservative assessment of the number of Christians who had lost their lives because of their religious identity from 2010 to date would be more than 25,000.

It lamented that the number of Christians who were killed by terrorists in Nigeria had risen from 3910 in 2020 to 4650 in 2021.

It added that Christians had been wounded, abused and traumatised, let alone the massive property destruction and forced displacement of Christians from their homelands.

In a statement issued yesterday on the visit of the ICC Prosecutor, CAN said it was profoundly disturbed about the visit of the Prosecutor to Nigeria last week.

The statement jointly signed by CAN President, Revd. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle and Secretary General, Joseph Bade Daramola, the association said Khan appeared to be engaging in political games and was unwilling to engage with victims of atrocity, let alone Christian ones.

It described the action of the ICC scribe as a mark of disrespect to the victims of terrorism in Nigeria.

CAN in addition alleged that two Prosecutors of the ICC have now been colluding with the government of Nigeria to use the principle of complementarity to evade their own responsibilities in the face of international crimes, and to deny justice to the victims of religious and other violence in Nigeria.

“We wrote to Mr. Khan twice last year, attempting to engage with his office on behalf of Christian victims of religious violence in Nigeria and expressing concerns about the proceedings to date. To this day, we have not had any response.

Mr. Khan failed to make any contact with us before, during or after his visit to Abuja. “To our consternation, we found out about his visit in the media. It appears that this Prosecutor engages in political games and is unwilling to engage with victims of atrocity, let alone Christian ones.

“Mr. Khan is clearly playing a political game, and is prioritising relations with the government of Nigeria. CAN is dismayed that the word ‘victim’ only appeared twice in his statement, and both times they were in bland stockphrases,” said CAN. CAN also faulted Khan’s

Insecurity: Military Adapting to Fight Internal Unrest in Nigeria, Says Osinbajo David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Vice president of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has said that the federal government is working hard to stop insecurity in various parts of the country.

Osinbajo who was in Anambra to meet with delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in furtherance of his presidential bid said the federal government is working hard, and has also drafted the military to several parts of the country to fight insecurity.

He however stated that because the military was not trained for civil unrests, it is working hard to adapt, in order

to play the new role and curtail cases of insecurity. He added that the military has also been stretched to its very limit by the many cases of killings in the country.

Osinbajo said: “Security is central in everything we are doing in this government. I believe that every government has its challenges. The challenge of this particular government is security.

“We have opened up the Northeast and containing the insecurity. The same with the Northwest; we are also handling the cases of violence going on everywhere including in the South East and the South-South.

NCC Allays Subscribers’ Fears over Planned Hike inVoice Call, SMS Cost Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has allayed subscribers’ fears over the planned hike of voice call, SMS and data service cost by 40 per cent.

NCC in a statement, issued yesterday and signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said the Commission monitored with keen interest deluge of reports in the media on the demand by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) ostensibly to increase tariffs of telecom services and has taken notes of the fears being expressed by telecom subscribers on the agitation.

Telecoms operators had in a letter to NCC this week, called for upward review of the cost of

SMS, voice call and data services by 40 per cent.

According to NCC’s statement, “The demand being made by MNOs under the auspices of the Associatoon of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), citing high cost of running their operations as the major reason for their proposed tariff hike, is contained in a letter to the Commission.

“Consistent with international best practice and established regulatory procedures, the NCC ensures its regulatory activities are guided by regular cost-based and empirical studies to determine appropriate cost (upper and floor price) within which service providers are allowed to charge their subscribers for services delivered

statement on his visit saying that it explained nothing about what he and his Office had done on Nigeria since December 2020, possibly because they have done absolutely nothing.

“With all due respect to Mr. Khan, his statement and conduct

since coming to office present him as a Prosecutor seeking to shirk his responsibilities for investigating and prosecuting international crimes in Nigeria.

“He comes across as trying to avoid providing a modicum of satisfaction to the thousands

upon thousands of victims in our country’s long running tragedy of murder and mayhem, exacerbated by governmental indifference, negligence and possibly even complicity.

“Where is the application to the Pre Trial Chamber

to open an investigation?

How is it that Mr. Khan has been willing to leapfrog the situations of the Philippines and Venezuela over Nigeria, applying for leave to the Court’s judges to open investigations?

ENDORSED FOR 2ND TERM...

L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; All Progressives Congress’ National leader, Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, during their endorsement for second term at an APC stakeholders meeting in Alausa, Lagos… yesterday.

Ogun Elders Advisory Council gives nod to Abiodun’s Second Term Bid James Sowole in Abeokuta The second term in office aspiration of the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, received a boost yesterday as the Governor’s Elders Advisory Council, officially endorsed his second term bid.

Giving the position of the Council, its chairman, Chief Oluleye Okuboyejo, in a proclamation he read at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, particularly commended the governor for the

increase in the ease of doing business index, which according to him has significantly increased investment in the state.

Okuboyejo added that Abiodun in the last three years had proved himself to be a great marketer of the state, noting that “his marketing acumen is responsible for the rise of the state’s internally generated revenue”.

He further noted that since the inception of the current administration in the state, Governor Abiodun has been

methodical in fashioning the policy agenda around ‘ISEYA’, saying that “the smooth delivery of the social contract elements which could be seen across the state have even been applauded by the governor’s ardent critics.

“We publicly endorse the second term ambition of our indefatigable governor.

“Having been sworn in on Wednesday, 29th May, 2019 as the governor and the current tenure will lapse on Sunday, 28th May, 2023.

“The government under

your watch is methodical in fashioning the policy agenda around ‘ISEYA’, the delivery of this social contract element has been applauded even by your ardent critics. “We cannot but commend the increase in ease of doing business index that has significantly boosted foreign and indigenous investment in our state. Your Excellency has shown yourself as a great marketer of our state and the result is evidently clear in the rise of our internally generated revenue”, Okuboyejo stated.

African Voices Changemakers Profile Onobrakpeya, Mozambican Artist African Voices Changemakers on Cable News Network (CNN) this week showcases artistic feats of Nigeria’s legendary artists Bruce Onobrakpeya.

The printmaking guru according to sponsors of the programe, Globacom will be featured alongside Lizette Chirrime, a visual artist from Mozambique in the 30-minute programe.

Born 89 years ago in AgbarhaOtor, Delta State, Onobrakpeya’s long romance with the arts has earned him a place of honour among great artists whose works

don the walls of the National Gallery of Modern Arts, Lagos.

The graduate of Art from the former Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who uses bronzed lino relief and metal foil to fabricate works, has been exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Malmö Konsthall in Malmö, Sweden, the Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art, also in Lagos, Nigeria among many others.

His honours include; Honorable Mention at the 44th Venice Biennale, 2006 Human Living Treasure Award by the United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and 2010 National Creativity award by Federal Government of Nigeria among others.

On her own part, Chirrime, is a citizen of Mozambique, where she was born in 1973, though she resides in Cape Town, South Africa. Her works are historical and autobiographical as they reflect her trajectory through life

as well as her future dreams and aspirations. She uses hides and skin as well as recycled materials to produce mixed materials which she employs in spreading messages of hope in the face of despondency.

Both artists will be on the DSTV channel 401 on Saturday May 7, 2022 at 9.30 a.m. Repeats of the programme will be aired on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m., and 7.30 p.m. and on Monday at 4.00 a.m. A twopart 15-minute broadcast of the edition is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.45 p.m.

Aregbesola, Malami, Others to Grace Immigration Lawyers’ Conference Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Nigerian Immigration Lawyers Association has concluded arrangements to host its 2022 Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference in Abuja.

The two day-conference with the theme: ‘Contemporary Issues in The Immigration Milieu in Nigeria,’ would be graced by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar

Malami, SAN, A statement yesterday by the Chairman, Conference Organising Committee, Fabian Ozoemena, said the conference which holds on May 19 and 20, 2022, would also be attended by the Chief Justice of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, the acting Comptroller-General of Immigration, Isah Idris and the Nigerian Bar Association President, Olumide Akpata.

Topics that would be

discussed at the conference are: key Implications of the Immigration Regulation 2017; Overview of the Nigerian Visa Policy 2020; The Ease of Doing Business: Navigating the Immigration Requirements in Nigeria; What Consular Officers are really looking for?; Nigerian Local Content & Managing Expatriate Employment in the Oil & Gas Industry and Exploring Legal migration Pathways from Nigeria to Canada.

The statement said: “In the course of the two-day programme, several papers on the most important contemporary immigration topics in Nigeria will be delivered by seasoned speakers drawn from the ranks of leading government officials, policy makers, judicial officers and members of the diplomatic corps. The keynote address will be taken by the cerebral Judex – Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court.

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NEWS

Head of Service Orders Civil Servants to Stay out of 2023 Partisan Politics

FG, ASUU to Resume Talks Next Week

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Government and WKH VWULNLQJ $FDGHPLF 6WDͿ 8QLRQ RI 8QLYHUVLWLHV $688 ZRXOG resume talks next week with a view to ending the prolonged closure of Nigerian public universities.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige made this disclosure in KLV R΀FH ZKLOH PDNLQJ RSHQLQJ remarks at a meeting between the government side and the striking National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

A statement by Acting Head Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Patience Onuobia said that Ngige noted the multiple industrial disputes in the education sector could have been averted if the unions in the sector took advantage of his open door policy.

The Minister who also decried the rivalry between the education unions, made it clear that

via a circular HCSF/479/11/19, dated May 5, 2022.

The elucidation came about The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoS) Dr. DIWHU KHU R΀FH ZDV LQXQGDWHG Folasade Yemi-Esan has ordered ZLWK UHTXHVWV IRU FODULÀFDWLRQ all civil servants to steer clear on the provision of the PSR of partisan politics and by vis-à-vis the Supreme Court extension from engaging in Judgment as it relates to participation of civil servants the 2023 general election.

She cited provisions of the in partisan politics.

The HoS referred all civil Public Service Rules (PSR), which she noted do not al- servants to the legal opinion low civil servants to engage of the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami on the in partisan politics.

6KH PDGH WKH FODULÀFDWLRQ matter, wherein he asserted

in his letter, Ref. No.SGF/PS/ HCSF/210/1l dated November 26, 2018, inter alia, that: “neither the 1999 Constitution nor the Supreme Court has authorised civil servants to engage in partisan politics. The provisions of Rules 030422 and 030423 of the Public Service Rules (2008 (GLWLRQ ZHUH QRW QXOOLÀHG E\ the Supreme Court, hence, they remain in force and binding on all civil servants seeking to participate in nomination exercises or party primaries”.

Malami also asserted that the provisions of Rules 030402 (g), 030422 and 030423 of the PSR (2008 Edition) should be enforced, noting the attention of civil servants should be drawn to the fact that the Supreme Court judgment in INEC vs Musa did not set aside or nullify these provisions of the PSR, hence, they must be complied with by any civil servant who wishes to seek nomination or participation in party primary elections.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

everybody is important in the university system.

He assured that the government was tackling all the disputes in education sector holistically, knowing full well that none of the XQLRQV FRXOG IXQFWLRQ HͿHFWLYHO\ without the other union.

Ngige maintained that the issues causing the rumpus in the industrial milieu were economic, bordering on money and welfare, including old arrears and 2009 renegotiation of Conditions of Service.

“I believe that if we talk frankly to ourselves, knowing full well that the economy is not good and that you should have money that can take you home. With an open mind, we will arrive at something. Once we arrive at something, It will be done.”

He, however, pointed out that the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement would not be immediate because the Education Ministry had put in place a committee to handle it.

You’re Worthy of 2nd Term, Tinubu Tells Sanwo-Olu Segun James

GOOD TO SEE YOU… Former Vice President and presidential hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar (right) and chieftain of the PDP, Chief Bode George at a meeting of Atiku with the Lagos PDP leaders and delegates in Lagos…yesterday

Payment to Thugs: Okowa Says It’s False, Shows Omo-Agege’s Immaturity Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has advised the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to be circumspect in commenting on issues concerning Delta and desist from making wild and unsubstantiated claims just to score cheap political points.

Okowa, who had a word of caution for the Senator representing Delta South about his unguarded utterances, also chided other leaders for lying

to the citizens in the name of politics, including some 2023 election aspirants claiming to be endorsed by Governor Okowa.

The governor made the remarks \HVWHUGD\ GXULQJ WKH ÀUVW interactive media parley at the Government House Asaba, while reacting to various allegations by Omo-Agege against his administration, including claims that the governor pays N2bn (two billion naira) to political thugs monthly.

Omo-Agege, who made the claim recently during a public

function of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of the state, also alleged that the Okowa government “received about N800 billion in six years without anything to show for it.”

While noting that the deputy president of the senate alone was in position to explain what he meant by “thugs”, Okowa said that the government pays his political appointees far less than one billion naira monthly and wondered why Omo-Agege often failed to conduct himself

in accordance with his exalted position instead of denigrating his own state unnecessarily.

He said that there ought to be collaboration with the state government irrespective of SROLWLFDO D΀OLDWLRQV LQVWHDG RI QRQ EHQHÀFLDO SROLWLFNLQJ E\ the senator and his ilk.

Okowa who denied reports that he had hijacked the list of PDP delegates from the recent congresses said, “Our party, PDP, and people are not violent. So, I don’t know who he (Omo-Agege) referred to as thugs.

7DUL; +LNH :H +DYH 1RWKLQJ to Hide, Says NERC

Again, 8 Killed, Two Injured as Suspected Fulani Militia Attack Plateau Villages

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday responded to insinuations that it hid the latest increase in power tariffs from Nigerians, saying that the organisation had no reason to hide the new rates.

Speaking during a briefing to clear the air on the supposed new tariffs , the power sector regulator stated that media reports that the rates were new were untrue, insisting that the increase happened in February.

THISDAY had reported on Friday that NERC had just released documents approving tariff increases for Distribution Companies (Discos), about four months after the implementation of the new rates commenced.

In separate orders issued to the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos), NERC noted that the “minor” hike

in tariffs was to compensate for market fundamentals outside the control of the electricity distributors.

However, it was unclear why the regulatory agency surreptitiously took the decision as the usual practice before now was to make the announcement public before implementation.

In addition, it was observed that while a number of the Discos got roughly N4 increase, some of the bills paid by the numerous tariff band customers were kept constant, while a handful were also marginally reviewed downward.

But speaking in Abuja, Chairman of NERC, Mr Sanusi Garba, explained that there were no new hikes , apart from the review approved in December, saying that there was no “breaking news” about the information it posted on its website. “Generally, the perception was that the rate increase has just been done.

At least eight persons have been killed, and two others injured as suspected Fulani herders attacked Cinke and Zarama villages of Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This was disclosed in Jos in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Irigwe Development Association, Mr. Davidson Malison.

Malison, who described the attack as unprovoked, said that “Fulani militia launched the attacked on Thursday night, resulting in the death of eight persons.”

He said, “The attack is no doubt the continuous perpetration of terror and mayhem in Rigwe land in an attempt to forcefully eject

the peace-loving Rigwe people from their ancestral land as well as complete annihilation of the entire tribe.

“The attack has become a GDLO\ DͿDLU DV WKH PDUDXGHUV have assumed an ‘immuned’ set of people and are feeling untouchable daring the authorities concerned.

“These spate of wanton killings and destructions of lives and property, stealing of valuable items of the Rigwe people has passed a condemnable level which requires a drastic decision and action that will call and treat the attackers in the language they comprehend in order to place them in their cocoons.”

He blamed the unabated attacks in Irigweland on failure of the government to take drastic and courageous action against the attackers.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday got the most important approval of all when his hand was raised by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the gubernatorial candidate of the state in the 2023 election.

Tinubu openly endorsed the Governor and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, for a second term in the presence of the entire leadership of the Lagos State chapter of the APC. At the party’s stakeholders’ meeting held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa yesterday, Tinubu raised the hands of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat in approval of their bid to continue in office beyond 2023.

This development puts all rumours surrounding the recent endorsement of Sanwo-Olu for a second term by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) to rest.

Tinubu’s endorsement of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat has also laid to rest the speculations in some quarters, especially some online news platforms few days

ago that the APC National Leader dumped Sanwo-Olu for a former Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Civil Service, Mustapha Olorunfemi.

Tinubu said the Governor and his deputy had built an unbreakable team to raise the bar of excellence in governance and service delivery in the State, with visible achievements and progress to show for their efforts.

This, the APC National Leader said, earned the duo the opportunity to return for second term, and not a blank endorsement which many politicians sought.

Tinubu, a leading presidential hopeful on APC platform, said Lagos under Sanwo-Olu’s leadership had remained a State of pride for residents and other Nigerians who crave responsive governance and progress.

He said: “We have a brilliant Governor at the helm of affairs, who is supported by his deputy to build an unbreakable team that has raised the bar of excellence in governance in Lagos. I specially thank Dr. Hamzat, who has been a very good assistant and a pillar of support to the Governor.

‘We are Doing Everything Possible to Save Aero Contractors’ Chinedu Eze

The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Abdullahi Mahmood has said that the airline is making efforts to come out of the woods and assured the flying public and business partners that the foremost Nigerian carrier is not going under.

Mahmood also called on the federal government to address urgent challenges facing the aviation industry in order to ensure that the sector sustains and contributes its quota to the nation’s GDP. He made this known in an interview with journalist in Lagos yesterday, saying that issues plaguing the aviation sector have taken a toll on all

airlines, adding that the sector is now in a ‘May Day’ situation that must be rescued immediately.

The Aero Managing Director, who decried persistent aviation fuel crisis, said the airlines are groaning under sundry issues such as forex, maintenance cost, insisting that there is need for government to intervene.

“There was an interview that I granted to THISDAY Newspapers and I was asked about the situation of the sector and position of the company and I said the situation in the sector and our position is not peculiar to Aero Contractors, the fuel situation, exchange rate, our maintenance cost that have gone up. It’s what is really happening in the aviation sector today.

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INSIGHT

More of this...

UN’s Commitment to a United Nigeria

T

he strength that comes from unity and the safety that comes in number have always played stirring roles in the experiences people have of each other and the world they inhabit.

Because people have played witness to the power produced when people pool together, the importance of working together, of speaking with one voice is imprinted in the human psyche. This imprint is made more imperative by the need to belong, the need not to be left out.

The United Nations, an umbrella body of 193 Member States was formed as a response to the devastations of the Second World War. The staggering scale of human suffering and destruction of infrastructure wrought as the war raged spoke an irresistible language to a world that until then had largely held in disdain the idea of working together.

Since its inception, the interventions of the United Nations in world affairs have proven crucial not just in nipping potentially cataclysmic conflicts in the bud before they arise, but in building a world that is at once peaceful and prosperous.

It speaks to the significant appeal of the United Nations and its telling trajectory in softly shaping world affairs that even otherwise renegade countries ruled by dictators do everything they can to belong to the body.

The United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres recently took in his first official visit to Nigeria for a period of two days. Among other things, the visit afforded the Secretary General the opportunity to meet with the families of the victims of terrorism as well as evaluate the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and assess progress made, as well as the challenges to the COVID-19 recovery.

Among other things, he reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to support Nigeria in building a country that is peaceful and prosperous. While paying tribute to the victims of the August 26 2011 terrorist attack on the UN House in Abuja that left 23 UN employees and civilians dead and 16 injured, the UN Chief crucially asked that the perpetrators of terrorism in the country should be brought to justice even as the United

Nations was adopting a victim-centered approach to tackling terrorism in the country.

While the UN chief toured Nigeria, there were calls for him from some quarters to move beyond government`s rhetoric and see for himself just how bad things are in a country that has been on the precipice for far too long. These calls served to amplify the disconnect many Nigerians feel from their government, and especially the distrust.

This is especially a problem because in the human experience, the bad always travels faster and farther than the good such that it becomes very easy to lose sight of the fact that there are always two sides to any coin. In the context of governance, even when they are truly miraculous achievements in a couple of areas as is the case with the present administration, it is the rotten eggs that make the news. With distrust swirling like a cyclone in Nigeria, the crucial partnership between the government and the governed in building a strong nation has simply refused to work.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

SWA, UNICEF, World Leaders and Sanitation

T

he Sanitation and Water for All partnership (SWA) in collaboration with the UNICEF, would host a meeting on how to stop infectious diseases through investment in water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as through vigorous action on climate change.

The meeting, which would be hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia between May 18 and May 19, 2022, would bring together government ministers of finance as well as ministers of water, sanitation, health and climate. The Chief Executive Officer of the SWA, Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, who announced the meeting in a recent press release, warned that the world is at the risk of another devastating pandemic if governments failed to invest in water and sanitation facilities.

Albuquerque said: “Leaders and decision-makers have a choice. Our mistakes during COVID-19 have demonstrated the immense cost of

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

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

inaction, but we have the wisdom to learn from them. We can invest heavily in pandemic prevention and mitigation – including ensuring that communities everywhere have access to clean water and reliable hygiene and sanitation services. Or we can ignore the catastrophic lessons learned, placing the world at grave risk for future public health threats.

“And we do not have to wait for the next pandemic to take action. There are other global health crises happening right now, responsible for the deaths of millions that can be solved by prioritizing the provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene services.

“From cholera to coronavirus, the message for government leaders is clear: ‘if we want to get ahead of the next pandemic, we must urgently invest in water, sanitation and hygiene.’ To make any other choice could have devastating consequences.” She stated that although “COVD-19 is the deadliest viral outbreak we’ve seen in over a century, but it may not be the last in our lifetime.”

Albuquerque, who served as the first United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, said that “the question of another global health crisis is not if, but when. Yet despite the imminent threat, the 2021 Global Health Security Index estimated that 195 countries remain dangerously unprepared for future pandemics. Additionally, only 33 countries have emergency preparedness and response plans in place that include considerations for vulnerable populations.

“Our collective failure to invest in preventative measures means that when diseases appear they can rage out of control, destroying lives and triggering massive health crises that take decades to resolve.

Adeleke Adedipe, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

NEWS Enugu: Court Grants Injunction against PDP Not to Tamper with Ward Delegate List

ENRICHING KNOWLEDGE… L-R: Father of the Day, Elder Olaide Ayodele; Clergy, Solomon Pius-Omobude; Author of the Book, Alfred Oyaghire; Group Managing Director, Apel Capit and Trust Ltd/ Chief Launcher, Peter Aletor and Chairman of the occasion, Tuoyo Ayonromi, during the launch of a book entitled; Answer to Retirement Questions’ in Lagos..recently.

Abiodun AjalaManaging Director, Apel Capit and Trust Ltd/Chief Launcher, Peter Aletor and Chairman of the occasion, Tuoyo Ayonromi during the launch of a book entitled; Answer to Retirement Questions’ in Lagos..recently.

Abiodun Ajala

IPOB is not Listed as a Terrorist Organisation in UK, Says High Commission Bennett Oghifo

was listed in the UK as a terrorist organisation.

“We are aware of inaccurate The British Government has not designated the Indigenous reporting circulating in the People of Biafra (IPOB) as a media and online that the UK terrorist organisation, the British Government has added the High Commission in Nigeria Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist said yesterday.

According to a statement groups or organisations banned issued by the Commission, the under UK law. These reports FODULÀFDWLRQ EHFDPH QHFHVVDU\ WR are untrue. The Indigenous correct inaccurate news making People of Biafra (IPOB) is not the rounds in Nigeria that IPOB a proscribed organisation in

the UK.” The government said, “The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). CPINs provide country of origin information (COl) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers

handling particular types of protection and human rights claims.

“All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law.

An Enugu State High Court yesterday granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu and other named Defendants IURP UHFRJQLVLQJ RU JLYLQJ HͿHFW to any other three-man ad hoc delegate list other than the list that emerged from the congress held in all the wards in Enugu State on April 30, 2022.

The court equally restrained the PDP and other named Defendants from allowing any other three-man ad hoc delegates to participate in the PDP’s Primary Election for the selection of Governor of Enugu State, the members of the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives), members of the State House of Assembly and election of National Delegate Candidates in all the Constituencies in Enugu State other than the persons whose names are in the list that emerged from the 30th of April, 2022, ad hoc delegate ward congresses, supervised and duly authenticated by the ÀYH PDQ HOHFWRUDO SDQHO VHW XS by the National Working Committee of the PDP and already submitted and received by the party at its National Secretariat in Abuja, pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice.

The orders will subsist until the hearing of the Motion on Notice ÀOHG RQ LQ UHVSHFW RI the same issue.

The court under trial Justice HO Eya granted the injunction IROORZLQJ DQ H[SDUWH PRWLRQ ÀOHG

by O. J. Uchenna on behalf of

Ayade: Amaechi Has Shown Airlines May Halt Operations over High Cost of Aviation Fuel Commitment to Serve Nigeria Chinedu Eze

of aviation fuel.

On Thursday oil marketers Airline Operators of Nigeria announced the new cost of (AON) the umbrella organisa- aviation fuel, known as Jet A1 tion for domestic carriers has to airlines and said that the new threatened to shut down flight prices were as follows: Lagos, service over high cost of aviation 1 SHU OLWUH $EXMD 1 SHU fuel, as its members are finding OLWUH .DQR 1 SHU OLWUH DQG it increasingly difficult to provide 0DLGXJXUL 1 SHU OLWUH “It is with a great sense of service at huge cost.

The operators, who met responsibility and patriotism that yesterday in Lagos in response the Airline Operators of Nigeria to the increase in the prices of has carried on deploying and aviation fuel on Thursday from subsidising their services to 1 SHU OLWUH WR 1 VDLG WKDW our highly esteemed Nigerian they do not have the funds to flying public in the last four continue to subsidise the cost months despite the steady and astronomical hike in the price of of their operations.

In a statement signed by JetA1 and other operating costs.

“Overtime, aviation fuel price the President of AON and Chairman of Azman Air, Alhaji (JetA1) has risen from N190 per Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the OLWUH WR 1 FXUUHQWO\ 1R DLUOLQH body said it sympathised with in the world can absorb this kind air travelers, as it did not have of sudden shock from such an any other choice than to shut astronomical rise over a short down operations over high cost period.

Laleye Dipo inMinna Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has described the Transportation Minister, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a man with outstanding qualities fit to rule Nigeria.

Ayade spoke when Amaechi paid him a courtesy visit as part of his consultations with delegates of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Cross River State, Friday.

According to him, “I agree with my brother Amaechi, totally. He comes with a lot of experience.

He is one man who has shown commitment to Cross River State and Nigeria.

“We started trying to build a Deep Seaport, from the day I spoke to him about the Deep Seaport till today, he has given eight ministerial approvals. There was no day that our files stayed on his table for twenty-four hours.

So, he has shown commitment to the State and to Nigeria, and I say this with all sincerity. He has also shown very outstanding sense of brotherhood. From the time I moved into APC, he said, “you are our leader, we will work with you and at any point in time we would always work together,” Ayade explained.

Governor Ayade who also recently declared his intention to run for the Presidency on the platform of the ruling party, further revealed that between him and Amaechi, there is no competition.

“I have had extensive discussions with Amaechi, and I can tell you that we are not competitors, we are co-petitors. I am comfortable with him. He is somebody that speaks his mind, he is not somebody that you cannot understand, he is somebody that you can read, and such people

are far more innocent, because if they are hurt, you know that they are hurt, and few minutes after, it’s gone. He is not a trickish politician, and I think that’s a good attribute of leadership. Let me mention clearly here, that for us as State, outside of Ayade, we are very comfortable if you secure the ticket.

“And so, I wish you well, I commend you to go before the delegates of my State, and I ask you (delegates) to judge him based on balanced fairness, because what God has destined for him, I cannot take it,” he said.

Addressing the Governor earlier, Amaechi said, “I will repeat what I tell people, I am \HDUV ROG VR , DP DPRQJ WKH young candidates of the party. I’m not the oldest, but I am the most experienced. Of all the aspirants, both in APC and PDP, I am the most experienced.

Ajadi Promises to Appoint Thespians as Ministers, DGs, if Elected President A presidential aspirant of the New Nigeria People’s Party for the 2023 election, Comrade Olufemi Ajadi, has said that Nigerian actors and actresses would play key roles in his government both as ministers and directors-general of strategic parastatals respectively.

Speaking in Lagos, he also promised to fully integrate members of the Nigerian entertainment industry, popularly known as Nollywood into his government once elected president.

According to the presidential aspirant, his team has worked out a comprehensive programme for the Nigerian entertainment industry which would make it a real pride of the nation, adding that he would not disclose details of the agenda for now.

He said, “We are all aware of the contributions that the sector has been making to the economic and social development of the country, with the result that is competing favourably with Hollywood and

Bollywood.

“That is commendable and our plan is to further lift Nollywood. I personally believe WKDW PRUH ÀOP YLOODJHV IRU WKH sector would not be a bad idea.

This will complement what the practitioners already have in Asaba.

“As for other incentives likely to impact on the personal lives of the practitioners, we will keep it in wraps for now.”

The presidential aspirant commended members of the Nollywood for keeping

Nigerians entertained and educated through movies.

He said the practitioners deserve commendation for helping in laundering the image of the country, in creating wealth and also providing recreation for millions of viewers across the divide.

He said not many group of professionals have been able to tell the Nigerian story as credibly as actors and actresses, DGGLQJ WKDW WKDW DORQH TXDOLÀHG them for critical positions in any focused government.

Prince Paul Nnaji, Tobias Ogbonna Onu, Cyril Obi Chukwu and Kevin Ikechukwu Agbo, in 68,7 12 ( ZKHUHLQ they deposed in the supporting SDUDJUDSK $΀GDYLW WKDW D three man Delegate Congress had been held in Enugu State on the 30th day of April, 2022.

That the Congress was monitored, supervised and duly DXWKHQWLFDWHG E\ WKH ÀYH PDQ electoral panel set up by the National Working Committee of the PDP; that the list of those that emerged from the congress had already been submitted and received by the PDP at the its +HDG 2΀FH LQ $EXMD DQG WKDW no other three-man Delegate Congress ought to be conducted in Enugu State or anywhere for Enugu State, having successfully concluded the one held on the 30th day of April, 2022.

Others listed as Defendants in the Suit are: Hon Bature Mohammed, Hon Augustine Nnamani, Hon Innocent Ezeoha and Dr. Christian Iyiani.

7KH PRWLRQ GDWHG DQG ÀOHG RQ WK GD\ RI 0D\ was brought pursuant to Order 39 Rule 3 of the High Court Rules of Enugu State, 2020, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

Zoning Must Be Respected to Keep Nigeria One

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hose arguing against rotational presidency are clearly dishonest and coldblooded people. I’m not sorry to say this. By their argument, you shall know them. There are so many around today. Another thought-provoking thing is that all of them profess either Islam or Christianity, forgetting that the two religions preach equity. So, adherents must promote fairness in all situations, including politics, but they have refused to do this.

In 2015 when they were trying to get Goodluck Jonathan out, rotational presidency was reasonable for equity. They argued that no section of the country should be allowed to dominate the office of the President. To keep Nigeria one, this position is sound. No doubt, the peculiarities of this country make rotation a necessity at all levels. Not only for the office of the President. I’m talking about political inclusion here. But some people, largely for personal gains, will not let it be.

But for the unfortunate death of Umar Yar’Adua, Nigeria would have continued smoothly with rotational presidency without the Jonathan break. It’s good to note that Nigeria is back on track. The good thing is that Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, will complete eight years as President next year. Ordinarily, all the political parties should ensure that their presidential tickets are zoned to Southern Nigeria to ensure that power rotates to the South. Unfortunately, the two leading parties, the APC and PDP, evidently under pressure from political hawks, are hesitant to do this. Few days back, The Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu dropped a bomb, saying the party is yet to decide where to zone its presidential ticket.

For the PDP, a committee set up to decide where to zone its presidential ticket, returned with a declaration that the ticket be thrown open to all. The hawks in the two parties have flooded our space with all sorts of duplicitous reasons to justify why rotational presidency should be jettisoned. They say it is unconstitutional. This is a big lie. These people are just being clever by half. They should stop being petty and think more about the unity of this lovely country. For me, I’m making a case for the sustenance of zoning and power shift on constitutional basis.

Rotation is constitutional because it is backed by the Federal Character law entrenched in the 1999 Constitution.

It is pertinent to break down Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which makes spread in the distribution of offices at the federal level compulsory. This part of our constitution supports a spread in the composition of government in such a way that a particular state, ethnic group or tribe should not have dominance. It supports sharing of power, the office of the President inclusive.

Section 14 (3) states: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its

The good thing is that Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, will complete eight years as President next year. Ordinarily, all the political parties should ensure that their presidential tickets are zoned to Southern Nigeria to ensure that power rotates to the South. Unfortunately, the two leading parties, the APC and PDP, evidently under pressure from political hawks, are hesitant to do this 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.”

The key words here as it relates to rotational Presidency or power shift are: “The composition of the Government of the Federation shall reflect the federal character of Nigeria.”

The Executive arm is part of the Government of the Federation. The President heads this Executive arm. So, after Buhari, a northerner cannot occupy the office of the President in 2023. This will be a breach of the Nigerian Constitution.

Is this not straightforward? It requires little mental effort. So, those saying power shift and rotation are unconstitutional should have a rethink. They need to go back and study our constitution dispassionately. This Section 14 (3) sets out to promote cohesion at the national level. It aims to carry everybody along in governance to ensure unity, equality and justice in the distribution of power and offices.

Some argue that rotational Presidency is undemocratic. This is also not true. Nominating candidates on the basis of rotation does not make it undemocratic. It is a political consensus.

Again, some persistently punch holes in rotational Presidency, saying it would deprive the country of quality candidates. Big lie! There is no part of this country that can’t supply quality human resources for the office of the

President of Nigeria. Nigeria is blessed.

The argument that the North should ignore the clamour for power shift to the South because it has the vote to determine outcomes of Presidential elections is not solid.

These people are not good students of history. From history, it is clear that the North is not monolithic. The South is equally not monolithic. There is no way a presidential candidate of Northern origin will win all the 19 northern states.

With the way Nigeria is structured, and the 1999 Constitution being the guiding rule, neither the voters in the North, nor the ones in the South, can single-handedly determine who becomes President of this country. Buhari’s handshake with the South-west gave him victory in 2015 and 2019, thanks to Bola Tinubu.

The recent warning of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to the ruling APC on rotational presidency is apt. He wants his party to swiftly zone the presidential ticket to the South.

Akeredolu declared: “The current democratic dispensation is anchored on the unwritten convention driven by a principle of equity.

Political expediency dictates, more appealingly, that while adhering to the spirit and letters of the laws guiding conduct of elections and succession to political offices, we must do nothing which is capable of tilting the delicate balance against the established arrangement which guarantees peace and promotes trust.

“It is the turn of the Southern part of the country to produce the next President. The party leadership should have no difficulty in making pronouncements on this very important

Buhari’s Hopeless Speech on Terrorism

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ast Monday, President Buhari spoke extensively on his government’s failed war against terrorists while receiving some Abuja residents at the State House on Sallah homage. For most of this week, I repeatedly read his remarks and on each occasion, left depressed.

Buhari said the tactics deployed by terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train, and other terrorists using their victims as human shields, were responsible for the delay in rescuing them. Haba! This is just rehashing the obvious and can’t be an excuse for failure. Terrorists all over the world use their victims as human shields.

It is the business of a forward-looking government to find a way around it and free the victims. This is where a well-trained Special Forces come into play.

This is what is lacking in the government’s bid (if there is any bid at all) to free the abducted train passengers. So, we must seek help from developed climes.

And then, his usual rhetoric: “I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping.

Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed.”

The 68 abducted train passengers are 41 days old today in the dungeon of terrorists.

So, which quick recovery is Buhari talking about? Our President is still talking about “finally crushing terrorists.” When will this final crushing happen? It is almost seven years now. When will Buhari crush Turji Bello, Ada Aleru, Ali Kachalla and Dogo Gide? These are known leaders of terror groups roaming freely in the North-west.

It is very sad that Buhari is yet to o rd e r t h e military to get the heads of the bastards that killed 18 soldiers in Kanya, Kebbi State last March.

President Buhari likewise reiterated his shameless submission that his government had significantly weakened and

crippled the capabilities of the Boko Haram terrorists “so much that they no longer have the ability to seize, and occupy any Nigerian territory without being repelled by our gallant troops.” This is the height of deceit.

The Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan recently joined in drawing attention to all the lies that no part of Nigeria is under the control of Boko Haram and ISWAP. He affirms that Guzamala and Kukawa local government areas of the state are under the control of Boko Haram and appealed to the federal government and the military authorities to ensure the recapture of these areas. Our President knows this but has chosen to showboat at the expense of human lives.

The perpetrators of terrorism in Nigeria must be brought to justice by Buhari as demanded by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. This is the only way to end terrorism in Nigeria.

issue... This must be done without delay. It will be disingenuous for anyone to argue against rotation at this period.”

On its part, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) issued a stern warning to those trying to do away with rotational presidency: “The history of zoning between the north and the south is well-known to everybody in this country and has been respected by all the major political parties in Nigeria. If zoning is buried, Nigeria is then buried. And if they are thinking that this is a joke, let it be known that it is not. If we cannot abide by the established principle of rotation and zoning between the north and the south, then we should not continue with one Nigeria; we should go back to what we were as a people before the amalgamation of 1914.”

True lovers of this country must jealously protect and defend rotation at all political levels. It is our pride; the strength of our country, booster of our unity and the tonic sustaining our democracy. Power rotation is well-intentioned and aimed at giving every Nigerian a sense of belonging. Any northern politician that truly loves this country should not be talking about running for the office of the President in 2023. Arise all compatriots; let’s build a united, peaceful and just country with power rotation.

Nigeria is heterogeneous. This is a fact. So, the office of the President of Nigeria should rotate between the North and the South to promote unity and a sense of belonging. In the spirit of Federal Character and fair play, that office should be occupied by a southerner for another eight years, effective 2023. It is also a resolution influenced by the peculiarities of this country. All those that have sworn to protect our Constitution must support rotational Presidency.

Another Abductee Killed in Angwan Bulus

El-rufai

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he heart-wrenching story continues. I’m talking about Angwan Bulus community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State where terrorists killed three of the 26 people abducted in the area 38 days ago. The cruel action was to intimidate them for a N20 million ransom.

Well, last week, the terrorists killed another abductee, a 17-year-old boy, Onyia Miracle. He was kidnapped with his father, Pastor Amaechi Onyia, mother and two siblings. Onyia was killed after the community was able to deliver N2 million and three new Bajaj motorcycles to the bastards. They were angry that the community could only deliver N2 million. Nine days back, the terrorist freed 21 of the remaining 22 kidnapped residents of Ungwan Bulus. They are still holding an elderly man identified as Bulus and want N2 ransom for him.

This is the level Nigeria has degenerated to.

Security agencies are unable to help the traumatised residents of Angwan Bulus. Garrulous Governor Nasir El-Rufai failed the people. The terrorists are in touch with relations of the abductees and Angwan Bulus community leaders with GSM phone; yet, for 38 days, security agencies could not smoke them out. The security situation across Nigeria remains dreadful. One thing is certain: Those shedding human blood will eventually pay with their blood.

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SATURDAY MAY 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Burna Boy Thrills at MSG, Gears up for 6th Album Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ts been moments of spectacular performance spree and sold-out concerts for Burna Boy, with his latest show at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden (MSG) on April 28th, 2022, another defining moment of his career; becoming the first Nigerian artiste to headline a concert at the venue. Throughout the three-hour show, Burna Boy more than satisfied his audience, with not just an impressive set list of hit records, he also improvised with some of those high-energy records, while wearing a beaming smile.

It sure was his moment as seen in footages online. Performing to over 20,000 people at his MSG’s wildly anticipated “One Night In Space” event, Burna Boy debuted an unheard song from his upcoming sixth studio album, ‘Love, Damini.’ As he gears up for the release, the Grammy-awards winning artiste had previously shared this sample on Instagram live, but went on to sing the song in its entirety at the concert.

Featured as a guest on the American Talk show “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah”, the African Giant had hinted at the release date earlier. Burna Boy has been on a remarkable streak of fame and riches, and has barely finished reveling in the success of his last two projects.

No doubt his relationship with the fans has been palpable throughout that journey, and an album doused in the concept of appreciation and love is totally understandable.

Real name Damini Ogulu, Burna Boy’s “Love, Damini” is a personal project, telling the story of his wins, losses, and growth.

The 30-year-old singer explained in a Tweet on April 29 exactly what the album will be about, saying: “Love, Damini is a personal body of work. It’s about the ups and downs, the growth, the L’s and W’s. I’m excited to share this journey and roll out with you all #LoveDamini#Burnaboy.”

‘Love, Damini’ will mark Burna Boy’s follow-up to the Grammywinning Twice as Tall. Since sharing his album in August 2020, the musician has released numerous singles, including “20 10 20,” “Kilometre,” “Question,” “Want It All,” and “B. d’Or.” At the 2022 Grammy Awards, he was nominated for Album of the Year (for contributions to Justin Bieber’s Justice) and Best Global Music Performance (for “Do Yourself”), but did not take home any trophies.

The ‘One Night In Space’ record showcase follows Burna Boy’s recently sold-out debut at LA’s The Hollywood Bowl, electrifying performances at 2021 Global Citizen Festival and The Governor’s Ball, as well as sold-out international shows at London’s O2 Arena, Paris’ Accor Arena, Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome and more venues around the globe, as part of his 2021 Space Drift tour which echoes the sounds from his groundbreaking fifth studio album Twice As Tall - an immediate sensation, earning more than 5 million worldwide streams within its first hour of release.

Burna Boy

Nigerian Idol Contestants Visit Rite Foods Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Boluwatife Adedugbe, Asst. Brand Manager, (4th Left); with Aransiola Biola, Content Creator (5th Left), both of Rite Foods Limited; and the Idol contestants

ForthetopsixcontestantsoftheBigisponsored NigerianIdolonFriday,March29,itwasfun-filled,on theirvisittoRiteFoodsLimited,asademonstration of their appreciation for the company’s support for promotingentertainmentandtalentdiscoveryinthe country, which have set the pace in the beverage industry of Africa’s largest economy.

Thecontestantswhogotthejudgesandaudience captivated with their performances on a recent Sunday,comprisetheyoungsingers,Jordan,Zadok, Itohan,Progress,Banty,andFaith,andwithmuchjoy, applaudedtheBigibrandandforthetalentdiscovery platform, Nigerian Idol.

The well-liked show which will culminate with a grandfinaleonFriday,May20th,willseethewinner going home with N100, 000, 000 worth of prizes, including a recording deal from a label, a brand-new

SUV, cash prizes, and other exciting gifts.

While admonishing the contestants to be on top ofthegame,asthenextmusicIdol,RiteFoods’Asst.

BrandManager,BoluwatifeAdedugbe,encouraged the young contestants to be creative with a strong commitmenttowhattheydo,asthatwillspurthem to the end of the show and ultimately for the prize.

One of the highlights of the visit was the presentation of personalised gift items and a cash prize of N200, 000 to each contestant, and it was characterised by fun as the headline sponsor of the show,engagedtheyoungsingersingamesandsinging competition.

They also performed in unison with the electrifying tune of “Bigi Dey for You”, and thrilled like never before, showcasing their sonorous vocal strength with mind-blowing rendition.The contestants also lauded the company’s relentless support for talent discovery and development in the country.

Inkblot Production Slates ‘The Perfect Arrangement’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

‘T

he Perfect Arrangement’, a rom-com co-produced by Inkblot Production and FilmOne Entertainment is ready. A feel good movie, going by a recent first-look teaser ahead of its theatrical release slated for May 13, ‘The Perfect Arrangement’ stars Bovi Ugboma, Sharon Ooja, and Pere Egbi in the lead roles.

It is a romantic drama about finding yourself and your true love in the most awkward circumstances. ‘The Perfect Arrangement’ tells the story of rich and fun loving Tade (Sharon Ooja), a scion of a respected political family, living her best

life and without a care in the world.

She finds herself in a love triangle Things get complicated when she develops feelings for Chidi (Pere Egbi), and Cheta (Bovi Ugboma), not knowing both are brothers. Chidi happens to be her ex and Cheta, her best friend. In supporting roles are Debo “Mr Macaroni” Adedayo, Rotimi Salami, Dorcas Shola Fapson, Wofai Fada, Adunni Ade, Mimi Chaka, Ummi Baba Ahmed and Funsho Adeolu.

The Perfect Arrangement is written by Oluwapelumi Bifarin and Chinaza Onuzo who doubles as director, and produced by Zulumoke Oyibo. Sharon Ooja. The lead actress appears to be the female star to rule the screens this year.

Poster image of Bovi, Mr. Macaroni, Pere, and Sharon Ooja

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

New ‘Glamour Girls’ Trailer Blazes with Flashes of Glamour Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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he wait is gradually coming to an end as streaming platform, Netflix released the trailer for its upcoming Nigerian original title, ‘Glamour Girls’, in collaboration with Play Network Studios.The highly anticipated remake of the popular 90s film, has been in the offing since 2019 when Play Network studios first announced that it secured the rights to the classic alongside other blockbuster titles.

The feature film was finally shot last year. The Netflix remake joins the streamer’s impressive list of titles set for this year, which some have started showing. On the new ‘Glamour Girls’, the recent trailer hints of class, and blazes with flashes of glamour, affluence and upscale location, and reveals the cast.

‘Glamour Girls’ remake appears packed with sultry scenes that sure make for the hooks.

First released in 1994 (later Part 2 followed), the original ‘Glamour

Girls’ comprised a lineup of some of the biggest Nollywood stars at that time – Liz Benson, Eucharia Anunobi, Jennifer Okere, Ngozi Ezeonu, Ernest Obi, Zack Orji, to mention but a few.

Likewise, this reboot stars Sharon Ooja, Nse Ikpe Etim, Toke Makinwa, Temisan‘Taymesan’Emmanuel,Joselyn Dumas, and Segilola Ogidan, among others – all some of the biggest names in the industry now.

The much-awaited movie follows the storyoffourindependentsinglewomen who embarked on questionable jobs within Nigeria’s traditionally patriarchal society.The original had quite a number ofmemorablemomentslikethesteamy ZachOrjibathroomscenewithEucharia Anunobi. The plot centres on a young girl’s quest for a better life which leads her to a questionable lifestyle in a bubbly city of Lagos.

At the time of the film’s initial release it was bashed widely for its nudity and glamorisation of immoral behaviour, but the industry have come a long way from then and now.

Nse Ikpe-Etim

Sharon Ooja

Joselyn Dumas

Toke Makinwa

Shuta Bug Showcases Terri Exploring Different ‘Desperados Collectives’ Sounds ‘In Transit’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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n a pulsating atmosphere filled with positive energy, young art connoisseurs enjoyed the visual treat of digital artistry showcased by Nigerian multidisciplinary artiste, Shuta Bug, amongst other international artistes last Saturday. The exclusive event organized by the Tequila flavoured beer brand Desperados was held at the magnificent Jewel Aedia, Eti-Osa, Lekki.

An evening for the Lagos edition of the global campaign called the Desperados Collectives, the event turned out to be a night for artistes who dared to be different. From the mystery DJs in masks to a collection of artworks in the adjoining exhibition hall, it was quite insightful to view a total art experience pulsated by heavy beats and grills.

Anchored by Kemi Smallz and Ilowithdflo, the show also featured live paintings that ran simultaneously with the hot mixes from the DJs of the night including the masked duo, Mazexmxtreme and the celebrity twin DJs Wanni and Handi. It was indeed a playground uniting artistes, disc-jockeys and content creators amid a cocktail of varied creative energy.

Born Mayowa Alabi, Shuta Bug first stepped into the limelight in 2017 when he won the European Union/United Nations Women Gender Equality ‘Picture It’ Comic and Cartoon Competition. He has since had two solo exhibitions in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Fast forward to 2022, the international plat-

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Shuta Bug

form called the ‘Desperados Collectives’ berthed to spotlight young, emerging creatives in France, Germany, Spain, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

Hence Shuta Bug who also works as an artist at the British Broadcasting Corporation was selected from Nigeria for the Desperados Collectives Campaign where he was commissioned to create a series of designs featuring the Desperados bottle that resonates with the brand’s affinity for playful experimentation.

ong before his idol Wizkid signed him onto the roster of Starboy Music as Terri, Akewe, Terry Daniel was making music as a teenager in the low-income Lagos neighborhood he grew up in. Since trading the underground music scene for the mainstream, Terri has barely looked back.

The music sensation returns on ‘In Transit’, his second Extended Play (EP), and first as an independent artiste.

Buoyed by a Grammy nomination for his work on Wizkid’s ‘Made in Lagos’, Terri’s ‘In Transit’ touches on themes of love intoxication as he transits to becoming an independent artiste after moving on from Wizkid’s Starboy Entertainment. Announcing the project on Twitter, Terri wrote: “Thank you for joining me #InTransit. My second EP #InTransit is out on all stores, let’s go.”

The 6-track EP features one guest appearance from Ghanaian singer Mugeez and is a follow up to 2020’s 7-track Afro Series.

‘In Transit carries amazing tunes, including new tracks, “Wanna Know” and “Chargie” with Mugeez. The project’s lead single “Danger” was well received by fans and critics alike, garnering over three million streams just within a few weeks of release. While also receiving rave reviews and critical acclaim from the likes of Notion Magazine, Earmilk, Noctis Magazine, BBC Radio London, OkayAfrica, No Signal Radio and Reprezent Radio,

among others.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the ‘In Transit’ EP, Terri says, “I spent the past year exploring different sounds and honing my craft – this project is an account of that artistic journey, as well as my personal journey going through the different emotions of love, relationships, and romance.

‘In Transit’ is a transition from where I was musically, to where I am now, and where I’m headed. It’s me thinking about where I’m coming from, acknowledging my growth and getting closer to my goals”.

Terri burst onto the afrobeats scene when he was only a teenager, becoming the only artist to be signed by Wizkid to his Starboy Records imprint. He also collaborated with Wizkid on the certified gold-selling hit single ‘Soco’, and later released his critically acclaimed debut EP Afro Series in 2020, garnering support from BBC Radio 1, KISS FM, BBC 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, Apple Music 1 and Okayafrica, among others, along the way.

AMVCA Week Begins Today

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he eight-day line-up of events for the eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) begins today with the Opening Night Gala.

The event formally flags-off the series of activities preceding the Award Night on Saturday, May 14.

Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said this year’s edition of the AMVCAs is focused on shining the light on the many aspects that make the African film and television industry.

Also scheduled for the week are curated

events such as the AMVCA Runway Show on Sunday, Young Filmmakers’ Day, featuring movie screenings and panel discussions by students of the MultiChoice Talent Factory academy, on Monday.

Next in the schedule is Africa Magic Content Market Workshop on Tuesday, followed by Digital Content Creator’s Brunch on Wednesday. The Culture and Food Festival Day is slated for Thursday, while AMVCA Nominees Gala will hold on Friday.

Hailed as the premium awards for filmmakers in Africa, the AMVCAs has recognized and celebrated outstanding

achievements in the African film and TV industry both in front and behind the cameras.

The glamorous awards show will air live on May 14 on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, from 4pm WAT. For more information, visit www. africamagic.tv/AMVCA and follow all official handles of Africa Magic on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is brought by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice and is proudly sponsored by Amstel Malta.

Terri

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Educator at The Aesthetic Clinic (TAC), Samuel Nwatu; Pastor Toyin Poju-Oyemade of Covenant Christian Centre; Founder of TAC, Dr Ifeoma Abajue; Director at TAC, Dr Eyitope Ibare-Jones; Consultant of Dermatology, Dr Erere Otrofanowei and Art Enthusiast, Dr Fola David at TAC’s fifth anniversary in Lagos....recently

Chief Executive Officer of Vine Morris Group and wife, Sir and Lady Divine Obiora Obiwulu (sitting) with Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes, Engr Mrs Ifeoma Stella Okengwu (behind) at Winhomes land allocation ceremony in Lekki, Lagos... recently

Card Options Partners FAAN to Provide Exclusive Luxury Services In a bid to improve passengers experience at the nation’s airports, Card Options Limited, in partnership with Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has launched a luxury protocol service, ‘Sky Elite’ to cater for passengers’ comfort before and upon return from a trip.

According to the organisation which is also a FAAN concessionaire, the annual PHPEHUVKLS VHUYLFHV GHVLJQHG VSHFLÀFDOO\ for Very Important Personalities, VIPs, entitled subscribers to exclusive service without having to face the usual hassles at the airport.

Card Options stated further that the service available in 30 Nigerian domestic/ international airports caters for passengers’

comfort, security, refreshments and private luxury lounge space while they await WKHLU ÁLJKW RU XSRQ DUULYDO IURP D MRXUQH\ Speaking on the scheme, the Company’s Spokesperson, Oba Michael Soyebo stated that the innovative service comes as a solution to the challenge of packed airport terminals and counter queue, amongst others which in often times demotivate travellers.

He assured subscribers on the service of an expedited security and immigration clearance.

Soyebo disclosed that the company also recently concluded a deal with Collinson *URXS WKH RZQHUV RI 3ULRULW\ 3DVV VFKHPH DGGLQJ WKDW WKH QHZ SDUWQHUVKLS TXDOLÀHV Sky Elite members access to more than

1,300 airport lounges worldwide where Priority Pass cards are accepted. ´)RU RXU FHOHEULWLHV 6N\ (OLWH RͿHUV enhanced protocol services that truly celebrate them as stars of the nation.

We are committed to this call and we are daily working with FAAN to ensure very smooth service. As you may know, facilities to care for our many elites at the various airports are limited, to this extent we are unable to make this product available for direct public subscription. “ We are thus limited in terms of numbers of elites that could be invited to the scheme on yearly basis, but we are truly working hard to ensure that many of the pre-screened individuals are accommodated”, he said.

TAC Clocks Five, Launches New Product Lines Skincare facility, The Aesthetic Clinic 7$& KDV PDUNHG LWV ÀIWK DQQLYHUVDU\ just as its unveiled the ‘Rejuva Studio’ as part of its expansion plans.

The event held amid pomp and fanfare and had in attendance industry experts, celebrities, skincare manufacturers, high SURÀOH FOLHQWV DQG ZHOO ZLVKHUV DPRQJ other stakeholders.

Sharing the journey of the organisation in WKH ODVW ÀYH \HDUV )RXQGHU RI 7$& ,IHRPD Abajue stated that the organisation had been able to maintain an upward trajectory in terms of growth, despite tough competition.

She expressed appreciation to consumers who have been part of the organisation’s success story in half a decade, adding that quality and solutions have remained the core value of the institute.

Abajue expressed optimism in the sector to

raise the Nigeria’s economy if given needed support, however worried that the spread of TXDFNV DQG ODFN RI FRPPLWWHG DQG TXDOLÀHG ZRUNIRUFH ZHUH VWLÁLQJ VHFWRU JURZWK On her part, Director and Educator at TAC, Dr. Eyitope Ibare- Jones stated that in DGGLWLRQ WR HͿHFW RQ HFRQRP\ WKH KHDOWK implications of patronizing quacks are adverse.

She said, “While some skin types are predisposed to diseases naturally, some are self-induced as a result of people’s choice of product. Sadly, most of the so called organics people opt for contain dangerous ingredients and harmful dose of chemicals that are more destructive to the skin- which is the only body protection. It is also advisable that those that are naturally predisposed to skin problem should go for routine treatment to reduce their vulnerability to skin issues.”

She called for strict regulation of the industry to contain unprofessionalism.

Speaking on the new Rejuva studio, Abajue said, “As much as we plan to expand our client base, we simply want to be seen as a solution to skin problems ZKLOH PDNLQJ RXUVHOYHV DͿRUGDEOH ,W LV a known fact that aesthetic clinic is more advanced and expensive, this is why we are launching the Rejuva studio to make RXU VHUYLFHV DͿRUGDEOH DQG DFFHVVLEOH WR the masses. ´:LWK 5HMXYD VWXGLR ZH ZDQW WR RͿHU services and our own product lines as we will be focusing on darker skin types.

We will be providing quality services just as the aesthetic clinic but cater more to everybody since the product lines will be cheaper because we will be producing in-house”.

Foundation Charges Youth on Innovation, Talent Maximisation The Rose of Sharon Foundation has advised youths to strive to develop and maximise the innate ability, while being innovative to be able to reach their dream.

This was the resolve at the 8th edition of the foundation’s youth empowerment programme, themed - “SelfActualisation: A Panacea for Youth Survival”.

The hybrid meeting was graced by resource persons from diverse space of endeavours, who responded to the various needs and enquiries of youths, from their pool of experiences.

Speaking at the programme, Founder of The Rose of Sharon Foundation, Apostle Folorunso Alakija maintained that self-actualisation of the youths remained a sustainable solution for empowerment, development, socio-economic relevance, and survival.

To achieve self actualisation, she encouraged youths to fully harness their innate abilities for self-gains and societal development.

She expressed worries at the growing trend of youths hurriedness to make wealth, urging them to follow life’s process as cited in

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory.

She said, “Nowadays, some of our youths are said to be seeking shortcuts to achieve their goals and unwilling to work toward improving their skills and talents.

You should understand that Rome was not built in a day and there is always time for everything under the sun.”

She urged the youths to consider education as a value or alternatively, learn a trade to be able to discover their gift and KDUQHVV LW IRU SURÀWability.

The programme featured a panel discussion facilitated by key experts including CEO of Verbatim Communications Limited, Bidemi Mark-Mordi; Resident Pastor and National Superintendent of KICC Nigeria, Pastor Femi Faseru as well as Managing Director of Tom Associates Limited, Mr. Temitope Jegede.

On his part, Jegede charged participants to remain focus on their strengths and avoid doing many things at a time.

On her part, MarkMordi advised youths to endeavour to thrive, adding that to thrive is better than to survive.

Lush Hair Fetes Nigerian Firm Fulfils Promise, Pledges Women on Workers’ Day Reduction in Housing Deficit In celebrating 2022 workers’ day, indigenous extension brand, Lush Hair extended a free hair make-over service to Nigerian women in their respective offices.

The organisation stated that the service, which was offered to both staff and management of visited companies, aimed to appreciate Nigerian women for their spirit and commitment in making themselves useful for the greater good of the society.

The gesture was spread among five sectors of the economy, with one organisation selected from each sector for the treatment.

The benefitting companies included: Keystone Bank, Halogen Security Company, Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), Eura Care Wellness Centre and State Junior School, Alimosho.

With the hashtag #LUSHedAtWork, the brand made a grand set up at each of the organisations on different occasions. Beyond the opportunity of free hair makeovers, the women were also excited

with thrilling games and gifts items.

Speaking on the act, Brand Manager of Lush Hair, Ritambhara Kakkar stated that the initiative also aimed to make up for the missed beauty routine of workers that could be due to work pressure and other demands.

She said, ”We understand the busy schedule and demanding nature associated to the chosen industries, especially for women whose attention is equally required in other facets of life such as; home front pressures, extended family & friends demands, and most essentially personal look maintenance.

“Although we are a female centric brand, we didn’t just limit it to female workers, but extended the gesture to the men who also went home with gift bags for their wives and female partners. Labour Day is a reminder for us that these are the real architects of our society, and they deserve their due respect.”

$ UHDO HVWDWH ÀUP :LQKRPHV *OREDO Services Ltd has delivered plots of land to it subscribers at its Winhomes property in Lekki, Lagos.

7KLV LV LQ IXOÀOPHQW RI WKH ÀUP·V commitment to ensuring that Lagosians KDYH DFFHVV WR CDͿRUGDEOH KRXVLQJ while bridging the gap in housing industry.

The allocation event had in attendance hundreds of subscribers, KLJK Á\LQJ JXHVWV DV ZHOO DV WRS industry professionals, as the organisation vowed to pull all stops in reducing KRXVLQJ GHÀFLW LQ /DJRV VWDWH Speaking at the allocation ceremony, &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI WKH ÀUP Engr. Ifeoma Stella Okengwu assured customers of their security and genui-

ness of the organisation.

“This is another evidence of our commitment to giving our investors the best value for their money. We assure all our current and potential customers that we will always stay true to our promises of timely allocation of properties as well as putting the right things in place. We will always strive to create long-term value for our clients and partners through secure real estate investment “We also want to strongly assure everyone that invests in our project that they do not have any cause to worry about their allocations. Today, we are DWWHQGLQJ WR WKH ÀUVW EDWFK ZH ZLOO EH having the second batch in the coming months”, she said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

POLITY

Futility of a Vaulting Ambition and Disdain for Abiodun Femi Ogbonnikan After much bickering and several failed attempts to seize control of the structure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, former governor Ibikunle Amosun has joined the race for the 2023 presidential election. He is now among the galaxy of gladiators who are haggling to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari on completion of his tenure on May 29, 2023. By his declaration of intent to pick the presidential ticket of the party in the coming primary, he has undoubtedly reached the nadir of his political career.

From being a senator on the platform of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) to an eight-year reign as a governor, to a serving Senator, and now with the eyes on the presidency, his insatiable quest for power has run a complete circle.

Before the final round out of his tortuous political journey, he had made several clandestine efforts to wrest power, and supplant the governor (Prince Dapo Abiodun) with his protégé, but he failed. Yet, he won’t just let go. Instead, he wants to make the state ungovernable, while pretending to be playing national politics.

Reading the balance of political equations in the state, he has suddenly realised that he could no longer face the electorate for another senatorial election. So, the only way to save his face is to take a dive into national politics, and at the same time fueling the rage of disaffection within the ruling APC in his home state. It is only a question of time before his evil plots to bring the governor down crashes with a resounding thud.

Of course, making advancement into national politics is the normal trend of politicking in this clime, but his vaulting ambition to lead the country only reminds one of a popular aphorism that says, “no one can rise above the circumstance of his emergence.” Take it or leave it, Amosun is one of the beneficiaries of Tinubu’s political wizardry. Without his foresightedness, doggedness and shrewd political maneuvering which had helped to nurture and sustain the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which metamorphosed into APC as a dominant progressive force in the Southwest nay Nigeria, He could not have actualised his ambition to be governor in the first instance.

But by joining the intense jostle for the presidential ticket of the APC, he has wittingly resolved to confront the power that brought him to the limelight as the governor of Ogun State for eight years. And by so doing, he has chosen to be on the wrong side of history, and nothing on this earth planet can absolve him from most severe judgement for being one of those lots who are responsible for the fragmentation of the dominant progressive forces of the Southwest and its consequential effects on the future politics of the Yoruba. But he carried his vaulting ambition to a mockery and intolerable level by this decision to confront Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, who provided him with the ACN platform through which he ascended the position of governor in 2011 having failed to actualize the ambition with the ANPP’s ticket.

While eulogizing Tinubu for his doggedness in entrenching progressive politics in the Southwest in a booked titled Asiwaju: Leadership in Troubled Times edited by Tunji Bello, Sam Omatseye and Segun Ayobolu, he had this to say in his feeble tribute: “A strong fighter who one should wish to have as a friend and ally than as a political opponent, Tinubu, the last man standing, survived the PDP onslaught in the2003 elections. He moved on to ensure that subsequently, Lagos not only remained solid for the progressive ACN, but that the party extended its tentacles to Edo, Ekiti, and Osun states.

Today, with me in the saddle in Ogun State and my brother, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the helms of affairs in Oyo State and we are still counting…

“Tinubu can often identify talent from a thousand miles.

Governor Abiodun And that attribute has helped in making him a successful politician. He supports himself with talents, experienced and budding ones. One can identify this in the calibre of men and women who are today sponsored into office by our political party, ACN, where he is a national leader. Look at the pedigree of those of us who are governors, Senators and Representatives et cetera.”

Rhetoric! More intriguingly, that acknowledged national leader of the APC is his number one political opponent who must be fought to submission. What a betrayal? To be sure, he is not alone in this lust for power. There are other willing tools among those Tinubu helped to bring to the limelight who are working in concert to feather their own nests. They do not care a hoot about how to sustain the Southwest as an impregnable fortress for the reactionary forces who are masquerading as progressives?

Rather than rallying forces behind the national figure who has the capacity to stave off the looming threat of Hausa/ Fulani dominance, he, and some of his ilks are doing it all alone, threatening the fabric of the progressive camp for no other reasons than their disdain for the power and influence of Tinubu, a man who toiled with resources of money, time and energy to form the APC in collaboration with other political groupings to defeat the PDP. Is there no limit to human treachery? Is there no more loyalty in the nation’s political lexicon? Granted that it is the right of everyone to aspire to the highest political office in the land, yet no man of good conscience will stand face-to-face with his benefactor to battle for the same position whatever the office is worth.

But as a form of betrayal, he is all out to take on the national leader of his party.

The same reason he wants to make Ogun State ungovernable. By stopping at nothing, he is here again leading an insurrection against Governor Abiodun. Charity, they say, begins at home. Yes, indeed. Today, nothing happens in Ogun State without his imprimatur. He is the main character in the movie of politics in the State. Every crisis in the APC has his imprint.

Now, having been drubbed at home by the superior clout of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and also having been overwhelmed by the heat turned against him by genuine admirers of the governor for all his dirty plots to make the state ungovernable, he has shifted the battleground to the centre.

Every true born indigene of Ogun State understands the underbelly of his political scheming. Interestingly, much as they try to fuel the ongoing campaign of calumny against Governor Abiodun to forestall his re-election bid, so the people’s support for his leadership continues to swell in leap and bound by the day.

This past week, the governor answered the clarion call on him to continue the giant stride he has made since his assumption of office, as he made a formal declaration of his intention to seek for re-election in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). While making the declaration at the Executive Council Chambers of his office at Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, when he received the nomination form bought for him by his kinsmen and women under the aegis of the DA Mandate 2023, he said he remained undaunted and resolutely determined to achieve more for the state. He also announced the re-nomination of his deputy, Engr. (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele as his running mate.

The governor, who expressed surprise at the gesture, recounted the many trials he and his team had passed through in the quest to lead the State.

His words: “This gesture touches my bone. It is like a balm that sooth all the pain that we suffered in the course of our campaigns. I am happy particularly that this is coming from my home base.

“Today is a significant day in my life and because of this gesture, I am officially declaring my intention to run for the second term and in the same vein, I am declaring my deputy as my running mate. You are investing in an administration and I want to assure you that you will not regret, as the only way I can reward you is by more superlative performance.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and leader of the group, Biyi Adeleye, on his own part, said the performance of the governor and the desire to see him complete his good works, led to the purchase of the form.

He explained that members of his group were from the three Local Government Areas of Sagamu, Ikenne and Remo North that make up the Remo Zone. “We taxed ourselves to raise the fund for the form as a result of the confidence we have in the capacity of our brother and boss, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to lead the State to greater heights”, he added.

The governor’s desire for a second term further received a boast when political leaders and business men from Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State recently presented a cheque of N50 million to assist in his campaign expenses.

Presenting the cheque on behalf of the group, Otunba Akeem Adigun said the gesture was born out of love the people of the district had for the governor. He particularly commended the brilliant way Governor Abiodun had conceived of developmental projects spread across different zones of the state.

“We had planned to buy you the nomination form as part of our contribution to your re-election process, but our brothers from Remo beat us to it. Nevertheless, we are presenting this N50 million cheque to help you take care of your campaign expenses”, Adigun stated.

Also weighing in, a former deputy governor in the state, Alhaja Salimot Badru, lauded the governor for treating all sections of the state equally in the area of project execution, adding that the district was happy that the governor had once again chosen one of its own as his running mate.

All these are a clear indication that the good people of Ogun State are very well at home with Governor Abiodun, the more reason his popularity and acceptance as a visionary leader continues to swirl by the day. It further bears an eloquent testimony to that fact that Amosun and his evil promoter of imaginary disaffection among the populace are absolutely on the own. With the unsolicited gestures, the people have spoken in an unmistakable terms that are satisfied with the performance of the administration, hoping to benefit more in its second tenure.

Ogbonnikan wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Udom Emmanuel Urges FG, ASUU to End Strike By Varsity Teachers

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and presidential aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to both the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the on-going strike action and re-open our universities for our children to return to school.

In a statement issued on his behalf by the spokesperson of the Udom Emmanuel Presidential Council, Mr. Bola Bolawole, Emmanuel said the time had come for both the FG and ASUU to climb down from their high horse and avert a disaster that may strike the country’s educational system as a whole if the ASUU strike is not quickly called off and our universities re-opened for studies.

“The discussions are already going on in some foreign countries where our people, especially our youths, run for greener pastures, to withdraw their recognition of university certificates from Nigeria. God forbid that this should happen! The all-round effects on our people are better imagined than felt.

“According to data from the country’s apex Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria’s Diaspora remittances inflow for the first nine months of 2021 rose to $14.2 billion, up 10 percent Year-on-Year from $12.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2020 and beating the World Bank

quarter-on-quarter projections for the same period.

“This is second only to foreign exchange earned from the oil sector. Nothing must be done to adversely affect its growth in the short- and long-term. If university certificates from Nigeria are no longer recognised, how can our people flooding into countries abroad for further studies and job opportunities fulfil their dreams?

“How can the Nigerian Government benefit from the bounteous energies of the Nigerian people in Diaspora noted all over the world for their resilience, industry, and capacity to excel and hold their own against the world’s best?

“What will be the rationale for the continued maintenance and relevance of ASUU and its members if the students they claim to teach and train are seen and treated as half-baked by their counterparts in other parts of the world?

“Of what benefit and relevance, then, is the continued maintenance of universities whose certificates are treated as worthless by their counterparts in other parts of the world?”

Stating that unofficial reports put the population of Nigerians in the Diaspora at 15 million, Emmanuel said a very important safety valve releasing social tension would be closed with dire consequences if Nigerians, especially our

youths seeking “better life” abroad, are unable to do so again.

“This, then, is my clarion call to both the FG and ASUU: Put on the thinking cap of statesmen and resolve this issue as quickly as possible in the interest of all. Where necessary, sacrifices must be made on all sides. And as much as is humanly possible, agreements freely entered into must be respected and implemented.

“The records of ASUU strike actions in recent years are worrisome; close to four years have been lost to strike actions, whereas an average semester is made up of between 3 and 4 months! Just imagine how many semesters and whole academic sessions the university system has lost to ASUU strikes alone, not to talk of time lost to strike actions by other workers in the university system and student demonstrations!

“Enough is now enough! All the key players or gladiators should understand that what is going on is selfimmolation. We all must stop cutting our nose to spite our face. Saving the university system from imminent collapse is a task that must be done. It is the duty of each and every one of us; not Government’s alone; and not ASUU’s alone. Everyone must stand up to be counted.

“I have added my voice! Add yours! Heeding this clarion call is the first step in the right direction”, he added.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

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POLITY

Kaduna Gov: How Uba Sani Emerged as Choice of Stakeholders Mohammed Kure Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and political cycles in Kaduna are still digesting the emergence of Senator Uba Sani as the gubernatorial aspirant supporters of incumbent Governor Nasir El-Rufai will back in the primaries. Preliminary feelers are that APC members are pleased with the development which has given supporters a clear direction and united the party’s base.

This is the story of how Uba Sani emerged as the consensus aspirant of key stakeholders, an endorsement that makes him the frontline aspirant in the coming primaries where he would face other hopefuls that have bought the APC gubernatorial form.

Persuasion, opinion polls, regular meetings and assessments were said to have all played a role in shaping the decision that has been broadly welcomed by APC members in Kaduna State.

Insider accounts revel that Governor El-Rufai made everyone conscious of the need for the team that has led the Kaduna APC to remain as one family and continue the reforms that had brought remarkable gains in infrastructure, investments, and human capital development to the state.

A source said: “He showed us again that he is a leader that values consultation, allowing divergent opinions to be expressed and skillfully guiding stakeholders to a collective decision.”

“El-Rufai is a leader guided by science, data and logic.

This allows him to see beyond the emotions that cloud human relations and keep everyone focused on the goal, rather than unhelpful distractions.”

Kaduna APC sources disclosed that there were pressures by some of the aspirants to make their interest public much earlier in the year. But the aspirants deferred to El-Rufai’s counsel that it was more urgent to first safeguard the corporate health and viability of the APC through a National Convention before focusing on aspirations that could only be realised through a strong and united party. El-Rufai also admonished the team to prioritise securing a consensus among the aspirants when the time came for primaries.

After the successful conclusion of the APC National Convention, the Kaduna governorship aspirants revved up their engine. Uba Sani and Muhammad Sani Abdullahi (Dattijo) publicly declared their interest in the job at about the same time, a development that created some confusion since they are regarded as members of the El-Rufai team. Shortly after, it also became known that the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe was consulting several key groups about the race. This led to expressions of serious concerns that having three as-

pirants for governorship from the El-Rufai team would divide party members and invite uncertainty about the outcome of the primaries.

Checks with informed sources in Kaduna confirmed that El-Rufai, senior party leaders and stakeholders were aware of this growing apprehension among APC members and had reminded all aspirants to educate their supporters that this was a democratic process within members of the same team.

“El-Rufai was holding regular meetings with key personalities to reinforce the sense of team cohesion above the emerging ambitions,” a knowledgeable source disclosed.

Multiple sources confirmed that while some of the aspirants were busy building alignments, El-Rufai had also commissioned series of opinion polls to gauge public perceptions of the likely aspirants. The three in-house aspirants had strong credentials and it was considered important to track them on several issues and against other likely aspirants to test their public acceptability.

Balarabe, the first elected female Deputy Governor in the state, had acted as Governor on several occasions and is seen as capable. On his part, Uba Sani had impressed as an effective and influential first term senator who had gotten two bills passed and signed by the President. He was political adviser to El-Rufai prior to becoming a senator, and had used his influence to secure funding for the construction of Faculty of Engineering at the permanent site of KASU, among others.

Dattijo, the youngest of the three, is an international development expert who served twice as budget commissioner and was El-Rufai’s chief of staff. He is bright and hardworking.

The polls showed that these three aspirants were well regarded, but Uba was consistently the strongest of the aspirants in the rankings. El-Rufai is said to given Uba the nod to declare after the first set of polls showed that he was most popular within the party and the electorate.

Some APC stakeholders did not take the claim of endorsement made by the aspirants at face value. According to a member of the House of Representatives, when they sought clarification from El-Rufai on the matter, he confirmed having no reservations about Uba Sani declaring and encouraging the Deputy Governor to engage in consultations. He also acknowledged that Dattijo had told him he was joining the race.

The federal legislator said that this disclosure further swung momentum Uba Sani’s way, helped by the fact that Balarabe did not make a formal declaration of interest after the series of consultations she did.

The latest meeting of the El-Rufai core team was held on Wednesday, 4 May 2022. The major outcome was settling for Uba Sani as the team’s consensus aspirant. His record in the Senate, his experience as a presidential aide in the Obasanjo years and service as a political adviser and senior member of the Kaduna team all helped to swing influential figures behind his aspiration.

Uba Sani As an insider noted, “When El-Rufai made his choice, it was another masterstroke of consultative but bold leadership. Just as he had carried all stakeholders along in the ward, local government and state congresses of 2021, he led the team to a clear choice. He also created a path for Dattijo to continue his political career at the national level.”

Relieved APC members in Kaduna State now have a clear direction as they await the primaries. Rather than the bickering among supporters, they are now touting the strengths of the members of the team that are penciled to contest offices.

Party members are now drawing attention to Uba Sani’s contributions in the Senate where he has been ranked as number one over the last three years for bills presented and passed into law. He got the revised Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act passed. He has earned a reputation as a reformist, proposing bills to create state police and state judicial councils, apart from the landmark laws passed At the Senate, Uba Sani and Kwari have demonstrated loyalty to the governance objectives of the Kaduna State Government.

While declaring his aspiration, Uba said that as governor, he would consolidate on the achievements of the El-Rufai government. It is now his job to persuade the Kaduna APC to give him the ticket at the primaries.

Amosun is the President Nigeria Needs Kemi Muritala The event in the couple of days in Nigeria where over 50 Nigerians from the 18 registered political parties have shown interest in the number one seat, the President and Commander- In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, will soon determine the future of the country.

Roger Smith said “ You don’t just stumble into the future; you create your own future “. Of all the declarants and Presidential aspirants across all the parties, who among them can we say has genuine plans to create future and hope for Nigerians against the backdrop of myriads of challenges facing the nation.

I took my time to follow up majority of the aspirants and their reasons for wanting to contest, permit me to say that the formal public declaration of former Ogun State Governor, 2011 to 2019, and a Senator representing the Ogun central in the Senate on the platform of APC, Ibikunle Amosun stands out.

Others have been promising to fix Nigeria, some promises hope, some promises unity, some promises better life and so on, but stakeholders across the divide testified on Thursday May 5, when Amosun declared before the mammoth crowd at Shehu Musa Yar ’adua Centre, Abuja that we need a trail blazer and someone whose Nigeria is safe in his hands like Amosun.

Testimonials from distinguished Nigerians such as Amb. Fatimat Bala Abubakar, Senator Isa Dansadau, Sen.ator khairat Gwadabe, Senator Iyabo Anisuluwo, Senator Lawan Shuaibu, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, Kayode Fayemi, Mrs Rukaiyah Wiran, Amb. Jerry Ugbokwe, among others in attendance testified to the fact that Amosun is a straight forward, frank, a good leader, a cheerful giver, a detribalised Nigerian and the competent Nigerian the country needs now.

Senate Leader Abdullahi Yahaya said Amosun is “ exceptionally good, a person of courage and generouse and Nigeria will be safe in his hands” Corroborating this, Fayemi, a co-presidential as-

Amosun pirant, said Amosun is a complete Nigerian having similarity in ideological orientation like him, hence his decision to attend his declaration.

“You can be sure that between us, whichever way, we will be in the tent and not outside the tent” , Fayemi assured supporters.

In his declaration speech, the man of the moment, Amosun, flanked by his adorable and beautiful wife , Olufunsho , who definitely would be a worthy, compassionate and diligent First Lady, recalled series of his political roles in the

national development when he was in the Senate between 2003 to 2007 and as Governor of Ogun State from 2011 to 2019 and back in the Senate 2019 till date as a call to duty and service to energise his faith in Nigeria.

“I am convinced about my capacity in leading the country to national glory. I offer myself to serve as national revival and rejuvenation in providing comprehensive audit of security architecture and accelerate economic growth in the country.”, he said.

He promised to consolidate on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of security.

“To do this, I will prioritise human security as the fundamental principle and ultimate goal of national security.

“Putting human security at the forefront and as the direct principle of state policy, would imply that the two dominant goals of my leadership would be national security and economic development,” he said.

He added that he had spent the past few months talking to professionals on the security challenges in Nigeria and how they could be better managed.

I quite agree with Amosun in his priority of human security and accelerated economic growth and development as a way out of the doldrums we are in the country.

Going by the overwhelming felicitations and support received by Amosun across the divide as well as full representation from the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Oyo state Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, Amb. Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Nigeria High Commissioner to UK, who was physically present as well as federal lawmakers, youths and women groups in the country as well as religious leaders, the signs are clear that Nigerians pains are over and our reliever is definitely here.

Kemi Muritala, a public affairs analyst, contributed this piece from Abuja and can be reached on kemimuritala@yahoo.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

POLITY

Businesses Pant as Operational Costs Soar Raheem Akingbolu takes a look at the Nigeria market and how the harsh economy has continued to put pressure on businesses and consumers

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n view of the liberation from the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked gargantuan havoc on the global economy between 2020 and 2021, Nigerians looked forward to a better 2022, however marginally. The prevalent view was that with lockdown and recession out of the way, the New Year would offer something better. Besides, after enduring the economic turbulence of 2021, most Nigerians had hoped for a better year this time round, hoping that the 2022 Budget as well as economic policies would give them a much-needed respite from economic pressures.

But despite the enthusiasm, economic experts and analysts were quick to alert Nigerians that there was nothing to celebrate yet. As a result of the fallouts from coronavirus and some global economic realities, analysts predicted that the country’s inflation would still remain high in the New Year.

In November 2021, Nigeria’s inflation rate declined marginally to 15. 40 percent from 15.99 percent in October — the 8th consecutive monthly decline and the lowest inflation rate recorded in 2021. Again, with all the country’s socioeconomic problems still very much virulent, coupled with the unexpected hardship Nigerians faced early in the year over unavailability of premium motor spirit or petrol, those who could read between the lines concluded the outlook could be bleak.

One of the first set of experts, who expressed his thoughts about 2022, was the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane. Early in January, the economist predicted that the country’s inflation rate would remain structurally high at a full-year average of 13.3 percent in 2022. Rewane, who spoke at the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) January breakfast meeting predicted that economic activity in 2022 would be similar to 2021, owing to global inflationary trends linked to COVID-19, such as the lingering globalsupply shortage.

“We can expect to see sustained cost-push factors, including a planned fuel subsidy removal, new electricity tariffs and additional taxes; alongside legacy issues, such as increased debt service burden and exchange rate conversion. Inflation will remain structurally high at an average of 13.3%, with an increase in Q1 and Q2,” Rewane said.

As predicted by analysts and economic forecasts, the consumer price index report, released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) at the end of February indicated that

Nigeria’s inflation rate changed direction as it rose 15.7% from 15.6% recorded in the previous month. This represents 0.1 percentage point increase compared to the rate recorded in January 2022.

The uptick in the inflation rate was attributed to the increase in the price of goods and services, following the fuel scarcity across the country in February. One major highlight of the NBS report was that core inflation also rose to its highest level in over 4 years at 14.01%, while food inflation dropped to 17.11% in the review period from 17.13% recorded in January 2022.

The current harsh economic reality, which has necessitated price increase across board in the market, has simply confirmed the earlier prediction that the new electricity tariff arrangement as pronounced by the Federal Government and the systematic increase of oil price would make Nigerians pay more for goods and services.

Today, price increase has remained unabated in all sectors.

From food items to fast moving consumer goods, the increment has remained steadily high. For instance, consumer goods such as beer, cement, flour, noodles, and virtually every other item have raised their prices to reflect the realities of the times. In another development, there are some service providers in the banking, telecommunication and insurance sectors that have reduced their hours of service or days at work to mitigate the impact of the increase in price of diesel on their businesses. So have radio stations, which have slashed broadcast hours.

It was, therefore, no surprise when the leading pay TV Company, MultiChoice Nigeria, announced that it would adjust the prices at which it offered its products and services upwards with effect from April 1, 2022. The price adjustments, attributed to inclement domestic economic climate, didn’t go down well with its subscribers. While players in other sectors didn’t find it tough responding to the economic reality through price increase, MultiChoice was confronted by many forces, which perhaps believe that it is insulated against inflation and weakness of the naira.

At the peak of the controversy that tailed the increment from the company, the National Assembly waded in.

Meanwhile, this also attracted criticism from various quarters as many Nigerians wonder why the Pay TV company should be singled out for scrutiny over price. It was also argued that the government’s decision to influence

LR: Head, Corporate Communications, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Matthew Obiazikwor; Member, Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE), Mrs. Omotola Johnson; Founder, RESWAYE, Doyinsola Ogunye; Member, RESWAYE, Silifat Jimoh; and Group Head, Risk Management, Unity Bank Plc. Mr. Chris Nwambu presenting a cheque of N500, 000 to RESWAYE from Unity Bank during a cleaning exercise at Elegushi Kids Beach Garden held in commemoration of World Earth Day, 2022. In Lagos… recently

L-R: Executive Director, Marine & Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Onari Brown; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Emmanuel Jime; Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port, Mr. Laurence Smith; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Port, Mr. Du Ruogang during an inspection visit by the Minister of Information and Culture to Lekki Deep Sea Port site in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos..... recently

the price offering of the company was an abuse of power. The issue has thus become a subject of discourse in many fora and led to other issues like Pay As You Go and Pay Per View services controversy.

But where did things go wrong in the market? This is one question an average Nigerian has continued to ask. According to THISDAY independent survey, the challenge is multifaceted.

While some linked the current economic crisis to imbalance in oil price, many are of the opinion that the government’s decision on the electricity sector, which allows market operators to determine the course of action, simply means that Nigerians are to pay the full commercial price for power as determined by the generating and distribution companies. Federal government had recently pegged most of its subsidy payments in the electricity sector at N30 billion monthly.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, at the opening of the 14th Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) conference in Abuja, recently, said the government expected the electricity sector to generate its revenue from the power sector market.

Speaking through the Special Adviser to the President on Infrastructure, Ahmed Zakari, the Presidency stated that, “the Federal Government intends to reduce its interventions in the Power Sector and thus allow the electricity market to run on its own, thereby allowing the market participants to determine the course of action.”

Stakeholders have argued that allowing market operators to determine the course of action simply means that Nigerians are to pay the full commercial price for power as determined by the generating and distribution companies.

Reacting to this revelation, one of the participants at that public hearing and Executive Director, Centre for Transparency & Accountability in the Energy Sector, Abel Godson, stated that, “with the deteriorating nature of electricity supply in the country, coupled with a deteriorating and ageing infrastructure within the electricity network, government’s pre-occupation should be about stabilizing the market, and not tariff hike.”

He also maintained that “promoting cost-reflective tariff at a time where the country is battling one its worst forex regimes and high inflation rates, which affect the cost of goods and services, will be counterproductive.”

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Prophet Timothy Olayinka Hamdele, General Oversear of Christian Perfection and Reconciliation Center (C PRC), Mrs. Kehinde Omowonuola Odele (aka) Orinayo, the wife of the General Oversear Mrs Adejoke Hamdele and the husband of the launcher of the album, Mr. Odele Oluwajuwon, cutting the cake during launching of album ‘Titled Capable God’ in Lagos ... recently

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission,Mr.Seriki Hammed; Hon.Abiodun Orekoya; Hon.Adedayo Adefuye and Vice President ,National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN),Mr.Abdulfatai Are at the declaration of Orekoya for Lagos State House of Assembly,Somolu Constituency One Seat in Lagos ....yesterday

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

7.5.2022

NEWS

CONTE’S TEST FOR KLOPP

PAGE. 29

Aruna Quadri Still Raising the Bar

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Aruna Quadri

Still Raising the Bar Since breaking into the world stage in 2014 when he was named the first player from Africa to win the prestigious world table tennis Player of theYear, Aruna Quadri has never looked back as he continues to blaze the trail at the global stage.The Oyo State-born ping ponger onTuesday scored another first in his soaring career as he became the first African and indeed, the first-ever black man to be ranked in the first-10 in the world by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).Yet, he is not resting on his oars as he believes there are still mountains to climb, writes Kunle Adewale

Aruna Quadri in action at the WTT Contender in Doha

uadri Aruna continues to up the ante as the first African to reach the quarterfinal of the Olympic Games and World Championships as well as the only African to make it to the semifinal of the World Table Tennis (WTT) star contender. His achievement on the table continues to endear him to fans across the world being the first African to reach the top 10 in the world. The 33-yearold believes there are still mountains to climb in his quest to remain relevant at the top echelon of table tennis in the world.

Aruna hit another all-time high by breaking into the top 10 in the world as the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) released its latest rankings on Tuesday.

Aruna’s new ranking of number 10 in the world was achieved following the approval of the new World Ranking system by the ITTF Executive Committee.

According to World Table Tennis, it has been a long time coming as the King of Africa has finally made it into the Top 10 in the world.

“Aruna has truly been mister consis-

Q

tent in both his performances and his participation.

“The Nigerian has spent the last year notching up a string of finishes inside the top eight while being one of the most active players on the WTT scene.

“It has included sensational headlines such as taking out China’s rising stars in succession at the 2022 WTT Star Contender Doha and a quarterfinal appearance at the World Table Tennis Championships Finals.

“It looks like the 33-year-old is just getting started,” said the WTT. He sits in the illustrious position with 1565 points, aided by his historical display at the World Table Tennis star contender championship in Qatar in March.

Aruna defeated three Chinese players on the road to becoming the first African player to reach the semi-final of the WTT star contender event.

He has been consistent since breaking into the world’s top 15 in September 2021.

In an interview after achieving his world’s top-10 feat, Aruna said: “I feel so happy, really excited. For me, it is

another big challenge and with the support I’ve been getting all over the world, it seems it is very possible to even go further so I feel really challenged. Similarly, I’m very happy and excited and I’m looking forward to the future.”

The 33-year-old admitted the journey to the top has not been smooth.

“It’s been a difficult journey so far to the top, several hours of travelling, several sleepless nights, several hours of hardwork and several times of getting injured. Several times of getting defeated and of course, several positive winnings. In the end, I can say I am very happy and satisfied, I am fulfilled but of course, everything is still possible if I am able to continue the same way, it is very possible to go much further,” the TTC RhonSprudel of Germany player said.

Expressing how much he has sacrificed to get to the top, the Immigration Officer said he works so hard, travelled a lot, and invested his time and money.

“I invested so much going everywhere around the world, playing tournaments on several occasions, and also playing alone. It has to do with a lot of sacrifices. I was never intimidated playing against tough opponents. I am just always focused and keep believing in myself and finally the hardwork actually paid off,” he opined.

On what the future holds for the German-based player, he reacted thus: “The next thing is to keep working harder and harder and keep believing in myself. Nothing will actually change; the process will always be almost the same. Practice, sleep, rest, travel, play tournament. We are under pressure, we lose, we win. The difference is only to keep believing and never quit.

“So, if I am able to keep working harder and harder, there will be bad moments, there will be injuries sometimes, there will be good moments. I hope I can keep going and going and I pray I have less injuries in the nearest future so that I can actually achieve better results.”

Outside the table, the Oyo State-born athlete emboldens humility but when in action, he roars and this most times sends fear into his opponents. His diligence at close-door has made him to defeat some of the finest players in the world and this has continued to endear him to the heart of many followers of table tennis across the globe.

Quadri was not initially a table tennis player; he actually began his sporting adventure in athletics. “I was into athletics, particularly the sprint events at Adeyemi Secondary School in Oyo town, South-west of Nigeria. It was while running that I was invited to play table tennis in the late 1990s and that was how my romance with table tennis started. I love the sport with every passion in me and this makes me to always give my best in training. It is an individual sport that encourages hard work because it’s the effort you put that you get in return,” Aruna once told this writer in an interview.

Aruna Quadri’s Firsts *First African Player to win the prestigious World Table Tennis Player of the Year. *First African to reach the quar terfinal of the Olympic Games. *First African to reach the quar terfinal of the World Champion ships. *The only African to make it to the semifinal of the WTT Star Contender. *The first African to reach the top 10 in the world.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Conte Tests Klopp’s Quadruple Quest Liverpool Manager, Jurgen Klopp’s tall ambition of becoming the first Premier League Coach to win four titles in a season faces another big test as Antonio Conte’s Tottenham visit Anfield today in a game both sides have all to play for.

While the Reds would be hoping to leapfrog league leaders- Manchester City with a win, the North London side are aware that only a victory in today’s fixture could boost their top-four ambition

Premiership Table Man City Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal Tottenham Man Utd West Ham Wolves Brighton Newcastle Leicester Crystal Palace Aston Villa Brentford Southampton Burnley Leeds Everton Watford Norwich

34 34 34 34 34 36 35 34 35 35 33 34 33 35 35 34 34 33 34 34

6 3 83 64 82 39 66 13 63 20 61 5 58 7 52 1 49 -8 44 -16 43 -6 42 3 41 -2 40 -11 40 -17 40 -15 34 -34 34 -20 32 -3 722 -49 21

Premier League TODAY

Brentford v Burnley v Chelsea v Crystal Palace v Brighton v Liverpool v

Southampton 15:00 Aston Villa 15:00 Wolves 15:00 Watford 15:00 Man Utd 17:30 Tottenham 19:45

SUNDAY

Arsenal v Leeds United 14:00 Leicester City v Everton 14:00 Norwich City v West Ham 14:00 Man City v Newcastle 17:30 MONDAY

Crystal Palace v Leeds Utd

20:00

La Liga TODAY Tootenham forward, Son Heung-min outpaces Liverpool’s Captain, Jordan Henderson when both sides met at the Tottenham Stadium

L

iverpool’s relentless quadruple questcontinuesthiseveningwhen they welcome top-four chasing Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield.

Fresh from booking their place in a third Champions League final from the last five seasons, Jurgen Klopp’s side play their penultimate home game of an unforgettable campaign against a Whispers about the possibility of a fabled quadruple have grown louder and louder in recent weeks, and Liverpool are now closer to achieving that mythical feat than any other English club in history.

With the EFL Cup already under their belts, Liverpool have an FA Cup final against Chelsea coming up next Saturday and a Champions League final against Real Madrid looming on May 28 in what will be their 63rd game of the season.

The Reds are the first club to have ever reached the final of all of those competitions in a single season, but no sooner had they booked their place in the latter than minds would have started drifting towards Saturday’s visit of Spurs.

Such is the unforgiving nature of a quadruple push that every single game for Liverpool is now a must-win, and even that may not be enough with Premier League matters still in Manchester City’s hands.

Liverpool will be hoping that the devastating nature of Man City’s latest Champions League exit carries over into their meeting with Newcastle United on Sunday, but first the Reds must do their own job and keep the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.

Certainly, Klopp and his players will know that they can ill-afford another 45 minutes like the first half against Villarreal on Tuesday night, when they produced their worst half of the season and saw their first-leg deficit wiped out.

Fortunately for the Merseysiders, they snapped out of it and put in a much more characteristic display in the second

half to turn the game around, winning 3-2 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to book their ticket to Paris.

The nature of that victory should spur Liverpool on, just as Man City’s defeat could threaten to derail them, but the relentlessness of fixtures for the Reds - and the crucial nature of each of them - means that they cannot afford to take anything for granted.

Nonetheless, Klopp’s men enter Saturday’s match as Europe’s form team, with their only defeat in 29 outings this calendar year being an ultimately meaningless one against Inter Milan in the Champions League.

The last six of those games have been wins - against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Villarreal, Everton and Newcastle United - and Liverpool now have just six left of a memorable campaign.

At home, Liverpool are unbeaten in 21 league outings with an aggregate score of 52-9 across those fixtures, while they have not dropped a single point at Anfield since October, winning 12 in a row.

The Reds have kept 10 clean sheets in that time too, including in each of their last five outings, with Norwich City on February 19 the last Premier League team to breach Liverpool’s defence at Anfield.

The potent Tottenham attack of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski will be as great a threat to Liverpool’s unbeaten, league-leading home record this season as any they have faced so far, although the Reds do boast a formidable record in this fixture.

Liverpool have lost only one of their last 18 meetings with Tottenham, winning 12 of those, while at Anfield that record extends to no defeats in 10 and just one in their last 27.

However, manager Antonio Conte has drawn 1-1 on both of his own previous league visits to Anfield, and the wily Italian’s winning experience may be Tottenham’s best hope of halting the

Liverpool juggernaut this weekend.

The majority of focus will understandably be on the potential implications of this match on the title race, but it is a huge game for Tottenham too as they look to book their place in the League next season.

Spurs currently sit two points adrift of Arsenal either side of the dotted line, with a blockbuster North London derby between the pair looming next week.

The Gunners are at home to relegationthreatened Leeds United on Sunday, though, and the expectancy of a win in that match only increases the pressure on Tottenham to get a positive result at Anfield a day earlier.

The margin for error is increasingly slim as matches run out, and it could be that even a draw away to Liverpool - a very good result at any other stage of the season - is not enough for Conte’s side if Arsenal go on to beat Leeds the following day.

Those circumstances make this contest a mouth-watering prospect, particularly if Tottenham can once again find their scoring touch following a brief drought.

Spurs had been scoring freely for much of 2022 before back-to-back games where they failed to even have a shot on target against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

The one point they picked up from those two matches could ultimately prove fatal to their top-four hopes, but they were back in scoring form last time out as Kane and Son led the way in a 3-1 triumph over Leicester City.

Liverpool boast the best defensive record in the league and, as mentioned, have been imperious at the back at home lately, but Tottenham’s deadly duo will fancy their chances against anyone on their day.

Indeed, the fact that Spurs are so far unbeaten against the top two this season will act as perhaps the clearest sign that this could be Liverpool’s most difficult remaining league game, with Conte’s side having

Mallorca Bilbao Cádiz Celta Vigo Real Betis

v Granada v Valencia v Elche v Alavés v Barcelona

13:00 15:15 17:30 17:30 20:00

v Vallecano v Sevilla v Osasuna

13:00 15:15 17:30

SUNDAY

Getafe Villarreal Espanyol

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

Mo Salah Liverpool Heung Son Tottenham Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd Diogo Jota Liverpool Sadio Mané Liverpool Harry Kane Tottenham Ivan Toney Brentford Wilfried Zaha Palace

GOALS

22 19 18 15 14 13 12 12

Head to Head 21-12-19 Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool 21-01-28 Tottenham 1-3 Liverpool 20-12-16 Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham 20-01-11 Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool 19-10-27 Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham 19-03-31 Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham 18-09-15 Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool 18-02-04 Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham 17-10-22 Tottenham 4-1 Liverpool 17-02-11 Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham 16-08-27 Tottenham 1-1 Liverpool

beaten Man City home and away and drawn 2-2 with Liverpool in the reverse fixture.

Liverpool’s high line is sure to give Tottenham chances in behind too, and few teams are better equipped to exploit that, so the visitors will certainly travel to Merseyside believing that they can pull off a result which would have major implications in both the title race and the top-four race.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Ifeanyichukwu Madubuike (left) reached the final of the men’s T47 100m at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai

Flying Eagles of Nigeria

Dutch Legend Hails Super Eagles Defender, Bassey’s Development Flying Eagles Battle Black Satellites as WAFU B Tourney Begins Rangers boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has praised Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey for his meteoric development and versatility.

With a story similar to his compatriot Aribo, Bassey left England two years ago on a free transfer from Leicester City to Rangers.

The Italy-born defender spent his first season at Ibrox under the watchful eyes of former boss Steven Gerrard.

Bassey made just 15 appearances in all competitions for Rangers.

However, it has been a completely different story for Bassey this season. The Nigeria international has become a permanent fixture in the Rangers backline. He has switched between Centreback and fullback positions

for the Gers, especially since Giovanni Van Bronckhorst took over last November.

Bassey has made 47 appearances in all competitions for Rangers, and even though the Gers have lost the Premiership to Celtic, Bassey would have a huge smile on his face as his side has punched above their weight by reaching the finals of the Europa.

After their triumph against Leipzig, Rangers boss Van Bronckhorst spoke about Bassey and how the 23-year-old has improved.

“With Calvin, the first game I saw was the loss against Hibs in the semifinal(Scottish Cup),” Van Bronckhorst said at the post-match presser.

“There was one moment you could see him pushing forward and marking forward with a great pressure moment.

“He was very disappointed with the loss, but I remembered that moment, and I told him the next day that I saw what he could bring to this team.

“His development has been amazing playing left-back, playing left central defender.

“I’m so happy for him.”

Van Bronckhorst said.

The Gers square off against Eintracht Frankfurt for the finals of the Europa League on the 18th of May, and Bassey would look to continue with his brilliant performances to help his side to their first European triumph since 1972.

Nigerian Para-athlete Gets Three-year Ban for Failing Drug Tests Nigerian para-athlete Ifeanyichukwu Madubuike has been banned for three years after failing two drugs’ tests.

The 25-year-old represented Nigeria in the 100m and 400m, in the T47 class, at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

He was seventh in the 100m final but was disqualified from the 400m heats, for running out of his lane.

A statement from the International Paralympic Committee Nigerian said his positive results came after out-of-competition test on March 11, 2021 and an

in-competition one eight days later. The start of the ban was backdated to 23 April 2021, meaning Madubuike will be eligible to compete again from 22 April 2024.The T46/47 classes are for athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment.

Injury Knocks Onyeka Out of the Season Brentford and Super Eagles fans may have to wait until the start of next season to see Frank Onyeka in action again, if the latest injury update from manager Thomas Frank is anything to go by.

The FC Ebedei product has not figured for the Bees since March 12, 2022 when he entered the game as a substitute for the last one minute against Burnley due to an injury he suffered while on international duty

with the Super Eagles.

Onyeka sustained an ankle injury during the first half of the 2022 World Cup playoff against Ghana on March 29.

Upon his return to the English capital, the defensive midfielder has not been selected in the last five Premier League games played by Brentford.

Providing an injury update on his squad ahead of tomorrow’s visit from Southampton, Thomas Frank was quoted as saying by the official website

of Brentford: “Frank Onyeka is also training again with physios.

“It’s still going to be tough for him to play again this season.”

Onyeka made 24 allcompetition appearances for the London club, including twenty in the top-flight, prior to his spell on the sidelines.

Brentford are all but guaranteed safety, having accumulated 40 points with three matches left.

Fury Insists He’s Retiring from Boxing for Good Tyson Fury has maintained he is very much retired from boxing after the WBC confirmed it will be communicating with the world heavyweight champion about his future in the sport.

Fury has frequently stated his sixth-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley Stadium last month - which saw him retain the WBC title and extend his unbeaten record to 33 fights - would be the final bout of his professional career The 33-year-old insisted that once again in a tweet posted yesterday morn-

ing, saying: “I am very happy and contented to be retired. It’s been a long time coming and I am so much enjoying my retirement.”

Earlier this week, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman told Sky Sports: “The WBC will be communicating with Tyson Fury and his promoters about his future plans in the coming week.

“It is our dream to see fighters retire with such greatness. Undefeated champion, financially protected with a loving family and a great future outside the ring.

“I am very happy and

satisfied if this is his final decision and will fully support him and will be close to him for the rest of his life.”

He also mentioned a possible ‘hybrid’ contest with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Fury said: “Ngannou is on my hit list in an exhibition fight, however, he wants it. In a cage, in a boxing ring, boxing gloves, UFC gloves - we can make it happen.

“I think everyone wants to see it. He’s a monster of a guy, I’m a monster of a guy, so it’ll be a clash of the titans for sure.”

For Nigeria, the race to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations begins on Sunday when seven-time African champions go up against arch rivals Ghana in a potentially –intense opener to Group B at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey.

Both West African giants will flex muscles at the Stade General Seyni Kountché in the Nigerien capital as from 5pm, with the winner certain to be on firm footing for a place in the semi finals from a pool boasting only three teams. Burkina Faso is the other team in the group, and they will take on the Flying Eagles on Wednesday next week.

Ghana are the defending

champions of both the WAFU B U20 Championship and the Africa U20 Cup of Nations. In Porto Novo at the end of year 2020, the Black Satellites defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final to lift the trophy, and then went ahead to defeat Uganda 2-0 in the final of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania few months later.

However, the global coronavirus pandemic obliterated the global finals that were slated for Indonesia.

Head Coach Ladan Bosso returned to Niamey yesterday after attending the third-day fidau prayers for his late mother.

Bosso believes his boys are in

good spirit following a 1-0 win over the Niger Republic U20 team and another 4-0 win over a Nigerien top League team in their last two preparatory matches in Niamey.

The tournament opens today with hosts Niger Republic slugging it out with the U20 boys of Cote d’Ivoire as from 5pm, while Togo and Benin Republic clash as from 8pm. Both matches come up at the Stade General Seyni Kountché.

Only the two finalists will qualify to represent WAFU B at next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Egypt.

Indonesia will host the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

Maracana Stadium Agog for South-west U13 Football Tourney Today The newly-built Maracana Stadium in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council area of Lagos State comes alive today as teams battle for honours at the South West U-13 football championships.

The tournament which is meant to be used to test the facilities at Maracana Sports Centre which is being upgraded by the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation is a one-day championship with boys and girls teams jostling for laurels.

Already, the foundation has completed eight medium and 10 mini Astroturf football pitches while work is ongoing on the international standard football pitch which will be commissioned later in the year.

The football pitches accommodate seven-a-side football

matches being the first time Lagos would have 19 football pitches side by side at the same location.

A member of Nathaniel Idowu Foundation, Adedotun Coker said the foundation was planning big for football development in Lagos while arrangements had been concluded to test the facilities with the one-day event.

“The arena is almost completed in the sense that once we complete the standard pitch, it is then we can say we are through with the facilities. Presently all the seven-a-side pitches are ready for use. There is a well-research thought process and the foundation deemed it fit to turn Maracana Stadium into a world-class sporting

arena,” he said.

For the one-day tournament, Coker said they were expecting 128 teams as well as hosting a South West U-13 football tournament.

“These facilities would be put to test on May 7 before the final inauguration of the arena soonest. We are looking at 128 teams including two teams each from southwest states. The essence of this one-day football event is to put the facilities to test so that we can identify areas we should work on before the day of commissioning,” Coker said.

The newly refurbished Maracana Sports Centre has hostels, a media centre, conference room, changing rooms, an indoor hall, and a clinic.

Milan vsVerona, Other Serie A Matches on DStv, GOtv DStv and GOtv customers can look forward to Round 36 action from Serie A, on SuperSport, with matches scheduled to run from yesterday 6 to Monday 9.

AC Milan away clash against Verona showing at 7:45pm on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1 will see the Rossoneri chase a win to push the Scudetto race right down to the wire.

Manager Stefano Pioli is denying the notion that

his team has lost spark at just the wrong time of the season. “I don’t know if that’s the right term. You have to make the right choice at the right time. We were wrong in accuracy and timing when we could have scored,” said the Rossoneri boss.

Meanwhile, Napoli’s away trip to Torino will be showing at 2pm on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1.

Elsewhere, Juventus will take

on Genoa away from home, showing at 8pm on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1.

Other matches to look out for include Lazio at home to Sampdoria showing at 7:45pm today, Roma visiting Fiorentina showing at 7:45pm on Monday and Spezia welcoming Atalanta to Stadio Alberto Picco showing at 11:30am on Sunday. All these matches will air on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1.

Shaibu, Igbinadolor, Iyare Emerge Winner at Captain Inaugural Golf Tournament Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, his wife, Maryann Ehis Igbinadolor and Osaze Iyare last Saturday emerged winners at the 2022 BCGS Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament held in Benin City.

The well attended captain’s inaugural was to officially usher in the administration of the BCGS Captain, Edward Ikponmwosa Osayande and his executives to pilot the club affairs for a year.

The Shaibus, who just returned from a foreign training tour for

the tournament won the special guest men’s and ladies trophies respectively, while Peter Omaruaye, Captain, Ogunnu Golf Resort, Warri played 86 net to place second behind the DG in the event.

In the hcp 0-18 men’s category, top rated Iyare (hcp 3) emerged overall winner with amazing 72 net, thus beat Engr Ralph Irorere (hcp 15) with 74 net to second spot just as Hon. Andy Momodu (hcp 17) settled for third spot with 76 net.

Similarly, Igbinadolor (hcp 11),

Lady Captain UBTH Golf Club continued her dominance in the hcp 0-28 ladies cadre with 73 net after beating Justice Phil Obanor on count-back, while former BCGS Lady Captain, Nkiruka Awiaka placed third with 75 net.

Moreover, Dr. Matthew Oriakhi, former President, Benin Club foreign training tour paid off as he emerged men’s best gross winner with 86. Sandra Emina, National Vice-President, LGAN claimed the ladies best gross trophy with 89.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 7, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Cyriel Dessers Feyenoord’s New Cult Hero Cyriel Dessers has so much been impressive in his loan spell that Feyenoord egg heads want to retain him but meeting his €4 million price tag is however an issue for the cash-strapped Dutch side.

The fans of the Pride of the South however took it upon themselves to contribute to fund his permanent stay at the Feyenoord Arena, though FIFA has shown its disdain against such an adventure. In spite of Feyenoord having paraded such big names like Pierre van Hooijdonk, Dirk Kuijt, Harry Bild, and Robin van Persie in the past none had scored more goals than the Nigerian representing the club at the continental level.The one-capped Super Eagle has scored 10 goals in the Europa Conference League making him the highest goal scorer in the competition

T

he impression he made on Feyenoord’s fans is so huge that they are raising funds to bankroll his transfer fee.

The supporters of the Dutch side, are hell-bent on having their Nigerian import, Cyriel Dessers continue his adventure at the club at all cost and already contributing to meet the €4 million asking price.

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has indeed reacted to reports that a section of the club’s supporters are crowd-funding the €4 million needed to complete the permanent transfer of Super Eagles striker.

The Rotterdammers signed Dessers on a loan deal from Genk last summer, with an option to purchase him before the end of his yearlong spell.

But due to their financial limitations, Feyenoord were not interested in taking that option for the 27-year-old during the first half of the campaign.

Dessers has however become a cult hero among Feyenoord fans after building a reputation as a super-sub following a collection of notable last-gasp goals.

The Nigerian international’s status is even reaching a legendary level after scoring 10 European goals – the most in Feyenoord’s history – to power the Pride of the South to the brink of the Europa Conference League final.

Still, Feyenoord have not shown any willingness to cough out the transfer fee needed to acquire Dessers permanently, despite the striker confessing his desire to remain at De Kuip.

But a Feyenoord fan has seized the initiative by mobilising thousands of other fans to crowd-fund Dessers’ transfer fee. More than twenty-five thousand euros (€25,000) have so far been gathered.

Feyenoord boss Slot believes it is a beautiful gesture from the fans to identify with a player they are pleased with.

But the 43-year-old tactician reveals it would be illegal to accept such money directly from the club’s regular fans.

The formerAZAlkmaar head coach, however, hinted that wealthy supporters could step forward and help Feyenoord acquire Dessers under a different arrangement.

“It shows how extremely compassionate these supporters are and how extremely they value him (Dessers) as a striker,” Slot said, as per Newswep.

“It is also very nice that more than 50,000 euros have already been deposited, if I understand correctly, that they want to spend their selfearned money on Dessers.

“A really nice move, but it has no chance of success. This is really impossible from a legal, fiscal and regulatory point of view.

“I hope this will be followed by those much wealthier men.”

Dessers featured as Feyenoord secured a 3-1 win at Fortuna Sittard on Sunday. The one-cap Nigerian forward ace Marseille on Thursday in the second leg of their semifinal clash in the Conference League.

Dessers scored twice to power Feyenoord to a 3-2 victory in the first leg at De Kuip last week.

Meanwhile, the world football-governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, has stepped into the furore caused by the decision of the supporters of the Dutch side to contribute Genk’s asking fee for the Nigerian forward.

FIFA has stopped Feyenoord from crowd-

Cyriel Dessers...enjoying his loan stint at Feyenoord

funding the €4 million transfer fee needed to acquire the services of Dessers permanently.

Dessers has spent the last eight months at Feyenoord on loan from Belgian side KRC Genk. But a clause in his temporary contract makes the Rotterdammers obliged to cough out €4 million before the end of the season to sign him on a permanent deal.

But Feyenoord cannot put down such a large sum unless they sell another key player if the books are to remain balanced.

A section of the club’s supporters have, however, taken matters into their own hands and have already crowd-funded over €50,000 to help the Pride of the South seal the deal for their new hero at De Kuip.

A Dutch businessman and multimillionaire Dennis de Roo has even expressed the willingness to partner with Feyenoord in providing the money for the deal in response to an encouraging statement credited to club manager Arne Slot.

But FIFA’s latest decision is expected to pour cold waters on Feyenoord’s unconventional sourcing means for Dessers’ transfer fee.

According to respected Dutch publications VI, the football governing body frowns at the crowd-funding plans and has banned the move outrightly.

Dessers became the first man to hit double digits goals in the maiden edition of the Europa Conference League when he grabbed a brace to power Feyenoord to a 3-2 win over Olympique de Marseille.

Indeed, Dessers has expressed his desire to continue at Feyenoord beyond the summer

amidst an expected rise in interest in his services from clubs abroad in the coming weeks.

Dessers has been the nightmare of many defenders and goalkeepers on the continent this season after an excellent goalscoring run for Feyenoord in the Europa Conference League.

Dessers’ 10-goal haul has also lifted him into Feyenoord’s record books, as no striker has ever scored that many for the Dutch side in any European competition.

That statistic becomes even more significant when considering that Feyenoord have produced some excellent strikers in Pierre van Hooijdonk, Dirk Kuijt, Harry Bild, and Robin van Persie.

Dessers could become one of the most soughtafter players when the transfer window opens in July.

Feyenoord have the first refusal on the Nigerian international, but the Rotterdammers are yet to exercise their purchase option on Cyriel Dessers.

Dessers could also be on the shopping list of a few Premier League clubs, and he admits he would not be surprised to see suitors queue up for his signature in the summer.

The former Heracles star, however, insists he is enjoying his stay in Rotterdam and would love to continue his adventure with the Pride of the South.

“If you score goals at the European level, it makes sense,” Dessers told ESPN, as per De Morgen.

“On the other hand, I think I’m in the right place here. It’s a dream of mine to play for such

a big club and do well there. I think everyone can see from me that I am happy and enjoying myself here.”

Dessers is arguably the best player in the Conference League, and he will look to continue his brilliant scoring run when Feyenoord visit Marseille for the second leg of their semifinal clash.

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

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

32

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Fatality or Ghastliness?

D

AILY INDEPENDENT of April 18 circulated eight solecisms: “Lagos Assembly gives marching order (orders) on standard of public toilets” “Seven staff of a popular hotel along (on) Ozoro-Asaba expressway…were confirmed dead following a ghastly (fatal) motor accident.” There is a clear distinction between both words!

“Oscar Onyema: Two years on (in) the drivers’ (driver’s) seat” “First Bank eye (eyes) more deposits…”

The next set of infelicities is from Nigerian Tribune of April 18: “”Kogites are looking up (looking up to) their governor as he seeks….”

“India set to test long distance (long-distance) missile” “The untold side of late Godwin Daboh” Back Page: the late Daboh NIGERIAN TRIBUNE of April 18 rounds it off for the Ibadan-based medium with these two blunders: “It is on record that before the military incursion which distrupted….” Spell-check: disrupted “Stakeholders to converge in (on) Huston (sic) to explore new energy opportunities” (THE GUARDIAN, April 18) “NUBAN: CBN to sanction banks over noncompliant” (THISDAY MONEY GUIDE Banner, April 18) This way: non-compliance “…the defunct regional governments were able to sustain themselves without petroleum resources or going caps in hand for Federal dole.” States and insolvency: cap in hand (fixed/stock expression).

“When Okopoly students, masquerades went to war” (Daily News Headline, April 17) News Plus: masqueraders “Nigeria losses (loses) $120bn on agro-allied export—Minister” (Vanguard Headline, April 1) BUSINESSDAY of April 16 threw up strands of commercialese: “…a situation that is further worsen (worsened) by the high cost of PMS….” “…it appears the administration has begun to address the problem of infrastructure (infrastructural)

deficit in the state.”

“Four months of heavy air bombardment by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) aimed at weakening….” ‘Bombardment’ cannot be light!

(DAILY INDEPENDENT, April 18) ’10 armed bandits held in Borno” (THE NATION, April 18) This is not news: there is no banditry without arms.

“And that was the point at which politicians opened the floodgate or military incursion into (upon or on) our national politics.” (THE GUARDIAN, April 18) “Nigerian history is replete with stories of great men who, due to extraneous considerations, found themselves not opportuned to play the role they are best suited.” (Vanguard, April 18) ‘Opportuned’ is un-English. The word does not admit ‘d.’

“Like (As) I said earlier at the beginning of the programme...” (COOL FM Sound Express, April 18) “And it is such an appetite that predisposes the officers into (to) scheming for political power.”

(National News, April 18) “You will not fail to shade (shed) tears when the story of the death of....” (Daily Trust, April 18) “Apart from the mayhem rival cult members unleash on themselves (on one another)….”

(Leadership, April 17) “The objective then was to put pressure on the colonialists, shake off colonial mentality, assert the identity of true independence and to instill university culture into (in) members.” (Daily Independent, April 18) “But while the governor was savouring the euphoria of his new office and putting his acts (act) together for the tasks ahead….” (The PUNCH, April 18) “There was a unique feature of that day which I would not have easily overlooked even if others do (did).” (The Moment, April 18) “…the same man that was singing Hosanna in the synagogue yesterday had suddenly became (become) a cheer leader among the Ogboni confraternity.” (Source: as above) “Accusing fingers have been pointed at well-to-do

people and the government for not doing enough to curb the activity.” The finger has been pointed at….

“Will the Igbos (the Igbo) be convinced that even with an exclusion of one of their own in the country’s top political leadership….”

“Indeed, the most endangered specie (species) since movement in the area returned....” “…the road to peace in (on) the African continent.”

“And that was manifested in the magnitude of white elephant projects and unexpected contracts that littered the whole place during that era of graft and institutionalized corruption.”

“To get to the point, all the groups concerned must sheath (sheathe) their swords and give peace a chance.”

“Why did INEC obey those injunctions and rulings, knowing fully (full) well that it had the legal powers to ignore them?” “…the 1999 constitution simply reverted back to the provisions as contained in the 1979 constitution.” When you revert, you don’t need ‘back’.

“The governments though elected in many cases become oppressive, repressive and irresponsible because electorates became helpless in the proper monitoring of those they put in places of authority.”

The mystique of June: the electorate.

“The three were obviously having a great time walking almost hand in hand, trading banters over the unfolding drama among humans back on earth”.

‘Banter’ is uncountable.

“NSE loses bid for seat in (on) SEC’s board” “It looks like the IMF is demanding for conditions likely to slow down the pace and the exercise.” Yank away ‘for’. When used as a verb, ‘demand’ does not take ‘for’, except in the noun form.

“Bayelsa commissioners sworn-in (sworn in)” “Every decision of government is subjected to the magnifying lenses of interest groups that invariably include ethnic and geopolitical gladiators and champions of all manners (manner) of group interests.”

“Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman and Professor ABC Nwosu have (had) earlier been named as

The President Nigeria Needs Tomorrow

H

ow many people soldier go kill o…” such was the juvenile chant of the Nigerian students of the 70s and 80’s - especially during the juntas of Generals Obasanjo, Buhari and Babangida. Sadly, the chant continues in this century, with more gusto and virulence. Our campuses, highways, and inner city bypasses have continued to witness bloodshed and needless sacrifices, if they are not shut down or abandoned for related reasons. There have been many landmark junctions in our developing entity called Nigeria where we had killed and been killed in the foolhardy hope that it was all for the growth of the society - after all, we have been fed with the morbid altruism that the “tree of liberty must be watered by the blood of Patriots”.

In 1978, Nigerian students, protesting the unconscionable hike in hostel and feeding fees during the Obasanjo regime, wailed Buhari and were wasted on Nigerian streets, while chanting “Ali Must Go!”. The notorious person of their angst was the federal commissioner a fairly long list, have severally and jointly in charge of education, Colonel Ahmadu Ali fronted the challenge to wrest the destiny (who later flourished as a politician with and prosperity of Nigeria from the grip of national pedigree). The Segun Okeowo-led malicious undertakers and mindless vultures National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) who are bent on milking and sucking it dry.

Consequently, many of these patriots was banned, and its president rusticated from the University of Lagos. Many students were and canons of people’s power struggles killed, including a UNILAG architecture student, suffered indignities, detentions, brutalities, Akintunde Ojo, and eight others suspected discrimination, harassments, blackmail, and to be from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. what-have-you. As it is with the students, and Similar protests and bloody results had the civil society, so too have certain figures occurred down the years between Nigerian even within the established security forces students and their supposed protectors, the broken ranks with the pervasive wickedness and Nigerian security forces. Yet, the festival of looting that have characterised many regimes sorrow tears and blood was not restricted to and administrations, with attendant horror students only: the Nigerian Labour Congress stories as their retirement benefits. Some have (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), the been trounced into ignominy, others hounded Nigerian media, the radical sections of the out of their duty posts, and yet some have academia and civil society, few creative and had to flee into the safety of foreign lands.

Are there signs that all these sacrifices professional icons like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome Kuti, Anthony of valour and vanities across these many Enahoro, Alfred Rewane, Ndubuisi Kanu, Olisa decades would yield a country primed for Agbakoba, Wole Soyinka, G G Darah, amongst great progress, genuine peace and equitable

dispensation of justice and resources? Is the soil of this land satisfied with the tonnes of blood and gore shed in open pastures and secret concourses? Can we stand away from the evil and wicked machinations of the past, and boldly step into a future pregnant with hope, competence, know-how and tolerance?

Are we ready to move into a future shorn of greed, hate, lies, quackery, and all appearances of selfishness and insensitivity?

Where do we get answers to these queries?

A deep introspection of our current travail shows that we have been perambulating around the same “village-square” with only occasional flares of success, here and there - yet the circumference of the square continues to increase, and the occupants swell in size and hunger. We see clearly what seems like a deliberate plan of the few and formidable to pauperise the majority, and entangle them in sweet-smelling ignorance wrapped in the insidious arrogance of ethnic jingoism, tribal bigotry and primordial self-indulging politicking.

Our people have been so bastadised that they could contemplate selling their children, spouses or parents for pittance... just to survive for another day. We are no longer scandalized when looters and their quick-fingered cousins fling cash on the streets, and carpet party grounds with hard currencies. Our politicians, the few that seem tolerable, have succumbed to the quizzical self-condemnation of telling their supporters: “if they give you money, rice, or anything, take it...but vote with your conscience.” A song that ultimately fails the optimistic dreamer as the class-driven impoverishment of the Nigerian people is now so deep and deplorable that we may need a massive and methodical public mental health investigation into the psyche of the Nigerian electorate to confirm the suspected evaporation of dignity and selflessness from the dictionary of the ordinary Nigerian.

It is a state of mind carefully orchestrated and implemented by virtually every administration that we have had the misfortune of being

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

special advisers on Petroleum and Political Affairs respectively.”

“The efforts of the police command in identifying the dangerous areas and in alerting the residents is (are) acknowledged.” “…rather than investigating and finding out who were involved and check against future re-occurrence: Beyond recurrence, can an event yet to take place happen in the past? “…the university is pointing its accusing fingers in the direction of the lecturers.” True idiom: point a/ the finger. No inclusion of ‘accusing’ or inflection of ‘finger’.

“It is our belief that we members of the alumni association of our Alma Mata have unique roles to play in the restoration of sanity on our university campus.” It is…restoration of sanity to (not on) our campus.

“Isn’t it funny that it is the beak with which a bird builds it’s (sic) nest that it uses to scatter it.”

Possessive: its “…the AU summiteers concentrated almost exclusive (sic) on the political independence and liberation of countries in (on) the continent.”

The above edition of Vanguard also contained two putrid lines: “Monday’s action, which started at dawn, was as a result of the breakdown of series of negotiations…” An agendum: a series of negotiations.

“According to investigations, the deceased was said to be resting alone in his room at about 9.p.m….” Every reporter should be decisive based on timing which description to use: either at or about. The two cannot co-function.

“According to the source, the institution has a very high percentage of failure in the last academic year.”

Reported speech: the institution had (not has). “… that the authorities of the institution was (were) still waiting the result of the police analysis of the bomb”. “…in the next three years, its per capital income would have ...” This way: per capita income.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

led by. Simply put, they make us mad so we can behave in ways that justify the urgent need to commit us to undocumented asylum.

To make it impossible for ordinary folks to organise, unite, and articulate a cohesive and egalitarian force or counter move, they have erected the twin battering rods of religion and ethnicism...feeding and pumping diluted doctrines of sectarianism, and fake lullabies of discrimination, marginalisation and such political subterfuge, to deflect and defray our attention from the real vital issues. Those who wish to suck us dry, and throw us into dustbins without scruples, are the ones who cry most: that they are being targeted and harassed as a result of where they come from and where they worship God. Surely, “power is not served a la carte”, yet people who binge on our resources and mock our judicial and moral frameworks are the same people positioned and privileged to jostle for power so as to perpetuate their wicked and self-serving machinations - bar none!

But is it really too much to desire a break from our inglorious past? Are we beyond redemption in restoring universally acclaimed values and tokenism of human dignity? Why do we acquiesce to a political process that insults our history, culture, advancement and posterity? Why is it so difficult to assemble and activate a few good men and women who clearly demonstrate honesty, competence, intelligence, commitment, public-spiritedness, capacity, compassion, and a few other virtues?

Is there anyone out there who looks towards 2023 with bounding hope and wholesome optimism - and who is not tied to one presidential campaign cubicle, or the other? And so many more questions… Any answers?

(To Continue)

33

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

TRIBUTE

Boniface Okechukwu Alamah: 1952 to 2022 Chukwunonso Alamah

T

he Enugwu-Ukwu Community in Njikoka Local Government Area, AnambraStatehaslostoneofher illustriousprofessionals,businessmen and politicians, Hon. Engr Okechukwu Alamah, well known asOrimili1ofAkiyivillageEnugwuukwuwhopassedon,onthe14thofMarch,2022 after a brief illness.

HewasbornintothefamilythelateChiefGilbert andGoldAlamah“OrimiliEnugwu-ukwu”in1952.

The4thchildofninechildren,hebeganhiselementary education in Onitsha in 1950 after which he proceededtoGTCEnuguforhissecondaryeducation. In 1973, he journeyed to Lagos in search of greener pastures. Being a smart and intelligent young man it was easy for him to find his feet in a strange land. Alamah worked with Ugofoam Matress Company one of their supervisors for many years.

He also worked with Dantata Group, Kano as supervisor and finally returned to the East and establishedhisownbusiness.In1985hemetand marriedOkwunduAnnAlamahfromthefamilyof late Mr. and Mrs. Ojiyi in Amawbia, an illustrious teacher. The marriage was blessed with seven children, two boys and five girls, all of whom are graduates and doing well in their different fields ofendeavour.EngrOkey,ashewasfondlycalled, beingabusinesstycoon,triedhishandsonsomany enterprises.

Alamah gained popularity when he started his BosahFoundationlimitedandCanadahIndustrial PlannersCompany,bothcontractingcompanies

dealingwiththesaleandinstallationoffirefightingequipment’sandHsetrainings.Between2000and2003,heworkedunderthe administrationofformerGovernorChinwoke Mbadinuju as one of the top contractors in his field.

In2009,hisbreakthroughcamewhenthe thenGovernor,Mr.PeterObiawardedtohim the contract to install fire-fighting equipment in all secondary schools in Anambra State, Governor’s Lodge and State House of Assembly. He executed these projects satisfactorily and with utmost diligence and accountability, so much that even the next administration of Chief Wille Obiano still sought for and utilized his services. He also delved into politics and was an active APGA statesman till death.

Alamah equally served as the then PMP ChairmaninAnambraState.EngrOkey,really lived life to the full. He was fun loving, a gogetter, a pace-setter and has engraved his nameinthesandsoftime.Hewillalwaysbe rememberedas‘’thatLagosboy’’whocame, whosawandwhoconquered.Asanactoron the stage, he sure bowed out on his terms.

Wetakesolaceinthefactthatheisresting in the bosom of our lord. He was survived by his wife, children, and grand-children. A Service of Songs was held in his honour in his residence at Akiyi Village, in EnugwuUkwuon5thMay,2022,FuneralMassatSt. Theresa’s Catholic Church Enugwu-Ukwu on 6th May,2022, followed by interment.

Adieu Orimili Adieu Okechukwu Alamah, May your soul rest in peace until we meet to part no more.

Alamah

The Quintessential Rotarian Adeyemo at 70 Olumide Lawal

S

omewereborngreatwhilesomeattain greatness.Oneofthosewhoattained greatnessthroughdoggednessand grace is Oloye Asiwaju Ayodele Adeyemo. Born in Ede, Osun State on 08 May, 1952, Ayodele was not born with a silver spoon hence he struggled to be great in his endeavours.

LittleAyodelelivedhisearlyyearsinOgobi,asuburb of Ede until 1960, when he started schooling in Iwo. Livingwithhisguardian,PaD.MOgunrinade.Ayodele developed a passionate interest in schooling as a younglad,aninterestthatgoadedhimintoacquiring many academic laurels in all reputable secondary andtertiaryinstitutionsheattended.Heisaveteran broadcaster,apublicspeaker,asocio-politicalanalyst, counselor,aseasonedadministrator,apublicrelations practitioner/consultantwithvariedexperiencesin both private and public services.

Ayodele’s love for qualitative education led him to various institutions of learning where he graduated in flying colours. Among schools attended by AyodeleoftheMapoArogunclanweretheUniversity of Ibadan where he obtained Bachelor of Science Degree(1977)andMastersofScience(1981);Nigeria Institute of Journalism, where he earned a Post Graduate Diploma, 1995 with specialization in Advertising; Baptist High School, Iwo, in, 1972 and Iwo Grammar School, Iwo, where he obtained his West African School Certificate, in 1969.

Right from his early years in the secondary school, he demonstrated sterling leadership qualities which led to his appointment as the Labour Prefect. While he was at the University ofIbadan,Ayodelewaselectedasamemberofthe Students Representative Council, the legislative arm of the Student Union Government.

Asatradeunionist,AyodeleservedasthePublicity SecretaryofOyoStateCouncilofRadio,Television and Theatre Workers Union (RATTAWU) in 1983.

Hardworktheysayistheanswertopoverty,hence Ayodeleworkedinmanyorganizationsandheldmany positions of trust and responsibility among which was primary school teacher in variou schools,in 1970includingBaptistHighSchool,Ede,1973-1974; Broadcastings Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), 1978-1990 and the National Drug Law Enfocemet (NDLEA), 1990-1994.

Ayodele retired from the NDLEA in 1994 as the Acting Deputy Director of Drug Demand ReductionDivisionAsthepioneerHeadofPublic Enlightenment Department of the agency, he coordinated all the public enlightenment projects and campaign against drug abuse and trafficking.

After retirement, Ayodele ventured into MediaProductionandManagement,abusiness thatsawproductionandsponsorship ofradio, televisionanddocumentaryprogrammesfor international organisation such as UNDCP. HewasHeadofPublicRelationsDepartment ofUNIOSUNTeachingHospital,Osogbo,Osun State(formerlyLAUTECHTeachingHospital, Osogbo).AyodelestartedthePublicRelations Departmentanddevelopedthepublicrelations

Adeyemo

policies,objectivesandplansoftheUniosunteaching HospitalhithertoknownasLautechteachinghospital whichhasgiventheobscurehospitalanow dinstinct identity and image.

Ayodele is well tavelled and has attended many professionalandspecializedcoursesandseminars bothnationallyandinternationally.Hehastravelled widelyinNigeriaandtoIndia,UKandUnitedStates as a participant, resource person, or consultant.

AyodelehaswonmanyaccoladesfrommanyinstitutionsandorganisationsincludingtheBroadcasting Corporation of Oyo State; the National Drug Law EnforcementAgency;LAUTECHTeachingHospital, Osogbo,2009;theNonAcademicStaffUnion(NASU), LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo; Senior AssociationofUniversitiesTeachingHospital,Research Institutes&AlliedInstitutions(SAUTHRIAI)andthe

LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.

He has also won the Paul Harrison Fellowship Award of Rotary International; Distinguished Icon of Selfless Services Award by Rotary Club, Osun StatePolytechnic,IreeandAwardofExcellenceasa VeteranBroadcasterbyAgidigbo88.7Fm,Ibadan.

Thebestofserviceistheonededicatedtohumanity. This prompted Ayodele into serving humanity wholeheartedly.Acommittedandpassionatemember of Ede Descendants Union; Chairman,OrganizingCommittee,pioneeredition of Agbale Hall of Fame, Ede (2010) and Chairman, OgobiElectricityProjectunderCSDP-WorldBank Scheme.

Theschemewasexecutedthoroughlywithunflinchingcommitmentandunquestionableaccountability Heisarotarianofnote,whohasoccupiedvarious positionsintherotaryclub.AsapassionateChristian, hehasservedinseveralchurchministriesinanycommunityhelivedin.Hisfamilyandfewothershadthe graceofbeingfoundationmembersofGloryBaptist Church, Wakajaye, Ibadan in 1994.

Just as Joshua said...”but as for me and my house, wewillservetheLord”,(Joshua24:15)..,Ayodeleand his family remain determined to continue to serve his Lord to the end.

Ayodelehasinterestinresolvingsocialproblems especiallyoneducationaldevelopmentsandyouth affairs.Heisnotedforbrokeringpeaceandencouragingharmoniousrelationshipsamongfriendsand colleagues.

Heispassionateaboutprojectsandprogrammes designedtobringimprovedhealthcareandgeneral developmentstothegrassroots.Asidefrombeing anavowedhumanitarianandacommittedRotarian, Ayodele is a Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP).

Hisactivities,doggedness,humilityandtransparencywasrewardedwhenAyodeleandhislovelywife, Olufunmilayo, were conferred with the honorary titles of Asiwaju and Yeye Asiwaju of Ogobi Land

by His Royal Highness Oba AbdulWasiu Iwaloye Abidoye,Ologobi ofOgobi,withthe support of His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Adesola Lawal, Laminisa 1, TimiAgbaleOfEdelandonMarch17,2021,fortheir committedcontributionstothedevelopmentofthe town and unparalleled leadership.

Asyouclockseventyonthelandoftheliving,wepray God to grant you sound health so that you worship your God the more.

Happy birthday Ayodele Adeyemo.

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

What to Do and Not Do When Your Car Overheats

A special “Night Edition” model of Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Sporty, Exclusive Special Model of Mercedes-Benz E-Class Debuts

T

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of polished aluminium with lettering in black (high-gloss).

Illuminated door sill panels with Mercedes%HQ] OHWWHULQJ DQG ÁRRU PDWV ZLWK ´1LJKW Edition” embroidery as well as heated seats for the driver and front passenger complete the high-quality equipment.

With over 14 million units delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. The roots of its history go back almost 120 years, and there have been ten generations of the E-Class and its direct predecessors since 1947 alone. The name “E-Class” has been used for the upper mid-range model series since 1993. In summer 2020, the updated versions of the current model generation celebrated their premiere.

Lexus Unveils All-New RZ, First Pure Battery EV for Global Markets

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new era begins for Lexus Battery (9V DQG WKH /H[XV (OHFWULÀHG visio, as the company unveil details of the new “RZ”, the OX[XU\ EUDQG·V ÀUVW JOREDOO\ available pure Battery EV (BEV) model.

The automaker said since the launch of the RX400h in 2005, Lexus has been a pioneer of HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ ZLWKLQ WKH OX[XU\ PDUNHW $V ZLWK WKH ÀUVW 5; K\EULG PRGHO RXU HQJLQHHUV KDYH imbued our hybrid vehicles with an excellent driving identity and environmental performance.

In 2019, Lexus’ fundamental approach toward YHKLFOH HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ HYROYHG WKDQNV WR WKH /H[XV (OHFWULÀHG YLVLRQ /H[XV DLPV WR LQYLJRUDWH DOO guests’ authentic love for driving exhilaration, DQG LQ GRLQJ VR ZLOO EURDGHQ LWV /H[XV (OHFWULÀHG

Lexus Battery EVs

portfolio of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), battery electric vehicle (BEV), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) products to exceed the needs and expectations of a more diverse set of luxury buyers.

The portfolio expansion will move Lexus toward another essential goal: The realization of a sustainable global society.

Lexus will contribute to the realization of D FDUERQ QHXWUDO VRFLHW\ E\ RͿHULQJ D IXOO lineup of BEVs in all categories by 2030.

Five years later, Lexus seeks to attain 100 percent BEV sales globally. To meet these challenges, Lexus will rigorously improve its products, along with the expertise of LWV SHUVRQQHO E\ UHSHDWLQJ ´GULYH DQG À[µ development at Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama (hereinafter referred to as

“TTCS”), Lexus’ new operational base. $V /H[XV· ÀUVW JOREDOO\ DYDLODEOH GHGLFDWHG BEV model, the new RZ marks Lexus’ transition into a BEV-centered brand, and embodies the unique Lexus vehicle design and driving H[SHULHQFH EURXJKW RQ E\ DGYDQFHG HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ technology. For driving performance, the use of D %(9 VSHFLÀF SODWIRUP H 71*$ DV ZHOO DV D lightweight and highly rigid body, has greatly evolved the fundamental performance of the vehicle by achieving optimal weight distribution through ideal placement of the battery and motor. In addition, the adoption of a new steering control and Steer-by-Wire system, along with the ',5(&7 DOO ZKHHO GULYH V\VWHP XVLQJ HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ technology, enables vehicle control that is faithful to the driver’s intention. An exhilarating driving experience is realized, making the RZ feel like a true extension of its driver. Furthermore, we pursued the creation of an audio sound that seamlessly conveys vehicle condition changes to WKH GULYHU 7KHVH HͿRUWV DUH EHLQJ FDUULHG RXW DW TTCS, Lexus’ new development base, in order WR HQKDQFH WKH XQLTXHO\ /H[XV GULYLQJ ÁDYRU the Lexus Driving Signature.

The exterior design expresses the seamless DFFHOHUDWLRQ DQG G\QDPLF WRUTXH ÀOOHG SHUIRUPDQFH VSHFLÀF WR %(9V /H[XV· LGHQWLÀDEOH VSLQGOH JULOOH is replaced by a BEV Spindle Body which focuses RQ DHURG\QDPLF H΀FLHQFLHV RSWLPL]HG SURSRUtions, and style, versus serving the cooling and exhaust needs of an internal combustion engine.

This styling evolution ushers in a new Lexus aesthetic and establishes a new design direction IRU %(9 RͿHULQJV

WHY DO ENGINES OVERHEAT? Engines can overheat for many reasons. In general, it’s because something’s wrong within the cooling system and heat isn’t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, faulty radiator fan, broken water pump, or clogged coolant hose.

Regardless of the problem’s source, an overheating engine isn’t something you want to let linger. Your engine could sustain serious, if not permanent, damage.

SIGNS YOUR ENGINE IS OVERHEATING If you’re able to take steps to cool your engine before it overheats to the point of failing, you may reduce the risk of irreversible engine damage. But first, you’ve got to notice the symptoms of overheating, which can include: Steam (which can look like smoke) coming from under the car hood. An engine temperature gauge on your dashboard that spikes to “H” or into the red. (Engine temperature gauge symbols vary, so consult your owner’s manual.)

A strange smell coming from the engine area.

For example, leaking coolant can smell sweet while leaking oil might smell more burnt.

As soon as you notice the engine overheating, take the following steps and contact your nearest repair shop.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS .,// 7+( $ & $1' &5$1. 7+( +($7 Immediately turn off the air conditioner to reduce stress on the engine. Then, turn the dial to maximum heat. This can help pull heat away from the engine to keep it from overheating until you can pull over in a safe location. You may get a little hot yourself, but a few minutes of discomfort is a small price to pay compared to major engine repairs.

2. FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER Pull over and shut off the car. Allow the engine to cool for at least 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge, as it should move back to a normal range as the engine cools.

While you’re waiting (and watching the gauge), put together a plan to get your overheated engine checked out. Call a friend, a tow truck, or your local Firestone Roadside Assistance for help. We’ll dispatch a trained representative to tow your vehicle to the nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care store or help with step number three.

3. CHECK AND ADD COOLANT (IF YOU HAVE IT) If your coolant level is low, a quick top-off could help protect your engine and prevent overheating until you can get things fixed. However, this step won’t do much good if a coolant hose is clogged or the source of your troubles is a broken radiator fan or water pump. Consult your owner’s manual to find the location of your coolant reservoir tank and to learn how to add coolant to your vehicle.

4. RESTART THE ENGINE If your car isn’t being towed, now’s the time to carefully restart your engine and drive to your nearest auto repair shop. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge as you drive. If it rises again, pull over and let the system cool.

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS '21·7 3$1,& Your engine isn’t keeping its cool, but you can!

Avoid swerving through traffic or slamming on your brakes when pulling off the road.

2. DON’T KEEP DRIVING If your engine is overheating but still running, you’re not doing it any favors by staying on the road.

Sure, you may be able to get to your destination before it gives out entirely, but you may cause significant (and costly) damage by pushing your engine too far.

3. DON’T OPEN THE HOOD IMMEDIATELY 2QFH \RX·YH SXOOHG RYHU ZDLW IRU WKH HQJLQH WR cool before popping the hood to check things out.

2SHQLQJ WKH KRRG LPPHGLDWHO\ FDQ SXW \RX DW ULVN of burns or injuries from spewing steam or smoke.

Patience is key. Wait until the engine temperature gauge settles before opening the hood.

4. DON’T LET THE ISSUE LINGER An overheating engine won’t resolve on its own, even if it seems to be fixed after you add a little coolant. It will only get worse if left unaddressed.

Get to the root of the issue to help save your engine.

Bring your car to Firestone Complete Auto Care for a Complete Vehicle Inspection so we can diagnose the problem and make recommendations for solving it.

(Source: Firestone)

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

AUTO WORLD

JLR Launches Open Innovation Strategy to Accelerate its Luxury Vision

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aguar Land Rover has announced a new Open Innovation strategy, to accelerate next-generation technology and sustainability to support its Modern Luxury vision for the business, its partners, and customers.

According to a statement by the automaker, “Open Innovation will drive collaborations with start-ups, scale-ups and like-minded external organisations on electrification, connectivity, digital services, metaverse, intelligent enterprise, manufacturing, supply chain and sustainability.”

As part of the new global strategy, Jaguar Land Rover will launch a first-of-its kind innovation hub in the UK, in partnership with the corporate innovation platform and investor, Plug and Play. In addition, two

Land Rover Discovery 2023

separate partnerships with Cubo Itau and Firjan will provide access to the vibrant Latin American start-up ecosystem.

The announcement is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Reimagine strategy: to be the creator of the world’s most desirable, luxury vehicles for the most discerning of customers. By collaborating with innovators and sector experts, the Open Innovation programme will help the business identify digital services, products, tools, and processes for it to achieve its goal of net zero by 2039, while creating new value chains for the business.

As a Founding Partner of Plug and Play UK, Jaguar Land Rover is building an ecosystem of start-ups and scale-ups that will create jobs and opportunities for the digital economy. The platform will also provide access to a global ecosystem of potential partners, enabling the organisation to test new technologies and business models. Activities will be located close to Jaguar Land Rover’s headquarters in the West Midlands, the heart of the UK’s automotive industry.

In addition, Jaguar Land Rover has signed two partnership agreements in Brazil with Cubo Itau and Firjan. Brazil is an important hub to benefit from the flourishing Latin American start-up ecosystem, as well as being home to one of Jaguar Land Rover’s production facilities.

Cubo Itau, located in São Paulo, currently hosts hundreds of start-ups covering several industries like fintech, agribusiness, healthcare and retail. Jaguar Land Rover will play a key role in Cubo’s newly created Smart Mobility Hub, which will spearhead innovations

for the automotive sector.

Firjan, is a private entity that represents industrial and business sectors in Rio de Janeiro state. With a 10,000-strong network of enterprise members, Firjan will work closely with Jaguar Land Rover to connect start-ups who are developing advanced automotive manufacturing processes and provide access to advanced laboratories for R&D programmes.

To enable Open Innovation, Jaguar Land Rover has appointed 70+ ‘champions’ from across key business

areas – including sustainability, engineering, design, research, and manufacturing – that will be at the forefront of driving the strategy.

François Dossa, Executive Director, Strategy and Sustainability, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “With the launch of the Open Innovation platform, Jaguar Land Rover is looking at the entire mobility and sustainability ecosystem to offer an unparalleled customer experience, shaping the future of our industry, and paving the way to the future.

2021 Mustang Mach-E Premium Awd Wins 2022 AAA’s Best Car

T

he 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium All-Wheel Drive has won AAA’s Best Overall Car for 2022, the latest acclaim for Ford’s electric SUV. AAA researchers gave special praise to the vehicle for its dramatic new profile, its power, and for being quiet, quick, roomy, and fun to drive. Mustang Mach-E continues to draw customer attention as well, with U.S. sales up 23 percent through April.

The 2021 Mustang Mach-E has claimed a number of other awards including Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice Award and Electric Vehicle of the Year Award, plus the Cars.com Eco-Friendly Car of the Year Award, AutoGuide’s Utility of the Year, Green Vehicle of the Year and Autoweek’s Car Buyer’s Award.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those custom-

The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AllWheel Drive ers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

Before The Rains Begin II

D

o you know what NiMET stands for? As a driver or road user, this is one poser I expect you to answer without blinking. But if you do not know what NiMET means I truthfully would not blame you for several reasons. The first is that we are a religious country. Arising from our religious inclination, we believe and confess that we are blessed.

To prove our confessions right, Heaven has been too gracious to our land and clime. It was therefore no wonder that when I did a bit of online research on natural disasters in 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, Nigeria was rarely mentioned. This explains why a handful of us are not aware of what NiMET stands for. Since we don’t know and we boast of our special place in divine providence, we are unlike our brothers and sisters in other climes who must religiously follow daily guidance on possible disasters.

Now, let me tell you my findings show that in other climes, especially in the US in 2021, natural disaster happenings are almost a regular occurance.

According to data, “damages from the 2021 disasters totaled approximately $145 billion. (All cost estimates are adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index, 2021). The costliest 2021 events were Hurricane Ida ($75 billion), the mid-February Winter Storm / Cold Wave ($24.0 billion), and the Western wildfires ($10.9 billion).” Further revelations from The International

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

Charter whose aim is to provide a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by natural or man-made disasters. The events captured by the Chart shows that there was tropical storm Megi in the Philippines in April 29, 2022, flooding and landslide in South Africa on April 28, 2022, flooding in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on April 20, 2022, cyclone Gombe in Mozambique on March 14, 2022 and Cyclone Emnati in Madagascar on February 25,2022. There was also flash flooding in Brazil on 17 February, 2022, flooding in Ecuador on 2 February, 2022, tropical storm Ana in Mozambique in 26 January 2022, flooding in Madagascar on 25 January, 2022, flooding in Sao Tome and Precipe on 21 January,2022, as well as Wolf volcano eruption in Tonga, Wolf volcano eruption in Ecuador between 10- 24 January 22.

In all of these disasters, no mention was made of any disaster in Nigeria which if you ask me kind of

justifies our claim and belief that we are indeed blessed.

But while I acknowledge that we are a privileged and blessed country, I must however plead that we remember that even the Holy Scriptures say wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor when you embrace her. It further says, let him that lacks wisdom ask…Today, I am urging drivers to become knowledgeable not just in the traffic regulations but to embrace the activities of NiMET especially within this season .Already the early warnings were visible in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja,Jos, Plateau State on 4 May, 2022. I am sure the story was not different in other parts of the country besides the ones mentioned here.

This is why as a driver,you must comply with the National Road Traffic Regulations with respect to the sections that dwell on self-regulations. With the avalanche of learners who daily flout road safety rules, the Regulations demand that an applicant for a driver’s license who must not be below 18 years must obtain a medical certificate of fitness as provided in Regulation 57(3) of the Regulations from any Government Hospital. So what exactly does this regulation mean by a medical certificate of fitness? As a layman, a medical fitness certificate is a document issued by a registered medical practitioner that attests that an individual is fit after a medical examination. Usually, medical fitness certificates are required for many purposes including

driving which is my focus. During the height of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it was a requirement to have a requirement through what was then known as ‘’Fit to fly’’ certificate. Strangely, because of the dread for COVID, nobody toyed with it unlike driving where applicants fake such documents without the necessary rigours of the test.

In other words, a medical fitness certificate states that the individual is in good health and able to carry out suggested activities or is able to work under the specified conditions. It is usually free from medical jargon and easily understandable. It contains the observations and any additional notes, such as limitations or restrictions on certain movements/ activities.

The same Regulations demand that all vehicles undergo checks as stipulated in 140(1-2). In sub section two, it states that the examination shall be conducted for new private vehicles every two years and when it has covered a mileage of 100,000 kilometres whichever comes first; for all other private vehicles beyond two years, once in a year, and in the case of commercial vehicles, omnibuses and trailers, every six months. This examination which most people evade determines whether the vehicle is roadworthy conforming to the prescribed requirements relating to construction, condition, accessories and other equipment. Most importantly it is to confirm that the vehicle is such that its use on the road will not pose a danger to any other road user or cause damages to the road or any road furniture.

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

PERSPECTIVE

2023: The Roadmap Versus the Roadblocks Ordinance Emeji

2

023, the general election year in Nigeria is not many months away. On 29th May, 2023, the fourth year of the second tenure of President Mohammadu Buhari is expected to terminate while a newly democratically elected government ought to take over the helm of affairs in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But while the change of baton is much more desired, there are fears as to who takes over the top job in Aso Rock as various political gladiators from different corners - political followers, religious disciples, regional crusaders, tribal promoters amongst many others are busy pushing for one candidate or the other.

Expectedly, such diverse interests are not unbecoming in a political hemisphere, as the roadmap of a particular candidate is faced with roadblocks from other aspiring entities and vice versa. Here we have a hitherto political struggle between the Nation’s patriots and detractors. This therefore means that whoever would receive the blessings of the electorates in the forthcoming elections must be a man who has the bold nerves to quench and quell the distractions from the detractors in order to properly present his Roadmap for the Presidency as against the Roadblocks coming from diverse quarters. With the nearing of the date for the APC primaries, the issue of who becomes the Presidential Flag-bearer amongst the front-liners in the ruling party remained on the front burner of national discourse especially in recent times.

APC is likely to field a candidate of Southern extraction with the likes of former Governor of Rivers State Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Lagos State Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who are all reported to be interested in vying for the Presidential ticket. APC must be very careful in taking this decisive choice by making a thorough comparative analysis and competitive advantages of the various candidates. We must ensure whoever we are choosing to represent the party must be a man who has high personality rating with a leadership style that can prove he has vast knowledge in governance with a strong political dexterity without losing his nationalistic posture.

His performance track records in public office must never be eschewed in course of determining the prevailing consideration. To me, this is the beginning of the first poise for a better choice to face other parties’ flag-bearers in the general elections. And the All Progressives Congress (APC) must make the right choice of who represents the party in the forthcoming Presidential Elections – not one that would woefully fail when compared to other aspiring candidates. The best man for this job remains Amaechi. I say so for the sole reason that his visionary leadership and achievements are borne out of passion. He’s a man who’s not desperate to acquire power but discovers a challenge and desperately desires to salvage the situation through public service.

As the Governor of Rivers State between 2007-2015, this is a man that moved a notch higher in his quest to secure the State and restore sanity by putting an end to the gruesome activities of criminals, cultists, kidnappers across the State when he took over power in 2007. His administration as Governor of Rivers State, invested in infrastructure development, construction of roads and bridges, improvement of the socio-economic status of the State, investment in education, employment generation, healthcare, power generation, agriculture and human capital development.

The governor was also committed to urban renewal and modernization of transportation services.

It is undoubtedly clear that the achievements of Amaechi as Governor speak for itself till date. Taking you a little back in time from the present, you will agree with me that Amaechi in keeping with the dreams and desires of the founding fathers has hitherto portrayed a nationalistic and egalitarian face by ensuring he did everything possible to maintain and

Amaechi

Amaechi tirelessly pushed at different times for the construction of Bodo-Bonny mega road with multiple bridges and the speeding up of the Ogoni Clean-up Exercise by the Federal Government.

These and many more are his achievements as Minister of Transportation. Back at home, Amaechi enjoyed the unparallel support from his kith and kin as he was honoured and crowned with a revered Chieftaincy Title as the Eze Ochi Aliri of Ikwerre land (The Great Defender of the Land) sustain the unity of the country as well as its democratic tenets.

The falling standard in democracy and good governance in the country especially amongst some state governors has for a long time remained a strong-headed problem for the leaders and the led. Following side to side with the activities of Amaechi as Minister of Transportation, it has been proven that he has displayed tremendous temerity and sensational sagacity for hardwork, determination and accomplishment.

Most recently, it can easily be called to mind that Amaechi, through the unflinching support of President Mohammadu Buhari was able to complete and commission the Warri-Itakpe Railway, a project which is said to have over 90 per cent of economic value across the states of the South-South

geographical location and by extension the neighbouring geopolitical areas in the Country. Recently also, it was reported that the Onne Port hosted the largest vessel ever to berth on Nigerian waters courtesy of the relentless efforts of the Minister of Transportation. This great man never rested until approvals were given for the Bonny and Warri Deep Sea projects which will create enormous economic interest in the South-south region of the country.

Another high point of his achievements is the renovation to the state-of-art-art benchmark of the Port Harcourt International Airport which now competes with International standards.

Amaechi tirelessly pushed at different times for the construction of Bodo-Bonny mega road with multiple bridges and the

s speeding up of the Ogoni Clean-up Exercise by b the Federal Government. These and many more m are his achievements as Minister of Transportation.

T Back at home, Amaechi enjoyed the unparallel support from his kith e and a kin as he was honoured and crowned with a revered Chieftaincy Title as the Eze Ochi Aliri of r Ikwerre land (The Great Defender of the Land).

I The T unprecedented and mammoth gathering of o traditional rulers, elites, intellectuals, political leaders, women and youths of Ikwerre p extraction in Isiokpo in Rivers State to honour e this t man forced the APC in Rivers State as at that t time to describe the Honourable Minister as a the Niger Delta version of Nnamdi Azikiwe in i the East; Obafemi Awolowo in the West; and Tafawa Belewa or Ahmadu Bello in the North.

T We should not forget in a hurry that Amaechi was w also conferred with the revered title of Dike D di Oha nma 1 of Isiekwuato during the foundation laying of the Institute of Transporf tation in Abia State. Just recently, the Daura t Emirate recently conferred a special traditional E title t of Dan Amanar of Daura (the Trustworthy Son S of Daura) on Amaechi in recognition of his contributions to the socio-economic developc ment m of the country.

Having x-rayed these resounding achievements attained by Amaechi in Rivers State, m South-South and Nigeria at large, I Ordinance S Emeji hereby join other well-meaning Nigerians E tto intensify their support for for him to become tthe next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My message to Amaechi is that the N hhorizon is getting clearer by the day that he is tthe next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, more work ought to be done N tto truly position the country on an enviable pedestal of greatness and progress. Going p by the overwhelming political credentials of b Amaechi who appears to be set for the top A jjob, I would want to pitch my tent with him to aassume to that exalted but exacting Office of tthe President.

Besides, my personal reasons for this cchoice is that this is a man who is said to have ccatapulted himself into the heart of Nigerians by the enormous successes achieved in various b ccapacities as a public officer from his days as a student union leader, as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly cum Speaker of S all Speakers in Nigeria, Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation. As the campaign for free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria is gathering momentum which will soon reach a crescendo that could either lead to a bitter experience or a better Nigeria only if the electorates will be determined to go for the best candidate to serve this national purpose.

My advice therefore to Nigerians is that, at this point in our political voyage, we shouldn’t care more about where our President comes from as long as he is qualified and let no tribal, religious, regional and even political sentiments come between it. For us to record a landmark of achievements, the hallmark of it all is that we seek the presence of a visionary leader as President – one who will rule responsibly and responsively and listen to the yearning of Nigerians. Of course, to have such a President in Aso Rock, there would be a lot of roadblocks to create bottlenecks towards achieving this feat.

With these anticipated roadblocks and sequel to the desperation of politicians to get into public office, the simple solution to the debacle of allowing such detractors will lie on the electorates to individually and collectively take a stand to come out massively to vote and defend their votes. All these points are justifying to the facts that the man Amaechi should be given the opportunity to take Nigeria to her promised land. To cap it up is in the fact that he’s young, ebullient and capable. Just recently, he criss-crossed the lengths and breadths of Amasiemaka Stadium during his Thanksgiving and declaration of interest to run for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he exhibited courage, stamina and resilience as part of the virtues that makes him the first among equals.

Ordinance Odinakachi Emeji is the Director General, Media Vanguard For Change (MVC).

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

PERSPECTIVE

Who is Sexualizing Our Children?

Sonnie Ekwowusi

T

he sex scandal involving a 10-year old girl and a boy, both students of ChrislandSchools,VictoriaGarden, Lekki, Lagos during the recentlyconcluded World School Games in Dubai,hasonceagainbroughttothe forethevexedissueofsexualization ofNigerianpre-teens,teens,teenagersandyoung school pupils especially pupils in primary and secondaryschools.The strikinglamentable aspectof theChrislandSchools sexscandalisthatwhilethe 10-year old girl and the boy were busy engaging in immoral sex, the onlookers who happened to be theirschoolmateswherebusyvideoingthesexual perversity and posting it on social media. You see, wenowliveinanageinwhichpublicshameandsense ofguilthavecompletelyevaporatedfromthebeing of so many people including pre-teens and teens.

It is important to note however that sexual perversity is not the exclusive preserve of Chrisland Schools:italsooccursinothersecondaryschoolsin Nigeria.OtherNigeriansecondaryschoolstudents are also implicated in sexual perversity. So, no need making Chrisland schools an escape goat.

You will recall that in 2017 some senior students ofIretiGrammarSchool,Falomo,South-WestIkoyi, Lagos, who had finished their exams decided that the best to celebrate it was to gang rape the girls from a nearby school called Falomo Senior High School,Ikoyi,Lagos.Oneoftheeye-witnessesstated thatafterchasing the girls and successfully catching up with them, the Ireti Grammar School boys forcefully used scissors to rip off the girls’ skirts beforecommencingtheirgang-rape.Whatfurther shockedtheeye-witnesswasthatasthedifferent gang-rapesweresimultaneouslygoingoninbroad day light of course, the passers-by and onlookers who had gathered and besieged the rapists and their girl-victims did not deem it fit to rescue the girl-victimsfromtherapists.Insteadtheywerebusy laughing and applauding the rapists and videoing the rape incident.

In the past, the friendly relationship between boyfriends and girlfriends could attain maturity with the exchange of love letters. A boyfriend or a girlfriendengaginginsexualpromiscuityhidaway from their parents, the public and the law. Today things have fallen apart. All the sexual mores’ boundaries have been obliterated to the extent that sexual promiscuity is now glamourized even infrontofthecameraastheanimalsintheTVReality Show called BBNaija do. In today’s Nigeria, adults including governments and parents bombard Nigerianpre-teens,teenagersandyoungadultswith “safe-sex”or“condom-safe-sex”advertswiththe tragicallymisguidedbeliefthatsexualpromiscuity makethemgoodandthattheresultantpregnancy could be aborted.

Theampleevidenceofsexualizationofourchildren could be gathered on TV, in music videos, in movies, on mobile phones and on the internet. At every turn—TV,music,movies,mobilephones,internet, publiceducation—youngpeopleareencouragedto indulgeinsexualperversity,inallofitsbarbaricforms, with no fear of pregnancy because if a pregnancy doesoccur,abortionissoldasasafe,easyandpainless way to rid them of the unwanted “product of conception.”Yousee,everyonegetsmoralityright when it concerns stealing of government money, the official corruption reigning supreme in Buhari government, fighting insecurity by arresting and prosecution of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers andsoforth,butwhenitcomestosexualmattersor watchingofBBNaijapornwhereourhumanfleshis weak,wetendtoremoveourmoralthinkingcapand replace it with our immoral thinking cap in order to give free rein to the demands of our sinful bodies.

It is not surprising that some of us try to rationalize BBNaija porn and sexualization of our children.

Manisweak.Sexsells.SincetheFall,manhasbeen inclined to sexual promiscuity. Besides, we live in a perverse world that lays claim to the soul of our children. We live in a sexual State. The State which ought to be the guardian of the morals of children now sexualizes our children. Why? Because the State argues that pre-marital sex or casual sex makes children feel good and consequently any parent or anybody depriving children of casual sex is infringing on their “right” to have casual sex.

In order to facilitate the quick sexualisation of

Ehanire

our children and school pupils, the State has introducedintotheschoolcurriculatextbooks and Literature in English books containing lewd subject-matters to give the unsuspecting young school pupils the wrong impression thatself-controlisunnecessary,repressiveand an impossibility; that casual sex makes them feelgood;thattheyshouldengageincasualsex before marriage; that ‘safe sex’ is what to aim forinlifeprovidedthattheydon’tgetpregnant.

Andiftheydogetpregnanttheyshouldprocure abortion as soon as possible.

Acting on a tip off two years ago, the Police raidedaclinicinLagosforabortingunder-aged Nigeriangirls(agedbetween13-18)andinjecting themwithdangerousabortificientswithoutthe consent of their parents. The police recovered someinjectionsandmedicalequipmentusedin aborting girls which included Manual Vacuum Aspirator. Unfortunately today, Marie Stopes hasbribeditswayandhasreopenedtocontinue to abort Nigerian under-aged girls.

TheUnitedNationsPopulationFunds(UNFPA) needs no introduction in Nigeria. For decades, the UNFPA has been sexualizing Nigeria girls and women. Specifically, in 2014, the UNFPA organizedwhatitdubbedthethirdFamilyPlanningPre-ConferencewhichwasheldattheReiz

ContinentalHotel,Abuja.AtthatConference,the UNFPAlaunchedacondom-safe-sexcampaign entitled,“NoHoodieNoHoney”.Thiscampaign waswidelyreportedintheNigerianmedia.The campaignwasalsopostedonTwitter,Facebook and on other social media.

ThecampaignwastargetedatyoungNigerian girlsintheagebracketof14-18.Thecampaignwas aimedatsupplyingcondomsandcontraceptives totheseyoungNigeriangirlsandconvincingthem that“safe-sex”istheirrightandthereforethey shouldn’tbeashamedtopractice“safesex”even if the different Nigerian cultures and religions teachotherwise.Forexample,oneoftheinscriptions on the No Hoodie No Honey roll-up stand postedonTwitterread:“Letspushforeasyaccess to the female condom and that a woman may buycondomswithoutbeingshamed”First:the campaign was tainted by fraud and deception.

Whilescientificevidenceconsistentlyshows that the condoms, which contain naturallyoccurring holes, do not protect its user against infections and against HIV and rarely protect against unwanted pregnancy, the UNFPA fraudulently masquerades about the cities of NigeriaandgivingtheNigerianyouthsthefalse hopethatcondomsprotectfromanymisdeed.

This is very irresponsible of the UNFPA. At the

Destruction of the family may lead to economic failure. Therefore the family institution should be reinvigorated. As I earlier said, we must begin to parent the parents. How? By organizing family orientation courses for parents to enable them to become capable of parenting their own children to be responsible citizens. Another way is by organizing marriage courses for would-be parents and for young people who are about to get married. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) otherwise called sex education or Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Right or Family Life Education or teen-sex education should be banned in Nigerian schools

same time, the Pfizer Pharmaceutical Inc., Bill & MelindaGatesFoundationandtheChildren’sInvestment Fund Foundation (CIFF) rolled out in Nigeria and other African countries one-dollar injectable contraceptives called Sayana press injectable.

Sayanapressisself-injectableabortifacient.They giveittoNigerianschoolgirlssothattheycaninject themselveswithitandindulgein“safe-sex”anyway they like without getting pregnant.

About16yearsago,anNGOcalledtheConcerned MothersAssociation,Lagos,tooktheLagosState governmenttotheFederalHighCourt,Lagosoverthe sexualizationoftheIntegratedSciencecurriculum toincludethetechniquesofkissing,masturbation, breast enlargement, abortion etc. I was one of the lawyerswhoappearedfortheConcernedMothersin thatsuit.TheleadcounselinthesuitwasMrs.Sylvia SinabaSAN(ofblessedmemory).Irememberthat whenthesuitcameupforhearingbeforethejudge who happened to be a female, she was completely stunned by the sexualization pleaded on the writ andStatementofClaim.Inhershock,shefirsttook upthewrit,helditupmomentarilyinherrighthand andqueried,“Whatisthis?”.Silenceenvelopedthe courtroom. Anyway, to cut the long judicial story short, the matter was amicably resolved out of court. In the spirit of amicable settlement, the Lagos State government at that time yanked off the offensive portion of the Integrated Science curriculum although I suspect that by now it has been brought back into the curriculum.

Between from March 27 to 29 2017, I attended a ConferencewhichtookplaceattheNigerianInstitute ofInternationalAffairs,VictoriaIsland,Lagos,.Oneof theSpeakersatthatConferencewasAhmedAkanbi, aMuslimparentandaLagos-basedlegalpractitioner.

Midwayinhispresentation,Ahmeddidsomething whichshockedmostoftheConferenceattendees.

Hecarefullydippedhishandsintohishandbagand broughtouttwoEnglishliteraturebookscontaining some lewd subject-matters and showed them to the audience. He told us that the two books were recommended books for primary six pupils in the primary school attended by his daughter. The title of the first book authored by Oyekunle Oyedeji is: Tears of a bride, while the second book written by QueenO.Okweshinebearsthetitle:PreciousChild.

According to Ahmed, his 9-year old daughter in Primary 6 came back home from school one day andengagedhiminaconversationthatbotheredon somesexexperiences.Atfirst,Ahmedwasutterly stunned that his 9 year old daughter was conversant with sex matters. But after he had regained his composure he asked his daughter where she learned about those sex experiences. It was then that his daughter opened her mouth and narrated to him how their school teacher has been using the aforesaidtwobookstoteachthemhowtopractice “safesex”andhowtogainsexualpleasure.Ahmed read to the hearing of the participants some sexy portions of the two books. The participants rose to their feet in utter shock.

Themosttragicistheintroductionoftheso-called ComprehensiveSexualityEducation(CSE)otherwise called sex education or Adolescent Sexual ReproductiveRightorFamilyLifeEducationorteen-sex educationinNigerianschoolswithouttheconsentof parentsandstakeholdersineducation.AsIscribble this, I have in front of me the CSE syllabus being used in teaching our secondary school students the techniques of masturbation, dating, putting on the condoms, sexual communications and negotiations, how to do abortion in secret, how to practice “safe-sex” in secret without getting pregnant by using contraceptives such as IUCD injectables, vaginal foams and jellies, diaphragm, hormonalimplants,oralcontraceptivepills,touching andexaminationofmaleandfemalereproductive organs, naked body images, erection, ejaculation, kissing,caressing,sterilizationprocedureformale by making of incision in the scrotum and by cutting andtyingthevasdeferens;sterilizationprocedure for female by cutting and tying the Fallopian tube, infertility and other immoral topics.

TheNGObackrollingthisimmoralCSEcurriculum inNigeriaiscalledActionHealthIncorporated(AHI), situate in Yaba, Lagos. The immoral CSE is being sponsoredinNigeriabyawell-knowninternational pro-abortionorganizationcalledJohnD.andCatherine T. MarArthur Foundation of Chicago, U.S.A. The CSE curriculum is copied verbatim from the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS).

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

INTERVIEW Joseph Ogodo

How We Caught Oyenusi, Mighty Joe Retired Police Inspector Joseph Itoto Ogodo, who was among the crack team of Police detectives that arrested the notorious robbery kingpins of the ‘70s, Ishola Oyenusi; and Mighty Joe in Lagos, turns 88 years. Pa Ogodo tells Adibe Emenyonu how the two gangsters and their cohorts were arrested. He also speaks about his career in the police force

Y

ou are now 88 years old.

Can you tell us about your early life?

I was born on April 27, 1934 in Sapele in present day Delta State. I attended First Baptist School, Sapele from 1944 to 1952 where I had my Standard Six Certificate. From there I proceeded to Abbot Commercial institute between 1953 and 1955.

I worked briefly with the sawmill department of the African Timber and Plywood (ATP) from 1955 to 1958. I had a brief stint as a Revenue Collector at the then Sapele Urban District Council. That was from 1958-1959. After that I enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1959 and went to Police College, Yaba, Lagos.

Thereafter, I was posted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

arrested, including the Administration Officer of Wahum company. All of them gave us useful information.

The only person at large was their leader Oyenusi. In fact, they were the ones who revealed to us that Oyenusi was their leader. We didn’t know him nor had any of us set eyes on him.

We were also told that it would be difficult to arrest him because he was always armed to the teeth. That he had a lot of charms in his possession. However, through further inquiries, it was revealed that Oyenusi was from Araromi in Okitipupa, now in Ondo State. We then had to embark on a journey to his home town through Epe boatyard. On getting to Araromi, Okitipupa, we were told that yes Oyenusi was from there but that for years they had not set eyes on him because he left the town long ago.

We were in the town for three days and there was no further clue as to how to get him.

Somehow, information filtered to us that he was seen somewhere in Ibadan. Our team quickly mobilised and moved to Ibadan and succeeded in getting him through a commercial sex worker he usually patronised.

From all indications you spent most of your career with the police in Lagos. Why? This was because I was in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). At that time, Lagos was the capital of the Southern Protectorate before it became the capital of Nigeria in 1959. With this, there was an influx of people both young and old to Lagos. This large movement of people into the new capital triggered several criminal activities that needed police investigation, being the capital of a new nation.

This, of course, was not enough to have made the force keep you for such a long time in Lagos. There must be something unique. Can you tell us what it was?

I agree with you. There were several incidents of crime and criminality, but we had two major breakthroughs which may have necessitated my long stay in Lagos, though I also found myself in other states and cities outside Lagos, but only on criminal investigation. Because of the increasing cases of armed robbery and burglary, the then Commissioner of Police, Joseph Adeola constituted a Special Anti-Robbery Squad made up of a team of detectives headed by a Superintendent of Police who was popularly called the ‘Flying Policeman.’ He got the sobriquet because he was a good sprinter and athlete. So when you hear SARS, it is not new. It has been in existence. It was founded many years ago. So he formed the squad known as SARS to investigate the numerous cases of robbery in Lagos.

There was this very robbery incident where a young police constable who was just six months in the service was shot dead at Ikeja. It was in connection with a company called Wahum, owned by one of these Asian countries on Allen Avenue. The company went to seek police protection to help convey their staff’s monthly salary. So a constable was assigned to accompany the staffers to the bank to withdraw the cash. He then escorted them back. Coming back from the bank to the company, the security man was hesitant to open the gate for them to drive in. This angered the police constable on escort duty and he went to meet the gateman to ask him why he was causing delay to open the gate for the vehicle to drive in. At that point, armed robbers opened fire and killed him on the spot, while the remaining bank officials scampered for safety into the company premises.

The robbers went straight to the vehicle, a Citroen, and fired at the booth, got it open and took the cash box containing £10,000 meant for workers salary and drove off in another

Tell us, how Oyenusi was eventually arrested?

Unfortunately for him, he was not armed when we saw him in the street of Ibadan. When he saw us, he started running and that was when we suspected he was the target and we started pursuing him. While we were chasing him, our leader, who incidentally was a native of Ibadan, began to shout saying “Egbami’o” (save me) the man running has been killing my people. At that point, everyone around joined in the pursuit and he was eventually arrested.

To ensure he does not escape, he was first handcuffed and then tied with a marine rope inside a Land Rover jeep and taken to Lagos.

The arrest was made on May 7, 1971.

We then contacted the control room in Lagos that Oyenusi had been arrested. In turn, the control room notified the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Adeola that the dare devil Oyenusi was in the police net. While on our way back to Lagos we were in constant touch with Lagos until we arrived.

Pa Ogodo

waiting car.

The matter was reported to the police.

We had what was called the Lion Building in Lagos, housing the control room. The control room then called the Robot Cars (cars fitted with communication gadgets to look out for the robbers. Prior to this robbery incident, there was a reported case of car snatching along Ikorodu Road. A young man was robbed of his car at gunpoint.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the snatched car was the same one used to get away by the robbers at the Wahum gate. While investigation was still on after some arrests were made, the police learnt the leader of the robbery gang was Ishola Oyenusi who had been on police wanted list.

It was at this time that the then CP constituted an X-squad from the SARS and made available a separate police station for them at Panti in Onikan area of Lagos. This time, all the policemen there were asked to go to other divisions for the X-squad

to enable them handle all robbery cases without interference. So as a member of that squad, we were moved to Panti and began the investigation. We were a 10-member investigative team headed by one Superintendent of Police (SP) Oyebisi who hailed from Ibadan then the capital of Western State.

In the course of investigation, we knew that members of the robbery gang came from different parts of the country, which first made the investigation cumbersome.

Some were from the West, some from the Midwest, while some were from the East.

But we were determined to do our duty.

In the robbery gang was an Ijebu boy who happened to be the driver in all their robbery operations. There was also a member of the gang called Diokpa who, as gathered, was their armourer and in whose house the proceeds of each robbery was shared.

While carrying out further investigation, we got all the gang members and accomplices

We learnt he made some comments when he got to the Lion Building. Can you recall what he said?

Yes! He told the CP, “your men have tried but they are lucky I was not armed by the time they tried arresting me, otherwise I would have killed them.” These were his exact words.

He also disclosed that when we were going through Epe boatyard to Okitipupa to look for him, he was in the boat that left earlier. He said he suspected we were policemen and decided to disembark on the next boatyard station.

He said he saw four men and suspected they were policemen, but could not open fire in such a crowded place. This was true because by the time we got to the Epe boatyard, the boat driver told us it was filled up and that we should wait for the next boat. That was when we missed him because he was in that boat.

Again, we didn’t know him. But in the course of investigation when we met him he said he recognised us at the boatyard and so had to get off at the next boat station knowing fully well that we were on our way to his hometown, which was also his destination, to look for him.

Was the method of interrogation voluntary or forceful?

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 7, 2022

INTERVIEW How We Caught Oyenusi, Mighty Joe In 1999 long after my retirement, I got a warrant to travel to England to give evidence in a particular matter which began while I was still in service. I had correspondence with the British High Commission in London. All the documents were forwarded to me through the High Commissioner in Lagos. They sent a warrant and on the 23rd of June 1999. I left the shores of Nigeria to England. On arrival, I went to the Royal Court to testify It was voluntary, because we adopted persuasive appeals to extract useful information from them and also assured them all will be fine if they cooperate with us. It was then Oyenusi confessed that he never knew we could arrest him and bring him to justice. So he then gave names of those who were involved in the Wahum robbery and the role played by each of them, as well as other robbery operations they carried out in the past. He disclosed that the gateman of the company was aware of the robbery operation through the Administrative Officer of the company and that was why he deliberately delayed opening the gate. He told us that they also took the rifle of the dead police constable. He took us to the place where they threw the rifle away. It was a Mark-4 and we recovered it. From then, we became friendly with them because we never exercised any form of brutality. At this stage, we had to call for all the files concerning all the robbery cases he mentioned to see if we could get more persons arrested.

Before the arrest and prosecution of Oyenusi and his gang, did any of your team of investigators know who they were?

No, until the Wahum incident. It was in the course of interrogation that all of them confessed the role they played. Even the gateman told us he was made to play the hesitant role so as to get the attention of the Constable to come down and ask questions, since he was the only one that was armed. Also, the Admin officer confessed how he got the security man involved so that the operation would be smooth.

How many of the convicts faced death sentence by fire squad?

They were eight in number. So at the end, a case of armed robbery, murder was established against the eight involved to face firing squad. Before the firing was carried out, the then Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson signed the Execution Warrant and they were tied to stakes and executed by firing squad.

What was the scenario like on that day of execution?

There was a mammoth crown from all parts of Lagos and beyond that came to watch the execution. There was a 16-man squad and a commanding officer. Two soldiers to each of the convicted robbers. After the firing, it was discovered that Oyenusi was still alive while others were dead. A medical doctor who went round to ensure they were dead was the one who informed that Oyenusi was still alive and the commanding officer asked all the 16 men to concentrate on Oyenusi until his head dropped and he was confirmed dead.

What can you tell us about Mighty Joe’s arrest and prosecution?

Another incident was that of a man called Mighty Joe, a native of Kwara, living in Lagos then. He was tall, had a very broad chest with a tiny waist like a lion. He was a terror involved in many cases that had to do with robbery and assault. Whenever he did not rob, he went about harassing commercial sex workers, hoteliers and bar owners who pay royalty to him and members of his gang to stay in business, otherwise any refusal would be met with stiff penalty. In all this, he had a way of escaping from the long arm of the law, because he was reputed to have connections in high places, including high government officials.

Ogodo as a young police officer

With this, he feels untouchable and above the law to the extent that he was never arrested or prosecuted when he was fingered in the case which involved the killing of a Lebanese businessman in Lagos. Anytime Mighty Joe wanted to cool off he went to any drinking joint with his gang to drink without paying.

Same thing he did to sex workers, hoteliers anytime he developed the urge without paying and no one dared to ask questions.

So how did he meet his waterloo?

To God be the glory, it was on a weekend when he drove his Peugeot 404 car to a drinking joint. On that fateful day, he was driving at Ikorodu road to have fun at Caban Bamboo, owned by Bobby Benson. On his way, he decided to stop over at a drinking joint at Mushin junc-

tion of Ikorodu road to have some bottles of beer before proceeding to his destination.

The server attended to him and he drank four bottles of beer. After that he stood up and went to his car to drive off but the attendant politely told him Sir, you have not paid for the four bottles of beer you drank. Mighty Joe became infuriated, asking him where he got the boldness to ask him to pay for the beer he drank, and if he did not know who Mighty Joe was. To cut a long story short, he descended on the attendant and beat him black and blue.

Not only that, he went to the counter and collected all the day’s proceeds and drove off afterwards. When the bar owner came back to see his attendant in such a sorry state, he asked him what happened, and he narrated how Mighty Joe beat him up and collected all the sales for the day.

The owner of the place, an Esan man, swore that this was the very last time he would tolerate the bully behaviour of Mighty Joe. He went straight to the CP and reported the case. This time, some police officers were drafted and the CP assigned the case to a senior police officer called Oloko who in turn liaised with our investigative team and Mighty Joe was arrested and detained. After investigation, his case was referred to the DPP for legal advice and they established that he had a case to answer. The trial began and he was sentenced to death by Justice T. S. Gomez-led tribunal. During his trial, Mighty Joe spoke in Yoruba language telling Justice Gomez “Ose’o”. So each time his defence counsel raised any objection to exonerate his client, the judge would overrule him, and Mighty Joe would exclaim: “Ose’o am not surprised.” Not only that, Mighty Joe was in the habit of quarreling with his counsel.

On every court day, a lady I supposed was his wife would meet the counsel to inquire of the court proceedings. But each time Mighty Joe sighted her speaking with the lawyer, he would scream at the lawyer from the Black Maria that he was going to kill him when he comes out because he wants to take his wife from him. At the end of the trial he was found guilty. Before reading his judgement, Gomez, who was bespectacled, removed his pair of glasses and looked at Mighty Joe in the dock and said: “This is my judgement. The evidence adduced by the prosecutor cannot be swept under the carpet. The prosecutor proved his case beyond any reasonable doubt. The defence of the accused person is nothing to write home about. The tribunal therefore sentence you to death by firing squad.”

Thereafter, the governor signed the death warrant and he was executed by firing squad.

On the eve of his execution he had a premonition of it. He told us in the morning that he had a dream where he was feeling very sad and that he feared something bad was going to happen to him but we told him there was nothing to fear and that all was well. Eventually when the Black Maria drove to his cell to fetch him he exclaimed: “I said it.”

At about 9:00am of that same day on Radio Lagos, it was announced that Mighty Joe was going to be executed. Before we got to the Bar Beach many people had besieged the place, mostly those people he had one way or another wronged and who had suffered one humiliation or the other in the hands of Mighty Joe. Have you by any means had contact with any member of your team?

Honestly, for almost 20 years now, I have

not heard from any of them. We used to interact when I was in Lagos, but since then honesty I don’t know. Some may still be alive and some may have died but I have not seen or heard from any of them.

Can one say you may probably be the last man standing among the team?

Most likely but I still don’t know.

At the end of it all, was there no form of compensation by the police authority to your team for a job well done?

There was compensation. The Inspection General of Police, Kam Selem gave us a commendation letter and £10, which was a lot of money then. The commendation letter was dated December 1st, 1971.

As a man who saw it all, what message do you have for the younger generation?

Especially to the younger generation, they should learn to live exemplary lives. In my case, the bicycle and motorcycle (Suzuki) I rode were from the loan I collected from the police. Not from bad money but money deducted from my salary every month till I finished paying.

What will be will be. For instance, when I was at Alagbon, I went for a course test. I did very well. As a matter of fact, I came first but was not considered because I could not grease the palm of the officer who will recommend those of us who passed for a training course in England. This was in 1963. Eventually the colonialists, who believed in merit, had all gone and our brothers were in charge and they took the man who came 7th position because he could afford what they wanted. So having served creditably well and never considered for promotion to other higher ranks, I had to put up a letter for voluntary retirement in 1982.

How do you compare the attitude of policemen during your time to what we have now?

Policemen during my time were serviceconscious than what we have today. What we are seeing in this country was never so before.

In those days, if you traveled to a distant land and got there late, you could go to a police station to seek accommodation, but that cannot happen now. There was this incident when I was detailed to invite somebody to the police station for a matter. When I got there, he attacked me. Even though I was with my service rifle, I was not tempted to shoot him.

But can that happen today? So, the police then were much better in those days than what we have today. There are lots of variances. That is why you see a police man who just joined the force today and tomorrow, he will want to own a car, big mansion. The rate of corruption is higher now than before. That is why today, a police man who is supposed to be your friend and provide security turns around to attack the very citizen he ought to protect.

Given the regrets you mentioned, aren’t you fullfiled?

Says who? Am quite happy. I am happy that I am still alive. I thank God for that. I have children who are doing well. All my eight children are all graduates. My eldest son’s first daughter, who happened to be my first grandchild, just got a scholarship to do her Masters degree in Harvard. So what else do I want that God has not given me? Though I lost my wife some years back, I refused to remarry.

So, I am happy and thank God for it. You see as I said earlier, what will be will be. In 1999 long after my retirement, I got a warrant to travel to England to give evidence in a particular matter which began while I was still in service. I had correspondence with the British High Commission in London. All the documents were forwarded to me through the High Commissioner in Lagos. They sent a warrant and on the 23rd of June 1999. I left the shores of Nigeria to England. On arrival, I went to the Royal Court to testify. I was to stay for six months or even extend my stay if I so wished but I left and came back on the 15th of December same year.

This was the same place I was deprived of going in 1963 but had the opportunity to go. I don’t know whether it had anything to do with the police but I still went. This was why I said what will be will be. I am satisfied and happy.

TR

Saturday, May 7, 2022

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Onaiyekan on State of Nigeria “Nigerians are genuinely religious but we see around us so much corruption and outright wickedness” –The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan lamenting about the state of Nigeria.

FEMIKEHINDE GUEST COLUMNIST

Eulogy for Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III ‘I SHALL BE GREAT, I SHALL BE THE NEXT ALAAFIN’

I

n 1968, the powerful Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu passed on to join his ancestors.

He succeeded Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II, in 1955. The 30-year-old young Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, then an Insurance executive, with the Royal Exchange Assurance Limited, gleefully pronounced himself as the succeeding Alaafin in an article in major Nigerian newspapers ably titled “I Shall Be Great, I shall Be The Next Alaafin Of Oyo.” Certainly, the piece was an inspirational product of defiance, faith, boldness, sagacity and audacity. In navigating the labyrinths of Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola’s intriguing, chequered, fascinating, memorable and distinguished career as Alaafin of Oyo, the title of this piece, certainly suits the narratives.

Here is the chronicle.

Destiny has an uncanny hand in the conduct and affairs of men. In Yoruba pantheon, it could be likened to “ori”, literally meaning head, that is, a person’s spiritual intuition. It is often personified as an orisha in its own rights. It foretells the human essence and consciousness. Whatever one becomes, or whatever happens in one’s life, according to Yoruba myth is as destined by his “ori.”

Man’s unalterable destiny is usually a navigated journey of an unseen hand. In the course of that journey, the navigator charts the course and directs the route. And such is the life and times of Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi, and his biological son, Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi.

As an interface between the reigns of Adeniran Adeyemi and Lamidi Adeyemi, was a reigning monarch- Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu, who succeeded Adeniran Adeyemi in 1955 and whom Lamidi Adeyemi also succeeded, on the 19th of November 1970.

Destiny, certainly leads to human destination.

Among Oba Adeniran’s children, Lamidi Adeyemi was his favourite. He had seen at Lamidi’s birth on the 15th of October 1938, the lacerations on his left breast and the spots on his legs, at the same spots on Olayiwola, as tell-tale signs of future royalty. This royal observation, endeared Lamidi’s mother, Olori Ibironke of Epo Gingin, Compound, Oke Afin, Oyo, to Adeniran Adeyemi.

Unfortunately, Olori Ibironke died at an early age, when Lamidi was still an infant.

Alaafin Siyanbola Ladigbolu I, was Alaafin of Oyo between 1911 to 1945 and was succeeded in 1945 by Adeniran Adeyemi. Siyanbola Ladigbolu, was a very powerful monarch and he was a strong ally of the British Resident, Captain W.A Ross. In 1945, Adeniran Adeyemi succeeded him as Alaafin of Oyo and was on the throne till 1955, when he was sent on exile by the Western Region Government.

In preparation for royalty, the young Lamidi had a brief training in Quranic knowledge in Iseyin and also lived under the tutelage of Pa Olatoregun, an Anglican school teacher and headmaster of St. Andrews Primary School, Oyo, and disciplinarian, all in an effort for young Lamidi, to learn the rope of traditional kingship, statesmanship and dignifying royalty. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in the quest of this preparation for royalty, was at an early age, sent to Abeokuta to live with Oba Adedapo Ademola and had some part of his early education in Ake Palace Elementary School and he was until his death, fluent in the Egba dialect.

Interestingly, Peter Olayiwola Adeyemi and Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, were peers in the palace of their father-Adeniran and were of the same age grade. He saw a great future in these his two children. At the time he sent Lamidi to the palace of the Alake of Egbaland to live, he

Late Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III also sent Peter Olayiwola to the palace of the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo to live. Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, at a later date in his adolescence also lived with a Lagos Aristocrat, his father’s friend- Sir (Dr) Kofo Abayomi.

In Ijebu Igbo, Peter embraced Christianity and became a devout catholic. He was absorbed into the Ijebu culture, had his primary and secondary education in Ijebu land, from where he joined the Catholic seminary and was eventually ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Lagos on the 13th of November, 1975.

He was for 46 years, devotedly in the vine yard of God. He was described as an awesome and dedicated priest. He died on the 3rd of May, 2021 at Sacred heart hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta.

The Very Rev. Peter Olayiwola Adeyemi, was buried at the Ikoyi Cemetry, Lagos.

At a condolence visit, led by catholic pontiffs, to the Oyo Palace, to commiserate with the Iku baba Yeye on the death of his brother, prince, peer and soul mate, he went philosophical in his response“we all try to live a fulfilling life, but there is a great fear of death that tends to hold many people back from living the life they want to. It tends to be the unknown world that makes us be fearful of death, but when you start to look at death from a different perspective, it can clear away some of the fears” “these quotes about life and death will remind you to live each day to the fullest and not to fear death so much. Life is such a wonderful gift, it makes me humble each time I stop to think about it. Think about going to sleep and never waking up again” From Peter Olayiwola Adeyemi’s death, Iku Baba Yeye, like a seer, knew his own exit was iminent. In their early days in the palace, the two Olayiwolas, were inseparable duos. Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi at a later date in his adolescence, also lived with a Lagos Aeristocrat, his father’s friend, Sir. (Dr.) Kofo Abayomi and his wife, Lady Oyinkan Abayomi.

He also attended St Gregory’s College, Lagos- a Catholic School. The young Lamidi Adeyemi lived with Oba Samuel Oladapo Ademola II, the Alake of Egba Land in the Ake palace between 1947 and 1948, when the Egba Women’s Union, led by Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, protested against payment of taxes without representation.

Mrs. Ransome Kuti, who had earlier in 1943, organised the Abeokuta “Great Weep” was becoming a big thorn in the flesh of Oba Oladapo II. It was regarded as a “hell of a time”. In the streets, the

market places, before the Alake’s palace, thousands of Abeokuta women, went about shedding tears.

The Alake and the authorities could do nothing to stop it and gave way to the women’s demands.

Mrs Ransome Kuti picked up the gauntlet again in 1948, when the Alake sanctioned the taxing of Abeokuta women. The Egba women’s union, was a well-organized and disciplined organization.

The Egba women’s refusal to pay abnormal tax, combined with enormous protests, organised under the guise of picnics and festivals, was a guise to beat the security of the British colonizers, who teamed up with the local lackeys, to subdue the women. At one protest, the “Oro” stick, was brought out- a symbolic artefact of the secretive male cult of the Ogbonis, supposedly imbibed with great powers and the women were instructed to go home before evil spirits overcame them.

When the women shrank back in fear, Funmilayo Rasome Kuti grabbed the stick, waved it around that the women now had the power before taking it with her displaying it prominently in her home.

This action gave her, a reputation of fearlessness and courage, which led 20,000 women to follow her to the home of Alake of Egba Land (Alake Ademola). As the women protested outside the King’s Palace, they sang in Yoruba, “Alake, for a long time, you have used your penis as mark of authority, that you are our husband, today we shall reverse the order and use our vagina, to play the role of husband.” With this unified action and song, they chased him out of the Palace, condemning him to exile on the threat of castration and this resulted in the king’s abdication and his exile to Osogbo.

Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was a teacher, a political campaigner, women’s rights activist and traditional aristocrat, who was described by the West African Pilot Newspaper, as the “Lioness of Lisabi.” She was the first woman to ride a car. She was also the mother of Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Her amiable consort in this crusade was Eniola Soyinka, her sister-in-law and mother of the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.

It is interesting to note that Oba Oladapo Ademola II, was accompanied to exile by Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, who was then living with him and who saw this interesting drama.

As a result of the Macpherson constitution of 1952, which now gave immense powers to political elites as against traditional institutions, the powers of the traditional monarchs as regards the political control of their domains ceased. Chief Bode Thomas now became the first chairman of the Oyo Divisional council in 1953, while the Alaafin of Oyo became a mere member.

On Chief Bode Thomas’ first appearance in council, after being appointed as chairman, all the council members stood up for him in deference to welcome him except Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, who for cultural reasons could not show deference to anyone in public. Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the king, for having the temerity and audacity to disrespect him, “why were you sitting when I walked in, you don’t know how to show respect.”

At that time, Bode Thomas was 35 years old and Oba Adeniran Adeyemi was in his 80s. The Alaafin felt very insulted and said, “se emi lon gbomo baun (is it me you are barking at like that?)

Oba Adeniran Adeyemi II, for emphasis, was father of the late Alaafin- Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. The confrontation happened on the 22nd of November, 1953. Bode got home and started barking! He barked and barked like a dog all night until he died in the early morning of November 23rd, 1953, He cut short his promising career.

Before Alaafin’s deposition, around the middle of 1955, the Western Regional Government, set up the Floyd Commission of enquiry to look into the causes of persistent unrest in Oyo Land.

A few months after the Floyd commission had concluded its enquiries and submitted its findings, the bombshell fell. At the tottering age of 84 years, Adeniran Adeyemi was told by the Regional Government to quit the palace and that was a journey into the unknown that ended with his demise on the 14th February 1960.

From Iwo-Oke to Ilesha and then to Egerton Lane in Lagos, the ex Alaafin- Alhaji Adeniran Adeyemi, certainly saw the other side of life after palace. Alhaji N.B Soule, a rich Dahomean, (Republic of Benin), who came to Lagos in 1929, offered Adeniran the needed succour and encouragement at this trying period. He offered him and his entourage bed and lodgings in the name of Allah and in allegiance to the NCNC. The NCNC as a party which the Alaafin loved, fought for his reinstatement with various petitions to the Colonial Secretary and parliamentary warfare on the floor of the Western House of Assembly. The Oyos were predominantly NCNC members, and were led by Pa Afolabi.

Alafin Adeniran Adeyemi once said, “I was sent away by Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Action Group government, because of my unflinching support for the cause of the NCNC... I am not angry with Chief Awolowo, in fact, I am not angry with any one person or group of persons or organisations, I am only angry with destiny, that in at it has chosen to push me out of my palace and stool to face the uncertainties of life at my old age. The £210 subsidy from the regional government was cut off.”

In exile in Lagos, at the No. 31 Egerton Lane, thousands of men and women flocked the residence, to pay their respect and obeisance to the 88-year-old ex-monarch and in retrospect and appreciation, he once said, “these people are very kind and their daily respect to me remind me of my palace at Oyo. And there were many people in that palace during my time. I had over 200 wives and many children and of course, I was receiving a stipend of £210 every month from the regional government. This, together with the gifts many of my subjects were making me, was enough to support my household. What you see here, though the best of the worst, is not like home home is still the best.”

The ex-Alaafin always had about 30 odd wives at a time in Lagos.

These 30 from the pool of 200 wives will come at one time and spend all the time they can afford with their royal husband and go back to Oyo-making place for another 30, who will come and take over from them, until the number is rounded up and begins to rotate again. But to Alhaji Adeniran Adeyemi, it was not all merry.

He lost his crowned prince, Aremo Adeyemi, in a ghastly motor accident on his way to llesha to visit him. Certainly, the mishmash of the life of Egerton lane, could not be compared with the royal revelry, elegance and candour of the Oyo Royal Palace.

Sometime in early 1960, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, secured admission to study law in the United Kingdom. He got a loan from the African Continental Bank, (ACB) Yaba Lagos, through the influence of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, his father’s friend and was to proceed to the United Kingdom, when unfortunately, his father, Alhaji Adeniran Adeyemi died 48 hours to the London trip on the 14th of February 1960, at the age of 88 years.

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