SATURDAY 14TH MAY 2022

Presidential Primary: 25 APC Aspirants Submit Forms, Set for Battle Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Twenty five presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) beat the deadline (midnight yesterday) for the submission of forms ahead of the party's primary slated for May 30 to June 1.

Party source revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Labour and productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige did not submit their forms.

The aspirants that submitted forms are former

governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Imo State governor, Rochas

Okorocha and former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Others are Pastor Tunde Bakare; Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade; his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi; Ekiti State Governor, Continued on page 5

ASPIRANTS THAT SUBMITTED FORMS Osinbajo Tinubu Amaechi Akpabio Onu Okorocha

Amosun Bakare Sylva Ayade Lawan Umahi Fayemi

Nwajiuba Nnamani Bello Adesina Badaru Yerima

Borroffice Bankole Ohnenye Nwagbo Mokelu Jack Rich

Tinubu: Those I Made Are Now Pointing Wrong Fingers at Me... Page 6 Saturday 14 May, 2022 Vol 27. No 9895

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48 Days After, 67 Abducted Train Passengers Still with Terrorists... Page 5

At Farewell Meeting, BuhariVows to Swiftly Replace Departing Ministers Ngige backs out as Amaechi, Malami, Akpabio, Onu, Sylva, Ogah, Tallen, Alasoadura, Nwajiuba bow out Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari

has promised to quickly replace nine members of his cabinet that resigned to contest various elective offices in next year’s

general election.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to State House

Correspondents shortly after the President held a valedictory meeting with the retiring ministers at the Presidential

Villa, Abuja yesterday.

The ministers that resigned were: Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the

Federation and Minister of Justice; Godswill Akpabio Continued on page 5

Northern Christian Elders, CAN, UK Demand Arrest, Prosecution of Deborah’s Killers President flays killing, orders thorough, impartial probe of incident Victim’s Whatsapp voice note shows alleged blasphemy is false Atiku in facebook post, disowns Tweet condemning killing

Our Correspondents The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) and the British government have condemned the murder of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by some fanatical students of the same school for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in a Whatsapp post.

They are also demanding for the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the murder of Deborah, who was attacked and killed by the mob of fanatics that burnt her corpse at the school’s premises last Thursday.

Continued on page 5

FAREWELL MEETING… L-R: Minister of State, Niger Delta, Tayo Alasoadura; Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Uche Ogah; Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige and the Minister of State, Petroleum, Timpre Sylva; during the valedictory meeting of the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council held at council chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja......yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

NLC Tackles Wike Over Delay in Payment of Pension Arrears... 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 14, 2022

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48 Days After, 67 Abducted Train Passengers Still with Terrorists; Relatives, Sheikh Gumi Beg FG to Meet Demands of Captors Bennett Oghifo The 67 passengers abducted by terrorists on March 28 after the bombing of a Kaduna-bound train are 48 days old in the prison of the terrorists today, with families and Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, pleading with the federal government to meet the demands of the terrorists so as to secure freedom for their loved ones.

The terrorists had two week ago freed Sadik, the son of elder statesman and Northern Elders Forum (NEF) convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, thus reducing the number of captives to 67.

A relative of one of the abductees, who also speaks on behalf of the affected families in Kaduna State, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, told THISDAY last night that their plea remained that the federal government should strike

a deal with the terrorists, so that their loved ones can be freed.

Popular Islamic cleric, Gumi, who spoke during a prayer session organised by Jama’iyyar Matan Arewa for the kidnapped passengers on Thursday, also challenged the federal government to meet the demands of the abductors and secure freedom for the abductees.

Dr. Jimoh told THISDAY that the traumatised families, for the first time, met with some government officials last week and reiterated that the demands of the captors must be met so that their loved ones can regain freedom.

He said: “We are sick, tired and frustrated by not having our loved ones for almost 50 days now. There are women, children and the elderly in the forest with these kidnappers.

How do you want us to sleep?

We can’t sleep. Government has to help us. Government must meet the demands of the terrorists.”

The affected families at a press briefing in Kaduna last Monday asked the terrorists to exercise the fear of God and release them, lamenting that life had been tough without their breadwinners.

Jimoh, who spoke at the press briefing, expressed disappointment with the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), for alleged insensitivity towards the plight of the victims.

The relations also expressed disappointment that they sought the intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly, “which is the people’s Court, but nothing had been forthcoming from them.”

Also, children of the victims at the press conference by the relations, appealed to the government to do everything possible to ensure the release of their parents.

One of the children, Ismail Abubakar, 11, claimed life had been tough without his father, saying, “I am appealing to them to release my father and others safely. They should set them free. Life has been tough without my father since he was kidnapped.”

Similarly, 18 years old Ruqqayatu Jibril, whose parents are in captivity, pleaded with the terrorists to free their victims.

“I have my parents in captivity. This is their 42nd day in captivity and still counting. We are appealing to the government to bring back our loved ones.

We have missed them so much.

Some of them are breadwinners

of the family. We really need them back. We, the family, are waiting in anguish,” she said.

While noting that living without them has been traumatic, she said, “It is so terrifying. We are appealing to the government to do their best possible to rescue our beloved ones unhurt. We are appealing to the bandits to please free our loved ones.

They are also humans. We are humans like you. Even if you don’t share anything in religion, then, you share in humanity.

“Why should you just capture fellow citizens? You are also citizens of this blessed country. But why should you be capturing people that are your brothers and sisters and keeping them in captivity for almost six weeks. Please and please, fear God and free them.”

Gumi at Prayer Session The prayer session, which

attracted religious leaders from both the Muslim and Christian faiths, was held at the JMA headquarters in Kaduna.

Gumi, who led the Muslim prayer, assured the families of the kidnapped passengers that the prayers would make the captives feel divine presence as God would comfort them.

He urged government to meet the terrorists’ demands so that the victims, who had spent over 40 days in their den, can regain their freedom.

He said, “Whatever they (the terrorists) want, give it to them so that they can release these people and when they release them then, you are at the liberty, to deal with them the way they deserve because when they have captives, you have to tread with caution so that their captives will not be injured.”

Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, and urge the police and relevant authorities to ensure the perpetrators of this horrific act are made to face justice in line with the law,” she wrote.

like, test, assignment e.t.c. not the nonsense you are posting, no be only prophet, you are coming to play on me."

The nonsense she apparently referred to were the religious posts.

Her comments were said to have irked some of her colleagues who felt she disrespected Prophet Mohammed, and threatened to deal with her. When the tension was high, the school authorities took her to the security room to give her some protection.

However, the enraged students overpowered the security officers, dragged Deborah out, and beat her until she died before setting her corpse on fire.

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim also condemned, in the strongest terms, the gruesome and unlawful killing of Deborah.

In a statement he personally signed, Anyim decried the killing of Deborah as cruel, illegal, callous and inhuman.

Anyim said: "There is no place in a modern Democracy such as Nigeria for jungle justice and killing of human beings illegally.

We cannot afford now to add religious intolerance to the plethora of problems bedevilling our country.”

NORTHERN CHRISTIAN ELDERS, CAN, UK DEMAND ARREST, PROSECUTION OF DEBORAH’S KILLERS Likewise, President Muhammadu Buhari strongly flayed the resort to self-help by the mob in Sokoto, resulting in violence, destruction and killing of Deborah.

The General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Daramola, in a statement yesterday said: “The vampires must be brought to book. The unlawful and dastardly action of the perpetrators must not only be condemned by all right-thinking people but the security operatives must fish them out, prosecute them as it is expected of them.

“It is the failure of the security agencies and the government to rise up to such criminalities in the past that gave birth to terrorists and bandits. And as long as the State fails to bring these beasts and criminals amidst us to book so also the society will continue to be their killing fields.

“We acknowledge the swift reaction of His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III who not only condemned the criminal and religious intolerant action but also called on the security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We also call on all teachers and preachers of religious intolerance, extremism, and terrorism to repent before the wrath of God descends on them if the State failed to bring them to book. They are agents of death amidst us.

“We recall the provocative and demeaning advertisement of the

Sterling Bank where the bank compared the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to “Agege bread”, up till now, nobody was attacked and even the CAN leadership has accepted the apology tendered by its Managing Director, Abubakar Suleiman.

“Killing for any God in the name of blasphemy is ungodly, satanic, foolish, reprehensible, and totally unacceptable. This is not a Stone Age and Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. Nigeria remains a non-religious State where no religion is supreme to the other.

“We acknowledge and commend the restraint of the Christian students of the College who refused to embrace self-help and reprisal attacks on those who murdered their colleague. It is our prayer that those vampires in religious garments will not push the country to a religious war.

“This is why both the government and the security agencies must stop treating them with kid gloves. Enough is enough.”

The Northern Christian Elders in a statement by its Chairman, Ejoga Inalegwu, in Kaduna yesterday, called on the government to immediately apprehend and make an example of those who perpetrated the dastardly act.

The Christian group noted that anything short of apprehending and prosecuting those involved in the heinous act was unacceptable.

According to them, the act was purely a murder in the robe of religion.

The group said, “The death of Debora Yakubu (Samuel) is one too many by mobs wearing a cloak of religion in the North. In a country where there is a law, nobody, group or individuals has a right to take another’s life whatsoever, outside the due process of law.

“We also urge the government to make a public example and make a new statement by quickly bringing the perpetrators to book.

“This should not be the usual rhetoric of condemnations and then the case is swept under the carpet with publicised arrests, no prosecution or jaundiced prosecution and letting off the hook, when the outcries die down.

“One day it is the videoed execution of Christians in the North because of a said killing of a terrorist in Syria, and next what should have been an internal WhatsApp class platform chat results in mob action murder, wearing the robe of religion in our dear North.”

Buhari Flays Killing The President, in a reaction to the incident via a release issued by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the news of the killing of Deborah by fellow students was a matter of concern and demanded an impartial, extensive probe into

PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY: 25 APC ASPIRANTS SUBMIT FORMS, SET FOR BATTLE Kayode Fayemi; former Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and former Zamfara State

governor, Ahmed Yerima.

Also on the list of presidential aspirants that filed their papers are Senator Ajayi Borroffice; the only female aspirant, Uju Kennedy Ohnenye; Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo; former Speaker of

Representative, Dimeji Bankole; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan; AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina; former Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, former Minister of Information, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu and Tein Jack Rich.

all that happened before and during the incident.

He noted that Muslims all over the world demand respect for the Holy Prophets, including Isah (Alaihissalaam, Jesus Christ) and Muhammad (SAW) but where transgressions occur, as alleged to be the case in this instance, the law does not allow anyone to take matters into their hands.

"Moreover, religious leaders preach that it is not for the believer to judge the actions of another person. The constituted authority must be allowed to deal with such matters when they arise.

“No person has the right to take the law into his or her own hands in this country. Violence has and never will solve any problem," said the President.

President Buhari also directed the Ministries of Information and Culture, Police Affairs and that of Communications and Digital Economy to work with GSM providers and Tech companies to help contain the spread of false and inflammatory information through social media.

He extended the nation’s condolences to the family of the deceased student and called for tampered comments by the media and calm among the general population while investigation is ongoing to find out the remote and immediate causes of the incident.

British Government The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing has condemned the killing of Deborah.

In a tweet yesterday, Laing said the authorities must ensure that the perpetrators of the act are brought to justice.

“I condemn the murder of

Tambuwal Meets Sokoto Ulama, Kukah The Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has met with a broad spectrum of Muslim leaders in the state to deliberate on the way to maintain peace and harmony amongst its citizens A statement by his media office said Tambuwal met with Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, among others.

The statement said that the governor had to cut short his various official engagements in Abuja, to rush to Sokoto in view of the importance of the various consultations.

Victim’s Whatsapp Voice Note Shows Alleged Blasphemy is False The purported reason Deborah was killed and her body burnt by the mob has been found to be false.

Deborah had shared a voice note on her class Whatsapp group in which she challenged her colleagues who were posting religious information there.

She spoke in Hausa. According to a Twitter user who did the translation, Deborah was quoted to have said: "Holy Ghost Fire, nothing's going to happen to me, you should know what to be sending to this group, it's not that the group was created to be sending nonsense, the group was created for posting things

AT FAREWELL MEETING, BUHARI VOWS TO SWIFTLY REPLACE DEPARTING MINISTERS (Niger Delta Affairs); Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation); Ogbonnaya Onu (Science, Technology and Innovation); Pauline Tallen (Women Affairs); Timipre Sylva (State, Petroleum Resources); Uche Ogar (State, Mines and Steel Development), and Tayo Alasoadura (State, Niger Delta Affairs).

Though the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige was at the valedictory meeting, he issued a formal statement after the event to say that he had not resigned because he had pulled out of the Presidential race and notified the President.

Lai Mohammed at the press briefing announced that Buhari said he would immediately fill the vacancies created by the

exodus of the nine ministers.

According to him, “The ministers will be replaced very soon without delay, he (The President) said so. I don’t know about reshuffling. He said the vacancies would be replaced very soon.

“You will recall that on Wednesday, Mr. President directed and I informed you that all ministers and other political appointees aspiring to contest for elective offices in 2023 general elections, should resign their current appointments.

“This morning, there was a valedictory service for 10 members of the Federal Council who have indicated their desire to aspire for higher offices. Nine of them were present and the 10th was absent with an apology.

“Mr. President used the occasion to thank the outgoing members of cabinet for their sacrifices and services. Mr. President also in addition to wishing them success in their endeavour, also expressed the confidence that given the expertise, the experience and what they must have garnered during their years in office, they, like other aspirants, were fully equipped to run the affairs of the state.

“Of course, Mr. President also admonished the remaining members of the Cabinet that the journey is still far. And that they should all redouble their efforts, be more diligent and be more committed to the success of the administration. At the end of which the outgoing ministers had

a group photograph with Mr. President and also with the Chief of Staff and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

Asked if all the ministers had tendered their resignations, he said, “Well. Mr. President said some have and others are in the process of doing so. But he thanked everybody for their compliance.”

On whether the Ministers can return to their positions if they abruptly change their minds Mohammed noted, “Only Mr. President can say that.”

He added, “I’m just sticking to the speech of Mr. President and so I don’t want to speculate what can happen and what cannot happen. But Mr. President’s speech was very clear. He thanked the outgoing

ministers for their sacrifice and contribution.”

The Valedictory Session At the valedictory session held at the State House, Abuja, the President assessed the nine outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and declared that many of them were eminently qualified to succeed him in May, 2023.

Buhari said: “I am happy to note that a significant number of cabinet members have become sufficiently equipped to aspire to higher elective offices, including the Office of the President. This shows the impact of the experience gathered while serving as members of the Federal Executive Council.

Continued on page 14

Atiku Distances Self from Deborah Tweet Presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, has distanced himself from a tweet condemning the lynching of Deborah.

Atiku, who is running for President on the platform of the PDP, had taken to Twitter on Thursday to condemn the mob action, saying, “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends.”

The former Vice-President, however, came under threats from some Muslim northerners who threatened not to vote for him if he emerges as the Presidential candidate of the PDP. However, Atiku later deleted the tweet amid the threats.

On Facebook yesterday, the former Vice President in a message on his verified Hausa page distanced himself from the message. He also stated that any message on social media that did not come with the initials “A. A.” were not his.

“This evening I received information that a post was made that doesn’t agree with my orders. I use this to announce that any post without A. A. is not from me. May God protect us,” he wrote in Hausa.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

NEWS

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

Tinubu: Those I Made Are Now Pointing Wrong Fingers at Me Laleye Dipo in Minna Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday said those he made

were now pointing accusing fingers at him saying they will fail in their endeavour.

This is just as he also promised to eliminate bandits

2023: Senator Mustapha, Others Dump Amosun, Join Abiodun James Sowole in Abeokuta The senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the Senate, Lekan Mustapha and hundreds of his supporters have joined the mainstream of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

Senator Mustapha and his supporters have been allies of the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who is leading the faction of the party in the state.

Receiving the senator and his teeming supporters at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, yesterday, Governor Abiodun commended them for retracing their steps and reuniting with the mainstream, saying their return would strengthen the party to face the challenges ahead.

“I am very happy that this is coming from my home base.

If I did not have the trust of my people, then I would not have that of other senatorial districts. It is heart-warming that today we are reconciling with my people. We all have opportunity to examine this administration and I am happy you have decided to have a rethink and come for

reconciliation.

“Sometimes things happen between siblings that cannot be explained. During the 2019 election, each group campaigned for the same objective and I am happy God gave us the victory. Now, all that are in the past, and it is time for us to put what happened in the past behind us and move forward.

“The important question to ask ourselves is what are we fighting for? What are we quarrelling about? I am happy you have decided to have a rethink and come for reconciliation. You are all welcome home.

As a father of the party in the state, when any of us strays away and decides to come back, I have no option but to receive you because it makes me a happy person.

“I welcome you back. Let me assure you and your team that you’re being welcomed back with open hands. We run an open door government. You will not be discriminated against, I call on our leaders, chairmen at the ward and local government levels to accord you the same privileges like others, you should be treated equally,” Abiodun stated.

Anglican Church Restates Need for New Constitution for Nigeria James Sowole in Abeokuta The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at the weekend, said only a new citizen-made constitution, can address fundamental issues in Nigerian polity and not amendment of the one formulated by the military.

The Bishop of the Diocese of Ijebu South-West of the Anglican Communion, Reverend Babatunde Ogunbanwo, made the assertion, in one of the items in the Bishop Charge released, during the Third Session of the Fourth Synod of Diocese.

The synod, hosted by St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Okun-Owa, attracted senior clergies including bishops from within and outside the diocese and distinguished personalities with the theme ‘Lift Up Your Eyes’.

Reading the charge, Ogunbanwo, recalled that several constitutions have evolved at several periods of the country from colonial times through to the time of political independence in order to guide the country at critical times and deal with critical issues.

He said like it had happened in several periods of Nigeria’s political history, Nigeria is due to have a brand new constitution to address several complaints of people.

He said, “While we commend the National Assembly for their efforts, in reviewing the present constitution, we are convinced that what we need is a totally New Civilian Constitution, made by the sovereign representation of the ethnic nationalities of this country.

“The new constitution will address fundamental issues necessary for growing a united and prosperous nation.

“We need a new citizen-made national constitution and not the amendment of a militaryformulated constitution.

“The issue of justice, equity and equality of citizens in a free and democratic society remains an issue that must be openly and frankly discussed, legislated and implemented for the survival of the country.

“We need the birth of a new Nigeria where no citizen is oppressed, rather where everyone has the right to strive for the good life.

and terrorists from Nigeria.

Tinubu made the remarks in Minna, Niger State capital, yesterday when he addressed All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and delegates for this month’s convention, held at the Government House Auditorium.

Without mentioning the name of any particular politician, the APC National Leader boasted that he will defeat all of them at the presidential primary election even as he said he had left them to God. According to him, those pointing wrong fingers at him are those without track records. “How many governors have they made? How many councilors have they made?

How many National Assembly members have they made?

I will conquer all of them.”

He however prayed that “God Should forgive all of them because they are blind” before insisting that “I am the only one in the race, they (other aspirants) don’t know the road, God has designed it that I am the only person you should follow, they don’t have my brain.”

The presidential aspirant assured Nigerians that with a Tinubu presidency he “will eliminate bandits and terrorists from the country,” insisting that “We will overcome this tragedy.”

“Bandits will not take over our land with me as president

by Gods grace,” adding that “It is now time to change the calendar of bandits, to tell them it is not professional to go into banditry and terrorism and make ransom collection a source of income.”

Tinubu said Nigeria has the potential to be great but requires the right leadership that will take care of the youths and the elderly pointing out that: “I have the brain, I have the unbreakable team that I used to build Lagos, I will use it to transform Nigeria.”

Commenting on the criticism about his health status, Tinubu said the job of the president of a country is not to climb mountains or carry bags of

cement or a wrestling match, submitting that Nigeria was looking for a thinker that will provide security, somebody who knows the value of education.

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, after showering praises on Tinubu, led the delegates to endorse the former Lagos State governor as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential election.

Earlier, former Borno State Governor Alhaji Kazeen Shettima warned the All Progressives Congress not to zone its presidential candidate to the North, an action he said could lead to the implosion of the party.

PROVIDING SHELTER… L-R: Executive Director, Formwork Limited, Eric Udorie; Non-Executive Director UPDC Plc, Kunle Osilaja; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UPDC Plc, Odunayo Ojo and Bidemi Fadayomi, Development Director, UPDC Plc, at the turning of the SOD ceremony for Pinnock Prime Estate, Lekki, Lagos ...yesterday

Buhari Mourns UAE President, Sheikh Zayed Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed.

The President also said the death of Sheikh Zayed has robbed the world of one of its visionary and most remarkable leaders of modern times.

Reacting to the demise of the UAE President via a

release issued yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Buhari stressed that “it’s impossible to write about the social and economic transformation of the UAE without recognition of the significant and immeasurable contributions of the deceased to the progress of the country today.’’

According to the President, “It’s on record that today the UAE is ranked among the

most economically developed countries and the second biggest economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

“Even a cursory observer cannot fail to notice the level of transformation that has taken place in the UAE in areas such as infrastructure, housing, education, health care and social welfare.

“The late Khalifa Bin Zayed will have a prominent mention in the pantheon of great achiev-

ers who have used the wealth of their countries to transform the lives of the people.’’

President Buhari also recalled that “during my visit to the UAE, I was impressed by the level of modernisation and transformation that had taken place in the country, and you can’t help giving credit to a great man like Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed for his role in those efforts to transform the UAE into a diversified modern economic miracle.”

Flooding: FCT Minister Approves Demolition of 23 Houses along Airport Road Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello, has approved the removal of 23 houses earlier marked for demolition at the Trade More Estate, Lugbe, along the International Airport corridor in the Abuja Municipal Area Council next week.

The Director General of FCT Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA), Alhaji Abbas Garba Idriss, announced this after a meeting with the association of residents of Trade More Estate, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) and the Department of Development Control at the estate.

Idriss, who was represented by the Acting Director, Forecasting Response and Mitigation, FEMA, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, said the affected properties

were built on waterways that were constricting the water channels.

He blamed the perennial flooding at Trade More Estate on human induced activities, noting that the developer had allocated plots of land on waterways with development presently ongoing.

He explained that the 2022 annual flood outlook placed AMAC and Gwagwalada on

high probable flood risk, stressing that Trade More Estate was on a low plain and advised residents to relocate to safer grounds.

The director general further added that FEMA had stationed its rescue teams and local divers in flood prone areas of the territory, barricaded vulnerable roads and mounted early warning signs, stressing that the vandalised signs would soon be replaced.

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NEWS

NLC Tackles Wike Over Delay in Payment of Pension Arrears Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to ensure that the payment of arrears of workers’ terminal benefits were no longer delayed.

A letter signed by the NLC President Ayuba Wabba, the

labour movement said the governor should allow his generosity to also impact on the lives of the retirees.

In the letter titled: ‘Complaint

by Rivers State Workers Against the Inhumane Disposition of the Rivers State Government to the Plight of Public Workers and Pensioners in Rivers State’, NLC appealed to the governor to

PDP’s Decision on Zoning Sacrosanct, Says Gov Diri Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to throw open the contest for its presidential ticket was sacrosanct as it was done in the overriding interest of the party.

This is as former Vice President Alhaji Abubakar has said that the PDP must put its best candidate forward in order to wrest power back from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri, who stated this when former Vice President and a PDP presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar, visited him at the Government House, Yenagoa, explained that although he is a strong proponent of zoning and rotation of the presidency to the South of the country, he accepted the decision in good fate as a loyal party member A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that no individual political ambition should be allowed to disorganise and disorientate the party.

He said, “I am one of the strong proponents of power rotation and zoning and I still believe that power should rotate to the southern part of Nigeria.

Olawepo-Hashim Dumps Presidential Race Bennett Oghifo Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, an aspirant in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said he is no longer interested in the race.

In a statement issued yesterday by his associates, Olawepo-Hashim said he decided to withdraw, “after a series of consultations and reflections on current developments in the political scene.

“Certain developments have necessitated my withdrawal from the 2023 presidential race, as a result of which I did not pick the nomination form.”

Olawepo-Hashim, who had similar presidential ambitions in 2019 on the platform of the People’s Trust Party, said he was

“retreating not out of the lack of will to fight for our resolve and collective aspiration for a New Nigeria, a struggle which has attracted enormous support.”

He said, “It is a tough decision for me, but in the present circumstance it is the best thing in my judgement to do.

“Sometimes will and resolve, energy and preparation may not be enough to engage in an encounter,” adding that he was not quitting on Nigeria, but only putting his presidential aspiration on pause.

According to him, his resolve “is not an ambition but a historic burden, as a team player. My current political pursuit must now bow to our collective National interest. It is not about me but about Nigeria.

Bolaji Tunji Picks OYSHA Forms Bolaji Tunji, ex-Special Adviser, Communications and Strategy to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi has picked the All Progressives Congress’ Expression of Interest, nomination forms for the Oyo State House of Assembly (OYSHA).

The former Special Adviser who had initially expressed interest in contesting for the House of Representatives seat to represent Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal Constituency said he stepped down his bid for the OYSHA ticket in the interest of the party and based on consultation with the leadership of the APC. Explaining further, Tunji said his decision to step down his ambition was in deference to the new spirit of reconciliation that was embarked upon recently to unify the different groups in the party.

“If sacrificing my ambition

for a seat in the House of Representatives is a price I have to pay to pave way for peace in the Oyo State APC, then it is a small price to pay. What matters is to come together as one and go into the 2023 election with an undivided house. That is the only way we can unseat the usurpers that have taken over in the state.”

According to Tunji who is contesting for the Ogbomoso North State Constituency, the current division in the party in Oyo APC has shown to everyone that no one group can do it alone.

“We need each other, it is thus important for all peace loving APC members to shift from the hard, unyielding stance that has polarised the party at the Wards, Local governments and the state levels.

implement the resolutions in the Tripartite Committee Report so as to restore industrial peace in Rivers State.

He said that NLC was worried at the continued failure of Rivers State to pay the terminal benefits of retirees for the past seven years despite the viability of Rivers State which is at par with Lagos State as Nigeria’s most financially solvent states.

He said, “Your Excellency,

it is regrettable that nearly two years after reaching a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Rivers State workers and pensioners, the State Government has reneged on the following commitments: Non-promotion of civil servants eligible for promotion since 2012.

“Non-payment of salaries arrears to civil servants not paid February and March 2016 salaries due to the

aborted 2016 biometric verification “Non-harmonisation of Pension for state retirees.

“Non-payment of pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits to retirees in Rivers thus exposing them to unimaginable pains and trauma.

“Non-implementation of pension incremental rates; and Non-implementation of annual salary increment for

state workers.”

Wabba recalled the looming threat of industrial crisis in the state which was arrested owing to the last-minute decision of the governor to interface with the leadership of Organised Labour in Nigeria and resolve all the outstanding issues bothering on workers’ and pensioners’ welfare.

“The planned mass action and industrial shutdown of Rivers State was averted,” he said.

BACK TO ROOTS...

L-R: Chairman, All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Yemi Sanusi; Senator representing Ogun East District in the National Assembly, Olalekan Mustapha; Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, during the return of the lawmaker and his supporters to the mainstream of the party at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta... on Thursday.

DSS Denies Calling for Buhari’s Tenure Elongation Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Department of State Security (DSS) has denied calling for tenure elongation for President Muhammadu Buhari.

It also warned politicians against unguarded utterances.

The agency said in a

statement that contrary to some publications saying it was campaigning for tenure extension, no such thing was contemplated by the agency.

“The DSS disassociates itself from the publication and categorically states that the information is false and obviously fabricated to

malign,” it said.

The agency in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said the presidency made known its definite stance to hand over power to a new president on 29th May 2023.

Meanwhile, DSS warned politicians against unguarded

utterances.

“Politicians and highly placed personalities are advised to desist from making unguarded statements capable of derailing efforts to deepen the country’s democracy as well as mobilise citizens for national unity and stability,” it said.

Mbah Most Suited to Succeed Ugwuanyi as Enugu Governor As the race for who succeeds Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi gathers steam, politicians in Enugu State have thrown their weights behind the governor to decide but pointed out that among those that had indicated interest, Dr. Peter Mbah was most suited to sustain the developmental stride.

This was contained in a statement by a social commentator and political analyst, Dr. Hippolytus Onah who submitted that the private sector experience of the contestant added to his global exposures were the qualities needed to sustain the strides already ensuring development in the state.

Onah, who is the head of Enugu-based ‘Justice and Equity Club’ while commending the inclusive politics of Ugwuanyi which had engendered peace in the state reasoned that taking his style of leadership into consideration, he was not likely going to choose any successor lacking in qualities that would move the state forward.

“In the last few days, the race has become fully heated as the aspirants, groups and all stakeholders stake their claim to either embrace or kick against what is generally seen as Enugu’s politics of peace and inclusion of Governor Ugwuanyi.

“While it was reported during the week that a former Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, an aspirant for the ticket and his supporters have vowed to stop Ugwuanyi from pursuing his succession plan, I fully in support of the incumbent Governor’s choice of would-be successor come 2023.

“Going into the primaries slated for May 23, Mbah has the best choice written all over him. It is strongly believed other aspirants in the Enugu governorship race know and share one fact quietly in their hearts: that Peter Mbah is authentic – very authentic leader in his aspiration to govern the

state. Mbah sets out to become the most genuine leader to transit from a very successful Boardroom leader to a political leader, and is set to replicate his private sector feats in the service of his Enugu people.

“As a candidate, the markets favour Peter Mbah. With no baggage of any sort, the ticket appears to be Mbah’s to lose,” he said.

Also lending his voice on the same issue, Chief Michael Udeh, a veteran politician believes that “It’s almost impossible to think that others in the race with him will not try to hit him with some real and imagined dirt- if only to drag him to the mud.

FRCN, NTA, DAAR, ASO Radio/TV Endorse Nigerian Broadcasting Awards Four major broadcast media establishments have endorsed The Nigerian Broadcasting Awards (TNBA) scheduled to hold in October.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Awards Steering Committee, whose members paid courtesy visits to the offices of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), DAAR Communications, owners of African Independent

Television/Ray Power FM; and Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, operators of ASO Radio and Television in Abuja.

The awards are being organised by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) to recognise and reward excellence in the industry. At the FRCN, the BON delegation, led by Bayo Awosemo of Arise News, was received

by Dr. Mansur Liman, the Director-General.

Speaking during the visit,

Awosemo requested FRCN to support BON in its bid to deliver a high- calibre awards ceremony to celebrate professional accomplishments in the Nigerian broadcasting industry.

Responding, Liman, who is also the Vice chairman of BON, commended the decision to celebrate stellar broadcasting industry professionals whose talents, for long, have not been formally recognised and rewarded.

“The awards will recognise and reward the talents that abound

in the Nigerian broadcasting industry, spur them to be better and inspire up and coming professionals to excel in the knowledge that they will someday be recognised and celebrated,” said Liman.

At the NTA, members of the committee were received by the Director-General, Mallam Yakubu Ibn-Mohammed, who described The Nigerian Broadcasting Awards as an intervention necessary to raise practice standards in the industry.

SATURDAY MAY 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

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NEWS Buhari: Nigeria Will Assist South Sudan in Fight Against Insurgency Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged Nigeria’s readiness to lend a helping KDQG WR 6RXWK 6XGDQ LQ ÀJKWing insurgency, and restoring cohesion to the country.

The President gave the assurance while receiving in audience the Special Envoy of

President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, Hon. Albino Mathom Ayuel, at the State House, Abuja.

“We will study your situation, and see how we can help,” President Buhari said.

He told the Special Envoy of the situation this administration met on ground in the

North-east in 2015, and how great strides had been taken in comparison with present days.

Speaking earlier, the Special Envoy had intimated his host with the situation in his country, particularly how an insurgent group, “just like your Boko Haram here kills,

maims and destroys.”

He then appealed for “close collaboration on security, particularly the training of our forces, since you have experience in this area.”

Ayuel said South Sudan was keen on ending the insurgent activities, “hence this appeal to our big brother.”

Glo Excites Nigerians with New 1,1 $GYHUWV %RQXV 2;HU Globacom, the telecommunications power house, has brought renewed excitement to television screens and online platforms with its recently unveiled suite of adverts.

The adverts provide information on how subscribers can link their National Identity Number (NIN) to their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) on the Glo network.

Commenting on the launch of the adverts, the company noted WKDW WKH ´*OR 1,1 2ͿHU LV D RQH WLPH ERQXV RͿHU DSSOLFDEOH RQO\ to customers who were barred from making outgoing calls on the Glo network as directed by regulatory authorities due to NIN non-compliance.”

Once subscribers link their NIN to their SIMS, they will get a N20,000 bonus which can be used to call, browse and text on the network.

“At Glo it is all about empowerment and value addition,” the statement continued. This is our welcome package to subscribers

whom we have missed on the network.”

The adverts see a return to form for the telecommunications company with celebrity and LQÁXHQFHU OHG FRPPHUFLDOV WKDW are heavy on humour.

Riding on a mix of the old and modern, the adverts mine the WRZQ FULHU WURSH WR JUHDW HͿHFW while the use of celebrities helps to heighten viewer engagement.

The adverts which are enjoying airplay on television as well as online platforms feature actors and actresses like Tina Mba, Patience “Mama Gee” Ozokwor, Victor Osuagwu, Mercy Johnson, Osas Ighodaro, Damilola Adegbite, Odunlade Adekola, Timini Egbuson, Yvonne Jegede and Jide Awogbona amongst others.

Comedians Gordon, Funky Mallam, Dan D Humorous and MC Forever are featured alongside skitmaker, Broda Shaggi, while musical artistes Simi, Teni and Dija are also part of the cast of the funny, riveting and highly informative adverts.

2023: Fayemi Woos Bauchi Delegates, Canvasses IRU 9RWHV $KHDG RI 3UHVLGHQWLDO 3ULPDU\ Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

SHOPPING FOR DELEGATES… L-R: Former governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima; Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello, and APC’s Presidential Aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when Tinubu met with the state’s APC delegates at Government House,Minna, Niger State...yesterday

Take PDP to Court over Zoning, Group Tells Obi, Wike, Emmanuel, Others Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA), and the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) have asked the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential aspirants from Southern Nigeria to take the party to court for dumping the zoning arrangements as entrenched in its constitution.

Spokespersons for the two groups, Messrs Rwang Pam Jnr (SaMBA) and Sani Saeed Altukry (POSN), stated this in a statement jointly signed by them in Abuja yesterday.

Some of the PDP aspirants from the South are, Governors

Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, among others.

The groups said, “We hereby call on all southern presidential aspirants to unite and take the party to court on this matter failing which members of SaMBA and POSN that are members of the PDP will assume the responsibility and sue the party RYHU WKLV ÁDJUDQW YLRODWLRQ RI LWV own laws.”

The two national grassroots organisations warned the leadership of the PDP that they were “on the path to perdition over their refusal to zone the party’s

presidential ticket to the southern region of the country.”

The joint SaMBA and POSN statement was issued after the PDP National Executive Committee aligned itself with the recommendation of the PDP National Zoning Committee that the Presidential election should be left open.

The groups stated that the PDP violated its constitution by failing to zone its presidential ticket, even as the groups threatened court action against the party for violating its own constitution on zoning.

The groups added that the decision of PDP’s NEC not to

enforce its own laws and zone the ticket to the South has “clearly shown that PDP has no regards for the peoples of the southern region – particularly the Southeast and South-south - despite their loyalty to the party since 1999.”

Part of the statement read, “The decision of the National Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday to abandon zoning and throw the presidential ticket open, is not only disheartening to the party faithfuls in the southern region, but also self-destructive to the party being in clear violation of the party’s constitution.

$UP\ &RQÀUPV .LOOLQJ RI 6L[ 6ROGLHUV E\ %DQGLWV CAC Pledges Support to /DXQFK 2SHUDWLRQ IRU 0LVVLQJ Personnel &62V RQ 6HOI 5HJXODWLRQ Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of six soldiers in Takum, Taraba State, during a clash with armed bandits.

It also launched a search and rescue operation for missing personnel after the armed confrontation.

The confirmation came as the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, expressed the determination of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to contain security challenges afflicting the nation.

A statement issued by the Nigerian Army Headquarters said six soldiers were killed while one was declared missing during the fire-fight.

Following the development, the army launched a search and rescue operation for the missing personnel.

It said troops of 93 Battalion in Takum responded to a distress call

of an attack on Tati community in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State when they were ambushed by bandits.

“Troops of 93 Battalion have launched out, on a search and rescue mission for a personnel who is missing in action while responding to a distress call of an attack on Tati community, in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State in the early hours of Tuesday 20 May 2022.

“The troops had launched out swiftly on receiving a distress call that Tati community was under attack and razed by suspected bandits. While in pursuit of the bandits, troops fell into an ambush staged by the criminals,” it said.

“The troops fought fiercely through the ambush neutralising four of the bandits. Sadly, during the fire-fight, six gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while one personnel is missing in action.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja 7KH &RUSRUDWH $ͿDLUV &RPmission (CAC) has pledged to support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country in the use of the self-regulation framework.

The Registrar General of CAC, Garba Abubakar, made the pledge on Thursday, during the validation and launch of ‘the model self-regulatory framework for Civil Society Organisation’ organised by the British Council National Technical Committee in Abuja.

Abubakar, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Registrar General CAC, Terver Ayua, said, the organisation is ready to partner with CSOs to reach the highest level of their purpose.

He said, “CSOs perform important activities that cut

DFURVV GLͿHUHQW VHFWRUV DV regulators that register these entities, we have always partnered with and we are ready to partner with these CSOs to make sure they achieve their optimum objective.

“If they are going to continue to be relevant to rendering services to the society, we can only do that if we self-regulate or statutory regulate. We promise to give you maximum cooperation to make sure the objective is achieved,” he said. &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU )RRG Basket Foundation International and Co-Chair National Technical Committee, Dr. Funmi Akinyele, in her review on the ‘model selfregulation for CSOs in Nigeria’ explained that self-regulation does not mean doing away with extant laws but, making a tailored law that goes in line with the organisation’s vision.

The Ekiti State Governor and presidential aspirant under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has visited Bauchi State to seek the support of delegates ahead of the presidential primary election of the party.

Fayemi, who addressed Bauchi national delegates and other stakeholders of the party at the APC state secretariat , said that he is in the state to consult with leaders of the party and exchange ideas in order to move the nation forward.

He also said that he has solutions to the country’s security problem, emphasising that he has helped countries that had security challenges in the past to resolve their issues.

The presidential hopeful explained that he is aspiring to be the next President of

Nigeria under the ruling APC LQ RUGHU WR ÀOO WKH JDSV WKDW ZLOO be left at the end of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari come May 29, 2023.

He said that the reason why he is vying for the position of the president in the 2023 general elections is to solve the challenges of security bedeviling the nation, stressing that Nigeria needs leaders that will change the narratives of the country.

Fayemi said that he had helped many countries that had security challenges in the past to resolve their issues, adding that he had bagged a PhD in security studies.

“So, for me, every day revolves around this party and this party has given me all of what I can live into, so it is important that whatever we do, we build it on the strength of this party and address whatever the gaps are in this country .

Federal Lawmaker, Dagogo Remanded in Correctional Centre in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Representative of Degema/ Bonny Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Farah Dagogo, has been remanded in the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Correctional Centre by a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

Despite bail granted him by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Dagogo who looked visibly sick was yesterday lifted by hand into the court by four police officers to stand trial.

THISDAY observed that journalists were threatened and denied access to cover the proceedings inside the court.

Following Dagogo counsel’s absence in court as at the time he was brought in by the security operatives, the trial Judge, Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, adjourned the matter till Monday, May 16, 2022 and ordered that he be remanded in the correctional centre.

Earlier, counsel for Farah Dagogo Innocent Ekwu, had threatened to issue a contempt of court on the police.

He faulted the police for not granting the orders of a federal High Court to release Farah Dagogo, describing them as enemies of democracy.

“This is tyranny, this is an abuse of the law, this is arrogating to themselves authority that does not lie within them. We are calling on all relevant authorities in this country, especially the Inspector General of Police to prevail on the Commissioner of Police in the state to release him immediately.

“It is our decision that if by 2p.m. today not produce him before the federal High Court and release him we shall file a contempt proceeding against the Commissioner of Police and all the persons named, we shall ask the court to commit them to prison so that they will go and test the very prison and they will meet themselves in the prison,” he said.

SATURDAY MAY 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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MAY 14, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

PLATEAU STATE AND APC’S IMPENDING IMPLOSION The attempt to impose a governorship candidate on the party will be resisted, writes Chris Gyang

A

perfect storm is brewing in the house of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. There are surging waves of political betrayals, imposition of pro-establishment and powerful groups’ and individuals’ aspirants, dubious application of the Electoral Acts’ consensus clause to favour certain aspirants, are dangerously swirling in this APC contraption.

These are threatening to drown this house of cards, ad-hoc palaces of convenience hurriedly erected on sand, to serve the purpose of capturing power by a motley alliance of strange bedfellows.

Nothing vexes the Nigerian politician more than a threat to his personal political ambition. That, he is prepared to wholeheartedly protect with his life. If this was not so, Nigeria would have been a much better country today and our partisan politics less contentious.

This is at the heart of the overwhelming and widespread dissonance we are witnessing all over the country as political parties get ready to hold their primary elections in the coming days. Apparently, the political class is caught in a battle of wits in a way never seen before.

This is because occupying an elective or appointed political office automatically secures and protects you, your immediate family and future generations from the stings of our country’s pervasive poverty, insecurity and the other indices of underdevelopment that have become the order of the day.

Had the political class expended a fraction of the exertions it is now applying on securing the tickets of their political parties towards the forthcoming elections on the pursuit of our collective national goals, Nigeria would have been a heaven on earth today.

Just the other day, for instance, airlines threatened to shut down their services and all hell was let loose among the political and business elites. They are the main customers of the airlines as ordinary Nigerians are left at the mercy of our terrorists/kidnappers-infested high ways, most of which are already death traps because of gaping potholes and general state of disrepair.

Faced with the dangerous prospects of resorting to road transport, the members of the House of Representatives convened an emergency session for the following day to tackle that problem. They had been on recess. Even before that sitting was held, the federal government had met the demands of the airline industry.

But a lecturers’ strike has crippled Nigeria’s public universities for more than two months now. The federal government has been accused of doing very little to ensure the resolution of this lingering crisis that has become the rule rather than the exception in the reckoning of the country’s educational system.

As we see today, the political gladiators who have held sway in the past seven years are gradually coming to terms with the reality of their mutual incompatibility. It is the internal strife and contradictions borne out of lack of common goals and shared values towards the transformation of the fatherland that will finally rip the APC asunder.

In fact, because they never had anything in common, talk less of a firm and purposeful ideology, they have virtually handed our country to terrorists and bandits and made life unbearable for the majority of its citizens. Now, they are engaged in a fierce, internecine, struggle to grab the remaining crumbs of our commonwealth.

A leopard can never change its spots. It was only a matter of time for Governor Lalong’s penchant for impunity and arrant disregard for the rule of law to be mercilessly turned at the very people and interests that hailed him as a hero of democracy when he rode roughshod on Plateau citizens, especially the opposition party.

THEY HAVE THREATENED TO POLITICALLY HIT BACK AT THE GOVERNOR AND WHAT IS GRADUALLY BECOMING THE LEFTOVERS OF THE APC IN PLATEAU STATE IF A FREE AND FAIR PRIMARY IS NOT GUARANTEED FOR ALL OF THEM

This has become the hallmark of the last seven years of his lack-lustre administration which has been more popular for its ceremonial use of power, acute cronyism and mediocrity than actual and serious governance which move both society and its citizens forward in a most tangible, positive manner.

Is it therefore a surprise that about 17 gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the APC are now stranded, apparently short-changed by Governor Lalong’s native predilection for draconian manipulations using his official position? The aggrieved aspirants accuse him of ‘endorsing’ one of them and is bent on ‘imposing’ him as the Party’s standard bearer in the 2023 governorship election.

They have threatened to politically hit back at the governor and what is gradually becoming the leftovers of the APC in Plateau State if a free and fair primary is not guaranteed for all of them. Other members of the APC in the state have for long accused the governor of turning the party into his pet and denying it of internal democracy.

Analysts say that this is likely the hatchet job of a first timer in the House of Representatives who has ensconced himself as the new kid on the block of Plateau politics. He is claimed to have vowed that he would single-handedly install the governor’s favoured aspirant as the state’s next governor as a mark of his political coming of age.

But critics, with the benefit of hindsight, have advised him to tread with caution for Plateau people cannot be taken for granted and for a ride. If not, they warn, he may get to taste the bitterness of rushing where even angels fear to tread, sooner or later. He is also rumoured be one of the hatchet men of the core north, working in cohoots with Governor Lalong - a Middle Belter who has sold his soul for a cheap morsel of political power.

Now, do APC members and unsuspecting citizens who have been serially hoodwinked, tricked into buying into Governor Lalong’s mendacious, opaque ‘Rescue Mission’ need a prophet to tell them that they had conned?

It’s at once pathetic and laughable that the same people who either sang Hosannah or sat on the fence when, in pursuit of Mr. Lalong’s personal ambition, the PDP was barred from participating in critical elections into local government councils and unilaterally masterminded the sacking of the speaker of the state legislature, among other morally reprehensible infractions, are now splitting hairs at his latest act of perceived injustice because it is threatening their gubernatorial ambitions.

When you see your brother’s beard on fire, you should douse your own with water. But most members of the Plateau APC were consumed, blinded by the inordinate quest to grab, retain and misuse power, even at the detriment of the political progress of the state.

Now this. And they are feeling the pangs more than other ordinary citizens because they kept quiet, were complicit, when the opposition party was being subjected to some of the most horrendous illegalities churned out of Mr. Lalong’s black political logbook.

The lesson for them and Plateau State as a whole? When we glorify apparent evil because it serves our personal interests, we must be ready when it finally knocks on our door because evil values no friendships and is blind and rapacious in its spread.

We sincerely advise today’s victims in the APC to take a hard, dispassionate retrospective look at Lalong’s seven years in office and decide if, indeed, those of us who sounded the alarm long, long, ago were not right in our postulations that we would finally arrive at this sad juncture.

Gyang is the Chairman of the N.G.O, Journalists Coalition for Citizens’ Rights Initiative

EKWEREMADU AND ECHOES OF EQUANIMITY Kene Obiezu pays tribute to Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President, at age 60

G

reat leaders are hardly born under comfortable circumstances surrounded by a bevy of midwives.

Often, great leaders are born in battle with battle cries drowning out the cries of labour.

In spite of the lean harvest of good leaders Nigeria has always got from its political fields, occasionally, the sickle goes in to the same fields where irredeemably poor soil and a swarm of locusts combine for miserable harvests and draws the rare ripe ear of corn.

Each time a good fruit has been raked in as a political harvest, the precedent is usually marked by some unmistakable traits: of humble beginnings and a slow, ardous rise to power. In the overwhelming Nigerian experience of bad governance, the politicians who have stood out have been those possessing these traits; those who truly went the whole hog to be elected into office. Not those rigged into office or those who relied on the corrupt patronage of some

political godfather with a paunch. Enter Mr. Ike Ekweremadu, the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The recent occasion of his 60th birthday has given Nigerians across ethnic and party divides the opportunity to celebrate a diamond of Nigerian legislation, one whose adamantine disposition to people-oriented legislation has only gotten better with age like vintage wine.

A Senator since 2003 and thrice Deputy President of the Senate, many remember what a team the learned law teacher, chairman of Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chief of Staff to the Governor and Secretary to the Enugu State Government formed with then Senate President Mr. Bukola Saraki in the Eighth Senate and how together with their colleagues they kept both the executive and judicial arms of government on their toes unlike the obsequious legislators we have today.

A strident voice for Igbos across Nigeria,

even an egregious attack on his person by the IPOB in 2019 when he honoured an invitation to a new yam festival in Germany did not break his spirit.

A philanthropist to the core, through his Ikeoha Foundation, Mr. Ekweremadu has brought succor to the most deprived of his constituents as well as many Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides.

Of course, it has been the Nigerian experience that many legislators go to the National Assembly, observe ample snooze time and take home fat paychecks at the end of the day. These legislators instead of contributing their own quota to law-making go to the National Assembly only there to make up the numbers. They open their eyes only when it is time for fisticuffs, and when their itchy fingers are not grabbing funds meant for constituency projects they have no intention of carrying out, they are grabbing at the mace to be used as a weapon.

Mr. Ekweremadu is the quintessence of what a legislator should be. He is humane,

humble, highly independent and possessing matchless integrity. As he clocks 60, many of his slumbering colleagues at the National Assembly who do nothing but nurse their paunches surely have a thing or two to learn from this diamond and doyen of Nigerian legislation.

As one trailblazer prepares to leave the Enugu State Government House next year in a blaze of glory, there is no one better to take his place than another trailblazer, one who is a global icon of Nigerian legislation.

Indeed, while the National Assembly has given Enugu State some legislators who have helped to transform the fortunes of the state in different capacities, the same cannot be said for many other states where aggrieved constituents have had cause to cast stones at their own legislators.

For Enugu State, it is not just a sure stone that would prove its foundation come next year, it is a diamond – a priceless jewel of Nigerian legislation. He is Ikeoha Ndigbo.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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MAY 14, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

When will we be free?

The Aviation Sector Needs Reform

Justice for Deborah Yakubu

H

umanists are outraged by the gruesome murder of a female college student in Sokoto in Northern Nigeria. Such a horrific act is a sordid reminder of the threat of Islamic extremism in Nigeria. Muslim students at Shehu Shagari College of Education accused a Hausa Christian, Deborah Yakubu, of blasphemy; they beat their colleague to death and burnt the corpse. Ms. Yakubu reportedly protested against posting religious messages on the student Whatsapp platform. Her protest angered some Muslim students who mobilized and subsequently killed her.

The brutal killing of Ms. Yakubu is not an isolated incident. Many Muslims and non-Muslims adjudged to have insulted Islam or its prophet have suffered a similar fate in the region. In 2007, some Muslim students in Gombe lynched their female Christian teacher for desecrating the Quran. There have been other violent attacks and murders of alleged blasphemers in Muslim-dominated areas in Kano, Niger, and other parts of the North.

Persons accused of blasphemy have been sentenced to death by sharia courts in Kano. Others like Nigerian Humanist, Mubarak Bala, have been given long prison sentences. Some Muslim clerics have openly and publicly endorsed the execution of blasphemers.

For instance, in 2015, an Islamic theocrat tweeted this comment after a sharia court sentenced nine persons for blasphemy: “I cannot pretend or keep silent. I support the death penalty for blasphemy.”

So it is patently untrue and misleading for anyone to say that the brutal murder of Ms. Yakubu and other blasphemy-related attacks, sanctions, and bloodletting in Northern Nigeria have nothing to do with religion. No, they do. As the case of this Christian woman has shown, these bloodletters are usually motivated by their religious belief, Islamic teachings and orientations.

So if Nigeria wants to end these horrific attacks and killings, it should take a critical look at how Islam is professed and practiced in Northern Nigeria.

Do muslims operate within the law or above the law? The government must admit that jihadist Islam is entrenched and pervasive. Boko Haram militants are not only in the Sambisa forest. Islamic extremists exist and operate in several mosques, courts, police, and army stations. Boko Haram jihadists and their sympathizers are not a small minority as some people claim. They populate government houses, schools, colleges, and universities.

So it is high time Nigeria confronted this big elephant in the room, that is Islamic extremism. Muslim leaders should stop living in denial; they should stop pretending that jihadist Islam is not a huge problem. Muslim leaders should stop deceiving the world and saying that blasphemy killings and attacks have nothing to do with religion. Nigeria must tackle this savage and dreadful inclination of some muslims to kill, attack or maim others at the slightest provocation. Nigerian authorities should monitor the activities of Muslim clerics because these religious actors use their preaching and Quranic indoctrination programs to radicalize young Muslims and turn them into merchants of hate, violence, death, and destruction. The government should protect the rights of those who criticize the teachings and traditions of Islam.

Nigeria should take measures to end impunity and ensure that those who indulge in blasphemy-related attacks or killings are brought to book. Those who carry out these barbaric acts should not go scot-free. They are murders and criminals and should be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed to serve as a deterrent to others.

Leo Igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com

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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 has to be stated that the Nigerian aviation sector is broken and needs reforms.

Across board, the neglect for passengers has become unbearable and the airlines feel they are doing the passengers a favour.

Only recently some passengers attacked an airline due to delayed flights. On seeing the story I berated those passengers until I stopped and introspected on the level of frustration they might have faced.

Cancellation of flights has become a norm and nobody pays for wasting the passengers time. I think Nigerian passengers must have to start making claims against the Airlines in a bid to get some relief.

The Airlines always quote operational problems and there is no end to this problem.

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

Recently my 6pm flight from Asaba to Lagos did not leave Asaba until 12 midnight on Monday morning. At first the flight was moved to 8pm and we finally left at 12am in the morning.

The shocking part is Air Peace had no apologies or remorse for its passengers. The attendants of Air Peace even confirmed that sometimes the 6pm flight for Air Peace could be delayed for 6 hours or cancelled outright.

The shocking part is the lack of any form of compensation for the lackluster service. I have thought closely about starting a customer union of some sort for frequent flyers in Nigeria. I also believe that Airline regulators must step in and force some level of accountability on the airlines.

The Nigerian problem keeps bedeviling every sector and something must give at a point.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@ gmail.com

Sometimes the Underdog Wins

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ometimes the underdog wins, and it is an inspiration for all of us. With the long odds Rich Strike winning the 148th Kentucky Derby we see a winner for the rest of us.

Perhaps we should look for the long shots that we all need, a cure for Covid, Peace in Ukraine, honest politicians, and in general a better life for all but they are probably at longer odds than the horse.

Keep fighting for the good things because eventually we will all win despite the odds.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

NEWS Obonoh Calls for End to Impunity in Akwa Ibom Politics

CONSULTING TOWARDS 2023…

L-R: Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; Vice Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU) Uturu , Prof. Onyemachi Maxwell Ogbulu; and frontline PDP gubernatorial aspirant in Abia State, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, when Mr. Igbokwe visited Senator Wabara over the demise of his wife, Late Mrs. Felicia Wabara, in Ohambele, Ndoki...yesterday

Plane Crash: Gov Sule Mourns Death of Pilot Adzuayi Ewuga in Cameroun Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has received with shock the tragic death of Miss Adzuayi Ewuga, an indigene of the state and pilot with Caverton Aviation Cameroon.

Adzuayi, who was daughter of former deputy governor of the state, Solomon Ewuga, died in a plane crash in Cameroon alongside 11 passengers on

May 11, 2022 on board a mini aircraft belonging to the Caverton Aviation.

According to local media reports, the aircraft was flying from Yaounde Nsimalen Airport to Belabo in eastern Cameroon when air traffic services lost radio contact and crashed, and there were no survivors.

However, in a statement issued to journalists yesterday

in Lafia by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, Governor Sule described Adzuayi’s death as a sad loss of an enterprising young woman, a role model and a worthy torch bearer for Nasarawa State and the country at large.

“Adzuayi Ewuga whose reported death in the ill-fated DHC 4-600 aircraft belonging to Caverton Aviation in Cameroon,

is a sad loss of an enterprising young woman, a role model and a worthy torch bearer for Nasarawa State and the country at large.

“At this trying moment, our prayers as a people, state and government are with Senator Ewuga, his family and friends.

We mourn this collective loss, but are consoled that Adzuayi, the young pilot lived an exemplary life.’’

CAN Backs Kumuyi in Crusade to Save I Won’t Take Single Loan Throughout Abia from Evil Forces, Bad Governance My Tenure, Says Jack-Rich Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo inUmuahia The Founder/General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William F. Kumuyi, has embarked on a crusade to shake off the stranglehold of evil forces of bad governance from Abia ahead of the forthcoming general election.

Speaking at a pre-crusade press conference in Aba, the Overseer Deeper Life Church Abia State 2, Pastor Obinna Nkemjika, flanked by the leadership of the state

chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said that the state was poised to benefit from the life-changing global crusade that has been sweeping across the nation over the past nine months.

“We are bringing to Abia the goodness of what has been happening since nine months now,” he said, adding that it is an opportunity for Abia people and residents, including politicians, to come and renew their lives in order to get things right and elect God-fearing servant leaders.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A presidential aspirant contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tein Jack-Rich, has assured that he would not take a single loan throughout his presidency.

He also promised to provide 26,000 jobs in each of the 774 local governments, saying within one year of his administration, poverty will be a thing of the past.

The presidential aspirant made this known while formally declaring

his interest for the presidency in 2023. Jack-Rich expressed optimism that he would win the presidential primaries of the ruling party slated for May 30.

He said this was not the time to compromise the best for a glass of wine, but this was the time to do what was best for the country The presidential hopeful said Nigeria is a great country with an enormous amount of youth-based talent, saying the only talent that could be developed was through a knowledge based economy.

A frontline politician in Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Friday Obonoh, has called for an end to impunity in politics in the state, adding that the game of politics in any civilised society should be played according to set rules.

Obonoh, a former councillor and chairmanship contestant of Oruk-Anam Local Government Area, said he has come to agree that politics in Africa “is a dirty game and even if you have the noblest of ideas, you might not be given the opportunity to serve.”

The politician who was hosted by his people recently in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital after what he described as a political holiday, said “Politics in my state is now based on political patronage and imposition of the candidate against the wishes of the people.”

Obonoh, councilor under the former administration of Governor Obong Victor Attah, served the people of Oruk-Anam; and his

tenure heralded many democratic dividends and projects for his people.

However, his travails in politics started after his intention to run for the chairmanship of Oruk-Anam Local Government in 2017, a venture that did not go down well with power brokers in the state’s politics and forces bent on imposing their own candidate on the people of Oruk-Anam.

This unpopular decision associated with the violent political culture of the elite allegedly led to a campaign of calumny, harassment and peddling of wrong information on mainstream and social media to discredit his candidature.

While encouraging young people to get involved in the 2023 election as a way of giving the dividends of democracy to the people, he used the opportunity to make a case for a level playing field and in an attempt to end political intimidation that has pervaded the system.

Maltina Shows Love, Care to Islamic Faithful In true Ramadan spirit, Nigeria’s number one malt brand, Maltina, leveraged the holy month to connect with the Muslim consumers through sharing and giving accompanied with show of quality love and care across the country through different mediums and touchpoints, in line with the brand promise of igniting happy moments.

As Muslim faithful all over the world recently celebrated the Ramadan, Maltina visited selected mosques and communities during the fasting period, to share Maltina goodies and care products and brand packages containing meal packs and chilled Maltina for Iftar and after the evening prayers.

The company said: “As one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar, the month of Ramadan encourages Muslim faithful to do more than avoid eating and drinking during daylight hours.

Through the practice of fasting, the holy month emphasises the values

of empathy, generosity and caring, encouraging Muslim faithful to practice true religion by showing love to others around them and giving to the less-privileged which are in line with the teachings and practices of the Prophet Mohammed.”

As the Maltina truck moved from mosque to mosque, its official stated that no doubt, Iftars strengthen the bonds between families, friends and neighbours as they gather to eat and pray, leading to meaningful and powerful connections.

“In line with its commitment to ‘care, share and give’ with Muslim faithful in the holy month of Ramadan, the Maltina brand stormed the cities of Kaduna, Lagos, Kano and Zaria with sponsorship of Quranic competitions which is essentially about promoting Arabic studies in students aged 10 to 15 competing for cash prize of N100,000, N70,000, N50,000 for the first winner, second and third respectively tagged: ‘Maltina Eid Storm’.

At Farewell Meeting, Buhari Vows to Swiftly Replace Departing Ministers Contd from Pg. 5

Ex-director, Siyanbola Becomes Yeyemeto of Ibokunland Today

‘’I have no doubt that if the next President emerges from among former members of this cabinet, like any other aspirant, ample competence and outstanding service delivery would be on display. This will be part of our legacies to Nigerians.’’

Buhari, who commended the GHSDUWLQJ SXEOLF R΀FHUV IRU VHUYLQJ WKH QDWLRQ VDFULÀFLDOO\ ¶·ZLWK dignity and honour’’, had at the last FEC meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 directed that all Ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest IRU HOHFWLYH R΀FHV LQ WKH general election should resign their current appointments.

He said: ‘’I note that some have complied while others are in the process of doing so. I would like to use this opportunity to commend your decision and courage to contest for elective R΀FHV DQG \RXU FRPSOLDQFH with my directive. ‘’I also wish to thank you for your invaluable services to this nation through your contributions as Cabinet members. I wish you success in the upcoming elections and in your future endeavours.”

President Buhari told the

A former director with the Federal Civil Service, Dr. Olubunmi Olasunbo Siyanbola, will today become the Yeyemeto of Ibokunland in Osun State.

According to a statement, the astute professional is to be conferred with the traditional title by the Alademure of Ibokunland, Oba Festus Kayode Adegboro, in a ceremony that will be attended by top dignitaries including officials of the Osun State Government and the federal government.

Siyanbola has been described as an example of what the Yoruba calls Omoluabi – decent in appearance and especially in character.

She is seen as a bridge-builder who is amazingly humble in spite of her many noble strides in life.

The statement said Siyanbola’s hard work, dedication and selfless rendition of services had endeared her to many governors including the Governor Oyetola Adegboyega; and the Osun State Commissioner for Finance/ Chairman of the 2022 Ibokun Day, Chief Bola Oyebamiji, the Asiwaju of Ikireland.

She had earned several awards and commendations. Siyanbola was appointed the Coordinator

ministers that looking back as the head of the team over the years, he had fond memories of incisive and robust discussions during cabinet meetings, rendering of performance reports during special sessions and presidential retreats.

Noting that the departure of some cabinet members had undoubtedly created a YDFXXP WKDW VKRXOG EH ÀOOHG the President said appointments would be made without delay so that the business of governance ZLOO QRW VXͿHU Speaking on behalf of the outgoing ministers, Godswill Akpabio, expressed gratitude to the President for giving them the opportunity to serve and contribute their quota to nation building.

“As we step aside from FEC, I want you to know that you have disciples in us. I want you to know that it is time for us to propagate Buharism.

“I want you to know that we are going to be working closely with the Minister of Information and Culture to take your message of transformation, love, patience, and administrative sagacity to

Nigerians,” he said.

The Niger Delta Minister told the President that from his interactions with colleagues, leaving the cabinet was like the story of the Spanish play of “sadness and joy.”

He added: “Sadness in the sense that we are going to miss the continuous daily and weekly interaction with a father and learning from him; joy because we now have an opportunity to go to the wider audience in Nigeria to speak more of your achievements for this country.

“May one of us succeed you in order to continue the good legacies you have laid on ground.

We have seen and know your vision. We know where you want the country to be.”

Nwajiuba, who had earlier tendered his resignation, was not present at the valedictory session.

Ngige Backs Out The Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige has formally pulled out of the 2023 presidential race.

In a statement signed by Ngige, he said: “Having also

consulted widely with my family, constituents, supporters and well-wishers, it is my pleasure to announce the withdrawal of my interest and earlier decision to FRQWHVW WKH R΀FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW in the 2023 general elections.

“As a result of this, I will not be participating in any of the internal party processes of the said election, starting with the primary.

“I took this momentous GHFLVLRQ ÀUVWO\ LQ WKH RYHUDOO interest of the nation, in order to enable me concentrate on my job, and assist the President and the government weather the GL΀FXOW ODVW ODS LQ WKH OLIH RI the administration and secondly for other family reasons.

“I have since communicated this decision to the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

Ngige also said his constituents, political associates and well-wishers across the country are by this statement informed of his latest decision, which also has the blessing and support of the overwhelming majority, hence supersedes any other interest, personal or otherwise.”

of the World Bank Assisted Programme - Focus Group on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation between 2006 and 2007.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

Robert Clarke’s Toxic Tenure Elongation Idea

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find it difficult to comprehend that a senior lawyer like Robert Clarke will recommend tenure elongation for President Muhammadu Buhari so that he can “end insecurity before handing over.” He suggested that Buhari be given six months to do this.

The senior lawyer stated that the constitution allows the President to extend his tenure for six months in the first instance, if conditions were not ripe for an election. So, the entire country is now in a state of anarchy and Buhari should benefit from this with tenure extension? This is what elder Clarke is saying.

I’m still in shock. I hope we are not sliding into something similar to the Abacha era? Tenure elongation for Buhari cannot and will not be a solution to the huge number of problems Nigeria is battling with.

A Buhari, who created most of the insecurity, with his ineptitude, extreme clannishness and mismanagement of this country’s diversity, is being asked to stay an additional six months to clear the mess. How will he do this? How will he achieve what he could not do in almost seven years within six months? What will he do differently? The proposal is preposterous and disturbing. It is even more painful that it is coming from a senior lawyer and elder statesman. This suggestion can set the entire country on fire if actualised.

Clarke knows that what he is calling for is unacceptable to majority of Nigerians, yet, he is going about it with so much confidence. Is this a signal that he is flying a kite for some people in this government? Clarke wants to push Nigeria further down the drain with his proposal. Everybody is tired of this lethargic/ destructive Buhari government and wants a change in 2023, not tenure elongation. Nigeria has never been this divided and insecure, yet, somebody is calling for tenure elongation for the man responsible for the problems. It can only happen in Nigeria!

The disunity in the country engendered

by Buhari is one of the causes of insecurity in Nigeria. Bishop Matthew Kukah puts it aptly: “The Buhari administration, sadly, has divided our people on the basis of ethnicity, religion, and region, in a way that we have never witnessed in our history. This carefully choreographed agenda has made Nigerians vulnerable and ignited the most divisive form of identity consciousness among our people. Friendships, cultural exchange, and collaboration built over time have now come under serious pressure from stereotyping.”

So, the President responsible for this should just go at the end of his tenure! We should not be talking about tenure extension for him.

I also find annoying the aspect where Clarke said it is Constitutional for the President to extend his tenure if the environment is not conducive for elections. This is not true.

Extending the tenure of the President based on unending killings by terrorists is not constitutional. No section of the Nigerian

Clarke knows that what he is calling for is unacceptable to majority of Nigerians, yet, he is going about it with so much confidence. Is this a signal that he is flying a kite for some people in this government?

Clarke wants to push Nigeria further down the drain with his proposal.

Everybody is tired of this lethargic/ destructive Buhari government and wants a change in 2023, not tenure elongation constitution supports Clarke’s position on this. The Constitution only talked about a war situation and Nigeria is not at war with any country on facing a civil war. It is only in a war situation that an election could be shifted and it is provided for in Section 135 (3) of the 1999 Constitution. The current security challenge in the country cannot be equated with war envisaged under this section of the constitution.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, was right by enjoining Clarke to think of the type of legacies he wants to bequeath to generations unborn “instead of playing the role of a spoiler who is passionately scheming to destabilize democracy through his unrealistic and toxic proposals.”

HURIWA adds: “We think that when elders talk, they should show wisdom rather than make people begin to wonder what type of warped logic is being unleashed. Those who want the younger ones to call them elders and respect their old age, must not speak like little minds and make proposals that may imperil the entire nation.

“President Buhari in the last seven years has left the compromised internal security chiefs, who have looked on as Fulani terrorists amassed assorted military-grade weapons of mass destruction and have shot down military jets.”

The position of Chief Wole Olanipekun, Chairman of the Body of Benchers on this suggested tenure elongation for Buhari is equally instructive. Olanipekun described

Clarke’s call as unconstitutional, immoral and a threat to the nation’s democracy.

He remarked: “I am afraid, I cannot agree with the postulations and prognosis of my learned friend of the Inner Bar (Clarke) as same, with much respect to him, are not constitutional, legal, legitimate, moral, democratic, acceptable, reasonable, or in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“While it is glaring that Nigeria is bedeviled by a mountain of daunting challenges, including insecurity, this cannot be any justification for a call on PMB or any President, howsoever, to extend his tenure outside the constitutionally provided maximum period of eight years, as prescribed by the combined provisions of sections 135(2) and 137(1) (b) of the Constitution.

“With further respect, the suggestion is a direct call to breach of the Constitution, as well as its spirit, tenor and letter. There is no gainsaying the fact that the end result of such a proposition would further compound the conundrum that we have stepped into and plunge us to a latent state of anomie.”

Olanipekun rightly gave honest, friendly, professional and civic advice to Buhari, telling him to treat any invitation to extend his tenure by a millisecond beyond May 29 2023, with a pinch of salt, declaring, “It is in our collective interest if this proposition is nipped in the bud.”

I completely agree with Olanipekun. The President does not have the power to extend his tenure; no President has that power or vires to do so. “The tenure was given to him

Terrorists Take 96 lives in Bakura and Takum

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etween May 5 and May 10, 96 people were killed by terrorist in Bakura, Zamfara State and Tati village in Takum LG of Taraba State. This happened within just six days. I’m talking about human lives here. The stories reeled out by affected communities are scary. I often wonder if there are surety agencies left in this country.

Human lives have become so cheap. On the dates listed, Bakura, the epicenter of killings in Zamfara State was invaded by Fulani militias for three days and no help came from security agencies.

New fewer than 56 people were slaughtered by the terrorists in two villages of Sabon-garin Damri and Kalahe, women and children inclusive. Bakura has become a killing field in the last seven years. Here, terrorists roam freely, killing and maiming.

Hundreds of lives have been destroyed in

Irabor

Bakura. Majority can no longer go to their farms for fear of being killed. Security agents know this and persistently fail the people.

Governor Bello Matawalle is a big disappointment. The people of Bakura will never

forgive him for looking away while lives are being destroyed. For almost a year, this governor was empowering Fulani militias with his so-called amnesty programme.

What a shame.

In Tati village, Kutep and Fulani militias have been shedding blood. The battle is for the control of Kutep farmlands. A convoy with the Commanding Officer of 93 Battalion, Takun, heading to the village to restore order was ambushed by terrorists. Six soldiers were killed while the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col Eminike is still missing. A policeman and 33 other inhabitants were killed by the terrorists. Brothers killing brothers!

This is what beloved Nigeria has turned into. The Buhari government has a lot of questions to answer in this regard. All those responsible for bloodletting in Nigeria will not escape the justice of Allah. I’m consoled by this fact.

by Nigerians and, as at the time of donating that tenure to him, the covenant was that in the first instance, it was for a term certain of four years; and upon renewal in 2019, it was for an extended-term certain of four years; no more, no less!”

Well, Buhari has said Clarke’s suggestion will not get the slightest consideration from him. According to the President, he will step down on May 29th, 2023, after serving two terms in line with the 1999 Constitution, emphasising that being the first recipient of a democratic transfer of power from an incumbent administration to an opposition candidate in Nigerian history, he is committed to extending and entrenching democratic values across the country.

Buhari, according to the presidency, shall, in turn, hand the privilege of serving Nigerians to whomever Nigerians pick in 2023. He pledged to honour the Constitution and people’s right to decide, by leaving honourably in 2023.

We must all ensure that this is done. Buhari must resist every temptation to stay in power after the expiration of his tenure.

Few weeks back, another senior lawyer, Afe Babalola, canvassed for an interim government after May 29, 2023, so that a new constitution can be put in place before polls. This is balderdash. Clarke and Babalola should join the search for a truly detribalised, fit and competent President that will reunite this country, secure Nigerians and restore our glory. This is the way forward. There should be no room for tenure elongation in any form.

Tears for Reverend Father Joseph Bako

Reverend Bako

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he terrorists eventually killed him. I’m talking about Reverend Father Joseph Akete Bako, the Parish priest of the St. John Catholic Church, Kudenda, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Bako died in his captors’ custody. The 48 years old priest was abducted on March 8 at his residence in the church, during which his security man was killed. Thereafter, the terrorists kept making impossible financial demands. At a point, they wanted N100 million.

The distraught Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, Rev. Fr. Christian Okewu Emmanuel, who announced Bako’s death last Wednesday, said the late priest was ill before his abduction and the terrorists did not allow him go along with his drugs.

Father Emmanuel adds: “His own brother was killed there (in the terrorists’ cell) in his presence and after his brother was killed, his condition worsened and he died. We have not recovered his corpse but we have confirmed his death. People who were kidnapped together with him saw him die.”

The beasts are roaming unhindered. Father Bako is the latest cleric to fall in Kaduna. As usual, his killers will never be apprehended.

This emboldens terrorists. When there are no consequences for killing innocent people, the killings become endless. This is the situation we have found ourselves in Nigeria. No thanks to the seven years of the Buhari government.

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SATURDAY MAY 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY14, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Sharon Ooja

I’m Not One of Those that Thrive on Controversy As delectable actress, Sharon Ooja walks the red-carpet last Sunday at the premiere of ‘The Perfect Arrangement’, a rom-com co-produced by Inkblot and FilmOne Entertainment, her glow further lit the space. She poses for pictures to the admiration of guests while exchanging pleasantries with colleagues, guests and smiles from the cast and crew to the delight of the paparazzi who kept clicking away. Radiating joy from being the star girl of the night following her lead role as Tade, the central character of the movie, her mood could be felt. She spent some time chatting with Ferdinand Ekechukwu on her dream role, character and experience on set of the production

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bit more on the movie, ‘The Perfect Arrangement’ sounds so apt for a movie title. What went wrong and what went right in the context of the plot?

In ‘The Perfect Arrangement’, Tade was in love; in the ‘Perfect Arrangement’, what went wrong was that she was in love with two brothers. And what went right? you watch Tade in the movie in the cinemas 13th of May to find out what that might be…

Tell us about your character and role in the movie Okay, so I played the role of Tade. And the character was a very happily, young, rich girl who fell in love with two guys…

So there’s a predicament going on.

Have you once found yourself entangled in love situation in real life?

I can’t speak about that, sorry (smiles)…

I don’t want to share it yet (laughing).

Why do you think this is a movie people should see?

Because, it’s a feel good romantic comedy; the country is hard; everything is tough you know. Just come to the cinema, watch something that would make you laugh, you know giggle. It’s a simple love story and that’s just what it’s supposed to be.

What was your experience like on the set of the movie?

Oh I love Inklobt. So, every time I’m working with them my heart is always at rest. They don’t stress actors. So I love them.

Is there any particular role you are looking forward to playing you know

having featured in so many other roles?

Yes, a musician. I definitely want to play a musician where I sing, dance, have to do choreography for like months and put in a lot of efforts. So yea…that.

What’s a typical day like for Sharon?

When I’m not at work I’m sleeping, eating, and more eating…

Aside acting what other entertainment skill do you possess?

Well I’m a model. I can definitely present. I think every actor can present. I can dance and I can sing. So, yea it’s all of that…

What prepared you for the acting job you are doing today?

Honestly speaking, it’s the Lord Jesus because I didn’t have any plan to act. I have said it several times in my interviews I didn’t even know I was going to be an actor. But we thank God I’m here and I’m killing it.

How have you managed to stay off controversy because you are not seen as such?

I’m simply here for work. I’m not one of those who thrive on controversy. I believe whenever I’m in the news, let me be in the news for my work.

No disrespect to anyone who has controversy or is controversial. But it’s just not my thing.

And if anyone gets to come up published, I want to be sure that I did not orchestrate it.

Sharon Ooja

Nigerian Idol Climaxes May 22

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heexhilaratingactsofthetopthree contestants of the Bigi-sponsored Nigerian Idol last Sunday elicited standingovationandcommendation from the judges as they had double performances each, with applause fromtheaudienceintheshowwhich will climax with a winner on 22 May, 2022 The captivating rendition saw the contestants, Zadok, Banty, and Progress, performing two songs each, one from any time of release and the other on theyeartheywereborn,anothertwistthatincreased the excitement generated from the evening gig, but a moment of Jordan’s eviction, with low votes from the over 29 million recorded.

Withthethreecontendersleftinthebattleforthe Idolcrown,theshowhadbecometensedaseach,accordingtothejudges,hasthemusicalprowesstoget totheGrandfinalethatwillleadtotheclinchingofthe N100,000,000worthofprizes,includingarecording deal from a label, a brand-new Sports UtilityVehicle (SUV), cash prizes, and other exciting gifts.

Interestingly,thejudgescomprisingObiAsika,D’Banj, andSimi,stoodwhileapplaudingtheskillsdisplayedby thecontestants,aseachofthemperformedelectrify-

Nigerian Idol Season 7 judges, host, and top three contestants during the Week 8 show in Lagos

inglytoalsogetpraisesfromthehost,IKOsakioduwa.

Banty, who was the first to sing, came up with a stunning performance with Beyonce’s, “I Miss You,” which kept the judges standing and clapping for her good vocals and stage act, a situation that Asika

exclaimedthatshesangperfectly,whileSimistated: “it is the best I have ever seen.” Also, D’Banj enthused “that was phenomenal.”

Theyoungsinger’ssecondsong,“IWannabeDown” byBrandy,whichwasreleasedintheyear1995when

Banty was born, was incredible. D’Banj stated, “I am gladyouareamongthethreecontestants,thatwas great”,whileSimiavowedthatitwasimpressive,and Asika, “I love what you have done.”

Zadok did his first song, “And I am telling you” by Jennifer Hudson and got the judges standing, clapping, with admiration for his outstanding act, that also shook the viewers, who stood yelling with joy for being entertained.

The 28 years old, who was described as a great singer by his super fan, in his second song, taken from “Boyz II Men’s ‘I’ll Make Love To You,” released in1994whenhewasborn,madeSimiremarkedthat itwasastonishing,incredible,whileD’Banjsaid,“Iam an entertainer, and I must tell you that you are also one,” and Asika, “you have shown us what you know how to do very well.”

Progresssang“IWillAlwaysLoveYou”byWhitney Houston,andgotthejudgesover-the-moonwithhis vocalsandstageperformance,whilehissecondsong fromWestlife’s‘SwearitAgain’whichdebutedinthe year2000,whenhewasborn,ledtogoodcomments fromD’Banjsaying“everytimeyouareonstage,itis like a ministration,” because he was often referred to as a pastor.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY14, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR Olufemi Oguntamu

I Help Talents Understand Target Audience From the early days of influencing, to the growth of a media and management empire, Olufemi Oguntamu has defied all odds and written a life path embodied by excellence, integrity and distinctions. From handling campaigns for global brands such as Google, Bolt, Red Bull, Microsoft, to managing one of Nigeria’s biggest comedy export, Broda Shaggi, he is surely bound for heights beyond the skies. In this interview with Tosin Clegg, Oguntamu talks about his journey in influencing, talent management, media relations, youth empowerment and much more further confirm how far we have come and we hope that this is just a stepping stone to greater things to come.

My values

H

ardwork, being consistent, having good integrity, a good name are my values.

I can work anytime of the day and I also have a good work life balance. I travel a lot, I love to have fun and even when I travel for work, I try to have fun in between. Anywhere I go, I try to make contact and relationships as I’m very big on that.

I have worked with several brands, talents One thing I have learnt is that in as much as you have value to add, people will always come back to you even if they feel you are expensive.

I have also learnt patience especially when you work with talents. So, I have learnt a lot and some clients would not like you to say negative things about them as they only want to hear only good things. From one client to another and experience to another, you build and grow your experience. At the moment, I don’t think there is any brand I can’t work with because when you do a good job it affects you positively. Again, when your client is happy, you are also happy. I have learnt that in as much as you are doing a job, you are investing in yourself also.

Penzaarville will be seven this year by God’s grace Penzaarville has grown from being a personal project to what I will call an empire and we have

Oguntamu

grown from being an Influencer, Marketing Agency to a PR and Talent Management company. We have handled several projects for global brands like Bolt, Red Bull, Microsoft, Google, YouTube and Several others. We have also worked on big talents like Broda Shaggi, MC Lively, Adedimeji Lateef, Mr. Macaroni and several other brands. For us, success stories

I didn’t even just become a talent manager I had talents come to me to say they needed me to take them from point A to point Z. So, looking at my experience in the media space and how I have grown my company, I was technically ready for talents management tasks.Truthfully, before you manage someone, you also need to be able to manage yourself efficiently. In managing talents, you need to be good at ensuring that there is structure and a good flow of activities. I will say that my vision for managing talents in Nigeria and beyond is to help them build a better and visible structure in line with their career projections.

What I have realized so far about talents in Nigeria is that everybody is just doing their own; they don’t really bother about any other thing aside creating content. But myself and my team members continue to help talents understand their target audience; make them understand the kind of content their target want and how to effectively annex that and also aside Nigeria, globally also. We go further to look at possible ways of how their contents can be accepted globally. Many talents have come and gone but what would make you stand out is the quality of your content, the quality of what you have done and the team.

Most poor talents do not have a great team around them, they do everything themselves and eventually when they get into one issue

or the other, they fall.

The rise of creative talents today First, because of the state of things in Nigeria, everybody is looking for ways to survive and the entertainment industry has come as a form of survival for people so I won’t blame a lot of people going into it. We need to also understand influencer marketing is big and because the skit makers make a lot of money from what they are doing, we have a lot coming into the industry. So, it’s helping us economically as people are earning more as skit makers. And statically have shown that Nigerians are number one in the world in the use of social media and we consume content more.

Nigerian talents are accepted with elegance globally Through the effective use of social media in recent years, we found out that it is helping us positively in this line of global recognition, acceptance and interaction. It can’t take up to 24 hours for someone to just blow up from Nigeria and become very popular and become a sensation across the world. It goes down to how viral the content of that person is at that particular period of public engagement online. As a result of this, we can see that we are now having more continental tours and local tours. It is apparent that, people are consuming our content more, specifically in the field of entertainment. I will say that it is a huge one now and the acceptance is great.

Hydro Returns with ‘My Turn’ Kcee Thrills at Chupez Talent Hunt Competition Ferdinand Ekechukwu

O

werribasedsinger,AguUchenna Leonard, better known as Hydro, has returned with a sophomore single; ‘My Turn’.

ProducedbyKayceyogan,the afro-popsongisavailableonall digitalstreamingplatforms.AlthoughasoloartistewhohailsfromAwommanma inImoState,Hydroispresentlyafinalyearstudent ofAgricultureandBio-ResourceEngineeringat the Federal University ofTechnology, FUTO. Hydro has earlier released an Afro-pop love songtitled“Tire”producedbyBale.Thesongwas widely received by music aficionados amongst Nigerian college students. Also talented insoccerandarchitecturaldrawing,Hydro considers himself one of Nigeria’s best upcoming singers.

He said: “I have always wanted to bring songs to the world that will simply take over. That’s why my sophomore single is called ‘My Turn’. I think that this is my own turntobringgoodstuffinformofNigerian music to the world. I have my own sound and style. Listen, we cannot be two in this world;anothersingerlikemenodey.I’mnot sayingI’mthebest,but,truthis,I’mthebest in my own style. “ Thetrack‘MyTurn’hasinspirationaland motivatinglyricslaidoverAfro-popbeats,a genrethathasbeengainingglobalrecognition,thankstoBurnaBoy,Wizkid,Davidoand other frontline Nigerian artistes. Written inWest African Pidgin English, Hydro has established a way to use his mid-tempo but rhythmic music to address trending street topics.

Inhissong,‘MyTurn’,thesingerstrivesto appealtonoblevirtuesinhislistenersrather than popular culture of vices. A line in the

Hydro

songseemstosummarizethesubstanceofthetrack; “If them like, make them do ‘dorime’, I go dey wait for myturn…”herepeatsinthechorusofthesong.That hook seems to highlight the need for contentment in the face of flashy things and shiny objects in his message of self-belief.

AlthoughhelooksuptoNigerianartisteslikeOxlade andFireboyandglobalnameslikeJuiceWorld,Justin Bieber and EdSheeran, Hydro does expect to take over the Nigerian music industry with his brand of Afro-popmusicinthenearfuture.Whenaskedabout hisnextplan,hehadthistosay;“Well,wearecurrently workingonmythirdtrack.Itisbeingproducedbymy guyBeatBossandiscalled‘DeyforYou’.Myfocusison wrappingup studies,but,man,Ican’twaittounleash my music on this world”.

Tosin Clegg

I

t was all fun and excitement as talented young musician, Terzungweh Terver Freeman (Zege), secured the sum of N1.2 million at the first edition of Chupez Talent Hunt Competition held in Lagos May 7.

The talent hunt allowed Nigerians from different parts of the country with different talents, ranging from singing, dancing, acting and arts to show their capabilities uuniquely. The initiative had over 200 entries ffrom young Nigerians who were requested tto make a video showing their talent. Ten llucky entries were then selected into the ffinals with the opportunity of winning N1,000,000 for the 1st prize, N500,000 N ffor the 2nd prize and N200,000 each for tthe remaining 8 contestants.

Notable stars at the event include, ccomedians such as I go Save, Mc Pashhun, Koloman and several others. Ace ccomedian, Senator and talented actress, Rekiya Yusuf (Mimi) of popular television R sseries, My Flatmates hosted the event. In aaddition to the already stated prize money, N200,000 was given to each finalist by N CEO of New Age Mobile Concept, Chief C Kingsley Okpara. While Dr. EmekaAnibara K of Jumek Phones gave N300,000 to the o 3rdprize winner, Adamu Danladi (Gaza).

3 This brought the total prize money for T tthe 1st winner, Terzungweh Terver Freeman (Zege) to N1,200,000, 2nd winner, m Amarachi Amachukwu (Amastar) and the A 3rd winner took home N700,000 each. The 3 other 7 finalist went home with N400,000 o

Kcee

each.

Speaking about the success of the event, CEO, Chupez Phone Accessories, Chupez Chukwudi Ezechukwu said: “Season 1 has come and gone but the memory will always be archived with us. Hearty congratulations to our winners. It has been an amazing journey right from the Instagram live shows on Sundays, down to entry collections, and the big show; the grand finale. Join us next year for season 2, it’s going to be something big, watch out!”

SATURDAY MAY 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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SATURDAY MAY 14, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

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POLITY PDP Presidential Ticket: X-raying the Top 5 Gladiators With less than three weeks to the presidential primaries of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, aspirants are still crisscrossing the country, trying to woo delegates. Here is a pool at the top five contenders for the ticket, based on reactions to their visits and responses to their messages across Nigeria. Samuel Ajayi reports Atiku Abubakar: Experience Tempered by Age and Negative Political Baggage

A

mong the presidential contestants in both the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition PDP, the only one who could be described as a veteran of many political, especially presidential, contests is no other person than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Atiku’s first try was in 1993 when he contested for the presidential ticket of the then Social Democratic Party, SDP. He political mentor, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, had been banned from contesting following the crisis that came with the staggered presidential primaries of 1992 when he (Yar’Adua) was tugging it out with former Minister of Finance, Chief Olu Falae. Atiku lost but he remained undaunted until he became the Vice-President in 1999 having been already elected as the governor of Adamawa State.

With the governorship mandate in the bag, then candidate Olusegun Obasanjo picked him as his running-mate for the 1999 presidential election and that was how he started his political journey as an elected political office holder.

He was to fall out with his then boss, Obasanjo, in the build-up to the 2003 general elections. While Obasanjo retained him as his deputy, trust had been severely injured between them as Obasanjo only retained him for political expediency. Atiku was not only planning to upstage his boss, he was said to have set up structures to contest the 2003 presidential ticket with his boss; with many then PDP governors said to be behind him.

He was denied the 2007 PDP ticket and he moved to the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, to contest where he was roundly trounced by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2011, he did everything to pick the PDP ticket but was also beaten to it by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Apart from criss-crossing the two major parties between 2014 and now, he is the only contestant with a political structure that has a national spread. And it is also believed he has enough resources to prosecute his political adventures, especially as they relate to the battle for the ticket of the PDP. Beyond this, he is the most experienced politician among the lot. On paper, analysts will think the PDP presidential ticket is for him to lose.

But it is not that simple. By the time the 2023 election is taking place, Atiku would have passed the age of 76. That is not a young age. While age does not matter, the guile, poise and energy he possessed 20 years ago could not be said to be the same with what he possesses now at the age of three scores and sixteen. ‘ Apart from age, many are also of the opinion that he ought to have retired from active politics since it seems his lifelong ambition of becoming the president of the country might not be materialising after all. Above all this, his critics and even neutrals believe he has much political baggage opponents can dig up and use against him ahead of the general election.

Mohammed Hayatu-deen: Where Structure is Limited, Credibility Fills In In fact, the one that conveniently be called the only green horn in the PDP so far, Mohammed Hayatu-deen, former banker and tested technocrat, seems to be undaunted by that toga. In fact, perhaps, the thinking in his camp seems to be that the more he is seen as an underdog, the more he digs in and make forays into areas considered the strongholds of his potentially better politically equipped opponents.

Few weeks ago, many could have sworn that they did not know that the former managing director and chief executive officer of the now defunct FSB International Bank was contesting. But the upsurge in his rating and mention within political circles are results of what few weeks could change in political calculations. Even his staunchest of supporters know that he does not have the kind of political experience the likes of Atiku have.

He does not even come near it as this is the first time he would be coming out of corporate nest to throw his hat into the ring. But he seems to be making up for this by taking his message to those that matter within the party since he has to pick the party’s ticket first before thinking of how to deal with the challenge from the opposition.

Hayatu-deen, apparently aware that there is no any politi-

Hayatu-deen

Atiku

cal structure anywhere that would work for him without prompting, he took his political destiny into his hands by visiting those who will decide where the PDP ticket would go: delegates. He has visited virtually all the northern states where he has met with delegates, party leaders and delegates telling them time has come for them to test a new hand with the ticket of the party.

He has visited Taraba, Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Borno, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Sokoto and so on. Sources close to his camp say he will start the southern states next week.

Hayatu-deen might actually be a green horn politically, but he has one thing gong for him which is credibility. And that is very key. Perhaps, it is a plus for the opposition PDP that for the very first time, it has a tested technocrat and a former top banker as part of its presidential gladiators.

Morakinyo Ezekiel, an estate agent based in Lagos and political commentator, who says he has been following Hayatu-deen since when his father was working at FSB International Bank, said his father had always spoken highly of the respected technocrat.

“My father said he was a very good leader who would never joke with the welfare of workers. He gave them a sense of belonging. My father had been there before he came in but he changed the place. I was so excited when I read that he was contesting for the Presidency. I pray they give him a chance to replicate at the presidential level what he did at FSB International Bank,” Ezekiel said.

But if not being politically tainted is all that is needed to clinch his ticket, then he should go ahead to book his presidential campaign open bus.

But that is as far as it goes. Obi does not have the national appeal and while many believe he is wealthy; it is debatable if he has the deep pockets needed to run a successful presidential campaign in an environment like this. And above all, many political realists also opine that he might not be willing to ‘play the game’. This means he might not be willing to spend money on some unconventional things needed to win the race.

Peter Obi: Sellable but a Hard to Buy Is social media sympathy and the need to answer the Igbo Question are that are needed to win the PDP presidential ticket and also win the presidential election proper, then former Governor Peter Obi would have no problem achieving the two. Across the two parties, he is the leading aspirant of Igbo extraction. He has the experience, having served as two-term governor of Anambra State as well as being former managing director and chief executive officer of Fidelity Bank. Above all, he has no political or corporate scandal hanging around his neck.

For a nation so diminished by corruption in public service and outright stealing of the commonwealth, Obi’s spartan approach to life and frugal management of scarce resources have endeared him to a section of the populace. Many believe if he becomes president, he would block loopholes and also stop wastage in government. His records in Anambra State speak for themselves and even the man who came after him, Willie Obiano, could barely match him. In a nutshell, Obi arguably has all the credentials to make a good president.

Aminu Tambuwal: Tale of a Handicapped Political Pedigree Since he made his way to the House of Representatives in 2003, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former speaker of the House of Representatives and current governor of Sokoto State, has not looked back in his political journey. And it was not surprising that he was one of the very first northerners that picked the Expression of Interest as well as nomination forms of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP. This was despite strong case for zoning of the ticket to the south by top members of the party from the South.

The House under Tambuwal practically became the unofficial opposition to the Presidency and it even got to the head when he declared that the body language of President Goodluck Jonathan encouraged corruption. On October 28, 2014, Tambuwal finally decamped to the newly formed opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, and April 11, 2015 he was elected the governor of Sokoto State.

Tambuwal is on his second and final term as governor and that is why he wants to step up and become the president.

Bukola Saraki: Impeccable Credentials Blotted by Question Marks After former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the most experienced among the PDP presidential lot is former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki. He spent eight years as elected governor of Kwara State (the first to achieve that feat in the state) and after that went to the Senate in 2011 and emerged Senate President in 2015 despite massive impediment mounted on his way by the APC powers that be cum Presidency.

He had a very turbulent reign as Senate President and a combination of federal might and local conspiracy ensured he didn’t return to the Senate in 2019. But he is back on the political beat as he is one of the serious contenders for the presidential ticket of the PDP. Saraki no doubt has the national appeal and those who know him closely say he is a very consummate administrator. His tenure as Senate President can only be compared with that of David Mark in terms of effectiveness not been a lackey of the executive. However, he has corruption questions around him. Is he really corrupt? This will be a big issues as he continues his campaign across Nigeria.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

Lucky Igbokwe

My Desire is to Make Abia State Great Mayor Lucky Igbokwe is an entertainment entrepreneur and governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State. He spoke to Charles Ajunwa and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo on his plans for God’s Own State put primary healthcare centres in all corners so that it will not become too difficult for the people to access. Any case would now be taken to the specialist hospitals that I will build, one in Aba, one in Bende, and one in Umuahia. The three specialist hospitals would also attract people from other states, who will patronise the hospitals and bring money for our own dear state. So, I don’t believe roads are part of achievements. No. We have to build more roads and create new cities. That’s part of the plans I have for infrastructural development which helps with human capital development because it is people that are going to work and build those things.

You are among those gunning for the governorship seat in Abia State. What motivated you to join the 2023 race?

It was out of my desire to change the narrative, human capital development, to improve the welfare of our people, and build infrastructure. It has been in my heart since I was a child and I’ve been building my life towards that.It’s my desire, it’s my interest since my childhood.

Specifically, what are the things you want to do in order to change the narrative?

I want to work on infrastructure. I want to work on agriculture to create jobs. And I want to generate revenue for the state which would be used for infrastructural development and human capital development.

In some of your plans you talked about reenacting the industrial revolution of late Dr. Michael Okpara in the defunct Eastern region. How do you intend to do that?

Dr. Michael Okpara had a template and I will work with that template. Like I’ve told you, generating funds is number one and investing the funds is number two. When I generate funds I will put it under this template. In fact, I feel like I’m Michael Okpara. If you go to Isi Okata, I’m building his statue now. Those are the things I would commission if I win my primaries to kick off my campaign to show people that Michael Okpara still lives on.

Have you contested for Abia governorship before?

No. This is my first time.

Given the kind of politics played in Abia, have you consulted enough before coming up with the decision to join the gubernatorial race?

When something is borne out of desire you can make a decision and damn the consequences, especially when you are working to help the people. My desire is to move our people out of their present situation. If David had waited and thought about Goliath’s height and his might he would not have even made an attempt to challenge him. If you don’t make an attempt how would you know when the change comes. So, I don’t care how the system is. But all I know is that, as the Bible says, change is constant and there must be a change and the change is now.

Since you’re not home-based, do you actually understand the problems of Abia people?

Not being home based is from you and it’s not from the people, not from me. Even if I’m in America my presence is felt here through my foundation. I do a lot through my foundation - the Don Lulu Foundation. We are focused on empowering people, human capital development. Last December, I had 650 people that I trained in agriculture and now we’re working on farm estates using my counterpart funding.

It would empower people to cater for themselves. It would reduce insecurity and reduce poverty. So, I have always lived in Abia; everybody can attest to that. I only go outside to see my family, to cater for my businesses. I spend more time in Abia than in America, except during the pandemic when there was a lockdown. Even during the pandemic I was sending succour to the people through my Foundation. I sent 900 bags of rice, beans and money to families while I was stuck in America. So, I’m on ground, nobody can say I’m not on ground. I’m very much on ground.

The issue of which zone should produce the next Abia governor has taken the centre stage. Do you subscribe to zoning or rotational arrangement?

I will say no. The governor and the state party chairman have zoned the governorship ticket of our party, PDP, to two senatorial zones, Abia North and Abia Central. This zoning arrangement has not happened before. But I believe that it was God that made them choose Abia Central in the arrangement. So, I don’t have much work to do in convincing people since my zone is included. But if you talk about zoning, it has not made any positive changes in our state. What Abia needs now is a lover, somebody who is energetic, who is going to change the narrative. Though the zoning favours me, I try not to touch on that area, telling you that zoning has not helped us in Abia. I think it’s an organised caucus to impose people on us.

Why did you choose the PDP platform to actualise your ambition?

So far, since I became partisan I have only joined one political party, which is PDP. I’ve spent part of my life in PDP. I’ve given part of my best to the Peoples Democratic Party in our ward and the state. So, I have done so much for PDP to just wake up one day and join the race.

There are indications that the state governor has already anointed the person he wants to succeed him. Is this healthy for democracy?

Not at all.

But are you aware of this development?

Yes, I’m aware. You know, man can always do what he feels he can do but God will perfect His plans for Abia State. This time, God will intervene. In fact, God has already intervened and that is why we say that Abia is lucky. God has provided Mayor Lucky Igbokwe to bring Abia to the next level, to provide food on the table of Abia people, to provide security for Abians, to create jobs for Abians, to enhance infrastructure, to develop our schools and equip it, to give free education. Abia is lucky to have me. So, having an anointed

Igbokwe one will not deter me or make me stay back. No. This is a vision signed by God with a mission to accomplish a lot of things in Abia State.

Do you have a godfather propelling you?

The era of the godfather is gone. There is nothing like godfather. The only Godfather I have is God Almighty.

Apart from your Foundation, do you have a political structure with which to carry out your campaigns?

Yes, I do have a political structure. What is a political structure? Politics begins at home. When you have a Foundation that has touched lives in the 17 local governments when going there you pick coordinators. I have coordinators and those coordinators are politically inclined. So, they are already reaching out for me even before I picked interest to run for the office of governor. They are all working. Some joined me, other people came from outside to join because they know that I have good intentions, genuine intentions for my people.

So, all hands are on deck.

You were supposed to hold your declaration for the governorship on Friday, May 6 but the feelers we’re getting is that some people are afraid of your ambition and didn’t want the event to hold. What’s your take on this?

Well, it’s the same thing I’ve heard but I don’t know how true it is. You know, it’s not easy for one to put such an event together; just the logistics alone costs a lot. So, we have noticed that the governor waited till late in the night to declare a public holiday and without knowing if people in some families have food, some had fixed appointments that could get them money that would bring food in their houses. Everything should be properly arranged; that’s part of good governance. But, maybe he has his reasons to declare the public holidays just for people to get their permanent voters card. Well, we’ve gotten another date. We’ve moved it to the12th. Whatever it is, what would be would be. That’s God’s rule.

As an Abian, do you think your state has fared well since the present democratic dispensation?

You are in Abia and you can put your eyes to the ground.

You can check if there’s anything new since Abia State was created aside from the things Ochendo did like the Secretariat, International Conference Centre, among other projects.

Governor Ikpeazu has said that he has been busy constructing our roads. But I believe that African politics and Nigerian politics should go beyond road, road, road. How long are we going to keep dwelling and running in a circle? That we are building roads, that’s one thing the governor should in one instance just phase out and concentrate on human capital development, build industries in order to create jobs for the people. It would reduce crime for sure because poverty is one of the fundamental things that lead to crime because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. So, I don’t believe in discussing roads because building roads is fundamental, something I have to do.

I have to build roads for investors to come in, I have to build five star hotels, which are already in their prototypes, one in Aba, one in Umuahia so that investors can confidently come and bring money into the state. A lot of people don’t know what to do with the Seal. If I’m given the Seal of Abia I will attract a lot of development to the state. I need the Seal, I will maximise the Seal.

Yesterday, somebody sent me a message that her daughter had a running stomach. By the time they ran to the FMC (Federal Medical Centre) the child had given up. So, I will

In contemporary Nigeria parlance it is said that the government has no business in doing business. How do you relate this to your plans to build industries that would not survive due to mismanagement?

If the government is not in business, how will it generate funds to do its projects? That means we’ll sit and wait for the FAAC (Federal Account Allocation Committee). Remember I said that I will not have anything to do with FAAC. I’m going to increase our Internally Generated Revenue. That aside, if the Federal Republic is not doing business by selling crude how would they generate funds to distribute to the states. That means we’re going to destroy a lot of businesses with double taxation in order to generate funds to do repairs on existing roads without even building new ones. Every government needs a businessman. Government should be the number one business institution generating funds, not to be taxing, taxing and taxing even the Keke operators. If you go to Keke drivers they complain. Sometimes I would just hop into Keke to move around and know what they need, what they lack. Most times they complain about multiple taxation - a graduate operating keke and you don’t want him to have savings.

I’m going to be a business governor. I speak very positively, that’s why I said all I need is the Seal not the FAAC. What’s your plan for Abia workers in view of the nagging issues of nonpayment of salaries, gratuities and pensions?

There is already a template for their salary payment.

Mine is to constantly provide money for their salary payment. There will be funds. In fact, I will increase their salaries. If you pay somebody N30,000 and sometimes cut their salaries and a bag of rice is above their salaries you still want them to be diligent in their offices. It’s not possible. There must be corruption because they have to survive. Those who do not have where to work or to access finance they would go into crime. Those in the offices are already on the corrupt lane. So, I will sustain salary payment by generating funds as a business governor.

Recently you were quoted as saying that confidence in you is a confidence in hope, the future, success, restoration and freedom from fear. Could you explain this assertion?

Freedom from fear, freedom from poverty means a lot of things - from being caged to tell the truth, from speaking out when things are going wrong, breaking out from the old circle, introducing new things without fear. If I don’t break out from the circle of fear would I ever think of running for the governorship. It’s freedom from a lot of things, enhancing the business environment, ending multiple taxation, putting food on the table, money in the pocket. Then I intend to drive our state through tourism. I come from the entertainment sector and there’s something people don’t understand. They look at entertainment people as unserious people. But the entertainment industry has done more than governance in Nigeria.

Sometimes, they tell me you are an entertainer, do you think governance is about entertainment. What is governance - transforming people. Do you know what it takes a man to pick somebody who has no hope, revive the person and make the person a superstar and the person starts generating funds, building industries.

An artiste is an industry because he has drivers, DJ, sound producer, sound engineer, videography, graphic designer - the greatest industry. They are all there and technologically driven. You cannot tell me otherwise.

So far, we are more successful than the government of Nigeria. Quote me! Why won’t I enhance, transform the cities? I wouldn’t be able to build tourism when my cities are in the dark.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

23

POLITY

Of Outrageous Nomination Fees and All-comers’ Race Eddie Mbadiwe

T

here is trepidation in the air. Will it or won’t it happen. PDP has 15 cleared aspirants while the ruling party APC has twenty 25 as yet to be candidates. YPP already has a lady in the race and this is refreshing. There will still be more.

The world is yet to see the end of comic relief from Nigeria. The misconception that you don’t need a period of training or apprentiship to run a country is totally erroneous.

Governance, which is a complex mixture of arts and science, is more than what is being flung to the Nigerian people now.

The Kennedys and the Bushes had to put their children in universities in America at an early age in preparing them for eventual leadership. As Joe Biden told the press corps at dinner two weeks ago, being the President of America is not a reality show.

Two points have already become crystal clear. The so-called hand-shake across, the Niger between the people of the Southeast and South-west has been shown for what it really is - a fragile Razor-thin alliance. Otherwise, how can many stalwarts from the South-west be in the race against the South-east whose unassailable arguments should make South-east the zone of choice.

People of the South-east should come to terms with the fact that brilliant arguments alone will not give them the presidency. In terms of real world hard-nosed practical politics, nobody is going to give you power. It never happens anywhere. People of the South East have to look inwards and answer some serious questions. There was a period when the majority of important ministers as well as federal permanent secretaries where from the South East. Okonkwo Kano and Sons were well established in the North and gave birth to the town Kwankwoso. The current Senator from Kano who goes by that name can enlighten us better. These alliances were brokered by people. My advice to my fellow South Easterners is to delve into the past, study it and use your God-given native wisdom to move ahead.

Umaru Altine, a Fulani man from Sokoto was elected Mayor of Enugu. Mbonu Ojike was deputy Mayor of Lagos. Margaret Ekpo an Efik was an activist who organised the Aba Women’s

Riot. She became a member of Eastern House of Assembly.

Francis Mbadiwe and Dixon Onwenu (Onyeka’s father) both from Imo State represented Enugu and Port-Harcourt respectively in the Houses of Representatives. As my friend late Dr. Eugene Mgbojikwe repeatedly asked, “where did we leave the track?” A little bit of soul searching and introspection will certainly be useful.

Every Yoruba person below the age of seventy (70) has a debt to pay to Chief Awolowo. His compulsory universal primary education transformed the landscape and shaped the lives of most of them. His philosophy based on Egbe Omo Oduduwa enabled him as leader of the Action Group to bestride the place like a colossus. He presided over the place like an Emperor. The important point is that he delivered results. In the days of Chief Awolowo, who would raise a finger if he desired anything unlike now when many young men are literally poking their fingers into Senator Bola Tinubu’s eyes. The times, how they are changing.

Had Dr. Azikiwe agreed to include a secession clause in the pre independence constitution, it is likely Western Nigeria would have left Nigeria and by now would be competing with the people of the Western World. The same is true of the South-east. What would have been left is bigger than many countries in the world.

As we struggle with preparations for the 2023 election cycle and all the debate about zoning and non-zoning for anybody who has bothered to read the proposed Abacha constitution under the Chairmanship of Justice Tobi will not fail to acknowledge some important recommendations.

One of the most important was that the presidency be rotated between the six Geopolitical Zones. Until such a time that Nigerians agree that meritocracy should take over.

The idea of six geo-political zones was the product of cerebral thinking by late Vice President Alex Ekwueme. The NPN later adopted it and the position of the speaker of the senate was zoned to the South-east. That provision produced Evan Enwerem, Adolphus Nwagbara and Chuba Okadigbo. The other recommendation which I think

L-R: Director of QuestechMedia Consulting Ltd, Emeka Mba; Brand Marketing and Partnerships Manager, Showmax, Adeola Oluwatobi; Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola and Director, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations, MultiChoice, Shumani Gerdea at the AMVCA Digital Content Creators Brunch held in Lagos.... recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Country Manager, Visco Nigeria, Mrs.Yvonne Chioke; The Facilitator of the school project, Prince Ike Chioke; the Representative . of Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Nnamdi Onuigbo; and Rev. Fr. Paul Ogbozor, during the Opening Ceremony of New Central School Obioma in Udi L.G.A of Enugu State...... recently

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

we should still revisit was for a transition period of 30 years to be incorporated so that Nigeria will mature from being a country to a being nation. A bill to make education free, compulsory and mandatory up to SS3 which I took to the 7th Assembly strongly emphasized this.

Without compulsory education, it will continue to be a dialogue of the deaf and dumb. Unless we want to be in denial the truly Nigerian Nation is not yet born. Had the framers of the 1999 constitution which we currently use done some background work, rotational presidency as recommended by the Justice Tobi panel might have been incorporated and all the current fight about zoning and non-zoning would be unnecessary.

INEC in my view has not finished their assignment. There should have been a way to put a cap on how much political parties are allowed to charge for forms etc and also when currently serving officers must resign from their posts to be legible for elections.

Here again, we have another election cycle which is a planting season for corruption from the very high nomination fees to the amounts given to party officials for convention delegates.

Anybody who survives the war and gets elected has the first duty on getting to parliament to recoup their expenses and keep a reserve for the uncertainty of a rainy day. Those who say corruption in Nigeria will never die are not very far off the mark.

The trade unions and the student bodies are also delinquent and have failed to do what is expected of them. Let me give just one example; because some of us were also student leaders at the national and university level in our days as undergraduates.

In those days, what we could afford was a Solex motorbike to get to afternoon practical work at Abadina. Now the president of the national student body rides a Range Rover. Who is buying the petrol? and travels in convoy. Why is it that the Trade Unions and Students Unions had not seriously addressed the fact that ex-Governors who are now Senators, earn double salaries one as pension from their states after for 8 years work and also collect the mind-boggling salaries and allowances Nigerian parliamentarians go home with. What example of open thievery can be more classical than this.

No amount of prayers for “Nigeria in Distress will save this country-we all need a lot of more action from the entire citizenry.

L-R; Managing Director, Crown Flour Mill (CFM) Limited, Mr. Ashish Pande; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the presentation of the 2022 National Productivity Order of Merit Award to CFM, held at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja…recently

L - R : CEO, Rev Seduction and House of Rev, Ngozi Tonia Dibiechukwe; Group Head, Emerging Businesses, Access Bank, Ayodele Olojede; and Steady Wealth Nigeria Ltd, Stanley Anumaka during the Interactive session with top management of Access bank and SMEs held in Lagos …recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

24

POLITY

Inside Okezie Ikpeazu’s Kingdom Former members of the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu Administration, led by Kingsley Megwara, accuse the government of squandermania, prebendalism, profligacy, and deliberate leakages, which has resulted in workers and pensioners living in penury with a debt peonage that will take years to recover. Nduka Nwosu writes Yes, it was George Orwell who reminded us all animals are equal by creation and possession of certain endowments from nature. Beyond that, some animals are more equal than the others. Nowhere is this more demonstrable than in Abia State where the animals in Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s zoo feed fat and better than the pensioners he is starving to death.

While Mr. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has hosted President Muhammadu Buhari twice in his incarnation as governor, showcasing his wide range of infrastructure projects, Ikpeazu has nothing significant to offer, except for a charade of poorly defined and laughable projects with the social media making a jest of him, the Charley Chaplain of his age, his brilliance in the classroom notwithstanding. Names can be brutal to the soul even as wines.

What is the source of revenue that has elevated Ikpeazu to an African big man? Does his total package as a governor provide enough to pick the bills for private jets and a lifestyle befitting that of the richest man in the world? Governor Peter Obi preferred Economy Class and a life of frugality just to make a difference for Anambrarians. He did and the track record follows him. He saved hugely, invested hugely for Anambra State. Peter Obi’s success is Ikpeazu’s nightmare. Abia is groaning in a debt overhang.

Megwara who was Ikpeazu’s image maker and campaign manager offers all the details while holding back what he feels should not be exposed to the public until the time is ripe. His anger springs from the fact that he personally assured the pensioners that this governor would do the needful in ensuring their social welfare and salaries were met with a sense of urgency.

The opposite is the case. It is like the Biblical statement attributed to Solomon’s son, King Rehoboam who promised Israel an iron fist rule worse than that of his father, rejecting the advice of Elders. Does Ikpeazu listen to the Elders of Abia State? Megwara answers in the negative.

Ikpeazu, he laments, owed pensioners nine months in 2019. That was not redeemed but left to be carried forward. In August 2021 only a quarter of a one-month salary was paid. The news from the grapevine is that pension money has been put together for the settlement of delegates who would be voting for Ikpeazu’s candidates during the coming state congress.

Megwara narrates a personal experience: “I met with some of the pensioners a few days ago and wept bitterly.

It is very embarrassing to me because I had helped to assemble over 400 of them before the 2015 elections, to be addressed by Ikpeazu in Umuahia. I feel very betrayed that their conditions remain the same. We have sadly lost many of them since 2015. Some of us staked our credibility for this administration. We must ensure that the next governor must not repeat the mistakes that plague this administration. No amount of excuses can exempt us from our statutory obligations to our people.”

Megwara adds: “Funds allocated to Abia to fight Covid were not properly accounted for. Instead, it was the collective effort of public spirited Abians including Abia professionals who built a 300-bed clinic for Covid patients at the FMC which helped in stemming the tide.

Abia’s debt exposure under Ikpeazu is the worst since the founding of the state. It has thrown us into a debt peonage.

“Beyond that, it is incredibly sad that this government ignores the payment of salaries for civil servants while pensioners are languishing in their various villages.”

More befuddling is the stalled $56 million World Bank project for underground water tunnel meant to help stem flooding in Aba as well as the reconstruction of the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

While John Okiyi then commissioner for Information claimed the project was on going but stalled because of the inability of the contractors to procure the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which a Dubai firm was to use in digging underground channels without pulling down buildings. He said, stakeholders have agreed to adopt surface tunnelling for the Ndiegoro project, adding that the 36 months contract timeline would be met. That was 17 months ago in August 2021. The rainy season is here and the communities involved as would be beneficiaries are carrying their hearts on their palms expectedly.

There is no activity on going on site. The Ndiegoro World Bank project is a flop. Ikpeazu will leave office in 2022 without telling Abians what he did with N23 billion of the Ndiegoro project. The Abia Flood Control project, Megwara asserts, is a tragedy foretold, revealing all the messy details of the Ikpeazu Administration.

Steve Eks, a popular social media influencer adds:

Megwara “The Ikpeazu administration has mismanaged the loan; there is no tunnel and there will be none as the perennial Aba flood will arrive in the rainy season. When Aba is flooded, all the roads recovered, would be gone” The loan was sealed in 2017 and was meant to collect water from Ngwa, Uratta, Obohia and Port Harcourt roads. $56.4 million at official exchange rate is N23.4 billion. Many have queried why the Waterside River project was awarded to Hartland, the contractor in charge of the failed Faulks Road construction project. Why not a reputable company as Julius Berger? Dubai has lifted its Covid restrictions. Why have the machines a Saudi Arabian contractor was to deliver not arrived even after the first quarter of 2021, the due date of arrival? Did Ikpeazu programme this project to fail from the get-go?

Abia government spokesman Onyebuchi Ememanka, has made several futile attempts to sell the dummy that the project is alive. The concerned LGAs do not believe him.

Right now, no work is ongoing on site, laments Eks who insists there is no evidence that Hartland has returned money paid for non-delivery.

Has Hartland refunded the state government money paid for non-performance? What about the Letter of Scope Variation from the World Bank? Why has the Ndiegoro Flood Control Programme become a Lost cause under Ikpeazu?

Just recently an APGA chieftain Obinna Ichita who represents Aba South in the State House of Assembly, had reason to ask the hungry workers of Abia to wake up and fight for their rights.

That was after joining the likes of Megwara, Steve Eks and Charles Ogbonnaya, former Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, to raise the alarm that the Ndiegoro World Bank project had collapsed under the Ikpeazu Administration. Can a hungry and emaciated man fight a governor who has all the instruments of coercion and repression at his disposal? Hear him: “In Abia, we have a situation worse than labour exploitation. A few examples will suffice. Workers in Abia State Polytechnic are owed 34 months of salary arrears; workers in Abia State Hospital Management Board have not been paid in the last 12 months; workers in Abia State University Teaching Hospital are owed many months of salary arrears.

“Workers in Abia State Local Government system are owed many months’ salary arrears; many workers in Abia State Ministries, Departments and Agencies are paid half salary for many months now.

“Workers in Abia State University are owed many months of salary arrears.

The way forward, says Megwara and Ogbonna, is for Abians to reject Professor Ikonne, Ikpeazu’s governorship candidate, the same way Ebonyi people rejected an imposed candidate from the former governor Elechi

Ikpeazu “Workers in Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu are owed over 26 months’ salary arrears; retired workers in Abia State are owed over two years pension arrears; senior workers like Permanent Secretaries are also owed many months of salary arrears; senior judicial officers in Abia State are also owed even as they struggle with horrible conditions of service.”

Megwara notes that Abia’s internally generated revenue is hugely under accounted for. “IGR, which should have overshot the one-billion-naira mark, if properly audited, is below N600 million. Ikpeazu has outsourced revenue points to his cronies who make paltry returns to the state coffers,” he insists.

Ogbonnaya agrees with Megwara. In a recent media interview, Ogbonnaya said he had enough information that could ruffle the state government and open a can of worms.

He told a media house that when he was in office, he was comfortably paying salaries and pension of Council workers with N2 billion and occasionally a minimum of N800 million allocated to his ministry.

“How come now that they are receiving N2 billion monthly, they are not paying salaries? They cannot pay pension. Why are they paying half salaries?” He queried, asking the Ikpeazu government to come clean because he has so much to talk about.

Ogbonnaya said he was open to a public debate on this issue of under-stated IGR returns. He continued: “If they say I lied, can they publish all the monies that accrued to this government in the past seven years? Let them tell us because we have the right to know.

“I have segmented what I want to say into three. In one of them I have A, B, and C. I have just opened the C part of it.

I’m still holding B, and A. “Once I open my mouth in the second segment to say what is in it, it will shake the foundations of Abia State. “ Does Megwara have plans to leave the PDP? He says he is a loyal party man. “Leave the party for who and for what?

I am only committed to cleaning that which may be wrong in our party. We as party men and women are not zombies.

We must always be critical of the party especially when we think we are on a wrong path through incompetent and careless leadership. We must rebuild the party in Abia State.

We must earn the confidence of the electorate. When we point out incompetence, we are simply positioning the party to withstand elections all levels. What good will keeping mute do us in a general election that looks very competitive?

I must frankly state that fellow party men and women share my views but are scared to come forward. We must begin to rebuild our party to restore confidence with the electorate.

The days of sweeping our concerns under the carpet are gone.”

Does he still think that the PDP has prospects in Abia state? “Absolutely, we are seeing an emergence of fresh blood into elective positions in the state. Mediocrity is gradually giving way for the emergence of very quality leaders. I am hesitant to mention some names since we are heading to our primaries. I am glad some of these guys are aware of the potholes in this administration.”

The way forward, says Megwara and Ogbonna, is for Abians to reject Professor Ikonne, Ikpeazu’s governorship candidate, the same way Ebonyi people rejected an imposed candidate from the former governor Elechi. The battle is on, on who takes the baton to succeed Ikpeazu who is accused of working with the APC to install his kinsman in case PDP disappoints him.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

25

POLITY

Daniel Nwandu Immortalized at Unizik Chike Okeke

Some people are gone but not forgotten, some are still here but already forgotten - Mokohoma Mokhonoana, a South African philosopher and social critic.

The late Oba Daniel Arinze Nwandu Oba I, the Traditional Prime Minister of EnugwuUkwu in Njikoka Local Government Area Anambra State definitely belongs to the first category. He was a man of many firsts who packed numerous accomplishments in his 63 years on earth, 1918-1981. He was born on January 1, 1918 at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka L.G.A of Anambra State, of very humble parentage. His father was a local carver and farmer. He had his elementary education at Emmanuel School Enugwu-Ukwu and later finished at Central School Abagana. As the quest for education in those days depended more on the state of your overall wellbeing, the young Daniel had no choice but to get into the fast track of survival and taking care of his parents.

So in 1932, Arinze, then a boy of 14 journeyed to the coal city of Enugu to become a trading apprentice to one Mr, Qfodile who was a General Merchandise entrepreneur. Within 6 years the young and dynamic Nwandu set out on his own, dealing mainly in smoked fish, onions, groundnut oil etc which came from the Northern part the country. This petty trading lasted for only two years when he decided to try his hands in petty contracting. The late Dr. Pius Okigbo used to admire the dynamism and business (knowledge of the late Oba Nwandu and gave him his first major contract. It was after this that in 1949 he combined with late Chief D.O Okafor to construct the Old Eastern House of Assembly and the Eastern General Contractors Ltd (EGC). was formed.

The E.G.C. as it was known, bestrode the Eastern Nigeria Construction Industry like a colossus, so much so that it was easily mistaken for a Government outfit.

The E.G.C. Ltd challenged and broke the monopoly of the expatriates to choice contract works. It is to the credit of Eastern General Contractors Ltd. that many edifices were executed successfully by the company including the Old Eastern House of Assembly, Over 50% of buildings at University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus, Administrative Block of I.M.T Enugu, The entire campus of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Classrooms and hostel blocks of Government Secondary School, Owerri, Chapel of Methodist College Uzuakoli, Extension of Governors Lodge

Enugu, The National Archives Enugu, Senior Staff Quarters of Nigerian Army Barracks Enugu, 11-The Municipal Hall and offices buildings of Enugu Town Hall and many others.

During the later part of his life, another family construction name D.A Nwandu and Sons Ltd came into being which built some land mark projects like the Ikom Army barracks, the 500 housing units in Ajaokuta Steel Township which were about to take off before his home call. Oba D.A Nwandu who made his mark in contracting and business also ventured into politics. In 1960, he contested and won election into the Onitsha Provincial Assembly on the ticket of Umunri Clan.

He also contested and won election into the Enugu Urban Council in 1953 where he served in various Committees as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectfully from 1953 to 1956.

Most importantly he was elected into the very high office of

Mayor of Enugu, a position he held from 1964 until the outbreak of Nigeria Civil war in 1967.

Despite Oba Nwandu’s cosmopolitan engagements, he still found energy and strength to serve his Enugwu-Ukwu Community. He was the President General of the EnugwuUkwu Community Development Union for Twenty Seven Years. He was also the Oba 1 (Traditional Prime Minister) of the town until he departed on May 5th, 1981. The Late Oba Nwandu’s off springs have kept his huge flag flying in their various professions and callings. Led by 76 years old Arc. Dr. Donald Arinze Nwandu, fnia, Oba II (Traditional Prime Minister of Enugwu-Ukwu) and Regent of EnugwuUkwu after the death of Late Igwe Osita Agwuna until the coronation of the present Igwe Ralph Ekpeh in 2011, the Nwandu family has shown very good examples in Strength in Unity, Community service, philanthropy and pioneering social and economic development activities.

Some members of the family include Chief Ezugo Nwandu (Owelle) who built and donated a modern civic centre to their village in addition to his secondary and university scholarship scheme, Chief Anayo Nwandu also has a Scholarship scheme and Chief Emeka Nwandu who donated a church Ebenezer Anglican Church for the worship of God in Enugu. They have demonstrated that as Winston Churchill in one of his famous quotes stated “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.

The family made history on the 5th day of May 2022 the 41st Anniversary of the late patriarch’s death when they handed over a magnificent edifice the Oba Daniel Nwandu Research Centre in Architecture to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Univery, Awka, donated in honour and everlasting memory of their late father. The Project was conceived by Obi Nwandu an Architectural and Interior designer, supervised by project architect Arc. Dr. Donald Nwandu while the project manager was Chief Ezugo Dan Nwandu (Owelle).

The project was managed under Danstacher Turnkey Contractors umbrella. The centre has total of 13 offices/ lecture halls, utility rooms, with very spacious HOD’s office with conference room, 2 no. axial circulation corridors, a memorabilia/ gallery space and a large conference room. t Okeke wrote in from Enugwu-Ukwu.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Allen Onyema and National Productivity Award Philip Egbede

aviation fuel crisis with other critical stakeholders, just to ensure that airlines do not bankrupt, which will lead to loss of thousands of jobs in the aviation industry.

At the same, he has been playing stabilizing role in the sector to find a middle ground between the exorbitant cost of aviation fuel and the price of flight ticket, without compromising safety and flight schedules.

Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort. Paul J. Meyer Greatness is repeated excellence. Success is incremental.

It does not come in an avalanche. If you want to create a tide, focus on making ripples not waves. If you make enough ripples, waves will herald a tide. This is the guiding philosophy of Mr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema; chairman and chief executive officer of Air Peace Airline.

When Allen Onyema conceived the idea of floating an airline, his primary vision was to create jobs. His secondary focus was to birth a new ideology of excellence in the aviation industry, and his tertiary goal was to put Nigeria in the global aviation map. Seven years down the line, he has created not only the biggest airline in West and Central Africa, but the largest job opportunities in the Nigeria’s aviation industry.

It was not a surprise to his admirers that Allen Onyema was among eminent Nigerians listed for the award of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), under the employers of labour category. Other captains of industry in the same category were: Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr), Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu and Jim Ovia. These are amongst first eleven of the nation’s private sector that have created hundreds of thousands of job opportunities, and need no further introduction.

When these quintessential entrepreneurs are referenced as employers of labour, they are very qualified to be rated so. A nation that has her unemployment level at 34 percent and underemployment index is approximately 55 percent, should cherish job creators like Allen Onyema, as a national asset. The National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari, recently, was duly merited and an encouragement to do more for this nation.

Using the platform of Air Peace Airline alone, Allen Onyema has created over 4000 direct jobs and close to 10,000 indirect jobs. He does not just create jobs for the sake of it, but good jobs with liveable salaries, with the capacity to positively impact the employees and their families. Air Peace has one of the best remuneration and welfare packages in the industry for its members of staff.

During Covid-19 pandemic, when aviation sector across the world was pummeled and ravaged by shutdowns

Onyema and layoffs, many airlines across the globe, even in Nigeria, downsized workers and furloughed employees, Allen Onyema, in his capacity as chairman and chief executive officer of Air Peace Airline, resisted the economic pressure to layoff or furloughed any of his workers.

To this aviation maven, you don’t throw your members of staff under the bus just to survive economic crisis orchestrated by Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Onyema does not see Air Peace employees as just workers but extended family.

He plays the role of a father that will never allow any of his children get drown in the storm for the ship to stay afloat.

You can understand why Air Peace’s members of staff are very committed to their duties— Onyema has given them a sense of belonging.

As a paragon of patriotism, Allen Onyema’s efforts at creating jobs and promoting the welfare of workers goes beyond his own businesses. As the vice president of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), he has made tremendous albeit unnoticed efforts to ensure survival of the nation’s aviation sector amidst excruciating operating environment, in the last few difficult years for the industry.

His sacrifices in getting National Assembly and President Buhari to pass and sign, respectively, the Financial Act of 2021, of which exempted airlines from Value Added Tax (VAT) and Customs Duties, served as a breather to domestic airlines already hemorrhaging and struggling to stay afloat.

Allen Onyema has been at the forefront of managing the

Even when Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) in the midst of controversy over the price of aviation fuel accused Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) of running the aviation industry like “social welfare business” and urged the Airline Operators to “let people pay the appropriate price for airline tickets”, Allen Onyema, as the biggest investor in the sector, did not buy the idea of transferring the whole burden of high cost of JetA1 to already economically strained passengers.

Rather, In one of his presentations during stakeholders’ meeting at National Assembly recently, Allen Onyema argued that if the price of aviation fuel would be allowed to reflect totally on the flight ticket without government intervention and oil marketers making sacrifices, the average unit price of flight ticket (economy) would go as high as N120,000. And this will take air travels out of the reach of many Nigerians, and businesses will be adversely affected, of which can cause job losses.

And Mr. Onyema will not want such exploitation to happen to save the industry from total collapse. This is mixing business with patriotism—only an Allen Onyema does it. He is not only in business to create jobs and values but to protect the nation from economic sabotage at the risk of his own life, family and businesses. So, Air Peace’s boss is not only a blessing to the aviation industry cum Nigeria’s economy but to the country as a whole.

He has also ensured national productivity in sports development. His enormous support for the national teams is unparalleled. Only a few billionaires in Nigeria have shown such passionate commitment to our national sports. Allen Onyema does not invest in national sports because of the opportunities it creates for the youths alone, but for the strategic role it plays in national cohesion.

It is an honor well-deserved to be conferred the award of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) by President Muhammadu Buhari. This recognition will strengthen his commitment towards aviation industry in particular and national development in general.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

26

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Instalmentally’ Incorrect

N

EWS around the city: “Bagudu condoles (condoles with or simply consoles) family of woman, daughter assassinated in Kebbi” An aside: people should desist from writing ‘unknown gunmen’!

You can never know them! Just employ ‘gunmen’. ‘’The state of their primary and secondary schools are (is) highly deplorable while some of their universities are nothing more than glorified secondary schools.” ,m THE NATION NEWS Extra of April 25 disseminated scandalous shibboleths in just one short extract: “There will be convenient (convenience) for payment… it can be pay (paid) installmentaly (sic) within four to five times.” Get it right: pay in instalments (not instalmentally)!

“Dr. Mike Adenuga is on (in) the driver’s seat in Globacom Unlimited.”

“NAICOM axes firms for non compliance with anti-money laundering rules” (BUSINESSDAY INSURANCE Today, April 25) News you can trust: non-compliance.

“Ex-Osun lawmakers pass vote of confidence on (in) Gov” “Man, 22, charged for (with) attempted suicide” (BUSINESSDAY, April 23) DAILY INDEPENDENT of April 23 circulated four improprieties: “At (On) different occasions you hear the agencies saying….” “…Maevis from the very beginning chose to collect FAAN’s revenue (which is government revenue) in a platform account operated by themselves to which FAAN had neither access nor control.”

Agenda: on a platform account.

“Muamba relieves (relives) horrifying experience” NIGERIAN TRIBUNE of April 19

fumbled: “The ballot process is meant to ensure that only strikes that enjoy the votes of majority of members are embarked upon.” This way: a/the majority of members.

The following four slips are from National News of April 19: “The National Examination Council (NECO) is currently enmeshed in internal crisis….” Tell me, what is the function of ‘currently’ here—in the presence of ‘is’? And this: an internal crisis or internal crises.

Still on a similar error: “Though Nigeria currently has three major optic fibres….”

“Adamawa gov’s wife flags off cancer screening exercise” This way: cancerscreening exercise.

“The case of who pays the piper dictating (calling) the tune has always been dominant in international politics.”

“I congratulate Dr. Jose Antonio Ocampo for (on/upon) being a worthy participant and for his decision to withdraw his candidacy in my favour.”

“He is still in (on) the board of many companies.” (THISDAY COMMENT, April 20) “NAC boosts auto technicians’ efficiency with staff loans for modern equipments.”

(DAILY INDEPENDENT Auto Business, April 20) ‘Equipment’ is uncountable “Demuren said that all the regulations will (would) be binding on both international and local airlines….” (Source: as above) “The damages and loss of lives to NATO and Yugoslavia were unnecessary.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, April 25) ‘Damage’ in this context is non-count.

“An agenda similar to that of Murtala/ Obasanjo regime was hurriedly packaged to cleanse the civil service in order to enhance performance and inculcate discipline into (in) our national life.” (THE

NATION, April 25) “Nigeria and the international community has (have) just celebrated this year’s….” (THE GUARDIAN, April 25) “Secondly, it’s (its) legal duty to advise on the….” (Vanguard, April 25) “They have not yet established the full processes of their interaction in the chamber too, and the formality of procedures are now still (is still) being developed.” (THISDAY, April 25) “I wish the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu should feel the pause (pulse) of the people….” (BUSINESSDAY, April 25) “I want to believe that the Nigerian electorate is (are)....” (National News, April 25) “Part of this quality sense (not quantity) concerns the debate on how best to eat a dish, with cutleries or with the ten fingers.”

‘Cutlery’ is uncountable. (Daily Trust, April 24) “There has (have) been transition programmes before, so what is different with this one.” (Leadership, April 25) “The Senate President assured recently in Abuja that the constitution would be ready for promulgation very soon.” Who did he assure? (DAILY Sun, April 25) “I am a product of a system which allowed a poor farmer-cum-fisherman’s son to go through the very best schools.…”

(The Moment, April 25) ‘Best’ has reached the end-point of intensification and cannot be inflected (by adding ‘very’). It is an absolute (superlative) word.

“During the heydays of Christian missionary activities in the southern parts of Nigeria, communities were actively involved in building schools.” Thoughts on education: ‘heyday’ is uncountable. (The PUNCH, April 25) “Robbery: Policeman killed by vigilante

The President Nigeria Doesn’t Need

A

s the nation stoops, bemused by the extravagant cacophony of political parties and operatives turned money doublers; as we watch in frowning awe at the impunity and sporadic largesse that suffocate logic and the imagination, we must find time to pause and define the type and genetics of the leadership we hope to install in 2023.

Now, we are no longer surprised when Baba Iyabo down the Lagos street, the Mallam Mai-Tea who used to hang around Sabon Gari in Kano, or Emeka, whose auto-parts shop was recently vandalised by unknown gun-men in Owerri, strolled unto our screens brandishing a multimillion naira nomination form of one vibrant political party or the other. We have brought the bar so low, that even the meanest of us have the latitude to trample all over our acquiescence, and ultimately, our commonwealth.

And we wring our hands in futile admonitions, and spineless vitriols on social media.

The tendency in these moments of extreme disenchantment and cloying frustrations is to “check out”, and “leave their wahala country for them” to squander as they wish; or at the other end of the pole, to completely shut off the empty political noise, and bury one’s head in private distractions and blissful trivia.

Yet, neither tunnel leads anywhere near a genuine fulfillment and inner peace. The discerning must find means to pull those distracted and depressed up by the napes of their necks to challenge the monstrosities that clog our power towers. In consistent and constructive deployment of tact, facts and figures, those who see beyond their noses, and would actively resist being fed with sawdust as crumbs, must invite common sense and engagements within the real power blocs of our country: the youth, the women and the working class.

When in a state of flux, my people have a remarkable proverb that underlines a certain flexibility and pragmatism in their relational worldview: when a bat is not available for the sacrifice, we may as well make do with a parrot.

So, amongst the more than 40 individuals who believe they have what it takes not only to rule this country firmly and transparently, but, even more importantly, have the know-how and commitment to turn us away from the insidious paths the previous administrations have marooned this country.

We should care enough to wish, identify and stand for one or two individuals who are worthy of leading by examples and time-conscious deliverables. That challenge is easier said than done... I know. Few days ago, I was in the midst of about 50 mass communication students, who exemplify the potential calamity of a nation weighed down by a high degree of distrust and disillusionment. Since we were discussing the communication process, and barriers, I asked how many of them have heard the information that Nigerians should register or update their permanent voter’s cards, PVCs. Virtually everyone claimed to be aware as they were all within the required age brackets. When asked how many had actually registered, or had PVCs… they were less than eight! This is the same generation that is vocal on social networks, and fond of quoting provisions of the “Not Too Young To Run”.

Their reason is as tragic as it is endemic of the vast majority of Nigerian electorates.

Almost in unison: “Why bother when our votes would not count?” Terrified by such defeatism, and energized by the possibility of activating a modicum of passion to fight the folly of their stance: I spent quality time, I hope, to engage and push at the psychological barriers that years of maladministration and brazen corruption had erected in their mindsets.

I told the young ones not to succumb to the aroma of apathy and cold frustration perpetuated by crafty politicians who are confident of riding roughshod over our aspirations and ambitions, assured that spending a worthless and unprofitable four years in one office or the other, would not stop them from re-election.

I encouraged them to test the new electoral act amendments which seem designed for contemporaneous capacity that the young Nigerian is best positioned to exploit; that

they should activate a civic rearguard in their immediate locality, agitate and encourage their friends and street mates - to seize the atmosphere of liberalised possibilities of the new Act, and thus “supervise”, “manage” and “enforce” the legitimate processes and procedures of the forthcoming polls… insisting and persisting that their votes count in their localities. And like a small kindled fire in the harmattan forest, twig after twig, brush after brush, tree after tree, will ignite and spread the fire...until it explodes a wildfire that cannot be extinguished by ballot-box snatchers, political thugs, ‘stomach infrastructure’ of political jobbers, sweet-nothing campaign shindigs and the usual strategies of our indolent and under-developed democrats.

If my impassioned intervention would yield any result, or if a spark had been kindled by our interactions, is difficult to see. One can only hope that such interventions would continue and spread far and wide...pricking the energetic and creative moorings of our youth to shun long-standing apathy, corrosive disillusionment and such politically implanted negative dispositions. Our young ones must arise to join forces with other patriotic and aware citizens, and dismantle the ungodly structures of evil politicians; scatter the permutations of wicked interlopers; and unsettle the majestic hegemony of the self-installed establishment demigods who crouch over the glory and trajectory of Nigeria - tossing us wherever their decaying and sickly egos desire.

The next election cycle is a watershed in the political life of this country. We are due a reprieve from the posturing and swagger of charlatans and their marabouts who have turned our glory into dust, our prosperity into poverty, our aspirations into frustrations.

We are due a new start, a new way of doing things, a new set of leaders, a new road to a hope-filled future.

The moment is here that we need to unlock people who are willing and equipped to lead, and not merely to rule for self aggrandisement, and profiteering shamelessly from the ignorance and lethargy of our people. The moment is now

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

group” This way: vigilance group.

“The gallantry effort exhibited by the driver of.…” Get it right: either gallantry or gallant effort. “…armed robbers attacked a Lagos bound (a hyphen) luxurious (luxury) bus at the same spot killing some passengers and made (making) away with several millions of naira belong (belonging) to the travellers who were mostly traders.” What a coarse combination! “…the mess has simply re-occurred because of the propensity of some of our citizens to flout relevant laws and statutes with impunity.” Return to the basics: recurred (never re-occurred).

“Haruna had at (on) various occasions stunned the nation by the level of fraudulent practices the former functionaries had being (been) involved.”

“Nigeria’s soccer house set to take the bull by the horn and change the face of the game.” Sport Today: take the bull by the horns.

“Almost 80 per cent of police stations were either razed to the ground or ransacked.” Obviously, when a property is razed, it sprawls on the ground. Got the hang?

“The wretched has (have) no voice.” ‘’...the victim is a specie (species) from among the wretched of the earth.”

“We could do nothing against such formidable odds giving (given) the worthless tools at our disposal.”

“Within few (a few) months of his administration, the crime rate in the state ostensibly reduced to the barest minimum.” What is the function of ‘ostensibly’ here?

“The congestion on our roads are (is) very unhealthy for the….”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

when we lock out undesirable elements and their shadowy godfathers from the centrestage of our electoral outcomes.

Arguably, we all know those who should not be president from the time we have spent sorting ourselves out of a self-imposed alley of fabricated democracy and home-contaminated ideologies. With almost 33 years of civilian administration, and after five presidents, we ought to have a clear idea of the president Nigeria does not need tomorrow (2023).

We do not need a president picked out of obscurity with a provincial mentality that would watch indolently as corruption swirls around him (Shehu Shagari-esque). We do not need a president who will fritter illustrious opportunities chasing enemies all over the world, swathing friends with acrimonious intent - and using his enormous acumen to weaken fledgeling institutions, and terrorise our troubled communities (Olusegun Obasanjo).

We do not want a president to whom our biggest regret would be how much he could have positively impacted the nation if he is healthy, and doesn’t hide his health status (Umaru Yar’Adua). We have no need for a president completely unprepared for the demands of the office, and is therefore prone to being teleguided and second-guessed by smart alecs posing as comprador aborigines and kindred spirits (Goodluck Jonathan). Surely, we do not need a clay-footed president who dilly-dallies on critical and urgent issues, situations and circumstances, and whose decisions and legacies are tainted by whiffs of nepotism, irredentism and sheer insensitivity to the peculiar diversity of a troubled nationhood (Muhammadu Buhari).

It is time to do the right thing, for the right person, at this moment when we have the motive and the means. Vote smartly.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

14.5.2022

Tosin Adarabioyo

Will He Join Three Lions’ Party to Qatar?

NEWS

THE 141ST FA CUP PAGE. 29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Tosin Adarabioyo Will He Join Three Lions’ Party to Qatar?

In spite ofTosinAdarabioyo putting up a stellar performance for Fulham last season,he could not save the club from relegation to the Championship. Though some Premier League suitors came for the signature of the 24-year-old-most notably Arsenal and Newcastle, he chose to sink with the Cottagers while vowing to help return the team to the English top flight, which he achieved after Fulham came tops in the Championship.

Another tall ambition of the Nigerian-born defender however is to play for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, how he hopes to achieve that however remains to be seen

Tosin Adarabioyo tries to stop Harry Kane when Tottenham hosted Fulham in the Premier League last season

T

osin Adarabioyo would have almost certainly been in the Three Lions squad this season had it not been for his club’s relegation to the Championship.

It is testament to him that he put his England ambitions on hold for a season to turn in consistently superb performances to help the West Londoners make a rapid return to the top flight.

His dream is to try to force his way into the England World Cup squad for Qatar.

When he was playing in the Premier League last season, only John Stones and Harry Maguire had better defensive stats than Adarabioyo out of all English central defenders.

With no disrespect to Fulham, Stones was playing for a Manchester City team who won the title while Maguire was in a Manchester United side that finished in the top four.

One have to wonder what Tosin’s stats would have been had he played for a team competing at the top rather than the bottom of the league.

“To be up there with Stones and Maguire was amazing, because they are the two England centre-halves right now. Stones is one of the best players in the world.

“I’ve definitely got the quality to be

in the England squad. Every player’s concentration has to be on getting to the World Cup this winter and that’s my goal.

“I knew, because I was playing in the Championship, that it wasn’t going to be possible to get a call-up but it’s definitely possible now.”

Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien last week joined a growing list of Championship players who believes Tosin has been the best defender in the division by some considerable distance.

O’Brien played as a striker when the Terriers beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage and said: “I couldn’t get anywhere near him. He was so quick, so powerful.

He just seemed to bypass my whole game and I felt I was just running after him.”

“Tosin towers above me and I’m 6ft and his height, physique and athleticism are all huge assets in his game.”

Despite having a good season on a personal level in the top flight, Tosin joined in the collective disappointment of Fulham dropping into the Championship again after just one season.

After getting over that, there was only one thing on his mind - to win the second-tier title, which they wrapped up today with victory over Luton.

The defender said: “I was so frustrated but after I had a break during the summer, I just wanted to help get the club back into the Premier League.

“When Marco Silva took over as manager, he asked me, ‘What should the team’s aim be this season?’ I said, ‘We should look to be champions and he replied, ‘Yes, definitely’.”

The real work now begins on plotting a way to try to stay in the top division.

Next season will be the sixth in a row where Fulham have switched between the two tiers.

On why ultimately did the team fail to stay in the Premier League?

He said: “We weren’t getting the ball into the back of the net when we needed to.

“We’re going to have to see if we can be successful in staying in the Premier League. Most of the squad know more about what is required.

We have experienced the feeling of getting relegated and it’s not one we want again.”

Despite spending a season outside the top-flight, Tosin believes he is an even better player now, adding: “I’ve matured as a defender.

“I’ve learned from my mistakes. But I am not the type who dwells on mistakes too long. I just get on with it.

“I remember I made one against Aston Villa last season but you watch the game back and put it right the next time you play.”

Tosin has enjoyed working for Silva, loving his attacking style having come through the ranks at Manchester City.

He said: “He’s added a really good philosophy and we’ve all implemented that into our games.

“I love the football we play but, of course, my main job is to defend first.”

The Nigerian-born defender gave his thoughts after been included in the Championship Team of the Season.

The 24-year-old was among the winners at the English Football League (EFL) Championship awards last month.

Tosin is one of four Fulham players that were included in the Championship Team of the Season The Nigerian born star took to his official Instagram account to celebrate his success at the EFL awards and gaining promotion back to the Premier League.

He posted a photo attending the EFL event receiving his accolade for being included in the team of the season.

Along with the photo was a message that said, “It’s an honour to receive this award, along with some of my teammates, after a great season.”

Adarabioyo was not the only player of Nigerian descent to have been rewarded for his performance this season at the EFL awards.

Adarabioyo was born to Nigerian parents in Manchester, United Kingdom and played for Pep Guardiola’s City.

Although he has represented England at youth level, he is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Fulham have opened talks over a new deal for Adarabioyo to ward off any interest this summer.

The defender played almost every game as Marco Silva’s side won the Championship title at a canter but has just one year remaining on his current contract.

Silva is now keen for the club to quickly tie the towering centre-back down to a fresh long-term deal.

Given his Premier League experience, having played 33 games during Fulham’s last top-flight campaign, rivals may see the former Manchester City man as a bargain option this summer.

Fulham however, are determined to keep Adarabioyo at the heart of their back line as they look to break the yo-yo cycle of promotion and relegation in recent years.

The Craven Cottage hierarchy are looking to strengthen in defence alongside Adarabioyo - who attracted Premier League interest last summer and in January but opted to stay put and get the west Londoners back into the big time.

Newcastle and Arsenal were both linked last time out and Fulham are keen to fend them off once more.

Fulham vice chairman Tony Khan is responsible for the transfers and is already working to build on the squad which took the Championship by storm.

In order to avoid another relegation, Khan is keen to keep as much talent as possible.

He has fulfilled his dream of returning Fulham to the Premier League, what remains to be seen however is if he would join the England party to Qatar.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

FA CUP FINAL

Liverpool, Chelsea Go for Broke in Wembley Showdown In a repeat of this season’s League Cup final, Chelsea and Liverpool will go headto-head once again at Wembley Stadium – this time in the 141st FA Cup final.

Liverpool won February’s League Cup on penalties and the Reds will be looking to add the second trophy of a possible quadruple, while the Blues would be craving for a revenge

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

36 36 36 36 36 37 36 36 36 35 35 35 36 36 36 35 35 36 36 36

72 65 42 11 23 1 11 -3 -4 -4 4 -1 -8 -21 -20 -19 -17 -38 -38 -56

89 86 70 66 65 58 55 50 47 45 44 43 43 43 40 36 34 34 23 21

Premier League TODAY

Tottenham v Burnley 12:00 Aston Villa v Crystal Palace 14:00 Leeds United v Brighton 14:00 Watford v Leicester City 14:00 West Ham v Man City 14:00 Wolves v Norwich City 14:00 Everton v Brentford 16:30 MONDAY

Newcastle v Arsenal 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic

N

ot for the first time this season, Liverpool and Chelsea renew hostilities at Wembley Stadium with a trophy on the line, this time doing battle in the final of the 141st FA Cup final.

For the London club, the FA Cup represents the only piece of domestic silverware left on the line this season, and fellow capital side Crystal Palace were no match for the Blues’ superiority in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Liverpool won one of their many battles of dominance with Manchester City to make it to the showpiece event, and the prospect of a four-trophy haul is still lingering in the minds of the traveling Merseyside fans.

Jurgen Klopp is surely sick of the sound of the word quadruple by now, but while his team are in with a realistic chance of producing the unthinkable - even though the prospect of Manchester City dropping points in the Premier League seems slim the Kop will not stop dreaming.

Never one to hold back about his feelings on the packed fixture schedule, Klopp has navigated the daunting period with aplomb to keep Liverpool in with a shot of adding four trophies to their cabinet, but such fatigue may have started to become apparent in their last few fixtures.

Indeed, Liverpool needed a brilliant second-half comeback to dump Villarreal out of the Champions League, looked somewhat devoid of ideas against Tottenham Hotspur and were far from their free-flowing best against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa in midweek.

Klopp’s multitude of changes must of course be taken into account, as Joel Matip and Sadio Mane turned the game on its head following Douglas Luiz’s third-minute opener, but the gap to Man City at the top of the Premier League table remains at three points with only two league matches left to play.

The top-flight title is therefore out of their own hands, but the EFL Cup has already been placed in the trophy case, a journey to Paris for another Champions League final with Real Madrid awaits, and the Reds are potentially only 90 minutes away from ending a 16-year drought in the FA Cup. For all of his successful endeavours in other tournaments, Klopp had never taken Liverpool beyond the fifth round of the FA Cup before the 2021-22 edition, as the Reds saw off Shrewsbury Town, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest and Man City to book their Wembley appearance.

Not since the infamous Gerrard stunner of 2006 have Liverpool got their hands on the FA Cup - defeating West Ham United on penalties that year and they will bring a 15-game unbeaten run in all tournaments into today’s final since that inconsequential Champions League loss to Inter Milan at Anfield.

Seven of their last eight have ended in victory, but given their extremely high defensive standards, a three-game run without a clean sheet has been something of a harsh reality check, and there are plenty more strenuous battles to fight for Liverpool over the next fortnight.

However, the prospect of completing a domestic cup double for the first time since the 2000-01 season is one that Liverpool will be in no mood to pass up, and even if the tie goes to penalties like it did in 2006, Klopp’s side have Chelsea’s number in that department.

Chelsea’s FA Cup dreams have been dashed at the final hurdle by two memorable goals in the past two finals, and Thomas Tuchel’s side need no added motivation to prove that the third time is indeed the charm.

Starting the season as European champions before adding the world label to their name tag, Chelsea can only enjoy another couple of weeks as

reigning Champions League holders, and even third place in the Premier League was not all that safe for a long while.

However, on the back of Todd Boehly’s consortium being confirmed as the club’s new owners, the Blues ended a three-game winless run in the Premier League with a straightforward 3-0 success over Leeds United on Wednesday, as Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku deepened the Whites’ demotion fears.

The Blues no longer need to travel outside of the capital before the season is done and dusted - rounding off the Premier League campaign at home to Leicester City and Watford and they were quick to shatter the Crystal Palace dream in the semifinals of the FA Cup last month.

Chesterfield, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and Middlesbrough have also been sent packing at the hands of Chelsea in this year ’s tournament, although they made hard work of more than one of those ties against lower-league opposition, and a ninth FA Cup crown would see them become the outright third-most successful team in the tournament currently sharing that accolade with Tottenham Hotspur.

Since Liverpool last got their hands on the cup 16 years ago, Chelsea have triumphed in the 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2018 editions - even beating Liverpool in the London Olympics year and they have found the back of the net at least twice in all of their FA Cup games this term, amassing 14 in total.

By leading the Blues out for their fourth domestic final since his appointment as manager, Tuchel will equal Jose Mourinho’s record in that department, but a record of just two wins from their last six games does not

Bilbao Atlético Cádiz Celta Vigo Espanyol Getafe Levante Mallorca Real Betis Villarreal

v Osasuna 17:30 v Sevilla 17:30 v Real Madrid 17:30 v Elche 17:30 v Valencia 17:30 v Barcelona 17:30 v Alavés 17:30 v Vallecano 17:30 v Granada 17:30 v Sociedad 17:30

FA CUP

Liverpool v Chelsea

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

Mo Salah Liverpool Heung Son Tottenham Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd Harry Kane Tottenham De Bruyne Man City Diogo Jota Liverpool Sadio Mané Liverpool Raheem Sterling Man City Wilfried Zaha Palace Ivan Toney Brentford Jamie Verdy Leicester

GOALS

22 21 18 15 15 15 15 15 12 12 12

make for pleasant reading for those in blue ahead of today’s showpiece event.

Chelsea can breathe a little easier in the knowledge that they should now wrap up a top-four finish in the Premier League with minimal difficulty, and ending the season with another FA Cup in the glass case would be a surefire way for Tuchel to write his name into the new owners’ good books early doors.

No team has ever suffered three consecutive FA Cup final defeats since the turn of the millennium, but Arsenal defeated Sheffield Wednesday both times when the same two sides last met in the EFL Cup and FA Cup finals in a single season back in 1992-93, and Chelsea could take some inspiration from their capital counterparts if their Wembley hoodoo is to end with a slice of revenge against Liverpool added into the mix.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Participants at the maiden Basketball Slam competition in Lagos

The newly-built Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle

Bassey Craves to Crown Season with Europa League Trophy Yemi Idowu: Unprecedented Passion for Grassroots Sports Super Eagles left-back Calvin Bassey is aiming to end the season by winning the Europa League with Glasgow Rangers.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season in both the Scottish Premiership and Europa League, setting up three goals in 39 appearances, 37 of which he started, and made his Nigeria debut two months ago in a World Cup qualifier versus Ghana.

Bassey is gearing up for the biggest game of his career to date as Rangers contest the 2022 UEFA Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt

in Seville on Wednesday May 18.

Rangers senior players have advised the Nigerian not to get carried away and concentrate on the task at hand.

Speaking to STV, Bassey said: “Obviously being one of the young boys that’s been playing, for me it has just been amazing, unbelievable experience and just trying to take it all in but at the same time just remember I’ve got a job to do.

“The boys around keep me so calm, so grounded and level-headed to make sure that we take each game as it comes and focus on

the bigger picture.”

Bassey is expected to report for international duty a week or so after the Europa League showpiece, with coach Salisu Yusuf naming him on the roster for the friendlies against Mexico (May 28) and Ecuador (June 2).

Born in Aosta, Italy - the defender initially rose through the youth ranks at Leicester City before joining the Gers in 2020.

In his maiden season at the Ibrox Stadium, he made eight league appearances for the Gers, while featuring in the Scottish Cup and League Cup respectively.

Dennis Doubtful for Mexico, Ecuador Friendly Watford have provided an injury update on Emmanuel Dennis that will worry Nigeria’s coach for the upcoming internationals in May and June, Salisu Yusuf.

Dennis has been named on the Super Eagles expanded roster for the friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador in May and June respectively, and was also in contention to suit up for the national team in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone in Abuja on June 9 and São Tomé & Príncipe

in Marrakech, Morocco on June 13.

The 24-year-old faces a struggle to be play in the four matches, with Hornets boss Roy Hodgson revealing at yesterday’s pre-match press conference that the club’s top scorer is still sidelined by a knee injury.

The ailment kept Dennis out of Watford’s goalless draw with Everton midweek and it is all but confirmed that he will not play a part in the final home game of the season

against Leicester City this Sunday.

In quotes relayed by Watford Observer, Hodgson said: “Tom Cleverley has severely bruised ribs and then Sarr and Dennis with their knee injuries won’t be risked. Those names, you can forget them”.

Nine hundred and thirtyone days after Dennis made his senior debut for Nigeria, he was handed his starting debut by coach Augustine Eguavoen in the 2022 World Cup playoff against Ghana in Abuja back in March.

Edo Set to Host 2022 Super Six Tournament All is now set for Edo State to host the best of the Nigeria’s Women Football League (NWFL), the Super Six Tournament starting Monday, May 16 through May 22.

Six giants in the fast-developing women league will battle for the sole ticket to represent Nigeria at the continental second edition of the CAF Women Champions League.

The six participating teams include host state team, Edo Queens, defending champion Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens, new corners, Naija Ratels, Nasarawa

Amazons and runners up in the first edition, Delta Queens.

The teams qualified from two groups based on their placement in each group in the regular season.

While Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens and Naija Ratels emerged the three best teams from their group, Bayelsa Queens, Rivers Angels and Delta Queens outwitted other teams to pick the three available tickets from their group.

Edo Queens who narrowly

lost the top spot by a point to Nasarawa Amazons at the conclusion of the 2021/2022 regular season is poised to clinch the top prize going by preparations, motivation by the state government and support by the home fans in Benin.

The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and the University of Benin Sports Complex are the two venues with three matches scheduled daily.

Two games will be played simultaneously by 10am and 4pm respectively.

Ecofitness Dazzles with Maiden Basketball Slam Competition Ecofitness Hub, the go-to place for fitness enthusiasts and gym buffs in Lagos, stepped up its game with the maiden Eco Fitness Basketball SlamwhichwasheldinLagos, this past weekend.

The exciting basketball tourney which featured 10 teams - Estate Kings, Mainland Rockets, NPA Warriors, PoliceBatons,RapidCounters, Reapers, River Dragons, Lere Vets, LXB and Dream Team offers an exciting look at the

future of Nigerian basketball.

After hours of intense battle, Mainland Rockets emerged champions of the maiden Eco Fitness Basketball Slam while Police Baton occupied the second position. Mainland Rockets, the number one team smiled home with a cash prize of 150, 000 while Police Baton got 100, 000 as the reward for emerging the second-best team. And that’s not all, other participating teams walked home with various

consolation prizes for their participation in the exciting tournament.

Major highlight of the completion sponsored by Loft and Keys, Bimz Lounge, Fresh Baked Confectioneries and supported by Hon. Abimbola Yenekunme Ajose, was the presentation of awards for Most Valuable Players(MVPs)wonbyDavid Arum of Mainland Rockets and Malu Williams of Police Baton.

Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council area of Lagos State for years has always been grass-less and a slum surrounded by shanties, with miscreants holding sway. But today, the spot parades 19 pitches, with table tennis, martial arts, relaxation centrescourtesy of Yemi Idowu, a man with a unshaken passion for grassroots sports Last week Saturday the facilities the newly-built Maracana Stadium was put to test with the South West U-13 football championships and the turnout was unprecedented.

With eight medium and 10 mini-Astroturf football pitches completed, 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.

“I’m very happy and fulfilled today. We were aiming for a capacity of 128 teams and maximum of 3000 kids but we ended up having over 4000. So, in one location that is phenomenal and everybody is very happy,” an elated Idowu told THISDAY. “We are supporting education, health and sports but what we are doing now is that we are dealing with institutions and not individuals. We are going on capacity building and we don’t start from the scratch as we are working with the Lagos State Football Association, LAFA, we work with the local government, we are working with the state government because the structure is there, the capacity is there. So, when we put in money, this is the kind of outcome,” he noted.

The owner of Nat Babes FC however said he was not trying to do it alone, adding that the Lagos State Governor gave his approval

which fast tracked the whole process.

“The Lagos FA gave us the technical support throughout and of course the local government as well. The money of course we invested and we got the maximum output out of that money because if it had gone another way, we would have spent three times or four times more than we spent here. I think in terms of value for money, in terms of capacity and, we’ve really done well here.

“When we came and they put on the solar power, a lot of us were here and we were very happy. When we came and test the power, electricity, water and all, it was unbelievable for all of us,” he noted.

Idowu would however not disclose how much the project had gulped.

“I’m not able to say how much it has cost to have this at the moment. We are spending significant amount of money every year for various projects.

We will have four of this facility coming up for Lagos.

“If you look at the progress, we want football to start from the primary schools and once we can get them involved at that level with intensity football and all the technicalities, once you play competitively for five years by starting from these mini pitch to medium pitch and you go to the main pitch, it become easy to develop the players and you will have the track record because we have from the state education, we have the record from the schools, then we have the records

Idowu

from the academies and the FA. Now, if you are playing competitively, we will have the records too. By the time you play for five years and you get to that elite level, we will have your records Once we are able to get more people playing, you know at the end of the day that you will a better output,” an optimistic Idowu said.

Expressing how he was able to go about the project for two and a half years without any noise or attracting attention, he said: “We’ve achieved this with the support of everybody.

Like I said, we had direct support from the Lagos State Government and they didn’t make it officious.

It was personal support.

The same thing for the local government, personal support, the same thing for the FA and that’s why so many people did not see it. No memo going up and down as we started quietly and growing, even the test run that’s being done was practical, not audio grammar and posters, we are all here to see it and everyone is here still watching and the kid are still playing.”

LMC, Bitnob Reach Agreement over NPFL Sponsorship The League Management Company (LMC) and Bitnob, a leading financial technology company has reached an understanding for the sponsorship of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the LMC said the two parties will meet on Tues-

day, May 17 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos to officially unveil the partnership and make public important details of the relationship.

He said negotiation for the partnership was painstaking to ensure that Bitnob and the NPFL will have a mutually

beneficial alliance to project the Fintech brand through the domestic league.

Bitnob, a company that provides payments solutions for individuals and businesses will be partnering the league as an Elite Sponsor in the Financial Technology category.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 14, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Moses Simon

Still in Dream Land Super Eagles forward, Moses Simon crowned his impressive season with Nantes as he helped the Ligue 1 campaigner win the French Cup for the fourth time in their history and he’s still savouring the moment

Moses Simon celebrates French Cup win with wife and kids

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igerian international, Moses Simon played a starring role as Nantes claimed this season’s Coupe de France with a narrow win over Nice.

Simon claimed his first trophy in France after Nantes won their fourth Coupe de France trophy with a narrow 1-0 win over Nice at Stade de France.

Simon, who has been one of Nantes’ best players this season played his part in his 73 minutes on the pitch. The Super Eagles forward made three key passes, put in five crosses and one shot off target.

The game itself was an end-to-end affair in the opening half, with both sides going for it. Nice had the first chance of the game, but it was Nantes that got close to finding the breakthrough.

However, they were denied two times by Marcin Bulka in Nice’s goal. The first half ended goalless, but fans did not wait for too long following the restart for a goal.

Nantes took the lead in the 47th-minute through Ludovic Blas’ penalty after a handball incident in the box. Blas’ penalty was the only shot on target Nantes had in the second half.

Nice tried to find their way back into the game, but Alban Lafont was solid in Nantes’ goal. With pressure mounting, Nantes manager Antoine Kombouare took off Simon for Osman Bukari in the 73rd-minute.

Although Nice piled on the pressure in the final minutes, Nantes held on for an important win. The victory means Nantes will play in Europe next season irrespective of where they finish in the Ligue 1.

Simon has however revealed the secret behind the successful campaign he is enjoying in France this season with Nantes.

Simon has been one of Nantes’ best performers in the French Ligue 1, notching six goals and eight assists as well as three player-ofthe-month awards, including that of April.

The Super Eagles star was also impressive in the cup competition, netting the winning kick in the penalty shootout victory over Monaco in the semifinal of the Coupe de France.

And the 26-year-old capped it all with an eye-catching display as Nantes stunned Nice 1-0 to secure their fourth-ever French Cup triumph.

After having had time to reflect, Simon has identified his Creator as the force behind all his beautiful moments.

“Na God always put your trust in him.

Champ merci à vous @FCNantes,” the former AS Trencin ace wrote on his Twitter page.

Belgian giants KAA Gent, where Simon win the league and Super Cup, have already congratulated the Nigeria international for his French Cup win.

Meanwhile, Simon’s impressive display against RC Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on match-day 35 of the French Ligue 1 has earned him a place in L’Equipe’s Team of The Week.

The Nigeria international grabbed a brace to help Nantes secure a 2-2 draw away from home.

Simon put Nantes in front in the eighth minute before scoring in the second 32nd minute of the encounter.

The goals were Simon’s fifth and sixth in the league. He has also contributed eight assists from 29 matches.

According to Ligue 1 statistics, the Nigerian became the first Canaries player to be involved

in more than 10 goals in three consecutive seasons in the competition since the late Emiliano Sala achieved the feat between 2016/17 and 2018/19 campaigns.

Nantes on their official Twitter handle confirmed that the winger was named in L’Equipe’s Team of the Week alongside a teammate, Marcus Mawkus.

“Very prominent on Saturday during the draw obtained in Lens, @Simon27Moses and @MarcusMawkus obtain respectively the score of 8 and 7 by the sports daily,” the club tweeted.

Nantes have nominated the Super Eagles star – alongside two others – for the player of the month award, following his brilliant performances across April.

Simon grabbed three goals and an assist in five Ligue 1 matches in the month under review.

The 26-year-old, who impressed for Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, has scored twice and provided six assists in the French topflight this season.

Following his impressive performance for the Super Eagles at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations he was proposed to Leeds and Brentford by his agent but it fell through.

Simon, who has two and a half years left on his current deal with the Yellow Canaries is however not deterred by the botched move, as he is hopeful of playing in the Premier League when the time is right.

“I still dream of playing in the Premier League someday.

And I believe everything will work well for my good. When it is time, I will make the move. I didn’t expect we will crash out

of the tournament so early but that happens in football.”

Simon revealed he is thoroughly enjoying a new lease of life in France.

“I am more relaxed and settled at Nantes, no pressure. I am also playing to my full potentials because here I am a very offensive winger,” he explained.

“At Levante, I had to fall back to help out in the defence. Now, I am a winger in a 4-33 formation as against the 3-5-2 we played in Spain. And so, the goals and assists are coming now.”

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

EVENTS

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usiness woman, Princess Maryam Akanmode marked her 60th birthday last Sunday with a thanksgiving service at Asokoro Abuja and dinner party at Aso Villa residence. The celebrant’s husband, Prince Olusola Akanmode, administrator, former deputy chief of staff in the Presidency and a top leader in Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led friends and associates to celebrate his wife.

PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI L-R: Prince Olusola Akanmode and wife Princess Maryam Akanmode

L-R: Cairo Ojougboh; and Tunde Ayeni

L-R: Kola Ologbondiyan and wife Lola

L-R: Chief Mrs. Bosede Adeboye; and H E Titi Abubakar

L-R: Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan and wife, Bar. Natasha AkpotiUduaghan

L-R: Dr George Uboh and wife, Dr Christy Uboh

L-R: Former Govs. Idris Wada, Kogi State; Emeka Ihedioha, Imo State; and Liyel Imoke, Cross River State

L-R: Former SSG Kogi State, Musa Ahmadu; Kola Ologbondiyon and wife Lola

L-R: Hajia Hajju Dagazau; and Alh Mohammed Tijjani

L-R: Mrs Modupe Dada Akinfolarin; Dr Emmanuel Egwu; and wife Mrs. Helen Egwu

L-R: Celebrant, Princess Maryam Akanmode; Dr George Uboh; and Senator Tunde Ogbeha

L-R: Princess Dr Nkechi Nwosa; and C P Kayode Samuel

Mr. and Mrs. Monday Apaokueze

Mr. and Mrs Samuel Ajulo

L-R: Rev Nkiru Anwuzia and husband Rev Dr Patrick Anwuzia

L-R: Rhoda Afolabi; and Ashley Afolabi

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

TRIBUTE/ INTERVIEW Ekweremadu@60: Garlands for Soldier of Democracy Law Mefor

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ne would want to join President MuhammaduBuhariandmillionsof Nigerianstocelebrateararestatesman, ace legislator and three-time deputypresidentoftheSenate,Ike Ekweremadu,asheturns60.Thelawyerandpoliticianisindeedtheunsung hero and scion of Nigerian democracy, who, unknown tomany,ledtheNationalAssemblytobreakthejinxof constitutional amendment in the current dispensation and through the unprecedented four successful amendmentsoftheunitary1999Constitution.Thushe hasmadethemostsalutaryimpactsonconstitutionaland electoralreformsinNigeriaasdeputysenatepresident andchairmanoftheNationalAssemblyCommitteeon the Alteration of the1999 Constitution.

Intermsofrepresentation,Ekweremaduremainsthe bestandmosteffectiverepresentativeofhispeople.No lawmakerinNigeria’shistoryhasattractedthenumber andqualityofinfrastructureandsocialamenities,which EkweremaduhasfacilitatedtoopenEnuguWestSenatorialDistricttothestateandotherdistrictsinEnugu,and even other partsofthecountry,asrecords show.

Ekweremadu’sIkeohaFoundationhasarobustscholarship foundation, which has produced thousands of graduatestrainedinNigeriantertiaryinstitutionsand overseasinseveralfieldsofhumanendeavour.Mostof thebeneficiariesofhisscholarshipschemeareindigent studentsfrompoorandlessprivilegedhomes,whoare now medical doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionalswhootherwisewouldhaveendedupas artisans at best.

Ekweremaduhasthereforeemergedamajorbreaker ofintergenerationalpovertytransferinEnugustateby plantinghighflyingprofessionalsandsuccessfulpeople wheretherewasnohopeandtodaytheyhavebecome beacons ofhopefor their familiesand beyond.

As President Buhari rightly noted in his tribute to Ekweremadu at 60, in a polity where there is high attrition of elected officials, the lawmaker’s nearly 20 years long longevity in the Senate, is an expression of theconfidencereposedinhimbyhispeople.Indeed,his life has been that of public service, as he bestrides the executive and the legislature, having served as Chief

Ekweremadu of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Senator, Deputy Senate President, andSpeaker, ECOWASParliament.

Onsuchlandmarkbirthday,however,onecannotfail towriteaboutEkweremadu’sprincipledpoliticsand defenceoftheindependenceofthelegislature.He isoneofthefewNigerianpoliticians,whohavenever defectedfromtheirpartysince1998.Hehasbeen withthepartycomerain,comeshine.Thelawmaker’s re-emergenceasSenate’snumbertwomanin2015 throughadeftpoliticalmanoeuvreofthePDPand hisrefusaltodumpthepartyatitscriticaltimelike manyotherpartyleadersfollowingtheonslaughtof theAllProgressivesCongress-ledadministration, nodoubtcontributedgreatlytothesurvivalofthe

PDP post-2015.

Buthehasalsohadtopayapriceforthis,notonce, andnottwice.Itisawell-knownfactthatEkweremadu is one of the most investigated, persecuted, and harassedpoliticiansincethecomingtopowerofthe APCadministration.Herewasamanarraignedalong withhisprincipal,Dr.BukolaSaraki,ontrumpedup chargesofforgeryofSenateStandingRulewithout any shred of evidence or even a mention, let alone an indictment by the police report. The FG later withdrew the matter on its their own. Here was a man, who survived two assassination attempts, had his official guest house was ransacked by a detachment of the Nigerian Police, and wo faced all manners of harassment for PDP’s sake. Yet, he

stood his ground and became a rallying point for the mainopposition,contributingideas,headingstrategic committees like the PDP 2015 Post-Election Review Committee,etc.

Today,Ekweremaduhasdeclaredforthegovernorship ofEnuguState.Nodoubt,hispeoplelovehimandhave beckonedonhimtoreturnandgiveattentiontodevelopmentofthestate,aclarioncallhehasactuallyharkened toandthoughtthroughasevidentinhisgreatmanifesto, whichhechristenedAPathwaytoaNewEnuguState.

Thebrilliantmanifestoisaclassicblueprintininclusive governance and transformational leadership that will transform Enugu state into a master image and ensure prosperity for all. For instance, here is a Nigerian governorship aspirant, who has proposed sixspecialcities-SportsCity,Autocity,ICTcity,Film/ Media city, Agriculture cities (One in each senatorial zone),andHealthcity.YoucanactuallysaythatDubai is coming to Nigeria, Enugu to be specific.

But then, there is a clear gang up in Enugu State to stopthecerebrallawmaker.Thedesperationhaseven becomesodangerousthatEkweremadu’ssupporters are targets of political thuggery or at the instance of agents of state.

ThereportscomingoutofEnuguStateaheadofthe PDP primary elections and 2023 general election is therefore painful to me as a lover of democracy, who has risen in defence of the PDP and our democracy on countless occasions. One is the widely reported unleashing of political thugs on Ekweremadu’s supporters.

Whatismore,therehasbeenwidelyreportedimpunity by the PDP and the state in the just concluded ward congress to elect three-man ad-hoc delegates. Not a singleresultsheetcouldbefoundanywhereinthe260 wardsofEnuguStateduringthewardcongresses.Media reportssaythatthepanelfromcommissionedbywadata plazawerehandedafraudulentlistofdelegatescomplied daysbeforetheexercise,whiletheoutcomesofthereal exerciseconductedonthefieldatthedesignatedvenues werejettisoned.

˾ ܲ Ëá ÏÐÙÜ ÓÝ Ë ÏØÓÙÜ ÏÖÖÙá ÙÐ ÒÏ ÌßÔË ÍÒÙÙÖ ÙÐ ÙÍÓËÖ ËØÎ ÙÖÓÞÓÍËÖ ÒÙßÑÒÞ˞ ÏÖ˛˝ РͰͱͲ̋ ͷͮͳ ʹͲͰ Ͳͱ͵ͳ ̋×ËÓÖ˝ ÎÜÖËá×ÏÐÙÜ̶Ñ×ËÓÖ˛ÍÙ×˞ ÐÙÖÖÙá ×Ï ÙØ tweeter: @DrLawMefor.

Goke Ogayemi

Service to Humanity Has Always Been a Core Element of My Life Goke Ogayemi is an aspirant for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency, comprising Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu and Ijebu NorthEast, of Ogun State, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with THISDAY, he says he is ready to take his constituency out of the woods “after eight years of APC’s poor representation.” Excerpts:

W

hydidyoudecidetogointo politics?

Politicshasalwaysbeenan integralpartofmylife,even from as early as secondary school.Mypoliticaladventure alsoextendedtomyuniversityyearsasIheldimportantrolesintheStudentUnion oftheUniversity.Ihavebeenanadvocateforyouthsin politicssince2013whenwefounded“YouthMovement for a Better Ogun State (YMBOS)” with some other veryactiveyouths.Wenowhaveover10,000members acrossthestate,withthegoalofclamouringforbetter governance,particularlytheinclusionofwomenand youth.

However,havingworkedontheYMBOSplatformfora longtimewithresultstoshow,itbecamepertinentthat weneededtostepupfromdemandinggoodgovernance tobecomingdecisionmakers.Interestingly,onlythe PDPencouragesfreeandfairyouthfulparticipation in partisan politics, hence the reason I am running on theplatformofthe party.

Also, in recognition of my contributions to youths emancipation,theOoniofIfe,ObaBabatundeEnitan Ogunwusihasfoundmeworthyandnominatedmefor the award of this year’s “Africa Royal Award” taking place on May 21, 2022. This is in recognition of my leadership qualities. As we speak, I happen to be the youngestaspirantforHouseofRepresentative,not only in my Federal constituency Ijebu Central but in Ogun State.

What are you bringing to the table for your

areheardthroughme,theirservant,andprioritizing their demandsatall times.

Goke Ogayemi

Howcloseareyoutothepeopleatthegrassroots who form the bulk of the electorates?

Forusasateam,wehavebeenatthegrassrootsfor alongtimewithouryouthsadvocacy,andpartofwhat wehavedone,includesmobilizingpersonalitieslike artisans,students,traders,andthelikestogetinvolved intheelectoralprocessbygettingtheirPermanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) and then, empowering them in ways that increase their value to themselves and society at large. During my time as Special Adviser (SA) to the Acting National Chairman of PDP, it is on record that I facilitated the inclusion of many youths into the party hierarchy, both at zonal and national levels. Therefore, the people, and the youths in particular, know my capabilities if given the mandate to represent them. My parents areadoptedchildrenofTaiSolarin,sotheideology of “service to humanity” has always been a core element of my life.

constituency?

I will be bringing to the table capacity, youthful representation, quality representation, and most importantly, interactive and improved delivery of dividends of democracy. It has become a norm for representativestomismanageconstituencyprojects with the mindset of doing what they “think” people need and not what the people need. Hence, it is my plantoensurethatthereisconstantcommunication betweenmeandthepeople,ensuringthattheirvoices

WhatdoyouwanttododifferentlyintheHouse of Representatives?

Inmyopinion,thereisnocommunicationbetween the sitting representative and his constituents. I mean, there are no cases of town hall meetings, no interactive sessions, no form of dialogue, or any kind of access to him. The above listed and many more are going to be core parts of what my administration will work on as I am solely focused on working with the demandsofthepeople.

Doyouhavethefinancialresourcestoslugitout with other co-contestants in this race?

Forme,theyouthshavealwaysbeenanintegralpart ofthefinancialpicture,andtheywillcontinuetobe.For example,aprojectweorganizedcalled“OgunWhat’s Next,”whichwasheldin2021,wasveryfinanciallychallengingand,interestingly,80%oftheneededbudget toexcellentlyoperatecamefromtheyouths.Wewill be having its second edition, called “Nigeria What’s Next?” this year, and notable Nigerian youths are already showing support.

Don’t forget that historic movements like “#ENDSARS” and co. were solely sponsored by the Nigerian Youths. Therefore, if the youths see capacity, diligence, and commitment, don’t undermine how far they can go in going all out for such a person. Of course, the Nigerian political scene has been bastardised with money, but we have been up to the task and will continue to be. The money-bags are not likelytofinditeasythistimearoundbecause the coming election (especially the primaries) will be issue-based.Iamwell-groundedinpartisan-politics andIknowhowthesystemworks.Thegoodpeopleof thisconstituencyareenlightenedandveryawareof candidateswhohavethewill,dedication,andcapability to serve them adequately. Of course, they will share money, but I assure them that my people will collect itand still not votefor them.

Finally,IbelieveIhavethesupportofAlmightyGod andthegoodpeopleofthisfederalconstituency,and thatisthemostimportantfactorinmyvictory.

Read full interview online - www.thisdaylive.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

5 Causes of Excessive Oil Consumption and How to Fix it We all know the main purpose of oil is to lubricate the components of an engine, so they can keep running smoothly. There is a certain level of oil conFor modern engines, they should consume less than 1/2 quart of oil every 5,000 miles of driving.

Most newer cars consume much less. This is not a lot of oil and most car engines will get along just fine with this much.

But there are still things that can happen to change this oil consumption by making the engine demand more oil. If you don’t supply the engine with enough oil or at least fix the problem that is causing it to lose more oil, then you could end up damaging your engine. That is the last thing that you’ll want to happen. Sumption in which an engine will have under normal conditions.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II

Rolls-Royce Infuses new Expression in Phantom Series II

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olls-Royce Motor Cars has infused a new expression for Phantom Series II. The automaker said in a statement that adaptations to the eighth-generation Phantom include ‘light-touch’ visual and aesthetic enhancements in line with client requests and feedback.

New ‘Rolls-Royce Connected’ feature seamlessly links Phantom with the marque’s private members’ Application, Whispers Launch is commemorated with a new Bespoke masterpiece, Phantom Platino.

“Phantom occupies an unrivalled position at the very apex of the luxury world. As our pinnacle product, it represents the very best of Rolls-Royce design, engineering and craftsmanship – a perfect blend of vision, creativity, the ÀQHVW PDWHULDOV VNLOO SDWLHQFH DQG SUHFLVLRQ With Phantom Series II, we have retained and carefully protected everything our clients love

about this superlative and luxurious item; subtle, \HW PHDQLQJIXO HQKDQFHPHQWV UHÁHFW WKHLU HYROYLQJ tastes and requirements.

“Phantom has always been viewed as the ‘best car in the world’: our Bespoke capabilities mean that, for our clients, it can be the best car for their world, too,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU 5ROOV 5R\FH 0RWRU &DUV Rolls-Royce products enjoy an expansive lifetime, ultimately becoming timeless expressions of good taste, beauty and luxurious perfection. Phantom occupies a unique, pinnacle position in this regard, being revered for its timeless elegance.

The eighth-generation of Phantom was presented in 2017. In creating the new expression, Rolls-Royce designers and engineers have been guided by the requests of clients, who have implored Rolls-Royce not to make any major changes to an already iconic motor car. In answer to these client demands, only the lightest of design touches, embellishments, and adaptations have been incorporated. Indeed,

it is not about what should be changed, but in fact, what should be preserved and protected.

A New Expression The most obvious and important feature to be retained is Phantom’s commanding presence. This has been further enhanced by a new polished horizontal line between the daytime running lights above the Pantheon Grille. This gives Phantom D QHZ DQG DVVHUWLYH PRGHUQLW\ UHÁHFWLQJ LWV driver-focused character.

A subtle geometric change to the Pantheon Grille makes the ‘RR’ Badge of Honour and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot more prominent when viewed from the front. The grille itself is now illuminated, a feature debuted and popularised in Ghost. The headlights are graced with intricate laser-cut bezel starlights, creating a visual connection with the Starlight Headliner inside, and adding further surprise and delight to Phantom’s night-time presence.

CFAO Motors’ LOXEA Nigeria to Provide Lease, Fleet Management Solutions

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FAO Motors, a subsidiary of the CFAO Group, the largest automotive distribution network in Africa with over 158 subsidiaries, recently launched LOXEA by CFAO in Nigeria.

Already present in 22 African countries, LOXEA RͿHUV RSHUDWLQJ OHDVH DQG ÁHHW PDQDJHPHQW solutions. Now customers can have better access to the CFAO range of products; Mitsubishi and Suzuki cars, Fuso trucks, King Long buses, Toyota forklifts and JCB construction equipment.

According to Mr. Philippe Lefort - General Manager of LOXEA by CFAO, “partnering with LOXEA will allow companies to enjoy WKH LQKHUHQW EHQHÀWV RI WKH &)$2 QHWZRUN D trusted and reliable organisation that has been providing best-in-class products and services for over 119 years in Nigeria.” /2;($ RͿHUV D EURDG UDQJH RI VHUYLFHV IURP UHJXODU RSHUDWLQJ OHDVHV WR FRPSUHKHQVLYH ÁHHW management and car-sharing through a web portal and mobile applications through its three pillars; LOXEA Lease, LOXEA Connect, and LOXEA Ride.

LOXEA Lease provides rental of vehicles or equipment from 36 to 48 months with full maintenance according to the manufacturer’s prescription, full comprehensive insurance, replacement vehicle (after 48 hours), and geolocation.

7KH ÁHHW PDQDJHPHQW VROXWLRQ SURYLGHV D ÁHHW manager, Drivers 24/7, fuel card management, ÁHHW DQDO\WLFV DQG ÁHHW PRELOLW\ RSWLPLVDWLRQ Thanks to the LOXEA Connect application,

customers can have access to real-time PRQLWRULQJ RI ÁHHW XVDJH DQG EHKDYLRXU Mr. Lefort also added: “Our goal is to establish and maintain long-term business relationships by adding value to businesses who outsource their vehicle management E\ HQVXULQJ WKHLU ÁHHW LV RSHUDWLRQDO CFAO Automotive is a division of the CFAO Group, a member of the Toyota Tsusho Corporation, that aims at meeting the mobility needs of professionals and individuals. Comprising the most extensive

vehicle retail network in Africa, we provide all PRELOLW\ UHODWHG VHFWRUV ZLWK D PXOWL EUDQG RͿHU partnering with global automotive manufacturers: sales of new and used vehicles, short or long-term UHQWDOV ÁHHW PDQDJHPHQW DQG PDLQWHQDQFH 2XU RͿHU LQFOXGHV WKH FRPSOHWH DXWRPRWLYH RͿHULQJ including, two-wheelers, marine engines, coaches, lorries, handling equipment, tyres, and spare parts.

Our production and assembly sites in Africa are a shining example of our commitment to actively supporting industrialisation in the region and FUHDWLQJ DQ DͿRUGDEOH RͿHU

Top 5 Reasons Your Engine is Using Too Much Oil Below are the five most common causes of excessive engine oil consumption.

1) Worn Seals or Gaskets If your vehicle has worn out or damaged crankshaft seals or valve cover gasket, then it will likely be leaking oil. Once that happens, your engine will be losing oil whenever you’re driving. This means you will need to constantly top off the engine oil to avoid engine damage.

If you have seals or gaskets that are leaking oil, get them fixed asap. Usually it’s a fairly inexpensive process that will save you a lot of money in the long run.

2) Bad Quality Oil If you use the wrong type of oil in your engine, or your oil is simply old and has accumulated a lot of debris and dirt, then it will start to burn. More importantly, the oil won’t be able to adequately lubricate the components of the engine because of its condition. This will force the engine to consume more oil.

If your engine oil is dark brown or black in color, get your engine oil changed as soon as possible.

It’s an easy DIY job. All you need is new oil, oil filter, oil drain pan, car ramps, wrench, and about 20 minutes.

3) Worn Piston Rings If you have worn out or damaged piston rings, oil will be able to seep through them and then enter the internal combustion chamber. This will cause the oil to burn while carbon deposits form on the piston rings and cylinders.

Worst of all, your oil level will continue to decrease making it necessary to constantly top off oil. Getting your piston rings replaced is the only good solution.

4) High Oil Pressure When there is high oil pressure, oil will flood through the engine in excessive amounts. This oil will likely fall on the cylinders and get burnt up.

This high oil pressure could be due to a faulty setting on the vehicle’s central computer. A similar problem is adding too much oil during an oil change.

5) Old Engine The first five years of your engine’s life will be the best years. These are the years when the engine will need the least amount of oil because its components are still new and strong. But after you’ve put enough miles on your engine, the various seals and gaskets will start to deteriorate and cause small leaks.

This means the engine will simply consume oil quicker. In addition, older cars have bigger tolerances where components connect which can allow oil to get through spots which wouldn’t exist in modern vehicles.

6) Synthetic Oil In most cases, synthetic oil lubricates engines better than conventional oils. But since synthetic oils are formulated differently, they have different flow properties. This means that synthetic oil is sometimes able to get through tighter openings than regular oil.

If you have an older engine or your seals and gaskets are starting to deteriorate, synthetic oil can often be the culprit when it comes to high oil

Mitsubishi truck

(Source: oards.com)

45

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

AUTO WORLD

16th Lagos Motor Fair, Autoparts Expo Africa Set to Hold

T

he organisers of the annual Lagos Motor Fair & Autoparts Expo Africa, have the 16th edition of the Motor Fair would hold at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island, Lagos from May 30-June 4, 2022, while the Autoparts starts from June 1 – 4, 2022..

This is according to a statement by the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the event.

Agwu said this edition was holding despite all odds to ensure that the automotive sector of the Nigerian economy remained in the front burner of economic discuss in Nigeria, having in mind the challenges of the global economic downturn, COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant negative impacts on global businesses and other social activities as well as the uncertainties surrounding the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP).

He stressed that is in furtherance of the determination of the Organisers to annually use the platform of the event to bring together major indigenous and global players in the automotive business to showcase capabilities and potential especially as pertains to Nigeria, this edition holds. This according to the Organising committee chair is to help in fast-tracking the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

“In our mission and vision of making the event a world class global auto fair and to mark the 16 years of the Fair, we have packaged this edition to hold indoors as well as outdoors, depending on

15th Lagos Motor Fair the type of vehicle for the automobiles, while the non-automobiles will be housed indoors. “These are aimed at adding more glamour and aesthetics as well as protect products, exhibitors, and visitors from harsh weather conditions”, he further disclosed.

The Chairman of the Organising Committee called on the Federal Government to focus on

how to ensure that the auto industry is given the special attention required so as to use it in GULYLQJ WKH JRYHUQPHQW·V HFRQRPLF GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ policy. “This is because of the enormous multiplier HͿHFWV LW KDV RQ DQ\ HFRQRP\ ZKHUH LW WKULYHV Government should no longer delay in having a law-backed automotive industry development

policy that would be strictly implemented. Such would fast-track Nigeria’s becoming an automobile manufacturer and a hub of its businesses in Africa; bearing in mind the great natural endowments and other comparative advantages the nation has in the sector.”

Agwu said “The sector is very important as it shows physically the state of the economy and it generates much revenue and creates enormous employment. No serious government toys with it. Auto sector was one of the key sectors that received a bailout from the diverse developed economy nations during the economic crises brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, which in small measures helped to resuscitate their economies. It is a sector that drives the economy; if it is badly DͿHFWHG RWKHU VHFWRUV VXͿHU ,W LV WKH DUWHU\ I WKH economy. Government should parley seriously with the sector stakeholders to seeing how it could be made better.

“Organising the event has been very challenging; we are always striving to ensure that it becomes a key event in the sector which could contribute immensely in enhancing its rapid development; as we use it annually to draw the necessary attention from both the public and private sectors. Government VKRXOG LQFUHDVH VXSSRUW LQ DOO UDPLÀFDWLRQV WR WKH automobile companies operating in the country. ,W LV D VHFWRU WKDW DͿHFWV YLUWXDOO\ HYHU\WKLQJ ,W occupies a prime position in the economy. If it is not done now it will in the very near future DͿHFW D ZKROH ORW LQ WKH OLIH RI WKH SHRSOH DQG WKH economy. The challenges of hosting this event is becoming higher but our drive in continuing is that the sector must not be allowed to die.

Safety Guide for the Rainy Season I do not know if you followed my series on “Before the Rain Begins.” It was the first time that I took time to guide us on the necessary preparations before the rainy season as predicted by NiMET. I am hoping that you took time to read through the piece that ran for two weeks. Meanwhile, I dont know if you believe in the Almighty God, the creator and our maker. For me, I do and I know that my Muslim brothers do also. That is why I wish to remind you of what is called Faith. Faith, the Bible tells me, cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God. The same Bible says “My people perish for the lack of knowledge.” Similarly, Chapter 15:55 of the Koran says “But remind, for reminding benefits the believers,” both the holy Bible and the glorious Koran emphasises the need to be knowledgeable.

It is in light of the above and in view of recent past tragedies that I am compelled to reproduce this piece, though with slight modification.

A couple of years ago, someone dear and inspiring was left crippled by a driver who disregarded the simple rules of being cautious while driving in the rain, especially on unfamiliar roads. What looks like a small mistake caused this lady not just a career but her mobility while the driver escaped without a scratch. Just recently another person who I know lost his life in a crash, which occurred while driving in the rain. These two painful tragedies and perhaps many more, while probably not known about, are the reasons for reproducing this piece.

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

Remember that I had shared the story of a pathetic and tragic death of a mother and a wife in a road traffic crash which occurred along Abuja Airport road. The mother’s details I didn’t know, neither the husband’s.

However, her death, like that of most other tragedies often highlighted in my weekly piece, was caused by a driver’s error. The woman, if you recall, had flown from the United Kingdom to Abuja without a hitch. On arrival, she called the husband who in turn, perhaps due to another pressing engagement, requested a taxi driver to pick her up. Sometime in the course of 45 minutes’ drive from the Abuja Airport, the driver, on noticing a trailer, instinctively tried to avoid it, but unfortunately crashed into the trailer with the woman and she died. The driver was injured and alive.

The first question I asked was: was it raining?

How fast was he going at the point of the crash?

On what lane was he? The speed (left lane) or slow lane, (right lane)? Was the trailer stationary? How bad was visibility? Unfortunately, no one was there to reply to me, as the woman was dead and the driver hospitalised.

These questions and many more are the reasons for this piece. As we daily experience heavy downpour across the country, according to the Revised High Cod, it is more difficult and hazardous because visibility is blurred by weather conditions such as mist, fog, harmattan haze or other related factors.

Remember that even before the raining season began, some of the roads were either being repaired or were inadequate. Remember also that there could be broken down vehicles or even slow moving vehicles with defective lighting systems. Remember also that your vehicle could suddenly develop a fault, a tyre could burst, brake failure, electrical system could malfunction; and any fault could develop. There may even be fallen trees on the road.

Before you start out, ask yourself if that journey is really necessary? Are you in the right state of PLQG WR PDNH WKH MRXUQH\" $OVR FRQÀUP WKH minimum safety state of your vehicle. When was it last serviced? How good is your sight? What is the state of your tyres, wipers and windscreen?

Never underestimate the dangers. Make sure your lights are working, your windscreens okay and your wipers are in perfect working conditions. Remember that the road is not your personal property; you share

the road with others, amongst which are heavy duty vehicles. These heavy duty vehicles usually require longer distances to stop and would require even more distance under the rain or bad weather conditions.

Rule number one would require that your knowledge of defensive driving techniques be brought to bear for your safety and others. You must always slow down, keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you and always be prepared to stop within your range of vision and avoid possible blind spots. Your overall stopping distance is the distance your car travels from the moment you realise you must brake to the moment the vehicle stops. It is made up of thinking distance and braking distance. You must never get closer than the overall stopping distance. On wet roads, the gap should be much more. Stopping distance increases greatly with wet and slippery roads, poor brakes, bad tryes and tired drivers.

Since there is diminished visibility during bad weather, whilst driving, seeing and being seen is a must at such times. This is because 80 per cent of driving information comes from visibility. Visibility influences the reaction time. Although, motorist misbehavior and natural influences cannot be eliminated completely, safety is enhanced by creating visibility of obstacles, especially when it’s raining. This is critical in the absence of adequate pavement markings that reflect.

Without such signs to guide a driver who may not be familiar with the road on which he is driving, headlights must be used to aid visibility.

FEATURES

OCP Africa Seeks More Agric Revenue to Boost Economic Growth Bennett Oghifo OCP Africa is seeking improved fruit and vegetable production to stimulate rural development and play a big role in economic growth.

OCP Africa is a subsidiary of OCP Group, a leading global provider of phosphate and its derivatives with almost 100 years of experience.

OCP AFRICA was created in 2016 to contribute to the sustainable development of African agriculture.

According to the company, “We develop fertilizer solutions customized to local conditions and crop needs, and we work with partners in PDQ\ GLͿHUHQW $IULFDQ JRYHUQPHQWV QRQ SURÀWV and private enterprises to connect farmers to the agricultural services, knowledge and resources they need in order to prosper.”

Head, Business Development and Digital

Projects, OCP Africa, Akin Akinwande believes there was a need to improve partnerships and collaboration in the agricultural sector to maximise productivity and bolster growth.

OCP Africa is, thus, partnering with the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) to groom growers and agro entrepreneurs to deploy greenhouse technologies to boost food security and economic growth.

To get Nigeria on the map for horticultural products, he reiterated that much must be done to improve the quality of the cultivation as demand for fresh produce increases.

In line with this, a Horticulture Training of Trainers (ToT) Masterclass held in Abuja for the Greenhouse managers, Field agents and Lead Farmers. It was organised by OCP Africa and SFSA.

Business Development Officer, OCP Africa, Isaac Odey; Regional Commercial Development Manager, OCP Africa, Solomon Tanko; Project Lead, Horticulture Interventions, OCP Africa, Nnaemeka Odionye and Head, Business Development and Digital Projects, OCP Africa, Akintunde Akinwande at the training in Abuja… recently

46

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY Biodun Stephen

Family is Everything to Me, I’m a Hands-On Mum Filmmaker, Biodun Stephen is on a roll. Back to back the award-winning movie director is churning out movies and has stamped her position. Just weeks after the theatrical release of her movie ‘A Simple Lie, Stephen is set to debut her latest feature, ‘Strangers’. The movie premiered in cinemas on April 29. She speaks with Chinedu Ibeabuchi about her movies, challenges, and how she balances family life

Y

ou are reckoned as a member of elite filmmakers in Nollywood.

How’s the journey like reaching this feat?

Well, the journey so far has been straight and narrow, curvy and bumpy.

It has been an opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn. It is an opportunity to also grow as a filmmaker due to collaborations, master classes, working with other senior colleagues, and learning from my junior colleagues too. I would not say it has been a smooth ride; it is also humbling to be tagged as one of the elite filmmakers but I am happier that the works that I have done are being recognised and respected – that is a lot! As a filmmaker, you want to create pieces that people would find relevant and impactful and once they find their walking path, they find you relevant. I am just glad that through the last few years, the journey though has been bumpy has its highs and lows, I’ve had my really ugly moments but it’s been such a fun time of learning and unlearning and absolutely just enjoying the process of making a film and the appreciation for the work and all the hard work that comes in. It’s just really gratifying on top of that.

Among Nollywood lovers and critics, the name Biodun Stephen is to cinemas what Lionel Messi is to football. Would you say you are now living your dreams?

You flatter me with some of the words you use. However, I just think that again, I see filmmaking as a ministry; a ministry to speak some truth; to inspire, change lives, impact, highlight and shine light on certain topics that people don’t even talk about. For instance, in ‘Strangers’, which hits cinemas from April 29, the story itself was exactly what I would like to tell. Am I living the dream as a filmmaker?

Well, not fully but I am very honored that the work that I do is being appreciated. It is very humbling and also very pressuring because you cannot drop the ball. There is such a high expectation that comes with - Oh, it’s a Biodun Stephen film. Biodun Stephen has her name on this project, so there is a certain standard that is expected. I don’t think of it as living my dream yet but really, it is a joy that I am telling stories through the film but it is also such a pressure to try and meet that expectation. It is such pressure. But for Strangers, I think that it just sits perfectly for me as a kind of film that I would like to tell, because it is inspirational- You just need to watch the film. It’s such a beautiful story and I like stories that have journeys, that take you on a journey and Strangers does that absolutely. It helps you to believe again - not just believe in God but believe that your dreams are valid. That’s what Strangers do for you. It’s such a beautiful film, I can’t wait for people to see it - Come April 29th.

As a director, what’s different about “Strangers”?

It is a brilliant story of perseverance, a

Stephen

47

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER MAY 14, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY My Journey So Far Has Been Straight, Narrow, Curvy and Bumpy story that God can raise the stone to help you when he wants to do it – nothing can hinder him. It’s a story of doggedness because the lead character, the protagonist was very dogged. It’s a story that exemplifies excellence and diligence. It’s an emotional story of a mother’s love. It has so many layers and it’s a story of faith because at the very core of who we are is our maker who is God, and how he sorts of orchestrates our path in life. Sometimes, life challenges want to deviate you from a certain path but if you just let go and let God, he would steer it right the way he wants it. I really want people to come out on April 29th to go see Strangers because it’s such a beautiful story - it’s inspirational. You will believe again, you will smile, laugh. You will leave that hall feeling good. It would strike a chord.

How’s it like taking the shoot of Strangers to a remote area?

We wanted to do justice to the film. We couldn’t go to the exact location that the film was demanding but we found this beautiful place right on the outskirt of Oyo state, somewhere so in the neck of the forest and we found this beautiful community.

We had seen cattle and Fulani and we were very worried about our safety but you would be surprised that they were Fulani who were speaking Oyo. They were happy people and were so happy to have us. We were the noisemakers in that village and I remember they would cook us corn every day. They were such a warm community. There was no power supply there, so we were just like the bringers of the vibes. For the 10 – 12 days that we were there, it was such a joy to just work and of course, there was fresh oxygen to breathe and it was a peaceful place to work as well.

What factors do you look out for before taking up any project?

Story is king and that was what Strangers had. It’s a beautiful brilliant story never been told before. And that was why I wanted to jump on that production and like I said, I literally begged the executive producer that I wanted to be on the project.

What motivated you to take up the job of directing the movie?

In late 2018, I was introduced to Evangelist Banji Adesanmi and we had spoken on the phone about the project. When he started telling me the story, I realised that it was something I had read about and it’s pretty much in line with what I want to do as a filmmaker. I like to tell very impactful and inspirational stories that speak about people’s truth and Strangers just sat right well into what I wanted.

It was a challenging one, as a matter of fact, I’d let you into something - I wasn’t supposed to direct it, I don’t even think Evangelist was looking at me as a director. He was looking at me more for the producing. I think I had mentioned or hinted that I would like to direct this piece of work. It was just a no-brainer when he told me the story. It was such a fascinating and inspirational story and I just knew that it was such an honor to tell the story. I’m very glad he took that chance and gave me the opportunity to do so.

Funding remains a big issue for many filmmakers. How do you fund your projects?

I think funding is the major issue for us in Nollywood and we are really hoping that we can get international funding to help. We can get creative loans. Already we’ve seen that with the CBN creative loan that would be coming in and I think with the funding, we can do a lot more collaborations because if you have, I have, we have. If we pull all our resources together, we will be able to make the kind of film that we want. Collaborations can also help with funding. Govt. can support, so also are international collaborations and grants. All of these can really help to ease. But more importantly, when you get the fund, how do you explain ROI which is very key?

Some Nollywood films tend to do better than Hollywood films at the cinemas lately. Does this have anything to do with the quality or hype?

I don’t think it’s because of hype.

It’s more of the quality because story is king. It’s the authenticity of the story. If the story is captivating and gripping, people would jump in on it. And if you now add quality production and hype to that, it would go places but the foundation of any film is the story so the story has to be gripping, it has to be powerful, it has to be intriguing, it has to be entertaining. It has to suck you in.

That is when you will realise the production value.

What area do you feel Nollywood needs to improve and why?

Infrastructure! Infrastructure!!

Infrastructure!!! We don’t have the infrastructure to even begin to compete with Hollywood. We are scraping the surface. A lot of us are creating our own studios. We are really trying to do the most and I always want to say this, I salute Nollywood, Nigerian filmmakers – we do the most with the little that we have. Infrastructure is one of the very key ways for us to even begin to make life a lot easier for us in Nollywood.

With your busy schedule, how do you unwind?

I like to sit back and kick it back at home with my children.

I like to just be at home, catch up on what I have missed, hear my children tell me stories of things that happened around us in their school and I like to watch TV. I am a TV girl and I love to just sit back and watch Lagos on television and I never get tired.

What does family mean to you and what kind of mother would you describe yourself as?

Family is everything to me. I’m a working mum and I try to be very hands-on. I am very blessed that I have two kids - a pre-teen and a teenager. Thankfully, diaper days are over but now, given the influence of social media - you are even more hands-on than before because there is so much going on around us and it is very easy to get caught up in the whole of that rockers. And I am a praying mum, I am a hands-on mum and I am friends with my daughters and I am a stern mum. I wear the hat of the type of mum I want to be depending on what the situation at hand is asking me to be.

Family is Everything to Me, I’m Stephen St h a Hands-On Mum

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Saturday, May 14, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Kukah on APC’s N100m Form “This thing has been reduced to some kind of joke and Nigerians are sitting and watching in disbelieve and keeping quiet, that somebody will just wake up one day to pick a nomination form for N100 million” –Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto, Matthew Kukah expressing worry over the N100 million Presidential forms of the APC.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

How to Get Nigeria Out of this Mess

F

ellow Nigerians, please, permit me to express my profound appreciation to you all for finding time out of your very busy schedules to read me every week....

Now, let me go straight to the main reason for my epistle today. It would be an understatement to say our country Nigeria has been in perpetual crises for decades. And this could readily be attributed to lack of selfless, reasonable, visionary Leadership.

Our hopes have been dashed endlessly after every election cycle and ritual.

I was tired of complaining and lamenting, like we all do, wherever two or more Nigerians are gathered, and I decided to run the Presidential race in 2011 but failed. I learned a lot of didactic lessons from it, one of which was that I needed a national platform to activate and actualise such a monumental project, the principal reason I’m in PDP today.

I believe we all know the problems confronting Nigeria today. We all probably know the solutions as well. What is strange and mysterious is why the positive change we all crave has remained nebulously elusive. I shall endeavour to answer many of the most frequently asked questions in this address.

What mileage does a Dele Momodu’s candidacy bring to the table? My answer is simple and straightforward. We often hear of “tested politicians”, men and women of timber and calibre but they have been largely ineffective, retrogressive and reprehensible. That is the bane of our present society and societal development. Most of the aspirants for Presidency today can be encapsulated in that phrase “tested politicians”. My view is that, sadly, whilst our politicians may be tested and experienced, they have only been tested, but majorly failed in all spheres. Their experience is one of failure and mediocrity, and it is about time that we moved away from these abysmally low standards and set new higher and fresh qualitative standards and ideals for ourselves.

Indeed, majority of Nigerians are saying they want fresh faces with fresh ideas and refreshing ideals. That is where my candidacy is different and novel. I am that candidate who fulfils the yearnings and aspirations of the ordinary Nigerian people for a principled, talented, disciplined, visionary leader who is additionally imbued with integrity, resourcefulness and patriotism. I am bursting with ideas and solutions to the seemingly intractable problems that we face as a Nation. The good thing is that this is not new to me. I have consistently advised our various leaders about what needs to be done to turn the fortunes of our beloved country around. It is not rocket science, but you must first open your mind, be a bucket for the reception of ideas and be receptive to those ideas. That is a fundamental attribute that is lacking in most of our leaders. It is why we also sadly continue to promote mediocrity because we are left with no choice.

The other gentlemen aspiring and one female aspirant in our Party are all distinguished people, but I bring the following uniqueness and uncommon pedigree into the race which reinforces the strength of my candidacy and why I should prevail over the other aspirants.

With every sense of humility and modesty and without any fear of contradiction, I will say that I have laboured hard to attain a global superbrand status. The records are there. They don’t need embellishment or massaging. I have had solid theoretical and practical education, which has enabled me to acquire wide-ranging experience and exposure in the world of teaching, business, entertainment, lifestyle, advocacy, entrepreneurship, governance, networking, public speaking, academia, journalism, public relations, branding, tourism, information technology, foreign relations, hospitality, philanthropy and so on. I believe that I have accomplished a lot by successfully managing people and resources.

Afe Babalola The secret of my successes in different fields of human endeavours can be traced and ascribed to honesty, knowledge, discipline, humility, frugality, passion, comportment, charisma, affability, vision, audacity, tenacity, commitment, loyalty and implicit faith in God. I’m a child of diversity with a father from Edo State, with a strong Moslem background and a mother from Osun State with a strong Christian origin. I therefore have very strong ties to two of the three regions in the South and the two major religions in Nigeria. I also enjoy extensive links to the South East where I have been a major admirer and promoter of Igbo talents, culture, tradition, and incredible capabilities. Internationally, my job as Publisher of Ovation International magazine and Chairman of the Ovation Media Group has made it possible for me to have a face and name recognition everywhere in the world. I have operated in, and covered over 60 countries, on five continents. In my own right and personal accomplishments, I have met and interacted with Presidents, Vice Presidents, world figures, captains of industry, business icons, traditional and religious leaders, men and women of the armed forces, social crusaders, political chieftains, rebel leaders, philanthropists, and so many others in Nigeria and overseas. There’s no part of Nigeria I have not made friends across ethnic, social, political and religious divides.

More importantly, I have touched lives of young Nigerians in all parts of Nigeria by directly or indirectly providing them jobs or self-employment opportunities.

Notably, in the last few years, I have received over 66,000 applications for palliative support from every part of Nigeria, with the largest of about 8,000 coming from Borno State alone, closely followed by Bauchi State. I was able to disburse cash transfers, strictly through their bank accounts, to thousands of applicants without any form of discrimination. Since 2007, I have created new millionaire entrepreneurs every December during the Ovation Red Carol concerts.

Before then, and till date, I have promoted and supported new talents in music, fashion, comedy, choreography, events planning, decor, food and beverage, deejaying, graphics, stage management, sound engineering, printing, lighting, social media and blogging, news reporting, photography and videography, hospitality, textiles and fabrics, carpets, flowers, car hire, security and others. I doubt if any of the aspirants would have had such direct impact on our youths. Not even those pwho have been in power almost forever.

As an entrepreneur and businessman with an international outlook, I know what it entails to

select, employ and appoint personnel strictly on merit. Nigeria can no longer afford to do things based on primordial sentiments of ethnicity and religion. Whilst we must always take our diversity into account, it must not be a primary or even secondary consideration. I will be a positive role model for other political leaders, in principle and in action. I will downgrade the extravagant and outlandish lifestyles of our leaders who live like every day is Christmas.

Clearly, the next Nigerian President must be the Chief Executive Officer of the Nation and behave as such. He must have the capacity to naturally attract love, and command respect, at home and abroad. He must radiate confidence, intelligence, brilliance, level-headedness, humility, clear-vision, discipline and business acumen and be cosmopolitan in nature. Nigeria urgently requires a measured and moderate leader. He must not be tempestuous, arrogant, intolerant, vindictive, condescending, old-fashioned and outdated.

The world is fast moving away from career politicians to technocrats in politics. Our Party PDP must seize this opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past. We must demonstrate to our people that we are ready to offer a new vista of hope to our country men and women on the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election.

We cannot continue to recycle the same politicians as if Nigeria has made no progress whatsoever in the past three decades. We must not belittle the remarkable achievements of those who have not been in political offices but have been major players and determinants on the world stage, not the arguable local champions that we presently have. We must resist and reject the notion and temptation of suggesting that power is the exclusive preserve of a group or class of people who have hijacked our common patrimony for their personal use. The time has come to challenge and change the unproductive, retrogressive and reprehensible status quo. We must urgently retire our leaders of yesterday and yesteryears and substitute them with our fresh and innovative leaders of today in order to assure our citizens that our collective tomorrow will be much better and rewarding.

I’m proud to say I have taken time to plan and prepare for this journey. And I’m very ready to lead our nation out of the doldrums. I will be a ready President and Commander-in-Chief from Day One. What specific policies and programmes will I implement if elected, to diversify the nation’s revenue base beyond oil? Firstly, I must emphasise that, in the immediate future, we cannot seek to eliminate our dependence on oil as a major component of our national wealth. As we seek to reduce our dependence on income from crude oil, we must still embark on a wholesale surgical operation of the industry. One of the priorities of our government will therefore be to make the oil sector more vibrant by eliminating the massive corruption in the sector, building enhanced and

efficient capacity and infrastructure, and re-energising the sector through technology and innovation. The deceit and fraud in subsidy claims will end by the policy of subsidy being discarded. Nigerians have paid for this scam for far too long. Every commodity in the world has a price but we’ve never known ours because of the abracadabra of the magicians controling the sector. The recourse to importation will not be a matter of necessity but one of last resort as local production will be ramped up to cater for our consumption and that of our neighbours. Pricing will be properly done to ensure the benefits of our being blessed with this natural resource is felt by all Nigerians and is not a curse or a cross for us to bear. The entire subsidy regime will be fully and forensically investigated by our acclaimed experts in the area, and any unlawful or shady dealings exposed, and the culprits fished out and handed over to the relevant agencies to prosecute. It is scandalous that Nigeria continues to run at a loss in most of our petroleum departments.

No diversification of our economy can work if we do not keep our main cash cow very healthy.

We shall need to make huge investments even in that sector as part of the diversification process.

We must increase our productivity in the gas sector. We have lost so much time and too much revenue by wasting the limitless gains of our humongous gas deposits through gas flaring. Even now that we have recognised the significant and huge benefits of gas, we are yet to develop this as we should. Had we done the proper thing, we would now be one of the countries reaping the benefits of the Russia-Ukraine war, but instead we are like the unwilling spectator being forced to imagine and rue what might have been. We must never be in this same position again. We will crack whatever obstacles are in the path of harnessing our unlimited natural resources and additionally explore the opportunities and the potential of our extraordinary bitumen deposits. No country wastes the amount of fortune buried beneath our soils, like we do. I’m not unaware of the encumbrances of bureaucracy in our country, so I will be a hands-on Leader who will personally lead the war against the sluggishness in our civil service. One Leader must make the necessary sacrifice and be ready to face the consequences and repercussions, if need be.

Simultaneously, with rejuvenating and reforming the development and exploitation of our oil and abundant mineral resources, we will revamp the agricultural and industrial sector by emphasising the use of innovative and collaborative methods in order to exponentially increase production and output.

All that is required is the proper education and a change of mindset and will. Mechanised farming must go hand in hand with food preservation, processing, distribution and marketing. This will definitely generate mass employment.

NOTE: Read full article online on www.thisdaylive.com

Deborah Samuel: An Unwarranted Murder

M

y full names are JOSEPH AYOBAMI DELE ABAYOMI OJUTELEGAN AJANI JACOB-MOMODU... I have stated this deliberately because of the unfortunate religious intolerance, and the conflagration, that has just occurred in Sokoto, a beautiful city I departed just days ago... A lot of us Nigerians enjoy this special privilege of religious crossover in our backgrounds. That is why we are United and must remain United despite our religious diversity.

The bizzare, abominable and unpardonable killing of Ms DEBORAH SAMUEL, a student of the College of Education, Sokoto, for whatever reason is absolutely reprehensible, unjustifiable,

condemnable and punishable!! It is not us, and all right thinking Nigerians must be resolute and unrelenting in demanding swift justice for Deborah. #swiftjusticeforDeborah.

I’m privileged to have had grandparents who were Muslims and parents who were Christians.

Whilst being a devout Christian, I carry my surname of MOMODU, the name of our great prophet of peace, and our King of peace very proudly, as a true mark of my heritage...

No ignorant, misguided or extremist man or woman has the right or justification to summarily and inhumanly terminate life in the name of either Prophet Mohammed or our Lord, Jesus Christ...

May DEBORAH’s soul rest in perfect peace...

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