SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2020

Revenue Drops by N174bn in April as FG, States, LGs Share N606bn Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday distributed a total of N606.196 billion as April allocation to the federal, state and local governments, representing a N174.73 billion

shortfall when compared to the N780.926 billion distributed in the preceding month of March.

The distribution was conducted via a virtual conference, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget

and National Planning, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse.

A communique issued after the conference indicated that the N606.196 billion comprised Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain, Solid Mineral Revenue, Excess Bank Charges and Excess Oil Revenue.

The gross revenue available from the VAT for April was N94.495 billion as against N120.268 billion distributed in the preceding month of March resulting in a decrease of N25.772 billion.

The VAT distribution saw the federal government getting

N13.182 billion; states received N43.941 billion, while local government councils got N30.758 billion.

A breakdown showed that out of the total distributable revenue of N606.196 billion, the federal government received N169.831 billon,

the states got N86.140 billion, local government governments got N66.411 billion, while the oil producing states received N32.895 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

In contrast, oil-producing Continued on page 5

EFCC Donates Diezani’s Forteited House to Lagos for use as Isolation Centre… Page 6 Saturday 16 May, 2020 Vol 25. No 9168

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Stop Revealing Details of Drugs Used for Treatment, FG Warns Survivors 288 new cases take tally to 5445 with 171 deaths NCDC clears the air on Malaria and Coronavirus Nine LGs account for 51% of national infections Five states participating in WHO- coordinated solidarity drug trial Sadiya Farouq: FG not spending N679m daily on school feeding Ebonyi lifts ban on religious gathering Medical researchers protest alleged sidelining by government NNPC donates 70-bed hospital to FCT Canadian High Commission delaying evacuation of Nigerians

Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Chinedu Eze in Lagos The federal government yesterday pleaded with COVID-19 survivors to stop giving details of the drugs used for their treatment to discourage self-medication.

The Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, made the plea at a press briefing in Abuja, following recent video testimonies of some high profile survivors, talking about the drugs administered on them at the treatment centres.

On the same day, 288 fresh COVID-19 cases were confirmed nationwide, taking the tally to 5445, with 171 deaths and 1320 discharged.

Also, it was disclosed that nine local governments alone

accounted for 51 per cent of national infections of the Coronavirus, and that five states were participating in WHO- coordinated solidarity drug trial, as fresh strategy is being worked out to address community transmission in states like Lagos and Kano.

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, expressed concern that some of the testimonies disclosing the prescription for treatment of the virus could encourage patients to indulge in selfmedication instead of seeking help from health authorities.

He urged all Nigerians that have symptoms of COVID-19 to test for the virus and if positive, go into the isolation centres for care by experts.

“The PTF congratulates and Continued on page 5

FG Directs Aviation Agencies to Relocate Headquarters to Abuja... Page 8

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY...

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Chairman/Editor-in-Chief THISDAY Media and Technology Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Executive Director, Sahara Energy Group, Tope Shonubi and the National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, during the inauguration of THISDAY Dome COVID-19 Testing, Tracing and Treatment Centre in Abuja... recently

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PAGE FIVE STOP REVEALING DETAILS OF DRUGS USED FOR TREATMENT, FG WARNS SURVIVORS appreciates the testimonies of of COVID-19 tracing, tracking, Disruptions, FG Unveils Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerians who have recovered testing, isolation and treatment Palliatives for MSMEs other Nigerians who have been from COVID-19, which has given us more insights and further strengthens the need to adhere strictly to guidelines issued. However, an emerging issue from all these testimonies is the issue of prescription for treatments. We should always remember that the symptoms of COVID-19 mimic some illnesses we already know but treating the symptoms is not the same as treating the virus. For this reason, we strongly discourage self-medication," Mustapha said.

He also said that five states in Nigeria were currently participating in the on-going World Health Organization (WHO)-coordinated solidarity trial to find a cure for the pandemic, saying that at the end of this trial, relevant health authorities would make statements on acceptable drugs for treating COVID-19.

Mustapha also raised the alarm that 51 per cent of the country's COVID-19 cases are concentrated in nine local government areas across the country. However, he did not name them.

He said the affected nine local government areas were all densely populated, indicating that the crowded communities were at the risk of spreading the virus.

"Let me say that our preliminary analysis has narrowed down the over 51 per cent of the total number of infected persons to nine Local Government Areas across the country and all of them are densely populated. This indicates that a critical element of our taming this pandemic is to reduce opportunities for large gathering, sustaining the ban on inter-state movement, the nationwide curfew and complying with the measures prescribed- wash your hands as frequently as necessary; use hand sanitisers; maintain social distancing, use a face mask or covering in public places," he said.

Mustapha also stated the opposition of the federal government to reports that some state governors were lifting restrictions on large congregation of people.

He warned that while President Muhammadu Buhari had encouraged state governments to adapt national guidelines that are suitable to their state, such adaptation should be informed by empirical evidence of progress made.

The PTF chairman warned the governors that lifting restrictions on large congregation of people had consequences and was an opportunity for more seeding of the virus thereby negating gains already made.

Ehanire: Fresh Strategy to Address Community Transmission Coming The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the federal government was developing a new strategy that would help in addressing community transmission of COVID-19, especially in high density areas like Lagos and Kano.

The minister, who spoke yesterday at the media briefing by the Presidential Taskforce on Control of covid19 in Abuja, said when implemented, the new strategy could go a long way in addressing many looming challenges.

Ehanire said: "A strategy document of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency is being developed and repurposed for application in Kano; but also in similar high density, high burden metropoles like Lagos to respond more specifically to the challenges

in congested communities.�

He said the situation in Kano State had largely stabilised, “thanks to the good relationship between the visiting federal task team and Kano State Task force on COVID-19.�

Ehanire said that the high number of new cases recorded in Kano state was an indication that all laboratories in Kano were now functioning and clearing backlog of samples, with over 350 new tests done daily.

Ehanire, however, regretted that the yet to be explained deaths that occurred in Kano and a few other states in the northern part of the country may be linked to low hospital attendance due to Covid19 scare.

The minister said another team from the Federal Ministry of Health had been assembled to proceed to Sokoto and Borno states on fact finding mission and to engage with state authorities to determine their material and technical needs.

He also said that part of the mission in Kano was to assist state pathologists and scientists unravel the mysteries around unexplained deaths in the state.

According to the minister, the tools for forensic investigation have been jointly developed for a uniform approach and balanced results.

Also, Ehanire said the ministry was able to persuade Mrs Susan Idoko-Okpe, a woman who earlier refused to take COVID-19 test, to allow her blood sample to be taken to the NCDC laboratory for testing yesterday.

He said the result was being awaited and that any time from now the result would be given to her in person.

Ebonyi Lifts Ban on Religious Gathering Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi has lifted the ban on religious centres in the state.

In April, the governor had banned gathering at religious centres to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But in a statement yesterday, the Commissioner for Information, Uchenna Orji, said the ban had been lifted with immediate effect.

He said the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state had appealed for the opening of churches, while he urged the religious centres not to permit more than 500 worshippers. “Religious centres in the state are to re-open for worship once a week, effective from 15th May, 2020 under attendant conditions,� the commissioner said. “That Seventh Day Adventist and Muslim faithful are to observe their service on Saturdays and Fridays respectively from 9 am – 11 am. “No Religious Centre shall permit more than 500 people and worshipers shall observe a minimum of two meters social distancing from one another. “Wearing of face masks, washing of hands with running water and use of hand sanitisers must be strictly observed in all religious centres. No religious service is allowed to hold any other day, other than the days specified herein and which must be in strict observance of all COVID-19 Laws and regulations. “Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has a duty to close down any religious gathering and arrest the principal of the worship centre that violates this order.�

This is the fourth state to lift the ban on religious gatherings in 48 hours. Borno, Gombe and Adamawa took a similar step earlier.

As Businesses Confront

The federal government has issued a set of palliatives to help Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) wade through the current economic fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) conducted a virtual launch of palliatives for MSMEs in Abuja yesterday.

According to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the palliatives reflected the Buhari administration’s determination to support MSMEs and the priority the federal government placed on small businesses.

The palliatives are: E-Registration of MSMEs/ products at 80% discounted rate over a period of six months; Zero tariffs for the first 200 micro and small businesses to register on the E-platform and waiver on administrative charges for overdue late renewal of expired licenses of micro/ small businesses products for a period of 90 days.

According to the VP, as businesses across the world confront the disruptions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, the federal government would continue to adopt and implement practical measures to ensure that the projected growth in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector is not seriously affected by the development.

Canadian High Commission Delaying Evacuation of Nigerians The Canada High Commission has allegedly caused a delay in the evacuation of Nigerians from the North American country by deferring Air Peace flight right and positioning Ethiopia Airlines to operate the airlift, even at a higher fare.

The federal government last week designated the Nigerian carrier, Air Peace to conduct evacuation flight to bring Nigerians who are stranded in Canada, with a flight plan to airlift evacuees from Toronto and Cagliari back to the country.

But informed sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the Canada High Commission opened talks with Ethiopia Airlines, which has been airlifting Canadian citizens from different parts of Africa to Canada to deny a Nigerian carrier the opportunity to airlift its own citizens.

But the Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation and Foreign Affairs has waded into the matter, insisting that the Nigerian carrier has to operate the flight in tandem with its new position that all evacuation flights must be conducted by Nigerian carriers.

The flight was scheduled to airlift some Canadian citizens in Nigeria to Canada and bring back Nigerians from that country.

A document sourced from the Canada High Commission directed that passengers should pay $2,500 to Ethiopian Airlines for the flight; while Air Peace charged $1,134 and 319 passengers had already paid to the Nigerian airline, which has concluded plans to operate full flight to the North American country.

The directive from the Canada High Commission asked the would-be evacuees to pay for Flight ET3900 from Lagos to Addis-Ababa that would depart from Lagos by 1:00 pm Nigerian time on May 18, 2020.

The delay in allowing Air Peace, an indigenous airline to conduct the evacuation flight has upset officials in the

monitoring the proceedings since last week.

Some of the Nigerians who have booked and paid Air Peace for the flight were already complaining about the insistence of the Canada High Commission to choose a foreign airline when a Nigerian carrier could carry out the evacuation exercise successfully, as it had done in the past.

Shocked at the decision of Canada High Commission, an official of the Nigerian carrier said that Air Peace had successfully flown to 40 countries, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, noting that it was the airline that evacuated Israeli citizens from Nigeria late March. “We have done many international flights, including landing in Canada. We have made 19 flights to the United States of America since 2014. We have flown to Tel-Aviv several times and in March we evacuated over 200 Israelis from Nigeria back during this COVID-19 lockdown. We have scheduled flight operations to United Arab Emirates. We have also flown to UK, Ireland, China, Turkey, Germany, Iceland, Switzerland and other countries. “We have IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification and we are member of IATA. We also evacuated Nigerians from South Africa during the Xenophobia attack of Africans there. We are grateful to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Aviation for all the support they are giving Air Peace and other ingenious carriers,� the Air Peace official said.

Reacting to the incident, former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Benedict Adeyileka described the action of the Canada High Commission as political and urged the Federal Government to stand firmly on its position that a Nigerian carrier should conduct the airlift. “I am a nationalist to the core. Anything Nigerian is good enough as long as it is qualified to carry out the operation and Air Peace has international operation experience. I insist that the Nigerian government should put its foot down on this. Nigerian carriers should not be stopped from conducting international operations,� he said.

FG Sidelining Us, Allege Medical Researchers The leadership of medical researchers in the country has alleged that its members were being blatantly ignored in the federal government's effort to find a home-grown solution to the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.

The national body of researchers, in a letter to the government, said that, as it currently stands, there was a 'disconnect' between the Presidential Task Force (PTF), which it described as the political managers of the pandemic and the body of Nigerian researchers.

In a letter signed by the Secretary General of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Dr. Theophilus Ndubuaku, in Abuja, the association stressed that despite its capacity, the government was looking for answers outside the country.

It called on the federal government, as well as the state governments to recognise the relevance of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), among others, to the nation’s immediate need for testing, certification of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), treatment and research on Coronavirus.

"As the engine room and

indeed the brain box of Nigeria's medical research, NIMR has both the manpower and facility to coordinate all Coronavirusrelated cure and therapeutic research, geared towards acceptable medical processes and procedures.

"This is also in line with global practices as medical and academic research institutes have been at the forefront in combating COVID-19 globally. For Nigeria to systematically approach the cure for COVID-19, it is germane to harness all leading research for a possible cure of the virus.

"This has become imminent, given the non-engagement and the seeming sidelining of NIMR despite its capacity to provide adequate mitigation programmes in the fight against Coronavirus," the organisation said.

ASURI insisted that as a research and scientific-driven organisation, if the Nigerian government is to make any strategic and tangible contribution in the mitigation, prevention and treatment of Coronavirus, there was urgent need to advance home-grown research.

It said that the body was of the firm belief that as the mandate research agency for medical solutions, NIMR had the requisite capacity and research acumen to collaborate with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), leading in the research component on the fight against COVID-19.

"It is our view that NIMR, as a research-based institute, has the full capacity to carry out expanded tests for Coronavirus, which both federal and state governments will tap into to ensure adequate mitigation and treatment for Covid-19.

"We make bold to state that NIMR is capable of conducting more than 1000 Covid-19 tests and provision of test kits.

"The institute is also poised to coordinate an amalgam of indigenous Nigerian researchers in the medical, pharmaceutical and herbal-pharmacology health field to spearhead a reliable and dependable treatment and therapy for coronavirus.�

NNPC Donates 70-Bed Hospital to FCT The Federal Capital Territory’s fight against the coronavirus crisis has received a boost in form of the 70 bed Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) hospital at Utako District of the City, currently under renovation and to be put to use when completed.

This was made known yesterday when the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello led a delegation from the FCTA on a courtesy visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari at the Corporation’s headquarters in Abuja.

Bello thanked the NNPC and the entire oil and gas industry for their support to the FCT in the fight against the pandemic.

Mele Kyari who led the FCT delegation on a tour of the 70 bed hospital, which includes 10 Intensive Care Units, commended the FCT Administration for its efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the territory.

NCDC Clears the Air on Malaria and Coronavirus The Director-General of the NCDC, Chikwe Iheakweazu, yesterday spoke on the differences between the ravaging viral disease, COVID-19 and Malaria.

This comes after the chairman of DAAR communications, Raymond Dokpesi who was discharged from an Isolation center in Abuja on Thursday, asked what the differences were because according to him, all the drugs given to him at the Isolation center were anti-malaria drugs.

Dokpesi said: ''I still have doubts in my mind. I still want to be properly educated.

What is the difference between COVID-19 which is a virus and Malaria which is caused by mosquitos because every medication we were given was Malaria medication. Some people, before they were told they were COVID-19 positive, they were tested in reputable laboratories and hospitals in Abuja and what they found was that they had a lot of malaria parasites in their bloodstream. So when did malaria become synonymous to COVID-19?''

A reporter at the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, threw this question to the NCDC boss and he said: ''I think we all know COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus, Malaria is caused by a parasite. They are completely different diseases. “However, many diseases present exactly the same way in the beginning, Yellow fever presents the same way with fever at the beginning, Lassa the same way, malaria the same way. So, the initial presentation of a febrille illness is similar across diseases.

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19 so what clinicians do is to manage your symtoms so that your body recovers as quickly as possible. “You can have Malaria and COVID-19. That you have COVID-19 doesn't prevent you from having Malaria and if you are in a hospital for one month, you could definitely be co-infected by both of them.

So, there are many reasons why people receive similar treatments but they are two completely different diseases with different pathogenesis.''

Continued on page 16

REVENUE DROPS BY N174BN IN APRIL AS FG, STATES, LGS SHARE N606BN states received N38.751 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue in March while the cost of revenue collection by revenue agencies and allocation to the North East Development Agency (NEDC) was N160.408 billion.

But in the month of April, a total of N15.134 billion was for the cost of collection/FIRS; refund/allocation to the North East Development Commission (NEDC); and transfer to excess oil account.

In recent months, FAAC had failed to break down these items to give a clear picture of what is allocated specifically to the NEDC, cost of collection and transfers to excess revenue account.

The communique also revealed that Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income

Tax (CIT), Import and Export Duties, oil and VAT, all recorded decreases.

Due to dwindling revenue occasioned by the slump in global oil prices as a result of the recent price war between Russia and Saudi on one hand and the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on demand for oil on the other, the federal government decided to look towards the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) to augment distributable revenue for FAAC in June.

In this regard, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the withdrawal of $150 million from the Stabilisation Fund component of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), operators of the SWF, to boost the June FAAC distribution among the stakeholders.

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NEWS

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

Court Summons Gbajabiamila, Malami over Infectious Disease Bill

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has summoned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to appear before it over the proposed infectious diseases bill.

Gbajabiamila alongside four other respondents are to appear before the court on

May 20, 2020 to show cause why further hearing in the bill which has passed second reading at the lower chamber should not be stopped.

Justice Ojukwu issued the summon while delivering ruling in an exparte application by former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye.

The others are Clerk of the National Assembly, Clerk of

Boko Haram, ISWAP Move to Surrender, Drop Off 72 Families Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

In a move indicative of plans by terrorist organisations, Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) to surrender, fighters of the two groups dropped off 72 members of their families in Gamboru Ngala, Borno State.

This comes as troops decimated 61 insurgents in the last one week even as 280 repentant insurgents were released after undergoing a programme of deradicalisation.

Troops from Nigeria, Chad and Niger Republic have recently ramped up attacks on the terrorists in the North-east especially the Lake Chad area, killing hundreds of insurgents, forcing them to flee while others have surrendered.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the terrorists under intense pressure from massive air and artillery bombardment, dropped off 72 members of their families in Ngala town in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State.

Speaking at a briefing

in Abuja, the Coordinator, Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General John Enenche, said the terrorists dropped off family members including 33 women and 39 children.

“On May 11, 2020, 11 ISWAP fighters surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in Adamawa State. The repentant insurgents are being profiled for further action.

This number of surrendered Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP fighters is an indication of the heat of our operational activities on the terrorists due to the renewed impetus in the theatre to end the criminality.

“There are indications that more terrorists are willing to surrender. One of such moves, was the dropping off of 72 family members of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters at the entrance of Ngala town in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State on May 10, 2020 around 8.30p.m., comprising 33 women and 39 children. All of them are in custody of troops for further action,” he said.

Saudi’s Voluntary Oil Production Cut Excites FG Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The federal government yesterday expressed delight over Saudi Arabia’s recent voluntary cut in its crude oil production by over one million barrels per day, to further reduce the impact of the current glut in the international market.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who conveyed the message in a statement signed his Special Adviser, Mr. Garba Deen Muhammed,in Abuja, said such sacrifices by members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) were capable of ameliorating the slumping demand that had brought the price of crude to an all-time low.

“It is by difficult sacrifices like this one, the Saudi government is making that the world economy can recover faster than expected. It is not an easy decision and that is why I feel compelled to

express appreciation and support to Saudi Arabia for its leadership role in both OPEC and OPEC,” Sylva said.

OPEC countries had on April 12, 2020 agreed to cut up to about 10mb/d in order to stem the slide in oil prices which in some cases had dropped to as low as $10 per barrel, throwing oil-dependent economies in chaos.

However, in addition to the agreement last month, Saudi Arabia voluntarily made additional cuts of over one million barrels per day; a voluntary action that has been complemented by similar action from a few other OPEC members such as Kuwait.

“The gradual revamp of crude oil prices in the last few days is a consequence of these actions by OPEC and the effort of the Saudi government,” Sylva observed.

The minister assured that on its part, Nigeria had been working to keep to the April OPEC agreement in spite of obvious technical and other related challenges.

the House of Representatives, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Inspector General of Police (IG).

Melaye, approached the Federal High Court to challenge the infectious diseases bill sponsored by the Speaker on the grounds that the bill if allowed would breach his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

He in addition filed a motion ex parte motion dated May 13, 2020, wherein he prayed the court for an Interim order directing parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante belum pending the hearing and determination of the application for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the applicant.

In a short ruling, Justice Ojukwu held that after a careful consideration of the averments in the supporting affidavit as well as the oral and written submission of Melaye’s lawyer, Mr. Okoro Nkemakolam, she came to the

conclusion that the issues are weighty and made an order summoning the respondents.

“An order of this court is hereby made mandating the respondents to appear before this court on May 20, 2020, to show cause why the application of this applicant should not be granted.

“In effect it is the opinion of this court that the respondents be put on notice in this case,” she held.

Justice Ojukwu further stated that, “Should the respondents fail to attend court on the date stated for the hearing on this matter, the reliefs sought ex parte shall be granted.”

Melaye had on May 4 commenced move at the Federal High Court Abuja, to halt further hearing of the bill seeking to amend the Quarantine Act CAP Q2 LFN 2004.

Melaye is specifically asking the court to intervene by striking out certain section of the proposed bill which he claimed if passed would

breach his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

The suit which was filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Mr. Okoro Nkemakolam on Monday, May 4, is predicated on seven grounds and supported by a 19 paragraphs affidavit deposed to by Senator Melaye himself.

“Except by the intervention of this honourable court, through this application for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the Applicant, the fundamental rights of the Applicant would be breached if the offending provisions of the Bill are not deleted before the passage of the Bill by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he told the court.

He added that the said Bill passed the 1st and 2nd reading at the House of Representative of the National Assembly of Nigeria on Tuesday April 28, 2020, with unimaginable speed,

despite the lockdown and no known emergency which its provisions were intended to cure, in view of the fact that the federal government was already relaxing the lockdown.

“That I know as a matter of fact, that most of the provisions of the said Bill constitute a flagrant breach of my fundamental rights and or, are likely to breach my fundamental rights.

“That I know as a matter of fact that section 3(8) of the Bill which empowers the Director-General of the National Center for Disease Control, by himself or any officer under him or a police officer on his direction, to enter into any premises or gathering of people in an area declared by the president as a public health restricted zone, without a warrant, is clearly in breach of my fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and right to liberty of my human person,” Melaye claimed in his affidavit supporting the suit.

Diezani’s Forfeited Lagos House for Use as Isolation Centre Kingsley Nweze

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has donated a building of six flats and service quarters forfeited by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke to the Lagos State Government for use as isolation centre of COVID-19 patients.

The building, forfeited to the federal government by an order of the Federal High Court in 2017 was handed over to the Lagos State yesterday by the Lagos Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mohammed Rabo.

Rabo said the building’s donation was one of EFCC’s roles in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying “In addition to our

mandate to fight economic and financial crimes, the commission is committed and ready to render essential services that may be required of it in the fight against COVID-19.

“Therefore, Lagos State should not hesitate to call on the commission anytime the need for such an essential service arises.”

According to a statement

by the spokesman of EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the donation of the building was a welcome collaboration with the federal government, because “part of the challenges we have been facing is getting isolation centres for COVID-19 patients.”

EFCC Arraigns 2 Chinese over N100m Bribery Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sokoto Zonal Office yesterday arraigned the duo of Meng Wei Kun and Xui Kuoi, both Chinese, before Justice Mohammed Sa’idu Sifawa of the State High Court Sokoto on two-count charges of conspiracy and offering bribe to a public servant to the tune of N100 million.

This is coming as the African Development Bank (AfDB) debarred Chinese construction company, China Zhonghao Limited, for a period of 18 months over its involvement in bribery.

The EFCC arraigned Meng

Wei Kun and Xui Kuoi, two Chinese, working with China Zhonghao Limited at the Sokoto State High Court yesterday, on an allegation of bribery. The defendants were docked for allegedly offering to bribe the EFCC Sokoto Zonal Head, Mr. Abdullahi Lawal with the said sum on behalf of a construction company, China Zhonghao Nig. Ltd, which is being investigated over contracts awarded it by the Zamfara State Government in the sum of N50 billion between 2012 to 2019.

The EFCC is investigating the construction company in connection with the execution of contracts for the construction of township roads in Gummi, Bukkuyun, Anka and

Nassarawa towns of Zamfara State; and also the construction of 168 solar-powered boreholes in the 14 local government areas of the state.

Count one read: ’That you Mr. Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Kuoi sometimes in May 2020 at Kasarawa area, Airport Road Sokoto, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice Sokoto State agreed to do an illegal act to wit; bribery and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019 and Punishable under Section 60 (2) of the same Law’’.

The second count read: ‘’That you Mr. Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Kuoi on the 11th of May 2020 at about 2200 hours at Kasarawa area, Airport Road

Sokoto, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice Sokoto State, being staff of China Zhonghao Nigeria Limited, offered a bribe of fifty million naira as inducement to one Abdullahi Lawal a Public Servant (Zonal Head of Operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Sokoto Zonal Office) in order to compromise an ongoing investigation involving your company with regard to various contracts award/ execution in parts of Zamfara State and thereby committed an offence of offering bribe to a Public servant contrary to Section 83 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019 and Punishable under Section 83 (2) of the same Law’’.

PDP Wants EFCC Investigation into Ondo N4.3b Secret Account James Sowole in Akure

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the non-disclosure of N4.3 billion lodged secretly in Zenith Bank and which the Ondo State Government claimed to have spent.

The discovery of the secret

account said to have been opened over 10 years ago, had pitched the state Legislature against the Executive.

The State House of Assembly, had summoned the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and the State Accountant General, Mr. Olaolu Akinkuolie on the discovery of the secret account.

The House among other

things raised questions on the accrued interest of the principal sum and why the money was spent without appropriation.

The opposition PDP in a statement by the Director of Publicity, Zadok Akintoye, said the investigation by the party, had shown that the Akeredolu-led ODSG was being economical with

the truth and had violated the law with its intention not to disclose the receipt of such funds until it was recently probed by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

He noted that the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Donald Ojogo had acknowledged that the state inherited the account after it was discovered.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

NEWS Relocate Headquarters to FCT, FG Directs Aviation Agencies Chinedu Eze The federal government has again directed aviation agencies under the Ministry of Aviation tomovetheirheadquartersfrom Lagos to the Federal Capital Ter-

ritory, Abuja.

Governmentgavetheagencies 45daystocarryoutthisdirective.

Government explained that the decision was to ensure efficientandeffectivecoordination and enhanced service delivery,

as well as reduce the cost of governance.

In a letter dated May 4, 2020 FMA/PMD/7061/T/4 and signed the Director, Human Resource Management, Alhaji Mohammad Shehu on behalf of

the Minister of Aviation said the relocation order was based on the premise of the current global economicsituationtoreducecost of governance.

The letter titled, 'Relocation of AviationAgenciestoAbuja'read:

SOKAPU Faults Presidency, Sani on Kajuru Killings John Shiklam Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‹

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), has faulted claims by the Presidency and Senator Uba Sani that the recent killing of 27 people in some communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State were reprisal and revenge attacks.

Addressinganewsconference inKaduna,PresidentofSOKAPU, Hon. Jonathan Asake said the union “is pained and shocked over the reaction of the President andSenatorSanioverthekillings by armed Fulani herdsmen.�

No fewer than 27 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday followingattacksonGonarRogo,

Makyali, Bakin Kogi and Idanu communities in Kajuru LGA. The Presidency, while condemning the killings in a statement by Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesman, had decried “the wave of attacks and counterattacksonpeopleamong theFulaniandAdaracommunitiesinKajuruLocalGovernment Area of Kaduna State,� saying that “killing people in the name of revenge is not acceptable.�

Also in statement, Senator Sani who represents Kaduna Central Senatorial Zone, which include Kajuru,haddescribedthekillings as a conflict between the Adara and the Fulanis, stating that it would “seem that in the Fulani andAdaracommunities,thereare

MultiChoice: We’re Implementing New VAT Rate, Not Raising Prices Pay television company, Multichoice Nigeria, has dismissed reports that it is set to increase subscription rates for its DStv andGOtv packagesfrom1June.

The company explained that the price adjustments it recently announced, which take effect from 1 June, is to reflect the increase in the rate of the Value Added Tax (VAT) by 2.5 %from5%to7.5%bytheFederal Government.

The 2.5 % increase followed the signing of the Finance Act 2019 on 13 January by President Muhammadu Buhari. The new VAT rate, which took effect from 1February,isoneofthemeasures adopted by the Federal Government to increase revenue from non-oil sources.

InastatementissuedinLagos, MultiChoice, said it did not start

implementing the new VAT rate on1Februaryinordertoprovide relief for its customers, meaning that it absorbed the 2.5% hike by makingitsproductsandservices available at the old rate of 5%. “We acknowledge that Nigerians are living under increased economic pressure and want to make every naira they spend count. We remain committed to providing our customers with value for their naira,whilegivingthemaccessto the best available content. DStv andGOtvproductsandservices will be amended to include 7.5% VAT,� the statement said Thecompanyannouncedthat the adjustment would see DSTV premiumsubscriptionratemove from N15, 800 to N16,200 while GOtv Max price will rise to N3, 280 from N3,200.

conflictentrepreneurswhohave been reaping from the conflicts andworseningthemiseryofthe people.�

However, Asake maintained thatsuchstatements,weredeliberate attempts to cover the truth.

He declared that “anyone describing the recent attacks as reprisals and revenge is either a mischief maker or part of a grandagendaofethniccleansing against our people which is currently being pursued with more vigour and determination more than ever before. “Wearetherefore,verypained and shocked at the reaction of thePresidencythatassertedthat these unprovoked attacks were reprisals and revenge. “We are extremely disappointedthatSen.UbaSani,whois theSenatorrepresentingKaduna Central should describe these attacks as revenge because he should know the truth,� he said. “CoulditbethatthePresidency and Sen. Uba Sani know what we don’t know?� Asake asked According to him, all the attacks,invasionsandkillingswere beingdocumentedbySOKAPU, with names of the victims and the affected communities.

He said “on Monday May 11, 2020, Gonar Rogo was invaded

by Fulani herdsmen militia.

The following day, the attackers extended their murderous expedition to Bakin Kogi where residents had fled the town. “They burnt down the town andlaunchedanotherassaulton another village, Idanu. “IntheearlyhoursofWednesday, the murderous gang of terrorists moved to Makyali where several persons were killed. “In Agwala Village, an old lady was mercilessly hacked to

Buhari, Tinubu Felicitate With Dele Momodu at 60 Bennett Oghifo President Muhammadu Buhari and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu have congratulated journalist/publisher, Ayobamidele Abayomi OjútelÊgà n Àjà ní Momodu, popularly known as Dele Momodu, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the PresidentcongratulatedMomodu on hitting the milestone in good health and sound mind, wishing him greater contributions to the further emancipation of Nigeria in the years and decades to come.

ThePresidentrejoicedwiththe family,friends,andprofessionalcol-

leaguesofthePublisherofOvation International,sayinghehaslefthis footprintsindeliblyintheannalsof journalism in the country.

He wished Momodu greater profundity of thoughts as he engages with readers of his weekly column, Pendulum.

TinubuapplaudedtheMomodu forhisinfinitecontributiontojournalism,lifestyleandpolitics,among others,ashemarkshis60thbirthday.

In a statement, yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Mr. Tunde Rahman, Asiwaju Tinubu said, “Bashorun Dele Momodu, ace journalist,prolificwriterandauthor, mediaentrepreneur,politicianand socialite,hadearnedhisinnumerable stripes. “Icongratulateandrejoicewith

himonattaining60,Saturday,May 16, 2020.�

The Asiwaju said, “Momodu has done remarkably well for the journalism profession and for his country.Hefoughtrelentlesslyfor theentrenchmentofdemocracyin Nigeria and for the promotion of goodgovernanceandsocialjustice.�

HerecalledMomodu’sactiverole in the nation’s pro-democracy activitiesagainsttheAbachamilitary regime that forced him into exile.

Tinubusaid,“Whiletraversing the media landscape and forging what was to become an exciting and illustrious career, culminatinginthefoundingoftheOvation MediaGroup,Momoduwasalso activelyinvolvedinpro-democracy activities.

death. In total, these attacks have so far claimed 27 lives within 48 hours, while the injured have been taken to various medical facilities for attention.�

The SOKAPU President said furtherthat afortnightago,there were attacks in Efele, Ungwan Modi and Ungwan Rana villages all in Kajuru leading to the displacement of hundreds of residents.

Asake also disclosed that about two weeks ago, Galiwyi community in Chikun LGA of thestate, wasinvaded “byherdsmenmilitiawhochasedawaythe men and turned their wives and daughters into sex slaves after occupying the community.� “As we address you this afternoon, tension has spread to several communities in Kajuru LGA, especially Idon and Doka, with fear-stricken residents fleeing in droves for fear of impending attacks. “Theatmosphereofdeathand destruction now holds sway in our communities,� Asake said. “We insist that the recent invasions are a continuation of a deliberate and entrenched agenda of subjugating and occupying our ancestral lands. “We wish to alert the world thatSouthernKadunacommunities have been under constant invasions and massacres that is fast assuming a genocidal proportion,� he said.

He lamented that “despite the current lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic, our communities are being invaded on a daily basis and chased out into other communities as internally displaced persons (IDPs) only for a short period before the host communities are also invaded and further displaced.�

“ I am directed to remind you of a Presidential directive issued in 2012 requesting all the agencies under the Ministry of Aviation to relocate their corporate headquarters to the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) for efficient and effective coordination and enhanced service delivery and note that eight (8) years after the directive, the agencies are yet to comply. “Accordingly, considering the current situation and the economic impact worldwide as well as the need to reduce the cost of governance and manage scarce resources in a sustainable way, it has become imperative and further to the honourable Minister’s directive (Copy attached) to request that you facilitate and complete the relocation of your corporate

headquarters within the next forty-five (45) days in line with this earlier directive.�

The agencies that have corporate headquarters in Lagos affected by the order include, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), NigerianAirspaceManagement Agency (NAMA) and the AccidentInvestigationBureau(AIB).

Overtheyearsthefederalgovernment had given the directive for the agencies to move to the nation’s capital but the move had so far failed till now, but NCAA sincelastyearhasbeenoperating many of its offices from Abuja.

However, the labour unions have frowned at the latest directive, saying that it would inconveniencetheworkers,given the short notice.

Police Detain Man for Having Corpse of 7-Year-Old Girl Victor Ogunje Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™ ÕÓÞÓ There was pandemonium at OlujodaareaofEkitiStatecapitalon Thursdaynightwhenthecorpse of a seven-year-old girl Olagoke Morire,wasfoundinsideavehicle owned by a co-tenant.

The owner of the vehicle has beenarrestedanddetainedatthe police station.

ItwasgatheredthatMorireand histwinsister, Mokorewerewith their cousin in their apartment beforetheywentouttobuybiscuits.

The mother of the deceased Kehinde Ajayi said deceased gotmissingaround1:15p.m.after Mokoreleftherinthecompoundto lookforhermissingmoneyinside the room.

Ajayisaidthedeceased’stwin sister and her neighbours raised the alarm when she could not be foundandthesituationprompted them to conduct a search for the girlaroundthecompound,which provedabortiveuntil8p.m.when hercorpsewasfoundinsideacotenant’s vehicle that was parked in their compound. “When we woke up in the morningItookcareofmychildren as usual. They are twins. I gave

themmoneytobuybiscuitsandleft theminthehousewithmycousin. “Suddenly,Ireceivedadistress call from one of my neighbours around 3p.m. that Morire was missing and that they have searched everywhere but they could find her. I quickly left what I was doing and rushed home. “We searched everywhere to look for her yet we didn’t find her. We reported the incident to Ologede Police Division and we were told to wait for 24hrs before they could take any action. “Itwaslateraround8p.m.that someone discovered her corpse inside a vehicle parked in our compoundwithherbodypeeled off,� she added.

When contacted, the Ekiti State Police Public Relation Officer, Abutu Sunday confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate. “It was true that a teenager was declared missing and the parents reported the incident in our division at Ologede. So, all efforts to recover the little girl turned out unsuccessful until 8p.m. She was found lifeless in oneofthecarparkedwithintheir compound.�

How Gunmen Killed Retired General’s Son in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi

Muyiwa Babafumilayo Okpaleye, the son of one-time military administration of Ondo State, Brigadier General Okpaleye (rtd), has been killed by hooded gunmen.

Thedeceased,whowasworking with a sporting outfit called CitySports,washangingoutwith his friends at a joint in Adekunle Kuye, off Ikate Street, Aguda in Surulere, Lagos, when his assailants shot him dead.

Although he lived on the island, the deceased had visited the joint where the much touted localmixturesthatcureCOVID-19 aresold,butmethisdeathinstead.

According to eyewitness account,althoughthefourassailants had arrived the scene in an SUV, only two alighted from the car and made for the target.

Armedwithagun,themasked men headed towards the crowd of people and shot at their target Whileotherstooktotheirheels, the deceased was felled by the bullet and he was left for dead in a pool of his blood.

Aftertheassailantsfled,Kunle, one of the deceased’s friends, whom had come to the joint with himinaHondaCitySedanturned backandcompassionatelyrushed to save him.

Kunle quickly bundled his bloodied body to the car and rushedtoanearbyhospitalwhere, doctorspronouncedhimdeadon arrival. Theincidentwasreported at Soloki Police Station, Aguda, and Kunle was interrogated and made to write a statement while Muyiwa’s body was taken to a morgue.

Unfortunately, Kunle who

made spirited efforts to save his friendwasclampedintodetention whilethecasewastransferredto the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba for further investigation.

Police sources hinted that already, crack homicide detectives at Panti have swung into action after receiving marching orders from both the Lagos State CommissionerofPolice,Hakeem Odumosu and DCP Yetunde Longe of the SCIID. Itwasgatheredthattheywere given48hourstounravelthemystery surrounding the dastardly act and arrest the perpetrators.

Asatthetimeofgoingtopress, policesourcessaidabreakthrough wasimminentaspoliceauthorities inLagosarebentongettingtothe root of the killing.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞ 2020

08054699539

Nyesom Wike’s Executive Recklessness

T

he level of human rights abuse being perpetrated by Governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers State under the guise of enforcing COVID-19 lockdown is frightening. The good people of Rivers State must rise and stop this modern day Benito Mussolini, who is bent on destroying our democracy and Rule of Law. Wike’s demolition of two hotels in the state over alleged violation of his lockdown order was most despicable.

The fascist governor illegally mobilised armed security agents with bulldozers to Edemete and Prodest hotels in Elele and Onne, respectively, and personally supervised the destruction. It was a blatant violation of the laws of this country.

Wike’s defence that the hotels were encouraging the spread of Coronavirus and that one of the owners attacked members of the state’s COVID-19 Task force is balderdash. We must not allow this governor to continue to hide under a crazy Executive Order to perpetrate lawlessness. Let’s get it straight. An Executive Order is simply a managerial tool with procedures. It is not a law and can never be a law. The Nigerian Constitution is superior to Wike’s ludicrous order, which is apparently in conflict with our Constitution.

If this governor believes the promoters of Edemete and Prodest hotels had broken any law, they ought to have been arrested, charged to court and tried in line with the laws of our land. It is only a court of law that can impose any form of punishment. This is the position of the law. It is the law of this country. So, which court of law gave this lawless governor the approval to demolish these hotels?

The Nigerian Constitution does not allow any government, no matter how big, to be the architect of a law, appellant, witness, prosecutor, the Judge and enforcer of the law at the same time. That was exactly what “Governor Rivers� did last Sunday with the demolition of the two hotels. Wike is a lawyer and should be mortified by his action.

For me, this man is a disgrace to the legal profession. I have been waiting for him to tell us the section of the Nigerian Constitution that allows him to take the laws into his hands and dish out penalties to people without recourse to the Constitution. Even the President of this country can’t do this. “Governor Rivers� has been going around defending himself with cock and bull stories.

Suddenly, “Governor Rivers� says he has approved the construction of a primary school at the location of the demolished Prodest Hotel in Eleme. On the one hand, a building that could have been converted to a school (if legally confiscated) is demolished. On the other hand, scarce public fund will now be used to build a school. Where is the sense in all these? Wike is also telling us that a member of his Task Force on COVID-19, who was allegedly attacked at Prodest Hotel before it was demolished, died on Tuesday. However, he is unable to disclose the identity of the dead officer. Can you imagine that? I think it’s just a ruse to whip up sentiment after the backlash of the demolition.

Wike’s lockdown rules are evidently extremely draconian and senseless. He mindlessly orders markets and places selling food to totally shut down, thus creating crisis. There are better ways of doing this, without hurting the people he claims to be protecting. Essential

Wike

workers like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, electricity and oil personnel, are harassed daily in Rivers State. In many cases, they are arrested for breaching the absurd lockdown. On Tuesday, I watched a video of Wike supervising the enforcement of the lockdown and saw him directing security agents to take people violating his order to COVID-19 isolation centre.

Haba! How can this man arrest people and send them to isolation centre? So, as a punishment, he wants them infected with Coronavirus? In another scene, Wike ran into a pregnant woman who was heading to the hospital and started harassing her. He eventually allowed her to go with a vow that next time,

he would deal with her. So, pregnant women in need of medical attention should not step out of their homes because of Wike’s order? This governor is evidently high on something. Only God knows what it is.

When he took on ExxonMobil staff on April 17, you will probably think Heavens will fall. In a manner better described as warped, Wike arrested and quarantined 22 staff of this firm, with a promise to prosecute them for violating his Executive Order to curtail the spread of the virus. The workers were on their way to an offshore oil platform and dared to pass through Wike’s kingdom. They had approval from necessary authorities to move around but Wike still created unnecessary scene.

Common sense eventually prevailed and the governor was forced to eat humble pie by releasing the oil workers he abducted. Before this ExxonMobil issue, Wike had viciously arrested 10 oil workers brought to Port Harcourt

by Caverton Helicopter in the guise of sustaining the war against COVID-19.

He also arrested and detained the two pilots that flew the helicopter to Port Harcourt. Just imagine Wike thinking that he has the power to close Nigeria’s air space as part of the state’s measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

This is what fascism does to a man.

Senior lawyer, Femi Falana was apt when he described Wike’s demolition of the two hotels as primitive. The human rights activist added: “Wike should not be allowed to get away with the brute force and the violation of the nation’s Constitution. The Constitution supersedes the governor’s order. Any offender, regardless of the crime he committed, should be arrested, charged to court and tried in line with the laws of the land. It is unfortunate that these events are happening in Port Harcourt where the governor of the state is a senior lawyer and not just a lawyer.

I’m even informed that he’s a member of the Body of Benchers. That is an embarrassment; a colossal embarrassment to the Nigerian Bar Association. “Under our law, an emergency situation under the Quarantine Act does not permit the demolition of a house of an alleged offender. Whoever has breached the law will have to be tried and convicted by a court of law before a sentence can be pronounced. We hope the governor will be properly advised to reverse his decisions, publicly apologise and restore the properties of those that have been destroyed. Everyone will have to go through a judicial process. That is what the Rule of Law is all about. The guidelines and regulations in the Executive Order are subject to the Constitution. So, if there is a conflict in the guidelines, the directives of the governor and the Constitution, his directives will bow to the Constitution.�

It is heartwarming that police authorities have withdrawn their men attached to Wike’s notorious COVID-19 Task Force. All other security agencies must do same.

All security agents attached to his office must also be firmly warned not to obey his unlawful orders.

Let me quickly refresh Wike’s memory about how the Italian fascist, Benito Mussolini, died on 28 April 1945, during the final days of World War II in Europe. Mussolini was summarily executed by an Italian partisan in the small village of Giulino di Mezzegra in northern Italy. The man who shot him was Walter Audisio, a communist partisan, who used the nom de guerre of “Colonel Valerio.�

It was followed by wild celebration across Italy by nationals he consistently disgraced. My beloved Wike should learn from this and amend his ways.

His persistent humiliation of the people of Rivers State must stop.

Travails of Kufre Carter in Akwa Ibom For those who have not been following the story, Kufre Carter is a 27-year-old journalist with XL 106.9 FM, a private radio station in Akwa Ibom State. He was arrested on April 27 by officers of the Department of State Security in Uyo on allegations that he made defamatory statements against the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dominic Ukpong. Carter was arraigned for alleged defamation at a magistrate court in Uyo. After he pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court presided over by Winifred Umohandi, granted him bail with very tough conditions. The toughest was that Carter should provide a surety who is either a Permanent Secretary with the Akwa Ibom State Government or a civil servant on grade level 17. Which civil servant will step forward to bail Carter in a case instituted by the state’s government against him? Till date, this young man is yet to meet his bail conditions. He will probably never do this if the conditions are not revised.

Akwa Ibom has clearly joined the list of states where the governors are opposed to free speech, an essential part of any democracy. They clamp down heavily on anyone that dares to criticize the governor and his government. The Akwa Ibom health commissioner, of course, with the support of Governor Udom Emmanuel, is out to punish Carter for punching holes in the state’s COVID-19 management style. So, he was arraigned for making

“defamatory comments� against the Akwa Ibom State’s Commissioner for Health. Pressure was also mounted on the radio station to disown Carter.

The DSS is not allowing anybody access to Carter. His mum was at the DSS office to see him but was denied access to the young man. Last Tuesday, I watched the video of Carter’s mother pleading with the DSS to allow her see her son in their custody. In the video, which was shared by the former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, the troubled mother was seen lamenting: “I am here in DSS department. I am the mother to Kufre Carter. My son did not commit any crime. Even the family of an armed robber is permitted to see him in the cell and see how he is doing. My son did not commit any crime. To my surprise, the governor of Akwa Ibom State authorised the DSS not to allow me to see my son. I am here by the gate of DSS. They did not allow me and my children to see my son. I don’t have money. He is the one who gives me small money to eat because I retired since 2016. My Governor refused to give me my gratuity. I am being fed by my son. The state government wants me to die. I am now on drugs. If I die, God will require my blood from you.

You did not allow me to see my son.

What sin did my son commit? Did he kill somebody? Please let me see my

Carter

child. Please for goodness sake let me see my son.�

The Akwa Ibom State government must not be allowed to get away with this oppression. Human rights activist must rise and fight for Carter. We all have to pile up pressure to secure freedom for this young man. For governor Udom Emmanuel, I urge him to toe the path of honour by dropping all charges against Carter.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

SUPER SATURDAY Chevelle Franklyn

God is Using Nigerian Gospel Music for a Great Work Globally Jamaican music icon, Chevelle Franklyn, is a multiaward winning worship minister and a power house of excellence. She has, on several occasions, graced the stage of Africa’s biggest gospel concert, The Experience Lagos, and remains a respected voice in the gospel music ministry. For more than three decades, Chevelle has toured the world and has also collaborated with renowned artistes such as Donnie McClurkin, Israel Houghton, Micah Stampley and Lionel Petersen. The highly respected Chevelle started her journey in music as a teenager when she recorded her first single called “Here I Am.” By 1991, her career was blossoming, leading to her featuring on Shabba Ranks’ worldwide hit, “Mr. Lover Man”. She also recorded her hit single, “Dancehall Queen” with Beenie Man, which put her on the international reggae map.

She tells Tosin Clegg about coming into Nigeria and Africa at large to push her music, her love for gospel music and its impact on lives, her journey so far, career at large and a lot more Growing up, childhood dreams and family

S

ometimes, when I’m asked these questions I don’t know where to begin because there’s so much in my beginning. I was born in great poverty not much to inspire yet enough to make you desire better.

Born in a tenement yard where there was no electricity, with pain and fear; the struggle was real. My childhood dreams were to get out, so I remember dreaming a lot. I would go out to the main road and count cars and say that one is mine.

All I wanted was to better myself and try to help my family. I was focused on that as young as six years old.

My musical journey started out of desperation

I wanted to find something to do and that was it.

Living in the garrison (Ghetto’s) someone is always singing or someone is always playing music. I recall my grandmother singing, though it wasn’t serious singing, but it was powerful enough to make me hope.

I would go where the sound systems were and the sound of any band. I was about 13 years old when I stopped to use the rest room. I was singing in the bathroom and I didn’t realise someone was outside listening to me. They waited at the door and then told me he has a friend with a song that my voice would go well with. That was my first initial introduction to music industry and my first song “Here I am” made me become a household name in my country Jamaica.

Versatility is my extra spice

Chevelle Franklyn

I am able to bring good fusion in my music. I started out doing secular music such as Dancehall, Reggae and R&B and then when I got saved I totally committed to doing gospel, spreading the word of God through my music. I would say my turning point came during a live concert in 1998 where I was expected to perform ‘Dancehall Queen’.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

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SUPER SATURDAY God is Using Nigerian Gospel Music for a Great Work Globally

Chevelle Franklyn Instead, I performed the gospel song, ‘Silver and Gold’ by Kirk Franklin, deciding to use the moment to announce that I had become a Christian and will be singing and recording Gospel Music exclusively. I did not hear a message or anything, but I felt the calling of God. I just broke down on the stage and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ I knew there was something better out there.”

Perception of gospel music in Nigeria

It is evident that it’s Africa’s season. I admire their lyrical expression and beautiful melodic sounds. The growth in production and song writing is just amazing.

I’ve been listening to Nigerian gospel music for many years now and even sang some of their songs in their local dialect, my first concert in Africa was over 15 years ago.

God truly does everything in his own time. I’m rejoicing and celebrating the great work that God is using Nigerian Gospel music to do in this season.

Those I would love to work with in Nigeria

Well, he’s new in a way but I love his ministry, and he is a brilliant song writer that I’m connected to the spirit in his worship and that is Dunsin Oyekan. Tope Alabi and I have already done something with Nathaniel Bassey.

How I would like the Nigerian gospel scene to perceive me

I want to be seen as a woman who fears the Lord, an atmosphere changer and a true worshipper, excellence in music and behaviour. I don’t want ever to be called a diva

or just a great performer.

My definition of music

I define music as a cure; a cure for any sickness. It can reach anyone even when the individual cannot understand the words of this song. They can still be moved, believe the message of the song is everything. In times like these, no one must waste their time and energy to put something out other than something positive that will shape someone’s destiny for the better.

The Key elements gospel music should have

The anointing should be scripturally sound; musically and vocally well produced. I have seen people get healed and delivered through the ministry, to God be all glory.

All my experience has not been the best but I have learned from them all. God has given me the opportunity to bless so many around the world. And hearing the many testimonies has been fantastic. I’m eternally grateful to God for the gift He has given me. God has blessed me to be able to travel to about 47 different countries to introduce people to His presence, His love and His son Jesus.

Projects I’m working on

I have two new singles out now, called “Go in Your Strength” and “I Prevail”. Later on in the year, the new album South Wind Vol1 will be released to everyone.

Those two songs have been a blessing. They are available on all digital platforms in Africa Including the video for “Go in Your Strength”, which was shot in Africa.

Body of works, albums, singles and more

My first gospel album was titled “Joy” and second “His Way” were mainly Dancehall and Reggae. Then my third “Set Time” album was a mixture. I had a few features on it and they were Israel Houghton, Donnie McClurkin, Lionel Peterson, and Frank Edwards. Then coming at the end of the year will be soulfully worship album titled, South Wind Vol1. That is the one I’m most excited about. I also had some international hits in my secular career “Mr Loverman” with Shabba Ranks and “Dancehall Queen” with Bennie Man.

My Mission

What I regard as my biggest mission is to hear well done good and faithful servant, to be able to live a life of total surrender to God and leading people to Christ. And I see myself in a few years walking in new dimension in God, walking more in the prophetic and preaching the word also.

New Project

My new project was all Holy Spirit-led. The hand of God was on it from start to finish. It was produced in Africa. I first went to Africa with my own agenda to do only two songs. ‘I prevail’ and ‘Go in your strength’ was not what I went there to do. In the midst of it all God spoke and He gave me ‘Go in Your Strength’ and then led me to do the song, ‘I prevail’. That song I wrote over four years ago.

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͚͞˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

SOLVING PROBLEMS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION Ogbonnaya Onu tasks Nigeria to focus on the opportunities as well as the challenges of Covid-19, writes Bashir Adamu

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t is a well-known fact that science and technology play a crucial role in national development. This point is not lost on Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the Science and Technology Minister. He is one of those intellectuals that has developed an interest in politics and has been very active in the political ďŹ eld. He was one-time Governor of old Abia State where he made a tremendous impact. He was also the presidential candidate of All People’s Party (APP) and National Chairman of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP). He contributed signiďŹ cantly to the merger that produced the All Progressive Congress, the current ruling party. Dr. Onu played opposition politics for 16 years coming from the Southeastern part of Nigeria where the Peoples Democratic Party held sway. He refused to cross carpet but remained resolute because of his belief and idea on governance. This was rewarded in 2015 when the APC won the presidential election. Dr. Onu was appointed as the Minister of Science and Technology, a well-deserving ministry judging from his wide knowledge of science and technology. He has learned and taught science from seminary school to university. He brought all the acquired knowledge to bear on the ministry of science and technology with a mission to place the ministry in its right position as a major driver of development.

Dr. Onu was invited to deliver a lecture at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos by the participants of Senior Executive Course No. 42, 2020. In this expository lecture, Dr. Onu highlighted the achievements of the ministry under his administration and the synergy between the ministry of science and technology and NIPSS as the think-tank for policy in Nigeria, as well as the ubiquity of science and technological innovation as the driver of development.

The minister opines that countries that have advanced in history did so through science and technology innovation. Hence, there are tremendous efforts by the ministry of science and technology under his leadership to reposition Nigeria towards technology-driven development. This is coming when the entire world is ravaged by the COVID -19 pandemic. Dr. Onu argued that this pandemic constitutes a global challenge, yet there are opportunities that the country can derive via this challenge, hence Nigeria should focus on the opportunities rather than only on the challenges. The ministry of science and technology is poised to drive this development.

Therefore, the minister through his speech last Thursday challenged Nigerian scientists to find a cure for the COVID-19 and pledged a financial reward of N36 millions. He noted that this has yielded results as many institutions, and individuals have written to the ministry claiming their research results and natural products can cure the COVID-19. Therefore, the ministry set up a committee comprising Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Science to critically assess their claims to ensure that the solutions can remedy the pandemic. Also, the minster supervised the development of a strategy for prevention, tracking, testing, and treatment (PT3) on a short, medium, and long-term basis, all in a bid to tackle the ravaging effects of the pandemic while searching for a home-grown cure. To

THE MINSTER SUPERVISED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGY FOR PREVENTION, TRACKING, TESTING, AND TREATMENT ON A SHORT, MEDIUM, AND LONGTERM BASIS, ALL IN A BID TO TACKLE THE RAVAGING EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC WHILE SEARCHING FOR A HOME-GROWN CURE

this end, the ministry mobilized the agencies and parastatals under the ministry of science and technology to start producing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment (PPE) including high-quality face–masks, body immune boosters, vaccines, test kits, disinfectant dispensing equipment, ventilator, telemedicine, among others. These are efforts to put the ministry in its position as the driver of development.

The leadership of Dr. Onu in the ministry of science and technology has restored the belief and confidence of Nigerians in the ministry as it has been at the forefront in combating issues of national, regional, and international repute. The ministry of science and technology under the leadership of Dr. Onu has recorded tremendous achievements which are unprecedented such as elimination of duplication of research efforts within the agencies under the ministry, thereby conserving scarce financial resources. The ministry has improved collaboration among research institutes, universities, industry, and government. It has also substantially improved the awareness of the general public on the importance of science and technology to nation-building. It has worked hard to encourage our young people and the girl-child to show interest in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

According to the minister, the ministry made considerable effort in the commercialization of research results as many research results are now found as products in the market place for people to buy. In the determination to fight poverty in the country, the ministry has given skills for capacity building to many Nigerians in the area of fabrication of machines, leather technology, solar energy, finishing of buildings, small hydro turbines for power generation, etc. It has also equipped many entrepreneurs with home-grown technologies to help them grow their businesses for job creation.

Concerning innovative technology for the future, the minister submits that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is mindful that Nigerian youths must play vital roles. In this regard, the ministry commenced in 2016 a process to encourage the youth in all 774 LGAs of the country to participate in Science and Technology, in a program tagged “774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (774 – YONSPA). The idea behind this is to ensure deepening of the culture of technology by encouraging youths to get involved in technology-oriented programs and courses.

As a visionary leader, Dr. Onu is thinking about the post-COVID -19 era in which the ministry of science and technology will be the driver of development in Nigeria. The minister suggests that the goal of the ministry is to make the states and local governments the veritable engine-houses of value-added, technology and innovationdriven, socio-economic growth. This will be accomplished by deploying a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The purpose of this approach is to decentralize developmental thinking and programming, taking it down to the grass root to ensure that every state and local government develops the capacity for self-sustenance.

Adamu wrote from Abuja

FULFILLING LOCAL CONTENT MANDATE IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Rodnab Construction is doing its bit to build our local capacity, writes Ray Umukoro

T

he scant attention being accorded local curative claims for the coronavirus (Covid-19)

by Nigerian authorities is symptomatic of the nation’s unwillingness to build local content across sectors. The same applies to the construction industry where a few indigenous ďŹ rms like Rodnab Construction have weathered the storm and bucked the trend.

They simply refused to dwell in the shadow of foreign construction giants by proving that Nigeria’s redemption is squarely in the hands of Nigerians.

Since the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (2010), a clear picture has emerged of how a deliberate policy that promotes local content would not only help build our local capacity but also create more jobs and create more wealth for Nigerians.

Today, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector which still remains the mainstay of the economy is no longer the exclusive preserve of oil majors and multinationals. Buoyed by the success of the local content act in oil and gas, Nigerian engineers in the building ecosystem, architects and quantity surveyors have continued to call for the enactment of a local content act in the construction sector.

Instructively, the Nigerian construction industry gulps over 80 percent of the capital budget of all tiers of government yet it has been dominated by foreign companies since independence. The implication is that Nigeria loses so much in capital flight and through non-availability of jobs for local professionals and ancillary workers in the industry.

Much more, it breeds low skills acquisition among Nigerians while questioning our sovereignty as a nation especially when sensitive construction projects like building of government houses,

secretariats, official residences of top public office holders are entrusted in the hand of expatriate companies. This, obviously, has grave security implications.

It’s in this context that the efforts of indigenous construction companies ought to be appreciated.

Instead some of them have become victims of muckraking and mindless mudslinging. Rodnab, for instance, has of recent come under incessant media attacks. First was the claim that it was paid humungous amount of money for contracts it did not execute at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This simply mocks logic because no such malfeasance would have been possible at this time when President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a forensic audit of the interventionist commission.

And when this blatant falsehood could not fly, the idle tribe of traducers spun another yarn, an even more illogical fib. They claimed that Rodnab is owned by the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio. Such pathetically puerile fabrication from the infantile mind of a mischievous mob. If you wonder the link between Rodnab and Akpabio, here it is. Rodnab is one of the indigenous construction companies helping to fulfil the mandate of the NDDC in infrastructure development of the Niger Delta region. And NDDC is under the supervision of Akpabio. But the company’s relationship with NDDC predates Akpabio’s appointment as minister of Niger Delta region. It’s one of the indigenous construction companies competing effectively with expatriate companies in the contract register of the federal government through the Ministry of Works.

And it has successfully undertaken several big projects to the admiration of Nigerian engineers

and building professionals. It’s therefore unfair to attempt to stick the badge of corruption on Rodnab. There is no basis for such misadventure in de-marketing of a local brand that has continued to stand up to foreign firms in its field of operation.

Promoted by Edo State-born Abu Meepatan, Rodnab has answered the question: Can any good thing come out of Nigeria? It has upended the status quo and deflated the stereotype balloon that kept advertising Nigeria as a nation that does not appreciate her own. It has raised a new flag of hope for Nigeria, hope of a better tomorrow. Hope of a future assured in construction and hope of the existence of local skills in the complex construction industry.

An indigenous corporate citizen with a pedigree of philanthropy, excellence in service delivery and sound technical competence does not deserve the mud-spattering it got recently from a section of the media. It’s an unkind cut on a good corporate citizen and a total lack of appreciation of the gumption and guts it displayed to compete with established multinationals in the nation’s technically-demanding and capital-intensive construction industry.

Meepatan himself is not an emergency contractor.

He has a history. He owns the biggest quarry in Auchi, Edo State and he has been instrumental in the training of hundreds of Nigerians in building technology. He and his enterprise should be spared the wrath of hirelings.

Some theorists attribute the vicious attack on Rodnab to the ongoing forensic audit at NDDC. Such theorists say that Rodnab is a victim of its own success. They claim that the attack on Rodnab and its false association with Akpabio was

meant to distract the minister from actualizing the forensic audit for which he has made unflinching commitment to execute in accordance with the desire and charge of President Buhari. This might well be true given the desperation in some quarters for the disbandment of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC. This is unfortunate and brings to the fore our sore predilection to hate our own.

At a time President Buhari is promoting Buy-Nigeria policy and encouraging the building of local competences and capacities in all sectors of the economy, the effort of Rodnab deserves commendation. To do otherwise is a show of ingratitude to a patriot and a clear disservice to patriotism.

Recall that the federal government in 2013 took a bold step in the promotion of local content in the construction sector when Mike Onolememen, the then minister of works, announced that all engineering and construction projects below N5 billion would be handled by Nigerian contractors who possess the requisite capacity and competences. The intendment of this policy was to begin a gradual but steady reversal of the domination of Nigerian engineering and construction industry by expatriates. At that time, a Presidential declaration was made to give jobs to local manufacturers and contractors even if their quotations were 10 to 15 per cent higher than those of the foreign companies.

This is a sure way to achieve backward integration and self-sustainability in the construction industry. Rodnab is leading the charge in a manner that deserves laudation, not baseless niggling.

Umukoro, a policy analyst, wrote from Abuja

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͚͞˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Towards containing the Covid-19 pandemic...

Hypocrisy in Heaven’s Kitchen

Odubu: An Epitome of Decency and Team Spirit

“

The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.� --Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America said it all. The complexity of modern governance coupled with the upsurge of professionals in various fields have called for leadership that can harness available human and materials resources to deliver on social and economic development.

In Edo State today, it is sheer arrogance and self-delusion for a single individual to assume a know it all posture thereby abandoning the abundant human capital resources that abound in the state in search of solutions elsewhere. Such has been bane of our state in the last 41 months.

Indeed, no meaningful progress can be made in such a situation.

An Odubu administration in Edo State will galvanize the human and material resources in Edo State to deliver on development for Edo people.

With the benefits of knowing every nook and cranny of Edo State having served the state as deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu will rather than attempt to be an all knowing , all powerful, all-round leader get Edo State to work again through the efforts and contributions of Edo people and stamp out capital flight thereby not only developing the state but empowering Edo people with the state resources.

Pius Odubu, a self-effacing personality is well positioned to bolster the state economy through massive investment in local production of food and cash crops. Under him Edo will become agricultural hub once again and forest regeneration will receive priority attention.

Being a man from the hinterland with the benefits of robust western education in Nigeria and America, Odubu has all the necessary knowledge, exposure and experience to understand the comparative advantage of every segment of the state in formulating policies that will promote local participation in social economic development. Governance is not an esoteric phenomenon. It is a practical art of planning and executing plans for the happiness of the greatest number of people.

His experience in the art of lawmaking combined with his service as next-in-command to the state chief executive prior to 2016 places him in a more vantage position to be on the driver’s seat in the next four years in Edo State.

Dr. Odubu is the quintessential grassroot

political actor with thorough understanding of where Comrade Adams Oshiomhole left governance in 2016.

His taintless public service record coupled with his calm disposition places him in a position to engender inclusiveness, peace, and harmony among all the centrifugal and centripetal forces in Edo State.

Governance and politics isn’t a single individual task and responsibility and so Odubu believes in the collectivity of actions from the hills of Ososo to the plains of Okada, from the crest of Okpekpe to the forest of Orhionmwon and from Ologbo to Ubiaja, Afuze and all parts of Edo State.

I present to the All Progressives Congress Dr Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, a lawyer, political scientist, former lawmaker, ex- deputy governor, a peace loving, committed, consistent and loyal party man, a politician’s delight, a peoples’ friend, a silent achiever, an epitome of decency and team spirit.

With him Edo will witness progress, harmony, and tremendous development.

Oduware Osayande, Development Consultant, Benin

T

hey wonder why religious homes should be shut despite the havoc of Covid-19. I wondered why they should be insensitive.

Don’t they hear the numbers of deaths announced every day as a result of the virus and the need to maintain physical distancing to reduce the scourge?

Market men and women, transporters and all manner of business people go to religious homes to pray but they have found causes during this period to increase the price of their wares, further dealing with people who are poor without mercy. This is not from government to people but from the poor to the poor. Only the people help the poor but the poor in Nigeria deal with the poor. “I swear to G-d,� “I swear to G-d.� you hear this, time after time when you bargain with them, after which they shortchange you. When they begin to swear, I flee. Those kinds aren’t to be trusted. The people who cheat you more in Nigeria are those who carry Holy Books.

But preaching work in Nigeria, it doesn’t appear to work. Why are we so religious and yet the country is in hovel groveling in darkness?

People already have set-mindsets. No level of

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

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

preaching changes people who do not want to change. Change is influenced from within and the road map from the sponsor must be embraced first by the people for whom change is directed.

Why do people steal inside religious homes?

Religious people fake everything: honey, oil, palm wine, the only thing they haven’t been able to fake is “burukutu�.

During traditional marriage ceremonies, drinks are emptied on the ground as offering to the gods and for “our ancestors to taste�, kola nuts are thrown to the gods and for ancestors to chew, some are taken to elders – uncompromising traditionalists, some women swear after eating nuts that they will be faithful to their husbands and accept consequences for unfaithfulness, others cook meals of fidelity for elders to eat in village squares in the dead of the night. The religious do not frown at these practices, but when it comes time arising from troubles in marriage when husbands see tell-tale-signs that backs the belief that another man has viewed the wife twice instead of once, and twist her arm to go to the village with him to do all rites to exculpate her from the charge of infidelity, so that he and children wouldn’t die, she only then becomes conscious that she is not a traditionalists and cannot engage in acts of devilry, to worship and swear to a small god.

Didn’t she believe in “our ancestors and ancestral spirits enough to feed them during traditional marriage services - aren’t these spirits invoked during traditional marriage ceremonies?� Hold on please! Didn’t they (elders) say from time to time, during these rites that our ancestors are here with us? Who called off these traditional practices if they were nonsense?

At wedding ceremonies, vicars are accustomed to asking the families of spouses if the groom’s families have fulfilled all traditional rites. You hear them say after that, “I married properly, in court, church and fulfilled all traditional rites.�

But these vicars encourage women to not go to the village and swear. Is there a mix between tradition and religion? Both are linked in Nigeria. One aspect of tradition is enough, not all. It is absurd.

The culture of respect and fear of husbands for stability of the home which should be instinctive to women are now taught to wives.

What with competition with husbands.

Simon Abah, Abuja

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SATURDAY MAY 16, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SATURDAY MAY 16, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸

NEWS

COVID-19... COVID-19... COVID-19...

15 Patients in Kwara Flee Sokoto Reviews Curfew Isolation Centre, Rearrested Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin About 15 COVID-19 patients who have tested positive yesterday attempted to escape from Isolation Centre at Sobi Specialist Hospital in Ilorin.

THISDAY investigations revealed last night, the patients were said to have jumped the fence of the hospital in a bid to escape from the isolation centre located at the hospital.

But, sources close to the hospital told our correspondent last night

that, the presence of the security operatives deployed to maintain the security surveillance of the hospital were said to have risen up and arrested the affected COVID-19 patients.

An impeccable source who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent that, “it’s true that about 15 of them attempted to escape from the isolation centre this morning, but as I’m talking with you the security officers have been able to get all of them back to the isolation centre.�

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor and Spokesman of COVID-19 Technical Committee in the state, Rafiu Ajakaye also confirmed the incident in a press statement issued last night.

The statement reads, “Earlier today, Friday May 15th, 2020, the government’s intelligence network uncovered a plot by some COVID-19 patients who sneaked into the state to escape. “This attempt was promptly foiled leading to arrest and return of the patients who had already

scaled the fence. “The government is dismayed that these persons were among the imported cases who intentionally violated the interstate lockdown and came into the state. “Security has been further beefed up at our isolation centre.

The government restates that COVID-19 is not a death sentence and there is no reason why anyone would want to escape and put their own lives and the lives of other people at risk.� the statement concluded.

Abdulrazaq Blames Travellers for Increase in Infection Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara Sate Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, yesterday attributed the increase in COVID-19 cases in the state to the influx of people from Lagos and North Western states to Ilorin, the state capital despite the ban on inter-state travels.

Abdulrazaq disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking with jour-

nalists during an inspection visit to the Sobi Specialist Hospital’s Isolation Centre in Ilorin.

The governor was at the centre to monitor health personnel’s compliance with safety protocols.

He disclosed that 11 of the cases at the isolation centre were travellers from Lagos and Northwest states who were intercepted by security operatives deployed to enforce the ban on interstate

travels.

He expressed delight that community transmission of COVID-19 had not set in Kwara.

He said the government would continue to mount surveillance to prevent travellers from entering into the state.

The governor who commended the security agencies for rising to the occasion urged them to do more in order to stop the spread

of the disease in the state.

In her remarks, the team leader of the front line doctors treating COVID-19 patients in the state, Dr. Lambe Oladeji expressed satisfaction with the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) provided for them by the state government.

He assured the governor of the commitment of the team to giving patients the best care.

Group to Creates 60,000 Jobs Gombe Orders Civil Servants was anchored on the outlook of Back to Work Monday Kingsley Nwezeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË employment situation in Africa in As an intervention plan designed to cushion the effect of job losses occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, a group, the African Centre for Global Entrepreneural Leadership (ACGEL) yesterday outlined plans to create 60,000 jobs for Nigerians.

The group is partnering the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Keystone Bank, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) among others to deliver the jobs.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Founder and Board Chairman of the group, Pastor Greatness Oladapo, said the move by the organisation was informed by the alarming rate of job losses triggered by the pandemic.

He said the decision of the organisation to create jobs for Nigerians

general and Nigeria in particular.

He said research figures showed that 19 million Africans would be unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic while 20 million Nigerians were presently unemployed.

Oladapo, who is also the presiding pastor of the Lost Hope Regainer International Ministry, said the jobs would be generated through an online registration platform, www. legs.africa where the details of the registration and voting process could be ascertained.

To assure participants of the credibility of process, he said the organisation would write the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the project.

Segun Awofadeji Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ?

Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya has ordered civil servants from grade levels 9 to 12 to join their senior counterparts at work beginning Monday 25th May, 2020.

The Governor who reviewed some of his directives in containing COVID-19 in a State wide broadcast yesterday, also announced the lifting of the ban on congregational worship for Christians and Muslims in the State, effective this yesterday.

The review of the measures may not be unconnected to what he described as positive results from the strategies employed to manage the pandemic in

the State.

According to him, “Government has resolved to gradually ease the restrictions in our dear state by re-opening places of worship but with strict adherence and compliance to the following guidelines. “Strict observance of social distancing; compulsory wearing of face masks; regular hand washing with soap and water and limiting the number of persons in each congregation to not more than 20-50 persons depending on the size of the worship centre.�

He stated, however, that he would not hesitate to revert to the previous order or to take more drastic measures should the need arise.

Stop Revealing Details of Drugs Used for Treatment, FG Warns Survivors Cont’d from Pg. 5 Sadiya Umar Farouq: FG Not Spending N679m Daily on School Feeding The federal government has refuted claims suggesting that it was spending N679 million daily on the national school feeding programme.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq made the denial while speaking yesterday at the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.

The minister insisted that programme, which is funded by the federal government, was being implemented by the state governments and facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

She said the modified programme was targeted at heads of the households, the guardians and the caregivers, of the children in primary school one to three.

Farouq said government was not spending N679 million per day as alluded to by the report.

She put the take-home ration

which each household was to receive at N4,200 and planned as a monthly COVID-19 intervention for 3, 131,971 households in the participating states of the Federation. “When the federal government ordered the closure of schools across the country in order to help flatten the curve on the COVID-19, it interrupted the school feeding programme, which is one of our cardinal projects as a government and which preceded the COVID-19 outbreak, “she said.

She added that because the programme was already ongoing food vendors had already been contacted and mobilised for the project. “We’re also mindful of the fact that most vendors having mobilised had made purchases preparatory to the project as official. It was not just possible to ask them for a refund.

This had been done before the schools calendar was disrupted.

In light of this the, dimension demanding a refund will be cumbersome and unrealistic. So the ministry went into consultation with Nigeria Governors’ Forum in line with the

directive of Mr. President, who talked about modalities on how to continue with the programme despite that that the schools are closed and especially because of the expatiating challenges posed by this COVID-19. “That was how we arrived at the modified school feeding programme of taking food rations into the households of these children,�

Farouq said.

On how government got its data on children at home, she said: “When children are enrolled in schools, the registration process has a detailed register which contains the address of parents and guardians of every people and is kept with the school as well as the class teachers. We also obtained those from SUBEB and other sources. “Also in the community where these are children live, every child’s home can be easily identified by members of that community and management of these schools. So, to ensure full transparency so that the programme is not compromised, we are submitting a full list of all

the vendors to the EFFC and let me also state here that these vendors have been in the system since 2016.

So we are using existing structure is not a whole new program that were enrolling now. “We have also invited other agencies of government including the DSS, EFFC, ICPC code of conduct and a host of NGOs and CSOs to help us monitor. I’m sure you agree with me yesterday, you must have noticed a large number of people participating in the process or in the flag off because we engage as many stakeholders as possible to be part of that being very mindful of the social distance guideline. “I’m going into some light in order to disapprove some misinformation and misunderstanding around modified programme and to ask Nigerians to support this for active intervention designed to keep our children fed during this pandemic, So that objective of this National home work school feeding programme is not compromised.�

Sokoto State Government has reviewed the statewide curfew imposed in line with the federal government’s directive from 10p.m. to 6a.m. daily.

This decision was taken by the Joint Security Council and the state Task Force on COVID-19 at a meeting presided over by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Penultimate week the state government had imposed an 8p.m. to 6a.m. curfew in its effort to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus.

However, the state government, according to the Chairman of

the Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Muhammad Ali Inname, in making the decision, took into consideration the requests made by people of the state for the extension of the curfew time.

Despite the relaxation of the curfew, the people of the state have been admonished to ensure compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the federal Ministry of Health and state Ministry of Health guidelines on the prevention of COVID-19.

These are use of face masks, social distancing, use of hand sanitiser in washing hands and other measures that may be stipulated.

Imo Lifts Ban on Burial for 2 Weeks Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has expressed displeasure over the non-compliance of the citizens with the government’s directives on the prevention of the spread of coronavirus in the state. He however lifted the ban on burials for two weeks.

Uzodinma who temporarily lifted the ban on burials in the state stated that due to pressure from operators of mortuaries who were complaining that their facilities were full, government had to allow people a period of two weeks, from May 16, to bury their loved ones with strict procedures that must be adhered to.

The procedures outlined include: that the family would first write to the Local Government Interim Management Chairman, who, in turn, would give them approval in writing stating the date of the burial; that there will be no ceremony after the burial and that the burial, which must not last more than two hours would not have more than 20 persons in attendance at a time including the priest.

The governor also emphasised that the organisers must provide hand washing basins, soaps, sanitisers, and that social distancing must be observed. He warned that the local councils will monitor the burials and anybody who violates the rules will be arrested and prosecuted.

Briefing newsmen yesterday on the situation, Governor Uzodinma

regretted that four new cases from one family had been reported by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to have tested positive to the disease in Imo State.

The governor noted that despite strict orders for the closure of the boundaries, people still infiltrated the state from outside. He regretted that the infected person came in from Lagos and went to his village where he, in turn, infected three of his family members. This, he said, portend danger to those living in the villages and should be avoided because of the fear of community spread.

While reiterating that he would stop at nothing to protect the life of Imo citizens from the dreaded virus, Governor Uzodinma warned that he would be left with no option than to order for a total lockdown if citizens of the state continue to violate the directives and measures put in place by government to contain the spread of the virus. “I want to warn citizens of Imo State that Coronavirus is very serious and must be taken seriously. This COVID-19 does not know political parties, religion, language or class. It is a dangerous virus that we must unite to fight. By Tuesday, May 19, 2020, I will review the situation. If the violation continues, we will have no option than to lockdown the state completely to save the lives of our people,� he warned.

Ikpeazu Inaugurates 100-bed Isolation Centre Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, yesterday inaugurated a 100-bedded isolation centre as part of efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

Abia has so far recorded two confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection though the two septuagenarian patients have been successfully treated and discharged.

Ikpeazu said that the isolation centre set up at the Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara in Umuahia South Local Government Area was donated by Access Bank Plc in line with the private sector partnership in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The isolation centre, which is the largest in Abia has the full

compliments of medical equipment and support facilities required for managing COVID-19 patients.

Ikpeazu stated that the strategy of the state government in its war against COVID-19 was to keep the virus away from the state and its environs and to have the capacity to nurse patients back to life.

He said that the facility had enhanced the state’s capacity to deal with the virus, adding that his administration would not spare any effort to overcome the pandemic.

To this end, the governor disclosed that very soon Abia would have the capacity for testing Coronavirus as three molecular laboratories were underway, adding that plans had been concluded for training of more laboratory technicians.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͞˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸

NEWS

COVID-19... COVID-19... COVID-19...

Ekiti Gets over N600m Donations, Gombe Discharges 18 More Patients Records Four New Cases Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government yesterday revealed that the state had received over N600 million donations from philanthropists and private organisations since the lockdown was pronounced

by Governor Kayode Fayemi, in respect of the Coronavirus spread.

The government also revealed that it has recorded four new cases, which involved tree males and one female, who sneaked into the state from Lagos, Katsina and Oyo states during the lockdown.

This was broken in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola YayaKolade when the members of the COVID-19 task force gave an update on the spread of the scourge in the state.

Yaya-Kolade said though the state had discharged some patients from the isolation centre, three of the four new cases were those that had been quarantined having come to the state from places considered as epicentre of COVID-19. “We have four new cases now.

One of the cases is an old man that has been isolated in one of our tertiary health institutions for a while. He is an elderly person who is in a critical condition. “Others included a 35-year-old female from Katsina and 32- year male from Ibadan while the third one is a 38-year-old male from Lagos, who all sneaked into Ekiti during the lockdown. “But despite all these, there is no community spread because they all came from outside. We beg our people to always alert us when new people came into town,

because this has been working. “But we are begging that nobody should come to Ekiti now, it is an executive order given by Governor Kayode Fayemi that nobody should come at this precarious time. “It constitutes financial burden to Ekiti for victim of COVID-19 to come from Lagos, Oyo, Katsina to come to our state for treatment,� she stated.

Yaya-Kolade added that the government had trained a total of 80 civil servants on how to test the people using infra-red thermometer.

Uniuyo Alumni Donates N5m Research Grant Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Uniuyo Alumni Association has donated N5 million to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Council and the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, as research support towards finding both preventive and curative solutions to COVID-19 Making the initial donation of N2 million on behalf of the association at the Faculty of Pharmacy yesterday, the International President of the Association, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke charged the institutions to explore, research and come up with local solutions to the pandemic.

“All hands must be on deck both for preventive and curative purposes. “This donation is to encourage both the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Council and the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo to commence research on possible cure of the pandemic. “We are today making available the initial sum of N2 million and the balance to make up the total sum of N5 million will soon be made available,� he said The Association’s president noted that universities around the world are working tirelessly as well as

sharing information to bring an end to the pandemic, and there was therefore an urgent need for the institutions to do same.

Luke who predicted a post COVID-19 era when countries of the world would become very nationalistic in approach, challenged the federal and state governments, corporate organisations, institutions, public spirited individuals and the political class to concentrate on funding researches towards securing a lasting solution to the dreaded pandemic.

He expressed optimism that in the ways and manners of God, the one true cure of this global

pandemic could be found in Akwa Ibom State and harnessed in the laboratories of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Uyo. His words, “This particular strain of the virus was unknown to man but now it is here. “Our researchers and research institutions need to rise to the occasion in challenging this pandemic that threatens our collective existence “Let us not think that the cure to Coronavirus will come or can only come from abroad, it may be right here with us in Akwa Ibom and it is in your hands to bring it forth.�

Obi Donates Relief Materials to Abia, Imo Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has taken his COVID-19 intervention to Abia and Imo states.

Apart from distributing relief materials worth millions of naira to two hospitals in each of the states, he reaffirmed his readiness to support the poor, the vulnerable and the health workers who were at the frontline of the fight against the deadly virus.

Obi who was represented by a team of delegates comprising former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,

Anambra State, Prof. Stella Okunna, former Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, Chief Joe Martins Dike, former Commissioner for Housing, Anambra State, Chief Patrick Nky Obi and his Special Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, encouraged the hospitals and their health workers to continue to give in their best in delivering good health to the public, especially in this time of global pandemic.

Each of the four hospitals received relief materials worth about N2 million, namely: a

carton of 2000 face masks, eight cartons of hand gloves (8000 pieces), four cartons of sanitisers (200 big containers of 500mls each) and eight big cartons of paracetamol.

The beneficiaries included Holy Rosary Hospital, Emekuku, Owerri, Imo State; Madonna Catholic Hospital, Umuahia; Our Savior’s Hospital and Maternity, Amainyi, Imo State and Methodist Hospital, Uzuakoli, Umuahia.

Appreciating Obi, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko, said Obi was a politician who upholds

virtue and high moral standard; also noting that Obi was the kind of leader Nigeria needed, being a man who fears God and does not discriminate against people. “Mr. Peter Obi is the kind of politician Nigeria needs now. He is a man who upholds virtue and high moral standard. He has the fear of God and does not discriminate against anyone.

Obi is a great gift to Nigeria and we will be happy as nation the day we realise it. I pray God to give him the opportunity to manifest his plans for this nation,� Opoko said.

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

Gombe State Task Force on COVID-19 said aside from the 72 patients earlier discharged, it had given a clean bill of health to 18 additional patients who tested negative, bringing the total number of discharged cases to 90.

The chairman, task force on COVID-19, Professor Idris Mohammed made the disclosure yesterday while briefing the media on the state’s status on the pandemic.

He said Gombe State had a total suspected cases of 1,236 out of which 124 were found to be positive.

The task force Chairman disclosed that 31 results returned from Abuja on 15th May, 2020 out of which five cases returned positive while one of the five positive cases died before the results returned, bringing the recorded deaths to two.

As a result of this, there is no single COVID-19 patient at the

isolation centre, he added.

Speaking on the re-opening of worship centres in the state, Professor Idris said the task force had been to some Juma’at mosques in the state and was impressed with the level of the adherents’ compliance with preventive measures such as physical/social distancing and other protocols.

In another development, the task force has received a donation of operational items from SK, ECC, a Chinese construction firm.

Items donated to the state task force include 7,000 face masks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) that included 850 pieces of hand gloves, 150 protective wears and 150 protective glasses as well as 10 pieces of thermometer.

Displaying the donated items to the media, the chairman of the taskforce thanked the donor for supporting the state in the fight against the pandemic and pledged judicious use of the materials.

Kano Decries Non-compliance of Patients with Information Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Coordinator (Technical) of Kano COVID-19 Task Force Committee, Dr. Tijjani Hussaini, yesterday, lamented the noncompliance of some suspected COVID-19 cases who decline from giving information on their status.

Dr. Tijjani who stated this during Kano State Task Force on COVID-19 press briefing at Africa House, Government House, said the task force was confronted with the challenge of getting some suspected cases to go for testing and treatment during contact tracing.

According to him, some of the suspected cases outrightly deny contacts with infected persons or refuse to divulge information on the real status of their health.

Also speaking during the briefing, the Leader of the Ministerial

Technical Team on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Gwarzo commended the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his resoluteness in fighting COVID-19.

Dr. Gwarzo who said he was impressed over Ganduje’s daily and consistent participation in all programmes and activities laid down to battle COVID-19, urged other state governors to borrow a leaf from Ganduje.

The Leader of the Ministerial Technical Team also expressed appreciation to Ganduje for putting in place all the required facilities needed to confront and combat the disease.

Dr. Sani also expressed delight that Ganduje, apart from ensuring adequate public enlightenment has also provided free face masks to residents, describing the gesture as a step towards the right direction.

Lifts Lockdown ‘950 Nigerian Children under Katsina CAS Inaugurates Isolation Order on 2 LGs Ward, Swimming Pool in Bauchi Five Could Die Daily’ Segun Awofadeji inGombe

The Chief of Air Staff, Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has inaugurated a 20-bed isolation ward and an ultramodern Olympic size swimming pool at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Bauchi.

Speaking at the inauguration, yesterday, Abubakar said that the Force was embarking on the mass production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its hospitals.

According to him, “We are here to commission a 20-bed isolation ward and an ultra-modern world class Olympic standard swimming pool. These projects are geared towards further enhancing the competence of our personnel to enable them carry on assigned tasks especially bordering on national security in defence of our great nation.

“Let me remind you that the task of nation building is a collective responsibility especially with the dynamics of the current security challenges facing our country. It is therefore our duty to continue to generate excellent combat elements that can appropriately protect lives and properties of our citizens. “The Nigerian Air Force in the recent past has contributed and will continue to contribute its own quota to the fight against COVID-19 by providing airlift in support of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as well as embarking on the mass production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its Hospitals.�

He said that it was in the light of this, that the need for continuous training and pro-activeness can only be guaranteed with a healthy workforce.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

An additional 950 Nigerian children could die every day from preventable causes over the next six months as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts routine services and threatens to weaken the health system, UNICEF said today.

Globally, 6,000 additional children under five could die every day.

According to a press release signed by Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative and made available to newsmen yesterday, “The estimate is based on an analysis by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, newly published in The Lancet Global Health journal.�

In a commentary to the Lancet report, UNICEF warns these disruptions could result in potentially devastating increases in maternal

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

and child deaths.

The release stated that, “The analysis offers three scenarios of the potential impact of COVID-19 in 118 low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. In the worst-case scenario, the estimate is that an additional nearly 173,000 under-five deaths could occur in just six months, due to reductions in routine health service coverage levels – including routine vaccinations - and an increase in child wasting. “In Nigeria, these potential child deaths would be in addition to the 475,200 children who already die before their fifth birthday every six months – threatening to reverse a decade of progress in ending preventable under-five child mortality in Nigeria.�

About 6,800 more Nigerian maternal deaths could also occur in just six months.

The Katsina State Government has lifted the lockdown order earlier imposed on residents of Mani and Safana Local Government Areas of the state.

The State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, approved the immediate lifting of the stay-at-home order in a statement issued by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Inuwa yesterday.

The lockdown order was imposed on the Council areas on April 23rd and 25, 2020 following the confirmation of COVID-19 cases in the areas by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The statement read: “Governor Aminu Bello Masari made the pronouncement today (Friday) after receiving a report that no new case was reported and those confirmed positive cases that led to the lockdown of the two local

government areas have fully recovered.

CHANGE OF I, formerly known and addressed as WERIDONGHAN PETER ENEBETEBEYEKEDOU, now wish to be known and addressed as WERIDONGHAN ENEBETEBEYEKEDOU PETER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MR CHINEDU SAMUEL UNOKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR CHINEDU SAMUEL UNOKE-CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHISOM VIVIAN IKEMEFUNA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHISOM VIVIAN CHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

POLITY

Wike and the Baying Mob Solomon Bob

E

very politician is a fair game, but a visitor to Nigeria who has witnessed the frenzied bedlam and concurrent media attacks against Governor Nyesom Wike since last Sunday’s pulling down of two seedy hotels in Rivers State would be forgiven for thinking that the most egregious act of absolutism has just occurred.

But that is so far from the reality that the desperate overreactions cast the individuals going off on a tangent to push that suggestion as false alarmists and whited sepulchers. They close their eyes to actual dictatorship and injustice everywhere while inventing a love-in with willful lawbreakers in Rivers State as they seek to scapegoat a soft target. For some reason, Wike has always been a target and fall guy of a section of the media and commenting public who are too scared to call a spade a spade and invariably come off as flat track bullies. But what is their grouse against him this time?

Here’s their case: that in these extraordinary times when even the most basic of freedoms cannot be enjoyed due to very drastic restrictive measures being adopted globally to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, that under these exigent circumstances, the governor ordered the taking down of two hotels whose continued operation violated a lawful regulation and potentially imperiled the lives of the people. Stripped of the deliberate conflation of facts with politics, this is the case against Wike.

Now, the unique circumstances of our world today in the light of the covid-19 pandemic warrant the exercise of emergency powers by chief executives across the board in order that they can take charge of a really perilous situation and respond as appropriate.

In the United States, which has a long history of such a powerful instrument for executive response during a time of crisis or emergency and from where we have copied the practice, they’re styled as Executive Orders.

Although relatively an uncharted territory for us in Nigeria, this administration has relied on executive orders more than any and popularized their deployment. There is no doubting their legality or force of law because they qualify as subsidiary legislation under our law. In fact, a House of Representatives committee has placed reliance on an executive order signed by President Muhammadu Buhari to broaden its jurisdiction beyond the scope authorized by the enabling Act. Wike signed Executive Order N0. 7 of the Quarantine (Coronavirus and Other Infectious Diseases) Regulations of 2020 requiring all hoteliers in Rivers State to temporarily cease operations as the government battled to prevent a wave of community infection from the virus.All over the world people obey such directives without a need to compel them because they realize that these are extremely difficult times with a killer virus lurking. But the victim-playing hoteliers in Rivers State did not only engage in a bewildering act of serial violation of the regulation requiring them to shutdown, they, in fact, launched an audacious and brutal assault on state officials on covid-19 regulations enforcement duties. Many of them are in the hospital today fighting for dear life.

James Burnham,America’s 20th century political prophet characterizes effete inaction represented as an iteration of liberalism as the “ideology of Western suicide”. In the face of the daring and unflagging recalcitrance displayed by the hoteliers, Gov. Wike’s executive orders would have lost their deterrent and coercive lustre if he did not respond in the manner that he did.And in the event of an escalation in covid-19 cases in the state, he could very well have faced charges of culpable surrender or abdication from the same sanctimonious and saber-rattling babble calling for his head today.

Those pushing the argument of illegal denial of a citizen’s right to property or means of livelihood are unwittingly framing this as a battle between wealth and health. I would stand by health every time because only the living can chase wealth. The governor did what

Wike every responsible leader should do -- place the health of the people before any and everything else. There is, therefore, justification for the actions taken from both the legal and utilitarian standpoints. In any event, those aggrieved have time and opportunity to litigate their grievance.

In the grand scheme of things, governance is about taking tough decisions. Even so, Wike did not pull down the princely mansions and radio stations of his political opponents as governors elsewhere are wont to do and have been doing.And just last year, federal authorities inAbuja demolished a stately hotel on the flimsiest, if silliest, of excuses including that it offended an indeterminate social behavior!

But we didn’t hear the voices of venom-spitting activists and social crusaders. But it is no secret that whatever connects to Rivers State is treated differently. To many in the ruling party, Governor is public enemy number one and the elephant in the room. They harbor what amounts to visceral animus against him.

Unsurprisingly, their invisible hands, forever chomping at the bit, have pounced on the hotels incident as their latest lightning rod - with mendacious ammunition duly supplied by implacable home opponents. From the Bar, too, they have not pulled their punches.

Button-down senior lawyers and others with self-exalting god complex who have been shutting their eyes to execrable arbitrariness, lawlessness and outright illegality have thrown in everything but the kitchen sink. Groggy from five years of timorous slumber, they’ve been spitting guff without knowing the facts.

Worse, most have been doing so not in the lofty diction that their assumed ethical high ground demands, but in indecorous and undignified diatribe. Such double-facedness will rub up the wrong way on the discerning. What manner of senior advocate flies into a temper and gushes ad hominem on the basis of a beer parlor gossip?

Lawyers casting unjustified aspersions on Wike are unknowingly engaging in an act of collective self-abasement. The governor has done more for the enhancement of rule of law in this country within the last 5 years than any other public officer. He has also shown support for the comatose Nigerian BarAssociation with a view to piggybacking them to public relevance.

The minuscule air of democratic freedom and pluralism enjoyed today owe in large part his boldness, unbowed zest and prescience in calling out this administration while his whimpering traducers either connived or condoned. Nearly four years ago when hooded

men raided judges houses at midnight and desecrated the temples of justice nationwide, only Wike stood up to the unprecedented statesponsored gangsterism. Today’s hypocritical and name-calling senior advocates and self-appointed activists were either quiet or cheered the lawless derring-do while the Governor took the extraordinary risk of facing down armed men at midnight to prevent the well-coordinated assault and arrest of a federal judge within his domain.

Some say Wike’s fearlessness in stranding up for his people and what he believes in stems from his assurance of immunity as a sitting governor.And I’ve asked if other governors do not have immunity.As we say in law, you cannot give what you don’t have. Wike is wired to oppose injustice in any shape or form. He is an instinctual stickler for law and order and an untiring advocate for constitutionalism.

He is a standout outlier among today’s crop of leaders on the vexed question of principle in politics. This and his no-nonsense direct talking and hands-on style constitute his endearment to his people; and they trust him because they know he will never betray them or trade his conviction for personal gain. Few leaders in Nigeria today can walk the streets to raucous acclaim like Wike.

But the media is awash with a different painting of the governor.

We witnessed the same tendentious bile when Caverton helicopters, acting on the capricious directive of the Minister ofAviation, were flying in passengers to Port Harcourt, passengers whose covid-19 health status were unknown, culminating in a series violations of an executive order signed by the governor which require everyone entering Rivers State to submit to a check in verification of their covid-19 status.

As in the current hotels demolition controversy, the usual suspects jumped into the fray, assailed and tore into the governor.Are Nigerians secret felons at heart who embrace lawbreakers? Rather than excoriate the minister who, in an apparent and disrespectful power grab, did not bother to make contacts with authorities in Port Harcourt concerning extant Covid-19 health protocols on the ground, they charged that the Governor was warmongering, obdurate and insubordinate.

The governor has a job to do, just as the President. He doesn’t hold his office at the pleasure of the President and he is not accountable to him but to the people of Rivers State.As we have seen in the UK, U.S. and elsewhere, central authorities generally defer to constituent governments to take absolute charge of their domains in the covid-19 enforcement measures. There’s no known instance in which President Trump or any of his secretaries went against the executive order of a governor either by refusing to comply or issuing a counter order. The logic is simple, the governors are more acquainted with their terrains and are directly responsible to their people.

Nevertheless, we have seen more brazen acts of obstruction and threatened arrest against federal agents by other Nigerian governors since the Caverton incident, but no allegations of warmongering and insubordination against them are screaming in the media. Not even a whimper from the bleating gaggle. There’s something to be said about some Rivers people who use everything for politics and politics for everything and who fall for the bait of outsiders to trash their own.

We need to have a sense of enlightened self-interest in the unforgiving theater of Nigerian politics. It is extremely foolish to join outsiders to unnecessarily and unconstructively traduce your own in the name of politics. No outsider will stand for Rivers State when it comes to it.

We’ve been here before. They say if rattles like a snake and slithers like a snake, then it is a snake.

With a tremendous record in service delivery under very unfriendly conditions, Wike is a great leader. Many states wish they had him. For his people he has the passion of a preacher, the boldness of a self-assured and the meticulous gravitas of a judge. He’s laying everything on the line for their sake. In the ongoing coronavirus crisis, he has typically played a blinder and Rivers State is relatively removed from the ravages elsewhere despite its strategic location as a hub of business and travel.

––Bob is a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State.

Customers Commend MultiChoice’s ‘We’ve Got You Campaign’

W

ith the gradual ease of the lockdown orders imposed by both the Federal and state governments to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), economic activities have been hugely disrupted. On account of the disruption, incomes have stopped or shrunk, forcing many Nigerians, especially in the lower income bracket, to trim or completely stop spending on some items. A balm to the economic injuries is, however, being applied by MultiChoice Nigeria through its recently launched We’ve Got You campaign We’ve Got You campaign, according to the company, is its way of showing appreciation to its loyal DStv and GOtv customers for their support and patronage during these challenging times. The campaign, which runs from 20 April to 30 June, offers active and disconnected DStv and GOtv customers the opportunity to enjoy discounts and get upgraded to the next viewing package when they pay the fee of their current package. All active and disconnected DStv customers on Compact Plus, Compact, Confam, Family, Yanga and Access packages get discounts of up to 44 per cent.

Also, customers on these GOtv packages: GOtv Jolli, GOtv Plus, GOtv Jinja, Value and Lite packages, are being rewarded with discounts of up to 75 per cent. In addition, they all get wider access to the best of the latest news, local movies, sports, drama series, kiddies, and general entertainment that pay-television have to offer.

Some DStv and GOtv customers have been providing feedback one month into the campaign. The respondents commended the pay-television operator for showing solidarity with them during this unprecedented time and assisting them in mitigating the economic impact. Some others also lauded the company for providing classic retro events for them to re-live during this period.

Rotimi Aderele, a DStv subscriber, stated that the upgrade of his package from Compact Plus to Premium – the platform’s highest package - has helped him and his family cope better with the lockdown. “It’s been tough staying indoors. But it could have been much tougher without quality entertainment such that I get through new programmes on DStv. My daughter, who cannot go to the crèche, hasn’t missed anything. She has more than enough programmes for her pleasure and education,” he said.

Akudo Duru, a DStv Confam subscriber, said the discount has given her access to some programmes that were previously inaccessible for her due to her package.

“I’ve repeatedly seen the advert of the Africa Magic series, Unbroken, and I always wanted to watch the programme but I haven’t been able because it’s not available on my package. Even if I wanted to upgrade, COVID-19 would not have allowed it.

I’m feeling the pinch in my finances. But DStv gave me a pleasant surprise by upgrading me to Compact bouquet and I have been watching the programme,” she said.

Tajudeen Majolagbe, a DStv Access subscriber, said he has spent

the lockdown gorging himself on a diet of Nollywood movies available on some of the channels on his upgraded DStv Yanga package.

“Well, staying indoors is certainly not easy. But it has been made considerably more bearable by access to many Nigerian movies on Africa Magic Epic and ROK. I’m a big fan of local movies and I’ve watched some of the great old movies shown, as well as those from the new school of actors,” he said.

It has also been a similar endorsement of the We’ve Got You campaign by GOtv subscribers.

Femi Ashaolu, a GOtv Jolli subscriber, is excited by array of programmes available on the over 75-channel GOtv Max, the platform’s premium package.

“I paid my normal N2,500 for GOtv Jolli and have unhindered access to all channels on GOtv Max. I’m enjoying the lockdown at home,” he said.

Another subscriber, Wale Abdullahi, explained that he is excited that he can re-watch some epic football matches from leagues in Europe as a result of the upgrade of his package from GOtv Plus to GOtv Jolli.

“This offer by GOtv has given me the chance to watch some of the interesting old football matches. My favourite channel currently is SuperSport 3 because of all the old Champions League games, especially all the finals from 2005. With not much to do during this lockdown, this GOtv offer came at the right time for me.”

19

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

JOE/FAJ

THEFRONTLINES

EkoDisco’s Harvest of Darkness

JOSEPH USHIGIALE

M

y initial interest this week was to question our perpetual dependence on anything foreign and also our utter disdain for anything Nigerian. The fire in me was further provoked with the way the federal and state governments literally politicised the COVID-19 pandemic.

I had expected the federal government to follow similar steps undertaken by other African countries like Madagascar, to look inwards by seizing this God-given opportunity to challenge our various research institutions laying idle to get to work and seek a solution to the pandemic.

But I had to drop the write up halfway to revert my attention to myself. In other words, I am being kind of selfish today and would for the first time resort to using my platform to address an issue that affects my personal well being, which is the epileptic power supply headlined Eko Disco Harvest of Darkness. It is not very often that an individual decides to use what he has to get what he needs.

When such a scenario plays out, you know that that individual has been so pushed and boxed to a corner that he has no other choice than to draw on the last ounce of power in him to fight back for survival.

That is my current predicament. Apredicament that has forced me to throw caution to the winds and resort to self help for self preservation. For nine years since 2011, I have had to put up with our country’s epileptic power supply with the hope that somehow, along the line, the situation would eventually improve. My last nine years experiences have taught me that, in this country, some situations are utterly hopeless. Instead of getting better, they actually retrogress from good to worse in an intervening period.

My ordeal began sometimes in August 2011 when I changed jobs. I left journalism after I was head hunted to take up a position with a telco. At that time, I lived in Apapa on a street that was just five minutes walk to my office on Creek Road. During this period, the traffic was at its criminal best.

Things got to a head one day in particular when my driver and I got home to Apapa at 3 am after closing work on the Island around 9 pm. I therefore decided I had had enough of endangering my life on this treacherous Apapa gridlock and had to relocate. The next question was: relocate to where?

The answer to this question is usually guided by several factors chief among which is the cost of a new accomodation and proximity to work. I choose Surulere because of its centrality to Victoria Island, Ikeja, etc. Even at that, I needed to get a place that was within a cosmopolitan, urban and secure environment.

So my search started with several agents who collected various sums of money and coming up with ridiculous choices like houses in Ijesha, Kilo and Aguda even when my mandate to them was

very clear on what I wanted. One day, I bought a copy of Castles newspapers and there it was: a three bedroom apartment on Ayo Idowu Close.

I drove down there the Saturday of that week and the street met my expectations but the house didn’t. Luckily for me, a few houses from there, there was yet another three bedroom flat that was available. I dialed the number of the agent advertising it and we reached an agreement. I eventually paid, did the necessary renovations and moved in.

While, by moving homes, I had succeeded in solving my first problem of escaping traffic snarls, little did I know that my second biggest ordeal was about to commence. Most people, while house hunting, make the mistake of failing to ascertain the electricity supply situation in their proposed new accomodation. I was one of them and I have paid dearly for it for nine years which is why I am crying out loud so Eko Disco would finally wake up from its slumber.

I must first of all say that, the whole blame or our predicament on this street should not entirely be heaped on Eko Disco. After all, the distribution company only come up after the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration unbundled the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

To be sure, I must salute the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Goddy, his colleagues, Sulaiman Aledeh and Chief Engineer, Adewunmi Adeyinka. In those days when getting a meter was akin to passing a Camel through a needle’s eye, a colleague at Ikeja Disco, Felix, gave me Goddy’s contacts. I called him and introduced myself. He invited me to come over. I drove to Marina and met with Goddy. I was ushered into his office and within 30 minutes, a form was completed and I was on my way back to my office in Apapa.

The follow day, I was inundated with calls from their Ijora branch. These officials were virtually chasing me to have a meter installed for me. Ditto Aledeh with whom I regularly turned to for intervention whenever we had very long outages. I would also single out Engineer Adeyinka whose patience, tolerance and

Just Like That: Dele Mad Is 60!

H

ow do I start writing about my friend and traditional namesake (I’m sure he’s reading this for the first time) -Ayobamidele Abayomi[Oluwaoje] OjuteleganAjani Momodu (omo Iya Gbongan)? By a stroke of Providence, this column falls on his 60th anniversary - today - and surely there would be hundreds of tributes and salutations about this keen humanist, adroit troubleshooter, immaculate interventionist, and one can add other heart-warming attributes that those not so close to him may snigger as platitudes to humour a master of pomp and ceremonies.

My tribute to Bob Doooo (my personal signature tag for Bob Dee) will be tailored towards more personal and subtle testaments in honour of a large and robust friend whose acts, frame and exertions fully stretch the confines of those opulent words, in many directions.

A disclaimer: I may flounder a little, here and there, in recalling dates and occasions, because of the nature of my tribute, kindly overlook such lapses in my recall process...it’s altogether a genuine human frailty.

There are many who knew Dele quite well before we met in late 80’s...those who strutted the University of Ife with him, in the 70’s, who dubbed the “bundle of atomic energy� Dele Mad. Most of them would wink or chuckle when you sought to know what he was “mad about� in school. I suspect it had to do with his electric desire to succeed and destroy the pervasive fangs of poverty. That desire also stretched towards sporadic and relentless pursuit and conquer of some of Unife’s finest girls...as he strode through the campus in his trademark native (Ankara) jumpers, quoting arcane lollipops of ancient Yoruba and Grecian literati, laced with a mischievous glint in his handsome lushly bearded face. He was a bullet of rambunctious hyperactivity... even as a librarian, a party orchestrator, a postgraduate student, part-time teacher, native rain-catcher (hopefully, we will hear more about his exploits as a “fake herbalist�)...and itinerant newspaper writer...the point where I met him on the cover pages of Weekend Concord in 1988.

I have a great weakness for writers besotted with flowery vocabulary and florescent imagination in deconstructing mundane or strange realities. I was thus attracted to this young reporter who, months later, became a jolly good friend.

When Dele moved to Classique from Concord, my friend and brother, Kunle Bakare, was, at the same time, lured away from Vintage People while moonlighting with the upscale in-house publication, The Prince. It was inevitable that we would all assemble under the matronly coverlet of the late media stallion, May Ellen Ezekiel, MEE. My peripatetic life was thrown into disarray with the arbitrary closure of Punch newspaper (where I then worked)

by the Ibrahim Babangida junta. The life of the reporter is endlessly inquisitive and nomadic...thus, cessation of activity could only be achieved through death - not closure of the presses. So, Classique served me well during the Punch closure, and my friends were all in the “house� - including Richard Mofe Damijo (yes, to latter day fans, he was once a reporter) and Mayor Akinpelu.

At a point in our quest to “do something with our lives�, it became increasingly difficult to meet in Kunle’s family house in Ijeshatedo... somehow, he ended up squatting with Dele in a “lush� self-contained apartment off Medical Road (now Simbiat Abiola) in the bowels of Ikeja, Lagos. The story of most of the “incidents� that occurred in that tiny apartment, and the number and timber of “active participants� would fill an entire book - in the hands of more adroit raconteurs.

Dele was “duelling� with us mentally and otherwise in the preliminary activities leading to the formation of FAME Weekly, a general interest magazine that took off July 6, 1991. He was integral to the build up, the planning, the mobilisation...and more, when Mayor and I would take our leave late into the night, leaving him with KB. We were all young, single and mercurial, eyeing the heavenly stars with envy. Yet, all he wanted was a small space to write his Pendulum column every week.

When FAME became a soar-away success, and he voluntarily resigned from active journalism, after arriving at a painful, but ultimately wise decision that the paper business was “sise-sise-lasan� (it’s all fruitless work, and no thanks), he opted to sell Wonderloaf (wholesale bread from MKO Abiola’s bakery) while masquerading as a PR/Media consultant. Dele’s second office was in FAME, yet - in retrospect - he didn’t make any demands on our space, time, resources or growing influence. He was assiduously building his own baby, nursing his elaborate dream, and finessing the emerging social landscapes of Nigerian major cities, building bridges, friendships and relationships.

When political activism started, occasioned by the annulment of June 12, 1993, and the travails of Dele’s mentor, Chief MKO Abiola escalated...Dele swerved into agitprop mode. His sweat multiplied.

You see, when Dele was worried then, or trouble was looming, he had a knack for anticipating the dimension and the source; so while still chatting and guffawing with us about the perilous times, his handkerchiefs would be doing overtime, even as he grinned through suspicious glances and more ribaldry.

I fear that one column would not be adequate to summarise my brief assessment of the man I used to hail as “One-man riot squad�, and his favorite retort was: “Hmmm, FAJ - the Saddam Hussein of Nigerian Journalism�. No one has bothered to ask him, or me... we all just assumed it was our fond exaggerations of emerging personality traits.

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

service orientation remain next to none.

Up till this moment, I’ve never met this man but through an introduction by another of his colleague who has left Eko Disco, Adeyinka had been able to intervene to navigate us out of darkness many times. He has always been my go to person and last resort and whatever he told me happened. If he says, we are working on a fault along a particular area and assures that supply would be restored at a particular time, that would be it.

He also made it clear to me that he would not be in a position to always take my calls but that whenever he fails to pick, I should do him a favour by sending him an sms. In all the while that I left him sms, he replied. Lastly, he introduced me to a fellow whom he said was the SMD of my area. He sent me his number and encouraged me to call him whenever I experienced any outage. It turned out that the number belongs to one KINGSLEY Okolo.

As I write this piece, Adeyinka forwarded the number of the SMD to me on April 5, a Sunday; all my several calls and sms have never been returned by this fellow. So if this is his modus operandi, how then does he interface with his customers in this area?

The painful aspect of this predicament is that while Ayo Idowu Close and Eniasoro Beyioku are almost in perpetual darkness, the supply on the adjoining street, Ajao road hardly blinks. When you ask, you would be told that your street is fed by supply emanating from Akongba station blablabla.

How is that my business? All I want is electricity supply and the company that is responsible for that is Eko Disco and it has to rise to its responsibility of doing just that. If Eko Disco can not deliver this service, it should accept the fact, wind down and go home.

This is one example of why most people including myself have found cause to criticize the unbundling of NEPAand auctioning of licenses to cronies who had scant knowledge of what power generation and distribution business is all about. If this project were to be handled by a foreign company, I doubt if we would have such shoddy service delivery.

And I often wonder how these companies make their monies when their customers go for several days and weeks without electricity supply. How do they meet their revenue targets with such apparent failure to deliver effective service to their customers?

Is it not true that in a sane and accountable and transparent clime, every single minute or weeks that you have down time such as is the order of the day here, such developments would reflect heavily on your balance sheet in the long and short run? How come Eko Disco is not bleeding financially and is so comfortable with a revenue bleeding problem that has festered for nine good years?

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

Ovation International was Dele’s biggest project, apart from the preliminary spadework he did with Okagbue Aduba and few others, as precursor to the birth of this newspaper. Ovation “dealt� with Dele, in many ways. In sheer breath of imagination, conceptualization and vision, it was humongous...easily overwhelming for ordinary mortals. But he stuck at it - when vendors and agents were playing hide and seek... when contributors failed to deliver, and I was one of them - mostly because one assumed with almost 50 great and diverse writers and correspondents, nobody would miss a FAJ, in one or two months! Not once, did he complain, or cry betrayal. His smile, jokes, bouncy anecdotes never ceased....until Abacha struck... and NADECO scattered.

Time will not permit me today to “talk� about his enduring gracefulness, after I had publicly berated him on my live radio show FAJ-Alive, in 1999/2000, for watering the quality of Ovation by going Owambe...after halcyon years of great and commodious writing, panAfrican musings and travelogues. Time and space will not permit me to recount Dele’s magnanimity in orchestrating life-changing “angelic� interventions that enabled me to sustain and resuscitate my publishing businesses, on more than three occasions...time will not permit me to regale you with campus exploits of a Rain-Catcher, called Dele Mad, who was severely frustrated by celestial powers when the unruly rain refused to stop during a massive Whispers concert show in Ile-Ife, contrary to Dele’s prolific incantations! Or, of the erstwhile ladies’ man who could only be caged by the alluring wiles and delicacies of Bolaji Adaramaja... of our escapades in the groovy nocturnal habitutes that supplied verve and power to the all-night shows of Sir Shina Peters, Wasiu Ayinde, and few others.

Perhaps, another day, or another week.

Today, we stand to hug a man whose humble beginnings could not hold down...whose latter-day activism, spontaneous effusions and outlandish showmanship were etched deep from many lonely fragile decades of yore. Stand tall, Bashorun Dele Momodu, irrespective of your political and dialectical disputations with your wide and diverse audiences, your friends and family are persuaded that you are constant as time, and dependable as the waters of Ogunpa - incessantly overflowing with warmth and goodwill.

So, bring out the wines...�Gbogbo Ara Kiki Ija� (the warrior who is forever battle ready) let’s clink against the vapid face of Lady Corona...!

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

TRIBUTE

Tribute to Francesca Yetunde Emanuel Philip C. Asiodu

W

e mourn the demise of a multi-talented, highly achieving lady of very radiant personality, a great Nigerian and a great African who attained high distinction in many theatres of national life, Mrs Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, Commander of the Order of the Niger.

Mrs. Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, neé Pereira, is best known as an outstanding civil servant. She joined the Federal Nigerian Civil Service in 1959 as the first female Administrative Officer after graduating from University College London with an honours degree in Geography.

She had started her university course at University College Ibadan, then a college of London University. She was brilliant and diligent and rapidly rose through the ranks in a merit-driven Civil Service and was appointed the first female Federal Permanent Secretary in July 1975. She served as Permanent Secretary with great distinction first at the Cabinet Office and subsequently in several ministries including Establishments, Health, Science and Technology, and Social Development, Youth and Sports.

As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Establishments she is gratefully remembered for getting the Government to adopt the policy of giving independent individual recognition to married women and granting to them the same perquisites and privileges as accorded to the men, eg., in the allocation of government quarters.

While in the same ministry, she played a great role and worked hard in the establishment of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria at Badagry—ASCON. She also worked very hard in the establishment of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru – NIPSS. The military coup that ended the Gowon Regime occurred soon after Mrs. Emanuel became Permanent Secretary. The Murtala Mohammed Administration which replaced Gen. Gowon’s Regime removed the Civilian Commissioners (Ministers) who from May 1967 onwards were the political heads of ministries and were members of the Federal Executive Council. They were replaced by military officers many of whom had never before in the course of their duties interacted with civil servants. The new Administration also retired several senior Federal Permanent Secretaries and embarked on a massive and traumatic purge of the Civil Service and Parastatal Agencies resulting in the retirement or dismissal of several thousand officials without due process.

Those were very challenging circumstances in which Mrs. Emanuel and her colleagues had to ensure orderly administration, discipline, and observance of Civil Service Regulations and

Francesca Yetunde Emanue Financial Instructions; as well as introduce the new Ministers to the established administrative procedures in the management of Ministries. In 1984 – 5 she attended the Senior Executive Course at NIPSS, Kuru. At the end of the course she was posted to the Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports. She retired from the Civil Service in May 1988 but still served out her term as a Member of the United Nations International Civil Service Commission, 1987 – 1992.

In the many positions she held during her three decades in the Civil Service Mrs. Francesca Yetunde Emanuel acquitted herself with great distinction and success. She adhered closely to the ethos and core principles of the merit-driven, non-partisan Civil Service inherited from the British Colonial Administration – diligence, patriotism, honesty, transparency, objectivity, integrity, and frugality in the expenditure of public funds After retirement from the Civil Service Mrs. Emanuel served as a member of several Commissions set up to advise on how to re-invigorate and improve the Civil Service so badly degraded in

quality, effectiveness, and prestige following the 1975 Purge, the 1988 and other attempted “reforms”. She was a founding Council Member and Vice Chairman of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries – CORFEPS and was serving as Chairman at the time of her death. She richly merited the award to her by the Federal Government of the national honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger – CON. We are very happy that despite her very busy schedule in the Public Service, Mrs Francesca Emanuel found the time and energy to be very active in many other sectors of national life, particularly musical and theatrical performances, as well as in numerous alumni, professional and other cultural associations.

Endowed with a beautiful voice Mrs Emanuel started participating in musical performances very early in life. As a student at Holy Child College, Lagos she won the First Soprano Solo Prize at the first Nigerian Festival of the Arts in 1950. She continued participating in concerts to great acclaim until late age. In 1989 she participated in the establishment of the Musical Society of Nigeria – MUSON led

by Chief Ayo Rosiji and Mr Akintola Williams. She was a founding member of the Board of Governors and was at the time of her death a Trustee and Patron. She also performed in many MUSON concerts.

Our departed heroine was also a gifted actress. She acted in several of Wole Soyinka’s plays. She will also be remembered by numerous actors and actresses whom she mentored and encouraged. Afew years ago Mrs Emanuel, Vice Chairman of the Mac Millan Board of Directors initiated the MacMillan Literary Night Series. In her opening address on one occasion when the theme was ‘ Blazing Hope’ she said that “one of the key objectives of the project was to highlight the role of writers in changing society for the common good”. The Chairman of the Board Mr. Bode Emanuel also “reiterated his team’s desire to use literature and theatre to combat the vices of society”. The MacMillan Theatre Night Series feature artistes of diverse categories in dances, drama pieces, musical performances, and poetry recitations and have become immensely popular. She found time to write some good poetry herself. She received due recognition being elected Trustee of the National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners, Grand Patron of the Association of Nigerian Authors (Lagos Chapter), and Patron Guild of Dancers.

In addition to the wide range of activities which I have already described Mrs F. Y. Emanuel was a very committed nature conservationist. She was a founding member of The Nigerian Conservation Foundation and a very active member of the Executive Council from the beginning of the Foundation in 1982.

––Chief Philip C. Asiodu, CFR, CON, President, Board of Trustees, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, (NCF) writes from London.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Olayinka Imoukhuede: My Mother, My Sisi Afolabi and Oluwakemi Imoukhuede

M

rs Olubunmi Olayinka Okikiola Imoukhuede, nee Olusoga, whom I have called Sisi for all of my life was born 75 years ago to the families of Mr. Gabriel Folorunsho and Mrs. Yetunde Olajumoke Olusoga of Ijebu descent in Ogun State both of blessed memory. She was part of the pioneer set of the prestigious May Flower School, Ikenne, Ogun State in the late 50s.

My Sisi was a woman of many parts. I grew up to know her as a very gentle, peace loving, generous, kind, caring yet firm and disciplined woman. Awoman with a good and God-heart, who bore no grudges against any. She was everything to us (my siblings and I) and we were everything to her. She was our cook, launderer, home teacher, bookkeeper and sweet tooth champion from fine chocolates to English biscuits. I was her comrade at arms in Coca-Cola drink, no wonder I took after her dentition as we both visited the dentists regularly.

For our sake, she gave up paid employment from the Electricity Company of Nigeria (ECN) later Nigeria Electric Power Authority (NEPA) in her days and chose to work from home operating her poultry farm. Atime-manager per excellence, she would rise very early to prepare us for school and drop us at school each day (never late for once), she would then return to make breakfast for her My Dear, who I knew as Daddy: Chief Joseph Enaifoghe Imoukhuede, OBE, and then off to her farm for morning duties with the staff. The late Joe Imoukhuede, was the first non-Yoruba Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service of the old Western Region and the first Secretary to Government and Head of the Civil Service of the Midwest Region.

An absolute time keeper Sisi was, she knew the appropriate times in the day to pick the chicken eggs from her poultry, then get into her car to pick us from school, never delegated that task to any and we are sure of Kingsway rendezvous snacks and fan-ice cream each day after school. Not just my sister and I, but every of our friends who tagged along with us; that is the generous Sisi that nurtured us.

To Daddy, she was a dear wife, friend and confidant, the dutiful, virtuous woman who took great care of him till the very end. We never saw them argue as they knew how to resolve their differences quietly in their bedroom. In fact, she was many times our intercessor with Daddy and they learnt how to play the act of good-cop, bad-cop very well.

Sisi taught us the art of saving money from very tender age. Every money gift we got from family and friends particularly on our

Imoukhuede birthdays from Daddy, we saved it in our various envelops and once it was holiday period, we would remit them to Grandma Olusoga who then opened and managed savings accounts for us at Federal Mortgage Bank. Little wonder, I was the piggy bank for many in secondary school days and have grown up to be an astute manager of men and resources. My sister has often been saddled with safe custody of finances as well.

Sisi was the family diary of notable dates such as birthdays, anniversaries and phone numbers in her handwritten diary. My sister once asked her why she still wrote numbers down in the advent of mobile phones and her answer was, her diary is her backup incase anything happened to her phone. She would be the first to call me on my birthday and always ready with her token gift for every birthday and Christmas, this I would miss forever.

As it is typical of a last-born child (though I now have many adopted aburos from my band of brothers who are also Sisi’s children), I am very fond of Sisi, but this took a different dimension after April 1989 when Daddy, Joe Imoukhuede, joined the saints triumphant.

I remember on his lying-in State, as I stood by Sisi and watched, her countenance changed the moment the siren bringing his casket sounded in the house, I said to her that I would be your husband going forward. Such strong statement from a young teenage lad that I was, it could have only been the Holy Spirit speaking through me.

The loss of one’s husband, when she was just 44, is devastating talk less of two husbands at her prime, yet Sisi weathered the storm through thick and thin as she held tightly unto her God who was her strength. Many suitors came by, but she resisted them all, rather, she chose my siblings and I as her priority. Sisi handled every work her hands found to do very well and profitably too so as to successfully finance our education. She combined dual business of trading aso-oke fabrics and that of educational stationery distributor to Onward Press, even selling all her gold, precious jewelry and expensive laces at the time. To the glory of God, we turned out successful and celebrated many of our successes in her lifetime. I am glad to have assisted her as her bookkeeper and sales champion.

My Mother sowed in me, love, generosity, courage and strength.

Sisi was not lazy at all, she would often say: Ole eniyan lo ma ni igba wo ni mo fe se tan.. (only a lazy person is burdened by the size of any task) and in generosity, she would often say: O kere lo n so eyan di awun.. (youre not giving because you consider it too small is what over time turns you into a miser). An extremely quiet and cheerful labourer in God’s vineyard she was, always admonishing me privately to give, give and continue giving to the Lord’s work. Sisi was a simple fashionable lady who was always wearing her smiles to all and sundry at all times. She was a humanitarian par excellence and a deep lover of God. These and many more of her godly virtues have made me the man that I am today.

I am particularly grateful to God that we celebrated her 70years milestone birthday as grand as she desired it to be five years ago. We were looking forward to celebrating many more milestones, but she is now in a constant celebration with her maker. I never thought I would be writing this tribute this soon, but who are we to question His sovereignty? In truth, you had seen flashes and foretaste of your glory home within your final two weeks with us and nothing here could compare anymore, not your Jerusalem pilgrimage that was to hold between May 12 and 19th (before the COVID-19 global lockdown), nor your much anticipated Canada holiday with your beloved aburo and grandchildren, nor even your singular heart desire between us that remained unfulfilled. I am daily comforted that you are in Heaven where there is no more toil, weeping or pain.

Prov 31:29 says many daughters have done well, but you Olubunmi Olayinka Okikiola omo Olusoga, aya Dare, aya Imoukhuede, you excel them all. We your children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, extended families, friends and well-wishers rise today and call you Blessed, for truly blessed is your memory!

––Afolabi is SSA to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment while Oluwakemi is her elder sister Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͹;˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Matilda Lambert

Growing Up Was Blissful, I Had Almost All I Wanted ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’ Premiers on Netflix pg. 23

Feyi Adeyemi’s Inspiring Trip to Stardom pg. 25

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Growing Up Was Blissful, I Had Almost All I Wanted Actress and movie producer, Matilda Lambert is on a mission, focused and faithful to a course. Barely few years in Nollywood, the Port Harcourt based thespian has leveraged on the potency of her craft to drive development and positively promote/project the image of her community and society abroad. This is paying off well for her. The University of Abuja graduate of Philosophy in this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, waxes philosophical as she discusses her background, career, vision, Covid-19 experience and outreach through her NGO, the Tilda Goes Green Foundation Career and Movie Productions started producing my own movies when I had clocked three years in the industry. I had gathered experiences, did researches, attended a film business school for producers and acquired more knowledge about production. I have produced five movies to date and it’s been absolutely fulfilling.

My fifth movie as a producer is Unroyal, shot in Port Harcourt. It was premiered on the 15th of March 2020 at KADAcinemas Port Harcourt and released in the cinemas just three days before the lockdown. The movie is a masterpiece carefully put together. It features legendary Pete Edochie, ‘Okon Lagos’, Matilda Lambert, Ik Ogbonna, ShaffyBello,BlossomChukwujekwu,LindaOsifo and many other amazing actors. I am particularly inspired to make the movie through everyday life experiences.

live through me to see me succeed in education and career. But what’s more is that her knowledge and personal experiences inspired my drive to create a legacy that I wanted for myself and my children later in life. She had told me that no matter what my dreams and aspirations were, she would support me every step of the way.

Growing up to have someone who supports your dreams no matter what provides a sense of relief. So the drive, tenacity, passion and energy to do more and be good at what I do are inherent because it started from my formative years.

I

Things Life Has Taught Me Life has taught me that success is no accident, its hard work, perseverance, sacrifice and most of all, love for what you do or learning to do.

Secondly, life has taught me to love myself and appreciate me for who I am. I have also learnt to stay away from negative/toxic people. Life has taught me to accept change and be thankful for everything that happens and to always trust in God’s word. Trusting God doesn’t mean he will do all you wants but rather believing he will do everything he knows is good.

Nollywood Experience at the Beginning My Nollywood journey at the beginning was nothing short of sweet and sour. There were moments when you know you had done so well in an audition, with applause from both the audience and judges, but because of your refusal to their selfish desires, it slips through your hands. But because I knew my craft, I wasn’t desperate but taking it one step at a time and believing in God that the place he will take me is surely up there.

Journey So Far I studied Philosophy in my first degree at the University of Abuja. The journey has been awesome even though there were challenges here and there. But God is been awesome. Delving into the entertainment industry is nothing short of amazing. Philosophy is the mother of sciences and as such it cuts across all spheres of life. So I will say the knowledge of Philosophy also helped to shape my career as it is applied in almost everything I do.

Challenges in the Industry The entertainment industry is a place where one can easily get scammed because very few can be trusted.As a fresher, I had the challenge of getting the right people around to help weigh my priorities. While some people think it’s just about the looks, others like me knew it was way more than the looks but intelligence, vocal presence, energy,charisma,goodunderstandingofdramatic techniques and the ability to physically convey the emotions, motivations and intentions of a character through physical movement as well as speech. Knowing all of these and not having the knowledge of what comes first and what’s of more importance was a bit of a challenge for me as a fresher.

Embarrassing Moment in My Career My most embarrassing moment was when I was invited as a special guest to a movie premiere. After my red carpet interview in my ever gorgeous dress, I had walked into the hall and sat down. Few minutes into seeing the film, I noticed my back zip opening on its own and that’s to say it’s got spoilt....Whaaaatttt? And am supposed to be called for a speech at the end of the screening....OMG! I quickly sent my P.A

Plans and Nollywood Platform I am open to whatever opportunities the future may hold. I think the best way of planning for the future is to make the most of the present.

Nollywood is a good platform that can be used to positively promote and project the image of Nigeria internationally. So, I hope to make bigger and better movies that can help to promote my state and country through my production company and to collaborate with international productions.Also plans to go in partnership with the United Nations for my foundation “Tilda Goes Green� to help achieve the desired sustainable development goals.

Matilda Lambert

to tell the producer I won’t be able to make that speech again because of what had just happened.

The Movie finished and the lights were up and I couldn’t even stand from my seat not even to hug or exchange pleasantries after the movie. I had to wait for everyone to leave, before I was helped to the car. I felt really embarrassed.

When Not on Set When I am not on set or filming for someone else, I go to my office (My NGO) which is Tilda Goes Green to tackle the programmes that needs to be attended to. The mission is to educate the people on the hazards of environmental degradation and the adverse effects of the oil spillages experienced in the Niger Delta especially those who live around the creeks. The NGO gives scholarships to kids. My foundation is currently training seven students in different schools in Port Harcourt; three of them who happen to be our first beneficiaries have graduated. So at every point I’m not filming, there’s a programme waiting to be attended to. And this keeps me going.

Being in the Limelight I’m someone that loves my privacy a lot. Being in the limelight has its pros and cons. Sometimes, it sucks because people tend to have so much expectation from you. However, being in the limelight has changed my life knowing am a

role model to some people who look up to me, love my work and are ready to do the things I do. Besides, being in the limelight has earned me some recognition both locally and internationally.

There are various opportunities too but I have been very careful and picky. I’m being treated especially when I go to some places simply because of my brand. So it’s like a roller coaster kind of a thing but in all, am grateful to God for everything and how far. He has brought me, knowing am not better than anyone else but unique in my own way.

Upbringing and Background Growing up was a blissful because I had almost all that I wanted as a child. I wasn’t born with a ‘golden spoon’ but in an above average family.

I have always been my mums little doll, having lost my dad at an early age. My mum did double of what both parents could do to raise a “Golden Child�. I was taught that nothing is impossible to achieve in life if I believe in myself, but trust in God, have passion for what I do and not to give up.

My Family and Formative Years Much of whom I am today can be attributed to my family and background. I have been raised to see everyone as equals. My mother always stressed the importance of education. She tries to

Handling Advances from Men I am an honest and respectful person. So I always say thanks for admiration and politely say no to their advances while I face my work.

Covid-19 Experience and Contributions Being Creative The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us face to face with the most basic questions of life. It has demonstrated to us the value of freedom. The freedom to move and be with those we love, to live in dignity and security, for ourselves and those around us. Being in the creative industry with my movie released at the cinemas three days before the total lockdown was worrisome, and so it is to every other producer out there because money has been spent. But right now, life is all that matters and I am grateful for it.

In contributing my quota to help alleviate the situation, my Foundation Tilda Goes Green in partnership gave palliatives to over 500 families in some areas of River-State (Ozuboko community and Okujagu community).

Role Model and Motivation I look forward to working with Mo’ Abudu.

She’s one person who inspired me a whole lot. It feels great to be in this generation where women are taking over the industries and impacting the world.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Universal Music, Aristokrat Sign Global Partnership Deal Ferdinand Ekechukwu

U

niversal Music France (UMF), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), a world leader in music-based entertainment, on Monday May 11, announced a strategic partnership deal with The Aristokrat Group, a prominent African entertainment company which operates from Lagos, Nigeria and is best known for discovering and developing one of the biggest acts in the African music industry today, Burna Boy. With more than a decade of experience in developing young African talent, Aristokrat represents the spirit and the sound of New Afrika. This strategic partnership consists of both a label deal, as well as a publishing deal through Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). Aristokrat Group and Universal Music Group will work closely together to discover and develop exciting new African talent, giving artists and songwriters the opportunity to reach global audiences with support from Universal Music Group companies around the world.

The first recording artists signed to the label are Kel P, Jujuboy Star and T’neeya.

Kel P is a highly respected Nigerian producer, who worked with Burna Boy on his Grammy-nominated album ‘African Giant,’ and recently worked with Wizkid on his Starboy, The Soundman Vol. 1 EP. Jujuboy Star is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. T’neeya is a Cameroonian singersongwriter. All Aristokrat Records artists will be signed and distributed in partnership with Caroline France, a Universal Music France label.

In addition, the publishing partnership with UMPG will enable Aristokrat to further discover and develop African songwriters, artists and producers globally, and to maximise creative and collaborative opportunities for its talent worldwide. The first publishing signings are Kel P, Jujuboy Star and Saszy Afroshii, a fast-rising female

L-R: Chief Digital OďŹƒcer, Jean-Charles Marian; MD Universal Music Publishing, Bertil David; COO, Aristokrat Group, Eneibimo Apulu; Executive Vice President, Content & Communications, Aristokrat Group, Tinu Adesugba; CEO Aristokrat Group, Piriye Isokari; Award Winning Record Producer, Kel P; A&R Consultant, Aristokrat Group, Steve Jervier; CEO, Universal Music France, Olivier Nusse, after the signing ceremony between Aristokrat Group and Universal Music Group in Paris, France

producer from Lagos.

In announcing the partnership, Olivier Nusse, CEO, Universal Music France, said, “I am very proud that Aristokrat Group has chosen Universal Music France as its strategic partner to reach a global audience. We are convinced that Aristokrat represents the sound of New Africa and we look forward to working with our UMG labels globally to ensure that people around the world, can discover and dance to this sound!�

According to Bertil David, MD, Universal Music Publishing France, “Aristokrat is one of the most important voices in Africa right

now. The quality of their A&R, their artistic and creative vision and entrepreneurship is both unique and progressive. We are very proud at UMPG to be able to partner with Aristokrat to help them achieve the global presence they deserve.�

Piriye Isokrari, Founder and CEO, The Aristokrat Group, noted that “This is an exciting time for African musicians, producers and companies such as ours. Over the last decade, we’ve been at the forefront of cultivating this sound and building sustainable structures locally and we are happy to be able to bring our music and culture to the global market through this partnership

with the Universal Music Group.�

The Aristokrat Group has expanded at a steady rate and is now present throughout the entire media and entertainment value chain.

With a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries, UMG has in recent years expanded its operations within Africa with offices established in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya) and Johannesburg (South Africa), with Casablanca (Morocco) launching Spring 2020.

‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’ Premiers on Netix The Nigerian blockbuster sequel, “Living in Bondage: Breaking Freeâ€?, is set to premiere on American streaming platform, Netflix. Diaspora viewers now have the opportunity to see the epic movie, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu The first Nigerian film on Netflix appeared in 2015. Now, more Nigerian content are making their way onto the American Streaming platform. The latest is Play Network’s multiple award-winning feature film, “Living in Bondage: Breaking Free,â€? a sequel to the 1992 Nollywood classic, “Living in Bondageâ€?. The much talked about thriller is billed to premiere on the streaming platform this month of May alongside four other Nollywood titles as confirmed by Filmone Distribution.

Play Network Africa, the producers of this sequel made the announcement on its Instagram page: “It is official! Counting down the days‌ Follow @ playnetworkstudios to be the first to find out when it drops! #LivingInBondageOnNetflix,â€? the caption reads.

Cinema viewers nationwide were giving an opportunity in

February to see the film again on the big screen for three days before making it available on the streaming platform. The Executive Producer of the movie, Charles Okpaleke gave the Netflix hint on his Instagram handle while responding to a follower who asked him about his plans to bring this Nigerian thriller to diaspora viewers, by simply saying, “Very, very soon.�

It is expected that the film will garner massive viewership when it finally arrives on Netflix; though it is yet to be confirmed the particular date the movie will start showing. The original film followed Andy Okeke, a married man who sacrifices his wife for wealth due to his dissatisfaction with his financial status.

Directed by Ramsey Nouah, the 2019 sequel tells the story of Nnamdi Okeke, Andy Okeke’s son whose quest for the lavish

life takes him down the same questionable path his father took.

Written by Nicole Asinugo and C.J. Obasi, it features familiar faces like Kenneth Okonkwo, BobManuel Udokwu, and Kanayo O. Kanayo. New additions include Ramsey Nouah, Enyinna Nwigwe, Nancy Isime, Munachi Abii and Swanky JKA, who were only three months old when the first movie came out.

It opened in theatres on November 8, 2019, with N25.8 million and quickly grossed N48.6 million within seven days. At over N163 million, it is now one of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time. At the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), the film won eight awards from eleven nominations.

Ramsey Nouah, who also made his directional debut with the movie, went home with the award Cover art for ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’ for Best Director.

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Feyi Adeyemi

Feyi Adeyemi’s InspiringTrip to Stardom Giving style a try-out half a decade ago, fashion celebrity and Chief Executive Officer of ‘Luxury By Feyi,’ Feyi Adeyemi is today counting her blessings as she hits a milestone, reports Omolabake Fasogbon

P

opular fashion label, ‘Luxury By Feyi’ owned

by Feyi Adeyemi is one brand that resonates with fashion suckers. Feyi, as fondly called is one of Nigeria’s best, flying the flag of the country and doing a roaring trade at the global fashion market. The international designer is presently over moon as her sought after label, ‘Luxury

By Feyi’ clocked five years with lot of accomplishments.

Half a decade ago, when she considered style-setting for a career, it was a tough step for her even though dress styling has always been a childhood passion. Thinking that fashion would not fetch the desired status and satisfaction, the mother of three first resorted to a career in banking. While in banking, her first love kept calling, forcing her to make a switch to fashion with the influence of her parent.

Recounting her journey, the snappy dresser said: “As early as five, I had shown interest in fashion designing so much that I taught myself to sew with my mother’s knitting materials. This led to a period of

making dresses for my beautiful baby dolls.

As I grew up, my parent made it clear to me that I needed to pursue a traditional career path. It took me until my adulthood to come to terms with myself that I could turn my passion into a full-time business and earn a living by being myself.�

At a time in her life, Feyi relocated to the United Kingdom to study Social Science, taking a keen interest in entertainment. As a celebrity and pop culture fan, she had a stint at a radio station, “Inside Africa Ireland� where she rose and got a slot to produce her own show. As a happily married woman with a career that gave her freedom to express her creativity at will, the fashion celebrity has every reason to be happy but the reverse is the case.

She said: “When I left the office, I wasn’t myself, something was missing. After a conversation with a close mentor, she suggested that I she should try to work in fashion, that got me to work on researching options to switch my degree and study to fashion.�

The beautiful seamstress succumbed to this piece of advice and set out for training in designs which she confessed was

rigorous during the early years. She soon graduated to create her own fashion blog called “Simply Glamorous Fashion�. The blog started out as styling content, covering celebrity fashion. It soon grew in popularity and fetched Feyi an opportunity to travel to cover red carpet shows.

She said: “A lot of comments started flooding my inbox with people seeking fashion tips and consultations, majority of them of which were from London. The signs could not have been clearer that I needed to be in London to leverage my connections and launch my first collection.

I spoke with my hubby and we concluded that I move to London with our three sons while he would have to work in Ireland until he found a way to transition to live with us, which he did.�

Five years down the line, Feyi has attained the most coveted status in the industry and not relaxing. Her designs have received a prominent appearance in renowned publications like Vogue, Glamour, Schon, Locale, D4 Magazine, Grazia Pakistan, Runway, and Grumpy Magazine, amongst others. Her works have also debuted on mainstream stages

such as the European Music Awards, the Emmys, the NAACP Image Awards and Coachella. This is in addition to having a collaboration showcased with Aston Martin London during the SS19 London Fashion Week.

As a storyteller, the sedulous entrepreneur says she finds inspiration from nature, cultural values, personal stories as well as surrealist art from creatives such as Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen, and Stephane Rolland. Interestingly, the couturier is sets for a new page. She announced thus: “The next stage for LuxuryByfeyi now is building our Masterclass. We are currently working on our first ever digital Masterclass titled ‘The unstoppable Fashionista Brand Building’ which will run for six weeks beginning from this May. I will be teaching budding designers on fashion branding structure. Believe it or not, brands are somehow determined and defined by their structure. I aim to use this to inspire and encourage young designers, particularly from African descent, not to limit themselves but to break boundaries globally. We are also planning to launch our brand in Nigeria very soon.�

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͞˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg 07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

MY STORY

Gists Ikechukwu Nnakenyi Miracle, aka Big Dol, Blaisebeatz: Producers, Backbone is an artiste in his own class with musical creatives that are designed as audible art.

He draws inspirations from the likes of Fela, of Music Industry Wizkid, Davido, Olamide and a lot more.

Having worked with top Nigerian music stars, including Wizkid, Skibii, Tekno, Tiwa Savage, among many others since

He talks Tosin Clegg about his music, his debut intowith music production in 2006, ace music producer, Marcel Larry Akunwata, a.k.a Blaisebeatz, boasts of a wealthy experience on the Nigerianprojects music scene.and The talented his forthcoming morehit-maker who made his major break after producing Skibii’s ‘Omaema’,

dreams of producing for world music heavyweights, Drake, Kanye West, Jay Z, among others. Recalling the challenges he has encountered so far on his beat-making craft, he noted that music producers are undervalued in Nigeria. “Asides the financial constraints as a young producer, it’s majorly the fact that producers in Nigeria are mostly undervalued and overlooked on the larger scale of things. For me, the Nigerian music industry is evolving and it has been continuously refined as we are now trying to sync Afrobeats with the worldwide sound.�

Speaking on why he forayed into music production after studying Statistics in the University, and how his sound has evolved over time, he said: “I have always had passion for music/ music production; I started producing even before getting into university. Thankfully, my journey so far has been quite smooth and gradual.

At the time, my first production was really nice to me, but overtime I have had to work on my craft/sound and the quality. The nature of my production has really improved. My actual breakthrough was ‘Omaema’ with Skibii, because being relatively new to Lagos; it gave people the awareness of who Blaisebeatz really was.�

On the inspiration behind his sound, he said: “The major inspiration is the need for people to really enjoy good and quality music and beats, rather than regular generic sound. “Generally, my influences are Timberland and Ryan Leslie but locally, it’s majorly Don Jazzy, Blaise Beats Masterkraft and Sarz.� Blaisebeatz noted that music production was the backbone of the Nigerian music industry. “A lot of credit regarding Afro-beat should be given to the Nigerian producers.�

Doro Music Team

Don Carta: Focus, Determination Recipe for Success in Music Budding musician, Nnakwuzie Raphael Ekene, a.k.a Don Carta, is stopping at nothing to make a name on the Nigerian music scene, even though he has admitted that the industry is a very tough one. Speaking on his foray into music and the challenges encountered so far during a chat, the Doncarta Group of Companies CEO shared what he feels can help budding artistes succeed. “It hasn’t been absolutely easy. Music industry is a very tough terrain and one has to be very determined and focused to be able to make it in this industry. However, one thing about doing what you love is that you end up doing it for the passion. So, the experience has been bitter-sweet, in all, we thank God. The best part of this work is in the satisfaction that comes with the knowledge that you’re passing across a message to someone somewhere, without having to meet them face to face; and in the fact that the message is a timeless one which will still be available for someone else to listen to even when you’re gone. “Music has always been my first love; before I even thought of making music professional, listening to good music had always been my escape route. It leaves me fulfilled and calm, so it was my undaunted love for good music that basically propelled me into making one.�

On the challenges he has had to grapple with since his debut, he stated; “I guess it should be the fact that I rap majorly in Igbo. But the fusion of English in some of my songs makes it a bit easier to understand, even for someone who isn’t Igbo. Also, there are other challenges; like releasing a new song and not getting the amount of love you thought the song will get, but we keep being steadfast, we keep trying because I for one won’t let little challenges stop me. The most predominant challenge would be the penetration of the southern/western market and audience. One might release a song and it would be so popular in the east but what about other places with other tribes, like Lagos.�

However, he admitted that despite the challenges, he has been able to record notable successes. “I have got people who love me and my music. My debut got a whole lot of positive responses.

I thank God for that and I believe that I have been able to carve out a niche for myself.�

Don Carta

WapTV Releases Covid-19 Enlightenment Skits

Wole Adenuga

To complement the federal government’s war against Coronavirus, wapTV has released new sets of informative comedy skits, by its Akpan & Oduma and Papa Ajasco brands, to increase awareness on how to prevent, detect, and manage the disease.

These new comedy skits are in line with one of the unique things which wapTV is famous for – strategically inserting an educative message into an entertainment content, so the audience can easily and subconsciously understand the intended lesson; otherwise known as “Edutainment�.

According to the Managing Director of wapTV, Wole Adenuga, “As the deadly Coronavirus continues to affect the world, it is important for everyone to join hands and work together.

This is why, as a Family Entertainment TV Channel, we are playing our part by using our popular Akpan & Oduma and Papa Ajasco brands to spread this much-needed information to different generations of Nigerians through our television and social media platforms.�

The Akpan & Oduma and Papa Ajasco Covid-19 Enlightenment skits are currently available to watch worldwide on YouTube: “waptvchannel�; as well as across Nigeria, and several African countries, via wapTV’s extensive network of all major Satellite TV Providers.

Remi Adeyinka

My Clients Stand Out Remi is the Creative Director of Rayk Collections, one of Nigeria’s growing fashion brands. Its fusion of different style and culture is what has set the brand apart from others with detailing and attention to customers’ preferences. Remi talks to Tosin Clegg about his brand, the new collection just released and much more What makes Rayk Collections different from others?

Our uniqueness is in our style, our brand creates designs not just to fit into the demands of society, but to make our clients stand out and command the desired attention. Our collections have been designed to infuse our culture into our modernisation, without losing the essence of our roots and heritage.

How has it been for you as a designer and what lessons have you learnt on the job?

It has been a tough journey since we began, especially in this part of the world where just few people believe in the local brand, but one thing we have ensured is not bringing down our standards to suite the general belief. We are sure our brand will break out at the appropriate time. We have learnt to ensure extra quality at every point in time, and also never to give in to societal pressure Tell us about new collection, Bibi Ire? It started with an urge for originality, we’ve always been designing all sorts, but this is quite different because it comes from the inside out. We decide to create something out of our cultural background, our intention was to create something beautiful and at the same time appreciate our own fabric.

So we decide to make it something African and also urban, something like an afropop kind of vibes, we hope this project will make people see the funkiness in our cultural fabric.

What’s going to be exceptional about it?

We decide to blend in the urban with our African culture.

Prior to this time, most of our local made fabrics have been viewed as inferior compared to their foreign counterparts. We decided to make the world see a new picture, we decided to change the narrative, we decided to create urban designs using our fabrics, and it came out more beautiful than we thought.

26

˜ ˞ MAY 16, 2020

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION/POLITY

BY

‘Correspondence’ Non-count

T

HISDAY front page goofs of May 2 welcome us today: â€œâ€Śsaid he was aware of the anxiety that has (had) captured workers’ minds as a result of the pandemic, assuring that‌.â€? Who did the President assure? “Army 38: Military must obey court (court’s) orderâ€? “Secondus, Obi, (needless comma) felicitate with workers, appreciates (why?) sacrificesâ€? “Ondo NLC flays withholding of workers’ deductionsâ€? “Imo workers lament 3 months (months’) unpaid salariesâ€?

The next four blunders are from a full-page advertorial by Access Bank as published by THISDAY of May 4: â€œâ€Śwhilst (while—in accordance with modern trend) we continued to provide services through (on) our alternative digital platforms.â€? “In line with the phased re-opening (reopening) of the economy effective May 4, 2020 (another comma) following the Presidential directive‌.â€? “As from the 15th of May, 2020, the concerned taxpayers shall submit all returns, correspondences or‌.â€?

(Full-page public notice by FIRS, THISDAY, May 4) ‘Correspondence’ is non-count. “Rising public debts: Nigerian (Nigeria) becoming slave to foreign creditorsâ€? â€œâ€Śrestored our dignity and renewed the trust of Nigerians in Diaspora on (in) our government.â€? “COVID-19: Wike accuses FG of double standards on almajiriâ€?

SOUTH SOUTH NEWS: double standard (fixed/stock entry) “COVID-19: N511bn pension fund investment in stock market at risk amidst (amid) foreigners’ exit� “4 arrested in Lagos over (for) child theft� (News around the city, April 29) “PDP raises alarm (the alarm) over Obaseki’s planned renovation of Benin INEC office�

“Liverpool opens talks with Osimhen‌as Mane (Mane’s) replacementâ€? “Recession: Labour union urges FG to fast track (fast-track) diversificationâ€? “Amidst (Amid) widespread criticisms by various stakeholders‌.â€? “FG to distribute 900m high yielding (high-yielding) seedlings to farmersâ€? â€œâ€Śhe believes that Awolowo’s tactics does (do) not pay now‌.â€?

Singular: tactic; plural: tactics; but summons (singular); summonses (plural) “FG seeks N921.4bn to complete 925 roads projectsâ€? All the Facts, All the Sides: 925 road projects. “Even Dubai ran into trouble (troubled) waters in 2008-2009 when huge debt (a huge debt) forcibly‌.â€? “The enforcement of that sentence against a teenage mother who had just delivered is certainly regretable.â€? On the move: regrettable. â€œâ€Śthe average journalist usually burns this professional flag, forgets his own humble past once he or she crosses over to the corridor of power.â€? Saturday People: corridors of power and this: their humble past once they‌. “The government wants to dump all the dead stadia or sell them off to those who can breathe the breath of life on (into) them.â€? “However, it could be useful to indicate that our research shows that the fortunes of NEXIM moved comfortably between (from) 1990 to 1992 and‌.â€? “These terminations were made after NEXIM had undertaken screening exercise (must you add ‘exercise’?) both at home and abroad and conducted series (a series) of travels, trainings (training).‌â€? “Trainings were held yesterday at the sports academy.â€? Viewpoint: ‘training’ is uncountable. “Commissioner wants more vigilante groupsâ€? Rutam, hello: vigilance groups. “The article was an insult on the

Federal Government, the National Assembly and an affront on the ICPC and its competent and hardworking staff.â€? Justice in service of community: an affront to (not on) the ICPC. And, of course, an insult to (not on) the FG “For quite sometime (some time) now, the poor and deteriorating condition of public infrastructure‌.â€? “A few weeks ago, there was some news report (a news report) about the involvement of‌.â€? â€œâ€Śall the major roads in the Eastern part of the country have become pure death traps and for challenging his (President’s) non-challant attitude and doing anything positive in Igbo land.â€? Get it right: nonchalant. “Obama, North Korea Minister hold talksâ€? Foreign Affairs: North Korean Minster. â€œâ€Śthere have been series of polemical attacks of (on) the commission and its activities by an obscure and often fictitious section of the public.â€? This way: a (take note) series of polemical attacks. “The president and commanderin-chief of the armed forces also addressed the nation same evening.â€?

Get it right: the same evening. “INEC apologizes over aborted PDP conventionâ€? To live in truth is to serve: apologise for something or to somebody. “The most impassible (impassable) roads accentuate the usual hectic traffic of motorists, making business transactions in Lagos a herculean task.â€? â€œâ€Śrobbers who held residents and commuters to ransome for hours‌.â€?

Spell-check: ransom. “I doff my hat for‌â€? The right mix: I take off or doff my hat to (not for). “Out of a lawyers’ population estimated at about 20,000, only five females have been opportuned (opportune) to adorn the silk.â€? “This is another scintillating edition for the matured (mature) mind.â€? “Preponderant of the views aired

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

by the people centre around issues like corruption, unemployment‌.�

Running a true federation: Preponderance‌centres‌. “Benue assures on abandoned projectâ€? Just tell readers who the state assured. “A recent report on food related (a hyphen) ailments show (shows) that in many parts of the world‌.â€? “Unfortunately, however, I, and many other Nigerians have been infuriated by our servants‌.â€? In pursuit of linguistic orderliness: many other Nigerians and I. The concept of the cart and the horse applies to language usage, too. “But all our future blessing would be achieved through waiting in the Lord.â€? If you are after God’s heart, you wait on, not in, the Lord. “Before embarking on the strike action‌.â€? You can as well embark on the ‘strike inaction’! “It was as though both informants were mischievous people who had an affinity in (for) discrediting the preacher.â€? “The vigilante group visited instant judgment on the thief and sent him to the great beyond.â€? In the name of excellence: vigilance group. “Sixteen people were killed and two others seriously injured in a ghastly (fatal) accident which occurred along (on) the Bauchi-Auchi road on Saturday.â€? If there were casualties, it follows that it was a fatal, not a ghastly, accident. The mishap did not drag along the road, but occurred at a spot on the road. “Some of the despotic regimes thrown up in (on) the continent did worse things than was experienced under colonialism.â€? “A weekly magazine took a professional risk and charged the speaker for (with) forgery.â€? “...the same-day election is being proposed by the senate as part of the antidote for‌.â€? This way: antidote to‌.

Critical Analysis of the Nigerian Health Sector Ayo Abelegbe

H

ealth is one of the most critical sectors that drive the economy of any country, nay Nigerian economy. Developed countries with robust economies are known for making robust public health policies that enhance the delivery of measurable health care to their citizens. That has helped them cater for their citizens’ well-being effectively. It has also made it easy for them to monitor and control the epidemic outbreaks in their country.

Taking a closer look at the Nigerian Health Sector, it is obvious that the Sector, although a very important aspect of the country’s economy, has suffered lots of setback over time. The setbacks include inadequate funding, disease outbreaks, lack of modern equipment, inadequate health personnel and frequent strikes by health workers.

In 2001 all member countries of the African Union (AU), including Nigeria, at An Abuja Declaration, arrived at a recommendation that for the continent to be at par with other nations of the world in terms of healthcare provision, at least 15 percent of their annual budget, should be allocated to the health sector.

Ironically, Nigeria’s health budget has continually fallen short of the recommended threshold: in 2015 – 5.78%; 2016 – 4.23%; 2017 – 4.16%; 2018 – 4.4%; 2019 – 4.75%; 2020 – 4.14%. The highest Nigerian budgetary allocation to the health sector since the 2001 Abuja Declaration was 5.95% in year 2012.

The lack of adequate funding has a multiplier effect of lack of enough health facilities across board and dearth of modern equipment in the existing facilities.

The health workers on ground are bereft of adequate welfare packages thus leading to the flight of a substantial proportion of home grown health professionals seeking greener pastures abroad. Those staying behind embark on strikes on agitation for better welfare package thus leaving the sector worsened. The near comatose state of health facilities in Nigeria is boldly

reflected in the lack of confidence in the sector by the populace. The high ranking members of the populace, including leading political figures and the bulk of the middle class (prior to the current Coronavirus pandemic) embark on medical tourism in Europe, USA, India and South Africa. A large portion of the rest of the populace who lack the capacity for foreign health treatments resort to self-medication and traditional medicine for their health needs.

The dire situation of the Nigeria Health Sector is better captivated in a 2019 rating by the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO had rated Nigeria 187 out of 191 countries in terms of health care delivery. One third of more than 700 facilities across the country were indicated as having been destroyed with more than 3.7 million people in need of critical health assistance. The global health body had placed Nigeria at 3rd highest in infant mortality rate in the world.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) established in 2005 has not made the expected significant impact. The Scheme has been bedeviled mainly by lack of proper marketing to the bulk majority of the populace, most of whom are illiterates and resident in the rural areas. So also is the lackadaisical attitude of the Health Management Organisations (HMOs) and dearth of medical practitioners to effectively implement the scheme. Available statistics, as at 2017, indicated that Nigeria had about 80,000 registered doctors with more than 50,000 of them practicing abroad.

A large percentage of those in the country were at the verge of seeking greener pastures abroad.

The state of the Nigerian Health Sector is not without some modicum of breakthroughs. The campaign against polio has been relentlessly fostered by the government. The polio eradication initiative has been carried out door-to-door in major cities and towns across the country breaking through some initial skepticism cocooned in primordial cultural and religious beliefs. The alacrity with the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic shows that given the right atmosphere, the Nigeria health sector could tackle arising health challenges.

The ongoing approach towards the Coronavirus

pandemic, currently ravaging the globe, is a wake-up call on the Nigerian health sector to be properly positioned to cater for the teeming population of the country. The reality of the ongoing pandemic is that all Nigerians, both highly and lowly placed would only survive if the Nigerian health sector is properly positioned. The high and middle level economic class and politicians who had in the past relished in foreign medical tourism could no longer have such an advantage in view of the global reality of the pandemic and the pervading lockdown.

This is the appropriate time for all tiers of government in Nigeria to invest hugely in the health sector by ensuring that adequate health infrastructures are put in place coupled with attractive welfare packages for health workers across board.

Towards a sustainable home grown health services the Federal Government of Nigeria and those of the federating units should provide an enabling environment for medical research that would include local input by enhancing a synergy between orthodox and traditional herbal medicines. The time is ripe for the Department of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine, in the Federal Ministry of Health, to partner with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and develop vaccines, curative medicines and relative antidotes to the diseases facing the society including Covid-19 pandemic. As the health apparatus of the advanced countries appear to be caving-in under the pandemic, it is apparent that what Nigeria needs most, at this critical moment, is a virile homegrown medical approach.

The National Health Insurance Scheme, introduced in 2005, needs to be reinvigorated and made allencompassing to adequately cover the Nigerian populace in both the formal and informal sectors. This could be aptly attained if such is properly addressed in the National Health Insurance Commission Bill currently pending before the National Assembly with the process towards the enactment of the bill into Law sped up appropriately. ––Ayo Abelegbe is a public Affairs analyst in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

Henry Onyekuru

Torn Between Turkey and Greece

16.05.2020

NEWS

SANDWICHED BETWEEN MANCHESTER GIANTS PAGE. 30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Henry Onyekuru Torn Between Turkey and Greece Henry Onyekuru during the Ligue 1 match between Monaco and Nimes on August 25, 2019 in Monaco, (Photo by Pascal Della Zuana via Getty Images)

Having failed to establish himself at French side, Monaco, Henry Onyekuru returned to Galatasaray of Turkey for a second spell in the January transfer window where he made seven appearances and scored one goal, culminating in the Turkish side’s desire to have him on a permanent basis. With Olympiakos of Greece now entering the fray, the Nigeria is torn between Olympiakos and Galatasaray

G

reekSuperLeaguegiantsOlympiakos are working on a deal to sign Nigeria international,ß Henry Onyekuru, according to Turkish newspaper, Milliyet via Fosoline, Greece says Olympiakos want to sign the striker from Monaco in the summer transfer window.

The former Everton star returned to Galatasaray for a second spell in the January transfer window and has gone on to make seven appearances in the Turkish Super Lig, scoring one goal against Fenerbahce.

The Lions want to extend the Nigerian’s loan deal for another season but the Principality outfit have made it clear they will only entertain offers for a permanent sale.

Onyekuru, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Monaco, has experienced some resuscitation at the Turks Telekom Arena after failing to establish himself in France.

He made seven appearances, registering a goal and an assist before the league was put on hold due to Covid-19.

Following his exceptional output at Galatasaray last season, where he was an instrumental figure towards propelling the Turkish Giants to a league and cup double, Onyekuru was a man in demand come the summer.

Having racked up 16 goals and six assists for Fatih Terim’s Gala while on loan from Everton, who he never played for due to work permit issues, AS Monaco pounced, signing the Nigerian international from the Toffees in a deal worth £12 million.

On the surface, this deal was hugely exciting as Onyekuru looked set to complement Monaco’s fellow attacking weapons like Islam Slimani, Wissam Ben Yedder,

Aleksandr Golovin and Jean-Kevin Augustin beautifully. In reality, his time with the Monegasques has been anything but smooth sailing, which is largely through no fault of his.

Not helped by Monaco’s woeful start to the season, which forced Leonardo Jardim to switch to a back three, this meant there was no natural fit for him in the side, for Slimani and Ben Yedder took the striking roles and wingers were no longer used, just wingbacks.

At his best when playing on the left flank or through the middle, Jardim’s setup has certainly not aided his cause to stake his claim. Obviously needing time to adapt to his new environment and some injury issues didn’t help his cause either, as he’s only featured four times totalling 160 minutes of action.

A very exciting player who can hurt opponents in a variety of ways with his explosive, game changing set of attributes, he’s certainly a nightmare for defenders to come up against.

Blessed with scintillating pace, acceleration and agility, these characteristics ensure he’s such a threat with and without the ball.

Firstly, when embarking on his runs, he does so in a thoughtful fashion, as he times, angles and directs his run smartly to get the edge on his adversaries. So quick and aware when a teammate is in a position to pinpoint him, he gets on his bike swiftly to give himself every chance to latch onto through balls first.

The way he uses little hesitation moves, double movements, zig zags, wicked out-to-in diagonal runs, pins markers and exploits the blindside of his marker add to his menace.

In addition, when bursting into the box, the way he attacks the six-yard box, knows when to go to the near or far post and has the presence of mind to hold his runs as the defence collapses is a bonus.

Meanwhile, when it comes to his work with the ball at his feet, Onyekuru poses a very unpredictable and elusive proposition.

On top of his aforementioned athleticism, his mazy dribbling ensures he can breeze by his man with his sheer pace, cut infield in an instant or beat his man with feints, shoulder drops, stepovers or searing changes of pace and direction. Moreover, the fact he’s so dangerous on the ball often attracts multiple markers, which has the key byproduct of freeing up space for teammates and destabilising his foes’ shape.

His close control when dribbling at speed notably places doubt in defenders minds, for if they step in he can quickly shift the ball to outfox them or draw a foul, thus making him an even more challenging adversary.

It must be said, however, that he can overdo it sometimes on the dribble, which means he gets cornered or fails to see a teammate in a better position. But all in all, any negatives are outweighed by the big positives attached to his confident and eye-catching work here.

While it’s not really his game to create chances or orchestrate passing moves, there’s been some signs of his aptitude here, as he can combine nicely in around the box, calmly recycle possession and play the odd splitting through ball if the option is there. Probably the most effective tool in this regard is how he plays some slick one-twos which helps unlock deep sitting defences while allowing him to receive the return pass in a goal facing posture so he can

continue his momentum.

Onyekuru’s finishing complements his intriguing game nicely, for this ever improving area of his armoury allows him to reward all his good work. Instinctive and with a keen eye for goal, the man who finished sixth in the Turkish Super League scoring charts despite playing predominantly as a winger, can crucially score in a variety of ways.

Capable of opening his body to hit placed, side footed finishes, driven efforts, cheeky lobs, neat first-time efforts and very good when 1v1 with the keeper, Onyekuru’s a clinical operator. So quick to react to rebounds and good at recalibrating his runs, he’s great inside the box too, where he’s scored some nifty headers and tap ins.

Onyekuru has four years to run on his contract with Monaco, whom he joined from Everton last summer.

The 22 year-old has capped 11 times for Nigeria and was part of the Super Eagles team that clinched bronze at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Onyekuru began his football career with the Aspire Academy in 2010, and graduated in 2015 joining their partner club, KAS Eupen and helped the team get promotion to the Belgium First Division A in his debut season.

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

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Leicester defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi tries to stop Liverpool’s Brazilian striker Firmino

iwobi

Leicester Vow to Resist PSG, Others Offer for Ndidi Leicester City will resist offers for Wilfred Ndidi in the upcoming transfer window amid speculation linking the Nigerian midfielder with a departure from the King Power Stadium.

In recent weeks, the Super Eagles star had been linked with French champions Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, while Arsenal are known to be long-term admirers of the Nath Boys Academy product.

It is understood that none of the aforementioned clubs had tabled an official bid for the services of Ndidi.

The Nigeria international feels at home at Leicester City and is not thinking about leaving the club even if a bid is made.

The 23-year-old inked a new contract after starring at the 2018 World Cup, keeping him at the Foxes until the end of the 2023-2024 season.

Since his arrival at Leicester City in January 2017, he has worked his way to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the whole of Europe and his stock could rise further, with Brendan Rodgers side expected to return to Europe next season.

It would be recalled that former Nigeria international Daniel Amokachi, recently said Ndidi is bigger than former English Premier League champions Leicester City, believing that it is time for the highly-rated midfielder

to change clubs.

The 23-year-old Ndidi has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the English Premier League and Amokachi has urged his compatriot to dump the Foxes and move to a bigger club.

“I’ve been insisting for a while now that Ndidi is bigger than Leicester City,” Amokachi told Brila FM. “My apologies to the fans of the club, but that is the reality we live in now and it will be a great move for him.

Nididi featured in 29 games for Leicester this season, before the campaign was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic since March 2020.

Goal against Zambia in World Cup Qualifier, My Fondest Football Memory, Says Iwobi Alex Iwobi has picked his first Premier League goal for Everton as his best moment at the club while his lone strike for Nigeria against Zambia in a 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifying match stands out as the happiest memory in his football career.

The Nigeria international left Arsenal to join the Toffees on a five-year deal last summer, and he made an instant impact on his first league start against Wolverhampton Wanderers by opening his league goal account for the club.

His header gave Everton a 2-1 lead in the encounter as they managed to secure a 3-2 victory and it was also his second headed goal for the club, surpassing just one he scored in his entire Arsenal career.

“Hopefully, more special moments in the future but for now, I will say my favourite moment was scoring against

Wolves - that header,” Iwobi told Soccer Bible in an Instagram Live.

“It was a bit of a shock for me to score a header in the first place and it was my first Premier League for Everton.”

The effort was his only goal in 18 league outings for Everton before the English top-flight was suspended in March due to coronavirus pandemic.

IwobipickedhiscrucialgoalforNigeria against Zambia at the GodswillAkpabio Stadium back in 2017 as the happiest moment for him on the football pitch.

The 24-year-old came off the bench to score the only goal that secured a 1-0 win andsentthethree-timeAfricanchampions to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

Latest Russia news from Goal.com, including transfer updates, rumours, results, scores and player interviews.

“I’ve had a lot of happy moments in

Olayinka’s Arsenal Return Confirmed after Unimpressive Season Nigeria-eligible midfielder James Olayinka could see his stay at Northampton cut short, with an imminent return to parent club Arsenal on the cards.

The teenager joined the League Two club on a loan deal until the end of the season in January this year, and has appeared in just one competitive game for The Cobblers thus far, starring in a 3-0 victory at home to Scunthorpe United in the league.

An injury which he picked up on his debut curtailed him from earn-

ing further appearances in the division, and with the mooted cancellation of the League Two 20192020 season, he would be expected to be back at the Emirates stadium anytime from now.

However, it is envisaged that the youngster could be farmed out again on loan for next season, as he continues to gain valuable senior playing experiences.

The talented midfielder has played at Arsenal since he was aged seven, making his Premier League 2 debut at the start of the 2018/19 season at just 17.

my career but for me, I will say when I scoredagainstZambiatosendmynational teamtotheWorldCupbecausemyparents were there,” he said.

“That’s a special moment, I almost shed a tear on the pitch.”

Iwobi started his professional career by wearing the shirt number 45 at Arsenal before switching to number 17 which he now wears in Carlo Ancelotti’s team at Everton.

He explained the reason behind the change of the numbers even though he loves the ‘Big 45’ nickname.

“I actually love Big 45 when I came into the scene in the first place, it was a youth team number atArsenal but they told me to change to a senior number, so the next available that was 17. Ever since then, it’s been that number and you’ve got to love it,” he added.

Wolves Confirm Enobakhare, Nigerian Forward’s Departure Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced Bright Enobakhare has left the club by mutual agreement.

The Nigerian winger joined Wolves academy in 2014 from Northfield Town, where he started his career, and was promoted to the first-team a year later after signing his first professional contract.

Since his debut appearance against Chambly,the forward went on to play 49 times for Molineux Stadium outfit and was part of the side that won the 2017-18 Championship title while also securing promotion to the English top-flight in the process.

Wolves have appreciated the contribution of the forward during his time with the club and wished him well in his future endeavours.

“Wolves can confirm that Bright Enobakhare has left the club by mutual agreement,” read a statement from the club website.

“Enobakhare came through the club’s academy and went on to become a member of the Championship title-winning squad which achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18.

“Wolves would like to thank Bright for his contribution and dedication and wishhimwellforthefuture.”

FC Bulmaro Resolve to Changing Players’ Lives A top officials of FC Bulmaro, the elite and the youngest club in the Nigerian League One, Ms. Ekanem Wushishi, has said nothing was too much to do in order to get the medical structures of the Nigerian sports sector right, bearing in mind that recently, a few of our footballers have lost their lives on the pitch, saying if things were done the right way, a lot of careers would be saved.

While acknowledging the contributions of sports medicine to the advancement of the sector, the career givers should be highly appreciated and commended by ensuring that they have the necessary equipment of world class standard to work with, and their working environment is sustainable to what is obtained in other parts of the world.

“The times are challenging all over the world induced by pandemic, demanding innovativeness, creativity and possibilities, to profer solution to the current health challenge which is ravaging every area of human concerns across the globe. This is the time to think the future, by putting good and standard health facilities and structures in place. We should not wait until the world is faced with another crisis. That is why we must do everything to keep safe and stay healthy and always ready,” she stressed.

In his reaction, Leslie Oghomienor, promoter of the young club, stated that the entire humanity could be fully and well uplifted if those in the position of leadership took full responsibility for the effectiveness of their call to service, and selflessly serve bearing in mind that history and posterity would surely mark their milestones.

He stated further that the club was founded with the sole aim to selflessly provide a variable platform not only for the participants of the Elite 96 Scholarship project of the Barca Academy Nigeria, but to offer a platform to young talents to have the opportunity to freely trade their given skills and talents both l o c a l l y a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y. F o r u s t h i s b r i n g s an endurable joy to us. “ We b e l i e v e t h a t h u m a n i t y w i l l e v o l v e m u c h f a s t e r b y g i v i n g s e r v i c e , b y h e l p i n g e a c h o t h e r.

T h u s , c h a n g i n g l i v e s i s o u r b o n d a n d s t re n g t h .

T h i s w e m u s t s t r i v e t o s u s t a i n . To a c h e i v e t h e d e s i re g o a l s e v e r y s t a k e h o l d e r i s i m p o r t a n t . I n our own way we celebrate with all the health professionals working with us and others across the world. Stay safe so that we can play and win together when the fields are open,” he explained.

H e a d d e d t h a t f o r t h e N i g erian football sector to be able to be at par with the other football associations, clubs and administrators in the world, we must look beyond the fields and the games, and think about the health and the future of our sports men and women.

“The times, is a clarion call for those in authority to engage selfless men that have creative force, vision, and can visualise and build for the future as well as the present. You see what happens when our team Nigeria wins, shows that to truly evolve together harmoniously is joy enough for all. It is clear that with determination and will, we can together actualise the possibilities and stand very tall among competitors. For FC Bulmaro as a veritable platform that is our dream,” Oghomienor emphasised.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾MAY 16 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Faustino Anjorin Getting Circled

by Manchester Teams

With five English Premier League clubs, including Manchester giantsUnited and City monitoring Chelsea midfielder of Nigerian parentage Faustino Anjorin ahead of a possible swoop for his signature in future and German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund also in the midst, the Blues may find it difficult to hold on to the teenage prodigy

T

he England U19 star is one of the most exciting prospects at the Chelsea Academy, and has already played twice for the first team this season, against Grimsby Town in the League Cup and Everton in the Premier League.

With the professional contract signed by Anjorin in November 2018 expiring in June 2021, the Blues have offered him a new multiyear contract and everything indicates that he will commit his future to the club.

Manchester City have officially watched Anjorin the most in the 2019-2020 season, attending youth team games involving the Anglo-Nigerian teenager.

Manchester United have also scouted the highly-rated youngster tipped for big things, while Liverpool, Arsenal and Norwich City are the other Premier League clubs observing him.

German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund are keeping close tabs on Anjorin and one of their scouts ran the rule over the versatile midfielder before the coronavirus outbreak.

He has played nonstop at Chelsea since officially joining the club at U9 level.

Anjorin made his professional debut for Chelsea in their League Cup win versus Grimsby Town last September and was on the bench in the recent Emirates FA Cup win against Liverpool.

Chelsea midfielder, Anjorin made history for Premier League Club, Chelsea as he came on in the 7-1 thrashing of Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup. Aged 17 years, 10 months and two days, Anjorin became the youngest player of Nigerian descent to debut for Chelsea in a UK football competition, breaking the record previously held by Fikayo Tomori (another Nigerian), who was aged 18 years, 4 months and 26 days when he debuted for Chelsea in the Premier League in May 2016.

Anjorin was given a chance by the club’s new management team, after the teenager enjoyed a blistering start to the season, scoring five goals in his first seven games for Chelsea’s Under 23- including a brace in the EFL Trophy win over Swindon last month.

He is currently Chelsea’s development group top goalscorer, opening his account in the UEFA Youth League, Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy.

Anjorin is a classic midfield powerhouse - who grew up idolising current Blues manager Frank Lampard.

Lampard, who has made it his mission to promote the youngstres this term has faith in the raw talent, as does his assistant Jody Morris - and the pair have been impressed by Anjorin’s rapid rise since they arrived in the summer.

His progress within the Blues academy has seen him compared to fellow graduate Ruben Liftus-Cheek, who also impressed at youth level.

Anjorin was born in Poole to a Nigerian father and a English mum.

He was named after the Colombian legend Faustino Asprilla who famously became the first player to score a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Champions League when he was playing up front for Newcastle.

By the age of seven Anjorin was scouted by Chelsea and invited to train in their youth set-up before officially joining at the age of nine.

It was a dream comes true for the boy, who idolised John Obi Mikel and wanted to play for the same club.

By the age of 16, Anjorin, who stands at an impressive 6ft 1 in, lifted the FAYouth Cup. Not only was he the youngest player in the Chelsea side that beat Arsenal 7-1, his goal to end the rout was the icing on the cake.

Internationally, Anjorin’s form has been equally as impressive as it has for his club, and the FA have high hopes for him.

He has played for England at every junior level up to the Under-19’s, but without a full cap to his name there could be a tussle with Nigeria for his services in the future.

Both-footed, Anjorin has a contract with Chelsea that doesn’t expire until 2021 but the club is already looking to tie him down to a longer deal.

Technically he’s underrated, despite his lanky frame, runs with the ball at pace and is strong in possession.

And he’s got decent vision, often able to pick out the perfect pass for a forward to run on to.

But it is his finishing that helps him stand out from the crowd.

In fact, Jody Morris once revealed he was the “best finisher at the club.”

Born in Poole on the south coast of England, Faustino Anjorin has a Nigerian father and English mom and can choose to play for either the threetime African champions or the Three Lions.

He was discovered to be very talented at a young age and it was Chelsea that beat other London clubs to the signature of the midfielder.

It can be revealed that Anjorin chose to join the Stamford Bridge outfit at the age of seven because they have the best academy in England to this day.

An England U18 international, Anjorin has made a big impact for Chelsea’s youth team’s this season, with the highlight being a seven-game scoring run, and was rewarded with a three-year professional deal in November 2018, shortly after he turned 17.

Faustino has been utilised in the youth setup and has also debuted for Chelsea’s U-23 team as he is highly rated.

The youngster who has represented England at U-16, U-17 and the U-18 level is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria due to his parents and he has not played for the English senior set up.

31

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ MAY 16, 2020

PERSPECTIVE COVID-19: The Kano Story and Stabilisation Actions Medinat Barau

mobile testing lab donated by Aliko Dangote Foundation inaugurated on May 3rd at Muhammadu Buhari Hospital with a current testing capacity of around 300 but scaleable to 1,000 tests a day will support the government’s containment efforts.

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agos was the first city in Nigeria to report a case of COVID-19 on 27th February, 2020. Kano, the largest city in the North, reported its first case six weeks later, on 11th April, 2020. Across the country, states have enacted curfews and lockdowns to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus and to keep its citizens safe. Currently, the lockdown in Kano has had some good effects, but the economic constraints have had an adverse effect on the population, leading the government to acknowledge that a partial lifting will need to be considered.

An executive report on the study of Transmission Scenarios of COVID-19 in Lagos and Kano States by Yusuf Yau Gambo (Applied Mathematician and Data Analyst, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano) & Yunus A. Abdulhameed (PhD Biomedical Physicist Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano) published on 3rd May 2020 came to a predictive conclusion.

The researchers said without strict adherence to social distancing, coronavirus cases in Kano would rise steeply. Therefore, should the state government deem it necessary, the following internationally recognised recommendations should be put in place.

I. Only partial mobility should be allowable.

II. Any person over the age of 10 and in a public space should be required to wear a facemask.

III. Employers should be required to provide face coverings for employees and government should provide the facemasks for citizens that cannot afford them.

IV. Restaurants and bars should be ordered to close dining areas but may maintain take-out, drive-thru, and pickup options.

V. Higher institutions should be conducting lectures online if possible. If unable to, no lecture room should have more than 40 occupants at a time.

VI. Faculties, departments, and other places in higher institutions should be required to place large hand sanitiser dispensers at every entrance and exits.

VII. Worship centres should remain closed until after the state has passed the peak of the wave, at which time places of worship could be reopened. However, even after attaining the peak, there is also a potential likelihood of another resurgence (second phase) of the virus.

Current figures from NCDC As at Monday May 11, the official figures released by NCDC showed that Kano had recorded a total of 602 cases of coronavirus, out of which 526 are active cases. 50 persons have been discharged while the state has recorded 28 fatalities.

The Issues Lack of Testing - The Mystery Deaths On the alleged mysterious deaths, It has yet to be determined if the number of deaths are in excess of the usual average.

While the exact number of deaths over the last few weeks is still in dispute, what is evident is the spike in fatalities. The response to the spike in number of deaths in Kano is interesting. Initially, the cases were dismissed as not COVID-19 related, and so were not added to any official reports. Later, the Federal Government’s Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 said some of the deaths were attributable to the pandemic based on preliminary investigation,

Protection of Medical Staff As of Sunday, May 10, the Kano State Government confirmed that 47 medical workers tested positive for coronavirus in the state. The state has since taken steps to protect health workers and guard against the reoccurrence. This includes providing personal protective equipment (PPEs), hand wash, sanitisers, customised tap buckets, and further training.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje with the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Mariya Mahmood The Way Forward Bunkure, during the commissioning of 100 bed Female Only Isolation Centre at Old Daula Hotel, Kano The nature of the pandemic in Kano has now been clearly understood and the state government has aggressively scaled up only to backtrack a couple of days later with the claim that the its management to stabilise the situation. These endeavours will deaths were still being studied.

At least two independent reports on the cases claim the pattern of need full support from the Federal Government. In addition to the deaths reflects those of the global pandemic but with no sample social distancing, which will need trained security agents to enforce, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has implemented the testing after their deaths, they could only conclude on the need for compulsory use of face masks in the state which will have to be more testing and suggest that community transmission within the supplied to those who cannot afford them. And only recently, the city has already been occurring. governor distributed over 2 million face masks across the 44 Local Government areas in the state.

The Almajiri Migration There will also need to be regular disinfection of densely Northern state governors recently announced the prohibition populated communities within the metro parts of the city, which of the almajiri system in the region. Following the prohibition, has since been embarked upon. northern state governors have been dispersing the almajiris However, these efforts will be negated if the masses are not fully and repatriating those whose parents are from other states. This educated on the pandemic, the responsibility everyone has in directly contravenes the ban on interstate travel put in place by the protecting themselves and others from the virus and steps to take if Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 as a safety measure against they suspect they have the infection. the transmission of the virus. Most of the Northern governors Considering the low education and literacy level in the state, the are engaged in this and the blame should not be dropped at the first point of contact would be to engage with clerics and comdoor steps of any particular governor. However, it’s high time the munity elders and embark on a train the trainer program to sensitise governors took a deeper look at the almajiri syndrome and abolish people on safety guidelines. it while devising a concrete arrangement to secure the future of Safety training of non-health essential workers such as cleaners, these hapless children. food handlers and security agents in health facilities has already begun in addition to the training of medical personnel.

Community Transmission The governor said the state had recruited 5,000 volunteer medical Despite initiating a statewide lock down in early April it is widely workers to tackle the pandemic. accepted that the virus is now in the ‘community spread’ stage “Kano State has the largest number of health workers with which is when someone gets the virus without having travelled out master’s in public health. So, Kano does not have a problem with of state or made any known contact with a sick person. manpower. Ours is just to reposition the manpower. This is what we The Head of the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus in Kano are doing now,” DG NCDC stated, while assuring that they would State, Nasiru Gwarzo, disclosed during an interview with the BBC leave the state with isolation centres that are manned by highly that the rate of community transmission in the state is ‘now 80 qualified hands. percent’.

––Medinat Barau writes from Wudil, Kano.

More test centres have been created in Kano. In addition, a

The Work of Caring for the World Fernando Ocáriz

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he day of work, this year, invites us to consider diverse realities and aspects, of which the coronavirus crisis has made us more aware: that there are very many good people in the world; that progress has to be united to a control over nature which is at the same time respect; that we all depend upon each other; that we are vulnerable and that a society, in order to be human, needs to practise solidarity.

In the response to the pandemic, all the professions related to the care of persons, stand out. Words relating to “care” occupy the headlines: accompany, weep, protect, listen to, and soon. This situation makes us think about the “why?” and the “up to what point?” of any task. In some way or other we understand better that service is the soul of society, that which gives meaning to work.

Work is more than just a need or a product. The Book of Sacred Scripture which relates the origins of humanity points out that God created man “in order to work” and take care of the world (Genesis 2, 15). Work is not a punishment, but the natural situation of the human being in the universe. By working we establish a relationship with God and with the others, and each one can develop better as a person.

The exemplary reaction of very many professional women and men, believers or non-believers, in the face of the pandemic, has made manifest this dimension of service and helps us to realise that the final recipient of any job or profession is someone with a name and surname, someone with an undeniable dignity.

Msgr Fernando Ocariz All noble work ends up, when all is said and done, as the task of “taking care of people.”

When we try to work well, while being open to our neighbour, our work, whichever work it is, acquires a completely new meaning and can become a way to meet God. It does great good to integrate into work - even the most routine work - the perspective of the person, which is that of service, that goes much further than what is strictly due for the payment received.

As was the case in the first times of Christianity, we also notice

now very strongly the potential of each lay person who tries to be a witness of the Gospel, shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues, sharing professional passion, commitment and humanity in the midst of the present suffering provoked by the pandemic and the uncertain future.

Every Christian is “Church” and, in spite of their own limitations, united to Jesus Christ, they can take the love of God “to the circulatory system of society”, in an image used by St. Josemaría Escrivá, who preached the message of holiness through professional work. We, too, with our work and our service, can make present God’s care for each person.

The celebration of 1st May is today also a concern for the future, about job insecurity in the short or medium term. We Catholics have recourse with special strength to the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker, so that no-one loses hope, so that we may know how to adjust to the new reality, so that he enlightens those who have to take decisions and so that he helps us to understand that work is for the person and not the other way round.

In the next months or years, it will be important to” keep in our memory” what we have lived, as Pope Francis asks us, and to remember that “we realized that we were in the same boat, all fragile and disorientated; but at the same time, important and necessary, all called to row together”.

Let us hope that this 1st May will lead us to desire that the freedom recuperated at the end of the confinement may be truly “in the service of the others!” Work will then become - as God’s original plan from the beginning – taking care of the world and, in the first place, of the persons who live in it.

–––Mgr. Fernando Ocáriz is the Prelate of Opus Dei, a personal Prelature of the Catholic church

Saturday, May 16, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Falana on Wike

“Wike should not be allowed to get away with the brute force and the violation of the nation’s Constitution.”

– Senior lawyer, Femi Falana, chastising Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for demolishing two hotels alleged to have violated his lockdown order.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

On May 16 1960, I was Born F

ellow Africans, today is an incredibly special day in the journey of my life. And I am extremely exceedingly grateful and thankful to God Almighty and all the uncommon Angels that God has most generously sent my way. My trajectory is very unusual and uncustomary. It would be impossible to express everything that has happened to me since that fateful day I was born in the ancient town of Ile-Ife, and for me looking back now, it was clearly no accident that this was where I was born. Ile-Ife is a town steeped in history, culture, tradition and mystery. It is not for nothing that it is described as the cradle of civilisation. It has spawned and engendered several myths and folklores, myriads of creativity and innovation and more recently modernisation and technology.

Somehow, all of these resonate with me and have combined to shape my life. My life has been like a moving tableau in plain sight visible for most to see.

Let me start this way. My father, Jacob Momodu, had migrated from his village, Ihievbe, presently in the Owan East Local Government of Edo State, and navigated his way to Ile-Ife. What remains a mystery to this day was how a young man of those days meandered through the epic journey from far-flung motionless Ihievbe to bustling, historical Ile-Ife. A myth or fable suggested that he remained in Ile-Ife because he may have fallen in love with a beautiful, intelligent but unlettered lady, Gladys, who later became my dear beloved Mum. Otherwise, he might have moved on to the bright klieg lights of Lagos, where many a young villager hoped to end their sojourn in those days. Not unlikely, since my Dad seems to have got stranded in Ife, voluntarily. Sadly, but mercifully, I am the only product of that fantastic union. It is an irony of fate, that the journey that it seems my Dad was unable to complete was eventually left for me to finish and even go further afield to all parts of the world.

I am yet to reach Iceland and Siberia, but knowing me, and by God’s grace, that remains work in progress.

My Dad previously had two children from another relationship, Simeon and Grace while my Mum also had two, Oladele and Feyisara. My Dad was a civil servant who worked with the Public Works Department and rose to the level of Road Overseer. In those days of yore, that was a decent rank that guaranteed him an elegant motorcycle with the powerful brand name, Jawa, and a special number WF 333. I wouldn’t recollect at what stage he resigned or retired from his job because I was too young and little then to comprehend much. But I remember he once owned and operated a small hotel, what you may now call a boutique hotel of the type that his beloved son would stay in on some of his frequent trips abroad. He was also a keen photographer and made a profession of it too. Later he got the franchise for Pioneer Biscuits from Apapa in Lagos and another franchise from Dumex also in Lagos to sell Maltex drink in Ile-Ife.

Momodu

These later ventures make me to believe that my Dad’s sights had always been set on Lagos, but that the cold hands of death cut short his dreams. What is obvious is that my Dad was extremely hardworking and unrelenting, traits which I have obviously learnt and cultivated.

My Mum, on the other end was a good cook and food seller. Her business wasn’t big, but she was proud of it. My maternal grandmother was trading in local beads, cola nuts and so on in Gbongan, a nearby town, less than 30 minutes’ drive from the University town of Ile-Ife. They both inculcated in me the values and virtues of hard work and pride in whatever one did.

I have never looked down on any job. I will later tell you a few of these jobs that might be considered menial, but which I dabbled or engaged in with the same gusto and passion as everything that I have been involved with.

My parents were prayerful. They prayed more than what I choose to call the proverbial praying mantis. My God, they lived virtually in the white garment Aladura church where I was virtually born on that fateful day, 16th May 1960.

I remember growing up in the hands of a spiritual father, Papa Ayoola Akeju. He was hot and on fire, as an evangelist and prophet and renowned all over Ile-Ife and its environs. He was clearly much loved

by God for his faithfulness because he must have died at close to 100 years in particularly good ruddy health and sound mind. My parents prayed and fasted like no one else I knew. They ate and drank prayers. My Mum often went into trances and had precise visitations about things to come. The prayer warriors prophesied I will be famous if I survived the first seven years. Secretly, I doubted the predictions at the time, but clearly, I was the gifted beneficiary of all those prayers and fasting and my Mum’s visions would come to pass. I survived many years, certainly more than the dreaded seven years, but the figure seven has played remarkable roles in my life. However, my world was

to collapse around me before I doubled the first seven years of my birth, after my father suddenly and mysteriously died on June 14, 1973. I was barely 13 years old.

I won’t bore you too much with all the things that went wrong, they were many and varied, but my Mum remained steadfast and maintained her prayers and fasting. She never gave up on the Lord and the Lord did not forsake her. I have written about some of these in the past.

The most memorable of these was that we were chased out by our landlord for our inability to maintain our monthly rental payments. We had to move to Modakeke where we squatted with our Mum’s cousins, the Oyemades. It was here I noticed the beginning of miracles in my life. We were welcomed and reasonably catered for. Life was quite good. You only needed to work hard even with blisters on your palms.

That has been my motivation all the way.

I attended Local Authority Primary School Ifewara Road, Ile-Ife. Then Inisa Grammar School where I had a brief, but indelible, stint because of the hardship and pain that I had to endure, and my resolve not to remain in that school. From Inisa I proceeded to Oluorogbo High School, Ile-Ife, where I should say I really started and completed my first year of secondary school. I then migrated to St. John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife, a Catholic School, where I became grounded. But even at that, I was still slow on the uptake and had not found my gravitas. I flunked all the important subjects in my West African School Certificate Examination, in 1976, with F9 in Maths, Physics and Chemistry despite my older Brother, Oladele Ajayi, bagging his PhD in Physics from Stanford University, USA several years before. I was totally downcast, but my Mum pulled me up to try again. She reminded me that I was destined for great things. My second attempt at the School Certificate examination met with even more trauma. This time my results were withheld in 1977, the year of widespread examination paper leakages.

My Mum told me I had no choice but to try for a third time in 1978. I was also given great encouragement by my bosom friend and brother, Damola Aderemi who had by this time become my inseparable ally and mate. I retook the School Certificate examination, but my earlier 1977 results were eventually released, and I got enough credits to proceed to University. Before then, at every school break and every opportunity whilst repeating exams, I did lowly jobs to keep body and soul together.

I sat for JAMB in 1978 and got admitted to study Yoruba single honours at the University of Ife. I took elective courses in Literature-in-English, Philosophy, Religious Knowledge, and others. I bagged my first degree in 1982 and went straight to National Service. Thereafter, I worked as Private Secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo.

After the turbulence that attended the Ondo State elections in 1983 and the incarceration of my Boss for many months,

I was forced to seek employment again.

I found myself working for His Majesty, The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II. I worked with him in a few capacities before eventually being tasked with turning around the fortunes of His Majesty’s Ile-Ife resort, Motel Royal, a task which I accomplished, despite tremendous impediments, to the great appreciation from the late Ooni. I headed back to the University of Ife, which later became the eponymous Obafemi Awolowo University, upon the demise of the late sage, for a Master’s degree in Literature-in-English, which I completed in 1988.

I found my way to Lagos and I got my real first job at The African Concord Magazine, owned by Chief Moshood Abiola who miraculously subsequently became my adopted father and played the role perfectly. Life in Lagos was different from where I came from. Things moved fast. I had to quickly adjust to the pace. Upon my arrival, I had to squat with several friends before I could eventually rent a small apartment of my own. But my work progressed at supersonic speed. I was soon transferred to Weekend Concord as one of the pioneer staff. Here, I earned rapid and spontaneous promotions, courtesy of my boss for life, Mr Mike Awoyinfa, the Editor, and his Deputy, Mr Dimgba Igwe of blessed memory. Within months, I rose to become News Editor. Six months later, I was on my way to Classique magazine, exactly two years after migrating from Ile-Ife, and became the highest paid Editor in the country. I worked tirelessly, from 1990-91, to justify the confidence of my boss of life, May Ellen Ezekiel, MEE, now also of blessed memory.

I resigned from Classique Magazine towards the end of 1991 and became a bread distributor. I also established a Public Relations company. While at Classique I had met Dr Mike Adenuga Jr and struck a lifelong relationship that can only be described as divine and surreal. Till this day, I marvel at the seemingly spiritual connections between us and I have given him the title of The Spirit of Africa, because he is the man you don’t see, but feel his presence and impact all around you.

In 1992, Prince Nduka Obaigbena brought me back from the business world I was developing as a tyro to the world of journalism that I was predestined to be in. He requested that I join him in setting up the editorial architecture of what has become the most influential newspaper in Africa today, Thisday, with fingers in several other pies.

I got married to my sweetheart, Mobolaji Adaramaja, that same year, on December 19, 1992. Less than two months later, Chief Moshood Abiola, suddenly declared interest in the Presidential race. Naturally, I followed him like a true disciple. Loyalty and integrity have always been my mantra, and this was a true test for me. I have no regrets, only thanks, praise and gratitude to God. The story continues...

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