SATURDAY 11TH JUNE 2022

Akeredolu: FG’s Conclusion that ISWAP Attacked Owo Too Hasty Says ISWAP fighters don’t hide their attacks Police: We are yet to arrest any of the assailants Fidelis David in Akure Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu yesterday said federal government’s conclusion that the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) was responsible for last

Sunday’s attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which claimed 40 lives, was too hasty.

Also yesterday, the Ondo State Police Command denied speculations that the terrorists that attacked the Catholic Church

had been arrested.

The National Security Council, made up of the President, the Vice President, as well as the heads of all the defence, security and intelligence agencies in the country, had last Thursday

identified ISWAP as the terror group responsible for the bloody attack in Owo. But Akeredolu, who spoke during a zoom interaction with a Swiss-based Christian Human Rights Organisation, Christian

Solidarity International (CSI), said, “The statement is too hasty. I take their conclusion with a pinch of salt. ISWAP doesn't hide their attacks. If they had done it, they would have owned up. We are yet to know their identity and

our security people are still on their trail.”

The governor, who said the attack was a crime against humanity, stressed that the Continued on page 5

After Failed Presidential Bids, APC Gifts Akpabio, Umahi Senatorial Tickets... Page 14 Saturday 11 June, 2022 Vol 27. No 9923

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Alleged $50m Fraud/Sale of Assets: Wike Orders Trial of Amaechi, Cole Aims to make APC guber candidate unelectable In retaliation, APC nudges PDP’s flagbearer with EFCC Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday ordered the prosecution of the immediate

past governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi and the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Tonye Cole,

over their alleged involvement “in the illegal sale of a number of state government’s assets and disappearance of $50 million from the state’s account without proof

of where it was deployed.”

Wike gave the order after swearing-in three new commissioners at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State Governor had in 2015 set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the activities of the Amaechi administration and the panel thereafter indicted

Amaechi, Cole and some others for corruption.

Wike directed the state’s Continued on page 5

Don’t Present Muslim Running Mates, CAN, Northern Christian Elders Warn Tinubu, Atiku ‘It’s a threat to fragile peace, unity of Nigeria’ Babachir: Nigerians conscious of ethnoreligious factors in politics El-rufai: Competence vital for running mate, not religion Osinbajo promises to support Tinubu Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) yesterday expressed opposition to alleged moves by the presidential candidates of Nigeria’s two leading political party to present Muslim running mates for the 2023 presidential election, cautioning that Christians will reject any political party that fails to heed its warning.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, a Muslim holds the presidential flag of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Bola Tinubu, also a Muslim picked that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last Wednesday. The two are now searching for running mates.

CAN and NOSCEF’s caveats are coming on the heels of a similar one by the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Continued on page 5

ALL FOR DEMOCRACY DAY… L-R: Senator Kashim Shettima; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; APC’s Presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu; Chief Imam of Abuja Central Mosque, Sheik Ibrahim Ahmad Maquari; Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan at the special Juma’at prayer held to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration in Abuja…yesterday.

Ondo Court Sentences 3 to Death for Killing Fasoranti’s Daughter... Page 6

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022

PAGE FIVE AKEREDOLU: FG’S CONCLUSION THAT ISWAP ATTACKED OWO TOO HASTY South-west region had been a peace haven before the horrific attack.

He said despite the attack on the psyche of the people, the people of the state remained indomitable and ready to fight insecurity.

Akeredolu said: “My government is determined to help the victims of the attack, particularly those who lost their loved ones and those on admission in the hospital.

“We are helping the victims of the attack, including those who lost their loved ones and those

who are in the hospitals. We also have people who have offered the state government some assistance.

Some people have donated to the Catholic Church.”

Akeredolu also reiterated the call for state police, noting that the time for it was now.

He emphasised that the present security architecture in the country could not provide adequate security for lives and property.

“A single police command cannot guarantee safety in this country. We must have state police now. Amotekun suffers

a lot of limitations in getting all the equipment needed to fight these criminals,” he lamented.

The governor commended the international community for their prompt reactions on the killings in Owo, saying it was unprecedented.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, while briefing State House Correspondents last Thursday, after the National Security Council meeting in Abuja, identified ISWAP as responsible for the Owo attack.

The minister said security agencies, particularly the police,

had been directed to apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the attack has no ethnic-religious connection.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has denied arresting the attackers of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo. There were speculations last Thursday the terrorists had been arrested by a joint team of the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps and other security agencies, as well as the local hunters.

The report said the suspects were taken to the palace of Olowo

and that when people heard about the news, they started besieging the palace to catch a glimpse of the suspects.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the report was untrue, noting that nobody had been arrested in connection with the attack.

She said, “There is nothing like that. We have called the police divisions there and they said there was nothing like that. We called the Olowo of Owo, he said he was not aware of any arrest. So, it is the handiwork of some social

DON’T PRESENT MUSLIM RUNNING MATES, CAN, NORTHERN CHRISTIAN ELDERS WARN TINUBU, ATIKU North and South dichotomy and Lawal, who spoke on a television business in a peaceful environment. Support Tinubu to Win religious factor. To those arguing programme on Thursday pointed “It could have been possible for in 2023

Babachir Lawal, to the APC against a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, saying Nigerians are still conscious of ethno-religious factors in politics.

But Governor Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State stressed yesterday that competence should determine his party’s choice of presidential running mate instead of religion.

On the same day, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo declared his readiness to give total support to Tinubu, towards winning the presidential election in 2023.

CAN, in the statement signed by its National Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola warned the two leading political parties to bury the thought of Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket in 2023.

"We want to unequivocally state that it is a threat to the fragile peace and unity of Nigeria,” said CAN. It urged all political parties to ensure that the balance of both religious practitioners is considered in the choice of running mates for the presidential candidates.

"We do not subscribe to Christian/Christian ticket or Muslim/Muslim ticket. Politicians can talk politics but we have stated our view long before now. Any party that tries same religion ticket will fail.

"This is not 1993. Even when we have joint Muslim/Christian ticket, the church still goes through hell. Only God knows the number of Christians that have been killed in the last seven years with no one apprehended or prosecuted.

"Imagine how bad it will be if we have two Muslims in power?

The extant Nigerian Constitution promotes religious balance. So, if any political party wants to try Muslim/Muslim ticket, it's at its own peril. CAN is only forewarning, but will make a categorical statement in the event our warning is not heeded.

CAN said, "the Presidential running mate of APC presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu should be a Christian from the North, Atiku’s running mate should be a Christian from the South while Obi should choose his own among the Muslims from the North".

"Anything contrary to the above means that the leadership of these political parties do not bother about the unity of this entity called Nigeria. Those who are planning Muslim/Muslim ticket should also find out what was the outcome of MKO Abiola and Kingibe ticket in 1993. If they try Muslim/Muslim ticket this time around, the outcome will be worse because our fault lines are very visible.

"There is no party that has no great, good and patriotic Christians who can preside over the affairs of this nation not to talk of being the Vice President as some mischievous people are trying to say. If merit and competence are used as yardsticks, we have many qualified Christians in all the 774 Local Government Areas of this country," it said.

CAN said its leadership had tried in vain to get President Muhammadu Buhari to break the monopoly or dominance of the security architecture with people of same faith.

"We are all seeing the outcome now. It is obvious that the Nigeria of today is different from that of 1993.

Our politicians should stop flouting the Constitution by respecting the

that people do not care about the religions of their leaders once they are competent and credible, we dare APC to pick its Presidential running mate from the South and PDP pick its own from the North and see what follows.

“When the late sage, Papa Obafemi Awolowo picked Chief Mrs Oyibo Odinamadu, a fellow Christian and Southerner, as his runningmate in 1979, we all know the consequences of his performance in the North. Our politicians should be doing what will unite us instead of what will further polarise the country," it said.

Northern Christian Elders Oppose Muslim VP

The Northern Christian Elders Forum also sounded a note of warning that the country’s diversity should be taken into consideration

by Tinubu and Atiku while choosing their running mates.

NOSCEF in its Democracy Day message to the nation, signed by its President, Ejoga Inalegwu, cautioned that Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian tickets would be insensitive.

“We therefore appeal to all patriotic presidential candidates to avoid manipulative but dangerous and insensitive tickets that will further polarize the nation along religious lines when Nigerians are looking forward, with great expectations for a new dawn, come 2023; a new era and government devoid of politics of exclusion, discrimination and injustice.

“As the parties therefore, make efforts to meet the deadline for the submission of their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, NOSCEF wants to again appeal to political parties to be sensitive to the mood of the nation, the religious diversity of our people and show patriotism by avoiding any action that will throw up our lines of divide, merely to win elections rather than steps that will unite our nation.

“We want to believe that anyone with the credentials to rule this nation from 2023, should be sensitive enough and not be a candidate that would take us back to our religious divides, through the instrument of Christian/Christian ticket or Muslim/Muslim ticket. We do not expect any patriot to, by so doing, again open the wounds for our past bitter religious divides.

“We need, as a nation, a united front to forge a new Nigeria, that will bring people together across religious divides because we do not lack quality across the religious and regional divides,” it insisted.

The frontline group said that politicians should make deliberate efforts at avoiding playing the religious cards through such tickets and not turn around to accuse those who condemn their unpatriotic action as the culprits.

Babachir: MuslimMuslim Ticket Dead on Arrival

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has warned the APC against allowing a Muslim as running mate to its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, who is also a Muslim.

out that Nigerians are still conscious of ethno-religious factors in politics.

According to him, Tinubu would have been running mate to the President Muhammadu Buhari, when the latter became the candidate of the APC in 2014 but for the discouragement of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

There are concerns that Tinubu, a Muslim, might be forced to pick a Muslim running mate from the North for political prpose.

When asked if it was time for northern Christians allegedly marginalised to be placated with the nomination of one of them as Tinubu’s running mate, Lawal said, “I will answer this question in a roundabout way. A political party is in the business of winning elections and to win elections you need to get the votes to beat your opponents. The way I see it is that in choosing your vice-president; that must be paramount in your mind. You can have the best ticket but if you don’t win elections, it is a waste of time.

“So, whatever candidate we are going to choose, we will bear in mind that that vice-president will contribute to winning that election.

How does he (or she) continue?

It is either he (or she) is popular and can bring in the votes or he (or she) can bring the money that will help our logistics in getting out the votes, so we can win the elections.

“But then, there is also the requirement that you want to run a united country; you want to run a country where you don’t he friction in the society – peaceful, settled and everybody goes about their business.

“To that extent, you must factor in Nigeria’s peculiarities in politics. That is why, for example, in recognition of these peculiarities, the northern governors and the majority of us in the North felt that the presidency ought to shift to the South.

“It is not a requirement in the Constitution that it has to shift.

There is no zoning. But it is so we can have a country that is united; that everybody can go about their

a northern (presidential) candidate to emerge. But then, you would know that running the country in that manner would have the southern part of Nigeria (to be) hostile to that government. So, we allowed it to shift.

“Now, extending that consideration to the Muslim-Muslim ticket, I have lived among the Christians and I know that among the Christians, the question of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is a no-go area. It is dead on arrival. Buhari himself, even at that time, had to drop this present presidential candidate (Tinubu) because of the tension of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

And we have not seen anything in the country that has changed significantly to allow that to happen.

“On the contrary, it has worsened.

The religious divide has increased.

Tribal divisions have increased.

Regional divisions have increased.

So, it would be a good thing if APC would settle for a Muslim-Christian ticket because we know (that the) PDP, that is what they would do.”

El-rufai: Competence Vital, Not Religion

El-rufai, who was asked to react to the clamour for Christians as running mates of the leading presidential candidates for 2023, declared that competence should be vital in the selection, not religion.

The Kaduna governor, who spoke on a television programme declared: “You are asking the wrong person because I don’t look at people from the lens of Muslim Muslim or Christian Christian. Most of my friends are Christians. It was Tunde Bakare, a Pentecostal pastor that invited me to CPC, not President Buhari.

I don’t think the business of governance has to do with religion, I think we should look for the best person for the job, let’s look for competence, capacity. I am the wrong person to ask because in my state I looked and chose my deputy as a Christian woman.

This fixation of Nigerians with religion is worrying.”

Osinbajo: I Will

Osinbajo yesterday declared his readiness to give total support Tinubu, towards winning the presidential election in 2023.

He also emphasized that he remains committed to the dream of a new Nigeria.

The Vice President, who spoke in Abuja at the campaign office of The Progressive Project (TPP), a coalition of support groups that backed him for the presidential race, pledged his personal support for the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 elections.

The Vice President, who came a distant third in the party's presidential primary on Wednesday, recalled the personal letter he wrote to Tinubu Thursday congratulating him on his victory at the party primary.

According to him, “in that letter, I said to him that the dream of this country, the dream of a new country remains alive and well.

And I want you to know in your hearts that we are democrats when we participate in a contest and the results are announced.

“No matter what those results may be, we abide by them because there is only one process for democrats, whether that process is good or bad, there is only one, and we have gone through that process.

“And in that process, a winner has been adjudged, but that does not kill the dream of the great future.

We will support our party; we will support the flagbearer of our party because we know that the other side is not even worth considering.

So, we will support the flagbearer of our party, we will do everything we can.”

The Vice President described the clamour for a new Nigeria as a movement.

He said: “This movement is a movement within a party also, we are not doing something that has not been heard of before. What is new is that we have a firm belief that a new Nigeria is possible and it is possible through us who are here.”

Oshiomhole: Tinubu's Victory a Reaffirmation of His Capacity

media but it is just rumour.”

Also, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, denied the report, saying no suspect was arrested and taken to the palace.

The monarch told THISDAY on telephone, “They said some people were arrested in the bush by the security but said they were not sure that the suspects were the ones that carried out the attack.

“The report was not true; people have been trooping to the palace to see them but Olowo has addressed them that no suspect was brought to the palace.”

A former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole has described the victory of Tinubu as a reaffirmation of his much-acclaimed unique capacity.

Oshiomhole in a statement issued yesterday said the Presidential candidate of APC represents a movement.

He noted that he had no doubt that Nigerians, no matter their political persuasions, would readily recognize his unique abilities and accept him as the right person needed at this momentous time, to lead this nation and transcend all extant challenges.

Oshiomhole said: "This victory is a reaffirmation of your muchacclaimed unique capacity to headhunt, mobilize, motivate and empower the best minds, irrespective of their tribe or religion, and use their combined creative efforts to translate your vision into reality.

"This is a key asset of leadership that you possess, which over the years has differentiated you from others and positioned you well above your contemporaries.

"You represent a movement, a force, full of energy and radiating hope of a brighter future to come, when Nigerians hand over to you the baton of leadership, which you are well prepared for and ready to accept with all its attendant responsibilities."

South-West APC Congratulates Tinubu, Promises 90% of Region’s Votes

The APC in the South-West under the chairmanship of Isaac Kekemeke has congratulated Tinubu on his election as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election.

The South-West APC in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Ayo Afolabi, said Tinubu’s victory was a proof of his popularity and acceptability all over the country.

The party said it believed Tinubu’s emergence would translate to victory at the poll and it would bring about the massive turnaround needed by the country.

ALLEGED $50M FRAUD/SALE OF ASSETS: WIKE ORDERS TRIAL OF AMAECHI, COLE new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof.

Zaccheus Adangor, to commence prosecution of the two men and the others immediately.

However, analysts are of the view that the drive to prosecute Amaechi and Cole is aimed at making the APC governorship candidate unelectable.

“Once Cole is put on trial, and obviously will be convicted, his drive to become Rivers State governor ends,” said the analysts.

Yesterday, Wike told his new Attorney General: “You're at a critical period where people want to know what the state is going to do with the Judiciary Panel of Inquiry after the Supreme Court judgement on it. Luckily, you came at the right time when we had preferred criminal charges against the former governor (Amaechi), Sahara Energy’s Tonye Cole and the rest of them.

“So, you are coming at the right time to take over the matter and to make sure it is prosecuted diligently. I don’t want to hear excuses. Let the

people see what happened to our money. The world will see how $50 million from our account was moved to a company without nothing to show whether there was a business.”

The governor had last month stated that he may file charges against the former Minister of Transportation, following the Supreme Court judgment that dismissed Amaechi’s appeal to frustrate investigation into activities of his administration.

Wike, who spoke during a media parley in Abuja, said the judgement had vindicated the Rivers State Government.

Back then, he promised to meet with leaders of Rivers State to decide on whether to commence criminal prosecution of Amaechi and Cole, over the alleged sales of some valued state assets and diversion of state funds.

The governor said those whose fate would also be decided included the state’s former Commissioner for Transport, George Tolofari.

He explained that on his

assumption of office in 2015, the state government set up Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate the activities of the Amaechi’s administration.

Wike said: "The judicial panel was mandated to investigate the sale of the 150 Mega Watts gas turbine in Omoku, Afam 360 MW Gas Turbine, Trans-Amadi 136 MW Gas Turbine and the 75 MW Gas turbine in Eleme; Monorail Project; the sale of Olympia hotel; and non-execution of the contract for the construction of Justice Karibi-Whyte hospital after the Amaechi administration paid $39.2m to the contractor."

Meanwhile, Wike yesterday stated that the attempt by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest the state’s PDP governorship candidate, Siminalaye Fubara, would not be accepted, saying that the state government would not hesitate to charge the anti-craft agency for contempt.

Wike also directed Adangor to write a strong worded protest

letter to the EFCC over the alleged harassment of Fubara.

According to him, the protest letter is predicated on the recent attempted arrest by officers of EFCC on Fubara, who he noted before his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate, had served as the Accountant General of Rivers State.

Wike said the era of impunity and flagrant disobedience to the rule of law is gone and his administration will not accept such action by EFCC. He explained that before now, the Rivers State government had gotten a subsisting court judgment against the EFCC that it cannot investigate the state finances or its officers.

According to him, there is also another judgment against EFCC by the PDP governorship candidate to enforce his fundamental rights, which has not been set aside.

Analysts are also of the view that the opposition APC in Rivers State are in retaliation, going after Fubara with EFCC, to also make him unelectable.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

NEWS

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

Court Sentences 3 to Death for Killing Fasoranti’s Daughter Fidelis David in Akure and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state’s capital yesterday sentenced killers of Olufunke Olakunrin, daughter of Afenifere leader to death by hanging.

This is as the the apex-pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, yesterday lauded

the Nigerian judiciary for finally bringing the killers of Olakunrin, to justice.

Olakunrin, who was 58 years old, was heading to Lagos from Akure, Ondo State, when suspected kidnappers targeted her vehicle in July 2019. In an attempt to escape, the attackers fired at her, and she died while being taken to hospital.

Those sentenced to death

Tinubu Will Sustain Buhari’s Legacy, Says Presidential Support Committee Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja A political group, the Presidential Support Committee (PSC) has said that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only person capable of sustaining the legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group delivered the assessment yesterday at a press conference addressed in Abuja by its National President, Hon. Gideon Sammani and National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Mohammad Kailani, in the wake of the emergence of Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s presidential election.

Kailani said Tinubu, who garnered 1,271 votes from the delegates at the just concluded APC Presidential

Primary Convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja, thoroughly deserved his mandate and was very familiar with the party.

He also added that by emerging as APC presidential candidate, Tinubu’s chances of winning the election next year are bright because he is somebody who has the interest of the people at heart.

“In addition you will see from the landslide victory at the convention where he came out with 1,271 votes. These are the votes of the delegates from the whole nation, including the North. If you look at the North, the whole North-west is for Asiwaju, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Bornu in the North-east.

Interpol Grants Anti-graft Agencies Access to Database Profile of Politically Exposed Persons Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In a renewed determination to contain crime and criminalities in Nigeria, the International Police Organisation (Interpol) has granted the military, police, the Independent Corrupt and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among others, access to its database to enable them to profile Politically Exposed Persons (PEP), money laundering and terror suspects.

The Chairman of the ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), made this known at the end of a meeting

by Heads of Nigerian Law Enforcement Agencies with top officials of Interpol in Lyon, France.

The Nigerian delegation to Interpol was made up of top officials of the National Central Bureau Abuja (NCBA), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) and the ICPC. The highpoint of the meeting between the Nigerian delegation and Interpol was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the international police and ICPC, NFIU, NAPTIP, NDLEA and EFCC which granted the law enforcement agencies access to the organisation’s databases.

UK Promises £1m Support to NDLEA, Marwa Seeks More Help Michael Olugbodi in Abuja The United Kingdom has said it will provide one million Pounds worth of support to enhance the operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in 2022 and additional provision over a period of three years.

This was disclosed by the Director, Home Office International Operations, Nick Fowler, when he led a team comprising Julie Hartfree, Africa Regional Director and Kris Hawksfield, West Africa Regional Manager, both of Home Office International Operations on a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) on Thursday

9th June.

In his welcome remarks, Marwa expressed appreciation to the visiting UK team and the British government for past support to NDLEA. He said with the expansion of the operations, command’s structure and staff strength of the Agency, he would need more support and collaboration from the UK government.

While stating that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has been very supportive of the work of the Agency in critical areas, Marwa asked for strengthened intelligence sharing collaboration, provision of essential operational logistics and training among others from the UK government.

for her murder are Lawal Mazaje from Kogi Sate; Adamu Adamu from Adamawa State; and Mohammed Usman from Sokoto State.

The fourth defendant, Auwalu Abubakar from Zamfara State was however discharged and acquitted.

The defendants were arraigned on counts of armed robbery, conspiracy, conspiracy to commit felony, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, aiding and abetting.

Justice Williams Rotimi Olamide, held in his judgment that prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, thus, sentenced the three defendants

to death by hanging.

He noted that the defendants also committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The prosecution counsel and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Charles Titiloye, in his reaction expressed satisfaction with the judgement.

Titiloye said, “the court has found three of the defendants guilty, it has become very clear that the three persons conspired to commit armed robbery, murder and killing of the lady and a hunter who was in the bush when they were trying to take

away those in the vehicle that was conveying Mrs. Olakunri.

“There was thorough investigation that spanned through three different states of the federation, Edo, Lagos and Ondo. Cogent evidence were given by the person who was in the forest with them for seven days, particularly, the driver of the deceased who was kidnapped for seven days.”

While the counsel to the second and fourth defendants, Obafemi Bawa said he will study the judgement and possibly appeal it.

“You could see that one of the defendants was discharged

by the judgement of the court court. We are going to take a critical look at it, look at areas where appeal can be formulated,” Obafemi said.

Reacting to the judgement, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, in a statement said the judgement was an indication that justice can be adroitly dispensed in Nigeria if the judiciary is allowed to function unfettered.

Ajayi commended the Police Force for diligently investigating and prosecuting the case, while also lauding the Ondo State Government and the judiciary for their diligence in handling the case.

TOGETHER AGAINST DRUGS… L-R: The Director, British Home Office International Operations, Nick Fowler and the Chairman/Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) when the UK Home Office top official led a team on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja …Thursday.

Buhari: We Will Use Digital Technologies to Transform Economy Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his administration’s readiness to transform every sector of the nation’s economy.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja while inaugurating the Presidential Council on Digital Economy and E-government at the State House, Abuja, the President charged members of the Council to work towards further strengthening the capacity of government to develop, adopt and deploy digital technologies to make government more efficient and transparent, thereby improving Nigeria’s global standing in the ease of doing business index.

President Buhari noted that the

Council, whose members had been arrived at after a painstaking and thorough process, would provide the oversight needed to bring about a veritable structure for accelerating achievements in the digital economy and in the implementation of e-government in the country.

He enjoined every member of the Council to consider the task as a national assignment and justify the trust reposed in their ability to support and significantly enhance the digital transformation of Nigeria.

According to him, ‘‘I launched the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) on the 28th of November, 2019 and expanded the

mandate of the then Ministry of Communications to include Digital Economy. ‘‘The implementation of that policy and mandate has enabled us to achieve significant progress and record a number of unprecedented achievements. ‘‘The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy showed that the steps we took in developing and implementing NDEPS were indeed timely. ‘‘For example, the Information and Communications Technology sector was the fastest growing sector in both the fourth quarter of 2020 and the entire year 2020, based on the Report by the National Bureau of Statistics.

‘‘The sector’s 14.70 per cent double-digit growth rate was instrumental in supporting our country to exit the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, far earlier than predicted by experts. ‘‘The significant contribution of 17.92 per cent by the ICT sector to our GDP in the second quarter of 2021 is another example of the important impact of the digital economy on the overall economy. ‘‘In the same vein, the growth of our digital economy sector enabled us to cope with the effect of the lockdown as both activities of the government and private sector, as well as educational activities, were able to move to online platforms.”

Echono to Polytechnics: Intervention Sharing Formula Beyond My Power Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund), Mr. Sonny Echono, has said the issues of sharing formula for the normal intervention to tertiary institutions is entrenched in the law establishing the Fund and it required amendment for any change to take place.

Echono made this submission while responding to the request of the Association of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria, (COHEADS), to reconsider the sharing formula

in favour of polytechnics during their courtesy visit to him.

The Executive Secretary, who shared in the desire of polytechnics that global trends now are towards skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship, has however, assured the association that TETFund supports some forms of intervention that would enhance capacity of the Nigeria polytechnics.

“Concerning your request, there are things we can do and there are things that are beyond us. For example, the issue of sharing formula is entrenched in the law establishing the

Fund and requires amendment of law to effect any change. However, in terms of special interventions, we do have some elements of input that the Board of Trustee can exercise and those areas we will support you,” said the executive secretary.

He commended polytechnics for being in the frontline of providing manpower for development of the national economy, charging COHEADS members to use the tremendous responsibility on them to ensure graduates are employable and are able to identify and fill skill gaps in

the economy.

To achieve this, Echono submitted that it required providing an enabling environment in terms of facilities, in terms of right faculty and also to embrace continuous professional programmes that would enhance quality of education.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of COHEADS, Dr. Akinkurolere Olufunke Olanike acknowledged the role of the Fund in national development, affirmed that TETFund is leading in human and capital development, and acknowledged the role of TETFund in the national development.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

NEWS

Abia Doctors Protest at Govt House, Demand Release of Kidnapped Colleague Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Medical doctors in Abia State hung their stethoscopes yesterday as they took to the streets in a peaceful protest demanding the release of their colleague, Professor Uwadinachi Iweha, who was kidnapped by gunmen six days ago.

The angry physicians who took their protest to Government House Umuania, barricaded the seat of power and urged the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, to take urgent action.

Professor Iweha was abducted on Sunday, June 6, 2022 by yet to be identified hoodlums, who accosted him while driving out of his residence in his dark-blue Toyota Highlander jeep at Umuokpara in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the

state.

This latest kidnap incident occurred exactly two weeks after the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Kanu-Uche and two other priests were kidnapped in Abia and their freedom was secured after a N100 million ransom was paid.

The doctors, who expressed outrage at the abduction of their colleague, carried placards with various inscriptions depicting their anger, concern and demand.

Some of them read: ‘Doctors lives matter’, ‘Dr. Iweha should be released to his family’ and ‘Doctors have the right to live’.

Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Abia State chapter, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said that the abduction of Dr. Iweha has

thrown the medical community in the state into confusion as physicians in Abia no longer feel safe.

He lamented that since the sad incident happened last Sunday every effort made to free their abducted colleague has not yielded the desired result.

Okwuonu said that the doctors were in Government House to seek urgent intervention by the government to effect the rescue of Dr. Iweha from the hands of his abductors, adding that the alarming incidents of kidnappings in the country must be stamped out by the government.

The NMA Chairman, therefore, warned that doctors across Abia might be compelled to embark on strike if their colleague was not released within the next 48 hours, adding that the signal is that it is no longer safe for medical doctors to carry out their duties in Abia.

He also read a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency general meeting of the medical association held at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, before the protest commenced.

In the communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman, Dr. Okwuonu, and the Secretary, Dr. Robinson Ugwuanyi, the

Abia NMA said that it had done everything within its power to free Dr. Iweha to no avail.

“This is traumatic, depressing, dehumanising and has instilled a lot of fear within the medical community whose primary objective is to save the life of Abians from the medical point of view.

“With the current state of fear caused by the kidnap and detention of our colleague, safety cannot be guaranteed to the medical doctors in Abia State and it will be difficult to attend to our normal duties since no one knows who will be the next victim,” the communique read.

Governor Ikpeazu, who addressed the protesting physicians through his Chief of Staff, Chief Okey Ahaiwe, said that efforts were being intensified to secure the release of the kidnapped doctor.

He assured that the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring sustainable security of lives and property across the state.

However, the Abia chief executive appealed to the doctors to remain calm and refrain from carrying out their threat of withdrawing their services as efforts were being intensified to secure Dr. Iweha’s freedom.

Osun Election: Defeat Already Staring PDP in the Face, Says Oyetola’s Campaign DG The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for the Osun 2022 governorship election has described as laughable and unfounded, the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ademola Adeleke that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was asking civil servants in the state to surrender their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. A statement signed by the Director General of the Campaign Council, Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the PDP was now running from pillar to post because defeat is already staring it in the face.

The Oyetola campaign team wondered where PDP and Ademola were when the workers’ union in the state openly endorsed the incumbent governor as its preferred choice one clear year before the election. It added that with what Governor Oyetola had done for workers in particular and generality of Osun people, he needs not coerce the electorate to vote for him come July 16.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the allegation by the Ademola Adeleke Campaign Council because it is laughable, unfortunate and unfounded. However, because those outside the state may be tempted to believe their lies, we felt compelled to puncture it with facts.

“It is sad that the Adeleke Campaign Council has consistently chosen the path of falsehood and misinformation

as a campaign method and strategy. This is an indication that the PDP in Osun is down and it should stay down, accept its misfortune and stop making things worse for itself by polluting the political space with falsehood and propaganda.

“One, it is on record that since the creation of the state in 1991, this is the first time all workers’ unions will be unanimous in their decision to support a governorship candidate. Why does a popular and loved government need to threaten the workers that have already endorsed it for a second term? Why can’t the PDP candidate’s campaign Council keep quiet when it has nothing meaningful to say? Must the Adeleke people embarrass themselves everywhere, everyday?

“Two, this is the first time workers will devote May Day to the adoption of a governorship candidate. They did it last year. They adopted our candidate even before his emergence. This is because he (Governor Oyetola) has consistently prioritised their welfare and fulfilled all the pledges he made to them. Our candidate has delivered the goods and the civil servants are happy.

“Therefore, the workers on their own have resolved to campaign and vote for him because they do not want any kindergarten politician to come experiment with Osun.

Obi Gets Certificate of Return as Labour Party Standard Bearer After the initial claim of factionalisation of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi was yesterday handed the certificate of return as the standard bearer of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election.

According to a tweet from the party’s official Tweeter handle @NgLabour said, “Mr. Peter Obi Receives Labour Party Certificate of Returns as its Presidential Candidate for 2023 presidential elections.

Congratulations!!”

“Dr. Peter Obi arrives Labour Party National Office Abuja to receive his Presidential Certificate of Returns as Labour Party Presidential Candidate. Stay tuned...” the Tweet had announced.

Prior to the Tweet on the handing over of the party flag and certificate of return to Obi, the party had gleefully announced his arrival at their office apparently to debunk reports that another faction had produced a candidate.

ALAIBE@60. . .

L-R: The Celebrant, Chairman of Zomay Group Limited, Timi Alaibe; former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, during Alaibe’s 60th birthday reception held at Harbour Point Lagos... yesterday Photo: Kunle Ogunfuy

Kwara First Lady Cautions Students Against Hard Drugs, Abuse Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Kwara State First Lady and initiator Ajike Wellbeing Foundation, Mrs. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, has urged students across the 16 local government areas of the state to shun all forms of social vices like hard drugs and drug abuse that may likely hinder their future academic attainment.

She implored the students to be up and doing in their determination to have quality education that would make them become future leaders and also become role models for others.

Mrs. AbdulRazaq made the appeal in Ilorin yesterday during the commencement of the second phase of her pet project, ‘Catch Them Young in Kwara’.

The project is in line with her programme of giving right upbringing to the child and educating young students in the state’s secondary schools on the evil effects of social vices such as hard drugs, drug abuse, child trafficking, truancy, examination malpractice and cultism among others.

The First Lady who was ably represented at the event

by Coordinator of the AA Olufolake Support Group, Mr. Mutalib AbdulRazaq, explained that the programme has become important and worthy considering the challenges being faced in our society affecting many kids which could later threaten the state and country at large.

According to her, in order to make the programme a huge success in the state, schools were selected across the three senatorial districts of the state.

She was emphatic that she visited the most schools so as to educate and sensitise the affected

students in order to enable them to be more alive to their academic goals. The First Lady noted further that the programme which started in 2019, had awakened the consciousness of students of secondary schools in the state by creating awareness on the danger and implications of involvement of youths in social vices.

She therefore assured that her pet project ‘Catch Them Young in Kwara’ would leave no stone unturned at making life bearable for the teeming students so as to make them the future leaders of the state.

Ugwuanyi Imposes Curfew on Igbo Eze North, South LGAs Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South local government areas of the state, between the hours of 6p.m. to 6a.m.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon

Uchenna Ortuanya, the duskto-dawn curfew takes effect from Friday, June 10, 2022.

The statement disclosed that the curfew was “Pursuant to Executive Order No. 3, 2022 and consequent upon security challenges in Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of Enugu

State.”

Ortuanya added that Governor Ugwuanyi imposed the curfew in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 215 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The statement directed the Chairmen of Igbo-Eze North

and Igbo-Eze South LGAs as well as Forest Guard and Neighbourhood Watch Officers of the affected two council areas to ensure strict compliance with the Executive Order. It also directed the EnuguStateCommissionerofPoliceto take all lawful measures to enforce the order, “including arrest and prosecution of defaulters.”

Strike: Senate President, Lawan, Begs Protesting NASS Workers Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has pleaded with the striking workers of the National Assembly to call off their industrial action and embrace dialogue for speedy resolution of the disputes.

Lawan, according to a statement by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi, made the appeal at a meeting which he summoned to find a way out of the lingering issues between the workers and

the management of the National Assembly.

Workers of the National Assembly under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) had embarked on an indefinite strike from Monday to press home their demands for payment of some allowances.

At the meeting, Lawan said, “I want to urge you, whenever we disagree, let’s try to come and sit and talk about it because when we talk, we are able to

find some common grounds and solutions. I am very happy that we have been able to deal with this.”

In attendance at the meeting, according to the statement, were the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi and the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi The National Assembly management was represented by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Ojo Olatunde and

Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission, Ahmed Amshi and some top officials of the National Assembly.

It added that the President of PASAN, Mohammed Usman also led his other colleagues who are officials of PASAN. After the two sides had narrated their positions on the disputes, the Senate President assured the workers that he would reach out to the relevant authorities that would facilitate the speedy resolution of the issues involved.

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JUNE 11, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

AFRICA AND THE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY Steve Babaeko argues that the industry is in need of overhaul

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n the last decade, advertising has taken several unprecedented turns. The disruptions caused by digitalisation, technology, and unnatural incidents on the practice as we knew it, have been immense. Also, a drastic change in consumer habits over the years has been no less impactful on how advertising is practised globally.

We continue to witness how a constant shift in digital innovations prompts the biggest advertising companies around the world to scramble to adapt and adopt new strategies to reach consumers. The recent metaverse rave, for instance, currently presents advertisers with a chance to market to consumers as they interact and socialise in virtual spaces.

We also can’t ignore how the Covid-19 pandemic has added to the dynamics of our practice. Digital streaming reigned supreme as consumers stayed at home and became committed to watching more videos and other forms of media consumption, necessitating swift actions to meet them where they are most comfortable.

It should be clear by now that advertising has become more complex than ever before, as it is a common prediction that we are yet to see the last of these types of disruptions digital or otherwise. These indicators are why it is a special time in the history of advertising to forge and introduce strategic adaptations that will keep us a step ahead and mitigate the impact of possible disruptions in the future.

An outstanding factor we must consider in developing workable strategies to confront peculiar challenges presented by these sweeping changes in our industry is how the consumer market continues to expand, especially in Africa.

Africa, with a potential market of 1.7 billion people, is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.

Consumer expenditure on the continent has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.9 per cent since 2010 and reached $1.4 trillion in 2015. This figure, to echo McKinsey & Company, is projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025 and $2.5 trillion by 2030. The World Bank also projects that by 2030, the largest consumer markets in the world will include Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, while similar lucrative opportunities will arise in Algeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Tanzania, and other African countries.

Of this market size, the youth population in Africa makes a significant number. Young people account for 60% of the continent’s population according to UNESCO. By 2030, there are expected to be 350 million young people aged 15-24 on the continent.

Due to their nature, developing strategies to cater to this demographic is becoming a more challenging task with each passing year. Compared to a decade ago, the younger generation, with access to the latest technology tools and information at lightning speed, react and consume differently. Young consumers’ demand and affiliation for brands that show concern for their struggles mean that it has become even more pertinent to understand them, know their interests and wants, and continuously develop strategies that align with their needs.

As such, serving a community of consumers in a multichannel world requires the adoption of smart digital tools, the adaptation of informed social insights and verifiable data, and a deeper understanding of psychology.

WE CAN’T IGNORE HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS ADDED TO THE DYNAMICS OF OUR PRACTICE. DIGITAL STREAMING REIGNED SUPREME AS CONSUMERS STAYED AT HOME AND BECAME COMMITTED TO WATCHING MORE VIDEOS AND OTHER FORMS OF MEDIA CONSUMPTION, NECESSITATING SWIFT ACTIONS TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE MOST COMFORTABLE

These rapidly changing market dynamics are why how we do advertising must evolve. Companies like Apple, Dunkin’, Tupperware, and Domino’s that have hitherto foreseen the necessity for the evolution of advertising have done so by either making new tweaks or by way of a total rebrand.

It is important to note, however, that in adopting new advertising tactics to meet consumer demands, companies must get it right.

The world will remember how, in its bid to revamp its service for consumers in 2013, Yahoo! came under public scrutiny and heavy criticism for failing miserably in its attempted rebrand with a shoddy switch up of its logo. The rebrand fail ultimately resulted in the company’s loss of hundreds of millions of dollars a year in advertising revenue.

For X3M Ideas, our understanding of the advertising industry’s current reality in relation to the young consumer base in Africa ignites our desire to proffer solutions that will satisfy brand and client demands as we move on to our next chapter.

After 10 years of being a one-stop-shop marketing communications company that’s 100% built on ideas and leveraging partnerships that, backed by sound strategy and unique thinking, seek to deliver the most effective results, we are adopting a new proposition named ‘Finding X’.

Our adoption of this unprecedented actionable framework aims to provide unique solutions to the constantly changing consumer demands and habits in the advertising landscape.

By design, our new Finding X framework, categorised into an adaptable A, B, and C formula, will unearth transformative products and services necessary for providing existing and future clients with a competitive edge and also advance global advertising practice.

With Finding X, our goal of redefining the way advertising is practised and perceived in Nigeria and Africa remains.

Only that this time, we will rev up our strategy of studying and understanding the consumer. We will further expand our reach through digital and interactive media, and measure the impact of every campaign for further improvement.

Strategically, the significance of the Finding X framework is what inspires a rebrand of our logo and website, with the X in the X3M emblem now more pronounced than ever.

So, what is our X? What unique brand values do we intend to communicate? And what is our modus operandi for the next decade? The answers lie therein.

The X in X3M represents many things. The unknown - the X-files; the hidden treasure - X marks; the spot and; the magic ingredient - the X factor. We can use it in all these ways. And Finding X is tantamount to finding gold; the gold of consumer engagement. The discovery tool will allow us to find the X for our existing and future clients in the representation of their brands, products or services and by such, give them an edge over their competitors. It is a logical step, backed by research and knowledge of human behaviour, to arrive at idea spaces unique to each brand.

This framework will also prove a distinctive blueprint for advertisers in and outside Africa to maximise the continent’s consumer market potential over the next decade.

Babaeko, an advertising and music executive, is founder of X3M Ideas

WHY ATIKU SHOULD CHOOSE OKOWA AS RUNNING MATE Okowa stands tall among all those scheming to be vice-presidential candidate, reckons Ifeanyi Maduako

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ormer Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has for the second time, emerged as the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku polled 371 Votes from the 767 delegates to beat his closest rival, Governor Nyesom Wike, of Rivers State who scored 231 votes.

Atiku garnered about 48 per cent of the total votes cast during the election just like he did in the 2018 presidential primary election in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki came in third position as usual. Just like he did in the last presidential primary election.

Except for 1999, Atiku had been indicating interest to be the president of Nigeria since 1992 when he contested for the ticket of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) with the likes of late Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, etc.

Therefore, this perhaps would be Atiku’s seventh attempt at the presidency of Nigeria.

Atiku could be qualified to be said as harboring a life-long ambition to rule or preside over the affairs of Nigeria having made several attempts at the position unlike Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu who’s making a first attempt at the presidency but claims that he has a life-long ambition for the position. Whether Atiku will achieve his life-long ambition just like incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari who made three previous

unsuccessful attempts and became successful at the fourth attempt in 2015, is in the hands of God Almighty.

PDP, as a political party had produced three presidents viz; Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

With the death of Yar’Adua, the other two living Presidents seem not to be interested in the affairs of the party, and that makes Atiku the biggest cock that crows in the party.

As a former vice president, it was not really surprising that Atiku had been defeating sitting governors on the platform of the party who always challenged him for the presidential ticket of the party, at least on two consecutive occasions. Atiku made a very powerful impression in the 2019 presidential election by polling about 12 million votes. Incumbent President Buhari struggled to snatch victory from Atiku and the PDP in the 2019 presidential election despite his touted popularity with the Talakawas, especially in the North.

The strong performance of Atiku in 2019 was largely made possible by his choice of running mate at the time who happened to be Mr Peter Obi. This argument cannot be ignored because Atiku had contested elections in the past with another Igbo man without recording an impressive score card.

The coming presidential election may be Atiku’s finest chance to realize his presidential

ambition because, apart from President Buhari, Atiku is the most popular politician from the North. President Buhari will not be on the ballot paper for the 2023 presidential race having exhausted his constitutionally guaranteed two terms as Nigeria’s president.

Atiku may have made a mistake in supporting Buhari in 2015 against a southern president forgetting that Buhari had a Constitutional right of two terms in office which he has definitely exploited. Perhaps if Atiku had cooperated and supported President Jonathan to finish his remaining one term, Atiku could have been the Nigerian President since 2019. He would be contesting for his second term against, hoping to be a president in 2023. Well, God knows the best.

Peter Obi having resigned his membership of the PDP leaves Atiku with no choice but to source for competent running mates from the South, especially the South East, and the SouthSouth. The South West is out of the question because the region had produced a president for eight years and a current Vice President for another eight years.

The incumbent governor of Delta State Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa should be the best choice for Atiku as running mate. Dr Okowa is Igbo from Delta State. He’s a former Commissioner, Secretary to State Government, Senator and now an out-going governor having served for two

terms. He has seen it all in politics.

Okowa is humility personified. He’s Godfearing. The 2018 presidential convention that Okowa superintendent over with much larger delegates than the 2022 convention remains the most peaceful, transparent and orderly. Okowa has a visage of humility which reflects in the manner of his relationship with his seniors, equals and subordinates. Okowa has been a staunch PDP since 1998 without any single defection. The entire five states in the South East will accept him as Atiku’s running mate because he’s Igbo man to the core just like other Igbos.

Okowa has South-South acceptance, having come from there. Atiku does not need a garrulous or loquacious running mate who will turn a disaster as the Vice President of Nigeria.

A vice president of Nigeria should not be anyone driven by inordinate ambition to be the president of Nigeria. Ekwueme, Atiku, Jonathan, Sambo and Osinbajo were all picked as running mates because of their humility, otherwise Obasanjo could have picked late Abubakar Rimi instead of Atiku. Yar’Adua wouldn’t have picked Jonathan as his running mate if the latter was the haughty, boastful and garrulous type. The same applies to former Vice President Namadi Sambo and the current one. Okowa stands tall among all those scheming to be Atiku’s running mate.

Maduako writes from Owerri via ifeanyimaduako2017@gmail.com

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JUNE 11, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Democracy in Progress...

Students and ASUU’s Endless Strikes

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When recently some students decided to protest in Oyo and Ondo or every day Nigerian students remain marooned in their homes, States, the Nigerian Army which appears to be fighting a losing battle rooted to a spot by the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of against terrorists in the Northwest and Northeast indulged the distraction Universities (ASUU), a country, cruelly afflicted by infernal infections, of sending its men to disrupt the protests and disperse the protesting must count its losses and lick its wounds. students. Deceptively, what may seem apparent to the naked eye is that In February, ASUU downed tools in what has actually become an anthe situation that has kept Nigerian undergraduate students at home is nual occurrence. One day swiftly became two and then 30 and then over coming from the straight fight between ASUU and the government. But 90 and counting with ASUU intransigently digging in its heels to show that it meant business, and to send a message both to the government and those who strain to look just a bit farther would see that at the bottom of the ravine redolent with senselessness, selfishness and no little stupidity, students all over the country. The messages so far received by Nigerian the future of Nigerian students gradually drowns. students from both sides involved in the deadlock have been mixed.

It is heinously selfish some of those who by now would probably have For the Nigerian government, it has been the usual spin about negotiadied of illiteracy or illiteracy-induced mistakes were it not for the solid tions with ASUU and phantom commitments. The government`s spin foundation provided them by public schools in Nigeria now mercilessly doctors have been besides themselves to show that while the government midwife the demise of the same public schools they benefited from in has been overflowing with commitment to meet ASUU`s demands and classic examples of biting the fingers that fed them. resolve the lingering impasse, ASUU has been a rather difficult customer, Whether ASUU`s lack of rigorous rectitude has contributed to the showing an unreasonable hand in pressing home its demands. nonchalance with which Nigerian authorities treat the Union or not, However, Nigerians know where the buck eventually stops. Nigerians Nigerian undergraduate students are exasperated at being endlessly stuck also know that blame and excuses are favourites in failure`s harem.

The travails of education in Nigeria, of which the lingering ASUU strike at home while those responsible for their travails fritter away Nigeria`s resources. is only as much a symptom, did not start with the current administration.

They want to return to school and to the hope that at least something However, the current government has gleefully continued what has been a will give in their journey to an increasingly bleak future. scandalous tradition of failure.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com Because it appears that in Nigeria, those who are uneducated, or barely educated, are more versed in the art of violence especially the type which brings home political power; many of those in public office privately deride the importance of education, while publicly doing nothing beyond the T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE perfunctory to elevate this preeminent tool of nationDEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU building to its proper status.

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO But in all these, where is the National Association DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU of Nigerian Students and other student bodies whose CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN militant postures sent chills down the spines of even MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI the most repressive military regimes in the days when THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE Nigeria sought to extricate its democratic soul from the iron claws of autocracy?

It appears that like a fierce fever, silence has gripped the association and all those who should speak out about T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D the situation of students in Nigeria. With the right words EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA deserting them and stuttering taking over when the GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, strongest words should issue, education in Nigeria teeters ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI on the brink of collapse.

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI These days, mercenaries are planted by politicians in SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH students- and youths-led organizations to suppress activiASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI ties they consider hostile. It is therefore no surprise that CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI under the leadership of slimy politicians masquerading as DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO students, many of these associations have lost their voices, TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com with their increasingly brittle spines leaving Nigerian students on the brink.

Political Fireworks Begin in Bauchi

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ntil last weekend, the political atmosphere in Bauchi State has been relatively calm.

Since assuming office, Gov. Bala Mohammed has had virtually a smooth ride with the opposition not putting any clogs in the wheel of his political vehicle. The APC, which lost power to him in 2019 has been politically kind to the former FCT minister. But last Saturday, the governor personally told the world that the political honeymoon was over.

After an unsuccessful shot at the PDP presidential ticket, Gov. Bala Mohammed returned home to join the race to the government house. Thus upon emerging as the PDP governorship flag bearer in Bauchi State, he said among other things in his acceptance speech that “even if a person spits fire, we will confront him.” And by that statement, he simply dared Ambassador Sadiq Baba Abubakar, APC’s governorship flag bearer in the state. Though unexpected of the governor to have launched the offensive being at the center right, Bala Mohammed simply marked the beginning of a political fireworks in the state, which will last till the general elections in 2023.

Ideally, the opposition candidate, Sadiq Abubakar should have launched the offensive having picked the APC ticket with the ambition to seize power from the PDP. But with the governor releasing the first salvo, what is now clear is that the ruling PDP is jittery if not entirely perturbed about facing Sadiq Abubakar in a governorship contest, which the APC is committed to reclaim. Certainly the PDP has a major challenger who can as well boast of whatever resources they may think of mobilizing.

Therefore, in the months leading to the general elections of next year, political muscles will be waxed just as the two opposing camps will open their respective political arsenals for the fireworks that will ensue. Thus, in Bauchi State, interesting political times lie ahead.

Mukhtar Jarmajo, Misau, Bauchi State

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

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NEWS

After Failed Presidential Bids, APC Gifts FCTA to Respect Court Ruling on Area Councils’ Chairmen Akpabio, Umahi Senatorial Tickets Okon Bassey in Uyo

After their failed presidential bids, the immediate past Minister RI 1LJHU 'HOWD $ͿDLUV 6HQDWRU Godswill Akpabio, and the JRYHUQRU RI (ERQ\L 6WDWH 'DYLG Umahi have been elected as 6HQDWRULDO FDQGLGDWHV RI WKH All Progressive Congress (APC).

The ruling part cleared the way for Akpabio and Umahi to win the senatorial tickets by cancelling the primaries held in the two constituencies two weeks ago.

Akpabio clinched the seat for the Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district for the 2023 general elections, while Umahi got that of the rescheduled (ERQ\L 6RXWK $3& 6HQDWRULDO primary election.

The Ebonyi governor had Cunningly put his younger,

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

brother, Austin Umahi forward two weeks ago and he emerged as the winner of the election.

6KRUWO\ DIWHU KH ORVW DW WKH presidential primary, the party canceled the senatorial primary HOHFWLRQ IRU (ERQ\L 6RXWK DQG rescheduled it for Thursday June 9th, in order to beat INEC’s deadline.

7KH UHVFKHGXOHG (ERQ\L 6RXWK primary election was held at $ÀNSR 1RUWK /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW Council, with Governor Umahi clinching the party’s ticket.

Akpabio also won the rescheduled election, a day after stepping down for Bola Tinubu in the APC Presidential primary.

Out of 540 delegates, 512 were accredited to vote, with Akpabio polling 478 votes to emerge winner of the primary held at Godswill Akpabio empowerment centre in Ikot Ekpene local

government.

2WKHU DVSLUDQWV LQFOXGHG 6LU Joseph Akpan, who had one vote, DIG Ekpo Udom, who initially ZRQ WKH ÀUVW SULPDU\ VFRUHG WKUHH votes, while 11 votes were void.

Former member House of Representatives, Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo had before the commencement of the exercise announced his voluntary withdrawal from the race and directed his delegates to cast their votes for Akpabio who he described as a father, leader and mentor. +H VDLG ´7KH ÀUVW SULPDU\ took place on May 28th and all of you were there. Today, our father has joined the race.

I, Obong Emem Ekperikpe Ekpo, former member of the House of Representatives, a son of this senatorial district, I plead with all my delegates to identify with our father, and I return all the

delegates to vote for him.

“I don’t think we should do anything to undermine the person God has given to us as D OHDGHU 7KH SHUVRQ LV 6HQDWRU Godswill Obot Akpabio. I call all my delegates once again to support him. With that, I have withdrawn my aspiration to the 6HQDWRULDO VHDW µ Addressing the delegates, Akpabio thanked them for ÀQGLQJ KLP ZRUWK\ WR UHSUHVHQW WKHP DJDLQ LQ WKH 6HQDWH FRPH 2023 and promised to bring more infrastructure, human capital development and youth and women empowerment to the district if he wins the 2023 senatorial election.

Akpabio said: “I recall when \RX JDYH PH WKH ÀUVW PDQGDWH LQ 2015 to 2019; I recall that there is QR 6HQDWRU HYHU WKDW GLG WKH NLQG of empowerment I did for you.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has said it would now abide by a court ruling asking it swear-in the six FCT Area Council Chairmen.

It made the commitment yesterday after it received WKH &HUWLÀHG 7UXH &RS\ RI the new judgement of the FCT High Court delivered by Justice Ibrahim Mohammed in respect of the above subject matter.

The Court had set aside its earlier judgement delivered on May 13, 2022 granting a one year extension of the outgoing chairmen and councilors of the six Area Councils due to lack of jurisdiction.

FCT spokesman Anthony Ogunleye said in a statement yesterday that the judgement KDV HͿHFWLYHO\ FOHDUHG WKH ZD\ for the swearing-in of the newly elected Chairmen on Tuesday. He said the FCTA would equally comply with the new judgement just as it did with the earlier judgement.

The FCTA made the volte face after protesters invaded the FCTA secretariat yesterday and paralysed activities in a siege that lasted for several

hours.

3ROLFHPHQ LQ FDPRXÁDJH DQG 'HSDUWPHQW RI 6WDWH 6HUYLFHV '66 SHUVRQQHO ZHUH SXW RQ red alert after the protesters occupied the FCTA premises and threatened to enter into WKH )&7 0LQLVWHU·V R΀FH WR force home their demand for the six FCT Area Council-elect Chairmen to be sworn-in line with an order issued by a High Court on Thursday.

Ironically, the FCT Minister, Malam Mohammed Musa Bello DQG WKH )&7 0LQLVWHU RI 6WDWH Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, were ERWK QRW LQ R΀FH WR DGGUHVV the protesters.

The protesters, however, left about 6p.m. yesterday after they were addressed E\ WKH 3HUPDQHQW 6HFUHWDU\ Mr. Adesade Olusade, who assured that the FCTA would comply with the court order and inaugurate the chairmen on Tuesday.

The entry and exit gates to the secretariat were closed as movements were restricted to workers and guests. Many workers were also trapped in WKHLU YDULRXV R΀FHV DQG FRXOG not leave the secretariat even after the close of work.

Buhari Mourns Zamfara Emir, Says He Was a Caring, Kind Ruler Deji Elumoye in Abuja

TOGETHER AS ONE… Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (right) during a visit to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to congratulate him on his emergence as the presidential candidate of the party at the Asokoro Abuja residence of Tinubu...yesterday

1&'& &RQÀUPV $GGLWLRQDO &DVHV RI 0RQNH\ 3R[ LQ 6WDWHV Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

According to the NCDC report, there were 44 new suspected The Nigeria Centre for Disease cases reported in Epidemic Week Control (NCDC) said it has 22 (May 30th to June 5th FRQÀUPHG WRWDO RI QHZ FDVHV 2022) from 14 states including, of Monkey Pox within one week. .HEEL /DJRV *RPEH According to an update is- Plateau (4), Rivers (3), Adamawa sued by the Centre yesterday, it 3ODWHDX /DJRV 2QGR said that the country has so far (1) and Imo (1). recorded a total of 110 suspected ´2YHUDOO DQG IURP 6HSWHPEHU cases of Monkey Pox disease 2017 to 5th June 2022, a total of from January to June 5.

622 suspected cases have been It also said that the total reported from 33 states in the QXPEHU RI FRQÀUPHG FDVHV RI country, including; Adamawa (5), Monkey Pox within the same Enugu (4), Abia (3), Nasarawa period has risen to 31.

(2), Benue (2), Anambra (2), Ekiti

(2), Kano (2), Ebonyi (1), Niger (1), Ogun (1) and Ondo (1).

Delta (31), Cross River (16), Edo (12), Imo (10), Akwa Ibom (7), Oyo (6), FCT (8), and Plateau (5).

It said of the reported cases, 257 (41.3 per cent) have been FRQÀUPHG LQ VWDWHV RI 5LYHUV %D\HOVD /DJRV (GR (2), Imo (1), Cross River (1), FCT (1) and Rivers (1). ´,Q DGGLWLRQ IURP 6HSWHPEHU 2017 to June 5th, 2022, a total of nine (9) deaths have been UHFRUGHG µ

The statement further said that: “As at May 26, 2022, there were new cases from 12 states LQFOXGLQJ $GDPDZD /DJRV (6), River (3), Cross River (2), FCT (2), Kano (2), Delta (2), Bayelsa (2), Edo (2), Imo (2), Plateau (2), and Ondo (1).

NCDC said that since 6HSWHPEHU 1LJHULD KDV continued to report sporadic cases of monkey pox (MPX).

“On May 26 a Monkey Pox National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated across the country.

UXOHU KDV OHIW XV µ According to him, the 61 President Muhammadu years of the deceased on the Buhari has mourned the throne had witnessed the demise of the longest-serving growth and development Zamfara monarch, Emir of of his community, for which Kwatarkwashi in Bungudu succeeding generations will /RFDO *RYHUQPHQW $UHD RI WKH continue to appreciate him.

The President prayed state, Alhaji Ahmad Umar, describing the death as “a for the repose of the soul YRLG WKDW FDQQRW EH ÀOOHG µ of the deceased and urged President Buhari in a the people of Kwatarkwashi release issued yesterday by NLQJGRP DQG =DPIDUD 6WDWH his spokesman, Mallam Garba in general to bear the loss 6KHKX VDLG ´D NLQG DQG FDULQJ with fortitude.

INEC Deploys More Registration Machines to South-east, Lagos, Kano Chuks Okocha in Abuja

In response to the sudden surge of eligible Nigerians to register in some states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released additional 209 machines to ease the registration of voters’ exercise.

The registration machines were GHSOR\HG PDLQO\ WR WKH ÀYH 6RXWK (DVWHUQ VWDWHV /DJRV DQG .DQR where the pressure is most acute.

According to a statement by the National Commissioner in charge of INEC Publicity and Chairman voter Education, Festus Udora Orizu inAbuja He appealed to all his supporters political party where we feel we Okoye, said that the release of along with three serving members of the House of Representatives. LQ .HEEL &HQWUDO 6HQDWRULDO 'LVWULFW shall be accommodated and treated the machines was to address the Announcing his defection as well as other loyalists across MXVWO\ µ Mass defection rocked Kebbi sudden surge.

Others who defected with 6WDWH·V FKDSWHU RI WKH $OO 3UR- formally in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi the state to vote PDP to ensure “In response, the Commisthem into PDP are Hon. Bello sion has immediately released gressives Congress (APC) this 6WDWH FDSLWDO $OLHUR VDLG KLV GHFLVLRQ its victory at all levels.

He said: “I, Muhammadu <DNXEX 5HOLVFR UHSUHVHQWLQJ %LUQLQ additional 209 machines deployed ZHHN DV WZR 6HQDWRUV +RXVH RI was informed by his effort to fulfill Representatives members and some the desire of his teeming supporters Adamu Aliero, people of my Kebbi, Kaigo and Bunza Federal PDLQO\ WR WKH ÀYH 6RXWK (DVWHUQ constituency, that is Kebbi Central Constituency, Hon. Muhammad 6WDWHV /DJRV DQG .DQR ZKHUH House of Assembly members in spread across the state.

He explained that before arriving and my teeming supporters from Umar Jega representing Gwandu WKH SUHVVXUH LV PRVW DFXWH µ the state defected to the Peoples at a conclusion of leaving the party, DFURVV .HEEL 6WDWH KDYH UHVROYHG and Jega Federal Constituency and Okoye said.

Democratic Party (PDP).

Among the defectors, is the he made several efforts to resolve to defect from APC to PDP due to Hon. Abdullahi Zimbo representing According to him, The 6HQDWH /HDGHU <DKD\D $EGXOODKL the issue including complaining to the injustices we endured in our Dandi and Arewa Federal Con- Commission will monitor the and the former Governor of the the national headquarters of the former party. Those in support of stituency. Former Governor of the situation over the next few party but in spite of the intervention my political ideology were deceived 6WDWH $OKDML 6D·LGX 8VPDQ 1DVDPX GD\V DQG WKHUHDIWHU µ ,W ZLOO 6WDWH 6HQDWRU $GDPX $OLHUR $OLHUR DQG WKH 6HQDWH /HDGHU OHIW of party officials, nothing positive and treated unjustly, hence the need 'DNLQJDUL IRUPHU 6SHDNHU RI WKH meet to review the progress of for us to leave the party for another 6WDWH +RXVH RI $VVHPEO\ DQG VR RQ WKH H[HUFLVH µ APC for the main opposition PDP came out of it.

PDP Gains as Mass Defection Hits Kebbi APC

According to the statement, “Every step will be taken and all options will be explored to ensure that eligible Nigerians are given the opportunity to register DV YRWHUV µ The Commission appealed for patience and understanding of all citizens, explaining that, “Every Nigerian who is 18 years of age and above has the constitutional right to register and vote in any part of the country he/she resides ZLWKRXW OHW RU KLQGUDQFH µ The commission explained that the sudden surge is an D΀UPDWLRQ RI WKH LQFUHDVLQJ FRQÀGHQFH 1LJHULDQV KDYH LQ the electoral process, adding that the INEC will continue WR HQVXUH WKDW WKLV FRQÀGHQFH is sustained.

The statement said that INEC has received reports from the states indicating an unprecedented surge in the number of citizens that wish to register as voters and the challenges they face across the country. In some states, the electoral body noted that sudden turnout of prospective registrants was overwhelming.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

INTERVIEW Folasade Adefisayo: Lagos Comprehensive Schools Programme will Boost Skills, Economy Visionary and purposeful best define Folasade Adefisayo, the Commissioner for Education in Lagos State. In this interview with Omolabake Fasogbon, she speaks extensively on growth strategies for education in the state, including the Lagos Comprehensive Schools Programme that was recently introduced to curb the challenge of school drop- out in the state, as well as efforts to enrich the initiative which also included an advanced training session held for teachers in Finland

D

espite the interruption in the education system occasioned by COVID-19, Lagos was soon able to rebound with a number of achievements to show for it.

Can you share some of your strategies in the area of education with us?

Majority of our achievements seen by the public are result of a careful collaboration and partnerships. Lagos has an education transformation plan with 15 objectives. The 10th objective is to engage with the private sector in developing education. We must be able to work with corporate organisations, communities and even old students’ associations to deepen education. The tradition of collaboration and partnerships has made Lagos more agile than most Nigerian states in responding to challenges facing the education sector. It is also discernable in Lagos’ choice of partners, events and programmes.

As part of the feats that has put Lagos on the spotlight is the Comprehensive Schools Programme that was launched in February this year. Can you explain the drive for this?

The aim is to absorb every child in the state formal educational system, having observed that a number of students are dropping out of public secondary school. We noticed a heavy attrition among our senior secondary school studentsasmanywerenotresuminginSS1after JS3 – and even throughout senior secondary school, there was a steady reduction in enrolment. The statistics bear out this worrisome situation: of every 10 students enrolled in JS1, only 3 make it to SS3, with just one graduating with suitable result. The Lagos State Comprehensive Schools Programme is a model that considers all children as capable of learning and recognises that children are not equally adept at academic stuff. The programme aims to provide fit for purpose education that suits the needs and requirements of every child in the state. This means that within a school, we provide for that child who wants to be either a doctor, teacher, lawyer or even plumber and photographer, as the case may be, all within the same school and at the highest possible quality.

How are you harnessing collaboration to drive the goal of comprehensive schools programme?

The programme kicked off with consultation and dialogue with partners in the organised private sector and non-governmental agencies. As we progress, we continue to engage stakeholders for feedback and reviews. Our stakeholders’ engagement covers as many people as possible including community members and parents. Teachers were also included in the engagement exercise being that the programme is a new terrain and teachers experience were limited to teaching students for WAEC and so on. But we made the teachers understand that every child has his or her own gift, hence, the programme which speaks to the gift of those who are vocationally inclined and are retained within the school environment so they can become successful in life.

How were you able to develop a curriculum for this programme?

We develop our curriculum in-house based on the realities out there and employers’ expec-

policy that brings hope to a child. So I am not cut out to be a doctor, lawyer or I don’t want to go to university to learn these things but I am also someone who is clever when it comes to fashion design, why can’t I specialise in it? Rather than letting our students to leave school and go to learn a trade, we allow them to stay with us and teach them to meet the required standard out there. By the programme, we expect that every student will learn a large number of skills that will stand them in good stead wherever they go.

Students will also acquire skills that will enable them earn a legitimate source of living even as a student. Their entirety will be refined and polished because they will be tutored on work etiquette, dressing, morals and many more. The programme will also help teachers to become better than they would ordinarily be because the teaching methods are different, novel, engaging and interesting. Overall, the programme will support economic growth in Lagos because the state can now boast of qualified, well-educated capable and competent persons with broad range of skills that will ensure that the state keeps growing economy wise.

Folasade Adefisayo

tions. For many years now, the private sector has always expressed dissatisfaction in the capacity of the graduates churned out by our institutions, saying that they are not fit for purpose. The curriculum for the programme is quite advanced and in tune to workplace realities, hence, we involved the private sector in drawing a vocational curriculum that fits with their requirements. At the end of the programme, the students will also be going for internship. This is designed to be part of the curriculum because we realise that our subjects are practical, as such, the students need to go out to the field to learn, practice, and get a feel of what it is like to work before they graduate. This is to say that employers are sure to get the right skills from our graduates for immediate employment.

How would you assess the general re-

sponse to the programme since it took off in February?

As you know, the programme kicked off in February, so we haven’t graduated any student. We have come to see that the tone and atmosphere of schools have changed since inception of the programme. For instance, so many students who hitherto found school boring and indifferent about getting educationarenowembracingtheprogramme.

Much more than before, they are showing commitment as we are now giving them that which suits, excites and speaks to their skills.

The feedback now is that schools are now quieter as difficult students are now being engaged and learning to love what they do.

What are the anticipated impacts of the programme?

The programme is part of our free education

By the programme, we expect that every student will learn a large number of skills that will stand them in good stead wherever they go. Students will also acquire skills that will enable them earn a legitimate source of living even as a student. Their HQWLUHW\ ZLOO EH UHÀQHG DQG SROLVKHG EHFDXVH WKH\ will be tutored on work etiquette, dressing, morals and many more

You mentioned earlier that the teaching method for the programme is novel for teachers. What steps have you taken so far to align teachers with the new method?

We have been running quite a number of trainings for the teachers to fit for the purpose. One of such is the training they had just concluded at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) in Finland. We all know Finland is top-notch in terms of quality education and their vocational education is highly regarded. Finland is widely acclaimed for its student-centred approach to learning, education in the Scandinavian nation is built on a guiding principle where teachers are encouraged to develop their inner skills and collaborate with other professionals to improve the national curriculum which enables constant innovation.

As a result of our relationship with Finland, we are able to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a city called- Tampere who invited our teachers for training. The aim is to pick up on teaching methodologies and strategies which could be incorporated into the State’s Comprehensive Schools Programme for the best possible results.

For the two weeks the teachers spent, they got equipped with a variety of strategies and vocational classroom practicals which will be harnessed for effective teaching back home.

In what way are you supporting the students to enhance their learning process?

We are putting all efforts in place to make learning environment enabling. We recently distributed tablet to students in the vocational tech programme. The comprehensive programme is divided into two sections namely: the academic section where we have the Science, Commercial and Art students as well as the v-tech or vocational section. From research, we have come to realise that students love learning with technological devices and they generally do better with them. This is why we have provided the v-tech students with tab which has been preloaded with totality of the curriculum that included sub-skills and the normal technical skills. The teachers also have access to the tab which will make teaching and learning easier.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

EVENTS

B

ank of İndustry’s former Acting Managing Director/CEO Dr. Waheed Olagunju was honoured on Saturday 28th May by the Olofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi as Aare Bobagunwa of Offa Kingdom for his 40 years of outstanding contributions to national and community development

L-R: Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State, former Minister of İndustry Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga; Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; and Yeye Aare Mobolaji Olagunju, at the reception

L-R: Aare Bobagunwa (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business who represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and Yeye Aare Bobagunwa (Hajia) Mobolaji Olagunju

L-R: Prince Tokunbo Aromolaran; Aare Bobagunwa (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Yeye Aare Bobagunwa (Hajia) Mobolaji Olagunju; and Mr Larry Ayeni

R-L: Aare Bobagunwa (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Mohammed Gbadamosi; and Yeye Aare Bobagunwa (Hajia) Mobolaji Olagunju

L-R: Former Minister of İndustry Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga; Aare Bobagunwa (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju, Yeye Aare Mobolaji Olagunju; and former Minister of Internal Affairs, Ambassador (Dr.) Tunji Olagunju

L-R: Alhaja Ahmed Salawudeen; Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Yeye Aare Mobolaji Olagunju; and Veteran broadcaster, Ms. Siene AllWell Brown

R-L: Professor Akin Oyebode, who delivered the Pre-Investiture lecture on Mobilising Popular Participation for the Emergence of Offa Titun; Professor Adebayo Ninalowo; Aare Bobagunwa (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; and Yeye Aare Bobagunwa (Hajia) Mobolaji Olagunju

L-R: Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Mr Kayode Alabi; and Yeye Aare Mobolaji Olagunju

R-L: Executive Director at BOI, Mr Jonathan Tobin; Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Yeye Aare Mobolaji Olagunju; and Mallam Umar Shekarau, also an Executive Director with BOI

R-L: Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju; Olori Mistura Shobaloju Gbadamosi; Yeye Aare Mobolaji Olagunju; Alhaja Biodun Ajeigbe; and other well wishers

Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju and Aare Mobolaji Olagunju, middle, and Aare Bobagunwa’s former colleagues at NTA

Aare (Dr.) Waheed Olagunju and Aare Mobolaji Olagunju with a cross section of Bank of Industry staff

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

17

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

On the Musical Side of Wale Ojo Wale Ojo’s face is mostly prominent in movies. Little wonder that not many of his fans know about his musical side. Before returning to Nigeria, he played with several bands across the years in UK while acting, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

T

he pulsating beat from his studio was quite consuming.

This reporter sat raptly listening and watched him and his band dish out some raw tunes as they rehearsed. A few persons walking by within the premises could feel the sound filtering through as observed shortly before meeting him during the session.

It was on a recent Friday. Forty-eight hours after, Wale Ojo would be performing at the upscale Hard Rock Café Lagos.

The gig tagged “Afrobeat Live with Wale Ojo and the Milagros” was a text-run show of some sort. He had performed at the same venue some years back. With the tryout session over, the acclaimed actor settles down. “My head is full right now”, he said, looking weary. The multitalented skills of this award-winning thespian cut across singing, dancing and writing.

He plans to showcase his band widely. According to him, after the performance at the Hard Rock Café, the proper show itself will follow.

Though his piece and style of music appeals to matured audience, Ojo’badan, as he is fondly called, declared it’s a very expensive venture self-sponsoring the band. He wished brands would come in and take-up sponsorship.

He describes his performace thus, “I have a solid product. We have 10 original songs, all afrobeat, one like R&B,” Hardly would you see in this clime, live band performances without remix of popular songs to connect and excite audience.

Asked if there’s remix of any of the songs contained on his set, he said, “We are remixing a little bit of ‘Ojuelegba’ by Wizkid and we are doing a cover of ‘Suffering and Smiling’, which original rendition was made by the legendary

Fela Kuti. He then adds, “I want to do a real live concert experience you know.”

He also revealed that he intends touring abroad with his 10-man band, which used to be 16. “These ones are committed members of the band”, he enthused. “We may have to fly to Los Angeles,” he said, optimistic that “If I take this… what I’m playing here to any venue, or concert abroad they will love it.

That’s why I need to get them out there. This band needs to be making money touring the world and then come back”.

Wale Ojo’s face is mostly prominent in movies. Little wonder that not many of his fans know about his musical side.

Before returning to Nigeria, he played with several bands across the years in UK while acting. Weeks after it release, EbonyLife’s Netflix thriller, ‘Blood Sisters’ is still making waves within the entertainment circles and beyond.

The project features several movie stars including the UK trained Nigerian actor who played the role of Officer Joe Obasanjo a.k.a Officer Chicago. An interesting cameo role, its impact is largely felt, and it’s getting huge comments on social media posts relating to the four part limited series.

Such that Twitter fans think there is an uncanny resemblance between the actor and former presidential aide Reno Omokri.

The resemblance had in recent weeks controlled conversations about Ojo’s Officer Chicago character. On Officer Chicago, the actor further disclosed that two major directors abroad have now approached him for a spin-off series titled ‘Officer Chicago in Lagos’. On the likely success of such spin-off, Ojo said “I know it’s possible”.

Wale Ojo in one of his music sessions

‘Ile Owo’ Trailer Filled with Horror Flashes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

B

usola has forever been unlucky with love. Pressured by society and her parent to tie the knot as a means of lifting her family out of poverty, she finally meets Tunji – the perfect man. At first, Busola struggles to understand why a billionaire would choose to marry her but after she accepts his proposal of marriage, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead her to a truth she could never have imagined.

The foregoing is the synopsis of a forthcoming movie, ‘Ile Owo’, which in English means ‘House of Money’. Written and directed by Dare Olaitan, the cast includes Efa Iwara, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi ‘Kie Kie’ Adeaga, Sophie Alakija, Akin Lewis, Temisan Emmanuel, Demola Adedoyin, Mofe Duncan,Tina Mba, Immaculata Oko Kasum, Jblaze Jide Oyegbile, Patrick Diabuah, Taye Arimoro and Ikponmwosa Gold.

“It’s about inequality which in a way almost (what) my films are about but this time we ap-

proach it with the genre conventions of horror, thriller and romance. See you soon and remember.

Love is worth dying for and everything has a price,” wrote Olaitan on Instagram.

His post preceded a two-minute trailer filled with exciting horror flashes. But hints on the plot, which according to the filmmaker, will explore inequality with “the genre conventions of horror, thriller and romance.”

Ile Owo is Kasum’s Film Trybe’s second coproduction with Singularity Media, but the 4th work involving Olaitan, Kayode Kasum’s FilmTrybe and FilmOne Entertainment. ‘Ile Owo’ (House of Money) will open in cinemas on June 24.

In 2021, Kasum co-directed ‘Dwindle’ with Dare Olaitan (who also had a co-writing credit in the buddy comedy film). This time, Olaitan solely takes the directorial in what promises to be a must see movie.

In an earlier statement, Olaitan said, “I think a great movie is a movie that captures some essential truth of life, freezing it to be examined forever, teaching us things that we may not have yet realised about ourselves.”

Sophie Alakija and Mofe Duncan on set of ‘ile Owo’

Valvin Disrupts the Soundwave with ‘It’s Friday’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

W

hetheryouplantospend Friday chilling indoors or partying outdoors with friends, Valvin has got the perfect soundtrack to make the list of songs for a good time. Out now on all streaming platforms, is “It’s Friday”, a mid-tempo Afroswing banger by the creative genius of Valvin with assistance

from Baeken.

Using a skilful combination of infectious melodies and smooth lyrics, Valvin is inviting us all to get loose, relax and have some much needed fun. Valvin officially launched his music career in August 2021 when he released “No Worry” in the company of BNXN. The Millaboy Music Group artiste garnered over 50,000 streams for the Afrobeats track. On the background

of that success, he followed up with “Tonight” 4 months later and is now giving us this spanking new tune “It’s Friday” for the weekend vibes.

This new track is also the first taste of his forthcoming debut EP “Sound Not Found”, so now is the best time to get on Valvin’s refreshing wave. Stream “It’s Friday” on your favourite platform today. Valvin had featured on a single, ‘Focus’ by El-Kaly, which also featured female rapper and singer, Tovia.

Valvin

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Kate Henshaw

My Character in ‘Blood Sisters’ Unique Ferdinand Ekechukwu

W

eeks after its release, EbonyLife’s Netflix thriller, ‘Blood Sisters’ is still making waves within the entertainment circles and beyond. The project features several movie stars including Kate Henshaw (who plays Uduak Ademola) in the limited series. In a recent chat with this reporter, among others, Kate who was in the company of the executive director, Mo Abudu, describes her character as “a different kettle of fish from any character” that she had played before.

She also gives credit to Mo Abudu for her role: “I mean I’m not hyping her - Big Sis Mo. I’m a very upfront person. I give credit to whom credit is due if you’ve sort of supported me in my career,

any point, I’m not ashamed. It doesn’t take away from what I bring to the table. It just helps me recognise and give kudos to whom it is due. So, she had approached me and said ‘Kate I need you to play this character but you have to find her she’s dark, nasty, and she’s frightful.

“And I’m like ‘this’ not me’. But you know I’m an actor, I had to find it. And then she said she’s older (that’s the character). They say you don’t look the age. We have to age you. I’m like ‘but I’m over 50 na’ you know. She first sent me a grey wig (laughing). And then she said we need a makeup person, a special effect. And I said the one I know she’s abroad o! I now called her and she recommended someone here.”

Still on the character, she said, “Then she (Mo) said sent me her number. I sent her the number. She organised everything, gave me a room at the hotel for us to do the experiment.

So, when I walked in during the casting, half of my colleagues didn’t recognize me. I just came

and sat quietly in a corner with the grey wig and everything. And then by the time I walked back into the room, she said ‘ah it’s too old o, we need to tone down this age’ you know (laughing).

“So we had that process and then somehow I just knew she was a different kettle of fish from any character that I had played before. And she had to be like mean. She’s mean! She doesn’t care about anyone except her son (Kola). She doesn’t care basically even though she had other children. So it speaks a lot about the character and I was so happy that I got that opportunity”.

Blood Sisters tells the story of two friends Sarah and Kemi. Sarah is engaged to her dream man, Kola (played by Deyemi Okanlawon). However, their seemingly idyllic union has a dark side and despite Kemi’s vocal misgivings, Sarah is determined to press on with the wedding. What follows is a heart-stopping series of catastrophic events marked by murder, love, betrayal and the test of friendship.

K t H h as Ud k Ademola Ad l in i ‘Blood ‘Bl d Sisters’ Si t ’ Kate Henshaw Uduak

Lagos Partners AFA to Train Youths in Filmmaking Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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n continuation of its efforts to discover, encourage and nurture talented creative youths of the state who can favourably compete globally in terms of content and technical know-how in film production, the Lagos State Government, in partnership with the Africa Film Academy (AFA), has launched a workshop to train no fewer than 600 youths in filmmaking.

The project “Film in a Box Training”, which opened in Alimosho LGA last Wednesday, is yet another programme under the Lagos Creative Industry Initiative (LACI) of the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism in three designated

centres in Epe, Badagry, and Alimosho local government areas.

Speaking during the launch in Alimosho, the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf explained the aim of the initiative “is to discover raw talents.” She stated that last year, the state partnered with organisations. Akinbile-Yusuf said, “This one is not the same with what we’ve been having in the past because we are bringing it down to the people in the locality.

“Last year, we partnered with reputable organisation like EbonyLife Academy for training and it’s still ongoing as we speak. This one we are having here is just to bridge the gap of the skill.

In this, we are getting raw talents that have the

passion for filmmaking and that is the difference between what we have been doing in the past and this particular one with AFA.” On her part, the founder and chairman of AFA, Peace Ayiam-Osigwe (MFR) noted that the workshop will be training young people in the creative industry using a hands-on basic approach so they can understand the whole process of filmmaking for them to acquire knowledge to thrive in the industry.

According to her, the training will encompass film directing, acting, lighting, sound production and actual marketing of films. She further explained that once they are taken through this process, they are not only going to be learning the theoretical side but also going to be learning the practical side of it.

Senami Releases New Song Tosin Clegg

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enami is an AfroRnB singer and songwriter whose passion for music started at an early age and gradually nurtured through singing lessons, playing the violin and fully got into music creation. In 2020, she had her first recording, which gave her the full conviction that music was what she wanted.

This week, Senami released her debut single titled “Body.” It was produced by Steph.

The song is a beautiful narration of her strong desire for the man of her dreams. Her voice glides smoothly on the instrumental, leading

to a sweet rendition.

Shedding insights on what her new song is all about, she said, “Creating the song was one of the most straightforward things for me because I was determined to finish a whole song, when I started writing I kept telling myself “we have to finish this one” I just caught the vibes for it and let the words come.”

Senami has gained the trust of some fans on social media, especially on Twitter and Instagram, through short, fascinating freestyles. She hopes to give listeners a means to get in touch with their emotions and feelings through her music as she looks forward to performing her songs on stage to a warm audience.

Laolu Gbenjo Wants to be Remembered for Songs of Hope Tosin Clegg

Senami

Achievas Entertainment Signs Onyinye Tosin Clegg T

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Onyinye

eading entertainment outfits, Achievas Entertainment has signed gospel singer, Jacinta Onyinyechi Onuoha better known by the stage name as ‘Onyinye’.

Speaking on the choice of a gospel singer, Founder of Achievas Entertainment, Mr. Paul Cole Chiori said Onyinye was signed because of her singing prowess, ability to compose songs and her vocal power.

“Onyinye is much more than a singer who has all qualities needed of an artiste to excel in the creative industry, she understands the craft and above all her unique voice and texture will differentiate her from others”, Chiori said.

As part of her building-up, while in school, Onyinye worked with a gospel evangelical

She adds, “After we finish the training within the next 2 weeks, we are going to be shooting a film with them. We would use it to practically show what is possible when we train them not just to empower them in filmmaking but to use the skill to earn a living on a daily basis. So for us at AFA, we would teach something we have done for many years all across Africa.”

Ayiam-Osigwe thanked the ministry for believing in AFA and the opportunity given to them as filmmakers to grow talents and capacity. The event attracted seasoned film and television practitioners and consultants in the creative industry like Francis Onwochie, Mrs. Gloria Young, Mr. Keppy Ekpeyong and Mr. Sunny McDon who are members of the AFA. Also among the guests was the president ANTP, Prince Adewale Elesho.

group as a chorister where she ministered in schools like University of Lagos, University of Benin, Kwara State University, Federal University of Technology Owerri amongst others.

It is however pertinent to note that while Onyinye is signed to Achievas Entertainment; she would be managed by the Undaground Media outfit led by Mr. Daniel Cole Chiori.

Speaking on working with the gospel singer, Daniel noted that it was the first time Achievas entertainment will be signing a female gospel artiste, “and there is need to harness both the artiste and the brand properly; more reason why the media outfit was saddled with the responsibility of positioning both parties.

After listening to some of the unreleased songs of Onyinye, It is true to state that the world isn’t ready for what she has in stock.”

While preparing for his US tour, Alujo Specialist,LaoluGbenjoconcludedaone-of-a-kindshow in Nigeria titled, Gratitude which was indeed a beautiful and unique show where he performed some of his old and new songs. Music masters such as the admirable Sola Allyson, Beejay Sax, ChidozieWisdom, Gbenga Akinfenwa and a host of others served a performance like no other to the guests.

With his tour officially set for August to October 2022, he continues to assure everyone of his music’s quality, stating, “General as I do my music I want to be remembered for songs of hope, healing and songs that bring joy to people and all of that. My music talks about joy, happiness, celebration of life and anything that has to do with praise party. I create my music with my experiences in life, my environment and sometimesthespiritalsoinfluencewhatIcreate.

Alujo is my core and it’s all about celebration, dancing and making people happy. It’s a kind of music that you can’t sit down to listen as it would want to make you dance and feel good.”

Laolu Gbenjo

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Express ‘BAHD’ is More Amusing, Sexy Side of Falz Residents Excitement at GOtv

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ith a music concert billed to hold today at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, which demands only those with Permanent Voters Cards or temporary voter slips be allowed entry barely 48 hours after he dropped his latest album ‘BAHD’, Folarin Falana aka Falz is clearly championing an enlightenment of some sort which underlines the conscious influence and political undertone his existing songs and popularity has embraced.

BAHD album cover His fifth body of work, BAHD comes three years after the ‘music activist’ last expect less didacticism but a more studio album, ‘Moral Instruction’, in which fun, sexy, and flamboyant side of Falz he sampled three songs of the late Afrothe rapper, songwriter, activist and beat icon, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and dealt actor as he covers diverse subjects extensively with socio-political themes through his rich writing ability to including government corruption, religious traverse different styles and sounds hypocrisy and terrorism, and failing moral which makes him special featuring standards on the part of Nigerians. This songs - Another Me, Pull Up, All he evidenced in songs like ‘This is Nigeria’, Night, Inside, Gentleman and Knee ‘Senator’, ‘My People’ and ‘Wehdone Sir’.

Down – in the album which encomBut in ‘Bahd,’ listeners are enjoined to

passes Hip Hop, Afropop.

The new album, released under his selfowned record label, Bahd Guys Entertainment, comprises 12 tracks and features Nigerian stars like Tiwa Savage, The Cavemen, BNXN, LAX, Chike, and new Mavin Records signee BoySpyce. Evidently, the new album is named after his record label, and it is another solid addition to the Falz catalog of projects. His previous albums include ‘Wazup Guy (2014)’, ‘Stories That Touch (2015)’, 27 (2017)’.

The ‘BAHD’ album right from inception drew the attention of music lovers following the mini docu-series by Falz introducing the project. The award-winning rapper had earlier taken to his social media platform to share an extensive tracklist of songs off the album. As anticipation for the album builds-up, after promising fans last month that he will release a new album, Falz made good his promise. A day to the release of his latest project, the singer hosted a private party in Lagos where he invited close friends and family to listen to the album. Falz the Bahd Guy artist has been active since 2009, and became well-known with the Yemi Alade and Poe assisted single, “Marry Me”.

Launch in Lokoja

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esidentsofLokoja,KogiState,have expressedexcitementatthelaunch of GOtv Nigeria service in the city.

GOtv, Nigeria’s leading Digital TerrestrialTelevision(DTT)service provider, beamed its service live in Lokoja on June 1.

A resident who identified himself as Hamed, said, “GOtv service in Lokoja is a welcome development for competition in the market. “We have StarTimes and KweseTVhere. It’s good that we now have a very good competitorinGOtv.We’vebeenhearinghowgoodand affordableGOtvis,especiallyforsports.Noteveryone canaffordDStv.IheardsomeofthetopDStvchannels arealsoavailableonGOtv.Sothat’saverygoodonefor us.” Another resident, Rasak Idris, said GOtv coming to Lokoja was long overdue.

Idrisadds:“Istilldon’tknowwhyittookGOtvthislong tocometoLokoja.Butit’sstillawelcomedevelopment becausethemoreoptionsyouhaveonpayTV,thebetter for customers. And indirectly, it’s more business and employment for residents.”

Forthelaunch,GOtvslashedthepriceofitsdecoder andGotennafromN9,500toN6,900tomakeitmore affordable for residents.

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SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

22

POLITY

Akin Ogunbiyi: MyVision is to Build an Economically Sustainable Osun State Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Founder/Group Chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC, is the governorship candidate of Accord Party in Osun State. In this encounter with THISDAY in Osogbo, Ogunbiyi, who describes himself as a “venturer,” unveils and throws more insights on his vision for the state if elected governor in the July 16, 2022 polls

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sun State which was created on August 27, 1991, presents a puzzling paradox in its over 30-year existence since it was curved out of Oyo State. Though, blessed with huge human and material resources like arable farmland covering over 9000 kilometres, mineral deposits, tourist sites, aquatic habitat, the state remains in the backwater of underdevelopment.

For instance, Osun State ranks third in the list of most indebted states in Nigeria, with over N200 billion debt overhang; receives a lean N1.7 billion monthly allocation from the Federation Account (due to deductions) and gThe resultant effect of the state’s huge debt burden and low revenue generation is that, successive administrations struggle to meet only their recurrent expenditures with very little funds left for capital projects.

With very few viable capital projects which come in form of future investments, Osun State is, today, the state of low productivity, unemployment and poverty.

The patriotic bid to change this sad narrative of economic downturn in Osun State has propelled Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, an accomplished technocrat, entrepreneur and founder of Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC, to throw his hat in the political ring as the governorship candidate of Accord Party, in the July 16 ,2022 election.

Ogunbiyi who began his electioneering campaign after his inauguration in Osogbo in April 2022, has now intensified his meet- the- people -campaign across the state.

And anywhere he visited, Ogunbiyi echoed the message of hope, assurance and his conviction of value-added leadership he intends to rigorously pursue if elected governor.

Ogunbiyi has also been consistent in amplifying that he won’t be a governor who will not add value in terms of enhanced productivity and empowerment; that he will re-engineer the economy to become more viable and buoyant, a far cry from its present comatose state. He said that as an entrepreneur of repute, who has nurtured the Mutual Benefits Assurance PLC into a conglomerate in past 25 years, spanning insurance, real estate, banking, oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, etc, he was ready to replicate that same feat in Osun State.

The lle-Ogbo-born and Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-Ife graduate of Agricultural Economics who described himself as ‘’a venturer who is always looking for opportunities to create and deliver value”, believes that he will approach leadership from an entrepreneurial and revenue -generating mindset, and not just to sit down and depend solely on monthly federal allocation.

He affirms: “We must strive to end Osun State economy rallying around three services - civil servants, teachers and peasant farmers.”

Ogunbiyi who has unveiled his blueprint, promised to work in tandem with his Accord Party’s philosophy and manifesto, which is anchored on “corporatism, popularism and capitalism.”

He told journalists: “If elected governor, l will first and foremost, work to guarantee security of lives and property in the state. Since security is the main purpose of government, we will rejig the security architecture in the state to ensure better results.

Ogunbiyi “I am a transformational leader and l intend to replicate this in Osun State. By this, l mean l will pursue a policy of functional education and healthcare. Greater emphasis will be laid on education and health care services, because the two remain the bedrock of sustainable human development.

“We will invest on these two sectors to ensure sound minds, healthy and wealthy citizenry.

We will also create jobs for our teeming but now largely idle youths. We will also do this by creating an enabling environment to will Osun State an investment-friendly state. If elected governor, l will also initiate and sustain an agricultural revolution in the state by utilising our vast arable land, not only to attain food security, but to generate huge revenue from the sector. We will make soft loans available for small scale farmers to produce food and crop crops and by so doing, provide jobs for many Osun youths.”

I am a transformational leader and l intend to replicate this in Osun State. By this, l mean l will pursue a policy of functional education and healthcare. Greater emphasis will be laid on education and health care services, because the two remain the bedrock of sustainable human development

Ogunbiyi who harped on his resolve to tame rural-urban migration, promised to pursue massive infrastructural development in the rural areas and concentrate his envisioned agricultural revolution among the rural populace.”

He continued: “We will unleash our energies and resources to boost industrialisation in the state by maximizing the benefits of our vast mineral resources - gold, kaoline, lron ore, Talc, columbite, etc. located in different parts of the state.

“We will intensify the mining of these deposits at a commercial level that will be beneficial to the state. We won’t play politics with such revenue -yielding ventures or enter into deals that will short-change the state.

“We will also assist artisans, women groups and youths through skill acquisition and soft loans to enable be self-sustaining and become employers of labour.”

The governorship candidate further shed more lights on his intended programmes in the tourism sector, saying: “Osun State is one huge tourist site and such centres include Osogbo grove, ljesha waterfall, Erin annual Olojo festival in lle-lfe, among others.

“We will also pursue our tourism sector development by upgrading facilities at such sites and ensuring more private partnership, aimed at boosting revenue.”

On how his campaign message of a new dawn is being received by the teeming Osun State’s voters, the frontline governorship candidate added: “My message of a new dawn is sinking into the consciousness of our people. Moreover, l am a house hold name in Osun State and beyond. Apart of Mutual Benefits Assurance, which has become a global brand, my instituted Aribiewe Foundation has continued to touch many lives across the state.

The Foundation has assisted many people, families and communities.

“It has also awarded scholarship to over 100 students in secondary and tertiary institutions, in Nigeria and abroad. Many Osun indigenes see my philanthropic gestures as a selling point for my candidacy; they also believe that l am one person keen on offering selfless service to Osun State “The people’s perception of me is evident given the fact that, everywhere l go, there is always a mammoth crowd and widespread excitement, which is visibly expressed by the warmth reception l receive, be it in palaces or campaign grounds.

“The people’s message is clear: They are in dire and urgent need for a new leadership in the state.”

To collaborate Ogunbiyi’s position, a middleaged civil servant in lfe who simply identified himself as Adefemi, said: “l believe Dr. Ogunbiyi is the man to beat in the coming Osun State governorship election. He is a man who has a clear vision of where he wants Osun State to be in the next few years. He equally understands what purposeful leadership is all about. He is every inch prepared for the job; he is different from all others who don’t have a clear vision of what they want to do.

“With the crowd that fills his campaign grounds, the talks around the state is that Ogunbiyi is the most prepared and equipped for the governorship job. We all show he is most suited for the position.

Ogunbiyi is unlike others who just want power first before thinking of what to do. He is already set to hit the ground running once elected.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

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POLITY

Dapo Abiodun’s Long Walk to Victory Femi Ogbonnikan Let me start this piece on a controversial note by declaring from the outset to the wailers that the resounding success recorded by the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in the just concluded governorship primary is not a pyrrhic victory. For well-known reasons, the road leading to his victory is long, bumpy and laced with landmines. But against all odds, he has won the war. Therefore, his endorsement for a second tenure by the party delegates only bears an eloquent testimony to his impressive performance in the last three years.

So, if you like, call it a long walk to victory, you won’t be wrong. If you like, call it a bumpy road to victory; you are still saying the same thing in a different way. Either way, his second term ticket didn’t just fall on his laps. He had toiled hard, sweated and even suffered silent embarrassment for the passion he has put in his commitment to making Ogun State achieve its full potentials as an industrial hub, not only in Nigeria but in the entire West Africa sub-region.

The interesting thing is that after such a long pursuit of an objective goal, victory often comes as an anti-climax. And that exactly is what happened to Abiodun, whose victory in the just concluded governorship primary has continued to resonate across the length and breadth of the state.

Before his recent successful outing, he had been maligned, castigated and even literally sent for the guillotine by his traducers on frivolous allegations that absolutely lacked evidence, all in an attempt to stop his re-election bid. Bad politics runs in their blood.

They are the purveyors of hate news. They concocted all manners of stories and churned them out for the public consumption through the available social media platforms. In the end, all the lies fell like a pack of cards.

While the appalling dirty politicking lasted with attendant mudslinging, Governor Abiodun refused to be distracted. He refused to be drawn into the needless war of words. He left them to their conscience and to the judgment of the good people of Ogun State who knew the reasons behind their antics, who knew how fractious and tempestuous children of Oduduwa always tear each other like killer ants in a roiling cauldron at every turn of election season.

Thus, instead of being swayed by the tragicomedy drama, acrimonious tunes and rhythmic macabre dance that entertained the public on a daily basis, he kept a sharp focus on his developmental agenda, knowing full well that the ultimate decision on the renewal of his mandate lies solely in the people. Thankfully, that they did overwhelmingly in the just concluded governorship primary.

To put things in a proper perspective, this piece is not out to condemn anybody for having an opposing view on governance issues or castigate those who have genuine aspiration to lead the state. In a multi-party democracy like ours, effective participation in politics is sine-qua-non to good governance as it offers the electorate variety of choices among contenders.

Anything to the contrary is another road to dictatorship and tyranny of leadership. And, of course, the battle cry has always remained ‘never again will Nigeria fall back to the abyss of the immediate past dictatorship of the military regime.’ But then, politics or no politics, decorum demands respect for the constituted authority. It demands an objective analysis of issues and the way to achieving a common goal for the good of the greater number of people.

Regrettably, some eerie and desperate power mongers threw caution into the wind, hauling muds at the governor with tongues in the cheek. They wanted to pull the house down and truncate the developmental strides of the present administration in order to fulfill their selfish ambitions. They were determined to alter the prevailing peaceful atmosphere

Abiodun in the state on the altar of parochial narrow self-exclusivity.

But rather than joining issues with them, Prince Abiodun took the whole scenario with a calm fortitude, directing his times, energy and resources on delivering on his electoral promises. It all paid off after all.

It was more like icing on the cake when some supporters of former governor Ibikunle Amosun took a detour and declared their support for Governor Abiodun. In the wake of the sustained campaign of calumny, the senator representing Ogun East, Lekan Mustapha, who led hundreds of his supporters to join Governor Abiodun’s faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state pledged full commitment of his group to work for the success of the administration.

This is apart from other faction consisting of over 200 individuals from Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state led back into the mainstream of the APC by the former Commissioner for Health and also erstwhile 2019 Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Deputy Director-General, Adekunle Akinlade Campaign Organisation, Dr. Babatunde Ipaiye.

Also, a die-hard loyalist of Amosun, Chief Jide Ojuko, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, dumped his principal to pitch tent with the moving train of Abiodun. A couple of weeks ago, during the formal declaration held at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, he eulogised the rare virtue of the governor for his unprecedented giant strides in the provision of qualitative governance which has translated in massive development and growth of the Gateway State in the last three years and routed for the re-election of the Abiodun.

Ojuko said: “Your Excellency, as far as the forthcoming primary election is concerned, we assume you have won thr ticket. Let anybody go to court or say whatever.”

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

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

If I did not have the trust of my people, then I would not have that of other senatorial districts. It is heart-warming

that today we are reconciling with my people. We all have opportunity to examine this administration and I am happy you have decided to have a rethink and come for reconciliation,” Governor Abiodun said.

He further described Mustapha as a principled individual with impeccable character and integrity who had demonstrated uncommon courage when his integrity was tested.

In his remarks, Mustapha commended the governor for spreading projects to all sections of the state, declaring that his senatorial district had benefited from various road projects of the present administration more than previous ones in the last 16 years.

Part of the results of the historic reunion was the overwhelming victory Governor Abiodun recorded in the just concluded governorship primary. Abiodun contested the primary election with five others - Abdulkabir Akinlade, Biyi Otegbeye, Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, Owodunni Opayemi, and Remi Bakare.

Announcing the results of the election held at the main bowl of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, after delegates from the 20 Local Government Areas had cast their votes, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the APC, Mr. Wale Ohu, said Governor Abiodun scored 1,168 votes, while other aspirants had nil. He said that 1,180 delegates were accredited for the election, adding that 1,170 votes cast with two voided votes.

In his acceptance speech, Abiodun promised to continue with the massive turnaround of the state with various infrastructural developments. He particularly appreciated the people of the state for their continuous support and prayers.

The governor also commended members of the electoral committee and gave then kudos for the conduct of a free and fair election. As they say, “the reward of hard work is more work”.

The declaration of Abiodun as the candidate of the APC for the 2023 governorship election is just the end of the beginning of another journey to greatness. This much, he said, while appreciating the people of the state for their continuous support and prayers.

Let no one make mistake about it; Ogun State is not one of the states where you can mess up with the people’s mandate and expect a hand clap. History has proven how politically- sophisticated the state is in terms of measurement of performance. You will always be at home with them if your performance is genuinely measureable and quantifiable.

And they will give it back to you if you think you can outsmart them by playing tricks. Those who don’t know should know that it is practically impossible to deceive the electorate amidst oceanic plentitude of qualified personnel, tested technocrats, great icons and distinguished captains of industry the state is blessed with.

In any case, Governor Dapo does not believe in gloating around over a victory. In his usual magnanimity, he said he had forgiven those who had knowingly and unknowingly wronged him in any way. He has also extended an olive branch to his other co-contenders, seeking their hands in the collective effort to reposition the economy of the state.

He has promised that those who lost in the primary elections would be duly compensated for their show of sportsmanship. He made the promise at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, while addressing members of the state executives of the party, some party faithful and state executive members to commemorate his 62nd birthday and third year in office held on Sunday, May 29, 2022.

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

Tourism Operator, Amachree Lauds Buhari for Visiting UNWTO Justina Uzo

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he National President, Centre for Promotion of Peace, Tourism and Culture (CEPTAC), Chief Mike Amachree has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent visit to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

Counting the gains of the visit, he said it would give the tourism industry in the country a boost, pointing out that the visit must have concretised federal government’s plans to host the first ever Global Conference on Culture, Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos.

Amachree, regarded as ‘Father of Nigeria Tourism’ urged the federal government to carry the tourism industry operators and other stakeholders along in the planning and organization of the conference.

President Buhari had visited the UNWTO headquarters recently to thank the United Nations agency for granting Nigeria hosting rights of the conference.

Moreover, he said the visit might have given Buhari a better understanding of the business of tourism and its importance to any country’s

Amachree economy.

The first Global Conference on Culture, Tourism and Creative Industry, he said, is a move in the right direction as the conference would help beam the searchlight

on Nigeria tourism, culture and the viable creative industry.

It is expected that during the festival, Nigeria would use the opportunity to showcase its vast tourism offerings to the world. It is perhaps this reason the hotelier advised all the states in the federation to use the opportunity to showcase their tourism assets.

Amachree adds: “Our country is blessed with vast tourism assets to showcase to the world,” he said. In the North-east, we have the Yankari Game Reserve and the Tarfawa Balewa Mausoleum. In the North-central, we have the Plateau rock formations and Farin Ruwa Waterfall in Nasarawa. In the North-west, we have the Kano Durbar, the great Kano Wall, the Emir’s Palace, and many others.

“In the South-west, we have cultural festivals like the Osun Osogbo, the Ojude Oba festival of Ijebu people, the Badagry slave relics, the Ikogosi warm spring, the Erin Ijesa waterfall and many more. In the South-east, the Ogbunike Cave, the Ibini Ukpabi slave trade shrine in Arochukwu and in the South-south, we have the Benin bronze casters, Nana of Itsekiri palace, the Brooklyn Tourist Museum, the recently built Port Harcourt Pleasure Park by Governor Nyesom Wike and many others.”

The UNWTO first-ever Global Conference on Tourism, Culture and Creative Industry will be held at the newly refurbished National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

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2023: Tinubu, the Maverick Proves His Mettle

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he All Progressives Congress (APC) deserves a pat on the back for successfully holding its primary elections earlier in the week. Before then, intrigues, horse trading, finger pointing and outright subterfuge were the order of the day. At some point, it felt as if there was never going to be a primary election or convention with some fearing an implosion. In the end, the party managed to pull its act together with the election of Senator Abdullahi Adamu led exco.

Adamu was charged to organise the party’s primary elections to elect flagbearers into different offices especially the presidency.

In the build-up to the primary election, the party announced and pegged the cost of its expression of interest and nomination forms at N100m the most expensive so far in the country.

Those who responded to this announcement and bought the forms were Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, Rotimi Amaechi, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Sen. Chris Ngige, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Pastor. Tunde Bakare, Comrade. Adams Oshiomole, Prof. Ben Ayade, Engr. Dave Umahi and Dr Kayode Fayemi.

Others were Emeka Nwajiuba, Sen. Ken Nnamani, Yahaya Bello, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Gov. Badaru, Godwin Emefiele, Ahmed Sani Yerima, Ajayi Borriface, Mrs Uji Ohnenye, Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo, Dimeji Bankole and Yunusa Nuhu Ometo totalling 25 aspirants in all.

Just like former President Olusegun Obasanjo enthroned the late Umaru Yar’Adua as his successor in 2007, President Muhammadu Buhari sought to replicate the same pathway by choosing his own successor. Initially, he denied nursing any ambition to enthrone a successor. When asked by a TV reporter if he would follow that well beaten track of choosing his successor? Buhari said he didn’t care who succeeded him.

Shortly afterwards, in yet another media interview, he declared that he had a candidate in mind and that the annointed candidate was a well guarded secret. He went on to assert that if he were to divulge the identity of his annointed candidate, he would be killed ahead of time.

Buhari’s declaration suddenly set tongues wagging: who was this annointed candidate? Was the candidate a southerner or northerner? If it is a northerner, is Buhari retaining power in the north after eight years on the saddle? How about the south? If he annoints a southerner, would it be Asiwaju Bola Tinubu or someone else? If he ditches Tinubu in the end, how would it play out?

So these were the undercurrents that underpinned the build up to the special convention to elect the party’s presidential candidate. Buhari who initially claimed that he couldn’t be bothered who succeeded him suddenly made a volte face turn around seeking to name a successor.

To actualise this project, he first sought to foist a party chairman on the party. He armtwisted stakeholders of the party including the governors and succeeded in foisting Senator Abdulahi Adamu, a pro-core north and anti-south hardliner as

party chairman unilaterally.

To douse tension, Buhari directed that all first term governors should get automatic tickets for second term, while out going second term governors should have the liberty to instal their respective successors. With this plan, Buhari expected them to back his mission to unilaterally impose his annointed candidate on the party.

Justifying his decision, Buhari told the governors that “the party has successfully established internal policies that promote continuity and smooth succession plans.”

He went on to hint that “first term governors who have served credibly well have been encouraged to stand for reelection. Similarly, second term governors have been accorded the privilege of promoting successors that are capable of driving their visions as well as the ideals of the party.”

To ensure that his boat was not torpedoed, he solicited the cooperation and support of the governors and other stakeholders urging them to embrace the law of reciprocity and support him in picking his successor, who would fly the presidential flag.

Where did Buhari get the confidence and courage to think that he could unilaterally impose or foist a candidate on the party? Is it that he has done so well that he would have the audacity to enthrone a successor or he just wanted to continue with his impunity of imposing yet another failure on Nigerians to continue with his failed policies?

Truth is that Buhari and his cheer leaders seem to overrate the capacity of the President. To refuse to admit that Buhari’s almost eight of disasterous rule has demystified him and eroded that messianic toga which he hitherto paraded like a talisman, is a mission in delusion which outcome is a definitive failure.

Would Buhari have pulled it through singularly? The answer is an emphatic NO. The reason is simple: he failed to realise that he is an outgoing President with waning powers. Under the circumstance, he is no longer in control as loyalty within the party has already shifted to who is presumed to emerge as the party’s flagbearer and possibly next President. He was literally a lame duck, trying to exercise what has left him. Buhari, Adamu and their cohorts forgot that the train had left the station very long ago.

Meanwhile, while Buhari, Adamu and their cohorts were puffing and huffing in Abuja, Tinubu was taciturn, and preferring to adopt a siddon look and wait and see mien. And so it was until he decided to journey to Abeokuta to confer with the state’s delegates ahead of the special convention.

While there, he decided to sieze the moment to break his long silence and challenged the status quo by arguing that without his personal efforts and contributions Buhari would never have been President. According to him, “If not for me that led the battlefront, Buhari wouldn’t have won. He contested first, second and third time, but lost. He even said on television that he won’t contest again. But I went to his home in Kaduna. I told him ‘you would contest and win, but you won’t joke with the matter of the Yoruba.”

Tinubu’s outburst immediately sent shock waves across the

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

country; grabbing headlines and dominating discussions. In the north, there was palpable angst against Tinubu for daring Buhari.

Adamu, who chose to cry more than the bereaved rose to the occassion threatening serious consequences for Tinubu. The former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, a staunch Tinubu supporter was infuriated and warned that Tinubu had reduced his chances of success at the primary by attacking Buhari. According to him, Tinubu was not the only person whose support made the difference arguing that others too threw in their support to make the difference.

He stressed that “Sometimes it is very difficult to support a Yoruba person in national politics if you are not one. They have a way of making you regret your support because they eventually make you seem like a traitor to your own people.”

Thus, it became apparent that Tinubu had dug his own grave and was only waiting to be buried by the almighty north. That was the mood in the days leading up to the convention. But unknown to them, Tinubu, who goes by the sobriquet - The Lion of Bourdillon, had a surprise for them. Ahead of the convention, the maverick politician and master strategist had already laid his incontrovertible pathway to an historic landslide that was to thorough confound and shame his traducers.

How did he achieve that? Tinubu knew that for him to succeed in this last gasp life long ambition, he needed to identify northern play makers to make a persuasive and convincing case to them for a Southern presidency to win the 2023 polls. This is to counter the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which already picked former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as its flagbearer.

Pronto he aligned with core northerners of like minds including Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Abubakar Bello of Niger, Yahaya Inuwa of Gombe, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara who all teamed up under the aegis of the Progressives Governors’ Forum to declare their support for power shift to the south.

Before this audacious declaration, both the presidency and Adamu had argued that it was proper and within the President’s right to choose his successor. Adamu took a step further by pronouncing Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the choosen one.

But the pronouncement didn’t go down well with the progressive governors forcing them to issue a communique and publicly announcing their support for powershift to the south as well as dissociating themselves from any support for Lawan.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Business Unit Head, So Klin Nigeria, Mr. Graig Manning; former PSG Player, Mr. Jay Jay Okocha; L-R: Mrs. Becky Efeotor; Chancellor, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University /Special Guest Lec- Sales Operations Manager, So Klin Nigeria; Carrie Obasuyi; and Business Head , So Klin, Nigeria, turer; Mrs. Cecilia Ibru; Mrs. Stella Igbinedion; and Mrs. Carol Eghagha, at a Special Lecture Mr. Siddharth Suri at the official announcement of the So Klin and Paris Saint German Football SUNDAY ADIGUN on ‘The URHOBO WOMAN’ by Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, at the London Marriot Hotel, Regents Park….. Club Partnership held in Lagos…. recently recently.

L:R: Lagos-based Artist, Nengi Omuku; Artist based in Lagos,Temitayo Ogunbiyi and Artist based in Athens; Chioma Ebinama,at the preview of the group presentation “The Company She Keeps” showing at Tiwani Contemporary held in Lagos recently

L-R: FrieslandCampina WAMCO Marketing Manager, Specialised Nutrition, Akon Imoh; siblings, Franklin and Naomi Ashien, and Food Nutritionist, Damilola Alabi during the sampling of Peak 456 Growing Up Milk at a Children’s Day Celebration held at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa Ikeja...recently

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

POLITY

Azibaola Robert’s Expedition into Niger Delta Forests Austin Ekeinde Both locally and globally, the Niger Delta region is renowned for its rich hydrocarbons. But not much of attention is given to the vast and exotic wildlife in one of the world’s largest deltas which is daily contending with the adverse environmental practices - including oil spillages - of both individuals and corporate organisations, amidst the stark realities of Climate Change.

It is on realisation that the region is in peril as a result of these unfavourable environment practices that Azibaola Robert and a team of climate enthusiasts undertook a 14-day expedition into deep forests of the Niger Delta - documenting their experience into a cinema of magnificent forests, wildlife and pure nature in serene form, highlighting the unfavourable effects of climate change and the need for the preservation of rare species (plants and animals); creation of alternative means of sustainable economy by way of tourism and conservation of the Niger Delta rainforests.

Robert is the founder of Zeetin Engineering and the Chairman/Managing Director of Kakatar Group. A staunch lover of nature, Robert and his team made some startling discoveries during the expedition. “We observed that some of the wildlife, such as endangered species like pangolins, are fast depleting in population due to unfriendly human and commercial activities in the Niger Delta. And this has been happening for years,” Robert said.

“Pangolins, foxes, iguanas, eagles, among others, are now difficult to find in these rich rainforests.

That’s disturbing!”

The team spent 14 days in the Niger Delta rich rainforests, filming and highlighting the forests’ situation. At the end, they produced a one hour, 44 minutes documentary titled: “Azibaola Robert’s Expedition into Deep Forests” - the first of its kind on environmental documentary in Nigeria.

Robert said the two-part (two-hour) series film, premiered on June 5 on AIT took the producers over six months of work on the hundreds of hours of invaluable footages to produce. He said the abridged movie would leave viewers with lifetime experience.

“It is a vivid reality show - the first of its kind on nature documentary in Nigeria,” Robert excitedly said. He added that the AIT premiere would be the first time viewers “are allowed into this awesome nature adventure.”

The aim of this documentary, Robert said, “is to let Nigerians learn from the issues raised and take

Robert actions in protecting and preserving the environment for the present and future generations,” adding, “because, if we don’t take the necessary, urgent actions, future generations will no longer see most of these species in their natural environment, except in zoos.”

Robert is taking the documentary to international stage.

According to him: “We are seeking for possible collaboration on the issues highlighted in the documentary by sending it to all major international media outfits and television stations in the future. With our massive ongoing promo of

the date and time of broadcast, AIT expects a huge viewing and it will be a massive market for brand promotion.

It will also help identify fantastic brands for nature and climate change and project advertising brands unto the international stage.

“In addition to this being the maiden edition, we intend to make the expedition an annual event and to make it open for external participation by interested organisations and individuals.”

Osun Central Stands Still for Senator Basiru Hammed Shittu

T

he just concluded primaries of the two major political parties, APC and PDP in the country has come and gone but the winners and losers of that primaries have continued to review what might have caused such development.

In Osun State, the lawmaker representing Osun Central Senatorial at the National Assembly and Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Suraju Ajibola Basiru, reaped the fruits of what he had sown with mass turn out of the members of his constituency to affirm his candidature for reelection. He was unopposed based on his outstanding representation since his election into the House of Senate.

Although, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Titiloye Tomori- Ponle tried to challenge Bassiru for the ticket, but when she too saw the handwriting on the wall, she quickly returned to her cells, joined the line of honour and withdrew from the race.

In view of this, it is no overstatement to say that giving Basiru ticket for second term is a well-deserved one in view of his past achievements since his election into the National Assembly. The eloquent and unifier lawmaker has distinguished himself since his election into the national assembly both for the people he represented and the entire 9th National Assembly.

His election into the senate witnessed tremendous gains for the people of the senatorial district.

His hardwork and dedication to duty, which he demonstrates at the senate and party level, also resulted in his appointment as the Director General of the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola Campaign Organisation for second term, which was greeted with wider acceptability among the stakeholders of the APC in the state.

A lawyer by profession, Basiru has spent the last three years working very hard for the upliftment of the people of his constituency. The Osogbo born politician has been transforming the socioeconomic well-being of the people

Senator Basiru of Osun Central.

This Senator, who was Attorney General and commissioner for Justice in his home state, is using this experience in discharging his legislative and senatorial responsibilities since his debut in the Red chamber of the National Assembly.

Members of the APC in Osogbo, Olorunda, Irepodun, Orolu, Ila, Ifelodun, Odo-otin, Boripe and Boluwaduro local government areas that make up his senatorial district, said the lawmaker was reelected based on his unprecedented transformation of the senatorial district.

They said Bashiru’s election into the senate caused a shift in the old order, putting the youth in position to provide qualitative leadership. Many youths have become employers of labour today through Bashiru’s laudable agenda for them.

Bashiru’s agenda of developing education in the senatorial

district has seen dilapidated schools wearing a new look while new ones were constructed to improve the quality of education of the rural populace that make up his senatorial district.

He has also been living up to the expectations in the area of empowerment, to reduce poverty among his people and to enhance the socioeconomic growth of the area.

Talking about agriculture, electricity supply, roads, boreholes drilling, among others, this lawmaker has distinguished himself, thus making life more comfortable for his people.

No wonder, on May 28, 2022, the people of his constituents came out enmasse to give him a ticket for second term (unopposed) so as to continue with his positive agenda for the people of the area.

In what is considered payback time, the people who came out to give him the ticket said the lawmaker had performed very well in the Senate.

A member of APC in Osogbo Local Government, Saheed Ajao lauded the lawmaker for working for the people. Ajao said: “Senator Basiru is a lover of the people of APC in the Osun Central Senatorial District. The support given to him now to go back to the senate testifies to his quality representation.”

He also said the lawmaker had remained a unifier, “and I want to add that the people of Osun Central senatorial have not been having it so good until the election of this lawmaker.

We are prepared very well for next year’s election and by the grace of God, Senator Basiru will be reelected into the senate in view of his outstanding performances.”

Also speaking, a pioneer secretary of Osogbo West Local Development Authority, Lateef Rabiu (KJL) said, “I want to say that Senator Basiru remains a good leader and has been living up to the expectations of those that elected him into the senate.”

He said the lawmaker sees all the members of the senatorial as his family “and this has continued to earn him more respect in the area.”

Rabiu added, “This is the man that has touched the lives of common man. His politics is a total paradigm shift and has made more life bearable for the people of the senatorial. I want to say that come 2023 election in Osun Central, the lawmaker would be reelected so as to continue with his good work.”

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Avert’ or ‘Avoid’?

D

AILY Sun Editorial of June 8 welcomes us today with three slip-ups: “The incident which occurred at the Kings (sic) Church Assembly’s annual free food programme at Polo Club in Port Harcourt GRA ought to have been avoided (averted) with adequate crowd control.”

“We call on the Rivers State government to institute a probe on (into) the matter with a view to finding out the immediate and remote causes of the stampede.” By the way, ‘Immediate and remote causes’ sounds trite—there should be other ways to express this! “…we call on the government (yet another cliché within seconds of the first offence!) and the police to develop adequate crowd control (crowd-control) strategies to forestall such incidents in future.” Just end the sentence by deleting ‘in future’. Would it have been ‘in the past’?

“24 years after, your memories lives (how and why?) on” “When history speaks of the very (no amplification for the next word) best examples of patriotic Nigeria (Nigerian) leaders….”

“Sports Minister congratulates Gumel over (on/upon) award” “NFF reiterates Nigeria, S/Leone will be behind closed door (doors)” Horrible omission: Nigeria, S/Leone match…

THE GUARDIAN of May 24 nurtured confusion: “Move to reduce new plate number, driver’s licence prices fail (sic)” A rewrite: Move to reduce new number plate, driver’s licence prices fails.

“Towards making Nigeria a malaria free nation” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Life, May 24) Get it right: malaria-free nation DAILY INDEPENDENT of May 23 committed three infelicities: “Al-Makura flags-off (flags off) N58m drug revolving loan scheme” “Aliyu: Securing Niger with vigilante

(vigilance) group” There is a difference between ‘vigilance’ and ‘vigilante’ which consequently also affects their application.

“It is this remarkable principle of honour that makes him enjoy a mutual relationship with horde of aspirants….”

Comment: a horde of aspirants or hordes of aspirants, depending on context.

“This government will do the right thing as soon as the judiciary puts its acts (act) together.”

“Man arraigned in court over N2.4m fraud” Where else would he have been arraigned?

Let us take the next three improprieties from THE NATION of May 23: “…and most times, access on (to) the Internet are (is) not readily available….” “…he said he has (had) not seen any evil signal.”

THISDAY of May 23 offered readers these vacuous lines: “PDP will reclaim Lagos” According to the 7th Edition of Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, ‘reclaim’ means ‘to get something back or to ask to have it back after it has been lost, taken away, etc.’ Whoever cast this jaundiced headline must have been thoughtlessly busy: how can the roguish, murderous and visionless party reclaim what it never had and will never have? There is what is known as interpretative reporting—it is not rehash journalism: whatever anyone says must be edited for clarity, brevity, good public health and sensible readership. Advertorials can be tolerated—certainly not news items.

“Playing ostrich as another oil-fuelled banking crises brews” (Full-page advert

by OTL Africa Downstream) Singular: crisis; plural: crises. The decision is

theirs!

“The establishment of a polytechnic will compliment (complement) the two existing universities….” (THE GUARDIAN, May 23) “Navy arrests ship over (for) illegal bunkering” (Source: as above) THE PUNCH of May 23 was also rounded up by my lexical court marshals on three occasions: “Police arrest two students over (for) colleague’s death” “What Harvard has joined together…” Must we stick to biblical grammatical standards (what God has joined together) and outdated dictionaries? Formal: What Harvard has joined…(without the ‘together’ stuff which is implied)! As we all should know, languages, especially English, are dynamic.

Vanguard of May 22 deserves to be sanctioned: “IGP threatens to sanction policemen who harrass journalists” Spell-check: harass/embarrass.

“G8 endorse (endorses) UN peace mission in Ukraine” (Source: as above) THE NATION of May 22 was devoid of scholarship: “This is what the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) of Queen’s College, Lagos….” Stock expression; Parent-Teacher Association of….

Next on the line-up is TRIBUNE of 22 May which could not make a morphological distinction: “…the Nigerian state was literarily (literally) on a tailspin.”

DAILY INDEPENDENT Politics of May 22 disseminated four blunders: “…the greed of those who by do or die (do-or-die) processes found themselves in the corridor (corridors) of power….” “…the ruling party or be a presidential boot-leaker (bootlicker).”

“It is the failure of governance that has resulted to (in) the lack of electric power supply….”

“Our grouse with SWF, by Fashola” (THISDAY, May 17) My grouse about (not with)

Who Will Fix Nigeria?

I

n recent memory, everything in the political space of Nigeria is fraught with some damning or potentially disturbing undertones which keep the citizenry in perpetual frenzy.

Our case is worsened by the fervency and maddening frequency of messages of doom, conflagration, pestilence, and all sorts of conspiracy theories and morbid predictions churned out on the ubiquitous social media networks. If it were possible to do a holistic national diagnostics on all the estimated 215 million Nigerians within a space of 48 hours that it took the latest special presidential convention of the ruling political party, the barometer would have crashed into nether regions, making our laboratory technicians collapse in bewilderment.

Such is the density of our fears and follies that we continually anticipate the catastrophic, even when we look up to the Supreme Being for the miracle of surviving another year. Yet, our leaders continue to act and speak as if they are in control of the very air we breathe, and thus have the capacity to moderate the unknown or mitigate the frightening.

This somnolent period makes one introspect, and seize any documents that seek to articulate or contextualize our perilous times, for any hints of possible salvation, if not celebration. In pursuit of these sentiments, I dug back into the article we wrote in this column on Saturday, April 24, 2021, titled “Great Nation, Poor People: Political Pestilence”.

Please, recall with me: “We need to fix our Politics. No sophistry, manifesto, propaganda or declaration of ethical reorientation can change the minds of present operators and concessionaires of our politics, such that they will somehow turn a good leaf, and start oozing goodness. Only in the movies.

A candid appraisal of the way we practise politics, and consequently approach governance, clearly shows that our current pass of poverty, inadequacy and inequalities will only mature, mutate and produce more millions of deviants and desperados.The lament is real; our politics is farcical and Machiavellian, when you pause to remove the veil of partisanship and other base sentiments. Irrespective of the political party, the state or locality, Nigerian politicians, with few exceptions, often seek different ways and waifs

to foist instability and discontent when they are not directly in power; while those clutching the levers of government spend several hours each day fomenting terrors and tortures for their restless opponents….

Within this mix of moves and countermoves, it is certain that many lives would have been lost in street and nocturnal confrontations; property and possessions destroyed; the innocents - unaware or ill fated by mere association - are usually the collateral appendages for future justification of reprisal, or indemnity for juicy appointments and other patronage.

Politicians may have veins with blood flowing through them like ordinary folks, the true politician cannot contextualise scenarios like simple folks.They have apparently evolved a mentholated adjustment in their bloodline that enables them to make vicious decisions and hair-raising stratagems that will repulse normal human beings.

Many of us see the beasts and brutes in politics, and swear never to sit in council with them, so as not to be contaminated by their viruses; yet we are mesmerized, and therefore enticed, by their prodigious affluence and uncountable wealth locked in dungeons impenetrable to weak monetary and fiscal institutions and watchdogs.

Few of us are conditioned to seek a bite of the pie, however rotten, and thus snag a few Ghana-must-go bags of lucre. The price is to kill or be killed; to lie and entrap, or be fall-guys for big principals. We have now designed a system where young folks with significant investments in the professions, trades, industries, and what have you, stroll away from it all, entranced by the sweet aroma of juicy appointments or selections to political ascendancy, and lucrative power grabs that astound the senses. Few years down the road, with tales of missed or unfulfilled promises and discarded strategies, the former technocrats have become marooned in political prostitution and philandering, so much that though they lament and whine in

private denunciations, their journeys have been so swollen and sodden by blood, bullshit and blunders, that resignation or reversal is as dangerous as committing suicide.

Our politics cannot even pretend to uplift and edify the best ethos of our complex, diverse but immensely blessed nationalities. Clearly, our political parties and politicians have different definitions of vision, spirit and power. We chant those words at rallies, in manifestos and debates, but the actions and identifiable policies of our political class show they have a scant understanding of the meaning and examples of vision in governance. Twenty (three) years into the fourth republic, we are still grappling with understanding the philosophies and raison d’être of our major political parties, when you consider their actions, unspoken characteristics and words that are delivered in moments of national sobriety.

Sometimes, you are left with a lingering feeling that apart from the seemingly obvious fact that in many states, and the federal institutions, our best and brightest have been shunted out of prominence, we have now formatted a process that denies and forbids some of our best and brightest minds any hope of sitting at the table of power and influencing the future and the potential prosperity of this country.

When you mention the ridiculous matter of corruption, every politician, irrespective of party affiliation, seems confused about the gripe of the ordinary Nigerians on soaring cases of corruption, in high and low places, despite the so-called anticorruption activities of this current regime. We are not too amazed though, as we remember that since the 1970s when the phenomenon of armed banditry escalated after the civil war and multiple coups, we have continued to witness the exploits of our anti-robbery squads even as the spate and madness of armed robbery soared. In fact, up until the dissolution of the Special Anti-robbery Squads last year, amid general protests (#EndSARS), it appeared to many that the law enforcers were becoming more notorious and draconian that the robbers we set them up to curtail.

Now, we notice the shock of the citizens whose acts of corruption have now been magnified and metastasized by a diligent and indolent political class to a level where the citizens are frightened

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

poor English usage by colleagues of mine.

“The deluge of encomium (encomiums) that have continued to trail….” (TRIBUNE, May 17) National News of May 17 circulated three improprieties: “”Anyaoku proffers solution to Nigeria’s stability (instability)” “Man arrested over (for) death threats” “A student that cannot meet up with a set standard won’t be promoted into (to) the next class and if….”

“Odubela tasks teachers on frequent trainings” (THISDAY, May 24) Education Today: ‘training’ is uncountable.

“More grease to your elbow.” (Radio Nigeria News Analysis, May 24) More power (not grease!) to all readers of this column.

“Incidences of conjoined twins are not new....” (NTA Morning Belt, May 24) We now know how they come about: incidents, not incidences, please.

“8 policemen arrested over extortion” (Daily Trust, May 24) When will police criminality stop going the rounds? They will always be arrested for (not over) extortion and banditry!

“But even at that, labour was not overtly involved in the arrests and detentions that followed.” (Leadership, May 24) ‘Detention’ is uncountable.

“In fact, it looks like increase in the prices of petroleum products has (have) became (sic) an annual ritual.” (DAILY News, May 24) “Female lawmakers angry over treatment meted to them by their male colleagues.” (The Moment, May 24) No chauvinism: meted out to. “…until 1998 when individuals and groups converged in (on) Italy.…”

“I throdded that strange land and it took the grace of God to survive.” What is going on?

‘Throdded? Vide a standard dictionary.

“Unfortunately for the US government, majority (a majority) of the UN members were….”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

that the commonwealth could be wiped so clean that corruption will need a new name. The corollary of this state of the unnatural is that governance has gone missing - defenders and fighters of corruption are so single-minded that only the complexities and intrigues of their unending battles hold their interest. Governance is on auto-pilot. And the governed, desperate and desolate, find occasions to mirror the same tendencies in their private spaces... parodying the phrase, ‘like father, like son’... as thus: ‘like government, like the governed’.

The reason the case of politics is very difficult to treat, is the abdication of responsibilities by organs created to redress excesses of the executive arm of government which is largely populated by politicians.

The legislative and judiciary arms of government have failed the citizens more often than not. While the case of the legislature is sadly understandable, as they are filled to the brim with politicians whose veins are throbbing with the baser component of the lamentable virus; that of the judiciary is particularly worrisome. We believe that most members of the bar are not politicians, though sometimes, the pronouncements and ambivalence coming from that arm make us wonder if the same virus has not contaminated our pristine institution.

Add that to a disruptive and defective electoral process, where even professors cannot be trusted to keep their fingers in their pockets, bedeviling what ought to be a sacrosanct duty with the corrosive infestation of the politicians’ viruses. The desperation of the politicians, exemplified by the brigandage of political thugs and compromised electoral umpires, set us up for a macabre drama in circles. Is it now possible to tell hungry and harried voters, who see politicians as vultures sitting over the carrion of the national treasury, not to demand to be paid in consumables and tokenism before they will surrender their votes? It’s a damning circle of poverty: one of mind, the other of stomach… but the end is similar - catastrophe.”

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

ON THE MARCH AGAIN

11.6.2022

PAGE. 29

Adebayo Adeleye

Dream Come True

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Adebayo Adeleye Dream Come True

But for his agility between the sticks in which he made 26 appearances in all competitions and kept seven clean sheets; Hapoel Jerusalem FC might not be campaigning in the Israeli top flight next season. Adebayo Adeleye’s performance was indeed not lost among Super Eagles coaches as he got his maiden invitation into the Nigeria’s national team for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe. Though the 22-year-old was an unused substitute against the Leone Stars, he still sees his call-up as a dream come true

F

or his fine performances at Hapoel Jerusalem FC, Adebayo Adeleye was rewarded with his first ever call-up to the latest Nigeria squad. The shotstopper was included in the Super Eagles 27-man squad list for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers Group A matches against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

Taking to Twitter, Adeleye revealed his pride at being chosen to represent his national team, saying it was a dream come true for him.

He wrote: “Excited to be invited to the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON Qualifiers against Sierra Leone & São Tomé.

“Thank you all for the support so far and special appreciation to everyone Hapoel Jerusalem. It’s actually a dream come through for me.” Adeleye earned his debut call-up to the national team following his impressive performances between the sticks for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Premier League. The 22-year-old was a major reason why the Red Devils maintained their top

flight status last season as they finished 12th of 14 teams in the league. He made 26 appearances in all competitions, keeping seven clean sheets.

The Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper indeed said he is ready for competition for playing time in the national team’s matches.

“I am happy to be part of this great team.

It’s a very big one for me. In short, it’s a dream come true. I am going to give it my best shot and see how it goes. I am here not to make up the numbers, but to see how I can help my country to qualify for AFCON 2023,” Adebayo said.

“The match against Sierra Leone is a big one for me being new in the team, but I am under no pressure. If I get the go ahead to start or called upon mid into the game, I will not disappoint. I will give my best and see how it goes.”

Asked if the presence of Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho ahead of him in the goalkeeping position does not worry him, the 22-year-old, a former Nigerian national U-17 goalkeeper said, “I am not worried, I will continue to work hard and see how it goes. I am equal to the challenge.”

Former Super Eagles goalkeeping trainer,

AlloyAgu, has once toldAdeleye to be patient about his Super Eagles call-up but charged not take his foot off the burner in his quest to get a national team call-up.

Nigerians in Israel have long before now been questioning the rationale behind Adeleye’s omission from the Super Eagles despite his superb form but the former 36Lion FC believe as his opportunity will come and he will grab it with both hands.

Born on May 16, 2000, Adeleye who turned 22 in May this year, has more than 10 years of active football left in him but in his current form, he looks more like the solution needed to solve the key problem of goalkeeping in the Super Eagles.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has congratulated Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem goalkeeper, Adeleye on his maiden national team call-up ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 Nations Cup qualifiers.

Adeleye has been in the doldrums in recent years, playing in the second tier of Israeli football until last season when his team gained promotion.

Adeleye was a constant performer last season, keeping seven clean sheets in 26

appearances in all competitions to help his side stay afloat in the Israeli Ligat ha’Al. The 22-year-old got rewarded for his performances as he made the cut for the Super Eagles squad that would take on Sierra Leone and Mauritius later this month.

Eguavoen coached Adeleye at U-17 level, but he failed to include the agile shot-stopper in his squad for the last AFCON and the World Cup qualifier against Ghana.

However, following Adeleye’s invitation to the Super Eagles camp, Eguavoen congratulated him on the feat and wished him success with the three-time African champions.

“Welcome to the Super Eagles, Leye.

Wish you the very best on this new career highlight,” Eguavoen said via his Twitter page.

With new Super Eagles Portuguese Manager, Jose Peseiro still searching for his best 11, the 22-year-old could get a chance.

On Thursday Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in their opening Group A game of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, before heading to Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, June 13, to play away against Sao Tome and Principe.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER 2023 AFCON QUALIFIERS

Super Eagles on the March Again Ahmed Musa tries to outpace a Leone Star’s opponent (Inset) Jose Peseiro

After a disappointing second round ouster at the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon and failing to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup slated for Qatar, Nigeria’s senior football team-Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday began another AFCON qualifier game, which is their first competitive match under new manager-Jose Santos Peseiro. Kunle Adewale asks if it would not be another heartbreaking time for soccer loving Nigerians

T

he Super Eagles are campaigning in relatively easy Group A, which comprises their Thursday opponent, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Guinea-Bissau.

Against the Leone Stars in an empty Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, the Eagles were far from impressive but only managed to overcome an early scare but were lucky to overcome a more organised Sierra Leone by 2-1 to pocket the three points at stake, thanks to goals from Everton’s Alex Iwobi and Napoli’s Victor Oshimen in a stunning first-half comeback.

The victory marked the first competitive game for the new Super Eagles manager.

After two friendly game losses to Mexico and Ecuador, going one goal behind against Sierra Leone had raised some concerns about Peseiro’s team.

However, considering the gulf in quality between both sides, one would have expected the Lone Star to get a proper mauling. But it was not the case as

the Sierra Leoneans went about their duties majorly unabated.

Nigeria could have scored more than two, but the continuous issue of profligacy in front of goal reared its ugly head again as Nigeria missed several opportunities.

Speaking after the game, Peseiro shared his elation with the victory, but he agreed that the West-African giants were not at their best.

“We are better than Sierra Leone in this game”, Peseiro said.

“We deserve the win. We changed the setup in the second half, I think it was only in the last 10 minutes that our opponents had some good spaces.

“We created a lot of scoring chances, we could have won with a bigger margin, but the team needs more time and we must work.

The Super Eagles would look to be at their best when they lock horns with Sao Tome and Principe in the second round of games.

The Pereiro side will on Monday play their second group match against the Falcons and True

Patriots of Sao Tome and Principe in an encounter Nigeria is highly favoured to cart away the three points at stake.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, recently charged the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles to make the squad a blend of the very best professional players based at home and abroad, hinting that the Ministry will assist in the rebuilding process by providing a conducive environment for the Portuguese to restore the confidence of football-loving Nigerians and the government in the Super Eagles.

Dare told the gaffer that Nigerians want their national teams to win every game, even though this is an impossibility in sport. “Whenever the team does not win, it must be seen to have demonstrated high-level commitment, consistency and discipline on and off the pitch.

“To be able to appreciate the deep love of our people for the game and why they want their team to win all the time, you

have to live in our country, enjoy our food, our weather, our hospitality. I want to let you know that the process that produced you was governed by diligence, commitment and spirit of teamwork, and indeed very thorough. I believe that you will use this opportunity to make a mark by leading the Super Eagles to new heights.”

The Minister charged Peseiro to deliver a win for the Super Eagles against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Abuja on Thursday.

Peseiro in return said he was fully committed to the objective of winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next year summer.

“I have always loved the Nigeria team, ever since I watched them play at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. It is a team with a solid pedigree.

Presently, we have both quality and quantity of players and it is always a good situation for any team.”

Whether the Portuguese would be able to take the Super Eagles to a new height remains to be seen.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Nigeria women cricket team

Aibangbe

Nigeria Humbles Germany after Edging Brazil in Kwibuka Cricket

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Nigeria Women’s cricket team made it two wins out of two, this time beating Germany in a historic first-ever meeting between the two sides. The win comes after the team had earlier defeated Brazil yesterday at the 7th Kwibuka T20 Women Tournament in Rwanda.

Nigeria won the toss and put the European side to bat. A move that speaks both to their belief in their bowling attack and their ability to chase down a score. A development the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation says had justified the federation’s

investment in the team.

“I am particularly very happy at their performance. They had a little hitches here and there but you must admit that this team has improved from what we saw earlier in March in Lagos and they are getting better with every game.”

Teenage sensations Lilian Ude and Rukayat Abdulrasaq took the new ball for Nigeria and bowled beautifully but it was Rachael Samson with four wickets for 13 runs from her four overs who did real damage. Christina Gough 22(49) and Sharanya Sadarangani

22(30) were the only ones to put up any real resistance.

In their reply, the Nigerians were expected to make light work of the total but their innings got off to a shaky start, losing Kehinde Abdulquadri and Agatha Obulor cheaply before the pair of Esther Sandy and Salome Sunday 32(40) took the game away from Germany.

This win moves Nigeria to the top of the standings at the ongoing KwibukaT20 Tournament in Kigali along with Kenya, as the only teams with 100 percent record so far.

Britarch, NTIC, Pacesetters’ Schools Excel at K.I.O Consult Inter-Schools Athletics Championship Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Britarch Schools, Lugbe, Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) and Pacesetters’ School Wuye have emerged the top three schools at the inaugural K.I.O Consult Abuja InterSecondary Schools Athletics Championship (AISSAC) 2022.

Britarch amassed six gold and two silver medals to top the medal chart at the one-day meet held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and conducted in line with global athletic standards.

NTIC placed second with three gold and three silver medals while Pacesetters’ School earned three gold and one bronze medals to finish third.

About 700 athletes drawn from 14 FCT schools participated in the event which featured specialties including 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x 100m Relay, 4x 400m Relay, 4x 400m (Mixed Relay), Long Jump and Shot Put. Britarch School won the boys 100m, 400m and Long Jump events. Tobenna Nwafor finished the 100m sprint at 11.75 secs, while Odida Daniel won the 400m race at 55.64 secs. Jumilo

Wahab won the Long Jump contest with a leap of 5.89m.

Eric Makwe of Pacesetters’ School won the 200m boys race in a time of 24.16secs.

Zainab Idris Abubakar of NTIC won the 100m girls race in a time of 13.02 secs while later in the day, she added the long jump gold to her collection, leaping a distance of 4.77m .

Miracle Ezechukwu of NTIC won the 200m girls race in a time of 27.12 secs while Chineye Okuefuna of GAAT International School won the 400m girls quarter mile race in a time of 73.67.

UEFA Nations League: Germany vs Italy, Others Clash on DStv, GOtv SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to Matchday 4 action from the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, with fixtures set for Sunday to Tuesday.

A busy Sunday is headlined

by Spain hosting Czech Republic at La Rosaleda in Malagaat 6:45pm on SuperSport La Liga

(DStv channel 204 and GOtv channel 32).

Monday features France hosting Croatia at 6:45pm on SuperSport Premier League on (DStv channel 203), as well as Denmark hosting Austria at 6:45pm on SuperSport Football (DStv channel 205

and GOtv channel 31).

The Nations League action for June wraps up on Tuesday with 12 matches around Europe, but the definite headline fixture sees Germany host Italy at BorussiaPark in Monchengladbach 6:45pm on SuperSport La Liga (DStv channel 204 and GOtv channel 32).

to hold from June 10-12 at the Seaview, A Dolce Hotel, Bay Course, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA according paundits promises to be fierce and thrilling giving the quality of field that will be swinging in the Course of par 71.

To be part of the Acer Classic, Oboh over the weekend produced a stellar performance at the qualifier in same course playing +2 over par 73, a shot behind first placed Vicky Hurst of USA, who played +1 over par 72.

Grou up Train Stu udents on Bask kettball Skills, Public Health Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Power Forward Initiative (PFI) and its partners, ExxonMobil, Africare and the National Basketball Association (NBA), has continue its training and guide for secondary schools students in Abuja on basketball and public health.

The aim for this is for students to know how to play the game and to also benefit immensely

by taking it as a career as well as promote their well-being.

Speaking at the event, Vice President NBA Africa/Country Head Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu hinted that the programme is aimed at imparting leadership and lifestyle skills on the students as part of tools for community development.

Abudu said they were keen to grow the game of basketball in Nigeria

Edward Aibangbe has become the number 22nd golfer to be enlisted on the Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) Hole-In-One Role of Honour board.

Aibangbe (hcp 24) who got his handicap in July 2021 joined the league of hole-in-one golfers during BCGS Hackers Kitty on Wednesday which coincidentally fell on birthday of the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hackers Kitty Group, Dan Sule.

Aibangbe used iron seven and ultra-ball to achieve the result at hole two, having

played par at hole one, while the next tee short ball landed some few metres away from the hole, and eventually rolled into the hole two.

The elated Aibangbe in a chat with sports writers stated that golf is a game of life, and that sometimes one would not know what to get until after each game.

He said: “You can expect to play very well and it will not come. You can be in funny mood but may affect your game. Today, I came in good spirit. In hole one, I played par, so at the hole two, I just played a tee short, the

ball landed some few metres away from the hole, and the ball rolled into the hole.

“So, if you ask me, it’s a game of luck that happened. As often said by golfers, I followed my skills and it works for me.

To be honest, I admired golfers that played hole in one.

“Sometimes, I go to the board, look at the names of people on it, I just wonder if they actually intended to play it or not. The lady who played it last time, I asked her if she intended, but said no, that it just happened.

Former NBA Star, Udezue Writes Open Letter to Nigerian Basketball Stakeholders The government banning of basketball for the next two years has continued to generate a lot of controversies, culminating in former NBA Star and AFA Sports Boss, Ugo Udezue to write an open letter to Nigerian basketball stakeholders.

I am a typical example of the Nigerian basketball programme.

I played on the junior and national teams that offered me the exposure to travel to the USA on a basketball scholarship to complete my education at the University of Wyoming.

I became an accomplished sports agent representing top NBA players globally. After many years abroad, I came back in 2015 and co-founded the African Basketball League, that provided the template for what is now called the BAL which is the Basketball Africa League that is now a billion-dollar business.

We made tremendous personal and financial sacrifices to accomplish this great feat. The same people that claim to love basketball so much were the same people that banned such a wonderful venture. This

same people that now claim to have the best interest for Nigerian basketball did not raise a finger when the TJ Umar led Nigeria Basketball Federation called our sponsors and threatened them to pull sponsorships from the ABL. I ended up owing players because of the actions of the NBBF leadership at that time. The person that saved the ABL that season was Musa Kida (current NBBF President) and I had never met him before then. He made sure we were able to pay players and finish the season because he liked what we were doing.

What would have become of the ABL today, we may never know but I definitely did not want to sit in my home in US and complain about Nigerian basketball, I did what I had to do to create something special; a sustainable equity driven ecosystem for basketball excellence. Till today, there has been no tangible reason why they banned ABL. No one has said a word.

A lot is going on in our beautiful country today that

the talk of basketball in such an environment is incongruous at best but not speaking up on this matter is also irresponsible.

I don’t know what my life would have been if I was a kid today playing basketball and the Nigerian government suspends itself from international competitions. I would have definitely lost the opportunity of a US college education; the African Basketball League would not have happened and definitely there will be no AFASPORTS today. This is only a tip of the iceberg of the consequences of the suspension of Nigeria from international basketball by its Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare.

A generation of kids and players will be negatively affected by this decision and will take Nigeria back to the basketball Ice age. The purveyors of the narrative that suspension is the best way to go do not understand the cost of such an action but unfortunately, just like the ban on the ABL this is a look into the Nigeria story as a whole.

PGA Nigeria Tees Off Programme for Male, Female Students

Oboh Set For First LPGA Test In USA Georgia Oboh, Nigeria’s sensational international lady professional golfer will this weekend feature in her first LPGA tournament tagged the “Shoprite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.

The tournament scheduled

Aibangbe Gets Benin Club Golf Section Hole-In-One Role Enlist

and throughout Africa to empower the students.

She added that the skills the kids learned in these programmes not only enrich their lives but also the decisions they make. “It might interest you to hear testimonies from several principals who were saying the students who are part of these programmes for over the years are more focus and they perform very well.”

The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Nigeria has made another history since 53 years as it has teed off the 2022/23 Qualifying School academic programme for male and female students simultaneously.

The development was made known to SOKOnnect yesterday in a release signed by Uchenna Ezebuiro, Director Operations, PGA

of Nigeria after its earlier Executive Committee meeting declaring the school open.

The resumption of a activities according to the release was from June 1, 2022 to terminate in May 2023, just as the course work has been expanded to meet the global set standard; it reads in parts: “The Executive Committee of the PGA of Nigeria at its recent

meeting has declared open the qualifying School 2022/23 session with effect from June 1, 2022.

“In this regard, we write to update individuals, corporate organisations about the programme as one of our numerous steps at opening career path for Nigerian youth in golf as well as growing and developing the game in the country,” it said.

Mauritius 2022: Amusan Anchors Nigeria 4x100m Relay to Gold Sprint hurdler Tobiloba Amusan anchored the Nigerian women’s 4x100m relay quartet to gold medal in an emphatic fashion.

The team made up of Praise Idamadudu, Tima Godbless, Praise Ofoku and Amusan rose from the disappointment of qualifying for the final as one of the two fastest

losers to successfully defend the title they won four years ago in Asaba, Delta State at the 21st edition of the championship.

Idamadudu was quick out of the blocks and handed over the baton to Godbless, the 100m finalist who established a clear lead before handing over to Ofoku.

The World U20 Championship

finalist made up for the disappointment of not making the 100m final by running the second curve in a blistering fashion as she maintained the advantage created by Godbless before handing over the baton to 100m hurdles champion, Amusan who slightly increased the advantage to coast home in first position.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE11, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Sheyi Ojo

An Unfulfilled Promise He was once so promising that Liverpool saw him as one of Anfield’s future players and was also one of NFF priority player, but was torn between playing for England and the country of his parents. Over the years however, Sheyi Ojo’s form has dwindled so much so that the Reds were shipping him from one club to another on a loan stint, while Nigeria was no longer looking in his direction. It therefore came as no surprise that the Anfield eggheads in Thursday terminated his appointment

Sheyi Ojo taking instructions from Liverpool’s Manager, Jurgen Klopp

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iverpool on Thursday submitted their retained and released list to the Premier League players following the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season, with decisions made on the futures of academy and first team players.

The Anfield side confirmed that 2017 England U20 World Cup-winning winger of Nigerian descent Sheyi Ojo, will be moving on to new pastures when his contract expires at the end of June.

Ojo started his Liverpool career with their academy team in 2011, rising through the ranks before he was handed his first team debut by manager Jurgen Klopp in an Emirates FA Cup clash with Exeter City on January 8, 2016.

Overall, the onetime Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, target appeared in 13 competitive games for Liverpool, scoring once against Exeter City while registering four assists.

Despite a promising start to his senior career at Liverpool, he failed to establish himself as a first team regular under the German football tactician, leading to loan spells at Fulham, Stade de Reims, Glasgow Rangers, Cardiff City and Millwall in the past five campaigns.

The 24-year-old also spent time on loan at Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sheyi Ojo once decided to go the way of Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina Sone Aluko –all ex-England youth internationals with Nigeria descent but chose to play for Nigeria at the senior level after stating is readiness to ditch England and accept the request to feature

for the Super Eagles at the expense of England.

The 25-year-old has represented England at all youth levels from the under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels and was a key member of the squad that won the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea.

Ojo, who was born to Nigerian parents in Hertfordshire, once revealed that he would ‘never turn down’ the three-time African champions but rather think about the call before making his decision.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about it (Nigeria interest), but if they call me I’d be honoured to go to Nigeria,” Ojo once told BBC Sport .

“It’s obviously a massive nation. I’m just really focused on club football at the moment, but I’m excited for the future, both club and country.

“My parents are originally from Nigeria as well, so they know a lot about it. They’ve always been keen on the idea ([to represent Nigeria) but so far I’ve mainly been focusing on club football.

“It’s starting to get to the time where I have to start thinking about my future. And of course, if Nigeria were to call me now it would be an honour.

“Of course, if I was to get selected, I’d definitely think about it, I’d never turn down Nigeria.

“I’m from Nigeria originally so it’d be an honour, likewise with England as well. If I keep doing well, opportunities will come by for club and country.

“It’s not really something I’m thinking about at the moment but you never know what could happen in the future.”

NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick had reiterated

severally that youngsters of Nigerian origin who are doing well in England and other leagues will wear the Nigerian colours at the appropriate time.

He said it had been in the plans of the present NFF board to build a young Super Eagles team ahead of the 2022 World Cup, adding that the federation is monitoring several Nigerian players that are making waves in the various leagues.

“The initial plan was to take our players in the various clubs, but now, what are trying to do is what we call VIP scouting – talking to these young players that are playing abroad to play for their father land. No Nigerian, even if they have four or five passports, they are always excited being Nigerians. I can assure you that we shall get them to play for us at appropriate time,” Pinnick had said.

Ojo joined Liverpool as a 14-year-old and came through their academy. He spent time on loan with Championship clubs Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers before making his competitive debut for Liverpool in January 2016.

Ojo joined MK Dons’ academy when he was 10 years old. By the age of 13, he had played for the Dons’ U18 side and was training with the first team squad. During his time at the club, Ojo became the first MK Dons trainee to receive an international cap at youth level.

On 11 November 2011, Liverpool beat off competition from a host of Europe’s top clubs including a multimillion-pound offer from Chelsea to sign Ojo, then 14, for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £2 million. In April 2014, Ojo was joint top scorer alongside fellow Liverpool player Harry Wilson in the prestigious U17 Future Cup.

Ojo made his Premier League debut on 20 March 2016, replacing Joe Allen in the 87th minute in a 3–2 loss away to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium. Three weeks later, he made his first start for Liverpool in the Premier League against Stoke City at Anfield, where he assisted Daniel Sturridge for Liverpool’s second goal in a 4–1 win, before being replaced.

He however could not keep pace with Liverpool’s ambition, so it’s been one loan stint to another until the Anfield side felt they’ve had enough and decide to finally part ways with the U21 World Cup winner with England.

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 11, 2022

SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

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Are Too Many Keychains Bad for Your Ignition?

We all have a special place in our hearts for our favorite keychains. Whether we got a cool souvenir from a museum as kids or picked up a nifty one at a fundraiser, these OLWWOH WULQNHWV KROG VSHFLDO PHPRULHV 7KDW·V ZK\ LW·V VDG WR WKLQN DERXW WKHP SRWHQWLDOO\ hurting our vehicles.

'R NH\FKDLQV UHDOO\ GDPDJH \RXU FDU·V ignition? If so, how many can be safely DGGHG WR \RXU ULQJ" ,W·V WLPH WR VHW WKH record straight about how extra keychain ZHLJKW DͿHFWV \RXU YHKLFOH Do Keychains Damage Your Ignition?

There are mixed feelings about whether or not heavy keychains will damage anything in your car. However, most mechanics and experts agree heavy keychains may damage your ignition and recommend limiting the amount of weight you keep on one ring.

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Coscharis Promises Buyers of Renault Brands Free Service

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oscharis Motors Plc, a foremost automobile dealer and sole representative of the Renault brand in Nigeria, has announced a free service voucher worth N150,000.00 for every Renault vehicle purchased from the company.

Making the announcement during the recently concluded Lagos Motor Fair, the General Manager, Renault Sales, Coscharis Motors, Sola Adigun said, “We want to use the opportunity of our presence at this motor fair to announce to our FXVWRPHUV DQG SURVSHFWV WKDW ZH ZLOO EH RͿHULQJ a free service voucher worth N150, 000.00 (one KXQGUHG DQG ÀIW\ WKRXVDQG QDLUD RQO\ IRU every Renault vehicle purchased from Coscharis Motors at this motor fair and afterwards.”

Explaining further, Adigun mentioned that the free service voucher is one of the exciting

giveaways, which Renault customers stand to gain from buying a Renault vehicle from Coscharis Motors Plc. However, the free service YRXFKHU RͿHU SURPR H[WHQGV EH\RQG WKH just concluded motor fair to all Coscharis showrooms across the country until July WK WKLV \HDU Also still available for customers to have an easy access to purchase any of their preferred 5HQDXOW YHKLFOHV LV WKH ÀQDQFH VFKHPH IURP the sister company, Coscharis Mobility that provides payment spread over a period of WLPH DIWHU SHUFHQW LQLWLDO GHSRVLW RI WKH principal value.

Also commenting during the event, General Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde said, “Currently, we are still assembling two variants of the Renault brand locally, at our assembly plant in Awoyaya, Lagos namely

Logan and Duster respectively. Clearly, we have the capacity to add more variants to our local assembly line and hope that the time will soon come when the infrastructural GHÀFLW LQ WKH FRXQWU\ ZLOO LPSURYH WR JLYH conducive business environment to investors like Coscharis that still believe in our nation Nigeria.

Then we shall gladly increase the number of locally assembled variants and probably assemble all the variants that we market in the country. More importantly for us is that this gives us the opportunity to deliver value to the bigger economy in terms of job employment amongst other economic advantages with the sustenance and expansion of the local assemblies across the country”. /LNHZLVH &RVFDKULV RͿHUV WUDGH LQ RSWLRQ to customers who currently own a Renault vehicle and wish to exchange for a new model.

All-New Lexus RX Premieres Globally

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exus recently premiered its new luxury crossover, the RX, online to the world from Japan.

The automaker said in a statement that “Since our establishment in 1989, Lexus has always maintained a spirit of innovation and continues to take on the challenge of providing new technologies and value to its customers. Based on the ‘Lexus (OHFWULÀHG· YLVLRQ DQQRXQFHG LQ ZH ZLOO DFKLHYH D VLJQLÀFDQW LPSURYHPHQW LQ IXQGDPHQWDO SHUIRUPDQFH XVLQJ HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ WHFKQRORJLHV DQG SURYLGH HOHFWULÀHG YHKLFOH VROXWLRQV VXFK DV +(9V DQG 3+(9V %\ ZH ZLOO DFKLHYH D IXOO OLQHXS RI %(9V LQ DOO FDWHJRULHV DQG E\ we aim to sell 100% BEVs globally, contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.”

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is a core model of Lexus.

7KH ÀUVW FKDOOHQJH ZDV WR FUHDWH D FDU that was fun to drive and one that could have dialogue with the driver. The “Lexus Driving Signature” evolves even further E\ WKRURXJKO\ LPSURYLQJ WKH YHKLFOH·V fundamentals, while maintaining the UHÀQHG ULGH DQG KLJK OHYHO RI TXLHWQHVV that are the origins of the Lexus brand.

Following the RZ, DIRECT4 all-wheel GULYH IRUFH V\VWHP XVLQJ HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ technology is available on the new RX500h

The new Lexus RX

F SPORT Performance. This precise four-wheel drive control works in conjunction with a newly developed hybrid electric system to maximize the front and rear wheel grip and provide posture control. With DIRECT4, drivers will notice an LQYLJRUDWLQJ GLUHFW DQG WRUTXH ÀOOHG GULYLQJ experience. In addition, a variety of powertrains DUH QRZ DYDLODEOH 7KH 5; ZLOO IXOÀOO LWV PLVVLRQ as a global core model that contributes to the realization of a carbon-neutral society, while VWD\LQJ FORVH WR WKH LQFUHDVLQJO\ GLYHUVLÀHG needs and lifestyles of customers.

Why is that a fair claim? /HW·V ORRN DW *HQHUDO 0RWRUV *0 D highly-reputable vehicle manufacturer based LQ 'HWURLW ,Q WKH FRPSDQ\ KDG WR UHFDOO more than 1.6 million vehicles with faulty ignition switches. The reason behind this recall, DFFRUGLQJ WR D UHSRUW ÀOHG IRU WKH 1DWLRQDO +LJKZD\ 7UD΀F 6DIHW\ $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ ZDV HDFK GULYHU·V NH\ULQJ ZDV WRR KHDY\ *0 LVQ·W WKH RQO\ PDQXIDFWXUHU ZKR has run into this trouble over the years.

Volkswagen and Toyota have also had to UHFDOO YHKLFOHV EDVHG RQ ÁDZHG LJQLWLRQ switches.

Following the GM scandal, NBC Channel 15 put heavy keychains to the test. Reporter Sarah Wagner found that the more weight RQ WKH NH\FKDLQ WKH PRUH GL΀FXOW LW ZDV WR put the key in the ignition. Heavy keychains were also found to eventually wear out the tumblers in the ignition switch as a car travels over bumpy streets and hills, leading to costly repairs down the road.

Ask a Mechanic :H FDQ·W WDNH WKH UHFDOOV RU QHZV UHSRUW DW IDFH YDOXH DORQH ,W·V DOZD\V JRRG WR JHW a second opinion, especially from a trusted VRXUFH +HUH·V ZKDW D WUXVWHG ORFDO PHFKDQLF had to say about heavy keyrings. Heavy keychains are damaging to ignition lock cylinders. They cause excessive wear and can cause premature failure. %ULDQ % $6( &HUWLÀHG $XWR 7HFKQLFLDQ in Aurora, IL Brian has been in the game for over 15 years and knows his way around an HQJLQH +LV VKRS %ULDQ·V $XWR 6HUYLFH LV located in the heart of the second biggest FLW\ LQ ,OOLQRLV ,W·V VDIH WR VD\ KH·V D WUXVWHG authority on the topic.

His opinion is also shared by many other mechanics, including Carlos M. from United Auto Body. Carlos went on to say that the following car manufacturers are at the most risk for damage in the tumbler or ignition due to heavy keychains: Ford Toyota Cadillac These opinions are shared by many other shops across the country who all warn against KHDY\ NH\ULQJV DQG WKH HͿHFW WKH\ FDQ KDYH on your ignition switch. Ask your mechanic their thoughts on the subject and take the steps necessary to make your vehicle a little safer.

How Do You Know If Your Ignition Switch Has Gone Bad? ,I \RX·UH QRW D FDU H[SHUW \RX SUREDEO\ have no clue how to tell if your ignition switch is faulty from too many keychains.

This could be the case if you experience any of the following when starting your car: Trouble Removing or Turning the Key: This is the biggest indicator that you have an ignition problem.

(QJLQH 'LHV ,I \RXU FDU ÁDWOLQHV ZKHQ trying to start, that might be a faulty ignition switch.

(Source: Promotional Products Blog)

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Mobility: Nigeria Needs Good Policies, Technology, Says Stakeholders

S

takeholders in the mobility sector of Nigeria’s economy have stated that with the right policies and technology, the sector is set for a vibrant future.

The stakeholders, who gathered at the Africa Mobility Conference, tagged, ‘Pathway to the future of mobility in Africa’, recently in Lagos, said investors in the sector need to walk along with government agencies to align with the future of mobility.

Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Olusegun Ogungbemide, said quite now, the mobility sector is dynamic. Generally the transportation sector is dynamic.

Ogungbemide said: “We are actually set for the future, since we have a projection and plan towards LW GHÀQLWHO\ ZH ZRXOG DFKLHYH LW ,W LV TXLWH LPSRUWDQW and necessary at this time, when we are thinking of the future, we know where we are now and we know where the world is already heading to. Even some of them are there already. So if we sit down without thinking of what the future would look like, we would continue to be stagnant.

“We have the role of the private sector that is quite germane. Theirs are driven by something, they ZLOO DOO JXLGH WKDW WKLQJ ZKLFK LV SURÀW DQG LW LV D good motivator for them to do what is right and secure the space. Unlike the public sector,” he said.

Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said perhaps it is about trying to continue to speak about mobility to make mobility easy for the people of Lagos. The discipline of Nigerians on the road is very critical.

Moderator, Arouture Oddiri; CEO GIG Mobility, Enahoro Okhae; LAMATA MD, Abimbola Akinajo; Representative of the Lagos Commissioner of Transport, Hafeez Toriola; Lagos sector Commander, FRSC, Segun Ogunbgemide; and Director of Strategy and Operation, JET Motor Company, Joseph Osanipin, at the Africa Mobility Conference 1.0 held in Lagos… recently Akinajo said: “We all complain but we don’t want to be accountable for our actions. We all need to learn to be disciplined on the roads. For us the PDMRULW\ RI WKH WUD΀F MDP ZH VHH LV GRZQ WR EDG driving and bad behaviour of the people on the road. Once that is dealt with, every other thing

will follow.”

On part of LAMATA, she said: “We are putting a lot of infrastructure and systems in place to enhance transportation. Mass transportation is the way forward for easy mobility. We are encouraging people to move from their private

cars into public transportation. The rail systems will move hundreds of thousands of Nigerians on a daily basis. High capacity buses will do exactly the same, the waterways the same thing. So feel free to leave your cars behind and get on to the regulated bus or rail system.” &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU *,* 0RELOLW\ (QDKRUR Okhae, said the players in the industry are not the ones shaping the narrative in the industry and there is no intentional platform where the players in the mobility industry are collaborating with the government.

Okhae said: “Our idea is to bring people together like we have done together bringing the government sector together and begin to shape the narrative on how we plan for the future of mobility in Nigeria and Africa.

“The future is upon us. Now as a company, at GIGM, we are already stepping into the future.

We are already doing things that people think cannot happen in Nigeria with our technology.

For example, security, we are already beginning to use our technology to guide our own vehicles around security but we can’t do it alone. We have to begin to bring people together because it is a choice we have to make. People made choices to move the world forward, if we don’t start making this choice now, we would be a relic, we would not grow nor advance and that is the goal for this conference,” he said.

2Q KLV SDUW &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU -HW 0RWRU Company, Joseph Osanipin, said every stakeholder is ready to work together for the success of mobility and to take it forward in Nigeria.

New Mercedes-AMG ONE Uses Formula 1 Technology for Roads

H

ighly exclusive hypercar with E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive and system performance of more than 1000 hp AMG’s foundation stone was laid back on 1st of June 1967. To mark the 55th anniversary of the performance and sports car brand, the production version of the Mercedes-AMG ONE (combined weighted fuel consumption: 8.7 l/100 km; combined weighted CO2 emissions: 198 g/ km; combined weighted electrical consumption: 32 kWh/100 km) is celebrating its world premiere.

The two-seater super sports car brings the world’s PRVW PRGHUQ DQG H΀FLHQW )RUPXOD K\EULG GULYH technology from the race track to the road for the ÀUVW WLPH 7KH SHUIRUPDQFH K\EULG SURGXFHV D WRWDO output of 782 kW (1063 hp) from one combustion engine and four electric motors, with a top speed capped at 352 km/h. The extremely complex development was carried out in close cooperation

with the Formula 1 experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth.

7KH 0HUFHGHV $0* 21( ZLOO DOVR R΀FLDOO\ EH VHHQ LQ DFWLRQ IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ WKH 8. as part of the Festival of Speed at Goodwood (23 to 26 June 2022).

The unique hypercar inspires not only with its E PERFORMANCE Formula 1 hybrid drive, but also with further motorsport technology. This UDQJHV IURP WKH FDUERQ ÀEUH PRQRFRTXH DQG FDUERQ ÀEUH ERG\ WR WKH ORDG EHDULQJ HQJLQH transmission unit, active aerodynamics and the push-rod suspension. With its complex technology, the two-seater Mercedes-AMG ONE RͿHUV HYHQ PRUH WKDQ D )RUPXOD UDFLQJ FDU LQ some cases. It features the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with hybrid-driven rear axle and electrically driven front axle with torque vectoring. It can also drive purely electrically.

“With the Mercedes-AMG ONE, we have

The Mercedes-AMG ONE more than pushed the envelope. The immense technical challenges of making a modern Formula 1 powertrain suitable for everyday road use have undoubtedly pushed us to our limits. Over the duration of the development period, many may have thought that the project would be impossible to LPSOHPHQW 1HYHUWKHOHVV WKH WHDPV LQ $ͿDOWHUEDFK

and the UK never gave up and believed in themselves.

I have the highest respect for all those involved and am proud of this team achievement. To put such a hypercar on wheels is certainly unique. This applies to us as Mercedes-AMG not only from a technical point of view, but also in terms of the close exchange with our loyal customers.

Turn Up The Dial Against Distracted Driving I do not know if you read my piece last week on tweaking the rules guiding the inherent risk behavior called driving and phoning. If you did not, please I appeal to you to search online and read through. I will be too glad to get your feedback if you have the time and if you share my worry on this increased infraction. Like I said last week, despite the current interventions put in place by the Federal Road Safety Corps, I believe that we need to review current strategies and up our game.

The reasons are that there are observers like my humble self who opine that “the dial really needs to be turned up when it comes to enforcement. What this means is that enforcement Agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps need to have adequate resources and appropriate technology to arrest and penalize defaulters with the penchant for flouting this infraction. The resources include the buy-in of the lawmakers as some tend to equate effective and sustained enforcement as an encroachment on the rights of their constituencies.

I share this thought as it is glaringly clear that the current manual enforcement is not deterring anyone. Even the emotional evaluation introduced by the Federal Road Safety Corps to deter recalcitrant defaulters and the novel monitoring center now needs to be upgraded in the view of emerging technologies. I guess this was why the former Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka kept saying that enlightenment without enforcement is entertainment which is also

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

the mindset driving current innovations under the watch of the current helmsman, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi.

One of such additions could be in building on what we have by the deployment of appropriate technologies like is obtainable in some developed climes. A good case to cite is what is currently being canvassed in the United Kingdom. The argument is that the state of the art cameras designed by the Australian firm Acusensus which can take non-blurry images in all weathers at speeds reaching about 180kmph should be deployed.

It also can automatically detect handheld phone use and is currently in use in other countries. These countries include New South Wales, and Australia, where the new technology is estimated to have reduced road fatalities by a fifth since it was introduced two years ago. So, just as the government in the UK is being urged to evaluate this technology with a view to deploying it at the earliest opportunity, we

can do the same here to curtain the drift.

To drive home the efficacy of this new technology which if approved in the UK would require a review of current traffic laws, a pilot test conducted resulted in 15000 drivers caught by a single camera in just six months. This novelty is now termed the game changer. In fact the experiment has now revealed that one in 200 drivers use their phone while driving in the UK. Notwithstanding this finding, it is observed that the figure will be much higher if the cameras were deployed to monitor all lanes of traffic continuously.

Meanwhile, if the cameras are legally approved, drivers face being sent notices of intended prosecution similar to speeding penalties which is enhanced by a proper national addressing system which we currently lack to ease enforcement.

If you are one of the freaks who delude themselves that there is no danger in indulging in this act while driving, remember that it is estimated that if a driver looks at their phone for two seconds travelling at 30kph, they will drive ‘blind’ for about 100ft.If you are curious please check my other write-ups online on distracted driving, where I captured the case of a young female graduate who was crushed to death by a distracted truck driver.

Whether in Nigeria or some other climes yet to fully go digital, tracking offenders is problematic. As of today, offenders can only be caught when patrol teams are driving alongside them. This creates a

bottleneck in effective enforcement as even when arrest is effected, there is the absence of needed evidence to aid smooth prosecution.

7KLV LV ZK\ WKLV FDPHUD ZKLFK XVHV DUWLÀFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH WR LQVWDQWO\ DQDO\]H KLJK GHÀQLWLRQ photos taken through the windscreen of every passing vehicle, is, if you ask me, the answer to HQIRUFHPHQW ZLWK HDVH 7KH FDPHUDV FDQ EH ÀWWHG to overhead gantries or portable trailers, taking images in all weathers and without blurring at speeds reaching over 170kmph.

Like I said earlier, what the current experiment KDV VKRZQ LV WKDW $UWLÀFLDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH FDQ ÁDJ up recalcitrant drivers who are in abundance in our clime because of the perceived weak enforcement compounded by manual approaches as well as complicated because of the absence of a national addressing system. The UK trial, I learnt is part of a wider project to improve road safety intervention. Incidentally, besides capturing drivers phoning behind the wheels, the smart cameras are also capable of detecting if people are wearing seatbelts.

While we rethink this technology, we must also rethink the current fines regime in the UK which places a fine of £200 fine which is over a hundred thousand Naira and six points on their license. In Nigeria, the current fine for using the phone while driving is just four thousand Naira and carries four penalty points

36

SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY JUNE 11, 2022 • T H I S D AY

37

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

38

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Creative Director, Tripleline, Olasupo Pelumi; Creative Director, Pimped by Sixties, Philip Oluwamayowa; CEO, The Beauty Bazaar, Martins Samantha; Creative Director, Amos Wear, Amos Solomon; CEO of 24:8 Skin by Aisha, Aisha Awonuga; CEO, Alani Empire, Martins Ezekiel and CEO, KPAKS Nation, Ogini Tunde at Style Block Fashion Exhibition in Anthony, Lagos, recently

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Klassic Properties Limited (KPL), Henry Faiyetole; Chief Executive Officer, Peace Omesue; Director, Ekene Ozolio; and Non-Executive Director, Owoyemi Emmanuel, at the Klassic Properties Limited (KPL) 2022 Investor’s Banquet in Ikeja, Lagos recently

Three Crowns Fetes Shoppers on World Milk Day As part of activities to mark this year’s World Milk Day, Dairy brand, Three Crowns Milk has launched a campaign where it treated shoppers to a healthy breakfast meals in selected outlets and hot spots across the country.

According to the organisation, the initiative is aimed at appreciating customers’ loyalty and patronage over the years. )ODJJLQJ RͿ WKH FDPSDLJQ LQ Lagos, Marketing Manager of the brand, Gloria Jacobs added that the campaign sought to amplify the importance of breakfast as the most important meal of the day, and to encourage Nigerians to eat

healthy and nourishing breakfast every day.

She said, “It is not enough to VWDUW D GD\ RͿ ZLWK MXVW DQ\ NLQG of breakfast; it must be breakfast that is both healthy and nourishing because our lives are busy with physical and mental activities daily and therefore require adequate nutrition to help us all through each day.

“Dairy is an in important complement to everyday life and should be consumed daily because of its importance and relevance to daily nourishment”.

Leading the campaign in Ibadan, Oyo State, popular

comedienne, ‘Omo Ibadan’ better known as Lizzy Jay described the experience as one that made the global event memorable.

She said, “The thinking behind this campaign was astonishing.

This is evident in the way it has resonated with people across varying age brackets, socioeconomic status and tribes.

“People appreciate the product and campaign, and they literally assumed the role of brand ambassadors for the brand. I’m sure that by this campaign, the QXPEHU RI XQR΀FLDO DPEDVVDGRUV of the brand would have grown astronomically”.

StateCraft Clinches Integrated Marketing Prize at Sabre Award Foremost Africa’s governance consultancy and communications ÀUP 6WDWH&UDIW ,QF KDV EDJJHG WKH Integrated Marketing prize at the just concluded 2022 Sabre Awards Africa.

This year’s edition of the award took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of the 2022 African Public Relations Conference.

StateCraft win came with its ‘DrawTheLine’ (DTL) against malaria campaign which was executed in Nigeria on behalf of global charity, Malaria No More UK (MNMUK).

The campaign also received a &HUWLÀFDWH RI ([FHOOHQFH LQ WKH Best West Africa PR Campaigns

category.

The SABRE Awards rewards superior achievement in marketing and public relations. It is recognised as the global benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Commenting, Chief Executive 2΀FHU RI 6WDWH&UDIW $GHEROD Williams said, “We appreciate this recognition which underlines our consistency in deploying media as a tool of nation-building. As a people, we must collectively establish and support platforms such as SABRE which enable us put proper perspective on our narrative, while telling the stories that create impact within and outside our continent.” /DXQFKHG LQ WKH '7/ FDP-

paign supports the growing ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’ movement. ,W UHÁHFWV WKH KXPDQ VWRU\ RI malaria and the devastating impact it has on education, employment, health, and prospects of Africa’s growing young population.

Celebrity ambassadors including David Beckham, Yemi Alade, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Meji Alabi, Osas Ighodaro and Laolu Senbanjo were among those that featured on the campaign.

The SABRE Award joins the list of recognitions for the Draw The Line against malaria campaign after it bagged the Grand Prix and Social Good awards at the World 0HGLD $ZDUGV LQ 6HSWHPEHU

CITN Hopeful on Economic Growth amid Rising Inflation The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has expressed optimism on improved growth in Nigeria’s economy inspite of rising LQÁDWLRQDU\ FKDOOHQJH In March 2022, LQÁDWLRQ URVH WR IURP UHFRUGHG in February 2022. This UHSUHVHQWV SRLQWV higher than February ÀJXUH DFFRUGLQJ WR Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Despite this trend, President of CITN, Adesina Adedayo maintained that Nigeria’s economy was on the path to growth across all indices, with right policies in place and well implemented.

Adedayo, who was speaking at the institute’s Annual General Meeting, AGM noted that circumstances around the economy had a major LQÁXHQFH RQ WKH JURZWK and development trajectory of the institute.

He stated that inspite of economic challenges, WKH LQVWLWXWH ZDV À[HG on becoming one of the foremost professional institutions in Africa and beyond, hence its appreciable strides in the

year under review.

He listed part of institute’s achievements in the year as meeting and forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and relevant government agencies, including Federal Inland Revenue Service, State Revenue Authorities, Action Aid and regional and international professional bodies, amongst others.

He said, “The institute’s views and opinions on tax matters remained widely respected and sought after by the government and other stakeholders in the Nigerian tax system”.

Earlier, Treasurer of the institute, Simon Kato, stated that the institute recorded an operating VXUSOXV RI 1 PLOOLRQ representing an increase RI SHU FHQW DV DJDLQVW 1 PLOOLRQ recorded in 2020.

He said that the institute’s total assets had improved from 1 ELOOLRQ WR 1 billion between 2020 and

Kato commended members and other stakeholders for their commitment and role they played in the growth of the institute.

Organisations Tasked on Tech- Driven HR Practice

ICAN Executive Stresses Strategic Fraud Fighting in New Book

Financial technology organisation, SystemSpecs has stressed the need to adopt modern technologies to be able to achieve competent human resource management (HRM) operations.

Managing Director of SystemSpecs Technology, Demola Igbalajobi stated this while addressing VWXGHQWV DQG VWDͿ IURP WKH ,QGXVWULDO 5HODWLRQV and HRM Unit of Covenant University who were on an academic visit to the organisation.

According to Igbalajobi, the impact of techdriven human resources was evident in the growth of SystemSpecs and its ability to scale challenges.

He added that having a committed, intelligent and competent workforce was an advantage to corporate growth.

While engaging the visitors on trends in the sector, he shared insights into how human resource management practice works with technology, making reference to how SystemSpecs, being a provider of human

The elected Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN’s Ilupeju/Gbagada and District Society (IGDS), Prof. Godwin Oyedokun has urged fraud examiners in both the public and private VHFWRUV WR EH PRUH VWUDWHJLF LQ ÀJKWLQJ IUDXG and corruption to nip the situation in the bud.

2\HGRNXQ LGHQWLÀHG WKLV LQ KLV QHZ ERRN “Determinant of Forensic Accounting: Techniques and Theories.”

The book is scheduled for public presentation on June 25, 2022 during the investiture of Oyedokun as the 2nd Chairman of IGDS by the Institute past President, Chiding Ajaebu.

Oyedokun was elected alongside other H[HFXWLYHV DW WKH ÀUVW $QQXDO *HQHUDO 0HHWLQJ of IGDS held in Lagos recently.

The author noted that the book would FRPSOHPHQW HͿRUWV WR ÀJKW IUDXG LQ WKH country while also extending the frontiers of knowledge in Forensic Accounting and

capital management technology solutions has fared with modern tools supported by VWDͿ FRPPLWPHQW He said, “Our challenges have changed over time as we develop. However, getting LQWHOOLJHQW FRPPLWWHG VWDͿ DQG SHRSOH RI JRRG character has helped us in overcoming various challenges over the past 3 decades.

“Our recruitment process is rigorous so that we can get the brightest of the brightest. Sound character and ethics are also important to us.

At SystemSpecs, we desire people who are not only creative but also have a strong desire to create positive change in the society.”

In his remark, Head of Covenant University’s Industrial and HRM Unit, Dr. Odunayo Salau said, “This academic visit has given us some exposure on how HRM practices can best be implemented. Now we are seeing the need to move from conventional way of doing things to a strategic approach.

Taxation.

He said, “The book guides readers to the level of various crimes committed, how much is involved, stages and complexity of fraud, the primary techniques used in forensic accounting and fraud examination engagements, as well as other dimensions to determine forensic accounting techniques and theories.”

Speaking, outgoing and Pioneer Chairman of IGDS, Gbenga Omidiji urged the incoming chairman to keep to the ideals and philosophies of the institute, as well as liaising with the FRPPXQLW\ RQ LVVXHV DͿHFWLQJ WD[DWLRQ On his part, a Founding Pillar of IGDS, Tobi Abiola avowed the leadership of the new chairman and other executives to lead the district to enviable heights.

He said, “The executives were elected based on their capability, performance and contributions to the Institute at the district levels and the community.”

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 11, 2022

NEWSXTRA Group Adopts APGA Candidate as Consensus for Arochukwu State Constituency Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

SURE TICKET… Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi (2nd left), receives the Certificate of Return of the party for the 2023 presidential election.

He was flanked by the Labour Party leaders during the ceremony

Soyinka Denies Trending Tribute on Tinubu, Condoles Akeredolu Fidelis David in Akure

1REHO /DXUHDWH 3URIHVVRU Wole Soyinka has denied as IDOVH UHSRUWV WKDW KH ZURWH WKH ÁRZHU\ DQG JORZLQJ WULEXWH ZKLFK KDV EHHQ WUHQGLQJ WR the standard bearer of the All 3URJUHVVLYHV &RQJUHVV 6HQDWRU %ROD $KPHG 7LQXEX This was after Tinubu won at WKH MXVW FRQFOXGHG 3UHVLGHQWLDO primaries of the ruling party ZKHUH KH SROOHG YRWHV

to emerge tops among all the FRQWHVWDQWV ZKR MRVWOHG ZLWK KLP IRU WKH WLFNHW RI WKH SDUW\ 7KH OLWHUDU\ LFRQ ZKR DOVR FRQGROHG WKH 2QGR 6WDWH *RY ernment and the people of the VWDWH RYHU WKH JUXHVRPH NLOOLQJV RI ZRUVKLSSHUV DW 6W )UDQFLV &DWKROLF &KXUFK 2ZR GHVFULEHG ODVW 6XQGD\·V WHUURU DWWDFN DV D VWURQJ PHVVDJH *RYHUQRU 2OXZDURWLPL $NHUHGROX 7KH GHQLDO RI WKH WULEXWH FDPH yesterday in a statement by

$ELROD 2ZRDUH VSRNHVPDQ WR 3URIHVVRU 6R\LQND WLWOHG ¶, GLG QRW SD\ WULEXWH WR 7LQXEX 6R\LQND· The tribute being debunked E\ 6R\LQND ZHQW YLUDO RQ YDULRXV VRFLDO PHGLD SODWIRUPV VKRUWO\ DIWHU WKH HPHUJHQFH RI 7LQXEX DV WKH VWDQGDUG EHDUHU RI WKH $3& where he allegedly praised the VWHUOLQJ DFFRPSOLVKPHQWV RI WKH SROLWLFLDQ “The literary luminary reiterated his position on the HOHFWLRQV DQG WKH LVVXHV

VXUURXQGLQJ LW QRWLQJ WKDW KH has no business meddling in the VWUXJJOH IRU SRZHU E\ SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV LQ WKH FRXQWU\ µ WKH VWDWHPHQW LQVLVWHG 7KH VDLG WULEXWH FDPH DIWHU another similar material al legedly endorsing Tinubu for SUHVLGHQF\ DOVR WUHQGHG HYHQ ZKHQ WKH OLWHUDU\ JLDQW insisted that he did not maintain DQ\ VRFLDO PHGLD DFFRXQWV DQG DQ\ PDWHULDO FRPLQJ IURP VXFK VKRXOG EH GLVFRXQWHQDQFHG

$V SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV SRVLWLRQ WKHLU FDQGLGDWHV IRU YDULRXV HOHFWLYH VHDWV LQ UHDGLQHVV IRU WKH JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQ D JURXS XQGHU WKH DHJLV RI WKH $URFKXNZX &RQVXOWDWLYH )RUXP $&) KDV DGYRFDWHG WKH DGRSWLRQ RI D FRQVHQVXV FDQGLGDWH IRU $URFKXNZX 6WDWH &RQVWLWXHQF\ 7R WKLV HQG WKH $&) KDV WKURZQ its weight in support of adopting WKH ÁDJ EHDUHU RI WKH $OO 3URJUHV VLYHV *UDQG $OOLDQFH $3*$ 3ULQFH ,NH 2NRUDIRU DV WKH VROH FDQGLGDWH IRU WKH $URFKXNZX VWDWH FRQVWLWXHQF\ FRPH 7KH $&) ZKLFK LV FRPSRVHG RI eminent men and women of all SROLWLFDO DQG DOOLHG JURXSV LQ $UR FKXNZX ORFDO JRYHUQPHQW WRRN

TP Global FX Equips Youths with Forex Trading Skills Ugo Aliogo

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Aisha Yesufu to Tinubu “What Tinubu did is not politics 101, but wickedness 100. He knows he is not medically and physically fit but feels entitled to the Presidency” –Activist Aisha Yesufu chastising Bola Tinubu after he clinched the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

My Journey in the Forests of A Thousand Daemons (1)

F

ellow Nigerians, beginning from this week, I will give you exclusive blowby-blow account of my experience during the just concluded PDP Presidential Primaries and from timeto-time dovetail into my views concerning other Party Primaries.

My journey into the forest of a thousand daemons started with a meeting with my core team in Epe sometime last year. I had invited a few friends to my apartment in a resort and shared my dreams with them. I started by reminding them of my foray into the Presidential race in 2011 and how that experience left me devastated about the possibility of electing self-accomplished and globally distinguished technocrats into the highest political offices in Nigeria. I’m sure a few of my friends were shocked that I was back to considering travelling again through such a rough terrain that most sane people would avoid at all costs.

However, the main reason for my carefully thought and fully considered comeback was that our career politicians were leading our country to Golgotha and perdition and a few patriots needed to halt this perfidious drift as quickly as possible. I was under no illusion that it was going to be an easy project to execute. I was aware that it was a yeoman and Herculean task, but no matter how daunting the prospects seemed it was ultimately important to venture on this voyage, if only because future generations would ask what we did when we realised that we were on the precipice, and at the edge of the abyss.

I laid out my elaborate plans before my “captive audience.” I will never take crucial decisions without thinking hard and deep. I was taught by my mentor, Chief Moshood Abiola that “you must first convince yourself about anything before you can convince others.” So, no one was going to discourage me because I had already convinced myself that this was realistic, and that the journey was not simply a flight of fancy but one worthy to be undertaken. I had made up my mind that I will only listen patiently to a critique of my plans but not to any attempt to kill my dreams and aspirations. I was concerned about the future of our great country and knew that whatever the outcome, I would have contributed to the onset of a new beginning.

The first step to take would be to join a mainstream political party, either APC or PDP. I reached that conclusion after my 2011 attempt to contest the Presidency, first on the platform of Labour Party and eventually on that of the National Conscience Party. My naïve thought process at the time had led me to conclude that all I needed was a platform to be a Presidential candidate and that the rest would be straightforward, a doodle. How wrong I was! I discovered from raw and bitter experience that it was almost impossible to win a national Presidential election using fringe and fledgling political parties without elaborate, extensive and formidable structures. Neither the Labour Party nor the National Conscience Party had any expansive or major structure across the nation... Not much has changed since 2011 in those two political parties.

When contesting for the Presidency, a political party and its candidates must start by assuring itself of grassroot support. Its tentacles must spread far and near. The personality of one

Abiola

man, no matter his cult following cannot make the party or that person cross the Rubicon.

There must be foot soldiers all over the country dedicated to the cause. I accept that in 2011 social media was in its nascent stages and that today it is fully developed. However, I have also realised that Nigerian elections cannot be won, or even reasonably or decently contested through social media. It is a tool, but it is beyond the reach of the generality of Nigerians, particularly the poor masses of our great country who need to be reached by any serious contender. They are in the villages and hamlets, not in towns and cities.

While most of my younger friends had vehemently disagreed with me on the issue of joining a mainstream party, especially either of the big two, APC and PDP, saying the biggest parties were virtually tainted and useless, I was studiously convinced that politics is not and will never be a game of saints versus sinners, even if principles, philosophies, ideologies and ideals must be held sacrosanct. Politics is a game of popularity, numbers, vision and mission. Some of the best leaders have been the worst sinners. No leader would ever be voted for by, or ultimately govern over, saints alone! Politics is a means to Leadership while Leadership is the end of Politics. It is notable and regrettable that in Nigeria, we only practise politics of optical illusion, abracadabra and razzmatazz. There’s hardly any significant difference between the varied political parties, the reason it is so convenient and seemingly normal to wake up in one political party and go to sleep in the evening of the same day in a different political party. In Nigerian politics, there are no strange bedfellows.

I knew therefore that I would require a mainstream party to ignite and attract the sort of monumental attention and media frenzy needed to make appreciable impact in a Presidential race. I had to piggyback on their existing structure if I were to make any appreciable impact or impression on the polity notwithstanding my hitherto well-established brand and face recognition globally.

I also knew that I would have to invest my personal resources to kick-start the project

since I expected incurable doubters to shoot down my ideas even if all they should have done was to make their modest contributions and leave the rest to God, the ultimate judge and game-changer...

I knew I would have to be a daredevil, bold and audacious, to be relevant at all in the race. From my previous experience and my scientific and empirical analysis, I anticipated considerable ack of faith and support from my own media constituency who would sometimes underrate one of their own iconic figures, for whatever reason.

I understood, and I was prepared for the fact that I would have to make a spectacular appearance, and burst once more onto the political scene, only by demonstrating my uncommon global network, intellectual prowess, professional and business achievements, raw courage, impeccable pedigree, solid reputation and integrity.

The choice of a mainstream party was easy for me because I had since given up on APC to bear positive fruits even if the party had more than enough capable hands who were just roasting and wasting away. I was also able to arrive at a decision since I had voluntarily supported the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the 2019 Presidential election, without being a member of PDP. I support candidates more on principle, rather than parties, since we’ve already agreed that the two biggest Nigerian political parties being Siamese twins.

At our retreat in Epe, we examined so many critical issues and permutations and one of my friends who has been a member of PDP forever, Bashorun Bola Orolugbagbe, eventually said my ideas made sense to him and that it was a project worth pursuing.

This lifted my spirits because he is a dogged political fighter and grassroot motivator and influencer. One by one, my other associates and friends who were with me, including Seyi Orolugbagbe, Wale Bob-Oseni (now of blessed memories) and others pledged their solid support for my aspiration and promised to do their best to convince others that this project was achievable because they themselves were convinced.

Notwithstanding their support, I had to come up with some of my own strategies and timelines and keep them close to my chest in order to avoid leakages. Henceforth, events were designed to move at supersonic speeds, using the secret weapons of surprises and confidentiality.

The first action would be how to join PDP and make an instant resounding impact. A day to my declaration, I was already in Abuja and made a call to my wife in Lagos. I told her about my decision to return to politics and go mainstream. Mobolaji, a prayer warrior, asked if I was serious or just pulling her legs. I confirmed I was serious. She said, “o ti ya, go for it” and I thanked her. I was grateful to her although I was not much surprised. She has always given me her unflinching and unalloyed total support once she understands that this is what I want. In essence, she accepts me for who I am and appreciates that I am a determined person with a steely nature, particularly once I have made up my mind about a tough decision.

I called the Editor of Ovation International, Mr Michael Effiong James, and informed

him of my decision and told him to get the Ovation and Boss teams ready to roll at the sound of my whistle.

Once I had sorted out the domestic side, involving household and business, I was ready to drop my bombshell by letting the Party, PDP, know that I was in the race for real. I called the immediate past President of the African Public Relations Association and Group Managing Director at CMC Connect (Perception Managers), Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya. I called Mr Abiodun Richard Oshinibosi, the Project Marshall at Abelinis Limited. I needed him to assist with the technical aspects of my presentation at the PDP Party Secretariat.

Mr Oshinibosi immediately dispatched a top member of his team, Mr Oyedeji Akindele, to help prepare my presentation. I also called Chief Dele Balogun, one of the PDP Leaders from Igarra, in Edo State. It was important for me to have one of the frontline politicians from my neck of the woods in Edo State, my home State, to accompany me. He promptly flew to Abuja for this assignment and accompanied me to the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Abuja, where I presented my letter to our highly cerebral National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu. My idea and strategy were to travel the route less travelled by politicians. While they will most definitely use dollars to oppress me, I will also most certainly utilise my media power to showcase international best political practices in Nigeria. I was never afraid of being defeated but I knew I will permanently convince Nigerians at home and abroad about my excellent trajectory and boost the morale of coming generations that no Governor, Minister, or former ex-this and ex-that has a bigger profile than me. I would then leave it to our delegates and/or electorate to decide if they wish to live perpetually in servitude or if they would see the light and join in embracing a new dawn of political adventure that would be the beginning of uplifting our stoical and quiescent populace from the doldrums of drudgery, poverty and insecurity.

In every game, you must expect, watch out and plan for the obstacles. The element of surprise is also always key. You must always seek to be several steps ahead. Plan to confound and astonish. You can never go wrong. I was ready to do just that. On October 28, 2021, I sent a WhatsApp message to Dr. Iyorchia Ayu requesting to see him the following day. He immediately responded, “12 noon at the office”. That was a positive sign, and I was very excited. I invaded his office at the appointed time with a barrage of journalists and thereafter I addressed a world press conference.

I was trending and this truly lifted my spirit.

My next strategy was to show off the love of my people of Edo and Osun States. It is uncommon to have an aspirant with the capacity to combine his paternal and maternal lineages, simultaneously, but I was determined to make this happen. I have remained close to both of my lineages, and this was the time to make this visible to the world. Off I went with my entourage to Ihievbe village, my paternal ancestral roots in Owan East Local Government, where I was accorded heroic welcome...

•To be continued...

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