SATURDAY 18TH JUNE 2022

Margaret Obaigbena, Princess of Owa Kingdom Passes on Buhari, Atiku, Tinubu, Sultan, Saraki, Lawan, Amina Mohammed, 15 govs, captains of industry, Emeka Anyaoku, other leaders condole with THISDAY/Arise Chairman over death of mother Ahamefula Ogbu, Deji Elumoye, Adedayo Akinwale, Omon-Julius Onabu and James Sowole The matriarch of Obaigbena family and a Princess of Owa Kingdom in Delta State, Margaret

Obaigbena yesterday passed on at age 87 after a brief illness, drawing condolence messages from diverse Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

Princess Obaigbena, who left her footprints in the health sector of the defunct Bendel State and

later, Delta State was adviser to three successive governments in Delta State due to her wealth of experience.

The demise of the matriarch was announced by the Royal family of Owa Kingdom led by the Obi of Owa Kingdom,

HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor in what he termed “celebration of life and times” of the matriarch.

The late Princess was born in Enugu on August 16, 1934 to Pa Paul Owakwe and Mrs. Grace Osinole Usifoh of Owa Kingdom in present day Ika

North East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Fondly called “my pearl” by her father, Princess Obaigbena spent her early years in Enugu and Onitsha before she finally Continued on page 5

Princess Obaigbena

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Okowa: I'm Igbo from Delta, Lucky to Be PDP’s Vice Presidential Candidate...

Owo Killings: Akeredolu Weeps at Burial, Laments Failure to Protect Citizens

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Fidelis David in Akure Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State yesterday blamed himself and government at all levels for failing to defend the

victims of June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, which claimed 40 lives.

Akeredolu made the declaration during the funeral Mass for 18 of the victims, held at the Mydas

Resort and Hotel, Owo. Akeredolu, who was at the event alongside his wife, Betty; former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Chairman of the state’s chapter of the All

Progressives Congress, Ade Adetimehin; and a chieftain of the APC, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), stressed that evil will not triumph forever.

Akeredolu, who wept during

his speech, said the government failed to protect the victims of the terror attack.

The governor said: “We have failed to defend these people.

Not because we have not tried,

but because these forces on the other side are evil and they have support."

He noted that something must Continued on page 5

Ekiti Decides: Oyebanji, Oni, Kolawole in Three-Horse Race INEC promises free, fair poll, orders staff to resist unethical behaviour Police impose 18-hour curfew, deploy 17,000; NSCDC 9,747

Charles Ajunwa in Lagos, Chuks Okocha and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Thousands of voters will today file out in Ekiti State to elect a new governor that will succeed Kayode Fayemi who is at the tail end of his second four-year tenure.

No fewer than 16 political parties are fielding candidates for the election, but it is expected to be a fierce battle involving Biodun Oyebanji of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For most of yesterday, tension remained very high across the state, with voters bitterly divided among the three leading candidates. Fear of violence was palpable.

For seamless conduct of Continued on page 5

OYEBANJI

STRENGTHS Backing of incumbent Governor Big war chest with federal might Strong on policy Young, vibrant, focused, determined

WEAKNESSES

Perceived as Fayemi’s stooge No elective experience Failings of Ekiti APC govt a minus Perceived as elitist

ONI

STRENGTHS Enjoys support of working class Strong understanding of government Rich political background Dedicated, dogged Adored by civil servants, pensioners

WEAKNESSES

Weak political platform Limited war chest Seen as a political ‘prostitute’

KOLAWOLE

STRENGTHS Strong grassroots mobiliser Dedicated, dogged Seen as a team player Notable Bridge builder

WEAKNESSES

Limited campaign fund Lacks state-wide name recognition Support of Fayose, a drawback Weak on policy, weak support base

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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 18, 2022

PAGE FIVE MARGARET OBAIGBENA, PRINCESS OF OWA KINGDOM PASSES ON settled in Agbor when her father retired.

She was married to late prince, Edwin Ukperi Obaigbena and the marriage was blessed with six children - Prince Ben Obaigbena who retired as Group General Manager of defunct Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation; Prince Alan Glory Obaigbena, a retired Florida Director of Highways, USA; Princess Isioma Ukwa; the late Prince Rotimi Obaigbena; Prince Ndukka Obaigbena, Chairman/Editor in Chief, THISDAY/ARISE Group and Princess Ogochukwu Aneke.

She had many grand and great grandchildren.

Growing up, late Princess Obaigbena was obsessed with the sight of nurses, especially their dress in immaculate white and finally had her dream when she was admitted into the school of nursing and midwifery in Ibadan and later, Benin.

She was a winner of many awards, including Best Academic Nurse in 1971 by the British High Commission and Best Practical Nurse in 1972 by the military Governor of the then Western Region.

Armed with her training and adroit discharge of her duties, the late Princess rose to the position of Chief Nursing Officer in the defunct Bendel State and later transferred her services to Delta State when it was created in 1991.

disclosure of Princess Obaigbena’s passage, condolence messages poured in from across Nigeria for Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

President Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and United Nation’s Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, led the way.

The list has fifteen state governors, including governors Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Nasir El-rufai (Kaduna).

There was also former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and former Commonwealth secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku.

Anyaoku wrote: "Dear Nduka I have just read while here in London of the passing of your mother. My wife and I send you and your family our deepest condolence. We should celebrate her fulfilled life and thank God for her producing you an undoubted asset to our country Nigeria. We pray that her soul will rest in perfect peace.

Emeka Anyaoku."

Captains of industry like Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Segun Agbaje, Ebenezer Onyeagwu and Herbert Wigwe also condoled with Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

Condolence Messages Pour for THISDAY/ Arise Chairman

President Buhari

Within

minutes

of

the

President Buhari in his condolence message sympathised with the Royal Palace of the

Obi of Owa Kingdom in Delta State “on the passing of a most treasured daughter, Princess Obaigbena.”

Commiserating with members of the family, and Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Buhari, described the late Princess Margaret as “a pillar of strength for the family, an accomplished mother and revered community leader, whose absence will be felt far beyond her immediate environment.”

Noting that the demise of Princess will create a great vacuum in the community, the President urged the family to take solace in the understanding that she lived her passion by caring for the distressed and disadvantaged.

He also eulogised her steadfast disposition to servicing mankind, beginning early in life and reaching the peak of the nursing profession, channeling her energy and resources to the realisation of lofty convictions.

Atiku, Tinubu and Saraki

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in his condolence message said, “I have received with sadness but with gratitude to God for a life fulfilled, the passing away of Princess Margaret Obaigbena, the beloved mother of the Chairman of THISDAY Newspapers and founder of Arise TV News, Prince Nduka Obaigbena.

“On behalf of my family, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the Obaigbena family of the Owa kingdom of

Delta State. May her soul rest in peace.”

Also, the standard bearer the APC for the 2023 presidential election, Bola Tinubu commiserated with Nduka Obaigbena and other family members over the death of Princess Obaigbena.

Tinubu said: “We must thank God that Princess Obaigbena died at an advanced age and left worthy children including you and your other siblings. I commiserate, through you, with other members of the family, particularly your siblings.

“While praying that Almighty Allah comfort all of you over this passing, I also beseech Him to grant the soul of Princess Obaigbena eternal rest."

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki described Princess Obaigbena, as a great woman who also lived a good life.

Saraki in a press statement signed on his behalf by Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of his Media Office, said though Mama Obaigbena attained a ripe age before she transitioned to glory, she would be sorely missed by all those who came into contact with her during her lifetime.

“Mama Obaigbena was a good woman who saw all the friends and associates of her children, particularly, Nduka’s friends as her children and always prayed for their progress and safety.

“My family and I commiserate with the whole of the Owa Kingdom which has lost a great Princess and mother,

the government and people of Delta State who Mama served as a nursing officer and Special Adviser to three different governors as well as the Obaigbena family who have lost a matriarch.”

Sanwo-Olu, Okowa and Uzodimma

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the deceased’s family, friends, associates and the entire people of Owa Kingdom and Delta State to immortalise the good name and legacy of the deceased.

He said the death of the matriarch of the Obaigbena family was a loss not just to her children and family but to the people of Owa Kingdom, Delta State and the society at large because of her positive impact in the lives of many people during her lifetime.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State said the government and people of Imo State share in Prince Obaigbena's loss, “particularly at a time like this when her mother's wise counsel was needed most in the country.”

Uzodimma said Princess Obaigbena's contribution to her community, state and country, using her nursing profession, “is something that ought to be emulated,” noting that it was by dint of hard work, discipline and her believe in God that Mama was able to get to the pinnacle of her profession and even surpassed it.

Delta State Governor, Dr.

Ifeanyi Okowa, described Madam Obaigbena as "a great mother and an accomplished Nigerian who dedicated her life to the service of mankind through her profession and philanthropy."

He urged the media mogul, Obaigbena and the family to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a life of sublime accomplishments and impacted society positively in diverse areas.

Dapo Abiodun and Lawan

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun described the deceased as a woman of substance, thoroughbred caregiver and great influencer of social justice while alive.

Abiodun urged the Obaigbena Family, particularly, Nduka, to take solace in the fact that their mother lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.

In his own condolence message, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said the departed Princess lived an exemplary life as a wife and mother and “delivered meritorious services in her nursing profession and as an Adviser to the government of Delta State.”

Also, an Abuja based Publisher of the Whistler, Chief James Umeh commiserated with the publisher of THISDAY and assured him of his support.

He regretted that the matriarch died when the country needed her most to help with professional counsel on how to better the health sector of the country.

EKITI DECIDES: OYEBANJI, ONI, KOLAWOLE IN THREE-HORSE RACE today’s election in Ekiti State, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, yesterday ordered the restriction of vehicular movements along entry and exit points to the state from 12:00am on 18th June, 2022 to 6:00pm of the same day.

The police added: "To this end, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the military, as well as other security agencies have been deployed across the state borders to enforce the restriction order to the letter and ensure criminal minded individuals do not infiltrate the State."

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Johnson Kokumo had earlier disclosed that Ekiti State would be properly secured to avoid any breakdown of law and order during the poll.

He also revealed that a total of 17,000 personnel had been deployed for the poll.

The DIG added that soldiers would be at the borders of the communities to prevent any form of intrusion.

According to him, all security operatives with VIPs should be withdrawn and returned to base for the purpose of the election.

The DIG called on the people to be law abiding and to respect all the processes of the elections to be able to have a peaceful governorship election in the state.

INEC Says it is Ready

INEC spent most of yesterday moving sensitive voting materials to the wards, while assuring all that the election would be free and fair.

The electoral umpire had earlier revealed that 988,923 voters captured in the Commission's register would decide who becomes the new Ekiti State Governor.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu appealed to staff of the commission to be neutral and abide by the code of conduct signed by them.

He said: “I appeal to you to uphold our Code of Conduct, display your usual sense of responsibility and professionalism; remain above board and firmly resist any unethical behaviour.”

He further charged them to ensure that no political party

or candidate was accorded any advantage over the other.

“We must also always stick strictly to the oath of neutrality to which we have all subscribed and continually live up to the trust that Nigerians repose in us,” Yakubu said.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, said 734,746 persons had collected their Permanent Voters Card for the election.

Okoye assured electorates of the commission's readiness to conduct a free, fair and credible election.

He said: "It is now a matter of common knowledge that we have 16 LGAs in Ekiti State and the election will be staged in 177 registration areas.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, yesterday said it would deploy 9,747 personnel drawn from FCT, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Kogi, Kwara and Edo commands to provide security for the election.

Addressing personnel at the Ekiti State Command headquarters of the NSCDC in Ado Ekiti, before they moved to their respective places of deployment, Acting Deputy Commandant General Operations, Lawal Haruna, disclosed that some flash points had already been identified and would be properly monitored.

Oni Alleges Intimidation

The SDP candidate yesterday alleged that some desperate politicians were already violating the peace accord signed this week before the Abdudalami Abubakar-led National Peace Commission.

Oni said rather than adhering to the tenets of democracy in the conduct of the June 18 Ekiti election, those he described as "oppressors", had allegedly been dehumanising and demobilising his supporters through unlawful arrests.

Oni, who addressed pressmen in Ado Ekiti, alerted INEC, international community, security agencies, observers and other stakeholders, saying "for this election to be acceptable, the

REC must stamp and sign all forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C and EC8D and not by any other agent or staff. Once the REC stamps and signs, nobody will be able to smuggle any form of fake results."

On the imperative of peace for the election to be successful, Oni said: "I will keep to the peace accord. But when you are kidnapping people, it renders every peace document invalid.

Let us tell them not to set this state on fire.

"Those who had been going round to kidnap my supporters should be called to order now.

They are testing the patience and tolerance of the people.

They shouldn't set this state on fire. If anybody commits an offence and they think they are the authorities to go round and arrest people at night, then the peace accord becomes shattered immediately."

How the Battle will Be Fought

The APC looks good to win Ekiti South Senatorial District, comprising six local governments - Gbonyin, Ekiti East, Ikere, Ekiti Southwest, Emure and Ise/Orun.

Oyebanji’s running mate, Mrs Mojisola Afuye hails from Ikere.

With the votes from Ikere and party chieftains in the area, APC may likely win the zone.

In Ekiti South, the APC boasts of bigwigs like the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Funminiyi Afuye; two members of House of Representatives Hon Femi Bamisile and Yemi Adaramodu; the APC State Chairman, Paul Omotoso; former Minister, Dayo Adeyeye and Chief Afolabi Ojuawo. These big wigs that can make things happen for the APC. Oyebanji and Kolawole are from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, comprising five local government areas - Ado,

Irepodun/Ifelodun, Efon, Ijero and Ekiti West. This is going to be a battleground. Oyebanji is from Ekiti West while Kolawole is from Efon.

In the last election, APC won four local governments in the senatorial zone and may still retain at least three this time, with the exception of Efon and Ado Ekiti.

The PDP may spring surprise in Efon because Kolawole hails from the town.

The influence of Segun Oni's Deputy, Ladi Owolabi in Ado Ekiti is also enormous. The large concentration of pensioners and civil servants, who seem to be backing Oni may also help the SDP tremendously in Ekiti Central.

In Ekiti Central, the APC also parades political heavyweights like the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo; Deputy governor, Bisi Egbeyemi and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele;

These people are capable of doing the magic for APC. Victory for APC Ekiti Central may be by a narrow margin.

Ekiti North Senatorial District has always been a natural habitat and stronghold of Oni since 2007.

The district has five councils Ido/Osi, Moba, Ilejemeje, Ikole and Oye local governments. Oni is from Ido/Osi. APC won the five councils in Ekiti North in the last election, but Oni was still in the ruling party then. As strong as Oni is in Ekiti North, he will meet a match in Fayemi, who is from the area.

The Director General, Biodun Oyebanji campaign council, Cyril Fasuyi, is also from Ekiti North.

But Segun Oni still has visible and electrifying presence in Ido/ Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje APC also has influential politicians in Ekiti North.

Whichever way it goes, Oni may likely carry the day in Ekiti North.

OWO KILLINGS: AKEREDOLU WEEPS AT BURIAL, LAMENTS FAILURE TO PROTECT CITIZENS be done about security in the country, adding that the security architecture of the nation needs rejigging.

“When I see the sea of heads that are here, it speaks volumes.

What has happened to us in Owo is indescribable. A lot of words are used to qualify it - dastardly, horrendous. But I still believe there are words to describe it but I am still short of those words.

“We have just 22 deceased in this hall. A few of them have been buried, because the relatives couldn’t wait till today. But as at the last count, these animals came to the church and murdered 40 people.” governor Akeredolu said.

Responding, the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade declared that Akeredolu had not failed in protecting his people.

Bishop Arogundade said: “You didn’t fail. You are a strong soldier. Your determination to protect those who voted you into power is unquestionable.

This was done by cowards. You have tried your best.”

Bishop Arogundade wondered why the people of the country need to beg for state police, despite the endless attack

and killings, while thanking the governor for accepting to designate a memorial park in honour of the victims.

He stressed that those who created the situation that made the incident happen have blood on their hands.

Earlier in his funeral Mass message, Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo called on relatives of the victims to allow God to fight their battle.

Bishop Badejo said: "It will not be an exaggeration at all to begin this funeral Mass with Psalm 22 where David said ‘my God, my God, why have you forsaken me.’

This is not a homily, I am not happy to preach at all, and it is not an occasion which any of you ever pray to witness in this side of the world or our country.

"No doubt we all gather today in deep sorrow and mourning, for this funeral Mass for over 40 of our departed people who were brutally murdered, mindlessly massacred while at worship at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Pentecost Sunday.

“Indeed, the event catapulted Ondo State, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo and Nigeria into the

limelight of world attention, unfortunately, for the wrong reason. Since then, the world has condemned the crime perpetrated against humanity and against God in this state."

Meanwhile, there was no mass burial for the victims of the attack, as relatives individually took possession of the corpses and were seen taking them to their home of origin.

Some of those who spoke with THISDAY said it was a taboo for an adult to be buried outside his or her home of origin.

A mourner, Nwani Christopher Chudi said since the death of his brother who was the breadwinner of the family, had been a battle for survival.

He said: "I lost somebody who was very dear to me, a senior brother, with the daughter; a promising child that we were hoping will be a person the family will depend on tomorrow.

It was a tragic event on June 5 that somebody went to church and never came back.

"It has been a trauma because he is the breadwinner of the family. In my nuclear family, I'm the only surviving son. I have only five girls that are

my younger ones to attend to.

He used to support us, although he was married. You know Igbo tradition, once you are married, you have a wife, your siblings, are on their own. He will face his own immediate family, even the son that survived, that they call Victor, he just miraculously survived.

It was God's grace because he was inside the church while the shooting was going on but he survived. We thank God." According to him, "the wife's BP had already risen above normal; her BP was already 180/170, which is very abnormal.

You know she visited the hospital the other day. On two occasions, we took her to the hospital, since then she's not eating well, she's not sleeping, the trauma is so much.

"I was born and brought up in Owo, I don't have a father, I don't have a mother.My daddy has died likewise my mother.

My late brother has been my pillar. I'm a graduate; I graduated from University of Jos in 1996, no white-collar job."

Tears flowed freely from relatives of the victims and sympathizers who thronged the venue of the funeral Mass.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 18, 2022

NEWS

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

You’re a Traitor for Agreeing to Be Atiku’s Running Mate, Clark, Adebanjo, Obiozor, Tell Okowa Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum has berated the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for accepting his nomination as the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) for the 2023 general election.

The Forum in a statement issued yesterday and jointly

signed by the Leader of the SMBLF and Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark; leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; President-General, Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Dru Bitrus; and President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador George Obiozor, said it was unspeakable and quite disappointing that Okowa, who is currently Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum,

Osinbajo Wants Nigeria, US to Halt Terrorism in Sahel Region Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for concerted efforts between Nigeria and the United States to effectively tackle the spread of terrorism, especially in the Sahel region.

Speaking while playing host to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, US State Department, Victoria Nuland, alongside a US delegation including its Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, Osinbajo stressed the need for a free, fair and peaceful elections, improving security in the Sahel region, and the adoption of gas as a transition fuel in developing countries.

Highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to tackling terrorism in the region and Sahel, the Vice President noted that the spread of terrorist organisations such as ISWAP, and Boko Haram should be tackled ‘firmly and permanently.’

Commending the US Government for providing support to Nigeria in its fight against Boko

Haram and terrorism - with the delivery of the first batch of Super Tucano jets and the proposed purchase of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria, Osinbajo said the cooperation between the two countries has been “extremely fruitful and rewarding, especially for us.”

He also noted President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s commitment to tackling the country’s security challenges and ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.

His words: “So far, we have seen peaceful elections in the primaries… and as we go along, we will get a firmer grip of the security issues; we must thank you for the cooperation of the American government, that we see so far.”

Restating the need to designate gas as a transition fuel in the global net-zero emissions target by 2060, Osinbajo noted the importance of climate financing in helping African countries tackle the effects of climate change and poverty.

ASUU Strike Unnecessary, Says JAMB Registrar Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, yesterday, bemoaned the current strike action embarked on by the members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

He however described the ongoing industrial action by members of the unions as unnecessary.

Professor Oloyede, who was a former Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, stated this when the university admission regulatory agency presented multi-billion naira medical equipment to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) for improved healthcare delivery in the country, in collaboration with a US-based agency, Project Cure.

The JAMB registrar said that incessant strike action by unions in the nation’s tertiary institution was capable of causing irreparable damage on not just the students but also the nation.

Oloyede urged both the government and the unions to find ways of putting an end to the “unnecessary strike action”.

“While acknowledging

the fact that the primary responsibility of reasonable (even if not adequate) funding of public health and education institutions lies on the proprietors- the Government, may I seize this opportunity to call on the employers, university-based labour unions to appreciate the irreparable damage of incessant strikes on not just the students but also the nation.”

Oloyede, who said that the intervention of the Board in the area of healthcare delivery was to support government’s efforts aimed at addressing the huge medical infrastructural gap, added that JAMB would continue to prune down its expenses through prudent management, adoption of relevant cost-saving technology, and other efficiency-strategies to free up resources to support major stakeholders such as the tertiary health and educational institutions in order to uplift the health and educational institutions.

He said that the tertiary health institutions’ hospital equipment intervention was for 12 benefiting health facilities in all the six geopolitical zones in the country, for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

and a native of Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area (one of the Igbo-speaking areas) of Delta State, would exhibit such barefaced unreliability.

They recalled that the 17 governors of the Southern states of Nigeria, both of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Chairmanship of the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, met in Asaba, the capital of Delta State on May 11, 2021, and took far-reaching decisions, including that, based on the principles of fairness, equity and justice, the presidency should rotate to the South, at the end of the statutory eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

The leaders said it was unfortunate that Okowa, who hosted the meeting accepted

the appointment, describing the action as treacherous and tantamount to a despicable pawning of the political future of the people of Southern Nigeria.

They therefore rejected Okowa and his Vice Presidency, adding that they are leaving him to his lot.

The statement read in part, “It is essential to underline that the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), applauded the meeting of the governors, given its significant representation and the gravity of the outcome; we followed up and issued a similar statement after our meeting in Abuja on the 30th of May 2021, asking that the presidency should rotate to the South. And went further, on several other occasions, to caution political stakeholders from the South, including serving and former governors, ministers,

senators, etcetera, not to, on any account, allow themselves to be appointed or nominated as running mate to any presidential candidate, if the presidency is not zoned to the south and that we will work against such person or persons.

“It is regrettable that while most of Governor Okowa’s southern and northern counterparts have maintained gallant, patriotic deference to the unity and peace of the country, above blinkered political considerations, by their resolute stance on the rotation of the presidency to the south in 2023, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, of all people, would gullibly and slavishly capitulate to the bonbon of absurdity.

“Thus, acceding to a situation

whereby, one person rules for eight years and hands over to another of his stock, in a country of at least 360 ethnic groups. What a shame!

The people of southern Nigeria chimed at Asaba, Lagos, Enugu, Uyo, Port Harcourt, Umuahia, and Abuja, continuously, on the zoning of the presidency and warned that another northern presidency, after the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, would be injurious to the unity and peace of the country.

“Governor Okowa has, by his action, betrayed the trust reposed on him by his colleagues; the southern governors, the entire good people of southern Nigeria and all well-meaning Nigerians.

He has made himself persona non grata, not only, with SMBLF but all citizens who treasure our oneness and yearn for a more united and peaceful Nigeria.

TAKING STOCK… L-R: Mrs. Tairat Tijani, Director; Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and CEO; Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Chairman and Mrs. Temitayo Adegoke, Company Secretary, all of Sterling Bank Plc at the 60th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bank held in Lagos… yesterday.

Why We’re Resolute to Return Oyetola for Second Term, Ogiyan, Alawo, Others Reveal Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Following the gale of endorsements and solidarity coming from different quarters for Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin; Alawo of Awo, Oba Abdul-Rasaq Ajibade Ajiboye; and Aragberi of Iragberi, Oba Agbooade Makanju, said the royal fathers were resolute to return the governor for second term as best way to reciprocate his good gesture in turning around the fortune of the state.

The traditional rulers admitted that the style of governance of Governor Oyetola has further endeared him to the masses, particularly the monarchs who have benefitted tremendously since the inception of his ad-

ministration.

This is even as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Mexico, Mr. Adejare Bello, reaffirmed the readiness of the people of the state to re-elect the governor saying, “It won’t be business as usual particularly in Ede Federal Constituency.”

The Governor’s Campaign Council on Thursday moved the campaign trail to Egbedore and Ejigbo local government areas in Ede Federal Constituency of the state.

Speaking in his palace, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, reaffirmed his support for the re-election of the governor.

Oba Oyesosin who described Governor Oyetola as a man of noble ideas and developmental initiatives said he (Oyetola) has

convinced him and many to earn their support for second term.

He acknowledged the numerous government’s interventions and supports to the people of Ejigbo have benefitted from his government saying, “We have seen all you have been doing, particularly for Ejigbo.”

“In spite of the paucity of funds, your administration didn’t relent in championing the dividends of democracy for the people. I know you have done creditably well, but on behalf of my fellow traditional rulers, we plead with you not to relent in your efforts.

“You have done excellently well for us but like Oliver Twist, we want more. We want more road infrastructure. We want most of our intra and inter-towns

roads fixed. We are confident that after your re-election, you will help us to fix those roads. Many do not know the efficacy of prayers, but you have demonstrated to us that you know what prayer is all about and God has been with you all along,” Ogiyan added.

Also speaking, the Alawo of Awo, Oba Abdul-Rasaq Ajibade Ajiboye, expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Oyetola to take the state to enviable heights.

Oba Ajiboye assured that the people of his domain who have benefitted largely from some of the developmental initiatives of the government would reciprocate the kind gesture with their votes in the July 16 governorship election in the state.

Crises Hit Kogi Assembly, Deputy Speaker, Three Other Principal Officers Impeached Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Kogi State House of Assembly has impeached the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Mohammed and three other principal officers for gross misconduct.

In an emergency plenary sitting held at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja yesterday, the lawmakers accused Mohammed of gross misconduct and arbitrary use of office.

In a motion of urgent importance read by Hon. Enema Paul, member representing Dekina/

Okura State Constituency, said 17 lawmakers signed the impeachment of Hon. Ahmed Mohammed and the suspension of three other principal officers in the House.

The three principal officers removed from office and later suspended from the House are Bello Hassan Balogun, (Majority Leader), Idris Ndako, (Deputy Majority Leader) and Hon. Idoko Moses Ododo, (Chief Whip).

The House however elected Alfa Momoh Rabiu, lawmaker representing Ankpa II as the new

Deputy Speaker.

Other new principal officers elected are Hon. Muktar Bajeh (Majority Leader), Umar Isah Tanimu (Deputy Majority Leader), Enema Paul (Deputy Chief Whip), and Ahmed Dahiru (Chief Whip).

The House also suspended the three impeached officers, while only one of impeached will be allowed in the chamber for now.

The Speaker, Prince Mathew Kolawole, had also announced the dissolution of all the House standing committees.

Before the impeachment process, there was heavy presence of security personnel at the Assembly complex consisting of the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services (DSS).

It could be recalled that Ahmed Mohammed is the lawmaker representing Akpa I in the Kogi State House of Assembly.

It was gathered that 17 out of the 25 lawmakers were present during the impeachment process.

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NEWS

Supreme Court Affirms Judgment Unbanning Use of Hijab in Lagos Schools Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of a Court of Appeal, which removed the ban on the use of Hijab in public schools in Lagos State.

The apex court in a split judgment of five-to-two, delivered yesterday in Abuja, held that the appellate court was right in its verdict nullifying and setting aside the judgment of a High Court that banned female Muslim students from wearing the Hijab (head covering veil)

with their school uniforms.

In the majority judgment prepared by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun but read by Justice Tijani Abubakar, the apex court subsequently dismissed the appeal brought by Lagos State for lacking in merit.

According to the majority judgment, the ban on the use of Hijab was discriminatory hence, the need to set aside the judgment of Justice Grace Onyeabo of the High Court of Lagos State, delivered in 2014, which upheld the ban.

Okowa: I’m Igbo from Delta, Lucky to Be PDP’s Vice Presidential Candidate Bennett Oghifo Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has said he regards himself as an Igbo man from the South-south geopolitical zone of the country and that even though it did not come as a surprise to him, he was lucky to have been chosen to be the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar.

Okowa, who stated this during an interview on Arise TV last night, was asked if he was a bridge builder between the North-east and the South-east.

“I’m an Igbo man, looking at it holistically. Igbo from Delta State in the South-south having affinity with other Igbos in the South-east.”

He explained that there has neither been a Nigerian president from the North-east nor one from the South-east, stating that after the presidency of Atiku, “because I’m sure we will win,” someone from the South-east would be next president.

Okowa said he was lucky to have gotten the position of Vice Presidential candidate, because there were other equally qualified people in the party.

According to Okowa, the PDP had to throw open its presidential contest because the

time was too short to adhere to an understanding that the next president of Nigeria should come from the Southern region.

“I know that there was a conversation like that among those in the Southern Governors Forum but we belong to different political parties and we abide by the decisions taken within our parties. Within the PDP, we felt that the time was rather too short with regard to zoning to a particular part of the country. We felt it would be in the best interest of our party and our nation to throw the presidential race open, and this was after a debate by the national executive of the party and we went to the convention and the former Vice President Atiku Abubarkar emerged the presidential candidate after the primary.”

He said his coming into the ticket would add strength to it and that he expected everyone in the party to work collectively to make it a winning ticket.

Okowa said he was not unmindful of the fact that some of his colleagues would have been able to get the ticket but that at the end of the day, he was the lucky one. “We cannot rule out the fact that some people will be aggrieved but we must work together as a party and we will try to unite ourselves.”

Yobe Senatorial Seat: Machina Threatens Court Action over Substitution with Lawan Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Yobe North Senatorial district, Bashir Machina, has vowed to seek redress in court over alleged substitution of his name with that of the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, in the list sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the party.

Lawan who contested the presidential primary of the party and lost to Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not participate in the party’s primary.

TherulingpartyhadwrittenINEC that the Senate president would be its nominee for the Yobe North senatorial seat.

However, Machina who contested the primary in the Yobe North senatorial district and won, vowed to go to court to challenge the attempt to steal his mandate after INEC recognised Lawan as the candidate of the APC

for the Yobe North Senatorial district.

Lawan’s name instead of Machina was uploaded on the commission’s server alongside other senatorial candidates across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory.

Machina, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja appealed to the APC to correct the omission of his name or he would have no option than to seek legal redress if his name remains substituted with that of Lawan.

He reiterated that he was the elected candidate, adding that he did not withdraw for anybody.

Machina insisted that he would not withdraw because the mandate was given to him by party members and the delegates.

According to him, he decided to address the press because an abnormality and illegality was about taking place in the ruling party.

Not satisfied with an earlier decision of the lower court, Lagos State had in an appeal marked SC/910/2016, approached the apex court to reverse the lower court’s decision.

The Court of Appeal had on July 21, 2016, set aside the judgment of Justice Onyeabo of a Lagos High Court on the grounds that the ban on the use of Hijab by female Muslim students in public schools in Lagos State was offensive.

According to the five-man panel of Justices of the appellate court led by Justice Ali Gumel, the use of Hijab was an Islamic

injunction and an act of worship which did not constitute a violation of the appellants’ rights.

The panel further held that the trial court was wrong to dismiss the suit by the two12year-old girls under the aegis of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit.

The plaintiffs/respondents had approached the High Court to challenge Lagos State’s decision to deny them the right to wear Hijab to school.

The appellate court in the judgment stated that the lower court erred in law when it held that the ban of Hijab was a

policy of the Lagos State Government, who was the respondent in the case.

According to the appellate court, no circular was presented before the lower court to show that it was a policy of Lagos State adding that “he who asserts must prove”.

The court further held that if there was a policy, such policy ought to have emanated from the State House of Assembly and not the Executive Arm of the government.

Consequently, the court held that fundamental human rights of female Muslim students as enshrined in Section 38 (1) of the

1999 Constitution was violated by the Respondent.

Moreso, the appellate court dismissed an argument by Lagos State that it made an exception by allowing female Muslim students to wear Hijab during their prayers.

Aside from setting aside the lower court’s judgment, the Court of Appeal went ahead and resolved all five issues raised in favour of the appellants.

Other Justices on the five-man panel of the appellate court that heard the matter were Justices M. Fasanmi, Adamu Jauro, J.S. Ikyegh and Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor.

READYING FOR ELECTION. . .

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele test-riding one of motorcycles as part of the 13 SUV cars and 10 motorcycles donated to them for their electioneering campaign by All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from Ogun Central Senatorial District ...Thursday

Ohanaeze Changes Strategy, Embraces Okowa, Describes Him as An Igbo Prodigy Chuks Okocha in Ado Ekiti Ripples of the appointment of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the presidential running mate to AtikuAbubakar continued as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has congratulated Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on his emergence as the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation in a statement yesterday, said it was proud of Okowa noting what it claimed was his exemplary progress through the political arena.

In the congratulatory message that is bound to project Okowa in the permutations of the Igbo in the 2023 presidential contest, Ohaenaeze Ndigbo said Okowa is “an Igbo prodigy; an astute administrator, sagacious politician, brilliant physician, creative visionary, prudent resource manager, detribalised patriot, purveyor of morals and a poster personality.”

The statement signed by Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said Okowa grew through the ladder and is endowed with special grace

by God. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has watched with keen interest and admiration the phenomenal trajectory of an University of Ibadan trained medical doctor from the Secretary to Ika North East Local Government; Chairman, Ika North East Local Government; Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources; Commissioner for Water Resources Development; Commissioner for Health; Secretary to the Delta State Government; Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; ECOWAS Parliamentarian;

Governor of Delta State and today the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Available records indicate that from birth, God endowed Okowa with a special grace. It is only grace that explains the mystery behind the profound achievements by a few in various areas of life which paradoxically present enormous challenges to many others. Perhaps, this explains why Okowa ennobled the various offices he held with remarkable skill, exceptional diligence, elegance and panache.

Conference Attendance: TETFund Refutes Waiving Sanctions for Erring Lecturers Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said that it has not waived sanctions for lecturers of tertiary education institutions who collected money from the Fund but failed to attend the required academic conference.

TETFund clarified this in a statement yesterday while

reacting to reports making the rounds in some news outlets on waiving of sanction for indebted lecturers.

The statement signed by Acting Director of Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, said the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Sonny Echono, only called on polytechnic lecturers who had collected money to take advantage

of Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) Conference scheduled for year 2022 to attend the conference.

The statement read in full: “The attention of the Management of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has been drawn to reports circulating in the media that the Fund has waived sanctions for erring

lecturers who failed to attend conferences for which they were paid under its Conference Attendance Intervention Programme.

“We wish to state categorically that at no point did the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono blankly waive sanctions for such categories of lecturers.

20,802 Katsina Out-of-School Children Have Access to Learning on UNICEF Partnership Francis Sardauna in Katsina No fewer than 20,802 out-ofschool children in Katsina State will now have access to learning following the launching of the cash transfer programme by the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) in partnership with the state government.

The sum of N332,832,000 will be disbursed through the cash transfer programme to 20,802 out-of-school children and

Almajirai in Kafur, Mani and Safana Local Government Area of the state to provide learning opportunities for them and improve their socio-economic wellbeing. Speaking during the launching of the programme in Mani yesterday, the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Mohammed Farah, said the cash transfer programme would reduce the number of 536,132 children currently out of school in the state.

The cash transfer programme, funded by the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) of Qatar under its Educate A Child programme (EAC), is being implemented by UNICEF in Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Farah explained that the funds would be distributed through 10,557 female parents and caregivers to assist 20,802 out-of-school children to return to school.

He reiterated that each female parent and caregiver would receive N8,000 per tranche twice in 2022, amounting to N16,000 per beneficiary across the three benefiting local governments in the state.

He said the cash transfer programme would also ensure that Integrated Qur’anic Schools (IQS) in Kafur, Mani and Safana are equipped with literacy and numeracy skills for employability and livelihood schemes.

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NEWS

Parties Submit Names of Presidential Candidates, Running Mates Ahead of June 17 Deadline Chuks Okocha in Ado Ekiti

Tinubu, who submitted his form on Wednesday night, picked All the political parties for the Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari’s 2023 general elections beat the name as a place holder ahead of deadline set by the Independent the deadline for parties to submit National Electoral Commission the names of their candidates (INEC) to submit the names of for the 2023 elections.

There are reports that Tinubu their presidential candidates and running mates at 6p.m. yesterday. would replace Masari before the Presidential candidate of the election as he only dropped his ruling All Progressives Congress name to meet INEC’s deadline.

Also, the Peoples Democratic (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed 7LQXEX ZDV WKH ÀUVW WR VXEPLW Party (PDP) Presidential candihis presidential nomination forms date with his running mate, Atiku with the name of Alhaji Kabir Abubakar, who on Thursday anIbrahim Masari as his running nounced Governor of Delta State, mate for the 2023 Presidential Senator Ifeanyichukwu Arthur election.

Okowa as the Vice Presidential

candidate, yesterday submitted their nomination forms early to beat the 1800 hours of June 17.

Other presidential candidates that beat the INEC deadline of June 17 18 00 hours are as follows: Accord Party, Christopher Imumolen; Action Alliance (AA), Hamza Al Mustapha; African Action Congress (AAC); Omoyele Sowore, and African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu.

Others are All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peter Umeadi; Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Yusuf Mamman Dantalle; Boot Party (BP), Sunday

Adenuga; National Rescue Movement (NRM), Okwudili Nwa-Anyajike; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Kola Abiola; Social Democratic Party(SDP), Adewole Adebayo; Young Progressive Party (YPP), Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim; and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had disclosed that a portal had been dedicated to receiving the details of the candidates of the 18 Political 3DUWLHV HOLJLEOH WR ÀHOG FDQGLGDWHV

Mbaka Makes U-Turn, Says He Didn’t Mean to Malign Obi Gideon Arinze in Enugu

Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has said that his intention was not to speak ill of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, during his adoration programme on Wednesday.

Mbaka had come under fire after his inflammatory political utterances against Obi wherein he described the presidential candidate as a ‘stingy man’ and ‘a joker,’ who could never be the President of Nigeria.

The Catholic Diocese of Enugu had distanced itself from the cleric’s utterances which it said contravened the laws of the

Catholic Church and did not represent the position of the Diocese.

However, in a statement he personally signed yesterday, Mbaka said that his intention was not to malign Obi’s image, but to pray for him, adding that God’s will would be done in his life.

“In this vein, I give my blessings to His Excellency Peter Obi and his supporters, I also give my blessings to the other candidates and their supporters whose intention is also to give Nigeria good leaders,” he said.

While referring to Obi as his friend and brother, Mbaka also pleaded that he be forgiven by supporters of the LP candidate who might have been offended by his utterances.

([ /DZPDNHU 8UJHV )* WR ,QWHQVLI\ 0RUH (;RUW WR 'HYHORS 1DWLRQ·V 7RXULVP 3RWHQWLDOV Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A former lawmaker representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency of Kwara State at the National Assembly and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Moshood Mustapha, has called on the federal government to intensify more effort to support communities with various cultural values and historical antecedents as a way to improve the tourism development in the country.

Hon. Mustapha made the call in Ilorin yesterday when he donated the sum of N10 million towards the Durbar Cultural Values and

HAND OF FELLOWSHIP… L-R: Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinnma and All Progressives Congress Presidential Standard bearer, Bola Tinubu, when the APC candidate visited him at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja ...yesterday

'R\LQ 2NXSH 1DPHG 2EL·V 5XQQLQJ 0DWH A former Senior Special $VVLVWDQW RQ 3XEOLF $ͿDLUV to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has been named the vice presidential candidate of Peter Obi’s Labour Party.

The former presidential aide said he would be “standing in” as the running mate to Obi. Okupe said: “Naturally, we comply with the electoral

body and in doing so, we believe that choosing the vice presidential candidate is part of the electoral process.

And you will understand that Mr. Peter Obi came into the Labour Party on the 29th of May, which is exactly three weeks ago.

“Therefore, our idea and our reasoning is to bring together in the country, and IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH WKH ODUJHVW

political coalition possible, because we are facing two political giants — APC, PDP. And we are serious about upstaging them and we will.

“But to do that, we cannot do it alone. We need to be able to put together this coalition and the so-called third force is now alive, and it is forming, and it is important for us to ensure that all the stakeholders are carried along

from the beginning to the end.

“So, because of this, I, Dr. Doyin Okupe, am standing in as the vice-presidential candidate of the “The development comes amid the June 17 deadline issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for parties to submit the list of their candidates for the 2023 general polls.”

(PHQLNH :H 0XVW &RPH Robert Laments Poor State 7RJHWKHU WR 5HVFXH $ELD RI $IULFD·V ,QIUDVWUXFWXUHV Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has commenced the process of reconciling all aggrieved party members, urging them to come together and close their ranks ahead of the 2023 general election.

The reconciliation drive was kick-started yesterday at the country home of the party leader at Umukabia Okpuala in Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state, where unsuccessful aspirants at the recently concluded party primaries were assembled and comforted.

Emenike urged the former aspirants to dispel any hard feelings they may be harbouring over their failures to realise their aspirations, adding that they should see such losses as sacrifices made for the overall interest of the state.

He said that it would not serve anybody any good if personal interests and aspirations were elevated above the cardinal objective of the Abia APC which is to free Abia from the vicious grip of those allegedly mismanaging the state.

“Abia has gotten so bad that we must come together to rescue it; we must come together for the sake of our own dear state,” he said.

The founder of Zeetin Engineering, Azibaola Robert, KDV LGHQWLÀHG WKH VORZ SDFH RI progress in indigenously-driven innovations in science and technology as being responsible for the sordid state of infrastructural development of African countries, and urged governments, engineers to demonstrate more seriousness in addressing the challenge.

He stated this while receiving award from the International Institute of Chartered Educational Practitioners (IICEP) for ‘Outstanding Performance in Innovation, Creativity and Economic Empowerment’, in Abuja on Tuesday.

“While the world is in

WKH ÀIWK DQG VL[WK LQGXVWULDO revolution stage, Africa is still DW WKH ÀUVW DQG VHFRQG VWDJH and even at this level that we are, we have not shown high level of seriousness.

Especially, not yet being able to make some basic things that we should be doing now at this level of revolution that we are,” said Robert, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE).

Africa, he said, “must not be a ground for the exportation of raw materials only but also in the production of things that will add value to humanity. I believe that it is better for us to try and do things and fail rather than not trying at all.”

other developmental activities of the Ilorin Emirate.

He said that there were abundant cultural values in various towns and villages that can be tapped to add values to the nation.

According to him, “importance of tourism in the socio economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasised.

“It is on this premise that I am calling on the federal government to rise to the development of nation’s tourism development by investing considerable funds on communities with the various cultural values and historical antecedents so as to move the nation forward.”

86 EDVHG (QWUHSUHQHXU 1DRPL $ODEL *LYHV &OHDQ :DWHU WR 3RRU &RPPXQLWLHV Mary Nnah

communities in need.

According to Naomi Alabi the ,Q 1LJHULD RQH RXW RI ÀYH project founder, “this borehole deaths in children under age will provide not just any water ÀYH LV GXH WR FRPSOLFDWLRQV but will give the community, from unclean water, including especially women access to clean, clear and safe water. This will diseases like cholera.

Unsafe water can also lead create lasting community health to infectious diseases and the and sustain the growth and transmission of parasites. This development of the residents.”

Alabi further said under the led to the recent inauguration and donation of boreholes to “Clean water is a Human Right the Jakande Illasan community Campaign”, more disadvantaged in Lagos State by The Love communities across 36 states of Water Project, a humanitarian 1LJHULD ZLOO EH LGHQWLÀHG DQG organisation that provides clean provided with access to clean water solutions to families and water.

%HQHÀFLDULHV (PHUJH DW &DPSXV .LW (QWUHSUHQHXUVKLS ,QFXEDWLRQ 3URJUDPPH Oluchi Chibuzor

entrepreneurial space in Africa and convert potential SMEs As part of its focus on sup- into emerging corporates for porting young entrepreneurs JOREDO LQÁXHQFH The businesses are Machoice with asset grants to boost their businesses, four student Integrated Services Limited, the entrepreneurs have emerged as winner who won a N500,000 EHQHÀFLDULHV RI WKH %LRGXQ grand prize; Orgenic Fast Food and Ibikunle Foundation 7RPEURZQ ÀUVW UXQQHU XS Campus Kit Undergraduate who won a N300,000 grant Entrepreneurship Incubation prize; Nisha Culture, second runner-up with a N200,000 Programme.

The winners include; Jer- grant prize and Adecreamz emiah Amadi, Bayero Univer- Cakes, who got a consolation sity Kano; Maryam Atolagbe, prize of N100,000.

The Undergraduate EntreUniversity of Ilorin, Kwara; Aishat Ayinde, University of preneurship Incubation ProLagos; Adewumi Oguntimehin, gramme which was launched Federal University of Technol- early 2022 received over 20 applications from student ogy, Akure.

This is part of the founda- entrepreneurs in public tertiary tion’s activities to engage the institutions across Nigeria.

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INSIGHT

May the killers be found...

Tunde Bakare Admits Defeat...

“

We confidently wear our zero votes as a badge of zero tolerance for a certain kind of politics.” That was Pastor Tunde Bakare’s response to not winning the position of Presidential standard bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at their recently concluded Presidential primaries.

Bakare had previously told his congregation and Nigerians that God told him that he would be the next President of Nigeria after Muhammadu Buhari.

This response has told us everything we need to know about the 67-year-old pastor. He has shown us that he is a man who cannot admit that his wishful thinking failed him. Wishful thinking fails us all. Who hasn’t wanted something even against the reaches of common sense or human possibility? God did not tell Bakare that he would be the next President of Nigeria. It was an ambition Bakare ha d for himself and he wanted to speak it into existence to make it “real” so he used God’s Name to give his ambition “credibility”. Bakare knows the psychology of Nigerians.

He knows they are moved emotionally by God’s Name so he applied that strategy hoping it would work in his favour.

Unfortunately for him he failed to apply the biblical mantra that faith without works is dead. What he did is akin to preparing to run a hundred-metre dash at the Olympics one month before the Olympics begins when world class runners practised for four years prior to compete in that same Olympics!

Bakare is not a politician. Sometimes Nigerians are fond of copying templates from other countries to achieve their objectives and goals. “Ah, Trump was not a politician but he won!” they may say, forgetting or conveniently forgetting that his win was a one-off and should be an exception, not the rule (of America’s 46 Presidents only Trump never held a public or military office). More importantly, Trump ran for presidency in a country where the person who becomes President is the person who can persuade their citizens that they are the one for the job; the person who becomes America’s President is not necessarily the best qualified for the job. In Nigeria too, who becomes President is not necessarily the best qualified but who spends sufficient resources, who is a party member with strong political structures and who has multi-tribal alliances. Bakare did not spend sufficient resources (he has found out that it takes much more than N100 million to be a President). He does not have strong political structures (he communicated with the delegates via bulk SMS, not even personalised

SMS). I don’t know about his multi-tribal alliances: if he has any they didn’t work for him on the day. Lack of the first two requirements show that he felt he didn’t need to do much work to become the APC Presidential flag bearer.

At his church service on the Sunday after he didn’t get a single delegate vote, he postulated bible verses about royal dainties and God making leaders out of losers. He even quoted late US President John F. Kennedy: “Mothers may still want their favourite sons to grow up to be president but they do not want them to become politicians in the process.”

Interpret this quote how you will.

There is nothing wrong with Bakare or any Nigerian of any sex, tribe, religion or belief over the required minimum age of 35 aspiring to be President of this country. He or she should endeavour to put in the work and be prepared to live by any public bold statements they make. If Bakare had said after his zero votes that he made a mistake in saying God told him he would be Nigeria’s next President, we would all see ourselves in him.

The closest thing we got to an apology was his public congratulations to the winner Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He even urged his congregation to congratulate Tinubu as well.

Obinna Inogbo, Lagos

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

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Politicians Should Learn from Ejiro

I

t has been a sad week for Nigeria with all the reports of killings and kidnappings. It is safe to say Nigeria has now become a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The avarice of our politicians is never ending; it has got to a point now that the devil himself shudders with righteous indignation. I am sure the devil will always mutter “this is demonic” at news of another billion stolen from public coffers, pardon my exaggeration.

Despite all the madness and stories that over exert my lacrimal glands, I must confess the story of Ejiro Otarigho, the tanker driver at Agbarho, near Warri, has reestablished my hope in Nigeria. I have always been an incurable optimist anyway, and I have always believed that our major problem is leadership. But when I see Nigerians that care so much for other Nigerians, Nigerians that see others as their brothers, I get so excited. Ejiro was a tanker driver whose truck caught fire and he drove the truck, despite the fire engulfing the truck to a safe place to ensure no life was lost. When Ejiro was interviewed he posited that he will rather risk his life than to watch another Nigerian die and I wonder what a great Nigerian he is. The shocking thing is in my dream land, I sometimes hope Nigerian leaders will be like Ejiro for a minute. In a political climate dominated by bribery and entitlement, where no one talks about service to the people, Ejiro has raised the bar so high and he has become a symbol of the Nigeria we want. I will like to call on our leaders to embrace Ejiro’s mindset of service, because that is the true Nigerian spirit we all advocate every time.

Also worthy of mention is the crew of the Overland aircraft, that had engine failure mid-air but landed the plane safely.

The passion to save lives as exhibited in these scenarios is the stuff of legends. It just shows, things can work in Nigeria and miracles can truly happen. I know most times, it is always the story of sorrow, tears and blood, but today great things have happened and we must all celebrate and most importantly, our leaders must learn from Ejiro.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

14

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

NEWS Nigeria has High Global Skill Supply Potentials in Tech Industry, Says Ranganath Ugo Aliogo

TALKING AVIATION SAFETY… L-R: Akwaaba facilitator, Mr. Ikechi Uko, NANTA President, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, FAAN MD, Alhaji Rabiu Yadudu, former NTDC Director General, Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho, and NCAC Director General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, at the maiden edition of FAAN national aviation conference with the theme: ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport’ held at International Conference Centre Abuja

Buhari: Nigeria Will Adopt Long Term Strategy to Lessen Use of Fossil Fuels Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted that Nigeria would adopt a long-term low-emissions development strategy to lessen the use of fossil fuels in the country.

He also disclosed that the government has set a target of IRU WKH HOLPLQDWLRQ RI NHURVLQH lighting, increased bus transits and reduction in burning of crop

residues.

Speaking yesterday at a virtual meeting, hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States, on Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change 0() 3UHVLGHQW %XKDUL WROG the meeting that he approved Nigeria’s Sustainable Energy for $OO $FWLRQ $JHQGD LQ ZKLFK has a target of almost tripling generation capacity in the next

decade, to reach a total of 30 *LJDZDWW E\ According to him, 30 per cent of it would be generated from renewable resources, with almost half of this provided by medium and large hydro.

“The Clean Energy Transport Scheme in major Nigerian cities involves the introduction of compressed natural gas for buses in public transport,” he said.

The President noted that the country was aware that its heavy dependence on fossil fuel made the nation especially vulnerable in a world that has a target to reduce or even eliminate fossil fuel as a key driver of the global economy noting that a number of countries were already setting bans on the sale of oil consuming Internal Combustion Engine vehicles.

Anyim Congratulates Okowa, Describes Him as Cool-headed, Brilliant Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

3HRSOHV 'HPRFUDWLF 3DUW\ LQ Edo State, Mr. Kenneth ImaFormer President of the suangbon, has described the Senate, Senator Anyim Pius duo of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Anyim, has congratulated and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on as good combinations for the his emergence as the Vice R΀FH RI 3UHVLGHQW DQG 9LFH Presidential candidate of the President of Nigeria.

3HRSOHV 'HPRFUDWLF 3DUW\ IRU Anyim in a statement he WKH SUHVLGHQWLDO HOHFWLRQ personally signed, said “I describing him as a cool-headed heartily congratulate His Excelgentle man and a brilliant and lency Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the ([HFXWLYH *RYHUQRU RI 'HOWD focused leader.

Similarly, a chieftain of the State on his emergence as the

Vice Presidential candidate of RXU JUHDW SDUW\ IRU WKH presidential election. Sen Okowa has remained a cool-headed and focused leader who has, over the years, devoted his time and energy to the service of our dear country in various capacities.

“I have no doubt that 6HQ 2NRZD ZLOO HͿHFWLYHO\ compliment our presidential candidate, H.E Atiku Abubakar for the urgent task of rescuing, reuniting and rebuilding our

dear country,” Anyim stated On his part, Imasuangbon said Okowa has garnered the UHTXLVLWH H[SHULHQFH RYHU WKH years that would give vicWRU\ WR WKH SDUW\ LQ WKH general elections adding that their combination has set the path for the country’s progress.

Imasuangbon, who declared this in a statement issued in Benin City, called on members RI WKH 3'3 WR UDOO\ VXSSRUW IRU Atiku’s choice of running mate.

Runsewe Commends FAAN for Reforms, Infrastructural Developments at Airports 7KH 'LUHFWRU *HQHUDO RI WKH National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended the management of the Federal AirSRUW $XWKRULW\ RI 1LJHULD )$$1 for the very remarkable reforms and infrastructural developments in airports across the country.

Runsewe, who gave the commendation at the maiden edition of FAAN national aviation conference held at the International Conference Abuja with the theme ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure

DQG 3URÀWDEOH $LU 7UDQVSRUW· said the theme underscores the critical importance of the aviation industry to the socio-economic development of any nation.

The NCAC Boss, who delivered a key lecture titled ‘Nigerian Airports: Gateway 7R 'HYHORSLQJ $QG 0DQDJLQJ 7RXULVW 'HVWLQDWLRQV LQ 1LJHULD· said for the aviation industry to VXFFHVVIXOO\ DQG SURÀWDEO\ GULYH the development of any nation, it must be safe, secure, reliable DQG HQMR\ WKH FRQÀGHQFH RI DLU transport users.

“It is for this reason that the organisers of this programme must be commended for evolving this platform for key industry players to brainstorm on how the aviation industry in Nigeria can be strengthened to fully respond to the dynamics of air transportation system in the world.

“May I also sincerely commend the Management of the Federal Airport Authority of 1LJHULD )$$1 IRU WKH YHU\ remarkable reforms and infrastructural developments in our

airports. The establishment of additional terminals in some of our international airports, like the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos 7HUPLQDO 1QDPGL $]LNLZH International Airport, Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport DQG RWKHUV ZKLFK DUH HͿRUWV geared towards enhancing the standards of the international airports in Nigeria are a clear commitment of the airports authority to the adherence to international best practices,” Runsewe said.

Wale Tinubu Wows at Afreximbank 2022 The Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc., Mr. Adewale Tinubu, on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, addressed the ongoing meeting of the African Export-Import Bank, Afreximbank, where he spoke on ‘Catalysing the Economic Transformation Power of Sub-Sovereigns in the AfCFTA Era’.

Tinubu spoke on the need to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises within the framework of the African Free

Trade Agreement, an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank, aimed at accelerating the process of diversifying African trade.

Oando Plc., is a gold sponsor of this year’s Afreximbank meeting.

More than 3,000 high-level banking, governmental, and international personalities are participating in the meeting, organised by the Central Bank of Egypt in cooperation with Afreximbank.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Resume Public Ministry After over two years of carrying out their Bible teaching work virtually as a result of WKH &29,' SDQGHPLF Jehovah’s Witnesses will once again resume all forms of public witnessing with the exception of the door-to-door ministry.

The national spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria, Olusegun Eroyemi, in statement explained that the directive was UHFHLYHG RQ 0D\ He said, “Jehovah’s Witnesses are happy with the opportunity to once again share their message of hope with their neighbours. While

phone witnessing is very helpful, it has obvious limitations that will now be cared for with the resumption of our public ministry.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses resumed in-person meetings on April EXW NHSW WKHLU SXEOLF preaching on virtual platforms.

They would now be seen in public places, including parks, SRUWV DQG VWUHHWV GLVSOD\LQJ WKHLU witnessing carts, and conducting Bible studies.

They will also carry out their public witnessing in compliance with existing government JXLGHOLQHV RQ &29,'

NDDC Interim Administrator Says He Never Opposed New Board Okon Bassey in Uyo

present at the occasion but represented by his Special The Interim Administrator Adviser on Youths and Sports, RI WKH 1LJHU 'HOWD 'HYHORS- Engr. Udengs Eradiri, wasn’t PHQW &RPPLVVLRQ 1''& opposed to a new board for 'U (ÀRQJ $NZD KDV GHQLHG the commission. reports urging the people of the region to reduce agitation on the appointment of a new The founder of SheCan Nigeria, organisation, but we believe in management board for the WLRQ OHWWHUV DUH LQ IXOÀOOPHQW RI Governor Seyi Makinde’s promises Ezinne Ezeani, has called for the HTXLW\ DQG IDLUQHVV ,I D PDQ LV commission. inclusion of women and young girls the best, give it to him and if a to teachers in the state.

'U $NZD ZDV TXRWHG WR 'U $GHQLUDQ QRWHG WKDW WKH in every facet of life irrespective of woman is the best, give it to her. have recently said that “people category of teachers who received their background, gender, religion We are changing the narrative by should reduce the agitation their letters of promotion were and their limitations, to enable them actively engaging participants at on board and work with the placed on a six years waiting give their best to the society, saying this year’s conference in the power current management of the of not just doing more, but doing 1''& µ GXULQJ D :HELQDU period by the previous administra- that careers know no gender.

Ezeani made the call during a the right more. We are known for Engagement for Stakeholders tions, adding that this policy had DͿHFWHG WKH PRUDOH RI WHDFKHUV LQ SUHVV FRQIHUHQFH RQ -XQH DW WKH excellence as an organisation and RUJDQLVHG E\ 1LJHU 'HOWD public primary schools, because Harbor Point, Victoria Island with we are going overboard this year 8QLWHG &RQJUHVV 1'8& their counterparts in the secondary WKH KDVKWDJ ¶VKH&DQ 'R0RUH to create impact in our little way 7KH PDQDJHPHQW RI 1''& to make the world a better place,” in a statement yesterday VFKRROV ZHUH QRW DͿHFWHG E\ WKH as a Whole Woman’.

“We are not a gender-based she said. policy. said Akwa who was not

Oyo Govt Promotes 7, 460 Teachers SheCan to Impact More Women The Oyo State Government yesterday presented nine thousand, WZR KXQGUHG DQG OHWWHUV RI promotion to primary school WHDFKHUV RQ *UDGH /HYHO in the state.

This was revealed by the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, 'U 1XUHQL $GHUHPL $GHQLUDQ during the symbolic presentation of OHWWHUV WR VHYHQ WKRXVDQG four-hundred and sixty teachers.

He said the pending promo-

The Chief Technology OfÀFHU $IULFD 'DWD &HQWHU $'& Krishnan Ranganath, has stated that Nigeria has the potential to become global skill supplier in the technology industry in Africa and the world, noting that the country is blessed with smart software developers, technology hubs, and startups who are transforming the Information and Communication 7HFKQRORJ\ ,&7 VSDFH LQ WKH country.

Ranganath, who disclosed this yesterday while receiving an award of excellence from Gage Awards for the company’s contribution to the IT industry, said Nigeria is one of the fastest growing markets in Africa, which adopts technology much faster.

He revealed that the Nigeria

banking ecosystem has one of the strongest IT infrastructure in Africa, adding that the Nigeria ‘seconomy is driven by technology, therefore there is the likelihood that the technology subsector would grow faster.

“Whether in Nigeria or outside Nigeria, Nigerian youths are enterprising and industrious, what they may lack is a bit of direction from the beginning. I think when the private sector starts giving them proper orientation and direction, that will be corrected,” he stated.

He remarked that the Nigeria tech market is really growing, however it is experiencing a bit of slowness, because of elections are coming which he said is natural everywhere, but H[SUHVVHG FRQÀGHQFH WKDW WKLQJV would stabilise after the election.

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ͯͶ, 2022

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

15

Yemi

Adebowale

APC Presidential Jesters and the Umahi, Akpabio Con

F

or about three years, I was projecting Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State as one of the few politicians around that could help Nigeria disable those of the old order that turned this country into a big mess. Prior to the All Progressives Congress’ presidential primary election, whenever I ran into him, I would ask the Ekiti governor, “Do you still have your eye on the presidency?” He would tactically accept the challenge. By my calculations, the young, vibrant, suave, Fayemi was capable of giving the old brigade a good run for their money in the APC presidential primary.

Like most young Nigerians, I desperately wanted a change. I wanted an end to the dominance of the old politicians holding Nigeria by the jugular and Fayemi was looking like a breath of fresh air.

Regrettably, all my projections and expectations came crashing on D-Day of the APC presidential primary. The Ekiti State governor disappointed big time. Fayemi, the man I was privately selling to people as being competent and capable of turning the tides against the old brigade stepped down for Bola Tinubu, a key member of the old order. His pathetic announcement on the floor of the national convention of the party on June 7 shattered many young Nigerians.

On D-Day, Fayemi declared: “It is only in unity and cohesion that we can meet our destiny. I am stepping down for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Give me the honour to step down for my leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is a democrat that I worked with. I am not doing this for any prize.”

What nonsense! This Ekiti State governor, who spent N100 million for the presidential form and went round several states lobbying delegates and party leaders, in order to get the ticket, suddenly realised on the day of the primary election that Tinubu is his leader and should not be competing with him. Fayemi should tell it to the marines.

Few days later, Fayemi was tweeting that Tinubu was one person he had worked with in the democratic struggles and was one of the wheels on which the engine of NADECO spun in the dark days of authoritarian rule, adding, “He is tested and has more experience to steer the ship of our country from May 2023.”

Sharing photos of their meeting on Twitter a few days after the primary, Fayemi tweeted, “It was a real delight to spend the weekend with my leader and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” So, what Fayemi is telling young Nigerians is that he had realised that Tinubu “is tested and has more experience to run Nigeria.” The Ekiti State governor did not realise this while he was running round the country and campaigning. He did not realise he was untested. Fayemi suddenly realised that at 57, he was too young to run Nigeria.

What a shame.

Well, Fayemi needs to be reminded that so many young men are doing wonders as leaders of many developed countries.

Fayemi

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Mirella Marin is just 36. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is just 41. Jacinda became Prime Minister at just 36. Canadian Prime Minister James Trudeau is just 50. Swedish Prime Minister Eva Magdalena Andersson is 55. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is 57. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is 59. So, what is Fayemi talking about? Nigeria must break from the old and unproductive order of using only seniors as presidents.

Another jester that regaled Nigerians with the story of Mungo Park on the day of the APC presidential primary was the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio. He stepped down for Tinubu, saying, “I am ably qualified to be your President, but I have stepped down for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Unite Nigeria, vote for Tinubu.”

This is the same Akpabio that resigned as minister because of his conviction that he was qualified to be the President of Nigeria.

This same Akpabio was going round the country lobbying party leaders and delegates to vote for him as the party’s standard bearer.

Suddenly, on D-Day, he discovered that his presidency would disunite Nigeria. So, he stepped down for Asiwaju who would unite Nigeria. What a disgraceful excuse.

Akpabio was evidently under the influence of something on that day. Only God knows what it was.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun also realised on D-Day that Tinubu “is the best man for the job and in the spirit of consensus building”, stepped down for him. That was after spending weeks bluffing that he was the only one qualified for Nigeria’s number one job. Amosun should please go back and read some of his newspaper campaign materials showboating about his capabilities for the office of the President of

Nigeria. How does he feel now describing Tinubu as the only man for the job?

Another comic, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State discovered on the day of the primary that Tinubu is “soldier of democracy” and realised that “this soldier of democracy, who has seen it all, will lead our great party to victory.” So, the hyped Ayade is no longer the solution to Nigeria’s problems as he claimed weeks before the primary election? The cross River State governor should bury his head in shame.

What about the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who mounted the stage on June 8, still dreaming that the Holy Ghost would make him Nigeria’s 16th president? Bakare was obviously in wonderland. He did not visit a single state to campaign. Bakare did not worry about lobbying delegates. He was just banking on the Holy Ghost to do the miracle; that he would miraculously get the ticket, run and become Nigeria’s 16th president. Bakare told his congregation that it would happen and they believed him. No doubt, religion is opium.

All these jesters that masqueraded as presidential aspirants made a mockery of the APC primary election. These people will always be remembered simply as deceitful politicians that turned the presidential primary election into a charade. They are evidently politicians without principles.

Akpabio, after his Abuja debacle, returned to Uyo, and tried to manipulate the system, in order to get a senatorial ticket.

He desperately wanted something to keep him relevant in 2023. This former governor, working with leading NWC members at the APC headquarters in Abuja, organised a fraudulent fresh primary election for Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District on June 8. An earlier primary election held on May 27 had produced Udom Ekpoudom, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police. The State Chairman of the party, Stephen Ntuekpo, cited imaginary security infractions during the May 27 primary and got approval from the national headquarters to conduct a fresh one on June 8.

The conspirators are determined to push Akpabio’s name to INEC based on the con primary, but the good thing here is that both Ekpoudom and INEC have vowed not to allow Akpabio’s garbage to stand. The retired DIG rightly described the fresh primary as “a scam, unconstitutional, deceitful and legally defective,” adding, “Under no circumstance will I relinquish, withdraw or be substituted no matter the degree of pressure and inducement dangled by anyone.”

INEC has equally declared that Akpabio is not recognised as the senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North-west. “The re-run primary that led to the emergence of Akpabio as the APC candidate for the district is strange and unknown to law,” said the election umpire.

Akpabio’s co-jester, Umahi also returned

913 Nigerians Killed in 31 Days

A

ccording to fatality cases compiled

by Beacon Consulting, no fewer than 913 Nigerians were killed by terrorists within the 31 days in the month of May, this year.

The report revealed further that non-state actors carried out 421 attacks across the country, with 265 abductions during the month in focus. The attacks happened in 201 local government areas in 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.

This is the tragedy of a country I often write about. Terrorists are enjoying a free rein in beloved Nigeria, killing and

maiming, while the Buhari government is napping. This figure of 913 is based on just reported cases. Scores of daily killings are unreported and as usual, their killers are hardly apprehended. This emboldens terrorists. When there are no consequences for killing innocent people, the killings become endless. This is the situation we have found ourselves in Nigeria. No thanks to the seven years of the Buhari government.

The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, in his 2022 Easter Epistle, captures the pathetic state of Nigeria under Buhari thus: “With everything literally broken down, our

country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy. Our individual hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken.

Churches, Mosques, and infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our children’s lives and future are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken. Our security system is broken.

Our Roads and Rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well.”

The Nigerian situation is indeed pathetic. Perhaps, something miraculous will happen very soon.

to his state after his Abuja calamity to fraudulently pick Ebonyi South senatorial ticket.

The Ebonyi governor had cunningly put his younger brother, Austin Umahi forward two weeks ago and he emerged winner of the primary election. Umahi ensured no other person picked the senatorial form. So, when he returned from Abuja, his brother notified the party that he was no longer interested in the ticket. The deception was well planned. However, I believe it’s just a temporary victory for Umahi. The people of Ebonyi South will put him in the garbage can in 2023.

ISWAP Responsible for attack on Owo Church?

Akeredolu

P

recisely 14 days after terrorists attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, killing 40 and injuring scores, not a single one of the killers has been apprehended. Ten days back, our languid National Security Council headed by President Buhari told a bewildered country that their intelligence unmasked the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) as being responsible for the attack on the church. This intelligence of theirs has not led them to arrest any of the attackers. It may never happen because it was just “pepper soup joint” intelligence. The next thing was for the federal government to order a full-scale investigation of the crime. That is where the whole thing will end.

Honestly, the Buhari government has a lot of questions to answer on these unending attacks by terrorists. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State was right when he declared the federal government’s conclusion on the Owo killings as ridiculous. He 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.”

Asking security agencies to fish out the terrorists that attacked Owo is a waste of time. Today, I am challenging Akeredolu to explore and utilise traditional power to ensure that the killers pay for this crime against humanity. This governor should unleash the power of Amotekun and fish out the killers. The Olowo of Owo,Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III led the way in this direction last Thursday when he joined Ogun worshipers (the god of iron) to invoke curses on the terrorists who killed worshippers at St Francis Church. They rained ancestral curses on the perpetrators with the staunch belief that in no distant time, nemesis will catch up with them.

Terrorists must be tackled in the ways of our forefathers. Akeredolu and other South-west governors should swiftly recruit the right people into Amotekun to ensure that this task is accomplished. The Southwest must set an example in this regard.

Enough of terrorists getting away with heinous crimes.

16

SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

17

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Davido Thrills at Afroworld Festival Ferdinand Ekechukwu

N

igerian music superstar, Davido thrilled his fans and gave them a night to remember last Saturday during his one-of-a-kind performance at the Afroworld Festival which happened at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai.

The singer opened his American tour in New York City yesterday, following his Dubai concert. The “We Rise By Lifting Others” tour will see David Adeleke performing in Brooklyn, Toronto, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles till the 25th of June.

Still on the Afroword Festival, Dubai, the DMW honcho took fans way back as he mounted the center stage to give a perfect rendition of his greatest hits to date. The singer remarkably decided to ditch his more recent songs and gave the Dubai fans some of his oldies at the concert. Davido who appeared dashing in a blue shirt and shorts performed hit songs like ‘Dami Duro’, ‘Gobe’, ‘Fall’ and many more and the crowd vibed to it as if he released them just recently.

The Dubai fans proved that they have been huge followers of his music since way back. He was all excited and lively as the crowd sang along to his old music.

The excited crowd couldn’t get enough of OBO’s electric performance as they kept demanding for more from his expansive music catalogue as video of the mesmerising display hit the internet. Social media users across Nigeria reacted differently to Davido’s performance at the Dubai concert with most of them commending the singer for his crowd control ability.

Basking in the euphoria of his classic Dubai show, the award-winning Afrobeats singer shortly afterwards shared his plans for the next couple of days with fans. The DMW boss in a tweet confirmed the official date for the release of his project with “Love Nwantiti” hit maker, Ckay and South African rapper, Focalistic. According to him, he’ll be dropping on Friday the ‘biggest club banga’ which would see the above mentioned music stars alongside him on it.

Then a week after, Davido noted he would be releasing the much anticipated jam which he described as the ‘song of the summer’ with American rapper DaBaby. Davido has already released ‘Stand Strong’ which is the first single off his upcoming album. The single divided opinion and fans will be eagerly awaiting the follow up single as it will offer more insight into his next album.

Davido

Make Music Lagos Returns for the 2022 Edition Ferdinand Ekechukwu

M

ake Music Day 2022 celebrations will kickoff across Lagos and other Nigerian cities (Abuja, Uyo, Ibadan, Owerri and Ado-Ekiti) on 16th June till 26th June 2022 with a host of free concerts, open mic nights and other exciting music-related events (Learn to Play, Learn to DJ, Music Business Conference, Songwriting and Artiste Bootcamps etc.) to electrify music fans. This comes after months of planning.

The announcement was made recently in

Lagos at a well-attended press conference organized by Make Music Nigeria, the organisationsaddledwiththeresponsibilityof overseeing Make Music Day celebrations in Nigeria, and its partners (Showgear, Zannoza Entertainment, IPC Events, Schullz66, and IMPREVA International) with support from TuneCore and Slice Media.

The event, which is held in commemoration of the World Music Day 21st of June, is now in its 7th consecutive year in Nigeria, and promises to be extra special as it also marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the global celebration which was first celebrated as Fête de la

Musique in Paris in 1982 under the direction Jack Lang (then Minister of Culture of France) and Maurice Fleuret.

Team Lead, Make Music Nigeria, Adeola Akinyemi had this to say, “Early in the year, we promised a scaled-up version of the Make Music Day celebration for 2022 and we are excited to be able to deliver on our promise with these landmark celebrations. Our desire is to deliver unforgettable experiences and boost the music culture in Nigeria and the rest of Africa so I encourage fans and industry insiders not to miss out on the events this year.”

Fans can expect a packed roster of Make Music Concerts across major locations through

the period of celebrations. The biggest concert (and event), as usual, is the Shutdown Concert on 26th June at Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island (Lagos) which would have Johnny Drille, Magixx, Cavemen, Helen Ibe, Mike Abdul, and Sunkey Daniels performing.

Those looking to develop themselves as music industry players or professionals, would want to check out the Learn to Play, Learn to DJ and the Music Business Conference events which offer opportunities to network, learn and gain valuable knowledge and insights. Ace Nigerian DJ, DJ Nana will be dispensing insights and skills at the Learn to DJ event at the Palms Mall Lekki, Lagos on 25th June.

Maverick Femi Kuti Hits 60 Ferdinand Ekechukwu

S

ome fortnight before he embarked on his 7-week American tour with his son Made,AfrobeatlegendFemi Kuti, who’s sixtieth birthday was last Wednesday had received a rare saxophone as surprise birthday gift. The gift (valued at over €8000) was presented to him during a live performance show with Made, which is their first-ever joint concert, tagged ‘Father & Son: The Experience’.

The Selmer Paris Alto Supreme 2022 Saxophone acquired by a committee of family and friends, led by Made, and Femi’s sister, Yeni commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first Selmer saxophone manufactured in 1922. Such was the order the scion of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s musical dynasty, the maverick Femi Kuti was welcomed into his 60’s and wished all the best in the rest of his journey.

According to Yeni, who is barely a year older than Femi, the family decided to celebrate the singer because “he always puts others before him and is very hard working.”

On his part, Made said: “We planned the surprise because we all wanted to do something special for my dad.

He didn’t even believe there was a superior version of the Selmer saxophone until I showed him at the Selmer Alto Supreme 2022.

“I knew he wanted it but he said he can’t afford it because he has school fees to pay for my brothers and sisters and other responsibilities. That’s why we eventually all agreed on the sax.”

Born in London to Fela and Remi Ransome-Kuti, Femi grew up in Lagos.

In 1977, however, Femi chose to move in with his father and eventually became a member of his father’s band. Like his father, Femi has made commitments to social and political

causes throughout his career.

In 1986, the man fondly called Shoki started his own band, Positive Force, establishing himself as an artiste independent of his father’s legacy.

He started playing the saxophone and keyboard with his father’s band when he was between 15/16 and stepped into the spotlight, writing and singing after his father’s demise.

Femi was an exciting, terrific and hybrid energetic young musician.

Though Femi fronted the Egypt 80 Band while Fela was serving his jail sentence, Femi also decided that those moments were privileged periods to create his own pathways.

Therefore, he formed his own band within the Egypt 80 called The Positive Force.

Those days, he wrote songs and rehearsed his new compositions, along with his best friend and roomFemi Kuti mate, keyboardist, Dele Sosimi.

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Mr Eazi Shares Affection for Fiancée in ‘Legalize’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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he buzz out there on the street right nowis“Legalize”,achantmadepopular by Mr Eazi’s brand new song title.

The lead single off his forthcoming debut album arrives with a stunning visualshotinVenice,Italy.Thesinger sensing the pulse out there on the street had asked on his official Instagram page, shortly after he dropped the song and its stunning video, “Have you seen my new video? What’s your favourite line in the song and why? #Legalize.”

The responses captured in a short clip appear very interesting as it sees different meaning of the song in varying opinion. The artiste reveals that this is one of his more personal tracks from the upcoming album. The song is dedicated to Mr Eazi’s partner, Nigerian actress Temi Otedola – to whom he proposed on the set of the music video in April. “I started the song in Michael Brun’s house on some edibles, freestyling,” Mr Eazi said of the new track.

“Later, I went to London and listened to what I’d recorded,andrealizedwhatthesongwasabout.I’ve

been thinking of asking Temi to marry me for a long time, so I guess it was in my subconscious.” Months later, after Eazi had arranged to film the music video inVenice and bought an engagement ring, he realized thesetwouldbetheperfectplacetopropose.“Iknew it would stand as a totem we always will look back on,” he explained.

“No one onsetknewwhatwasgoingtohappen.”The Bankumusicpioneer,who’sknownforfusingGhanian highlife music with Nigerian chord patterns, shares his affection for his fiancée on the personal ode, its romanticgroovebeautifullyunderliningEazi’sproposal in the chorus: “I don’t wanna do no koro baby make we legalize/My whole world dey stop anytime you look into my eyes/ Even if you don’t know baby I go make you realize/ I no go let you go baby na you be my wife.”

Mr Eazi’s upcoming album likely to go by the same title as the new song follows his prior releases, Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1: From Accra to Lagos and Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2: From Lagos to London. The Nigerian artiste considers those projects mixtapes, and his next release his first proper studio LP. Each single from Mr Eazi’s upcoming album will be represented visually by uniquely commissioned pieces from different Mr Eazi and Temi African artistes.

Base World Redefines Artiste Management Tosin Clegg

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Princess

aseWorldisamediaandentertainment outfit birthed by Princess Omotoyosi. She says two of the primary aims of Base World is identifyingandunderstandingthe target audience. Speaking about herjourneysofar,Omotoyosisaid: “Managerialjobhaspushedmebeyondlimit,enabled me to multi task and work around the clock. Every artiste I have worked with is exceptional and gives me the opportunity to prove my work ethics. For artistes, I would always advice that patience and persistent attitude towards their craft makes one a good artiste in my books.”

Princess believes the entertainment industry has grown largely and “with one single hit song, an artiste can rise for zero to 100. She adds: “Over the years we have seen it and this undoubtedly

has made the industry a desire for so many budding talents.

The US structure of production, distribution,marketingandawholepackageofmusic promotions is gradually becoming evident in Nigeria as we speak.

There are more jobs for people now in relationstotheentirewell-beingofanartiste.

“Lawyers, graphic designers, deejays, photographers and videographers, security operatives, assistants and a wide array of other professionals are needed for an A List Artiste to have his day to day running managed effectively. And let’s not leave out theshowpromotersandticketingcompanies who also work tirelessly to see to the successes of several artistes in the industry.

Undoubtedly, the music industry at large is and would continuously contribute to the economy growth of Nigeria.”

Senami

African Music Now Shinning Brightly Senami is an AfroRnB singer and songwriter who started singing at age four. She started taking music lessons at this very young age. In 2020, Senami recorded a song for the first time. It was a unique experience and it became clear to her that she wanted to pursue a professional career in music. It has been a rollercoaster since she made that decision. Senami tells Tosin Clegg about her journey into music, the Nigerian music industry and a lot more

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ymusicisstillverymuch in its early days I have a background in music, from when my father would pay for extra music lessons and our music instructor would take us to play in church and then shows at the Muson Center inLagos.IrememberwhenTiwaSavage’skele kele love came out.

Ididn’thaveaphonethenbutIdownloadedit onmymum’sphoneandwheneveritcomeson IwouldtrycompetingwithTiwaoverreaching certainkeys.Itwasusuallythatwaywithmany of my musical influences.

I’m making the kind of music that helps people connect with melodies, music that feels like silk. I get a rush of inspiration and I try to pick a melody and the words start to come; music making is a beautiful thing to experience.

I like living freely and experiencing things

and my creativity has no bounds.

The Nigerian music scene I think the Nigerian music scene is getting to the point where it’s attracting all the attention that has been long overdue, taking its rightful place in the world’s music scene.

Andforme,Africanmusicisthatlight that has been left dim for so long, it’s beautifultofinallyseeitshinesobrightly and I’m so excited to be a part of it.

My musical influences I’m truly inspired by Beyonce, Tiwa Savage, Simi, Rihanna, Boj, Adele, Omawunmi and Waje because of the intrinsic details in the kind of music they individually make. If I had a rare chance to make music with any of my influences, I can already tell it’s going to be groundbreaking.

Senami

GOtv Continues Digitization Streak with Lokoja Launch In 2006, the global journey for a switch over ffrom analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television ((DTT) commenced with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the lead.

T 2015 was the unanimous deadline set for 2 aall countries to attain the full switch over.

However, the enormity of the task has led H tto countries adjusting the deadline to suit ttheir local capacity and speed.

Accordingly, Nigeria’s DTT switchover hhas mirrored this global movement, with tthe federal government adopting a phased migration plan. Having set out in 2006, 2012 m was the deadline set for actualization of the w first phase of migration in the country. The fi deadline was later shifted to 2017 by the d National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), N due to paucity of funds. d Eventually, Jos became the pilot city in 2016. Enugu, Kwara, Osun and Kaduna States 2 ssoon followed. The second phase commenced iin Lagos State on April 29, 2021 and was planned to bring 13 more states onboard the DTT train.

While the federal government continued the DSO implementation in phases, Nigeria has experienced massive penetration of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service across the country in the past decade.

Since its launch in the Nigerian market in October 2011, GOtv Nigeria has been at the forefront of DTT service supply to homes across the country. At the market entry, the company said its proposition was to make high quality local and international content available and affordable to as many households as possible in the country. Over the past 10 years, the company could be said to have delivered on this mandate, having established a status among average Nigerians as the home of entertainment.

Through its robust pan-Nigerian drive, GOtv became the leading Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service provider in Nigeria, with services now in 46 cities across 25 states in the country, with its most recent addition in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State in June 2022.

The company’s huge investment in topclass technology has been crucial to this achievement. “We are pleased that residents of Lokoja can now enjoy quality programming on our DVB-T2 technology, which is the highest technology available for DTT. With this technology, subscribers will experience the digital television revolution from the comfort of their homes complete with great picture and sound quality,” said Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe in an official statement to announce the launch.

Receiving GOtv to the city, the Maigari of Lokoja, Dr. Muhammaddu Kabir Maikarfi (III), stressed the importance of having such a veritable source of information available to the people in this strategic city. “Lokoja is a city with a rich history. This city has the confluence of the two major rivers in Nigeria and is also home to different ethnic groups. It is a privilege to welcome GOtv to Lokoja. Having GOtv is like having a source of knowledge, mixed with entertainment, and reports that will widen the horizon of our thinking,” he said.

Perhaps, what has endeared the GOtv brand to many Nigerians is the array of pocket friendly packages that give different classes of people a choice on the platform. For instance, with as low as 1,900, a customer can subscribe to a GOtv package, monthly and access over 45 world-class channels.

Speaking at the launch in Lokoja, Head of Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Akinola Salu, said: “GOtv is a family package. Whatever amount you have, we have a package for you. And for the launch in Lokoja, we have brought the price down from N9,500 to N6,900 so that everybody can afford GOtv. We have also made GOtv available all over Lokoja. We have over 200 neighbourhood stores selling GOtv across the city.”

For over a decade, it can be safely said that GOtv has combined the role of leading DTT coverage in Nigeria with the provision of top-quality entertainment to households.

The extension to Lokoja is an indication that the leading DTT service provider in Nigeria, is very much committed to the digitization of the Nigerian terrestrial television space.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

IMAGES

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riends, family and well-wishers from different walks of life gathered in Ibadan, Oyo State, to celebrate one of Ibadan’s illustrious daughters, Chief (Mrs) Victoria Olunike Ayorinde who clocked 80 on Sunday, June 12 2022.

Mother of former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, who is also an Anchor /Analyst with AriseNews TV, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the celebrant who retired from public service at 2nd Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, is the Maye Iyalode of Awayeland and Matron of 73 Battalion Brigade, Ibadan. The thanksgiving service was held at Christ Church Mapo Anglican Diocese, Elekuro, while reception was held at the Ibadan Civic Centre

L-R: Yemi Ayorinde, Temitope and her husband, Steve Ayorinde, Baale Taye Ayorinde and the celebrator, Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Olunike Ayorinde.

Mrs Funmi Ayorinde and her husband Yemi

L-R: Ex, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information, Fola Adeyemi; Ayo Sonata and former GM, Lagos State Material Testing Agency, Dr Abiodun Afolabi.

L-R: Ex, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information, Fola Adeyemi; Ayo Sonata and former GM, Lagos State Material Testing Agency, Dr Abiodun Afolabi

L-R: Obajimi Ayorinde; Permanent Secretary/Tutor General (TESCOM), Onifade Babatunde and Balogun Iyalode of Ibadan, Chief (Mrs) O T Soyege

Dr. Olabisi Deji-Folutile and Dr. Joseph Deji-Folutile

Ajibola Edwards, Prince Wale Ojora, Adeniyi Kazeem SAN and Akinyemi Ashade

L-R: Steve Ayorinde, Victoria Ibanga, CEO, Radio Now95.3 fm, Kadaria Ahmed, NGE President, Mallam Mustapha Isah and GM/ EiC Vanguard, Gbenga Adefaye.

L-R: Abdul Imoyo; Bolaji Adebiyi and Semiu Okanlawon

L-R: Kehinde Onifade and Otunba Olusola Onifade

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY Omowunmi Dada

I Like to Feel Classy, Sexy in Whatever I Wear Actress Omowunmi Dada has had the power of the craft that got her on stage and on screen right from her university days. And there’s been no turning back since then despite challenges that dotted her paths to stardom. In this chat with Ferdinand Ekechukwu, the multiple award-winning actress talks about her journey amidst the challenges, success, as much as she believes that people love her more for her craft than for her sense of fashion

Omowunmi

O

mowunmi, just as much as you are commended for your roles in movies it’s also quite interesting that you get commended for your style too. I think you have this fashion sense that is worth commending…

(Laughs)… thank you. I mean its show business; it’s the business of show. So you show out or you stay at home.

What really inspires your sense of fashion?

Okay so, I really like classy pieces. I like things that are classy. And whatever it is that I wear, I like to feel myself in it.

Maybe because I grew up as a tomboy but who is very much in touch with her feminine side, I like to feel me. And I was the only girl right, in my family - a family of three boys, I’m the only girl and the last, my mum put all her fashion ingenuity in me. Whatever it is that I wear, as much as I like been comfortable, I like to feel classy, sexy and yes, that’s what it is. So it’s possible that a few people are drawn to my sense of fashion. But really I think that doesn’t define me. I think

people love me more for my craft than even for my fashion.

As an actor, voice-over artist, presenter, and model, how did these come about? Which came first really?

Presenting came first professionally. The very first time I was in front of a camera was actually as a presenter. But as an actor, the first time I acted was in primary school. My dad had told me the story of ‘Everyman’. And then for our valedictory service, send forth or whatever it is called, I might just call some of my friends and told them the story and I had kind of reenacted it. But I have always liked the arts because I was also in Igbo cultural troupe. I’m a Yoruba girl, what I’m doing in Igbo troupe?

I never knew what the song meant, but I just always love to dance. So, that’s my first time acting. But it was very, very elementary. In secondary school, I was in Yoruba cultural troupe, and I was the first junior student to dance ‘Bata’; the bata dance. . . I joined in JSS1 and

as at JSS2 I started to dance bata you know. When I got to SSS then I joined Press Club as well. As at SS2 I was also in Music Group.

But then I got into university and something happened. I had wanted to study Law. My first trial at JAMB and all of that, for some weird reasons my name didn’t come out. I wrote JAMB again, I picked Creative Arts, Unilag; first choice and second choice and my name was on merit list by the time the list came out and there’s been no turning back since then. And luckily for me, I have lecturers like when we do our projects they will invite professionals from outside school.

So my very first play in Unilag then was ‘Moremi’, and I played Ariyoyo who was Moremi’s best friend. And from there, the professionals picked me up and I started to do stage plays outside the school. So as at my Year 2, I had started doing stage plays outside the school. . .

Afterwards I started auditioning for TV series, I started auditioning for films and it just got better from there.

At what point exactly did you mark your Nollywood journey?

I can’t say when exactly you know.

From school I had been doing series, in fact I was in school when I was doing Tinsel. I was on Shadows. My first film was the film called ‘Oya’. It had William Benson as Sango; it had Tunji Sotimirin as Ogun. It was shot in Ogun State. I played one of Oya’s maidens. That was my very first time on a proper film set.

But right from when I was in school, I have been auditioning doing both stage and screen. When I went for my NYSC I stopped acting for a bit. And then at some point I came back fully, professionally with the ‘Gods Are Still Not to Blame’ and that was between 2013/2014.

It featured Gabriel Afolayan, Carol king, Iretiola Doyle.

Looking at how you started going for every audition and where you are now.

The journey appears smooth kind of or do you think otherwise?

I beg to differ. It wasn’t smooth at all!

It was very stressful. It’s easier now you have social media as a tool to project your career even to the eyes of people who don’t know you. Now you can do skit, now you can do monologue. We really didn’t have that opportunity. So you have to be at every audition for anyone to

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY My Origin is Africa, But That’s Not the Destination... notice you. I got a lot of no for different reasons I’m not going to lie. But I knew that this was what I was going to do for as much as I was destined for this.

There were times when I would want to give up and I want to dust my ‘Pali’ (credentials), and just go to do one 9-5, I mean I was the best graduating student in my class, I was gunning for a first class. Accenture wanted me.

But you know when you are very passionate about what you are doing and very convinced that this’ what you were created to do regardless of the challenges, you look at the future at hand. But I think those challenges are the things that have made me stronger day by day you know. It still doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with challenges now that things are easier, but I would say that I have been blessed and things are definitely not as hard. But as much as it has been a challenging journey, I just try to give my very best every time I’m on a project because you are as good as your last job. You might just have that one scene and people will remember you for that one scene. Because there are no small roles, but there are only small actors.

And then you won the Best Supporting Actress (Drama) at the last AMVCA, how much have you longed for an AMVCA? How do you feel?

My God I have longed for it!

This year was the eighth edition and I remember that the first few AMVCAs I didn’t even get invites to go. I remember the first AMVCAs that I went for, my friend her name is Asabi, literally forced me; dragged me to every stylist that we could find to get a dress and all of that and I kept telling her ‘Asabi I was not nominated’. But she would be like ‘Omowunmi just go one day you will be nominated’.

I have longed for an AMVCA because you know when you put in so much work into what you are doing and your fans appreciate what you do, and you get nominated, there’s this feeling of being appreciated, it’s very, very humbling. I have other awards too. And there’s the AMAA. I appreciate all the other awards. This was my very first (AMVCA) nomination and

it became a win for me. So I was so humbled. Even when I got nominated because the nomination was as good as win.

The industry is widely acclaimed internationally, same for a good number of its actors. Do you see your career attaining such feat 5 years from now?

Oh definitely… for me Nollywood is not the destination, the destination is the world.

The destination is every corner of the world that film is being appreciated. So I don’t think God has given me this gift just to limit me where I was born. So, I always think that I’m an international actor of African descent.

My origin is Africa, but that’s not the destination. So, this is why I love that we are having international platforms putting us on the world pedestal where even Portuguese are watching our stories. People who do not speak English are watching our stories and are seeing our crafts and African stories you know. So it starts with that.

On a lighter note, who is Omowunmi Dada? Your hobbies; your favourite food, favourite colour, and things like that…

My favourite colour is white.

My favourite food is yam and egg. My friends would say if Omowunmi is sick and you have not given her yam and egg that means she’s probably not sick. And if she’s sick and she cannot eat yam and egg, that means she’s sick. My biggest fear is failure and not living life to the fullest. I love to dance Salsa. I love music; I listen to music every day of my life. I sing as well…. I’m a professional bathroom singer (laughing).

However I have done musicals.

I’m a kind hearted person who is a huge lover of God . . . I love God. You don’t love man?

(Hahahaha) Because the Bible said “We are God”, there’s no way you would love God and would not love the things that God has created. And he created man, he created woman, he created humanity. So when you love God, you would love human.

If you don’t love God, in fact you are incapable of love in the first place.

So you have to be at every audition for anyone to notice you. I got a lot of no for different reasons I’m not going to lie. But I knew that this was what I was going to do for as much as I was destined for this.

There were times when I would want to give up and I want to dust my ‘Pali’ (credentials), and just go to do one 9-5, I mean I was the best graduating student in my class, I was gunning IRU D ÀUVW FODVV $FFHQWXUH wanted me

Omowunmi

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Subject or Predicate?

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HE GUARDIAN of May 31 did not nurture the truth: “Macleans alerts on (sic) dangers of fluoridated toothpaste in (sic) under-six” A rewrite: Macleans alerts to dangers of fluoridated toothpaste to under-six THE GUARDIAN of May 29 also failed in its usage of the English language! The publication issued seven gaffes: “…he will engage in one form of electoral malpractice or the other including wanton violence.” The leadership question: one form of electoral malpractice or another.

“Danfo driver dies in NDLEA custody as wrap of cocaine he swallowed in Brazil burst” A rewrite: Danfo driver dies in NDLEA custody as a wrap of cocaine he swallowed in Brazil bursts” “The expenditure on alternative power supply has made the cost of doing business in Nigeria the highest in (on) the continent.”

“We also congratulate all Nigerians on this occassion.” (Full-page Colour Advert

by SIFAX Group) Sad Democracy Day: occasion.

“In November 2011, the Lagos State Government agreed to pay CONMESS as approved in the Federal Government circular and committed itself to same via a signed document.” The unhealthy tango in Lagos: itself to the same…. “…I will not allow race, religion, party, politics and so on to intervene between me and my patient.” Get it right: between my patient and me (as a predicate). But in a subject capacity: My patient and I were schoolmates in….

Lastly from Rutam House of Goofs: “… there is no way a dying doctor can threat (treat) a patient.”

“Without a doubt this president is overwhelmed” My comment: there should be a comma after ‘doubt’.

“It is unfortunate that the presidency appear (appears) rather comfortable playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.”

“Let me begin by congratulating Nigerians for (on/upon) having an uninterrupted….”

“All that matters, (needless punctuation) is his personality and his feelings towards me.”

Lastly from THE NATION ON SUNDAY of May 29: “…the views of many Nigerians out there is (are) that the policy leaves nothing to cheer about….”

DAILY INDEPENDENT of May 25 offered readers three blunders: “Road blocks (sic) are gone for good—IGP” I salute this super cop for the abolition of roadblocks. Your service profile reminds me of Mr. Tafa Balogun, a good friend of mine who was used and dumped disgracefully by…!

“Obasanjo should be commended over (for) statement on NASS members” “NNPC laments lost (loss) of 180,000 bpd to criminals” “…as the attending leaders would be falling over each other (one another) to get the attention of the world’s number one citizen....”

“Succeeding (Successive) governments have shown no inclination to overhauling our antediluvian criminal justice system.”

“Television footage of the visit showed a heart-rending scene of inmates kneeling and wailing and

pleading to (with) her to secure their release….”

“By leaving so many frivolous laws on (in) our statute books….”

“One of Nigeria’s finest and pioneer professor (professors) of dentistry….”

“Real development in (on) the African continent cannot be achieved through coups.”

“Nigeria successfully restored Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Ahmed Tejan Kabba (another comma) into (to) government after he was deposed by ….”

“Although the government is still settling down into (to) its second term….”

“Transporters are usually the first to do so making workers spend the lion (lion’s) share of their salary on transportation (why not just transport, which is Standard English; not Americanism?)

“The coup I and Umar plotted” No lexical coup, gentlemen: Umar and I. “Ex-Gov commends Jonathan over development of….” He surely commended GEJ for (not over) development.

An aside: ‘Demand’, when used as a verb, does not admit ‘for’ except in noun applications.

“10 arrested at Apapa Ports over (for) hemp dump.”

“With regards to the first question (a comma, please) the answer will be twopronged.” Choose between ‘as regards’ and ‘with regard to’. “…an issue further compounded (not too elegant an expression) in 1960 by the British government handover of the reigns of government in Nigeria....” A lesson for the Flagship: reins of government.

“How I lost my lover to a bossom friend” From this stable: bosom.

“Then came the launching (launch)

Femi Kuti: Redeeming the Tunes

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n the year Fela died I wrote this and more about his first son, and now world acclaimed musician, multiple Grammy nominee, and astute band leader, Femi Anikulapo Kuti: “Femi has the music, the energy, the resilience and exposure FELA was secretly proud of.

For at similar age (27) when Femi became a band leader, FELA turned tail when he confronted the biggest challenge in his fledgling career - Geraldo Pino (I saw the former Sierra-Leonean star at FELA’s graveside). When Pino was on centre-stage, the world revolved around him and his pompous pop music: FELA was stifled, disenchanted and frustrated. He had to run to Ghana!

However, when FELA was in his full glory, several times more illustrious and magnificent than Pino, the strapping young fella, Femi Kuti began his solo career in 1986 - the year of the great Teacher, Don’t Teach Me Nonsense. Yet, the young man struggled through the maze of FELA’s greatness: disadvantaged by his greatest advantage - being genetically linked to FELA. He made the most vital, dangerous decision to plant a distinct tree in the garden of Afrobeat, whose swashbuckling owner was alive and flourishing.

Femi wobbled with No Cause For Alarm (1989); sulked with Mind Your Own Business (1991) and matured with Plenty Nonsense (1995). His naive insistence and wishful desire to sound and act different from FELA produced harried fast-tempo music with messages cascading in staccato exuberance.

Of course, the ideological and compositional depth was suspect, if not gallantly submissive.

Mercifully, his music later took up some character, depth and focus with Plenty Nonsense - even the tempo of his music simmers into the fringes of profundity. It is obvious that Femi Kuti is on a sure path - 20 years after FELA gave him gifts of piano and sax….

Of course, Plenty Nonsense is perhaps too meagre to represent the yardstick with which to judge Femi. It is also gladdening that in spite of the presence of Fela, an album of such promise and velocity as Plenty Nonsense was produced by Femi.

Now, with the death of FELA, old flakes that had been lost to the subconscious will now escape, catapulting him into sublime height. With Why,

Entertainment’’ - 2010) Today, have you not seen how FEMI has replicated himself in Mide, his first son...just like…? And the strapping young man has blown the roof off Afrobeat, threatening to eclipse his illustrious pedigree.

Yes, as he clocked 60 (on Thursday, June 16), we submit that, in spite of swathes yet to conquer in the wilderness of Afrobeat, Olufemi Olufela Anikulapo Kuti has erected an unshakable ‘’iroko’’ in the hearts of Afrobeat fans and acolytes…that no forester, no scavenger, no trespasser can saunter around wondering: ‘’Whose father owns this tree?’’ Thunder will strike him or her… Ararararaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Kuti Plenty Nonsense, Frustration of a Young Man, Stubborn Problems, etc, Femi has only scratched the surface; and until he realises that what he is running away from, will be the cornerstone of his greatness, he will continue to pant after European tours just to survive.

Until he realises that an improvement on Wonder Wonder is to bury himself in FELA’s apotheosis; to envelop himself with the huge regalia of Fela’s mighty masquerade paraphernalia… until unashamedly and with serious attention to his inner will, he soaks up the aura and airs of FELA, reinvesting the music with his own embroidery and energy… re-ascertaining the puritan essence of FELA’s ideology; and maintaining an unshaken belief in his own roots and talent… until he assumes all these responsibilities, and stamps his manhood and sensibilities on the offensive depression and oppression surrounding him… until then, he will be a non-event, a mirage, a short dream. And Afrobeat, a fad, a glow light dimmed by death and forsaken by posterity.

Time, the master, will alert us…”. (Adapted from ‘’Footprints: Interventions in Nigerian

ODUMOSU: AN ICON WITH A GIANT TOUCH I ‘met’ this quiet, almost somnolent man through the TV drama, “Evil Encounter” ...in the early 80s, and I had been studying his works through the terrifyingly exciting 80s of the original Lagos Weekend Television, LWT when I would suffer bouts of self-induced insomnia while watching the matinees, detective pieces, some adventure flicks, and plenty of sitcoms and local diet….

My addiction to the original LWT was so extreme that my poor mother almost called a larger family meeting over my 72-hour weekly vigil, between Friday evenings and Monday mornings...when I’d groggily saunter to work - from Iponri, near Apapa Road, Ebute Metta, Lagos... to former Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island where I worked as a clerk - in 1982/83. I never knew how I got to work on Mondays; and was half-hearted at work most Fridays...just so I could get away from work, and plug into the weekend watch-mania...all over again.

It was all Jimi Odumosu’s fault! He was head of the Lagos Television, LTV, then, or in charge of programming in the new station, making the octopal NTA look clay footed.

Years later, by Providence, I came in contact with him - flesh seeing flesh - as I found myself in his profession, or a part of his many pies.

This is what I wrote about Jimi Odumosu in my book, Reflections: Anthology of Thoughts on Nigerian Movie industry (2021): “If we were to ignite a storm of controversy, we would insist that all productions dubbed on videos

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

proper….”

“They came to enjoy music, not pay through their noses (nose) for a few hours of fun.” “…the dead would have done a dance of approval at the befitting honours accorded them by their offsprings.” ‘Offspring’ is uncountable.

“Teachers who supervise schools partake in the malpractices and, therefore, have turned a blind eye on it.” Fixed idiomatic expression: turn a blind eye to something.

“Today, not only is the civil conflict still raging, but the fall-outs of the war....” ‘Fallout’, just like stationery, is non-count.

LAST week’s mix-up: “I fact, it looks like increase in the prices of petroleum has (have) became (sic) an annual ritual.” (DAILY News, May 24) Correction: increase in the prices…has—not have. I apologize for the muddle.

FEEDBACK I suggest you cover broadcast news in your column. Common mistakes on our electronic media (names withheld!) make listening to them boring. Most of the stations are fond of inflecting uncountable words and using wrong expressions. An example will suffice: ‘coverages’ instead of ‘coverage’.

Sunny Agbontaen (Benin City)/08055162531 I have been ardently following your interventions through your soar-away weekly medium. Can you edit books and write speeches?

Emmanuel Bassey (Lagos)/08055067429 Last Line: In response to the preceding mail, this columnist can edit any type of book, write speeches and carry out other communicative functions, professionally.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

after 1985, if indeed there was one, were latecomers to the format; for as far back as 1982/1983, many parts of Lagos had woken up to see video tapes of rave-of-that-moment TV series, Evil Encounter by Jimi Odumosu - on the streets, a day or two after the weekend airing. But that will be giving glory to pirates, as the then young brilliant producer of Nigeria’s first truly enchanting ‘horror movie’, on the newly established Lagos Television (LTV) station, didn’t know how his pet project got on VHS tapes! However, were he buying these tapes out of professional curiosity, and a level of conceit, he would have had something to show, now that the tapes and u-matic cartridges of that splendid serials have perished in some fire outbreak in the mid-80s, and subsequent ‘second generation’ retrievals, also suffered technical wipe-out, few years ago. Truly evil encounters!

In 2004, Odumosu reprised his ingenuity with another emotional blockbuster movie called The Mourning After (featuring Prof. Ahmed Yerima, a professor of theatre, and a clean-pated Bimbo Akintola as a widow traumatised by the demands of African traditions).

Odumosu has worked in the industry for over 40 years as a scriptwriter, producer, director, administrator, consultant; and retired as Permanent Secretary and General Manager of Lagos Television, to focus on building more talents, and nurturing budding creatives. He is now the CEO and ‘visioneer’ of Lagcity Film Academy, Lagos.

With hundreds of TV drama episodes logged as a writer, producer or director, Odumosu has got the stuff of a legend. Few more tips: The Village Headmaster, For Better for Worse, Fiery Force, and M-Net’s Doctors Quarters.”

On June 4... almost surreal… he turned 70 years old. CONGRATULATIONS, Baba Jimi Odumosu. Long may you reign in abundance of talents, and tranquility.

As we said in years passed: Your admirers are in legion...and they salute and felicitate you.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

18.6.2022

NEWS

BEST 50 EPL PERFORMERS

PAGE. 29

Zaidu Sanusi Premier League’s New Beautiful Bride

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 18, 2022

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Zaidu Sanusi sends an opponent reeling

Zaidu Sanusi Premier League’s New Beautiful Bride After a scintillating performance in which he helped FC Porto win the Portuguese league, Super Eagles defender, Zaidu Sanusi may be joining Nigerian legion in the Premier League with four English teams already scrambling for his signature. His 50 million euros release clause may however hinder the 25-year-old from playing in the world’s most exciting league

F

our Premier League clubsFulham, Brighton, Everton and Crystal Palace are locked in a battle for the services of the Super Eagles and Porto defender, Zaidu Sanusi.

Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion are interested in Super Eagles’ left back following his title-winning campaign with Porto this season, while he is already closely watched by another English Premier League side, Fulham, with reports suggesting the Cottagers have had an initial bid rejected for the 25-year-old.

Brighton are targeting the left-back as a replacement for Marc Cucurella should the Spaniard leave the club this summer.

Cucurella has been strongly linked with a move to Premier League champions, Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola having identified the 23-year-old as one of his primary targets.

According to the Daily Star, Brighton have identified Sanusi, who is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, as their preferred left-back target should they need to replace Cucurella this summer.They could however face competition from Crystal Palace and Fulham for the 10-cap Nigerian international, who will allegedly only consider leaving Porto if he is guaranteed regular first-team football.

Sanusi, 25, scored three goals in 40 appearances for the Portuguese giants across all competitions in the 2021-22 campaign, and he has three years remaining on his contract.

Porto are not particularly keen on selling the former Santa Clara defender, and any interested club may have to activate the release clause in his contract to complete the deal.

Sanusi has a release clause valued at around 50 million euros.

Meanwhile, Everton are looking to swoop in on Sanusi. The Toffees had a terrible campaign last season and were just a hair-length away from relegation.

However, they would be looking to improve next season. As such, Everton boss Frank Lampard could add some good flesh to his team.

Everton have therefore identified Sanusi as a good addition, and are interested in procuring the Nigeria international’s services.

The full-back was part of the Nigerian national team that won their two Group A matches against Sierra-Leone and Sao Tome & Principe as they battle for the qualifying ticket to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The powerful and pacy left-back cited Real Madrid star of Nigerian descent, David Alaba as the fullback he looks up to and admitted that Super Eagles legend, Taye

Taiwo has also influenced his style of play.

“The left-back I look up to in the world is David Alaba of Real Madrid, many people say that I play like Alaba but I want to be myself, I like him so much.

“Alaba can defend and attack and I’m like him. It’s very difficult for a left-back to attack and defend but Alaba does that very well.

“Many years ago, I used to watch Taye Taiwo, sometimes I search for him on YouTube to see how he plays,” Sanusi added.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese scout who discovered Sanusi and took him to Gil Vincente has said he will be a fulfilled man when the defender was first called up to the Super Eagles.

And Portuguese scout Alberto Silva said that call-up would make him completely fulfilled.

“I’m very happy for him for signing for Porto, he’s a kid with an easy smile,” Silva told A Bola.

The scout recalled his impressions of Zaidu when he first spotted him at a scouting tournament in Kaduna.

“He was a true diamond, technically gifted and physically very strong,” he remarked.

“He loved to join the attack. It was a dream, and we decided to bring him to Portugal because he has incredible ability.”

However, the plan to take the boy from rural Jega in Kebbi State to the top of football in Portugal almost derailed when he suffered

an injury at his first club Gil Vicente and he was out for nine months.

“He was injured and went through a lot,” he recounted. “I remember hanging out with him a lot in the first few days, driving him in my car and he was always sad about the injury.

“He ended up at Mirandela (division 4) and today he is at Porto.

“His ambition always was to play for a big club and he always talked a lot about FC Porto. He kept saying he was going to be like Marcelo of Real Madrid.”

The defender signed a five-year deal with the Blue and Whites which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.

“I am extremely happy to play for FC Porto. I can’t explain it, but I am thrilled to wear this shirt,” Sanusi had told the club website.

The left-back started his exploits in the country in 2016 when he teamed up with Gil Vicente, but did not make a single appearance for the club before he was sent on loan to Mirandela.

Sanusi impressed on loan to earn a permanent deal with Mirandela in 2018 and featured 74 times for the club during his two-year stay.

The defender then teamed up with Santa Clara in 2019 and made 24 league appearances for the Estadio de Sao Miguel outfit before his departure.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 18, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER 2023 AFCON QUALIFIERS

From Nigeria’s Record to Mane’s Heroics The opening two match days of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers concluded on Monday, with Nigeria’s 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe being among the hottest topics as the road to Côte d’Ivoire goes into high gear

Victor Osimhen scored four goals in Nigeria’s 10-0 pumelling of SaoTome and Principe

T

he Super Eagles of Nigeria broke a record of the biggest goals in qualification matches, a feat that dates back to 1959 when they beat the Dahomey team, currently, Bénin 10-1.

With this victory adding on to their opening day 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone, Nigeria is one of the teams which have managed a 100 per cent start to the qualifiers.

Among other teams which have breezed through scarless in the first two rounds of matches are Burkina Faso, Algeria, Mali, Morocco and reigning African champions Senegal.

Mixed Fortunes Morocco’s Atlas Lions who will have to play in a team of three teams with South Africa and Liberia have put themselves in pole position to qualify with two wins so far.

They won 2-0 against Liberia and 2-1 in an entertaining duel against South Africa to move top of the pile with six points. The group was reduced to three due to the suspension of Zimbabwe by FIFA. While Morocco have put themselves in pole position

to qualify, several other top teams have complicated their chances, including Benin’s Squirrels and Togo’s Sparrowhawks.

Benin, who missed the last tournament in Cameroon, were off to a bad start after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal at home and then also suffered a narrow 1-0 loss at the hands of Mozambique.

Togo, who have missed the last two editions of the Cup of Nations have also suffered an almost similar feat after picking only one point in their 2-2 draw at home against eSwatini and a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cape Verde.

In a group where tough fixtures against Burkina Faso await them, Togo must raise their level.

Egypt, finalists from the last edition in Cameroon also posted a basket of mixed results, beating Guinea 1-0 at home before going down to a shock 2-0 loss at the hands of Ethiopia in a match played in Malawi.

Far from over But Egypt’s Group D is evenly poised with all teams on three points. Teams which lost on the opening day won on the second, with Guinea

Sadio Mane on rampage for Senegal

narrowly edging out Malawi 1-0 via a late goal from Liverpool FC man Naby Keita.

So devastating was Ethiopia’s 2-0 victory over Egypt that an emergency meeting had to be convened in Cairo, with the future of coach Ehad Galal on the line. Galal had replaced Carlos Queiroz after the Pharaohs failed to make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Cameroon also find themselves in a group of three due to Kenya’s FIFA suspension. The Indomitable Lions have started their campaign well, winning 1-0 against Burundi in Dar es Salaam.

The Burundi side has played two matches, having started their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Namibia and their journey to make a second AFCON appearance in their history has a huge mountain to climb.

Two teams will qualify from this pool.

Top scorers: Nigeria’s Victor Osimbhen’s four-goal haul against Sao Tome puts him top of the scorers’ chart in the qualifiers at five. He also netted the winner in the opening day 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone.

AFCON 2021 player of the tournament Sadio Mane follows him with four goals, his hattrick on the opening day and a late winner against Rwanda making him Senegal’s all-time top scorer.

Sadio, what a year!

The son of Bambaly is reveling at a hugely successful year, his latest scoring antics in the qualifiers taking him to legendary status at the age of 30. He has scored 33 times for the Lions of Teranga taking him two goals better than the previous holder of the record Henri Camara, who has 31 international goals.

Camara, one of the pillars of the 2002 golden generation took to social media to congratulate Mane, the new heir of his throne.

“I am very honored tonight to see my little brother, Sadio Mané, break my record for the most goals in the national team. It is a pride. I congratulate him and I wish him to continue to score and carr y the colors of Senegal high.

Bravo champion,” Camara posted on his socials.

M e a n w hile, Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara BissauGuinean Jorgihno also sit on the top scorers’ chart with both having scored three. r $VMMFE GSPN $BG POMJOF

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 18, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Former Bolton Wanderers Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha (r) dribble past Chelsea’s Marcel Desailly

Okocha Named in Best 50 Premier League Performances Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jayjay Okocha’s performance against Tottenham has been named one of the best 50 in the Premier League era.

In a list compiled by The Athletic writers from 309,949 options, the best 50 performances in the last 30 years of the Premier League era sees Okocha’s performance against Tottenham in November 2003 stand at number 47.

The only goal of the game came from former Bolton Wanderers captain, Kevin Nolan but the finest performance of the day, and one of the best of many years to come was

Okocha’s sizzling display on the day.

Bolton manager at the time, Sam Allardyce recalled the performance as the moment the London teams began to see Bolton as a good team.

“That was the first time the London boys started talking about what a good team we were,” Allardyce tells The Athletic.

“They suddenly realised the quality of player we had.”

“We flew out to Paris before the World Cup,” says Allardyce.

“We never really got any real response in that meeting, but to our surprise after the World Cup,

and after a long conversation, we went back out there and struck a deal in Charles de Gaulle airport,” “The main object was for Jay-Jay to play in the Premier League,” “Players were coming from all over the world in the early 2000s, because it was clearly the best place to be, the best place to play football and the best place to get paid as well. He wanted to broaden his experience in football — and in culture, if you like. He’d experienced the German way, then Turkey, then France then he wanted to come to England.”

UBTH Hosts General Jidda Retirement Golf Tourney on June 25 Professional and amateur golfers, friends and associates of Major General Adamu Jidda will converge on UBTH Golf Club, Benin City, Edo State for his Retirement Golf Tournament slated for June 25.

UBTH Captain, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen led management team is organising the tournament in honour of the club’s former captain, Gen. Jidda for his successful retirement from service in the Nigerian Army.

The one-day tournament is powered by Nigeria Army Corps of Supply and Transport; Kassid Investment Nigeria Limited as well as Committee of Friends, while golfers across

the six geo-political zones are featuring at the event.

According to Benedict Oghumah, a member of the committee of friends, top serving and retired military officers, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu and many other golfers will vie for honour at the event. Oghumah noted that Jidda, former Corps Commander, Nigeria Army Corps of Supply and Transport and former Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Army deserved to be honoured and that is why they have come together as one big golf family to honour him with a befitting golf tourney at the club.

He said: “Gen. Jidda is a great golfer who has paid his dues in the game. He deserved to be honoured for his various roles towards the development of golf in UBTH and in Nigeria.

“He is thorough in his approach to issues, most especially golf. Even, his work schedule could not deprive him from playing competitive golf tournament in the club.

“Golfers from Ibori Golf and Country Club, (IGCC), Asaba; Shell Golf Club, Warri; IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja; Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos; Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS), Edo and many more are featuring at the event.”

2022 Checkers Cup Ends in Style It was pomp and pageantry at the Eagle Club, Surulere, last Saturday as the 2022 Checkers Cup ends with Ikorodu Checkers defeated their Mushin counterpart 4-2 to win the 2022 Checkers Cup after winning the maiden edition last year.

In a highly entertaining encounter, it was the Team Mushin that drew the first blood but the boys from Ikorodu had other ideas as hat-trick hero, Joel Yakub ensured the trophy returned to Ikorodu.

To add spice to the thrilling

encounter, during half time, the executives of Checkers Africa Limited took to the field for a sprint race after which the female workers took their turn and the winner went home with N50,000 cash prize.

To ensure everybody had fun, the management also organised dancing competitions for both male and female staff of the company after the match and it turned out to be a thrilling time.

In his welcome speech, the CEO, Mr. Karan Checker said: “Checkers Africa Limited

wishes to encourage the game of football and is also ready to sponsor any resoundingly talented player to the very highest level.”

He also hinted that the maiden edition tourney in 2021 laid the groundwork for this additional activity for employee bonding and encouraging health fostering activities and relationships among workers to ensure a quality work environment.

Checkers Africa Limited positions itself as a socially responsible company.

Ek kitii’ll be Nigerria’s Sp portts Hu ub Says Oni As the 2022 Ekiti Governorship election holds today, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Olusegun Oni has reiterated his commitment to youth empowerment through sports development saying the state will be Nigeria’s sports hub.

Oni’s policy thrust include rebuilding state economy, inclusive governance, education and technology fortification, improved human capital and infrastructural development, sports development among others and he pledged that

the state investment in sports would be wholehearted such that it will be a toast for other states to emulate.

Oni, who chaired the SDP Presidential Primaries on June 8, has been enjoying huge support particularly from the youths and his rating has soared further following the debate held for the major contenders last Thursday where he outlined his vision for the Fountain of Knowledge state.

“Sports has grown beyond leisure and it now serves as an

avenue to provide employment for thousands of youths and my blueprint for sport will see it tackle unemployment among the youths,” he pledged.

During his reign as the governor of Ekiti State between May 2007 to October 2010, Oni, who prides himself as a grassroots politician with passion for the masses, made giant strides in the areas of sports, social welfare, education, agriculture and he promised to build on these areas as well as others to uplift Ekiti to an enviable position.

Team Ikorodu celebrating winning the 2022 Checkers Cup

2022 FIFA WORLD CUP a

Can Lamptey Lead A Switch of Key Players from England to Ghana?

Ideally, the FIFA World Cup would have commenced if it were held in the summer like previous editions of the prestigious tournament. But, the 2022 edition of the Mundial set to hold in Qatar will be played in the winter.

As we count down to the most watched football competition in the world, DStv and GOtv customers can look forward to viewing the tournament set to run from 21 November to 18 December on SuperSport.

Explore GOtv & experience the best of Live Sport, Latest Movies, Hottest Shows and all the Series you want, Make...

Five national teams from Africa will be representing the continent at the tournament, they include: Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Tunisia and Morocco. This time around, these teams will be seeking to go past the Quarter-finals barrier for African teams.

Ghana’s return to the competition, having missed

out on the 2018 edition of the World Cup which was held in Russia, has opened up the possibility that some Premier League stars may switch their international allegiance from England to Ghana in order to feature at the global showpiece in Qatar.

One such example is Brighton & Hove Albion right-back Tariq Lamptey. The 21-year-old has represented England, the country of his birth, at different age groups below senior level, including two appearances for the under-21s.

But he would be eligible to play for Ghana’s Black Stars through his parents.

Brighton manager Graham Potter has advised the player to follow his heart in making the decision: “Regardless of Tariq’s situation, playing in a World Cup is going to be fantastic for any player. That’s something for him to consider, but it’s more about where he feels in his heart he should play.

That’s up to Tariq, I’ll support whatever decision he makes.”

“We are definitely here for him if he wants to speak about anything or ask any questions. It won’t be us steering him either way, it’s a case of listening to him, what he thinks and to make sure he knows he’s got our support.”

Lamptey is not the only Ghana-eligible Premier League star being courted by Black Stars coach Otto Addo and technical advisor Chris Hughton, with Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) and Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) also on the radar of the West African nation.

Ghana shocked the world by qualifying for the Qatar 2022 finals – at the expense of arch rivals Nigeria – but adding even one of the talents of Lamptey, Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah would significantly improve their chances at the tournament, where they will come up against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.

Mikel Offers Success Tips to Back2Base Talent Hunt Top Athletes Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel at the weekend had a heart-to-heart talk with all the outstanding athletes selected from the maiden Back2Base talent hunt programme held at the UNILAG Sports Complex, Lagos.

The three-day talent hunt programme afforded many children to exhibit their talents across three sports; football, basketball and tennis from where the best of the best was selected and rewarded with handsome cash prizes

Mikel at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island treated the young lads to a sumptuous dinner where he graciously shared his grass-to-grace story and offered tips that would help the youngsters actualise their dreams of also becoming superstars.

The former Chelsea star reckoned that he also had a humble background like most of the selected athletes but he never allowed that to stop him in his drive to become a globally acclaimed football star.

“The first key to success is discipline, you have to be disciplined before you can put enough effort to become the best in whatever you do even outside of sports” the Rio 2016 Olympic medallist noted.

Mikel who spent more than 10 years with Premier League giants, Chelsea under different coaches said his undying desire to always give his best at all times afforded him the long spell at the London club and advised the upcoming youngsters to also learn from his footsteps.

Diamond League Meeting de Paris Airs Live on DStv, GOtv SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to seeing all the action from the 2022 Diamond League Meeting de Paris today 18 June at 7pm.

Both on SuperSport Variety 3 (DStv channel) and SuperSport Select 1 (GOtv channel 33).

The seventh leg of the 2022 Diamond League series will take place at the French capital of Paris.

The Meeting de Paris at Stade Sebastien Charlety, meanwhile,

will feature a blockbuster showdown in the Women’s 100m, as Ivory Coast speedster Marie-Josee Ta Lou takes on the likes of Mujinga Kambundji, Dafne Schippers and three-time Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Also keep an eye out for a stacked Men’s Pole Vault competition, featuring Sam Kendricks, Renuad Lavillenie and Thiago Braz, as well as local favourites Quentin Bigot and

Alexandra Tavernier, who will be looking to claim top spot in the Men’s and Women’s Hammer Throw respectively – events which have previously been overlooked in the Diamond League.

“It’s a real reward for us, who perform with the hammer. There were the other three throws in Diamond League, all that was missing was us! It’s progressing little by little and it’s a real pleasure,” said Tavernier.

Mark Promises to Invest More in Basketball

Despite the huge success and frenzy that have already greeted the 2022 Mark D Ball Men’s Basketball Championship, the initiator of the tournament and President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Igoche Mark says there is still more to be done in order to raise the standard of elite and grassroots basketball in Nigeria.

Mark, who is an ever present at

matches, since the championship started, however commented the skills, talents of players and coaches, as well as the competitiveness the participating teams have displayed; despite the inactivity that enveloped the fortunes of the game, since 2017.

Speaking on Day 3 of the Elite 8 yesterday at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja; Mark

reaffirmed his commitment to invest more time and resources in developing all aspect of the game.

“I am quite happy with all I have seen, but I’m not satisfied with the level of our basketball at this time, and this is a reminder to me and all genuine stakeholders of the game that we have to more to do in order to bring all aspects of the game, to an appreciable standard.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 18, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Philip Billing Ends Super Eagles’ Dream When his direction was not looked at in Denmark’s squad to the Euro 2020, the chances that Philip Anyanwu Billing might consider playing for the country of his father having been courted by erstwhile Super Eagles Manager-Gernot Rohr, to star for the Super Eagles was very high. All that was however put to rest when the midfielder came in as a substitute in Denmark’s UEFA Nations League against Austria on Monday

P

hilip Anyanwu Billing, who played a significant role in Bournemouth’s return to the Premier League has finally ensured he cannot play for another country after featuring for Denmark in a competitive game.

The 26-year-old lanky midfielder came in as a substitute for Denmark against Austria on Monday in the UEFA Nations League, automatically sealing his international fate.

Billing was born in Denmark to a Nigerian father and a Danish mother and had turned down a chance to represent the Super Eagles in 2018. He was called up barely one year after to the Danish national team as he made his debut against Faroe Islands.

After initially rumoured to have agreed to star for the Super Eagles, the Bournemouth midfielder of Nigerian father said he never had Nigeria in his mind. The erstwhile Nigerian senior national team manager, Rohr had accused Billing and his agent of using the threetimes African champion as a bait to get Denmark national team call-up.

The Franco-German had explained what transpired between him and the 25-year-old, who two years ago quashed a report linking him to Nigeria.

Rohr had suggested the Bournemouth midfielder used him to get the attention of the Danish national team manager.

Billing has represented the European country’s youth team, but was still eligible to feature for the Super Eagles having not played for Denmark at senior level as at the time Rohr was courting with him.

The forward in 2018, quashed a report making rounds then that he had agreed to pledge his allegiance to Nigeria, stating he felt more like a Dane and revealed he has told Rohr of his intention to play for the Danish team.

The Franco-German tactician, however, explained how Billing’s agent called him to explain his client was interested in playing for Nigeria and he did a follow-up by calling the player.

“Billing’s agent called me and he said that he is interested to come to Nigeria because he is not playing so much in Denmark,” Rohr had told ESPN. “So he wanted me to call Billing. I said I don’t have his number, so he gave me his number. When I called Billing he asked me some questions about the Nigerian team.

“And he said, ‘I am very, very interested to come with you, but give me some time. I think the agent is using this interest to give him more importance or more chances to play in Denmark.”

Billing then rejected the chance to represent Nigeria in favour of the country of his birth, Denmark, after

Philip Billing

a second approach from Rohr.

Billing was snapped up by the Cherries in a £15-million transfer after he suffered relegation with Huddersfield at the end of the 2018/19 season.

However, the technically gifted central midfielder has developed into an established performer under manager Eddie Howe.

As a result, Rohr had come knocking for the Super Eagles on a second occasion, with Billing yet to make his senior national team debut then.

But the powerful midfielder claims it would be awkward for him to turn his back on Kasper Hjulmand’s side to represent the country of his fathers’ birth.

“I saw the last time people started to speculate that I didn’t mind playing for Denmark and blah, blah, blah,” he told Danish news outlet BT. “It would be strange to stand up for Nigeria when I feel 100 per cent Danish. Of course, I have Nigerian roots and I’m half Nigerian, but I

was raised and born in Denmark.

“I have a Danish mother, Danish little brother and Danish little sister and a Nigerian father. But it is Denmark I want to stand for. That’s my big dream.

“I’ve talked to the coach, but I know where I want to play. I want to play for Denmark, so it is no longer than that.

“He (Rohr) just said he really wanted me to play for Nigeria because the upcoming World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations will be played soon. I made it pretty clear to him that I wanted to play for Denmark.

That’s my big dream.”

With his stock now rising and experience now of note, he may stand a better chance with Denmark where he spent his formative years before joining Huddersfield as a youth player in 2013.

His time at Bournemouth has seen him impress with the team and also was a part of it when they sunk under Eddie Howe. Now back to the Premier League under Scott Parker,

Billing may be nearing his peak level as a footballer after registering 10 goals and 10 assists in 40 games last season.

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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SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

How to Keep Your Car Windscreen Clear When it Rains There are a few simple things you can do to ensure you don’t end up driving blind when the heavens open up to make way for the rain.

There’s plenty of good advice about driving in the rain, but it’s not much use if you can’t see where you’re going. Here are some tips to make sure you can see clearly now the rain has come.

L-R: Managing Director, Elizade Autoland; Mr. Ademola Ade-Ojo; Mr Atunyota Akpobome, aka Ali Baba; Nollywood Actress, Iyabo Ojo; Founder, Elizade Group, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo; and Nollywood actress, Yvonne Jegede, at the official unveiling of JAC J7 The Sleek sedan by Elizade Auto Land in Lagos… recently

Elizade Auto Land Unveils JAC J7 The Sleek

E

lizade Auto Land this week unveiled its priceless sedan, JAC J7 The Sleek to select viewership at the company’s facility in Ikeja, Lagos.

Managing Director of Elizade Auto Land, Mr. Demola Ade-Ojo presented the good points of this fine piece of machinery, stating that it has improved considerably after the acquisition of 75% of JAC by Volkswagen, “the Merger and Acquisition has helped to improve the design, quality, specification and overall experience of the passenger vehicles.

The first set of car models birthed from this German- Asian infusion amongst others is the all new exclusive JAC J7 (#theSleek).”

Demola Ade-Ojo guaranteed the buyers of the first 10 units, immediately after the launch, a N1 million discount.

The Chairman and Founder of Elizade Auto

Land, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, lauded his son for the rare feat he has recorded, particularly in elevating the fortunes of the company. “I am very proud of what you are doing here, my children had a strict upbringing and this is answered prayers.”

Some customers from the private and public sectors gave testimonials on the effectiveness of JAC vehicles. Among them were the representative of the Lagos State government and the CEO of Coleman.

Giving an insight into the car, the Head of Brand and Marketing Communication of Elizade Auto Land, Mr. Franklyn Okotie, explained that “The car is designed with an abundance of trailblasing features that harnesses the latest technological breakthroughs to move you from your take-off point to your destination at turbo-speed.

“J7theSleek presents a sporty, waterfall intake grille as its unique front design and well detailed

LED headlamps forming a stunning front appearance.

“JAC is offering the J7 with a unique threading rear backlight giving the car design a wider and sporty appearance with a streamlined hatchback body.”

According to him, “You don’t have an issue with boot space, as you can easily access it seamlessly.

You don’t need to touch the key to open the trunk or the car doors, the censor button on your car key controls all the locking and unlocking features even while in your pocket.

“The state-of-the-art interior design is conceived for maximum comfort with quality leather seats and a dashboard that is classy and beautiful to behold. The car seat is spacious with very extended legroom and a second seat row that integrates with the trunk to provide adequate space to accommodate more luggage with a capacity of up to six suitcases at a time.

Mercedes-AMG Celebrates 55 Years Setting Standards

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ith a new brand campaign MercedesAMG celebrates its 55th anniversary.

According to the automaker, “In its 55-year corporate history, Mercedes-AMG has repeatedly set standards in the performance and sports car market, thus writing an impressive success story: from the two-man start-up of founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in 1967 to today’s state-of-the-art development site with its own engine manufacturing facility, more WKDQ WZR WKRXVDQG KLJKO\ TXDOLÀHG HPSOR\HHV and a unique vehicle portfolio. The new brand campaign notices this extraordinary development with the claim “55 years - changing the game” and at the same time points to the future.”

Mercedes-AMG employees and prominent Brand Ambassadors act as gamechangers for the company. They encourage you to think and act like a gamechanger yourself.

Vehicle pairings with historical and current icons from the AMG model portfolio round RͿ WKH GHJUHH FDPSDLJQ ,W ZLOO EH RQ DOO relevant Mercedes-AMG social media channels from mid-June until the end of July 2022.

Founded in 1967 by engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, the company has continued to build on its position as one of the leading performance and sports car brands through numerous successes in motorsport and the development of unique road cars. /HJHQGDU\ PRGHO LFRQV VXFK DV WKH 6(/

Mercedes-AMG

$0* UDFLQJ WRXULQJ FDU WKH ( 5.6 “The Hammer”, the CLK DTM or the SLS AMG Electric Drive have repeatedly FRQÀUPHG WKH EUDQG·V UHSXWDWLRQ DV D gamechanger.

This is still true today: the Mercedes$0* 21( EULQJV PRGHUQ DQG H΀FLHQW Formula 1™ hybrid drive technology from WKH UDFHWUDFN WR WKH URDG IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH in the world (fuel consumption weighted, combined: 8.7 l/100 km; combined weighted CO2 emissions: 198 g/km;

combined weighted electrical consumption: N:K NP > @ :LWK RQH FRPEXVWLRQ engine and four electric motors, the hypercar SURGXFHV D WRWDO RI N: KS DQG proves how the Future of Driving Performance sets new records.

The Vision AMG design study provides a glimpse of the future: Beneath the shell of the four-door coupé is the independent AMG.EA platform, which is currently being developed LQ $ͿDOWHUEDFK IRU DOO HOHFWULF SHUIRUPDQFH models with revolutionary e-drive technology.

Demisting Windows love fogging up on cold, humid or rainy days and many people still drive while rubbing the windscreen with their forearm not knowing they can quickly get rid of the condensation at the touch of a button.

The reason your windows fog up is that your warm breath reacts with the cold air on the outside of the glass. Turning your heater on is like breathing even harder, so your windscreen continues to fog up.

When trying to demist your windscreen turn the air-conditioner button on, even on a cold day.

Air-conditioning pumps out dry air which in summer takes away water vapour from the air and cools things down. Use it with the heater and you get a dry heat which removes water vapour from the air and quickly stops the reaction that causes fog.

If you have condensation on a warm day there’s no need to have the heat turned up.

Wipers Windscreen wipers don’t just deteriorate from use, but from sunlight, road grime and hot and cold weather conditions so it pays to replace them every six months, 10,000kms or when they leave streaking across the windscreen or judder and screech.

Windscreen wipers are reasonably easy to change yourself. You can buy them from any auto accessories store but be mindful that there are PDQ\ GLͿHUHQW W\SHV GHSHQGLQJ RQ your car. If you’re not sure, ask the VWDͿ IRU KHOS You might be able to just change the wiper blade or the wiper assembly which includes the blade and the frame that connects it to the car’s wiper arm. If you haven’t replaced your wipers for some time it’s probably best to change the assembly.

Windscreen wash :LSHU ÁXLG LV LPSRUWDQW LQ SODFHV where its gets really cold as it not only acts as a cleaning agent but also stops the water from freezing.

Of course, freezing isn’t a huge problem in most parts of Australia but water in the washer reservoir could breed harmful bacteria such as Legionella which could end up in your air vents.

Putting that aside, we do have our fair share of bugs and bird crap hitting our windscreens so it’s a good idea to have something in the water help your wipers perform at their best.

Finally, wash your windscreen manually whenever you get fuel so your wipers won’t have to work too KDUG ZKHQ \RX ÁLFN WKHP RQ (Source: WHICHCAR)

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Hyride Introduces Unmatched Incentives in Nigeria’s Ride-Hailing Community

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very appealing reward component has been introduced into the ride-hailing business in Nigeria by a new entrant, Hyride, a brand of TopMode Technology Company Ltd., ZKLFK RͿHUV ULGH KDLOLQJ transport services. The drivers are given good legroom to earn money while the riders earn points/cashback that can be used on their next ride.

This is in addition to the company’s prioritising the security and safety of both the drivers and riders, who can tap panic buttons that are wired to the company’s control room, as well as to their family members or trusted friends. +\ULGH LV DQ LQGLJHQRXV ÀUVW¸UDWH WHFKQRORJ\ company with international partners. Prospective riders can book a ride now after downloading the app from Apple and Google play store.

According to the Chairman/Managing Director of Topmode Technology Company, Edward Anugwom, “Hyride was founded as a startup that aimed to tackle ride-hailing problems in Nigeria by creating safety, lowest commission to drivers and accessibility for passengers in using ride hailing service through Hyride’s platform.

Therefore, the brand concept does not only aim IRU PDNLQJ SURÀW EXW DOVR IRU UHVROYLQJ D VRFLDO issue on ride-hailing services for both drivers and passengers as drivers face a problem of PDNLQJ LQVX΀FLHQW PRQH\ DQG KDWUHG RQ WKHLU jobs, as well as the safety concern of passengers in using ride hailing service in Nigeria.

Hyride powered by Topmode, a technology giant “Secondly, Hyride business makes a good impact on society in terms of job creation and engagement to the digital economy, such as a cashless transaction since according to Hyride social impact and responsibility from it started in Nigeria on June 6, 2022 depicts that Hyride platform provides employment opportunities

for some drivers and supports them to have a better livelihood.”

How the panic button works/incentives The app has emergency/panic buttons that drivers and riders can use whenever they feel threatened, and the alarm is connected to their

families and company’s control stations. The alert V\VWHP LGHQWLÀHV WKHLU ODVW ORFDWLRQ WR HQVXUH the safety of all.

Hyride plans to integrate with companies and there is a special corporate package for this collaboration.

Anugwom said, “We brought a very good application to help both the drivers and riders.

“The drivers can earn money and the riders can have a safe and convenient ride.

“On account of the challenges the drivers are having in terms of insecurity, we have decided to bring a technology that would help the drivers and riders priotise their safety and security. ´7KLV LV ZK\ ZH DUH GLͿHUHQW IURP RWKHU ride hailing companies in Nigeria.”

He said they give a lot of incentives to their drivers to motivate them at all times. “We have daily, weekly, monthly motivations,” explaining that “when riders pay with debit cards for trips, they get a cashback for that very ride. A certain percentage will be returned to their wallet and they can use it to make payment on their next trip. They also earn some reward points into their wallet when they ride and they can redeem it and make payment on their next trip.”

Hyride is now operational in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Calabar, and their are immediate plans to move on to Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Imo and Delta states. “We are moving as fast as we can to improve the lives of drivers in Nigeria.”

7KH GULYHUV DQG ULGHUV DUH SURÀOHG XVLQJ D very tight process and strict criteria to ensure everyone is safe, Anugwom said.

BMW iX Named Among 2022 10 Best Interiors

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his week, BMW announced the BMW iX has earned a Wards 10 Best Interiors and UX award for 2022.

The first-ever all-electric BMW iX arrived on the market in the first quarter of 2022 and showcased a design unlike anything ever seen before from BMW, according to a statement by the automaker.

The modern, minimalist interior features very few buttons and switches. Instead, the space is dominated by the sweeping BMW Curved Display composed of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display, brought together behind a single glass surface angled towards the driver.

BMW’s latest iDrive, powered by Operating System 8, utilizes natural speech recognition, an ultra-responsive touch screen, and intuitive, high-resolution graphics to make all of the iX’s advanced infotainment, navigation, and driver assistance systems accessible and usable to the driver and passenger. As a result, the interior remains clean and uncluttered. The frameless design of the BMW Curved Display brings a sense of openness to an already spacious cabin.

But the iX is also a premium luxury vehicle. The technology is presented in an environment highlighted by elegant aesthetics, high-quality materials, and innovative design. Imaginative use of colors, surfaces, and materials, assembled to an exceptionally high standard create an interior design like no other. The seat controls, iDrive rotary control, and the volume control for the audio system may be finished in cut glass. Traditional wood, when fitted, is used sparingly; instead, distinctive matte Gold Bronze trim highlights the dashboard and door panels. Though the overall concept is clearly tech-forward, the use of colors and materials creates a calming atmosphere of warmth, rejuvenation, and comfort.

“We are grateful to the WardsAuto jurors for their recognition of the hard work of our designers and engineers around the world.” said Andreas Meyer, Vice President BMW Product Management Americas.

“BMW first introduced the concept of iDrive twenty years ago, and with today’s eighth generation, it is truly the most intuitive interface in the industry. We want to provide our customers a top-level digital experience, one that easily makes their vehicle a natural extension of their existing digital ecosystem.

BMW iX

Five Things You Can’t Do When Phoning If you are one of my regular readers on this column, you would have realised that I have spent the last three weeks focusing on the increasing risk behavior of driving and phoning behind the wheels.

This is in spite of the provisions of the National 5RDG 7UD΀F 5HJXODWLRQV ZKLFK SURKLELWV WKLV ULVN behavior. I equally took you through memory lane on the numerous strategic interventions introduced by the Federal Road Safety Corps to address and checkmate this behavior which to me is suicidal.

Last week, I spiced this focus by raising my voice on those who feel that the time to turn up the dial of enforcement against distracted driving through the deployment of appropriate technology which developed climes like the United Kingdom are experimenting through a pilot study which has revealed tremendous impact in its capacity to track and arrest defaulters. Today, I wish to draw the curtain on this by sharing a material by Gemma- Briggs and Graham Hole which I sourced RQOLQH , EHOLHYH \RX ZLOO ÀQG LW TXLWH UHYHDOLQJ Before their writing rolls, I do hope you still remember the data I shared with you on the level of infraction in the United Kingdom which revealed that 26percent of 1,700 motorists reported using a handheld mobile phone while driving, despite it being illegal. This phone “addiction” which has grave consequences is not a while or Blackman’s disease neither is it a developed or developing clime problem alone. A similar survey had been

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

done in our clime although I couldn’t lay my hands RQ LW EXW , UHFDOO WKDW WKH ÀQGLQJV HTXDOO\ UDLVHV cause for concern.

Let me now allow you enjoy their submissions. ‘’A quick online search throws up many articles suggesting that people are “glued” to their smartphones and therefore miss important and enriching experiences and interactions going on around them.

But psychological research shows that not only do people miss things because they are staring at their phone’s screen, they also miss things when they’re looking ahead but talking on their phone.

In fact, people conversing on a phone can appear to look at something yet fail to consciously detect it.

This “inattention blindness” has been demonstrated in various ways, including the famous “invisible gorilla” experiment. By focusing on one particular task (such as counting how often a basketball is

passed between team members) we can miss other, highly salient events in the scene – such as a person dressed as a gorilla.

The ability to focus our attention like this is extremely useful, as we simply couldn’t process all of the incoming visual information that we are constantly bombarded with. But in some situations, inattention blindness can have serious consequences. +HUH·V UHVHDUFK RQ ÀYH WKLQJV \RX FDQ·W GR properly while on your phone: Notice hazards when driving-Drivers using a hands-free phone are far less likely to notice and react to hazards, even those directly ahead of them. This leads to increased stopping distances and a four-fold increase in accident risk. Research suggests this inattention blindness is produced by the need to share limited mental resources between tasks.

Phone conversations have a visual component – you picture where your conversation partner is and what they are saying – and this mental imagery draws on resources which are needed for accurate visual perception. Consequently, someone on the phone can look at, but not see, a hazard.

Cross the road safely-Pedestrians talking on the phone are more likely to be injured crossing the road. They tend to take longer to decide to cross, and then walk more slowly. They also make more unsafe judgements on crossings.

In one study, phone-users successfully crossed a

simulated street only 84% of the time. Compared with other distractions, including listening to music, phone use is associated with poorer decision-making, missed opportunities to cross and increased likelihood of being involved in a collision.

Take the most direct route-Phone-users may FKDQJH WKH ZD\ WKH\ ZDON ZKLFK LQ WXUQ DͿHFWV the route they take and what they notice around them. One observational study found that people talking on the phone were more likely to change the direction they were walking in, were less likely to be aware of other people around them, resulting in them getting in other people’s way, and tended to walk more slowly than people who were either listening to music or undistracted.

Even a highly practised and “automatic” task like walking can become disrupted when a person’s attention is diverted to a phone conversation. Another study looked at participants’ gait while walking to a previously learned destination. Compared to undistracted walkers, phone users walked slower and made more lateral deviations from the set route, meaning they walked further than needed.

Notice advertisements you pass-Phone-users are less likely to recall seeing advertisements that they have passed while on the phone. Research has shown that even though people distracted by a phone conversation look at advertisements as often as those who are undistracted, they don’t remember them when later questioned.

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SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 18, 2022

POLITY Boss Mustapha Urges Christians to Support Pilgrims’ Commission Justina Uzo

T

he Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha has urged citizens to embark upon pilgrimage to holy lands because “the exercise has always provided an avenue for followers of many religions to find their roots and spiritual fulfilment.”

Mustapha recently expressed this view when the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) flaggedoff the ceremony of its 2021 Main Pilgrimage exercise to Jordan and Israel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Maurice Mbaeri in his speech also said the “Holy Book enjoins believers to participate in pilgrimage as part of their call.”

In the same vein, the Executive Secretary, the NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam said pilgrimage “is a biblical injunction.”

He said it was important that the Commission is reinventing pilgrimage.

The executive secretary therefore enjoined Nigerians to always be willing to embrace change.

L- R: Executive Secretary, NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam; Representative of the SGF, Dr. Maurice Mbaeri; The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr. Adesola Olusade; during the flag-off ceremony of NCPC 2021 main pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan in Abuja… recently.

He said it was change that brought about the Jordan pilgrimage in 2021 “which was conducted successfully despite the challenges.” Pam advised stakeholders to embrace the change as they come and also partner with the Commission

FUNERAL MASS FOR OWO VICTIMS… L-R: Former governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; his wife, Betty; and the Secretary to the Ondo State Government. Princess Oludunni Odu, during the funeral mass for 18 of the 40 people killed by terrorists at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo on June 5, in Owo…yesterday.

L-R; Head, Agency Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Nike Kolawole; Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi; Public Affairs Analyst, Balogun Akin Osuntokun;His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan; Managing Director, Adire Oodua Textile Hub, Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi; and Nollywood Legend, Clarion Chukwurah at the Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience exhibition held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos …. recently

L-R: INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu; Commander 32 Artilary Brigade, Akure, Gen Muktar Adamu; the Onisan of Ison of Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon and INEC Commissioner, Voter Education, Festus Okoye at the EKiti Election Stake Holders Meeting held yesterday at Ado Ekiti Ekiti State.

Photo: Julius Atoi

to always make it a success.

He expressed satisfaction that even COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 didn’t affect things. Pam explained: “It was perceived that pilgrimage would no longer be possible with the pandemic but with the help of God, NCPC was able to conduct a successful pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan amid the pandemic.”

The NCPC helmsman named the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, ArchBishop Ignatius Kaigama as the spiritual leader for this year ’s pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan and Rome.

Pam admonished intending pilgrims to be proud representatives of Nigeria and should not disappoint the country.

Meanwhile, Mustapha said government had actively supported Christian pilgrimage not only by creating the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission but has also fully funded its activities and programmes.

While commending the NCPC, he said Christian pilgrimage had over the years been modified and expanded in scope and operations.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Conference of States, Rev. Isaiah Magaji, commended the NCPC for the efforts being put together to make this pilgrimage a success. He advised intending pilgrims to be in their best behaviour.

L-R: Director of International Operations, Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Stella Fubara- Obinwa; Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Professor Akin Abayomi; Specialist, Health Tourism Department, Dubai Health Authority, Khalid Ali; Head of Visa and Attestation Department of the UAE Consulate, Lagos, Mr. Abdulla Alqahtani and Executive Secretary of the UAE Consulate, Lagos, Fatine Laaroussi Tribek during Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism - Nigeria Roadshow 2022 held in Lagos... recently.

Mrs. Sanyaolu Fatimoh Omonike (in white middle) flanked by her friends during her 50th birthday at Atan Ota in Ogun State... recently

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 18, 2022

38

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: The Registrar and Secretary of Council of the International Institute of Chartered Educational Practitioners (IICEP), Prof. Emeka Ikenga-Dennis; the founder of Zeetin Engineering, Azibaola Robert and Gloria Nkeiruka Matthew of IICEP at the handover of the award for ‘Outstanding Performance in Innovation, Creativity and Economic Empowerment’, in his Abuja office...recently

L-R: Registrar/CEO, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN), Dr. Seye Awojobi; Risk Management Strategist/CEO, Alter-Ed Ltd, Mrs. Eneni Oduwole; President, Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Dr. Ezekiel Oseni; President, CIBN, Dr. Ken Opara; National Treasurer, CIBN, Mrs. Mojisola-Asieru Bakare; 2nd Vice President, RIMAN, Mr. Adesoji Olasoko; and Executive Secretary, RIMAN, Mr. Victor Olannye, at the 2022 Certified Risk Manager(CRM) Induction held in Lagos... recently

SystemSpecs Fulfils Promise to Winners of Essay Contest Financial Technology company, SystemSpecs has rewarded winners of the 2022 edition of its Children’s Day Essay contest at a well-attended and colourful ceremony that in Lagos.

The prizes were presented in the presence of parent, teachers, media and other stakeholders.

Prizes presented to the outstanding participants range from laptops, headphones, free 3-month uLesson coding courses, 480-gigabyte internet data for one year, branded travel suite cases, keepsake hoodies, thermal flasks and school bags, among many others.

For the senior category, Ekemini Keziah Effiong-Robert of The African Church Model College, Agege, Lagos; Chetachi Best Mbalu from Lagooz School, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos and 13-year-old David Nkereuwem of Holy Mary

Comprehensive College, Benin City, Edo state emerged overall winner, first and second runners-up respectively.

In the junior category, 11-year-old Oluwaseun Samuel Temitayo-Ojo of Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos; 10-year-old Somadina Edeh of Independence Layout School, Enugu and 12-year-old Emmanuel Nkanu Nkanu of St Anne High School, Calabar, Cross River HPHUJHG RYHUDOO ZLQQHU ÀUVW DQG VHFRQG runners-up respectively.

Others who made the top 15 Honour 5ROO LQ HDFK FDWHJRU\ ZHUH DOVR RͿHUHG consolatory prizes to encourage them to remain innovative.

In the same vein, schools that produced overall winner in both the senior and junior category were also presented 20 and 10

high-capacity laptops respectively.

Commenting, Group Head of Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, Oluwasegun Adesanya said the recognition was important to celebrate Nigerian young talents who are capable of transforming the world.

He said, “Not only have these young ones proffered solutions to some of Nigeria’s nagging challenges in the educational sector, but they also can champion the vision of a new and truly thriving country we all will be proud of.”

In her remark, the Principal of The African Church Model College, Ifako Agege, Lagos, Shade Oluyinka Erinle thanked the organisation for the gesture, adding that the computers presented to the school would aid in delivering quality education to students.

WOFA Raises $10 billion to address Infrastructure Deficit

$ QRQ SURÀW RUJDQLVDWLRQ World Forum for Africa (WOFA) has committed $10 billion to infrastructure development in Nigeria and other African countries.

In raising the fund, the organisation said it planned to rally stakeholders through innovative annual private sector led global summit, and a transnational initiative- Infrastructure as an Asset (IAAA) proprietary program.

It noted further that IAAA would be used to conceptualize and implement transformational infrastructural projects which are economically viable, ÀVFDOO\ DQG FRPPHUFLDOO\ such as Tacha, Tubaba, Simi Drey, and sustainable.

Made Kuti. They do not fade out but Speaking further, WOFA grow more fans as they become living co-convener, Abi Ahmed OHJHQGV DQG H[FHO DFURVV DOO ÀHOGV DQG Haruna restated that demographics. This is the reason we WOFA is single-mindedly carefully featured our brand ambassadors committed to infrastructure in the Television commercial to push the development in Africa. campaign message into the minds of our Defending the fund, consumers.”

Haruna said, “In 2016, the On his part, Marketing Manager of United Nations Conference Trophy Stout, Bamise Oyebami said, “We on Trade and Development do not just sell brands, we sell movements, estimated that between $1.6 these movements assist in building on trillion and $ 2.5 trillion is RXU FXOWXUDO KHULWDJH DQG D΀UP RXU ORYH required annually for the for who we are”. period 2015–2030 to bridge The brand also hinted of plans to storm WKH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH ÀQDQFLQJ Abuja and Lagos, in the coming weeks gap in developing countries. with its ‘Black Parties’ as an extension of “The African Developthe ‘No DNA Needed’ campaign. ment Bank estimates that

Trophy Extra Unveils New Campaign Leading Beer brand, Trophy Extra Special Stout has hit the market with a new thematic campaign dubbed, “No DNA Needed, Originally Black” The new campaign aimed to celebrate exceptional leadership and originality traits in Nigerians and Africans by extension.

According to the organisation, the campaign is built on the ideology ‘Originals’ and rides on the platform that, like Trophy Stout, there are born rulers in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, who walk their paths E\ FUHDWLQJ DQG LQQRYDWLQJ LQ WKHLU ÀHOGV and become leaders despite the hardship and challenges of a third-world country.

Marketing Director of International Breweries Plc, Tolulope Adedeji explained further that the campaign is directed at Nigerian inventors who are originals in

their sphere of business and pass on their leadership from one generation to the other.

She said, “People ask why we chose the theme ‘No DNA Needed, Originally Black’, we reckon that it is an inborn attribute of Africans to be natural leaders. Leadership is taken very seriously in Africa and this is taught to the child from birth to adulthood.

The typical Nigerian believes he or she is capable of anything they want to do.

They never have to prove their identity and do not need a DNA test to identify themselves anywhere they go. The growing need to ensure the black identity is not lost gave birth to this preposition and our new personality – the Modern Leader.

“These Modern rulers are top of their games, with followership that is legendary as visible in all our Brand Ambassadors

Africa needs $170 billion a year by 2025, with an estimated gap of around $100 billion to plug the JDSLQJ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH GHÀFLW across all major sectors in the continent and to meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This tenuous position of Africa is further heightened by the unprecedented double impact of the COVID 19 pandemic in the last two \HDUV DQG FXUUHQW FRQÁLFW in Ukraine.”

Haruna added that WOFA was committed to inspiring the build-out of transformational infrastructure projects across Africa, while spurring economic transformation.

“WOFA is essentially about helping to bridge the infrastructural gap across this great continent. It is determined to lead the continent’s infrastructure revolution through a Made in Africa initiative “When you look around the continent of Africa, challenges abound. But at WOFA, we are determined to turn the challenges into opportunities, place the continent on the path of rapid economic growth and spur the largest economic transformation in human history”, he said.

Firm Announces Shortlist for Event Entrepreneurs Urged to Harness Collaboration, Innovation World’s Best School Prizes Players in the event entrepreneurship industry have been advised to take advantage of collaboration to boost operations and enhance visibility.

This was the position of experts who gathered at the just concluded Eventecture Group’s annual Community Programme tagged ‘Eventually’ that held in Lagos.

The programme themed, “Structure, the Secret to Longevity in Entrepreneurship” featured in depth masterclasses by experts who offered insights based on their experience. They also shared personal stories of how they managed their respective business structures as well as tips on driving success in businesses.

Speaking at the programme, co-founder and executive director of the experiential design and marketing group, Toyin Olatunji-Daniel explained that the programme aimed to take sector operators away from their comfort zone and challenged them to be more productive.

“I carry a very heavy burden for event entrepreneurs because we work so hard. It is essential that we reap the reward of our labour. We seek to remind event entrepreneurs of who they are and that we can collaborate and win together.

Every serious business needs a structure and structure is expensive, so entrepreneurs must all start early.

The programme was attended by over 400 participants from within and outside the event industry including event planners, caterers, photographers, videographers, marketing executives and SME founders among others.

The Eventecture group founded by Akin and Toyin Olatunji-Daniel expanded its footprint last year with the launch of experiential events agency, Three 6 Zero Experiential, Atlantis by Eventecture, Custom Walls Ng in Nigeria, and on the international scene was Eventecture USA comprising Bullritos and Asset Connect.

Education development firm, T4 Education has commenced reviews of entries for the World’s Best School Prizes to determine winners.

The organisation announced Aba based school, Best Intellectuals Model School among the 10 shortlisted for a $250,000 star prize.

The World’s Best School Prizes is an initiative of T4 Education, in partnership with five other organisations including Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture and American Express.

Launched in 2022, the initiative aimed to celebrate institutions of learning which played a pivotal role in developing next generation of learners and contributed to society’s progress especially in the wake of COVID-19.

Speaking further on the initiative, Founder of T4 Education and the World’s Best School Prizes, Vikas Pota congratulated the shortlisted school, as he stressed that the initiative was birthed as a grassroot solution to help build needed systemic change in the education sector.

“With over 1.5 billion learners impacted by school and university closures, COVID has greatly exacerbated a global education crisis in which, even before the pandemic, the UN warned that progress was already too slow to achieve universal quality education by 2030.

“By telling the stories of inspirational schools that are transforming the lives of their students and making a real difference to their communities, schools can share their best practices and have their voices heard at the top table to help transform education. Educators all over the world will now be able to learn from the example of this outstanding Nigerian school.”

According to him, Best Intellectuals Model School was selected for its musical video that was produced to boost students morale during a period of turmoil that rocked Nigerian society.

The initiative recognised schools in five categories namely: community collaboration, environmental action, innovation, overcoming adversity, and supporting healthy lives.

SATURDAY JUNE 18, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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Saturday, June 18, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

PDP to APC “Who are the 43 million Nigerians the APC is banking on? Are they the ones that are hungry, whose lives have been cut short or whose children have been kidnapped?” –The opposition PDP chiding the ruling APC over its claims that it would win the 2023 general election with its 43 million registered members.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

My Journey in the Forests of A Thousand Daemons (2)

F

ellow Nigerians, as I was saying last week, my latest foray into the Presidential race on the platform of PDP was a monumental move for me. I was under no illusion that it was going to be easy but the journey of a thousand miles, according to a popular saying, begins with the first step.

And this was my second step, in a manner of speaking. Too many leaders in history have tried a countless number of times as well, for many decades too, before winning eventually or, in most cases, crashing out totally.

For me, this was a race like no other. For starters, Nigeria is Africa’s biggest country on account of population. Two, Nigeria is made up of numerous ethnic nationalities and a thousand tongues. Three, our country is divided along very deep religious lines, into mainly diverse Christians and Moslem sects. Four, most of our politicians don’t believe in how brilliant you or your policies are, but in how bulky your pockets are. Five, even many of the citizens who daily cry about wanting a positive change are the same people who swarm around the most negative candidates, just because they believe he is richer or different. It seems they do not care about why he is different and as such do not subject the person to the necessary strict and vigorous analysis demanded of the position that they seek to occupy.

Since it was politically expedient and obvious that I had to join either of the two mainstream political parties, namely APC or PDP, if I was to make any realistic progress in the realisation of my quest, I settled for the main opposition party PDP. I will try to avoid the controversy surrounding the existence of a third force which ironically many people believe is the Labour Party, simply because of the candidature of Peter Obi, whilst they studiously ignore APGA that has an already strong political presence in the South East, and indeed commands the membership of a serving Governor, Professor Charles Soludo.

Until Peter Obi joined the Labour Party, it was virtually sunk in the innermost recesses of Nigeria’s political wilderness and in fact had two factions fighting for its leadership. There is the unfortunate misconception that because of its nomenclature, it would automatically attract the attention and support of the major Nigerian labour unions, forgetting that these unions already have firm and unshakeable political dalliances with the two major Parties. It is true that the youths of Nigeria are presently being galvanised to obtain their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and thus turn themselves into a movement, but I do not believe that those restive youths are ready yet to seize the momentum and take over the decision-making process as to who will lead them into the next few decades.

I digressed. Enough said about third or fourth forces!

Having made up my mind that the PDP was the only suitable Party for me to actualise my mission and vision, my strategy was to quickly visit all the six geo-political regions, starting from my paternal home-base of Edo State to my maternal roots in Osun State, as a child of diversity. From Osun and Oyo, we moved to Enugu State before dashing off to Kaduna, Maiduguri, Kwara, Plateau, Kano and Sokoto. We visited many of the traditional rulers, old, erstwhile and new military and civilian strongmen, some warlords, religious leaders, media organisations, social media influencers, unionists, and others. I even dashed off to Cotonou, in Benin Republic, to visit Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Igboho Oosa, who was very impressed and elated that I could undertake such an arduous journey. I also reached out to

Wike the lawyers of Mazi Nnamdi Kadu, who has been in detention since last year, in order to be able to continue communicating with this firebrand irredentist and revanchist. We had already established a good rapport which I was going to utilise to bring security and peace to that region of Nigeria. I wasn’t going to wait till I become the President before acting as the President and Commander-in-Chief.

I was extremely active on social media platforms to the extent that many jocularly labelled me the social media President. Such people wondered why I was gallivanting about instead of reaching out to our party delegates who held all aspirants mercilessly by the jugular and would make or break the ambition and heart of even the most diehard or foolhardy contestant. However, I knew I couldn’t compete with the moneybags and could only use my media power to make myself very visible, promote my global accomplishments, display my readiness to reunite our country and people speedily and hopefully, by so doing, persuade and allow the delegates to vote their consciences, if they had any. My thinking was that physically meeting with the delegates would avail them the opportunity of making futile demands of me, given the environment that we presently are, and that this would create bad blood or ill will and would not serve my cause in any way.

How then did I expect to surmount the first hurdle of the nomination was the question that dogged my every step! That rhetorical question was not enough to discourage me. I held on steadfastly to my faith in God and still hold onto my faith till this day. I am fortunate in that I had many prayer warriors of different faiths voluntarily praying for me. I had donors reaching out to me, from self-confessed paupers to well-advertised Billionaires. God knows, I appreciated every one of them and every kobo I received, which was dutifully and transparently deployed towards this mission, in addition to my own personal funds. I believe I’m a truly blessed child of God. I must note that despite the enthusiasm of most people I hardly knew, about 80 percent of my friends showed no interest whatsoever, talk less of contributing or donating their widows’ mite in cash and kind, including media traction and space. Had I been in their shoes, I definitely would have done much better by at least fulfilling all righteousness, even if

by just offering kind words and prayers, and they know it. I was surprised that not even the hundreds of young mentees we had touched in the past decades could stand up boldly to acknowledge my humble contributions as a way of letting the world know and appreciate my antecedents and trajectory. Everyone knows how I’m always eternally grateful to my kindest benefactors, and I continue to do so especially in respect of the odyssey that I embarked upon.

God could not have come down from heaven to help except through the uncommon grace of some great men and women who know themselves and who I give a standing ovation and offer blessings to, today and forever. Anyway.

Let’s move forward.

Those who came to my rescue did so spectacularly and I promise to “retaliate” favourably whenever I’m opportune to do so.

No miracle could be bigger than the divine intervention by a family friend who surfaced at the right moment when I needed to pay for my nomination form and a few other bills. I’m that quintessential child of grace and miracle baby. I received support even across party lines.

In Maiduguri, I slept in the home of my very dear friend of over two decades, Alhaji Kashim Imam Ibrahim. He actually vacated his personal bedroom for me. He left, for our ultimate use, his cars, personal aides, and everything that gave me and my team maximum comfort and protection. I reunited with so many old friends. If I ever thought Ovation International was a beautiful magazine and profitable business, it has turned out to be much more than that. It is indeed one of the greatest unifiers in Africa, for me. It has given me access to people in every part of Nigeria and the world. If I knew or even suspected how influential I was, I certainly didn’t know how wide and massive that influence was. Everywhere we went, doors opened effortlessly. There is no longer any doubt that my network is my net worth. If I gained nothing from this latest Presidential bid, I gained this revalidation of my super-brand status and I’m truly humbled.

Now, you may wish to ask the most pertinent question, how come I got not a single vote in the PDP Presidential Primary? It is not a bad question to answer. My answer remains the same: I paid for nothing and so I got nothing in a gladiatorial contest where money reigned supreme. Shikena!

I knew way back it was going to be a gambling game of the deep pockets and, of course, I won’t be able to compete against the biggest players. I also knew, according to my simple research that neither the top two contenders, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Governor Nyesom Wike, would win automatically. It was obvious some powerful forces within the PDP were working feverishly and frenetically for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and would do anything to throw the rest of us under the train. This was the reason zoning was thrown out straight away and deep into the Atlantic Ocean too, so that some foolish person would not by errant mishap find it and return it to the Party’s consciousness!

I knew, since March 2022, that Governor Wike was definitely going to join the race at some point, but I knew very certainly that this other PDP big fish was going to suffer a devastating gang-up against his audacious attempt. I actually wrote a one-of-its-kind WhatsApp message to Governor Wike and copied two of our mutual friends, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN). In the mail, I told Governor Wike how he would be emasculated

and eventually humbled out of the race. I’m sure he must have thought I was joking or playing pranks. Till this day, I got no response.

Governor Wike is certainly the best Governor in Nigeria, in terms of infrastructure but his enemies knew his weaknesses and waited patiently to completely obliterate him and force him completely out of the race.

I believe our Party, especially the dollar drenched delegates, also overconcentrated all attention on career politicians. I guess all concerned knew where their bread would be buttered and jammed! The party paid no attention to those who could galvanise the younger voters, young men and women and those who could generate the necessary frenzy needed to win the general elections. Now that the candidates have been chosen, we are at the point of no return.

The Southern Governors were very hard nuts to crack. Only my home Governor in Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, was ready, able and willing to see me. Northern Governors were much more accessible, humble and approachable. I was not surprised when the Southern Governors were made to eat humble pie by their more politically astute Northern counterparts. Politics is a game of huge tact and compromise. It is not a game where you wear your heart on your sleeve. You do so at your peril. Lesson learnt and assimilated. I hope others have learnt this precious lesson too.

Now that our Party has already nominated two hard core politicians to be its Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate respectively, let me offer my sincere congratulations to the two gentlemen as well as my gracious humble advice.

One, they must immediately seek to form a shadow cabinet, as I have been advocating that the Party should do for a very long time. Invite young, brilliant, intelligent, self-accomplished and cosmopolitan leaders urgently to join the team and be in the vanguard of policy making.

It is obvious that the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is already way ahead in this respect because he is already surrounded by too many technocrats to pick this kind of team from. Two, offer ready opportunities to women.

Women are always reliable and dependable. They are also imaginative, diligent and resourceful.

Three, reach out massively to Nigerians in the diaspora and tap into their huge intellect, talent, capacities, networks and resources. Four, come up with simple and achievable manifesto which puts unity, security, infrastructure, economy and education at the forefront. Five, initiate immediate dialogue with labour unions, and ASUU in particular, and find a lasting solution to the incessant strikes, even without being in government. Our Lecturers are not a bunch of egotistic and unreasonable people as they are being made out to be. They are sensitive and sensible people who only want the best for our children and educational system, especially at tertiary level. This can be achieved and will be a major gain for us and our dear beloved country.

Let me warn that it is not going to be easy to dislodge a ruling party in power. APC will not go away easily like PDP did under President Goodluck Jonathan. There was good reason why that feat was achieved, and although APC appears to have surpassed the depths plumbed

by President Jonathan, it will still not be an easy task to remove the Party, particularly as it now has a formidable, developmental Presidential candidate in Bola Tinubu. Our leaders in PDP must climb down from their high horses if we must win the next set of elections in 2023.

May God help us...

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