SATURDAY 26TH JUNE 2021

Green Energy: Osinbajo Frets over Looming Fall in Funding for Gas Says Nigeria will continue frontline advocacy for a just transition to zero emissions Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is worried about the global clamour for green energy and the looming reduction in funding for gas and fossil fuel projects, especially in developing countries, by

international bodies and institutions.

As a result, he summoned a virtual meeting on the subject last Thursday, with other top federal government officials in attendance; including the

Ministers of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar; Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State, Environment, Sharon Ikeazor; Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba,

and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Bitrus Bako Nabasu.

At the virtual meeting, Osinbajo maintained his position that the funding for gas and fossil fuel projects in

Nigeria and other developing countries be sustained during the global transition to net-zero emissions and said Nigeria would continue its frontline advocacy for a just transition to zero-emission.

He also asserted that Nigeria would play a critical role with other gas exporting countries to stop the defunding of gas and fossil fuel projects in Continued on page 5

DSS Grills, Cautions Ahmad Gumi over Comments on Bandits, Security Agents… Page 5 Saturday 26 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9574

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President Approves Extra 6 Months for APC’s Caretaker Committee Says crisis-ridden party back to life Dates for congresses at all levels ratified Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has granted another six

months tenure extension to the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC).

The President gave the approval yesterday morning after a closed-door meeting with members of the

Committee at the State House, Abuja.

Sources said the Buni-led committee requested for another six months tenure

extension after doing 12 months, to enable them “put the party in very good shape and conduct a seamless elective National Convention.”

The Caretaker Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Buni presented a summary Continued on page 5

Buhari Projects Amina Mohammed as Next UN’s Secretary-General Global organisation’s deputy scribe marks 60th birthday in Abuja Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf wants her as 2nd female African President Olawale Ajimotokan and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday joined dignitaries and world leaders in Abuja to extol the virtues of Amina Mohammed, Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, on her 60th birthday, just as he projected her to take over the world's number one civil servant's position in six years.

Buhari presented his goodwill message at a symposium organised by the Centre for Public Research and Development to commemorate Amina's 60th birthday.

The President who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Agboola Ibrahim Gambari congratulated her for the feat she has attained on the global stage.

He said Amina’s recent reappointment was one of the testaments of her credentials.

Gambari said: "It’s not surprising therefore that after completing her first term as Deputy Secretary-General, the UN Secretary-General graciously reappointed her for a second term, the second African and the first to be done by a female African, of course, a Nigerian.

“On this note, I am optimistic that she will become the first female Secretary-General. Who knows, six years is not far from here.”

Similarly, former Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson called on Nigerian politicians to take a cue from Liberia to elect the first female president Continued on page 5

Maiduguri-Damaturu Road Shut as RRS Engages Boko Haram... Page38

FOR A SAFER KWARA STATE...

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, with the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Muhammed Bagega, during the inspection of one of the 20 operational vehicles and dozens of bulletproof vests presented to security agencies in the state by the state’s government at Government House, Ilorin…Thursday

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DSS Grills, Cautions Ahmad Gumi over Comments on Bandits, Security Agents Charles Ajunwa ÓØ ËÑÙÝ ËØÎ Kingsley Nwezeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The Kaduna State office of the Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday invited and questioned controversial cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over his recent allegations, during an interview on Arise Television that some security agents were aiding and benefiting from bandits ravaging communities in the North.

At the DSS office, sources close to Gumi said he was questioned on his statement during the interview, “and the cleric clarified his declaration, saying he did not accuse the entire military and other security agencies of aiding bandits but “the bad eggs in the security agencies.”

The sources said the cleric was subsequently cautioned on his utterances by the DSS detectives and allowed to go home.

Spokesman of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, confirmed the invitation of Gumi by the service, adding, “It may not be unconnected with his claim that security agencies were colluding with bandits in the spate of kidnapping for ransom afflicting the nation.”

Afunanya said further: “Gumi was invited as a person of interest. The service invited Sheikh Gumi. It is not out of place for it to invite any person of interest."

During the Arise TV interview last Wednesday, the cleric, who is known to have access to the bandits,

said: “These bandits, if you don’t know, are cooperating with a lot of bad elements in our security system. This is a business. So many people are involved, you’ll be so surprised.

“They were caught in Zamfara; they were caught everywhere, how do these big weapons cross our borders?

How can these big weapons cross our borders and get into the forest without the cooperation of some bad element of the security operatives assisting them? It’s not possible. If I give you the same amount of guns, can you take them to the UK? You can’t because the security is alert.”

The Nigerian Army kicked against the cleric’s claims and warned that it would not condone acts sabotaging its

efforts.

Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army’s spokesperson, said: “It is essential to remind ourselves that this same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yauri, from kidnappers.

“While the Nigerian Army will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel.”

Also, Gumi’s spokesman, Tukur Mamu, in an interview with the VOA yesterday, dismissed the allegation against Gumi, saying there was

But the Kaduna-based cleric yesterday evening debunked reports that he was either quizzed or invited for questioning by the DSS over his remarks on security agencies.

Speaking after presiding over a Jummat service at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna State, Sheikh Gumi

said all his interventions with bandits inside the forest were done in collaboration with the support of the government and security agencies, hence he did not commit any offence.

“Nobody Invited me for questioning or any arrest, I can say that categorically,” the Sheik said, adding, “since I ventured into the forest, I went there with full security, the police, with the knowledge of the DSS, traditional rulers and the Fulani leaders, I never went alone”.

He also insisted that he never made any disparaging remarks against the military during his recent live interview on national television.

According to him, there was nowhere in the TV interview that he categorically accused the entire military.

(EU), led by its Executive Vice President, Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, the VP reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the global green energy initiative, but called for a just transition to zero-emission.

At another meeting held in February with the British Member of Parliament and COP26 President-Designate, Mr. Alok Sharma, Osinbajo restated Nigeria’s support and commitment to the Climate Change agreement, but cited

the planned restrictions on financing of gas projects in African countries as a potential setback.

At the UN Dialogue on Food Systems, also in February, the Vice President stressed the need for the international community to consider, as an option, the use of gas and other more environmentally friendly fuel sources, as against what he termed “defunding gas projects” based on gas not being environmentally friendly enough.

genuine reconciliation on solid foundation, by giving all issues and every aggrieved member fair hearing and objectively placing party interests above individual interests.

"I am pleased to state that the party is now more peaceful, more accommodating, and more united with greater prospects than when we came on board," Akpanudoedehe quoted Buni as telling Buhari.

On the Anambra governorship election, the secretary stressed that the chairman notified the President that 14 aspirants

indicated interest to contest the election through purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, and that all of them had been cleared by the Screening Committee as eligible to contest.

He added: "Among other achievements in the CECPC’s administration of the party, the National Chairman informed the President that “the CECPC inherited liability of unpaid legal fee to the tune of N340 million, but successfully negotiated and brought down the fees to N179 million which is now fully paid."

during the visit of Amina to Government Secondary School Kabusa, Abuja, as part of activities to mark her 60th birthday.

The minister, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Malam Bashir Mai Borno, noted that the visit would further spur the students to realise their fullest potentials through hard work and determination.

“We are particularly delighted that you will be spending some time in our schools in Kabusa and interacting with the pupils and their teachers. This will gladden them and we thank you for this,” Bello said.

He disclosed that as part of efforts to ensure that children have access to quality education, as contained in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the FCTA had in the last three years, established 25 new secondary schools spread across the FCT in keeping with UNESCO’s recommendation that no child should walk more

than two kilometres to school.

He added that entrepreneurial and vocational educations were also being prioritised in the FCT with the intention that upon graduation, students would become self-employed.

The UN Deputy SecretaryGeneral, who was visibly touched by the reception the students accorded her, urged them to focus on their studies as “they can be whatever they wish to be with education on their side,” adding, “education is the foundation of any great nation… and the first building blocks of your lives is education.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board, Hon Yahaya Musa Mohammed congratulated Amina Mohammed on her reappointment as the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN and urged her to use her global position to impact positively on the Nigerian education system.

nowhere in the TV interview when the cleric categorically accused the entire military of aiding bandits.

The spokesman explained that what Gumi said was “what people have been saying and even the soldiers have been saying is that there could be some bad eggs among them.”

Gumi: I was Never Quizzed By DSS

GREEN ENERGY: OSINBAJO FRETS OVER LOOMING FALL IN FUNDING FOR GAS fuel projects in developing countries.

The Vice President noted that it was vital that the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries (GEC) join forces to prevent the defunding of gas and fossil fuel projects, especially from developing countries, by international bodies and institutions.

According to the VP, concrete steps should be taken by the GEC Forum to stop further plans by international bodies and Western countries

on defunding of gas/fossil fuel projects as it does not benefit developing countries especially.

He noted that it was vital Nigeria plays a significant role in achieving a consensus with the GEC Forum on these issues, even as the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) scheduled to hold later this year approaches.

In the same vein, the Vice President asked the Inter-ministerial committee

on Climate Change, led by the Federal Ministry of Environment, to finetune Nigeria’s position for COP26, while the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources would focus on strengthening the country’s strategy, particularly in its initiative to use gas as a transition fuel.

Both the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Minister of Foreign Affairs were directed to work together, to ensure the GEC Forum reaches a consensus

that reflects Nigeria’s advocacy on defunding of gas projects.

Before now, Osinbajo had, at different forums in the past months, raised the issue of financing of gas projects in developing countries, especially Nigeria, advocating a just transition and more effective engagements since the campaign for the net-zero emission by 2050 resumed.

In March this year, at a meeting with a delegation from the European Union

PRESIDENT APPROVES EXTRA 6 MONTHS FOR APC’S CARETAKER COMMITTEE of the Committee’s progress report to the President at the meeting.

The Chairman was accompanied to the meeting with the President by other members of the committee – Governor Isiaka Oyetola of Osun State, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, Ken Nnamani, Abubakar Yusuf, Akinyemi Olaide, Mrs. Stella Oketete, Dr. James Lulu, Chief David Lyon, Abba Ali, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Ismail Ahmed and the committee’s Secretary, John Akpanudoedehe.

Akpanudoedehe, in a statement after the meeting,

said the President approved the tenure extension after a detailed consideration of the progress report, the schedule of outstanding activities with regards to congresses, the National Convention and the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship election.

He said by virtue of the extension, the tenure of the caretaker committees at each level from wards, local governments, states and national, would end immediately elections were held at their respective levels with officers immediately take oath of office, terminating with the National Convention.

The secretary recalled that at its last meeting, the National Executive Committee (NEC) conferred on the Committee, the power of the National Convention, “which is in line with powers provided in Article 13.3 of the party's constitution.”

Akpanudoedehe stated: "President Buhari on Friday approved the review of the timelines available to the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

"The President also approved the timetable for APC Ward, Local Government and State Congresses. Ward

Congresses will hold 24th July, 2021 followed by Local Government Congresses on 14th August, 2021 and State Congresses on 18th September, 2021."

Akpanudoedehe noted that Buni informed the President that the Committee had during the period under review, led the party to contest in several elections and bye-elections, with an overall success rate of 95 per cent.

On the peace and reconciliation efforts, he said the Chairman informed the President that the committee commenced its assignment with the desire to foster

BUHARI PROJECTS AMINA MOHAMMED AS NEXT UN’S SECRETARY-GENERAL may just be there for another gender iniquity has continued El-Rufai: Amina, An 40 years. I doubt if I would to create.”

Inspiration to Young be there because I take too She said Kaduna State Daughters many risks and create many Governor, Nasir El-Rufai,

in the country and second in the African continent.

She made the call in her keynote address at the symposium in honour of Amina. She described her as a force of nature and consensus builder, who had over time beaten every odd to pride herself as a global brand.

She said Amina “is not only ripe for the plum job but also qualified, given her experience.”

Sirleaf-Johnson adds: “Would it not be good to have a second elected female African president in Nigeria.

The support by men would be a stepping stone because they must recognise the capabilities and contributions of women to sustain the government for the peace and security of the nation. Those of you our fathers, our brothers, our sons in this room; we are wives, we are sisters, we are daughters, you have all the rights, they look to you to give them votes to bring the change.”

At the symposium, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State described Amina as an inspiration to girls.

He said, "She is an inspiration not only to us but to all our young daughters who can now grow up confident that their role is not just relegated to being a housewife, they can be anything they want to be, from being a minister to being governor.

"You do not know how many female young girls you have inspired and whose lives you will change simply from your examples. The responsibilities that exist when a person gets educated, develop networks, and do things to pursue better humanity for all of us.

"We hope and wish you many more years. We hope to be here one day to celebrate your 100th birthday, there may be advances in medical sciences and obviously, she knows, she

problems. I don't think I would be allowed to last for so long."

He continued: "I said this because Amina may have origin in Gombe State but she spent most of her life not in Gombe State but Kaduna State to the extent that when she was nominated as ministerial nominee as cabinet minister

by President Buhari, there were petitions from people in Kaduna State accusing me of nominating my friend and sister as minister from our State, referring to the constitution that even though she was born and brought up in Kaduna State, they don't care what the constitution says, she has to be an indigene of Kaduna State, which she was not."

Sirleaf emphasised on the need to strengthen gender equality globally and allow women exercise their rights politically “to bridge the gaps

had set an example in his administration by giving women equal opportunity for political offices and appointments and such most be replicated both at state and national levels in Nigeria.

"I am elated by the example of the Governor of Kaduna State because in Liberia, we look up to women in leadership, leadership in all aspects. Would it not be good to have a second elected female African president in Nigeria?”

‘Amina Mohammed, Role Model for Young Nigerians’ In a related development, the FCT Minister, Malam Mohammed Musa Bello has described the UN Deputy Secretary-General as an inspiration and a role model to millions of young Nigerians.

He stated this yesterday

Continued on page 38

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;, 2021

ÏáÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ý×Ý ÙØÖã̚ ×ËÓÖ ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

Buhari Should be Open to Clamour for Restructuring, Say NEF, Ndigbo Adedayo Akinwale ÓØ ÌßÔË

The leaders of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be more open to the legitimate clamour of Nigerians

for more substantive changes in the structures of the country.

The two socio-political groups made the call in a communique issued yesterday and jointly signed by Amb. Yahaya Kwande on behalf of NEF and as the Co-Chairman and Prof. George

Nwaoboshi Defects to APC, Meets Buhari Deji Elumoye ÓØ ÌßÔË

The senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi, has defected to the All Progressives Congress, days after his suspension from the state’s Peoples Democratic Party.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday welcomed Nwaoboshi to the APC. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, announced the defection in a statement titled ‘President Buhari congratulates Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for decamping to APC’.

The statement read, ‘President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday

Come Clean on Cancelled Trip, PDP tells Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari postponed indefinitely his medical follow-up trip to the United Kingdom which was earlier scheduled for yesterday.

This is as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charged President Buhari to come clean on the real reason his scheduled medical trip to London was cancelled at the last minute.

Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had on Thursday disclosed that the President would yesterday proceed to London for “a scheduled medical follow-up.”

But Adesina in another statement titled, ‘President Buhari postpones London trip’, announced the postponemet.

The statement read, “The medical follow-up visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United Kingdom earlier scheduled for today, Friday, June 25, 2021, has been postponed.”

Adesina said a new date would be announced in due course.

The party’s position is amidst increasing international disapprovals to the escalated human right violations, constitutional breaches, clampdown on citizens, suppression of free speech and other excesses by the Buhari administration, for which there have been concerted demands for travel restrictions against officials of the Buhari Presidency.

The PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary,

The meeting which was held on Wednesday in Abuja discussed matters around the improvement of security of communities living all over the country and the matter of security and livelihood of Northerners in the South-east and Igbo people living in the North was discussed.

The meeting also deliberated

on the need to strengthen the unity of the country and steps which need to be taken to address disaffection with the nature of the federal system and the entrenchment of the values of justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians into our basic structures, processes and laws.

It added, “The meeting noted the damage of misperceptions, deliberate misinformation and the alienation of particularly young people from mainstream economic and political activities were feeding restiveness, fear and distances between Nigerian people.”

in Abuja welcomed Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi to the All Progressives Congress, after he left the Peoples Democratic Party, saying ‘you are welcome to the progressives family.’

“Sen. Nwaoboshi, representing Delta North District, Delta State, was presented to President Buhari and National Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee at the State House by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.

“The Deputy Senate President said Senator Nwaoboshi’s decision to join the APC clearly shows that the effort of the CECPC was yielding fruit. The Senator was warmly welcomed by party members.”

Buhari Postpones Medical Trip to London

Deji Elumoye ËØÎ Chuks Okocha ÓØ ÌßÔË

Obiozor, President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

It said, “The meeting noted the need to improve the capacities of security agencies to deal with threats to the country. It noted the need for President Buhari to be more open to the legitimate clamour of Nigerians for more substantive changes in the structures of our country.”

Kola Ologbondiyan, said that while the President was left to sort out whatever impediments or constraints that led to the sudden cancellation of his scheduled medical trip, the PDP urged him to use this period to have some introspection on the sorry situation in which his incompetent, divisive, vindictive and suppressive administration has pushed our nation into in the last six years.

According to the PDP, “Our party urges President Buhari to use this period to reflect on the suffering of millionsofNigerianswhodonothave accesstoforeignmedicaltreatment,but whoaredyingondailybasisbecause of his failure to pay attention to our healthcare system, which has become decrepit under his watch.

“In his consideration, Mr. President must also reflect on how he has wrecked our country’s once robust economy that was handed over to him in 2015 by the PDP, to the extent that Nigerians can no longer afford to feed because their purchasing power has become depressingly low while he (Mr. President) recedes further into the luxury and the safety of the Aso Rock Villa at the expense of the well-being of the ordinary citizens.”

The party said that it was indeed heartrending that President Buhari appeared to think of himself only even as Nigerians passed through these worst forms of hardship occasioned by his own misrule.

AMINA MOHAMMED@60...

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya; United Nations’ Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed; and former president of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, during a symposium to celebrate Amina’s 60th birthday in Abuja… yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

JAMB Releases 2021 UTME Results, to Review CCTV Footages Kuni Tyessi ÓØ ÌßÔË

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of candidates who sat in more than 720 CBT centres for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted between Saturday, 19th and Tuesday, 22 June 2021.

While withholding few of the results for further investigation, the Board added that it would review all the CCTV footages and other technical gadgets for

detection of possible examination misconducts.

Spokesperson of the Board, Dr. Fabian Benjamin who disclosed this yesterday in a statement, said candidates were advised to check their results by sending UTMERESULT to 55019 through the GSM number used to obtain profile code and UTME registration with the Board.

It added that result for subsequent days would be released daily.

The statement reads: “Each

concerned candidate is advised to check his/her result by sending UTMERESULT to 55019 through the GSM number used by to obtain profile code and UTME registration with the Board and their results would be relayed to them.

“The Board notes with satisfaction that the utilisation of National Identification Number has helped in curbing examination malpractices as the 2021 UTME has recorded the least incidence of irregularities

since the inception of the CBT examinations in Nigeria.

“Nevertheless, the Board would still review all the CCTV footages and other technical gadgets for detection of possible examination misconducts.

“Extremely comparatively few results are being withheld for further investigation.

“In addition, the Board would not hesitate to withdraw the results of any candidate subsequently found to have committed any form of examination misconduct.

Nigeria Seeks Intellectual Property Rights Waiver on COVID-19 Vaccine Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË

Nigeria has solicited the assistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to lobby for a waiver on global intellectual property rights so that developing countries could produce COVID-19 vaccines and effectively check the wave of the pandemic.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, stated this while welcoming the new ILO Country Director for Nigeria and English speaking West Africa, who is also the ILO liaison for ECOWAS, Miss Vanessa Phala in his office yesterday.

“Nigeria is in the league of countries who want the intellectual property rights as it relates

to COVID-19 vaccines be waived so that developing countries can manufacture them to fight the pandemic,” Ngige said.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Deputy Director Press and Public Relations, Charles Akpan, the minister also said that more assistance from the ILO would be needed by Nigeria in the area of job creation to enable it recover from the disruptions caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

Ngige who traced the history of Nigeria as a pioneer member state of the ILO, with country office opened in Lagos in 1956, also commended the ILO Africa regional team, especially the immediate past Country Director, Mr. Dennis Zulu for the efforts towards the emergence of Nigeria as a Regular Member

of the ILO Governing Board on June 11, 2021.

“We want to put on record the assistance and the working relationship we enjoyed with your predecessor, the Director General and the Regional Director for Africa. Their unceasing support all through the years was instrumental to the election of Nigeria into the Governing Board of the ILO. “It is quite heartwarming that after nearly seven years absence, we came back to the Governing Board as a titular in 2017 under my tenure. While serving as titular, they found us worthy to be the President of the Government Group of the ILO Governing Board between 2019- 2021.And now this year, barely fortnight ago, we were

voted in again, this time, to the highest membership of the Governing Board as a Regular.”

The minister also told the ILO team that Nigeria was adapting to the changing dynamics in the world of work, reason the country domesticated the ILO conventions and repealed some of the obsolete labour laws, currently undergoing review. He asked for the technical assistance towards legal finesse and early completion of the amendment.

“We have moved from retreat held in Lagos, where the tripartite partners participated and now, further working on the outcome of that retreat and harmonising in-house, before transmitting to the Federal Executive Council and finally, to the National Assembly.”

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NEWS Nigerian Scholars in Russia Protest Exclusion from Summer Practicals Festus Akanbi

PARTNERING FOR DEVELOPMENT . . .

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (right) with the General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), Hon. Chukwuemelie Agu (left), Chairman, Alpha Mead Group, Mr. Mutiu Summonu (2nd right) and the Chairman, Project Development of the company, Mr. Thomas Dada, when the governor inspected the Coal City View Satellite Estate project in Enugu, being constructed for civil servants by ESHDC in partnership with Alpha Mead Group, Marfas Group and AG Mortgage Bank, yesterday.

Plateau Group Raises the Alarm, Says Terrorists Camping Around to Attack Communities Seriki Adinoyi ÓØ ÙÝ

‘Ngwang Ishi O’Tarok (NIO), a socio-cultural group of Tarok communities in Plateau State, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by terrorists to attack, adding that the terrorists are already camping around their communities.

It has therefore called on government and security agents to protect its people against “merchants of violence and attacks.”

Addressing the press in Jos yesterday, President and Secretary of the group, David Dashe and Nangor Ndam respectively also called on the

state government to “urgently address the continuous targeting and profiling of Tarok.

Dashe recalled that between 2002 and 2013, Tarok was isolated as target of countless attacks, conspiracy and molestations by terrorists for unprovoked reasons which claimed the lives of people and property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

He said, ”We have continued to nurse the scars of that experience. Despite the situation we found ourselves, we have exercised restraint, minimised the tendency for retaliation and preached the benefit of peace-

ful co-existence. We have also participated in several peace building processes that are aimed at entrenching peace and deleting the memory of war.

“Over the last few years, the terrorist’s threats against our people have continued unabated in new phases, justifying the fear that we face a fragile future.

We have continued to read hate speeches and other forms of orchestrations against our people in the media, including online blogs.”

Dashe added that the plots against the Tarok people had been intensified in recent weeks as the terrorists were allegedly

perfecting plans to attack the people of Wase, Langtang North, Langtang South Local Government Areas occupied by Tarok people, and by extension the entire Southern Plateau.

“In recent weeks Tarok communities of Wase, Langtang North, Langtang South and indeed neighbouring communities have continued to witness unprecedented influx of war-like strangers in the communities. Areas where these strangers are camped are Aving, Jawando,Gwiwa-kogi-Pino, Timman,Tungaand zam-Bwarat of Wase Local Government Area.”

Forensic Firms Conduct Training for EFCC, FIRS, NASS Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Forensic firms, JJTC Consulting Ltd and the International Academy of Forensics in collaboration with International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (USA) organised a four-day intensive forensic biometrics practical training to acquaint government agencies and various group of professionals with the knowledge and the role of biometric forensics in criminal investigations.

A statement signed by Country Director, International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (IICFIP) -USA, Dr. Stacy Nwodo, said the training was designed to create the needed awareness through a structured hands-on practical training in crime scene investigation, forensic

serology, fingerprint science and questioned document examination.

It said over 50 participants comprising medical doctors, lawyers, academia, security personnel and students from Nile University attended the training.

Others include senior staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), staff of the National Assembly as well as others from several private organisations.

“The training comprised both theoretical and practical sessions to help participants apply whatever they learnt from the preliminary lecture.

The participants went through a pre-test and post-test assessment structure to evaluate their level of understanding in both

the lecture and practical sessions.

“Participants were also grouped into investigative teams to undergo well-structured simulated crime scene set-ups to collect various evidence for the diverse forensic investigation tests at the crime laboratory.

The evidence collected were biological (blood, urine, sweat, saliva, hair, etc), documents and fingerprints,” he said.

The training exercise also covered lectures on the various evidence collected at the various simulated crime scenes followed by the techniques used in forensic questioned document, the basis of fingerprint science and its application, as well as the collection, packaging and subsequent examination of biological evidence such as DNA. The JJTC Consulting Ltd

affirmed that the training ended on Sunday, the 20th of June 2021, with a closing ceremony and awards were presented to several participants who distinguished themselves throughout the training.

It said the best team in crime scene investigation, questioned documents, Serology/DNA and fingerprints also received recognition.

The programme was facilitated by seasoned experts in the field of forensic science and strategic/risk financial experts.

The JJTC Consulting Ltd/ IAF is geared towards providing certification in various fields of forensic studies by liaising with both locally and internationally accredited forensic institutions, to offer the needed solution in forensic investigation in the administration of Justice.

Police Go Tough on Armed Robbers, Miscreants, Form Special Squads Ayodeji Ake

The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to continually tackle crimes and criminality in the state, especially armed robbery, robbery in traffic, stealing from persons, ‘One Chance’ and cultism as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, injects new policing ideas and strategies into the security system

of Lagos State.

The Command had also confirmed arrest of suspected armed robbers with dangerous weapons in some areas in Lagos State.

According to the press release made available to THISDAY, the Commissioner of Police, recently established Information Communication Technologies,Tracking Unit at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba-Lagos,

to adopt scientific and forensic measures of unravelling crimes and criminality in Lagos State.

Stated in the release, the unit named D23, headed by a Computer Scientist, SP Kasumu Rilwan, has been instrumental to the landmark achievements and many feats recorded by the command under the watch of CP Odumosu, including the latest arrest of the prime suspect in the alleged murder of Mr. Michael Usifo Ataga, one Chidimma

Adaora Ojukwu on Wednesday.

Similarly, the Commissioner of Police recently created two Squads, the Special Squad and the Strike Team, at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja-Lagos, to complement the existing department and units of the command in combating crimes in the state. The new squads, as well, have played many roles in suppressing and keeping criminals and hoodlums at bay in Lagos State.

The Association of Nigerian Scholarship Students in Russia has protested discrimination against Nigerian students who are allegedly being denied the opportunity to benefit from the summer practicals in the second and third years of study in Russia.

Their protest also coincided with the report that some universities in Russia were yet to allow Nigerian students to access physical classes, unlike their Russian counterparts.

In a protest letter by the association of Nigerian students addressed to the National Coordinator, Soyuznik Alumni, Nigeria, the association explained that usually, summer practicals take place in the second and third years of study in most universities, when students work with a company to gain field skills and experience for a specified duration.

It however said, “We have

noticed that over the years, some scholars have been denied the opportunity to benefit from the programme.

“They are left to write theory instead of practical or are forced to make do with their universities’ research facilities which are most times limited.”

Some students also complained that while their Russian mates have been allowed to attend physical classes, Nigerian students in some schools are yet to be allowed access.

Those affected are students pursuing courses like Nuclear Physics, Medicine, and aircraft engineering.

The Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, however, told THISDAY he would investigate the complaints with the Nigerian Scholarship Board.

“We allowed online participation during COVID and have enabled their return.

“I will cross-reference this with the scholarship unit,” he said in a SMS chat.

Nasarawa Won’t Borrow to Pay Minimum Wage, Sule Tells Striking Workers Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, yesterday told striking workers in the state that the state government would not borrow to pay them the N30,000 minimum wage in order not to burden the state economy.

The Organised Labour in the state on June 15, 2021 began an indefinite strike over partial implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage and other welfare-related issues.

But the state government during a press conference at the end of an emergency expanded executive council meeting in the Government House, Lafia, maintained that government shall on no account borrow to pay salaries.

These were resolutions taken at the Emergency State Executive Council meeting as read

by Chairman of the Nasarawa State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Musa Dangana.

Dangana said: “In view of its negative impact, government shall on no account borrow to pay salaries, considering that doing so will further burden the state economy and the attendant consequences of mortgaging the future of the state.

“Accordingly, salaries for the month of June, 2021 shall be paid based on the attendance registers, therefore, willing workers are enjoined to resume duties immediately.

“Ministries, Departments and Agencies should submit valid attendance registers for the month of June, 2021 to the Office Head of Civil Service through their Permanent Secretaries or Chief Executive Officers.”

Dangana concluded that essential services, such as health and water supply shall be rendered to the citizenry and any form of interference shall be dealt-with appropriately by the government.

New FOREX Measures May Further Crash Naira, Onuesoke Warns CBN Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Chairman and Managing Director of DAS Energy Services, Udu in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has warned that the new foreign exchange measures introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would rather crash the Naira further instead of salvaging it.

Onuesoke, who spoke to journalists at Asaba International Airport, Asaba, Delta State yesterday while returning from a Lagos trip said the problem with the new exchange rate policy was that it was designed for the elites with government connections.

He maintained that the government does not truly have the foreign reserve, or the economic prudence to realistically defend the naira, so it’s half measures were making a

bad situation worse by creating two exchange rates.

According to him, “One is for highly placed Nigerians, government lackeys and the other for everyone else. The official rate is not backed by any known economic principles. It is simply arbitrarily chosen “This rate cannot be sustained and made accessible to everyone who needs foreign exchange.

Because of this, there is a flow over to the so called black market, where the rate is determined by market principles of demand and supply.”

The Businessman warned that the racketeers might hijack the CBN’s gesture and that it was not sustainable, just as he observed that those applying for Foreign Exchange for PTA might be doing so for the arbitrage.

SATURDAY JUNE 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 26,2021

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NEWS Health Professionals Carpet Senate over Provisions in Medical Council Bill

HONOURED FOR SERVICES …

L-R: HRM Oba Michael Ajibola Babalola, Onijale of Ijale land; Rtn. (Dcn.) Segun Adebowale; and President, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110, Dotun Lampejo, at the decoration and presentation of Paul Harris Fellow Certificate to Adebowale at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja…recently

Anambra Governorship: PDP to Go Ahead with Primary On June 26 Chuks Okocha in Abuja In view of the two judgments of the court served on the the Peoples Democratic Party and the National Working Committee (NWC), the party has discarded the use of the three-man ad-hoc delegates for the election of its governorship candidate in the November 6 election.

Rather, it has adopted an automatic delegate system for the election, which are members of the statutory delegates as approved by the PDP constitution.

It also dissolved all the executive committees of the party in Anambra State.

Meanwhile, the PDP has ap-

proved the appointment of the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom as the Chairman of the Anambra State PDP congress committee.

Other members of the committee are Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Rt. Hon. George Kaika, Hajiya Habiba, Muhammed Deen as members and the Deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu as Secretary.

In a statement yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said that acting “on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended) hereby dissolves all

the executives in our Anambra State chapter.

By implication, all the three-man delegates elected on June 9 and 17, 2021, will not participate in the June 26 congress to elect the governorship candidate of the PDP today.

However, Ologbondiyan said, “our processes towards electing a candidate for the purpose of the November 6, 2021 Anambra governorship election subsist.

“Our processes continue as we adopt a lawful process of allowing our eligible automatic delegates to carry out the responsibilities of electing our candidate for the governorship election,” the party explained .

Accordingly, the PDP said, “the governorship primary to elect our candidate for the Anambra governorship election holds as scheduled on Saturday, June 26, 2021.”

The PDP directed the South East Zonal Caretaker Committee of the party to oversee and manage the affairs of the activities of the Anambra State chapter of the party, pending when new executives will be elected for the state.

It further said, “All governorship aspirants on the platform of our party, leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and, supporters of our party as well as the people of Anambra State are guided accordingly.”

Rainoil Debunks Gas Leak Rumour , 2023: Abia APC Mobilises to Says no Cause for Alarm Wrest Power from PDP Contrary to reported gas Resources (DPR) was on

leak on Rainoil Limited facility in Ijegun, the company has debunked the rumour and assured residents of safety around the Ijegun-Egba community where its LPG depot is located.

In a press statement from the company, it explained that the speculation and rumours of a gas leak was unfounded, pointing out that a routine Àre safety drill to ensure the preparedness of staͿ in the event of an emergency was mistaken for leakage and containment on their facility.

The company stated that a representative from the Department of Petroleum

ground to witness the entire process, adding, “This routine Àre drill was apparently mistaken to be a result of gas leak in the facility.”

The company called on the community and other stakeholders to dispel the gas leakage rumours as the depot has since resumed operations following the Àre safety drill.

“We will continue to ensure that all safety measures are in place in all our operations. We are safety conscious and remain committed to the safety of our community and the environment,” the statement said.

Buhari Appoints Chairman, Executive Secretary for PPPRA President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of a Chairman, and an Executive Secretary for the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

According to a release issued on Friday by the Media Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina, theChairman is Mr Atuonwo A. Obinna, while the Executive

Secretary is Mr Abdulkadir Saidu, who is reappointed for another four years.

The appointment of Obinna as Chairman Governing Board for a four-year term is in accordance with Section 2 (1-3) and 3 (a) of the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (Establishment, ETC) Act 2003.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Abia State have begun to rally ‘quality people’ for the liberation of the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) come 2023.

The quest manifested at an expanded stakeholders meeting involving all the 184 wards in Abia held at the Umukabia Okpuala country home of Chief Ikechi Emenike, a chieftain of Abia APC. Chief Emenike in his address urged the stakeholders to recognise that the battle to liberate Abia from bad governance was still raving and good people must join forces to save Abia.

He said that any Abian that had the interest of the state at heart should not be pandering to sectional interests at the expense of the collective interest of Abia anchored on the yearnings for rapid development of the state.

“I don’t believe in blocs; I believe in Abia,” Chief Emenike said, adding, “We are going to accommodate those that believe in our agenda for the liberation and development of Abia State.”

The development economist stated that having seen their

beloved state stagnated for long, all well-meaning Abians should come together, identify and support the person with the capacity to lift the state from underdevelopment.

“We cannot be great as individuals if Abia is allowed to continue to wallow in this pitiable condition,” he said.

According to him, if all the quality people in Abia should come out and work with unity of purpose, the people holding the state down would be overwhelmed and forced to lose their vicious grip on God’s own state.

Former governorship aspirant of APC, Mr. Friday Nwosu, who brought his support groups to team up with Emenike’s structure, noted that “Emenike is the man to change Abia for good”.

“We want Emenike to come out and build Abia,” he said, adding that he has seen in Emenike “a man who can take the state to great level of development.”

Though Chief Emenike, who is the secretary of APC contact/ strategy committee, was noncommittal to the call to prepare for the 2023 governorship race, the party stakeholders echoed and reechoed the call.

The Senate has come under fire for approving some sections of the contentious Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Act Amendment Bill which includes the power to control Clinical Laboratory practice in the country on the council.

Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), the umbrella body of health workers in the country, Comrade Bio Josiah, who described as aberration, the Senate approval, including Section 40(1)b and (2)b of the bill which suggested that only Medical practitioners and Dentists could hold the title of Doctor.

He also decried interpretations of a provision in the bill which confirm that it was the MDCN that certifies ‘medically qualified’ persons in Nigeria, and describing it as an attempt to formally institutionalise the ‘unholy clauses in the University Teaching Hospital Act where the condition precedent to emerge the Chief Medical Director and Chairman - Medical Advisory Committee of these hospitals is

grounded in being Medically qualified’.

Mr. Josiah accused Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe of allegedly conniving with the Nigeria Medical Council (NMA) in spearheading the inclusion of offensive provisions into the MDCN Act Amendment Bill 2020. ‘’Dr. Oloriegbe did everything humanly possible to supplant and suppress the rights of stakeholders in health and beyond at Public Hearing (Third Hearing) through glaring unconstitutional acts especially through disenfranchising representatives of Associations and Unions. He introduced alien standards to Public Hearings by insisting individuals could not take positions contrary to the 1999 Constitution. All hell was let loose as people protested the high-handedness of Dr. Oloriegbe to the high heavens. ‘’Despite repeated assurances in high places, the Senate at its proceedings of Tuesday June 8, 2021 has gone ahead to approve the aberrations.

Evolance Technologies Enters African Market with Ndali App Tolulope Ibukunoluwa Evolance Technologies based in Houston, Texas in United States of America is set to make its entrance into the African market with the launch of Ndali, a healthy food delivery app. The platform is the first of its kind in the country dedicated to making healthy meals accessible to people on different healthy lifestyle journeys. The beta test will give people early access to test the app and provide a feedback on their experience According to the CEO of Evolance Technologies, Henry Uti, “The impact of the pandemic has resulted in people being more conscious of what they eat to boost their immunity. There is also a rise in the number of people dealing with different health conditions that require a change in their diet. And with

these diet changes comes the struggle to adjust to new cooking styles or find tasty healthy meals suited for their health goals.

The desire to bridge this gap inspired us to launch Ndali. The platform will enable customers to order curated meals prepared by professional chefs and are customized to their health needs within minutes.

“Ndali was borne out of the need to bridge the gap between the demand for well-cooked healthy meals and the professionals who provide these meals.

Our goal is to ease the burden of preparing or sourcing healthy meal options for everyday Nigerians on their journey to healthy living by connecting them to seasoned professionals.

“Since the pandemic, more people have adopted the idea of online food delivery through apps and social media. “

Party Faithful Calls for Unity in PDP Ahead of 2023 Bennett Oghifo A group of stakeholders in South-west Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the party to put its house in order ahead of 2023 election for it not to lose and be in opposition again after the polls.

The group’s Executive Director, Mr. Bukky Adeojo, who is also the Director General of an NGO-Face of Waziri-Nigeria made the statement in Lagos recently, stressing the need to cure the malignant virus of division and disharmony bedeviling the party ahead of another general election.

Adeojo advised that it was now time for PDP members all over Nigeria and in the diaspora to close ranks and do the needful, stating that it was important for the party’s chairmanship position remained in the Southern geopolitical zones of the country, especially the “South-west which had been denied for far too long.”

He, however, proposed that the zoning arrangements for the emergence of the presidential candidate should be rested now, adding that

what was really urgently required was for the party to churn out a Northern presidential candidate with pedigree and clout to salvage the country from the sorry state, the All Progressives Congress party has led it.

He reiterated that the party needed to field a candidate with the capability to ruthlessly tackle insecurity, unemployment, poverty and other worrisome conditions that plaque Nigeria and Nigerians.

He said, “I’m of the opinion that our great party PDP cannot afford to be in the opposition for another four years because of what is happening to the teeming populace of Nigeria.

“Nigerians are suffering, crying and wailing that they need another party, an alternative to what they are experiencing today.

“We need someone that will bring succour and joy to every home like we used to have it in 2015. For this to happen PDP has to put their house in order to occupy this position in 2023 and if we don’t get it right internally, resolving all crisis ailing us from within it may spell doom for our party.

SATURDAY JUNE 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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JUNE 26, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

ARTICULATED VEHICLES AND ROAD CARNAGE There is need to invest more in rail transportation, writes Tayo Ogunbiyi

F

ive people were officially confirmed dead as a result of the explosion that recently occurred from a fully loaded Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker, at Maryland, along Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way area of Lagos. The sad episode led to the destruction of several vehicles as well as properties running into billions of naira. Several others also experienced a diverse degree of burns, while others suffered different physical injuries.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred when the gas tanker, which was on top speed, suddenly slipped and exploded, thus leaving in its trail ball of fire that spread with the speed of lightning. Reports also had it that some motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled in different directions as the inferno gathered momentum, thereby creating intense pandemonium across the axis.

Watching the episode on the television was such a gory sight that will certainly make hearts of steel melt. The cost of the ill-fated incident is obviously enormous. Indeed, many are still counting their losses.

Unfortunately, as victims of the Maryland incident were still coming to terms with the reality of their pains, came the sad report that another articulated truck fell into the Oshodi BRT terminal due to mechanical failure. Fortunately, no casualty was recorded from the incident, as the state’s emergency responders swiftly responded.

In view of the needless agony and losses caused by the reckless actions of articulated vehicle drivers, the time has come for stakeholders to put up a common front against their menace.

Many pointless mishaps and carnages on our road are often caused by reckless driving. Articulated vehicles drivers, in particular, need to be more careful and professional in their operation. Across the country, they are mostly notorious for the sloppy manner they function.

Findings have shown that several carnages recorded on most roads in the country have been caused by their complicity.

A recent research indicated that out of about 358 transport accidents recorded in Nigeria between 2019 and 2020, 70 % involved articulated trucks and heavy duty vehicles. The survey further shows that about 32 per cent of truck drivers are below 30 years and probably immature and inexperienced to handle such psychologically demanding tasks.

Studies have equally confirmed that 62 per cent of trucks involved in serious road mishaps that resulted in monumental disasters were of poor quality which probably aided fire outbreaks whenever there was an accident. Study has also shown that about 54 per cent of fuel spilling that had led to fire outbreaks was as a result of negligence on the part of truck drivers.

For obvious reasons, Lagos will continue to attract articulated vehicles and trucks of all shades because of its prime socio-economic status. Lagos accounts for over 60% of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities; 70% of national maritime cargo freight, over 80% of international aviation traffic and over 50% of Nigeria’s energy consumption. The two seaports in Lagos account for 70 percent of the

A RECENT RESEARCH INDICATED THAT OUT OF ABOUT 358 TRANSPORT ACCIDENTS RECORDED IN NIGERIA BETWEEN 2019 AND 2020, 70 % INVOLVED ARTICULATED TRUCKS AND HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES

sea trade in the country.

With all these indicators, it would be difficult, for now, to banish articulated vehicles and trucks on Lagos roads. However, with the cooperation of major stakeholders in related sectors, the havoc being wreaked on lives and properties by articulated vehicles on residents of the state could be grossly reduced.

For instance, the continuous importation of locally consumed fuel in the country, arising from the inability of the federal government, over the years, to fix local refineries places a serious burden on the state. With more than 50 fuel depots in Lagos alone, at least over 3,000 trucks travel to the state on a daily basis with the intention of lifting petroleum products.

To redress the current trend, there is a need to encourage more investors to build new refineries, just as the Dangote Group is currently doing along the Lekki Free Trade Zone axis. Continuous importation of fuel, no doubt, will exacerbate the pressure on road infrastructure across the country. Various stakeholders in the oil sector need to ingeniously look into the petroleum distributive arrangement to evolve a more scientific and less cumbersome order of distribution.

Equally, we need to invest massively in the infrastructure development of the transportation sector. Investment in transportation infrastructure enhances private sector activities as it lowers operational cost; enhances productivity, job and wealth creation through exchange of goods and services. Infrastructure development in the sector is, therefore, critical to achieving human capital development and safety in the country.

One vital way through which this could be done is for us to de-emphasise road transportation and revitalize rail transport. If we had developed a viable rail mode of transportation, most of the road carnages that result in monumental loss of lives and properties could have been avoided.

The rail option is a cheaper, effective and less cumbersome alternative through which millions of liters of fuel and, indeed, people, goods and products could be effectively and effortlessly transported across the country. Hopefully, by the time the ongoing efforts by the federal government to revamp rail transportation fully sees the light of the day, things would improve considerably.

While commiserating with those who lost loved ones and valuables in the ill-fated episode, kudos should be given to operatives of the Nigerian Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA); Lagos State Fire Service; the state’s Ambulance Service; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Commission, among others who worked tirelessly and endlessly to coordinate rescue and emergency operation that mitigated the effects if the gory episode.

Ogunbiyi is Deputy Director (Public Affairs), Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

ODUMAKIN: A SAMURAI OF THE STRUGGLE Jimi Agbaje pays tribute to Odumakin, human rights activist and politician

“

Yinka could not have died now. That was not the plan. Yinka had only achieved one percent of what he planned to do. This was not our understanding….”

That was the outpouring of a completely shattered Joe, on receiving the news that her husband of over two decades was no more. That Joe and Yinka were of the opinion that only one percent of their plan for a better Nigeria had been achieved puts Yinka’s struggle in better perspective. It explains why he was always focused on what he considered important and why he refused to take a break. He never took credit for anything because, in his own thinking, a lot was still left to be done.

Since his demise, I have had an avalanche of commiserations from those who knew the relationship Yinka and I shared. My wife and I could not have sunk into greater grief than we are in now. He was always a phone call away.

What manner of man did God give us in Yinka, son of Odumakin? Unlike many mortals made of topsoil dust, Yinka appeared to have been fashioned in the depths of the earth from gold dust. He was such a dynamic person. Shakespeare said of Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar, “This was the noblest Roman of them all. All the rest of the conspirators acted out of jealousy of great Caesar. Only he acted from honesty and for the general good. His life was gentle, and the elements mixed so well in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, This was a man.’” Yes, Yinka was such a man.

Like the oracle “Oduifa” in his pedigree, Yinka had wisdom, knowledge, understanding and vision.

His analyses were outstanding. He had an uncanny grasp of Nigerian history and current affairs; about his native South-West, the Niger-Delta, the SouthEast, the Middle-Belt, and the twin wings of the core North. Odumakin’s network of connections was as formidable as his knowledge of all. Governors formed his retinue of friends. So were electoral officials and security agents. Ditto journalists. So were civil society aficionados. He befriended the drivers of his friends and the friends of his drivers.

He moved with the high and mighty but he was down to earth with them. If they messed up on principle and compromised on agreed goals,

Yinka wasted no time in telling them off. That was Odumakin for you.

Yinka “omo Akin”, fought like a blindfolded Samurai. He wielded his sword in all directions, cutting friends and foes alike with the truth. Yinka was all about the MESSAGE and cared very little about the messenger. He was ready to work with anyone, for as long as they were on the same page with the message. However, he would not think twice about stepping back if the message no longer aligned.

Heaven help the messenger if Yinka suspected betrayal of the cause. Any wonder, over the years, at his on and off relationships with President Buhari, former Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Afenifere Renewal Group and so many more.

Our paths crossed in 1998, just before the beginning of the fourth republic. Yinka had been a student union activist in his university days, rusticated for student union politics and reabsorbed on a court order. His reputation as a civil rights activist followed him after university during the pro-democracy struggle. He was an active member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

I, being involved in the pro-democracy struggle on other platforms knew of him. We however got to meet when some of us decided to be more involved in the socio-political organisation, Afenifere, credited for spearheading the founding of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). We then began working together organising the various Pan-Yoruba Congresses under the leadership of the late Senator Abraham Adesanya.

Afenifere at that time did not have a formal structure, neither did it have an official secretariat.

It took some effort to convince the elders in the organisation to agree to a formal structure. When they did, Yinka Odumakin became Administrative Secretary and later the Spokesperson of Afenifere. I became the National Treasurer as well as Secretary of the Political Committee of the Organisation. As members of the caucus we held meetings with the leadership every Monday, unless there were other engagements for the organisation. The Political Committee had as its Chairman, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, former senator and one-time governor

of Kwara State. This committee met every Tuesday and comprised a younger generation of committed members. They included Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Chief Supo Shonibare, Rt. Hon. Niyi Afuye, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, Kola Awodein SAN, Sola Lawal, Yinka Odumakin and myself. In addition to the Monday caucus and Tuesday political committee meetings we would meet on at least one or two other occasions in the course of the week. This was how Yinka and I bonded. This close relationship cemented even more when I decided to run for Governor of Lagos State in 2007 and made me comfortable enough to have him as Director General of the campaign.

I owe Yinka a debt of gratitude for the role he played during the course of the campaign. Many may not know how very close Yinka was to the then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Asiwaju has already published a tribute and I recommend it to all. Yinka deserves no less.

Having decided to run for office in 2007, I informed Asiwaju Tinubu of my intention. I felt it proper to ask the incumbent and leading party member if there was any serious objection to my aspiration. I was not asking for endorsement, only a level playing field to be provided for the party primaries. In his response, Asiwaju Tinubu assured me that one legacy he would want to leave is to hand over Lagos State to a successor that was the party’s choice and ultimately the choice of the people of Lagos State in free and fair elections. He made it clear that he had no anointed candidate and encouraged me to join others who had already thrown their hats into the ring.

Yinka also decided to approach his close ally to reconfirm the feedback I gave him. He got the same assurance Asiwaju had given me. We therefore started the rigorous work of campaigning in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Weeks before the primaries, Yinka then informed me that Asiwaju had walked back on his commitment to a level playing field for all aspirants. He had now decided on a preferred successor and asked other aspirants to step down. I had personally gone too far to withdraw and told Yinka I would understand his leaving my campaign because of his close relationship with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Yinka looked me straight in

the face and spoke for like 15 minutes. The summary of his statement was that he was his own person and nobody, however powerful, could change him from a course he believed in. He told me I was free to sack him but assured me that even if I did, he would not work with Asiwaju. I want to believe that was the first major fall out Yinka had with Asiwaju.

Yinka gave his ALL to that campaign and I never had any reason to doubt his commitment, loyalty and financial transparency.

Yinka went everywhere he felt could bring about a better Nigeria. The word passive was not in his dictionary. He co-founded Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) with Hon. Wale Oshun, Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Babafemi Ojudu, late Dipo Famakinwa, Tola Mobolurin, Alh. Lai Oyeduntan, Kunle Famoriyo and myself. He was also right beside Pastor Tunde Bakare in the Save Nigeria Group (SNG).

Save Nigeria Group (SNG) fought for the validation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who as Vice to President Umaru Yar’Adua, faced the existential threat of being sidelined by the cabal in the Aso Villa during the absence, incapacitation and eventual death of the then President. SNG came into the picture, organised protests and with other civil society organisations forced the hand of the National Assembly to declare the “Doctrine of Necessity.” This paved way for Jonathan to become Acting President and later be sworn in as President when President Yar’Adua died.

Yinka’s commitment to ‘the message’ played out when President Jonathan’s government increased the price of fuel from N67 to N87 on New Year’s day 2012. For Yinka it was the message that mattered, not the messenger involved. Jonathan had been a friend, now that His Excellency had stepped out of line with what he considered an anti-people policy, Yinka the Samurai wielded his sword.

It was yet another matter when Jonathan bought into the idea of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) and convened the 2014 National Conference to discuss the National Question. Since Yinka had always advocated for a national dialogue he had no reservations to being a part of the process and was a very vocal delegate.

Agbaje is a pharmacist and a politician

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JUNE 26, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Yet another explosion, and waste...

JAMB and the Plight of Literature Students

The Threat of Famine “Farming can prevent Famine” -Daniel Ighakpe recent newspaper report shows that 41 million persons are at risk of famine worldwide. Based on this report,“The World Food Programme (WFP), . . . warned that 41 million people in 43 countries “are teetering on the very edge of famine,” up from 27 million two years ago.” Conflicts, climate change, economic shocks, and soaring food prices have been identified as the main drivers of hunger. Currency depreciation in many countries has also been listed as a factor to the problem.

The WFP, an agency of the United Nations (UN) said 584,000 people were experiencing famine-like conditions in Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen. Nigeria and Burkina Faso are also mentioned to be of particular concern.

What can help with this threat of famine? David Beasley, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, emphasized the urgent need for financial support. He said that the price tag to reach those 41 million people who are literally knocking on famine’s door is about $6 billion. “We need funding and we need it now,” he said.

Apart from funding, there is also a need to revive and transform our agricultural and food systems to, among other things, deliver improved nutrition. All stakeholders need to redouble their efforts in order to boost food sufficiency and improve nutrition. It is not just about feeding people, it is also about providing the necessary nutrients for a healthy life.

Also, Nigeria is currently grappling with security challenges, especially in the North-East and Middle-Belt areas of the country. This has also affected agriculture/farming in such areas, as many people are being hindered from planting or harvesting crops. In some cases, armed bandits insist on payments before farmers are allowed to have access to farmlands during the planting season. They return during the harvest season and extort money from farmers before any access to the farmlands is granted. This has contributed to scarcity of food and a surge in the prices of certain food commodities. This situation is made even worse by a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in which northern states such as Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, have recorded new cases. Also, what began as localized clashes between farmers and herders over access to land, has degenerated into a major conflict and loss of lives across northern Nigeria. If all these security challenges are properly addressed, it can reduce the high risk of famine.

Climate change is another factor that contributes to famine. Climate change refers to the increase in temperatures of the atmosphere over a long period of time. How does climate change affect food supply?

Floods and drought brought on by climate change make it harder to produce food. Erratic rainfall patterns can also severely disrupt local food production. As a result, the price of food increases and access

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becomes more and more limited, putting many at higher risk of hunger.

The primary cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, which emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere - primarily carbon dioxide.

Unless climate change is reduced by substantial reductions of greenhouse gases, it will greatly increase hunger and famine, especially in the poorest parts of the world.

It is also important to note that agriculture/farming can help to prevent famine. Preventing further spread of acute food shortages must start with producing food where it is needed the most. Prevention of famine must begin in the rural areas where people coping with high levels of food insecurity live. The focus in such areas should be on growing food where it is needed the most, and keeping animals alive. This can help to stabilize and increase local food production, in order to prevent a breakout of famine.

In more isolated rural areas especially, the critical role of local and backyard food production in keeping families alive cannot be overemphasized. The importance of sustaining livestock can also not be overstated. Also, just one cup of milk a day can make the difference between life and death!

Additionally, it is important that both private and public schools at all levels establish viable school farms. School farms are not just spaces for growing food items. They are complete learning zones, which largely succeed in taking learning to new heights.

Daniel Ighakpe, FESTAC Town, Lagos

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ot many people may know how the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) caused the mass failure in the just concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Sadly, the board having set Literature-in-English questions from the 2021-2025 curriculum in the last year examination, reversed to the old curriculum that began in 2016 and expired in the year 2020.

A reasonable literature teacher must have been preparing his students using the new syllabus. Many students have been reading the nine texts and 12 poems apart from the normal literary appreciation so hard that they were put into shame and were confused by the official examination body —JAMB. It is sad.

What this means is that those that are hoping to study courses that require Lit-in-English in the university will spend another year or will be forced to study courses outside their choice. As a parent and Nigerian, I’m aware of the integrity of the Registrar of the Board, Prof Ishaq Oloyede. I have seen him on a viral video where he was questioning a teacher from Baptist School all in the spirit of ensuring justice on the part of the student and their parents. To save his name the issue of reversal to the old curriculum must be explained and justice must be done to these innocent teenagers, otherwise, we are setting a precedent for the generations to come.

Many of the students came out of their exams looking so forlorn and weak because they were not in any way expecting what JAMB gave them to write. I have seen where students boldly insulted their teachers for not preparing them for the exam. He did but the JAMB’s inconsistency failed him. This is unknown to the students, how can he explain? What this means is that learners may grow and study something they probably did not have an interest in. They won’t forgive and forget the teacher.

Similarly, the students who also wrote the Hausa Language fell victim to this ridiculous step taken by JAMB. The board should prioritise quality examination instead of trying to become a financial institution only.

Moreover, the board, while trying to save the already battered image, could reschedule a fresh literature exam and for other affected subjects.

Rauf Oyewole, a journalist, wrote from Bauchi

Hail To Emir Of Daura T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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

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lhaji Faruk Umar Faruk is the 60th Emir of Daura Emirate. We need to give honour to whom honour is due. The Emir of Daura has exhibited an exemplary character within his domain and outside, and has shown leadership worthy of emulation. He was born and brought up with humility, he has distinguished his reign by making peace to reign in Daura. Alh. Faruk Faruk has empowered jobless youths in his domain by providing the basic necessity of life for them; he made life easy for widows in Daura by paying their children’s school fees. He also provides security by giving them vigilance group to complement the effort of security agencies in Daura. Indeed, he supports the vigilance group by providing vehicles to enable them to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.

The emir is a detribalized Nigerian. He single-handedly sponsored many children to Quranic school because he belongs to the school of thought that says “if you train your child in the way of God he won’t depart from it”. He also sponsored hundreds of children to theological school because he doesn’t discriminate between Christians and Muslims. He has sponsored many youths whose parents cannot afford to pay their school fees.

Anjorin Adeolu Joseph, Abuja

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Odion and Sonia Ighalo

Still Fighting Dirty Former Super Eagles forward, Odion Jude Ighalo and his estranged wife, Sonia, intensify their matrimonial face-off, throwing caution to the wind. Ferdinand Ekechukwu reports

Congrats Ighalo on the arrival of your baby (Feb). I just dey receive court email now lmao.

We don many.

Ah Father Abraham. Still one legally married wife.

2baby mamas 5kids and some slay queens still dey fight to enter. Y’all dey ment.

Adesuwa baby, you are doing well Odion and Sonia

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he matrimonial squabble of footballer Odion Jude Ighalo and his wife Sonia seems to be playing out real. Many now wonder if there’s actually any room for both couple to put aside their differences and embrace their once admirable union/ home. In the eyes of quite a good number of their concerned fans and followers, Ighalo and Sonia are needlessly fighting dirty!

Recall that in January 2020, the ex-Super Eagles forward and his childhood sweetheart turned wife, Sonia, deleted their photos from their respective Instagram pages, furling speculations of their marriage crisis. Since then, both have not been seen together and have neither shared each other’s photos as they ceased celebrating their wedding anniversary. They even went as far as pulling off their wedding bands.

Following which Sonia reverted to her maiden name, “Adesuwa”, on social media.

Their face-off just of late reignited when Sonia subtly called out Ighalo, via her post, for allegedly welcoming two babies now from two different women and purportedly refusing to pay child support.

Taking a swipe at him in the process, while congratulating him on the birth of his baby from

another woman, Sonia however maintains her position as his legal wife. According to Sonia’s Instastories in pidgin and English, “Congrats Ighalo on the arrival of your baby (Feb) I just dey receive court email now lmao. We don many. Ah Father Abraham. Still one legally married wife. 2baby mamas 5kids and some slay queens still dey fight to enter. Y’all dey ment.

Adesuwa baby, you are doing well.”

Ighalo, who currently plies his trade with Al-Shabab of Saudi Arabia, circuitously responded to the message which claimed he already has another child with another woman. Obviously, Sonia attempted to shame him via Instagram when she made the post that another woman had just delivered a child for the former Manchester United striker. She also alleged that Ighalo, who is back in the country after the Saudi Pro League ended, refused to pay child support. Ighalo, in a post on his Instagram handle, replied: “You can never bring a good man down. Who God has blessed, no one can curse #itstoolatetofail.”

Moments after his reaction to the accusations, Sonia took again to her Instastories to respond thus: “He who lives by the sword dies by the sword. You can’t bring a good woman down.” Also in the picture, was Sonia’s light reaction to actress Lilian Esoro and

Ighalo’s sparks of romantic relationship. The Nollywood actress and the footballer ignited relationship rumour that stemmed from the posts they shared online following a tryst and the caption it came with.

Busybodies who had reposted it and wanted Sonia to see it tagged her.

However, Sonia having seen it, warned mischief makers to stop tagging her to certain photos. The latest gist is that the recently divorced actress was spotted at an exclusive restaurant where she shared a photo of herself with the caption; “Candid moments are the best! The boo gets me always!” Interestingly, Ighalo also shared a photo from the same restaurant on his IG page. “When God says it’s your time, no one can stop it #birthdayinabit,” he captioned the photo.

The post was also liked by Lilian Esoro who finalized her divorce from music business executive Ubi Franklin in February 2021. Even though they shared the photos two days apart, it is believed that the actress and the footballer were at the restaurant together with the setting quite identical.

Esoro and Ighalo’s relationship rumours first sparked in 2020. Esoro used to be married to Ubi Franklin who is now SA to the Governor of Cross River and they have a son.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;, 2021

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‘Bandits are Foreigners’ and Other Absurdities

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hose we have elected to protect us at the state and federal levels are persistently busy complaining and shifting blames instead of taking no-nonsense action to tame raging insecurity across Nigeria. People who took oaths to shield Nigerians persistently tell us that bandits, killer herders and kidnapper ravaging the country are foreigners as if our law says foreign criminals in Nigeria must not be tackled.

Even those sitting in Abuja are echoing this nonsense. Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State, in whose jurisdiction 135 Islamiya school pupils are still being held by bandits, has joined the prickly band chorusing ‘bandits are foreigners’. “Most of these bandits are from outside the country. They are hired to cause problems for us. It is not the habit of the true Fulani to indulge in this kind of act,” declared the Niger State Governor early this week.

What has being “a foreign criminal” got to do with getting a job done by destroying the murderers? Leaders with nothing to offer this country will always come up with mundane reasons for their failure. This position of SaniBello is depressing and a confirmation of his cluelessness. No wonder Niger State is bleeding profusely. 135 abducted students from Salihu Tanko Islamiya School in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state, have been languishing in the dungeons of their captors for four weeks.

Some of the kidnapped pupils are between ages four, and 13. They are vulnerable to sickness in the bush where they are being held. In fact, one of them has died and all we get from the Niger State governor is that “the kidnappers are foreigners.”

Sani-Bello’s beloved Niger State is on the long list of states ravaged by killings and abductions by bandits, yet, he goes about spewing rubbish. In this state, bandits control eight local governments and people pay them for security.

The likes of Shiroro, Munya, Rafi and Mariga local government areas have been surrendered to bandits. Sympathisers of the abducted Tegina pupils have paid N11 million to the abductors, yet, freedom is not in sight.

The headmaster of the Islamiya School, Abubakar Alhassan, laments: “I have witnessed the funeral prayer of one of the parents here very close to the school. She died because she had just one child who is our student. She was not around when the incident happened. When she came back they told her and within 30 minutes, she collapsed and died. That was the day before yesterday. A day after the incident, another parent died. She had two children. One was sent to the town while the one with her was kidnapped.

She died of a heart attack.”

Yes, we can’t heap all the blames on Governor Sani-Bello because he does not control the security agencies. However, if after collecting billions of

People who took oaths to shield Nigerians persistently tell us that bandits, killer herders and kidnapper ravaging the country are foreigners as if our law says foreign criminals in Nigeria must not be tackled. Even those sitting in Abuja are echoing this nonsense.

Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State, in whose jurisdiction 135 Islamiya school pupils are still being held by bandits, has joined the prickly band chorusing ‘bandits are foreigners’ Naira over six years as security vote, he still can’t come up with proactive actions to protect his people, then, this governor should at least stop disgorging garbage.

I also find depressing, the obstinate lies untiringly peddled by security agencies, as they struggle against bandits, Fulani militias and kidnappers. In the case of the abducted students of Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State, the Army reported nine days ago that the fleeing kidnappers ran into men of the Joint Taskforce of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North-West Zone, at a roadblock, and a firefight occurred. According to the Deputy Force Commander, Operation Hadarin Daji, Air Commodore Abubakar Abdulkadir, as a result of the duel, the bandits were forced to abandon five students and a teacher; but sadly, one of the students died in the crossfire.

So, there was a firefight and not a single bandit was killed or captured? The bandits abandoned only five of the students and crossed the road block with the others unhindered? How did they escape through the fortified road block, if indeed, there was a firefight? This story is outrageous.

The army reported further that the land troops tackled the bandits in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support, yet, they could not gun down a single bandit during the rescue mission. Commodore Abdulkadir’s men, who could not rescue the traumatised students, reported that they were able to recover 800 cattle from the bandits. What a country!

Also, midway into the case of the abducted 39 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State, the Army Spokesperson, Yerima Mohammed reported that five of the abducted students had been rescued by the military.

That was not the true story. The military was merely trying to take credit for a job not done.

The Kaduna State Government joined the Army to spread the falsehood by saying the Army “recovered” the five students. It was a charade.

One of the five freed students blew the whistle on the Army and the Kaduna State Government by revealing that the bandits released them voluntarily. Francis Paul, a 200 Level Student at the institution said: “One afternoon, they (the bandits) came and started selecting us…

I was very ill that day. So, they asked me to sit aside and they added some girls and put us on motorbikes. They dropped us at a village close to the main road and said we should walk towards the road and we did.” This is the true story. The next set of five students released followed this process. This school is situated near Nigeria’s foremost military institution, yet, bandits slipped in with ease and abducted dozens of students.

They also went out unopposed. How can this be explained?

Security agents should move out and rescue all abductees still with bandits instead of peddling falsehood. It is not good for the image of these security agencies. The biggest drawback to this war against bandits, kidnappers and Boko Haram is the endless lies by governments and security agencies at all levels.

Let’s talk about the Air Force’s farce. It’s almost three months that an Alpha light attack jet on a mission to support troops fighting the terrorists crashed in Borno State. After spending weeks struggling to locate the crash spot, the Nigerian Air Force is now mum on rescue update. Boko Haram’s claim that it shot the jet is looking real.

The failure of the military to locate the so-called true crash site reflects the level of decay in the military. Modern search and rescue is about technology, equipment and quality manpower.

This country lacks capacity for these and it’s unwilling to seek help from abroad.

The security glitches under the Buhari

Akeredolu’s Marijuana Mission

Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo is the frontrunner in the campaign for the legalisation of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) or Indian Hemp in Nigeria. He has been going about this campaign with so much passion. For Akeredolu, Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from this banned psychotropic drug, particularly in the area of medicine. The Ondo State governor also said cannabis could be a strong foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.

The governor said: “We must find a way to legalise the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. There is nothing wrong about it. We are only shooting ourselves in the foot. It is a foreign exchange earner for people outside the country. People want this. We ourselves, even our pharmacies want to develop it.”

Akeredolu has even travelled to Thailand to study the cultivation of Cannabis for pharmaceutical use. He disagrees with those who argue that decriminalizing Cannabis would lead to more Nigerians being sucked into drug abuse: “Every country has drug problem. We have it here; it is not as pronounced here as in other places. When we talk about cultivation, we are saying a monitored one, in which NDLEA will have an office near the farms.”

Akeredolu has an ally in the House of Representatives, in the person of Miriam Onuoha. She is pushing a bill for the validation of cultivation and trading in cannabis for medical and cosmetic use, research purposes as well as revenue generation for Nigeria. This is the Cannabis Control Bill 2020, which has passed second reading.

For me, Akeredolu’s campaign is all balderdash. Nigeria does not need to legalise Marijuana growing for any reason. The destructive Marijuana

is already a big problem in this country, with millions of people hooked onto it. Marijuana is largely the motivator for all sorts of crimes in Nigeria. The relationship between Marijuana abuse and crime is a fact. The present figure of 10.6 million Nigerians abusing Cannabis is already frightening. Marijuana is a psychotropic drug that goes straight into the brain and destroys it. Many of our youths are languishing in mental homes because of Cannabis. This drug has destroyed many homes and families. Now, somebody is talking about permitting it. It’s impossible to differentiate Cannabis cultivated for medicinal use and those for “smoking.”

Akeredolu is not talking about generating forex from the good old cocoa, coffee, palm oil and other export produce his state was known for during the Western Region era. He is dreaming about earning forex from Cannabis. If there is so much forex in Cannabis, then, Thailand that legally grows and exports it for medicinal purpose will be a prosperous country today.

But Thailand remains a third world country.

I urge lawmakers in the National Assembly to throw out the prickly bill seeking to decriminalize Marijuana. It is simply aiming to reverse the little progress so far recorded in the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.

government are frightening, ceaseless and consuming too many innocent lives. How can this government explain the Jangebe, Kankara, Kagara, Greenfield University, Afaka, Tegina, Yauri and other abductions carried out with so much ease? Culprits are hardly arrested to account for their crimes. It is outlandish that kidnappers communicate with families of victims via GSM for months and regularly pick ransom undetected.

How can one explain hundreds of AK47-wielding Fulani militias in the forests of Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger and Kaduna states? As usual, Buhari openly orders arrest of these criminals but it hardly happens. The political leaders in Abuja controlling the security agencies often display startling ineptitude.

The security and welfare of our gallant soldiers have also been bungled. So, how will they secure the country? They are ill- equipped and ill-motivated.

Images of soldiers of an unidentified battalion staging a protest over their posting to a location in the Theatre of Operation, due to poor working condition, remain fresh.

I concur with the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who argued that President Buhari should be impeached if he’s incapable of solving this country’s insecurity.

Baba-Ahmed remarked: “This nation cannot wait two more years for President Buhari to address the issues of insecurity. Those who have constitutional responsibility must realise that the country is in a dire state, and do something other than just talking and making promises.”

Unfortunately, majority of our federal lawmakers are there to serve the President instead of Nigerians. So, the issue of impeaching a maladroit President becomes a mirage.

Candid Epistle of Gbajabiamila to APC

Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, spoke wisely at the recent Progressives Youth Conference of the APC in Abuja. At least for once, a key member of the party pointed out that it had not been committed to its manifesto at all levels of government. He also reminded party members holding political positions that they “will answer” for what they did with their time in government.

Gbajabiamila remarked: “As is the case with all other contractual documents, the commitments contained in the party’s manifesto are the basis upon which the party’s record in government will be measured and its leaders will be assessed both in real-time and in the judgment of history. If the manifesto of the party is merely a compendium of promises put together for electoral purposes without any consideration of the personnel/ resources required for achieving them, then it is unlikely to succeed.”

APC’s manifesto has long been abandoned by its political office holders at the state and federal levels. President Buhari dumped it few weeks into his Presidency. Buhari reneged on the party’s promise to pay N5000 monthly stipend to jobless Nigerians and nothing happened. When he was challenged for not implementing the promised N5000 monthly stipend, he said it was the party that made the promises and not him. Buhari is also unaware that restructuring is contained in his party’s manifesto. It can only happen in Nigeria.

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SATURDAY JUNE 26, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 26, 2021

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SHOWBIZFLAIR

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

L-R: Blessing Jessica Obasi, Lizzy Jay, and Rachael Oniga on set of the movie

Anthill Studios Back with ‘Progressive Tailors Club’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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new Anthill Studios production titled ‘Progressive Tailors Club’ has presented its cast for the upcoming satire which parodies community politics. The new comedy drama which o΀cially commenced principal photography recently will be the Àrst Anthill Studios’ movie with a

female director, Biodun Stephen. According to the executive producer Niyi Akinmolayan via an Instgram post, “Anthill Studios is back with another delicious movie in production.”

The post further reads “This is very special because it will be directed by the legendary @biodunstephen (Breaded Life, Joba, Perfect Picture) and will be produced by the amazing @victoria_akujobi (prophetess, DOD, Elevatorbaby).” Biodun Stephen was the director of “Breaded Life,”

“Joba,” and “Perfect Picture”. Ever since her debut hit, The Visit, Stephen has consistently shown she is one of the most charming screenwriters in Nollywood.

She is credited with relatable, engaging stories with themes of love, abuse, grief, faith and comedy. For the new Anthill project, she will be working with Victoria Akujobi who will serve as the producer. Akujobi has also worked on several movies such as “Prophetess”, “DOD”, and “Eleva-

tor Baby”. Alongside production updates, the studio recently unveiled some of its cast including veteran actors Rachael Oniga and Jaiye Kuti.

Other thespians on the bill include Adedimeji Lateef, Bolaji Ogunmola, Uzor Arukwe and Blessing Jessica Obasi. Progressive Tailors Club” is a beautiful and engaging satire about community, politics and accountability. More updates on the movie and release date will be known in the coming weeks.

‘Devil in Agbada’ Comes to the Cinemas Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Upcoming Nollywood drama, ‘Devil in Agbada’ will open in cinemas from July 2, 2021.

The ChinneyLove Eze features BBNaija reality star Erica Nlewedim, Linda Osifo and Efe Irele as its lead cast. Devil in Agbada also stars Uche Jombo, Desmond Elliot, Uzor Arukwe, Soso Sobrekan and Nosa Rex in supporting roles.

The movie caused quite buzz in March with its stunning poster featuring its leading ladies.

Recall star actress, Uche Jombo released a teaser for the new movie back in May. DistributedbyFilmOne,thenewactiondrama, follows three young strangers teaming up to bring down a very ruthless politician in a mission that involves inÀltrating his heavily guarded and impenetrable mansion. In an earlier post shared by all three lead cast and the producer via their Instagram handles goes with the following caption: “Something exciting is coming to a cinema near you this 2021 courtesy Chinneylove Eze Productions!

“Synopsis: Three young strangers team up to bring down a very ruthless politician in a mission that involves inÀltrating his heavily guarded and impenetrable mansion. Meet the three leading women in Devil in Agbada – @ ericanlewedim @efeirele and @lindaosifo who will be taking you on this roller coaster journey that will leave you screaming, giggling and clamping your feet’s all at the same time! . . .”

This movie is produced by @chinneyloveofÀcial who also brought you ‘Hire a man’ and ‘Hire a woman’”. For one of the lead cast Erica, this will be her Àrst feature after the Big Brother Naija show. But not her Àrst time working with the producer, ChinneyLove. She had featured in ‘Hire A Woman’ by Chinneylove Eze.

Erica Nlewedim

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;˜ ͰͮͰͯ

PEOPLE

Kolade Folarin

I Get Inspiration from My African Roots

ÙÖËÎÏ ÙÖËÜÓØ ÜßØÝ ÞÒÏ ÙØÎÙØ̋ÌËÝÏÎ ÐËÝÒÓÙØ ÍÙ×ÚËØ㘠ËØ ÙÖË ÜËØÎ Ó×ÓÞÏβ ÙÖËÜÓؘ ËØ ÓØÞÏÜØËÞÓÙØËÖ ÐËÝÒÓÙØ ÎÏÝÓÑØÏÜ ËØÎ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ËÎ×ÓØÓÝÞÜËÞÙÜ ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÎÏÝÍÏØÞ˜ ÓÝ Ë ÑÜËÎßËÞÏ ÙÐ ÓÖ ËØÎ ËÝ ËØËÑÏ×ÏØÞ ÐÜÙ× ÞÒÏ ÙàÏØÞÜã ØÓàÏÜÝÓÞ㘠ÙØÎÙؘ ØÓÞÏÎ ÓØÑÎÙײ Ï ÍÜÏËÞÏÝ ÍÙÝ×ÙÚÙÖÓÞËØ ÜÏËÎã̋ÞÙ̋áÏËÜ ÐÜÓÍËØ ËʵÓÜÏݘ ËÝ áÏÖÖ ËÝ ÍÙØÞÏ×ÚÙÜËÜã ÎÏÝÓÑØݘ áÓÞÒ ÒÓÝ ÌÜËØÎ˪Ý ÝÓÑØËÞßÜÏ ÞÙßÍÒÏݘ ÎÜËáÓØÑ ÓØÝÚÓÜËÞÓÙØ ÐÜÙ× ÕÙØ˛ ÙÖËÜÓØ ÝÒËÜÏÝ ÒÓÝ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍÏ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏ áÙÜÖÎ ËØÎ ÌÜËØÎ˪Ý ßØÓÛßÏØÏÝݲ Ï ËÖÝÙ ÞËÖÕÝ ËÌÙßÞ ÒÏ ËØ ÙÖË ÜËØÎ ËÝÒÓÙØ àÏØÞ ÒÏÖÎ ÓØ ËÑÙÝ ÜÏÍÏØÞÖã ÓØ ÞÒÓÝ ÓØÞÏÜàÓÏá áÓÞÒ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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hat was it like growing up in Nigeria before relocating abroad?

Life was good. I really enjoyed my childhood in Nigeria. I was born in my native town of Owo, in Ondo state. I spent part of my childhood in Ibadan and Lagos, before relocating to United Kingdom as an adult. My dad was a businessman, dealing in importation of cars and I used to assist him in his business. As a young boy, I was good in fixing faulty things in the house, and I made myself useful in fixing some of the faults in the imported cars, before my dad would sell them to buyers. My parents were disciplinarians, and both of them were into business. I learnt the rudiments of business from them.

Why did you go into fashion business?

Fashion is a way of life. I felt the African fashion is so unique and has to be promoted in the Western world. In summer, our African dresses are admired by all and sundry, but the market for it is still developing at a slow pace, due to a lot of issues. The way the foreigners admire quality African designs shows it will be widely accepted all over the world, if huge investment is made in it. I realized there is so much potential in massively producing the African wears and I decided to develop a brand that will stand the test of time.

How have you being sustaining the brand?

From the world go, I had my mind set on capturing a wide market and not limiting demand to the United Kingdom. The concept I developed is online ordering of our wears through our website, from different parts of the world, and over time, we have perfected a seamless way of delivering orders in affordable prices, promptly. We get orders from different parts of Europe, United States of America and Africa. Our designs are for both sexes and done with optimal quality in mind. We produce both the cultural and urban wears. We also specialize in clothing trendy and fashionable people who love street style. We use reputable courier services to deliver our orders within 5 to 15 working days, in any part of the world. We also have a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

What differentiates your brand from others in the competitive fashion industry?

The BanKola brand’s uniqueness is in its creation of ready-to-wear contemporary urban and cultural designs, at affordable prices. Through branding, our designs are distinctive and easily recognizable. The fact that we design tastefully-made cultural wears in the United Kingdom also stands us out. Our trendy wears are very fashionable. We give people quality at minimal cost.

As the creative director of your brand, what inspires you?

I get inspiration from my African roots, as well as from where I am currently based. I love to create wears that make people feel exquisite. The fact that many of our clients also find what we produce exciting and satisfactory inspires me. I feel highly exhilarated seeing people wearing our African clothing.

Do you have a forerunner who inspires you in the business?

Akon is one individual I respect a lot in view of the success he has recorded with his fashion brand.

He launched his clothing line in 2007 and since then, he has never looked back. I admire his tenacity.

He is putting Africa on the map as far as fashion is concerned and I hope to replicate that soon.

Why did you decide to organize The BanKola Brand Fashion Event in Lagos?

The idea was conceived to find the Face of BanKola

for the year 2021. We decided to search for the winner in Nigeria and organize the event in Lagos to showcase the Nigerian culture. We needed to put in a lot of logistics to ensure success.

Did you face any challenge in organising the event?

We were planning the event when COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic throughout the world. This caused a lot of disruptions in our plans. Events were banned from taking place in Lagos due to health hazards. Because we did not know when the ban would be lifted, we had to keep things on hold for a while. This had adverse effect on the planned budget.

When we finally got an approval from the Lagos State government, with the understanding that we would observe all the COVID-19 protocols, I heaved a sigh of relief. The event was held at Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lekki, Lagos. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, (NCDC), and the Lagos State Safety Commission, (LSSC), were very supportive.

We collaborated with event managers like Allevents, DopeBoy Entertainment, and Brendance and Crusaders Limited. We had over 20 professional models from Nigeria and the Diaspora on the stage, wearing various cultural and urban wears created by us. Over 700 guests were in attendance. It was made colorful with the presence of DJ Xclusive, Denrele Edun, Brymo, Acapella, MC Smart and Kulh. They engaged the audience in their own ways. For the search for the Face of BanKola 2021, we had a total of 1,400 registered contestants. The grand prize of a brand new car and an ambassadorship deal for the year 2021; N300,000 and N100,000 cash prizes were given to the first, second and third prize winners respectively. We overcame the challenges because we were focused on achieving success, in spite of the prevailing situation.

As an African involved in fashion business, what do you think should be done to improve the African fashion industry?

Africa has approximately 1.4 billion populations.

This is huge. The bulk of this population is favourably disposed to wearing home grown clothes, though these people have low purchasing power and this invariably limits their demands. The African design could be less expensive, if mass production is used in a more structured industry. The African designer places a value on his garment-which could be considered high by the populace-because he does not mass produce and has limited reach. The production chain needs to be developed to optimal level to reduce cost and encourage affordability. China is the second largest apparel market in the world, valued at over $1.7 billion, because the country mass produces garments. Many international brands produce their garments in China for the fact that the labour is cheap. This enables the brands to sell at competitive prices in different parts of the world, most especially, in the Western world.

The retail prices of some garments sold in Europe and America would triple if they were to be produced there, due to minimum wage issue.

As an entrepreneur, how do you give back to the society?

I am involved in charity works that focus primarily on poverty alleviation and health concerns. These organizations empower vulnerable communities in Nigeria and the UK. What are your plans for the future?

The Face of BanKola competition is planned as an annual event. Having done this year’s edition more will come. We are also going to establish a fashion, art and dance school to help develop our culture in Africa and the UK. My optimum goal on the brand is to give the masses in different parts of the world, affordable casual and cultural wears, tastefully done with unique materials. We plan to have the brand growing at a steady pace. We are also going to have a chain of BanKola fashion stores in Nigeria.

Folarin

19

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

POLITY

Broadcast Piracy: Encouraging Signs of Africa’s Rejection Edamisan Job

A

knockout punch it may not be, but the 8 June judgment of the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High qualifies as major blow on broadcast signal piracy and other strains of intellectual property theft in Nigeria.

For long, broadcast signal pirates, with no little chutzpah, have run rings around content creators and rights holders. But on 8 June, they had the stuffing knocked out of them when the Federal High Court delivered judgment that will have significant impact on intellectual property rights in the country.

The judgment, in my view, represents a chance to loosen the chokehold of piracy on the content economy, thereby engendering a healthier creative ecosystem as obtainable in progressive societies around the world.

The judgment was in a suit was filed last year by cable television operator, Metro Digital Limited, against MultiChoice Nigeria.

Joined as co-respondents were the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Minister of Information. Metro Digital, which was pirating the signal of MultiChoice, in addition to the content of football authorities, LaLiga and UEFA, via a Belorussian satellite company and redistributing same to its subscribers in Nigeria, had aroused the interest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which raided its office along with those of members of theAssociation of Cable Operators of Nigeria (ACON) involved in rebroadcasting MultiChoice content without authorisation.

With their operations disrupted by raid, which led to seizure of equipment used in the illegal activity, Metro Digital Limited approached the Federal High Court (Port Harcourt) seeking a bouquet of reliefs.

Prior to its litigation, Metro Digital had written to MultiChoice, asking that it be authorised to retail some of its channels and programmes to its subscribers, a request that was rejected. The rejection was based on the fact that the channels and programmes for which Metro Digital sought sub-licensing rights are not owned

by MultiChoice and that granting such a request will be in violation of agreements with the owners of those properties.

From the foregoing, it should have been obvious that MultiChoice itself is a sub-licensee. But while the case was still in court, Metro Digital and otherACON members continued to redistribute MultiChoice’s content for which they charged between N3, 000 and N5, 000 monthly.

In court, Metro Digital hung its case on the belief that the 6th National Broadcasting Code issued by the NBC last year entitles

Lai Mohammed

it to rebroadcast content on MultiChoice platforms, as it prohibits content exclusivity in the country and empowers the regulator not just to compel broadcasters to share exclusive content with competitors, but also determine prices payable.

But in its ruling the Federal High Court dismissed Metro Digital’s case, stating that the cable television operator had failed to contradict MultiChoice’s claim of lack of ownership rights/sublicensing rights to the content sought. The court refused to grant the reliefs sought

by Metro Digital and dismissed the matter in favour of MCN and NBC, with the latter adjudged as lacking in powers to compel sub-licensing.

The court also held that the Minister of Information, whose ministry supervises the NBC, was not a necessary party to the proceedings and struck off the minister as a party to the proceedings.

It was not the first time that Metro Digital had sought to illegally feed off other operators. In 2007, the National Copyright Commission (NCC) raided the office of the cable television operator, which responded with a lawsuit in which it demanded $200,000 as compensation for alleged human right breach. The raid was at the instance of the defunct HiTv, which complained to the commission that its signal to the matches of the English Premier League meant for the Middle East (HiTv held the rights in Nigeria at the time) were

illegally down-linked via Showtime smart cards purchased in the Middle East and re-transmitted to subscribers in Port Harcourt, Onitsha andAsaba by Metro Digital.

In 2010, Communication Trends Limited (CTL), a member of ACON, had its licence suspended for pirating HiTv signal. In 2018, the NCC cautioned two Kaduna-based cable television operators,ABG and QTV, that they risked suspension for unlicensed broadcasting. News reports quotedAugustineAmodu, NCC’s Enforcement Director in Kaduna, as saying that the warning was issued after the commission received letters from international broadcasters such asAljazeera, BeiN and Canal Plus that their content was being redistributed illegally.

“The only people with the exclusive license to broadcast English Premier League, UEFAChampions League, LaLiga among others is MultiChoice Nigeria. So, we are here to issue a very stern warning to you to desist from this illegal act or run the risk of been shut down,” the NCC said in its letter to the cable operators.

Two years ago, TStv, which operated for a short while, claimed to have acquired rights to premium sporting, news and general entertainment content, which it was offering to subscribers at implausible low rates. Just before it rolled out, CNN, FOX Entertainment and BeiN wrote separately to the NCC to deny that they had any content redistribution agreements with TStv, adding that it is ineligible to operate in sub-SaharanAfrica.

The recent Court ofAppeal judgment is a credit to the judicial and law enforcement arms of the government, as it indicates a readiness to protect the intellectual content landscape and the wider economy.

AcrossAfrica, there is growing realization of the danger that intellectual property theft represents to the content creator, rights owners and the wider society. This realization has given rise to the development of policies and passage of legislations against piracy as well as their implementation and enforcement. By its simplest definition, broadcast content piracy entails the unauthorized broadcast, streaming and sharing of copyright-protected content.

The illegal distribution of content, especially on a commercial basis, denies content creators, artists and the whole of the creative landscape revenues from their investments and talents. Without the revenues, creative industry professionals cannot have a viable livelihood let alone bequeath a legacy to coming generations. The same realization is also kept aglow byAfrica’s desire to attract foreign investments, which are crucial to the economic well-being of the individual nations. Speaking directly to this isAfrican Growth and OpportunityAct (AGOA), a United States TradeAct enacted in May 2000 as Public Law 106 of the 200th Congress.

––Job, a copyright activist, writes from Lagos Read full article on www.thisdaylive.com

TRIBUTE

Remembering My Time With Okot p’Bitek At Great Ife Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

O

kot p’Bitek, the great Ugandan poet, author of Song of Lawino, always held court at the bar in the foyer of Oduduwa Hall, the big theatre of the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). Anything could happen during those drinking sessions. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor accosted Okot one day and said: “This is wrong, Professor p’Bitek. How can you take your students out to drink?”

Okot stared at the man for a good minute before saying: “You must have gone to a bush university! Otherwise you would have known that professors share drinks with their students. By the way, why do you part your hair?” The man fled!

The proprietress of the bar once remonstrated with Okot on not clearing the huge bill he had accumulated and the poet promptly told the woman: “I am sure your husband didn’t do you well last night. When you go home, tell him to do you thoroughly!” And the woman, too, fled!

Even with the talk of unpaid bills, Okot would order a big bottle of White Horse whisky for the great actress Florence Toun Oni who had joined the table. Presenting the whisky with a flourish Okot blew a kiss to the smiling lady. Watching in a safe distance the proprietress simply shook her head. Afriend of mine, Patrick Izobo-Agbebeaku who would later make history as the first university graduate bus conductor in Nigeria, demanded to see Okot’s debts. Patrick wondered aloud why the madam should be insulting “Prof Okot for a small amount of money”. Okot quickly shut up my friend with these words: “If you think it’s a small amount, then pay!”

Okot would not use the urinary of the bar, stressing that the place was dirty. Motioning to me, Okot started out of the bar. I got the message. He only made use of the Vice-Chancellor’s toilet which he said was the only clean toilet in the entire campus. It was drizzling, and I pointed at the falling rain.

“Come on, the rain makes you grow,” Okot said to me, walking in the rain.

Walking with him up the staircase, we came into the office of the VC’s mixed race secretary. “Watch me do some beautiful things to this beautiful woman,” Okot said, grabbing at the lady who

ducked and ran.

Okot felt then that I was a fully-formed poet who had no business being a student. It was under his influence that I wrote the long poem “When I Shall Marry (Eater of my Wealth)” which was published in the university’s arts magazine Sokoti.

“Sharpen your pen!” This was the unique piece of advice I got from Okot on the art of writing. He discussed everything but the nitty-gritty of creative writing. I once tried to discuss my Head of Department Prof Wole Soyinka’s novel The Interpreters with him.

Picking up the book, he said: “Fine book by my friend Soyinka.”

Then he tossed the book aside and said, “Let’s go and drink.”

He told me he was working on a book on his experiences in Nigeria to be dedicated to me. To him, everybody in Nigeria was a lizard, starting from the country’s leader who was the big lizard then based in Lagos. He had actually written the first line of the book which goes thus: “The lizard says he is coming, but the lizard never comes.” Whatever became of the book is in the lap of the gods. There was also mention of a long poem entitled “Song of Soldier.”

He would not discuss his fellow writers except to say, for instance, that Chinua Achebe is “a beautiful man.” He told the story of how Ugandans broke down and cried when Achebe was flying back to Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War after a visit to Kampala. The East Africans could not bear the thought of not seeing the author of Things Fall Apart ever again as had happened to Christopher Okigbo.

Okot took ill towards the end of his stay at Ife. He discharged himself from the hospital on regaining consciousness. He got back to his house to discover that all the drinks and alcohol had been removed. He was dying to have a quick drink. Then he saw David Rubadiri’s houseboy learning to ride a motorcycle. Okot promptly ordered the learner to ferry him to the nearest watering-hole. Both of them fell down from the bike, and Okot had a big gash for his efforts.

When Idi Amin was chased away from power Okot celebrated.

He pointedly told me that I would follow him to Makerere University as he would not want me to continue my studies at Ife which he dismissed as a “University of Lizards”. He spoke glowingly of Yusuf Lule who was poised to take over from Idi Amin. He was so determined to take me to Makerere University

Okot p’Bitek

that he chased me out of the examination hall of the GNS 1 “Use of English” course. I left the exam hall to help him buy meat at the Leventis Stores near the staff quarters. Then we retired to drinking beer and whisky while my mates were writing the exams!

Okot was open to a fault. He showed me letters from universities like Iowa, Harvard, Texas, Makerere etc offering him professorships in diverse disciplines such as Creative Writing, African Studies, English and Divinity. In the end I could not summon up enough courage to abandon my studies at Ife for the journey with Okot to Uganda’s Makerere University. Schoolwork and passing exams may not have mattered to me, but damaging my parents and sundry loved ones through transnational rascality did. It was while writing my degree exams that the news was broken to me that my great friend Okot was dead on July 19, 1982. I dedicated my final year thesis to him. He deserved no less.

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

POLITY

A Sexual Rendezvous Gone Awry As the Lagos Command of the Nigeria Police works round the clock to unravel the gruesome murder of Chief Executive Officer of Super TV Usifo Ataga, analysts argue that the deceased’s entanglement with the principal suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu in a sex and drug binge at their hideout in Lagos underscores the failure of parenting in the society, writes Festus Akanbi

F

rom time immemorial, there is always a thin line between peace and trouble, life and death, joy and despair.

Naturally, what comes to mind after each episode of such a self-inflicted calamity is the question, why did I venture into it.

From her looks when she was paraded by the Lagos Command of the Nigeria Police Force, the 21-year-old 300 level student of the University of Lagos, Miss Chidinma Ojukwu, the principal suspect in the gruesome murder of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga would have wished she didn’t embark on the sex escapades that have left bloodstains on her hands.

Before the news of the death of her lover hit the media landscape, Chidinma would have passed any street without attracting any attention. She looks innocent and harmless.

However, the depths of depravity she was linked with that heart-rendering account of the police during her parade on Thursday will make one understand the link between chaos and charm.

As she gave a chilling account of the bloody encounter with her dead lover, Chidinma cuts a gory picture of a hooker-with-aheart-of-gold.

She was arrested alongside her father at their residence, No. 57 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, on Wednesday.

According to a source, her father was detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, for resisting Chidinma’s arrest because he never believed his adorable daughter was a younger version of the Biblical Jezebel with blood on her hands until she gave her account of the savage killing of her secret lover.

Police Report The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had earlier said the 21-year-old undergraduate was tracked for 48 hours and was arrested at her parent’s residence in the Yaba area of the state on Wednesday.

He stated that casual workers cleaning the building, where the incident took place, discovered Ataga’s remains in the service apartment.

Odumosu said, “The victim, one Usifo Michael Ataga, happened to operate a media house. The lady, Chidinma Ojukwu, 21, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, checked into the service apartment in Lekki with the man on a Sunday.

“They were there together as friends, but on Tuesday, she departed and left the man inside. So, when the man did not come out on Tuesday and Wednesday, those who were evacuating the trash bins went in to do their normal duty and discovered that the door to the apartment was half-opened.

“When they entered, Ataga was found on the floor in a pool of blood. He wore only his pair of boxers. So, we started our investigation and we were able to track the prime suspect and got her arrested. She has confessed to the crime.

“She said the drugs and alcohol that both of them took got them high and they were trying to have fun, but she resisted and the man insisted on having his way and that led to the fracas.

She reached out for the kitchen knife and stabbed the man twice in the neck and once in the stomach. After he died, she took his belongings and fled.”

Her confession of a drug binge with the deceased has however shown that if the Super TV boss had survived the attack that claimed his life, he would have joined his mistress at the police station for sundry offences including the use of hard drugs.

Gentle and Dangerous Few hours after she was paraded, a video surfaced on social media showing her sitting in a roadside beer shop, with a pair of scissors dangling menacingly in her hand. It was an encounter with two men who exchanged banters with her. In the video, Chidinma was seeing laughing loudly as the two men continued to hail her for an undisclosed reason. But unfolding realities have shown that beneath that innocent laughter was a drug addict, a criminal with uncommon savagery. That was days or even months before she was introduced to Ataga.

Those who know her described her as a recluse. She however turned out to be a beautiful, soft-spoken lady with the fury of a rattlesnake. One of her classmates in Unilag, where she schools as a 300-level part-time Mass Communication student, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Yes, she (Chidinma) is a 300-level part-time student of Mass Communication. I know her, but we are not on talking terms; she doesn’t interact with many people. She is a recluse.”

Perhaps, what best described the character of the suspect are the items recovered from her by the police.

The exhibits found in her possession include a driving licence,

Chidinma

Ataga

complimentary cards, Access Bank’s statement of account, a Nigerian passport with number B50010434 belonging to the suspect, one fake driving licence bearing Mary Johnson with the suspect’s photograph, one National Identification card bearing the suspect’s name, UBAAutomated Teller Machine debit card bearing the suspect’s name and a University of Lagos ID card in her name.

From all indications, Chidinma is not as innocent and naïve as she looks. For a 21-year-old lady to be going about with fake items like a driving licence, it means she is neck-deep in crime and who knows, Ataga might not be her first victim.

beautiful girls as baits for randy men in the country.

For instance, they argued that it would be practically difficult for her to overpower Ataga, who she claimed to have been stabbed three times over argument over sex.

One of the issues they raised is the need to get the identities of those who made additional withdrawals from the victim’s account since Chidinma insisted she only withdrew N380,000.

Chidinma: Why I struck Curiously, the suspect did not make any attempt to shield herself from the dastardly act, admitting her complicity in a defiant manner that shocked even the police team investigating her.

During her parade, Chidinma confessed that she had withdrawn N380,000 from the deceased’s account to pay her school fees. She alleged that Ataga became violent after she turned down his request for more sex, adding that she stabbed him under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

She said, “I checked for the place we lodged in online on Sunday and sent the details to him and he paid. On Monday, we were together drinking and smoking, we had fun and so I went to get food. On Tuesday, he was trying to make advances at me, but I was tired and he became violent and forced his way and I gave in.

“In the afternoon, we smoked and ate. We became high and I wasn’t happy with the first round of sex; so, I was on my own smoking, drinking, and eating my food when he came to me, while I was watching a movie.

“I told him I was not happy with what he did the first time. I told him he was not assisting me with anything but was playing around with me. He told me to take his ATM card and withdraw any amount I wanted and gave me the PIN, but I told him that was not what I meant.

“So, he became violent; I was defending myself and at some point, he hit my head on the wall and I retaliated. He was choking me and I was on the kitchen cabinet, so I stretched out and grabbed a knife and stabbed him twice in the neck and once in the stomach.”

When Ataga became weak, Chidinma said she fled the apartment and withdrew money from his account for her school fees.

She said, “We smoked SK and Loud. While he was lying there, I changed my cloth, looked for the key from where he kept it and left the room. When I left, I didn’t reach out to anybody. I didn’t feel good about what I did.

“I withdrew N380,000 and not N5m from his account. I feel a lot of remorse. I wanted to use the money I withdrew to pay my school fees. I felt disappointed when the police arrested me at my parents’ house and it was when I was arrested around 10 pm that my parents got to know about the incident.

“I live with my parents; I left home on Sunday and told them that I was going for ushering job. I used the foreign number I generated in texting the owner of the apartment.”

Some commentators argued that the suspect might not be telling the whole truth about the incident, suspecting that Chidinma might be a member of a syndicate using young and

Bad Parenting However, a Lagos-based psychologist and Founder, Total Psyche Services and Consult, Mrs. Olasumbo Oshinubi explained that whatever roles played by Chidinma in the unfolding drama should be seen as a failure of parenting.

She said, “Parenting, done properly, is a heroic act”. It is a very hard job that if care is not taken, losing one’s responsibility as a parent to the modern-day idea of what parenting should look like, in an individualistic system we have adopted recently, is very easy.

“Once parenting starts, it doesn’t end and no one has a final grip on it yet; especially these days. So, growing with one’s children and equipping them with a solid foundation requires: unlearning faulty patterns, relearning poorly learned ones, and learning new and well-grounded patterns to prevent dangerous surprises as a parent.”

However, speaking on the role of drugs in crimes, Oshinubi said incidents like the Chidinma’s case have underscored the urgency of the need to fight drug addiction among Nigerians.

According to her, “People, especially young people, use drugs for several reasons which include: fitting in with peers; self-medicating pains ( mostly psychological pains) to feel good because abused drugs interact with the brain chemistry to produce feelings of pleasure; some youths may take drugs because they think the substance will enhance their performance; seeking new and adventurous experiences are some of the experiments young people perceive as thrilling and daring, so they experiment with drugs.

In her reaction, a parent, who is also a retired school principal, who spoke under the condition of anonymity described the murder incident as a manifestation of the decadence in the society.

She wondered why Alaga would settle for a lady as young as his daughter for his uncontrolled sexual and drug binges.

“When you lodge a girl as young as your daughter in a private apartment, feeding her with drugs and alcohol to take advantage of her assumed innocence, then you should blame yourself for whatever level of stress you put yourself.”

For Chidinma’s father, the parent said the man should cover his face in shame, for living with a child he didn’t know very well.

She believed Chidinma’s father has failed in his responsibility by watching helplessly while his child was becoming a monster.

From the account of a senior lecturer of the Mass Communications Department of the University of Lagos, Dr. Bunmi Ajibade, Chidinma has been a truant, who was last seen on campus before the Covid-19 lockdown. Ajibade, who lamented that Nigerian students are taking to drugs, sex, and alcohol, blamed Chidinma’s parents for their insensitivity to the changing behaviour of their daughter.

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

POLITY

We are Stranded, Residents Cry to Ogun Governor Festus Akanbi

R

esidents of Akute, Olambe, Agbado, and Ijoko in the Ifo Local Government area of Ogun State have appealed to the state governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun to come to their aid given the total collapse of the road linking these and other communities.

The coming of the rainy season, and the attendant impacts on the abandoned road project in the area, have forced many vehicle owners to resort to motorbikes as a means of transportation as well as raising security concerns for a couple of weeks now.

A random tour of the area showed that some long stretches of the road had been taken over by flood as water and weeds now occupy the road, making it difficult for small car owners to pass the area.

For instance, the road from Olambe to the major market in the area, Jolasco market has been separated into two by water and weeds. Residents said the collapse of the road also inhibit them from approaching the Ajuwon Police station in times of distress.

Also, the abandoned bridge at the Giwa area has been taken over by flood and sand, forcing vehicle owners to turn back and resort to motorcycles.

When contacted, the state Governor told THISDAY that there

Olambe Jolasco Road, Akute, Ogun State

was no way he would fix all the state’s roads within two years because of paucity of funds.

However, the chairman of one of the resident associations,

who spoke under the condition of anonymity, appealed to Governor Abiodun to visit the area and rescue them and not to wait till it’s time for the campaign for his second term in office.

Olufi of Gbongan Appeals for Better Security

I

n order to ensure continuous safety of lives and property in the country, the Olufi of Gbongan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Adetoyese Oyeniyi, Odugbemi 1, has appealed to both state and federal governments not to relent their effort to curb the menace in the society. He stressed that for plausible development and peace to reign in any community, the security architecture must be strong and reliable.

Speaking recently at the formal inauguration of members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Old StudentsAssociation of Gbongan Community High School, Gbongan, Osun State, the revered monarch advised all and sundry to join hands together to build a virile nation that is devoid of violence.

Oba Oyeniyi, therefore, commended the efforts of the Old Students Association for employment of 10 teaching staff for the school to augment the government’s effort, renovation of several classrooms, award of scholarships to 15 indigent students among others, despite

the hard economic situation of the country, assuring them of huge reward from God. “God is not mocked. Whatever a man soweth, he will reap. Don’t say men do not recognise you. Once heaven does, it is finished. You have played a philanthropic role in this community. Generation unborn will remember your goodwill. I want to thank you. The family of Oloba that gave us the land to build this school has been so magnanimous. I also commend and congratulate the pioneer principal, Overseer J.O. Ojeleye. That Ojeleye is alive today to witness this ceremony is a miracle,” he said.

Pa Ojeleye, who was physically present at the ceremony prayed for all the students, saying “you will prosper in all your endeavours.”

In an oath of office administered by one of the leading lights in the law profession in the country, Barrister Kayode Oyedeji, (member of 83 set of the school), Board of Trustees members declared publicly their readiness to be faithful, bearing true allegiance to Gbongan

Community High School Old StudentsAssociation. They promised to discharge their duties in accordance with the constitution of the association.

The BoT members include the chairman, Mr.Aderemi Louis Oyedele, a member of prestigious Chartered Ship Broker, private investigator, media management and shipping consultant; the secretary, Dr. FemiAwodiran, a lecturer at the ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile-Ife; Professor ClementAdebooye and Dr. Kola Oke, lecturers at the ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile-Ife. Others are IsiakaAderemi, a successful businessman inAbeokuta, Dayo Adeleke, accountant, Netherland Business School Ikeja and Major Pastor Femi Olojede, CEO, G4Automobile Nigeria Enterprises.

The coordinator of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), Dr. LateefAdisa, chairman of Interim Management Committee (IMC) handed over the account and other relevant documents to the chairman of BoT, Mr. Oyedele.

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Korede Demola-Adeniyi; Blogger and Initiator, Selfmade Woman Conference, Linda Ikeji; Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Carol Oyedeji; and Founder, House of Tara, Tara Fela-Durotoye, at the Linda Ikeji’s Self-made Woman Conference sponsored by Ecobank Nigeria, held in Lagos…recently SUNDAYADIGUN

L-R: Groom father, Mr. Abiodun Udebhulu; bride’s mother, evangelist Olufunke Edidi; groom, Omohkhodion Elddy; bride, Esther Oluwakorede; groom mother, Pastor Mrs. Yetunde Udebhulu; and bride’s father, Pastor Abiodun Edidi, during the holy matrimony between Eddy and Esther held at Christ Apostolic Church, Gloryland Assembly, Gloryland Estate, Isheri Olofin in Lagos... recently

L-R: Angel Investor and Member Rising Tide Africa, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; CEO, Oncopad Tech/Pearl Oncology Clinic, Omolola Salako; Chairman/CEO, Platform Capital/Guest Speaker, Dr. Akintoye Akindele; Associate Partner, Olisa Agbakoba Legal, Beverly Agbakoba-Onyejianya; and Regional Director Africa, BBC Global News, Yewande Adewusi, at the Future Females Invest Iconic Network Programme, held in Lagos…. yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Co-founder, Rovingheights bookstore, Mrs. Adebola Eyinade; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Store Manager, Rovingheights bookstore, Miss Nike Timothy; and Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during the Vice President’s visit to Roving Heights Bookstore, one of the MSMEs held in Lagos...recently

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

POLITY

Road Construction as Democratic Dividends in Ogun Femi Ezekiel

G

overnance in any y form transcends the old p practices of making g empty pyp promises whereby y the p people p would easily y fall for half-truths, deceit and p pretence in the name of playing p y g politics. p Aside from the well-known p primary y duty of any y responsible p government in g improving p g the lots of the citizenry y in terms of economic empowerment, p it is remarkable that taking g dividends of democracy y to the doorsteps of the p people p is to reward them for the trust they y have in the leadership p to provide p basic amenities and protect lives and property. p p y Living g up p to its billing g as a responsible p g government, therefore, the administration of Governor Dapo p Abiodun officially y opened p a 2.1-kilometre Lantoro-Elite-Idi-Aba Road, Abeokuta, in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun g State, on June 16, 2021. Unexpectedly, p y the official event later crystal y lized into a carnival-like reception p for the Governor and his entourage, g with various interest g groups p such as supporters pp of the All Progressives g Congress g (APC), student union leaders, y youth council, trade unions, market men and women, community y leaders, among g others, seizing g the occasion to beckon on the Governor Abiodun, to seek re-election and pledging p g g their unalloyed support to make him realise the bid in 2023.

Highly g y elated at the speedy p y completion p of the strategically g y located road project, p j which connects well over 50 others, within two years y in office, dignitaries g and notable residents who could not hide their joy, j y including g the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egba g land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Iyalode y of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, Esther, widow of the first Civilian Deputy-Governor p y of the state between 1979 and 1983, Chief Sesan Soluade, and Chief Nurudeen Olaleye, y Chairman, Traditional Medical Practitioners Council of Nigeria, g Ogun g State chapter, p commended the Governor for living up to his electoral promise. p Without mincing g words, the road which was initially y constructed by y the Administration of Chief Bisi Onabanjo j (1979-1983) and asphalted p by y the regime g of Chief Olusegun g Osoba (1999-2003) remained an eyesore y and a nightmare g to motorists and other road users p plying y g the route in the recent past. p The current administration’s drive to ensure that its citizens enjoy j y dividends of democracy y is a manifestation of the premium p placed p on infrastructural development p which is an integral g part p of the “building g our future together” g mantra to strategically g y position p the state for economic growth, g improve p standard of living g of the people and decongest tragic jams along major

Abiodun roads.

The 2.1 kilometre Elite-Idi-Aba road which is the first p phase of the p project j linking g the four kilometre Oke-Lantoro-Isale-Ake jjunction is a world class standard, with befitting g features like covered drains, walkway, y among g others. Interestingly, g y the road is expected p to serve as a bypass, yp connecting g Moshood Abiola Way, y Isale-Ake, Adatan and OGTV roads. It will equally q y make traffic light g on the hitherto congested routes, and with its well-constructed drainage g g system, y and also, it will control flooding g around the area. No doubt, with good g access to the area and other adjoining j g routes, the security network of the locality y will be enhanced.

The drive of the current administration in the state, not to embark on white elephant p projects, p j unlike the predecessors, p has in no small measure paid p off to ensure that viable projects p j and programmes p g of economic benefits are initiated and executed for the common g good of all and sundry. y Result-oriented governance, to Prince Dapo Abiodun, is a necessity

and a landmark for a leader to bequeath q his legag cies to the people p p who have entrusted him with the exalted office of leadership. p Governor Abiodun’s utmost joy j y is hinged g on his commitment and resolve to embark on landmark projects p j and p programmes g that would have direct bearings g on the p people’s p well-being g and also subsequently q y have his name etched in g gold for coming g generations. In retrospect, g p the p promises of an even, fair, jjust and equitable q development p of all p parts of the state, that no part p of the state will be developed p at the expense p of others stand outs the administration in its renewed commitment and resolve to better the lives of the people. p p It is on record that the completion p of all inherited projects p j attests to the philosophy p p y that government g is a continuum no matter party p y differences and affiliations. This philosophy p p y is a major j pillar p of the administration of the dynamic y g governor. As an innovative leader too, Abiodun has clear visions about how his administration would deliver benefits of democracy y to the state and her citizenry y by y initiating g new p projects j and p programmes g in line with the five Developmental p pillars, p ISEYA. This clear vision speaks p volumes of the landmark achievements the administration has recorded within two years it has come into office.

Of p paramount importance, p to p providing g basic amenities in line with the people’s p p wishes and demands, the choice of building g the Lantoro-Elite-Idi-Aba road, as a classical example, p was initiated in conjunction j with the various Community y Development p Associations (CDAs), traditional rulers and other stakeholders. This synergy y gy has created direct employment p y opportunities pp for the y youths in the project p j catchment area and also in engaging g g g local suppliers pp of materials, through g the direct intervention of the direct labour under the close watch of the Ogun g State Public Works Agency g y (OGPWA). The lofty y idea was in support pp of the socio-economic development p agenda g to ensure individual p prosperity p y of the citizens.

Meanwhile, despite p the sharp p decline in revenues accruing g to the coffers of the state g government, occasioned by y the outbreak of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic in February p y 2020, the administration has not been found wanting. g It is commendable that it has worked out realistic mechanisms that have ensured that it catches up p and even continues to complete p the ongoing g g projects p j it has initiated, including g the commissioned Lantoro-Elite-Idi-Ara road, among g others. And this has been made possible p through g the boost received from the Internally y Generated Revenue (IGR) drive of the state government to enable it execute more projects. p j –––Ezekiel writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

AAAN Gets FG’s Nod for National Unity Campaign Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

T

he Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has secured the endorsement of the Ministry of Information and Culture for its plan to launch a national unity campaign on 1 October. This was disclosed in a release signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Temitope Jemerigbe.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai According to the release, the endorsement was given in Lagos yesterday by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a meeting with AAAN’s Executive Board.

The release quoted AAAN President, Mr. Steve Babaeko, as saying that the purpose of the meeting was to push for better cooperation with the ministry. He also noted that the decision to launch the national unity campaign was informed by the current situation in the country. Responding, Mohammed described the proposed campaign as a very “very patriotic move”.

“What has really impressed me most today is your readiness to partner with the Federal Government to actually run a campaign on national unity. I think this is a very patriotic move, we commend it and we are very eager to partner with you.

“We must resist the temptation of some very selfish elite, who are giving the impression that Nigerians will not want to stay as a nation,” he said.

Babaeko commended the Federal Government for the appointment of Dr Olalekan Fadolapo as the Registrar and Chief Executive Offi f cer of the Advertising Practitioners

L-R: Mr Jenkins Alumina, Vice President,, Association of Advertising g Agencies g of Nigeria g ((AAAN); ); Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, p , Registrar/CEO, g / Advertising g Practitioners Council of Nigeria g ((APCON); ) Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and Mr. Steve Babaeko, President, AAAN, at a meeting with the Minister in Lagos...yesterday.

Council of Nigeria (APCON), saying he came to the job with a huge wealth of experience from the industry and that his appointment will further strengthen the relationship between the government and the advertising industry.

The Minister was accompanied to the meeting by

Dr. Fadolapo; as well as the Directors-General of the Nigerian Television Authority and the National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed and Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, respectively.

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

PERSPECTIVE NIDCOM at Two: Beyond Expectations Abdur-Rahman Balogun

T

he month of May can aptly be described as Diaspora month in Nigeria. This, apart from July 25, designated as National Diaspora Day by the Federal Government, was the month when the dream of most fundamentals of diaspora was birthed. It was in May 19, 2019, the hitherto office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs and the occupier, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa transmuted to Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) following the Senate approval and her confirmation as the Chairman/CEO of the new Commission.

It was indeed a dream nurtured when in May 2017 President Muhammadu Buhari signed the bill into law through the acting President then, Yemi Osinbajo, following the eventual passage by the eighth National Assembly. Similarly, it was also in the month of May that the Federal Executive Council ratified and approved the much-awaited and expected National Diaspora Policy, the first of its kind in Nigeria and a holistic policy geared towards engagement of Nigerians in the diaspora in policies, projects and in participation in the development of Nigeria.

So, the formation of NIDCOM through the Act of Parliament, the appointment of the first Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa as the pioneer boss of the Commission, the ratification and final approval of National Diaspora Policy by the Federal Government all took place in the respective years in the month of May as well as the final public presentation and launch of the National Diaspora policy, also took place in the month of May 2021.

With the stage set for the commission to justify the need for its establishment, among which is the reduction in the massive exodus of Nigerian professionals abroad in search of greener pasture thus creating a ‘brain drain’ in the system and efforts by the commission in stemming the tide and change the narrative to brain-gain through a constructive engagement with the Diasporas and tapping their potentials for national development. Not backing down due to daunting challenges starring at it in the face, the Commission has been able to live up and even beyond expectations in its two years of existence.

It must be mentioned here that the Nigerian Diaspora is part and parcel of the population to bring about accelerated economic growth using their resources, intellect and global exposure. They are the real catalyst and asset for economic development of the country.

NIDCOM Activities/Achievements Since the establishment of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, a lot of activities have been embarked upon to fulfil the mandates of the Commission. Within two years, the Commission has lived up to expectations and even beyond it despite daunting challenges. Such activities include advocacy to states to key into the larger Diaspora movement with the inauguration of Diaspora focal point offices and officers in 33 out of the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT. In May 2021, the focal point officers coordinated by NIDCOM had a successful three-day Summit in Abuja, the third in the series since 2019.

NIDCOM also ensured the consolidation of the declaration of July 25 every year, by the Federal Government of Nigeria as `National Diaspora Day’, a date set aside to recognise and appraise Nigerians in the Diaspora on their contributions to national development. This is to ensure networking, dialogue and constructive interface between Nigerian professionals and experts in the Diaspora and Nigerians at home on development challenges and opportunities. The third in the series will hold on Sunday July 25, 2021 via hybrid and webinar.

Similarly, by Nov. 2021, the Commission will be organising the third in the series of Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) in Abuja with other stakeholders from across the globe via webinar thus lubricating the Diasporas interest and participation in investing back home in any sector of their choice. It will be recalled that as a follow-up to the Summit, on 18th and 19th December, 2019, two young Nigerians resident in Saudi Arabia, put together the first Saudi Arabia/Nigeria Investment Forum, an offshoot of the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit in Abuja and it was also a great success.

As part of the Commission’s collaborative efforts with other stakeholders, some 19,085 Nigerians were evacuated and brought back home from various countries due to reasons of deportation, human abuses and trafficking, voluntary returnees and effects of Covid-19 pandemic from June 2020 to March 2021.

Of course, with Nigerians in Diaspora contributing so much to the Nigerian Economy, estimated at over $25 billion US dollars in 2019, it is widely believe that they deserve to vote. So, the Commission already working with the National Assembly and other stakeholders like National Diaspora Voting Council, to hopefully make this a reality in Nigeria through amendment to the country’s Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The Commission through its Chairman/CEO or her representatives had participated in many activities within and outside the country geared towards advancing the course of Nigerians in the Diaspora. Such activities include the participation of Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in the 25th anniversary of Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) wherein she was amazed at the quality of Nigerians doctors as

Abike Dabiri-Erewa the best brains in the Americas In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire that the welfare and well-being of Nigerians anywhere in the world is top priority, the Commission paid swift intervention visits to many High Commissioners and Embassies in Abuja to put a stop to the indiscriminate xenophobic related killings of Nigerians, discrimination, inhuman treatment, illegal detention among others, insisting that it is highly reprehensible, condemnable and unacceptable.

The Commission was at the forefront for the release of Zainab Aliyu on death row by the Saudi Arabian government for alleged drug related offences as well as Ibrahim Ibrahim. The Commission intervened positively in rescuing other Nigerians in such dilemma in Malaysia, Oman, U.A.E., China, Brazil, Morocco, Singapore, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Qatar and Ethiopia.

One of the objectives of the Commission is to have adequate data of Nigerians living abroad for effective planning purposes and the flag off was done in partnership with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) where the enrolment took the Commission to some parts of West Africa, Europe, Asia and Americas. This is a continuous exercise under the commission Diaspora Mapping policy.

Dabiri-Erewa, assisted by the Secretary of the Commission, Engr. Dr. Yakubu Sule Bassi and other top management of the Commission at various times do interact with stakeholders such as International Organization for Migration (IOM), National Youth Service Commission, EFCC, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), International Labour Organization and Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, NAPTIP, NDLEA, among several others to see how collaboration with the Commission will enhance better opportunities for the Nigerians abroad.

The Commission also led some Commission staff to witness the inauguration of some of the NIDO Chapters wherein they were counselled to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

Securing a Nigeria passport abroad has been a recurring headache to many Nigerians in the Diaspora. To ease the process, Dabiri-Erewa took out time to engage with Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as well as the Comptroller General of Immigration Service. These efforts have paid off as backlog of the passports issuance occasioned by the lockdown of covid -19 in many countries have been eased out.

During the year under review, the Commission had its maiden Diaspora Quarterly Lecture with both Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Amb. Zubairu Dada and Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior Affairs. The duo engaged the Nigerians abroad on many issues of great concern with Dabiri-Erewa moderating for over four hours. It was indeed a fruitful engagement and mutually rewarding.

In exercising its over-sighting functions, various standing committees of the National Assembly do engage with NIDCOM Management from time to time to brief them on the activities of the Commission and solicit for more support especially in the areas of funding and necessary legislative interventions to ease the task of the two-year old Commission.

Media Engagements: From time to time as it may be required, NIDCOM issued various statements and interfaced with the media especially on issues as it affects the welfare of Nigerians in the Diaspora. It has also a 30-minute weekly package on NTA

International called “The Diaspora’’ wherein the programmes and activities of the commission are showcased. Similarly, there is monthly Diaspora Newsletter being produced by the Commission where all the activities of the Commission within the month are well stated out.

Added to that is the new online global radio station being test run for the commission. It is expected to start full operation before the year runs out. All these are in addition to NIDCOM social media handles.

Petitions: On daily basis, NIDCOM treats petitions of Nigerians in the Diaspora received in its known mail addresses: ssa@ diaspora.gov.ng and admin@nidcom.gov.ng, as it affects their welfare and get it resolved as soon as possible. NIDCOM Chairman or her representatives devote time to engage Nigerians both within and outside the country on advocacy and enlightenment on the mandate of the Commission by delivering lectures, goodwill messages and talks on various Diaspora related issues.

The Commission in conjunction with some private sector NGOs held the third in the series of Diaspora Door of Return in Badagry in Lagos from October 15 to 20, 2019 where the Diasporas made a pilgrimage to the motherland, reminiscencing of the slaves’ trade of the 18th and 19th centuries. Due to Covid-19, the 2020/2021 editions of the festival could not hold as planned.

Due to the efforts of Dabiri-Erewa, some individuals and groups from the diaspora donated both medical equipment and services worth millions of Naira towards ameliorating the impacts of Covid--19 pandemic in the country as a way of giving back to their fatherland.

Many more Nigerians were recognized for their wonderful contributions to their host country and Nigeria as a way of encouraging others and for them to do more. To this extent, the Commission is presenting to the public soon a compendium of great Nigeria achievers in the diaspora as a way of celebrating and encouraging them to do more.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, the Commission remains active online as a necessary tool to link up with the Nigerians abroad. It was through this effort that the commission launched a portal wherein it coordinated the collation of data of Nigerians stranded abroad and facilitated the evacuation of over 9,000 stranded Nigerians back home in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies. Regrettably, Nigeria lost over 60 of her citizens to Covid-19 pandemic abroad. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

Staff welfare is a top priority at the Commission. Apart from internal training, some of the staff across the departments and units were sent on capacity building training both within and outside the country to enhance their performance amidst other welfare packages by the management.

It is gratifying to note that owing to some of the modest achievements within two years of the existence, a lot of accolades, awards and recognition were bestowed on the Chairman/CEO and the Commission by various groups such as Business Day Award and Guardian Distinguished Award amongst several others in recognition of the contributions of NIDCOM to Diaspora affairs in the country.

Also in May 2021, NIDCOM was listed among the 20 outstanding Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government adjudged as performing in the year 2021. This was disclosed by the CEO, Profiles & Biographies, Mr. Kammonke Abam, in a statement in Abuja, as an update on the firm’s research and compilation of the accomplishments of MDAs to mark the sixth anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He said the assessment result is relative to the MDAs fulfilling their ministerial mandate in line with the administration’s 9-point development agenda, and his firm’s evaluation benchmark.

Future Plans Undoubtedly, it is a statement of fact that within 24 months of the Commission existence, it has really lived up to expectations and even surpassed it, though not yet uhuru, as Nigerians in the Diaspora is assured that their interest and welfare will continue to be adequately taken care of.

In addition to the sustainability of the above achievements, the Commission intends in the years ahead to work with stakeholders to do DIASPORA MAPPING geared towards having a data of Nigerians living abroad for effective planning.

More importantly, the commission intends to re- launch Diaspora Bonds in collaboration with Debt Management Office just as the $300 million Diaspora bonds was successfully launched in 2017. In the years ahead, the Commission intends to have a regular Diaspora Champions and Awards to deserving Nigerians in the Diaspora as a way of encouraging them to be good ambassadors of the country.

Equally, the Commission will work with National Assembly relevant committees to ensure Diaspora Voting for Nigerians living abroad through amendments to some electoral laws.

Talks are on with relevant government agencies to have a befitting Diaspora City in Abuja with over 17,000 housing units.

This will be replicated in some states of the federation.

––Balogun is the Head, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit NIDCOM, Abuja. rahmor2001@ yahoo.com Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

24

˜ ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

The Aged: Plural, Not Singular

T

HE NATION ON SUNDAY of June 20 welcomes us this week with just three gaffes: “Mixed reaction greets sackings” This is no news: mixed reactions greet sackings “DIG commends army, police over (for/on) Yobe attacks” Lastly from Fatai Atere Way: “Onitsha is better now, say Obiano” What’s going on here?

Let us continue with a visit to Ogba, Lagos: “Soldiers take over troubled spots” (Daily Independent, April 20) Let peace reign: trouble spots.

“Post election violence spreads” (Vanguard, April 19) Towards a better life for the people: Post-election violence….

Yet another headline solecism from Vanguard of the next day: “Post poll violence continues” Solution as above. Somebody should inform editors at Kirikiri Canal of this recurring lapse.

“President Buhari, yesterday, expressed sadness over the sporadic violent protest (protests) in the South East” (Vanguard, June 19) The next headline blunder is from last week’s edition of this medium: “Police arrest four over Maiduguri explosion” Do we arrest the entire editorial team for (not over) lexical recklessness?

“This time around we want change through the power of….” (London Mirror Praise & Worship, 17 April) Edifying God: This time round—error coming from England of all places!

“Bribery enthrones mediocrity and crucify merit.” (Source: as above) The Tabernacle of bribery crucifies merit.

“Gang up against Buhari will fail” (NIGERIAN Tribune, 15 April) Phrasal verb: gang up; noun: gang-up (which applies here).

“We were treated to another similar incidence.…” All newspapers should know the difference between ‘incidence’ and ‘incident’

(which is the right word here).

“Although the governor’s last minute romance with the main opposition party is held against him.…” Saturday People: last-minute (take note of the hyphen) romance “Thus, a core investor…with regards to optimal use of the machinery.…” (THE GUARDIAN, April 12) Either: as regards or with regard to….

“In the heydays of the goggled General when fuel was often unavailable…” (THE GUARDIAN, April 20) Stranglehold of oil workers: heyday (uncountable).

“Last year, many houses of the Igbo in Ajegunle, a suburb of Lagos, were razed down.…” (THISDAY, April 20) No word abuse: simply razed (not razed down). Discard the contrary views by some registers! When a house is razed, does it go up without holistic structural intervention?

Yet another routine headline gaffe: “Restrictions on inter-bank foreign exchange trading is (are) killing the market.”

“Armed robbers now have good company– street thugs and unofficial vigilante groups.”

(THE GUARDIAN, April 20) Democracy as a disincentive: vigilance groups.

“Buhari points accusing fingers at INEC….”

(DAILY TRUST, April 20) People in the news: Buhari points the finger. No obtuse addition.

“Nigeria is at a crossroad” (VANGUARD, April 20) Fixed expression: at a/the crossroads “Stationeries badly needed by.…” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, April 20) ‘Stationery’ is non-count.

“But what appears criminal is the desire of these off-springs of.…” (DAILY CHAMPION, April 20) ‘Offspring’ does not take any inflection.

The next three goofs are from VANGUARD of April 20:”…the process of economic integration from which will emerge an economic block (bloc).…”

“There is a tussle going on between these two (would it have been three?) arms of

government.”

“Nigerian leaders and politicians have continued to adopt and acquiesce to (in).…”

“Globacom sets (set) to rule domestic market” (Nigerian Tribune, April 20) “I have been briefed that the wrangling among the leaders of PDP are (is) over.”

(SUNDAY VANGUARD, June 20) BusinessDay of April 20 disseminated a recurring impropriety: “Now that the Police has (have) taken over the supervision of the….” “…and ensure it does not reoccur again.”

(THE GUARDIAN, April 20) ‘Reoccur again’?

Run for cover, my dear reader! Just recur.

Recur, recurrence, recurrent. Occur, occurred, occurrence.

“Lack of incentives anger (angers) local manufacturers” (THE GUARDIAN, April 20) “They provide temporary relief.” (Source: as above) ‘Temporary relief? I strongly object to that clumsy expression because there is no permanence in ‘relief’.

The PUNCH of April 20 circulated three solecisms: “The patients pay for each act of ‘healing’ through their noses.” Get it right: they pay through the nose.

“At the launching programme (launch) in Abuja.…”

“A cursory look at the figures show (shows) that.…”

Daily Times (Online) of April 19 circulated copious shibboleths: “The end point is that people wait for between three to five hours to pay in their drafts.” English without tears: between three and five.

“With the attainment of the highest office at any strata of government….” Singular: stratum; plural: strata.

“It may be difficult for Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu to resurrect again politically after his disastrous outing in the presidential elections.” Please, yank away ‘again’ in the interest of lexical sanity and our democracy.

“They better not rely on INEC.” This way:

Of Tributes and a Memory: When Thunder Struck at 60!

F

or several weeks, former maverick entertainment editor, radio broadcaster and runaway friend, Azuka Molokwu Jebose, has been planning to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his birth (June 22, 1961) with a landmarking, groundmaking milestone: galvanising efforts and enthusiasm to build a community health centre worth at least N160m in the name of his late mother, Mama Reggie, somewhere in his homestead, Onicha Ugbo, Delta State, Nigeria.

This massive humanitarian project is expected to turn sod from late July, and hopefully be handed over to the community before the end of 2022.

Though a resident of the United States of America for over 30 years, prospering and multiplying the earth - among other exertions - Azuka wants the Health Center to provide effective and affordable healthcare to every indigent Nigerian who can find his or her way there. He dreams of the clinic’s doors remaining open, welcoming all Nigerians, irrespective of differing tongues, tribes or treasures.

He once passionately shared his dream with me: “It is my hope that this health center shall provide affordable healthcare to every sick Nigerian that can find his or her ways to the health center. No sick person shall be denied treatment for lack of money or not able to pay”... Typically Azuka... always carrying loads for others...in pursuit of making the society better than he met it.

He has promised to dredge up a large chunk of his savings over the years in fulfilling this vision, while hoping that he would be joined by hundreds of friends, home and away, to ignite the fire that can stoke the fundraising drive which should culminate in a Mama Reggie Hospital Fundraiser/Birthday Party on July 31, slated for Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Metaphorically, if you can slice open a heart to observe emotions and motives, you’ll likely find in Azuka’s heart a pure breed of selflessness in helping friends and family members; a dogged chivalry on the side of the poor and oppressed; a volatile crusade against corrupt leadership, and docile followership, anywhere; and above all, a searing resentment against man’s inhumanity to another of his kind. That’s Azuka for you, to a Zed! So, while wishing a redoubtable colleague and an essential humanist a wonderful diamond jubilee, we also use this moment to encourage lovers of goodwill, and those who enjoy helping the downtrodden in getting a fair shot at survival to

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

They had better not rely on INEC. “Like (As) we had said at various forums. …” (News Focus, April 18) “So, the government cannot ask the Supreme Court to interprete the law.” Spellcheck: interpret. (Source: as above) “…the reduction in the number of road accidents and causalities.” (National News, April 20) This way: casualties. “...to that extent, we shall congratulate its authors for (on/upon) hearing the deafening cry of Nigerians for an effective legislature.”

(Nigerian Tribune, April 20) “…were simultaneously a continuation of the power-bloc struggle in Nigeria and unanticipated fallouts from that struggle.”

(DAILY INDEPENDENT, April 20) ‘Fallout’ is uncountable.

“Out-of-control trailer crushes 15 persons to death” When people are crushed by a trailer, they cannot be alive except there is divine intervention. So, ‘crushed to death’, to me, smacks of lexical insensitivity. This is my own perception of ‘crush’, especially in vehicular circumstances. You are at liberty to accept or not. After all, some dictionaries question my poetic licence on this!

FEEDBACK EBERE, the aged is for someone (sic: people) 80 years and above in medicine. (Dr. Nwagwu, CC., 08037055728)

COLUMNIST’S RESPONSE PERHAPS, in medicine! In this column, the reference is to general, modern, formal, standard and universal (not regionalized) English language—which discards specialized/ circumscribed/informal/possibly substandard versions of the language. Therefore, ‘the aged’ (plural) refers to ‘old people’ generally—no age limitation or classificatory requirement!

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

‘collude’ with Azuka to make this N160m dream possible. Keep fajalive1@gmail.com pace with this admirable humanitarian march, and make Nigeria 08182223348 - (SMS Only) proud.

Stay with Azuka, go to his Facebook page and Twitter handle (he’s not in Nigeria, and so the Twitter ban should not affect him), and make this year a wow-full one for him. Mama Reggie would to spread it across your canvass, casting benevolent shadows be beaming all through. Happy birthday, Zukkyman, my gra-gra around the lawns of your hope.

When you were down and troubled, and the news filtered brother whom my mother never met. to him with the slightest draught, baba would summon mates Olusegun Olusola, OFR, mni (March 18, 1935 - June 21, and palates to reach across the ages and rages... so that joy could return and hope be restored.

2012) That is Baba... our father in the art.... mellowed was your A native of Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, he walked off this stage gaze... your kith and kin are torn... your shrill was heard on earth on Thursday, June 21, 2012. He was 77 years old. The Baba of and it’ll be in heaven... tele-drama and patron-saint of the creative art, Chief Olusegun May you find peace yonder that is greater than Ajibulu Olusola’s story is one of those rarities where re-telling it will never Moniya.... be a bore.

Rest in glorious ambience... Baba, Ambassador Chief Distinguished as black Africa’s first television producer, Olusola created the apogee of his career, The Village Headmaster Olusegun Olusola. over 50 years ago, barely four years after he joined broadcasting Lancelot Imasuen: Champion of Cultural Exposition at (radio) in 1955.

50 This incredibly hilarious nationwide situational comedy/ This week’s Sunday, June 20 he clocked 50 in a career choke drama ran for over 30 years. And even in the 2020s there are still full of creative entanglements. agitations and controversies on who has the copyright power to “He is unapologetically fascinated by his deep concept re-stage or re-shoot the enigmatic series. of Bini historicism...the young prolific director, producer and In 1959, with the great excitement at the advent of television scriptwriter, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen kicked off his career in in Africa, and at just 24 years old, Olusola joined WNTV as a producer. Dogged almost to the fringe of fanaticism on the quest the mid ‘90s with his first film Adaku (1995), an Igbo language movie. This was, in quick succession, followed by Kill or Die to project indigenous TV productions, Olusola was once queried (1996), The Year 2000 (both 1996), Yesterday (1997), The Soul that for insisting on producing an all-Nigerian programme - thereby Sinneth (1999). And thus the gladiator of the Nigerian native ‘wasting’ a princely sum of 75 pound sterling on local thespians!

Throughout the 80’s until his demise, the former ambassador narratives, the unabashed ‘Captain Prolific’ was born!

Always driven by the creative process from childhood, to Ethiopia (1987 to 1992) became the centerfold of Nigeria’s ‘moving’ art, spreading his colossal shoulders for new generations Imasuen started his romance with the director’s chair in 1990 of practitioners to lean on, and drawing elemental directions. What as the 19-year old director of a gospel TV drama in Benin, the Evangel Theatre. And five years later, after a stint at the NTA, a way to live!

Lagos as production assistant, Imasuen swiveled into NolAll ceased for him, as surely as no one would escape it, Olusola’s fire was extinguished this week in 2012 - and this eulogy lywood, and it has never been the same again.” (Extracted from Page 240 of Reflections, published June 2021). came forth, instinctively. Deservedly.

Contrary to most of his ‘surrogate parents’ on the internet BABA IS GONE OH! who birthed him, severally, in July... we can confirm that on June “He would welcome us to his house, his office, his gallery across the years, in the different climates, with constant warmness, 20, 2021, the devout historian-dramatist-teacher of one of our ancient heritages was fifty. And as unsurprising as the ancestral enthusiasm, joyfulness, and apparent felicity.

If his presence would lift your spirit and buoy your aspiration, craft of Bini welcoming you into Benin City, he marked it in a dramatic fashion.

Baba would gladly give it.

We felicitate a trojan of modern Nigerian film making.

If your dreams needed his faculty, baba would not hesitate

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

INTERVIEW Olatimbo Ayinde

Marginal Oil Field’s Bid Processes Followed International Standard The Managing Director/CEO, Dutchess Energy Limited, Ms. Olatimbo Ayinde, has been an active player in the petroleum industry for over 15 years. Her company is one of the winners of the last marginal oil field bid organised by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). In this interview with select journalists, including Olaoluwakitan Babatunde, Ayinde speaks on her experience during the bid process, the situation in the downstream sector, modular refinery, and other topical issues

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utchess Energy Limited, emerged as one of the successful bidders of the last oil marginal field, what was the experience going through the bid process?

We went into the bid exactly about a year ago. For us, the process was quite exciting and good enough, we were successful amid many other competitors. it was an exciting process because, in my humble opinion, it was a process that was guided by the best international standards. We put in our application and as revealed by the DPR, so many of us applied for the bid-offer. I think about 600 applicants expressed interest and that was the first phase of the process where a technical and financial evaluation was carried out. Thereafter, upon rigorous evaluation by the DPR, 540 companies were shortlisted.

After that, we went through a more rigorous commercial and technical bid phase. We submitted the economics of our chosen fields, and also made known our plans for the host community in our chosen geographical location. Whatever fields you were interested in, we had to purchase and review the data as provided by the DPR and also show our financial capabilities to execute our field development plan. It was also very important to showcase whatever experience you have in the oil sector. Subsequently, 161 companies were shortlisted as potential awardees.

At this point, it became even more exciting because you had to now approach the banks, try to raise money, leverage on your financial capabilities and it was very daunting as there was a time limit of 45 days. What that means is that you must have been prepared, before the exercise. With this advantage, we were able to secure the necessary assistance from our banks.

As you may be aware, many companies were not successful in this particular phase. This is partly due to difficulties that the industry has faced over the last couple of years. And we were very excited to be able to participate and grateful to be successful.

As it turns out, the award was given to us exactly a year after we entered into the bid process. Precisely on the 31st of May, 2021, we were awarded our licence letters amongst other successful companies.

How will you judge the role of the DPR in the process?

Oh, for the first time, I would say that we had a process where the DPR was very transparent. We were expecting the usual kind of bids process we have seen in the past but this was very different. There was a period that was designated for each process and there were no extensions. The entire process was cast in stone.

That meant you had to be well-prepared. There were no cutting corners with this one. I mean, you just knew you couldn’t just get any information outside of the usual. All information was available on the website and they followed everything and dates to the letter. It’s very unusual to see how this development happened in this industry. You see, a lot of people felt, well, there would be an extension of the deadline, we have had this in the past. This was one of the many surprises with this bid. If you missed a deadline over the submission of a particular document, you are out. It seemed everything was computerized. Unfortunately, many applicants fell out because you could not submit once midnight had gone past on the day of submission. It was transparent. Also, remember this was done during the pandemic, so the automation was necessary, but interestingly, and because the process was computerized, there was no room for human error. So the DPR performed above expectations in quite unusual times, considering the Covid 19 pandemic. It was the very best standard that we have had in the industry and the DPR should be commended for this effort.

So, how do you think you would be able to operate successfully in this sector with a demand for huge financial resources?

In this sector, it is a lot of investment that you have to put in depending on your terrain. There are different terrains, there is land, swamp, shallow offshore, and deep offshore. I’m almost certain for most of the fields, regardless of your terrain, you will be looking from about $50 million to $200 million to hit first oil.

Regardless of terrain, it is quite a huge investment. There are different ways of financing, for example via banks or private equity.

If you go the bank route, you may look at reserve-based lending,

world is moving away from dirtier fossil fuels to cleaner energy, Nigeria is looking towards gas.

As you may be aware that even the government is encouraging the conversion of cars (vehicles) from petrol into gas as a source of energy. There is a lot more and the government is gradually phasing out the use of Kerosene for cooking.

The two sectors are interwoven always, just as we explore and produce the crude oil upstream, refine it in the mid-stream and distribute it downstream for domestic consumption. So there is quite a bit of transition taking place downstream.

I believe that our strength in the downstream and mid-stream will give us an added advantage as we venture upstream.

Ayinde in which case you must have proven and verifiable reserves or straight debt financing, where you may be required to have other sources of income. Private equity on the other hand would look at private investors who could be interested in private equity or debt financing through the use of technical partners. Unfortunately, the banks are not interested at this time to lend aggressively to the sector as they like to come in after you have hit first oil, they may then consider reserve-based lending.

So, most of us awardees would be looking at private equity, where we will get technical partners to farm into the assets and we can give up some percentage. By law, we are not allowed to give anyone else more than 49% of the asset. This means that you as an indigenous partner will hold onto 51% of the asset and will always be the majority. This is one good advantage of being a Nigerian in owning an asset.

Your company has been a key player in the downstream sector.What gives you the confidence that you can transit to the upstream sector?

We have been in the petroleum industry for over 15 years.

We’ve participated actively in the Marine Logistics subsector, moving large volumes of petroleum products from one place to the other. I’m someone who likes to say that I came from the sea to land. We then ventured into the downstream sector. We have been able to go through the entire value chain and it has been a wonderful experience. Behind all of that, is the upstream which completes the entire value chain of the oil and gas sector. It is an area we have always wanted to go into. The last marginal fields bid rounds were in 2003, and that was 18 years ago. We as a company have been waiting for this opportunity for 15 years.

The world including Nigeria is moving into alternative energy and for Nigeria, we are looking for more gas for cleaner energy.

There is a huge opportunity in that sector that is untapped.

Nigeria is more of a gas reserve country than a crude oil reserve.

Globally, gas is taking the central stage in line with the concept of going towards cleaner energy. There is a lot of emphasis in Nigeria today on gas because we have a lot more gas with proven reserves at 200 Trillion TCF largest in Africa and probably the seventh-largest in the world. However, this is a massively untapped area and our production is low. These are areas that a lot of us in the downstream, or even in other sectors, are looking forward to as the next level as we will bring in some of this gas from the upstream to the domestic market as LPG. Even as the

Some experts, including your humble self, believe that there is a need to change the narrative in the petroleum sector. How do you want to go about achieving this worthy goal?

First of all, I would like to emphasize that there is not a lot of people of my gender in the petroleum industry. We have been few that have participated or played actively in all sectors. I want them to see that this is not a male-dominated only business. There are few women players in the upstream, but with this exercise, hopefully, there are more openings for women participation.

I’m hoping that my coming into this sector, it is showing that there is a lot of good prospects for the women folks in the industry. This space is made for indigenous companies, giving all, whether male or female the full-fledged benefits of being a Nigerian to participate. As I said earlier, this is a huge opportunity for anyone who is a Nigerian as it gives you an added advantage over the expatriates that would come into the sector.

Moreover, it is exciting because I’m a woman in a male-dominated sector, and we have been seriously embraced by the whole value chain. I feel there is a lot of encouragement for a lot of us (females) to participate. So in changing the narrative, it would be that more Nigerians and particularly women can do this. There is a lot to achieve as being a Nigerian. If you consider the advantage offered by the Local Content Act on indigenous owners, there are certain aspects left exclusively for Nigerians only. So you would feel privileged to participate in something like this and be ‘Proudly Nigerian’.

A lot of people have expressed difficulty in raising finances in this sector.What is your take on this?

First of all, it is good for you to understand why people are finding it difficult to raise funds. Some unusual things have happened in this sector. For example in the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic on April 20, 2020, the price of oil nosedived to $0 and then it went even lower to -$35 until it was pegged by the New York Stock Exchange. This is something unusual and most unfortunate, it shook the entire industry. Before this time, oil was trading at very low levels, WTI was trading at $20 and Brent, which affects us in Nigeria, was trading at $25. Before now, oil was seen as very stable and unshakable. But during the pandemic, oil became cheaper than McDonald’s happy meal.

On that unfortunate day (April 20, 2020), the price of crude WTI crude oil nosedived to -$35 per barrel, which meant at some point, you were paying someone $35 per barrel to take your oil. Now, if you consider the cost of exploration, production and in places like Nigeria with community disruption & expenses, bringing production cost in most cases from between $18 - $25 per barrel, you will see that for quite a while they were trading at a huge loss and when the sector loses money, the Banks are badly hit. This has left a dent in the banks considering that when they took up many of these investments, oil was trading at $100 per barrel. This has made banks extremely cautious of the Oil and Gas sector and their risk departments don’t forget easily. Although oil is now trading at $70 per barrel, the low prices of oil in recent times has been a major obstacle in funding. Hopefully, as time goes on, their wounds would heal and memories will fade, provided oil remains stable and trades above $50 per barrel. I am optimistic that we will become the beautiful bride of the banking sector once again.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 26, 2021

TRIBUTE Fola-Alade

Life and Times of a Public Servant who Lived for All Raheem Akingbolu pays tribute to one of the four pioneer Architecture graduates of the Nigerian College (now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria), Chief (Arc.) Isaac Fola Alade, who died last week at 87 and left a legacy of building the nation and nurturing five kids alone as a single father after his wife died in 1976 at 38

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graphical Institute Medal of Honours, 1987; Albert Einstein International Academy Award, 1988. hd: Doctor of Science in Architecture (Hon. D.Sc), Marquis Guisepe Scicluna, University Foundation, Malta, 1988. For those of us who grew up in Aramoko, the memory is still fresh about how Chief Alade would come home with the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo (Rtd) and other prominent men and women between 1976 and 1979 to play squash.

n life and death, Chief (Arc.) Isaac Fola Alade, OFR, FNIA, RIBA, D.Sc. (Hons.), was a newsmaker. As a public servant, stories abound about Chief Alade’s integrity and commitment to service. Since Friday, last week, when he breathed his last, Nigerians have continued to pour in tributes about the iconic structures he designed and built in Nigeria and other countries.

Some people have gone deeper by pointing out his simple lifestyle and zero tolerance for corruption.

According to those who knew him while in active service till he bowed out gloriously in 1979 as Federal Permanent Secretary, Chief Alade was said to have singled out himself as a man of integrity by not dipping his hands into public funds. Growing up in Aramoko Ekiti in the 80s, my father was always quick to tell us the story of how Chief Alade returned money to the government coffers after execution of a particular project to the consternation of his colleagues and junior officers.

A Man for his Community

Phenomenal single father...

In 1976, friends and family of Chief Alade woke up to the sad news of the death of his darling wife Late Eunice Olayemi Fola-Alade at a young age of 38. Perhaps because of the young age of the late woman, many had suggested he buried her in Lagos and quickly moved on with his life but Chief Alade stood his ground that the remains of his darling partner must be taken to his home town in Aramoko Ekiti.

In a jiffy, Chief Alade had sent delegates to the ancient town to construct a well-designed tomb that could accommodate him, his wife and mother at the burial ground of the St. Phillips Anglican Church. As the star of the community, this was considered a taboo as some local folks argued that such an initiative could shorten his own life. Again, he stuck to his gun and the grave was constructed. As a primary school pupil in the 70s/80s, this reporter, with other pupils who attended the Ansar-u-deen Primary School, daily trekked along the route and stopped by to appreciate the simple architectural design of that particular tomb amidst others in the burial site. Then we would conjure stories that the remains of the late woman in the grave were as fresh as ever, even when we didn’t see them. It’s a beauty to behold with lights and flowers that were alien to our community.

As a 46-year old man, with a busy career, many had wondered how the young widower would cope. Of course, many friends and family members suggested he picked a new wife to help him train the kids while he faced his job which was then at the peak. As a loving father, Fola-Alade valued his kids and was not prepared to allow a strange woman to toil with them. Those who were expecting him to take a new wife waited in vain as Chief Alade remained single since 1976 till last Friday when he died. His plum job notwithstanding, by 1979, he must have considered his busy schedule as a distraction for him to properly take care of his kids and he threw in the towel. Despite pleas from his close friend, including the then head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Adeyinka Adebayo and a host of others, Alade quitted public service and went into private practice to be able to have unbridled time for his kids. Today, to the glory of God, all his five kids are doing well in their respective fields. He’s survived by two Architects, a Medical Doctor turned Pastor, a Lawyer and a Sociologist.

However, his love for the children didn’t include lobbying for them or going extra miles to influence admissions or jobs.

In a friendly chat with one of his kids, Kola Fola-Alade while working on the mandate Estate, Ilorin a few years back, the then young Architect had displayed a rare humility without any airs around him as he took time to regale yours sincerely with the exemplary lifestyle of his father. “At a time, we thought he was wicked when we expected him to just put a call across to a friend to assist us for either admission or job opportunities but we later realized he was only living his life and today we are better for it,” Kola had stated.

The same story was shared with this reporter by one of his sons-in-law, Soji Oyawoye at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos shortly after the meeting with Kola. Oyawoye relayed various stories shared by his wife, Bisi, on the disciplinarian lifestyle of Chief Alade. If there is anything that caught my attention in the two encounters, it was the discovery that the late chief insisted that his kids must attend public secondary schools and universities in Nigeria at a time many people in his class would do anything humanly possible to send theirs abroad for studies.

His Accomplishments and Iconic structures That Chief Fola-Alade was one of the four pioneer Architecture graduates of the Nigerian College (now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) is no longer news. The icing on the cake was that he won the “Atlas Award” for the best aca-

Fola Alade demic performance in 1958. He concluded his Architecture studies on a Commonwealth Scholarship at the Architectural Association School, Bedford Square in London.

He was the first Architect to become a Federal Permanent Secretary, the Permanent Secretary Special Duties. By the time he would retire in 1979, he had carved a niche for himself. His works spanned across five decades with his distinct Architectural signature in cities and countries.

He designed, and supervised the construction of the following projects; National Institute of Sports, National Stadium, Surulere in readiness for the 2nd All African Games in January 73, Office of the Head of State and Council of Chambers, Dodan Barracks (1971), The Twin Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, Lagos (76) and Prototype Federal Secretariats in all nineteen State capitals in Nigeria (1973-76). Others are; Satellite Town, Lagos (1975-78), Heads of States, Federal Govt Guest Houses, V/Island, Lagos (1975), Ministry of External Affairs, Marina (76) and many others.

As captured in his autobiography ‘Remember Whose Son Thou Art,’ his appointment as Permanent Secretary was dramatic. The then head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, who took over after General Murtala Muhammad was gruesomely murdered faced the problems of getting accommodation for the humongous Nigerian soldiers after the civil war and he reached out to Alade for professional advice. Obasanjo had, in humourous manner asked Fola Alade if he knew “… a mad man who could help him build barracks rapidly to house poorly accommodated soldiers”.

“This mad man must operate out of civil service rules not shackled by memos, bureaucratic rules and carrying files around for approval thus delaying matters of national urgency”. Fola Alade told the head of state: “I know no such mad man” to which Obasanjo then responded “you are the mad man!”

This was how his appointment as permanent secretary projects was announced. As expected, Fola Alade delivered his assignment with panache, grace, efficiency, flair and integrity, building army barracks all over the country before Obasanjo handed over government to the civilian government of Shehu Shagari who did not have to worry of disquiet about accommodations from the army.

For Chief Fola-Alade, it was not a case of work and work without play. He’s as great in Architecture as he is in Sports.

He loved playing Golf, Squash, Swimming, and Billiards Pro-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt (1990), Albert Einstein Bronze Medal, 1985; American Bio-

In the words of two illustrious sons of Aramoko Ekiti, Messrs Laolu Akinluyi and Gani Musa-Fakanle, Aramoko was like a glorified village until the 70s when Chief Fola-Alade appeared on the scene to change the game. According to them, the story began to change when the respected Chief joined hands with other prominent citizens from the district (Aramoko, Erinjiyan, Ikogoasi, Ipole and Erio Ekiti) to see to the establishment of Aramoko District Commercial Secondary School.

This was also corroborated by the President, Aramoko Development Association, Dr. Dipo Aladeloye, who described the late renowned public servant as a “priceless national asset” that never lost touch with his community despite his robust national and international profile.

In a statement issued by ADA to appeal to Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and President Muhammadu Buhari to immortalize his name with appropriate monuments. Aladeloye declared that ‘Chief Alade was not only the architect of the modern Aramoko Ekiti but a special angel in human flesh sent

by God Almighty to take the ancient town to its Promised land.

He said: “From anywhere you take the story, it is difficult, if not impossible to profile Aramoko without a special mention of Chief Fola Alade, the Mayegun and Asiwaju of the town.

In 1976, arising from his contributions, prodigious delivery on assignments and integrity; the Federal government of the day then sited the headquarters of the present Ekiti West Local Government in Aramoko to encourage him for his unparalleled stewardship and dedication.

“In 1970, he worked assiduously with some notable personalities from the district then (Aramoko, Erijiyan, and Ikogosi towns) and brought what is today known as Aramoko District Commercial Secondary School, Aramoko Ekiti.

“In the 80s, Aramoko got into global reckoning when, as a result of Chief Alade’s contributions to national development, prodigious delivery on assignments and integrity; the government of the day sited Nitel IDD and NIPOST in Aramoko to encourage and reward him for his unparalleled stewardship.

“As one of his efforts to attract development and foster unity among his people, Chief Fola Alade, in 1978, brought in the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) to Aramoko, including installation of street lights. It was the same year he spearheaded the maiden Aramoko Day Celebration to which he brought in some notable business moguls; Henry Fajemirokun, S.B Bakare, Moshood Abiola and a host of others.

This feat of ‘AraDay’ celebration in grand style he repeated at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos in 1982 and a few subsequent years,” All these did not however go unnoticed as Aramoko never failed to pay back. Until last Friday when he died, he remained the Mayegun and Asiwaju of Aramoko Ekiti.

A life of service and reward Chief Fola-Alade chose nothing but a good name instead of great riches and this manifested in all his dealings while alive.

He lived a life of service which was appreciated by all. As an old boy of the prestigious Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, where he once served as President of the Old Students, his name is written in gold. As a believer of Christ, the late Chief took Anglican Church seriously and helped to grow the church monumentally.

A former Pro-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (1990), Chief Alade also once served as Chairman, Board of Directors of Lafarge Cement (WAPCO) Nigeria.

He clinched the Albert Einstein Bronze Medal in 1985 and American Biographical Institute Medal of Honours in1987. In 1988, he won Albert Einstein International Academy Award and in 1988, he was honoured with Doctor of Science in Architecture (Hon. D.Sc), Marquis Guisepe Scicluna, University Foundation, Malta.

He started work as a Resident architect in the old Western Region and later Lagos City Council. In 1969, he became the first Registrar of the Architects Registration Council (ARCON).

He later joined the Federal Civil Service and rose to become Director of Public Buildings. In 1976, he became the first architect to be appointed a Permanent Secretary. He went into private practice in 1979. Fola-Alade was awarded the prestigious title of OFR in 1979.

A role model and destiny helper to many Nigerians, Arc. Fola-Alade sure lived a fulfilling life and left a legacy worthy of emulation by all. Rest well Papa!

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

26.06.2021

NEWS

ROUND 16 TICKET AT STAKE PAGE. 31

Emmanuel Dennis Succour from Vicarage Road

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;, 2021

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Emmanuel Dennis in action for FC Cologne

Emmanuel Dennis Succour from Vicarage Road Club Brugge were emphatic in rejecting him, while FC Klon where he spent half of last reason on loan did not mince words in expressing their regrets at signing him. Against all odds, however, newly promoted Premier League side, Watford have decided to take a gamble on Emmanuel Dennis to add to the three Nigerians in their fold.The big question however is whether he could leverage on theVicarage Road move to revive his dwindling career

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n modern football, most transfers come after many links arise on websites and social media. However, Watford moved swiftly and in silence to secure the services of Nigerian international Emmanuel Dennis from Club Brugge. Reports of any negotiations between Watford and Dennis were non-existent prior to the confirmation of the deal.

Dennis on Monday completed his transfer from Belgian champions Club Brugge to newly-promoted English Premier League side Watford FC for an undisclosed fee.

The speedy striker spent half of the 2020/21 season out on loan at FC Cologne where he played nine matches in the German Bundesliga without scoring a single goal.

According to the club’s official website: “An agreement with Club Brugge has been reached for the transfer of exciting young forward Emmanuel Dennis, Watford FC is delighted to confirm,” a statement read.

The 23-year-old Nigerian spent part of last season on loan in Germany’s Bundesliga with FC Koln, having first joined the Belgian top-flight side in the summer of 2017.

A scorer of 27 goals in just over 90 club appearances for Brugge, he has featured in both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

The Hornets are currently finalising per-

sonal terms with the pacy striker – capped twice by Nigeria so far.

Watford have demonstrated huge confidence in Dennis despite the many controversies surrounding him by giving him a five-year contract.

The 23-year-old winger, who Watford described as “exciting, young forward”, has signed a contract with Watford till June 2026 after Belgian champions Club Brugge made it very clear he does not have a future with them.

Club Brugge will also receive between four and five million Euros as transfer fee on the player.

Dennis was accused of being a bad influence in the Club Brugge dressing room.

He was also handed a ban for dangerous driving and he was involved in a row over sitting arrangement in Club Brugge team bus ahead of a UEFA Champions League tie.

Cologne sporting director Horst Heldt expressed his regret in signing Dennis after he joined the Bundesliga side from Club Brugge temporarily in January as the German side try to explore every available options to find the back of the net in the 2020/2021 campaign.

According to a German website Mobil express, the 51-year-old Heldt confessed

that Dennis was a fine footballer but that his character affected his integration with his teammates and the club.

“He’s not an easy guy,” Heldt said of Dennis, We knew about this problem, but we took too much risk. We misjudged that.”

“Dennis caused a stir because his behaviour was not what the squad needs to be doing.

We then dropped him because our priority was the group.

“That was a bad transfer that is my responsibility.”

The Yola, Nigeria-born striker managed to register a goal in a DFB Pokal game against Jahn Regensburg but did not find the back of the net in any Bundesliga game during his time with Cologne.

Part of his reportedly bad attitude while under contract this past season with Club Brugge was also down to his desire to depart in the 2020 summer transfer window, but the Belgian champions did not let him leave.

Reports suggested that in 2020, Arsenal saw a £15 million bid rejected, as well as a £12 million bid turned away the summer prior.

Considering clubs such as Arsenal were willing to offer eight figures for his signature, the player’s qualities are well-documented.

In the 2019/20 season, Dennis scored nine times and assisted twice in 33 matches across all competitions, including a memorable brace at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in

the Champions League. In 2018/19, Dennis had 10 goal contributions in 32 matches.

The season before that he scored 12 goals and provided five assists across 38 matches.

He can play in both central and wide roles.

His attacking numbers are impressive; his age and progress indicate he still has plenty of time to further improve.

The 23-year-old’s versatility means he provides firm starting competition for both wing positions and, more notably, the central-forward role. The right-wing is to be occupied by Ismaila Sarr unless an improbable, irrefutable offer arrives. The starting role for the left-wing position, however, remains firmly up for grabs. Dennis will provide a speedy inverted-winger option.

Dennis also provides much-desired starting competition in the centre of the attack, though the Hornets are said to be working on a deal for yet another striker. So, his main position at Vicarage Road remains to be seen.

Adept to both wide and central attacking play, the Hornets have themselves a player who has played naturally, and considerably well, in whichever attacking position they want him to play in.

The Hornets do not have another striker like Dennis in their squad. No other Watford centre-forward is characterised by their rapid pace. Frequently when on the counter-attack, star-winger Sarr’s speed means the supporting Watford cavalry does not arrive until the defense has already retreated. Dennis provides a player who can match Sarr’s blistering sprints on the counter-attack.

Dennis is also known for his well-timed runs behind the defense. Fellow new-signings Imran Louza and Danny Rose have previously provided service for such movement well at their former clubs.

Besides, for the cut-rate price Watford likely coughed up for his signature, the very low risk, super high reward nature of this transfer makes this move yet another extremely shrewd piece of business by Gino Pozzo. How well he integrates at Vicarage Road in his attempt to revive his career remains to be seen.

Dennis began his professional career with some experience as a teenager in the Ukrainian Premier League with Zorya Luhansk.

He is the eighth African player on the books of Watford joining William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria), Tom Dele-Bashiru (Nigeria), Adam Masina (Morocco), Isaac Success (Nigeria), Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal), Imran Louza (Morocco) and Kwadwo Baah (Ghana).

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EURO 2020... EURO 2020...EURO 2020... EURO 2020...

Alaba-Inspired Austria Set to Upset Italy for a Q’Final Place Against all odd Austria inspired by the Austro-Nigerian born Captain David Alaba progressed from the group stage in an Euro championship for the first time in their history and would be craving for more against a well-knitted Italy that are yet to concede a goal so far in the tournament

David Alaba inspired Austria to beat Ukraine in their last group game to book a Round 16 place

Having emerged as one of the tournament favourites, Italy meet unfancied Austria at Wembley today, in the last 16 of Euro 2020.

While the Azzurri’s sparkling start to the championships has continued a record-equalling unbeaten run, the Austrians are into the knockout phase for the first time ever, after finally ending their Euros drought with two group-stage wins.

Keeping expectations in check may be Italy’s most difficult task heading into the latter stages of this summer’s European Championships, as an 11th win in a row last time out helped them extend their undefeated streak to a total of 30 games. Tying a national record set back in the 1930s under legendary coach Vittorio Pozzo, the 1-0 victory over Wales was scant reward for their shadow side’s complete domination last Sunday.

Roberto Mancini managed to keep his team’s momentum going despite wholesale changes - with eight of the previous starting XI dropping out - to claim maximum points once again, following back-to-back 3-0 victories over Turkey and Switzerland.

However, their prize for cruising through as winners of Group A is a place in the more challenging side of

the draw, as they will face Belgium or Portugal in the next round should they progress, and then potentially France, Spain or Croatia in a semi-final.

First, though, La Nazionale must leave their Roman stronghold at Stadio Olimpico to meet Austria on neutral turf. Nonetheless, they will travel north in the knowledge that no Italian team has lost to their neighbours since 1960, and they have emerged as winners in each of the nations’ four major tournament meetings.

Yet to concede a goal in the competition, a clearly united squad - in which even substitute goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu has been awarded a handful of minutes - have not only proved an entertaining prospect for neutrals, but also shown they are made of stern stuff at the back. In fact, the last time Italy failed to keep a clean sheet was in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands last October - over 1,000 minutes of football ago.

The four-time world champions have now reached 10 straight wins for only the second time in their illustrious history - the first such streak having come during qualifying and have not lost at all since 2018, so are in pole position to sweep past their Alpine counterparts this weekend.

With the odds already stacked against them due to a gulf in world ranking and historic stature, Austria will potentially tackle their first-ever knockout fixture in European Championship history with few partisan fans present at ‘the home of football’.

Earlier this week, their football federation urged supporters not to travel to London for the clash with Italy, after they unsuccessfully attempted to have the match moved from England due to health and safety concerns.

As there is also a quarantine requirement for Austrians travelling to and from London, the prospect of Das Team being roared on by thousands of success-starved fans may be diminished, but they will at least arrive there having risen to the challenge of escaping Group C by beating Ukraine last time out.

While Austria would still have qualified along with their opponents had they drawn, in the end they deserved to win by more than just Christoph Baumgartner’s first-half goal, which left coach Franco Foda enthused about his team’s unprecedented achievement.

After the match, Foda noted that his squad had been determined “to write

history” and progress through the first stage of any major tournament for the first time since their notorious 1982 World Cup campaign.

In fact, the former West Germany international has hardly taken a wrong step while at the helm; guiding the Austrians to League A promotion in the Nations League and through the Euro 2020 qualifiers since his appointment at the start of 2018.

The Mainz-born tactician now leads his adopted nation into a tantalising last-16 encounter, still seeking to offer his star man David Alaba a settled role in the side.

Wherever he plays, the Real Madridbound 29-year-old - known for his versatility which has seen him play at left-back, in central midfield and on either flank - will be essential to his country’s hopes of causing a seismic upset this evening. Having tasted Wembley glory once before in 2013, when Bayern beat Dortmund there in the Champions League final, the captain’s presence may even be enough to keep the Austrian dream alive.

Meanwhile, Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam plays host to the first of the Euro 2020 last-16 ties this evening as Wales take on Denmark.

Wales finished second to Italy in Group A, while Denmark defied the odds to finish as runners-up to Belgium in Group B despite losing their first two games.

Five years on from their memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Wales have a chance to create more happy memories after reaching the knockouts in successive tournaments.

The Dragons lost 1-0 to Italy in their final group match, but that is a result Rob Page likely would have accepted ahead of the match as it ensured his side remained in second.

Page was able to rotate his side for the Italy game, which was the Dragons’ second loss in 16 competitive matches. Not since June 2019 have they lost successive competitive games.

However, Wales have lost their only two previous matches in Amsterdam - against the Netherlands in 1988 and 2014 - and they will not have any supporters present in the ground.

COVID-19 travel restrictions have prevented the ‘Red Wall’ from making the trip, whereas Denmark supporters will be allowed to attend en masse in what should be a huge advantage.

Denmark will also have the backing of the neutrals, no doubt, given the events that unfolded in their opening group match against Finland.

The sight of Christian Eriksen being resuscitated on the field will live long in the memory of those who watched on, not least the playmaker’s own teammates.

This will be the Red and White’s first appearance in the latter stages of the Euros since 2004, and like on that occasion they will be aiming to reach at least the quarter-finals.

Denmark have won their last three competitive meetings with Wales in a run stretching back to June 1999, though this is the first meeting between the sides at a major tournament.

FIXTURES ROUND OF 16 SATURDAY

Wales Italy Netherlands Belgium

vs Denmark vs Austria vs Czech Rep vs Portugal

MONDAY

Croatia vs Spain 18:00 France vs Switzerland 21:00 TUESDAY

England vs Germany 18:00 Sweden vs Ukraine 21:00

18:00 21:00 18:00, 21:00

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GLOBAL SOCCER

NFF President Pinnick (second left) in handshake with Bamidele Onalaja (CEO of Revolution Plus, first right) while Mr Taye Ige(middle), Mrs Onalaja (second right) and Barr. Obi (first left) look on.

Nigerian Women Relay Teams Book Tokyo Olympics Ticket The4×400metresteampicked theirqualificationafterrecording the best time of 3:26.84 at the just concludedLagosOpenAthletics Championships.

Nigerian women athletic teams for the 4×100 and 4×400 metres relay race have qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while the men’s teams are yet to pick their own tickets for the summer games.

The 4×400 metres team comprising Favor Ofilli, OkonGeorge, Imaobong Nse Ukoh andKnowledgeOmovohfinally picked their qualification after recording the best time of 3:26.84 atthejustconcludedLagosOpen Athletics Championships.

The team had failed to scale through at the National Cham-

pionships whichheldonJune17 in Lagos when they recorded a time lag short of qualification.

The Lagos Open Athletics Championships at the Teslim Balogun stadium was the last straw for their qualification with athletes from otherAfrican Countries competing for the Tokyo Olympics qualification.

Blessing Okagbare led Rosemary Chukwuma, Favor Ofilli, and Grace Nwokocha in the 4×100 metres team to secure their own Olympics qualification at the trials which took place at the Yaba College of Technology track-field, where they pulled a 42.97 time.

The 4×100 team had also

failed to pick their qualification immediately as their recorded race time was average but for the inability of athletes from other African nations to beat the race time.

Disappointment came from the men’s team both in 4×100 and 4×400 metres who failed to capitalise on the Lagos championships to qualify and will now have their last opportunity on Sunday at the Making of Champions, MOC Relays also at Yabatech.

Nigeria’swomen’sbestrecord at the 4×100 metres is held by the quartet, Beatrice Utondu, Faith Idehen, Christy OparathompsonandMaryOmagbemi in 1992 at Barcelona where they recorded 42.39 race time.

Ahead of Mexico Friendly NFF Names 23-man Super Eagles Team Augustine Eguavoen has named Enyimba’s trio of John Noble, Imoh Obot, and Anayo Iwuala in the final 23-man team departing Abuja for the United States, where they will face reigning Concacaf champions Mexico in an international friendly match next week.

With head coach Gernot Rohr stepping aside in the absence of regular Super Eagles stars, Eguavoen has

the arduous task of putting together a team that will not disgrace the nation against the best team in North America.

And the Nigeria Football Federation technical director is counting on the experience of Heartland’s goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Abia Warriors’ Adekunle Adeleke, Noble, and Iwuala – players who have spent time with the Super Eagles A team.

The former international

defender, however, sent home Rivers United’s Ifeanyi Anaemena, Kwara United’s Christopher Nwaeze,PKEFC’s ShaibuSuleman,andEnyimba’s Ekundayo Ojo. Rangers International’s Chinonso Ezekwe also did not make the travelling party after leaving camp to sealadeal abroad.

Nigeria’sCHANEaglesbattle Mexico’s El Tri on July 4th at the LAColiseum in California

NFF, RevolutionPlus Sign Agreement to Nigeria Football to New Heights The Nigeria Football Federation and estate giants Revolution Plus Property Limited yesterday in Lagos put pen to paper in an agreement that both parties believe will engender the rapid development of Nigeria Football to desired new heights.

The event held at the Studio 2 of HotSports Media Group, was witnessed

by Mr Taye Ige, President of HotSports Media Group – facilitators of the agreement.

President of the NFF Amaju Pinnick showered

encomiums on the estate firm, saying that it is a top- flight company with admirable local content and a vision for growth, vitality, dynamism and giving joy to Nigerians, which dovetail with that of the NFF. “We are indeed proud to come into partnership with Revolution Plus.

Check out all our partners and sponsors – they are all at the top of their various games and endeavours. We do our thorough intel on prospective partners before we draft an agreement.”

Eko Boys, Lead Forte Win GTBank Masters Cup Season 9 Fifteen months after the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause to one of Nigeria’s illustrious grassroots football competitions, the GTBank Masters Cup returned on Thursday, June 17 to decide the winners of the 9th season. The final and third-place matches for the male and female category were played on June 17 and 18 at the Campos Stadium, Lagos Island.

In the male category, the GTBank Masters Cup final lived up to its billing as Eko Boys showed grit to edge out Anwar Ul Islam in a match that ended 2-0. The victory was a testimony to resilience as Eko

Boys had tried for many years to win the coveted trophy. In the third-place game, Kings College were winners in a 3-0 walkover in the absence of Greensprings College, Lekki.

In the female category, the highlight of the day was the third-place match that ended in a 5-1 victory for Queens College, Yaba over Ansar Ur Deen College, Itire. In the finals, Greensprings College, Lekki, lost 3-0 to the defending champions, Lead Forte Garden College.

Commenting on the resumption of the GTBank Masters Cup, the Chief Executive

Officer and Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Segun Agbaje, said; “Sports has an immense capacity to shape young minds, and after the unprecedented disruptions of the previous year, we are delighted that young people can get back on the pitch to imbibe the values of excellence, teamwork and fairplay. At GTBank, we will continue to champion programmes that bring the values of sports to school compounds and give young people the platform to hone their talents and build character whilst staying focused on their academics.”

Orji and Chukwueze’s at the Abia Speaker’s country home in Umuahia

Samuel Chukwueze: A Justification of Abia Speaker’s Several Stadium Projects When Nigerian-born European football champion, Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal FC of Spain visited the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, on Sunday in Umuahia, it resonated the importance of the Speaker’s several mini stadiums in different parts of his constituency and beyond.

No doubt, Samuel Chukwueze who played football in the local streets and makeshift fields as a kid will be happy with what Mr. Speaker is doing knowing that the several mini stadiums serve as an impetus and extra motivation for the younger ones to hone their skills, become sports champions, prosper from it, make society proud and give back to humanity, just exactly like the Villarreal star who hails from the same Amaokwe Ugba community in Umuahia North LGA as the Speaker, is doing today.

The Ibeku Egwu Asaa mini stadium, Isieke, Umuahia, is one of Mr. Speaker ’s several stadiums. Its construction has reached advanced stage and very soon, trainings and formal sporting competitions will be holding there, youths will be meaningfully occupied and taken away from social vices, the streets will be more peaceful, talents will be discovered, and many more Samuel Chukwuezes will emerge.

So whenever you come across any of the mini stadiums embarked upon by Mr. Speaker, whether at Isieke, or at St. Stephen’s Primary School in the heart of Umuahia, or at Ubakala, or at Umuopara, or at Ikwuano; or even the upcoming ones at Olokoro and Ohuhu, just remember that Abia State is in the process of birthing sports prodigies like the Speaker ’s brother Samuel Chukwueze to be unleashed on the world courtesy of Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the multiple Award-winning Speaker of the 7th Abia State House of Assembly, and thanks to the ever reliable Kinetic Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for all his support.

The Speaker is seeing very far and investing heavily in the youths. In due course, posterity will judge him both kindly and justly.

Over 140 Players for 1st Chief Chizea Memorial Asaba Golf Tourney No fewer than 140 golfers are expected to grace the maiden edition of Chief Nicholas Onyeogali Chizea Memorial Golf Tournament holding and Tree Planting Ceremony at lbori Golf and Country Club (IGCC), Asaba, Delta State.

The tournament bankrolled and hosted by Mrs. Christy Nkechi Chizea is to be organised annually in memory of her late husband who during his lifetime was an avid golfer.

Speaking on the event, IGCC Captain, Mr. Alfred Ebreneyin assured all players that the venue was safe and the course would be in top notch condition to honour his late predecessor, while reiterating that all logistics were in place to transport guests from airport and hotels to the golf club.

Ebreneyin said: “The premier edition of the tournament which teed-off from June 24 - 26th, 2021 is featuring caddie’s Past Captain of IGCC, Chief Chizea tournament, then Pro golfers outing with selected amateurs, and finally, amateurs featuring ladies, gentlemen and veterans.

Chief Chizea was the past captain of IGCC for two years and passed on after a brief illness last year. He left a solid legacy in the club notably the caddy hut he built with office at the club, and he was well loved by all who knew him.

There will be a presentation ceremony to honour players that excelled at the end of the games today. This will be preceded by the tree planting in his honour a tradition of the club before the ceremonial tee off. We look forward to the grace of God and favourable weather as the event unfolds.”

Lagos SWAN Commends Sanwo-Olu over Athletes’Welfare The leadership of the Lagos State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria has commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over his continued support for sports and quality leadership.

Lagos SWAN Executive Committee, under the leadership of Debo Oshundun, applauded the latest announcement which saw the official hand over of a 3-bedroom flat at the Babatunde Raji Fashola Housing Estate, Iponri,

to the First Olympic Gold Medalist in Nigeria and in Africa, Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara (MON), in fulfilment of a 25-year-old pledge by the then Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The gesture, according to the association, will not only encourage others to strive for greatness, but is also a testimony of the labours of our heroes not being in vain.

“We wish to thank His Excellency for this noble gesture of honoring our heroes, and in the process, encouraging those coming behind.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;, 2021

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Frank Onyeka

Frank Onyeka Living His Dream He has always craved to play in the Premier League, but for the Blues of Chelsea, however, when newly promoted Premiership side, Brentford came calling, it was still a welcome development for Frank Onyeka. Whether the one-cap Super Eagle can re-enact his form with FC Midtjylland in the most competitive league is another question altogether

I

f things go as expected, one-cap Nigeria international, Frank Onyeka will be a Bee next season after Brentford are in talks with the midfielder as the Premier League newcomers close in on their first summer signing.

The 23-year-old, who has one cap for Nigeria, plays for the Bees’ sister club in Denmark, FC Midtjylland.

Onyeka impressed for Midtjylland in the Champions League group stage last season, and as the club finished runnersup in the Danish Superliga.

As Thomas Frank and his recruitment chiefs, Phil Giles and Rasmus Ankersen look to strengthen the squad this summer, they believe Onyeka is ready for the move to England.

A financial agreement between the clubs is expected to be a simple to conclude given both are owned by Matthew Benham.

The Bees also want to strengthen this summer at right-back, right centre-back, midfield, on the wings and at centreforward, as they prepare for their first season in the Premier League.

Onyeka once admitted he dreams of playing for Chelsea, but it was Brentford that has been the front runner even while they are still a contender for Premier League promotion.

Quizzed then about the Bees, Onyeka told bold.dk: “No, I have not heard. I’ve not talked to my agent lately. I’m trying

to stay focused on the Super League so I’ve said we can talk about it afterwards, but I’m excited about what the future will bring me.”

On Brentford’s style, he continued: “They play a lot on strength, and they run a lot. I think I will fit in well. I watch English football more or less every weekend because Chelsea is my favourite team. So, I’ve seen how they play in England and I think it suits my style well. It could be a good opportunity for me to switch there.”

Onyeka, 23, is coming up to his fifth year with FC Midtjylland. The Danes snapped up the midfielder from Nigeria’s Ebedei, which are a satellite club of FC Midtjylland. Since then, Onyeka has helped FC Midtjylland twice win the Danish Superliga in his burgeoning career.

In a lighthearted conversation with Beesotted Brentford podcast, Brentford Director of Football Rasmus Ankersen was asked about the potential signing of Onyeka in the summer transfer window and he responded : “He’s a good player, where did you hear about him?”

Ankersen also works for FC Midtjylland, the team Onyeka has been representing since 2016, so there’s apparently a big brother-little brother relationship between Brentford and the Danish club.

There is a gentleman’s agreement in place for Onyeka to be sold in the summer transfer window after Midtjyl-

land prevented him from joining a new club last summer because they needed his services for the 2020-2021 Champions League.

Ankersen joked that negotiations with Midtjylland would be tough as he dismissed suggestions that it is easy to bring players from Denmark to the Premier League.

He added : “It’s going to be a long, long conversation to have”.

Onyeka started all the six matches contested by Midtjylland in the Champions League and showed off his tackling abilities in the middle of the field.

Meanwhile, Midtjylland sporting director Svend Graversen expects Onyeka to make instant impact in the English Premier League.

The 23-year-old has been one of the top performers for the Danish Superliga outfit since arriving from Nigeria Nationwide League club FC Ebedei in 2016. ” It’s there. There is also something in the fact that he has the interest of a lot of clubs. Our evaluation of Frank is that he is ready for one of the big leagues,” Graversen told tipsblade.dk ” There one has to assess that the Premier League is perhaps the biggest, so he is ready for that. Then we must find the right solution, and he must not least think it is the right solution. Then we have to see where

it ends.

The 23-year-old defensive midfielder came through Midtjylland’s academy but Frank is said to believe that he is ready for a move to England.

The Super Eagles star hasn’t turned up for the Danish side’s pre-season preparations and has been removed from the club’s list of available players.

Onyeka joined Midtylland from FC Ebedei.

He started with the club’s U-19 team before making the grade to the first team, where he became one of the best midfielders in the Danish top-flight.

Onyeka made his first-team debut in 2017 and has gone on to score 17 goals and provide 10 assists in 123 appearances for the Danish club.

The Bees are signing a player with Champions League and international experience. Onyeka made his debut for Nigeria in the friendly clash against Algeria last year ’s October.

He also played in all of Midtjylland’s Champions League games.

Last year, the Nigerian midfielder was voted FC Midtylland’s Player of the Year after an outstanding season.

He scored four goals made two assists in 35 appearances in all competitions for Midtylland in penultimate season.

His impressive performance helped the club clinch their third league title which they last won in 2018.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

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AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

How to Declutter Your Car

Omaa bus

OMAA Gas-powered Buses take Centre-stage at Lagos Motorfair

P

ublic attention within the Nigeria’s automotive sector will be shifting to the 15th Lagos Motor Fair inside the Indoor Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos as some visitors will for the Àrst time catch a glimpse of the OMAA range of medium and high roof passenger buses that is powered by gas.

Expected as a special guest during the 15th Edition of the Lagos Motorfair is Jelani Aliyu, director-general of the National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC) who is also championing the narrative of Nigeria’s gradual migration from petrol to gas-powered and electric vehicles as an alternative source of energy to move vehicles.

The display of OMAA range of gas-powered passenger buses that can also be adapted to other uses according the owners of the brand is part of conscious eͿort by the local assemblers to ensure that prospective buyers of the vehicles

are guaranteed good returns of their investment as OMAA is cheap to run and less expensive to maintained when compared to other buses on the road.

Earlier this month, OMAA vehicles were showcased at the just concluded Nigeria International Petroleum Summit NIPS 2021 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, where the minister of state of petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva and the executive secretary Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board NCDMB Simbi Wabote inspected the vehicles.

The OMAA team were also at the at Eagle Square where the VP and several ministers including that of trade and his information counterpart inspected the vehicles.

It would be recalled that in April this year, OMAA, right inside the local assembly plant located at Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra state, OMAA launched the Àrst batch of the dual-fuel natural gas-powered buses into the Nigerian market, which are 30-40 per cent cheaper to run and can be used for various purposes.

Present at the event were M. M. Ibrahim, chairman of the National Gas Expansion Programme, NGEP; Ishaku Abner, technical sdviser to the minister of state for petroleum and Pat Igwebuike, Special adviser on legal matters to the governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, among others.

Chinedu Oguegbu, founder and chief executive of OMAA had at diͿerent for a where the OMAA buses are presented or are on exhibition or display reiterated that, the locally assembled buses can be used as passenger bus for school shuttle, commercial transportation, cargo vans for moving farm produce, ambulances for critical life care, logistics van for the burgeoning e-commerce, utility vehicles, and for various other needs of SMEs, large or multinationals, corporate and government agencies.

Oguegbu expressed delight that the commencement of OMAA roll out is the beginning of a trend that will revolutionise not just the transportation industry, but also the energy industry in Africa, by transforming the way we utilise the abundant natural gas energy resources available.

PAN Nigeria Hosts Air ForceWar College on Inter-Agency Collaboration

P

AN Nigeria Limited recently hosted participants of the Air Force War College at its plant in Kaduna. The visit to Nigeria’s foremost automobile manufacturing plant was part of the Institution’s training programmes on national security, defense architecture and inter-agency cooperation.

The programme, which involved tours to institutions of strategic relevance to the nation, was led by Air Vice Marshall I.T. Ali, the Commandant of the College. PAN Nigeria was selected as one of the key institutions to be studied due to the importance of its industry to national development and employment, according to a statement by the Group Head, Corporate Services, PAN Nigeria Limited, Abdulkadir Yinusa.

In her welcome address to the participants, the Acting Managing Director of PAN, Ms. Taiwo Oluleye, FCIS stated that despite various challenges confronting manufacturers in the country such as rising foreign exchange rates and shortages, Insecurity and contracting purchasing power, the Management of PAN has continued to invest in critical areas that means much to users of the Company’s product range as a way of sustaining its operations. The areas include deepening customers’ service and aftersales support.

In his remarks, the Commandant, Air vice Marshal I.T Ali acknowledged the role PAN has played over the years in rolling out products that meets local and international quality standards. He further mentioned that the College is readily available to collaborate with PAN in areas of technology, especially

in knowledge sharing. In his Ànal words, the Commandant urged PAN Nigeria to ensure product quality sustainability while assuring the Company of support and patronage.

The event was wrapped up by a guided

tour of the PAN Learning Centre facility and the Industrial Assembly plants.

PAN Nigeria Limited, assemblers of Higer buses and ambulances, Chery vehicles as well as Peugeot cars.

L-R: The DDG PAN Learning Centre Mr. Husseini Abubakar; G.M Planning and Strategy, PAN, Mr. Bawo Omagbitse; Commandant, Air Force College, Air Vice Marshal I.T Ali; Acting M.D PAN Nigeria Limited Ms. Taiwo Oluleye; Group Head, Corporate Services PAN, Mr. Abdulkadir Yinusa; and Head of Industrial Operations, Mr. Oladapo Ojo, during the Air Force War College visit to PAN Nigeria… recently

Is your car disappearing under the weight of all the family clutter? Is car clutter driving you round the bend?

Has the tidiness of the family motor sunk to new lows post half-term? Steer things around and get on the road to lasting cleanliness with our tips and tricks. Here is where to start: 1. Clean First job, clear out all rubbish. Start from the front and work your way to the back, including under the seats. Organise items into those that are to stay in the car, those that belong in the house or garage and what you’re going to throw away.

2. Wipes Clean the dashboard, armrests and steering wheel with wipes. Halfords Car Dashboard Wipes come in packs of 24 and are ideal for storing in the car, but you don’t need a speciality product, as regular baby wipes are equally effective.

3. Floor mats Remove, shake out and vacuum the floor mats.

Treat spills and stains with a carpet cleaner – Simoniz Upholstery & Carpet Cleaner is simple to apply, and you just wipe it away with a damp cloth. Before you slip the mats back in, try sprinkling with baking soda overnight and vacuuming the next morning, as this will get rid of any lingering odours.

4. Door pockets Transform the door pockets from a space for empty wrappers and plastic bottles to a useful one. Fill an empty cleaning-wipes tube with plastic shopping bags for rubbish, wet umbrellas or muddy shoes and store it in the door pocket.

5. Glove compartment Your glove compartment should contain essential items, such as insurance and registration documents, and roadside assistance information. A pen and a small notepad are also handy additions.

6. Visor An organiser attached over the passenger-side or driver’s side visor means you can store sunglasses, a phone or receipts easily. Amazon and Ebay stock a wide range.

7. Cup holders To avoid cup holders becoming sticky, pop in a couple of silicone cupcake liners to keep them clean. Lakeland does a variety of sizes and colours. Keep loose change in a small empty jar and store it in your centre console.

Toys, food wrappers, and items of clothing can all add to the clutter in the rear of the car, so utilise the back of the front seat for a hanging organiser to store books, games or whatever else your little ones need in the car. The Diono Stow N Go Backseat Organiser comes with seven full-sized pockets and two drink holders in a washable, waterproof fabric. You can also make use of a shoe organiser, as the pockets are the ideal fit for toys or snacks.

9. Boot The boot is a handy storage space for essentials such as a first aid kit. A boot organiser is also worth investing in for those ‘just in case’ items. The Streetwize 2 In 1 Car Boot Shopping Organiser from Argos comes with a detachable cooler and base, including a zip-up cooler pocket.

(Source: Goodhousekeeping)

Transporters Refute Alleged Hijack of Luxury Buses,Travellers An umbrella body, Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), and one of its affiliates, the Association of Luxury Bus Transporters of Nigeria (ALBON), have described the alleged kidnap of Igbo passengers travelling on board Young Shall Grow Motors, GUO Transport and Ezenwata luxurious buses, as “fake news.”

The transporters’ associations said the ‘news’ is a conjecture which is capable of upsetting the peace and tranquility of the nation, and should, therefore, be disregarded.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of PTONA, Paul Okoghenun, explained that at no time were buses belonging to the said companies hijacked, explaining that no traveller in any of their vehicles has been kidnapped by bandits anywhere in Nigeria.

Okoghenun, who is also the Managing Director/ CEO of Rahony Travels Limited, Lagos, stated, “None of the luxury buses belonging to our members - GUO, Ezenwata and The Young Shall Grow Motors - has been hijacked by bandits, whether at Kogi or anywhere else in Nigeria. Therefore, no traveller has experienced kidnapping in the said buses.

Also reacting, Chief Nonso Ubajaka, who is the Vice President of ALBON, as well as the Financial Secretary of PTONA, said the fake news is the handiwork of mischief-makers who do not mean well for the road transportation sector and the society at large.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 26, 2021

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Coscharis Motors Storms 2021 Lagos Motor Fair With 3 Big Brands

A

ll is set for the foremost automobile dealer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors Plc., and the exclusive distributors of Ford, Ford Truck, Renault, amongst a number of other iconic global automobile brands in the country to participate in this years’ Lagos Auto Fair. The Fair, is in its 16th edition, and will be held from June 28 to July 3, 2021 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The focus is to showcase the Ford and Renault brands and at the same time introduce the Ford Trucks brand of Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles (HDCV) into the Nigerian market. Also at the fair, Coscharis will formally reveal the all new Ford Explorer, which currently is the Ford Flagship in Nigeria.

According to the Coscharis Group General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, “For the Àrst time, as the exclusive distributors of these great brands in Nigeria, we are excited to showcase the locally assembled Renault Brands, the new Ford Trucks lines and also keen to reveal the latest model of the Ford Explorer.”

“In addition, the Auto fair will be an opportunity to bring these vehicles closer to our customers and prospects alike who have been unable to visit our dealerships recently to avail them

L-R: Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; GM, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde; Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Federal House of Representative, Hon. Babajimi Benson, at the presentation of a brand new Ford EcoSport SUV, as the star prize donated by Coscharis Motors to celebrate the 2021 Public Service Week held at Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos… recently

the newer models in our custody. More importantly is to equally make the purchase of any of our brands on display very friendly with the introduction of our Ànance scheme packages through our select Ànance partner platforms.

These are some of the highlights of our

participation this time around amongst other oͿerings to delight our numerous stakeholders to continually deliver value for their money”. It’s also notable to mention that our aftersales teams will also be on ground to attend to aftersales issues relating to repairs and parts

availability for existing owners of any of our brands.

Coscharis Motors Plc has the exclusive franchise for Ford, Renault and Ford Truck brands in Nigeria with dedicated sales and service showrooms and workshops in all the geopolitical zones.

FG Urged to Address Challenges in Autogas Policy

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layers in the nation’s energy sector have said advised the federal government to address inherent challenges as it relies on intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria to implement the National Gas Expansion Programme and National Autogas

Roll-out Initiative.

Recently, the CBN introduced a N250 billion intervention fund under the National Gas Expansion Programme, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, had disclosed that the government would work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure full implementation of the Auto Gas Policy.

CBN had, in gas policy framework, said low level of investment was hindering domestic gas consumption, adding that the would stimulate production and utilization of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as clean alternative sources .

Sylva had said: “We are working right now with the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure that we are able to bring in conversion kits for a critical mass of vehicles.

“And then also give soft loans at the same time to

downstream operators to fix their filling stations, so that when we fit the two together, it will work.

PWC’s Habeeb Jaiyeola across the world, government interventions are being used to catalyse economic development.

“In many cases government interventions are quite critical in controlling cost of borrowing in developing sectors. The CBN intervention remains a positive tool for the development of the domestic gas sector,” he said.

However, the payback has to be enforced to ensure the fund remains available for further critical interventions, Jaiyeola noted, adding that further sensitization on the autogas initiative would be needed for its acceptability.

“This is a highly technical area where safety is of high importance especially where a mechanical item is made to run on fuel feedstock different from its original design.

The global acceptability of this needs to be obtained, especially from the original manufacturers. Possible negative impact needs to be identified as well to enable informed decision prior to implementation,” he added.

Appropriate pricing system needs according him must be instituted to enable the forces of demand and supply determine the price and enable adequate returns on investment.

National Autogas Expansion Programme

DEJI YESUFU : The Road Safety Guy at Agodi Secretariat He cannot be more than 35 years old but he apparently heads the Road Safety Unit at State Secretariat, Agodi, and Ibadan. I needed to renew my driver’s licence.

I showed them my form which I filled online. This guy explains to me that since I use glasses to drive, I will need to get a doctor’s report ascertaining that I can drive with or without glasses. I saw my eye doctor, Dr Oluleye Tunji Jeff at UCH. The first thing my doctor said when he saw the request was: “Nigeria is getting better”. Eye doctors have been asking FRSC to pay attention to drivers’ eyes for decades now in Nigeria. They are now putting the advice to practice.

I underwent the eye tests with my doctor and I was certified fit to drive. I then returned to Agodi for my licence. Now I am on the way to renewing my driver’s license in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Moral of the story: I have often argued in this space that what will fix Nigeria is not Government. What will fix this country is our individual contribution to nation’s building. Take the example of this guy. Before he assumed the position in that office, FRSC Agodi used to be a beehive of activities. People loitering around, etc.

Now, there is a waiting room for people who may need to have their data captured. Then you have this guy or one of his assistants asking anyone hanging around “what is the problem... what do you wish we do for you...”, minimizing loitering and ensuring swift attendance to everyone’s business. Without preference or anyone taking a bribe. I genuinely commend the man heading the Road Safety Unit at Agodi Secretariat

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

branch. I don’t know his name but I pray for more of his tribe to increase in this country. Postscript: Found his name on the badge on his chest when I went to collect my “temporary”. He is O. A. Adedokun and his men. I published his name without his permission but I think I have such a liberty to since this is a positive reportage.

Since this publication which I stumbled on the Federal Road Safety Corps social media platform, I have been elated at the positives for the Corps. Meanwhile there are varying reactions and I have also chosen while honoring him to run these commentaries by interested members of the public. Please enjoy the comments which are run unedited; Lovely story. And it inadvertently asserts that good people in government will go a long way to change our country. The FRSC Boss here is “government” We need more of him in other MDAs. May we have a positive change of attitude to be able to change Nigeria positively. Tunde Tudor was however

different .Hear him speak his mind: I beg to differ.

We already have a mess and it was created by the leaders. What will fix this nation, are the leaders not the followers. The FRSC man, chose to be different.

How many of him will you see if you gather 100s of his type? How many correct policemen will you find if you gather 100s of them? If we are waiting for all of us to be correct, it won’t happen till Jesus come. But if there’s a single leader, who gave laws and followed up with the laws, and actually enforce them, 100percent of the policemen will change within the shortest possible time.100percent of the Nigerian institutions will work within the shortest possible time. I salute the FRSC man.

Just like football supporters with varying view points ,please hear this reaction to -Tunde Tudor; Mess, created by our leader! Yes we agree. But if we will individually make efforts to do that which is right, it’s the beginning of progress which will in time lead to change. Take it or leave it, we must start from somewhere!Nice post, let not focus on leaders that are not doing well but we the followers contribute our positive quota to the development of the country.Yes I testify, the man is overly nice and really good!. Since I met him during the process, he made the process seamless. Oluyomi Femi observed that ,I suspected that a lot more people have met him.Same kind of experience I had with the port health service at Abuja Airport. One Dr Izu and a guy named Joseph. Their professionalism have given me a lot of hope for Nigeria Chibuzor Sleekcheese Leopardi L’Infinito summed up his views this way:Hope he keeps it up, because

the Nigerian syndrome has a way of creeping up as he climbs the ladder. Very commendable while another said;You are right Deji Yesufu, individual efforts is key in any society. Thanks for sharing your experience. I am an albino .do u think I can pass the test There was yet another view from Adeosun Kemi who said, I was told that there are different licences granted drivers. See an eye doctor. Let them give you a written report of the state of your eyes (on a hospital letter head) and FRSC will give you the permit suited for you while Adedapo Sunday Adeniyi said Kudos Sir, Good name is better than Gold. Keep it up Sir. Greater heights in Jesus name as well as Bolaji Alabi-Makanjuola who said-Well done officer Adedokun, God bless you.

To Amuzie Nwachukwu ,both the leaders and the general public must be involved for any meaningful change to take place. But it must start with the leaders.

If for example, you are a seating governor of a state and walk into that FRSC office to renew your drivers license and encounter the same discussion and obeyed as you did, there is no way that FRSC man will do a different thing for any member of the public who came to renew his own. When the leaders are leading by example, it will be easy for the ordinary man on the street to follow. You will lead me to follow you, not the opposite. In my opinion 70% of Nigerian problem is with leadership. Olufisayo Awe; My own story is this I never belief the renewal of my driver’s license can be that smooth and easy. Everything was done to time and in an organised manner. Gone are the days when you will have to come to register your name by 5am when you get there you… Ojelade Olalekan Matthew JP-Sir is bcos u av a good heart & stand to be corrected too.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 26, 2021

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Teens &Tweens Summit Holds Amid Excitement, Hopes

L-R: Project Director, the execution team of STEAM UP Lagos, Dr. Kemak Onyenaucheya; founder The Legend Life Foundation, Enitan Ibironke; founder, Donors For Africa Foundation, Chidi Koldsweat; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on STEM Education, Hon. Adetola Salau; and Programme Director, Bunmi Adedayo Foundation, Femi Martins, at the DFA Award ceremony, in Lagos… recently

Chivita Launches Chivita Active Zest in a new Can Format CHI Limited has unveiled Chivita Active Zest, a new and exciting sub-brand under the Chivita Active franchise. The launch intends to disrupt the mid-pack segment of the juice category by fulÀlling the growing consumer demand for a healthy on-the-go beverage to support their active lifestyle without compromising on great taste, convenience, and enhanced nourishment.

Chivita Active Zest comes in a premium 330ml Can format,

and it is made from a mix of citrus fruits with all-natural ingredients, no artiÀcial preservatives, and Áavours.

Additionally, Chivita Active Zest is fortiÀed with vitamin C for immunity support, is a good source of vitamin B1 and D3 for faster body metabolism. Chivita Active Zest also contains calcium for optimum bone health, making it a smart choice to get the right dose of essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy active life on the go.

The new Chivita Active Zest 330ml Can exudes conÀdence and style, and appeals to the youth, providing satisfaction and refreshment away from home in line with changing lifestyle trends.

CHI Limited Marketing Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, stated that the new Chivita Active Zest premium 330ml Can is designed to provide a healthy and natural on-the-go option for trendy consumers desirous of a beverage option

that compliments their non-stop active lifestyle.

“We are excited to introduce the new Chivita Active Zest in a premium 330ml Can that guarantees ease of handling and appeal, which makes it a format of choice for young consumers.

In addition, with its all-natural ingredients, we are conÀdent Chivita Active Zest will connect with trendy consumers as the preferred on-the-go beverage companion of choice for a healthy active life,” she said.

Donors For Africa Unveils Winners of Social Innovators Bootcamp 2021 Donors For Africa, a nongovernmental organisation that specialises in designing solutions for Africans to impact indigenous communities, has unveiled this year’s winner of the African Social Innovators Bootcamp.

The African Social Innovators Boot Camp, the premier boot camp in Africa is a fellowship program funded by MARITEAM Nigeria and held in partnership with the African Union Youth Envoy. It is designed to strengthen the capacity of leading development professionals and provide them with the technical expertise required to solve some of

Africa’s biggest problems.

Three winners emerged after a 4-month intensive training, with courses delivered by leading local and international experts, who equipped the change-makers with all they need to thrive.

Judged by leading founders in development, the 2021 winner is Gbenga Owoye, founder, AjoBank.ng while Omobolanle Ajijola, (founder Bina Al-Amal Foundation), and Daniel Kisitu (Muafrica Repurpose, Uganda) came in second and third place respectively.

Speaking at the award ceremony,

Chidi Koldsweat, Founder and Lead Strategist of, Donors for Africa Foundation noted that the Bootcamp is aimed at building empowered institutions with the right internal structures and processes, armed with a clear road map for action.

She reiterated that “at Donors For Africa Foundation, we strongly believe that to achieve the SDG’s we need to increase investment in the human capital especially for development professionals working at the grassroots. If these grassroots organization signs are trained, supported handheld held, many of them will survive and

in return continue to design new solutions needed to transform their communities and countries.”

Olamde Sopien, the Project Lead, revealed that this second edition of the African Social Innovators Boot Camp, had over 187 applications, and 45 innovators were selected from 23 African countries. According to her, 17 experts facilitated diͿerent sessions in the camp, and the pitch was judged by leading founders in development.

Partners at the event include the African Union O΀ce of the Youth Envoy, MARITEAM Nigeria Limited, and STEAM UP Lagos.

The Mum 2 Mum Global Foundation has gathered the Teens and Tweens across Lagos State for a one-day summit to address social issues among them.

The summit themed, “My mind, my Power; My body, My Right “oͿered a platform for children in both primary and secondary schools to connect with seasoned educationists and counsellors to discuss, ask questions shared personal experiences, and learn from the adults wealth of experience.

Founder of Mum 2 Mum, Chinyere Jerry noted that the summit was in lined with the vision of the foundation which existed to address intimate issues between mothers and children, teachers and children as well as children, through advocacy, supports, counselling and charity works.

Jerry worried about the lack of functioning guidance and counselling unit in schools which she said contributed greatly to social ills in the country today.

According to her, children are in their formative years which are mostly spent in school, hence, the

need for them to be heard and guided. She urged government to make the G&C unit a major prerequisite for approval of schools.

She said, “Most of the things that happen in the society aͿect teenagers, yet, they are given less attention. The teens and tweens are confronted with issues like peer pressure, molest and misunderstanding with parent, e.t.c, that they want to talk about but have no means to do , as such bottle up their experiences or better still, resort to the social media for answers to questions which sometimes might give misleading answers.

“At Mum 2 Mum Global Foundation, we provide platform for such intimate discussion. We want to have a platform where these ones can freely express self when their parent are not there, ask questions and get answers.

The founder further suggested the inclusion of mind power in schools curriculum as she said this would go in pari passu with children’s career to aͿect the society positively.

CITN Announces New Executives The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, has elected new o΀cers that would steer its aͿairs in the next two years.

The election of the new executives followed a successful conduct of the institute’s 29th Annual General Meeting that held recently in Lagos.

The institute announced Mr. Adesina Adedayo its 15th President.

Adedayo took over the mantle of leadership from the immediate past President of the institute, Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice.

Samuel Olushola Agbeluyi became the Vice President and Inocent Chinyere Ohagwa the Deputy Vice President, while Mr. Simon Nwanmaghyi Kato was elected the Treasurer of the institute.

The institute also created the position of two new Deputy Registrars where Dr. Lanre Olasunkanmi was appointed as the Deputy Registrar Corporate and Internal Services whole Mrs. Afolake Oso, a lawyer

and a Fellow of the Institute, was appointed as Deputy Registrar, Research and Professional Services.

Adedayo, the new President of CITN is a Risk Management and Economic Model Building specialist.

He obtained his B.Sc. degree in Accounting from the Nasarawa State University, Ke΀ in 2017.

A Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Adedayo is also a member of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) and a CertiÀed Fraud Examiner.

He holds a Special Executive Masters in Leadership & Strategy from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management (UK).

He is presently undergoing the Senior Executive Course 43, 2021 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos in Plateau State.

Lawmakers, NEPZA Commend Power Oil Launches Thematic Alaro City’s Attraction of FDI Campaign on Healthy Heart Members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment and executives of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) have commended Alaro City for the signiÀcant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and new industrial businesses the new city has attracted in the two years since its launch in the Lekki Free Zone.

Led by the Senate Committee Chairman on Trade and Investment, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, the federal lawmakers visited Alaro City in the company of the NEPZA Board of Directors, led by its Board Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Fanda, and Managing Director, Prof.

Adesoji Adesugba. The progress assessment of free zones was part of ongoing updates of the NEPZA Act before the National Assembly.

Senator Fadahunsi said the lawmakers visited to see the progress of free zones operators like Alaro City, especially with regards

to attracting investment, boosting manufacturing and creating jobs.

The results of the visit will inform the National Assembly as it makes progress on amending the NEPZA Act. “We are amazed with the level of multi-billion-dollar investments in the Lekki Free Zone, which harbours various mega projects of global magnitude like Alaro City and the Dangote ReÀnery,” he said.

“The level of progress in Alaro City and the Lekki Free Zone is encouraging and paints a clear picture of the direction we want our free zones to take,” added Senator Fadahunsi. “The amount of FDI attracted so far, with the attendant jobs created and boost to manufacturing, is commendable, and we pledge our commitment to work with Alaro City to sustain this pace. We encourage NEPZA to step up its activities, and we on our own part will aid legislatively to ensure

that industrialisation grows, and jobs are created so that this place and all other zones will be fully developed to ease the problems of this country.”

Launched in January 2019, Alaro City is planned as a 2,000-hectare mixed-income, city-scale development with industrial and logistics locations, complemented by o΀ces, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares (370 acres) of parks and open spaces. Alaro City, a model for Public-Private-Partnerships, which are a key focus for the Lagos State Government, is a joint venture between Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder and Lagos State, the economic and Ànancial nerve centre of Nigeria. Over 3.5km of initial road networks with rain garden drainages and cycling lanes are under construction; as well as power, water and sewerage infrastructure.

Foremost Vegetable oil brand, Power Oil has launched a new thematic campaign- “Listen to your Heart” to drive awareness on how to maintain healthy heart.

The campaign which also sought to enhance healthy lifestyle among Nigerians further reinstated the brand’s commitment to a healthy nation.

According to the organisation, the exercise would sensitise every Nigerian to become more aware and intentional about the heart health and enlighten on the right path to a healthy lifestyle.

Brand Manager of Power Oil, Ms. Valerie Amakulor stated that the ‘Listen to your Heart’ campaign highlights the adverse eͿects of poor lifestyle choices and unhealthy oil consumption habits popular among Nigerians, while addressing its implication on general wellbeing.

Amakulor said, “It is important

that we all take a break and listen carefully to the clues which our bodies are sending to us. If we must interpret the condition of our heart judging from the kind of treatment it’s being exposed to, what will it be?

“Is it being subjected to the right diet and the appropriate amount of physical activity to keep it healthy or otherwise? With the campaign, we are only calling on Nigerians to pay close attention to their hearts and ways to fortify it by keeping an active lifestyle and being mindful of the kind of cooking oil they consume as the wrong choice of oil contributes to clogging of the arteries and distorted Áow of blood to the heart.

“Research according to the American Heart Association has shown that keeping active is another way to care for the heart. A daily 30-minute walk can help reduce risks

of coronary heart disease, stroke, breast and colon cancer etc). In the same vein, the Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF has corroborated the fact that “an active life ensures an active heart”.

Valerie assured that the brand remained committed to the production of a healthy and quality cooking vegetable oil in Nigeria.

She said, Power Oil is made only with pure ingredients with No Cholesterol and zero Trans-fat, it is also fortiÀed with Vitamin A & E, & Omega 6 & 9, to ensure that consumers and their families get the absolute best in every meal and a great start to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”.

As part of the campaign plans, the Àrm has dedicated a day to engage and encourage all corporate staͿ to listen to their heart through one of its health advocacy initiatives – Health Camp. w

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JUNE 26,2021

NEWS

Violence against Women: 7DOOHQ 3UR;HUV 6ROXWLRQ Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Minister of Women AͿairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has asked for the immediate domestication of the National Action Plan (NAP) on the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women Peace and Security by states still foot dragging.

She said it was only by doing this that women’s voice would be further strengthened and add to the ending of all forms of conÁict associated with Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the country.

Tallen made the call in Abuja yesterday in her remarks at ‘The Lessons Learnt Conference on Promoting Women Participating in Peacebuilding in Nigeria’, organised by the West Africa Network for Peace-

building (WANEP-Nigeria) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD).

The conference is an activity under WANEP-Nigeria’s ‘Enhancing Women’s Participation in Peace and Security in Nigeria’ which aims at reÁecting on the processes adopted to strengthen women’s social networking capacities towards eͿective participation in formal peace processes in three states in the Niger Delta (Delta, Edo and Rivers states).

Represented by the Director of Women Development in the Ministry of Women AͿairs, Funke Oladipo, she lauded the progress so far in mainstreaming gender capacities and platforms for peace building, human security and social change among local

women networks in selected communities in Edo, Delta and Rivers states.

She noted that localising the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 in selected local government areas in Bauchi, Borno and Gombe states has led to women’s participation in countering violent extremism in the region, urging WANEP to ensure the achievement of the aims of the project.

She said: “It gladdens my heart the extent of progress we are all making towards ensuring that women are fully integrated into peace building processes and decision making at all levels.

“The women peace and security agenda in Nigeria is a very key and strategic programme towards strengthening women’s voice to ending all forms of

conÁict associated violence against women and girls as well as integrate them into mediation and restoration of peace in conÁict situations.”

She noted that: “The programme has greatly harnessed women’s important roles and responsibilities in constructing an enduring peace and security as well as achieving great feat in the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in the country.”

Earlier, the National Coordinator WANEP-Nigeria, Bridget Osakwe lamented that women’s contribution to security has been overlooked even when they are relevant to the issues of mediation both at home and in the community, adding that women have the capacity to bring fresh dimensions to the conversation about peace.

,QVXUJHQF\ &DQDGD *HUPDQ\ (8 DQG 2WKHUV ,QYHVW LQ 1RUWK HDVW )DUPLQJ Michael Olugbode in Abuja The People and Government of Canada, the European Union Trust Fund for Africa, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Norway and the Kingdom of Sweden are funding the 2021 rainy season farming in troubled North-east Nigeria.

This funding which is implemented through the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is providing farming inputs to 65,800 farmers in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states adversely affected by over a decade Boko Haram insurgency.

A statement yesterday by FAO recognised that the rainy season farm cultivation is critical to food production in Nigeria, as it ensures food availability and income generation, especially for smallholder and low-income households.

The statement read that: “In the context of conflict, food production is central to entrenching peace, building resilience, and FAO is reaching 65,800 farmers in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. 40,000 of the farmers are in Borno. The farmers will receive inputs including seeds and wet blended fertiliser.”

The statement added that the intervention was the sixth successive rainy season farming intervention which FAO has implemented in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, the three states which have been at the centre of the long drawn conflict.

The 2021 rainy season is funded by the People and Government of Canada, the European Union Trust Fund for Africa, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Norway and the Kingdom of Sweden.

The Country Representative of FAO in Nigeria, Fred Kafeero had at the flag off of the 2021 rainy season farming interventions on Thursday in Maiduguri, lamented that inaccessibility to improved seeds and fertilisers have resulted into food insecurity and poverty among the populace.

He said supporting the rainy season farming was key to the entire insurgency affected region, noting that farmers’ harvests contribute significantly to food security and income generation throughout the year.

He said: “Access to agricultural inputs for high yields, also saves lives and livelihoods of farmers,” adding that the distribution of seeds and fertilisers have contributed to the building of people’s resilience to conÁict.

He said that this year, 65,800 household farmers were supported with agricultural inputs and livestock restocking for fattening, while 40,000 farmers were targeted for the distribution of inputs.

He disclosed that: “They will receive wet blended fertiliser and a variety of seeds of crops including vegetables, cereals and pulses,” noting that this will engage the farmers in agricultural production for food security and income generation.

%DNHUV /DPHQW ,QFUHDVH LQ )ORXU 3ULFH 6HHNV *RYHUQPHQW·V ,QWHUYHQWLRQ Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

STRENGTHENING RULING PARTY… L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; APC Caretaker Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, during the submission of the Caretaker Committee’s report to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja … yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

$NSDELR %XKDUL 3RLVHG WR 1LJHULDQ 3URVWKHWLFV 0DNHU +HDULQJ &KDQJH 1·'HOWD 1DUUDWLYH $LG 7HFKQLFLDQ RQ $IULFDQ 9RLFHV Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Niger Delta AͿairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has restated President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to change the story of the Niger Delta region from decades-long decay in infrastructure to that of access to services and infrastructural development.

Akpabio stated this when he met with the Charge ‘d’ AͿaires of the Embassy of Ireland to Nigeria, Mr. Conor Finn and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Thursday.

A statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Patricia Deworitshe, said the minister noted that the people of the Niger Delta region have had to bear with violence and deprivation since 1956 when oil was Àrst discovered in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State.

The former Akwa Ibom State governor said pollution in most areas was so serious that it destroyed aquatic life,

which should be a source of livelihood for the people, noting that what led to militancy was the attitude and method of operations adopted by the international oil companies (IOCs).

The IOCs, he said, displayed insensitivity and lack of corporate social responsibility, which led to the people being sidelined.

He said: “The present administration even when working under very di΀cult circumstances is doing everything to alleviate the peoples suͿering and the Àrst thing that must change is the attitude, not just of the IOC’S, but also of the people because they are part of the problem.

“So, there must be a change of attitude from that of receiving tokenism to that of insisting on access to development and services.”

The minister who has also been on the frontline of engaging stakeholders in ensuring sustainable peace within the region said things were deÀnitely going to change.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja African Voices Changemakers programme will this week feature Crystal Chigbu, a Nigerian prosthetics maker who recalls how she surmounted the trauma of caring for a child who was born with a congenital limb deformity to establish a foundation which gives succour to children whose limbs had been severed as a result of health challenges.

The 30-minute magazine programme which is sponsored by Globacom, also features Tendekayi Katsiga, a Zimbabwean electronics technician who fabricated a solar-powered hearing aid with battery chargers for children with hearing defects.

Chigbu, a 2002 graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, said, “seeing other children and families go through the same process without a clear view on how to adapt to the

challenges of living with limb loss gave vent to the creation of Irede Foundation which has, since inception, restored hope to children living with loss of limbs by giving them prosthetics.”

Katsiga, who had a chance encounter with a 15-year-old boy who could not aͿord a functional hearing aid, was motivated to establish Deaftronics from a workshop in Botswana from where he manufactured the world’s Àrst solar-powered hearing device complete with battery charger called ‘Solar Ear’.

The duo will be on CNN on DSTV channel 401 on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. Repeats of the engaging edition will be broadcast on Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Another repeat comes up on Monday at 4.00 a.m., while a two-part, Àfteen-minute repeat will be shown on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.45 p.m.

Bread bakers in Kano State, under the auspices of Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, Kano chapter have said that increase in the price of flour had left them with no option than to increase the price of bread for their business to survive in the state.

Speaking to journalists in Kano yesterday, Secretary of the association, Kabiru Hassan Abdullahi said the decision was due to increase in the price of flour and other ingredients used in making bread.

According to him, the association could take both decision to shut down business and subsequently increase the price, but in order not to render thousands of youths jobless which could be a threat to peaceful coexistence of the state, they decided to increase the price in the near future.

Abdullahi blamed the federal government for its failure to respond to their appeals for intervention to bring lasting solution to the problem.

He said the association had provided jobs to thousands of youths in the state and contributes tremendously to food security, but there were problems that pose danger to the business but the government had not done anything to save it.

The secretary pointed out that after painstaking efforts to continue with the business without increasing the price of bread, despite the hike in the price of flour, the market forces had compelled the association to take the decision, otherwise its members would

always be at a loss.

He disclosed that the association had tried severally to meet with the managements of the flour companies in a bid to bring down the price, but their efforts were unsuccessful as the mills cited COVID-19 as the reason why the meeting could not hold.

The secretary wondered why the price of flour was N9, 000 from late 2019 and early 2020 when the dollar exchange rate was N400 or above, but it has now reached over N16,000 while the dollar rate is still not more than N500.

He said IRS flour, made by BUA, which had been scarce at market, was the most expensive product among other brands.

While calling on Abdussamad Isyaku Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group of Companies to reduce the price of his flour product, the secretary also called on him to improve the supply of his product in order to be available at market.

He said “ I have many appeals to Abdussamad. Firstly, he should improve his production in order to make his product available in the markets.

“Secondly, I call on Abdussamad to ensure that the price of flour is reduced. The issue of flour price increase goes hand in hand with exchange rate. The price of flour was N9, 000 from late 2019 and early 2020 when the dollar exchange rate was N400 or above, but it has now reached over N16,000 while the dollar rate is still not more than N500. If you look at the increment, it is about 50 per cent.

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;˜ ͺͮͰͯ

NEWSXTRA

Maiduguri-Damaturu Road Shut as RRS Engages Boko Haram Michael Olugbode ÓØ ËÓÎßÑßÜÓ The major highway between Borno and Yobe states, Maiduguri-Damaturu highway was closed to traffic for about two hours yesterday as men of the Borno State Rapid Respond Squad engaged Boko Haram in a long shootout.

According to security source, the insurgents had taken a drive through the desert part with the intention of blocking the

highway to kidnap travellers.

The source said they were however spotted by men of the RRS deployed on the Maiduguri-Damaturuhighway who engaged them in shootout The shootout which started at about 3p.m. lasted for about an hour and half.

The RRS was about to thwart their movement as they were able to destabilise the insurgents after several shot of canisters of teargas.

According to the source, the insurgents had to retreat as they could not withstand the teargas Though no one was said to have been lost on the two sides, but two armored vehicles belonging to the RRS were said to be destroyed in the attack.

The source said: “Boko Haram terrorist attacks at Garin Kuturu along MaiduguriDamaturu road today at about 1630hrs was thwarted by RRS. “The use of tear gas gave

the police upper hand, while Boko Haram launched attacks on CTU and RRS Vehicle, the road was blocked for the commuters, after neutralising the road and ensuring safety of the civilians, they were escorted to Auno, “Efforts to kidnap passengers was thwarted, the road is safe, no any form of abduction,” the source said the operation against the insurgents was led

by Commander RRS Borno

State, Abioye Babalola The security source also revealed that two vehicles, a Sharon and Toyota Camry with registration number PKM 512 XAand KANO TRN 77 SYwere recovered from the insurgents.

The Commandant RRS,

Derek Chauvin Bags 22 Years Prison Sentence for George Floyd's Murder Festus Akanbi áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ It was a day of reckoning yesterday when Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis US police officer who murdered George Floyd, was sentenced to 22 years and six months for second-degree murder, closing one chapter of a case that thrust the issue of race and American policing back into the global spotlight.

The sentence, issued by the Hennepin county judge Peter Cahill, was a 10-year increase to the state’s recommended sentencing guidance for seconddegree murder. Prosecutors successfully argued that Chauvin should face harsher sentencing due to a range of aggravating factors. According to agency reports, Cahill offered only brief remarks before delivering the sentence, saying his decision was “not based on emotion or

WE SHARE IN YOUR PAINS...

L-R: Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun encouraging the widow of Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, former governor of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi at the One Year Fidau and memorial programme for the deceased at Ibadan on Friday

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The secretary added that the ChairmaninformedthePresident that the Committee had been very cautious and meticulous in makingarrangementstoconduct credible,transparent,flawlessand generally acceptable congresses and convention for the party to produce a strong leadership that will enjoy the support, trust and confidence of all members.

"At all times, we have enjoyed the confidence of Mr. President and enjoyed your leadership. In developing the timetable for the congresses and convention, the supporttoconductacredibleelection cannot be over-emphasised; this will also justify the successes recordedandthestatusofthenew APC that we have all dreamt of," AkpanudoedehequotedBunias telling the President.

DuringthemeetingattheState House, President Buhari took a holistic look at the activities of theAPC in recent times and concluded that the party, which was crisis ridden, had been revived and now fully back to life.

He, therefore, congratulated the Mala Buni-led committee for its task to return the party from a comatose state to proper reorganisation at all levels.

The President said the APC had been revived, energised and repositioned for its forthcoming national convention and future elections.

Accordingtohim,thefortunes of the party had been brightened bythere-organisationandrecon-

ciliation of members across the party,saying“withtheworkdone by the committee the party has bounced back to life.

“I have listened with great interest to the remarkable job you have done so far. We are all witnesses to the crisis that engulfed the party leading to litigationsandpresentedapicture of selfishness and division,” said the President.

President Buhari said the party’s structure was disturbed bytheconflictsthatprecededand followed various elections, noting that the secretariat had been witnessing a beehive of peaceful activities after the reconciliation.

ThePresidentsaid:"Itisgratifying to note that with the coming of the Caretaker Extraordinary ConventionPlanningCommittee and its effective management of the affairs of the party and the pursuit of its mandate, the party has bounced back to life and the National Secretariat of our party hasonceagainbecomeabeehive of activities, as it used to be in the good old days before the crisis."

ThePresidenttoldmembersof the committee that they would continue to enjoy the support of all party stalwarts and members tocompletetheirassignmentwith the actualisation of the convention and leave an “indelible footprint’’.

He said: "I wish to assure you thatyourcommitteewillcontinue to enjoy my support and that of other stakeholders to ensure that

the conduct and outcome of the congressesandNationalConvention are done in a manner that conformswithourdesiretoleave indelible footprints of all-round developmentandalastinglegacy for future generations."

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of APC Caretaker Committeesaidtheyapproached theirdutywithcommitmentand dedication to rescue the party from imminent collapse.

TheYobeStateGovernornoted that all issues and members were given a fair hearing, and an open-door policy was created to accommodate all those that were aggrieved, leading to withdrawal of cases in court and peaceful settlements.

“We are currently witnessing high powered decamping to our party, including governors from the PDP. The party is now more peaceful, orderly and accommodatingthanwhatwemet on the ground. Although there was initial fear, the mobilisation andsensitisationwasabletoallay thefearsofmembers,”Bunisaid.

The Yobe State governor said the registration and revalidation of members across the country recorded more than 40 million members, and an appeal committee was also set up to hear all matters related to the process so that no member gets disenfranchised.

“We have observed that youth and women constitute huge population of the voting

group. We had a youth and women committee, and also peoplewithdisability,”headded.

According to him, a Contact and Strategy Team had been set up in every state to come up with anacceptabletemplatethatwould ensure transparency, credibility and acceptability of the internal electoral processes.

Buni also said the committee hadinstitutedaprocesstoreview the party’s constitution and look into loopholes that usually fan conflict and litigations among members, with more than 500 memoranda already received.

He told the President and other party members that 14 party members had indicated their interest to contest for the AnambraStateelections,assuring that the primary elections will be free, fair and transparent.

The Yobe State governor said huge legal fees were inherited, and the committee had worked with members to settle all the outstanding, after scaling them down, noting that payment for theAPCNationalSecretariathad been completed.

“The party members have agreed to name the secretariat, Muhammadu Buhari House,” he added.

WhilethankingthePresidentfor hissupportandinsight,Buninoted thataNationalConferenceforthe Youthswasorganisedrecentlyas partofthebottom-upapproachto strengtheningthepartyandensuring relevance of all stakeholders.

Abioye Babalola confirmed the incident when he was called by our correspondent but did not however give the details He said normalcy had been brought to the highway and commuters were able to travel on the road again.

sympathy” but adding: “I want to acknowledge the deep and tremendous pain that all the families are feeling, especially the Floyd family.”

Cahillexplainedhisreasoning for the harsher sentence in a 22page sentencing memorandum released by the court, writing: “Part of the mission of the Minneapolis police department is to give citizens ‘voice and respect’.

Here, Mr. Chauvin rather than pursuing the MPD mission, treated Mr. Floyd without respect and denied him the dignity owed to all human beings and which he certainly would have extended to a friend or neighbor.”

The announcement followed victim impact statements from members of the Floyd family including his seven-year-old daughter Gianna. In a recorded video message, she was asked what she would say to her father today.

18 Years After; Family, Associates Task Security Agencies on Olanipekun’s Killers Kemi Olaitan ÓØ ÌËÎËØ

Eighteen years after he was assassinated, family and associates of Chief Ajibola Olanipekun (SAN), yesterday called on the Nigerian police and other security agencies in the country to unmask his killers.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, was assassinated at his Ibadan residence on 20 June, 2003.

A friend of the deceased, Chief Moyo Adewuyi, while speaking during the 18th remembrance prayers, held in Ibadan, lamented that his life was cut short in his prime while making progress in the law profession, stating that he was a straight forward person who never engaged in shady business with anybody while alive.

Present at the event include his wife, Khadijat, family members, the South-west Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Oyo State Head of Service (HOS), Alhaja Ololade Agboola; and Islamic clerics, among many others.

Adewuyi who was a friend to the deceased for over 20 years, said till now there had not been any clue on his assassination, noting that no one knew the reason for the assassination of the late SAN who was a straight forward person.

According to him, "He faced his legal practice after he was removed as commissioner by the administration of Chief Kolapo Ishola and was making progressashebecameSANafter he left office. His killers got him exactly 100 days after he was first attacked in his residence."

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39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺ;, 2021

SPORTS XTRA

Rohr Motivates Home-based Super Eagles Players Ahead of Mexico Friendly

W

ithanumber of regular Super Eagles stars absent for next week’s Nigeria versus Mexico international friendly, Franco-German senior national team Manager, Gernot Rohr had little choice but to fill in the gap with home-based players, who he hitherto does not believe in and has been trying to encourage them ahead

of the encounter.

Rohr continues to observe the home-based Super Eagles players before their departure to the United States, where they face CONCACAF powerhouse in an international friendly on July 4, 2021.

The Super Eagles are without their top players for the upcoming game because most of them are gearing up to resume pre-season training at their European clubs.

Despite the absence of the

likes of Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and William Troost-Ekong. Rohrbelievesthe Super Eagles can cause an upset whentheyfaceoffagainstateam ranked eleventh in the world by FIFA. Rohr has been left impressed bytheperformanceoftheinvited players during the training sessions in Abuja.

Speaking to the Super Eagles Media team yesterday, the Ger-

man football tactician said : “They are doing well, they are learning. The home-based player are in the rhythm of the competition.

“AlltheSuperEaglesnoware actually on holidays, resuming verysoontrainingsessionswith theclubssotheycouldnotcome that’s why it’s good to encourage these home-based players.

“They will have a difficult game, it is not impossible to

win against Mexico, they have a great team but each match is open and I see here some players with good qualities.

“They are working hard, they are doing two training sessions a day and we are watching them, we are monitoring what they are doing as there will be a friendly also I hope, and a good selection for the departure to the United States.

“The coaches are doing

well, Austin and Paul with my goalkeeper coach Alloy, and selection will be okay.”

History suggests that the Mexicans are favourites to win the friendly as they have not lost to the three-time African champions with their full complement of players in five previous meetings., but the NorthAmericans managed just one win in regulation time in those matches.

Siasia: I was Abandoned by Government, Teammates during Life Ban Case Former Super Eagles coach, “That was it.

Samson Siasia has expressed disappointment in how the Nigerian government and his Super Eagles teammates all abandoned him during his life ban case.

In 2019, Siasia was banned for acceding to fix match in exchange for bribe. But Siasia denied the allegations, appealing FIFA sanctions.

Earlier in the week Siasia’s life ban from football was reduced to a five-year ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). A fine of CHF 50,000 (US$50,000) imposed

by FIFA on Mr Siasia as part of the sanctions was also “set aside”.

Siasia, however, said in spite of his sacrifice for Nigeria as a player and a coach, he was abandoned by the Nigerian government, while his teammates showed no concern during his ordeal.

“The minister for sports came in few weeks after my ban.

And the minister called me and said, ‘coach, I know about your problem, but we don’t have money,” Siasia told journalists in Abuja yesterday.

I think what he could’ve done was to go to the president because I’m a legend – I’ve played, broke my legs, coached for this country.

But, unfortunately, the government has not done well when it comes to my case. So I’m not happy.”

“The most disappointing moments were when your colleagues that you played with never called you to ask you how you’re doing.

Even the legend games – I don’t know what FIFA ban had to do with legend games – they don’t even invite me or put me amongst whatever they are doing.

So I’m very disappointed with that,” Siasia said.

In 1994, Siasia won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Nigerian Super Eagles. Under his watch, Nigeria’s under-20 emerged runners-up at the 2005 World Youth Championships.

Winning a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and a bronze at 2016 Olympics at Rio, Siasia is rated the most decorated football coach at the Olympics in Africa.

Man Utd Closing in on £77m Sancho Deal

A proposed deal between Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund for £77m is close to being agreed; German club willing to accept lower fee if more money paid up front; personal terms unlikely to be agreed while Sancho remains on international duty at Euro 2020.

A proposed deal for the England winger is worth in the region of £77m, with the clubs in the process of finalising the

payment structure and potential add-ons.

The Bundesliga side have pushed for more of the fee to be paid up front and are now willing to lower their asking price if United agree to frontload the payment.

It is understood Dortmund’s asking price for the 21-yearold at the start of the summer transfer window was in excess of £85m.

Serena’s 24th Grand Slam Title Quest Begins against Sasnovich Serena Williams will begin her latest quest for a 24th Grand Slam title by meeting the world No 100 Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships.

One opponent that Williams will not face in her bid to create history in SW19, will be the athlete who beat her to the title in 2019 - Simona Halep.

The Romanian, who tore her left calf muscle during a matchinRomeinMay,announced directly before the draw took placethatsheisnotfitandcannot competeatthisyear’sWimbledon Championships.

If Williams prevails over Sasnovich and her second-round opponent too, then she will potentially meet Angelique Kerber, who she lost to in the 2018 final.

Super Eagles

La Liga Expert Hails Chukwueze’s Europa League Performance La Liga expert François Miguel Boudet was contacted by the French press to give the lowdown on Samuel Chukwueze amid audacious reports suggesting that he is wanted

by Marseille in the summer transfer window.

If a deal were to happen, Marseille have to active the winger’s release clause of 100 million euros - something that might not be feasible considering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the finances

of European clubs.

Boudet sang the praises of Chukwueze and highlighted that he shone against Arsenal in the Europa League semifinal first leg back in April but added that he still has room for improvement.

The Diamond Academy product went through some difficult times last season, struggling with injury problems which saw him miss fourteen games in all competitions including the Europa League showpiece

vs Manchester United.

“He’s a very good player, he has a very good quality as a winger. Against Arsenal in the semi-final, he is excellent, we saw a winger with a lot of ball even if he can still be improved,” Boudet said to Football Club de Marseille.

“He’s very interesting, he’s one of the revelations of La Liga two years ago. He is post trained at Villarreal, it is very surprising that the club wants to let him go.”

“He is able to play in

the second point, he has the qualities even if it remains mainly a winger. He lacks the finish to perform consistently as a goalscorer.

“But, he’s the kind of guy you like to see at the stadium, he’s spectacular, with great speed and great dribbling quality.”

Since making his La Liga debut against Levante in November 2018, Chukwueze has accumulated 91 matches in the top-flight, scoring 12 goals with 10 assists.

Super Eagles fullback, Ebuehi Inches Towards Venezia Move Venezia sporting director Mattia Collauto has confirmed that the newly-promoted side are working on a deal to sign SuperEaglesright-backTyronne Ebuehi.

The Benfica defender is edging closer to a move to Venezia

having held transfer talks with the club’s sporting director and technical director Paolo Poggi.

Should the deal go through, a loan move with a purchase clause inserted into the contract is being mooted.

“We talked to each other,”

Joshua may Fight in Nigeria Soon Anthony Joshua’s dream of a fight in Nigeria could be aided by the emergence of Joe Joyce as a challenger, says Sam Jones.

Joyce could become the mandatory challenger to Joshua and enforce a world title fight, his manager Jones says.

Undefeated Joyce will face Carlos Takam on July 24, while Joshua is set to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight belts against Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September.

“There is a possibility Joe and Joshua could fight in Nigeria,” Jones told Sky Sports. “They

are both of Nigerian descent so that could be huge.

“If AJ needs a dance partner in Nigeria, look no further. That fight would be something very, very special.

“Joe would relish the thought of fighting Joshua in Nigeria, but he also would to fight Tyson Fury in Las Vegas or in a stadium in the UK.” Joshua’s undisputed title fight with WBC champion Fury could be resurrected if they each come through summer fights. Fury will face Deontay Wilder on July 24, hours after Joyce fights Takam.

Collauto said to Italian regional daily newspaper based in Venice. “He is a player we know and have been following for some time, we are doing the evaluations.”

Ebuehi spent the whole of last season on loan at Twente, scor-

ing one goal in 33 appearances in the Eredivisie and was cautioned only once in 2,841 minutes of action.

T h e 2 5 - y e a r- o l d h a s a contract with Benfica until the end of the 2022-2023 season.

2021 Total Division One Basketball Dunks off Action will commence on today at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium as 2021 men’s Total Division One gets underway. 11 teams in the Savannah conference and 9 teams in the Atlantic Conference will be competing for four available slots in the Total sponsored National finals.

Apa Flames (Benue) will compete against Kano Pyramid (Kano), Zamfara Shooters (Zamfara), Yobe Desert Warriors (Yobe), AHIP Giants (Kano) and Gombe Jewels (Gombe) in the Savannah Conference.

Other teams include Taraba Hurricanes (Taraba), Golden

Touch, Safety Knights, Nile University of Abuja and Ahmadu Bello University Kings from Zaria completes the team in the Savannah Division.

In theAtlantic conference, Nigerian Air Force Rockets will be up against OS Lions from Osun, Comets (Lagos), Police Bombers (Lagos), Brave Heart, Oilers of Lagos, Chuba Ikpeazu of Anambra, Enugu Coal City Basketball and Edo Beads from Benin City.

With most teams already on ground, the mandatory pre-match and Technical meeting has been fixed for Saturday, 26th of June by 8:00am at the secretariat of the Nigeria Basketball Federation in Lagos.

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Osoba on Press Council Bill “It is a terrible draconian law. It has never happened in the history of Nigeria that a law as sweeping as this will be proposed. Not even under the military was this done” – Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, condemning the proposed amendment of the Nigeria Press Council Act.

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& R E A SO

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26 years

RIGHT OFREPLY What Gov Wike did not tell his Guest I DAKUKU PETERSIDE

was privileged to read Dele Momodu’s column, the Pendulum, of Saturday, 19 June 2021, to which he gave the title, “My close encounters with Governor Wike”. Over the years, I have painstakingly followed this incisive column, but this is one occasion when I beg to differ with his assertions for reasons you will see in this article.

This right of reply would not have been necessary except that the author, Dele Momodu, better known as Bob Dee, has a solid social profile, has earned credibility among discerning Nigerians, and his column commands considerable followership. The import is that whatever he puts out is assumed to have passed through the rigour of proper verification and analysis and therefore to a reasonable degree has the seal of truth. But this is one occasion Mr Dele Momodu may have been misled to unwittingly market half-truth, cover-ups, outright lies and distorted facts.

Therefore, it is only fair that as a significant stakeholder in the development and politics of Rivers State, I put the records straight. But, unfortunately, in our highly politicised environment, the falsehood ignored is reframed as a Public Relations stunt, and facts become debatable.

For those who may be new to the politics of Rivers State, it suffices to provide background and context to situate any of the information provided in Bob Dee’s article under consideration and the critical analyses provided in this article to establish the truth and distinguish them from half-truth and outright falsehood. The following verifiable facts paint a realistic picture of the socio-economic situation of the state: the state in 2020 has 41.59% of its workforce as unemployed and ranked 8th in unemployment by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); the state is number one in poverty index among South-South states; the US travel advisory has consistently put the state among the most security challenged states in the southern part of Nigeria from 2017 to 2020; Nigeria Police record ranked Rivers state as the top crime infected state in the South-South geopolitical region from 2017 to 2020; both by Central Bank of Nigeria and NBS admission Rivers state recorded no foreign direct investment from 2017 to 2020; Rivers state is among top 3 indebted states by 2020 despite an average internally generated revenue of N10-13bn monthly and average of N15-18billion monthly FAAC allocation plus 13% derivation.

Another important fact that must be put into consideration when measuring any financial expenditures on projects done by the Wike administration is that his administration received two heavy bulk payments of N78bn and N100bn respectively from FGN on account of work done

by Rt Hon C R Amaechi administration and Paris club-related refund. These funds add to receiving regular monthly federally allocated revenue and internally generated revenue . The sheer size of these monies is staggering, and when you compare that to the value of the paltry legacy projects done by the Wike’s administration, you will weep for Rivers State.

When you compare the above verifiable facts with the impression created by the column that started on a note of “bringing some good news in this season of anomie”, you will notice a sharp contrast in meaning and significance. Thus, the portrayal by the column that remarkable development indicators are emerging from Rivers State is not only misleading but fantastical. One wonders where the good news or economic management wizardry is emanating.

The other contentious point is Bob Dee’s positing he will do a “critical examination and evaluation of the work Gov Wike was doing in Rivers through his pictorial lenses (rephrased)”. These lenses, granted, may capture beautiful images of projects executed in Rivers State, but what it will not do is to tell the true stories of who initiated, started, and sometimes completed them but have been pushed aside by a well-rehearsed and intentioned attempt to give credit to whom it is not due. It will be significant

Wike if My great brother Dele Momodu will critically examine and engage with Wike’s work and position them in the milieu and contest of history of these projects to let people know what part Wike did. For instance, you cannot claim to have built a house when you only painted an existing one. That is simply fraud!

Also, the column claimed Wike has miraculously restored law and order. As I write, the state has had more curfew imposed than any other state in the southern part of Nigeria. The state is currently under the siege of 7pm to 6am curfew in all LGAs. It has the unenviable record of the top 3 states in kidnapping and cult wars in southern Nigeria. SBM Intelligence report puts the state as the number one state in kidnapping and robbery. Are these indicators of a safe state? Residents of Rivers State know they have no business being outside after 9pm any day. This situation sounded absurd given the secure nature of Rivers State just a decade ago.

Gov Wike has not put any security architecture in place to fight crime. Instead, he has been consistently fingered as patronising criminals on account of his politics.

Mr Dele Momodu was told that after 41 years, Wike had begun implementing the multiple campuses envisaged for Rivers State University. However, Wike did not tell his guest that he has converted the world-class model secondary schools and the Sports College of Excellence at Afara, Etche built

by Gov Amaechi into University campuses . There is nothing wrong with this save that he should put in context. For example, on Andoni- Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road leading to my home LGA. The column claimed that Wike is constructing a road to Opobo.

This claim is a dangerous fabricated story. The fact of the matter is that Gov Peter Odili conceptualised and awarded a 37.71km road, with ten bridges crisscrossing 3 LGAs in the year 2005. Before his tenure wound up in May 2007, he has accomplished 26% of the scope of work with two major bridges completed stopping at Iwoama-Ashrama.

Governor Amaechi’s administration took it from there, altered the scope, added a spur to Nkoro, Kalaibiama to Opobo Town. The road redesign increased the length from 37.7km to 44.1km and bridges from 10 to 11, expanding the bridges and retaining walls. By the time he left office in May 2015, the administration had completed 80% of the work.

The administration of C R Amaechi completed 9 of the 11 bridges on the road, with considerable work done on the remaining two bridges. I can say with boldness that as a Governorship candidate in 2015, I drove by road to campaign in Kalaibiama-Opobo and most parts of Andoni.

From May 2015 till June 2021, a period of 6 years, Wike led administration is yet to complete less than 20% of the work left on both the Ikuru and Opobo axis of the Unity Road. These are incontrovertible facts. For Wike to attempt to claim credit for this road is self-deceit and personal aggrandisement,

and he deserves nothing but pity.

The column further claimed that Wike constructed the Abonema ring road. This claim is laughable and metaphorically calls “a butterfly a bird” to dress her on a borrowed robe. Wike awarded a less than 4km contract for Abonema bypass and not a ring road without streetlight for a project in the heart of an ancient city. I will not bother my audience with the fact that Wike has completely abandoned the rural areas in every facet of development .

The only attempt for Wike to create employment and local industries and his signature project in agriculture is the Cassava processing plant in Oyigbo. Unfortunately, Gov Amaechi initiated multiple agro-industries projects, including the Rivers Songhai farms, Fish farms, agro-industrial villages, rice farms, amongst others for which this is one. Amaechi’s administration, in partnership with DADTCO (a Dutch firm) and Shell (SPDC), set up the cassava processing plant with a definite blueprint. The administration brought in all needed equipment and installed them. The only part of the project left was to connect it to a source of power. Perhaps connecting an already completed project by his predecessor to a power source is the “real signature” agricultural project of the Wike administration in six years.

On Sports, Wike’s predecessor initiated a sports academy in Afara, Etche to compliment the new 38,000 capacity multi-facility stadium the administration built. That project had reached 40% completion, but Gov Wike, as a Real Madrid fan, abandoned the ongoing project and started a new Sports Academy within the precincts of Yakubu Gowon Stadium in PH. Unfortunately, Wike has not done anything novel in sports to harvest the multiple talents that abound in the state. It is six years of wasted opportunity.

If there is one area Gov Wike neglected utterly, it is in education. Bob Dee’s only credit to Gov Wike is the renovation of 6 schools in six years. When you juxtapose this with the fact that the government before his constructed 400 new primary schools, 21 model secondary schools at different stages of completion and initiated a new campus for Rivers State university, it becomes a case of light versus darkness. Unfortunately, Mr Dele Momodu’s tour guide, who traded on half-truths, was very uncharitable to the people of Rivers State.

I am aware that Gov Wike’s main signature project is the replica of the Government house he has built in his village for himself, the poverty visited on the people, hundreds of Rivers sons and daughters who were on scholarship withdrawn from universities overseas, destruction of primary health care and basic education system. If in the 21st century, the hallmark of progress for a resource-rich state is the beautification of two roads in Port Harcourt with multiple flyovers, then our future and that of our children is bleak.

Let me acknowledge one thing my Governor is doing great in this administration - pernicious propaganda that has turned underdevelopment to development and “man to woman”. Development and economic growth anywhere can be seen, felt, and appreciated. The people of Rivers State know that they have been impoverished terribly in the past six years. No amount of propaganda, not even leveraging on the reputation of Bob Dee, can garnish a lousy case or “a soured soup”.

DELE MOMODU’S COMMENTS: I thank my dear Brother Dakuku for the response to my column of last week on Governor Nyesom Wike. I am always open to a critique of everything I write, and indeed, I am one of my own greatest critics, even if I say so myself. This is why I am often not fazed by abuse unless they are uncouth or scurrilous. I am quick to accept superior argument and facts when they are presented, but my emphasis is on those facts and arguments being accurate and superior. That is why my first reaction to this Right

of Reply was one of pleasure and appreciation.

However, I wish to emphasize the following points where I disagree with the riposte from Mr Dakuku Peterside in which he suggested I was misled by Governor Wike.

One. I must instantly correct the impression that Governor Wike was aware of my column on him before its publication, and that he somehow teleguided me with respect to it. Nothing could be far from the truth. I was given access to the projects of the Government and as I stated in my Column the views I expressed on what I saw were mine only. Other than the invitation to inspect the projects, nobody had any input into my column apart from me.

Two. I made no links, connections or comparisons between previous administrations and Wike’s, so Mr Peterside should have, at the very least, tolerated my observations. I was not concerned with the past, only with the present. If Governor Wike has earnestly completed work initiated by his predecessors, as Mr Peterside claims, then it is another feather to his cap, in a clime where the tendency is to rubbish the original and creative work of one’s predecessors. Everything I wrote is solidly backed by original pictures and videos.

Three. It is uncharitable and unfair to say Wike has done nothing in Rivers State or even to try and detract from his achievements. I know Mr Peterside to be a scholar and the hallmark of scholarship is acknowledgement of the good of others just as much as backing up negative assertions with proper and accurate facts which are borne out of research and empirical data. If you continue to insist on this jaundiced perception of events in your home State, I can only think and conclude that you’re no longer familiar or conversant with occurrences at home after spending six years between Lagos and Abuja.

Four. Mr Peterside said Wike merely completed what the Rotimi Amaechi government conceptualised or started. That’s how good and responsible leaders should behave. But it is not true that Wike has not initiated and executed his own projects. We made enquiries on this issue and got favourable responses from independent bystanders. I challenge anyone with similar or more projects in Nigeria today, or in the immediate past to send in pictures and videos of such projects. I will publish and broadcast massively because they contribute to the enhancement of the development of our polity!

Five. It is noteworthy that unlike Mr Peterside, many distinguished members of his party APC have been special guests of Governor Wike; they have inspected and sometimes commissioned his projects, and they have all attested to the stupendous work he is doing across the State. The spate and variety of Wike’s work is audacious and stunning!

He has touched every facet of human endeavor.

Six. I disagree with Mr Peterside’s bland statistics on the financial status of Rivers. I expect him to publish the figures of the debt exposure of Rivers State and demonstrate how, if he is accurate, the development does not justify the debt. Please note, that debt itself is not the problem, it is the lack of tangible evidence to what the money borrowed has been put that is anathema to all people of conscience. No country or government worth its salt beats its chest by proclaiming its debt free status. It immediately stands to reason that such a country or government has stunted growth. In fact the popular question in town is “where’s Wike getting money to execute his marathon projects?”

Seven. I don’t know how often Mr Peterside goes to Rivers State. He should endeavor to do so again soon. He is unlikely to recognise some of those roads he mentioned or indeed most parts of the State. Governor Wike deserves support and encouragement, despite political differences, for the progress of the State.

The simple truth is that Wike is indeed a phenomenon, and no tirade or diatribe can belie or belittle this fact…

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