SATURDAY 23TH JULY 2022

Buhari Vouches for Shettima, Says He’ll Live up to Expectations Tinubu, Gbajabiamila, 5 South-west govs absent as APC leaders meet with President Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hosted leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and expressly vouched for the vice-presidential

candidate of the party, Senator Kashim Shettima, saying he will live up to the expectations of the party and Nigerians at large.

However, the Presidential Candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, its five South-west

governors, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila were absent at the meeting with Buhari.

During the meeting held at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari recalled that

when Shettima was presented to him a couple of days ago, he said he would reserve his comments till the handover ceremony on May 29, 2023, at the Eagle Square, Abuja. ‘‘I still maintain that same

position,’’ the President said, lauding party members for acknowledging the many virtues that qualify Shettima “for the noble position.”

He said: "I'm glad the party chairman has come out to state

Shettima's many virtues.”

Buhari told party stalwarts that the unity, security and prosperity of the country would matter most to him, beyond Continued on page 5

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Benin Coalition Opposes Housing Returned Artifacts in ‘Obaseki’s Museum’ Accuses governor of always disrespecting, undermining Oba of Benin, insists on Benin Royal Museum Charles Ajunwa Leaders and stakeholders of Coalition of Benin Sociocultural Organisations have opposed moves by Edo State

Governor, Godwin Obaseki to house the returned stolen Benin artifacts in his proposed Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) which they say is alien to the Benin race.

At a World Press Conference addressed by the coalition in Benin yesterday, the leaders also accused Obaseki of disrespecting and undermining the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba

N’Edo Uku’ Akpolokpolo Ewuare 11, regarding housing the artifacts and insisted that he keeps to his promise to support the idea of a Benin Royal Museum for the artifacts.

They urged Obaseki to be “a man of his words because EMOWAA was not what he discussed with the Oba of Benin and other prominent Benin elders in 2018.”

The coalition said Obaseki, by his actions, had reneged on his words and that it was tantamount to betrayal of Continued on page 5

Atiku: Like Abraham Lincoln, the Driving Force Behind My Persistence is the Desire to Serve My Country ‘Wike not rejected, I only picked someone I can work with’ Says Tinubu wanted to be his running mate in 2017 but vetoed him because he abhors Muslim-Muslim Bennett Oghifo The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 2023 and former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday spoke on his frequent attempts at becoming the president of Nigeria since 1992, declaring that the driving force behind his persistence “is the desire to serve my country and its people.”

The former vice president stated this during an exclusive interview with Arise News, his first after being elected presidential candidate of the PDP. On not picking the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate for the 2023 election, Atiku said Wike was not rejected but he simply picked a running mate that he believes he could work with Continued on page 5

STRATEGISING FOR 2023…

L–R: President Muhammadu Buhari; All Progressives Congress (APC) vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shittima; Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State; Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State at APC’s stakeholders meeting with Buhari at the Presidential villa , Abuja... yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

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Alleged N109bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Suspended AGF, Ahmed Idris, Court Orders Remand in Kuje

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice J. O. Adeyemi-Ajayi of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday ordered the remand of former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris and two others in the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja, pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications in an alleged fraud and corruption trial.

Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi, made the order shortly after the defendants were arraigned before his court, on charges of stealing and criminal breach

of trust.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had filed a 14-count charge against Idris, Godfrey Akindele, Mohammed Usman and a firm, Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

They were accused of fraudulently diverting about N109 billion public funds.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs, asked that the defendants be remanded in custody pending the commencement of their trial.

However, counsel to the

defendants informed the court of the bail application he filed on behalf of the defendants, arguing that the bail would enable the defendants to prepare adequately for their trial.

In a short ruling, Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi, adjourned till July 27 for the hearing of the bail applications.

Part of the charge against the defendants read: “That you, Ahmed Idris between February and December, 2021 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being a public servant by virtue of your position

as the Accountant General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of N15,136,221,921.46 which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele and which sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine (9) oil producing States in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the

Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section “That you, Ahmed Idris, while being the Accountant General of the Federation, and Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, while being the Technical Assistant to the Accountant General of the Federation between February and November, 2021, at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in such capacity, entrusted with certain property, to wit: N84,390,000,000 committed

criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property, when you dishonestly received the said sum from the Federal Government of Nigeria through Godfrey Olusegun Akindele trading under the name and style of Olusegun Akindele & Co., and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.”

The former Accountant General was arrested in May this year in Kano after he failed to honour EFCC's invitations over an allegation of N80 billion fraud.

ATIKU: LIKE ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MY PERSISTENCE IS THE DESIRE TO SERVE MY COUNTRY amicably.

Atiku also said he refused the proposition of Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to be his running mate in 2007 because of his aversion to a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Atiku said his frequent shots at the presidency has its place in history, citing the case of Abraham Lincoln who ran up to five or six times before becoming the president of the United States of America.

He said: “In politics or even in history, we have several leaders around the world who have made attempts to serve their country.

“One of the greatest presidents in American history is Abraham Lincoln. This was somebody who ran up to five or six times to be the president of the United States.

“At this my age, and what I have been able to accomplish, I don’t think I desire anything other than the passion to serve my country and my fellow countrymen.

“So, this is what is the driving force behind my persistence and desire to serve my country and its people.

“Basically, I’m driven by the passion and desire to give back to this country and my society what the country has done for me. If I were to be born around this time, I don’t think I would have been that fortunate or likely to become what I have become today. So, I am more or less driven by the passion to give back to society what this country has given so much to me.”

Atiku also went down memory lane, saying, “even when I wanted to be the governor of my state, from the old Gongola State to Adamawa State, I ran four times before eventually I was elected as the state governor but I never served, as I became the Vice President.”

Responding to questions on what informed his choice of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate

over Wike, he said Wike was not rejected as being suggested in some quarters but simply picked a running mate that he believes he could work with amicably.

He also said he did not go outside the recommendations of the committee he set up for the purpose.

According to him, “It is the prerogative of the presidential candidate to pick his running mate, a running mate that he believes he can work with amicably and also deliver the policies of the party and also try to unify the country.”

He said he had always looked towards the South-east for his running mate whenever he got the presidential ticket, stating, “I was given a ticket in 2007, I picked a South-easterner, I was given a ticket in 2019, I picked an Igbo, and now I have been given a ticket in 2022, and I picked an Igbo man, consecutively. This is just to show you my desire to unify the country.”

He described Wike as “a brilliant, courageous and tenacious politician that really has a future in the political evolution of this country. So, it is not about rejection.”

Atiku then set the record straight: “They recommended three names, because they knew it was my prerogative to pick any one of the three.

Ortom himself chaired that committee. He knew there was no vote taken. I have the report of the committee and the committee said ‘we are recommending the following’ and out of the three people, I picked one. I did not go outside that recommendation. People should be fair to me and state the facts.”

Regardless, he said there was fence mending going on to assuage Wike: “We are reaching out to Wike and talking to him, very soon, we will resolve our internal crises.”

As for Okowa, he said his running mate is very brilliant and experienced, having served from the local government, to

the state as a commissioner and to the National Assembly and then government.

Atiku said, “In arriving at the decision, I held wide consultations with various stakeholders in our party including our governors, the National Working Committee, board of trustees, and other leaders to seek their inputs and their wisdom.”

“In these consultations, I made clear that my running mate would have the potential to succeed me at a moment’s notice, that is, a president-inwaiting.

“In other words, the person must have the qualities to be President. The person must have an appreciation of the deep rot which our country has been put into by the rudderless APC government; understands the great suffering that most of our people are going through and the urgency of relieving them of that suffering; understands the critical importance of economic growth and development to provide our young people with jobs, hope, and a pathway to wealth.”

Asked to comment on whether he would have picked Peter Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and what he believes are Obi’s chances in the presidential race, he said Okowa and Obi were two different people.

“Unfortunately, Peter Obi did not consult me but told me three days after he joined the Labour Party,” said the former

vice president.

On Obi’s chances against him, Atiku said, “Peter Obi is not a threat. I really don’t expect the Labour Party to take as many votes from the PDP in the South-east as people are suggesting. They have no governor, or in the National Assembly. We could have seen it in the last election in Osun State.

What was the performance of the Labour Party?

“Then again, they (Obi’s supporters) are talking about social media. Mind you, in the north, 90 per cent of our people (who will be voting) are not on social media.”

On the APC’s MuslimMuslim ticket, Atiku said he fundamentally disagrees with Tinubu on the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket in the presidential race.

Atiku said his disagreement with Tinubu on the same religion ticket dated back to 2007 in their days in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) when Tinubu insisted on being his running mate.

“My fundamental disagreement and political departure with Asiwaju since 2007 was due to the MuslimMuslim ticket. “Remember, I opted out of PDP because of zoning, and together with Asiwaju we formed ACN. “Tinubu wanted to be my running mate when I was given the ACN presidential ticket in 2007, but I disagreed. And because of that, he switched his support to the late Umar Yar'Adua. That was the parting

Obaseki asserted that he doesn't have any issue nor quarrel with our revered Oba of Benin Kingdom whereas when he organised a Stakeholders engagement meeting regarding his proposed EMOWAA phase 1, he didn't involve our revered Palace.

“His Excellency Sir, you didn't only have issue or conflict with our revered Monarch over your EMOWAA, you also have issue with all the Benins for always disrespecting and undermining our revered Palace, Throne and Benin Kingdom. For avoidance of doubt, the word EMOWAA is

administration.

He also addressed the issue of removal of subsidy, stating that it was inevitable and that as Vice President, he chaired a committee charged with this task. “When I was vice president, we had designed subsidy removal in four stages, and I was the chairman of the subsidy removal committee.

At that time, I worked very closely with former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was then president of the NLC. We removed subsidy phase one and phase two. By the time we finished phase two, we had left office. I believe this can be done in the future through negotiations.”

On stemming the incessant collapses of the national power grid, he advocated the decentralisation of power generation and transmission, with consideration of renewables like solar, hydro electricity from mini dams, gas powered electricity, where applicable, among others.

The transition of the NNPC from a public corporation to a limited liability company, he said, was still shrouded in secrecy, stating that the government needed to be more transparent about the future of the company.

For instance, he wondered what the position or fate of the oil- bearing states and communities would be under this new NNPC, and promised to open up the company to include the states and oilbearing areas.

BUHARI VOUCHES FOR SHETTIMA, SAYS HE’LL LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS his days in office as President.

He thanked the delegation led by the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, “for the kind words on my role in processes leading to the emergence of our candidate, and his running mate, for the Presidential election in February, next year.”

He adds: ‘‘I want to thank you all for the roles you played in the build-up, first to our

national convention earlier this year, and later, to the primary elections. ‘‘You were all of one mind, wanting the best for the party, with the candidate emerging in a free and fair manner. ‘‘For us all, the cohesion and unity of the Party was the first priority, and ambition was second. I am glad that you all saw the larger picture, rather than narrow, self-serving

BENIN COALITION OPPOSES HOUSING RETURNED ARTIFACTS IN ‘OBASEKI’S MUSEUM’ public trust.

They alleged that the proposed EMOWAA project was not owned by the Edo State Government but by Obaseki’s private venture called Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. The coalition states: “The attention of the leaders and stakeholders of Coalition of Benin Socio Cultural Organisations has been drawn to Governor Obaseki’s statement where he asserted that he doesn't have conflict with our revered Monarch over his proposed EMOWAA. “Sincerely, we were shocked that His Excellency, Godwin

point.

“The Muslim-Muslim ticket has always been my fundamental disagreement.

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, and there should be a religious balance in our leadership. It is unwelcoming and unripe for Nigeria as a democratic state.”

On his relationship with Tinubu, he said, “We are still friends, of course. But that doesn’t mean we won’t have political differences. We have been having political differences ever since we became friends.

Nothing unusual about that.”

On zoning in the PDP, he said, “there is no microzoning in the PDP” but that there is a policy on rotation between the North and the South, stating that if he is voted president, then the Chairman of the PDP, Iyocha Ayu would resign.

He also discussed security matters in the country, stating that agitations in parts of the country would be unnecessary if every part of the country was given a sense of belonging.

He said it was curious that all the 17 security outfits in the country were headed by people from a particular section of the country, that there were fewer policemen than required, stating that under his watch, more policemen would be recruited.

The former VP who said he was an advocate of state police, added that the police should be well trained and equipped and to make it constitutional for police to be at all levels of

alien to us as Benin people.”

They said the Coalition had been at the forefront “of advocating and assisting our revered Palace, Throne and Benin Kingdom to ensure that our stolen artifacts are returned to the Palace.”

The Coalition thus raised a number of posers for Obaseki: “We would like to ask His Excellency, who owns the proposed Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) which is alien to the Benin race “Is the proposed EMOWAA project owned by the Edo State Government or owned by your Private Venture called Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd?

“If Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) belongs to your Private Venture known as Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd with its Office in Lagos, then why are you as our Governor treating it as a Government project using state resources?

“We also would want to inquire from His Excellency, why you reneged on your earlier promise regarding the Benin Royal Museum in 2018 when you supported the idea of a Benin Royal Museum before the EMOWAA idea came from the blues.”

Continued on page 39

interests.’’

Earlier in their speeches, the National Chairman of the party, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Shettima expressed gratitude to the President for his exemplary leadership which has strengthened the party in the aftermath of the convention and primaries.

Adamu said: ‘‘our main goal is to see the success of the APC in the forthcoming general elections. There’s no better parting gift than to ensure that the APC produces the next President.’’

Bagudu told the President that he had set a worthy precedence on internal democracy in political parties, adding, ‘‘Under pressure to dictate or suggest, you were determined that the democratic process should be given the opportunity to work and what we have seen is that democratic processes can produce very excellent results. We have a Presidential candidate and a running mate, whom we are all proud of.’’

On his part, Shettima reiterated the willingness of Tinubu and himself to serve Nigeria with justice, equity and fairness.

He said: ‘‘We want to solicit the support of the President once INEC lifts the ban on open-air campaigns and we want to latch on to your achievements and brand name to victory, and consolidate the leadership of the party".

The meeting was attended

by President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Idris Wase; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole; former Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe; former Chief of Air Staff Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar; former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, and Senator representing Taraba South Senatorial District, Emmanuel Bwacha.

APC governors in attendance included those of Kebbi (Atiku Bagudu); Borno (Babagana Zulum); Nasarawa (Abdullahi Sule); Yobe (Mana Buni) and Gombe (Inuwa Yahaya).

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

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NEWS

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

Buhari: Off-season Election Results, Proof of My Unshaken Commitment to Credible Polls Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the outcome of recent off-season governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states have shown his unshaken commitment to credible polls in the country.

Speaking yesterday at the State House, Abuja, while receiving a delegation from Nasarawa State led by Governor Abdullahi Sule, the President stressed that results of the off-season elections in the three states had confirmed his government’s irreversible commitment to credible and

violence-free polls in the country.

While calling on Nigerians to vote the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections to ensure continuity in the polity, and stability in the country and West African region, President Buhari noted that the Electoral Act, signed by him earlier this year, was an attestation of the fulfilment of the administration’s determination and commitment to the tenets of the rule of law.

According to him, ‘‘On the issues of credible, free and fair elections in the country, I have always re-assured my listeners both at home and abroad, my

Terrorists Raid Kuchi, Kidnap 50 Villagers Laleye Dipo in Minna Heavily armed gunmen in the early hours of yesterday raided Kuchi in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State kidnapping not less than 50 villagers.

This is just as reports have it that a veterinary doctor and a retired top local government staff were also abducted in Kontagora Local Government Area of the state last Thursday and early yesterday morning.

Unconfirmed reports also have it that three villagers died during the raid on Kuchi town.

According to a statement

by Yusuf Kokki, Convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths in Niger, the gunmen invaded the village around 2a.m.

Kokki said the gunmen invaded the village in large numbers while it was raining, and that they conducted their operation going from one house to another.

The attackers are currently trapped with the abducted persons at Dangunu River owing to the overflow of water from the heavy rainfall.

“They went from house to house, woke the people up and forced them on their motorcycles after which they drove them to unknown destinations,” said Kokki.

THISDAY however learnt that the gunmen and their victims are now stranded around the river bank between Shiroro and Kaduna State as the river overflowed its banks making it impossible for them to cross to the other side.

The increase in the level of water in the river is as a result of heavy rains which fell across most parts of Niger State for several hours between midnight and early hours of yesterday.

The convener asked the government to mobilise security operatives to the village to restore peace and arrest the criminals.

“Reinforcement is immediately needed at the moment to fiercely engage them at their exit route where they are currently stranded. Mobilise able-bodied vigilantes to the scene.

The authorities concerned should swing into action and do the needful,” he added.

The abduction of the top Kontagora LG official it was learnt took place as the man was on his farm while the veterinary doctor who was treating some animals was kidnapped on Thursday evening according to the source.

The kidnappers of the LG retiree according to the source made contact with his family and demanded for huge ransom before he will be released.

Gunmen Kidnap 25-Year-Old Pregnant Woman in Bauchi Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi A 25-year-old pregnant woman, Rahila Da’u, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen who stormed her home in Gibob, a Fulani settlement in Gizaki Village of Lusa Ward in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The state command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident, saying that when the incident was reported to the Bogoro Police Division, the DPO was directed by the Commissioner of Police, Umar Sanda, to do everything possible to rescue the victim.

Recall that this incident is coming barely three days after kidnappers invaded the country home of former Governor of Bauchi State, Ahmed Adamu Muazu in Boto killing one of his relatives.

THISDAY checks revealed that on the 18th of July 2023, the gunmen whose number cannot be ascertained yet,

stormed her home in Gibob a Fulani settlement in Gizaki Village of Lusa Ward in Bogoro LGA of Bauchi State bordering Plateau State.

It was learnt from a very reliable source from the area that a gang of unidentified gunmen suspected to be Fulani invaded Gibob which is a Fulani settlement in Gizaki Village of Lusa Ward in Bogoro LGA and kidnapped Rahila, took her away to an undisclosed location.

The source who pleaded anonymity told THISDAY that, “The gunmen were said to be wielding AK-47 rifles, machetes and other dangerous weapons, invaded the settlement shooting sporadically within the family compound of Alhaji Da’u Bello aged about 70 years a Fulani by tribe, and abducted his daughter Rahils Da’u aged about 25 years.”

He revealed that the kidnappers inflicted varying degree of injuries on the victims and a fracture on the left leg of Alhaji Bello before they took away his daughter.

personal desire and indeed the priority of this administration is to bequeath to our nation an irreversible political process that continues to be both democratic and acceptable to the people. ‘‘My desire for our nation is that the 2023 elections should clearly mark the commencement of the institutional strength of our electoral body in conducting acceptable, credible and violence-free elections. ‘‘The forthcoming general elections will provide us with the opportunity to convince the electorate on the need for continuity to enable our party to consolidate on our achievements in the last seven years. ‘‘The Government and people of Nasarawa State, as usual, have a great role to play in returning our party to governance in the 2023 elections,

in order to create a path for greater socio- economic growth and development. This is not only important for Nigeria alone but also for the West African Sub-Region.’’

Noting that Nasarawa remains very dear to his heart, the President described the state as the symbol of hope and determination in collective efforts to entrench democracy in Nigeria.

He recalled that in 2011, the state stood out during the general elections of that year, as the only state that compensated the political efforts in the then Congress for Progressive Change ( CPC) defying rigging and ensuring that their voices mattered. ‘‘To demonstrate this admiration and appreciation to the people of Nasarawa

State, I personally attended the inauguration of Governor Tanko Al-Makura on May 29, 2011. In 2015 and 2019, the state remained one of the strongholds of our great party, the APC. ‘‘I am optimistic that the people of the state, the APC Government and this broad representation of your delegation will not disappoint me, as we sustain concerted efforts in pushing forward the frontiers of good governance in our country.’’

President Buhari also stressed the need for partnerships among the three tiers of government in order to deliver good governance, infrastructure and critical services needed by the people.

He pledged commitment to the joint-efforts by the state and the federal governments

to facilitate easy transportation by road, railways and airports as well as power as no nation can develop without these components of infrastructure. ‘‘The proximity of Nasarawa State to the FCT naturally makes the state a partner in infrastructural development.

We therefore need more collaboration to enhance this proximity with other contiguous states to achieve more integrated development,’’ the President said.

Earlier in his address, Governor Sule told the President that the delegation comprising political office holders, royal fathers and community leaders was in the State House to show appreciation for the numerous projects executed by the Buhari administration which Nasarawa State ‘‘is among the greatest beneficiaries.’

EMPOWERING WOMEN… L-R: Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council, Dana Banks; Senior Director, Africa Investment Forum, African Development Bank, Chinelo Anohu; and Director, US Trade and Development Agency, USTDA, Enoh Ebong, during the Roundtable Luncheon, “Women as Investment Champions: Delivering Solutions for

Emefiele: Demand for Chicken Meat, Eggs Outstrips Current Supply Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said that despite Nigeria being the largest producer of eggs and the second largest producer of chicken meat in Africa, demand gap for eggs and meat stands at and outstrips current supply by 1.2 million metric tonnes and 140,000 metric tonnes for meat and eggs respectively.

Emefiele stated this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital at the weekend, during the official inauguration of N600m University of Ilorin (Unilorin) GgMAX Integrated

Commercial Poultry Farm funded under the CBN Tertiary Institutions Poultry Revival Scheme(TIPRS).

According to him, “The Nigerian poultry sub-sector is a trillion naira industry with huge potentials for individuals and national socio-economic development.”

He said, “With over 180 million chickens under intensive, semiintensive and extensive production systems, it provides affordable and broadly acceptable meat and eggs to meet our national protein needs.

“Over the years, this demand gap has driven the smuggling of unhealthy frozen chicken into the country.

“To close this gap, the Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced various intervention schemes focused on boosting poultry production, creating decent jobs, fostering innovation in the poultry sub sector.

“One of such schemes is the Tertiary Institutions Poultry Revival Scheme that was conceptualised specifically for tertiary institutions to design and implement viable poultry projects.

“Today, we witness the commissioning of the first project to be funded and completed through the scheme.

“It is certain that the laudable objectives of the scheme including

improving revenue of tertiary institutions, employment creation and enhancing research into poultry by tertiary institutions are already being realised.”

Emefiele, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director and Secretary to Agricultural Credit Guarantees Scheme Fund of CBN, Mr. Edwin Nzelu, added, “The 0.6 billion funding provided through Zenith Bank at a single digit interest rate of five per cent has led to the construction of broiler and layers pen and cages; procurement of over 50,000.00 birds, feed milling equipment, processing machinery and other ancillary poultry amenities.

Safe Termination of Pregnancy: 150 Women Groups Ask Sanwo-Olu to Lift Guidelines’ Suspension Wale Igbintade Over 150 Women Rights and Civil Society Organisations have called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to immediately lift suspension on the guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indicators.

The groups maintained that women have rights to their bodily integrity and to life, stressing that the ‘Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indicators’ is meant to save women from preventable death.

Lagos State, through the Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition in the state’s Ministry

of Health had on June 29, 2022, presented a 40-page policy document titled ‘Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indicators’ to set out guidelines for safe termination of pregnancy within the ambit of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The guidelines are meant to standardise and build capacity for medical professionals to save lives of pregnant women whose pregnancy continuation is a danger to their lives and physical health.

However few days after, the state government on July 8, 2022 ordered the suspension of the Guidelines.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Lagos, the Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr. Abiola AkiyodeAfolabi, alleged that the state government is being blackmailed by religious sentiments, and by persons with certain philosophical convictions to suspend the Guidelines.

Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi stated that the document was a painstaking work by experts in Law, in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, adding that the Guideline has created an opportunity to reduce maternal mortality in line with existing laws.

She warned that failure to lift the suspension may lead the groups to occupy the governor’s office to press home their demands.

According to her, Nigeria is obligated to implement 2030 Global Sustainable Development Goals agreed by world governments at the United Nations in September 2015, with a target of universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services.

She lamented that the current abortion law in Nigeria was instituted by the British ‘Offences Against Persons Act, Section 58’ in the 19th century, which has not been repealed or amended.

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NEWS

Like Elumelu, Biden Seeks Improved US – Africa Relationship Obinna Chima The President of the United States of America has stressed the importance of an increased US-Africa relationship, just as he envisioned a new beginning in the relationship between the continent and the US from the upcoming US-Africa Leaders’ Summit.

Biden, who made the remarks in a statement on the forthcoming summit scheduled to hold from December 13th to 15th, 2022, in Washington DC, said the meeting would demonstrate the US’ enduring commitment to Africa and will underscore the importance of US-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.

The statement by the US

President came few days after the Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu, had in an article he penned in The Hill, an American newspaper and digital media company based in Washington, D.C titled: ‘Time for a new US engagement with Africa’, stated the need for a renewed US-Africa partnership, noting that Africa needs partnerships that foster a collaborative approach to building infrastructure, investing in human capital, and generating economic opportunities that will bring mutual prosperity.

According to Biden, the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit would build on, “our shared values to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the US-Africa commitment to

democracy and human rights; mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and of future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis; and amplify diaspora ties.

“I look forward to working with African governments, civil society, diaspora communities across the United States, and the private

sector to continue strengthening our shared vision for the future of US-Africa relations.”

In his article, Elumelu, who is a leading investor and philanthropist, pointed out that, “although President Biden pledged early in his term to re-engage with the continent, major policy initiatives remain unclear, and America’s absence on the continent has been felt.”

This, according to Elumelu,

who is also the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), “contrasts with US allies and adversaries alike, who continue to show real commitment in their relationships.”

He added: “In February, at the sixth European UnionAfrican Union Summit, leaders of the 27 EU nations welcomed 40 African heads of state to Brussels and

committed €150 billion in investments targeting health, education, digital innovation, transportation infrastructure, and green energy.

“At the concurrent EUAfrica Business Forum (EABF), the Tony Elumelu Foundation celebrated its €20 million partnership with the European Commission which has empowered 2,500 young women entrepreneurs across Africa.

30 Killed in Kaduna Auto Crash John Shiklam in Kaduna No fewer than 30 persons have been killed in a ghastly auto crash along the Zaria-Kano Expressway, Hawan Mai Mashi in Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

It was learnt that the accident occurred at around 5:30p.m. on Thursday. Assistant Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in charge of Zaria zone, Abdurahman Yakasai, confirmed the incident on telephone.

Yakasai said the crash which involved three vehicles was caused

by over speeding and dangerous overtaking.

He said the crash involved two Toyota 18-seater buses and a Volkswagen Golf.

According to Yakasai, those who sustained injuries and the remains of those who died, were taken to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Shika, Zaria by men of the FRCS. He said the passengers were burnt beyond recognition, adding that the FRSC was making efforts to obtain the manifest and details of the victims of the crash.

Obi Laments Rev. Father Chietnum’s Death Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Mr. Peter Obi, has lamented the brutal killing of Rev. Father John Mark Chietnum of Kafanchan Diocese who was killed by unidentified bandits in Kaduna State.

Obi said that Father Chietnum’s death is among the many needless bloodletting in the country arising from poor leadership that needed to be changed.

In a statement signed by his Media aide, Valentine Obienyem, the LP presidential candidate noted that the daily killing of Nigerian youths across the country makes it imperative that Nigerian youths must rise in unison irrespective of religion, tribe or geography to take back their country.

Obi also decried the yet unexplained reason for the

massacre of over 20 Nigerian youths in Mgbidi area of Imo state and regretted that the value placed on human lives in the country is extremely poor and worthless.

The former Anambra State governor said that none of the blood of innocent Nigerians shed would be in vain as they will all be martyrs for the revival of Nigeria.

Until his death, Rev. Chietnum was the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jema’a Local Government Area and also the Coordinating CAN Chairman, Southern Kaduna and was a great advocate for the rescuing of Nigeria.

Obi regretted that he was unable to attend the burial of Fr. Chietnum sent heartfelt condolences to the family, the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese and the Catholic community in the country.

Anambra Lawmaker Beheaded by Hoodlums Buried David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Late Hon. Okey Okoye, the lawmaker who represented Aguata State constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly was yesterday buried in his home town, Isuofia.

Hon. Okoye was kidnapped alongside his personal assistant, Mr. Cyril Chiegboka in May this year and later beheaded by their captors. Their decapitated bodies were found in different places away from their heads.

His burial yesterday attracted several politicians in the state, including the state governor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, who also hails from the same community with the late lawmaker.

Soludo, who spoke during the burial ceremony, said eight persons suspected to be in connection with the murder of the late Anambra lawmaker had been arrested.

The governor said the state government would not rest on its oars until all the criminals involved in the gruesome murder of the lawmaker are brought to face justice. He also expressed his solidarity to all the victims of criminality in the state, and reassured that every criminal will surely face justice.

He said, “These people are not unknown gunmen. They live among our people, some of them have families and operate from various communities. We need you to help us identify them so that they can face justice.

CHANGE OF BATON… L-R: Outgoing State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme, Mrs. Belinda Faniyi; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the incoming Coordinator of the NYSC in the state, Mrs. Winifred Shopeka, during a change of baton by the NYSC officials at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on Thursday

Airline Operators Alert on Fresh Flight Disruptions, Cite Aviation Fuel Scarcity Air Peace spends N120m daily on Jet A1 Chinedu Eze Nigerian airlines, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) yesterday alerted air travellers and other Nigerians about acute shortage of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1, and said this would inevitably give rise to flight disruption, “as difficulty in sourcing the product will cause delays.”

This is the second announcement on the disruption of services over the scarcity of aviation fuel in three months. The first was in May. In a statement signed by AON Spokesman, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, yesterday, the airlines said the air transport sub-sector “is in crisis, which threatens continued scheduled flight operations.”

AON states: “This is to notify the members of the public, especially consumers of air transport services in the country, that the aviation sector has been hit by a major crisis with the acute scarcity of

aviation fuel, otherwise known as Jet-A1. For this reason, there will be major disruptions in scheduled flight operations including cancellations and unnecessary delays across all airports in the country.

“This is a foreseen but unintended consequence of the aviation fuel scarcity in the country. We, therefore, plead for the understanding of the travelling public to bear with our members as efforts are currently being made to address the development and restore normal flight operations.”

Speaking in the same vein, the General Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air, Aniekan Essienette said in a statement that the airline was facing serious problems sourcing aviation fuel and that it might cancel some flights.

“This is to bring to your notice that the growing unavailability of aviation fuel has greatly impacted on our operations, leading to flight delays. At this point, it might now result in some flight cancellations.

“While this situation is unprecedented and disruptive to our value proposition, we assure you that it is as distressing to us as it is to you.

“As Ibom Air, we will continue to do everything in our power to operate our flight schedule as close to 100% as possible while looking forward to normalcy being restored at the earliest,” the airline said.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the high cost of aviation fuel is draining the finances of the airlines and that the nation’s biggest carrier, Air Peace spends over N120 million daily on the product.

Before it was shut down, Dana Air was spending about N60 million on aviation fuel.

The operators said they spend over 70 per cent of the cost of operation on aviation fuel.

The high price of aviation fuel has also triggered an increase in airfares from N60,000 to N130,000 for economy class.

Informed sources also told THISDAY that if this problem lingers for the next two weeks, three more airlines out of the six existing ones on scheduled service would shut operations.

Due to the hike in global oil prices caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine, the cost of importation of petroleum products has surged, leading to scarcity and high fuel prices. In May, AON planned to suspend operations but shelved it after intervention by the House of Representatives.

In June, Allen Onyema, AON’s vice-president, said at least three domestic airlines were on the verge of shutting down operations due to the soaring price of the commodity.

Meanwhile, AON has condemned in very strong terms, the attack on the property of Dana Air by passengers whose scheduled flights were affected by the grounding of the airline for operational audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

N22bn Tramadol: Trial of Suspected Drug Baron to Commence Oct 6 Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed October 6, for the commencement of trial of suspected billionaire drug baron, Chief Afam Mallinson Ukatu fingered in the alleged conspiracy, illegal dealing, trading and possession of 322 kilograms of Tramadol, a banned substance.

Ukatu alongside one of his co-defendants, Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, were arraigned in court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

on alleged drug-related offences.

Mallinson and his codefendant, were linked to the suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abba Kyari in an alleged N3 billion drug deal.

The two defendants were charged before the court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside one Pius Enidom, who has absconded after he was granted bail, on May 4, 2021, in charge marked FHC/L/159c/2021, filed against them by the NDLEA. When the matter came up yesterday, the trial judge, Justice

Peter Lifu, fixed October 6 for the commencement of the defendants’ trial after delivering ruling on the bail application.

The billionaire and his worker, were admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in the like sum.

One of the sureties, according to the judge, must be an industrialist, specifically, a member of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), who must be a landed property owner within the court jurisdic-

tion. While the second surety must be a Grade Level 15 official either in federal or Lagos State Government establishment.

The judge also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passport with the court’s Registrar and to file an affidavit of dual citizenship if they’re, adding that they should be reporting to the prosecuting agency, NDLEA every 14 days till the determination of the charges against them. The judge also ordered that the court Registrars should verify the bail terms.

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INSIGHT

Where is the light?

Lessons from Osun

Ebubeagu and the excesses of impunity There appears to be no love lost between Governor Hope Uzodinma and the good people of Imo State. It does not take a lot to sense that for a very long time, the people of Imo State will feel aggrieved with the Supreme Court for foisting on them someone they could never have voted for in a million elections even if the court only did what the law dictated and no more.

If the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group had thought that its agitations and activities were in the interests of the Southeast, it has since stood by, watching haplessly as criminal elements have infiltrated it, piling atrocities with each passing day. Multiple attacks have been carried out in the Southeast to push a region known for its relative peace towards the precipice.

Until recently when Anambra State became the epicenter of the troubles, a lot of the attacks were in Imo State with citizens taking as many hits as security forces. Even before the attacks started, Governor Uzodinma was already hugely unpopular, with many perceiving him to at best be the beneficiary of an opaque judicial verdict that fed from Nigeria`s highly corrupt patronage system.

What one will never know is how much of the attacks happened because Uzodinma was on seat as Governor, and how many of them were by forces bent on achieving their own goals. What is clear is that Uzodinma’s incendiary rhetoric has never helped matters. Neither has his formation of the infamous Ebubeagu security unit which has lurched from one controversy to another since it came into existence.

Created at a security summit of 11th April 2021 as a regional security outfit by the five South-east governors to tackle insecurity in the region, Ebubeagu was formally inaugurated by the Ebonyi State Governor David Nweze Umahi in December last year. The outfit was no doubt created to ape Amotekun,a similar outfit in the Southwest which was created to counter growing security threats in the region.

With its headquarters in Enugu, it was mandated to coordinate the vigilante in the Southeast and generally improve the security situation in the Southeast. It appears however that more than anything else, it was the activities of IPOB that panicked the South-east governors to the security summit in which Ebubeagu was formed.

With the incarceration of its leader in Abuja, the IPOB had increased the frequency of its attacks in the South-east, threatening and targeting the governors

directly. If today, Ebubeagu in spite of its handful of modest achievements is being fingered for contributing to some of the problems it was created to tackle, it is because many of its members have shown that they lack any iota of professionalism. On Sunday, 17th July 2022, the lives of seven youths in Awomama, Imo State were brutally cut short, reportedly by operatives of Ebubeagu. Uzodinma has since absolved Ebubeagu of any complicity in the murder.

It does not take clairvoyance to see that some unscrupulous governors who already operate like demi-gods will leave no stone unturned in turning their state police into their personal vigilante and vicious attack dogs. One only needs to look at what some state legislatures have become at the hands of some overbearing governors to know that in Nigeria anything is possible. It however does not mean that in the face of rampaging insecurity, Nigeria should not explore all legal avenues to secure her citizens while getting justice for all those who are ever treated outside what the law prescribes.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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t has to be said that the political landscape in Nigeria is ever changing and with the recently passed electoral laws, it would be harder to have bad elections in Nigeria.

I deliberately use the word bad elections because in the past elections were really bad. Suffice to say, the Osun elections is a testament to the fact that the BVAS technology by INEC and the transmission of results will make elections more accountable in Nigeria. The first lesson I will like to point out is the role of the electoral umpire. Once we get it right with electioneering, then the voice of the people will start to count and I must give commendations to INEC on this. Another lesson is the role internal democracy plays in the affairs of a nation. The APC got its internal democracy wrong in Osun and the party was already fragmented before the elections and it was evident

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

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

as they lost many strongholds in the state and this culminated in the total defeat of the APC. Once things fell apart, it was difficult for the center to hold. Another important lesson is the role of the people, in recent elections cycle. The Osun turnout was one of the highest, 42% of the people with PVC voted. That cannot be said for Ekiti and from that we can deduce that, there was a candidate that excited the people on the ballot and for democracy to work, the people must play their own part and play it well. .I think those in the. political ecosystem will imbibe these lessons as we approach 2023.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

Afeniforo: Service in Uniform with a Difference

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e are all too familiar with the men and women of the Nigeria Police. At least, at numerous illegal roadblocks, the familiar encounter is the ‘anything for the weekend’ request; or when one had cause to go to a police station to incident a complaint and seek police intervention, it is not unlikely to be met with a demand for money to open a file or buy paper. The general perception of the average citizen is that the rank and file of the police is corrupt. As a legal practitioner of almost four decades’ experience, I have had a fair share of encounters with men and women of our police force and I have some of them, ranging from the lowly constable to the top echelon as friends and acquaintances.

On 8th July 2022, I received a report of theft of some items at my site in Mowe which necessitated making a complaint to the Mowe police station.

The first thing that struck me when I got to the station was that I met four officers at the desk.

Expectedly, I requested to see the head of the station, the DPO which prompted the most senior of the four to take me to an office. It was then I realised that the person who interacted with me at the desk was the DPO.

Chief Wale Taiwo,SAN FCArb

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Terror Kingpins Frolicking with Governors, Emirs

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damu Aliero, the dominant terrorists in Zamfara and Katsina states has been in the news in the last eight days following his turbaning as Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Sabon Birnin Yandoto in Zamfara State. This terror kingpin makes money from killings, kidnappings and levies imposed on several communities by his gang in these two states. Aliero operates openly and unimpeded. I will never forget how this terrorist and his boys attacked the Magama area of Jibia, Katsina State, last year, during which they killed a Divisional Police Officer, Abdulkadir Rano.

Emir Aliyu Marafa says Aliero is now a repentant terrorist and peace-maker within the emirate and should be honoured. With his title, this killer is now the leader of the Fulani clan in the Emirate. It can only happen in Nigeria.

The spokesperson of the Emirate, Lawali Magaji, argues that with Aliero’s installation, the people of the Emirate could now go to their farms without fear of attacks, adding, “Aliero has been trying to stop banditry within the emirate and we have seen positive changes. The conferment of the title of Sarkin Fulani on him will give him more power to control the entire Fulani people within the Emirate. It will also enable him to checkmate the activities of the recalcitrant bandits and take action against them.”

Emir Marafa and Magaji are economical with the truth by saying Aliero had repented. As at press time, his boys were still killing, kidnapping and raping residents of Katsina State in villages and communities that border Zamfara State.

Even if Aliero had truly repented as claimed by Emir Marafa, does that mean he won’t face the law for all his crimes?

Several people in communities he controls were brutalised for failing to pay the levies he imposed. Sometime last year, Aliero imposed a N40 million levy on Nasarawar Mai Fara in Zamfara, which the poor people could not raise. No fewer than 20 people were subsequently killed by Aliero and his gang in the village.

In Bakura, three people, including the chief imam of the area, Akilu Dan Malam, were killed by Aliero and his boys, also for failing to raise levy demanded.

He was behind the 2021 terror attacks in three communities in Bakori and Funtua local government areas of Katsina State that led to the death of 13 residents. They later attacked two communities in Funtua

Matawalle

LGA where they murdered 10 residents and abducted the village head, Mohammed Umar.

Aliero’s installation was performed in Yandoto town, the headquarters of the Emirate, yet, security agents did not use the opportunity to apprehend this terrorist with huge human blood on him. They can’t claim to be unaware of Aliero’s whereabouts.

Then, a day after his turbaning ceremony, the Katsina State Police Command was reminding Nigerians that the notorious terror leader was still on its wanted list.

Aliero was declared wanted in 2020 for crimes such as culpable homicide, terrorism, armed robbery, and kidnapping in Katsina.

A bounty of N5 million was placed on him.

The spokesperson for the police in Katsina, Gambo Isah readily pointed to the killing of over 100 residents of Kadisau village, Faskari Local Government Area of the state in 2021. The police can apprehend him if they truly want to do this. But I am not sorry to say that they lack the political will to arrest Aliero.

Governor Bello Matawalle’s response to the installation of Aliero was to suspend Emir Marafa. He also dissociated his government from the action and inaugurated a committee to investigate

the circumstances leading to the action of the Emir. The governor’s responses look good. But then, Matawalle is also guilty of the charges against Emir Marafa because he has also been frolicking with terrorists.

Matawalle claimed to have changed, but I very much doubt it.

I was so pained in 2021 when I saw late Auwal Daudawa, the terrorists that masterminded the abduction of students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, at the Zamfara State Government House, with Matawalle cuddling him. That was an outlaw, who should be in jail, frolicking with Matawalle at Government House, Gusau, in the name of his ridiculous amnesty for the brigands. The terrorists surely got enough cash from Matawalle to buy more than the weapons submitted. Of course, Daudawa eventually died by the sword. For over two years, Matawalle was pumping huge money into this hopeless amnesty that was encouraging more militias to join the flourishing “business” of killing and kidnapping.

Right in Matawalle’s backyard is the notorious Fulani militia leader, Dogo Gide, who controls the southern part of the Zamfara forest and further into Niger State. Matawalle knows the whereabouts of Gide and his boys. What step has he taken to end his reign of terror? I can’t remember any.

I also heard Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State threatening that even if Aliero accepts to live peacefully with the farming communities in Zamfara, his government still considers him a terrorist “and would do everything humanly possible to arrest him and face the wrath of the law for the crimes he had committed.” So, how many of the terrorists ravaging Katsina State has Masari motivated their arrest? The Katsina governor is very good at showboating.

At a point, he was frolicking with many of these terrorists in the name of a weird amnesty.

Another terror leader frolicking with some governors and Emirs in the Norhwest is Bello Turji. His headquarters is in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which shares borders with two provinces in Niger Republic - Maradi and Tawa. Sabon Birni is home to scores of other terror groups under different leaders, but the notorious Turji is the main man here. Other terror leaders in Sabon Birni are Nagona, Jambo Baki, Useini Dankwano and Dan Bakkolo. From Sabon Birni, they

Nigerian Masses Gasping for Breath

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he inflation figure for June 2022 is frightening. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation surged to 18.60 per cent, up from 17.71 per cent in the previous month, the highest since January 2017. The masses of the people have been struggling to meet up with prices of goods and services for over seven years. Most homes are struggling to sustain two meals a day.

Rising inflation and shrinking value of the country’s currency are fast eating up the thin income of majority of Nigerians. This is the reason the masses of the people are experiencing unprecedented hardship. The prices of virtually everything you can think of are skyrocketing – food, petrol, gas, electricity, health care, transportation. Unfortunately, governments at all levels have not shown seriousness about ameliorating the suffering of the masses.

Nigeria’s economy is flat on its back, no thanks to over seven years of mismanagement by the Buhari government. The state governments have not fared better. The federal government borrows heavily to fund unnecessary things like new equipment for the state’s television station, NTA. This is why

Nigeria’s total public debt stock, comprising federal, state and local governments is N39.556 trillion as at December 31, 2021.

This is N1.566 trillion higher than the N38 trillion posted as at September 30, 2021. As a result, the states and the federal government use a large portion of their revenues for debt servicing.

Annually, recurrent expenditure eats up a large chunk of the federal budget, with little left for capital expenditure. Thereafter, corruption eats a large part of the little left for capital projects. No doubt, the federal and state governments have failed abysmally to provide public goodies like basic education and healthcare, security, power, roads, and other infrastructure. So, the standard of living of the average Nigerian continues to depreciate.

A World Bank report released in April this year, titled, “A Better Future for All Nigerians: 2022 Nigeria Poverty Assessment,” noted that poverty reduction had stagnated in this country since 2015, with more Nigerians falling below the poverty line over the years.

It was a serious indictment of the Buhariled federal government that has been running the show at the centre since 2015 and the

state governors of this era. This report simply declared that the various poverty alleviation programmes at all levels of government in beloved Nigeria since 2015 have been mere greasepaints. Lives in the real sense of it are not being affected.

The report states: “Since the back-casts provide yearly estimates, they also suggest that poverty may have started declining in the first part of the 2010s, but that this trend halted and then reversed around 2015.”

This report backed an obvious fact across Nigeria. More and more people are being pushed into poverty by rising prices of food, fuel, health care, education, transportation and the falling value of earnings. Unending terrorism and falling Naira have also pushed many into poverty. Many have lost their jobs in the last seven years, with manufacturers struggling for survival; all due to the hopeless economic policies of the Buhari government.

Nigeria is now the poverty capital of the world due to years of mismanaging the economy. Governments at all levels must proactively address rising food prices so that the masses can smile a bit again.

carry out attacks in Zamfara and Katsina.

This blood sucker called Turji once wrote an open letter to President Buhari, Matawalle and the Emir of Shinkafi, listing five conditions for peace. These include dissolution of vigilante groups in the North-west, a meeting with traditional rulers and religious leaders, and a stop to the “marginalisation” of Fulanis. A terrorist that ought to have been killed was giving conditions to be met by government before he would end his attacks. This is the same Turji that once burnt 23 people alive in Sokoto State. What a country!

The Emirs and governors in the Northwest know the terrorists inflicting pain on this country. Our security agents know them. Unfortunately, the political leaders obstinately fail those law-abiding Nigerians who voted for them in order to enjoy some protection. Our security agents can take out these killers but have failed to do so. This shows the terrorists are enjoying official protection. I stand to be corrected. I have also not heard our President specifically directing security agents to apprehend these terror leaders. This is food for thought for everybody today.

25 Kajuru Women Still with Terrorists

El-rufai

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or those who have not been following the story, here is a quick recap. Communities in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State are persistently attacked by terrorists, who kill, maim and abduct. During one of such attacks on June 30, the terrorists cherry-picked 25 women and 15 others in three communities in Kajuru LG. They stormed the villages with over 30 motorcycles, murdered 20 residents, before kidnapping the victims. These abductees are today, 23 days old in the dungeon of the terrorists. At a point, the abductors asked for N100 million ransom. The affected families raised N9 million and sent to the terrorists. They collected the money and still refused to release their victims.

This is the situation in Kajuru.

Scores of people are being dehumanised. Affected families are weeping and begging for Kaduna State Government’s intervention. Governor Nasir El-rufai is evidently unperturbed.

Security agents are looking the other way. This is the level my beloved Nigeria has degenerated in the last seven years.

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NEW Buhari Rejoices With Fashion Doyen, Abah Folawiyo, At 80 Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’s doyen of fashion, Hajiya Zainab Abah Folawiyo, as she marks her 80th birthday anniversary.

The President, in a release issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, joined family, friends and associates of Hajiya Folawiyo, in celebrating her 80th birthday on July 22, 2022.

He noted historic roles the matriarch has played in development of the country by smartly translating her regal taste into an

AAAN MEETS IN LAGOS …

L-R: Dr. Tunji Olugbodi of Verdant Zeal; Mr. Jenkins Alumona, Vice President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN); Mrs. Kemi Fabusoro, Executive Director, AAAN; Mr. Steve Babaek, President, AAAN; Mr Lolu Akinwunmi, former AAAN President, Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, President, Experimental Marketing Association of Nigeria; and Mr. Femi Adelusi, President, Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria at the 49th AAAN AGM/Congress in Epe, Lagos...recently

Court Stops Umahi’s Senatorial Ambition, Okays Agom-Eze Governor Dave Umahi’s desire to be recognised as the Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ebonyi South LQ QH[W \HDU·V HOHFWLRQ VXͿHUHG a major setback yesterday, as a Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, ordered that Princess Ann Agom-Eze be recognised as the party’s Senatorial candidate.

The younger brother of the governor, Mr. Austin Umahi KDG FRQWHVWHG DQG ZRQ WKH ÀUVW senatorial primary election APC conducted where Princess Ann

Agom-Eze emerged second.

However, when Governor Umahi returned from contesting the presidential primary of the party in Abuja, a second Senatorial primary was scheduled on June 9, 2022, during which the governor emerged unopposed as the younger Umahi had withdrawn his candidacy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), refused to recognise the second primary and so Umahi, represented by his lawyer, Roy Nweze Umahi,

sued INEC at the Federal High Court in Abakaliki, to compel them to recognise the governor as the senatorial candidate.

However, Princess Agom-Eze also approached the court and argued that she should be recognised as the senatorial candidate as the runner-up in the primary approved by INEC since Austin Umahi who won that election had withdrawn his candidacy.

Delivering his judgement, Justice Fatun Riman, drew

attention to Section 115 of the Electoral Act 2022, stating, “the governor was not an aspirant and cannot participate in the election or pre-election matters of the All Progressives Congress as regards the Ebonyi South zone, whose primary held on the 28th day of May, 2022.”

Section 115 of the Electoral Act 2022 states that “the governor neither procured forms for nor participated in the election and cannot claim any right based on the primary election.”

US, W’Bank Pledge Support for Military Health System Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The United States and Work Bank have pledged to support the federal government’s review of the military health delivery system as part of the reform of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

As part of the reform agenda, the federal government is working towards the establishment of a world class military hospital patterned after the Walter Reed Military Hospital in

the United States.

The Walter Reed Army Medical Centre (WRAMC) – known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951 – was the U.S. $UP\·V ÁDJVKLS PHGLFDO center from 1909 to 2011.

Located on 113 acres in the District of Columbia, it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military.

Speaking at a workshop on ‘Reforming Military Health

System in Nigeria’, attended by military service chiefs, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said her country would provide support for the military health system.

She said it was an important undertaking for Nigeria.

“It is an incredibly important undertaking for Nigeria. It is important for the military men to have a comprehensive health system.

Anything United States can do, let us know. We stand

by you,” he said.

The World Bank Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, said the institution was committed to universal health coverage.

“Without reforms, we cannot build back better,” he said, while pledging support for the reform project.

In his remarks, Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), said the federal government was committed to military health system reforms.

EU: We Looked to Nigeria’s Direction After Russian Weaponised Gas

Pharmacists Knock NHIS Implementation

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria ( ACPN )Edo State chapter have condemned modus operandi of the Nigerian Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which empowers the physician to be Prescriber and Dispenser of drugs at the same time.

In a communique issued at the end of a summit in Edo State, chairman of state chapter of ACPN, Duke Otite, described as an aberration, the existing practice in the nation’s NHIS, saying “it contradicts the known global best practices which forbids a prescriber or dispenser to derive undue economic advantage in the totality of drug management mechanisms.”

The document argued that

that the EU is interested in gas. So we will need a certain The European Union (EU) amount of gas to get through. has said that the decision We’re not going to have Rusof Russia to weaponise sian gas in our system. We gas forced Europe to look want to replace that gas with towards Nigeria and other the gas coming from Nigeria African countries to meet its and other reliable partners.

“Europe is in a tight spot in supply needs.

The Deputy Director relation to gas following the General, Energy, Mr. Mathew Russian invasion of Ukraine Baldwin, disclosed this and instability is less likely to while addressing journalists WKUHDWHQ SHUKDSV WR FXW RͿ yesterday in Abuja after a fact supplies altogether as we have launched the energy platform ÀQGLQJ PLVVLRQ He said the EU was inter- Task Force.”

The Deputy Director Genested in additional volumes of /LTXLÀHG 1DWXUDO *DV /1* eral noted that the primary from Nigeria, hence, the fact goal was to reach out to EU reliable partners such ÀQGLQJ PLVVLRQ According to Baldwin, as Nigeria to sources for its “There’s a lot of speculation gas needs.

“value addition remains jeopardised in NHIA operations till date because what obtains presently is that the physicians who prescribe and dispense only give out drugs in the stock of their clinics which oftentimes is not the best drug of choice from a clinical perspective.’’

According to the document, the summit identified four major services covered by health insurance as including diagnosis, investigation (laboratory) procedures (surgery) and pharmaceutical care. It declared that the major credibility and integrity issues arising from Nigeria’s brand of health insurance is grounded on the non-incorporation of community pharmacies, who are the most accessible and affordable link in the value chain of healthcare.

art, and further lifting it into trade IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI VRFLHW\ As the mother and grandmother celebrates the climb to 80th rung of the age ladder, President Buhari believed her propensity for giving and sharing love will be sustained, while her wisdom after years of experience, remains enriching.

7KH 3UHVLGHQW D΀UPHG WKDW Mama’s role in community development, which included mobilising for civil responsibilities and pursuit of personal growth, will always stand her out for recognition.

Terrorists, Bandits Killed 645 People within First Half of 2022 in Kaduna

Ahamefula Ogbu

The Kaduna State government yesterday took stock of lives lost in the first half of 2022 and announced that no fewer than 645 people were within the period.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan during a public presentation of a pilot project on inter-religious harmony in Southern Kaduna.

Southern Kaduna has been a hotbed of several waves of attacks and killings which the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) have severally tagged “ethnic cleansing” by terrorists aimed at displacing indigenous people of the area and taking over their lands.

Aruwan made the details of the report which was earlier launched in the week public through one of his social media handles yesterday where he blamed the violent attacks on banditry and communal clashes with severe negative impacts on all sectors of the state.

According to Aruwan, “Besides the rural banditry confronting most

states in the Northwest, another layer to the general insecurity is violence stemming from a lack of recourse to the law in some mixed communities. Grievances and mutual distrust in these areas are fed into the intermittent attacks by armed bandits, leading to reprisals, and cycles of ethno-religious or political violence.

“Clashes between farming communities and herder communities also add a critical dimension to insecurity, as they can trigger conflict directly, or spiral into the involvement of armed criminals.

“The Kaduna State Government is acutely aware of the devastating impact that conflict and violence have had on communities. In 2021, 1,192 people lost their lives in Kaduna State due to banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, violent attacks and reprisals; 406 of these lives were lost in the Southern Kaduna general area, mostly through killings and counter-killings. In the first six months of 2022, 645 people lost their lives in such circumstances across the State; 234 of these occurred in the Southern Kaduna area.”

Ministry, PwC Provide Clarification for Selection of Bidders for Bitumen Devt Ugo Aliogo

be done, adding that bitumen is one of the very important The Ministry of Mines resources that have remained and Steel Development in untapped.

He called on more investors collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers have laid to buy into the development out the competitive tender saying, “all hands must be on for the selection of bidders for deck” for the good of everyone.

In his presentation, the the development of Nigeria’s Delineated Bitumen Blocks in Director General of Nigerian D YLUWXDO FODULÀFDWLRQ \HVWHUGD\ Geological Survey Agency, Dr. The Ministry of Mines and Abdulrasaq Garbar, provided an Steel Development had issued up to date history of bitumen PwC a letter of award on the 11th exploration in Nigeria.

He also gave some geoof November, 2022, designating it as its Transaction Adviser/ VFLHQWLÀF GDWD DQG DOO RWKHU Programme Manager to oversee information needed to guide the selection of bidders for the investors in the making of the development of Nigeria’s sound judgement in whatever GHÀQHG ELWXPHQ EORFNV WKURXJK area they are looking to invest a competitive tender procedure. in. “Nigeria ranks 6th in bituIn opening remarks by the men reserves in the world, with Director General of Mining reserves estimated at 42 billion Cadastre and the Chairman barrels,” he said.

The Leader of the Mining of Bitumen Committee, Engr.

Obadiah Simon, disclosed that Practice at PricewaterhouseCNigeria is blessed with a lot of oopers Nigeria, Cyril Azobu, mineral resources which have who spoke about the mandate of PwC on the bitumen programme remained untapped.

According to him, the Ministry stated that, the scope of the PwC of Mines and Steel Development mandate is to ensure uniqueness have recorded tremendous suc- and peculiarity of the exploration, cess after its establishment, but development, and extraction of he noted that there was more to bitumen.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Nollywood Mourns Ada Ameh, Sola Onayiga Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

list of actors on an ongoing production had her name among the cast when it was made available for a story which was published today.

Just at about that moment, the news of her death started making the rounds that the Nollywood actress, Ada Ameh had passed. Her fans on social media prayed it was true not. Quite shocking it was that coincidentally a group of newshounds on WhatsApp started working up their phones, trying to confirm the news.

Her friend and colleague, Empress Njamah was contacted but too saddled to talk. Ameh had shared a video some hours earlier on Instagram ushering her followers into the new week. It was only natural the movie director who had sent the list be asked if she was on set. “No. Not today”, he responded, oblivious of what has happened.

He further argued that “She’s not dead”, when asked to possibly confirm the incident.

For some reason, he had thought of having her dropped “but considering old time sake”.

The news about her health prior to her demise wasn’t good enough. Ada Ameh had suffered depression for some years. And it became very worse following the loss of her only child and daughter in 2020.The bond between the mother and her daughter was inextricable so to say.

She was 14 when she had her. They practically grew up together.

She was more like her younger sister, her best friend; she revealed, describing her in an interview. “I just saw my world crumbled before me... One thing that has not been easy for me was the fact that I allowed my daughter to leave for Abuja. The day I made that mistake was the day I left her to leave the house. I’ve lived with that guilt all my life.” Her case was quite pathetic.

She had lost quite a number of blood relatives including three of her sisters before that time.

Lost three of her brothers and lost her father.

She had thought she would be the next. She was in and out of the hospital. Ada had recently shared that she was going through some mental health challenges. When she revealed she was battling a mental health issue, the film star opened up

Ada Ameh

about her struggles in a video. In the video, Ameh recounted how the mental health issue affected her to the point she could not deliver a client’s job.

“I have an issue right now and it’s taking my life, but I won’t die”, she cried out. “We would get over it. I was given a job, but I didn’t do it because I have mental health issues. Would people understand when say you have mental issues? No, they wouldn’t. They are slamming me with a bill, suing me but it’s okay.” Ameh died on Sunday at a Nigerian National Petroleum

Sola Onayiga

Corporation (NNPC) hospital in Delta State.

The Benue state actress slumped and died in Warri, Delta State around 11 pm on Sunday July 17. Ameh was said to have been a guest of an oil company toyshop and his family when she suddenly collapsed. It was gathered that she was rushed to the NNPC’s hospital but passed on before they arrived the facility. Ada Ameh is known for her character Emu Johnson in the popular TV series, The Johnsons. Earlier, she starred as Anita in the 1996 Nollywood blockbuster, Domitilla.

She was more recently adorned for her comic characters especially in The Johnsons.

Sadly, it was a double tragedy for the Nigerian movie industry as it mourned another death of veteran Nollywood actress Sola Onayiga, who was popular for her role as ’Ireti’ in the now rested Fuji House of Commotion. The accomplished stage and screen actress died in the early hours of Monday, July 18, 2022. She was said to have been admitted to the ICU unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital two weeks ago before she gave up the ghost.

Social Media Users, Other Musicians Celebrate Davido Ferdinand Ekechukwu

D

avido and his uncle Senator Ademola Adeleke share something in common. They both can sing and dance. The difference is that it’s a career for Davido. While for his uncle, it’s a hobby. Both are entertainers in a way. It runs in their DNA. His uncle has a son, B-Red, who also sings. Not a few people know this about the Adelekes family. They are fun and happy people.

So, it was really not much of a surprise but excitement as the music superstar, real name David Adeleke, set social media agog with praises from fans of over the role he played in the emergence of his uncle as the governorelect of Osun State. A visible factor during the phase of the campaign period, the ‘Gobe’ crooner deployed his social media strength to advance his uncle’s interest.

The magic of his craft and influence was at play especially on the youths, who could relate to his type of music as he used his status to canvass votes for him. Davido, who has been at the centre of giving support to his own, was captured in a viral video of him riding on a motorcycle and celebrating with the people on the streets of Osun.

Basking in the euphoria of the feat, Davido posted on his twitter handle last Sunday night, “I love you guys! This is a time to celebrate. No allow any mumu distract ona! Gracious in defeat 4 years ago and gracious in victory now! Imole sha de!!!!!

It’s yours. Enjoy it!” Other musicians also joined in the celebrations and posted ‘Congratulations’ in response to the feat. American pop singer, Chris Brown, was one of them.

For his part, Chris Brown, who is a friend of Davido, and have worked on several songs together, took to his Instagram to share in the

Davido conversing with his uncle. . .

Nigerian singer’s happy moment. The American singer recently released the deluxe of his latest album, “Breezy”, which featured Davido on the song “Nobody has to know”. Breezy shared a photo of Ademola Adeleke holding up his right hand

and accompanied same with several emojis including love and friendship.

On the heels of the celebration, the singer joined Spotify’s Billionaires Club. He emerged the latest Nigerian artist to reach a billion streams across all credits on Spotify. This

news was posted on Twitter same Sunday night by @Chartdata which is a company that reports charts news. Davido joins Ckay, Burna Boy, and Wizkid as Nigerian artists who have recorded above a billion streams across all credits on Spotify.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Moses Inwang Confirms New Directorial, DIAL Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

ward winning filmmaker, Moses Inwang has confirmed his new directorial titled DIAL - Devil is a Liar – which principal photography is ongoing at locations in Lagos. Starring Nse Ikpe-Etim and James Gardner in the lead role, Inwang also revealed the movie will be showing in cinemas nationwide sometime in November 2022, from the stable of Hedge Productions.

Written by scriptwriter, Tunde Babalola, DIAL is a psychological-thriller that revolves around a “successful professional woman, who has given up on love, but finds herself falling for a young charmer of a man, who shows her that aside black and

white, there is also an dubious colour called grey”.

Also, on the set of the forthcoming feature film are a mix of old and young Nollywood stars including Nancy Isime, Mercy Aigbe, Erica Nlewedim, Padita Agu, Yemi Black, Tina MBA, Akin Lewis and Ada Ameh.

DIAL is produced by Ese Odometa, and the Executive Producer is Onome Odometa.

The synopsis partly reads: Nkiru Phillips is a property-developer and realtor, who at the age of 39, finds herself quite successful and wealthy albeit still single. With two half-sisters, Alero, already married with children, and Tega, about to get married, Nkiru feels as though her bus has left the bus depot without her. However, despite constant veiled

digs from her stepmother about still being unmarried at her almost 40, Nkiru derives immense pleasure from her career.

During Tega’s Introduction ceremony, Nkiru meets the fashion designer, Jaiye Abiodun, 30 years old, handsome, wellspoken, charismatic.

They hit it off really well, with sparks flying from the get-go. Although a decade younger than her, over the next few months, Nkiru finds herself besotted with Jaiye, who boosts her confidence and sexuality as a woman. The age difference does bother her somewhat, but her bestie, Ivie, advises her to follow her heart and go for it.

Within months, Jaiye has proposed, Nkiru accepts, and they are blissfully wedded… but there’s more to the story that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

Jasperking Reminisces on His Journey, Vision Ferdinand Ekechukwu

H

e describes himself as a performing hip-hop rap artiste, an entrepreneur and also the CEO Jasperking Nation.

His craft and career vision are to contribute in building a good music platform in the world. He also wants to encourage and help put other upcoming artistes on the right lane and change lives. That’s Michael Philip Edo, professionally known as Jasperking of Jaspernationmovement.

“To achieve my vision, school tours are the easiest way to do it; connect with the fans and interact with them the best way possible,” the Afro Dancehall musician and songwriter explains. “Students are at the stage where they can be rightly molded, but it also means it is the stage they can also be misled or feel pressured, especially when the society is not paying much attention to them. This is why I chose the school tour as a way of promoting my craft and I feel while am at it, I should pick up a project or two”.

Jasperking gained wide spread attention after participating in the Benson and Hedge Music Competition in South South Zone of Nigeria Edo State in 1999. He is from Edo State but born and raised in

Jasperking

Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria.

His career has taken him to places like Italy Milan sometime in 2017 as an independent artiste and he gained a “disturbing offer” from a record company called Visory Records in Italy. From then he began to fill the airwaves with songs like “Money”, “Flash up Your Lighter”, “Black Queen”, and “Our Own”. His latest single that is

tumbling the internet is called “Original Party” and more is expected of this talented super artiste.

From a family of five siblings, Jasperking is the second son. He has worked with dancehall select as DJs based in Milan like DJ Massi Lester, of the agora in Milan Italy, Raw Dancehall Selecta of Milan Italy, good vibes sounds of Milan Italy. Currently working on huge projects, recording more songs for his EP and shooting more videos, the entertainment scene will witness more of him soon.

Speaking on his experience and journey in the music industry, he said, “The acceptance has been so fantastic and all love. When you compare the time I have spent in the industry and acceptance so far, you will realise I have been lucky; I mean a lot of people are putting in effort but has nothing to show for it”, adding that, “The Nigerian music industry is taking over the globe and I’m so impressed and think it’s right I take part in that movement”.

Aside the project for girls, which Jasperking just finished, one should be expecting other outreaches from his camp as well as other fantastic music and videos. That is double dose for our society: to be entertained and supported by our very own.

Sola Allyson Releases 10th Album Tosin Clegg

O

Sola Allyson

ne of Nigeria’s foremost gospel singers, Sola Allyson recently released her tenth album titled, Imisi on the 7th of July 2022. In line with the release of the 8-track album, she held a concert on the 17th of July at the Marcellina’s Place, Ikeja to celebrate a successful journey and give her guests a one of a kind ministration she titles, ‘Graceful Journey’ as she recounts the blessing of her almost two decades singing career.

Speaking about the new album, Allyson said, “My 10th album is not really different from all the albums I have been doing before.

There is a way I write my songs and that’s the way I always want to be with a theme of hope, love, encouragement, worship of the Almighty and much more.

“Technically, things are getting better with my productions but the spirit is the spirit always. I get inspired all the time because I’m always ready to receive as I don’t play with my time. I’m very intentional about the things that I do and am cautious that inspiration

can come to me at any point. There are some songs that I wrote in my album now that I have received long before now. So, I receive things to say and do all the time.”

Sola is undoubtedly a blessing to many who have heard her music and gotten blessed by her ministrations. Attesting to this, she adds, “I know now that I’m not just singing for singing sake as my music suits intuitive listening. I’m intentional and deliberate about the way I express my songs and when people hear them they say it’s deep and all that but I see myself as a normal human being living my life.

I’m also cautious to be awake to receive from the Spirit of God when he decides to direct me.”

Shedding more light on her career and finding her purpose in what she is doing and how she is going about it she said, “Whoever finds purpose have found everything as you have found your purpose you have found your ministry and career.

Everybody isn’t sent to everybody as I have been privileged to find my soul’s path. The way my music is, there are many people who don’t understand the language I’m singing in but the message and essence of my music blesses them.”

Inwang

M. Gurush Unveils Jim Iyke as Ambassador, Spokesman Tosin Clegg

M

.Gurush, a foremost South Sudan owned money transfer platform headquartered in Dubai has signed one of Africa’s biggest film actor and producer, Jim Iyke as its brand ambassador and spokesman. The deal was penned almost five weeks ago but typically of the elusive star, it has been kept under the radar until now.

Joseph Arinaitwe, MD of M.Gurush disclosed that a mutual friend brokered a meeting between Iyke and the Chairman of Trinity Energy group; South Sudan foremost business mogul, Akol E Ayii in Dubai for an entirely different business deal.

Ayii who doubles as Chairman of M.Gurush was so impressed by Iyke’s business pitch and personality that he not only acceded to the pitch to partner with Lofty media which is co-owned by the serial entrepreneur actor but proposed to have him come on board his entity as a spokesman.

The entity will also collaborate with Iyke on his oncoming project; the much-anticipated sequel to his blockbuster movie, “Bad Comments” that was acquired by Amazon a couple of months ago. A formal announcement and press parley are set for Dubai in a couple weeks.

Jim Iyke

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

PEOPLE

Fatima Shettima Gets Her Man

M

aiduguri is expected to stand still today as Fatima, daughter of Kashim Shettima, APC’s vice-presidential candidate and former governor of Borno, tie the knot with her man, Sadiq Bunu. Fatima excitedly posted the wedding date on her instagrame

page @fahionsseriesng on Tuesday.

The families of the bride and groom have since sent out invitations to their “most esteemed guests.”

Fatima, who is a graduate of a British university and Sadiq will tie the knot at the Shehu’s palace, Maduguri. Sadiq is one of the sons of former minister, Arc Ibrahim Bunu.

Fatima and Sadiq

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SATURDAY JULY 23, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

PERSPECTIVE

Tinubu

Shettima

Tinubu-Shettima Ticket: Much Ado about Religion Dele Afelumo

T

he tsunami of rumpus trailing the announcement of the erstwhile governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima as Bola Tinubu’s running mateisstillragingferociouslyacross thelengthandbreadthofourcountry.

With a knee-jerk reflex, many have condemnedthechoiceasbeingflagrantlyarrogant, contemptibly cocky, insensitive and despicable.

Manyhavedonesomepermutationstoconclude thatitwasaTitanicshipdoomedtosinkandthatthe masterstrategisthadmisfiredandshothimselfin thefoot.Theatavisticbugoffearsandinstinctshas perchedoneverybodyandit’sdifficulttoextricate because of our chequered past.

Withtheavalancheofripostesandcommentaries, onecanconcludethattheMuslim-Muslimtickethas reawakened the vested interest in an otherwise docile, apolitical and uninterested people with laissez-fairedispositions.Theleadingopposition partiesareinabsoluteepicaricacyasAPCisseen to be having a macabre dance.

William Shakespeare’s epic play, “As You Like It” isapthere.Init,DukeSeniorstatedinAct2Scene 1whenhefacedadversityofbanishment:“Sweet arethe usesofadversity,which,likethetoad,ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life, exempt from public haunt, findstonguesintrees,booksintherunningbrooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything”. That statementinWilliamShakespeare’sbooksummed upallthereactionsfollowingtheunmaskingofthe big masquerade by Tinubu and APC. In my own opinion, the choice of Shettima is a welcome development that has many positives thannegatives.Tohavegeneratedthatmuchdebate in the public sphere, for me, is an attestation to thepopularityandacceptabilityofitsflagbearer, Tinubuasthemantobeatintheforthcominggeneral elections.

Perhaps, the gruesome and horrific murders of Christians and destruction of churches in the lastsevenyearsofBuharipresidencymighthave informed the proponents of a Muslim-Christian ticket to argue against Tinubu’s choice and also want him to reflect the country’s secularism. For whatever reasons, a Muslim-Muslim ticket is not synonymous with luciferous expeditions. These proponents went amnesic when reminded that thecarnagebythemurderouslots wasvisitedon thefaithfulofbothdominantreligions-Islamand Christianity.Also,theyforgotthatthenumbertwo man in the country in the past seven years is not only a Christian but an ordained Pastor. Have his position,religiousleaningandcloutpreventedthe orgyofviolencewitnessedinthelastsevenyears?

Your guess is as good as mine.

UnderthewatchofPresidentOlusegunObasanjo, atheocraticmonsterwasincubated,born,nourished and nurtured to maturity in Zamfara State and otherstatesintheNorthlaterjoinedthefray.One

had expected Obasanjo, a wily tiger, not only to pronounceitstigritudebuttopounce,sinceSharia wasunconstitutionalbutananathemathatthrew the country then into a season of anomy. For yet unknown reasons, Obasanjo prevaricated and preferred to let a sleeping dog lie. He sailed in the tide of self-abnegation when confronted on the chronic sore he allowed to fester. Under him, some Christians were also mowed down mercilesslyincoldblood.TheproliferationofShariawas the harbinger of many socio-religious maladies, upheavals and disequilibrium in our society ever sinceandtheevilprecocityofthattheocraticorder isstillhavingcataclysmicrepercussionstilltoday.

Throughouthistenure,apartfromthecompletion oftheecumenicalchurchinAbujaandphotoshop attendanceofChristmasandEasterservices,the bodyofChristdidnotfareanybetterincomparison to other regimes before or after his.

That Peter Obi chose a Muslim running mate or Atiku chose a Christian running mate is not a fait-accompli that all will be well if any of them coasts to victory in 2023 election. Religion was notparticularlyaconsiderationbeforetheIbrahim BabangidaregimeenlistedNigeriaintotheOrganisationofIslamicCountries,despiteallthehuesand criesagainstthemove.Itwasthepathogenesisof our religious violence and remained a sour apple that bred hate, mutual suspicion of religious dominance and fear of a dastardly, inordinate attempt to elevate one religion above all others asastatereligion.TheperennialkillingsofChristians thereafter, further heightened the morbid fear of Islamization. It is therefore a ruse to think that the interests of Christians are only protected by a Christian president or vice-president.

TinubuandShettimaarebothmoderateandneoliberalelitistMuslimswhoarenotgiventoreligious bigotry.Religiousfundamentalismisoneofthemost labyrinthineintellectualswindlesweaponizedby sometopfanaticalopportuniststocommitcrimes through their brainwashed acolytes that dot our terrains. These two personalities are capable of rescuingthesinkingshipofthecountryifpeopleare notswayedbyephemeralandobsequiousmedia frenzy,sophistryandchicaneryofahubristicpilot who sees other contestants as mere drivers. In the duo, I see Nigeria taking its rightful position in the comity of nations.

Inthem,Iseeanewdawnwhereemancipationof thepeoplefrompovertybecomesthecornerstone of their cardinal programme. In these two men, I see restoration of all we have lost - ending the locust years for years of bumper harvests. I see in these two quintessential figures, a country where people have their inalienable rights to freely practise their religions without coercion or fear of being killed. In these men, I see the rule of law taking the centre-stage of our daily lives. I clairvoyantlyseeadispensation,withTinubuand Shettimainthesaddleofpower,wherejusticewill reignsupremeinallwedo.Iseeusallsleepingwith ourtwoeyesclosedwithoutanyfear.Iseeourroads

and forests rid of criminals who have amassed humongous amounts of filthy lucres through ransom payments from kidnappings. In these two, I see economic prosperity and exponential growth of our Gross Domestic Products (GDP). I see in them a country where the perennial ASUU strikes have a long-lasting solution and students are able to graduate in record times.

Inthesetwo,Iseeourmediumofexchangewhich hasplummetedtobrassofungainlybrandtogold being sought and courted by many countries of the world. In these two men, I see immigrants from Nigeria having their dignities intact and respected for their contributions to the outside worldratherthanbeingseenaseconomicmigrants fleeing hunger and destitution back home. I see the green passport we hold being respected and in the same league as other major international passports. In a nutshell, I see Nigerians living in peace and tranquility and full of hopes.

HastherereallybeenunityinthebodyofChrist?Is condescensionnotreigningsupremeinourmidst?

PentecostalPastorsdoseethemselvesasvibrant preachers and with vast knowledge of the Bible and see orthodox churches - from where they severedtheirumbilicalcords-asnotdoingthewill of God. Can the Pentecostal Christians worship together with the Celestial churches in the same arena withoutupbraidingtheir spirituality?Even withinthesamefold,thereisayawningschismlong apparent to many members that is crying to be fixed. A short allegory will suffice here.

Afewyearsago,apriestwassecondedfromone of the Anglican dioceses in the South-east to the Lagos Westdiocese undertheepiscopacyofthe lateRightReverendPeterAwelewaAdebiyi.This Bishophadallthegroundstoeitheracceptorreject such a priest. Bishop Adebiyi, in his benevolence, postedthepriesttoanAnglicanchurchinMushin archdeaconry with majority of the parishioners being of Igbo extraction. It is the norm in the Anglican doctrine for each archdeaconry to receive the presiding Bishop and his encourage at least once a year in what is known as episcopal visit.

When the episcopal visit was to be paid by late Reverend Adebiyi to this Mushin archdeaconry, snafus, bedlam and furore rented the air as he was declared a persona-non-grata. The bone of contentionwasthatheisYorubaandnotdeemed acceptable as Bishop presiding over a church populated by Igbo people!

Tinubu, whose trajectory I have painstakingly followed for many years, remains a very liberalminded,urbane,brilliant,sagaciousandgenerous personalitywhorosefromtheashestobecomea forcetobereckonedwith,locallyandinternationally.

Hewasnotbornwithanysilverspoon.Undaunted byhispoverty-strickenchildhood,andwithcast-iron determination to attain an Olympian height, he worked like a Trojan horse in the windy, cold and inclement weather of Chicago to come atop his class,garneringmanyawardsupongraduation.He later became a beautiful bride courted by many

blue-chip companies in the USA. He loathed racism with all the vile and bile in him and returned to his fatherland to contribute his quota to its development. Lagos is still a project undergoing modificationseverydaybutwhenhesuperintended over it, it witnessed rapid transformations in all itsfacets.HehasetchedhisnameingoldinLagos.

Shettima gave befitting facelifts to Maiduguri and many towns while he held sway as governor in Borno State. He touched the lives of ordinary Bornocitizenspositively,despiteitsmanysecurity challenges.Hislife-changingprojectsacrossBorno State are indelible in the annals of history in the state.Bothmenarenotgiventofrivolitiesandwill notsitidlybytoseeNigeriaconsumedbyreligious fanaticism. Both are garbed in sartorial regality tochartaparadigmshiftforourfailingandflailing nation.

These indeed are interesting times for political intriguesandshenanigans.Politicalscumbagswill willfully and relentlessly throw incendiary and acerbic adjectives on other contestants that they love to hate.

EverybodyisplayingGodanddoctorsimultaneously. Many diagnoses that are alien to me as a doctorareflyingaroundconcerningthehealthof AsiwajuTinubu.Ostensibly,thepurveyorsofthese social media diagnoses have forgotten that only Godknowswhowilldieatanappointedtime.From many years of clinical practice, I have seen some apparentlyhealthyfellowsdiesuddenlywhilesome deemedinfirmwerekickingfinemanyyearsafter.

Asiwajuhasarichcoterieofinternationaldoctors whichIamsurewouldhaveappropriatelyadvised himifhecouldstandthepresidentialrigoursornot.

Fitness for jobs is one of the most basic assessmentsadoctorcandoforhispatientandIamvery surehisdoctorsmusthavedonemanyofsuch.Let’s stoppeddlingthetantalizingtaleoffantasytooil thewheelofsickeningandsicklyscallywags.Letthe putridmegaphoneofmendacitycareabouttheir ownhealthratherthanthatofAsiwaju.Despiteall theseuncivilandinfantileresorttodirtyintrigues, I see Asiwaju killing their Jabberwocky through cerebraldepositions,conductandhonestunfolding ofhismanifestos.Hewillnotrestonhislaurelsby shunning complacency.

Rather than threaten fire and brimstone, I feel theChristianAssociationofNigeriashouldhavea round-tableparleywiththeTinubuandhisrunning mate,extractcommitmentsandassurancesfrom them that the constitution, albeit imperfect as it presentlyis,issupremeanditlendscredencetothe secularismofourcountry.Also,thatwhoeverkills on the cauldron of religion should meet the same fate expeditiously. Years of impunity must end.

The gory, horrendous and blood-chilling crimes of the last seven years must be consigned to the dustbinsofourhistoryandwemustsayneveragain shouldwetreadthatingloriousandfamishedpath.

Dr. Dele Afelumo, a Physician wrote via: drdeleafelumo98@gmail.com

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY Carolyna Hutchings

My Grand mum and Mum taught me How to Dress like a Queen, Effortlessly Classy Beautiful. Delectable.

Stunning. Delightful.

Gorgeous. Elegant.

Stylish. Classy. Sexy and Sassy, the ‘Real’ Carolyna Hutchings personifies all that and more than meets the eye.

The award-winning actress/ producer, businesswoman and philanthropist, takes Ferdinand Ekechukwu through the stuff she’s truly made of, discussing her career success and achievements and more in this riveting conversation Carolyna

Y

ou have gone through “transformations” via your names from Caroline Ekanem to Caroline Danjuma and to the present Carolyna Hutchings. Share with us the influences behind those changes . . .

Caroline Ekanem was my stage name as an actress. Ekanem is my late grandmother’s royal maiden name. In honor to her, I chose to use her name in movies. Caroline Danjuma was my married name.

My real name in all my certificates is Hutchings, which is my father’s name (Juilan Hutchings). Carolyna was the name my dad gave to me but my grand mum preferred calling me Caroline, I grew up with her. I am back to the name my father gave to me.

Carolyna Hutchings.

Has that process in any ways reshaped your identity and personality?

No it has not. I am still who I want to be…

Would you for any possibility change the name again?

Let’s say maybe through marriage again?

If I ever remarry, I will add my husband’s name. I don’t mind being recognised by the three names, that is part of my life.

Your foundation last month declared to support two families to undergo IVF as part of your recent birthday celebration. You found one yourself at first and then asked the public for another one. How did it go?

Is it something you have done before?

My NGO Hopeville Foundation has been helping women and children since 2004, solely funded by me; we feed more than 3,000 people.

The foundation has nine partially adopted kids (they stay with the orphanage who also caters for their mothers that are mentally unstable).

I was part of the successful surgery of two conjoined twins Amina in Kano and the Ayeni twins, sponsored a lot of kids through scholarships, funded fibroid operations, SME’s.

Two families have benefited from the IVF program. These are my 3rd and 4th IVF families. Currently, my foundation is taking care of the bills for consultation and pretest for 30 women at Olive Branch Clinic. We will select two families to help out with the IVF procedure.

Hopefully this year we will have two new happy families expecting. My desire is to reach as many women

and kids in need as much as possible.

I advocated on the streets and through my social media handle and donated towards the end slaves in Libya campaign. All funds come from the profit I make from my business Hutchings Ltd and as an actress/ producer. Hopeville Foundation is a registered NGO in Nigeria.

Same birthday celebration for some reasons generated mixed reactions especially bothering on your age. Why did it cause such stir?

My birthday is 26/6/1987. I started acting in 2004-2006. I do not have a Wikipedia page and do not know who created it, no one asked me for my details, where I was born, my real age and other information on Wikipedia concerning me are all wrong!

Wikipedia is a forum where anyone can edit it. Anyone can upload false

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY I Like to Invest in Assets, Not a Fan of Liabilities information about someone on Google too. I am done addressing my age. As I get older, I thank God for grace.

I pray I live long enough to finish what God has destined me to do, this is my focus.

work spaces. My oil and gas company is into services for the upstream firms. I do all of these for my goals to be achieved and also for those that are in need who are looking up to me.

One remarkable thing about you is your style and when it comes to fashion your stakes are high... What is fashion to you? What inspires what you wear?

Fashion to me is comfort and class. I love simplicity yet classy looks. My grandmum and mum taught me how to dress like a Queen, effortlessly classy. Dress for the occasion. I have also evolved and have added my own touch to it. I like to stand out in my own way, elegant, classy, sophisticated, royal...

Can one say your participation in the RHOL has thrown you back into the entertainment scene fully?

Before Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOL), I had produced two international award winning movies “In the Cupboard” and “Stalker“.

I had also featured in a couple of movies, staying off entertainment was because I was working for an oil and gas firm (8-5pm) also running my masters in International Law and my MBA simultaneously, I certainly wouldn’t have had the time to act, because acting requires your time and full attention. RHOL came in at a time I was less busy, regardless it is a great platform.

To some aspects of the media (social media) you are perceived as way too opinionated… and more so controversial, owing to some particular incidents involving you. What’s your take on this?

Please do not label me what I am not or what you want the public to perceive.

No one perceives me as controversial; rather they know me as one who stands up for herself when antagonized. I will always speak up for myself if I am bullied or treated badly.

You have been on and off the screen to some extent that people who truly follow you wonder if you still into entertainment considering your other engagements and businesses. How would you situate this?

I am the CEO of Hutchings Ltd, an oil and gas, real estate firm, CEO of Kinetic Media, Film Production. I worked in an oil and gas firm for about 4yrs (8-5pm) both in the downstream and upstream sector before I resigned to run my own oil and gas firm.

I have also built two estates as a realtor. I renovate, design and finish from carcass for my clients. I work with the architects to ensure my clients’ designs are actualized; spaces are functional for both personal and commercial use. I also handle the financial analysis and business development on any project my client’s wants to embark on. I broker deals both in oil and gas and real estate for the client and potential investors.

Acting and film producing comes when I have a good script to work with, the storyline must be captivating, the ROI (Return on Investment) for producing a movie must be worth it as well. I am currently acting in a blockbuster movie directed by Moses Inwang.

I also have another movie I am co-producing and acting in it as well which will commence production on the 16th of July. I literally run all of my business at the same time. Still selling properties, closing JV deals, creating and building dream homes and

What would you say has been the highpoint of your acting journey since your debut in 2004?

My high point would be my movie productions. The only two movies I had produced won international awards. I pray this third production will be super amazing.

Growing up was there a time you ever saw yourself becoming the woman you are today?

Growing up I saw myself as a better and more successful woman by the Grace of God I will get there.

What are your low and high moments in life? And how would you best be described as looking at you as a mother, actress and business woman?

My low moment was my divorce, my high moment currently are my successful achievements after my divorce. I would be best described as a tenacious woman, the apple of Gods eyes, the go getter, the one who stoops to conquer, the focused woman, the woman who shatters glass ceilings.

Have you had any regret as to what you could have done to salvage your marriage that you failed to do?

No comment.

What’s a typical day like for Caroline?

I am always busy developing myself. Always busy. If I ain’t busy, I am at home watching a movie, reading a good book, meditating. My daughter keeps me company during my free days too.

Nevertheless, I like to have a good time working or having fun. Good, peaceful quality time.

What valuables do you spend more on as a celebrity?

Watches and properties; I like to invest in assets, not a fan of liabilities. Even though I like to look good and enjoy myself, I am very calculative.

Carolyna

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

24

POLITY

Gov Abiodun: Promises Made, Promises Kept Femi Ogbonnikan

D

espite all the negative predictions about the coming general elections by the naysayers, the transition process is very much on course.

While those who lost out of the contest are weighing other possible options, successful state actors are busy holding their nocturnal meetings, consulting and strategising on how to put up a good showing in the coming elections.

For the electorate, this is the most auspicious time to hold political leaders accountable for the mandate given to them in the last elections. Gone are the days when politicians would make mouth-watering promises during electioneering and then treat the voters with reckless abandonment. It will never happen again. Political awareness has changed the dynamics of power game. No one can hoodwink the people any more.

In Ogun State with sophistry and enlightened citizenry, now is the time for Governor Dapo Abiodun to present his scorecard. And I trust that with his open, responsive, and inclusive governance style, he will not hesitate to gladly do so at the appropriate time because he has enough achievements to showcase and justify his mandate. But for his steadfastness in delivering on his campaign promises, his re-election bid would have been a herculean task in the face of the opposition from subversive elements within and outside the ruling APC in the state.

For being a man of his words, however, his records are visible enough for all to see, including his political adversaries.

All is a promise well kept. Both quantitatively and qualitatively, the modest achievements the administration has recorded in the last three and a half years could be seen in the areas of infrastructure, conducive business environment, agro-allied development, improvement in investment potentials, health sector reform, affordable housing scheme, employment generation, education, and human capital development, among others, as encapsulated in the robust economic agenda of Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Well-being, Education, Youth Development and Agriculture (ISEYA) which has propelled all the various interventions.

Coming with a robust experience as a private sector player, Abiodun is very well appreciative of the role of investment as the engine of economic growth. This realisation informed the establishment of Ogun State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency with a mandate to attract investors into the State; coordinate the private sector investment activities, and streamlining processes and procedures to ease the investors’ journey to setting up their operations successfully in the state.

Other supplementary initiatives include capacity building for well over 500 entrepreneurs across the State to enable them access financing and also scale up their businesses; empowerment of over 2500 rural women across the state through the provision of products worth N100m; land acquisition within 30-day for the issuance of C of Os through the launch of an online portal and above all Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS).

With all of these reforms in place, economic transformation agenda of the administration has been on a steady progress with the state maintaining the lead as investment destination of choice in the country. Of course, the road leading to this rare feat is not laced with gold. There are challenges, distractions and some ups and downs, but with determination, focused leadership and friendly business environment, it is a sure bet that the state would attain its full potentials as an industrial hub, not only in Nigeria but West Africa sub-region.

Yes, the vision still remains largely a work in progress.

With commitment of the administration and the support of the good people of Ogun State, the laudable objective will be realised. At every given opportunity, the Governor often reassures foreign investors of a conducive environment for the growth of their businesses in the state. Once again, he reiterated this commitment when he recently received in audience the management team of a multinational company, Apple and Pears, saying his administration was determined to ensure that Ogun State sustained its status as an investment destination of first choice in the country.

Infrastructure is the catalyst that sustains investment profitability and growth. Investment without infrastructure is like building something on nothing. Thus, with an integrated development plan put in place, infrastructure funding has remained the centerpiece of the Abiodun’s administration with massive road rehabilitation and construction cutting across the three senatorial districts.

Yet, some cynics are quick to criticize the government for being too slow in delivering the dividends of democracy. It is not unexpected. Sometimes, it is easy for critics to forget where they are coming from. In 2019 when Abiodun came into office, he inherited N7.5 billion loan purportedly obtained by his predecessor at the twilight of

Abiodun his tenure for the purpose of road construction. Unfortunately, he left most of the roads in deplorable conditions, while those undergoing construction were abandoned, indicating that the money had been misappropriated.

Despite the paucity of funds and the financial liability amounting to of N221.55 billion, excluding over N200 billion owed contractors, Prince Abiodun pledged to complete all the ongoing road projects inherited and also embarked on new ones.

At the moment, a total number of 270km of new roads, accumulating to 661.76km, 99.1km, cutting across the three senatorial districts have either been constructed or reconstructed, while over 562.63km of roads are ongoing throughout the state.

Affordable housing is also an integral part of Abiodun’s infrastructure master plan on which the administration is currently deploying financial resources. Apart from the fact that the housing project forms part of the basic needs of human existence, shelter, the government equally recognises the project as a means of generating employment for the people, directly and indirectly.

Notable among the state housing projects embarked upon are Prince Court Estate located at Kemta Estate, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta under the First Phase of the project as well as the ongoing 2000 units, including King’s Court Estate (Abeokuta); Laderin Civil Servants Scheme; Ilaro, Ota; Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu.

On top of all these is the ongoing Agro-Cargo Airport project, located at Ilishan-Remo which is expected to be completed before the end of this year. According to the Governor, the construction of the airport which commenced in March, 2022 would probably be the fastest constructed airport in the continent. This implies that, all things being equal, the state will witness its first official landing of cargo planes in less than six months from now.

When fully becomes operational, it is projected to create additional 25,000 jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. “The impact of the Agro-Cargo airport will impact positively on hotels and warehouses being

Coming with a robust experience as a private sector player, Abiodun is very well appreciative of the role of investment as the engine of economic growth.This realisation informed the establishment of Ogun State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency

constructed within the corridor. Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are coming there. We estimate that in the first eighteen (18) months, we will create a minimum of twenty-five thousand (25,000) jobs in that airport. This is not a power-point airport,” the Governor quipped.

Apart from employment creation, the project will also open up the state, deepen the development process, and also provide an alternative to the congested Lagos port facilities. In the same vein, it will also shore up state revenue generation capacity, which is a right step towards financial self-sufficiency.

Health is the most critical sector around which all other things revolves. As an administration that places high premium on the well-being of its citizens, since Abiodun assumed the functions of office, several remarkable reforms have been achieved. The most notable of these is the resuscitation of the collapsing Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu. Apart from that, the government has equipped State hospitals in Ijaiye, Abeokuta and in Ilaro and other secondary health facilities across the three senatorial districts and purchased a new fleet of 10 ambulances, excluding donations.

To optimise return on physical investment on healthcare facilities, the government further provided incentives for medical personnel including resident doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in various cadres at the OOUTH, as well as other general hospitals and primary health Centres.

As a way of making health care accessible to the ordinary people, the government equally embarked on Medical outreach by offering free medical examination including free eyeglasses, immunisation, Blood Pressure (BP) checks, Hepatitis tests, counselling and vaccination in several locations in the state.

As part of its effort to achieve food self-sufficiency, the administration has also given a boost to the agriculture sector by constituting a Steering Committee on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme as well as the FADAMA Graduate Unemployed Youths Scheme known as FADAMA GUYS. The objective of the programme is to give automatic slots to 200 beneficiaries who would derive grants from the Ogun State Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. The scheme targets 40,000 beneficiaries starting with 10,000 farmers who would have access to a single digit interest rate loan as a means of generating employment for the teeming youths.

Since his assumption of office, Abiodun has given the education sector the seriousness it deserves as the bedrock of development. Realising that human is the means and end to development; he gave priority to investment on education by building one primary school in each of the 236 electoral wards in the 20 local government areas.

At the tertiary level, he raised a visitation panel that helped to resolve the six-year stalemate that threatened the foundation of the Tai Solarin College of Education (now Sikiru Adetona College of Science, Education Technology), Omu-Ijebu, addressed the crisis rocking the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta and restored hope and confidence in the institutions.

Over 218 community schools spread across the state were approved between January and June this year, while 577 teachers in the affected schools were also absorbed into the state’s civil service system.

The government has also commenced Urban Water Resuscitation projects in various locations to provide potable water to Abeokuta and 14 other major communities in Ikenne, Igbogila, Ibooro, Odonopa, Ipokia, Idowa, Omu Ijebu, Ago-Iwoye, Igbesa, Owode Yewa, Imoru, Ibefun and Ikangba, Powerline at Ikangba Borehole Scheme in Ijebu-Ode. This has significantly addressed the water shortage in the state with hundreds of thousands of households that had hitherto endured water scarcity are now getting huge relief after the restoration of the corporation as ordered by the Governor.

For ease of waste disposal and promotion of hygiene among the citizenry, the Abiodun administration also established new Waste Disposal and Management parastatal, the Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA) to ensure clean environment.

Commendation has been pouring in torrents on Governor Abiodun for embarking on the expansion of the state power distribution network by procuring and installing several 500 KVA transformers to communities in all the 20 local government areas of the state. The list is inexhaustible.

All these are could not have been possible if not for the resilience and aggressive revenue drive of the present administration. With the success so far recorded in its transformation agenda, the Ogun State Government is now optimistic that it would meet its N100 billion internally generated revenue target for 2022 because of the numerous innovative ideas already put in place.

What is it that is impossible when you have the spirit of “I can”? That is the Abiodun leadership for you.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

25

POLITY

Nigeria: One Country, Different Laws

I

n the past week, two separate but highly instructive events played out at different locations in this country.

These unrelated events have succinctly exposed the hypocrisy, lies, and false hope being bandied about a united or one Nigeria.In Osun State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the just concluded governorship election decided to procure the services of hip hop’s current rave of the moment, Habeeb Okikiola whose stage name is Portable.

The APC’s action was apparently to counter the decision of its rival opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which campaign was being buoyed by the Iconic Music star, Davido. The Music Icon opted to join the fray to support his uncle the PDP candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

After the election, perhaps in the euphoric moment of celebrating a hefty N10m payday, he claimed in a viral video to be the founder of the notorious and infamous One Million Boys.

In a video, which went viral, Portable was heard saying he formed the cultist group and another notorious group known as Ajah Boys. “Open your ears and hear me, Have you heard about Ajah Boys, One Million Boys, I’m their founder. Go and ask Sammy larry,” he announced to whoever bothered to listen.

The One Million Boys in their heydays was a group of criminal elements who wreaked havoc in Mushin and Agege areas of the state. The group was engaged in everything illegal, from robbery, illicit drugs, street brawls, and killing and maiming of opponents to constituting a huge security risk and menace to the areas of their criminal activities.

Barely 24 hours after the video went viral, a statement

by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said the Inspector-General Of Police, Usman Baba, ordered the arrest and probe of the music star, over his alleged ties to One Million Boys and other claims.

Meanwhile, about the same day far away town of Tsafe in Zamfara State, the Emir of Yandoton Daji Emirate, Aliyu Marafa

turbaned a wanted bandit leader, Adamu Aliero-Yankuzo, aka Ado Alero, as Sarkin Fulani of the emirate. The ceremony came barely two years after the police declared the terrorist leader wanted and placed a N5 million bounty on him. Alero is the leader of one of the ruthless groups responsible for the killings, maiming, and kidnappings in the local communities of Zamfara and Katsina States.

Following the uproar that the turbanning provoked nationwide, the Zamfara State Government was forced to react.

It announced the suspension of the Emir of Sabon Birnin Yandoto of Tsafe local government area of the state, Aliyu Garba Marafa, for turbaning a notorious repentant bandits’ leader, Adamu Aliero, as Sarkin Fulani (leader of Fulani).

The Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe who signed the statement said the State Government was dissociating itself from the alleged turbaning of a Sarkin Fulani by the Emir of Birnin Yandoto of Tsafe Local Government Area. He announced that the Governor, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON (Shattiman Sokoto) has directed for suspension of the Emir with immediate effect.

Was the action taken by the Zamfara State government just an afterthought? The answer is an emphatic No and this goes to show the glaring incidents of double standards, nepotism, clannishness and the outright breach of the rule of law to favor a particular tribe and part of the country (North) over the other (South).

So many instances abound to reinforce the promotion of One North interest and expose the big lie in the same northerners who claim the indivisibility of Nigeria or one Nigeria. For them, one Nigeria is expedient when it comes to rent-seeking or sharing of Nigeria’s spoils of office. Even in the dispensation of justice, northerners are shielded from the law while their southern counterparts are demonized and scapegoated.

A classic example of this is the disgraced super cop DCP, Abba Kyari, and his co-conspirators who were charged with

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

conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and identity fraud, last year.

The U.S. government preferred charges in July last year, accusing all six defendants, including Messers Anifowoshe and Kyari, of playing different roles in the $1.1million fraudulent scheme led by Ramon Abass, also known as Hushpuppi, a former Nigerian Instagram celebrity. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) also sought the extradition of Kyari to the US to answer the charges preferred against him.

While awaiting his verdict on the extradition matter, in March 2022, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ordered that Kari and six others facing drug trafficking charges with him should be moved to the Kuje Correctional Centre.

It was discovered that, while the police authorities suspended Kyari pending the outcome of an investigation to ascertain the level of complicity in the money laundering allegations, Kyari was still carrying out his official duties illegally.

He was however busted when he tried to bribe officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with over $61,000 to release a substance suspected to be cocaine with street value of over N4b.

But all this could have been averted had the authorities promptly extradited him. Rather than complying, the police authorities, including the commission and the Attorney General’s office all headed by Northerners, have embraced all notable bottlenecks to checkmate his extradition and perhaps delaying it until it becomes statute barred.

Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Nigeria maintains extradition treaties with several countries and successive governments have consistently upheld the sanctity of the treaty without defaulting. For instance, it was the extradition treaty Nigeria maintains with the United Arab Emirates that paved the way for the extradition of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, s southerner from the United Arab Emirates, in conjunction with the Federal Government of Nigeria, to the United Kingdom.

Udi People: Ugwuanyi will Represent us Very Well in the Senate

T

he people of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State yesterday, in their numbers, converged on the Government House, Enugu, to thank Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the emergence of their son, Engr. Osita Ngwu as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu West Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections.

The jubilant people of Udi LGA, who came with their clergy, traditional rulers, different masquerades and cultural dance groups, said they were deeply grateful to Ugwuanyi for acceding to their yearning to occupy the senatorial seat of Enugu West Senatorial District for the first time in the history of the state.

Led by Ngwu, the Chairman of Udi LGA, Philip Okoh, member representing Udi South Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Chuka Eneh, Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Charles Egumgbe, the General Manager of Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC), Chukwuemelie Agu, among other stakeholders, the Udi people told Ugwuanyi that they will forever remain indebted to him for breaking the jinx and ensuring that they receive their fair share in the political gamut of Enugu West Senatorial District and the state.

They reassured the governor of their maximum support and loyalty to his administration and the PDP, promising that they will deliver the PDP governorship candidate, Barr. Peter Mbah and all other candidates of the party in the state, in the forthcoming general elections.

They also expressed delight at the choice of Ngwu as the Enugu West Senatorial District candidate of the PDP, describing him as a young, intelligent, matured and unassuming personality, who will bring his wealth of experience in his private and public dealings to bear in providing quality representation to the people of the district, if elected.

The people, therefore, beseeched God to continue to bless Ugwuanyi, who is the PDP candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, and all his endeavours, stressing that the governor, based on his political sagacity and antecedents, will not represent only his district in the Senate, but also the entire state, if elected.

Speaking, the Rector, Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Ezeagu LGA, Rev. Fr. Dr. Nnamdi Nwankwo said “the governor showed to us that he is a father, not just a father of the entire state but a father that has the pains and feelings of Udi people at heart”.

Expressing the deeper gratitude, Rev. Fr. Dr. Nwankwo added: “Today, we are all smiling, rejoicing and saying thank you, Your Excellency.

“The young man (Ngwu) looks so young but his ideas are old, old enough, and very matured. What he has done so far showed me that in Enugu West Senatorial District, the sun has risen.

“Our spirituality is such that it must be sacramentalized.

Sacrament in Igbo we say Ama ife - what you see of a vision behind the curtain - and that is why we are here today. We mustered the masquerades, that is, those our ancestors, we

mustered those our Igwes and then the Anis and all of them together to come here to say thank you Your Excellency, and may God continue to bless you and give you more strength”, he said.

In his speech, Ngwu pointed out that “what happened today has never happened in Udi LGA”.

He added, “this is the first time an Udi man would be elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, expressing profound gratitude to Ugwuanyi for his leadership role towards the realization of their dream.

Ngwu maintained that Ugwuanyi has remembered Udi LGA in so many ways and has always stood by them, disclosing: “Udi LGA is one of the foremost LGAs in Enugu State. And you (Ugwuanyi) have stood by us in your government. Appointments that reached Udi LGA are more than other local governments.

“In your administration, you have remembered us. I am from Ngwo, the Miliken Hill road you reconstructed is a landmark project in which we are the major beneficiaries.

“We are here today to say thank you. Your good works in Enugu State can never be mentioned without Udi LGA. You have done beyond our expectation. We are grateful”.

Other speakers such Okoh, Egumgbe and Igwe Ezike all thanked Ugwuanyi for his benevolence, peace and good governance initiatives and the emergence of Ngwu, reassuring him that the people of Udi LGA will support and deliver all the candidates of the PDP during the 2023 general elections.

Imoke Urges FG, Others to Support Tourism Operators Justina Uzo Former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke has urged the three tiers of government to give tourism the push it deserves for the sector to begin to yield benefits.

Imoke expressed these views when he delivered a keynote address at the 25th Annual General Meeting and Tourism Conference of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in Abuja, Thursday.

He said tourism “is recognised as a veritable tool for reducing poverty, if handled well.”

Imoke therefore said incentives for tourism operators would help to grow the tourism sector.

The former governor of the tourism-friendly Cross River State regretted that all was not well now, listing challenges facing the sector to include dearth of data and statistics as key.

He said data and statistics would determine the contribution

of tourism to the nation’s economy, for example.

Another problem, he said, is the low awareness level of Nigeria tourism, which he said “is due to the lack of tourism culture among Nigerians.”

Imoke said: “The greatest challenge I find is insecurity and access to tourism sites which the government has to provide and when the government fails then the investors and operators too fail.

These are critical issues that we must address.”

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Nigeria Tourism: The way Forward,” Imoke queried: “Why is the tourism budget shrinking when we have a sector that we want to grow? How and when do we create capital for the industry?

Is tourism a luxury good or is it a necessity?

“All of these are part of the challenges that we face. It is the way not only to practically grow the sector, but also to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria Gross Domestic Product

(GDP).”

Imoke, who was credited to have developed Cross River State as one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in Africa during his time as governor maintained that tourism should be private sector-driven and was quick to add that in the case of Nigeria, government is the mover rather than the private sector.

Imoke decried the new development, which he said had greatly hampered the growth of the sector in the country.

To ensure its growth, he called on government to look critically into its role and focus more on providing different forms of incentives for the investors and operators to grow the sector. ‘‘It has to be private sector- driven with the government as the enabler but sometimes the government becomes the mover. Its mandatory roles otherwise we would not grow the industry,’’ he said.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

26

POLITY

Bank-Olemoh, Ovuede Exhort Students at Chrisland Schools Valedictory Service

S

enior Special Assistant on Education to President Muhammadu Buhari, Obafela Bank-Olemoh and Engineer Monday Ovuede, have advised graduating students of Chrisland Secondary Schools to be focused and intentional with their plans as they set out for life in tertiary institutions.

The schools last Saturday held a joint valedictory service for 327 graduating students of Chrisland Secondary Schools in Lagos and Abuja.

The valedictory service themed “Equipped to Excel” was also a celebration of students who showed outstanding qualities throughout their secondary years.

Addressing the students, Bank-Olemoh advised them to take life more seriously and be intentional in their plans. He cited examples of Nelson Mandela, Winfrey Oprah, and Martin Luther King Jr, who became national heroes and global icons through their meticulous planning and commitment.

Chairman of the occasion, Ovuede, admonished the students to be mindful of the company they keep and avoid reckless lifestyles that could jeopardise their dreams.

“Be mindful of what you do and who you associate with.

Seek counsel from your parents, guardians, and teachers, and associate only with friends and people that are progressive in thought. Do not associate with those who will expose you to drugs and excessive partying,” he said.

Dr Abdulfatah Raji, Senior Lecturer at Fountain University,

L-R: The Managing Director, Chrisland Schools Limited, Mrs I.O Adeyemi; Special Assistant to the President on Education Interventions, Obafela Bank-Olemoh; Mrs Ovuede; Executive Director, NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, Monday Ovuede; Senior Lecturer, Fountain University, Dr. Abdulfatah Raji; Chairman/Founder Chrisland Schools Limited, Mrs W.A. Awosika; Medical Director, Holy Trinity Hospital, Dr. Busola Fasheun and the Director of Administration, Chrisland Schools, Mrs Anike Oye, at the valedictory service for Chrisland Secondary Schools graduands in Lagos ...recently.

urged the students to be focused and mindful of the task ahead as future leaders of Nigeria.

He said, “You must be conscious of the fact that the task ahead of you is quite enormous. You are the dream future of the nation. Hence, the enormous challenge ahead of you is how

MultiChoice Price Increase: Tribunal to Rule on Monday

T

he Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned ruling in the matter between an Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade, Coalition of Nigerian Consumers and pay TV service provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, Limited, till Monday.

This was the outcome at sitting, which dragged on till late on Thursday At the hearing, MultiChoice asked the tribunal to decline hearing the suit challenging the increase of the subscription fees for its television services on grounds of jurisdiction.

Onifade and the Coalition of Nigeria Consumers had dragged MultiChoice, the operators of DStv and GOtv platforms, to the Tribunal following announcement by the company in March 2022 that the subscription rates for the various bouquets on its platforms will go up on 1 April 2022.

In the suit in which the FCCPC is the second defendant, Onifade prayed the tribunal for an order restraining MultiChoice from increasing the subscription rates for its services and other products pending the hearing and determination of

the motion on notice dated and filed on March 30.

The claimant also asked the Tribunal to make an order directing MultiChoice to adopt pay -as- you -view subscription model for its pay TV services.

The Tribunal had in its ruling on the ex-parte application on 30 March directed the parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the whole suit.

Onifade had during hearing of the suit on April 11, indicated that he had filed a written address and contempt proceedings against MultiChoice for allegedly disregarding the tribunal’s order not to increase its subscription rates made on March 30.

At the resumed hearing of the suit on Thursday, the tribunal took all pending applications. Key was the application by MultiChoice challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to hear the suit.

Barrister Jamiu Agoro, counsel to the pay television service provider, argued that the Tribunal cannot hear the suit because by Section 47 of its Act, it can only listen to appeals on matters that have been decided on by the FCCPC.

L-R: Trustee, Atlantic Hall Educational Trust Council, Ms. Abimbola Bode-Thomas;Trustee, Atlantic Hall Educational Trust Council, Mrs. Taiwo Taiwo; Principal, Atlantic Hall School, Dr. Tunji Abimbola; Board Chairman, Mrs. Eniola Fadayomi; Incoming Principal of the School, Dr. Terry Howard; and a Board member, Mrs. Olatunbosun Osaghae during the 30th Annual Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremony of Atlantic Hall School, Epe, Lagos…. recently.

to contribute to the nation in all facets of life.”

Also present at the occasion were His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola, the Elegushi of Ikateland and the Rt Reverend Dr. Akinwande Atere, the Lord Bishop of Awori Diocese.

Agoro argued that if the claimant feels aggrieved by the decision of the MultiChoice, he should have approached the FCCPC with his grievance.

He added that it is after the Commission has ruled on the matter that he can approach the Tribunal if he was not satisfied with the ruling.

Agoro also argued that the application for contempt filed against it by Onifade is incompetent because it was not personally served on the company.

The company also argued that while the preservative order was made on on 30 March, 2022 when the order it ought to preserve has already been perfected and completed.

It therefore said “granting the application will set a dangerous precedent that a party could be penalised for an order already completed.”

The company also argued that it cannot be held in contempt for an order which it has already asked the Tribunal should set aside.”

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

L-R: Global Marketing Director, Henseng Group, Arnold Le; Global Chairman Henseng Group, Yuanfa Li; Regional Director for Africa Henseng Group, Idowu Olumide; US Sales and Marketing Manager, Chon W. Chang and Director of E2 Visa Projects, Henry Wang; at the San Francisco office of the Hengsheng Grenada National Resort Group… recently

L-R: Head of Digital, The Gage Awards, Mr.Godwin Sunny Adoro; Chief Executive Officer, Jumia Nigeria, Mr. Massimiliano Spalazzi; Chief Operating Officer, The Gage Awards, Mr. Bamikole Akinwumi;and Digital Marketing Executive, The Gage awards, Mr. Uzodimma Arthur, during the official award presentation to Jumia today as the E-commerce Website of the Year by The Gage Awards in Lagos yesterday L-R: Co-convener of World Forum for Africa, Mr. Abi Ahmed Haruna with the CEO, Equity Bank, Dr. James ETOP UKUTT Mwangi, at the sideline of #CHOGM2022 held in Kigali, Rwanda….. recently

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

23.7.2022

NEWS

MOROCCO, S’AFRICA GO FOR BROKE PAGE. 29

From £230,000 Prize Tag to Record Transfer

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

From £230,000 Prize Tag to Record Transfer With impressive season for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Cup, the Premiership and the Europa League, that Calvin Bassey would be prized away from Ibrox Stadium was never in doubt but his destination was rather the question. Signed for a meagre £230,000 from Leicester City, the Nigeria international on Wednesday shattered Gers transfer record after he was signed by Ajax for £23m in a five-year deal, nearly doubling the €14 million Everton paid for youngster Nathan Patterson last year

Calvin Bassey recovered from a slip to stop Eintracht Frankfurt’s Rafael Borre during the final of the Europa League was one of the reasons Ajax splash big money on him

A

jax on Wednesday confirmed the signing of Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey from Rangers on a five-year contract for £19.6m but with add-ons could rise to £22.7m with the deal also thought to include a 10 per cent sell-on fee deal worth just under £23m. He has since arrived in Austria to join the Dutch champions’ training camp.

The deal will also go down as the second highest fee ever paid by Ajax for a signing, coming some way short of Steven Bergwijn’s €31.25m move from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.

His departure will see Rangers pocket a club-record fee for a player that cost them a mere £230,000 from Leicester two years ago.

“Rangers Football Club can confirm Calvin Bassey has joined Ajax in a deal which is the largest in Rangers’ history,” a club statement read.

“Calvin leaves with best wishes from everyone at Rangers and we thank him for his hard work and commitment over the past two seasons.

“The 22-year-old joined Rangers from Leicester City for a Training Compensation Fee in the summer of 2020, making 65 appearances for the Light Blues.

“Bassey played his part in Rangers’ historic 55th league title victory, won the 2022 Scottish Cup, while also having a huge role in the incredible UEFA Europa League run to the final in Seville last season.

“We wish Calvin all the best for his future career.”

The highly-rated defender was attracting

interest from Brighton and clubs across Europe, including Bundesliga and Serie A sides.

It is understood Ajax head coach, Alfred Schreuder had spoken to Bassey over the phone and was impressed, with the Dutch club preparing a formal bid as they look to replace Lisandro Martinez, who has pitched tent with Manchester United.

Bassey made 50 appearances across all competitions last season and was named in the Europa League team of the season following Rangers’ run to the final.

He also played a key role as the club won the Scottish Cup in May, adding to the Scottish Premiership title he won the previous campaign.

Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd told Sky Sports News: “Especially towards the end of this season, and the Europa League run that Rangers had, Bassey was unbelievable.

He’s versatile too; he can play left-back, he can play the left of a two, left of a three, the centre of three and I think that’s why he’s attracting clubs. We know, nowadays, that when teams are looking at players, they are looking at them to cover numerous positions and he, Bassey, certainly falls into that category.

“These performances towards the end of the season for Rangers were outstanding and you felt as if the team got lots of belief from that as well. They didn’t have to protect the back line as much because of his pace, recovery, ability to deal with one-on-one situations. If he has to go, as it look as though is going to happen, he will be a big miss for Rangers.

“Players have left in the past and they replaced, but I think this one could be a little bit difficult because of that versatility. I think Rangers will need cover. Borna Barisic is there,

but he’s been linked with moves away as well.

So, they are going to need someone to come in at left-back, and someone that can play on the left-hand side of a two or a three as well off the back of losing Bassey.

“Virgil van Dijk proved it at the top level, but I think is very harsh on such a young boy, at this moment, time to label him. But he’s showing that he’s got the attributes; he’s got the pace, he’s got the aggression, he’s good with the ball, he can defend one-on-ones, so he will be an attractive signing for someone.

The 22-year-old shot himself to the top of every major club’s shopping list after a great week that saw him excel in the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.

Rangers lost to German foes Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville, but Bassey was outstanding at centre-back, and he subsequently made the competition’s Team of the Season.

A few days later, the versatile Super Eagles defender claimed the Man-of-theMatch award playing at left full-back as the Light Blues defeated Hearts at Hampden to lift the Scottish Cup. Bassey was a couple of months short of his 18th birthday when he first got the chance to sample Ibrox Stadium and the young Leicester City kid left his mark in more ways than one in that 6-1 rout against the Rangers development squad and former Ibrox striker Ryan Hardie felt the full force of his physicality as he was “barged off his feet and the ball”, inside the box by Bassey.

However, it was Bassey’s ability to recover that left Hardie in awe as he stood in the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium to watch his old club last week in the Europa League final.

Bassey recovered from a slip to make a

last-ditch recovery tackle to deny Eintracht Frankfurt’s Rafael Borre.

Hardie was amazed at the 22-year-old’s desire as he kept going to the bitter end despite the stifling Seville heat.

Also, in the stadium that night was another player- Conor Tee, who featured in that game five years ago and upstaged his good friend and team-mate.

And he beamed with pride after travelling to Seville to join the tens of thousands of Rangers fans to watch his old roommate on one of the biggest stages of all.

Tee told Record Sport: “I went to watch Calvin in Seville and I was buzzing for him because he’s my best mate.

“It was surreal watching him in Seville on that big stage. It was a proud feeling for us and his family watching.”

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles head coach, Augustine Eguavoen has congratulated Bassey on his celebrated switch from Rangers to Ajax.

The 56-year-old tactician gave Bassey his Super Eagles debut earlier this year, and he has expressed his pride in playing a part in the 22-year-old’s development.

Eguavoen wrote on Twitter: “Welcome to @AFCAjax, Calvin. Very proud of your growth & honored you joined the long list of Nigerian players that debuted for the National Team under me. You showed the world what you’re made of in Glasgow. Continue doing the same in Amsterdam. Go and Conquer, @ CalvinBassey.”

Revealing on Twitter why he preferred Ajax to other suitors, he said: Who wouldn’t want to come to Ajax? Big club, lot of history, play good football, won the Champions League.

It’s a no-brainer.”

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER WAFCON 2022 Final

Major Shift of Power in African Women’s Football

Morocco to face South Africa in Women’s final

This weekend’s Women’s African Football Championship (Wafcon) final between Morocco and South Africa in Morocco marks a new era. With its women’s football, Africa has reached second phase of its development.

I

f the first phase was about the rise of a few superpowers, led

by Nigeria, then the new phase is about a spread of teams rising to the top as development of the game takes hold on the continent.

Wafcon is the women’s Afcon, the biggest national tournament on the continent, held every two years.

The championship final is between two teams that have never won the trophy, which has previously been dominated by Nigeria, who won 11 of the 13 Wafcon tournaments to date including the inaugural one in 1991.

South Africa beat Zambia and Morocco beat Nigeria to set up the final.

And these top four Wafcon teams also automatically qualify for the Women’s World Cup final stage in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

Two of these – Morocco and Zambia – will be representing the continent for the first time at the world’s premier football event, held every four years. This, along with their success at Wafcon, tells the story of how the women’s game continues to develop apace in Africa despite the challenges.

THE FIRST PHASE Football was introduced in Africa as a colonial sport. While women in Nigeria, for example, were recorded playing the sport in the 1930s, they were discouraged from doing so.

By the 1970s and 1980s competitive

women’s clubs began emerging.

The first phase of the development featured first movers such as Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa.

These countries used early growth of their local women’s football in the 1990s and 2000s to establish an advantage over the rest of the continent.

Playing regularly in the local leagues provided the competition and fitness necessary to dominate at that stage. While Nigeria began to win continental trophy regularly, from 1991, it was challenged by Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and South Africa with intermittent success.

However, with more national federations paying more attention to women’s football, the early success of the first movers is amply challenged as the continent moves into the second phase of women football development. That challenge has been dependent on mining overseas talent as well as developing local women’s league football.

The result is that Nigeria will be absent in the finals for the first time in Wafcon history. Some will argue that it took the disqualification of two of the country’s players and a penalty-kick tiebreaker in the semifinal against Morocco to deny them another place at the championship game. However, this is beside the point. What matters is that the Mo-

roccans deserve a place in the final after playing attractive possession football throughout the tournament.

The story of Zambia and Morocco underlines the second phase of development of women’s football in the continent.

THE SECOND PHASE Critically, African countries with players overseas have moved to harvest and use these resources.

For example, North African countries such as Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, with substantive nationals residing in places like France and Spain, have taken advantage by recruiting eligible players from there. The French national women’s team finished in the top eight teams at the 2019 Women World Cup. It is a team with several players linked to North African parentage.

Zambia, without their best player Barbara Banda, was dealing with a handful at this tournament.

The team has players playing in China, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Spain. Senegal has six players who play in France.

While both Zambia and Senegal do not have many players based outside their homeland, they have developed players in one or two local clubs that create the needed chemistry for building solid teams. Zambia draws its players largely from clubs like

Green Buffaloes FC, Red Arrows and ZESCO United. These clubs also have popular male teams.

Ultimately, Wafcon 2022 signals the early stage of the second phase of women’s football development in the continent.

The long-term challenge is developing these teams to match the strength of the rest of the world. Nigeria, at 39th is the highest ranked African women’s team in the world. Two decades ago, they were ranked 23rd and it appears that the rest of the world is developing women’s football much faster than Africa is. r $VMMFE GSPN 5IF $POWFSTBUJPO

Past Winners Wafcon 2022 1991 - Nigeria 1995 - Nigeria 1998 - Nigeria 2000 - Nigeria 2022 - Nigeria 2004 - Nigeria 2006 - Nigeria 2008 – E’Guinea 2010 - Nigeria 2012 – E’Guinea 2014 - Nigeria 2016 - Nigeria 2018 - Nigeria 2020 - Cancelled 2022 - ?

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Zambia beat Super Falcons to claim bronze

First Bank female basketball team celebrating their victory

Zambia Deny Super Falcons Consolatory Bronze

Elephant Girls Flying High on the Wings of FirstBank

After failing to make it to the final of the 2022 African Women’s Cup of Nations, the Super Falcons of Nigeria were at least hoping to return home with a consolatory bronze medal in the third-place encounter against Zambia, but it was not to be as the nine-time champions narrowly lost to the She-poloplo by a lone goal.

Signals that things might not go right for the Falcons started to show when the team refused to train over non payment of match bonuses and allowances with just two days to the thirdplace match.

The Super Falcons however recorded their worst performance in Wafcon history after losing to Bruce Mwape’s women in Casablanca Evarine Katongo’s first-half

effort separated both teams as the Super Falcons paid for their wastefulness at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

Still upset by their defeat to hosts Morocco in the semi-final, coach Randy Waldrum’s side went all out against the Southern Africans to restore some pride.

Fuelled by that, they dominated the game from the blast of Vincentia Amedome’s whistle.

With just two minutes into the low-scoring encounter, the first chance fell to the reigning African champions but Ifeoma Onumonu missed from close range after she was set up by captain Ngozi Okobi.

Five minutes later, the Copper Queens went close to finding the net after Xiomala Mapepa sent a cross into Nigeria’s goal area,

but Ashleigh Plumptre cleared the ball to safety.

Aside from dominating the opening quarter, the Super Falcons had numerous scoring chances, their greatest undoing was failing to convert.

In the 22nd minute, Francesca Ordega dribbled Martha Tembo before teeing up Okobi whose long-range strike was saved by goalkeeper Hazel Nali.

On the other hand, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a superb save to deny Mapepa from finding the net.

Two minutes before the half-hour mark, the reigning African champions paid for their unpardonable misses when ZISD Queens midfielder Katongo put Bruce Mwape’s team ahead.

Sport Nigeria to Reposition Sports in the Country Kunle Adewale Sports is said to be a big business and no doubt, it is indeed but in Nigeria, sports is still at its recreational level while still run by the government instead of just creating an enabling environment for it to thrive.

However, this is about to change with the official launch of Sport Nigeria.

It was a gathering of who is who in the business world at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel on Thursday as they converged to transform sports in Nigeria to a big business.

The CEO of Sport Nigeria, Nkechi Obi, who has always been at the forefront of repositioning sports in the country said Sport Nigeria will redefine sports as a business.

The Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, in his address read by Nzekwe said: “Today’s event is a bold step by the private sector to build a business model into

Nigeria’s sports development. It is in tandem with the position of government that sports must operate as an industry, an area of economic activity with a fully developed value chain.

“This event signposts the future of sports development but more importantly, takes the audacious step needed to galvanise everyone to action.

The government, private sector, sports stakeholders, sponsors, the international community must respond to the emerging opportunities in the sector.

“We hope to work with sports Nigeria as pioneer in this journey.”

Speaking in the same vein, Commissioner for Sports Development, Kaduna State, Idris Samaila Nyam said, “We were at the time searching for partners to work with us on the development of our State Sports Industry Development Policy. And we struck up a conversation for which purpose we considered our presence here

today most important. So far, Sports Nigeria has demonstrated excellence, professionalism, and a sincere interest in seeing the growth and development of the Sports ecosystem in Kaduna State.

“It is refreshing to note that a key objective of Sport Nigeria is to catalyse private sector investments in Sports Industry value chain in Nigeria. This is a major policy thrust of Kaduna State Sports Development Policy, which Sport Nigeria is now collaborating with us on.

“The challenge has been that there appears to be a gap in both private and public sector capacity to understand and fully appreciate the opportunities that available through sports. With Sports Nigeria, I can confidently say that we find strong partner and indeed support system towards laying a solid foundation for and leveraging the potentials for a private sector driven sports economy.”

Green Sports Africa Workshop Focuses on Capacity-building for Grassroots Coaches Lack of properly documented methodology for the training of young players at the grassroots was one of the factors discussed at the two-day GreenSport Africa Workshop for Coaches which began yesterday in Lagos.

Speaking at the WestWood Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, Kassim Ismaily and George Ouma from Green Sports Africa, Kenya, stressed on the need to properly situate the training of kids in the various age grade different from how to handle adult players.

“Take for instance the coach

using a size five ball for children below 12 years, that’s wrong equipment. Same with teaching basic of the game to those above 17 years when they ought to have learnt those things in their much younger days at the academy,” observed the resource personnel.

The robust session with the over 20 coaches drawn from grassroots clubs in Lagos and Ogun states also stressed on the need for capacity building.

“As grassroots coaches,

your job should not end on the pitch. You are like the CEOs (chief executive officers) and managers of the players. You should be concerned with their total wellbeing,” observed Ouma.

To avoid situations like we currently have it where coaches that handled young players at the grassroots are not rewarded when they sign lucrative pro contracts, Ouma counseled the coaches to repackage themselves to be able to play the role of managers of all registered players in their academies.

Lati Erinfolami, the Chief Coach of FirstBank Female Basketball Team, the Elephant Girls is a happy man; his assistant, Taye Adeniyi isn’t different either. And for lovers of the game of Basketball, it’s going to be a swell time henceforth.

Already many Basketball fans are asking if basketball back to its glorious days?

The answer is a resounding yes.

If the exploits of the nation’s foremost basketball team, the Elephant Girls in recent times is anything to go by then it’s going to be fun galore henceforth. Before now, it was gloom, necessitated by the rampaging Covid-19 that put most sporting activities on hold, and even compounded by the crisis that rocked Nigeria Basket Ball Federation (NBBF).

In all these however, the Elephant Girls are flying high on the wings on the nation’s foremost financial institution, FirstBank of Nigeria limited.

First, it was the Sam Oguche Basketball Foundation tournament which held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos early in July.

Blazing through the preliminary stages, the girls filed out against their familiar foe, co-contenders and one of the most respected clubs in the country; the MFM Queens. It ended 52-40 in favour of the Elephant Girls.

In the encounter reminiscence of the match between the worlds famous Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, the highly motivated Elephant Girls show class, skill and resilience in the blistering 1hr 30mins match to seal victory over MFM Queens.

But the flying Elephant Girls are not done yet.

Less than three days after the victory over MFM, Elephant

Girls returned again to their familiar terrain, the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos for the second series of the Dr. D. K Olukoya Women Basketball Championship.

In contention are Clubs from across the country, MFM Queens, Bayelsa Patriots, Air Warriors all the way from Abuja, Dodan Amazon from Lagos, Sunshine Angels of Akure, Osun Girls, Ekiti Warriors, IGP Queens from Abuja and the rave of the moment, the Elephants tutored

by Erinfolami.

Erifolami; a coach of great repute, he does not just impact the knowledge of the sport on the girls; he is their mentor, life coach and much more.

In his days as a player, Erinfolami played to the senior national team level and even played briefly outside the country. He was a key member of the defunct AG Leventis Basketball team, was part of the popular Ebun Comets, had a brief stay in Lebanon before coming back to impact the knowledge of the sport on younger ones.

Erinfolami joined the Elephant Girls not long ago and already has so much to show for. He has led the team to Lagos State City League win in the past, came third in the Zenith Basketball League in 2018/19, winner of 2021 Olukoya Women Basketball Competition and won ‘Mark the Ball’ Championship in Abuja.

Two weeks back, FirstBank Female Basketball team added another to its already overflowing success cap. The icing on the cake was the victory recorded over hard fighting MFM Queens at finals of the second edition, Olukoya Basketball Competition. It ended 54-Baskets for the Elephant Girls while MFM Queens recorded 37-Baskets.

Such is the history of suc-

cess of the FirstBank Female Basketball Team. But if you think they are local champions, you must be wrong. Elephant girls have a very rich history.

Apart from winning the 2015/2016 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Championship for the seventh time, they’ve gone to the continent to show class. But the 2015/2016 also has a lot of history behind it. The competition dunked off on March 18, 2016; saw the Elephant Girls took the lead in all the games in the Federal Capital Territory, in Asaba and the finals in Lagos.

The team maintained the unbeaten run to reclaim the trophy from Dolphins FC, the then defending champions of the tournament. The victory was spurred by their wallop of the AHIP Queens of Kano in the quarter finals by 106-38, mauled the IGP Queens by 105-22 in the semifinal game and dethroned Dolphins FC with a final scoreline of 75 – 60.

The FirstBank team won FIBA Africa Zone 3 competition, and they were also champions of the FIBA Africa Women’s Clubs Champions Cup in 2003 and 2009.

In 2003, the Elephant Girls represented Nigeria at the International Women Basketball Competition which held in Brazil.

FirstBank, already dubbed first with sports, are not just Basketball freak, but Sports freak. The banking giant has its finger print all over.

Be it in Golf, Polo, Tennis, Horse Racing, Athletics etc, they are committed to the development of sports in Nigeria.

Simply put, Sports is woven into the fabric of the banking giant; FirstBank of Nigeria Limited.

Golfeers Storm BC CGS for Ehhiorobbo @ 50 Birthdayy Golf Tourney The grand finale of Hon. Osazuwa Ehiorobo @ 50 Birthday Golf Tournament will tee-off today at Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS), Edo State.

The weeklong birthday golf events to mark the golden jubilee of BCGS secretary teed-off with the BCGS Ladies on Monday as well as Hackers Kitty on Wednesday while veteran and super veteran played on Thursday just as professional, eaglets and caddies had their course day on Friday.

However, not less than one hundred golfers across the country will tee-off in today’s final with presentation of trophies and other prizes

fixed for the evening.

Charles Otabor, the Coordinator, Committee of Friends that organised the tournament while speaking on significance of the event revealed that it has become necessary to honour the birthday for his immense contribution and dedication towards BCGS development.

“This birthday tournament is of prime importance to us as friends due to the pedigree of the club secretary, Hon. OZ. He is a dedicated golfer and committed member of BCGS, the home of golf in Nigeria.

“Golfers from Ibori Golf and Country Club, (IGCC), Asaba; Shell Golf

Club, Warri; IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja; Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos; UBTH Golf Club, Edo and many more are featuring at the event.

“Various golf activities have been outlined for the birthday tournament which commenced with the sponsorship of BCGS Monday Ladies Outing, and Hackers Group Kitty on Wednesday.

“Also, the professional golfers, eaglets and caddies will be on course on Friday while the top amateur golfers and guests tee-off on Saturday just as the presentation of trophies and prizes hold in the evening.”

Otabor said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 23, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Asisat Oshoala wins fifth African Women’s Player of the Year Award

Asisat Oshoala Keeps Blazing the Trail When in 2011, Nigeria’s Perpetua Nkwocha won the African Women’s Player of the Year for the fourth time, many felt it was one achievement that would take decades to match, not to talk of overtaking it. Barcelona talisman, Asisat Oshoala has however proved everyone wrong as she on Thursday clinched the award an unprecedented fifth time

A

sisat Oshoala on Thursday at the Caf Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco beat the duo of Cameroon and Inter Milan Ajara Nchout Njoya and Zambia international Grace Chanda to the 2022 African Women’s Player of the Year.

The 27-year-old thus becomes the first African to win the prestigious award for a record five times, overtaking fellow Nigerian, Perpetua Nkwocha who claimed the accolade on four occasions.

The 2021-22 campaign was arguably Oshoala’s best yet as she played a key role in her Spanish side’s treble charge – the Spanish Women’s Super Cup, Copa de la Reina and the Primera Division.

Although she missed a couple of matches due to injury, that did not stop her from emerging as league joint-top scorer after netting 20 goals in 19 league appearances to share the award with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed the same number of goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF. Since abandoning her education in pursuit of a football career, Nigerian international Asisat Oshoala has never looked back- it’s been one success story after another. This season, her game had been blighted by injury, reducing her game time to just 12 starts in 19 appearances. Not deterred, the Super Falcons

striker not only helped Barcelona to win the league for the second time in a row but went on to win the Spanish Premiera Iberdrola Golden Boot, making her the first African to achieve the feat.

Oshoala had earlier won the Spanish Premiera Iberdrola golden boot following an impressive goalscoring season with champions Barcelona Femeni to become the first African woman to achieve the feat after scoring 20 goals in just 12 starts of all 19 league appearances.

The 27-year-old, who opened her season account with a brace in a 5-0 win over Real Betis on September 11, grabbed her 20th goal of the season in a 5-1 win against Sevilla on May 5.

The 20th goal of the season saw the Super Falcons star to level with Brazil’s Geyse of Madrid CFF, who failed to go further.

Despite being introduced as a 63rd minute substitute, the Nigerian could not add to her goal tally on final day’s 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid, but she still nicked her long-sought accolade, having played fewer matches (19) than Geyse (27).

The Nigerian captain was the highest goal scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and was named the best player at the tournament. She was also named best player and second top goalscorer with the Super Falcons team who won the 2014 African Women’s Championship.

Indeed, World football governing

body, FIFA hailed the Barcelona Femeni striker for winning the Pichichi with the Catalan club despite suffering a twomonth injury spell.

“20 goals and a perfect club season.

Asisat Oshoala has always been unstoppable!,” FIFA wrote on their official Women’s World Cup page.

Oshoala has had a superb season, winning the league’s top scorer, and achieving a spotless league record.

Speaking on the award, Oshoala said: “It’s obviously been a team effort to get here, and l can only thank my team-mates and everyone at the club for this achievement. “We’ve been working hard all season and cannot stop now.”

Barcelona scored 159 goals in 30 games as they didn’t drop a single point. They conceded just 11 goals to establish their exceptional dominance.

Oshoala, 27, is Africa’s most decorated female footballer and becomes the first woman from the continent to claim Spain’s golden boot.

Oshoala scored 81 goals in 104 appearances for Barca, and has signed a deal to remain with the Spanish giants until the end of the2023-24 campaign.

She joined the Spanish outfit from Chinese champions Dalian Quanjian in January 2019, initially on loan, before agreeing a permanent switch five months later.

The former FC Robo and Rivers Angels star had moved to the Far East in February 2017 from English side Arsenal, with

whom she won the Women’s FA Cup at Wembley in 2016.

She finished as the Chinese Women’s Super League top scorer in 2017 with 12 goals to help her club to the title same year.

Oshoala, who began her European career at Liverpool, won her third Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Falcons in Ghana in 2018, scoring three goals as Nigeria lifted the title for a ninth time.

Oshoala won the Confederation of African Football’s Women’s Player of the Year fourth time in 2020- equalling the record set by compatriot Nkwocha.

The maiden BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year winner helped Nigeria reach the last 16 at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France and will be hoping to lead her country to qualification for the 2023 World Cup and a record-extending 10th Nations Cup title in Morocco in July.

Internationally, she contributed little as she did not score a single goal for the Super Falcons in the period under review.

To make things worse, she was ruled out of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 with Nigeria through injury after suffering a medial collateral ligament strain in the West African’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa in Rabat.

Oshoala is the fourth Nigerian to land the women’s version of the award, following in the footsteps of Mercy Akide in 2001, Nkwocha in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011 and Cynthia Uwak in 2006 and 2007.

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

INTERVIEW Obi Cubana

The Dream is to Make My Businesses Global Brands Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, is a businessman and entrepreneur. He heads the Cubana Group, a diversified business organisation that has interest in entertainment, real estate, telecommunication among others. In this interview with Iyobosa Uwugiaren, he talks about how he is building a conglomerate that is fast becoming a household name in Nigeria

I

t appears there are so many things members of the public do not know about you. Apart from the fact that you are into show business, club’s ownership, and entertainment. What are the other things that you are doing that many of your fans do not know about?

I will say that I am a very restless human being.

I work round the clock because at this moment, my success doesn’t depend on just me; it is not just about me. I have a lot of dependants, a lot of people I mentor, a lot of people I carry along and a lot of people I am directly and indirectly responsible for their daily survival. So, I have to work, and I have to make new inroads; break new barriers and be very adventurous in terms of new business ideas. So this year, if you have noticed, I have been more out there, doing certain things you did not know about me, because you only know about club business; my real estate, which became very pronounced this year and then Odogwu Bitters, because everybody saw me running up and down. Recently, I have been doing what I call the Cubana FMCG, which is Fast MovingConsumerGoods,wherewegatheralotof products. We’re putting them under one umbrella and the products will be coming out very soon.

I will be launching in October. I’m into construction, we are partnering with Axion, a Canadian company.It’sabuildingsolutionforblockmoulding, plastering, concrete mixing. So, we are into real estate full time, consumer goods, entertainment, hotel business and telecommunication. Recently we made a loud statement in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), when we relaunched a global power bank and mobile phone accessories company, New Age Mobile Concept Limited. Cubana is a co-partner to the business,whichIprideasamongtheleadingmobile accessories merchandised companies in Africa, offering high quality mobile products. And a lot of opportunities are coming up day by day, and then we look at the ones that do not conflict with what we are already doing that will make us employ more people, closer to grassroots and make life better for Nigerians and humanity.

Membersofthepublicbelievethatwhatbrought you into the public space is the entertainment industry. But there are other people who are involved in this business. Tell us what makes you unique.

First, if you are close to me or you know me from a distance, you know that I’m a people’s person. I like the well-being of human beings; I like to keep relationships. So, over the time, I have kept relationships with a lot of people I came in contact with. It doesn’t take you anything to be nice to people. Then somehow, they feel indebted to me and my business. I have been running this business for like 13 years - in October; and if you have noticed, I am doing a facelift on the Cubana Abuja because we are making it very big. For Ibiza, which is the mother of Cubana, it’s 16 this year, it was opened in October 2006. So, it’s not easy to run business successfully for just five years in Nigeria. I believe that because I am a people’s person, some of these things look easy. But they are not because we also do not rest on the job.

We are making over the whole Cubana business, starting with Abuja; we are changing the face and you can see the Cubana Suites in Abuja that I am marketing. It has been there. This is the seventh year, but we have remodelled it and it’s looking like a new baby.

day one. So, we designed it in such a way that it d hhad VVIP upstairs and so many other features.

And that’s how we metamorphosed from garden A tto Cubana. At a point, we had the challenge of iinsurgents in Abuja and became very low; then we decided to leave and moved to Port Harcourt w aand it became very lucrative at that point. So, we became an instant success in Port Harcourt and b ffrom there we went to Owerri, Imo State and iit was amazing. Later the insurgency in Abuja iincreased because they were bombings, and if yyou noticed in Cubana, there was this barrier that yyou thought it was a water fountain, but it was iron ccast because then they used to ram into buildings.

So, after that UN building incident, people were S nnot going out to public places. When the security ssituation improved, we came back remodelled aand then it picked up; but then, having started growing in other places, we had our eyes fixed on g other places and the target then was Lagos, but o I didn’t want to go to Lagos unprepared because iif I rushed in, I would rush out.

We got a place at Adeola Odeku and it became a hhit too because it gave us global attention; Lagos iis the centre of everything. We got one in Ikeja. So, we have two in Lagos, one on the Island and the w other on the Mainland. Immediately we finished o tthe one in Victoria Island, COVID-19 came and we rrealisedthateverythingwehadwasjustentertainment, and then we had up to four hotels in Abuja m aand we noticed that this thing grounded all my businesses. It was a natural occurrence, but with b tthe kind of reasoning we had, there was no way we thought we will ever be stranded, because we w ffocus our energies on areas that were doing well aand balanced the business geographically. But when COVID-19 came, it became a war because w aall my businesses did not function for over one yyear. So, it took the grace of God for us to survive tthat period. So, I needed to diversify.

Cubana

How profitable is showbiz in Nigeria?

It’s extremely profitable; it comes with its ownheadaches.Butyoumustknowhowtorun it, how to keep your eyes on the ball, and not to be carried away by the distraction. Again, in a business, you will lose a lot normally. But you will have to look at the business aspect of the thing; then you know the glam and the glitz aspect of it. When you are able to marry both, it’s quite an interesting and profitable business.

Some people believe that your clubs are some of the most expensive in the country.

Why are they so; and what make them different from others?

I will use the word ‘exclusive’ because if you enteranairplane,thesameplaneyouareflying N100,000 to London, some other person is flying for N500,000, some other person is flying at some point, N1.5 million and some other person is flying over N5 million. There’s first class, there’s business class, there’s premium economy and there’s economy. There’s Cubana; there’s the Bush Bar, the prices inside and outside are not the same because we try to look at the economy, the people’s wellbeing.

So, for beer for example, instead of drinking

it for N5000 inside the club, at the bar, it’s the same beer, same premises, you can drink it for as low as N500. So, it’s now left for you to know where your pockets fit in. You choose, no imposition.

Give us more insight into the Cubana Group of Companies. I know you started in a garden many years ago in Abuja, and later Ibiza in Area 11, Abuja.

The Cubana Group started from a very humble beginning from a garden, then to Ibiza, with the primary objective of catering for people selling basic food, basic drinks and offering entertainment. You know life in Nigeria, sometimes entertainment plays a very important role in reducing the stress level. You will need to go there and ease your stress and then give us money to take part of the stress from you before you go back home. We started from the garden to the Ibiza and then the concept of Cubana came sometime in 1998. And I said having done this at the grassroots level, we needed to move to Wuse 2, which is a prime location in Abuja, even up till now and cater for the higher class. That was the first club ever we will build because Ibiza was a lounge. Ibiza was a lounge for dancing openly, and it was like a hit from

Recently,youcameupwiththeideaofhavinga Golf City in Abuja. Tell us more about that plan.

G The Golf City is an exclusive parcel of land in the heart of Abuja and because of my love for luxuryarchitecture,itisdesignedtohaveastream running inside it, hills, contours of the land and a lot of greens. It’s actually a golf course, an estate in a golf course and no estate has ever been built in a golf course as of today in Abuja. The idea is to bring nature closer to humans. So, it’s one of the most exclusive projects we have ever done and the reception has been quite encouraging.

It’s almost sold out as at today. We are putting up someluxuryapartmentson84hectares,five-star hotel, helipad, playground for children, shopping malls, the golf course, worship centres, schools and different categories of buildings, from luxury to semi-detached to fully-detached to villas. So, it’s one of its kind.

When do you intend to have the city completed?

It’s in phases; and the first set of houses will be ready by mid next year. We have partners and we are in compliance with the master plan of the FCT. Early this year, there was this Odogwu Bitters that came on board and it was everywhere.

How did you come about that product?

Until after the burial of my mum, I didn’t know I wassoloved.So,Iwasthinkingthatmybusinesses were too exclusive, but the love is much on the streets. How do I make these people have a taste

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

INTERVIEW 6KRZEL] LV ([WUHPHO\ 3URÀWDEOH %XW &RPHV ZLWK LWV 2ZQ +HDGDFKHV of what Cubana has to offer? So, the idea of the bitters came through my friend, partnering with a business associate. This is my gift to my people; so that as low as N500, you can have a Cubana product for people that take alcohol. But we are also going into other ranges of Odogwu that are non-alcoholic. Some of them are health drinks.

If you noticed, I personally took it to the streets in Aba, Mushin, Island, etc. The Ooni was very receptive.IsawarichculturaldisplayoftheYoruba people. The love was massive. Today, it’s like a national treasure widely accepted everywhere and it’s humbling.

How do you manage all these businesses?

What’s making it grow? Is it the quality of workers, micro-management or what?

I think that every man is gifted from God. I think I am a good manager of humans and because I am a people’s person, I have come across humans who are next to God or angels. So, you place these businesses in their hands and also you ensure they see a future with you and they give you their all because I cannot do more than one businessatatime.Ineedtodrivethesebusinesses through people. I also partner a lot of people, and if you look around, you just say, this one has a knowledge about water or bitters, take this share. So, they become part of the business. I only superintend. I don’t call them my workers; I call them my partners because they see it and everyone takes a part of the pie. You make sure their families are okay. Along the way, you might have one or two betrayals, but it won’t take the faith you have in other people.

A lot more people came to know you after the burial of your mum. That comes with its own burden. Tell us about that.

The burial made a lot of people misunderstand me. I never planned that burial to be that way, but I also saw the love people had for me. The oneyear anniversary was few days ago; and a lot of things started popping up on Facebook: images, memories and everything. And I said, wow! Was this being a carnival? Because it wasn’t a political rally. I had a reflection of who I was before the burial, and who I became after the burial. It threw me to the open and a lot of people misunderstood me. Because if you noticed, throughout last year, I was in the news for some negative reasons, but thenpeoplebegantounderstandmebetter.Some people felt I just sprang up from nowhere. But I know who I am, and I had to submit myself to everyone-ofthoseinvestigationsandthentoday, you don’t hear anything about them anymore.

In those trials and tribulations, I was focused.

People started going to read about me and where I was coming from.

How do you manage the family with all these, especiallyyourwifewhomightfeelmyhusband is in a club and I don’t know what he’s up to out there?

I am one of the luckiest men alive because of the kind of wife I married. There must be peace at home before you leave, and I think when I wanted to get married, I made up my mind emotionally that I was ready and my wife was ready emotionally too. We met when I was at the garden as her husband, and she saw my beat and that has not changed. I have not given her any reason whatsoever to doubt me. I know that I am committed to her and the kids. So, it’s about my commitment to the marriage and her own commitment to the marriage. Everywhere, in the air, in the garden or anywhere, you send her a message and when she wakes up, she will see it. She will know that you are out there for them. She’s the one coordinating some of these businessesandmostoftheseideasemanatefrom her. But I’m the one in the field that people see.

So, we have that mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual love that she tries to encourage me instead of doubting me. And I won’t also take undue advantage of her understanding. For me, it is a well-blended union.

You hinted earlier about how far you have come. Can you tell us where exactly Obi Cubana is coming from?

I knew quite early that I didn’t have any other option but to succeed. I come from a very humble family - although we never lacked anything as childrenofteachers.Mydadwasaschoolprincipal and my mother was a headmistress and we had the basic things. But the most important thing

Cubana

I want to build hospitals that will be funded from the proceeds of my business so that people can have basic healthcare and maternity care free of charge… Part of the job that God gave us here is for us to take care of other people the way He takes care of us about life is contentment, not about what you have. You can have everything and still not be contented. So at every point in time we were taught contentment. I did not come from a poor family because poverty is a state of mind.

So, I was contented with everything because I went to some of the best schools – including University of Nigeria, Nsuka, where I obtained a Bachelor Science Degree in Political Science.

So the upbringing helped in shaping who I have become. I knew I needed to leave a footprint in the world, a positive one. That’s why I look restless in doing everything I have been doing. I do business, mentor humans, impact positively on the society, grow the economy and reduce unemployment and this is who I am.

There is perception out there that you are very flamboyant and you like exhibiting wealth in the public, which may have attracted some negative reports in the past. What defines your lifestyle?

I do not know what you mean by display of wealth because I am into show business. I live in a house. If I am in my office and we take pictures, if it wasn’t for social media, nobody will know.

And then you post and the background shows something, it doesn’t mean I’m flamboyant. I see people flaunt their cars, their watches, cash etc.; but I don’t do that. But maybe because of the environment I take pictures or in a private jet just to promote the things I sell. You can’t be showing champagne in a mud house? It won’t work. Even Odogwu Bitters, I took Okada; but people don’t seethatone.Iwasneverthoughttobeflamboyant and everything I show is for a cause - because I have been into luxury entertainment. You look at Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, P Diddy, they do some things to be able to communicate with the people; their target customers and whatever I am showing, I’m trying to show them so as to survive and

some of them are not mine. So, if I see myself in Transcop Hilton Hotel, I take advantage of the environment and post the things; it is not about my personal life. Nobody has seen my closet or my toilet. They don’t know how my room looks like, they don’t know how many pairs of shoes I have, I don’t show how many clothes I have or designer watches that I have; they can see my bar because that is what I sell. You can see the food I eat because I sell food. Nothing more.

A lot of people do not know the difference between Obi Cubana and Cubana Chief Priest.

Cubana Chief Priest is a different brand entirely.

He runs the shrine club, etc. We were partners, he worked for me and when the time to leave came, he left and he’s doing quite amazing in his own field. This one is Obi Cubana. He’s different from Cubana Chief Priest, but we are friends and brothers and he’s like a son to me.

Where do you intend to be, talking about the Cubana Group in the next few years?

We are going global. I am looking at mentoring and developing some guys who are tech savvy.

Guys who can develop phones for Africa and by Africans. I had over 3,000 entries. In the coming months we want to go into tech. This is because tech is the future; there are lots of Africans who have a lot in their head but they have no support.

So, I’m offering my platform for them and even today I said anybody who has an entry should come because tech is limitless. It could be Wi-Fi, phones, funds transfer etc and I will set up an advisory board for this because it’s not good that you die with your dream. When you give them that platform you might just create an Elon musk in Nigeria.

You said earlier that you are loved by Nigerians. What are those things you have been able to give back to them?

We do a lot of charity; like when I told you about the tech and part of the profit is going to make cheap homes or free of charge because I want to give people shelter because many of them are going through hell. We want to have these homes for free - depending on what the needs are for them. Just basic shelter and we’re trying to do our own bit to support government as human beings. Whatever we are making from tech will go 100 per cent into charity. I want to build hospitals that will be funded from the proceeds of my business so that people can have basic healthcare and maternity care free of charge.

Because if it is food, I have conquered that one myself. From my generation, no one will ever go hungry and part of the job that God gave us here is for us to take care of other people the way He takes care of us. So, I’m looking at the charity angle right now. I’m not good at dashing money or doing giveaway. Money that you give without guidance will finish like the prodigal sons. But just set up something that is basic.

You have many followers among the youths.

There’s so much youth involvement in crimes.

What’s your message to them?

The youth of every nation is the future of the nation. I’m a role model to a lot of people, so I try to abstain from certain things because people look up to me. They have that love for me. I know the kind of messages I get in my DM, on my WhatsApp messages, Facebook and the rest. I know what I represent, what I want people to see me as. I tell people anything that gives you happiness as far as you are not hurting anybody, do it, anything you do to make money as far as it is legal, do it. Meaning that you can live the kind of lifestyle that Obi Cubana is living legally. In terms of drugs, it is a generational killer. we have seen cases of what it does to people and what it can do to generations. There is one Pastor Rapu who goes around picking these people up and you see the transformation when they get well.

Yet people still go about selling these drugs and peoplekeeptakingthem.Therearemusicianswho don’t smoke and yet they churn out melodious songs. The youths are the nation builders and we should not destroy where we live. Whether alcohol abuse, drug abuse or crimes, stay away.

Are you interested in politics?

I am interested because I have one vote and I am going to cast my single vote, but for running for political office, no. My elder brother has the APGA ticket for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency and I will be supporting him all the way. Me, personally, no.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

How to Clean a Car Radiator

Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV (X254); 2022

Mercedes Benz Puts New edition of Successful SUV in Market

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he new Mercedes-Benz GLC goes on sale immediately, with prices starting at 57,631.70 euros[1]. The completely newly developed model series impresses with modern design and technology, sporty SHUIRUPDQFH DQG H΀FLHQF\ DV ZHOO DV FRPIRUW DQG DJLOLW\ $OO */& PRGHOV KDYH DQ HOHFWULÀHG GULYH V\VWHP :KHWKHU RQ RU RͿ URDG WKH */& is at home on any terrain. The new rear axle steering also makes it even more agile and dynamic. With all its features and equipment, the new GLC defends its top position in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car portfolio: it has been the best-selling vehicle for more than two years.

Design: Sensual purity, intelligence and emotion The new GLC is immediately recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family.

Standard equipment includes the AVANTGARDE exterior with chrome appliqué sections. The proportions with classic SUV elements such as the simulated underride guard in chrome at the front and rear, roof railing in polished aluminium and optional running boards are complemented by new moulded edges in the side. The result is a balance between elegance, sportiness and RͿ URDG SHUIRUPDQFH +LJKOLJKWV LQFOXGH WKH new headlamps, which connect directly to the radiator grille and accentuate the vehicle’s width. In combination with the optional DIGITAL LIGHT, they feature daytime running light ellipses in addition to the familiar “torch”. Another visual highlight is the radiator grille with integrated Mercedes star, a dark grey louvre with chrome overlay and frame in chrome.

The interior design, also standard in

the AVANTGARDE Line, underlines the high quality and modernity of the GLC: the dashboard, for example, is horizontally divided into two sections and features generous trim surfaces with a central display that appears WR ÁRDW DERYH LW 7KH DYDQW JDUGH VHDW GHVLJQ and contemporary door trims emphasise the high quality of the interior.

The GLC also sets standards in aerodynamics DQG DHURDFRXVWLFV LWV PLQLPXP GUDJ FRH΀FLHQW LQ WKH EHVW DHURG\QDPLF FRQÀJXUDWLRQ LV FG ZKLFK LV VLJQLÀFDQWO\ EHWWHU WKDQ LWV predecessor (cd = 0.31) – a notable advance for an SUV with a conventional powertrain.

Acoustically, the GLC is a pleasantly quiet vehicle with a commanding sound and very low rolling and wind noise. All the acoustic measures jointly contribute to the “welcome home” atmosphere that is a Mercedes-Benz hallmark.

Suzuki by CFAO Unveils Celerio into Nigerian Market

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he Nigerian automotive market has witnessed a launch of the FRVW HͿHFWLYH DQG FRPSOHWHO\ revamped Suzuki Celerio from the stable of CFAO Motors located in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Celerio, which is an addition to the collection of their latest technological advancement comes in a variety of colours. It ìs equipped with a 9-inch entertainment screen, alloy wheels, and new generation AMT amongst many other enhanced technology and safety features.

In terms of exterior design, platform, and over all dimensions, the second generation Celerio is a completely new car and is based on the company’s Heartect platform, an innovative newgeneration platform introduced exclusively for new generation cars with a core focus on safety.

The Suzuki Celerio has also changed as far as dimensions are concerned. It is now 3,695mm long, 1,655mm high and 1,555mm wide. A longer L-R: Gibson Kankwanye, sales executive; Oluyinka Osoba, sales executive; Aissatou Diouf, general manager wheelbase of 2,435mm has also helped in creating and Adebukola Adekola, after-sales manager all of Suzuki by CFAO Nigeria during press briefing on the launch more space and comfort.

A critical look at the over all shows that of Celerio model in Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday concerned, the big headlamps and chromestripped grille combine to give the Celerio a VHOI VX΀FLHQW FDU WKDW PHHWV WKH QHHGV RI D new Celerio real Time. fresh front-end design. large demography of the Nigerian market.

The event, which was attended by notable The bumper also comes with claddings that We came into the Nigerian market with a personalities and other captains of industry in KRXVH IRJ OLJKWV RQ WRS YDULDQWV ,Q SURÀOH RQH clear plan to make Japanese cars accessible to Nigeria and beyond was organized in partnercan see the new 15-inch alloys which look sporty.

Nigerians and we have continued to improve ship with Autocheck, an automotive technology Lower variants will ride on 14-inch steel wheels. our value proposition. We can indeed say development company that enables seamless Speaking during the historic Suzuki Celerio there is a Suzuki for everyone.” and safe automotive commerce experience across model launch, Aissatou Diouf, general manager Hosted by Oscar Oyinsan, the launch event Africa, and Etap, a technology platform that of Suzuki by CFAO said, “We are delighted was technologically themed with a neon light provides auto insurance cover, instant claims to launch the Celerio, a gender-balanced and ambiance and a workshop to experience the ZLWK ÁH[LELOLW\ DQG UHZDUGV IRU GULYLQJ VDIHO\

If the radiator is left uncleaned, its fins can get clogged, and the engine may overheat and eventually get damaged. Read on to know how to clean a car radiator, and you’ll be able to do it in a snap. The best way to clean a radiator would depend on your cleaning need, which is either of the two: Clean the radiator fins – done when dirt and debris accumulate on the fins, which involves spraying solution, brushing away dirt and debris, and rinsing.

Flush the radiator – done at least every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your car manual, which involves draining out the coolant, flushing with a solution, flushing with water, and refilling the coolant.

Radiator Cleaner – When cleaning a radiator, it would be best to use a commercial cleaner specifically designed for radiator cleaning in order to properly clean without causing any damage. Some other cleaners like vinegar and bleach can cause rusting and corrosion.

Water – You would need water for diluting the radiator cleaner.

Big Container – A big container would come in handy for diluting the radiator cleaner.

Spray Bottle – You would use it for applying the diluted cleaning solution.

Soft-Bristled Brush – Radiator fins would require gentle cleaning. So a soft-bristled brush would be perfect for the job.

Flathead Screwdriver, Ice Pick, Barbeque Skewer, or Toothpick – These can be used to straighten the radiator fins if some of them get bent while cleaning.

Hose – Particularly one that can work in low pressure would be required.

Step 1: Let the Radiator Cool Down For safety, the first step you should take when you clean an aluminum radiator is to cool it down. Make sure it’s cool to touch before starting to clean the fins.

Automotive Journalists Training Holds July 29 All is now set for this year’s edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Training/ Capacity Building programme scheduled to take place on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the Golden Tulip Hotel Essential, located on International Airport road, Lagos.

The training Committee said the programme is geared towards the growth of the automotive Industry in Nigeria and globally.

This year’s training/capacity programme anchored on the theme; “Accelerating Automobile Industry Recovery Strategy In Post COVID-19 Era” is part of the motoring journalists contributions towards the growth of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

Well grounded facilitators expected to take charge during the training programmes are Prof Charles Asenime of the Transport department, Lagos State University, Yusuf Aweda Jimoh Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Network and Software Engineer.

While Prof Asenime will speak on “Steps For quick auto industry recovery, post Covid-19”, Engr Jimoh will take on the participants on “Managing Reports Under Remote and Hybrid Workplaces”.

Julie Chi-Nwaoha, chairperson of the training committee said the one-day training programme is expected at enrich and expand the knowledge of the motoring journalists, in not only the topics slated but in general automotive industry trends.

She added that, this edition is going to be very unique as it is coming at a time most stakeholders are recovering rapidly from the effects of Covid-19 which put the industry on its toes in the past few years.

On his part, Mike Ochonma, chairman, Nigeria Auto Journalists Association re-electied last February for the second term noted that the automotive industry remains one of the critical sectors in the country and that is why NAJA is pushing to offer the best in terms of information dissemination.

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

AUTO WORLD

All-new Renault Megane E-TECH Electric Technology to Boost Safety

A

OO QHZ 0HJDQH ( 7(&+ (OHFWULF is packed with technology. It comes with a whopping 26 $GYDQFHG 'ULYHU $VVLVWDQFH 6\VWHPV $'$6V DQG KDOI of them take care of keeping the people in the car, and outside it, safe. These systems are divided into three categories – driving, parking and VDIHW\ ² DQG HDUQHG 5HQDXOW 0HJDQH ( 7(&+ (OHFWULF WKH IXOO ÀYH VWDUV RQ WKH (XUR 1&$3 safety rating.

The state-of-the-art technology and pleasure DW WKH ZKHHO SXW $OO QHZ 0HJDQH ( 7(&+ Electric at the top of its class when it comes to driver comfort and all-round safety. It has new technology covering more use cases – including semi-autonomous driving, context-aware adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning – and they all add up to make mobility on roads safer and more sustainable. But how were these systems designed? We asked Rudy DQG 0D[LPH WZR GULYHU DVVLVWDQFH H[SHUWV DW Renault Group.

L-R: Sales Manager, Renault brand, Coscharis Motors Plc., Olayinka Oladipo; Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatimann; General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde, at the French Day celebration held in Lagos… recently

Connectivity for safety There are dozens of engineers and technicians, and thousands of kilometres of test drives in France and the rest of Europe behind the new IHDWXUHV LQ $OO QHZ 5HQDXOW 0HJDQH ( 7(&+ (OHFWULF 'XULQJ WKH GHVLJQ SKDVH GLJLWDO VLPXODtions shed light on the target performance levels, before the prototype vehicles were built. Once

the prototype vehicles were ready, further tests were carried out to check the data.

It was cooperation between the Amenities, Fine-Tuning and Systems teams that pushed performance and safety to the highest levels while maximising the systems’ robustness.

7KLV SRROLQJ RI HͿRUWV DQG H[SHUWV LV D NH\

to making sure that the various systems kick in when they have to, and respond properly to the situation. $OO QHZ 0HJDQH ( 7(&+ (OHFWULF ZDV GHVLJQHG ZLWK $'$6V WKDW HQDEOH WKH GULYHU WR VWD\ VDIH in all the circumstances that arise on the road.

It has a context camera, three environment

cameras, a blind spot sensor, and ultrasound sensors in the front and rear bumpers. These features, combined with the smart data built into the vehicle, deal with all situations ranging from motorway driving to tight parking. All-new 0HJDQH ( 7(&+ (OHFWULF·V $'$6V SURYLGH unparalleled safety.

Autochek, CFAO Motors in MoU for Stress-free Car Ownership

C

)$2 0RWRUV IUDQFKLVHHV DQG sole distributors of Suzuki cars in Nigeria, has entered a strategic partnership with Autochek; an automotive technology company, to make car ownership more accessible and affordable in Nigeria

and across Africa.

With this deal, interested buyers of Suzuki range of vehicles in Nigeria will have easy access to finance, DV FXVWRPHUV FDQ ZDON LQWR DQ\ RI &)$2 0RWRUV dealerships nationwide and get instant financing for any used or new Suzuki vehicle of their choice for purchase.

'ULYHUV ZLOO DOVR EH DEOH WR JHW ILQDQFLQJ IRU QHZ and used Suzuki cars through the Autochek website.

Since its reintroduction into the market in 2019, Suzuki has been at the forefront of introducing cutting-edge technology and market-leading innovation to the Nigerian automotive value chain.

From sales to after-sales, Suzuki by CFAO has been committed to transforming the local auto experience by embedding technology solutions into every stage of the automotive lifecycle.

According to the officials, this partnership with Autochek will build on this commitment and will support the delivery of further improvements to the value proposition for Nigerian drivers.

Autochek is building the financial infrastructure to drive the penetration of auto financing across Africa, powered by a data analytics engine that makes it easier for financial institutions to offer credit to consumers.

It has existing operations across North, West DQG (DVW $IULFD 1LJHULD *KDQD 0RURFFR Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Kenya, Benin, Togo DQG 8JDQGD D SDUWQHU OHG UHWDLO IRRWSULQW in over 1,500 dealer and workshop locations, and more than 70 banking partners including Access Bank, Ecobank, UBA, Bank of Africa and NCBA Bank.

“With Autochek, drivers can access a wide range of financing options to suit their needs.

All they simply need to do is to fill a short form to apply for the loan and they will start receiving offers from various Autochek approved financing partners.

L-R: After Sales Manager, Suzuki by CFAO, Ademola Abayomi; General Manager, Aissatou Diouf; Senior Vice President, West Africa, Autochek, Mayokun Fadeyibi; Global Head, Marketing, Michelle Gatamah; and Marketing Executive, Suzuki by CFAO, Olaniyan Adesoji, during partnership agreement signing between Suzuki

by CFAO and Autochek held at Suzuki by CFAO Motors office, Victoria Island, Lagos… recently

Naked Road A fortnight ago, I received a very interesting mail from someone who, from the tone of his mail, had eagerly waited for an opportunity to share his worry on the state of road safety in the country. The man whose name I prefer to keep to myself shared his worry on so many issues including the ongoing speed limiting device enforcement. Without really dismissing the novelty in the ongoing campaign, he however questioned the timing because of what he described as the state of our roads and the absence of the appropriate road furniture. Since I have chosen not to run excerpts of his mail ,I am however compelled to run a piece I did about two years DJR WKDW ZDV LQÁXHQFHG E\ 'U 7HUU\ 0HQH ZKR was then the World Bank Project Consultant with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

An astute man that usually says it as it is, he once made a statement that caught at the very essence of my being during a discussion on the state of Nigerian roads. According to him, “Our roads are naked”. Never one to be RXWGRQH RQ DVWXWHQHVV WKH &RUSV 0DUVKDO DQG Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka, embellished it this way: “No one builds a house and moves in without furnishing.

A road is not a road without the appropriate furniture”. Those two statements set the pace for my piece this week.

7KH VHFRQG SLOODU RI WKH 81 'HFDGH RI $FWLRQ spells out the need to improve the safety of URDG QHWZRUNV IRU WKH EHQHÀW RI DOO URDG XVHUV

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

especially the most vulnerable: pedestrians, ELF\FOLVWV DQG PRWRUF\FOLVWV 'HVSLWH WKH FXUUHQW HͿRUWV RI 1LJHULDQ JRYHUQPHQW ZKDW GR \RX WKLQN of road signage on Nigerian roads? Inadequate? %DVWDUGL]HG E\ KDZNHUV YLOODJHUV" 'R \RX NQRZ that a good number of Nigerians who drive are ignorant of road signs? What do you think about WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ VDIHW\ JHQHUDOO\" :HOO UHÁHFW RQ America’s assessment of safety and transportation in Nigeria –”safety of public transportation; poor, urban road conditions/maintenance; poor, rural road conditions/maintenance: poor availability of roadside assistance; poor- roads are generally poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and FRQWULEXWLQJ WR KD]DUGRXV WUD΀F FRQGLWLRQV 7KHUH DUH IHZ WUD΀F FRQGLWLRQV 7KHUH DUH IHZ WUD΀F lights or stop signs.

It is against this backdrop and the need to buy into the Corps’ strategies for safer roads that this piece will focus on road signage. It is common for

us to lament over the state of our roads and the inadequacy of road furniture. Strictly speaking, how many of us truly comply with the ‘inadequate’ signs that we have? As a christian, the Bible says that he that is faithful in little will be faithful in much. I wish I have the Islamic translation.

A brief history of emergency road signs will be helpful in appreciating its importance. The earliest road signs were milestones, giving distance or directions. For example, the Romans erected stone columns throughout their empire,giving the distance to Rome. In the middle ages, multidirectional signs at intersections became common, giving directions to cities and towns.

7UD΀F VLJQV EHFDPH PRUH LPSRUWDQW ZLWK the development of automobiles. The basic SDWWHUQV RI PRVW WUD΀F VLJQV ZHUH VHW DW WKH 1908 International Road Congress in Rome .

Since then, there has been considerable change.

Today,they are almost all metal rather than wood DQG DUH FRDWHG ZLWK UHÁHFWLYH VKHHWLQJ RI YDULRXV types of nighttime and low light visibility. Road marking was introduced into the United Kingdom in the 1920’s. The United Nations harmonized DQG LQWURGXFHG LQWHUQDWLRQDO WUD΀F VLJQV DIWHU the second world war. That is why from South Africa in Africa to London in Europe, including the United States of America , their signs all look alike.In 1995, the United Kingdom had 2, 500, 000 signs and signals, 850, 000 road markings and 700, 000 road studs within roads in England alone. In Nigeria , adequate records of signs

are yet to be derived but available records of clustered billboards, which have little possible HͿHFW RQ KLJKZD\ VDIHW\ DUH DERXW IURP 109 registered outdoor advertising companies.

Road signs are highway pictures provided to assist pedestrians and road users in the safe usage of the highway. They are basically placed at the roadside to impart information to road users on WUD΀F UHJXODWLRQV VSHFLDO KD]DUGV DQG RWKHU URDG conditions. You should not only be familiar with the individual signs, you should recognize the special shapes and colours because the signs are FODVVLÀHG DQG FRGHG DFFRUGLQJ WR IXQFWLRQV DQG UHWUR UHÁHFWLYLW\ :KDW WKHQ LV UHWUR UHÁHFWLYLW\" ,W is the return of light incident to the source in the GLUHFWLRQ LW FDPH 5HWUR UHÁHFWLYLW\ LV WKH EDVLF quality requirement of highway appurtenances.

5HWUR UHÁHFWLYLW\ LQFUHDVHV URDG VDIHW\ ,I VRPH PLQLPXP UHÁHFWLYLW\ LV QRW PDLQWDLQHG WKH VLJQV delinators or markings will not accomplish the job it was intended to perform. Our signs, acFRUGLQJ WR )(50$ SXEOLFDWLRQV DUH \HW WR EH RI international standard. Except for roads in some parts of Abuja, Lagos, and now Akwa ibom, our highways are yearning for United Nations international standard signs and markings both LQ VKDSH FRORUV DQG DERYH DOO LQ UHWUR UHÁHFWLYLW\ 7KH PDQXDO RQ XQLIRUP WUD΀F FRQWURO GHYLFHV requires that signs and pavement markings should EH UHÁHFWLRQLVHG RU LOOXPLQDWHG 7KH FRQFHUQ IRU UHWUR UHÁHFWLYLW\ RI SDYHPHQW PDUNLQJV DQG VLJQV caused

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

Aim at, Not ‘Aim to

T

HISDAY of July 6 underdeveloped the English language on two occasions: ”The state has (had) a population of 3.9 million in 2006 spread over 31 local government areas....” “...which aims to eradicate (which aims at eradicating) potholes on all township roads in Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket.”

THE GUARDIAN of July 3 disseminated dozens of advertorial and editorial errors: “Win one of 10 all expense paid tickets to the Olympics!”

Go for an Olympic expression: Win one of 10 all-expenses-paid tickets to the Olympics! The era of sanctity of advert copies is gone.

“Corp members protest posting to crisis-prone states” No news: simply corpers instead of ‘corp (corps, if at all) members’.

“The sources said that (sic) the Presidency believes (believed) that Mimiko has (had) the acumen....” “...so as to avert a repeat or reoccurrence of this kind of thing in future.”

Still on Dana Air tragedy: recurrence— would it have been in the past? Let’s think as we write.

Still on THISDAY of July 6: “The Board and Management of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited congratulates (sic) you, (otiose comma) for adding a new feather (a feather) to (in) your cap....”

(Full-page Advert in honour of the AGF and Justice Minister) The Board and Management are two entities in corporate structures hence the need for pluralism.

Most electronic and print colleagues of mine are fond of using the expression “commissioning of...project”. This is wrong! The only close (contextual) verbal application of ‘commission’ is ‘to officially ask somebody to write, make or create something or to do a task for you.’ Two examples: ‘She has been commissioned to write a new national anthem. Publishers have commissioned a French translation of the book.’ So, instead of this manifest absurdity, let us use ‘inaugurate’/’launc h’/’unveil’....

From Vanguard of June 29 comes this: “Defunct NITEL workers lay siege on ministry” For the sake of Uncle Sam Amuka, I will not lay siege to the Kirikiri Canal office of the medium which is working towards a better life for the people.

Overheard on July 13: “It is over a year ago since we met.” ‘Ago’ and ‘since’ cannot co-function. So: It is over a year ago that we met.

THE GUARDIAN of June 29 carried two infelicities: “…Nwodo spoke to journalists in Enugu on his role in the controversial dissolution of the state executive of the state chapter of the PDP, which has pit (pitted) him against the state government.”

“He recently visited Nigeria and had a chat with The Guardian…where he bares (bared) his mind….” “…we had to be praying we should not meet ourselves (one another) at the war front.” (THE NATION, June 29) “They both died in Abuja in a ghastly (fatal) motor accident.” ((THE PUNCH, June 29) Once a vehicular mishap results in death, it is fatal. But, if there

is no loss of life, it is ghastly. There is a clear distinction between fatalistic finality and ghastliness.

“The minister at (on) the occasion remarked that his administration was determined to make a difference by opening new frontiers inspite (in spite) of….” (Nigerian Tribune, June 29) “I would have advised that the wishes of the people is (sic) the most paramount….” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, June 29) You know the issue here. “…that it will not be fair to the people and it is high time we take him by his words and relied on him.” (THE GUARDIAN, June 29) It is high time we took (or time we take) Rutam House seriously on crumbling professional excellence.

“Less than 20 of them had just taken their seats when suddenly, (needless comma) there was a big bang and the steel pillars carrying the big tank situated between two classroom blocks….” (SATURDAY TRIBUNE, July 16) ‘Big bang’ reminds me of ‘heavy downpour’ and ‘mass exodus’! Dear reader, flee from unnecessary embellishments (big, heavy and mass). Why not between classroom blocks?

“She speaks (is it a continuous process?) on her mission and what she has in stock (store) for the rural woman in Africa.” (SATURDAY TRIBUNE, July 7) What do Nigerian newspapers have in store for readers?

“What to know about beddings” (Nigerian Tribune, June 29) Uncountable: heyday, yesteryear, bedding, cutlery, infrastructure, harassment, stationery, et al. “…Osun CAN receives PDP decam-

Three Hunchbacks: Their Case Against Peter

A

nd now to the darling of Nigerian cyberspace: Peter Gregory Obi. It bears repeating that the focus of this article is located in the spine of its first edition: ‘Three Hunchbacks and Their Heavy Baggage’ (June 25, 2022).

Keynote: “...Now, if the hunchbacks are saddled with extra bags and whatnots to carry from one point to another, the excruciating exercise can hardly be imagined, as you cannot fathom what it is like to be in their shoes. Such is the fate of the three major presidential flag bearers with arguably the most vociferous supportership in this current electioneering season… We hope to spend quality time reviewing the enormous “baggage” - code switch for unsavoury issues and incidents in their pedigrees they would rather wipe off; but that stand as unshakable reminders of their frailties, possible stumbling blocks, and herculean obstacles - their spin-doctors must roll up sleeves to tackle frontally. And their detractors would be joyously smacking their lips to sink their teeth into.”

Since May 24, 2022 when Obi resigned from People’s Democratic Party, PDP, his stock has grown exponentially, such that his candidature has attracted the ungarnished enthusiasm and bravura of many Nigerian youth; the hitherto sidelined and disgruntled adults whose hope for some sort of national redemption had been severely pummeled and similar discontents and “siddon-look” contemporaries.

In spite of Obi’s seemingly “unNigerian” positive pedigree and proclamations, his public civility and business acumen, there are growing fears that he is swimming against the tide, and has become fodder for lip-smacking opponents and their supporters to knock around the rustic farmlands.

Unlike his co-contestants with trailing clouds of corruption, graft and other ‘high crimes’ attached to their flowing garments, Obi’s traducers would have to dig deep into dirty archives to find some stain to paint on him. But surely, if not critically, there is something to find. He was implicated in the infamous ‘Panama Papers’ leaks of 2021 globally exposing wealthy individuals stashing funds

away in safe havens and tax-free islands. The allegation: “Mr Obi is one of the individuals whose hidden business activities was (sic) thrown open by the project. Indeed, he has a number of secret business dealings and relationships that he has for years kept to his chest. These are businesses he clandestinely set up and operated overseas, including in notorious tax and secrecy havens in ways that breached Nigerian laws...

“The former governor admitted that he did not declare these companies and the funds and properties they hold in his asset declaration filings with the Code of Conduct Bureau...

“He said he was unaware that the law expected him to declare assets or companies he jointly owns with his family members or anyone else...

“However, our investigation, based on records obtained from the UK Companies House shows that Mr Obi continued to be a director of Next International (UK) Limited for 14 months after becoming the governor of Anambra State, thereby breaking Nigeria’s law.

The politician resigned from the company on May 16, 2008, 14 months after he assumed duties as Anambra governor. He took office on March 17, 2006…”

Another Achilles tendon of the former Anambra governor was the charge that he is easily given to dissembling and mendacity: in other words, he cannot stop lying! On December 16, 2018, an investigative report on the Nigerian website of the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), fact-checked about 13 “facts and statistics” churned out

by Candidate Obi during the Vice Presidential debate towards the 2019 elections, and the platform declared eleven to be “false, grossly exaggerated or only partly true”.

Let us skim over some of them: “Claim: Nigeria’s poverty rate grows at 6% per minute Not only is this claim outrageous on the face value, but it is also not true… Data highlights from the clock, Brookings noted

in June, show that “extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute”. It is possible this is how the PDP vice presidential candidate had intended to phrase his statement.

Verdict: The claim is false.

“Claim: In 2015, we attracted $21 billion in FDI, and only 12 last year …

Verdict: The (claim is) false. The FDI figures were grossly exaggerated.

“Claim: Nigeria has only 2 million vehicles, 10 per 1000.

Nigeria’s estimated vehicle population as at the second quarter of 2018 is 11,760,871, and the vehicle per population ratio was put at 0.06 (as against Obi’s 0.01)...

Verdict: The claim is false and grossly exaggerated.

“Claim: The power generation in Indonesia is 50,000 for 250 million people… Verdict: The (claim is) inaccurate and outdated.

“Claim: Buhari on March 26, 2015… said he should be removed if he doesn’t deliver.

There is no record of Buhari delivering a reported speech on this day.

Verdict: The claim is false and could not be substantiated….”

Obi has been accused of progressively growing more prolific and less accurate, over the years - a predilection scantily diagnosed

by ThisDay columnist, Simon Kolawole in his backpage column of June 26, 2022, while also highlighting his other weighty baggage: “Obi himself, it has to be said, also has issues with his statistics and claims and has become a nightmare for fact checkers, but my assumption is always that this is mostly because of memory lapse on his part rather than a genuine attempt to mislead or misinform.”

On Obi’s other debilitating baggage, Kolawole writes: “His strength is becoming his weakness: the fan base. His followership has clearly caught fire and is spreading not just on social media but also on the streets in many parts of the country.

But some of his overzealous supporters are so unruly that this is turning out to be a baggage for him. It is putting off a lot of people. It is a bit of a bitter-sweet phenomenon: he is gaining more

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

pees” (Vanguard, June 29)) British Standard English: Simply, defectors.

‘Decampees’ is a Nigerian creation.

“50 persons arrested over obaship (you either italicize or quote nonEnglish words in formal writing) crisis in Ogun community” (THE NATION, June 29) Next time, I will arrest this soar-away medium for (not over) lexical laxity.

“Complaint galore over boxing weighin scales” (Daily Independent, June 29) This way: complaints galore.

The next two headline blunders are from THE NATION of June 24: “Peak warms up to consumers” Grammar is not a shopping affair: just worm up to readers.

“CBN boss absorbs FCMB MD of fraud” Dear reader, who will absolve this medium of linguistic fraud?

“Between the strenght of the naira and inflation risk” (BUSINESSDAY, July 2)) The spelling and grammar icon of any computer detects this kind of juvenile error: strength, but straight, please! “…on the ground (grounds) of massive irregularities….” (THE GUARDIAN, July 7) “It is unfortunate that politics has degenerated into this mindless bubble and reducing (reduced) leaders to mere liars (a liar or sinner does not require qualification!) in the face of opportunism.” (Source: as above) “The result was that what was supposed to be a consensus agreement willingly entered into by…” Is ‘consensus agreement’ a new morphological combination? Next time, just deploy either.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

supporters partly because of the aggressiveness of his diehard fans but this aggression is now going overboard and becoming nauseating to even some of his admirers.

“First,someofthemareusingreligiontopromote him. They are proposing that the structure of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, to which he belongs, should be used as his political machinery. This is supposed to be a response to concerns that Obi needs a structure to reach the grassroots to be able to win the presidential election. There is also the subtext that he is the only Christian among the top candidates and Christians should rally around him. This is absolutely silly… In a multi-cultural society like ours, we need to be careful with this kind of campaign….”

With a few clicks, you may come across the ogres that Obi’s haters would want you to behold: efforts to conscript him as the Igbo candidate; rhetoric that isolates him as tolerant, if not fearful, of South East based secessionist group, IPOB; innuendos that suggest indiscretions and abuse of office in the financial deployment of state funds as Anambra governor between 2006 and 2014; the Anambra’s ‘wakapass’ N250 million cash loitering allegedly in front of his Apapa, Lagos company office (Next) in 2009; the admittedly self-indicting lampoons that portray him as stingy wIth a craving for unprofitable parsimony… a trait his supporters flaunt as industrious frugality, in a nation that callously celebrates sleaze and impunity.

Of course, the internet is also littered with memes and mementoes of Obi’s alleged sundry lies and ‘misyarns’, fueled by his affection for buttressing his sweet-and -sour narratives with condiments of facts and statistics from across the world - especially the Asian variety. Surely, Obi and his supporters who dream of upending the status quo are poised for the toughest fight of their lives.

SATURDAY JULY 23, 2022 • T H I S D AY

37

38

SATURDAY JULY 23, 2022 • T H I S D AY

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 23, 2022

NEWS Buhari, APC Urged to Inaugurate NDDC Board to Avert Dire Consequences Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Niger Delta area have called for the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari and the national leadership of the ruling party to end the impasse in inaugurating a substantive Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

They warned that the “illegal DFWµ RI UXQQLQJ WKH DͿDLUV RI NDDC with “a contraption of sole administratorship” was already generating adverse political implications for the ruling APC, which appears to be insensitive to the yearnings of the Niger Delta people.

The group, which described itself as Committed Members of

the APC from the Niger Delta Region, sounded the ominous warning in a follow-up letter signed by the trio of Ebihomo Akpoebide, Menegbo Nwinuamene and Itam Edem, which was addressed to both President Buhari and the national leadership of the ruling APC. According to the concerned party members, the prevailing illegality in NDDC “is diminishing the chances of our party, the APC in our region due to our government’s foisting of interim managements and sole administrator contraptions in our region’s foremost agency, NDDC, in violation of the law.”

“This blatant illegal act of the federal government has been demarketing APC in the region,” the group said, adding, “as it stands, the APC cannot win an

election in the region except the missteps in NDDC are remedied and the NDDC substantive Board is inaugurated in accordance with the law setting up the commission.”

“We earnestly urge President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of our great party, the APC, to act now, end the ongoing illegality of sole administratorship in NDDC, and inaugurate the substantive board of the Commission in compliance with the law, the NDDC Act.” In a passionate appeal the party members urged the President and the APC national leadership “to hearken to the authentic stakeholders in the Niger Delta states and inaugurate the NDDC Board without further delay.”

Several stakeholders and groups in the Niger Delta region have

been expressing their dismay and frustration over the “inexplicable delay to inaugurate the substantive Board of the NDDC” despite the unsavoury implications of running the Commission with interim management.

The concerned APC members lamented that the sole administratorship contraption has been in place for three years now thereby denying the nine constituent states of NDDC the opportunity of fair and equitable representation on the commission’s Board.

They pointed out that as things stand now, the nine NDDC states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers, “which by law ought to have representation on the board, have been deprived of their statutory representation due to the absence of the Board.”

Soludo Assents to 2022 Revised Budget David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

the birth of a new partnership for a greater Anambra.

“There was no underhand Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has dealings in signing the budassented to the 2022 revised get; rather the process was appropriation budget of N170 conducted with integrity, patriotism and responsivebillion.

Anambra State House of ness.”

Assembly had on Tuesday The governor recounted that passed the budget tagged in his campaign manifesto, ¶%XLOGLQJ 2Ϳ )URP 7KH %ORFNV· N250 billion was estimated as during a sitting of the House. the amount required to build Signing the budget into critical infrastructure towards law, Soludo commended the realisation of the livable members of the House of and prosperous homeland in Assembly for being diligent, the state. responsible and responsive to He lamented, however, that their job as lawmakers and the resources at government representatives of the people disposal are abysmally lean as of Anambra State. well as the earnings from the He canvassed for stronger oil sector which has become synergy between the legislative so low. and other arms of government Consequently, Soludo said at all levels. the government was left with Soludo said, “The patriotic no options other than to ratchet and responsive manner the up multiple strategies includbudget was passed by the State ing taking a look at the state’s House of Assembly is not only expenditure and introducing commendable but signalled prudence in spending.

Power Sector Regulators Approve Dangana as New KEDCO MD/CEO

DATA AS SAVIOUR… L-R: National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and former Executive Director, Data Protection Commission, Teki Akuette, during the Focus Group Discussion on Data Protection in Nigeria...recently

BENIN COALITION OPPOSES HOUSING RETURNED ARTIFACTS IN ‘OBASEKI’S MUSEUM’ ... Continued from page 5 The Coalition said it has nothing against Obaseki’s plans to build Museums or set up privately owned ventures like Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd or EMOWAA “as long as the artifacts that will constitute the proposed Museums are not part of the stolen historical Benin artifacts which are the Cultural Heritage of the Benin people; which rightly belongs to our revered Oba of Benin Kingdom, as the custodian of Benin Culture, Customs, and Traditions, whom we earlier said that these Artifacts were made for by the various Royal guilds of Benin, and was looted from Oba Ovonranmwen in 1897.”

The Coalition continued: “And it has already been settled as at last year that the proposed Benin Royal Museum would take custody of these Benin Artifacts on behalf of his Majesty not EMOWAA WKH ÁDJVKLS SURMHFW RI \RXU Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. “His Excellency Sir, as long as these Historical Benin Artifacts will not constitute the Artifacts of the proposed EMOWAA Museum, then we have nothing against your EMOWAA but as long as these stolen Benin Artifacts are what will constitute your proposed

EMOWAA, then consider it as pipedream because we will collectively resist such move.

“We would like to remind His Excellency that your position as the Executive Governor of Edo state is time bound but our revered Palace, Throne and Benin Kingdom is not time bound, so whatever decision \RX WDNH WKH ORQJ WHUP HͿHFW is what we are looking at.

“Why is the Executive Director of the proposed EMOWAA an Igbo Man, Mr. Philip Ihanacho? His Excellency, we would like to ask you and the Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd, are there no Benins’ that DUH TXDOLÀHG IRU WKH SRVLWLRQ of Executive Director in the proposed EMOWAA that is to be established in Benin City?

“We expected that as a Benin man, His Excellency would have appointed Edo Person to chair his private venture, Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd in order to protect the Edo interest and use it as an opportunity to train young Edo people in WKDW ÀHOG ZKLFK LV D FRPSRQHQW of the course at hand.

“If the primary intention of the proposed EMOWAA is to promote Benin Cultural Heritage, then is it not proper that an Edo person occupies such a position? We also

learnt that the proposed site of the proposed EMOWAA is Ogbe-Ezoti.

“His Excellency Sir, we all know that landmass of Edo South is not small, and that Ogbe-Ezoti happens to be an important Historical and Cultural Site in Benin Kingdom and that of the Oba of Benin.

“His Excellency Sir, are you not aware that Ogbe-Ezoti (AroEzoti) is one of the Cultural and Historical Sites in Benin Kingdom? Why would you destroy a legacy in an attempt to create another?

Are there no other locations/ lands in the whole of Edo South that are suitable?

“His Excellency Sir, we hope that Benin Artifacts manufactured by the Royal guilds of Benin for the Obas of Benin in pre-colonial times which was looted from the Royal Palace of Benin in 1897 will not be part of what you intend to store in the proposed EMOWAA? “We want to state unequivocally that these Benin Artifacts belong to his Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom and the entire Benin Kingdom. Just like the proverbial saying goes Aigbuobasimwin Aiguobatile.

For clarity, our revered Oba of Benin Kingdom is the owner

of these Benin artifacts.

“If the Governor is so much keen on developing the Art and Tourism sector, then it is proper thing for you to liaise with the our revered Oba who would give the nod to these royal guilds of Benin Artisans in order to collaborate with the government in replicating these stolen Artifacts, and even producing other Artifacts for the Edo State Government, for your EMOWAA. “We also believe that since His Excellency is keen on promoting Benin Arts and Culture, which is realistic and SURÀWDEOH IRU KLP WR GR VR E\ actualising the establishment of an Edo State Art Gallery.”

Signatories to the declaration of the Coalition include Mr. Osazee Amas-Edobor, Coordinator General; Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture Secretary General; Maxist Kola Edokpayi, Public Relations 2΀FHU &RPUDGH 2VD]H (ULamiantoe, Director of Planning; Charity Ozigbo-Esere, Director RI *HQGHU $ͿDLUV &RPUDGH Collins A. Osaghae, Director of Operations; Mr. Justice Amafe, Director of Research; Mr. Esoesa Omoregbe, Director of Mobilizations and Mr. Samuel Normamuikor, Director of Public Complaint.

Power sector regulators, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) have approved the appointment of the Board of Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc (KEDCO).

The approval followed the federal government’s restructurLQJ RI ÀYH 'LV&RV DV D UHVXOW of takeover of three DisCos by Fidelity Bank of which KEDCO is among. This led to the dissolution of KEDCO’s board of directors.

In this regard, NERC and BPE approved Ahmed Dangana, a seasoned management consultant and a business turnaround specialist as the new MD/CEO of the company.

Dangana will consolidate on the achievements of past management to improve operaWLRQDO H΀FLHQF\ DQG GHOLYHU ORQJ term value in the company by reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses and improving

the company’s revenue base.

With over 16 years experience in managing diverse portfolios across multiple sectors of the economy including power, investment banking, public ÀQDQFH RLO DQG JDV DQG DJUR allied industry, he will bring on board his deep experience in business transformation to maximise value for all KEDCO stakeholders.

A statement by Chief Corporate Communications 2΀FHU .('&2 ,EUDKLP 6DQL Shawai, said that prior to his appointment, Ahmed Dangana was a senior executive with Ernst and Young (EY), a multinational SURIHVVLRQDO VHUYLFHV ÀUP SURYLGing consulting, assurance, tax and transactions services for clients in public and private sectors where, he led the Finance Transformation Team in West Africa with focus on corporate UHVWUXFWXUH ÀQDQFLDO PDQDJHPHQW and business transformation.

Data Protection: 200 Stakeholders for Policy Dialogue in Abuja No fewer than 200 stakeholders from across the country are to meet in Abuja next week to discuss the need for a principal Data Protection Law in Nigeria.

The two-day event, scheduled to hold on 26th and 27th of July, 2022 at Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja, shall bring together representatives of relevant public institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations to deliberate on the way forward towards strengthening the legal framework for data protection in the country.

The Policy Dialogue is put together by the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, with support from the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.

National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, confirmed this during a meeting with the Nigeria ID4D team in his office in Abuja.

According to him, “the Policy Dialogue seeks to bring together critical stakeholders to deliberate

on the way forward, towards the enactment of a principal Data Protection legislation for Nigeria.”

Saturday, July 23, 2022

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MISSILE

CAN to APC “If they are saying Christians have no electoral values, why impersonating them in their meetings? We are throwing their principals and sponsors into the court of conscience.” –The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chiding the APC for presenting “unknown clerics” during the unveiling of the party’s vice-presidential candidate.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

A Toast to My Angel Mike Awoyinfa at 70

F

ellow Nigerians, it is often said that God will not come down from heaven to help anyone, but he will always send someone in the form of an angel to do so.

Let me confess, that, I found one in Mr Mike Awoyinfa, my former boss at the Weekend Concord, from March 1989 to May 1990. For the benefit of those who may not know this quietest of quintessential gentlemen, Mr Mike Awoyinfa is one of the most prolific and exceptionally versatile writers that Nigeria has ever had. A literary guru, with an exceptional and exciting witty writing style, Mike Awoyinfa is a cut above most of our writers.

His intelligence and sense of logic demonstrated in his writings are complemented by his bright and engaging personality which those closest to him have enjoyed over the years.

Our paths first crossed around April 1988. This is a story that I have told several times. Since it is one of those stories that defines what I have now become, and also because it is relevant now, as I celebrate Mike Awoyinfa, I will briefly recount the relevant parts of the story. I had travelled from Ile-Ife to Lagos desperately in search of a job. I had just completed my Master’s thesis in Literature-in-English at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, after a first degree in Yoruba at the University of Ife (1982). My dream was to be a Scholar/lecturer, but for some reasons which I need not elaborate upon now, it became an impossible mission. In frustration, I was advised to engage in freelance writing as a way of inching myself up the Nigerian journalistic ladder. I started to work freelance for two major newspapers with relative minimal compensation. The Guardian in Lagos was paying N25 per article. The Sunday Tribune in Imalefalafia Ibadan paid nothing, but I was happy with the exposure I was getting, the contacts that I was making, and the experience that came with it. These were invaluable.

It was during this period that I travelled to Lagos again in search of greener pastures. I had hoped to get a job at The Guardian, but it soon became clear that this was a mirage. I was then advised by my friend, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, of blessed memory, to explore the possibility of being offered employment at the African Concord magazine. I immediately seized upon the advice and visited the offices of African Concord magazine, where I met the Editor, Mr Lewis Obi, and I was instantly offered employment. I already knew it was only a matter of time before I got a decent job in journalism because of the work that I was already doing, and I was prepared to wait patiently for this to happen. Prior to that visit, I had begun to make a name for myself as a writer and was becoming well known in journalistic circles. The offer of appointment was therefore partly a result of my growing reputation. During that trip, and after the job offer, the adventurous spirit in me led me to the Features Desk of the National Concord which was headed by Mr Mike Awoyinfa. On meeting me, Mr Awoyinfa instantly engaged me to write a feature for him which I obliged excitedly and proudly. I believe our mutual love for books and music also got us glued to each other. His inspirational and effervescent style of writing also endeared him to me and was an inspiration for me. He has a simple and effective way of communicating.

Not enamoured with the use of grandiose and grandiloquent words unless they communicate his intentions and feelings more. Some of the way that he writes has influenced my way of writing too.

Even though I was a Staff Writer at the African Concord magazine, I was simultaneously contributing to other publications under the Concord Group, periodically, such as the National Concord, Sunday Concord, Isokan, Business Concord, and before long, I had become a star writer within the Concord Group and a household name in the public domain.

A family picture of Mr Mike Awoyinfa This pattern of writing for the other Titles in the Concord Group stable had been kicked off by that first Feature story commissioned by Mike Awoyinfa at the beginning of my time at African Concord.

In early 1989, barely seven months after resuming at the African Concord, Mr Lewis Obi called me to drop a bombshell. He said a new publication to be called Weekend Concord was being launched and the Management was poaching some of the best writers in the business to start the new tabloid. I had been considered one of the best writers in the Concord Group and earmarked for reassignment and redeployment to the new tabloid which was to be headed by Mike Awoyinfa as the Editor. To say the least, I was both disappointed and apprehensive particularly as I was told that I had no choice in the matter. This element of coercion in the job put me off completely. For a Scholar, I preferred writing for what I believed was a serious journal like African Concord. I felt it was a come down and demotion to become a writer for a tabloid like the Weekend Concord was planned to be.

Unknown to me, my destiny was heavily tied to Weekend Concord, and I would become a globally renowned and highly reputed and respected journalist because of the experience and expertise

gained from being a star writer at the Weekend Concord. We spent some weeks planning our maiden Edition. Mr Awoyinfa insisted we must launch it with a bang, so we needed a banger of a debut cover, what he called a major scoop.

He was the right man to direct the affairs of the weekend paper because he had a nose for stories and knew exactly what the people wanted to be served at the weekend.

Mr Awoyinfa sent me out in search of that extraordinary story. It was like traveling in the wilderness in search of the unknown. I dreamt up many ideas, but none was easy to activate and actualise. However, mercifully and eventually, I got my major scoop from an interview with Mrs Laide Soyinka who was the Chief Librarian at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. I also got another exclusive interview with Ilemakin Soyinka, the son of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

On my return to the office, my boss was floating in the skies, very excited that I had gotten enough stories to last us the first three weeks.

It would be difficult to find another Editor in the league of Mr Awoyinfa, who was also lucky to

have his best friend, Mr Dimgba Igwe, of blessed memory, a prose stylist, as his Deputy. Dimgba and I shared the same birthday, 16 May which probably also made us soulmates at Weekend Concord. There were also a few crack newshounds like Omololu Kassim, Aliu Mohammed and others as backup. We met our launch target of March 4, 1989. To say we took Nigeria by storm would be an understatement. Week after weeks and month after months, we broke new grounds and our circulation figures increased uncontrollably. We soon hit 250,000 copies in a jiffy. Only the shortage of newsprint curtailed and slowed down our growth in the circulation stakes. My boss could have claimed all the glory, but he was humble enough and he regularly praised my talents and uncommon nose for news to high heavens. He did not stop there, he backed up his generous words with kind promotions. Within two months, he recommended me for double promotions, straight from being a Staff Writer to Literary Editor, in May 1989. And barely six months after, in November 1989, I became News Editor, which made me the number three man in the hierarchy at Weekend Concord. My life in Lagos was absolutely surreal.

In under two years, I had become the darling of my employers, Chief Moshood Abiola, our Chairman, and his highly cerebral wife, Dr Mrs Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, the Managing Director.

The only snag was that I had reached my peak so soon and there was no more room at the top as far as the Concord Group was concerned. It was Mike Awoyinfa’s effusive praise and appreciation of the work I was doing for Weekend Concord that made me become the cynosure of all eyes not just in the group and the media world but also in celebrity circles. I was already well known in those circles because of acquaintances I had made through family, friends and at the university but this snowballed because of what I was doing at Weekend Concord. Mike Awoyinfa was prepared for me to hug the limelight, notwithstanding that I was his subordinate and using his platform. It is the measure of the immense man that he is, that he recognised the star that he was nurturing and was only too eager to support and advance my career in every way possible. I guess he knew he was birthing a star journalist.

NOTE: Read full article online on www.thisdaylive.com

Happy 80th Birthday Sisi Abah Folawiyo Yesterday, 22 July 2022 marked the 80th birthday of Mrs Abah Folawiyo, the widow of the former Baba Adinni of Nigeria, Chief Abdulwahab Iyanda Yinka Folawiyo, and the mother of my very dear friend, the irrepressible Segun Awolowo. Sisi Abah as she is fondly called was born in 1942 into the prestigious and noble Koku family of Ijebu Ode. Her mother was Ghanaian, and she was brought up and educated in both Ghana and Nigeria.

On account of this fact, she is very close to her maternal family in Ghana. Her education in a Convent School in Cape Coast, Ghana was to shape her life which she considers as a sober one despite her flamboyance, popularity and celebrity status.

Sisi Abah is known and reputed for her expertise in fashion, designing and sewing. She was the winner of the first Daily Times Fashion Designer Award and also won the first Fashion design award in Ghana organised by the defunct Ghana Airways at the launch of its first aircraft. Her first trip abroad was to Beirut being the prize she won as the winner of the Ghana Airways competition.

A very talented woman. Sisi Abah had her

own fashion house situated in Surulere, Lagos, which was known as Labanella. She started the fashion house with her friend Ornella, and this led to the eponymous name of the fashion house.

The fashion house, a pioneer in its field, was a very successful brand. It became even more successful when then General Olusegun Obasanjo, as Head of State, banned the importation of foreign clothes and materials. Her business blossomed and boomed as she took advantage of the ban.

Although she has retired, she still designs and sews for a select few.

Sisi Abah has gained recognition from Nigerian Fashion Designers. For a long time, she was the national President of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), of which I became a patron years ago, and she is now a life patron of the Association Sisi Abah is also a very good cook. Family and friends will attest to this. She is a fantastic hostess, always prepared to entertain guests and leaving nothing to chance by not only supervising the cooking, but personally doing most of the cooking herself including buying and preparing the ingredients. Sisi Abah puts paid to the debate

and controversy about which Jollof Rice is the best by plumbing for Nigerian Jollof Rice. She s most qualified for this task given her Nigerian and Ghanaian roots. I must not forget her dancing prowess which exhibited when I had the honor of hosting her and her friends, inclusing Iya Oge Opral Benson, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, and others at my home in Accra, Ghana.

Most importantly, she is a family woman.

She also loves wholly and with all her might.

Previously married to Lagun Adesanya, now a Celestial Church Priest, She married Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo and converted to Islam because that was his faith. She had no children from these relationships. Her only son, Segun Awolowo is the grandson of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his wife, Mama H. I. D Awolowo.

The lovely, beautiful and delectable Sisi Abah is a very caring and warm Sister, Aunt, Mother, Grandmother and Friend and regularly gives to charity as part of her philanthropic and Islamic duties. She looks after everyone in her circle of influence.

I wish her a very happy 80th birthday.

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