SATURDAY 24TH JULY 2021

I Don't want Your Bribes, Invest in CSR, Buhari Tells Contractors Emir of Daura urges President to remain focused on securing Nigeria Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned contractors and businessmen who have enjoyed government’s

patronage against bribing him and other top government officials, including ministers.

Rather, he advised the affected contractors to be alive to their Corporate Social

Responsibilities (CSR) through which they could give back to the immediate community where they operate.

This is just as the President's son, Yusuf Buhari, was named

the new Talban Daura by the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Faruk Umar.

The President, according to a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu,

gave the warning against bribery, while on a visit to the Emir of Daura, urging businessmen, contractors and other privileged Nigerians who are beneficiaries of

government’s patronage to always engage in CSR, instead of seeking to favor individuals with gifts.

Continued on page 5

Emperor Naruhito Declares Tokyo Olympics Open Amid COVID-19 Worries… Page 39 Saturday 24 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9602

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56 Days After, Bandits Hold on to 116 Tegina Pupils, Amass N50m Ransom Make fresh demand for six motorcycles Laleye Dipo in Minna No fewer than 116 of the 136 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, abducted by terrorists on May 30 are 56 days old in the dungeons of their kidnappers today, with hope for freedom still distant.

Tears continue to flow in Continued on page 5

many homes in Tegina, as traumatised parents await a miracle for the release of their kids, following the refusal of the abductors to free the pupils after collecting N50 million ransom contributed by sympathisers.

Seventeen of the initial 136 abductees escaped, while three others died in the forest where they are being held.

The kidnappers had agreed to free the remaining 116

Terrorists Burn Army Armoured Vehicle, Kill Four in Zamfara Community Francis Sardauna in Katsina Bandits, yesterday morning, launched fresh onslaught on Dansadau community, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing four villagers. They also kidnapped 14 others and set ablaze a military armoured personnel vehicle in the community.

A resident of the community,

Nuhu Dansadau, who confirmed the incident to THISDAY in a telephone interview said the bandits invaded the community at about 2:45am and operated till 6:am before they whisked away the 14 residents.

He said the bandits besieged the community and fired Continued on page 5

Aregbesola Asks Govs to Sign Death Warrant of 3,008 Condemned Inmates... Page10

TEAM NIGERIA IN TOKYO...

Members of the Nigeria Olympic team, rocking stylish green and white outfits, during the official opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Games in Japan…yesterday

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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ ˜ ͺͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

PAGE FIVE I DON'T WANT YOUR BRIBES, INVEST IN CSR, BUHARI TELLS CONTRACTORS President Buhari said pointedly, "I don't want your cheque. Go and assist our communities instead of trying to return kickbacks to public officers, including my office.

"We don't want cheques from anyone or organisation as returns or influence of any kind. Let them remember their Corporate Social Responsibilities."

The President noted that he would love to visit Daura more frequently, but for the high cost of presidential movements and exposing security personnel to the weather, assuring that his heart remains with the people.

He said: "We are known for farming and I have my farm here. I could come every two weeks and no one can stop me.

But the cost of the movement is high. I would rather that it be used to better our schools, clinics and hospitals."

President Buhari said the grace of God had kept Nigeria together as a country in spite of differences that led to a 30-month civil war.

According to him, "We want to thank God always for keeping us together as a country. From January 15, 1966, the country was thrown into political crisis. We had 30 months civil war that resulted in the loss of about a million lives.

"We still thank God for keeping us together. We remain grateful to all those who showed interest in our unity and progress. May God

continue to bless them."

The President, who recalled fond memories of his visit to the palace as a military Head of State, expressed happiness that the warmth and hospitality of the traditional institution had been sustained over the years.

In his remarks, the Emir of Daura, thanked the President for always creating time to visit his hometown and the palace despite his tight schedule.

"Your visit to Daura reflects your good character which we are very proud of. I can assure you that men, women, children, marketers and artisans are always pleased to receive you and they will be praying for you. Today is not for speeches but for appreciation. We have been blessed so much as a community because you are the leader of the country. You have brought honour to our domain. ''As a community, we have benefited a lot with increased traffic of people and organisations coming to help us here. We know it’s because of you. May the good Lord always go before you and behind you, and remove all obstacles from your path," he added.

The Emir enjoined the President to remain focused on getting results particularly in securing the country.

He said: "Nigeria is lucky to have you at this time. I am not saying it to please you, but if you had not been in power it would have been

very difficult. I doubt if we will be here today."

Emir Faruk also publicly announced conferment of the title of Talban Daura on the President's son, Yusuf Buhari.

According to him, a date would be announced for the turbaning ceremony of the President's son, which might

likely be before his marriage.

The Emir also announced the creation of a District in the President’s community, with headquarters in Dimurkol.

He said the turbaning of young Buhari and creation of the District was to further extend and deepen the long relationship between the Palace

and the family.

The royal father said the decision was in agreement with the kingmakers in Daura Emirate Council.

During the presidential visit, the Palace used the opportunity to clarify the difference between two titles, Talban Hausa, given to the

President of Guinea, Alpha Conde and Talban Daura designated for Yusuf, the President’s son.

The Palace explained that Daura, as the linchpin of the Hausa society, had conferred titles that have bearing on the Hausa Kingdom and those that are specific to the Emirate.

SALLAH VISIT...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Emir of Daura, HRH Umar Faruk Umar; and the son of the President, Yusuf (Talban Daura) during Buhari’s courtesy visit to the Emir…yesterday

56 DAYS AFTER, BANDITS HOLD ON TO 116 TEGINA PUPILS, AMASS N50M RANSOM pupils if the ransom reduced from the initial N200 million to N50 million was paid.

Last Monday, sympathisers mobilised N30 million to the kidnappers at an agreed location in the forest, after an initial N20 million was paid in June. But after counting the money, the abductors declared that it was N4.6 million short, and detained the conveyor of the ransom. The pupils were also not released.

It was the second time the kidnappers will declare ransom incomplete. In the initial N20 million paid in June, the abductors said it was N2 million short after counting it.

The kidnappers subsequently phoned the parents last Monday to send the N4.6 million balance, plus another N2 million short from the initial payment of N20 million, totaling N6.6 million.

Besides, the kidnappers are also making fresh demand.

They want the parents to supply six brand new Bajaj motorcycles before the pupils would be released.

"We are fed up, we are leaving everything to God" one of the parents told THISDAY yesterday.

When contacted, the Head Teacher of the school, Mallam Abubakar Alhassan confirmed

the story saying: "We don't know what to do next".

Alhassan said: “All the parents are now Koboless. We have sold everything we have to raise the ransoms collected by the bandits, yet they refuse to release our children."

Three of the abducted pupils have died in the dungeons of the kidnappers, and many of the remaining pupils are said to be seriously ill, resulting from hunger, cold and trauma.

The pupils, some of their teachers and passersby were abducted on May 30, but 17 of the abductees escaped from the clutches of the bandits three weeks after their abduction.

Three pupils also died in captivity few days back. It was gathered that the bandits gave the sad information to some of the parents in a telephone conversation, but they (bandits) did not disclose the names of the deceased pupils.

The Chief Imam of Tegina also said he made similar announcement after one of the regular Muslim prayers in the town early this week.

According to THISDAY findings, the bandits told the parents contacted that they would send the video of the burial of the late pupils and

that of the present condition of the others to confirm their state of health. As at press time, the bandits had not sent the video.

Some parents told THISDAY that the Niger State Government promised to help offset part of the ransom but failed to deliver.

However, Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane, debunked the claim saying, “There was never a time that government promised to pay ransom to bandits or assist the parents to pay any or part of the ransom. We have a policy not to pay ransom. We still stand by that policy.

“You know this issue of payment of ransom is not healthy. Government, as a policy, does not do it but I know that because they are engaging with the bandits, they can tell them anything.”

The SSG also distanced the government from any official pledge that government would pay part of the ransom saying, “I wouldn’t know who that government official is because I coordinate security and I am not aware.”

Asked if government was aware that three of the children had died, he said: “I’m not aware that three

of the girls have died. You know these people (bandits) can be very deceptive. They raise a lot of emotions and sentiments so that we will accept their bidding.”

The pupils, all from Muslim homes, spent the Eid-el-Kabir festival in the den of their abductors.

The mother of one of the pupils, whose name was not given, died early last month as a result of trauma. The remains of the deceased were interred in Tegina according to Islamic injunction.

Some of the kidnapped pupils are between ages four, and 13. The headmaster of the school, whose two children and a sister are among the abducted, said some of the victims were too young for the ordeals they were facing.

He also indicted both the federal and state governments for abandoning the school and the parents of the students in their moment of despair.

Alhassan, popularly called Mallam by his community, in an emotion-laden interview on June 5, claimed there had been no sympathy from the government, and wondered why the federal government failed to provide the ransom demanded by the bandits.

He said it was a lie that the government had sent

vehicles and motorcycles into the bush for rescue operation, and denied the report that he had prior information of the attack.

The head teacher disclosed that the abduction had already led to the death of two parents of the victims, warning that more casualties may happen unless the students regained their freedom quickly.

Fighting back tears, Alhassan said on June 5: “I have witnessed the funeral prayer of one of the parents here, very close to the school.

She died because she had just one child who is our student.

She was not around when the incident happened. When she came back, they told her and within 30 minutes, she collapsed and died. That was the day before yesterday.

“A day after the incident happened, another parent died. She had two children.

One was sent to the town while the one with her was kidnapped. She died of heart attack.

“As I’m talking to you now, my wife is down. She was put on drip, she didn’t cook; she didn’t eat. My little child at home, who slept with me on my bed, woke up only to begin to shout the name of his elder sister, asking me “Baba, when is she coming back?

“One painful thing was that my sister called me before the last discussion with the bandits, crying. She swore that the children are sick, they cannot walk. She told me they have removed their hijabs. They have unveiled them. They removed their shirts and they are left with only trousers.

“There is no food.

They gave them kulikuli (groundnut cake). How do you expect them to survive?

They took them to unknown environments. I heard people saying they kept them on the floor. When you are talking about floors you are not talking about classrooms or a house. No, they are kept in the bush. They are sleeping on the ground, no leaves, not mat. How do you expect them to live like that?”

Another parent, a mother, Mrs. Hashimu, in an interview, few days after the abduction said: “The whole incident was terrifying because everything happened in my presence. I was hearing everything. I saw when the bandits were going away with these children but there was nothing I could do.

Government is not helping matters at all saying this, saying that, yet we cannot see anything on the ground.”

and kidnapping of farmers in the community.

Meanwhile, the incident is coming barely a few days after 100 kidnapped victims from Manawa village under the Dansadau district were released by the marauders, and barely a week after a military Alpha jet was shot down by the bandits in the state.

As at the time of filing this report, the state police

command was yet to confirm the latest attack, though the public relations officer promised to get back to journalists with more information.

Dansadau community is about 99 kilometers from Gusau the Zamfara State capital and is one of the hottest zones in terms of banditry, kidnappings, and other nefarious activities in the state.

TERRORISTS BURN ARMY ARMOURED VEHICLE, KILL FOUR IN ZAMFARA COMMUNITY several shots in the air and then went into some houses and abducted the 14 people, including children and women, saying several people in the community fled for safety.

He added that the invaders also injured seven other residents before they burnt the military armoured personnel vehicle, stating that despite the ongoing peace and reconciliation

programme being run by the state government, killing and kidnapping of innocent people remained the order of the day in Zamfara.

He said: "As we speak, one of the injured victims has been moved to Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.

The 14 kidnapped victims include seven children, three women and four men. The military armoured personnel vehicle while trying to fight

the bandits hit a pole and the soldiers abandoned it and ran away. When the bandits discovered that the soldiers left the armoured car, they went and set it ablaze."

He added: "We received information that the bandits are holding meeting in a nearby village called Danguruku and we have informed - the military, police and our civilian JTF.

You know, they attacked our community because they said we assisted security personnel to rescue the military pilot that his aircraft was shot down."

While calling on the government to deploy more security personnel to the community to end the scourge, Dansadau said military, police and other paramilitary personnel were grossly inadequate to tackle what he termed daily killing

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ˜ͺ͸ͺ͹

NEWS

News Editor Charles Ajunwa 08064268968 (sms only) Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

Police Arrest Suspected Killer of Terkula, Senator Suswam’s Elder Brother Igbawase Ukumba ÓØ ËʨË

The Nasarawa State Police Command said yesterday, that it has arrested one Saalumun Waako, a member of the criminal gang responsible for the gruesome killing of Dr. Terkula Suswam, an elder brother to Senator Gabriel Suswam representing Benue North East at the 9th National Assembly.

Dr. Terkula was gruesomely murdered on March 2, 2021 at Ayiin Village in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State by unknown gunmen.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe, confirmed the arrest of one of the suspected killers of Terkula while parading 68 other suspected criminals arrested by the police recently across the state.

According to CP Longe, the successful arrest of Waako “is sequel to credible information at the disposal of the Police Command, which indicated that, a group of dare-devil robbers/ assassins had concluded plans to strike at some locations within Karu LGA and eliminate their victims in the process.

“They intended carrying out this atrocious act around Uke, Nyanya Gwandara areas and along Keffi-Abuja Express Road.

Consequently, the Police Command raised a formidable team

of detectives and operational personnel as a proactive step to prevent them from actualising their aim and also arrest these criminal elements.”

The state police commissioner said their tactical strategy paid off on July 2, 2021, at about 1930hrs, when a vehicle conveying the syndicate, comprising seven members, were trailed and blocked at a spot along Keffi- Abuja Road and the suspected occupants of the vehicle namely: (i) Paul Aba (ii) Fredrick James (iii) Tersoo Zugu (iv) Saalumun Waako A.k.A Osama (v) Kenneth Samuel (vi) Simon Achano all males were arrested while the 7th member of the gang escaped.

“Consequently, a thorough search of the suspects’ vehicle and their criminal hide-out was conducted and the following exhibits recovered: Two Berreta Pistols, Three Volkswagen Golf cars which they admitted were bought from the proceeds of their nefarious activities and deployed for criminal activities.

“However, preliminary investigation has revealed that one of the suspects, Saalumun Waako is a member of the criminal gang responsible for the gruesome killing of one Terkula Suswam, said to be an elder brother to Senator Gabriel Suswam, on March 2, 2021 at Ayiin Village, Logo

Again, INEC Berates National Assembly, NCC Over Electronic Transmission of Results Says it has capacity to transmit result electronically Chuks Okocha ÓØ ÌßÔË

The decision of the National Assembly leadership to allow electronic voting without electronic transmission of election results has not gone down well with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the electoral body statutory empowered by the 1999 Constitution as amended, to conduct elections in the country has berated the federal lawmakers for not behaving as statesmen.

It also faulted a claim by one of the officials of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) that electronic transmission of results was not realisable due to poor network coverage across the country.

INEC Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Elder Nick Dazang, who gave the position of the Commission yesterday while on African Independent Television (AIT) breakfast programme ‘Kakaaki’ faulted a claim by the NCC official who appeared before the House of Representatives as “blatant lie”.

Dazang revealed that the Commission was traumatised that a sister commission- NCC which had been in the know since 2018 that INEC had the capacity and capability to transmit results electronically should come back in 2021 to attest that electronic transmission

of election results was no longer possible in Nigeria.

“In January 2018, INEC approached NCC that it wants a technological-driven Commission and both have been working closely to deliver free, fair and credible elections in our country for the benefit of our citizens.

They are also aware that two network providers- MTN and Airtel have assisted JAMB conduct their examinations across Nigeria. So INEC is still wondering why NCC has suddenly made a U-turn that there is not enough network coverage in every part of Nigeria,” he said.

The INEC Director of Publicity and Voter Education, however, said NCC was on its own as INEC had gone beyond rhetorics to try the new innovations designed to clean up Nigeria’s tainted electoral processes which he said worked perfectly well in the off season governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as well as states and National Assembly byeelections across Nigeria.

“I am convinced that if INEC was given the chance to appear before the National Assembly alongside NCC, the Commission would have told the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members that all the network providers in Nigeria have assured INEC that network coverage is 100 per cent across the country,” Dazang insisted.

LGA of Benue State.

“The suspect (Saalumun Waako), who has also been on the wanted list of the Benue Police Command for offences

ranging from kidnapping, homicide to armed robbery, has however been handed over to Benue State Police Command for

further investigation,” the Nasarawa Police Commissioner maintained.

A breakdown of some of the 68 suspected criminals arrested

by the Nasarawa State Police Command showed that eight were armed robbers, five kidnappers, 38 cultists, two railway facility vandals, among others.

TAKING STOCK. . .

L-R: Vice President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Jenkins Alumona; Chairman AAAN Board of Trustees, Sir Steve Omojafor; and AAAN President, Mr. Steve Babaeko, at the 48 Annual General Meeting of the Association in Ibadan… yesterday

Yar’Adua: I’ll Resist Attempt to Impose Guber Candidate on Katsina Citizens Francis Sardauna ÓØ ËÞÝÓØË

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, Senator Abubakar Sadiq Yar’Adua, yesterday vowed to resist any move by the party to impose a governorship candidate on the people of the state ahead of the forthcoming 2023 gubernatorial elections.

The former Katsina Central senator urged political actors in the state to uphold the extant political arrangement which respects the wishes of the citizens in line with the democratic principles of fairness, equity, justice and inclusion.

Yar’Adua, who disclosed this yesterday while addressing journalists at his Katsina residence, cautioned against

imposition of candidates on the basis of loyalty to leaders, insisting that the party would be bound to have more problems during elections if leaders imposed candidates on members.

He warned those peddling the rumour that Governor Aminu Bello Masari had anointed one of his kitchen cabinet members as the preferred candidate for the governorship in the forthcoming polls to learn from history and bury the idea for transparency to drive.

He said: “Leadership is about service to the people and that is what is missing. We don’t have crisis in Katsina APC. The only problem that we have is that the party’s structure

seems to favour one particular candidate. They were doing everything to ensure that one particular one is giving more advantage than others.

“But because of the hues and cries from political stakeholders in the state, His Excellency, the governor of the state timely intervened by saying he will not allow the party’s structure to favour one particular candidate; that he will give a fair playing field to anybody who wants to contest.

“So, I will resist imposition of candidate and Katsina citizens should not allow a bad person to assume leadership position and if anybody wants to impose a bad leader on them they should resist it. It is their inalienable right to resist it.

Let us revolutionalise the entire political system in the state by bringing good leadership to the state.”

He explained that peace and unity of the party were paramount and enjoined leaders to guide against blackmailing statements that would lead to factions in the party, insisting that any attempt to impose candidate would amount to disenfranchisement of the electorate.

He, however, said the defection of governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives to the ruling APC would affect the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chances of winning the 2023 elections, saying APC remained one united “strong party in Nigeria”.

Igboho Sues DSS, Malami, Seeks N500bn Damages for Invading Ibadan Residence Kemi Olaitan ÓØ ÌËÎËØ

The Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, (a.k.a Sunday Igboho), who is currently standing trial in Republic of Benin, has filed a N500 billion suit against the Department of State Services (DSS) and Attorney General of the Federation(AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), over the invasion of his Ibadan residence, on July 1, 2021.

This was contained in an application for an order enforcing his fundamental human rights filed yesterday on his behalf by his lawyers at the Oyo State High Court.

The suit, according to his lawyers, derived from Order 11, Order XI and XIL of the fundamental human rights

enforcement procedure rules 2009, and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court as preserved by section 6 of the 1999 constitution.

It would be recalled that the DSS operatives had invaded Igboho’s residence in Soka area of Ibadan, between 1a.m. and 3a.m. on July 1, arrested 12 persons and killed two others in a gun duel.

TheDSSparadedthesuspectsand ammunition which they allegedly claimedwasrecoveredfromIgboho’s house.

But the embattled Yoruba Nation activist denied that he kept ammunition in his house, adding that the secret police was trying to rope him.

In the suit, Igboho, through his lawyer, Chief Yomi Alliyu (SAN), is seeking orders declaring the invasion as a violation of his

fundamental human rights, damage of his property as a violation of his fundamental rights to peacefully own property and wealth as well as N500 billion damages among others.

The sum was described as “exemplary and/or aggravated damages for breaching the applicant’s fundamental rights in the course of illegal and/ or malicious invasion of his residence situate, lying and being at Igboho Villa. No.1, Dalag Street, Off Soka Bus Stop, Soka Area, Off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan.”

Igboho is also asking the court for a declaration that it was “oppressive, malicious, arbitrary and grossly unconstitutional for the 2nd & 3rd respondents to invade the residence of the ap-

plicant situate, lying and being at Igboho Villa, 1, Dalag Street, Off Soka Bus Stop, Soka Area, Off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ibadan without announcing who they were and ask the applicant to open his gate but rather shot their way through killing two people including an elderly Imam doing Tahjud (night vigil), shooting at cars thereby destroying them and not sparing animals like cats and dogs in total violation of the intendments of the Fundamental Human Rights’ provision in CFRN, 1999 and African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement), Act, LFN 2010, protecting the-dignity of human person, sanctity of human life and privacy c citizens and their homes.”

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NEWS

Police Arrest Couple for Faking Kidnap Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Niger State Police Command said yesterday that its investigation into the recent disappearance of a 31-year-old school teacher, Sadiya Umar in Minna, the Niger State capital, had shown that her kidnap was faked.

Sadiya, who was declared missing a week ago was said to be returning home from work when she was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

She was released after the sum of N1m instead of the N5m ransom demanded was paid to her “abductors”.

L-R: Yomi Onifade, Head Operations, Tangerine Nigeria; Ibitunde Balogun, Head Commercial; Livingstone Magorimbo, Head Life Insurance; Akinseye The police discovered Akinola, Head Banking Services; Ademayowa Adeduro, Head General Insurance; Dapo Akisanya, Head Pensions; at the Tangerine official launch press that the alleged kidnap was conference in Lagos ...recently. an arrangement between Mohammed Mohammed, the husband of Sadiya, his wife and one Abubakar. It said executioners in our meagre hold a total of 68,747 inmates, are terminally ill. that investigation into the case Bennett Oghifo He said the federal gov- has proven that “it is a case of custodial facilities. This made up of 67,422 males and Minister of Interior, consists of 2,952 males and 1,325 females, stating that ernment would build more self-kidnap.”

50,992 inmates, 74 per cent correctional facilities to cover Rauf Aregbesola yesterday 56 females.

“In cases where an appeal of these are awaiting trial, the six geo-political zones of requested governors to sign the death warrants of has been exhausted and the while only 17,755 inmates, the country, in addition to the convicts on death row who convicts are not mounting any which is a mere 26 per cent, 3,000 high-capacity custodial centre it is building in Kano have exhausted all avenues challenge to their conviction, are the actual convicts.

Governors, he said were and Rivers states, as well as of appeal to free up space the state should go ahead, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi in the nation’s correctional to do the needful and bring at liberty to free some of Abuja.

This new additions, the the condemned inmates, closure to their cases.” facilities.

The minister said the na- particularly those who have minister said would decongest According to Aregbesola, No fewer than 300 persons “There are presently 3,008 tion’s correctional facilities grown old on account of the the overpopulated correctional have been hospitalised followcondemned criminals wait- have capacity for 57,278 long time they have been in centres to enable them play ing an outbreak of Cholera in ing for their date with the inmates but that they currently these facilities and those that their reformative roles.

Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

This is as the ActionAid Nigeria has enjoined the Bauchi State Government and Nigeria Hammed Shittu in Ilorin in the interest of our country about the issue of fake news. away. Now, we should go beyond Centre for Disease Control and our own sanity to do so,” Today, anybody can wake up that because there are a lot of (NCDC) to declare a state of Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRazaq said, referring to his and set up a news agency slanderous, unprofessional reports emergency over the Cholera AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, pre-lecture meeting with some online unregulated and trending online. outbreak in the state to save yesterday, joined media execu- media chiefs that included the guided.

“You need to clean up the the residents from the deadly tives to call for urgent actions International Press Institute “You should not leave it industry. So there is a challenge disease. to halt the spread of fake news, Chairman in Nigeria Mallam to politicians to regulate it for you especially in making It would be recalled that on saying the earlier the menace is Kabir Yusuf; the Guild of Edi- because you understand the regulations that will check the June 17, 2021, the Bauchi State tackled the better for peace and tors’ President Mallam Isah industry better,” Governor trend of fake news,” he said.

Primary Health Care Developsecurity of the country.

Mustapha; veteran journalist AbdulRazaq told a delegaAbdulRazaq also urged Nige- ment Agency (BASPHCDA) Governor AbdulRazaq spoke and author Richard Akinnola; tion of the Newspaper rians to bury their differences had announced that over 2,800 in Ilorin, the state capital, at a and Adedoyin.

Proprietors Association of and work for national unity persons were hospitalised while lecture organised to celebrate 42 deaths were recorded.

The governor suggested Nigeria (NPAN) led by its and development. the 60th birthday anniversary of that the media professionals president and IPI chief Mallam The Director of Programmes, He said: “The coming together Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, a may be best suited to regulate Kabir Yusuf. of the rainbow audience in this Bauchi State Primary Health media giant and chieftain of the the industry themselves, He said the trend of fake hall should teach us a few Care Development Agency, ruling All Progressives Congress especially with the advent news is very alarming and things about our country. I call Hajiya Suwaiba Yakubu Jibrin, (APC) in the state. of social media and prolifera- constitutes a threat to peace it a rainbow audience because was in Dass Local Government “Yesterday during a courtesy tion of news platforms with and cohesion in the country, we have people with varying Area of the state where she visit to my office, I mentioned scant regard for professional agitating for legislations driven political beliefs and ethnic assessed the situation of the to the leaders of the media ethics and consideration for by professionals themselves to backgrounds coming together outbreak in the area. community who are also seated national security. check the menace.

According to her, “There is to celebrate our friend Oloriewe. here a need to frontally tackle “Anytime I see news online, I That should be our approach an urgent need for the Nigerian “Leaders in the media fake news and quackery from industry, politicians and will first go to major newspapers to Nigeria. We must find that Centre for Disease Control within the media industry. It is government are concerned and if it is not there, I will move unity in diversity.

(NCDC) to come to the aid of the people of Bauchi State to

NEWEST ON THE BLOCK. . .

Aregbesola Asks Govs to Sign Death Warrant of 3,008 Condemned Inmates

DSP Wasiu Abiodun in a statement made available to newsmen said: “On 21/07/2021 at about 1000hrs, the said Sadiya re-surfaced and was invited by the Police for questioning. During interrogation, she confessed to have conspired with her husband ‘Mohammed’ to fake her kidnap”.

According to Abiodun, Sadiya was taken to Nugupi Village via Paiko some few kilometres from Minna where she was kept by her husband at his friend’s place.

The police spokesman also claimed that the husband also confessed to have collected the wife’s phone and handed it over to one Abdullahi, his friend who negotiated and collected the ransom on his (Mohammed) behalf.

He said the police was on the trail of the said Abdullahi while investigation into the case commenced after which they will be charged to court.

300 Hospitalised in Bauchi Over Cholera Outbreak

Fake News is Time Bomb, Says Gov AbdulRazaq

Hoodlums Raze Army General’s House in Obowo Nseobong Okon-Ekong in ËÑÙÝ ËØÎ Amby Uneze in Owerri

There is continuous palpable discomfort in Umuosinta Village in Amuzi community of Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State as unknown hoodlums overran the sleepy community and razed a building belonging to General Chima Okafor of the Nigerian Army.

The gallant effort of the men and officers of the Nigeria Police in Obowo Local Government Area prevented the arsonists from penetrating further to other areas while there was no loss of lives in the particular incident.

THISDAY gathered that the arsonists have built camps in different locations in the sur-

rounding forests, from where they launch regular attacks on the community. This dastardly act reportedly led to killings of innocent people.

Some indigenes who pleaded to remain anonymous said perpetrators of these acts have been categorised and believed to be unknown gunmen who ravaged the state in the past few months.

From investigation, THISDAY reliably gathered that it has been a gory story of murder, rape, arson and mayhem in the once famous village with a population of about 3,000 people made up of many prominent indigenes, university professors, Catholic reverend fathers and sisters, industrialists, military generals,

top politicians and community leaders of note.

Umuosinta Village parades an array of cottage industries; such as water and mineral water (Rokana Uzzi water, Nwaeme waters), modern bakery located at 34 Raymond Anyanwu Street built by General Okafor and another bakery built by another industrialist, Chief Avaagha, agro cottage industries established by one time Imo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Longers Anyanwu, schools-nursery, primary and secondary owned by its patriotic indigenes.

The activities of these unknown gunmen have reduced the patronage, visitation to the area, and business transactions with

the indigenes of the community.

Confirming the activities of this group, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Obowo Police Area Command, Edwin Ngoche, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) said that the incident took place in the night and he mobilised his men to the area which made the hoodlums to take to their heels. He told THISDAY on phone that General Okafor’s house was not far from the hideout of the gunmen.

Ngoche said that when his men stormed the hide out of the gunmen they recovered some items such as locally-made guns (pistol), axe used in breaking the main gate, jerry can, they used to store petrol and some wasted ammunition.

stop the spread of the disease to other communities. It is even surprising that the NCDC is yet to wade in despite a report of 591 confirmed cases between 29th May to July 16th 2021.”

She implored households to observe critical hygiene rules by ensuring that food is always prepared under hygienic conditions, saying that the disease can be contacted through contaminated food and water.

The Resident Programme Coordinator of ActionAid, Mr. Anicetus Atakpu, said that they donated 1,500 kits to Cholera Treatment Centres (CTC) in Bauchi, Ningi, Dass and Toro.

According to him, “Our visit to Cholera hotspot in Bauchi State has convinced us to believe that what we have donated was just a drop in the ocean and we feel more international agencies should also render help to the state in order to halt the spread of Cholera.”

He commended Bauchi State Government for its effort so far, saying that there is a disconnect between agencies of government, stressing that if there is better synergy, the record of infected persons and fatality will not be high.

BBNaija Organisers Increase Star Prize to N90m Bennett Oghifo

The winner of Big Brother Naija Season 6 will take home a star prize of N90 million, the highest so far, the organisers have said.

According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Jennifer Ochieng, “20 housemates isolated in one house for 10 weeks will battle for a grand prize N90m (£158,000). The prize is the highest in the show’s history.”

Ochieng said the show would feature a special double launch today Saturday, 24 July and Sunday 25 July 2021.

The statement said Season 1 contestant, Ebuka ObiUnchendu, will host Season 6. He has been the host of the reality show since 2017.

BBNaija Season 6 will feature on Showmax. Head of Content at Showmax, Candice Fangueiro said: “Big Brother Naija has always attracted a large following outside Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“This year, we decided to make the hugely popular show available to fans in the UK – whether they’re part of the Nigerian diaspora or are among the many fans of this addictive reality series format.”

SATURDAY JULY 24, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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JULY 24, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA AT 174 Liberia has come a long way, writes Tiko Okoye

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nce upon a time, as the storyline goes, a group of eminent white American citizens – including literary giants like Daniel Webster and Francis Scott Key, and political titans like Presidents Andrew Jackson and James Monroe – reached a consensus that any efforts to create a truly integrated America with the formal abolition of slavery would amount to just a pipedream. They then decided to register an organization known as the American Colonization Society (ACS) that purchased a large tract of land along the West African coast from the indigenous population, where freed black slaves from the United States, the West Indies, and intercepted slave ships, would be resettled.

The first set of freed American slaves, packaged and financed by the Washington, DC-based ACS landed in 1822 on Providence Island at the mouth of the Mesurado River. This group was joined shortly by another set led by Jehudi Ashnun; a white American dubbed by Caucasian historians as “the real founder of Liberia.” With the passage of time, the initial settlement previously known as Christopolis – most likely named after a founding Portuguese explorer/trader – was rechristened Monrovia in honour of President James Monroe.

Several tracts of land eastward were purchased from native tribes as the population of the young colony rapidly grew with increasing numbers of incoming freed slaves. But the need for space continued to grow. So, notwithstanding the acrimony and disputes such a move would generate with the affected colonial powers, the leaders of the colony decided to grab territories belonging to neighbouring Frenchcontrolled and British-controlled Guinea and Sierra Leone, respectively, buoyed by the strong presence and protection of the US Navy in West African waters.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a young man who had arrived Liberia with his parents in 1829 at the age of 20 years, and who rapidly rose in influence and power, soon decided that the time had come for Liberia to establish a sovereign state with powers to make its own laws on governance and international relations. He was just 38 years old when he declared the colony of Liberia an independent republic on July 26, 1847 – and was overwhelmingly elected the first president a year later.

Given that the freed slaves resettled in Liberia came from the US, it is hardly surprising that the West African country has many things in common with the USA. The sub-political divisions are called counties as in the US, not local governments and provinces. The national currency is known as the Liberian dollar. The flag is similarly modelled after the US flag. Assassination of political leaders was another area that Liberia exhibited the notorious American pastime. Artistic licence – if Alaska and Hawaii that are thousands away from continental USA can become part of the Union, it is only because people sent to Liberia were black ex-slaves that prevented the newly established commonwealth from following suit.

Prior to the proclamation of independence, executive power within the colony was wielded by the ‘governor of Liberia,’ who customarily appointed by the American Colonization Society. It is therefore hardly surprising that it ruffled the feathers of the highly influential ACS, and that it was not until 15 years later in 1862 that the US Government finally established diplomatic relations with the fledgling republic.

Liberia has been a trailblazer in several aspects. The country has produced as many as two female heads of state and government. Ruth Perry was the last of six Interim Presidents appointed during the civil

THERE CAN BE NO REASON WHY LIBERIA CANNOT RESET ITS COORDINATES AS ONE OF THE MOST STABLE AND FASTEST-GROWING ECONOMIES IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA – PROMOTING DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMIC BASE WITH EMPHASIS ON TOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE WITH NIGERIA

war, while Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first elected female president in Africa. Those who think this is not a remarkable feat worth celebrating in a society with a surfeit of violent male ex-warlords only just need to turn their attention to the supposedly more ‘enlightened’ African countries where a woman’s place is said to be in “the other room,” and where women are supposed to be heard but not seen!

Many readers will find it rather surprising but the truth remains that no other African leader- appointed or elected in modern history – has garnered the kinds of awards and recognitions harvested by Ellen Sirleaf, Liberia’s 24th President. She is the recipient of the following honours that considerably propelled her profile and that of her country to dizzying heights: Nobel Peace Prize, Mo Ibrahim Prize for Good Governance, Indira Gandhi Prize, and US Presidential Medal of Freedom, among others. Then, there is George Weah, the football legend who remains the only African and black man to win the World Footballer of the Year Award while plying his trade with the iconic AC Milan Football Club of Italy.

Liberia wielded considerable influence in African affairs in the late 50s and 60s. President Tubman led the ‘conservative’ Monrovia Group (or bloc) comprising Liberia, Nigeria, and most Francophone nations.

The Monrovia bloc promoted the principle of nationalism versus the Pan-Africanism vision of the opposing ‘radical’ Casablanca Group.

The conflict and eventual compromise between both groups led to the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) – precursor of the African Union (AU) – in 1963, with the ideas of the Tolbert-led Monrovia Group prevailing against the supra-national ideas of the Casablanca Group comprising prominent statesmen like Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, Guinea’s Sekou Touré, and Egypt’s Gamal Abdel-Nasser.

Between 1847 and 1980, the presidency was exclusively the preserve of Americo-Liberians, the original freed black slaves and their descendants. In a very ironic tale of man’s inhumanity to man, the former slaves – and especially those with lighter skin colour – passed very oppressive and suppressive laws against the indigenous folks, among which was denying them the right to vote!

Liberia’s First Republic ended in 1980 with the assassination of then-President William Tolbert in a military putsch led by then-Master Sergeant (Staff Sergeant) Samuel Doe. Compare the whopping 133 years of political stability with that of a country like Nigeria that has birthed as many as four republics just within a 40-year period!

Doe’s military coup ended the stranglehold the Americo-Liberians had on the presidency and Liberia’s politics. Doe, a Krahn from Grand Geddeh County, served as head of a military junta for five years, before casting aside his uniform to rig himself to power in a presidential election most foreign poll observers considered to be highly fraudulent.

His military-to-civilian transfiguration were later simulated in Nigeria without success by Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.

Twenty-five substantive presidents and six interim presidents have presided over the affairs of Liberia since 1848 to date, making a total of 31 elected and appointed leaders. This works out on the average to one leader every six years. In a country like Nigeria with 15 elected and appointed leaders since independence in 1960, the ratio works out to one leader every four years. Liberia would seem to have an edge when it comes to leadership turnover.

Okoye, a Financial Inclusion Consultant, wrote from Abuja

LALONG, MIDDLE BELT AND THE NORTH Chris Gyang writes that the Plateau State governor plays politics of the conquered

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ou can only begin to appreciate the full extent of the harm Governor Simon Lalong has inflicted on the body and soul of Plateau State when you take a look at the larger, more comprehensive, picture of the current circumstances of the Nigerian state.

To restrict us to the current cutting down and destruction of verdant crops in more than 80 farmlands in Plateau State by people the Lalong government has routinely described as ‘criminals’ (and at other times in the past as ‘unknown gunmen’) would be sorely missing the point.

This is because the current pains and agony of the Plateau people are only a crystallization of the perception and attitude of Governor Lalong towards burning issues that have affected Nigerians’ lives for a long time now.

One of such burning national issues is the persistent terrorism of irredentist Fulani herdsmen, of which Plateau State has had an inordinately huge share.

On January 1, 2018, Governor Lalong went on national television to gloat over the massacre of 73 Benue citizens by Fulani herdsmen. He lampooned his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom (whose tears were still fresh from that brutality) for hurting the sensibilities of Fulani herdsmen by opposing open grazing in the state. Also still in deep mourning, an outraged nation was shocked by such crass insensitivity and squirming cronyism. Proud sons and daughters of Plateau State were overwhelmed with shame.

But Governor Lalong’s intention was to shore up his personal image as a rising star in the house of President Buhari and his extended Fulani fam-

ily – overlords of the Nigerian state. That marked the morphing of Governor Lalong into what in his own eyes is ‘a true son of the core north’. Later, to further consolidate on that warped thinking, he would vow to lay down his life for President Buhari.

We have deliberately taken this excursion down memory lane in order to, first, trace the misguided trajectory of Governor Lalong’s journey to his current station. Second, to show the slippery ground on which he stands, even with respect to unfolding national events. Then, we can properly locate the on-going atrocities being perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen in Plateau State and the Lalong administration’s traditional penchant to literally wave them aside.

Apart from the core northern part of Nigeria, the governors of almost all the states of the country have openly stood up to boldly tell the truth about the deep wounds Fulani herdsmen’s attacks have inflicted on the overall socio-economic, political and economic development of the country. Even the South West governors who were once among Mr. Buhari’s most vociferous supporters have stood up against him on this score.

Not only did they set up a regional security outfit mainly to counter the expansionist menace of the Fulani herdsmen, they have teamed up with their counterparts in the southern region to ban open grazing. This cooperation cuts across political party, religious and ethnic lines. Governors of the ruling APC and the opposition PDP have with equal zeal, passion and intensity spoken out against and enacted laws to stem the horrendous tide of Fulani expansionism (in the guise of open

grazing) threatening Nigerians who do not belong to the Buhari clan.

It is also worthy of note that all the other five geo-political zones of the country have put in place effective zonal groupings with the aim of pursuing common goals that serve the interests of their respective peoples. In fact, it is at this level that most of the policies that have served to counter the activities of the Fulani herdsmen have been fashioned out and concretized. For instance, while strongly working at their respective regional levels, the governors of the South West, South East and South-South have been able to synergize and come up with united positions that have given them a most respectable voice on the national stage.

And for all their conservatism and myopia, the core northern states have equally mobilized themselves in order to leverage more powerfully on the national stage. The North West and North East governors’ forums have been very formidable in the way they have spoken with one voice about the Boko Haram insurgency, the kidnapping, banditry and sundry crimes that are overrunning their areas. This has earned them considerable federal government attention and resources.

But what about Governor Lalong’s ancestral North Central Zone? Knowing fully well the strategic importance of the Middle Belt as the buffer zone between the north and the south, the core north’s plan to neutralize it found a most willing and efficient tool in Governor Lalong. Once they realized his disdain for the Middle Belt identity and a penchant for a leadership style that eschews integrity and responsibility, they knew that they had found a most willing accomplice.

Turbaning him as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum was a deft political move that did not only give him that sense of belonging to the core north he so much craved for but set him up as the elephant in the China shop that is the Middle Belt. If Plateau State, which has been one of the major arteries of the Middle Belt cause, is neutralized, then the core north can have a smooth sail to the south.

Today, governors of the North Central Zone have no coordinated front like their counterparts in other parts of the country. They are in complete disarray because of the hatchet job Governor Lalong is carrying out for the core north. That is why Plateau is one of the few states that has not even taken the preliminary step of speaking out against the evils of open grazing. The Benue State governor who has had the liver to stand up to the core north in this regard is demonized, even attacked by Fulani militia, while Governor Lalong is glorified. The Middle Belt has become an orphan without a formidable political force to champion its cause the way it used to be.

Surely, the calculations of the core north have splendidly added up as Governor Lalong has so far proved to be one of the most divisive factors in the history of the Middle Belt. Worse still, he has become one of the most vocal proponents of the very odious narratives that have underlined the savage rape and despoilation that Plateau State has suffered in the hands of the Caliphate in recent times.

Gyang is Chairman of Journalists Coalition for Citizens Rights Initiative

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JULY 24, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Barka da Sallah!

Nigeria’s Escalating Food Prices

Youth Sycophancy and the Future of Yobe

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emocracy has offered several avenues for engaging the youth population in the most productive manner to develop skills towards ensuring that society has positively progressed. In doing so the future is likely to see the youth taking over the affairs of the state and continue to build on the legacies of our parent-leaders. Sycophancy can never be of any good, be it statesponsored or individually motivated.

In recent times, Yobe and its people have witnessed an unprecedented boom in a sometime shameless display of sycophantic attitude. Sadly, a segment of society deemed this attitude as being sponsored by the state. This is but a scary development that must be rejected by all, irrespective of which side of the political spectrum one belongs. This does not in any way represents a modern democratic society.

A liberal democratic society is expected to educate its young population on every aspect of acceptable growth. This can be in pursuance of economic interests, political ideologies, and technocracy. The youth in Yobe are known to be actively involved in many national and state-wide social-political organizations. They occupy leadership roles and served impeccably, but there is a need for a coordinated effort by all of us to stand firm and challenge the prevalent sycophantic boom in the state.

If indeed the present administration is focused on enabling an environment that supports youth self-reliance, then there is a need for it to self-correct.

Programs and projects must be put in place to facilitate and support the youth with the necessary skills and capital. For example, if the government is willing to support social media influencers or digital and photojournalists so that they can compete with their peers within and outside the country, they must be trained and be given state-of-the-art equipment.

A reasonable person can argue that what is prevalent today in Yobe is a sort of youth exploitation by most of the senior

politicians. This must be discouraged as no reasonable society can willingly set up to damage its future asset for a transient benefit of a few.

Therefore, it is pertinent for the youths to wake up and understand what politics entails and participate actively in it, based on genuinely nurtured positive ideologies. The youth must not be cajoled with the offer of some insignificant positions in government. A great government aims to create genuine job opportunities for its teeming youths, and by so doing, the rate of dangerous sycophancy, especially on social media platforms will be reduced. Recently, praise-singing for politicians is just the order of the day, particularly for those who belong to the ruling party. After all, the majority of the people of the state hold a view that these politicians are responsible for poor infrastructure in the state.

Kasim Isa Muhammad, Potiskum, Yobe State

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t is a troubling situation not only for the many people whose livelihood hinges on farming but also for the nation’s food security as host of well-known challenges notably insecurity have over the years stifled agricultural activities.

And the current season is shaping up to be worst hit as vast swathe of productive lands have already been ditched out of safety considerations. Not a few urban dwellers have turned to farming effectively pouring onto available spaces to grow crops in the face of spike in the cost of farming inputs all in a bid to build defences against the surging food prices just as the rain has remained sparing.

Patently, the rising food prices has stolen the sleep of many Nigerians and sure points at grave food insecurity problem in the country.

It has become a topical subject haunting primarily the poor amidst an unimpressive economy. To many, meeting their quotidian needs is an uphill struggle. Today’s Nigeria market has become an arena where citizens are bound by a thread of anguish, frustration and pain over the upswing in food prices. The cost of food is making serious inroads into the measly income of many households leaving little or nothing to other needs, chiming with Ernst Engel assertion that “the poorer a family the greater the proportion of its total expenditure that must be devoted to the provision of food.”

The spectre of hunger is now materializing. In 2020, Nigeria was ranked 98th out of 107 countries with a score of 29.2 putting the country’s level of hunger as serious.

Not a few had their sources of livelihood gasping for air under suffocating economic conditions just as the economy

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

was struggling to sputter to life after a global recession which the pandemic simply squelched.

The government as well as private businesses had their capacities to perform effectively constricted. The air is still thick with post pandemic effects. The impact of climate change writ large, the country has been classified as one of the 10 most vulnerable countries in the world according to a climate change vulnerability index. We are occupying an unenviable position on terrorism index and the existence of deadly security challenges runs deep.

To all intents and purposes, food availability, accessibility and use are under threat with climate change, poor performance of the economy and security challenges have constituted a perfect storm. The spike in food prices have the foregoing amongst other things as its provenance. The temperature of discontent and disillusionment is on the rise as the basic need for survival is becoming a daily struggle.

It’s instructive to state that there’s a link between volatile food prices with socio-political instability. According to Lester Brown - President, Earth Policy Institute “If you want to predict where political instability, revolution, coups d’état or interstate warfare will occur, the best factor to keep an eye on is not GDP, the human development index or energy prices.

If I were to pick a single indicator – economic, political, social – that I think will tell us more than any other, it would be the price of grain.”

Abachi Ungbo, abachi007@yahoo.com

What to Watch?

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t’s Friday night (in Australia) and it’s time to watch TV. We have about 50 different public channels from five different providers but it’s really down to three choices but which to watch?

We have a game of Australian football which others describe as aerial ping pong as the ball is in the air most of the time. It’s my club playing tonight but generally it’s clear by half time who’s going to win so then what other options are there?

There’s also new episodes of Midsomer Murders, which features the world’s worst police officer given the number of people that die before he solves it. It’s the most dangerous area in England, given how many murders there are but with the prettiest countryside apart from the blood stains. It will help me to get to sleep.

I could also watch the Olympic games ceremony and listen for the roar of the crowd as Australia marches in but the sounds of silence from the missing crowds is a bit sad. I don’t think it’s right when nobody is there to cheer the Gold medallist so I might skip that and watch the highlights on the news.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 24,2021

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NEWS Gov Okowa Congratulates Obi at 60, Says He’s Reference Point in Nigeria Charles Ajunwa

ADEDOYIN@60…

L-R: Oloro of Oro Kingdom Oba Abdulrafiu Olaniyi Ajiboye; Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; President, Newspapers’ Proprietors Association of Nigeria and Chairman International Press Institute Mallam Kabiru Yusuf; businessman Alhaji Jani Ibrahim; APC chieftain Alhaji Moshood Mustapha; and Publisher of Premium Times Dapo Olorunyomi; during a public lecture to celebrate Adedoyin’s 60th birthday anniversary, in Ilorin, on Friday

DSS Ordered to Produce Detained Yoruba Nation Agitators in Court, July 29 Alex Enumah in Abuja

-ustice 2Eiora EJZuatu of tKe Federal HiJK Court, AEuMa, \esterda\ ordered tKe 'epartment of State SerYice 'SS to produce Yoruba Nation secessionists arrested durinJ a raid on tKe residence of Sunda\ IJboKo in 2\o State TKe 'SS are to produce tKe applicants in court on TKursda\ -ul\ , to e[plain tKe reasons beKind tKeir arrest and ZK\ tKe\ are

still in custod\ of tKe securit\ operatiYes -ustice EJZuatu made tKe order ZKile rulinJ in an e[ parte application b\ 0r 3elumi 2laMeinJbesi, counsel to tKe applicants TKe MudJe also ordered tKe 'SS to appear before it to sKoZ cause ZK\ tKe applicants sKould not be admitted to bail TKe applicants are Abdulateef 2fe\aJbe, Amoda %abatunde, TaMudeen Erino\en, 'iaNola Ademola, Abideen

SKittu, -amiu NoaK, A\obami 'onald, Adelabe 8sman, 2luZapelumi .unle, 5aMi .a]eem, TaiZo 2pe\emi and %amidele Sunda\ Since tKeir arrest on -ul\ , , tKe applicants KaYe been Keld incommunicado b\ tKe 'SS ZitKout access to famil\ members or tKeir laZ\ers, promptinJ tKe aJitators to approacK tKe court for tKe enforcement of tKeir fundamental riJKts as Juaranteed b\ tKe constitution TKe applicants in addition

Àled an e[ parte application pra\inJ tKe court for an order mandatinJ and compellinJ tKe respondents to produce tKe applicants in court and sKoZ cause ZK\ tKe\ sKould not be released from tKe custod\ of tKe 'SS After JrantinJ tKe application, -ustice EJZatu adMourned till TKursda\ for tKe respondents to appear before tKe court to sKoZ cause ZK\ tKe applicants sKould continue to remain in custod\ or be released on bail

Over 300 Nigerians Languishing in Onuesoke: N4.8bn WhatsApp, Satellite Italian Jail on Trumped-up Charges Phone Monitoring, Waste of Fund Former Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and 'iasSora AͿairs, 2sa]e 2semZinJie-Ero, Kas raised tKe alarm oYer tKe illeJal detention of oYer 1iJerian \outKs in Italian prisons on trumped-up FKarJes of maÀa-related oͿenFes 2semZinJie said Ke learnt aEout tKe pliJKt of tKe innoFent \ounJ 1iJerians durinJ Kis ZronJful detention in Ital\ as a result of a ´Yer\ Forrupt and Fomple[ s\stem µ TKe former Fommissioner, ZKo spoNe durinJ an interYieZ on Arise T9, \esterda\, said tKe \outKs are Keld and Fommitted to ma[imum prisons in Ital\ EeFause tKe\ do not KaYe tKe resources to access an independent laZ\er ´TKe\ don·t KaYe mone\ to taNe laZ\ers tKe prosecutor JiYes tKem JoYernment laZ\ers tKat Ke uses to manipulate tKem,µ tKe e[-commissioner noted +e furtKer called for tKe collaEoration of all staNeKolders includinJ tKe Federal 0inistr\ of ForeiJn AͿairs, 1iJerians in 'iaspora Commission and tKe media, amonJ otKers to ensure tKe release of tKe \outKs AccordinJ to Kim, ´:e KaYe oYer 1iJerian \outKs ZKo are unMustl\ EeinJ Keld in prison Eecause of tKese maÀa-related crimes tKe\ didn·t commit tKe crime ´I made a promise tKat I am JoinJ to create aZareness

for tKe release of tKose innocent 1iJerians :e must ÀJKt as 1iJerians to ensure tKat tKe\ reJain tKeir freedom µ He continued: “As a senior JoYernment o΀cial, tKere Zas no support from tKe 1iJerian JoYernment durinJ m\ ordeal in Ital\ I KaYe spoNen to tKe cKairperson of 1iJerians in tKe 'iaspora Commission, ZKo is Yer\ proactiYe and Yocal, and sKe·s read\ to ZorN ZitK us to ensure tKat tKose people are released “TKese oYer 1iJerians KaYe families, ZiYes, cKildren and parents ZKo are suͿerinJ as Zell :e must not sit doZn and alloZ tKem to lanJuisK in prison Eecause of a Yer\ corrupt and comple[ s\stem TKe prosecutors are Yer\ corrupt and are usinJ us for modern-da\ slaYer\ Eecause tKe European 8nion is pa\inJ tKem KuJe sums of mone\ to ÀJKt maÀa actiYities µ “It is ZortK\ of note tKat Ze don·t KaYe a maÀa in 1iJeria I also EelieYe tKat an\one ZKo commits a crime sKould Ee prosecuted and, if found Juilt\, made to face tKe conseTuences %ut tKese 1iJerians, ZKo are innocent, are suͿerinJ in prison in Europe :e must stand up for tKem and speaN out for tKeir release It·s Eecause tKese 1iJerians don·t KaYe a Yoice or tKe resources tKat tKe\ are Mailed unMustl\,µ 2semZinJie noted

Sylvester Idowu in Warri Former JoYernorsKip aspirant on tKe platform of 3eoples 'emocratic 3art\ 3'3 in 'elta State, CKief Sunn\ 2nuesoNe, Kas descriEed as Zaste of ta[pa\ers mone\, tKe 1 Eillion earmarNed E\ tKe federal JoYernment for tKe 1ational IntelliJence AJenc\ 1IA to monitor :KatsApp, an encr\pted messaJinJ application and TKura\a, a satellite telepKone It Zould Ee recalled tKat tKe 1ational AssemEl\ Kad approYed tKe sum of 1 Eillion as tKe supplementar\ EudJet for in ZKicK tKe sum of 1 En Zas eTuall\ set aside for 1IA to monitor :KatsApp, an encr\pted messaJinJ application and TKura\a, a satellite telepKone 2nuesoNe, ZKo spoNe to Mournalists in :arri, descriEed tKe Yenture as a Zasted priorit\ sa\inJ it is ama]inJ tKat scores of 1iJerians are KunJr\ and can Kardl\ feed once a da\ and \et sucK a KuJe amount of mone\ Zas spent Must to monitor people·s conYersations He arJued tKat 1iJeria, EeinJ a democratic and not a police state, all tKis mone\ tKat is EeinJ Zasted sKould KaYe Eeen directed to otKer areas tKat needed urJent attention liNe KealtK, roads, rail, education and transportation amonJ otKers for tKe interest of tKe masses “Here in 1iJeria Ze can·t eYen feed ourselYes, no Jood roads, no

drinNinJ Zater, no electricit\, and no JoYernment empoZerment <et JoYernment priorit\ is to Yote sucK a KuJe amount to monitor :KatsApp and telepKone,µ Ke lamented :onderinJ KoZ it Zill Ee possiEle to monitor :KatsApp, an encr\pted messaJinJ application and TKura\a, a satellite telepKone, tKe 3'3 CKieftain arJued tKat America, Israel, 8nited .inJdom and otKer deYeloped countries are \et to EreaN into :KatsApp, Eut 1iJeria alread\ Kas a EudJet, stressinJ tKat it is onl\ fools Zould EelieYe it AccordinJ to Kim, “TKe F%I can·t access or monitor \our :KatsApp e[cept ZitK court orders and permission from oZners of tKe apps EYen if tKe\ Zere Konest, it Zould Ee impossiEle to monitor million people and addinJ 931s or pro[ies to tKat list Zould maNe it more complicated “:Kat JoYernment sKould understand is tKat :KatsApp uses end-to-end encr\ption and tKat an\ attempt E\ ¶manin-tKe-middle· 0it0 to attacN it is Yirtuall\ impossiEle" 1iJerian JoYernment lacNs tKe resources, sNills and NnoZledJe to sp\ on :KatsApp I tKinN ZKat tKe JoYernment is planninJ of doinJ as in 0uslim, AraE and 'espotic countries is to ElocN :KatsApp altoJetKer TKen aJain, :KatsApp users could alZa\s use 931 to eYade tKe monitorinJ,µ Ke said

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifean\i 2NoZa, Kas conJratulated former Jovernor of Anambra, 0r 3eter 2bi ZKo clocNed recentl\ In a statement b\ Kis CKief 3ress Secretar\, 0r 2lisa IfeaMiNa, Governor 2NoZa said tKat 2bi·s tenure as Jovernor recorded outstandinJ transformation of Anambra, ZKicK Kad remained a reference point in tKe countr\ He commended 2bi for Kis outstandinJ leadersKip and immense contributions to tKe JroZtK and development of tKe state, especiall\ ZKen Ke beTueatKed lots of assets to Kis predecessor and tKe state AccordinJ to Kim, 2bi·s enviable success as Jovernor did not come to man\ as a surprise Jiven Kis pediJree as a consummate banNer and Ànance manaJement e[pert He particularl\ commended tKe former Jovernor for tKe pK\sical transformation of 2nitsKa, tKe commercial nerve centre of Anambra, ZKicK KitKerto Zas despised b\ man\ for tKe crime rate and otKer vices in tKe cit\

TKe Jovernor said tKat 2bi demonstrated immense couraJe and determination to develop Anambra in spite of all tKe battles Ke fouJKt as Jovernor of tKe state “Your E[cellenc\, \our selÁess and impressive performance as Jovernor of Anambra Kas alread\ distinJuisKed \ou as a Jreat nationalist and amonJ tKe pride of our Jreat nation “At a ver\ \ounJ aJe, \ou toZered KiJK in tKe corporate Zorld ZKicK Zas \our occupational comfort ]one, until \our people becNoned on \ou to taNe up tKe mantle of leadersKip ZKicK Zas at a rudderless level at a time in tKe state “Your performance after eiJKt \ears proved tKose ZKo recommended \ou riJKt for tKe Mob You Zere a lesson in Àscal prudence, accountabilit\ and transparenc\ to botK tKose in public and private sectors, especiall\ in Jovernance “Since leavinJ o΀ce in , \ou Kave remained a Jreat ÀJure and an inspirational leader for our Jreat part\ in \our state and countr\, and an undisputable model and mentor to \ounJer NiJerians,µ Ke said

NASS Owes Nigerians Duty for INEC’s Independence, Says Nwaka EmmanuelUgwu-Nwogo in Umuahia 0embers of tKe National Assembl\ Kave been urJed to reverse tKe Electoral Act Amendment %ill ZKicK tends to compromise tKe independence of tKe Independent National Electoral Commission INEC

A former cKairman of tKe Abia State cKapter of tKe 3eoples Democratic 3art\ 3D3 , Senator Emma NZaNa, made tKe call in a cKat ZitK THISDAY, sa\inJ tKat tKe independence of tKe electoral umpire is constitutional and sKould not be tampered ZitK He noted tKat tKe provisions in tKe Electoral Act Amendment %ill Must passed b\ tKe National Assembl\ “ZKereb\ INEC is reTuired to seeN approval from tKe National Communication Commission and

tKe National Assembl\ before it could decide on ZKetKer or not transmit election results electronicall\ is antitKetical to tKe clear provisions of tKe Constitution µ NZaNa, ZKo is a TKird 5epublic senator, lamented tKat ZKile otKer countries of tKe Zorld Zere taNinJ advantaJe of tKe advancement in tecKnoloJ\ to move tKeir countries forZard, NiJeria appears Keaded in tKe opposite direction He Zondered ZK\ it·s possible to transfer millions of Naira to an\ and ever\ part of NiJeria electronicall\ and election results cannot be transmitted tKe same Za\ HoZever, Senator NZaNa lauded 3D3 National Assembl\ members “for stoutl\ opposinJ tKe retroJressive move ZKicK no doubt is intended to be used b\ A3C to tKZart tKe Zill of tKe people of NiJeria in future elections µ

Glo Re-introduces 22X Value on Recharge Globacom Kas announced tKe return of ; oͿer ZKicK Jives all its prepaid customers times tKe value of ever\ recKarJe from N It e[plained tKat tKe ; oͿer Zas a prepaid plan created to reZard customers ZitK ama]inJ data and voice beneÀts ever\ time tKe\ recKarJe tKeir Glo lines, and Zas meant to alloZ customers to satisf\ tKeir broZsinJ and talNinJ needs from tKe same recKarJe Globacom said tKe bonus received on eacK recKarJe Zas valid for seven da\s from tKe recKarJe date, could be used to call all netZorNs, and Zas available on botK paper and electronic recKarJe platforms AccordinJ to tKe compan\, customers could subscribe to tKe ; plan b\ dialinJ , selectinJ TariͿ plan, TariͿ information, and ; plan “Customers ZKo recKarJe

ZitK N Zill be credited ZitK N , value TKe\ Zill Àrst Jet tKe N recKarJe amount in tKeir main account, ZKicK tKe\ can use on an\ Glo product as tKe\ desire Added to tKis, tKe\ Zill receive a bonus value of N , for data and for voice calls to all netZorNs in NiJeria In tKe same vein, tKose ZKo recKarJe ZitK N , Zill receive N , ZortK of value comprisinJ N , credit in tKeir main account, ZKicK tKe\ can use on an\ Glo product as tKe\ ZisK, and a bonus value of N , for voice calls to all netZorNs in tKe countr\ and for data,µ Globacom added DependinJ on tKe recKarJe amount, customers can enMo\ as mucK as G% of bonus data and Kundreds of bonus minutes Globacom said, addinJ tKat tKe beneÀts are tKe most Jenerous b\ an\ mobile netZorN operator in tKe countr\

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

08054699539

Terrorists’ Rising Capacity and Dizzying Warfront Stories

T

he range of equipment with terrorists in the North requires a pragmatic response from the Nigerian state and not this charade from the Buhari government.

This has always been my position.

Unfortunately, this federal government is deliberately stalling for reasons so difficult to comprehend. The capabilities of the Nigerian military are persistently eroded by the terrorists’ range of equipment. It is dizzying seeing non-state actors with high calibre equipment and downing fighter jets. Why must this persist in a country with a legitimate government?

The outlaws are evidently waxing stronger and controlling territories while the Buhari government goes about with chicanery that no Nigerian territory is under the control of the terrorists.

A serious government should be truthfully worried and look towards foreign military consultants for help; not the celebration that followed Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo’s escape from terrorists who downed his fighter jet in the Zamfara State forest.

Stories around the escape of Dairo are muddled. We were told Dairo was returning from a successful air interdiction mission between the boundaries of Zamfara and Kaduna states when the aircraft came under attack and crashed; that Dairo escaped when he ejected from the aircraft before it crashed; that when he landed, the armed bandits gave him a hot chase. So, the same bandits said to have been eliminated while in his fighter jet, got up and gave him a chase? There is no iota of evidence that a single terrorist was eliminated in the attack. Where are the bodies? Were there no ground troops to mop up while the air attacks were on?

We were told that Dairo, using the cover of darkness, and his phone for navigation, was able to elude several bandits’ strongholds and maneuvered his way to a Nigerian Army Unit, where he was finally rescued. So, there is a Nigerian Army Unit near where the bandits control, and yet they enjoy free rein in this area? The military commanders, by this part of their statement, also confirmed that the bandits still have so many strongholds in Zamfara State.

The military went further to tell us that NAF Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance platforms and helicopter gunships provided close air support to NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops who were able to locate the crash site and the pilot’s parachute, while also combing nearby locations for any sign of the pilot. It adds: “It is gladdening to note that while in hiding, Flight Lieutenant Dairo confirmed that the presence of NAF aircraft within the vicinity of the crash site helped in scaring the bandits who were after him, thus enabling him to find refuge and escape to a safe location.”

So, with NAF Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance platforms, helicopter gunships, NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops going

The capabilities of the Nigerian military are persistently eroded by the terrorists’ range of equipment. It is dizzying seeing non-state actors with high calibre equipment and downing fighter jets.

Why must this persist in a country with a legitimate government? The outlaws are evidently waxing stronger and controlling territories while the Buhari government goes about with chicanery that no Nigerian territory is under the control of the terrorists.

A serious government should be truthfully worried and look towards foreign military consultants for help into action around the crash site, not even one of the bandits running after Dairo was killed?

This squad, with high profile equipment, on getting to the location, did not worry to go after the terrorists that downed the fighter jet? They simply scared the terrorists from the vicinity of the crash site and folded their arms? If we have this capacity to deploy quality manpower, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance platforms and helicopter gunships, then, terrorists should not be roaming freely in Nigeria. Stories from the warfronts are confusing. Terrorists down Nigeria’s fighter jet, thus, threatening the sovereignty of this nation, and all we get are jumbled stories from the military. This country deserves more than this. The Nigerian state has never been this weak.

One of the drawbacks to this war against terrorists has been unending lies by the leadership of the military. How do you explain that several months after a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet crashed in Borno State, the military is still struggling to locate the crash spot? The Alpha attack jet was on a mission to support troops fighting the terrorists when it lost radar contact; the military has been mum on the search update, hoping enquiries about it will die a natural death.

They can’t account for the pilot and co-pilot on that crashed Alpha jet. Boko Haram’s claim that it shot the jet is looking real. The terrorists were seen dancing around it. The failure of the military to locate the so-called true crash site reflects the level of decay in Nigeria’s security.

Modern search and rescue operation is about technology, equipment and quality manpower.

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

On flip side, it is a fact that terrorists now operate in hundreds in the North. They storm their targets in hundreds and get results. I am

worried that heads of our security agencies are still not responding appropriately to this mode of operations. A good example here is the invasion of Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State, few weeks back, where scores of students were abducted. There were signals that the school would be invaded and the police sheepishly posted 20 policemen to the school. When the terrorists arrived, they were over 300 in bikes, clutching AK-47 rifles.

The 20 policemen posted to the school simply disappeared. They were obviously overwhelmed by the large number of terrorists. There was also no rapid response from anywhere.

This new mode of operation has been the same all over the North for a while. When the terrorists attacked Unguwar Lalle village, in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State July 15, they came in hundreds. An eye witness said: “They came on 100 motorcycles; each motorcycle was carrying three well-armed men. They came from Tilibale axis and opened fire on the soldiers that were manning a checkpoint along Sokoto-Sabon Birni road. The soldiers also responded but they were overpowered.”

The terrorists that attacked Unguwar Lalle burnt two patrol vehicles belonging to the police and soldiers at the Sokoto-Sabon Birni road’s checkpoint after killing two of them.

The soldiers that came from Sabon Birni town with re-enforcement were ambushed; two soldiers shot dead while seven others sustained various degrees of injuries. Several Unguwar Lalle villagers were also abducted, shops were looted and livestock rustled. The bandits easily overwhelmed the security agents in Unguwar Lalle because they came with over 300 fighters.

The same thing happened when the terrorists attacked Tsauwa village, Batsari Local Government Area, Katsina State, early this

DCP Abba Kyari Should Be Whipped Super policeman, DCP, Abba Kyari, was at the scene of a crime and decided to frolic with the criminals. That was what happened at the funeral of the mother of socialite, Obi Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana, in Oba, Anambra State nine days ago.

Many who attended scattered Naira notes with so much impunity. In one of the videos, Cubana was seen displaying his football skills with bales of cash thrown at him. The Naira, one of our symbols of nationhood, was thoroughly debased.

DCP Kyari was all over, posing with Obi Cubana, and others at the venue, while the debasement was on. The Nigerian police authorities must flog the guy called Kyari to serve as a deterrent to others.

Laws against abusers of our Naira must be enforced. It states that spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the CBN during social occasions or otherwise, shall constitute an abuse and shall be punishable with

imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to a fine not less than N50,000 or to both i.e. fine and imprisonment.

Policemen that should enforce our laws must not be seen partaking in the abuse of the Naira. I expect IG Usman Baba to take immediate action against DCP Kyari.

As for Cubana’s prickly display of opulence during the burial, I will simply say that he is just a stupid man. Must he behave foolishly to honour his late mother? It was a slap on the face of the poor and hungry in the country, his native Oba inclusive. For those who don’t know, the road to where Obi Cubana did his mother’s burial is tattered. Most public schools in Oba are dilapidated, without clean water and begging for attention. He should assist his people in this direction.

For me, Cubana should lock himself up and exclusively watch videos from the burial again, to understand how stupid he was. This man and his likes are largely

Kyari

instigating young people into crime. If ours were to be a sound society, tax authorities would have moved in to query the filthy guy called Obi Cubana.

month. They came in hundreds and killed 19 people in the village.

The terrorists also attacked Kurar Mota community, in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State on July 18 in hundreds.

13 policemen and three others were killed during the attack.

There is no way 20 security agents will repel hundreds of terrorists. Rapid reinforcements hardly come. Heads of our security agencies should respond appropriately to terrorists amassing against gallant state agents. Technology and equipment are vital for monitoring and rapid deployment of reinforcement when these terrorists attack in hundreds. This country lacks capacity for these. My submission has not changed. We must seek help from foreign military contractors. Nigeria should look towards Israel or Russia.

My proposal that Nigeria needs help from mercenaries is reinforced by the tragic killing of General Husseini Ahmed on July 15. Ten days after a serving Army General was killed by terrorists on the Lokoja-Abuja Road, on his way to Abuja, his killers are yet to be apprehended. The terrorists operated for hours on the road unhindered. So sad! It can only happen in Nigeria.

The Truth about E-Transmission of Results Forget about all the lies by federal lawmakers opposed to E-transmission of election results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the capacity to transmit result real time, from all parts of the country. It was heart-warming that INEC’s Commissioner in charge of Voter Education, Festus Okoye, came out few days ago to affirm that INEC can safely transmit election results electronically from any part of Nigeria. The commission proved it during governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

Okoye declared: “We have uploaded results from very remote areas, even from areas where you have to use human carriers to access. INEC is ready and capable of ensuring that results are transmitted electronically and all that is required is the endorsement of the law to further make the process better. We have made our own position very clear, that we have the capacity and we have the will to deepen the use of technology in the electoral process.”

The immediate past Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, adds: “INEC has demonstrated capacity for transparent ETR in a number of states and other off-season elections. They can improve that capacity well before 2023. In any case, INEC has the professionalism and competence to know how and when to deploy both EVS and ETR. By this action, our lawmakers are taking us backwards, and undermining electoral integrity as well as democratic development.”

No doubt, E-transmission of election results will end ballot box snatching and reduce rigging. The approved Electronic Voting System (EVS) will be useless without E-transmission of results. Those who voted against the adoption of this technology know what they are doing. They know that INEC has the capacity for E-transmission of result. But these lawmakers are largely products of election rigging and want the party to continue. That was why they refused to allow the election umpire address the National Assembly on the issue. For these politicians, it is all about their selfish interest and not that of the country. They callously brought in the National Communications Commission (NCC) to tell lies about Nigeria’s capacity for E-transmission of result. The NCC backed up its lies with outdated 2018 statistics. Only a miracle will save Nigerians from the jaws of these callous people.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ˜ ͺͮͰͯ

FAIRGROUND with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

Sunday Treat and Convos with Betty lrabor

“S

unday Treat and Convos” with Betty Irabor was a recent beautiful and colourful event in Lagos, hosted by Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoniyi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Lands and Housing.

The event was a day of fashion, style, merriment, sisterhood camaraderie, networking, deep and meaningful conversations and food indulgence. It was a safe place where women were able to share their individual challenges and struggles, as they strive to reach the peak of their careers without the fear of being judged or criticised. It was a very inspiring Sunday.

In the end, one word that resounded through it all was “kindness.” It was a reminder from Mrs Irabor for everyone to learn to be kind to one another. “Let us be kind to one another. Let us be intentional about kindness,” said Mrs Irabor.

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Toke Benson Awoyinka and the Publisher of Genevieve Magazine, Betty lrabor Mo Abudu, Betty lrabor, Ruth Osime and Mai Atafo

Amaka Orakwe

Tolulope Onalaja

Kehinde Williams And Bukola Eyitayo

Schullz Mogagi of Classic FM

Tolulope Onalaja Didi Akinyelure

Powede Awujo, Betty Irabo and Tosho Woods

Linda Ikeji

A violinist performing at the event

Chioma Ude Partners Morocco’s Oasis Studios Producer and Founder of Africa International Film Festival, Chioma Ude has announced a 50-50 partnership in Morocco’s Oasis Studios, a thriving production hub that they aim to use as a launching pad for African filmmakers. The partnership is with Khadija Alami, a Moroccan producer who has produced many Hollywood films.

Since founding the Africa International Film Festival in Nigeria in 2010, Chioma Ude has transformed

it into one of the continent’s leading showcases for African cinema. As one of the most influential women in Africa, She believes that this studio will birth the new film Narrative she describes as “The African Global Cinema”, a blend of Filmmaking where African talents will synergise skills with the best of International techniques.

Sitting on the fringes of the Sahara Desert, the sprawling Oasis facility hosts over 12,000 square

meters of built sets, a 300-square meter sound stage, studio, post-production facilities and production offices. Since opening in 2010, the studio has attracted the likes of Terrence Malick’s “The Way of the Wind,” the U.S.-Moroccan actioner “Redemption Day,” starring Andy Garcia, and “Baghdad Central” for the U.K.’s Channel 4.

Principal photography has wrapped up the first two productions to come out of the partnership, with

two more currently in development. Also underway is a writing lab and residence that’s hosting five Moroccan and six Nigerian filmmakers, who are looking to conceive and develop additional scripts.

The duo believe the partnership will encourage greater collaboration between African filmmakers, who frequently turn to Europe and North America for production and post-production. Morocco and Nigeria signed a co-production treaty in 2018.

17

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY24, 2021

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Kate Henshaw, Queen of Nollywood at 50

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

V

eteran Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw looked forward to turning 50. Who wouldn’t be? Especially that such moment calls for deeper reÁection and introspection on one’s life journey.

At this golden statue, Kate has a lot to be grateful for stepping into the Àfth Áoor on Monday, -uly . At Àfty, the screen diva looks nothing like her age in beautiful studio photos which she posted on her Instagram page.

The stunning birthday photos cascade Kate in diͿerent shades of smile and laughter which bears her signature looks. To put it simply, ¶Àfty and fabulous’ also aptly captures her birthday mood as she exudes her natural feel. Kate in one of her posts said she would never have made it this far in life without the intervention of the almighty God. According to her, “Never would have made it this far without the King of Kings... The laughter and joy in my life testiÀes of His goodness and mercy over me..... I am highly favoured This I know.”

In a diͿerent post, the actress said the lord alone is her source as she heartily gave thanks to him. “Kinetic K 2luwaIsInvolved. He alone is my source and I am truly thankful Where would I be without His mercy??? All that I am and all that I hope for is in God Thank you Father....” she wrote.

Kate’s youthful look has always earned her admiration from fans and colleagues, both old and young. 2n one of such instance the actress had responded to a love letter from a young man. The guy who goes

by Hony has been crushing on the actress for years but merely got the boldness to express his feelings not long ago. “I am 0 , have an athletic body, a Àtness freak this makes me already your gym partner, AA, 2 , I have Nigerian passport, we can go on bae-cation anytime, I have NIN, no criminal records, no tattoo, I can cook some local dishes.”

Well 50 and 0 the diͿerence is clear. The movie star however responded to Hony, appreciated him for writing the love letter but noted that she does not want a sugar boy. 2ops 2n this occasion of her birthday, some other person had written: “If you know Kate Henshaw, tell her that (name withheld) likes her die. She looks so good for 50. She actually looks 30. And she works for her body just like she works for her money. Happy birthday, young woman.

God bless you immediately.”

While some people are aware that Kate is middle-aged, her pictures and videos make it very hard to believe she has even reached her forties. Kate has been known to religiously dedicate a lot of her time to staying Àt and keeping a healthy lifestyle.

The actress isn’t one to shy away from paying regular visits to the gym, dancing energetically or getting involved in heavy lifting. Well, all of these have no doubt paid handsomely as she looks nothing like the regular 50-year-old woman.

In fact, media executive, Mo Abudu, had this to say in celebration of Kate: “I am a sucker for excellence and this is why I call #K henshaw my Inspiration, because of her passion, purpose and consistency of “being”. She has an exercise and Àtness regime that I envy with love. Come rain or shine she is at it every single day.”

2ther Nigerian stars took to their social media pages to warmly celebrate the popular Nigerian actress, Àlmmaker and Àtness enthusiast.

2ne of the true Tueens of Nollywood, Kate also received congratulatory birthday messages from her fans and colleagues in the movie industry. funkejenifaakindele said: “Happy birthday my darling sister.” AnitaBokoye said: “Auntie K

Happy Happy Birthday Love you loads You are simply amazing.” stelladamasus said: “Gboleeeeee he le le oooooo. I can’t keep calm. Happy birthday sweetheart. If I look half as good as you at 50 na massive Thanksgiving o. Love you plenty.”

Hailing the screen diva, her friend and colleague, Rita Dominic, took to her Instagram account to post pictures of Kate, describing her as an ‘all-around amazing woman’. Dominic wrote, “Wishing my hot beautiful friend a very happy birthday You are such a bubbly bunny and an all-around amazing woman and I pray that the rest of your years be Àlled with every good thing on this earth. May the happiness you Ànd today stay with you forever and a day Love you lots #k henshaw. 3:S ² This is what 50 look.”

Also eulogising the delectable actress, ace actress and Àlmmaker, 8che -ombo, posted a video of Kate Henshaw and wrote, “I can write a book on the institution called Kate I have loved her since my Àrst day on a Nollywood set That’s over two decades of knowing, learning, working and believing in her brand Timekeeper of sets. A talented Tueen. Fit life at 50.

WHAT Actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, who fondly describes Henshaw as ‘Kate The Great’, wrote, “Happiest of birthdays to my beautiful, talented and real big sis @ k henshaw on her 50th birthday. k dgr (as I fondly call her) Àtness Tueen, advocate, leader of the vampire geng Love you loads and wish I was there to celebrate with you but this birthday na all year celebration.”

3raising the actress, Empress Njamah wrote, “To know you is to love you, Katie you are an amazing soul, wonderful personality, never a dull moment with you. You carry people matter for head, my backbone, teacher, sister, and friend of twenty-something years. You have been a sweet soul, @k henshaw. You already know I love u loads, happy birthday my sweet (like I always call her) 5th Áoor yet your looks have refused to leave ndfloor vampire«8fanmi of life.” At 50, a consistent workout routine is one of the secrets to her timeless looks. Kate is a gym addict who makes working out seams easy and with a body like hers you can pretty much wear whatever you like.

From when Henshaw made her debut in 3 in the movie, “When The Sun Sets”, earning a paltry N35, 000, the famous Nollywood actress, model, television personality, and entrepreneur, has always blown the hearts of many with her talent and peerless interpretation of roles. 3rior to becoming an actress, Kate Henshaw worked as a model, featuring in various adverts including a print and television commercials.

In 3, she participated in her very first audition and got her first role. This, to her surprise, gave her a lead. This was the first time she appeared in a big movie in Nollywood. Even though the role was regarded as not a huge success for her, it actually marked the beginning of her career. Eventually, she grew into a big star that she is now. In 00 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for the film, “Stronger Than 3ain.”

Born in Cross River State, the oldest of four children, Kate Henshaw was honored by the Nigerian Federal Government with the 2rder of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 0 . Her urge to serve had seen the multiple award-winning actress in -uly 0 , officially unveiled her campaign website as she aspired to represent the Calabar Municipal 2dukpani Federal constituency under the platform of the 3eople Democratic 3arty.

Although she lost the primary election, Kate was later appointed special adviser by the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, in December 0 5.

Kate Henshaw

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ˜ ͺͮͰͯ

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Chioma Mang

I’m Shy, Quiet, But Friendly

ÒÓÙ×Ë ËØÑ ÓÝ Ë ͺͽ ãÏËÜ ÙÖÎ ÖßâßÜã ÏØÞÜÏÚÜÏØÏßÜ áÓÞÒ Ë ØÓÍÒÏ ÐÙÜ ÍÜÏËÞÓØÑ ÞÓ×ÏÖÏÝÝ ËØÎ ÏâÙÞÓÍ ÖÏËÞÒÏÜ áÏËÜÝ ÜËØÑÓØÑ ÐÜÙ× ÒËØÎÌËÑݘ áËÖÖÏÞݘ ÚßÜÝÏݘ ÌÏÖÞݘ ÐÙÙÞáÏËÜÝ ËØÎ Ë ÖÙÞ ×ÙÜÏ˛ ÓÞÒ ÙàÏÜ ÞÒÜÏÏ ãÏËÜÝ ÓØ ÌßÓÖÎÓØÑ Ë ÐÖÙßÜÓÝÒÓØÑ ÍËÜÏÏܘ ÞÒÏ ãÙßØÑ ÌÏËßÞÓÐßÖ ÏØÞÜÏÚÜÏØÏßÜ ÓÝ ÏàÏÜ ÜÏËÎã ÞÙ ÍÙØÞÓØßÏ ÞÙ ÌÏÝÞÜÓÎÏ ÞÒÏ ÒÏÓÑÒÞÝ ÙÐ ÌÏÝÚÙÕÏ ÖßâßÜ㘠ÍËÞÏÜÓØÑ ÞÙ ÏâÙÞÓÍ áÏËÜݘ ÌÏËßÞÓÐßÖÖã ÎÏÝÓÑØÏÎ ÍÜÏËÞÓÙØÝ ËØÎ ×ÙÜÏ˛ ÒÏ ÝÚÙÕÏ áÓÞÒ Tosin Clegg ËÌÙßÞ ÝÞËÜÞÓØÑ ÙßÞ˜ ÒÏÜ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞݘ Ï×ÏÜÑÓØÑ ÞÙ ÌÏ ÙØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÝÞÜÙØÑÏÝÞ ÒÙ×Ï×ËÎÏ ÌÜËØÎÝ ËØÎ ×ÙÜÏ

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I had an amazing childhood rowing up was interesting, being the last born with three amazing elder sisters and an elder brother to look up to. I had an amazing childhood; I was the baby of the house and my dad’s favourite. My parents were busy bankers, but always made out time for family. I wanted to be a doctor and then a lawyer at various times growing up. I grew up in Port Harcourt and completed my academic education at the University of Port Harcourt. I moved to Lagos In 2018 where I completed my NYSC. I’m a shy and Tuiet person at Àrst but really friendly when I get comfortable. I love meeting new people and trying new things.

About Mangzcode and how I started the brand I received a pair of handmade leather sandals from a friend while in school, it was so beautiful and everyone who saw them wanted a pair. From

Chioma Mang

there I developed interest in leather products and how they were made. My family, friends and colleagues were my Àrst customers. I started

the brand Mangz Code o΀cially in 2018 after I moved to Lagos for my Youth Service and it’s been an amazing journey so far. My last name is Mang, so I wanted a brand name that was personal and represents me. The code is what the brand hopes to deliver, which is stunning art pieces to Àt every lifestyle.

Doing business in Nigeria is crazy, from the steady rise in prices of production materials to other things like electricity, logistics, regulatory issues and so on. It’s been a journey Àlled with constant learning and unlearning. However, I absolutely love what I do and there’s nothing I would rather be doing.

Products we design under the brand We started oͿ creating slippers and sandals when the business began in 2018. We’ve expanded steadily since then including more leather products like handbags, wallets, purses, belts and so on to our range using the best quality leather and materials.

Creative process behind the designs I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the best artisans and I’ve watched the quality of our products grow exponentially over the years. As the creative director, I love to research on fashion and also follow a lot of fashion trends on social media to see what consumers like and how we can improve our products. I also get motivated by other designers who have been in the business longer. We hope to grow our factory so we can meet the rising demand for our products. We also hope to open Áagship stores so we can cater to more people and provide a complete experience. I would love for people all over the world to get the Mangz Code experience.

Mangz Code will be 3 years in September 2021 It has recorded signiÀcant growth over the past years including our Àrst workshop and pick up location In Lagos and a subsidiary brand named Bags.Lagos. Bags.Lagos is a brand borne out of a desire to meet a high demand for handmade vegan leather bags.

Komzee Unveils ‘Cosmic Wave’ MTV Base’s ‘Celeb Living’ Returns with Ayra Starr Komzee is a seasoned artiste with genius exempliÀed in his sound and entire music sphere. His sound is the fusion of Afrobeat and Dancehall combining basic elements from both genres proportionally till it comes to life. This rare state of genius has been put together in his new project titled, Cosmic Wave.

Speaking about putting together his New EP he said, “I worked with a producer called Premium on this project. I tried a couple of other producers back at Cyprus but I wasn’t satisÀed. After arriving in Nigeria about three months ago, I realised a known producer might not give me all his time and attention unlike someone that’s still very much fresh about his career goals in life. So, Premium produced my Àrst ever track like over a decade ago after my secondary education and his talent since then till now can only get better as he is hardworking and creative. I linked up with him on arrival knowing that he would deliver and we made it happen with the massive opportunity given by Konvex.”

Cosmic Wave is basically all about Komzee’s experience for a period of time which brought about the rebirth of the star coming to the limelight, bringing out inspiration from other dimensions.

From revealing some glimpses of reality and its truth cutting across heartbreaks, backstabs, the selections or better still choices we make that either end up favoring us or not, and how to do it right. This body of work is expected to serve nothing but seasoned quality music and embodies top class deliveries.

With the Cosmic Wave about hitting us, Komzee is super excited about the future and what it has in stock for him. Excitedly, he said, “I see myself dropping couple or more albums that would be bagging

Komzee

awards a decade straight. Yeah, I’m pretty conÀdent when I say that, because my ambition is way on another level and I also want the brand “Komzee” everywhere even as it is a tiny little step but we are moving by God’s grace.”

MTV Base’s hit show, Celeb Living, is returning for yet another sizzling season packed with exciting new guests. The new season, which will be showing every Tuesday will feature various indigenous superstars including Ayra Starr, L.A.X. and Zoro.

On the debut of the new season, Solafunmi Sosanya, Senior Channels Manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa said: “Celeb Living is the melting pot for celebrity lifestyle, culture, and fan aspirations.

This season will show the glitz, glamour and vulnerability of some of Naija’s favourite celebrities and we are excited about our featured guests as they cut across various layers and have a unique sense of style and glam. As the base of premium entertainment, viewers can trust MTV Base to deliver on memorable, quality content.”

Past seasons of MTV Base’s Celeb Living featured Àgures like Mr. P, Timaya, AY, Odion Ighalo and Jimi Agbaje, among others.

Ayra Starr

Tayo Emmanuel’s Peace in the Abyss What’s love in the real sense? How much should we sacrifice for love and how genuine are the actions or words tailored out by our significant other when it comes to loving?

Could love be worth it after all even when the red flags are obviously flying? This and more were the questions imbedded in “Peace in the Abyss,” a book by Tayo Emmanuel.

‘Peace in the Abyss’ tops

descriptive writing ranks as each scene was well told with explicit use of words leading the reader through each line into sentences and paragraphs into chapters.

Right up in your head, you have a vivid imagination of what each scene looked like and it more or less made you visualize the story and thoughts of the characters.

Tayo Emmanuel

19

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

POLITY

Mustapha, Bello, Dogara, Nami Hail Daura On Award Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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comiums have continued to pour in for Mallam Mamman Daura who was honoured with a Life Time Achievement Award by the Vanguard Newspapers last Saturday in Lagos.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, in a congratulatory message, said the recognition was as a result of Daura’s “sparkling contribution to Nigeria’s development, service to God and humanity as well as national and international assignments and community development.”

He added that the award to Mallam Daura was well deserved given his brilliance in business, economy and for being a major architect in the industralisation of the north and the nation in general.

“The Life Time Achievement Award to Mallam Mamman Daura by Vanguard Newspapers on Saturday, July 17, 2021 speaks to the elder statesman’s unalloyed commitment to excellence and his patriotism to Nigeria’s unity, development and growth.

“I use this opportunity to once again state that Mallam Daura is an exemplary individual worthy of emulation whose immense contributions cut across divides. I urge all Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of Mallam Daura’s industry, discipline, hardwork and unyielding belief in Nigeria.

“His abiding faith should speak volume at a time when there are disparate voices trying to tear the fabric of our country’s unity and to put a wedge between our peoples.

Let me thank the Vanguard Newspapers for looking beyond the veil of existential agitations to confer this award on a truly deserving personality,” the statement reads.

On their parts, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and former Speaker, House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, expressed their commendation over the award in separate statements.

The duo said the award is a testimonial to the “pervading influence and strength of character” of the award

Daura recipient.

Bello in his statement said, “It is not every day you find a newspaper with credible reputation gives out a Life Time Achievement Award. The award to an individual such as the towering Mamman Daura speaks to his pervading influence not just in journalism, business and economy, but to his broad principles about nation building and humanity as a whole.

“We need more Mamman Dauras who got through life by dint of hard work, fortitude and the fear of God. He is an example of what our nation needs to shine the light in the dark of uncertainties and parochialism.

“On behalf of the good people of Kogi state and myself, we congratulate him and urge him to continue to inspire more Nigerians to believe in this country, demonstrate industry and embrace all,” the governor stated.

In the same vein, Dogara said Mallam Daura remains a tower of character and inspiration.

“It is important to state that your efforts are not taken

for granted and we will continue to also look up to you and we ask that you continue to render support because at the level you have attained, all you need to do now is to continue to assist mankind to make life better.

“I know that you are doing a lot but I pray that God will give you the ability to continue to make your contributions to our nation and humanity. While I congratulate you on this esteemed award, I urge you not to relent in being an encyclopedia of knowledge and inspiration.’’

In his message, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, hailed the conferment as owing to the recipient’s lasting and worthwhile contributions, efforts and dedication of service to the country and humanity.

“I am particularly excited that it is not how long it takes to be honoured, but that key institutions take cognizance of people like Daura’s invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development especially as it relates to the economy and capital growth.

“I agree with the organisers that Daura’s capacity as board member of Africa International Bank and Chairman of Nigerian Bank of Commerce and Industry, his brilliance sparkled like the northern star. As one of the major pioneers of the industrialisation of northern Nigeria, Daura alongside local and international partners and investors, set up some successful companies. They include Kaduna Furniture and Carpets, KFC; Kaduna Aluminium Ltd, Kaduna Machine Works, Boots Nigeria Ltd, United Nigeria Textiles Ltd, UNTL; Funtua Textiles, FTL; Arewa Textiles, Nortex and Finetex.

“These companies’ taxes helped in no small measure in boosting the country’s revenue, the legacies which are evident everywhere. I urge the foremost personality to see this award as a call to do even more in setting examples for the next generation,” Nami said.

In his own reaction, former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, commended Mamman Daura for the award, and described him as “a man of deep wisdom.”

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Evil Nigerians in $1.4m COVID-19 Scam in US

L-R: Quazeem Owolabi Adeyinka, Ayodeji Jonathan Sangode, and Olamide Yusuf Bakare

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everaging on the adverse effect of COVID -19 and its atendant job loses just like the dubious always exploit situations, three Nigerians in America showed their dubuity by making job loss claims in what one of the managers of such schemes descrbed as exploiting the soft hearted and care for humanity which the croocked latch on to.

However, though the trio were smart, they left traces through which technology assisted with human intelligence bursted them as the federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) arrested them after a pinstaking investigation.

The suspects who were caugtht by Automated Teller Machi9ne cameras had their drivers licences matched which positively identified them were Quazeem Owolabi Adeyinka, 20, Ayodeji Jonathan Sangode, 22, and Olamide Yusuf Bakare who were alleged to have stolen 2.6 million in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

“Security cameras attached to Automated Teller Machines (ATM) in the United States of America helped capture the Nigerian youths who allegedly fraudulently obtained more than $1.4 million (about N580 million) jobless benefits from the states of Arizona, California, North Carolina, and Maryland,” documents filed in court said.

The Nigerians allegedly used an address in Hyattsville, Maryland, to steal $1.4 million from different cities in the United States like California, Arizona, Maryland and North Carolina. Authorities said at least $1.2 million of the stolen funds was from California’s Employment Development Department.

Details gleaned from court papers said the internet fraudsters filed over 200 unemployment claims with California’s EDD using a single address on 75th Avenue in Hyattsville out of which 97 of the applications pulled through and were approved.

John C. Collins, a special agent with the U.S. Department of Labor said the ring was investigated by a combined team of the FBI, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and state law enforcement authorities.

“Based on the size of the apartment, the investigation has concluded that a high number of UI applications associated with this address is unreasonable, and thus an indicator of fraudulent activity. “(Bank of America) records show that 142 UI claim profiles using the 75th Avenue apartment address issued a total of 175 prepaid cards from the states of Arizona, California, Maryland, and North Carolina,” Mr. Collins said in the complaint

filed in California.

Investigators said several attempts to claim bogus unemployment insurance were made using the same address from Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Texas, Washington and West Virginia. They allegedly filed claims that they lost their job due to the COVID outbreak. They claimed they were working as accountant, dance therapist, computer consultant, librarian or other occupations, and allegedly used untraceable IP addresses.

“The funds the young men fraudulently obtained were depleted through purchases, transfers, and ATM cash withdrawals conducted in California, Florida, and Maryland, according to prosecutors. ATM withdrawals alone amounted to over $989,000.

“Bank of America (BofA) records show that, on or about July 19, 2020, an individual appearing to be Adeyinka based on a comparison with his driver’s license photo, withdrew $1,000 cash using BofA-EDD debit card ending in 2312 in the name of K.K. at the Landover Hills Bank of America ATM located at 7515 Annapolis Road, Hyattsville, Maryland.

“More BofA records show that, on or around July 5, 2020, an individual appearing to be Bakare based on his driver’s license photo withdrew cash using the 7990 BofA-EDD debit card at a BofA ATM located at 10200 Lake Arbor Way, Mitchellville, Maryland.

“Also, footage from Bank of America shows that Sangode’s Hyundai (MD license plate 3DS7400) was surveilled at a BofA drive-through ATM located at 3413 Kenilworth Ave, Hyattsville, Maryland. The driver of the vehicle resembles Sangode based on a comparison using his MD driver’s license photo,” investigators said.

Other withdrawals were said to have been effected at different dates and a look at the particulars of those that carried out the transactions matched the three who have been arrested On how the fraudster were able to pull such a heist, federal authorities explained that they observed that the “scammers and con artists were taking advantage of the high volume of COVID-19 cheques being sent out to cushion the effect of the pandemic amongst Americans.”

President of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, Angie Barnett, said some sources estimate that such fraud had increased by up to 3,000% since the coronavirus pandemic, and catching and prosecuting the criminals was tough.

“The bad people are capitalising on the grief and the fragility of our society. We’re emotional, we’re fragile and our financial care and concern, and scammers take advantage of that,” Barnett lamented.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

POLITY

Gbenga Badejo Becomes 54th President of Rotary Club, Ikeja Sola Ebiseni

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otarian Gbenga Badejo has been installed as the 54th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja. The colourful ceremony which took place recently also witnessed the induction of the new board for the Rotary 2021/2022 year as well as presentation of awards to Rotarians and nonRotarians, including 50 years of Rotary to Chief Olusegun Osunkeye.

Speaking at the ceremony which was attended by Dorothy Ufot (SAN) and Akinla of Erin Ijesha, Oba Isaac, Rotarian Badejo said he planned to continue with the club’s signature and legacy projects to achieve maximum impact in their adopted communities.

According to him, ‘’Some of my key projects for this Rotary Year are, building of Rotary Club of Ikeja Youth Community Centre for Leadership and Vocational Training- in collaboration with Lagos State Government, setting up of 20-seater ICT Centre for SOS Children’s Home, Micro Credit scheme interest free loans and renovation of a Block of Classroom with Complete furniture for Ikeja Junior High School. ‘’We plan to build a Games Court that can accommodate Handball, Badminton and Volleyball, supply Medical equipment to LASUTH, give awards to Health care Professionals that have been adjudged to be excellent performers, visit and provide relief materials to Orphanages and IDP camps.”

Rotarian Badejo concluded that the club would also host its annual SOS Children village Xmas Party, offer free test Medical Services to the Oregun Community, and distribute mosquito treated nets, provide borehole for Olusola Model Primary School Oregun, donate equipment for artisans, train and retrain Primary School teachers as well as engage in tree planting.’’

Rotarian Badejo, the fifth child of the late Rev. Jacob Adesoga Badejo and late Mrs Grace Folorunsho Badejo of Ijebu – Igbo, Ogun State, graduated from Nigeria’s Premier University - University of Ibadan in 1984 with a Degree in Geography from the Faculty of Social Sciences and emerged one of the best in his class. He capped his career journey as a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants, with many record-breaking achievements to his credit.

Rotarian Badejo was humble enough to take up Accounting from the scratch and eventually qualified as a Chartered Accountant having trained at BDO Binder Balogun Badejo & Co, Chartered Accountants where he cut his teeth in accounting and consulting and later Ayorinde Thomas & Co., Chartered Accountants.

He became the pioneer Finance Manager of SO & U Saatchi in 1991 an International Integrated Marketing Communications Company having offices in 36 countries across continents, and he rose to become the Chief Accountant and Head of Admin in 1996 before leaving to set up an accounting and consulting firm.

An accomplished professional, scholar and motivational speaker, Rotarian Badejo, a Fellow of The Institute of

Rotarian Gbenga Badejo being decorated as the 54th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja by the Immediate Past President, Rotarian Dotun Lampejo.

Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Taxation, Fellow of The Nigerian Institute of Management Member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), Alumnus of the Lagos Business School and an Alumni of Harvard Kennedy School has many corporate caps he is wearing.

He was appointed Expert-In-Residence at the Lagos Business School, Enterprise Development Centre, in recognition of his acumen, to counsel and mentor part of a pool of upcoming SMEs. He is Expert-in-Residence for NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce.

He served on the Board of ICAN Faculty for Forensic Audit and Investigation, ICAN Practice Monitoring Group and ICAN Professional Practice Monitoring Committee. He was subsequently awarded a Certificate of Proficiency by ICAN in Corporate Finance. He is Vice-Chairman, Finance & General purpose Committee - Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Member of Micro and Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Committee He, at varied times, attended Lagos Business School CEP22, Strathmore Business School, Nairobi and IESE, Barcelona, Spain, and The Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, USA. He was also part of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce Delegation to Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference in the United Kingdom in 2018.

An astute Boardroom guru, Rotarian Badejo had served and still serving on the following boards as a Non-Executive Director, Funmi Stores Limited, award winning distributor to all the major FMCG companies in Nigeria, Non-Executive Director, BDS Consult, a Training and Management Development Consultancy outfit, Non-Executive Director, Pratix Consulting Limited – a Project Management outfit with

interest in Real Estate and Power, Pioneer Director, Omoluabi Garment Factory Limited – a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project between Sam & Sara Ventures Limited and the Osun State Government, Non-Executive Chairman, Crowne Farms Limited – a fledging Agri-Business, Director, Investment 2000 Limited – An Investment Portfolio Company, Director, Primus 1948 Limited – A World Class Property and Mall Development Company and Non-Executive Vice-Chairman, Emergent Power and Energy Development Company. He is a Member of the Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Member of the Association of Reporting Accountants and Auditors in the Capital Market (SEC regulated) A lover of God and an ardent member of the Methodist faith, Badejo, a Knight of John Wesley, was the Past President- YMCA Methodist Church Opebi Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Treasurer- Christian Brothers Society, Pioneer Treasurer- Diocese of Lagos West (The Best Diocese in the Conference Area during his tenure), Patron- Association of Methodist Brigades, Special Member- YWCA Methodist Church Opebi, Cathedral of Peace and Excellence and Patron- Choir of Excellence Methodist Church Opebi, Cathedral of Peace and Excellence.

Rotarian Badejo who plays Golf, Squash and Table Tennis at his leisure is a Member of Ikeja Golf Club and Lagos Country Club. He is happily married with three children who are budding professionals in their respective fields.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

MultiChoice’s ‘Biggie Goals’ Promo Delivering Quality Entertainment Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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rguably, the pandemic erased doubts that TV culture is dying. If anything, it showed that TV is not going anywhere. Its mode of transmission may evolve but people will always rely on TV content to educate and entertain them. Thus, making the market a competitive one as networks, studios battle to dominate the market.

No doubt, content is everywhere but not everyone has access to premium content at affordable rates, particularly in Nigeria where economic hardships are taking a toll on citizens.

Enter MultiChoice Nigeria, the leading media and Entertainment Company in Nigeria. Since its services became available to Nigerians in the 90s, the company has made it a habit to offer the best possible TV programmes be it sports, entertainment or news to its teeming audience through its satellite and digital terrestrial television platforms: DStv and GOtv. One of the ways it maintains relevance in the Pay-TV space is by allowing low-income households to access its world-class programmes without compromising quality. For instance, duringthe peak period of the pandemic last year, it launched the ‘We’ve Got You’ campaign which offered active and disconnected DStv and GOtv customers the opportunity to enjoy discounts of up to 44 per cent on decoder purchases.

Similarly, the early months of this year saw the company slashed its DStv decoder prices to as low as N9,900 as well as launched the Step Up campaign where subscribers on Compact, Yanga and Confam packages pay for a package a step above their current package and get a boost to view programming on the next higher package, while GOtv subscribers on GOtv Jolli and Jinja

enjoyed an upgrade to GOtv Max at a discounted price of N2,999, instead of N3,600 per month.

Beyond offering subscribers their services at affordable rates, MultiChoice Nigeria also raised the ante in the content offering. One of its notable pandemic TV shows was the ‘Turn Up Friday’, a club-like music programme that offered viewers a sense of partying in clubs from the comfort of their homes. Another show that rocked the world of viewers was the ‘Saturday Owambe’ specifically styled in the manner of society parties. These two programmes helped people to overcome the anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The icing on the cake for subscribers last year was the return of the popular reality TV show Big Brother Naija.

Against all odds, the company carried on with the show under strict adherence to COVID-19 rules.

This year has equally seen an array of top-notch programmes from the network. From the recently concluded Euro 2020 Championship where Italy claimed victory; and Nigerian Idol which crowned Kingdom Kroisede as its sixth season winner to the entertaining Wrestlemania in April which had an in-person gathering for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, as a new and exciting season of Big Brother Naijabeckons, as well as the Olympic Games, MultiChoice Nigeria is offering subscribers an opportunity to watch all the action and drama with the Biggie Goals Promo. The ongoing campaign allows new and returning subscribers to purchase the DStv decoder, dish kit and one-month compact subscription for N9,900, a significant drop from its initial price of N18,600.

Likewise, new customers on GOtv can purchase the GOtvdecoder, GOtenna and one-month GOtv Max subscription for N6,900, instead of N9,500.

With these new pocket-friendly offers, MultiChoice is reaffirming its commitment to alleviate subscribers’

John Ugbe, MD, MultiChoice Nigeria

financial burdens by offering them access to premium programmes.

According to Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho, the Biggie Goal offer is a way of widening access to quality entertainment programming at very affordable rates.“It is a chance for the company’s customers to experience a wide range of content on its higher packages. There is a lot to look forward to in the coming months,” he said.

Indeed, there is a lot to look forward to and TV is definitely not going anywhere if rich content can be accessed and enjoyed without robbing a bank.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

21

POLITY

Ramping Up Enugu’s Mass Housing Stock Laurence Ani

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onsid With the national minimum wage at thirty thousand naira monthly and a mortgage sector blighted by an unusually high interest rate, the promise of affordable mass housing for civil servants has always sounded somewhat like a pie in the sky.

So, barring any radical housing policy, dreams of owning personal homes will remain an uphill task even for senior level public servants, let alone mid- and low-cadre workers. The long absence of such policy is the reason Nigeria’s housing deficit is currently estimated at 17 million, a figure that rises annually by 900,000, according to former finance minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun.

One such radical policy occurred in July 2016, when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi launched an ambitious mass housing programme that reduced the burden of the usually huge equity contribution on the public to a tolerable level.

The Ugwuanyi administration paid over 50 percent equity contribution for Enugu State civil servants between grade levels 01-10 for the purchase of 100 units of one-bedroom flats at Elim Estate, Ibagwa Nike, Enugu.

In making this project one of his administration’s earliest capital expenditure, the governor underlined his commitment to the provision of affordable housing for workers. The project was insulated from the noxious influence of politics as beneficiaries were selected via a transparent ballot. Just as significant is the fact the project was a product of a state-private sector partnership. As the governor had rightly observed, “today’s event indeed underscores the usefulness of synergy and cooperation between government and the private sector in the quest to improve the lives of our people through the rapid development of all sectors of the state’s economy”.

The conceiving and implementing of that housing project is in accord with Governor Ugwuanyi’s promise in his inaugural speech to deploy government resources and services to create fair and equal opportunity for every citizen and improve their wellbeing in a peaceful and secure environment. “It is a reaffirmation of our commitment to improving the welfare of workers in Enugu State, and to the provision of affordable housing for all citizens of the state,” he said as he handed out keys to beneficiaries.

Gov Ugwuanyi’

It is such noble objective that is behind the ongoing construction of 750 residential housing units for civil servants, comprising one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom bungalows. The project being carried out by the Enugu State

Housing Development Corporation will feature a similarly flexible repayment schedule.

This vision has earned the Ugwuanyi administration a resounding accolade from labour unions in the state whose leaders, Comrade Virginus Nwobodo of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress’ Comrade Benneth Asogwa, accompanied the governor during an inspection of the housing units Besides the construction of these low-cost housing schemes, the Enugu State governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare is further reinforced by his administration’s swift implementation of the enhanced minimum wage. His scorecard in improving workers’ welfare is also evident in his conferment with the “Most Labour-Friendly Governor” award by workers in Enugu State.

It is instructive that the mass housing programmes as well as many other capital projects were carried out despite the drop in allocation to states from the federation account. This reduction has been worsened by the outbreak of coronavirus which caused a near collapse of economic activities across the world. Indeed, even at the best of times, Enugu State is actually one of the least recipients of the monthly federal allocation. But the state, ironically, has consistently ranked among the top performers in most socio-economic indices from internal revenue to support for small businesses, job creation, and capital budget expenditure performance.

Even when the economic strain of the pandemic compelled states to carry out a reordering of budget priorities, which often meant scaling down capital expenditure, infrastructure development in Enugu State was by no means diminished. That is credit to the governor’s creative deployment of resources and his ability to inspire a new thinking to bolster the state’s revenue base.

Given the massive housing deficits across the federation, some may cynically view the Ugwuanyi administration’s intervention as a mere drop in the ocean. The truth, however, is that these interventions offer a clear insight to the sort of incremental growth that mass housing would have experienced had it been, over the past years, given the kind of attention the Ugwuanyi administration has devoted to building new affordable housing projects.

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PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Executive Head, Customer Value Management, MultiChoice Nigeria, Omoyeme Effiong and Head Of DStv Business, Abayomi Famakinwa at the launch of new and revamped DStv Business packages in Lagos...recently

L-R: Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Vincent Umoh; Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources and Chairman of the occasion, Pastor Umo Eno; and the state branch Chairman of NMA, Dr. Ime Sylvester Udoh, at the 2021 NMA AGM/SC. in Uyo...recently

L-R, Head, Corporate Communications, Montego Upstream Services Ltd. Kenechukwu Okafor; Head Teacher, Ochigba Community Primary School, Ahoada Local Government Area of River State, Johnson Nwabueze, Head, Community Affairs, Communications, Montego Upstream Services Ltd, Raphael Ejire-Abee, Representative of Ochigba Community, Chief Rowland Ebeledhi, at the Presentation of Classrooms Furniture Donated to Ochigba Community Primary School, L-R Rotarian Josephine Nwaka Oteme; Past Assistant Governor, Nosa Edo-Osagie and Club Secretary, Rotarian Cyril Itua Osajiede during the immunisation exercise at Primary Health Centre in Ahoada Local Government Area of River State Benin City by the Rotary Club of Benin as their first project in the Rotary year recently.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

POLITY

Presidential Amnesty Programme: The Ajube Story Grace Dickson

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he story of Shoot-at-Sight, one of the leading Niger Delta freedom fighters, whose real name is High Chief Bibopere Ajube, is one that could make the best sellers list, when published as a book. He was one of the prominent leaders of the Niger Delta who willingly dropped his arms and abandoned violent agitation to embrace amnesty following its proclamation by the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, in his quest to restore peace in the once volatile Niger Delta region.

Ajube, who hails from the Ijaw riverine Arogbo-Ibe in Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ondo State, had no formal education. He could not attend primary school. But right from childhood, he saw the river criss-crossing his community as an opportunity for fishing. So, he grew up with a survival instinct as a fisherman.

From his Ondo fishing camp, Ajube embarked on a voyage to Delta State where he met another leading light in the struggle, a former ex-agitator, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo. The meeting no doubt commenced the era of violent agitation that humbled the country’s economy. When asked to described himself, Ajube, who is always economical with words said: “I am a man of humble beginning. I had no formal education. I was brought up in a creek community called Arogbo-Ibe where fishing was predominant and so I naturally grew up to be a fisherman before teaming up with Tompolo to fight for the emancipation of the Niger Delta”.

His acceptance of amnesty marked the beginning of his journey to self discovery in business. It made him to wear his thinking cap as he saw himself metamorphose into a major player in the economy of the Niger Delta. This is to the extent that he now commands the economy, wages war against poverty, fights unemployment and creates opportunities for jobless youths in the Niger Delta region.

It is no surprise that his name is fondly mentioned by the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), at every occasion. To Dikio, Ajube is an outstanding example of what is possible in the Niger Delta. The amnesty boss believes that if Ajube despite his limited educational background could rise above the challenges in the Niger Delta to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs among his peers, other ex-agitators have the potential to do same.

According to Dikio, the story of Ajube is a clear example of what is possible in the Niger Delta.

“Ajube today is a model of success and an inspiration to so many of our youths in the region. We are using his story to inspire and encourage others to change their mindset of depending on N65,000 monthly stipend. We are encouraging them to key into our new vision of transforming the ex-agitators into entrepreneurs and/or employable citizens who will become net contributors to the economy of the region and the nation like Ajube.”

Therefore, Dikio has since embarked on the mission to make other ex-agitators think out of the box like Ajube by capitalising on the numerous opportunities in the region to become successfull entrepreneurs instead of depending

Colonel Dikio

solely on N65,000 monthly stipends.

Ajube’s mindset is different. Instead of settling for N65,000 monthly stipend like others, he rather decided to seek and develop other economic opportunities in the Niger Delta made possible by the amnesty programme. He chose to be an entrepreneur and floated a company called Bradama International where he has succeeded in training a number youths from the region, mentored and employed them into his company.

His company, Bradama, which means “handwork”has become one of the leading oil and gas companies in Nigeria.

In fact, Bradama International offers a wide range of services such as pipe fabrication and pipeline construction; training on professional welding; dredging, canalisation and marine services among others. In fact, Ajube, who did not see the four walls of a primary school, hires and pays graduates with various higher degrees fat salaries every month. The company, which designs and construct sophisticated pipelines, has completed and delivered multi-billion-naira projects for big players in the petroleum and power sectors.

In his several meetings and engagements with youths in the region, Col. Dikio has repeatedly said that he wants all ex-agitators to be like Ajube. Dikio was particularly impressed that Ajube was already implementing a new model he introduced in the amnesty programme to change the existing training approach he inherited from his predecessor. He was elated when he discovered that his model of Train, Mentor and Employ (TME), was being practised in Bradama and has transformed some of the former footsoldiers of Ajube into entrepreneurs.

Using Ajube as an example, Dikio has been touring the Niger Delta preaching the gospel of entrepreneurship to all ex-agitators. He has been preparing the ex-agitators to capitalise on the opportunities and comparative ecomomic

advantage in the region to create wealth and escape the shackles of N65,000 monthly stipend mentality.

In his last tour of the region, Dikio, who had the picture of Ajube in mind, started work on his project of constituting the ex-agitators into cooperatives in three broad areas of maritime security, food security and maritime transport.

He held a workshop that taught the ex-agitators how they could successfully transform themselves into wealthy entrepreneurs leveraging on the cooperative model.

For Dikio, if ex-agitators fail to think like Ajube by taking advantage of the economic opportunities in their region to create jobs and grow wealth, they will shackled to the negative thinking that N65,000 is all that is available for them.

Therefore, Dikio did not hesitate to describe the monthly stipend as a stronghold which the ex-agitators must break away from to maximize their potentials the way Ajube did.

He said to them: “You must think of how you can graduate from stipends after 11 years. I am offering you a platform. You have to form yourselves into cooperatives.

You are better than this stronghold of N65,000. We can’t make progress sitting in one place. My job is to make you think beyond the N65,000 mentality.

“We are starting a process of making our ex-agitators self-relient, entrepreneurs and by extension employers of labour. We want to open their minds to see the numerous resources that are available in their environment and how adding value will make them become financially self relient.

“When you form partnership, you become stronger. There is a spirit behind coming together. Stop making excuses to remain where you are. We want to see you rub your minds together. Develop business ideas. If you start in six months you will be shocked. Your lives will change.

“If what you get is more than what you spend, don’t bother.

You must learn the language of money to be rich. The rich invest while the poor don’t. No matter how much you get, you must take something out. You must know basic things.

If you choose to be rich, you will be rich. Change perception about you. Define yourselves through your actions” Responding to a question about what drives his passion and inspiration to strive for success, Ajube said he derived his inspiration from his humble background and this has spurred his passion to lift his community out of poverty.

He said: “I am from a very humble background and I know how difficult it is to survive without education. That’s why a number of our youths are engaged in criminal activities because they have no jobs and they must survive. So with no job, no education, no form of acquired skill through vocational training, the future looks bleak for the youths.

That’s why I decided to make a difference. I believe the sure way to put a stop to the criminal activities of youths in my community is to have them productively engaged and be able to provide them with education, enable them acquire skills and access to social amenities.

“These are the things I thought about and it inspired me to do it for my community. Ultimately, I look forward to having more graduates in our community”. t %JDLTPO XSPUF GSPN 3VNVLPSP 1PSU )BSDPVSU

Canada Pledges Support to African First Ladies Peace Mission Olaoluwakitan Babatunde

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he Government of Canada has pledged cooperation and support to the African First Ladies Peace Mission, AFLPM, in pursuit of the Mission’s peacebuilding efforts on the African continent.

This was the outcome of the virtual meeting between the Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on AFLPM, Dr. Mairo Al-Makura, on the Mission’s side, and the Canadian Minister of International Development, Karina Gould, and the Canadian Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, Jacqueline O’Neill, held July 16 Speaking during the meeting, Gould and O’Neill commended the valuable efforts of the AFLPM, which they acknowledged, had been working relentlessly on peacebuilding initiatives within Africa.

The Canadian officials, therefore, expressed the interest of the Government of Canada in deepening its cooperation with the AFLPM in promoting women, peace, and security in Africa.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Al Makura, highlighted women’s role in peacebuilding, the systemic barriers often faced by women in conflict settings and how Canada could further support the goals of the AFLPM on the continent.

“Through the years, the AFLPM has leveraged its privilege and access to power to foster diplomatic and political relationship towards achieving peace, with a particular focus on the needs of the women and children of Africa.

“With the 47 member-states making up the mission well utilised as vehicles to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution through feminist lens, we have the uniq u e a b i l i t y t o q u i c k l y mobilise and advocate for change.

“Also, the Peace Mission is embarking on Advocacy for women on the need to take COVID-19 vaccines alongside their famil i e s ” D r. M a i r o A l - M a k u r a s t a t e d .

She emphasised the need for Canada and AFLPM to establish ways to deepen relationship and mobilise resources for the AFLPM secretariat to advance the women, peace and security agenda, gender equali t y, a n d t h e b r o a d e r S u s t a i n a b l e D e v e l -

opment Goals objectives on the African continent.

The Peace Mission and the Government of Canada also discussed several regional peace, security and humanitarian issues and the need to resolve conflicts through political dialogue and increased women’s participation in conflictprevention efforts.

Meanwhile, the African First Ladies Peace Mission was an outcome of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on women in Beijing, China, where the initiative was taken to establish the African First Ladies Forum by African wives of African Heads of State/Presidents who came together as ambassadors of peace during the conference.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

PERSPECTIVE Sulaiman-Ibrahim Off to a Good Start at Refugees Commission Although Haj. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim was deployed to the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2021, she is already making impacts with her humane approach to the management of the plights of IDPs, writes Olaoluwakitan Babatunde The Spiraling IDPs, Refugees Challenges

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ven though the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) was established with an expanded mandate to coordinate the national action for the protection and assistance of Persons of Concern – refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, stateless persons, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and Migrants - it is debatable that the government ever envisaged a day when the country would be flooded with IDPs as is currently the case today.

Indeed, the fact that the Commission was initially named the National Commission for Refugees (NCFR) before its mandate was expanded in 2002 and 2009 to cover IDPs as well as Migration and Development, respectively, shows that the earlier focus must have been to cater to the welfare of West Africans fleeing the bloody wars and conflicts in their countries such as the First Liberia Civil War between 1986 and 1996/1997 and the second Liberia War, which lasted from 1999 to 2003. For instance, on June 17, 2003 alone, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), received 1,989 asylum seekers from Liberia, who were quartered at the Oru refugee camp in Osun State jointly managed by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (ICRC), the UNHCR, and the NCFRMI (NCFR at the time).

Also, according to a 2001 survey by the United States Committee for Refugees and Migrants, Nigeria hosted almost 10,000 refugees at the end of 2001, including about 4,000 from Sierra Leone, 3,000 from Chad, nearly 3,000 from Liberia, and several hundred from at least five other countries, although a good number of these refugees lived on their own and integrated into their host communities.

The table only started turning during the 2000s when Nigeria gradually moved from a largely refugees receiving to one where the citizens are internally displaced. The US body estimated that 70,000 Nigerians were internally displaced by communal violence within that period, while 7,000 others applied for asylum in Europe. The advent of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgency, have worsened the number of internally displaced Nigerians took.

It took a quantum leap, especially in the highly destabilised Lake Chad region.

AccordingtotheUNHCR,BokoHaraminsurgency had displaced nearly 2.4 million people in the Lake Chad Basin as at December 2020. Over 2.1 million people were internally displaced in Nigeria. Also Niger, Cameroon, and Chad hosted about 312,401 Nigerian refugees as follows: Niger – 177,773 or 56.9 per cent as at May 31, 2021; Cameroon – 118,334 or 37.9 per cent as at June 30, 2021; and Chad – 16,294 or 5.2 per cent as June 30, 2021.

Meanwhile, a 2020 NCFRMI data gleaned by our reporter shows that the Nigerian Government hosts IDP camps in 26 states, namely Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Cross River, Niger, Kogi, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Katsina, Anambra, Delta, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Ondo, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It shows that there are about 2,816,542 recorded IDPs in the country, with Borno State hosting 1,704,473 IDPs, by far the highest number of IDPs, while Lagos hosts the least figure of about 1,002. The internal displacements were caused by insurgency, banditry, communal conflicts, farmers-herders clashes, and flood. Some are also as a result of a combination of factors.

Many troubles of IDPs Today, Nigerian IDPs are faced with enormous challenges, which the NCFRMI is grappling with.

According to the UNHCR, the IDP crisis has been exacerbated by conflict-induced food insecurity and severe malnutrition, which have risen to critical levels” in the Lake Chad Basin.

“Despite the efforts of Governments and humanitarian aid, some 12.5 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad

L-R: Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Haj. Imaan SulaimanIbrahim (1st left), interacts with IDPs during her working visits to IDP camps in Borno State, recently Basin region, with 5.3 million people remaining food insecure.

“The challenges of protecting the displaced are compounded by the deteriorating security situation as well as socio-economic fragility, with communities in the Sahel region facing chronic poverty, a harsh climatic conditions, recurrent epidemics, poor infrastructure and limited access to basic services.

“Despite the return of Nigerian IDPs and refugees to accessible areas, the crisis remains acute”, the UN body, adds.

If the challenges are much for the IDPs, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic have even added salt to the injury. And in all this, women, girls, and children are particularly worst hit. The global humanitarian community, including the UNHCR, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Public Service International (PSI), and the International Red Cross Society, among others, said this much during an e-conference organised by the NCFRMI to mark the 2020 World Humanitarian Day. Speaking during the webinar, which he comoderated with the Deputy Director (now Acting Director), IDPs at NCFRMI, Fatima Maman Daura, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Nigel Fisher, said that “While Covid-19 makes no distinction between social and economic status, there is no doubt that once again, as in any emergency, the poorest and the most disadvantaged are disproportionately affected, and among them women and girls in particular”.

The panel identified exposure to abuse or violence in their immediate environments, access to basic healthcare and community services, protection from communicable diseases, access to clean water, adequate sanitation, basic food and nutrition, access to decent hygiene, shrunk livelihoods, access to shelters, access to prenatal care and basic drugs, access to safe delivery facilities, and access to family planning, among a host of others as challenges facing displaced women and girls. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), 17,053 babies were born in two years (2017 to 2019) to IDPs in 18 locations in Borno State alone.

Associated with this and also identified as a major challenge faced by IDPs is lack of access to education for displaced children. In a webinar, “Achieving Quality Education for Internally Displaced Children and Young People”organised by Save the Child UK and the Inter-agency Network

for Education in Emergencies last Wednesday, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Cecilia JimenezDamary stressed: “Internal displacement often threatens the physical, mental and social aspects of a child’s life. And when internal displacement occurs, community, (and) family structures are likely to break down. Traditional institutions tend to disintegrate, placing children at greater risk of exploitation, abuse and neglect, and insufficient or lack of education. Not least quality education.

“In my report to the General Assembly in 2018, I stressed again that displacement is a process of loss”.

Also, as the then Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu, once put it, “Today’s 15-year-olds were only 7 when this conflict began. Growing up amid brutal conflict will have affected them profoundly and without education, children are at risk of being seen as an ideal recruitment pool for extremist organisations or criminal gangs”.

A child denied formal education also losses critical benefits like stable nurturing and enriching environments, says the International Displacement Monitoring Centre, IDMC. Amid these challenges, it is nevertheless the statutory responsibility of the NCFRMI to political provide protection, food and non-food items, education, skill acquisition and various other types of empowerment aimed at ensuring the restoration of the human dignity of the IDPs and refugees and ultimately help them to return to their original homes or be integrated into their host communities.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s humane approach Whereas successive NCFRMI administrations have put in efforts to undertake these tasks, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has no doubt upped the ante since she was recently drafted from the National Agency for the Prevention of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) to the Commission as the CEO and Honourable Federal Commissioner. The woman, who seems to be in a hurry to impact the lives of IDPs recently hit Borno State, Nigeria’s highest concentration of IDPs, to assess things by herself, give out relief materials, and personally interface with the IDPS to know where the shoe pinches them most.

During the three-day tour, her first since effectively taking over at the Commission, SulaimanIbrahim was at the El-Miskin IDP camp in Jere LGA

of Borno State, which presently houses over 1,550 households comprising of over 7,111 persons from Mafa, Marte, Jere, Monguno, Magumeri Dikwa and Ngala LGAs, Borno. She was also at Muhammadu Buhari IDP camp, one of the biggest camps, housing 2,321 households made up of 11,605 individuals from Abadam, Kukawa, Guzamala, Mobbar and Marte LGAs of Borno State.

To ameliorate the sufferings of IDPs and assist the most vulnerable, women and girls, Haj. SulaimanIbrahim personally supervised the distribution of both food and non-food items. Each beneficiary household got 25 kg of rice, 25 kg of beans, 25 kg of millet, four pieces of spaghetti, 25 kg of maize, one gallon of palm oil/groundnut oil as well as matrasses, mats, kettle, insecticides, inner wears, buckets, cooking pots, plates, cups, spoons, towels, and sanitary pads. Some IDPs were moved to tears, not only by the magnitude of what they were given, but the manner of the giving.

However, it was her group interactions to hear out the IDPs that were the talk of the town. Her sitting on the mats with the women or personally carrying and cleaning the babies up brought out what had been lacking for ages in the management of IDPs- empathy, human face, and humanness. It could easily be seen from the pictures how happy and reassured those IDPs were relating with her so closely and speaking their minds and their needs.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim pledged the commitment of the Buhari administration to better the lives of IDPs through the NCFRMI. She commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq for her support to IDPs, pledging to work with the Ministry to initiate durable and sustainable plans of inclusiveness of vulnerable persons.

Meanwhile, the Honourable Federal Commissioner is already launching the setting up of Learning Centres in IDP camps across the country to ensure that children and the youth, who find themselves in these crisis situations, are equipped with universal basic and vocational education, and skills.

It might still be too early in the day to assess her, however, if it is true that morning gives a glimpse of the day, it could be said that for the NCFRMI, a new Sheriff is in town, who is not only in a hurry to impact and get things done, but is also bent on doing so most diligently and with every milk of humaneness and humility.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Jim Iyke

I was a Millionaire Before 22… By 23, I Had over N3m in My Account from Acting Love or loath him, leading Nollywood actor Jim Iyke has written in the sands of time his name in the establishment of Nollywood with his craft. His roles as villain or lover boy resonate at the mention of his name. With well almost two decades in the industry, Iyke has seen it all, done it all and owns his craft; and like a movie yet unscripted, Iyke’s career is like a manuscript waiting to be chaptered as captured in this exclusive interview with Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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hat’sup,whathaveyou been up to lately?

Do you want to address basically acting because I’ve not been quite active. I think the last four years, I have done works sparingly, according to my schedule.

I probably did about eleven Àlms back-to-back about seven of them have been released and most of them are on NetÁix. But prior to that time, I moved back to America, settled in Atlanta. I went back to raise my sons; to live a family life. I thought at this point in my life I should sacriÀce something entirely and selÁessly and I lost my mother at that time. So, I was in a diͿerent state, a diͿerent spirit. I didn’t come home after about three, four years. I focused on my company. I was running a logistics company there with my brother in-law. Then, I brought back my logistic company here and I went into real estate.

Yes, I have been extremely busy but not in the industry per se.

This time, my Àrst foray into production is with Bad Comments. It’s my Àrst stint back into the industry. I’m the executive producer, and producer and lead of this Àlm. So, it’s pretty much my baby. I brought Moses Inwang (director) on board to headline this with me. I think that’s the run of what I have been doing so well.

One would have expected a directorial instead of a production debut being that you have always been in front of the camera...

I have directed before you know. I think many years ago I can’t pinpoint the year exactly when we were banned. There was a time like that I moved to London. My aunty is a pastor; aunty Chioma. She wanted to make a movie with some other pastors. So, I grouped them together and we made two Àlms. I directed both of these Àlms. I co-directed one with Obi Emelonye.

And the other one I directed it. It didn’t make the mainstream however. So yes I have done my directorial stint. I enjoyed it immensely. But with this project magnitude what I did was I understudied Moses Inwang all through the process. I didn’t want to put it out there.

Looking at the roles you have played in recent times, it seems you are quite selective with script?

For me, it’s not the question of numbers anymore. As you grow your ‘No’ becomes easier for you and ‘Yes’ becomes even harder. I would not be speaking to you at this point in time of my career if I said yes to everything. I have pretty much put in well almost two decades of my life in this establishment. At this point to still be doing what I love, to still be appreciated by people, to still be somewhat up there and then somewhat still you know with the old feels and bangs and intricacies involved in this industry it’s not easy. I tell you, one of the hardest places to stay relevant is in entertainment. I’m the person that paces himself. I don’t want to leave; I don’t want to go back. And then because of what I think I have written in the sands of time of this establishment, I think I have earned the right to go and come as I please… So it’s only fair that as I get older and get more established in life and I Ànd other skill sets that I’m quite good at I explore them as much as possible.

You were part of some leading Nollywood actors at a Master Class in Abuja recently. Can you tell us about that programme?

Amazing… Agood friend of mine he’s someone I look up to in the motivational circle; someone that is very deeply rooted in the transformation of mind. Linus Okere reached out to me to say ‘hey I want to invite some topnotch Nollywood practitioners come be part of a Master Class’. In that Master Class, we have people like some of the most notable motivational speakers in the world taking us through very profound classes on leadership and mentorship. I thought at this point in my life, those are the kind of classes I want to be in. And having taken a lot of these

Jim Iyke

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JULY 24, 2021

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SUPER SATURDAY I Messed Up My First Audition When I Saw Big Names On Set classes both home and abroad, I was so happy to be a part of that class. What I took away from it has greatly impacted the decision and choices I made thereafter.

a lot of school fees that’s what a lot of people didn’t know.

I forced all my sisters to go get their masters.

I was pushing through a lot of things. I was listening to my dad as regards buying landed properties. You know a lot was going on. But at that point in my life I owed a lot. And what is the regret? Who schooled us on fame? Nobody. It was a trial and error thing. Remember we had no tutors, we had no prompters. It was come as you go. So there was a lot of ego tripping on that stage. We didn’t understand what was going on then. We didn’t understand the full realm of what we are involving. . . You know the total invasion of my privacy, the criticism, the fact that people didn’t know me and just criticized me most cruelly. I just didn’t know how to deal with all of that. So how can I regret that? That has been my school. This has been my transition, like my propensity to bring me to where I am.

I owe it all to the experiences I have had in life.

The failures I had, the successes I have had. The way to enjoy it elegantly is without putting it in anybody’s face. I have measured and attained so many milestones in my life that I didn’t bother to celebrate publicly. I have had so many failures in my life that nobody knew about because I wasn’t in that space.

Then I have had extreme experiences in my life with people of note in the world that I didn’t bother to publish. The greatest disservice I will do to myself at this point in my life is regret. I have lived the full extent of life. If there’s life that was predisposed for ten people I have lived it all. There are days I wake up and I feel that I’m twenty years old. And there are many days I woke up and I feel hundred years old. But in all there has been no regret.

You just mentioned leadership and talking about that, if you get the opportunity to become the president, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) what would you like to change?

Sadly and no pun intended whatsoever, I think my sights are set way beyond that position (giggle). I admire the position or whoever wants to be there. I feel changes can be made from the corridors as long as the real eͿect is felt well with your visions and goals. I think there’s so much we can take into very strong cognizance.

It’s a structure that is very well built. But yet it’s not been impressionably in economic (money) circles. For establishment banking and Ànancial establishments to invest fully well into Nollywood as an entity, we need to understand the values of the ROI – of the Return on Investment, establish a structure that will not only inspire conÀdence for investors but would also inspire Ànances to be pulled in to the industry and for return to be made rapidly. We have not attained that height yet. It used to be a great thing of concern for me over the years that we are still struggling.

Whatever height we think we are right now is still penance compared to the trajectory of what Nollywood represents globally in terms. This is evidently one that has contributed a great deal to our GDP. This is visibly one of the biggest economic sectors in our country. No laws have been promulgated yet to add eͿect to enhance capabilities economically.

Our leaders are obviously not paying enough attention. They are still carried away with oil and gas and natural resources here and there. California as a state does not have natural resources and yet is one of the biggest and economically viable cities in the world. They have a tap; it is human resources; it is gifts and talents in the heart of Hollywood. Why can’t it be so here? Why our people get so much and so deep in the sand that they don’t see the reality of things that a lot can change if more attention, more expert come on board to restructure the establishment that is Nollywood you know. These are all I think trickles and views that I would hold if hypothetically I were to become or I’m the president of AGN. Emeka Rollas is doing as much as he can but given the circumstances and the fact, he is obviously swimming against the tide. To whom much is given much is expected. And I don’t think he has been given much for us to expect a lot from him. But sometimes you have to dig outside your circle, you have to Ànd space outside your box, you have to do the unthinkable. Nevertheless, that is a fantastic person, a Àrst-class leader. I just wish that more support can be given to him so that a lot more can be expected.

Let’s go a bit down memory lane. Was acting really your dream career?

No. My core competence was in Psychology and Finance. Yeah I studied Psychology, I studied Banking and Finance. And that was where I get my whole life projected to be. But you know how they say about man proposes, at the end of the day God choses your path or disposes. I remember going home to tell my father that this was my call in life. I will tell you a thing of irony. I messed up my Àrst audition, my Àrst set. I walked into set and I saw the big names then. I saw the Kate Henshaws, I saw the Ramsey Nouahs. I have always been myself, third generation Nollywood. So I came in, I saw the proper kings and queens of Nollywood that time. And these guys I had a walk-on role (a ‘waka pass’ in local parlance) and I messed it up! I remember (laughing)…It was just paying bill and with Ramsey Nouah that messed it up. . . I was so star struck I couldn’t perform. They still laugh at me till this day about it.

What movie was that?

I can’t even recall (laughing). I remember my sweaty palms, the discomfort of being around them and the fact that I couldn’t alter a word. But I can’t recall the Àlm. They cursed me out. Said I was a BuͿon. I was a no good. That I wasn’t made for this and they kicked me out! They were laughing at me. And I left. But you know what? I left in shame but that was the turning point. That was the switch for my Ànancial, psychological brain to be dramatic with no training at that point.

At long, yeah, this is what I want to do. Rarely do you have that call of faith, that awakening.

I was sure it was what I wanted to do. I had no doubt about it, that whatever vision or whatever projections or dream my parents had for me in the Ànancial world, that I was still going to outlive it. I Ànished school early I had no doubts.

I Ànished schooling early; by 21, I was out with my Àrst degree. So I pretty much came back and I had this conversation with my dad. My dad has always been open to conversations. My dad is more of my friend than my father. So it really helped me when we were at loggerheads and I was asked to leave the house because I couldn’t change my mind. I couldn’t listen.

Eventually which movie made you famous?

I would say it’s ‘One Dollar’. ‘One Dollar’ was

Talking about age, I would like you to clarify IRU WKH UHFRUGV EHFDXVH GL;HUHQW ÀJXUHV KDYH been bandied about your age. Some sources say you are 45, some say 44. Wikipedia says 49. How old are you?

Why dispute the disparities. What’s the fun in it? The absolute truth is that the nonsense on the internet has never represented the best light or form of anybody. I love the ambiguity. I enjoy the mystery. I’ve never allowed myself go south at any point in time. I’ve looked literally same over the years. I look after myself expeditiously. My body can still do everything it did in my twenties till now. It will continue to be so well into my sixties and seventies. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke.

I exercise religiously and diet occasionally. My weakness is that I’m a sweet tooth.

Jim Iyke an act of faith, simply because they gave me a script, I was nobody. I was on set with the greats like Patience Ozokwor, with Larry Koldsweat, with Victor Osuagwu. In handing me the script, I remember reading the script and this is another lesson of life. I was reading with an old friend of mine then he lives in the US now. You know what that my friend told me. He said ‘stick to the script. Kill the script. And you open the doors to your career’. I read the script. The guy didn’t counsel the full essence of what Junkies act like, or what somebody that was living on drugs act like. And I wanted to play it according to how I pictured it. And he told me ‘don’t do it they will kick you out. You would never make it to set again if you come with those improvisations and those acts of will’. I now said ‘okay I agreed but that thing in me that rebellious spirit in me, that independent spirit was like ‘no. Do it the way you should do it’.

So when they said ‘action’ I went crazy on everybody! Everything you see in the entirety of that introduction and scene was not scripted.

Mama G was crazy at me that I tapped her ass.

Larry Koldsweat was cursing me out that I pulled his beard. The other guy was mad at me as well that I didn’t let him pick his line. And nobody knew how the madness I created and the impromptu direction that I took it to. When we were done many times the director wanted to touch it. But it so happened that the executive producer was there, he told them ‘hold on let me see where this kid is taken me to’. When I Ànished the director said cut it, do it again. Never bring this guy back to my set again. But the EP said ‘no this is the biggest improvisation I have seen.’And don’t forget, Nollywood at that point, everybody was sticking to their guns. Everybody was sticking to a certain rules and ways that it is

done. Nobody wanted to think outside the box.

I did it totally uncared of my career.

At the end of the day, of course, the money man won the decision of the day and said leave it. They left it. But they also made a decision never to cast me in any movie anymore. They made that decision. That movie turned out the biggest selling Àlms perhaps of all times. And I got Àve scripts right after then from the executive producer because the movie sold over a million CDs. They were like ‘who is this new kid. He’s totally crazy. He’s totally naught’. The diaspora embraced me.And it was crazy! They then called me one night and asked me to come somewhere.

I got there and he handed me Àve scripts and told me welcome to stardom. I remember he said it. And if it wasn’t that act of will and that act of faith, that act of total conÀdence in me and my ability. If I had stuck to the script I still wonder what would have transpired from that day on. I still wonder.

Looking at your relationship status one may FRQFOXGH WKDW \RX KDYH EHHQ XQOXFN\ ÀQGLQJ love?

(Laughs)… but you know that is putting it most succinctly. The funny thing is that I have been lucky with love. The easiest thing that stuͿs me is love actually. But people may not understand what drives me. At a point, I dated the most glamorous women you know. I dated women that were out there. From Europe to Ghana to America everywhere I was Àxated on the looks; I was Àxated on the thought of public appeal and opinion. I was Àxated on the trophy. And please no pun intended to anybody or whatsoever. This was my world. It was a competition with myself to outdo with everybody the women I wanted to see. You have to belong to certain cadre for me to see you.

But I will tell you why I have no regret in my life and why I totally disagree with you. As I got older, I think in my mid-30s, it dawned on me that these were not my kind of women. That’s why it never worked. Seriously! I’m a product of love. I come from a family of six girls, one guy. I have always been happier than myself.

I have dated women, for instance, a particular relationship that always wanted to put me in the public domain….stay in the public space but it’s not my thing. I thrive in the quiet space.

I like my space when it’s not exposed so one of these is the emotionally intelligent, quiet, not so beautiful women the ones that you can have a conversation with. I cannot go after women that are possessive or possess everything . . . the one I’m with right now she’s not a fashion Áamboyant person.

What’s her name?

Erm I’m not willing to discuss that (general laughter). We have been together for like two years now. We have two kids. I have one from But looking back at those times and now,what my Àrst marriage. Three kids in all. It’s a beautiful ZRXOG \RX KDYH GRQH GL;HUHQWO\ DV UHJDUGV union. It’s my quiet space. some of the controversies that plagued you…

What would you say have been your high your career?

Nothing… I’m not a man that allows regret and low moment in life?

High was being at my Àrst son’s birth. Literally in my life. I live my full circle. I have lived an amazing life. I have been rich all my life. I have carrying Dana on top of me and urging her to had my ups and downs. When money mattered push because the doctors were getting set to in my life it came. I was a millionaire before I was perform a cesarean. She was tired and giving up.

22. By 23 I had over 2 3 million in my account She found strength somehow and pushed my from acting. I was making half a million per amazing little guy out; then cutting the umbilical Àlm as at that time. And I wasn’t too much of a cord. The adrenaline kept me up one and half social person. I wasn’t going out much. I love day. I would doze oͿ momentarily and jerk up cars. I like houses. I like the nice house. I like to in excitement at the hospital. My lowest is when dress nicely. A lot of my money went there. But I lost my mom. I couldn’t Ànd my feet for over I wasn’t very ostentatious. I was putting about two years. It broke my spirit, my will. I lost the 5 of my sisters through school. I was paying lion in me. I had to leave the country.

26

˜ ˾ JULY24, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

Death: On, Not Along, the Road

“T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday stated that sugar importation in the country can (could) only be done by….”

“His intervention on (in) road safety happened before our very eyes while at (in) Ife.” Overheard: “How is children”? Of course, you know the right intervention.

“Is it that rains (rain) only affected (affected only)….?”

“Eze Igbo Ghana…commends Nigeria, Ghana over (for) end to trade dispute” “Tears, as General…killed along LokojaAbuja road is buried” (THISDAY PAGE FIVE, July 17) Get it right: the gallant officer was killed on (at a particular spot)—not along—the road. Exception to this assertion is if the General was dragged along the road in the process of his gruesome murder by bandits!

“I heartily write to congratulate you as the flag bearer (standard-bearer) of APGA in the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election….”

“Police detonate bomb in Kaduna”: As irredeemable as our policemen are, they cannot publicly detonate a bomb!

What they do is to defuse it. Both the print and electronic media are guilty of this malapropism. ‘Detonation’ cannot be used in the reported circumstance: “Men of the Anti-Bomb Disposal Squad of the Kaduna State Police Command yesterday recovered and detonated another bomb at one of the gates leading to NNPC staff quarters….”

“More greaze (sic) to your elbow” (Beyond the spelling error (grease), it is ‘more power to somebody’s elbow’, but

you can grease somebody’s palm if you have corruptive tendencies!

“Glo’s associates relieve Man U-Barca match experience” (Newsstar Headline, June 11-12) Have a lovely week: relive.

Even as an ardent supporter of the topmost English team, that was a mismatch now worsened by this local language poverty!

BUSINESS of June 10 circulated two embryonic blunders that remind one of dissemblance: “Rescued banks, investors in last minute (last-minute) rush to tie-up (tie up) deals” “Ondo police discovers illegal arms factory” Police: plural verb always.

“But coming within a shared calender space of one another (a comma) it pointed to one fact….” This way: calendar.

“International Bank helped liberalized (liberalize) the supply end of the financial market.…”

“From all indications, many elected political leaders in our democracy are still basking in the thrills of election victories, copious weeks after they’ve (they’d) been sworn in.”

“An irate Nigerian wondered why the honourable members were not made to refund the N4,000 daily sustainance allowance.…” Get it right: sustenance.

“Shortage of such materials as stationeries for printing order papers....”

Some of the words that are uncountable: stationery, furniture, cutlery, heyday, jewellery, equipment and loot.

“In another incident, six suspected armed robbers, including a military personnel....” ‘Personnel’ is a collective noun. Rite it right, as Dr. Adidi Uyo will write: a military officer. “...that you will be sent to jail to rotten and regret the day you embarked on those inglorious acts of perjury and

forgery.” Adjective: rotten; verb: rot.

“Compatriot Bankole, can you imagine the great rupture your imprisonment would have caused in the placid relationship existing between the three arms of the Nigerian government….” ‘Between the three’ again? Just among the three, I beg you.

“The embarrassing development, according to a principal engineer who inspected the damages….” On Guard: ‘damage’ is uncountable except in legalese. “…defence pact between two unequal partners which was well open to blackmail, curtailment of freedom of speech at the price of democracy. Yank away ‘two’ in the interest of linguistic currency.

Don’t depend solely on dictionaries (some of which tolerate a few of these embarrassing contradictions); be inquisitive and exploratory in language usage, which is the hallmark of developmental communication.

I always advocate lexical modernism as a way of life. Do you also know that you can now use ‘two’ for three or more items? Elucidation in subsequent editions of this column.

“Importers and customs agents may have deviced a new strategy to pay lower tariffs….” Noun: device; verb: devise.. The excerpted muddle is the American version of it.

The same thing applies to ‘advice’/‘advise’ and ‘practice’/‘practise’, among many other entries.

“This practice which makes the government to loss (lose) substantial revenue….”

“Therefore, confronting robbers who are armed with superior arms and ammunitions is only being irresponsible and foolhardy.” ‘Ammunition’ is non-count.

“Less than 5 per cent of Nigerians have assess (access) to telephone–even public

Banditry: Just Secure The Nation

T

oday, we arrive at the end of our series on the most challenging and painful boil on our national nose: banditry, terrorism, and sundry acts of criminality. We are serenaded every day by wanton acts of depraved self-seeking thugs whose main reason for dispensing horrors and terrors is simply petty pecuniary acquisition. No ideology, no ennobling manifesto, no progressive compass. Just mayhem for the sake of lucre. They laugh at our ineffectual policing and equipment; they test our military preparedness regularly; and as if on death wish, they attack our military formations to steal, kill and destroy...just like their father, the devil.

What is even more damning is the revelation that socalled bandits recently shot down a Nigeria Air Force Alpha jet, and pursued the lone surviving pilot, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, to waste him. He was part of the military offensive pulverising the vermin in the boundary forests between Zamfara and Kaduna states. The young man regaled us with his yeoman efforts, last Sunday, to escape the mad bush killers with the aerial assistance of his NAF colleagues bombing the chasing packs; and the good-natured acts of Nigerian forest dwellers who sheltered him and facilitated his escape. Even with multiple injuries, he maintained that he was lucid enough to realise that many innocent settlements were razed and wasted on suspicion of harboring an “enemy combatant”.

Do we still appreciate that we are not at war with only Boko Haram and ISWAP; that the so-called bandits are not the petty armed robbers and kidnappers we imagined were the main troublers of our urban centres and reserved forests? How do rag-tag clumps of undesirables acquire such formidable weaponry that can bring down an Alpha Jet, a war-hardened $12m behemoth in its prime? These are no longer bandits. They have transformed, apparently by several weaponising kid-glove cuddling and indulgences, to a critical and present danger to the survival of this country. We now have a full-blown cross-regional terrorism on our hands.

The way we respond to this national insult will betray our seriousness in applying drastic remedial counter-measures to firmly and immediately bring these rampaging killers into submission; or we just count our losses, and move on as if this is “one of those things”. In other words, are we going to use this unfortunate incident to weaponise the insurgents and their half-brothers, as usual; or put a stop to all this nonsense now!

Another weaponising agent is the ambiguity and lack of unanimity amongst the ‘chief security officers’ of the federating states on how to deal with criminals in their abodes. Some of them have surrendered the sovereignty of their states to the buccaneers, some of whom were recently reported to have appointed their own ‘state functionaries’, including a ‘governor’ for a section of Borno State. If it were not disreputable, it would have been laughable. Though the authentic governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, dismissed the story as bunkum, the hint of such an eventuality is so devastating to the psyche of the average Nigerian, and a searing weaponising trigger for further reign of infamy.

But do our leaders appreciate the gravity of this supposition - bunkum or not?

We can go on and on; but the answer to this perfidy is simple... yet stressful in the Nigerian space. The will to do the right things, at all times, irrespective of circumstances.

Our soldiers have been doing great service to the nation in stemming the spread; they should be encouraged, motivated and compensated to do more; to push at colonising these vermin, restricting them to tiny clusters that local vigilantes could subsequently deal with in ceaseless raids and sieges.

Needless to say, we have to open up our security architecture to accommodate community policing, properly so called. It’s the same logic that attends to igniting economic equilibrium by localizing youth employment programmes relevant to the needs and adaptable skills of specific locales. By the way, massive employment modules relevant to each area, and skill sets - not how we now chant Asian-modelled industrialisation frameworks that gulp billions without vomiting requisite sustainable opportunities - should occupy the intentions and execution of government policies in dealing with crimes of terror and bloodletting.

Just as more states are welding resources and concepts in building economic ‘flyovers’ capable of igniting employment opportunities and increasing expendable resources, security imperatives should go hand in hand with these economic considerations, as you cannot enjoy one outside of the other. Sustainable prosperity is fueled by assured security.

States must pool forces: security, intelligence, economic and information diffusion, and other indices of socio-political engagements to rally the people on the side of government, in a united, consistent and even-handed confrontation against insecurity in all forms and locations.

This process should also be activated on the continental level. Nigeria should rev its multilateral dalliance with other

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

telephones.”

“If two towns in every local government in the country is (are) provided with telecommunication facilities every month, within 4 to 5 years, the project would have been completed.”

“Philosophers literarily (literally) threw metaphysics through the front door and bolted it.”

“Firewood could just as well had (have) served as handsets.”

“Often, a simple telephone call could save lives that are needless (needlessly) shed on our highways daily.” A poser: is it lives that are shed or blood?

“A few weeks ago, an Abuja-based paper has (had) alleged that....”

“These brazen acts of banditry is (are) also enveloping secondary schools.…”

‘Even when he was answering questions from newsmen, he was still beaming with smiles.” Would the man have ‘beamed with a frown’? Please, delete ‘smiles’ to avoid ‘Bankole-gate’!

Iwuanyanwu yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari is not responsible for the marginalization of Igbos (sic)” Reported speech: PMB was not responsible for the marginalization of Igbo.

“He observed that the September 22 OPEC meeting would be a break-ormake event that would determine the way the price goes.” Fixed expression: make or break.

“In any case, there is no doubt that the actions and perhaps inactions of Goodluck Jonathan since May 29 has (have) been giving a sizeable part of the South West serious concerns.” “…force his friend to comply to (with) his own desires at the pains of being bundled into their horrendous cell.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

nations, both around us, and those that can serve as safe havens for retreating criminals. No where should be safe for the anarchists. Those who renounce their evil ways should be kept alive in special prisons, processed and re-indoctrinated; but not to be seen in our midst for a long time.

Our security challenges must be heavily interrogated, and investment lavishly and sensibly dispensed, with a single-minded purpose to train and retrain our men and women of the armed forces in the latest science and craft of combating crimes, insurgency, terrorism, etc. The rank and file must be mobilised and indoctrinated to follow committed and patriotic commanders who pledge allegiance to the sovereignty of the Nigerian state, and not to any individual, however well-placed. Our forces must go after the purveyors of high crimes and terror, and their sponsors, without encumbrances of politics, tribalism, sectionalism, narrow agendas, and such sentiments that confuse and dilute the morale and mission of law enforcers and law-abiding citizens.

Let us end all this with a fitting though biting denunciation of the Nigerian government and its plethora of missteps and maladministration, delivered eloquently by the Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province on July 20, 2021, after their deliberations in Akure, Ondo State: “Nigeria, our country, seems to have lost its very soul because it is no longer a healthy entity. The good health of any nation consists in its capacity to offer its citizens a territory where they can feel at home, feel secure and enjoy the basic necessities of life.”

“This, unfortunately, is no longer the case in our dear country, Nigeria, where armed conflicts, armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, insurgency, banditry, and extrajudicial killings have become the order of the day. When a nation loses its soul, its people lose the cohesive elements of human relationships.

A nation that has lost its soul is characterised by inept and uncaring leadership, which functions by selective allocation of posts, privileges, and resources and by selective application of justice. It is characterised by leaders who, rather than care for the citizens of the country, simply exploit and denigrate them.”

GLOBAL SOCCER

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

24.07.2021

NEWS

OLYMPICS LIKE NEVER BEFORE PAGE. 29

Joel Obi Solace from Serie A New Boys

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Joel Obi

Solace from Serie A New Boys With just six goals in 72 appearances for ChievoVerona in the three seasons he was there, the Italian side did not see any reason to extend the contract of a player whose career had been plagued with injury. With Joel Obi’s future in limbo, newly-promoted Serie A side- Salernitana came to the rescue by offering the 17-capped Super Eagles midfielder a one-year contract

N

ewly-promoted Serie A club Salernitana during the week confirmed the signing of former Chievo Verona and Super Eagles midfielder, Joel Obi, on a one-year contract with the option of an extension.

Obi moved to the Arechi Stadium on a free transfer following the expiry of his three-year contract at Chievo in June.

Last season, the Super Eagles midfielder scored five goals in 31 Serie B games for Chievo but his top-flight experience will be needed to boost Fabrizio Castori’s side, who will compete in Serie A for the first time since the 1998-99 season.

“The US Salernitana 1919 announces that it has reached an agreement with the ’91 class midfielder Joel Obi,” read the club’s statement.

“The player has signed an annual contract with the grenade club with automatic renewal upon the occurrence of certain sporting conditions.”

After putting pen to paper on Wednesday, Obi recalled his stay at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi and he appreciated everyone who made his time at the club memorable.

“I would like to find the right words to describe what these two and a half seasons spent at Chievo have represented for me, all the emotions, the moments in which we cried,

rejoiced, suffered and fought, always together, as a true team,” Obi wrote on Instagram.

“Perhaps the best way is to just say thank you.

This path has made me grow professionally and humanly, so I want to thank all the people who have been part of it: my teammates, the staff, the managers, all those who work for this shirt.

“Aheartfelt thanks in particular goes to you fans, who have always supported me in the happy moments, but above all in the most difficult ones. I think that the beauty of football is also a little bit this: the ability to say goodbye, but knowing that nothing really ends because that has always been inside you. Thanks.”

For former Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Waidi Akani, “Obi’s talent has never been in doubt. He is one player I admire so much and sympathise with. The question has always been on his fitness,” he noted.

The midfielder was racially abused last season and his abuser was handed a 10-match ban, a judgement the Nigerian said he was satisfied with but felt sorry for his Italian abuser.

Obi says he feels ‘sorry’ for Michele Marconi after the Pisa player racially abused the midfielder last season, adding he is satisfied with the Italian’s 10-match ban.

The incident happened during Pisa’s Italian Serie B match against Obi’s Chievo on 22 December, which ultimately ended with the Italian being suspended.

Obi believes the punishment was appropriate.

“I was satisfied because we have to learn that we live in a society where we have to respect everyone,” the former Inter Milan and Torino midfielder told BBC Sport Africa.

“No matter the colour of your skin, we are all equal. I hope he’d learn that humans are equal.

Somehow, I also feel sorry for him because he’s human and has a family.

“Maybe he intended saying something else but he made a big mistake to use those abusive and insulting words towards me.

“Hopefully he’ll return a better man and begin to respect everyone.”

Regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest creative midfielders, Obi started his career at Italian giants Inter Milan where he rose from the youth set-up to the first team in 2010.

He rejected a chance to represent Italy at youth level before making his debut for Nigeria against Sierra Leone in February 2011.

An Italian citizen after living in the European country for over two decades, Obi said he was dismayed to have been abused by an opponent.

“I was a bit disappointed because it’s coming from a fellow footballer,” he said.

“We are supposed to lead by example and show that racism or abusive words are unacceptable.

“This sort of thing is not acceptable in the society. For someone who should be a good

example to act, that way was my biggest disappointment.

“We all love football and should respect it.

It’s a powerful sport in the society.

“We should respect those paying the money to watch us play, buying football merchandise and investing their time and resources to ensure we have a career - we need to be a good example for them.”

Despite huge campaigns by football authorities to eradicate racism in Italian football, African footballers like compatriot Simeon Nwankwo, Algerian Adam Ounas and Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly suffered racist abuse last season.

Obi admitted that authorities face a major challenge in their quest to eradicate all forms of discrimination and prejudices.

“It’s going to be very difficult but we have to fight for it. It’s our collective responsibility to kick it out of football and we can’t give up,” Obi added.

“Racism and discrimination are something that has been around since the dark days of slavery. We can’t keep quiet. We need to fight for it and hopefully one day we can win the war against discrimination and racism.”

He also said more footballers need to speak out in the fight against racism.

“It’s important to speak up because if you are quiet, no one will speak for you,” he urged.

“During the game between Pisa and Chievo, I was trying to calm myself because any strong reaction from me could lead to a red card sanction.

“During the half-time break, he (Marconi) was trying to apologise to me, but I was calm and ignored him. Other players on the field heard exactly what he said, even though the club tried to deny it after the game.

“Today, it’s been proven he was racially abusive towards me because I spoke out. If we don’t speak up no one will speak for you.”

The 30-year-old has spent the majority of his career in Italy, starting with stints at Inter Milan followed by Parma, Torino and his eventual switch to Chievo in 2018.

During his stay at the club, Obi was loaned to the Turkish Super Lig where he spent the second half of the 2018-19 campaign with Alanyaspor.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER TOKYO 2020... TOKYO 2020... TOKYO 2020...

An Olympics Like Never Before

The Tokyo Olympic Games are upon us. They look and feel different from any other Games of times gone by, but they are here. At last.

An Olympics in a pandemic

Masks, quarantine, saliva tests. Make no mistake, this are an Olympics like no other.

With Tokyo in a state of emergency throughout the Olympics after a spike in Covid-19 infections, the Games have come under huge criticism from the Japanese public, the majority of whom have said they want the Olympics to be cancelled or postponed again.

But safety is paramount for the organisers, and huge precautions are being taken, including holding the Games behind closed doors with no fans, from either Japan or overseas, being permitted inside venues.

As for the athletes, they are under strict restrictions too. They must wear a face mask at all times - except when eating, drinking, training, competing or sleeping - and minimise physical interaction with others, and are being tested for Covid-19 every day.

But unfortunately the virus has affected the Games already, before they have officially started.

Yesterday, 19 new cases of Covid-19 were reported, bringing the total of cases related to Games personnel to 106. There have been 11 positive cases among athletes in Tokyo.

Six Team GB athletes have had to isolate in their rooms after being identified as close contacts of someone on their flight who later tested positive for Covid-19.

US tennis player Coco Gauff had to pull out of her debut Games after testing positive before arriving in Tokyo, while Team GB’s Dan Evans and Johanna Konta and world number one shooter Amber Hill withdrew for the same reason.

What’s new?

There will be a record 339 medal events held across 33 sports, with five new sports - and 34 new events in total - added to the Tokyo 2020 programme by the IOC. Some 48.8% of athletes competing at the Tokyo Olympics are women - a record figure.

The five new sports are karate, skateboarding, sport climbing, baseball/ softball and surfing. Baseball and softball technically aren’t ‘new’ sports on the Olympic programme, but they haven’t been contested at a Games since Beijing 2008.

New events have been introduced to the boxing, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, cycling, rowing and swimming programmes, while there are new mixedgender events including a 4x100m mixed medley relay in swimming and a mixed relay in triathlon.

These sports have been introduced in a bid to attract younger audiences and reflect “the trend of urbanisation of sport”.

IOC president Bach said: “We want to take sport to the youth. With the many options that young people have, we cannot expect anymore that they will come automatically to us. We have to go to them.”

This year’s Games are also doing their bit for sustainability. The medals are made from

Esther Toko became the first Nigerian athlete to compete at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics, taking to the water at the Sea Forest Waterway early yesterday morning in the women’s Singles Sculls of the Rowing event.

Making her Olympics debut, Toko finished 5th in heat 1 of her event, clocking a time of 8:58.49 as she settled for a place in the Repechage, finishing outside the top three positions that would have granted automatic qualifications. A Repechage is a contest in which the best-placed of those who failed to win heats compete for a place in the final.

The top three finishers in each heat will automatically make the quarterfinal, while the remaining crew will go into the Repechage for another crack at making the latter stages of the competition.

Toko is the second Nigerian athlete ever to compete in the Rowing event. She follows in the steps of Chierika Ukogu, who made history at the Rio 2016 Olympics where she became the first Nigerian to compete in Rowing.

This is a good learning curve for the young Nigerian Rower, but it’s not over for her yet in Tokyo as she will return early on Saturday for the Repechage, hoping she can still progress to the latter stages.

Algerian Judoka Withdraws over Potential Meeting with Israeli

Fewer than 1,000 watched the Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony

With an unexpected additional year of preparation under their belts, more than 11,300 athletes from 207 nations will compete over the next couple of weeks, all vying to get their hands on the medal they’ve worked so long for.

When the Games were postponed in March 2020, organisers said the Olympic flame “could become the light at the end of the tunnel”. With the Covid-19 pandemic still raging worldwide, that metaphorical tunnel is still being traversed, but yesterday’s opening ceremony offers a glimmer of that light.

“I think it will be a moment of joy and relief when entering the stadium, a moment of joy in particular for the athletes because I know how much they are longing for this moment,” said International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

“Then they can finally be there, they can enjoy this moment under very special circumstances.”

Toko Opens Team Nigeria’s Olympics Account

recycled mobile phones, while the Olympic torch was made from aluminium waste from temporary housing built in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Only eight new competition venues have been built from scratch, while much of the energy powering Tokyo 2020 comes from renewable sources.

In total, the Games will cost £11.5bn, up 22% because of the one-year delay.

Global stars to watch

American gymnast Simone Biles was one of the standout stars in Rio five years ago.

The 24-year-old won four golds and one bronze at her debut Games and is set to compete in all five events again. If she defends her all-around title she would be the first Olympic gymnast to do so since 1968.

Two more Americans are expected to dominate in the swimming pool. Caeleb Dressel has ‘just’ the two Olympic golds so far but the 24-year-old is favourite to win up to six gold medals in Tokyo, while Katie Ledecky, who won four golds in Rio to add to her one from London 2012, is expected to compete in up to six events.

In the Olympic Stadium, look out for Jamaica’s six-time Olympic medal-winning sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as well as Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis.

Serbia’s tennis world number one Novak Djokovic continues his pursuit of a Golden Grand Slam, having won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles this year, and needing the Olympic and US Open titles to complete the feat.

But arguably one of the most anticipated performances of the Tokyo Games will come from 43-year-old transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard.

New Zealand’s Hubbard, who broke male national records as a junior, will be the first trans athlete to compete at the Olympics in an individual event - the women’s 87kg category.

Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine has withdrawn from Tokyo 2020 after the draw set him on course for a potential meeting with an Israeli opponent.

Nourine, 30, was due to face Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool in Monday’s first round of the men’s -73kg class.

Victory would have meant he would take on Israel’s Tohar Butbul next.

Speaking to Algerian TV, he said he would not “get his hands dirty” and his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible to compete.

Nourine pulled out of the 2019 world championships, also in Tokyo, after being paired with Butbul - who has a first-round bye.

“We were unlucky with the draw.

We got an Israeli opponent and that’s why we had to retire. We made the right decision,” Nourine’s coach Amar Ben Yaklif told Algerian media.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has taken place over decades, with tensions flaring again in 2021 as confrontations in contested Jerusalem triggered cross-border clashes.

Athletes from other countries, including Iran and Egypt, have also previously refused to compete against Israelis.

Iran was banned by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for four years after it ordered Saeid Mollaei to pull out of the world championships in Japan in 2019.

“Fear is excitement without breathing”: Aimee Fuller speaks to Tom Daley on his final shot at gold.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R: Ibadan Golf Club Captain Ola Ibironke Dudu; former ABN Chieftain Abimbola Davis; Muyiwa Laniyan and Otunba Abayomi Olaitan

NFF vows to unmask Super Falcons assailant

Etebo Says He’s No Stranger to Watford Oghenekaro Etebo is the third player of Nigerian descent signed by Premier League newcomers Watford in the summer transfer window, after Emmanuel Dennis and Glasgow Rangers academy product, Dapo Mebude.

The Stoke City loanee disclosed that he had known some few faces in the Hornets squad prior to his arrival.

Five years ago, William Troost-Ekong was in the same Dream Team VI squad as Etebo and the ex-Warri

Wolves striker has trained with Emmanuel Dennis and Isaac Success while on international duty with the Super Eagles.

Etebo hadn’t crossed paths with Tom Dele-Bashiru before joining Watford but was aware of his exploits for Nigeria’s underage national team, the Flying Eagles.

“I’ve known Troost-Ekong for a very long time because I’ve played with him at the Olympic Games, the World Cup, the AFCON, so I’ve been with him for a very

long time,” Etebo said to Watford’s official website.

“I’ve also known Success for a very long time, even Dennis as well. Tom DeleBashiru, I hadn’t met him before but for the past few weeks in training I’ve got to know him.

“I’d heard about him, and that he was invited to go to the Under-20 World Cup.” Watford are Etebo’s third loan club since transferring to Stoke City in the summer of 2018 following stints at Getafe and Galatasaray.

NIDEO-Austria Dissociates from Tantrums of Super Falcons’ Assaulter The Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation, NIDOEAustria, has described as ‘misguided’ an attempt by an Austrian-based, self-acclaimed Nigerian to harass and embarrass the Super Falcons while they were on a metro to the city centre in Vienna on Tuesday.

In a two-page letter signed

by Subrinah Joy Dolischka (Office of the Chairlady) and Deji Adeyemo (Office of the Secretary) and obtained by the Nigeria Football Federation, NIDOE-Austria condemned in very strong terms the assault by the fellow and insisted that tthey are “happy that the Falcon players chose Austria for their summer camping this year.”

The organisation was unambiguous in declaring “that harassing our players on a train is misguided.

Though he may not have

attempted to physically assault any of them, this action of verbal harassment would not solve any problems in Nigeria. This action infringes on their rights to dignity as guaranteed by Austria laws…though Austrian laws guarantee freedom to protest and demonstrations, there are procedures that must be followed and this right is not a blanket provision to harass innocent and private individuals.”

The organisation said it saw “no problems with the Falcons taking public transportation which are normally very comfortable and safe, to get a feel of how people live in Vienna,” expressing that it is “appalled over the actions of the fellow, no matter his motivations and do hereby dissociate ourselves from his misguided action and condemn it. This

action is not representative of the Nigeria community in Austria.

“We consider this action disturbing and unacceptable and regret the incidence took place in our otherwise peaceful and progress-loving community.

“We hope that despite this unfortunate incidence, the Falcons are enjoying themselves in Austria and their preparations for their coming tournament are progressing unaffected. We stand by them and wish them success in the coming tournament and may they surge higher and higher in their bid to do us proud.”

The nine-time African champions, who have been in Austria for an eight-day training camp ahead of the upcoming Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament taking place in Lagos in September, will fly out of Vienna today.

Amokachi Backs Akpon for Besiktas Move Daniel Amokachi has spoken highly of Besiktas to Chuba Akpom and has advised the Middlesbrough forward to join the Black Eagles this summer.

Besiktas have identified Akpom as the ideal alternative transfer target should their pursuit of free agent Diego Costa fail.

After weeks of chasing Costa, Besiktas have given up on getting a deal done for the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star.

As a result, the 2021 Turkish Super Lig cham-

pions have reportedly contacted former Arsenal academy product Akpom.

The 25-year-old endured a rollercoaster two years in Greece with PAOK Thessaloniki before making a quiet return to the English Championship last year.

The former England youth international, who has never hidden his desire to play for the Super Eagles, is wary of going through a similar experience in Turkey

and has exchange communications with former Nigerian hero Amokachi.

Amokachi was at Besiktas between 1996 and 1999, winning the Turkish Cup in 1998. And the Nigerian legend had only good things to say about the Black and White, urging Akpom to jump at the opportunity to play at one of Turkey’s most successful clubs.

Akpom scored five goals in 38 league games for Middlesbrough last season.

Dudu Highlights History of Golfing in Ibadan at 30th Anniversary Captain of the prestigious Ibadan Golf Club, Ola Ibironke Dudu has praised the efforts of the founding fathers of the club while tracing the history of how the sporting club has continued to blossom.

In his speech during the grand finale of the weeklong 30th anniversary of the club, Ibironke showed appreciation to the Governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Makinde, FSE, who is a grand patron of the club, the Patron, GOC 2 Division Nigerian Army, the Trustees of Ibadan Golf Club, past Captains, past Lady Captains, the elders, executive committee members and fellow golfers that had contributed immensely to the growth of the club.

His words: “It has been a fantastic 30 years plus that the founders of this great club laid the first block of what we are celebrating today. I sincerely appreciate them and may the souls of the ones that have passed rest in perfect peace.

“30 years ago, we were told that a little misunderstanding between the main section of the Ibadan Recreation Club and the Golf section resulted in the birth of Ibadan Golf club.

But sincerely, if we look at it spiritually, to me the fight was divine for the manifestation of the great Ibadan Golf Club which we are celebrating today.

He however recognised and thanked all the recipients of ‘IGC PEARLAward’ and described them as ‘Golf Icons’ for singularly founding golf courses and using their time and resources to make the game popular in Nigeria.

The IGC’s PEARL awardees include: Former Senate President David Mark, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, the CEO of Elizade Motors and founder of Smokins’ Hills Golf Course in Ilara Mokin, Tunde Ponle, founder of MicCom Golf Course in Ada, Teju Ishola, founder of Hassabary Golf course in Shaki.

He added that “the success of this anniversary wouldn’t have come to be without the contributions of the IGC Diamond Awardees for sustaining the club with quality competitions over the years as we all know that competition is the bedrock of any golf club”.

The captain however thanked Heritage Bank Plc, who was the anniversary’s major sponsor for enlarging the club’s coast financially in order to make the anniversary elaborate and eventful.

“We are looking forward to the Heritage Bank annual Pro-Am Golf Competition. I cannot but appreciate all the lovers of Ibadan Golf Club for supporting generously. From the heart, I am very grateful most especially to Alhaji Awa Ibrahim whom I met for the first time having been following the Children’s Golf Competition he organizes on yearly basis.

“I must also place on record the unique contributions and total support of members of this great club, the sacrifice of the past captains and their executives for their ‘sacrificial’ endurance in the last 30 years. I am not unmindful of the periods where we have improvised construction and reconstruction processes both on and off the course yet you bore the same with admirable candour and together, we all navigated the various bends to have the IGC we have today. Posterity will always remember every one of you including myself for our steadfastness” Dudu Heritage noted.

Football, Racism and Africans Tim Akano

One Africa Initiatives (OAI), a leading notfor-profit organisation that focuses on the development of the African continent and the sixth region, including its people globally, expresses deep shock at the recent torrents of racist comments that followed the loss of England to Italy at the Euro 2020 final. This despicable act is yet another indication that consistent racial onslaught againstAfricans and people ofAfrican descent, is still very much a problem despite years of massive campaign against it.

OAI notes the efforts made in recent years to eradicateracismfromfootballandothersports.These includetheTakingtheKneecampaignwhichironicallyhasbeenledbyfootballersintheEnglishgame.

However,itisquiteclearthatplayersofAfricandescent continuetofaceracialattacksfromfansinthestadia andonsocialmedia.Theycontendwithissuessuch aslackofequalopportunities,lackofempathy from referees and administrators among many others.

In many instances, they are discriminated against by teammates. Even football commentators and analysts who should ordinarily help to bring this unsavoury practice to an end have a tendency to downplay the achievements of Africans and people of African descent in football and other sports.

Certain sections of the media in Europe have not helped the situation. For instance, it is common for the same action by different players to be given different slants to the detriment of players of African descent. Agood example was when Marcos Rashford, who is ofAfrican descent and one of the victims of the recent racist abuse in England, bought a house. Asection of the British mediadescribedhisactionasextravagantandhim as a cash-rich and cash-loose boy. Conversely, a similar action by Phil Foden, a Caucasian, made himbeingcommendedforlookingafterhisfamily”.

Here, a similar action by two players got different interpretations by the media based on their racial difference.

The genesis of racism dates back to the 1800s when“SocialDarwinismTheorywaspropounded.

This theory held that the Caucasian race was the most evolved in terms of intellect, character and moral compass while the African race was “ hyperphysical, uncontrollably strong and cognitively challenged”. This theory eventually formed the basis of the Apartheid system of government that was practised in Africa. It was also the basis of the Jim Crow Laws that were passed in America and used to subjugate the people of African extraction and deny them political, economic and social rights despite the end of slavery.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

Folarin Balogun

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Now A True Gunner Having gotten tired of playing in Premier League 2, Folarin Balogun was considering several offers to move abroad, with his contract due to expire this summer. Arsenal however made a swift move by signing him on a new fouryear deal and promoted him to first team after it appeared he was heading through the exit door

Folarin Balogun tries to outpace a Manchester City player during a Premier League 2 encounter

I

t is going to be a big season for Folarin Balogun after it was announced that following constant speculation regarding his future that he had signed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium and his aim to establish himself as a first-team player next season.

“My ambitions for next season are to make an impact on the first team,” he said. “I see it as something I’ve taken upon myself to be able to go over there and make an impact and not just be one of the numbers.” I want to be someone who eventually leads that group so I would say I have quite driven ambitions and we’ll see if I can make them happen.”

It would appear that Balogun has already completed one of his goals as he was seen wearing the number 26 top in training.

Meanwhile, Arteta is considering a change of position for Balogun with Arsenal’s Premier League prospect being retrained as a left-sided attacker.

To look at Balogun, you’d think he’s a player perfectly suited to the number nine role.

Physically imposing and a penalty-box menace, the Anglo-American-Nigerian wonderkid has scored the majority of his 22 goals in 49 Premier League 2 games from a central role.

But Arteta obviously believes Balogun has more to offer in a different position.

The 20-year-old has been used more on the wing during pre-season training.

It’s safe to assume Arsenal supporters will hope Balogun can adapt to a wider role better than Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did.

It was a source of constant debate during the first half of last season, with Aubameyang’s ineffective performances on the left leading to plenty of frustration directed at the Arsenal manager.

Balogun, then, will hope to hit the ground running in his new position as he looks to avoid finding himself at the centre of a similar debate.

The academy graduate is expected to play a larger role in the first-team picture next season, having put an end to speculation linking him with Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig while signing

a new four-year deal in April.

“Balogun has unique qualities as a striker – his speed and the way he holds the ball. He’s a real goal threat and he works tremendously hard,” Arteta said recently.

“He’s a very hungry boy. He wants to do everything and wants to practise more every single day. He will be pushing anybody in our first team to get his spot and that’s exactly what we want.

“He’s got the chance. Now it’s time for him to prove himself.”

The Gunners have been known for giving youth team products, such as Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock, a chance in the first team.

Now Okonkwo and Balogun are emerging as talents among the next generation, and their manager believes they will get plenty of chances to show their quality.

Giving reasons why he promoted Folarin Balogun to the senior team, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has said that he promoted Nigerian descents, Arthur Okonkwo and Balogun, to his squad firstteam because they have raised the level of

the Gunners’ academy.

Speaking to Arsenal’s website, Arteta said: “It is great, it is just a small step being a part of preseason matches, but now the bigger step is trying to become a regular in the first team. That is a small step compared to the next step they have to take.

“That is the first thing they have to realise, the hard work is not done yet.

The hard work is going to start right now, and the expectations start right now and if they have this mentality they have the potential, we believe in them and they will have the opportunities.”

He added: “Both of them are really different but at the same time very similar.

“They have both raised the level of the academy to a point that it wasn’t any more for them so we had to look to create the space around the first team for them to be able to develop in the way that we want them to.”

Arteta believes both Okonkwo and Balogun are now mature to the point where they can’t play in the academy, adding that he had to create space for them in Arsenal’s first team.

The Spaniard added that both players had the hunger and they showed the desire to stay at Arsenal and fight to become one of the first-team regulars.

Arteta stated this ahead of Arsenal’s Florida Cup tie against Inter Milan on Sunday.

Speaking further on both player’s promotion, Arteta told Arsenal media, “It is great.

“That is the first thing they have to realise, the hard work is not done yet.

The hard work is going to start right now, and the expectations start right now and if they have this mentality, they have the potential, we believe in them and they will have the opportunities.

“Both of them are really different but at the same time very similar.

“They have both raised the level of the academy to the point that it wasn’t any more for them, so we had to look to create the space around the first team for them to be able to develop in the way that we want them to.

“I think they are the right age and they have space in the squad to do that and they have the hunger and they showed the desire to stay at the football club and fight to become one of the first-team regulars” Arteta added.

A popular player for the U-23 squad, the 18-year-old Balogun was a non-playing substitute when Arsenal faced Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup in September last year.

Aubameya is the main focal point in the Arsenal attack, while the likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli were ahead of Balogun in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order of center forwards in 2020-2021.

To create room for Balogun in the Arsenal squad and with an eye on next year’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe is expected to be away for at least three weeks, Arteta is trying to develop a new system.

The Hale End Academy graduate was deployed on the left wing in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Glasgow Rangers last weekend.

New York City-born Balogun was named in Arsenal’s traveling squad to the United States, where they will compete in the Florida Cup. G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ˜ ͺͮͰͯ

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK 10 Essential Maintenance Tips for Your Cars Keeping your car in good shape does not have to be hard work. The smartest way to ensure that your car does not disappoint you when you least expect it is to take advantage of 10 car maintenance tips that have been endorsed by industry experts.

According to a recent report, younger drivers expose themselves to huge repair bills simply because they lack the basic car maintenance culture. If you’re a car owner, take a look at the tips below:

L-R: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Niyi Adebayo; Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; and Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, at the unveiling of the solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station the NADDC installed at the University of Lagos… recently

Ogundipe Pledges to Scale-up NADDC Installed Solar Charging Facility in UNILAG

T

he convergence of Town and Gown to fuel the nation’s plugin to the global quest for zero emission of carbon received an extraordinary boost this week with the commissioning of a solar charging facility the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) installed at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The inauguration of the solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station and an electric vehicle pilot project assembled by NADDC in conjunction with the University of Lagos, was hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Niyi Adebayo unveiling the plaque. It was witnessed by the Chairman of the Board of NADDC, Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Iyola Omisore, the Director General of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu, deputy vice chancellors of the university, among other distinguish guests.

Director General, NADDC, Jelani Aliyu, said the charging station is 100 per cent solar powered and that it has 60 PV Monocrystalline Solar arrays (panels), with capacity of 86. kilowatts per hour.

There are three online-offline 5KVA Hybrid inverters synchronised to give 15 KVA/ 8 WATTS, and have 36 units of Deep Cycle Gel batteries with an output of 8 volts/1 and 0.

He said the powerbank consists 36 units of dry cell, deep cycle batteries of up to 5Kwh storage capacity. The system provides ordinary 13A and 15A sockets that can support all types of normal chargers. The station also provides a 7. kw CCS fast charger and can support up to 11kw types.

According to him, the monitoring and evaluation team would be made up of experts from NADDC, the university, Hyundai motor company and relevant stakeholders.

He said the station would offer the university an effective platform for advanced innovation in EVs

and related renewable energy solutions.

The NADDC’s position was reinforced by UNILAG’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ogundipe, who said the university would put the facility into proper use.

Prof Ogundipe, an environmentalist, said the innovation came at the right time when the global community is shifting to renewable energy, stating that the institution would continue to invest in research.

“Another thing is to give people a gift and they embrace it with one hand but we are embracing it with two hands and also I want us to know that Engr. Aliyu you have opted to be part of the faculties in the Faculty of Engineering. We don’t want people like you to leave the system, so what we do now is we bring people from the industry to come and teach our students and I’m sure since I’ve declared it publicly and I’ve approached you publicly, I’ll make sure that you are part of our faculties here.”

Interior of new Mercedes-AMG SL is Exciting

T

he interior design of the upcoming SL transforms the iconic tradition of the Àrst 300 SL Roadster into the modern era. Thanks to its Mercedes-AMG performance genes, the new edition caters to the sporty target group as well as customers looking for maximum comfort. Fine materials, meticulous workmanship and attention to detail further underscore the high luxury standards in the interior. The cockpit design, right down to the adjustable central display in the centre console, is focused on the driver and impresses with a harmonious overall impression. The completely redesigned dimensional concept with 2+2 seats oͿers more function and space in the interior at the same time. The MBUX infotainment system oͿers a choice of several speciÀc display styles and diͿerent modes.

According to the automaker, the Àrst 300 SL Roadster is one of the most famous automobile icons. Its minimalist and high-quality interior inspired the designers to create the interior for the new Mercedes-AMG SL. For the new edition of the icon, they created a mix of analogue geometry and digital world – called “hyperanalogue”. A good example of this is the fully digital instrument cluster, which is integrated into a three-dimensional visor.

“The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL pampers driver and passengers with sophisticated luxury. The new SL combines the highest levels of comfort and quality in its interior, coupled with just the right amount of sportiness. The high-quality combination of analogue world and state-of-the-art digital equipment makes one thing clear: the new SL is the rebirth of an icon for the modern era,” says Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “The SL is an icon of the brand with the

three-pointed star: This roadster has stood for automotive fascination and desire for decades. A great opportunity and challenge for design, because every designer wants to create icons,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design O΀cer Daimler Group.

“The result is a revolutionary interior experience caught between digital and analogue luxury. We created the most iconic SL ever since, the luxury icon of the 20s.”

The new, highly sophisticated dimensional concept once again allows a 2+2 seating conÀguration for the Àrst time since 1 8 (Mercedes SL model series

The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG SL

R 12 ). This makes the new SL even more versatile.

The rear seats increase everyday usability and oͿer space for people up to 1.50 metres tall. If the extra seating is not needed, a draught-stop can protect front seat passengers from draughts at the back of the neck. Or the second row of seats can be used as additional storage space to accommodate a golf bag, for example.

The wide choice of diͿerent covers for the sports or performance seats (optional for all variants) also reÁects the range from comfortable to performance-oriented equipment.

Keep Fluids Clean In addition to having all the fluids in your car clean, you should always remember to top up. Such fluids include your engine oil, transmission fluid, radiator fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, air conditioning coolant and washer fluid. You should never forget that your engine needs oil to keep its moving parts lubricated. Don’t become so careless as to let the different fluid levels go so low as to pose a problem to the overall functionality of the car.

Don’t Throw Your Car Manual Away Do you know that a car owner’s manual contains tons of information about car maintenance as well as different safety precautions you should take?

We have already established that having proper car maintenance is a must. However, a good maintenance culture isn’t all about changing the oil and other essential fluids. Rather, it is more about how capable and informed you are as a driver. This is why car manufacturers always include a car owner’s manual.

The Owner’s Manual was not designed to be kept in the glove compartment of your car. Rather, it was created to protect and improve your driving skills. It should, therefore, be your active passenger. It contains all the features and parts of your car. It even goes as far explaining the purpose of all the controls, displays and buttons in your car.

Using the Owner’s Manual can go a long way in saving you a lot of money you might have spent on repair works.

Stick to a Maintenance Schedule Inside your car, there are a number of things that need to be regularly serviced or replaced at certain intervals.

Some of these parts include the brakes, air filter, spark plugs and the timing belt.

You should have a maintenance schedule that covers tasks like replacing the spark plus as well as checking the brake fluid and clutch fluid and refilling them when they need to be refilled.

Other tasks to include in your maintenance schedule should include changing the engine oil, replacing the air filter, replacing the cabin filter, replacing the oil filter and replacing the fuel filter.

In addition to this, you should also: Check the condition of the tires Check the level of the power steering fluid and replace when necessary Check the Brake Pads/Liners, Brake Discs/Drums and replace them when they are worn out Grease and lubricate the various components of the car Inspect and replace the timing belt/timing chain if this becomes necessary Check the level of the Automatic/Manual Transmission Fluid and refill when necessary Check Tyre Pressure You should always check your tyre pressure before you drive and this is because temperature differences have different effects on your tyre pressure. Most of the time, the warmer/hotter the temperature is, the higher the likelihood of your tyre pressure to increase.

In order to have the best possible control of your car as well as get higher fuel efficiency, you need to ensure you have proper tyre inflation.

When you fail to check your tyre pressure regularly, your tyres are likely to squeal when negotiating a corner.

This is a clear sign that your tyre pressure is low. Your tyres don’t have to start leaking before you check them.

When your tyre pressure drops, you need to fill them with air. Ideally, you should check your tyre pressure once a month.

Change the Windshield Wiper If your windshield wiper doesn’t clean properly, you should change it. Also, you should try to clean your windshield wiper every time you stop to buy fuel at a gas station. You can do this by using a damp paper towel to take out loose dirt by wiping the rubber squeegee.

If you are wondering when you should replace your wiper blades, this should be done between 6 months and one year or the moment you notice a difference in your driving visibility.

(Source: Autochek)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ˜ ͺͮͰͯ

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AUTO WORLD

Coscharis Motors to Debut New Land Rover Discovery Sport

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and Rover’s ‘go anywhere’ premium compact SUV, the Discovery Sport, has been enhanced with latest technologies, new levels of interior quality and increased space for families with a spirit of adventure and leisure. The latest addition to the Discovery family is now available in Nigeria via Coscharis Motors. Its formal launch is scheduled for this quarter.

The Discovery Sport’s new vehicle architecture ensures the fastest-selling Land Rover ever produced is now more technologically-advanced, broader and versatile than ever, keeping its occupants safe and comfortable in all conditions.

With new features and the very latest technology, the new Discovery Sport delivers superior interior space and refinement, while its optional 5+2 interior features a new infotainment interface with the latest connectivity, plus a more flexible seating arrangement with up to 2 combinations for enhanced versatility in optional seven seat configuration.

The new body is 13 per cent stiffer than its predecessor, with rigidly-mounted subframes that reduce noise and vibration intrusion into the cabin, improving comfort and providing maximum safety in the event of a collision.

Trademark Discovery design cues, including the clamshell bonnet, rising beltline and tapered roof remain, but the new model is a bold exterior evolution. The proportions have been optimised to project a more striking visual with new signature LED headlamps

at the front and rear, alongside a new front grille and bumpers.

Inside, the arrival of the digital Touch Pro infotainment system and the introduction of more premium materials throughout transforms the cabin to create a high quality yet practical space. New seats across each of the three rows provide improved comfort and versatility, thanks to the second row 40:20:40 split fold and slide functionality, boosting the possible number of seat combinations to 24 and covering every eventuality – be it the school / office run, a road trip within the City or a family jaunt.

With the option of Land Rover’s Activity Key, a wearable waterproof wristband that allows customers to lock and unlock the vehicle without using the traditional keyfob, the compact SUV is more usable than ever and designed to take your family further.

The Activity Key is an ideal solution for individuals who may enjoy sports such as golÀng, biking or squashing where a conventional key may get lost or damaged.

Designed to meet the digital demands of a modern family, the latest Discovery Sport is available with a ClearSight Rear View mirror that transforms into a video screen at the flick of a switch to display what is behind the vehicle in crisp high definition. Offering a wider (50-degree) field of vision and superior visibility in low light conditions from a camera mounted above the rear window, the mirror ensures rear visibility is not compromised by second row passengers or bulky items in the boot.

The all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport

Toyota’s New Land Cruiser Makes World Premiere

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he Land Cruiser, the car that symbolises Toyota’s history of delivering safety and security to people for over 70 years has made global premiere.

The Land Cruiser was launched in August 1 51 as the four-wheel-drive Toyota BJ equipped with a powerful engine, which demonstrated a high level of off-road performance in adverse environments, for example, becoming the first vehicle to climb up to the sixth checkpoint of Mount Fuji. Due in part to its performance record, it began to be adopted as a police patrol car all over Japan.

Thus began the tradition of, “Striving to deliver safety and security to all customers as well as others involved with this vehicle.” This tradition would continue for 70 years and can be considered the foundation of a mobility company.

Since then, a cumulative total of approximately 10. million units and more than 300,000 units a year have been enjoyed by customers in 170 countries and regions all over the world. The essence that the Land Cruiser has been maintaining for the sake of customers consists of reliability, durability, and off-road performance.

As an indispensable tool that supports people’s livelihood in places that can only be travelled to and from using the Land Cruiser As a vehicle that supports lives in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts. As a vehicle that supports

more enriched lives through experiences only the Land Cruiser can provide With these applications in mind and to continue responding to customers’ expectations of the Land Cruiser as “a vehicle that promises to take you anywhere everywhere and come back alive and safe,” Toyota has been advancing and evolving the Land Cruiser by setting ever-tighter development and evaluation standards as needed, based on the actual usage situations of customers all over the world.

As at the end of 2020. Both the cumulative and annual numbers include the Lexus LX and GX. Evolving as a car while incorporating the latest technologies as the flagship model of the Land Cruiser series.

The redesigned new Land Cruiser (300 Series), the successor to the 200 Series that debuted in 2007, is a station wagon model. As the flagship model of the Land Cruiser series, it has in every generation led the way in vehicle evolution while incorporating the latest technologies.

The development objectives for the new Land Cruiser were as follows: Inheriting and evolving the Land Cruiser’s essence of “reliability, durability, and off-road performance”; Creating a riding experience that enables the driver to drive with ease on any type of road in the world without tiring easily With these objectives in mind, Toyota adopted the new GA-F platform based on TNGA while keeping the frame structure, which is the foundation that protects the

The new Toyota Land Cruiser Land Cruiser’s essence. Furthermore, Toyota redesigned the Land Cruiser’s character by merging technologies accumulated over many years with the latest technologies, to achieve such improvements as vehicle weight reduction, lowering the center of gravity, the adoption of a new powertrain, and new interior and exterior designs.

Redesign of the Land Cruiser’s features with adoption

of the new GA-F platform The frame itself was redesigned to reduce weight and increase rigidity. Various steps were taken, such as the reduction of the total weight of the vehicle (by 200 kg) including the frame and the body, lowered center of gravity, weight distribution, and improved suspension structure.

These questions and many more are the reason for the this piece as we daily experience heavy downpour across the country during, according to the Revised High Cod, is more di΀cult and hazardous when visibility is blurred by weather conditions such as mist, fog, harmattan haze or other related factors.

Remember that even before the raining season began, some of the roads were either being repaired or were inadequate.

Remember also that there could be broken down vehicles or even slow moving vehicle with defective lightening system. Remember also that your vehicle could suddenly develop a fault, a tyre could burst , brake failure, electrical system could malfunction; any fault can develop. There may even be fallen trees on the road.

Before you start out ask yourself if that journey is really necessary? Are you in the right state of mind to make the journey? Also conÀrm the minimum safety state of your vehicle. When was it last serviced? How good is your sight? What is the state of your tyres , wipers and windscreen? Never underestimate the dangers. Make sure your light are working, your windscreens okay and your wipers are in perfect working conditions. Remember that the road is not your personal property; you share the road with others, amongst which are heavy duty vehicles. These heavy

duty vehicles usually require longer distance to stop and would require even more distance under the rain or bad weather conditions.

Rule number one would require that your knowledge of defensive driving techniques be brought to bear for your safety and others.

You must always slow down, keep a safe distance from the vehicle before you and always be prepared to stop within your range of vision and avoid possible blind spots.

Your overall stopping distance is the distance your car travels from the moment you realize you must brake to the moment the vehicle stops. It is made up of thinking distance and braking distance. you must never get closer than the overall stopping distance. On wet roads, the gap should be much more.

Stopping distance increase greatly with wet and slippery roads, poor brakes, bad tryes and tired drivers.

Since there is diminished visibility during bad weather, whilst driving, seeing and being seen is a must at such times. This is because 80percent of driving information comes from visibility. Visibility inÁuences the reaction time. Although, motorist, misbehavior and natural inÁuences cannot be eliminated completely, safety is enhanced by creating visibility of obstacles especially when it’s raining. This is critical in the absence of adequate pavement markings that reÁect. Without such sighs to guide a driver who may not be familiar with the road on which he is driving, headlights must be used to aid visibility.

Driving in the Rain Faith, the Bible tells me, cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God. The same Bible says ‘’My people perish for the lack of knowledge’’. Similarly, chapter 15:55 of the Koran says ‘’but remind, for reminding beneÀts the believers,’’ both the holy Bible and the glorious Koran emphasis the need to be knowledgeable. It is in light of the above and in view of recent past tragedies that I am compelled to reproduce this piece, though with slight modiÀcation.

A couple of years ago, someone dear and inspiring was left crippled by a driver who disregard the simple rules of being cautious while driving in the rain, especially on unfamiliar roads. What looks like a small mistake caused this lady not just a career but her mobility while the driver escaped without a scratch. Just recently another person who I know lost his life in a crash, which occur while being driving in the rain.

These two painful tragedies and perhaps many more while probably not know about are the reason for reproducing this piece.

Remember that I had shared the story of a pathetic and tragic death of a mother and a wife in a road tra΀c crash which occurred along Abuja Airport road. The mother’s details I didn’t know, neither the husband’s.

However, her death, like that of most other tragedies often highlighted on my weekly

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

piece, was caused by a driver’s error. The woman if you recall, had Áown from the United Kingdom to Abuja without a hitch. On arrival, she called the husband who in turn, perhaps due to another pressing engagement, requested a taxis driver to pick her up.

Sometime in the course of 5 minutes’ drive from the Abuja Airport, the driver, on noticing a trailer, instinctively tried to avoid it, but unfortunately crashed into the trailer with the woman and died. The driver was injured and alive. The Àrst question I asked was: was it raining? How fast was he going at the point of the crash? On what lane was he? The speed (left lane) or slow lane, (right lane)? Was the trailer stationary? How bad was visibility?

Unfortunately, no one was there to reply me as the woman dead and the driver hospitalized.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 24, 2021

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Director Logistics Vento Furniture, John Ebin; Vento ambassadors, Kelechi Amadi-Obi; and Ninalowo Bolanle; CEO Vento Furniture, Hassan Y; Vento Ambassador, Ali Nuhu; Director Legal, Vento furniture, Sadiq Mahmood; and CEO Mbr Signature, Stanley Ezeani, when Vento signed new Brand Ambassadors in Lagos.... recently

Head SME Banking Wema Bank, Arthur Nkemeh; Founder SheCan Nigeria and COO, MBR Signature, Ezinne Ezeani; Head Marketing Communications and Investor Relations, Wema Bank, Funmilayo Falola; Head Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, Abimbola Agbejule and MD, MBR Signature and Co-founder SheCanNigeria, Stanley Ezeani, at a press conference held in Lagos…recently

Feed Nigeria Summit to Repair Tech Experts Push for AI, Robots to Boost Performance Severed Food System Nigeria’s foremost agricultural convocation, the Feed Nigeria Summit (FNS), this year, will focus on revamping the country’s food system architecture and address concerns surrounding critical value chain activities in the agriculture sector.

The Summit themed; POSTCOVID19: A Repaired Food System, Pathway to a Revived Economy seeks to capitalise on the positive energy of the Nigerian agriculture sector to strengthen the nation’s overall economy, post-pandemic.

It aims to contribute significantly to the actualization of an inclusive, e΀cient and competitive food system for Nigeria.

The Technical Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, on Knowledge Management and Communication,

Barr. Richard-Mark Mbaram, who is also a member of the event’s organising committee, made this disclosure during a virtual media briefing held recently.

According to Mbaram, the Summit targets the resuscitation of Nigeria’s food system which was severely disrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. He harped on the need for an objective auditing of the entire agricultural ecosystem to ascertain areas of strength and weaknesses; hence the Summit’s theme.

“The theme of this year’s Feed Nigeria Summit resonates with current realities we face globally from the prism of the food system, heavily occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. From Nigeria’s perspective, there is so much at stake. With this

Summit, we are looking to x-ray these realities,” Mbaram said.

Though laudable, eͿorts and measures made by the government to improve the food system following the COVID-19 pandemic are still curtailed by challenges which continuously result in low productivity, price variations and unfavourable trade realities, post-harvest loss, malnutrition and unemployment.

Mbaram further stated that addressing these concerns will inevitably strengthen the overall economic recovery eͿorts of the government at all levels.

He said, “For us, if we can repair the country’s food system, then certainly our economic-revamp efforts will be on the right track.

The Summit will achieve this criti-

cal objective with the support of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), also keen on advancing the course of its agricultural policy - NATIP.” With strong support from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Mbaram stated that the AfDB-funded Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project is central to the objective of the Summit.

Emphasis, he said, will be placed on tracking the implementation status of the Project and the Green Imperative Programme of the government. These programmes, he noted, will address the existing concerns around critical infrastructural provision, technological innovation, mechanization and extension, as core components of the FMARD’s policy thrust.

A tech expert and Group Managing Director of SystemSpecs Holdings, John Obaro has underscored the importance of new technology, speciÀcally artiÀcial Intelligence and robot to the Àeld of Human Resource, HR Obaro enlightened the audience who were gathered at the investiture ceremony of Olusegun Mojeed as the new president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM),in Lagos recently.

According to him, AI is already a present reality in Nigeria and sets to further impact several human endeavours including HR. Obaro further allayed the fears that AI and robotics would fuel job loss in the country in the

face of high unemployment rate.

He clariÀed that with innovation, creativity as well as ability to adapt, AI will instead complement humans rather than replace them.

The tech tycoon thus advised HR professionals to prepare themselves to adapt to the mminent change by developing skills that will enable them to adopt automated systems to enhance their work.

“This requires learning and adopting the technology itself.

If you ignore robots, they will ignore you. The HR technology landscape will continue to be disrupted. Therefore, HR practitioners need to start thinking of better ways to advance their skills and strategies.

Wema Bank,Vento Partner ‘Shecan Nigeria’ on Women Conference IFC Appoints New Senior Country Manager for Nigeria A movement for today’s Woman, SheCan Nigeria has announced the third edition of its women conference which is geared towards empowering, uplifting and presenting life-changing opportunities for Nigerian women and girls.

Partnering the movement for this year’s conference is foremost Ànancial institution, Wema Bank and Vento Furniture to support the realisation of the conference’s objectives.

According to the organisers, the conference, themed,”

SheCan Do More,” aimed to empower and help women and young girls realise their innate potentials, while also developing their capabilities to achieve success through collaboration and empowerment.

Founder of SheCan, Ezinne Ezeani stated that participants would have opportunity to access scholarships, grant opportunities and networking avenues.

She said, “We want to drive the paradigm shift and share the voices of women in the corpo-

rate, business and public service world. This is by recognising their innate abilities to identify, acknowledge and celebrate today’s woman, her strength and achievements, and to give her a voice by collaborating with other female associations.

“Participants at the conference would be further exposed to recruitment opportunities, internship and mentoring, as well as one-on-one coaching.

The conference is free for every woman and attendees are urged to log on to www.shecannigeria.

com to register.”

She assured that the event holding August 13 at Muson Centre boasts mind-blowing opportunities and networking meet and greets.

Speakers lined up for the event included, “Ezinne Ezeani; Àrst female MD Exploration and Production, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; Lagos State Commissioner for Women AͿairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Cecilia Bolaji Dada and CEO of Ikeja Electric, Folake Soetan.

Lush Hair Signs Yemi Alade Vento Furniture Unveils as Brand Ambassador New Brand Ambassadors

Indigenous hair extension brand, Lush hair has struck an ambassadorial deal with award winning musician, Yemi Eberechi Alade, better known as Yemi Alade, who has become the first ever brand ambassador for the organisation.

The deal was concluded in Lagos recently in the presence of the Lush hair executives and a team that accompanied Yemi Alade.

According to the organization, Alade became the right choice given her identity that resonates with fashion and style.

Brand Manager of Lush Hair Nigeria, Ms. Ritambhara Kakkar stated that the partnership with the music star is strategic as Alade has become a household name among hair lovers and stylists.

“There is hardly ever any salon that does not feature Yemi’s reference

style image for people to emulate her hairstyles in their catalogue. She is the best in the game, and we are working towards being the best in the game as well, so it becomes a case of the best meeting the best.

“We are excited for the partnership and we really hope to go places with the new deal,” Makkar said.

Responding, Alade described the partnership with the brand as a matchmake from heaven, adding that the deal would enable her to bring her vision of creative hairstyles to live.

She said, “Personally, I feel this collaboration is a match made in heaven, especially because of the brand I stand for. I always change my hairstyles and make different hairstyles over time. I think having this deal allows me personalize more of my hairstyles as well.

Vento Furniture has revealed the latest addition to its brand influencers as part of efforts to boost the brand’s visibility in Nigeria.

The new brand ambassadors are: ace photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Kannywood actor, Ali Nuhu.

Amadi-Obi and Nuhu will be joining Nollywood stars, Bolanle Ninalowo and Mary Lazarus who were signed by the organisation last year.

The deal, which was consummated at the company’s main showroom in Lagos, will see both Amadi- Obi and Nuhu representing the brand for another one year.

Speaking on behalf of the brand, MD, MBR Signature, Stanley Ezeani stated that the decision for additional brand ambassadors was strategic and aimed to reinforce the brand’s

message- to redefine and provide affordable luxury for all- to the market.

He said, “These new ambassadors are able to resonate well with everyone. They embody affordable luxury and class which we are bringing to the market. Amadi-Obi and Nuhu are masters in their respective fields and tell compelling stories in their own rights through their crafts.

We want to give everyone the best possible quality at the most affordable cost ever. We want everyone to “think home, think Vento” because we know home is always where our minds are, either our workspaces or where we live.”

Commenting, Amadi-obi stated that the brand’s ideology aligned with his mantra.

The International Finance Corporation, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group has announced the appointment of M. Shah as its Senior Country Manager for Nigeria.

Shah succeeded Eme Essien Lore who served as IFC’s Country Manager for Nigeria for six years.

IFC in a statement said the appointment was necessary to support long-term and inclusive growth of Nigeria’s private sector.

Shah in his new role is expected to lead IFC’s efforts to help strengthen Nigeria’s economy by creating jobs and opportunities as well as support the country’s private sector as it recovers from the effects of COVID-19. A national of Trinidad and Tobago, Shah

joined IFC in 1998 after building a career in commercial banking in his home country and in Canada.

He has deep investment experience in IFC mainly in the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services sectors and across several geographies including sub-Saharan Africa, Latin American and the Caribbean, South Asia, and Middle East and North Africa.

The newly appointed Country Manager for Nigeria has supported development in Africa extensively, leading IFC’s manufacturing investment transactions in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 9 years with an initial focus on the chemicals and fertilizers sub-sector.

Winco Foam Engages Distributors, Charts Fresh Growth Path Indigenous manufacturer of mattresses and pillows, Winco has restated its commitment to standards at its Bi-Annual Mid-Year Distributors meeting that held in Lagos, recently.

At the well-attended meeting, Technical Director of the organisation, Mr. Oluchukwu Okafor expressed appreciation to the distributors for their unflinching support and loyalty, which he said has kept the company going for over four decades.

He added that the company had always placed premium on quality and standards, hence, assured of sound sleep always.

He said, “Sleeping on the right

mattress is paramount for proper body alignment, support and relief from pressure points.

“This is why we make our products to fit in to what present day consumers need for quality sleep that will enable them wake up refreshed the following day.”

Okafor added, “Buying a mattress and then a bedframe can be an expensive and stressful experience.

Our 2 in 1 Winco Divan Mattress offers a cost efficient bed and mattress bundled in one product, eliminating stress and loss of money.

Now your time and money can be spent achieving more.”

SATURDAY JULY 24, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER JULY 24,2021

38

NEWSXTRA

We’re Prepared for Today’s Election, Says LASIEC Federal High Court declines request to stop council poll Segun James The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has said it was fully prepared for today’s local government council elections into the 20 local government and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

LASIEC disclosed that 15 political parties will participate in the election.

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi yesterday refused requests by 11 political parties to halt the holding of the Chairmen and Councillors election into the 57 local government councils and

LCDAs in Lagos State.

Addressing journalists on preparation for the election, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, said the commission was leaving no stone unturned to ensure the election was free, fair and credible, adding that non-sensitive materials for the election had been distributed across the 37 LCDAs and the 20 local government areas, while the sensitive ones were being distributed to the affected areas with the supervision of security personnel.

She said that all steps necessary had been taken to ensure the safety

of the materials.

The LASIEC boss said that for the safety of everybody that would be taking part in the election the COVID-19 protocols would be observed, every voter was expected to wear facemask to the polling unit, social distance maintained while the chairs and tables to be use in the election shall be sanitised.

She explained that assistance shall be rendered to the disabled persons to guarantee their voting with ease, while the aged ones and pregnant women shall be given preference.

She explained that voting would

start by 8a.m. and end by 3p.m., adding that those on queue before the 3p.m. deadline would be allowed to vote, but those that decided to join the queue after the deadline shall be denied the opportunity of voting.

Phillips stated that card readers shall be used in all the 20 local government areas and 37 LCDAs that the election would hold, and where card readers fail, incident forms shall be used, noting that the results of the election shall be loaded on LASIEC web as they are turned in. She maintained that they were working on the web to make it effective.

Saraki Congratulates Emir of Ilorin, New Traditional Title Holders Immediate past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has congratulated the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and the eight new traditional title holders who were named into the Emirate Council on Thursday.

Saraki who is the Waziri of Ilorin in a statement signed on his behalf by the Head of his Media O΀ce, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commended the traditional ruler for always striving to bring development into Kwara State and seeking the progress of indigenes of the Emirate.

The new traditional title holders are Sheikh Sulyman Onikijipa (Grand Mufty), Sheikh Yakub Aliagan (Sarkin Mallami), Sheikh Abdulkadir Oba Solagberu (Mallam Ubandoma), Alhaji Alimi Abdurasaq (Matawale), Alhaji Soliu Mustapha (Turaki), Alhaji Muhammad Yakubu Gobir (Madaki), Alhaji Abolakale Kawu Agaka (Dan Iyan, Alhaji Abubakar

Kawu Baraje (TaÀda) and Alhaji Sakariyawu Onimago (Shetima).

Saraki noted that the appointment of the new traditional title holders is another of the Emir’s ways of identifying the great sons of the Emirate and giving them due recognition so as to encourage others to continue striving to excel in their various endeavours and in the area of community service.

“The new traditional title should see the conferment of titles on them as a challenge to work harder for unity, development and peace in the Emirate, in particular, and Kwara State, in general.

“The new traditional title holders have been selected among many qualiÀed Ilorin indigenes and they now have the duty to justify the conÀdence reposed on them by the revered monarch who has perfectly played the role of a good father to all indigenes and residents of the Emirate, including other Nigerians of Kwara State origin.

Ex-Banker, Wife, Mother-in-Law Jailed 60 Years over Theft Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

SALLAH VISIT… L-R: Hon. Fatuhu Mohammed; Hon. James Abiodun Faleke; Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa; President Muhammadu Buhari; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, during a Sallah visit to the President in Daura…Recently

Court Jails 10 Pirates 12 Years over Hijacked Vessel Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi yesterday sentenced 10 pirates involved in the 2020 hijack of a merchant vessel, FV HAILUFENG II to 10 years imprisonment and a Àne of N200, 000 on each count.

The suspects were convicted on a three count charge bothering on piracy in contravention of the provisions of Section 3, 10 and 12 of the Suppression of Piracy and

Other Maritime OͿences Act 2019.

The acused include Frank Abaka, Jude Eberagha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adeola Philip, Mathew Masi and Bright Agbedeyi.

Delivering the judgment, the trial judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji, said that piracy was an embarrassment to the nation and had impacted the economy negatively.

The court also stated that

punishment for this act must be proportionate to the oͿense committed by the convicts to serve as deterrence to others.

The lead counsel, Mr. Labaran Magaji, in his submission said that the verdict would send a strong warning to other criminal elements that Nigeria has zero-tolerance for maritime.

He added that national institutions like the Nigerian Navy, prosecuting agencies, and security agencies were ready to counter criminal

activities using the judicial and lawful channels.

Counsel to the acused, however, indicated readiness to appeal the judgment by insisting on the innocence of his clients.

The Nigerian Navy rescued 18 crew members on board a Chinese vessel, FV HAILUFENG II from pirates attack on 15th May, 2020, subsequent upon which the convicted persons were charged before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Buhari Donates 22 Cows to Group Lauds Senator Security Agencies in Katsina Orji for Boosting SDGs Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday concluded an eight-day working visit to his home state, Katsina, with the donation of 22 cows to serving military personnel in the state before returning to Abuja.

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a release, disclosed that the President before departing Katsina Friday donated 22 cows to military o΀cers serving in Katsina and Daura areas of Katsina State.

He gave a breakdown of the beneÀciaries of the cows to include Àve cows each to the Brigade and Air Force bases in Katsina, the state capital and Àve each to the Battalion and the Air Force base in Daura while the soldiers on guard duty at the President’s residence in Daura were given two cows.

According to the release, President Buhari returned to Abuja by 5.40p.m., on Friday after eight days working visit to Katsina, spending the Eid-elKabir celebration in his country home in Daura.

During the visit, the President inaugurated Zobe Regional Water project, which will provide 50 million litres of water to the state, and the Àrst NALDA Integrated Farm Estate that will create job opportunities for families, and equip many with modern farming techniques for crops and livestock.

He also inaugurated a 50km Dutsin-ma-Tsaskiya Road in Dutsin-ma Council.

On Sallah day, the President met with NYSC members serving in Daura, and gave them two cows, one million naira and 20 bags of rice.

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Following the execution of water and health projects in communities across Abia Central Senatorial zone, a coalition of youth leaders has lauded Senator Theodore Orji for giving priority to the basic needs of his constituents.

The group under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), said that by prioritising water and health projects, the Abia Central Senator was giving impetus to eͿorts aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In a statement signed by the President General, Hon. Goodluck Ibem and Secretary, Comrade Kanice Igwe, the group noted that it was

impressed to hear that Orji was intervening in solving the problems of water supply in his constituency.

Citing the successful sinking of borehole in Ukome community in Umuahia North local government where all hope of potable water had been lost due to the topography, COSEYL noted that the commitment of the Senator to solve the water problem has paid oͿ to the delight of the people.

“The Coalition so feels delighted at such empathetic gesture of the senator bearing in mind the di΀culty posed by the topography and terrain of Ukome landscape which hindered for long this blissful moment that looks now like a dream to the almost forgotten people.

A former bank cashier, Ebenezer Adeolu Alonge alongside his wife, Isakunle Olamide Oyinlola and his mother-in-law, Isakunle Eunice Moradeke were yesterday convicted and sentenced to 60 years imprisonment.

The Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye of Ekiti State High Court, Ado Ekiti on a 12-count charge of conspiracy and stealing contrary to Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws Cap 16 Laws of Ekiti State,2012 brought against them by the Ibadan Zonal o΀ce of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Ogunmoye, in his judgement ruled that the prosecution team led by Abdulrasheed Lanre Suleiman proved their case

beyond reasonable doubt and that the convicts had failed to extricate themselves from the self-evidenced proofs before the court.

EFCC, in the course of trial, called two witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove their case.

The convicts were found guilty on all 12 count charges and sentenced to Àve years on each count.

The cumulative 60 years prison terms will, however, run concurrently.

The journey to the dock started when the illicit activities of Ebenezer got exposed through a petition to the EFCC from one of the new generation banks alleging that one of her staͿ by name Ebenezer Adeolu Alonge was involved in fraudulent activities.

Gov Emmanuel Commends NMA in Fight against COVID-19 Charles Ajunwa

As the Delta variant of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread globally, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, has commended the state branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for their sacrifices since the outbreak of the COVID-19 stressing that medical practitioners were at the forefront and contributed immensely in the fight against the pandemic.

Governor Emmanuel also appreciated NMA for standing with the Akwa Ibom State Government in the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic adding that without the God-given wisdom on the medical practitioners, it would have been disastrous for humanity.

The governor who gave the commendation through his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, at the opening ceremony of the 34th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM/SC) of Akwa Ibom State Branch of the Association, held in Uyo, the state capital, said he was worried by the perceived negative portrayals of the medical profession in Nigeria especially in the movies and urged NMA to correct the false and evil

impression that doctors will not treat patients except they pay a deposit fund.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͺͼ, 2021

SPORTS XTRA

Japanese Emperor Declares Tokyo Olympics Open Amidst COVID-19 Worries Osaka Lights Olympic Cauldron Japan’s Emperor Naruhito officially opened the Tokyo Olympics on Friday in a nearly empty stadium after the Games were postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I declare open the Games of Tokyo,” Naruhito said during a

three-hour ceremony attended by just a few hundred officials and dignitaries and several thousand athletes in the 68 000-capacity Olympic Stadium.

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic cauldron as the Tokyo Games opened on Friday after a year’s delay due

Opening Ceremony: Nigeria Meets IOC Directives on Flagbearers The 2020 Olympics kicked off yesterday amidst pump and pageantry and while most countries paraded only one flagbearer Nigeria complied with the International Olympic Committee directive of having a male and female flagbearers.

Also, Ethiopian male swimmer Abdelmalik Muktar and Tajikistani male judoka Temur Rakhimov waved the flags of their respective countries, in spite of having a mixed delegation.

Congo, on the other hand, had only female sprinter Natacha NgoyeAkamabi represent their mixed team.

Other countries that only had a male flagbearer, such as the United Arab Emirates, had a male-only delegation.

Delegations of countries known for conservative gender values complied with the IOC request, as male rower Husein Alireza and female judoka Tahani Alqahtani waved as they held the SaudiArabian flag.

Members of Team Nigeria however fell short of the stipulated rules as they not only failed to put on a uniformed face masks, while some were without one during the opening ceremony parade at the showpiece.

While countries like South Africa, Poland, France, Mali, Lithuania, Portugal United

States and Belgium were a delight to watch as they wore uniform masks during their parades.

Pictures showed members of the Nigerian delegation without their nose masks, which negates the COVID-19 protocols laid down by the organisers.

Another country that was not a delight to watch during the parade was Germany.

Germany’s Olympic uniform for the Tokyo Games has not gone down well with some athletes and social media users from the country and abroad.

“Who is responsible for this outfit. Come on now,”Olympic basketball player Maodo Lo said on Instagram about the mint green outfit with a rather extravagant vest and neon-coloured shoes.

Teammate Niels Giffey agreed, asking makers Adidas and Team Germany “who thinks this up?”

Internet users were not impressed either during the opening ceremony.

One tweeted that “no one can take away the gold medal for ugliest uniform from us,” and another added, “you can rely on the tastelessness of German uniforms at Olympic Games.”

Awoniyi Sends Farewell Message to Liverpool 2013 U17 World Cup-winning strikerAwoniyi has sent a farewell message to everyone associated with Liverpool after sealing a permanent transfer to Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin.

Awoniyi joined Liverpool in 2015 and was loaned out to a variety of European clubs due to a work permit obstacle that was finally sorted out this summer.

The 23-year-old had loan spells at FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Royal Excel Mouscron (twice), KAAGent, Mainz 05 and Union Berlin.

Having impressed during a season-long loan spell at Union Berlin in 2020-2021, he was acquired on a permanent basis by the capital club three

days ago.

Writing on Instagram, Awoniyi said : “Thanks to everyone @liverpoolfc , thanks for the time spent , truely challenging but inspiring and most importantly given the chance as professional football player 6 years ago”.

The Union Berlin number 14 added : “@1.fcunion happy to be here again and let the journey continues….

“Foreverhe’sandwillalways be the Greatest and the captain of every destiny even in all our imperfection.

Awoniyi was training with Liverpool’s first team inAustria before he was excused from camp to complete his move to Union Berlin.

Giggs Denies Assaulting Ex-girlfriend Wales manager Ryan Giggs has pleaded not guilty to using controlling behaviour and assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Mr Giggs denied assaulting KateGrevilleandhersisterEmma Greville,athishomeinSalfordlast November.OnFriday,Manchester Crown Court heard claims that Mr Giggs used a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour against Ms Greville.

It included claims he kicked her naked out of a hotel room.

The former Manchester United player pleaded not guilty to using controlling behaviour against Ms Greville, 36, between August 2017 and November 2020.

Appearing in court, the alleged details of the behaviour were read out to Mr Giggs.

to the pandemic and with the threat of coronavirus hanging over the competition.

Osaka lifted the torch to the gleaming cauldron, which had unfurled at the top of a ramp representing Mount Fuji, in the highlight of a ceremony that was stripped back over virus fears.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito officially opened the Games in an eerily empty Olympic Stadium, after Covid-19 forced organisers to ban spectators at all but a handful of venues.

“I declare open the Games of Tokyo,” said the monarch, wearing a white surgical mask, in the 68,000-capacity stadium.

Osaka, whose identity had been kept secret ahead of the ceremony, was handed the torch by a group of children from the region around Fukushima which was devastated

by a tsunami and a nuclear disaster in 2011.

She tweeted that lighting the cauldron was “undoubtedly the greatest athletic achievement and honor I will ever have in my life”.

The lighting of the futuristic cauldron was an uplifting moment in a low-key ceremony that unfolded in front of fewer than 1,000 VIPs and several thousand athletes.

In another high point, nearly 2,000 synchronised drones formed a revolving globe over the stadium, to a cover version of John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

A reduced parade of about 5,700 athletes, far lower than the usual numbers, filed into the stadium, not all of them socially distanced but all wearing masks.

International Olympic Committee president

Thomas Bach acknowledged the Games would be “very different from what all of us had imagined”.

But “today is a moment of hope”, he said in an address.

The 16-day event, with 339 gold medals across 33 sports, have a surreal air after the pandemic compelled organisers to make this the first Games with virtually no spectators.

Athletes are tested daily but they are performing on the biggest stage knowing that a positive test could wreck their Olympic dreams.9 Fears that the global gathering of 11,000 athletes could become a superspreader event have made the Games deeply unpopular in Japan, where polls have shown opposition for months.

But hundreds of people gathered outside the stadium

cheered and applauded as the fireworks exploded overhead.

Mako Fukuhara arrived six hours before the ceremony to grab a spot.

“Until now it didn’t feel like the Olympics, but now we are by the stadium, it feels like the Olympics,” she told the media.

Japan has spent nearly $15 billion on the Games, including $2.6 billion in extra costs after they became the first to be postponed in modern Olympic history in March 2020.

Tokyo is also battling a surge in virus cases, and is under emergency measures though they fall short of a strict lockdown.

Organisers will hope public opinion turns when the full sporting programme starts today, with swimming, gymnastics, road cycling and tennis among the top attractions.

Naomi Osaka lights the Olympics cauldron

West Ham Fail to Meet Onuachu’s £25 Price Tag West Ham are refusing to pay more than £15 million for Genk hitman Paul Onuachu according to a report from Own Goal Nigeria.

That’s £10 million short of the Belgian outfit’s £25 million valuation of the 27-year-old striker.

HammersbossDavidMoyes is desperate to bolster his attacking ranks at the London Stadium this summer.

And Onuachu would have been the absolutely ideal addition for West Ham. The Hammers are refusing to pay more than £15 million for the prolific centre-forward,

which could be a huge mistake at the end.

Onuachu seems to have all of the attributes needed to succeed at the London Stadium.

The Genk hitman was on fire last season racking up 29 goals in 33 League games.

He has a fairly impressive career record as well with 124 goals in 263 appearances to his name.

The 13-capped Nigeria international is an absolute giant. Standing at 6ft 7in tall, Paul Onuachu is understandably an absolute menace in the air. That aerial ability suits West Ham’s style

of play perfectly what with the onus Moyes places upon set-pieces. £25 million seems like a perfectly fair price to us. And if West Ham don’t pay up for the Genk ace it will be a real indication of the club’s owners’ ambition or lack thereof.

Meanwhile, French giants Lyon are said to be leading the race to sign the KRC Genk of Belgium forward.

Reports from French tabloids stated that Lyon has contacted Genk and have already open talks to sign the Nigerian International.

Onuachu is valued at €35m

by Genk, and but Lyon remains confident a deal can reach for a lower price.

Lyon is in the market for a proven goalscorer after Memphis Depay left them to join Catalan giants Barcelona as a free agent.

Lyon is facing serious competition from Watford, Brighton and HoveAlbion and Arsenal.

Onuachu enjoyed the breakthrough 2020-2021 campaign when he scored 35 goals for the club in all competitions.

He was named Belgian league player of the season and the best African player in the division.

Sancho Inherits Ighalo’s Shirt Number at Man Utd Manchester United officially announced the signing of England international Jadon Sancho on Friday, July 23.

Sancho, who is represented by a Nigerian agent Emeka Obasi, has put pen to paper a deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2026, with the option for an additional year.

Manchester United have confirmed that the former Borussia Dortmund winger will wear the number 25 for the 2021-2022 season.

The last player to sport the number 25 jersey for Manchester United was Odion Ighalo, who spent one year on loan at the club from Shanghai Shenhua.

Sancho will become the tenth player to wear the number 25 since the Premier League introduced squad numbers at the start of the 1993-1994 season, after Ighalo, Valencia, Nick Powell, Danny Simpson, David Jones, Quinton Fortune, Jordi Cruyff, Kevin Pilkington and Gary Walsh.

The last time Ighalo wore

United’s number 25 kit in a competitive fixture was in a UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on December 2, 2020.

In 23 outings across all competitions for the Red Devils, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner found the net five times.

Saturday, July 24, 2021

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Ekweremadu to Opponents of Electoral Reforms “It is very unfortunate that those who rode to power on the back of the electoral reforms and conducive democratic environment engendered by PDP administrations have continued to take various caustic measures to frustrate further electoral reforms” – Senator Ike Ekweremadu expressing disappointment with politicians who benefitted from the electoral reforms, but now frustrating further electoral reforms.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Is the President Aware that Time is Going?

F

ellow Nigerians, I sometimes wonder what the President and his acolytes are thinking. Are they aware they have less than two years to hand over power or they have other plans hidden from the rest of us? If not, why are they busy fighting imaginary enemies and at the same time pampering real enemies? And doing so on many fronts too? I read somewhere that a good General never fights on many fronts, simultaneously! Ask the Germans who discovered this folly to their utmost amazement and defeat during World War II. Sadly, what I’m seeing with Major General Muhammadu Buhari is different, as the General seems to have forgotten this basic lesson of military strategy.

He has too many battles on his hands, and it is obvious his troops are already overstretched and battle weary. They, and their General, deserve our pity. Or maybe time will prove us wrong, which I doubt.

By now, the President should be consolidating on his pet projects. He should be seen pursuing terrorists and bandits to the pits of hell. He should be reconciling and healing the badly bruised and fragmented nation. He should be winding down slowly and steadily in readiness for his final retirement from public office. A South South Governor is already doing that in Rivers State, by unleashing a plethora of legacy projects which everyone can see. What would be the point of President Buhari wasting eight years in power fighting wars of attrition and winning none?

As I have advised several Presidents in the past, when tomorrow comes, all those goading President Buhari on and telling him he’s the greatest Nigerian leader ever will quickly vamoose, and he would be left with his family to lick the wounds of a lost transient power. I repeat, nothing lasts forever.

Even if the President succeeds in imposing a Presidential candidate on Nigeria, he would be shocked by what will soon happen. The new leader will urgently depart from Buhari’s path of paranoia by carving a new image for himself. We have seen it before and I will be shocked and horrified if the President has already forgotten his own history.

Just in case many of his vociferous supporters no longer remember, let me tickle their memories.

When the military government of Major General Muhammadu Buhari was sacked and replaced

by Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in 1985, it took only days to dismantle the gargantuan house of commotion Buhari and Babatunde Idiagbon had erected. Governments are never remembered or glorified for how many wars they fought but for how much prosperity was recorded in an atmosphere of tranquillity. This is almost getting too late and almost impossible for this government to achieve in less than two years from now. By this time next year, the President will begin to see the true colours of humans, especially our politicians. In another two years, there will be no one to fly to Daura in order to pay Sallah homage to him. Such is the sad reality of life.

If the President feels all those criticizing him are enemies who hate him, he will soon know they are his best friends. The crocodiles and chameleons will soon surface in real time. If I were the President, I will seize this moment to correct my mistakes. It would be nice to avail himself of the story of Nelson Mandela and how he became the world’s greatest statesman. It is about his ability to forgive, even if he couldn’t forget certain injuries as a mere mortal. It is not too late for Buhari to make amends, even

Buhari

if I have been told endlessly that Buhari can never change his unyielding and unbending ways of life. The President must be told the things he has done wrong, for the record, no matter his position on the matters.

One. His government has further deepened the divisions in Nigeria. Never since the last civil war have we come so dangerously close to the precipice of another monumental battle for the survival of our country. We are now stupidly and gravely divided along ethnic and religious lines, and both are too volatile to continue to watch without being checked.

History will never forgive any leader that fails to arrest our supersonic speed towards perdition.

Two. The President has not been fair to the Constitution he swore on oath to enforce and protect. If he did, most of the challenges confronting us today would not have emerged to haunt us. When a President feels he can fight everyone and win everything, he endangers everybody. Let me be brutally frank, whatever problems there are in the South East and South West today were actually unleashed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The worst perfidy is the over pampering of the Fulani herdsmen and the absence of empathy on the part of the President for the hapless victims of terrorism and banditry. It is not too late to apologize to the affected people and compensate them in whatever form possible.

The people of the North Central, especially Benue and Plateau in particular, deserve sincere apologies and restitution from the President.

They have suffered too much from the attacks of Fulani herdsmen. There is no doubt in my mind that whenever Buhari hands over power, most of these terrorists will vanish from Nigeria.

The “swaggerlicious” posturing they parade today is as a result of the protection they enjoy from having a Fulani champion and defender of the faith as President. They would have since been sent packing by a non-Fulani President.

Ghana is a veritable example. The herdsmen in Ghana dare not invade farmlands not to talk of raping women and killing their husbands.

This is one of the reasons I foresee and predict chaos if another Fulani President is promoted and produced so soon after the katakata of this Buhari Presidency. This government has failed woefully and abysmally to protect the different sensibilities that pervade the regions of Nigeria.

Three. The President has refused to listen

to the voices of reasons across the length and breadth of Nigeria. He should please know that no man has a monopoly of wisdom. If the President is not trusting the Lagos Press, he should please read Daily Trust as regularly as possible. It is one newspaper that has done very well by reflecting the mood of the country.

Every part of this country is haemorrhaging and bleeding fast and uncontrollably. Hitherto silent, even taciturn doves, have become freakish hawks. Everyone is crying and baying for blood. Mr President should speedily find the video of the Sallah day message of The Emir of Muri. His voice reflected a deep sense of frustration at the unwarranted killing of his people by Fulani bandits. He even gave a 30-day ultimatum that if the killing does not stop, his people will kill all Fulani in sight. Is this not the kind of desperation that gave birth to the Sunday Igbohos and Nnamdi Kanus who believe separation of their people from the rabid perpetrators of this wanton killings and destruction is the answer?

In June alone, it was reported by Daily Trust that over 1,000 lives were wasted in Nigeria while Zamfara, Kebbi and Niger States topped the charts! North West had 416 deaths, North Central 218 deaths, North East 188 deaths, South East 117 deaths, South West 74 deaths and South South 18 deaths, all from violent attacks!!

Four. While all these killings are ongoing, President Muhammadu Buhari and his sidekicks, seems not to know how to describe the terrorists who have been on rampage. I read a very brilliant article by my dear Brother, Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser, Media, yesterday about the bad guys of Nigeria and I saw how he cleverly refused to mention terrorism as the biggest menace in the country today. CNN in a recent documentary left no one in doubt of our position in the comity of terrorist nations. Nigeria is in one of the top unenviable placements.

We now have an unfortunate country where one terrorist leader called Turji boastfully confessed that he has murdered our soldiers on several occasions and assures us that his location is known but that he is untouchable.

When his father was arrested, he said he retaliated by kidnapping 150 innocent people in Shinkafi Local Government and pronto, his father was released to assuage him. Yet, the goons of Buhari invaded the home of Sunday Igboho Adeyemo and even killed two innocent people in cold blood, abducted members of his family, and Sunday himself escaped by the whiskers. Yet, most Yoruba leaders went foolishly and wimpishly quiet like victims of mass hypnotism. The Sunday Igboho drama continues to unfold as the Government seeks to bring him back from the Republic of Benin to face whatever trumped up charges can be manufactured against him by our overzealous security forces. Still, our Yoruba politicians hardly seem able to rouse themselves from their stupor. They are like a punch-drunk boxer who is so dazed by the pummelling that has been received that he can no longer comprehend anything on his unsteady feet. The President must call his goons to order. They cannot continue to assault innocent citizens whilst leaving dreaded bandits and terrorists to wreak havoc on the polity.

This cannot continue…

Reno Omokri Responds to

Pendulum Dear Egbon Dele Momodu, In your Pendulum column of Saturday, July 17, 2021, you wrote as follows: “Many people felt that they were tired of the reckless profligacy and incredible corruption that pervaded the land under the Jonathan administration.”

The above statement is a historical revision and is not supported by facts.

There was no “reckless profligacy and incredible corruption” under former President Jonathan.

The only international institution accepted by the world as an objective arbiter on measuring corruption is Transparency International.

You may recall that under then President Jonathan, Nigeria made her best ever improvement on the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index till date, in 2014, moving from 144 the previous year, to 136, an 8-point improvement.

No other administration before then achieved that feat, and no other government afterwards has repeated it.

You may also recall that on February 1, 2021, Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perception Index revealed that Nigeria is more corrupt today than it was under the previous administration, having moved 13 places backwards in the CPI, from 136 in 2014 to 149 in 2021 (our worst performance ever).

You will therefore agree with me that your assessment of the situation under former President Jonathan is faulty, especially when you take into effect that that administration eliminated the corruption in the fertiliser procurement regime, introduced the cashless policy and the Bank Verification Number to reduce opportunities for corruption, and eased out two ministers over conflict of interest, as well as probing the petroleum sector in a bid to rid it off the fraudulent subsidy regime.

Transparency International is a nongovernmental organisation based in Germany and has no affiliation with either the government of former President Jonathan, or his political party. It is therefore prudent to accept their findings as an unbiased and non-partisan body.

I do hope you would publish this to give your readers a more accurate picture of the period of our national life in question.

Thank you and may God bless you.

Reno

My Observations I only wish to insist that I stand by my comment to which Reno has responded. At the time of Buhari’s emergence for a record fourth attempt at the Presidency, the Jonathan administration was viewed as being reckless, profligate and very corrupt by Nigerians. It was a matter of perception and nothing to do with me. That the Jonathan government moved up eight places in Transparency International’s Index, from 144 to 136, is nothing to be proud of. Indeed, it is a shame given that there were only 180 countries adjudged in the world. The fact that it may have been perceived internationally as being less corrupt than previous Governments does not mean that it was any less corrupt than the Nigerian citizens themselves thought the Government to be.

I am sorry, my dear Brother Reno, that unfortunate impression gave power to Muhammadu Buhari on a platter...

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