SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST 2022

At 70, Buhari Extols Daisy Danjuma’s Years of Service to Nation, Humanity Says her commitment to alleviating plight of women, children unparalleled Deji Elumoye in Abuja Lawyer, politician, businesswoman and philanthropist, Senator Daisy

Ehanire Danjuma is 70 today and President Muhammadu Buhari was quick to send her warm greetings, praising Daisy’s many years of service

to the nation and humanity.

In his congratulatory letter to Daisy, wife of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd),

personally signed by him, the President also saluted her commitment to a better living standard for the less privileged across Nigeria.

Buhari wrote: “On behalf of myself and my family, I wish to felicitate with you as you attain the auspicious age of 70. Distinguished Senator,

I join your family members, friends and political associates in celebrating the auspicious Continued on page 6

Jonathan Leads Election Observation Mission to Kenya... Page 8 Saturday 6 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9979

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Terror Threats: Sanwo-Olu Summons Emergency Security Meeting, Tells Lagos Residents to Ignore Doomsday Prophets Segun James As unconfirmed reports of an imminent attack on Lagos by terrorists continue to

reverberate around the state, Governor Babajide SanwoOlu last night urged Lagos residents to ignore the report, as the state government and

security operatives were on top of the situation.

The governor said this during an emergency press conference held at the State

House, Marina, after a meeting with security operatives from the Nigerian Police, the Navy, Army, Customs and the Civil Defence, among others.

Sanwo-Olu said he had read some news on social media about a threat of an impending attack on Lagos but urged Lagos residents to

remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.

"In the last couple of days Continued on page 6

Buhari: Foreign Elements Responsible for Some Security Challenges Confronting Nigeria Declares his government doing all it can to eliminate or apprehend the criminals Kingsley Nweze President Muhammadu Buhari says his government has recognised that some of the security challenges confronting Nigeria were imported by foreign elements and has accordingly adopted bilateral and multilateral arrangements to tackle the problem.

Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, stated this yesterday at the graduation of Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja.

“I want to assure all Nigerians that the government is doing all it can to eliminate or apprehend the criminals or bandits, wherever they are,” he said.

The President said Nigeria and indeed the African region had been facing difficult times

with terrorism, adding that the military and other security agencies had been given directives to decisively deal with them.

He said: “Government is also deeply concerned about the activities of bandits and criminals who have reared their ugly heads in some parts of the country.

“This is because the number of violent unprovoked attacks on citizens appear to be on the increase. This is unacceptable.

“Accordingly, we have given strong directive to the military and other security agencies to deal decisively with terrorists, bandits and other enemies of the country.”

Buhari commended the nation’s apex defence institution for its continuous effort towards raising a disciplined, professional and Continued on page 6

SEEKING ALLAH’S GRACE… L-R: Dan'Darman of Bichi, Alhaji Abdulhamid Ado Bayero; Alhaji Mustapha Na Amadu and the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero during a special prayer session organised by the Bichi Emirate Council, Kano State, to seek Allah's intervention for an end to insecurity in the country…yesterday

Ondo Amotekun Intercepts 151 'Charm-carrying Invaders'... Page 8

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NUPRC Moves to Maximise Returns from Oil Fields All licenses, leases to undergo performance audit Strengthens oversight, regulation of acreages awarded prior to PIA

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said yesterday that it was adopting a more strategic approach in the administration of licenses and leases in order to attain the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The commission, in a statement signed by its Chief Executive, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, said the move was to optimise value from acreage management and administration, as well as the new acreage allocation principles enunciated in the law.

The commission recently awarded 57 marginal fields which are expected to boost Nigeria’s oil production. There have been complaints in the past that many of the acreages awarded in the past remained non-producing, mostly due to weak oversight and regulation.

But to position the commission on a performancecentred paradigm for acreage management, Komolafe noted that a new strategy of acreage allocation, management and administration based on a holistic assessment of the performance of all licenses and leases awarded prior to the PIA was required.

The assessment, he said, would seek to identify the areas of regulatory underperformance in acreage management and administration leading to failure of licensees and lessees' inability to carry out licence and lease performance obligations.

This, he said, would include areas of acquisition of data, drilling of wells and maturing of identified leads and prospects within the licence or lease span.

In a memo to senior management staff of the

commission, Komolafe listed the aspects of the new strategy to include review of assignee performance and contributions to licences and leases.

Also included were the review of compliance performance in reporting milestones by licensees and lessees and the administration of regulatory consequence mechanisms, review of loss allocation by licensees and lessees under the PIA, including, production, cost

and revenue, and performance review of existing multi-client arrangements and streamlining of ongoing activities to the PIA. The assessment framework, Komolafe said, would require all existing licences and leases to undergo a performance assessment audit of operation of licences and leases based on a framework to be developed by lease and focussed on Oil Prospecting Licences (OPLs), Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) Marginal Fields and Multi-

(SOP) for acreage management and lease administration in line with the PIA,” Komolafe stated.

The team, which will be made up of a member each from Exploration and Acreage Management: Development and Production; Health, Safety, Environment and Community; Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning and the Legal Departments, is expected to submit a final report by August 30, 2022.

L-R: Segun Awolowo, Tayo Ayeni, Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and host, Omoba Segun Senbanjo at the burial of Mama Olubunmi Ibiyemi Craig in Lagos…Thursday

BUHARI: FOREIGN ELEMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME SECURITY CHALLENGES CONFRONTING NIGERIA strategic leaders for the armed forces, security agencies as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He said the college had since its establishment 30 years ago, continued to fulfil its mandate and had grown to be at par with similar colleges across the world

He charged the participants to deploy the knowledge they had acquired in making useful suggestions toward addressing the challenges in their areas of responsibility.

The president assured that the government would remain committed providing needed resources for the security

received a comprehensive report on what the current security situations in the state are. We have come up with strategies and interventions but I want to assure our people that our security men are alive to their responsibility to ensure the security in the state is not compromised.

“Our advice to our citizens is to be law abiding and go

about their lawful duties and to say something if they see something. Security is the duty of all. They should utilise all the security communication that is available.

“We want to assure you we are not unaware of all the concerns that have gone round. The security operatives have given all the assurances to continue to make Lagos safe for all."

agencies to carry out their assigned tasks.

The Commandant of NDC, Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, said the college had 102 participants drawn from the military, paramilitary, security and intelligence agencies as well as selected MDAs and participants from 16 allied countries.

Bashir said the participants comprised of 28 from Nigerian Army; 20 from Nigerian Navy; five from Nigerian Air Force; 29 from strategic institutions/ MDAs and 20 international participants.

He said the college had trained the finest from the military, security agencies and MDAs both from within and outside the country since inception in 1992, adding that some had distinguished themselves in their careers.

AT 70, BUHARI EXTOLS DAISY DANJUMA’S YEARS OF SERVICE TO NATION, HUMANITY moment with you, heralded by many years of service to the nation and humanity.

“As an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist, I am particularly pleased by the commitment you have shown to the plight of the disadvantaged in the society especially women and children.

“I also note that your passion for this cause was further reinforced during your period in the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007 where you served as the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development, Member, Senate Committees on Health, Education, Finance and Land, as well as Member of the Commonwealth

a team with representation from relevant departments to achieve performance schematic of existing licences and leases; identify oversight weakness, identify licensee and lesseecentred failures in regulatory reporting requirements and other performance indices.

“It will also require an oversight mechanism in line with the objective of the PIA and aspects of the new strategy, as well as develop fresh Standard Operating Procedures

GOODNIGHT MAMA OLUBUNMI CRAIG…

TERROR THREATS: SANWO-OLU SUMMONS EMERGENCY SECURITY MEETING, TELLS LAGOS RESIDENTS TO IGNORE DOOMSDAY PROPHETS or weeks, there have been a lot of social media news and information about the threat of impending attacks on Lagos. I've had on a daily basis security communication with my security operatives.

“I want to assure our citizens that we are on top of the matter. We felt there is a need to have this important extended security meeting.

“At the meeting, we

client arrangements.

“Evaluation is expected to cover the following: Compliance with environmental requirements and with work programme commitments, compliance with revenue payment obligations and reporting obligations, audit of operation systems and thirdparty provider activities and assessment of assignee roles and performance obligations.

“In the new dispensation, there would be a need for

Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Chairperson, Women and Child Right Committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament).

“You have not relented on this and I salute your courage and steadfastness. As you celebrate this milestone, my prayer is that almighty God will grant you longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve humanity and the country.”

The birthday “girl” was born Daisy Ukpomwan Ehanire on August 6, 1952 in Benin City.

Daisy attended government secondary school in Benin City, Edo State, before studying at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where she graduated

with a BA in Law in 1976.

In 1977, she was called to the Nigerian Bar. Daisy undertook NYSC as a State Counsel with the Ministry of Justice of Lagos State, and was a legal counsel to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

She worked as an Executive Assistant at the defunct Nigerian Acceptances Limited (NAL), a Merchant Bank, from 1977 to 1978. She was Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from 1982 to 1992.

The philanthropist was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2003-2007) representing Edo South from 2003 to 2007.

As a senator, she served as the Chairman, Senate

Committee on Women Affairs and Youth Development; Member, Senate Committees on Health, Education, Finance and Land Transport. She has also served as Chairman, Women and Child Right Committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament).

Daisy contested for second tenure for her senate office during the 2011 Nigeria general election but was unsuccessful.

She is married to the former military general and minister of defence, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, who is the founder of the oil exploration company, South Atlantic Petroleum.

Daisy does her selfless and humanitarian works via the T.Y Danjuma Foundation.

According to him, the mission of NDC is to develop future strategic leaders who are sufficiently equipped with knowledge and skills.

“For participants of course 30, this mission was achieved through the pathway of study in nine modules comprising research methodology and strategic writing, state and social political environments, economy and finance, science and technology, international affairs and regional studies.

“Others are policy strategy and national security, military history and conflict studies, peace supports operations and higher defense management.

“The module were delivered through lectures, seminars, study tours, research papers and studies under a broad theme, ‘A Whole of Society Approach to Enhancing Human Security in Nigeria.’

“The course also involved exercises that stimulated real life scenarios and the review of the National Defence and Security Policies,” he sid.

Bashir stated that the mission of NDC was to develop future strategic leaders who are sufficiently equipped with knowledge and skills.

On the challenges confronting the institution, he lamented the inability of the institution to relocate to its permanent site in Piwoyi in Abuja to which the president assured that the matter would be dealt with.

A foreign participant, Commodore Ashwsni Tikoo of Indian Navy, thanked Nigerian government and the armed forces for giving them the opportunity to be a part of the course and learning

experience of a lifetime.

Tikoo said the course had also afforded him the opportunity to make new friends that would help to shape his military career.

He said the scope of the curriculum was vast including economic development, social security, internal security, geostrategic issues among others.

“It has been a great learning experience and particularly for me I would say that my knowledge about the African continent has increased very considerably.

“And obviously, when you get to know so much about this continent, which has 54 countries, rich in resources and beautiful people, it is a great experience.

“I am sure that when I go back to my country with this kind of learning and experience, it is definitely going to enable me to bring in certain changes in my own country with the perspectives and the learnings that I have had here,” Tikoo said.

The graduands cut across the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA).

Others include the Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS, JAMB, FIRS, NEMA, FRSC, NSCDS, Customs, EFCC, ONSA among others.

The countries that participated in the course include Bangladesh, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, Chad, India, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Cote d'ivoire, Mali, Ghana among others.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

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NEWS

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

Ondo Amotekun Intercepts 151 ‘Charm-carrying Invaders’ Gunmen kidnap Ikare chief, 3 others Fidelis David in Akure The Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed ‘Amotekun’ has intercepted 151 suspected “invaders” allegedly with dangerous charms, heading to South-west states.

While showcasing the suspects at the command headquarters in Akure yesterday, the state Commander of the corps, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, said they were intercepted around Sango, Akure/Ado Road by its team who were on ‘stop and search’ as they became suspicious of their movement.

Adeleye explained that

investigation revealed that they were coming from Katsina, Kano and Jigawa states, while they claimed that they were picked in groups and cleverly concealed behind bags of rice.

He said, “We intercepted two trucks conveying 151 people who were cleverly concealed behind bags of rice and beans in a way that one may not know these numbers of people were tucked in the trucks.

“Upon interception, we asked for their destinations, some said Akure while others said Osogbo in Osun State. Although, we have not completed profiling them, as none of them has an

FG Okays N24bn for One Modular Irrigation Project in Adamawa Deji Elumoye in Abuja The federal government has approved N24 billion for the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for the execution of a smart modular irrigation project in Adamawa State.

Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Sani Haruna, who made this known to journalists yesterday afternoon after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, said the new funding approval by the President was for a modernised modular irrigation system pilot scheme.

He said, “We have acquired a 10 hectare farmland on lease in Adamawa State, using water from River Benue, where this pilot scheme is starting and it is estimated that, based on the technologies to be used there, it is possible to have three multi-crop season in a year, commencing from October this year, God willing. “The monies are for the pumps, the structure, the farming techniques, the farmers, the officers, the offices that are needed, the vehicles, and the administrative management, up to the period that we will have this demonstration farm, using modular irrigation system first model. First model in the sense that this one we’re drawing water from River Benue, of course solar powered.”

On purpose of his visit, the NASENI boss said he came

round to show the financial details of the agency’s operation to the President.

According to him, the modular irrigation project would enhance agricultural development in the country and also enable farmers to produce crops three times round the year.

He said the President, in his capacity as the Executive Chairman of the agency, needed to be updated on the way the place is being run, adding that his request to know the state of the accounts was not because there had been any suspicious activity.

He said, “It’s not for anything suspicion, but we have been asking for funding and more funding, then you want to know the status of what is happening so far. For example, I have said to you, the one per cent of the Federation Account due to NASENI, we receive only the federal government component of it, instead of one per cent before it’s shared to the states and others that benefit from this.

“Last week, the President approved N24 billion for smart irrigation system, on request by NASENI. So, it is his thought if our money is remitted, why asking for further funding. Just to clarify the situation, not because of any other things, to know the status. And, of course, to give him exactly, as the Chairman of the Board NASENI, he should know to the last Kobo, what do we have, what don’t we have, to guide his decisions on matters.”

Diri Slams Water Resources Bill, Says It’s Draconian Olusegun Samuel Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has described as draconian the National Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly, saying it would have adverse effect on the predominantly maritime state if it is passed into law.

Diri condemned the bill yesterday when the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dame Didi Walson-Jack and her team paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that it would be unfair and unjust to introduce the Water Resources Bill when oil producing states

were still agitating for a fair deal from their oil and gas resources.

He said, “The Water Resources Bill is not acceptable.

The provisions of the bill, if it becomes law, would have more negative impact on us as we are a mainly maritime environment. Having taken away our oil and gas resources, the federal government is trying to introduce a Water Resources Law at a time when we are still fighting for a fair deal. This bill is tantamount to stifling us. The federal government is on our neck and we cannot breathe anymore.”

Governor Diri called on sponsors of the bill to withdraw it, saying the country operates a federal system of government rather than a unitary government.

idea of what they were going to do or their mission. All they were able to tell us is that they entered the vehicle and came to Ondo State.

“While searching the vehicles, we saw 10 bikes and various dangerous charms. If we check and we do not find anything on them as long as they don’t have anybody that is ready to take custody of them in Ondo State, we will send them back to their various states.

According to Adeleye, “some of them claimed they are from Katsina, Kano and Jigawa states, but on how they came together, they said they couldn’t figure it out, but that they were conveyed on the truck down to Akure in Ondo State.

“This however, is not a good

sign, following the security warning in the South-west states.

While respecting their rights as Nigerians, yet, we are not sure of what they are here for, we still feel that while travelling, anyone should have a mission and destination at where he or she is going,” he said.

Meanwhile, gunmen have kidnapped the traditional head of Iku quarters, the Oniku of Iku, in Ikare- Akoko, High Chief Mukaila Bello and three other indigenes of the town.

THISADY gathered yesterday that they were abducted on Thursday evening along Ago Panu axis of Owo-Ikare Road, while travelling from Akure to Ikare.

THISDAY learnt that other victims kidnapped by the gun-

men were: a former State House of Assembly candidate for Akoko North-East Constituency, Adeniran Adeyemo; Chief Gbafinro and a community leader, Bashiru Adekile.

A family member of one of the victims confirmed that the driver of the car who was shot during the attack is now receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Owo. Spokesperson for the Police Command, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami said: “The Police on 4/8/2022 received a distress call that at about 6:30 pm around ago yeye, along Owo/ikare road, gunmen shot at one Toyota Corolla Car, Reg. No. KAK 818 AE, while on motion, the bullet hit the driver on the head and the vehicle came to a halt, the

other occupants numbering about four (identities unknown) were whisked into the bush while the driver was abandoned. The police have recovered the vehicle while the driver was taken to the hospital.”

She clarified that the driver is currently in a stable condition while the police, local hunters and vigilantes in the area are combing the bush for the rescue of the victims and arrest of the assailants.

The latest incident is coming a week after two workers of a construction company known as ‘Craneburg Construction Company’ in Owo Local Government Area of the state were seriously injured over an attack by unknown gunmen at the construction site.

EMPOWERING CONSTITUENTS… L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning/Chairman, Delta CARES Planning Committee, Dr. Barry Gbe; one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Agatha Nwoba Amaka and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the official flag-off of the Delta COVID 19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme in Asaba…yesterday.

Jonathan Leads Election Observation Mission to Kenya Bennett Oghifo Former President Goodluck Jonathan is in Kenya as head of a full-fledged short-term Election Observation Mission (EOM) towards the Kenya general elections taking place next week.

According to a statement issued by former President Jonathan on behalf of the Mission, they were deployed by the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), and comprise 21 Short-term

observers (STOs), mainly drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and academia from across the continent.

The Mission, which Deputy Head is Mr. Baïdessou Soukolgué, the EISA’s Executive Director, follows an invitation from the Government of the Republic of Kenya, the statement said and that the observers would be “deployed in all the regions and specifically in 10 counties,

across the country where they will observe the final stages of the political parties’ campaigns, election day procedures and results aggregation processes.

“The observers will remain in the country until 12 August 2022. The Mission’s assessment of the electoral process will be guided by the principles and obligations set out in the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the 2002 OAU/

AU Declaration of the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, the Declaration of Principles on International Election Observation (DoP) and the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation (PEMMO), as well as the legal framework governing the elections in the Republic of Kenya.

“The EISA EOM will issue a preliminary statement on its findings at a press conference on 11 August 2022.

Court Knocks TUC for Flouting Order on Delegates’ Conference Wale Igbintade Justice Rabi Gwandu of the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Lagos has frowned at the flagrant disobedience of her order which restrained the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from holding its 12th triennial delegates’ conference pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit before the court.

The judge who scolded lawyers and parties that were involved warned that disobedience of court erodes confidence in the system and failure to check it will breed

anarchy.

“A court gave an order that there should be no election, that I will quickly inspect your matter so that you can go and have your election. But, you went ahead and conducted the election. You are telling the court that to hell with your order,’’ Justice Gwandu stated.

The court had at the last sitting restrained Trade Union Congress from holding its 12th triennial delegates’ conference or taking any further steps to hold it, but the Union went ahead with the conference held on 19th and 20th July 2022.

Justice Gwandu made the

order in a suit filed by the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and nine other associations against the TUC. However, TUC claimed that the decision to hold the conference was hinged on another Order of court issued by Justice O.A. Obaseki Osaghae of NIC Abuja, Division.

When the matter came up yesterday, the Claimants’ counsel, Timothy Adewale, informed the court of the disobedience of the order made by the court adding that he has filed an application for contempt against the Defendants.

According to him, the court order that restrained the defendants from holding the conference or doing anything whatsoever on the subject matter until the determination of the substantive suit was clear and unambiguous.

He told the court that he was shocked that despite the court order, the defendants went ahead to hold the conference in violation of the court order.

He urged the court to hear the contempt application adding that unless the Defendants obeyed the court order, they will be guilty of contempt of court.

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COMMENTARY

RACE FOR THE HILLTOP MANSION

Anietie Usen writes that Onofiok Luke’s endorsement of Umo Eno, the PDP governorship candidate, is a big boost

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any pundits saw it coming. Yet when it landed, the impact reverberated with shock waves across the political landscape. Politicians are still weighing the significance and magnitude of this tremor on their Richter scale. But there is no doubt that the endorsement of Pastor Umo Eno, the PDP governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, on August 2, 2022, by his former rival, Hon. Onofiok Luke, will have wide ranging and far reaching consequences on who becomes the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

“I have to honour my people, my fathers, the traditional rulers and the PDP which gave me a platform to serve the people. I will work for the emergence of Pastor Umo Eno as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State come 2023”, Luke vowed in a carefully chosen words, inside the palace and presence of the Number One traditional ruler of Akwa Ibom State, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium, Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom Traditional Council.

A calm Eno who was barely able to subdue his joy was present to hear one of the best news he has heard in recent weeks. Luke’s speech was a melody to his ears. He had been working hard quietly and prayerfully for this critical moment. Whenever and wherever he sighted Luke at any public function, he would go for him and both would hug warmly as photographers feast on the scene. At one recent function, Eno and Luke went beyond hugging. Eno was photographed pulling Luke aside for an intense heart-to-heart discussion as Luke listened obviously attentively. Many phone calls, not just from Eno but other key stakeholders, would have buffeted Luke’s telephone lines day and night, for this endorsement.

Now overwhelmed by the fruition of these efforts, Eno’s response in the palace of the Oku Ibom was somber and laced with latent biblical vows. “I will work with you with an open mind. I am your senior in age but God has raised you as my senior brother in politics. I will never take this (endorsement) for granted. Help me reassure your teeming supporters that your people shall be my people”, Eno said to the applause of the overjoyed audience.

To be sure, Luke may be young as Eno said, but as Eno also said, Luke is a senior politician (SP), not just in Akwa Ibom but in Nigeria. A former Number Three Citizen of Akwa Ibom State at the tender age of 37 and now the Chairman of the important Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives at 44, Luke ranks among a few youths that have broken the glass ceiling to excel in Nigerian politics. When he became the Speaker of the House of Assembly, he did so in a way no other young man had ever done in Akwa Ibom.

He defied all odds and contested stubbornly against the wishes and candidate of the powerful governor of the State, Godswill Akpabio.

He defeated both of them hands down.

That victory consolidated his political stature and raised his profile as the symbol and champion of youths’ participation in politics.

Said Godwin Utin, a PDP youth leader from Etinan: “Onofiok has lived the dream of a typical grassroots youth in Akwa Ibom...He grew up like all of us local boys, with low income parents. Then he made it and now embodies the experience of impoverishment we young people have gone through. Yet, he has been able to turn his stumbling blocks into stepping stones. That’s why he is important to us as a role model, without a track record of violence or crime...

Anybody else who says he is the youth leader in this State is a pretender to the throne”.

Another PDP youth activist, Ekong Bassey, however added a

OPPONENTS OF PDP HAD EVEN PRAYED HE JOINED FORCES WITH A VISITING POLITICAL PARTY KNOWN IN AKWA IBOM STATE AS ‘YOUNG SOMETHING SOMETHING’. BUT HE DID THE OPPOSITE. HE CHOSE THE PATH THAT IS MORE SAGACIOUS THAN HIS AGE AND BECAME THE INSTANT DARLING OF ALL PDP FAITHFULS.

caveat, and Utin agreed. “It doesn’t mean that we (PDP) would not have won the coming elections without Onofiok, but his endorsement of our principal (Umo Eno) has strengthened our hands more than before and attracted additional respect for Onofiok”. Bassey was saying almost what Ntenyin Etuk, the revered traditional ruler of the Ibibios, who brokered the reconciliation and endorsement had said with a proverbial touch: “It is like a farm. With more hands the weeding is easier....”

When Pastor Eno and his running mate, Senator Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, took a drive to the PDP headquarters for a thank you visit barely 24 hours after the endorsement, he described the endorsement as a ‘historic moment’, while the State Party Chairman, Hon. Aniekan Akpan, described Luke as ‘a wise and faithful party man’ who knows that the structure of PDP in the State is ‘unshakeable and cannot be shaken by the ambition of one man’.

The only regret for some PDP supporters is that the endorsement came a bit late. According to Dr. Udeme Udofia, associate professor of environmental pollution and toxicology: ”If he (Luke) had done this earlier, he would have returned to the National Assembly unopposed as a ranking member and would have given Akwa Ibom State a more effective representation as a top House Officer”.

Dr. Udofia’s view speaks to the tremendous respect Luke enjoys across the political space. Said Prince Chris Abasieyo, a PDP stalwart and former commissioner of information in the State: “His (Luke’s) coming on board means the coming on board of Akwa Ibom youths because he is the beacon of hope for youths more than any other politician in this State, not to forget the elders he has charmed with his humility and generosity”.

It could well be the turning point of the Umo Eno campaigns scheduled to begin in earnest several weeks from now. For a predominantly PDP State like Akwa Ibom, it could well mean also that the election of Eno as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State will turn out to take the character of his nomination: stress free.

It had been speculated that Luke would easily pick up the Labour Party ticket and ride the waves of ‘Obi-dient’ sensation to the Hilltop Mansion, the nickname of Akwa Ibom State Government House. Opponents of PDP had even prayed he joined forces with a visiting political party known in Akwa Ibom State as ‘Young Something Something’. But he did the opposite. He chose the path that is more sagacious than his age and became the instant darling of all PDP faithfuls.

At the beginning of the governorship race, there were four aspirants from Nsit Ubium LGA: Senator Effiong Bob, Udom Inoyo, Onofiok Luke and Umo Eno. It is believed in political circles that the four converged in Senator Bob’s residence one Sunday and agreed that anyone of them that eventually emerged as the PDP candidate would be supported by the remaining three. Senator Bob fulfilled his pledge on the spot on January 30, 2022, when stakeholders led by former Governor Victor Attah and incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel endorsed Pastor Umo Eno. It is believed that Udom Inoyo, the former ExxonMobil Vice Chairman and Pastor Eno are talking. Now Onofiok Luke has kept his side of the bargain, with perfect timing.

For all PDP stakeholders therefore, it’s a win-win scenario. Daniel Etokidem, a journalist and teacher of journalists invented a word for it: “masterstroke”. QED. Usen is a Journalist and Author

2023 AND OKOTIE’S INTERIM GOVERNMENT

Nothing meaningful can take place without a fundamental restructuring of the system, argues Ladi Ayodeji

T

his is election season and everyone seems to be looking forward to the 2023 Presidential election after the primaries.

The fundamental challenges facing our country, like crippling domestic and foreign debts, high-interest payments for the huge debts; terrorism, criminality, infrastructure deficit, unemployment, religious bigotry, agitations by separatist groups, and many others have now taken a back seat.

Those seeking election into the highest office in the land think the problem with Nigeria is all about getting the right president who can come up with better policies.

But Rev Chris Okotie came up recently with a proposition on the inauguration of an Interim Government as the only way forward for Nigeria to create the right governance structure that could solve the endemic problems facing the nation.

Okotie began his campaign before the last Presidential election but has recently embarked on strong advocacy in his bid to convince Nigerian power brokers, especially the nominated Presidential candidates, that going ahead with the 2023 general election without first restructuring the country and dealing with all our perennial challenges, would not bode well for the country.

Okotie has been speaking to the major television networks and mainstream newspapers, including THISDAY newspapers, on the need for Nigerians to join the conversation to give our country a viable and realistic government.

The Reverend has anchored his proposition on the adoption of Aboriginal Democracy, which would be driven by a new constitution that reflects our cultural realities and the genuine needs of our people.

According to Okotie, Aboriginal Democracy would redefine our federalism, political system, and a structure of government that is allinclusive, and relevant to the yearnings of the people.

In his proposition, Okotie argued for the adoption of the concept of aboriginal democracy, which is a government from the people, for the people, and with the people, which is distinct from the current experience of the political parties which is the government of the party, by the party, and for the party ‘.

Many have asked how this new government would run. Okotie said that in his proposition, there would be no legislature, political parties, state governments, and ministers. ‘The state would be administered by volunteer tetrarchs’, he added.

But the empowering of professional associations like the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the other major organisations to enact laws in place of the traditional lawmakers has been a revolutionary idea that Okotie’s proposition threw up. In his argument, he made the point that the lawmakers who currently enact most of our legislations are not competent to do so because they are not as qualified as members of the professional associations who know exactly what the people’s

needs are, and therefore able to make relevant laws that deal effectively with issues at stake at any given time.

It’s easy to dismiss Okotie’s propositions without deep reflection on their merit. In our political space, any departure from convention is often ignored. But looking at Nigerian political history, we would discover that under the various military regimes which governed this country for close to 30 years, we had no legislature.

The Army-led polity ran a type of structure Okotie has proposed, viz government in which the Supreme Military Council carried out legislative functions and service delivery was effective.

We may call it dictatorship but government bureaucracy was reduced to the barest minimum, recurrent expenditures and government spending on overhead were very low and things were done faster.

A government without a legislature, an essential component of Aboriginal Democracy, would circumvent all the legislative and bureaucratic expenses that presently account for our country’s financial predicament.

That alone would dramatically free up a huge amount of money for development. Any system that makes resources available for development is worth adopting for our country.

Moreover, one of the biggest constraints of our development is resource allocation and control.

This is often the main reason for the frequent contentions between centrifugal and centripetal forces that Okotie has pointed out in most of his recent interviews.

If the allocation of resources is equitable and based on the genuine needs of each component unit of the federation, as Okotie has rightly pointed out, agitations for resource control and secession would disappear. Therefore, if we are to get it right in 2023, our political stakeholders should heed Okotie’s counsel and proposition.

To conclude the 2023 transition without changing the current Presidential system with all its obvious aberrations is an illusion our nation can ill afford.

None of the three presidential standard bearers of the APC, PDP, and the Labour party has made a definite commitment to the restructuring of Nigeria, which is the core issue of our political discourse since the days of military rule. All the candidates seem to think that once in power they would be able to muster enough capacity to successfully run Nigeria to the satisfaction of all the stakeholders and silent majority who are traumatized by the age-old socio-political and economic crisis that all the previous leaders were not able to solve.

The truth of the matter is that it’s going to be impossible to fix all the fault-lines with our faulty structure, regardless of who is elected.

Therefore, a sensible thing to do is to embrace restructuring of our polity and inaugurate an Interim Government before any meaningful transition could be achieved, otherwise what we’re going to have is still another motion without movement.

Ayodeji, a veteran Journalist, writes from Lagos

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AUGUST 6, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

In search of adequate security...

Media Can Change Society

The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara

O

n Monday, July 25, 2022, BBC Africa Eye, a program of the British Broadcasting Corporation, released a documentary titled ‘The Bandit warlords of Zamfara.” For the first time since Zamfara State became the loose cannon of the terrorists threatening to rip up the Giant of Africa, the heart of the darkness was laid bare.

The 50-minute-long documentary was complete with firsthand interviews, haunting images and startling revelations about the scourge threatening Nigeria out of Zamfara State. At great personal risk, light was shone into the darkness by Yusuf Anka, a law student from Zamfara State who compiled the documentary.

However, if the documentary was light into the darkness enveloping Nigeria out of Zamfara State, that light has apparently been a great source of discomfort for some of those who would rather Nigeria and Nigerians continue to lurch about in deliberately designed darkness.

After the documentary aired on the BBC, Lai Mohammed, Nigeria`s Minister of Information, slipped out of his slumber to denounce the documentary and the media organizations who aired it. Describing it as `a naked glorification of terrorism and banditry’, he hinted that stiff fines were coming the way of both the BBC, and Trust TV which is owned by Media Trust Group which also owns Daily Trust newspaper. On March 5, 2022, Trust Tv had aired a documentary titled “Nigeria`s banditry: the inside story.”

On Tuesday, August 3, 2022, the National Broadcasting Commission whose role has increasingly become that of gagging the citizens of Africa`s largest democracy found its long- compromised voice to announce that it was imposing a fine in the sum of five million naira each on Trust Tv, Multichoice Nigeria Ltd(Owners of DSTV), TelCom Satellite Ltd(owners of TSTV) and NTA-Startimes Ltd (Owners of StarTimes) for supposedly breaching provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, amended in 2020, which is probably the most draconian in the history of the Nigerian media.

It was not the first time. Since Muhammadu Buhari assumed power in the country, a pattern that progresses along the lines of suppressing free speech in the country has been clear for all to see.

Media organizations have been fined exorbitant sums for allegedly breaching a code that the administration itself midwifed to stifle free speech.

Twitter, a world-famous microblogging platform came under the hammer on June 4, 2021. Journalists have been roundly threatened and harassed by agents of a government under whose watch the Giant of Africa appears fated to breathe its last. And for what? For telling the truth about the grave illnesses that ail Nigeria, none more so than insecurity, which is aggravated by the cluelessness and carelessness of those who think they know but actually don’t.

In electing Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Nigerians made a colossal mistake. This mistake was reprised in 2019 and ever since, the country has known very little peace or progress, posting in the process some utterly shocking statistics in many aspects of its national life.

The NBC is very much part of this mistake.

While it tries to whitewash the government it serves, and blindfold Nigerians by gagging media organizations, it forgets that Nigerians know that the true picture of their country under the current administration is one painted full of horror.

For the Nigerian media, the task of bringing the truth to Nigerians must continue unhindered.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

T

hroughout history societal changes have always been hinged on crusades. History teaches us about the crusade for the Holy land in 1095. We can’t all forget the hard work of Bernard of Clairvaux in upholding his faith through various crusades. We live in an era where the media must be a crusader for societal balance and development.

The media is a connection platform in every society. It connects the habits behaviours, antecedent, societal evolution and every societal fabric.

Every expressive form is media. The biggest media platform is the family. The parents are the great television sets in the eye of the children before they come in contact with the wider world.

The prospect of a society is the sum total of its media interactions and anything that a society becomes is a reflective in its media.

The media has a powerful appeal to every generation, technology is just cascading its impact.

The discovery and the evolution of the printing press by Johanne Gutenberg is an indication of the rapid movement and developmental impact media has on society. Every media will bring about a shift, a shift will bring about oscillations, oscillations will make a revolution. It is sad that the media has not been a tool in destroying the

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society and this is not just the social media but the traditional media is also suspect in this moral decadence.

The radio and television platform that are supposed to help in shaping society is now a tool for hate speech and sorts of nefarious vices. We have to say, the society is always on the journey of fine tuning and balancing out but with the journey of balancing comes many twists and turns albeit a ferocious gyration in some cases but caution is of great importance in a bid not to lose equilibrium.

In finding solutions, I must repeat that society and stakeholders in the media space must be introspective and intentional. In being introspective, we must ask what society we intend to leave behind and how we can use the media as a tool to foster societal balance. And the deployment of various platforms must be intentional in addressing various retrogressive ills in society hitherto emboldened by various unsavory agenda. It has to be said our society is going through a moral embolism and we must save the societal arteries to avoid a shutdown.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

In Solidarity with the Cuban People

I

remember the unalloyed support extended to the people of Africa by the Government of Cuba in the titanic fight against colonialism and apartheid in the Southern African region. I also recall the selfless contribution of the Cuban medical brigade to the fight of the African people against Ebola fever, Malaria fever and Covid-19 pandemic in several parts of the African continent.

I hereby express my unalloyed support and heartfelt solidarity with the heroic people of Cuba as they continue to withstand the unwarranted political isolation and economic sanctions imposed on them by the United States for over six decades.

I call on all progressive forces in the world to continue to mount pressure on the United States to respect the sovereign rights of the Cuban people to live in dignity by ending the illegal sanctions without any further delay.

Through uncommon courage and sacrifice, perseverance and doggedness the heroic people of Cuban have confirmed their capacity to overcome the challenges of the moment and transform the island of Cuba to a land of prosperity for her people and humanity.

Viva Cuba. Femi Falana SAN, Lagos

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

NEWS Buhari, Tinubu, Oyetola, IG Mourn Tafa Balogun Deji Elumoye, Kingsley Nwezeh, Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja and Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with family, friends and associates mourning the death of former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mustapha Balogun.

In the same vein, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, have all expressed shocked over the demise Mustapha Balogun.

The President, in a release issued yesterday by his Media

Adviser, Femi Adesina, mourned with the Nigeria Police Force, an institution Balogun spent the better part of his life serving.

He recalled that Tafa Balogun, during his tenure as IGP, did his utmost to ensure that the police performed its statutory responsibilities under a democratic dispensation; and his penchant for boosting the morale of officers and men in the Force has been acknowledged by those who served under him.

President Buhari’s thoughts are with the family, the government and people of Osun State, as well as colleagues and former colleagues of the deceased police chief.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the

departed.

In his condolence message, the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of late Balogun, who served as Nigeria’s 11th Inspector General of Police from 2002-2005.

He said, “Mr. Tafa Balogun as the Inspector General of Police contributed significantly to national security and worked with commitment to keep our country safe. These two

eminent citizens who finished their assignments here on earth will be remembered for their service to our great country.

As we mourn their exit, I extend my condolences to the families, friends and associates they left behind and I pray that God will comfort them all. May their souls rest in perfect peace.”

Governor Oyetola his condolences to the Orangun of Ila,

Oba Wahab Kayode Oyedotun, former Osun Governor, Chief Adebisi Akande, the immediate family and friends of Mr. Balogun, the Nigeria Police Force and the people of Ila-Orangun where the late IGP hailed from described him as a great patriot and respected community leader who made notable contributions to the development of his community and humanity at large.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan

in Osogbo, yesterday, the governor said the late retired police officer contributed in no small measure to the nation’s security during his years of meritorious service in the Force including when he served as the IGP between 2002 and 2005.

He added that this informed the conferment of Oluomo of Igbominaland chieftaincy title on him in year 2020 by first class Igbomina traditional rulers in Kwara and Osun states.

RCCG Celebrates 70th Anniversary, Donates to Hospitals in South-east Mary Nnah As part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), its charity arm, His Love Foundation (HLF) has inaugurated the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre Comprehensive Medical Centre, Awkuzu, Anambra State and Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, having three units of dialysis machines, a medical water reserve osmosis purification system in both centres and a 30KVA generator

in the Enugu centre.

These newly inaugurated centres bring the total number of donated ultra-modern dialysis centres to 15 across the country in furtherance of its global health interventions in the provisions of Intensive Care Units (ICUs), dialysis and cancer screening centres.

HLF has continued to contribute to ameliorating the plight of Nigerians diagnosed with kidney diseases by enhancing and strengthening healthcare infrastructure and other social interventions in the country.

WE’RE BEHIND YOU… L-R: Founder/Leader of Nsukka Women Movement for Gburugburu, Hon. Juliana Ugwu and Enugu State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu, to declare their solidarity and support for him…yesterday.

Bauchi Gov Stresses Need for Peaceful Nigeria Threatens to Dump ECOWAS over Discrepancies Coexistence to Overcome Challenges in Nigeria Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Nigeria has threatened to withdraw its membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over alleged discrepancies in ongoing recruitment exercises by the regional body.

The regional body was recently directed at the 2022 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja to suspend the ongoing recruitment, which some Nigerian representatives at the Parliament alleged was never stopped.

Leader of the Nigerian delegation and Deputy Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Ahmed Idris Wase, said it had become imperative that Nigeria review its relevance and membership of the bloc.

The Nigerian representatives on Thursday subsequently issued the threat of pulling their nation from the body should the directive to suspend the exercise not be immediately respected, they alleged that some principal officers in the regional bloc have neglected the directives and embarked on the illegal process of recruiting their relatives and cronies.

The lawmakers, while citing the huge financial commitments which Nigeria makes to the body while relegating funding its internal security challenges, claimed there was no commensurate return on investment for Nigeria in ECOWAS for all the country has done and is doing for the region.

According to Wase, “If you are in a system, and you are not getting the right results, where you are investing your money, it pays best to walk out of the union.

NSCDC Parades 65-year-old Man for Defiling Daughter Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday paraded 65 years old security man Arowolo Ayodeji for having carnal knowledge of his 19-year-old daughter.

The command paraded him alongside two others Quadri Qudus and Emmanuel Sowole.

Qudus and Sowole were accused of stealing phones and house breaking.

Parading the suspects in Ilorin, NSCDC Spokesperson, Olasunkanmi Ayeni, said that “Arowolo Ayodeji’s report was brought to the notice of the command through the Kwara State Ministry of Social

Welfare. The ministry and the command’s Gender Unit are collaborating together.

“It was a good Samaritan that reported the case to the Ministry of Social Welfare before the case was brought here. And the suspect was apprehended at Ijero Ekiti.

“The man was said to have been molesting the girl while she was seven years old. It means that crime has been going on for two years running.”

Ayodeji told journalists that the marriage between him and the girl’s mother crashed when the girl was two.

When pressed to speak further, he said the devil lured him to commit the crime.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has stressed the need for Nigerians to put sentiments aside and live peacefully with each other irrespective of ethno-religious differences.

The governor further stressed that the present situation in the country characterised by insecurity and banditry need peaceful coexistence and

purposeful tolerance in order to be overcome.

Mohammed disclosed this yesterday at Bishara Baptist Church, Bauchi, during the burial service of the late Mrs. Mercy Abraham, wife of the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Abraham Damina Dimeus.

The governor, who was represented by a delegation of Christian political appointees led

by Senior Special Assistant on

Religious Affairs (Christian), Pastor Zakka Magaji, said that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state was as a result of the fervent prayers of Christians urging them to continue.

He reassured that his administration would continue to run an open relationship with all irrespective of the differences stressing that his administration was for all residents of Bauchi State.

The governor also assured

that his administration will not allow any form of banditry in the state declaring that, “We will continue to protect all residents of the state, we will enable the security agencies to fight insecurity and banditry to submission.”

He, however, appealed to the residents of the state to report all bad eggs in their midst because according to him, “no stranger will operate without an insider leading and showing the way.”

N26bn Debt: Court Grants Access Bank’s Request to Take over Sunny Odogwu Properties Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday upheld the N26 billion debt claimed by Access Bank Plc against the estate of the late Ide Ahaba of Asaba, Chief Sunny Odogwu.

Justice Daniel Osiagor in his judgement upheld the Access bank’s claim, and dismissed the preliminary objection filed by the estate of the late Chief Sunny Odogwu challenging the claim of the bank.

The court held that a consent judgement had earlier been entered in which parties to the debt agreed on the payment of N12 billion as full and final payment.

The defendants in the preliminary objection had argued that having taken advantage of the consent judgement, the plaintiff can’t turn around and ask the court to set aside same.

However, Access Bank in its claim before the court argued that the judgement was floored in that

it was delivered by a court that lacked jurisdiction to entertain it as at the time it was entered as consent judgement.

The bank through its counsel, Kemi Balogun, SAN, submitted that the matter having been placed at the bosom of the Court of Appeal, the lower court which entered the consent judgement was at the time it gave the judgement Functus Officio (lacked jurisdiction), and that the only court that has the power to adjudicate on such matter at that level is the appellate court.

Justice Osiagor while dismissing the objection of the defendants nullified the consent judgement entered

by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, which sanctioned the consent judgement on the ground that it lacked jurisdiction to grant such order as it is functus officio as at the time he granted the order.

The judge then affirmed the earlier judgement of justice

Saliu Saidu, which ordered the defendants to pay its outstanding indebtedness of N26 billion.

Justice Osiagor however ruled that the payment must be less all amount earlier paid to the judgement creditor The court also awarded a cost of N200,000 against the defendants.

It would be recalled that Access Bank Plc and the late Ide Ahaba of Asaba, Chief Sonny Odogwu, entered into a N26 billion loan agreement when he was alive.

The late businessman wanted to use the facility to build luxury apartments to be known as Le Meridien Grand Towers in highbrow Ikoyi, Lagos.

In line with global best practices, the bank demanded collateral security.

Thus Odogwu mortgaged prime properties in Lagos, Abuja, Dubai, and Los Angeles

among others to Access Bank in return for the facility.

After the death of the businessman, the mortgaged properties eventually became a subject of litigation Trouble started when the estate of the late Chief Odogwu, reacted angrily to a move by Access Bank to take over the uncompleted property.

The bank had in its originating summons urged the court to enter judgment in the sum jointly or severely against the first to third defendants, being the outstanding sum as at September 30, 2014, advanced by the bank for the defendants.

The bank also asked the court for an order granting leave to it to foreclose and sell the said property situated at 31-35 Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos State and an order directing judicial sale and granting leave to sell the said property, being the security for the sum of N26, 229, 934, 035.22

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Wike, a Governor Possessed By Spirit of Flyovers

H

e enjoys grandstanding and all the attention that comes with it. This man also does virtually everything to the extreme. That’s Nyesom Wike, the springy and tyrannical governor of Rivers State. Few weeks back, he gleefully announced that his government had decided to award contracts for two additional flyovers in Port Harcourt. When completed, it would be his administration’s 12th flyover in three years.

Wike celebrates his bizarre investment in flyovers, saying, “It has undeniably laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth of Rivers State.” He adds: “It will be record breaking in the history of this country that a state government is able to embark on 12 flyovers, not in eight years. You’ll remember these flyovers started in 2019, my second tenure. It is not that we started in 2015. For you to do 12 flyovers in four years, I don’t see who has broken that kind of record.”

A record? Certainly, a naughty one. It is so sad that this man called Wike equates development with massive construction of flyovers. So sad, he doesn’t understand the meaning of human capital development. While he is busy constructing his bogus and extremely expensive flyovers, thousands of youths of the state are roaming the streets unemployed. He is unperturbed about this crisis. Wike is not working to harness these human resources by motivating the creation of jobs. Instead, he is talking about building more flyovers. This governor seems to have forgotten that he promised to employ 10,000 teachers, to ease unemployment, during his campaigns in 2019. So, when is Wike engaging them? All his energy and resources are concentrated on building flyovers in Port Harcourt. Wike’s projects outside the Port Harcourt/Obio Akpor

Wike

axis are insignificant.

While Wike is building flyovers in Port Harcourt, public hospitals, roads and public schools across the state continue to depreciate. What is going on in Rivers State is a misnomer. It’s a shame that 99.9 per cent of homes in this rich state have no access to something as basic as public water. I need to properly situate what constitutes growth. To attain development, projects must be inclusive and peopleoriented. Government must touch the lives of the people directly with quality healthcare, housing, education, water supply and passable inner roads. Government

must also provide opportunities, human capital development and social security.

Unfortunately, Wike does not understand this and has decided to largely concentrate on splendor projects. This is why he is spending over N100 billion on flyovers.

In this same Rivers State, where flyovers will gulp about N100 billion, the state’s pensioners are struggling to survive due to huge unpaid annuities. In fact, payment of pension and gratuities stopped immediately Wike became governor. The pensioners said some of them had not received one kobo from the state government since 2015. That’s the situation in Wike’s Rivers State. It has been over seven years of pummeling hapless pensioners. This is man’s inhumanity to man. This garbage is happening in a state that has been spending billions of Naira on flyovers.

It is also depressing to note that Wike has also been erratic on payment of salaries and promotion arrears to civil servants. At a point, he ordered a junk biometric test, and deliberately created payment delays.

Last year, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, had to lead a protest against Wike over unpaid annuities, saying, “This wicked act has become the living nightmare of senior citizens who are being punished for serving the state.

These pensioners are dying in droves as a result of neglect.” The NLC has been heckling Wike for non-promotion of eligible civil servants; non-payment of arrears of salaries; non-payment of pension arrears, gratuities and death benefits; non-implementation of pension incremental rates and non-implementation of annual salary increment.

“Workers in the state now go about in black mourning robes and the children of retirees now protest naked in public.

Those are all ominous signs,” declared

Enough of ASUU’s Garbage

L

ast Tuesday, the National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) announced a four-week extension of the ongoing strike in public universities. It declared: “Following extensive deliberations and taking cognisance of government’s past failures to abide by its own timelines in addressing issues raised in the 2020 FGN/ ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA), NEC resolved that the strike be rolled over for four weeks to give Government more time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.”

That was the bad news from ASUU. For me, whatever the university lecturers are fighting for (no matter how good) resulting in this current six-month old strike, it amounts to nonsense, if the interest of students is not paramount. It should ultimately be about the students. This is what these teachers have failed to recognise. They are permanently on strike, leaving the students they are engaged to teach in tatters and quandary.

A four-year course is turned into six years by these unending strikes. Some students will never return after the strike. So, persisting with this current strike is unjustifiable.

Yes, protesting against the federal government’s refusal to fulfill its agreements with the union since 2009 is fair. Yes, the demand for revitalization funds for public universities, promotion arrears, improved salaries and earned academic allowances is just. But the demand can continue without these endless strikes. ASUU members are earning salaries to teach students, So, they must teach. I am not sorry to say that ASUU members care less about the disruption of the future of our youths through the interruption of their academic life because most of them don’t have their children in these public universities.

Adamu Adamu

Then, there is this demand for the deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution by the government for payment of university lecturers. ASUU must look for another tool for this selfish part of their agitations. These guys want to dictate to their employers how to pay them. I don’t know where that is done anywhere in the world. They are telling the government to throw away its platform and pay them with another platform. Their colleagues in the private universities must be shocked.

ASUU members are also demanding for withheld salaries during previous strikes.

Haba! The no-work no-pay labour law is very clear as contained in Section 43 of trade Dispute Act. These university teachers are experienced enough to know that strikes

come with implications.

Now, to the way forward. University autonomy must happen for all this endless drivel called “ASUU strike” to end. Public universities must exercise independent control over their day-to-day operations. Administratively, they should constitute their governing councils.

Federal and state governments must hands off these public universities so that they can be managed as non-profit businesses. They should no longer be funded from budgets.

This is the meaning of autonomy. With this, the governing councils will be able to act clearly as defined i.e. the ultimate power.

The governing councils will appoint the vice chancellors and other management staff. The employers of the academic and non-academic staff will be the governing councils and they will remunerate according to their abilities.

With autonomy, the universities will also charge fees that will enable them cover expenses and a little bit more for further development. This will end their funding crisis. Government can then provide scholarships and student loans. Autonomy also means public universities will be able to attract reasonable endowments. Donors are more comfortable with universities enjoying autonomy. There will be no bureaucratic bottlenecks. Endowments provide important financial stability for universities in sound climes.

Autonomy implies operative freedom. It implies academic and managerial freedom which should result in higher quality of education and academic excellence. I’m happy that ASUU is not against autonomy for universities.

So, the federal and state governments must do the needful. This is the only way forward for our public universities and all other public higher institutions of learning.

the NLC. When Wike was running for the presidential ticket of the PDP, the Rivers State NLC Chairman, Mrs Beatrice Itubo was quick to alert Nigerians to the incongruity of this governor: “We have seen what is happening here in Rivers State. Pensioners have not been paid their gratuity since the inception of this administration. Workers have not been promoted since the inception of this administration. Charity they say begins at home. Let him (Wike) come home and pay retirees their gratuities, pay pension arrears, promote workers and then employ more workers. The system is empty. It is not just to run from here and then you want to go to Abuja. There in Abuja, will you kill all the workers in Nigeria?”

It’s heartwarming that a coalition of human rights bodies called Civil Rights Council (CRC) has decided to challenge Wike’s boloney in Rivers State. The CRC pushed out a statement recently advising the Rivers governor to invest in human capital development and other economic activities that would create jobs opportunities in the state, instead of constructing more flyovers in Port Harcourt.

The CRC said: “With an unemployment rate of over 43 per cent and a rising youth population, it is expected that Rivers State Government would invest in human capital, especially of its youth population, create an enabling environment for jobs and support MSMEs, rather than strangle them.

“We consider the resources invested in them (flyovers) too massive and concentrated in a small location of the state in the face of rising poverty and poor standard of living of Rivers people.

There are also capital budget provisions in the health and education sectors without funding, hence a perpetual recurring of these projects in the yearly budget provision of the state.”

It is pertinent to refresh Wike’s memory with a submission by Bill Gates, during a visit to Nigeria in 2018, on how to motivate development in this country.

The Microsoft boss declared: “The most important choice Nigerian leaders can make is to maximise the country’s greatest resource, which is the people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive. If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities - the human capital we are talking about today - then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.”

Gates tried to redirect this country to the path of sustainable progress by urging our governments to spend more on human capital development instead of splendor projects. For Gates, the present economic templates in Nigeria lack the ability to address the unique needs of Nigerians.

Wike can’t be building stupendous flyovers, multi-lane roads in Port Harcourt while the masses of the people in Rivers lack access to basic things of life. Citizens of this state must be persistently blunt with ‘governor Port Harcourt” and demand for people-oriented projects. The oppressed masses of Rivers State must insist that Wike should do the needful.

Besides, if flyovers can end traffic jam, then, Lagos State, dotted with dozens of flyovers will be free from traffic jam. The reverse is the case in Lagos. Wike can’t claim to be unaware of this. His flyovers can’t end the traffic jam in Port Harcourt.

This governor is not even thinking about how to complete the Port Harcourt monorail project started by his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, for which billions of Naira was committed.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

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NEWS

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

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Burna Boy Wraps-up Tour with Another Historic Feat Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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his is not some stroke of luck for Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, aka Burna Boy as he continued his performance spree with massive turnout at venues of his summer tour dubbed ‘Love, Damini’ which recorded another historic feat last 6XQGD\ QLJKW EHFRPLQJ WKH ÀUVW $IULFDQ to sell out the prestigious 21,000-capacity 6WDWH )DUP $UHQD LQ $WODQWD 7KH KLVWRULF feat was recorded at the latest stop of the tour which started in Barbados on July 17, 2022, and moved on to seven 86 VWDWHV 7KH $IULFDQ *LDQW ZLWQHVVHG KXJH turnout in Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston Texas, Irving Texas, Boston, and 0RQWUHDO $ VSLQ RͿ WRXU RI KLV ODWHVW body of work, which is his sixth studio album, ‘Love Damini’, released on 8 July WKURXJK $WODQWLF 5HFRUGV 7KH WRXU culminated on Sunday 31st July 2022 DQG RYHU WKRXVDQG IDQV ÀOOHG RXW the arena to watch the Nigerian singer thrill them with his usual electrifying DQG XQIRUJHWWDEOH SHUIRUPDQFHV

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Odunlade Adekola Plays ‘The King’s Horseman’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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Sparadise Premieres on StarTimes

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he original production by StarTimes, Sparadise, premiered last Thursday on ST Nollywood Plus, with popular radio personality, actor, and producer Steve Onu aka Yaw saying the comedy series will give viewers an DQWLGRWH WR FRRO RͿ UHOD[ DQG ODXJK DZD\ WKH VWUHVV RI WKHVH GL΀FXOW WLPHV The series, which runs every Monday till Friday boasts of a cast list that includes Senator, Buchi, Lolo, Yaw, Expatriate, .XQOH 5HPL 'DQ ' +XPRURXV %RZ -RLQW DQG 1JR]L 1ZRVX Yaw noted that the cast is an equal split between popular faces and rising stars, bringing out all the intrigues and JRVVLS LQ D VSD UHVWDXUDQW DQG EDU On the uniqueness of the TV series, Yaw said “We can never have enough

laughter with the situation of the country and all that, we need more of it, so far we have things that are educational, interesting and interactive, real-life situations that you just bring in to bare, I think it will later stand on its own but trust me, you can never have enough of PXVLF RU HQRXJK PXVLFLDQ ÀOP DFWRUV FRPHG\ VHULHV RU WHOHYLVLRQ FRQWHQW µ On what determined the choice of cast for Sparadise, Yaw admitted that VRPH RI WKH FDVW ZHUH VSHFLÀFDOO\ ZULWWHQ IRU WKH UROH WKH\ SOD\HG LQ WKH VLWFRP He said, “So some of the cast were VSHFLÀFDOO\ ZULWWHQ IRU WKH UROH .XQOH 5HPL %XFKL 6HQDWRU /ROR ([SDWULDWH and others and the idea is to give the DXGLHQFH YLHZHUV FRQWHQW WR FRRO RͿ WR UHOD[ DQG ODXJK µ “It is comedy and brings its uniqueness in the form of the characters that form WKH VWRU\ UHDO OLIH VLWXDWLRQV µ KH VD\V

Produced by Yaw for StarTimes, Sparadise captures the intrigues and happenings that play out in a spa, from the gossip to all the madness, banters, and quarrels that ensue comically told XVLQJ QRWDEOH FRPHGLDQV $OVR VSHDNLQJ $OH[ -LDQ &(2 StarTimes Nigeria said that the entertainment provider is keeping to its words of growing original content locally to give Nollywood fans something juicier WR HQMR\ DW D SRFNHW IULHQGO\ SULFH Lai Labode, CEO of Cash Token remarked that his business was proud WR VXSSRUW WKH 6SDUDGLVH SURMHFW ´,W LV always important to support projects that ZLOO LPSDFW WKH SHRSOH 7KLV QHFHVVLWDWHV while Cash Token, a social enterprise, is VXSSRUWLQJ 6WDU7LPHV RQ WKLV SURMHFW µ Sparadise joins a growing list of original productions from StarTimes that include Cast of Sparadise 2NULND DQG ,OH $OD\R

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Trailer, Poster of ‘Symphony’ Emerge Ahead of Premiere Tosin Clegg

A

head of its September 9 2022 cinema release date, the trailer for the much-anticipated Nollywood and pan African blockbuster movie, Symphony has been released. The trailer introduces the ÀOP·V GL]]\LQJO\ LPSUHVVLYH HQVHPEOH cast, with standout performances by Slade and Lolita (the lead roles), D’banj and Tanasha Donna (both making their acting debuts), and highlights of some of the ÀOP·V PDQ\ HOHFWULI\LQJ PRPHQWV )URP WKH drama, to the visuals, to the heightened emotions, and even the music, this trailer creates so much glee and anticipation WKDW FRQÀUPV WKDW WKH ÀOP LV H[FHSWLRQDO

and made to dominate the screens.

The movie, Symphony focuses on music and entertainment to highlight the many societal issues bedevilling African youths.

7KH ÀOP DOVR IHDWXUHV D PXVLF DOEXP with original compositions recorded by VRPH RI WKH ÀOP·V FDVW $ORQJ ZLWK '·EDQM DQG 7DQDVKD WKH ÀOP also stars Jackie Appiah, Iya Awero, Mr Latin, Kalu Ikeagwu, Efa Iwara, Scarlet Gomez, Daniel Abua, Doris Okorie and radio presenter Ogundairo Seun (aka Real Skillz) among others.

7KH ÀOP LQWURGXFHV .DOHE ,\RKD D N D Mo’Kross) and Sandra Okunzuwa, who played Slade and Lolita, respectively, as well as Victor Adeshiyan (a.k.a. VJ CrazyLife), who played Slade’s bosom friend.

Cast of Symphony the Movie

:LWK WKH UHOHDVH RI WKH WUDLOHU WKH multi-million-naira movie project, jointly produced by EverRise Entertainment and Sulcata Entertainment, and directed by

Oraka Nvy Nnanyelu is set to hit the screens of major cinemas across Nigeria and other African countries come September 9.

Lucky Escape for Cynthia Okereke, Clemson Cornel Ferdinand Ekechukwu

I

f you are a lover of Nollywood movies, you most likely must have seen their faces on the screen of your television set.

Chances also are that you likely have seen their faces on posters advertising Nigerian movies.

That’s how far their popularity stretches.

They are actors mostly operating from Asaba, Enugu Port Harcourt, Owerri and Abakiliki. That’s Cynthia Okereke and Clemson Cornel (Agbogidi). Both were last week abducted from a location at Ozalla in Enugu State.

Barely 24 hours after, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), (PHND 5ROODV FRQÀUPHG WKDW WKHLU abductors have made contact with their families and demanded the sum of $100,000 to set them free.

Unarguably taken aback by the humongous amount of ransom demanded by the kidnappers, their colleagues UHDFWHG WR WKH NLGQDS (ͿRUWV WR UHVFXH WKHP ODWHU SDLG RͿ RQ :HGQHVGD\

Cynthia Okereke

Clemson Cornel

August 3, when they “were released XQKXUW DQG LQ KHDOWK\ FRQGLWLRQVµ ÀYH

days after they were kidnapped.

However, it is not clear how much ransom was eventually paid to secure

Linda Osifo Spends Time with Orphans Tosin Clegg

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ctress and philanthropist, Linda Osifo visited the Living )RXQWDLQ Orphanage in Lagos to celebrate her birthday on July 27, 2022.

The beautiful thespian, who H[XGHG JUDFH DQG FKHHUIXOness at the orphanage in commemoration of her 31st birthday through her philanthropic organization, the LAO )RXQGDWLRQ GRQDWHG FRPSXWers to the home in support of her E-learning Initiative.

This is the 3rd annual celebration of Linda’s E-learning Initiative through The LAO )RXQGDWLRQ Receiving the donation on behalf of the orphanage, Michael Amedu, a social worker said, “This donation

will help the students develop their creativity, and now that the children are on their summer break, these facilities will help them continue their studies even as they are away from school”.

He also thanked the LAO )RXQGDWLRQ IRU FKRRVLQJ the home while the children sang for the beautiful actress.

Osifo, while addressing WKH R΀FLDOV RI WKH KRPH remarked that her dad was also an orphan at the \RXQJ DJH RI VL[ DQG KDG to go through a lot and he is the reason she created the initiative, apart from a determination to help the needy and make the world a better place She said: “I am willing to continue this life-changing endeavor with the hopes to help all less-privileged

children around Nigeria with more computers and other e-learning tools to help eradicate illiteracy”.

Osifo has been providing orphanages in Lagos with the tools they need to remain competitive and relevant in today’s technological society through her CSR activities. the versatile actress is on a dedicated mission to keep putting smiles on the faces of every Nigerian child and support for the less privileged in the society, no matter how challenging the circumstances are.

7KH /LYLQJ )RXQWDLQ Orphanage was established out of the desire to provide shelter, clothing, emotional care and hope for a better future for the motherless, abandoned, underprivileged and the poorest of the poor children in our society.

Osifo

their freedom. Showbiz gathered that ransom was paid before they were OHW RͿ WKH KRRN 7KH 3UHVLGHQW RI WKH Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, said they were released by the abductors who were touched by the spirit of God to set them free and unharmed.”

Prior to their release, Rollas via a report said he was mocked by the abductors when he told them about N1.2 million had been raised as ransom to free the actors. He said the abductors asked him if Nollywood celebrities’ who post on Instagram have contributed their quota. “Yesterday, while talking to WKH DEGXFWRUV ZH ZHUH WU\LQJ WR H[SODLQ to them that we were putting some funds together, we were contributing. ´:H VDLG WKDW ZH KDG DERXW 1 million and they started laughing at us.

They started mocking us and saying ‘all (those your) celebrities posting on Instagram, how much have they contributed?’ Immediately, it got to me that these people are watching us.

It is not the best time to circulate this information on Instagram.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

19

PEOPLE

Daisy Danjuma, an Amazon @ 70 Chidiebere Nwobodo

“I was not born to live up to society’s expectations of who I should be but rather, I define my own individuality and my uniqueness, for I chose to follow the path of being an extraordinary instead of being ordinary. “ — Elizabeth Castillo

S

even decades ago, the world welcomed an august guest.

The point of entrance was Ehanire family of Edo State.

At the eve of that fateful day, 6th August, 1952, not even the womb that incubated the special gift of nature knew the potential in that child. Then baby Daisy, like an angel on assignment, was born glowing in beauty and full of ingenuity. Cradle has a way of hiding greatness like dust covers diamond but time reveals all.

As a teenager, she set her eyes on getting to the top because she understood that greatness was nothing but repeated excellence. Seventy years, so far, in the voyage of life, damsel Daisy had grown up to become an amazon of elegance and paragon of virtues, engraving indelible footprints of enduring legacies on the impregnable rock of times. She picked interest in legal profession. Started as Law graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and got called to the bar in 1977, and has distinguished herself in that career path.

As a socialite, she is also a fashionista who has redefined social life and created buzz in celebrity sphere of the society. I call her the goddess of red carpet. When she graces any social event, her evergreen beauty, attractive body language and dazzling personality stands her out as an amazon and makes her towering image conspicuous for everyone to catch a glimpse of. Her aura cum ambience is contagious, the reason Nigerian entertainment media cannot write enough of her, even when she decided to be out of circulation.

Senator Daisy Danjuma is married to one of the nation’s foremost and influential military generals, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd). She is an amazing wife and mother whose adventure into the murky of politics was inspired by the quest to advocate for child rights and betterment of women in particular, and the society in general. Her strides in the Senate between 2003-2007, endeared her to many, especially political pundits, as an exemplar of empathic representation encapsulated in visionary leadership.

While at the Red Chamber, Daisy chaired the ECOWAS Parliament and Senate Committees on Women Affairs and Youth Development, where she contributed immensely in advocating against diseases which affected women and children in West Africa. Infant and child mortality have been a major challenge to the national and regional development.

And can be reduced drastically through breastfeeding, adequate nutrition, safe water, health and population education, immunization programmes, oral rehydration therapy and birth spacing. To attest that her love for women and children transcend s politics, after Senator Daisy left Senate, yet did not stop serving humanity. She did not stop advocating for a better life for women and children.

She continued her selfless and humanitarian works via T.Y Danjuma Foundation, a platform she and her husband have been

Daisy

Daisy is a renowned philanthropist who shares the philosophy that what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and immortal.

70 years ago, Nigeria got blessed with the presence of this quintessential woman of excellence using to touch lives positively. The Foundation gives free eye care services, provide support for Universal Basic Education, awards scholarships, assisting widows and other vulnerable members of the society, etcetera.

Daisy is a renowned philanthropist who shares the philosophy that what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and immortal.

70 years ago, Nigeria got blessed with the presence of this quintessential woman of excellence. And she has been contributing her quota in the

development of the country.

As she joins the club of septuagenarians—she is threescore and ten—70 years old, yet does not look, think or act old. Somethings are taken for guaranteed, but turning 70 is not one of them.

Like the mythical phoenix bird, her beauty regenerates. Like a wine, the older the better. Aging gracefully and gloriously are attributes that only few mortals possess.

And Daisy is one of them.

As an eagle, she is visionary, fearless, tenacious, high flyer and endowed with vitality that not even passage of time can take away. She has mastered playing at

Olympian height. At 10,000 feet above sea level, you will never find another bird except eagles. But the height the eagle soars does not disconnect it from the ground.

This character defines Daisy Danjuma’s unparalleled humility and relationship with the downtrodden. She is at ease with everyone irrespective of social status.

She shares the belief that we were all born humans. We ascend the Olympian height of humanity when we transcend from just being humans to humanitarians. And humanitarianism is a passionate idealism rooted in a keen sense of empathy, because compassion is the springboard of altruism.

Life becomes meaningless when humanity is sacrificed at the altar of cupidity and grandiosity.

Daisy understands that nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old, in the real sense of it, by deserting our sterling ideas and abandoning our life-changing philosophies. Years may wrinkle the skin, but as long as enthusiasm still fuels the soul, like the proverbial eagle, we only get rejuvenated as the years pass by.

Even if Daisy decides to retire and not add any other feather to her cap of legacies, she has accomplished enough to fulfill several lifetimes, and yet she is just 70 years old. Time is the unit of life but the unit of destiny is our legacy, built on human hearts and institutional memories, that will outlast us. William James opined that the greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.

Daisy is an embodiment of beauty, brain and class. Her alluring personality and political inclination do not stop her from distinguishing herself in the private sector.

Daisy is the executive vice chairman, South Atlantic Petroleum, an indigenous oil player. And also, the chairman of May and Baker Nigeria Plc, where she replaced her husband in the foremost pharmaceutical company.

Her entrepreneurial grit has made her succeed even in difficult turfs. She has etched her name not only in the nation’s elite social circles, but also blazed the trial in the private sector and annals of African politics. As she swim in the euphoria of her 70th birthday, I wish her more fruitful and impactful years ahead. I pray that her strength will keep getting renewed like that of an eagle.

My passionate appeal to Daisy as she marks this milestone in age, is to not only be a role model to young ladies—as she is today, but to redouble her efforts in mentoring a lot of our girls. There is a struggle to emancipate African woman from the stronghold of men. It will take constant motivation from women like Daisy, who have proven themselves, to get a lot of African ladies believe in themselves and not see this universe as men’s world.

Daisy is arguably one of the most beautiful women of her generation, yet she did not get carried away by her physical appearance. She looked beyond her body as a woman, developed her brain, self esteem and emotional intelligence which propelled her to where she is today through different career paths. Despite being a beauty queen cum socialite, she has excelled in politics, entrepreneurship, family life and philanthropy. She has gone full circle of accomplishments.

Happy Birthday, goddess of beauty. The world still await the best of you. Like Elizabeth Castillo affirmed, a true great artist at heart never ceases to create, continuously amazes and keeps sharing her gifts despite what has already been accomplished. The most potent avenue to give back to the universe, is to bequeathe the world more Daisys via mentorship, which I believe Senator Daisy Danjuma is already doing.

Nwobodo writes from Abuja via chidieberenwobodo@yahoo.com

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY Sophia Chisom

Growing Up, I Was More of a Solitary Child, Bullied Once in a While Until last year July, the name Realsophy didn’t ring a bell. With a 2.1million following on TikTok. Sophia Chisom has grown to become a big influencer on the TikTok and Instagram platforms. Today, she models for brands and does video skits. In this interview with Ugo Aliogo and Ijeoma Okonji, Chisom shares the story of her journey into stardom, managing the celebrity lifestyle and the desire to maintain a based personal life despite being the poster girl of some brands

W

here did the name “Soso” come from?

My name is Sophia Chisom, but people call me Soso, my stage name is also Soso. The name Soso from Sophia Chisom.

What was your formative years like?

Yeah, so growing up, I was more of a solitary child. I was being bullied once in a while because I had a very small body frame. We were seven kids but two died. So presently, we are five. I am the only girl. I have four brothers and I am the first child. During my primary education, I was always on my own. For my secondary education, I schooled at an Anglican Convent, so I maintain my solitary lifestyle until SS2/3, when I began socializing with classmates.

There is a contrast between my personality in secondary school then and now, because a lot has changed and I have become embolden, not just to engage with people, but to bring out a part of me that I never knew I had. During secondary school days, I was the Social Prefect, I don’t even know how that happened. But I don’t think if someone had told me when I was much younger, ‘you are going to go into content creation when you grow up,’ I would have said it is a lie. Although, I knew

Sophia

I wanted to go into entertainment, but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do.

I went into the university at the age of 16 and finished at the age of 19-20.

I studied Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Port Harcourt. I would not say I had many experiences in university because I was very much younger, so I wasn’t really willing to try so many things, I felt like I was still very naïve in that aspect, I couldn’t explore more of my life because of being a teenager. If I had gone to university now, things would have changed. It wasn’t like I was a churchy girl, but the fact that I loved my own space, as a result I didn’t know how to make friends, which affects me till date.

Despite not knowing how to make friends, I had my clique of friends in the university, but upon graduation and taking up content creation, there was a kind of

resentment from these friends.

They felt I wasn’t carrying them along in the things I did. I believe everybody has their path to choose. I can tell you who my friends are from university, but I can’t call everyone my friend. I’m not really friendly, but I’m very big on loyalty.

You said you not a friendly. So, are an introvert?

Yeah, I know a lot of people, but it would be wrong for them to call me their friend when they don’t even know my last name. I can see someone I like physically and then I would want to be their friend, but when I get their phone number, I don’t know how to be more open to them. If you see someone that we are very close, it means they probably tried severally, and we had a very good vibe before I decided to bring such individual into my space. I can count my friends.

Was it growing up that shaped the person

you are today?

I think growing up formed what I am today; because if I had many friends growing up maybe I would have been more of an extrovert. But because I didn’t have much friends and I was always on my own and the times when I decided to come out, they bullied me and I would just run back inside.

You talked about bullying. Where were you bullied and at what stage in your life?

Basically, it was in school I was bullied. They would hit my head, lock me in a box and drag me round school. Funny enough, I didn’t know those things were bullying until I grew up. I was very smallish in school, so, you would barely notice me. I mean, I was 10 years old when I entered secondary school and I seemed like the type of person they could mess with and do such a thing to.

Of course, we didn’t know that bullying was

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

SUPER SATURDAY Growing Up, I Was More of a Solitary Child, Bullied Once in a While anything serious. It is funny thinking of it right now. Despite being small in my class, I still sat at the back seat which prevented me from seeing the board and I did that because I didn’t want anybody to talk to me or look for my trouble.

What would say is your new personality?

Even now that I am older, whenever I walk into a room, I wouldn’t want to sit in the front seat.

I will still want to sit at the back, maybe it was because of my growing up, but if I walked into a room and it seemed like everybody is seated, I will feel so nervous, I don’t want anyone to notice me. Put content creation aside, I can be very shy.

Even when I manage to finally bring myself out, I still sit on my own, pressing my phone, do my video and just try to leave early. I don’t want to wait for the event to finish and start greeting everybody, I just want to go.

Did your background contribute to shaping your life?

Honestly, I don’t know. I would say my secondary school did a little bit of moral shaping because I mean it was a single school (all-girls) and you know there were certain statutory rules that you cannot disobey. Unlike now, where you can just jump the fence, then in my school I never heard of anybody jumping fence. My school was very strict; if you do any rubbish, they suspend or expel you.

For my parents to take me away from Port Harcourt to Anambra State at the age of 10 meant so much. I had to learn how to grow up early like I didn’t need my parents even during holidays, I would stay in my aunt’s house in Anambra State. I wasn’t allowed to come back to Port Harcourt because of the short school holidays and I was usually all alone in the house and it was a very big house. It is a three-story building with five bedrooms in one floor because my aunt’s husband married more than one wife.

I was always at home till evening, just once in a while, the house was lively because she had a maid who comes around once in a while, but then again it was mostly me in the house all day.

It was so bad that I had to join them in my aunt’s husband water factory because there was nobody at home and I can’t do anything. I go to the factory with them in the morning and no kids there for me to play with so I ended up learning how to pack sachet water, and tie it very well.

I also learnt the making process of bottle water, from corking of the bottle tops to labelling and packaging. I followed them to distribute the water to wholesalers because there was nothing else to do and I think that is what even made me keep to myself a lot, for something might be happening and I would not say anything because I’m used to not saying anything.

I dropped another video and they engaged with it, and people started taking me seriously and I was recognised as the sachet water seller. People started engaging with the content, there was huge acceptance.

Now I started seeing that I had more women starting to engage with my content and I wanted that acceptance badly because I didn’t want my personality to just be drawn to only men. I wanted a balanced audience of both male and female, I felt good to have women also appreciate the fact that this person is creating content, because I really needed that audience and not just the male audience, but I wanted a mixed audience.

I wanted a situation where if a woman discovers that her husband is following me on social media, she will not have an issue with it. I wanted a situation where women would follow me because women see themselves as their own competition, so the fact that they embrace the character which is not showing any beauty but looking tattered, you will want to sympathize with the character, you can relate with the character and if your husband sees me in public

Let’s talk about the growth in content creation business in Nigeria. What do you think is responsible?

I think it is social media. People are now more on social media, than before when we just wait for NTA to air at 9pm. Social media was around but I think people were not aware of it, there was Facebook. Right now, social media is paying these content creators. Now, you can just stay in your house and upload it on your phone and people can watch it, you get paid for it, and brands meet you. So, it is a fact that it is lucrative.

What influences the content that you create?

Most times my skits are very relatable because it is just things that have happened in this life. I want you to be able to watch it and be able to relate with it, it is just an everyday story.

Sometimes, if I am walking on the road and I see an incident, I try to see how I can make it

There is a contrast between my personality in secondary school then and now, because a lot has changed and I have become embolden, not just to engage with people, but to bring out a part of me that I never knew I had. During secondary school days, I was the Social Prefect, I don’t even know how that happened

into a content. Also, I look at trending issue and I try to think of how to point it out so that people can understand the message. It is also my way of passing my own message and I don’t have to come out in the open and start to advocate for certain things.

But you have not done any skit on politicians?

I actually want to; I am trying not to be partisan.

I want to put it in a way that nobody thinks I’m supporting a particular individual or political party. I will come up with content soon, though election is still far.

Beyond content creation, are you looking at getting into a career in acting?

Yes, I am. I’ve gotten quite a number of scripts but I mean I would love to do my own story but you will need sponsors for that. I want to feature in a movie, but the thing is that it is not about featuring in these movies, but I want to be in a movie where the story is beautiful because I am a sucker for good story like the saying goes, if you want to eat frog, eat a big one. Big one in the essence that it should likely be a blockbuster, Netflix or cinema movie. Africa Magic Epic is good, God bless them, but that is not the level I am looking at. I’m also looking at setting my own series which will be known as the Soso series. I don’t know when it’s going to be aired, but it is going to look like something like Jennifer’s diary.

Can you give an insight into your modeling career?

Would I call it a modeling career? It’s just like a side hustle not really a career honestly. I’m not a professional model; it just comes once in a while when brand wants me to shoot for their products.

What are your past time activities?

Well, I like to travel a lot, loves to listen to music, watch movies, I like to sleep a lot I don’t like stress. And once in a while, I like to read. I also like to cook but lately I have not been cooking much because there is no time. Creating content and being a chef is not easy so I had to pipe down to be able to manage both of them but I can’t cook right now.

You have a kitchen were people place others?

Yes, people do but when I started content creation, I had to pipe down. I needed to choose one to grow first and I wanted the content creation to grow first. The chef is still in me but people need to know that this girl creates beautiful content Apart from your past time activities do you club or hang out on Friday night like other celebrities?

You know I’m not a clubbing type; if you see me in the club it is maybe I was paid to go the club or it is one of those days. I go to the beach once in a while.

Tell us about your journey into content creation?

Initially, I was taking pictures and posting on social media page. I became popular from taking pictures. I was taking pictures without makeup; it became a big thing and people actually loved those pictures. Suddenly, people started bombarding my social media page and I was fond of taking pictures on the road. Then one day, my manager told me that these pictures would not take me far in life. So, there is need to diversify. I didn’t want to do it at first because I could just relax, take pictures and post it without stress. Then he accepted that we should try out some skits.

You keep yourself away from the socialite lifestyle of celebrities?

I do like my space but I also attend events.

I don’t show up for parties I’m not invited to personally. If it’s my friends party, I will go obviously I just don’t like to be everywhere.

At that time, you already had a manager?

Yes, I already had a manager because I was getting jobs from taking pictures. I was already influencing for brands from taking pictures because they were really nice pictures.

You were already a face for some brands?

Yes, I wasn’t doing skits, but my manager was like we should give it a try. Then he came up with a comic young girl character who sells sachet water. I decided to give it a try, I opened my wardrobe saw an ash top, took my mum skirts, cut it because it was long and told our last child to help me buy a bowl and flip flop, and we shot it that same day and posted it and I had mixed feelings because people we were shocked and others were surprised. The comments were good, I wasn’t sure I was able to pull it off at my first try, but it was really good.

After the first skirt, I told my manager that we need to do more contents, but the subsequent contents weren’t engaging as I thought it to be, I was almost quitting and going back to taking pictures. I felt people didn’t like my contents until

places, and he says take me a picture with Sophie and you will be comfortable doing it because you also like my skits.

Sophia

What’s the high point of your content creation business since your debut, What’s the blockbuster content you created that drove very much engagements?

There was a particular content that took me to 1 million followers on TikTok. Currently, I have 30 million views on Facebook, 24 million on Tiktok and six million on Instagram. The content was about a guy trying to propose to his girlfriend, the ring dropped on the ground, then I picked up the ring and tried giving the guy the ring. I had other contents like Mama Bonboi which went viral surprisingly. So, I cannot really say which one went viral more than the other, but I know that particular one that engagement video was the one that went haywire. And then after that, there was another content I did which involved moving into a new house and then I saw catfish in the house. It also went viral. But as you keep growing, the video you consider as viral will be overtaken by another one. The one I did before my birthday where someone was giving me money and it was multiplying also went viral. So, it is difficult it is difficult to choose the one that went viral more.

But I will say that the one with the most engagement is the engagement ring video.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

CITY STARTS TITLE DEFENCE

6.8.2022

PAGE. 29

Cyriel Dessers Tough Serie A Challenge Beckons

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GLOBAL SOCCER

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

Cyriel Dessers

Tough SerieA Challenge Beckons Cyriel Dessers celebrating one of his goals with teammates

With Feyenoord not able to meet up with the €4 million asking price by Genk on Cyriel Dessers despite having the first offer of refusal on the Nigerian international, it is Serie A new boys- US Cremonese, that took the initiative to cash-in on the Nigerian. With most promoted teams having to struggle to retain their Serie A status, it could be tough call for the Super Eagles striker to ensure the Tigers remain in Serie A

C

yriel Dessers was so much impressive in his loan spell at Feyenoord last season that the club’s egg heads wanted to retain him but meeting his €4 million price tag was however an issue for the cash-strapped Dutch side.

Though the fans of the Pride of the South took it upon themselves to contribute to fund his permanent stay at the Feyenoord Arena, FIFA however showed its disdain against such an adventure.

In spite of Feyenoord having paraded such big names like Pierre van Hooijdonk, Dirk Kuijt, Harry Bild, and Robin van Persie in the past, none had scored more goals than the Nigerian representing the club at the continental level, with the Super Eagle scoring 10 goals in the Europa Conference League making him the highest goal scorer in the competition.

Serie A new boys, US Cremonese have stepped up a gear in their bid to sign Dessers from Belgian top side Racing Genk.

Cremonese have already sealed a loan deal with a buy option for Dessers’ compatriot and former Venezia forward David Okereke from Belgian champions Club Brugge.

But heading towards their first Serie A campaign in decades, the Tigers are still unsatisfied with their attacking options.

Dessers is considered a priority signing, and negotiations between KRC Genk and Cremonese

are drawing to a positive conclusion.

According to respected Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, Cremonese’s sporting director Simone Giacchetta traveled to Belgium on Monday to iron out the final details regarding a deal for Dessers.

Agreeing on personal terms with Dessers would not be a problem with the Nigeria international keen on a ‘dream’ move to Serie A. His arrival in the Italian top flight will make Dessers the third Nigerian to sign for a Serie A club during this transfer window.

Earlier in July, Super Eagles full-back Tyronne Ebuehi completed a permanent move from Benfica to FC Empoli on a free transfer. The exciting defender is no stranger to Serie A, having spent last season on loan at Venezia.

2019 Super Eagles invitee David Okereke has also returned to the Italian first division after switching from Club Brugge.

Dessers has severally stated that he wants to leave Belgian club KRC Genk this summer for a move abroad.

The 27-year-old forward believes that this might be his best chance to secure a transfer away from the club to other leagues in Europe.

Dessers revealed his decision despite his impressive start to the Belgian Pro League season that has seen him bag three goals and one assist in just two games.

The Super Eagles striker was on target again last Sunday as he scored two goals and make one assist to hand Genk their first win of the season against Standard Liege.

In his post-match comments Dessers addressed the previous rumours that he met with FC Copenhagen officials during the past week with a cheeky comment.

The Nigerian international joked that if he visits the Spanish city of Barcelona, why would no one then link him with a move to FC Barcelona.

“If I’m in Barcelona in the summer, no one will link me to Barca. I don’t know why that is,” Dessers said.

The Super Eagles striker confirmed that he is enjoying his time and football at Genk at the moment, especially with the new manager Wouter Vrancken.

However, Dessers suggested that he might prefer to leave Genk this summer with now being the last opportunity he might get for a move abroad.

Dessers said: “I’m really enjoying myself here, with this team and this trainer, who makes a great impression on me.”

“But yes, I am 27 years old, I still have two years on my contract. Maybe now is the time to take the step abroad.

Although I don’t decide on that alone.”

The Nigerian international was on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord last season where he shone in the UEFAEuropa Conference League, scoring 10 goals in 13 matches to take the club to the final.

The impression he made on Feyenoord’s fans was so huge that they started raising funds to bankroll his transfer fee.

The supporters of the Dutch side, were hell-bent on having their Nigerian import continue his adventure at the club at all cost that they started contributing to meet the €4 million asking price.

The Rotterdammers signed Dessers on a loan deal from Genk last summer, with an option to purchase him before the end of his yearlong spell.

But due to their financial limitations, Feyenoord were not interested in taking that option for the 27-year-old during the first half of the campaign.

Dessers became the first man to hit double digits goals in the maiden edition of the Europa Conference League when he grabbed a brace to power Feyenoord to a 3-2 win over Olympique de Marseille.

Dessers was a nightmare to many defenders and goalkeepers on the continent last season after an excellent goalscoring run for Feyenoord in the Europa Conference League.

Dessers’ 10-goal haul has also lifted him into Feyenoord’s record books, as no striker has ever scored that many for the Dutch side in any European competition.

That statistic becomes even more significant when considering that Feyenoord have produced some excellent strikers in Pierre van Hooijdonk, Dirk Kuijt, Harry Bild, and Robin van Persie.

How well the Super Eagles striker could help US Cremonese remain in the Italian top flight remains to be seen with statistics not in his favour.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Man City Begin Title Defence with Visit to West Ham After a not too convincing performance against Liverpool in the Community Shield last weekend where they lost 3-1, Premier League defending champions, Manchester United will on Sunday begin their title defence against a tricky West Ham side at the London Stadium

Manchester City celebrate their fourth Premier League title in five years

David Moyes’ West Ham United side will today kick off a new Premier League season, at home, against reigning champions, Manchester City.

West Ham are coming off of a season that they and their fans will long remember, both for its spectacular highs (the run to the Europa League semifinals) and disappointments (the slip-ups down the stretch that cost them a top-six finish).

Man City, meanwhile, took care of business in the Premier League, winning 29 times and losing just three in 38 outings, and nipping Liverpool by a single point for the league title. City, of course, have a monumental disappointment of their own from last season upon which to reflect. Theirs comes from the semifinals of the Champions League, in which despite seemingly having Real Madrid down for the count, with a 5-3 aggregate lead with less than seven minutes to play, City conceded twice, allowing extra time, during which Real Madrid scored the decisive goal that sent them to the Champions League Final.

These sides met three times last season: first, in late October in the Carabao Cup, and then in November and May in the Premier League. West Ham emerged victorious in the League Cup (1-0), before falling 2-1 to City a month later at the Etihad and then holding the champions to a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium late in the year. Looking back a bit further, these sides produced an identical set of league results in 2020-21, with Man City winning 2-1 at home, and the sides drawing, this time 1-1, in London.

Both of these sides have made a relatively small number of acquisitions in this summer transfer window, but the moves that have made promise to be hugely impactful.

West Ham made four acquisitions: 23-yearold striker Gianluca Scamacca, who scored

25 goals in 64 appearances (all competitions) over the past two years in loan spells with Genoa in Serie A and Ascoli in Serie B, was acquired for roughly £28 million from his parent club, Sassuolo. Center back Nayef Aguerd was acquired for a similar fee from French Stade Rennais, while goalkeeper Alphonse Areola’s loan from PSG was made permanent for a fee of just under £8 million pounds.

Additionally, the hammers acquired 23-year-old central midfielder Flynn Downes from Swansea for a fee of roughly £9 million.

Meanwhile the most notable losses for the Hammers were club talisman Mark Noble, who retired at the age of 35, and winger Andriy Yarmolenko, who, at age 32, left on a free for Al-Ain FC in the United Arab Emirates.

Man City, meanwhile, have made a relatively small number of additions to their Premier League-winning side. However, what they lack numbers, they’re likely to make up for in impact. First and foremost, up front, City were the winners in the seemingly years-long sweepstakes to sign 21-year-old Norwegian phenom Erling Braut Haaland, who they signed for a fee of £51 million from Borussia Dortmund. Secondly, they added standout central midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United, for a fee of £42 million.

City’s departures, it must be said, promise to be far more impactful. Perhaps most notably, Raheem Sterling is off to Chelsea for a fee of roughly £45 million pounds, while Gabrielle Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko also left for London, joining Arsenal in separate deals for a combined total of just over £70 million. Finally, City farewell to its own midfield mainstay, as Fernandinho, Man City’s rock in the middle for nearly a decade, was allowed to leave on a free transfer.

At age 37, he’s returned to his native Brazil, where he joined Serie A side Athletico

Paranaense.

One of the most intriguing fixtures on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign will take place at Goodison Park today, as Everton welcome Chelsea in the late start.

The Toffees finished down in 16th position last season, only narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship, while Chelsea were third, five points clear of fifth-place Arsenal in the battle for the Champions League spots.

The Toffees remain one of six English clubs to have never been relegated from the Premier League, but they had been picked out as possible European challengers last term, and the only real positive was that they managed to finish above the bottom three, with Frank Lampard helping to secure survival after being appointed in January.

The 2021-22 campaign ended with a 5-1 defeat at Arsenal, but Lampard managed to steer the club to safety, finishing on 39 points, boasting a record of 11 wins, six draws and 21 defeats from 38 matches.

Everton have only managed to sign three players in the current market, bringing in James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil from Burnley, with the former available on a free transfer, while Ruben Vinagre has made the move to Goodison Park on loan from Sporting Lisbon.

Lampard will be desperate to get one over on his former club this weekend, and a positive result against the Blues would lead them nicely into matches against Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Leeds United before the end of the month.

Chelsea, meanwhile, managed to finish third in the Premier League last season despite the off-the-field issues regarding their ownership, so they will again play in the Champions League this term.

The Blues have managed to boost their squad with four players this summer, bringing in Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Carney Chukwuemeka and Gabriel Slonina, but they are still short of a centre-forward following Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter Milan on loan.

Meanwhile, two key defenders in the shape of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have left on free transfers this summer, and head coach Thomas Tuchel has not been pleased with the club’s pre-season.

The London giants will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 win over Udinese last Friday, but they lost to both Charlotte FC and Arsenal during their pre-season tour of the United States, with the Gunners beating them 4-0, which led to a host of criticism from Tuchel.

Chelsea will welcome Tottenham Hotspur in their second match of the season next weekend, so there is pressure on the team to start the campaign with a positive result, but it remains to be seen whether the capital outfit are entirely ready for the return of competitive action.

Premier League TODAY

Fulham v Liverpool Bournemouth v Aston Villa Leeds Utd v Wolves Newcastle v Not’ham Forest Tottenham v Southampton Everton v Chelsea SUNDAY

Leicester v Brentford 14:00 Man Utd v Brighton 14:00 West Ham v Man City 16:30

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Odunayo Adekuoroye

Akwa-United players in action

COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Akwa United, Tornadoes, Sunshine Stars Target AITEO Cup Q’finals

Adekuoroye Defends Gold Coast Medal Day 8 of the Commonwealth games in Birmingham ended on a good note for Team Nigeria as Odunayo Adekuoroye won another gold medal.

Having started late in the contest, Adekuoroye defended her medal which she won in the Gold Coast in 2018 with a 7-3 victory over her Indian opponent

Anshu Malik in the Women’s 57kg Freestyle Wrestling.

Meanwhile, more medals could roll in for Team Nigeria in the wrestling event with Blessing Oborududu and Ifeanyi Onyekwere in other finals.

Oborududu went unscathed to the final with a 10-0 vic-

tory over Tiger Cocker from Tonga in the Women’s Freestyle 68kg/57kg in the Semifinal.

Also, the Benson Idahosa University student Onyekwere also romped into the semifinal with a unanimous 5-0 jury decision over Canadian Marcel Jerome in the Men’s Super heavyweight +92kg.

AmusanWins 100m Hurdles Semi-final World Champion Tobi Amusan yesterday won the Semi-final Women’s 100m Hurdles at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games, to qualify for the final on Sunday.

Running in lane three, Amusan raced to the finish line in 12.40s, ahead of her closest rival Michelle Jenneke of Australia in lane number five and three other

contestants.

The final game is scheduled to take place at the Alexander Arena by 10:25 am.

Ese Brume has also qualified for the Long Jump Final, while Odunayo Adekuoroye will participate in the Quarter Finals of 57kg Wrestling.

Last year, Amusan qualified for the final race of the women’s 100 metres hurdles

event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, by winning semi-final 1 with a time of 12.62 seconds.

The 25-year-old Nigerian athlete amazed everyone, including herself two Sundays ago when she broke the record in the women’s 100 metres hurdles to win gold at the World Athletics Championship in Eugene, Oregon, in the United States.

Scotland’s Miller Becomes Oldest Medalists at 75 George Miller, 75, says he “never dreamed of being here” after becoming the oldest Commonwealth Games gold medallist when Scotland beat Wales to win the B2/B3 mixed pairs bowls.

Miller is director for visually impaired bowler Melanie Innes who, along with Robert Barr and his director Sarah Jane Ewing, beat Wales 16-9.

He takes over as oldest medallist from compatriot Rosemary Lenton, 72, who won the Para women’s pairs on Wednesday.

In the women’s triples final, England beat Malaysia 17-9 in an exciting contest at Victoria Park.

Northern Ireland sealed

their best-ever Games medal haul after the men’s fours beat Wales 17-10 in the semi-finals to set up a final meeting with India.

After achieving his new Commonwealth accolade, Miller told BBC Sport he thought Lenton would be “quite pleased”.

He added: “A year ago I never dreamed of being here.

I got a phone call, and nearly fell off my chair to be honest.

Here we are - where are we going to go from here?!

“Bowls is easier for older people - but any sport... walking football, rugby, you name it. Get out there and exercise, play games, compete. It’s brilliant whatever age you are.”

Welshman Gordon Llewellyn - who is also 75 but five months younger than Miller - had to settle for silver along with partner Julie Thomas.

Miller, who was born in November 1946, had already broken the record for the oldest Scot to compete at the Commonwealths.

Llewellyn was born in April 1947. He and his director John Wilson played with Thomas and her director Mark Adams.

Directors were awarded medals for the first time on the Gold Coast four years ago. Prior to that only the bowlers themselves were awarded them.

Etebo Still Struggling with Fitness Level, Says Stoke Manager Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill has provided an update on the future of Oghenekaro Etebo ahead of his side’s first home game of the new Championship season against Blackpool.

The Nigeria international has returned from his loan spell at Watford but speculation is rife that he could depart the Potters before the close of the summer transfer window.

Etebo’s loan spell at the Hornets did not go as planned as he spent up to five months on the sidelines due to a torn quad muscle injury that required surgery.

Since the appointment of O’Neill as Stoke City boss in November 2019, the Super Eagles

star has not been utilized by the Northern Irishman, making the matchday squad on two occasions without getting minutes.

Apart from Watford, Etebo has been shipped off on loan to Getafe in Spain and Turkish outfit Galatasaray, playing on a regular basis for both teams.

O’Neill has admitted that the central midfielder is eager for a change of scene, adding that he is not yet in top condition.

In quotes relayed by StokeonTrentLive, O’Neill said : “Peter’s been away from the club for two and a half years. In that period, he’s been on three different loans.

“He previously hasn’t returned in pre-season, this pre-season he has returned

and he played some games for Nigeria at the end of last season.

“He had quite a bad injury last season with Watford so missed quite a portion of the season.

“He’s not fit enough to train with the squad yet and I think in his mind he’s still looking for a permanent exit from the club.

“It’s very difficult for us as a club to rewind two-and-a-half years but he’s still our player, he’s contracted to the club and we’re duty bound to look after him, which is what we’re doing.”

Signed from Portuguese club CD Feirense in the summer of 2018, Etebo has less than one year left on his contract with Stoke City.

A clutch of Nigeria Premier Football League teams including Akwa United, Sunshine Stars and Nasarawa United are the acknowledged top dogs as the Round of 16 matches of this year’s AITEO Cup competition take place today and tomorrow in different centres of the federation.

Niger Tornadoes, who squeezed through to this stage with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out defeat of two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC have a date with Green Beret FC at the FIFA Goal Project inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Akwa United have an interest-

ing fixture against Kogi United, who also experienced the lottery of penalty shoot-out before edging out ambitious Kanta United following a 2-2 draw in regulation time. The boys from Uyo eased their way to this stage with a 3-0 spanking of CAF Cup aspirants Remo Stars. Both teams are engaged in the only match of the men’s competition coming up on Sunday, and at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Sunshine Stars, big winners (5-1) over Rovers in the Round of 32, have a date with Katsina United at the Area 3 venue in the Federal Capital Territory, while Kano Pillars tackle DMD FC at

the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Heartland FC, who ejected multi-titlists Enugu Rangers after penalty shoot-out in Benin City, will be up against Dakkada of Uyo at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Lobi Stars will square up against Akure City at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus today.

Nasarawa United, stretched taut by Sokoto United in a penalty shootout that eventually ended 11-10, will be up against inspired Bendel Insurance at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, while El-Kanemi Warriors and Wikki Tourists will do battle in Jos.

Nigeria’s boxer, Rasheed Adeyemo, has said he will be battle ready for any opponent that comes his way when he finally gets to the United States.

The boxer is set to continue his boxing career in America.

The Superwelter weight boxer is unbeaten in seven fights in the country and he is set to move out of the continent of Africa after signing with Boxing Elite in America.

The product of the Gifted Cole Boxing Academy said he was ready while also praising Gifted Cole Academy.

“Even though I am yet to know my opponent, I am ready

for anybody and will be battle ready.

“I want to show the world that I am the next thing to happen in boxing especially coming from Nigeria.”

Hometowns production n DRP, who are aware of the talent have swung into action to arrange his first professional Fight in the United States.

Gifted Cole, who has been encouraging young boxers over the years in Nigeria described Adeyemo as a special talent who has gifted hands to be one of the best in the world but admitted that the boxer will be guided to fulfill his potential.

Adeyemo

Tottenham Versus Southampton Live on DStv, GOtv SuperSport customers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to Premier League action this weekend as Tottenham Hotspur opens its campaign for the 2022/23 by welcoming Southampton to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The tie which is one of the opening games of the new football season will be showing live today 4:00pm on SuperSport Premier League (DStv Channel 203) GO Select 2 (GOtv Channel 34).

The last fixture between both

teams at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ended dramatically after The Saints scored two late goals to overturn Spurs lead and clinch a 2-3 away win on a cold Wednesday night.

Antonio Conte’s men will be out to avenge the defeat and Spurs have to hit the ground running to avoid a repeat of last season’s last minute challenge which saw the North Londoners battle Arsenal and Manchester United for the coveted fourth

place and secure.

The Londoners have gone ahead to secure the services of six new players. Ivan Perisic reunited with Conte from Inter Milan, he was followed by Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet and Djed Spence.

The saints have also had a busy summer with the arrival of five new players. They include Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Mateusz Lis and Joe Aribo.

Cycling Federation Boss, Massari, Becomes CISM President Certified Institute of Sports Management (CISM) Nigeria, has appointed the National President of Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Giandomenico Massari (FCISM), as the new President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institute.

A statement from the institute, signed by the Registrar and Secretary of the Governing Council, Dr. Stanley Ihedigbo

(FCISM), indicated that the appointment is effective from Monday, August 1st, 2022.

Prior to this announcement, Massari was the First Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Governing council of the institute.

He joined the sports management institute in 2021 and has been supporting the growth of CISM. He is an executive

member of the Africa Cycling Federation.

In his response, Massari remarked that, “I always say that knowledge is power. Knowledge is the new currency. In the sense that the more you know the more you are valued as a person. For that reason, we established an IT Centre to increase the knowledge of the people in the community,” the statement added.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

1Folashade Oluwafemiayo breaks world- ecord in Womens Powerlifting

Folashade Oluwafemiayo Driven by Passion for Para Powerlifting Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke her own World Record, to win gold forTeam Nigeria in the women’s Heavyweight Powerlifting event. The Paralympic champion was in an incredible form, lifting a new World Record of 155kg to clinch the gold medal, surprisingly her first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games

O

luwafemiayo says her passion for para powerlifting helped her set a new world record and win the women’s heavyweight category at the Commonwealth Games.

The 37-year-old lifted 155kgs with her final attempt to end with 123.4 points as compatriot Bose Omolayo took silver.

“My constant training led me to go higher,” Oluwafemiayo told BBC Sport Africa.

“I feel so good to be the person to set another record, though I owned the record. I was determined that I would add to the record.

“I thank my lovely husband for being there for me. Whenever I say I’m not going for training, he says ‘Let’s go’.

“This is my first Commonwealth Games and it is special. I feel good for Nigeria - winning gold and silver is great.”

Oluwafemiayo who weighs 83.50kg, racked up a cumulative 123.4 points, and was clearly ahead of other Powerlifters, laying down the marker when she opened up with a lift of 130k, going on to improve with an additional 20kg and then 5kg more to emerge with a clear

victory.

Before coming into the competition, Oluwafemiayo had a previous World Record of 152.5kg which she set at Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She now looks like her own biggest competitor breaking her WRs at back to back championships!

Innocent Nnamdi had set the tone for what would be a good outing for Nigerian Powerlifters, winning the first medal in the men’s Lightweight category.

Although he failed his round attempt of 190kg, when he did lift it on his 2nd round attempt, he shot up into the medal winning position and it remained that way as he held on for the Bronze.

If Nnamdi had not secured Bronze, it would have gone to his compatriot, Thomas Kure who finished 4th not quite far off the medal positions, lifting 180kg and just narrowly missing out.

Ikechukwu Obichukwu crowned what had been a spectacular day for his country, winning the Silver medal in men’s Heavyweight Powerlifting. He lifted 190kg, and his medal took Nigeria’s tally to an overall four medals from three Powerlifting events contested for.

Nigeria has consistently been a strong Powerlifting nation, constantly win medals at major championships they compete in. With just three events contested for at the 2022 Commonwealth

Games in Birmingham, it is not surprising that they still emerged tops with the highest medal tally overall, considering that they lost two athletes to disqualifications in women’s Lightweight categories.

It will surely take some beating for the Nigerian Powerlifters to be knocked off their perch in this event.

Nigeria began the day with heartbreak for Latifat Tijani and Onyinyechi Gift Mark, but the 86 kilograms Paralympic champion Oluwafemiayo ensured there was a victory for Nigeria to celebrate, and in some style too as she broke the world record for her weight division in the women’s heavyweight final.

Oluwafemiayo had already secured gold with lifts of 130kg and 150kg, but followed it with a sensational 155kg to score 123.4 points.

Compatriot Bose Omolayo, the 79kg Paralympic champion, took second with 115.2 points from a 142kg lift on her second attempt.

Australia’s Hani Watson rounded off the podium on 98.5, climbing from 120kg to 127kg on her final attempt.

The day began with the shock news that Tokyo 2020 under-

45kg gold medallist Tijani and fellow Nigerian powerlifter Mark had been disqualified from the women’s lightweight event after arriving 25 minutes late, a decision which left both athletes visibly distraught.

A shellshocked home crowd watched England’s Zoe Newson put in a superb performance to take gold with 102.2 points from successful lifts of 97kg, 99kg and 101kg.

Compatriot Olivia Broome placed second with 100.0 after improving her lifts from 105kg to 109kg and then to 111kg.

Hellen Wawira Kariuki of Kenya completed the podium with 98.5 pojnts from a 97kg lift on her second attempt.

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

SPORTS XTRA

Arsenal players celebrating their second goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League opener yesterday

Tottenham ReachVerbal Agreement with Nigeria-eligible, Udogie

S

uper Eagleseligible Udinese wingback, Destiny Udogie will in a matter of days become Antonio

Conte’s seventh signing of the summer after agreeing a verbal deal with Tottenham.

Conte had already signed Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet, Rich-

arlison, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma and Djed Spence.

Udogie caught the eyes of big European clubs after a scintillating season last term where he scored

seven times and assisted five in 37 games.

The former Hellas Verona star and Italy U-21 international was courted

by Inter Milan, Juventus and Tottenham but the

Mane Scores in Bundesliga Debut Sadio Mane scored on his Bundesliga debut as champions Bayern Munich opened the new season with a 6-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Senegal forward, 30, headed home from a Serge Gnabry cross to make it 3-0 as Bayern went 5-0 up by half-time.

Randal Kolo Muani pulled one back before Jamal Musiala completed the scoring with his second goal late on.

Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick opened the scoring while Benjamin Pavard and Gnabry were also on target.

Mane joined Bayern in a £35m move from Liverpool in June and also scored in last week’s German Super Cup win over RB Leipzig.

Frankfurt won last season’s Europa League and face Champions League winners Real Madrid for the Uefa Super Cup next Wednesday.

Arsenal Kickstart Premier League Season on a Winning Note Mikel Arteta said his Arsenal side look “hungry” after getting their campaign off to the perfect start with victory over Crystal Palace in an entertaining 2022-23 Premier League curtain-raiser at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners maintained their impressive pre-season form with an energetic performance that was rewarded when Gabriel Martinelli nodded in a 20th-minute opener from new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko’s headed assist.

It took Palace most of the first half to adapt to the visitors’ tempo, but once they

did Odsonne Edouard forced Aaron Ramsdale into a save after Joachim Andersen’s header found him in the six-yard box.

Buoyed by a vibrant home crowd, the Eagles poured forward in search of a leveller but it was Arsenal who found the net again, Marc Guehi inadvertently heading Bukayo Saka’s fierce cross into his own goal late on.

“I have had this feeling for the first few weeks since the boys started pre-season. They are ready, they look hungry, with that mentality that they really want to win,” Arteta told Match of the Day. “The team came here to

play the way we wanted to play - we were dominant, we were a threat, we were really lively and sharp from the beginning. Then when we felt under pressure we coped with that with resilience.”

Between Arsenal’s savvy transfer business, free-scoring pre-season form and being the focus of Amazon’s latest All or Nothing series, there has been plenty to whet their fans’ appetites this summer.

We may have to wait until the second series to learn whether Arteta piped Palace anthem ‘Glad All Over’ out during training before this one - as he did with ‘You’ll Never Walk

Alone’ before visiting Anfield last season - or whether it was the Spaniard’s artwork that set the tone, but his side arrived with a relentless intensity that made Martinelli’s opening goal feel inevitable.

The Gunners lost their opening three league games last season, including another Friday night opener at Brentford, and ultimately narrowly missed out on a return to Champions League football.

But they have strengthened with the acquisitions of Jesus and Zinchenko from Manchester City and both already look set to have a big impact on Arteta’s young squad.

Cucurella’s Chelsea Transfer won’t Affect Sanusi Spanish fullback Marc Cucurella has completed his £52.5 million transfer from Brighton to former Premier League champions Chelsea.

The former Barcelona man had been strongly linked with a switch to Manchester City since the transfer window opened.

However, Chelsea swooped in

for him at the dying minute.

Super Eagles fullback Zaidu Sanusi was expected to replace CucurellaattheAmex Stadium.

The Porto man had been linked with some Premier League clubs, of which the strongest was Brighton.

However, it seems a deal for Zaidu may be off the Seagulls’

cards, as it is believed that part of the bargain for Brighton was the inclusion of a one-year loan for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.

Colwill will spend next season with the Seagulls, and Brighton could choose to rely on the 19-year-old.

The England international

spent last season at Huddersfield, and he impressed in the Championship. Colwill is a natural center-back, but he could also fit in at left-back.

With this, Brighton may decide not to push for a deal, especially as Porto are not willing to let go of their Nigerian star.

North Londoners seem to have shown greater seriousness.

According to Calciomercato, Udogie loves the Premier League and fancies a move to England.

The deal is expected to be in the region of €25m including add-ons and will see Udogie feature in the first team while he also has an opportunity to play in the Champions

League.

The flying defender has committed his international future to the Azzurris and has been knocking on the door for some time.

He recently expressed his displeasure at being ignored for the senior team despite making it into Roberto Mancini’s squad of Italian national team hopeful.

Nadal’s US Open Participation Threatened, Withdraws from Montreal Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from next week’s US Open tune-up event in Montreal, Canada due to the same abdominal strain which forced him to miss his Wimbledon semi-final last month, he said on Friday.

World No 3 Nadal’s quest for a calendar Grand Slam ended after he pulled out of his highly anticipated showdown against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios less than 24 hours before the match.

The 36-year-old Nadal, who has won 22 major titles, is a five-time champion at the ATP 1000 event in Montreal, which begins on Monday.

“I have been practicing for a while now without serving and started with serves four days ago. Everything has been going well, however yesterday, after my normal practice, I felt a slight bother on my abdominal and today it was still there,” Nadal said in a statement.

“After speaking with my doctor we prefer to take things in a conservative way and give a few more days before starting to compete.

“I am very sad not to finally travel to Montreal and to play a tournament that I have won five times and I love to play. I seriously hope I can come back there to play in front of the amazing crowds up there.”

Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic also withdrew from the event on Thursday as he cannot enter the country without being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while Britain’s Andy Murray was handed one of four wildcards.

SATURDAY AUGUST 6, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ AUGUST 6, 2022

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

7,36 2) 7+( :((.

Engine Noise: What’s Normal and When to Worry If you have driven an older car for a long time, driving a new car often feels like a totally new experience. It’s not because the steering is better or the brakes are on the right sensitivity.

It’s because for some reason, you don’t hear anything else but the engine running. Nothing but the purr of the engine in idle or the roar when you accelerate. No clickety clanks or hard, metal-on-metal noise that makes you feel like your car will get disassembled anytime soon.

No engine is truly silent. However, some noises truly don’t belong under the hood. But what’s normal and when should you worry?

Range Rover Sport 2023 interior

Jaguar Land Rover Prepares for Advanced Electrified, Connected Future

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Jaguar Land Rover has taken another step towards a new era RI HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ DQG FRQQHFWLYLW\ by opening a facility to test the next generation of vehicles for electrical and radio interference.

The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory at Gaydon in the UK, will ensure future vehicles meet current and future legislation and quality standards for connectivity and electronics. New Range Rover Sport, which launched in May, was WKH ÀUVW YHKLFOH WR XQGHUJR D EHVSRNH WHVWLQJ programme at the in-house facility.

A critical aspect of vehicle performance, EMC is the ability of electrical equipment and systems to function correctly in their electromagnetic environment. It works by

limiting the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy to reduce the risk of XQZDQWHG HͿHFWV VXFK DV HOHFWURPDJQHWLF interference.

Jaguar Land Rover’s new vehicle laboratory features two anechoic chambers: an electrically ‘quiet’ rolling road that enables engineers to test vehicles at speed, as well as equipment to assess the performance of individual components, such as batteries or electric motors.

Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, 4G, 5G, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging and blind spot monitoring are all examples of vehicle services and features that the facility will test for EMC. Peter Phillips, Senior Manager, Electromagnetics and Compliance at Jaguar

Land Rover, said: “The importance of testing our vehicles for electromagnetic compatibility cannot be underestimated. Opening this new testing facility is an important step forward for the business and it will play a crucial role in helping us deliver quality, legal, and customer satisfaction.”

With industry advances set to increase the number of electric powertrains and the range of digital and cloud-based services on vehicles, from Software-Over-The-Air updates to autonomous technology, testing for EMC is crucial to delivering quality, legal, and customer satisfaction. This new facility demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to giving customers the most advanced in-vehicle connectivity as the EXVLQHVV DFFHOHUDWHV HOHFWULÀFDWLRQ WKURXJK its Reimagine strategy.

Weststar, Toyota, Stallion, CFAO Headline Auto Journalists’ Training

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eststar Associates Limited, Stallion Motors, Toyota Nigeria Limited and CFAO Motors have thrown their weight behind this year’s Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Training/Capacity Building Workshop holding Friday, 29th, July, 2022 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.

Weststar, the lead sponsor of this year’s training programme is the authorised general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria.

Already, Weststar has indicated maximum interest and support for the training programme which is the 7th edition in the series.

7KLV LV QRW WKH ÀUVW WLPH :HVWVWDU LV VXSporting the training programme. Apart from marketing the renowned brand it represents in Nigeria in the past 15 years of existence.

2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport interior Similarly, Stallion’s automotive group which represents an array of globally renowned automobile brands has always Mitsubishi and Suzuki brands in the thrown its weight behind the annual training country. programme.

Keys facilitators at this year’s training Stallion Motors Nigeria Limited, with programme are Kunle Jaiyesimi, deputy Nissan Motors South Africa was the lead managing director of CFAO Group who sponsors of the 2018 edition. is also the chairman of the Auto & Allied Others sponsors of this year’s training sub-Sectoral group of the Lagos Champrogrammes are Toyota Nigeria Limited ber of Commerce & Industry, (LCCI) and and CFAO Motors, franchise owners of the Dr Oscar O. Odiboh, a lecturer at the

/HW·V ÀQG RXW Engine Noise – What’s Normal Normal engine noise is pretty simple to detect.

It’s unmistakable. However, you might still be able to hear a number of other noises under the hood.

For example, soft ticking sounds may be JLYHQ RͿ E\ HOHFWULFDO FRPSRQHQWV RQ \RXU FDU While this noise is usually very soft and silent that you don’t normally hear them, you might notice them by chance.

Also, some amount of ticking/knocking can be hear from some cars when starting. This can get worse when the weather is cold. However, this is pretty normal as long as it is within an acceptable level. One thing to note is that such “cold-start noises” can be reduced by using synthetic oil on your engine.

(QJLQH 1RLVH ² :KDW·V 1RW 1RUPDO Alright, now that we have established how HQJLQHV QRUPDOO\ VRXQG OHW·V WU\ WR ÀQG RXW ZKDW sounds you should be wary about. Note that while this is a general guideline on diagnosing problems with your car, it will always be better to have an expert take a look at it. :KLVWOLQJ 6RXQG Whenever you hear a whistling sound or something like air passing through a narrow exit, you automatically check if the windows are partly open or if the weather stripping has problems.

However, if the whistling sound originates from under the hood, it can mean bigger problems.

If you hear the whistling sound while the car is running, it might be a hose that has a crack.

One common culprit is the hose on your engine’s cooling system. It is one of the weakest parts of your engine and it’s not unheard of to have hoses suddenly cracking and breaking the vacuum seal.

The whistling sound you hear might be due to air HVFDSLQJ WKH VPDOO FUDFN 7R ÀQG RXW LI D KRVH LV WKH UHDO LVVXH ÀQG D VDIH SODFH WR SDUN DQG WXUQ WKH FDU RͿ ,I \RX FDQ VWLOO KHDU ZKLVWOLQJ LW PLJKW be the radiator’s pressure cap. The pressure cap is designed to keep coolant from escaping but when the rubber gasket breaks, some coolant and air can escape resulting in a whistling sound. :KLUULQJ 6RXQG If you hear a whirring sound coming from the front of your vehicle, like that of a giant fan running at max speed, then you might have issues with your engine belts. Engine belts work around a system of pulleys inside your car and they run at high speeds. As they age, they crack RU VWUHWFK $V D UHVXOW WKH\ JLYH RͿ D ZKLUULQJ sound.

If your engine belts are not the culprit, it might be a bad bearing on your front wheel. Whatever the case, the replacement for a belt or bad bearing is very cheap.

Mass Communication Department of the Covenant University, Ota, Ogun state.

NAJA is the umbrella body of Nigeria’s motoring journalists which cuts across the print and online publications. The training workshop is an annual training programme, organised to refresh the minds of practicing auto journalists on the trend of auto journalism worldwide.

/RXG ,GOLQJ Depending on your car, there should be a certain DPRXQW RI QRLVH JLYHQ RͿ ZKHQ LW LV LGOLQJ )RU some, it can be a gentle purr but others can be a loud roar. However, if you feel like your car is idling much louder than usual then you might have an issue at hand.

(Source: T3 Atlanta))

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Weststar Presents New Models of Mercedes-Benz Atego Distribution Truck

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eststar Associates Limited, authorized general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria has announced new RͿHULQJV RI WKH Mercedes-Benz Atego distribution truck, due to popular demand.

With brand new units of the 1418 & 1725 models currently available, the Mercedes-Benz Atego has become the go-to commercial vehicle for many Haulage & Logistics companies in 1LJHULD VDLG R΀FLDOV RI WKH FRPSDQ\ “Coming from Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ 125 years legacy, the Mercedes-Benz Atego is the multi-purpose specialist for your business. It comes ready for various applications which include; water tanker, box body, fuel tanker, etc. ,W GHOLYHUV RQ WKH UHOLDELOLW\ FRVW HͿHFWLYHQHVV that is the hallmark of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, giving your business that added advantage.

“The Mercedes-Benz Atego distribution

truck is a seamless integration between all components, combining high performance, extreme durability, excellent load capacity, low operational cost, and easy maintenance with reliability and robustness to attend to the diverse needs in cargo transport with GLͿHUHQW ERGLHV µ The Atego 1418 truck comes with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14 tons and is equipped with a properly tropicalized 4.2 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with 177 KRUVHSRZHU RXWSXW ,W LV DOVR ÀWWHG ZLWK D 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, as well as a sturdy rear axle, reinforced suspension & higher ground clearance.

While the Atego 1725 truck comes with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 17.1 tons and is equipped with a properly tropicalized 6.3 liter 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine ZLWK KRUVHSRZHU RXWSXW ,W LV DOVR ÀWWHG with a 6-speed gearbox as standard, as well as a sturdy rear axle, reinforced suspension & higher ground clearance.

Mercedes-Benz Atego truck

Stallion Motors: Why We Support Nigeria Auto Journalists Training

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tallion Motors Limited, an automobile assembler in Nigeria, has described its support for the just concluded Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Annual Training Workshop as an initiative aimed at the development of the nation’s economy via the auto industry.

Stallion commended the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) for the training initiative, which it says would enhance the standard of media reportage of the auto sector and ultimately impact positively on the automobile manufacturing and sales in Nigeria, according to a statement issued by the company after the 2022 annual training programme.

The company said, “The NAJA annual event is also in conformity with the goals of Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI), a non-Government Organization (NGO) arm of Stallion Group, which has successfully touched thousands of lives across the country via education, empowerment and health among others.

“Being the information link between us (auto marketers and manufacturers) and the motoring public, Nigeria motoring media and journalists

are important stakeholders of the nation’s auto LQGXVWU\ $QG WKHLU WUDLQLQJ LQLWLDWLYH LV DQ HͿRUW in the right direction, as it would assist them in their media role for the industry.”

Stallion Motors, therefore, expressed optimism that knowledge gained from this year’s event would be put to use towards enlightenment of Nigerian motoring public, a move that would in no small measure impact positively on those who have invested into the nation’s auto industry.

The multi-brand local auto assembler also appealed to the Nigerian auto journalists not to relent in educating Nigerians about the economic merit of buying vehicles assembled and sold in Nigeria.

Stallion Motors, one of the largest licensed automobile assemblers in Nigeria, is a franchisee and assembler of globally recognised brands, which include: Nissan, Hyundai, MG, Changan and Bajaj Tricycles In the same vein, Stallion Empowerment Initiative (SEI) is a philanthropic arm introduced in 2019 with the aim of to giving back to the Nigerian communities via support for education health and empowerment among others.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe

A Few Good Men I do not know if you are a movie freak like me.

My addiction is not borne out of boredom .It is an extension of my love for acting while growing up and even during my University days at the University of Lagos, Akoka where I was privileged to be one of the pioneers behind Theatre 15, a drama outfit. Theatre 15 provided for me a platform to achieve what I missed not studying Theatre Arts, my cherished course.

Acting is not my only pastime. I am equally a die-hard football follower with my favorite clubs, Arsenal and Barcelona topping my preferred clubs followed by our darling Super Eagles. This also is born out of my love for playing the leather game.

As a movie freak, A Few Good Men is one of my cherished movies and it boasts of three of my favorite actors. There are others that space constraints me from listing.

I have watched it countless times. The movie is a 1992 American legal drama based on Aaron Sorkin’s 1989 play. It was written by Sorkin, directed by Rob Reiner, and produced by Reiner, David Brown and Andrew Scheinman. One significant thing about this movie is that it stars a galaxy cast that includes some of my best and favorite actors such as Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollak, J. T. Walsh, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Kiefer Sutherland.

When I thought of doing this piece, I sourced reviews made when the film hit the cinema. So what you are reading are some of such reviews. The plot according to a review of ‘A Few Good Men’ follows the court martial of two United States Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine and the tribulations of their lawyers as they prepare a case. The film was released and premiered in 1992 and thereafter received acclaim for its screenwriting, direction, themes, and acting, particularly that of Cruise, Nicholson, and Moore. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

The film another noted is a pure cinematic delight

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu

amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

for those who desire to watch stellar performances and I must say I concur with this assertion. It is indeed one of the best movies with towering performances

by Jack Nicholson but one must say Tom Cruise proved his worth against the amazing performance of Nicholson which is worth mentioning. Demi Moore, who is perhaps one of my favorite female actors, was also stunning as she played her part perfectly.

The movie by all standards of movie production; script, screenplay, performances, direction is brilliant.

The credit goes to the director as well as the cast. The movie according to a review depicts how supreme power and unquestioned obedience leads to excess cruelty on all in the name of discipline such that even honest and dedicated officers are not willing to speak the truth. It is a must watch and I join other reviewers, to give a five star rating to this brilliant piece of art.

Another reviewer captured it as the top three of all time movies. The reviewer whose name I cannot recollect, confessed that he was blown away when he watched it at the theater during its initial release.

Like me, he has watched it many times since its release. What we also share in common is that we do have most of the dialogue memorised which is a hallmark of a freaky lover of a movie.

The question always asked after watching the

movie is why Dawson and Downey were found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of a Marine” and dishonorably discharged. The pose is that even though they “followed an order”, they killed one of their own. Their actions caused someone’s death.

They had to be culpable in some way. This was the entire dilemma that Corporal Dawson wrestles with through most of the movie.

I know some readers would by now be wondering the essence of this to my job of saving lives on our roads. Some might wonder what the purpose of a movie is. For such readers, I need them to know that films are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures to facilitate intercultural dialogue.

According to experts, it is considered to be an important art form as it provides entertainment and historical value, which are often documented visually over a period of time. Movies are important to our lives including road safety as they encourage us to take action colored by the life lessons of our favorite characters and heroes. Through these heroes we are inspired to act for the good of society instead of remaining passive while society rots.

While writing on ‘The positive effects of movies on human behavior’ in the Times of India, a writer, Ajay Rathod,’’noted that watching a movie can either make your life better, destroy it, or have a neutral or no impact. Each of the notable genres of cinema such as Anime, Drama, Comedy, Horror, Fantasy, and Action he notes can have both positive and negative impacts on young people and I dare say as well as on adults.

There are however contention as to whether watching movies has more pros or cons. One school of thought maintain that violent films and maybe war films or horror make people aggressive and dangerous. In our clime there are those who vehemently oppose the bloodletting and ritual killings that are reflected in Nollywood .Other observers highlight the benefits of showing some specific films to younger people especially drama.

Without veering into any form of arguments, the point being stressed is that many characters become role models, whose actions or deeds are emulated for good. Many films help to make the right decisions and think independently. Others either provide entertainment, educational importance or critical thinking.

In summary, movies are a source of entertainment.

They definitely add some spice to life and act as antidepressants. Films, especially about famous people like Denzel Washington, another favorite of mine, affect social behavior positively as they encourage us to take action. These favorite characters teach us life lessons. They give ideas and inspiration.

Films are also a source of knowledge about ancient times among others including road safety behavioral tendencies.

This is why I wonder why our movie industry rarely reflect road safety vices that incapacitates.

With the level of growth and impact achieved by the industry in Nigeria, I believe that our movie industry can provide the plank for remolding driving behaviours. A look at the current records of Federal Road Safety Corps between May to July 2022 reveals a dangerous driving trend that needs to be arrested.

The record shows that the Corps arrested a total of 4178, 4091 and 3659 offenders respectively for seat belt violation as well as driving under the influence while 50 were arrested for driving under the influence infractions nationwide. Within the same period, 13,404 were arrested for speed limit device violation despite the increased speed related crashes being recorded since the beginning of 2022.I am positive that we can court the movie industry to mold driving behavior so that we have increase the number of drivers and road users who could someday be counted among the few good men who drive by the rules to preserve lives on the highway.This will no doubt accelerate strategies to meet the United Nations Decade of Actions Goals of cutting down fatalities on our roads.

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POLITY

AFF Partners MacArthur Foundation for Gender Inclusive Governance Funmi Ogundare Stakeholders drawn from government parastatals, media, oil and gas sectors, as well as non government organisations, converged recently, virtually for a discussion on ‘Gender Inclusive Governance’, aimed at encouraging women to up their ante in their leadership ambition, stimulating public conversations and closing the gender parity in women’s access to power.

The programme was organised by Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF) in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation.

Speaking at the programme, the Executive Director of the foundation, Mr. Akin Fadeyi wondered why women have continued to take a back seat in politics and governance, saying that it was time for Nigeria to jettison the self-inflicted barriers.

According to him, “what happened to us as a nation? Why are women taking the back seat in politics? Why is it that in 1999 till date, we have had 109 members in the House of Representatives and House of Assembly with only three

women?”

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ondo State, Mrs. Olateju Bamidele stressed the need to push to the front burner gender responsive governance and issues affecting women, adding that sometimes the men may feel threatened.

She emphasised on some of the obstacles confronting women, saying that they are their own enemies sometimes and that they don’t understand their roles even as women.

“As women, we have to support each other and in politics and finance, we need to hold the position in trust.”

The Executive Director, T.A Connect, Dr. Lilian Anomnachi said there should be an intentionality in women getting it right in politics and governance, as well as more transformative agendas.

“There is a need to build the capacity of women so that they can look up to others who have been there. We can look at the case of Rwanda that has gotten it right. How do we create programmes that have gender transformative agendas?” she asked.

More Accolades for Ugwuanyi as Nsukka Women Back Him

U

nflinching support for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, yesterday, gathered momentum as women of the senatorial district under the auspices of Nsukka Women Movement for Gburugburu, reiterated their overwhelming support and solidarity for the governor, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Barr.

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and other candidates of the party.

Speaking when the ward and local government coordinators and executives of Nsukka Women Movement for Gburugburu visited Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, the founder/leader of the group, Chief Juliana Ugwu told the governor that the women are solidly behind him, Barr. Mbah, and other PDP candidates.

Ugwu disclosed that their unalloyed support for Ugwuanyiled PDP leadership in Enugu State is in recognition of the giant development strides of his administration in spite of the state’s lean resources and nation’s numerous challenges.

The woman leader said members of the group, comprising women across the six LGAs of Enugu North Senatorial District, are impressed with the enviable peace entrenched in Enugu State by Ugwuanyi, the governor’s commitment to God by entrusting the state to the hands of God and his exceptional leadership qualities that have dignified him as

a humble, visionary, peaceful, God fearing, kindhearted and popular leader.

This came as a delegation of members of Technical Section Industrial Market, Nsukka, led by the Chairman and Secretary, Festus Uramah and Harrison Odo, respectively, paid a solidarity visit to Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, applauding him for his good works in Enugu State as well as his benevolence towards them through the traders’ empowerment scheme “which a lot of people from our community benefited from”.

The technicians said, “One of our reasons for visiting you today is to show our solidarity for your going to the Senate to represent us. We are pleading with you to help the governorship candidate of the PDP, Barr. Peter Mbah to win in 2023.”

Enumerating the numerous achievements of Ugwuanyi’s administration in all spheres of development, such as roads construction, rural development, peace and security, education, healthcare delivery and empowerment, they reiterated their support for him, stressing that “it is an indisputable fact the people of Enugu State Technical Section Industrial Market, Nsukka, in particular are for you and will not disappoint you.”

Stressing that women have the voting strength, the leader of Nsukka Women Movement for Gburugburu assured Ugwuanyi that members of the group will work round the clock when the time for electioneering comes, and deliver him to go to the Senate to represent Enugu North Senatorial District.

L-R: Acting Head of Mission/Head Economic Department, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Arie Plieger; Chairman, CIG Motors, Chief Diana Chen; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Sam Egube; Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Lagos State, Ajibola Ponnle; MD/CEO, Wema Bank Plc, Ademola Adebise; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Michael Olawale-Cole, and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Solape Hammond, during the pre-summit stakeholders engagement on Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit 2022, held in Lagos, yesterday.

Dr. Amina Salihu, a Senior Programme Officer, MacAuthour Foundation noted that politics for women starts the day they are born as females, adding that the boy and girl-child must be raised as equals so as to demystify socialisation.

“Women are doing a lot,” she said, adding that they should be able to ask what they can do better.

“Women should have economic power. We should be able to address the poverty of time and demand.”

The Coordinator, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Dr. Chido Onuma emphasised on the issue of power asymmetry, saying that the role women play in our political process is very critical, which has to go into emancipation.

Other stakeholders stressed the need for women to change their strategy and not see themselves as second fiddle, challenge the patriarchal movement of the political bodies and navigate the dynamics of power in a way that will not threaten the men.

The programme featured the unveiling of a competition tagged, ‘What Women Can Do’.

Ugwu, who also described Ugwuanyi as “a Governor of the entire Enugu State”, assured him that they will equally deliver the governorship candidate of the PDP in Enugu State, Barr.

Mbah, and the PDP candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly seats in the district.

“Your Excellency, we are here to reassure you that we are behind you because it is said that if a dedicated person is appreciated, he will do more. “When you assumed office in 2015, after analyzing the harsh economic situation of Nigeria, your first statement was that Enugu State is in the hands of God. And since that day till now, Enugu State has remained peaceful, stable and progressive in the hands of God. “Your Excellency, these women you are seeing have always supported and delivered PDP. We stood by you during your governorship elections in 2015 and 2019 and this time around, we will mobilize and deliver you and other PDP candidates as usual”, she assured. Other speakers at the event paid glowing tributes to Ugwuanyi for his administration’s remarkable achievements in office as well as its time-honoured interventions in Nsukka zone, in fulfillment of promises he made in his inaugural address.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Nsukka LGA, Walter Ozioko, emphasized the value of women in electioneering, saying that members of the women group are genuine, determined and resolute in their support for Ugwuanyi, Barr.

Mbah and other PDP candidates in 2023.

The PDP candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engr. Vita Abba, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Malachy Okwueze and the party’s candidate for Nsukka West Constituency, Amos Agbo, were at the event.

L-R: Director, Oodua Investment Company Ltd (OICL) Chief Segun Ojo; Dr Tola Kasali; Chairman, South West Agriculture Ltd. (SWAGCO), Mr. Owolabi Salami; Group Chairman, Oodua Investment Company Ltd (OICL), Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Independent Director, Mrs. Foluso Olaniyan; GMD, Mr. Adewale Raji; and Swagco MD, Mr Babajide Arowosafe during Oodua Investment Company Ltd Board visit south west agriculture company in Lagos…recently

L-R: Vice Principal Academic, Atlantic Hall School, Adetayo David; Top in Nigeria, Mathematics (without coursework), Cambridge IGCSE, Vera Kanim Ugwoha; Top in the World, Food and Nutrition, Cambridge IGCSE, Victory Krama Ugwoha; and Principal, Atlantic Hall School, Dr. Terry Howard during the British L-R: Mr Tuedogheye Egbemi, Mr Bryan Culcrit, Mrs Lizzy Omogberiale and Mr Nosa Edo-Osagie at the RoCouncil Recognition and Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards at Civic Centre in Lagos…. recently. tary International Convention in Houston Texas, USA recently.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Pomp and Pageantry’ Wrong

D

AILY INDEPENDENT of July 18 welcomes us this week: “Sanwo-Olu nabs 2 military officers driving on BRT” Let us get it right. ‘BRT’ stands for Bus Rapid Transit.

So, the ebullient governor arrested them on BRT Lane—not on BRT! It is well with our governor and Eko! From Ogba we move to Rutam House of THE GUARDIAN where two lines in its July 17 edition embarrassed the elite readership: “…the SUV conveying their victims at the rear bend corner along the road.” Conscience, Nurtured

by Truth: either ‘bend’ or ‘corner’. The two words cannot co-function in this age. This was acceptable in pre-colonial days! It reminds one of expressions like ‘a.m. in the morning’/‘log of wood’/‘extreme end’/’reason why’/’still yet’/’so therefore’, et al.

“El-Rufai mourns student’s death” The governor certainly mourned the student—not his death. Let me not comment further before some irredeemably incorrigible and faceless readers of this column send to me vexatious messages on my ‘stylistic brashness, rude analyses and intellectual haughtiness’! All for this writer? Who will intercede for me?

THE GUARDIAN of July 10 backs today’s infamy class: “Don alerts on looming infectious epidemic due to floods” No news: Don alerts to (not on)…

“NCC, MTN unites against preregistered SIMs” Let us avoid Business English in formal writing: unite “NNPC to re-open (reopen) moribund Aba depot”

“D’Tigers claws its way into Olympics history” Lexical sportsmanship: Olympic history “…if she puts her acts (act) together.”

(National News, July 12) “Ekiti land tussle suit adjourned for out of court settlement” (Source: as above) Community Mirror: out-of-court settlement.

Please note: a feather in one’s (my/ your/his/her) cap—not a feather to one’s…cap. “…what is stressed here is that a Nigerian version of the publishing revolution took place in the face of several odds and the fall-outs are still very much with us.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, June 28) ‘Fallout’ is non-count and has no hyphen.

“The police appears unable to fish them out because of the barrier of national boundaries.” Tense security: the police appear unable….

“It was in the hey-days (heyday) of the Babangida administration.”

“And hidden in the quiet suburbs of Yaba is an agency which has laid a virtual siege on (to) the pages of the national press….”

“Shipping companies brace-up for war over tarriff pegging.” Phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. And this: tariff.

“Trouble however started when security personnels at the stadium....”

‘Personnel’ is uncountable.

“I was a witness to a very moving event recently at the Idimu Police Station at the outskirts of Lagos.” From A to B: on the outskirts.

“A strong grassroot force has to be in the drivers (sic) seat for the targeted poverty programme.” Richness of

language: grassroots and driver’s seat.

“The poor has (have) to see themselves properly involved in the programme.” How does it sound? The poor think more about money than the rich!

“Its importance is based on the fact that had Christ resurrected from the dead....” ‘From the dead’ is otiose because it is implied.

“Government should take the bull by the horn and dismiss the latest PHCN tariff hike....” No blackout: take the bull by the horns.

“Nigeria needs a judiciary that would neither be intimidated or humiliated like the James Ibori case.” Neither...nor and either…or. No carelessness!

“The culprit was repatriated back last week.” (NTA Network News, July 21) Why the overkill? Please, yank away ‘back’ in the interest of Freedom of Information (FoI).

“This is because the governor was not really in the good book of the electorate” A fall foreseen: in the good/bad books of the electorate.

“Hunger is threatening to crush majority of our citizens.” The shape of things to come: a (take note) majority of our citizens. It is no longer a threat—a hapless reality that is enjoying currency amid leadership poverty and incapacity! “…money and other inducements to get the electorates vote for them.”

Simply, the electorate.

“The type of exotic jewelleries (jewellery) you can find at museum shops….”

‘Jewellery’ is uncountable. For those who subscribe to Americanism, ‘jewelry’ is acceptable—and unacceptable to those of us stuck to Standard English.

Buhari and His Fixed Tiger’s Spots

S

ometime late in July, 2019 - precisely three years to this day - we appraised the so-called body language and rhetoric of President Muhammadu Buhari a few weeks after the inauguration of his second term in office.

Dire and depressing as those times were, as depicted in the article below, no one is in doubt that things have gone from bad to adjectives more abject than ‘worst’. Read our frustration at the lukewarm flagellation of a supposed ‘game-changer’ whose exit from power in 2023 is now being anxiously awaited and a subject of widespread ‘let-my-people-go’ prayer chain. Barely ten months to his exit, Buhari has held on tightly to his unsavoury spots, gradually and remorselessly etching a spotted legacy that may define him for ever.

“Few things are as underwhelming as a leader seemingly unsure of what next steps to take in the process of dispensing leadership. Be it in fighting banditry, insurgency, economic saboteurs, insider corruption, or finding the right set of people with the necessary tools and knowledge to give 21st century service to a nation so blessed yet so blighted.

When the Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari told the visiting leadership of the ninth National Assembly, on July 11, 2019, that majority of the federal cabinet members in his first coming were total strangers to him, foisted on him by scheming local political lords and contending power blocs; and that he was no longer accepting that - the initial reaction was stunned bemusement. Henceforth, he assured his guests, he was going to pick only those men and women that were ‘personally’ known to him. Apparently, most applauded him, as anyone would do to a man of power who has vowed to use his power for the good of others.

However, any right-thinking person would, after the chuckling camaraderie of the Aso Rock visit, spend the rest of the night wide awake on his bed, in solemn review of the president’s words...and quiver at the dire ramifications of the president’s mindset.

This is assuming the legislators sleep on their own beds, give room for reflective thinking, and explore the discomforting possibilities of dispassionate independent meditation.

Buhari

Well, if they do behave as we expect of senior members of the second arm of government, several weeks after the inauguration of the Executive arm, the legislators should prepare for a rigorous evaluation of the president’s picks for ministerial and advisory positions; and anyone remotely undeserving or inadequate in requisite cognate competencies and qualifications should be weeded out.

Why are we not applauding a president’s resolve to be his own man, and pick people he can vouch for? You see, embedded in those ostensibly valiant words are potholes that can negatively derail governance, national stability and cohesion. As it is, the country is reeling under pervasive and frightening insecurity all over the place; and the economy seems to be in stagnation as investors have stood aloof, awaiting the president’s major appointment moves (forget the body language) which have dragged familiarly.

Over four months after his re-election was confirmed, and almost two months after his re-inauguration, the president eventually sent a 43-man list to the Senate President during the week (July 23). A glance at the ‘well-travelled’ list will make you wonder why it took so long to make - several names therein have been mentioned in public discussions, a chunk are returnees, almost a fifth are ex-governors, just a mere seven were women (contrary to the vaunted 35%), and new, exciting faces are scarce, if not non-existent. Nothing to reflate sagging expectations. But, I digress - let’s get back to what I consider a presidential gaffe, packaged as bravura.

First, it is worrying and ominous when you admit, and subtly re-echo your wife’s 2016 confession that her husband’s flailing administration was hamstrung by the fact that only five of about 50 ministers were really familiar to him before they were chosen; and that a cabal, buried deep in the presidency, was the one running Buhari’s government aground.

The sore point then is this: after two years of sharing a bed with blundering strangers, why did you not summon your famous courage to chase out incompetent and purposeless ministers whose preoccupation with local politicking was more pronounced than policy-driven administrative supervision? After all, the impression is they all served at your pleasure... of course, with the consent of the National Assembly.

Second, the other meaning for ‘appointing familiar people’ - based on your actions and appointments outside the cabinet, in the past four years - lead us to expect a systemic institutionalization of cronyism, clannishness, nepotism and deodorized prebendalism. All that big-big words is to say, the president, being human, can only pick from a familiar circle of less than 10,000 pals, supporters, political associates, classmates, military colleagues, etc...in a country of at least 100 million adults. Were there no constitutional provision for statal representation, I suspect, we might have had a cabinet that looked more like an Emirate council melting pot, rather than a national consensus.

The third leg of the argument streams from the second, naturally. Since, we do not expect one man to know all men, and thus be sure of his selections, we

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“…the president of the country can be harassed with a degree that bothers (borders) on flippancy….”

“The noise have (has) been deafening about imposition of candidates by PDP.…”

“Sometimes (Sometime) around (about) 9.35 a.m. a convoy of six cars comprising of a….” Do away with the second ‘of’ in the extract.

“There were sporadic explosions while the cars were burning apparently due to remnants of ammunitions.” ‘Ammunition’ does not take any inflexion.

“Beyond the cloud, pomp and pageantry….” Either pomp and ceremony or pomp and circumstance. In classical cases, just ‘pomp’ will suffice.

“As the saying goes, money is the root of all evils”. From my file, the love of money (not money itself) is the root of all evils.

“Also, at the onset (outset) of the computer revolution….” There is a clear distinction between ‘onset’ (which has an inherence of violence) and ‘outset’ (beginning, commencement).

“The naira permitted it’s (its) designers to inflict….”

“The development aroused his curiousity and we soon displayed all the denominations of the naira.…” Spellcheck: curiosity.

“Beyond mere symbols of ethnic jingoism which may prove difficult for the ordinary man in the street to identify....”

‘The man in the street’ does not require any embellishment such as ’ordinary’ because the man is simply ordinary. “….eyes where poor man (a poor man) can own mansions in (on) Victoria Island.”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

will advise the president to not fret about ‘familiarity’ being the panacea for effective and result-oriented governance, or appointments - just cast your net wide with specific proficiency keywords to head-hunters as guiding principle in nominating names. Then get “familiar” with these “strange” people shortlisted, after security and other clearances. Part of the familiarity process is soaking yourself in the received intelligence reports and resumes of the nominees... seeking input from professional and occupational leaders and trojans of each nominee’s field, both old and young. You can also have face-to-face interlocution with selected nominees who strike you as having the sort of pedigrees, world-views and temperaments you prefer (or not averse to).

This rigorous exercise makes you become familiar or “known” to these nominees, and this can be done in a matter of weeks while awaiting your inauguration (between March 6 and May 28) such that you could have announced your cabinet (and appropriate portfolios) a week after your inauguration, and therefore expose them to further scrutiny amongst the progress-starved citizens who crave for you to hit the ground... who believed your promise to ‘surprise’ all with the speed and quality of your performance in this second coming. Then, you dropped the familiarity puff... some days ago. Yet, the familiar is obviously just as tasking and troublesome to assemble as the ‘strangers’. Now that we have seen the ‘familiar’ names - and in anticipation of other appointments - we can safely say this government is in business-as-usual mode, contrary to earlier rhetoric.

As it is, the fear is that this sort of presidential mindset is more corrosive and devastating than the so-called ‘Fulanization Agenda’ usually tied on the apron strings of the presidency, in the past one year. This Buhari era may produce a ‘family-circle’ reconstruction of a new type of democracy (or kingdom, more fittingly): the government of filial personage for familiar people by familiarity.

God help us all.”

58

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Chairman, Membership and Branch Liaison Committee, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration of Nigeria (ICSAN), Yomi Adebanjo; Vice President of ICSAN, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo; President of ICSAN, Mr.Taiwo Gbenga Owokolade; Executive Secretary/CEO, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Ambassador Shuaibu Ahmed; Chairman of Education Committee, ICSAN, Prof. Wole Adewunmi and Registrar/CEO ICSAN, Mrs. Taiwo Ganiyat Olusesi at the 21st induction of the institute in Lagos...recently

L-R: Marketing Manager, Budweiser, Olajumoke Okikiolu; raffle draw winner, Chukwunonso Peter Ejiofor; Marketing Director, International Breweries Plc, Tolulope Adedeji and Brand Manager, Budweiser, Miriam Odabe at the Budweiser 2022 BUDX Lagos FIFA Kickoff Concert in Lagos

Budweiser Thrills Consumer at Concert

Parralex Bank Partners Kennis Music to Support Initiative

Fast growing commercial bank, Parallex Bank Limited At the event also, the organisation Carlos, and England’s John Terry to has joined force with record Premium Lager, Budweiser has hosted its consumers to a live musical concert, unveiled the FIFA World Cup Consumer 1LJHULD LQ ZKHQ WKH\ SOD\HG D label, Kennis Music to WDJJHG ¶%XGZHLVHU %8'; /DJRV· DW promotions in a draw that saw a lucky PDWFK ZLWK D VHOHFW 1LJHULDQ 3URIHV- launch Kennis Music Bites. the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. fan, Chukwunonso Peter Ejiofor, win VLRQDO )RRWEDOO /HDJXH 13)/ WHDP Kennis Music Bites is “The concert is a merger of music described as a brand, social The event which literally shut Lagos an all-expense-paid trip to watch two and football because we understand gifting, and payment platIHDWXUHG VRPH RI 1LJHULD·V ÀQHVW DUWLVWHV FIFA World Cup matches live.

It noted that consumers will also that our consumers love Budweiser, form that employs music, LQFOXGLQJ 'DYLGR 7HQL 5HHNDGR Banks, Mayorkun, 2Baba, Tiwa Savage, stand a chance to watch two live music, and football so we can’t make and all the logic of engageWande Coal, Asake, DJ Spinall, DJ PDWFKHV LQ WKH SURPR NLFNLQJ RͿ WKHP FKRRVH 7KURXJK D UD΁H GUDZ ment to celebrate mobile mid-August.

ZH DUH RͿHULQJ PXVLF DQG IRRWEDOO IDQV consumers while generating &RQVHTXHQFH DQG '- 1DQD Speaking at the event, Marketing the opportunity to watch the world cup wealth The show was held as a build-up empowerment to the FIFA World Cup tournament Director of International Breweries live and that’s like Christmas coming through entertainment. holding in Qatar later in the year, in Plc., Tolulope Adedeji stated that the HDUO\ IRU WKH OXFN\ ZLQQHUV µ VKH VDLG Managing Director of Adedeji also urged consumers to Parallex Bank, Mr. Olufemi which Budweiser happens to the be event was a convergence of passionate football and music fans. participate in the draw by following Bakre explained that the WKH R΀FLDO EHHU VSRQVRU JOREDOO\ “Football and music are passion the instructions on the limited-edition deal was in line with the The organisation also seized the occasion to connect directly with its teeming points for our consumers. Budweiser, Budweiser world cup branded bottles bank’s core value of colcustomers across the country, who also IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH IDFLOLWDWHG WKH YLVLW RI and cans to enter the draw from laboration, just as he lauded doubled as football enthusiasts. two football legends, Brazil’s Roberto mid-August. .HQQLV 0XVLF SDWKÀQGLQJ role in the entertainment industry.

He said, “We identify with our partner looking at how they provide op-

Two Nigerians Bag Nomination for ‘Africa Education Medal’

The organisers of Africa Education Medal has announced the nominees for the inaugural edition of the award initiative. $PRQJ WKH WRS WHQ ÀQDOLVWV VKRUWOLVWHG IRU WKH DZDUG ZHUH WRS 1LJHULDQ HGXFDWLRQ ÀJXUHV QDPHO\ )RODZH 2PLNXQOH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI 7HDFK IRU 1LJHULD 7)1 DQG )RXQGHU DQG &(2 RI &RPLF Republic, Jide Martin.

The award, launched by T4 Education in collaboration with HP and Intel, aims at honouring outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and DGYRFDF\ LQ WKH ÀHOG RI $IULFDQ HGXFDWLRQ According to the organisers, the initiative was thought of to recognise the tireless work of persons transforming education across the continent and to celebrate the stories of those who have lit the spark of change, so others will be inspired to

take up the torch.

2PLNXQOH WKURXJK KHU 7)1 D QRQ SURÀW organisation has been tackling educational inequities by recruiting university graduates and working professionals from diverse backgrounds to serve as IXOO WLPH WHDFKHU OHDGHUV LQ 1LJHULD·V most under-served schools. She has so far impacted over 300,000 students, under 1,000 young leaders across Lagos, Ogun DQG .DGXQD VWDWHV RI 1LJHULD 8QGHU KHU OHDGHUVKLS DOXPQL RI 7)1 KDYH undertaken various initiatives to impact the system.

Martins on the other hand is an illustrator, designer, producer and entrepreneur who holds passion for shaping Africa’s narrative through art, as well as utilises the power of comics to tell compelling African stories to Africans and to the rest of the world.

His Comic Republic distributes free weekly comics to consumers, with over 100,000 monthly downloads. His works KDYH SXW WKH 1LJHULDQ FRPLF LQGXVWU\ on the global map.

Commenting, Managing Director at HP Africa, Brad Pulford congratulated the nominees, urging others to draw inspiration from their exploits.

He said, “HP has been committed to enabling better learning outcomes for 100 million people by 2025. Achieving this bold goal wouldn’t be possible without empowered education leaders and trailblazers who are at the forefront of the rapidly changing education environment.

A quality education empowers not just individuals, but entire communities. It will VNLOO WKH QH[W JHQHUDWLRQ WR IXOÀO WKHLU IXOO potential in a world being transformed E\ WHFKQRORJ\ µ

ICSAN Charges New Members on Ethics, Value The Institute of Chartered Secretaries DQG $GPLQLVWUDWLRQ RI 1LJHULD ,&6$1 has urged members to imbibe ethical standards and principle of good corporate governance in their professional endeavours.

President and Council Chairman of the institute, Taiwo Owokalade stated that the institute maintained a key role in the advancement of the economy, while constantly striving to promote the ideals of corporate governance through periodic issuance of policy papers and others.

He noted that members of the institute were spread across the whole gamut of 1LJHULD·V VRFLR HFRQRPLF OLIH QRWKLQJ that there stance would have a ripple HͿHFW RQ WKH FRXQWU\ DW ODUJH

Owokalade who was speaking at the institute’s 21st induction ceremony, maintained that many of the country’s challenges emanated from dearth of ethical of integrity and uprightness.

He said, “it is thus not by coincidence that we chose ‘Entrenching the value of ethics a Governance Professional in WKH 1LJHULDQ %XVLQHVV WHUUDLQ· DV WKH theme of today’s induction lecture, it is D UHÁHFWLRQ RI WKH HPSKDVLV SODFHG RQ the concept of ethics by the Institute.

“We take the issue of ethics very highly at the Institute. Chartered Secretaries are highly regarded professionals and this is a reputation we are most disinclined to take with levity.

Any member found guilty of gross PLVFRQGXFW LQ GHÀDQFH RI GLFWDWHV RI

ethics will have his or her membership ZLWKGUDZQ µ Earlier, while speaking on the theme RI WKH ,QGXFWLRQ &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI )LQDQFLDO 5HSRUWLQJ &RXQFLO RI 1Lgeria, Shuaibu Ahmed underscored the importance of values, ethics and sound corporate governance to members.

He stated that these factors were important for professionals to actualise their goals and objectives, as well as prerequisites for building sustainable companies and nations.

He charged the new members on relevant and continuous training to be able to entrench good values and ethics in the organisation they belong.

The institute inducted no fewer than 461 members.

portunities and platforms for both young and old to actualize their dreams, which of course resonates with the bank’s ideology.

“We are customer centric and our commitment to enabling possibilities for everyone has made Kennis Music Bites platform D SHUIHFW ÀW IRU WKH EDQNµ Continuing, Bakre stated that the bank is technology-driven, hence, its collaboration with Kennis to RͿHU 1LJHULDQV DQ HͿHFWLYH platform for social gifting, marketing and payments.

He described the gold card being minted on the Kennis Music Bites app as D RQH VWRS FDUG WKDW RͿHUV cardholders discounts on purchases from select stores, the ability to buy event WLFNHWV DQG SOD\ UD΁HV

La Casera Rewards Winners of ‘Spoken Word’ Challenge Carbonated soft drink brand, The La Casera Company Plc. has rewarded winners of its just concluded ‘Spoken Word’ challenge aimed at spotlighting and celebrating talented budding creatives across the country.

The challenge according to the organisation was such that enabled talents to use their creative prowess to speak on key societal issues.

The Spoken War contest saw many poetic hopefuls slug it RXW IRU WKH JUDQG SUL]H RI 1 000,000.

The contest recorded over 5,000 entries in the two preliminary stages held online, with the six best contenders converging in Lagos for the JUDQG ÀQDOH VKRZ KHOG DW WKH Pop Central Studios.

Participants were shortlisted based on the number of likes as well as judges reviews and VFRUHV LQ WKH ERWK WKH ÀUVW DQG second rounds.

The Judges numbering four were renowned poets, authors and spoken word artists, who VHOHFWHG DFURVV 1LJHULD DQG RWKHU countries.

7KH\ LQFOXGHG 2OXPLGH Holloway, Efe Paul Azino, Obii Ifejika and Maryam Bukar Hassan.

7KH JUDQG ÀQDOH RI WKH FRQWHVW

was aired live on Popcentral TV where David Osaodion Odiase with the stage name 78th Psalmist emerged overall winner, while Loveth Liberty DQG 'LYLQH 7LWXV FDPH ÀUVW and second runners-up to take KRPH 1 DQG 1 respectively.

Remarking, Managing Director of The La Casera Company, Mr. Chinedum Okereke, said, “We believe strongly in the 1LJHULDQ \RXWKV DQG WKHLU potentials. They need brands who believe in them and show support for them through the various steps of their stardom, and for us, the idea is to ensure that we provide the platform for creativity, fun, and youth empowerment.

“I say congratulation to the winners and to let you know that the brand believes so much in your potential. We toast to a brighter future to all of you and always remember the days RI KXPEOH EHJLQQLQJ µ Speaking further, Marketing Director of The La Casera Company, Mr. Emmanuel Agu restated that the contest was designed to inspire and reward creative talents, adding that the organisation was committed to inspiring the ‘Can do’ spirit of WKH 1LJHULDQ \RXWKV

59

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

FAIRGROUND with

AZUKA OGUJIUBA

azuka.ogujiuba@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Mr Tunde Folawiyo the celebrant, Sisi Abah Folawiyo; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife Adejumokep; former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; and the celebrant's son Mr. Segun Awolowo

L-R: Mrs. Akpabio; Sisi Abah Folawiyo; and Senator Remi Tinubu

Elegant Sisi Abba Glamourous at 80 L-R: Alhaji Adeniji; Mr Akande; Otunba Niyi Adebayo; the celebrant, Sis Abah Folawiyo; Erelu Angela Adebayo; and Mr. Segun Awolowo

S

isi Abba Folawiyo, renowned fashion icon and wife of the late billionaire philanthropist, Baba Adinni of Yorubaland, Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo held a blast party to celebrate her 80th year on earth.

The event took place at her luxurious mansion at Ikoyi and had a host of eminent Nigerians. To mention a few, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa were present to celebrate L-R: Funmi Braithwaite; Goke Braithwaite; Sis Abah the stylish octogenarian.

Folawiyo; and Shola Braithwaite The event started with prayers at the Mosque in her residence, where the Imam admonish the dignitaries present to live exemplary, modest, and honest lives.

7KLV VLJQLÀFDQW HYHQW D PLOHVWRQH ZDV SXW WRJHWKHU E\ KHU son, a renowned legal practitioner, Segun Awolowo.

As a fashion icon with the ‘Labanella’ fashion house, she remains an inspiration for the new generation of designers, and they came out in their numbers to celebrate their inspirer.

L-R: The celebrant, Sis Abah Folawiyo; Pastor ltuah lghodalo; Mr. Segun Awolowo; and Senator Lanre Tejuosho

L-R: Mr. Segun Awolowo; Ebenezer Onyeagwu; Terry Waya; Nnamdi Okonkwo; and Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu Sisi Abah Folawiyo; and the former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel

L-R: Mrs. Onari Duke; the celebrant, Sisi Abah Folawiyo; and her son, Segun Awolowo

L-R: MD of Shell, Osagie Okunbo; Senator Florence ltaGiwa; and Segun Awolowo

L-R: Mrs. Bolanle Olusegun Obasanjo; the celebrant, Sisi Abah Folawiyo; and Mrs. Adejoke Babajide Sanwo-Olu

60

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

BOOK REVIEW

Temi Sogbuyi and Lola OJ (right), author of Before You Move To Nigeria

Beyond the Glitz and Glamour of Lagos Ferdinand Ekechukwu

T

he Supreme Being gave the world the care it required when He created it because He understood the need for balance. As a result, there is a man and a woman, good and evil, yin and yang, and even heaven and earth. Each of them complements the others for a different reason.

Following the widespread acclaim from Lola OJ’s international readership for her highly anticipated debut book Before You Move To Nigeria, launched in London on July 16th, 2022, this review shares a sneak preview of the book’s first chapter – Beyond the Glitz and Glamour of Lagos which is also found on Youtube.

Lola OJ understood how vital balance is and from her informed experiences with varying phases of living in Nigeria, she thought to show you the ropes of managing your experiences with the turbulent times of the country and let you see beyond the buzz of enjoyment and fun Lagos is colourfully laced with.

The opening chapter of the 139 page book heralds you into the real-time experiences of the book’s main character, Titi, a returnee to Nigeria who mistook the glamorous nature of partying in Lagos at night for a general mode of operations in the city. However, the author tried to strike the needed balance between the night’s fun and the busyness of the day.

When the subject of Nigeria is brought up in the presence of Nigerians who were born outside of the country, particularly the Millenials and Generation Z, they immediately think back to their earliest, warlike, ghetto memories of Nigeria—a

country with unruly citizens, irate military personnel, and a vengeful government.

Naturally, there are a number of biases and misconceptions regarding the motherland. Imagine leaving a place in pursuit of greener pastures, and after overcoming a significant portion of the desire for migration, discovering that the only people you were looking for were your children, who were either returning to the place you left or preparing to settle there.

This is the account of Titi’s parents, and as is to be expected of African, particularly Nigerian parents, they find the strangeness of these thoughts to be overwhelming and worrying. Interestingly, there is more to Nigeria than just the accounts of its hardships. However, many young adult Nigerians living overseas hold certain attitudes that have been reinforced by the traditional media.

As a result, these people are adamant about their perception of Nigeria, which is not their fault.

Nonetheless, the country’s bright side was highlighted at the start of this book.

The balance you need to pursue as you consider moving to Nigeria, the right attitude toward living a fulfilling life back home, and the opportunity to learn from the author’s mistakes, that’s all you’ll find in this promising chapter and details beyond word-ofmouth.

But you won’t know how useful this advice and insights are until you read through the pages for yourself. The best way to do so is to get a copy of the 9 chapter book right away.

61

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

TRAVEL NAFEST, Runsewe Commend Delta, Benue States on Culture Justina Uzo

A

s Lagos State prepares to host the 2022 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in November, the event’s organisers have appraised performance in the subsector.

The technical committee members of NAFEST looked down memory lane and concluded that some states have done well in promoting the nation’s rich culture.

The committee also singled out Benue and Delta State governors, Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Okowa respectively, for commendations for promote their unique cultures.

The Director General, the National Council for Arts and Culture, and President, Africa Region of World Craft Council, Otunba Segun Runsewe who received the state by state reports of the NAFEST technical committee

agreed.

He also looked at the culture and arts development across the country and commented on the very aggressive cultural development by the two governors.

The technical committee is made up of 36 commissioners of culture across the country and sister agencies such as the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), the National Institute of Cultural Orientation (NICO) and NIHOTOURS. The committee sits and receives progress reports and key programmes across the country as well as inspects accommodation and other facilities to be used for events.

At present, all eyes are on Lagos State.

This year’s event, which is the 53rd edition, was recently unveiled by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the state Commissioner of Tourism, Arts Runsewe, Director General, NCAC with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Culture, Mrs. Uzzamat Akinbile-Yusuf.

NCPC Urges Pilgrims, Christians to Help Rebuild Nigeria Justina Uzo

T

he Executive Secretary, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has advised Christians to help rebuild Nigeria.

Principal Executive Officer of the NCPC, Mary Gana who was in Nazareth, Israel on pilgrimage said Pam made this assertion on July 25, 2022 while addressing the pilgrims.

Gana said Pam explained the essence of pilgrimage which he declared is for “personal and spiritual encounter with God through visits to holy sites.”

The NCPC boss urged pilgrims not to use the exercise as a platform for business but rather a time to worship God sincerely.

He emphasized that strong security measures had been put in place by NCPC and the Israeli authorities to ensure that no pilgrim absconds.

“It shouldn’t be heard that a state is known for abscondment,” he said.

The Executive Secretary praised the team from Enugu State, saying “Enugu is the home of Christianity,” adding, “it is a state respected by all.”

Nigeria Christian pilgrims in Israel

Pam said that was why he has a robust relationship with Enugu State over the years.

Pam therefore advised Enugu pilgrims to behave responsibly and promote the state and Nigeria at large.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Enugu State, Rev. Emmanuel Edeh appreciated the Executive Secretary for being around.

He also thanked him for his counsel and encouragement.

He said: “Your presence here clearly shows that we are not alone.”

Edeh agreed that the Executive Secretary is a friend of Enugu State and as such he reassured that the state would do everything possible to promote Christian pilgrimage.

He explained that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had shown great support for Christian Pilgrimage.

“The Ugwuanyi’s administration has been handed over to God that is why we are here on pilgrimage to Israel to pray together for the good of the state.”

He therefore urged the pilgrims to portray a good image of the state and ensure they maintain a clean record throughout the exercise.

Amachree Worries about ASUU’s Unending Strike Justina Uzo

A

leading light in the tourism industry in the country and the Father of Nigeria Tourism, Chief Mike Amachree has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, do everything within his power to end the lingering strike action by teachers in Nigerian government-owned universities under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) so that the students can return to classes.

He said, as tourism industry practitioners, they are aware that there couldn’t be tourism practice without a peaceful environment and that’s the reason he was making it a point of duty to appeal that the strike should end.

Amachree, President, Centre for Promotion of Peace, Tourism and Culture (CEPTAC) in a press statement, said the

lingering strike action is giving a bad image to the country.

“Our students are supposed to be in the higher institutions acquiring the necessary education that will help them in the future to build the nation; instead they are at home as a result of the lecturers’ strike.”

The Port-Harcourt-based tourism operator, pointed out what the situation may result to: “The implication is that if government does not find solution to this long strike, they (our children) will grow to become vagabonds and become a menace to the society.

“I am therefore calling on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, resolve the issue. Delay in opening the universities will have future negative effects on the country.

“This prolong strike is also authenticating the notion among some foreigners that Nigerians prefer to

Amachree

study in foreign countries than developing the education sector in their own country.

“That is why we are not bothered about the closure of universities.”

Moreover, he said the prolong strike may also leave many citizens with the notion that the political class prefers to take their children outside the country to enjoy uninterrupted education while allowing the parents and students in Nigeria to continue to suffer from the prolonged strike action.

“The strike is making the children waste away at home.

It could lead them to crimes that they would not have engaged in if they were in schools,” he lamented.

Amachree regretted that the country is experiencing an upsurge in kidnapping, banditry and other anti-social activities.

“By not keeping the youths busy in the tertiary institutions, some may be lured into crime and the country will be worse for it,” he noted.

He therefore appealed to the federal government to see to the reopening of the universities without further delay.

62

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER AUGUST 6, 2022

NEWSXTRA

Jos Main Market: Stop Scaring Investors Away, Lalong Tells Politicians Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Following the controversies that trailed the deal by the Plateau State Government and an Islamic bank (Jaiz Bank) to rebuild Jos Main Market, Governor Simon Lalong has warned politicians from using economic initiatives as a campaign weapon which has the danger of scaring away investors from putting their money in the state.

The governor described the controversies as unnecessary and a distraction orchestrated by politicians who want to score

cheap political points.

Lalong, who as at the foundation laying and unveiling of the Palm Estate in Dwei, Du District of Jos South Local Government Area being developed by Odigbo Properties Ltd, described the LQLWLDWLYH DV RQH RI WKH EHQHÀWV of restored peace and stability in the state He commended the developer for choosing the state to provide housing for the citizens who are in need of houses due to WKH KXJH GHÀFLW LQ WKH VHFWRU On the Jos market, he said, “Let me make it abundantly clear

that the Jos Main Market will forever remain the property of the Plateau State Government managed by the Jos Main Market Authority while the 40 year lease is for individuals that will buy the shops and not Jaiz Bank. I appeal to our people not to pay attention to the propaganda and political exaggerations being peddled that the market will be sold out to an Islamic bank.

“Apart from the fact that all willing and able citizens will get the opportunity to buy the shops, government will ensure

$OOHJDWLRQV DJDLQVW 0H 6SXULRXV (;RUWV in Futility, Says Gombe Gov Yahaya Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

him and the administration from delivering dividends Gombe State Governor, of democracy to the people that nobody is excluded or given Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa of the state. undue advantage on account Yahaya, has described the It would be recalled that RI IDLWK SROLWLFDO D΀OLDWLRQ RU legal action embarked Gombe State chapter of the ethnicity. upon by the state chapter Peoples Democratic Party The market is going to be run of the opposition Peoples (PDP) and its governorship as a business and nothing else. Democratic Party (PDP) and candidate, Muhammad I plead with our citizens not to its gubernatorial candidate, Jibrin Barde, have urged the make utterances or take actions Jibrin Barde against his Federal High Court sitting in that will scare away investors candidature in the 2023 Abuja to disqualify the state from coming into the state JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQV DV HͿRUW governor, Mohammed Inuwa particularly at the time when in futility.

Yahaya and his deputy, Dr. we are gradually rebuilding the Speaking through his Jatau Manassah Daniel from economy. Even though we are at Director-General (Press contesting and participating a political period, let us always $ͿDLUV ,VPDLOD 8ED 0LVLOOL in the 2023 governorship separate politics from governance yesterday, the governor said election in Gombe State as Plateau State is greater than that it was a mere distrac- for alleged submission of our individual ambitions.” tion which will not deter IRUJHG FHUWLÀFDWHV

Don’t Drag Me to Politics, OPM General Overseer Pleads Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has pleaded with politicians across the country to distance him from involvement in political matters.

Apostle Chinyere explained that his mandate is to prepare people for heaven and assist the downtrodden in the society and not to get involved in politics.

It would be recalled that the clergy who operates a large Christian ministry with headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had recently offered international scholarship to the

FOR SAFE LAGOS… Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu briefing the Press after a meeting with members of the State Security Council, at the Government House in Marina, on Friday, 05 August, 2022. With him are Heads of Security Agencies in the state...yesterday

Boat Mishap: Nigerian Navy Rescues Two Ghanaian Fishermen Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Rivers State yesterday, he explained that “Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PROSPERThe Nigerian Navy Ship ITY while on patrol about 10 (NNS) has said it rescued nautical miles (nm) North WZR *KDQDLDQ ÀVKHUPHQ East of Dangote Quay on 2 who were victims of boat August 2022, sighted a man mishap in the high sea. ÁRDWLQJ DW VHD RQ D \HOORZ In a statement by Com- 20 litres gallon. modore A.O Ayo-Vaughan, “Accordingly, the ship NNS Director of Informa- altered course towards the tion, made available to position of the man and journalists in Port Harcourt, successfully recovered him.

“Subsequently, the rescued man revealed that a second person was involved. As such, the ship proceeded to the position of the second man and safely recovered him as well.

“Further investigations revealed that the rescued PHQ ZHUH *KDQDLDQ ÀVKHUmen residing at Takwa Bay, /DJRV 7KH\ ZHQW ÀVKLQJ Sunday July 31, 2022 but

encountered a boat mishap at about 10p.m. same day.

“Sadly, two of them were said to have drowned before the remaining two were rescued by NNS PROSPERITY,” Ayo-Vaughan added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security and safety of all seafarers in Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Choose Between APC, APP, Group Tells Senate Chief Whip Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia governor.

In a statement made availDEOH WR WKH PHGLD LQ 8PXDKLD Senate Chief Whip, Senator signed by its Coordinator, Dr. 2UML 8]RU .DOX KDV EHHQ XUJHG Onuoha Emezie, the group said “to come clean” and declare his that it has decided to put the real political interest by choosing Abia North Senator on the spot between the All Progressives after observing his surreptitious Congress (APC) and the Action activities that are hurting Abia Peoples Party(APP), which he APC. TARM alleged that Kalu has is allegedly romancing with in not only been sponsoring the Abia.

The challenge of stating his Abia State chapter of APP but true political colour was thrown has also been fishing in the at Kalu by a socio-political group waters of Abia APC to recruit in Abia under the aegis of The members for APP. “But the good news is that Abia Rescue Movement (TARM), which frowned at the clandestine many discerning APC members political activities of the former are rebuffing him. Yet, Orji Kalu

is not relenting in de-marketing the party and its candidates,” the group said.

“Senator Kalu’s involvement in APP is an open book which anybody can read. He is the chief recruiter and promoter of the party. His primary hunting ground is Abia APC.” The socio-political group noted that it was an aberration for a politician to put the right foot in one political party and thrust the left leg in another party.

“Instead of wallowing in pretence and self-deceit, Kalu must choose between APC and APP. He must choose, today, which of the two parties deserves

his loyalty. There are no two ways about it. What political system will support a man to be in two political parties at the same time?”

The group said that it was horrified that the former Abia governor and his followers usually regard his antics of double standard as “being smart”, noting that it was foolhardy to hold on to such belief.

TARM further condemned what it described as veiled attacks on the Abia APC governorship candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike, noting that it was aware that Kalu has been using fronts to attack the leader of Abia APC.

GLVDEOHG \RXQJ PDQ 8FKHQGX Godswill, seen on viral video on Facebook, carrying blocks with clutches.

The clergy, who disclosed that he has refused many offers by politicians, insisted that his philanthropic activities were to lift many Nigerians from poverty.

He said, “I Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM) is calling on well wishers and followers to allow me concentrate on preparing people to heaven which is my first priority and philanthropic and humanitarian engagements which is making God happy.

NCAC DG, Runsewe Commends Gov Bello for Promoting Nigerian Culture in India The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and President, Africa Region, World Craft Council, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has commended Governor Yahaya Bello for sponsoring Kogi State cultural troupe to Jurasukund International Festival in India to represent Nigeria.

According to him, “This is a wonderful gift and great support to cultural development in Kogi State, D FRQÀUPDWLRQ WKDW WKH Kogi governor is a lover of culture.” Otunba NCAC boss, who called for more robust cultural engagement in Kogi State, VDLG KH ZDV FRQÀGHQW WKDW the governor will do more for the state, saying Kogi is globally noted for its rich cultural history, and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians, which earned it a reputation for being the most peaceful destination in Nigeria.

“Governor Yahaya Bello has really earned our respect and admiration, because in spite of the unhealthy economic situation, he still went ahead to showcase Kogi, nay Nigeria to the world at Jurasukund international cultural tourism festival in India,” Runsewe added.

Kogi cultural contingent will also storm the 35th edition of NAFEST being hosted by Lagos State in November.

63

T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R •SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022

BACKPAGE CONTINUATION DAISY DANJUMA: THE AMAZING AMAZON AT 70 caring wife to her husband, the highly respected General T.Y. Danjuma. She supervises the preparation of his meals and serves the meals herself. Whenever, I visit the General, she would dutifully lay the table, then take her leave. There is nothing you will say that will make her stay, as she always insists on leaving

the men to eat and talk.

Without a doubt, the General’s wellbeing remains paramount to her.

While COVID-19 was raging, she became a total recluse, refusing to leave their home for any reason. She chose to sacrifice her social life to eliminate the risk of contracting the virus. She did

this principally to protect her beloved husband who on account of age could be vulnerable. This underscores her care, love, respect and devotion to the General.

As our dear and loving sister, an amazing, dignified lady with incredible soul, reaches the landmark three scores

and ten, I join many others in wishing her many more years in good health and great spirit, and God’s continued guidance, protection and blessings.

his lawyers maintained that he thought the helicopter was for humanitarian purposes.

While everyone is entitled to believe or not believe him, the bottom line is that the eventual outcomes of Mann and Thatcher ’s cases were evidently fruits of the British diplomatic pressures and interventions. Mark got $506,000 fine and suspended jail sentence by the High Court of South Africa where he lived. In 2009, President Obiang granted Mann “a complete pardon on humanitarian grounds” as opposed to the initial 34-year jail sentence handed him in 2008.

Interestingly, even on a matter as serious as coup plot, the UK Parliament weighed in heavily in favour of their citizens. Mann’s issue was raised at the floor of Parliament vide Written Questions by Rt. Hon. Henry Bellingham (who later became Parliamentary Undersecretary for Africa in David Cameron’s government), Sir Peter Bottomley; Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown; and Rt. Hon. George Iain Smith. Upon Mann’s extradition to Equatorial Guinea by Robert Mugabe, his representative, Rt. Hon. Jullian Lewis, told Parliament: “Quiet diplomacy has failed and we now have to save Mr. Mann, whatever he has or has not done”.

In 2008, a British citizen, Samantha Orobator, was arrested in Lao for trafficking in heroine. Not only was she eventually spared death sentence and handed a life imprisonment, she was equally sent back to Britain to serve her sentence based on a treaty for the transfer of prisoners, which

Britain entered into with Lao in the course of Orobator’s trial. Also, Lord Justice Dyson and Mr. Justice Tugendhat held that 18 months was an appropriate period, which she must spend in jail before her possible freedom.

In December 2018, a Jigawa State lady, Zainab Aliyu, was arrested upon arrival in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj after prohibited drug was found in a luggage bearing her nametag. It is fresh on the mind how Nigerian government pulled all the diplomatic strings to save her from a brutal fate. Nigeria eventually convinced the Saudi authorities that a drug cartel operating at the Kano and Saudi airports indeed inserted the drug in her luggage without her knowledge.

She was released in April 2019.

Given the foregoing instances, do not Ekweremadu and wife, who were only making efforts to save a sick daughter and did their best in making full disclosures to the UK High Commission deserve better, especially given the longstanding Nigeria-UK relations and the fact that the Ekweremadus and Nwamini are all Nigerians? Besides, none of the individuals have any prior criminal conviction in Nigeria.

Lastly, Ekweremadu is a renowned Igbo and opposition leader. It suffices to add that how the Federal Government handles this matter will be a subject of various interpretations, especially as to whether it is different strokes for different folks.

•Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Entrepreneur and President King’s College Old Boys Association

EKWEREMADU: IMPERATIVES OF DIPLOMATIC INTERVENTION to do with the colour of his skin?

Could UK authorities have treated a European or American parliamentarian in like manner? One would also be interested in knowing how the UK government intends to handle the goof and unprofessionalism of the IPO, who misled the authorities into hasty conclusions on David Nwamini’s age, among others.

Whereas one cannot claim expertise in International Relations and Diplomacy, one wonders if it was not unconscionable on the part of the British government to issue David Nwamini a visa following full disclosure by the Senator that Nwamini was travelling to the UK for organ donation, but only to do 360 degrees and charge the Senator and his wife for facilitating illegality?

Would it not have been fair and just to refuse the visa in the first place, citing the UK modern slavery legislation, especially as the UK is never known to be generous with visa to Nigerians?

Today, not only is Ekweremadu denied bail, the trial of a senior official of Nigerian government is enjoying protracted adjournments and he continues to remain in custody till 31st October while the real trial starts in 2023.

Meanwhile, as the world continues to ponder the oddities in the arrest and ongoing trial of the Ekweremadus, including what many see as grave assaults on the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations regarding persons bearing diplomatic passport, and the general breach of international standards and due process, one is compelled to wonder why it is always leaders of developing countries that suffer the fate of arrest in breaches of such Conventions? And imagine that a British citizen was at the receiving end in Nigeria.

But even more important are questions like: What holy anger has Nigeria expressed about it? What is Nigeria doing about it? How is Nigeria exploring diplomatic channels to resolve the matter, especially since all individuals involved are Nigerians, while Nigeria and the UK enjoy longstanding cordial relations? What steps have the South East Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo leaders, and Ekweremadu’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) taken to push for government’s diplomatic interventions? More so when Ekweremadu cannot be accused of ever abandoning his people and party men in distress.

One is honestly not in a position to answer these. However, it needs to be underscored, as a matter of fact, that serious diplomatic interventions have been deployed by nations, including the UK, USA, and even Nigeria in securing reprieve for their citizens in foreign lands. A few examples will suffice.

President Joe Biden administration is seriously intervening in the case of U.S basketball star, Brittney Griner, accused of possession of cannabis oil in Russia. Despite prevailing cold relations between both countries, U.S Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, said America had offered a deal to Russia to facilitate the release of Griner and Paul Whelan. Whelan is serving 16-year prison term in Russia for spying.

Also, according to CNN, sources familiar with the follow-up talks between Bliken and Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, revealed that Russia demands inclusion in the deal the release of Vadim Krasikov, a murder

Ekweremadu

convict and former colonel in Russia’s domestic spy agency, FSB, serving life sentence in Germany since 2021.

Worthy of note is that Biden and Americans are aggressively pushing for Griner ’s release even when over 40,000 people are presently doing prison terms in various parts of USA for the same charge owing to some state laws.

But to them, it is about an American in a foreign land.

Furthermore, in the aftermath of 2016 failed coup against President Recep Erdogan, an American pastor and resident of Turkey, Andrew Brunson, was arrested for alleged espionage and association with the Gulenist Terror Group and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). While talks were on, Trump sanctioned some Turkish government officials and hiked tariff on Turkish products. To save face under the diplomatic and economic heat, Turkey hurriedly convicted Brunson on charge of aiding terrorism, but sentenced him only to the period already spent in detention, and quickly released him to the U.S. It is a fact that worse fate awaited Brunson but for U.S’ intervention.

In 2004, a former UK army officer, Simon Mann, was arrested alongside 69 mercenaries over planned overthrow of President Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea. Mann was arrested during a stopover at Harare airport, Zimbabwe, where they were to be stocked with weapons and equipment for the coup.

Mark Thatcher, son of former British Prime Minister, was later implicated in the plot for paying for helicopter charter services for the coup. However,

•Obanoyen, an Architect and public affairs analyst, writes from Akure, Ondo State.

Saturday, August 6, 2022

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MISSILE

CSO to Buhari “Buhari should wake up to his responsibilities of steering the affairs of the nation in the areas of security and economic restoration or honourably resign if the challenges are overwhelming” –The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room mourning worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

KASHIMIBRAHIM-IMAM Daisy Danjuma: The Amazing Amazon at 70 GUEST COLUMNIST

I

t is easy not to run out of adjectives to describe Senator Daisy Danjuma.

She is accomplished, thoughtful, dedicated, driven, incredibly decent, extremely generous, remarkably considerate…. She is all of these, and much more. One image that keeps coming to mind about her is the picture of the audacious female warriors of ancient Greece, called the Amazons. She is the quintessential Amazon. Elegant and graceful, Senator Danjuma will literally go to war to protect her family and friends and the causes she believes in.

There are so many great things to say about her as she joins the septuagenarian club. But I will restrict myself to three areas: her sterling accomplishments, her kind and thoughtful personality, and her dedication and devotion as a wife to a great man.

I will start with the obvious by recounting some of the highlights of her illustrious career. She served meritoriously in the upper chamber of the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007. She gave a good account of herself in her legislative duties in both plenary and

Daisy

committee meetings.

As a Senator, she served on many committees, including as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women and

Youth Development and of ECOWAS Parliament’s Women and Children’s Rights. She stood out from the crowd in the Red Chamber through the force of her presence and the depth of her contributions. She raised a lofty flag for her Benin South Senatorial District, for women and the youths, and for the country as a whole.

Much earlier, she had performed creditably as a corporate lawyer, with stints at the Legal Aid Council, NAL Merchant Bank, and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she served as company secretary/legal adviser before going into private practice. But she has not restricted herself to Law, which she studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in the 1970s. She has also been a major player in the oil sector. She is currently the Executive Vice Chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), a key indigenous oil company, where she had previously served as the Chairman.

But what stands her out is beyond her remarkable career and public duties.

She is simply an amazing human being, extremely kind, caring and thoughtful.

She is the kind of friend and ally that everyone, no matter their station in life, needs in their corner. She remembers birthdays and other major milestones and makes it a point of duty to be present at important events in the lives of others.

For those that she cannot attend, she will call and send gifts.

Times without number, she will call just to enquire about the wellbeing of others. Even while on holiday in exotic places like Marbella, Spain and Paris, France, she is thinking about family and friends. This part of her was on high display at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the whole world was shut in and gripped by fear. She was not only in constant touch but also was sending medications and multivitamins to friends and associates to ensure that they are well fortified and protected.

Most remarkably, she has maintained a great balance between her professional/ public obligations and her primary duties on the home front. For her, family comes first. She has remained a devoted and Continued on page 63

SADIQOBANOYEN GUEST COLUMNIST

Ekweremadu: Imperatives of Diplomatic Intervention

O

n 23rd June this year, the global media was awash with reports of the arrest in London of a former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice, for allegedly conspiring to traffic a homeless 15-year old Nigerian to the UK to harvest his organs for their daughter, who has kidney failure. The London Metropolitan Police went on to assure that the “child”, now known as David Ukpo Nwamini, was under the care of safeguarding authorities.

Since then, the couple has appeared before Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court, Westminster Magistrate’s Court, and is currently standing trial at the Old Bailey Court over alleged offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

But even before the real trial, the couple and Nigeria were initially subjected to trial in the court of global public opinion given Police’s initial presentation of Nwamini as a homeless, orphan, and trafficked minor. The prevailing righteous indignation of Nigerians towards their successive political leaderships did not

also help Ekweremadu’s case. It even took clarifications by the likes of Prof.

Farouq Kperogi for many uninformed Nigerians to understand that he was not being held for attempted ritual or organ trading.

Yet, amid the initial opprobrium, there were many, who insisted that something must be wrong somewhere, as the narrative did not fit into the character, person, and antecedents of the lawmaker. Today, these people are gaining steady vindication, as those claims by Nwamini, which the Metropolitan Police relied on, are falling apart by the day.

Following Nwamini’s confession and admission of the prosecutors, the court has ruled that he is not a minor, but a 21 years old adult. The court has consequently lifted Nwamini’s initial exemption from court appearance and discourse by UK media. Again, it has been established that Nwamini’s father, Mr. Nwamini Ukpo, and mother, Mrs. Mary Ukpo, are alive and are currently living in their native home at Izzida, Nduofia village in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Equally, from a 26th June 2022 report

by Vanguard Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s leading dailies, which interviewed Nwamini’s brother, Jonathan, the young man could not have been homeless and was engaged in phone accessories business before his London trip.

Furthermore, Senator Ekweremadu, in a letter supporting Nwamini’s medical visa application, made full disclosure to the UK High Commission, which is a representative of the British sovereign in Nigeria. He explicitly disclosed the daughter’s illness, purpose of Nwamini’s visit, and the London hospital for the medical procedure. So, Nwamini travelled to London on “Type D” or medical visa.

He couldn’t have travelled for study or promise of “good life” in the UK on medical visa, which requires some strident processes before issuance.

It is now equally known that Nwamini’s visa was issued in January 2022 and he travelled to London in February where he stayed till May. You would suppose that a man (not a child) held and exploited against his will (modern slavery) would have reported to the UK authorities in February or March

or April, and not wait till May when he was supposed to return to Nigeria.

While the trial to determine the culpability or otherwise of Ekweremadu and wife goes on, it is not out of place to say that the Investigative Police Officer (IPO) acted most hastily, even irresponsibly, and unprofessionally in misleading the Metropolitan Police in the handling of the matter.

It is very awful and a disrespect to Nigeria for the Metropolitan Police to disregard the information contained in Nwamini’s international passport issued by Nigerian government after due diligence, to believe Nwamini’s claim of being a 15-year old minor and go to town and court with such without any slightest investigation that pointed to the contrary. Ditto the other tales by moonlight by Nwamini to gain the sympathy of the UK authorities.

This was in spite of the fact that they were dealing with a Nigerian Senator, who is ordinarily deserving of some benefit of the doubt. Could this have Continued on page 63

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