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Emefiele to Mark First Anniversary of eNaira with Review Workshop Aims to drive further adoption through public engagement Nume Ekeghe The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele is set to host the Minister of

Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami and that of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, at a one-day review workshop in Lagos next

Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of Africa’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), eNaira.

The workshop is themed,

“Leveraging Innovation for Inclusive Growth and Development: The eNaira Advantage.”

The two ministers will be speakers at the event.

In a statement yesterday, CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi said the objectives of the workshop include the review of the eNaira

implementation journey, one year after; how to drive further adoption of the eNaira through public Continued on page 5

Jonathan, Lawan, 42 Others Get Excellence Awards in Public Service... Page 14 Saturday 22 October, 2022 Vol 27. No 10056

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Floods: King Charles III Writes Buhari, Expresses Sadness Says UK stands in solidarity with Nigeria UNICEF: 2.5m Nigerian flood victims need assistance Bennett Oghifo, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Francis Sardauna

King Charles III of England yesterday wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari concerning the

devastating floods bedeviling most states of the federation, declaring that he "is deeply saddened" about the lives

lost to the disaster.

This is coming on the heels of a report by the United Nations Children's Fund

(UNICEF) indicating that 2.5 million flood victims in Nigeria are in need of humanitarian assistance,

"while more than 1.5 million children may face increased Continued on page 5

Tinubu Unveils Manifesto,Vows to End Petrol Subsidy, FX Crisis Promises security, prosperity, greatness President says he'll be in forefront of campaign APC will hand over to another APC government in 2023, Aisha Buhari declares Deji Elumoye Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, in his 80-page Manifesto unveiled in Abuja yesterday, vowed to end the controversial petrol subsidy gulping trillions of Naira annually, and also tackle forex crisis hindering the economy, if elected President next year.

In a related development yesterday, Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, in an interview on BBC, declared that the ruling APC would win the 2023 presidential election and “hand over to another APC government.”

Tinubu’s campaign policy document tagged “Renewed hope: Action Plan for a Better Nigeria" was unveiled at the

State House Banquet Hall, alongside the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)

by Buhari.

In the manifesto, aside from phasing out fuel subsidy, Tinubu promised to accelerate full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and implement additional favourable policies to attract investment in deepwater assets within six months.

He said: “I will ensure the stability of petroleum product supply by fully deregulating the downstream sector and ensuring that local refinery capacity will meet domestic consumption needs.

“We shall phase out the fuel subsidy yet maintain the underlying social contract between government and Continued on page 5

David Mark’s Son Dies in London Hospital, Battling Cancer... Page 6

REWARD FOR EXCELLENCE… President Muhammadu Buhari (right) presenting Distinguished Award for Industrial Revolution to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun during the maiden Nigeria Excellence in Public Service Awards (NEAPS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja …yesterday

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PAGE FIVE TINUBU UNVEILS MANIFESTO, VOWS TO END PETROL SUBSIDY, FX CRISIS the people. We do this by dedicating the money that would have been used on the subsidy to fund targeted infrastructural, agricultural and social welfare programmes ranging from road construction to boreholes, public transportation subsidies, and education and healthcare funding programmes.

“In this way, the funds are more directly and better utilised to address urgent social and economic needs.

Our planned approach will not only mitigate the price effects of deregulation but will also result in the significant expansion of public infrastructure and improvement of public well-being.

“Subsidy removal and deregulation are, however, only part of the solution.

To further increase our refining capacity, we shall focus on the rehabilitation of the nation’s refineries and shall consider, as a model, the joint venture partnership arrangements implemented by other leading oil-producing states and global petrochemical firms.”

On forex crisis hindering the economy, the document stated: “The recent dip in our exchange rate is primarily due to global supply and production shortfalls caused by global factors well beyond the scope of our control. Our diminished levels of oil production and the modest capacity of our manufacturing sector to expand production both serve to compound the pressure on the naira.

“Further compounding our difficulty is the fact that we are tied to an ineffective regime of multiple, somewhat arbitrary, exchange rates.

This situation gives rise to financial dislocation, currency speculation and arbitrage.

These practices divert much-needed funds away from productive endeavours that could employ hundreds of thousands of people and create products that improve average living conditions.

“To ensure that exchange rate policy harmonises with our goals of optimal growth and job creation driven by industrial, agricultural and infrastructural expansion, we will work with the Central

Bank and the financial sector to carefully review and better optimise the exchange rate regime. Our economic policies shall be guided by our desire for a stronger, more stable Naira founded upon a vibrant and productive real economy.”

In the document, Tinubu promised to establish a highly trained and disciplined anti-terrorist squad to tackle insecurity in the country.

He also assured that the Police would be repositioned to deliver on its primary duties of community policing and maintaining law and order through crime fighting and prevention.

"Military units will be better equipped with tactical communications gear and new vehicles to give them a greater communications and mobility advantage over criminals, bandits and terrorists.”

He said his government would implement measures to eliminate attacks on vital national infrastructure, saying this would be known as Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Plan.

The manifesto indicated that integral to this effort would be the deployment of modern technologies, tools and equipment to end crude oil theft, prevent vandalism of national assets and reduce, to the barest minimum, environmental pollution of the Niger Delta.

‘Ready to Hit the Ground Running’ During the unveiling of the manifesto, Tinubu said he and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, were more than ever ready to hit the ground running from day one if elected Nigeria’s President.

Tinubu restated that the country needs an “experienced torchbearer” to guide it through the doors of security, prosperity and greatness.

He said: “It is, therefore, fitting that we are unveiling the Tinubu/Shettima Action Plan for a Better Nigeria today. This Plan is not only a roadmap to a prosperous future, it serves as notice to the Nigerian people that, if elected, Senator Shettima and I shall work tirelessly to

reach that promised future from the first moment of the first day we enter office.

“The doors to security, prosperity and greatness are open to us. We must step through these portals, guided by a torchbearer with the experience and mettle to shoulder the task ahead.

Nothing short of this will suffice.

“I seek to become the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because I know the way. My experience and past performance assure that. It will be through collective effort and national endeavour that we join hands, cross divides, and achieve our vision.”

The APC presidential flag bearer said his campaign roadmap was borne out of interactions with Nigerians across the country who shared their needs and aspirations with him and Senator Shettima in the course of their travelling round the country.

“I ask you to join Senator Shettima and I on this journey. We have traversed every part of our nation, listening to the concerns and yearnings of Nigerians for a more prosperous and equitable society – better able to acknowledge and nurture the dreams of her people.

We share the peoples’ desire for a peaceful Nigeria where we all coexist in fairness, prosperity and with balanced representation in positions of authority.

“After visiting and meeting our compatriots; young and old, poor and rich, educated and uneducated, Christian and Muslim; we recognise that no Nigerian wants empty answers to hard questions at this hour.

“The country does not need fancy promises or foreign experiments.

Nigerians seek sustained progress and reform through stable governance and proven leadership.

“We need true and innovative solutions that address the specific challenges of each of our 36 states and our over 200 million people. We need our own Miracle on the Niger River,” he added.

He also pledged to give great importance to “Lead and deliver bold and assertive security measures to

enable a strong yet adaptive national security architecture that will obliterate terror, kidnapping, banditry and violent crime from the face of our nation.”

President Inaugurates PCC President Buhari yesterday inaugurated the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the APC, with a pledge to be at the forefront of electing Tinubu as his successor.

He said electing Tinubu would consolidate the achievements of his administration as the presidential candidate has the capacity, visionary leadership and track record to do more.

The President said: ''It would be disastrous to allow a situation that will lead to the reversal of the progress our country has made. Let me add that I joyfully accept the position of the chairman of the campaign council we are unveiling today. ''Our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is too well known for his capacity and can-do spirit. He stands tall in his track records as a democrat, a champion of the rule of law, a man at home in every part of our country, and a truly visionary leader. All you need to do is think of Lagos in 1999 and 2022!

Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), members of the Bankers' Committee, the academia, financial services, and telecommunications regulators, merchants, agents, cooperative groups and technical experts, the entertainment industry; among others.

The implementation of the eNaira has put Nigeria in the global spotlight as one of the pioneers to deploy a CBDC into live production. This has continued to attract the interest of global stakeholders such as the IMF, World Bank, other Central Banks, and the CBDC community.

In a related development, the CBN yesterday continued its sensitisation on how to utilise eNaira in Oshodi market, Lagos.

CBN’s Director, Information Technology Department,

Hajia Rakiya Mohammed, represented by Dr. Khalifa Nuhu of the Information Technology Department, CBN eNaira secretariat, noted that this sensitisation would drive adoption.

She said: “I'm sure you're all aware of what eNaira is and it is our hope and expectation that today, this activity will also improve other people's awareness especially in Lagos. Lagos, being a commercial hub in this country, we also hope this will propel awareness across the whole country.

“So, in terms of numbers, we have had a large number onboard the eNaira and this is one of the reasons why we are here today to increase those numbers.

“We are engaging both the Keke Napep which we call Maruwa in Lagos, we are engaging market women and men. The scope for today is wider than the last one.

‘APC will Hand over to another APC Government’ Aisha, wife of the President Buhari, in an interview on BBC yesterday, declared that the ruling APC would win the 2023 presidential election and “hand over to APC government again.”

Speaking on the 2023 elections, Aisha said the

ruling party would emerge victorious, adding, “I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be the First Lady of Nigeria and I think that position is such a priceless position. I pray to God to grant us good excitement and we will hand over to APC government again.”

Aisha asked Nigerians to forgive the ruling administration if it hasn’t met their expectations after seven years.

She said Nigerians placed high expectations on the current administration when it assumed office, adding that the government had done its best.

She said: “The expectations on us were too high. People expected so much from us and maybe after seven years we have not done to their expectations.

“Only God knows what is in somebody’s mind, as human beings, you can’t just say you are right or you have done what you should do. So, the government, the administration, they have really tried, they have done their best but maybe still not the best to others.

“To them, they have done their best, so, we must apologise to Nigerians whether we have met up with their expectations or not.”

FLOODS: KING CHARLES III WRITES BUHARI, EXPRESSES SADNESS risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition following the massive flooding."

In the latest casualty figures, no fewer than 600 persons have lost their lives, with 1.3 million people rendered homeless and over 200,000 houses destroyed by floods across 34 states.

In the open letter signed by the monarch yesterday, King Charles III sympathised with the victims of the flood, stating that the UK “stands in solidarity” with Nigeria over the flood.

The letter reads, “Your Excellency, Dear Mr. President, I wanted you to know how deeply saddened both my wife and I are to hear of the many people who have lost their loved ones and whose lives have been so dreadfully affected as a consequence of the

EMEFIELE TO MARK FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF ENAIRA WITH REVIEW WORKSHOP engagement and how to facilitate global policy dialogue on CBDC to promote peer learning and benchmarking.

He said the event would also feature a policy roundtable discussion on “Effective Collaboration for National Development (Infrastructure, Interoperability, regulation)” and a panel discussion on “eNaira Adoption for economic growth.”

He added: “The CBN, therefore, encourages Nigerians to be part of the celebration which shall be streamed live on the Bank's social media channels, as well as those dedicated to the eNaira.

Other key participants expected at the event include the Chief Executives of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), the Nigerian Deposit

''I, therefore, want to assure all party members and supporters of our government that I will be at the forefront of this campaign. ''This election is even more important than the election of 2015 that brought us into power. The cost of losing the gains our country has made is much more than the need to stop the hemorrhage that led to our coming together nearly nine years ago. ''I want to charge every member to put in all their efforts during the next four and half months of the campaign to ensure we record a resounding victory in all our elections nationwide. The future of this country is safer in our hands.''

The President described the APC presidential candidate as ''the Jagaban, my friend, partner, and brother.''

It’s not just one community.

We're looking at the Maruwa community, which is Keke Napep; buyers and sellers and also people using BRT and other means of transport.

That's why it's bigger than last year.

“The beauty about eNaira is that it is not a very technical application in terms of how you can access it, you can access it through multiple channels. You can access it using an Android phone or a smartphone if you are good with that. If you're not good with that type of technology or you don't have that type of phone, you can also access it using USSD which is the *997#, which is very easy.

That is why we are engaging agents. As you can see, we have different agents wearing different types of Tshirts. So, the agents will also onboard you, guide you step by step on how to use eNaira.”

devastating floods across Nigeria.

“We remember with the greatest affection our visits to Nigeria and the kindness of the people we met.

“However inadequate this may be under such tragic circumstances, our most heartfelt sympathy is with all those who have suffered so much, and our thoughts are with those working to support the recovery efforts.

“I know that the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Nigeria as you recover from these truly terrible events.”

2.5m Nigerians Need Humanitarian Assistance The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), yesterday disclosed that fewer than 600 persons have lost their lives to the raging floods, with 1.3 million people rendered homeless and over 200,000 houses destroyed across 34 states.

UNICEF, in a statement unveiled by its Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, indicated further that 2.5 million people in Nigeria are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the floods, “60 per cent of which are children and are at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition due to the most severe flooding.”

UNICEF adds: “In the North-eastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe alone, a total of 7,485 cases of cholera and 319 associated deaths were reported as of 12 October.

"As rains are expected to continue for several weeks, humanitarian needs are also expected to rise. Children and adolescents in flood-affected areas are in an extremely vulnerable situation. They are particularly at risk of waterborne diseases and emotional and psychological

distress.”

The UN agency said floods were adding a fresh layer of complexity to the precarious humanitarian situation in the country, saying the immediate priority needs for children include health, water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter and food.

It affirmed that more funding and resources were required to respond to growing needs and to sustain ongoing humanitarian interventions, with a focus on the most vulnerable, including children with disabilities.

Also, according to the UNICEF’s Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI), Nigeria is at extremely high risk of the impacts of climate change, ranking second out of 163 countries.

"Children in 'extremely high risk' countries face a deadly combination of exposure to multiple climate and environmental shocks combined with high levels of underlying child vulnerability, due to inadequate essential services, such as water and sanitation, healthcare and education.

"To date, UNICEF has supported the government response in three affected States – Jigawa, Niger, and Kaduna, including through the provision of cash assistance, distribution of cholera kits, governmentled mobile health teams, temporary learning centres and learning kits and cholera kits.

"With additional support, UNICEF can scale up its response in other states to provide lifesaving medical equipment and essential medicines, chlorination of water and sanitation supplies, as well as to support the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence," the statement added.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

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NEWS

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

S’Court Affirms Oborevwori as Delta PDP Governorship Candidate Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed an appeal by former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Edevbie, challenging the nomination of Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship

election in Delta State.

The apex court dismissed the appeal for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

Edevbie had approached the apex court to overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal which sacked him as candidate of the PDP. Recall that Justice Taiwo Taiwo

David Mark’s Son Dies in London Hospital Battling Cancer PDP, Atiku, Secondus mourn Bennett Oghifo in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja Tunde Jonathan Mark, son of former Senate President David Mark, has died in a London hospital where he was being treated for cancer.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the former Senate President’s media aide, Paul Mumeh, the 51-year-old Tunde, was the first son of David Mark, and was married with a daughter. His funeral arrangement would be communicated soon, the statement said.

The statement said Tunde was a Biochemist, and that he obtained a B.Sc degree from Kings College, London. He also studied Immunology alongside Biochemistry and later Biological Sciences in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Tunde was born on October 13, 1971 and attended Yaba Military School where he obtained his first school leaving certificate.

He later proceeded to Bradfield College, Berkshire, UK, for his Secondary school.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President,Atiku Abubakar, who is the Presidential candidate of the PDP, and the former National Chairman of the Party, and the National Technical Adviser to the National Campaign

Council, Prince Uche Secondus, have sent condolence messages to David Mark.

A press release signed by the Atiku Media Office yesterday, noted that the former Vice President was shocked and saddened by the news of Tunde Mark’s demise.

“It is with a heavy heart that I condole with the David Mark family over this loss. I share in your grief because Tunde and I had a special relationship of which I took him as a son.

“It is my prayer that God, who is the decider of all affairs, will heal all hearts that are hurt by this grief and accept the repose of his soul.”

Also, Prince Secondus, in a message of condolence said he got the ugly news with shock, and expressed sorrow on the loss of the young Mark, describing his death as a huge loss.

Prince Secondus regretted that “death came too early to such a resourceful and hardworking young man” but noted that “God his creator knows best and we cannot question him.”

He, however, said that “having died in Christ Jesus, the young Mark will make heaven to the joy and satisfaction of all,” and urged Senator Mark and the entire family to be consoled by the exemplary life Tunde lived that may merit him eternal rest.

Bayelsa Floods: Friends of Senator Dickson Begin Donation A few days after the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson donated over N15 million to alleviate the acute living conditions of flood victims in Bayelsa, his friends have raised additional N11 million to support them under the platform of Friends of Senator Dickson.

Dickson, who conveyed his appreciation to the benevolent donors most of whom prefer to be anonymous, also expressed the gratitude of the beneficiaries.

Dickson reiterated his appeal to public spirited individuals, NGOs, corporations, to come to the rescue of displaced and suffering flood victims.

The Senator said in a statement yesterday that he appreciated the initiative of his friends who came together to start this humanitarian drive.

According to him, a special account for the foundation

had been opened with Sterling Bank into which the donations from his friends are domiciled and into which further donations can be made.

Dickson also reiterated the policy of the foundation to record and publish the list of all donors as well as the beneficiaries for purposes of transparency.

However, he said that where there are requests for anonymity, the foundation will have no option than to respect their preferences.

He added that donation was not only in cash but also in kind as the foundation would make arrangements to receive all such donations in kind such as relief materials of every description.

He said, “Following the announcement of my donation to flood victims in Bayelsa State, some of my friends called to support and as of now they have raised N11 million. A number of them preferred to be anonymous.

of the Federal High Court Abuja had on July 7, 2022, sacked Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP having found him guilty of alleged forgery of his academic certificates and perjury.

Justice Taiwo then went ahead to order the PDP to submit the name of Edevbie as candidate of the party in the 2023 governorship poll.

However, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on August 29, set aside the judgment of Justice Taiwo.

The three-man panel led by Justice Peter Ige had held that the lower court erred in law in reaching the conclusion that Oborevwori was not qualified to participate in the governorship primary election of the PDP on account of forgery and perjury.

In the unanimous judgment, the three-man panel agreed with the appellant that the suit filed

by David Edevbie was wrongly

initiated, because allegations of criminal offences must be proven beyond affidavit evidence.

The panel noted that cases involving criminal allegations ought not to have commenced by an Originating Summons as in the instant case.

The court held that “this case cannot be resolved without recourse to oral evidence,” because the issue of forgery and falsehood and others raised by the plaintiff against the 1st respondent “is deeply rooted in criminality.”

The panel stressed that such criminal cases must be proven beyond reasonable doubt with the calling of relevant witnesses and not by mere affidavit evidence.

The court held that failure of Edevbie to call relevant witnesses was fatal to the case and the trial court erred in law when he found merit

in the suit and granted the reliefs sought.

The appellate court subsequently set aside the decision of Justice Taiwo and ordered the return of Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP in the 2023 guber poll.

Dissatisfied, Edevbie in a 23 grounds of appeal asked the apex court to overturn the judgment of the appellate court and restore the judgment of Justice Taiwo which declared him as candidate of the PDP. His lawyer, Mr. Ejembi Eko, SAN, in grounds 3 of the appeal, claimed that the appellate court erred in law when they held that his suit “at the trial court was not cognisable as an Originating Summons action.”

The appellant also disagreed with the ruling of the lower court that his case “had not crystalised and was premature” when it was filed. He argued that as an

aspirant the law stipulated that any complaint he had relating and arising from participating in a party’s primary must be ventilated within 14 days, adding that the cause of action of his case accrued within the 14 days allowed by Section 285 (14) of the Constitution.

Delivering judgment in the appeal, yesterday, the apex court led

by Justice Amina Augie, agreed with the appellate court that Edevbie’s case was premature and that his failure to prove his allegations of forgery and falsehood beyond reasonable doubt was fatal to the case.

According to Justice Tijana Abubakar, who read the lead judgment, the appellant ought to have waited for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to have published the name of Oborevwori before commencing the case.

GARLANDS FOR DRUG CZAR… L-R: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) and President Muhammadu Buhari, during presention of a plaque and certificate for excellence in drug law enforcement at the first Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

Soludo: Gunmen Who Attempted to Assassinate Ubah Arrested David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has revealed that some of the gunmen who participated in an assassination attempt on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah have been arrested.

Soludo revealed this yesterday when he visited Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area, the same community where the attack happened about a month ago.

Ubah, who lost four security aides and two personal assistants during the attack, was able to escape in his bullet proof car.

The governor who disclosed this during the burial of Pa Boniface Nwankwo, father of Hon. Dozie Nwankwo who

represents Dunukofia, Njikoka, Anaocha federal constituency in the House of Representatives and wife of former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said the culprits have been arrested and that security operatives were on the trail of the other members of the gang who are at large.

“Three weeks ago, it was in this same community that some elements chose to attack Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. I want to tell you that we have arrested a number of those involved in that attack.

We are still on the trail of the remaining people.

“We will not let people like that define who we are. This is Anambra State, and we are peaceful people. We must embrace peace, even in the coming election.

Anambra is peaceful, Anambra is safe.

“We have chased away bad elements in the state. The pockets of crime you hear of are just a small number of the bad elements left. They will not disappear in one night, even in civilised places, there are still few bad elements,” the governor said.

Soludo, who joked with one of the sons of the deceased, Hon. Dozie Nwankwo who is a senatorial candidate said, “Dozie, all the people you are running for Senate against are here, so who will leave the contest for the other? We are Anambra people, and violence doesn’t define us. Irrespective of party, we will remain brothers

and sisters, and we always come together like this to support one another.”

The governor eulogised the deceased, saying he lived a good life, long and impactful one too having died at the ripe age of 83.

Other guests who joined the bereaved family to eulogise the deceased included wife of the President, Aisha Buhari who participated virtually during the burial mass, former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, Senators Victor Umeh, Uche Ekwunife, and many other dignitaries.

Dozie Nwankwo in his remark, thanked all who graced the burial, confirming that despite political differences, political players in the state are peaceful and see each other as their brothers.

Again, EFCC Arraigns Ex-Lagos AG, Shasore Wale Igbintade For the second time in two days, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the former Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Shasore was docked before Justice Dada on a two-count charge bordering on alleged corrupt offers to public officers.

It would be recalled that Shasore was on Thursday arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a four-count charge of money laundering.

Shasore pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge bordering on corrupt officers contrary to Section 9 (1) (a) (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2020.

Following Shasore’s not-guilty

plea, the lawyer to the EFCC, Bala Sanga, asked for a trial date to prove the allegation against the Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

But the former AttorneyGeneral’s counsel, Yemi CandideJohnson, SAN, requested for his bail on liberal terms or self-recognisance, arguing that Shasore, is not a flight risk and that the alleged offences were bailable.

In reaction to CandideJohnson’s request, the EFCC

through its counsel, Sanga did not object to the bail application but prayed the court to give conditions that will ensure that he attends his trial.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Dada granted Shasore (SAN) bail and released him to his lawyer with a promise to undertake to present him to the court during the trial.

Justice Dada adjourned until December 6, 2022, for the commencement of the trial.

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INSIGHT

An existential threat...

Nigeria and Public Service Delivery

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igerians may be divided along ethnic and religious lines on so many issues. However, there are many other issues around which Nigerians find common ground. One of such issues is the failure of leader-

ship.

There are many Nigerians who believe that independence came too early for Nigeria. The colonialists who had no choice but to give in to the tide of independence that was washing across Africa certainly thought so too but had no option but to leave for their countries. When Nigeria slipped into the cauldron of a catastrophic civil war in 1967 and stewed therein for about three years, the colonialists must have knowingly nodded.

The misguided military personnel who took turns in booting their way to power in subsequent years, trampling the country`s constitutions and institutions before 1999 also thought that they could whip an errant country into line.

They certainly deluded themselves enough to be convinced that they could bring stability and security to a country badly shaken by atrocious civilian administrations.

Whether they ever meant well for the country, or whether they only saw an opportunity to help themselves to the spoils of a looted country is a question that history is yet to fully answer. However, the fact that corruption was practically institutionalized during the Babangida regime and the staggering scale of sleaze under the Abacha regime leaves little doubt about the answer that history may yet give.

At the heart of Nigeria`s leadership crisis is a scandalous failure of infrastructure and institutions.

That these are not in place indict the men who lived in Nigeria`s corridors of power in previous years and those who now live there. In many ways, it appears that a place that should have enabled men work to bring tangible results to Nigeria turned into a little more than a retirement home and a relaxation spot for many of them.

Thus, in many aspects, Nigeria lacks the infrastructure that make for a great country. If the country remains steeped in deep darkness today, it is because for many years, power supply has continued to prove an insurmountable challenge.

The darkness the failure of power supply is constantly emitting and seemingly affecting other aspects of Nigerian life. Public education and healthcare continue to fail miserably; transportation

remains a problem just as many Nigerians continue to go without clean water.

Many Nigerians remain poor just as the realization grows every day that the country is not built to withstand shocks.

In many public schools in Nigeria, windows, doors and roofs have flown off classrooms just as reptiles have moved in to compete for space with students.

In many government hospitals, the ear-splitting sound of generating sets deployed to make up for the absence of steady power supply is enough to wake the dead. In many government offices, the queues waiting to be served are often chaotic and querulous just as staff are unkempt and uncouth. All these have continued to contribute to the biting narrative that Nigeria is a country fast running out of breath.

Life has become increasingly difficult in Nigeria and there is only very little doubt about the direction the finger of blame is pointing. There is also very little doubt that unless something drastic is done by the government to improve public service delivery, the last shreds of public confidence will soon wither.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

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

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

‘Kindergarten President’ and Language of Politics

H

istory has shown that political gaffe seldom happens without corresponding consequences.

“In our time,” George Orwell famously wrote, “political speech and writing are largely the defence of the indefensible.”That aptly defined both the gaffe of Senator Uche Ekwunife — the lawmaker representing Anambra Central— and the damage control of her spin doctors.

Interestingly, it is not difficult to either fathom or interpret the views eloquently expressed by the senator at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar flagged-off his Presidential Campaign.

Iyom, as she is fondly called, unarguably, spoke well in the event until her reference to “Kindergarten President” —a phrase many have likened to one spitting in the cup they once drank from.

Then comes the defence — and later the debate: “It’s BAT, not Peter Obi.” Is that not the dumbest argument ever heard in this election? It boils down to the Orwellian tact of defending the indefensible.

In politics, speech matters. Mitt Romney snatched defeat in the mouth of victory in the 2012 US Presidential Election partly because of his “47 percent American” gaffe — and more importantly his denial.

Generally speaking, none of the three top contenders to Aso Villa can be qualified as “kindergarten” — but was Ekwunife’s comment veiled? It was obvious that the reference was made to spite Peter Obi — the candidate of the Labour party. The smoking gun: “People should stop telling us the problem that we already know. We need solution!”

Ekwunife said.

For avoidance of doubt, Senator Ekwunife throwing her weight on Atiku is a matter of party discipline and choice.

But can she defeat Peter Obi in Anambra Central? Time Shall Tell!

Asikason Jonathan, Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

14

NEWS Buhari Confers Excellence Awards on Jonathan, Lawan, 42 Others Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday presented Excellence Awards in Public Service to former President Goodluck Jonathan and 43 other prominent Nigerians at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS), held at the Conference Centre of the State House, Abuja.

Buhari said he was delighted that the maiden edition of the NEAPS was a private-sector initiative, organised by The Best Strategic Media in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to recognise excellent service delivery.

He said, “I am particularly happy to recognise His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, my predecessor, for his contribution to peace building from the Niger Delta region, which was snowballed into the Nation and now, around the world. Since leaving office, he has deployed his rich experience to ensure peace in many parts of Africa and has led mediation talks in several parts of the globe.”

While thanking organisers of the event, The Best Strategic Media (TBS), led by Ms. Mariam Mohammed, a Publisher and Public Relations expert, for the continuous support of his administration, President Buhari said the

initiative was commendable “for deploying one of the best indices to determine the level of performance of Public Officers.’’

In his remarks, former President Jonathan, who received an Award for Peace Building, thanked the President for always making time to encourage initiatives that recognise the contributions of individuals and institutions to nation-building.

“On behalf of all those that have received awards, I wish to say a very big thank you to the President and organisers,’’ Jonathan said.

Describing the event as unique, the former President assured that the awards will serve as an impetus for more service to the nation and humanity.

Earlier in his speech, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha,

said NEAPS is an award that recognises hard work and purposeful leadership that has contributed to national development.

According to him, “The Nigerian Excellence Award in Public Service is an award that recognises and rewards innovation, purposeful leadership and other exceptional deserving individuals that have contributed

immensely to the growth and development of the public service and the country at large.”

The President presented various categories of awards to 44 recipients including Jonathan; the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; 16 state governors, including those of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers and Bauchi.

2023: NEDG Streamlines Presidential Debate to Four Candidates Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) has stated that it would streamline the 2023 elections Presidential debates by limiting the field to only four serious candidates from corresponding political parties.

The Executive Secretary, NEDG, Eddie Emessiri, disclosed this yesterday while briefing the press.

He said it would be an impossible task to get the best from the debate with 18 presidential candidates, adding that the candidates to be considered for the debate will be decided through opinion polls.

“NEDG has a selection criteria and a framework

that we use to shortlist some candidates that will be invited.

Following that selection criteria that we are employing, we are also carrying out a poll with the general public in order to validate the selection criteria and the names of the people who will be appearing in the debates because it needs to be by popular consent. The results of that will be out shortly and once they are we will release them to the general public,” he said.

He stressed that owing to the large number of presidential candidates, the group had to adopt a methodology for the selection process because of the limitation of time and the fact that it is a broadcast event.

Ex-Kwara Gov Aspirant Decries Nigeria’s Debt Profile A former Kwara State governorship aspirant, Pastor Sunday Babalola, has decried Nigeria’s rising debt profile.

He stated that such was mortgaging the future of Nigerians.

He spoke at the seventh edition of the scholarship presentation ceremony of Bayo and Bunmi Babalola Foundation (BBBF), which took place recently at Omu Aran High School, Irepodun Local Government of Kwara State.

BBBF, is a non-governmental organisation founded by Babalola and his wife, Pastor Bunmi.

During the 7th edition, BBBF gave scholarships to 558 people in Kwara State.

The beneficiaries consisted of pupils from Junior Secondary School 3; Senior Secondary School 3; students from tertiary institutions and others. This brings the total number of beneficiaries from the inception of the scholarship to date to about 1,920.

Group Condemn Calls for Resignation of INEC Chairman John Shiklam in Kaduna The Unified Nigeria Youths Forum (UNYF) has condemned recent calls for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, saying those behind the call were sponsored by unpatriotic politicians seeking to manipulate the 2023 general elections at all cost.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, President of the group, Abdulsalam Kazeem, urged Nigerians not to fall for the antics of politicians who are fabricating all sorts of lies against the INEC boss.

He said, the allegations of

ghost voters, registration of foreigners and preloaded fake accreditation as insinuated by mischief makers are false and unfounded.

“Those behind this charade are nothing but paid agents and goons of selfish and unpatriotic politicians seeking to manipulate next year’s general elections at all cost,” he said.

The Arewa Citizens Watch for Good Governance, had last week, demanded for the resignation of the INEC Chairman, alleging that he and his team were morally compromised and were deliberately working against the interest of the North to suppress voters in the region.

ABUJA SUPA KOMANDO LAUNCH …

L-R: Joseph Attalah, General Manager, Commercial, Seven-Up Bottling Company Ltd(SBC); Segun Ogunleye, General Manager, Marketing, SBC; Reekado Banks, Artiste; Amaka Ezuruike, Head of Activations, SBC, and a guest at the at the launch of Supa Komando Energy Drink from the stable of Seven-Up Bottling Company in Abuja... recently.

Adegbite: Russian-Ukraine War Increases Foreign Interests in Nigeria’s Coal Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, has revealed that the ongoing energy challenge in Europe occasioned by the Russian-Ukraine War has increased foreign interests in Nigeria’s coal.

Adegbite disclosed that the Prime Minister of Poland had made enquiry about the country’s coal as an alternative energy source for the European country.

The Mines Minister made the disclosure on Thursday while delivering a lecture during the

2022 annual reunion of the Old Boys Association of Government College Ibadan, at Gbongan Osun State, titled ‘The Mining Sector’s Pivotal Role in the Diversification of the Nigerian Economy’.

Adegbite in a statement in Abuja through his S .A. Media, Ayodeji Adeyemi, further hinted that he had been invited by some Europeans to speak about the Nigerian coal.

According to him, ‘’Nigeria has an abundance of proven and probable reserves of coal.

The proven reserve of coal is 639 million metric tons while

the probable reserve is put at 2.75 billion metric tonnes. Our coal is one of the best in the world and easily convertible to energy.

“In fact, when I came into office coal was being looked at as being dirty. However due to the energy situation in Europe and because winter is coming Nigeria’s coal is attracting a lot of attention from major foreign investors,” he said.

Speaking about the nation’s abundant Bitumen reserves, Adegbite said the country was on track to develop its Bitumen resources and would not need

to import Bitumen again.

Adegbite also observed that local Bitumen production would save the country foreign exchange spent on importing the mineral, while generating income for the government and creating thousands of jobs.

Continuing, the minister disclosed that the country’s Bitumen deposits is ranked sixth in the world in terms of reserve size, adding, “the nation was endowed with a Bitumen reserve size of 42.74 billion metric tonnes, which had remained unexploited for years.”

Niger Delta Minister Dismisses Alleged N480bn Fraud Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has dismissed as “false and totally baseless” series of allegations of N480 billion fraud made against him by those he described as professional petition writers, declaring that there is no iota of truth in the claim and that no fraud has been committed

under his watch in the ministry.

Umana, said despite all efforts by the petitioners and their hired hands to malign his person, the funds associated with projects alleged to have been embezzled have neither been released nor expended on the projects cited in the petitions.

The minister in a statement, issued via email, in response

to the petition purportedly tendered before the National Assembly, explained that in line with his directives at the last meeting of the National Council, adjustments had been made in the 2022 budget proposals of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to accommodate core regional infrastructure projects based on a new template for

the development of the Niger Delta region.

He said, “It is senseless for the petitioners to allege that the compilation of projects to include in the budget proposals of NDDC for 2022 for transmission to the National Assembly is a crime. Everything is at the proposal stage; no contracts have been awarded and no money has been disbursed or expended.”

Armed Forces Prepared for 2023 Polls, Says IG Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, declared yesterday that the Nigeria Police, the military and other security forces were fully prepared to ensure a free, fair, credible and acceptable polls in 2023.

He assured that the elections would hold as scheduled.

According to him, contrary to speculations in some quarters

that the forthcoming polls may not hold in some parts of the country due to security concerns, he said the elections would hold nationwide as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The IG, who spoke in Abuja, warned political actors to play by the rules of the game and to stop overheating the system, saying the era of ballot box snatching was gone for good in the country

based on the various innovations introduced into the system by INEC. The IG, who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on the conference and retreat for senior police officers taking place in Owerri, Imo State, declared that the Nigeria Police and other security forces were fully prepared to ensure “free,

fair, credible and acceptable polls come 2023.”

He said that the Owerri retreat was being put in place to map out strategies for the smooth conduct of the polls and would be attended by the senior police officers from the ranks of commissioner of police, the presidential candidates of all the registered political parties and personnel from other security forces.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

The Zamfara State Killing Field

W

hen Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last July for the All Progressives Congress (APC), he declared that the issue of insecurity in his state would be effectively tackled with his membership of the party running the show at the federal level. While announcing his defection, Matawalle expressed confidence that Zamfara State would experience growth and all the dividends of democracy; that killings and kidnapping would become history in the state.

At the rally in Gusau to celebrate his voyage to the APC, Matawalle danced like a masquerade. “Politics is about interest and confidence. Many of the politicians have changed from one party to another, so it is not a new thing and I decided to change so that I can bring more peace to my state.

I believe we will get more troops to come and flush out the criminals. I assure you that you’ll see a lot of changes, because we will get more improvement on each facility that we have,” avowed the Zamfara governor.

Unfortunately, nothing has changed in Zamfara State in terms of improved security and welfare for the people, 15 months after Matawalle’s bizarre defection to the APC. The state remains a killing field with scores murdered daily by terrorists. The defection was just razzmatazz to satisfy this governor’s egocentric tendencies. Back then, the Zamfara State Governor knew that so many APC-controlled states were also experiencing massive attacks by terrorists and the government at the centre couldn’t help them. Instead of finding a way around this challenge, Matawalle elected to play politics with the security of his people.

The pummeling of Zamfara State by terrorists worsened under Matawalle’s membership of the ruling APC. Nine days back, he cried out piercingly.

According to a statement by one of Matawalle’s aides last week, killings and kidnappings persist in Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun and Kaura Namoda local government areas.

In fact, the governor had to completely shut two local government areas - Anka and Bukkuyum – while hoping that security agencies would take advantage of the total restriction to checkmate the terrorists.

Roads leading to some towns and vil-

Matawalle

lages consistently attacked by terrorists were also closed indefinitely by Matawalle. They include Colony to Lambar Boko, Bakura to Lambar-Damri, Mayanchi-Daki Takwas to Gummi, Daki Takwas to Zuru, KucheriBawaganga–Wanke, Magami to Dangulbi and Gusau to Magami. Also closed were Danjibga and Bagega markets, where terrorists allegedly trade in cattle.

All political activities in the state were likewise suspended indefinitely by the Zamfara governor, “as part of measures to enable the gallant security men conduct their operations without hindrances.”

No doubt, Zamfara State is in a big mess.

Terrorists roam freely almost everywhere unhindered. Matawalle met the state in a very bad situation in terms of security, but Zamfara deteriorated greatly under him.

The blood of innocent people flows freely daily. Matawalle’s inability to manage the fighting between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers compounded the security crisis. The slaughtering in Zamfara is largely a product of the unending dispute between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers. Fulani militias fight for the herders while Yan Zakai retaliates for farmers.

I will never forget how Fulani militias invaded Kadawa Village, in Zurmi Local

Government Area (March last year) and killed 93 people. Within three days in April last year, 80 people were killed by Fulani militias and in counter killings by Yan Sakai in series of attacks in four villages – Gobirawa, Rini, Gora, and Madoti Dankule – all in Bakura and Maradun LGAs. Even in Matawalle’s Maradun LGA, Fulani militias enjoy a free rein. At a point, this year, they decreed that there must no longer be farming in Faru village of the LG. Faru farmers that refused to heed this pronouncement were dealt a solid blow. No fewer than seven of them were killed in their farmlands. The militias have been terrorising the village since the beginning of this year’s rainy-season farming.

I am not sorry to say that Matawalle aided terrorism by heaping money on Fulani militias in the name of amnesty. The terrorists got enough money to buy more than the weapons submitted. That’s what Matawalle was doing for the militias for almost two years, until he stopped last year. This governor pumped huge money into this useless amnesty that encouraged more militias to join the flourishing “business” of killing and kidnapping in Zamfara State.

At one point, Matawalle was even justifying lawlessness by the terrorists. Can you imagine a governor saying “most of the bandits take up arms due to the injustice to them by some members of the society?”

That was what Matawalle said back then. The Zamfara governor added: “If you investigate what is happening, and what made them to take the laws into their hands, some of them, sometimes were cheated by the so-called vigilante groups. They normally go to their settlements and destroy property and take their animals. They did not have anyone to speak with, so sometimes, they go for revenge.

When vigilante groups attack them, they go for reprisals. That is exactly what happened.”

That was the day I gave up on this governor. At a point, I was convinced that Matawalle was enjoying the game of terror that was, daily, claiming scores of lives in his state. Last January, he said the terror would not end soon because “some people are behind it.” What Matawalle was telling Nigerians was that the people behind terror attacks are bigger than federal and Zamfara State governments combined. His other unending story is that his government “is investigating those collaborating with terrorists in the state

Gov Umahi Misusing Ebubeagu

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overnor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State is still using the state’s security outfit, Ebubeagu to harass political opponents. The list of preys is growing daily. The latest political opponent to fall victim is Labour Party’s Senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South, Linus Okorie. The “crime” committed against Umahi is Okorie’s growing popularity in Ebonyi South, where the governor is also running for the senatorial ticket under APC. This week, Umahi unleashed Ebubeagu on Okorie for “dealing in hard drugs” in his night club. What is the business of Ebubeagu with drug traffickers? Has Ebubeagu taken over the responsibility of NDLEA? Even the Ebonyi State Police Command is working closely with Umahi in this dangerous business. Can you imagine the police defending his kidnap, saying Okorie was abducted because he did not respond to previous invitations

by Ebubeagu to answer questions on

dealing in hard drugs and other offences?

The police that could not arrest Okorie, after their own invitation, eventually traced him to the head office of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit at the Old Government House, Abakaliki, last Monday. What a country!

Aside from “dealing in hard drugs”, other allegations against Okorie, as presented by the police, are spreading fake news against Umahi and “activities/utterances that provoked the violence that engulfed Onicha in 2021.” For now, Okorie is languishing at Abakaliki prison. He was arraigned in a Magistrate court and remanded.

Many will remember how Umahi recently harassed and dehumanised Umahi PDP’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Enough of Umahi brutalising opChika Nwoba, “for circulating fake ponents with Ebubeagu. This must not news in the social media.” Nwoba continue in Ebonyi. I’m also appealing was punching holes in the rambling to the Inspector General of Police, Usadministration of Umahi, with facts man Baba to caution the Ebonyi State and figures. The badly shaken Umahi Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Garba, decided to send Ebubeagu after Nwoba. who is being used by the governor to He was arrested, thoroughly beaten intimidate opponents. and handed over to the police.

with a view to fishing them out and punishing them.” Matawalle has been saying this for over three years. Not a single terror leader has been fished out and punished. It seems he is now tired of this hackneyed story.

On the terror attacks in Bukuyyum and Anka local government areas of Zamfara, early this year, that claimed an estimated 200 lives, Matawalle similarly chose to play politics with the death figures. He declared that only 58 people were killed, as if he was not talking about human lives. He avowed: “First, we went to Bungudu and we confirmed from the emir that only 36 people were killed and two communities were razed by these bandits, and when we went to Anka, we met the emir, and he gave us a list of 22 people that were killed, making a total number of 58 people killed. But as I’ve been saying, there are some political bandits who have been spreading lies, rumours so that they can achieve some political gain.”

This governor should be worried by the killing of just one of his citizens by terrorists; more so, according to his own record, 58 people killed. Of course, Matawalle was just trying to play down the number of fatalities. The 200 death figures from Bukuyyum and Anka had independent verifications. The people directly affected also confirmed the figures.

With the actions taken last week, it seems Matawalle is now interested in fighting terrorism in Zamfara. He can reduce killings by first finding a political solution to unending clashes involving Fulani herders and Hausa farmers. He must not be seen backing Fulani militias as currently happening. The Zamfara State governor should also put pressure on the President and the military to truly tackle terrorism in the state. This idea of fantasy bombing of terrorists in the state must end.

I’m usually disturbed whenever the military report raids in Zamfara without ground troops mopping up. We hardly see the vanquished terrorists.

Foreign Airlines Exploiting Nigerians

T

he exploitation of Nigerians by foreign airlines has been on for too long.

This came to the fore again this week in Abuja when the House of Representatives hosted a meeting to find a way out of foreign airlines’ trapped funds. The truth is that Nigerians pay more than Westerners (even more than some African countries) for flights of similar distance. For instance, it is cheaper to travel from New York to London, a distance of over eight hours, than from Lagos to London, a distance of about six hours. Their hidden excuse for charging Nigerian more is that it takes a long time to repatriate tickets revenues from Nigeria.

At the forum in Abuja, the Chairman of a Nigeria airline demanded for the exchange rate used by foreign airlines to calculate fares for Nigerians. He alleged that they currently charge, using parallel market rate, which is about the N740/$ now, and thereafter, compel the CBN to offer them forex at official exchange rate (now about N447) while repatriating revenue.

The way forward is simple. Foreign airlines should be allowed to sell tickets in USD. It will be win-win for everybody.

Competition along this line will push down fares. Travellers will get a good deal. The pressure on the CBN to provide forex at official rate, to cover ticket sales of these airlines will also end. As at yesterday, the foreign airlines were still waiting for the CBN to give them $700 million at official rate. This garbage must stop.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

16

NEWS Polaris Bank Appoints Ahmed Board Chairman, Sonola MD Bennett Oghifo

HERE’S MY PLAN FOR NIGERIA… L-R: Vice Presidential Candidate of the APC , Kashim Shettima; APC National Chairman , Abdullahi Adamu; President Muhammadu Buhari; APC Presidential Candidate , Bola Tinubu; his wife , Senator Oluremi; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and Chairman, Presidential Campaign Council and the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong,, at the unveiling of APC Presidential Campaign Council and the Tinubu’s manifesto in Abuja...yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

Atiku Back from France, Set for Edo Rally Today Ahamefula Ogbu Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar who travelled to France earlier in the week is back to the country.

Atiku came back yesterday though details of the trip were not made public but he was

seen in company of some party faithful including the Chairman of his Presidential Campaign Council and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom.

He is also slated to attend a campaign rally in Benin, the Edo State capital today in continuation of his national campaign to garner votes in the next year election.

He had been rumoured to have left the country suddenly on account of ill health which was denied with his spokesman, Paul Ibe, explaining that the trip was a scheduled one for business purposes.

The ruling party had through former Minister of Aviation, Feni Kayode, alleged that he “collapsed” after the rally in

Kaduna State and was rushed out of the country.

The controversy over the DOOHJHG LOO KHDOWK JRW D ÁXUU\ of responses from Atiku camp ZKLFK ÁRRGHG WKH PHGLD ZLWK photographs where Atiku was meeting with either business partners or foreign media to put a lie to the claim of his being medically indisposed.

Flood: Former President Jonathan’s Community, Palatial Home Submerged Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

of natural disaster. The whole premises of our former president and the community is under attack. And this is where you also have the federal university.

This situation makes the former president an IDP. “To our citizens, particularly in Ogbia local government, I came to see things for myself in Otuoke and to bring you hope. I came to also let you know that you are not alone in these trying times that we are all going through in our state.

“We have put in place machinery that is going round the state in terms of relief materials and medicines. The Ministry of Health is fully mobilised for that and I am sure they will be here in no distant time.

situation.

Speaking to journalists, after 7KH UDPSDJLQJ ÁRRG WKDW YLVLWLQJ VRPH RI WKH DͿHFWHG has devastated most part homes and communities, Govof the country and almost ernor Diri lamented the degree the entire Bayelsa State, has of destruction caused by what taken over Otuoke, home he described as an “attack by town of the former President, natural disaster” on the liveliGoodluck Jonathan, Ogbia Local hood of Bayelsans.

He stressed that Otuoke, Government Area of the state.

The palatial country home of which is the host community the former President and that of a federal university, had been of his aged mother had been submerged and most of the VXEPHUJHG LQ WKH ÁRRG WKDW KDV locals displaced, including the taken all over the communities home of the former president.

The governor, however, urged in the local government area.

The Bayelsa State Governor, the people not to despair even Senator Douye Diri, in continu- in these trying times, assuring ation of his assessment of the them that the state government ÁRRG VLWXDWLRQ LQ WKH VWDWH ZDV had put in place machinery to in Otuoke, hometown of the provide relief materials and former President to assess the medical assistance to victims

RI WKH ÁRRG He equally empathised with the former president, who he said is now also internally GLVSODFHG DV D UHVXOW RI WKH ÁRRG He said, “As we have seen in other local government areas in the state, we have come to Ogbia and parts of Southern Ijaw today. I had been to AyamaIjaw and Azikoro communities in Yenagoa, which is also badly hit.

“Now I am in Ogbia, precisely at the residence of the former president of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. You can see the degree of destruction here in Otuoke. The water current is as if there is a river here.

“This is what I have been saying. Bayelsa is under attack

FG Sets Fresh Target of 21m Jobs by 2025

3 Policemen, 4 Civilians Killed as Gunmen Attempt to Kidnap Apostle Johnson Suleiman

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The federal government has said that it is committed to creating an enabling environment for the creation of 21 million full time jobs and lifting 35 million people out of poverty by 2025.

It said that the initiative was in line with the National Development Plan of the government.

The government had been grappling with the growing unemployment rate which seemed to defy its previous commitment to creating jobs for jobless Nigerians.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who gave the undertaking at the Inter-Ministerial Training Workshop on Boosting Job Creation, held

at the United Nations House in Abuja, said that the federal, state, and local governments, as well as high net-worth individuals and corporate organisations have been giving serious attention to job creation and as such had taken necessary actions needed to create decent jobs for the Nigerian workforce.

A statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the ministry, Mr. Olajide Oshundun, quoted Ngige as having said that the high rate of unemployment in the country could not be ignored as it was a major contributing factor to the increased insurgencies, agitations and other criminal activities manifesting in different parts of the country.

was attacked by hoodlums yet unknown at 1700 hours while Tragedy struck yesterday at home. evening at Auchi, headquarters “As we speak, two of his of Etsako West Local Govern- drivers were murdered, three ment Area of Edo State, when policemen murdered, one female hoodlums carried out attack on househelp murdered, one missing. the home of the General Overseer “Upon alarm raised, police of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle moved to the scene, gunned Johnson Suleman, killing two of down one of the hoodlums and his drivers, three policemen, one recovered one of the vehicles female househelp while another used. has been declared missing.

“Currently, Apostle Suleiman The attack, as gathered, occured is safe and sound.” at about 5:25p.m. by yet unknown The PPRO, who declined hoodlums. further comments, said investiga&RQÀUPLQJ WKH LQFLGHQW RQ tion was ongoing.

Apostle Suleiman was reported telephone, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations to have just returned from a 2΀FHU &KLGL 1ZDEX]RU VDLG programme in Tanzania when “It is true. Apostle Suleiman the attack took place.

The new management team listed in the bank’s statement Polaris Bank yesterday said include: Ahmad, chairman; it constituted a new Board Abubakar Suleiman, nonof Directors to be chaired by executive director; Salma Muhammad Ahmad, the exist- Mohammed, non-executive ing chairman and announced director; Adeleke Adedipe, a former Executive Director at non-executive director; Ahmed Union Bank, Adekunle Sonola, as Almustapha, non-executive its new Managing Director and director; Francesco Cuzzocrea, non-executive director; Olabisi &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU A statement by the bank, Odunowo, non-executive director.

Also to serve on the Board are which was bought about a day ago by Strategic Capital Invest- Abdullahi Mohammed (execument Limited (SCIL), said the tive director), and Segun Opeke new Board “will be led by the (executive director).

According to Ahmad, the bank existing Chairman M K Ahmad.

He will be joined on the board is willing to work with its core by 7 non-executive directors and investors to improve and stabilise 3 executive directors, bringing WKH ÀUP “I would like to thank the extensive experience in the EDQNLQJ DQG ZLGHU ÀQDQFLDO outgoing board members services sector in Nigeria and profusely for their hard work internationally, and expertise in and dedication over the last four corporate governance, human years as we have established a resource management, law and strong governance structure and stabilised the bank,” he said. regulation.”

2023: 300,000 PVCs Uncollected in Delta, Says INEC Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Delta State, Rev. Monday UdohTom, has disclosed that more than 330,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were still in the custody of the commission because their owners were yet to collect them across the 25 local government areas of the state.

He warned that the figure of uncollected PVCs in the state was bound to increase when the state INEC office took delivery by November of the expected voter’s cards for people who registered between January and July this year.

The Delta REC disclosed this during the inauguration of the Executive Committee of Delta State chapter of the INEC Press Corps (IPC) at the state secretariat of the commission in Asaba.

He expressed concern about the situation, lamenting that the development was coming at a time the commission was poised to better its performance in conducting the 2023 general election, adding that the situation informed the determination of INEC to embark on sensitisation programme involving aggressive mobilisation for collection of PVC as well as voting at election, hence the PVC collection sensitisation programme.

APGA Condemns Attack on Governorship Candidate in Ebonyi State Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned a recent attack on its governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Prof. Bernard Odoh.

It alleged that Odoh was attacked at Izzi, one of the local government areas in the state on routine electioneering.

In a press statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tex Okechukwu, the party expressed concern that such a barbaric and wicked attack could be carried out against its candidate who had been known for his gentility and humanness.

“APGA condemns in no unmistakable terms the recent attack on its governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Prof.

Bernard Odoh,” Okechukwu said.

The party wondered why anybody would want to harm the Professor of Geophysics who had so far stuck to the Peace Accord signed by political parties as campaigns for 2023 LQWHQVLÀHG It urged the security agencies to arrest and bring to book immediately all those involved in the unfortunate attack.

APGA expressed optimism that despite the attack its candidate would win the 2023 governorship election.

Abiodun Ojo Clocks 80 Years Abiodun Ojo clocks 80 years on Sunday, October 23, 2022. His wife Dame Dupe Ojo, children, friends and associates join in celebrating and wishing him well.

Ojo

17

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

‘The King’s Horseman’ Set for Cinemas Ferdinand Ekechukwu

E

bonylife TV co-production “Elesin Oba, The king’s Horseman” - a screen adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s acclaimed tragic play “Death And The King’s Horseman”, will have its limited Nigerian cinema release from 28th October to 4th November.

Elesin Oba will feature in various cinemas to include EbonyLife, Filmhouse, Genesis and VIVA in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja and Akure, amongst others.

Based on real-life events in Nigeria in ¶(OHVLQ 2ED· LV WKH ÀUVW RI 6R\LQND·V works to be made into a feature-length ÀOP 6HW LQ WKH 2\R (PSLUH EHWZHHQ sunset and sunrise, the king’s horseman, Elesin Oba, must commit ritual suicide to follow his deceased master into the afterlife. His best intentions are derailed by his sexual desires, which lead to catastrophic consequences and ends in a deadly clash with the British rulers of the day.

7KH KRUVHPDQ LV XQDEOH WR IXOÀOO KLV ultimate commitment to the king, leaving his spirit to roam the earth, spelling doom for the land and its people. The original Death and the King’s Horseman was a stage play, written by Prof. Wole 6R\LQND ZKR ZRQ $IULFD·V ÀUVW 1REHO Prize for Literature in 1986. The screen adaptation was written and directed by the late Biyi Bandele. ‘Elesin Oba’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada in September 2022, PDNLQJ LW WKH ÀUVW <RUXED ODQJXDJH ÀOP WR UHDFK VXFK KHLJKW 7KH ÀOP VWDUV 2GXQODGH $GHNROD DV (OHVLQ 2ED 6KDͿ\ %HOOR DV ,\DORMD DQG acclaimed musician Olawale ‘Brymo’ Olofooro, making his screen debut as the Praise Singer. It also stars award-

A scene from “Elesin Oba, The king’s Horseman”

winning actress, Omowunmi Dada who plays the bride, a symbolic character.

They are joined by Deyemi Okanlawon, and veteran actors Jide Kosoko and Kevin Ushi. Also featured are Jenny Stead and Mark Elderkin as Jane and Simon Pilkings, Langley Kirkwood, and a special appearance by Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Joke Silva.

Co-founders of FilmOne Entertainment, Kene Okwuosa and Moses Babatope, are

enthusiastic about the release. “There is a new wave of indigenous epic dramas steering the course of African storytelling on to the global stage, and we believe that Elesin Oba will make a massive, positive impact for our continent. We are excited to partner with Ebonylife Films in bringing this masterpiece to the big screen,” they said.

Mo Abudu, CEO of the EbonyLife Group and executive producer of the

ÀOP VDLG ´,Q ÀOPLQJ (OHVLQ 2ED ZH chose to stay close to the original work, which is already well-known globally as a great example of African drama.

It’s an honour to see this compelling introduction to African thought and tradition on screen. Its interweaving RI (XURSHDQ DQG <RUXED LGHDOV WR depict universal themes of cultural responsibility, has never been more important than now.”

Asake Continues Strides with ‘Mr. Money with the Vibe’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

F

ast rising Nigerian star Asake on the heels of his US tour roared LQWR 1HZ <RUN ODVW )ULGD\ QLJKW with a show in support of his wave-making debut album, ‘Mr. Money With the Vibe’, which features Afrobeats icon Burna Boy as well as American rapper, Russ. His set WKDW )ULGD\ QLJKW DW 1HZ <RUN·V 3DOODGLXP 7LPHV Square – the largest venue on his tour – saw him backed by a full band, including horns, to bring his jazz-influenced sound into a live setting.

Clad in an all-denim ensemble and his trademark black sunglasses, he performed his entire debut album in order, starting with the album’s mid-tempo opener, “Dull”. But as the set-list continued and the songs became livelier, so did Asake. The red-hot artiste has an outsized stage presence, and it will be interesting to see how he works in larger venues, with bigger productions and dancers.

Meanwhile, Asake’s management outfit, 1805 entertainment, has officially addressed the incident surrounding the singer’s need to step off the stage in the middle of his performance at the Baltimore stop of his ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe,’ US tour. Recall, in a clip which was shared on social media, Asake was seen hurriedly whisked off the stage bringing his performance on the night of Sunday, October 10, 2022, to an end.

Reacting, 1805 entertainment apologized to fans for the abrupt and unexpected action that took place on stage as the action had been necessitated due to incidents that had been beyond their control following numerous videos that had surfaced to that effect. Asake has so far sold out three dates for the 5,000 capacity O2Brixton Hall and a 4th date will see him sell out 20,000 tickets which is the size of the O2.

Headlining the O2 will be another giant and

Asake

unprecedented stride for a breakout artiste in a year where Asake’s ‘Mr. Money With The Vibe’ has broken streaming records and emerged as the biggest Afrobeats artiste. On Friday, September 30th 2022, Asake put out the ticket for his first London show which was held on October 3rd and the ticket sold out in five minutes.

This led Asake to put out another date for 15th December which sold out in minutes and led to the announcement of another 17th December show which like the two dates also sold out in minutes.

Asake admitted that he might have downplayed the level of acceptance and patronage he enjoys

performing in Birmingham and Manchester on December 3rd and 10th, respectively.

He’s also billed to perform at the 4,000-plus capacity 02 Academy Brixton Arena, London on December 11, 2022. 2022 has been an incredible year for the artist real name Ahmed Ololade Asake who has enjoyed an unprecedented run he capped with his record-breaking debut album ‘Mr. Money With The Vibes’. His music has travelled internationally where it found an impressive audience in UK and the US. Everything that concerns the artiste is here to stay.

From his unique form of music to his blend of fashion style and swagger, coupled with the manner he creates music almost everyone on the street could tap into every diverse story he brings to light. Even on his debut studio album “Mr. Money With The Vibe,” he becomes a sparse creator. Mr. Money as he is often called explores stories that make him wax stronger.

The album had snagged a spot on the world Billboard Album Chart. Recall that Billboard on Monday, September 19, 2022, shared a statement noting that the singer had made his debut on the chart at number 66 with his very first album. The album contains 12 tracks, including previously released singles like Sungba (feat. Burna Boy), 3HDFH %H 8QWR <RX DQG 7HUPLQDWRU One of the tracks, titled “Reason,” features American rapper Russ. This makes it the fourth in the UK where his debut album ‘Mr. Money ever highest charting Nigerian album after Burna With The Vibe’ reached NO.1 on the UK Apple Boy’s ‘Love, Damini’ which debuted at NO.18, Music Album Chart and spend multiple days Wizkid’s ‘Made In Lagos’ which debuted at No. atop the chart. In light of this, Asake revealed 28, and Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning ‘Twice that he is working on a bigger venue and the As Tall’ which debuted at No. 54.

From being a dedicated hustler, who pronounced information will be released soon.

His statement has led to speculations that he that he won’t dull to make ends meet, he grows might be eyeing the 20,000 O2 Arena which has in gratitude to God, and also littered his emotion been headlined by Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. for his woman around a few tracks on the album.

Mr Money sold-out the priority list tickets for his As well, he laced the project with more of his concert at the 02 Academy, London in less than QDWLYH <RUXED GLDOHFW SLGJLQ (QJOLVK DQG RIWHQ WZR PLQXWHV 7KH <%1/ DUWLVWH KDG DQQRXQFHG barrels of loaded slang that cuts across most titles he will make a stop in the UK where he’ll be of the project.

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR Bunmi Davies

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Because I Love Fela’s Music, Some People Wonder Why I Don’t Smoke His contributions to the world of comedy since he started producing comedy shows 29 years ago have been tremendous. That is Bunmi Davies. Leading the team at Afrotainment Productions, producers of Stand-Up Nigeria, Davies has redefined comedy shows, while working with big and up-and-coming names. In this recent interview with Tosin Clegg, he recounts his foray into the comedy world, amongst other issues

I

Why I’m focused on comedy ’m deliberately focused on comedy. I really don’t have the strength when it comes to music and you can’t give what you don’t have - except when it comes to comedy. I would say that it didn’t happen by design because when the company, Afrotainment Productions started in 2000, I set out doing plays; we were more or less a theatre company but no matter how serious the issue we were dealing with was, we always injected some form of humour into it - whether the issue was about women, child abuse, HIV, armed robbery or unemployment. People who watched our production would always laugh. So, I felt we were making sense and communicating with people even though we were not serious about it, and because of the nature of the work, we were attracting comedians of some sort to feature in our programmes.

people, we must all eat. Even when you are sick, doctors advise you to eat food. Food is for all; it is universal and that is what we’ve used to bring everybody together. I’m just lucky that I have entertainment background and that is why we have infused other things like table tennis, video games, snooker, and OLYH IRRWEDOO YLHZLQJ DPRQJVW RWKHUV 7KHUH is a limit to how much you can give people LQ WHUPV RI ÀQDQFLDO FRPPLWPHQW EXW PDNH them happy and everyone will be productive RQ WKHLU RZQ 7KDW LV ZKDW ZH DUH DERXW )URP the beginning, when we started last year, they looked at the physical structure and they said it will be expensive but it was unbelievably DͿRUGDEOH VR DͿRUGDEOH WKDW PHDW ZDV 1 in a place like this.

What we are doing is that we are reconditioning people. I’m sure you know that there are people who dress well when they are going to ShopRite but they won’t buy DQ\WKLQJ 7KH\ DUH MXVW JRLQJ WKHUH IRU WKH My relaxation centre DPELDQFH DQG WR WDNH VHOÀHV <RX ZRQ·W My relaxation centre called JekaPlay has walk into ShopRite and start smoking, so been a very interesting journey. It has also Bunmi Davies we are bringing that kind of ambiance into opened me up to another part of the world. this place, so that we can recondition them.

A lot of us see the glamour side of life. Being 7KH\ DUH GLͿHUHQW ZD\V WR HGXFDWH SHRSOH in Orile-Iganmu for about a year is a practical QHFHVVDULO\ KDYLQJ WR WHDU \RXU SRFNHW 7KDW·V <RX FDQ GR D V\PSRVLXP RU D ZRUNVKRS experience to understanding that things are what we are about and that’s what we give. and this is like an ongoing real-life thing tough. Regardless, talents abound everywhere, over the years. regardless of the background. It’s making me What birthed the idea think of other concepts and in due time we will Drinking or smoking not in my DNA $ FRPELQDWLRQ RI GLͿHUHQW WKLQJV 2QH LV get there. Let me give you a typical example that I don’t drink and smoke so from day one I love sweet things. Cakes, ice cream are my of how it is here, imagine someone living in I said I’m going to build something where I weak point but alcohol and smoke, no. My Orile and working at Lekki. He leaves home can stay. Whatever I can’t consume I will not kind of music is Fela and so people wonder DW WR JHW WR WKH R΀FH EHIRUH HLJKW 7KHQ JLYH P\ SHRSOH WR WDNH 7KDW NQRFNHG RXW KRZ , GRQ·W GULQN :H DOO KDYH GLͿHUHQW WKLQJV FRPHV EDFN DW QLJKW ZLWK WUD΀F DQG DOO DQG DOFRKRO VPRNH DQG GUXJV 7KHUH LV D <RUXED WKDW JLYH XV GLͿHUHQW YLEHV DQG IRU PH LW·V QRW there’s no light. JekaPlay is one place you are adage that says if you take out food from GULQNV RU VPRNH 7LOO GDWH , VWLOO IROORZ WKH sure of light so people just come here to chill. poverty; the problem is more or less solved. stand point of whatever I can’t eat I will not Somewhere that will give you peace without Food is a major driver amongst all classes of sell but I don’t want to do that with alcohol.

Stand-up Nigeria show is still standing We are going digital now. I’m brushing up P\ <RX7XEH NQRZOHGJH RQFH WKDW LV SURSHUO\ GRQH ZH·OO ÀUH RQ GLJLWDO SODWIRUPV &RQWHQW LV QRW RXU RZQ SUREOHP 7KH DVVHVVPHQW RI the entertainment industry in the last 62 years has radically changed. COVID-19 changed a lot of things. It’s only people who don’t want to think that will keep complaining that the country is not good. Foreigners are coming into this country, so that means they are seeing VRPHWKLQJ WKDW ZH DUH UHIXVLQJ WR VHH 7KH country is what we call it, if we call it good, LW LV JRRG LI ZH FDOO LW EDG LW·V EDG 7KDW·V WKH PLQGVHW WKDW ZH VKRXOG LPELEH 7KH ODVW two years for those that have had positive mindset, check their stories and they have great stories to tell. :H DUH ZRUNLQJ RQ GL;HUHQW WKLQJV :H DUH ZRUNLQJ RQ GLͿHUHQW WKLQJV DQG , UHDOO\ GRQ·W NQRZ ZKLFK WR SXVK ÀUVW EHFDXVH if you look at what we’ve done here, it’s a ELJ &65 SURMHFW 7DNLQJ XS DQRWKHU RQH within such a short space is tough. We will be fooling ourselves if we say we can. What I can tell you is that we will. I don’t go to media to announce myself, let my work talk.

I have never thought of what else I can do if I’m not doing this. Probably I would be in a company handling events or doing something around that. I would probably be working LQ WKH FRUSRUDWH DͿDLUV GHSDUWPHQW RI D ELJ company or I’d still be doing it by extension somehow; but getting into full time regular structure is another thing entirely. If they don’t sack me, I will sack myself. I didn’t go for paid employment because its essence is to earn a living and to be happy; I am happy doing what I am doing.

Kcee to Appreciate Fans in December

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impopo crooner, Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo better known as Kcee by his teaming fans is set to thrill with his music festival WDJJHG ´7KDQNV *LYLQJµ on the 28th December, 2022 at the Eko Hotels Convention Center.

“Kcee Five Star imprint is teaming up with showbiz guru, Achievas Entertainment Limited for a smooth fun night ride

following the remarkable projects GRQH RYHU WKH \HDUV 7KH ¶7KDQNV *LYLQJ· )HVWLYDO SURPLVHV WR EH D QLJKW RI TXDOLW\ HQWHUWDLQPHQW µ said the organizers Known for his unique glamour and colorful dress style, Kcee promises to come with his A-game as he will be performing his numerous classics.

Executive Director of Achievas

Entertainment, Daniel Cole Chiori said, ´7KLV FRQFHUW LV DLPHG DW VKRZFDVLQJ WKH eclectic musical prowess and genius of Kcee, whilst still using the avenue to be grateful and saying thank you for every H[SHULHQFH RI KLV WKXV IDU µ Speaking further, Daniel noted that the Festival promises to be star-studded as friends in the music and comedy industry are set to give him all the support required in making the festival worthwhile.

Kcee

Obiako: Meeting My Partner Kicked off My Fashion Line Chinedu Ibeabuchi

Obiako and Ilayda

8SZDUGO\ PRELOH 1LJHULDQ IDVKLRQSUHQHXU Prince Obiako has opened up on how meeting KLV 7XUNLVK SDUWQHU ,OD\GD NLFNHG RͿ KLV ,9 KEEPS fashion line.

Obiako, an indigene of Abia State, who grew up in Jos, narrated how his passion for fashion was inspired after meeting his SDUWQHU LQ ,VWDQEXO 7XUNH\ ZKLOH VWXG\LQJ “Everything changed when I met Ilayda, we GHFLGHG WR VWDUW XS KHUH LQ ,VWDQEXO 7XUNH\ :H WRRN D TXLFN WULS WR 1LJHULD DQG ZH WRXUHG WKH FRXQWU\ ,W ZDV KHU ÀUVW WLPH LQ $IULFD but she saw and had a unique style in her head, and she could barely wait because we were thinking the same exact things. We are WKH EHVW RI ERWK ZRUOGV µ KH EHJDQ Obiako, who stands tall as the Chief

Creative Director of IV KEEPS graduated as a Creative Director from IFA Paris, the fashion and marketing school, and Istanbul.

He also has degrees from schools in Cyprus and Canterbury, UK. On the inspiration of the designs from IV KEEPS, Obiako says it’s a dual responsibility that he and Ilayda have taken upon themselves to continue to nurture as the brand keeps growing.

“IV KEEPS was inspired by us both, it comes naturally when you’re in the business of constantly looking to add optimum value to products, and create a nexus with street and urban fashion. Ilayda is fascinated by colours and always had this keen desire and YLVLRQ WR FUHDWH µ 2ELDNR VD\V Obiako explained how he and his partner decided to go a step higher in creating other

fashion and haircare products alongside their fashion line.

“We decided to look into the mirror every morning before we go to the gym and we ÀJXUHG ZH FRXOG FUHDWH RXU RZQ 'XUDJ +DLU Care products, and other amazing pieces we are putting together that we can’t wait to share with the entire world in the near future.

“Our sole aim is to further make them unique and attractive with a touch of perfection. We brainstormed and teamed up, came up with a team and boom, magic was made, and IV KEEPS came to life. We are always learning/striving to keep improving as our target is for optimum quality, which always OHDGV WR FRQVXPHU VDWLVIDFWLRQ µ Obiako and his team are working on high-end hair accessories, including durags, VFDUIV KRRGLHV 7 VKLUWV EDJV DQG VKRHV

19

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Trailer for ‘Rising City of Dreams’ Drops Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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hriller, “Rising City of Dreams’’ is coming to cinemas nationwide on December 9, 2022 as it joins other fascinating WLWOHV PRYLH EXͿV DUH ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR NLFNLQJ RͿ PRYLH experience on a high note this yuletide. The movie directed by Samuel ‘BigSam’ Olatunji, features a host of stellar DFWRUV VXFK DV <YRQQH -HJHGH -LGH .RVRNR =XEE\ 0LFKDHO 5HPLOHNXQ ¶5HPLQLVFH· 6DIDUX )HPL %UDQFK ,PRKLRVHQ 3DWULFN '- 1HSWXQH among other talented actors.

Meanwhile, Aulmedia Studios, the production KRXVH EHKLQG WKH ÁLFN KDV UHOHDVHG WKH WUDLOHU “Rising City of Dreams’’ follows the story of (]HGLNH KHDG RI WKH HDVWHUQ SDUW RI WKH 2MX $ODÀD DUHD ER\V JHWWLQJ UHDG\ WR VXFFHHG *RNH 6QDSSHU KLV PHQWRU DQG KHDG RI WKH ZKROH 2MX $ODÀD PDUNHW 7KH DQQRXQFHPHQW is imminent and he dreams big of his new SRVLWLRQ %XW ÀUVW KH PXVW GHDO ZLWK 7ROX Tilapia, his arch rival, the leader of the western

SDUW RI 2MX $ODÀD 8QOLNH (]HGLNH 7ROX 7LODSLD LV ZLOOLQJ WR GR anything to get what he wants. The interests RI WKH IDFWLRQV VSLQ RͿ D FKDLQ RI HYHQWV culminating in massive scale of violence and WKUHDWV WR OLIH DQG QHZO\ IRXQG ORYH 'LFNVRQ Edward, the executive producer of the highly anticipated movie said, City of Dreams was made with sweat, blood, and sense: “I am VR JODG WKDW ZH DUH ÀQDOO\ JHWWLQJ WR VKRZ the City of Dreams to the world starting December 9. ´,W LV D ÀOP WKDW LV GHDU WR P\ PLQG ZH made it with sweat, blood and common sense for entertainment. It is a simple story with a powerful message and quite big on entertainment value.”

Yvonne Jegede who played a lead role in the movie also expressed her excitement in anticipation of the movie release saying the movie is a must watch: “I played a lead role in this movie and I can emphatically VD\ WKDW ZH SXW LQ KXJH HͿRUW IRU D JUHDW SURGXFWLRQ 5LVLQJ &LW\ RI 'UHDPV· LV D ÀOP with an interesting storyline which every member of the society can relate with. And

Scene from ‘Rising City of Dreams’

I strongly say that this is a must watch. It the executive producer as well as the entire ZDV D JUHDW H[SHULHQFH ZRUNLQJ RQ VHW ZLWK cast and crew.”

Academy of Television Elects StarTimes Aina as Member Chinedu Ibeabuchi

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Tunde Aina

ce Media personality and Chief Operating 2΀FHU RI 6WDU7LPHV 1LJHULD 7XQGH $LQD has been elected a member of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

This is coming shortly after he was selected as one of this year’s International Emmy Awards jurors.

With this election, Aina is privileged to YRWH LQ WKH (PP\V DPRQJ RWKHU EHQHÀWV With its motto, ‘Bringing Together the World’s Leading Media and Entertainment Professionals’, the Academy was founded in DV D QRQ SURÀW PHPEHUVKLS RUJDQLVD-

WLRQ EDVHG LQ 1HZ <RUN &LW\ FRPSULVHG RI OHDGLQJ HQWHUWDLQPHQW ÀJXUHV DFURVV DOO sectors of the television industry, from over ÀIW\ FRXQWULHV It was chartered with a mission to recognise excellence in television programming produced outside the United States. It presents the International Emmy® Award to programs LQ VHYHQWHHQ FDWHJRULHV LQFOXGLQJ 1RQ (QJOLVK /DQJXDJH 8 6 3ULPHWLPH 3URJUDP $LQD LV D YHWHUDQ EURDGFDVWHU DQG ÀOPPDNHU ZLWK RYHU \HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH LQ the entertainment industry. His extensive training and experience span almost the entire television arts and sciences, as he is comfortable in both the technical and creative DVSHFWV RI WHOHYLVLRQ EURDGFDVWLQJ DQG ÀOP A very ardent lover of African literature, $LQD KDV SURGXFHG VHYHUDO ÀOPV LQFOXGLQJ the epic ‘The Rise of Igbinogun,’ which had

a limited theatre release in March 2022 and ‘Underbelly,’ which garnered 11 nominations DW WKH 7RURQWR ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 1ROO\ZRRG )LOP Festival in 2022. Underbelly also received nominations for best achievement in costume design, best achievement in production design DQG EHVW DFKLHYHPHQW LQ PDNH XS DW $0$$ 2022 AWARD. Underbelly is also nominated for The Africa International Film Festival, $)5,)) KROGLQJ 1RYHPEHU WR LQ /DJRV 2WKHU 1LJHULDQ PHPEHUV DUH -RKQ 0RPRK Chairman and CEO of Channels Media *URXS 0U )HPL 2GXJEHPL &(2 ([HFXWLYH 3URGXFHU =XUL 0HGLD 0RVHV %DEDWRSH Co-founder and Managing Director, Filmone (QWHUWDLQPHQW 7DMXGGHHQ $GHSHWX &KDLUPDQ &(2 *URXS 1LJHULD /WG 'U &KLQ\HUH ,JZH &KDLUPDQ 0LQD 0HGLD 0DXULVRQ &RPP /WG DQG <LQND 2JXQ 6FUHHQZULWHU 0LQGZRUNV 3URGXFWLRQV

Yemi Alade Lights up 2022 Creative Africa Nexus Weekend

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igerian Afro-pop singer, Yemi Alade, will be leading the star cast of celebrities that will be attending the Creative $IULFD 1H[XV :HHNHQG &$1(; :.1' LQ $ELGMDQ 1RYHPEHU WR Alade, alongside other eggheads in the creative industry, will be showcasing another bright side of Africa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as the success story from the continent continues to captivate the world.

7KH $IULFDQ ([SRUW ,PSRUW %DQN $IUH[LPEDQN KDV VWDUWHG DFFHSWLQJ UHJLVWUDWLRQ IRU &$1(; :.1' African fashion icon, Pathe Ouedraogo has enjoined HYHU\RQH LQ WKH FUHDWLYH VSDFH WR WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI WKH &$1(; :.1' WR DGYDQFH WKHLU FRXUVH ´:H LQYLWH \RX WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKH &$1(; :.1'µ 3DWKH·2 ZKR LV TXLWH IDPRXV IRU GRLQJ more to promote African fashion appealed.

Indeed, many creative minds across the world are eager to see how events will unfold, as registration to attend is being held across multiple venues at WKH 6RÀWHO +RWHO ,YRLUH IUHH IRU DOO GHOHJDWHV “Anyone from Africa and the diaspora interested in being part of the rapidly expanding African creative and cultural industry can register now on www.canex.africa”, a press statement issued by the organisers read in part. &$1(; :.1' ZLOO EH D GD\ JDWKHULQJ of creatives from across Africa and the diaspora, OHDGLQJ XS WR WKH QH[W &UHDWLYH $IULFD 1H[XV &$1(; 6XPPLW DW ,$7) This will be another important step in AfreximEDQN·V FRQWLQXHG UROO RXW DQG LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI LWV &$1(; SURJUDPPH D PXOWL IDFHWHG LQWHUYHQWLRQ to support and develop Africa’s emerging creatives sector. &$1(; :.1' ZLOO IHDWXUH FUHDWLYHV LQYHVtors, industry leaders, creative industry businesses and government representatives, once again creating business-to-business and business-to-government

QHWZRUNLQJ DQG GHDO PDNLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV The event will also avail participants a chance to hear and learn from some of the leading voices IURP $IULFD DQG LWV GLDVSRUD LQ PXVLF ÀOP IDVKLRQ crafts, visual arts, literature, gaming, VR and more. %XLOGLQJ RQ WKH NH\ VXFFHVVHV RI &$1(; DW ,$7) ZKLFK ZDV KHOG LQ 'XUEDQ LQ 1RYHPEHU WKH XSFRPLQJ &$1(; :.1' LQ $ELGMDQ will further build bridges across Africa with a strong focus on connecting African creatives.

Among other things, participants will have the opportunity to exhibit fashion, art and crafts LQ D G\QDPLF PDUNHWSODFH EHQHÀW IURP PHHWLQJ VHUYLFHV WR FRQQHFW ZLWK SRWHQWLDO SDUWQHUV participate in panel discussions and in-depth EUHDNDZD\ PDVWHUFODVVHV DQG OHYHUDJH D UDQJH RI RWKHU QHWZRUNLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV ´/LPLWHG &$1(; :.1' 0DUNHW DQG ([KLELtion stand spaces are still available with stand RͿHULQJV GHVLJQHG WR PHHW WKH QHHGV RI VPDOOHU creative companies as well as premium brands and organizations,” said the orginisers.

Yemi Alade

MultiChoice Adds New Kids Channel to DStv, GOtv

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XOWL&KRLFH 1LJHULD KDV introduced a brand-new family-focused channel called Moonbug Kids.

The Channel introduced on Thursday, October 20, 2022, features exclusive preschool content such as &R&RPHORQ DQG 6XSD 6WULNDV 7KH FKDQQHO DOVR IHDWXUHV HQWHUWDLQLQJ VKRZV LQFOXGLQJ %OLSSL *HFNR Garage, Morphle Arpo, Little Angel and Oddbods.

7KH FKDQQHO LV DYDLODEOH WR ERWK '6WY IURP WKH &RQIDP SDFNDJH DQG *2WY 0D[ DQG 6XSD VXEVFULEHUV on Channel 314 and Channel 66, respectively.

7KH 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU RI 0RRQEXJ (0($ DQG $3$& 1LFRODV (JODX FRPPHQWHG RQ WKH company’s cooperation with DStv, saying, “This is an incredibly significant deal for us and part of our wider strategy to roll out Moonbug Kids channels on pay-TV platforms across EMEA and APAC.” “Launching a premium, linear channel with '6WY LV RQH NH\ DGYDQWDJH RI RXU GLJLWDO ILUVW

approach. It enables us to structure the channel E\ DSSO\LQJ RXU LQ GHSWK NQRZOHGJH RI FKLOGUHQ·V viewing, including when and how they engage with content,” he added.

A study by the University of Iowa found that infants with a close, intimate relationship with a SDUHQW DUH OHVV OLNHO\ WR EH WURXEOHG DJJUHVVLYH RU experience other emotional and behavioural problems when they reach school age.

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Head of Content and West Africa Channels, 0XOWL&KRLFH 1LJHULD 'U %XVROD 7HMXPROD VKDUHG her thoughts on the most recent addition: “We are very excited to partner with Moonbug in fostering children’s development with this new channel. It relates to our primary objective - providing premium entertainment to every African. Moonbug also allows us to positively impact our local communities by directly affecting the content children view.

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

TRIBUTE

Najeem Jimoh at His Strategic 70 Tunde Akanni

S

omewhat subtly, what used to be a household name in the hey days of print journalism in Nigeria, well ahead of the ceaseless disruption by the internet, has extended the frontiers of his influence into conventional broadcasting.

He did it a couple of years before he inched up to seven decades. It was strategic. No less strategic is the choice of the nomenclature. Citizen Radio. “Feel free to be part of this in all respects”, Alhaji has urged me and a number of people I know.

Citizen FM 93.7, Alhaji Najeem’s newest brainchild, is strategically based in Abuja ensconced in the towering Labour House, reinforcing the genuine, pro-people, pro-citizen positioning. The station has gone further to innovate programmes which keep empowering citizens with uncommon information. For instance, one of such, Diplomatic Hour, is being presented by one of the longest running newspaper columnists and indomitable public intellectual, thought leader and foremost labour veteran, Owei Lakemfa. This programme alone has attracted perhaps the highest number of diplomats to any news organization in Abuja, possibly the entire nation, in the recent time. Duly genderised, the station is also one of the few that guarantees utmost visibility to women and women’s interest programmes with broadcast amazons with uncommon mastery and deployment of social media platforms like Kemi Asekun.

Citizen FM is Alhaji Najeem’s elderly elimination of misinterpretation by half baked reporters and multiplying charlatans deriving limitless enablement from the borderlessness of assorted online platforms replete with vulgar and obscenic contents.

Alhaji Najeem’s distinguished and long sojourn in the print media subsector remains an outstanding one suffused with inexhaustible lessons for professionals and media scholars alike, yours sincerely, a major beneficiary. For him, print journalism naturally came on as a continuation of his firebrand student radicalism at the University of Lagos where emerged as the Secretary General and earned the epithet Strato, short version of Strategist. A mass communication student headed for a First-Class degree, Strato had to gulp the bitter pill of suspension for a year, for being an unbending union leader. He returned later to make Second Class Upper.

His entry into journalism at Daily Times therefore gave a robust expression to populism found irresistibly inviting by the newspaper audiences and indeed fellow players in that sector. He was thus beckoned to The Punch, clearly a freer environment for the radical Strato, earning him an enhanced visibility and admiration by colleagues and audiences alike, still.

Till date, he remains one of the best editors The Punch got blessed with.

His professional children, including this writer, therefore keep multiplying.

Alhaji Najeem’s eventual entry into broadcasting which qualifies him as a rounded media veteran rightly qualifies as a veritable case for a sound scholarly attention that should also rightly signal possible windows of future research.

In spite of his glorious career at The Punch, Baba, as I fondly call him,

Jimoh

left the Punch without any car in defiance of typical capitalist’s grip on their employees. He hadn’t paid for the car neither did he want to self-indulge. Not for him the encouragement to go away with it and pay later.

But how many of us can cope with not having a car after being chauffeur-driven for years? This is a feat not to be replicated at The Punch until after more than a decade later by another modest, self-styled former Concord colleague and friend of mine,

Chris Tunde Odediran, who, like Alhaji Najeem, had been poached by Punch from elsewhere, but suddenly couldn’t reconcile himself with some developments within the organisation. The consolation for the duo of Alhaji Najeem Jimoh and Tunde Odediran is that these two of a kind are success stories today, attesting to the truthfulness of the axiom that only tough people outlast tough times.

Alhaji Najeem did that repeatedly, so you may be right to say he’s the human equivalent of the proverbial cat with nine lives.

After leaving The Punch, Alhaji detoured into haulage business. The

In spite of his glorious career at The Punch, Baba, as I fondly call him, left the Punch withRXW DQ\ FDU LQ GHÀDQFH RI W\SLFDO FDSLWDOLVW·V JULS RQ WKHLU HPSOR\HHV +H KDGQ·W SDLG IRU the car neither did he want to self-indulge. Not for him the encouragement to go away with it and pay later. But how many of us can cope with not having a car after being chauffeur-driven for years?

business paid off heavily, as he made fortunes. But the joy induced by that enterprise, to adapt Ola Rotimi’s parlance, had a slender body. It broke up too soon. “I saw my fortune crash and I was helpless.” Alhaji once told me how he had to brace up to a protracted life of zero luxury with the entire family. One day, an accountant friend and one other person travelled down to Abeokuta and made up their mind that they would pass the night in the former editor’s house. It turned out to be a self-contained room and parlour. There was no extra bed! “But those my great friends made up their minds to share the little space. I had been up; gone really up by Allah’s grace, but in His glory, I had to also endure the reverse” he sermonized to me during one of our moments of frank engagements.

Alhaji Najeem Jimoh is one person consistently and probably inimitably faithful to all his claims and assertions, yet open to fresh wisdom at all times. “This stage of life that Allah has most generously enabled us to attain deserves to be ceaselessly appreciated with welcoming hands to the extent to which Allah has enabled us. And with patience”, he once volunteered to yours sincerely. According to him, Allah’s grace is supposed to flow as if the entire humanity is a relay race. “Once you receive His favours, share with others”. And he’s your verifiable “talk and do”. He has had to repeatedly told me that the conduct of a female professor he met through me, especially her ability to fast almost interminably, is what has helped to rekindle his commitment to fasting again since 2017.

Since I left The Punch in 1987, our paths didn’t cross again until 2017.

We met at the stakeholders meeting organized by JAMB, the very first by the Oloyede administration for that board. Venue was the Obasanjo Presidential Library complex at Abeokuta. The ecstasy of the unexpected reunion was indescribable. The hiatus notwithstanding, he didn’t struggle to recognise me. The re-bonding was immediate. We therefore had good time together reminiscing experiences in the media, human rights advocacy practice and general development work as well as academia where I eventually berthed. There, really, aren’t many such good fellows around like Alhaji. Even as I revered Alhaji as Baba, that was the least I could do to reciprocate his humility in relating with me and all that I know.

Incidentally, Alhaji is never bereft of strategic support for all his beloved.

“Dr Akanni, as I hasten to celebrate your professorship, I’m equally anxious to see you carve a niche for yourself as a media scholar in an unusual era. You must endeavour to learn and explore new things and you can always count on some of us, even as we will keep tasking you to be incessantly creative with the uncommon totality of your journey from the media through development work to the academia.” I can only continue to say amen to Alhaji Najeem’s prayers for me and my household. My first editor finally turned my father and a most enduring friend and confidant.

Once again, 70 warmest wishes to the uncommon professional mentor who doubles as a leader for all seasons.

Tunde Akanni, PhD, is an associate professor of journalism and pioneer Director of Digital Media Research Centre, DMRC, LASU. Follow him via: @AkintundeAkanni (Twitter)

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe My Learning Curve, Contributions to the Growth of African Film Industry

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

22

PLUS

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe My Learning Curve, Contributions to the Growth of African Film Industry Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, MFR ,is the founder of Africa Movie Academy Awards. A graduate of Law and Politics from Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, Peace through the Africa Film Academy has trained over 5000 young people across Africa in different aspect of film making. For over 18 years, AMAA has become the biggest and most consistent platform to celebrate and recognise filmmakers from Africa and Diaspora. AMAA is partnering with Lagos State Government again this year to celebrate filmmakers who have excelled their craft in the last one year.The AMAA boss shares the plans and preparation for this year’s edition of the award with THISDAY. Excerpts: have to take up a lot of the costs of a lot of the African filmmakers, most of them struggle to make films. So they can’t some in 90% of the cases, they can’t afford the cost of visa, the cost of travel, the hostel accommodation. So, you have to provide that in order to have the kind of show that you want to do. So we’re forever looking for support wherever, looking for sponsorship in order to be able to bring the filmmakers to the award itself. And then of course, to have the kind of award ceremony that you want to have, have the events the way it’s supposed to be done. Yeah, it’s the sustainability and day-to-day, but what makes the AMAA, is actually the jury and the transparency and the integrity of those people, because they are totally separate from the Academy of jurors, who are totally separate from the AMAA secretariat in the sense that we have nothing to do with them.

They run themselves totally. There is a chairman of the screening committee. There’s a director of the screening committee, the president of the Governing Council, and there’s also the Governing Council within the jury, there’s a governing council that is responsible if there are issues that come up, or questions brought up by filmmakers as to what they think went wrong in the jury or inquiries of the AMAAthat is taken up by our governing council. And the Governing Council is made up of five people out of the Academy of jurors, which is the team at the moment, although some new ones have been appointed. So there are so many. When I say many levels to the AMAA that people don’t see that keep running, year in, year out, it’s functional. We, because it’s a jury system for three months, are watching films with free select selectors, and then the college of screeners, and then the academy jurors. So there’s always a check and I don’t get involved with that process. And I’m thankful I don’t have anything to do with that process because it’s it’s a difficult process.

Peace

AMAA would be celebrating its 18th edition in the next few weeks, how would you describe the journey so far?

The journey has been an interesting one, a learning curve, a contribution to the growth of African film industry, and a fulfillment that the academy found a void in the African film space and has, in 18 years, filled the void with a globally accepted and renowned project that continues to contribute, reward and keep up with global standard practice.

As the founder, how would you describe the journey?

Founding it was hard, to sustain it, it has even been harder. One, I think, founding it, I got the buzz of all we needed to do this for Africa, we needed to do this, because we needed to be authentic with judging ourselves in our own way. And not just competing in one category in anything, or being seen as second-class citizens.

So we found that looking for sponsors, and then finally getting a support of certain people to start the AMAAs in 2005. It was good. We

had a good run with Bayelsa state, supporting armour. It wasn’t smooth. And what a lot of people didn’t realise is that it wasn’t like it was so much money being given to us. But we had a lot of goodwill. And we put a lot of our own finances into it, as well. So, it did do a lot for AMAA and kept it going. But again, people didn’t realise that one of our biggest sponsors for AMAA actually was the United Bank of Africa, UBA, which had a three-major deal with us and that was the big break for AMAA. And I think that’s one of the biggest branding deals that has been signed in Nigeria, for an event at that time with Tony Elumelu. Then we did other countries, Rwanda, South Africa, for AMAA, we have had some interesting partnerships with different brands, we had at one time, as well, we’ve worked with different countries, in terms of building up their film industries, and having the AMAA nominations there. And I think one of our most interesting nomination parties was the one we held in Los Angeles as well. So sustaining AMAA is hard work, because it does cost a lot to do AMAA, you

AMAA story is everywhere but there are things people don’t about this project.

What are those things a lot of people don’t know about AMAA? So, a lot of people know about the rewarding arm of the academy, which is the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Not many people know about our partnerships and capacity building especially with the Lagos State government on the growth of the film industry. The academy, African Film Academy, has been involved in different partnerships with stakeholders like the Directors Guild of Nigeria in building capacities and contributing to the industry through training and support. In 2021, we embarked on a project known as the Film in a Box where we gave ourselves a target of producing 100 films and training emerging filmmakers. All these and many more are projects that is attributed to the AMAA brand.

Let’s go back to when AMAA debuted.

Kindly share with us how difficult or easy especially for entry submissions compared to now with internet penetration across the country?

At first, only a few filmmakers and countries submitted entries but the few countries and filmmakers that sent in their films gave the dream the life it needed to take off. Some people also believed it was a Nigerian awards ceremony but we continued to make consistent and concerted efforts to enlighten and meet with other African film practitioners on the need to submit entries for the awards. We also had the support of the Bayelsa State government under the leadership of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. For some years, the award ceremony was held in Bayelsa

and contributed immensely to the tourism and popularity of the state. We have also taken the award to different parts of Africa to get it closer to other Africans. AMAAis a continental film/movie awards ceremony that rewards professionalism and not mediocrity so as it grew, we kept getting more entries and it practically became the awards ceremony to beat. I can confidently tell you that AMAA set the pace for other film awards ceremonies in Africa.

The African Film Academy, which is an arm of AMAA, has continued to do things across Africa, but this year majorly, what has African Film Academy been able to achieve?

This year, we worked very closely with the Lagos state government in training people on the field. On what the African Film Academy has done over the years, we’ve done over well with the amounts of people who have trained this year, we have closer to 12,000 people in our training buckets and database. And what have we done, we’ve basically gone to the field, and train people in something we call film in a box. And above, it’s a training module that we came up with, which is technical training and practical training. So, you get the classroom training, and all the theory and how it works and understanding it and understanding what film is, you’re made to watch films to understand the different kinds of films that can be made.

And then you’re made to go in the field and learn how to practically do these things. So, it’s normally a six to eight weeks course. In this case, we’ve actually done longer than that with the Lagos State Government in Alimosho area of Lagos. We did Ikorodu, Epe, and we did Badagry and we did it on the field so that kids could walk into classes, and be trained, and they had really, really good trainers coming from all over the world, both locally and internationally. And we tried to train them in all kinds of filmmaking. We tried to train them with films that we could call, you know, Arty films, we tried to train them in what we call commercial films and we tried to make them understand that they have to look at budgets, they have to understand budgeting, they have to look at production values. And I think one of the areas that we paid a lot of attention to was our directing students, our editing students, and our cinematography students. I think we’ve actually put a lot of value in the system into the capacity building of these students in Lagos with the kind of training that we’ve actually brought on board, it’s, I feel it was impactful.

I feel it will be seen and felt very soon in the ecosystem of the Lagos film industry.

AMAA used to be a big deal to filmmakers and even filmmakers. The advent of some movies’awards and perhaps,AMVCA seem to have taken the wind of the sail of AMAA’s boat. what’s your view on this?

AMAA remains a rallying point for filmmakers. AMAAhas set the pace for continental film and movie awards ceremony in Africa. I can’t speak on behalf of other awards as I am not in the know of how or what has taken over but I can confidently tell you that AMAA has done more than rewarding filmmakers across Africa. We have continued to create fora and platforms for capacity building, training, and re-training on current globally acceptable standards in filmmaking, curating, and exhibition. So, I know AMAA has done a lot, you know, in terms of capacity building, which I mentioned earlier on.

In the last 17 years, what has been the biggest innovation in AMAA?

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

PLUS My Learning Curve, Contributions to the Growth of African Film Industry

As I have always preached, there’s no need for comparison or where the industries are at the moment. One thing is sacrosanct, Nollywood has come of age and is prominent as an emerging film industry to reckon with.

Hollywood and Bollywood are industries that have been in existence before Nollywood and they are also not resting on their oars. So, in terms of where Nollywood stands, I would say it stands tall, bright, and prominent in the global film space

Peace

Contribution to the growth of film sector on the African continent. The story of the film industry in African can’t be told without the inclusion of AMAA in the last 18 years. Films that have won awards at AMAAor even gotten nominations have gone ahead to do well at international film festivals like Cannes, TIFF, Berlinale, and others.

So, you believe filmmakers across the continent actually look forward to AMAA? I thinkAMAAis what a lot of these continental filmmakers look forward to. I actually have a joke that I tell people all the time, I say, Africa and the rest of the world appreciate AMAA more than even the Nigerian filmmakers, who don’t really see the value in winning the AMAAs, except for a few. And if you ask some filmmakers like Akin Omotosho, or Kenneth Gyang, or some of them that have seen the value or even the guy that won with Viva Riva, there are so many people I could mention Nate Parker, who have won AMAA, they see the value in AMAA, because you see, the people who are on the Jury of AMAA are respected adjudicators on critics of African cinema in the world, they are the ones that look at African cinema that is going to go to festivals that will be appreciated at festivals, etc. You have someone like Youkou Babu, June Givanni, these people are known for African cinema all over the world, these are names that the people can see resonate for them because they’ve been in it for years. What I always tell people is that if your film gets to the last stage of AMAA, do know that you’ve done something very well. And the other thing that people have to understand, is that the jury don’t always agree, they actually fight. They actually have issues amongst themselves.

They actually sometimes totally say no to certain films that come from the College of screeners. They return it back and say, No,

there’s something wrong with what the college has done here. They really watch this film, so you have to give them that respect to leave them to take those decisions that they want to take in their own way, and I don’t get involved.

So, it’s the ability to keep the AMAA separate and the jury system separate. And for people to realise that it’s not a voting award, it is a professional award, that over 100 eyes, get to see these films before the winners are actually chosen. That’s the truth about AMAA.

Are you saying AMAA is majorly about critically rewarding the film and practitioners?

I’ll actually agree with you that we’re more about the professionalism of the film and practitioners. And a lot of people accuse me and accuse us of paying more attention to the back end than we pay to the front end.

So, in trying to mitigate against that we’ve allowed the front end, which is the glamour, to be managed by someone. And once we keep to what we believe we know how to do best, which is the AMAA itself, the professionalism, the back end, and making sure that the films that we have found to be the winner after professional critic, do win and let the people who want to do the look and feel and stuff that people want to see do their magic with the red carpet and other activities.

But you see, the thing is that sometimes it goes together, sometimes it doesn’t. But this year, we’ll see a balance of the glamour and authenticity associated with AMAA. What should we look forward to in the 18th edition?

All I can tell you is that this would be another memorable edition and the second in Lagos State under the support of amiable Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It promises to be memorable.

future.

Let’s talk about the jury, how credible and objective would you say the AMAA jury is, because there have been some criticisms in the past about winners?

As I noted earlier, AMAA isn’t an award for the gram as they say now. It’s an award where winners emerge after critical assessment by the competent jurors. The jurors are credible film practitioners, who have and are still curators for several festivals, festival directors, with tested and proven record of their achievements. Keith Shiri is the Head for 2022 and I can tell you for a fact that the jury is the best you can find in Africa. We can’t help sore losers but as I noted earlier, nominees and winners of AMAA have gone ahead to do well as international film festivals and global film fora In the next two years, AMAA would be celebrating its 20th anniversary. How fulfilled are you with where AMAA is today?

My fulfillment is building a platform, an avenue where filmmakers can be rewarded for professionalism and not just glamour only.

In the next two years, AMAAwould have done so much for theAfrican film industry as a whole.

How would you describe brand AMAA to someone who just come across the brand today?

AMAAis a continental film/movie platform created to reward excellence and professionalism in the film industry across Africa and also create opportunities through capacity building and idea exchange across Africa.

What is your take on Africa film yesterday and today?

Africa film has grown in leaps and bound from the glory of yesterday to evolve into the current offerings and a promise for a brighter

There has been controversy over where Nollywood is in terms of ranking. As an expert, where is Nollywood between Hollywood and Bollywood?

As I have always preached, there’s no need for comparison or where the industries are at the moment. One thing is sacrosanct, Nollywood has come of age and is prominent as an emerging film industry to reckon with. Hollywood and Bollywood are industries that have been in existence before Nollywood and they are also not resting on their oars. So, in terms of where Nollywood stands, I would say it stands tall, bright, and prominent in the global film space.

What is your take on government support to film industry in Nigeria? Is it just about lip service?

Honestly, there has always been government support in one way or the other. However, the support many expect is always financial or funds. I know of the Lagos state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The governor, through the ministry of culture and tourism, has impacted the film industry. Aside from creating film funds to help filmmakers create magic, it has also supported filmmakers in the state through training and seminars. The governor also embarked on capacity building for youths, who are film/entertainment inclined.

In partnership with Africa Film Academy, and EbonyLife, at least 3,000 youths in Lagos have acquired knowledge, and technical know-how on filmmaking and other aspects. Another state investing in film and seeking private and public partnership to grow the film sector is the Edo state government. They recently held a five-day film festival that broke different boundaries. So, in all, the government in some capacity have been supporting the film industry.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

24

POLITY

SEA-Hub: Tackling Unemployment with ‘Catch Them Young’ A German intervention agency for inculcating entrepreneurship in secondary school students in Nigeria, has been yielding positive results, writes James Sowole Members of Students Entrepreneurship Activity-Hub (SEA-Hub) Club in some secondary schools in Nigeria have demonstrated that one of the ways by which unemployment can be reduced in the country is for youths to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship while they are still , and then, develop as they are growing up.

SEA-Hub is one of the pragmatic interventions of a German Technical Development Corporation (GIZ), aimed at supporting employment stimulus, through improving the income situation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), under its Pro-Poor Growth and Employment in Nigeria tagged “GIZ-SEDIN.” The main aim of the intervention in secondary schools is the introduction of basic entrepreneurship training to students, under the Catch Them Young Approach.

As at now, the club is active in the Federal Capital Territory and 11 states including Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Niger, Yobe, Kaduna, Delta, Osun and Oyo. The project covers 54 local government areas in active states.

At a media parley with select journalists from states where the SEA-Hub is active and a tour of some secondary participating secondary schools in Lagos State, revealed that entrepreneurship remains a major means of creating employment for Nigeria’s teeming youth population.

At the two schools visited in Lagos - Alimosho Senior Grammar School and Abesan Senior High School - all in Alimosho Local Government Area, students were already developing various products and services being rendered.

A unique feature of some of the products of the students of the two schools visited was that they solved some societal and environmental problems with the productions, just as some were in conformity with waste to wealth agenda.

At Alimosho Senior Secondary School, the mosquito repellent produced by these students had rabbit urine as a major ingredients. While reducing mosquito bite with the product, which is a major cause of malaria whereas, the urine of rabbit used as one of the ingredients, constituted environmental pollution, where they are being reared.

Other products of the Alimosho Senior Secondary School, SEA-Hub Club are liquid and bar soaps, as well as plantain chips.

In the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the students developed an App for major subjects like English Language, Mathematics, Economics, Government and to which students have subscribed.

At Abesan Senior High School, members of the club, were

SEA-Hub members and officials during one of their events in Lagos State into fashion design, hair dressing, tie and die, beads making and other handiworks.

A unique feature about the handiwork, was the development of an App that can link those who need services of an artisans with specific one that they need.

Already thinking and acting like real entrepreneurs, members of the club have formed management team, which serves as board of directors, with some functioning in various capacities as Managing Director, Finance Director, Marketing Director, Accountants, Production Manager, Material Manager and others.

Addressing the GIZ team separately, Boluwatife Akinfenwa and Nkowua Wisdom, the Managing Director of Alimosho Senior Secondary School and Abesan Senior High School SEAHub Club, respectively, lauded the intervention of the German Development Agency.

Akinfenwa, who explained the operation of the club in her school, said the project had opened their eyes to the fact that entrepreneurship, is the way to go in terms of employment creation.

According to her, what they started very small with little contribution among members of the club, had blossomed to the level that the club is now contributing to the environment in form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Akinfenwa, a Senior Secondary School 3 student, explained that members of the club never allowed the project to affect their academic pursuit. She said rather than allowing the project to affect them, it had only taught

them how to manage their time and be more hardworking.

That the SEA-Hub was already having impacts, was revealed by two graduates of the programme, Olayemi Olamide and Olusanjo Egbewunmi.

While Olayemi is into tie and dye, Egbewunmi had developed an App which he was using to link people who needs skilled labour in different vocation.

The two graduates, who addressed the media parley that preceded the tour of some schools, disclosed that they joined the club in 2019 in their different schools.

Olayemi said: “I joined SEA-Hub in 2019 when I was at Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School, Ogun State. I started the tie and dye vocation by asking people to bring their faded clothes so that I can renew them.

“Before I knew what was happening, many people started giving me their old clothes for renewal. Gradually, I graduated into dying of new clothes. Today, I now produce adire clothes from start to finish and the business is now booming. I now teach students of my former school, how to make adire and operating under RAYYEMIS Clothing’s (Everything Adire). At a Media Parley that preceded the tour, the Head of Cluster, Sustainable Economic Development , GIZ Nigeria Markus Wauschkuhn, gave an insight into the activities of the German Agency to Nigeria. particularly on SEA-Hub.

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and Public Relations Branding and Marketing, African Industries Group, Mr. Zulfi Azad at the 2nd Adeola Odutola lecture in Commemoration of the 50th AGM of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria held in Lagos. in Lagos … yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Financial Controller, Starsight Power Utility, Mr. Ola Ibraheem; President Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers Mrs. Abiola Otaniyi; former Executive Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Oluwole Adeosun and Member Intercontinental Securities Ltd. Mr. Lekan Awotinde at the re- union of the Alumni of Intercontinental Securities Ltd held in Lagos…. recently

L-R: InDrive, BeginIT Representative and Driver Acquisition Specialist, Mrs. Onuzulike Clementina; BeginIT beneficiary from Mayzer Memorial Foundation, Bello Jubril; Director, Transport Operations, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olasunkanmi Ojowuro; BeginIT beneficiary from Mayzer Memorial Foundation, Grace Joseph; Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Service (DVIS), Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mrs. Adejoke Balogun and Business Development Representative, InDrive, Nigeria, Mr. Timothy Oladimeji during the BeginIT Stem Pop Up Programme by Indrive, held in Lagos …. recently

L-R: Oluwabusayo John, Consumer Brand Manager, Shaltoux Lozenges, Arun Raj, CCO, Pharma Business, West Africa, Zadok Aghalengbe, Song Writer and Music Producer, Suresh Karuppiahsamy, Head, Consumer Business, West Africa, and Sandeep Sahu, Head of Brand Marketing West Africa, at the signing of Zadok as the new ambassador for Shaltoux Lozenges a brand of Shalina Healthcare Limited at the company’s office in Lagos .

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

TRAVEL AND TOURISM ‘NAFEST will Boost Lagos Hotels, Tourism’ Justina Uzo

T

he organisers of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) have hailed the forthcoming festival saying Lagos State is ready to enjoy the hosting rights of the event which brings culture-active people from across the country under one roof. They pointed out that already, Lagos hotels, especially those of them situated in Surulere, close to the National Stadium, the venue of the fiesta, are fully booked ahead of the November event.

Eko NAFEST 2022 runs from November 7 to November 13 at the National Institute for Sports, inside the gigantic Nigeria National Stadium, Lagos.

Dubbed Eko NAFEST, the NCAC hoped that the biggest celebration of Nigerian culture would create “over 3,000 jobs in the festival’s downstream sector with opportunities in the skilled and unskilled labour as well as skills acquisition supported by NCAC.” According to them, Lagos is the epicentre of Nigeria’s economic and entertainment industry and to which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will leverage on in the hosting of the festival to open up real estate opportunities in Lagos for the benefit of its five divisions and local communities.

The Director General, the NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, said Eko NAFEST is a huge platform to create jobs, provide recreation opportunities and services as well as a one-stop cultural market for startups in technology, travel and leisure as well as

Otunba Segun Runsewe, Runsewe Director General, General NCAC, NCAC parleys Lagos State Governor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Sanwo Olu on NAFEST

water and marine tourism.

Runsewe adds: “I have no doubt from experience that Eko NAFEST lunch, during which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu fully deployed support, will break records in adding value to socio-economic development projects of Lagos State Government.

“The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf is

with me on this effort to use this festival (NAFEST) to create immediate and future socio-economic cultural tourism future jobs for youths and women in Lagos.”

Tourism insiders have also stressed that the cultural event is expected to be a meeting ground for creative industry people and tourism markets, including those in travel technology, insurance, logistics and

telecoms.

One of them said: “The weeklong event will of course create jobs for people in fast food business, food and beverages, costume making, fashion and local fabric designers and souvenir makers. You know transport and accommodation providers and leisure centres will all be involved and they will smile to the bank.”

Lagos Commissioner, Others Win ‘Top Adebayo: Tourists Want Improvement in Nigeria’s Visa Procurement 100 Africa Travel Women Awards’ Justina Uzo

Justina Uzo

N

o fewer than 100 travel professionals from different countries in Africa will converge in Lagos to be honoured having emerged winners of the 2022 edition of Africa 100 Travel Women Awards.

They are African women from 20 countries who have excelled in areas such as Tourism Leadership, Travel and Tours, Aviation, Hospitality, Conservation and Media.

The winners include women from South Africa, Tanzania and Sierra Leone.

Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and South Africa’s Tourism Minister Sindiwe Sisilu, as well as the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, emerged top winners in the ‘Leadership’ category of the awards.

The organisers of the awards, Akwaaba African Travel Market, said Akinbile-Yussuf has been in the forefront of driving the growth of tourism in Lagos State with many lofty projects to restart tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also stated that “Lagos is the only state in Nigeria that has formulated tourism Masterplan.”

One of Nigeria’s best-known travel journalist, Justina Okpanku also won the ‘2022 Africa Travel Women Awards.’

A

Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf

Okpanku, the Managing Editor of Justtours Media (Nigeria) writes for a number of publications.

The organiser of the event, Mr. Ikechi Uko, said the Africa Travel 100 Women awards will hold at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos on October 31, 2022 as part of the 18th Akwaaba African Travel Market.

First held in 2017, the Africa Travel 100 Women Awards recognises African women who have excelled in travel and tourism.

Destination Management Consultant and CEO of Gadeshire Travels and Tours Limited, Lagos, Olugbenga Adebayo has said Nigeria needs to make a little adjustment in its visa procurement process as well as improve tourist products and infrastructure to be competitive in global tourism.

He said visa procurement drawback had resulted in many tourists cancelling planned trips.

The travel guru, who recently welcomed to Lagos a group of tourists and investors from Malaysia and Indonesia, expressed his dissatisfaction with other obstacles that affect seamless travels to Nigeria.

He said the visitors from Malaysia decried the high visa fees which he put at $116, an equivalent of 450 Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) which he said is on a high.

The tourism operator said he feels sad hearing these feedbacks from the travellers and the obstacles faced before coming to Nigeria.

The visiting team had three men, Lee Sei Loong, Tjeng Tjin Tjung and Wong Chong Wah as well as two women, Gan Lay Hong and Ong Bie Lan, in its journey led by Loong.

Loong said there is scanty information on the Nigeria embassy’s website.

He also faulted the procedure requiring tourists to apply online and at the same time submit hardcopy application at the embassy which again entails paper work.

The poor attitude of Nigeria embassy staff, he said, hamper travel. In addition, “there is no specific duration for collection of visa after submission. It took about 16 days for the visa to be issued.

Having to visit the embassy and make phone calls on many occasions without positive response were not good enough.”

Another low point is said to be the delay on arrivals in Lagos airport due to immigrations checks and the poor handling of baggage reclaim.

The team was on a tour of Africa, having embarked on visits to nine countries which included Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria.

Thus, he was able to open a notebook of sort on his travels. Loong, from Malaysian Harmony Travel and Tour, is an experienced tour operator with flair for exploring diverse cultures with interest in landscapes, history, arts and crafts as well as natural and cultural heritage.

The visit of the team to Lagos, which was the last leg of the tour, was facilitated and curated by Adebayo.

Despite Nigeria’s security concerns, Lagos traffic gridlock and other negative stories they heard before embarking on the trip, Loong said the team enjoyed their stay in Lagos.

Adebayo said the visitors spent one night and two days in Lagos where they visited some tourist sites such as Nike Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Terra Kulture, Makoko and Lekki-Ikoyi Long Bridge. The visitors also had a chance to drive through the Cathedral Church/Tinubu Square/Central Mosque of Lagos, Lekki Market and relaxed at Elegushi Beach.

Loong promised that he shall be visiting Nigeria again (the next visit he will be coming with tourists and investors).

“There has to be improvement on your tourism sites and infrastructure. I will be here next year, hopefully and I look forward to seeing the Eyo Masquerade,’’ he said.

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 22, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Creditably Well’ Wrong

“I

F what the campaigners are doing is allowed to succeed, precedence (a precedent) would have been set.” “…he had always shy (shied) away from politics but always manage (managed) to find himself in politics.”

“I think us poor Nigerians that only has (have) the rough edged (a hyphen) stick to hold at times like this….” Task forces as solution: a time like this or at times like these.

THE GUARDIAN of October 3 offered two unpardonable and extremely vexatious gaffes.

“To round up the visit was the trip to the New Place, the site of the house where Shakespeare died. “ Get it right: round off (not round up). ”…the production was heavily spiced with new innovations which, however, still retained its original flavours.” ‘New innovations’ sounds illogical. An innovation cannot be old, relatively speaking. What do you think?

“What was the platform in which the cold war….” The platform on which the cold war.…

“Lack of towing vehicles hinder (hinders) FRSC operations” “UNIPORT alumni condemns killing” No news: alumni (plural); alumnus (singular). The confusion usually arises from ‘alumni association’ which takes a singular verb.

“Blood thirsty cannibals?” Beyond bloodthirsty (take note of the hyphen) cannibals, are their cannibals that are not blood thirsty? Flesh is intertwined with blood.

From Daily Trust of October 11 come the following lexical tragedies: “Buhari tours flood ravaged (flood-ravaged) states today” “FG sets up committee on teachers (teachers’) housing projects” “TDNA: Ekiti secondary schools’ teachers dump ASUSS” Get it right: school teachers. This personalisation of collocation is wrong because teachers teach students—not schools!

“…the outcome of the investigation by the police of (into) the contentious SSS report….” “…they will be further emboldened to create even greater harm to our fledging democratic experiment.” Is our democracy still fledgling (note the spelling)?

Still on Daily Trust under review: “…were wasted by yet to be identified gunmen.”

Gripping fear, gaping security deficit: yet-to-beidentified gunmen.

“Like (As) before, a major scarcity of petrol is being currently experienced….” ‘Is currently being’ is antithetical to existential humanism!

Yank away ‘is’ and ‘currently’. “…who recently offered a clue on (to) the issue….”

“The NNPC is known to have imported more fuel into the country….” Where else would it have imported it into? Delete ‘into the country’! “…re-channel same (the same) through uninhabited areas?”

“Education Minister threatens contractors’ revocation” Contract revocation is not the same thing as contractors’ revocation. In other words, the minister threatened contractors—not revocation!

“Ghana: Groups call for scraping of study leave” Spell-check: scrapping.

Lastly from Daily Trust: “… while Nokia, Blackberry rating drop (drops).”

The Guardian of October 9, starting from its front page sub-headline, nurtured copious flaws: “Northern Christians reject govs (governors’) peace forum” Apart from the lack of a basic stress mark (an apostrophe) after the word in question, there are standard abbreviations in English language—‘gov’ is certainly not one of them. It is just like writing ‘Pres’ for ‘President. Such careless writing highlights journalistic ignorance and laziness under the cover of house style!

“NEMA alerts on (to) fresh plans to release water from Camerounian (Cameroonian

preferably) dams” Alert by/to or simply alert, depending on context—not ‘alert on’.

“Meanwhile, the Lagos League of Political Parties (LLPP) has congratulated…for (on/ upon) his victory at the tribunal….”

Still on THE GUARDIAN of October 9: “Akpabio worries (worried) over rot in judiciary” Except if the reporter is imputing that the governor—not the NBA president!—will keep worrying, which I contest!

“We have had a useful business to business (business-to-business) roundtable, which is a follow up (follow-up) to the meeting between….”

Still on the preceding affliction: “NDE, Ondo to partner on job creation initiatives” Adjectival appointment: job-creation initiatives “Lagos Police Command reads riot act to criminals, seizes (arrests/apprehends/rounds up/picks up…) 130 hoodlums that rape, rob victims” Do we need ‘victims’ here? It is implied!

And ‘seize’ is contextually wrong in this lexical environment because it lacks expressive technicality.

Last week’s edition of this medium offered its numerous readers a few school-boy howlers: “2014: Battle for Anambra governorship race begins” ‘Battle’ and ‘race’ cannot co-occur in the same space. So, it is either the battle or the race that has begun. Therefore, 2014: Battle for Anambra governorship begins or Race for Anambra governorship begins or, preferably, Anambra governorship battle (race) begins.

“My ordeal at the hands of Abacha—Aborisade” Let bygones be bygones: in (not at) the hands of Abacha. “…ready to be deported back to Nigeria….”

Yank off ‘back’ in defence of our lexical freedom! “…formerly (formally) flags off (sic) an intensive search for Igbo unity over 2015 presidential election….”

“Dangote sets (set) to invest in Sudan” Lastly from THE NATION ON SUNDAY under review: “Stopping a running stomach” Your

2023 Hopefuls: Let Us Interrogate Them

W

e are now in the home run, or shall we use the more familiar “last leg” of the race to Aso Villa, specifically for the front runners - Atiku Abubakar, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Peter Obi (in order of their declared ages). If we are not paying the cliched lip service to conducting the ideological and intellectual inspections of the candidates’ submissions, promises and declarations, let us take ourselves seriously, and interrogate them dispassionately. We mean in a manner that prioritises fixation on important issues and evaluation of character, commitment and perceived competences, while shunning sloganeering and propaganda. Let us focus on the most talked about, and therefore the most worrisome issues to most Nigerians: security, economy, constitutional reforms (aka restructuring, devolution of powers, reducing government size, etc); corruption, public service reforms, education and manpower development, public health infrastructure, food security, public welfare, peace and unity.

While the issues are not exhaustive, the many years of violent exploitation and molestation of the Nigerian psyche makes it a near eldorado if only four or five of these issues are effectively confronted and passionately executed. Thus, we shall devote our attention, in the next few editions of this column, reviewing and highlighting the published thoughts and statements of our three candidates on the above issues. Perhaps, swing voters, those who are not completely sold on the “final offer”, would permit the opportunity of cross referencing positions and ideas so as to arrive at the “the man for the job” - with as little bias and opportunism as possible.

Let us start with the very critical job of securing Nigeria, and keeping her citizens safe.

What do the candidates - none was ever in the military - plan for improved security? Any fresh ideas to reflect the urgency and gravity of the Nigerian security condition? Now, let the

interrogation begin.

Atiku Abubakar’s most trenchant criticism of the current handling of the Nigerian security system was reported in a ThisDay exclusive chat published on 7 April, 2022. His quote: “The key to ending these spate of attacks on our military formations, from the point of view of civil authority, is to end impunity. These killings keep recurring because previous killings have not been punished. We need to go beyond the rhetoric of mouthing that those behind these killings will face the full wrath of the law. The fact remains that those behind such previous killings have not been dealt with. That is why these killings keep happening, and even as we speak, these belligerents are likely planning future killings. So, we must end impunity.”

“Secondly, from a military standpoint, I am of the view that the president should not talk at the military. Quite the opposite.

The holder of that office has to listen to them. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They know better than anyone the threats facing Nigeria. They know where the shoe pinches.

“I intend to listen to them and provide them with everything they need. To that end, our soldiers have to be motivated.

And I am not just talking about their wages.

They have to know that their lives are important to their Commander-in-Chief.

“Under my watch, such losses of lives will be minimal. However, where even one soldier is killed, it is the duty of the C-in-C to personally empathise with their families, so, those left behind are motivated, because they see that their service to the nation matters.

“If you join the military, you should have financial and social security. At the barest minimum, if you die in service, then your family becomes the responsibility of the federal government. Our troops need the right leadership, the right weaponry,

and the right conditions of service. When our military know that the nation and the C-in-C are behind them, these incidents of insecurity will also soon be behind us.”

At the kick-off of his 2023 presidential campaigns in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State (captured in a ThisDay report of 11 October, 2022), Abubakar decried the spate of insecurity, assuring his supporters that he would unify and restructure the country, while protecting all Nigerians. So, how does Mr. Abubakar hope to perform the magic where veteran generals, retired and serving, had found the task herculean? He believes in a panacea, like his opponents, that will change the dynamics of our law and order imperatives in a positive and proactive way.

As far back as many months before he contested the 2019 election with the incumbent president, Abubakar had expressed strong opinions about alternate policing suprastructure. In 2018, he boldly supported the huffing of the eighth National Assembly, led by Bukola Saraki, to amend the constitution and make provision for state police and community policing in order to arrest worsening insecurity pillaging the country. He was quoted thus: “A peculiar crisis demands a decisive action, and I am one hundred percent behind the National Assembly in their efforts to strengthen the hands of state governments in providing security to their citizens.”

He noted his dismay at what appeared that the Buhari administration was overwhelmed by security challenges, and hailed the strategic intervention of the legislators, insisting further in a Premium Times report of 4 July, 2018 that security strategies ought to be reviewed periodically as criminal elements were equally studying public security loopholes, and devising novel means of circumventing the system.

Few years later (20 January, 2020 - Vanguard), the former Vice President confidently reiterated his support for community, state and zonal policing. His quote: “The time is ripe to seriously confront the reality of insecurity

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

health: a runny, not running, stomach!

“Lagos alerts public over (to) Boko Haram crises” “Oyo SSG escapes assassination attempt” A ‘ ttempt’ is clearly redundant here. If the man escaped assassination, it means it was an attempt on his life.

“Now she (no to gender insensitivity!) has joined (climbed or jumped on/aboard) the bandwagon of states worldwide which (why the pronoun deviation?) recognize....” “…the lawmaker took a wholistic assessment of active governance in the country.…”

No parley: holistic assessment.

“The Ministry of Finance performed creditably well….” Still keeping track: The ministry performed creditably or well; both words cannot co-function.

“In this exclusive chat, the group talked about their musical carrier (career) and their relationship with other hip-hop groups in the country.”

“It takes sometime (some time) to build a road.” There is a clear distinction between ‘some time’ and ‘sometime’. “…for the new thing God has in stock (store) for them.”

“Resting in the bossom of God” An improvement: Resting in God’s bosom (note the spelling).

“Okupe was not happy because the governor complained against (about/of) the criminal neglect of federal infrastructures in his state.”

“In his interview with our reporter, he touched on many issues that bother (border) on the nation’s economy.”

“The high population of students in (on) these campuses....”

“There were instances where legislators and other party leaders threw decorum to the dogs and engaged in abusing themselves (one another) and challenging the authority of the Federal Government.”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08033622806- (SMS Only)

in the country by addressing the urgency of introducing state police, zonal police and community policing to complement the efforts of the current federal police.”

“The issue of security shouldn’t be politicised and monopolised in the face of our current alarming security challenges characterised by the fear of even travelling on our highways by the citizens who might be intercepted by kidnappers and taken hostage for ransom.

“It is a given perception that when people have a role in their own security, they are going to help to defeat the criminal in their tracks and that the more they are involved, the more likely they would perceive the police as their friends… Local policing shouldn’t be mistaken for an effort to hijack the role of the federal police or competition with the federal government.”

While there are many Nigerians who support Abubakar’s view as a critical step towards stemming our embarrassingly frightening insecurity, and hope he has the political will and fortitude - beyond campaign stump sophistry - to stimulate consensus around it; there are also many who fret at the propensity of the political class to destroy the intrinsic values of communal policing by deploying forces meant for safety and protection as political gangs or counterforce to browbeat opponents, and foment all sorts of turf wars and brutalities in pursuit of personal or political advantages - part of which is seen done even with this current federal structure! And we are back to the same cankerworm of impunity.

So, the moral of Abubakar’s submission on dealing with our security quagmire is wrapped in a troubling question: Is it adequate, enforceable or sustainable?

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

22.10.2022

Joe Aribo

Yet to Hit Ibrox Form at St. Mary’s

28

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Aribo celebrating his first goal for the Saints

Joe Aribo

Yet to Hit Ibrox Form at St. Mary’s Nigeria international, Joe Aribo was one of the standout players for Glasgow Rangers last season, culminating in his move to Premier League side, Southampton. With just six starts in nine matches and two goals to show for his effort, the 26-year-old’s performance is still a far cry from the form the Saints saw and lured him to St. Mary’s

S

uper Eagles star, Joe Aribo was everything good for Glasgow Rangers during his time at the Ibrox Stadium and after several high-profile performances the former Charlton Athletic midfielder felt in need for a bigger challenge and Southampton was on hand to grab him.

However, since moving to the English Premier League-which has always been his dream, replicating his performance with the Gers has been a big challenge, which he himself admitted.

Aribo admitted that he has not been at his best so far this season since his summer move to Southampton from Rangers.

The Nigerian international scored his second goal in Week eight of Premier League match between Southampton and Everton as he put Saints in front at St Mary’s, only for Conor Coady to equalise just three minutes later before Dwight McNeil completed the turnaround as the Toffees headed back to Merseyside with all three points.

It was a frustrating result for Aribo and his team-mates, having taken the lead in the game in the fourth minute of the second half, with the former Rangers midfielder bemoaning a crazy few minutes after his goal as Saints conceded twice, which was described as “unforgivable” by ex-Southampton captain, Claus Lundekvam.

For Aribo, it was his fifth start in the Premier League for Southampton following his summer move, with the 26-year-old adding his second goal of the campaign after netting in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United at St Mary’s back in August. And the former Charlton Athletic man admits that there is more to come from him, as he offered his assessment of his time at Southampton so far.

“I’d say on a personal note, I want to be more involved in the play in and around the

final third, but I’m still learning and trying to improve. I want to be the best that I can be,” he told the club website after his goal against Everton.

“On a personal note, I wouldn’t say I have been at my best. To score against Everton was a good feeling, but at the end of the day, not getting a result has made it frustrating.”

Aribo has called for Southampton to re-focus as they look to try and get back on track after three straight defeats in the league against Wolves, Aston Villa and Everton in recent weeks.

He said: “We just need to recover because the games are coming thick and fast, and we need to be ready. The squad is big, so everyone needs to be focused. We need to work together, be strong, be a unit and be ready to go.”

Against Manchester City the following week after Everton’s loss, Aribo, who was having his sixth start of the season was a pity sight as he was just lost in the middle of the park against a free-flowing Pep Guardiola’s side as The Sky Blue spanked Southampton 4-0 to put pressure on manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Aribo however insisted “we’re all united” when it comes to their following of the manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s orders.

“We’re all united, we’re all together. We know how important it is to get out of this run we’re going through,” he told the Daily Echo “The boys are working hard daily, we just need to take onboard the manager’s points to see what he needs to get results in the next few games.”

Aribo added: “You can take positives from it, in football you’re going to have games where you have positives and negatives also.

“We’re creating chances and that’s a good thing, we just need to find the back of the net and be a bit more focused together defen-

sively as a unit.

“It’s definitely frustrating. I wouldn’t say we are worried because games are coming thick and fast.

“As long as we get results and performances in the next games, we will look back at this as just a blip in our season. We can’t dwell on it too much. It’s so important we get going together, as a team and as a unit, to get results.”

After three seasons at the Ibrox Stadium, in which he made 148 career appearances for the club, registering 26 goals and 25 assists and helping the Rangers win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup, Nigerian international Joe Aribo departed the Scottish giants as English Premier League club, Southampton are ready to meet the Super Eagle £10million release clause The move was indeed a huge loss for Rangers but one that was always expected from the Ibrox faithful.

The 25-year-old has been a great servant for the Gers in recent years and has developed immensely after his move from Charlton.

However, the Nigerian international is at an age where he needs to develop and test himself at the highest level possible before his career is over.

A move to Southampton was seen as an excellent one for his career with the prospect of testing himself in the Premier League too big to turn down.

For Rangers, it is a smart piece of business to cash in on Aribo as he enters the final year of his contract.

The Gers could ill-afford to lose their prized asset on a free next summer and to recoup £10million for Aribo is excellent business by the club hierarchy.

It’s a tough one to take for Gers fans, but ultimately this is the right move for all parties.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst

says Aribo’s “ambition is to play in the Premier League. What he’s done for this club has been fantastic.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Ibrox manager added: “Joe is a very important player for us.

His development has been really good.

“It’s what you want as a club, to get talented players, develop them into really good players and eventually the player has their own ambitions.”

For someone who was seen as not being able to make it to the professional rank in football and was seen as only good for ‘Sunday League Football’, Aribo has not only proved critics wrong by going on to play for a top club but is now regarded as a perfect role model by the foundation that produced him.

He was not seen as someone that could make a career out of football, but against all odds Joe Aribo who was once described as a ‘good Sunday League player’ has gone on to play for a top club and at international level, and today, he’s hailed for his discipline, focus charitable character.

Owner of the foundation that produced the Super Eagles midfielder has described him as a great personality who’s grounded and humble.

Harry Hudson said when Aribo joined the Kinetic Foundation as a young footballer, he was described as a ‘good Sunday league player’ but he has since turned the corner and emerged one of their biggest products.

Hudson said Aribo’s interests are clear and he’s not about the fast life, despite having enough to afford it. He said this has continuously made him a good example of the players coming through the ranks at the foundation.

In an interview with Football Scotland, Hudson said Aribo always comes through for the foundation when needed.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 22, 2022

29

GLOBAL SOCCER

Nigeria’s Flamingos celebrating their 4-3 victory over USA in the quarter final of the U17 World Cup in Mumbai, India...yesterday

FIFA U17 WORLD CUP

Flamingos Make History, Beat USA to Reach First Semis in India

N

igeria’s Flamingos defeated USA 4-3 in penalty shootouts to reach the semifinal of the U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time.

The regulation time ended 1-1 before the match dragged into shootouts straightaway.

Nigeria will now await

Colombia or fellow Africans Tanzania today in the semifinal.

Kick-off of this Nigeria versus USA match was delayed by more than an hour due to a thunderstorm in the Indian City of Navi Mumbai.

The game flowed back and forth and Nigeria would go into the lead in the 27th minute when the Video Assistant Ref-

eree (VAR) adjudged that Aminat Omowunmi Bello had been unfairly hacked in the box as Nigeria launched an onslaught. Right back Omamuzo Edafe scored from the spot.

The Americans, seeking a place in the last four for the first time in 14 years, were back on level terms 13 minutes later, after an unlucky Comfort Folorunsho diverted a fierce shot at

the edge of the area past goalkeeper Faith Omilana.

Both teams fought gamely in a battling second half, and the Americans were denied by Nigeria’s stout defending once more when Miracle Usani heaved the ball away after Omilana had been teased out by Gamero Onyeka with six minutes left.

It went straight into penalties after 90 minutes

Ronaldo in Trouble for Refusing to Play Spurs!

Ten Hag insists the Portuguese super star must face punishment for his action Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag has said there “has to be consequences” after confirming Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham on Wednesday.

Ronaldo, 37, left Old Trafford before full-time after leaving the bench and walking down the tunnel in the 89th minute of United’s 2-0 win.

He has been dropped for Saturday’s game at Chelsea

and is training alone.

Asked directly whether Ronaldo refused to come on, Ten Hag said: “Yes. He added that after the Portugal international did the same at half-time of the friendly against Rayo Vallecanoin pre-season, he felt he had to act.

“The talk is between Cristiano and me. The statement is clear. It is also in the statement that he remains an important part of the squad,”

Ten Hag said.

“I am the manager, I am responsible for the culture here. I have to set standards and values and have to control them. We are in a team.

“After Rayo Vallecano, I said it was unacceptable, but it wasn’t just him. The second time there has to be consequences. That is what has happened.

“We miss him tomorrow, that is a miss for us and the squad, but I think it is im-

portant for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea - that is the most important.”

Ronaldo’s actions have been widely criticised, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker calling them “unacceptable” while former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel said this was the first time he had been “disappointed” in the player.

Messi Warns Argentina Fear No Foe at Qatar 2022 Argentina Captain, Lionel Messi, has warned that the Albeceleste fear no team at the World Cup scheduled to kick off on November 20 in Qatar.

Copa America champions Argentina, unbeaten in 35 games since 2019, were drawn with Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in Group C as they look to win their first World Cup title since 1986 in the Middle East.

“Today we are doing well and people are excited and

think that we will come back with the Cup, but it is not like that,” Argentina captain Messi told broadcaster Directv Sports.

“The World Cup is very difficult, many things have to happen (to win it), not only that we are doing well, many things that can leave you out and there are many teams that want the same as us and that are doing well.

“We are eager, we are going to fight, we are not afraid of anyone because we are ready

to play against anyone, but with peace of mind.”

Argentina began their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iceland – a game in which Messi missed a penalty – and finished second in their group before being knocked out by eventual winners France in the last 16 Messi thinks opening match against Saudi Arabia on Nov. 22 will be key to the team’s chances.

“In the first minutes of the first game the nerves and anxiety are difficult to control. I think the first game is very important because starting with a win gives you peace of mind,” he said.

“Last World Cup, we started with a draw and I’ve always said that if I had scored the penalty and we had won it we would have changed the whole story.”

Argentina play their final warmup match against the United Arab Emirates on Nov. 16

Gusau Inaugurates NPFL’s IMC, Demands Integrity in the Nigeria League President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said yesterday that it was incumbent on the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to imbue the

nation’s elite domestic cadre with integrity, credibility and a firm hand on management and administration in order to turn things around for the better.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee inside the

NFF Secretariat on Friday, Gusau pinpointed lack of television broadcasting as one of the major drawbacks of the elite League.

“There is a lot of work to be done by this committee of eminent and respectable

persons in Nigeria Football, people with the pedigree and real calibretoeffectchange.Oneof thechangesmustbetoensurethat ourLeagueisbackontelevision,and thatthereisalotofintegrityandcredibilitytothewayand manner it is being administered.

and Edidiong Etim, Immaculata Offiong, Miracle Usani and Omamuzo Edafe scored for Nigeria while defender Comfort Folorunsho missed. Her miss did not matter as Emri blew her kick wide and substitute goalkeeper Linda Jiwuaku saved from Bhuta to give

Nigeria the day.

Victory somewhat recreated the events of 25th July 2010 in Augsburg, Germany when the Nigeria U20 girls defeated their USA counterparts 4-2 on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in a FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup quarter-final match.

ITALIAN SERIE A Mbappe Scores Brace as PSG Maintain Unbeaten Run Kylian Mbappe scored two goals to help Paris St Germain to a comfortable 3-0 win at Ajaccio yesterday, maintaining their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season.

The French forward opened the scoring in the 24th minute after he picked up a through ball from Lionel Messi and lifted it over goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy.

PSG had several chances to double the lead and the hosts were lucky to go into the break with just a one-goal deficit.

The game was put to bed when Messi scored PSG’s second from close range after he received a through ball from Mbappe and rounded Leroy in the 78th minute.

Mbappe grabbed his second eight minutes before fulltime with a shot from the edge of the box that went into the bottom left corner to seal an easy win for the defending champions that keeps them top of the standings on 32 points from 12 games.

Guinness to Reward 20 Football Superfans with Trip to Watch Live Game in England Guinness Nigeria is set to give super-fans a chance to express their love for the game of football with an all-expense paid trip to watch a live game in England.

For over 100 years, Guinness has held the hands of football fans from Ireland to Nigeria, in times of heightened emotions, community building and audacious celebrations.

A statement from the company said the rise of Guinness’ Black Shines Brightest Campaign and its status as the perfect accompaniment for football moments presents the opportunity for the brand to beam the spotlight on football fans.

Speaking on the launch of this campaign, the Marketing and Innovation Director, Mark Mugisha, said football is a global sport with an estimated five billion fans around the world and Nigeria representing one of its largest fan bases.

He said Guinness is proud to be a longstanding passionate supporter of the beautiful game and excited about it role in helping consumers and fans of football create beautiful experiences, whilst rewarding them for their passion for the great game.

According to him 20 Nigerian super-fans will receive the experience of a lifetime via an all-expense paid trip to see a live English Premiere League (EPL) game during the Boxing Day game week.

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AUTO WORLD

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

New Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV All-rounder with Performance Genes

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Korea-Nigeria Students Tour Kia Nigeria Assembly Plant

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TIPS OF THE WEEK The Function of Catalytic Converter A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and SROOXWDQWV LQ H[KDXVW JDV IURP DQ LQWHUQDO FRPEXVWLRQ HQJLQH LQWR OHVV WR[LF SROOXWDQWV E\ FDWDO\]LQJ D UHGR[ UHDFWLRQ &DWDO\WLF converters are usually used with internal combustion engines fueled by gasoline or diesel, including lean-burn engines, and sometimes on kerosene heaters and stoves.

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(Source: Wikipedia)

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NEWSXTRA Suswam: Killing of 36 People in Ukum Shows 2023: Emenike Urges Abia APC Faithful to Renew Strength for Task Ahead FG’s Nakedness in Tackling Insecurity Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in signment given to him by the APC George Okoh in Makurdi

Former governor of Benue State and Senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Gabriel Suswam, has said that the killing of innocent people in Gbeji, Ukum Local Government Area of the state clearly showed the nakedness of the federal government in tackling insecurity.

This is just as the death toll from the Wednesday invasion of the area is now 36 with several others still said to be missing.

Suswam, who made the lamentation yesterday during a visit to the area to commiserate with his constituents, said President Muhammadu Buhari has further demonstrated ineptitude and lackadaisical attitude in protecting the lives of the people whom he swore to protect.

He noted that only one week ago, he had visited Mchia which is the same radius as Gbeji where 22 persons were murdered and several others injured.

According to him, these incessant killings are highly

unacceptable and unfortunate, maintaining that it smacks of neglect by the federal government on the people.

The former governor said time was ripe for the people to rise up and defend themselves from the herder-killers.

“Federal government has gone to sleep and does not care about the security of the people. These are peasant farmers whose properties have been destroyed and their lives have been decapitated.

“I commend the bravery and gallantry of our security agencies

but they are overstretched under the circumstances. I cannot sleep in Abuja while our mothers who farm food that we eat are killed in this way,” Suswam said.

Governor Samuel Ortom, represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof.

Anthony Ijohor, reiterated a call on the federal government to arm state security outfit with AK-47 to effectively protect the people, adding that the state government is profiling the number of displaced persons for adequate assistance.

Umuahia

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chief Ikechi Emenike, has called on party members “to renew their strengths like the eagle” as they embark on the task of liberating the state.

He gave the charge while speaking with journalists in Umuahia on the heels of his appointment as the Abia State Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, saying that the journey to the 2023 poll is not for the fainthearted.

The Abia APC governorship standard bearer said that he wholeheartedly accepted the as-

presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the ruling party.

He said that APC is firmly rooted in Abia and would win the majority votes to usher in the expected change in Abia and revive the people’s confidence in governance through a holistic development of the state.

Emenike, is already used to serving the ruling APC at top level, having been the Secretary of the Contact and Strategy Committee in the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC). He had also served in the presidential campaign team of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019.

PCN Seals 379 Pharmacies, Medicines Shops in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

CARING FOR THE DISPLACED… L-R: Manager, Community Relations TotalEnergies, Mr. Nnamdi Ahiamadi; General Manager Community Affairs TotalEnergies, Mr. Godspower Nwachukwu and Egi Flood Committee Chairman, Mr Chukwuemeka Amirize, at the handover of relief materials by TotalEnergies and NNPCL Joint ventures to the IDP camps in Egi Ogba/Egbama/Ndoni local government areas of Rivers State...yesterday

of Enforcement Department, PCN, said the action is to ensure that stakeholders meet required The Pharmacy Council of standards of practice in their 1LJHULD 3&1 KDV FRQÀUPHG operations.

Esumobi disclosed that during WKDW LW KDV VHDOHG RͿ SKDUmacies and patent medicines the monitoring period, PCN shops within Port Harcourt, enforcement team visited 543 Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local premises where drugs were sold, government areas of Rivers State. adding that the agency is now The federal government better positioned to carry out agency revealed that some its statutory roles in regulating RI WKH RͿHQFHV OHDGLQJ WR WKH the practice of pharmacy in all closure of the shops include aspects.

He said, “The PCN over the operating without registration, unauthorised sale of medicines, years established structures LQ WKH VWDWHV IRU HͿHFWLYH poor storage facilities, others %ULHÀQJ MRXUQDOLVWV \HVWHU- engagement and regulating day in Port Harcourt on the of stakeholders in the drug development, Mr. Stephen distribution chain across the Esumobi, Director and Head country.

Oil Theft: PANDEF Demands Probe of Vessel Ebonyi PDP: S’Court Strikes out Ogba’s Organisation Facilitates Interaction Between Allegedly Destroyed by Security Operatives Application for Judgment Review UK Graduates, Nigerian Employers Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu Nigerian National Petroleum Alex Enumah in Abuja of Nigeria had attempted to in Abuja

Company Limited (NNPCL), of the existence of the sophisticated The Pan Niger Delta Forum syndicate, which for several (PANDEF) has called for probe decades, has continued to siphon into the recently destroyed the wealth of the country; called vessel used for crude oil theft for an apology to the people of RͿ WKH 1LJHU 'HOWD FUHHNV E\ the Niger Delta, who have been security operatives, after the falsely accused over the years.

The Forum urged President vessel was reportedly arrested by a newly-contracted private Muhammadu Buhari as substanpipeline surveillance team, tive Minister of Petroleum, to Tantita Security Services led urgently take steps to launch a by a former militant leader, full-scale investigation into this Ekpemepulo, popularly known matter, including constituting a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to as Tompolo.

The Forum in a communique ascertain the perpetrators of this issued at the end of its meeting outrageous thievery.

2Q WKH UHFHQW ÁRRG GLVDVWHU in Abuja and signed by its leader, Chief Edwin Clark, expressed across the country, PANDEF shock over the recent startling expressed great concern over revelations of massive and the level of destruction reported, especially since more than 600 systematic oil theft.

PANDEF said with the admis- people have so far lost their lives sion by the management of the LQ WKH UDYDJLQJ ÁRRGV

argue an application seeking The Supreme Court on a review of the September 14 Friday, struck out request by judgment which recognised a People’s Democratic Party Ifeanyi as the PDP governorship (PDP’s) factional governorship candidate.

But, following the mood of aspirant in Ebonyi State, Senator Obinna Ogba for a review of the court towards the request, the senior lawyer beat a retreat LWV ÀQDO MXGJPHQW The Apex Court presided and dramatically withdrew over by Justice Amina Augie SURFHVVHV ÀOHG RQ EHKDOI RI KLV struck out the request following client when it became apparent the dramatic withdrawal of a that the apex court would not PRWLRQ WR WKDW HͿHFW E\ &KLHI yield to the request.

Following the withdrawal, Paul Erokoro, SAN who was Justice Amina Augie struck counsel to Ogba.

In the judgment delivered out the application.

Before the withdrawal, on September 14, 2022, the apex court had upheld Chief Ifeanyi’s lawyer, Chief Chris Chukwuma Ifeanyi as the Uche, SAN, had vehemently governorship candidate of opposed the request of the the PDP in the 2023 elections factional governorship candidate on the grounds that it constituted in Ebonyi State.

However, at Friday’s proceed- a gross abuse of the Supreme ings, Erokoro, a Senior Advocate Court.

FG to Ban Artisanal Miners from Sale of Raw Gemstones at Cheap Price to Foreigners Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government has warned artisanal and informal miners to desist from selling raw gemstones at ridiculous prices for export to countries such as United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the United States.

It said that it had commenced the process of discouraging the perpetrators involved in such act, thereby engaging experts to train locals in gemstones and jewelry production to compete with counterparts anywhere

in the world.

The Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, gave the warning on the occasion of the graduation and sendforth of Batch 2 Master Gemstone and Jewellery Making and Design trainees in Abuja.

Saraki, who spoke at the SUHVHQWDWLRQ RI FHUWLÀFDWHV WR the students, disclosed that Nigeria is abundantly blessed with several varieties of mineral resources such as precious and semi-precious gemstones.

She added that some of the most popular Nigerian gemstones include, Sapphire, Aquamarine, Beryl, Emerald, Tourmaline, Ruby, Garnet, Amethyst and Zircon which are located across the country, but sadly are illegally exported out of the country in raw forms.

The minister who congratulated the World Bank and the MinDiver Project for their vision and laudable endeavour, said: “I am also delighted that this strategic national training programme on gemstone and jewellery production which was

ÁDJJHG RͿ E\ WKH +RQRXUDEOH Minister, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, in November 2021 ZLWK ÀUVW EDWFK RI WUDLQHHV from states across the country, was envisaged to transform Nigeria’s jewellery industry.

“I am elated that all of you that enrolled in the programme are graduating today, signifying your zeal and commitment in line with federal government’s resolve to promote local processing of the abundant gemstone and jewellery raw materials in the country.”

Mary Nnah

Graduate Guidance Group, recently expedited interactions between UK graduates and employers in Nigeria while providing them the opportunity to network and hire the best talents for their organisations at the “Nigerian Talent, UK Educated” Careers Fair, held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the founder of Graduate Guidance Group, Emma Tarrant Tayou, said universities in the UK are now looking to support their Nigerian

Beauty West Africa Returns November 29 Beauty West Africa, the largest international trade exhibition for the beauty sector in Africa, is opening its fourth edition in Nigeria next month.

Running from November 29 to December 1 at the Landmark Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos, the show will host over 200 exhibitors from around the world.

Nigerian beauty, hair and cosmetics businesses will be joined by exhibitors from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America to make this the biggest beauty event yet.

Beauty masterclasses, demonstrations, seminars, a beauty conference and demonstrations will also be running as part of the event.

graduates by linking them up with the best employers in Nigeria to boost the economy of the country.

She explained further that the organisers have launched a mobile app called Career Fair plus, to help digitises the interactions between graduates and employers, adding that with the app, the organisers were able to give visibility to some employers who were not able to join physically, but who have expressed a real interest in having access to this particular group of talents.

Saturday, October 22, 2022

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MISSILE

Ikenga Foundation to Atiku “Northern voters are awake and know what is in their best interest.

For Atiku and those who think like him in the north, they don’t know what God has prepared for Nigerians” –Ikenga Foundation berating the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, for calling on northerners not to vote for Igbo and Yoruba presidential candidates.

HANDELOKOLI GUEST COLUMNIST

Alex Ekwueme: Legacy of an Egalitarian Par Excellence

T

he 21st day of October 2022 would have been the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s 92nd birthday and I find it extremely difficult to allow this auspicious moment to pass without once more eulogizing the man I often refer to as a true incarnation of the greatest philosophers of this existence, an embodiment of the finest qualities of a purposeful public life, a Nigerian patriot of unquestionable and proven credentials and a somewhat extravagant philanthropist whose legacies are often understated and underrated. Not even his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has found time to honour their guiding light.

From a heritage of diverse intellectual industry, deployed to his commitment to Constitutionalism and Democracy, and to his devotion to the principles of equity, justice and fair play in a country desperately in search of meaningful nationhood, Ekwueme still stands out as holding what I refer to as the Patent to some of the prescriptions for lasting peace, justice equity and unity in Nigeria. Our refusal or neglect to recognize these prescriptions continue to haunt us as a nation.

Alex Ekwueme’s position on the restructuring of the Nigeria which he championed during the 1994 – 1995 Constitutional Conference remains perhaps his finest contribution to the Nigerian journey to nationhood till date. Encapsulated in that outing by the Southeast delegates, led by Ekwueme were well researched scripts on zoning and rotation of high political offices, devolution of powers and principles of resource generation (production) and control.

In that famed Constitutional Conference chaired by late Justice Karibi Whyte, himself from a minority tribe, Nigeria was presented with a deliberate plan which recognized the proclivities of the African politician towards power as evidenced by well known sit tight African leaders who would rather die in office or be removed by a Coup d’état or some violent change.

We shall not forget Alex Ekwueme’s statement that if the purpose of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914 was for one part of the country to continue to rule Nigeria, we should peacefully deamalgamate. What followed was a robust debate and an x-ray of the path already traveled by Nigeria, starting from its constitutional history, to the civil war; from the distortion of the intendment and purpose of the amalgamation and independence, to the perversion of the dream of true federalism.

Ekwueme

That Constitutional Conference consisted of both elected and appointed delegates but in the end, recognizing the peculiarities of the Nigerian situation and the need for the emerging democratic governance to be strongly founded on a widely accepted constitutional foundation, the Conference prescribed a single term of five years for presidency which will rotate among the six geopolitical zones, such that in thirty years each geopolitical zone would have produced the President of Nigeria. The idea was to jettison rotation after 30 years when every part of the country would have become integrated by participation.

This proposal, which did not sit well with the Northern delegates, was surprisingly accepted by General Abacha. It was later to be discarded by Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar who succeeded Abacha, thereby foisting as it were, a forged version of the Constitution on the Country on May 29th 1999 purporting it to have been accented to by the Nigerian people.

Prior to the Constitutional Conference aforesaid, Ekwueme had thoughtfully prescribed six Vice Presidents for the country such that each zone produces a vice president that will oversee ministries, departments and agencies assigned to them by the President. It was also designed to ensure that if a President died in office, removed or resigns his position, the Vice President from his zone would succeed him. My humble submission is that, had Nigeria considered this proposal, President Yar’adua would probably have resigned as President when he knew that he could no longer continue or his zone would have risen to the occasion to advise him to

step down in the interest of the country.

That way the transition would have been very seamless. The Vice President from the North west would have stepped into President Yar’adua’s shoes.

I should further submit that had that Ekwueme proposal been considered, President Mohammad Buhari, who himself had admitted his under-performance due to age, would have probably resigned by now to allow the Vice President from the Northwest zone to complete his tenure.

Lastly, I also believe that if Ekwueme’s prescription was seriously countenanced, there will be no shout of e mi lokan after eight years of President Obasanjo and eight years of Vice President Osinbajo.

But the irony of it all is that while the country continues to kick this can down the road, it has also continued to recognize and apply the six geopolitical zones as a national political imperative while refusing to elevate it and have it entrenched in the Constitution. The result is that any zone which has the power of incumbency will arbitrarily deny others their due share. If not for the division in the APC hierarchy, another Northern Muslim would have flown their flag for the 2023 Presidential Election.

The Federal Character Commission, Police Service Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission etc have one way or the other continued to apply this principle. The same goes for the National Assembly, Federal Executive Council etc.

Two Sundays ago, my church hosted what it termed Annual Zonal Harvest where each geopolitical zone came to the altar to offer thanksgiving to God. If the robust and strong foundation on which the Peoples Democratic Party was founded is anything to go by, Nigerians now recognize that the party was birthed on the strong principles of zoning and equitable distribution of offices as enunciated by Ekwueme. Those of us who witnessed the formation of PDP from the kitchen of the G34 now wonder whether what happened in the 2022 PDP presidential primaries is not an aberration and a continuation of the unfair domination, which the South east delegates and indeed the Southern delegates to the 1994-1995 Conference kicked against.

One cannot however discountenance the fact that PDP was in a very difficult position given that it was not clear whether APC was picking its Presidential candidate from the South. Therefore, even if one considers Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as one in possession of stolen property, the entire circumstances must be equally x-rayed in the proper context. It is expected that PDP should have quickly rejigged its top positions to rebalance the party’s structure. The problem

some of us have with the crisis in the party is that those crying out for zoning and rebalancing are themselves guilty of complicating the process because of their individual ambitions. Otherwise, why would a Wike be aspiring to be President under PDP after President Jonathan’s Presidency?

On this note, it is perhaps time to condemn the naivety and misadventure of the Southeast governors who attended several meetings of the Southern governors Forum where a resolution was taken that the Presidency must be zoned to the “South”. They attended a ceremony where their family heritage was being stealthily shared among those who were not from Southeast, the zone to which the Presidency ought to have been zoned had Ekwueme’s prescriptions been entrenched in the Constitution.

My submission therefore, is, that there is nothing like ‘Southern Zone’. It is a misnomer which was packaged and surreptitiously sold to Southeast governors.

What we know is Six geopolitical zones.

How conceivable is it then that a Southeast Governor would participate in a meeting where a resolution is taken for ‘Southern President’ without realizing that such resolution ought to have been Southeast specific? Does it not now expose their interest as personal, since the leader of the team himself should not have contested the primaries in the first place. For clarity, it is my thesis that, if the purpose of the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum was for South south and South west to have yet another bite at the Presidential cherry, then we should unzone and go back to the drawing board.

We must admit that the principle of ethnoreligious balancing and the accommodation of the educationally disadvantaged parts of the country are some of the measures adopted at the federal level to give every part of the country a sense of belonging.

The Constitution supports this in Section 14 (3). Curiously, the principle is nonjusticeable thereby leaving its application to the whims of any person in authority.

In all, the beauty of his legacy is that Ekwueme saw tomorrow and cried out when it mattered most. He saw the shenanigans of Nigerian politicians and once called for a code of conduct for politicians. What is left is for those who truly love this country to draw from this legacy and allow the country to thrive. The PDP must model the legacy of this great man and strive to review the structure of the Federation in line with them.

•Chief Handel Okoli, former Special Assistant to Dr. Alex Ekwueme and former Special Assistant to President Obasanjo.

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