SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2023

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Arrives Nigeria Tomorrow To attend Nigeria-German Business Conference in Lagos CEOs of 30 top companies in entourage Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz, will arrive Abuja tomorrow on a two-day visit to Nigeria, October

29 to 30.

According to a statement from the Embassy of Germany in Nigeria, the visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Germany and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is the first visit of a German Head of Government to Nigeria since the inauguration of the Tinubu government.

The statement said: “With diplomatic relations spanning over 60

years, Germany and Nigeria have a warm and long-standing relationship.

They are natural partners as both are the strongest economy and the most populous country on their respective continents.

“This visit intends to accentuate Germany’s appreciation for the strong partnership over the years, and underlines the importance the German government places on Nigeria's role in the region and

globally.”

The statement said while in the country, Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet with President Bola Tinubu Continued on page 5

DSS Transfers Emefiele to EFCC for Fresh Scrutiny...

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Justice Dattijo Bemoans Corruption in Judiciary As He Retires Worries about ‘absolute powers’ of CJN, ‘which can only lead to corruption’ Alex Enumah in Abuja Retired Supreme Court Justice Musa Muhammad Dattijo yesterday lamented what he described as the

unpredictable nature of recent decisions of Nigerian courts, saying the judiciary he exited “is far from the one l voluntarily joined and desired to serve and be identified with.”

Justice Dattijo, who was at a valedictory court session held in his honour after attaining the statutory retirement age of 70 years from the bench of the apex court, also lamented

the absolute powers of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, adding, “a person with absolute powers, it is said, corrupts easily and absolutely.”

He said a number of respected senior members of the bar, who cited the cases of Ahmed Lawan, the former President of the Senate and the Imo Governorship appeals,

claim that decisions of even the apex court had become unpredictable.

Justice Dattijo said: “It is difficult Continued on page 5

Jonathan: With Smooth Power Transition, Nigeria Fit to Continue Leading Africa’s Democracy Elections are over, and so, we must move forward, former President tells politicians Deji Elumoye in Abuja Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said Nigeria’s successful power transition at the 2023 election qualifies the country to continue to lead Africa’s democracy.

The ex-President who spoke to State House correspondents after meeting behind closed-door with President Bola Tinubu, said “Though Nigeria has challenges economically now, we still have what it takes to lead Africa,” following the successful polls.

Jonathan, who was at the Villa to brief the President about his mandate as Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States, where he is leading mediation talks, said with elections over in Nigeria, “past and present leaders and the electorate must work together for a better future.

“Elections are over, and so we must move forward…Yes, we have challenges economically Continued on page 5

A GATHERING OF FIRST LADIES… L-R: Former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan; First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu and Ajoke, wife of late former head of state, Muritala Mohammed, at the opening of a protocol and security seminar in Abuja…Thursday.

Ribadu: There Won't Be Interference in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Guber Polls...

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DEBATING WAY FORWARD FOR NIGERIA… L-R: President Bola Tinubu with former President Goodluck Jonathan during Jonathan’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

GODWIN OMOIGUI

DSS Transfers Emefiele to EFCC for Fresh Scrutiny To be arraigned in Lagos court on new charges ‘very soon’

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was on Thursday night

handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Department of State Security (DSS), thus, ending the involvement of Nigeria's secret

police in his case.

Emefiele had been in the custody of the DSS since June after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office

for alleged infractions. He was thereafter asked to hand over his responsibilities to Folashodun Shonubi, the then Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate

JUSTICE DATTIJO BEMOANS CORRUPTION IN JUDICIARY AS HE RETIRES to understand how and where, by these decisions, the judicial pendulum swings. It was not so before, they contend. In some quarters, the view is strongly held that filth and intrigues characterize the institution these days!

Judges are said to be comfortable in companies they never would have kept in the past. It is being insinuated that some judicial officers even campaign for the politicians. It cannot be more damnifying.”

He continued: A couple of years ago, appointment to the bench was strictly on merit. Sound knowledge of the law, integrity, honour, and hard work distinguished those who were elevated. Lobbying was unheard of. I never lobbied, not at any stage of my career, to secure any appointment or elevation. As much as possible the most qualified men and women were appointed. That can no longer be said about appointments to the bench.

“The judiciary must be uniquely above board. Appointments should not be polluted by political, selfish, and sectional interests. The place of merit, it must be urged, cannot be over-emphasised. Public perceptions of the judiciary have over the years become witheringly scornful and monstrously critical. It has been in the public space that court officials and judges are easily bribed by litigants to obviate delays and or obtain favourable judgments.”

“Recently, fresh allegations have been made that children and other relatives of serving and retired judges and justices are being appointed into judicial offices at the expense of more qualified candidates lacking in such privilege and backing. It is asserted that the process of appointment to judicial positions are deliberately conducted to give undue advantage to the ‘children, spouses, and mistresses’ of serving and retired judges and managers of judicial offices. At the Court of Appeal, it is also asserted, presiding Justices are now being appointed out of turn.”

Speaking on the welfare of judicial officers and the budget of the courts, the newly retired JSC, argued that beyond the issue of judicial officers’ salaries that had remained static for 15 years, "it is instructive to enquire what the judiciary also does with its allocations. Who is responsible for the expenditure? An unrelenting searchlight needs to be beamed to unravel how the sums are expended.”

He adds: “President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 ordered the forceful entry into the houses and the arrest of justices some of whom were serving at the apex court. Not done, in 2019 the government accosted, arrested and

arraigned the incumbent Chief Justice before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged underhand conduct. With his retirement apparently negotiated, he was eventually left off the hook.

“In 2022, in a letter signed by all the other justices of the Supreme Court, including the current Chief Justice, the aggrieved protested against the shabby treatment meted to them by the head of court and the Chief Registrar. At the centre of the friction was their welfare and the cavalier attitude of the Chief Registrar thereto. In the event, his lordship Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad disengaged ostensibly on grounds of ill-health.

“Now, it must be said, Chief Femi Falana is right that the safeguard in our appointment procedures against judicial appointments for improper motives is increasingly being compromised. Certainly, by Rule 8.3 of the Judicial Code of Conduct "any judge who takes advantage of his judicial office for personal gain or for gain by his or her relative or relation abuses the power vested in him!!!.

“My lords, distinguished invitees, ladies and gentlemen, it is obvious that the judiciary I am exiting from is far from the one l voluntarily joined and desired to serve and be identified with. The institution has become something else.”

While pointing out that the present government has allocated additional N35 billion to the earlier N130 billion budgeted by the former President Muhammadu Buhari for the judiciary, he stated that, “notwithstanding the phenomenal increases in the sums appropriated and released to the judiciary, justices and officers’ welfare and the quality of service the judiciary renders has continued to decline."

Dattijo also linked the negative perception of the judiciary to the appointment of judicial officers, claiming that appointments have been polluted by political, selfish, and sectional interests.

The newly retired justice also described as "dangerous" a situation where a particular geopolitical zone of the country would be excluded from the bench of the Supreme Court hearing appeals against the presidential election.”

The retired JSC also lamented the depletion in the bench of the apex court and joined others in the call for urgent additions.

He pointed out: "To ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geopolitical zones are required to participate in the hearing.

"It is therefore dangerous for

democracy and equity for two entire regions to be left out in the decisions that will affect the generality of Nigerians. This is not what our laws envisaged."

Speaking further, Dattijo noted that with the passing away of Justice Chima Centus Nweze on July 29, 2023, "the South-east no longer has any presence at the Supreme Court," adding that neither has there been any appointment to fill the vacuum created by the death of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, on July 7, 2021.

While observing that no one had expected the sudden death of Justice Nweze, the newly retired justice lamented: "it has been two years and seven months since the previous

justice from the South-east died and no appointment was made."

Besides the South-east, Dattijo also stated that with his retirement yesterday, the North-central will also now suffer the same fate as that of the South-east, “since no replacement was made for the region two years ago following the retirement of Justice Ejembi Eko and Justice Sidi Bage, some years ago.”

He adds: Also, it was clear ab-initio that I will be leaving the court this day on attaining the statutory age of 70. It is then not in doubt that there has been sufficient time for suitable replacements to have been appointed. This is yet to occur."

at the apex bank.

A source told THISDAY last night that Emefiele was yesterday morning interrogated at the National Headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Jabi, Abuja.

The source said the former CBN governor is facing fresh probe over alleged impropriety during his term as the head of the apex bank.

"He is with the EFCC which has the mandate to investigate economic and financial crimes. The DSS does not have that mandate.

That was why he was handed over to the EFCC. So, he's here, undergoing interrogation," the source said.

It was further gathered that the anti-graft agency may file fresh charges against Emefiele in a Lagos court “very soon.”

The DSS arrested Emefiele on June 9 and later announced that the former CBN governor was in its custody for “some investigative reasons.”

On July 25, he was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Lagos and was granted bail in the sum of N20 million.

The two-count charge was later struck out on August 17 after the federal government withdrew the same.

However, a fresh 20-count charge was instituted against him over an alleged conspiracy to carry out procurement fraud, among others.

The arraignment has been stalled twice, and Emefiele was reported to have proposed a plea bargain with the government.

The proposed agreement required Emefiele to resign as CBN governor and return some assets.

On September 22, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation after Olayemi Cardoso was appointed as substantive governor of the apex bank.

JONATHAN: WITH SMOOTH POWER TRANSITION, NIGERIA FIT TO CONTINUE LEADING AFRICA’S DEMOCRACY now, but we still have what it takes to lead Africa,” Jonathan said after he emerged from talks with President Tinubu.

On his perspective following the Supreme Court's dismissal of the disputed election appeals instituted by the opposition candidates, Jonathan said "we need to bring all our political leaders, including all our former Presidents together, we should not be fighting. If top leaders continue fighting, they will not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will suffer. And we want to end that tension so that we can move forward."

Referring to his active role in peace and diplomacy in West Africa and across the continent, the former President said he

had been actively involved in regional dialogues, with plans to visit Kenya and Liberia in the coming days.

“I have been involved in a number of things in West Africa and Africa. In fact, tomorrow I will be in Kenya, and on November 14, I will be in Liberia. So, I am like a roving Ambassador seeing how we can bring peace to the sub-region and the continent,” said Jonathan.

While the meeting with President Tinubu was initially scheduled for last week, the former President said it coincided with the recent Supreme Court verdict, which affirmed the victory of President Tinubu at the February polls.

Consequently, he seized the

opportunity to congratulate President Tinubu on the outcome.

During the interaction, the former President said the focus of his discussion with Tinubu was the progress of the nation.

He cited the recent democracy dialogue where Prof Lumumba highlighted Nigeria’s potential leadership role in Africa.

Jonathan also underscored the importance of regular consultations with the current President, particularly when it comes to foreign programmes.

“They are not personal issues,” he clarified, “traditionally, former Presidents, when going outside the country for continental or regional programmes, brief the President upon their return. That is the tradition.”

Former Presidents’ visits to the State House, as he explained, are usually aimed at advancing Nigeria’s interests, as well as those of the Economic Community of West African States and the entire African continent.

Jonathan is also Special Envoy of the Economic Community of West African States to Mali, where he is leading mediation talks even as Mali remains under military rule following the August 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Keita.

In September 2023, the Malian military government announced that it would delay a presidential election scheduled for February 2024 which was aimed to return civilian rule.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ ARRIVES NIGERIA TOMORROW and the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray in Abuja.

He will then proceed to Lagos where he will open a NigeriaGerman Business Conference organised by the Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce.

“While in Lagos, he will interface with representatives of Nigerian civil society, as well as with Nigerian start-up entrepreneurs. Along with the delegation, Chancellor Scholz will take part in a tour of the city of Lagos to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by a megacity such as Lagos.

“Chancellor Scholz will be

accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking German business people including CEOs of some of the highest-valued German companies, as well as by a cultural delegation. This is because the visit is also geared at intensifying the relations in the economic and cultural sectors and exploring opportunities for investment in Nigeria,” the statement said.

The German Embassy in Nigeria said it is honoured to welcome Chancellor Scholz and looks forward to continuing to work on strengthening both nations' important and warm bilateral relations.

Scholz has been serving as

the Chancellor of Germany since December 8, 2021.

A member of the Social Democratic Party, Scholz previously served as Vice Chancellor in Merkel’s fourth cabinet and as Federal Minister of Finance from 2018 to 2021.

He was born on June 14, 1958, in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony, but grew up in Hamburg's Rahlstedt district. He began studying law at the University of Hamburg in 1978 as part of a one-stage legal training course.

From May to October 2001, he was Minister of the Interior (Innensenator) of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and

from 2002 to 2004, he was general secretary of the SPD. In 2005, Scholz was elected a member of the 16th Bundestag, and succeeded Franz Müntefering as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, when the latter left office in 2007. In 2010, Scholz took part in the annual Bilderberg Meeting in Sitges, Catalonia, Spain.

On February 20, 2011, the Social Democrats, led by Scholz, won the Hamburg state election, 2011 with 48.3% of the votes, resulting in 62 out of 121 seats in the Hamburg Parliament. Scholz resigned as a member of the 17th Bundestag on March 11, 2011 shortly after his election as First Mayor.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

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

Presidential Election Ruling: FG Urges Respect for S’Court as Final Arbiter Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has urged all political adversaries to respect the ruling of the Supreme Court as the final arbiter in the disputed 2023 presidential election by coming together as a united nation.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal yesterday at a press briefing after the Supreme Court affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

Idris warned it would not be in the nation’s interest if the opposition continued to heat up

the polity by refusing to accept the apex court’s ruling.

He also said that Nigerians would continue to find it difficult to have a nation they desire if opposition elements continue to feed Nigerians with divisive messages.

“Our differences in terms of political leanings will always be there. But it is important that now that the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter in this judgement has spoken, we should all respect that and come together, unite for Nigeria in the interest of our country. The time will come again when politics will reopen and the things you want to say provided they are

constructive will be allowed. But for now, please let us unite in the interest of Nigeria.

“Now that the legal contest regarding the outcome of the presidential election is now behind us, it is time for all of us to come together and move forward, into a season of governing that is without distraction,” Idris said.

He added that President Tinubu has made it clear that he will be a President for all

Nigerians, regardless of regional, ethnic, partisan or religious affiliations.

The minister said the administration will continue to strive to rebuild the trust of citizens in the ways and workings of government, and boost the credibility of public information and communication.

Idris disclosed that work had reached an advanced stage on the 2024 federal budget, while promising that last week the

administration approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Sustainability Paper (FSP) that underpinned the budget.

He assured Nigerians that the first Appropriation Act of the Tinubu administration will be one that is wholly focused on the economic welfare and prosperity of all.

Similarly, he said the federal government was studying the ruling of the High Court in

Enugu that declared as unconstitutional the proscription and designation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation by the federal government and the South-east governors.

The court had also asked the respondents to pay the sum of N8 billion to the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to apologise to Kanu for the infringement of his fundamental rights.

After FTSE Russell Downgrade, MSCI Moves to Reclassify Nigerian Stock Market Kayode Tokede Few weeks after FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) downgraded the Nigerian equities market, MSCI Nigeria Indexes has announced plans to reclassify the Nigerian market from frontier markets to standalone markets status in one step coinciding with the February 2024 index review.

Notwithstanding, the stock market added N121.5billion at the close of trade yesterday.

Also, the market capitalisation of overall listed stocks closed yesterday at N36.885 trillion, gaining 0.33 per cent or N121.5 billion from N36.764 trillion it opened for trading during the week under review.

Consequently, the NGX All-Share Index gained 221.17 basis points or 0.33 per cent to 67,136.58 basis points from 66,915.41 basis points it opened for trading this week.

FTSE Russell had in September 2023 downgraded the Nigerian market on the backdrop

of Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) challenges, which is a new source of negative sentiment that is capable of triggering stocks sell off at the Exchange, most especially foreign investors.

Naira at the Investors & Exporters Foreign Exchange (I & E FX) has depreciated to N837.49/$ as of October 27, 2023 from N448.55/$ early this year, following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policies to unify the market.

MSCI in a report stated that it arrived at a conclusion following feedback received from market participants from its recent extended Consultation on a Market Reclassification Proposal for the MSCI Nigeria Indexes.

According to the American finance company, “Since March 2020, liquidity challenges in the Nigerian foreign exchange (FX) market have consistently affected the accessibility of its equity market, leading to ongoing capital repatriation concerns and a significant gap between the official and parallel exchange rates for the Nigerian Naira.

Obasanjo, Garvey Agree on Badagry as Africa Slave Trade Museum Centre James Sowole in Abeokuta Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the leader of the Diasporan delegation to motherland Africa, Dr. Julius Garvey have both agreed to have Badagry in Lagos State, as location for the world Africa Slave Trade Museum.

This followed a meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a courtesy visit on the former President and renowned African statesman.

In a statement by Obasanjo‘s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the duo noted that the enormous contributions of the ancient town in Badagry to the history of slave trade could not be overemphasised, hence the resolution to have it as the location of the world museum centre.

Ghana, Addis-Ababa, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Senegal came as choices, but Nigeria was agreed upon due to her capacity and leading strength in the continent.

The visiting team also dis-

cussed how to improve trade between Africa and Caribbean and other contemporary issues.

Speaking on the visit, Garvey remarked that it was “a wonderful experience for me seeing President Obasanjo personally. He has the interest of the Africans at heart; Africans here in the continent and in Diaspora and I am happy to see that. We discussed the situation in Africa and am pleased to say that the understanding we both reached on the Museum location is pleasing.”

Garvey said the delegation also discussed the continent and the Caribbean as part of the six regions “and I am happy about the direction the conservation took.”

He added that he saw Obasanjo as somebody “who is on top of issues of the day. He has done so much for Africans and from the pan-African sense.

He has a sharp mind and is willing to contribute to the development of Africa. He really looked like my father from his old pictures and that he’s really taking good care of his health,” the Vascular Surgeon said.

ENRICHING KNOWLEDGE… L-R: Creative Director Aboutthatcurvylife, Latasha Ngwube; Programme Officer, Gender, Racial and Ethnic Justice, Office for West Africa, Ford Foundation, Funke Baruwa; Transformation Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist. Founder, Owning My Greatness, Adeola Kingsley James; Author “There’s a heaven for Bad Girls”, Adenrele Niyi; PR Practitioner, Oluwayemi Mafe; PR Analyst, AFEX, Anwulika Onwudinjo; and Artist, Storyteller, Broadcaster and Convener of The Comfort Food Workshop, Wana Udobong; at the book launch of ‘There’s a Heaven for Bad Girls’ in Lagos… recently.

Tinubu Appoints Olaopa Chairman of 12-member FCSC Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of former Federal Permanent Secretary, Professor Tunji Olaopa, as Chairman of the 12-member Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

This is in line with Section 154 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) which empowers the President to appoint Chairmen and members of 14 Federal Executive Bodies of which FCSC is one.

A release issued yesterday by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, named the 11 other Nigerians to serve in the FCSC, subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate to include Dr. Daudu Ibrahim Jalo - Member (Representing Adamawa, Gombe, and Taraba); Ms. Gekpe Grace Isu - Member (Representing Akwa Ibom and Cross River); Dr. Chamberlain Nwele Member (Representing Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu); Mr. Rufus N. Godwins - Member (Representing Rivers, Delta,and Bayelsa) and Dr. Adamu Hussein - Member

(Representing Niger and FCT).

Others are Mr. Aminu Nabegu - Member (Representing Jigawa and Kano); Ms. Hindatu Abdullahi - Member (Representing Kaduna and Katsina); Mr. Shehu Aliyu - Member (Representing Kebbi, Sokoto,and Zamfara); Ms. Odekunle Rukiyat Aduke - Member (Representing Kogi and Kwara); Mr. Jide Jimoh - Member (Representing Lagos and Ogun) and Dr. Festus Oyebade - Member (Representing Osun and Oyo).

Upon confirmation, the new FCSC leadership is expected to commence work with effect from

November 30, 2023, as tenure of the current Federal Civil Service Commission Chairman and membership will end on November 29, 2023.

The President anticipates that the new FCSC leadership will competently facilitate the transformation, reorientation, and digitisation of the federal bureaucracy to enable, and not stifle, growth and enhanced private sector participation in the development of the Nigerian economy, in full adherence to the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

IPU: Kalu Congratulates Ackson, Hails Akpabio’s Membership of Executive Committee The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has congratulated the newly elected President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), who’s also the Speaker of the Tanzanian Parliament, Tulia Ackson.

Ackson was yesterday in Luanda Angola, elected as the President of IPU, also becoming the 31st president of the international organisation of national parliaments. She beat three other candidates on the ballot: Ms

Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté of Senegal, Ms Catherine Gotani Hara of Malawi and Ms Marwa Abdibashir Hagi of Somalia, all women Members of parliament from Africa.

Ackson, who’s the first African woman to hold the position, takes over from Duarte Pacheco from Portugal, who was elected in 2020.

The Deputy Speaker in a congratulatory message by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, expressed optimism

that Ackson’s leadership will bring about positive changes and foster unity and cooperation among parliamentary nations.

Elated on Ackson’s win, he recalled his pledge to her in July, during a courtesy visit to his office at the National Assembly in Abuja, by the East Africa Legislative Assembly, led by Joseph Ntakirutimana.

While congratulating other candidates who contested for the position, Kalu urged them to support Ackson for the

benefit of Africa, assuring that Nigeria’s parliament will work with her to address global challenges, promote peace, and advance the interests of all nations.

The Deputy Speaker also hailed the President of the Senate and Leader of Nigeria’s delegation to the 147th IPU General Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on being elected into the Executive Committee of the global parliamentary body.

IG Orders Treatment of Gunshot Victims Without Police Report The acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has said that a police report is no longer required before a victim of gunshot is treated in any health facility in the country.

This is according to a police internal memo dated October 25, 2023, which

was signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu.

The IG’s instruction, which is in line with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, was sent to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police,

Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri and Enugu.

The Act came into effect in 2018, mandating all health facilities to treat victims of gunshot immediately without police report.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Olatunji Alausa, in an attached letter informed the IG about the low level of compliance to the Act by policemen and members of the public who could serve as first responders.

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Ribadu: There Won’t Be Interference in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured that there won’t be any interference in the forthcoming governorship elections scheduled to hold in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states on November 11.

Ribadu gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja during the meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on

Election Security (ICCES).

He said the security agencies in the country are getting prepared and are ready to meet the requirements and standards the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) want them to meet.

The NSA assured that the security agencies are mapping out strategies and ready to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent.

Ribadu stated: “This is going

to be the first election that is going to be under his (President Bola Tinubu) watch. He said that we should take this message to INEC and to Nigerians that he is going to be very much available to support you to make sure Nigeria will have free and fair elections.

“Also to tell everyone, including the politicians, nothing much more important than to

have a free and fair election, if we want this country to move forward. He is a democrat, he believes in democracy. He will support you. Already we have seen that the entire requirement we have put out to him, he has given us the go ahead.”

Ribadu stressed that the requirements of the entire security have been met, adding that the rest is for

them to deliver.

His words: “We want to give assurance to Nigerians that this election will be even better than what we have had in the past. This election is going to be free and fair. This election will be without interference. This election is going to be without violence. This election is going to be credible.

“It is going to be a litmus test

for us. Three important states, one in the North-central, one in the South-east, one in the South-south and we are ready.

“We will provide what it takes to provide credible elections and we are impressed with the preparations we have seen from INEC and we will work together. Collectively it is our responsibility to deliver.”

Again, Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Task Tinubu On Restructuring, Economy Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Leaders and elders of the Southeast, South-west, South-south, and the Middle Belt regions have asked President Bola Tinubu to restructure Nigeria based on the recommendations contained in the 2014 Confab Report.

The elder statesmen made the appeal in a communique they issued yesterday at the end of their meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

They insisted that President Tinubu should take an urgent look at the 2014 National Conference Report, concluded by 494 of the country’s leaders, as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Report on True Federalism.

The meeting resolved to set up a strategic committee on restructuring and expressed readiness to interface with the federal government, the National Assembly, and all other stakeholders, on the enunciated issues.

The meeting also urged the federal government to, “as a matter of urgency, and priority, work towards the restructuring of the country and enthrone true federalism as was originally entrenched in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions.”

The communique added that “without restructuring, the future of Nigeria and democracy remain bleak and must, therefore, be carried out immediately.”

ELECTRIC TRUCK’S HERE. . .

L-R: Procurement Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Saeed Ande; Logistics Director, Lafarge Africa Plc., Osaze Aghatise; General Manager, BHN, Saurav Agarwal; and MD/CEO Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, during the Launch of Electric Vehicle (EV) Trucks, first-of-its-kind in Africa into Lafarge Africa Plc Supply Chain Fleet at Lafarge Africa Plc Ewekoro Factory …yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Diri Dispels Speculations, Says Nothing UnusualVisiting PresidentTinubu Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Yusuf Presents N407b Budget 2024 to Kano Assembly Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, yesterday, presented the N407 billion Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly.

The fiscal document termed ‘Budget of Restoration and Transformation’ will fund the seven cardinals of his administration including human capital development, promoting welfare, and providing security of lives and property.

Governor Yusuf said that 62 per cent of the budget will fund the capital expenditure while 38 per cent remaining will fund the recurrent expenditure in the coming financial year.

According to him, education got the highest budget allocation

of 29.9 per cent with N95.4 billion, out of which N38.8 billion will be spent on higher education in the state.

He added that the health sector is the second highest with N51.4 billion and is consistent with the Abuja declaration of 15 per cent of budgetary allocation to the sector by governments in the country.

The governor further explained that the general administration got N45.1 billion, while Works and Housing is allotted N40.4 billion in the 2024 budget.

Other sectors include Agriculture N11 billion, Security, Law and Justice N11 billion, Water Resources N13.4 billion, Rural and Community Development N5.3 billion, and Women, Youths, Sports, and Disabled persons N8.9 billion.

Old Students Reiterate Commitment to Cherubim and Seraphim College, Ilorin Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Old Students of Cherubim and Seraphim College, Ilorin, Kwara State (1999 set) have reiterated their commitment to provide more support to the college so as to advance the infrastructural development and educational excellence of the school.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the 1999 Set of the college, Mr. Shola Afolayan made the pledge in Ilorin while speaking with journalists on the contributions of the association to the institution.

He said the association has been united since their graduation in 1999 to add more value to the

provision of quality education to the students of the college.

According to him, “We are Alumni under the aegis of ‘99 Impact Makers Foundation, driven by a collective vision to illuminate the path to a brighter future for our beloved community.

“In 2018, a group of compassionate individuals, all alumni of Cherubim & Seraphim College Ilorin, who had graduated together in the year 1999, united with a common purpose.

“From that moment, their journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, leaving behind a legacy of hope, acts of kindness, and profound transformations for our alma mater.”

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said as a sitting governor, there was nothing unusual in his visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday.

Speaking at Igbedi community in Constituency 2 of Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of the state during the visit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign trail, Governor Diri said he was at liberty to congratulate President

Tinubu following the Supreme Court verdict on the presidential election.

A statement by his spokesperson and member of the Publicity Directorate of the Bayelsa PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying he was at the Presidential Villa to discuss serious state matters with the president, who he said attended to the issues positively.

The Bayelsa governor contended that he was not disturbed by the speculations and lies of the

opposition, who he said became jittery because of the visit, stressing that propaganda had been the hallmark of their politics.

He said the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11 governorship election remained disqualified based on the first amended list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and urged the Bayelsa electorate not to waste their votes on a party that is not on the ballot.

Diri, who noted he was not in Igbedi to campaign, said the

projects of his administration in the community were evident.

The governor assured that during his second tenure he will construct a road linking Igbedi to Kaiama, which will create a better access to and fro the Bayelsa International Airport from the East-West Road and the Delta State axis.

His words: “Yesterday (Thursday), I was in Abuja and most of you saw the video trending. The opposition is now jittery and are telling lies. Of course, that is in their character.

Ondo Assembly Divided as 11 Lawmakers Dissociate Themselves from Aiyedatiwa’s Impeachment Fidelis David in Akure Eleven members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have dissociated themselves from a letter by the Speaker of the House, Oladiji Olamide, requesting the state Chief Judge, Olusegun Odusola, to constitute a sevenman panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, following the expiration of the interim injunction of the Federal High Court.

The directive, titled: ‘Request to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, following the expiration of the interim injunction of the Federal High Court in suit FHC/ ABJ/CS/1294/2023 by operation of the law’, called on the CJ to constitute the panel without any further delay.

However, in a statement jointly signed by the 11 lawmakers, they clarified that the letter came to them on social media as a rude shock as it did not emanate from any of the sittings of members of the State House of Assembly.

The lawmakers include Hon. Japheth Oluwatoyin, Hon. Jide Oguntodu, Hon. Tiamiyu Fatai

Atere, Hon. Gbegudu Ololade, Hon Allen Oluwatoyin, Hon. Abitogun Stephen, Hon. Tope Komolafe, Hon. Afe Felix, Hon. Oladapo Biola, Hon. Fayemi Olawumi and Hon. Oshati Olatunji.

The lawmakers said that the decision to send such a letter to the Chief Judge by the Speaker is in the least, unwarranted and uncalled for.

The statement read: “As members of the 10th Assembly of Ondo State House of Assembly, we wish to inform the public and the good people of Ondo State that the letter purported to have been

written by members of the 10th Assembly of Ondo State House of Assembly, signed

by Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, dated 23rd October, 2023, transmitted to the Chief Judge of Ondo State, requesting the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, came to us on social media as a rude shock, as the said letter did not emanate from any of the sittings of members of Ondo State House of Assembly.

EFCC Operative Narrates How Obanikoro Gave Fayose N1.2bn A former operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos how a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, handed over the sum of N1,219,000,000 in cash to former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose and his firm Spotless Investment Limited are being

prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly laundering N6.9 billion.

It would be recalled that Obanikoro, had earlier narrated before the court how N1.2 billion was allegedly taken to former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, using an aircraft.

In continuation of his evidence yesterday, Madaki who is the 13th Prosecution Witness, told Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke that out of the money, the former Ekiti

State governor bought property worth N270 million from one Rabiu Kundili in Abuja and also deposited in a fixed account the sum of N100 million.

Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the EFCC operative stated that between 17th and 27th of June 2014, a total sum of N150 million cash deposit was lodged into the bank account of the 2nd Defendant (Spotless Investment

Limited), by one Biodun Agbele, an aide to the former Ekiti governor, Fayose.

The witness further told the court that on the 24th August 2016 the sum of N168 million was also deposited into Spotless Investment Limited bank account He maintained that the money was released from the imprest accounts in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

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NEWS

UKNIAF Collaborates With Nigeria Governors’ Forum To Hold Milestone Roundtable on Electricity Act 2023

VALUED VISIT… L-R: Ibrahim Imam; Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Empowerment, Muhammad Jarkuka; APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Aisha Gunabi; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Halima Kamba; Wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir idris; Wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Hajiya Asma’u Alkali; Deputy State Commandant, NDLEA, Benjamin Agaji; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Maikurata; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Nuradeen Bala Fingilla; and Ibrahim Kangiwa during a courtesy visit by Hajiya Nasir Idris to the NDLEA in Birnin Kebbi…recently

A roundtable on the Electricity Act 2023 was jointly convened by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the British High Commission on October 25-26, 2023.

Facilitated by the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), the roundtable was themed ‘The Electricity Act 2023: Implications and Opportunities for State Electricity Markets.’ It aimed to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats linked

Emenike Congratulates Tinubu on His Victory, Hails Supreme Court for Focusing on Facts, Not Emotions Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

BUSINESS BUILDERS… L-R: Former Minister of Culture and Tourism; Edem Duke; Chairperson Afritrack and Executive member, ANBC, Madam Sabena Johannes; former Senate President, Bukola Sàràkí; and CEO/founder, Star Crest Group and President of Angola-Nigeria Business Council (ANBC), Princess Fifi Ejindu, at the First Interactive Angola-Nigeria Business Forum held in Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja …recentl

to the new Electricity Act 2023 and strategies for navigating emerging challenges.

The roundtable was attended by representatives from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Ministry of Power, state governments, heads of agencies and senior management personnel from Federal Ministries, Departments and Parastatals. Private sector attendees included representatives from International Development Agencies and Development Finance Institutions.

The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, has congratulated President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the reaffirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court.

Emenike also praised the apex court for using the facts, not emotions, in arriving at its judgement in the February 25 presidential poll.

The Supreme Court had on Thursday dismissed the appeals respectively filed by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar DQG 3HWHU 2EL RI WKH /DERXU 3DUW\ /3 FKDOOHQJLQJ WKH YHUGLFW RI the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which on September 6

affirmed Tinubu’s victory.

Emenike who was the Abia State Coordinator of the Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Council, called on all the contestants and their followers to accept the judgement of the apex court in good faith, maintaining that the justices of the Supreme Court followed due diligence and rule of law in arriving at the final decision which upheld the victory of President Tinubu.

“The judiciary has spoken and people should fall in line,” Emenike said, adding, “The justices of the Supreme Court followed the rule of law. They were able to set this landmark judgement based on the facts before them and not on emotions. There are laws guiding the electoral process in Nigeria, and the justices gave substantial judgement which will stand the test of time.”

Naira in 2 Consecutive Days Appreciates at the Court Dismisses Suit by Mobil against NMDPRA Nigeria Must Increase Crude Oil Production to The Hon. Justice Inyang $%- &6 WKH FRPSDQ\·V Parallel Market, Official I&E to N1,230/$1, N789.94/$1 Ekwo of the Federal High Court lawyers argued that the implicated operations were designated as Nume Ekeghe

The naira appreciated consecutively in two days at the parallel market against the dollar where it exchanged at N1,230/$1 while it appreciated DOVR DW WKH R΀FLDO , ( ZLQGRZ FORVLQJ WKH GD\ DW 1 7KH R΀FLDO , ( ZLQGRZ DW 1 GHSUHFLDWHG IURP 1 LW FORVHG the previous day. However, intra-day trade from the data obtained by FMDQ showed that the highest spot rate exchanged at N900/$1 while the lowest spot rate recorded was N696.06/$1.

However, the naira gained at the parallel market yesterday exchanged at N1,230/$1 compared to N1300/$1 recorded RQ 7KXUVGD\ LQGLFDWLQJ D 1 gain in one day.

1RWDEO\ WKH R΀FLDO , ( window reported a daily YROXPH WXUQRYHU RI PLOOLRQ D SHU FHQW increase compared to $113.22 million, it recorded the previous day.

As a result, of the growing GLVSDULW\ EHWZHHQ WKH R΀FLDO and parallel markets, the arbitrage between them has UHGXFHG IURP 1 SHU GROODU SUHYLRXVO\ WR 1 \HVWHUGD\

sitting in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (Mobil) against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Mobil had approached the court to challenge the competence of NMDPRA to regulate certain aspects of its operations like butane lifting which it maintained were integrated to LWV 2LO 0LQLQJ /HDVHV 20/V and thus within the exclusive regulatory purview of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). By its 2ULJLQDWLQJ 6XPPRQV ÀOHG RQ 19 June 2023 in Suit No. FHC/

‘integrated petroleum operations’ in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA) and consequently prayed the court to restrain NMDPRA from all attempts towards licensing or any other form of regulation of those operations.

In response, NMDPRA through its lawyers Ama Atuwewe (SAN) and Dr. Emeka Akabogu argued that NMDPRA was empowered under the PIA to regulate all midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria and that the particular operations in question were outside of what the law envisaged as ‘integrated petroleum operations’.

Boost the Economy, Says Rainoil Boss, Ogbechie

The Group Managing Director RI 5DLQRLO /LPLWHG 'U *DEULHO Ogbechie, has emphasised that increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production is a solution to the current economic challenges facing the country.

He made these remarks while speaking during a roundtable session at the 29th Edition National Economic Summit at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The session themed ‘Igniting Growth: Energy and Nigeria’s Global Race’, focused on how the energy sector can be modernised to bolster production, reduce

operational costs, enhance global trade, and boost the economy.

Speaking on the panel, Ogbechie said that Nigeria has vast oil reserves and oil accounts for over 95 per cent of our foreign earnings. Yet the country continues to fall short in terms of production, which has had a negative impact on the country’s economy.

Ogbechie stated that Nigeria, as a gas-producing country, VKRXOG QRW EH LPSRUWLQJ /3* but should harness its gas potential to meet its domestic /3* QHHGV

Seplat Splashes over N20m ASUU Protests Incessant Kidnapping of on Edo/Delta Schools Members, Students in Nasarawa Varsity

Methodist Cathedral, Palm Avenue Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Omon-Julius Onabu inAsaba

Rebecca Ejiforma

The 12th edition of the Seplat JV Pearls Quiz Competition has been concluded with the grand finale held yesterday in Asaba, which saw Don Bosco Science Academy, Ekpoma, Edo State, emerging as the champion, and snatching the plum cash prize of N10 million for the best participating school.

The annual competition is a social corporate responsibility (CSR) initiative of Seplat Petroleum Development Company, an indigenous oil and gas exploration company operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria; and, Pearls

stands for “Preparing Exceptional DQG 5HVSRQVLEOH /HDGHUVµ However, Our Saviour College, Sapele, Delta State, secured the second place after squaring up against Don Bosco Academy in the grand finale, going home with a cash prize of N5m (five million naira) and other gifts meant for the participating students and their teachers.

The third position went to Hollywood International School, Asaba, Delta State, which also went home N3m richer, while Divine Providence College, Benin-City, Edo State, got the consolatory fourth place with the attached awards.

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

placards with the inscriptions: ‘Governor A. A Sule save us 7KH $FDGHPLF 6WDͿ 8QLRQ RI from terrorists’, ‘Save lives of Universities (ASUU) yesterday university lecturers. Overhaul protested recent incessant WKH VHFXULW\ DSSDUDWXV LQ .H΀ kidnappings of its members for us to be secured’, ‘The and students of the Nasarawa OLYHV RI OHFWXUHUV PDWWHU /HW 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ .H΀ 168. the lecturers breathe’, among The union held a peaceful others.

Speaking shortly after the protest at the Senate Building RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ .H΀ /RFDO protest, Prof. Emmanuel Government Area of the state. Osodeke, National President, It would be recalled that ASUU condemned the kidnapsome lecturers and students of ping which he described as the institution were kidnapped pathetic and called on relevant recently by unknown persons authorities to put in place and later released. necessary steps to avert future Some of the protesters carried occurrence.

All is now set for all members and well wishers of Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Blessing, Palm – Avenue, Mushin, /DJRV WR FHOHEUDWH WKH WK \HDU anniversary of its existence as a Church.

To celebrate the glory of God on its Church and the members as a whole, a one week line up full of various exciting and VSLULWXDOO\ ÀOOHG DFWLYLWLHV KDYH been put in place towards this celebration starting from today, Saturday 28th October to Sunday 5th November, 2023.

The celebration starts with an awareness rally on Saturday 28th October within the vicinity where the Church is located in Palm – Avenue to kick start a powerful three - Day revival at the Cathedral by 5pm. This will be followed by visitations to select less privileged homes and some elderly members as part of the Church’s Corporate Social Responsibilities. In the same vein of giving back to its immediate environment, free medical outreach will be extended to everyone that comes around on Friday 3rd November at the Cathedral.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 28, 2023

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NEWS

HPN Introduces Cutting-edge K11 Pro Smart POS Terminal Rebecca Ejiforma HPN Technology Limited has unveiled the K11 Pro Smart POS Terminal, a groundbreaking innovation that promises to empower in-store merchants with a range of cutting-edge technologies for unparalleled SHUIRUPDQFH DV LW RͿHUV D VXSHULRU DQG H΀FLHQW ZD\ WR conduct transactions while ensuring the highest levels of security and ease of use.

The K11 Pro is poised to rede-

ÀQH WKH ODQGVFDSH RI WUDQVDFWLRQ processing in businesses, featuring a potent processor that guarantees lightning-fast transaction speeds.

Its expansive six-inch screen not only augments the user experience but also positions itself as a versatile tool for merchants.

Moreover, its sleek and elegant design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of any business setting but also harmonizes seamlessly with daily operations for PD[LPXP H΀FLHQF\

Onga Chicken Cube Relaunch Excites Distributors SHARING IDEAS… L-R: NGF Chairman, Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, and Director General, NGF, Mr. Asishana Okuru, share notes at the Electricity Act 2023 Roundtable Event in Abuja...recently

Ezem Warns Gumi Against Baptist Academy Inaugurates Vocational Antagonising Wike Technical Centre to Empower Students Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogoin Umuahia

The controversial Muslim cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi has been warned to stop his vitriolic attacks on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The President/CEO of Cosmo Base Consortium Ltd., Rev. Benson Ezem handed down the warning while reacting to the call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

to sack Wike.

Gumi had in a viral video questioned the appointment of Wike as FCT Minister and called for his removal and replacement with a Muslim from the North, claiming that the FCT is their enclave.

But Ezem in a chat with THISDAY vehemently condemned the “misguided vituperation” by the Muslim cleric, saying that it constituted a threat to the status of Abuja as the federal capital territory.

Funmi Ogundare

project dedication in Lagos, the Chairman of the set, Mr. Baptist Academy Old Ademola Adebise, explained Students Association (BAOSA) the importance of the initia78 to 83 set, yesterday, tive, saying that its aim is inaugurated a vocational to bridge the gap between technical centre, equipped traditional academies and with a state-of-the-art facility practical hands-on learnto provide students with the ing in a rapidly evolving tools and resources to excel environment.

According to him, “The LQ WKH ÀHOG RI 7HFKQLFDO DQG Vocational Education (TVE). world is rapidly evolving Speaking at the 40th year and technical and vocational graduation anniversary and skills are high in demand.

Promasidor, the leading provider of high-quality food products across various African regions, has announced the relaunch of its Onga Chicken Cube. The seasoning cube is packed with the ability to transform ordinary chicken dishes into extraordinary culinary creations. This remarkable reimagining is not just about great taste and aroma but also a heartfelt nod to mothers, children, and all food enthusiasts who treasure XQIRUJHWWDEOH ÁDYRU H[SHULences.

Marketing Director, Promasidor, Adebola Williams said, ‘‘As Nigeria’s foremost seasoning brand, Onga understands the importance of taste in every meal. Our commitment to perfection knows no bounds, and with the relaunch of Onga Chicken

Cube, we’re taking this promise to new heights.’’

7KH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU Promasidor Nigeria, Bruno Gruwez, said “We are thrilled to relaunch Onga Chicken Cube with a fresh look that mirrors the exceptional quality and unmatched taste of our product.

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INSIGHT

In need of succour...

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Who Can Dance Like Gov Ademola Adeleke?

Republican rival, George Bush senior, in 1992. Apart from engaging here are only four elements you look for in a song. Intelin tough and robust debates, Bill Clinton simply took to the streets lectuals identify them as imagery, diction, sound and the shod in only a tee-shirt and boxers and just jogged around. Jogging Ě ȱ ȱ ¢ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ around like that gave the American voters the idea that the chap need to be a literary icon or an art connoisseur to gyrate they see on the streets jogging around fit their idea of a president ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ¢ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ – fit, strong, and healthy enough to rescue them from the painful ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ¢ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ¢ȱ ĝ ȱ ȱ taxes that George Bush had inflicted them. Some of that drama was ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ also to play out in 2008 with Barack Obama, who took to shooting and the pictures evoke in you. perfect basketball shots, and which ultimately booked him a place We know for a fact that if the expression of the life in a plant in the hearts of a key segment of American voters – young people is the fruit, dance then is the expression of life, joy, youth and the and the entrepreneurial class. vigour of life. Sad people will never dance. Dance is a measure of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki, your health, fitness and sometimes a powerful indicator of your Rotimi Amechi and many others belong to that group whose new well-being and worldview. In my estimation, there has been only statuses as chief executives seem to prevent them from further one musician – Michael Jackson – who has matched the poignant, running around the streets playing basketball, eating corn, frying melancholic and sanguinary aspects of his life with dancing the akara and plaiting women’s hair. But not Gov Ademola Adeleke. meaning out. In one of his songs, Thriller, which gave him many He is still dancing, still bubbling with life, and still letting Osun Grammys, MJ eloquently interpreted the mystical relationships people know that he still has their back, and as if to say that even between the living and the dead, and used dance to give insights though he may not have all the answers but at least he still makes to how night can serve as a corridor to other realms. the attempt to rekindle hope and establish the assurance that some Dance is not an activity for never-do-wells. If you think so, then hope lies ahead. I recall seeing him dancing again as he enthusiastigo ask students all over world who take it as a major course in cally welcomed two Osun soccer stars who participated in this many universities. Dancing is a strong indicator and a key driver year’s Women World Cup in Australia. For most of us, this is the for governance worldwide. And again, if you were to doubt that, I kind of politician Nigerians want. would invite you to consider that the decision to cut off the head Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, deputy executive director, Civil of a key player in the administration of King Herod was facilitated Empowerment and Rule of Law Support Initiative by the dance of a maiden. Therefore, our discussion is a tribute to the one and only Nigerian politician – Gov Adeleke of Osun State - who has used dancing to connect with his people. Prior to the elections, politicians begin their campaigns by engaging in one activity or the other. I have seen some of T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE them frying akara by the wayside. Others eat corn, DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU roast plantain and join children in their schools to MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO eat the skimpy meals and drink pure water. The DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU other time, I saw one of them plaiting a woman’s CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN hair. But once they achieve their purpose and THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE get elected, they immediately discard the corn, run away from roasting the plantain and erect a barricade in government houses from where they serve the rest of us very cold breakfast.

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D Whilst he was campaigning to be governor of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA Osun State, Gov Adeleke was not eating corn or GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, roasting plantain by the roadside or frying akara.

ISRAEL IWEGBU, EMMANUEL EFENI He would dance and gyrate and just play. In doDIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE ing that, he served notice that in spite of, against DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH the dictation of political correctness, here is a man ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI alive, healthy, strong and capable of taking on CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI the challenges of governance. If possible as well, DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO he would dance around those problems. Whilst TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com I watched him dance, I was to recall a similar strategy that Bill Clinton adopted to beat his

Farewell, Florence Akhaihiegbe Ihenyen

F

ȱ ȱ ¢ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ £ ȱ ¢ȱ ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱŘŜ ȱ ȱŗşŚŘȱ ȱ the family of Late Pa. Imoisili Ihenyen and Madam Titi Teresa Ihenyen of Uhiele-Ekpoma in present ¢ȱ Ȭ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯ Fondly called SISTER by family members and associates, Madam Florence Ihenyen started her education at St. Mary Primary School UhieleEkpoma and later St. Michael Modern College Irrua, Esan-Central Local Government Area.

Thereafter, she proceeded to Sacred Heart College Ubiaja for her TC II. She was employed by then Midwest Education Board to teach at St. Mary Primary School Iruekpen, and later Usugbenu Primary School, Irrua.

Inspired by her younger sister Mrs. Josephine Asuelimen, a nurse, the image of nurses in white uniforms, symbolizing care, and compassion, enthused her. Madam, Ihenyen obtained her midwifery certificate from St. Camillus Hospital Uromi. Wearing the white uniform became a reality to her. She was employed at General Hospital Kwale, General Hospital Obiaruku, General Hospital Agbor respectively where she rose to the position of Midwifery Matron until her retirement. After her retirement she worked with some private hospitals such as Mucas Hospital Lagos after which she went into her private business in Ekpoma. While she was doing her private medicine business, she became an in-house nurse to seminary students. She also mentored and helped women to get loans for their businesses through LAPO (Lift Above Poverty Organization). Thanks to her efforts, many small businesses in the community were able to grow and succeed.

Madam. Florence Akhaihiegbe Ihenyen was a devoted Christian. Her faith was the cornerstone of her existence, guiding her decisions and actions. There was an incident where she was robbed, dragged on the floor, her clothes soiled, yet her determination to serve the Lord remained unshaken. She gathered herself, and walked back to the place that held her solace the church.

Josephine Asuelimen, Ekpoma, Edo State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Dissecting Rogue Firm’s Failed Bid for Nigeria’s $11bn

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he British High Court ruling on Monday overturning an arbitration award of more than $11billion against Nigeria is an historic result and cornerstone of international efforts to fight corruption. That was how UK’s Law Society Gazette summed up the judgement. Justice Robin Knowles found that the rogue oil and gas company called Process & Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) obtained the weird 2015 arbitration award of $6.597 billion in UK (which rose to over $11billion because of interest) “only by practising the most severe abuses of the arbitral process.”

The London law firm that led Nigeria’s legal team, Mishcon de Reya, deserves all the praise for brilliantly handling the brief.

A partner in the firm, Shaistah Akhtar, remarked that the Nigerian government’s resolve in pursuing a just outcome led to it uncovering overwhelming evidence of bribery and corruption, adding, “we trust that this landmark decision will deter other potential fraudsters and their backers from exploiting the legal system in the pursuit of monetary gain.”

P&ID is clearly a rogue firm. Recall that in 2019, following the arbitration award, the firm ran to Justice Christopher Butcher of a Commercial Court in Britain, seeking to seize assets of the Nigerian government abroad. Even when Justice Butcher had not given any such permission, P&ID went about pushing a narrative that it had approval to seize the assets, all aimed at stampeding the government and people of Nigeria.

On another juncture in 2019, P&ID, registered in British Virgin Islands, pushed out yet another story that it had instructed its lawyers to identify Nigeria’s assets abroad that could be targeted to recover the bogus judgement debt. Haba! Enforcing which award?

Who gave them the authority to enforce the award?

Thereafter, P&ID recruited a Lagos public relations firm, to intimidate Nigerians and the Nigerian government, with unending threats to seize the country’s assets abroad. The shameless Public Relations firm kept pushing out false stories about P&ID’s dishonest claims. P&ID and its Nigerian allies were really desperate.

Dubious Nigerians that signed a contract that did not protect this country in case P&ID failed to deliver, also worked for the firm at the Tribunal to get billions of Dollars for job not done. All standard international contracts provide for contingent liabilities on both parties.

This was not the case with the illegal P&ID deal struck by these brazen Nigerians in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, headed then by the late Rilwanu Lukman.

Let’s critically look at the contract to understand why I often refer to P&ID as a reprobate. The failed Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA), which P&ID wanted to use to fleece the Nigerian government, was signed in 2010 by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The NNPC was to supply wet gas to P&ID for processing into lean gas for power generation, for a period of 20 years.

According to the GSPA, P&ID was to build two or more plants for the processing of the wet gas into lean gas at no cost to the government since it would be compensated from the proceeds.

However, the NNPC failed to build the pipeline to supply gas to the company.

P&ID also failed to construct the plant for processing the wet gas. So, the two parties failed to actualise their sides of the agreement. In any case, why would the NNPC pipe wet gas to a non-existing processing plant? It is simple logic. A processing plant must be on ground before anybody can start talking about

Akhtar

piping wet gas to the place. Perhaps, the promoters of P&ID wanted the NNPC to pipe the wet gas into their mouths.

These are evidently exploitative people.

There was no intention to set up any plant in Nigeria. It was just a game to fleece Nigeria, using the flaws in the illegitimate contract.

On August 22, 2012, P&ID filed for arbitration. It accused the federal government of repudiating the contract it entered into with the company. Just as the Buhari government persistently argued, the agreement was on various grounds invalid, subsequently frustrated, varied or discharged by force majeure. P&ID failed to set up a processing plant and turned around to say that the petroleum ministry failed to pipe wet gas to them.

Evidently, P&ID did not achieve its own part of the agreement and cannot, therefore, be making dubious claims on Nigeria.

So, why did the arbitration panel approve an award for the full value of what P&ID could have gained when the firm did not invest anything? It was all “arranged” by P&ID, using fraudulent Nigerians. A court in the US looked at this same case in 2015 and threw out the ludicrous enforcement request of P&ID. But the arbitration tribunal dubiously ruled that Nigeria was liable for the failure of the contract and should pay the British firm $6.597 billion as the profit that the company would have made in the 20 years tenure of the contract. This is preposterous. How certain is it that this voodoo firm called P&ID would make unending profit for 20 years?

It is germane to note that P&ID admitted at the arbitration tribunal that it invested just about $40 million on the project, during its two years sojourn in Nigeria. That in itself is dubious. The then governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele confirmed that there was no evidence of capital importation by P&ID. Emefiele declared in 2019: “As a foreign company, if you are investing either in a contract or a project in Nigeria, there are various options you will adopt in bringing in your investment. If you are bringing in capital, in which case you are bringing in the money, you will fill Form A and you will also collect a certificate of capital importation. If you are bringing in machines or assets to execute your contract, then in this case, you will fill Form M and also collect a certificate of capital importation to prove that you actually brought in money. We have gone through our records; we do not have any

P&ID did not set out to build plants for the processing of wet gas into lean gas as contained in the agreement signed with Nigeria. It simply connived with dubious Nigerian government officials to sign an illegal contract skewed in its favour. Then, it ran to the UK and filed for arbitration. It was a well-laid out game plan. The main idea is to swindle Nigeria. This has always been the stock in trade of P&ID’s Irish founder/ Chairman, Michael Quinn, who died of cancer in May 2015. The $9.6 billion was to be his biggest dubious pay but Holy Ghost fire snapped him information in our records to show that this company brought in one cent into this country.”

Notwithstanding, to be awarded a $6.597 billion compensation for an unproven $40 million loss is crazy. It was the largest arbitration award in global history.

P&ID did not set out to build plants for the processing of wet gas into lean gas as contained in the agreement signed with Nigeria. It simply connived with dubious Nigerian government officials to sign an illegal contract skewed in its favour. Then, it ran to the UK and filed for arbitration. It was a well-laid out game plan. The main idea is to swindle Nigeria. This has always been the stock in trade of P&ID’s Irish founder/ Chairman, Michael Quinn, who died of cancer in May 2015. The $9.6 billion was to be his biggest dubious pay but Holy Ghost fire snapped him.

Its co-founder, Brendan Cahill, pushed ahead with the game plan. He teamed up with an American hedge fund, VR Capital Group Ltd. that bought a 25 per cent stake in P&ID, hoping that if the move to fleece Nigeria succeeds, it would benefit from it. They have all failed.

I need to unmask late Quinn, for readers to understand this fraud better.

It is pertinent to point out that Quinn had previously colluded with Nigerian military officials to profit from a number of government projects that were equally doomed from onset. His collaborators are usually civil servants, lawyers, financial institutions, and politicians. They profit immensely from the deals. This is why his projects often end in litigation.

Quinn started doing suspicious business in Nigeria in the ’70s. He had previously made money from Nigeria for jobs not done through litigation.

One of his sham companies, Industrial Consultants brokered a $5 million deal with the Nigerian Air Force in 2010 which failed. An arbitration panel found the military guilty and awarded $2.3 million for work allegedly done.

There was also a $150 million suit against the NNPC over delays in the construction of an oil terminal, which Quinn benefitted from when award was made against Nigeria. The late P&ID chairman also once had a contract with the Nigerian Army to repair scores of tanks and charged them for undelivered tank parts after inflating the cost of the repairs.

But nothing happened because he settled those that mattered.

Even in his country, Ireland, late Quinn’s projects often end in disasters.

At one point, Quinn and Cahill got a grant worth $450,000 from the Irish government to start a videocassette factory near Dublin.

It was never actualised. The project collapsed and money disappeared. At another point, Quinn and Cahill got three million Irish pounds from the European Union to explore cleaner technology for making steel. The project also failed because it was a scam.

At the Arbitration Tribunal in London, Quinn worked on the Nigerian government officials and lawyers to throw the case.

They did not defend Nigeria. Besides, there was no point agreeing to arbitration because the contract was a sham; yet, the Nigerian officials agreed to arbitration, working on a deal with Quinn. Based on largely unopposed proof provided by P&ID, Nigeria’s flimsy objections were thrown out by the arbitration panel. For example, Quinn, who took charge at the arbitration panel, claimed he spent $40 million on preparatory work for the gas plant, including a 3D digital model. The Nigerian team did not ask him to provide proof of this. There was also no evidence of capital importation by P&ID. Yet, the Nigerian lawyers were silent on this.

It is also ridiculous that Nigeria called only one witness, a lawyer without firsthand knowledge of any of the relevant events, before, during or after the so-called breach of agreement. The choice of the neutral member of the threeman arbitration panel was also curious.

Nigeria nominated Bayo Ojo while P&ID nominated a Briton, Anthony Evans. The so-called neutral member nominated by the two parties was another Briton, Lord Hoffmann.

Why would Nigerian officials agree to the nomination of a Briton as a neutral member of the arbitration panel? This is easy to decrypt. Late Quinn simply fixed it in conjunction with the people who are supposed to defend Nigeria. Of course, the panel delivered judgement and the two Britons - Hoffmann and Evans - gave it to P&ID. They held that Nigeria was liable to $6.597 billion and that became the majority decision.

Ojo, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, in a minority judgement, held that the P&ID was entitled to some compensation but should not be more than $250 million.

A firm that claimed to have lost $40 million got $6.597 billion as damages!

That is what it means to be a very strong swindler.

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SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 28, 2023

SUPER SATURDAY Medinah Oladunni

The Only Time I’m not Working is When I’m Sleeping To call Medinah Oladunni a fashion powerhouse almost seems like an understatement. She’s one of Nigeria’s unsung ready-to-wear collections and bridal wears tailors. With a driven, talented, and hardworking team behind her, Medinah knows that the livelihood of many lies on her shoulders. Like a clockwork, the Creative of ApparelByMo takes on this unprecedented challenge with grace, poise, and wisdom. Oladunni talks to Adedayo Adejobi about her staying power

Y

ou studied mathematics at the University of Lagos and ventured into Fashion. How did you end up as a fashion designer?

I am a creature of circumstance, as a mum of two with a full-time job that takes me far away from home, I had to quit the 8am to 6pm job and get a job that was more family-friendly. This was what led me to fashion school, which has led me to become the fashion designer that I am today.

What inspired your love for fashion and a woman’s form?

I have always loved fashion from my little days.

What is your first fashion memory?

My fashion memory is when I learned to stitch in a homemaking class in secondary school. I remember going home to rip off some of my dresses to stitch back. Those were fun times.

How would you describe your brand’s aesthetics?

Avant Garde As a fashion designer, how would you define your role in society?

My role is to create innovative, sustainable, and expressive clothing that reflects the culture, values, and desire of women.

ApparelByMo doesn’t just aim to dress women; it aims to empower them by creating jobs. My belief in the power of fashion to effect positive change is evident in every aspect of the brand. Our success can also be attributed to our strong community and customer-centric approach. We actively engage with our customer base, listening to feedback, and incorporating them into our designs and business practices. This collaborative relationship with our audience fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty among customers What do women and their bodies represent to you?

The woman’s body represents beauty You seem to have a liking for Vera Wang.

Is she a mentor to you?

I love her fashion pieces and my favourite fashion quote is by her is “I want people to see the dress, but focus on the woman” How is your work received internationally?

We actually have a lot of international customers who appreciate the infusion of traditional African designs with western designs.

Where do you look for creative inspiration?

In my opinion, inspiration comes from everywhere, it could be a beautiful sunset in the evening or sitting in the garden when the flowers a blooming.

Is it hard to stay innovative?

I will say it takes work and a lot of clearing of the mind.

My role is to create innovative, sustainable, and expressive clothing WKDW UHÁHFWV WKH FXOWXUH values, and desire of women. ApparelByMo doesn’t just aim to dress women; it aims to empower them by creating jobs. My belief in the power of fashion to effect positive change is evident in every aspect of the brand.

Our success can also be attributed to our strong community and customer-centric approach Medinah

How do you walk the line between being unique and having commercial appeal?

I am still trying to learn how to marry both, and I always need to remind myself that I’m not the only person wearing my designs.

So, they constantly have to be inclusive. My collection is elevated.

Within that, we try to suggest a certain modernity in lifestyle wear.

There’s always an attitude - either athletic or seductive - even in the big-volume mass-market line, suggested in both choice of prints and silhouettes and fabric. We try to bring that philosophy to the brand.

My collections are a testament to the brand’s versatility and creativity.

We represented our latest collection which was showcased on the runway of Cheshire Fashion Week 2023 in the United Kingdom. From avantgarde streetwear that blends bold prints and unconventional fabrics to timeless classics that exude elegance, every piece tells a unique story. Each item in the collection is thoughtfully designed to appeal to diverse tastes and styles, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

You’re both the creative and the business head of your company. How do you balance your time between the two?

It’s nearly impossible. Like they say uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, I tend to run the business during the day and I’m more creative after official work hours. There are people whose livelihoods depend on you. So, every decision I make, I consider whether it’s about my ego or the reality of the business. This is the civil war in my brain every minute I’m awake. That said, the industry is difficult. There’s a lot of competition. Honestly, I believe that as an entrepreneur, the only time I am not working is when I am sleeping.

As a designer, is it possible to create anything that you can imagine?

It is absolutely possible to create anything you imagine, for what you create to be wearable is another question.

What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?

I’m fascinated by my colours and shapes.

And the recent collection reflects that.

What aspects of Nigeria’s fashion

industry would you like to change?

What I would like to change is to actually teach people how to sew. The dress-making aspect of fashion designing is something I believe needs a lot of improvement. I am extremely particular about how the dress fits the lady wearing it.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your company?

We have to work to keep the lights on.

Where do you see your brand in the future?

As ApparelByMo continues to grow and make its mark on the fashion industry, one thing is clear: our commitment to quality, inclusivity, and sustainability remains unwavering. With each new collection, I the team continue to push boundaries, challenge norms, and redefine what fashion can be. In a world where fashion is often criticised for its exclusivity and environmental impact, ApparelByMo serves as a refreshing and inspiring example of what’s possible.

With creativity, dedication, and passion for positive change, this emerging brand will not just make waves; but will be making a lasting impact on the future of fashion.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 28, 2023

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

How to Clean Your Car’s Engine Bay: A Step-By-Step Guide

Changan Raeton Plus

Mikano Motors Presents Relationship Status with Geely, Changan Brands

M

ikano Motors has stated that contrary to speculations, the relationship between it and Geely brand is facing some strain over certain Unresolved matters, one of which is the recent addition of the Changan Auto brand to its portfolio. Mikano Motors, however, made it explicitly clear that all their existing Geely clients be rest assured that they will continue to receive their state-of-the-art after-sales service support.

Managing Director of Mikano Motors, Ralph Haidar, disclosed this in Lagos recently at a media parley aimed at enlightening its customers on why the company took over the franchise of the Changan brand in Nigeria.

The Changan marque, before now, used to be one of the brands marketed in Nigeria by the Stallion Group and made a name for itself with models like the CS35, CS55 and CS75.

Haidar explained that the decision to take over the franchise of Changan brand of vehicles in Nigeria is not unconnected with Mikano

0RWRUV HͿRUWV DW H[SDQGLQJ LWV RSHUDWLRQV and also to avail Nigerians opportunities to get a wide range of state-of-the-art vehicles DW DͿRUGDEOH SULFHV According to him, Mikano has future plans to bring in more brands to complement the existing lineup in order to grow its market share within the automotive market and provide Nigerians with premium and diverse options when selecting vehicles.

He, however, reiterated that the three- yearlong Mikano- Geely relationship is undergoing some reviews Geely; whilst emphasising that customers would continue to enjoy adequate after-sales service from them.

Haidar stated that Mikano Motors took on Changan because of its versatility and the ODWHVW WHFKQRORJ\ LW RͿHUV DV ZHOO DV LWV DUUD\V of models that it has placed under Mikano motors in Nigeria.

“Changan, which is the number one selling auto brands in the Middle East, and the biggest export from China to Nigeria has given us more models to market here Nigeria. This means we have a diverse range of models

IURP WKLV WRS &KLQHVH DXWRPDNHU WR RͿHU Nigerians.

“It is the best brand in the Middle East and other regions, and has outstanding service in safety and innovation from its competitors.

Changan is one of the top Chinese auto brands that is gaining immense popularity worldwide DQG LV NQRZQ IRU LWV YDOXH RͿHULQJ DFURVV automotive segments.

“In the Chinese language, CHANG means ‘lasting’ and AN means ‘safety.’ Therefore, CHANGAN together represents the idea of “Lasting Safety”. It is one of the top four Automobile groups in China and the top selling domestic Chinese automobile brand. ´&KDQJDQ KDV D GLͿHUHQW UDQJH RI PRGHOV for various levels of customers, and robust ÀQDQFLQJ DJUHHPHQWV ZLWK EDQNV WKDW ZLOO make ownership of the cars smooth. It is currently the only brand in Nigeria that can cater for any organization or governmental body and or individual who wishes to buy a EUDQG QHZ H΀FLHQW VDIH VW\OLVK DQG DͿRUGDEOH car that has earned the admiration of many customers internationally,” he added.

100th Anniversary: MG Nigeria Plans Locally Assembled EV Launch, Rolls out Exclusive Offers on SUVs

A

s part of the activities marking the brand’s 100 years anniversary, Stallion MG has rolled out for Nigerians special offers on Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

The company also plans to, from the first quarter of 2024, activate local assembly lines for the iconic MG brand.

Anurag Shah, General Manager, Luxury & Premium Automotive Brands Division of Stallion Group, Nigeria’s exclusive distributor for the iconic British brand (Chinese-owned), disclosed this in a media statement.

According to Shah, the campaign’s theme, “Drive to Impress”, signifies Quality, Technology, Drive, Comfort, Space and Durability of MG cars.

“We are marking the milestone with a “Limited3HULRG /LPLWHG 6WRFNV 2ͿHUµ D JUHDW RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU FXVWRPHUV WR XSJUDGH DV ZH RͿHU GLVFRXQWV exclusively on the SUV model lineup,” Shah explained. “We are proud to testify that MG carries the quality and reliability that matches Stallion’s corporate values.

“Since 2021, when we launched the brand in Nigeria, not a single case of engine failure has been reported in our workshops nationwide. This is unlike certain Chinese auto brands, which we represented in the past and dropped, because they have issues with engine and transmission failures,

MG as well as delayed support from OEMs, which were our customers’ biggest concern.

“I am bold to stress that MG is absolute peace of mind. The after sales support from the OEM is excellent. And, most important, our customers are very happy, which explains why we have repeat purchases from our corporate customers, and referrals

from our individual customers.”

Moving forward, Stallion MG has concluded plans to, from the first quarter of 2024, activate local assembly lines for the iconic brand.

“In addition to our best seller SUV RX8, and HS,” Shah stated, “we shall also launch a locally assembled MG RX5, ZS, and ZS EV early next year.

The engine bay under the hood is one of the dirtiest parts of a daily-driven car. But it’s also one of the most neglected places to clean. It’s not unusual to find a plethora of dust, dirt, grime, and oil stains under the hood, and most vehicles have their share of leaves, pine needles, animal nests, and other debris. It may seem daunting to clean the engine bay and its collection of electrical parts, wiring, sensors, fuses, and other sensitive electronics. There’s a reason why professionals charge up to $400 to restore the like-new appearance of an otherwise dirty, grimy engine compartment.

The reality is you don’t need to spend big money to achieve a squeaky-clean engine bay.

You can do it using a few household materials and some old-school techniques. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to clean and detail your car’s engine bay. First, here are the materials you need: Garden hose with spray adaptor Microfiber towels Cleaning wipes Spray bottle filled with soapy water Vacuum cleaner Detailing brushes Trim restorer Plastic garbage bag Cleaning sponge Socket set Step 1: Preparation and dry cleaning Park the vehicle on safe and level ground, preferably under the shade. Engage the parking brake and open the hood, ensuring the hood prop is in place. Next, grab a socket set, loosen the battery terminals, and remove the battery from under the hood. Not only will this prevent shorting the electricals, but it frees up space so you clean more efficiently.

(Source: Slash Gear)

Lafarge electric trucks

Lafarge Africa Pioneers Green Mobility in Africa with Electric Truck in Supply Fleet

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eading Innovative and Sustainable Building Solutions Company, Lafarge Africa Plc WRGD\ DQQRXQFHG D VLJQLÀFDQW milestone in its sustainability journey with the launch of an Electric Vehicle (EV) truck into LWV VXSSO\ FKDLQ ÁHHW 7KLV VLJQLÀFDQW PLOHVWRQH which is in partnership with Tolaram, marks the ÀUVW RI LWV NLQG LQ $IULFD XQGHUVFRULQJ /DIDUJH Africa’s unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions for a greener future.

Lafarge Africa’s commitment to sustainability has been steadfastly demonstrated through a series of strategic actions aimed at reducing carbon emissions and fostering environmental responsibility. As part of its ‘Accelerating Green Mobility’ strategy, Lafarge Africa has been actively pursuing the deployment of cutting- edge technologies WKDW HQKDQFH H΀FLHQF\ FXVWRPHU H[SHULHQFH DQG PRVW LPSRUWDQWO\ VLJQLÀFDQWO\ UHGXFH WKH carbon footprint within its supply chain.

Speaking at the launch of the EV Truck at the company’s Ewekoro factory, Lolu AladeAkinyemi, GMD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, said: “today, as we gather here, we mark yet DQRWKHU VLJQLÀFDQW PLOHVWRQH LQ RXU VXVWDLQDELOLW\ journey. We are proud to announce the launch RI WKH ÀUVW HYHU +HDY\ *RRGV (OHFWULF 9HKLFOH (EV) truck in Nigeria, an achievement that not only highlights our commitment to innovation EXW DOVR VROLGLÀHV RXU SRVLWLRQ DV SLRQHHUV LQ WKH pursuit of environmentally responsible practices within our industry.”

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 28, 2023

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Rub Minds’ Incorrect

EBERE WABARA

V

ANGUARD of September 30 ended the month on a lexical sour note beginning from its Views Page, as usual: “The gap between the rich and the poor is constantly widening as there is no concerted efforts (effort) by the powers that be (powers-that-be) to….”

“This explains the incidents of rural-urban drifts that have worsen (worsened) the security challenges in the cities.”

“NANS condones (condoles) with Irukwu’s family” “Sarsoli flys (flies) Nigerian flag high at K2023 fair in Germany” From Vanguard schoolboy blunders we move over to The Guardian of October 9 which nurtured two falsehoods: “Our committee has the responsibility to oversight (oversee) BPP….” “…it is not to intimidate or witch-hunt them but to rub minds (dialogue, exchange ideas, discuss, talk, converse—not ‘rub minds’!) and enlighten….” How do you even ‘rub minds’?

THISDAY of October 6 grappled with basic grammar: “…the debate had far progressed beyond the introductory stage to the question and answer (question-and-answer) session. “…has congratulated the National U-17 team, Golden Eaglets (another comma) for (on/upon) qualifying for the next….”

“But the minister seems to have swam (swum) into troubled waters recently with allegations ranging from insensitivity to abuse of office….”

From THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER we cross over to THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 8: “Voters apathy mars election” News: Voter apathy…

“The presidency, also aware of its interests, may do same (the same).”

BY

“…takes a look at the fallouts, recent studies and how women are coping.” New WOMAN: ‘fallout’ is uncountable.

“Snoop Dogg, others join the EMA’s bandwagon” Entertainment plus: climb/ jump (not join) on the bandwagon “S’West PDP passes confidence vote on (in)…”

“Rep debunks report of decamping (defection) to APC” The PUNCH homes & property of September 2 goofed: “NEMA warns against building in flood prone (flood-prone) areas” “Ecobank toll free (toll-free) number…The Pan African (Pan-Africa) Bank” (Full-page advertisement) THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 1 started the month on a faulty note all through most of the pages: “Bride or masquerade?”

The mask/effigy/masquerade is the object worn by a masquerader. Therefore: bride or masquerader?

“Bamanga calls Atiku, others treacherous” This is impossible because ‘treacherous’ is an adjective. The man called them traitors.

“Soludo assures support for construction of Nnewi mall” How can the governor assure support? The governor did not assure ‘support’—he either elicited support or gave an assurance of support to some people.”

“I wish you the protection of Almighty God and all your heart desires.” Get it right: heart’s desire (take note of the apostrophe and ‘desire’—not ‘desires’)!

“I and my family (My family and I—that is, if at all there should be separation since ‘I’ is a constituent of the ‘family) feel proud to celebrate a genuine Nigerian patriot….”

“We are all living witnesses to Yar’Adua Part 1” I am a witness, not a ‘living or dead’ witness!

Still on THE SUNDAY NATION under review:

“The meeting of the Patriots with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, few days (a few days) to this week’s National Political Summit in Uyo….”

“Copy her two colour (two-colour) look” Saturday PUNCH of September 30 goofed: “I won four golds as a nursing mother…” ‘The most widely-read newspaper’: four gold medals Daily Trust of August 29 continues the race with a few infractions: “The privilege (privileged) class has taken over virtually everything….” “…power show in the country is choking the common man on the street….” My own view: the man/woman in the street (also the man/woman on the street) ‘Commonness’ is implied! “...and that these have the potential to trigger off crisis (a crisis) the end of which nobody could fathom.”

Next is a special extract from the edition under review: “Reports said no fewer than 44 people were slaughtered penultimate Tuesday night by some unknown gunmen (we can never know the gunmen—so spare readers the ‘unknown’ trite!) at Dumba village on the outskirt (outskirts) of Baga town in the Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.”

“Our members have earned the allowances by working for the money and therefore we are not begging for crump (crumbs) from government.”

“She said the motive is (was) still unknown….”

Lastly from Daily Trust under examination: “Police cordons town hall over crisis” A rewrite: Police cordon off town hall after crisis Daily Independent Online of August 28 committed juvenile errors: “…dignitaries at the event took their turn (turns) to thrash out the problems politicians have infested Nigeria with.”

Threats to Our Democracy

A

s commentators on Nigerian affairs, there are situations and circumstances where writers, out of niggling frustrations and hapless impotence, wish for something tragically severe, akin to a hot sharp knife skinning the hides off fat lambs, would descend on the irresponsible and insensitive portion of our governing blocs - especially the legislative mandarins. With tons of critical written pieces, brimming with righteous indignation, and well-articulated umbrage at the shenanigans of our political class, in the last three decades and more - it is quite heart-wrenching to now read that our 10th National Assembly are contemplating - as if it is their feudal right - to mass purchase over 400 hundred Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) to mark the beginning of another sleaze-and-freak show called legislative tenure. There are 360 odd members of the House of Representatives (HoR) and 109 senators - all would have a need for a new vehicle, apart from armoured versions for the principal officers. The fact that each regular imported SUV would knock us down by $35,000 to $70,000 (meaning ₦35m to ₦70m each); and that the top range bullet-proof vehicles are in excess of $200,000 (a sickening ₦200m each) does not seem to worry the undisguised spendthrifts.

Even if the reports are a little off the track, there is a history of vagabond insensitivity in the way our legislators toy with Nigerian resources. Media reports show that between 2011 -2015, the 7th Assembly allegedly plunked a total of ₦3.5b on cars for serving lawmakers. Their colleagues in the 8th Assembly (2015 - 2019) notched it up by ₦1.2b, even as poverty ravaged the land. The total was ₦4.7b. The 9th Assembly (2019 - 2023) appeared less avaricious; increasing the total spent on their new cars by only ₦800m. So, in

the era of great depression and recession when COVID-19 ravaged economies of the world, and some like Nigeria, were badly lacerated, our legislators still found it appropriate and wise to spend ₦5.5b on new imported vehicles. Never mind that many were immediate past occupiers of plush executive offices with a fleet of cars at their beck and backyards.

Before we add the honorable contribution of this current Assembly (2023 - 2027) which doubtlessly makes the last four chambers mere front-office receptionists in the indolent company of ‘money-miss-road’, let us revisit the justification of one of the leaders of the 9th Assembly in spending ₦5.5b at a time more conscientious leadership sacrificed their comfort for the sake of cushioning the adverse effects of a world gone bonkers on the welfare and safety of their populace.

The then Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, argued thus: “The N5.5 billion is from the National Assembly fund (that year’s N125b Assembly budget) and not money being sought from any other source.

Besides, the scheme, as it has always been with previous assemblies, is a monetised one, requiring each of the lawmakers to pay back the cost of whatever vehicle is given to them.” Of course, most Nigerians did not take Yahaya Abdullahi on his word, nor did they care to support the illogical justification of less than 500 Nigerians amassing ₦125b to spend on and for themselves…in one year!

One could have even wagered some semblance of plausible argument if our so-called honorables diverted their vehicular appetite towards our homebred automobile assemblers - Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Nord Automobiles Limited and Coscharis Motors - who are bravely struggling to consolidate without dedicated patronage, we would hail them half-heartedly for at least indulging in inward investment and championing local

content production. Whossai Back to the quadrennial madness: if we thought such steady incremental splurge on imported vehicles was reckless, unpatriotic and insensitive, leaders of the 10th Assembly appear to have taken such anomaly to a devastating depth that empties your tear ducts, rendering you incapable of shedding tears, or gnashing your teeth in profound anguish. Now, we are reading of attempts to eke out a staggering figure that eclipses all the totals spent by all the past six chambers of this Fourth Republic combined! In fact, even when we add all of the vehicular expenses of all the prior three assemblies as far back as the First Republic - in the 1950s - these current strange occupiers would still keep a hefty change. A sinful ₦40b!

A slew of civil society organisations, including Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Transparency International (TI), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), among others, have raised alarm at the incredulous flippancy and arrogant display of insensitivity at a time the executive have been crying to Nigerians, begging them to endure the pains, lack and suffocating cost of living, while they work out some economic and fiscal magic that would bring us succour and positive outcomes.

Very much like a house hell-bent on destroying its core and posterity, the legislators, to paraphrase SERAP while seeking an ‘order of mandamus’ compelling leaders of the two chambers to refrain from the spending orgy of public funds.

The CSO is insisting that Nigerians have the right to expect honest and faithful performance of responsibilities by their public officials, including lawmakers; just as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry.

SERAP urged the Federal High Court in

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

“Fresh 3,000 jobs in Osun as Aregbesola commissions (inaugurates) garment factory” “Influx of people stretch (stretches) our security—FCT CP” “UN seeks Nigeria’s help to (at) restoring constitutional order in (to) Guinea Bissau” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 1 fumbled copiously: “…Ehoe division responded to a distress call at about 3.30pm (at 3.30 p.m.) that….”

“Traders commend FG over (for) intervention on (in) closed shops” “…in this interview with reporters, he said the North’s allegations that they are currently marginalized was (were) baseless….”

Daily Trust of August 21 offered readers clownish mistakes: “4 family members arrested in Abia over murder of kinsman” A rewrite: 4 family members arrested for kinsman’s murder FEEDBACK IT is the broadcast media that are to blame for misleading the public through ‘assumption’.

The general tendency has persisted because there are no fatalities or costly impact as in medicine or engineering. Now it is WRONG to refer to policemen or military personnel as security operatives. They don’t belong to the ‘official’ government security forces.

Therefore security operatives are mere private security-men with some level of training in the field. In the past, they were called ‘watchmen’.

Words and phrases freely abused in Nigeria are ‘severally’, ‘media parley’, ‘general election’, ‘charges’. ‘hitch’/’glitch’, etcetera. We now have an array of sources to learn from. Today’s journalism is knowledge driven.

Sunny Agbontaen, Benin City (07043524368)

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

Lagos to restrain the National Assembly from spending ₦40b on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for its members and principal officers, and ₦70b as alleged ‘palliatives’ for new members. It will be interesting to see on which side of the divide the judiciary will reside: the people or the purgers.

A statement by one of the leaders of the coalition of CSOs would serve as a fitting parting shot. Awwal Musa Rafsanjani was quoted recently: “We can’t continue this way. We can’t support that kind of spending on vehicles. That is not what democracy is all about. Democracy is about proper utilisation of public funds. Democracy is about ensuring fairness, equity and justice. These spendings on cars (are) not sustainable and not justifiable.

“Every year, you go to the budget, you see the same items like laptops and cars. We can’t continue like that. There is diversion and stealing of public funds in the name of buying cars. Democracy in Nigeria is about looting. Some of us did not fight for democracy for people to come and loot.

“The National Assembly should know that Nigerians are watching them because, with the underdevelopment, poor infrastructure, we can’t continue to spend this kind of money on cars.

“There must be a national dialogue and consensus on the kind of democracy we should operate. If we don’t do that, the politicians will continue to loot to the detriment of the masses.”

Clearly, we know those who are existential threats to our democracy.

Enough said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

POLITY

Yayi, Truly Representing His People Tunde Salako

S

enator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (fondly called Yayi) tickles the fancy of his Ogun West Senatorial District. Guess what? Last week, he proposed a Bill for the establishment of a college of Geological Sciences and Cement Studies, Iselu, in Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State. Having passed the first reading in the Senate, the district is excited that the College will bring development to the State as a centre of research for solid mineral exploration.

What a great accomplishment? The good news here is that the bill has already passed the first reading waiting to be presented for the second reading at the Senate before it will be referred to a public hearing for further legislative input.

Adeola’s foresight in proposing the bill is a further demonstration of his innate capacity for innovative idea, legislative competence, purposeful representation as well as genuine deserve for good governance. From Lagos State House of Assembly where he began his political career as a lawmaker through Lagos West district and to the Ogun West Senatorial District, which he is currently representing, his name has continued to resonate as one of the highflyer lawmakers who make the current National Assembly thick.

In his immediate constituent, his reputation for philanthropy and purposeful representation has no equal. By proposing the new bill, he has added another feather to his cap.

Optimism is high that the bill will receive expeditious passage by the lawmakers because, among several other mineral endowments, Ogun West is richly endowed with large deposit of lime which is an essential raw material for cement production. When eventually approved, the college will be a veritable centre for learning and research. More importantly, it will improve the economy of the State and the country at large and by extension, enhance the quality of life and living conditions of the people of the area.

The timing for the proposed legislation is even more auspicious, especially now that the Federal Government has showed renewed commitment to the diversification of the economy from oil dependence to mineral development.

In his antecedents as a lawmaker, Yayi has proved his

Yayi mettle for outstanding performance. And to that extent, one can say that Ogun State does not need to look too far to find a worthy successor of Governor Dapo Abiodun for the continuity of his developmental agenda, ISEYA. Coincidentally, he is from Yewa/Awori section of the State whose turn it is to produce the next governor of the state based on the principle of fairness, equity and justice. Since 1976 when the state was created, Ogun West remains the only zone that has yet to produce the governor. This is not for lack of qualified persons but due to deliberate policy of the powers that be.

But this time around, we have a listening governor who is ready to give every section of the state a true sense of belonging. He would surely address the perceived marginalization of Yewa/Awori (Ogun West) people which has been going on for 47 years of the existence of the State.

Gladly, the tribunal has delivered its judgment in the case filed by the candidate of the opposition PDP in the March 18, 2023 governorship election, Oladipupo Adebutu, challenging the victory of Governor Abiodun.

With the verdict of the Court on the petition, the coast is now clear for the smooth run of the new administration ending in 2027.

Some people will say it is too early to begin to scheme for 2027. Yes, four year is a long time. But in politics, the end of one election is the beginning of another one. It is, therefore, not out of place so see some prominent indigenes of Ogun West leading the clamour for the power shift to the Yewa/Awori. The need for early preparation is to ensure unity of purpose among the stakeholders in the zone. To break the jinx, some eminent personalities from Awori recently held a meeting where they insisted that an Awori indigene must succeed the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in the 2027 election.

They spoke at a roundtable conference with the theme: “Awori political mandate: understanding and untangling the internal complexity ahead of 2027”, organised by the “Awori4OgunGov2027 Movement” in Ota, Ogun State.

The convener, Azeem Salako, said the aim of the conference was to discuss strategies and plans for an Awori indigene to become the next governor of Ogun State in 2027, emphasizing the need for unity of purpose, strong political will, effective planning, collaboration, traditional rulers’ support, among others. These, he said, were vital for the constituency to take the seat of power in 2027.

The lead speaker at the event, Prof. Jelili Atiku, expressed optimism that an Awori indigene would succeed incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun if its leaders work together with relevant stakeholders.

He said: “If our leaders do not work together, we will not make progress. We must understand that development starts when you are close to power in the circle of those who have power, but the Aworis are not in the circle of those who have power, so there’s no way they are going to get development, and this has systematically progressed to remove the Awori and make us aliens in our land despite our endowments, political power still eludes the Awori.”

The don further stressed the need for traditional rulers to be involved in the struggle Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Salako writes from Okeagbede in Imeko-Afon LGA of Ogun State and can be reached on 09077265740.

Obaseki Will Do Well to Maintain Peace in Edo Allison Abanum The political sphere in many States in Nigeria is one that has proven to be fragile. Delicately poised at all times, held together by concessions as regards leadership rosters and permutations, more so in multi-ethnic states like Edo state. This fragile balance in the political sphere of such states often faces stern tests with every election circle. Tests that if not properly handled can debase this balance and degenerate into problematic occurrences which may border on ethnic crisis spurred by a feeling of unjust treatment by some quarters, that will surely trouble the security, development and political future of the state.

Edo state is quite an interesting state being the multiethnic state that it is, hosting a number of ethnic groups.

The quintet of Akoko Edo, Bini, Esan, Owan and Afemai to a larger degree are the main ethnic groups in the state geopolitically enveloped into the 3 senatorial zones with the Bini, Esan and Auchi regions being the three with historical political relevance as was divided upon the dawn of the democratic era in 1999. As it is typical with states with multiple major ethnic groups, a consensus on rotation of leadership candidacy is established and this to a large extent determines the political stability of the state.

Successive governments look to uphold the laid down structure and follow the patterns with each majority taking turns to produce a Governor at it’s turn. This is valid bar some exceptions. A disruption of the balance and pattern of political affairs often leads to some quarters feeling cheated

and matters arising hereafter can spiral out of control.

Governor Godwin Obaseki will do well to seek to maintain this balance in Edo state and not do anything to disrupt the pattern of rotation of leadership for any reason whatsoever be it personal or agenda wise. Democracy in 1999 saw Chief Lucky Igbinedion from the Benin region become Governor lasting the maximum eight years in office. Next came Professor Oserheimen Osunbor of the Esan region whose tenure was short lived only lasting between May 2007 and November 2008 as he was removed by a Court Judgment invalidating his election. Next came the then Comrade Adams Oshiomole of the Auchi region who also lasted the maximum eight years in office. Obviously the roster was set to reset to start over again which it rightly did producing the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki from the Benin region. It is worthy to note that in states where such rotations are set, it is done in no particular order provided the roulette goes round and starts again without skipping any group.

For many there is no rubber stamped sequence of exchange.

The 2024 elections preparation in the state is gathering pace already and obviously the next Governor will come from either the Esan or the Auchi regions with the third excluded due to the incumbent being of that extract. Where problems might arise is when for whatever reason, the power of incumbency is being used to ensure that it is a must for an anointed one to be next Governor as if to say there was a rubber stamped exchange sequence rather than allowing a fair and leveled playing field for the two regions and candidates in contention. Governor Obaseki should thread carefully in his dealings and aspirations, having served his

own tenure successfully he will do well to refrain from anyways trying to insist that it is the candidate from the Esan region that must succeed him. Doing this will disrupt the delicate balance the state political sphere has so far enjoyed and it may spell out lots of negatives firstly for himself and then more consequential for Edo state as a whole.

Obaseki will do well to maintain the peace the state has enjoyed thus far and ensure a level playing field and not enforcing a rule that is clearly not agreed to by all. Statistically if any sequence of exchange is to be followed, after the Benin region which has the highest number of local governments, the next in line should be the Auchi region being next as regards the amount of local governments and people by extension. Obaseki should avoid any veto act or seeming affiliations that may stir up ethnic tensions of any type in the state as it will be disadvantageous to Edo state.

Enforcing his own will for whatever reason will be declaring against the Auchi region and they too will definitely not be push overs.

On the surface it may seem a little matter, one that may be brushed off as an incumbent Governor having a preferred candidate, but with a forensic look at the intricacies of the issue, one would see that if Governor Obaseki goes ahead to enforce a will detrimental to the chances of the Auchi region, what may lay in the horizon may not be palatable for the state as a whole.

Wisdom and diplomacy should take center stage over personal ambitions and permutations in this issue. Edo state has enjoyed a somewhat brotherly coherence between the major politically relevant areas, free of violence and discord to a large degree and this should be maintained at all cost for the betterment of the state.

MRHRC and One Foundation Launch #WeMenForHer Campaign The Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective (MRHRC) and Sterling One Foundation have announced the launch of a 30-day advocacy initiative to drive awareness on the issue of maternal health and eliminate maternal mortality for at least 5,000 women.

This historic intervention, tagged #WeMenForHer campaign, encourages men to take the lead in saving the lives of our women and children as the world marks National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in October. The campaign aims to redefine maternal health awareness and provide tangible support through public intervention.

Statistics show that approximately 82,000 women in Nigeria died from preventable causes during childbirth in 2020. The death of 82,000 pregnant women is not just a statistic, it is a crisis and should be addressed as such.

“Our objective is to raise 100,000,000, enabling safe childbirth opportunities for 5,000 women in its initial phase”,

Professor Bosede Afolabi, Founder of MRHR Collective, stated.

While commending Sterling One Foundation for sponsoring the healthcare of 1,500 pregnant women out of the targeted 5,000, Professor Afolabi, noted that this intervention reflects the commitment of MRHRC and Sterling One Foundation to improving maternal and reproductive health outcomes in Nigeria.

“At the Sterling One Foundation, we pride ourselves on being a vehicle for social impact with a particular emphasis on the critical health sector. Our relentless efforts strengthen primary healthcare systems and institutions, ensuring universal health access.

“Furthermore, our commitment extends to capacity building, promoting gender equality, and advancing women’s development.

We actively address critical issues such as gender-based violence through initiatives like our ‘CHATROOM’ movie screenings, which have reached audiences in seven states across Nigeria.

These screenings offer hope, support, and empowerment to survivors”, said the CEO, Sterling One Foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe.

It is important to note that Nigeria leads the world in maternal mortality, with preventable complications and sociocultural factors contributing to this alarming statistic, she stressed.

Speaking on the need for collective effort, she added, “Together, we aim to foster meaningful dialogues across the country about maternal health and support. We firmly believe that the #WeMenForHer campaign will spark awareness and lead to transformative actions that ensure every woman receives the comprehensive care and assistance she deserves during pregnancy and childbirth.”

She encouraged the members of the public to join this important campaign to save the lives of pregnant women who are at risk by donating on www.giving.ng and that it only takes 20,000 to ensure that a pregnant woman gets all the necessary support required to deliver safely.

She reiterated that the campaign calls for more collaborations and support across the country to ensure that the crisis of maternal mortality is tackled head-on till we flatten the curve.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

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POLITY

Niger Delta Environment in Dire Straits, Says Robert Austin Ekeinde Entrepreneur and founder of Zeetin Engineering, Azibaola Robert, has observed that the world is headed for the precipice if man’s unwholesome activities remained untamed.

Robert who has taken proactive steps to preserve the Niger Delta environment for years had after an expedition into the forests of the region, returned with lamentations over the degradation.

“I have long had the firm belief and been a witness to the fact that the world we all live in is heading to the precipice due to some of man’s untamed activities. My assertion was informed by the discoveries I and my team made during an expedition into the deep rainforests of the Niger Delta region in 2021, under the auspices of my foundation, tagged, ‘Expedition Into Deep Forests’, an environment-sensitisation and non-profit organization,” he said.

He stated this while delivering a lecture titled: “Azibaola Robert’s 14-day Expedition into Deep Forests: An Assessment of the Environmental Conditions of the Niger Delta Rainforest”, during the seventh Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN) held at the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) conference hall, Abuja last week.

Robert said that the situation in the Niger Delta region, one of the vital rainforests in the world from where the oxygen we breathe is produced, is dire because, “there have been mind-boggling explorations and production of crude oil which have over the years become the dominant source of environmental pollution to lands and waters, flora and fauna.

To say that the environment of the Niger Delta is in dire straits is an understatement. It is exploited and devastated.”

The environmental situation in the Niger Delta region is further worsened according to Robert, due to “frequent massive oil spills resulting from negligence, or old and rusty pipelines, and/or intentional sabotage of crude lines for purposes of securing maintenance contracts and/or compensation by communities, mind-boggling deforestation for timber, firewood, canoe carving, and farming.”

He added that issues of heavy rains “have caused soil erosions, flooding, and rising sea levels. The cumulative result of all these is the permanent effect of loss of biodiversity in the region, which is the main cause of Climate Change in our world.”

It is for this reason that Robert and his team visited deep forests of the Niger Delta rainforests in late 2021 for on-thespot assessment and shared their experience at the public lecture.

Robert, who had his early childhood in the Niger Delta community of Otakeme (just few kilometres from Oloibiri, where Nigeria first struck oil in commercial quantity in 1957) in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, reminisced

Robert witnessing the early stages of oil exploration in the region.

“I knew then how the Niger Delta rainforests environment was. It was a beauty to behold; a most serene environment I have beholden. Full of life, varieties of fishes, innumerable species of trees, marshland of various wildlife, beautiful and variegated birds, etc. It was a region of endless canopies of trees filled with majestic snakes, roaming, roaring animals, food and medicine on the spot while in the forest.

“You would not lack anything if you were in the forest of the Niger Delta; so far you had a machete and a matchbox.

Although we enjoyed ourselves during our 14-day expedition into the deep forests of the Niger Delta, it was heart-rending for me to witness, firsthand, the environmental destruction that has taken place in the region over the few decades.”

It is against this background that he and his colleagues undertook a 14-day expedition to find out “what has happened to the region’s environment, and to tell the world what the real situation is.” The team’s experience was “heart-rending”, says Robert, leader of the team.

“We realised that most of their pristine forests had been depleted by wood loggers for personal gains. Timber logging is big business which has become the bane of the people.

“We also realised that one of the primary occupations of the local people, being fishing, is almost becoming extinct.

Fishes in the forest have been depleted to the extent that there is no more natural habitat for them to breed due to deforestation and poisoning from oil spillage. Environmental pollutions from crude oil spills have become a regular occurrence such that people now find it normal in their day-to-day lives.

“The rich biodiversity and wildlife are greatly depleted and continues to be depleted; most species of animals have become extinct. The resultant-effect of all these is that the means of livelihood of the locals has been taken away from

them and survival has become a struggle. These have also affected their culture and ways of life, and resort to adopting extraneous means of survival,” he lamented.

He cited “themes in most of our early literature by writers like Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart); Ola Rotimi (The Gods Are Not To Blame), and more, where he argued that the concept of ‘evil forest’ by clans and villages was their own way of protecting the environment as it had done in his own Otakeme community.

He argued that the ‘liberation’ of such ‘evil forests’ opened the floodgate of mindless exploitation of forest resources in the Niger Delta region, adding, “Huge trees were targeted, cut down and logged for personal gains.

He continued: “Animals’ sanctuaries were invaded, destroyed and now a lot of species are faced with extinction. Large lands were being cleared for installation of pipelines and oil facilities. Gases were then being flared 24hrs a day non-stop. Animals now had 24hrs daylight! No alternative sanctuaries were arranged for the wildlife as it is done in other climes where oil must be explored, but native species must be relocated and protected.”

Robert urged the communities to reconnect with their pre-colonial “cultural ways of life with inbuilt systems peculiar to them for biodiversity preservations and wildlife conservation,” and “help preserve the ecosystems and ensure sustainability of life.”

However, there is hope of reversing the dire situation, Robert said, following their engagement with the rural rainforest communities of Otakeme, Otabagi, Otabi, Otuoke, Otuegila, etc, in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State “together with local and international media organisations, embarked on an enlightenment programme in some community to serve as benchmark for other communities to NGOs and government agencies to follow.”

The leadership and people of the communities are taking actions, Robert sad. They “have agreed to make rules to safeguard and protect their forests and, how they should be used, with particular emphasis on conservation for future generations.”

According to him, “We need to plant trees, as I have committed myself to doing; create forest reserves, ban logging of woods of less than internationally recommended sizes, stop crude spills, whether by oil companies or from locals, etc.”

He called for urgency, recommending “practical and collaborative efforts from federal and state governments and their agencies, national and international non-governmental organisations and local communities to ensure that effective policies were established and implemented in an effective manner.”

Robert re-echoed the danger: “The effects of Climate Change on all of us are real. We must do something together for the future generations. So, we must do something to ensure that trees continue to find sanctuaries in that region and help clean up our world.

There is great need for urgent, practical and collaborative efforts from Federal and State governments and their agencies, National and International NGOs and Local Communities to ensure that effective policies are established and implemented in an effective manner.”

How China is Helping to Transform Lagos Chinedu Ibeabuchi Before the Lagos Blue Rail was built, it took Lagos resident Bunmi Aliyu three hours to commute to work each day. She had to take three different buses, and she often got stuck in traffic. “It was very stressful,” Bunmi said. “I would often be late for work, and I would be exhausted when I arrived home.”

But now, thanks to the Lagos Blue Rail, Bunmi’s commute takes only 45 minutes. She can take the train directly from her home station to her workstation, and she never has to worry about traffic.

“The Lagos Blue Rail has made a huge difference in my life,” Bunmi said. “Now I have more time to spend with my family and friends, and I’m not as stressed as I used to be.”

Bunmi’s story is just one example of how China’s investment in infrastructure is transforming the lives of Lagosians. The Lagos Blue Rail and the new international airport terminal are making Lagos a more livable and prosperous city for everyone.

Both projects are being built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a subsidiary of China Railway Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria Construction Corporation (CRCC), one of the largest construction companies in the world.

The Lagos Blue Rail is a light rail system that will run for 27.5 a Chinese businessman and philanthropist, HATN is kilometres across the city, linking the suburbs to the central business composed of talented Nigerian and Chinese performers district. On completion, it is estimated that it will carry over 500,000 who showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritage of both passengers per day. countries. Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria (HATN) regularly Another project that makes travel more convenient and smoother holds performances and cultural exchange programmes in is the new international airport terminal. It has the capacity to accom- schools, communities, and public venues across Lagos. The modate millions of passengers annually. troupe performs traditional and contemporary dances, music, Both the Lagos Blue Rail and the new international airport termiand drama from both countries and organises workshops nal are expected to have a positive impact on Lagos’s economy and and competitions for the participants. quality of life. They will create jobs, boost tourism, and attract new One of the recent events that HATN held was a cultural investment to the city. They will also make it easier for Lagosians to exchange programme for pupils of Federal Housing Primary get around and access the resources they need to succeed.

School and Awoyaya Primary School, Victoria Island. The These projects are not the only way that China is transforming event featured different onsite school activities such as Lagos with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global development cultural dance, martial arts display, musical drama, and strategy that aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through other cultural performances. The pupils trouped out in trade and infrastructure. their numbers to experience their local and Chinese cultural Another way is through cultural cooperation. It’s a sunny day flavour. HATN also supported the schools with educational in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling megacity. The streets are filled with support materials just as some lucky students won mouthpeople, cars, and motorcycles. But amid the noise and chaos, watering prizes for their outstanding performances. there is a place where culture and harmony prevail.

Dr. Ni, who is also the chairman of Huaxing Arts Troupe That place is the Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria (HATN), a Nigeria, said that the event was aimed at fostering mutual Lagos-based institution that is dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and friendship between Nigeria and China exchange between Nigeria and China. Led by Dr. Eric Ni, through culture. He said that culture is a powerful tool

for promoting sustainable socio-economic development, as it can help to connect people, transcend borders, and language barriers, and it can also help to inculcate values such as respect, tolerance, and understanding.

“Today, we have witnessed the power of cultural exchange, as our talented HuaXing Arts Troupe showcased the vibrant and mesmerizing Chinese cultural dances, while the students of these esteemed schools brought forth the rich and diverse tapestry of Nigerian culture,” Dr. Ni said.

He added that it is through these exchange programmes that they learn to appreciate and celebrate their differences, fostering understanding and unity among their nations. He also stressed that education is the gateway to a brighter future, and reiterated China’s commitment to continue to support the educational growth of Nigeria.

China’s involvement in Lagos is a win-win situation for both sides. China is helping to develop Lagos’s infrastructure and economy while also gaining access to a large and dynamic market. Lagos is benefiting from China’s expertise and resources while also learning from its culture and experience. Together, China and Lagos are creating a more prosperous and harmonious future for Africa.

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SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 28, 2023

25

PEOPLE Immanuel Afolayan

My Thorny Journey to Success Chief Immanuel Ojibobara Afolayan recently marked 100 years at his home in Ilorin, Kwara State. The retired chief education officer and former school principal with the Kwara State Ministry of Education talks to Hammed Shittu on the secret of his long life, among others. Excerpts: Upbringing and life challenges was born in Esie, Irepodun Local GovernmentAreaofKwaraState.Myfathertold me when he was alive that he could not remember the actual date of my birth but he remembered it was a Sunday. We calculated and we arrived at a date. I was born into a Christian home. My mother suffered what we called “Abiku” syndrome. You know what “Abiku” (born to die) is? According to her, she had seven births, I was the eighth and the only one that survived. So, when I was about eight years old, while struggling to ensure my survival, she took me in the company of one woman to a ChristianrallyatOffatown.Therallywasanchored

by Pastor Ayo Babalola and we trekked from Esie to Offa. Her main concern then was for God to spare me so that I won’t go the way of the earlier seven children went.

Thereafter, my father enrolled me as a member of that church and also sent me to school that eventually put me into catechist class where I was baptised. When I was confirmed, I promised to follow Jesus Christ and to also strive to have a lay reader license.

I

Experience as Abiku I recall a day I slept and I saw other Abikus in my dream. They were squeezing me such that I cried out and my father who obviously didn’t see what I saw, rose up and started beating me, demandingtoknowwhowassqueezingme.There andthen,thetormentorsranaway. Anothertime, they came and asked me to go with them. I told them to wait till I got baptised. On hearing this, they went away. When I woke, I realised a lot of oil dripping from my head, I was frightened.

Then, I realised that I was being baptised. After my miraculous baptism, they came back again and said that it was time to follow them. Again, I asked them to wait for my confirmation as the son of Jesus Christ. They said to themselves ‘let’s go, this one will not follow us again, leave him and let’s go.’ And they withdrew and went away. Never to come back again till today.

I suffered as a youth due to various dangerous illness. The first was smallpox because of the environment I was. I was in the village at that time, nohospitalandnoclinic.Thesecondwasdiarrhea.

It was so bad that I often vomit like I was going to die. On one of these usual occasions, God sent a woman to me; a relative of my mother. When she entered our house and met me in a mess, she ran into the forest, got some leaves, prepared concoction that made me to vomit after which the sickness went away. I believed then that it was God that sent her to me. The third one was in 1970, I was in Iddah, now in Kogi State. It was a cholera; I was vomiting everything I ate. My wife knew I was not well, she came down to Iddah to take me to Ilorin. When I got to Ilorin, the illness persisted in spite of medical attention. I called a friend of mine and handed over my property to him.Secondday,theytookmetoanotherhospital where an Egyptian doctor advised that I should be taken to Ibadan because I was not improving.

In the evening, one man in our ministry came from Oro-Ago, he got us some leaves to cook and put inside the flask because the nurses would not allow us to take such thing in the hospital. The doctorwasalarmedthatIwasgettingwellandsaid I need not go to Ibadan again. When I eventually got well, I later used the leaves to heal 10 people.

You see, when it was so critical, God was always on my side.

The next illness was in 1991 when I was the chairman of my local government of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Early in the morning, I slept in my village to attend some meetings after which I attended a court proceeding involving a member of my party. I drove myself and when I got to Ajasse-Ipo, I ran into Fulani herders and their cattle. I had an accident and entered into the bush. Meanwhile, I took some passengers

Afolayan

I was a farmer’s boy. I went to the farm and tapped palm wine. Breakthrough came one day when someone hired me to assist him in his work.

We worked for one hour and he gave me six pence, a very huge amount then. I began to think that those with good education are bound to be fairly well than those contented with illiteracy as farmers or palm wine tappers. That was how I started considering education as a way out. The first thing I did was to start the catechist classes on the way.

These passengers were chanting: Jesus, Jesus Jesus. When we eventually got out, I managed to get to Ilorin in commercial bus and my wife came and took me to the hospital for treatment. I spent two weeks in the hospital. As the illnesses came, God made provision for my healing. The last one was also terrible like the stroke. I couldn’t urinate because of prostate cancer, so I went to the hospital and a nurse came to advise me to go to Ibadan because of my old age. At Ibadan, the operation will be less risky but costlier. At Ilorin we could get it off with N150,000 but at Ibadan it will be three times higher but better. I had some property in Lagos through which I generated N300,000. When we got to Ibadan, we met one Professor Yusuf who operated me for two hours. I couldn’t stand up till the second day, after which I continued being outpatient.

I want to say that God is wonderful on the way He is taking care of me during the period of my illnesses. When it was very difficult for me, God came to my aid.

Education Growing up in the village, I was a farmer’s boy. I went to the farm and tapped palm wine. Breakthroughcameonedaywhensomeonehiredmeto assisthiminhiswork.Weworkedforonehourand he gave me six pence, a very huge amount then. I begantothinkthatthosewithgoodeducationare bound to be fairly well than those contented with illiteracy as farmers or palm wine tappers. That was how I started considering education as a way out. The first thing I did was to start the catechist classes. I was into this until somebody, a white catechist inquired why I didn’t go to school. My response gingered his pity, he asked me to follow him,hetookmehomeandIstartedlivingwithhim.

My parents discovered where I was about three months after. My father thought I was missing.

He eventually found me. By then, I had started to read the Bible, though never started school but I knew how to read Yoruba alphabets.

My father was not disposed to my moves, he took me home and beat me, and the next day, I resumed farming with him, but secretly I was nursing education ambition. A man in the town

whom I shared my dream with called Yusuf promised to convince my father to allow me go toschool. Hetried but couldn’tconvince myfather.

This continued until March 1942 when luck smiled onmeandmydestinytookshapeandIrealisedmy ambition. I started schooling at 15 years. My first dayinschool,theteacheraskedhowoldwasI,Itold him my age and he placed me in class one. I later quickly went from Standard one to two and three and my father didn’t pay any fee. But after school, I engaged in petty business, it was commercial basket weaving, also I engaged in commercial mat weaving; fetching firewood for sale amid other sundry menial jobs for survival because my father was not sponsoring my education in form of school fees and uniforms. At the end, I had just three textbooks for the whole primary school education, I was borrowing books from fellowpupilsbutwhenIwasatStandardthree,they changed books in Mathematics from Efficiency to Lacombes so I had to again look for money to buy one.

We later went to Offa for final examination, it was a friend that paid my transport fare of six pence for that trip and later developed ulcer due to irregular feeding. I coped with it till I passed out in 1948. In 1949, I was employed by Patterson Zochonis. Later, I decided to go into teaching. In 1952, I did my proficiency examination which I passed. I was later transferred from home to Ilobu near Osogbo but before I was transferred, I wrote an entrance examination into St Andrews College of Education Oyo. Alas! One day Daily Times newspaper released provisional admission of St Andrews College of Education Oyo and I saw my name among the alphabetically arranged new intakes. As happy as I was, I also became worried with how to get money? Of course, I didn’t expect my father that couldnotpaymyprimaryschoolfeestopayforme now. A friend introduced me to a church scheme that will sponsor me for four years but I will at end servethemforsevenyears.Isaiditwasgoodforme.

I later met the church at Esie for the sponsorship arrangement. They gave me form to fill, that was how I got to Oyo for the programme. When we ended the four years, remaining one holiday and one session, we went for teaching practice after which we did examination and I passed.

Marriage Whenitwastimetogetmarriedandsettledown, I went after many girls seeking one that will agree with my principles and at the end of the day, we were blessed with good children and they are doing well in their various endeavours both in the country and abroad.

Standard of Education Wecannotcomparethecurrentqualityofeducationwiththeonewehad.Youknow,whateverfaults European teachers had, many of them are still better than Nigerians because they worked very well and with full determination and commitment toduties.Theywerebetterteachersthanwewere.

Another example was when I wanted to do my Master’s degree, I went to USA in September 1981 and in June 1982, I graduated. But somebody else started same time with me here in Nigeria could you believe that for three years he didn’t finish.

Way forward for Nigerian Education Romewasnotbuiltinaday.Governmentsneedto motivate teachers to boost the quality and standards of education in the country. The system in the olden days is better than the present because we were under the supervision of Europeans but this time around, the man-to-man, family, ethinic syndromesamongothers,havereallyhinderedour quality and standards of education in the country.

But I believe we are going to improve one day and

by God’s grace we will not go backwards. We shall improve.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 28, 2023

INTERVIEW

Reform Character of Leadership Not Electoral Laws Prince Adewole Adebayo was the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 presidential election. Adebayo, in an interview with select journalists, including Olaoluwakitan Babatunde disagrees with the planned amendment of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly even as he casts doubt on the likely result. Rather than reviewing the electoral laws, he says the quality of the character of the nation’s political leadership is what should be reformed

W

hat is your take on the resolution of the Senate to amend the electoral act?

One thing we need to know in legislation is that the eyes of the legislators are always at the back of the heads. So, the assumption is that the problem of the next election will be INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal. From what I know, the problems will not be IREV. It will be another thing. Let us say this is the beginning of the conversations of what we can do, legislatively, to improve our electoral system. But the problem we have isn’t shortage of legislation. There are three things I observed.

The first is that there is nothing in the 2023 elections I participated in that suggested that anything went wrong because of IREV. None of the petitioners has been able to complain that it is because of the problems with IREV that the results that were declared at the polling units were different from the results that were ultimately used.

When you go through the filings proceedings and judgments of the court, you will find it hard to find one record where they say that in this particular unit, this was the result but because it wasn’t immediately transmitted to INEC website, the result changed. I don’t think you will find anything like that. That isn’t the problem.

Like I said in October 1, 2021 and was widely reported in the media, I said they would just be disturbing you with issues of technology which on the day of the elections, someone might just decide to switch off in INEC and say it didn’t work. Even if it is in the electoral act (assuming it is passed into law) that the result must be immediately transmitted, if on that day, supposing something goes wrong, like for example, there is a nationwide network problem, or VPN isn’t working, or the system is corrupted, and things like that, the constitution would still want you to find out whether you can otherwise establish the actual winner of the election.

I think integrity at the polling station is what we should pay attention to. Things like making sure people don’t buy votes, you cannot commit violence, making sure that the distance between polling booth and the nearest third party isn’t less than about 100 feet so that anybody who is voting is out of sight and out of hearing of the people. So, if a person decides to influence you by giving you money or anything of value, they will not ultimately know what you are doing in the ballot box area. But if you commit fraud, you buy and sell votes, you distort the outcome and electronically transmitted that abomination to IREV, what have we gained? So, I think reform of character is what we are afraid of doing, and we want to be tweaking with technology.

Yes, no problem if you add the issue of IREV to the solution, but don’t expect that you can go to bed and say you have solved the election of controversy in Nigeria.

Nigerians have had cause to question the independence of INEC as all members of the board, including chairman, are appointed by the president. Its former chair, professor Attairu Jega, also wants the president to be striped of the appointing power so that it can truly be an independent body.

There are quite a lot of things to strip the president of. But who do you give it to? Remember that our founding fathers expect that we would look for the best of the best among us and make him president, so that he would think clearly for the country and he would be one of the most honorable men in our midst who is willing to take up the job.

For that reason, even in the other important constitutional positions, for example, the Chief Justice of the Federation, President of Court of Appeal, Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice of Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the president is the appointing authority.

If these sensitive positions are left in the hands

have on their hands. The trajectory of the economic choices they have made cannot change anyone from where they are today. I predicted this. There are many options. Economics is about choices. And the choices they have taken would naturally lead to this. Whoever is the president, if you take the choices they have made, you will have the same result. Economics does not discriminate against your politics. It looks at the facts. What is the state of affairs? What are the options? What are the alternatives you want to forgo? So, you have to live with the consequences of your decision.

Now, the price of money is not stable. The exchange rates are not stable. The price of commodities will not be stable. The price of factors of production will not be stable. The only way to sustain is to plan ahead for that instability.

Adebayo

of the president to select, then what is special about INEC chairman and the commissioners? I think the problem isn’t about taking it from the president. But who do you give it to?

So, if people are living according to good character, and they are worthy of the offices they are occupying and the oath of office they have taken, the system we have now will work.

The alternative is to say the same Chief Justice of Nigeria should appoint the INEC chairman, but the same Chief Justice is also an appointee of the president anyway. I think we should ask ourselves, what has happened?

Why can’t we find any more people of character who are above board?

Is it that our political system is so corrupt that we can’t find people who are above board? That is the question we should be asking because one way or another, the person that is going to appoint INEC commissioners or chairman would have to be a Nigerian. Whether he is the president, chief justice of Nigeria or senator, that person must be a Nigerian.

I think it is the quality of the character of our leadership we need to examine. It shouldn’t be a difficult role to fill if everyone is playing their roles.

I will be more inclined if the senate says whoever the president chooses, we would open that person

to Nigerians and we are not going to approve that person except the person proves to be a thoroughly vetted Nigerian that has the highest esteem. For example, if you pass such a law that you want to remove appointing power from the president, supposing the president refuses to sign, and he says ‘no, you cannot take my power from me. I will not sign it into law.’ What do you do? Let the senate look at itself as a chamber and ask itself an honest question. Have we in the senate done our best in vetting the nominees to INEC? National Assembly has the power to oversee INEC. It had the constitutional power to oversee INEC. It has the power to approve INEC emoluments and budget, including conducting a hearing to remove an INEC commissioners or national chairman that is not leaving up to his performance. So, I think the system is robust enough if we can have men and women of character to come and run the system.

The economic team of the president is in full swing. In your view, have they lived up to expectations?

They are on top of the situation they created for themselves. There isn’t anything happening in the economy presently that I haven’t predicted.

What they are facing now is what is called factor cost stabilisation. If they can deal with that, then they would have reduced most of the crises they

There isn’t anything happening in the economy presently that I haven’t predicted. What they are facing now is what is called factor cost stabilisation.

If they can deal with that, then they would have reduced most of the crises they have on their hands.

The trajectory of the economic choices they have made cannot change anyone from where they are today. I predicted this. There are many options.

Economics is about choices

Are you insinuating there would be a reversal or change of policies?

That would be the best, but they have ideological commitments. This was part of what we were trying to tell the voters about these major political parties, APC, PDP and LP, that they have ideological commitments to IMF and World Bank prescriptions. You could see it in their language.

What they are doing now is essentially what they said they would do. The result you have now is essentially the result you have if you take these measures. The best thing is to change but I don’t see them changing because they are committed to this ideology and it has been like that since 1986 when General Babangida had this understanding with World Bank and IMF that we are going to go this way of Structural Adjustment Programme.

It is the various versions of it that we have been doing. The late Abacha tried to run a two-tier system with it with the help of late professor Sam Aluko.

The end result of it is that we are looking for a free market where there would be ingress and egress of capital across national boundaries and the price of the Naira will be determined by what happens in Washington or New York and other commodity exchange houses all over the world.

But I don’t see them change from their standpoint at the moment. The time they would have adjusted would be from the day they came in because we have been saying it will not work, but they believe it would work.

Federal government’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) says we are expected to borrow about N26 trillion. It appears there isn’t different between the Buhari administration and this present government?

I tweeted on this. When I tweet, I see hundreds of thousands of views and comments, but when it comes to the economy, like the medium-term expenditure frame work, less than 2000 people bother to look at it. It looks like our people find it too esoteric to understand. President Tinubu was right when he said he would continue from where President Buhari stopped. He said it on many occasions, and people thought he was joking. From the ongoing, you will see that President Tinubu doesn’t talk a lot. Each time he talks, people should listen because he tends to do what he says he would do, whether they are good or bad, but he ends up doing them.

I have my concern with the MTEF. I thought he was blinded in terms of his creativity. I also think may be they want to complete some of the obligations contained in the MTEF which are legally binding. If, for example, they award some contracts and they need to fund it, they will need to borrow because, in the short term, you are not able to generate enough revenue to offset the borrowing.

I want to look at a situation where actual performance is above MTEF such that the borrowing figures will be less, the revenue figures will be higher than projections. Whoever wants to change the destiny of Nigeria now for the better must aim for a GDP that is $1.5 trillion. It is achievable because it will radically change the behaviour of everybody, starting with the government.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

28.10.2023

NEWS

RANGERS, TORNADOES GO FOR BROKE PAGE. 27

Kelechi Iheanacho Making the Best Out of Championship

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Iheanacho opened his goal account for Leicester in the Championship against Stoke City

Kelechi Iheanacho Making the Best Out of Championship With 12 wins in 13 matches and 14 points ahead of third placed Leeds United, Leicester City are steadilly strolling back to the Premier League and one of the driving forces of the team is Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, whose goal last weekend against Swansea City was his fourth straight goal and his fifth in the English Championship

A

fter Leicester was relegated to the English Championship at the end of last season, some of King Power Stadium big boys dumped the club and Iheanacho was expected to join the moving train but his price tag was a constrain to many of his suitors.

English Premier League club, Nottingham Forest were seriously interested in signing Iheanacho this summer, but they failed to sign him because of Leicester City’s asking price.

The Super Eagles striker was linked with Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, and Crystal Palace, but nothing concrete eventually happened.

According to the Athletic, Forest were seriously interested in Iheanacho, but they were unwilling to meet Leicester City’s £20million price tag. Because of this, talks fell through.

Also, Crystal Palace almost succeeded in signing Iheanacho, but the deal broke down midway.

As the transfer window has closed, Iheanacho had no choice but to wait till next summer so he can leave for free.

He has indeed been performing well this season so that he can get a very good deal next time.

The former Manchester City forward broke a personal record for scoring in consecutive league games during Leicester City’s 3-1 win against Swansea City at the

weekend.

Iheanacho departing the Super Eagles camp penultimate weekend had nothing to do with his fitness as he was excused from Monday’s international friendly with Mozambique to attend to pressing personal issues.

Indeed, the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup Golden Ball winner was named in the matchday squad against the Swans and was brought on to replace Jamie Vardy with six minutes of regulation time left.

Three minutes after Iheanacho hopped off the bench, he sealed the Foxes win by scoring a crucial third goal to give the visitors a two-goal advantage.

The Leicester City number 14 sent the ball beyond goalkeeper Carl Rushworth after a defence-splitting pass by Ricardo.

This is the first time in Iheanacho’s professional career that he has managed to score in four consecutive league games, a run that started on October 1 against Blackburn Rovers.

Since his strike against Rovers, he has scored in back-to-back games against Preston North End, Stoke City and Swansea City.

Iheanacho’s previous best was in the 2020-2021 season when he scored in three consecutive Premier League games on two different occasions March and April 2021. He got on the end of a pass from midfield and made

a quick dart forward. He had two defenders on him and almost lost the ball. But he was lucky enough to glide it home and make it 3-1 to the former Premier League champions.

Meanwhile, Iheanacho now has five goals in the Championship this season Iheanacho has not only been scoring for the Foxes this season, he has also been inspiring others.

When Ghanaian forward, Issahaku Fatawu scored his debut goal for Leicester against Swansea City, he attributed it to the influence of the Super Eagles forward.

Fatawu, on loan from Sporting CP, scored his first goal for Leicester, giving credit to Iheanacho for inspiring him.

After the game, Fatawu spoke about the influence of Iheanacho, who had encouraged him to score goals.

“I can’t even explain how I am feeling right now, but Kelechi always tells me to score, so I scored.” he said.

Kelechi, who was also linked to Everton, Crystal Palace and Inter Milan in the summer said they are mere speculations.

“These discussions are always difficult when you have less time left at the football club, probably a year or two,” he told BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling Podcast.

“I know the speculation, the report or ‘you want to stay, you want to leave’, I know that.

“Personally, I love Leicester City, it is a good place, a good football club. I’ve been here for a few years now and we went down, it’s not ideal, but we’re here now, fighting our way up.

Iheanacho also insisted that he loves the club and that his full concentration is on helping the Foxes gain promotion back to the Premier League “I’m here, concentrating on my football with Leicester City. Hopefully, we can get back up and everyone will be happy, I didn’t get to move, I’m here now playing for Leicester City so we concentrate on that now.

“Hopefully all the players that didn’t get to move as well will all contribute to the team for us to get up there which is the most important thing now. Everyone has to make their choice, but we now concentrate on the team and try to help the team and stay together to get up there.”

Iheanacho joined Leicester City in 2017, and it has been a rollercoaster time for the 26-year-old forward. The Nigeria attacker has been player of the season twice, but there have been times when he has been a peripheral figure at the club.

Leicester City got relegated from the Premier League last season after a poor campaign that saw them finish 18th.

Iheanacho was their best player in that campaign, and with just one year left on his contract, there were talks that he could leave the club.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

GLOBAL SOCCER Kunle Adewale

F

ormer Super Eagles forward, Daniel Amokachi has attributed the none-invitation of homebased players to the national team as one of the reasons for the decline in the standard of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

If we believe we have quality in Nigeria, if we believe we are a football nation why are we not having three or four players from the Nigerian league in the national team.

Extending invitation to them brings competitiveness to the league as the home-based players know that if they play well, they would be invited to the national team.

Indeed, extending invitation to them put the foreign professionals on the edge because they would realise that there is somebody on standby that is ready to take his place if he didn’t do well.

Stephen Keshi was a witness to Clemence Westerhof ’s model of using home-based players in the Super Eagles and he used it effectively.

Keshi focused on the home-grown players and they qualified Nigeria for the World Cup and also won the African Cup of Nations in 2013. But unfortunately, the model was thrown away after his death.

Amokachi also blamed the late kick start of the league to Nigerian teams not doing well on the continent.

The league has to start at the right time. It must start when the rest of the continent are playing their leagues too. Our clubs cannot just be having pre-season when other clubs in the continent are involved in their country’s league. Being match fit is different from pre-season fitness.

Also, very important is the need to work on the quality of our players and coaches.

Those teams that represented us in the continent are traditional teams.

They are almost like an institution, but when you look at all the teams the one that comes closest to being well organised is Enyimba but then the club is no longer like before. There is little to write home about Enyimba now and the tools needed for the club to be up there as a professional team is no longer in place.

The good thing about our league is that we still have traditional teams like Enugu Rangers, Kano Pillars and Plateau United. These are historical teams. And i’m happy that the NPFL now boast of a team from Lagos too. A Premier League without a Lagos team takes shine off football in the country.

Westerhof’s Module will Return Competitiveness to NPFL, Says Amokachi

Remo Stars and Sporting Lagos in crun

Action during a Nigeria Premier Football League encounter between Rangers and Niger Tornadoes at the Awka City Stadium, Awka, Anambra State

Rangers Go for Maximum Points against Pillars The lush turf of Awka City Stadium, Awka, Anambra State, will this weekend play host to one of the most interesting club football contests as Rangers International F.C. play host to the ‘Sai Masu Gida’, Kano Pillars F.C. in a match day 5, NPFL 2023/2024 fixture today.

Smarting from a deserved 1-1 draw over G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

the weekend in Ilorin, the coach Fidelis Ilechukwu tutored side will be laying an ambush for the visiting Kano side that is led by the immediate past coach of Rangers, Abdul Maikaba, to enhance the realisation of the club’s target for the season.

With seven points from four matches already prosecuted, scoring six goals and conceding five, coach Ilechukwu and his lieutenants have been taking the players through various drills to put them in the best shape to ensure that supporters of the club smile at the end of the encounter against Kano Pillars that have amassed six points after four games scoring twice and conceding the same number of goals.

Ilechukwu, who will be missing the services of midfielders, Naziru Auwalu, Kalu Nweke, and Chinemerem Ugwueze due to injuries and bereavement, is optimistic about the outcome of the encounter even when he would want the performance of his wards on the pitch to speak for him stressing, “The match is like any other game in the league and we are not attaching anything to it but just up our game get the result we want with luck on our side. We respect every team and don’t look down on any team or manager. We shall work harder than we did in Ilorin with a positive mindset from the bench and those on the field.”

With the return of attacking sensation, Kingsley Maduforo to the match day squad, as well as the breaking into the squad for the Pillars challenge of Chinedu Ibe-Agwu and Wilfred Dieke, the coaching crew, is spoilt for choices just as the usual figures of Kazeem Ogunleye, Ifeanyi Ogba,

Ejike Ugochukwu, Joel Odoh, and others will be available to defend the colors of the ‘Flying Antelopes’.

Former top scorer in the league, Godwin Obaje, while taking a look at the fixture, said, “We are physically and psychologically prepared for this encounter against Kano Pillars which I believe will be challenging.

Motivation is on the high and against our former coach, I am optimistic of our coming out winners.”

With 11 wins apiece for both gladiators on the pitch and five drawn matches in 27 between 2011 and 2023, with the October 24, 2018, Aiteo Cup win and loss still fresh in the minds of supporters of both teams, fans are assured of a quality display from both teams.

Meanwhile, Rangers’ mercurial midfielder, Ugochukwu Ugwuoke, has been discharged from the private medical facility in Enugu where he went through the surgeon’s knife to correct a knee injury that has kept him out of action for nearly two seasons.

Ugwuoke who marched out from the facility with the aid of clutches went through a successful knee injury three weeks back and was certified okay by the lead doctor of the surgery for him to go home on Thursday, from where he would be monitored through the rehabilitation period.

A highly relieved Ugwuoke was full of praise to the management of Rangers International F.C. for their show of love and true professionalism in helping him get over the injury.

NPFL TABLE

Team 1 Remo Stars 2 Lobi Stars 3 Rangers 4 Shooting 5 Insurance 6 Gombe Utd 7 Tornadoes 8 Plateau Utd 9 Kano Pillars 10 Abia Warriors 11 Sporting Lagos 12 Katsina Utd 13 Kwara Utd 14 Doma Utd 15 Rivers Utd 16 Sunshine 17 Heartland 18 Enyimba 19 Bayelsa Utd 20 Akwa Utd

P 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 2 4 4

W 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0

D 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 1 1 1 3 0 0 2

L 1 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 2

Week Five Fixtures TODAY

Bendel v Akwa Utd 16:00 Enugu Rangers v Kano Pillars 16:00 Gombe Utd v Plateau Utd 16:00 SUNDAY

Abia Warriors v Heartland 16:00 Bayelsa Utd v Kwara Utd 16:00 Enyimba v Remo Stars PP Katsina Utd v Sunshine Stars 16:00 Rivers Utd v Lobi Stars 16:00 Shooting v Doma Utd 16:00 Sporting Lagos v Tornadoes 16:00

Pts 9 8 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 28, 2023

30

GLOBAL SOCCER

Utd, City Divide Manchester in 191st Derby Fans will flock to Old Trafford en masse for the 191st Manchester derby tomorrow afternoon, as Manchester United butt heads with‘noisy neighbours’Manchester City “Haaland has still scored loads of goals and is the Premier League’s top scorer with nine so far – he is a ridiculous talent and I will be surprised if he doesn’t show it in a big way here.

Head -to -Head 07/04/18 11/11/18 24/04/19 07/12/19 08/03/20 12/12/20 07/03/21 06/11/21 06/03/22 02/10/22 14/01/23

Man City 2-3 Man Utd Man City 3-1 Man Utd Man Utd 0-2 Man City Man City 1-2 Man Utd Man Utd 2-0 Man City Man Utd 0-0 Man City Man City 0-2 Man Utd Man Utd 0-2 Man City Man City 4-1 Man Utd Man City 6-3 Man Utd Man Man 2-1 Man City

Premier League Table

Bernardo Silva’s second goal secured City’s victory over United in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford two seasons ago

B

oth teams enter the highlyanticipated battle on the back of Champions League victories, as the Red Devils sunk Copenhagen 1-0, while the reigning European champions overcame BSC Young

Boys 3-1.

In Man United’s first home fixture since the death of the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton, Red Devils and Copenhagen fans stood as one during a moving pre-game tribute to the 1966 World Cup winner, whose passing and legacy will also be marked by moments of remembrance across the country this weekend.

Erik ten Hag’s men needed to rely on a Diogo Dalot stunner to see off Sheffield United in their most recent Premier League game before the visit of the Danish champions, and owing to a similarly toothless attacking display, members of the rearguard were required to save the day again.

Harry Maguire’s second-half header and a stoppage-time penalty save from the under-fire Andre Onana saw Man United make it third time lucky in the top tier of European football, and Ten Hag’s side have now strung together a threegame winning sequence for the first time in the 2023-24 campaign, although not one of those victories has been convincing by any stretch.

Nevertheless, by holding off the threat of Sheffield United and Brentford in their last two Premier League contests, Man United have surged up to eighth in the Premier League table with 15 points to their name, although a five-point gap still separates them from Liverpool in the final Champions League position.

Only Southampton and Crystal Palace have prevented Man United from scoring in a Premier League home fixture since the start of the 2022-23 season, but the hitherto stingy Red Devils defence remain without a top-flight clean sheet at Old Trafford this term, music to the ears of Erling Haaland and co.

Ending a European goal drought stretching all the way back to April, Haaland quickly rediscovered his golden Champions League touch when Man City continued the defence of their crown

against Young Boys, who held out for the first 45 minutes before Manuel Akanji bundled home early in the second half.

Switzerland international, Akanji’s goal on home soil was quickly wiped out by a stunning lobbed effort from Meschack Elia, but Haaland proceeded to snap a five-game run without a Champions League goal from the penalty spot, before completing his brace with a quintessential arrowed finish into the top corner.

Remaining unblemished in European football this season, Pep Guardiola’s treble winners also avoided an unfathomable third successive Premier League defeat last weekend, edging out Brighton & Hove Albion by two goals to one to remain on the coat-tails of leaders Tottenham Hotspur, who who have gone five points clear with 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last night.

The statistics do not weigh heavily in the visitors’ favour, though, as Man City have now gone six games without keeping a clean sheet in all tournaments and are now at risk of losing three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time in the Guardiola era; not since the Manuel Pellegrini days of 2016 have they endured such a barren run in the top flight.

An unwanted record for the Catalonian coach is not beyond the realm of possibility, as Man United came up trumps 2-1 in this fixture back in January, but Man City quickly completed their revenge mission in the FA Cup final en route to joining their bitter adversaries in English football’s exclusive treble club.

Meanwhile, Manchester United winger, Facundo Pellistri has taken a dig at Manchester City ahead of the derby by claiming they’re not as popular as the Red Devils despite being more successful in recent years.

Erik ten Hag’s men are currently enjoying a three-match winning streak across all competitions and have the opportunity to make a real statement of intent by beating the Premier League champions.

City on the other hand will be eager to gain ground on table-leading Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently two points clear at the top.

Last season, United beat City at home

courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, to complete a sensational comeback.

Ten Hag will undoubtedly be hoping for the same. Ahead of the game, Pellistri took a cheeky swipe at City.

The Uruguayan said, “Manchester is United. You don’t see City jerseys or flags.

Sometimes my girlfriend and I go out to try to find them and we don’t see any.”

“Everywhere you go, there are Manchester United jerseys. I’m struck that there aren’t as many City jerseys.”

However, former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton has given his prediction of the Manchester derby.

The BBC Sport pundit has backed City to win the Premier League game against United with ease.

Sutton has also hailed Haaland and has suggested that he will score at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old Norway international striker has scored nine goals and given one assist in nine Premier League matches.

Haaland has scored two goals and given one assist in three UEFA Champions League matches this season.

Sutton told BBC Sport: “Manchester United are very good at playing on the counter-attack, and that style does suit playing City.

“But United are an average side and, to predict how this might go, I think you have to look beyond their past three results and consider the unconvincing way they have won those games.

“City, in contrast, look to me like they are going to smash someone sooner or later, and Sunday could be the day that happens if they return to their ruthless best.

“The talk before the season started was whether United were any closer to City but, from what we’ve seen so far, they are miles off – and I am expecting this game to prove it.

“I might give United a goal, because of their threat on the break, but City should still run away with it.

“For some reason there seems to be some negativity about Erling Haaland’s form this season, but I don’t agree with that.

TEAM

P

GD

PTS

Tottenham Man City Arsenal Liverpool Aston Villa Newcastle Brighton Man Utd West Ham Chelsea Crystal Palace Wolves Fulham Brentford Nottm Forest Everton Luton Burnley Bournemouth Sheff Utd

10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

13 12 10 11 10 15 4 -2 0 4 -5 -4 -7 2 -2 -5 -9 -16 -14 -17

26 21 21 20 19 16 16 15 14 12 12 11 11 10 10 7 5 4 3 1

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Chelsea v Brentford 12:30 Arsenal v Sheffield Utd 15:00 Bournemouth v Burnley 15:00 Wolves v Newcastle 17:30 SUNDAY

West Ham v Everton 13:00 Aston Villa v Luton Town 14:00 Brighton v Fulham 14:00 Liverpool v Nottm Forest 14:00 Man Utd v Man City 15:30

La Liga TODAY

Almeríav Las Palmas 13:00 Barcelona v Madrid 15:15 Mallorca v Getafe 17:30 Cádiz v Sevilla 20:00 SUNDAY

Real Betis v Osasuna 13:00 Vallecano v Sociedad 15:15 Bilbao v Valencia 17:30 Atlético v Alavés 20:00 MONDAY

Granada v Villarreal 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

CLUB

Erling Haaland Mohamed Salah Son Heung-min Jarrod Bowen Alexsnder Isak Hwang Hee-chan Douglas Luiz Callum Wilson Ollie Watkins Bryan Mbeumo

Man City Liverpool Tottenham West Ham Newcastle Wolves Aston Villa Newcastle Aston Villa Brentford

GOALS

9 7 7 6 6 5 5 5 5 5

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28, 2023 • T H I S D AY

31

28 TR

TR

Saturday, October 28, 2023

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& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Obi to Judiciary

“When the fairness of the judiciary is not assured, and the transparency of judiciary operatives is uncertain, the rule of law will come under severe threat. Once ordinary people lose faith in the fairness of the judiciary, the rule of law is threatened”– The Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, lamenting about the Nigeria’s Judiciary.

UT H

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years SINCE 1995

TUNDERAHMAN GUEST COLUMNIST

Supreme Court Judgment: The Grim Lessons for Atiku

A

fter the Supreme Court delivered its landmark judgment in the appeals filed against the Presidential Election Petition Court verdict affirming President Bola Tinubu victory in the February 25, 2023 election, my mind immediately raced to former Vice President and PDP Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. What will now be Atiku’s next line of action, with the curtains now drawn on the 2023 election ?

The former vice president, more than 24 hours after the verdict, has not spoken about or officially reacted to it. What will he say when he eventually speaks? Is this the end of a battle for the exalted office spanning 30 years and which had seen Atiku contest six times unsuccessfully? Will Waziri Adamawa contest again in 2027 when he will be 81?

These are the issues that agitated my mind. In my view, the former vice president should properly examine his present situation and take the right decision. In arriving at his decision, Atiku needs to draw appropriate lessons from his political trajectory. And there are enough lessons from the political to legal and moral in the entire Atiku political saga.

First the political: Atiku has struggled for the presidency for all of 30 years, since 1993. One top politician at one time labelled him the Raila Odinga of our time and not the Abraham Lincoln who contested various elective offices in the US many times, before eventually winning the presidency. Atiku came close to the presidency, in 2003 when then President Obasanjo, a wily old man, had to beg his deputy to get the PDP ticket only to return to descend heavily on him.

This last attempt at the presidency has been the most virulent and most expensive for Atiku. He contested

the election on a broken political platform. First, his platform was weakened by a Group of 5 Governors called G5, who left the party on the cusp of the election, demanding the resignation of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as PDP Chairman. His platform was further weakened by the exit from the party of his ally and running mate in 2019, Mr. Peter Obi, who went to contest for the same 2023 election as the candidate of the Labour Party. One still wonders why Atiku for the sake of his lifelong ambition did not sacrifice Ayu before the election, allow him to step aside to keep the G-5 Governors in the party?

After losing the 2023 election to President Tinubu, Atiku embarked on perhaps the most expensive election petition in Nigeria’s history. He and his cohorts embarked on a voyage to the United States to authenticate Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, that the latter eminently earned in 1979. Atiku claimed Tinubu forged the certificate, but after the Chicago expedition, Atiku and his agents returned empty-handed. Atiku spent a fortune on U.S. lawyers. It would appear the lawyers sold him a dummy to cash out. They gave the impression that he could ride to the presidency on the back of an allegedly forged CSU certificate, despite warnings that the mission of discovery would boil down to nought. As the Justices of the apex court held, the matter of forgery was neither pleaded at the election tribunal nor any attempt made to amend the plea to include it.

There was no due diligence in the handling of the entire appeal and the original petition. Atiku filed 35 grounds at the Supreme Court on why President Tinubu’s election should be voided. He lost all. He claimed for instance that he won majority votes without adducing evidence on the superior votes he won. The legal lesson: politicians should not allow lawyers to bind them into an

OLA AWONIYI

electoral challenge that lacks a legal foundation, because when the chips are down the court will rule only on the basis of law.

The last point is on the conventional wisdom that when you try to beat a friend in a contest and hard as you try, you are not able to, it’s time to give up. My advice to Waziri Adamawa is that it’s time to quit the quest to be president. The election petition filed by Atiku and the other filed by Mr. Obi of Labour Party which the apex court judges wasted no time in dismissing, have nonetheless served useful purposes. The court did justice to all the major issues brought before it on the points and merits of the law, which was why the judgment was widely applauded. Once again, the court has proven that it is one of the fundamental pillars of our democracy.

It is important to highlight a few of the issues the learned justices put to rest completely. One, the apex court held that non- transmission of the results to IREV portal cannot invalidate the results as IREV is not a collation centre. The court held that what is important is the sanctity of the results from the polling units. It said the appellants did not demonstrate non-compliance or that the failure to transmit results to IREV portal affected the results of the election.

Two, Justice Okoro-led panel held that it is not mandatory for any candidate to win 25 percent in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to emerge president and that such is not a constitutional requirement for the valid return of a candidate as duly elected president.

Agreeing with the Presidential Election Petition Court or the lower court in the case, the court said if the framers of the constitution had wanted it that way they would have stated so specifically.

Three, the Supreme Court affirmed the 180-day limit for the hearing of election petition and dispensing with it. Election matters are time-bound and must be heard and concluded within the time allowed. The court further held that filing of additional evidence, not pleaded at the court of first instance, runs foul of the Electoral Act. Indeed, Justice Okoro and his brother and sister Justices did a wonderful job for which posterity will remember them for good. For President Tinubu, now that he has been handed a judicial clean bill, it’s time to concentrate on governance. This is not to say governance had suffered while the election cases lasted, but the cases were a distraction of sort. On that Thursday October 26 when the Supreme Court seven-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro delivered its verdict, President Tinubu listened to the judgment in his office after which he quickly went back to work.

But the unending flow of governors, both in APC and PDP, ministers and presidential aides to his office to congratulate him consumed part of the day’s schedule.

He eventually retired home to continue work. In his reaction to the judgement, the President affirmed that justice had been served and the validation of his election is a call to service and to more work. “The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes or faiths with honlour and total respect for the diverse opinions uniting values of our citizens, “ he said.

•Rahman, former Thisday on Sunday Editor, is a Presidential Aide.

GUEST COLUMNIST

For Akpabio’s 10th Senate, the Storm is Over

T

he inauguration of the 10th Senate in June was accompanied by the usual political drama that open new dispensations at the National Assembly. Many observers took the keenly contested leadership elections in the chamber as further signals that Nigeria is a thriving democracy. The new leadership of the Senate under Godswill Obot Akpabio, like the pilot of an aircraft taking off in rough weathers, encountered a slight turbulence before getting to cruising altitude.

But it has since stabilized and the 10th Senate is well into its four-year journey.

At least that was the common view until a few weeks back when media report painted a disturbing picture.

However, as l ponder happenings in the Senate since the said media report, the global hit by one of America’s best-selling R&B singers, Robert Sylvester Kelly, popularly known as R. Kelly, flashes through my mind: The Storm is Over Now! The syndicated media report purporting a move to change the three months old leadership of the Senate indicated that the aircraft had run into a storm. The report left many concerned readers wondering: how could Distinguished Senators, who are almost all senior citizens with vast political and leadership experiences, be contemplating the removal of a Senate President who has barely taken his seat? But like the refrain in R. Kelly’s song says, the storm is over now.

That “storm”, to be sure, was not strange. The outcome of the elections of the presiding officers had indicated that there were two major tendencies in the upper chamber.

But the thinking was that the tendencies had fused in response to the olive branch magnanimously waved

by Akpabio immediately he took his seat as the new President of the Senate.

But some people often want to see drama and tension in the Legislature. Otherwise, the chamber is boring for such people. For this reason there are always actors available to create situations or imaginary situations of “crisis” for the media to amplify. They do this mainly to secure concessions for themselves. So it is purely a selfish act.

At the beginning, the 10th Senate had attended to some national issues requiring urgent attention. Immediately after, the Senate adjourned and members proceeded on their annual vacation as planned in their calendar. The Senators were on the vacation when the news broke of the alleged plot to remove Akpabio.

Discerning Nigerians could see that the report was a ruse. But some people fell for it. Thus, the rumour, even though baseless, created apprehension in the light of the nature of politics at the National Assembly. It was a quick reminder of the “banana peel” syndrome in the Nigerian Parliament when its leadership at some point almost became a game of musical chairs.

In the midst of this apprehension, Senator Elisha Abbo who until 16th October, 2023 represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, granted a media interview which further fuelled suspicions that he probably knew about the purported plot to remove Akpabio because, rightly or wrongly, he was believed to be mouthpiece of a group within the chamber. He alleged lopsidedness in

the allocation of leadership of Senate standing committees.

So when the Senate resumed plenary on 26th September, 2023, some people expected a rowdy session in the chamber.

But Akpabio, an experienced politician well-versed in the politics of the National Assembly, was unruffled.

As soon as the plenary began, he called for an executive session. When the Senators rose from the exclusive meeting, the atmosphere had become calm.

Whatever storm there was, was over.

That development did not surprise close observers of the chamber in recent times. The Senate is populated by senior citizens who highly value systemic order and stability. That is why Senators often act as members of the same family despite their different party affiliations.

However the following week, precisely on Tuesday 3rd October, 2023, the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, in a motion during the plenary, proposed an amendment to the standing orders of the Senate “to clearly state that a Senator vying for the office of the President of the Senate or Deputy President of the Senate must have served at least one term in the Senate as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The motion passed and now effectively excludes first timers at the Senate from vying for the posts of presiding officers.

Some people see the development as a barrier expediently erected against political adventurism in the Senate. But many also see it as a necessary amendment to ensure stability in the upper chamber and also make experience in the workings of the Senate a priority in leadership selection in the chamber. Before the amendment

was passed by a voice vote, Senator Bamidele reminded his Distinguished colleagues that the idea is in line with what is obtainable at the House of Representatives.

The Senate Leader also proposed an amendment to create nine more Standing Committees of the Senate.

According to Senator Bamidele, this addition is “in response to emerging development that will enhance rules of procedures for a sound legislative practice.”

Beyond the official explanation for the newly created committees, some consider the step a strategy to offer more ranking lawmakers the chairmanship of committees. This is in a bid to strengthen bond within the chamber so that the receded “storm” does not rise again.

Some keen observers are also suggesting to the Senate to take a step further by amending its standing orders on the mode of election of its Presiding Officers.

They want the Senate to adopt the Open Ballot system.

At the moment, the Senate rule provides for secret ballot, unlike the open ballot mode in use at the House of Representatives. Leading that advocacy is a pro-democracy group, the Citizen Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria(CNPDN).

The argument is that the last exercise polarised the Senate into two major tendencies, which was not the case in the House of Representatives despite the fact that contests for the positions were keen in both Chambers.

NOTE: Read full article online on www.thisdaylive.com

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