SATURDAY 31TH OCTOBER 2020

WTO: European Council Insists on Okonjo-Iweala as DG Nigeria reaches out to US, others to clear bottlenecks Bennett Oghifo in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, yesterday reiterated Europe’s support for the bid of Nigeria’s

former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to become the next DirectorGeneral of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

On the same day, the Nigerian government

announced that it was reaching out to the United States and other members of the WTO to clear all bottlenecks to the emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as DG. The President of the

European Council gave the re-assurance to ensure that the Nigerian candidate emerges DG during a video conference with President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday.

Buhari, who is leading

Nigeria’s charge for OkonjoIweala to emerge the first black and female DG of the WTO, thanked the European Council for its support for Nigeria’s candidate.

According to the Special

Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, “Also discussed during the conference were issues bordering on debt Continued on page 6

Italian Police Swoop on Nigeria Mafia Group, Arrest 73… Page 6 Saturday 31 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9336

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N250

N

Lagos Panel in SurpriseVisit to Army Hospital, Finds No Mortuary Davidson Iriekpen and Segun James In a bid to unravel claims of mass killings by the military

at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos during the EndSARS protest, the retired Justice Doris Okuwobi-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for

Victims of SARS and the Lekki shootings, yesterday paid an unscheduled visit to the Military Hospital in Ikoyi, in search of its mortuary.

There had been speculations that the bodies of some protesters were dumped at the mortuary after being allegedly killed by soldiers

while trying to dislodge them at the toll gate.

But gaining access to the mortuary was initially tough following a mild standoff

between members of the panel and soldiers manning the gate of the military hospital.

Continued on page 6

#EndSARS: Death Toll Now 73 with 205 Police Stations Burnt 71 public warehouses, 248 private stores looted IG to policemen: With 22 personnel killed, defend yourselves when attacked Obong of Calabar: Ayade's insensitivity fuelled Cross River’s violence Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja, Segun James in Lagos and Bassey Inyang in Calabar The death toll nationwide from the violence that erupted during the #EndSARS protests has now been revised to 73, with 22 of them policemen.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who gave the latest statistics on fatalities in Abuja yesterday, also directed his officers and men to henceforth sturdily defend themselves if attacked by hoodlums again.

The protests against the now-dissolved police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), metamorphosed into days of killings and looting across the country.

Unveiling the gory statistics during a virtual meeting with commissioners of police in the 36 states and FCT, the IG also disclosed that 71 public

warehouses and 248 privately owned stores were looted in the course of the protests in 13 states and the FCT. The states are Lagos, Edo, Delta, Oyo, Kano, Plateau, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Rivers, Abia, Imo, and Ekiti states, as well as FCT. The statistics were collated between October 11, 2020 when the #EndSARS protest assumed a national dimension and October, 27, 2020.

According to the IG, the affected states recorded major violence leading to attacks on critical national security infrastructure and other corporate and private properties as well as injuries or fatalities to civilians, the police and other security agents.

Adamu said 205 critical national security assets, corporate facilities and private Continued on page 5

Nigerian Stocks Hit 16-month High... Page 8

ONYINYE AND EKENE GLOW AT 50...

Popular Abuja twins - Mrs Onyinye Ajoku, a senior Management staff at Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Mrs Ekene Iruma, an Assistant Director with the National Youths Service Corps, Abuja – celebrating their 50th birthday in grand style in Abuja…yesterday

2

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2020 • T H I S D AY

3

4

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2020 •T H I S D AY

5

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

PAGE FIVE #ENDSARS: DEATH TOLL NOW 73 WITH 205 POLICE STATIONS BURNT property were attacked, burnt or vandalised.

"So far, a total of 10 firearms including eight AK 47 rifles stolen during the attack on police stations and a locally made pistol have been recovered from elements operating under the guise of the #EndSARS protesters", he said.

In addition, 1,596 suspects were arrested in connection with the violence and widespread looting by hoodlums, who hijacked the protests across the country.

The breakdown shows that 520 suspects were arrested in Lagos, 367 in Plateau State, 210 in the FCT and 142 in Kwara State.

Similarly, 82 suspects were apprehended in Osun State, 60 in Adamawa State and 36 in Kano and Ogun states respectively.

He said 33 suspects were arrested in Edo State, 20 each in Kaduna and Akwa Ibom states, 15 in Abia and Delta states and 13 in Oyo and Ekiti states respectively.

Furthermore, 10 suspects were arrested in Rivers State and four in Ondo State.

"Out of these figures, not less than 1,117 have been charged to court across the country", Adamu said.

IG to Policemen: Defend Yourselves When Attacked Meanwhile, IG Adamu yesterday asked all personnel of the force to protect themselves against attacks, saying his officers and men have the right to defend themselves in case of physical danger.

The IG, who spoke on the attacks on policemen during an assessment tour of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, also encouraged the operatives, who had abandoned the streets in the past five days following the killing of over 22 policemen during the #EndSARS violence, to return to their beats.

Adamu alleged that the #EndSARS protesters were out to demoralise the personnel, adding that the government and the Nigeria Police Force would soon roll out packages for the families of the deceased officers.

He said: “The unity of this country lies in the support that is given to police officers because if you are demoralised, the tendency is for criminals to take over the public space, and the country is relying on us to make sure that the public space is not taken over by the criminals. So, no amount of provocation, no amount of insult would make us shy away from our responsibilities.

“Inasmuch as we are aware that the government is behind us; so, we would encourage you to keep performing your duties. We would encourage you to be professional, to be civic, but if anybody touches you, if anybody comes to assault you, you can also protect yourself.

“When we talk of human rights, the police are human; so, the rights of police officers would also be protected. So, we are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves but while we are doing that, we make sure that until we are endangered.”

Assessment Committee Inaugurated The IG has inaugurated a 9-man committee to undertake an assessment of the loss suffered by the Nigeria Police Force across the country during the #EndSARS protests.

The IG said the setting up of the assessment committee was informed by the need to properly document the loss suffered by the police for the purpose of strategic planning, re-construction and re-equipment, as well as for future reference.

He said the force encountered huge losses in terms of human and material resources during the #EndSARS protests which commenced on a rather peaceful note but unfortunately degenerated into violence, loss of lives and wanton destruction of property.

The committee, whose chairman is CP Abutu Yaro, was charged by the IG to see the assignment as a call to service and that it must be undertaken with purposefulness, empathy, dedication and sacrifice.

The terms of reference of the Committee include the physical visit to the scenes of incidents and capture the pictorials of all damages done to police infrastructure and personnel; verify the fatalities suffered by the police; establish the weapons holdings that were lost during the incidents, amongst others.

The IG particularly emphasised that the committee should visit families of deceased police officers and the injured on behalf of the force.

IG Tells Amnesty His Men Did Not Shoot Protesters The IG yesterday contested a report by the Amnesty International that policemen deployed excessive force against #EndSARS protesters.

The police denied the claim in a statement by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, titled, “EndSARS protests: Police personnel were professional and exercised maximum restraints, IGP tells Amnesty International.”

Adamu argued that his men “acted professionally, exercised commendable restraints and some paid the supreme price for peace, during the protests and the ensuing violence in parts of the country.”

According to him, 22 police officers also lost their lives while 205 police stations and formations were torched.

The global rights group had in its report knocked the police for assaulting the activists demanding police reforms, noting that they used excessive force on them.

Amnesty International stated that over 12 protesters died during the ensuing violence.

But the IG described the AI’s report as untrue, misleading and “contrary to all available evidence.”

The police statement said: “The IGP noted that during the protests, officers of the Force used legitimate means to ensure that the protests were carried out in a peaceful manner and in most cases, physically protected and walked side-by-side with the protesters.

“He reiterated that even when the protests turned violent in some parts of the country, the officers still maintained utmost restraint and did not use excessive force in managing the situations.

“Available reports indicate that 22 police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and scores were injured during the protests,” the IG disclosed.

53 Arrested over Abuja NYSC Camp Looting Also yesterday, Adamu stated that not less than 53 persons have been arrested by security operatives in connection with the looting of properties at the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps in the Kubwa area of Abuja.

The IG stated this in an interview with journalists after an on-the-spot assessment of the NYSC camp, in conjunction with the NYSC Director-General, Brig. General Ibrahim Shuaibu.

He also assured that those who looted the NYSC camp, stealing kits and other items would be punished accordingly.

According to him, some of the looters have voluntarily returned the items they stole.

LCC Ready to Show Footage of Lekki Shootings The management of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) has expressed readiness to show the footage of the shootings of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate allegedly by soldiers.

The Head of the Legal Department of LCC, Mr. Gbolahan Agboluwaje, made this known when he appeared before the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for Victims of SARS and Related Abuses and Other Matters, yesterday.

Agboluwaje noted that the footage of the October 20 shootings of the #EndSARS protesters allegedly by the soldiers is available.

He said there are hours of recordings on the CCTV footage, stating that the LCC received summons from the panel on Wednesday, to appear before it, present the October 20 footage, tender an investigation report and any other document.

He said the “LCC is prepared to air the footage before the panel” but that no investigation report or document was available.

“We have the footage. We do not have an investigation report because we know that investigations are ongoing and we have not been able to provide any document.

“We had a very short notice and we brought what we were able to lay our hands on.”

Agboluwaje also told the panel that due to the short notice of the summons, the Managing Director of LCC, Abayomi Omomuwa, would not be able to testify.

He explained that this was because the company was yet to hire an external counsel to represent the Managing Director.

However, Omomuwa had been sworn-in to give evidence before the panel.

Responding, the Chairman of the nine-man panel, Justice

Doris Okuwobi (Retd.), granted Agboluwaje’s request for a short adjournment.

Obong of Calabar: Violence in Cross River Fuelled by Ayade's Insensitivity The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has blamed the alleged insensitivity of the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, and the political class for the recent violent #EndSARS protest that rocked the city of Calabar.

The grand patriarch of the Efik Kingdom stated this yesterday when a former governor of the state, Mr. Liyel Imoke paid him a solidarity visit over the incident.

The Efik monarch stated that he was marked for attack during the protest that resulted in the burning of private and public infrastructure in Calabar and its environs, Addressing Imoke, who was accompanied by a large entourage, the monarch stated that if Ayade and the political class were sensitive and proactive, the youths, whom he noted were proxies of politicians, would not have been so angry to the extent of destroying property and bringing the state to its knees.

"If I may ask one question, the youths are they just coming today? They have been here since your administration and in the previous administrations.

Are they just coming up today?

The youths have always been there. Why has this not happened before?

"So, let’s look at it critically, why has it not happened? I realise one thing, and I have to tell you the truth. The key is that the party that I use to know, called themselves a family, and that was the way the party was going, and that was the way the people looked at themselves, and it was a family. And as such, you were always discussing with the people, and taking ideas from the people. It was from there that it extended to other set of people to maintain peace and order.

"But when there is a total blanket separating the two, what do you think will happen? What you people were building has been destroyed.

"You were building a time bomb gradually and now it has exploded. Now we start looking for where the problem came from. We know where the problem came from: "It is not from those youths, it is the way you politicians handled them. And please, I am happy that you are here, and you gathered all these people that are reasonable and care for the good of the state.

I am not talking about Calabar alone," the Obong said.

Apparently sending a message to Ayade, the monarch continued: "Please tell our Excellency (governor); even though you say it is not time to put blame, whether you like it or not, the buck stops on his table and we have to have a solution to this problem. We have to face it right out there. We don’t need to play around with it, we cannot continue this way.

You tell him that there is a need for total reconciliation; a total rehabilitation of whatever he has been doing.

"Everybody matters in this state. He should be able to

talk to people. In those days, the chairman of the party used to be a father, the governor runs to him; and the governor doesn’t take decision without input from party members. I think our high brother up there came and turned it round and gave the governor the power to do all things and all sorts.”

"I have been watching and I am so unhappy that the peace and calm that we used to have here is taken away. Why? Because we have failed; Who have failed? The politicians have failed. That is why we sit down to watch you people.

"There is need to change.

And if I had my way I could have said, this governor should wait, let’s set up an interim administration; then he starts learning and looking at how administration is actually done.

"We don’t allow people to come in and do anything the way they like it. No! there is a principle, there is a policy that should be adhered to.

"I mean, nobody talks to him; he doesn’t talk to anybody, no matter what happens. You (Imoke) used to call me from time to time when there was need for that.

But this one, he wouldn’t call you. Even when you call him, he doesn’t answer the call.

Nobody talks to him. But, rather what are we doing? We are all running away. I realised that every politician needs to build a fort for himself. Taking the youths that don’t even know what is happening, around himself and another politician doing same.

Gradually it becomes a conflict of interest when they want to be the same thing at the same time and they start fighting themselves."

The monarch said he was unhappy that the youths became violent even when they were protesting over a legitimate cause, saying "It is not those boys that I am blaming. Yes, I blame them because they have gone beyond the limit of what they could have.... They could have gone to the streets and make noise again and again, and everybody will know that something needs to be done properly, but when you go to destroy all that others had suffered to put in place, which is the only aspect of it that I am not happy about."

Asking for a change of attitude from the political leaders over the led, the Obong said, "The key is that there have to be a change of attitude. Everyone of you should have access to the governor, and he should listen. And even now that we have professor and professor in administration, we expected that we should have the best. That you open their door and people come in and give you an idea, if you don’t like what they tell you, throw it away, but have a face, there is a whole mixed up because the way he has treated even the politicians and the people around, that is the way he has treated the security people.

"If he had treated the security of the people very well, this couldn’t have happened. I called the Commissioner of Police, he said, oh, there is nothing we can do. We called the Army, they said, no, we have been asked not to do anything there.

In that situation, that is a total breakdown of security. The

Governor is the Chief Security officer. He should be holding security meeting regularly with these people. And this thing would not have happened if he had called the security people together after hearing what happened in Lagos and other places; call them together and tell them, look my friends, nothing should happen in my state."

Earlier in his remarks, Imoke, who was governor of the state from May 2097 to May 2015, said he was on a mission to the monarch so that all concerned would jointly seek a lasting solution to the current crisis confronting the state.

"The events of Saturday, I had to call the Obong to understand what was going on. I appealed to him and he explained to me what was happening; that Tinapa was even under attack. A situation that is unprecedented in our history. Calabar is a peaceful place. He explained that things have gone out of control.

"We came to get some advice from you before we even set out looking for solution. To ensure that it never happens again in Cross River State. We are not here to play the blame game. To say this is the person who did this or that. We are here to look for sustainable solution.

"We need your guidance as we go about looking for solution to the challenges of young people who are unemployed and have grievances. Young people who think they don’t have the opportunities others have had.

"We do not understand the extent of the carnage. We are all victims of this incident. If you were not hit directly, you were hit indirectly. For me, I was hit directly, as very many public officials. They were also hit directly.

"Indirectly, we were all hit with all our public facility extensively damaged. For us it is critical that we don’t only address this, we will give support to the governor on how best to address all of these.

"The youths in the community are still good.

Majority of them did not join the minority on the street. We must do things so that the majority will not join the minority in the street.

"This is the time for intervention, we need the traditional leaders to engage the youths," Imoke said.

Lagos Relaxes Curfew Further The Lagos State Government has announced a further relaxation of the curfew imposed on the state with immediate effect.

“The curfew will now be from 10 pm till 6 am,” a statement from the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said yesterday.

The commissioner said people can now go about their business between 6am and 10pm.

The statement read, “The Lagos State Government has announced a further relaxation of the curfew imposed after the breakdown of law and order, following the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests. The curfew will now be from 10pm till 6am.

6

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

NEWS

Italian Police Swoop on Nigeria Mafia Group, Arrest 73 Festus Akanbi It was the end of the road for dozens of members of a notorious Nigerian mafia called the Vikings in Italy as the police swooped on them in the last two days, leading to the arrest of about 73 members of the dreaded cult, including their leader, 50-year-old Emmanuel Okenwa aka ‘Boogye’ during the week.

Agency reports yesterday quoted Italian police as saying that Okenwa was arrested by undercover officers in the city of Verona as he prepared to flee the country.

More than 200 Italian policemen were involved in the operation which was carried out in Turin and Ferrara.

In all, 31 people were arrested in Ferrara. A further 43 were taken into custody in Turin, including several women who allegedly ran prostitution rackets.

According to the Italian authorities, the Vikings and other groups traffic Nigerian women to Italy and force them to work as prostitutes.

Gang members have names such as “Strike chief”, “Executional” and “Arkman”.

Each group demands a cult-like loyalty from its followers and subjects’ new members to initiation rites.

Bologna preliminary

investigations judge Gianluca Petragnani Gelosi said the Vikings’ criminal plan was to “violently annihilate” other Nigerian crime outfits and take over their turf.

Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said the police guard against criminal organisations and their illegal trafficking was high even amid the COVID emergency.

The outlawed group, which also goes by the name Arobaga Vikings or Norsemen Kclub, according to reports, is organised into local cells called Decks and is present in many Italian cities.

According to reports, rival groups include the Maphites, the Eiye and the Black Axe, all of them largely composed of Nigerian immigrants.

Trafficking Nigerian women to Italy to become street prostitutes is one of their most lucrative criminal activities.

The Nigerian government in 2003 had established the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), a law enforcement agency to combat human trafficking and other similar human rights

violations.

In spite of this, women and girls – some as young as 14 – are still being lured to Italy with the offer of jobs as hairdressers, beauticians and baby sitters, only to end up as sex slaves.

The UN migration agency estimates that 80 per cent of Nigerian women who come to Italy are victims of sex

trafficking.

Many of the women are forced to undergo voodoostyle religious rituals in which they are told they or their families will be harmed if they try to escape the sex trade.

It is common to see young Nigerian women touting for business along busy roads in Italy, especially during the summer.

SOLIDARITY VISIT… L-R: Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Kola Shodipo; Deputy Inspector General of Police, Waheed Kazeem; Chairman, Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; AIG Tunji Alapini and DIG Oshodi Glover, during a commiseration visit to Sanwo-Olu by the retired and serving police chiefs over the recent destruction in the state...yesterday

LAGOS PANEL IN SURPRISE VISIT TO ARMY HOSPITAL, FINDS NO MORTUARY The soldiers claimed that they were not aware of their coming and that it was against protocol coming without prior notice.

After initial resistance by the soldiers for about 30 minutes, the panel members were eventually allowed into the premises of the hospital.

The soldiers apparently got approval from their superiors to allow the panel members into the hospital.

While inside, they were conducted round the military facility by General A. I. Taiwo. Surprisingly,

no mortuary was found at the facility during the inspection.

General Taiwo disclosed to the panel that the hospital did not have a mortuary.

The panel members were also informed that the hospital had been under renovation in the past one year.

Addressing journalists before they were allowed into the military hospital, a member of the panel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, said the panel had “confidential information”

about the military hospital relevant to the investigation of the Lekki shootings of Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

He said, “We are exercising our mandate on behalf of the governor of Lagos State under the tribunal laws.

“We have already inspected the Lekki toll gate today (yesterday) and we are here to pay an unscheduled visit to the mortuary of the Military Hospital.

“We have confidential information concerning certain events that took

place at the hospital here and we are waiting for them to grant us access to inspect the mortuary because we have reasons to believe that that facility is relevant to our investigation.

“We don’t want to make any conclusions yet until we get access to that mortuary.

We have a pathologist with us who is here to help us conduct medical examination of bodies in the mortuary.”

But all the claims by the panel turned out to be a ruse.

Members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry had earlier

visited the Lekki tollgate scene of the shootings where five bullet shells were found.

During the visit, the Managing Director of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), operators of the tollgate, Mr. Abayomi Omomuwa, who conducted members of the panel round the facility, revealed that the footage of what transpired at the toll plaza on October 20 was intact.

He said a camera on the mast worked until the carnage on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

He said: “We are yet to carry out our private investigation into the shootings. Yes, we have the footage intact but there has been no investigation or document from us on the shootings.

“We have the toll plaza one and the Lekki toll bridge which is also known as TP3.

We have the last location which is around the Chevron area. We don’t collect toll there. It is our main office and that is the Toll Plaza two.

This is where the shooting of that day occurred.

herself as a champion of developing countries. She touted her managerial experience and work as a former senior World Bank official and board chair of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation as ideal preparation to steer the WTO’s focus on the serious trade challenges of a global health crisis.

In a statement after the selection meeting on Wednesday, Okonjo-Iweala sounded a note of victory, saying she was “immensely humbled to receive the backing of the WTO’s selection committee today.

“A swift conclusion to the process will allow members to begin again to work together, on the urgent challenges and priorities,” she said.

The race for the job, in which eight candidates initially competed, was triggered when Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo said in May that he was stepping down a year early, partly to allow for new leadership ahead of important WTO meetings next year.

Nigeria Reaches Out to U.S, Others to Clear All Bottlenecks

The third and final round of consultations for the selection of a DG for the WTO, which commenced in Geneva on October 19, 2020, was concluded on October 27, 2020.

The Chairperson, WTO General Council, Amb. David Walker, of New Zealand, with the facilitators of the selection process, among others, on October 28, 2020, at the meeting of WTO Heads of Delegation in Geneva, informed the members of the organisation that Okonjo-Iweala secured overwhelming support of members.

They explained that the support was both in terms of numbers, as well as geographical spread and therefore emerged as the candidate most likely to gain consensus as DG of WTO. Katagum expressed Nigeria’s profound appreciation to all members of the WTO who had supported Okonjo-Iweala, adding that Nigeria would reach out to other countries to secure the consensus needed in the final decision on her appointment.

WTO: EUROPEAN COUNCIL INSISTS ON OKONJO-IWEALA AS DG relief for Africa, EU-African relations and recharge of the Lake Chad, which has currently shrunk to less than one-third of its usual size, and throwing about 130 million people who depend on the Lake into dire straits.

Recharge of the Lake Chad is an issue the Nigerian President had vigorously canvassed at diverse global fora in recent time.

“President Buhari expressed appreciation to Mr. Michel for expected positive developments on the issues.”

Okonjo-Iweala was poised to become WTO’s first female leader by consensus on Wednesday after gaining the support of most WTO member states. But her nomination was moved forward after the U.S voiced opposition to her appointment.

Dozens of governments swiftly spoke out against the U.S, saying Washington was trying to obstruct and weaken the global-trade regulator.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is also a U.S. citizen, is running against South Korea’s first

female trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee, who Washington is backing.

WTO spokesman, Keith Rockwell said the organisation would go ahead with a meeting November 9 to pick a new leader. If necessary, as a last resort, a vote could be held to pick a leader although that would break the precedent of selecting the WTO chief by consensus.

He said consultations with the U.S and other members would continue. South Korea declined to withdraw Yoo’s candidacy.

Okonjo-Iweala won the votes on Tuesday by a wide margin, Rockwell said.

At Wednesday’s meeting, the U.S was the first country to dial in, over a videoconference line, saying Okonjo-Iweala lacked the experience to do the job, according to a Western ambassador who was present.

The US complained that the WTO’s election rules were flawed because they did not allow governments to register a negative view of a particular candidate,

the ambassador and another person briefed on the exchange said.

The American objection prompted an uproar from the delegates of more than two dozen governments and international organisations seated in the room, with European allies, China, Canada, Latin American and African states all rallying against the US. An EU representative complained that if the U.S had issues with the process, it could and should have raised them far earlier.

Other countries with delegates in the chamber raised flags, including some that backed Yoo, to join the EU in its objections to the American objection.

Delegates accused the U.S. of trying to bully them and said that if the U.S. didn’t rescind its objections, they would force a vote next month on Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy.

“Given that it will come down to a vote, the likelihood of Nigeria winning is 99 per cent,” the ambassador said.

Okonjo-Iweala had pitched

The Nigerian government has announced that it was currently reaching out to the United States and other members of the World Trade Organisation to clear all bottlenecks to the emergence of Okonjo-Iweala as WTO’s DG. The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Katagum, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Campaign Strategy Team for Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed this at an emergency virtual meeting that she convened yesterday.

Katagum and her team met to review and strategise on the way forward, in the light of recent developments in the selection process for the appointment of a DG for the trade organisation.

She said Nigeria was persuading the United States to adopt her candidate as WTO DG following the overwhelming support which Okonjo-Iweala had garnered.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31, 2020 • T H I S D AY

7

8

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˞ ͚͝, 2020

Nigerian Stocks Hit 16-month High as Investors Swoop on Market Ă?ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ahamefula Ogbu 08116759810 (Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁĚš Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– ahamefula.ogbu@thisdaylive.com

Festus Akanbi Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Goddy Egene Nigerian stocks rose 3.7 per cent yesterday to their highest level in more than 16 months after investors swooped on banking and consumer goods companies’ counters.

The stock has maintained a bullish trend since the beginning of the week following increased buying interests that have greeted the influx of mixed corporate numbers.

The number of betterthan-expected results lifted demand to a peak, driving the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index to cross the 30,000 mark to close at 30,530.69. Also, market capitalisation hit N15.958 trillion, while volume and value of trading soared by 115 per cent and 127 per cent 807.810 million shares and N10.501 billion respectively.

Although some level of apprehension was expressed following the unrest last week after hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protests, most analysts and market operators had remained upbeat about the market.

Analysts at Cordros Research, for instance, said despite the heat in the sociopolitical landscape triggered by the degeneration of the #EndSARS protests, they

did not expect a material dent to investors’ appetite for stocks. “We reiterate that pent up system liquidity and the hunt for alpha-yielding opportunities in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market remain positive for stocks. However, we advise investors to trade in only fundamentally justified stocks as the weak macro environment remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings,� analysts at Cordros Research said.

The stock market has remained investors’ bride since the real returns in the fixed income market turned negative and increased liquidity in the system.

While making a case for buying interest in the equities market, Analysts at Meristem Research had said they identified elevated system liquidity supported by incoming Open Market Operations (OMO) maturities, depressed fixed income yields and a dearth of attractive alternative investment options.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, had linked the stock market rally to CBN’s restriction of domestic investors from participating in its open market operations (OMO) as

well as the interest rate cut.

According to Onyema, investors are always in search of higher returns on investments, noting that central bank’s policies have made the stock market attractive to investors.

He said: “I must say that some of the policy changes I made reference to include

the CBN policy that domestic institutional investors should stop participating in the OMO market. That has driven significant funds into the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) market and some of those funds have found their way into the equities market. We have also seen a cut in interest rate. That was

a significant move in support of equities as an asset class.

What investors tend to do is to look for yield.�

NSE CEO said since the Nigerian economy has shifted into a negative real interest rate environment, investors are now in search of investments that would give them higher yields and

returns. “Given the record dividend yield available in the Nigerian market and given the strong fundamentals of a number of companies that are listed on the Exchange, it makes sense that as investors try to rebalance their portfolio, they would look at equities,� he said.

TAKING STOCK‌ L-R: Member, Board of Trustees (BoT), Tertiary Education Fund (Tetdund), Chief Uchenna Ufearoh; Chairman, Tetfund BoT, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam; Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’allah; Executive Secretary, Tetfund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro; and Member, Tetfund BoT, Dr. Fiepre Clever Aprebo, during an interactive session with management/students and monitoring of Tetfund funded projects at University of Abuja on Friday.

Senate Queries Ex-Envoy over $134,000 Payment for Domestic Servants Deji Elumoye Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Senate has queried a former Nigerian Ambassador to Israel over the payment of $134,000 to him by the Foreign Affairs Ministry for the salaries of his domestic servants.

The envoy was said to have employed the domestic servants at the Nigerian House in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2014.

The query by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts headed

by Senator Mathew Urhoghide was sequel to a petition from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation, asking the committee to investigate the dollars paid into the personal account of the former Ambassador.

The allegation against the former Ambassador was contained in the 2015 petition Auditor General of the Federation submitted to Senate Committee on Public Accounts.

But, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its written response claimed that cost of hiring of domestic servants was usually higher than what was granted to the Ambassador as allowances for domestic servants especially as it relates to the Israeli minimum wages.

The Auditor General’s petition reads, “The sum of $134, 400.00 was paid directly to an Ambassador during his tenure for domestic servants. The direct payment of domestic staff salary to the Ambassador is contrary to the terms of engagement as spelt out in the appointment

letter which insists on domestic staff salary to be included on Mission’s payroll. Therefore the sum of funds has to be refunded. “The Permanent Secretary has been requested to recover and pay back to chest, the sum $134,400.00 paid directly to the Ambassador, forwarding evidence of recovery for audit verification purposes.

The Foreign Ministry in its written response stated that, “On the grounds of public policy, particularly the provisions of the condition of services of the Ambassadors/Heads of Mission, the Ambassador hired his own domestic servant and security personnel in accordance with the Israeli labour laws and as such, paid their allowances directly from his personal account. “The cost of such hiring was usually higher than what was granted to him as allowances for domestic servant especially as relates to the Israeli minimum wages. “He could not have operated effectively at the home front in the Residence without hiring some hands to man the vast grounds, help his wife at home front with the chores which in the case of Tel Aviv post is beehive of activities. If there has been an apparent lapse in the method of payment, it must have been for administrative convenience and nothing else .However, the observation has been duly noted and corrected.�

PROBING LEKKI SHOOTINGS...

Retired Justice Doris Okuwobi (middle), Chairman, Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for Victims of SARS and the Lekki shootings, with other members of her panel, during a surprise visit to Military Hospital, Ikoyi, in continuation of their probe‌yesterday.

KEDCO Begins Distribution of 87,747 Prepaid Meters in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ Following the flag off of meter distribution at no cost by the federal government under the National Mass Meter Scheme (NMMS), the Kano Electric Distribution Company (KEDCO) has commenced distribution in Kano with 87,747 prepaid meters to consumers in their axis.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, said yesterday at the flag off ceremony of the distribution, that the federal government along with 11 DISCOS across the country would distribute six million prepaid meters to consumers

in the country.

Gwamna who was represented at the occasion by the Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Vijay Sonawane, said the free distribution of the meters; customers would no longer receive estimated bills. “With the distribution of the meters, customers will no longer receive estimated bills as in the case before now,� he said.

He, therefore, warned customers to desist from tampering with the meters or bypassing the meters as any customer found engaging in the illegal act, would be arrested and prosecuted.

In his remarks, the Head of Customer Service, Abubakar

Yusuf, said no fewer than one million customers in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states would be provided with the meters free of charge.

He urged customers to make good use of the meters to ensure effective service delivery. “I wish to thank you for being present at this event.

The federal government along with 11 distribution companies in Nigeria have provided six million meters for our consumers. “We have about one million customers from Kano to Katsina and so a proper modality for the distribution will be out in place.

“It is not a thing that will be expected within a day, a week or a month but it has commenced already,� he stated.

He called on customers to take responsibility and report any case of vandalism or diversion to the concerned authorities.

Also delivering the opening address, the Administrative Manager, Salisu Abdussalam, called on the public to avoid destroying public property while he thanked the federal government for its effort in providing the meters.

The distribution commenced in the Tarauni Quarters in Kano where the event took place.

9

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 31, 2020

08054699539

EndSARS Protests: The Truth That Must Be Told

he EndSARS protests and the resultant violence/looting left me depressed and horrified for days. I was shedding tears; tears for a country brought to its knees by criminals who had an illicit agenda for the protests.

Tears for a country whose leaders persistently fail to protect lives, property; they fail to enforce law and order. Anarchy reigned for several days in my beloved Nigeria because security agents disappeared from our streets and communities. The criminals had a field day, leaving deep scars across the country. Abuja controls the security agents but there was no proactive response from the seat of power.

Our secret police (the DSS) went to sleep.

The NSCDC men were nowhere to be seen.

The National Security Adviser went AWOL. Our soldiers slumbered. Policemen could not even protect their stations. IG Mohammed Adamu was issuing orders that were not practically implemented. The result? Innocent people killed, shops looted, assets burnt. It was horrendous.

It is even more painful that most of the assets looted and in some cases, burnt by the hoodlums masquerading as protesters, belong to private sector players. Entrepreneurs that have struggled for years to stay afloat suddenly lost their businesses. What is the justification for these? Many of these Nigerians with nothing to do with government may never recover. They are all victims of a government that has failed to protect its citizens.

Burning and looting assets of politicians is not vengeance. I have heard some people saying it is good for these politicians to be dealt with because they are stealing our money.

This is most unreasonable and not the way to go. We should be talking and working on how stolen assets can be recovered and used for the good of the people; not destroying and re-plundering them. The looters and arsonists are simply criminals. They are as guilty as the politicians that have stolen this country dry. Arsonists and looters should be made to face the law.

For me, the Buhari government should bury its head in shame for this security laxity and clumsiness. It struggled to come up with an appropriate security response to the anarchy. It is this same ineptitude by government that has prolonged killings

by Boko Haram and bandits. I was not shocked that President Buhari failed to show capacity to tackle the looting and killings while the country he supervises is in a state of anarchy. There was no structured response from the federal government while violence, deaths, ruin pervaded the country.

Buhari has never shown capacity to handle any disaster in all his years as President.

Now to the genuine EndSARS protesters:

IG Mohammed Adamu

I am not sorry to say that they messed up.

At a point during the protest, they got it wrong. No doubt, the agitations are just and reasonable, but they rubbished everything when they failed to retreat at the right time and lost the essence of the agitations. EndSARS protesters got the ear of government at the right time but still refused to ceasefire. For the first time in a long while, government shifted.

SARS was disbanded, arrested protesters were released, wayward policemen put on trial and panels to investigate police brutality set up. They got all these and the process for resolving them started.

The new issues raised were also getting attention. At that point, EndSARS protesters needed to pull back.

Then, the protesters started changing the rules in the middle of the game and shifting the goalposts. Protests cannot be endless without deteriorating into a bigger crisis. Besides, campaigners must have leaders and actively negotiate with government. There is no way proper negotiation can take place with a mob. The EndSARS guys eventually abused the right to protest.

The tendency of the protest turning into anarchy was obvious. This is peculiar to our

setting. That was exactly what happened and we are still counting the losses.

Government responded appropriately to all five demands, yet, the protesters persisted against wise counsels. Wicked, Godless and senseless people, some of them elders, were urging the protesters not to retreat. What has happened to the moderating influence of seniors? Those elders urging them to continue did a great disservice to this country. The blood of the people killed remains on their head. Their talk about youths taking over is preposterous.

So, elders should surrender the country to youths?

Some of these impractical elders clamour for youths to take charge as if there is any country in the world turned around by youths alone. Let them cite an example.

It takes the wisdom and tenacity of both elders and youths to turn around any system for good, goes a popular saying in Yoruba land. These so-called elders urging youths to take over have suddenly forgotten that those who plunged Nigeria into a civil war that claimed over two million lives were largely youths. The military guys who destroyed our beautiful First Republic were largely youths. Most times, youthful exuberance is a killer.

What about those spreading fake news about the protests and killings? They ought to be in jail by now. There is one Lagos DJ that spent days spinning falsehood about the “attack” on protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos. There is no point mentioning her name. She does not deserve it on this page.

Her lies caused a lot of destruction. This DJ’s hopeless story kept changing. Her submissions were most unreasonable and illogical; yet, many believed her and reposted. Mob mentality took over. What has happened to critical thinking in this country? It is so sad many are not interested in interrogating issues around the alleged Lekki gate “killings”.

The likes of that desperate DJ stoked the killings, looting and arson witnessed for days with mountains of lies about what transpired at the Lekki toll gate. It’s so shocking that many were easily deceived by these specious narrations. Yes, there were shootings at the Lekki gate, which ought not to have happened. It was absolutely unnecessary. Those responsible should be fished out and dealt with according to our laws. The protesters could have been professionally dispersed without any gun shot. It is very painful that two people died in the hospital from injuries sustained during the stampede. However, there was nothing like “mass killing” at the Lekki toll gate. It never happened. It does not make sense playing politics with human lives.

Let’s Oppose Plans to Concession Airports Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika is still pushing his evil plans to concession the nation’s most viable four airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. These airports have of recent gulped billions of Naira in the name of modernisation, including huge loans from China. This country is yet to recover the cost. Suddenly, government is working on giving them out to their cronies. I guess loans expended on them would be repaid with public fund if this malicious plan materialises. Patriots must all resist this evil plan aimed at lining the pockets of government’s allies. This minister has a personal agenda in this regard and we must rise against it. My source alleged he’s planning to bring his Arab friends for the concession deal and that they are aiming at grabbing the Lagos and Abuja airports. I will like to see Sirika defend this allegation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress recently wrote to President Buhari, disagreeing with the planned concession, urging him to consider other viable and sustainable ways of managing these airports and attracting new capital for expansion and development. It

said due process, as prescribed by our Public Procurement and Concession laws and the laws governing the Nigerian aviation sector had been “flung to the dogs by the peddlers of this toxic pill designed to shortchange, enslave and pillage the Nigerian people.”

My take away from Labour’s letter is the Green Field Concession suggestion, whereby investors are invited to make fresh investments in clearly delineated areas of deficit at the airports’ infrastructure, including terminal expansion, runway expansion and upgrading of critical aviation equipment and facilities. It suggested that such investments should be recouped from the additional revenue accruing from the use of the upgraded facilities.

A serious government should also be thinking about commercialising the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN. They should be thinking about granting this agency autonomy, so that it can operate optimally and generate money for government. Some of the best airports in the world are managed by government agencies, as seen in the case of Ethiopia. This idea of selling the country’s wealth to government’s buddies must stop.

Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika

Let’s flip over to the real issues behind EndSARS. The arm of the police feared by criminals, particularly armed robbers across our country is the SARS. They are the ones with the capacity to checkmate criminals.

That was why criminals joined the campaign to disband them. I know what I am saying because I mingled with the EndSARS protesters in hot spots in Lagos like Ikorodu, Ketu and Mushin. The agenda of the criminals was to end the squad hindering them. So, when the squad was disbanded, criminals partied in some areas in Lagos. Don’t get me wrong, there are some really bad guys in SARS. These are the guys that should be pulled out and punished. Every system has its bad eggs. With a good command and control structure, the squad could be reformed and made accountable.

Now, there is a huge SARS gap across Nigeria and the criminals are having a field day.

They are still moving up and down, looting, maiming and killing. In Lagos, criminals now mount roadblocks and collect tolls. Many fell for this cry to EndSARS, not knowing the real agenda. I can understand a campaign to end police brutality or to reform SARS. I can understand a movement to ensure punishment of recalcitrant SARS and other policemen mistreating innocent people. A call to end SARS completely is a call for criminals to take over our land. This is exactly what has happened. Government has surrendered this country to criminals by scrapping the police unit. Urgent steps must be taken to pull back Nigeria from total destruction. A Libya and Somalia scenario combined is now facing this country.

The issue of the military helping to disperse protesters must also be analysed. I have heard some saying the Nigerian military has no business tackling protesters in a democracy. This is a big lie. When anarchy sets in and the police are overwhelmed, military helps. President Trump invited the military to disperse unruly protesters during the Black Lives Matter demonstration in the United States.

President Macron called out the military to disperse Yellow Vest protesters in France.

This is the global standard when lawlessness sets in. We should be talking about our military doing the job professionally as seen in the countries mentioned, not saying they have no business dispersing violent protesters. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the Chief Security Officer of Lagos State, did not commit any offence inviting the military to help.

Let me also address unemployment crisis. An army of unemployed youths is a time bomb. That has been my message for years but those in government refused to listen. The time bomb finally exploded with EndSARS. Majority of the protesters are jobless youths. Economic issues largely motivated the crisis this country went through in the last few weeks. This bomb may explode further if governments at all levels fail to take proactive steps to reduce unemployment. To reduce tension, it is pertinent to start seeing good governance and improved service delivery immediately.

Years of bad government put this country in this mess. Then, Buhari came, inflicting pain on people with draconian policies and clannishness. Governments must be seen fighting poverty; not this lip service we are seeing. More people must be moved out of poverty. “Area boys” must be forcefully moved out of our streets and trained.

I would like to see government paying unemployed people at least N20,000 monthly as social security. A genuine government must be people-oriented. Let’s see marked improvement in security. The current leadership of security agencies must make way for result-oriented ones. Let’s see a responsive police force. Let’s see substantial reduction in payments to political office holders.

Let’s see a genuine war against corruption. Let’s see devolution of power and true federalism in practice. Let’s start seeing respect for our Federal Character law, with Buhari halting his clannishness. This is the way forward for Nigeria.

10

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ OCTOBER 31, 2020

SUPER SATURDAY Oritse Fem emii

I’m Not a Wife Beater, My Wife Never Packed Out Singer and songwriter, Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele is popularly known as Oritse Femi and his remake of Fela Kuti’s “Double Wahala” shot him into limelight. For several weeks now, he has been in the news over allegations of wife beating. At some point, his wife Nabila Fash, allegedly, moved out of their home, only for him to plead for her to return. The good news is that Nabila is back at home, but Oritse Femi tells an entirely different story to Ferdinand Ekechukwu and Azuka Ogujiuba, insisting there was no domestic issue as portrayed

T

he social media was recently y agog g g with stories that y you and y your wife f had marital issues; that you hit her and she even y had to move out off your y home. Is this correct?

Honestly y I have said it before that there was no issue anywhere. y The way y people p p think is not the way y everything y g is. What happened pp was between me and my y wife, and we have p prayed y to God. Every y human being g on this earth should know that when marriage g is done, there must be a lot of expectation. p So, mine is between me and my y wife. So, that’s why y I’m saying y g nobody y knows our story. y They y can’t jjust come and p publish what they y think is our story. y We are the ones that can tell our story. The story of our lives is left to God. But how did it get g to social media?

That’s why y I said p people p are telling g our story. You can’t tell other people’s story.

Why y did Nabila leave home?

No, my y wife actually y went with her best friend Caroline. It’s not as if she left home. They y are good g friends. Even me, I’m good with Caro.

Many y insist that she left f home because y you were beating g her. Caroline Danjuma j even made some posts p and comments on this in the social media?

Caro made comments because she was angry g y with the way y I approached pp her on social media. I called her out several times. First of all, you y don’t know people’s p p story. y You can never know people’s p p story y – husband and wife story. y There’s nothing like any domestic violence.

So you y did not beat her?

‘Lai lai!’

What has been happening pp g to y you lately y as regards g y your music? What are you y working g on?

I have been working g on my y new project p j lately, y even before the COVID-19.

And also, I was about dropping pp g my y new singles g before this whole #EndSARS thing. g But, I think any y moment from now, I’m going g g to be dropping pp g more of my y singles g and music videos. I have one on air right now titled ‘Greatest’.

Oritse Femi

What’s it all about?

It’s a way y to tell my y people p p that I’m back. I have been working g on myself y and my y craft. So, any y moment from now, my fans and loved ones are going to see

me up there 24/7. That’s like reintroduction.

So many y things g have happened pp this y year, such that 2020 right g now is not about making g money y but about survival for f artistes. Many y of you didn’t have events during y g the COVID-19 lockdown. What lesson, as a p person, have you learned in the whole p process?

Not that we didn’t have events; we were just j not allowed to go g to any y show. I think I learned a lot; I learned to manage g every y crisis that comes, because life is all about ups p and down. You jjust don’t know; some unexpected p things g can happen pp that you y did not prepare p p for. I learned how to manage g most of all those things g during g this COVID-19 period. p A lot of things g happened pp that I had to stop p thinking g about making g money. y First of all, I had to think about my y life and survival. I was so, so afraid of what the end will be, but we have to thank God. I’m one of the people p p thanking g God right g now that I’m alive. I just j left money y apart, p because right g now, many y people p p have g gone. Many y died. I don’t know how to put p it, but I don’t know how this whole thing g happened. pp But, I just j have to thank God that I’m alive right now.

You have had hit songs g overtime f from ‘Mercies off the Lord’, to ‘Flog g Politician’ (Elewon), to ‘Igbeyawo’, g y ‘Better ffor Everybody’ y y to the super p hit song, g ‘Double Wahala’. Can you y recall the motivation behind that song ‘Double Wahala’?

Double Wahala is all about the struggle gg in my y life. That is why y I say y our genera g tion, we hustle by y ourselves, and we struggle gg by y ourselves. We don’t depend p on government. g I was telling g the people p p how I hustled all the way y from Malaysia y to Moscow then from Moscow to Miami, US by y myself, y sometimes, inside cold.

So, all these things g inspired p me and there are so many y of us. My y own way y is by y music. What about the p people p over there that clean toilet to help p their families?

What would make you y go g there if not the mismanagement g of our country? y So, a lot of people p p went there to hustle.

That’s what the song g explains p to so many yp people. p Then I brought g in the local side of it again g saying y g ‘from Gbagada g to Mowe to Ojuelegba’, like a conductor.

What memories do y you have off Ajegunle j g that can never be erased, no matter where you y go g in this world?

The good g memories I have about Aje j gunle that can never be forgotten g g is the spirit of survival; of becoming a great

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ OCTOBER 31, 2020

11

SUPER SATURDAY I’m Not a Wife Beater, My Wife Never Packed Out

Oritse O it Femi F i with ith wife, if Nabila N bil

p person.

Most Ajegunle j g people p p want to be g great and I can be honest with you, y most of us are right g here on the Island. And it’s been there for long g (he mentions names). So, that shows a lot of p people p have moved on from that area. But that is the place p we all started from. I mean the whole AJ music. It was created by y the late Jonny y Naps. p There is a p place we call the Raga g Dubs Chapel. p So that area is like that.

Then we also have music school inside the Chapel. p We used to have it every y Sunday y night. g The music system, y based on the y youth level, is in Ajegunle j g and there are a lot of them like that. So, we always y had this concert every y Sunday y which we call Raga g Dubs Chapel p Road Block. It’s one of the g great concerts we normally y have during g that p period that many y people p p from all over Lagos g attend. That was when I think a lot of Jamaicans came into Ajegunle, j g because our kind of music was like raga g reggae, gg but we have our own culture which we call AJ music. So, those Jamaicans came in - the likes of Shaba Ranks, Bini Man - all of them came and started imposing p g that reggae-raga gg g into us. Most of the people p p in AJ want to become musicians. Most of the y youth dance to that tune. And you y know in every y slum, we have a lot of atrocities (violence, robbery, y stealing) happening g because they y don’t have hope. p So, when Raga g Dub Chapel p came, it brought g down the violence and atrocities. Some of them

became musician; by y then most of the y youth started dancing g to that tune. So their dreams started becoming g wild. And that p period reduced the crime rate, as many y of them started living g the g good life. Seeing g me as a star, ‘you y g go like be like me na, Oritse Femi’.

Everything y g started changing until when that Raga Dubs Chapel fell.

How often f do you y go g back to your y hood in AJ City? y Do you y visit just j to show off? ff I never ever, ever left my y people. p p They y are my y people. p p Ig give them confidence whenever they y see me they y want to become great, g they y want to leave crime. I don’t know if you y understand. I’m like their role model. Most of them today y are living g good, leaving g g dirty y lives. For example, p now we have someone like E-Money, y he has his own company. p y He was born and brought g up p there. So everybody y y there wants to become great. We grew up in the same place.

Back in y your hood, y you represent p that hood such that they y see y you as an inspiration, p a role model. But there are some people p p who still see you as a street boy, y y who hasn’t left f the ways of the p past. How would y you react to that?

Yea, my y street life is my y art, it is me. It doesn’t mean that I don’t live like Ajebutter. So it’s part of

me. It’s like when y you say y somebody y is a pastor, p you must always y y be seen preaching, p g trying y g to settle issues. So when y you say y this man is a street king, g you must always y y see me with the street people. p p But ask me what I always y do with them. I encourage g them, because they y don’t want to see Oritse Femi not relating g with them again. I take it as part of my craft. So that’s it.

What’s the relationship p with y you and Danku (his former f manager) g at the moment?

Danku is jjust a g good friend. We don’t work together anymore.

And y you don’t think you guys can work together g any y longer? g He’s jjust a g great friend, y you know me, I don’t dispute p life because life will continue. We’re strictly friends, not business related.

To whom do you y attribute your y success and give credit to as a successful f artiste?

Yeah, I have to say y God Almighty g y and also to my y beloved fans because they y have been so, so supportive pp right g from day y one I started my y career and moved up p to where I am today. y Because after God is human being. g So my y fans, I want to say yy you g guys y have being g so amazing.

But God almighty is the reason I’m still in existence.

12

ÍťÍšËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

PROTECTING THE NATION’S VITAL INSTITUTIONS Ayinde Alaba argues the need to strengthen powerful organisations and free them from whims of individuals

A

frican nations often turn to the Northern Hemisphere for lessons on how to erect a society with citizens enjoying prosperity, ruled by a responsive and responsible government and relishing the respect of its neighbors and the global community. It is assumed that some ‘magic’ tool was applied by these nations to attain that enviable level; that some genii, as in an Arabian tale, were released from a bottle to mystically grant the ‘prosperity wishes’ of the leaders of those nations.

But when then US President Barack Obama visited Ghana in 2009, he gave a speech that debunked that myth. He told the Ghanaian parliament that the key to the economic success of nations is less emphasis on personalities and concentration on what he called “stronger government’’ to decide ‘’the future of the people.’’ Obama then dropped the kernel: “Africa doesn’t need strong men, it needs strong institutions.’’ Simply put, a nation would automatically thrive and survive the challenges of modern statehood if it fortifies the levers of administration (political, social, economic, legal institutions) and disallows powerful figures from dominating and influencing them.

In Nigeria unfortunately, we have marginalized our institutions and permitted men to operate with impunity.

Naturally, this has impeded the dynamics of growth and development that create the ambience of prosperity. Nowhere is this gravely noticeable as in one of the underbellies of the governance system, namely, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), a federal government body tasked with overseeing foreign intelligence and counterintelligence activities.

The organization was established in 1986 during a time of global upheavals to protect the interests of the world’s most populous black nation. With our vast wealth manifesting in enormous land, minerals, people, culture, etc., we would be easy prey to outside marauders seeking ‘spheres of influence’ to control and exploit if we neglected intelligence feelers from around the world. There was a need to protect our nation by preempting potential enemies via covert operations. It is what similar agencies have done for their nations over the years.

The NIA is, therefore, one of such institutions that ought to be nurtured along the lines proposed by Obama for the sustenance of our society. We need to strengthen it to become a powerful organization, free from the whims and caprices of individuals, serving or retired, and populated only by persons of impeccable character and conduct, deeply patriotic and fully committed to the best interests of the nation and fiercely protective of the nation and the vital institutions whose reason for existence is to serve and protect the nation. Such persons must under all circumstances uphold their oath of allegiance in the service of the fatherland.

Which is why it is curious and disturbing to observe recent happenings in the nation where the affairs of the agency are laid bare in a court case brought by someone who had operated at the very top of the agency. According to press reports, the former top official was separated from

IF NIGERIA IS TO BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL, OUR OFFICIALS MUST CULTIVATE THE UNIVERSAL ETHOS THAT GOVERN PRACTICES IN SOCIETIES THAT MAKE PROGRESS

the agency allegedly for a long list of conducts that seriously contravened official rules. In an unprecedented turn of events, he filed a case in court which promptly ruled that he should be taken back by the agency. We are not concerned about the fine points of the case here as that may well continue to be at issue in higher courts. What should worry us here is how institutions of state are being degraded by the same people who were charged to protect them and defend the nation.

We must recognize that only strict parametric guidelines would be required to run crucial agencies of state. Similarly, only larger national interests that are transcendental in nature, and nullifying individual or private interests represented by state or non-state actors, should apply in such instances. Indeed concerns for the preservation of the soul of the state and its citizens which enduring state institutions are saddled with pursuing, become of paramount importance here.

Whatever the final outcome of the appeal filed by government on the instant case, the litigation in question has already imposed a regrettable moral breach on the sacrosanct grounds of Nigeria’s sensitive institutions, such as NIA. Those charged with protecting us must be so patriotic that there is no room for personal interest or agenda. If Nigeria is to be fully functional, our officials must cultivate the universal ethos that govern practices in societies that make progress. It is distressing that those who had sworn to the oath of secrecy and allegiance to the nation and were kept in office through the sweat of the taxpayers, were the same officials who seem not to understand the demands of the offices they occupied.

The judiciary too, must never become accessories to acts that degrade our vital institutions and undermine our national interest. They are expected to be discreet in handling delicate issues touching on the security of the country. No gagging of the judiciary is suggested here. Nor am I calling for the suppression of the individual’s right to litigate if there are legitimate threats to their freedom. But in pursuing such options, the overarching interests of the nation and its people which they swore to uphold, must not be endangered.

In the long run, the ball should be in the court of those who recruit the men and women into the vital agencies of the state, like NIA. They must have an eye for those who believe in arming institutions for the service of the country and its people. They must not be persons who would want to castrate their institutions. They must not become monsters the society can no longer control or discipline when they err.

In this regard, there may also be a need to deliberately inculcate in such people, the universal ethos that govern such institutions. Those who cannot fit in, must not be given positions of authority. It is strong and ingenious institutions that drive today’s global economies, not self-centered individuals that prevent the society from functioning at full throttle. r "MBCB JT B QVCMJD BGGBJST BOBMZTU JO 0HVO 4UBUF

BETWEEN TREASURY AND INDOMIE LOOTERS Nigeria created the situation that led to the mass discontent, argues Iyobosa Uwugiaren

W

ith the latest violent protest that overwhelmed many states slowly disappearing, government institutions and private business investors have started counting their painful losses. Excruciatingly as it is to the affected people and institutions, it is on record that the protest started quietly and peacefully - when thousands of angry youths in many states joined the protest against the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which human rights groups have described as ‘’extortionist, criminal and killing squad’’ within the Nigeria Police Force.

Sadly, some suspected security agents and doubtful politicians were later to escalate the non-violent protest into mayhem when they started conscripting thugs - armed with dangerous weapons in some states, mainly Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe and Lagos, to dislodge the peaceful protesters.

The consequences are the mind-numbing attacks, looting of shops, private businesses, banks, public buildings, warehouses and private houses we have witnessed in the past few days. Many sound minds say it may take many years for the country to recover from the criminal looting, putting the estimated losses at over N1.9 trillion.

As reported by some dailies, Shoprite, shops/malls, warehouses – where palliatives: rice, noodles, beans, etc., are kept; television stations/print media houses, police stations and others were torched. From the money market sector, initial valuation of the damage arising from attacks by hoodlums, who hijacked the #EndSARS protests, indicated that over 67 bank branches were wrecked and many automated teller machines (ATMs) damaged.

Is it not awfully sad that, at a time when our distressed nation ought to be up and doing to attract investments both domestic

and foreign -- to help take our teeming unemployed youths out of the street, we witnessed this disastrous situation? Surely, the destructive effect on the discernment of our nation as an investment destination is huge. There is near agreement among us and the international community that the scale of the felonious plundering and devastation is unmatched in our nation’s contemporary history.

While the looting by some hoodlums is highly condemnable, there is a widely held assertion by many right-thinking people that the recent protest is not just against police brutality and killings, but also against bad governance, which has instigated huge unemployment, poverty, corruption, nepotism and worsened by ostentatious lifestyle by our politicians/ public office holders.

The truth is that while many Nigerians are languishing in abject poverty, there are strong evidences to suggest that our public office holders have steadily and primitively looted our treasury - so much so that there is no credible support from government at all levels to help mitigate the recent dreadful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis across Nigeria. And no deliberate and sustained efforts on the part of the government to spend resources on health, education, and other important areas at a difficult time like this.

Many public universities have been on strike in the past seven months or as a result of the industrial dispute between the federal government and the public university lecturers; same action by the medical/ health workers in the country. Like it has been passionately canvassed, our government needs to provide us with resounding explanation of what our huge resources have been used for in the last two decades.

The stinking disclosures from government ministries, departments and agencies are

clear indications that our resources have not been properly and judiciously managed in the general interest of the people – the real owners of the wealth. Take the intervention agency like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as an example. It has received huge taxes from oil companies operating in the Niger Delta for years, but at no time has the agency accounted for how these humongous taxes were used.

We were told recently that Shell paid the NDDC $136.6 million as fees in 2019; $79.6 million in 2018; $79.6 million in 2017, and $125.14 million in 2016. And this is just one out of over 15 oil firms operating in the region. The crucial question is, why has this massive fund not impacted positively on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta? For instance, it is unquestionably contemptible and wicked for the NDDC to have spent N81 billion in five months on inconsequential matters - such as community relations (N1.3 billion), staffing-related payments (N8.8 billion); public communication (N1.121 billion), among others – as we were told recently during public hearing at the National Assembly. The sad predominant narrative in our country is that “Nigeria has lost an average of about N5.5 trillion’’ to fraud and corruption in the past few years. And these criminal actions have deflated our treasury, leading into distressed infrastructural development, which perhaps is the major reason for the borrowing of over $34 billion by the Buhari-led federal government in the past six years.

Imagine some thieving federal government officials telling us a few days ago how they planned to spend N4.9 billion on printing question papers for Basic Education Certification, Senior Secondary Certificate and National Common Entrance Examination. Shocking!

All these, perhaps, explain why some restive youths in the Niger Delta have resorted to running criminal kidnapping groups – thereby frightening investors away from the region. And that also explains why the entire northern region has today become a productive ground for terrorist groups like Boko Haram to recruit unemployed youths that has led to the killing and slaughtering of thousands of innocent souls in the region since Buhari came to power. Yes, it may be convenient for some slow-thinking-politicians to blame the recent looting and unprecedented destructions in some states on criminal-minded people, but the government at all levels should share from blame. Through deliberate wickedness, corruption, nepotism, favouritism, and outright self-indulgence, our public office holders at all levels of government have created impatient youths and criminal looters who are currently tormenting us.

However, experiences around the world have shown that protests are habitually a regular cause for looting. What we need urgently is good leadership – a leader who holds a strong vision, who is audacious; a leader who has integrity, honesty, humility and clear focus - who will link the income inequality; because protest is a very pronounced feature in democracy and it cannot be absolutely eradicated.

Our focus should be on how we can genuinely lift millions of our restive youths out of abject poverty. The ear-splitting sermon by President Muhammadu Buhari day-after day on how he plans to lift 100 million people out of poverty in the next 10 years – as if he is plotting to remain in power forever, is not helpful. We need action-plan that is deliverable. r6XVHJBSFO JT 5)*4%": &EJUPS /BUJPO T $BQJUBM

13

ÍťÍšËœ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Who did it?

TO OUR READERS /HWWHUV LQ UHVSRQVH WR VSHFLÂżF SXEOLFDWLRQV LQ 7+,6'$< VKRXOG EH EULHI ZRUGV DQG VWUDLJKW WR WKH SRLQW ,QWHUHVWHG UHDGHUV PD\ VHQG VXFK OHWWHUV DORQJ ZLWK WKHLU FRQWDFW GHWDLOV WR saturdayeditor@thisdaylive.com :H DOVR ZHOFRPH FRPPHQWV DQG RSLQLRQV RQ WRSLFDO ORFDO QDWLRQDO DQG LQWHUQDWLRQDO LVVXHV SURYLGHG WKH\ DUH ZHOO ZULWWHQ DQG VKRXOG DOVR QRW EH ORQJHU WKDW ZRUGV 7KH\ VKRXOG EH VHQW WR saturdayeditor@thisdaylive.com DORQJ ZLWK WKH HPDLO DGGUHVV DQG SKRQH QXPEHUV RI WKH ZULWHU

Anambra South Makes Case for 2021

A

nambra State, politically, is a unique state for a number of obvious reasons. A cursory look at the 36 states of the federation singles Anambra out as the only state that is governed by a political party (All Progressives Grand Alliance) other than one of the two major political parties in the country.

Suffice it to say that when and where the governor is not from the national ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC), then he is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ever since the historical change of political leadership baton of the state from PDP to APGA in 2007, courtesy of reclaiming a lost mandate through the courts, with its torch-bearing governor, Peter Obi, on the pilot seat, the party has enjoyed an unbroken stint in the governance of the state.

The achievement is not without a formula. APGA as a political party, adopted and ordained by the Biafran war general, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a highly revered Igbo leader, transcended partisanship and became a near ideological movement. It culturally and emotionally endeared itself to the people of the state.

Sprinkled with vision and good leadership, a recipe for unquestioned loyalty emergedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and for years, the party fed Anambrarians this virtue.

But as the saying goes, nothing last forever and change is ever constant. Things, overtly and factually have changed if not fallen apart in APGA. With the demise of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the protracted leadership tussles, non-democratic party primaries, exploitation of aspirants and the selfish leadership style of the party leaders, the party has totally lost its script and vision, and consequently witnessed the exodus of its bigwigs, ex-governor Peter Obi inclusive. With the crisis of interest, dwindling followership, and conflict of vision that informed such massive departures, the signs are clear that the party is becoming a shadow of itself. The leadership style and poor performance of the incumbent Governor, Willie Obiano is robustly fanning the embers of rejection and hatred of the party by Ndi Anambra.

For the first time, therefore, a real and true possibility arises for another party to take over the reins in the state after those long years. The opportunity has presented itself but, with clear demands. The political party must have had a far reaching solid structure and some comparative competitive edge to what already exists, it must not open old wounds, and must present a candidate that is devoid of past political baggage that would inevitably fragment and factionalize the party.

The PDP, for a few reasons, looks like the party to take up the challenge. Anambrarians like other Igbos exercises little or no patience with individuals or organisations who have connections to that ugly experience of the Biafran war and the perceived marginalization of ndi Igbo in Nigeria. The APC, seen as a Northern party and led by President Muhammad Buhari, an active player in the war, is blighted by a seeming impossibility of acceptance in the state. To the average Anambra citizen, â&#x20AC;&#x153;there is no APC in Anambraâ&#x20AC;?, a sentiment promptly shared by Emmanuel Okonkwo, a banker in the state.

The APC is not only disqualified by sentiment and

emotion, rather it is also handicapped by history, hence yielding the battle ground to PDP. However, it is not a tea party such that without the enumerated starling qualities, any PDP standard bearer could pass for victory. No way. APGA, despite its muddied reputation, still wields enough power to give PDP a good run for its money. For this, PDP must work hard and the hard work begins with the choice of candidate to be presented to the people of Anambra State. In that regard, studded with an overwhelming number of eminently qualified aspirants, the party suffers not.

The intimidating list of aspirants being paraded by PDP includes Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the incumbent senator representing Anambra Central; Engr. Chris Azubogu, member House of Reps; Dr Godwin Mmaduka, Mr. Obiora Okonkwo, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, and Valentine Chineto Ozigbo.

For PDP, the enigma would be who, among this long list of eminent personalities, fulfils the many determining factors and brightens or dims the chances of the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory at the polls.

The first consideration and arguably the most important factor relates to the issue of zoning, having in view the current state of mind of Ndi Anambra. Zoning sincerely speaking is part and parcel of our life, it is beyond Anambraâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it is a Nigerian thing. It is a reality that persists in a nation with diverse people and cultures.

For Anambra, albeit the same culture and language, power shifts between the three zones: Anambra Central, Anambra North, and Anambra South. It is a principle that ensures the equitable distribution of political power, erasing the chances and suspicion of one side of the state monopolizing political power and the imagined benefits that accrue from it. r"NBEJ /OBNEJ 0OJUTIB T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R

Governor Fintiri and Palliatives

T

he most senseless â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;#ENDSARSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; looting in Nigeria happened in Adamawa State. The weirdest response from a state governor and his handlers came from Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and some of his aides.

In an interview with some radio station on Sunday October 25, 2020 Gov. Fintiri said the state government didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t receive any food item from the federal government, despite the glaring videos, photos and written pieces of evidence, showing that Adamawa did receive over 100 trucks of food items from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, was physically in Adamawa to handover the items, Fintiriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief of Staff Professor Maxwell Gidado and the Secretary to the Adamawa State government represented the government to receive the food items.

Secondly, in his statewide broadcast on Sunday, Oct 25, 2020. Gov. Fintiri also said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;plans have been concluded to commence the distribution of what is available (food items) on Monday the 26th October 2020 before the latest incidence occurred (looting on Oct 24, 2020). Furthermore, how can you celebrate a governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday in the middle of a grave social disorder?

Some commentators even questioned the idea behind the governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threat to demolish houses of the looters if the stolen items were not returned.

Though it worked, the political consequences would be felt in 2023. Also, with his statement, Fintiri didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only goof but have successfully discredited what he ever said and what he would say in the future.

On the other, there are viral audios on social media: Gov. Fintiri in an uncalled-for rant with an opposition individual and Governor Fintiriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supporter threatening a local blogger/journalist. These are a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for a state governor and his government including the political party in power.

Reflecting back on the senseless and wanton lootings in Adamawa state, many people were shocked that the hoodlums/looters had a field day for more than 72hrs, despite the fact that the locations of the targets are many kilometres apart and Jimeta-Yola has well-spread security formations. The answer maybe that there is no well-placed coordination in Fintiriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cabinet; Fintiri doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a rapport with his security council or there is miscommunication within the council or it is poorly funded. Political analysts may be wrong; since it is a security matter. Experts will be in the know of the real issue. But there is a problem.

In summary, from the first day of the looting to today, one can deduce three salient things: lack of maturity in governance, poor crisis communication management, inexperience and poverty of ideas. r;BZZBE * .VIBNNBE +JNFUB "EBNBXB 4UBUF

EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR FESTUS AKANBI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATIONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA

When in Rome - Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

W

hen in Rome you drink your coffee standing up.

When in Melbourne you drink your coffee sitting down but we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to for almost six months due to coffee restrictions.

Now Rome has closed down and Melbourne has opened up. The first day was amazing for the number of people sitting down for coffee, and breakfast and then heading to that Hardware Store.

We all know that the restrictions and facemasks are necessary, except maybe one narcissist in America, but we look forward to the day when the world is safe and we can do whatever we want to, no matter how trivial it is.

TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

r %FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

14

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹, 2020

NEWS

Schools Resume November 2 in Delta Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba

BRAINSTORMING REGIONALLY...

L-R: Deputy Minority Leader, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Uchechukwu Ogah; Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, when the leaders of the South East Zone inspected some of the public and private property destroyed in Enugu during #EndSARS protests... yesterday.

LASG: Every Household in Lagos Will be Metered by 2023 Peter Uzoho and Oluchi Chibuzor The Lagos State Government has stated that it was working with the electricity distribution companies in the state- Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Ikeja Electric (IE), to ensure all households were metered before the end of the current administration.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote, disclosed this yesterday during the official launch of the federal government’s National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) by the Eko Electricity Distribu-

tion Company (EKEDC) in Lagos State.

Four distribution companies namely: EKEDC, Ikeja Electric, Kano and Kaduna Distribution Companies flagged off the first phase of the mass metering programme same yesterday in their various franchise areas.

The programme is a new aggressive measure initiated by the federal government to bridge the wide metering gap in the country by deploying six million meters across the networks with no charge yet from customers.

While EKEDC will be rolling out its allocated 100,000 prepaid meters to its customers, Ikeja Electric on its part, will

be deploying to its customers 106,701 meters allocated to it, both within the next two months.

According to Odusote, “Our intention is to mitigate the complaints of Lagos residents, through the elimination of estimated billing in the country.”

He added: “The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the project, and we are currently executing it.

LASG has also engaged with a local manufacturer to ensure the metering exercise is completed in a timely manner.

“Our interest is to ensure that everyone using electric-

ity in the state pays for it.

“We are working out necessary measures to ensure that every household in Lagos are metered before the end of this administration.”

“To that end, we are partnering with the EKEDC to work out the elimination modalities. The meter will be acquired by Lagos State, and households will pay in instalment overtime for it.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of EKEDC, Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, stated that the mass metering programme was a welcome development and a boost to the deepening of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Group Cautions Ex-Agitators against Blackmailing Buhari, Amnesty Office Bennett Oghifo The Niger Delta Agitators for Good Governance has cautioned a group which called itself Coalition of APC Youth Leaders and Beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme against blackmailing the President and the leadership of the Amnesty Office for selfish motives.

The National Coordinator of the Group, Chief Moses Bebenimibo, said in a statement on Thursday that the Niger Delta agitators who embraced amnesty are not divided along party lines.

He cautioned against using the platform of agitators to blackmail authorities with intent to score needless political goals and targeted pecuniary

benefits.

He described statement credited to the amorphous group as a brazen and unconscionable attempt to cause avoidable division in the rank of Niger Delta people involved in the agitation for fairness in resource allocation and good governance in the country.

Bebenimibo said that true agitators who were motivated by patriotism and the genuine interest of the Niger Delta would not draw a line between APC Niger Deltans and PDP Niger Deltans.

He also called on the federal government to discountenance the call by some ‘merchants of mischief’ to sack the Amnesty boss for allegedly engaging non APC members in the office.

He said that the crude sentiments expressed by the group of self-styled Coalition of APC ex-agitators, which called on the federal government to make APC membership as a condition for engagement in the Amnesty Office, is condemnable and indeed a recipe for division and avoidable unrest.

Bebenimibo commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of an Ijaw son as the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The activist who also thanked the National Security Adviser, Major Gen Babagana Monguno, for recommending Col. Dikio, urged the President to give him the free hand to take the requisite steps to

reposition the PAP. According to him, the culture of impunity and diversion of the objectives of the PAP would continue unless Dikio embarks on tough, deliberate and decisive steps to enthrone sanity in the agency.

Bebenimibo advised the Amnesty boss to be focused and strong to be able to ward off the traditional blackmail responsible largely for the sorry story of impunity, waste, corruption in the Amnesty Office.

He advised ex agitators and stakeholders to exhibit maturity and patience with the new Amnesty Boss as he embarks in the calculated steps to reposition the office to make it effectively responsive to the beneficiaries, the region and the country.

FRSC Orders Officers Back on the Road In an apparent response to the clarion call for the return of law enforcement agents to the road after a halt in the orgy of looting and violence that followed the EndSARS protests, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday ordered all its officers to ‘immediately resume’ operational activities in all formations of the

Corps across the country.

The Corps had suspended all enforcement activities nationwide in the wake of the widespread violence that trailed the EndSARS protests and in a bid to safeguard the lives of its staff.

The Corps offices were not spared by the hoodlums who unleashed mayhem in the

country setting some property including those of FRSC ablaze while many road users were also terrorised.

However, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, in a statement yesterday ordered all the officers of the Corps to return to their duty posts.

The statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, instructed all Commanding Officers to “keep the roads safe, enforce maximum compliance to road traffic regulations and safety guides as well as forestall incidences of crashes and fatalities on the highways.”

After one week of sudden closure occasioned by breach of public peace by violent #EndSARS protesters in the state, public and private schools in Delta State are to resume academic activities on Monday, November 2, 2020.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa gave approval for the resumption of the schools, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, disclosed on Friday in Asaba.

The governor had on Thursday last week ordered the closure of all schools across the state while imposing a 48-hour curfew due to heightened tension when the anti-police brutality protest turned violent and leading to destruction of lives and property in Asaba and other parts of the state.

The curfew, which is still in force, was eventually eased up to between 6p.m. and 8a.m. daily.

However, the commissioner advised school heads not to relent on observation of the prescribed COVID-19 protocols by their staff, pupils and students in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Officials of the ministry

will continue to monitor activities in the schools to ensure strict adherence to the directive, Ukah said, warning that defaulters could have “their schools closed down.

“Announcement of resumption date for nursery schools in the state would be made in due course.

“Meanwhile, the airing of the ministry’s open distance learning radio and television programme, ‘Teleclass’, meant to compliment normal learning in schools for the month of November will also resume on Monday,” he said.

The programme is put together by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and in conjunction with state Ministry of Information and aired between 5p.m. and 7p.m. on week days by the ministry’s radio and television media partners.

Ukah advised pupils and students to make use of the opportunity presented by the programme, which is targeted at Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School students, especially in view of the short time available for them to learn this term.

NIS Recruitment Saga: Judge’s Absence Stalls Trial of Former Minister Alex Enumah in Abuja The trial of a former Minister of Interior, Senator Abba Moro, and two others at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was yesterday stalled following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba.

Moro, alongside a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia; a former Director in the ministry, Mr. Felix Alayebami and a firm, Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd were arraigned on May 11, 2016, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and money laundering in the botched 2014 Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise.

They however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Justice Dimgba, ruling in a no-case submissions by the defendants delivered on June 25, this year, discharged and acquitted Dretex Tech Nigeria Limited from the entire charges.

Drexel Tech was a private information communication technology company used by the Ministry of Interior to carry out the recruitment exercise.

And after the evidence of the 12 prosecution witnesses, the company and the three other defendants filed a no-case submission asking the court to quash the charges against

them.

Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd, through its Counsel, S.I. Ameh, SAN, argued that the EFCC had not made out a prima facie case against it to warrant calling its witnesses in the charges of conspiracy, conversion and validity of the contract and its execution, among others.

Dimgba upheld the no-case submission of the defence, discharged and acquitted the firm in counts 1, 8, 9, and 10.

The judge agreed with the submission of the company that there was no ground to compel it to open its defence.

“Being the only counts where it was charged, I hereby discharge and acquit the 4th defendant of these counts, and thus free it from further participation in this amended charge dated 23/01/18,” he held.

The judge also discharged Moro of the criminal charges brought against him by the EFCC. He held that the anti-corruption agency failed to establish ingredients of fraud that could link the lawmaker with the alleged offence.

The judge however, ordered Moro to open his defense in the public procurement aspect of the charges.

According to Dimgba, Moro, needs to throw more light on the preparations put in place before the ministry embarked on the recruitment.

He subsequently adjourned to October 29 and 30 for the defendant to open his defence.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾OCTOBER 31, 2020

15

NEWSXTRA

Buhari, Ugwuanyi Mourn Victims of Enugu Crash Involving Pupils Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale inAbuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the gruesome vehicle accident in Mgbowo, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, in which scores of people died, most of them

school pupils.

This is as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has expressed deepest commiseration to the families of the school children from Awgu Local Government Area, who died and sustained injuries in a fatal road accident that occurred in the council area.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement issued yesterday, said the President condoled with families and kith and kin of the dead, while praying that God would grant them succour, and spare the country of such tragedy in future.

The President also commiserated with the Catholic Church of Awgu, which runs Presentation Nursery and Primary School that the pupils attended, and the Enugu State Government.

He enjoined vehicle owners to ensure roadworthiness, as initial reports attributed the

accident to brake-failure by the truck involved.

Also in a statement by the Enugu State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, he said Governor Ugwuanyi received with sadness the news of the unfortunate accident, also commiserated with the Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend John Okoye, the Chairman and good people

of Awgu LGA, over the tragic incident.

Aroh disclosed that the governor assured people of the Awgu LGA of the solidarity and support of the state government and directed the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ikechukwu E. Obi and the council chairman, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo to take all appropriate and necessary actions regarding the incident.

Edo Election Tribunal Commences Sitting Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

ASSESSMENT TOUR...

L-R: Director General, NYSC, Brigadier General Suleiman Ibrahim; Inspector General of Police, Muhammaed Adamu; and Coordinator NYSC Federal Capital Territory, Hajiya Walida Siddique-Isa, duringthe IG’s visit to NYSC looted camp in Abuja…Yesterday Photo: Kingsley Adeboye

Delta Lawmakers Urged to Create EndSARS: Plateau Lost N75bn Coastal Areas Development Agency to Hoodlums, Says Lalong Sylvester IdowuinWarri Members of the Delta State House of Assembly have been urged to pursue passage of a bill seeking establishment of a Coastal Areas Development Agency (CADA) in the state.

President, Delta Ijaw Youth Movement for Political Advancement (DIYMPA), Mr. John Dekawei made the appeal in Warri, adding that lawmakers of Ijaw extraction in the House should take it as a primary duty to help realise the law, stressing that creation of the agency would speed up development in Ijaw riverine communities.

Continuing, he said history would not be fair to legislators of Ijaw extraction in the House if they fail to ensure a law is passed for creation of the special agency to develop coastal areas in the state.

He said just like the existing Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency and Delta Capital Territory Development Agencies created by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa it was time Coastal Areas Development

Agency, CADA, was created to take development to the riverine areas.

He further lamented the high level of flood ravaging several Ijaw communities in the state, adding that it was worrisome that the federal and the state governments had not done much to redress this perennial problem.

Dekawei stated that CADA is the collective interest of all sons and daughters of the Ijaws in Delta State and beyond, stressing that such an important bill must not be delayed at any cost.

He observed that the Coastal Areas Development Agency ( CADA ) Bill after presentation and its eventual ascent by the Governor of Delta State into law would have the capacity to address the multifaceted woes of the Ijaws in Delta State.

Dekawei said the destinies of those living in the coastal part of Delta State and their communities are tied to CADA as its legislative imput will give way for its creation by the executive arm of government in the state.

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has disclosed that preliminary investigations carried out by a team of experts revealed that properties and goods worth over N75 billion were destroyed by hoodlums in the recent #EndSARS protests in the state.

Lalong disclosed this during an interactive session with the youths on the Plateau yesterday, adding that the level of destruction and carnage was unbelievable and unacceptable.

He said, “We are still trying to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the total cost of the damage.

However, preliminary report by a team of experts I constituted has estimated the losses to be put at about 75 billion naira for now.

“This clearly takes us many years backwards as we do not have the resources to replace the structures vandalised, and the items damaged or stolen. We are yet to recover from the devastating economic

consequences of COVID-19 which has greatly affected our capacity to provide services.”

The governor narrated that the act of destruction has nothing to do with the initial #EndSARS protests, but a clear act of criminality and unpatriotic behaviour, adding that as at the last count, no fewer than 32 public and private properties that were affected in the looting.

Lalong said that as a father and Governor of the state, his heart goes out to all the youths for the many challenges they face daily due to lack of opportunities for jobs and better conditions to achieve their dreams.

He said, “This is a burden that has accumulated over time which our administration is working hard to address. However, it is always confusing when people demand justice by either violating laws or trampling on the rights of others.

That can only breed chaos and anarchy leading to worse consequences than what they sought to address in the first place.”

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal yesterday commenced sitting on petitions filed by five political parties contesting the outcome of the September 19 governorship election, which declared Governor Godwin Obaseki as winner.

Obaseki, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having scored the highest number of votes cast.

The political parties seeking to nullify the victory of Godwin Obaseki include, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

At the inaugural sitting in Benin City, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem, said they were committed to concluding the five petitions before the tribunal within the stipulated time frame.

While soliciting for co-operation from all parties and counsel, he assured that the tribunal would perform its duties without prejudice for any party.

During the sitting, the petitioners sought for an ex parte motion for substituted means of service against their respective respondents.

Following the petitioners’ applicant motion, the presiding justice granted their orders, and adjourned to Monday, December 7, for pre-hearing process.

The Justice Abdulkareem-led three-member Election Petitions Tribunal, ordered substituted service at the inaugural sitting, with the petitions and processes to be posted on the wall of PDP’s state secretariat and Government House, Benin, while the pre-hearing sitting would hold on December 7 for the five petitions.

The sitting took place at the Edo State High Court complex on Sapele Road, Benin, with the tribunal having 180 days from the date of filing the petitions to conclude hearing in

HURIWA Wants Buhari to Stop Transcorp Staff Sack Human Rights group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and stem the imminent job loss at Transcorp Hilton where the management was on the verge of sacking most of its work force.

The rights body which also called on the management to adopt other measures that would

save the jobs as such action would not only impact negatively on the employees but will also impact negatively on their employment rights.

A statement by the Executive Director of HURIWA, Comrade Emma Onwubiko further charged the federal government to “drop the minister of state for labour Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) as a

mediator in the brewing labour crises” alleging that Keyamo enjoyed “cosy relationship with the Chairman of Transcrop Hilton Mr. Tony Elumelu.”

Onwubiko alleged that relationship it monitoredbetween Keyamo and some management staff of the hotel had clearly showed that the minister of state was no longer neutral, “neither is he the fit

and proper government official to negotiate any kind of accord between the management and the organised labour force in the hotel.

“We are asking the minister of labour Mr. Chris Ngige to take up the task of resolving all the knotty discord between Transcorp Hilton management/owners and the staff so the entire labour related contractual rights of the workers

are paid to them should Transcrop Hilton makes good the plan to disengage a large numbers of workforce.

For us, we think, the Nigerian government should do everything to stop Transcorp Hilton management from proceeding with the despicable plan to throw hundreds of Nigerians out of employment at a time of extreme financial hardships.

the matters and deliver judgments, which will drag to the first week of April next year.

Chairman of the tribunal which has two males and one female judge, in his inaugural speech, pledged to avoid external influence and to act in good faith.

Justice Abdulkareem said: “As you are very much aware, our assignment is time bound. As such, we do not have the luxury of time. With the help of God Almighty, the tribunal is committed to complete its work on the five petitions filed before it, within the time frame allowed for it to complete its assignment.

“We, therefore, solicit the maximum cooperation of all the parties and their counsel, and urge you all to be ready to work within the mandatory period stipulated by law.

“We wish to assure you that in our quest to get to the truth of the matters before us, we shall act in good faith, and shall do our work with open mind, without any form of bias or appearance of any pre-conception. We also pledge not to lend ourselves to any form of external influence.”

While responding on behalf of all the counsel at the tribunal, Ken Mozia, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), assured that they would do their best to assist members of the tribunal to succeed, without wasting the time of the tribunal with frivolous applications/motions.

With the October 10 deadline, five petitions were filed, seeking the nullification of the September 19 re-election of Obaseki and Shaibu, while calling for fresh election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but to exclude PDP, Obaseki and his running mate, in view of the call for their disqualification over alleged forgery of their certificates.

The petitions were filed by Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its governorship candidate, Iboi Emmanuel; Action Peoples Party (APP), without joining its governorship candidate, Amos Areloegbe; Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Ukonga Onaivi; Allied Peoples Movement (APM), excluding its governorship candidate, Igbineweka Osamuede, and Tracy Agol, without joining her political party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Exparte applications were filed by the counsel: Douglas Ogbankwa, A.I. Osarenkhoe, F.I. Agbokha and E.S. Osaigbovo to the ADP, APM, Agol and APP respectively, seeking order to serve the applications and processes through substituted service, by posting them on the wall of the state secretariat of the PDP in Benin, the state capital, which was unanimously granted by the tribunal.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

16

MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Schneider Electric Enhances Capacity of Employees

L-R: Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, during the Policy Roundtable Dialogue with the governor for Stakeholders in Real Estate, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos... recently

NNPC, FIRST E&P JV Commences Production In OMLs 83/85 The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (“FIRST E&P”) Joint Venture has announced the commencement of oil production from the Anyala West field in Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 83 & 85.

OMLs 83 & 85 are in the shallow waters offshore Bayelsa State where FIRST E&P is the Operator of the two blocks, on behalf of the NNPC/FIRST E&P Joint Venture.

According to the firms in a statement,the Anyala - Madu field development project objective is to develop 142 million barrels of oil and 98 billion standard cubic feet of gas from the fields in Phase 1.

“It utilises the Abigail-Joseph FPSO, a 274 meters long converted Suezmax trading tanker with a storage capacity of 700,000 barrel, oil processing capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day, produced water treatment of 20,000 barrels per day and a gas handling capacity of 39 million standard cubic feet per day.

“A total of seven development wells have been planned in Phase 1 and approved by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the Anyala West field (OML 83) which will be developed along with the nearby Madu field in (OML 85) to be jointly produced in the Abigail-Joseph FPSO”.

They noted that each field is being developed with an unmanned conductor supported platform (CSP), a novel drilling and development technology

deployed in the Niger Delta.

“The FPSO underwent upgrade, refurbishment and life extension works in Keppel Shipyard, Singapore, to meet specified standards and specifications and the excellent partnership between NNPC, FIRST E&P, Yinson and Keppel Shipyard, helped to ensure these critical pre-deployment activities for the FPSO were completed in record time.

“A team of young Nigerian professionals including

7 NNPC staff were part of the successful extension works in the Keppel Shipyard and they will form an integral part of the FPSO operations team in the production phase.

“The project at its peak production will produce about 60,000 barrels of oil per day, unlock over 300 million barrels of crude oil recoverable reserves and create value of over $8bn for the FGN over the total lifespan of all phases of the project.

Energy Management Specialist, Schneider Electric has restated its commitment to improving its employees in terms of skillsbuilding and knowledge-expansion.

The General Manager, Process Automation of Schneider Electric (West Africa), Ajibola Akindele, stated that boosting the capacity of staff would also help build local content and create multiplier effects whereby those trained would be able to train others and provide technical services to other African countries.

“We continue to expose our staff to foreign training and they return to train others back in Nigeria and service other African countries, such as Ghana, Kenya, Cote d’ Ivoire and Uganda,” he said.

Akindele noted that as part of the organisation’s efforts to boost capacity, it commissioned a JAMB exam centre in Bonny Kingdom for youths on the island while also deploying subsidised training programmes in electrical and solar energy for Nigerian youth to boost local competencies.

He said that asides capacity building, the company, in its over 20 years of operations, has supported Nigeria’s power and oil sector through ground-breaking technologies to improve power supply and operation efficiency in the oil and gas sector.

He said: “We have over the years, supplied power and control processes equipment and critical infrastructure to support oil and gas industry operations, whether for LNG plants or FPSOs. “Some of Schneider Electric’s offerings to the oil industry included control systems, SCADA, cyber security, software optimisation, asset performance and AI. Our activities also cover downstream operations like refineries’ solutions on controls and safety.”

ZCPI Africa Launches Investment Project Zircon Capital Projects Investments, ZCPI Africa, has launched a real estate capital project to enable Nigerians invest and harness opportunities in the nation’s growing real estate sector.

In 2019, the Nigerian real estate sector recorded its fastest growth at 2.36 per cent since 2016. Experts predict more growth by 3 per cent in 2020, thus raising hopes of better opportunities in the sector.

Marketing Director of the firm, Ridwan Onitolo, stated that the new project was thought of to enable stakeholders and Nigerians tap into the immediate and future growth in the sector while also boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, (GDP).

He said the project would also help tackle the challenge of poverty and unemployment, in addition

to filling the vacuum of over 17 million housing deficit limiting development in the country.

Onitolo, who provided details at the official launch of the project, stated that ZCPI offerings have been delimited into different plans to suit investors’ interest and budget.

He said, “The co-building plan is launching at N1 million per unit for properties at Surulere, Lekki, Ogba in Lagos State.

“The co-build equity plan offered a 60 per cent Return on Investment (ROI), at the expiration of a one year plan after which an investor can be paid off or rollover the investment plan. This is to say that an investor can be sure of N600,000 ROI on every one million invested at the end of 12 months.

“The Co-owned asset plan is a long-term investment available between five and 10 years. Here, investors enjoy yearly income for as long as the plan reads. Investors have the luxury to subscribe for as many units as possible, for N3 million per unit.

With our offerings, our partners can go to rest or focus on other profitable commitments while their investments with ZCPI work and pull additional income for them.”

He mentioned that in addition to juicy ROI, investors are at liberty to inspect and monitor projects.

He added that ZCPI projects have the backing of Aiico Insurance broker and other prominent property managers, which further strengthens clients’ security on investment.

FG Empowers Rural Design Union Marks Forum to Discuss Importance of Women in Decision-making Anniversary Women in Zamfara 20th The Federal government out of poverty in 10 years. It Design Union Limited, a reputed periods of thin and thick, this year A group, ElectHer, will discuss to support women’s political has supported no fewer than 2,800 Women in Zamfara with N20,000 empowerment fund, as part of its Grant Project for Rural Women.

The one-off programme was launched in Gusau by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Farouq noted that the initiative was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda to sustain the social inclusion agenda of the present administration.

“The Grant for Rural Women programme was introduced to sustain the social inclusion agenda of the Buhari Administration, including the realisation of the national aspiration of lifting 100 million Nigerians

is designed to provide a one-off grant to some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural Nigeria. A grant of N20,000.00 will be disbursed to over 150,000 poor rural women across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The grant is expected to increase access to financial capital required for economic activities. It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the opportunity to increase their income, enhance their food security, and generally contribute towards improving their living standard.”

According to the Minister, 200 women from each of the 14 local government councils in Zamfara State will receive a one-off cash grant of N20,000 each.

name in the real estate industry, has won two international awards.

The company is known for its out-of-the-box innovative designs and luxury real estate developments and has earned a good reputation for quality.

In a statement issued by the Victoria Island-based company recently, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Architect Anthony Aihie said, “The last 20 years have gone by so quickly.

Considering our achievements, amidst four local recessions and two major global economic crises, one must be grateful to God for our survival as a business.

“It is true we have huge talents as reflected in the designs that we produce from our stable, we also work very hard but it is the grace of God that has sustained us through

in particular. On an occasion like this, we appreciate the patronage of our clients who have reposed implicit trust and confidence in us.

We acknowledge and commend the contributions of our past and present staff, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders who helped to make our brand the exceptional one that it is.”

Design Union, in keeping to its Mission Statement of solving living conditions in Africa, has consistently churned out design solutions in the built environment, some of which have been internationally acknowledged through several awards. The company has not only been able to deliver and operate projects in its stable at acceptable international standards, but has also been able to abide with high ethical standards at all times, he said.

the importance of women in decision-making at a virtual town hall meeting on the state of ‘Women’s political representation in Nigeria: mapping a clear pathway ahead of 2023.’

A statement issued by the group said the year 2020 heralded a new dawn for Nigeria and would go down in the annals of history as a remarkable year. Irrespective of social status, political affiliation, religious sentiments and ideologies, young Nigerians in one voice sought for change through a peaceful protest. In view of this, there is no better time than now to highlight the importance of women at the decision-making table.

Our commitment as an organisation that was created

advancement in Nigeria has informed the need to organise social discourse such as this town hall meeting to engage citizens who are ready to transform the political climate in Nigeria from what it is to a people-centric style of leadership.

We believe women can make the much needed difference when elected into leadership positions, said Ibijoke Faborode, Co-founder and Executive Director ElectHER. Faborode said ElectHER is an end-to-end women’s political advancement that addresses the significantly low representation of Nigerian women in politics by engaging, encouraging, equipping (building capacity) , and enabling women(financing) to Decide, Run and Win elections.

Plus Victor Oye The World in Trouble Because We Have Lost Family Values

18

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 31, 2020

PLUS

The World in Trouble Because We’ve Lost Family Values The trajectory of Chief Victor Ozonkpu Oye, businessman and politician deserves a book. Oye, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, lost his mother at age 19 and his father at age 20, but survived and became a success, thanks to the training his father, an ex-service man, gave him. He describes his late father as “a bit high-handed” but admitted the high-handedness helped to shape his life. Oye reminisced: “If not because of the way we were brought up, how could I have survived.” He trained in the seminary and almost became a priest but “God didn’t choose me.” This religious man attended All Hallow’s Seminary, Onitsha and the University of Lagos. He worked variously as a reporter, Chief Sub-editor, Sports Editor, Associate Editor at Daily Star, Satellite, and The Guardian Newspapers. Oye shares the story of his life with Onyebuchi Ezigbo

Christmas and Easter. It is not like nowadays that you eat rice anyhow. We never ate chicken except on Sundays.

They would put the rice in one big tray and position meat in front of each person so everyone knows his or her own.

We were trained not to be greedy and as we were eating we would consider the other person especially the younger ones among us. We would leave some portion for them and that was the spirit but today one person would eat one basin of rice alone.

Christmas at home At every festive period and at Christmas, my father would kill a goat. He would buy the goat at least five days to Christmas so we would be feeding the animal, taking it out to stroll and people would be looking at us like aliens. On the day to slaughter the goat, my father would wait for his elder brother who usually came with his knife to slaughter the goat.

After this, it would be the turn of the other members of the family to roast and clean the animal. Then we would make pepper soup. My uncle, Joseph, would take his portion and go back to his family. He is late now; he died at the age of 91.

Stuck to normal routine We were brought up strictly under the family tradition and we were not reckless, we stuck to the normal routine. For instance, you wake up in the morning; you pray, take your shower, eat your breakfast and go to school. Once you are back from school, you do your homework. We were allowed to watch television for only an hour from 7pm to 8pm every evening. My father would bring out his television and put it on a stool and everyone in the compound would come out to watch. All his tenants would watch a common television.

Bonding with common television That was bonding, no quarrel amongst neighbours like we have today. When we live in flats, people are estranged from one another. Living together the way we lived in Aba in those days helped us to bond and we saw one another as helpers. We helped one another. If your salt finished, you could ask your neigbour ‘please can I have some salt’ and he would give you salt and nobody feared anybody. We lived as brothers and sisters but today you can’t do that. When I was growing up, my father would insist we travelled home at every long vacation so we learn the tradition of our people.

Death of my mother and father My parents died when I was in the seminary. My mother died first. My father died because he couldn’t stand the absence of my mother. They were very close. They slept together holding hands. But these days, we have different rooms from our wives and there is no bonding anymore.

In those days, my father slept with my mother on the same bed. Till they died, they never separated, they did everything together. The only thing they didn’t do together was eat together because those days, women made sure that their husbands ate very well and they would be the last to eat after their children had eaten. But today, the mothers will eat first before their children. Some fathers will come back home and say they are not hungry because they had eaten outside.

Growing up in Aba

I

was born in Warri which was then in the Mid-western Nigeria and today, it is called Delta State. My father was a civil servant. He worked with the then Nigerian Post and Telegram. He worked in Warri and from Warri, he was transferred to Burutu, to Sapele and from Sapele to Aba and by the time we got to Aba I was three years old which was in 1959. I schooled at Bismal School Aba with people like Eze Isaac Ikonne, the traditional ruler of Aba Enyi of Aba. In those days, we used to swim at Waterside and only very strong boys swam at Aba Waterside because of the high current.

Then after school, I would go and meet Omega, a herbal drug seller who used to deal in malaria drugs and so on. He would take me round some streets in Aba where I would dance as he advertises his products.

So I was an ‘Ajasco boy’ for Omega and I will dance for Omega for one hour and I will dance for Omeire, another medicine seller, for another one hour and these would take us to all the major streets in Aba. After dancing for them, they would give me three Pence each which was six pence back then. It was a very huge amount and I would end up at Ngwa Road by the eastern axis to buy cow legs, cow skin, chicken legs, wings; assorted meat . All you do is to use a

big spoon to scoop anyone you are able to scoop and pay one penny. I usually do three times which is three pence and I will take three pence for my mother to keep for me for Christmas which I would use to buy “knockout” and other things.

On one occasion, my father was coming from work and sighted me dancing ‘Ajasco,’ he just parked his car and said ‘my son dancing Ajasco? unbelievable! So he went home and told my mother that he saw me dancing ‘Ajasco’ at Ngwa Road and asked her, ‘Are you sure he is ok?

When I came back from school that day, he asked me: ‘Why are you coming back from school by this time?’ I told him I went to dance ‘Ajasco’ and he asked me to go because I told him the truth. Then he called my mother and said, ‘maybe your son gets the inspiration of coming first in class through dancing Ajasco.’ So let him continue as long as it doesn’t affect his studies. That was the way my father treated us.

We were brought up strictly under the family tradition Back then, every family had a tradition and we were brought up strictly under the family tradition. For instance, every Sunday, they would give us Diapharm, an anti-malaria drug, before we eat the Sunday rice. Rice meal was only consumed on Sundays and during festive periods like

Taboo eating outside as a married man Back then, it was almost a taboo to eat outside as a married man. What will you tell your wife when she serves you food?

So things have changed; that is why we have this level of moral decadence. That is why Nigeria and the entire world are in trouble because we have lost family values. Remember when you talked about socialisation, one of the functions of mass media is socialisation. This is the transmission of cultural heritage from one generation to another and that is why I identify with our youths in their present predicament. But they should learn to under-study the elders. Age comes with experience and leadership comes with experience. We have a proverb in my place that what a father sees sitting down, his son may not see it standing up.

Growing up in a comfortable home My father wasn’t a rich man but he was a comfortable man because he was a senior civil servant. Back then, we used to know senior civil servant by kind of cars they drive. They used to live in a good accommodation, with television and radio. There was a radio my father brought from England.

He schooled in Cambridge and went to Second World War as well with the West African Frontier Force. Every four o’clock each time, I had the opportunity to stay with him, we never sat on the sofa we sat on the floor at the feet of my father and I was the one always very close to him. So each time he switched on the radio listening to news on Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (WNBC), I will just sit at his feet listening. If I pronounce anything wrongly, my father would correct me. So, it was my father that triggered me to take particular interest in the way English is spoken which is called phonetics.

I feared my father more than mother My father is a disciplinarian and we used to fear our fathers more than our mothers. You know mothers inculcate maternal care and affection and my father was a military man, so he was a bit high-handed which helped us shape our lives later.

If not because of the way we were brought up, how could I have survived after losing my mother at the age of 19 and my father at the age of 20? I was able to survive because of the training and the way we were brought up. We were trained to be honest in our dealings with one another to avoid evil;

19

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

PLUS My Father’s High-handedness Helped to Positively Shape My Life stealing, promiscuity, greed. I didn’t know of all these things until much later in my life.

These things had robbed off in my life as an adult.

Tell me anybody that can boast today that he/she is my friend? I don’t have friends because my life is very private and I don’t think there is anything anybody can do for me aside what God can do for me because all my hope and trust is in God. They speak based on what they read on the social media. For instance, someone said Victor was a shoe shiner before he became a national chairman. With what I have told you, does it look like I was a shoe shiner? I grew up under very strict parental guidance and throughout my days in school, nobody ever overtook me in class because of the foundation my father laid for us. I never took what was not mine and I have never up till now. I work very hard for whatever I have earned.

Best gift received as a child The best gift I received was education, moral education. My mother and father made sure we were brought up in the Catholic tradition. I had my baptism when I was just three months old, my first holy communion when I was 16 years old, my confirmation at the age of 18 and got married at the age of 29. I would have become a priest at the age of 25 but I didn’t make it. I scored two over three, God called me, I answered but He didn’t choose me. Some people were called, they didn’t answer and they were not chosen as well but God called me, I answered but He didn’t choose me so I scored two over three.

Training at the Seminary My seminary training also helped to shape my life because it was strictly life of discipline. How I wish every parent would send his/her child to the seminary even if the person doesn’t want to become a priest, the seminary would shape the child. He won’t be in any secret cult; the prayer life of the child would be improved. I have four beautiful girls and a son. One died last year.

The first one is a logistics engineer; all of them have Master degrees. My son has a master in engineering but he has no job so when this people are protesting I should be protesting too.

I meet my wife while in the seminary I met my wife even when I was in the seminary. Her mother and my mother were Catholic Women Organisation leaders in my church and each time my mother saw my mother in-law she would say ‘is like my son will get married to one of your daughters if he doesn’t become a priest’’. It was like prophecy. I never had it in mind. I never met my wife in the formal way until I got married to her in 1985. We were friends for two years. I never slept with her. She was a virgin when I got married to her. How many women can boast of that? And that is the respect I have for my wife till date.

I know that the love I have for her is till death do us part. The woman has stood behind me. We got married on the 5th of February, 1985; that was my traditional wedding. She was an English teacher when I got married to her. She was in Anambra and I was in Lagos. So it took me a year to transfer her from Anambra to Lagos. So we had our wedding on the 9th of August 1986.

My peculiar wife There is something peculiar about my wife which I want to bring to public knowledge. When my wife came to Lagos, she had her first baby and she told me, ‘honey, I must take care of my children, go and look for what they will eat while I take care of the home’ and my wife took care of the children from the first one to the last one without working. She was a full housewife even with her master degree. How many people can do that today?

We are enjoying the fruit today because my children are behaving well. They don’t give us headache. If I call any of them today I know where they are as we speak.

In Nigeria our youths have been neglected due to absence of parental care. Can you see what the youths are doing? It is as a result of frustration. Let us diagnose the problem, the youths are suffering from

Oye with his wife and children

frustration due to lack of parental care, lack of societal care. The first care must come from the family because the family is the first socialising agent. After the family, the next is the school and the third is the society itself because when you leave school you now mingle with the wider society known as peer group influence. By the time they go to university, cultism and all that, you start losing grip if you are not properly brought up. You would be attracted to the opposite sex, start engaging in sexual orges, sex for money because of societal influence and pressure. So I empathise with our youths.

The deaths of my parents affected me but…

The worst thing and the best thing that also happened to me was the death of my parents. Worst in the sense that when my parents died, it seemed all hope was lost. My father was grooming me to become a medical doctor or a mechanical engineer. That was why my son had to become an engineer because I could have become one but after the death of my parents, I had to find my way and that is it. How many youths can boast today of the creativity they need to survive under such environment? You need creativity.

You know what happens in our society today is that all attention is paid to formal education, no one talks about skills.

in Jos where Abiola emerged the presidential candidate of SDP. Many people didn’t know my past, they underrated me, they thought I didn’t have any experience because of the way I came into the party as national chairman and today some of them have been proved wrong. So after meeting Orji Kalu, he went to House of Representatives. After that he contested for governorship and won.

I had my business in Lagos and I still have my business in Lagos but he insisted that since I own this vision, I should join him in Umuahia and make the vision come true. So, in 1999, I moved to Abia State and became Special Adviser on General Duties. I could do anybody’s job and I did the job dedicatedly and religiously for eight years. After Orji Kalu, Theodre Orji said I must work with him and I said ‘I can’t serve two masters at the time’ and he said why not become a consultant and I became his consultant for five years. When he quarreled with Orji Kalu I found my way around it, but they are all still my friends.

Memorable high points When I went to the seminary, it was a beautiful experience for me. It was a high point in my life. I mingled with hot brains and we slugged it out and at the end of every session, I would come first. It was very interesting and some of my classmates are Reverend fathers today, some are professors in various universities. So they know me and they know my capabilities.

Aborted dream Then another point I regret and feel very bad about was the fact that my university did not take off. We built a university in Igbere in Abia State on 150 hectares of land.

The site was ready, National University Commission (NUC) came and certified the university ready but there was one dangerous politics played in Abia State then.

Someone went to Jonathan and said Orji Kalu was working against his interest so they stopped the university from being registered.

We would have been doing our third graduation by now but the blocked it and all the hundreds of millions of Naira spent on that project was wasted but the place is lying fallow and that is why people shouldn’t play politics with education. So that is one thing that gives me pain every day. I pray that this university would be able to start one day in my lifetime.

Involvement with Orji Kalu Another high point is my involvement with the man they call Orji Kalu. I met Orji Kalu in 1989 and I made a prophecy to him that he would become governor of Abia State even when Abia State hadn’t been created. I told him he would be governor and he said ‘no, how can he be governor’, that he is not even a politician and I said ‘ok, wait for it’. So after two weeks, he came to me and said he couldn’t sleep any more that the prophecy was affecting him and I said he should join a political party. He joined NRC and I was with SDP. We worked with Abiola in those days and I went to SDP convention

I dread failure Failure! I dread failure and that is why whatever I do, I do it well. I came into APGA and I found out that those that took charge of the party in the past did their best but their best wasn’t good enough.

So, I thought I could do something better and today we have a national office as a reward for that. I would have pocketed the money but I didn’t do that. This is the only political party with an office in Abuja that it can call its own. The other parties are on rented offices including PDP and APC. This is a 4000 square metres of land wholly owned by APGA and we

have won elections in Benue; three House of Reps at a go, House of Representatives in Taraba, one House of Reps in Abia, three house of assembly seats, five House of Reps in Anambra, twenty four house of assembly seats in Anambra. I think we have done very well.

I desire to still serve God I desire to still serve God in what capacity I don’t know, but I know I can’t become priest but I am serving God in other ways.

Like in my church, in 1984, I started as member of the harvest committee in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and I served in that committee for 14 years and I helped to build an outstation. I was the chairman publicity committee of the harvest as well at various times. I was also the chairman, building committee of the church and from there, I moved to Umuahia. I worked in various positions in the church. I was the CMO chairman; I helped to build many churches in Abia State. I supported the harvest. I helped in the building of their pastoral centre that hosted the first bishops’ conference in Nigeria. In my parish, I have been chairman of harvest from 2007 till date and that is why some people say all I parade is chairman of harvest. Is it a bad thing that you serve God? It is a good thing they didn’t say that I am an armed robber but that I work for God. To me, it is a complement. I want to know the word more and then bring it into practise to touch life and convert people. That is my next mission.

Life has taught me to be careful with people Life has taught me to be careful with the people I mingle with and in choosing friends. That is why I don’t have friends in the real sense of the word. Nobody can say I am his friend today, what I have are professional colleagues like you are my friend, you are my colleague. Another thing I dread is lies. My father taught me that it is cheaper to tell truth than to tell lies. If someone asks for support, give him the much you can, you can’t please everybody; whether he is happy or not, just do your best and leave the rest to God. Life has also taught me to know how to love people, help people in need, in fact it is my biggest apostolate, helping those in need quietly. I do about 18 orphanages in Nigeria every month since 2004 till date and I support them financially.

I thought politics could provide the platform for me to serve and bring to fusion some of my ideologies and vision. I think that is what politics has offered me today.

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR Femi Johnson

From Street Hawking to Leading Filmmaker Nollywood is fast-growing, but there is a concern about the production value of most of our movies. Fast-rising filmmaker, Femi Johnson is playing a key role in improving the sector through his MonoRoom initiative. He has worked in different capacity on some major Nollywood projects like The Johnson, HUSH, Hotel Majestic, Oloibiri and Voiceless, among others. He shares his dreams for the industry with Chinedu Ibeabuchi

T

ell us about your childhood experience and how it has shaped you?

I grew up in Orile Iganmu, a ghetto in Surulere Lagos; life was not rosy. I remember hawking foodstuffs with my mother in big men areas and how I was fascinated by the good life of kids in those areas. I saw the difference between the life we were living and the life these other people were living; I desired that other reality. So I used to write stories of how I would one day become rich and famous, that was how I started as a writer. From writing stories, I went into stage drama, first in my parent’s church, then in school and later in Daystar Christian Center and then to proper filmmaking.

tography, storyline, etc. How do you plan to improve on the shortcomings you see in our movies?

MonoRoom is part of my contribution to the improvement of the industry. I believe that if a premium value is placed on good acting and if mediocracy is relegated, actors’ performance will become easy to watch. I have also resolved to tell stories that are meaningful and impactful and not just to make commercially viable movies.

What is the idea behind MonoRoom and who is your target audience?

MonoRoom is a reality series created to give upcoming actors a platform to display their talents and register their names and faces in the minds of the audience. The series which will air on TV is targeted at upcoming actors across Africa.

How did you learn the art of movie-making?

I am a self-taught filmmaker but I cannot deny the knowledge and experience I gained working with Rogers Ofime, the CEO of Native Media and producer of The Johnson, HUSH, Hotel Majestic, Oloibiri, Voiceless and many more. I worked on some of these projects in different capacity.

Which of your projects would you describe as most challenging so far?

I will say the production of my first feature film because I produced, directed and sourced for all the resources by myself. I spent my life savings producing that movie coupled with investments from some families and friends.

What do you think has evolved over the years in the movies industries?

There is an unfortunate shift in the TV and film industry that bothers me.

During the 70s, 80s and 90s, the picture quality and cinematography work were not top-notch but the stories and the acting were very good. However, in recent time, the cinematography is far sophisticated but the quality of stories and acting has greatly reduced. It is so bad that the actors that are celebrated now parade under average acting skills.

It is quite sad I must confess Do you think the Nigerian government has done enough to support the creative industry?

The Nigerian government has only scratched the surface when it comes to supporting the industry. The BOI loan was a good initiative but it has only benefitted a few and the process of accessing the loan is getting harder. The creative industry cannot survive in this kind of environment. A lot more needs to be done in the areas of capital investment and legislation that will create a framework for development.

How do you rate the Nigeria movie industry compared with Hollywood and other industry across

What themes do you enjoy exploring the most in your art?

Love has always been at the centre of my works. I enjoy telling stories of how love rules the affairs of men.

Do awards mean anything to you and have they been coming?

I believe awards are mere collections of fancy props meant to beautify shelves and nothing more. The true validation of how well you have done is the satisfaction and joy that you get from what you do. Some people have gotten all the awards and are still not happy. So for me, the satisfaction of watching my idea on screen is most important. I have had some awards in the past, best director in 2013 and 2016 from Daystar Christian Centre.

Femi Johnson

the globe?

Nollywood is faring well, no doubt, but there is a lot more to be done. There are so many things that go into filmmaking that we have not developed here. I believe one of the problems Nollywood is facing is capital investment; the kind that will allow filmmakers to make believable movies. Most of our stories

are caged in rooms and deserted streets as if that is all about our reality whereas Hollywood will shoot just one scene on a very busy street as it is in real life. To make believable movies like these, we need a big investment in the industry.

You are a critic of Nollywood movies as per production value, cinema-

How do you unwind?

I watch movies and spend time with my wife and kids. My home is my safe haven where I am relaxed the most What is your life philosophy?

If you don’t know where you are heading, you will end up anywhere.

Vision is very important; if your vision is clear to you, it will be easy for you to achieve it.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

21

SHOWBIZFLAIR Seun Kuti

People Respect Me Because I’m Fela’s Son Seun Kuti is the youngest son of famous Afrobeat pioneer, the late Fela AnikulapoKuti. He leads his father’s former band, Egypt 80. Seun was one of the celebrities at the forefront of the recent EndSARS protest. He speaks with Festus Akanbi on his struggles for a better Nigeria, his family heritage and his works

O

ne cannot forget in a hurry, the role of legendary Afrobeat musician, late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who became a thorn in the flesh of successive military administrations in the country.

His tool of protest was his acerbic songs, which government and its agents found uncomplimentary. It was therefore not a surprise when Fela’s youngest son, Seun raised his voice to high heaven during the recent EndSARS protest. Apart from being invited to live interview programmes on prominent television stations in Nigeria, Seun also explored social media platforms to justify the protests and to condemn the alleged shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. His activism did not end with the shooting incident, as Seun has continued to raise his voice on his Instagram and Twitter accounts. Commenting on the controversy over an alleged threat to a particular ethnic group to vacate Lagos State in the past one week, Seun who, like his father, uses Pidgin to communicate with his fans, wrote in his Twitter handle on Monday, “No youth gives order for people to leave any state, na our ‘politrician’ wan dey use der divide and rule game to cause wahala since we don open der yansh for all to see, so if any tribal wahala start now, we will hold all politricians in APC and PDP accountable for it. Sorosoke, werey” Asked if he wouldn’t mind working for government if he is given such an opportunity, Seun fired back, “I will tell them I can’t work for the government; not this government anyway.”

Explaining why he had not been in the news for a while, Seun told THISDAY that nothing much had been happening in the social scene in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19-induced shutdown in social and economic activities.

He explained that he had been into other programmes which he had to play down as

Seun Kuti

a result of the pandemic: “I wouldn’t say I have been quiet; I’ve been doing things that have not just been covered in general and, secondly, nobody was doing much this year before the commencement of the EndSARS protest. Everyone was just quiet because of the Coronavirus pandemic.”

He said his actions and his musical work were influenced by his society and his bloodline: “My society and my immediate environment

are definitely a very big part of my inspiration; my bloodline and lineage play a big role too.” When asked if he considered himself a fulfilled musician, Seun said he still had a lot to learn and accomplish in his career.

“Well, in my career as a musician, there are still many things I want to accomplish. Music is like science; you have to keep developing.”

Seun is not sure if his father’s name opens the door of influence for him, but admitted

that people give him recognition because he is Fela’s son. “Well, on whether my dad’s name opens way for me in Nigeria, I don’t really know if that’s true. I think my father’s name and popularity gets me acknowledged, but I don’t think it’s openly done in this Nigeria.

If anything, it shuts it tight.”

But Seun is not disturbed by the popularity of his father’s songs among contemporary musicians in the country. There is hardly any social gathering, especially one that has a large percentage of youths, where Fela’s music would not be played. His revolutionary songs are the most popular. Seun says it’s no big deal for people to use his late father’s songs. “Well, Fela’s songs are for everybody to perform. It’s a gift to the world. I feel proud when people perform his songs.”

He also spoke on his project, Night Dreamer.

“Night Dreamer is a special record label that records only live music, and they record it direct to disc so there’s no editing, there’s no mixing, it’s how well you play that you will sound on the record. So, for me, it was a great adventure to test my musicianship at that level of recording, and I’m glad I made a really great record.”

Seun would be making his debut as a Nollywood actor in Kunle Afolayan’s upcoming film, Citation. “I’m already in a Nollywood film and it’s coming out very soon. It’s called Citation, and I think it’s coming out on the 2nd of November.”

On the lessons learnt so far in the year, Seun said, “2020 is a year that has taught everybody to adapt, to be ready to see a new thing at any point in time. I think that is the greatest lesson. It’s an eye opener and it has helped the strong get stronger.”

He refused to disclose his revenue, saying, “I don’t talk about my money.”

Seun has a daughter, who loves to sing, but he said he would not tell her what to do about career. “My daughter is a natural singer already, but I didn’t introduce her to music because I feel she’s free to choose what she wants to be.”

StarTimes Wins Innovative Digital Terrestrial TV Award Pay-TV provider, StarTimes Nigeria has emerged winner of the innovative digital terrestrial TV brand at the 2020 Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards.

The event, which was organised by Marketing Edge Magazine, a prominent marketing and advertising publication serves as a platform to celebrate the best innovative minds and brands in the marketing and communications industry.

The Marketing Edge night of excellence saw brands, corporates and personalities in the IMC industry cart away awards for performing creditably in various categories.

Publisher/Chief Executive Officer of Marketing Edge, John Ajayi, said the award night served as a way of promoting

outstanding brand ideas.

“We have watched and monitored these brands, individuals and agencies very closely in the last few years and can confidently attest to their market leadership, resilience, excellence and above all landmark achievements in their various sectors,’’ he said.

On the award presented to StarTimes, Mr Ajayi said, “the nomination and subsequent emergence of StarTimes as Marketing Edge Innovative Digital Terrestrial Television, DTT Brand of The Year was a product of painstaking review and assessment of the digital terrestrial broadcasting sector of the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

“It is on record that StarTimes has, since inception been avant-garde in its deploy-

ment of digital broadcast technology which has set its offerings far apart from and well ahead of competition. Its innovativeness in service offerings, national coverage and even pocket friendliness has remained unrivalled, always leaving a yawning gap between itself and its closest competitors!

“The sustenance, with new impetus, of StarTimes’ innovativeness, especially in the last one year has well-positioned it for this recognition and celebration,” Mr Ajayi noted.

Speaking on the award, Lazarus Ibeabuchi, PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, said, “This award bears testimony to StarTimes innovative efforts in driving growth in the DTT space. It’s on record that StarTimes pioneered digital-TV inclusion, bringing

access to those that were excluded from enjoying the beauty of pay-TV. “From inception, StarTimes has continued to treat subscribers to premium quality content and great channels even with its low subscription fees. In recent months, StarTimes refreshed its content offerings and introduced more highly sought-after content.

“And to make payment easy for subscribers, StarTimes introduced an innovative solution for subscribers to use their MTN airtime to subscribe and stream content on their StarTimes ON mobile app.

“This honour affirms our hard work and we pledge our commitment to continually serve homes with innovative solutions that bring the best of TV entertainment.”

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR Nnamdi and Omoni Oboli

20 Years of Blissful Matrimony Nollywood actress, Omoni and her husband Nnamdi Oboli spent most of this week celebrating 20 years of blissful matrimony, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

ctress Omoni and her husband Nnamdi Oboli are celebrating their love life together 20 years after marriage. For the couple, blessed with three sons, the romance is still quite strong. Her husband, Nnamdi, first took to social media to celebrate their love and how far they have come together. In the post which he shared on his Instagram page, Nnamdi, who recently turned 50, stated that he could not believe that it had been 20 years already and he was grateful for God’s blessings in their lives.

He also prayed that they would spend many more years together and finished off by saying he could not have asked for someone better to be his wife. Nnamdi shared a lovely photo of them on Instagram and wished his wife a happy anniversary with the sweetest caption. He wrote: “Happy 20th Anniversary to us!!!

Time really flies! It’s been 20 years???

Amazing! I thank God for the years; for the beauty of a relationship amidst all the fears. The pain and sorrow and grace we’ve seen. The journeys and places and levels we’ve been. We don’t take it for granted that we got this far.

“The children and blessings that show us God is truly extra. We hurt, we cried, we live, we die. We know and pray, for on God alone we rely.

It’s so easy to look back, forget, and think we made alone. I’m grateful that we’re still a work that’s not yet done.

I wish you, my wife, many many more years together. I certainly couldn’t have asked for someone better. #HappyAnniversary #LoveYouBabe.” On her part, the beautiful mother of three shared a post which acknowledged their marriage anniversary.

In a post shared on her Instagram page, Omoni reflected on her journey as a wife and mother. She mentioned that she could have made the biggest mistake of her life when she got married at 21 but God gave her the best gift as a husband. The excerpt from her post reads, “Struggled with posting this today but I guess we all need some happiness. It’s our 20th wedding anniversary!

“Don’t worry, even I too I’m shocked! How time flies! I was 21 when we had our court marriage on January 20th, 2000. By our white wedding on Oct 28th, I had turned 22 and most people, even my dad felt I was too young. Thinking about it now, I could have made the biggest mistake of my life but God gave me the best gift in @nnamdioboli. The best thing that ever happened to me is marrying you Nnamdi. You truly are the wind beneath my wings. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for all the many sacrifices. I know I’m a coconut head girl most of the time but you love me through it all. I love you for eternity. May God keep you for me and our boys. We’ll celebrate soon!

Can’t wait… God knows I need the distraction.”

The actress met her husband when she started acting in 1996. Four years later and just two weeks after they

Nnamdi with wife, Omoni Oboli

began dating, she at the age of 21, while he was 29, he proposed to her.

Nnamdi Oboli is a life coach on marriage and relationships, a columnist for ‘Motherhood-In-Style’ magazine, and a strong believer in the sanctity of marriage as a necessary first step to attaining a greater society. He is a University of Benin graduate of Optometry and the co-founder and M.D of Dioni Visions Ltd, a multi-faceted company with businesses including optometric practice and entertainment at its core.

Nnamdi is a co-producer of several award-winning movies such as The Rivals, Render to Caesar and Being Mrs. Elliott. Omoni had in an interview, opened up on her successful marriage, attributing it to understanding with

her husband. “I don’t know if I keep my home intact; I believe God does that for me.

There are many women who do the right things and show up at every time for their husbands and still get the short end of the stick.

“So I don’t take credit for it. I have my moments and he does too, but somehow it has never tipped the scale and that’s because God made it possible. Nevertheless, I believe that when you understand that you’re both different individuals who have become one, then you can try to weather any storm, knowing that if you don’t, both of you will have a dreadful life in that marriage. Enjoy it and seek for the things that make for peace because life is too short to waste it fighting.”

Homebased Wows Fans with ‘Lojosi’ Tosin Clegg

Still basking in the euphoria of the successes of his recent singles, which have continued to enjoy massive airplay both home and abroad, Afro singer, Emmanuel Anjorin, better known as Homebased, seems not relenting in revving up his game.

The hit maker has now given music lovers a new vibe that will last long. The new song called ‘Lojosi’, has attracted so many reactions, most of which are good and expression of excitements. On what inspired ‘Lojosi’, he explained: “Lojosi is Yoruba word which means previously or before. This song has a deep message and I’m sure most people can relate to it.

“There must be a point In everyone’s life when people doubted

them or try to discourage them from chasing their dreams or perhaps saying you can’t do something or blatantly saying you won’t succeed at something you believe in. The song touches on someone who has now gone far and beyond by ignoring all the naysayers and achieved success, then in turn decided to remind them. I think the message here is that don’t ever listen to negative people and naysayers. Follow your dream and passion to the end.

Naysayers will always find a way back once you have made it.”

Homebased revealed that he had just finished the last track in his coming Spur Me on EP. The track, Let’s Dance, according to him promises true dance vibe compared to his usual chilled vibes and fans should get their dancing shoes ready.

Emmanuel Anjorin

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

SHOWBIZFLAIR

WizKid is Made in Lagos Ferdinand Ekechukwu

L

ast Thursday, Nigerian superstar singer, WizKid, real name Ayodeji Balogun, released his latest album Made In Lagos. The 14-track album features Burna Boy, Damien Marley, H.E.R., Ella Mai, Terri, and Adele’s new beau Skepta.

It’s been three years since listeners were last afforded the privilege of a WizKid album.

Fans have enjoyed the singles and features in between, but a full project from the StarBoy himself has been long awaited.

With this music project named Made In Lagos, the album isn’t just restricted to Lagos/Nigeria alone, it holds a global vision, uniting Kingston (Blessed, featuring Damian Marley), California (Smile with HER), London (Skepta, Ella Mai) and home – Essence, featuring Nigerian R&B singer Tems, and fellow ‘African Giant’ Burna Boy duets on Ginger.

While Sounds From The Other Side showcased WizKid in the context of the global stage with varying genres, his newest album sees a return to home with sounds more consistent with the traditional Afrobeats.

Made in Lagos is one of WizKid’s most comfortable albums yet and a memorable comeback from one of Afrobeats’ most loved assets. Made in Lagos was earlier scheduled for release on October 15, but events of recent further delayed the project. This Wizkid at-

tributes to activists protesting police brutality in his native Nigeria. “It has been beautiful to see Nigerians around the world coming together to protest against police brutality,” WizKid said in a press release.

Adding, “Unity is key. The youth of Nigeria need our collective voices to continue to shine a spotlight to what is happening inside the country. I want to play my part in this and in the movement for a better Nigeria, a better place to live for ourselves, our families - our communities. We will get through this together. Together we move. #EndSARS.” The ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner had left his fans yearning ever since he first promised to release in 2017 the Made In Lagos project which is his fourth studio album.

His previous albums are ‘Sounds from the Other Side’ (2016), ‘Ayo’ (2014) and ‘Superstar’ (2011). Like a thief in the nighty, he released his Soundman Vol.1 EP in December, 2019 with no social media hype, no hint, nothing.

It just came as a surprise to everyone.

The Made In Lagos album release ends the long wait as Wizkid premiered the project worldwide. The album titled after Lagos city the place where the Number 1 Starboy grew from and blew into the international market is said to be a project for his day fans.

The afrobeats star’s fourth album is his most sophisticated yet. According to Wizkid this album is the Best he has recorded in recent years after his debut - ‘Superstar’, better than the second and third; ‘AYO’ and ‘SFTOS’ (Sounds From The Other Side) respectively.

WizKid

Neptune3 Studios Unveils ‘Table for Two’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

“T

able for Two: A Series of First Dates” is a dramatic look at modern dating etiquette through the eyes of the rather peculiar guests that visit a fine dining restaurant that goes by the name “Table for Two”. At the restaurant are three waiters and two students who came to promote and work together to attract customers to the place. In no particular order are the students & the businesswoman: Jeiel Damina and Abasikpongke Uko as “Bella” and “Benny”. Chioma Ohaegbuchi as “Mrs Essien”.

Then meet the waiters: Precious Bassey as “Sylvia”, Samuel Ating as “Frank” and Emmanuel Nse as “Sam”. Their day to day encounters with different customers amusing, albeit interesting. A short series about work-place friendships and achieving one’s goals, the series is 10-episodes long with each issue on average of 10-12 minutes. The series takes viewers through a unique look and social commentary on youngadult dating, hence a must see for new daters. The overall message in “Table for Two” is team work, adding value to friendship and ethics of dating.

A Neptune3 Studios original series, the producers of the hit web series, Best Friends in the World, this first episode is titled “Instagram Queen.”

It opens with the scenery of the restaurant showing customers seated in pairs. “A slow night” it seems as one of the waiters intoned, a conversation ensued behind between them as regards who to attend to the customers with each of the waiters having an exchange. Just then a couple on a date steps in, and was greeted with the chant “Welcome to Table for Two, fine dining restaurant”.

The couple Joey and Kate happens to be on their first date at the

Table T bl ffor T Two waiters i

restaurant. Kate in this episode is the “Instagram Queen”, who according to her is “a lifestyle guru and influencer”. Right from the very moment they entered the eatery she fiddles her phone non-stop, taking photographs of every piece of artwork and items on display. Not even after they were received and served list of menu. She captures the foods and drinks and posts on her Instagram page while her partner pathetically looks on. “Just look I just posted this and am having over 30 likes already,” she said.

Joey, already uncomfortable with her attitude, responded inaudibly, as she adds: “I swear people are just seating around waiting for me to post.” He would then remind her of the essence of their outing. “Kate did you forget,”? She responds, “Yeah”, while Joey, an architect, expresses his distaste, sounding it out loud to her “we are here on a date why don’t we start by getting to know ourselves better.”

But to Kate, “everything that’s there to know about me is on my page”. Like really? While the drama

between the two plays out the waiters spy on them from the inner room.

Now, imagine outing on a first date and your partner (slay queen, slay mama, wannabe) distracts every moment of it with her social media activities, capturing everything within and without for content to feed her page… that’s just the scenario on episode 1 of the series titled “Instagram Queen.”

This episode is a must watch! It behooves readers to go view the full content on YouTube. It’s very fascinating…and entertaining.

24

Ë&#x153; Ëž OCTOBER 31, 2020

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION/PEOPLE

BY

Pool, Not Pull, Resources

L

ATEST trend in spellings (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;zâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;no more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śin their various constituencies to synthesise (synthesize) grass root (sic) opinions on this all important (all-important) project.â&#x20AC;? Not my view: grassroots opinionsâ&#x20AC;Ś. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In many respect (respects) it is out of tune with modern realityâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria has never degenerated to (into) this level, security wise.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why the state governments need to be given the impetus to pull (pool) their wisdom and resources togetherâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Delete the last word in the extract. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe states and local governments sufficiently financially empowered to take care of its (their) responsibilities.â&#x20AC;? There should be a conjunction between â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sufficientlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;financiallyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The next two lexical frauds are from the Editorial of one of the newspapers under review today: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The minister exposed the shock find during an official visit to PHCNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities in (on) the premises of theâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ścontributed to PHCNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s woeful (abysmal) failure to provide regular electricity supply to the nation.â&#x20AC;?

Still on the recurring pool of grammatical disasters: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The minister had, on Tuesday, drew (drawn) the ire of workers by arguing thatâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe federal government must embark on some cost saving (cost-saving) measuresâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;His arguments on the introduction of N5,000 notes was (were)â&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;FG to sanction DISCOs over over-billing of customersâ&#x20AC;? A rewrite: â&#x20AC;&#x153;FG to sanction DISCOs for overbilling customersâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers employed by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to complementâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Education Today: Parent-Teacher Association (PTA),,,, â&#x20AC;&#x153;CANNU donates to flood relief (flood-relief) fundâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eduwatch gathers students, scholars togetherâ&#x20AC;?

Delete the last word in the excerpt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Geepee proudly introduces world class (world-class) multilayer (multi-layer) composite

panelsâ&#x20AC;Śno painting, no maintainenceâ&#x20AC;? Bloated pride: maintenance!

THE GUARDIAN Opinion Page of September 26 circulated two improprieties: â&#x20AC;&#x153;With preparaa tions in top gear, and barring any last minute (last-minute) hitchesâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The final death nail (sic) came with the present political dispensation that began in 2000 that paid lip-service to governance.â&#x20AC;? Get it right: death knell or just knell. There is nothing like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;final death nailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the Abia PDP stalwarts have forgotten, we will gladly remind them that candidates who stand for elections under (on) the platform (platforms) of political partiesâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kaduna gears up for LG polls amidst (amid) fears of violenceâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Records show that their actions and inactions, in the past, have (had) contributed in (to)â&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Non-partisan intelligence driven mechanism panacea to Boko Haramâ&#x20AC;? A rewrite: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nonpartisan, intelligence-driven mechanism, panacea to Boko Haram DAILY INDEPENDENT of October 6 disseminated three blunders: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was none enforcement and none implementation of these provisionsâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Get it right: non-enforcement and non-implementation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And if you are talking about administration, it all bothers (borders) on the Office of the Secretary.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Media and Communication alumni elects (elect) excoâ&#x20AC;?

SATURDAY TRIBUNE of October 24 circulated two errors of different hues: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe president thanked Suleiman for his services to the nation and wishes (wished) him success in his future endeavours.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ojukwu: Better sung in death than aliveâ&#x20AC;? No politics in grammar as illogic is disallowed: dead than alive (in another phrasal context) or death than life (life or deathâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not dead, by way of extrapolation), which is apposite here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hanging over the nation is the spectra of economic corruption and a descent into (to) chaos and anarchy.â&#x20AC;? And this: spectrum (singular, which applies here) and spectra or spectrums, just like forums (fora), stadiums (stadia)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;all plural and

interchangeable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The political intrigues and power-play that have been associated with the preparations for the 2023 governorship race in Abia State has (have) finally led to theâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coup dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ĂŠtats, juntas, military governments and transitions to civil ruleâ&#x20AC;? A tribute: coups dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ĂŠtatâ&#x20AC;Ś. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Appointment of Joseph Yobo: The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stand to reap.â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? The Nigeria Football Federation stands to reapâ&#x20AC;Ś. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is therefore most expedient for President Muhammadu Buhari to re-examine his role in government and take a honourable bow from leadership.â&#x20AC;? Remembering global patriots: an honourable bow â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even now, no talk of regional or sub-regional integration is complete in this continent without an echo from Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? Even in French and other languages: on the continent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am convinced that what held the audience spell-bounded (spellbound) and excited was the fact of an Anglophone speaker being able to fluently tell them in their own language....â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instead, people compete and fall over themm selves (one another) for the crumbs from the high table (dais/platform/podiumâ&#x20AC;Ścertainly not the Nigerian journalese â&#x20AC;&#x153;high tableâ&#x20AC;?) and even defend the indefensible.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śthe two big parties whose promises of no new taxes and an increased service delivery is (are) not taken serious (seriously) by any informed observer.â&#x20AC;? The right thoughts are bracketed (or in parenthesis, as Americans would write). â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śothers point out the moral ground for such action (an action), given Labourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antecedents in the pastâ&#x20AC;? Gosh! What is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;antecedents in the pastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;?

Just antecedents, I beg you. One of these days, somebody would write â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;future antecedentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;! Please gently delete â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;in the pastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Atimes (At times), they sleep inside their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vehiclesâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For ON television channel, the emerging identity is that of a musical and grassroot TV station. Whether as an adjective or a noun: grassroots. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As at 1985 there are (were) over 36,000 dams in

A World Driven By Fake News, Greed

W

e are now a world ruled by Social Media.

Controlled! Manipulated! It is now so easy for unsuspecting and impressionn able news addicts to shift positions and beliefs based on strings of coordinated or disjointed truths, half-truths, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;overtruthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, inconvenient truths, and crafty concoctions. In the past few years, we have waded against tides of all kinds of stories in support of one narrative or the other... It is therefore understandable, and quite slippery, that background information upon which most opinions are based may sometime be hazy, or double-faced...such that the cautious commentators are better served to add disclaimers, or caveats as indemnities against the onslaught of infamy and misrepresentation.

Therefore, if it is true, then it is the height of conceit and wickedness to schedule the distribution of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;palliativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, or whatever you call â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;handoutsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (whether from government or official agency, or private interventions) to coincide with your birthday ceremony... as attributed to a sitting legislator!

There is so much disconnect and unfeeling distance between the grating poverty of the masses, and the humongous mass of perquisites and unbalanced privileges of the majority of political operatives. How is it conceivable that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;palliativesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (prompt interventions to deal with side-effects of a main uncured problem) are languishing in havens of the privileged, while the surrounding swathe of deprivation could go up in flames, for all they care?

How on earth, as one of the young protesters posited recently, would government keep palliatives, meant for the vulnerable Nigerians, for such â&#x20AC;&#x153;brief periodsâ&#x20AC;? as claimed government talking heads, and yet sundry bags of garri - a common and enduring staple food - would go stale in obscene number?

Why should we be so callously detached from our people to a point where in hunger - fuelled by anger at the conscience-less display of ill-gotten wealth by the political class, and their economic surrogates - they begin to loot psychiatric institutions, carting away highly contagious items; pillaging agro-based lockups, plundering chemically treated grains and seedlings, assuming they were edible produce!?

While we condemn, in strongest terms, the madness and villainy of looters, thugs and hoodlums who tarnished what was blossoming to be a watershed movement, we must reserve robust censure for stone-hearted, cold-blooded members of the political and ruling classes for their mindless opportunism, selfishness and primitive acquisitions of all sorts of goodies...for their families, cronies, and for patronage. Shiorrr!

In the days ahead, as we interrogate the root causes,

perpetrators and sponsors of the deplorable activities of the past few weeks, we must not forget to drag the owners and agencies behind palliative interventions languishing in warehouses across the states, which had to be excavated or looted forcefully like deprived ants let loose on cubes of vagabond sugar. Heads must roll...there should be no change of music that seeks â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;family meetingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arrangement for issues that afflicted the hopes and trust of the Nigerian youth, if we care for their future, and the prosperr ity of this country.

Above all, let those who find themselves in leadership posii tions realise it is not their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;luckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;turnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to switch on the national tap which goes only into their throats. They are there to serve the needs of the people and help improve their circumstances with proactive, reasonable, equitable and sustainable policies and programmes.

We must quickly â&#x20AC;&#x153;set forth at dawnâ&#x20AC;?... No twaddling, no whining...no grandstanding...no godfathering...no â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;oppositioningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;... no politicking... Just do the right things, now!

He who has ears, let him hear, very quickly...what the streets said days ago... Abegi!

What Makes A Man Out of You... (2) I have always believed you can only transact a successful partnership (of any kind) with an active, self-indicting fear of God. What I now propose only graphically underscores that fear; thereby producing an unmistakable desire to â&#x20AC;&#x153;make it workâ&#x20AC;?, irrespective of what the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; says or thinksâ&#x20AC;Ś Of course, my focus is on the familyâ&#x20AC;Ś the launch pad of every successful society.

My position is not held up by any professorial embellishments or empirical studies in high-octane laboratories. No, my conviction is merely polished by the knocks and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;shakingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; I have subjected my life to in the inevitable art of livingâ&#x20AC;Ś a willing, if sometimes foolish, guinea pig in relational experimentations.

As an individual, I have a great interest in childrenâ&#x20AC;ŚI love cuddling and baby-sitting cute little childrenâ&#x20AC;Śespecially the ones that are well groomed and who ooze that dull mildly musky smell of innocence. I adore babies who break into dimpled smiles and hearty giggles at the slightest â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;provocationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. So, when my wife was pregnant with our first child, I was almost uncontrollable in my excitement. As I watched her tummy swell, I became fretful with worriesâ&#x20AC;Ś would it be a she or he? Would the baby look like my wife or me? Of course, I preferred any sex so far the baby took after my wife. I had a very poor impression of myself in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;looksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; area, and since I had learnt that when your child takes after you, the innocent one takes up the full compliments of your attributes in the resemblance sector - sometimes with uncanny insistence. I was afraid that if my face worried me, a child who then carries

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

the world with about 18,000 in China alone.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dams construction have (has) generated problems across the world that....â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The accused policeman was said to have actually demanded for N10,000 before he was arrested.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Demandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; does not admit any inflection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you therefore surprised to find mediocres promoted beyond their highest level of compee tency?â&#x20AC;? The noun form of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mediocreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (an adjective) is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mediocrityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (personally preferred) or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mediocristâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;His two fundamental actions on assuming the reigns of government in Kinshasa smack of acts of a dictator.â&#x20AC;? No lexical autocracy: reins of government.

In defence of correct spelling: Again: harassment (not harrasment or harrassmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and is noncount), but embarrassment(s). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statistics of African debt profile shows (show) that Nigeria is holding about 15 per cent of the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debt.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;But none of these leaders coming with large (a large) retinue of people (would it have been of dogs?) will agree that it is important to back-up (back up) their good wishes with concrete policy (policies/a concrete policy) in the area of debt management for sustainable growth.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Within the 15 years of the four military regimes under review, Nigeria moved twice from one extreme end of the scale to the other in her (its) relation with other nations.â&#x20AC;? Either â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;extremeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;endâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Both words cannot co-function in any new school environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;General Babangidaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergence on the scene brought an initial soothing balm in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign relations because of his early release of a transition programme.â&#x20AC;? Is there any balm that hurts? This knowledge-driven columnist needs to know, please. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the Chinese were still protesting the bombing of their embassy in Belgrade, NATO had gone ahead to bomb the Swiss embassy, causing damages (damage) to the Angolan embassy and hit (hitting) a hospital, among others.â&#x20AC;?

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUN AK NDE E-JOHNSON fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

over the look with deeper intensity has severely marginalized his or her opportunity for success. That worried me.

I was always chatting with the growing foetus whom I was reliably informed was receptive to sounds even through the thick membranes of the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stomach. I sang, played music, and danced for my expected baby. I did many funny things while waiting for the date of delivery. In spite of my sweet anxiety, we agreed that we would not do a scan test to ascertain the sex of our first child.

Interestingly, it was not a big deal to me whether it was female or male. Then, I had this understanding that anyone who liked the attention and the presence of the female folk would more often than not produce female children. I half expected a girl.

But, all I wanted then was for her to be more beautiful and more intelligent than my wife (in view of my analogy above).

Even when my wife was pregnant, it did not stop our weekend night clubbing, since the doctors said such vigorous activity was good for her and the baby. As time went on, we began to notice slight movements of the baby. I would wait for several minutes so that I could catch the belly moveâ&#x20AC;Ś each sightt ing sent me into paroxysms of excitement. It was a great spectacle.

We noticed that the movement became more pronounced and intermittent when we were inside nightclubs with those huge thumbing music blasting great danceable but incoherent tunes. The baby would practically dance around the womb in apparent glee.

In retrospect, when I look at my daughter today and tease her about her â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;crazeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for entertainment, art, drama and such flighty stuffâ&#x20AC;Śshe would remind me that it was not her fault, as we introduced her to the whole thing right from her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s womb.

Back to 1991... One day after a rigorous tango on the dance floor, my wife complained about the cigarette smoke enveloping the atmosphere. She opted to sit down, far away from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;chimneysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I was quite disturbed when there was no tummy movement for several hours afterwards. I realised that my smoking days were ending. See, I was a chain smokerâ&#x20AC;Śand a good drinker too. But, it appeared my babe hated nicotine smell. I vowed to stop smoking before her first birthday. Incrediblyâ&#x20AC;ŚI did itâ&#x20AC;Śeven before she turned one!

25

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž CTOBER 31, 2020

POLITY

HealthMinistryPromisestoStrengthenSupplyChainMechanism Tolulope Ibukunoluwa

Mrs. Azuka Okeke, Chief Executive oďŹ&#x192;cer, ARC, Nigeria

he Federal Ministry of Health has committed to do all that is within its power to strengthen its Supply Chain mechanism in order to improve service delivery to the end consumers.

The Director, Food and Drugs Services in the Ministry, Mr. Fubara Chukwu gave the assurance while speaking at the launch of The Global Fund Malaria funded Strategic Training Executive Programme (STEP) for senior government executives in Abuja.

Chukwu said that the launch of the Programme (STEP) would provide an avenue for Ministries of Health Leaders to change their attitude on how supply chain works.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is our hope that the launch of this strategic training executive programme (STEP) initiative will give an opportunity to participants for a change in mindset and how we conduct supply chain business so that we provide services that are delivered in a qualitative manner at a cost that is competitive in the most efficient and effective manner.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As you all interact and discuss on issues that will improve health services in our country, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Health I thank all our development partners for the financial and technical support so far.â&#x20AC;?

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, (ARC Nigeria), Mrs. Azuka Okeke said that the programme was not aimed at changing the leadership practices but rather to bridge the gaps that evolved due to the new strategic thrust of the Ministry.

Furthermore, Mrs. Okeke highlighted the objective of the Programme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;NPSCMP plans to support states to transform their supply chains to function effectively like commercial businesses and then integrate the operations with the public health programmes. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This programme is therefore intended to complement existing leadership skills with private sector resources needed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the public sector.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Chairman, Board of Director of ARC Nigeria, Mr. Wale Adedeji said that more innovative programmes aimed at improving health indices in the country are coming on board following the progression of ARC Nigeria from a project to a full entity ready to stand on its own.

Those in attendance include Training Facilitators from UNOCASA, National Tuberculosis Control Programme officer, Officials from the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and the National Product Supply Chaim Management Programme (NPSCMP), and Senior Government Officials from Adamawa, Yobe and Katsina States.

Ekweremadu Visits Scene of Enugu Accident, Mourns

F

ormer Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the accident that claimed lives of several pupils and staff of Presentation Nursery and Primary School, Awgu, Enugu State during the week, describing it as horrific.

Ekweremadu spoke during a condolence visit to the Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Bishop John Okoye, and a visit to the scene of the accident yesterday.

The lawmaker, who was accompanied by his

wife, Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Presentation School has always been dear to our hearts as a centre for academic and moral excellence. You came first in the 2012 edition of the Ikeoha Annual Secondary School Quiz Competition and have won several of our full university scholarships. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, it can be imagined how we have been traumatised and shocked at the news of the accident involving our children in the nursery and primary section. I have been to the scene and it is horrific.

I think last Wednesday can best be qualified as a black Wednesday.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have come to sympathise with you. The condolences and prayers of the people of Enugu West are with the families of these fine souls, the school, and the Catholic Diocese of Awgu. We pray God to grant the dead eternal rest and grant quick recovery to those who sustained injuriesâ&#x20AC;?.

Speaking, Bishop Okoye, who received Ekweremadu and his wife, on behalf of the management of Presentation School and the Catholic Diocese of Awgu, thanked the Senator and the people of Enugu West Senatorial District for their love and support at their time of sorrow.

L-R: 9mobile Senior Manager Sales and Distribution, Babangida Mukaddas; One million Naira Promo winner, Ekene Azubuike; and 9mobile Experience Centre Manager, Abdullahi Ibrahim, at the 9mobile Mega Millions Promo prize presentation in Kano ...recently

L-R: Judge, Next Titan Season 7, Mr. Chris Parkes; Executive Producer, Next Titan Nigeria, Mr. Mide Kunle Akinloja; Judge, Next Titan Season 7, Lilian Olubi; Guest Judge,Next Titan Season 7, Olatorera Oniru; and Chief Marketing OďŹ&#x192;cer, Heritage Bank, Mr. Fela Ibidapo,at the Season 7 premiere of the Next Titan Nigeria in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Executive Director, Legal Services/Company Secretary, Barrister Tunji Olusinde; Project Coordinator/Consultant, SIFAX Container Terminal, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu; Director, Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Auwal Suleiman; and Capt. Ibraheem Olugbade, during the Federal Ministry of Transportationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministerial Implementation Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to SIFAX Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new container terminal located at Ijora Causeway, Lagos...recently

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji(right), commiserating with family members of the former State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), late Chief Johnson Onuigbo, during Chief Onuigboâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burial ceremony in Umuahia...recently

D

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ OCTOBER 31, 2020

POLITY

L-R: Member, Board of CISLAC, Barrister Adesina Oke; Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani); Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim; Speaker, Kano House of Assembly, Abdulazeez Garba Gafasa; Deputy Chair, Committee on Health, Kano State, Comrade Musa Ali Kachako and a participant at the Legislative Summit on Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) held in Kaduna State...recently

CISLAC:TacklingAcuteMalnutritionamongChildren Available reports indicate that acute malnutrition remains high in Northern Nigeria with about 2.2 million children severely malnourished. It was against this backdrop that Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a non-governmental organisation, organised a one-day legislative summit in the affected states to enlighten them on prevention and treatment. Sunday Ehigiator reports

T

he sight is scary and worrisome. If not for the occasional breathing and eyes that are wide open, they look dehydrated and lifeless.

Each year about one million Nigerian children die before their birthday and malnutrition contributes to nearly half of these deaths. While malnutrition reduces the GDP of a nation by 8 per cent, Nigeria records the highest burden of malnutrition in Africa. Malnutrition impedes physical growth and cognitive development of a child, with one in three (32%) of Nigerian children experiencing nutrition deficit.

As a result, constructive comparative analysis of malnutrition and under-development remains paramount to understand the critical role adequate nutrition plays to the nation’s growth and development. While Nigeria has hitherto recognised the importance of adequate nutrition status to the nation’s development through the adoption of various policies on nutrition, policy neglect in the implementation process remains a serious setback to fulfil government’s commitment to adequate nutrition status as a child right at all levels.

The dreaded impact of malnutrition includes monumental economic and productivity losses, irreparable potential loss, increased susceptibility to communicable diseases and other infections. With the Universal Declaration of Human Right, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Child Right Act, adequate nutrition status constitutes a Child Right in Nigeria. More importantly, the existing ailing and under-funded Primary Health Care facilities across the country hampers efforts at achieving adequate and sustainable treatment and prevention of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) at all levels.

The consistent dwindling financing for nutrition in the national and state’s budgetary allocation is a serious concern that if not promptly addressed may exacerbate increasing cases of SAM with resultant child mortality in the country.

Worried by this trend, CISLAC, led by its executive director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, organised a Legislative Summit on the Prevention and Treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) for Speakers, Chairs of Committees on Health and Appropriation, Clerks of Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, and Kastina State houses of assembly. State Nutrition Officers and Civil Society Organisations in the states were also included, in view of the funding challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic and how to mitigate the challenge.

The one day summit held at Bafra International Hotel, Kaduna State on Saturday October 17th provided op-

portunity for the stakeholders to ruminate on the way forward. Among the dignitaries at the summit were member, Board of CISLAC, Barrister Adesina Oke; ED of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani); Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim; Speaker, Kano SHA, Abdulazeez Garba Gafasa; Deputy Chair, Committee on Health, Kano State, and Comrade Dr. Musa Ali Kachako.

In his remarks, CISLAC boss said the summit became imperative because he was concerned about the available reports indicating that malnutrition remains high in Northern Nigeria with about 2.2 million out of 2.5 million severely acute malnourished children from the region.

“We find it worrisome that during the review exercise of the 2020 federal government budget as a response to COVID-19 impact, the N800 million that was initially allocated for the procurement of Ready-To-UseTherapeutic-Food (RUTF) was expunged. We also note, with serious concern that N146,014,000 allocated to the treatment of severe acute malnourished children in the 2021 appropriation bill is grossly inadequate to cater for the millions of children requiring treatment from Severe Acute Malnutrition in the country,” he said.

Having identified the problems, therefore, the summit provided a platform for legislators from the five target states to share experiences on their role towards sustainable and improved nutrition funding in their states, avail legislators the opportunity to review the current efforts of their state governments for improved nutrition interventions and status of the States, and how the State Houses of Assembly can come in, including taking steps to ensure full implementation of recommendations on any new funding streams/strategies for nutrition at the sub-national level in the wake of the COVID-19 realities going forward.

In addition, they guided the legislators on how to ensure that Severe Acute Malnutrition(SAM) prevention and treatment is properly focused and prioritised as a human rights issue through appropriate legislative interventions.

In their presentations during the summit, the nutrition officers narrated how their respective states are trying to get rid of the ugly trend but also identified some of the challenges. For instance, Gombe State Government has adopted different strategies in order to address problem of malnutrition by implementing various interventions and basic Nutrition packages for women and children to access the services. And in order to strengthen and ensure continuity of the Nutri-

tion activities in the state, Gombe State Government approved N75 million for procurement of Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods’ (RUTF) in the year 2020. N25 million was released to UNICEF and 1,159 cartoons of RUTF were procured and distributed to the implementing LGAs. An update on Kano nutrition in the last quarter showed distribution of deworming tablets for adolescents at the age of 10 – 19 years across the 44 LGAs. For Katsina, the nutrition situation is characterised by a double burden of malnutrition with about one third of the children under five years stunted (more than half in the northwest).

While in Bauchi only UNICEF is supporting CMAM, MNP and IYCF. No any other IP/NGO is taking part.

While sentizisation programmes on radio and television are ongoing, the major problems identified that have been an impediment are inadequate information to care givers on the differences between Polio vaccine and Vitamin A and inadequate knowledge on complementary foods.

To CISLAC and its team, they believed problems identified are already solved and it is essential to open critical deliberation on the developmental challenge at hand. It is hoped that a result-oriented deliberation will be applied in support of legislative and policy processes towards sustainable prevention and treatment of SAM in Nigeria.

After deliberating exhaustively on various thematic issues, the following observations, recommendations and action points were noted for implementation. It was observed that the dreaded impacts of malnutrition include monumental economic and productivity losses, irreparable potential loss, increased susceptibility to communicable diseases and other infections. That Nigeria is one of the countries responsible for 80 per cent of global child malnutrition and the North-western states bear the most burden of SAM in the country, that poverty, lack of awareness, funding and inadequate nutrition personnel emerged as the three most significant causes of malnutrition in all the five states, that RUTF usage is being abused by mothers who use it as a means of livelihood at the expense of their children’s health/lives while insecurity in some of the northern states constitutes a major challenge to SAM intervention programs in the state.

In his closing remarks, the CISLAC boss commended the Speakers and pledged his team unflinching cooperation at any level to provide technical support which will enhance their legislative work in achieving the set goals.

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

31.10.2020

NEWS

ARTETA TESTS OLE’S RESOLVE PAGE. 29

Ahmed Musa Eyes Return to Europe

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER OCTOBER 31, 2020

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Ahmed Musa

Eyes Return to Europe After mutually parting ways with Saudi professional league club, Al Nassr last Sunday, Ahmed Musa is eyeing a return to main stream Europe to continue plying his trade. Where next for the Super Eagles’ captain is however the big question

S

audi Arabia pro league side, Al Nassr, on Sunday officially confirmed Ahmed Musa’s departure from the club.

Musa, 28, is now a free agent and is reported to have parted ways with the club mutually as he hopes to continue with his professional career in Europe after two-year spell with the Saudi team.

In a post on Twitter on Monday, the Najd’s Knight established the jet-heeled forward’s exit while wishing him the very best.

“Thank you Nigerian falcon, wishing you all the best in the future Ahmed Musa!” Al Nassr tweeted.

Having completed his loan spell at CSKA Moscow, the Nigerian international joined the Asian outfit on a four-year contract from Leicester City.

Al Nassr beat several European clubs to the signing of the ex-Kano Pillars man who impressed at the 2018 FIFAWorld Cup in Russia with two goals in three matches.

Weeks later, he opened his Saudi professional league account with a hat-trick as his team hammered Al Quadisiya 3-0 at Riyadh’s King Fahd Stadium.

In 58 appearances, he scored 11 goals and got 14 assists while helping the team win the 2018-19 Saudi top-flight diadem and the 2019 Saudi Super Cup. Musa is expected to announce his destination in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the former Leicester City man had revealed his intention to return to Europe after leaving Saudi professional league club, Al Nassr, on Sunday.

Musa left for the Middle East in 2018 after

failing to establish himself at the King Power Stadium where he played 21 Premier League matches in two years.

After scoring nine goals in 50 Saudi top-flight matches, the 28-year-old was becoming an household name in Saudi Arabia before opting to terminate his contract after Al Nassr defeat to Al Taawon on October 22.

In his chat with ESPN, the former Kano Pillars star had this to say: “I have enjoyed my time in the two years that I have been here, and the club has been great to me.

“But I have always wanted to return to Europe, and I feel that this is the best time for me to make that move.

“I want to get back to playing at the top level again against the best players in the world.

“I would like to thank everyone at Al Nassr and all the fans for understanding and respecting my wishes, but especially for making me feel such a big part of the club and I will never forget them.”

Musa confessed to approaching the club management to terminate his contract before the close of the Saudi transfer window on Sunday.

“I met with the club and requested that they should terminate my contract, and they were kind enough to agree to let me go,” he added.

However, Mohamed Hamdy Ahmed who writes for Merca Today in the Gulf State, has given more details on Musa’s departure.

“There was great anger that caused this decision. The fans are sad about the player’s performance with the team.

“The fans were not satisfied with the level of the player so the management took this decision,” Ahmed said.

The Nigerian winger in 58 appearances scored 11 goals and got 14 assists, but it was not enough to impress Al Nassr and its supporters.

“I have information that he was given a paid leave until next January. And that the contract has not yet been terminated,” Ahmed added.

Musa, who recently surpassed John Obi Mikel as the third most-capped Super Eagles player having featured in the international friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, and in the process got his 93rd Nigeria cap shot into international limelight after helping Nigeria U-23 win the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup where he scored goals against Benin Republic and Burkina Faso.

His performance saw him invited to the senior national team prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, albeit, he did not make the 30-man squad due to an ankle injury.

At the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, the former Kano Pillars man scored three goals in five matches and he was included by FIFA’s shortlist for the Adidas Golden Ball.

After representing the country at youth level, the ex-VV Venlo star made his senior debut on August 5, 2010 in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Madagascar - coming in as a substitute for Mikel in the 2-0 win.

Musa is now the third most capped Nigerian player after surpassing Mikel having featured in the international friendly against Algeria.

The 27-year-old came off the bench to replace Samuel Chukwueze in the 75th minute of the game.

Musa went into the game on 91 caps, level with the former captain, Mikel Obi, who quit

international football after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

His appearance against Tunisia five days after the Algeria’s took Musa’s Eagles appearances to 93.

The former Al Nassr forward is now only behind Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama for number of appearances.

He spent four years in the Russian capital where he clinched three Premier League titles, and he teamed up with Leicester City in 2016.

In England, the Maiduguri-born forward struggled to gather first-team action with the FoxeswhichforcedhimtoreturntoCSKAMoscow in January 2018 where he returned six goals in 10 league outings.

Musa’sexitmightcomeasashocktotheAlNassr faithful after the Nigerian star played the entire duration of their league defeat to Al Taawon on October 22.

Musa,indeedadmittedthathedidnotgetenough playingtimeduringhistimeatLeicesterCitybecause of his former Foxes teammate, Riyad Mahrez after joiningfromRussiaside,CSKAMoscow,foraclubrecord fee of £16.6million in July 2016.

The forward only managed two goals in 21 Premier League games for Leicester as he was behind Mahrez in the pecking order at the King Power Stadium.

“Before they signed me at Leicester City, they told me Riyad Mahrez was leaving,” Musa said.

“If I knew that Mahrez is going to stay, I would not join Leicester, and I would have remained at CSKA Moscow.

“When I came, we had a lot of wingers at Leicester City, yet, I still got the chance to play.”

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 31, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Man Utd Face Arsenal Test at Old Trafford Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.The Red Devils will enter this weekend’s contest off the back of a 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, which made it two victories from two European matches this season.

Head to Head 01/01/20 30/09/19 10/03/19 05/12/18 29/04/18 02/12/17 07/05/17 19/11/16 28/02/16 04/10/15 17/05/15 22/11/14 12/02/14 10/11/13 28/04/13 03/11/12 22/01/12

Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd ManUtd 1-1 Arsenal Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd Man Utd 2-2 Arsenal Man Utd 2-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-3 Man Utd Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal Man Utd 3-2 Arsenal Arsenal 3-0 Man Utd Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-2 Man Utd Arsenal 0-0 Man Utd Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd Man Utd 2 -1 Arsenal Arsenal 1-2 Man Utd

league, though, as they will host the champions Liverpool next weekend before traveling to Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur immediately after the international break.

There remain question marks surrounding the future of Guardiola, but the Spaniard will be solely focused on securing all three points against the struggling Blades this afternoon.

ÜÏ×ÓÏÜÝÒÓÚ ËÌÖÏ Everton Liverpool Wolves Aston Villa Leicester Tottenham Leeds Southampton Crystal Palace Chelsea Arsenal West Ham Man City Newcastle Man Utd Brighton West Brom Burnley Sheff Utd Fulham

6 6 7 5 6 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 5 6 5 6 6 5 6 6

5 1 0 7 5 8 3 1 -3 4 1 4 0 -2 -3 -2 -8 -6 -6 -9

13 13 13 12 12 11 10 10 10 9 9 8 8 8 7 5 3 1 1 1

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Sheffield Utd v Man City 12:30 Burnley v Chelsea 15:00 Liverpool v West Ham 17:30 SUNDAY

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side shared the points with Chelsea in their last league game on October 24, though, and are currently 15th in the table with seven points to show from their five matches.

Similar to their neighbours-Manchester City, United seem to perform in Europe but seemingly become a completely different side in the Premier League. Ole constantly changes the formation and makes changes to the starting XI, and this could have a part to play for their below par results.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have had a slightly better start, winning three and losing three, and find themselves in 11th place. If United play anywhere near as well as they did against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, then they will have no problem beating this Arsenal side.

Although, the same could have been said for last week after their encounter with PSG, only to draw 0-0 to Chelsea the following weekend. Despite the result, it should be an exciting game with both sides desperate to win.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer has warned his Manchester United team that they “have to pick up points” when they host Arsenal on Sunday.

United have made a stuttering start to the new season in the Premier League, with the Red Devils having won just two of their opening five games in the top flight to leave them down in 15th place in the table.

The Red Devils will now be aiming to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League against Arsenal after they were held to a goalless draw by Chelsea FC at Old Trafford last weekend.

And Solskjaer has talked up the

importance of Manchester United claiming points on Sunday as they prepare to welcome their old foes to Old Trafford.

Speaking at his post-match news conference on Wednesday night, Solskjaer said: “We made some changes today because of Sunday, because you’ve got to be ready for that because, in the league, we have a game fewer than other teams as well, so we have to pick up points.”

Solskjaer added: “For me, the consistency has been there since February. It has been getting better and better.

“The first league game was very disappointing and there were the circumstances with the Tottenham defeat.

“We’re getting there and today was a performance with a great attitude, hard work and working for each other. The squad was rotated and we’re in a really good state at the moment.“ Arsenal head into their clash with Manchester United also looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League after they were beaten 1-0 by Leicester City in the top flight in their most recent outing.

Meanwhile, Bramall Lane will host today’s early start in the Premier League with Sheffield United welcoming Manchester City for what is a hugely important game for both teams.

The Blades have only picked up one point from their six league games this season to sit 19th in the table, while City are down in 13th with eight points to show from their opening five matches so far.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a desperately disappointing start to the season for Sheffield United, with just one point from six

matches leaving them in 19th position.

The Blades lost their first four league games of the campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Arsenal before picking up a point at home to Fulham on October 18.

Chris Wilder’s side could not build on the draw, though, and suffered a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last weekend. It is not as if it gets any easier for Sheffield United, though, as their next two Premier League games are at home to City and away to Chelsea before the November international break kicks in.

The 2018-19 Championship runnersup were so impressive in the top flight last season, ultimately finishing ninth, but they were challenging for the top four ahead of the lockdown period.

The memories of last term are drifting away fairly quickly, though, and the team are now staring at the possibility of a long and difficult battle to stay in the top division.

City, meanwhile, are yet to really ignite their Premier League season and currently sit 13th in the table with eight points to show from their opening five matches.

Pep Guardiola’s side have beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal in the league this season, but they lost heavily at home to Leicester City at the end of September, while both Leeds United and West Ham United have taken points off the former champions during the month of October.

The Citizens have made an excellent start to their 2020-21 Champions League campaign, though, beating Porto and Marseille to place themselves in a strong position to make the knockout stage of the competition.

City are entering a vital period in the

Aston Villa Newcastle Man Utd Tottenham

v Southampton 12:00 v Everton 14:00 v Arsenal 16:30 v Brighton 19:15

MONDAY

Fulham v West Brom Leeds United v Leicester

17:30 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Madrid Bilbao Osasuna Alavés

v v v v

Huesca Sevilla Atlético Barcelona

13:00 15:15 17:30 20:00

v v v v

Elche Sociedad Levante Getafe

13:00 15:00 17:30 20:00

SUNDAY

Real Betis Celta Vigo Granada Valencia MONDAY

Villarreal v Valladolid 20:00

Serie A TODAY

Crotone Inter Bologna

v v v

Atalanta Parma Cagliari

14:00 17:00 19:45

v v v v v v

AC Milan Juventus Lazio Sassuolo Fiorentina Genoa

11:30 14:00 14:00 17:00 17:00 19:45

SUNDAY

Udinese Spezia Torino Napoli Roma Sampdoria MONDAY

Hellas Verona vBenevento

19:45

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹, 2020

GLOBAL SOCCER

Sebastian Osigwe in action for Lugano in the Swiss Super League Diego Maradona

Afcon Qualifiers

COVID 19 Knocks Newly-invited Nigeria Goalkeeper Osigwe Out of Sierra Leone Clash Swiss Super League club Lugano haveannouncedthatnewly-invited Nigeria goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe has tested positive for coronavirus.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper is a doubt for next month’s AfRICA Cup of Nations qualifiers after his latest medical update.

Osigwe was handed his maiden Super Eagles call-up on Thursday, ahead of theirAfrica Cup of Nations qualifier double-header against Sierra Leone in November, and his health status was confirmed shortly after.

The Luzern-born goalkeeper and Mattia Bottani contracted the virus in Maurizio Jacobacci’s team while six other players have been quarantined.

With eight players out of their next Super League fixture against Young Boys on November 1, Lugano reached out to the league authorities and their request for postponement of the encounter to a later date has been approved.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Osigwe will be passed fit and available for the Super Eagles’ upcoming matches against Sierra

Leone at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on November 13, while the second-leg will take place in Freetown four days later.

He joins Maduka Okoye and returning Daniel Akpeyi as the three goalkeepers in Gernot Rohr’s latest selection but Katsina United’s Ikechukwu Ezenwa is on the standby list.

Osigwe joined Lugano this summer after leaving Swiss second-tier club Kriens. He has played in four league matches so far with three ending in draws and one win.

FIBA Commences Afrobasket Qualifiers’ Accreditation The Federation of International Basketball Associations has announced the commencement of media accreditation for the second window of the Afrobasket qualifiers taking place in Rwanda and Egypt between November 23 and December 1.

The registration which had since started on Monday will end on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

All media interested in attending the qualifiers should apply through the FIBA Media Portal.

All accredited media are expected to fully respect and comply with COVID-19 related guidelines which, among others, may restrict access to certain areas inside the venue.

In some cases, if required by local authorities, the number of media accredited may have to be reduced even after approval, at the discretion of the host.

Guidelines will be forwarded to accredited media following their accreditation approval.

Meanwhile, the remote coverage accreditation has been introduced to cater for journalists who wish to report the event irrespective of their location.

This will allow such reporter(s) to follow the event remotely and have the opportunity to ask questions from players and coaches virtually

in the mixed zone and during post match press conferences with additional content to support coverage of the event also made available.

The application information submitted is subject to a review process, the availability of space and a security check with all applicants responsible for their travel visa.

Nigeria is grouped alongside host- Rwanda, Mali and Algeria in Group D and will start her race for qualification against Algeria on Friday, 27th of November before taking on the host on Saturday.

D’Tigers will conclude its first round of qualification campaign against West African opposition, Mali on Sunday.

Djokovic May Beat Nadal to World No 1 with Vienna Win NovakDjokovicremainsoncourse to end year-end No 1 for the sixth time in his career, equalling the record held by Pete Sampras. If the Serb wins the title in Vienna, he cannot be surpassed by his rival Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic has all but secured the year-end world No 1 in the ATP rankings after defeating Borna Coric at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna on Wednesday.

The Serb reached the quarter-finals after coming through against Coric 7-6 (13-11) 6-3. He will end 2020 as world number one as long as Rafael Nadal does not take a wild card as a late entry into the Sofia Open next month.

However, should Djokovic win the title on Sunday, he will take top spot regardless of whether or not Nadal plays

Sofia.

“Borna is a great fighter, a very good friend of mine,” said Djokovic.

“He has a similar style. He was serving very well specially in the first set, very tough to break him.

“The tie-break again, like yesterday against Filip Krajinovic, decided the match, I guess. I am just really glad to stay focused and play my best at the right time,” he said.

Van Dijk Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery in London Virgil van Dijk has undergone “successful” knee surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament damage he sustained in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool have confirmed.

The Dutch centre-back suffered the injury in a challenge with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on October 17.

“The Liverpool defender’s planned operation took place in London and

was conducted successfully,” read a club statement.

“Van Dijk will now immediately focus on the beginning of his rehabilitation with the support of the Reds’ medical department.

Liverpool’s defensive worries worsened on Tuesday night when makeshift centre-back Fabinho suffered a suspected hamstring injury in their 2-0 win over Midtjylland in the

Champions League.

Fabinho, who had previously filled in for Van Dijk for the wins over Ajax and Sheffield United, was forced off after half an hour at Anfield.

Rhys Williams, who spent last season on loan at sixth-tier Kidderminster Harriers, played the remainder of the match against Midtjylland and the 19-year-old could now make his Premier League debut against West Ham today.

Maradona Turns 60, Still Remains the Enigma The footballing maverick, genius and contradiction that is Diego Maradona celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday, a day many doubted this most complex of men would ever see. His has been a life that has hit the very highest of peaks before descending into the deepest, darkest troughs of despair, unable to cope with the adulation that came with stardom and the god-like status bestowed upon him, yet seemingly incapable of surviving without it.

To understand Diego properly you have to know the enigma that is Argentina; a country that needs the Diegos of this world to be the Messiahs that can carry it to the level of greatness of which it considers itself worthy. And to appreciate that this is a man who has lived a story replete with incredible paradoxes, a host of mistakes and subsequent corrections, epic feats and anecdotes about declines and resurrections.

Which one is the real Maradona?

Diego the boy from the Buenos Aires shanty town of Villa Fiorito, a prodigiously talented street urchin and man of the people?

Or maybe Maradona the god, the myth, the great avenger and the embodiment of the people’s dreams, aspirations and ultimate confirmation that Argentina is the best country in the world?

Maybe both are.

In 1968 Francis Cornejo, the coach of a youth side affiliated toArgentinos Juniors that he called Cebollitas (little onions) had to travel to Villa Fiorito to check the kid’s age on his ID. “He’s tiny, there’s no way he’s eight,” was his stunned reaction as he watched him play in a trial.

His mother Dalma Salvadora Franco confirmed his age by showing them Diego’s birth certificate from Evita Hospital. Francis had just performed the footballing equivalent of striking oil. He had found a gem that could slot into his side. From March 1969 onwards, the team did not tire of winning, recording a 136-game unbeaten run.

In his youth, Maradona’s dad, or as his friends called him Chitoro, piloted a ferry that moved cattle from village to village and later on he went on to work in a chemical factory, where he barely earned enough to make ends meet for his large family in the shanty town where they lived.

The success of his son, the fifth of eight children, meant that apart from becoming the “king of the barbecue”, he would never work again. By the time Diego was 15 he had already become the head of the family and told his dad to be by his side.

From an early age Diego learned that leadership was a natural step forward, particularly when there was a vacuum to fill, no matter what your age. “We went to play in Brazil,” recalls team-mate Ruben Favret who, like the rest of the squad, played midweek friendlies in Argentina and abroad to take advantage of Maradona’s pull.

“It was the era of the colour television and we all wanted to bring one back. But we had not been paid our bonuses. Diego, who was 18, stood up for everyone and told Consoli [the president of Argentinos] that if they didn’t pay us, he wouldn’t play.”

A complicated, convoluted move to Boca Juniors followed, mostly orchestrated

by Maradona himself who revealed - incorrectly - to a friendly journalist that talks to sign him from Argentinos were at an advanced stage.

It kick-started the first great media-led transfer in history, for what was then a still fairly green 20-year-old. The deal morphed into the surreal. What began as a straight purchase for the not inconsiderable sum of $10m became a last-minute loan using six Boca players, some cash and dodgy cheques as collateral. Nothing was simple or straightforward when it concerned Maradona.

Barcelona,wherehewentnext,neversawthe best of him. Of the two years he spent there he was out ill or injured for about half of that. He suffered an appalling ankle injury after a dreadful tackle from Athletic Club’s Andoni Goicoechea and then, when he became the main protagonist in a massive brawl played out in front of the Spanish king in the Copa del Rey final which led to a five-month ban from domestic competition, his fate was all but sealed.

In fact, he was close to bankruptcy at that point and a move, with new financial incentives, was a necessity. Also, he never adapted to life in Catalonia, where he was made to feel an outsider.

t $VMMFE GSPN ##$ 4QPSU

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž 31, 2020

31

GLOBAL SOCCER

Emmanuel Dennis:

Continuing Where He Left it He made the headlines in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League when his two goals stunned Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabue. Emmanuel Dennis seems set to continue where he left it as his goal helped Club Brugge beat Russian league leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg 2-1 away from home

S

Dennis

uper Eagles forward Emmanuel Dennis has been quick to get off the mark, scoring the first goal after getting on target in the 63rd minute as his Belgian team Club Brugge stunned Russian league leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg 2-1 away from home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very happy with this victory,â&#x20AC;? he said after the Group F clash. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first time I have won in the Champions League myself. It was a big team performance tonight.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody gives everything all the time, has a lot of energy and we saw that tonight. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said that I only score goals against the big teams but that was a joke. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m there to score goals anyway. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to keep working hard in this group and then anything can happen.â&#x20AC;?

Dennis did not make the big transfer away from Club Brugge as many had expected this past summer and according to Het Laatste Nieuws it was not only because of the huge fee the Belgian champions demanded.

The authoritative newspaper said his inconsistency and attitude could also have stopped him leaving Belgium even after winning two championships with Club Brugge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stade Rennes wanted him. And Atalanta Bergamo once sniffed. But the big clubs kept their distance. Their conclusion: too great a risk,â&#x20AC;? reported HLN. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dennisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; inconsistency was to his disadvantage. His four European goals in the preliminary rounds added up to only five league goals, plus a lot of lackluster performances. His own fault. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dennis says he lives for the big competitions. Then he is â&#x20AC;&#x153;twice as motivatedâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nigerian is not enthusiastic about matches against the Mouscrons and Eupens of this world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be too easy for me,â&#x20AC;? it sounded in the same â&#x20AC;&#x153;farewell interviewâ&#x20AC;?.

The report continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Team mates also say that Dennis sometimes lets them down.

That he leaves the switch to losing possession for what it is. You could get angry with him, but they know his whims in the dressing room by now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dennis is not a bad or mean boy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just black or white with him. (laugh) And if he has no appetite, then he has no desire. â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that attitude that Club want to change with Dennis.â&#x20AC;?

Back in February, a report from Foot Mercato via HITC mentioned Everton among the potential suitors for Dennis, while the Nigerian was also linked with Premier League rivals Southampton and Crystal Palace.

Dennis started his professional career with Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk, where he scored six goals in 26 appearances and also featured in the Europa League group stages for the first time. The versatile forward was then snapped up by Club Brugge in the summer of 2017 and Dennis has gradually established himself as one of the best attacking players in the Belgian top-flight.

The 22-year-old has managed a decent tally of 29 goals and 12 assists in 110 appearances for Brugge in all competitions so far, helping his club win the domestic league in 2017-18.

Dennis has also carved out a reputation for himself on the continental stage, scor-

ing twice in a 2-2 draw against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League last year before finding the net against Man United in the Europa League.

Dennis had been linked with a move to Everton in the summer and many are of the opinion he would be a quality squad player for Everton.

Everton have enjoyed a sensational start to the 2020-21 Premier League campaign after a summer of heavy spending that marked the arrivals of James Rodriguez, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ben Godfrey, Robin Olsen, and Niels Nkounkou.

The Toffees are currently at the top of the table, having won four of their six opening fixtures so far. While itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too early to pass a definitive judgement, Carlo Ancelottiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side seem more than capable of challenging for a top-six finish if they manage to maintain the same level of consistency in the coming months.

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has spearheaded Evertonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stellar start to the season with a string of topnotch displays, scoring seven times in six Premier League outings so far.

He has been very well supported in the final third by the likes of Rodriguez and Richarlison operating on either flank.

Indeed, those three players hold the key to Evertonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopes of challenging for a return to Europe. But the Toffeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; depth in the ranks will surely be put to test later on in the campaign when the fixtures start to come thick and fast.

Everton need quality alternatives in all departments if they are to go toe-to-toe with the elite clubs in the league.

The likes of Bernard and Alex Iwobi are the only feasible attacking alternatives available at Ancelottiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disposal following the loan exit of Theo Walcott and Moise Kean. However, neither player has managed to inspire much confidence over the past 12 months. Everton should, therefore, look to cash in on them and bring in some solid back-ups.

Everton going back into the market for Dennis would definitely put an end to their squad depth issues in front of goal. Essentially a centre-forward by trade, the Nigerian international is also versatile enough to operate as a wide forward on either flank, thus potentially offering Ancelotti with quality cover for either of his regular front three. Dennis has backed up his domestic form in Belgium with some top-drawer displays in the European competitions. The 22-year-old still has his best years ahead of him. Working under a charismatic manager like Ancelotti will surely help him make significant improvements to his game.

The Nigerian has less than two years remaining on his current contract at Club Brugge, so the door is pretty much open for Everton to try their luck once again when the transfer window reopens in January.

G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR

THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR

THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 31 2020

OCTOBER ͱͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ ˾ THISDAY,THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

33

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͚͝Ë&#x153; 2020

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

The Car Maintenance Checklist Consider adding these items to your vehicle maintenance â&#x20AC;&#x153;to doâ&#x20AC;? list: Change the Oil Routinely checking and changing your carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil is essential to keeping its engine in running condition.

Check your oil each month and change it as directed in the car ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual.

You can change your oil yourself or take it to a service center. If you choose to do it yourself, learn the necessary steps to drain the fluid, set the correct oil level and dispose of old oil.

You should also know which type of motor oil is best for your car, regardless of whether you change the oil yourself or take it to a service center. This generally means considering three things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the oil viscosity, whether to use synthetic versus nonsynthetic oil and your carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mileage.

Interior of the 2021 Ford Edge

2021 Ford Edge: Smarter, with Largest 12-Inch Display

#

VJMU UP FYDJUF UIF 'PSE &EHF BOE QFSGPSNBODF PSJFOUFE &EHF 45 BEE smart new technologies, including a new standard largest-in-class 12-inch size center screen, standard SYNCÂŽ " XJUI PQUJPOBM $POOFDUFE #VJMU JO Navigation and cloud connectivity with conversational voice recognition, plus refinements to &EHF T JOUFSJPS BOE FYUFSJPS EFTJHO i'PSE &EHF JT UIF DIPJDF GPS UFDI TBWWZ DVTUPNFST PO UIF HP u TBJE "OHFMB $BTDBEFO &EHF NBSLFUing manager. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It offers standard Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies with driver assist features.And with SYNC 4A with over-the-air updates, customers can get the latest tech and services from Ford at any time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no dealership visit required.â&#x20AC;?

The 12-inch screen supports multi-tasking, enabled by splitting the screen into larger and smallerwindows.Forexample,ifacustomerwants to keep their navigation route on the screen while changing songs, they can choose to display the radio or other streaming music services in the Adaptive Dash Cards display area.

All-new cloud connectivity combines conversational voice recognition with the power of internet-based search results, so you always have access to the latest information with almost every request â&#x20AC;&#x201C; such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Find me the best Thai restaurantâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; while SYNC can make data-based suggestions to drivers. Staying in contact with friends and family becomes easier, with natural speech recognition enabling communication via SMS and email.

Removing the need to plug-in a mobile device, 4:/$ " JODMVEFT 8J 'J FOBCMFE "QQMF $BS1MBZ and Android Auto compatibility and SYNC AppLink. For customers subscribed to SiriusXMÂŽ XJUI - UIF &EHF DBO BMTP QSPWJEF B DVSBUFE listening experience with on-demand streamed content and personalised entertainment channels.

To make charging mobile devices easier, the 2021 'PSE &EHF BEET UXP BEEJUJPOBM 64# QPSUT POF CFJOH B 64# $ m CSJOHJOH UIF UPUBM UP GPVS m UP give backseat passengers easier access to device charging.

4:/$ " PGGFST PQUJPOBM $POOFDUFE #VJMU JO

r&OHJOF PJM r3BEJBUPS 8BUFS PS $PPMBOU r1PXFS TUFFSJOH ĂĄVJE r#SBLF ĂĄVJE Navigation for traffic and hazard information, r5SBOTNJTTJPO ĂĄVJE parking, gas prices and weather â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all stored in A leak with any of these fluids can the cloud.

And while SYNC 4A leverages the cloud, it affect the way your car drives. If will still retain on-board processing power to you spot a leak, you may be able to help minimize performance issues where there identify the fluid by its color. This might not be strong cell service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; meaning your can help you and your mechanic road trip is in good hands even when you go off determine where the leak is coming the beaten path.

'JOEJOH JOGPSNBUJPO BCPVU UIF 'PSE &EHF from. It can also help speed up the will also become easier than ever with SYNC repair process.

4A, which includes an all-new digital ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual. Instead of flipping through dozens of pages, the digital ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual includes indepth information on vehicle features, streamable how-to videos to help you learn, and more â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all through a searchable database. &EHF XBT UIF Ă STU 'PSE 467 UP PGGFS 'PSE $P Pilot360asastandardsuiteoffeaturesandcontinues to offer available advanced driver assist tech includJOH &OIBODFE "DUJWF 1BSL "TTJTU &WBTJWF 4UFFSJOH Assist,Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering and a 180-degree front camera.

Hyundai, SM Entertainment Present â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All-New Tucson, Beyond DRIVEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Test the Lights A broken or burnt-out bulb is a safety hazard and might get you a ticket. Learn how to thoroughly inspect each bulb on your car. If a bulb is out, take your car to an expert to determine whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the bulb or the fuse that needs replacing.

Headlights are key safety lights on your car. Consider taking a few extra steps to help keep them shining bright, such as cleaning the lenses and replacing bulbs as they start to dim.

Replace Windshield Wipers If your wipers arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t working like they used to, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let the problem linger. Damaged or worn out blades can reduce visibility during a heavy rain or a snowstorm. Knowing how to inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them when necessary is one way to help keep your car safe.

H

yundai Motor Company has said it would host an innovative virtualeventâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TheAll-NewTucson, #FZPOE %3*7& TIPXDBTJOH UIF SFDFOUMZ MBVODIFE 5VDTPO 467 POF of Hyundaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-selling vehicles around the world. " TUBUFNFOU CZ UIF BVUPNBLFS TBJE i8PSLJOH XJUI 4. &OUFSUBJONFOU ,PSFB T MFBEJOH FOUFSUBJONFOU company,theonlineeventwilluseaugmentedreality "3 FYUFOEFE SFBMJUZ 93 UFDIOPMPHZ BOE GFBUVSF a performance by a globally beloved K-Pop artist VTJOH UIF "3 DPODFSU QMBUGPSN #FZPOE -*7& 5IF event is designed to tell a compelling musical story BCPVU UIF BMM OFX 5VDTPO 467 XIJMF QSPWJEJOH BO immersive, engaging experience for the audience.â&#x20AC;?

Through the virtual showcase, Hyundai will IJHIMJHIU UIF 467 MJGFTUZMF BOE JUT WJTJPO GPS UIF new Tucson in a format that reaches highly coveted Millennial and Gen Z consumers who rely on online platforms for news, information, shopping and entertainment.

5IF FWFOU XJMM CF MJWFTUSFBNFE BU Q N ,45

tomorrow, November 1, viewable at the Hyundai8PSMEXJEF :PV5VCF DIBOOFM Hyundai continues to leverage the latest digital Hyundaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All-New Tucson presentation technologies to roll-out its all-new Tucson, which launched via global livestream in the hidden headlamps of the all-new Tucson. The September.Thedigitalformatprovidesanimmersive 467 IBT OP WJTVBM CPVOEBSZ CFUXFFO JUT EBZUJNF and engaging way to highlight Tucsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cutting- SVOOJOH MJHIUT %3- BOE HSJMMF TP UIF QBSBNFUSJD edge design, dynamic performance and best-in-class KFXFM IFBEMBNQT BSF IJEEFO 8IFO UIF FOHJOF JT digital capabilities that provide convenience and turned on, these integrated lamps shine their strong connectivity for tech-savvy consumers.Available in presence in the shape of wings.

The virtual showcase enables the Tucson to be UXP EJGGFSFOU XIFFMCBTFT UIF NJETJ[F 467 PGGFST B versatileinteriorthataccommodatesvariouslifestyles. integrated in an AR-enhanced musical story about The subtopic of the virtual showcase, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Follow your BO PSEJOBSZ QFSTPO QMBZFE CZ ,"* PG &90 BOE 4Vhidden light,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the musical story was inspired by perM, who once dreamed of being an explorer and

Check the Fluids There are several fluids that should be kept at the appropriate levels to help keep your car running properly.

According to Popular Mechanics, you or your mechanic should check:

rediscovers his sense of adventure while travelling in a fantastic space using the all-new Tucson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to the pandemic, digital entertainment content is getting more popular around the world,â&#x20AC;?

TBJE 8POIPOH $IP &YFDVUJWF 7JDF 1SFTJEFOU BOE (MPCBM $IJFG .BSLFUJOH 0GĂ DFS PG )ZVOEBJ .PUPS $PNQBOZ i#Z XPSLJOH XJUI 4. &OUFSUBJONFOU Hyundai is leveraging the latest digital technologies to present a uniquely immersive experience befitting the innovative all-new Tucson.â&#x20AC;?

Check Belts and Hoses Keeping your carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belts and hoses in good shape can help keep your car running and may help you avoid a breakdown on the road. For example, if your serpentine belt breaks while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re driving, it may cause many of your carâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s systems to fail.

Having your belts and hoses checked at every oil change will help ensure that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in good condition and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need replacing.

4PVSDF UI"MMTUBUF#MPH

Did you know?

A study says nearly 80% of crashes involved driver inattention in the 3 seconds right before the crash.

4PVSDF .BTUFS%SJWF

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͻ͹˜ 2020

35

AUTO WORLD

Mercedes-Benz AG, Aston Martin to Expand Shareholding

M

ercedes-Benz AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc (“Aston Martin”) have announced a new strategic technology agreement and an enhanced partnership.

The new agreement will see Mercedes-Benz AG grant access to a range of advanced Mercedes-Benz technologies, including next generation hybrid and electric powertrains, as well as other vehicle components and systems, according to a statement by the automaker.

“Access to these technologies will be granted in exchange for new shares in Aston Martin, issuedinseveralstagesoverthenext3years,up to a total value of GBP 286 million. MercedesBenzAG’s current shareholding stands at 2.6% of Aston Martin’s common equity. The new shares to be issued will take Mercedes-Benz AG’sholdinguptoamaximumofnomorethan 20.0%. Mercedes-BenzAG has no intention to increase its holding in Aston Martin beyond this level,” the statement said.

Wolf-Dieter Kurz, Head of Product Strategy at Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “We already have a successful technology partnership in place with Aston Martin that has benefited both companies. With this new expanded partnership we will be able to provide Aston Martin with access to new cutting-edge technologies

and components, including next generation hybrid and electric drive systems. The supply arrangements for these new technologies will be on agreed commercial terms. We look forward to continuing to work together with Aston Martin and we wish the company every success in its next stage of growth.”

Background In 2013, Mercedes-Benz AG and Aston Martin entered into a strategic cooperation for the supply of AMG V8 engines and the supply of components for the E/E (electrical) architecture. In return, Mercedes-Benz AG received an equity participation of 5% inAstonMartin.FollowingAstonMartin’sIPO in 2018 and various further financing rounds, Mercedes-Benz AG now owns a 2.6% stake.

Key terms of the new agreement During 2020, negotiations regarding the expansion of the existing cooperation were initiated. In a first step,Aston Martin requested access to certain engines and powertrains as well as powertrain software, E/E architecture andvariousothercomponents.Mercedes-Benz AG has agreed to provide such technology access to Aston Martin in exchange for additional new shares in Aston Martin, which will be allotted to Mercedes-Benz AG by means of a Contribution in Kind (“CiK”).

Interior of 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2021 Toyota Sienna Hits Market November

A

iming to redefine the segment, the fourth generation Toyota Sienna reimagines the minivan to support a wider array of life stages and activities.

With a standard hybrid powertrain across all trims and an array of new tech and amenities, the 2021 Toyota Sienna raises the bar for style, safety, comfort, versatility and fuel efficiency in its segment.

Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S., the all-hybrid 2021 Sienna, influenced by the bold and robust character of SUVs, hosts many premium features: kick-open and closed sliding side doors and rear gate, four-zone climate control system, heated second-row super-long slide captain’s chairs with ottomans, power tilt and telescoping steering column with heated steering wheel, a digital rear-view mirror, 10in. color head-up display and 12-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna is also ready for life’s outdoor adventures with its all-wheel drive option – and is well-positioned for Yakima® accessories, such as a rooftop carrier, cross bars, bike rack and more.

The Sienna will also offer an available tow hitch and factory optional 1,500-watt inverter with 120V

I

AC outlet to power camping equipment.

What’s more, all versions of the 2021 Sienna are rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds. That’s enough to pull a well-equipped compact travel trailer, or simplycarryyourbikesforthatweekendgetaway.

Sienna: All-New from the Foundation Up Thefourth-genSienna,designedbythecombined effort of CALTY’s Newport Beach, CAand Ann Arbor, MI studios, delivers a combination of room, comfort, convenience, fuel efficiency and versatility. Starting with an all new minivan structure based on the TNGA-K Platform, the goal was to optimize everything that is great about minivan function, while wrapping it all into a bold, sexy, and provocative design, expanding the definition of what a next generation minivan should be.

“This is an all-new vehicle from the ground up, including a new chassis platform as well as a new electrical platform,” said Chief Engineer Monte Kaehr. “The development of the fourth generation Sienna was a huge undertaking but we always worked towards one single mission—to make the best van yet.”

This bold and innovative approach enabled the design team to create strong and robust proportions with a shoulder-themed body design, and muscular wheel flares that express athleticism.

The 2021 Toyota Sienna

The Antics of Learner Drivers

cannot remember the exact date. I am not even sure if it was in the month of July, August or September. But I know it was in 2020. I also know that the driver behind the wheel was female.

And that it was during the rush hour on a working day. What first attracted me to this driver was her strange mannerism along the busy Kubwa road in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory. The second attraction was the’’ L’’ which meant she was still a learner driver. Yet I was astonished to notice her driving and using her phone on a busy motorized road where crashes and deaths have occurred. Her driving behavior reminded me of a similar concern I had raised some time ago which is prompting me to re-use the same material. Ironically, the material in question had to do with another female learner driver which I believe is a mere coincidence. My female readers should therefore kindly spare dragging me to the slaughter house for being chauvinistic. I do hope that as you read this material, you will find it useful.

Her real name is Peace. I do not know her surname but I know that she is from one of the South South States. We met 13months ago shortly after my deployment from Jos, the Plateau State capital to Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory last year and became quite friendly. She once told me that she is desperately in search of a government job having completed her National Youth

SAFE DRIVING with

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

Service Corps a couple of years back although she is currently running a virtual eatery as a stopgap. A fortnight ago, Peace stunned one when I spotted her driving a red corolla car with an ‘L’ sign without an instructor or guide. Her nervousness on the wheel made me to take over the steering to complete the driving for her for which she expressed her gratitude. Thereafter, I tutored her on the rules for learner drivers whose increasingly insane driving on Nigerian road calls for concern.

Today, I am focusing on these groups of road users with the above title that might offend some of my readers. Before I fall under the sledge hammer of any of these readers, let me first sincerely apologize and state that I mean no harm. Secondly, let me state here that I chose the above title to drive home the seriously of this development and the need to put a stop to it. Thirdly, pondering over the appropriate title for this piece, my mind quickly flashed to

oga driver, an interactive awareness Programme conceptualized by me and my colleague, Salihu Ibrahim Kindo of Aso Radio when I was the Sector Commander in the Federal Capital Territory. It was in the course of that Programme that we coined the title learners or killers as a way of raising awareness on the seriousness and risk involved in this driving behavior, in addition to the need to draw a line between the good and the bad guys among learner drivers. If you want to know that I mean by the good and the bad, let me first that here that from our observations, the good guys represent the learner drivers who are not ashamed to be tagged, “Learners” and as such boldly display the “L” sign as mandated by law.

The bad guy on the other hand represents learners that out of unnecessary ego and pride refuse to display the “L” sign and even when they do, they willingly flout all the rules guiding a learner.

Specifically, the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004, mandates all learner drivers to observe the following rules: Attend a certified and approve driving school as prerequisite to obtaining a fresh drivers licence. In the course of this coaching, the learner driver must display an L-plate, for learner, which is a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in many countries if its driver is a learner under instruction, or a motorcycles rider with provisional entitlement to ride restricted motorcycles. What this means is that this rule is a

universal convention with slight variations from country to country. In the case of Nigeria, Section 27, sub section 1-3 of the National Road Traffic Regulations earlier cited spells out the details as applicable to learner drivers.

For the purpose of this piece, let me stress here that beside displaying an “L” sign, a learner driver when issued a learner’s permit, must be accompanied by a licensed driver-instructor sitting beside him to driver a vehicle or type stated in the permit from a period not exceeding three months from the date of issue within the highways specified in the permit. Besides these, the permit in itself forbids the learner from carrying any person no matter the level of affiliation except the instructor.

In addition, the learner-driver must at all times comply with relevant traffic rules and regulations.

Unfortunately, these provisions are daily abused by learner drivers who no doubt display the “L” sign yet disregard the other provision meant for their safety and the safety of others.

The high flying learners on their own don’t even display the “L” sign and arrogantly violate all other provisions. It is even strange that other motorist expose themselves to unnecessary risks by offering to drive in such vehicles. It is also strange that women by our finding in the course of patrols rank among the greatest offenders when it comes to infractions that have to do with learner drivers.

It is very common to see women who are learner drivers on Sundays and during school run hours flout all safety precaution by carrying children in such vehicles and even doing the same on their way to worship centres.

36

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ OCTOBER 31, 2020

PEOPLE

Margaret Murray-Bruce at 94 Mrs Margaret g Murray-Bruce, y matriarch of the Murray-Bruce y clan, turned 94 last Monday. y Rather than her usual sumptuous p party p y and in the face of the Covid19 p pandemic, she p preferred to address the issues in the land comparing p g colonial Nigeria to the present predicament of the common man, and the way forward. Nduka Nwosu reports

E

very October 26 the Murray Bruce family gathh ers to give a befi efitting birthday party for the matriarch of the clan, Mrs. Margaret MurrayBruce. This year turned out to be a different story given the Covid 19 pandemic and the protocols for avoiding infection. Therefore there were few visitors around and Mama as she is fondly called, would not accept handshakes and hugs and all the usual pleasantries from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, while there would be considerable social distancing between her and “guests,” who are largely family members.

For mama the round figure would be her 95th birthday when she would present her memoirs to her admirers and mentors. The take away from this birthday is that Mama is as healthy as fiddle. She lives her normal life and keeps a regimen on an even keel with her physician’s approval. Birthdays for her have been memorable in themselves. She has had multiple ceremonies going on at the same time and it was exciting hooking up through zoom this time around with the clan spread in different parts of the world. Had the times been norr mal, she probably would have had in addition to other events, a cantata as grand as her son Ben’s 60th birthday symposium and musical when over 30 Nigerian musicians of the wrapper generation gathered to make the evening memorable. That night Mama requested that Korede Bello repeat her ‘God Win’ alert song that made an instant hit trending for a long while on the local Billboard. Mama could have gone on a boat cruise.

Her boat cruise from Los Angeles to Mexico to mark her 90th birthday was eventful.

A typical birthday for the matriarch is an awesome experience. As usual every member of the clan in particular the old generation endeavours to be home, more like a typical Jewish festival that demands all must return home either for atonement or the commemoration of the exodus from Egypt.

Mama’s birthdays, like this one, come with special gifts such as a hug and a peck from Ben who calls her “my girlfriend.”

Mama usually sits regally decked in her new look exchanging pleasantries and urging everyone to sit back and relax with cameras and videos clicking away. Music including Fela’s Afro beat tunes blast through the speakers and Joy warns no discussions outside the celebration should distract the event.

Of all her recent outings, her 90th birthday celebration was something to remember. Expectedly a cruise on sea to Mexico from Los Angeles was arranged for the clan and the gong was sounded that a cruise would be the best way to felicitate with mama and close the last quarter of 2016. The Mexican Riviera Cruise on a Norwegian Cruise Line is described as a seven star floating hotel on the high sea with restaurants, swimming pools, cinemas and stops in four ports including Cabo San Lucas, a souvenir shopping centre.

The beaches with their pearls offered a tourist delight to the adventurers.

The island has an array of good sea foods and outdoor activities-surfing, fi snorkeling, scuba diving. If you think the beauty of the Kohala coast resorts; makes Hawaii a complete fascination for a tourist, wait until Mexico opens its compelling attractions.

Reflecting on the experience, mama says it was truly fascinating staying in the sea that long and the night adding to the charm and hypnotic hold of nature. The heavens provided another form of electricity which descended on the waters like a thousand lit fluorescent bulbs of varied hues and radiant colours of rainbow. Mexico with its many islands shares so much in common with Hawaii, a distinguished island adorned with Honolulu, the Waikiki beaches and pearls. When it lazily eases out of its mast, the cruise liner traces the Pacific Ocean down the Gulf of Mexico heading towards the Caribbean and the Gulf of California, all the way to Holbox, Contoy, Marietas, Todos Santos, Espíritu Santo and Cancun, the Mexican islands.

Any wonder therefore the children resolved they were going to give their mum a lasting birthday gift? Ben was there with Helen, his most beloved wife of blessed memory but Michael was not feeling too well and could not make it. Stella was there, same for Francis who came with two of his friends.

Edward had died and so was dearly missed. For those who turned up to celebrate mama at 90, the memory lingers. She got so many presents with a bouquet of flowers and cakes Mama Murray-Bruce cutting her birthday cake from most of the restaurants where she dined in the cruise liner Mama’s delight for the sea is borne out of the fact and with a huge party meant to spoil her wrapping it up. On her circumstance of her birth. Her mother Mrs. Becky James Lionel 80th birthday, mama’s celebration was an event observed in Lee had left Lagos for Port Harcourt to meet her husband when different parts of the world. She flew in from Los Angeles to she delivered her baby later named Margaret in the ship. That London where many of her grandchildren reside and back in was October 26 1926. Little did Mr. Lee know nature had so Lagos Philomena and her children held a party to observe the arranged it that it would happen in the Atlantic. That partly event. How many of us would have such opportunity, asked explains why later in her adult life the charm of the sea became Joy her daughter.

her past time.

That same year April 21, heralded the birth of a future monarch possibly the most famous in the world. Princess Elizabeth Alexandria Mary was born to the Duke and Duchess of York who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth respectively. The year 1926 was auspicious in the calendar of chroniclers of great men and women; it was indeed a great year

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPA P PER ˾ CTOBER 31, 2020

37

PEOPLE Margaret Murray-Bruce at 94

Mama Murray-Bruce in Athens, with some of her children, for granddaughter Louise’s wedding that saw the birth of many men and women who would later stamp their imprints on the sands of time.

Life style y When people come to Mama, they keep asking what is the secret of longevity backed with good health. This could be matter of factly but she tells her story of what she considers a simple way of life, what you would expect among the common place everyday people with often prosaic and less imaginative tendencies though the mama we know goes beyond such ephemeral definitions: fi “I live a very simple life, eat simple foods whether African or continental. In Calabar I got used to the local delicacies- ekpan nkukwo and edi kaikong.

I stopped having sugar related drinks such as minerals and packaged drinks a long time ago. Now I don’t take any of those things including sugar. I do eat red meat but it has to be well cooked. I cannot thank God enough for what he has done for my family. I can’t believe what he has done for me ageing gracefully and with minimum health concerns beyond all the normal ailments of old age as decreed by the creator.

“I drink water wherever I am. I take a drop or two of wine at social gatherings but my regular drink is tea, like a drug addict I get stressed when my tea is not there. I love my tea. My father was British and that is why I am addicted to tea.”

She goes on to describe her regimen: “My breakfast is simple and consists of one egg, one slice of bread and I don’t mix butt ter with bacon, one has to give way for the other. Mama at 93 uses glasses sparingly to read and write. It is not only medicine that keeps the body healthy, she advises. That is part of the reason she detests depending on drugs: “I don’t like medicine myself. I drink water and protect myself from mosquitoes by sleeping under the net. I take vitamins more often than drugs and in England when I see my doctor, he gives me something for arthritis. Arthritis which set in some years later has no cure and I remember Queen Elizabeth, my age mate, had a knee surgery some years ago; when I heard it, I said that’s what goes with ageing. I avoid the ‘owambe’ parties and live a simple life. I cannot eat salad or vegetable soup outside no matter how well prepared. It is all about hygiene,” These days she goes to Eko Hotel to eat out and watch the resident band entertain her with a selection of old school tunes, sometimes asking her to dance with the lead vocalist. When she is not doing this she watches films whether action packed or romantic. Mama’s other love is the sea. Mama is always proud to tell you her father was once a member of the prestigious yacht club sustained by Michael.

Motor boats and yacht clubs where you can view the ships lazily roll in and out of the harbour, are ready outlets to fulfill mama’s yearnings for the peace the sea provides; at other times she is at a jetty watching a cruise in one of such boats often idle and begging for a ride, having been moored on their anchors for too long. When this is not happening, she sits back to watch

the sea and its fishermen, the rich club of sea farers cruising down the lane on their contraptions or toys of affl f uence on a mystic Sunday morning when the rest of us are returning from service; when mama is not watching a boat ride, she sits back to survey the beautiful divide that separates Victoria Island from Ikoyi and possibly engage in a chat with one of her many grand children or reading her favourite newspaper The Vanguard.

That sounds like a weekend in Mama’s ever busy life but it may well be she has gone to supervise purchases meant to stock Andrew’s, Michael’s son’s food store, with detailed precision that ensures all his needs are met over a programmed time lag. “We do our purchases for him and I ensure everything is in order,” she explains.

The same devotion she has for Andrew extends to every member of the clan. “I travelled for my granddaughter Louise’s wedding in Athens Greece last July,” mama tells her curious visitor, to drive the point home

Mama’s Birthday y Message g Mama’s birthday message is firebrand and starts with a comparison between colonial Nigeria and the Nigeria we inherited. Her verdict is that we should take the best of what we inherited and combine it with those values nature has bestowed on us, the growth of science and technology and run with it. Sadly, she observes, that the Nigeria of today has perfected the colonial racist mentality, combined with bad governance to the detriment of the common man. This posture, she argues, must change now in favour of the common man in the street before we all get consumed by an impending revolution.

At a point in Nigeria’s history, it was unheard of that the colonial overlord or his lower rank staff was to be seen living elsewhere reserved for the masses and their leaders. It didn’t really matter whether such people fell in the category of plumbers and bricklayers as long as they were on her majesty’s service. In the same way Ikoyi and other GRAs in the country were no-go areas for Nigerians. The colonial government also had its segregated churches such as Saviours Church just as hospitals and certain institutions that were reserved for the British. Racism was very active in the church.

Mama laments: “Sadly, when independence came, another form of colonial mentality driven by the black man set in.

Rather than fight for real freedom away from poverty, sickness, disease and ignorance, the new Ikoyi inhabitants expanded their territory. An example is the sacking of Maroko residents; Maroko was a peasant community of fishermen and women whose residents were evicted. And accused of being illegal occupants; thereafter a new territory complementing Ikoyi emerged.

“First there was Victoria Island which was founded in 1948 by the colonial government to reduce mosquito breeding after compensation was paid to the Oniru Chieftaincy Family. The

owners of the land were relocated to Maroko only to be evicted in July 1990 by the Governor Raji Rasaki Administration.

“Maroko was later known as Victoria Island Extension.

Maroko, a once vibrant and throbbing fishing community of peasants has been swallowed by a predator waiting to expand its territory in the natural order of things. The desire to accommodate Nigeria’s new big men also meant the grass root person who was assumed not to be in tune with progress and modern development, should give up what he has in the interest of the Big Man. That trend, mama argues goes on all around the country and no one is listening to the voice of the oppressed. I am also a victim.

“A Nigerian big man seized my property using his contacts.

What can you do when that happens than to reach out to God because the big man is more powerful than you are?

If Mama can endure the pain how many people who are lesser than she is in terms of material acquisition and position in life can survive this type of abuse of privilege? That is the definition fi of the Nigerian Big Man, an oppressor. The abandon nment and subjugation of the common man by the Nigerian big man have given rise to all manner of criminal activities including kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual murder and the like, argues Mama.

“That is our New World, she says but what was it like in mama’s days?

Her response: “The world was still a virgin territory and Nigeria was part of that virgin territory. Even the Marina whose banks were a beauty to behold has lost its enchantment on those using its walkways. Who would have imagined the huge reclamation of land from the sea that has taken place and is still going on in the Atlantic leaving Lagos a shadow of its old self.

So many houses are getting closer to the road and fortresses are built to shield the homes away from criminals.

“In my days discipline was high and far surpassed what I see today. Life was relaxed and the transportation system within the city was comfortable and as good as what obtains in the city of London. Traffi f c was not as stressful as you have it now, and crime-armed robbery, kidnapping, this high spate of ritual murders, the looting of the commonwealth by those in governn ment as well as the lack of infrastructure and its maintenance where it existed, were not there because we cared for the little we had. Now with a soaring population and corruption by those in government, whatever corruption and other lapses there were before independence sound like Alice in Wonderr land. How many people had cars in our days?

“Do you know when we were small we had nothing but were happy and contented; today we have so much yet we are not as contented? The unbridled desire to get rich quick and live like the Joneses became rampant after military takeover and the civil war, which is why some people are wondering whether that experience was a blessing or a curse to nation building.”

38

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͯ͝Ë&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

NEWSXTRA

WE SHARE IN YOUR PAIN`...

L-R: Wife of former Deputy President of the Senate, Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu; Catholic Bishop of Awgu Diocese, Most Rev. John Okoye; and Senator Ike Ekweremadu during a condolence visit to the Bishop on Friday over the accident that claimed the lives of several pupils and staďŹ&#x20AC; of Presentation Nursery and Primary School, Awgu, Enugu State.

Rights Body Laments Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Disregard for Federal Character A Rights Advocacy Group; Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has decried what it called continuous breaches of federal character principles by President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly his appointments in PENCOM and National Population Commission despite oppositions.

The body alleged that the President had consistently disre-

garded the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution which was negatively impacting on the peace of the nation which they said was based on several principles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Specifically, Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in

such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like most Nigerians, HURIWA is not surprised at the

Atiku Greets Afe Babalola at 91 Chuks Okocha Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Former vice president and the presidential candidate of the PDP in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar has felicitated with legal giant, Chief Afe Babalola, as he marks his 91 years birthday.

Atiku in his verified tweet handle said, "To be 91 and still retain mental and physical fitness like Aare Afe Babalola is the kind of grace everyone prays

for. For almost 60 years, Aare Babalola remains a colossus in the Nigerian law enterprise, making him the most senior attorney in the country."

According to the former vice president, "He is also in the elite list of promoters of quality education in our great country.

Aare Babalola is a giant in different dimensions, but nowhere is his height more towering than his devotion to God and philan-

thropy to the people."

Atiku said he joined other Nigerians and global admirers of the legal icon.

He said, "I join millions of your admirers across the world from diverse fields of endeavour to celebrate you on your birthday and ask that the Almighty shall continue to nourish your roots to continue being fruitful to the world.

Happy birthday, Sir."

Ondo 2020: Jegede Drags Akeredolu to Tribunal James Sowole in Akure The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 10, 2020 Election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, has filed a petition at the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the re-election of Govenor Rotimi Akeredolu as the governor of the Sunshine State.

Jegede in the petition, joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC)

and the Deputy Govenor- elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa as respondents.

The INEC, had declared the APC candidate, Akeredolu as the winner of the election, having scored 292,830 as against 195, 791 scored by Jegede.

The results released by INEC, also showed that Akeredolu won in 15 out of 18 local governments in the state.

A Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Mr. Ifedayo

LSUBEB Announces Junior Secondary Schools Placements The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) has announce the release of the lists of primary six pupils to all the six education districts in the state for placement into public Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).

The Head, Public Affairs of the board, Enitan Adewunmi in a statement made available to THISDAY, advised parents/ guardians to check their wardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; placement at the various primary schools they attended.

Adedipe is the lead counsel for the Governorship candidate of the PDP. Jegede in the petition, among others, alleged that the election was married by irregularities and pockets of violence and intimidation. The PDP candidate, also faulted the emergence of Akeredolu during partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primaries.

Jegede said with the filing of the petition,he had broken his silence on the election.

"In the last 19 days I have been silent, today we break that silence in obedience to the provisions of our laws. We commence a challenge against the declaration and return made by INEC in respect of the Ondo State Governorship election of 10th October, 2020._ "By this process, let our people again begin to hope for a better future to the glory of God," Jegede said.The Tribunal Secretary, Mr. Musa Jamilu Bako, said neccessary parties, would be served.

controversies that have trailed the appointments of the Director General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and the Chairman of the National Population Commission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First, it is on record that PenCom; a critical agency tasked with regulating, supervising and ensuring the effective administration of pension matters in Nigeria, has been without a board or substantive head since April 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Secondly, President Buhari has injected his sectional politics into the National Pension Commission, and further accentuating the leadership crisis bedeviling PENCOM by nominating Aisha Umar from

the North-West geopolitical zone as director-general of the regulatory body. â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to Section 20(1) and section 21(1) and (2) of the National Pension Commission Act 2014: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint a replacement from the geopolitical zone of the immediate past member that vacated office to complete the remaining tenure.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the records, AnohuAmazu was appointed DG in 2014 for a renewable five-year term by then President Goodluck Jonathan, but was controversially removed by Buhari in 2017 along with 22 other heads of federal agencies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shortly afterwards, Buhari

presented Aliyu Abdurahman Dikko from another zone to the Senate for confirmation as the DG along with five others as chairman and executive commissioners. This immediately provoked a storm of protests.

Senators pointed out the illegality of the choice, as â&#x20AC;&#x153;an absolute breachâ&#x20AC;? of the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unconcerned, President Buhari continued to pursue his sectional mission. Though forced to withdraw Dikkoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candidature, he retained Umar as acting DG since then, perhaps to wait out Anohu-Amazuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term, which ended in 2019, so as to circumvent the law and deny the South-East zone the slot.

Akeredolu Wants Illegal Arms, Ammunitions Surrendered James Sowole Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?

The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has granted a grace of seven days within which all those in possession of illegal arms and ammunition must turn in such.

Akeredolu's directive was contained in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientations, Mr. Donald Ojogo.

The governor said the seven days period of grace commenced from yesterday, Friday October 30, 2020.

Akeredolu specifically directed that all such arms and ammunition should be returned to the Commandant of the South West Security Network, otherwise known as AMOTEKUN at the Pa Fasoranti's Gardens, Alagbaka, Akure.

According to the governor's directive, all those in the category of illegal arms and ammunition bearers are to take advantage of this window of grace to turn in these deadly weapons as security agencies shall take necessary steps against defiance after the seven days period.

He said: "Those who find it difficult to physically present such arms and ammunition for obvious reasons are advised and indeed, encouraged to call 08079999989 for further advice and instructions on appropriate steps to be taken."

Meanwhile, Akeredolu has expressed concern over what he described as the low level of policing in Ondo State.

"The general observation across the state shows a very low level of policing which is risky to society. Of note, policing is key and can only thrive on a note of mutual trust and respect.

"We can all, only strive for a better society and brace up to take maximum advantage of lessons learnt from the unfortunate incidents of the last two weeks.

"Saddening as the events appear, there is no doubt that a fresh orientation, perception of self-appraisal as well as an encouraging mood of sober reflection pervades the Nation", Akeredolu said.

The governor therefore, advised the Police authorities take up their responsibilities as an institution and take charge of the public space for the good of all.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

39

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ 31, 2020

SPORTS XTRA AFCON Qualifiers

Amunike Calls for Ajayi’s Inclusion in Super Eagles

F

ormer Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, Emmanuel Amunike, believes that Al Ahly forward Junior Ajayi should be calledup for the Nigerian national team squad.

Ajayi is having his second best goalscoring season since joining Al Ahly, with 11 goals in 42 games. He still has at least two games, in the CAF Champions League and the Egypt Cup, to break his first season’s record of 12 goals.

He also lifted his fourth

league title with the Red Devils and could be on the verge of winning his first domestic treble.

Al Ahly have qualified to the Champions League final where they will face the winner between Zamalek and Raja Casablanca. They are also set

to play Second Division side AbouQir in the Egypt Cup quarter-finals.

Despite being a regular in Nigeria’s youth teams, even winning the U-23 AFCON in 2015. Since moving to Cairo Ajayi was barely considered for a spot in Gernot Rohr’s.

The German manager calledup the 24-year-old just one on 2018, where he played just two minutes against in a 2-0 defeat to Serbia.

The Former Zamalek and FC Barcelona winger said that the former CS Sfaxien man deserves a call-up.

“I believe thatAjayi deserves to be given an opportunity like every other player and then it is up to him to take the opportunity,” Amunike told ESPN. “He has been with Ahly for many years now and he has been doing very well and playing at a high level consistently. I think that looking at what he has done with Ahly club he deserves to be given the opportunity.

“It will now be up to him to make a statement that will convince the technical staff that he has something to add to the team,” he added.

Speaking in the same vien, former Nigeria international, Jonathan Akpoborie, agrees with Amunike saying that he could be a valuable asset.

“Ajayi deserves the Nigerian shirt. Compared to most of the strikers I have seen so far for Nigeria. He scores and can create chances for his fellow players,”Akpoborie explained.

“He is fast and he is an all-round striker that scores goals from inside and outside the box. He will be a valuable asset for the Nigerian team,” he concluded.

Djokovic Suffers Shock Defeat at Vienna Open

Wolves players celebrating one of their goals in the 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace in a Premier League game yesterday

FIFA, Minister Agree on Youth Football Development Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare alongside ministers from selected countries yesterday had an online meeting with the top brass of the world football governing body, FIFA where it was agreed that a new course must be taken to ensure youth football development.

Speaking during the third edition of the Town Hall with Nigerian Youths, Dare said, “The Ministry of Youth and Sports

Development is working with the Nigerian Football Federation in collaboration with the La Liga to organise training for coaches.

We have asked the NFF to expand this programme to ensure that young coaches get proper training.

I would take the message of youth coaches training back to the NFF so that this can be expanded. The National Institute for Sports also trains quality coaches.

We encourage youths to attend regular

trainings.”

Dare disclosed that “I had a meeting with Fifa which wants to deepen youth involvement in football, coaches, referees, grassroots and secondary schools.

They also need to deepen information network. I want to see more youths in the coaching crew of the Super Eagles, Flying Eagles and other junior teams. We would continue to create opportunities for our youths”

Caf Sets Dates for Semi-final, Final for Champions League The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced new dates for the last two matches in this year’s Champions League.

The semi-final second leg between Egypt’s Zamalek and Raja Casablanca of Morocco will now be played on November 4, with kick-off at the Cairo International Stadium set for 1900GMT. The Moroccan champions lost 1-0 to Zamalek in the first leg in Casablanca earlier this month and are battling to

meet another Egyptian side, Al Ahly, in the final.

That final will be played on November 27, at the Borg Al Arab Stadium near Alexandria, with both games set to be played behind closed doors.

The second leg of the semi-final had twice been postponed after an outbreak of Covid-19 at Raja in the run-up to the fixture.

Initially the match should have been played in Cairo on October 24, before

it was delayed by a week due to the outbreak.

The final itself was originally set for November 6, but has been delayed by three weeks after Egyptian authorities expressed concerns about the timing of the games because of parliamentary elections in Egypt.

Fulfilling the 2019-2020 Champions League season has proven extremely challenging for Caf because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pelé Congratulates “Great Friend Maradona” on his 60th Birthday Living football legend “King” Pelé yesterday wished his “great friend” Diego Maradona a happy birthday on his 60th birthday, assuring the Argentine that he would “always” support him.

“My great friend Maradona. I will always applaud you, I will always support you (...) That you continue to smile and make me smile”, wrote the three-time Brazilian world champion on his Instagram

account.

This message, in Spanish, Portuguese and English, is illustrated with a photo of Pelé in costume, alongside Maradona wearing the Argentina jersey, before a friendly match against Italy on June 10, 1987 in Zurich.

A week ago, the Argentinian congratulated the Brazilian on his 80th birthday, declaring that he wished to “unite in universal homage” to “wish King Pelé

long life”.

Relations between Pelé and Maradona were far from being so cordial in the past, with the two legendary number 10s vying for the title of best footballer of all time in the hearts of fans.

They nevertheless buried the hatchet in 2005, the Brazilian being the guest of honor of the Argentine for his show “La noche del Diez”, with a nice series of head juggles between the two football idols.

Maradona and Pele

World number one Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat by Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the quarter-finals of the Vienna Open.

The Serb was beaten 6-2 6-1 by the world number 42, who only came into the tournament as a lucky loser.

Djokovic looked out of sorts in the opening set as Sonego took control.

The Italian kept up the intensity in the second set, a double break putting him 4-1 up, and he held his nerve for a famous win.

Sonego lost to Aljaz Bedene in the final round of qualifying but earned a spot in the main tournament after the withdrawal of Diego Schwartzman.

He is yet to drop a set on his way to the semi-finals, where he will face either Britain’s Dan Evans or Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.

“It’s the best victory of my life. Novak is the best in the world,” he said.

Ronaldo Recovers from Coronavirus Ronaldo, who tested positive while on international duty with Portugal, is free to come out of self-isolation making him available for Juventus’ Serie A match at Spezia on Sunday; Portugal international missed Wednesday’s Champions League Group G defeat to Lionel Messi’s Barcelona Cristiano Ronaldo has fully recovered from coronavirus, 19 days after initially testing positive for the disease.

The Juventus forward, 35, initially returned a positive test while on international duty with Portugal earlier this month.

Juventus were without the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for their previous four matches, including Wednesday’s Champions League Group G defeat to Barcelona, winning just once in that time.

But the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward is available once again as Juventus resume their Serie Acampaign at Spezia on Sunday.

The statement from Juventus read: “Cristiano Ronaldo carried out a check with a diagnostic test (swab) for Covid 19.

“The exam provided a negative result. The player has, therefore, recovered after 19 days and is no longer subjected to home isolation.”

There was a big build-up surrounding Ronaldo’s potential reunion with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, but the forward’s prolonged bout of coronavirus delayed two of football’s best-ever players meeting again.

They will, though, have the chance to face off when Juventus head to Barcelona on December 8 in the penultimate group game of their Champions League campaign.

Caf President Ahmad Hospitalised after Contracting Covid-19 Confederation of African Football (Caf) President Ahmad Ahmad is to spend five days in hospital in Cairo after contracting coronavirus.

The 60-year-old tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday, two days after flying into the Egyptian capital from Morocco where he had attended Sunday’s Confederation Cup final.

“We have just learned that the president is to be hospitalised for five days on our doctor’s recommendation,” Caf Communications Director Alex Siewe told BBC Sport Africa.

“Patients isolate better in hospital.”

Earlier yesterday, African football’s ruling body announced that the Malagasy was to self-isolate for two weeks.

Saturday, October 31, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE

Tambuwal to FG “We must join forces to prevail on those in charge of federal authority to change their approach. They must engage sections of the country who feel excluded from governance. The country belongs to all of us” – Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal chiding the Buhari-led leadership at the centre for not running an inclusive government.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

The Making of My Interview with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

F

ellow Nigerians, let me start by thanking God for my unusual mindset. I’m also grateful to those who have mentored me in journalism. I single out for mention here, one perfect gentleman in particular, Mr Mike Awoyinfa, who was my Editor at Weekend Concord from March 1989 to May 1990. He remains my Boss for life.

Awoyinfa introduced me to the words “scoop”, “world exclusive” “inside story”, exposé, and so on. He taught me how to search for, and get, uncommon stories. For any seasoned reporter, there is no orgasm sweeter than getting that story everyone is talking about. It does not matter if someone somewhere would not like the story, but everyone must see or feel it ultimately. That is your goal, your holy grail!

I was fortunate to have met my first Boss, Mr Lewis Obi, who gave me a job instantly in 1988 at the African Concord magazine, owned by Chief Moshood Abiola. Obi had told me of his serious gift for identifying and hiring masters of prose above trained reporters. For him, anyone can become a reporter, but not everyone can be a super writer. A good writer can turn a tiny story into a masterpiece. Both of my Bosses, Obi and Awoyinfa, prepared me for my journey through the labyrinth of journalism.

I’m very passionate about special interviews and I do not discriminate once I smell some great news. And anything can trigger my interest in a particular subject or character. My interest in talking to our former Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, was the news of her arrest by the British Police in London. While the Media world went gaga and published salaciously dramatic stories about her, I was interested in locating her and asking some of the burning questions on people’s minds. It didn’t matter if some people would feel offended and intolerant of this world exclusive. Awoyinfa had taught me how to damn the man-made consequences and face my job squarely; that many of the attackers and detractors would later turn around to appreciate my efforts. This has been proven to be the case and has become a well-tested truism over time.

It was this same mindset that led me to MAZI NNAMDI KANU, the influential leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). My Sister-inLaw had forwarded an audio message to me in the heat of the #EndSARS protests. The voice on the audio was clearly that of MAZI NNAMDI KANU, a man whose deification, and apotheosis, is possibly assured. Such is the adoring, and adulating manner and esteem of his people. He is obviously and passionately loved by them.

In the audio, he was firing instructions at some of his supporters. I was greatly alarmed and extremely uncomfortable. The motive was not clear to me. So rather than spread the audio without having the authentic story, I decided to seek him out. Journalists are like detectives.

I knew I had to identify someone close enough to know how to find him. My mind roamed at first far and wide, but almost immediately it set and fastened on the irrepressible Mr Femi Fani-Kayode. I called Fani-Kayode who promised to contact Kanu as soon as possible. He soon returned with a text message to my WhatsApp after he gave my contact to someone very close to MAZI NNAMDI KANU. The gentleman established immediate line of communication with me. By the following morning, I received tentative approval to proceed but to allow a space of about two weeks. I responded that I needed the interview right away in view of the violence visited on some parts of Lagos. I felt it was a fortuitous time to deal with Mazi Kanu’s gospel of emancipation for the Igbos and the violent protests and carnage that had rocked our beloved country, although Kanu will probably not agree

Kanu with me. My request was swiftly granted, and we fixed Thursday, October 29, 2020 as D-Day. My office designed the promotional posters, and we started the publicity in earnest. Then I started getting all kinds of pressure from those who wished to discourage me from interviewing Kanu. I was not surprised because Kanu is simply a very controversial personality loved and hated by throngs alike. He was described sometimes in unprintable and unspeakable ways. I was told he is this and he is that. However, the more they opposed it, the more I knew I must have the Instagram live session. I can be professionally obstinate like that. It must be the very radical past of my youth that comes to the fore at such times. I must confess though that I was pained that even members of my nuclear family were reached and were told and persuaded to dissuade me. I remained adamant and undaunted. I’m a Taurean and we are not so easy to intimidate and bully. I’m glad I did not blink or shrink or shirk away from what I now believed was my responsibility and duty. I was totally focused on my target and mission. And eventually, it worked out as planned.

Once I had concluded that the interview was definitely on and could not be abandoned on the whims and fancies of those who do not respect free speech, freedom of expression and democracy, I set about meticulously planning the event The next thing was therefore to do a thorough research on Kanu and IPOB and prepare to ask the most pertinent, perspicacious, penetrating and most relevant questions. From my research, I knew this could be a very volatile session, so I made sure I rehearsed and choreographed everything in advance and in feverish anticipation. I also prayed. I believe in the efficacy of prayers. I needed to pray because of the contending forces at stake. And God took control.

I had the questions painstakingly prepared and revised several times. The program was elaborately planned.

Dele Momodu Instagram Live Interview Briefing - Special Guest MAZI NNAMDI KANU Time: 8:00 PM (Nigerian time) Duration: 1:00 hour - 4 hours depends on Guest Format: 1. Introduction - A bit about yourself - Educational background - Personal history - Heroes and mentors - Favourite books, movies 2. Matters arising - Current affairs

- Topical issues Questions - You’re seen by many as waging a war against your country Nigeria by seeking a Biafra nation.

What led to your decision?

- Military and security experts have said it is impossible for any country to fight two civil wars without monumental repercussions. Have you considered this?

- The Igbos are obviously marginalized in the political configuration of Nigeria, but they have done extremely well, globally, in business and commerce in general. Won’t their spectacular achievements be put at risk?

- It has been theorised that the so-called “Fulani hegemony” has endured because of the lack of unity amongst the peoples of North Central, South East, South South and South West and that if they unite they would end the perpetual dominance of the so called Northern oligarchy.

Do you agree?

- Is Biafra your only option or you’re willing to work with other oppressed peoples of Nigeria to form a union, like it is in the United Arab Emirates?

- An audio surfaced recently with your voice clearly and audibly directing your operatives to hit some targets in Lagos. What led to this in a State that has really embraced Igbo people of South East and South South extractions?

In retrospect, do you regret this action and are you willing to seize this moment to apologize to the Yoruba people and begin to work with them henceforth?

- What’s your view on the #EndSARS campaign - You and my good friend Femi Fani-Kayode seem to enjoy a special bond. What’s the link?

- Many have sent in this last question about you and President Muhammadu Buhari about your theory of a cloned man and that our current President is a Sudanese man called Jubril. Do you agree that your information might have been wrong?

3. Viewer questions/audience Q & A - Random - Short answers Suggestions: - You’ve been sent posters advertising the live session. Please, feel free to share with your

audience before the session.

- Please follow @delemomoduovation on Instagram. I will do same when I know yours.

- Please try to sit a fair distance away from the camera so we can see you clearly. If possible, please use a phone stand.

- If possible, please have a pair of earphones close by in case viewers complain about the sound bouncing back or echoing...

These were some of the teasing, riveting questions I believed I had for Kanu. I was eager to see how he would react and respond.

Once I was pleased and satisfied, I left the rest to fate. Other questions would flow and follow from the answers to these startling questions. It was my hope and expectation that Kanu would have revelation moments.

About two hours to the live session, Kanu was ready for a test run. I was humbled by his commitment, assiduousness, absolute cooperation and apparent discipline. He agreed I could ask any question, which is always a plus and demonstrates confidence and conviction. The test run ran smoothly, and the few minutes formed part of our promotion and helped reassure viewers that he was truly going to appear. Some had begun to despair!

I must confess, Kanu blew me apart with his sharp wit, witticism and super intellect. I discovered why he commands such humongous respects from his devotees who literally worship him. We had some tense moments. I was glad he apologized over the audio linked to him. We couldn’t agree on his Buhari theory of cloning and such stuff. It was within his rights to hold steadfastly and tenaciously to his beliefs and I also had a duty to let him hear contrary views and opinions.

It is good to talk. That was my conclusion. A democratic government must always promote the culture of dialogue. You can’t fix what or who you don’t understand. Kanu is a remarkably brilliant man. Hate him or love him, he knows what he wants and will do or die for it. My final questions affirmed this.

I asked him one of the viewers’ questions: “are you not aware of repercussions and that your life could be endangered!” His response was astounding. “I’m already a dead man!” That was it, the mother of all interviews.

Consolidation of Handshake Across the Niger An Interactive Session with Iba Gani Adams and Igbo/Yoruba Champions Being Organized by Nzuko Umunna in Partnership with Chief Dele Momodu

1

. The present-day reality facing our dear country calls for concern.

2. Nzuko Umunna being the Igbo organization that initiated and championed the actualization of the Handshake Across the Niger which brought the Yoruba and Igbo alliance/relationship to a more deeper spiritual relationship sees these challenges as only an opportunity to reinforce the spirit of Handshake Across the Niger.

3. For the above reason the leadership of Nzuko Umunna have confirmed the acceptance of Iba Gani Adams to be engaged in an interactive session with the Intelligentsia community of the Igbo and Yoruba Nations in order to help put to permanent rest all the fears and attempt to separate the Igbo and the Yoruba.

4. The outcome of this will show that there is real deep spiritual connection between

the Igbo and the Yoruba 5. It is exciting to announce that the Chairman of Ovation TV, Chief Dele Momodu has accepted to partner with Nzuko Umunna on this project. And this will give the needed visibility to the project which will help to de-escalate the current tension and also deepen the Yoruba/Igbo bond.

6. The zoom conferencing to cover the event will be held on Saturday, 31st October 2020. And we hope to invite young Yoruba and Igbo Rising Stars.

Dr Paschal Mbanefo General Secretary, Nzuko Umunna Mr Ngozi Odumuko Co-ordinator, Nzuko Umunna

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com