SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMMBER 2021

Aliko Dangote Narrates Painful Experience of Watching His Brother Die, Says He was Ticking Time as Life Support Machine Went Off Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote yesterday narrated his painful experience of watching his brother and Vice President of the Dangote Group, Sani

Dangote die in hospital in the United States last Sunday.

Dangote, who spoke while receiving the National Leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu who came

on a condolence visit to his house in Kano, said on the sad day, doctors informed him and members of his family, including their mother, that Sani was going to die in about an hour.

He said they watched as the life-support machine was switched off, ticking time as Sani gave up the ghost.

According to him, it was most painful to be informed that his brother was going

to die in an hour time, and he watched him die with the mother and the entire family.

Dangote further stated that his brother's death “is a great lesson to the living” and urged people to do good

to humanity because no one knows when death would come knocking.

Tinubu and his entourage landed Malam Aminu Continued on page 5

IMF Urges Nigeria to Fully Remove Fuel Subsidies Early 2022… Page 5 Saturday 20 November, 2021 Vol 26. No 9721

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Jonathan: Mismanagement of Diversity, Threat to Unity, Democracy Wants diversity harnessed, translated to strength for a peaceful, prosperous future Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former president Goodluck Jonathan has described the

mismanagement of the ethnic diversity in Nigeria in particular and Africa at large as the basic problem affecting democracy

and unity in the continent.

This is as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the next president of Nigeria could come

from anywhere, adding that what the country needed at the moment 'is good leadership.'

Jonathan who spoke during

the second anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation with the theme, “Democracy and the Unity of the State”, yesterday

in Abuja, said "Our diversity is often misconstrued to be the Continued on page 5

Under Pressure from ‘Igbo Greats’, Buhari Pledges to Consider Amnesty for Kanu ‘You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious… But the demand you made is heavy, I will consider it’

Sa

Deji Elumoye in Abuja Though, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that an unconditional release of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, currently standing trial for treason, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers, and that such a demand was quite heavy, nonetheless, he said he would consider the plea for amnesty for him.

A group of Igbo elders, under the aegis of “Highly Respected Igbo Greats,” led by First Republic parliamentarian Continued on page 5

PenCom Clarifies Ownership of Leadway Pensure’s NEGOTIATING AMNESTY FOR NNAMDI KANU...

Shares in FBN L-R: The former president of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Minister of for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; First Republic parliamentarian and minister of aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi (seated) and President Muhammadu Holdings...Page 6 State Buhari, when members of the “Highly Respected Igbo Greats” visited Buhari, at the State House, Abuja… yesterday

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IMF Urges Nigeria to Fully Remove Fuel Subsidies Early 2022 Wants implementation of cost-reflective electricity tariffs from next January Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Contrary to the federal government's plan to remove subsidy on petrol in the second half of next year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Nigerian government to fully remove fuel subsidy and move to a market-based pricing mechanism in early 2022 as stipulated in the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The IMF, in its 2021 Article IV Mission statement released yesterday also projected that despite high oil prices, Nigeria’s fiscal deficit would widen in 2021 to 6.3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Fiscal deficit is projected at 3.93 per cent and 3.39 per cent of GDP in Nigeria’s 2021 and 2022 budgets respectively.

The IMF, in the report said: "The complete removal of regressive fuel and electricity subsidies is a near-term priority, combined with adequate compensatory measures for the poor.

"In addition, the implementation of costreflective electricity tariffs as of January 2022 should not be delayed. Well-targeted social assistance will be needed to cushion any negative impacts on the poor particularly in light of still elevated inflation.

"Nigeria’s past experiences with fuel subsidy removal, which have all been shortlived and reversed, underscore the importance of building a consensus and improving public trust regarding the protection of the poor and efficient and transparent use of the saved rsources."

The IMF observed that there were significant downside risks to the near-term fiscal outlook from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, weak security situation and spending pressures associated with the electoral cycle.

According to the IMF, over the medium term, without bold revenue mobilisation efforts, fiscal deficits are projected to stay elevated above the pre-

pandemic levels with public debt increasing to 43 per cent in 2026.

It stated: "With the emergence of fuel subsidies and slow progress on revenue mobilisation, the fiscal outlook faces significant risks. Continued reliance on administrative measures to address persistent foreign exchange shortages is negatively impacting confidence."

The IMF observed that the Nigerian economy “is recovering” from a historic downturn benefiting from government policy support, rising oil prices and international financial assistance.

It noted that the Nigerian authorities’ pro-active approach had contained the COVID-19 infection rates and fatalities, adding that with the emergence of fuel subsidies and slow progress on revenue mobilisation, the fiscal outlook faces significant risks.

IMF said: "The economy

is recovering from a historic downturn.

Helped by government policy support, rebounding oil prices and international financial aid, Nigeria exited the recession in 2020 Q4, earlier than expected.

Output rose by 5.4 per cent (y-o-y) in the second quarter, mainly reflecting base effects from transport and trade sectors and continued strong growth in the IT sector.

"However, manufacturing and oil sectors remain weak, reflecting continued foreign exchange shortages, and security and technical challenges. Headline inflation rose sharply during the pandemic reaching a peak of 18.2 per cent y-o-y in March 2021 but has since declined helped by the new harvest season and opening of the land borders.

“Reported unemployment rates are yet to come down although COVID-19 monthly surveys show the employment level to be back at its prepandemic level.

Noting that the outlook is for a subdued recovery, the IMF observed that while Nigeria's real GDP is projected to grow by 2.6 per cent this year and continue in the range of 2.6-2.7 per cent per annum over the medium term, “this is just above the population growth rate implying stagnant per capita income in the medium term."

Despite an ease in food prices, it said inflation is projected to remain in double-digits, in the absence of monetary policy reforms.

It also alluded to significant downside risks to the nearterm outlook arising from the uncertain course of the pandemic and the domestic security situation, in the medium term.

It added that there were upside risks from fasterthan-expected reaching of the Dangote refinery’s production capacity along with effective implementation of the 2021 Petroleum Industry Act in terms of higher manufacturing

After 10-Month Row, Emirates Now Keen on Flights to Nigeria South African Airways resumes Lagos route December 12 Chinedu Eze Emirates Airline says it is keen to resume flight operations in and out of Nigeria, as recent discussions by the federal government and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signalled a “positive way forward.”

Also, South African Airways says it is set to resume its Johannesburg-Lagos route after suspending flights to Nigeria for about 18 months.

Emirates stopped flights to Nigeria in February 2021, when its operation was put on-hold

by the federal government following its demand for COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RDT) for Nigerian travellers, four hours before their flight, as stipulated in the COVID-19 protocols of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Last Thursday, the airline updated its website informing passengers that flight operations remained suspended till November 30, 2021 in Nigeria - despite moves by the Nigerian government to end the 10-month row.

But yesterday, the airline

ALIKO DANGOTE NARRATES PAINFUL EXPERIENCE OF WATCHING HIS BROTHER DIE, SAID HE WAS TICKING TIME AS LIFE SUPPORT MACHINE WENT OFF Kano International Airport (MAKIA), on a private jet, at about midday and they were warmly received by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, members of Ganduje's cabinet and APC chieftains.

An unprecedented crowd also lined up at the airport, waving at the long convoy of the APC National Leader, a potential 2023 presidential aspirant.

Tinubu proceeded

immediately to the residence of business mogul Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who is uncle to Aliko Dangote, at Koki quarters, within the city where he consoled him.

The APC national leader then headed to the residence of Aliko Dangote, at Dambazau Lane, off Lodge Road, Kano.

Tinubu condoled with Aliko and the entire family, adding that if money could buy death, Sani would have been alive today.

issued a statement, saying “it is keen” to restart services to and from Nigeria, following positive reports on ongoing efforts to recognise and certify some laboratories in Abuja and Lagos, which could conduct COVID-19 tests for passengers travelling on Emirates.

The airline said: “The UAE government continues to advance its dialogue with the Nigerian authorities, and the latest discussions signal great optimism for a positive way forward.

“We regularly update our website to keep our customers informed, and although our operations are still on hold, Emirates is keen to restart services to and from Nigeria, and are working closely with designated laboratories in Nigeria to provide the required tests and hopes to be able to get all laboratories ready for

implementation very soon.

“We are committed to Nigeria, and look forward to providing much needed connectivity for our customers, helping to meet growing air travel demand in and out of our two Nigerian gateways, and making air travel more accessible to and through Dubai to over 120 destinations across our global network.”

In February, Emirates directed Nigerian travellers at the Lagos and Abuja airports to conduct rapid COVID-19 tests before departure, which led to a ban on Emirates flights in Nigeria. The ban was later lifted after the airline agreed to stop the rapid antigen tests.

The federal government reintroduced the ban in March, explaining that Emirates had continued to conduct rapid antigen tests for passengers before departure

JONATHAN: MISMANAGEMENT OF DIVERSITY, THREAT TO UNITY, DEMOCRACY source of our challenges, but I feel, if properly harnessed, it will be the source of our greatness."

He explained that one good way to make progress in this regard is to strengthen government institutions to improve integration, equity, and social inclusion in the various nations.

He said: "For us, we carry the burden of promoting peace and prosperity, as aptly captured in our mission, not just in Nigeria, but in Africa and there is no better way than through consistent engagement with different stakeholders in our democratic space.

"Some nations are going

UNDER PRESSURE FROM ‘IGBO GREATS’, BUHARI PLEDGES TO CONSIDER AMNESTY FOR KANU and minister of aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, requested the amnesty for Kanu, during a visit to Buhari at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

While receiving the delegation, led by the 93 yearold statesman, Buhari said: “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious.

“In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused

already. But the demand you made is heavy, I will consider it.”

Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, the President said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and was brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system.

Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”

The President condoled with Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.

The nonagenarian had

from Nigeria. The NCAA had said the move by Emirates violated the country’s COVID-19 protocols - while Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, described it as “discriminatory profiling” of Nigerian travellers.

Meanwhile, South African Airways has said “it plans to re-start” the service on December 12, 2021 and that it would begin with three weekly flights to Lagos.

In a statement, the South African carrier said it had been flying to Nigeria for the past 23 years.

The interim Chief Executive Officer, South African Airways, Thomas Kgolo, was quoted as saying, “This specific destination takes SAA into one of the biggest travel markets in Africa and we’re delighted that we are again able to resume operations, providing a link between Africa’s two biggest economies.”

production and investment in the oil sector.

IMF called for major reforms in fiscal, exchange rate, trade and governance to alter what it described as "the long-running lackluster growth path."

The IMF listed near-term priorities for Nigeria to include the implementation of e-customs reforms, including efficient procedures and controls, developing a Value Added Tax (VAT) compliance improvement programme, improving compliance across large, medium, and micro/small taxpayers and rationalising tax incentives and customs duty waivers. the recent passage of the PIA and stressed its timely implementation.

It stated that preliminary assessments by the IMF and the World Bank suggest that the approved fiscal terms would provide greater incentives to invest in the oil and gas industry but would reduce the fiscal take from new and converted fields.

On exchange rate policy, the IMF called for reduced administrative measures and room for a market-clearing unified exchange rate.

It also endorsed steps taken toward unification of the exchange rate and stressed the need for further actions.

The Fund stated: "The discontinuation of the official exchange rate is a step in the right direction, but continued dependence on administrative measures to address FX shortages sustains uncertainties and increases the risks of a sudden and large adjustment in the exchange rate.

"To preserve competitiveness, any exchange rate adjustment should be accompanied by clear communications regarding exchange rate policy going forward, macroeconomic policies to contain inflation and structural policies to facilitate new investment.

"A further move toward a market-clearing exchange rate will also help build foreign exchange buffers through higher capital inflows.”

described the situation in the Southeast as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that “businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling amid a reign of fear.”

Amaechi pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying.”

He stressed that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with IPOB, but I am highly respected in Igboland today.”

Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter

rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.

He said: “I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr. President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”

Members of the Igbo Great’s delegation were former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike and Tagbo Amaechi.

through many challenges that have continued to pose serious threats to their unity and corporate existence.

"Democracy thrives on the mutuality of trust between government and the people and among the different groups within a state.

"This Dialogue: 'Democracy and the Unity of State' captures the essence of democracy, which drives its steam from productive civic engagements. The event of today therefore creates an open forum for brothers and sisters and friends alike to discuss our common challenges and share experience on how to surmount them."

The former president said that friends from outside Nigeria had also been invited to share the experiences of their nations and the lessons from their democratic journey in a complex and diverse setting.

Jonathan said, "Our expectation therefore is to mobilise well-meaning citizens and leaders across board towards addressing some of the anxieties in our various nations.

"In Africa we need to harness

our diversities and differences and translate them to strength for a more peaceful and prosperous future."

He affirmed that the weapons of warfare in times like this should be love, justice and hope as the pursuit of these virtues will guarantee sustainable peace and unity in Africa.

"While guns, drones and other artillery may win the war, to win the peace we need to constantly engage in meaningful conversations in order to reach a compromise on issues affecting us all," he explained.

In his goodwill message, the Senate President, Lawan said the next president of Nigeria could come from any part of the country, stressing that what matters most is good leadership.

While referring to Jonathan, he said, "My belief is that you have demonstrated very clearly that this country can be great. It can be great if the political class decides to be selfless. Most of us here don’t belong to the PDP, we are here because you are a unifier."

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

NEWS

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

PenCom Clarifies Ownership of Leadway Pensure’s Shares in FBN Holdings James Emejo in Abuja The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has clarified that funds invested in FBN Holdings Plc by Leadway Pensure Ltd belong to Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders.

In a statement yesterday, PenCom said further that contrary to reports in sections of the media, Leadway Pensure Ltd did not break any laws by investing in FBNH.

However, the pension regulator said the equity investments in FBN Holdings made by Leadway Pensure Ltd on behalf of the pension funds under its management “are in the name of the pension fund and belong to the RSA” and “cannot be appropriated or classified as shareholdings of any related party to the PFA”.

This may put to rest claims that the Chairman of Leadway Insurance, Tunde Hassan-

Resist Temptations from Drug Barons, Marwa Charges New NDLEA Officers Michael Olugbode in Abuja Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) has charged 2,000 newly trained officers of the anti-narcotics body to resist every temptation that would make them compromise their duties and responsibilities.

Marwa gave the charge yesterday at the passing out parade of the new officers at the NDLEA Academy, Jos, Plateau State.

He reminded them that they were coming into the agency at a time when the institution was being overhauled to make it more effective and efficient, and as such their months of training at the Academy must count through impactful contributions to its goal of ridding Nigeria of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

He said, “You are coming into the agency at an auspicious time when the management has

pushed the reset button and commenced the overhaul of the old system and its encumbrances.

Your employment coincides with a time we are putting in place all that is necessary to foster the enabling work environment that makes a career in the NDLEA gratifying.

“Having been given the necessary training, we expect you to make your presence count with impact contributions to the achievement of the Agency’s objectives in its campaign against abuse and trafficking of illicit substances. Qualities such as loyalty, discipline and diligence would help you to have a fulfilling career in a paramilitary organisation such as NDLEA. “Let me also bring to your awareness how important you are now to society. Only very few occupations afford an individual the opportunity of direct, meaningful impact on society’s well-being.”

You are part of a community

ISWAP Attacks Damboa, Six Civilians Injured Six days after the attack that killed a general and three other officers of the Nigerian Army in Chibok/Askira Uba, Borno State, Damboa, another neighbouring town yesterday came under severe attack by terrorists of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The insurgents who came in about 10 gun-trucks attacked the town in the early hours of yesterday, setting houses and public property ablaze.

Sources said the terrorists came in through the Sabon Gari area of the town.

The attack was, however, repelled by the troops after a battle which lasted for about two hours.

The insurgents who were overpowered by the troops retreated through Sandia Village.

Nigerian troops have already taken control of the area and are currently “on a show of force” around the town.

Ugwuanyi Lists Achievements in Business Investment, ICT Innovation Feeling fulfilled by the remarkable feats his administration has recorded in business investment development, Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovation and creativity, start-ups, product acceleration and wealth creation for the youth of Enugu State, among others, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday, said that the state government has continued to play its leading role as a business and investment enabler.

Governor Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration has been able to continue to play the role through provision of robust

infrastructure; peaceful and secure operating environment for business and investment; consistent and favourable policies; and facilitation of all bureaucratic processes required for starting and doing business “through our One-Stop Investment-Centre (OSIC) under the Enugu State Investment Development Authority (ESIDA).”

The governor added that the role his administration hadcontinued to play as a business and investment enabler was also achievable through “friendly tax regime and professional regulatory oversight as significant co-factors for investment inflow.”

Odukale and related entities own 5.36% stake in FBNH, which would have made him the single largest shareholder.

After billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola acquired 5.07% stake in FBNH, Seye Kosoko, the company secretary, had written to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) attributing Leadway Pensure PFA’s entire 2.11% stake to Hassan-Odukale.

Kosoko also listed 1.36% of “ZPC/Leadway Assurance Prem & Inv Coll Acct” investment in favour of Hassan-Odukale.

With PenCom’s clarification,

the shareholding attributed to Hassan-Odukale is likely to be whittled down to less than 4%. Otedola’s stake of stake of 5.07% may now make him the largest single shareholder of FBNH. ‘Investments Don’t Belong to Third Party’ In its statement last night, PenCom said: “The Commission’s attention has been drawn to several publications in the media alleging breach of its regulation on investment of pension fund assets by Leadway Pensure Ltd, a licensed Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), in the

equities of FBN Holdings Plc. “The Commission categorically states that the allegations are not correct and must have been made based on the lack of understanding of the investment regulation issued by the Commission.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to clarify as follows: The equity investments in FBN Holdings made by Leadway Pensure Ltd on behalf of the pension funds under its management are in the name of the pension fund and belong to the RSA. “Therefore, the equity investments in FBN Holdings

Plc as stated in (1) above, cannot be appropriated or classified as shareholdings of any related party to the PFA. “Records which can be confirmed from the Securities and Exchange Commission show that the equity investments in FBN Holdings Plc are in the name of the Pension Fund on behalf of the RSA holders.”

“The Commission restates its commitment to fulfilling its regulatory and supervisory functions as well as ensuring the safety of pension assets and the soundness of the Pension Industry.”

BE CONSOLED. . .

L-R: National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje during a condolence visit by Tinubu to Dangote over the death of Alhaji Sani Dangote, Vice President, Dangote Group...yesterday.

Terrorists Kill 2 Police Officers in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina ≠º Two officers of the Katsina State Police Command have been killed by terrorists in Baure Village of Safana Local Government Area of the state.

This is as the state chapter of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has called on the state government to lift the suspension of telecommunications services in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, who disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Katsina, said the

police officers lost their lives in a gun duel with the hooligans last Thursday.

He said ASP Yakubu Joshua, attached to 27 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Katsina and Sgt Zaharadeen Yuguda attached to Safana Division were killed by the terrorists in a crossfire at their enclave in Baure village.

Buba explained that the police team led by the Dutsinma Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP, Aminu Umar were able to dislodge the hoodlums, killing two of them in the process and recovered one AK-47 rifle with

35 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition among other items. He said, “On November 18, 2021 at about 1700hrs, based on credible intelligence, Area Commander, Dutsinma, ACP Aminu Umar, led a combined team of policemen and vigilante to bandits’ hideout at Baure village, Safana LGA of Katsina State and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.

“The team succeeded in dislodging the bandits, killed two notorious bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle with thirty-five (35) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition of AK 47 rifle.

“In the course of scanning

the scene, two unregistered motorcycles, Kasea and Boxer, vest of charms were recovered.

“Sadly, two gallant police officers – AP.NO.151332 Asp Yakubu Joshua, attached to 27 Police Mobile Force, (PMF), Katsina and F/NO.264575 Sgt Zaharadeen Yuguda attached to Safana Division, paid the supreme price and died in a crossfire.”

He, however, said despite the incident, police would remain “resolute and committed in the ongoing fight against recalcitrant bandits until they are arrested and dealt with in accordance with extant laws of the land.”

Bandits Attack Village in Benue, Kill 7 George Okoh in Makurdi Seven villagers were killed yesterday by bandits who attacked Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala Local government Area of Benue State.

A local source said the bandits came in the evening and killed seven persons including volunteer guard members while also injuring two others and a priest.

He said the five injured persons are in the hospital including the Catholic priest

from Mbatseer Village who was going to Tor Donga.

“They met him, shot at him and killed the person in the car with him,” the source said.

He said the incident took place between 5pm to -5:30pm.

According to the Local Government Chairman of Katsina Ala, Mr. Alfred Atera who confirmed the killings, said they attackers were the final remnants of a notorious militia leader Mr. Azonto.

According to him, the

volunteer guards saw one Santer who was driving the car that they came in with.

“The volunteer guards blocked the road when they saw them but they didn’t have anything to protect themselves so they ran away.”

He said all the security agencies in the state have been informed.

“The police, OPWS and security adviser, we are on top of it, doing our best to ensure that we get them. Yes,

you know something that we have never experienced for a long time is coming up again and the residents are afraid. We’re making sure that we assure them that we will arrest these bandits.

According to a military source who did not want to be named, unknown gunmen in a moving vehicle, on Thursday at about 4:40p.m. at Tor Donga in KatsinaAla LGA, forced themselves through the vigilante check point along Katsina-Ala/Tor Donga Road.

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Alleged Money Laundering: Court Discharges Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos yesterday, discharged and acquitted, Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia, from allegations of money laundering filed against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Lewis Allagoa discharged the embattled judge while granting an application to

quash and dismiss the charges, filed and argued by her lawyer, Mr. Wale Akoni, SAN. In urging the court to dismiss the money laundering charge, Akoni informed the court that the application was sequel to an order made by Justice Binta M. Nyako of Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, which he said quashed all the recommendations made by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Gombe Attack: Police Yet to Act on Goje’s Petition Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The police high command is yet to commence investigation into the petition submitted by Senator Danjuma Goje, 11 days after its submission.

Goje was recently attacked by thugs in Gombe on his way to attend a wedding. Police sources said the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, had directed the AIG Zone 3 to take over the matter immediately the petition was received.

It was gathered that the matter is yet to be attended to.

This may not be unconnected with the power play between the political gladiators involved.

The lawmaker’s convoy was attacked on Friday, November 5, by suspected political thugs while he was going to the state

capital to attend a wedding.

Goje, the senator representing Gombe Central, subsequently petitioned the IG and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith.

In the petition, dated November 8 and signed by his lawyer, Mr. V.C Nwadike, the lawmaker alleged that the attack was masterminded by the security aides of the state chief executive.

He also petitioned the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.

“Our boss here in Abuja had directed Zone 3 to take the case but I don’t think there is anything on ground to show the case is being handled,” a source said.

Akoni also told the court that by virtue of judgment of Justice Binta Nyako, delivered on November 28, 2019, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/638/2018, between Hon, Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia and National Judicial Council, there can be no valid charge against Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

He stated that Justice Nyako did not only quash the change, she also recommended that she should be reinstated as a judge of the Federal High Court.

Opposing the application, counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that his Commission had responded to the application through a counter affidavit.

EFCC in its counter-affidavit

deposed to by John Michael Idoko, attached to the Chairman’s Monitoring Unit, stated that he was informed by S. I. Suleiman that the applicant, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had filed an application dated March 23, 2021, praying the court to strike out or quash the charge against the applicant for being incompetent and lack of jurisdiction to try same by this honourable court.

The deponent stated that the court has the requisite power to hear and determine the allegation of money laundering levelled against the defendant.

He stated that by a petition dated December 28, 2017, to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the anti-graft agency ac-

cused Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia of various acts constituting misconduct under Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers The deponent averred that on September 18, 2018, the NJC’s investigating Committee, upon the conclusion of the hearing of the petition submitted its report to the Chairman of the Council recommending appropriate sanction to be imposed on Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia by the Council. Adding that on November 7, 2018, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces exercised his constitutional power pursuant to Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and dismissed the

Applicant as a judge of the Federal High Court.

The deponent stated that upon the exercise of the aforementioned constitutional power, the President equally transmitted a letter to the National Judicial Council informing the Council of his decision. And that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia has never been acquitted of the offences contained in the instant charge in any Court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

He also stated that NJC’s findings and recommendations to the President and the President’s letter to the Council were all on the record before this honourable court.

Abiodun Releases N3bn for Cooperative FIRMING UP AGAINST DRUG… Deductions, Pension Gratuities Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), James Sowole in Abeokuta As part of efforts to address the plight of workers and pensioners in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday released N2 billion for settlement of four months, which is part of Global Cooperative deductions.

The deductions, it was gathered, was part of the debt profile inherited from the past administration.

The governor also promised to settle the rest of the deductions by releasing one billion naira quarterly until all the deductions made were defrayed. Similarly, he released another N1bn for state and local government pensioners’ gratuities.

The new gratuities is a 100 per cent increment from the earlier quarterly payment of N500m he had earlier commenced last year.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Shomorin, in a statement quoted a press conference addressed by Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Ogun State branch, Comrade Akeem Lasisi.

According to Shomorin, the conference was addressed after a meeting between the leaders of Labour and Pensioners’ Unions and Governor Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to the TUC Chairman, “we had a fruitful meeting with the governor today. This is a follow-up to other meetings we had before. In the meeting, we told the governor that workers are tensed up and restless due to non- payment of their deductions and the Governor agreed to do something about it.”

Onuigbo Commends President’s Assent to Climate Change Bill The lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the Climate Change Bill, saying the president’s gesture was a strong statement of the country’s commitment towards meeting her climate change obligations and setting the country on the path to sustainable development.

“To achieve this, ambitious commitments followed up by actions are needed from governments,” Onuigbo, who was the Chairman, House Committee

on Climate Change in the 8th Assembly, said.

“According to the CODE RED report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released in August, the world needs to make concerted efforts to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 before the end of the century to avoid a climate catastrophe,” he added.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a release on Thursday, November 18, 2021, stated that the President signed the Climate Change Bill into law.

presenting awards to some of the 2,000 newly trained Narcotic Officers during their passing out parade at agency’s academy in Jos, Plateau State …yesterday.

Davido Hints at Giving Away Almost N200m Birthday Cash Gift Bennett Oghifo Celebrity artiste, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has hinted at giving away almost N200 million cash gift he received on his birthday this week.

“Might give it all away,” Davido wrote yesterday on his Twitter page, and this has been interpreted as a definite hint at what he intends to do with the huge fund he has received so far.

The award-winning artiste had challenged each of his friends, fans and associates to donate a million Naira on his birthday this week, with a target of N100 million, which was exceeded within an hour, according to the singer, who shared evidence of payment on his Instagram page.

Davido’s Instagram post requesting birthday cash gift read, “We rise by lifting others abi? Me I don dey rise dey lifting

others for the past 100 years. So, I want to know who my friends are. All of my friends one one million Naira. They said we are 30BG. If you don’t send your own, you out of here. You are gone (sic).”

Initially, Davido’s post where he requested N1 million donation was taken as a huge joke, but it took an interesting twist within an hour when he reportedly said he had received

over N53 million, and the funds kept hitting the account he provided.

Billionaire Femi Otedola was said to be one of the early donors, but the amount was not disclosed. Renowned socialite and entertainment grand-master, Obi Cubana responded early also with an undisclosed amount, just as he did not say what others, including Patoranking and E-Money lodged.

2023 Guber: Gbagi is First to Formally Declare Intention to Contest Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba As political activities toward the 2023 election in the country gather momentum, renowned businessman and frontline Education Minister, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State had an onerous task in choosing its gubernatorial flag

bearer at the election.

Gbagi on Wednesday was received in an audience by state PDP leadership in Asaba, where he formally declared his intention to run for the governorship ticket of the party in 2023.

The lawyer and criminologist, who had a large retinue of supporters including community and youth leaders from across the state, was received officially

by the members of the Delta State Executive Council of the PDP led by its Chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso amid cultural dance rendition by a royal troupe from Agbara Kingdom.

The former Education Minister stressed that as a party on a rescue mission in Nigeria today, the choice of who the PDP puts forward was very critical to the survival, prosperity and

progress of Delta State beyond the present administration of Governor Okowa.

Gbagi, who asserted that the state could not afford a governor who could only survive at mercy of the state treasury, pleaded with the state party leaders to grant him an equitable platform to express and sell himself to Deltans about his plans, capability and readiness to serve.

Kamala Gets Presidential Powers as Biden Goes for Surgery Bennett Oghifo United States President Joe Biden yesterday temporarily transferred powers to his Vice President Kamala Haris to enable him undergo routine colonoscopy, a procedure that requires anesthesia, at the Walter

Reed Medical Center in Maryland.

This transfer of powers and duties makes Kamala Harris the first female in the history of the United States to be President, though briefly, since the President resumed his powers and duties shortly after the

procedure yesterday, according to a tweet by White House Press Secretary, Ms. Jen Psaki stating that the procedure was complete and that President Biden had “resumed his duties.”

Prior to the procedure, President Biden yesterday communicated to Hon-

ourable Patrick Leahy, President Pro Tempore, United States Senate, his desire to transfer powers and responsibilities of the office of the United States President to Kalama Haris as required by the Constitution, because he would be sedated.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

NEWS

N’Assembly Transmits Amended 2021 Electoral Act to Buhari for Assent Deji Elumoye inAbuja The National Assembly has transmitted the 2021 Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill it passed this month to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

The two chambers of the National Assembly had earlier this month passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill making provision for electronic transmission of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and adoption of direct primaries by the parties for the election of their candidates in future polls.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, who made this known yesterday, stated that the bill had been transmitted to President Buhari yesterday.

He said, “Please be informed that in pursuance of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004, the National Assembly has transmitted the Electoral Bill 2021 to Mr. President today Friday, November 19, 2021.”

Chairman of the Senate Com-

mittee on INEC, Senator Kabiru Gaya, had earlier hinted that the National Assembly would this week transmit the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021 to President Buhari for his assent.

According to him, the legislative arm expected that President Buhari would sign the bill into law before long.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had also on Thursday during a visit to President Buhari at the State House in Abuja, hinted of the possibility of the President signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill

into law.

On whether the Electoral Act Amendment Bill had been transmitted to the President and when it would be done, Gbajabiamila said: “It’s on the way. You can be sure of that.”

He had told journalists that the President was in support of the direct primary for political parties to produce candidates for elections.

The Speaker said President Buhari had been a product of direct primaries because of his popularity, adding that direct primaries open up the political space for the youths to participate.

Omnia Trains Interfaith Peacemakers to Avert Religious Clashes Bennett Oghifo Omnia Institute for Contextual Leadership, a group of interfaith peacemakers, has said it trained over 3,500 peacemakers and organised them into 94 Interfaith Peacemaker Teams (IP Teams), beginning from 2017 to counter religious extremism, religion-based oppression, domination and violence.

The group said in a statement it issued yesterday that the “IP- teams, which consists of imams and pastors, demonstrate that when the two dominant religions: Muslims and Christians collaborate and build power, public perception changes. It reduces the tolerance of extremism, conflict, and lead to increment in affirmation of pluralism. This collaboration of interfaith leaders has

further reduced space for extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP to recruit young residents in the North-east.”

The IP teams, the group said have played significant roles through empowerment providing antidote to poverty, as young Nigerians have found pathway to entrepreneurial opportunities through skills acquisitions, as artisans such as tailors, hair dressers, among other vocations.

In further pursuit of peace in the region, OMNIA IP teams have commenced training of peacemakers in Maiduguri, the ancient city almost wrecked by Boko Haram insurgency.

It said “75 Christian and Muslim leaders have been trained by Reverend Abare Kallah OMNIA’s National Coordinator for Nigeria.

GAC Motors, Stakeholders Lament State of Auto Industry, Seek Govt’s Support Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

TALKING DEMOCRACY… L-R: Nkoyo Toyo, former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and former member of National Assembly; former President Jonathan; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Senator Olumbunmi Adetunmbi from Ekiti State and former NTA director, Eugene’s Abu; at the Goodluck Jonathan 2021 Democracy Dialogue in Abuja…yesterday.

The General Manager, CIG Motors Company Limited, marketers and sole distributor of GAC motor brand in Nigeria, Mr. Arogundade Jubril and other stakeholders in the automotive and road transport sector yesterday lamented the poor state of the automobile industry and called on government at all levels to support the sector in order to save it from imminent collapse.

The stakeholders were in unison that the sector was in a state that needed urgent resuscitation.

Jubril who spoke at the o΀cial unveiling of the 21st Abuja International Motor Fair held at the International Conference Centre, Annex, said that the automobile industry would not survive as an industry without government’s support noting that most thriving

businesses especially in Africa required substantial government support.

“We are being encouraged to go into assembling, where we need to assemble locally. But if we assemble these cars in Nigeria and nobody to patronise us, what relevance is that to our business enterprise? So government needs to come in.

“First of all, government needs to be the up-takers of these vehicles that will be assembled in the country. That is the Àrst way to support. Secondly, the government needs to provide the enabling environment for citizens to have the means to purchase these vehicles, meaning that they can work into a bank and get a credit facility that enables them to make the purchase just as it is done across the globe,” he said.

Health Budget Rose by 123.6% in Five Years, Says DG Budget High Cost of Cooking Gas Leading Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The federal government has said that the budgetary allocation to the health sector recorded a 123.6 per cent rise from N305.06 billion in 2016 to N682.13 billion in 2021.

The Director General, Budget O΀ce of the Federation (BoF), Mr. Ben Akabueze who stated this in Abuja, stressed that health allocation had more than doubled over

the past Àve years, attributing this to key and strategic interventions.

Represented by his Technical Adviser, Alfred Okoh, at a high-level meeting with heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on funding for the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), Akabueze stated that the budget for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) equally received a boost since 2017 when the

NAPHS made a debut.

According to Akabueze, particularly after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, health funding increased by 75.32 per cent over 2020 and 2021 and further by 40.96 per cent in the proposed 2022 budget.

This, he stressed, was in addition to interventions from the N500 billion COVID-19 fund, totaling N186 billion under the 2020 Budget.

He, however, noted that while there had been consistent eͿort by the government to put more money in appropriate areas of health between 2012 and 2022, public health Ànancing per capita remained low at $10.

The DG Budget pointed out that while the federal government had continued to increase allocations to health, it was imperative to ensure that the funds were e΀ciently applied.

Blinken: US Won’t Limit Nigeria’s Senate President Commits to Budget Passage Before Christmas Relations with Other Countries Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United States yesterday pledged more robust relations with Nigeria and other African countries, stating that it would not limit the nation’s partnerships with other countries.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken stated this at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s growing relations with China, which had resulted in multi-billion dollars loans from Chinese financial institutions and other Sino-Nigeria agreements and cooperation.

Blinken explained that his country did not want to force Nigeria to choose but “we want to give you choices.”

The US top official, who did not directly mention the Asian

powerhouse in his speech to the regional bloc, highlighted five areas of common interest between the US and Africa.

These, he said, are global health, the climate crisis, inclusive economic growth, democracy, and peace and security.

He stated, “Now, I know I’m hardly the first American secretary of state to come to Africa and promise different and better engagement. Too many times, the countries of Africa have been treated as junior partners – or worse – rather than equal ones.

“Too often, we ask our partners to help uphold and defend an international system that they don’t feel fully reflects their needs and aspirations. And we’re sensitive to centuries of colonialism, slavery, exploitation that have left painful legacies that endure today.

Nume Ekeghe The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has committed that the Senate would pass the 2022 budget before Christmas and would commence its implementation in January 2022.

The Senate president said this yesterday at the New Telegraph awards where he was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Politics.

Also, the Governor of Lagos of Lagos State, Babajide SanwoOlu was named Governor of the Year, Good Governance, while the Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin EmeÀele was awarded the Man of the Year, Economy and THISDAY/ARISE Group Chairman, Nduka Obaigbena

was recognised as the Media Icon of the Year.

Speaking on the budget, Lawan said; “It is in this Senate that we have been able to pass the budget before Christmas in 2020, we passed the budget before Christmas for 2021 and this year we are going to pass the budget for 2022 before Christmas. That, I am sure of and we would start implementation of the budget in the Àrst month of the New Year.”

He further noted that the federal government was tackling insecurity seriously and all arms of government were committed to restoring peace.

He added: “Nigeria faces insecurity challenges but there is certainly determination at all levels of government to Àght the insecurity that we face.”

to Deforestation, Group Warns FG David-ChyddyEleke inAwka

A group, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has warned that the high cost of cooking gas was pushing most Nigerian families back to the use of Àrewood and charcoal.

The group said the return to use of Àrewood for cooking would aͿect the ecosystem as indiscriminate felling of trees for Àrewood had begun in most communities.

In a statement signed by its President General, Mr. Goodluck Ibem, the group

urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently wade into the high cost of cooking gas.

“We are displeased with the federal government over the escalated price of cooking gas from N350 to N800 per kilogramme which is highly above the reach of the common man.

“The federal government has no justiÀable reason or reasons to inÁict such level of hardship and suͿering on Nigerian citizens who depend on this commodity to cook, eat and make a living.

IATF 2021: Oando Boss, Wale Tinubu, Commends Organisers The Group Chief Executive of Oando Group, Wale Tinubu, was among the business gurus and experts that were called to the podium in the opening days of the just concluded Intra-African Trade Fair in Durban, South Africa that was held November 15-21, 2021.

The businessman spoke on a high-level public-private sector roundtable focused on aligning the interests of government and the private sector on Intra-African Trade and Investment.

The session was aimed at addressing the initiatives, policies

and actions required by government and the private sector to achieve the priority objectives including Public-Private Partnerships; the role of Development Finance Institutions and Export Credit Agencies in targeting investment and projects that would have maximum impact on Africa’s growth, trade and employment creation.

Tinubu spoke alongside Ambassador Albert M. Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union, and Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President Sierra Leone.

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INSIGHT

Waiting for the White Paper...

NDDC Must Get Its Act Together

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The Problem with British Visa

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ometimes last year, a country bored of its many problems, and reeling from t must be said that the British government has been most unfair to Nigerians the multi-faceted challenges of COVID-19, was treated to an elaborate in terms of visa application. Hitherto, it has been series of punitive measures spectacle by the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission. against Nigerians, just because they want to get British visa. The cost has With humongous amounts of money rumored to have mysteriously always been a sticking point in all this, and the suffering Nigerians go disappeared from the coffers of the commission, the National Assembly quickly through is another painful part of this paradigm. convened a probe during which Nigerians were treated to the spectacular The average visa fee is beyond 100 pounds depending on the number of comics of the leadership of the commission. The show included mind-boggling years in your application in addition to other numerous boutique fees which revelations of graft, incoherent answers, startling allegations and fainting spells. include executive lounge which was really non-executive. All I saw on the More than a year later, nothing concrete has come out of the probe and as tray was N100 popcorn with torn chairs and N49,000 collected for less than with most other things in the country, Nigerians can assume that business has 15 minutes of work. continued as usual in the commission.

If you can’t afford to pay that, then you suffer and stay on the queue, and I Whenever oil runs into any conversation in Nigeria, or around the world, it tell you it is worse than a rugby game. gives the good people of the Niger-Delta cause to pause and wonder whether The second part of this game is the priority package which they will charge the oil deposited in their lands by nature has been a blessing or a curse. The 1000 pounds. But the sad part is despite your priority payment you are not feeling has been unmistakably bittersweet. As the region that has produced most likely to get the visa soon. I interviewed a lady that told the story of how she of the riches that ordinarily should have set Nigeria on the path of developwaited for 30 working days to get a visa after paying for priority.

I feel the British government, and the UK High Commission are just out to ment, the Niger-Delta region has been critically underserved and undervalued. collect as much as they can from Nigerians in the name of visa processing.

It has known the horrors of the environmental devastation that comes with oil It always looks as though the British are doing us a favour and we should exploration. However, the most shocking of all has been the lack of accountability be glad that we are going to the UK as we are seen as lesser mortals. about the vast sums that have accrued to the country from oil drawn from the I don’t know when this never ending “squid game” the British governNiger-Delta. As usual, corruption is the culprit.

Under military as well as civilian administrations, the country`s oil wealth ment plays with Nigerians on visa fee will end. At some point they even has known true plunder. Of course, the country is yet to receive all that the late mooted the idea of a guarantee fee that Nigerians will pay to ensure they dictator Mr. Sani Abacha stole during his nauseatingly interminable five years return home. The British government should understand that Nigerians are in office. A return to democracy in 1999 has seen a swell in graft cases lying not animals and we should be treated as humans. Why is it possible to get before the courts. The long and short of it is that a lot has been pilfered from the a British visa from Dubai in less than 10 days and from Nigeria it takes a public purse to line greedy private pockets. lifetime? We deserve better and more needs to be done. I will like to call for a Because of the environmental devastation arising from oil exploration, the review of British visa fees and more efficiency in the visa processing system.

Niger-Delta has proven a peculiar challenge: water bodies are polluted, farmRufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com lands are polluted, even the air is polluted, just to mention a few. The damage prompted the Federal Government to launch an ambitious project to clean up the region. As with many things Nigerian, it has become stuck in a rut. The NDDC was launched to help with recovery efforts in the Niger-Delta, T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R and to ensure that the development in the region is EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU commensurate with the resources drawn from the region MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO to maintain the white elephant project that Nigeria has DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU become. Instead, the NDDC has faltered badly.

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI No matter who heads it, it takes disturbingly little time EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI for its management to sit at the head of the table in the THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE lavish banquet of corruption that Nigeria has become.

There have been allegations of contract padding and unexecuted contracts. So much of the money allocated to the NDDC over the years has been lost in the endless T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D wilderness that corruption in Nigeria is.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA It is sobering because as it stands, it is the longGROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, suffering people of the Niger-Delta that have been ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI left to contend with neglect, negligence and outright DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE nonchalance.

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH If the NDDC has outlived its usefulness, becoming ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI instead a net of corruption, it must be scrapped and CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI replaced with a more efficient and accountable body that DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO will make life better for the long-suffering people of the TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Niger-Delta.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

Nigeria And Religious Freedom Blacklist

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umanists are deeply appalled by the removal of Nigeria from the US list of countries violating religious freedom. This removal is a betrayAl of the humanist community and other minorities that suffer persecutions across the country. Nigerian humanist, Mubarak Bala, remains in custody for committing no crime. He has been held for over a year without prosecution.

The de-listing of Nigeria sends wrong signals to these Islamists in Kano and other places because Nigeria has not taken any concrete steps to mitigate egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief. Instead, the situation of religious freedom continues to worsen.

Humanists in the country, especially those in sharia implementing states live in constant fear of their lives.

They are constantly harassed and threatened online and offline by Muslim fanatics for expressing their views and opinions.

In 2020, Nigeria was listed as a country of particular concern “for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom”. The listing of Nigeria was a welcome development because acts of religious violence were running rampant. As the state department noted, Nigeria had been unable to tackle religiously motivated abuses and persecutions.

Nigeria failed to ensure that every Nigerian, at all times, had the right to live according to the dictates of conscience.

Now, one year after, has anything changed? Not at all. So on what ground was Nigeria removed from the list? Look, the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, Mubarak Bala, remains in jail for allegedly making a Facebook post. The police disappeared him for several months; they connived with the Kano state government and have kept him in custody without trial. The UN and foreign governments have urged Nigeria, especially the Ganduje-led government in Kano to charge or release Mubarak Bala. But all appeals have fallen on deaf ears. Kano state government has refused to formally arraign Bala. The police have not released him despite a court order. By removing Nigeria from the list of violators, the US state department is emboldening fanatics and encouraging their continued oppression and persecution of humanists and other minorities.

Instead of removing Nigeria from the religious freedom Blacklist, the US State Department should take further measures and compel Nigeria to uphold the right to freedom of religion of humanists and other persecuted minorities in the country.

Leo Igwe, nskepticleo@yahoo.com

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08054699539

Unending Deceits Sustaining Boko Haram, ISWAP

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mmediately Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and some soldiers were killed in an ambush last Saturday in Askira Uba, Borno State, the military reported that they had responded swiftly and killed 50 of the terrorists, including several commanders. Three fighter jets were said to have been deployed for heavy bombardment of the terrorists. The extremists “have been decimated” was the message from our security agents; meaning that the Nigerian state is firmly in charge of Askira Uba. A curfew was also imposed in the town.

But less than 48 hours after the “good news”, the “decimated” ISWAP terrorists were back in Askira Uba unhindered, and unleashed more pain. They burnt houses, looted many shops and carted away food.

How can this happen after the clearance operation by the military? Our gallant soldiers are doing their best but some things are clearly not adding up in this war against Boko Haram and ISWAP. For me, unending deceits by the federal government and the leadership of the military have been sustaining terrorism. For example, many of these gallant soldiers are tired because they have over-stayed on the war front. Replacements are not coming.

This means Nigeria lacks enough men for this war. But commanders persistently give the impression that all is well on the war front. Those in charge of this war must admit that this country has challenges with field manpower and seek for help abroad.

Our gallant soldiers are also poorly equipped and poorly motivated. Modern war is about technology, equipment and

Zulum

quality manpower. How come terrorists are able to monitor the movement of our soldiers and our military can’t effectively monitor theirs? With technology, Nigerian soldiers should be the ones ambushing and killing these bastards. Unfortunately, the terrorists are the ones persistently ambushing and killing our gallant soldiers. That was what happened to General Zirkusu, the late Commanding officer of the 28 Task Force

Brigade (Chibok) and his boys, while in Askira Uba. I will also never forget how our gallant soldiers were ambushed by Boko Haram in Gorgi, Borno State, March 2020, and scores killed. Unofficial sources said the figure could be above 70. The terrorists targeted a truck loaded with soldiers in Gorgi, unleashed RPGs and incinerated the vehicle, killing all on board. It was so painful; on this sad day, the terrorists, as usual, effectively monitored the movement of our gallant soldiers.

These ambushes indicate that the Nigerian military is deficient in the needed technology for efficient monitoring of opponents. The terrorists have been emboldened because of this. It also means that the leadership of the military has been economical with the truth in terms of the technological capacity of the Army and Air Force. It means the intelligence arm of the military needs external support.

On the military being poorly equipped, the story is still the same. Soldiers are struggling to be at their best. Videos of our soldiers lamenting about lack of basic things on the war front abound.

Commanders who complain about the poor working condition of our troops are usually dealt a solid blow by the leadership of the military. That was what happened to the former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. General Olusegun Adeniyi. A video, in which Adeniyi was seen complaining about a lack of equipment to combat Boko Haram went viral. He also complained that terrorists were outgunning troops,

Lagos #EndSARS Panel Submitted Social Media Tales

Sanwo-Olu

A disgraceful report by a disgraceful panel. For me, this sums up the report submitted this week by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The report failed to resolve the issue of whether there was a “massacre” at the Lekki Tollgate during the protest or not. This supposedly investigative panel simply reported allegations instead of investigating the allegations. It failed to do a dispassionate investigation required to support a conclusion. The panel published virtually all the allegations in the social media about the alleged massacre instead of conducting an inquiry.

No wonder it concluded that what transpired on the night in question “can be equated to a massacre in context.”

To equate something to a massacre is not the same thing as a massacre. The

panel was desperate to use the “massacre” narrative of the #EndSARS protesters. An investigative panel should be unflustered and assertive. Going by the definition of “massacre”, there is evidently no evidence of a massacre at the Lekki toll gate on the night of October 20, 2020.

The panel reported that nine protesters were confirmed dead. It reported further that four were “presumed dead,” instead of investigating if they are indeed dead. This means that the investigative panel could not say for certain the exact number of people killed. The families of those supposedly killed did not come forward? Those allegedly killed have no mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and family members. This is exactly what this panel is telling Nigerians. The fact that the panel listed Nathaniel Solomon, a man who is alive and granted video interview to a national newspaper, as among those killed at the Lekki Tollgate, has completely destroyed this report.

The video interview of Solomon was used by the online edition of a national newspaper on September 11, 2021.

The panel also listed one of those killed simply as “Jide” without a surname.

This is disgraceful. It could not even properly investigate and identify a man it claimed was killed at the toll gate.

I’m surprised that the family of “Jide” did not come out to identify him. This panel obviously followed social media claims that “Jide was killed at the toll gate” and included it in its report.

Still reporting social media narratives about the alleged killings, the panel submitted: “It was alleged and corroborated that the soldiers had their vans parked at the Lekki tollgate and removed many bodies and corpses of the fallen protesters, which they took away with their vans.” Who verified this? Was it not the same #EndSARS protesters? The panel did not claim the verification. It did not state that there was an independent verification.

It did not list anybody as verifying this independently.

The panel continues with its speculative

report thus: “The panel finds that the fact of lack of identity of some of the other 96 corpses on the list supplied by Prof Obafunwa would not obliterate the fact that some of them could have come from the Lekki toll gate incident of October 20, 2020 or that some other unidentified corpses may have been removed by their families or the military, as claimed by the #EndSARS protesters, far and beyond the list tendered by Prof Obafunwa.”

The story about this is that Prof. John Obafunwa, a forensic pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, reported 96 other unclaimed corpses in the hospital. He did not say that they were brought from the Lekki toll gate.

But surprisingly, the panel submitted that the lack of identity of the 96 corpses “would not obliterate the fact that some of them could have come from the Lekki toll gate incident of October 20, 2020 or that some other unidentified corpses may have been removed by their families or the military, as claimed by the #EndSARS protesters.” This is outrageous. This panel just supported the claims of the protesters in the social media, even when the facts are not there.

The Lagos panel failed to lament the scores of policemen killed by #EndSARS protesters. I guess the policemen are not human beings to it. They don’t have wives and children. They have no families. They are inconsequential. That’s what this Lagos panel is telling us. The panel did not lament thousands of people whose shops or businesses were burnt or looted by the brigands called #EndSARS protesters. Most of these shop owners have not recovered and may never recover.

I am not sorry to say that the Lagos #EndSARS panel’s report is only fit for the dustbin.

In view of the #EndSARS report submitted, I will update the questions I have been asking for over one year regarding these alleged killings: Where are the families of those said to have been confirmed dead at the Lekki toll plaza on the night of October 20, 2020? This is food for thought for all of us today.

noting that intelligence failure was responsible for an attack by insurgents that claimed dozens of soldiers. If the federal government wants an end to terrorism, it must committedly address issues raised

by Adeniyi.

Nigerians were also told that thousands of Boko Haram fighters had surrendered to the military without the so-called fighters submitting arms and ammunition. There was no single weapon in all the videotapes shared by the military. We were even told some commanders surrendered without ordinary kitchen knife. What a country! I could not understand why the leadership of the military was celebrating terrorists capitulating without their weapons. They can’t be fighters in the real sense of it, without weapons. Terror attacks of the last few weeks have confirmed my fears.

The real terrorists are not submitting.

This is the truth. The real Boko Haram/ ISWAP terrorists, who obviously did not surrender, ambushed our gallant soldiers in Askira Uba. The so-called capitulation of terrorists is a farce. The terrorists have sleeper cells across the country which they trigger at will. They are still very much alive and kicking.

What about the ruse that “there is reasonable peace” in Borno State and that the IDPs should return home? The languid governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum propounds this. This same governor still visits troubled areas with massive security convoy. The IDPs will naturally leave Maiduguri and return to their homes if genuine peace returns to the troubled communities. Even a blind man would know when Boko Haram is genuinely eliminated. The truth is that the terrorists are still enjoying a free rein in many communities in Borno State.

What about the lies by our political leaders that Nigerian troops alone can do the job of eliminating the terrorists? That help from abroad would not be needed?

President Muhammadu Buhari is in the forefront of this submission. This is a flawed position. Our gallant military evidently lacks the competence and equipment to actualise this. So, the service chiefs must pressure the President to approve the engagement of military contractors to assist Nigeria finish this war.

Many will remember that the Americans shot down the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, from afar. They did not fly to Libya to do this. This is what is called modern warfare with precise drone attacks. We are in an era of fighting with drones. This is the edge foreign military contractors will give our gallant soldiers in the war against Boko Haram.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, who is part of the deceit that the Nigerian military has the firepower and expertise to defeat Boko Haram without the services of mercenaries, should please shut up. Nigerians are weary of this deceit after over 12 years.

On the part of President Buhari, he persistently promises consequences for the terrorists without consequences in the real sense of it. The most recent was the threat to deal with those responsible for the massacre in Goronyo. We are still waiting for this to happen. Several weeks after terrorists downed Nigeria’s fighter jet in the Zamfara State forest, thus, threatening the sovereignty of this nation, there are still no consequences for the guerrillas. It’s so difficult to comprehend that several months after a Nigerian Air Force fighter jet was downed in Borno State, the military is still struggling to locate the crash spot.

They can’t even account for the pilot and co-pilot on that crashed Alpha jet.

In this country, a serving Major General Husseini Ahmed was last July killed along Lokoja-Abuja Road on his way to Abuja and there were no consequences. All these embolden the terrorists. In Nigeria, the government and leaders of our security agencies embolden terrorists with their lies and ineptitude.

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

Azibaola Roberts Growing up, I Experienced the Pangs of Hunger That Were So Devastating; Sometimes, Leading to Coma

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

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PLUS Growing up, I Experienced the Pangs of Hunger That Were So Devastating; Sometimes, Leading to Coma

He is restively ingenious, irretrievably obsessed with machines and puts his life savings on them.

The greatest surprise is that this lawyer and environmental rights activist is a master of all the highly specialised machines in his innovative mechanical engineering hub, a fulfilment of his childhood ambition before he capitulated to his mother’s wish to study law. Azibaola Roberts, Chairman of Abuja-based Kakatar Construction Engineering, has proved to be a man of many parts with a finger in almost all pies of human endeavours. He shares the story of his life with Ahamefula Ogbu, emphasising his desire to leave a lasting technological legacy that would free Nigeria from the dependency on foreign products…excerpts what Christmas is all about. I know that the first time I wore a Christmas cloth was when I was almost like eight years old, consciously for the first time I knew I had Christmas cloth and even that Christmas cloth, I wore it far ahead of Christmas because I didn’t really know when Christmas was. So probably I wore it far head like in November thinking that Christmas was the next day or two days and I walked round the community, I and my little brother , Faith, we walked round the community with that Christmas cloth and everybody made mockery of us but the old people were praising us but deep down, they knew we wore the Christmas cloth earlier than usual probably because it was the first time. Shoe and shirts were scarce commodities. If you read my Facebook (Meta) posts you will see we tie akamba, a native cloth. That cloth was a sleeping cloth and it was for play and the same cloth that you use for everything and I wore pants the first time probably around four or six years and I still remember it was a pant sown from salt bag by my mom. So, when you say Dolly Parton sang the song, coat of many colours, she had a coat of many colours but I had a coat of salt bag.

What has been the most painful experience in your life?

I lost my mom and it still pains me up till today.

She was my hero, she fought for me and she was everything to me and she would prefer to die than for me to die and she left by accident.

The most painful thing was that I was unable to pinpoint the person that killed her by accident because he ran away and the police was unable to apprehend the person; so that was the most painful thing that has happened to me.

When you look at life from where you are coming from and where you are today, what would you say is the happiest moment of your life?

The happiest moment in my life was probably when I graduated and got my degree as a lawyer and was called to the Bar. I was excited and very happy about it because it was a dream I never had and it came to reality and then probably when Goodluck Jonathan became President of Nigeria. It was difficult to imagine that a minority from a minority of a minority would one day become the President of Nigeria.

Roberts

What was your childhood experience growing up?

Well, I come from a polygamous home and my upbringing was not a very pleasant one when it comes to conflict of marriages and I was brought up by a single mother, a separated mother and there were challenges in bringing us up and at a time I didn’t know that I was going to be a graduate or even attend primary and secondary school but I am here, I attended primary, secondary and I went to the university to read law. It was not a very pleasant thing, that memory of my childhood still lingers in my brain up till today and that is why I try to do things differently and I try not to give the same memory to my kids especially when it comes to marriage of more than one wife.

What indelible experience of your childhood can you remember?

I experienced the pangs of hunger that was so devastating that it will sometimes lead you to a state of coma and when you see a child who has not eaten for like two days, three days, a sip of garri would be like going to the biggest restaurant in the world; then you will know what it means to come from a family that was broken.

I learnt a lot from my maternal grandfather who took me on fishing voyages. He was also was a

canoe carver and a great medicine man. I think that some of my intuitive reasoning and values today were inculcated in me by that great man.

So I am really so grateful to him for putting me through some of the rudiments of life.

Coming from such background, did you desire to be a lawyer, scientist or just to take life as it comes?

Nobody ever thought that I would be a lawyer up till the time I left secondary school. Nobody thought I was going to be a graduate, I was not the brightest of kids in primary school but I was the brightest of kids in my secondary school and in that secondary school level, yes, people knew that I was bright and had a future but how would I have managed to go to school was still a question that remains unanswered because there was nobody who was responsible for my education at that stage who had the capacity to do it except my mom who was in a menial job and had little or nothing to train someone to university.

That would mean that as a child you were preoccupied by how to feed and not even thinking of receiving gifts like other children?

No, I never received any gift and never knew

How did your mom react when you qualified as a lawyer?

She was overwhelmed by the fact that I became a lawyer because she actually desired that I become a lawyer, it was not my making I just followed her way. She was like you must go to the university and I really wanted to be a carpenter and she wanted me to go to the university and anytime I say I want to become a carpenter she will rebuke me. It came to a point it was like okay can we do a ballot, among the courses you can read which one will you read and it was my mom that chose law because the ballot was between Medicine, Law and Engineering. Papers were folded and thrown on the floor and my mom chose law and I obeyed her and I went to read law but I knew that the Law will not take me to where I wanted to go.

Trace the transition from human rights and environmental activist to a lawyer and now Precision Engineer?

Well, there was no transition actually; both of them were passions that I held dear as a youth.

I was in secondary school and majorly a science student up to my WAEC and the only thing that made me not to read engineering or medicine is because my Chemistry was seized when I finished in 1987 and then the combination had

an issue because you cannot do any science course without Chemistry and then my mother was agitating for me to enter into the university by all means and the only way of pleasing her was study anything my credit would allow me and that was Law; so I read law as a way of making my mom happy but my passion was in engineering and sciences. I remember when I left secondary school, I was still seeking for scholarships to places like Ukraine and Russia to read Aeronautic engineering or any of those courses that has to do with that, so I was a very good science student; I think if I am not being immodest, I was the best of the best science student. Talk about Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics and Additional Mathematics and then when men were men, I had so many girls who wanted to fall in love with me because I was brainy in the sciences and you know when you can calculate and solve mathematical equations, you will surely have several people who will fall along with you. I was a child then and I really didn’t know but if it was now, probably I would have been very rich in women.

Seeing the quality of machines here and how much they would, cost means you are not lacking and these women that use to flock around you because of your intelligence are flocking more now due to money. How do you manage the traffic?

No, you cannot compare that now… you know recently, last month I was given a chieftaincy title as Dikeogu 1 of Etche, and in that ceremony, I was told that I was entitled to 17 wives but there and then I told them that when it comes to the women I will not do but when it comes to the other social requirements I will gladly help. First of all, I came from a polygamous home and I know how challenging it is and I do not want to disappoint my mother, she warned me against it. One of the things I hold dear is the voice of my mom that please do not engage yourself in polygamy. In any case, my passion keep me away from anything that is socially inclined and I am really somehow anti-social, I don’t do parties, club, I don’t do political appearances or discussions or engagements. I don’t have many friends and in fact, I don’t visit a lot. I even find it difficult to visit myself; at times when I have more than one room in the house, I find it difficult to visit the next room because I can stay up to one year in the house without visiting the other room and that’s bad attribute for me but it helps that I don’t do some of those things including smoking and drinking.

Probably, I’ve not tasted alcohol for about 40 years or more now; I tasted alcohol when I was a child. I have not smoked since I was in primary six when I tasted it, so those are some of the things that are no go areas for me.

You must dissipate energy and that energy I dissipate it in trying to solve issues that has to do with our communities and our country, so I do what a lot of people think is impossible to do, those are the things I think about.

Now coming back to precision engineering, what do you aim to achieve with that effort?

This is not a venture for economic gains but it is actually a venture of passion and you know ventures of passion are more fruitful and leaves a lasting legacy so I aim to achieve to revolutionalise mechanical engineering especially in Nigeria, to be able to create the things a lot of us think is impossible to create and also to advance technology for my country. I have already told you that I cannot do politics, I don’t like the game and I am not made for the game so I cannot be a political figure but I can leave a legacy that can last me for 200 to 300 years or

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

PLUS Due to Poverty, I Never Thought I’ll Ever Get Education or Become a Graduate

Roberts with his family

more after I might have left the earth and that’s what everybody is craving for. I have looked round and I am of the opinion that it is in few cases where people hold political office that left legacies that last 50 years but you can be an inventor and make a little thing that will leave your name in the sands of time for the rest of humanity. For instance, you cannot compare a President with the person who invented a light bulb; you cannot compare the President of even United States with the person who invented electricity and those who went to the moon and came back so there are several ways of leaving legacies but unfortunately in our own environment we have this mental belief that except you hold a political position where you direct how public funds are spent, that you are not leaving or impacting on rest of society. I can stay here and make the first Nigerian car, make the first excavator for Nigeria, make the first bulldozer for Nigeria and in fact I even could possibly in the next 20 years make the first rocket that Nigeria could launch to the moon and then I would have left my name in the sands of time more than a president would have left; so it is not about money or political patronage, it is about what are you looking at, what are you aiming at in the next 20 or 30 years and for me I think in decades I don’t think in four or five years.

What informed your location?

Well, I have been bombarded by my people, I come from Bayelsa in the Niger Delta and there have been protests that why did I set up factory inAbuja instead of setting up in the Niger Delta and my answer is that you don’t set up a factory on the basis of sympathy; you don’t go and set up a factory because I sympathise with my people and I give them jobs and at the end of the day the factory will die. You don’t set up a factory, especially business of passion; when

you set up a business of passion you must set it up where you will be able to go and manage it by yourself. I am living in Abuja and it is easier to wake up and come here; so going to Lagos or Port Harcourt which though coastal areas have their advantages because most of the metals you bring in you can offload and send to location; Abuja is far flung but then Abuja is the center of Nigeria and it is the pride of Nigeria.

How did you meet your wife?

My wife met me. She heard about my little intelligence then in sciences and in any case, when I was in secondary school I was the Laboratory prefect of the school so I could teach two classes ahead of me; in fact I was in class three and I was able to teach class five mathematics so I was always studying the syllabus ahead so I had this little fame around the area that there was this boy who was proficient in mathematics and sciences and she desired to meet me and then the first time I met her was when I had become a university student, we met and fell in love and we got married. I don’t know who said I love you and all those but we got married.

What legacy would you want to leave?

I really want to advance Nigeria technologically and to create thousands of jobs by my activities.

I really would want to see that I’m able to build something that will serve as a catalyst to the next generation of Nigerians to say if a lawyer could do it we can also do it. If I’m able to do that I won’t care how much money comes from it because money doesn’t leave a legacy, I’ve not heard in history where they teach people on the basis of money they have; people are taught on the basis of the creative abilities they have. I look around and see the billionaires across the world the Bill Gates, Elon Musk who is trying to go to the moon that is his legacy, they are not looking

at the richest person in the world, and tomorrow someone else will be richer than you. I don’t want to leave a legacy that I own the biggest hotel in Abuja, tomorrow someone will build something bigger, I don’t want to leave a legacy that I have five private jets in 10, 20 30 years those your private jets will become things of the past and don’t leave a legacy, such don’t give me pleasure, I look at those things that will endure, that people will say this man started it and we took it further.

hardly find time to go and it is a negative side.

As a traditional title holder who hearkens to the yearnings of his subjects, assuming you are asked to go for a political office by your people what will be your response?

Which offices are you talking about because the only office that can attract me is the president of Nigeria and my brother has become the president of Nigeria and the chances of giving another person from the same family is remote.

Any word for the Nigerian youth?

Yes, I think that the Nigerian youth need to change their orientation. We are too political. I am not saying they should not participate in politics but they have to be more creative in the way that they do things. I give you one instance, each time I look at the social media I am sad about it because it is possible that we are the most active social media users in the world but we are the most unproductive social media users in the world as well because you hardly see a Nigerian who is in a garage trying to make a kettle or something, filming it and posting it on the social media.

You can hardly see someone knitting or doing painting and filming and sending it on social media. Most of those thing we watch and 90 per cent of what we watch about creativity comes from abroad and it is a negative story about us. I think the youths, those who read sciences for example should not really wait for someone to employ you. You can start from your garage, do something and start to create things, use your social media to create things instead of to use it to gossip.

The Bush family did it in America and you can replicate it here…

Yes but this is Nigeria. Goodluck Jonathan ascendedtobethePresidentofNigerianotbecause he was the best but because but the opportunity cameasaminorityanditisdifficulttohaveanother minority of the minority to rule this country.

Where can you be caught on the wrong side of life in terms of enjoyment?

I overindulge myself in solitary confinement and I’m very guilty about that so when you have programmes, invitation for parties, I

What is your dress sense like, do you wear designers?

I use to wear lots of good suits but now it is becoming difficult wearing them so I am now better off on jeans and T shirts with my cap. I use to wear Pazzoleri from Italy but at a time I feel like if I have an alternative in Nigeria as a conglomerate not individuals, then I can say yes but I am looking forward to getting shoes and suits from the East once it is made well What’s the costliest life possession you have?

Idon’thavemuchpossessions but I have plenty machines. In any case I don’t have properties but I have companies that have properties. I am the owner of Kakatar, I have shares in Kakata but I can’t say the caterpillars in Kakata are mine they are separate. Zeetin owns this land and I can’t say they belong to me I have shares in my companies but when it comes to physical properties, I don’t have.

20

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Bolanle Austen-Peters Thrills at AFRIFF 2021 Secures rights to Funmilayo Ransome Kuti’s story Ferdinand Ekechukwu

N

o better way to end the film screenings at Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) 2021 than with the closing film, ‘Collision Course’.The end-of-festival screening of the feature film, which doubles as its Nigerian premiere on November 12, had enthusiastically been acknowledged by the industry amazon, Bolanle Austen-Peters who also produced the multiple award-winning 93 Days and directed the high-grossing feature filmThe Bling Lagosians.

With her new film ‘Collision Course’ affirms her relentless upward trajectory in the industry.

Her film production company, BAP Production, is not only noted for its first-rate feature films, but also for exhilarating Broadway-style musical stage plays, which have been shown on international platforms, especially in the UK and South Africa.

Back to the ‘Collision Course’ which outshined several entries received for the 2021 AFRIFF film showcase. Recall that the Creative Director of AFRIFF, Jenny Alonzo, had announced the festival received over 4,000 submissions from over 100 countries for this year’s festival.

Only 48 films including ‘Collision Course’ made the final list, and also stood out among the best 48 films including short films, documentaries, feature films and animation screened at this year’s AFRIFF. Festival closing films are typically the centerpiece film of festivals. They are important films that satisfy the festival’s critical screening and review criteria to deserve the festival closing night spotlight. ‘Collision Course’ was directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) and produced by Joseph Umoibom and James Amuta.

Already ‘Collision Course’ has snapped up multiple nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2021 coming up soon.The movie which had its working title as ‘Palava’, is a heartthumping story told in 24 hours that dives into the lives of a law enforcement agent, a young man and some rogue element. Austen-Peters unveiled the production back in February while celebrating her 52nd birthday. Speaking on the project, she wrote:

“Palava is a thought provoking drama addressing topical issues such as family conflict, corrupt agents and love.”

Written and co-directed by ‘Nightfall in Lagos’ director, James Amuta, “Collision Course” stars Kenneth Okolie, Daniel Etim Effiong, Kelechi Udegbe, Bimbo Manuel, Chioma Akpotha, Kalu Ikeagwu, Ade Laoye, Gregory Ojefua and Big Brother Naija reality star Bamike ‘Bambam’ Olawunmi-Adenibuyan. With its successful opening at AFRIFF, ‘Collision Course’ marks its way to more screening at international film festivals as viewers awaits its official debut.

Meanwhile, BAP Production has secured the rights to produce a Biopic on the legendary Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti from the Estate of FRK. To be directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters, the movie has cameo appearances by Funmilayo’s grandchildren representing their own parents.

With a working title Funmilayo:The Lioness of Lisabi, the film is intended to hit the big screen in 2022/23.

Bolanle Austen-Peters said: “Having directed the stage version of the story of great women such as “Queen Moremi”, “Oluronbi” and “Fela andThe Kalakuta Queens” (the story of the 27 women that danced and married Fela Ransome Kuti), acquired

by STER Kinekor and being aired as a screenplay in cinemas across South Africa; I am interested in telling the story of this phenomenal woman, Funmilayo.

“She was a woman with many parts and was first in many things. She was the first girl to attend an all-boys school, first woman to drive a car in western Nigeria; a political activist who fought for the rights of women; first woman to found a political party, confronted traditional and colonial authorities in unprecedented mass protests.

Apart from these, she was a loving wife and mother who raised four successful children amongst whom is Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

“This is an inspirational story. We need positive role modeling for young African women and the world at large. At BAP Productions, we believe in telling uniquely African stories.This is a story of a brave and courageous woman, a leader, an activist and a family woman.”

Austen-Peters

Phyno Vibes with Olamide, Flavour Ferdinand Ekechukwu

P

rolific and deeply talented artiste, Phyno released his much anticipated fourth studio album “Something to Live For”. He made the announcement on Instagram with a caption and video snippet that reads: “My 4th studio album!!! Something to live for #stlf is out now!!! ENJOY...” The rapper had earlier dropped two singles this year, BIA and Stacks, both of which appear on the album track list.

With the first single from the 16 track album, ‘Stacks’, doing exceedingly well on digital platforms, this collection of sounds is an echo of the mantra that Africa is home, motherland to all people. On the track list for the album are two of the Phyno’s longtime collaborators and friends, Olamide and Flavour. Other notable names on the album track list include Peruzzi, The Cavemen, DSmoke, and JDess.

Other artistes featured on the album include Ghanaian duo; Pappy Kojo and Bee Pee as well as Canadian singer, Anjulie. Chillz and Eli lead the production credits on Phyno’s new body of work with three songs each

while Masterkraft comes in behind with two songs.

‘Something To Live For’ is a beautiful cascade of vibes, with each song showing a different side to the Phyno sound that is known.

Known by many as a silent powerhouse and recognised for his uncanny ability to tell gripping stories through his songs, Phyno takes stock of his accomplishments, his vulnerabilities and at the same time, encouraging ambition, perseverance in the face of uncertainty and against all odds; a compendium of life’s experiences in lyrics that tastefully capture these different emotional textures in all the tracks.

Among the songs on the new album are Chizoba, Belongs to You, Ghetto, I do This, Do You Wrong, Winner, All the Smoke, Onye Nwa, No Love, Teaser, Paracetamol, and Ike Pentecost. ‘Something To Live For’ follows after Phyno’s previous albums including ‘No Guts No Glory’ (2014), ‘The Playmaker’ (2016), and ‘Deal With It’ (2019). He also released the collaboration album, ‘2 King’, with his brother and friend, Olamide.

Phyno started his music career as a producer in 2003, and is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language.

Olamide and Phyno

StarTimes Announces ‘X-mas Awoof’ Promo Aheadofthereleaseofthetwoepiccomedy-drama series,OkirikaandIleAlayo,StarTimeshasannounced a festive promo, tagged Xmas Awoof, which opens viewingaccesstoeveryhometoenjoythedramaseries.

TheStarTimes‘XmasAwoof’promooffersfamilies an opportunity to spend quality time together with amazing family entertainment.

ThepromowhichkicksoffonWednesday,November 10,2021,toJanuary10,2022,reducestheburden

of heavy expenses, with the economy biting harder acrosshouseholds,asitbringsthemostsought-after familyentertainmentatamorepocket-friendlyprice.

During this period, Nova bouquet Subscribers who recharge for two months will be upgraded and enjoy 2 months of Basic/Smart packages. Basic/ Smart bouquet subscribers who recharge for two months will enjoy 2 month Super/Classic package with instant access to watch Okirika and Ile Alayo

onSTNollywoodPlus.WhileSuper/Classicbouquet subscriberswhorechargefortwomonthswillenjoy 7daysfreesubscription.Also,selectsubscriberswill get hampers and smartphones.

“Christmasisaroundthecorneranditistheseason oflove,fun,andentertainment.However,loveisnever complete without giving and this is why StarTimes has launched the ‘Xmas Awoof’ promo, a gift to our darlingsubscribersthisseason,”LazarusIbeabuchi,

PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria said.

“As Christmas approaches, families like to spend qualitytimewatchingTVseriesandmoviestogether at home. Okirika and Ile Alayo are coming. Likewise, we introduced three sister channels of Zee World onNovember1alongsideanewNollywoodchannel.

Thispromocapsitallasitsavesextramoneyforour subscribers while bringing sought-after entertainment,” he said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Sonia Ben-Woko

Winning Miss Ideal Nigeria Gave Me Fame From runways, winning pageantry, modeling for top local and international brands, Sonia Praise Ben-Woko has indeed done so well for herself. Kicking off about a decade ago, she has grown through the ranks of modeling and taken her brand mainstream by representing Nigeria globally. In 2019, Sonia won the Miss Ideal Nigeria pageant, which further solidified her stand as a top notch model. She talks to Tosin Clegg about rising through the ranks of modeling, her challenges, winning Miss Ideal Nigeria, life as a model and a lot more derstand the brand you’re working with, their vision for any given project, the values and what they hope to achieve with the project are also important. Modeling is not just about the runway, standing in front of the camera or acting a role in a given advertisement, it also involves critical analysis and thinking, so you know what skill set to introduce in any given project.

I

Interest in fashion and beauty started to develop interest in being a fashion and beauty connoisseur from way back in secondary school. My friends and I, who shared common interests, would practice striking poses, strutting and walking as though we were on a runway or pageant competition. I had already started looking forward to getting a degree in the university at this time, as my parents weren’t supportive of my modeling endeavours. Shortly after I signed up with an agency, I started getting jobs, mostly ushering and promotional jobs, but I was always looking forward to fashion and beauty jobs as that was the area I really wanted to explore.

I found so much joy in modeling Basically, I believe that whatever you Ànd joy in doing is worth the chase. I found so much ease and joy in modeling; it gave me some sort of fulÀllment. At the time, even though I was only getting called up for freelancing jobs or paid little for most of the jobs I did, I still wanted to keep going. At this point, I just knew this has to be it! So, I put in eͿort to sharpen my skills so I could get the most beÀtting remuneration for my passion.

Professionalism is the core of any business My brand is built solely on values such as

Cynthia Sleek

punctuality. I understand very much that as a model, it matters to the brands I work with. Punctual also matters. I must be on set on time as most of the time, the collaborative work of the makeup artist, stylist and any other creatives on set are what make up a successful shoot; hence sticking to time is of essence. So, any project I am contracted for is executed perfectly and promptly. Ability to be forbearing is one of the most important qualities of a good model. The ability to un-

You get more than the value of intelligence that comes with my brand I’m Àrst about the idea of what you’re trying to create and how my beauty and skill can inÁuence that. I could sometimes suggest ideas from my experiences as a model to inÁuence the success and uniqueness of what is being created. Being discrete is one of the most important qualities of a model. You’d work with many brands, sometimes simultaneously; each brand must be able to trust you to protect the identity of each project, as you can sometimes be exposed to million dollar ideas that could ruin a project or a company if disclosed. No agreement is necessary for this; it comes with being an experienced professional.

Miss Ideal Nigeria pageant I won the Miss Ideal pageant in 2019 and, honestly, I felt like my heart was going to pop out! The win changed everything. First of all, it proved to my parents that I could make something out of being a model, and it was

also some sort of conviction that my eͿorts weren’t going down the drain. To be publicly validated made me know that I had at the time attained a certain level in my profession as a model and the industry at large. So yes, it was a mind blowing experience. From there, I was granted an automatic slot in the Miss Tourism Worldwide to represent Nigeria at the international pageant held in Singapore.

It was also an opportunity to work with renowned photographers and production companies across Nigeria and internationally.

The looks of a model Every model has to pay attention to their looks and it doesn’t matter if you’re a male or female model. Starting from your skin to what not to eat, weather conditions to avoid, your cosmetics, all of these are important in maintaining a stunning look. Secondly, your dress sense has to be a hundred per cent top-notch, update your fashion sense from time to time, follow trending clothing brands and Ànd out what’s in vogue. Generally, hygiene is important but as a model it is even more important because you’d be working closely with people so you have to pay close attention to your hygiene. Practice poses, new walking methods and carriage. Attend fashion shows, go out more often, and meet people, as socialising is a very key factor to networking and putting yourself out there to be recognised by any brand for any project whatsoever.

Mide SF Set toTake Nigerian Music to Next Level Singer Agunbiade Joseph Temidayo, professionally known as Mide SF is out to carve a niche for himself in the Nigerian music industry. The artiste, who has been on steady rise to fame, is not leaving anything behind to pursue his passion for music. But unlike most fast rising musicians who emulate their predecessors, he has chosen to chart his own path to success. The singer, who just released his Àrst o΀cial EP titled ¶Soft EP’, with songs like ¶Rollercoaster’, ¶Joro’, ¶Feel Alright’, ¶Overdose’, boasted that he is more talented, organised than GrammyAward winner, Burna Boy, and also spoke of his plan to conquer the Nigerian music scene.

He said, “Soft EP is my Àrst o΀cial EP. The idea behind the title is the uniqueness and untouchable natureofmybrand;thenatureofmytalentisunparalleled. Burna Boy ranks among Nigeria’s greatest artistes of this generation. I have watched him and I can tell you he’s talented and has a very strong stage presence. He has showed to this generation that we can through hard-work believe in ourselves and achieve the ultimate goal.

“However, I am not boasting or trying to woo you, I believe in myself and I can tell you that I am

Mide SF

better than Burna Boy, just watch out.”

Speaking on how his growing up in Nigeria has helped him to be a better personality and inspired him to fall in love with afro-beat, the Ondo State-born artiste said, “I would say my growing up has greatly inÁuenced me. Growing up in Nigeria, mainstream radio stations were playing eitherAfrobeat or R B. There was no other thing, except reggae. The clubs were completely taken over by Afrobeat and R B from Psquare to D’Banj. I will say that it has really

been a lot easier for me to be versatile with my style and writing. I know that if I didn’t have such exposure from a young age, it would have been very di΀cult for me to write song in Afro-beat.”

As a Germany-based artiste, one will wonder how Mide SF intends to penetrate the Nigeria music industry, but the soft-spoken artiste says he is not in a hurry but rather, he just wants to contribute his quota to the music industry. “I believe if you are doing something right, naturally people will recognise you, you don’t have to force anything. I want to produce evergreen songs, songs that touch the heart, that connect with today’s reality, songs that heal the world and give hope to the hopeless.

Success will come by God’s grace.

“The Nigeria music industry is one to reckon with in the world right now. We just need to expose the industry more to the world because they need to know the Nigerian music industry has huge talents and has so much to oͿer. In the ¶90s, we could hardly see where they play Nigerian songs, but the reverse is what we have today, in every nook and cranny, you see people dancing to our music,” he said.

Buju Partners Achievas Entertainment Born Daniel Benson, Buju is enjoying global recognition and acceptance based on his hit singles and notable collaborations - a kind of catalogue and growth only a few fresh artistes boast of. Having made hit songs with some of Africa’s biggest entertainers like Wizkid, Timaya, Burna Boy, Zlatan, Ladipopo, Buju is set to bless his teeming fans with his Àrst ever concert on the 22nd of December, 2021 at the Balmoral Convention Center, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Buju’s Imprint, is teaming up with showbiz/events giant - Achievas Entertainment Limited, to package this concert. With years of remarkable successes in the event space, Achievas Entertainment promises another amazing show with Buju tagged “Sorry I’m Late.”

Executive Director of Achievas Entertainment, Daniel Cole Chiori said, “This concert is aimed at showcasing the genius of Buju; he’ll be performing existing hit songs and new songs from his latest body of works.”

Buju

Rattleboy

Rattyboy Releases EP, Full Moon TobennaAlumona, popularly known as Rattyboy, has just released his latest EP, Full Moon.According to the Enugu State-born artiste, the EP came out this November and he promised that this new body of work would be one of a kind with the best of musical productions and deliveries.

Rattyboy, a graduate of Political Science from the University of Harikov, Ukraine, was raised in several states in Nigeria due to his father’s public service job and this helped to install some experiences which he relates to in his music. As a kid, as his mother revealed, it took the sound of music to get him to stop crying.

The singer is optimistic about the future and he is fully geared towards deÀning a worthy career for himself. He further stated that, “I know the kind of sound I make and the capacity I have to break even.

I’m conÀdent of my music and how far it would go into creating a hold for me in this industry.”

22

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Peace at Last for Peter and Paul Okoye Ferdinand Ekechukwu

A

wave of excitement rend through the hearts of followers and fans of Peter and Paul Okoye as the twin brothers and defunct Psquare group last Wednesday resolved their diͿerences Àve years after they broke up and went their separate ways. Hints on settling their rift and put behind their past notched on their 40th birthday on November 17, 2021 after a heartwarming video of them in the company of friends and family trended on the said date, showing the pair hugged and shook hands while they were been cheered.

Jude Okoye, their elder brother, and former manager, was also seen greeting the pair. Many who have been looking forward to their reunion for years Áooded social media with sweet reactions. They later performed together to a gathering of their celebrity friends and fans that turned up a day after their birthday and reunion to fete and celebrate with them. Several signs of their reunion, and possibly for the last time, started making the rounds this week when they both followed each other back on Instagram.

Soon after, Paul’s “estranged” wife, Anita, posted a video of Peter taking his brother’s kids on shopping in the US. Paul would then take to social media to celebrate with Peter and his wife, Lola, on the occasion of their eight wedding anniversary on Thursday. Paul who had previously unfollowed Lola on social media also started to follow her again.

Their reconciliation elicited reactions from their wives who expressed feelings in their respective posts to wish them happy birthday.

In her post, Anita Paul Okoye, the mum of three shared some of the lessons learnt after the famous brothers settled their rift.

She wrote; ‘’Dem be 1 no be 2!! Happy Birthday Ejima! This is best birthday present either of you could receive! Thank you for letting me have such a great relationship with both of you independent of your rift…I am delighted I didn’t let your coconut heads let me choose sides…There’s a lesson here - Do not EVER involve yourself in a tiͿ that doesn’t concern you AND Don’t let social media and the opinion of those who do not matter deÀne your situation! Let God guide you! Love Wins!! Happy Birthday @peterpsquare & @iamkingrudy ‘’ To Lola Peter Okoye in her post expressed happiness

that the famous singing duo have put their diͿerences aside and allowed love to guide them. She wrote; ‘’To my favorite twins, today is such an emotional day for me. I am so so happy that you have Ànally put your diͿerences aside and allowed love guide you.

Happy Birthday Peter and Paul, you be ONE no be Two! More blessings, more love! Family for life.

We bring it back again!!!!!!

Good health, long life and prosperity is your portion.

Amen.’’| Peter and Paul have always had their diͿerences as brothers from time. But that ugly rift in 2016 thereabout almost tore their family apart and endangered their relevance having displaced their hold

on the African music scene a few years ago. Social media didn’t help matters for them. Since after their controversial spilt, the Okoye brothers have been in the public eye. The twins parted ways after a disagreement on the role of their elder brother and then manger, Jude.

Also drawn into their disagreement was Peter’s wife, Lola, whom in Jude’s and Paul’s eyes was seen as ‘outcast’. A very messy Àght followed on social media for months between both parties. From Instagram to twitter they dragged each other. Even the viral video of the brothers almost exchanging blows at their lawyer’s o΀ce to insulting each other. It was nasty.

“In the now-famous video

where the brothers almost went physical, it was a clear Àght between Paul and Jude versus Peter.

Peter had on several interviews called out his elder brother over his involvement in their Àght”, a music journalist, critic had opined.

They made the headlines for all the wrong reasons the following year in 2017 and Ànally parted ways both as band mates and business partners, then became the butt of jokes to comedians following their solo career adventures and rebranding.

They unfollowed each other on social media. Paul took on the moniker ‘Rudeboy’, while Peter went with ‘Mr. P’.

They swore never to come back, leaving their Psquare fans heartbroken. Their

breakup unconsciously proved a point that they both can actually sing and dance! Unlike the widely held notion that one can only sing and the other can only dance. At some point in March, 2021 ‘Mr. P’ had blamed the constant comparison from fans — over who is better between the duo — as part of the reasons they broke up. “For those trying to troll us, if it is painful for you, it’s not painful for us. You guys don’t matter anymore. Let me say it openly if you are a P-Square angry fan, you guys don’t matter anymore.

It’s not about you guys anymore, it’s about us. Go and deal with your sour,” he had said.

“Don’t let me hit on you guys because you

guys don’t even deserve it. Because you guys are among the people that contributed to the break-up.

Two brothers doing their own thing, you try to say one is better than one. Una don get wetin una want.”

In retrospect, this reporter had even shared in the opinion that they reunited in memory of music legend Sound Sultan who Àrst gave them the opportunity to perform in Lagos some twenty to twenty-one years ago, at Aquataria Waterfront in Festac during a Dove Record annual gig. Their true music lovers across the world yearned for a possible return of the star brothers.

They were gone but not far.

It now remains to prove they are back as brothers or as Psquare or both.

23

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

TRIBUTE

Celebrating Chief Wole Olanipekun@ 70 Bayo Ojo

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t gives me great joy to join numerous well-wishers and admirers in celebrating my friend of over four decades, the quintessential and celebrated lawyer and iconic Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, OFR, LL.D. A great man of manifest distinction, a foremost community leader and enabler of human and societal development, and a remarkable Nigerian patriot.

It was Alfred Adler, the Austrian medical doctor renowned for his holistic theory of personality, psychopathology and psychotherapy, who rightly observed that ‘’men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared, but only men of character are trusted.’’ All over the world, particularly in advanced climes, men of intellect and people who in the true sense of the word are noble and honourable in thoughts and deeds, are highly venerated far above men of means and wealth. This implies that nobility of character is a more valuable and dignifying asset than other material assets. It is this category of men that my friend, the man of the moment belongs.

On this special day, therefore, I celebrate him as my distinguished brother and good friend, who attains the glorious milestone of 70 through the divine Grace of God. I have known and related very closely with Chief Olanipekun since I met him at the University of Lagos in 1974 when I was in my first year. He was then in his final year. Nothing in his mien then would have made anyone realise that he had been the President of the University of Lagos Students Union (ULSU) the previous year. He was a very fashionable person who wore the in vogue high plankform shoes on bell bottom trousers and nice dress shirts as the Alfa Chief. That was how the President of the great Alpha Club of the University was known then. Our relationship continued very robustly thereafter as professional colleagues in our personal exertions, triumphs, collective struggles and commitment to the building of a good Nigerian society through the deepening of the frontiers of the of the legal profession, and the general advancement and growth our great country.

He is indisputably a pride of his generation, an

Olanipekun illustrious son of Ekiti his home state and Nigeria in general, who could be rightly said to be one of the most accomplished, most distinguished and most celebrated Nigerian professionals of this era, and a veritable role model to the coming generation.

A personable gentleman of esteemed and enviable pedigree who possesses high social capital, Chief Olanipekun rose through dint of hard work and commitment to excellence to the zenith of his career as a remarkable legal practitioner with élan, admired gravitas and a behemothic status.

He has shone, and is still shining brightly like a radiant star in the Nigerian legal firmament.

Generally considered as someone with a sound mind who has attained high public reckoning like no other, he is one with courage of conviction, forthrightness, consuming passion and uncommon commitment to professionalism and the safeguarding of the public good through the instrumentality of the law.

As a leader, he possesses outstanding leadership and organizational skills, as well as an endearing elevated mind that is given to deep-thinking. These great attributes were very evident when he served as President and I as General-Secretary respectively of the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in 1986. He is one whose drive for excellence and impact is unparalleled. His record as the leader of the largest Bar Association in Africa still stands as a reference point almost two decades after.

In his private and professional life, Chief Wole Olanipekun’s imprint on the sands of time is indelible. For what God has enabled him to achieve in his advocacy of law and crusade for an egalitarian Nigerian society, as well as in promoting civil liberty, human dignity and in making life truly meaningful for the ordinary folks, he belongs to the realm and league of great men.

On the Nigerian legal arena, Chief Olanipekun stands out like a colossus. He is a man whose mind and orientation have been rightly framed and well-cultivated for the role God has crafted him to play on the stage of life. He is a man of high attainments and national recognition. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1991 at the very young age of 39 years (the youngest in his conferment year), the same year he was appointed as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Ondo State. It is noteworthy that four of his children have become very successful legal practitioners in their own rights (two of them, Dapo and Bode are Senior Advocates).

He became the President of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2002, Vice President Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) in 2003; Life Bencher in 2007; served as Member, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee; Member, Council of Legal Education; Member, Council of International Bar Association; Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has invited him on many occasions as Amicus Curiae. He was appointed as ProChancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Ibadan in 2006.

During his tenure, he not only donated his statutory allowances to the institution by way of scholarship, he went on to build and donate to the Faculty of Law a 420-seater fully equipped

and furnished Auditorium. He later became Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, and is currently the Chancellor of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, (BOUESTI), Ikere-Ekiti among other notable appointments and calls to national service. His legacies of career and personal attainments will continue to be worthy references.

On a general note, Chief Olanipekun, the Asiwaju of Ikere Ekiti’s record of contributions as an agent of community and national development, and as one who is strongly and positively committed to noble causes, shaping and influencing socio-political and economic transformation trajectory of the country, is legendary.

Some of the very notable social development interventions and contributions he has made include: donation of top-rate health care facilities worth millions of naira to his community; several scholarships annually to Law School students as well as in other higher institutions in the last twenty five years and ICT facilities to a number of schools in his home state and across the country.

As one who has high reverence for God and acknowledges His enabling Grace upon his life, he has made remarkable contributions to the promotion of his faith, which includes the building and donation of a 1, 600-capacity worship Centre to the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Ikere Ekiti.

This birthday tribute cannot in any way sufficiently capture the essence of Chief Wole Olanipekun. This is because, his personality, status and impacts are bigger than what one can squeeze into few paragraphs.

As the drumbeats of celebration fill the air and his friends, associates and admirers toast in celebrating a worthy son of Ekiti and a remarkable Nigerian patriot, I congratulate him as a dear brother and an esteemed friend for stepping nobly into the league of septuagenarians. It is my fervent prayer that God Almighty will bless him with length of days, peace, joy and all-round fulfilment.

Presido, happy birthday!

Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON is a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

Tanko Al-Makura: Odyssey of a Leader at 69 Abubakar Idris

O

n Monday, November 15, 2021, former Governor of Nasarawa State and Senator representing Nasarawa Central Senatorial District, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was at the Comprehensive Special School, Lafia to donate wheelchairs to the children and mark his 69th birthday. His government built the school for children living with disabilities.

But this is not the first time he would celebrate his birthday at the school. As an incumbent governor, Al-Makura was at the same school in November 2018 to celebrate his 66th birthday. He had joined the pupils in recreational activities and had lunch with them. He had explained that he loved to spend his birthdays with the physically challenged children in order to build their confidence and inspire them to fulfill their dreams and great destinies.

“I chose to be with this category of people I have passion for and always advocate for, as an inspiration to raise their hopes and brighten their future. So, I decided that there would be no funfair and elaborate merriment for my birthday.

“Apart from giving them education, we would be monitoring the progress of the status of their disabilities to see the support and assistance we can give.

We shall be providing glasses for those with partial visual impairment, hearing aids for the hard of hearing, as well as wheelchairs and the

like to those requiring certain mobility aids”, Al-Makura said, assuring that his administration had put adequate structures in place to ensure that the school was sustained beyond his tenure in office. That was in 2018.

Fast-forward to 2021, several years later, the Governor Abdullahi Sule administration has kept Al-Makura assurances, just as the former governor has not only kept his tradition of being there for the children, but also continues to support them with wheel chairs and other supportive aids.

To cap up the 2021 edition, the Senator equally donated a motorised wheelchair to Miss Charity Angu, a young lady who settled in Nasarawa after her National Youth Service in 2020, to appreciate her for her commitment to helping the challenged children despite her own physical challenge. It was a sight to behold.

“Wherever I go, whatever position I hold, you would be one of my primary concerns. I pray God to continue to give the leadership in our society the wisdom, the focus to promote and develop these kind of schools, so that the vulnerable, the people who have these kind of challenges will have a bright future”, Al-Makura told the Comprehensive Special School community.

But the philanthropic and humane side of the Senator is just one of those qualities that stand him out as a leader innately inclined to the masses and the downtrodden.

Born in Lafia on November 15, 1952, Al-Makura is of the Gwandara ethnic extraction, but has a cosmopolitan exposure in the course of his

Al-Makura education, business life, and politics. He attended the Government Teachers College of Education, Uyo between 1972 and 1975 before heading to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He served as a teacher at the Government College Makurdi during his NYSC. He foraged into the business world, establishing himself in the import and servicing of agricultural and industrial machineries before additionally going into real estate and property development business where he has made so much name and fortunes. He is also established in the hospitality industry.

Al-Makura, though quite young in the Second republic was already an active political player at the time, emerging the State Youth Leader of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Plateau State where the late Chief Solomon Lar of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) was governor. But being an opposition youth leader was perhaps a divine arrangement that helped him to assert himself as a political force in that Republic.

He was elected into the 1988/1989 Constituent Assembly to work out a new constitution for the country preparatory to the handing over of reigns of power to the civilians by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration, which eventually did not materialise following the annulment of the June 12 1992 presidential election.

Al-Makura equally served as the Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) from 1990 to 1992 in the old Plateau State in the ill-fated Babangida transition programme and later became a staunch and founding member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) when General Sani Abacha’s became Head of State and swept away the old order.

It is noteworthy that the Abacha regime had created Nasarawa out of Plateau State in 1996 before his demise. When that era ended, the political fervour and party financier in Al-Makura did not wane as he also became one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the General Abdulsalami Abubakar transition to civil rule programme.

Read full tribute online - www.thisdaylive.com

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

POLITY Archbishop Okeke Brokers Peace in Anambra George Adimike

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y all measures, the 68th birthday of His Grace, The Most Rev’d Valerian Maduka Okeke, the Archbishop of Onitsha and the Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province fittingly underscores the centrality of grace in any meaningful human endeavour. The Archbishop effectively turned the birthday thanksgiving Mass into a veritable tool to pour out his heart in prayer. He expressed his deep passion for a new Anambra transformed into a progressive family of peoples, characterised by love, peace and harmony.

Baring his mind with deep faith, active hope and profound passion at the birthday Mass, the Archbishop, in a spirit-filled and faith-inspired moving message to the political class of Anambra, condemned all forms of destructive and desperate activities. He called for the dethronement of politics of bitterness, politics of bloodletting, politics of division and favouritism, politics of exclusion, politics of excuses, politics of back-stabbing and politics of enmity, and appealed for the enthronement of the politics of family harmony, brotherliness, cooperation, development and peace, and indeed politics without bitterness in the electioneering campaigns. He proposed a politics of societal transformation that will accentuate the greatness of Anambra and place it as a cynosure of admiration.

In a spirit-filled and positively heightened atmosphere, filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the Archbishop poured out himself and made the famous life-giving, heart-changing and life-transforming “I desire Speech/Prayer”, which came at the beginning of the Mass. He desires a state that will be the consolation and motivation of Ndigbo; he desires a State where politicians place the welfare of the citizens as a priority; he desires a State where politics is devoid of violence, bloodletting and bitterness.

While charging the ruling class to embrace brotherliness and to denounce any form of violence, he insisted that Anambra should be devoid of any do or die attitude or any form of by fire or by force disposition. The peace-loving and harmony-promoting Prelate denounced violence and destruction of whatever hue. In his thoughts and words, no kingdom divided against itself can stand and in no way should Anambra be counted in the generation of brother-killing Cain. According to him, a State richly

Archbishop Okeke

blessed with human and natural resources, Anambra was positioned by God to be primus inter pares, the light indeed and by performance, not merely by name. And this task requires the cooperation of all the stakeholders in the Anambra socio-political enterprise.

Seconding the spirituality and philosophy of the Archbishop, the success story Ndigbo have become betrays years of cultivation of virtues without which no one can achieve greatness, yet requires proper and intentioned domestication to move to the next level of depth and frequency. And through Anambra’s numerous blessings demonstrable from her multifaceted and multilateral forays, she stands in debt to lead Ndigbo to a new dawn of politics without bitterness, which promotes the never-ending transformation of our resources into capitals and our challenges and tribulations into tributes, opportunities and blessings.

The reception of the Archbishop’s message by the ruling elite that graced the occasion is a great highlight of the event. The speeches, feedback, and indeed the conviviality that pervaded the entire arena bespeak the acceptance of the message of the Archbishop by persons of different political cum religious persuasions. For a moment, they forgot their political differences and celebrated happily

like a family, like brothers. It sufficiently demonstrates the sincerity of the Archbishop’s appeal, which his ministry embodies. It spells the personal integrity that has marked his apostolate, being discharged with the fatherly concern without fear or favour, discrimination or favouritism.

It is palpable that the Archbishop’s presence is an oasis that refreshes with wisdom, peace and harmony. His house is a big family space that accommodates politicians of all parties and people of various walks of life. In fact, all the false insecurities, superficial division by party lines and all segregations dissolve in the Archbishop’s presence. Living his spiritual fatherhood, he creates an abode where no one is a stranger, and no one is an outsider. There is only one party in his house, and that is the party of the children of God, where everyone is welcomed, accepted and treated with dignity and love. The Archbishop is the microcosm of what he desires for the State, an oasis of peace. Indeed, people of different political leanings and religious denominations have experienced this harmony, in the presence of which various prejudices fizzle away. The power of personal testimony is the audacity of the Archbishop.

In conclusion, his birthday goes down as the day the Archbishop set the hearts of the Anambra political class on fire for proper development of the State founded on peace, harmony and brotherly cooperation, eschewing all forms of violence, hostility, and all destructive tendencies. It was one of the most eloquent and profound expressions of love of God and neighbour. And indeed, a father’s passionate appeal and a cry of hope, conscientising his spiritual children and beloved people of the State, and thusly, he made a case for great Anambra, reputed for its excellence.

The Archbishop promised to continue his pastoral outreach to all, especially the excluded, the marginalised, the poor and the less fortunate ones. In many and several ways, the Archbishop identifies with the appalling sufferings of the poor.

His activities proclaim and echo what the love of God and neighbour provokes, demonstrating nobility, generosity, leadership and godliness. In his ministry, charity wins out over legalism, turning our numerous resources and goods into valuable capital for personal and societal transformation. Greatness always expresses itself in thoughts, actions and visions. t 'S (FPSHF "EJNJLF DBO CF SFBDIFE PO mOEGBEBDIJHP[JF!HNBJM DPN Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Changing the Alausa Skyline: The Allianz Media Way Samuel Ajayi

I

n pursuit of its corporate social responsibility, CSR, Allianz Media Limited, an outdoor advertising agency, recently built and donated the Alausa Scenic Garden to the Lagos State government. Raheem Akingbolu reports.

It was corporate social responsibility at its best when Allianz Media Limited, one of the nation’s leading outdoor advertising outfit, handed over the Alausa Scenic Garden, which the company designed and built, to the Lagos State government.

Arguably, it was the first time such would be done by any outdoor agency in the state and it was a demonstration of the company’s commitment to giving back to the same society that has given it so much.

The General Manager of the company, Adeyemi Adeshina, could not high his joy and satisfaction that the project finally came to fruition and completion. While it took over two years to complete the project, running into several tens of millions, there were some bottlenecks that needed to be overcome before the project could be completed.

“It was a triumph of determination and commitment to what we believed in as a corporate body that is committed to doing the righting and also protecting our environment in the process. That was why we undertook this project. And it is a thing of joy that we were able to complete the project and hand it over to the Lagos State government today,” Adeshina said during the commissioning of the project.

Chairman of Allianz Media Limited and Marketing and Media Limited, Dr. Theodore Ekechi, in his speech during the commissioning, said protecting the environment was one of the biggest commitments and imperatives of governments all over the world. He explained that in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emission and carbon footprints, one of the most important way to protect the environment is through the planting of trees.

He added that Lagos State, being the economic nerve centre of the nation was naturally at the fore-front of the drive and push to protect the environment going by the volume of economic activities that take place in the state every day.

“Lagos State, Nigeria’s economic capital and centre of excellence is unsurprisingly at the forefront of efforts to protect our environment. Yet, the challenges that government everywhere face

are well known to us all. With government resources stretched, the case for public-private partnership (PPP) is strengthened.

The need to play our own part as responsible corporate citizens is thus what inspired our adoption of the ecologically diminished area adjoining the Lagos Television perimeter. Prior to our humble effort to regenerate and beautify this corridor, it had become overgrown with weeds and unsafe for residents and members of the public alike,” Ekechi explained.

He explained that it really felt the company and its staff with pride to have helped to make the corridor more habitable and hospitable. He praised the government agency the company partnered with, the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, for its support and encouragement towards ensuring that the project was completed.

“I have to specially thank LASPARK led by the indefatigable Adetoun Popoola. We thank you heartily for your unalloyed support and cooperation towards the success of this initiative. We are committed to adopt more diminished areas for onward transformation to lush green rich gardens.”

Ekechi added that interestingly, one way to make this type of collaboration sustainable for all parties is the opportunity to

explore the use of these spaces for advertising.

“Government and the public get ample green areas and advertisers always like to reach their target groups in an eco-friendly way. In that situation, everybody wins! That is why we are pleased to have not just the Managing Director of the Lagos State Advertising and Signage Agency, LASAA, in attendance but our key advertising agency partners as well. Possibilities abound and we are more than happy to create and co-create with you environmentally friendly out-of-home advertising products,” Ekechi enthused.

It could be recalled that the corridor overlooking Shoprite was overgrown with weeds and trees that were not doing much to protect the environment. In its determination to ensure that the environment is protected, the Allianz Media approached that Lagos Stage government through LASPARK and offered to build the Alausa Scenic Garden. The approval was given and the company went to work. Though there were some bureaucratic bottlenecks that slowed down the pace of the project, but this did not deter the company as it remain committed to the project and saw to its completion.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

25

POLITY

Abuja: Let Nasir el Rufai Return Eddie Mbadiwe

W

hen Military President Ibrahim Babangida celebrated his 80th birthday, Channels TV graciously granted him two hours of live interview. I listened to those two hours basically to try and understand the workings of IBB’s mind when he was in charge. My view is that those two hours were well spent as they were also illuminating.

IBB made a number of pronouncements. On Nigeria’s unity, he said the matter had been settled.

No Sir, there are glaring cases of injustice and lack of transparency in appointments. As long as these inequalities persist, so long will agitations continue.

When asked what he would like his legacy to be, his response is that like Churchill; he will be part of those writing his history. Of course IBB is not Churchill. Mr. Military President, history does not work that way.

IBB had an uncommon courage such as disarming Dimka and Orkar unarmed. That was in fact brazen effrontery. The legacy which will endure for generations after IBB was his founding of Abuja; the current capital of Nigeria. His current palace on the hills in Minna will eventually become a victim of climate change. It is in the direction of Abuja that I wish to make a few remarks.

IBB’s SAP programme, which he executed with his friend, Dr. SP Okongwu, was a colossal failure.

Okongwu believed rabidly in IBB, who also treated his friends very kindly. Just one example; Late Okongwu was also my friend. IBB authorized the building of two houses for him; one in Enugu and the other in Nnewi. I recollect on one Saturday when I accompanied Okongwu on site inspection of his Enugu house, I asked him who was paying.

He said the Military President asked him to send verified contractors certificates to Lagos and they were all paid.

Abuja was chosen by the Aguda committee

after an extensive tour of world major cities.

One understands the committee zeroed in on Milton Keyenes a fine English fresh city. Milton Keyenes is a new town and its founders have tried to maintain its originality and beauty.

A number of Nigerians made contributions to the planning and design of Abuja and one of those unsung heroes was late Dr. Felix Obinani. Dr. Obinani had a very lucrative position in the city of New York. I recollect my late uncle Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe put a lot of pressure on Felix to come home and help with the virgin capital city Abuja. Felix lived and slept in his Abuja office. This has to be highlighted because there were so many unsung heroes. Meanwhile, a number of charlatans and smart Alecks by some devious means have had streets named after them.

The beauty of a modern vibrant live city Abuja is gradually being eroded away. When Nasir el Rufai was Minister of Federal Capital Territory after a distinguished performance at the Bureau of Public Privatization, nobody could erect buildings on flood plains nor water track nor sewage lines. He mobilised his bulldozers and demolished them. He spared nobody including the Former President, Chief Obasanjo nor senior military officers like Jerry Useni. Recently, Games Village one of the legacies of Chief Obasanjo is under attack from land speculators and grabbers. This has to be stopped urgently. Shanty towns, mechanics workshops have sprung up all over Abuja. One is not insensitive to the plight of these workers who are struggling to keep their heads above water. The truth is that without regulation, everybody loses.

Travelling after 7pm in Abuja is a dangerous hazard because Keke drivers and their Okada brothers do not obey any traffic regulations and squeeze into any available space causing unimaginable gridlock. This has increased stress coupled with high blood pressure among the

el Rufai

population. El Rufai another courageous Nigerian has a difficult assignment as Governor of a Multi religious, multi tribal, multi ethnic state Kaduna but he is coping admirably. I had in the past written and disagreed with some of the actions of El Rufai.

Can he take a one year’s sabbatical to sort out Abuja the dream capital before the city is lost to land speculators and their official accomplices? I hope a lot more people will add their voice to this plea so that the vision of Abuja is not gradually eroded and eventually destroyed by intense attrition. I have no doubt that with a foundation of truth, across the political divide Nigeria will still paddle out from this cesspit of misgovernance in which we are currently enmeshed.

So help us God. t 3U )PO %S &EEJF .CBEJXF XSPUF GSPN "CVKB

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Chioma Mbanugo; Asst Brand Manager, Mamador, Fatimat Lawal-Ademo; Human Resource Business Partner, PZ Wilmar, Morenike Alayerogun; Managing DirecL-R: Former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro; MD/ CEO, Kingfisher Homes and Con- tor, PZ Wilmar, Ipsit Chakrabarti; Coach Akun Purity, representing Blessing Oborududu; Opeyemi struction Company Ltd/ Outstanding Real Estate of the year 2021, Mr. Charles K. Osimen; Fayemi, representing Ese Brume; and Finance Director, PZ Wilmar, Anurag Kumar at the award Chairman, Editorial Board African Times Magazine, Mr. Monday Ubani; and MD, African Times ceremony as Mamador celebrates the Nigerian Olympian and Paralympian team with the sum of Magazine, Mazi Nwachukwu Sidney, during the presentation ceremony of the award in Lagos... N6.5 million recently in Lagos.

recently.

KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta & Chief Examiner, LCCI Secondary School Essay Competition, Prof. Olusola Kehinde; 5th Position Winner, 2021 LCCI Secondary School Essay Competition, Emmanuel Chidi; Platinum Sponsor, 2021 LCCI Secondary School Essay Competition, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye; 2nd Position Winner, 2021 LCCI Secondary School Essay Competition, Rhema Olusanya; Vice President, LCCI, Mrs Bamidele Daramola; 4th Position Winner, 2021 LCCI Secondary School Essay Competition, Favour Onifade and Vice President, LCCI, Engr. Leye Kupoluyi during the 2021 LCCI Secondary School Essay Competition Prize-giving Ceremony held in Lagos

L-R: Director Grants and Programs, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, Ndifreke Okwuegbunam; Africa Regional Director, Project Hope, Steven Neri; CEO, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, Osayi Alile; and Deputy Regional Director, Africa Country Representative, Project Hope, Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara at the Courtesy visit by Project Hope to Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, exploring collaboration in addressing the issues affecting public health systems in Africa held in Lagos

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

Summons, Not ‘Summon’

“S

CENE of yesterday’s gas explosion on (in) Ojekunle Street, Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos” Wrong: rejonder; right: rejoinder “…arguing that the latter is not in consonant (consonance) with the tenets of democracy” (DAILY Sun Editorial, November 17) “Amidst (Amid) youth restiveness in Niger Delta….”

“NCC alerts public on (to) hacking group targeting telcos (sic), ISPs” “…sensitize customers on (to) new technology solutions” “A summon (summons) to rest” Get it right: summons (singular); summonses (plural). The verbal application is distinct, of course.

Still on hard facts: “That invasion on (of) Justice Odili’s house THISDAY of November 13 takes over the baton today with two front-page misapprehensions: “Though, (otiose comma) President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to sign into law the….” “…state governors across party lines are firming new plot (a new plot or new plots, depending on intended message) to scuttle the amendment.”

“Dogara declares country risks survival if people merely tolerate each other (one another)” From the front page to inside pages: “There seems to be a general agreement (simply and intelligently ‘an agreement’) among professional and ordinary Nigerians (professionals and nonprofessionals—that you are not a ‘professional’ does not make you ‘ordinary’!) that the worrisome challenges in the country’s healthcare system have culminated into (in) an exodus of qualified doctors, nurses and the related healthcare practitioner (and related healthcare practitioners).”

Tribute: “…the mighty Iroko tree falls” Get it right: the Iroko tree is the mightiest tree in the forest. So, it does not require any embellishment!

This way: the Iroko tree falls—without the

morphological amplification, we know that a mighty man has kicked the bucket, as we used to informally say in our primary school days some decades ago!

“President Buhari and his love of (for) global stage” (THISDAY Back Page, November 13) Now to sporting faux pas: “Super Eagles, Sharks in fight to finish (fight to the finish)” “Plane with 500 pilgrims crash lands in Indonesia” Which is the verb here? This kind of lexical and structural nonchalance speaks volumes of the profile of any publication. Get it right: crash-lands. And its noun form: crash landing. That is language classicality for you!

“The problem occurs when any of these activities are (is) disturbed.” This kind of language weakness is known as error of proximity in linguistics.

“Are we loosing the battle against Boko Haram?”

(BUSINESSDAY, November 15) I hope we are not losing the battle against verbal inaccuracies! If not, how do we rationalize this kind of lapse coming from the only surviving (daily) business medium in the country?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY of November 14 empowered four foibles not out of laziness or ignorance, but sheer carelessness: “Abubakar urged the beneficiaries to seize (take/use/ employ, et al) the opportunity to beat the poverty lane….” Americanism accepts the faulty word as contextualized in the excerpt! See last week’s edition for elucidation.

“I am deliberately leaving out the out-rightly (sic) lewd comments on the Tribune article.” My own comment on the faux pas: outright lewd comments.

Lastly from my platform: “…from all nooks and corners (crannies) in Nigeria.”

Next on focus is DAILY TRUST of November 11 which offered two juvenile errors: “Road repairers arrested over (for) assault on NSCDC officer” “Vigilante (Vigilance) group arrests suspected burglars at Dagiri” A vigilante is a member of a

vigilance group.

From the November 11 edition of Blueprint comes the next set of goofs:”…to gird their loins and acquiesce to (in) in the devastating effects of the government’s planned removal of fuel subsidy come (in) 2022.”

“President Buhari, during his visit to Port Harcourt, observed different construction project (projects) going on in the state….”

“In this task, we are ready to gather all progressives willing to engage all shades of opinion….”

POLITICS: shades of opinions (plural) “But none has raised more eye-brows than the vulgar display of wealth at (on) the occasion organized by friends of….”

“NUPENG, NLC blame government over (for) lingering fuel subsidy crisis” ”…he could be misunderstood to mean that the Nigeria Police has (have) been busy condoning illegality for a long time now.” And this: an illegality (or illegalities, depending on context).

“The mob was apparently protesting the death of a youth, allegedly a victim of the town’s vigilante group.” New on the newsstands: vigilance group.

“NNPC’s position tallies with the OPEC view that any excess supply of oil to the international market would result into (in) a lowering of oil prices which would.…” Misuse of language, just like poverty, is very unpleasant.

“At the struggle for independence, the part played by the leaders of yesteryears set each apart to take over the reins of nation building.”

Stock expression: yesteryear.

“Sex has become a past time, an avenue for recreation....” Get it right: pastime.

“Society has been so lenient with the male specie (species) that every woman.…”

“Recently, the police again raised its (their) periodic alarms over the apparent siege by armed bandits.” Do we have unarmed bandits?

“The laxity can extend to parking in (on) bank premises.”

“Are you not worried that things like this is

FAME’s Untold Stories: Ideation Process

A

s I was saying…

There may be the possibility that three stories emerge on how the idea or the concept of FAME began; but to the best of my recall capacity, this is the story. I had been a little amazed how news bits and ‘gossips’ that would only take a maximum of three inches across two columns (of a six-column newspaper page) in our weekly strip (earlier called Whispers, that I later changed to ‘Goldfish’ and ‘Basketmouth’ respectively), the same story - with a little embellishment and some interrogatories - would be splashed across the cover pages of Vintage People, or its older rival, Prime People. And they were mostly hot potatoes at the newsstands! Of course, my newspaper, the Saturday Punch was a staple, and the centre spread entertainment pull out (called Saturday Highlife, SH) was the star-light!

A peculiar story would explain my dilemma quite vividly. Sometime in 1989, a good source hinted to me that the boisterously popular former civil war leader and leading politician, Chief Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu (then 56) was romantically entangled with the then current Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, and Miss Africa, Bianca Onoh (who was barely 21). It was a massive gist for anyone else, but it would still not take more than three inches, and a little more, on the sidelines of SH. In one of our chats, I let Kunle into the secret, and like ants on sugar, he swarmed over me and the gist; he wanted more info, details I didn’t bother to drag out from my source.

He pleaded with me to step down

the story, and introduce him to my source. He must have promised me something refreshing: like my favourite bottles of Stout and Coke, plus a large wrap of Suya.

We dug out my source, and for a few days, Kunle mined him of info so incessantly that the fellow swore me to a ‘verbal oath’ never to divulge his name or connection to the story.

After assuring him, I made the same request to Kunle which he speedily conceded to. I don’t know what he told them in his office, but the story came out a couple of weeks after, and it was a blast. I could not believe “that little gist” was this massive, running on different planks, and angles. Especially as the two ‘alleged’ love birds refused to comment on record, yet denounced the story as bunkum. They strangely carried on with these denials until they wedded in a lavish ceremony five years later in 1994!

The doggedness and penetration of the tabloids didn’t sink in well enough, but I realized I had a lot to learn. However, I was still on a roll as the entertainment ‘editor’ of the most popular weekend volume, with acclaim, awards, souvenirs, and countless solicitations dogging my ‘wooded’ old Punch office complex at Kudeti, Onipetesi, near Idi Mangoro, a suburb of Lagos.

Suffice to say that by 1990, we had started grumbling about the quality and brazenness of the ‘society reporting’ around us. We started dreaming of something better than Hello, The Enquirer, the noisy UK tabloids, etc. Kunle introduced me to a foreign magazine outlet at the beginning of Allen Avenue, Ikeja - the same space as the ‘University of

Suya’ - where we would ‘browse’ through countless foreign magazines and weekend newspapers. No Nigerian newspaper or magazine was sufficient as a standard to beat, we wanted to outdo the foreign journals.

I managed to buy a few. Obviously, Kunle’s salary from Vintage was heftier than mine, so he could afford to buy more regularly.

Overtime, I would spend several hours at the Bakare family house in Ijeshatedo (Lagos); and would sometimes sleep over. Most of our time was spent discussing, arguing and analysing the model and frame of the journal we wanted to create.

On few occasions, Mayor would join us, especially when we wanted to make decisions on some of the major points we had been debating. We had long and robust arguments about the title, the tag-lines, departments, types of staff, where to recruit...and those technical matters...yet, we had not even registered a company, or a business name.

Finally, I was mandated to collate all our decisions and points, and write a proposal. It was both chastening and enormously gratifying to do so, since I wanted our project to have solid and well-researched grounding, and I had an interest in developing critical presentation and logical arrangement of materials. Each person submitted ideas around the area of each person’s core competence: Mayor on Society (especially the high, and pretend-high sections - environments that were like second nature to his restless imagination); Kunle on Arts, Television and Style (he was of course a man besotted with looking good and showing graces); and I was in

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

happening knowing the volatile nature of Kaduna?

This way: Are you not worried that things like these are…or a thing like this is….

“A case of throwing away the bad (the bath) water and the baby in it (sic).” Idiomatic correctness: throw the baby out with the bath water.

“Parents can pay more attention to their underaged (sic) children and wards and prevent them from getting behind wheels.” Celebration of health: underage children.

“No sooner had this happened than an argument ensured (ensued).”

“Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is now a beehive of activities following the arrival….” Justice in service of community: a beehive of activity.

“The contestants beamed happily (or with cheers) at the fanfare accorded them on arrival.”

They couldn’t have beamed sadly (or with sorrows)!

“In Bayelsa State, the campaign team of…has adopted a hit and run tactics” This way: a hit-andrun tactic or hit-and-run tactics.

“The failure of the Nigeria Police to play its (their) traditional role of maintaining peace and order in the country remains glaring.”

“It is not enough to point accusing fingers at one’s opponents.” This way: point the finger at one’s opponents.

“Politics should not be a do or die affair” Fixed form: a do-or-die affair (take note of the hyphenation).

“Eroding confidence on (in) accountancy worries don” “As they say (a comma, please) whatever is good (sauce) for the goose is equally appropriate (sauce) for the gander.”

A poser: how can we eliminate recurring omissions, slip-ups and misunderstanding?

Are they a function of oversight, wrong and wrong-doing? Do we need linguistic surgeons and professional fault-finders in media outfits for self-criticism?

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

charge of the entertainment area (broadly speaking, the linchpin of our dream enterprise). I had an ally and a bouncing board in Wale Olomu (he died in 1994) who was living near my apartment at Gengeto, Oko Oba area, outside Agege, Lagos.

Wale and I spent quality time in my two-bedroom apartment, knocking and building ideas, column concepts, and what have you. Wale was a staff of Republic newspapers then, but it was taken for granted that he would be our first senior staff member whenever the dream became a reality. For Wale, it didn’t matter much if he was eventually absorbed or not, he simply wanted some of his ideas to find breathing place with people who seemed to share his enthusiasm and vision for the job.

Any start-up, or new business, hinged on resourcefulness and quality service provision must seek and encourage like-minded people whose skill sets are not made available simply to earn and obtain gratification...but who share a driven desire to want the project to succeed, and expand beyond expectations. Yes, such people may be hard to find, but when you do - for they still exist recognize them and treat them with love, respect and sincerity.

(Second strip of excerpts from chapter 1 of my latest memoir, ‘FAME: Untold Stories of its Rise & Fall’ - November, 2021 - Amazon/ Kindle/Lulu - 354 pages)

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

20. 11.2021

NEWS

TRY THIS ONE FOR SIZE PAGE. 29

WILFRED NDIDI

Will He Remain Big Fish in Small Pond?

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Wilfred Ndidi

Will He Remain Big Fish in Small Pond?

Leicester City Wilfred Ndidi shields Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic away from the ball

Old Trafford faithful are of a strong opinion that for Manchester United to challenge for the Premier League title and to also be a force to be reckoned with in Europe, the Devils need a ball winner in the middle of the pack and their focus is on no other player than Super Eagles and Leicester City enforcer-Wilfred Ndidi.Interestingly,Real Madrid are also looking at the direction of the Nigerian to compliment the effort of their sole Brazilian holding midfielder, Casemiro.The big question however remains whether Ndidi would want to leave a place where he is seen as a cult hero for a big European club where he would need to establish himself

A

mong the King Power Stadium faithful, Wilfred Ndidi is a cult hero, and to Leicester City Manager, Brendan Rodgers, the midfield enforcer is indispensable.

Except for injury, the Nigerian is a sure starter and statistics have proven that he is the Foxes most important player in the last two years.

To some, it is still a miracle that Leicester City are able to hold on to their jewel in spite of inquiries from big European clubs of the former Nathaniel Boys player.

For several transfer windows, Ndidi has been linked with a move to Old Trafford to take command of holding the midfield, an area the Red Devils have been found wanting but somehow Leicester City has hold on the midfielder. However, with Spanish power house, Real Madrid entering into the fray, the egg heads of King Power Stadium would need to do something extra than what they’ve been doing to ward off these predators.

The Spanish giants have no viable backup to Brazilian midfielder Carlos Henrique Casimiro, commonly called Casemiro and are keen to add one of Nigeria’s most highly-rated stars to their squad.

Madrid will look to sign the Super Eagles’

combative midfielder in the January transfer window, according to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo.

The Spanish side have one of the world’s finest defensive midfielders in Brazil’s Casemiro, but they have no like-for-like alternative to the 29-year-old.

French youngster, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde can do a decent job as holding midfielders, but they have primarily been utilised in box-to-box roles.

The Nigerian international, Ndidi, valued at €60 million by Leicester City, Real Madrid have identified a perfect replacement for Casemiro and could take him to the Santiago Bernabeu in the winter transfer window.

The former Spanish champions could, however face stiff opposition from Manchester United, who are reportedly leading the race for the former Genk midfielder.

It is hard for some of Europe’s biggest clubs to overlook Ndidi, who has developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since he moved to Leicester City in January 2017.

Manchester United may boast that they have two of some of the best attacking and central midfielders in the Premier League,

but they can hardly boast of one of the best holding midfielders in the league.

Although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stuck to Fred for that role, it is still a department that has led to loss of games for Manchester United. This is where Ndidi comes in. The Super Eagles forward have shown that he is one of the best holding midfielders in England and Europe.

Little wonder many fans of United truly relish the possibility of the Leicester man being in their team.

Ndidi has proven to be one of the best tacklers in Europe. In the Community Shield game against Manchester City, Ndidi rose to the occasion for Leicester City and was the boss in midfield. When compared to Fred, Ndidi has a better record.

Although Fred does well for Brazil, he has not replicated that form for Manchester United.

With Ndidi at Manchester United, Pogba and Bruno Fernandes will have less defensive duties and will concentrate more on attack and that is all they ever wanted. Manchester United’s midfield is a major problem for Ole and once that is solved, the problems in defense may be solved easily.

Ndidi has increased his passing accuracy

and he hardly makes mistakes when protecting his back three or back four and he gives his central midfielders the confidence to surge forward.

He has 591 tackles in 152 premier league games, 325 interceptions and 355 clearances.

He has 1,291 ball recoveries and has won 1,277 duels, one of the best records in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old has made 187 appearances for Leicester, chipping in with nine goals and 11 assists in four years.

Ndidi’s contract with the King Power Stadium outfit does not expire until 2024.

How much value Ndidi adds to Leicester City has never been lost by Brenden Rodgers and the Irish has never stopped showering encomiums on the Nigerian describing him as irreplaceable.

“It’s impossible to find what we have, we’ve got good players, but specifically the job Ndidi does in breaking up play and just his overall defending and in the box, he’s irreplaceable for us,” Rodgers had said.

The 24-year-old has been consistent for the King Power Stadium outfit since teaming up with the side from Belgian club Genk in 2017.

The Nigerian international has featured in more than 160 games across all competitions, delivering solid defensive performances.

Rodgers is hoping the Super Eagles star will continue with his side for a long time, although he is aware there could be bigger clubs jostling for his signature in the summer.

“He’s one of the top players in world football. His quality in his football is improving all the time. He is irreplaceable for us. He’s fantastic for a young player,” Rodgers said .

“What is pleasing as a coach, is that he wants to learn. He will improve and get better. I’m so happy he plays in my team.”

What will definitely determine Ndidi’s stay at the King Power Stadium beyond next season is whether the midfielder is indeed ready for new challenge and how well the Foxes can ward off predators.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Arsenal Try Liverpool for Size at Anfield Arsenal are back in action after the final international break of 2021 as they travel to Anfield today to take on Liverpool in the Premier League in what no doubt would be their toughest away fixture since being humbled away at Manchester City on matchweek three of the campaign. The Reds’25-game unbeaten run came to an end in Liverpool’s last league game as they fell to a 3-2 defeat away at West Ham- a result that arguably works against Arsenal as Jurgen Klopp’s side will be more fired up than ever to secure the three points at stake in today’s encounter

Premiership Table Chelsea Man City West Ham Liverpool Arsenal Man Utd Brighton Wolves Tottenham Crystal Palace Everton Leicester Southampton Brentford Leeds Aston Villa Watford Burnley Newcastle Norwich

11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

23 16 10 20 0 2 0 -1 -7 1 0 -2 -2 -1 -7 -6 -7 -6 -12 -21

26 23 23 22 20 17 17 16 16 15 15 15 14 12 11 10 10 8 5 5

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

Leicester Aston Villa Burnley Newcastle Norwich Watford Wolvers Liverpool SUNDAY

Man City Tottenham

v Chelsea 12:30 v Brighton 15:00 v Crystal Palace 15:00 v Brentford 15:00 v Southampton 15:00 v Man Utd 15:00 v West Ham 15:00 v Arsenal 17:30 v Everton 14:00 v Leeds Utd 16:30

La Liga TODAY

Celta Vigo Sevilla Atlético Barcelona

v Villarreal 13:00 v Alavés 15:15 v Osasuna 17:30 v Espanyol 20:00

SUNDAY

Getafe Granada Elche Sociedad

v Cádiz 13:00 v Madrid 15:15 v Real Betis 17:30 v Valencia 20:00

MONDAY

Vallecano Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe tries to waltz through the duo of Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson and Fabinho

O

ne of the standout fixtures of the Premier League season will take place today when Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield.

Just one place and two points separate the two sides in the table, with Liverpool sitting fourth and Arsenal fifth after 11 games of the campaign.

At the end of August, one would have been given long odds for Arsenal having the chance to leapfrog Liverpool in the table when the two sides met in gameweek 12.

At that stage, the Gunners sat rockbottom having lost all three of their games, conceding nine times without registering once themselves in the process, while Liverpool had taken seven points from a possible nine and conceded only once.

Fast forward to the present day and the Premier League picture has changed significantly; for Liverpool, that is largely down to a two-game winless streak before the international break, including their first defeat of the season last time out.

A 3-2 loss to West Ham United on November 7 ended their 20-game unbeaten streak in the top flight, and a 25-game undefeated run across all competitions which stretched back to April.

The 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion which preceded the West Ham defeat was also a major blow as Jurgen Klopp’s side threw away a two-goal lead, with those two results leaving the Reds now four points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

It is by no means panic stations for Klopp and co just yet - they are after all still the league’s highest scorers, while only Chelsea and Manchester City can boast better defensive

records - but there have been one or two worrying signs in recent weeks, which was not the case in the earlier stages of the campaign.

An immediate return to winning ways is imperative for Liverpool then, and the fact that they have already secured top spot in a difficult Champions League group means that they can pay today’s showdown their full attention, rather than having one eye on Porto’s visit on Wednesday.

That is particularly important considering Liverpool’s growing injury concerns, which were exacerbated during the international break.

The Merseysiders do now have three home games in a row before the short trip to Goodison Park for the derby on December 1, which will come as welcome news for a team unbeaten in their last 13 games at Anfield, including nine in the Premier League.

Klopp’s men have dropped points from winning positions in their last two such matches, though - consecutive 2-2 draws with Man City and Brighton - while they have only won two of their five home league games so far this season, drawing the other three.

That should give Arsenal confidence for the trip up to Anfield, although they are unlikely to need any more of that given their fine form heading into the international break.

Liverpool’s defeat at West Ham means that the Gunners now boast the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League, taking 20 points from the 24 on offer since those three defeats to start the season.

The eight-game run makes for Arsenal’s longest undefeated streak since December 2018, while in all competitions that record improves to

eight wins and two draws from their last 10.

Mikel Arteta’s side have kept seven clean sheets in that time too, including three in a row before the break, and in their last 10 games combined they have conceded fewer goals than they did in their 5-0 defeat at Man City before this current run began.

All of that has catapulted Arsenal right back into the top-four race, and despite still only having a goal difference of 0 - 20 worse than today’s opponents - a victory at the weekend would be enough to lift them into the Champions League places for the first time since October 2020.

The main concern for the Gunners this weekend may well be their record against Liverpool in recent seasons; Liverpool have lost just one of their 11 Premier League meetings with Arsenal since Klopp took charge, winning seven of those.

Most of those wins have been convincing too, particularly at Anfield, where Liverpool have won five on the bounce against Arsenal, scoring at least three times in all of those matches.

One has to go back to September 1981 to January 1988 for the last time Liverpool had a longer winning run at home to Arsenal in the top flight, with the styles of both teams playing into Klopp’s hands far more often than they have Arsenal’s in recent years.

That said, Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in six of their last nine top-flight away games, including three in a row, and another today would be their best run since May 2005.

Arteta’s side now look like a much more organised outfit than the one that was humiliated by Man City on

v Mallorca 20:00

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Mo Salah Jermie Vardy Michail Antonio Sadio Mane Raphael Dias P. Aubameyang Roberto Firmino Bruno Fernandes Gnaly Cornet

CLUB

GOALS

Liverpool Leicester West Ham Liverpool Leeds Arsenal Liverpool Man Utd Burnley

10 7 6 6 5 4 4 4 4

Head to Head 21/03/04 Arsenal 0 - 3 Liverpool 20/28/09 Liverpool 3 - 1 Arsenal 20/15/07 Arsenal 2 - 1 Liverpool 19/24/08 Liverpool 3 - 1 Arsenal 18/29/12 Liverpool 5 - 1 Arsenal 18/03/11 Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool 17/22/12 Arsenal 3 - 3 Liverpool 17/27/08 Liverpool 4 - 0 Arsenal 17/04/03 Liverpool 3 - 1 Arsenal 16/14/08 Arsenal 3 - 4 Liverpool 16/13/01 Liverpool 3 - 3 Arsenal 15/24/08 Arsenal 0 - 0 Liverpool 15/04/04 Arsenal 4 - 1 Liverpool 14/21/12 Liverpool 2 - 2 Arsenal 14/08/02 Liverpool 5 - 1 Arsenal 13/02/11 Arsenal 2 - 0 Liverpool 13/30/01 Arsenal 2 - 2 Liverpool 12/02/09 Liverpool 0 - 2 Arsenal 12/03/03 Liverpool 1 - 2 Arsenal 11/20/08 Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool 11/17/04 Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool 10/15/08 Liverpool 1 - 1 Arsenal

matchday three, and this weekend’s trip to Anfield will give them the perfect opportunity to show just how far they have come in that time.

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Osaze Urhoghide

A Fish Out of Water at Parkhead Osaze Urhoghide moved from Sheffield United to Celtic FC in a controversial circumstance and he has been like a fish out of water since his arrival at Celtic Park. Playing time has been difficult to come by, and less than six months after the switch, the Hoops are contemplating shipping the one-time Super Eagles invitee out of the club

C

eltic manager Ante Postecoglou has admitted that former Sheffield Wednesday player- Osaze Urhoghide, who made the switch north under controversial circumstances last season could find himself on the move in January.

The defender is yet to make any sort of impact on the Celtic first team with just a single Challenge Cup outing to his name.

“It’s about now getting him the right opportunity, that maybe here, that maybe a loan deal somewhere but we’ll make those decisions come January,” Postecoglou said.

The Parkhead boss insists he has improved as players since joining, due to hard work on the training pitch, but says it’s harder to throw young players into a team in transition.

Postecoglou says talks will be held with both players over potentially finding them the right loan opportunity in the winter window.

Asked about a lack of minutes for Urhoghide by Celtic fan media, he said: “It certainly hasn’t been an easy introduction for him and the fact that he has already hit the ground running and made an impact is great and positive.

“The key to that is to keep going obviously because again we’re only in the early stages of developing this football team and our players.

“But obviously we brought him in at a time where a lot of new players are in the team, the team’s finding its way. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to get a lot of game time for him but they’re working hard at training every day.

“He is pushing himself. I believe

even though he hasn’t played, he has improved as footballers. If you train every day with us, one thing I will say is you will improve.

“We’ll sit down with him and see what the best way forward is.”

Having been born in Netherlands and lived in England, Urhoghide is eligible to play for the two European nations, but he instead opted to play for Nigeria, where both parents originated from.

Urhoghide has indeed revealed that he would be honoured to play international football for three-time African champions, Nigeria.

He was born in the Netherlands to Nigerian parents 21 years ago and is also eligible for England having lived in the country for roughly 15 years.

In a question and answer session with his fans, the centre-half was asked if he would play for Nigeria and he replied: “Personally, it would be an honour to play for Nigeria. International football is something that I’m working towards and hopefully in the near future I can play for them.

“I’ve got some options, Nigeria, Netherlands, England as well so there are some options so I’m working towards that.

“It is one of my goals as well so hopefully in the near future I’ll achieve it.”

Urhoghide admits to being a boyhood Chelsea fan because his Nigerian father supports the Stamford Bridge outfit. “Growing up I’ve always supported Chelsea. I lived in West London, my dad supports Chelsea.

“I’m not sure why I chose to pick Chelsea but probably because my dad supported them but the teams I’ve stayed with as well, supported them being with the highs and lows but it’s

always been Chelsea.”

Since his celebrated move to Celtic from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer transfer window, Urhoghide has made one competitive appearance for the Hoops and it was for their B team in a SPFL Trust Trophy clash against Morton on September 4.

The 21-year-old defender who was out of contract and chose to join new manager Postecoglou as the first signing of the Greek-Australian’s era after he took over in June.

Netherlands-born Urhoghide began his professional career with AFC Wimbledon in 2018, before he joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2019 and made 19 appearances over two seasons for the championship side.

Postecoglou said of Urhoghide’s signing: “It’s great. He’s someone that the club’s been tracking for a while and when I came on board, I managed to have a meeting with him and he’s a good young man, he’s very ambitious.

“He’s just beginning his football career but he shows all the attributes on and off the field to want to become a top player, so it’s great to get him here. He can play a couple of positions at the back and, most importantly, he’s really keen to learn and develop and I think this will be a great environment for him.

“He’s a modern defender. He’s good athletically, he’s mobile, he’s quick and he wants to get on the ball.

He can play a couple of different positions, and from our perspective, and the way we want to play our football, there are certain things I look for in players irrespective of age, and he’s got some really good attributes to be a top defender.

“The most important thing is, he’s got a real desire to reach the very top.

He’s excited about joining the club, which is important to me because that’s the first thing I want to hear from players, that they’re really keen to join us.”

When Urhoghide arrived at Parkhead earlier in the summer, there was a belief that he could end up playing a big part in Postecoglou’s side this season. At the time, the likes of Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Watford were also believed to have been interested in his signature.

But a few months on and it does feel like Urhoghide will need some time to adjust to his new surroundings before making an impact in the first-team picture. While the 21-year-old had made several appearances for Sheffield Wednesday last season, he is yet to make his competitive debut for the Glasgow giants.

Having arrived at a club somewhat limited in defensive options, particularly after the exit of Kris Ajer to Brentford, the 21-year-old centre-half signed from Sheffield Wednesday would have been forgiven for thinking a chance for a first team shirt would come quicker than he thought. Instead Urhoghide knows chances will be limited as when they do arrive, he’ll have to hit the ground running.

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

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GLOBAL SOCCER

Some of the participating athletes and officials for the 1st S’west para-athletic championship going on at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos

Ola-Aina-

Torino Shops for Aina’s Replacement while Nigerian on AFCON Duties Torino are reportedly in the market for a fullback to provide cover for Chelsea Academy product Ola Aina.

Respected Italian sports daily Tuttosport says The Maroons want to sign a new fullback with Aina set to be away on international duty for the Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Another reason Torino are keen to bolster their defensive ranks when the market reopens

is that right-back Wilfried Singo could also be involved in the tournament with the Ivory Coast and Cristian Ansaldi is an injury prone player.

A defender with offensive attributes would be an ideal signing for manager Ivan Juric’s team.

Aina’s versatility is one of his key strengths as he is comfortable playing as a right-back, left-back, right wing-back and left wing-back,

having started his career at Chelsea as a winger.

In the current season, the former England U19 skipper has started nine of the 12 matches contested by Torino in the Italian top division and was introduced off the bench twice.

Aina was a non-playing substitute for the Super Eagles in their recent World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.

Vieira Backs Ebere Eze for Burnley Clash after Six Months Injury Crystal Palace boss, Patrick Vieira has confirmed that Nigeria Football Federation target, Eberechi Eze is in contention to make his first Premier League appearance since May 2021 when his side face Burnley at Turf Moor today.

The former England U21 international has been included in Palace’s provisional squad and will travel with the team to Lancashire for their clash with the Clarets.

Eze has missed all

the games played by the Eagles first team this season as he was recovering from a longterm injury he suffered in training at the back end of the 2020-2021 campaign.

The good news is that his injury problems appear to be over after coming through two Premier League 2 fixtures against Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea, plus an in-house friendly unscathed.

“Eze is doing really well.

He played two games and 90 minutes [in an in-house

friendly] and has been training with the team. He will be part of the group that travel to Burnley,” Vieira told reporters yesterday.

“Obviously he’s a talented player but he’s still a long way to go from his best.

“We need to remind ourselves that he will need time to return to what he was because of the injury. He will get there.”

Eze, who trained with the Super Eagles in March 2017 before a cancelled friendly vs Burkina Faso, will wear the number 10 on the back of his jersey this season.

Cricket Federation President Gives Reasons Nigeria is Struggling in Rwanda President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Uyi Akpata, has said that the Nigeria team at the ongoing African T20 Regional Qualifier has struggled because of the changes the team is currently going through.

He said this at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC)

where the team just lost its fourth game out the six game they are scheduled to play during the qualifier. ‘’The plan of our administration is to ensure that in the next two years we are competing with top African countries. And to achieve that we needed to harness our best talent together and expose them to

tough playing opportunities we can organise, which this event is one of such.”

He said though the defeats were tough on the team, but the newly assembled team that had majorly the 2020 Under 19 World Cup playing squad is a good foundation for any solid team we intend to build in the future.

Ibori Golf & Country Club Hosts LGAN 2021 Open, Nigerian Cup All is set for the Ibori Golf & Country Club, Asaba to host the LGAN OPEN 2021 Nigerian Cup, with the theme: ‘Looking Inward’ which teed off from yesterday and end on Sunday.

Golfers according to the information from the organising committee arrived yesterday while a march-past that will be competitive and ceremonial

Tee-Off was held and ladies were hosted to an informal cocktail in the evening.

The competition will commence this morning with participants expected to be dressed in LGAN T-shirts on White Pants while Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in the evening and on Sunday the winners in different categories will be presented with their prizes.

This year’s competition will also witnessed a Memorial Cup which is introduced in honour of the departed and Presidents’ Cup. Addressing newsmen ahead of the event, the President of LGAN, Susan Cole-Kotas further assured of adequate security and a perfect planning that connotes a desire to strengthen golf etiquettes.

Morocco 2022: Super Falcons Set for 9-day Training Camp in Abuja Nine –time African champions, Nigeria will set up a training camp in the Federal Capital, Abuja from Monday, as part of preparations for the final round of qualification series for the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations holding in Morocco in the summer of next year.

Head Coach Randy Waldrum has selected an equal blend of home –based and overseas –based professionals for the camping taking place between November 22– 30, and which is aimed at further improving the bond, affinity and familiarity among the group as well as the curation of tactical and technical methods that would work best for the squad in match situations.

There are 15 home girls and 15 foreign –based stars.

Leading the home girls are forwards Gift Monday and Vivian Ikechukwu, who scored two goals each during the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos in September, and there are also goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke, defender Akudo Ogbonna, midfielder Goodness Onyebuchi and forward Mary-Ann Ezenagu.

Defender Onome Ebi leads the overseas –based crew, alongside midfieder Rasheedat Ajibade, defenders Patricia George and Ashley Plumptre and forward Desire Oparanozie.

The home camping comes few months after a similar camp-

ing programme in the Austrian capital, Vienna and towards the end of what has been a busy year for the Falcons, in which they also participated in the Turkish Women’s Cup Tournament, the USWNT Summer Series in the United States of America and the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos.

The team has reached the final round of the 12th Women AFCON qualifiers after a 2-1 aggregate defeat of arch rivals Ghana, and will confront another strong West African side, Cote d’Ivoire for a place in Morocco. The final round of qualifiers will hold in February next year, with the first leg taking place in Lagos.

DStv, GOtv Begin 2022 World Cup Countdown to be Air Live DStv and GOtv customers will be counting down the days to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the tournament set to run from November 21 to December 18 and provide the most thrilling distillation of ‘The Beautiful Game’.

On November 21, 2021 there will be just 365 days to go until the kick-off of the 22nd edition of the World Cup. The tournament field is already taking shape, with hosts Qatar already joined by the likes of France, Germany, Brazil and Spain amongst others.

In Europe, there would be the playoff phase – where single knockout matches between runners-up will produce three further qualifiers for Qatar 2022.

Africa, meanwhile, has wrapped up the group phase of qualifying, with 10 teams set to be

drawn into five playoff ties (which will be played over two legs in March next year) and the five winners will all qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Elsewhere, Asian qualification sees Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia looking good to secure qualification – with four matchdays still remaining in their final group phase – Mexico, United States and Canada are leading the way in the CONCACAF region, and South America’s brutal preliminary tournament is as tough as ever.

CONMEBOL’s qualification process still has four further matchdays to be played from late January to late March of next year.

The next major milestone on the road to Qatar 2022 will be the completion of qualification in March, fol-

lowed by the draw in Doha on 1 April. The two winners of the inter-confederation play-offs will not be known at the time of the draw.

Meanwhile, the opening match of the tournament, featuring the hosts Qatar, will be played on 21 November 2022, at 11am, at the Al Bayt Stadium. During the group stage, four matches will be played each day, with kick-off times being 11am, 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm for the first two rounds, and 4pm and 8pm for the simultaneous kick-offs of the last round and for knockout stage matches.

The third-place match will be played on 17 December 2022 at the Khalifa International Stadium, and the final will be played on 18 December 2022 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, both at 4pm.

1st S’west Para-athletics championship

We’re Creating Platform for Persons with Disabilities, Says Etti The Chairman, Lagos State Para-Athletics Association, Rafiu Olawale Etti, has promised that the leadership of the association would not rest on its oars in creating an enabling environment for the para-athletes to unleash their potentials.

He made the statement while receiving the athletes at the main

bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.

He said: “It is just to create an enabling platform for people living with disability. We want them to come together and make themselves happy, feel among and to show that they are also important in the society”.

“People living with disability are also talented, coming up with this kind of initiave would go a long way in bringing out the best in them.”

He further disclosed that in the history of sports in Nigeria, para-athletes make the country proud by bringing laurels from the international competitions.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 20, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Top Signs of Engine Failure As a car owner it is important that you’re constantly on the lookout for symptoms of impending trouble.

As you drive down the road you should be noting strange noises or other odd issues that may come about, and when you notice them, don’t ignore them! Automotive problems will only get worse!

If you ever encounter the following signs of engine trouble be sure to get to an auto shop as soon as possible for expert repair.

The new Toyota Corolla sedan

TNL Launches New Toyota Corolla at Abuja Auto Show

I

t was all glamour at the Abuja auto fair, as Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) unveiled the new Corolla.

The Abuja Motor Fair, an annual event, was organised by BKG Exhibitions and it attracted representatives of major auto companies in Nigeria. It was a Àne opportunity for TNL to launch the new Corolla sedan into the Nigerian market.

The new Corolla is a typical Toyota that has been improved upon continuously over decades, said the Marketing Manager, TNL, Mr. Bayo Olawoyin, while presenting its features.

He said the new Corolla is powered by a 1.8 litre, 16 valves, four cylinder engine with maximum output, of 138/6400 (kw/rpm) and maximum torque of 173/4000 (Nm/rpm). It is available in petrol engine with

electronic fuel injection while the drivetrain is front wheel drive with front Macpherson struct and rear beam col. The transmission is CVT while the power steering is electronic.

The new Corolla is an executive sedan with array of safety features and conveniences, like never before. Its high ground clearance of 130mm, makes it the best in its segment.

It has seven air bags, anti-lock brake system (ABS/EBD), high mount stop lamp, vehicle stability control, anti theft system, driver and passenger seat belt warning, rear and front packing sensors, sonary all these give you a rest of mind in the Corolla nd they are standard in the new Corolla.

It comes with leather seats, seven-inch multi info display bluetooth, seven speakers, eco and sport driving mode, auto dual mode air conditioning system, wireless door lock, keyless entry and

push button.

The unveiling of the new Corolla was done

by Dr. Nau Omisanya, the Director of Industrial Infrastructure Development Department of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, who represented the Director General, Aliyu Jelani.

He stated that Toyota is a reputable brand in Nigeria and across the globe and the successive Corolla models have been a leading model in the market. “Corolla is a well known model and the new model looks outstanding with its unique feature and touch buttons.”

He said the new Toyota Corolla is an improvement on its predecessor both in design and comfort amenities and I am highly impressed that Toyota Nigeria will be assembling it at its plant in Lagos.

Ford Designs PrototypeTrunk of 2022 F-150 from Cardboard

A

cardboard box found a new lease on life after being recruited

by Ford to help develop a new feature known as the Mega Power Frunk.

According to the automaker, the all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning pickup’s new front trunk or, as it’s known in industry speak “frunk” is the largest in the truck industry – with 400 liters (14.1 cubic feet) of cargo space and maximum payload capacity of 400 pounds.1 “The F-150 Lightning pickup’s Mega Power Frunk is one of those features that reshape what vehicles can provide for customers. It’s sheer size, ample power supply, drainable floor and open and close system that opens with the touch of a button make it frunking awesome!” said Linda Zhang, F-150 Lightning Chief Program Engineer.

What many don’t know is this spacious and dynamic space began life as a simple cardboard box with a cutout front door and a liftable hood.

Understanding the Customer’s Needs It began back in February 2018 with Team Edison – Ford’s dedicated battery electric vehicles incubator that incorporates close collaboration between different teams to find solutions to customer needs. A small group of young user experience designers set out to California, where they sat down with actual Ford truck and fleet customers to talk about how they might use such a feature. The prototype, made of cardboard for simplicity and cost and built in about a day using scissors and hot glue, was brought to every meeting to help customers visualize the opportunity.

In the studio, Greg Ardisana, design strategy

L-R: Public Relations Officer, National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), Mrs Felicia Oyebolu; GM, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Mr. Abiona Babarinde; Director, NADDC, Dr. Noah Omisanya; Member Governing Board NADDC, Rev. Lambert Ekewuba; CEO, BKG Exhibitions, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu; and Brand Manager, Coscharis Motors Plc., Mr. Felix Mahan, at the Coscharis - Ford pavilion during the Abuja International Auto Fair held at the Conference Centre, Abuja… recently

director, passenger vehicles, and other Team Edison research members worked as consultants alongside engineering and design whenever they had customer use questions, which led to a close-knit collaboration between groups.

“Since the frunk was a new space, all the truck customers we interacted with got really excited about what it could be and what use they could

get out of it in their daily lives,” said Ardisana.

“We needed to take what they wanted and find a way to deliver on it.”

Truck customers imagined fitting not one, but two golf bags, even when it wasn’t a golf day.

The additional permanent storage keeps valuables out of sight, is lockable and secure. Fleet owners saw their crews using the space to haul bags of

Knocking noise A knocking noise that comes from under the hood and rises and falls in speed with engine RPMs is most likely the sign of a failing engine bearing.

Engine bearings are what support the movement of moving engine parts, and should it seize, your car’s engine will suffer major damage.

Increased exhaust If you notice more smoke coming out of your car’s tailpipe than normal a trip to the auto shop should be scheduled. You can often tell what sort of problem is occurring judging by the color of the smoke. Blue smoke means oil is burning, while white exhaust is a sign of coolant in the combustion chamber. Black smoke on the other hand is a sign of too much fuel being used.

Check engine light Too many people ignore the ever important check engine light. Many times the check engine light comes on a very small problem is present, but if left unchecked that little issue will become big trouble.

Decreased Performance Have you noticed a drop in fuel efficiency? Is it difficult to get your car up to speed? Does your car require warm up time? These are all issues that should be addressed as soon as they become present. Many times a tune up can fix these types of problems.

Rough Idle If your vehicle seems to have a hard time staying on when stopped at a red light or elsewhere, you’ll want to visit the auto shop. This may indicate a fuel delivery problem, but any number of issues, big and small, can cause this type of trouble.

Never hesitate to visit an auto repair shop if you believe your vehicle’s engine is experiencing issues.

(Source: Auto Check).

Auto Brands Set for Motoring Journalist’s Awards Next Month Automotive brands and their franchisees in the country are getting set for honours come December 1, as organisers of the 2021 Nigerian Auto Awards, Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) announced finalists in each of the awards categories.

Eventual winners in each of the categories are expected to be declared on December 1, 2021 at the glamorous Nigerian Auto Awards scheduled for Eko Hotels and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to the chairman of the award committee, Theodore Opara, Car-of-The-Year (COTY) will be contested by Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Creta and Kia Rio. Weststar’s Associates Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and Coscharis Motors’ BMW 7-series will compete in the Luxury car of the year segment. In the compact SUV segment, Toyota RAV4 is coming back again to compete with Hyundai Tuscan and Ford Escape for the coveted crown in this ever-growing sector of the Nigerian auto market.

In the Pickup of the year segment, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Hardbody NP300 are set for another showdown as the contenders are on solid ground in the Nigerian auto market.

Hilux has won the awards on several occasions in the past, likewise the Ford Ranger; but this time again, the die is cast as anything can happen within the competitors and those that are yet to win the award in the category for the first time.

Geely Coolray, being marketed by Mikano international limited, is going head to head with Jaguar F-Pace from the Coscharis Motors’ stable in the outstanding design and technology of the year category.

Elizade Nigeria Ltd will be competing in the auto workshop of the year with Dana Motors and Mandilas Enterprise (Motor Division). In the assembly plant of the year, Dana Motors, Stallion Motors’ VON assembly plant will slug it out in this category.

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AUTO WORLD

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Features Plug-hybrid, All-wheel Drive

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few months ago, the fourth generation of the hybrid drive celebrated its premiere in the new S-Class.

Now, for the Àrst time, with the S 580 e 4MATIC (combined fuel consumption, weighted: 1.0-0.7 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions, weighted: 23-16 g/km; combined electric energy consumption, weighted: 25.5-21.9 kWh/100 km)[1] there is also a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive in this segment. The new model is available with a short or long wheelbase and can be ordered immediately at prices starting at 130,638.20 euros..

With an electric drive output of 110 kW/150 hp and a purely electric range of over 100 kilometres (WLTP), the S 580 e 4MATIC can in many circumstances be driven without using the combustion engine. The basis for the hybrid drive system is provided by the six-cylinder in-line M 256 engine with 270 kW/367 hp from the current generation of MercedesBenz engines. The high power density of the hybrid traction head is achieved using a permanently excited synchronous motor with internal rotor. The peak torque of the electric motor, at 480 Nm, is available right from the start, resulting in high agility when moving oͿ, along with dynamic driving performance. The top

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class speed in the ELECTRIC drive program is 140 km/h, after which the speed is softly limited. The high-voltage battery

is now even better integrated than in the predecessor model: the luggage compartment no longer has a step and oͿers a

through-loading facility.

An 11 kW charger is on board as standard for three-phase charging from the AC mains network. A 60 kW DC charger is available for fast charging with direct current. Even an empty battery can be fully charged in around 30 minutes.

SimpliÀed display and operating concept thanks to the zero layer In the electric luxury saloon EQS, Mercedes-Benz has taken MBUX operation to a new level. In future, drivers of a Mercedes-Benz or Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will also beneÀt from the latest version of this adaptive system: with the zero-layer design, the user does not have to scroll through submenus or give voice commands. The most important applications according to the situation and context are visible on the top level in the direct Àeld of vision.

With adaptive software, the display and operating concept adapts completely to its user and makes personalised suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. This relieves the driver of quite a number of operating steps. More than 20 functions – from ENERGIZING COMFORT to birthday reminders and suggestions for the to-do list – are automatically oͿered, with the help of artiÀcial intelligence, when they are relevant to the customer.

Hyundai Motor Unveils SEVEN, its New Electric SUV Concept Hyundai Motor Company has revealed SEVEN, the new sport utility electric vehicle (SUEV) concept at AutoMobility LA. The automaker said, “This category-bending electric SUV concept will be on display in Hyundai Motor’s booth, along with other segment-leading products such as IONIQ 5, and XCIENT Fuel Cell, at the LA Convention Center, Nov. 19-28.”

Following the 45 concept in 2019 and the Prophecy concept in 2020, the SEVEN concept opens a new chapter for the IONIQ brand, Hyundai’s dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) showcase. These differentiated design and technology innovations prioritize customer values over industry norms. SEVEN is also a clear representation of Hyundai’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2045.

“The SEVEN concept demonstrates Hyundai’s creative vision and advanced technological development for our electrified mobility future,” said José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “Its innovative interior space, eco-friendly powertrain and cutting-edge safety and convenience technologies reveal an exciting future for Hyundai SUV customers.”

The SEVEN debut press conference can be viewed at Hyundai Motor America website. Hyundai Motor also released a lifestyle-oriented storytelling video, featuring

SEVEN’s customer experience concept and its various in-car appliances. The film can be viewed at https:// youtu.be/7UXyfPLElhY. IONIQ: Dedicated BEV brand embodying Hyundai’s future mobility vision Every vehicle developed for the IONIQ brand offers a next generation customer experience that seamlessly integrates the most advanced technologies into everyday life settings. SEVEN concept is the perfect example of IONIQ, with its space innovation and hygienic features transforming the vehicle as an innovative living space on wheels.

“As a tangible proof of Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, IONIQ changes the paradigm of electric vehicle customer experiences, accommodating diverse lifestyles without constraints,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor Company. “SEVEN represents our commitment to a human-centered approach to redefine everyday experiences.”

Redefining SUV with aerodynamically pure exterior and powerful presence SEVEN concept is built upon Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), a dedicated BEV architecture. E-GMP’s long wheelbase and flat platform floor enables a completely new class of vehicle that offers new experiences for customers.

Concept of Hyundai SEVEN, all-new electric SUV SEVEN has an aerodynamically pure silhouette instinctively divergent from a typical SUV. The low, leading edge of the hood, a single, streamlined roofline and elongated wheelbase communicate a clear break

from traditional SUVs powered by internal combustion engines. The pure volume of SEVEN’s minimal forms contrast with the powerful stance and commanding, rugged presence.

Is A Road Crash An Accident?

According to Paul Wenham-Clarke, the term ‘incident’ rather than ‘accident’ best captures a road traffic crash. Paul further notes that road users will not truly understand the difference between ‘incident’ and ‘accident’ until the day when someone knocks at their door to give them devastating news of a loved one who died in a road traffic crash. An accident, he submitted, is something that could not have been prevented; it is one of those things that no one is to blame.

So, do you still think that the stories we read daily in the media about deaths and multiple injuries on our roads should still be termed incidents or accidents?

Do you think a road crash is an accident or incident?

While you are pondering on this question, I hope you remember that last week, I concluded by informing you that fatigue, which was once my focus on this same column, is believed to contribute to 10 per cent of all fatal crashes. Fatigue is a condition that comes on gradually and with clear warning signs, and cannot be considered unexpected.

This and other underlying behavioral tendencies underscore why in 2001, the British Medical Journal banned the use of the word ‘accident’ to avoid the connotation of unpredictability, since ‘most injuries and their precipitating events are predictably and preventable events’.

Some years ago, leading epidemiologists described the belief that injuries are accidents as the last folklore subscribed to by rational men. This again perhaps explains why Rita Taylor of the Road Peace Bristol Group, wonders why is it an ‘Accident’ when

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

someone dies or is injured on our roads, arguing that someone actually took a decision to flout the laws. The laws flouted could be driving excessively above the approved speed limit or it could be driving and using the mobile phone despite its inherent risk.

It could be driving impaired among other infractions that are committed at will by road users.

Please permit me to drive home this point by giving specific examples of some avoidable incidents in our clime and even others within the African continent beginning with the crash which occurred last week in Sierra Leone. According to media reports, more than 100 people were killed and more than 100 injured in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, late on Friday, 6th November, 2021. The report attributed the causative factor to a fuel tanker explosion following a collision.

According to the report, emergency workers worked to clear the scene of burnt bodies while the blackened shells of cars and motorbikes blocked the road following the crash. Victims of the crash included people who had flocked to collect fuel from the leaking vehicle.

The National Disaster Management Agency described the incident thus; “It’s a terrible, terrible accident.”

Meanwhile, the crash further stretched Freetown’s health service battered by underfunding. Aside of underfunding, you will recall that during the 20142016 Ebola epidemic, 250 of the country’s health workers died. To bridge this gap, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as other NGO partners complimented with equipment, medical commodities and food while the World Health Organization sent supplies and deployed specialists in burn injuries.

Accidents with tanker trucks is a frequent occurrence and often kills scores of people who gather at the site to collect spilled fuel. In 2019, a tanker explosion in Tanzania killed 85 people, while around 50 people were killed in a similar disaster in Democratic Republic of Congo in 2018. The story in Nigeria is the same.

Just on Wednesday, five were reported killed in a tanker crash that occurred at Ogere in Ogun State that was attributed to dangerous driving.

Besides this recent crash, available information reveals that in 2018,226 road traffic crashes were recorded killing 172 people. In 2019,285 road traffic crashes were recorded killing 201 people, in 2020 between January to November, 324 road traffic crashes were reported killing 226 people. The causative factors ranged from speed violation, break failure, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving with the Lagos –Ibadan, Oyo-Ogbomosho, Benin –Ore, Auchi-Ewu and Kaduna-Abuja corridors as most pronounced.

Between 2018 to 2020, a total of figure stands at

835 road traffic crashes involving tankers occurred killing, 599 deaths and 1948 injured.

On November 16, 2021 alone crash which occurred in Mokwa- Jebba road, Niger State killed eleven people while 37 were injured. While we were battling with the tragedy in Mokwa, another tragedy occurred on November 18 in the same Mokwa along the same Mokwa-Jebba road. Unlike the crash of November 16 which was a lone crash, the November 18 crash was a multiple crash involving two vehicles; a DAF 95 tanker and a Toyota Hiace bus. The crash which was caused by speeding and wrongful overtaking killed seven while nine sustained various degrees of injuries. So in a space of two days, two road traffic crashes claimed the lives of eighteen people within the same corridor and within the same State attributed to speed The causative factor behind this crash was speed violation and loss of control. Incidentally, Niger State which is under my watch alongside the Federal Capital Territory is responsible for increased road traffic crashes within the Zone caused not just by the road conditions begging for government attention but the unrepentant attitude of drivers who transport human beings with cattle. Ironically, the driver of the crash which killed eleven people in Niger State fled the scene of the crash to escape the wrath of the mourners. These snippets of reported crashes and their causative factors pictures the reasons experts believe they are avoidable and therefore cannot and should not be classified as accidents which could not have been prevented.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Educator, Sandra Ovie; Principal & CEO Beauty Therapy institute/The Aesthetic Clinic,Dr ifeoma Abajue; Actress/Singer, Bisola Aiyeola and Educator, Dr Eyitope Jones, at the third edition of ‘Beauty Needs Education’ seminar in Lagos...recently

From left: Marketing Communications Executive, Laserderm Clinics, Tonia Olisa-Nwoko; Chief Operating officer, Laserderm Group, Omolade Olatawura and Head of school, Laserderm Aesthetics Academy, Omotoke Sikaiye at the academy’s maiden open day programme in Lagos.... recently

Bold Drink Pledges Support for Youth Beverage brand, Bold Soft Drink has restated its support for youth development at the just concluded inter-collegiate football competition, Higher Institution Football League (HiFL).

Speaking at elite award ceremony to round oͿ the 2021 Season of HIFL, Managing Director of The La Casera Company Plc, Chinedum Okereke said the brand was delighted to be associated with HiFL as the project aligned with the company’s vision which prioritises youth development.

The elite awards was designed to reward

outstanding players and corporate bodies especially sponsors, who have contributed to the success of the tournament Okereke said, “It is a great joy to be part of the HiFL, the vision of Bold as a youth-centric brand is to unleash the talent in young Nigerians. We can totally relate with Nigeria’s undaunting adventurous and fun-loving spirit, we understand that when we talk about youth in Nigeria, we should identify them with positive things such as this project.”

Continuing, he said, “We are thrilled to be the o΀cial drink partner of HiFL’s 2021 Season as the platform deÀnitely availed us the opportunity to support the nurturing of football talents among Nigerian youths, while connecting with our loving consumers through sports. We look forward to more collaborations and an exciting sporting football league in subsequent seasons.”

Football legend, Kanu Nwankwo who was also present at the award event presented the 2021 HiFL highest goal scorer of the season

and HiFL player of the season award to UNIMAID Desert Warriors, Sulieman Ali Selah and also took picture autographs with attendees.

The Director of PACE Sports, Sola Fijabi remarked that the partnership with Bold marked the commencement of greater expectations.

He said, “We are glad to have Bold, our o΀cial drink join the growing family of partners and sponsors alike who are dedicated to developing the Nigerian youths”.

Hollandia Zero Yoghurt Gaining Skincare firm Tasks Operators on professionalism Affinity With Consumers The introduction of Hollandia Zero Yoghurt last year generated a lot of excitement amongst consumers inclined to a healthy lifestyle and interested in enjoying the natural taste and nutrition of yoghurt with Zero Added Sugar, Zero ArtiÀcial Sweeteners & Zero Lactose.

Brand analysts and nutritionists have also commended the product launch campaign tagged “So Much Yoghurt Goodness, Zero Compromise” for its boldness in highlighting the product value to drive preference and purchase intentions. They concluded that the campaign reÁects deep insights on the shift in consumption pattern as a result of growing health and lifestyle consciousness in the country.

Fatimah Ladipo, a nutritionist in Lagos stated that regular consumption of low fat drinking yoghurt like Hollandia Zero Yoghurt is beneÀcial for overall health, as it helps keep your calories and protein intake in check. According to her, “It does this by regulating your hunger

hormones, upping your metabolism and keeps you feeling full.”

Ko΀ Benson, a brand executive with Wingplus Communication said that the absence of lactose and artiÀcial sweeteners coupled with the natural Yoghurt taste were key considerations for making the switch to Hollandia Zero Yoghurt.

He stated, “I am a health conscious consumer and always on the lookout for low sugar and nourishing beverage options as part of my health routine. Hollandia Zero Yoghurt Àts the bill with its natural Yoghurt taste and absence of artiÀcial sweeteners.”

Hollandia Zero Yoghurt contains all the goodness and nourishment of drinking yoghurt with the added beneÀts of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B12, H, Calcium, Potassium, Iron and Protein. It is also a low-fat drinking yoghurt which makes it the perfect choice for weight-conscious consumers.

Beauty training facility, Laserderm Aesthetics Academy has pledged to continue to uphold the standard in skin care practice, just as it tasked operators on professionalism.

The Chief Operating O΀cer of Laserderm Group, Omolade Olatawura, declared this at the academy’s maiden Learners Open Day, held as part of eͿorts to promote competence in the Àeld.

While expressing worry over the proliferation of incompetent hands in the Àeld of beauty and aesthetics, Olatawura maintained that the skin must be taken care of just like the internal organs.

She revealed that increasing awareness on skin care, as well as accompanying interest, has further drawn attention to incompetence that has dominated the Àeld, adding that there was urgent need for regulatory intervention.

She added that Laserderm Aesthetics Academy, an arm of Laserderm Group,

was established speciÀcally to bridge skills and knowledge gap in the industry, adding that not many qualiÀed trainers existed in the country.

She said,” The aesthetics industry in Nigeria is on a steady rise with increasing awareness, acceptance and demand for non-invasive aesthetics procedures by Nigerians who are now more attentive to the appearance, condition of their skin and general disposition to aesthetic appearances.

“The increased awareness has resulted to current shortages in skilled professionals and limited-availability of reputable, internationally accredited training centers that oͿer professional certiÀcations”.

Speaking further, the Head of School, Omotoke Sikaiye explained that the academy “oͿers internationally accredited courses with certiÀed trainers,” thus providing learners with same value as abroad.

Tobems Media Marks 10th Expert Calls for Improved ‘Beauty Needs Education’ Seminar Anniversary, Expands Footprint Banking Regulation to Chart Growth Path for Sector Creative and Marketing Media agency, Tobems Media has expanded its scope of business with the launch of Luova Group.

The expansion was announced at the occasion of the organisation’s 10th anniversary that held in Lagos recently.

According to the organisation, Luova Group, a holding company acts as the parent company to Tobems Media, Tobems Production, and newly launched marketing-innovation company, Trois Sitini.

It noted that the event was a dual celebration of the agency’s last 10 years of operations and a projection of its next 10 years.

Speaking at the well-attended event, President of National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Idorenyin Enang commended the management

members of the organisation on their feats in ten years of operations.

While delivering an address on the theme of the event, “The future of marketing”, Enang represented by the Group head, mobile Ànancial services, Interswitch, Lanre Basamta outlined the characters of the marketer for the future to include being a “problem discoverer.”

He said, “The person who discovers a problem, deserves the right to solve it. The future is such that we have to be much more than marketers, we have to be problem discoverers, we have to be partners.

“The marketer of the future is not just one that creates the spiciest campaigns but the one who understands not just the customer, but the customer’s impulses.”

The call for an improved banking regulatory regime has been emphasized in a new book authored by Dr. Folashade Adeyemo, a lecturer at the University of Reading, United Kingdom.

The book titled, “Banking Regulation in Africa: The Case of Nigeria and Other Developing Economies,” pointed out the challenges and episodes of bank failures in the country, a situation that compelled President Muhammadu Buhari to sign Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 into law in November 2020.

According to the author, the book which is to be released in December 2021, captures the views of renowned experts on the subject matter, analysed the existing regulatory bodies as well as the recently enacted

BOFIA 2020.

She said, “The growing area of interest in banking regulation has led to the idea of the book which contributes to the ongoing discourse and calls to improve the banking regulatory regime in Africa. The book pays special attention to the Nigerian banking regulatory environment, however, South Africa, Kenya, the US and UK are also captured as part of this important analysis”.

In the book, the author reviewed the existing banking regulatory bodies including: Central Bank of Nigeria, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation among others, related their signiÀcance and presented a detailed analysis of the BOFIA 2020 as well as its operations within the Nigerian banking system.

The organisers of ‘Beauty Needs Education’ (BNE) seminar have announced plans for this year’s edition of the initiative which primarily sought to achieve growth in the nation’s beauty sector.

BNE is a statewide effort to increase the awareness of clientaesthetician practices within the beauty industry and develop necessary actions that will prepare practitioners for world-class challenges.

The initiative, which is the result of a collaborative effort of Beauty Therapy Institutes (BTI) and Institute of Aesthetics, would offer insight and tips useful to improve growth and investment in the sector.

Currently, the Nigerian beauty and Personal Care market is worth more than $1.256 billion at retail and forecast to reach more than $1.311 billion in 2022, according to Euromonitor International

Addressing the press in Lagos, the Principal of BTI, Dr. Ifeoma Abajue stated that a programme of such was necessary to keep practitioners abreast of trends and updates in the industry, moreso, to deal with unprofessionalism in the field.

She maintained that practitioners must take a deliberate step to learn about the challenges and future of aesthetics in order to get them better prepared and educated against such. .She said a number of industry experts from within and outside the country will be gracing the fourth edition of the programme slated for November 25 in Lagos.

She said, “Each year, individuals and patients are met with substandard treatments brought to them by unqualified and some qualified, yet un-thorough aestheticians/ dermatologists and this further highlights the need to becoming a “7 Star Aesthetician.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

FEATURE

Deserted Goi community

Pollution: 16 Years After, Goi Remains Ghost Community Blessing Ibunge, in Port Harcourt

I

n January this year, when a Dutch court sitting at The Hague, Netherlands ordered Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to compensate four communities in Niger Delta, including Goi community in Ogoni, Rivers State over oil spills from the company’s facilities that adversely impacted their livelihoods, many saw it as justice for the people.

The court’s ruling rekindled hope of the poor farmers who instituted the lawsuit through the aid of Friends of the Earth against SPDC in 2003.

Other communities whose farmlands were affected and therefore parties in the suit were Ikot Ada Udo community in Akwa Ibom State, and Oruma community in Bayelsa State.

Ogoniland in Rivers State has always hosted one of the best natural resources that has enriched Nigeria, yet the area bears no imprint of development reminiscent of what it hosts. This is further worsened by degradation of the ecosystem caused by multinational oil companies operating in the area, but they in turn blame it on suspected sabotage of their aged and corroded pipelines.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in June 2016 flagged off the cleanup of Ogoniland in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area, one of the majorly impacted areas by the oil spill that led to altercations which culminated in stoppage of oil production in the area.

Five years after, though there is an ongoing remediation process by the federal government agency, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (Hyprep), larger parts of the impacted communities are still in a bad state.

THISDAY visited the area recently, on a special coverage alongside some international environmentalists both from Nigeria and other African countries and the situation on ground was quite telling.

During the visit, THISDAY observed that the people who believed that their polluted farms, fish pond, creeks, rivers and lands would soon be treated are still suffering the adverse effects of the pollution.

Goi community is one of the oldest towns in Ogoniland, known for friendly and hospitable disposition to visitors but the people were forced to vacate their land as a result of pollution caused by the activities of oil companies. About 16 years after, Goi community still looks deserted with no inhabitants seen in what was once a lively and bubbling town.

Surprisingly, it was learnt that the heavily polluted Goi community was not undergoing cleanup exercise, because it was not captured in the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) report as part of impacted areas that needed cleanup and remediation.

Goi is in Gokana Local Government Area.

History has it that Goi was the first community to accommodate people in Gokana, but today is the most polluted community in Niger Delta. This is because there is no other community in the Niger Delta that pollution has actually chased away people, destroying the entire livelihood and the economic activities of the people as it did to Goi. Indigenes of Goi lived a productive life until the major oil spill in Bodo. But before then, because of the tidal movement of the river that connects Goi, the spills from Okrika, Andoni, Bonny, K-Dere, usually got deposited in Goi community.

That was the origin of the spill until the major spill that led to fire outbreak in the community.

As a result of the outbreak from the spill, the schools, poultry, bakery, and the community life was completely destroyed, which forced people to migrate to other communities. Till the time of this report, the Goi people are still struggling to get compensation for their economic activities that the oil destroyed.

Still on the investigation, it was observed that Goi does not have oil and oil well. Goi does not have any manifold but they are facing the worst

Polluted site in K-Dere, Gokana LG

oil pollution.

Chief Eric Dooh, paramount ruler of Goi, who narrated the incident that drove them away from their ancestral home, regretted that 16 years after the pollution experience which claimed their livelihood, the federal government has not shown serious concern about their plight.

The monarch regretted that instead of the government to come to their aid, it was non-governmental organisations and some renowned environmentalists that have been fighting for justice for the indigenes.

Dooh said: “The year the spill occurred in Goi, my home community, was in August 2003, and it emanated from the Trans-Niger pipeline, about a kilometer from my community and we vacated in 2005.

“There is no oil well in my community but my environment is in between the Bomu oil fields and the Bodo West oil fields, and when there is pollution because of the tidal flows of environment, the spill coming from Bodo is carried by the high tide into my community and spill from Bomu oil field because of the topography of the area, it flows downwards, through the sea, into my father’s investment in Goi. “Goi has suffered to an extent that those who came in here when it was in a normal situation, normal habitat will see that we have serious mangrove forest in the Creek but continuous pollution and outbreak of fire engulfing the

environment led to the total devastation of this environment.

“We worship crocodile but because of the pollution you cannot find any reptile in this place again. All the shrines were burnt because of fire outbreak, the crocodiles left and some died and we buried them. It is the problem we are encountering here.

“So Shell coming into this place to see this devastated environment could not even seek for alternative means. They only asked my parents to leave this place. My father had over 30 canoes that he was using for the deep sea business, especially excavation of solid mineral from deep sea. The fire consumed them all. It was God that brought Rev. Nnimmo Bassey and he took me from my father and I followed him so as to get justice.

“My father had a commercial school here (pointing at a building). It was as a result of the pollution the school closed down, my father had a bakery, fish ponds but as a result of this pollution the fishing business closed down, everything wrapped up.”

Dooh is presently demanding for restoration of his hometown and compensation to indigenes who have become refugees in neighbouring communities.

Also, the environmentalists, who visited impacted sites at Goi community which was sacked by the 2004-2005 spill in Bodo, expressed sadness.

The Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey, regretted that Goi community does not have an oil well, flow station, gas flare, oil installation apart from the pipeline at the fringe nearer to Bodo, yet they had the worst pollution in their river which has also affected their land.

Bassey stated that “This community is a prime example. Goi has been neglected. The UNEP report did not mention Goi at all and you don’t hear Goi appearing in the cleanup in this territory but this is the prime place that the cleanup ought to have started.

“The Goi people are living as refugees in other communities. You cannot stay here for long and remain healthy because the hydrocarbon is very thick in the atmosphere, in the air that we are breathing.”

He therefore, urged the government to restore the Goi community and bring back indigenes to their ancestral home.

“The oil spill and fire that occurred here did not happen because they have oil installation but because the ecosystem, the creeks are all inter connected. Goi needs attention and government should not wait any further before reacting.

Whether UNEP shut or open its eye, government cannot shut its eye to Goi community”.

Speaking further, Bassey frowned at the way multinationals operate in the region with impunity, polluting the environment through their careless activities.

“In the terms of pollution in the Niger Delta, the refineries are also complicit. That is why in terms of contributing the money for the cleanup, NNPC, Shell, Total, Eni, the refineries and other petrochemical in this area should be involved because they also contribute to the problem.

“So, there is no part of the petroleum industry activity that is safe. In terms of prospect for seismic activity on land and in the water, they disorient big aquatic animals,” Bassey added.

Also, at the other impacted areas undergoing remediation, Kpobari Nafo, Information Officer with Hyprep, revealed that the cleanup was in progress in Ogoniland, adding that the agency was concentrating on less complex site and had achieved tremendous success.

He explained that the complex site in K-Dere Gokana and other similar sites would be handled after treating the less polluted areas in Ogoni.

Nafo further disclosed that Hyprep had given more attention to drinkable water supply, stating that majority of the impacted areas were suffering from serious pollution which had contaminated their water making it poisonous to drink or use for cooking.

“We have been sensitising the communities, making them to understand that this environment is theirs, so repolluting the environment is to their own detriment. We have been working and they have been cooperating. Most of the communities have ensured that those who come to re-pollute their areas are no longer finding it business as usual.

“The rumour that Hyprep is not working is false.

We are working according to the UNEP’s recommendations; moving from the upland site that is contaminated before going to the coastal area.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

SUPER SATURDAY Ini Edo

I’m Still Looking Forward to Playing a Witch in a Movie Delectable actress, Ini Edo, is a name to behold on screen. A diva, who has consistently remained relevant to her craft. She was caught on the set of Okirika, a new series told in a comical way which will debut on December 9 on StarTimes’ Nollywood Plus Channel. Okirika also features other great talents that are the rave of the moment. In this interview with Chinedu Ibeabuchi, Ini shares her role in the series, staying power in the industry, and her passion for Nollywood

W

hat’s Okirika all about?

So basically, what the Okirika series does is explore the underworld of crime scenes like what people do undercover using other businesses to cover up.

And particularly, my character is really interesting because she had to blend into a life that isn’t hers as an undercover agent just because she needed to get to the bottom of these particular crime scenes. So, it’s a lot of lessons to be learned. It’s a way of letting people know that most times things are not really the way that they appear; that there are people who do a lot of things and cover them up with what the public wants to see.

So, it tells its audience to be careful about the kind of lifestyle that they want to emulate.

What are the lessons from the Okirika series?

Most times, things are not really what they seem when you see other people’s lives and you feel it’s all perfect and rosy and want to be like them. You don’t really know who these people really are. It’s good to be contented with what you do, work hard, and don’t try to be somebody else.

Each story comes unique with each character. You have featured in over a hundred movies. Which character would you say came unique for this Okirika role and what challenges did you face in interpreting your role?

I like to separate myself from the other works I’ve done in the past and see how I can bring something new to the table. In Okirika, my role entails a lot of characters. So for me, the challenge is trying to see how I could be different for each character and I needed to find a way to bring a different interpretation to the characters on set. This role entails someone who’s an undercover agent and has to be convincing. She’s actually a part of that life that she wasn’t in order to blend with the level of the people with which she wants to expose their crime. I had to find a way to twist my language, twist my accent and carriage.

You have acted in a lot of movies.

Is there any particular role you still feel like playing?

Yes, I still want to play the role of a superhero, sort of a supervillain.

I’m still looking forward to playing like a witch. I don’t think I have done that. I am looking forward to playing

Ini Edo

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

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SUPER SATURDAY It’s Good to Be Contented, Don’t Try to Be Somebody Else something like a maleficent, something abstract, something a little bit out of order.

I like challenging roles that go with different characters and of course, I have pretty much done a lot.

Over the years, Nollywood has evolved a lot in different aspects. In your opinion, what are the other areas the industry still needs to cover well?

It has really evolved in such a dramatic and radical turn. I feel that technically, we need to improve on our manpower. We need to train more people, because like when I started my own production, I had to bring in a cinematographer. We do have very talented cinematographers, but we need a lot more. More investors are coming in, corporate bodies and individuals are coming in to produce high-quality films. So, we need to train more manpower like the people behind the scenes to be able to churn out these quality films to match up with our counterparts.

You need to build studios where people can go in and fine-tune their work, their craft. At this point, I feel like we’re ready to even compete globally, but we need to train more hands to grow our level of professionalism.

What would you like to be remembered for us as an actress?

She’s somebody who stays true to her character; goes to any extent to bring her character to life and of course, as an actor, I want to be remembered for my good works.

It’s no doubt you’re one of the big names in the movie industry and it would also interest everybody to know that scripts fly left and right on your table. What determines the script you accept?

The uniqueness of the scripts has to be in the story itself. It has to make sense.

Yes, have some positives out of it; some things for people to learn from. It also has to have entertaining quality. Of course, for me, I don’t like repeated stories like something that I’ve seen or done before. It has to be something new on the table, from the writing to the language of the script, which determines how far this particular production is ready to go. And I try to not just jump on any set because I want my face everywhere.

I try to see how I could identify quality productions from the script. So, from the script to the productions to the post-production, they must be unique. I want to be involved as the story evolves. So I’m very picky about my scripts. It just has to be something detailed.

Irrespective of the fees?

Yes, irrespective of the fees because, for me, this job is a passion. If you don’t have the passion for it, you can’t really do it. If you’re just doing it just for the

money, then you can’t put your soul into it and it will just fall flat and people won’t connect with who you are as an actor. So it goes beyond the fees. It is about the project itself.

Talking about the evolution of the industry, we have seen big companies and multinational companies like Netflix, and we see Nollywood movies in cinemas, in contrast to when you just began your career. How has been so far?

I am so happy that this is happening in my time; that I’m here to witness this. It’s a whole lot of evolution and it’s still evolving. When we just started, I remember us shooting with 2k and HD cameras. Today, we’re shooting with Red and shooting with high-quality cameras just like our counterparts are doing abroad now. We have a wider platform where the world can see what we do and of course, we have the talent. So the platforms coming in just show that the world is ready for us and we’re ready for the world. We can see from the quality of jobs we’ve done in recent times. And it’s just really moving up every day.

It’s really such a blessing to witness this growth.

How was it like shooting this series with newbies in the industry?

As I said, there’s a lot of talent in this country. So shooting with newbies who are talented, it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s a delight seeing people who have prospects.

All I have to do is encourage them and give my blessings and see where I can help.

What would you describe as your staying power because over the years you are still relevant?

First of all, it is God. Secondly, I think this job chose me. I don’t think I chose this career. I never sat down and said I want to be an actor. For the staying power, I think it is just consistency.

How do you think that the Nollywood industry has been coping since COVID-19?

COVID-19 has altered the entire world and things have never really been the same, but on the other hand, I think for creatives, it’s given us the awareness that the world can actually stop for a minute and it has aided a lot of creativity. During the COVID-19 lockdown, a lot of writers came out with really amazing stories, because there were a lot of situations and scenarios to explore.

So, it obviously gives time for creative minds to be more creative. Of course, it affected production. We had to call off production, in several instances, and stay at home. And even right now, a lot of people say, I have a phobia of coming out and being in the midst of so many people in Ini Edo the same place.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

IMAGES

A

lhaji Rotimi Oyekan, Former Commissioner of Finance Lagos State and Chairman Board of Trustees of Summit University was among the few that were honoured with prestigious of specail merit award by Lagos branch of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria during the 13th merit award ceremony at the Eagle Club Marquee, Surulere, Lagos on Sunday October 31.

Here are a few invited guests at the award ceremony.

Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (left) presenting special recognition award to Alhaji Rotimi Oyekan with them is Oba Igbobi Sabe, HRM Owolabi Adeniyi

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Abdulfatai Akin Kekere-Ekun and Oniru of Iruland, Victoria Island, Lagos, Oba Lawal Gbolahan

R-L: Mrs. Mufutiat Oyekan Olabisi and Dr. (Mrs.) Muidat Omosanya Ekundayo

Mr Gaji Omobolaji and Hon. Justice Tao Oyekan Abdullai

L-R: Mrs Tinu Oyekan and MsTosin Abdullai

R-L: Folashade Shoaga and Omotanwa Adagba

National President Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Ademola Sanni presenting an award to Alhaji Muritala Adeleke

L-R: Ladi Oyekan and Abu Oyekan

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

IMAGES

L-R: Imam Mustapha Bello, Alhaji Tajudeen Okerinde and President, Ansarudeen High School Old Student Association (AHOSA), Mr. Rafiu Williams.

L-R: Alhaji Tayo Lawal, Alhaja ldiat Fagbayi and Alhaja Saidat Adejumobi

Alhaji Mutiu Are and Alhaji Fatai Idris

R-L: Mallam Ishaq Alabi, Alhaji Isikilu Yusuf and Alhaji Shola Hassan

L-R: Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti, Imam Zakaria Mohammodu Tani and Alhaji Rotimi Oyekan

L-R: Alhaji Rotimi Oyekan, his wife, Tinu, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti and Alhaji Iskeel Ola Yusuf

Imam Zakaria Mohammodu delivering lecture at the event

Alhaji Rotimi Oyekan with his family and friends at the event

Cross section of guests at the event

Alhaja Sakirat Onkepo Balogun presenting an award to Alhaja Iyabode Salami

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 20, 2021

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NEWSXTRA Nigeria Needs to Move from Consumption to Production Based Economy, Says Obi The Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has explained that Nigeria’s economy, which he said was largely consumption-based, needed to become productiondriven for a sustainable growth and development to be witnessed in the country.

He stated that part of the reasons Nigeria’s economy performed poorly on many fronts was because of the inadequate production of goods and services to satisfy the local demand, thus encouraging excessive importation of such

Railway Workers Decry Poor Working Condition

GLO REWARDS LOYALTY…

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Hon. Desmond Elliot of the Lagos State House of Assembly (1st right), Lagos Zonal Coordinator of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mrs Priscilla Onuzulu (5th right), comedian Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi, 2nd left) and Regional Manager, Sales, Abdulrazaq Ande (3rd left), with some of the generator winners in the Joy Unlimited Extravaganza promo at a prize presentation event held in Lagos recently.

EFCC: Hidden N19.3bn Kogi Salary Bail-Out Funds Returned to CBN

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had acknowledged the receipt of the sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 recovered by the EFCC from the Kogi State Salary Bail-out account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc. It said, in a statement, that the recovery “eͿectively puts to rest the campaign of

misinformation and unconscionable denial that no fund was recovered from its bank account.”

The apex bank in a letter referenced DFD/DFI/CON/ EXT/01/099 and dated November 9, 2021, informed the Executive Chairman, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa that it had received the money.

The letter reads in part: “We refer to your letter dated November 5, 2021 with Ref. No: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/

CMU/REC-STE/VOL.4/047 on the above subject and wish to conÀrm the details of the receipt of the amount as stated below: Bank: Sterling Bank Plc; Amount: N19, 333, 333,333.36; Date of receipt: 04 November, 2021.

“The return of the money to the apex bank is in compliance with the October 15, 2021 Order of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, directing the unfreezing of the Kogi State Salary Bail-out

account to enable Sterling Bank to remit the balance in the account to the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the Order pursuant to an application Àled by the EFCC. The commission had told the court that the management of Sterling Bank Plc, where the account was domiciled had acknowledged the existence of the said account with the staggering sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 in its books.

Dare: Rohr’s Fate As Eagles Cach Will Follow Due Process Deji Elumoye in Abuja Sport and Social Development Minister, Mr Sunday Dare has declared that deciding the fate of the Super Eagles’ Coach, Mr Gernot Rohr, will follow due process.

The Minister who dsclosed this Thursday at the weekly ministerial briefing hosted by the Presidential Media Team at the State House in Abuja said his ministry will follow due process in dealing with matters concerning the national football

players and the technical staff.

He said he would wait for the report from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on the performance of the team in the recent matches, review it before taking necessary action.

While noting that he could not speak much on the matter, he assured that that the NFF report will be ready by next week, saying that the ministry will act based on its content.

He, however, vowed that the Super Eagles must qualify for Qatar 2022 as everything will

be done to ensure that.

“The NFF has been directed to as a matter of urgency to present Rohr’s report card to the ministry, because we are interested in knowing how well or bad the coach has performed since he was given the task of leading the Super Eagles” “Until the NFF presents the report of the performance of the coach to the ministry, there will not be a decision on whether to sack or allow him to continue on the job.

“I want to believe that

everything should be done to ensure that Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup. When the FIFA President came visiting President Muhammadu Buhari here, I recall he said ‘Mr. President, see you in Qatar’. In that word I stand. So I have instructed the NFF to bring an Assessment Report on Coach Rohr”, Dare said.

The minister’s comments came against the rumours that the leadership of the NFF may have resolved to sack the Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr.

Two days into its warning strike, the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers has urged the federal government to look into the plight of its members.

The union, which decried the poor working conditions of workers, insisted they may continue with the action if the welfare package of their members is not improved.

Chairperson of the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers in Port Harcourtrs, Helen Moses, who spoke on the development yesterday, noted that the union

League of Women Voters Set for 25th Anniversary Conference Mary Nnah The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) is set to host its 25th anniversary conference on November 25th with participants drawn from women and men across the world. The event which will take place in Abuja with the theme, ‘Nigerian Women Overcoming Challenges In Politics and Leadership’ will feature discussions on key national issues.

A statement jointly signed by the league’s founder, Hon. Dame Esther; chairman, National Organising Committee, Ambassador Dr. Kema Chikwe and Secretary, NOC, Regina Omo-Agege, revealed notable speakers billed for the event to include: Governance Team leader and Country Director Action Aid Nigeria, Ene OBI; former Director of the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Commission, Patrick Otieno Lumumba and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed.

Tributes Galore for Late Retrenchment Looms in Abia as Overstaffing Cause Unpaid Salaries Agura Hotel Abuja Chairman Edo College Old Boys Storm Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Eminent Nigerian have been Harvest Ministries and Dr. Asaba for Akpapunam’s Burial putting the administration of Umuahia Okezie Ikpeazu on the Àring paying glowing tributes to the Kema Chikwe, former Minister The Abia State Government has said that the mounting salary arrears in government agencies and parastatals were caused by oversta΀ng, which started in previous administrations.

The government position was put forward by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Eze Chikamnayo, at a press conference addressed by the media team of Abia Government.

Unpaid salaries and pensions have become a major political issue in Abia with the opposition persistently

line over the plight of workers and pensioners.

But Chikamnayo deÁected the blame from Governor Ikpeazu, saying that the Abia chief executive was not responsible for overpopulating agencies and parastatals with redundant staͿ over the years thereby making it di΀cult to pay salaries.

He also argued that the affected agencies and parastatals were, by the respective laws establishing them, expected to be self-sustaining and not dependent on government for survival, adding that they have management teams and boards that pilot their aͿairs.

goods and services.

Obi made these revelations in his message to mark Africa Industrialisation Day. He pointed out that the inability of the government to support a full private sector driven economy negatively impacts on Nigeria’s economy.

Associating the public sector with wastages and bureaucratic bottlenecks, Obi maintained that innovation, higher productivity, jobs creation and economic growth can be achieved with a greater private sector participation in the economy.

memory of the late Chairman of Agura Hotel Abuja, HRH Eze Dr. Sir Maxwell Kanu. They include the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; the former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; Rt. Hon. Anyim Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Others include the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev, Dr. Henry Ndukuba; Archbishop Leonard Kawas of World

of Aviation and many others.

The personalities all described the deceased as a most patriotic Nigerian who was honoured by the Federal Government of Nigeria as the Prime Developer of Abuja by his investment in Agura Hotel, the Àrst hospitality industry in the Federal Capital.

In an interview during the Night of Tributes held in Abuja recently, a scion of the Kanu family, Pastor Ernest Kanu described the deceased as the greatest benefactor of the larger Kanu family and the larger Ejezie Autonomous Community in Arondizuogu, Imo State.

The reach of the much talked about old school boys’ network was on display yesterday in Asaba, Delta State when the remains of Mrs. Kosor Akpapunam, wife of entertainment personality, Mr. Henry Akpapunam, were committed to mother earth.

His high school buddies from ECOBA 65-69 set out in large numbers in solidarity to oͿer comfort and support to their members.

Mrs. Akpapunam died in London after a brief illness.

She retired from the Nigerian Agip oil company after 35 years of meritorious service.

embarked on a three-day warning strike due to poor condition of their service.

She said, “We have exhausted all channels that will bring solutions that will improve the poor condition of our service, and our expectations are overdue, we are poorly paid among other federal ministries, some of us our promotions are overdue.

TR

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MISSILE

ASUU on Isa Pantami “There are serious doubts and unanswered questions bordering on the qualification of Pantami for the position… Vice-chancellors have no business trading honorary degrees and academic positions for personal and immediate gains” –Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rejecting the appointment of Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, as a Professor by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Why Britain Cannot Regenerate Without Nigeria

F

ellow Nigerians, I was honored to have been invited to participate at this year’s BIG TENT FOUNDATION LEADERS’ SUMMIT AND THE RADIX ANNUAL CONFERENCE with the theme and focus on Regeneration, Renewal , Levelling-up - the buzzwords of the moment, which held in London two days ago. Here’s a fully developed version of my submission at the event.

I have the pleasure of joining you all today. I’m thrilled that we have not come here to make the usual diplomatic speeches, exchange pleasantries, back-slap, retire to coffee rooms and off we go back to our various destinations. We are here to tell ourselves the truth and nothing but the truth.

Nothing would ever change if we continue to “clap with one hand or hide behind one finger” to use the words of the African legend, Chief Moshood Abiola.

I have chosen to speak on the topic: “Can Britain regenerate and make substantial PROGRESS by continuing to present a carefree attitude to African affairs, especially in Africa’s most populous nation, NIGERIA? I grew up reading and loving the seminal work of the Guyanese historian, activist and author, WALTER RODNEY’s HOW EUROPE UNDERDEVELOPED AFRICA, published in 1972. Born in 1942, Rodney had attended the University College of the West Indies in 1960, and bagged a first class degree in History in 1963, before proceeding to England where he bagged a PhD in African History in 1966 at the famous School of Oriental and African Studies in London, at the age of 24. He was assassinated on 13th June 1980 in Georgetown, at the age of 38. This author and his book were major influences on many Africans across the world in my childhood days.

In those days, the battle was between capitalism and socialism. The two neo-colonialist super powers of the time, USA and USSR, courted the African nations with a vengeance. Not to develop them, but to denude and despoil them. Not much has changed in terms of purpose, save that they have been joined by the hitherto silent, super power, China, and USSR has become Russia with somewhat diminished influence. However, in another sense, things have changed dramatically today. To the war has now been added the battle between poverty and prosperity; how to eliminate hunger, diseases, famine and wars. And the neo-colonialists are again having their say and way. Since the halcyon days of the Great British Empire which ended in the early 1960’s after most of the colonies became independent, Britain has never been a super power of the same ilk as the others again, but it comes quite close, commanding great respect and attention because of its imperialistic past.

Since my speech is about Britain and its regeneration dream and ambition, it is pertinent to note that this can never be achieved in isolation, not without the active participation of close allies like Nigeria, my dear beloved country of birth before I migrated here, under duress, in July 1995.

I was on the run from the dreaded military regime of General Sani Abacha.

I will focus on the common theme of this year’s summit and attempt to make sense of the current problems and drawbacks and what needs to be done to make amends.

Please note that Britain cannot regenerate while some of its biggest allies, especially my country Nigeria, continue to wallow in endemic poverty and backwardness. Most educated and uneducated Nigerians today would readily blame the British for under-developing Nigeria through the amalgamation of 1914 which not only forced different ethnic nationalities together but also made the marriage indissoluble. The intractable tension and prevalent conflicts since then have become the albatross of my country.

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson Let me cut a long story short. Nigeria is tottering today on the brink of another civil war and imminent collapse if urgent action is not taken by all of us.

I know many Western analysts may dismiss this as only remotely possible, but those on ground understand how fragile the unity of Nigeria has become. Some parts of the country are practically under the grip of terrorists and bandits. The British government needs to do much more to persuade the Nigerian Federal Government and its leadership to seek urgent help from experts in counterterrorism and counter insurgency before it is too late. Britain stands to gain so much in a stable Nigeria and so much to lose in a destabilised Nigeria. Imagine hordes of millions of immigrants fleeing Nigeria and seeking asylum in not only neighbouring West African countries, but also in Britain, with which there has always been great affinity and ties.

This doomsday scenario is real. No effort on the part of Britain or it’s European Allies would keep them at bay. It would be a tragedy of monumental proportions.

The good news is that Nigerians are some of the brightest and most hardworking humans on earth. Britain currently employs and enjoys our phenomenal workforce. Thousands of Nigerian kids are in British schools and universities because we believe education is the greatest gift we can bequeath to our children. On a personal note, I have had to work assiduously and at breakneck determination to send one of my four boys to Harrow school in London and the other three to Charterhouse Godalming, in Surrey. Such opportunities are dwindling today for many Nigerians because the economy is in shambles, kids are being kidnapped from their schools in some parts of Nigeria. Nigerians value education so much, but it has now become an occupational and health hazard. Britain would do well to encourage good governance in Nigeria from hereon. There are many Nigerians waiting to become heroes in Britain and not martyrs of a freedom struggle in their country. Only by good governance and administration will the former be the Nigerian narrative going forward.

It is also noteworthy to demonstrate and understand how the British banks are shooting themselves in the foot by engaging in policies that are inimical and would never be beneficial to Britain in the long run. Nearly all accounts opened by professional Nigerians and others in England are being shut down on account of scaremongering, seeming racial profiling and institutionalised racism which labels them as Frauds, PEPS and even just plain suspicious. Proper legitimate transactions are

queried merely because of your ethnic sounding name or business origin and the AML big stick is wielded against them. Barclays Bank takes the cake in this seeming conspiracy against Nigerians on the pretext of fighting money laundering. It is obvious that the British Banks have blatantly refused to understudy the Nigerian peculiarities.

A few examples would reveal some shocking realities. Nigerians hardly operate credit cards.

Our debit cards are virtually useless. I cannot go to Harrods or Selfridges and bring out my Nigerian debit card to pay for a two hundred pound item. So we are forced to carry cash. In order to transact business and as a result of foreign exchange restrictions by a confused regime, we are compelled to source for foreign currencies from the Black market at exorbitant rates, either in cash or by transfer. This is our predicament as the British banks flag us at the slightest opportunities and, like orphans, we have no government at home to fight for us. Neither the British Banks nor the British Government, which have led Nigeria to this sorry pass by harbouring, shielding, hiding and retaining Nigeria’s wealth stolen by a few corrupt leaders, are inclined to accept the blame. Instead they shift responsibility to innocent, hardworking Nigerians and turn us into the criminals that we are not. The British Banks upon assuming most of us as criminals then proceed to treat us in a most disgraceful and heinous manner. They simply send out forms or ask online questionnaires that can never adequately cover our unique challenges.

The next thing you receive is the message that an account you opened over 20 years ago has been closed down. This is racism of the highest order and it cannot foster or engender any form of regeneration, or even cooperation.

So, please, tell me, how can Britain regenerate when the country is deliberately throwing away opportunities and killing Nigerian businesses through these insidious and invidious means. Britain is the ultimate loser, but those who are gaining most are in the Middle East and Asia. The Nigerian love and rave for made in Great Britain goods has long since faded. Other European countries have quietly eased into the space which Britain by its discriminatory policies has long vacated.

However these countries and even the United States of America are coming behind the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries and their Asian counterparts, particularly China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan etc.

We all remember how Nigerians used to swarm Oxford Street, Knightsbridge, Bond Street, Mayfair and other popular neighborhoods in the past but all those have dried up. The effect on the British economy can only best be imagined, particularly having regard to the damaging effects of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. How can a nation be holier than the Pope and hope to survive the repercussions of such shortsightedness?

However, I believe there is hope and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Britain should not isolate itself from others. Its institutions and establishments should take a logical, rational and fair approach to the challenges facing African countries and their citizens.

Britain must lead the way in ensuring fair trade to African countries, particularly Nigeria. The cycle of poverty and diseases needs to be broken and eradicated. One way Britain can do this is by ensuring that it encourages its businessmen and women to establish industries in African countries.

So that, rather than exporting their raw materials to the industrialised nations for value addition which then gets sent back at outrageous profits, the finished products are themselves produced in those African countries.

I know that some people will venture to say that the enabling environment for such large scale

industrialisation does not exist in Africa. Whilst this may be true, the process for regeneration should be all encompassing and predicated on mutual sacrifices. The industrialised nations did not get to where they are in a day, months or a few years.

Having reached that level, they must continue to improve and tag each other along, taking themselves on the superhighway of futuristic scientific and technological development and advancement. This they must do amongst themselves by technology transfer. They must entice and induce the brilliant and willing African minds to assist in reaching the lofty heights they have already attained. They should stop providing the Africans with little drops, feeding them in cribs and crabs but never letting them get proficient or independent in any way. I believe that with Brexit, Britain, which has gained a lot from Africa and has a lot to answer for, including the expropriation and theft of valuable Nigerian artefacts, not to to mention lopsided trades, can make reparations of sort by embracing equity and justice in its dealings with Africa.

One way of doing this and hasten the industrialisation process is to assist Africa in its power generation, transmission and distribution programmes. The continent is in darkness literally and figuratively. If light perpetual shines on Africa, a glorious age would beckon for the world. I feel that real darkness engenders darkness of the spirit.

On the contrary, light opens up new vistas and an array of opportunities, which will also sharpen the mind and change mindsets. It is imperative that Africa embarks on a wholesale rethink, and full scale rejig of its power infrastructure. Renewable and sustainable energy is the only way to go to achieve this end. Britain and the rest of the developed world would be greatly advised to focus on Africa in this area and assist it to prosper. To do so would mean that when the rest of the developed and semi-developed world think that they have found solutions to the world’s environmental and climatic problems, the behemoth that is Africa will lunge out of the the fecund darkness and plunge the world back to environmental catastrophe. It is easy for Britain and other countries like it to neglect Africa because our carbon footprint is negligible compared to theirs. However, as they reduce their torrid conditions, so it is likely that those in Africa would increase as we struggle to play our own catch up.

In essence, Britain cannot hope to survive alone.

It must carry Africa along in its trade, scientific and technological development, if it is to regain its pride of place in the comity of nations.

Furthermore, and equally importantly, Britain must recognise that it cannot supplant the mores and culture of a people with its own morality and laws. No country would seek to do that to Britain or succeed in doing so.

I love and prefer the British system, especially its rule and respect of Law, than any other. The British government should not give up on Africa by shrugging off its shoulders over our seemingly intractable problems. It does so at its peril. Britain should not add to our woes by embarking on policies which will only impoverish us. Instead, it should aid our development with technology transfer which is birthed in a sincerity of purpose.

Britain should not drive us into the clutches of new hardened and desperate neo-colonialists because the end result would be calamitous, and bring casualties for Britain. Brexit is an opportunity for Britain to develop its old markets and allies. Sadly, present policies seem to militate against this. There is an urgent need for a change of attitude, otherwise we are heading for mutual economic and social upheaval, woes and destruction.

Britain needs to engage Africa, speedily. We should be partners in progress. No more. No less.

Thank you.

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