SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2022

Emefiele: Inflation Rate will Fall Steadily to Less than 15 Percent by Q4 2023 Says apex bank succeeding with various monetary policy measures Nume Ekeghe The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele

has stated that with the various monetary policy tools in use by the CBN, he foresees inflation figures declining steadily to below 15 per

cent by the end of 2023.

Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that inflation in Nigeria increased

by a record 5.09 per cent to 21.09 per cent year-on-year in October 2022, compared to the corresponding period of 2021.

But Emefiele, who was speaking at the 57th annual Banker’s Dinner hosted by the Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in

Lagos, yesterday, noted that the 2023 elections would trigger a Continued on page 5

Osinbajo: Nigeria will Be Great if Emphasis Shifts from Consumption to Production... Page 5 Saturday 26 November, 2022 Vol 27. No 10091

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Tinubu Takes Campaign to Gbaramatu Kingdom... Page 8

2023: INEC Insists Parties Must Inform it of Foreign Funds Unveils guidelines, directs parties to notify it of rallies, 10 days ahead

Chuks Okocha in Abuja Ahead of the 2023 elections, the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated that all political parties must inform it of any transfer of funds or other assets to them

from outside Nigeria within 21 days of receipt.

It also directed political parties to notify it of the schedule of their

rallies and processions at least 10 days ahead, and to also inform the police about such activities.

These are contained in the

guidelines for the Conduct of Political Rallies, Processions and Campaigns, as well as that of Finances and Election Expenses

of Political Parties, Candidates and Aspirants released on Thursday Continued on page 5

French Version of Buhari’s Biography Unveiled in Niamey, African Leaders Extol His Virtues Issoufou: Buhari known for patience, honour, faithfulness, sense of duty Embalo: Nigerian President facilitated my victory in Guinea Bissau Bazoum: Buhari uncompromising, humble Deji Elumoye in Abuja Some African leaders who attended the unveiling of the French version of President Muhammadu Buhari’s biography, titled, “Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria”, in Niamey, Niger Republic, yesterday extolled the leadership qualities of the Nigerian leader.

According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic; his Guinea Bissau counterpart, Umaro Sissoco Embaló; President of Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, and former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou; shared glowing testimonies on the leadership qualities of Buhari.

The event took place on the sidelines of the African Union Summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, as well as the Extraordinary Session on Continued on page 5

AFRICAN BROTHERHOOD… L-R: President Paul Kegame of Rwanda; President Muhammadu Buhari; President Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic and the immediate past leader of Niger Republic, Mohammed Issoufou at the African Union Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification, concluded in Niamey, Niger Republic…yesterday

NDLEA Partners French Police to Tackle Drug Trafficking... Page 6

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Osinbajo: Nigeria’ll Be Great if Emphasis Shifts from Consumption to Production David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria will attain greatness when it shifts emphasis from consumption to production.

The vice president stated this at the first-ever national innovation workshop, organised by the

Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation in Awka, Anambra State, yesterday, under the chairmanship of Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh said the federal

government will continue to support innovation, and encourage inventors to think towards commercialisation of their products.

Osinbajo said: "I commend Senator Uche Ekwunife for her passion and commitment in leading the Senate Committee

2023: INEC INSISTS PARTIES MUST INFORM IT OF FOREIGN FUNDS

by INEC. The guideline on rallies states: “Political parties shall transmit to the Commission, through the Electoral Officer at the Local Government Area and the Resident Electoral Commissioner at the State, via a designated portal and also in hard copy, details of the schedule of their political rallies and processions at least 10 days to the date of the political rally or procession. The notice shall be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Political Party.”

The parties are also expected to tell INEC the date, time, venue of the rallies; agenda and list of members of the Organising Committee and Police approval within the jurisdiction of the campaigns, within a minimum period not later than 10 days to the commencement of their campaigns.

According to the guideline, “Political parties must issue in writing a notice to the Commissioner of Police of the State or the Federal Capital Territory indicating the exact venue and time of the rally or procession and pledging peaceful conduct and control against violence or public nuisance.”

The guideline also states that campaigns by parties and their candidates must be based on their constitution and manifestoes, and must comply with any regulations issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as COVID-19 safety protocols.

For party finances, INEC said political parties must inform it of the transfer of any funds or other assets sent to them from outside Nigeria within 21 days of receipt.

The finance guideline reads: “The maximum amount of money or other assets that an individual, a group of individuals or an entity can donate to a political party or aspirant for an election shall be N50,000,000. A political party shall not accept any monetary or other contribution which is more than N50,000,000 except it identifies and discloses the source of the contribution to the Commission.

“Every political party that participated in an election shall submit to the portal designated by

the Commission an audited report of its election expenses within six months after an election. The reporting period shall commence 360 days to, and including, the election day.

“Every political party sponsoring the election of a candidate shall submit to the portal designated by the Commission a report of the contributions made to it by individuals and entities within three months after the announcement of the results of an election. The report shall indicate the names, addresses, occupation of donor (s) and the amount.”

Section 88 of the Electoral Act provides that the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall not exceed N5,000,000,000; that the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate in respect of governorship election shall not exceed N1,000,000,000, while Section 88(8) provides that “No individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N50,000,000.”

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye stated that the Commission had uploaded the guidelines on its website and social media handles while copies will be made available to political parties, civil society groups, the media and other critical stakeholders.

Okoye reminded all political parties of their obligation to submit the required reports to the Commission in accordance with the provisions of Section 90(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the applicable sanctions for failure to comply as provided in Section 89(4) of the Electoral Act. The Commission, according to the INEC National Commissioner, also approved the reappointment of the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, for a second and final term of four years, with effect from 7th December 2022, in accordance with Section 8 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Oriaran-Anthony hails from Edo State. She holds a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) degree in Language Arts from the Ahmadu

Bello University, Zaria, a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Abuja and another Master’s degree in Public Communication and Public Relations from the University of Westminster, in the United Kingdom.

Oriaran-Anthony is the second female Secretary of the Commission and the first to have her tenure renewed.

She is a long-term staff of the Commission and has served as Public Affairs Officer, Assistant Director (Information and Publicity), Deputy Director (Voter Education) and Director (Civil Societies Liaison).

Her last posting was Administrative Secretary in Delta State before her first appointment on 5th December 2018.

on Science, Technology and Innovation. This workshop is a unique platform that offers Nigerians the opportunity to rebrand the national innovation ecosystem, with emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship.

"As you are aware, the office of the vice president has been championing the adoption of innovative technology as a key tool to accelerate social economic development in Nigeria. The way to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich is by thinking out of the box, through innovation and commercialisation.

"Nigeria will be great only when we begin to shift our emphasis from a consuming nation. We must rely on production and that is the only way to go.

"The positive outcome of this workshop will no doubt change the narrative from a dependent nation to a self-reliant country, and indeed promote innovation and social economic benefit. I wish to assure you all that FG will continue to make efforts to advance STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) in Nigeria."

Ekwunife, in her keynote

address at the workshop with the theme, “Promotion of Local Inventors of Science, Technology and Innovation”, said technology and innovation had continued to change the cause of human history, creating quantum prosperity to all who harvest from it.

She adds: "I have no doubt that Nigeria is rich in human capital and has the capacity to bring out the much-needed innovation and inventions that will eliminate poverty and lead us to prosperity with a doubledigit GDP growth.

"It is gratifying to note that our new development plan, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) has recognised the important position occupied by STI in all economic activities of the nation.

"In order to achieve our goal, it has become necessary under my leadership in the Senate to intensify Research and Innovation, as well as increase awareness amongst Nigerians on the importance of STI in the life of the nation.

"Evidence from around the world has proved that research and innovation are necessary

FRENCH VERSION OF BUHARI’S BIOGRAPHY UNVEILED IN NIAMEY, AFRICAN LEADERS EXTOL HIS VIRTUES African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which ended yesterday in Niger Republic.

Speaking at the book launch, the President of Niger described the Nigerian leader as “an austere man, uncompromising, humble man, an ardent patriot and a committed democrat.”

Bazoum adds: “Professor John Paden, you were well inspired to have chosen to write about the life and work of an exceptional man. I commend your work for being comprehensive, objective, and for shedding new light on the personality of the patriot, the courageous military man, and the conscientious politician that is President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigeria is Niger's main trading partner. It is therefore normal for any Nigerien politician to follow the evolution of political life in Nigeria. That is why I have closely followed Muhammadu Buhari's political struggles, especially his participation in the presidential elections from 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015."

He disclosed that the fight against Boko Haram being waged together with Nigeria and other neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad Basin had allowed him to discover “the strategist and statesman in Buhari, who is determined to ensure peace for

his country and the sub-region.”

Continuing, Bazoum said: “His fight against corruption and for good governance has earned him the esteem of all. It is a pleasure to work with a man of conviction like him.

“I am sure that those who read the book will not fail to draw useful lessons for their political or professional careers. They will not fail to learn life lessons at all.

This book will certainly educate the younger generation.”

Embalo, who is also the current chairman of ECOWAS, disclosed that his father was equally called Muhammadu and was born the same year as Muhammadu Buhari.

“I just want to emphasise that there is a reciprocating affection for this man. Today l am the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, firstly it is God and secondly it is this man, Baba. Thank you very much,” the Guinea Bissau leader said.

He added that the book is a portrait of a great African leader, saying: “I pay homage to President Buhari for his patriotism and commitment in maintaining peace in our sub-region.

“We have an Avenue in Guinea Bissau bearing Buhari’s name since a year ago. Baba, as I fondly call him, is a mentor, always available to offer solutions. Baba is a tireless

artisan in the maintenance of peace and solidarity in the sub-region.”

Also speaking, the President of Chad described President Buhari as a very experienced man with a great dream for Nigeria and a clear vision for Africa.

According to him: “President Buhari brings a heritage and a source of knowledge for us all.

Thank you for this inestimable gift, Mr President.

“President Buhari is undoubtedly an icon whose role and action makes the African voice to be heard in the world. He has always contributed to development in Africa by protecting and defending Africa and Africans. You are undoubtedly a model. You taught us perseverance in politics.

“As a major actor in fight against terrorists and trans-border insecurity, especially in the Lake Tchad region where Boko Haram is, I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the relations between my country Tchad and Nigeria and to President Buhari for his availability, especially in difficult times."

On his part, the immediate past President of Niger, Issoufou, praised the incumbent for launching the French version of the book, whose idea was conceived during his tenure as President.

He recounted that he graced the

EMEFIELE: INFLATION WILL FALL STEADILY TO LESS THAN 15% BY Q4 2023 slight increase in inflation, but afterwards, there would be a continuous deceleration of inflation.

He said: “Inflation expectations are rising as existing structural rigidities are compounded by global factors and anticipated election-related liquidity upsurge.

For the rest of 2022 and towards mid-2023, Nigeria’s rate of inflation is projected to remain elevated and above the 12.5 percent growthaiding threshold.

“However, on the backdrop of our previous policy measures, and as the effect continues to permeate the system, our inhouse modelbased simulations indicate that inflation rate could fall steadily to less than 15 percent by end-2023.”

He added that as external conditions flounders, inflationary pressure is expected to worsen and become more persistent in many economies.

He added: “The rate in key advanced economies is projected to remain historically elevated at double digit levels up to the 2023 third quarter at the earliest. As such, tight monetary conditions will remain prevalent over the short-term, straining financial

markets in many EMDEs and exacerbating the underlying vulnerabilities.

“Considering the current developments in both the global and domestic economies, and based on extensive simulations, the CBN is of the view that the short-term outlook of the Nigerian economy remains good.”

Furthermore, on his 2023 forecast, he noted that monetary policy over the coming years would remain focused on the objectives of price, monetary, and exchange rate stability.

“Our policy stance will, accordingly, remain tight to curtail inflation pressure, regulate capital flows, and buoy the naira-dollar exchange rate. Monetary policy decisions will remain balanced, judicious, research-driven, adequate and supportive of the real economy subject to underlying fundamentals.

“We will maintain the current tight Monetary Policy stance in the near-term, especially in view of rising inflation expectations and exchange market pressures. Though, we will act to appropriately adjust the policy rate in line with unfolding conditions

growth determinants, which must work together to attain sustainable national growth and development."

Ekwunife said the STI sector, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, is poised to move Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledgebased economy, driven by creativity and innovation.

She added that the Senate is supporting the Ministry and its agencies on the implementation of their policies.

The workshop was attended

by Anambra State governor, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo and the former President of the Senate, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, among others.

The workshop also featured exhibition of inventions by several inventors across Nigeria.

The host, Soludo, urged Nigerians to form a habit of patronising local inventors, saying that was the only way the country could grow.

He added that the Anambra State Government has made it a policy to patronise local inventors.

and outlooks.”

On Nigeria’s GDP, he expressed that based on the expectation of a robust non-oil performance, and barring any unforeseen shocks, GDP growth rate is projected to remain positive in the remaining quarter of 2022 and during 2023.

He said: “The performance of the non-oil sector will be buoyed by the continued efforts at entrenching indigenous productivity in high-impact real sector activities, especially agriculture, MSMEs, and manufacturing. Domestic aggregate demand is further expected to be bolstered by the anticipated budgetary outlay and the surge of electioneering spending in the next few months. From 3.54 per cent in quarter two of 2022, growth is projected to reach 3.7 percent in quarter three and 3.47 per cent by the fourth quarter.”

On the exchange rate, he added that though the CBN has so far managed to maintain exchange rate stability, the current capital flow reversals from emerging markets are expected to continue to exert considerable pressure on market rates.

“This pressure could be

amplified by the forthcoming elections, especially as the political marketplace heats up.

Notwithstanding these pressures, the CBN is determined to maintain its stable exchange policy stance over the next few months through innovative policy measures to manage the demand and supply of foreign exchange.

“If the current problem of oil theft is promptly corrected, we could expect a resumed inflow of crude oil receipts into the official reserves. This could foster gross stability in the foreign exchange market and enhance exchange rate stability.

“Overall, our balance of payments is expected to remain positive in the short-term. We have seen a recent boost in non-oil exports receipts to about US$2.5 billion. Hoping that the poor performance of the oil sector reverses, especially as high crude prices is sustained by a potential elongation of the Russian-Ukraine war, we expect the Current Account Balance to strengthen even further.

This will be backed by our resolute effort to strengthen and improve real non-oil sector productivity

through apt diversification to reduce undue imports.”

He further added: “Given the global and domestic headwinds we face as a nation, and the volatility in the global environment, we have no other option, as leaders interested in the progress of our nation, but to work very hard to spur job creation by reviving agricultural and industrial activities in the country.

“Like I have said many times before, if we continue to support the growth of small holder farmers, you can only imagine the amount of wealth and jobs that will be created in the country. If we turn a blind eye to the opportunities provided by our enormous human and material resources, this could spell doom for our nation.”

On his part, the President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Ken Opara said: “I would to use this medium to acknowledge and appreciate Godwin Emefiele for his contribution to the identity and economy as a whole especially in maintaining a sound financial system and economic growth

launch of the English version of the book in 2016 in Abuja, commending the author for documenting the life “of an exceptional man.

“As a military head of state, his primary preoccupation was fighting corruption, and even now as a democratic president, he is a leader who knows the close links between security, democracy and development.

“His fight against Boko Haram, organised crime and corruption are notable. Part of his priorities include education and health development, climate change, democratic transition.

“I agree with John Paden to state that Buhari is known for patience, honour, faithfulness and sense of duty. These helped him rule Nigeria differently from a military leader.

“He is Mr Dignity and Mr Truth, as he’s called and a sincere friend of Niger,” the former President said.

One of the book reviewers, Prof Abdallah Adamu, former Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), said President Buhari has rightly earned the name “Mai gaskiya”, which is translated to mean, “someone who keeps his words.”

He added that the author, John Paden, had fairly provided a biography of the current Nigerian President where he exposed the qualities of President Buhari that may not be known to many.

“The author is very much qualified to give an account of President Buhari, having been involved in Nigerian politics in the 1970s and 80s,” he said.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika recounted the role played by the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura, in the publication of the book, describing him as the initiator and driving force.

“It is a book on the personality, character, content of President Buhari, what he stood for and what he still stands for,” Sirika said.

Sirika and three other Nigerians, Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources (OER); Sayyu Dantata, Chief Executive Officer, MRS Holdings Limited and Farouk Adamu Aliyu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, received awards from the President of Niger for their roles in fostering excellent bilateral relations between Nigeria and Niger.

President Buhari's biography, authored by John Paden, a Professor of International Studies at George Mason University, North Virginia, United States, was first launched in Abuja in 2016.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

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NEWS

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

It’s Wrong of You to Frolic with Politicians, Atiku’s Aide Tells CJN Chuks Okocha in Abuja A public affairs commentator, Phrank Shaibu, has reacted to the remarks credited to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Oluwakayode Ariwoola, suggesting fraternity between the chief judicial officer and some politicians.

Shaibu, who is also Special Assistant on Public Communications to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said in a press statement yesterday, that Justice Ariwoola’s descent into political commentaries portends great danger for the country’s judiciary.

According to the press statement, Shaibu noted that, “last month, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Lateef Ariwoola, inaugurated 277 election petition tribunal members to adjudicate on

matters arising from the 2023 general elections in the country.

“At the event, Justice Ariwoola warned judges to remain neutral and impartial during this political season. He also warned politicians against trying to induce judges.

“However, it may seem the Honourable CJN is not ready to lead by example going by his recent utterances and open blatant hobnobbing with politicians.”

The press release specifically frowns at the frequency with which the CJN makes remarks in support of actions by a group of governors of the PDP led by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

“On October 30, 2022, the CJN, who is from Oyo State, was hosted to an elaborate reception

by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. At the event, Justice Ariwoola sat with Makinde

and other governors who now pride themselves as the G5. The governors all posed with the CJN for the cutting of the cake where political statements were made.

“But it may seem Justice Ariwoola continues to enjoy the company of politicians. On Thursday, November 24, 2022, the CJN was in Rivers State, this time as a guest of Governor Nyesom Wike who also happens to be a member of the G5.

“Apparently overwhelmed

by Wike’s lavish reception at the inauguration of judiciary projects, the CJN said at the live event that he was happy that Governor Makinde was a member of the G5 and solidly with Governor Wike.

“Aside backing Makinde’s

membership of the group, Ariwoola joked that Makinde was being held to ransom by Wike who was threatening to withdraw his sister (Makinde’s wife), who he said is from Rivers.

It would be recalled that Justice Ariwoola, was in Rivers State a few days back to inaugurate some judiciary projects undertaken by the state government.

Shaibu noted, however, that it was inappropriate for the CJN to use such an event to double down on partisan remarks.

He said that it was wrong of Justice Ariwoola to have made a remark such as saying, “that is why we should not be scared to have these men of the integrity group and I am happy that my own governor is among them

because he would try to imitate his friend and in-law because we came here to marry for my governor.

“So, Governor Wike will always threaten that he will call back his sister if my governor fails to play ball. That is why you see him following His Excellency (Wike) because my governor is afraid of his wife being recalled,” he joked.

Shaibu said that the CJN acknowledged the presence of the group of five governors at the gala night and judiciary project inauguration which was held in Rivers, stressing that “they had been similarly present when Makinde held a ‘lavish’ reception to celebrate his

appointment as CJN some months ago.”

The statement further frowns on the CJN being quoted on record to have said that, “whether people like Wike or not, he was leaving a legacy for generations unborn, stressing that his record will be hard to beat by any other public official.”

“Such hobnobbing between the CJN and politicians is unprecedented in the annals of the country. As Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) put it, judges are like ‘the big masquerade that cannot be unmasked publicly in a traditional African setting.’

“They possess a god-like mystique that ought to insulate them from partisan politics.

Amnesty Programme Hasn’t Achieved its Mandate, Says Diri Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has appealed to the federal government to jettison any plan to shut down the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

Just as he insisted that the programme inaugurated by late President Musa Yar’Adua had yet to achieve its mandate, saying even the disarmament phase of the scheme had not been fully realised as arms and ammunition were still in the wrong hands in the Niger Delta The governor, who spoke when he received the Interim Administrator (PAP), Maj.Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd) in Government House, Yenagoa, warned that any attempt to shut down the programme would plunge the region into another round of unrest.

He said: “The amnesty programme has three legs.

The first is disarmament, a process said to be completed; then the demobilisation leg and finally, the reintegration leg. On the issue of disarmament, can we completely convince ourselves that we have been able to completely disarm the Niger Delta of armaments in our region?

“So while we are in the final stage of reintegration, you and I know that within our Niger Delta, we still have very many arms, non state actors are in possession of arms, well that has been said to be completed but I like to state clearly here that, that process is not 100 per cent completed.

“Now I’ll like to look more on the issue of reintegration.

The reintegration is more like a continuous process of building human capacity and for you to continue to build human capacity, it follows that the amnesty programme must be on and I’m happy while listening to you that you have already taken that up.

NDLEA Partners French Police to Tackle Drug Trafficking The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday announced a partnership with the French Police to curb drug trafficking in the country..

This was as the anti-narcotics agency’s Chairman, Major General Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the support from the Police Nationale of France, especially in the areas of training and equipment.

The NDLEA boss spoke in his office in Abuja when the Police Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Emmanuel Verin, led a team of French trainers including Cedric B. and Christophe J., who were in the country to train a number of the NDLEA officers in special operations, paid him a courtesy visit.

Marwa commended the support from the Police Nationale (RAID) of France especially in the areas of training and equipment.

He said, “I’ll like to appreciate

the French government for its support as one of our leading partners.

We have received tremendous help from France not only in terms of training but also equipment.

The support was capped with my recent visit to France where we received warm reception at all the institutions visited and the training promised was promptly organised. We’re grateful for that and we are looking forward to more collaboration and support.”

In his response, Verin said, “We’re proud to work with NDLEA because your officers and men are very smart and professional and that’s why you’re getting results, hence our priority in terms of support for NDLEA is in the area of training. Our trainers who have been here to train your men are specialists and top in the field. We’ll do this for a very long time and we’re glad to work with you.”

DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE… L-R: Vice Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Professor Elisabeta Olarinde; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; and Founder/ Chancellor,ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola; during a courtesy visit to the university, in Ado-Ekiti... Thursday.

Court Sacks Osun LG Chairmen, Councillors One Month after Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State capital, yesterday, nullified the last October 15 local government elections conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun has hailed the sacking by a Federal High Court of council chairmen recently elected in violation of electoral laws, saying the party is vindicated by its activism against the illegality of outgoing Oyetola administration.

The justice ruled that the election was held in contravention of Sections 29 and 32 of the Electoral

Act, 2022.

The PDP had asked the court to stop OSIEC from conducting the election.

Other respondents in the case were Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), and its then chairman, Adeboyega Famoodun.

Justice Ayo-Nathaniel Emmanuel of Federal High Court Osogbo had declared local government election as illegal, null and void, having not been conducted in consonance with Electoral Act of 2022.

Court orders the LG Chairmen and Councillors of the said elections to vacate local government secretariats and offices with immediate effect.

Reacting to the judgement, the state Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, lamented that about N1.5 billion that could have been deployed for workers’ welfare was wasted by the Oyetola’s administration for the conduct of the election in addition to several millions of naira illegally paid as salaries and allowances to fake council chiefs.

“We had warned against holding that fake selection they called election. We had cited all relevant legal authorities to convince OSIEC to back out of the undemocratic scheme. The commission chairman who himself is a lawyer decided to act against clear provisions of the law to supervise this crudely executed lawlessness.

“This judgement is an affirmation of the correctness of many alerts we had issued in recent times. The outgoing governor had deliberately committed a lot of infractions and lawlessness.

We will deploy all legal means to correct the anomalies in compliance with public service rules, extant laws and the constitution of the republic,” the party leader stated.

While congratulating PDP members and people of Osun State, the party chairman pledged that the party and its governor-elect will right all the wrongs, protect the public service, observe due process, deliver on local government autonomy and be responsive to citizens’ aspirations.

No Reason to Reverse Speaker’s Removal, Says Ekiti APC Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared it has not encountered any situation that would warrant the reversal of the impeachment meted out to the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Arobisogan.

The party said it takes responsibility for all the actions taken by the lawmakers in the impeachment saga, saying they acted in line with the doctrine of

party supremacy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

The party maintained this position in his reaction maintained by some senior lawyers, including Chief Afe Babalola , Wole Olanipekun, and Femi Falana , among others irrespective of the raging bedlam in the legislature.

A statement signed by the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Segun Dipe, yesterday rationalised the action taken by the lawmakers, saying it aligned with the position of the party.

He said: “Since the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the grandenorm upheld by all, supports party supremacy and does not recognise independent candidacy, those elected on the platform of party at any level must have sworn to, submit to, and align with all its policies and decisions, with the party constitution, manifesto and programme.

“That while they conveniently referred to the constitution of the country and the Rules of

the House, the seven legends deliberately ignored the Constitution of APC as a party as though it does not count.

“That we specifically cannot remember what action was taken by any or all the seven legal legends when in November 2014, seven Assembly members removed the then Speaker of the House, Hon. Adewale Omirin and his deputy, Hon. Adetunji Orisalade from office. None of those crying foul called the perpetrators to order then.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 19, 2022

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NEWS Tinubu Takes Campaign to Gbaramatu Kingdom Idowu Sylvester inWarri All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, promised to engage in regular consultations with Niger Delta leaders to facilitate the formulation of policies and initiatives that will enhance the region’s development.

He spoke in the presence of a full complement of traditional rulers from the kingdom led by the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oboro Gbaraun II. At the meeting, the APC presidential candidate bagged the second traditional title in two days- the ‘Iyelawei’ of Gbaramatu- meaning the torch bearer of the kingdom.

Receiving Asiwaju Tinubu in his palace, the Pere of Gbaramatu showered praises on the APC candidate, while praying for his success in the presidential election.

The traditional ruler urged Tinubu if elected to ensure the establishment of a deep sea port in Gbaramatu, industrial park in Ogidigben and good roads and bridges leading into the kingdom.

In his response, Asiwaju Tinubu promised to work to speed up the development of the region, saying he would engage in regular consultations with the leaders to implement initiatives and projects that would help the region.

“I’m one of you. My wife is a daughter of the Niger Delta.

Your in-law is also your son. No be so?” The APC presidential candidate asked in pidgin English to which the mammoth crowd yelled “Na so.”

He said he was aware the Warri- Escravos/Gbaramatu Road had been awarded, pledging to ensure the completion of the road by getting the contractor involved to deliver on the project.

Tinubu also said if elected the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Com-

mission (NDDC) will serve the full purpose for which they were established.

“The man standing before you will implement whatever he promised. You need honesty, you need commitment to perform. I embody both.

“I know the road and I will carry the Niger Delta people along.

We will consult your leaders for the development of Gbaramatu

Kingdom and other associated communities.”

Tinubu was accompanied to the kingdom by the Deputy Senate President and APC governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Mai Mala Buni of Kano and Yobe states, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva, Minister of State, Labour, Festus Keyamo

and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole.

Others on the entourage included former governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon, former Minister of State, Niger Delta, Elder Orubebe, APC Chairman in Delta State, Elder Sobotie and a party chieftain in the state, Ayiri Emami.

On arrival at the Palace of

Oboro, Tinubu and his entourage were treated to an exchange of pleasantries, rooted in customs and tradition.

The APC candidate and his team were presented with kolanuts in demonstration of love and hospitality of the people.

As Tinubu was conferred with a traditional title, others in his entourage also received various titles.

Buhari: Africa’s Education Must Gravitate Towards Science, Technology Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday outlined priorities on how Africa can achieve full industrialisation by the year 2030 which include a recommendation to African leaders to tailor their educational system and academic curricular towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Delivering a National Statement in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, at the AU Summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification in Africa, the President emphasised that STEM is the ‘’short way’’ to produce the next generation of managers of an industrialised Africa not dependent on expatriates.

President Buhari, according to a release issued by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, urged African leaders to solve the problem of generating cheap and clean energy, saying ‘’it is no secret that we cannot industrialise

the continent, if we do not solve the problem of generating cheap and clean energy.’’

According to him, “Energy generation and distribution is an enabler for industrialisation.

Africa is richly endowed with multiple sources of energy generation. We are richly endowed with hydro-carbons, coal, natural gas, solar energy, and hydro-energy. ‘’Yet we are lacking in the capacity to produce clean and cheap electricity to power our production, manufacturing sectors. ‘’I hope this summit will afford us the opportunity to explore the possibilities of collaboration in pooling resources on a continental level to address the vexing problem of energy generation and distribution on the continent. ‘’I say this because it is no secret that we cannot industrialise the continent, if we do not solve the problem of generating cheap and clean energy.

Products Counterfeiting Now Issue of Global Security Concern, Dangerous to Humans Experts Experts have raised the alarm over growing counterfeiting and trafficking of illicit products in the country, noting that it has become an issue of global security concern which portends serious dangers to humans and animals.

The issue was the focus at a twoday Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) Consultative Roundtable on Counterfeiting held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, recently, where the experts brainstormed on how trafficking of counterfeit and illicit products can be checkmated.

At the forum, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, called for synergy among relevant government agencies in the combat against IPR theft, trafficking of counterfeit and illicit products in the country.

Adebayo, represented at the event by the Chief Registrar Trademarks, Patent and Designs, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Stella Ezenduka, lamented that counterfeiting is a global problem.

The minister said that it is an international menace which poses danger to businesses in Nigeria and other parts of the world and to global trade, hence needs the collaborations of all relevant agencies to tackle the menace.

He pointed out that the government alone cannot handle the problem of counterfeiting and illicit products as it’s a cartel with a global connection.

“The Nigerian government, through its regulatory institutions like National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of

STOKING INGENUITY...

L-R: Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly; Rt Hon Uchenna Okafor, Chairman Senate committee on Science, Technology and Innovation; Senator Uche Ekwunife, Minister of State for Science and Technology; Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh and Anambra State governor; Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo at the maiden national innovation workshop held in Awka, Anambra State... yesterday.

Imo First Lady Inaugurates Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Owerri Poised to take the campaign against gender-based violence, particularly sexual abuse against women to a commendable level, the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, has inaugurated the sexual assault referral centre (SARC) in Owerri named ‘The Deborah House’.

She inaugurated SARC yesterday as the 16 days (November 25 - December 10) of activism against gender-based violence campaign kicked-off globally.

Speaking to an audience of women and other stakeholders interested in eradicating genderbased violence globally in Owerri, the Imo First Lady noted that The Deborah House would be a onestop project that prioritises the needs and rights of sexual assault survivors such as screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, treatment and care for young sex abuse victims, and psychological services by way of counselling support.

Part of her include the provision of legal services to victims, provision of shelter, general rehabilitation services as well as availing victims of information and education.

She said 36 First Ladies in Nigeria as a collective had taken a decision against gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, and through their efforts, have adopted policies like GBV mitigation action plan, GBV coordinating mechanism on implementation of violence

against person prohibition Act, GBV survivors funds, among others.

The Imo First Lady said the inauguration of the SARC signposts another bold step by the Nigeria Governors Wives Forum, through the Nigeria Governors Wives Against Gender-based Violence (NGWA-GBV), to seek support for sexually-abused women to overcome the trauma that could arise from the menace.

NASFAT Lauds Appointment of Yusuf as NESG Chairman A faith-based not for profit organisation, Nasrul-Lahi-LFatih Society (NASFAT), has welcomed the appointment of its President, Mr. Olaniyi Mumini Yusuf, as the Chairman of its Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Board of Directors.

A transformational czar, Yusuf sits on the board of over a dozen companies.

He is to take over as NESG Chairman from Asue Ighodalo,

a renowned corporate leader.

To assist him on the board of NESG are the Chairman of Shell in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, CEO of Flour Mills Nigeria, Boye Olusanya and the Group COO of MRS Holdings Limited Ms. Amina Maina who were also elected as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice-Chairman respectively.

Yusuf had previously served as Vice Chairman and the champion of the

Science and Technology Policy Commission of NESG for many years.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), is a private sector-led thinktank group which was established by the Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government in 1993 and has remained the foremost platform for effective dialogue between the public and private sector organisations in Nigeria

Hitherto, Yusuf has made a significant impact on consulting and management practices as the Managing Partner of the Verraki Consulting Group with a focus on the development and transformation of Africa.

Before this role, he was the Country Managing Director of Accenture Nigeria and Management Consultant for the Arthur Andersen group.

Organ Harvesting: Abuja Hospital Exonerates Self from Viral Allegation Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja An Abuja-based medical outfit, Alliance Hospital and Services Limited, has rejected an allegation that it carried out kidney transplant on a minor who is below 18 years.

In the said video which had gone viral online, a young man alleged that Alliance Hospital harvested a kidney from a 17-year-old boy and sold it.

The hospital said the young man also threatened to take the matter to human rights unless it

(hospital) accepts to pay the sum of N2.8 million and other things.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the Chief Consultant Surgeon Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Otabor Christopher, said that contrary to the claims contained in the trending video, the hospital undertook all needed procedures both legal and professional requirement before carrying out the kidney transplant.

He said that contrary to allegations contained in the video, the donor

was 18 years and two months at the time of the surgery.

He also said that there was no financial inducement made to the boy before accepting to donate his kidney. According to Otabor, “He consented to the procedure willingly without any cohesion or intimidation.”

He stated that the recipient is his uncle. The patient also deposed to an affidavit stating that the donor is his nephew.“With the above documentation, and a

positive compatibility and surgery fitness test, the hospital proceeded with the surgery which as always turned out to be successful.

“As a rule, patients source for their donors from amongst members of their families or friends and present to the hospital for compatibility test. If the patients and proposed donors are found to be compatible, then further tests are done to determine the fitness of the donor for kidney donation surgery.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

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NEWS Buhari Mourns Gospel Musician, Sammie Okposo Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with the family, friends, and professional associates of renowned gospel singer, Sammie Okposo, whose demise yesterday left many in Nigeria and across the world severely shocked.

The President, in a release issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, commiserated with the Christian community, particularly Okposo’s col-

SERVICE FOR HUMANITY… L-R: Guest Speaker; Bashorun Jaiye Randle; Doyen of District 9110, PDG Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi MON; Imaginative District Governor of District 9110, Omotunde Lawson; Imaginative President of Rotary Club of Ikeja; Sola Akinsiku; Wife of Imaginative President, Damilola; Chief Host; PP Chief Olusegun Osunkeye; and guest speaker, PDG Deinde Shoga at the Rotary Foundation Fundraising Dinner 2022, held by the Rotary Club of Ikeja…recently

New Methodist Prelate Wants Prayers for Peaceful Elections Bennett Oghifo The new Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, has enjoined Nigerians at home and in diaspora to intensify prayers as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.

He made this call in Lagos during his investiture as leader of Methodists in Nigeria and some countries in West Africa, recently.

In a statement issued by the church’s Media, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Advisor, Rev. Oladapo Daramola,

Aba also called on the political class, candidates of various political parties and their supporters to desist from making comments capable of setting the Nation on a path of destruction.

He said electioneering campaigns should be more civil and issue based considering the fact that the singular purpose of governance which they are all aspiring to do is to serve and bring succour to citizens who are VXͿHULQJ DQG DUH GHVLURXV RI D better living condition.

“We must address the challenges confronting our Nation

with prayers and more prayers.

While it is the responsibility of the governments at all levels to develop policies capable of solving the mirage of problems facing us as a country, we as citizens have the corresponding responsibilities of praying for them not to be derailed by VHOÀVKQHVV DQG JUHHG :KLOH LW is right to pressure them and demand good governance, we cannot take away the place of prayer and this we must do intently, with purpose and without ceasing. As Nigerians, ZH FDQQRW DͿRUG WR JLYH XS KRSH

at this time. Rather, we must hold tenaciously to our belief that with God, all things will turn around. I urge the political class, especially in this season of electioneering campaigns, to inspire the citizens not only with words but with their actions and deeds because Nigerians are getting tired.”

As the new leader of the Methodist people, he promised to join hands with other religious leaders and stakeholders to continue to pray for the wellbeing of the Nation and Nigerians everywhere.

leagues in gospel music and the younger generation, who have over the years LGHQWLÀHG ZLWK KLV HOHYDWLQJ style of praise and worship.

President Buhari noted the unique platform of worship created by Okposo Praise Party, his creative contribuWLRQV WR WKH 1LJHULDQ ÀOP industry, Nollywood, and the inspiring role he played in grooming talents and mentoring them to stardom.

He prayed for the repose of the musician’s soul, urgLQJ WKH IDPLO\ WR ÀQG VRODFH in his investments of love.

Police Rescue 14 kidnap Victims, Search for Others in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

location under Ibillo Divisional Police Headquarters The Edo State Police Com- in Edo State, attacked and mand said it has rescued kidnapped the passengers 14 passengers who were of two (Toyota) Coaster kidnapped on Thursday at Buses who were travelling Ibillo, in Akoko -Edo Local from Benue State to Ilorin, Government Area of the state. Kwara State for a wedding A statement signed by the ceremony through Ibillo town 3ROLFH 3XEOLF 5HODWLRQV 2΀FHU in Edo State.

“Immediately, the DPO (PPRO), Mr. Chidi Nwabuzor, said, “Edo State Police Com- mobilised a patrol team, the mand wishes to inform the Army personnel, Edo State general public of a kidnap Security Network personnel incident that took place on and the local hunters to the Thursday 24th November, bush which resulted in the 2022 at about 16:00hrs along rescue of nine victims while Lagos–Abuja Road, by Ikeran DQ XQVSHFLÀHG QXPEHU DUH Oke, Ibillo, in Akoko-Edo still missing.

“In the early hours of Local Government Area of Friday, 25th November, Edo State.

“The Command at about ÀYH RWKHU YLFWLPV ZHUH 17:15hrs of the same date rescued inside the bush as the through the Divisional Police DPO and the security men 2΀FHU '32 ,ELOOR 'LYLVLRQ embarked on aggressive bush received the information that combing operations for poshoodlums who were operat- sible rescue of other abducted ing at the aforementioned passengers,” he added.

Adamu Tasks YABATECH on Increased Collaboration with Industry Group Chides LP, APGA over Funmi Ogundare As a total of 7,554 students graduated from Yaba College of Technology yesterday, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, has appealed to the management to increase its interaction with the industry so as to leverage on teaching, learning, research and development.

Speaking at its 34th convocation ceremony for the award of Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) to the 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions’ sets, Adamu, who was represented by Vivian Wategre, Director Special Duties, Ministry of Education, expressed concern about the

challenges being faced by polytechnics in the area of ensuring that technical level education competes favourably with other means of delivering education in the process of ensuring enhanced development for the country.

He stressed the need for the college to expand its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) sources and manage proceeds judiciously and transparently with a high level of accountability.

He, however, reiterated his continuous support in all aspects to strengthen polytechnics across the country, saying, “I want to assure you that before the end of year, those polytechnics that have submitted their required information and documentation

will start receiving part of what is allocated to them.

“A demonstration of this is the recent conclusion of allocation of the revitalisation funds to various polytechnics that were part of the NEEDs Assessment exercise.”

In his remarks, the Rector, Mr. Obafemi Omokungbe, whose tenure is ending soon, congratulated the combined sets, while expressing hope that the successive administrations will be faithful to the objective of the N50 billion endowment fund meant for the development of the college and improve on the doors already opened.

He said in spite of achievements recorded in his tenure, there was still room for improvement.

“It is our sincere hope that successive administrations will build on modest achievements.”

The college, he noted, has put in place a policy to combat sexual harassment which is prevalent in most tertiary institutions.

“This is called Sexual Harassment and Other forms of Gender-Based Violence Prohibition (SH-GBV). The policy is to guarantee a violence-free, safe and non-discretionary education and work environment in accordance with international, regional and national legal frameworks.

“Yaba Tech Consult, the business arm of the college, was restructured and rejuvenated as part of an effort to increase our revenue base.

Campaign Suspension in Enugu The Enugu Good Governance Group has accused the state’s chapters of the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of playing politics with insecurity in Enugu State.

The group, which was reacting to the announcement of suspension of campaign by the two parties over what they termed security concerns following recent attack on communities in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state by suspected herdsmen, maintained that LP and APGA could not have suspended what WKH\ KDG QRW EHJXQ LQ WKH ÀUVW place.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Enugu Good Governance Group yesterday, saying the opposition parties in the state failed to give credit to the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration for the quiet successes recorded in securing the state within the nation’s extant legal frameworks.

Recall that suspected herdsmen had attacked Agu-Amede, Mgbuji and Eboh communities in Isi-Uzo LGA on Saturday, leading to several casualties.

Reacting, the opposition parties had announced the suspension of their campaign over alleged safety concerns.

FG Hikes Judiciary 2023 Budget by N30bn Due to Leaked Memo, Says N’Assembly Stakeholders Cement Relationship with Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, said yesterday that the executive arm of the federal government increased the yearly budgetary allocation of the Judiciary by N30 billion in the 2023 fiscal year because of a leaked memo by the Justices of the Supreme Court.

Chairman of the joint Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), stated this when the Executive Secretary of National Judicial Council

(NJC), Mr. Ahmed Gambo Saleh defended the Judiciary 2023 budget proposal.

Bamidele said the increment in the annual budget of the Judiciary from N120 billion to N150 billion was due to the leaked memo from the Justices bordering on poor welfare packages, a few months ago.

He, however, said the increment from N120 billion to N150 billion for the Judiciary was not enough to cater for the welfare of various stakeholders in the arm of government.

He said, “We stand to consider

the content of the leaked memo from the Justices of the Supreme Court as a wake-up call or clarion call to comprehensively address the welfare issues and well-being of Judges, Judicial Officers and staff of the Judiciary, as well as judicial apparatus and infrastructure of Courts.

“Otherwise, poor working conditions and lack of the requisite welfare will affect the overall performance of the Nigerian Judiciary. I do hope the budget you are going to present before us today has addressed most of these salient issues.

“Wth the N150 billion budget proposal for 2023 fiscal year against N120 billion in the 2022 fiscal year, it is not yet Uhuru for the judiciary because the judiciary still needs much more than that to operate and be able to address, adequately, the welfare of our judicial officers and staff of the judiciary.”

Saleh lamented that though the NJC has been able to assess 80 per cent of its 2022 budget, the LQÁDWLRQ UDWH LQ WKH FRXQW\ KDG DGYHUVH HͿHFWV RQ WKH EXGJHW performance of the Judicial Council in the country.

Fertiliser Traders in Nigeria, Niger Mary Nnah About 35 key fertiliser industry stakeholders from Nigeria and Niger convened in Lagos recently to discuss regional fertiliser trade and cost structures and to facilitate connections between fertiliser traders in both countries.

The workshop was held by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Feed the Future Enhancing Growth through Regional

Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) Project for West Africa, implemented by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), to improve regional fertilizer availability and use for smallholder farmers to increase their yields and improve their general well-being.

HortiNigeria, the Fertiliser Sector Reform Support Project in Niger, and the West African Fertiliser Association also contributed to the organisation of the workshop.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

COMMENTARY

THE COURAGE TO FLY

Nigeria’s only state-owned airline, Ibom Air, has made significant impact in the aviation sector, writes Anietie Usen

H

is endorsement was heavyweight. It took many by surprise. Never known for flattering any man or organization, Ray Ekpu, a globally respected Nigerian journalist and critic, dedicated his column in The Guardian, a leading Nigerian newspaper of August 16, 2022, to Ibom Air. Titled Ibom Air: The Triumph Over Naysayism, the legendary journalist said: “(Governor Udom) Emmanuel must be given a standing ovation for the courage in establishing a wholly government owned and managed airline. He walked on the path that no one had dared before him by elongating the vision of his two predecessors with the improvement of facilities at the airport and the establishment of Ibom Air”.

The iconic journalist who has played pivotal role in the growth of journalism in Nigeria, was however three years behind his protégée, Anietie Usen, a multiple award winning journalist and technocrat, whose equally independent assessment of the airline within two weeks of operations on June 23, 2019, went viral and drew tremendous attention to the airline right from infancy. It was the first independent review of Ibom Air. It rankled many opposition leaders, who considered it too frank for comfort.

An award-winning author, Usen wrote about a “very fresh and refreshing” experience flying Ibom Air. He wrote about the ‘incredible schedule reliability’ of the new Airline as ‘very unNigerian’. He wrote about the dexterity of the crew, from the cockpit to the cabin, which guaranteed ‘very smooth take off, very smooth flight and very smooth landing”. His conclusion was explicit, express, and specific. “With Ibom Air you can sleep from takeoff to landing, feeling fresh, rested and ready to work on arrival”.

Without doubt this is the true story of Ibom Air today. Three years into the business of making money in the air and despite the rising turbulence in the economic weather of Nigeria, Ibom Air has become the airline of choice and the true pride of not just Akwa Ibom people, but all Nigerian and foreign flyers who value quality and world aviation services. That’s not altogether surprising, according to one frequent flyer in Ibom Air, Mazi Benjamin Ukonu, a businessman, because ‘when it comes to quality service, whether at the high or low places, Akwa Ibom people have no good second’.

If it is true, as John Milton said in his book Paradise Regained, that “the childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day”, three years is therefore a sufficient time frame for performance evaluation of Ibom Air, especially as Akwa Ibom State, its owners, on November 22, 2022, added two brand new A320 Airbus to its fleet. The A320 can carry 180 passengers each. The timely addition makes business sense as the Yuletide season approaches and the Airline is warming up to go international.

On the surface, records show that Ibom Air with seven aircraft in its fleet before now, has as at July 31, 2022 operated 23, 630 flights, carried 1, 708,439 passengers and taken on routes in Nigeria. Investigations carried out by Ekpu and published recently in The Guardian confirms that “Ibom Air has given

THREE YEARS INTO THE BUSINESS OF MAKING MONEY IN THE AIR AND DESPITE THE RISING TURBULENCE IN THE ECONOMIC WEATHER OF NIGERIA, IBOM AIR HAS BECOME THE AIRLINE OF CHOICE AND THE TRUE PRIDE OF NOT JUST AKWA IBOM PEOPLE, BUT ALL NIGERIAN AND FOREIGN FLYERS WHO VALUE QUALITY

direct employment to 540 persons and indirect employment to thousands of other people such as caterers, transporters, sellers of all kinds of goods and of all kinds of services. Last year, the airline’s schedule reliability was put at 94% and the average on-time performance was 95%. It now has an in-flight magazine called Fulcrum and a frequent flyer programme with three membership tiers namely, green, orange and top flyer. The airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of 10 additional airbuses for its operations”.

In Ibom air, flyers are virtually pampered and treated as very important guests, as they check in to board and hit the air. Those little care combined with reliable schedules has made Ibom Air a darling airline of choice for frequent flyers in all routes of the airline. “It is entirely a new experience. We didn’t even know that the flying public was hungry and waiting for those subtle niceties we provide as a caring airline and they simply descended on us”, Imo-Abasi Jacob, a chartered accountant and chairman of Ibom Airlines Limited told this reporter.

As Ibom Air consistently continues to delight travelers with the three-tier operational philosophy of on-time departure, scheduled reliability and service efficiency, Jacob said the business bloomed. “Our numbers are up, we are always fully booked…I am going to Lagos tomorrow and I couldn’t even get a seat…just praying now for a passenger who may not be traveling again to drop, so that I can get a seat…It’s good business and ran purely as business…No preferences even for me as the Chairman or any government official. I have to queue online or offline and buy tickets like every passenger we carry…”

Although Jacob would not tell this reporter the Airline bank balances, he said Ibom Air recorded a 242% increase in revenue in 2021, “which clearly indicates that our journey to profitability and break even zone is within reach in the not too distant future”. That profitability zone is anchored on the 10-brand new Airbus A220 aircraft which the airline already placed an order for during the Dubai Airshow in November 2021. The new aircraft are expected in 2023 and beyond.

The impact of Ibom Air in the Nigerian aviation industry is significant. Recently it single handedly countered the position of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on the latter’s decision to suspend flight operations over the hike in the price of fuel. A terse business-like statement issued by Ibom Air was all it took for AON to back out from the planned strike. In the statement Ibom argued convincingly that its business model does not accommodate strikes. Said the statement: “Ibom Air acknowledges the existential threat that these runaway fuel price increases pose for the air transport industry in Nigeria. We agree that this out-of-control situation is simply unsustainable. However, every airline has its unique business model and pressures. We believe that in spite of the escalating fuel prices, airlines volunteering to stop operations would rather exacerbate an already bad situation”.

Usen is a Journalist, Author and Technocrat

HARNESSING SANITATION RESOURCES TO GROW NIGERIA’S ECONOMY Joseph Ode writes the sanitation sub-sector is a gold mine waiting to be tapped

T

here was this story about Samuel, a semiilliterate village young man who migrated to Lokogoma, a suburb of Federal Capital Territory to trade in electrical appliances.

When Samuel gradually gained his feet he got married to a pretty young village lady into the single room shop that doubled as his residence.

Sensing that the single room could not serve a couple that was about to have children, a compassionate relation offered Samuel and his pregant wife his partially completed 3-bedroom bungalow at the outskirts of town to live in, free, pending the completion of the house. The toilet wicks had not yet been fixed and so Samuel and his wife were defecating in the bushy undeveloped plot of land next to them.

About two years later, when the young wife was pregnant with their second child, the relation and owner of the house moved to the house after fixing the toilet wicks. Yet, Samuel and his wife continued to defecate in the bush. When the relation asked why they were not using the toilet in their room, Samuel’s reply was that as an adult he could not fancy himself going to toilet inside the house. “Am I a kid?”

The artisan who had just bought land to build his own house was asked, “will you then provide toilets in your house which you are about to build?”

“Yes, why not?”

“Will you use them?” Samuel was asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. “When we reach the bridge, we shall cross it.”

Habits die hard. Open defecation is one such habit and it’s as old as the history of humanity. As recently as 2018, according to available statistics, one in three people across the globe did not use the toilet, while hundreds of thousands of children die annually from diarrheal diseases

caused by poor water and sanitation.

Ignorance, habit and lack of access have interplayed to hold one-third of the world’s population back from the use of the toilet. To date, it is even a taboo to openly talk about toilet in many parts of the World, including Nigeria. But the founder of the World Toilet Organisation (WTO) Jack Sim, has just brought to Nigeria a refreshingly positive, different, and diametrically opposite message and perspective to the subject matter. Describing the toilet as the “happiest place to be”, Sim, fondly called ‘Mr. Toilet’ for his passion for the provision of toilets and enhancement of toilet environment globally, urged the world to feel free to talk about toileting.

He said, “Feel free to talk about toilets, it’s normal, talk about shit, feel free. There was a time when it was a taboo to talk about leprosy, but today it is no more the issue.”

Sim was in Nigeria for the twin events of the World Toilet Summit (WTS) and World Toilet Day activities which took place in Abuja on November 18 and 19. The two related events were the brainchild of the World Toilet Organisation founded by Sim. WTO is a global non-profit organization committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide. Through the World Toilet Summit and a variety of other strategies, the WTO values the need for the provision of toilets as well as the promotion of toilet culture and sanitation.

The WTO has secured provision of educational platforms regarding sanitation and its effects on economies through the tireless effort of the organization over the past 22 years.

The WTO has both directly and indirectly facilitated the building of thousands of toilets across the globe while adjacently building

economies. Notable projects include the Rainbow School Toilet Initiative and the Floating Community Toilet Project. The WTO selects its host country based on the potential legacy it will create. As Nigeria has shown resilience in tackling its sanitation challenges, it is expected that it will benefit greatly from a summit of this calibre.

Three major conclusions came to light from deliberations at the two-day double-barrelled events. First, sanitation generally and toilets, in particular, have grown far beyond just issues of hygiene and good health to those of business, wealth creation and economic development.

Two: that a sanitation and toilets business have developed into a burgeoning sector called the sanitation economy in many advanced countries.

Finally, that Nigeria can tap into its sanitation resources to revolutionize the growth of this new economy.

The Sanitation Economy presents vast potential for global economic growth, and has the ability to transform future cities, communities, and businesses, according to an article published on Sdg,iisd.org.

This new economy monetizes toilet provision, products and services, biological resources, health data and information, to provide benefits across business and society.

A research finding by the Toilet Board Coalition (TBC) shows that the market could be worth US$62 billion in India alone, by conservative estimates; it could turn trillions of liters of human waste into valuable biological resources each year; and it could hold a vast reservoir of information about human health.

The Sanitation Economy is made up of three distinct sub-economies. They include: the Toilet Economy, which encompasses toilet product and service innovation that provides toilets fit for

purpose for all environments and incomes; the Circular Sanitation Economy, which means toilet resources (commonly known as human waste) feed into a circular economic system that replaces traditional waste management; and finally, the Smart Sanitation Economy, which involves digitized sanitation systems that optimize data for operating efficiencies, maintenance, plus consumer use and health information insights.

The Sanitation Economy has been described by an expert as the business response to a global crisis and resulting market and societal failures.

“With collaboration and investment on all fronts, there is an opportunity to turn the world’s toilet-related resources and data into valuable, life-saving resources and critical information,” he said.

Experts who spoke at the Abuja World Toilet Summit aligned themselves with this proposition, saying Nigeria could also be a major beneficiary.

During a panel discussion at the Abuja Summit, moderated by the National Coordinator, Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH) Dr Nickolas Igwe, on the topic ‘Scaling Sanitation Economy for National Development’, discussants identified benefits of a befitting toilet system to include improved health and well-being of citizens.

One of the panelists, Adegbe Michael, said the sanitation sub-sector remains a gold mine waiting to be tapped in Nigeria, whose potential in revenue generation will stand at $26.1 billion in 2030 if harnessed.

“Why we are passionate about achieving this huge desire or enhancing the world positively, our goal is to reach a hundred million people by 2025, that is in tandem with what Nigeria is trying to do.”

Ode, a Journalist, writes from Makurdi

13

NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER

INSIGHT

Soccer…the name of the game

Exploration of Oil in the North

I

n what is indeed historic news, Nigeria is set to begin oil exploration in Bauchi and Gombe States in what will go down as the first set of such drilling and exploration activities in the North of the country.

The development has expectedly generated excitement among sections of Nigerians who look with eagerness at the N32 trillion the country is poised to generate from the discovery amidst other mouthwatering opportunities.

It is fair to say that in Nigeria’s journey as a country, oil has come to play an omnipresent role in the life of the country especially as it concerns its national economy and by extension its national affairs.

In 1956,as Nigeria stood on the cusp of independence, oil in commercial quantities was discovered in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State. With exploration commencing, and the country joining other countries who were already swimming in petro-dollars, there was no ceiling for the promise a newly independent country.

However, the story since then is a harrowingly documented one which is full of the hubris with which Nigeria and her oil resources have been grossly and gravely mismanaged, and the hysteria of those who because they were complicit in this mismanagement resort only to hallucinations whenever they are called upon to render accounts.

The lines of Nigeria’s embrace of inequity and inequality are also etched with oil. While the country as a collective has suffered from the mismanagement of the country’s oil resources, a part of the country has particularly borne the brunt of Nigeria’s oil exploration and drilling activities.

With the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Gombe and Bauchi States, and exploration activities set to begin, the long-suffering people of the Niger-Delta may have more than just a note of caution for the people in the immediate areas.

In fact, they may just be feeling sorry for them.

For many people in the Niger-Delta, the discovery of oil and the subsequent exploration activities have turned out to be a curse.

For generations, their lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down by pollution. The cost has been incalculable.

To make matters worse, they cannot beat their chests and say they have been fairly treated in

Echoes from the 27th Conference of Parties

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bout 112 heads of States and over 46,000 delegates including ministries, CSOs, scientists, policymakers, oil companies and the private sector as well as other stakeholders gathered at the Red Sea Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from 6th to 18th November 2022, for the 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP27. The global event opened officially by 10am on Sunday, 6th November 2022, where the conference president Sameh Shoukry, intimated parties that it was a conference for concrete action and implementation.

A major item on the agenda for discussion was financing for loss and damages to support frontline countries. This was against what happened at COP26 in Glasgow where developed countries tactically dodged the issue.

At COP27 developing countries positioned themselves to demand huge financing from developed countries. This was in line with ANEEJ and Nigerian CSOs demand as reflected on the sign on statement launched at COP27, endorsed by 87 signatories comprising 80 organisations and seven individuals. World leaders arrived one by one and made statements for the first two days, negotiations and side events started from 9th November, 2022 It was estimated that developing countries would require more than $2 trillion annually by 2030 for loss and damages. Government of Africa countries urged the developed countries and big polluters to do more as Africa is bearing the brunt. A lot of African countries were not happy because the big countries were not serious or showing enough commitment to solving the climate crisis which is having greater impact in the T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R global south.

EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE As at Friday 18th November 2022, when DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU COP27 was expected to end officially, there MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO was no concrete agreement on the issue of loss DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI and damage, developed countries were more EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN interested in sustaining previous commitments MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI on reducing emissions and upholding the THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE 1.50C. There was a deadlock which made the authorities to push the event into an extra day to enable parties reach concrete agreement.

Amidst the deadlock, CSOs and environmenT H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D tal justice activists sustained their rallies and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA protest outside the negotiation arena, insisting GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, that parties must reach reasonable agreement.

ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE The COP27 was then extended by one day DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI to enable parties reach conclusion on the SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH issues. By the end of the COP, parties at least ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI reached some level of agreement. A few take CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI aways from COP reflect some successes and DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO disappointments.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com Innocent Edemhanria, ANEEJ Programme Manager, Benin City

the distribution of the proceeds from oil exploration that would have been enough to power the country but for the corruption that is at once systemic and monumental.

If the good people of Gombe and Bauchi for whom news of oil exploration is ordinarily supposed to be great news are apprehensive about what the activities in relation to the black gold would mean for them, it is because they have looked at other parts of the country that have oil and seen just how woefully Nigeria can fail the golden goose that lays the golden eggs.

But perhaps, in a country where oil has been as contentious as it is has been priceless, the fact that the North is about to contribute oil wealth to the country as the South has been doing for years may help heal some age-long wounds and enable Nigeria come to a place where the issues that wear down the unity of the country would be dispassionately examined and resolved.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

14

NEWS Bandits Kill 15 in Attacks on Kaduna Communities John Shiklam in Kaduna Fifteen people have been killed in separate attacks by bandits on communities in Giwa, Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna State.

8QVSHFLÀHG QXPEHU RI SHRSOH were also said to have sustained injuries during the attacks.

The Commissioner for Internal 6HFXULW\ DQG +RPH $ͿDLUV 6DPXHO $UXZDQ FRQÀUPHG WKH killings in a statement yesterday.

He said in Giwa LGA, the EDQGLWV DWWDFNHG WKH 5DÀQ 6DUNL community and killed 11 people,

while in Cibiya and Karamai communities in Kajuru LGA two people were killed.

He added that the bandits killed two people in Damari community, Birnin Gwari LGA. The statement reads: “On a sad note, the Kaduna State Government has sent its deepest commiserations to families of several victims who were killed in attacks by bandits in Giwa, Birnin Gwari and Kajuru local government areas.

“The Government was informed by security agencies WKDW EDQGLWV DWWDFNHG 5DÀQ 6DUNL in Giwa LGA, with 11 locals

FRQÀUPHG NLOOHG 7KH\ DUH LGHQWLÀHG DV Abdullahi Musa, Adamu Musa, Aminu Nasiru, Adamu Ibrahim, Yau Usman Ladan, Yunusa Saidu, Salisu Abdulrahman, Fati Usman, Yakubu Ya’u Marwanu Ibrahim and RQH XQLGHQWLÀHG SHUVRQ ´6LPLODU EULHÀQJV UHYHDOHG that Cibiya and Karamai communities in Kufana, Kajuru LGA were attacked by bandits and two people were killed; LGHQWLÀHG DV ,GRQ %RQRV DQG Aston Namaskar.

“Several persons were left injured. Furthermore, bandits

killed two people in Damari, Birnin Gwari LGA. The vicWLPV DUH LGHQWLÀHG DV 6DOLVX Mai Tireda and Mohammed Maikaba.”

Aruwan said Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness over the incidents and sent his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the slain victims.

He said while praying for the repose of their souls, the governor also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Aruwan said, “The government is engaging the security forces on these developments and other fronts.”

THISDAY Bags CITN Outstanding Print Media Award Omolabake Fasogbon Nigeria’s most authoritative newspapers, THISDAY has bagged the Outstanding Print Media Award at the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, annual Dinner & Award night.

The event took place in Victoria Island, Lagos and was attended by financial stakeholders and other influential people in the society.

CITN described THISDAY as the only high-profile newspaper that appeals to both young and old, given its straightforward news reporting, strong editorial content, lifestyle features and business coverage.

Presenting the award yesterda y, Past President of the institute, Asiwaju John Jegede commended Thisday for its robust reportage to the development of taxation in Nigeria. Earlier, in his remarks, President and Chairman, in Council, CITN, Adesina Adedayo,

said the gesture had helped in no small measure, encouraged excellence in taxation and tax professionalism across the country.

He added that despite the economic downturn, high inflation and dwindling oil prices in the international market, CITN recorded appreciable growth in the presidential year.

The CITN boss said he was pleased with the strategic roles members have played in developing the tax profession, which he said beyond opinion, had made it become the “hope of the nation.”

He commended colleagues in the profession, adding that they had continued to wave the flag of the institute by sustaining professionalism in the Nigerian tax system.

He said the annual dinner and awards is aimed at bringing tax professionals and other stakeholders together, share ideas, successes, learn from downturns and demonstrate professional love.

Anchor Varsity Delights over NUC Accreditation, Admission Seekers Funmi Ogundare

HONOUR WELL DESERVED… L-R: Group CEO, Honoris United Universities, Dr. Jonathan Louw; Pro-Chancellor, Nile University, John Vermaate; Convocation Lecturer and Former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole; Vice-Chancellor, Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, and Chief Human Resources Officer, Honoris United Universities, Luis Ramirez-Alonso, during the 10th Convocation lecture of Nile University in Abuja… yesterday.

Five Fake EFCC Operatives Arrested in Delta over N21m Fraud Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Five persons who have allegedly been impersonating operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in parts of Delta State have been arrested by the State Police Command.

The criminals reportedly extorted their victims in Delta State to the tune of N21 million, the police disclosed.

The suspects were said to be carrying out the criminal activities by hitting targets in the state from their hideouts in Asaba, Owerri (Imo State), Port-Harcourt (Rivers) and Lagos.

The Delta State Police Command spokesman, Mr Bright Edafe, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), who confirmed the story in Asaba yesterday, gave the identities of the suspects as 29-year old Prince Allison, George Chisom Onyeweagu (29), Duke Okoro (40), Joseph Osinachi (23) and Onyocha Stanley (32).

According to the police, the persistent intimidation and defrauding of unsuspecting members of the public by these fake EFCC operatives, triggered the “END-EFCC” protest witnessed in Ughelli area of Delta State in October this year, resulting in

several deaths and the torching of at least a dozen trucks.

After series of complaints, especially from young people, “alleging that EFCC operatives usually break into their houses at night, forcefully arrest them, take them away and extort huge sums of money from them”, the state police command was forced to swing into action as intelligence suggested that the so-called EFCC persons may be imposters.

THISDAY learnt that what became the last straw was a complaint from a victim on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 that “his house was stormed at

night by the syndicate, that they gained entrance into the compound by scaling the fence, broke into his apartment, forcefully abducted and took him away in a white Toyota Hiace bus.

“The victim further stated that on getting to head-bridge (that is, the boundary between Delta and Anambra states), they forcefully collected his phones from him, other valuables worth N3,700,000 (three million, seven hundred thousand naira), made cash transfer of N2,500,000 (two million five hundred thousand naira) and told him that they will come for him again.

The United States Government has announced that it was expanding the eligibility period for non-immigrant visa renewals from 24 months to 48 months.

The US Mission in a statement issued yesterday said applicants whose previous US visa expired within the last 48 months or would expire in the next three months may now qualify to renew them without an interview.

It also announced that it was opening thousands of visa renewal appointments to assist applicants who wish to renew their visas.

Estate Developer Seeks Upward Review of Education Budget James Sowole in Abeokuta

A real Estate Developer and Managing Director, Medaville Estate Limited, Dr Akingbaso Ademola has urged the Federal Government to give priority to education and upward review the education budget from from its current status to United Nations projection.

It said: “The US Mission is Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Fund “is to ask philanthropists Akingbaso made the plea in expanding the eligibility period Umuahia and stakeholders from all walks an interview with journalists after for non-immigrant visa renewals of life to appreciate the huge he was honoured with Doctorfrom 24 months to 48 months.

The management of the responsibility NINLAN bears ate Degree by British American “You may be eligible for National Institute for Nigerian as centre for the development University Florida USA. a visa renewal without an Languages (NINLAN), Aba, RI 1LJHULD·V ÀYH KXQGUHG SOXV Akingbaso pointed out that interview if your application has said that the Institute languages.” only 20 per cent budgetary According to him, discharg- allocation would improve the is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic was in dire need of funding only), H, L or C1/D (combined and has concluded plans to ing its core mandate has become standard and ensure quality of only) visa, and you meet each launch a N5 billion Endowment DOO WKH PRUH GL΀FXOW IRU WKH education at the basic, secondary of the following criteria: Fund to enable it achieve its Institute “due to the very low and tertiary institutions, while “Your previous visa was development agenda. infrastructural development” also assist in curbing incessant issued in Nigeria. Your previous The Executive Director engendered by paucity of funds. strike by workers in the sector.

“This realisation we hope will YLVD LV LQ WKH VDPH FODVVLÀFDWLRQ of NINLAN, Prof. Obiajulu At the decoration held on at the as your current application.

Emejulu, made this known spur individuals and corporate Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential “Your previous visa was \HVWHUGD\ ZKLOH EULHÀQJ WKH bodies to generously support Library, Akingbaso said proper a full validity, multiple entry press on the forthcoming the Institute by donating cash, funding of education would help visa. Your previous visa expired maiden convocation of the equipment, vehicles, erecting to safeguard the future of Nigerian buildings, and others for the children. within the last 48 months or will 29-year-old Institute. expire in the next three months He said that the aim for EHQHÀW RI WKH ,QVWLWXWH µ (PHMXOX “The way out is that the from the date of application. setting up the Endowment said. country should work towards

US Expands Eligibility Period for NonNINLAN to Launch N5bn Endowment Funds, Seeks immigrant Visa Renewals from 24 to 48 Months Enabling Act Amendment to Award Degrees Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited four new courses at Anchor University, Lagos, having met all the requirements. The programmes are; Law, Nursing Science, BSc Architecture (B.SC) and Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS).

The Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Samuel Bandele expressed excitement about what the institution has achieved since its inception, saying that it has led to a rise in admission seekers.

“It is unprecedented to see students in their large numbers jostling for our Nursing programme, while we are still expecting the /HJDO &RXQFLO IRU ÀQDO YLVLWDWLRQ before we commence the Law programme. We are hopeful WRR WKDW RQFH ZH JHW WKH ÀQDO clearance for the Law programme we shall have the same result like

the Nursing programme.

“Although, we are still admitting students into various departments particularly the new programmes and we will also accommodate more students who are still willing to be part of history as long as they meet the basic requirements for admission.”

He also said the management has taken note of the economic situation of the country and has PDGH WKH VFKRRO IHHV DͿRUGDEOH to parents.

The VC assured the new students that they would not regret choosing the school, saying that they would be supported to achieve their respective ambitions while on campus.

He reiterated that the school campus is built in a conducive environment for studying with modern facilities to aid students’ learning with ease within the campus.

moving priority areas like health and education sectors to statutory transfer so they can be addressed the same way the judiciary and legislature are being treated in terms of funding.

Briefly

Princess Roseline Egbedi’s Burial Rites Ends Sunday

The funeral rites of the late Princess Roseline Onoruode Egbedi who died on October 26, 2022, will be concluded tomorrow with a Thanksgiving service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church Kiagbodo, Burutu, Delta State.

Late Princes Egbedi who lost her husband Captain Augustin Egbedi in a plane crash a few years ago, was buried yesterday in a private ceremony following the rites of passage which began on Monday with a Mass and Service of Tribute at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Ibadan/Salvation Road Irawo-Owode Ikorodu in Lagos State.

According to the funeral program released by the family, the late Princess was born on 14 February 1959 and is survived by children, sisters, and brothers.

15

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

RingTrue 08054699539

yemi.adebowale@thisdaylive.com

Yemi

Adebowale

Killing Nigeria with Multiple FX Exchange Rates

I

have spent quality time appraising and reappraising the International Monetary Fund’s Staff Concluding Statement on the 2022 Article IV Mission to Nigeria released nine days back. For me, the preliminary findings of the IMF Staff on Nigeria’s shambolic foreign exchange policy stand out. I have persistently argued against the squandering of Nigeria’s forex which its management connotes. The IMF report aligns with my position, stating, “a unified and market-clearing exchange rate remains critical to enhancing confidence.”

It avowed: “The mission reiterated its past recommendations to move towards a unified and market-clearing exchange rate by dismantling the various exchange rate windows at the CBN, accompanied by clarity on exchange rate policy and supportive fiscal and monetary policies. In the medium term, the CBN should step back from its role as main FX intermediator, limiting interventions to smoothing market volatility.”

The IMF also urged the apex bank to allow deposit money banks determine FX buy-sell rates, in collaboration with the apex bank, which earlier this year, at the launch of RT200 policy, revealed its plan to stop selling forex to banks, allowing them to source forex for their customers.

The IMF reported further that an unsteady exchange rate regime is one of the numerous factors fueling devaluation, hindering muchneeded capital inflows, encouraging outflows and constraining private sector investment in Nigeria.

This week, another Bretton Woods Institution, the World Bank, released a report on “Nigeria Public Finance Review”, and just like the IMF, also denounced Nigeria’s forex management, with a call for an urgent creation of a unified, stable market-based exchange rate.

The World Bank reported that an end to Nigeria’s crooked forex policy could help increase public revenues, noting that for years, a large share of Nigeria’s resources was being used to finance so many inefficient and regressive things, official forex rates inclusive.

This official forex rates must end. Forex must be sold at market rate. The era of multiple forex exchange rates must likewise end in Nigeria for this country to optimally utilise its forex.

These are the key points the IMF and the World Bank are making in these two reports quoted above. They have persistently been making these points for years.

No doubt, if government forex is sold at market-based exchange rate, it would naturally eliminate sharp practices in the current official

No doubt, if government forex is sold at marketbased exchange rate, it would naturally eliminate sharp practices in the current official forex policy.

Those benefitting from the prevailing skewed forex policy don’t want this to happen. A country struggling with forex can’t be selling the limited amount it has at dubious rates. But this is what the CBN is implementing in our country amid declining external reserves forex policy. Those benefitting from the hopeless skewed forex policy don’t want this to happen.

A country struggling with forex can’t be selling the limited amount it has at dubious rates.

But this is what the CBN is implementing in our country with declining external reserves.

Direct inflow of USD into a system where there is one useless official exchange rate (that is also artificially low) is usually hindered. The demand management strategy currently being adopted by the CBN also needs a reconsideration.

That was why Vice President Yemi Osinbajo called for measures that would increase the supply of foreign exchange in the market rather than simply managing demand, which opens up irresistible opportunities for arbitrage and corruption. The Vice President, who spoke in August last year at a Mid-term Ministerial Performance Review retreat, also made a case for a market-reflective exchange rate for the Naira.

Back then, Osinbajo professed: “We cannot get new dollars into the system, where the exchange rate is artificially low…It is a well-known fact that foreign investors and exporters have been complaining that they could not bring foreign exchange in at N410 and then have to purchase foreign exchange in the parallel market at N570 to meet their various needs on account of unavailability of foreign exchange.

“Only a more market-reflective exchange rate would ameliorate this. With an increase in the supply of dollars, the rates will drop and the value of the Naira will improve. The real issue confronting the economy on this matter is

how to improve the supply of foreign exchange, but this will not happen if we do not allow mechanisms like the Importers and Exporters (I&E) Window to work.” It was a simple and forthright position.

One deceptive argument beneficiaries of the manipulated Naira exchange rate always put forward is that the currency will crash further if market forces are allowed to determine its rate in the official market. This is false. Rather, the Naira will benefit from market-driven rate at the official forex market, because inflow will improve considerably. Many will be happy to sell forex in the official market. There will be no reason for round-tripping and speculative trading will die naturally. The Naira will thus appreciate. Pressure in the parallel market will also reduce.

Sharp practices are persisting in the purchase of official forex in Nigeria because of the huge gap between official and unofficial forex rates.

The CBN knows this. For years, it has been struggling to ensure sanity in the Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) and the Business Travel Allowance (BTA) doled out to Nigerians at official rate. Round-tripping has persisted in the PTA/BTA arrangement because of the massive profit opportunities.

Some people simply collect PTA and BTA to resell. At a point, the CBN instructed banks to publish the names and Bank Verification Numbers of customers who abuse its forex policy. The apex bank lamented that it had received, and noted with concern, reports of sharp practices “by some unscrupulous

Paseiro Still in Charge of Super Eagles?

I

t is scandalous that José Peseiro is still the Manager of Nigeria’s senior national team, Super Eagles, almost two weeks after that 4-0 humiliation by Portugal. Those running the show at the Nigeria Football Federation should be trampled because they have failed to respond appropriately to the humiliation.

This is not just about the defeat. It is more about a manager, who glaringly showed that he has no business managing the Super Eagles.

During the friendly game with Portugal, Paseiro showed that he is technically and tactically bankrupt. He could not even read the game and make appropriate changes. Besides, he could not communicate effectively with the players, as he was struggling with his English.

This showed in all the four friendly matches he supervised.

Paseiro clearly brought in largely wrong players for the friendly with Portugal. It shows he still does not understand Nigerian players several months after taking charge. No wonder he played Calvin Bassey at left full back. On current form, Ejuke Chidera should be in the team. He did not look in his direction, but invited sloppy footballers like Wilfred Ndidi, Emmanuel Dennis, Maduka Okoye, Moses Simon, Joe Aribo, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu and Kevin Akpoguma. With a good manager, these guys should have no business with the

Paseiro

Super Eagles.

The 62-year-old Paseiro has failed to get a win in all his four friendly matches for Nigeria. He would probably never win any match because he is not the right man for the job. I don’t have to be a seer to know that Super Eagles will struggle during the next AFCON qualifiers and would probably miss out of the African Nations Cup if Paseiro is kept as Manager. It is so sad that the only requirement for getting a shirt in Paseiro’s Super Eagles is to be playing

in Europe. This man stays in Europe and only comes around when there is match. He is not interested in players in the Nigerian league.

Clemence Westerhoff succeeded with the Super Eagles because he lived in Nigeria, watched the Nigerian league and forced Europe-based players to compete for shirts with players from the Nigerian league. Under Westerhoff, players moved from our local league into the Super Eagles. I’m talking about the likes of Finidi George, Uche Okechukwu, Elahor and Ben Iroha. That was the golden days of the Super Eagles.

Former Nigeria international, Daniel Amokachi was apt when he blamed Super Eagles’ problems on wrong coaches and the wrong players: “When you look at the game with Portugal, that tells you that we don’t even deserve to be at the World Cup. There are one, two, or three different angles from which you have to look at it, bringing in the right coach, bringing in the right players, and getting the right environment to play. We always bring the wrong coaches to handle a country like Nigeria; we always bring the wrong players.”

The way forward? The NFF must sack Paseiro now. Nigeria must go for a Dutch coach that speaks English. This country has a history of doing very well with Dutch coaches.

customers,” circumventing the new CBN policy on the sale of forex for overseas personal and business travels”. The bank said some of the unwholesome practices included the use of fake visas and cancellation of air tickets after the purchase of PTA/BTA. The CBN expects travellers to return unused PTA/BTA within two weeks as stipulated in the customer declaration form. It is demanding that if not utilised for the intended purpose, or if for any reason, the scheduled trip is cancelled, the PTA/BTA must be returned. The CBN is evidently being unrealistic. This will never happen. PTA and BTA at official rates must end for Nigeria to progress. Besides, it amounts to subsidising all manner of foreign trips. Somebody is going on holiday and getting forex at official rate! What is the business of the government with this?

Another manner through which the federal government has been squandering Nigeria’s forex is its allocation at a concessionary rate for payment of overseas tuition fees. The government has simply been subsidising tuition fees for Nigerians studying abroad. A good government must not be seen subsidising foreign education.

It must not be seen subsidising the rich to send their children abroad for education. Between June 2015 and August 2022, the CBN provided a staggering $3.5 billion at official rate to fund education abroad.

A single exchange rate, determined by the forces of demand and supply, will invariably boost inflow of forex. This is the way forward for Nigeria. Our country’s economy will be the biggest beneficiary. In fact, Naira will gain from market-reflective steps.

The Ruins of Malam Fatori

N

igerians are tired of being told that Boko Haram and ISWAP have been decimated. They are tired of the unending false narratives that ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters are surrendering in thousands.

Many are tired of these false stories persistently pushed out by the military and the Nigerian government. Facts on ground do not support these. Seven days back, ISWAP fighters stormed Malam Fatori town, in Abadam LG of Borno State, killing and maiming.

Hundreds of houses were destroyed and scores of innocent Nigerians killed.

An army base in the town was also attacked with an undisclosed number of soldiers killed. The terrorists, who drove trucks fitted with machine guns, spent over 24 hours in Malam Fatori, committing atrocities unhindered. In the predawn attack on the base and the town, the jihadists hurled explosives to kill residents; some inhabitants drowned trying to flee.

A military source said, “ISWAP terrorists caused huge destruction which we are working to quantify. They attacked the military base and engaged troops in a fight while a second group went on a killing spree and arson in the town.”

Abadam LG, on the western coast of Lake Chad, remains a stronghold of ISWAP. The terrorists have their headquarters at nearby Kamuya village, which is the largest ISWAP camp in Lake Chad area, about eight kilometres from Malam Fatori. All the previous attacks on Malam Fatori were launched from Kamuya, a village ISWAP has fortified with mines and heavy weapons. The Nigerian military knows this. To destroy ISWAP, Kamuya must be taken.

For now, the traumatised people left in Abadam are still counting their losses and burying dead bodies. They are combing the bushes and picking up the dead bodies of their loved ones. The people are also picking and burying dead bodies washed to the shores.

16

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Industry Giants Reboot Classic ‘Domitilla’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

D

omitilla is coming! FilmTrybe, one of the coSURGXFWLRQ ÀUPV on the project announced, and is happy to partner with Filmoneng and Zeb Ejiro Productions to bring the reboot to your screens. Following the hit success of the 1996 release, Zeb Productions teamed up with industry giants – FilmOne Entertainment and FilmTrybe to produce the Domitilla reboot.

The production teams are HPSKDWLF DERXW WKH XSFRPLQJ ÁLFN being a reboot and not a sequel!

“Domitilla: reboot” follows the VWRU\ RI IRXU SURVWLWXWHV ZKR ÀQG themselves at a crossroads and must join forces in this tale of survival. A cast reveal of the four leads will be announced soon. The

mention of the Nollywood FODVVLF QR GRXEW HYRNHV nostalgia.

0HDQZKLOH 6KRZEL] KDV it that the lead cast in the original Domitila movie Anne Njemanze will star in the reboot. Principal photography commenced on November 7KH YHWHUDQ ÀOP GLUHFtor Zeb Ejiro promises to WDNH KLV IDQV DQG FLQHPD EXͿV EDFN WR WKH FRUH RI ÀOPPDNLQJ DV KH PDNHV KLV FLQHPD FRPHEDFN 7KH KLJKO\ VXFFHVVIXO IHDWXUH ÀOP ZDV WKH EHQFKPDUN WR IDPH IRU Nollywood stars.

Directed by Zeb Ejiro, the reboot will continue in the WUDGLWLRQ DV LW KRSHV WR EUHDNout new stars. The 1996 EORFNEXVWHU PRYLH KDG $QQH Anne Njemanze Njemanze, Basorge Tariah -QU (QHEHOL (OHEXZD 6DQGUD Maureen Ihua, Ada Ameh and a Achums, Kate Henshaw, host of other stars who rose to

T.I Blaze’s ‘El Major’ is Complete Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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IWHU KLV EUHDNRXW PRment in 2021, with the KRRN RI ´6RPHWLPHV·· catching on across the Nigerian music community, T.I Blaze remained on everyERG\·V UDGDU DV RQH RI WKH QHZ OHDGHUV of street-pop music. With one extended SOD\ (3 GXEEHG ¶)UHVK 3ULQFH RI /DJRV· released earlier this year, and several singles out, the vocal prodigy has now stepped out with his debut studio album titled, “EL Major”. /LNH LQ KLV HDUOLHU UHFRUG 7 , %OD]H WRZV KLV WUDGHPDUN WKHPHV RI VXUYLYDO love, mental wellness, among others, on WKLV WUDFN PDVWHUSLHFH ,Q ¶(/ 0DMRU· RQH FDQ VHH 7 , %OD]H ERUQ $NLQWXQGH $ELRGXQ 7LPLOH\LQ WDNH RQ D UDWKHU

VWUHHW SRS PDYHULFN %HOOD 6KPXUGD KH UHÁHFWV RQ WKH VROLWDU\ QDWXUH RI PDQ partly-inspiring and partly-admonishing listeners with street-wise lyrics. +H SRQWLÀFDWHV VLPLODUO\ RQ VRQJV OLNH ´)DUDZD\ µ ZKHUH KH UHÁHFWV RQ his myriad blessings and the journey so far; “Frenemies,” where he laments on WKH UHDOLW\ RI HQYLRXV DQG EDFNVWDEELQJ friends; and also on “My Life,” where KH WDNHV KLV VWDQFH RQ HQMR\LQJ WKH low-hanging fruits of life and avoiding RYHUWKLQNLQJ LVVXHV EH\RQG KLV FRQWURO DQG RQ WKH VRQJ ´%HQHÀW µ KH UHYLVLWV the value of meaningful friendships and ZDWFKLQJ WKH W\SH RI FLUFOH RQH NHHSV $V WKH FUX[ RI WKH UHFRUG 7 , %OD]H·V T.I Blaze didacticism tends to always overpower SHQVLYH UHDOLVW JODQFH RQ WKH ¶UDW UDFH· KLV UHFRUGV /LNH ZLWK HDUOLHU UHOHDVHG VRQJV VXFK DV ´7U\ µ ´6RPHWLPHV µ DPRQJ nature of life. ,Q VRQJV OLNH ´$ORQHµ IHDWXULQJ IHOORZ others, the ghetto gospel narrative on ‘EL 0DMRU· JLYHV WKH DOEXP WKH O\ULFDO DQG

lifelong stardom through the title and Zeb Ejiro wants to bring more of the new faces to the limelight.

Recall that FilmOne had announced the production in 2020 in FROODERUDWLRQ ZLWK 2PRQL 2EROL·V Dioni Visions Entertainment. In a press statement jointly released by the production companies then, Oboli was to star in a lead role in ÀOP RULJLQDOO\ XQYHLOHG DV D VHTXHO 6SHDNLQJ RQ WKH XSFRPLQJ project then, FilmOne EntertainPHQW FR IRXQGHUV .HQH 2NZXRVD and Moses Babatope shared their excitement, saying “We are happy to once again, bring magic to the big screen by producing this EUHDWKWDNLQJ PRYLH ,Q ¶'RPLWLOD· ZH KDYH LGHQWLÀHG DQ HQWHUWDLQLQJ and artistic masterpiece that would DSSHDO WR GLͿHUHQW JHQHUDWLRQV RI ÀOP ORYHUV DQG WR NQRZ ZH DUH partnering with great professionals in Zeb Ejiro and Omoni Oboli is VRRWKLQJ 7KXV ZH ORRN IRUZDUG WR a phenomenal accomplishment”.

HPRWLYH GHSWK LW VRDUV ZLWK 6RPHWLPHV LW is not even the direction that shapes the narratives; but the fact that he presents these realities altogether, that is a big ZLQ IRU WKH DYHUDJH NLG RQ WKH VWUHHW who might never get to attend a concert or enjoy the fanciest slices of life. It is PXVLF WKDW PDNHV WKHP IHHO ¶VHHQ · 2Q ¶(/ 0DMRU· WKH \HDU ROG 'DSSHU Music artiste perfects the art of blendLQJ FRQWHPSRUDU\ 6RQLFV ZLWK UHODWDEOH storytelling. When he is not introspecting about hustling and survival, T.I Blaze is also very much the lover boy.

2Q VRQJV OLNH ´/RFN 8S µ KH WDONV about how the love he shares with his SDUWQHU FDQ EH XQDͿHFWHG E\ GLVWDQFH “Panic,” where his insecurities come to the fore about whether or not he might JHW VHUYHG ¶EUHDNIDVW· EUHDNXS ´3OD\µ featuring the star girl Fave, where he again warns against being toyed with by his lover. In these songs, T.I Blaze continues to show the softer sides of masculinity WKDW DUH DOPRVW OLNH FRPSXOVRU\ VLQV WR many men.

Raymondaux Thrills Fans Rita Dominic, Fidelis Anosike with “Sound from Space” Set for White Wedding Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

list of A-list artistes at home and abroad including Wande Coal (whom he regarded as oday, superstar actress Rita aymondaux is thrilled by WKH ELJJHVW LQÁXHQFH RQ KLV PXVLF :L]NLG Dominic and her partner, the reception given to his Fireboy DML, Oxlade, Niniola, Justin Bieber )LGHOLV $QRVLNH ZLOO KROG WKHLU DUWLVWLF HͿRUW E\ KLV IDQV 7KH DQG 'UDNH Prompted on what is in store for his fans white wedding in England.

23-year-old singer, songwriter They will be joined by coland music producer in a IRU WKH UHVW RI WKH \HDU KH VDLG ´'HÀQLWHO\ leagues, friends and family at recent interview said he more music and probably visuals too, but in the ceremony as they exchange expected that fans would be WKH PHDQWLPH ,·P SXVKLQJ WKH (3 EHFDXVH their vows at the stately Abbey manor in North HODWHG E\ KLV ODWHVW ´6RXQG )URP 6SDFHµ (3 LW·V VWLOO YHU\ IUHVK µ <RUNVKLUH (QJODQG 1HZV RI WKH ZKLWH ZHGGLQJ ´7KH HͿRUW LV YHU\ RULJLQDO EHFDXVH , KDG VWRNHG H[FLWHPHQW ZLWK FRPPHQWV OLNH was real on every song on the EP. I put “About to go down Again” from a very close my experiences and emotions into all of the ally of the couple.

VRQJV µ KH D΀UPHG Rita, the silver screen goddess and Fidelis, 6SHDNLQJ IXUWKHU 5D\PRQGDX[ ZKRVH UHDO founder of Folio Media Group had their traditional Rita and Fidelis name is Adebayo Olumide John, avowed that wedding on April 19, 2022 in Imo. While an the EP was inspired by his various experiences HYHQW ZDV PDGH RI 5LWD·V DUULYDO DW KHU KXVEDQG·V including personal relationships with people.

2WKHU 1ROO\ZRRG VWDUV OLNH 0LFKHOOH 'HGH IDPLO\ KRPH LQ $QDPEUD VWDWH WKH ÁXUU\ DQG .DWH +HQVKDZ DQG 9LFN\ 6RJXQUR DUH VRPH RI +H VDLG ´$ FRXSOH RI WLPHV ,·YH IHOW VRPH DXUD RI IHVWLYLWLHV WKDW ÀOOHG WKH DWPRVSKHUH RQ the few colleagues and associate that would be type of way about myself, I put all that in WKDW RFFDVLRQ LQ WKH DFWUHVV· FRXQWU\ KRPH LQ RQ WKH EULGH·V PDLG RI KRQRXU·V WUDLQ WKH PXVLF , DFWXDOO\ GLGQ·W GURS DQ\ VLQJOH Aboh Mbaise, was overwhelming and one of RͿ WKH (3 EHIRUH UHOHDVH EXW ULJKW QRZ , Rita and Fidelis met during the 2017 Africa the most never before witnessed in that part ,QWHUQDWLRQDO )LOP )HVWLYDO $)5,)) VHVVLRQ RQ ÀOP FDQ VD\ SHRSOH FRQQHFW D ORW ZLWK VRQJV OLNH in recent times. ´:LQQHU µ ´<RXQJ /RYH µ ´6XSHU 6WDUµ DQG business which had government representatives, It was described as shutdown! Many across business leaders and development agencies as “Even Find You.”…all the songs because they ZDONV RI OLIH JUDFHG WKH RFFDVLRQ 1RW D IHZ JOXHG well as media entrepreneurs and top executives.

DOO KDYH WKHLU GLͿHUHQW SXUSRVHV µ to their phone screens to catch a glimpse of the :KLOH KH GRHVQ·W KDYH DQ\ IDYRXULWH DPRQJ Thus began their beautiful journey. The actress events as it unfolded. However, the celebration is VXFFHVVIXOO\ NHSW KHU UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK WKH 'DLO\ WKH WUDFNV KH LV KRZHYHU HPSKDWLF WKDW QRW GRQH \HW DV LW LV H[SHFWHG WR EH D ZHHNHQG 7LPHV SXEOLVKHU SULYDWH EXW HYHQWXDOO\ WRRN “Winner” and “Find You” are very personal of picturesque activities including a marriage many by surprise when in a new lease of life, WR KLP ´7KH\ KROG YHU\ GLͿHUHQW PHDQLQJV blessing to be held in a 900-year-old Abbey VKH WRRN WR KHU ,QVWDJUDP SDJH WR UHYHDO WKH WR PH µ KH D΀UPHG ZLWK D XQLTXH KLVWRU\ 6RXUFHV VD\ JXHVWV KDYH identity of her partner in December 2020. The The artiste hinted that he is here to stay in EHHQ LQIRUPHG RI WKH IRUPDO EODFN DQG ZKLWH H[SRVp VWRNHG XS FHOHEUDWLRQ DPRQJ KHU IDQV the Nigerian music industry as he is already Raymondaux dress code.

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17

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

A Decade Filming Israel’s Sderot and Gaza Ose Oyamendan spent a better part of a decade, amidst challenges of all sorts, filming a documentary on Israel to capture a story hardly told, Godwin Ifijeh writes

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t was an assignment that demanded total courage, commitment and FRQÀGHQFH DQG 2VH 2\DPHQGDQ D 1LJHULDQ $PHULFDQ ÀOPPDNHU residing between Los Angeles, Lagos, and London, got it all. $ ZLQQHU RI VHYHUDO ÀOP IHVWLYDO awards, including Tribeca, Rome, and WorldIHVW +RXVWRQ ZKRVH ZRUNV KDYH DOVR EHHQ SOD\HG DW VHYHUDO ÀOP IHVWLYDOV DURXQG WKH world on streaming platforms, cable, satellite, and national television stations before world leaders, parliaments, and international 1RQ JRYHUQPHQWDO 2UJDQLVDWLRQV 1*2V IRU QHDUO\ DOO RI D GHFDGH 2VH 2\DPHQGDQ ZRUNHG RQ D FULWLFDOO\ DFFODLPHG 0LGGOH (DVW DZDUG ZLQQLQJ GRFXPHQWDU\ $VZDW $FKHULP 2WKHU 9RLFHV IRFXVLQJ RQ XQOLNHO\ IULHQGV LQ *D]D DQG 6GHURW WKH ZDU ]RQH RI WKH ,VUDHOL 3DOHVWLQLDQ FRQÁLFW WR EULQJ viewers to the unexpected and unusual SHDFH HͿRUWV DQG XQZDYHULQJ IULHQGVKLS between the residents as the two bordering nations continue to endure the unceasing ZDU DQLPRVLW\ DQG FRQÁLFW $ PRVW WDVNLQJ HͿRUW DV LW VHHPV WR KDYH EHHQ WDONLQJ DERXW ZKDW LQLWLDOO\ WRRN KLP WR WKH UHJLRQ DQG ZKDW LW ZDV OLNH XVLQJ \HDUV YLVLWLQJ DQG VSHQGLQJ WLPH LQ WKH DUHD LQ WKH FRXUVH RI WKH SRGFDVW 2\DPHQGDQ VDLG ´ , KDYH NQRZQ WKH SURWDJRQLVWV ZHOO OHDUQLQJ KRZ WKH\ FRSH ZLWK OLYLQJ LQ WKH region and experiencing some of their lives. ´3HRSOH RQ GLͿHUHQW VLGHV RI D VWRU\ ÀQG D ZD\ QRW WR WDON WR HDFK RWKHU µ GHFOLQLQJ IRU WKDW UHDVRQ WR WDON SROLWLFV LQ WKH ÀOP RU SDLQVWDNLQJO\ HGLWLQJ LW ´DQG WDNH RͿ WKH SROLWLFV RXW RI LW PDNHV LW EHFRPH D YHU\ VWURQJ KXPDQ LQWHUHVW VWRU\ µ ,Q ,VUDHO UHFHQWO\ WR SUHPLHUH 2WKHU 9RLFHV at the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv Cinematheques, MXVW DV LW·V DOVR EHLQJ VKRZQ RQ $PD]RQ 3ULPH 2\DPHQGDQ WKUHZ PRUH OLJKW RQ ZKDW H[DFWO\ WRRN KLP WR WKH ,VUDHOL 3DOHVWLQLDQ region from Nigeria, and how he got into WKH VWRU\ DQG WKH SURWDJRQLVWV LQYROYHG ´ :KHUH , JUHZ XS WKHUH ZHUH -HZLVK NLGV /HEDQHVH NLGV DQG /HEDQHVH $UDE NLGV :H SOD\HG WRJHWKHU SOD\HG VRFFHU WRJHWKHU DQG ZKHQ ZH JRW WR KLJK VFKRRO WKH\ VWRSSHG WDONLQJ WR HDFK RWKHU DQG , ZDV VWUXFN DW WKDW , VWDUWHG OLIH DV D MRXUQDOLVW DQG , WKLQN , VXEFRQVFLRXVO\ FDUULHG WKDW VWRU\ ZLWK PH , WKHQ ZURWH D VKRUW VWRU\ DERXW WZR NLGV ZKR EHFDPH IULHQGV SOD\LQJ IRRWEDOO LQ -HUXVDOHP “I‘ve never been to Israel then, and never thought I will ever be there, it wasn’t in P\ SODQ DW DOO EXW LQ , ZHQW WR +DLWL ZKHQ WKH\ KDG DQ HDUWKTXDNH WKHUH DQG , UDQ LQWR DQ ,VUDHOL 1*2 , QHYHU NQHZ WKHUH ZHUH 1*2V WKHUH DQG WKH\ WROG PH WKH SROLWLFV RI LW DQG ZK\ WKH\ GRQ·W PDNH LW NQRZQ WKDW WKH\ ZHUH ,VUDHOLV VWDWLQJ WKDW VRPHWLPHV LI WKH\ DQQRXQFH WKHPVHOYHV DV ,VUDHOL 1*2V VRPH SHRSOH PD\ SXOO RXW 7KDW DVLGH , ZDV VWD\LQJ LQ WKH EHVW KRWHO LQ Haiti at that time, because we were having SRZHU IRU VL[ KRXUV D QLJKW , WKLQN IURP $%& QHWZRUN JX\V ZHUH WKHUH &11 QHWZRUN HYHU\ERG\ WU\LQJ WKHQ WR JHW WKHLU ZRUN GRQH 7KHQ VRPH FDPH WR PH DQG DVNHG LI WKH\ FRXOG XVH P\ FRPSXWHU EHFDXVH WKH\ ZHUH QRW DEOH WR VHQG PHVVDJHV KRPH %XW , GLGQ·W WKLQN , ZDV YHU\ DSSURDFKDEOH VR , WKRXJKW LW ZDV YHU\ LQWHUHVWLQJ WKDW LW·V ZLWK PH WKDW WKH\ KDG WKH FKXW]SDK ´, FRQVHQWHG )URP WKHLU ORRNV LW ZDV OLNH LW ZRXOG EH D TXLFN WKLQJ EXW WKH\ ZHUH WKHUH IRU DQ KRXU RU VR DQG ZH VWDUWHG WDONLQJ DQG , VDLG WR WKHP , ZURWH WKLV VWRU\ WKLV VKRUW VWRU\ ,·YH QHYHU EHHQ WR -HUXVDOHP &DQ \RX KHOS PH ZLWK WKH JHRJUDSKLFDO DFFXUDF\" 6R WKH\ UHDG LW WKH\ VDLG RK LW·V D JUHDW VWRU\ ZKDW GR \RX ZDQW WR GR ZLWK LW" , VDLG ZHOO , ZDQW WR SXEOLVK LW , ZDQW WR WU\ WR PDNH D ÀOP RU D 79 VHULHV RQH GD\ DERXW VRPHWKLQJ OLNH WKLV VRPHWKLQJ ,·P SDVVLRQDWH DERXW 7KH\ VDLG WKHUH LV DQRWKHU VWRU\ WKDW LV WUXH DQG DVNHG LI , KDYH KHDUG RI *D]D" $QG , VDLG \HV +DYH \RX HYHU KHDUG RI 6GHURW" $QG , UHSOLHG QR 7KHQ WKH\ VDLG WKH\ ZHUH

Oyamendan

next to each other, stating that it was where the war is fought for most part of the time and that there were people on both sides that want a return to the old times when WKH\ ZHUH LQ SHDFH ´,Q WKHLU ZRUGV WKH\ ZHUH YHU\ IULHQGO\ with each other, and had a group called 2WKHU 9RLFHV SRLQWLQJ DW D PDQ DPRQJVW WKH WKUHH WKHUH VD\LQJ WKLV PDQ (LWDQ ZDV one of them.

7KHQ , VDLG WR WKHP , ORYH WKLV VWRU\ , ZRXOG OLNH WR IROORZ LW XS DQG DVNHG LI , FRXOG FRPH" ´:H FRPPXQLFDWHG E\ HPDLO DQG WKHQ , ZHQW WR WKHP DQG EHFDPH EORZQ DZD\ E\ KRZ FORVH WKH\ ZHUH WR HDFK RWKHU WDONLQJ RQ SKRQH WR VRPH SHRSOH WKHUH UHJXODUO\ DQG JHQXLQHO\ VKRZLQJ WKDW WKH\ FDUHG DERXW people on the other side. Then I met Natan, ZKR KDG ORVW KLV GDXJKWHU LQ WKLV FRQÁLFW and he said, I don’t want the other person’s GDXJKWHU WR VXͿHU ZKDW ,·YH JRQH WKURXJK “I met a whole swath of people from both sides, and I decided I would love to tell this VWRU\ $QG WKDW·V KRZ LW VWDUWHG DERXW \HDUV DJR ,W·V YHU\ WRXJK WR JHW ÀQDQFLQJ

IRU VRPHWKLQJ OLNH WKLV , GLG ZKDW D SRRU ÀOPPDNHU ZRXOG GR , ZDQWHG WR GR P\ RZQ REVHUYDWLRQ DQG NQRZ KRZ WUXH WKHVH SHRSOH DUH µ 2\DPHQGDQ·V GHWHUPLQDWLRQ WR NQRZ KRZ FRPPLWWHG WKH DFWLYLVWV and protagonists were to peace and his quest on how the people were WU\LQJ LQ WKHLU RZQ OLWWOH ZD\ WR OLYH D QRUPDO OLIH JUHDWO\ FRQWULEXWHG WR WKH WLPH LW WRRN “ I wanted to see how committed WKH\ ZHUH MXVW DV , ZDQWHG WR JR WR *D]D DQG WKH\ DOO PDGH LW ORQJHU ´7KH LGHD ZDV WR VKRZ WKH NLQG RI OLIH SHRSOH OLYH WKHUH KRZ WKH\ FRSH ZLWK LW DQG ZK\ LW VKRXOGQ·W EH OLNH ZKHQ \RX KDYH D FKLOG IRU LQVWDQFH DQG \RX·UH QRW VXUH LI \RX DUH WR VD\ JRRGE\H WR WKH FKLOG LQ WKH PRUQLQJ DV \RX DUH OLNHO\ WR VHH WKHP LQ WKH afternoon. , IHOW OLNH MXVW JHWWLQJ WKH VWRU\ RI KRZ WKHVH SHRSOH ZHUH WU\LQJ LQ WKHLU RZQ OLWWOH ZD\ WR OLYH D QRUPDO OLIH LQ D SODFH OLNH WKLV ULJKW QRZµ WKH 1LJHULDQ

It was very interesting because we tried for a couple of years to get into Gaza and I could not. I always IHOW OLNH , GRQ·W KDYH D ÀOP ZLWKRXW JRLQJ LQWR *D]D 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ ZD\V WR JR LQWR *D]D EXW \RX KDYH WR JHW ,VUDHOL SHUPLWV DQG WKHQ D 3DOHVWLQLDQ SHUPLW %XW WKHUH ZDV DQ RSWLRQ \RX FRXOG JR LQ WKURXJK (J\SW ZKLFK , WKRXJKW ZDV HDVLHU EXW ZDVQ·W WKH ZRUOG RI WKH VWRU\ IRU PH HYHQ WKRXJK \RX FRXOG actually walk into Gaza

ERUQ ÀOP PDNHU VDLG UHYHDOLQJ WKDW IRU WKH E DOPRVW D GHFDGH SURMHFW KH ZDV DOZD\V LQ 6GHURW WKH 3DOHVWLQH HQFODYH ÀOPLQJ ´<HV EHFDXVH WKLV JURXS LV PRVWO\ LQ 6GHURW 7KRXJK WKH\ VSUHDG RXW DURXQG WKH UHJLRQ DURXQG NLEEXW] WKHUH EXW 6GHURW ZDV WKHLU EDVH DQG , GLGQ·W MXVW ZDQW WR EH Á\LQJ E helicopter in and out, I wanted to feel it h all, the heat of the other thing and be able to WDON DERXW LW WKRXJK QRW ZLWK DXWKRULW\ EXW ZLWK VRPH IRUP RI NQRZOHGJH µ KH DGGHG Z but not without again giving the terror of b being from time to time at either end and b WKH RIWHQ JUHQDGH DQG URFNHW DWWDFNV WKDW pervade the areas without restrain. $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP ´,W ZDV YHU\ LQWHUHVWLQJ EHFDXVH ZH WULHG IRU D FRXSOH RI \HDUV WR JHW E LQWR *D]D DQG , FRXOG QRW , DOZD\V IHOW OLNH , GRQ·W KDYH D ÀOP ZLWKRXW JRLQJ LQWR *D]D 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ ZD\V WR JR LQWR *D]D EXW \RX KDYH WR JHW ,VUDHOL SHUPLWV DQG WKHQ D \ 3DOHVWLQLDQ SHUPLW %XW WKHUH ZDV DQ RSWLRQ \RX FRXOG JR LQ WKURXJK (J\SW ZKLFK , \ thought was easier, but wasn’t the world RI WKH VWRU\ IRU PH HYHQ WKRXJK \RX FRXOG DFWXDOO\ ZDON LQWR *D]D 7KH JDWH ZDV RSHQ so I wanted to go in without the idea that I needed a permit to do that. I had thought n that I just need an Israeli pass to go into *D]D EXW WKH\ UHIXVHG PH HQWU\ ZKHQ , JRW WKHUH MXVWLÀDEO\ DQJU\ WKDW , GLGQ·W WKLQN LW ZDV OLNH DQ DQFKRU OLNH D FRXQWU\ RQ LWV RZQ , WULHG WR H[SODLQ WKDW , GLGQ·W NQRZ VLWWLQJ WKHUH FRQYLQFHG WKDW LW ZDV P\ FKDQFH to go in. It became obvious that I needed a FRQQHFWLRQ DQG WKH\ ZHUH WDONLQJ IRRWEDOO and I realised that a lot of them were Real 0DGULG IDQV ZKLOH RQ P\ SDUW , KDG EHHQ IROORZLQJ %DUFHORQD ´6R , MRLQHG WKHP LQ WKH VRFFHU GLVFXVVLRQ and we became human, normal people. Though WKH\ ZHUH QRW VSHDNLQJ JRRG (QJOLVK QHLWKHU FRXOG , VSHDN $UDELF EXW ZH ZHUH DEOH WR discuss soccer. Just then, another man came DQG , DVNHG KLP LI KH ZDV 5HDO 0DGULG WRR" +H VDLG \HDK DQG KH FDOOHG PH WR FRPH DQG see, and I found that he was the head of the ZKROH SODFH WKH HQWLUH WKLQJ +H PD\ KDYH WKRXJKW WKDW , ZDV HLWKHU FUD]\ RU VRPHWKLQJ , JDLQHG HQWU\ DQG , ZDV WKHUH IRU ÀYH RU VL[ GD\V WKH ÀUVW WLPH VDZ DOO P\ VXEMHFWV WXUQLQJ RXW D NLQG RI WKLQJ ,·YH QHYHU VHHQ before, and dawning on me that it was tough WR GHVFULEH *D]D PRUH VR ZKHQ , GLGQ·W ZDQW to get into the politics of it, but the human DVSHFW RQO\ 2Q WKHLU SDUW KRZHYHU WKH\ ZHUH IUHH WR WDON SROLWLFV RU WKHLU UHODWLRQVKLS with the Israelis, or even people that were VXEMHFWV RI WKH ÀOP 7KH\ ZHUH YHU\ EROG µ 2\DPHQGDQ ZHQW GHHSHU RQ WKH 2WKHU 9RLFH escapade, explaining that he came against a lot of oppositions, but rebranded them on the whole as people expressing their opinions.

“I came against a lot of oppositions, but , WU\ QRW WR VHH WKHP DV WKDW EXW D SHRSOH expressing their opinions. That’s how it is LQ WKH IUHH SDUWV RI WKH ZRUOG ZH WDNH LW IRU granted that we are able to have an opinion. ´/LNH , VDLG HDUOLHU D ORW RI SHRSOH NQRZ 6GHURW DQG *D]D EXW MXVW DOO WKH\ UHDG LQ WKH QHZVSDSHUV 2Q 6RXU SDUW ZH ZDQW WR showcase the human aspect of it, show it JHRJUDSKLFDOO\ VHH WKH ZD\ LW LV DQG PDNH XS \RXU PLQG DERXW LW µ KH DGGHG SRLQWLQJ out that much as he has done a lot on this, SXW LQ VR PDQ\ \HDUV LQ LW KH KDV HTXDOO\ ORVW VRPH VWRU\ OLQHV WKRVH KH ZRXOG KDYH ORYHG WR WDON WR WKDW KH GLGQ·W WDON WR IRU the fear that it might not be too safe, and RI FRXUVH WKRVH WKDW ZHUH VK\ DERXW LW LQ *D]D µ UHDVVXULQJ ´,·OO EH JRLQJ EDFN WR ZKDW , RULJLQDOO\ ZDQWHG WR GR LQFOXGLQJ GHYHORSLQJ D 79 VHULHV DERXW WZR NLGV WKDW RQH GD\ EURXJKW -HUXVDOHP WRJHWKHU ZLWK VRFFHU , OLNH WKH LQQHU VHQVH RI NLGV , OLNH WKH JOREDO QDWXUH RI VRFFHU LW FRXOG PDNH DQRWKHU DYHQXH WR VD\ MXVW WDNH D ORRN DW ZKDW can happen,“ he said, adding, “of mote also is that something is most interesting about Jerusalem, it’s a rich place, well-endowed, KLVWRULFDO DQG EOHVVHG ZLWK HYHU\WKLQJ µ

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Intrigues, Battle for N10m on Naija Star Search Finale

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he Naija Star Search talent hunt show has reached its crescendo, with N10 million cash prizes up for grabs on Sunday.

After many weeks of talent exhibition by over 17 contestants DQG GL΀FXOW GHFLVLRQV PDGH E\ WKH MXGJHV Keke Ogungbe, ID Cabasa, and Asha Gangali, the stage is now set for the ÀQDOH Organisers of the show introduced fresh intrigue as audience votes and judges’ GHFLVLRQV LQÁXHQFHG WKH UHWXUQ RI DOUHDG\ evicted contestants, Khaleed, Black Bella, DQG .DFKL IRU WKH JUDQG ÀQDOH The three returned contestants join WKH ÀQDOLVWV 6NLP]R 0HOR DQG (QLROD to battle for the winning prizes of N5 million, N3 million and N2 million, respectively.

The show, which has continued to leave audiences at the edge of their seats since

its commencement in September 2022, has seen the eviction of many talents that include Sparrowh, Tomz, DQG 0% 'UH DPRQJVW RWKHUV The judges have explained to contestants that their job in the FRPSHWLWLRQ LV WR ÀQG RULJLQDOLW\ street credibility, and creativity that can soar them to a global stage.

The judges worked with them, SURYLGLQJ PHQWRUVKLS WR ÀQHWXQH their original songs.

Naija Star Search is a collaboration between StarTimes Nigeria and .HQQLV 0XVLF WRZDUG SUHVHUYLQJ Afrobeats.

Highlights of the previous episodes are on the Naija Star Search channel on YouTube.

7KH ÀQDOH DLUV WKLV 6XQGD\ DW 8pm on ST Nollywood Plus, ST Nollywood and ST Yoruba channels on StarTimes, and the StarTimes-ON mobile app.

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Teekay Classic

I Create Timeless Music Okobia ThankGod, popularly known a Teekay Classic, is a classical and operatic pop artiste. Teekay Classic talks to Bennett Oghifo about his brand of classical music, new singles, readiness for the next level and plans to become a global sensation

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ou say your brand of music is GL;HUHQW ZKDW LV WKH 7HHND\ &ODVVLF EUDQG DOO DERXW" Yes I did. Firstly, classical music and opera are the most prestigious genres of music and they are the foundation for other genres.

Secondly, it is a rare form of music and you FDQ KDUGO\ ÀQG FODVVLFDO VLQJHUV OLNH RWKHUV especially in this part of the world. It is also said that this genre of music is for the elite due to its prestige and class, perhaps that’s why I’m often booked for those corporate and KLJK SURÀOH HYHQWV %HVLGHV WKDW P\ EUDQG LV GLͿHUHQW EHFDXVH RI WKH YDOXH WKDW , RͿHU the kind of entertainment that I give at my shows, and the way my music is perceived by others. I have also worked hard on building a brand that is not only about the music, but also about my morals and values as a public ÀJXUH ,W·V WKH IXOO SDFNDJH IRU PH ORO :KDW ZDV JURZLQJ XS OLNH" Growing up was an experience with mixed emotions and life’s lessons. I come from a IDPLO\ ZKHUH ZH FRXOGQ·W DͿRUG DOO ZH ZDQWHG but we were happy, hopeful and ambitious.

Though I’m the only one who chose a career in music, I have the support and prayers of my family. <RX KDYH EHHQ D SHUIRUPLQJ DUWLVWH HQWHUWDLQLQJ DW FRUSRUDWH DQG VRFLDO HYHQWV ZKDW LQÁXHQFHG \RX DQG ZK\ FODVVLFDO PXVLF" I grew up in a choir where I was exposed to classical music. It was so beautiful to sing with a group of choristers in perfect harmony and WKLV LQÁXHQFHG P\ FKRLFH LQ WKH NLQG RI PXVLF I listened to growing up. I wanted to become a star like some of the international classical and opera singers I watched online. I was truly inspired by the beauty in their voices and the music they made spoke to my heart in many ways. When I started performing at events, I discovered that I was often more booked by corporate organisations because they loved my kind of music and it was soothing for their events and the caliber of guests they often had in attendance. So I became intentional

parts of my motivation. I’ve been working on my debut music project for the last two years, and I believe now is the time to roll out in the Nigerian music scene and hopefully soon, WKH JOREDO VWDJH 0\ WHDP DQG , KDYH EHHQ working tirelessly to release my debut record before the end of 2022. Our biggest challenges KDYH EHHQ ÀQDQFH WR EH KRQHVW $FWXDOO\ WKLV LV a major challenge for most independent artists like myself. The Teekay Classic brand has been self funded all these years. It is my wish that as I make my debut, brands that can see the value in what I have built will come onboard with sponsorship and partnership opportunities.

It is very common for artists to have brand endorsements and partnerships with organisations.

I am very much open to this and I’m sure to RͿHU VR PXFK YDOXH WR WKH RUJDQL]DWLRQV WKDW I get to work with locally and internationally.

Teekay Classic

/RRNLQJ DW WKH IXWXUH ZKHUH ZLOO WKH 7HHND\ &ODVVLF EUDQG EH LQ WKH QH[W \HDUV" $UH \RX in building a corporate brand that would later H[SHFWLQJ DQ\ UHYROXWLRQ LQ WKH FODVVLFDO PXVLF become highly sort after at some of the most JHQUH LQ WKH QH[W \HDUV" prestigious corporate and social events across Actually, the revolution is already happening.

Nigeria and beyond.

I’m not only doing classical music, but a fusion of that, and other genres of music. I’m basically <RX KDYH WUDQVLWLRQHG IURP D SHUIRUPLQJ introducing a new genre to the Nigerian music DUWLVWH WR D UHFRUGLQJ DUWLVW +RZ GLG WKH industry and this is going to be a game changer MRXUQH\ EHJLQ" in addition to what our Afrobeat genre is doing I’ve been a performing artist having done all around the world. several shows in the corporate and social world In 5 years or even less, I would have established for about a decade now. These were the formative my brand globally, while making music that years for my brand as an artist and I totally evokes beautiful emotions in every listener. But enjoyed performing songs by other composers. more importantly, in 5 years I believe that by I am now ready for the next stage of my career, God’s grace I would have opened the door of which involves making original music in my opportunities to many other talented singers own style as a classical recording artist. I believe who wish to build a career in classical music, it is time for the world to hear my music and and of course give hope to other talented singers I am ready to make my debut. I can’t wait for who are afraid to pursue their dreams. you to hear the music I’m making now. &KULVWPDV LV DURXQG WKH FRUQHU DQ\ SODQ <RX KDYH D PXVLF SURMHFW UHDG\ DQG \RX·OO WR JLYH \RXU DXGLHQFH IDQV D WDVWH RI \RXU EH GURSSLQJ D PDMRU VLQJOH VRRQ :KDW KDV FXUUHQW VLQJOH" PRWLYDWHG \RX WKH PRVW DQG ZKDW DUH \RXU Absolutely, I’m releasing my debut before ELJJHVW FKDOOHQJHV? Christmas. I’ll be keeping my fans entertained 0\ GUHDPV WR FUHDWH JUHDW DQG WLPHOHVV PXVLF with a few Christmas covers to celebrate the and to become a global music sensation bringing season of Christ’s birth, and I’ll be doing a few a positive change to the Nigerian society are shows.

Kizz D Ki Daniel i l

Kizz Daniel Set for Show in Benin Tosin Clegg

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ne of Nigeria’s most talented musician, Kizz Daniel will be storming the ancient FLW\ RI %HQLQ (GR 6WDWH on December 26 for a show tagged Kizz Daniel Live n Benin.

The Buga crooner will be unleashing his talents at the Da Civic Center, Airport Road and it promises to be fun galore with several side attractions that will remain permanently indelible in the minds of showbiz lovers attending the event.

Packaged by Regis and Dreamalive Talent Hunt, the event is organised not only to further beam the creativity of Kizz Daniels to the whole world, but to discover new talents with a special talent hunt show.

Top showbiz stars would also be on hand to support Kizz Daniel. Hosting the show is the popular comedian Pikolo, who through his platform has created RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU HQWHUWDLQHUV LQ (GR 6WDWH “Kizz Daniel Live in Benin Will be a jaw-dropping musical carnival and concert that will further propel the entertainment prowess of Nigeria and Africa to international spotlight,” said the organisers.

Topnotch media brands like Trace Naija DQG $IULFDQ 0DJLF DUH SDUWQHUV RI WKH show.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Goodnight Sammie Okposo Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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he Nigerian entertainment industry was thrown into mourning yesterday following the demise of popular gospel singer, Sammie Okposo, aged 51. The news of his death ZDV FRQÀUPHG E\ KLV SURMHFW manager, Hillary Vincent via phone call. “Yes it’s true. It happened this morning,” Vincent was quoted to have said regarding the singer’s demise as he declined further comments.

However, sources claimed that Okposo slumped and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Following the news of his death, fellow entertainers and gospel artistes and fans took to their social media accounts to pay tributes and mourn the late singer.

Sharing Okposo’s video on his Facebook page, fellow gospel singer, Tosin Bee, wrote, “Wow! Still can’t believe this. Just last night we were talking about reaching out to you today, that it’s time to release this project that you love so much.”

Okposo who was The ‘Wellu Wellu’ master, as he was fondly called, was an internationallyrecognised music producer, psalmist, and CEO of Zamar Entertainment. He started his music career as a soundtrack producer for Nollywood in 1992.

He was well-known at that time in the small circle of Nollywood actors and producers. He ODWHU EHJDQ WR JHW PRUH FDUHHU ÁDVKSRLQWV ZKHQ he started the Sammie Okposo Praise Party, a platform that brought many up-and-coming

Nigerian gospel artistes into the scene.

The Niger Delta-born music star was known for emboldening the gospel music scene by taking his music away from WKH TXLHW FRQÀQHV RI WKH FKXUFK He almost died after his concert in London on his way back to Lagos for a concert. He gave a testimony. That was just a few weeks ago. He released his ÀUVW DOEXP $GGLFWHG LQ 2NSRVR collaborated with many other artistes LQ WKH JRVSHO DQG VRXO PXVLF ÀHOGV He collaborated with popular gospel singer Marvellous Odiete on “Follow You”, performed regularly in Africa, Europe, and North America, and curated a series of concerts called SOPP (Sammie Okposo Praise Party).

Okposo’s most recent album, The Statement (2018), was produced by the Grammy-winning Kevin Bond.

Despite most of his international status, Okposo always demonstrated his Nigerian roots with his songs, 2NSRVR VDQJ LQ GLͿHUHQW ODQJXDJHV of Nigerian tribes including, Isoko, 8UKRER (GR (ÀN <RUXED +DXVD and Igbo. He was specially featured at annual gospel concerts home and abroad and demonstrated his vocal range alongside many established gospel ministers.

Some of his popular songs include ‘Lift Him High’, ‘Na Only You I know’, ‘Na Only You I Know’ ‘No more Drama’, ‘Jehovah Idi Ebube’, ‘Jehovah is glorious’, Sammie Okposo ‘The Statement’ and ‘Baba Ye’.

Kizz Daniel’s Spectacular Performance at FIFA World Cup Ferdinand Ekechukwu

uniting the world with music and football,” the tweet read.

He paid tribute to the late pioneer of Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti by delivering a short performance of the legendary track, “Lady”. Trust Kizz Daniel when it comes to performing.

The icing on the cake was Kizz’s captivating performance of his globally acclaimed tune, ‘Buga’ which everyone in the crowd — regardless of race or colour — got dancing, singing and screaming for an encore!

Kizz Daniel who was welcomed by R΀FLDOV DQG IDQV ZKHQ KH DUULYHG in Quatar on November 21 has so far had a fantastic year. Another Nigerian artiste billed to perform during the ongoing 2022 World Cup is Patoranking. The tournament which started on November 20 will last till December 18.

A

fro-pop superstar, Kizz Daniel, continued his momentous year at the 2022 World Cup Fans Festival in Qatar last Wednesday night.

The ‘Buga’ crooner, real name Daniel Anidugbe wowed the crowd, opening his euphoric performance with his latest, top charting single ‘Cough’ at the Fan Festival main stage as part of the FIFA Sound lineup, over the 29-day tournament at Doha’s Al Bidda Park.

The excited crowd could be seen dancing and screaming in a video posted shortly afterwards on social media. The singer had tweeted hours before his performance that he would unite the world with his music. “I will be live on FIFA stage 7pm Naija time (9pm AST)

Kizz Daniel

Bose Ogulu Receives ‘Manager of the Year’ in London Tosin Clegg

C

o-founder of Spaceship Collective and long-time manager of the Grammy awardwinning superstar, Burna Boy, Bose Ogulu, has been awarded the Manager of The Year at the Artiste and Manager Awards in London. The award was presented by her son, Burna Boy, and Sheniece Charway, artiste relations manager

at YouTube Music.

Recall that in October, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum (MMF), Annabella Coldrick while announcing selection, said, “Bose’s boundary-breaking and artiste-led approach to business has undoubtedly helped Burna Boy develop into a genuinely global talent, while Spaceship Collective and its ethos of empowerment epitomizes her positive impact on a new generation of artists.

It is an African success story, but with a major foot in the UK — and we felt it important to recognize the success of such a prominent groundbreaking manager.”

The 2022 Artiste and Manager Awards held at London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday, November 17th and was organized by the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Music Managers Forum (MMF) to celebrate creative and commercial successes across the artist and management community.

Bose

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

POLITY

AbdulMalik-Bashir

Gov. AbdulRazaq Deserves Second Term Kwara State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Risikat AbdulMalik-Bashir recently spoke with HAMMED SHITTU in Ilorin on the journey so far in her ministry, the 2023 polls, gender composition law among others. Excerpts: How would you describe your nine months in office as Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state?

attention of the society to what are the pains the girl-child undergoes daily. On child trafficking, normally we collaborate with NAPTIP. Kwara State is the transit and recruitment centre for child trafficking. It is common place in Kwara north and central. The rate of child trafficking in the state given available report is one of the highest in the Southwest. It is the lowest in the north. Because the state stands at the recruitment space and the exit point, the attention has now shifted here. The state now has its NAPTIP office. Unlike before that we had to go to Osun State. Courtesy of the governor.

S

o far so good. Looking at the vision and mission of the ministry and the policy thrust of the current government, in the space of our nine months in office, we have been able to do our best based on the mandate given to the ministry.

I participated as the coordinator for gender for women affairs of ‘Kwara Must Change’ and I also participated in the public hearing that led to the signing of Gender Composition Law before my appointment as the Commissioner for Women Affairs. Gender composition law is to open the political space in the area of appointment for women, which has now scaled up the level of representation of women in the political appointment to minimum of 35 percent and maximum of 65 percent. This implies that no government will come to this state and close the door that the current administration has opened for women. As of today, we ration 50 to 50 representation in the cabinet of the state government. We have 20-member cabinet, ten of them are women and ten are men. This is more than what the affirmative action is calling for. This is to the benefit of women. Aside that, I set up 15-member committee consisting of people from the academia, guardian and counsellors, psychologists and representatives of the popular skills to restructure the Skills Acquisition Centre of the ministry. I met it in comatose. We have now resuscitated it. As at today, 67 trainees recently graduated from the centre. That is what this government is doing to distribute social wealth.

What other programmes have you been able to embark on since assumption of office?

Apart from that, I have been able to open a new template of engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). The usual practice was to lump everything together. We get a new template for all the over 100 CSOs, especially those that are active. Now our relationship with them has improved.

That is why donors like the World Bank are coming back to the state. Of recent, the Association for Reproductive Health (ARH) was here to partner with us on the issue of HIV/AIDS as it affects the women folks and children. They are starting their programme to know the number of people suffering from HIV/AIDS condition. They are now with us organising training for our people and assisting those who are suffering from the disease to live worth life; take their drugs and take

Abiodun care of the children.

What is your take on Governor AbdulRazaq’s gender mainstreaming?

The interest of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is on improving women participation in decision making processes.

We have been able to do that. As we all know, we have five female candidates seeking to get seats in the state House of Assembly. That is the highest in Nigeria based on available record that I have access. It was not easy, but the ministry had to reach out to stakeholders for the feat to be achieved. The current Chairperson for Women Affairs in the state House of Assembly is a man. I asked him the other time, whether he had gone through pains of child-bearing, monthly call, lactation and breastfeeding and all that.

How did your ministry mark International Girl-child Day? For the day of the girl-child and the use of illicit drugs, we looked at our data at the ministry to know the areas that we have excessive drug abuse. Then we decided to go to Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. We also went to Offa because of the number of higher institutions that are domiciled there. In Kwara central we went to Kwara State Polytechnic and Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete for Kwara North. Hitherto, the ministry did not have reliable and accurate data. We are celebrating the girl-child to call the

How your ministry is dealing with sexual and gender-based violence?

Sexual and gender-based violence is one of the focuses of this ministry. Thank God the wife of the governor, Mrs. Olufolake AbdulRazaq has taken that as her pet project. On that, we have been able to go all out to get Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law signed. Because of this some nongovernmental organisations are coming in to partner with us.

It is now a crime for anyone to abuse his children, wife, husband or abandon his family etc. The issue of sexual and gender-based violence is complex. There are penalties for any man to abandon his family. It ranges between N500,000 and N1 million. The law was signed in 2020 and our partners have simplified it for us in Yoruba and English. The ministry has benefited from the recently signed gender composition law. That is why the ministry now has gender equity unit. The unit will be handling issues of interest relating to the women folks and the girl-children.

What is your ministry doing on women empowerment?

We have been empowering our people, especially women.

Recently, we distributed gas cylinders to people devoid of any political considerations. Beneficiaries of the empowerment, numbering about 4,100 were artisans, interest groups, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) etc. The governor has done so well for this ministry. Nigerian women are praying for the governor. They appreciated him that is why awards have been pouring in for him. Because he is the champion of the womenfolk. This will surely rob off on his chances at the 2023 governorship election, because Kwara women are appreciative. If I have a programme and pick my phone to invite the women groups by 6am tomorrow all of them will be here across all party lines. Even the party has been complaining. Whatever we do here we spread it so that everybody can have access to it.

Kwara women are not ingrates.

EFCC Partners NGO to Rehabilitate Youths, Ex-Convicts

Award for Late Dr. Ajayi

he Chairman of the Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa has concluded plans to roll out programmes aimed at rehabilitating ex-convicts, most of whom are youths that have been convicted for internet fraud related offences.

The EFCC boss gave the hint last Thursday during a courtesy visit by officials of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre led by the Director-General, Soji Eniade at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja.

According to Bawa, the desire to partner with the relevant organisations to rehabilitate ex-convicts is to allow them to separate themselves from the psychological and environmental factors that made them commit crime in the first place.

He said, “I am worried, very concerned for the future of the youths of this country.

I honestly do not derive joy in the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the thousands of youths who are supposed to be in their productive ages; but the job must be done.

We must concertedly cleanse the system of all forms of economic and financial crimes.

In doing that, we must also think of how to rehabilitate and bring the ex-convicts back to the society, hence the collaboration.”

The rehabilitation, the EFCC boss said, “Will involve psychological approaches to morality and cognitive sanity as well as general education such as literacy skills and

n recognition of his Excellent Contribution to Nigerian Healthcare Industry, the late Managing Director of First Foundation Medical Engineering Company, Ikeja, Lagos, Dr Tosin Ajayi has received a posthumous Award of Excellence.

Dr Ajayi, who died on April 26, 2020 at St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos after battling a kidney problem, got the posthumous award at the Annual AfriHealth Expo in collaboration with Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN).

Nigeria Healthcare Expo is an annual event aimed at improving Healthcare Business and Patient care in Nigeria.

Receiving the award on behalf of the family, the deceased two daughters, Miss Tomisin Ajayi and her sister, Tiffany thanked the organisers for deeming it fit to honour their family for his contribution to the development of healthcare in Nigeria.

“Our father wasn’t one to do anything for clout or recognition. We are so grateful that his efforts and achievements have not gone unnoticed, and we are humbled to receive this award on his behalf,” Miss Tomisin said.

Speaking further, Tomisin said everything her father did for the medical community was driven from his passion towards making Tomisin and Tiffany Ajayi sure he made an impact during his time on Tomisin concluded by appreciating earth and she knows that wherever her father Afrihealth expo for honouring her is right now he will be a happy and fulfilled father even at death. man.

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L-R: Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa and the Director-General, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) Soji Eniade, during a visit

by CLTC official to the EFCC headquarters, Abuja…

Thursday. work training. The goal is to re-integrate offenders back into society after serving their time in prison.”

The CLTC Director-General, Eniade, described the objective of the visit as creating a synergy to advance frontiers for the restoration of confidence in national unity and attitudinal change particularly among youths and young officers on the impact of individual actions on nation building and the corporate image of the country.

While describing the importance of the rehabilitation programme as proposed by the EFCC as top-notch, Eniade said it is very important to re-educate and retrain those who commit crime to discourage them from further engaging in the same or in any other crime.

I

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

POLITY

Nigerian Education on the Radar in Abuja Sam Ekpe

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ertiary Education in Nigeria has been on the front burner in the past nine months for the wrong reasons – five months of ASUU Strike, court cases between the Federal Government and ASUU, recognition of two new Labour Unions from University Teachers Union, and the latest issue – pro-rated salaries for Nigerian University Lecturers. These issues have made tertiary education in Nigeria descend to its lowest level.

Teachers and students who can afford it have been leaving the country in droves for greener pastures abroad, facilities in the universities have been deplorable, and quality of teaching and research has been very abysmal. The situation is so bad that this writer personally knows a full time staff of the National Assembly who was also a full time student of a university in the East for four years at the same time and eventually received the university degree certificate after four years. How could this have been possible without the ‘student worker’ engaging in all sorts of malpractices and irregularities.

Therefore any suggestions, ideas, innovations and legislations introduced to ensure that university education in Nigeria is improved upon will be very much appreciated by all development oriented Nigerians.

One of such opportunity for discourse along this line was provided on Wednesday 16th November, 2022 in Abuja at the Launch of a book Nigerian Universities: Echoes from the background, authored by Rt. Hon. Dr. Eddie Mbadiwe, a former member of the Imo State House of Assembly (October to December, 1983) and House of Representatives (2011 – 2015).

The Father of the Day at the occasion was a well known educationist and two tenure Minister of Education in Nigeria Prof. Ihechukwu Madubike. He stated that Education in Nigeria should be declared an emergency, to enable far reaching measures to be taken to improve it. He recalled that during his stint in the Federal Education Ministry in the 1980s, he observed that the then existing universities in Nigeria could only admit about 26% of eligible students due to lack of space.

He personally ensured that none of his children went abroad to study, to enable him and his children have personal experience of Nigeria Education. He also disclosed that following his study of Open University system in the United Kingdom and other Western countries, he presented a Proposal from Open University in Nigeria to the Federal Executive Council which was endorsed and eventually implemented in Nigeria as a means of satisfying the yearnings of Nigerians who could not go through the formal university system in Nigeria.

In his speech, the author Dr. Mbadiwe informed that having experienced first hand the value of high quality

Eddie Mbadiwe education at the Government Secondary School Owerri with such contemporaries like Chief Felix Ohiwerie the well-known Nigerian industrialist, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and others, and later at University of Ibadan the premier unity university in the country and lectured for a brief period at the University of Nigeria Nsukka before travelling to the UK for further Post graduate studies, he had become fully acquainted with the dysfunctional educational system in Nigeria at the moment.

He proudly stated that there are however still a few highly principled Nigerians in public office like himself who cannot take bribe or be compromised in the Nigerian political and economic system, and that he wrote the book with a view to calling attention to the various ills of education in Nigeria – funding, teaching, students welfare, infrastructure, curricular learning environment etc and proffering suggestions on Ways and Means of turning education around in Nigeria.

In his review of the book Dr. Paul Dike OON a former Director General of National Gallery of Art stated that the book is undoubtedly one of the most significant publications on academic and social life ever written about Nigeria’s ivory

tower. The book discusses the ideals and requirements for the growth of a 21st Century University and suggests that apart from Government support, the private sector, alumni associations, endowment foundations and other related interest should also be involved in funding universities in Nigeria.

The suggests that Nigerian University should reach out aggressively to their prominent Alumni and get them to make financial provision for university departments in their wills. They could endow professorships or long term prizes to be named after them. The author cites the example of Stanford University in the US where Hewitt Packard a company owned by Alumni from the university has made numerous donations, some of which are in excess of 400,000 USD. The latest projects they are involved with is to raise money and make sure that Stanford University goes 100 percent solar by 2025. The author questions what appears to be the apparent insularity of Nigerian universities and advises that they should open up their facilities to International competition and scholarship.

He further recommends substantial improvement in salaries and allowances of university lecturers, improvement in teaching facilities in teachers’ accommodation and in promoting the favourable public perception of University teachers. He observes that the squalid conditions under which the students live outside the campuses and pay exuberant rents give rise to the restiveness of students which in the long run, become a threat to the security of their environment and society. These unfavourable environments result in cultism, drug trafficking and other societal maladies.

Dr. Dike recommends the 120 page book as a must read for those who seek understanding of the interplay of the positive and negative forces that characterize that aspect of our national life.

The Chairman of the occasion Dr. Segun Ajuwon, former Chief Medical Director of National Hospital Abuja and Personal physician to President Obasanjo during his 8 years in office praised the author for finding time for the three books he has written within a short span of five years.

In his Vote of Thanks, the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the book launch and a past President of Rotary Club of Abuja Municipal Mr. Robert Itawa expressed his gratitude to all the distinguished personalities who attended the event and ensured that it was a huge success.

Many dignitaries attended the occasion including John Maijiagbe SAN, the only African President so far of Rotary International, Benbella Anachebe SAN, a cousin of the author, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency Clara Margarita Polido Escandell and many others.

Sam Ekpe is an Abuja based Media Consultant

L-R: Director, Sanitation Services Department, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources, Dr. Hassan Sanuth; External Communications and Partnerships Lead, Reckitt Sub Saharan Africa, Cassandra Uzo- ogbugh; Director, Public Utility Sanitation Unit Sanitation Services Department, Ministry of Environment & Water Resources, Mrs. Ibironke Eyitayo- Maidoki and National Co-ordinator, Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (OPS-WASH), Dr. Nicholas Igwe at the World Toilet Summit 2022 held in Abuja.

L-R: Coordinator Tri-Metropolitan Book Club an initiative of Trinity House Church, Dr. Tomi Oyesola; Pastor Taiwo Osinusi; Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; CEO Bookcraft /Special Guest, Mr Bankole Olayebi; and Assistant Senior Pastor Trinity House, Pastor Niyi Akenzua, during the book reading and review to celebrate the Tri-Metropolitan Book Club’s first year anniversary in Lagos…. yesterday

L-R: 1st Vice Chairman, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), Mr. Gbolahan Bolawa; Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Edward Olanipekun; IPAN Chairman, Prof. Olugbenga Ogunmoyela; Representative of Ondo State Governor/ Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Olugbenga Ale; Chairman of Occasion,/Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Olayato Aribo; Registrar, IPAN. Mr. Aliyu Angara and Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, during the 30th IPAN Mandatory Training Workshop held at Akure recently.

L-R: Assistant Director, Office of Environment Services , Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Kayode Coker; Senior Director, Community Development Service, National Youth Service Corps, Lagos, Mrs. Victoria Akowonlehin; Nigerian Afro Pop singer, Harrison Okiri a.k.a Harrysong; Nigerian reality TV star, Ms. Alex Asogwa a.k.a AlexUnusual; Assistant Brand Manager, Hypo Toilet Cleaner, Mr. Emmanuel Inyang during Hypo Toilet Cleaner Hygiene Awareness Walk in commemoration of 2022 World Toilet Day in Lagos…. yesterday

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

‘Same’ Can’t Stand Alone

“B

UT the selfsame (same) Britain did rule this country, Nigeria, for “a whole 100 (good 100 or all of 100) years.” Special note: ‘whole’ is used for a SINGULAR NOUN (e.g. a whole year, the whole country, a whole university graduate) and NOT for plural nouns.

“How is the programme fairing (faring) in Bauchi State?” Note: How did you fare (not fair) in your examination?

As the late Bayo Oguntuase used to say, I have become, like Ndaeyo Uko, a man well-known for his sardonic wit and wisdom and for his penchant for the use of irony and pun. Truly, some Nigerians, including journalists, writers and columnists, are trying their hardest to un-English the English language beyond recognition, just like the people of Virgin Islands! These people’s variety of English is called ‘Calypo English’ just as the African–Americans have ‘South or Black English.’ And Nigerians have ‘Nigerian English’! But English, like truth, is one.

It should be noted that although “still yet” is not accepted as a standard phrase, “yet still” is quite accepted. “Yet still” is used by modem writers, particularly British journalists and writers. Example: “At home (in the U.S.A) the terrifying problems of crime, racial violence, social disharmony refused to yield to oratory, however inspiring, or to law, however comprehensive yet still the Kennedy magic advanced. He was not really a radical; if anything, he was a careful conservator. Some select people called “speech writers” are very fond of mechanical errors that result in failed, fractured or diseased English. It is very sad. Yes, it is our moral duty to ensure that some folk are not allowed to kill this universal language.

Please note that while ‘general consensus’ is unacceptable, ‘broad consensus’ is and while ‘heavy downpour’ is not allowable, ‘great downpour’ is.

Education Today of November 6 created misunderstanding: “…the seeming connivance

of the judiciary with those intent in (on/upon) protecting the criminals in our midst.”

“The suspects are walking free in the society, enjoying their loots and attracting more political patronages.” ‘Loot’ is uncountable. “…in the guise of delivering same (the same) as bribe to the Commission’s officers to ‘kill’ such cases under investigation.” (Editorial) ‘Same’, in formal—and even most informal—contexts, cannot stand alone.

“The highest value of university education is not just about imparting knowledge on (to) individuals….”

“Nigeria loses N533bn to sugar importation” (THE PUNCH, November 5) A rewrite: Nigeria spends N533b on sugar import The Guardian of November 4 comes next with a pack of foibles amid other offences: “…which also congratulated the Sierra-Leonean (sic) people for (on/upon) the peaceful conduct of their election and pledged support for their democratic process.”

“The United Nations, which had borne much of the burden of restoring peace in (to) the country….”

“The re-elected president should eschew witch-hunting (witch-hunt) of the opposition….”

More mistakes from THE GUARDIAN: “They have proved themselves as medical professionals per (par) excellence.” “…and stand a chance to win an all expense paid trip to Qatar 2022.” (Advertisement by… name withheld!) At least two winners must emerge daily: an all-expenses-paid trip….

“For more details (a comma) go to…or call the Guinness toll free (toll-free) line on….” “…the labour leaders have decided to bury their hatchets and come together again….”

Fixed expression (irrespective of number): bury the hatchet.

“Remarkably (Remarkable) as well, (needless comma) was the huge success recorded of (in) this year’s Comptroller General’s Annual Conference just concluded in Kastina (sic).”

Finally from the Back Page of The Guardian

under review: “Do we have to wait till someone effect (effects) a change?”

“Today, Muhammadu Buhari sits on (in) the saddle of governance.”

“Israel moves to diffuse (defuse) tension with Egypt” “The objective was attained quite alright.” A ‘ lright’ is not all right in formal environments.

“The Zikists are his political offsprings and despite all the betrayals we have witnessed of recent….’ ‘Offspring’ is non-count.

“When the storm rages, men can do nothing about it, but when it has seized (ceased), its destruction could be addressed.”

“Students write exams half-naked.” It is a lie! They write exams half-dressed/half-clad/half-clothed/ half-covered or naked/bare to the waist.

“I stood up, took another naira note and put it near my half-empty (half-full) beer glass.”

“The classroom was filled to capacity (filled) as early as….”

“How did you fair (fare) in your examination?”

“The feeling is that many don’t want to be seen as taking a position which would be interpreted as confrontational and as such they have resulted (resorted) to lobbying….”

“Do not pass the bulk (buck) to anyone….”

“Emiefule explained that it was not the first time that banks would be liquidated and that the history of bank failure in the country dated (dates) back to 1958 or 1959.” There is also ‘dates back from.’

FEEDBACK I react to ‘Eniola Bello’s point’ last Saturday. I say the distinction between ‘contradictory’ and ‘paradoxical’ is a distinction without a difference.

Further, to imply, as he did, that it is possible for a person to express the emotions of sadness and gratitude simultaneously is to take, ignorantly or unconsciously, confused verbal imagery to the sphere of intellectual fraud. The ideas, logically and psychologically, are mutually exclusive.

Please let him look up again the words,

EBERE WABARA

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

‘sorrow’, ‘gratitude’, ‘contradiction’ and ‘paradox’, in the dictionary and answer the question: Can or should a person be sad over something he is grateful for? Regarding his sexual analogy, I say nobody in their lucid moment says thank you genuinely to an oppressor!

Finally, they can co-function but only confusedly whereas effective communication must be lucid.

Wabara you have my vote! (Hon. Barrister Dave Oputteh/08031830352) MIND your language is a guide to reality. Language is not about logic. Language is not always logical.

It is often illogical—it is about commonsense!

Besides, in the instant context, ardent grammarians have come out with the idiom ‘cold comfort’.

Words are but cold comfort at such a time when a member of the family had passed away. Therefore, ‘sorrow’ and ‘gratitude’ can co-function.

I usually write about what I know. Besides, I have about 150 books on the English language alone and not fewer than 12 dictionaries and several English or language-related books. I do make mistakes, like any other human being. Nobody knows it all!

However, nothing is final in language. We can only appeal to authority on language. Keep it up, brother! (From my archives) YOUR persistent efforts to point out and correct the obvious omissions of colleagues of ours are appreciated by some and misconstrued by others.

Today, all caution seems to have been thrown to the winds, and the value of good writing, which should be the hallmark of every respectable newspaper, has become subordinate to the rush for exclusive and sensational stories which lack depth and quality.

This, however, is not to say that mistakes cannot be made in the course of producing a newspaper.

But journalists will make fewer mistakes if they read illuminating columns like this and a few others elsewhere. (Kenneth Ugbechie, publisher, Nigeria Political Economist/08056801124 & 08034364524)

2023 Interrogatories: What They’ll Do to the Constitution

COUNTERPOINT

I

FEMI

n this last of our series on interrogatories on the three frontline political candidates as they canter towards the 25 February, 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, we shall direct our attention at their utterances and promisesonconstitutionalreformswith potential impact on democratic dividends and enhancement of peace, unity and welfare of the Nigerian people.

Of the three, the candidate of People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has been the most voluble, and trenchant - in his own confession-asfarbackas2004.Ifmycalculation is right, that would mean stretching back to the first year of his tumultuous second term as Vice President to the rambunctious President Olusegun Obasanjo. Hmmm.

Here he is, setting the background for the high ground of his conviction (The Punch of 15 October, 2022): “In 2004 when I started advocating restructuring, I had a very strong opposition from the North; today, the northern governors themselves and the northern people have bought into restructuring.” We encourage fact-checkers to do their thing on this pronto.

But Abubakar continues in the same steam: “This means giving states more powers and responsibilities to own their funding to execute theirownindividualprogrammesintheirrespective states. It does not mean that you are going to get less from what you are going to get. But it simply means more responsibilities as far as governance is concerned.”

Still on his pet project, designed to animate Nigerians who have for long agitated over the compelling need to revisit the letters and spirit of the 1999 federal constitution: “Nigerian people are excellent supporters and team players in a leadership environment that is open, friendly, and merit-based. We have the will and determination not only to promote the pursuit of happiness but also the actual attainment of happiness and the good life in an egalitarian society.”

“These hallmarks of our civilization require that we restructure Nigeria in every facet of endeavour, open up the democratic space and

mobilise our collective energy towards full-scale economic production.” “...There is over-concentration in the FederalGovernmentwithmultipleduplications of agencies leading to the creation of parallel bureaucracies… The federating units shall benefit from the devolution of powers to increase their productive capacity for synergy and collaboration with each other.”

(ChannelsTVNews-29September,2022).

ToassureNigeriansthatheisnotallrhetoric, he recently intimated members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors that his campaign hadcompletedadraftofanamendmentbill fortherestructuringofNigeriangovernance architecture. His words: “in preparing the draft restructuring amendment bill, what I did was to assemble a team of lawyers who are some of the best in the country.”

“I picked lawyers from each of the six geo-political zones so that each zone would have representation and a sense of belonging in what we were packaging for Nigerians and also to take into account the interests of each component part of the country.

“Whattheyhavecomeupwithafterseries of sessions is a draft bill that is ready as I speaktoyou.Thebillisreadyanditwouldbe presented to the National Assembly on the firstdayoftheirsittingafterinauguration…

“The bill will cut across all spheres of restructuring, and resource control is accommodated in it.” (Vanguard - 16 November, 2022) Succinct. Inspirational. The only snag is in providential favour or disfavour of his ambition to rule. Let us borrow wisdom from a young Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold… I paraphrase: “ nu o ṣe…ariwo kọ ni music…” (rough translation: mouthing may not be enough…clanging noise is not exactly musical…)” - the rest of that stanza is not applicable here.

All that is to say this: based on what Nigerians have been exposed to since the comingofthefourthrepublicin1999,noone

will hold a candle to any politician’s assurances, until and unless, they see the words transform into tangible action.

Basedonreportedmaterials,thepresidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears guided, and less voluble, about any fairly extensive constitutionalreforms.Hisfocusisseeminglyfixated on re-engineering the dynamics of devolution of powers, and allowing the natural course of addedresponsibilitiestoactascatalystformore enduringdevelopment.Vanguardof21October, 2022 reports: “A Tinubu administration will rebalance the responsibilities and authorities of the different tiers of government. We will collaborate with the National Assembly and State Governments to amend our national governance architecture such that States are afforded the autonomy and resources needed to better serve the people…”.

“MorefundsshouldbeallocatedtotheStates and Local Governments so that they can better addresslocalconcernsandfulfiltheirexpanded constitutional obligations to the people.”

On another occasion, while unveiling his 80page campaign manifesto tagged ‘Renewed Hope 2023 - Action Plan for a Better Nigeria’ - apparently a throwback to the 1993 power pursuits of Chief MKO Abiola who was inexplicably denied his electoral victory - Tinubu vows: “We will collaborate with the National Assembly and state governments to amend our national governance architecture such that states are afforded the autonomy and resourcesneededtobetterservethepeople…

The performance of federal, state and local governments shall improve while the people willbenefit byhaving more politicaldemocracy and economic development more closely at hand...”

“Working with the National Judicial Council, state governments and stakeholders within the judiciary and legal profession, a Tinubu administration will establish a committee to review and make recommendations on reforming the structure of our judicial system to better position our courts to function more efficiently and virtuously as the third co-equal

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

arm of government.” (The Nation - 23 October, 2022).

Sanguinity is perhaps one of the best words to describe the posturing of Labour Party’s presidentialflagbearer,PeterObionthematter ofconstitutionalreforms,andsettingagendafor the possible multiple “reconstruction surgery” ofthefederalconstitution.Hisusualbubblyand populist declarations are a little tempered but optimistic herein, if available materials could be trusted.Hearhim:“WewillseektoreuniteNigeria throughstrictadherencetoconstitutionalprovisions on equitable representation in federal establishments and regenerate a sense of belonging to all citizens through inclusivity and adequate representation of women, youths and people with disability in government…”

Channels TV News - 1 September, 2022) “There is urgent need to restructure the country for the economy to grow to a desired level… it should be seen as a move to build the ailing economy and restore adequate security in the country….” (PremiumTimes - 26 May, 2021).

Coursing through the six pivotal issues that should challenge and engage us as we saunter towards the general elections, the onus is now on the electorates to interrogate effusively and doggedly the posturing, declarations, manifestos and promises of the presidential candidates. Let us isolate the candidates from their political parties, which at the best of times are amorphous, indistinguishable and ideologically irreverent, to prick at the candidates, and ruffle their proud feathers and starched ‘àgbàdás’, while seeking sensible and pragmatic answers to achieving success and maturation on the economy, security, peace and unity, corruption and reforms. May Nigeria survive, and thrive.

GLOBAL SOCCER

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

NEWS

DIASPORA AFRICANS SHINING

26.11.2022 PAGE. 29

O r o t c i V

n e h is m

n i l i v e D A ? g n i k a M e h t

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, center, celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Atalanta and Napoli at Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy,

Victor Osimhen

A Devil in the Making?

With Manchester United set to terminate the contract of Cristiano Ronaldo after his explosive interview in which the Portuguese rubbished the club’s top hierarchy, Nigeria international,Victor Osimhen, is highly favoured for a move to the Theater of Dreams. Not to be caught unawares, Napoli eggheads have identified some players that could likely replace the former Lille man should he move to England

A

ccordingtoFrenchjournalist,Ignazio Genuardi, Manchester United wouldhavetopaybetween£87m and £104m to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen next summer.

The Red Devils are currently looking to ease out Cristiano Ronaldo after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which the Portuguese made disrespectful comments towards manager Erik ten Hag as well as the club’s owners.

The club are likely to pursue a low-cost replacement for Ronaldo in the coming transfer window and could wait until next summer to sign a marquee striker. Osimhen is on their radar and Genuardi claims that he would cost £87m-104m.

Osimhen has had a top season for Napoli with 10 goals and three assists from 14 outings.

He has been a key player for the Serie A outfit, who are aiming to lift the Scudetto after three decades.

Hence, a mid-season sale is completely out of the question. The club are likely to wait until next summer to consider offers, but it is quite clear that he will cost a premium fee.

United were willing to pay £87m to price Antony away from Ajax earlier this term and they should be prepared to make a similar outlay on Osimhen, who will be in demand.

The 23-year-old is a modern striker, who likes to dribble and excels with his finishing.

He is not the best in holding up play, but has a superb aerial presence in the box.

Erik ten Hag got the best out of a struggling Sebastien Haller at Ajax and Osimhen could be a perfect addition to the ranks as he enters the prime of his playing career.

Ten Hag can rely on Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who can both operate in the centre of attack. However, Rashford has

admitted left wing is his best position, while Martial isn’t showing the best attitude.

According to various reports, Martial clashed with 18-year-old Dan Gore in Man Utd training. The Frenchman ‘lashed out’ at Gore after a late challenge from the young midfielder.

While the players made up and apologised, the incident will be worrying for Ten Hag. It shows Martial can quickly lose his temper, which opposition defenders may be able to capitalise on.

Man Utd chiefs are working in the background to try and solve the striker problem.

They originally set their sights on in-form Bayern Munich man Eric Maxim ChoupoMoting, but the Germans want to keep hold of him.

Instead, Man Utd are plotting a move for Napoli and Nigeria ace Victor Osimhen.

He is in brilliant form, having bagged 10 goals in 14 matches so far this season. That includes a hat-trick during Napoli’s recent 4-0 rout over Sassuolo.

The Italian giants would love to keep him for the long run, but they know he is picking up interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

As such, they will allow Osimhen to leave the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium if a suitable bid comes in. There is an agreement in place between the player and his club on this issue.

However, Man Utd will definitely have to spend big to get Napoli to sign off on Osimhen’s exit.

Due to his fantastic form, they have put his valuation at between €100million and €120m.

Signing Osimhen for closer to £100m would see Man Utd break their transfer record of £89m they spent to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus in August 2016.

Clearly, this is a colossal potential transfer which would heap pressure on Osimhen.

The attacker has spearheaded Napoli’s fantastic start to the campaign, either side of a bicep injury. He has been their main source of goals, helping them to top the Serie A table, as well as their Champions League group.

And at 23, Osimhen has plenty of time to get even better. Replacing Ronaldo with the Nigerian would be another signal that it is a new era for Man Utd under Ten Hag. Meanwhile, Liverpool are said to have shown interest in the Napoli striker and have been told that they would have to chunk up at least €100m to land the African.

Italian football intermediary Guiseppe Canella while speaking to Radio Punto Nuovo has confirmed that Napoli could end up selling the player but only if the huge price set by them is met, hence making any possible January deal very tough.

It is no coincidence that Osimhen is highly in demand, having been a key player for an exceptional Napoli team, which plays one of the best attacking football in Europe currently.

Napoli under Luciano Spaletti does look like a proper team and this year could finally be the year they win the Scudetto if the first half of the season is anything to go by, they have established themselves as the favourites to win it.

Osimhem, though suffered a period on the sidelines with an injury, has still managed to rack up 13 goals contributions in 14 appearances in all competitions for Napoli.

The Nigerian has the perfect blend of pace, power and composure, something which is rare these days and at just 23 years of age, is in the perfect place to hit his prime.

Osimhen would instantaneously

improve any team’s attack and although there are claims of Liverpool being interested in the player, it is hard to see Jurgen Klopp and co. spending big on an attacker after acquiring Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Fabio Carvalho and big money signing, Darwin Nunez.

Ideally, it is the midfield which needs to be looked at first but of course sometimes it is important to take into consideration the opportunity available in the market, which could change the way the market is approached.

Back in the summer, The Mirror reported Jurgen Klopp’s side were interested in signing Osimhen, alongside Arsenal and Manchester United.

However, a proposed deal never fully came to fruition, and the player remained at Napoli.

When looking at the striker’s numbers in front of goal, it is no wonder the Reds have held a longstanding interest in the Nigeria international.

Thus far this season, Osimhen has bagged nine goals in 11 Serie A matches. In the Champions League, he also netted as his side cruised to a 4-2 victory over Ajax.

To date, the 23-year-old has a one-in-two strike-rate. In 76 appearances for Napoli, he has amassed 38 goals. Prior to this, he did the same at Lille, where he scored 18 times in 38 games.

According to RudyGaletti.com, Napoli have penciled down five potential targets should the striker seek to move elsewhere at the end of the current campaign.

Canada international, Jonathan David, Chelsea forward, Armando Broja, RB Leipzig’s Noah Okafor, Randal Kolo Muani and Brazilian star, Marcos Leonardo have all been penciled down by Napoli’s sporting director, Cristiano Guintoli.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Diaspora Africans Shining as Continent’s Representatives Struggle in First Round

S

enegal’s 3-1 win against host country, Qatar yesterday ended African teams’ poor start to the 2022 FIFA World Cup here in Qatar. The Teranga Lions bounced back from their initial setback when they lost their opening campaign game to the Netherlands on Monday.

Before that victory, Africa’s other four teams namely Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia and Morocco posted no win. Until Black Stars ended the hoodoo in their 3-2 defeat by Portugal, no team from the continent scored any goal in the four matches played preceding Ghana’s clash with Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates. Andre Ayew scored Africa’s first goal here in Qatar after 433 minutes of actions involving all the

four teams. Though Osman Bukari added a second goal, the Black Stars capped that first round matches for Africa with no win.

Sadly, while teams from west and central Africa like Senegal, Ghana and Cameroon lost, the two from the northern part of the continent like Tunisia and Morocco pulled goalless draw results against more fancied opponents.

Both countries have large migrant communities in the Gulf State and they ensured a rollicking atmosphere as Morocco and Tunisia rose to the occasion.

Both played at much higher tempo than they usually do, buoyed by the encouragement, but it now remains to be seen whether they will be able to deliver a performance of the same intensity in their second group games after only

three days rest.

Tunisia drew 0-0 with Denmark on Tuesday in Group D while Morocco held Croatia, runners-up at the last World Cup, in their Group F clash on Wednesday.

Such is the disappointing manner African teams began the race to the tournament no country from the continent has played in the semi finals before.

While the performances of these teams from the continent have become worrisome in this first round, players with African ancestry have been shinning for their adopted countries. Take for instance the case of Breel Embolo who scored Switzerland’s only goal against Cameroon in Group G. He is originally from the same Cameroon. Embolo, 25, was born in Yaounde and

DURO IKHAZUAGBE Reporting live

only migrated to France with his mother after the separation of his parents aged just six years at the time. He is playing for Switzerland today because his mother got married to a Swiss national and he found himself in that country. It was little wonder he just could not celebrate his goal against his fatherland.

Switzerland had two other Nigerians like Manuel Akanji and Noah Okafor.

Like Embolo, Kylian Mbappe is a Cameroonian.

It is no use recounting how his contribution led France to win the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.

Now, he’s back again, starting with the first game here in Qatar. He was on the scorers’ sheet as Les Bleus handed out 4-1 defeat to Australia in Group D. Elsewhere, Timothy Weah, son of Liberian

Sponsored by:

Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . . Q ATA R 2 0 2 2 . . .

President, George Weah surpassed where his father stopped in the game. The junior Weah scored USA’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Wales in Group B. Liberia is not here but a Liberian made USA proud not losing their first match. Despite emerging World Best Player in 1995 as well as adding both the European and African title to it, the senior Weah never played at the World Cup until he hanged his boots.

The case of Michy Bashuayi is not different from Mbappe or Weah. He’s a Congolese by ancestry but now a Belgian. The former Chelsea player, now on Fenerbahce payroll, scored Belgium’s only goal against Canada to earn them their opening game victory. Even Canada had a Nigerian player with the name Sam Adekugbe on their line up.

Bukayo Saka has never hidden his Nigerian identity from anybody. He scored in England’s 6-2 demolition of Iran in Group B. Against this background of African players in diaspora doing well for their adopted countries in Europe and the America, President of AIPS Africa, Mitchell Obi who is here for the tournament told THISDAY on

Friday evening that administration of the game needs to grown beyond the level it is at the moment. “The performance of African teams at this first round is really disappointing. It is a reflection of the level we have sunk. The two from North Africa even fared better than the three from West Africa. This is totally unacceptable and solutions must be found otherwise our quests for more slots at the expanded next World Cup will be exercise in futility. Mitchell similarly recalled how all the five African teams crashed out in the first round in Russia four years ago.

Although Senegal have kicked off the resurgence of African representatives with the victory against Qatar yesterday, it remains to be seen how Ghana, Cameroon, Tunisia and Morocco will turn around their fortunes as the second round matches started yesterday. Tunisia will open their second round with clash with Australia who failed to win their first game today. Tomorrow, it will be the turn of Morocco versus Belgium while Ghana have tough customer in South Korea on Monday.

Group A Table Netherlands Ecuador Senegal Qatar

2 2 2 2

2 2 0 -4

4 4 3 0

WORLD CUP TODAY

Argentina GROUP D

France

GROUP C

Poland

England striker of Nigerian descent, Bukayo Saka celebrates one of his brace against Iran

GROUP D

Catastrophic Outing for Qatar as Senegal Earn Africa’s First Victory

H

osts Qatar have been eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup after Senegal condemned them to a second straight defeat.

The Middle Eastern side battled valiantly but became the first country to be knocked out of the competition after the Netherlands drew 1-1 against Ecuador.

But African champions, Senegal are up and running in Group A. Boulaye Dia broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time, slamming home to punish Boualem Khoukhi’s miscued clearance.

Looking to hit back in the second period, Qatar’s hopes were dashed when former

Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou rose to flick in a glorious header just three minutes after the break.

Watford’s Ismaila Sarr had an early chance on his 50th cap but struck into the side-netting, while Idrissa Gueye of Everton’s rasping drive went narrowly wide.

Qatar felt they should have had a first-half penalty when Akram Afif was bundled over in the box by Sarr, but referee Antonio Lahoz pointed only for a goal-kick, much to the anger of the home supporters.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made stunning reflex saves to deny Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohamad, but he could do nothing about Mohammed Muntari’s powerful header.

Qatar were searching for the equaliser,

but Bamba Dieng struck to deflate the hope and leave their team bottom of the group without a point after two games played.

Qatar made history by becoming the first country from this region to host the World Cup and now have the unwanted record of becoming just the second home team to exit the competition at the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.

They needed a huge favour from Ecuador, who beat them in the opening game, to salvage any hope of remaining in the tournament but Gustavo Alfaro’s side claimed a draw.

It means Qatar’s first appearance at a World Cup ended in dismay with two defeats within the space of six days and have just pride to play for against

Tunisia

v Mexico

19:00

v Denmark

16:00

v Saudi Arabia 13:00 v Australia

RESULTS GROUP A

Qatar 1-3 Netherlands 1-1 GROUP B

Wales England

0-2 0-0

10:00

Senegal Ecuador Iran USA

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R Essein Akpan Brian, Tijani Faaiq, Orji Jayden and Group Executive Director, Commercial, Tangerine Africa, Yewande Adewusi, at the Tangerine Swimming Tournament held recently by Ikoyi Club swimming section, Lagos

Ronaldo

Ronaldo may Join Ighalo at Al Hilal If reports in Sky Sports is anything to go by, Cristiano Ronaldo would be joining former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo at Al Hilal as the club is preparing to make the first mega offer to the Portuguese barely days after the 37-year-old became a free agent.

Ronaldo and Manchester United parted ways after the Portuguese icon launched a scathing attack at the club, coach Erik Ten Haag, and some of the players in an explosive interview with popular journalist Piers Morgan.

While Ronaldo remains keen to remain in Europe and team up with a side that can offer him Champions League football, a move to the Middle East is not completely out of the picture.

Al Hilal are big admirers of Ronaldo and reports suggest the Saudi Arabia giants made a proposal for the former Real Madrid star’s signature during the summer transfer market.

Manchester United, however, turned down their multi-million euros approach That could change, though,

with Ronaldo free to negotiate his transfer.

Ighalo arrived in Al Hilal from rivals Al Shabab in January 2022 for €2.9 million.

And the Nigerian marksman fired the goals that powered the team to win the Saudi Premier League on the season’s final day.

Ighalo finished that campaign as the league’s top goalscorer.

The 2019 Afcon golden boot winner remains a key figure at Al Hilal, having managed six goals in 12 appearances in all competitions this season.

Chrisland Schools, Ronik, Win Chrisland Schools @ 45 Soccer Fiesta

Chrisland Schools and Ronik Comprehensive School have emerged winners of the 8th Chrisland Schools Soccer Fiesta.

Ronik defeated Chrisland College, Idimu, 2-1 on penalties, in the final of the one-day tourney held at the Chrisland Schools High-Performance Sports Complex, Idimu, Lagos.

Chrisland Schools Mainland defeated Effortswill Schools, 1-0, in the third-place match to win Bronze.

In the primary school games, Chrisland Schools defeated Effortswill Schools 5-4 on penalties in the final to claim Gold, while Supreme Education Foundation won the third-place match.

The tournament had the

President of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev Samuel Ikpea, Lagos Liaison Officer, National Sports Commission, Mrs. Ikana Mbora and former Super Eagles striker Taiwo Oloyede as Special Guests.

Members of NFSC were also on ground to entertain spectators.

Commenting on the essence of the competition, Segun Ogunsola, Head of Academics and Coordinator for Sports, Chrisland Schools Limited, said the 2022 edition was in celebration of Chrisland Schools’ 45th Anniversary.

Ogunsola explained that the school has always been at the forefront of promoting all-round child development through education and co-curricular

activities.

He stated that the tournament aims to discover new football talents for the country, with scouts in attendance to spot top performers. “This edition of the soccer fiesta is a celebration of Chrisland Schools’ 45th Anniversary. The tournament is an annual event aimed at discovering young football talents for the country.

The school has always been at the forefront of academic excellence and developing a total child through sports.

Co-curricular activities help instil endurance, fair play and teamwork in students. It is also a good tool for behavioural modification and character development.”

Neymar to Miss Brazil’s Next Two Group Games Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s next two World Cup games after sustaining ligament damage in his right ankle, says their team doctor.

The 30-year-old forward was replaced in the 80th minute of Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia after a heavy tackle from Nikola Milenkovic.

Neymar sat with his face covered while receiving treatment and pictures showed his right ankle was swollen.

Right-back Danilo will also miss the next two games with ankle damage.

Brazil face Switzerland in

their se cond Group G game on Monday, before playing Cameroon next Friday.

“Neymar and Danilo went through a MRI on Friday afternoon and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them,” said Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.

“It is important to be calm and evaluate day by day. The idea is to recover them for the rest of the competition.”

Speaking after the win against Serbia, Brazil head coach Tite said they were “confident Neymar will continue playing in the World Cup” and that he “didn’t see

he was injured - the capacity he has to overcome it tricked even me”.

The Paris St-Germain striker has suffered a number of injury problems with his right foot over the past few years.

He missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle and was out for several weeks in 2021 with a similar injury.

Neymar was fouled nine times during the game against Serbia, drawing four more free-kicks than any other player at this year’s World Cup so far.

More Schools Sign-up for Dolphin Swimming League From the six schools that featured in week one of the season four of the annual Dolphin Swimming League, two have signed up for the first school swimming league in Nigeria.

The schools – Priory Preparatory and Italian International School decided to team up and challenge the likes of Grange School, St Saviour’s, Greensprings School, Children

International School, Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School and Riverbank School who competed in week one of the competition.

Already, the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) as well as the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) have sanctioned the tournament with the aim of selecting outstanding swimmers

from it for major competitions within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Grange School will host the week two of the competitions and the school will be hoping to consolidate on its dominance of week one The league is organised

by Dynaspro Promotion and Advanta interactive with the aim to unearth talents for Lagos and Nigeria.

Enyimba, Insurance, Rangers Set for Big Prize Money at Dozy Mmobuosi Cup A pre-season tournament involving four of the traditional clubs of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) will hold in Lagos with an unprecedented winner takes all N100m prize money at stake.

Packaged by Tingo Media in collaboration with NPFL , the invitational tournament, sponsored by Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation, will feature former African Champions League winners, Enyimba International, two former African Cup winners, Rangers International and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Bendel Insurance.

Tingo is Africa’s leading Agric Fintech company transforming rural farming communities to connect through its proprietary platform to meet their complete needs from inputs, agronomy offtake and marketplace.

Tingo also has interests in

digital film and television production with an aim to be Africa’s leader in world class quality productions in its recently commissioned studio in Nigeria.

The big money tournament will also see each of the four invited clubs receiving N10m appearance fee in the tournament which holds from December 1-4 at the Mobolaji Sports Complex in Lagos.

Head of Operations, Interim Management Committee (IMC), Davidson Owumi, explained that the tournament is a dress rehearsal to the 2022/23 NPFL season.

“This is a peep into what the IMC has in store for Nigerians for the league in the coming season.

“The tournament is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the four teams will play out for the big money, N100m

for the winner in Lagos”, Owumi stated.

It was gathered that the games of the tournament will enjoy live broadcast streaming.

“It is going to be for us, a test run for the 2022/23 season in terms of the facility on which the games will be played, technology for match broadcast, officiating standards and Sponsorship relationship which is key to running a financially stable league”, Owumi further stated.

He expressed excitement that the IMC has been able to put the tournament together and noted that “ it will give stakeholders and potential investors an idea of what will happen when the league eventually begins” Concluding, the former Super Eagles forward said, “everything has been put in place and Nigerians will see the best of everything in this tournament”.

Ikoyi Club, Sponsors, Hail Maiden Tangerine Swimming School Tourney Chairman Ikoyi Club, swimming section, Kunle Adeniji has hailed the maiden Tangerine swimming school competition saying swimmers that will not only represent the country but win laurels for the nation will emerge from the championship.

According to Adeniji, “the idea behind the competition is about youth sports development and catching them young. The whole essence of Ikoyi Club swimming section is to create an enabling environment to build champions.”

For the representative of the sponsor, Yewande Adewusi, ED Commercial, Tangerine Africa, she was more than impressed

with organisation and performance of the pupils and hope Tangerine would sponsor more swimming meets in Nigeria.

“The organisation has been excellent, the talents in the various schools in Lagos is been remarkable, we are witnessing world class children swimming at the highest level.

Education is not all about reading but developing well rounded children and this kind of competition helps achieve the aim and that is why Tangerine Africa is partnering with Ikoyi club swimming section for this competition.

Twenty-three schools across Lagos State with over 400 swim-

mers from the ages of four to 17 participated in the 94 events of the competition.

Some of the events competed for include individual medley, backstrokes, breaststrokes, butterfly and freestyle.

In the primary school category, St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi emerged winner, while Grange Primary School and RiverBank Primary School were placed second and third respectively.

Grange Secondary School won the secondary school category, British International School came second while Temple Secondary School was third.

Skomina, Others Commend Albert for Investment in Akwa Ibom Soccer Development Renowned UEFA referee Damir Skomina, who was in Uyo for the Ibom Football Scouting Tournament along with the co-organisers of the project Leon Sport International, have commended the sponsor, Senator Bassey Albert for his commitment to sports development in Akwa Ibom State.

The Slovenian Skomina referee now retired is remembered for disallowing a goal by Ajax in the UEFA Champions League in a first ever use of VAR in the competition. Along with his scouting accomplices in their Uyo project, he expressed delight at the quality of talents they observed through the

tournament in Uyo. “The competitions have gone on smoothly from Monday, November 14, when we started. I can say that that so far, we are quite impressed with the talents seen of the young players” Skomina said.

Co-organisers of the scouting programme, Leon Academy was founded by Sir Jude Asekhameh as a humanitarian organisation to keep young talented Nigerians from social vices by discovering, training and engaging their sporting talents productively through grassroots football development.

The academy has an Under 20s academy in Lagos and their

Under 16s academy in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on behalf of the scouts, the administrative Manager of Leon Academy International, Mr. Ogbeide Endurance explained that the Uyo tournament was part of the academy’s annual scouting competition series which began in Lagos in 2021.

Funded by Senator Bassey Albert, the Uyo edition was organised in conjuction with OBA Youth Initiative to scout the South-South/South-East part of Nigeria. according to Mr. Ogbeide, the finances for the just concluded Uyo edition were provided by Obong Bassey

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

GLOBAL SOCCER

Elland Road Set to Cash-in on Ola Aina Ola Aina

With just a few months left in his contract and the Bulls are yet to place a solid offer on the table, Super Eagles fullback Ola Aina faces uncertainty concerning his future as his contract expires at the end of the season, and contract extension talks at Torino have stalled so far. However, Premier League side, Leeds United are set to cash-in on the Nigeria international’s situation

L

eeds United have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Aina to Elland Road in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a report

by Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), who claim that, after being linked with a move for the Torino full-back over the course of the summer, Victor Orta could now be handed a second chance to land the 26-year-old this winter, with the Serie A side now said to be ‘on the hunt for potential buyers’ in January.

The report goes on to state that this is down to the fact that the Nigeria international’s current contract at the Stadio Olimpico is set to expire at the end of the season, with technical director Davide Vagnati eager to receive some sort of fee for a player he valued at £8.7m in the summer transfer window.

Considering just how solid Aina has been for Torino in recent seasons, coupled with the fact the former Chelsea starlet is able to feature from either left or right-back, the argument that Orta simply must launch a move for the defender in January is an incredibly easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 21 Serie A appearances – 15 of which came from left wing-back – last season, the £3.6m-rated talent highly impressed in an attacking capacity, creating five big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.5 shots,

making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.9 dribbles per game.

The £31k-per-week full-back also caught the eye in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.3 tackles, 1.2 clearances and winning 4.3 duels – at a success rate of 53 per cent – per game, with these returns seeing the player who Michael Oti Adjei dubbed “unreal” average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.82.

It has been a similar story over his 10 league outings – six of which have come at left wing-back – in the current campaign, with the 26-year-old having already scored one goal and created three big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 0.7 key passes, 1.3 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and winning 4.3 duels – at a success rate of 55 per cent per game.

Aina joined Torino in 2019, but he went on a season-long to Fulham. The Super Eagles defender then returned to Turin after an unsuccessful stint in London.

Last summer, Aina was linked with a move to the Premier League, with West Ham and Fulham amongst his suitors. However, the Chelsea Academy product remained at Torino.

Aina has had a decent season at Torino, featuring in 10 of their games and scoring once. Nonetheless, his future still hangs in the balance, as his contract expires at the end of the season.

According to Torinogranata, the club has not

entered serious talks with Aina concerning a new contract. As such, the Nigerian defender is free to leave when his contract expires in June.

Aina could favour a return to the Premier League, as he was strongly linked with Fulham and West Ham this season. Aside from his two-year stay at Torino, Aina has never played for any team outside the shores of England.

Aina was linked with a move away from the club last summer after losing his place in the starting line-up during the second half of the campaign.

The 26-year-old has, however, reclaimed his place in the starting line-up this season making 10 league appearances with a goal to his name.

Premier League clubs, West Ham United and Fulham showed interest in the player last summer.

The Super Eagles star is no longer happy in Turin, and he could be on the move by next summer and the Italian Serie A side have slammed a 10million euros fee on the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles star left Chelsea for the Bulls in 2019. After a season which saw him make 32 league appearances, he returned to the Premier League on a loan deal at Fulham.

However, he returned to Torino last summer after Fulham got relegated to the Championship.

At the beginning of the season, the 25-year-old was a crucial part of the Torino backline. But since he returned from the African Cup of Nations,

things have not been the same.

According to FootballNews24, Torino are willing to let the Chelsea academy product leave, but they would request for 10million euros before they let Aina go.

Aina has spent most of his life in England, and it is expected that he would favour a return to the Premier League rather than elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Aina will resume training in the next few days following a short spell on the sidelines.

Aina has failed to make an appearance for Torino since copping an injury in the club’s 2-1 win against Udinese on October 23.

The 26-year-old has missed Ivan Juric side’s last four league games as a result of the setback.

According to Torino Granata, Aina is only a few days away from joining Torino’s first team training.

The versatile defender is expected to link up with his Torino teammates in Philadelphia, United States of America, next Monday.

The Torino players, who are not involved in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, will be in the US for a training tour.

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

32

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

33

34

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Timing Belt :KLOH \RX PD\ QRW SD\ FORVH DWWHQWLRQ WR your car’s timing belt, it plays an important role in the mechanics of your vehicle. The timing belt is an internal engine component that rotates the engine’s cam and crankshaft LQ V\QF HQVXULQJ HDFK F\OLQGHU ÀUHV DW WKH appropriate time. Your car’s timing belt can be found under a timing cover near the front of the engine, and since it is likely manufactured from high-quality rubber, it will need to be replaced from time to time.

In this blog, we’ll look at a few common symptoms that may indicate your timing belt needs repair.

Made-in-Nigeria Innoson vehicles delivered to the Sierra Leonean government… recently

Innoson Exports First Batch of $4.7m Vehicles to Sierra Leone

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automaker.

The export of Innoson is coming two years DIWHU 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL VLJQHG WKH $I&)7$ DJUHHPHQW LQ -XO\ 7KH YHKLFOHV ZKLFK DUULYHG DW )UHHWRZQ RQ 0RQGD\ 1RYHPEHU ZHUH EXLOW WR WKH RUGHU E\ 6LHUUD /HRQH·V 0LQLVWU\ RI 'HIHQFH The request for the made-in-Nigeria vehicles was made during a working visit to Innoson 9HKLFOHV E\ WRS KLHUDUFK\ RI WKH 6LHUUD /HRQH 'HIHQFH 0LQLVWU\ OHG E\ 0U (GZDUG 6RORNX WKH 0LQLVWHU RI ,QWHUQDO $ͿDLUV DV ZHOO DV 6LHUUD /HRQH 5RDG 7UDQVSRUW &RUSRUDWLRQ 6/57& OHG E\ LWV 3UHVLGHQW 0U ,VDDF .HQ *UHHQ Head of Corporate Communications, Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, said in a statement that various models of vehicles bought within that dispensation were for the present administration.

Osigwe explained that subsequently, the *RYHUQPHQW RI 6LHUUD /HRQH OHG E\ 3UHVLGHQW

-XOLXV 0DDGD %LR SODFHG DQ RUGHU IRU WKH manufacturing of Innoson Vehicles valued DW PLOOLRQ IRU WKH R΀FHUV RI 5HSXEOLF RI 6LHUUD /HRQH $UPHG )RUFHV 56/$) 7KH ÀUVW VHW RI WKH YHKLFOHV VXSSOLHG IURP 1LJHULD WR 6LHUUD /HRQH ZHUH DV 0RQGD\ OHDYLQJ 4XHHQ (OL]DEHWK 3RUW 6LHUUD /HRQH·V VHD 3RUW ´:DWHU 4XD\µ LQ )UHH 7RZQ IRU GLVWULEXWLRQ WR PLOLWDU\ R΀FHUV DFURVV WKH country.

Reacting to the development, the people RI 6LHUUD /HRQH KDYH EHHQ FRPPHQGLQJ WKHLU 3UHVLGHQW -XOLXV 0DDGD %LR IRU DFWLQJ LQ OLQH with the spirit of the continental agreement by RSWLQJ IRU DQ $IULFDQ ,90 EUDQG RI YHKLFOHV IRU WKH XVH RI WKH FRXQWU\·V $UPHG )RUFHV In one of the many reports in the local media on the purchase of the made-in-Nigeria YHKLFOHV D SRSXODU EORJ LQ 6LHUUD /HRQH )RFXV 1HZV %ORJ KDLOHG 3UHVLGHQW %LR IRU EHOLHYLQJ ´WKDW RXU $UP\ 2΀FHUV GHVHUYH EHWWHU µ The post, which showed a line-up of the ,90 SURGXFWV IURP 1LJHULD LQIRUPHG 6LHUUD /HRQHDQV WKDW WKH YHKLFOHV ZRXOG VRRQ EH ´UHDG\ IRU GLVWULEXWLRQ WR PLOLWDU\ R΀FHUV across the country” by the government. ´,QQRVRQ *URXS KDV SHQHWUDWHG WKH YHKLFOHV market over the years. It is currently serving as

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Carloha International Begins Operations in Nigeria

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arloha, a global automobile company that specialises in the sales and services of premium used vehicles with in-commerce and on-demand maintenance service technology, begins operation in Nigeria.

Carloha International has its Global Head 2΀FH LQ WKH 86$ DQG RZQV DQG PDQDJHV several stores and maintenance centres, with over 200 dedicated employees that provide FRPSUHKHQVLYH FDU SXUFKDVH ÀQDQFH DQG insurance services.

Carloha Nigeria, parades a host of premium used vehicles in its arsenal of stocks, and it’s well positioned to be the leading automobile company in used vehicle trading business in Nigeria. $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH 0DUNHWLQJ 0DQDJHU 0U 0DWKHZ (QXRPD $MH ´:H DUH LQ EXVLQHVV to set the pace in sales and services of the used vehicle segment in Nigeria, by making vehicle ownership a seamless process for all FXVWRPHUV µ +H IXUWKHU VWUHVVHG WKDW ´&DUORKD Nigeria prides itself with best of the best used vehicles of choice brands that are durable, UXJJHG DQG ZHOO UHÀQHG WR VXLW WKH WDVWH RI DOO RXU FXVWRPHUV $QG PRUH VR WKH FODVV and state of vehicles we stock are rare and cannot be sourced elsewhere.”

The company, he said, works with well .QRZQ XVHG FDU SURYLGHUV LQ WKH 86$ XVLQJ big data technology to select the best quality used car in Nigeria. The replication of the automated system is to position Carloha Nigeria as a viable company that will drive

You Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine If you hear a ticking noise coming from your car’s engine, there could be something seriously wrong with your timing belt. The timing belt in your vehicle is attached by a series of pulleys that go to the engine’s crank and cam shaft. The crankshaft powers the engine’s connecting rods, which are attached to pistons inside of the combustion chamber.

The camshaft, on the other hand, operates the cylinder head valves and rocker arm assembly, which sends fuel to the combustion chamber. The expelled gases then exit WKURXJK WKH H[KDXVW PDQLIROG :KHQ \RXU car’s timing belt starts to wear out, it may produce a ticking sound inside of the motor.

This could also be an indication of low oil pressure as well.

Your Car’s Engine Won’t Turn Over :KHQ \RXU FDU·V WLPLQJ EHOW LV EURNHQ RU irreplaceable, your engine will not be able to ignite or turn over properly. This means when you turn the key, you may hear the starter motor engage, but since the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank DQG VKDIW LW ZLOO QRW IXOO\ LJQLWH :KHQ \RXU timing belt is broken, you won’t be able to drive your car at all. Oftentimes, the timing belt will break while the car is in motion.

This can cause serious damage to cylinder head hardware like rocker arms, push rods, or valves.

You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor $QRWKHU FRPPRQ VLJQ WKDW \RXU WLPLQJ belt is in bad shape is an oil leak. If you start to notice oil around your engine, your vehicle may be experiencing a leak, which RIWHQ RFFXUV IURP WKH WLPLQJ EHOW FRYHU :KLOH your timing belt cover may be secured by a series of nuts and bolts, it is very likely that WKH\ FDQ FRPH ORRVH RYHU WLPH $Q RLO OHDN may also occur when the gasket between the engine block and timing cover wears out or is cracked. This can lead to your engine overheating and a handful of other expensive repairs.

You Experience Exhaust Issues If your car’s exhaust has been expelling far more smoke than you’re used to, it could be related to an issue with your timing belt.

This can make your engine work harder than it’s supposed to in an attempt to run under duress, which can lead to costly repairs down WKH OLQH $V D UHVXOW RI WKLV H[FHVV ZRUN \RXU car will expel more exhaust than it should.

Cars in the showroom of Carloha

the world with latest technological advancePHQW LQ DXWRPRELOH HQJLQHHULQJ WKDW RͿHUV bespoke premium services that cannot be seen DQ\ZKHUH LQ VXE 6DKDUD $IULFD Carloha Nigeria, parades a host of premium used vehicles from notable brands such as 0HUFHGHV %HQ] 7R\RWD /H[XV )RUG DQG Range Rover which are neatly selected and ZHOO ÀQLVKHG WR VSHFLÀFDWLRQV ZLWK WKH VWDWHV RI WKH $UWV WHFKQRORJ\ 7KH $XWRPDWHG 3ULFLQJ V\VWHP LV XVHG WR À[ WKH ULJKW SULFH RI DOO XVHG YHKLFOHV 7KH pricing of used vehicle is a huge algorithmic challenge to the overall business. Carloha Nigeria has been able to address this issue

through machine learning technology to acFXUDWHO\ À[ HDFK SULFH RI YHKLFOH LQ UHODWLRQ WR HFRQRPLF ÁXFWXDWLRQ DQG LPEDODQFH LQ WKH local market.

The installation of state-of-arts technological automated equipment is proof of Carloha’s UHDGLQHVV WR VHW WKH SDFH DV D PDMRU SOD\HU LQ the sales and maintenance of used vehicles. To ensure quality standards of Vehicles, Carloha 1LJHULD XWLOLVHV D VFLHQWLÀF PHWKRG ZLWK D fully automated management system known DV YHKLFOH LQVSHFWLRQ SRLQWV RQ FKDVVLV engine, transmission, exterior, interior, electronic system, road test, and maintenance equipment to meet the demand of the market.

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(Source: SCR Performance)

35

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

AUTO WORLD

Renault Group Accelerates Decarbonisation Plan for Plants in France

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L-R: Snr. Financial Controller, Nessco, Esther Ahamefula-Nworji; CEO, Nessco, Usman Mohammed; GM, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde; Deputy Managing Director, Nessco, Anne Diya; Finance Controller, Coscharis Group, Emma Ugwuja, at the Renault pavilion during the Economic Summit organised by the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of this year’s French Week in Nigeria held in Lagos… recently

s part of its Renaulution strategy, Renault Group has announced an acceleration of the decarbonisation plan for its industrial sites with three strategic and unprecedented partnerships to achieve its energy transition objectives.

According to a statement issued by the automaker, “This new stage materialised recently with Voltalia for the largest green electricity supply contract in France – for the French factories of the Group; with (1*,( IRU WKH ÀUVW GHHS JHRWKHUPDO SURMHFW RQ D European industrial site, in Douai; with Dalkia, EDF Group, for the installation of a biomass boiler, in 0DXEHXJH µ &RPPLWWHG WR WKH HQHUJ\ WUDQVLWLRQ IRU PRUH WKDQ \HDUV DQG UHD΀UPHG LQ WKH &OLPDWH 3ODQ LQ $SULO WKH *URXS FRQÀUPV LWV FRPPLWPHQWV WR DFKLHYH QHW ]HUR FDUERQ DW LWV (OHFWUL&LW\ SODQWV LQ +DXWV GH France by 2025, in Europe by 2030 and worldwide by 2050. The Group is drawing up a large-scale concrete plan to accelerate industrial decarbonization via photovoltaics, geothermal energy and biomass, among other initiatives. /XFD GH 0HR &(2 RI 5HQDXOW *URXS VDLG ´7RGD\ we are taking a strategic step towards achieving carbon

neutrality in our plants. Thanks to this partnership VLJQHG ZLWK 9ROWDOLD (OHFWUL&LW\ ZLOO EHFRPH WKH *URXS·V ÀUVW SURGXFWLRQ KXE WR EH VXSSOLHG ZLWK carbon-free and competitive electricity. And we don’t stop there! We are already working on the next step of our plan and are working towards carbon-free heat to power our factories. In Douai, we are proud to launch with ENGIE one of the most ambitious GHFDUERQLVDWLRQ SURMHFWV RQ D (XURSHDQ LQGXVWULDO VLWH the installation of deep geothermal energy. Finally, we are very pleased to partner with Dalkia to launch a biomass boiler project at the Maubeuge plant. We take responsibility, as a leading car manufacturer, to LQQRYDWH DQG UHGXFH WKH FDUERQ IRRWSULQW RI RXU SODQWV µ Renault Group and Voltalia sign the largest green electricity supply contract in France.

Renault Group and Voltalia sign France’s largest long-term renewable electricity supply agreement &RUSRUDWH 3RZHU 3XUFKDVLQJ $JUHHPHQW IRU D FDSDFity of 350 megawatts representing the production of approximately 500 gigawatt hours per year by 2027.

With a duration of 15 years, it is an unprecedented commitment in France in terms of power. This long-term agreement will enable Renault Group to cover up to 50% of the electricity consumption of the manufacturer’s production activities in France in 2027.

Toyota’s All-new Prius, Prime Make Auto Show Debut in Los Angeles

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oyota is showing up in a big way at WKLV \HDU·V /RV $QJHOHV $XWR 6KRZ with the North American debut of the DOO QHZ 3ULXV DQG 3ULXV 3ULPH and a glimpse into the future with WKH E= &RPSDFW 689 &RQFHSW

ÀIWK JHQ K\EULG SRZHUWUDLQ ZLWK XS WR KRUVHSRZHU )ROORZLQJ VXLW WKH 7R\RWD 3ULXV 3ULPH QRWDEO\ boasts a larger lithium-ion battery, increasing its EV range by over 50%. Both models are updated with QHZ WHFK RͿHULQJV IRU HQKDQFHG FRQQHFWLYLW\ DQG WKH ODWHVW 7R\RWD 6DIHW\ 6HQVH V\VWHP 7ZHQW\ WZR years later, this legacy nameplate progresses forward Additionally, a diverse collection of special project cars and highlights Toyota’s diverse approach to carbon DQG D ÀUVW RI LWV NLQG VSRUWV IHVWLYDO HQKDQFH 7R\RWD·V neutrality. presence at this show, putting the focus on diverse Beyond Zero Concept RͿHULQJV DQG LQWHUDFWLYH H[SHULHQFHV IRU FRQVXPHUV 6KRZFDVHG LQ WKH 6RXWK +DOO DW WKH /RV $QJHOHV 7KH E= &RPSDFW 689 &RQFHSW LV GHVLJQHG DV D IXOO &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU YLVLWRUV FDQ H[SHULHQFH 7R\RWD·V EDWWHU\ HOHFWULF YHKLFOH %(9 XVLQJ D FOHDQ YLWDO GHVLJQ distinct lineup, special guests and more from Nov. approach with low-impact, sustainable materials. Its 18-27, according to a statement issued by the automaker. aerodynamic design coupled with an ultramodern interior design is enhanced with an in-car personal agent.

A Legendary Hybrid Reborn 7KLV %(9 &RQFHSW UHSUHVHQWV 7R\RWD·V FRPPLWPHQW &KDQJLQJ WKH JDPH RQFH PRUH LV WKH 3ULXV DQG towards a future that goes Beyond Zero. Globally, 3ULXV 3ULPH 7KH DOO QHZ PRGHO LV WKH PRVW IXHO H΀FLHQW Toyota plans to expand to around 30 dedicated BEVs, 3ULXV HYHU ZLWK D PDQXIDFWXUHU HVWLPDWHG FRPELQHG LQFOXGLQJ ÀYH FDUU\LQJ WKH E= %H\RQG =HUR EUDQG 03* IHDWXULQJ D IUHVK QHZ VSRUW\ H[WHULRU GHVLJQ DQG moniker.

I

am in pain as I write. In the words of my people from the other side, “another person’s dead body, be like ÀUHZRRG µ 6DGO\ QRZ WKH GHDG ERG\ is not another man’s, but ours. I am talking about the death of a dear colleague and senior; a distinguished member of the National Institute, as well as D FHOHEUDWHG DUP\ R΀FHU ZKRVH GHDWK OLNH D handful of other deaths, shocks me. ,W ZDV QRW D GHDWK DW D EDWWOHÀHOG LQ DQ\ part of our country. It wasn’t as a result of a confrontation with bandits, or terrorists. The report says he was walking home. I do not know if it was a walking exercise or a casual walk; but it says he was walking home. Not at D VSRUWV DUHQD EXW ZLWKLQ WKH EDUUDFNV 6R KH wasn’t hit by a civilian okada man or taxi driver.

He was hit by a soldier who was said to be drunk right there at the barracks. I am just too heavy in my heart to ask questions. I leave that at the door steps of the authorities to unravel how we lost a gem. His death reminds me of a similar death; this time of a young, beautiful and enterprising medical doctor killed in Abuja a couple of months ago. I heard she was waiting for a taxi when a driver hit and killed her on the spot.

I heard the driver never stopped to assist DQG NHHS KHU DOLYH +H ]RRPHG RͿ DQG OHIW KHU LQ D SRRO RI KHU EORRG 6KH EOHG VR PXFK WKDW she gave up at the scene leaving parents and loved ones heartbroken and traumatised. These are just a few cases that space will permit me to capture. There are other uncelebrated cases recorded daily across our roads. That is why I am relieving my archives.

This piece is not a new piece although I have tried to refresh it a bit. It is a piece I wrote about two years ago when I raised my concern over the increasing cases of deaths and injuries involving pedestrians especially joggers as a result of apathy, ignorance, deliberate ignorance

Captionss

The Pedestrian’s Folly, The Jaguar Family SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps.

or just attitude. I followed up the write up with another piece which equally shed light on the roles and responsibilities of drivers in ensuring the deaths and injury trend is reduced in line ZLWK WKH )HGHUDO 5RDG 6DIHW\ &RUSV &RUSRUDWH JRDOV RI UHGXFLQJ URDG WUD΀F FUDVK IDWDOLWLHV E\ 15 per cent in 2022. :KLOH WKH ÀUVW SLHFH ZDV WLWOHG 3HGHVWULDQ 6DIHW\ 5XOHV IRU MRJJHUV WKH VHFRQG ZDV WLWOHG 'ULYHU DQG 3HGHVWULDQ 6DIHW\ , PXVW FRQIHVV that despite all that I wrote in the above, I am still disturbed by the disturbing trend which is not changing by the day. This is why I am compelled to write again because of the death scare ahead of the December rush. For starters, I wish to inform you that in June 2022, I moved to a new estate in Abuja and just recently moved into another estate. The estate boasts of tarred and expansive roads but like the case in some of our roads or estates, the appropriate road furniture such as road markings or walkways are absent.

This absence naturally tasks me while jogging in ensuring that all precautions are taken to avoid exposure to a possible pedestrian-vehicle collision. Like I wrote earlier, my daily routine WR NHHS ÀW LV D WKLUW\ WR RQH KRXU ZDONLQJ DQG jogging exercise. Every time I embark on this daily exercise, I stumble on some oddities by

fellow joggers who by their mien are literate but ignorant of the risk pedestrians’ face. I am therefore writing because increasing pedestrian VDIHW\ ZLOO UHGXFH URDG WUD΀F IDWDOLWLHV DQG WKXV help us in achieving our strategic goals of reducing URDG WUD΀F FUDVKHV DQG IDWDOLWLHV /LNH , VDLG HDUOLHU 3HGHVWULDQ LQMXULHV DQG fatalities are a major global problem related to travel and road safety. In Nigeria, it is a major road safety issue especially with the absence of appropriate infrastructures such as walkways and pedestrian bridges except in few cities, including $EXMD WKH )HGHUDO &DSLWDO 7HUULWRU\ ZKHUH WKURXJK the partnership with the World bank, pedestrian bridges have been provided even though there is still the apathy by pedestrians to utilise them, thus causing unnecessary crashes and deaths.

Even developed societies have their fair VKDUH RI WKLV FKDOOHQJH ZKHUH 3HGHVWULDQ YHKLFOH crashes are a major problem. The times and GD\V SHGHVWULDQV DUH PRVW DW ULVN RI LQMXU\ GLͿHU from those when they are most at risk of death.

3HGHVWULDQ YHKLFOH FUDVKHV NQRZ QR ERXQGV DV they occur both in urban and rural areas and in ERWK SODFHV ZKHUH WKHUH DUH QR WUD΀F FRQWUROV DQG ZKHUH WKHUH H[LVW 7KH\ DͿHFW ERWK DGXOWV and children.

No single factor is completely responsible for the problem of pedestrian-vehicle crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities. A combination of unsafe pedestrian behaviour, vehicle and driver factors, problematic physical environments and other special conditions all contribute to them.

3HGHVWULDQ YHKLFOH FUDVKHV RFFXU ZKHQ SK\VLFDO environments allow pedestrians to come into contact with moving vehicles.

These crashes occur when physical environments allow pedestrians to come into contact with moving vehicles like the case in my new estate. If this occurs without check, then a pedestrian-vehicle crash problem exists. Most, if not all of such problems ZLOO EH WKH UHVXOW RI IDLOXUHV RI WKH IROORZLQJ pedestrians who are inattentive or incapable of

using the road safely; irresponsible drivers and physical environments that encourage unsafe pedestrian and/or driver behavior, or failure to adequately separate pedestrians and vehicles.

Addressing these problems will provide relief, promote safety for pedestrians and reduce if QRW HOLPLQDWH WKHVH FUDVKHV 8QVDIH SHGHVWULDQ behaviour is a major factor in pedestrian injuries and fatalities whether in low or high income countries. Most studies done on pedestrian vehicle crashes heaps about 80 per cent of the blame on pedestrians and this explains my emphasis on increasing pedestrian safety consciousness.

I told you that I am very worried about the development I have noticed since I moved to this new environment. Within this period, I must have stumbled on hundreds of joggers who choose the early hours between 5-7am to jog. This period has a very peculiar challenge ZKLFK LV WKDW RI YLVLELOLW\ 6WUDQJHO\ , PXVW FRQIHVV WKDW LQ VL[ PRQWKV OHVV WKDQ ÀYH SHUFHQW of joggers in this estate have attempted to demonstrate understanding of the principle number one for joggers which demands that they ensure that they are visible by wearing GUHVVHV WKDW HLWKHU UHÁHFW RU EHWWHU VWLOO EULJKW colored dresses.

2I WKLV ÀYH SHUFHQW RQO\ WZR SHRSOH ZHUH VHHQ MRJJLQJ ZLWK D UHÁHFWLYH MDFNHW DQG DQ arm band to enhance visibility. Afairly good number attempt to wear bright colors although WKH\ GRQ·W UHÁHFW· $OVR UHFHQWO\ , QRWLFHG WKH growing number of younger or kid joggers who mostly jog in the company of parents or guardians.

While it might be okay to excuse the level of ignorance exhibited by most adults, I however shudder when I see a parent walking or jogging and exhibiting gross ignorance or deliberate disobedience to safety rules that will protect himself and members of his family especially children whom the scripture describes as Gods heritage.

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER NOVEMBER 26, 2022

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

Syinix Launches Swallow-Maker Smart home appliance brand, Syinix Electronics has unveiled new swallow maker to help in preparation of all types of swallow food.

The newest would simplify preparation of swallow food, using a fully automated machine that requires minimal human HͿRUW 7KH ÀUP VWDWHG WKDW WKH SURGXFW ZDV D IXOÀOPHQW RI LWV SURPLVH RQ ¶FRPIRUWDELOLW\ and relieved’ life experience.

Speaking at the product launch, Chief 2SHUDWLQJ 2΀FHU RI 6\LQL[ 1LJHULD -XVWLQ Liu stated that the swallow maker is WKH ÀUVW DOO SXUSRVH DXWRPDWHG VZDOORZ food maker in the world.

He said, “Our brand’s vision is to provide African families with reliable products that seek to improve their value

of life. It’s in the bid for continuous improvement that the Swallow Maker was birthed to keep improving customers’ lifestyles and putting smiles on their faces through the creation of innovative home appliances with superior quality products.

“We are a high-end home appliance brand with spread to more than 20 countries in Africa and its features of high quality and innovation are becoming increasingly competitive and promising in the African market in recent years.

“Our swallow maker is here to save your time and energy; the machine encourages creative cooking and users can try a combination of ingredients and recipes with no health implications to consumers”.

Liu reiterated that the all-purpose

Foodco Set for 40th Anniversary, Commissions 2 Outlets Leading omni-channel retailer, FoodCo Nigeria has opened two new outlets in Abeokuta, Ogun State as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations.

The new outlets located in Idi-Aba and Ita-Oshin bring the brand footprint to 18 across South-West, Nigeria.

Commenting, FoodCo Managing Director, Ade Sun-Basorun attributed the company’s success in the last four decades to consumers loyalty.

Foodco started as a fresh fruits and vegetables stall in Bodija, Ibadan, and has grown to become operators of the largest supermarket chain brand in South-west Nigeria, outside Lagos, with footprint in Ibadan, Lagos, and Abeokuta.

7KH ÀUP ZDV UHFHQWO\ OLVWHG DV RQH RI Africa’s fastest growing companies by Financial Times and Statista.

He said, “The reality of today’s retail business is that only innovative, customer-

solution would ease the stress of making swallow foods and reduce the time spent in the kitchen with a smarter and cleaner experience.

He stated that the product also boast special features including an automatic intricate food processor that saves time and energy.

L:R: Chancellor and Visitor, Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Bishop Francis Wale Oke; Rev. Mrs. Victoria T. Oke; Pro-Chancellor, PCU, Dr. S. A. Adegoke; Group Managing Director and CEO Sujimoto Group, Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele, and the Registrar, PCU, Dr. Peditin O. Afolabi at the conferment of Honorary Doctorate of Entrepreneurship Degree on Ogundele…recently

focused brands can successfully navigate the terrain and deliver sustainable investment returns. In just this decade, we have gone through two economic recessions, battled a global pandemic, and have had to adapt to the demands of a digital transformation WKDW KDV UHGHÀQHG WKH QDWXUH RI UHWDLO “On our 40th anniversary, we are humbled that we have not only been able to weather the storms, but we continue to put together the building blocks for sustainable growth in the coming years ahead.”

Sun-Basorun expressed appreciation to consumers for their support and feedback. +H HTXDOO\ WKDQNHG WKH VWDͿ IRU WKHLU dedication as well as business partners, regulators and host communities.

As part of the celebration, the Managing Director informed that the organisation will be holding a week-long promo across L-R: Chairman, ICLED Business School, Prof Olajumoke Familoni, presenting ‘Africa’s Most Outstanding Payit stores where consumers can get items ment Solutions Company of the Year Award 2021/2022’ to Xpress Payments’Group Head, PTSP Business, Ibiyemi Okuwoga; Group Head, Agency Banking, Bolaji Oladoja; and Managing Director, Dr Markie Idowu, durat a discounted rate. ing the Pan African Int’l Conference and Awards in Lagos… recently

Manufacturers Hint of Likely ‘ExcelMind’ Launches to Hike in Soft drinks Price Enhance Learning Outcome

Carbonated soft drinks sub-sector of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has said that prices of soft drink may likely soar should the federal government enforce the proposed 20 percent excise tax on non-alcoholic beverages.

The manufacturer further foresaw a further decline in sector revenue base, adding that VXFK PRYH ZRXOG UXE RͿ QHJDWLYHO\ RQ the economy.

They stated this at business discussion in Lagos, which had sectoral heads in attendance.

The attendees also highlighted other pressing challenges in the sector which they said would get compounded with the proposed tax.

They said the prevailing N10 per litre tax regime was already crippling the sector and SMEs businesses.

6SHDNLQJ DW WKH PHHWLQJ &RUSRUDWH $ͿDLUV and Sustainability Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Ekuma Eze warned that the proposed tax would result in massive job loss.

He said, “ The 20 percent ad-valorem excise tax will not only kill the sector but result in revenue loss, and a consequential phenomenal loss of jobs by various layers of the Nigerian workforce.’’

Quoting report, Eze said the existing N10 per litre excise tax contributed to 8 percent UHYHQXH GHFOLQH LQ WKH VHFWRU EHWZHHQ -XQH and August 2022.

He added, “It is projected that the decline will hit 25% by December 2022 if not reviewed. This excludes the cost of ZULWH RͿV RI SURGXFWV SURGXFHG H[FLVHG but not sold.

A virtual learning platform, ‘ExcelMind’ has unveiled to improve learning status and enhance excellence among students.

Founder of the platform, Mosunmola Michael stated that the initiative was inspired by the unimpressive performance of students seeking admission into the university.

She noted that the new solution would ensure students are adequately prepared for various entrance examinations to gain admission and also access scholarships.

She explained further that the platform is designed for both local and international students. “We were compelled

WR NLFN RͿ WKH SODWIRUP JLYHQ WKH shocking statistics of students failure who attempted entrance examinations into universities, both local and international.

“Interested ones can access the platform by simply logging on to ExcelMind and register for whatever exam after which they then subscribe and start learning in the simulation environment, “she said.

Already the platform has enabled over 100,000 students to secure admission into preferred institution of learning.

She further urged students to be focused and resilient, while advising them to limit their presence on social media.

Hypo, Lagos Stress Hygiene on World Toilet Day Sanitation brand, Hypo has emphasised hygiene as its marked 2022 World Toilet Day themed, “Making the Invisible Visible”.

In marking the day, the organisation in collaboration with Lagos Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, sensitised neighbourhoods DFURVV ÀYH ORFDWLRQV LQ 1LJHULD RQ VDIH toilet use and hygiene.

The sensitisation exercise ran for three days, with the sponsors deploy-

ing initiatives to pass hygiene message down. This included call-to-action boards deployed strategically around Lagos.

Also commissioned were sixteen toilet units and two changing rooms in Sura market,Lagos Island. These add up to the previously commissioned facilities under the Hypo Toilet Rescue project, bringing the total number of refurbished facilities to over 130 units across Nigeria.

This was followed by an awareness

walk by the three partnering organisers in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano ,Q /DJRV WKH ZDON NLFNHG RͿ IURP Eric Moore Road in Surulere and terminated at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The walk was led by reality TV star, compere, Alex Asogwa, while Nigerian Afro Pop singer, Harrison Okiri lit the exercise with music.

Commenting, Brand Manager of Hypo Toilet Cleaner, Mr Chetan Katarki restated the organisation’s commitment

to a cleaner and safer Nigeria.

“Our festivities provided us with a perfect platform to spread awareness of the dangers of open defecation and its impact on fellow citizens, as well as preach good toilet hygiene to minimise risk of preventable disease.

We are honored by the opportunity and humbled by the participation of so many purpose-driven and enthusiastic NYSC corps members who lent their time and voice for this great cause,” He said.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 26, 2022

39

SPORTS XTRA

Iwobi Set to Sign A New £100,000-a-week Deal with Everton

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uper Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi is set to be rewarded for his impressive start to the season at Everton with a new contract which would see the player’s wage rocket.

According to reports, the midfielder is set to see his weekly wage increase from £70,000-a-week to £100,000-a-week in the new deal.

The Nigerian struggled at the start of his Everton career but his performances vastly improved upon

the arrival of current head coach Frank Lampard.

The Nigerian midfielder, 26, is now a key player under Lampard and ready to pen a fresh three-and-ahalf-year agreement.

Iwobi has just 18 months of his current £70,000-aweek contract left and the new one will take him to 2026.

A £38million signing from Arsenal in 2019, Iwobi was proving to be a flop at Goodison Park but he has completely turned around his fortunes.

Despite only scoring

once this season, he has delivered a string of top performances and is one of the first names on Lampard’s team sheet.

A new deal for Iwobi is a lift for the Toffees, who have been hit by injuries.

Midfielder James Garner was ruled out for two months with a back problem.

The 21-year-old stayed behind when the club travelled to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup and Lampard said: “He’s probably going to be back at the back end of

January or early February.

“It’s a disappointing injury.”

Fellow midfielder Tom Davies flew back early from Australia after suffering a knee problem in training.

Midfielder James Garner was ruled out for two months with a back problem.

The 21-year-old stayed behind when the club travelled to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup and Lampard said: “He’s probably going to be back at the back end of

Senegal Coach Considers Tactical Changes against Ecuador

S

enegal coach Aliou Cisse says he may need to change tactics in their final Group A match against Ecuador to reach the World Cup knockout stage.

The Teranga Lions recovered from an opening defeat by the Netherlands to beat hosts Qatar 3-1 on Friday and revive their hopes of progressing to the last 16.

But Senegal have to beat Ecuador on Tuesday to be certain of going through

after their 1-1 draw with the Dutch.

“We have to think about the appropriate approach to the last match. We need to win to qualify for the last 16,” Cisse said.

“Our concentration must be better as we could have avoided the goal that we conceded [against Qatar], but the Ecuador match will be different.”

Cisse’s African champions, without talisman and record goalscorer Sadio Mane for the finals because of injury, were

disappointing as they lost 2-0 to the Dutch, but put in an improved attacking show against Qatar at the Al Thumama Stadium.

Cisse made two changes to the starting XI, with Famara Diedhiou and Ismail Jakobs replacing Pape Abdou Cisse and the injured Cheikhou Kouyate. Boulaye Dia, Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng were on target.

“We started the second half well, went 2-0 up and then struggled a bit as Qatar were more aggressive and reduced

the gap,” added Cisse, who has been in charge of Senegal since 2015.

“But once again we were better in transition and we managed to score the decisive third goal.

“The team did what I asked for. Teamwork is the basis. Yes, it is difficult to replace Sadio Mane but, in the end, this is a team sport.”

Senegal reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on their tournament debut in 2002, but exited the 2018 edition in Russia at the group stage.

January or early February.

“It’s a disappointing injury.”

Fellow midfielder Tom Davies flew back early from Australia after suffering a knee problem in training. And defender Yerry Mina strained a hamstring in the game

against Celtic.

Everton currently sit 17th in the Premier League table after a poor start to the season.

Their first game back after the World Cup break comes at home to fellow strugglers, Wolves on Boxing Day.

Celebration No Disrespect to Ronaldo, Ghana Striker Ghana striker, Osman Bukari says he did not disrespect Cristiano Ronaldo when he copied the Portugal star’s goal celebration after scoring against them in their World Cup Group H match on Thursday.

Substitute Bukari pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 in the 89th minute before running towards a corner flag and recreating Ronaldo’s famous ‘Siu’ pose.

The former Manchester United forward had given Portugal the lead with a milestone goal at Stadium 974 in Doha but had been substituted by the time Bukari headed in from six yards.

“I have noticed my celebration has generated comments claiming I was disrespectful towards Ronaldo,” the 23-yearold posted on Twitter.

“This is incorrect. I was overcome by the emotion of the moment of scoring for my

country on my World Cup debut leading to my celebration.

“My upbringing doesn’t permit me to be disrespectful to elders let alone one of my idols.”

The 2016 European champions managed to close out the win, leaving Ghana bottom of the group following the opening round of games after Uruguay and South Korea drew 0-0 earlier on Thursday.

Ghana play South Korea in their second Group H match on Monday with their final game against Uruguay on Friday, December 2.

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Saturday, November 26, 2022

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Peter Obi on Nigeria “Nigeria has hit the two most critical things that qualify for a failed state: when you are no longer in control of your territory; when you are no longer in control of your economy” –Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi lamenting about the state of Nigeria.

ZAYD IBN ISAH GUEST COLUMNIST

We Should All Be Japanese T he 2022 World Cup in Qatar is off to a good start. Despite the controversies surrounding hosting rights, death of migrant construction workers and the strict regulations over conduct of players and fans alike, lovers of the round leather game are already having a swell time in the biggest global sporting event of our time. It all started with the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia upsetting the odds against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, in what will unarguably go down as one of the greatest underdog stories in global sporting history.

Apparently, nobody—not even the best professional football gambler or pundit could have ever foreseen the defeat that Argentina (often favourites to win the trophy itself) suffered from Saudi Arabia. And yesterday, the less-fancied Iran defeated Wales even with all the Gareth Bales and Aaron Ramseys of this world.

Stories like that are precisely what makes football unique from all other games. It is constantly unpredictable—like a volatile magical show packed with shocking reveals and twists. And just like the best of magic, the dynamics of competitive soccer at this stage call to mind the saying which states that the more you look, the less you see.

Although Japan’s victory against the German Machines (as they are fondly called) was another underdog story for the history books, what further endeared the Samurai Blue to football lovers and the entire world was not just their hard-earned victory, but just how beautifully the Japanese fans and their players conducted themselves after the sort of win that would have gone far up high into other people’s heads. The Japanese did not just win a single match; they also proceeded to win the hearts of spectators around the world, by staying behind after the game to help clean up the stands. And it didn’t even end with the fans, because the players also cleaned up their locker room and made sure everything was in order before they left, dropping beautiful notes of appreciation and origami pieces.

Talk about a class act. This charming courteous conduct demonstrated by the Japanese fans and players after the game has earned them immeasurable respect. If there were to be an award for the tournament’s best fans, these people would already be in pole position to win it.

Interestingly, the football match between Japan and Germany is not the first time the Samurai Blue have been in sporting news recently for the right reason. In the opening game between the host country and Ecuador, it was neither the host country’s fans who of course, would be disappointed that their country had lost its first game despite the billions of dollars which had gone into World Cup preparations, nor the opposing fans that were too busy celebrating to consider picking trash from the ground. Rather, it was the Japanese fans who surprised the whole world by staying behind to clean up the stands, making the

Japanese fans cleaning the stadium

work less cumbersome for the ground staff.

However, this peculiar obsession with cleanliness did not start from the stadiums and locker rooms of Qatar. The Japanese have long been demonstrating this cultured cleanliness. In fact, their country has always had a strong historical background of impeccable hygiene. It is also common practice to clean the stands after a match in Japan. This indicates volumes about the country and it’s culture of cleanliness, which is apparently a practice inculcated in them over generations.

Remember the previous World Cup of 2018 in Russia? Through their three group stage matches against Poland, Colombia and Senegal, Japan fans always made sure to stay behind and help stadium workers tidy up by picking trash in the stands. This tremendous show of respect and sportsmanship continued even after a disappointing Round of 16 loss to Belgium; where others might have stormed off in a huff or hung back in numbing despair, the Japanese fans at the Rostov Arena simply grabbed trash bags and cleaned the stadium while fighting back the pain of a truly heartbreaking loss.

To get the sense of why this particular episode stood out and went viral, one has to remember that the match that preceded was an a roller-coaster for the history books.

After an unremarkable first half, Japan literally sprung out of the blue to net in two goals within a span of four minutes early in the second half. Unfortunately, the happiness of the Blue Samurai was short-lived as Belgium not only equalised but scored a shockingly glorious winner in the final thirty seconds of stoppage time to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

If the Belgians had displayed impressive character on field to break records—becoming

is that it is not as difficult as we may think it is. In Japan, education in hygiene begins at a tender age. It may interest you to know that Japanese schools do not often have janitors because students are trained to always clean up after themselves. These children regularly mop, sweep and dust their classrooms. And that’s not even the biggest shock.

In Japan, there are incredibly huge fines for littering: illegal dumping alone has a penalty of up to five years or a fine of up to ten million yen. This is the main reason why they choose to keep their surroundings clean—it’s a better alternative than being on the wrong side of the law.

The cleanliness culture is not an alien concept to the two major religions we have in Nigeria.

Yet, we only pay lip service to it. We’re one of the most religious nations on earth, with common quotes such as “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Sadly, the basics of hygiene do not reflect in our daily lives at all. We still litter our streets with empty sachets, plastic bottles and other waste materials even in places where waste bins are available.

Now, apart from the fighting spirit of their footballers, the intrinsic value of hygiene displayed by the Japanese should be a lesson enough for us all. Imbibing the hygiene culture does not only mean taking baths ten times in a day or wearing well-ironed clothes, because that certainly amounts to nothing if you don’t see it fit to look after your environment as much as you look after yourself. A dirty environment is the perfect setting for all sorts of troubles to occur: it breeds both communicable and non-communicable diseases, especially those which affect mostly children; adults also tend to have non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease.

Let us imbibe the culture of cleanliness by borrowing a leaf from the book of the Japanese.

Henceforth, our children should be taught in schools the importance of cleanliness as well as the dangers of incessant littering. And parents should make sure their children are routinely involved in cleaning their homes and their surroundings. Not everything should be left to janitors and domestic workers.

There should also be more strict laws against littering our environment with waste materials.

Those found wanting should be made to face the full wrath of the law. But do we actually need strict laws with strict penalties to be coerced into cleaning our environment? Can’t we all be like the Japanese? Can’t we just incept and perpetuate the culture that as people, we all have a moral duty to keep ourselves and our surroundings clean?

Ultimately, it is safe to say that the Samurai Blue players and fans are not just positively representing their country, Japan. In a way, they are also ambassadors of our shared humanity—and as a global community, we should be proud of them and find hope for a better world in their glowing acts.

the first team in nearly fifty years to win a World Cup knockout match after a two-goal deficit, the Japanese fans exhibited theirs off-field. Despite that heartbreaking defeat, they were graciously dignified in loss and remained true to their post-match cleaning ritual. A heart-breaking loss against Belgium wasn’t enough to deter the Japanese fans from continuing with their post-match cleaning ritual. And it didn’t just end with the fans alone. The Japanese players also took things up by a notch by cleaning their locker rooms (something they had been doing all throughout the World Cup) and leaving a thank you note in Russian for the hospitality of their hosts.

With such glowing precedents, it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that Japan is widely recognized as one of the cleanest countries in the world. In fact, there are streets in the Japanese Kyushu Island where the gutters are so clean that there are hundreds of koi fish swimming within. The locals take great pride in their famous street koi—and they work together to make sure the canals stay as clean as possible, subsequently drawing in tourists. This is incredible because in most cities, drainage canals are the last place you’d expect wildlife to thrive! Forget the abysmal gutters, there are major streets in Nigeria that teem with eyesores of rubbish and filth—and people have begun to see this as just a normal way of life.

Keeping public spaces clean is one of the core cultural practices among the Japanese, and is deeply rooted in their religious beliefs of Shinto and Buddhism. Perhaps, that’s even more the reason why they see it as a moral burden to always clean up the stands even after everyone else leaves. While some may wonder how an entire nation is able to sustain *Zayd Ibn Isah writes from Abuja. He can this age-old tradition of cleanliness, the truth be reached via isahzayd@gmail.com

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