SATURDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2021

ARISE Fashion Week Lights up Dubai with Spectacular Runway, Music President hails show for showcasing Nigeria's style, arts to the world Vanessa Obioha ARISE Fashion Week (AFW) yesterday got global attention by adding splendour to the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with spectacular

runway and music.

The event, held at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, was in commemoration of Nigeria's Day at the ongoing World Expo 2020 and had in attendance,

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who represented President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Fashion designers like Lisa Folawiyo, Lanre Da Silva

Ajayi, Kenneth Ize, Onalaja, Ziva Lagos and Hudayya showcased dynamic creativity that celebrated the vibrancy of Nigerian fashion.

The atmosphere was further electrified with performances

by Nigerian music superstar, D'banj and international act, Akon who brought the night to a memorable close.

President Buhari commended the organisers of the ARISE Fashion Week for

showcasing Nigeria's fashion and arts to the world, while describing his as a listening government that would ensure justice and equity for all Continued on page 5

Investigation: Nembe Oil Spill Exaggerated, Largely Contained… Page 5 Saturday 4 December, 2021 Vol 26. No 9735

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ISWAP Attacks Military in Rann, Malam Fatori, 2 Senior Officers Killed Our Correspondent A commanding officer and a senior officer in one of the battalions of operation Hadin Kai were killed when fighters

of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked Rann, a town in Kala Balge LGA of Borno State on Thursday night.

About 24 hours after the

attack in Rann, Boko Haram also attacked Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area, Borno State.

Nigerian troops killed 20 ISWAP fighters in battle at

Rann. They were said to have engaged the terrorists who came in their numbers, and that the gunfight lasted many hours.

The two senior officers,

whose names are yet to be released, were allegedly killed alongside five soldiers.

A military intelligence source said the terrorists stormed Rann on several

gun trucks.

The source said: “The terrorists could not subdue the gallant troops, during the Continued on page 5

At Dubai Expo 2020, Buhari Tasks World Leaders on Partnership to Stem COVID-19 FG refuses to restrict inbound travellers over Omicron, approves vaccine booster jabs PCR test now to be done 48hrs before departure Charles Ajunwa in Lagos, Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja With the global surge in COVID-19 and its new Omicron variant, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday emphasised the urgent need for world leaders to work together and reinforce partnerships to limit the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic.

Speaking in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, during Nigeria’s Day at Dubai Expo 2020, the President declared that the theme of the global event, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, had placed a moral burden on all relevant stakeholders, across national boundaries, to urgently work together for a better and brighter future, by stemming COVID-19.

Continued on page 5

ARISE FASHION WEEK IN DUBAI …

L-R: Super Star musician, D'banj; Chairman, THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE News Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; British super model, Naomi Campbell and Senegalese-American artiste, Akon; during the ARISE Fashion Week (AFW) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates…yesterday KUNLE OGUNFUYI

#EndSARS Peace Walk: 60 NGOs Stand with Sanwo-Olu... Page 6

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Investigation: Nembe Oil Spill Exaggerated, Largely Contained Arewa group warns against politicisation of blowout Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The claim that the magnitude of the oil spillage in Nembe, Bayelsa State on November 3 is worse than the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, is an exaggeration; investigation has shown.

In a related development, the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement (ACYM) yesterday cautioned against the politicisation of the spill in Nembe, “by people with little understanding of how the clean-up process works.”

It was discovered on Thursday, during a helicopter and boat tour of the ground

zero - OML 29 Wellhead in the Santa Barbara South field - that the spill, contrary to government claims, had been largely contained.

A boat ride along the creeks of the Santa Barbara River also suggested that the spill was not as widespread as had been claimed. The spill also did not extend to Nembe Town, a short distance away.

The OML 29 Wellhead in the Santa Barbara South field in Nembe, blew up on November 3, 2021, in unclear circumstances, including suggestions of sabotage.

Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO) jointly owns the

well with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Accompanied by, among others, AEEPCO staff and protected by the Nigerian Navy, journalists toured the area and neighbouring communities on Thursday, by air and sea.

It was observed that the oil spillage in the immediate vicinity of the well head was minimal as it was effectively contained with booms.

There were, however, traces of light oil along some of the waters a distance from the ground zero.

Arewa Group Warns Against Politicisation

of Blowout

The Arewa Consultative Youth Movement (ACYM) yesterday cautioned against the politicisation of the spill in Nembe, “by people with little understanding of how the clean-up process works.”

President of the group and Convener, Association of Northern Youth Groups, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, stated that incidents that arise in the course of crude oil exploration and exploitation needed to be professionally managed and not be discussed in the realm of politics.

He noted that the politicisation of difficult and highly technical issues by

entities or persons with poor or no understanding of the key issues, would further create divisions where none exist.

Yusuf maintained that genuine and expert interventions already deployed should not be discredited or hobbled by hostile fringe industry interests.

He stated that for some incomprehensible reasons, several forces had deployed their armaments to smear and damage not only the image of Aiteo, but its considerable efforts to curb the blowout.

“From peddling specious information that the spill had led to losses in excess of two million barrels, some have

alleged that over 500,000 barrels were spilled, while some have suggested figure stupendous loss of some 200,000 daily,” he stated.

He argued that the competent regulatory agencies that could provide the appropriate and correct information were hardly approached to do so.

“It certainly cannot be over-stressed that what is playing out appears like wellchoreographed intrigue at work to undermine Aiteo and besmirch ongoing efforts to contain the leak and mitigate the impact on communities around the location of the well,” Yusuf said.

renovate the National Theatre in Lagos.

He further stressed that so far, about USD5 billion had been disbursed to support the creative industry initiatives in fashion, film, music and television.

The occasion saw the launch of ARISEPlay, the streaming platform from the THISDAY/ ARISE Media Group dedicated to showing the best of African entertainment to the world. It recently partnered with the BBC Studios to deliver stories that are inspiring.

For the Chairman THISDAY/ ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, AFW is relentless in promoting and projecting a reputable image of the country.

"Our generation will ensure that we build a Nigeria that can stand the test of time in 2050 when we become the populous economy of the world and those building blocks you can see in the power of creativity, technology and everything else.

We are determined to tell the world that the time of Nigeria is here."

Reputed as the most glamorous runway in Africa, AFW drew well-heeled personalities from Nigeria and UAE like Mr. Segun Ogunsanya of Airtel; former beauty queen and lawyer Helen Prest-Ajayi, as well as long-term partner of the show, supermodel Naomi Campbell, who opened the show with a two-piece attire for the designer Hudayya.

ARISE FASHION WEEK LIGHTS UP DUBAI WITH SPECTACULAR RUNWAY, MUSIC Nigerians.

"I'm very glad to be here to witness another landmark achievement for the country: the first ARISE Fashion Week in Dubai. It is a city described as the Jewel of the Middle East where the best of Nigeria's fashion and entertainment have come out in full force to celebrate our great country on this day that marks Nigeria's Day at the Dubai Expo 2020.

"I'm here to support this initiative and celebrate all our young people around Nigeria and the world. We are here to celebrate the birth of Nigerian culture as we unleash the power of youth for a new positive image for Nigeria. That's why we call on all young people to be law-abiding in whatever country they find themselves, to seek the power of their creativity and hard work to make the world a better place.

“They must eschew violence, drugs, cultism, fraud and other criminality and use their God-given talent to build a new world order. At the same time, as a listening government, we will do all we can to ensure equity and justice for all Nigerians against all forms of brutality."

He added that his

administration would continue to support youths through education, sports and sciences "as we create the enabling environment for tech-driven investment-led telecommunications-enabled creative economy and prepare our nation for the emerging new world.

The President also underscored the potentials of the creative sector to unlock Nigeria's economy and increase employment opportunities for young people.

"The projections are promising, as the sector is expected to be worth over USD10 billion by the end of 2021, making a significant contribution to the nation's GDP.

"This is further underlined by a recent report on Nigeria's creative industry, which showed that the industry is positioned as the second largest employer and has the potential to produce 2.7 million new jobs by 2025."

He added that the achievement of the sector was one that filled him with pride as it demonstrates the grit determination and natural talent that exists in the Nigerian polity, and that it had the potential to become the hub for exporting Nigeria's culture.

Buhari also praised Afrofusion artistes, Burna Boy and Wizkid who won Grammy awards last year.

"We salute all award-winning musicians bringing glory to Nigeria at the Grammys and

other global events and urge them to continue to thrive...We are at the cusp of a revolution in entertainment production, creative talent and services. And my desire is to build a brighter future for coming generations.

"The ARISE Fashion Week is a great testament showing the world how we as Nigerians are working hard and constantly innovating to improve the lives of our youth and our people, while opening up our economy and encouraging foreign investment to ensure economic growth and progress for all citizens."

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele was also at the event and he reiterated the Bankers Committee’s commitment to

ISWAP ATTACKS MILITARY IN RANN, MALAM FATORI, 2 SENIOR OFFICERS KILLED crossfire. At the last count this morning, we recovered 24 of their dead bodies killed in the gun battle, while the rest fled with injuries.

“We also recovered huge sophisticated weapons apart from their gun trucks that were completely destroyed by airstrikes.”

The incident comes three weeks after ISWAP fighters killed Dzarma Zirkusu, a Brigadier

General and commander of the army brigade in Chibok.

Zirkusu was on his way to Askira to provide support for the troops when he was ambushed and killed. The general was killed alongside three soldiers.

Malam Fatori Also Attacked Meanwhile, Boko Haram also attacked Malam Fatori, Abadam

Local Goverment Area, Borno State yesterday. This is coming less than 24 hours after the attack in Rann.

As at press time, the military was still battling to push the terrorists out of the town.

Malam Fatori is one of the two LGAs without human activities, where Governor Babagana Zulum had insisted on returning displaced persons

by December 31.

There were 500 mobile police personnel deployed to clear the town in preparation for the return of 1,000 refugees from Niger republic.

This is besides the army base stationed in the deserted town and other security agents, including the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Department of State Services and the civilian JTF that were posted there to help in

securing the town for the safe return of the refugees.

The mobile police crack team has since abandoned the town and returned to Maiduguri, while the military personnel are still there.

Army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu was not immediately available to comment on the terror attacks in Rann and Malam Fatori.

Nigerians, that it shall continue to monitor global and specific country situations with a view to taking necessary measures to safeguard the health of Nigerians.

“The PSC calls on all Nigerians to ensure that they have taken their full dose of COVID-19 vaccinations and to continue to observe compliance to public health social measures.”

The World Health Organisation said Omicron had been detected in at least 23 countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Botswana, Israel, Australia and Hong Kong.

Several countries, including the UK, US and Germany have imposed travel restrictions on travellers from Southern Africa.

Last Sunday, the Indonesian government said it would ban travellers from eight African countries, including Nigeria.

National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Mohammad Ohitoto, said: “The Presidential Steering Committee, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has approved the administration of booster doses for persons that have completed two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or 1 dose of Johnson and Johnson."

He said that there must be time interval of six months or more after receiving the second dose of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech.

He also said that the time interval of two months or more after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine should be observed before taking the booster dose.

"Consequent upon the above, eligible Nigerians are advised to visit the nearest health facility or mass vaccination site for their booster doses as from the 10th of December, 2021 across all states of the federation," he said.

According to the DG, NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, a COVID-19 booster dose gives greater protection against the virus and urged all Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the federal government.

AT DUBAI EXPO 2020, BUHARI TASKS WORLD LEADERS ON PARTNERSHIP TO STEM COVID-19 On the same day, amid the raging Omicron COVID-19 variant in Southern Africa and some other parts of the world, the federal government unveiled a revised COVID-19 protocol, without restricting inbound travellers from any country.

Buhari, while addressing the global audience at Dubai Expo 2020, said: "The concerted efforts by world leaders, working together, enabled us to limit the catastrophic consequences of this pandemic.

“Such level of continuing understanding and pragmatic partnership are needed and must be reinforced to ensure that our world is a better place that addresses humanity’s common challenges to guarantee sustainable development and progress for the global community."

President Buhari told the distinguished audience that Nigeria, like other countries in the world, was impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic, compounding national efforts in addressing insecurity, fighting corruption and diversifying the nation’s economy.

The Nigerian leader noted that the present administration in Nigeria had registered significant progress within a short period of time “and is still making

headways” in key sectors of the economy.

He said: “Therefore, the Nigerian delegation is participating in this Expo with great prospects for positive outcomes, while assuring the world of our determination and readiness to partner with relevant investors in our bid to tackle a number of challenges to make Nigeria a better country.

“Nigeria is participating in this epoch-making event in order to explore opportunities that are capable of unlocking the huge potentials that abound in our country, as it makes conscious efforts to be a strategic partner of choice for the global community.

“It is my pleasure, therefore, to invite all participating countries, organisations and other private sector operators to take full advantage of opportunities being provided by the EXPO 2020, by linking up with the Nigerian team, to collaborate with us in diverse areas of interests for our mutual benefits."

President Buhari thanked Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for inviting him to the Expo and especially to attend Nigeria’s Day event, which offers a great opportunity to show-case the potential of Africa’s largest economy.

He described Dubai Expo 2020 as the single most important global event of its kind to take place in the Middle East, Africa and the South East Asian regions in recent years.

“We are proud to be a part of this dynamic evolution of pragmatic partnerships that are both creative and innovative for the progress of the country," the President said.

FG Refuses to Restrict Inbound Travellers over Omicron Notwithstanding the raging Omicron COVID-19 variant in Southern Africa and some other parts of the world, the federal government yesterday unveiled a revised COVID-19 protocol, without restricting inbound travellers from any country.

Omicron, identified as a “variant of concern”, was recently detected by South African scientists.

The National Incident Manager of the presidential task force on COVID-19, Mukhtar Muhammad, had last Monday announced that the government would release a new travel protocol to prevent the Omicron COVID-19 variant from entering Nigeria.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) later announced

on Wednesday that three cases of Omicron had been detected in the country.

In the new Nigerian travel protocol dated December 1 and signed by Boss Mustapha, Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, all in-bound passengers arriving in Nigeria are expected to provide evidence of COVID-19 PCR test to be done within 48 hours before departure and post-arrival day two COVID-19 PCR test.

Also, all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals are to observe self-isolation for seven days.

In addition, there will be day seven post-arrival exit PCR test for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals.

All out-bound passengers are also required to provide either a valid evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19 or negative PCR test result within 48 hours from the time of boarding.

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the revised protocol “is aimed at further reducing the risk of importation and exportation of COVID-19, especially the variants of concern.”

The SGF added: “The review of the protocol is based on science, national experience, and global developments. The PSC assures

FG Approves Booster Dose The federal government has formally endorsed the administration of booster dose of the COVID19 vaccine for Nigerians.

A statement by the Head, Public Relations Unit of the

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

NEWS

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

#EndSARS Peace Walk: 60 NGOs Stand with Sanwo-Olu Segun James A coalition of 60 civil society groups have vowed to defend Lagos State at all cost against those who are bent on making the state ungovernable since the state’s government rejection of the Panel of Enquiry report on the EndSARS protest.

The civil society groups under the aegis of the Defend Lagos Coalition said they would stand

by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the proposed Lagos Walk for Peace, warning that those sponsoring the EndSARS protest who were not pleased with the

White Paper are free to protest freely, but any attempt to replicate the destruction of last year would not be tolerated.

“Let it be made clear here today again, we will defend Lagos using the people’s power.”

The coalition spokesperson, Declan Ihekaire, said that one of the EndSARS protest leaders, Sarah Ibrahim tweeted that Sanwo-Olu has denied the Lekki massacre in his White Paper report, urging the youths to be ready to go back to the streets.

He said: “This is nothing but an act of economic sabotage by

the same unseen forces to return to the streets of Lagos and finish the destruction of what they left behind in October 2020 like the Egyptian plagues. Let it be made clear here today again, we will defend Lagos using the people power. It will be purposeful, it will be legal,” the group said.

The coalition also pledged their support for the peaceful walk proposed by the state governor, assuring him that he would not walk alone, and that they will stand by him.

“It is in pursuit of this peace objective that the Defend Lagos Coalition hereby accepts the invitation of Governor Babajide

Sanwo-Olu to the planned Lagos Peace Walk.

“For avoidance of doubt, Governor Sanwo-Olu, please be assured that you will not walk alone. We will walk with you shoulder-to-shoulder. We have commenced the sensitisation and mobilisation of our members from the nooks and crannies of Lagos,” the group insisted.

When asked if the walk will not propel the EndSARS agitators to stage a counterprotest walk, which may ignite crisis or violence, one of the leaders of the group, Comrade Dayo Ogunlana,

said they were not against anybody protesting so far it was in line with the confines of the law.

He emphasised that they will not tolerate any protest that would lead to destruction of lives, property of members of the public or that of the government.

The group added that those bandying the massacre narrative had a bigger agenda than Lagosians and Nigerians and that with time, the truth shall unfold.

The coalition also commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for the exemplary spirit of statesman-

ship he displayed in reaching out to some of the leaders of the EndSARS protest movement during his broadcast last Tuesday.

It noted the fact that the state government met the 14-day timeline it set for the release of White Paper on the panel report was a virtue.

The coalition, however, appealed to the state government to begin the full implementation of all the recommendations stated in the White Paper that were within its purview without delay, just as the governor was urged to rally all the necessary institutions to push for necessary reforms in the Nigerian Police.

CAMA: Court Strikes Out CAN’s Suit against CAC, Trade Ministry Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit filed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) seeking the removal of certain sections of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020, for allegedly being impracticable and contrary to constitutional provisions of freedom of association, expression amongst others.

Justice Ekwo on Thursday struck out the suit after dismissing the plaintiff’s application for amendment of its originating summons and other court processes in the suit which has as defendants the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

The plaintiff had dragged the defendants to court over some provisions of the CAMA Act, 2020, which they claimed violated their fundamental human rights.

Plaintiff had commenced its originating summons in the name, “Incorporated Trustees

of the Christian Association of Nigeria” instead of the Registered Trustees of the Christian Association of Nigeria”, which they now sought to amend.

In the suit marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/244/2021, the plaintiff is asking the court to determine “whether Section 839, subsections (1), (7) (a) and (10) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020, are inconsistent with Sections 4(8), 6(6)(b) and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which guarantees the plaintiff’s right to freedom of association and the right to seek redress in court.

“Whether the provision of Section 854 of the CAMA is inconsistent with Section 39 of the CFRN which guarantees the right to freedom of expression,” among others.

Part of the reliefs sought by the plaintiff include “a declaration that Section 839(1), (7) (a) and (10) of the CAMA are inconsistent with Section 40 of the CFRN and thus unconstitutional, null and void.

Special Agro Processing Zone: UK to Offer Ogun Technical Assistance James Sowole in Abeokuta The United Kingdom through its Infrastructure Advisory Facility, United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) has offered to provide technical assistance to the Ogun State Government in its quest to deliver the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAFZ) project.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, made this known in his office at the weekend.

He noted that the technical assistance to be provided to the state on the request of the African Development Bank (AfDB) would be funded through the Overseas Development Assistance and delivered by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Odedina added that the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility was willing to provide targeted technical assistance to enhance

institutional and human capacity required to successfully deliver on the SAFZ project.

He also said that the United Kingdom government through the Infrastructure Advisory Facility would invest funds through technical assistance to position the state to access funding for the project.

The commissioner further disclosed that Ogun and Kaduna states were the two states in the country that the United Kingdom government had approved to benefit from the technical assistance.

He UKNIAF officials have held preliminary discussions with the Ogun State SAFZ project Team Lead and Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, as well as the Director General of the Ogun State Public Private Partnership office on the proposed collaboration between the Ogun State Government and the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility.

IN PRAISE OF THE ALMIGHTY. . .

L-R: Metropolitan Senior Pastor of the House on The Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, his wife, Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin with gospel artistes, Kikelomo Mudiaga and Eno Micheals, at the press conference to announce the 2021 edition of The Experience Lagos gospel concert in Lagos...yesterday.

House Assures Robust Legislative Partnership with South Korean Parliament Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has said that it would pursue a robust and mutually beneficial legislative relationship with the Parliament of the Republic of South Korea with a view to strengthening the existing relationship between both countries.

The Chairman of the Nigeria/ South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hon. Joseph Bello Asuku, gave the assurance while addressing a delegation of the government of South Korea, led by the Ambassador, Mr. Kim Young-chae, who paid a working visit to the group in Abuja.

Asuku while commending the Ambassador for taking the initiative of establishing contact with the Friendship Group, said that the

visit would mark the beginning of a better working relationship between the Group and South Korea legislatively.

“I am happy because the Ambassador is here today on a very special visit to the Nigeria/South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group. You may all recall that on Tuesday 6 July 2021, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups for the 9th National Assembly and named an 8-member Nigeria/ South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group.

“The mandate of the Nigeria/ South Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group is to initiate and ensure a robust inter-parliamentary working relationship between the House of Representatives and

the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. Liaise with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria, to establish and sustain relationship with the Parliamentary Group at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea. Explore opportunities for legislative exchanges, inter-parliamentary visits, sharing of knowledge and experience between the friendship groups. Strengthen legislative frameworks to support and facilitate trade, investment and economic cooperation between Nigeria and Republic of Korea.

It is our hope that this parliamentary initiative would further strengthen bilateral ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea,” he said.

Earlier, the Korean ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young-chae, in his mission statement informed the

friendship Group that he was at the House with heads of units and agencies of the Korean government with a view to promoting good relationship between both countries in many aspects of diplomatic ties.

He said the government of South Korea has certain objective areas which they believe would be of mutual interest and benefits to Nigeria.

According to him, “We have about five objectives as we mentioned with regard to trade and investment. There are Korean agencies under the embassy in Abuja to facilitate cultural and economic collaboration between Nigeria and South Korea, we have signed an MoU with the Ministry of Communication to enhance exchange of ideas through the different six agencies in Nigeria.

UNIJOS’ New Vice Chancellor Expresses Worry over Decline in Quality of Research Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The new Vice Chancellor of University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, has promised to promote quality research, teaching and learning in the institution, noting that he was worried at the level of decline in research in Nigerian universities.

Ishaya, a Professor of Computer Science noted this in Jos, shortly after he was inaugurated as the 10th substantive Vice Chancellor of the university.

He was appointed the Vice Chancellor by the 14th Governing Council of the university.

He promised that his tenure as UNIJOS Vice Chancellor would witness a change in the trend, pledging to explore every available avenue and put modalities on ground to ensure improvement in teaching, research and learning in the institution.

The VC said, “The quality of research and the graduates our universities churn out today has drastically declined. So, we shall

prioritise quality research and enhance teaching and learning for a better society. Sadly, the decline in quality of teaching and learning in our universities is forcing Nigerians to move to neighbouring countries as better options. We will do our best to place the university on a good footing so it can address both local and global challenges.”

He also promised to ensure a better welfare package for staff of the university, decrying the poor welfare package of

university workers, particularly the academic staff in the country, promising to vigorously pursue innovative ways of generating funds for the university in order to meet the welfare needs of its staff.

“As an academic staff of a university outside this country, my pay usually takes me home, but being one in Nigeria, my pay rarely takes me home. So, we will do our very best to ensure the welfare of our workers are adequately catered for,” he promised.

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NEWS

Terrorists Kill 2, Abduct 50 in Kaduna

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Two people have been killed while 50 others were abducted when terrorists invaded Anguwan Gimbiya, a suburb in Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna metropolis.

The terrorists who were said to be in large numbers, stormed the community on

Thursday night unleashing terror on residents. A resident of the area said the terrorists probably acting on information from an informant went to 13 selected houses.

According to him, one of those killed was “slaughtered like a ram.”

He said, “The terrorists were many and they went to selected

CBN’S Lending Policy in 3 Years Boosts Economy with N7 Trillion in Loans Nume Ekeghe The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has noted that its loan to deposit ratio (LDR) policy which it commenced in 2019 has since given out N7 trillion in loans in three years.

Recall that the CBN had in July 2019 increased the required minimum LDR to 60 per cent and further reviewed it forward to 65 per cent later in the year which has since boosted the real economy as well as increased retail lending to households.

The Deputy Governor, Financial Systems Stability, Mrs. Aishah N. Ahmad, disclosed this on the sidelines at the 40th anniversary summit of Financial Institutions Training Centre (Fitc) in Lagos yesterday.

She noted that the CBN under the stewardship of Governor Godwin Emefiele was com-

mitted towards an inclusive growth and LDR policy which has been positive, citing that N7 trillion in retail loans was an unparalleled record.

She said: “Over the years the CBN has tried to ensure that we drive lending to the real sector, you would agree with me that the policy under Governor Emefiele over the last few years, has really emphasised on this, not only in terms of intervention funds given but in terms of some of the policies put in place such as loan to deposit ratio (LDR) which when we instituted it in 2019 till now actually added about N7 trillion or so in loans, and which is quite unprecedented.”

Also, on the stability of the banking sector, she added that all metrics and indicators point that the banking sector is strong, stable and has been a catalyst towards Nigeria’s recovery.

Court Jails Ex-Custom Officer, 2 Others for Importing 661 Pump-Action Rifles Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday convicted and sentenced a retired Customs Officer, Mahmud Hassan and two others to 16 years imprisonment for conspiracy and unlawful importation of 661 pump-action rifles.

Others convicted by Justice Ayokunle Faji-led court are; Oskar Okafor; Donatus Achinulo and Mahmud’s company, Hassan Trades Limited.

Justice Faji, however, acquitted and discharged Abdulahi Danjuma of all the charges.

Justice Faji delivered the verdict after reading judgement for five hours in a trial that lasted almost four years in the course of which the first prosecutor, Mr.

Julius Ajakaye and one of the defence counsel, Adamu Ibrahim passed on.

On count one which was on conspiracy, Justice Faji found the first, second and third defendants guilty and also sentenced them to eight years imprisonment each.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the properties of the convicts to the Federal Government of Nigeria as provided for by the law under which they were charged.

The court also ordered that the company, Hassan Trading Limited used as a vehicle to smuggle the arms be wound up and assets forfeited to the federal government.

Justice Faji, however, discharged and acquitted the fifth defendant.

Fayemi, Ooni Canvass Respect for Traditional Rulers Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said his government will continue to accord the monarchs utmost respect and allow traditional rulers to make inputs in governance to fast track development and promote culture .

Also, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has said the Yoruba nation could only be accorded recognition in Nigeria if the elites and the political class place high premium on unity and peace.

Fayemi stated this yesterday at the first coronation anniversary of Oore of Moba land, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo in Otun-Ekiti, Moba Local Gov-

ernment Area of Ekiti State.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, congratulated the monarch for the feat achieved in the last one year in Moba land.

“Let me reiterate my administration’s commitment to accord traditional institutions the rightful place and respect in order to deepen the culture, tradition and values of people across communities in the state.”

In his submission, Ooni reiterated the need for Yoruba people to promote the rich cultural values of the race and not allow civilisation to erode the age-long values bequeathed onto them by the forefathers.

houses. It’s like they were operating based on informant information.

“They operated for over an hour and killed two people and abducted 50 others. “One of those killed was slaughtered like a ram. “A woman whose husband travelled was abducted alongside her children.

“They went to 13 selected houses and took 50 people.

“It’s like they were acting on informant’s information because

of the way they operated.

“There was no help from anywhere and we were at their mercy. They had a field day as nobody could resist them.

We are in big trouble.”

The spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammad Jalige, did not respond to telephone calls and a text message when contacted.

Despite efforts by government to end criminality in Kaduna

State, the menace seemed to defy solutions as the criminals continue to unleash terror on residents.

The latest incident came when 61 members of the Baptist Church who were abducted during a church service on October 31, 2021, are still in captivity as the terrorists had demanded N99 million for their freedom.

On November 22, a deadly attack along the Kaduna-Abuja

Expressway claimed the life of Hamida Sagir, a retired Director of Protocol at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) while several other people were reportedly abducted.

The state government had on September 30, shut down telecom networks in some parts of the state, among other measures adopted to fight bandits.

The telecom networks were restored on November 22, 2021.

LAST RESPECTS… L-R:National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South South zone, Chief Dan Orbih; former Chairman of the PDP in Enugu State, Mr. Vita Abba; his wife and Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation (PDI), MaryRose; and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State during the funeral rites for Abba’s father-in-law, Chief Fredrick Eze, at Ugbaike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, yesterday.

Komolafe: Upstream Commission Will Ensure Compensation for Victims of Bayelsa Oil Spill Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) yesterday vowed to ensure that restorative action as well as compensation was paid to those impacted by the Santa Barbara Wellhead spill, operated

by Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPC) in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of

Bayelsa State.

In a statement in Abuja, Chief Executive Officer of the new commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, explained that the NURPC had continued to monitor the situation since it was first reported and would fulfill its regulatory mandate as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Petroleum Act and the Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations and

subsidiary legislations.

In addition, Komolafe noted that the commission would continue to guide the operator until the spill and its attendant problems were completely addressed.

According to him, this includes but is not limited to implementing all effective physical and engineering solutions on the incident, managing the

safety of the response providers and people in the neighbouring communities and educating the general public on the site situation periodically.

“In specific terms, the commission will ensure that the pressure from the well is stopped to put an end to the oil release and that the already released oil is appropriately contained and skimmed off as it is being released.

Lagos Orders Indefinite Closure of Dowen College Funmi Ogundare Following the controversial death of a student of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, Master Sylvester Oromoni, 12, allegedly bullied and killed by cultists the Lagos State Government, yesterday ordered the indefinite closure of college, pending the

outcome of an investigation into his death.

The Commissioner for Education Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, announced the closure after a meeting with the school management and staff while calling for calm.

She said no effort would be

spared in getting to the root of the incident.

Oromoni’s nephew, Perry Oromoni, had, taken to Twitter to share his account of what transpired, and how the deceased was attacked for vehemently declining to join what he termed the secondary

school’s ‘cult group: dominated by older boys at the institution located in Lekki.

In a follow-up statement, Dowen College had debunked the claims saying that the deceased actually died from an injury he got while playing football.

Campaign Office Attack: Shekarau, Barau, Others Write IGP Nseobong Okon-Ekong A former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, Senator Jibrin Barau and four other members of the House of Representatives have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman over the setting ablaze of the campaign office of Senator

Barau in Kano on Thursday.

The petition, dated December 2, was signed by Senator Shekarau (Kano Central), Senator Barau (Kano South), and four members of the House of Representatives including; Nasiru Abdua, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, Shaaban Sharada and Haruna Isa Dederi. The federal lawmakers said the attack on

Senator Barau’s campaign office was triggered by the November 30 judgement of the FCT High Court which sacked the executives of the faction of the APC belonging to the state government.

An FCT High Court had on Tuesday ruled in favour of the faction of the APC, belonging to Senator Shekarau’s camp.

The just concluded congresses of the party had polarised the ruling party into two.

In the petition, the lawmakers pointed accusing fingers at a former chairman of the APC faction loyal to the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo.

Disbelief, Ecstasy as Glo Joy Unlimited Extravaganza Winners Receive Prizes in Ibadan The feelings ranged from disbelief to ecstasy as winners of household appliances in Globacom’s Joy Unlimited Extravaganza promotion thronged the Ibadan Idi Ape Gloworld in Oyo State to receive their prizes.

One hundred and three win-

ners were presented their items, including generators, refrigerators and television sets, at a ceremony which attracted a large crowd and also had Nollywood actors, Odunlade Adekola and Yemi Solade, in attendance.

Aubade Moshood, a 53-year-

old transporter who won a television set believes in the power of positive confessions.

“Just about an hour before Glo called to inform me that I had won, I told my neighbours that I wished to buy a new television set.

They all wondered where I would get the money to buy it considering the harsh realities of the economy. We dispersed and I went about my daily routine only to receive a call from 121 informing me that I had won a TV set.

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COMMENTARY

SECURING UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA The authorities could do more to secure the university and beyond, writes Paul Azebeyi Johnson

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nyone who had been following the trajectory of the wide- ranging insecurity in the country knew that it was only a matter of time before gunmen plied their nefarious trade at the Federal Capital Territory. The dare-devil gunmen had begun by striking at the satellite towns of the FCT, which included villages around Gwagwalada, Tungamaje, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji, abducting residents, travellers, and demanding outrageous ransom from their victims.

But their biggest strike would be the one at the University of Abuja, the only public university in the Federal Capital Territory. So in the early hours of November 2, 2021, the gunmen, in large numbers, armed to the teeth, had stormed the serene abode of the senior staff quarters of the University in Giri, abducting three senior staff of the University of Abuja and children and moving them several kilometres into the bush. The abductees included Deputy Registrar, Sambo Mohammed; Dr Fegurson Tobins; and two children of Prof. Bassey Udom of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences - one of whom was a nine-year-old boy.

The reasons for the attack on the institution on that fateful day are as clear as they were strategic. One, it was a way of announcing the arrival of the evil gunmen to the city in a grand style and sending a very strong message to the federal government and the university that they were powerful criminals to reckon with. Second, it was a continuation of their long-term interest or agenda to destroy education; and third, perhaps most important, would be to demand outrageously high amount in ransom. Recall that before the victims were rescued a few days after and some of the gunmen reportedly arrested, the later had demanded a whopping sum of N300 million ransom - N50, 000m on each of the six persons they had in their custody.

The November 2nd attack was no doubt a devastating one, particularly for the university, which described it in its Facebook page rightly, as a “sad day!” It was also sad for the nation, the FCT, and the entire education stakeholders. It would have being sadder and more devastating if the university had been made to cough out that amount of money - or something close – or if the abductees had not been released up till now, or something untoward had happened to them. It is no exaggeration therefore to state that the gunmen failed largely in their mission.

But why were these dangerous and self-serving targets of the gunmen not achieved as probably planned? We may never know all the reasons for now, but I am keen about the role of the leadership of the university under its vice-chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, which promptly rose to the occasion, abandoning everything else, providing succor and support to all relevant services - all of whom worked very closely with the combined forces of security men to ensure the safe return of the staff. The true test of leadership is in the face of crisis, and Na’Allah made sure that the security personnel including the staff of the university didn’t rest until his abducted staff were found and brought back home safely.

The truth must be told, the University of Abuja is one of the most porous federal higher institutions in the country. What makes its case

THE TRUE TEST OF LEADERSHIP IS IN THE FACE OF CRISIS, AND NA’ALLAH MADE SURE THAT THE SECURITY PERSONNEL INCLUDING THE STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY DIDN’T REST UNTIL HIS ABDUCTED STAFF WERE FOUND AND BROUGHT BACK HOME SAFELY

unpardonably pathetic is that it is strategically located in the federal capital territory, a stone throw to busy military points, the police and other security agencies, which should ordinarily protect it from such shocking attacks.

With its vast land of 11,000 hectares, the university is so unprotected that you would expect that gunmen could easily access some points and get away easily. In all fairness, the vice-chancellor had never hidden his fears about the porosity of the university. Sometimes last year, he started raising the alarm about the exposed nature of the campuses and that suspected bandits were encroaching on them, claiming ownership of them, buying and unscrupulously selling portions of such land to unsuspecting persons, erecting structures across the campuses, and even levying the university. To deal with this challenge, he had called on several stakeholders for help, paying visits to minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammed Bello and TETFund chief executive among others to solicit their support. Part of the results was the reported approval

by TETFund of the sum of N400 million to the university to assist it in erecting a fence to stop the land encroachment. This fencing, which is now very visible from the main road has not only increased the beauty of the campus, but greatly reduced the porosity of the campus.

This development never occurred since the university was established more than 30 years ago, until the coming of Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah. He is using part of the relatively meagre resources of the institution to develop and strengthen its internal security. Those who knew the security workings around the campus said that the gunmen had earlier attempted the hostels, twice, but because of Na’Allah’s close working relationship with the safety unit of the university and federal security personnel, the evil boys were effectively repelled, until they ended up finding their ways to the staff quarters.

Encouraging as these proactive security measures taken by the leadership of the university are, it would need to do more by leveraging its recent experience and exploring the effective contact with federal power to protect its staff and over 6000 students who are residing on the two campuses. Thankfully, the internal security officials of the university are well supported by the university, and of recent, those who demonstrated impressive courage and valour among them in working with the security operatives to ensure the return of staff were rightly honored by the Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah- led management and some cash donations made to them. This is a wise and remarkable step. When you have a crop of well- trained and motivated staff, you are sure they will go to extra mile to defend and protect their people and territory.

There is no doubt that the University of Abuja represents a central and strategic position in the league of universities in the country, and its safety places basic responsibility on federal shoulders. Though the government appears overwhelmed with the rising spate of terrorismrelated attacks, it has to continue to do its best to protect its citizens, including students and staff of our institutions of higher learning.

Johnson wrote from the Federal Housing Estate, Gwarinpa, Abuja

PRESSURE POINTS OF THE NIGERIAN PRESS Abdulhamid Babatunde urges the media to represent the interest of the entire nation

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ournalists have had a field day flaunting their profession’s pre-eminence in defence of democracy and human rights and demanding unfettered freedom to write off constitutional and statutory restraints. The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) took the lead by staging a two-day conference themed “Media In Times of Crises: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus,” in October. However, proceedings at the conference showed that the Nigerian media’s assumed entitlement to the privileged role of resolving conflicts and building consensus in times of crises was totally out of synch with its composition, character and capacity. It would be more realistic for journalists to consider the media as a factor in conflicts and breakdown of consensus, particularly in the context of politics and democracy for nation-building. During one session, two veterans spoke confidently on opposing sides of the press freedom /state security debate, expressing deep seated views that captured the irreconcilable mindsets and conflicts of interest which rule the pen.

One highlighted the irresponsible tendency to exaggerate and misrepresent facts and issues in news reports and commentaries, violating ethics and fuelling crises. The other had no qualms pitching the media uncompromisingly against security agencies by insisting that journalists are supposed to expose while security agencies’ duty is to cover up! National security considerations are therefore professional taboo in journalism!

Another instance of reality check came when the attention of members was drawn to the seemingly forgotten plight of news reporters whose fend-foryourself work conditions are regularly on display at media events and in the declining standards of news reporting, much to the embarrassment of editors who respond with unprofessional aloofness. Can the journalism profession perform its constitutional roles credibly while parading untrained, unqualified, poorly remunerated and disoriented reporters?

But the most unsettling poser came from the one who wondered why editors flaunt their “power” and “independence” as if they are not accountable

employees of the publishers of their newspapers.

The publishers’ power is the ultimate repository of the editor’s purported independence, yet it is rarely mentioned in reference to the proverbial might of the pen and its role as the fourth estate of the realm. The legendary sentinel of democratic society is on a leash and its bark is its master’s voice! So, members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors are in fact answerable to their paymasters in the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) in the exercise of their “freedom of expression” and “editorial discretion.”

Incidentally, the president of the NPAN, Malam Kabiru Yusuf recently gave an insight into the post social media status of the industry when he disclosed that prevailing decline in readership has resulted in dwindling revenue for newspapers, leaving advertising as the only source of income.

“The business is much more difficult. How will newspapers survive if people don’t read? Some of us are surviving on prestige and the saving grace is advertising,” he admitted. That raises questions as to how the independence of the Press can survive when its proprietors are in dire straits, at the mercy of advertisers’ highly selective lucrative patronage among other tempting options?

As distressed newspapers consider adopting the “business model” in place of ”social service” we must not feign ignorance or be at ease with the aggressive encroachment of foreign interests notorious for ulterior motives, usurping the vacated domains and abandoned responsibilities of distressed proprietors. From BBC and VOA slots all over our local FM stations and social media to masquerading “foundations” cashing in by funding “capacity-building” and “investigative projects” which stealthily incubates a network of beneficiary-journalists with tweaked mindsets, it is disheartening to contemplate the subtle subjugation of our “fiercely” independent Press by obstinate off-shoots of colonial masters who, once upon a time, succumbed to editorial eviction powered by “fathers of Nigerian journalism”.

When this review of the back-sliding independence of the Nigerian Press is factored into the

prevailing political and democratic configuration it unravels the derailment of the patriotic journalistic attributes selflessly infused into the historic nationalist campaign against imperialist colonial rule and excesses of military rule. What was proudly identified as the Nigerian Press has retreated from the national front into various survivalist geo-political blocs. The agitation for press freedom in Nigeria which is supposed to have one of the freest in Africa, could therefore further unhinge the fragmented factions of the Nigerian Press as they bark in response to the partisan promptings of their owners.

The recent orchestrated campaign against reviewed broadcasting and press regulations necessitated by alarming impact of inciting social media disinformation on national security but hijacked and manipulated into an absurd clamour for unfettered press freedom and “self regulation” is a pointer to the perils of partisan press cartels. How could the Press, already operating in serial breach of statutory, professional and labour regulations seek to perfect the perfidy by demanding to be self-regulating?

Ironically, the NGE conference communiqué “stressed the need to tackle the monster of misinformation and sanitise the media against unprofessional and unethical behaviour”! So who will bell the cat?

It is unrealistic if not deceptive to ascribe nationalistic motivation to the narratives of hired pens drawing from sectional ink wells. This is not to demonize privatized practice of journalism but rather to raise the alarm lest the ranting of regionalists becloud the indispensability of a truly Nigerian Press with unrepentant determination to preserve and protect the national interest as vigilant stakeholders. The need for sober introspection by all media stakeholders including the federal government must not be swept under the carpet of what appears to be siege mentality whereby governance is portrayed as anathema to democracy by opposition propagandists, even as their desperation to take over power heightens by the hour.

The national media and the Press in particular must be as representative as possible to reflect

interests of political stakeholders beyond regional and sectarian divides, and prioritize national sovereignty and interest. The current deplorable state of federal media organizations coupled with the glaring absence of a federal government newspaper should be regarded as a critical deficiency in this context and rapidly remedied. This will also guard against the misperception of government as a mere instrument of exercise of partisan political power and associated privileges, to be hacked down by opposition at all costs, regardless of term limits as vistas for change.

The diversionary campaign for self-regulation of the Press is a threat to peace, stability and ultimately sovereignty. Given the media’s internal inequities, fragmented political and ethnic configuration, geo-political imbalance and scant regard for national sovereignty, constitutional and statutory regulations should be maintained, if not strengthened.

It is disappointing that in all the supposedly frank and informed Press commentaries on the issue of Press freedom and national security, the existence and relevance of Section 45 sub-section 1 of the constitution is no-go because it provides for the “restriction and derogation from the Fundamental Rights” to freedoms of privacy, thought, conscience and religion, expression, assembly and association and movement and renders them “not absolute.”

It categorically declares that none of these freedoms shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justified in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons. For the avoidance of doubt, it maintains that “the exercise of any right carries with it duties and responsibilities which may be subject to certain restrictions necessary for the rights of others and in public interest.” This important aspect of the human rights provisions has been edited-out by a Press that is ethicallybound to be accurate and objective –and demands self-regulation!

Babatunde, FNGE, wrote from Kaduna

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INSIGHT

The best is in Nigeria...

Nigeria’s Point-and-Kill Prosecution

Addiction in Children

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ddiction in children has been a subject that has triggered discourse from varying quarters due to its highly sensitive nature. From the home-front, schools, other child-socialization centers including the healthcare system, addiction in children has become an issue of grave concern.

However, it has been noted that while some stakeholders approach the issue of addiction in children with the objective to stymie it, others view addiction in children as a source of wealth. This has resulted in the proliferation of addictive materials ranging from food, drugs and entertainment, among others. With different addictive options available to children, there is the fear that overcoming one might not necessarily make a child less vulnerable to others.

Addiction is many times viewed by people to be the excessive and abusive use of substances, especially drugs. Nevertheless, addiction is a BEHAVIOUR that is COMPULSIVE, caused by a desire for pleasure which leads to an uncontrollable connection to the source of that pleasure. This definitely draws the line between drug abuse and addiction, especially since the subject of addiction goes beyond drugs and a person abusing drugs may not necessarily be addicted to those drugs.

Addiction in children has been traced to seemingly harmless things like computer games, texting on phones, cartoons on television, music or food.

Other times, it has been traced to dangerous and unhealthy things such as drugs, pornography, violence or sex. The pleasure that children get from any form of addiction can be either physical or psychological and when this pleasure is derived, it is said that that such children are “high”. Intriguingly, it is this “high” that drives deeper addictive patterns in children because it allows them operate in their fantasies, uninhibited and untamed.

Addiction in children usually has consequences that cut across societal fabric. Not only does it affect the children in question, it also negatively impacts the family, school system and the health system. Children who are addicts do not learn well at school, divert and waste their resources on the addiction, have health problems inclusive of mental challenges, have unwanted pregnancies, have sexually transmitted diseases or may be at risk of self-inflicted harm. Families with child-addicts will bear extra financial burden of funding the child’s addiction, may not recoup any gain on educational investments made on behalf of the children, will incur extra health-care cost and may have family relationships strained. Health care systems will also bear the brunt by allocating already limited resources to countering increasing rates of child

morbidity and mortality, due to addiction. Societies with child-addicts will have higher numbers of delinquents and security challenges.

Addiction should never be tolerated as it is an illness and a societal bane. Responses to addiction in children must be relevant, decisive and prioritized by every stakeholder as one addicted child can birth several other child-addicts, once interaction is established among them. Besides, children might not be able to muster enough commitment to overcome addiction on their own, considering its plethora sources. Nevertheless, identifying addictive symptoms in children is a sure way to help childaddicts. Observing changes in a child’s breath; body odor; behaviour; health; school grades; study habits; eating habits and even the child’s friends can give indicators of either growing or long-term addictions.

Dealing with addiction in children should start from home and school. Parents, care-givers and teachers should not be judgmental in their approach to child-addicts. Rather, they should investigate the reasons for the addiction and deal with them swiftly alongside, opening lines of communication among concerned parties. While it is not acceptable to indulge addictive habits in children, it is also not something out of the ordinary to see children being addicted to something new, every now and then.

Bidemi Nelson, Shield of Innocence Initiative, Oyo State

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radually but gratingly, Nigeria has become a crime-infested country where crimes rage and criminals go on the rampage unchecked. Terrorism only recently joined the maelstrom which had armed robbery and rape among its most pressing concerns. The rise of militancy in the Niger-Delta saw the first seeds of abduction for ransom sown.

If the oil-related militancy in the Niger-Delta sowed the seeds of abduction for ransom in Nigeria, banditry watered it, weeded it, and is now reaping a bountiful harvest from it. Every day in Nigeria, especially in the restive Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral regions, innocent Nigerians, some as poor as church rats, are picked up by ruthless criminals. Once picked up a price is put on their heads like wares in the market place. To, fail to pay is to sign one`s death warrant.

This nightmare has been experienced by nonagenarians as well as children as young as four. Now, with the bandits gaining territory and temerity every day, the grim forecast is that business will continue to boom for those involved and their sponsors.

There is Boko Haram. Some of their most ruthless fighters have supposedly surrendered and are undergoing rehabilitation and de-radicalization at the instance of the Nigerian army in rather comfortable circumstances. The war against Boko

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

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

Haram inclusive of the prosecution of suspects and their sponsors has more often than not thumbed its nose at transparency.

Then, there is corruption. Like a sack cloth, corruption clouds Nigeria`s finest features, leaving unmistakable signs of grief across many aspects of life in the country. Contracts are awarded and the contract sums embezzled even before the ink dries on the award letters; public officers siphon humongous amounts of money that should go into improving public services. When budgeting is done either at the national level or at the level of MDAs, they are padded with arrangements made to line greedy private pockets.

The result of Nigeria`s rampant corruption is a chilling dichotomy between the corrupt cast of crabs ripping the country apart and Nigeria`s poorest who struggle with everything from adequate housing, to adequate nutrition to payment of even the cheapest bills. Nigeria`s many criminals and crimes leave the agencies which prosecute such crimes and criminals with a steep dilemma: to prosecute or not to prosecute and whom to prosecute.

Because prosecutorial resources are stretched thin and the rule of law strained by the dark politics of nepotism, many of Nigeria`s prosecutorial agencies resort to a point-and-kill kind of prosecution.

Because many criminals abound, targets for prosecution are randomly chosen not necessarily because they are the worst known offenders but because many other factors dictate that they be chosen.

The results of this selective approach to prosecution which many times come disturbingly close to witch hunts are sobering.

In the highly charged waters of Nigeria`s corruption, because the prosecutorial agencies are afraid of the shiver of sharks that has for many years swallowed up funds that should have made life better for Nigerians, they go after the family of sardines.

So, the man who cannot explain the receipt of N50,000 is dragged all over the place while the one who has embezzled billions of public funds jets off to Dubai to negotiate the purchase of exotic houses and cars.

It would appear that when confronted by the lavish banquet laid out by master criminals, the eagle`s otherwise piercing eyesight conveniently falters. The law is an equalizer and equality before the law which is the central feature of the rule of law prescribes what is sauce for the goose as sauce for the gander.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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Aregbesola Has No Business Remaining in Office

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he Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola should be embarrassed as the man supervising the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) after the terror attack last Sunday at the Jos Medium Security Custodial Centre. The persistent jailbreaks across the country show ineptitude at the ministerial level. I’m not sorry to say that the leadership at this level is deficient. The ControllerGeneral of the NCoS, Haliru Nababa should also be ashamed of his role and statements pushed out so far after the Jos jailbreak. The post-attack accounts of the NCoS show frightening incompetence.

Aregbesola and Nababa have no business remaining in office a day longer. This should be the standard if we want to move this country forward. I’m surprised that they are yet to resign During the attack, the terrorists freed 262 inmates, some suspected to be their members. They entered the Jos correctional centre unhindered, operated for hours and left unimpeded. This is the same centre surrounded by an armada of security agencies. There is the Plateau State Police headquarters/Police barracks in front of the custodial centre and the DSS behind it. The headquarters of Operation Safe Haven is also within the neibourhood.

Yet, terrorists entered easily and came out unchecked. What a country!

A day after the attack, instead of burying its head in shame, the NCoS issued a statement saying one of the attackers trapped in the facility was neutralised in an exchange of fire between the armed squad of the service and the gunmen.

Scores of terrorists entered the facility,

Aregbesola

set free hundreds of inmates, and all the NCoS achieved was killing just one of the gunmen trapped in the custodial centre. The truth is that the armed squad of the NCoS simply abandoned their posts when the better armed terrorists arrived. Other security agents around also failed to respond appropriately. This is the level Nigeria has deteriorated.

The NCoS boss, Nababa, promised to go after all the terrorists, vowing that they would face the full wrath of the law. How many of the terrorists that attacked Owerri, Benin and Oyo correctional centres has Nababa ap-

prehended, months after the attack?

Not a soul! Has security improved in all other correctional centres after the attacks? It’s an emphatic No! Nababa was just showboating. This man has nothing to offer this country.

By last Tuesday, Nababa had realised his folly. He then blamed inadequate funding for the inability of the NCoS to deploy technology for manning custodial centres nationwide. The NCoS boss admitted that the guards on duty on the day of the attack in Jos were overpowered.

As for Aregbesola, he recently confessed that 4,860 inmates of the Nigerian correctional centres escaped following successful jailbreaks in Benin, Owerri, and Oyo, among others. Only 954 of that number had been rearrested. As the supervising minister for the NCoS, Aregbesola has failed woefully in his critical role of protecting Nigeria’s correctional centres. I can boldly say that this minister has failed because he is not focused on his job. He has been spending more time and resources on his Osun State politics where he runs parallel ward, local and state executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aregbesola appears more concerned about this.

The most painful part is that Aregbesola has been misusing the personnel of the security agencies under his Ministry for political gains in Osun State rather than positioning them appropriately to secure the correctional centres. The facts are there. A recent report of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria

Still on the Disgraceful Lagos Panel’s Report Honestly, members of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into police brutality and #Endsars protest at the Lekki Toll gate should hang their heads in shame for producing a disgraceful report. They simply repackaged all the social media reports on the “killings” and sent them to the government.

A panel mandated to investigate “killings” sent in speculative stories. This is repulsive and disgraceful. I’m happy the White Paper released by the Lagos State Government on the report pointed out all the holes and rightfully described claims of killings as speculative. While disputing most of the claims in the report, it insisted it “is full of discrepancies, irregularities and inaccuracies (with claims of deaths of victims) even when some paragraphs of the same report revealed different claims and assertion.”

For those still supporting this shameful report, I have selected some key undisputable facts in the White Paper, which I urge these cynics to look at dispassionately.

On the list of 11 deaths reported, the White Paper noted that two of the names appeared twice (Kolade Salam, Folorunsho Olabisi as Nos. 37 and 38). Furthermore, the person listed, as No. 46, Nathaniel Solomon, who testified as a witness and petitioned the panel in respect of his brother, who he alleged died at the toll gate, was himself listed as having died at the toll gate on 20th October 2020. Listing a person that is alive among those said to have been killed at the toll gate renders this report useless. The panel could not even do a thorough job where human lives are in focus.

The panel claimed it confirmed nine deaths but recommended compensation for one.

Haba! Why? The answer is obvious. They were speculative deaths. Only one person came to the panel to say he lost somebody at the toll gate. Even that one was dubious.

The White Paper noted: “Another substantial inconsistency in the JPI Report was the award of compensation to only one (1) out of the alleged nine (9), listed as ‘deceased’, which

showed that the JPI itself had doubts as to the deaths of eight (8) other allegedly deceased persons on its list. See page 304 of the JPI Report.”

The government also picked hole in the justification for the award of reparation to one Serah Ibrahim, saying she was neither a petitioner nor a claimant before the JPI: “Miss Ibrahim (listed as No. 14 on page 304 of the report) got N10 million. She was neither a petitioner nor a claimant before the panel.

On page 179 of the report, Ibrahim testified on oath that she did not have any petition before the panel; neither did she have any claims for compensation.

“This award to Serah Ibrahim is also contrary to the provisions of Section 13, Tribunal of Inquiry Law 2015, which prescribes that only witnesses requested or summoned by a Tribunal of Inquiry are entitled to witness fees subject to consent of the Attorney General.

Serah Ibrahim did not testify at the request or summons of the Tribunal. See pages 17-18 of the report for the list of summoned witnesses.”

There were obvious fundamental inconsistencies in the findings of the panel regarding deaths at the toll gate, and the state government rejected the claim because “the findings were clearly and manifestly not supported by evidence.”

The government said the panel attested to the fact that there was nothing contrary to the testimony of Professor Obafunwa, the pathologist at Lagos State Teaching Hospital, who said only one person died at LTG of gunshot wounds on 21st October, 2020.

It stated: “The JPI’s finding of nine (9) deaths is, therefore, irreconcilable with the evidence of Prof. Obafunwa, that only one person died of gunshot wounds at 7:43pm at LTG on 21st October, 2020. Having held that there was no evidence before it to the contrary, the question is, where did the panel then get its finding of nine deaths?

“The irresistible conclusions to be drawn

Sanwo-Olu

from the JPI’s acceptance of Prof. Obafunwa’s testimony that only one person died of gunshot wounds at LTG on 21st October 2020 is that there was no massacre at LTG, contextual or otherwise. The findings of the JPI that nine people died at LTG on 21st October 2020 from gunshots fired by the military are based on assumptions and speculations.”

I concur that the inconsistencies and contradictions in the entire panel’s report, particularly concerning the number of persons who died at the Lekki toll gate on 20th October 2020, and their cause of death, rendered the panel’s findings and conclusions totally unreliable. The only good thing about the report is that it indirectly confirmed there was no massacre at the toll gate on October 20, 2020. I rest my case.

(HURIWA), confirms this. The Association reports: “HURIWA has observed that on a weekly basis, particularly on Thursdays, armed men from the Correctional Services and those of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), are stationed at the venues where The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus of the Osun State APC suspected to be loyalists of Aregbesola, who are laying claims to the leadership of the APC in the state, hold their meetings.

“Again, reports have it that on Saturday, August 14, this group, alongside some suspected political thugs, under the protection of the armed men from the NSCDC, allegedly attacked the state secretariat of the APC, wherein some persons were reportedly injured in the process.”

HURIWA reports further that on the 16th of October, 2021, while Osun State’s APC held its Congress at the Osogbo Stadium, where all heads of security agencies in the state and INEC were present, only the NSCDC personnel and its leadership were absent for no other reason than political manipulation, “instead, they went to another part of the state to provide cover for alleged Aregbosola’s political loyalists who also claim to be holding a state congress.”

It adds: “In fact, NSCDC men were seen on national television wielding weapons and standing behind the former State Secretary of the party, Rasaq Salinsile, who announced himself as the chairman of the party in the state on a day NSCDC personnel ran riot and shot ceaselessly and sporadically into the air in the Ogo Oluwa axis of the state’s capital, causing avoidable panic.

“More worrisome is that there are indications of clear communication gaps between the Office of the Commandant General and the Minister`s Office for the deployment of tactical and combatant teams of NSCDC to all correctional centres in Nigeria, which was allegedly declined by the Minister “However, there was an alleged express approval from the Minister for the transfer and deployment of hundreds of NSCDC officers to Osun State to protect personal buildings and provide security covers for persons fighting proxy political wars on his behalf. To show the import attached to these over and above the statutory mandates of the NSCDC, Osun State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Emmanuel Ocheja, personally leads most of the operations.”

Aregbesola has failed to convincingly defend these allegations. Well, they are so difficult to defend. The facts are glaring.

It’s appalling that this minister has not been fired.

On the flip side, the Senate on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Interior to carry out a full scale investigation into the causes of jailbreaks across the country.

Accordingly, the upper chamber resolved to summon Aregbesola, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and Nababa to determine the status of correctional centres nationwide, with a view to finding out the challenges in order to prevent recurrence.

For me, this is another waste of time by the Senate. The problems are glaring, compounded by the ineptitude of Aregbesola. It is the political will to do the needful that is lacking. NCoS guards are poorly trained, poorly equipped and poorly motivated. The personnel are also inadequate. Above all, leadership for the NCoS at the ministerial level and at its headquarters is lacking. Nababa and Aregbesola must go if this country is interested in the progress of the NCoS. This is the only way forward.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

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Ferdinand Ekechukwu 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Wizkid, Tems Celebrate Soul Train Awards Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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igerian singer Wizkid continues to give his fans something to talk and boast about when it comes to his career. On Sunday November 28, 2021, same day he held a second show at the 02 Arena in London, the Grammy award-winning music star, Wizkid and his collaborator Tems, won Best Collaboration at the 2021 Soul Train Awards with “Essence.” The record beat Chris Brown, Doja Cat, H.E.R, Jasmine Sullivan and Yung Bleu featuring Drake to the award.

Just a week ago, the song also got a nomination in the Best Global Music Performance at the 64th Grammy Awards, with his “Made in Lagos” album in the Best Global Music Album. This comes after the song “Essence” got named Song of Summer by veteran OAP, Ebro Darden. The song charted in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Recall that the superstar artiste, on Tuesday, November 2nd night, bagged five nominations at the 2021 Soul Train Awards. His partner in “Essence,” Tems also bagged four nominations.

Wizkid’s and Tems’ nominations come in the Song of The Year, Video of The Year, The Ashford and Simpson songwriter’s Award and Best Collaboration for the groundbreaking single, “Essence.” Wizkid also got a nomination for Album of The Year, for Made in Lagos, his fourth studio album, while Tems got another nomination for Best New Artiste. It’s been a stellar year for both artistes. Wizkid has coasted with his fourth album while Tems has also featured on a Drake record. The Soul Train Music Awards honours the best in African-American culture music and entertainment.

The afrobeats singer and songwriter had shortly before the Soul Train awards nomination announced his forthcoming album which he said would drop on the final day of his Made in Lagos tour in Montreal, Canada on January 22, 2022. The Ojuelegba crooner also gave the title as “More Love, Less Ego”, while promising his fans and followers that they wouldn’t wait for too long for the album. Just last night, the Starboy headlined the Arise Fashion Week held in Dubai, with Naomi Campbell, a long-term partner of the prestigious fashion show making an appearance alongside other global celebrities.

Wizkid and Tems

Emelonye Stars Charlie Boy in ‘Hunt’ Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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side being in the country attending to some personal projects at the moment and having hugely participated at the just concluded Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) as one of the resource persons that facilitated the Masterclass sessions of the AFRIFF 10th edition, prolific filmmaker Obi Emelonye has commenced filming for “Hunt”, his first film project of 2021. Behind the scene footages show the upcoming feature film featuring maverick Charley Boy, Jidekene Achufusi, Josh2funny and a host of others.

Principal photography recently kicked off for the film produced by Joy Odiete for Blue Pictures Entertainment and executive produced by Odinaka Emmanuel Offia. Written by Emelonye, ‘Hunt’ follows Josiah (Josh2funny) and Joseph (Jidekene Achufusi), two downon-their-luck friends who share a room

in a run-down part of Gwagwalada, Abuja.

When Josiah’s wife, Lucy (Oma Iyasara) arrives without notice and with their three daughters, Joseph checks into a local hotel.

But, a mix-up lands him in a room belonging to Diokpa (Charley Boy), a local criminal Lord. What Joseph finds in Diokpa’s room changes his life and that of his friend Josiah thus sparking a game of cat and mouse with Diokpa tracing the two Joes all the way to Lagos where they have become the biggest boys in town.

‘Living In Bondage: Breaking Free’ star Jidekene first teased fans with photos of himself and co-star Josh2funny shared on Instagram.

“Hunt” is Emelonye’s first film since his award-winning 2020 cybercrime thriller ‘Black Mail’ with OC Ukeje in the lead role.

It was the Best Film by an African Living Abroad at the recent AMAA Awards 2021.

“Black Mail,” which is nominated as Best Feature film at the 2021 British Urban Film Festival, is expected to open the BUFF2021 on Saturday the 4th of December.

Charley Boy and Emelonye on set of the movie, Hunt

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR RealityTVLandscape in Nigeria:The MultiChoice Impact

The Thrills and Frills of AMAA 2021 Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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ll roads led to the popular Marriot Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday, November 28, for the 2021 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Recall that the 2020 edition held virtual in line with government guidelines of Covid-19.

The new Marriot Hotel as the venue was an edge as a number of guest purposely turned up to experience the place for the first time. Founded by Peace AnyiamOsigwe, for the past 17 years, AMAA has consistently supported and celebrated African cinema.

With nominations announced in October, Sunday night’s air was expectedly thick with anticipation for major categories. The award ceremony, known for its recognition and celebration of African talents, saw some top names in the movie industry clutching highly-coveted awards. In the spotlighted ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ category which saw the nomination of Nollywood veterans Rita Dominic and Funke Akindele-Bello, both actresses, however, lost to Uganda star Joan Agaba for her role in the Morris Mugisha directed film ‘Stain’.

While Dominic lost with “La Femme Anjola”, Akindele-Bello lost with “Omo Gheto The Saga,” their respective films.

Agaba who spoke from Uganda shortly after the awards ceremony, said: “I respect them as artistes. But other than that, talent is talent”, adding “it’s actually normal.” The highest win for the night went to Somalia’s “The Gravedigger’s Wife”. The Khadar Ayderus Ahmed directed piece scooped six awards including the Best Film category. Nigeria’s ‘Eyimofe’ followed closely with five of seven nominations.

The Esiri brothers’ ‘Eyimofe’ also known as “This Is My desire” carted the prestigious Best Director and Best Nigerian Film awards. “Eyimofe” was

Khadar Ayderus Ahmed

directed by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri.

The movie takes an unflinching look at the unrelenting desire to escape to a better life abroad by whatever means.

However, Eyimofe lost out in the AMAA category for Best Film, which was won by Somalia’s, “The Gravedigger’s Wife”.

Also, the Best Actor in a Leading Role prize was won by Omar Abdi from “The Gravedigger’s Wife”, beating Nigerian

stars - Lateef Adedimeji (Ayinla), Nonso Bassey (La Femme Anjola), and Jude Akuwudike (Eyimofe) - to the award.

The Gravedigger’s Wife is Somalia’s first-ever submission for the Academy Awards. Bolanle Austen-Peters’ “Collision Course” won AMAA 2021 Award for Achievement in Screen Play. It also won Best Supporting Actor – Kelechi Udegbe (Collision Course).

Rapper, Sir Vic Unveils ‘Take -Over’

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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Sir Vic

ort Harcourt based singer/ songwriter, Victor Ekpo stage name ‘Sir Vic’, has released an EP he calls “Take-Over 1.0”, as he returns loudly to the music scene. “Take-over” is a 4-song gospel semi-album with styles ranging from pop to afrobeats in 15 minutes recorded time. For two weeks since release, the EP has received massive airplay on several radio stations in major cities of Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Uyo and others across the nation, with few DJs in the USA beginning to play selected tracks on the album.

Currently streaming on Audiomack, Spotify, YouTube and Boomplay, the EP sees vocalist Obinna Nwosu features with Sir Vic on ‘Jesus Hold Me’ and ‘Joyful’ while Port Harcourt rave and ‘God No go Shame Us’ crooner Prinx Emmanuel duets Sir Vic on ‘E no dey’, an afrobeats track with a blend of Caribbean music and Ghanaian hi-life. Sir Vic’s foray into music began 2003 as a singer and instrumentalist.

He switched to rap and recorded songs like ‘Make it Shine’ and ‘Some times’. This did not announce his intention sufficiently.

Still within the music space in 2013, ‘Sir Vic’ released two more songs, this time featuring veteran worship leader Afy Douglas in one.

When asked by journalists recently, the artiste emphasized his passion and resilience for music. “I can do anything for music. I remember selling my mobile phones to buy beats I never got to use, at different times. I have written more than 300 songs not yet published, for diverse reasons.” He adds, “But I’m not fazed over those issues. When I’m ready, you’ll see what will come out.”

Having toiled since 2003, Sir Vic decided to return with much more energy, hence the release of ‘Take-Over’ on his label, Cound Record. According to the Akwa Ibom born entertainer, the ‘Take-Over 1.0’ project will be followed by two music video productions and two concerts in Uyo, his hometown this year.

The Ikot Abasi born son of Akwa Ibom state is set to ‘Take-Over’ this time, having labored in the trenches for close to 20 years unheard and he is not taking it easy.

Conversations around the appropriateness of reality shows in the Nigerian society usually elicit controversy, as different individuals strongly offer their arguments for or against the production and broadcasting of a new season of an existing show or the creation of a new one.

Without a doubt, reality shows are fast gaining acceptance among Nigerian audiences across the various socio-economic classes. A careful observation of the high audience participation recorded for these shows as well as the traction they gain in the mainstream and online media provide enough evidence.

In fact, the emergence of reality shows is not a recent trend.The earliest reality shows in Nigeria can be traced to 2003 when the Nigerian Breweries introduced ‘Gulder Ultimate Search’.

This opened a gateway for other fan favourites such as ‘Big Brother Naija’, ‘Nigerian Idol’, amongst others.

However, after the Nigerian economy slipped into recession in 2016 following a recurrent drop in the global price of oil beginning from mid-2014, most of these shows were either suspended or discontinued in line with the economic realities of the country.

On the flip side, the absence of these shows left the Nigerian audience thirsting for their comeback. Regardless of the economic realities of the day, entertainment is considered an integral part of daily life for many Nigerians.

Based on demand and a desire to reinvigorate the reality show landscape in Nigeria, MultiChoice Nigeria announced the second season of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) show in 2016, ten years after its first season in 2006.

The show became an instant success attracting millions of viewers both in Nigeria and outside the country. Subsequent editions of the show further confirmed its position as a highly anticipated television show.

According to MultiChoice, the 2020 edition of BBNaija tagged, ‘lockdown’, garnered over 900 million votes for contestants across various platforms.The 2021 edition surpassed it by 300 million votes.

As such, the success of the Big Brother Naija show has reopened a gateway for other reality shows designed to thrill, educate and entertain the Nigerian audience. Some of these include the recently reintroduced ‘Gulder Ultimate Search’ and ‘Nigerian Idol’, Others include the legal reality show J‘ udging Matters’ and the adrenaline pumping and physically intense realityTVshow, ‘The Rush’,, amongst others.

While some argue that reality shows encourage moral decadence, vanity and profanity; some others argue that the popularity of reality shows in Nigeria spurred by MultiChoice holds more prospects than consequences.

Similarly, reality shows reflect the predominant culture, norms, ideals and conversations in society.

It may be safe to argue that society is mirrored on these shows. Likewise, many of these shows are structured to also benefit the audience financially through frequent giveaways.

Regardless of the arguments against reality shows in Nigeria, evidence suggests that the gains far outweigh the negatives of reality shows.

Through the production and promotion of reality shows, MultiChoice is consistently providing the Nigerian audience with valuable entertainment and informative content. For instance, reality shows like ‘The Rush’ revolve around adventurous content and healthy competition to entertain viewers.

Additionally, reality shows have proven to provide a veritable platform for talented individuals.We have witnessed talented acts such as Bisola Aiyeola and Laycon breaking into the entertainment industry to talented chefs like Miyonsea Amosu becoming stronghold brands.

There is no denying the chain of economic impact created by these shows.The Marketing Communications industry has gained immensely in this regard. For example, brands have been spurred to increase their advertising spend to create resonating commercials and secure coveted slots on these shows.

One cannot also ignore how the Nigerian economy stands to benefit from the emergence of entrepreneurs like Mercy Eke , Nengi Hampson, Lilo Aderogba, Dorathy Bachor.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

SHOWBIZFLAIR

Tosin Clegg

07062816737 e-mail: tosinclegg@hotmail.com

Sister Wisdom Releases ‘Blooming Branch’ Davolee Unlocks

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igeria’s most unique Christian Alternative music singer, Wisdom Toyin Adeoye, a.k.a Sister Wisdom has Ànally droSSed her highly anticiSated Eody of work, an EP titled ‘Blooming Branch’, consisting seven afro-centric songs.

SSeaking on the insSiration Eehind ‘9iEes’, one of the songs she released Eefore the EP, an enthusiastic Sister Wisdom said, ´The insSiration came from the desire to share with SeoSle aEout *od’s /ove -ohn 3:16) and without making them feel condemned in the Srocess. What *od is interested in is souls and not their destruction.”

She added, ´PeoSle need hoSe and the knowledge of *od’s love Eecause the economy of the country and the haSSenings in the world at large is enough to discourage SeoSle and make them even more desSerate.

But with this message it Erings Seace, calm and Sositivity into their lives. ‘9iEes’ aims to make SeoSle know *od loves them no matter who they think they are, win souls and make them dance in the Srocess.”

Produced Ey T;-AM, ‘9iEes’, which features one of the Eiggest gosSel artists in Africa, the electrifying South African gosSel Sower house, Martin P. is an Afro Eeat sound infused with AmaSiano, talking aEout *od’s love and how *od consistently showers love on mankind.

Sharing her excitement on the EP, she said, “, am Sarticularly excited aEout the EP Eecause it’s my deEut o΀cial Eody of work.

My day-one, SeoSle will Ee Sroud of me and ,’m aEle to exSress myself diͿerently. ,t’s a Eeautiful Sroject and they will love it.”

On how she got one of South Africa’s Eiggest *osSel music singer featured on ‘9iEes’, one of the songs oͿ the EP, she noted, “Martin P. is a /oveworld singer who is one of the Eiggest South African gosSel artist out of Africa to the world, who haSSens to Ee my Eig Erother. We Eoth Eelong to the /oveworld Nation and it has always Eeen my desire and Srayers to collaEorate with him. ,t was the Serfect genre to have him on. Being an AmaSiano infused song, , rememEer how excited , was when he acceSted to jumS on a song with me; it was indeed a dream come true.”

New Levels with Debut Album

Sister Wisdom

The Duke of Shomolu Brings Jakande Back to Life ,nÁuential theatre Sroduction Àrm, Duke of Shomolu Productions, on the Eack of the highly successful and well-received douEle decker Sroduction of Awo and Aremu, has concluded Slans to Sroduce, next 0arch, its much anticiSated Play - BaEakekere. ,t is an incisive deSiction of the life and times of one

of Nigeria’s most accomSlished historical Àgures and former *overnor of /agos State, Alh. /ateef -akande.

The Slay will haSSen at the Srestigious and historic *lover Hall on the Marina.

During a courtesy call on the family of the late leader, -oseSh Edgar, ,nvestment

Duke of Shomolu during a visit to late Jakande’s wife

Banker cum theatre Sroducer mentioned that the Sroject had already received the suSSort of the /agos State *overnment who have emerged SrinciSal sSonsor of the Sroject. He went further to state that to underscore the very strong suSSort of the BaEajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration for the Sroject, Mr Bonu Solomon the SSecial Adviser to the governor on Arts, Culture and Tourism would Ee serving as Co-Executive Producer of the Play.

-akande Slayed very critical roles in Eirthing indigenous media and was very selÁess in the Seriods directly after indeSendence, working closely with the late sage, Chief OEafemi Awolowo and continued to Ee a major factor in national develoSment uS to his recent Sassing in . BaEakekere aligns very Serfectly with the vision of the Duke of Shomolu’s self-aSSointed vision of telling very Sositive historical stories to a new audience with the strong hoSe of reEuilding and refocusing our national narrative.

The Àrm has in the recent Sast staged some very exSressive and deeSly aSSreciated Slays like the very exciting ,sale Eko, Emotan and the aforementioned Awo and Aremu, which deSicted former President Olusegun OEasanjo.

BaEakekere is written and directed Ey iconic Makinde Adeniran, veteran ScriSt writer and Director.

'avolee has unlocked a Erand new level in the music industry as he releases his deEut alEum ´Earning Wish”. The tough Mourney of a street Eoy towards fulÀlment of dreams is coming to Sass. After many years of hustle and Eustle, the street Eoy is now earning his wishes. 'avolee has Ànally come through with his deEut alEum titled ´Earning Wish”, a 1 -track alEum Sacked with ama]ing songs that showcase the vocal versatility and lyrical dexterity of Davolee himself. After teasing fans a few weeks ago with “Play” a groovy song oͿ the alEum, Davolee has emShasised the fact that “Earning Wish” is an all-encomSassing alEum, an alEum that reÁects all shades of his artistic value.

He said: “Earning Wish is an oeuvre which reÁects every side of my unique story-telling aEility as an artist, and a work of art, which is contrary to the many stereotySes aEout me. , Must want to take the fans/music lovers on a journey of my vocal Srowess without leaving out my originality.”

The 1 -track alEum has no collaEoration with Sroduction credit from CresSin, =aki 0agic, Ba]etu, Teejayrito and more.

2n this Sroject, Davolee Sortrayed himself as an all-round voice of the street, giving voice to an average Nigerian youth in the face of injustice and oSSression, while also Sroviding 1 entertainment. The much anticiSated alEum is out worldwide and has Eeen getting Sositive feedEack from music lovers.

Davolee

SHAREit Lite and Boomplay Mainland Laffs Family Hit Nigerian Campuses Comedy Show is Back ,n line with its goal to foster digital content accessiEility among young Nigerians, SHA5Eit /ite has Sartnered with leading music Slatform, BoomSlay, to launch the CamSus 0usic Star, a singing comSetition for university students across Nigeria. The CamSus 0usic Star comSetition, which kicked oͿ in 2ctoEer 1, has recorded SarticiSation from thousands of students across 11 major universities in Nigeria.

SHA5Eit /ite said: “Nigerian students love music and like to share their haSSiness with their friends, which is why we’ve entered this alliance with BoomSlay to give students with a strong Sassion for music a chance to achieve their dreams, let out their musical talents and Eecome the music stars that they asSire to Ee. “As the o΀cial camSaign sSonsor and major Sartner for CamSus 0usic Star comSetition, we Srovided suSSort and engaged with the students in several activities since the qualifying stage in 11 Nigerian camSuses.”

2ut of 11 camSuses and thousands of entries, 1 SarticiSants have emerged as the Ànalists and Sroceeded to the grand Ànale on NovemEer th, 1.

According to BoomSlay, “We are extremely

Sleased to evolve this SartnershiS with SHA5Eit /ite. Exciting activities were lined uS along the journey. The series of events leading uS to the Ànale include 0asterclasses Ey music exSerts for the toS 1 ,,n-ASSvotingandonsocialmediaformaximum SuElic SarticiSation, a community disSlay of the Ànalist talents to the SuElic, online and o΁ine games for all students with exciting Sri]es. Everyone who SarticiSated indeed received great suSSort and had so much fun for their music journey.”

This comSetition has Eeen a notaEle feat with SarticiSants winning N1 , , worth of Sri]e and reaching millions of music and content-loving students. The organiser ensures that its Slatform Sresents the Eest Seer-to-Seer Àle-transfer solution via moEile aSSs without the requirement of internet data and it takes its involvement with young dynamic Nigerians a notch higher.

Beyond the grand Ànale, they have successfully Euilt a thriving user community through which it will communicate more oSSortunities to students, ensure seamless feedEack from users, and foster an easier Àle transfer Srocess to ensure that moments caStured through music, songs, videos are shareaEle among users, their families and loved ones in a very fast and e΀cient manner.

Entertainment in /agos is set to exSerience a major Eoost this DecemEer with the readiness of ‘0ainland /aͿs’, a comedy show that oͿers a refreshing aSSroach to family entertainment.

The event, which is set to take Slace at D’Podium ,nternational Event Centre, 31B Aromire Avenue, 2ͿAdeniyi -ones, ,keja is Eeing organised Ey Trevent ComSany, one of the fastest growing event solution comSanies in /agos.

SSeaking aEout the idea Eehind the show, the Executive Producer of the Show, -ohn 2diEoh Sromised that /agosians are in for an exciting evening with their rich lineuS of toS comedians, actors and musicians.

2diEoh said: “The 0ainland /aͿs has the usual attractions like standuS comedy, Santomine comedy, musical Serformances, and stage drama.

However, Eecause of our resolve to make this a family delight, there will also Ee children Serformances, Slay courts for children, arcade games and even Shoto Eooths. He noted however that the 8SP of 0ainlandlaͿs is Clean Entertainment. Hence it’s all aEout family entertainment. -ohn 2diEoh noted that gone were the days where families could come out together on Sunday afternoons

and enjoy a Comedy Serformance or entertainment evening together. We want to Sromote fun and entertainment, Eut in a healthy, wholesome way, that makes you haSSy yet in an and instructive and safe way.

“So, we exSect our guests to feel free to come with their children, nieces and neShews to enjoy that sSecial family time out with good music, clean comedy/ music and loads of exciting games for the kids to enjoy.”

ExSected to entertain the audience with riEcracking jokes are toS Nigerian comedians like -osh funny, 2΀cer Woos, AjeEo, EEute, )orever, Samll Stout, Oniru and several others while Nollywood legends,Ayo Mogaji and Dele Odule, are also Eilled to make a sSecial stage aSSearance in a one of its king Pantomime comedy drama. Also Eilled are a variety of children virtuoso Serformances to Euild the culture of the arts into our youths.

SSeaking on the choice of ,keja for the show, the Creative Director of The Trevent ComSany, Olumide CamSEell, said that this was a strategic choice to address the clichp among /agosians that /ekki and 9ictoria ,sland are the only destinations for Sremium events.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

EVENTS

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n Saturday, November 27th, 2021, Capitol Assembly, University of Ilorin Alumni Association, held their Reunion Catch-Up 2021 at Jabi Lake Mall Abuja. Here are some members at the event PHOTOS: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: Kemi Olumuyiwa; Prince Adewale Haastrup; and HRH Dr. Adetayo Haastrup

L-R: Dr. Kayode Opeifa; Yeye Bolanle Olatunde; and Sulaiman Adoga Ibrahim

L-R: Chairman, Capitol Assembly, Olusegun Adekunle; and National President Unilorin Alumni Association, Dr. Olawale Fasakin

L-R: Dr. Taofeek Folami; and Dr. Kayode Opeifa

L-R: Ogunnifa Kemi; Olushola Awoloye; and Sulaiman Adoga Ibrahim

L-R: Special Adviser to Hon Minister of Works Mr Hakeem Bello; and VC, Federal University Lokoja, Prof Olayemi Akiwumi

L-R: Chairman, Unilorin Alumni Lagos Chapter, Abdulraheem Yusuf; Atunwa; and Mrs Kenny Akomolafe

L-R: Dr. Mrs. Adebola Adetumbi; and Felicity Ohiani

L-R: Mrs Johnson Bukola; and Dr. Tunde Olusunle

L-R: Osagie Jacobs; Olusegun Adekunle; Dr. Olawale Fasakin; and Toba Nesta Taiwo

L-R: Biodun Alibaloye; Ayodele Bankole; and Sola Aina

L-R: Yeye Bolanle Olatunde; and Segilola Oluwole

L-R: Mrs. Yemisi Opaola; Justice Funmi Asaolu; Adeyemi Adebayo; and Dr. Bisi Adebayo

L-R: Pastor Mrs. Janet Ariyo Oke; Prophet Charles Ariyo Oke; and Jude Olotu

21

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

PERSPECTIVE

Refugees Commission and Worsening Fortunes of IDPs Abdullahi Bulama

“T

he greatness of a nation can be judged by how it treats its weakest members” Mahatma Gandhi The national outcry that has greeted media reports, this week, of the ugly fate of Nigeria’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as represented by the deplorable condition of the Durumi IDP camp, Abuja’s city centre and members of that community, is understandable.

According to the Chairman of Durumi IDP camp, Umaru Gola, they have been burying on a weekly basis their members, who die mostly from hunger and preventable and curable diseases.

Gola’s words: “Everybody has been left to face his or her fate; we are alive till today by the grace of God and the help of some good spirited Nigerians who come once in a while to donate items to the displaced persons.

“The young men among us are the ones trying to help us in most cases. They go out daily and engage in activities like commercial motorcycling just to help the situation but we bury some of them like twice in a week or sometimes once in a month due to road accidents.

“We have been left to struggle on our own. Most times, when there is a health challenge that is beyond us, we go to churches and mosques to beg for assistance. Sometimes, when rich people visit us, we tell them our challenges, maybe about some persons in the hospital and they help us to settle the medical bills”.

Education is not also on the radar for them, as the report likewise quoted a mother of five in the camp, Mrs. Hanatu, as saying: “Our concern is how to even feed them not to talk of school yet. Since Boko Haram killed their father in 2015 and took over our village, in Borno, my children have not gone to any school. We don’t like the life we are living here today. Our greatest prayer is that one day, we will return to our ancestral home and continue our lives there”.

Yet another displaced person, who spoke to the popular online paper on condition of anonymity, also complained that the IDPs in the Durumi centre were dying by instalments, revealing that their deplorable environment, exposure to the vagaries of weather, lack of access to sanitation, and very poor nutrition had caused them several diseases and untimely and avoidable deaths in their camp.

According to her, “We are dying slowly, this is not where human beings should live; because of the environment, as you can see looking around here, our people fall sick every day and some die due to lack of medical facilities. We want the government to help us. They should come and rescue us from this hardship”.

As at December 2020, over 2.1 million people have been displaced by banditry, farmer-herder clashes, insurgency, and natural disasters across Nigeria. There are at least 26 states hosting IDP camps in Nigeria: (Borno, Kebbi, Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Ondo, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Katsina, Cross River, Niger, Oyo Kogi, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Anambra, Delta, Sokoto, Benue, Nasarawa, Lagos, Edo, Rivers) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The question on the lips of worried Nigerians is: if IDP camps located in the backyard of Aso Villa could be in the deplorable state depicted in the pictures published, if members of that IDP communities in Nigeria seat of power contend with such harsh living conditions and poor welfare, what then will be the fate of other camps that are far-removed from Abuja?

Unfortunately, numerous reports by the media, local and international humanitarian organisations, development partners, and NonGovernmental Organisations and Civil Society Organisations, show that the story is the same all over the country, and those outside Abuja are worse off by far.

If Nigerians were angered by the reports of the deplorable state of the camps and their inhabitants, they were even more bewildered and outraged by the allegations by rights groups and media reports alleging misgovernance, corruption, misappropriation, flagrant breach of due process,

Sulaiman-Ibrahim

How does one begin to comprehend the fact that the same Federal Commissioner, who refused to approve a trip to Kano by four staff of the Refugee Status Determination unit to register undocumented refugees from the Central African Republic? This compelled the refugees to travel all the way from Kano to Abuja headquarters of the Refugees Commission by road despite the dangers of being abducted by rampaging bandits, just to enable them to gain full documentation as refugees to access available services abuse of power, intimidation and victimisation of staff, industrial disharmony, dilapidated state of zonal and field offices of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons under the leadership of its Federal Commissioner and chief executive, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

It is not as if reports of corruption and its siblings are strange in Nigeria’s public and private sectors. But Nigerian would no doubt expect things to be done differently in humanitarian agencies of government because they are dealing with about the most vulnerable Nigerians, who are not only displaced against their wills, but have also lost everything in life, except the will to live.

Against this backdrop, how does one begin to explain that the chief executive of an agency where the zonal and field offices are in states of disrepair, lacking in basic office furniture and working tools; where the agency’s staff in several zonal and field offices come to work with their own chair; and where IDPs live in squalor, hunger, and die of preventable and curable diseases allegedly appropriated a whooping N32 million for the refurbishing of her office?

It did not matter that the same office was furnished less than six months before she was appointed from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) in June to head the humanitarian agency. Or that the Federal Commissioner has for several months refused to release to the Maiduguri

office of the Refigees Commission a brand new bullet proof Toyota Land Cruiser SUV donated by the UNHCR for its Mauduguri field operations? For this, the donor agency (UNHCR) has reportedly refused to donate other expected vehicles to the agency.

How does one begin to comprehend the fact that the same Federal Commissioner, who refused to approve a trip to Kano by four staff of the Refugee Status Determination unit to register undocumented refugees from the Central African Republic? This compelled the refugees to travel all the way from Kano to Abuja headquarters of the Refugees Commission by road despite the dangers of being abducted by rampaging bandits, just to enable them to gain full documentation as refugees to access available services. Yet they were allegedly shabbily treated and turned back by security agents on the order of the Federal Commissioner. Let us even assume that the allegedly inflated cost was duly processed, how is that the priority of an agency whose major responsibility (the IDPs and refugees) are facing hunger, diseases, and untimely death?

Also in the same Commission, the normal distribution of foodstuffs and household items have been replaced by what the Federal Commissioner calls Operation Zero Hunger, which finance staff insist have been shrouded in secrecy. But while the IDPs and refugees have been worse off. For instance, while each internally displaced household used to get

100kg of grains; 25kg each of rice, beans, maize and millet or garri; 20 litres of cooking oil; 20 litres of palm oil; and other household items like pots, mattresses, mats, and several packs of sanitary wares, among many other items, under the old order, each internally displaced household currently gets 1kg of rice, a toothbrush, a tablet of soap, a small Vaseline, a pack of Maggi, sachets of milk and milo, a torchlight, a small bottle of vegetable oil, and two packs of pad adorned with the HFC’s personal picture. Worse still Operation Zero Hunger is not captured in the Appropriation Act. Apart from the secrecy and controversies surrounding Operation Zero Hunger, which IDPs now codenamed “Operation Total Yunwa” (Operation Total Hunger), media reports and the petition by concerned staff of the Commission to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, also allege the flagrant breach of procurement process, as senior management do not have details of approvals at Procurement Tenders Board (PTB) meetings.

There are also alleged recourse to anticipatory approvals, signing of procurement documents by staff not duly seconded to the agency, while staff such like the Head of Legal and Director of Procurement who challenged such alleged breaches have been posted out.

The other issue that should also catch the attention of anyone, who cares about the welfare of IDPs and refugees, is also the alleged arbitrary redeployment of staff of the Commission and their replacement with persons imported from NAPTIP and other places, even outside public service. It is sad, but instructive to hear that whereas the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency came in with only three personal aides, Sulaiman-Ibrahim goes about with a retinue of 15 personal aides and a retinue of security personnel drawn from Department of State Services (DSS), police, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and a retired National Intelligence Agency (NIA) operative and the.

Does she really need all those? Are all the security personnel and personal staff (including a Chief of Staff) some of who were brought from other agencies formally seconded to the Commission? One thought that those who appointed Sulaiman-Ibrahim to head such a sensitive Commission should have explained to her the difference between your usual political office and a humanitarian agency.

These stories are just unfortunate and do not portray us as heeding Mahatma Gandhi’s appeal to our humanity or former U.S Vice President, Hubert Humphrey’s stand when he said: “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped”.

Instructively, these are the people that populate our IDPs and therefore the more reason they deserve the best of care, love, and protection.

And a centre for humanity like the Refugees Commission can only deliver such through quality leadership marked by empathy, probity, due process, and accountability.

While the issues raised by the media, human rights groups, and concerned staff of the Commission remain in the realms of allegation, and have in fact been denied by the Commission’s Head of Press, Mr. Samson Ikemitang, as “untrue”, “ridiculous”, “baseless”, “fake news”, and “handiwork of mischief makers”, one believes that Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.

Therefore, the onus is on President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq; and anti-graft agencies to look into the issues affecting the proper running of the Refugees Commission, including the concerns of the CSOs and staff of the agency articulated in their said petition, with a view to repositioning the Commission to deliver on its mandate. A stitch in time saves nine.

Bulama writes from Gombe.

22

SATURDAY DECEMBER 4, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

23

POLITY How Not to Play Devil’s Advocate in Ogun Femi Ogbonnikan

I

n the nation’s polity, nothing compares to having credible leaders that can walk the talk. The advent of the Christian Missionary, led by Rev. Thomas Birch Freedom, a Methodist, in Abeokuta in 1842, and in other parts, resulted in the speedy growth and development of the state. Though the major preoccupation was to evangelise and win more souls for Jesus Christ, but much emphasis was placed on education and this made Ogun State a leading light among the comity of states. It widens the horizons of the people, a savoury development which made them blaze the trail of excellence in all professional callings.

No wonder, education forms the core investment of the state and it has remained the educational capital of the country. This has helped, in no small measure, in producing Ogun State’s great icons and pioneers (the living and the late) who have put their footprints in every sphere of human endeavours.

Since the creation of Ogun State on February 3, 1976, different administrators, be it military or civilian, had made their marks in the sands of time, while contributing significantly to the growth and development of what is now known as the ‘Gateway State’ Following the abatement in military interregnum in 1999 and the birth of the fourth Republic, the assemblage of various bed fellows that fused into different political platforms, at that time, clearly presented a rehash of the intrigues that often characterised the nation’s home-grown democracy.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP) held sway as the only veritable platforms with national spread, across the six geopolitical zones.

In Ogun State, the political development wasn’t worse off.

Aremo Olusegun Osoba started on a sound note; initiated and implemented rural development programmes and projects, as his administration’s major thrust of governance and as the only panacea to uplift the people out of penury.

As part of rural development initiatives, electrification of villages, without elements of bias, but cutting across board, made the administration acceptable by all and sundry in a bid to integrate the dwellers into the mainstream of governance.

But the administration was short-lived, while the dream became shattered. The administration was thrown out of office, following the outcome of the 2003 general elections which declared Otunba Gbenga Daniel (aka OGD), winner and Osoba couldn’t return for a second term.

OGD made an in-road in fast-tracking growth and development with his welfarist and populist programmes and projects which impacted positively on the lives of the people.

He spent eight years (from 2003 to 2011) in the saddle, but his reign wasn’t a smooth sail, without opposition from his arch-rival, Amosun. This senator, who was a bosom friend while on the same political platform of the PDP with OGD as Governor, at the formative stage, couldn’t hide his disdain for the latter. Despite Amosun away in Abuja as Senator,

Amosun

representing Ogun Central at the National Assembly, he was always in Abeokuta to wage war of attrition against his estranged friend.

But, in his desperate and subtle bid to clinch the Number One seat ticket of the state, Amosun dumped the PDP and defected to the All Peoples Party (APP) which subsequently morphed into the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). When his governorship dream couldn’t be realised in 2007, he worked and cringed his way into the heart of a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who later became the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for a soft-landing. Through the interventions of the incumbent helmsman (Abiodun), Tinubu and some other notable chieftains of the Action Congress (AC) in 2010, Osoba, who was then the state leader of the party, was adamant to accept and allow Amosun fly the party’s ticket in order to wrest power from OGD, on account of his alleged antics, boiling down to alleged vindictiveness, penchant for deceitful acts, likely insubordination, arrogance, amongst other negative traits.

Following several entreaties, Osoba bowed to the popular wishes and demand to allow him, being a strong politician with clout, to slug it out squarely with the anointed godson of, and a successor to OGD, GNI, in the 2011 general elections. True to type, with the deployment of arsenals, especially financial muscle, at the disposal of the AC, he drubbed the candidate of OGD, Isiaka, who jostled for the governorship ticket on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN).

Having assumed the mantle of leadership, he started out on a sound note, with various developmental projects and programmes which had made many people to believe he had come on a rescue mission, as reflected in his admin-

istration’s popular slogan, “Mission to Rebuild Ogun State” (MITROS). Worrisome was the next stage that was set in his political career. He unleashed political vendetta on perceived enemies and arrogated the office to himself. He governed the state like a one-man show. At every elective office, during contest, he had no regards for the leaders and elders of the party, because he unilaterally decided and drew the lists of those he wanted.

These ambivalence and maverick stance played itself out when he decided to field his anointed godson, Hon Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, as successor, without recourse to party’s guidelines, preparatory to the build-up to the succession processes in mid-2018. Internal democracy wasn’t allowed to take its full course, but subject to a one-man show in determining who took or got what from the polity. Despite overtures by concerned stakeholders to make the National leadership of the APC intervene and axe him for the brazen display of anti-party activities, he still had his way, because he had taken cover under the Presidency.

He played the role of a devil’s advocate in a bid to rock the boat when he entered into a secret alliance with a factional leader of the PDP in the state, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, an IperuRemo kinsman of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

By and large, the truth spoke for itself at the poll, as the electorates, in their right frame of minds and senses, cast their votes for the Iperu-Remo born APC candidate as Governor in the March 9, 2019 general election.

In retrospect, even when Amosun almost ran the state aground and the AC which subsequently changed to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and soon afterwards, All Progressives Congress (APC) was near comatose, Amosun who had stepped on many big toes, namely Osoba, Senators Gbenga Kaka, Gbenga Obadara and Akin Odunsi, Dr Razaq Remilekun Bakare, amongst others, in the build-up to his second term re-election bid in 2015, ate the humble pie and ran to his bosom friend, Abiodun, now estranged, and curried for his unalloyed intervention and support. With the party in disarray, Abiodun swiftly came to the rescue; brought his clout to bear and injected a huge sum of money, including procurement of campaign (Toyota Hummer) buses, motorcycles and other logistics to ensure his friend returned for the second term, when his former leaders he had offended had dissolved into the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who were satirically labelled, “Ma t’agba M’ole” (meaning, “Don’t step on elders’ foots). With the unalloyed support, he won in a landslide victory and returned to office.

When some personages in society claim to be wiser than others because they have unfettered access to power itself or to the corridors of power by any means, or they control huge resources and have human capital in their fold because they call the shots, they revel in the supposed feeling of the whole world bowing at their feet. t 0HCPOOJLBO XSJUFT GSPN "CFPLVUB 0HVO 4UBUF Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Ogun Central: Yemi Oke Seeks Mandate Sola Adeokin

I

n the Nigerian socio-political and economic space, the Egba people of the Ogun State Central Senatorial zone occupy a prominent place, achieved by distinguishing themselves in various endeavours. The zone which has six Local Governments areas- comprising Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode, Ifo, Odeda and Ewekoro - is home to educated and politically conscious people, who have played key roles in the national affairs.

Prominent among these are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former head of the Interim National Government (ING), late Chief D S Adegbenro. The zone also produced the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, the famous RansomeKuti family, Chief Adetokunbo Ademola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, renowned medical doctor and founder of the St. Nicholas Hospital Lagos, Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi, and foremost banker, Oluwole Adeosun, among several other illustrious sons and daughters of the zone.

For a people whose political consciousness could be regarded as one of the highest in the country, it is hardly surprising that all the senators that have represented the zone at the National Assembly in the Fourth Republic are people who have distinguished themselves in their professional endeavours. As a matter of fact, three of them had been Commissioners in the State before being elected into the Senate while the current representative spent two terms as governor of the State.

For the records, representatives of the zone at the Senate since the return of democracy in 1999 include Dr. Femi Okunrounmu of the Alliance for Democracy (1999 to 2003); Ibikunle Amosun of Peoples Democratic Party (2003 to 2007); Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello of Peoples Democratic Party (2007 to 2011); Gbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria (2011 to

2015); Dr. Lanre Tejuoso of All Progressive Congress (2015 to 2019) and Ibikunle Amosun of All Progressive Congress (2019 till date). Amosun is the only person so far re-elected.

As 2023 beckons and gladiators begin to jostle, one name that is likely to cause a major disruption in the highly sophisticated Egba politics is a young legal luminary, seasoned scholar and internationally acclaimed expert, Professor Yemi Oke. Information has it that Oke is in the process of consulting major political actors and notable leaders in Ogun State and particularly Ogun Central Senatorial zone Oke’s resume is widely perceived as solid. Born 49 years at Itoko-Arinlese, Abeokuta in Abeokuta South Local Government, attended the famous Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS) Abeokuta; University of Ilorin where he studied Law; Nigerian Law School and Osgoode Hall Law School of the York University, Ontario, Canada (on full scholarships), for his LL.M and P.hD. He is also thought to have requisite political experience having been exposed to national and Ogun Politics the early 80s through his late father, Chief Kasali Oke and late Uncle, Chief Muftau Osayemi (Baba Oja). He began playing active politics from 1989 under the Zero party era and thereafter twice contested for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency for the House of Representatives, in 2007 and 2011. He has also served in several agencies, commissions bodies and other statutory institutions in Ogun State and at Federal level as technical expert and consultant.

An Egba High Chief, Professor Yemi Oke holds the title of Bada Baamofin of Egbaland as well as other chieftaincy titles in Egba Kingdom. He is a member of Abeokuta Club, Abeokuta Sports Club, Abeokuta Golf Club, Unilag Senior Staff Club, Federal Civil Service Club, and other several social clubs in Lagos and Abeokuta.

He is currently a Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of

Oke

Arbitration of Nigeria (FCArb), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCITN) and a pioneer Electricity Law scholar in Africa. He is a foremost Energy law expert of African origin globally.

PYO, as he is fondly called, has written 10 major law textbooks on Energy Law, Electricity Law; International Institutions, and over 120 law articles in international and local journals.

He is the Managing Partner/Founding Principal, MJS PARTNERS, which also has other subsidiaries.

It is no surprise therefore that in the emerging political calculations from Ogun Central Senatorial Zone, he represents intellect, integrity and experience that will be put into the services of his people if he is elected into the Senate in 2023 on the platform of All Peoples Congress (APC).

24

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

POLITY

Role of the Media in Curbing Corruption No doubt, the Media has a vital role to play in checking the vices that have become impediments to societal growth. Unfortunately, journalists are also endangered everyday as they go about discharging their responsibilities. In an attempt to help them do the jobs without fear or favour, a three day workshop themed “Reporting Corruption” was recently organised in Abuja by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in conjunction with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International (Nigeria) for selected journalists across Nigeria ahead of the 2021 edition of the International Day of AntiCorruption. Funke Olaode was among the participants

R

eporting corruption in Nigeria has been a herculean task simply because reporters have to look for it and authenticate whether it is truly corruption. Often, investigative reporters are confronted with many challenges such as non-availability of data, threat to life and government policies hidden under the law. And unless journalists do their work diligently, their reports on corruption could easily be dismissed as fake news which could make journalists lose their credibility.

These were some of the concerns of the organisers of a three-day workshop in Abuja last week, where Journalists were exposed to the nitty-gritty of intellectual tools needed to report corruption. The theme of the workshop was “Reporting Corruption” and it all cantered on how Journalists can discharge their duties without fear or favour.

It was organised for selected journalists drawn from print, broadcast and online media across Nigeria ahead of the International Day of Anti-Corruption which falls on Thursday December 9th. Apart from journalists at the three day extensive training, various speakers from civil society organizations including Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Resident Representative of KAS, Dr. Vladimir Kreck, Programme Manager, Samson Adeniran, Regional Advisor for Africa Transparency International, Samuel Kaninda, Samuel Asimi of CISLAC, members of the academic community and editors from media outfits, were on ground to delve into the issues at hand.

In his opening remarks via zoom, Kreck commended CISLAC and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for capacity building for journalists in fighting corruption. According to Kreck, the importance of journalists, whom he considered strong allies in any society, cannot be overemphasized.

Kreck said: “We are relying on journalists to help us drive the vision of the foundation to help us expose ills in the society. Nigeria is the most populous and power house on the continent of Africa and once Nigeria gets it right it affects the entire continent positively.”

Charging journalists to leave up to expectation in discharging their duties, Kreck stressed that it was important to rely on investigative reports for recommendations, investigations, law enforcement reforms etc. as it leads to action to be taken against any corrupt society.

He noted that the role of journalists was key as citizens demand accountability on how their resources are being used.

On why journalists should be well equipped in his corruption reporting trajectory, he said because those involved are very smart and not only that, exposing them could be harmful and that is why journalists must know all the rules while investigating corruption cases without endangering their lives.

Kreck concluded. “We need you as allies, champions of integrity. We will continue to work with CISLAC as our partner in Nigeria as we believe constant training like this will eliminate corruption in Nigeria so that we can collectively create the Africa that we want not for us but for the future generation.”

Rafsanjani said the training on how to report crime

Rafsanjani

and corruption as media practitioners in Nigeria became imperative as a watchdog of society. CISLAC boss said the Pandora papers recently showed transactions of resources (offshore) amongst politicians which affect our collective being as Nigerian citizens.

“Nigeria loses N18 billion annually to illicit financial flow. While international crimes make headlines, local crimes don’t.” He implored the media to help blow this up.

“Working with you will bring a fresh angle to corruption going on. The media has a responsibility as it is enshrined in the constitution as the fourth estate of the realm. With our collective responsibility the society will shine because you are our heroes,” he said.

In his paper titled “History of Corruption and Its Effects on National Development”, a lawyer and Historian from Faculty of Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Adetunji Ogunyemi gave an insight into the origin of corruption in Nigeria, the dimensions of corrupt behaviours in Nigeria’s public sector and highlighted the effects of corruption of the development trajectory in Nigeria.

Noting that it is not always easy to define corruption, Ogunyemi said Nigeria’s Criminal code and the criminal procedure Act, both of which prohibit and seek to punish corruption, have failed to define it. On his paper “ The Nexus between corruption and politics in Nigeria: Anti-corruption, law enforcement and security, Samuel Asimi of CISLAC delved into how internal enemies within had collaborated with outside enemies to rob the country of its hard earned money through various dubious contract citing P&ID case as an example.

For Asimi, paying lip service will not do the country any good but the only way out is to embark on political reforms, presence of frameworks and systems to checkmate corruption, strengthening of whistleblowing acts and international cooperation.

Corruption cuts across be it in public and private sectors as observed in the paper by Isaiah Yusuf on “Corruption in Public Procument in the Civil Service: Recommendations

for improvement”. Yusuf enumerated key problems identified by the World Bank which included lack of competition and transparency in project procurement leading to high cost of projects and loss of confidence in government by the public, lack of standard bidding documents etc. All these he noted must be checked to ensure transparency in order to build confidence in the public.

On how electoral fraud undermines leadership recruitment in Nigeria in a paper delivered by the executive director of OJA Development Consult, Jide Ojo, which objective is to improve the knowledge, skills and attitude of the participants on challenges of leadership recruitment in Nigeria, Ojo gave insight into different stages of electoral process in Nigeria.

He focused his discourse on electoral fraud in Nigeria, which he said could take place in the three phases of the election value chain such, registration, voting and postelection phase which is declaration of winners.

While reporting corruption is like going to war in Nigeria as data are not readily available, Editor, International Centre for Investigative journalism (ICIR), Ajibola Amzat in his paper, (OSINT) Open Source Intelligence stressed that journalism “is a discipline for verification with purpose of uncovering abuse of power in the service of public interest.

Amzat said: “it is a process that involves research which means the journalist needs to collect, combine and verify hard pieces of evidence. This may come in various forms such as oral, documentary, digital, forensic and observatory.”

He added that publicly available sources which can be physical or digital - newspapers, websites or social platforms - can help greatly. “Search engine such as Wikipedia (for background check), Google, public record such as EFCC, Asset Recovery DataBase, Gazzete Africa are all tools that can help journalists while reporting corruption,” Amzat said.

Corroborating Amzat, Managing Editor, Premium Newspapers, Idris Akinbajo, in his paper on Security and Safety for journalists reporting corruption, noted that like reporting all matters, journalists can choose to report corruption using any of the four journalistic roles such as disseminator, mobiliser, adversarial and watchdog function.

While journalists are faced with various challenges on daily basis such as phishing, psycho-social, denial in case of sources, trauma as one can be traumatized being exposed to events such as violence, unusual death or threat which causes overwhelming feelings of helplessness while reporting corruption, Akinbajo still believes that being professional, true to oneself, keeping records and being independent will play a major role in discharging one’s role without fear of favour if given necessary support.

Without doubt, the training was impactful and insightful as it was brought to a close with a closing remarks by the Programme Manager, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Samson Adeniran, who enjoined participants to disseminate what they had learnt during the 3-day workshop as “it is a collective responsibility to stamp out corruption out of Nigeria.”

Niger State Partners Local Pharmaceutical Companies The Niger State Government, through the Niger State Drugs and Hospitals Consumables Management Agency (NSDHCMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with six local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies under the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), to ensure the uninterrupted supply of quality and affordable essential medicines to the citizens of the State.

The MoU signing ceremony for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) took place on November 3, at the manufacturing facility of Fidson Healthcare Plc, located in Ota, Ogun State.

This is the 3rd Public-Private Partnership between State and Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturers facilitated by the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC_ESM) in the last two years; the other two states being Yobe and Kaduna States.

The signing ceremony was followed by a tour of the facilities of two of the companies in the partnership facilities - Drugfield Pharmaceuticals and Fidson Healthcare Plc. The Niger State Government team was led by the wife of the state Governor, Dr Amina Abubakar Bello. Other key representatives from the State included the State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Makusidi, the Permanent Secretary - Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammed Gana, the Executive Director - NSDHCMA, Dr Mohammed Audi, and other senior government officials from the Ministry of Health.

The Niger State first lady stated that she was elated to be present at the MoU signing ceremony. She affirmed the state’s

Wife of the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, (Middle sitting), beside her to the left is Azuka Okeke, CEO ARC_ESM, and to the right is the Commissioner of Health, Niger State, Dr. Muhammad Makusidi with other senior government officials and CEOs of Pharma Companies.

readiness to work with the Pharma Companies to ensure the supply of quality and affordable medicines to the people of Niger State and assured the companies that the state government would keep to the terms of the MoU. An elated Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammed Makusidi, remarked that the state government has shown its commitment to the success of the MoU as all the leadership of the Niger State Health Agencies were present at the MoU signing ceremony.

The pharmaceutical companies represented by the chairman of the PMG-MAN and the CEO of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr Fidelis Ayebae, appreciated the Niger State Government

for keying into the partnership initiative while emphasizing the commitment of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to addressing the health agenda of the country. He applauded the State government for adopting the PPP model which promotes patronage of the Local Pharma Companies and commended the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC_ESM) for facilitating this opportunity.

The Senior Program Officer, Health Global Development from the Nigeria Country Office of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Charity Chenge, opined that Nigeria can export its learnings from this PPP to other African countries on how to ensure the availability of health commodities at the last mile while managing the challenges and was delighted to witness the signing of the MoU with the Niger State. She commended the role played by ARC_ESM in facilitating this partnership.

Through this initiative with the local pharmaceutical companies, the Niger State Drugs and Hospitals Consumables Management Agency aims to increase access to high-quality health services for its citizens by ensuring the constant availability of basic health care commodities across all its health facilities. The distribution of these commodities to the health facilities across the State will be channeled through a distribution network to be handled by NSDHCMA. The Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC_ESM) will continue to support this partnership by ensuring both parties adhere to the terms of the MoU.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

25

Former Senate President Joseph Wayas: A Good Man is Gone Last Thursday morning, news filtered into ARISE News Channel Newroom that the former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas was dead. My colleague, Director of News, Yemi Ajayi who sat right opposite me turned towards me and asked: O’Boy, have you heard? Is it true that Dr. Joseph Wayas is dead. I was stunned.

Why was I the first port of call to confirm the story? Although sometimes, people think I’m from either Benue, Edo or Delta states because of my surname, most of my colleagues are aware that I am from Cross River State and the same area with the late Wayas. I quickly put a call to Cross River State, Health Commissioner, Dr. Bertha Edu, who was reported to have visited him in the London hospital, she did not pick up.

I dialed up the mobile number of Senior Media Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade, Christian Ita and he did not pick up.

I decided to put a call to another of our sisters living in London, Mrs. Tina Baruwa who decided to get back to me as soon as she could. About few seconds later, a press release dropped on my whatsapp announcing his passing with the governor commiserating with people and his family. With that confirmation, ARISE News Channel broke the news that Wayas had passed on in a London hospital at the age of 80.

I am not a blood relations of the Wayas’ but had very early contact with him as a teen when my father was the Chief Warden of Obudu Prisons in early ‘70s after the war. We lived in the Government Reserved Area then and I still have this fleeting memories of this man in flowing robes who was driven into our compound one evening in a big black car. It so happened that when the man alighted from the car and was received by my father right by the door and they both walked in; the car he came in virtually sank down swallowing the tyres.

I could not comprehend why the car would suddenly sink down or the tyres deflated within seconds of being parked.

I ran into the room where my father was with his guest and he called me to come and meet my namesake. I shook small hands with him and ran back outside to watch the car. with the visit over, I was curious to know whether the car had malfunctioned or what actually went wrong. So as soon as Wayas came through the door, his driver started the car. Behold, the black French made Citroen rose majestically from the ground to its full splendour like a phoenix and positioned for Wayas to embark. Few seconds later, the car sped away with him.

I was to learn later as I grew up that, Wayas was then

Joseph Wayas

Commissioner for Works under the then Col. U. J Esuene administration and the youngest at 26. After his stewardship, Wayas went on to do other exploits, venturing into construction with his NICOGEN Company that was instrumental in building majority of Nigeria Army’s barracks nationwide.

The world was at his feet and many were literally eating from Wayas’ palm. He was rich, well spoken, young and flamboyant and well connected. To underscore Wayas’ huge financial war chest, in 1977/78 during the return to civil rule, he was very instrumental in bankrolling the National Party of Nigeria (NPN); a contribution which placed him in pole spot to emerge as the second republic Senate President in 1979. However, four years on, following the overthrow of the President Shehu Shagari government with most of his colleague arrested and incarcerated by the General Muhammadu Buhari regime, Wayas sneaked out of the country and was in exile for a considerable time before returning to Nigeria in 1999.

I did not meet Wayas while he was in office, but those who did, have nothing to regret to this day. It is to his credit that majority of those who constitute who is who from the Cross River state and especially old Ogoja province owe a huge debt of gratitude to the greatest ambassador to ever emerge

THEFRONTLINES JOSEPH USHIGIALE jushigiale@yahoo.co.uk, joseph.ushigiale@thisdaylive.com 08023422660 (sms only)

from Obanliku. He invested huge resources into human capital development awarding scholarships to people to study both at home and abroad. Wayas was selfless, generous, detribalised. A great mixer who worked as hard as he played. To him, it seemed he lived for each day that he saw himself alive.

Our paths crossed again sometimes in 2003 or so when I did a piece chronicling political dynasties and their heir apparent.

He asked my late cousin, Francis Igbolo who was his PA then to invite me over to Abuja. I honoured the invitation with trepidation. On the day I arrived, he received me warmly in his office then located in the NNPC office complex. We exchanged pleasantries and then he asked that they should check me into an hotel to rest and then come to his home for dinner at 6pm.

His driver picked me up and we were right on time. After dinner, he took me down memory lane dwelling on his friendhsip with my father. He explained that back in the days, there was hardly anyone going abroad from Ogoja province who did not pass through my father’s abode in Obalende. He also informed me that his mother hailed from Akorshie just one village from mine in Kakwalaka and that he has fond memories of Bendi clan as his roots.

Then the lecture began: he asked me if I knew the power of the pen and its capacity to make and mar? He reminded me that as a young man I did not realise the powerful position I occupied to bring about positive change in society.

At this point, my eyes were welling up with tears. He consoled me and said he did not invite me to pass a guilty verdict but to guide me on how I could constructively ply my trade. He said he has been following my progress and predicted that I had a great future ahead of me. I just broke down and wept.

The meeting ended abruptly seeing that I was now inconsolable, he asked his driver to take me back to my hotel and provide me whatever I needed. The next day, his driver picked me up to his office where I announced that I was on my way back to Lagos. He now pulled out a thick envelope and thrusted it to me and I turned it down. I told him I already had a return ticket and did not need anything. He told me it was bad habit that borders on disrespect to turn down a gift from an elder and uncle. I collected it, thanked him and flew back to Lagos.

Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

PHOTO NEWS

L-R: Executive Director, Access Bank/Chairman, of the jury/CIO award 2021, Ade Bajomo; Chief Technology officer, First Bank, Adewale Salami; Convener, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Awards/The CIO Club Africa, Abiola Laseinde; Deputy Managing Director, Hauwei, Zhen Chao; and CEO, Chapel Hill Denham/Chairman of the occasion, Bolaji Balogun at the CIO awards 2021 in Lagos…recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R Partner, SIAO, Mr. Robert Ade-Odeachi; Partner, SIAO,Mr. Laddi Smith; ICAN President, Mrs. Comfort Olu Eyitayo; and Partner, SIAO, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo during the ICAN President courtesy visit to SIAO Partners, to celebrate the International Accountant’s Day in Lagos...recently

L-R: Director, Government Relations at AOS Orwell Limited, Charlotte Essiet; Founder/CEO, PatrickRow Limited, Beatrice Olumhense; Associate Editor/Coordinator, Inspiring Woman Series, BusinessDay, Kemi Ajumobi; Former Vice President Secretary General AfDB, Cecilia Akintomide and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the Board of Directors of Heritage Bank Plc, Imomoemi Ibisiki at the press conference in preparation for BusinessDay’s Inspiring Woman Series 10 in Lagos, yesterday…..

L-R: Head Teacher, St. Finbarr’s College (SFC). Mr. Biyibi Victor; Welfare Officer, St. Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association(SFCOBA) 85-91Set, Mr. Oghor Akpenyi; Assistant Administrator SFC, Reverend Father Andrew Toye; Chairman SFCOBA 85-91Set, Mr. Kayode Krakue; General Secretary, Sir. Bede Nwachukwu; and Chairman Planning Committee SFCOBA 85-91Set, Mr. Babs Fagade at the presentation of Tables and Chairs to the School by the old boys 85-91Set, to mark 30th Year School leaving anniversary in Lagos…..recently

26

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

POLITY

Marwa, Tinubu, Kyari, Oreh to Speak at Maktoub Youth Forum

T

he annual Maktoub Youth Forum will hold on December 8 at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja.

This year’s event, tagged, “Re-Inventing Youths”, with the slogan, “We Can, We Will” is expected to attract over 200 youths from across Nigeria, with different backgrounds, disciplines and orientations.

A statement by the organisers said the forum would feature “a powerful lineup of guest speakers leading vibrant and interactive discourses on current and topical issues that directly impact on youths today and their hopes and dreams for a prosperous future.”

The statement reads: “Topics to be discussed are: Get Involved to Build a Better Nation, Managing Social Media Pressure, Rediscovering the Humanity in Us, Pandemic Positives, Youths and Drug Abuse, and The Trust Question: Police & Citizens Relationship.

“The renowned speakers includes Dr Adaeze Oreh, Founder/CEO, Kabiya Care Foundation; Brig. Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive, NDLEA; CP Frank Mba, Force PRO; Seyi Tinubu, CEO/Chairman, Loatsad Promomedia and Co-Founder, Noella Foundation; Hakeem Shagaya, CEO, KarmodNigeria Limited; and Aisha Kyari, Market Intelligence Officer and Vice President, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).”

Maktoub Youth Forum is an annual event that focuses on helping Nigerian youths today develop the right outlook, character and values.

In this year’s edition, young people will listen and learn from renowned speakers while giving them a chance to address shared challenges, including social media pressure, self-actualisation,

Marwa

mental health, and economic innovation among others.

The statement continues, “The Forum will outline the importance of engaging youths in meaningful intergenerational dialogue. The discussions will aim to shape their perceptions and attitudes in a post-pandemic world, grow and maximise their skills and natural talents, and properly channel their strengths toward their chosen initiatives.

“The event slogan “We Can, We Will” encourages youths to discover, explore and maximise their natural potentials and create a better future

Tinubu

for themselves in spite of hurdles. It is a reaffirmation that youths can be the change they want to see and underscores the power of mentoring and experienced guidance by respected professionals and key stakeholders across different sectors of national life.

“It helps each one of us - especially the young ones - to reflect on our personal and collective goals. To stop and think: “What if the key to our development and progress lies in each one of us?

What if we could harness our inherent and collective strength and creativity to lead us from where we are and we want to be?”

Cross River 2023: When There is Silence, Noise Takes Over Efiom Okpo

T

he political dynamic in Cross River State is, to say the least, now becoming difficult to understand. Ordinarily, it would be easy to predict the political climate in the State but not anymore.

What is the reason for this befuddling (what should have been a natural) outcome? The answer is not too far-fetched. Fifth columnists. But let us not get ahead of ourselves here. Let’s break it down.

In 1992, Clement Ebri from the Cross River State Central Senatorial District was sworn in as Governor. His Deputy was the late Mrs Cecilia Ekpenyong from the Southern Senatorial District.

The Ebri/Ekpenyong regime was truncated in 1993 by the Sani Abacha interregnum.

When democracy fully resumed in 1999, Donald Duke from Southern Senatorial District became Governor. His Deputy was the late John Okpa from Central Senatorial District. In 2003, the late Walter Eneji from the Northern Senatorial District was Deputy.

When Duke was leaving in 2007, the principle of zoning kicked in. It was said to be a People Democratic Party (PDP) principle. Or was it?

Anyway, Liyel Imoke from the Central Senatorial District became Governor with Efiok Cobham as his Deputy. By this time the Central Senatorial District was having its second go at the governorship.

In 2015, because of the zoning principle, only gubernatorial aspirants from Northern Senatorial District contested. They came from all the parties.

The aspirants included Senator Benedict Ayade, Fidelis Ugbo, Legor Idagbo, Goddy Jeddy Agba, Patrick Ugbe, Gerald Ada, Francis Eworo, Emmanuel Ibeshi, Joe Agi, Peter Oti, Odey Ochicha, Lazarus Undie, Mike Ogar, Henrietta Henry, and Okwa Philip Ogbo. That election threw up Senator Ben Ayade as Governor and Ivara Esu as Deputy.

Having completed his two-term tenure, Benedict Ayade cannot run any further as a candidate.

But that is not to say that he does not plan to run the show. Strategically, he has moved to the All-Progressives Congress (APC) from the PDP. When he moved, he did so like a hurricane. He took the entire state party machinery with him. He unflagged the PDP State Headquarters and it automatically began to bear the insignia and colours of the APC. The most interesting thing is that the then PDP Party Chairman also went with Ayade’s hurricane to the APC. Then, ex-PDP stalwarts who had earlier left the PDP for the APC like Victor Ndoma-Egba and John Owan Eno congratulated him for the move.

The PDP camp rallied. Two friends who became foes became friends again – Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke. Donald Duke who had earlier returned to the PDP from his wanderings in the political wilderness issued a statement condemning Ayade’s defection and pledging his own loyalty to the PDP. The triumvirate of Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Gershom Bassey were back together. Night meetings went on in Calabar on how to counter the Ayade factor. The PDP set up their new shop at Mary Slessor Avenue. Then knocked.

Ayade intends to play the zoning card. All speculations point to a candidate from the Southern Senatorial District who is a leading member of his cabinet – Asuquo Ekpenyong.

He is the current Commissioner for Finance and indeed Donald Duke’s son-in-law. Ekpenyong’s eventual emergence as APC’s gubernatorial candidate is expected to tie Duke’s hands and will be considered a major development. But Ekpenyong has other aspirants to beat including Bassey Otu and Ben Akak who are not minions by any chance.

PDP’s body language remains baffling.

Without a fight, they gave up their state headquarters. Then, it seems that without a fight they will give up their claim to the governorship. Is this being presumptuous? Perhaps.

But here is where things are beginning to go awry. Some individuals within the PDP have

concluded that the zoning principle falls away since all the zones have had their turn at the governorship. Really? So, Sandy Onor, a serving Senator from the Central Senatorial District, and a great prospect no doubt, has been jostling to emerge as the next gubernatorial candidate of the PDP. This will be political hara-kiri for the PDP. Why? Ayade is going to make zoning the issue – in terms of governorship, Central has produced two, South one, and North one. Sandy trying to be the third from Central will sound the death knell for the PDP. Period.

Then, let us all agree that Benedict Ayade is no push-over. He is a calculating super-fox. Look beyond his linguistic verbiage. He did not become a Senator by accident; nor did he become Governor also by accident. Ayade plays the game well. If he goes with the zoning computation, which he will very well do, and the in-law factor it will be almost a fait accompli. The South will have their governor, an Ayade Governor, and thus be satisfied with it.

But that is only if the PDP allows Ayade to have his way. The PDP is tilting precariously only because one part of it seems to have taken a holiday – the Southern caucus. While it is heartening to know that the likes of Gershom Bassey and Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong from the South are being speculated as aspirants, there needs to be a lot more fervour from the South. The Southern leadership of the PDP made up of elders like Donald Duke, Efiok Cobham, Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Stella Attoe and including the likes of the Southern National Assembly Caucus – Gershom Bassey, Dan Asuquo, Essien Ayi, and Eta Mbora, is too quiet. They need to decide if the South wants to really come out, come together and then do the work. It is true that Efik edi Mbakara but that does not mean imbecility. Nature abhors a vacuum.

The absence of representation is abdication. John Stuart Mill, British philosopher, and a member of parliament, in his 1867 inaugural address said, “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.”

Need I say more r Efiom Okpo is an IT consultant and a public affairs commentator.

GLOBAL SOCCER

3

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

04. 12.2021

NEWS

BATTLE FOR CONSOLIDATION PAGE. 29

JOE ARIBO On Verge of England Return

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

28

GLOBAL SOCCER

Joe Aribo

On Verge of England Return Joe Aribo...growing interest from Premier League clubs rising

With just 18 months to the end of his contract with Glasgow Rangers, Joe Aribo may just be on the wings of exiting Ibrox as Premier League trio of Crystal Palace,Brentford andWatford are wooing the Super Eagles midfielder to England

T

he contract situation of the Nigerian international, Joe Aribo has left the Ibrox outfit vulnerable, with admirers hopeful of their chances of luring him away in January or next summer.

Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace are keeping a keen eye on Aribo who is also drawing interest from other EPL clubs.

According to the Daily Mail, Premier League side Crystal Palace are targeting the Rangers star.

The 25-year-old joined the Scottish Premier League champions from Charlton Atheltic in 2019. He emerged as a key player for the Ibrox-based outfit and took his game to the next level under former manager Steven Gerrard.

Aribo has around 18 months left on his current deal, and this has given interested parties enough time for negotiations.

Having found the net 21 times and has assisted 18 more in just 116 appearances, Aribo has made a name for himself in the Scottish Premiership.

Despite Gerrard leaving the Ibrox for new pastures, Aribo has continued to impress under new boss Giovanni Van Bronckhorst.

The Nigerian was named the Man of the Match in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Livingston last week. He scored an excellent goal on the night and appeared to have convinced his new manager that he should play a more advanced role in the attack.

New Gers boss, Bronckhorst is a fan of Aribo’s attacking qualities and is keen

to deploy him in a more advanced role to maximise them, and the club will not want to lose such a player anytime soon.

The versatile Aribo played a huge role as the Bears strolled to the Premiership title last term, and GvB will not be too pleased to lose such a key player.

A January exit could be off the cards, though, but they may be forced to cash in on him next summer so as not to lose him for nothing.

It is not surprising to see that he is wanted in England, and being able to play excellently well centrally, out wide and even as a left-back makes him a hot cake in the transfer market.

While Rangers would loathe losing a player of his ability, Aribo is not short of options. Apart from Palace, Brentford and Watford are also seeking his services. Aribo has certainly learned from one of the best midfielders of his generation in Steven Gerard at the Ibrox. Whether another legend, Patrick Vieira, will deliver more lessons at Selhurst Park remains to be seen.

This summer, Palace have made some wise investments, signing Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Will Hughes, Odsonne Edouard, and Joachim Andersen. While it does give Vieira a talented young core to work with, he may need a new midfielder next summer.

This is because one of Palace’s top performers, Conor Gallagher, is on loan from Chelsea and still harbours hope of making it at Stamford Bridge. His seemingly imminent departure could leave a

huge void in the Eagles squad that the opposition can exploit. Palace have shown excellent potential this season and could develop into a formidable side with the right investments.

Aribo’s ability to dribble and make key passes and an eye for tackle makes him an all-rounder for Rangers in the middle of the park. The foundation he provides aids players ahead of him to make an impact. And Palace could certainly do with just that. With options on the table, where the Nigerian decides to go remains to be seen.

With Crystal Palace on the verge of luring the Nigerian star to London Rangers have slammed £10 million as the transfer fee of the Super Eagles’ player.

Crystal Palace will need to cough out a transfer fee of over £10 million in order to sign Rangers Aribo in the upcoming January transfer window.

The 25-year-old is one of Steven Gerrard’s key players at the Ibrox. While the Scottish champions have no intention to let the player go easily, a fee in the region of the aforementioned figure could sway their heads.

For all their success domestically, Rangers have little chance of offering the player a bigger stage for his performances. Palace, on their part, are miles away from competition for silverware.

However, with a young core at the helm, the Londoners could be putting together something special.

A no non-sense player, the Nigerian

should slot in seamlessly in Vieira’s midfield. His presence will also give the more technical players ahead of him the freedom to express themselves. His ability to dribble and make key passes and an eye for tackle could see him fit like a glove at Selhurst Park. Whether an agreement can be reached between the clubs, this January remains to be seen.

When asked about his future by Nigerian radio station Brila FM, the Rangers playmaker said: “I am not focused with anything that is coming outside of football.

“I’m just focused on what’s going on with my club, and me and my club so that’s all I care about and that’s what I want to be doing.”

He also hailed the impact of Steven Gerrard on his career, having been deployed in several different midfield areas so far this season.

Aribo added: “It’s helping me grow as a player.

“I’m understanding different positions, what to do in certain positions on the pitch so it’s really good for me and it helps me grow as a player.

“I want to add goals and assists to my game so hopefully I can get as many as possible.”

Signing a four-year deal following a cutprice transfer from Charlton Athletic, Aribo’s progress at Rangers has been evident and he now stands as a key first team player.

But the London-born Nigerian star’s contract situation will have Ibrox chiefs nervous and other clubs looking with Palace named as one side taking a keen interest.

A popular player with immense technique, Aribo’s highlight reel at Ibrox will be a montage of remarkable first touches, silky skills, neat assists and wonderful finishes.

There is a lot more to come for the player – if anything Aribo’s biggest issue is consistency and there is still room for him to grow at Rangers.

29

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Chelsea Hoping to Consolidate Lead with West Ham Derby Things do not get any easier for West Ham United today as they host league leaders, Chelsea.

With David Moyes’side now three games without a win following losses to both Wolves and Manchester City before Wednesday’s draw with Brighton, West Ham need to pull a result out of somewhere in order to keep their momentum going

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

14 14 14 14 14 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 13 14 14

27 21 31 8 -3 -4 0 0 -2 -3 -1 -2 -4 -7 -7 -7 -7 -6 -20 -14

33 32 31 24 23 22 21 21 19 19 16 16 16 15 15 15 13 10 10 7

PREMIER LEAGUE TODAY

West Ham v Chelsea Newcastle v Burnley Southampton v Brighton Wolves v Liverpool Watford v Man City SUNDAY

Leeds Utd v Brentford Man Utd v Crystal Palace Tottenham v Norwich City Aston Villa v Leicester City MONDAY

Everton v Arsenal

12:30 15:00 15:00 15:00 17:30 14:00 14:00 14:00 16:30 20:00

La Liga TODAY

Sevilla v Villarreal Barcelona v Real Betis Atlético v Mallorca Sociedad v Madrid

13:00 15:12 17:30 20:00

SUNDAY No way for you...West Ham Declan Rice seems to be telling Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante

C

helsea will be looking to stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier League table to four points when they travel to fourth-placed West Ham United this afternoon.

The Blues will enter the contest off the back of a 2-1 victory at Watford on Wednesday, while West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion on the same night.

West Ham have won seven, drawn three and lost four of their 14 Premier League matches this season to collect 24 points, which has left them in fourth position on the table and very much in the mix for a top-four finish.

A win would see David Moyes’s side end the next set of fixtures in the top four regardless of what happens elsewhere.

West Ham suffered a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City last weekend but were on the verge of securing a huge three points at home to Brighton on Wednesday, only for Neal Maupay to come up with an 89th-minute leveller for the Seagulls, meaning that Moyes’s team are now without a victory in their last three league encounters.

A victory over Chelsea would lead the Hammers nicely into back-to-back away games against Burnley and Arsenal, but a defeat would certainly leave them vulnerable, with plenty of teams looking to capitalise behind them.

West Ham lost both league

matches against Chelsea last season, including a 1-0 defeat at the London Stadium, but they did record a 3-2 victory over the Blues on home soil last July.

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United in the league last weekend but managed to return to winning ways on Wednesday, recording a 2-1 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

Hakim Ziyech’s effort in the 72nd minute proved to be the difference between the two sides and ensured that the Blues would remain top of the table entering today’s London derby.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are seemingly involved in a threeway title race with secondplaced Manchester City and third-placed Liverpool, and the European Cup holders could easily find themselves down in third position if they fail to overcome the Hammers.

Chelsea have a relatively kind festive fixture list, facing Leeds United, Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa and Brighton before the end of the month, but January’s first two league matches are against Liverpool and Man City.

Tuchel claimed that his side were lucky to triumph at Watford on Wednesday, and the German will undoubtedly be looking for an improvement in this weekend’s contest with Moyes’s side.

Seeking to keep the pressure on Chelsea, Manchester City travel to Watford for this evening’s encounter.

The hosts went down 2-1 to the Blues in midweek, while Pep Guardiola’s men saw off Aston Villa by the same scoreline.

The Hornets could not replicate their fast start as Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech won the day for the Blues, who did concede to Emmanuel Dennis’s smart finish.

Claudio Ranieri’s men are now hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th place - three points better off than Burnley, who have a game in hand - but the Hornets can certainly take the positives from their narrow defeat to the European champions.

Defensive deficiencies continue to plague this Watford side, who are yet to keep a clean sheet in the 2021-22 Premier League season, and they welcome City to Vicarage Road having shipped 14 at home already - only Newcastle United have conceded more on their own patch.

Pep Guardiola had two powerful Portuguese efforts to thank as City managed to get over the line at Villa Park, ending Steven Gerrard’s 100 per cent start to life back in the Premier League in the process.

Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva both rifled in eye-catching strikes in the first half before Ollie Watkins replied for Aston Villa just after the restart, and despite coming under siege in the West Midlands, the champions ultimately held on for a precious three points.

Vallecano v Espanyol Elche v Cádiz Levante v Osasuna Celta Vigo v Valencia

13:00 15:15 17:30 20:00

MONDAY

Getafe v Bilbao

Hot Shot PLAYERS

Mohamed Salah Jamie Vardy Sadio Mane Diogo Jota Michail Antonio Maxwell Cornet Ismaïla Sarr Raphinha Balloli

20:00

CLUB

Liverpool Leicester Liverpool Liverpool West Ham Burnley Watford Palace

GOALS

11 7 7 7 5 5 5 5

Victory at Villa Park marked City’s sixth triumph in a row across all competitions - during which time they have scored at least two goals in every game - and their hot streak sees them hold their second-placed ranking in the table, one point adrift of Chelsea and one clear of Liverpool.

Guardiola’s side also chalked up the latest in a long line of away successes during Wednesday’s clash, as they have now taken 16 points from the last 18 on offer on the road in the top flight, and the champions can feel confident about their prospects of chalking up at least two goals away from home for the fifth game in a row here.

City need no second invitation to hit their merciless best in this fixture, as they won both fixtures by an aggregate scoreline of 12-0 in the 2019-20 season and enter today’s game on a 13-match winning streak versus the Hornets since a 1-1 draw in 2007.

30

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

L-R; Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepekun; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare; Brand Ambassador, Total Energies, Jay Jay Okocha; General Manager, Retail and Cards, Total Energies, Abdulahi Umar; Executive Director/ Secretary General, Total Energies, Lesley Baxter; and the Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Mr. Bashir Are at a press conference on Total Energies AFCON sponsorship in Lagos… recently

European Clubs Express Concern over AFCON The European Club Association (ECA) has expressed its “deep concerns” regarding player welfare before the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and is seeking urgent talks with world governing body Fifa.

The independent body highlighted the “worsening public health situation” following the emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, which was first discovered in South Africa last month.

The developments may lead to a fresh dispute over releasing players for international duty next

month.

The Nations Cup begins in Cameroon on January 9 and runs until February 6, while there is another international window between January 24 and February 2 for some other confederations.

The ECA wants to work with world governing body Fifa to “ensure all necessary precautions are in place to protect players and club interests” as the health situation “continues to deteriorate in an alarming manner”.

Countries have begun reintroducing travel bans, quarantine requirements

and other restrictions because of concerns about the impact of the Omicron variant.

The United Kingdom has added 10 southern African countries to its travel red list.

The ECA is understood to be desperate to avoid a repeat of the problems during September’s international window.

At that time Premier League clubs refused to release players for duty in red-list countries, because at the time they would have been required to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days.

CBN, IVM, Rwanda Air Partner Daily Trust Golf Tournament As preparations for this year’s Daily Trust Golf Tournament billed for Ibom Icon Golf Course in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State gathers momentum, support has continued to pour in for the organisers of the event, even as Central Bank of Nigeria, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturers, Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Navy, RwandaAir and Akwa Ibom State government have signified their intention to be part of the competition.

Billed to hold on December 4th, the one-day competition will feature about 120-golfers drawn from across the country.

Golfers are expected from Benin, Enugu, Kano, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna, Katsina and Lagos states.

Speaking ahead of competition billed for this weekend in Uyo, the General Manager, Business and Strategy, Daily Trust, Ahmed Shekarau said the tournament would accommodate the crème of Nigeria’s golf players, captains of industry and special guests for a weekend of exciting golf while promoting national unity.

“We made the conscious decision to promote the game of golf through the Daily

The biggest fixture in German Bundesliga holds today as Dortmund come against Bayern in an game the league’s best strikers -Haaland and Robert Lewandowski clash.

There are a number of football matches that grab worldwide attention whenever they are played and Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich is one of those.

The action will be live and in HD on StarTimes World Football channel at 6:30pm.

And certainly, in Germany, it gets no bigger than Der Klassiker, especially if it is – as it is this time again – a

top-of-the-table clash that would allow the home side to climb above Bayern with a victory.

Going into the game, Bayern are on 31 points – one ahead of their rivals.

Both Dortmund and Bayern achieved morale-boosting victories on the weekend – Bayern struggling at home to a 1-0 victory against Arminia Bielefeld, while Dortmund won 3-1 at Wolfsburg. The most important aspect of the Dortmund victory though, was the return of Erling Haaland, who played his first game since September 19, having missed more than a month after injuring his hip

Trust Golf Tournament, because golf’s growing popularity among Nigeria’s prime movers has elevated the sport to a strategic meeting point for the elite class”, Shekarau said.

Apart from the numerous prizes to be won, the star prize for both the men and the ladies’ winner, is an all-expenses-paid golfing weekend in Kigali, Rwanda; 3-night stay in a 5-star hotel in Kigali; 2-rounds of golf at the Premier 18-hole Kigali Golf Club and a business class roundtrip on Abuja-Kigali ticket on Rwanda Air.

Dortmund, Bayern Clash Live on StarTimes flexor.

With Haaland back in action, Der Klassiker is not only a match-up between the two top clubs in Germany, it is also a match-up between the two best strikers in Germany and possibly even currently in the world.

Despite playing in just seven matches, Haaland has found the back of the net 10 times this season, while Lewandowski has scored 14 goals from 13 matches.

Last year, Lewandowski topped the scorer charts with a sensational 41 goals from 29 matches, while Haaland was the third top scorer with 27 goals from 28 matches.

Left to right, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ismaila Abubakar, Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Mansur Ahmed, Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare and Special Adviser to President on Sports, Daniel Amokachi feel the renovated pitch of MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja

GOtv Boxing Night 24

Ghana’s Qwick Action Promises Quick Night for Baby Face World Boxing Federation (WBF) International title welterweight contender, Justice “Qwick Action” Addy of Ghana, has vowed that reigning champion, Nigeria’s Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde would be defeated in double quick time when they meet at GOtv Boxing Night 24 on December 24.

The six-bout event, slated to hold at the Molade OkoyaThomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, will stage two other title fights.

Speaking on the phone from his Accra base, Qwick Action said he was coming to Nigeria to claim the title,

boasting that Baby Face would not last beyond two rounds.

“I’m not going to Lagos for Christmas, but for the serious business of the WBF title. Baby Face will be down and out by the end of the second round.

The reason I’m called Qwick Action is that I dismiss my opponents quickly. Baby Face will be my next victim,” boasted the Ghanaian.

Two domestic title bouts are also scheduled, with one a rematch between Segun Olanrewaju and Adewale Masebinu in the light heavyweight division. In the previous fight, a challenge, Olanrewaju defeated Masevex.

The second, another grudge

encounter, will see Abiodun Afinni attempt to avenge his defeat by knockout, to Michael Godwin in the cruiserweight category. There will be two challenge bouts in the welterweight division. One will see Semiu Olapade try Taiwo Olowu for size, with the other a clash between Willian Amosu and Segun Adeyemi.

The sixth bout is in the bantamweight category and will see two pro debutants, Saheed Azeez take on Aminu Akintayo.

The best boxer on the night will win the N1million cash prize attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

Everton vs Arsenal, Other Premier League Games Live on DStv, GOtv DStv and GOtv customers can look forward to Round 15 action from the Premier League with matches scheduled to run from today to Monday December 6, 2021.

The top clash from this round of Premier League action is the opening match today as West Ham United welcome Chelsea to the London Stadium for a crunch derby at 1:30pm

on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203).

Another key clash for this round takes place Monday, which sees Everton host Arsenal at 9pm on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203).

This round also features an intriguing clash at 3pm on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203) and SuperSport Football (DStv channel 205 and GOtv

channel 31) which sees Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira test his side’s progress with a trip to Manchester United; Watford will have the challenge of hosting champions Manchester City today at 6:30pm on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203); and Southampton will host Brighton & Hove Albion for a south coast derby at 4pm on SuperSport Variety 1 and GOtv channel 31.

Dangote Hands Over Renovated MKO Abiola National Stadium to FG Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Dangote Group of Companies yesterday handed over to the Federal Government the rehabilitated football pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja also fitted with new computerised score boards.

The Stadium was renovated under the Adopt-a-Pitch Initiative that aimed at using private collaborations to enhance the development of sportsmen in the country.

The Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group of Companies, Mansur Ahmed handed over the facility on behalf of the conglomerate to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare.

Ahmed stated that his company was committed to lifting the Moshood Abiola National Stadium to an international standard because of the tremendous impact sports has had on the stability

and unity of the country.

He said Dangote Group of Companies carried out the renovation of the foootball pitch and digital score boards of the National Stadium in order to boost sports development in the country.

The renovation carried out by local contractors, Aron Nigeria, made use of pure dynasty pas palum, the latest grass technology in the world, which is also the one being used for Qatar, 2022 as well as latest digital technology for the scoreboards.

For The Love of Golf Charity Tourney Tees Off December 11

Disgraced Former Global Athletics Boss, Diack Dies

Ahead of the 2021 For The Love Of Golf Charity Tournament which will hold on December 11 at the Ikeja Golf Club Lagos, the atmosphere is already enveloped with excitement.

The charity event debuted a year ago in spite of the pandemic and the present economic quagmire.

Former World Athletics president, Lamine Diack has died at home in Senegal, aged 88.

Diack, who was convicted of corruption last year, was president of World Athletics (formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations, IAAF) from 1999 to 2015.

In September 2020, he was found guilty of corruption and

The second edition will be holding for a tournament aimed at raising funds for Paediatric Cancer patients and an orphanage home for challenged children in Lagos State.

Last year, One Million Naira and a reridgirator being proceeds from the tournament were donated

to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Paediatric Cancer Ward.

However, the 2021 edition is targeted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Paediatric Cancer Ward and Triple Passion Home Initiative, an orphanage home for challenged children.

money-laundering, linked to the Russian doping scandal.

A French court sentenced him to four years in prison, two of them suspended. He was never jailed and allowed to return to Senegal, where he remained under house arrest and was later released on bail.

“He died at home of a natural death,” his son, Papa Massata

Diack, said.

Diack’s lawyers had previously said he was in poor health and would die if sent to prison.

Despite his conviction he still enjoyed support in Senegal with Cheikh Seck, the owner of Senegalese football club Jaraaf, paying a 500,000 euro ($565,000 or £425,000 bond earlier this year that allowed Diack to return home.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 04, 2021

GLOBAL SOCCER

Maduka Okoye Clash over Sign-on Fee His signing for Watford was not only seen as good move but one that would take his career to a greater height. However, with just few weeks after the deal with theVicarage Road side was sealed, his present clubSparta Rotterdam and former club- Fortuna Düsseldorf clashed over share of the seven million euro spoil Watford coughed out to sign Maduka Okoye.

The Nigerian safe hand has however pitched tent with his former club in the row

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uper Eagles first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has waded into public spat between Fortuna’s former and present directors.

Okoye has sided with former Fortuna Düsseldorf sports director Lutz Pfannenstiel in his public dispute with current sports director Uwe Klein.

The ugly dispute between the two administrators started after Watford FC signed Okoye for a reported seven million euro from Sparta Rotterdam just before the last international break in November.

Sparta had snatched the young shotstopper from Fortuna in 2020 free of charge after not playing a single game for the senior team.

But the German side is due a reported one million euros from Okoye’s Watford move because of a sell-on clause in his deal.

But hurt by the massive profit made by Sparta in the deal, Klein had attacked his predecessor for his decision not to renew Okoye’s contract in the summer of 2020.

Pfannenstiel firmly rejected this.

Pfannenstiel revealed that he told his successor to renew the talented Nigerian’s contract and not to let him leave Fortuna.

However, on Monday, Klein rejected

his predecessor’s accusation via the club’s website, stating that he was a liar.

“I do not allow myself to be publicly accused of lying, and I will no longer let it stand that way,” Klein was quoted on the Fortuna website.

Klein, though, admitted that he had informed Okoye in the summer of 2020 that the contract with Okoye would not be renewed.

But Pfannenstiel would not let the allegations lie unchallenged, and he fought back over the weekend via Bild, as per Wdr. “If Uwe Klein of all people has the nerve to say something like that in public, then I just have to defend myself and say it very clearly: Uwe Klein doesn’t even blush when he lies,” said the current sports director of the US team in St. Louis City.

But Okoye has waded into the dispute, choosing to support former director Pfannenstiel.

“I have a basic sense of justice and absolutely cannot tolerate the statements that Uwe Klein made,” Okoye told the Rheinische Post, as per Wdr. “I do not understand why he accuses Lutz Pfannenstiel. Lutz has broken a lot of spears for me and is a man of honour.

“I was ready to sign with Fortuna and continue to offer my bones for the club of my heart, to subordinate myself and to

put in my all.”

The Nigerian goalkeeper’s move to Watford will come into effect in January, but the 22-year-old will spend the rest of the season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam.

Meanwhile, Okoye could become the latest Super Eagles player to be ruled out of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper went off injured after 24 minutes in Sparta Rotterdam’s Eredivisie meeting with league leaders Ajax on Sunday afternoon with the score at 0-0. In the 16th minute, Okoye came off his line to punch a Daley Blind cross from the left. While he got a good fist on the delivery, his left shoulder collided with the visitors’ centre-forward Danilo.

After spending minutes receiving treatment down on the turf, the former Fortuna Dusseldorf goalkeeper looked set to carry on. However, after testing out throwing motions, Okoye signalled to the bench with a wince, and Sparta manager Henk Fraser sent on back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Van Leer, whose last appearance for the club came in October 2020, in his place.

While coming off, Okoye got into some rows with Ajax captain Dusan Tadic, who took umbrage at his speed of departure. Both men had to be restrained

by their teammates, after which the Nigerian made his way straight down the Het Kasteel tunnel.

Okoye will be assessed by the club, and Nigeria fans will wait with bated breath on the health of the Super Eagles number one, who has grown in leaps since making his international debut in 2019 against Brazil. The German-born goalkeeper has made 13 appearances for Nigeria, and is set to join Premier League side Watford at the end of the 2021/22 league season.

Already, Nigeria has seen energetic midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo ruled out for the AFCON on account of tearing his quadriceps. In further pre-tournament misfortune, only last week striker Victor Osimhen broke his cheekbone and eye socket following a gruesome clash of heads that necessitated surgery, and could be out of action until the end of February 2022.

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

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 13, 2021

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾NOVEMBER 13, 2021

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK

Benefits Of Maintaining Your Car Longevity You’ve probably seen a car that is older than Dracula but surprisingly, it doesn’t look like it. In fact, a well-maintained old car can outlive a newer car that’s been neglected without proper care. Quite often, it’s the little things like regularly checking your tire pressure, brakes, Áuid level, battery and lights that make the big diͿerence in the long run.

Boost Your Safety Did you know that some road accidents are indirectly caused by poor car maintenance? For instance, you can forget to service your brake system and when you need to slow down, it malfunctions causing an accident. Another scenario would be a worn out tire that was supposed to be changed that b bursts when you’re driving at high speed – you get the picture?

Anyway, maintaining your car can improve your safety and potentially save your life.

Cross section of awardees at NAJA auto award event in Lagos Lagos… recently

Hyundai Creta Rated Nigeria’s Car of The Year 2021

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he Hyundai Creta has emerged Nigeria’s Car Of The Year (COTY) 2021, at Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Award event, held in Lagos, recently.

Other brands and some personalities in the nation’s auto sector were also honoured at this year’s event, which was well-attended.

In other categories, Mercedes-Benz S-Class was voted Luxury Car Of The Year 2021; Range Rover Velar as Luxury SUV Of The Year; Toyota Hilux as Pick Up Of The Year; and Toyota Hiace as Mini Bus Of The Year.

Others are, Lanre Shittu (JAC) as Auto Plant Of The Year (Truck); Mandilas Motors as Auto Workshop Of The Year; Shacman (TSS) as Truck Of The Year (Heavy Duty); Suzuki (CFAO), Outstanding Comeback Of The Year; Toyota

Starlet, Most Transformed New Entrant Of The Year; Hyundai Kona, Electric Vehicle Of The Year; and PAN Nigeria Ltd., Most Resilient Auto Assembler.

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) as Auto Manufacturer Of The Year (Local Content); Massilia Motors as Most Innovative Auto Company of The Year; Work & Play as Motor Rally Promoter Of The Year; Nord Tank as Outstanding New Pickup Of The Year; Geely Coolray as Compact SUV Of The Year (Outstanding Design/Technology); GAC GS8 as Most Fascinating SUV Of The Year; Kia K5 (Optima) as Executive Car Of The Year; and Autochek as Online Auto Company of the year.

Personalities honoured included, Chief Diana Chen (Chairman/CEO, CIG Group) as Nigeria Auto CEO Of The Year; Jelani Aliyu MFR (DG, NADDC); as Auto Personality Of the Year (Public Sector); Jacky Hathiramani

(MD, Dana Motors) As Auto Personality Of the Year (Corporate); Chief Michael Ade.Ojo as Pillar of Nigeria Auto Industry; and Boboye Oyeyemi PhD, MFR as Road Safety Personality Of The Decade.

Jet Systems received award as Electric Vehicle Promoter Of The Year; OMAA as Gas Powered Auto Assembler Of The Year; Beatrice Oyesile as Communication/Marketing Manager Of The Year; and Funmi Abiola, as Communication/ Marketing Manager Of The Year.

The highest product award given by the Nigeria Automotive journalists annually, was handed over to Stallion Motors (authorized distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Nigeria) team led by Mr. Gaurav Vashisht.

Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi delightfully handed over the award plaque to the winner on behalf of NAJA.

Stallion Group Acquires MG Motor’s Franchise

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igeria’s auto industry recorded a boost in the third quarter of 2021 as MG Motor appointed Stallion Group as the nation’s exclusive distributor for its iconic automobile brand of British origin.

Anurag Shah, Nigeria’s General Manager for the brand, who made the disclosure in a media statement, said plans were already on top gear to assemble, distribute, sell and service certain MG models in the country.

He said: “Stallion’s push for the MG Motor franchise was motivated by the company’s 25 years experience as the nation’s leading quality automobile sales and service provider, with clear understanding of Nigerian’s taste for quality vehicles.

“Moreover, as the disposable income of auto buyers dwindle due to the COVID-induced global economic recession, we understand that businesses and individuals require automobiles that combine durability with affordability, which is what MG and Stallion are reputed for.”

Shah also revealed that MG models already lined up for launch into the Nigerian market include: MG ZS, MG RX8, MG HS and MG T60 pick-up.

MG RX8, an extremely well-equipped 7-seater large-sized SUV, is reputed for offering huge amount of space without breaking the bank. Built on a strong truck chassis frame, RX8 comes with capability to handle some of the toughest off-road terrains in Nigeria.

One of the safest SUVs money can buy, the MG RX8 is equipped with front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear sensors with 360-degree camera, Active Rollover Protection and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

MG HS is a full-sized SUV, which has created a new definition of affordable sports-luxury for new

Increases The Resale Value Of Your Vehicle Ever wondered why some classic cars are auctioned at a higher resale value decades later after they were purchased? This is usually quite common among rare limited car models that are out of the market but the owners kept them in mint condition. However, even if your vehicle is not one of those scarce types, ensuring that it is well-maintained will increase its resale value.

Saves You Expensive Repair Costs Sometimes, the repair cost of a vehicle can be too expensive to the point that you spend more money trying to Àx your car than you would if you bought a new car of the same exact model.

Nonetheless, you can avoid digging a hole in your pocket by scheduling regular maintenance check-ups to seal that crack before it brings down the wall. Catch the drift? Remember, prevention is better than cure!

Minimizes Roadside Emergencies It can be annoying when your car engine won’t start on a cold winter morning or it suddenly breaks down on the roadside due to overheating problems.

It’s even more frustrating when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with no strong network signal and you have no choice but to abandon your vehicle to go seek help. Whoa! You don’t want to imagine that; it reads like a script from a horror movie.

Onto serious matters, you can minimize the risk of roadside emergencies if you take good care of your vehicle.

Protects The Environment Even if you have no passion for a cleaner environment, most countries have implemented regulations to limit vehicle exhaust emissions. Nowadays, it’s not just car manufacturers who have a duty to reduce vehicle emissions but even car owners have a responsibility to keep oͿ cars that are road unworthy due to excess carbon emissions. What better way to keep your vehicle in compliance with environmental protection standards than properly maintaining it.

MG RX8 7-seater SUV

car buyers in the United Kingdom and Middle East & Levant.

Flaunting a sporty exterior and interior, MG HS is set to offer Nigerian SUV lovers with ample space and comfort, coupled with a raised driving position to sit head and shoulders above the rest.

Yet in addition to other volume of safety features, the HS SUV is equipped with a 360-degree camera as well as front & rear parking sensors, heated mirrors, panoramic sunroof, 5-drive modes, multicolor ambient lighting, all-led headlights, Lane Departure Assist and Blind Spot Assist, resulting in an SUV that is as full of advanced features on the outside as it is on the inside.

In addition, MG ZS is the brand’s compact

Enhances Reliability And Performance If you drive a car for long enough without maintenance, you start to notice a decline in the performance. It could be that it doesn’t accelerate fast like it did when it was fresh out of the dealership.

Maybe the fuel economy worsened or it coughs when you start it. No, a wizard didn’t put a spell on your car but it is normal for car components to wear out if they aren’t serviced or replaced on a regular basis.

SUV, which, from all indications, is out to give existing Compact SUVs in the country a run for their money.

Loaded with technology, the MG ZS features a unique and striking exterior and interior. From the swept back signature headlights through to the sleek lines plus Diamond cut alloy wheels, every inch of the ZS is crafted and considered.

MG T60 is the brand’s first ever pick-up truck known as a reliable and versatile partner in the lightweight pickup category. Designed to offer superior performance as a practical truck made for cargo as well as personal transportation needs, T6 is available with diesel and gasoline engine with 4X2 and 4X4 configurations.

Read The Owner’s Manual When it comes to vehicles, there is no ‘one size Àts all’ prescription. For example, the oil change schedule of your car depends on the type of car that you drive. Contrary to the common misconception, you don’t need to change the oil after every 3,000 miles.

Hence, before everything else, make sure you read the owner’s manual to double check what your vehicle needs during maintenance. If you don’t, you will probably end up putting the wrong oil into your vehicle’s engine and cause serious damage.

(Source: Miller Automotive)

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

AUTO WORLD

L-R: President, Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka; former Executive Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; and Executive Director, Special Duties, Coscharis Group, Mr. Cosmas Maduka Jnr, when the former Governor paid a condolence visit to the Maduka family on the demise of Mrs. Charity Maduka, Vice President, Coscharis Group, in Lagos, yesterday

Renault Koleos

Coscharis Rewards Loyal Renault Customers

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oscharis Motors, a leading name in the automotive industry and the sole franchisee of the Renault brand of vehicles in Nigeria has announced an incentive package for loyal Renault customers via an after-

sales promo.

Coscharis Motors Plc is the sole franchisee for Renault brand of vehicles in Nigeria. Currently, it has top-notch sales and service centers across Nigeria with major dealership outlets in Abuja,

Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo respectively.

The package which includes free diagnosis and 20% discount on parts and services also promises free branded merchandise for customers who visit Coscharis Motors Service Center, Awoyaya, within the period of the promo.

Speaking on the promo, Abiona Babarinde who is the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Coscharis Group said, “This is our little way of saying thank you to all the Renault customers who have chosen to remain with the brand all these years. We

want to assure them that Renault never forgot about them and has appointed a reliable partner, Coscharis Motors, to cater to all their sales and after sales needs in Nigeria.”

Explaining the modality of the promo, Babarinde said, “To access your loyalty reward, all you need to do as a Renault customer is to simply drive into our service center at Coscharis Motors along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Awoyaya, Lagos with your Renault vehicle, register your vehicle with us for free and you have your reward.”

In his own remarks, Pius Onu, After-Sales

Manager at Coscharis Motors said, “Coscharis Motors is fully prepared to address all the spare parts and service needs of our Renault customers.

At our state of the arts facility in Awoyaya, we have all the recommended OEM equipment and spare parts, manned by highly motivated, qualiÀed Renault trained technicians to handle your vehicles, even as we are currently replicating this at all other Coscharis Motors After-sales facilities nationwide.”

The Coscharis-Renault Loyalty Reward promo runs until December 31, 2021.

JAC Motors Offers Free Service, Insurance on Light Duty Trucks JAC Motors is extending the ongoing end-of-year Promo to its N-series trucks with oͿers of free service or free comprehensive insurance on the 1-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton and 5-ton light duty trucks.

The promo which will run till the end of the year (or while stock lasts), started with JAC Motors oͿering existing and potential customers interested in purchasing the JAC T6 brand new pick-up trucks an additional T6 pick-up truck for free upon the purchase of 12 units, in what is themed the 13th-month Pick-up Bonus OͿer.

The leading vehicle assembly company has now added the N-series range of trucks to the amazing Promo oͿers in an eͿort to make the Yuletide a lot more memorable for individuals and businesses seeking to acquire any

of the light duty trucks.

“Remarkably, the ‘end-of-year’ freebie doesn’t end with the JAC T6 4X4 truck, we also have pocket-friendly oͿers on our range of light-duty trucks: the 1-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton, and 5-ton.” Franklyn Okotie, Head, Brand Marketing and Development, JAC Motors, disclosed while further breaking down the exciting oͿers to reward customers for their loyalty this Yuletide., “A customer who buys two units of any of the four N-series truck models or a combination of them will get either complete Free Service up until the 2023, or get Comprehensive Insurance absolutely free,” he added.

“Our customers are the cornerstone of all our operations at JAC Motors, and we are always looking for ways to support and positively impact their

lives. Therefore, oͿering them value in our own little ways is a priority.

“The deeper motive behind our oͿers of Free Servicing and Free Comprehensive Insurance covers is to help in some little ways, lift some of the heavy burdens that come with owning vehicles, oͿ our customers to enable them focus on their core businesses while enabling durable mobility for Nigerians,”Okotie clariÀed.

Have you been thinking about getting trucks to start that business or adding to your Áeet? Now is the perfect time to do so. With the JAC Motors year-end Promo, Nigerians can acquire at pocket-friendly rates, rugged and durable assembled-inNigeria trucks that will boost their operations, while also driving away with peace of mind.

JAC range of N-series light duty trucks

Speed Still Kills...Beware II Last week, I reminded you of the number of days remaining before another season of celebrations. As I focus on the second part of my write up, I need to also remind you that it is now 21days to this year’s Christmas. But while you are preparing to roll the red carpets and beat the drums, even as we are getting frantic over the new variant of COVID-Omicron, please remember that one of the pandemic that has been with us for years and is often ignored by almost all is road traffic crashes which yearly kills 1.35 million people, meaning that an average of about 32 - 42 people are killed daily on the world’s roads while 20 million to 50 million people are injured or disabled in road collisions.

According to the World Health Organization, 90percent of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries where 5098 people or 81percent of the world’s population live and own about 20percent of the world’s vehicles.

Nigeria has its fair share of this madness called road traffic crashes. This explains why the new leadership of the FRSC is working on various strategies such as review of the driver’s license scheme, standardization of driving schools and the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme, RTSSS among others to redress the trend.

The World Health Organization maintains that the African Region tops the worlds road accident index with the highest mortality rate of 28.3 deaths per 100, 000 populations. More than half of all global road traffic deaths occur among young adults between 15 and 44 years of age. It notes that 73percent of all global road traffic fatalities are males. Vulnerable road users- pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclist it further notes account for a much greater proportion of road traffic collisions in

SAFE DRIVING with Jonas Agwu amnipr, mcipr,mprsa,arpa Assistant Corps Marshal Zonal Commanding Officer Federal Road Safety Corps. low income and middle income countries than in high income countries.

As a response to this epidemic, the WHO report on Road Traffic injury identifies a number of risk factors influencing crash involvement which amongst others are inappropriate and excessive speed, presence of alcohol, medicinal or recreational drugs, Fatigue, travelling in drunkenness, what we call night travel, defects in road designs, layout and maintenance, having youth driving in the same car and poor eye sight of road users. The same report identifies non-use of seatbelt and child restraints, inappropriate or excessive speed among other factors influencing crash severity.

The column is today focusing on the effects of speed on crashes and crash severity and the need for Speed enforcement because WHO identifies speed enforcement, mandatory seat belt for adults, child seatbelt or restraints, alcohol and drugs control as the three most vital road safety interventions that works. The global concern is over speed enforcement especially in built up areas which is why the United Nations is clamoring for a speed limit

of 30km/h in built-up areas. Speed is at the core of the traffic injury prone. The physical layout of the road and its surrounding can bought encourage and discourage speed. However, crash risk increases as speed increases especially at road junctions and while overtaking. A good number of road users are guilty of this even though we would rather blame the other driver for our errors.

The higher the speed of a vehicle, the shorter the time a driver has to stop and avoid a crash. A car travelling at 50km/h will typically require 1.3 meters in which to stop, while a car travelling at 40km/h will stop in less than 8.5 metres. An average increase speed of 1km/h is associated with a 3 per cent higher risk of a crash involving an injury.

Travelling at 5km/h above a road speed limit of 65km/h results in an increase in the relative risk of being involved in a casualty crash that is comparable with having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05g/dl. For car occupants in a crash with an impact speed of 80km/h, the likelihood of deaths is 20 times what it would have been at an impact speed of 30km/h.

It is because of the grave risk involved, that countries the world-over, including Nigeria set and post speeds limit, because controlling vehicle speed can prevent crashes from occurring and reduce the impact with which the occur, thus lessening the severity of injuries sustained by the victim. In Nigeria, the maximum speed on the expressway is 100km/h for private cars and 90km/h for taxis and buses while at built up areas such as commercial and residential areas, 50km/h is the speed limit. However, a safe conscious driver is always counselled to adhere to the common sense limit by adjusting his speed to suit the environment, his mental state, vehicle condition and level

of expertise. A drive across most Nigerian roads would shock you, even at built up areas, the appropriate speed is not posted to guide motorists. Since human behavior is dictated by the structures, it is important that apart from posting speed in relevant traffic regulations, our road signs must also reflect specific speed allowed. Countries like France and the Netherlands have employed this approach and seen it work especially in France where speed was used to reduce death by 20 per cent.

However, it must be noted that setting and posting speed limit, must be accompanied by sustained vehicle enforcement of these limit. However, we must note that to solve the speed problem or other traffic behavior, there must be a change in infrastructural design, which make surveillance easy and effective. The use of speed camera is also good but it is highly cost effective means of reducing road crashes, the introduction of traffic calming measures whose objectives among others include slowing speed, reducing frequency and severity of collisions, increase safety for non-motorized users is also good traffic-calming measures such as narrowing of streets, giving priority to pedestrians and bicyclist, speed breakers (road humps) roundabouts, which are often backed up with speed limits of 30km/h, approved speed can also be imposed on traffic through design features that limit the speed of the vehicles. Speed level can also be affected by developing a safer infrastructure- this can involve modifying the road environment to reduce traffic flow and vehicle speed, thereby providing protection from crashes and reducing injury rate. Such measures include segregating high speed and low speed road users, or discouraging vehicle from entering certain areas.

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MARKET PLACE with Omolabake Fasogbon... 08155131874

L-R: Wife of former Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Vice President, International Women’s Society(IWS) Ifeoma Monye; former Chief Judge of Lagos State,Justice Funmilayo Attilade; Co-Founder, Gemona West Interior, Naomi Smith; IWS President, Tita Young; IWS programme Secretary, Olaide Sasegbon; and IWS Trustee, Victoria Akpan at IWS luncheon held in Ikoyi, Lagos....recently

L-R:Managing Director, Biola YA Limited, Mrs Biola Adebiyi; Managing Director, YTT Distribution Limited, Mrs Yemisi Adewusi; Managing Director, Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Patrick Anegbe; Managing Director, Ogbohu Enterprises, Chief Dorothy Anegbe and Managing Director, Chubbybros Investment, Mr Emmanuel Ogbata, during the IDL’s Distributors’ Award ceremony, in Lagos... recently

Hypo Wins ‘Brand of the Year’ at ADVAN Awards Hygiene and sanitation brand, Hypo Toilet Cleaner has been declared Brand of the Year at the 2021 Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) Awards for Marketing Excellence ,West Africa).

The company’s Brand Manager, Chidera Anele was also adjudged 2021 ADVAN Brand Manager of the year by virtue of the recognition bestowed on the brand.

Hypo Toilet Cleaner equally

clinched the third position in the Consumer Promo category, contending against other super brands like Indomie, MTN and Airtel that were nominated under the category.

ADVAN was initiated to advance the interest of marketing industry in Nigeria by spearheading and ensuring global best practice, as well as facilitating collaborative partnership with relevant stakeholders.

The Award holds yearly to encour-

age, recognise, and reward innovations/ hard work of Nigerian brands that have distinguished themselves in making a huge diͿerence in the marketing communication space.

The 2021 edition of the ADVAN award witnessed the outstanding winners in diͿerent categories including Brand of the year, Peoples Brand of the Year,, Marketing Professional of the Year, Innovation, Campaign of the year and Digital

& Social Media Marketing, amongst others.

Commenting, Anele expressed appreciation to ADVAN, adding that the body has lived up to its purpose of creating value for the nation’s marketing communication community.

She also encouraged Nigerian brands to put in more eͿorts to distinguish themselves for societal growth.

Kuda Passes 2 Million Expert Urges Synergy Between Customer Milestone, Finance, IT to Drive Financial Cross-border payment company, World Remit She said, “For example, despite the overall Wins Banking Award has sought for a robust synergy between Ànancial impact of the pandemic, international remittances Kuda MicroÀnance Bank recently announced that it has passed the two-million customer milestone, just six months after the bank signed up its one-millionth customer.

Kuda has been on a consistent upward trajectory since 2020, growth that the bank credits to aggressive marketing, an improved banking app, and increased adoption of digital banking since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

“Nigerians seem to be more open to skipping the queues and the hassles that come with being at a physical bank.

Everyone knows that it can be quite uncomfortable. We’re taking advantage of this positive change in perception by being where people are all the time and

oͿering them value they can’t ignore,” said Bradley Want, Head of Growth & Analytics at Kuda.

The digital-led bank was also recently in the news for winning the coveted ‘Neobank of the Year’ award at the 2021 BusinessDay BAFI (Banking and Financial Institutions) Awards.

Kuda picked up that prize just weeks after winning the ‘In-House Legal Team of the Year’ award at the 2021 ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards. The bank’s Head of Legal, Dolapo Akinola, also received an individual ‘40 Under 40’ honour at the same event.

On the back of these successes, Kuda has rolled out its independent Visa debit cards, both physical and virtual, with free delivery nationwide.

Fuzu Launches in Nigeria to Support Career Growth Career development platform, Fuzu Limited has o΀cially launched in Nigeria, to address recruitment challenge for emerging market organizations and end-users.

The platform works to integrate online psychometric testing and talent proÀling of candidates to an application process, thus simplifying employer-employee match.

Providing more details on the platform, Chief Executive O΀cer of the organisation, Jussi Hinkkanen stated that available career solutions in the country did not align with the situation on ground.

He said, “Our research with career builders and employers showed that existing solutions do not work. They leave both groups disappointed. We need new

innovative solutions that focus on the strength of the individual talent, who they are, where their potential lies and how we can best match them with the employment opportunities out there.”

The launch attracted various stakeholders across the labour market who interacted and shared experiences alongside the organisation’s strategies to support and connects career builders to job opportunities as well as connecting countries across the continent.

At the event, Fuzu also showcased how it intends to execute its plans to support NGOs and education institutions across a variety of youth employability and education-to-employment initiatives.

institutions and information technology to be able to improve the proÀle of Ànancial inclusion in the country.

This is as the nation’s Ànancial inclusion penetration recorded a setback against the set target.

According to EFInA latest data, the overall Ànancial inclusion target in 2020 was pegged at 80 percent, but only 64% of Nigerian adults were Ànancially included by the end of 2020.

Head of West Africa at World Remit, Adenike Bancole stated that a need for a close rapport between Ànance and technology became strengthened with COVID-19 pandemic, which has further increased customers’ desire for banking convenience.

She added that technology innovations had also instigated a new growth trend in remittances, leading to the development of new digital platforms and services for the purpose.

sent and received through mobile money increased by 65% or 5 billion in 2020, reaching 12.7 billion on an annual basis. Additionally, more than 1 billion international remittances on average were processed per month through mobile money.

“It is worth noting that mobile money-enabled remittances have experienced no negative impact and have been more resilient than other channels”.

She said that Nigeria had not been able to fully optimised technological tools to drive Ànancial inclusion and remittance.

She said, “When it comes to using mobile Ànancial services as an instrument of Ànancial inclusion, the advantages are obvious. For example, that the MPESA success story that started 14 years ago in the Eastern Africa region, to cater for Kenyans without access to formal bank networks, drove Ànancial inclusion and switched the user habit to more digitalisation and bancarisation.

Bento’s World-class HRM Solutions There is a popular saying that a company is only as good as the people it employs. Bento Africa, a business solutions company, believes the hard part is building a team that will embody a company’s culture and propel it to reach its goal.

The software solutions company was born out of this need to help African businesses achieve their dreams by providing them with the right human resources tools that can aid companies to cater for their employees. Bento believes motivated employees can lead to increased productivity and higher levels of output in any organization.

Through its innovative solutions, Bento is empowering the African unsung heroes in the form of entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. It believes they have the power

to change the continent.

Commenting on the early days of his company, Michael Collins Ajere, popularly known as Don Jazzy, Founder & CEO of Mavin Records said: “The early-stage was a little bit shaky, Ànding people that will look at the music industry and see it as where they can have job security.”

But “pushing through tough economic conditions, defying the odds, consistently seeking greatness, the drive that l and the founding members of Mavin had is what kept us going and is still keeping us going.”

“If you are an entrepreneur, cheers to you for being the unsung heroes of our economy and our lives; you are the brave ones.”

Bento believes African businesses deserve better,

that is why the company pays attention to the unique business environment on the continent and develops tailored solutions that solve the real problems the businesses face daily.

Some of the services that Bento empowers African businesses with include an easy-to-use payment integration product that can enable companies to pay salaries, remit taxes and pensions to any taxing body or PFA, as well as health insurance.

“Building a business is an extremely challenging journey anywhere, but even more so in our part of the world. This is why at Bento, we will always be in beta, not just looking for how to improve our core solutions, but also to continue creating new solutions that adapt to an ever-changing

business environment and the new complexities that come with it,” Ebun Okubanjo, Co-founder and CEO of Bento said.

Beyond empowering African businesses by equipping them with world-class payroll and HRM solutions, Bento is also redeÀning employee beneÀts.

The Lagos-based company calls it employee beneÀts 2.0, and it empowers African employees in a way never seen before, opening them up to a world of innovative products and services including credit solutions, insurance, savings, investments and more, all of which boosts morale and improves their overall quality of life. A win-win for both employer and employee.

“It’s our way of building a better continent. One business at a time,” Okubanjo said.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

MEDIAGAFFES

EXPRESSION

BY

EBERE WABARA

Writers’ Freudian Slips

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USINESSDAY of November 9 leads the pack today with three goofs: “…that effort at sensitizing Nigerians on (to) the essence of the Vision 20-2020 is well in an advanced stage.” What is the definition of the cliché ‘advanced stage’? Any form of public communication—gestural, written or verbal—that is subject to individualistic interpretations is not efficient and effective.

“NPA beefs-up (beefs up) security at port…”

From the business newspaper, we move to DAILY TRUST of November 9 which bungled three headlines: “ACF urges Boko Haram to sheath swords” Truth is a burden: sheathe swords.

“New car owners stranded over plate numbers” Aso Chronicle: number plates “New Year bomb victim dissatisfied over (with) treatment abroad” VANGUARD of November 9 also contributed two gaffes to the pool of headline infelicities: “UNAD staff arrested over (for) missing N100m” “Heartland, Enyimba reignites rivalry” Midweek Sports: why the discord?

As usual, our own charity begins midway, instead of at home, as we open to last week’s edition of this medium which disseminated multifarious blunders, particularly from its Editorial column: “Muslims in all continents of the world would today celebrate Eid-ElKabir.” My comment: on all continents.

This is one of the many writers’ Freudian slips. “…at (in) the nick of time to provide him a white ram that was slaughtered as replacement (a replacement) of (for) his son, Ismael (Ismail/Ishmael)”

“It is hoped that those engaging in acts inimical of (to) the nation’s corporate progress….”

“We seize today’s occasion of….” For Americanism and all its informalities, this is acceptable. But, in formal (standard) British entry—which I strongly advocate—you take or use an occasion/opportunity. ‘Seize’ has an inherent, elemental force (connotatively and denotatively). Exit the Editorial for other pages in defence of freedom.

“Entrepreneurs team-up (team up) with Rivers on investment” “...the intrigues has (have) just begun.”

“Each passing day I pray that the lord (Lord) will wipe my tears, heal the wound and the pains that your sudden departure have (has) left in my heart.”

“I still thank God because I believe that you are resting peacefully in His bossom (bosom).” And this, by the way: in God’s bosom, peace is integral and guaranteed. My condolences, the avoidable slips notwithstanding “We are however rest assured that you are been (being) taken care of and that one day, we will meet to part no more.” “…many Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions over (to) this development.”

Leadership of November 5 circulated a few errors: “The herbalist allegedly demanded for his wife’s eyeball….”

Delete ‘for’ in pursuit of lexical excellence. “…who is currently representing Epe Federal Constituency in the National Assembly….” Who can tell me what ‘currently’ is doing here?

“OGBC begins 24hours (sic) broadcast” Get it right: 24 hours’ broadcast or 24-hour broadcast

“Nigerian women are not mediocre” Our women are not mediocrities or mediocrists. Put differently, Nigerian women are not mediocre people (adjectival parlance).

“Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of the president Aisha Buhari….” (DAILY TRUST, October 28) Obviously, ‘Nigeria’s First Lady’ or ‘the president’s wife’ is enough—not both at the same time!

(This observation was contributed by Lucky Ihanza) The next four unpardonable indiscretions are from Nigerian Tribune of October 26: “Several (Many, preferably) innocent Nigerians have been killed by uniform (uniformed) men at checkpoints for failure to give bribe (bribes).”

“He got the woman’s phone number and texted (text-messaged) her N500 phone (recharge) credit.” Skip Nigerian Tribune Editorial and navigate to Compass. “…until such a time his adversary is able to proof (prove) to the court that he is not the rightful king.” (Nigerian Tribune Features, October 26) “Police contributes (contribute) to sexual violence in Nigeria, says Olufemi” (Source: as above) “I doff my hat for the resilience of those who staked their necks to confront the excesses of the military.”

Dogma at the barricades: I doff my hat to (not for) newspaper contributors, the occasional Freudian slips notwithstanding. You can also take off your hat….

“Others just ridiculed me outrightly.”

A protester at the American embassy: Others just ridiculed me outright.

“New govt. to be sworn-in January 29” Again, phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation.

“NCP raises alarm over alleged

Worrying Nuances In Sanwo-Olu’s Walking Speech

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any colourful adjectives and phrases followed the speech: Brilliant. Stately. Powerful.

Eloquent. Commands respect.

Something great from a politician. Then others rated the speech as diversionary, inadequate, a piece of sophistry, and such uncharitable suggestions. So, what has been written that could possibly be worse than the leakage of the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry report on the EndSARS fiasco?

Well, a seemingly well-reasoned speech dated Monday, November 29, 2021 was signed by Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu (hereinafter addressed as BOS), the governor of Lagos State; and ostensibly delivered on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 to Lagos residents, and the entire world. This column has taken the liberty to scrutinise the over 1,800-word document, and highlight nuances within the governor’s submissions that ought to have been better informed, or ventilated.

First, it is too long - considering that the primary focus of the treatise is the youth...while backgrounding the extant issues seem reasonable, the contra arguments and subtle dismissals of supposedly nefarious elements are counterproductive to the overall motif of the speech: let bygones be bygones, and let’s walk together to make Lagos peaceful and prosperous. But, I digress.

Let’s quickly prance across the governor’s delicate nuances and undisguised indignation, using his quotes to illustrate our apprehensions.

BOS: I will start by saying that we, as an administration, are determined that the next steps that will be taken in this process of coming to terms with the events of October 2020, must bring closure to a painful episode in the history of our State, with the release of the White Paper later today.

(Oh, dear...this beautiful piece of polemics should have been great just after the White Paper was released, or better still, a few days later. Vested interests would have taken a swing at it, professional complainants would have shredded it, vibrant internet warriors would have passed all sorts of judgements, made all sorts of memes and tik-toks...but the redeeming qualities of the Paper, if well considered, would have withstood the barrage. Thereafter, a wisened, conciliatory and epiphanous speech from a distraught but undistracted governor would make a class act.)

BOS: To be a Centre of Excellence, we must be a Centre of Truth. To be a smart city, we first must be a just one. To be a prosperous state, we must establish ourselves as a peaceful entity. And to achieve the Greater Lagos of our dreams we must learn to live in harmony, even amidst inevitable disagreement.

(These eloquent truths would have sat gloriously well AFTER the release, and transparent implementation, of the recommendations of the White Paper; and that would grasp the dialogue and procession towards peace and closure.)

BOS: In times like these, with anger and animosity too quick and fast at hand, it is easy to hide behind our own prejudices, treating them as deeper truths instead of the superficial lies they are.

It is far too easy to take sides and choose emotion over fact, even when the truth is to be found in shades of nuance (sic). It is easy to choose darkness over light; to take perverse delight in playing unhelpful games of cynicism and suspicion; to cling to beliefs that do not carry the weight of verifiable evidence.

(It may seem nice to “tell them the bitter truth”...at this juncture, it’s needless, and provocative. Don’t dwell on the irritably obvious, sir.)

BOS: In the aftermath of what happened on October 20, 2020, I decided to expand the mandate of the Panel to include investigating what really happened at the Lekki Tollgate that night.

(This is to remind the young warlords that life did not start and end on October 20, 2020...and the much expected restitution goes beyond that dark night.

Touche.)

BOS: I am sure no member of the panel can claim that the state government made any attempt to influence them in any way throughout the duration of its sitting.

(A vital, bold and well-positioned challenge - which if undisputed, lifts the governor’s profile onto a higher moral pedestal - evoking trust, fairness and maturity.)

BOS: As I have stated earlier, we have no intention to engage in histrionics or further inflame passion on a matter that has generated intense interest and controversy nationally and internationally. Our decisions and actions will be based entirely on the law, the weight of evidence and an unblemished respect for the truth.

(So, leave ‘histrionics’ for history chasers, and don’t allow your displeasure with antics of naysayers to ‘inflame passion’ any further than necessary...just do the

lawful and urgent exigencies. Immediately.)

BOS: It is also on record that the Federal Government accepted all the demands of the protesters, including the immediate scrapping of SARS. The National Economic Council (NEC) also recommended the establishment of State Panels of Inquiry into cases of police brutality. And the Lagos State Government was the first to set up its own panel.

(This is a deft side tackle on the recent laborious statement of a federal minister who briefly donned the toga of Attorney General to dismiss state panels of inquiry as ‘illegal’.)

BOS: I can boldly say that no State took the advocacy for police reforms and justice in the face of documented brutality more seriously than we did in Lagos. We have so far paid N420million in compensation to victims of police brutality, in line with the recommendations of the panel.

(And a reminder to all who care to count that Lagos has been accepting and effecting the recommendations of the Okwuobi panel even while sitting.

Commendable.)

BOS: At that point, I imposed a curfew to restore normalcy in Lagos. We had only one goal in mind: the maintenance of law and order, and protection of citizens going about their daily lives. This is more than a legal duty. It is a sacred obligation under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which I swore to uphold.

(This is where the rubber meets the road...this is where BOS ought to admit or dismiss the panel’s admittedly strident allegation that he invited the military, and thus was complicit in what the soldiers did at the Toll Gate. He is human; and such is the condition of humans to err. Of course, it is not inhuman to promptly apologise on what could be characterised as an error of judgement - if indeed you are wrong.

Apologise on behalf of your “aggressive” guests, when the police Riot Squad would have been sufficient to quell what was initially a civic disobedience to government curfew instructions.)

BOS: The Testament To The Resilience Of Our Spirit Rests In How We Rise After Every Adversity. This Is Who We Are. This Is The True Spirit Of Lagos. (in caps) (A symptomatic impediment to personal and institutional growth is inherent in this emphasised sentiment - and has been the weapon political leaders have dexterously deployed for many decades to beat

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

harrasments of market women” Across the nation: harassment. Also note that ‘harassment’ is uncountable, unlike ‘embarrassment’. “…but the incidence rather than subdue you, (sic) should instead spur you to greater hights (heights).” The human angle: incident (not incidence).

‘Instead’ has no function here.

“Gather every members of your family.” Either every member of your family or all members of your family My dear reader, please note that ‘banter’ is uncountable. “...the chilling story of Calabar’s rival gang members who not only slaughter themselves (one another) but.…”

“Eagles confront Malawians under scorching sun” This way: in (not under) the scorching sun. ‘”In times past, the media might even have queried the double standards.”

Professionalism: double standard.

“We maintain that like every other institutions established by law....” Already addressed “Customs intensify air border patrol” No news: Customs intensifies.

“PHCN has (had) earlier indicated that progress made towards stabilizing power supply has been reversed.”

“Ringim who was on a one-day working visit to Kano to round up (off) his familiarization tour of police formations in the country.…” I can understand the mix-up because of IGP’s involvement!

“2022 Polls: INEC chiefs hold last minute (last-minute) talks” “UNIJOS alumni holds convention” Yellow card: alumni hold, but alumni association holds.

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

AKINTUNDE-JOHNSON

fajalive1@gmail.com 08182223348 - (SMS Only)

Nigerians into line. A sad unshakable reality?)

BOS: Going forward, dear Lagosians, we shall facilitate better communication between our youths and the state’s security machinery to resolve issues before they become intractable. We will make it easier for our young people to initiate formal complaints on human rights violations through the Ministry of Justice.

(If there is a clear lesson we have learnt in the past year, it is that the government still has a lot to do to persuade the citizens, especially the youth, to trust and look up to the government for leadership, vision, and understanding. This particular objective - a ministerial arrowhead - is dead on arrival, if not tinkered better, and be more out-of-the-box. Be specific. Be creative.)

BOS: Just as we have established a mechanism to compensate all those who lost homes, businesses, and livelihoods to the violent destruction of October 2020, we shall also establish a detailed procedure for the just compensation of citizens with verified claims of police brutality committed during the protests.

(Good. Compassionate promptness is key. Above all, prevention is better than compensation.)

BOS: In December, I will be leading A WALK FOR PEACE to herald the healing of our land. Let me use this occasion to extend an open invitation to our youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media as well as other stakeholders to join me.

(Wrong move: especially as he mentioned some of the young Turks (even in capital letters) who apparently did not give any concrete prior affirmation - a masterstroke in naivety. And the chaps grabbed the opportunity to embarrass and thrash the governor’s gesture. The acrimony that assailed the leaked panel report was clearly weighted by the general expectation of the White Paper.

To suggest walking for any good reason when the details of the White Paper were still eagerly awaited is similar to putting a mule behind the wheelbarrow, and you waiting on top of Olumo Rock, beckoning on it to come up).

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NEWSXTRA Ogun Senator Gives 103 Indigent Akpugo Leaders Celebrate Ugwuanyi for Pioneering Development Students Scholarships The people of Akpugo in Nkanu Bernard Edeh, an illustrious son you won’t regret it. Truly we had James Sowole in Abeokuta

No fewer than 103 indigent students of Ogun West Senatorial have beneÀted from scholarship award from Senator Tolu Odebiyi Foundation.

The beneÀciaries who are students of tertiary institutions also got brand new laptops.

The foundation which was set up by Odebiyi, a Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District and his wife, Mrs. Folasade Odebiyi to cater for the education of indigent students across the Àve local government areas of the Senatorial District.

At the third edition of the award ceremony, held at the Federal Polytechnic (FPI), Ilaro, 50 undergraduates were presented with scholarship award and brand new laptops while others received grants ...

Speaking at the event, Odebiyi noted that the periodic gesture was aimed at further rebuilding and repositioning the zone; thereby salvaging it from economic backwardness, poverty and digital illiteracy that has been prevalent in the nation.

He disclosed that over 103 indigent students have beneÀtted from the gesture.

The Federal lawmaker disclosed that, the gesture was aimed improving human capital development in the district, saying “I am doing this because it is an investment in human capital development of our people. Education is never a waste.

“I am trying to break the circle of poverty in Ogun West Senatorial District by equipping our future leaders with the necessary skills.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this scholarship scheme will inspire the beneÀciaries and the youths in general to drive the necessary change that will lead to a sustainable development in the Ogun West Senatorial District and indeed Ogun State.

“Permit me to say that I am an irrepressible advocate of the educational advancement of the people of Ogun State, particularly Ogun West Senatorial District. This is premised on my conviction that human capital development plays a vital role in the long-term productivity and development

of any society. That is why education has continued to attract the highest priorities in my scheme of things, as the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he submitted.

He added that his driving force was in the multifaceted success which the scheme has recorded since it inception, adding that the competitive nature of the scholarship scheme has positively aͿected the performance of many undergraduate students in their respective institutions of learning, as a lot of them, who hitherto approached their studies with kid gloves, were now giving it the seriousness it deserved.

“Indeed, the payment of school fees, which could have naturally been a major constraint and distraction to these students,

are being taking care of through the Tolu Odebiyi Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme” Commenting on the selection process adopted by the foundation’s board, Odebiyi said that, “ your emergence, having gone through the painstaking screening and selection process, supervised by educationists of proven records and integrity, is an indication that our Senatorial District is blessed with highly industrious and exceptionally brilliant students”.

He implored youth to embrace the emerging technological skills and the vast opportunities of digital economy, for the transformation of the nation, encouraging them to be technologically savvy, so that they could leverage on the numerous legitimate opportunities associated with information technology, to further improve the society.

West Local Government Area of Enugu State on Thursday came out en masse to celebrate Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his special love for them which they said the governor demonstrated when his administration constructed the first state government road project in the community after years of neglect by past administrations.

Ugwuanyi during one of his routine visits to communities inspected the then deplorable Ogonogoeji-Ndiagu-Akpugo rural road (from Atavu Bailey Bridge to Afor Onovo), and promised to construct the road, regretting that the community had not witnessed any development by the state government in the past, which he fulfilled.

Speaking when the governor visited Akpogu, on Thursday, to inaugurate the asphalted 1.9km Ugwuagba-Achikpa-Onicha Agu Road in Ogonogoeji-Ndiaga, the Chairman of Nardo Group, Chief

of the community who executed the project, disclosed that the governor’s special love for the community, which was evident in pioneering development in the area, spurred him to undertake the road infrastructure in support of his administration’s rural development programme in the state.

According to him, “In the history of Enugu State there is nobody that can say that a sitting governor has visited Akpugo more than seven times except Gov. Ugwuanyi; it has occurred before me. I am saying that it is a thing of joy and thanksgiving that this governor (Ugwuanyi) has special love for this town; and the governor has not been coming to this town in vain.

“He has been coming and working. I am overwhelmed by the crowd, youths and women that are gathered here. Our governor merits it; our governor deserves it hundred times.

“The love you have for us,

governors that ruled this state in the past; Akpugo owes you nothing but it touched your mind to do this (road).

“I looked and said that since you can do this for us that I will do the little I can to support you and to show you that we are solidly behind you”.

Edeh told Ugwuanyi that the pioneer road his administration constructed in the community has attracted development and other good things to the area.

He thanked the stakeholders of Akpugo and Nkanu West LGA for their presence and support.

In his goodwill message, the former Inspector General of Police, Ogbonnaya Onovo (Rtd.), an indigene of Akpugo, equally extolled Gov. Ugwuanyi for his special love for the community, describing him as “a man who is committed to humanity; a man of truth; a man of justice and honesty.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

NEWSXTRA UPU at 90: Okowa Commends Urhobos’ Senate: 350 Debtors Frustrating Contribution to Nigeria’s Devt AMCON’s Efforts to Recover N4.4tn Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Kuru: Slow court processes, conflicting orders hindering recovery Our Correspondents

The Senate yesterday lamented that eͿorts to recover the N4.4 trillion owed the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria were being frustrated by 350 prominent Nigerians.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Uba Sani, stated this at a stakeholders’ symposium, titled, “Consolidating the EͿectiveness of the Asset Recovery Model Adopted By AMCON”, held in Abuja.

Sani said, “The road has not always been smooth for AMCON. For a long time, AMCON has been at the receiving end of well laid and orchestrated acts of economic

sabotage.

“From the N4.4 trillion we are trying to recover, about 350 people in this country are responsible. This is about 83 per cent of the debt.

“This is very worrisome. This means that powerful Nigerians are the ones not willing to pay these loans. They have been employing diͿerent strategies and tactics to stall the repayment of loans.

“A lot of highly placed Nigerians are not willing to support AMCON because most of those people are the ones that have taken this money from the banks and, of course, you know the government came in to set up AMCON to save banks from getting down.

“But unfortunately, from

what is happening, AMCON is Ànding it very di΀cult because those people are highly placed Nigerians, they try to frustrate AMCON’s eͿort through the judiciary and that is what we are looking.”

Sani assured the agency that his committee, with other relevant committees of the Senate, would do everything within their power to assist AMCON in recovering the N4.4 trillion owed the company.

He said, “It is tax payers’ money which the government used to bail out banks; of course, to try to support the Ànancial sector not to go down.

“Unfortunately, they are facing a lot frustration. We will do our best in the interest of our country and protecting

the economy of this country and to support AMCON to succeed.”

The Managing Director of AMCON, Alhaji Ahmed Kuru commended President Muhammadu Buhari for passing the AMCON 2021 Amendment Bill into law.

He said the development would further enhance the corporation’s recovery powers in many aspects.

He added that the corporation had so far recovered over N1.4 trillion from debtors.

He said details of the recovery included cash of N665 billion; property forfeiture N278 billion; disposed assets N141 billion; share forfeiture N139 billion and other strategic assets worth N207 billion.

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday showered praises on the people of Urhobo nation for their immense support and contributions to the development of the state in particular and the country at large.

Okowa gave the commendation at the 90th Anniversary of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) held at Urhobo Cultural Centre, Uvwiamuge-Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

He said that UPU had, as a socio-cultural group and through its human resources, played remarkable role in the development of the state and Nigeria in the 90 years of its existence.

According to him, UPU has played a major role in the advancement of not just the Urhobo nation but the advancement of Delta and Nigeria.

The governor thanked the leadership of the union for using its relationship with the people to ensure peace and organise them for purposeful development and being of great assistance to any government in power in the state.

“I know the role the UPU has been playing in helping to build peace in Urhoboland and in trying also to extend hand of friendship to other ethnic groups across the state.

“By the time our people in Delta State relate as one, then you would have helped government to solve its problems because once you have been able to establish peace it becomes much easier to develop the state,” he said.

He lauded UPU for the honour done to some illustrious sons and daughters, adding that it would help in encouraging others to put in their best in the growth and development of the nation.

Obi Calls for More Inclusiveness of Physically Challenged People

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE… L-R: Council member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Seun Oderinde; Head of Kuda Business, Toyin Oshinowo; President, Chartered Institute of Bankers, Bayo Olugbemi; and Marketing Manager, Kuda Toyin Oyetade, at the 2021 Banking and Financial Institutions Awards

The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for more inclusiveness of the physically challenged persons in society by way of policy formulation to better their lives and increase access to healthcare, education and other amenities for them.

Obi, in a statement to mark the International Day for People with Disabilities, stated that the physically challenged deserved a conductive environment to thrive, develop and fulÀll their potentials.

He explained that one of the most important supports that could be given to the physically challenged is access to good education and healthcare.

He called on government at all levels to take into consideration the peculiar needs of the physically challenged and give them equal opportunities to achieve their dreams.

Obi further spoke against every form of stigma meted out on the physically challenged by society, adding that brotherly love and kindness should be one’s attitude towards the physically challenged.

“In our lives as humans, we must understand that we are all diͿerently gifted and the appreciation of our individuality will enable us support one another. Our physically challenged brethren need our support to harness their potentials and function productively in society,” Obi said.

Appeal Court Nullifies Life Imprisonment of Ondo Police Arrest Woman for Pouring Petrol on Husband’s Mistress Pastor Over Disappearance of One-Year-Old Boy Fidelis David in Akure An Appeal Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday upturned the life imprisonment conviction against the founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Akure, Prophet Alpha Babatunde, over the disappearance of a one-year-old baby from his church.

It would be recalled that an Ondo High Court in Akure led

by Justice Olusegun Odusola had on October 6, 2020 sentenced the

founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alpha and five others to life imprisonment over the disappearance of the one-year-old boy, Gold kolawole in November 2019 during church service.

The pastor and five other members of his church which include Omodara Olayinka, Margaret Oyebola, Grace Ogunjobi, Egunjobi Motunrayo and Esther Kayode were sentenced on a two-count charge of conspiracy as well as aiding and abetting kidnapping.

But not satisfied with the judgement, Prophet Alpa through his counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, in September, 2021 asked the Appeal Court to nullify his life sentence conviction by the Ondo State High Court.

Delivering his judgement yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Hammah Barka, ruled that the circumstantial evidence relied upon by the High Court was not enough to convict Babatunde.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the state government

who doubles as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Titiloye Charles, disclosed that the state government will study the judgement before taking action.

He said: “The Court of Appeal has decided this matter. The court has affirmed that the DSS can as a matter of fact investigate any case.

However, the Court of Appeal has stated that circumstantial evidence upon which was based upon by the lower court is not enough to sustain a conviction of the defendant and has discharged the defendant.

Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo New Album Passes Message of Hope to Nigerians Mary Nnah

Inspirational writer and soulful singer, Engr. Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo popularly known as FunmiAyinke, has announced the launch of her highly anticipated Àrst studio album titled ‘The Journey’, which she said was inspired by her desire to pass a strong message of hope and motiva-

tion to Nigeria and the world at large.

Scheduled to hold in Lagos on Sunday December 5th, celebrated Nigerian music stars to grace the album launch include D’banj, Teni Teni Entertainer, Jaywon, among several others who have been conÀrmed to perform at the album launch.

Commenting on her forthcoming album release, the multi-talented Waheed-Adekojo who also doubles as the founder of FunmiAyinke Records and FunmiAyinke Humanity Foundation (FHF), said the body of work was inspired by her desire to pass a strong message of hope and motivation to her listeners.

“I decided on the album after taking a deep reÁection on how

I can impact the larger society asides what I do at the FunmiAyinke Humanity Foundation (FHF). Then the inspiration to sing hit me. It was at the time that I decided to write the songs before hitting the studios to pour out my soul on the songs. The album is a mix of inspirational and soulful soft music that was well produced and mastered to delight my listeners,” she said.

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 32-year-old housewife and a mother of three, Kehinde Abdul Wasiu, for allegedly pouring petrol on her husband’s mistress one 23-year-old Tosin Olugbade and subsequently set her ablaze.

The suspect according to a statement by the Police Public Relations O΀cer for Ogun State, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, was arrested following a report lodged at Onipanu Divisional Headquarters Ota by the husband of the deceased one Fatai Olugbade.

Olugbade reported on the 22nd of November that sometime in August 2021, he accused his wife of having extra marital aͿair with one Ismail Wasiu, and to his surprise, the said wife packed out of his house and moved to the house of Ismail Wasiu his concubine.

He stated further that on the 14th of November 2021, he learnt that the wife of Ismail Wasiu had an argument with his wife, and the said Wasiu’s wife poured petrol on her and set her ablaze.

“The deceased was rushed to the hospital by her family members but later gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

“Upon the report, the Divisional Police O΀cer, Onipanu Division, Bamidele Job, quickly mobilised his men and moved to the scene where the husband of Kehinde who had asked his wife to run away was arrested.

“The case was there and then transferred to homicide section of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

“The CSP Femi Olabode-led homicide team embarked on technical and intelligence based investigation, which led to the apprehension of the suspect Kehinde Abdul Wasiu at Saki area of Oyo state.

“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime, but claimed that she didn’t know what came over her on that fateful day.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect and her husband initially lied to the family of the deceased that it was cooking gas that exploded and burnt the deceased.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 4, 2021

71

NEWSXTRA Rotary Club of Ewu Tuntun Vaccinates Students against Cervical Cancer Rotary Club of Ewu Tuntun District 9110 has vaccinated over 2000 female students of Ewu Tuntun Junior and Senior Secondary School, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos against cervical cancer.

The Club’s President 2021-2022, Rotarian Kelvin Ihekuna disclosed that “cervical cancer is one of the killers of females in Nigeria.”

Rotarian Kelvin Ihekuna revealed that “over 7,000 females died last year and more than 12,000 new cervical cancer cases recorded.”

He said, “The Rotary Club of Ewu Tuntun District 9110 cervical vaccination exercise is part of activities to mark the 2021World

ATTHE GLOBAL STAGE …

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 H.E Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak AlNahyan, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020, HE Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Nigeria’s Ambassador to UAE, Mohammed Dansanta Rimi, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Aliyu Ibrahim (Patanmi) and National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), at the Dubai Expo 2020, United Arab Emirates (UAE) STATE HOUSE

NSCDC Arrests 4 Suspects for Attacking School in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspected thugs for attacking Adamu DanbaͿale Model Secondary School, Dumukur community in Maiadua, Local Government Area of the state.

The suspected criminals were nabbed on December 2, 2021 by operatives of the NSCDC stationed at the school to provide security cover against invasion

by hoodlums.

In a statement issued to journalists in Katsina yesterday by the Command’s Public Relations O΀cer, Mohammed Tukur Abdara, said one of the suspects attacked their o΀cer with a machete in an eͿort to disarm him.

Abdara, in the statement, said: “The suspects were identiÀed as: Musa Idris ‘M’ 18 years of Fanfon Malam Ashura Quarters, Daura town; Habibu Salisu ‘M’ 18 years of Rahamawa Quarters, Daura

town; Umar Bashir ‘M’ 18 years of Rahamawa Quarters Daura Town; and Yahaya Badamasi ‘M’ 20 years of Chedi quarters Daura Town.

“The arrest which occurred on 2nd December, was undertaken by our operatives stationed at the school to provide a security cover against attack by criminals.

“The o΀cers, gallantly subdued the assailants who initially attempted to criminally trespass into the premises of the school (albeit unsuccessfully) while

brandishing dangerous weapons.”

He, however, warned criminals to desist from attacking schools “as the command will not relent in its eͿort to protect the lives and properties of the people of the state.”

While expressing the command’s readiness to protect schools from attacks by criminals, Abdara urged the general public to assist security agencies with credible information that will ward oͿ criminality in the state.

Fake Soldier, Medical Doctor Arrested in Akwa Ibom Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command yesterday disclosed the arrest of two persons who faked as a soldier and a medical doctor in the state.

The command said the arrest was achieved following the beaming of its searchlights on impersonators of security personnel and other professionals. “This has led to the arrest of a fake soldier and a fake doctor.”

The command in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations O΀cer (PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon, said the arrest of the impersonated soldier was made on November 16, 2021.

He said at about 1:00a.m.

while on a stop and search operation along Nwaniba Road within Uyo Metropolis, “Operatives of Anti-Robbery Squad reasonably suspected and arrested one Akpan Mfon Essien ‘m’ of Ikot Andem Itam Village in Itu L.G.A, who resides at Idu Uruan, Uruan L.G.A. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to be impersonating a soldier. He led operatives to his house where two pairs of army uniforms, army shorts, two army sweaters, army belt, two army caps, three pairs of army boot, two army jack-knives, two walkie talkie, one live Jacket, one stethoscope and a blue colour Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. LSR 735 AC

were recovered.

Police said the suspect used the uniform to deceive, intimidate and commit heinous crimes around Uruan and Uyo. On the arrest of the fake medical doctor, police said one Samuel Isaac Jumbo ‘m’, aged 29yrs old of No. 26 Asokoro Road, Area II, Abuja who claimed to be a Medical Doctor attached to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) was arrested.

The PPRO said the fake medical doctor was arrested on November 30, 2021 at about 11:00a.m. when the Quick Intervention Unit Operatives of the command proceeded to Tranquility Hotel, Nung Oku Village, in Ibesikpo, Asutan L.G.A

to eͿect the arrest.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and stated that he is not a medical doctor as claimed.

“In his confessional statement, he stated that in 2015, he told his mother that he had gotten admission into the University of Lagos to study Medicine, since then, he has collected various sums of money from her.

“He further stated that on 3/11/2021, he told his mother that he was going for National Youth Service (NYSC) at Rivers State and collected the sum of N200,000.00 for accommodation from her after she had bought a lot of household items for him.

Abia 2023: Emenike, Others Assure on APC’s Victory Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia As the people of Abia State are being mobilised for the 2023 general elections, the leader of the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ikechi Emenike, has said that his party was prepared to bring the much needed change in Abia by winning the polls with descent majority votes.

Emenike, who is the Secretary of the Contact/Strategy Committee of the APC, said the party had already gone into the grassroots across all the nooks and crannies of the state to rake up women and youths’

votes in preparation for the great battle to dethrone the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in 2023.

According to him, other prominent party chieftains are also deeply involved in the mobilisation, encouraging the party faithful to go down to the suffering Abians in the rural communities with the message of liberation.

The APC, according to him, was taking its dragnet to the grassroots in order to amass enough votes with which to win the ruling PDP convincingly in 2023.

“Abia is ripe for change and APC would bring the change by

winning the poll with majority decent votes,” adding that “the Almighty God already ordained the coming change in God’s Own State.”

According to him, youths and women are the worst hit by the effects of maladministration which has become the lot of Abia for over 20 years now, hence, the need to mobilise them to vote out those responsible for their sufferings.

Emenike, who recently ensured the success of the party’s congresses at the ward, local government and state levels noted that Abia had great potentials but was unlucky to

become a victim of bad leaders hell bent on plundering the state instead of using the available resources to develop the state and take good care of the citizenry.

“The unworthy characters who have held Abia down since 24 years ago are still in charge and want to continue in 2023,” urging Abia voters to use their ballots wisely and chase away the ruling PDP in the state.

On her part, the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, urged the APC members to remain committed and run to the grassroots

Cancer Day.” Rotary International District 9110 Governor, Remi Bello representative, Assistant Governor Basirat Giwa, a medical practitioner, noted that “cervical cancer is preventable with HPV vaccination and early detection saves female victims lives.”

Dr. Giwa stated that “cervical cancer is third commonest type of cancer and second commonest, after breast cancer, afflicting women.”

She added that cervical cancer accounted for 9.7 percent of all malignancies in 2020 and recorded 12,075 new case in women and 7,968 deaths last year.

UN Rewards Volunteers in Nigeria MichaelOlugbodeinAbuja

The United Nations yesterday rewarded Volunteers in tNigeria.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Abuja to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Volunteers Programme, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative in Nigeria, Mohammed Yahya said that volunteers had contributed to peace and development in Nigeria, especially in the North East.

He said the need to increase the level of voluntary services and encourage more people to

see volunteerism as the way to go in the country needed to be emphasised and encouraged.

He said UN Volunteers had demonstrated so much strength and resilience in contributing to peace and development, adding, “I saw the work of nation volunteers especially in Borno State, north east Nigeria, working with communities, to help them in the transition to peaceful coexistence. The impact of volunteers cannot be over emphasized. for example, the immense contribution in battling COVID-19 at the peak of the pandemic in 2020.

Buhari Inaugurates 4 Integrated Model Farms in Edo Adibe Emenyonu inBeninCity In line with the federal government policy of shifting from oil to the non oil sector of the economy with emphasis on agriculture, President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated four integrated farms (Songhai Model) developed

by Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA).

The farms located in Obayantor, Benin; Auchi, Etsako West; Okpe and Uneme Nekhua, in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State respectively.

Represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, President Buhari said the model farms underscored the importance the nation placed on agriculture in its quest to attain food sufficiency and exports.

While also inaugurating the

newly completed Edo Area Office of BORBDA located in Auchi, he said that in view of the vagaries of weather and other factors inhibiting the traditional farming methods, the Songhai Integrated farm model remained the way to go if the nation must have food security.

According to him, “The focus of the integrated (Songhai Model) is on innovative system of agricultural production which is able to holistically integrate both primary and secondary products from the farm into good use such that there is absolutely no waste in the farm.

“The system is competitive, sustainable, preserving and incorporates human capacity building through training in basic business management and entrepreneurship necessary to prepare unemployed graduates and youths to undertake agricultural business,” he said.

CIN to Hold Virtual Induction, Annual General Meeting The Compliance Institute, Nigeria, a non-proÀt organisation, is set to stage its Àfth annual and second virtual induction ceremony and Annual General Meeting today.

The all-important digital events which would hold online via zoom will play host to the Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Alhaji Modibo Haman Tukur as keynote Speaker with theme, ‘Fostering Common AML/CFT Compliance Standards in Africa - The Need for regional cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration’.

Student members, who took and have successfully completed the professional certiÀcation in Designate, Compliance Professional (DCP) examinations, Associate, Compliance

Institute, Nigeria (ACIN) and Fellow, Compliance Institute, Nigeria (FCIN) CertiÀcations of the Institute in 2020, would be inducted, whilst deserving top performers in the examinations would be awarded prizes.

All the certiÀcates will be o΀cially awarded. Also expected to attend the ceremony, are corporate titans from diͿerent sectors.

With over 2,500 members across all sectors of the economy, a total of 100 members who have successfully qualiÀed for the award of the Institute’s compliance professional qualiÀcations in examinations conducted in 2021, would be inducted.

The Annual General Meeting will hold immediately online after the induction ceremony.

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MISSILE

Fayemi on State of Nigeria “The Nigeria state is not in its most healthy state, there is no debate about that. Regardless of political affiliation, ethic considerations and economic opportunity available to individuals, our country is in the doldrums” –Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State speaking during the inaugural lecture of “ThisNigeria Media Limited.”

PENDULUM DELE MOMODU

dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Kola Abiola on the Paternity/DNA for His Siblings...

“N

ot after death, and they know themselves. They have done it in his lifetime. Their mothers knew they did in his lifetime so why would I want to forge that - to the point that he wrote in his will specifically that a lady has two kids for him but only one (the lady had taken him to court in England) is his. How would I have known that. I can go on and on. But you see, leadership requires objectivity even at your own expense.

If I had wanted to manipulate - remember they were all very young while I was working in these companies - but because of my responsibility to him, his ideals and what he would like to see, that’s why there is something for them to keep. Everything I have inherited has come from my mother 100 percent. And I’m still getting it from her till tomorrow. Because my mum was always the entrepreneur in the house. Even I dare say that all the funding of ITT in those days was Simbiat Abiola. We know we had assets that weren’t utilised, and they were acquired by her. But I have a typical way of doing things. You put your husband as Chairman. Despite the fact that the man was polygamous, everything was the same. She didn’t change anything, and she didn’t even leave a will. So automatically, everything goes back to him.

She didn’t leave a will. I hear a lot of things. You see I can go to sleep at night, I can jog the streets, I drive myself around because I know I am doing everything right.

I have nothing to fear. Nothing to fear. I’m doing things right and I’m doing it the only way I know. I am not saying I’m right across board, but I can look you in face and say I’m sorry if I wronged you because I did this based on what I felt was right at a given time. So, this issue of the will, I am going to address. I have kids now, and they are grown up. They are going to have kids, and I don’t want any child, cousin or half brother, half sister to accuse my kids of living off their grandfather because of what their father stole from their father.

No! I have been working all my life. Even in the secondary school, I was working so I know a lot more detail than a lot of people know. And not only that. I met my grandfather, the Balogun of Ojo, and he would call me to elderly meetings. He used to call me Lati, and asked what I think - my opinion on matters. My grandfather was a tough man. I know a whole lot more history than a lot of people think. So, it is something I will definitely address, and I want to come out and address it with facts, papers, receipts and everything. Till this date, I’m still being owed a lot of money.

Besides that, I even went out of my way to do certain things for a lot of them that they know. Unfortunately, it is a case of having a sense of entitlement. If I had that sense of entitlement, they won’t get anything. But I am trying to be fair and transparent. I think I got myself into a cul de sac. And that is why people can now make claims and all that stuff. If I had gone by the rules - in an English way - my mother was married in Glasgow, English court. But for me trying to be fair and transparent, I took on what

the four kids. I didn’t want the other two to be a burden to the two that are mine.

MKO during his lifetime didn’t know who you are, but when you walk up to him, he paid anyway. So why should I now separate those that were not his own.. I paid irrespective. It is the biggest asset I was given. They complained I don’t go their weddings and all that. Should I start separating those that were his kids and those that were not or sanction the woman that brought strange kids to the house. It’s not healthy to reel out everything I know.

At a stage, you attended a wedding in Zimbabwe of one of your brothers. Ovation covered that wedding. What happened that such a relationship no longer exist?

Abiola

I shouldn’t have done. Again, I went out of my way to do somethings because I thought it was the right thing to do. That’s why I got into this kind of trouble, but I have the fear of God, and I don’t have a problem doing what I did.

Let me call you Lati like your grandfather would have called you (general laughter). Many of your younger ones would have accused you of not looking after them?

Kola Abiola: The best thing I could have done was give them education, and I think I have done that very well. As to what happens after that foundation, it becomes personal. At the end of the day, you are speaking to me because I took my education seriously. I have a degree. Many of us went abroad but they came back with nothing including friends, siblings. They went and played the rich man’s kid and had a great life, and came back with nothing.

Thank God we didn’t make that mistake.

We couldn’t have anyway because in my own case, MKO didn’t pay our school fees, it was Simbiat. And if she pays your school fees, you had better make sure you came back with good grades. It is like my old friend from primary school, who keeps talking about me having repeated my class forgetting that I came fifth in school, and my mum made me repeat the class because I came fifth. Can you believe that? So I made sure majority of us had great education in Nigeria. It even got to a point that I paid their school fees. I didn’t pay my own kids school fees till I’ve paid the others put together. They cannot be wrong. I even went to my brother’s school (Corona) to fight them for kicking MKO’s kid from school, and they apologised and took them back in. They are not my kids. They are my brothers, and my responsibility. Even the ones that didn’t pass the DNA test also had their school fees paid. I don’t want them to be burdens to the ones that are ours. A wife had four kids; two were ours and two were not. I still paid for all

Kola Abiola: You know, I am as simple and as sincere as I can ever be. You have known me for years, and I say things as I see it. When I come to you and tell you exactly what I think and you would not listen but instead you use what I tell you against me even when I told you out of sincerity, exactly what I would tell my blood brother or sister. I am telling you what I would do in that situation myself, but you won’t listen. I went through it back and forth. I am responsible for my own branch for the collective good and I think I have been sincere enough and it has not been appreciated. We are no longer kids any more now; we are all grown up. My youngest sister is 49 years already and every other person is coming behind her. Where should I start. It is like chasing after a mad man; they won’t know who the man is and who is not.

What is the relationship between you and your sister, Mrs Lola Edewor?

Kola Abiola: I thought we use to have a good relationship, but I’m not sure we do nowadays. But it’s all these realities. I never had any grudges. Her kids and I are still the best of friends if I am right. I never told them anything. They have their own lives.

Its like Deji and Shonekan’s son, who had been friends all their lives, and someone would say they should not be friends because of their fathers. They have their own lives to live, and that’s how we do it.

Okay, you were talking about Deboye?

Kola Abiola: Yes, as if the man has no head in his system.

It was the same way they said you shouldn’t be friends with Aisha Babangida?

Kola Abiola: Like I said, there are too many small minds out there, especially in our part of the world. When you start going trans-generational in your hate, at one point, you won’t stop. How do you get prosperity and how do you get peace. You will never.

It is good enough to know your enemies for who they are. My kids have their own haters at their level, why should I want them to also take home their dad’s haters as

well. That does not make any sense. They have their own lives to live. Maybe they know and imbibe a few things that come from an unbiased environment; keep it that way. Don’t stay in there because I have a grudge with your dad; I can see your dad tomorrow and greet him because I only have my limit with him. But do not add my palaver to their own. They should in their rightful mind take up theirs.

Let’s now talk about you, Abdullateef Olawale Abiola. There is something I find quite interesting about you.

I remember when you had your daughter, Rabiat (my daughter as well) and despite the fact that you grew up in Britain and US, you had most of your kids in Nigeria when you can afford to go to the best hospitals in the world. What informed that?

Kola Abiola: We are Nigerians, and we honestly believe in the ingenuity of Nigerians.

I have grown up with parents that had led by example. In the ITT days, I remember quite clearly, we had a lot of foreign engineers back then. The same thing with RCN, but they were only here for awhile, while our own staff were out there training. And in the quickest possible time, my father will always replace them with Nigerians.

He honestly believed in our ingenuity. I remember in Habib Bank, the formula was to have a Pakistan MD and Nigeria DMD. But at a point when the Pakistan MD was completing his tour, and awaiting handover.

During a particular meeting, my father just turned to the DMD, Adamu, and asked ‘can’t you do what he is doing’, and he answered that he could, and my father said it is about time. And that was how we got the first Nigerian MD of Habib Bank, and the DMD became a Pakistani. So it was like that. Where I think it can be done, we should do it, unfortunately, I must say, that the system has changed. It is a country without pride now. We have lost things, but we keep having faith that they would happen, and that has been the driving force.

I really think there was a need to do what we could do at home. We should encourage us first, and that was the purpose

Personally, would you ever consider going into politics?

Kola Abiola: I am in politics. I was from my dad’s election. I have been a scholar ever since. I have been very observant ever since and I have been studying it. Yes, I am in politics.

Which one is your political party?

Kola Abiola: I am not a card carrying member of any party. I am not into party politics.

So would you go into party politics?

Kola Abiola: I don’t know. I don’t think so because what I saw when I was in tender age hasn’t changed now. What I saw then has got worse now, so we need a dynamic that totally turns the electoral process on its head…”

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