SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2023

In Major Boost, Moody’s Global Ratings Upgrades Nigeria’s Outlook to Positive from Stable Nume Ekeghe Global ratings agency, Moody's, yesterday, revised its outlook on Nigeria to positive, from stable, citing

possible reversal of the deterioration in the country's fiscal and external position due to authorities' reform efforts.

The agency also affirmed its "Caa1"

long-term foreign currency and local currency issuer ratings on the West African country.

President Bola Tinubu is seeking to boost growth and attract billions in

new investment after taking charge of Africa's biggest economy, which is grappling with shortages of foreign exchange, low oil output and widespread insecurity, Reuters report.

Tinubu has undertaken the country's boldest reforms in decades by scrapping a popular but costly fuel subsidy in May, removing exchange controls and ending a ban on some

imports. The reforms have been welcomed by investors, but unions said they led to soaring costs while Continued on page 5

2024 Budget: NNPCL Rejects Senate Proposal to Increase Crude Oil Benchmark...

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Ondo Crisis Deepens as Commissioner Alleges Akeredolu’s Signature Forged Fidelis David in Akure

L-R: Director, Legal Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kofo Salam-Alada; CBN/FGN P&ID Team Coordinator, Tom Pascoe; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; other members of the federal government’s counsel team, Phillip Richard and Tom Ford, in London…yesterday, where the court awarded £20 million in favour of Nigeria

The Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Continued on page 5

Dangote Set to Flood African Market with Refined Petroleum Products, Sending Jitters Company says NNPC to supply next four cargoes in three weeks Final shipment to come from ExxonMobil Refinery to load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck loading gantries Dangote, Okunbor excited by significant milestone achieved Tinubu optimistic of increased investments from SPDC

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos There was unease in the global oil production market yesterday, when it came to light that the much-awaited Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals plant may soon become fully operational as early as January, as the first refinery in Africa in the last 40 years, with most of the 54 African country still major importer of refined petroleum product.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery coming on stream and expected to sell the product cheaper, sent jitters in the market.

This was just as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals plant yesterday, confirmed the purchase of one million barrels of crude oil of Agbami grade from Shell Trading and

Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), one of the largest trading companies in Nigeria and globally, which trades over eight million barrels of crude oil per day.

Also, President Bola Tinubu has expressed optimism about the prospects of increased investments from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), emphasising Nigeria’s long-term relationship with the company, which discovered the first commercial oil field at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta in 1956.

The Aliko Dangote-owned company confirmed the purchase of the crude yesterday, in a statement issued by the Group Head, Branding and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, Mr. Tony Chiejina, revealing that the next Continued on page 5

SOLID MINERALS’ DEVELOPMENT ON THEIR MINDS… President Bola Tinubu (left) and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, walking from the council chambers to the president's office after meeting with members of the policy and strategic institute who paid courtesy visit to the president... yesterday

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2024 Budget: NNPCL Rejects Senate Proposal to Increase Crude Oil Benchmark Kyari says functional refineries will lead to energy security Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari, yesterday, rejected a proposal by the Senate Committee on Appropriation to increase the crude oil production benchmark in the 2024 appropriation bill from 1.7 million barrels per day to 1.8mp/d.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola, made the proposal at the Budget Defence session between his

Committee and management of the NNPCL. The federal government in the appropriation bill estimated average crude oil production benchmark of 1.78m barrels per day and crude oil price benchmark of $77.96.

The NNPCL GCEO told the Committee that the national oil company would stick to the benchmark approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the proposed budget.

Kyari, submitted that the crude oil price and production benchmarks were based on

dynamics in the global oil market.

He said, "I will advise that we stick to the submission of Mr. President on the quota. There is no way we will get crude oil less than $70.

"Once economies are growing, there will be sustained demands for crude oil in our country and other countries.

“The estimates supplied by Mr. President is realistic. When we say production, we mean total production of crude oil and condensates.

"So we combine condensates

and crude oil as total marginal production. So we know our estimates is realistic. There is no curtailment on condensates from OPEC." Kyari, however cautioned that security challenge in the Niger Delta Region could frustrate the projections of the federal government, citing crude oil theft.

The NNPCL GCEO told the gathering of lawmakers and journalists that illegal crude oil bunkering in the oil producing states were alarming as he revealed that there were over 4,800 illegal

ONDO CRISIS DEEPENS AS COMMISSIONER ALLEGES AKEREDOLU’S SIGNATURE FORGED Razaq Obe, has written the Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, alleging forgery of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s signature on official documents.

This came three days after Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde faulted claim by a senior lawyer, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), that his signature was being forged by his aides to carry out government business.

Ajulo had during a live interview on Arise Television show on Monday, alleged that some Ondo State government officials were signing documents in the name of the ailing Governor Akeredolu, adding that the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, cannot take over from Akeredolu because power

has not been transferred to him constitutionally.

However, Obe, in a letter dated December 7, 2023 confirmed that the irregularities in the signature of his principal who has been performing his official duties from Ibadan, Oyo State capital since his arrival from a three-month medical leave in Germany on September 7.

The letter reads: "I write to bring to your attention a critical matter that requires immediate action. It has been confirmed that the signature of Mr. Governor on a certain document has been forged.

"The irregularities in the signature were first observed when a file from my ministry was returned through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This is the only file that has been returned so

far out of the five files that were sent for Mr. Governor's approval about two months ago.

"Upon closer inspection, I noticed significant differences between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Mr. Governor's known signatures and handwriting in the file. Concerned about the gravity of the situation, I decided to seek a forensic review before disclosing my discovery. I sent the suspicious signature, handwriting samples, and copies of the old regular signatures to forensic experts, who have now confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

According to the Commissioner, "Despite the inherent risks involved, I have chosen to fulfill the obligations of my office by reporting this alarming

development to you as the highestranking member of the State Executive Council after Mr. Governor. I firmly believe that this is the course of action our esteemed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, would take in such a situation.

"Considering the possibility that such forgery may be widespread, this heads-up is of utmost importance to the government and people of Ondo State. I have attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for your reference", he stressed.

He added that, "I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take appropriate actions to address the situation. It is crucial that we restore the integrity of our processes and ensure that such a disturbing development is swiftly punctuated."

DANGOTE SET TO FLOOD AFRICAN MARKET WITH REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, SENDING JITTERS four out of the six cargoes programmed for supply to the facility will be supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in the next two to three weeks.

The company also said the final shipment would come from ExxonMobil, reiterating that the refinery has the capacity to load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck loading gantries.

However, both the Africa's richest man and chief promoter of the $19 billion refinery, Dangote and the Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, expressed delight at the major milestone recorded towards boosting Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and attaining energy security and self-sufficiency.

According to the statement, the STASCO cargo contained one million barrels from Agbami and sailed to Dangote Refinery’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) where it was discharged into the refinery’s crude oil tanks.

The company said the maiden one million barrels, which represented the first phase of the six million barrels of crude oil to be supplied to Dangote Petroleum Refinery by a range of suppliers, should sustain the initial 350,000 barrels per day to be processed by the facility.

“The next four cargoes will be supplied by the NNPC in two to three weeks and the final of the six cargoes will be supplied by ExxonMobil", the statement noted.

It added that the supply would facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.

This latest development would play a pivotal role in alleviating the fuel supply challenges faced by Nigeria as well as the West African countries.

Designed for 100 per cent Nigerian crude with the flexibility to process other crudes, the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery can process most African crude grades as well as Middle Eastern Arab Light

and even US Light tight oil as well as crude from other countries.

The Lagos' Lekki Free Zone-based refinery could also meet 100 per cent of the Nigeria’s requirement of all refined products, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet, and also have surplus of each of these products for export.

The refinery was built to take crude through its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore and to discharge petroleum products through three separate SPMs. In addition, the company reiterated that the refinery has the capacity to load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck loading gantries.

Dangote Refinery has a selfsufficient marine facility with the ability to handle the largest vessel globally available. In addition, all products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications, according to the statement.

The refinery was designed to comply with US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms as well as African Refiners and Distribution Association (ARDA) standards.

Commenting on the latest milestone achieved in the refinery's journey, President of Dangote Group, Dangote, was quoted to have stated: “We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects.

"Our focus over the coming months is to ramp up the refinery to its full capacity. I look forward to the next significant milestone when we deliver the first batch of products to the Nigerian market.”

Also, the Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Okunbor stated: “We welcome the startup of a refinery that is designed to produce gasoline, diesel, and low-sulphur fuels for Nigeria and across West Africa and are happy to be enabling it.”

Tinubu Optimistic of Increased Investments

from SPDC

Meanwhile, Tinubu has expressed optimism about the prospects of increased investments from SPDC, emphasising Nigeria’s long-term relationship with the company, which discovered the first commercial oil field at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta in 1956.

Receiving at the State House, Abuja, the management of Shell Group, led by its Global Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Ms. Zoe Yujnovich, the President, according to a statement issued yesterday, by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, said his administration would continue to ensure the security and viability of existing and new investments in the country.

According to him: "We have made progress since our last meeting. I will continue to support and encourage you on this path. There is no doubt that there is a significant focus on investment in and around the continent.

I am spearheading Nigeria’s global march for new investments at home.

“In view of our long-term relationship that has been established over the years, we want you to do more, and we are ready to encourage you in every way possible.

“We are very focused on resolving all investment-related issues. There is no bottleneck that is too difficult for us to remove in our determined march toward making Nigeria the African haven for large-scale investment in all key sectors. We need each other".

Earlier in her remarks, Ms. Yujnovich expressed Shell’s commitment to

maintain its legacy of investments in Nigeria, particularly as the company refocuses its investment to key into new and existing opportunities in the Deepwater and Gas sector.

She outlined the company’s dedication to the development of the gas value chain in the country, including a substantial commitment of $1 billion over the next five to 10 years, aimed at unlocking gas resources for domestic use and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project.

Furthermore, Ms. Yujnovich announced an imminent $5 billion investment opportunity in the Bonga North project off the shores of Nigeria, located in the deep water.

The Shell Global Integrated Gas and Upstream Director expressed Shell’s eagerness to proceed with this investment and outlined several prospective investments that Shell Group is eyeing in Nigeria over the short to medium term.

Her words: "Mr. President, I want to be successful in my role, and I cannot be successful in my role unless I can find a way to bring more new investments to Nigeria.

“I have made commitments to our investors that we will continue to invest in gas and oil. In Nigeria, I see all the conditions to continue to make this partnership stronger. In the deep water, we have an imminent investment opportunity in Bonga North. This is $5 billion. I am really keen to make that investment as soon as possible. We want to continue and build a pipeline of new investments in Nigeria".

connections on crude oil pipelines.

"The situation we have in Niger Delta in terms of security is a calamity. We don't have that anywhere in the world.

"To engage non-state actors as last resort as solution is abnormal. But we have to respond abnormally. You have over 4800 illegal connections on our pipelines.

"That means, within every kilometer, you have an insertion.

Even if you seal all the insertions, you can't get what you want in terms of production. In the Niger Delta, people are coming from all parts of the country to do illegal refining. That's why we engage locals to deal with it.

"We will contain this challenge.

We are doing everything possible to restore sanity. What is happening is a colossal damage to the environment and the host communities."

Kyari, also gave an update on the Turn Around Maintenance of the nation’s four refineries.

He insisted that the Port Harcourt refineries would come on stream in December, while Warri Refinery would resume production in first quarter of 2024.

The NNPCL GCEO gave December 2024, as production target of the Kaduna Refinery.

The lawmakers frowned at the N406 billion remitted to the Federation Account as dividend between July to November from the NNPCL, as they dismissed it as nothing to cheer about.

The lawmakers tasked the management of the oil giant to strive to be like its global peers, citing the Saudi Aramco and the Petrobas of Brazil.

Kyari, in his defence, declared that until the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill into law, the company was not run like a profit driven enterprise.

He, however, told the senators that the nation's refineries would soon become operational and that it would lead to energy security.

$11bn Judgement Debt: Court Awards £20m Damages in Favour of Nigeria, against P&ID Issues 28-day deadline for payment Peter Uzoho A United Kingdom court yesterday directed Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited to pay Nigeria £20 million as damages and compensation following the country’s victory in an $11 billion judgment debt which was heard in October.

The said sum must be paid to Nigeria in the next 28 days.

The award of the £20 million as damages was disclosed during a consequential ruling on the matter that took place in London, yesterday, to find out what next after the October ruling.

According to Arise News Channel, a THISDAY sister broadcast station, yesterday’s hearing was also to find out if P&ID would be given permission to appeal the case.

“The court refused to grant P&ID permission to take the matter back to arbitration, saying that the company’s conduct during the process was reprehensible and therefore it completely set aside the $11 billion judgment.

“Nigeria was seeking at least £20 million back from P&ID to cover its damages and legal fees.

Essentially, what P&ID lawyers were trying to do was to try and limit the amount it would pay to Nigeria as damages and they fought hard to see if it would be in naira. But the court ruled that they must pay £20 million to Nigeria and it must come in 28 days. Then came the request for appeal. Their request for appeal on the currency at which they were going to pay Nigeria was also denied. So, in 28 days, P&ID must pay Nigeria at least 20 million pounds,” Arise News

Channel reported.

Nigeria had in October, received great relief as the UK court set the country from its entanglement in the $11bn judgment debt previously awarded in favour of P&ID Limited.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, in the case between the Federal Government of Nigeria and P&ID, the court had upheld Nigeria’s prayer that the gas processing contract was obtained by fraud.

In the judgment delivered after five years of legal battle, Judge Knowles had said: “In the circumstances and the reasons I have sought to describe and explain, Nigeria succeeds on its challenge under section 68. I have not accepted all of Nigeria’s allegations. But the awards were obtained by fraud and the awards were and the way in which they were procured was contrary to public policy.

“What happened in this case is very serious indeed, and it is important that Section 68 has been available to maintain the rule of law.

Citing Section 68 (3), Judge Knowles said: “ ‘(3) If there is shown to be serious irregularity affecting the tribunal, the proceedings or the award, the court may – (a) remit the award to the tribunal, in whole or in part, or (c) declare the award to be of no effect, in the whole or in part. The court shall not exercise its power to set aside or to declare an award to be of no effect, in whole or in part, unless it is satisfied that it would be inappropriate to remit the matters in question to the tribunal for reconsideration.’

IN MAJOR BOOST, MOODY’S GLOBAL RATINGS UPGRADES NIGERIA’S OUTLOOK TO POSITIVE FROM STABLE inflation had been in double-digits in Nigeria since 2016, further eroding savings and incomes.

"These policy changes, and those potentially to come, have raised the prospects of a fiscal and external improvement in the country's credit profile," Moody's said in a statement.

Last month, Tinubu urged the parliament to approve $8.69 billion and 100 million euros ($107.47 million) for projects across infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth, security, employment

generation, as well as financial management reforms.

The Central Bank of Nigeria in November started clearing $7 billion outstanding foreign currency forwards in a bid to attract new dollar inflows and stabilise the naira, which has been weakening to record lows.

In August, S&P Global Ratings revised its outlook on Nigeria to stable from negative and affirmed its rating at 'B-/B'.

Tinubu had assured investors that every commitment by his

administration towards resolving forex backlogs through injection of funds into the market would be fulfilled.

Speaking at the opening of the 2023 Bank Directors’ Summit in Abuja, during the week, Tinubu said funding of liquidity in the FX market, even though a short-term solution, remained critical for the economy at the moment.

The summit was organised by the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN), with the theme,

“Emerging Issues: Navigating the Complex Balance Between Regulation and Compliance.”

Tinubu, who was represented at the summit by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, had stressed that there was “no reason to feel that the indications that were made earlier had changed”, adding, “It just takes time.” He said the government was doing everything in its power to try to attract funds that would shore up liquidity in the FX segment.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

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NEWS

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

HONOURING CHRIS OGUNBANJO… L–R: Former Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo; Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso; Group Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Oscar N. Onyema; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole; Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola and Vice President, LCCI, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, a ceremony to pay tributes in honour of Late Chief Chris Oladipo Ogunbanjo, in Lagos…yesterday

MAN to FG: Increasing Excise Tax on SSBs Will Negatively Impact Businesses, Consumers Dike Onwuamaeze The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned the federal government that further increase in excise tax on carbonated non-alcoholic beverages from the current N10 per liter to N30 per liter to checkmate sugar related ailments would have dire consequences like massive layoffs of workers, factory shutdowns, and an exacerbation of the already rampant unemployment crisis in Nigeria.

The manufacturers’ association expressed this view in a statement titled “Why Views about Sugar Impact on People’s Wellbeing Are Misleading,” which was exclusively obtained by THISDAY. There have been calls in recent weeks by some organisations on the federal government to increase

the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) under the guise of combating diabetes and obesity.

The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, stated emphatically that “increasing taxes on SSBs will have severe repercussions on businesses, consumers, and the government’s revenue.

“Nigeria’s previous implementation of a sugar tax in 2021 already had significant repercussions, as the industry faced an eight per cent to 10 per cent revenue decline, and the Food and Beverage sub-sector experienced negative GDP growth.

“These distressing indicators foreshadow a bleak future if the proposed tax is enforced, with dire consequences including mass layoffs, factory shutdowns, and an exacerbation of the already

Otti Visits LP National Secretariat, Vows to Work with Abure Chuks Okocha in Abuja Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has vowed to put forces together with the leadership of Labour Party to ensure that the party wins the coming governorship election in Edo State The Governor, who paid a courtesy visit to the Labour Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday, was full of praises for Mr. Julius Abure leadership. He also attributed his successes in the last seven months as Abia State governor to hard work, dedication and love for the people.

While addressing the party’s National Working Committee, the governor said, “I want to thank you for holding the party for us, fighting on the side of the Party and protecting what we know today as the Labour Party.

The reality is that the law as it is today recognises only the political parties and not individuals. When you take away the party, the individual collapses, even if it is the presi-

dent. That is why it is critical that we hold on to the platform upon which we are elected.

“I also want to thank you for the support you have been giving to our representatives in the national and state assemblies and myself also who happens to be the only elected governor under Labour Party. We thank God that today we have a governor but I can assure you that that position will change soon with the coming elections in Edo and Ondo states.”

Abure while welcoming the governor extolled his great performance since assumption of office particularly the transformation of the capital and commercial cities of Umuahia and Aba respectively.

He said, “Your Excellency, what you have brought to governance in just a little above six months in Abia state is indescribable. What your predecessors could not achieve in several years in office, you have achieved. Abia people will be eternally grateful to the Labour Party for giving them this precious gift as a leader.

rampant unemployment crisis, predicted to hit 41 per cent in 2023.”

Ajayi-Kadir further argued that “the collateral damage of this tax would not be limited to the manufacturing sector alone. The burden will disproportionately fall on lower-income consumers who rely on SSBs as a staple in their diet due to limited access to fresh produce amidst soaring

inflation rates.

“The propo sed tax and the inflation crisis will further erodetheir purchasing power, leading to higher prices for essential goods and services.

The vicious cycle of deprivation and scarcity will only worsen, pushing Nigeria deeper into food shortage nightmares.

“As seen in Denmark’s case, the increase in the tax on SSBs

can lead to inflation, which will affect the purchasing power of consumers and result in higher prices for other goods and services. This is counter-productive because the country is currently facing one of its worst inflation crises, and a further increase in everyday commodities would only cause more.”

He also urged the government to consider the potential decline

in tax revenue that would result from increased taxes since “higher prices may lead to reduced consumption, which in turn could lead to a decrease in sales volume. As a result, the projected revenue increase from the tax hike may not materialise, adversely affecting the government’s ability to fund essential public services and initiatives.

Naira Weakens to N1,099/$ on I&E, N1,185/$ on Parallel FX Mkts CBN alerts on fake Naira banknotes in circulation Nume Ekeghe in Lagos and James Emejo in Abuja The Naira yesterday depreciated to an all-time low of N1,099/$ on the official Investors and Exporters’ (I&E) forex window, weaker than the N843.07/$ it closed on Thursday.

Likewise, the nation’s currency depreciated on the parallel

market to N1,185/$ in Lagos yesterday, compared to the N1, 180/$ it closed on Thursday.

Some market analysts attributed the development to Dollar shortage. The FMDQ, however, did not update its data to display the intra-day trading volume and other indicators.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday

alerted the public on the circulation of counterfeit Naira banknotes in the country.

The central bank noted that the higher denominations of fake banknotes have been used by some individuals for transactions in food markets and other commercial centres across major cities in the country.

The apex bank disclosed this in a statement issued by CBN acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Sidi Ali, Hakama.

She said the CBN is in constant collaboration with relevant security and financial agencies to confiscate fake naira banknotes, arrest and prosecute counterfeiters.

Africa Must Deliver Quality Jobs to Tackle Brain Drain, Says Adesina Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has called on African leaders to create quality jobs for its teeming unemployed youths to stem the trend of brain drain bedeviling the continent.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the Second Veritas University Digital Innovations Exhibition and 12th Convocation Lecture, he lamented that Nigeria is losing its best brains

to ‘Japa’ syndrome.

The former Minister of Agriculture tasked Nigeria to turn its huge youth demography into an asset and not a liability.

The convocation lecturer, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the institution, also announced that Nigeria has been listed among 10 other African countries to benefit from the Bank’s $20 billion Desert-to-Power initiative.

While pointing out that the power project was conceived to develop 10

GW of solar power, he said when completed, it will be the largest solar zone in the world.

Other countries to benefit from the initiative are Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Eritrea, and Senegal.

He also announced AfDB’s adoption of Veritas University as a Centre of Excellence for Computer Coding for Employment.

Speaking on the theme “Africa, It’s Your Time”, Dr. Adesina

said: “What Africa lacks is not money. What Africa lacks is lack of bankable ideas. Remember, money will always follow great ideas,” he said.

Addressing the graduates he said: “As you join the workforce, technology and Artificial Intelligence will play a big role in your lives and in your enterprises.

I expect to see many of you provide creative solutions to many of our challenges through analytics and data aggregation.

Lagos Requires N7tn to Meet Infrastructure Needs, Says Sanwo-Olu Segun James Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the state requires at least N7 trillion budget size to meet up with infrastructure needs and for basic amenities in the 2024 fiscal year, but plans to present over N2 trillion to the state House of Assembly soon.

This came as he expressed readiness to ensure ease of doing business in the state despite current

global business challenges, stressing that his administration would not continue to give excuses.

Sanwo-Olu, had on January 31, signed the 2023 appropriation bill of N1.76 trillion to law at the State House, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said the budget tagged; Budget of Continuity” is to complete all ongoing projects in different parts of the state.

Recall that on October 27, 2022, Sanwo-Olu, presented a N1.69 tril-

lion budget to the state assembly, which was passed on December 12, 2022, by the lawmakers.

The assembly, however, raised the approved budget by N76 billion to N1.768 trillion.

The governor, while presenting the budget to the state assembly, said the state government was expecting a N1.342 billion revenue to fund the budget.

A breakdown of the approved budget size showed the sum of

N748 billion was allocated as recurrent expenditure and N1 trillion as capital expenditure for the year ending 31st December 2023.

Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, made the remarks yesterday, at the 8th Lagos Corporate Assembly, a business forum, tagged; “Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, BOS, Meets with Business Community,” held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

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INSIGHT

Be fair and just...

F

There Must Be an End to Impunity

or General Christopher Musa, the Chief of ȱ ěȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ Kaduna in Kaduna which has borne the ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ his soldiers in a couple of operations around the ¢ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ ǯ On July 5, 2022, armed Boko Haram terrorists broke into the Medium Security correctional center in Kuje, a suburb of the FCT. By the time their chilling temerity subsided after hours, they had successfully freed some of the high profile members from the facility, as well as shredded the mystique surrounding the FCT as a safe space.

While on a visit to the facility, it was a shocked President Muhammadu Buhari that lamented the attack, wondering why there were no CCTV cameras in the prison.

More than a year later, it appears Nigeria is still in wonderland over what truly happened in the facility, especially regarding the conspiracy and collusion that crystallized into an attack so brazen that it left Nigeria’s seat of power rocking.

The CDS has become the latest to wonder, pointing his powerful fingers at some prison officials whom he accused of colluding with the terrorists.

Even the dead in Nigeria now know that a country that was once one of Africa’s safest is now one of its most dangerous. It started with the Boko Haram metamorphosis of 2009 and has today continued in the reimagination and reinvention of banditry that has left countless vulnerable communities on the brink.

Who are those who may have colluded with the terrorists who attacked Kuje? To answer this question, history immediately holds out an indictment to Nigeria. It grates to remember that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) once handed Nigeria a list of those it accused of sponsoring terrorism in the country. Until this day, it is not known that the powers that be have done enough to stamp out the menace.

As terrorists have cut through swathes of land, scything down lives and livelihoods, Nigeria has been unprepared for what has come to it at the most inopportune of moments. Most damaging, the country has been exposed as flatfooted and weak. It has proven costly.

In the Igbo country, it is often said that it is at the lead of the home-based rat that the bush rat knows where fish is kept in the house. It brings to the fore the issue of sabotage, specifically the number of people who have bored their way into the system and are bent on destroying it from within.

How can prison wardens in any sane country connive with armed terrorists to breach the security of such a prison and spring some of the most dangerous terrorists Nigeria has ever known?

Since no less a person than the Chief of Defence Staff has confirmed that such a breach was brokered by people from within the correctional service, what has been done to hold anyone to account?

As a country, Nigeria reeks of impunity. In a country where people get away with all manner of egregious crimes, it is particularly chilling that a figure so highly placed within Nigeria’s security agencies can make such damning revelations.

Thankfully, there has been a lull in security breaches within the country since the new administration assumed power.

But there must be accountability. Nigerians deserve to know by name, and in shame, all those responsible for insecurity within the country.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

T

The Tudun Biri Tragedy

ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȃ Ȅȱ ȱ ȱř ȱ ǰȱ ŘŖŘřȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱȃ Ȅȱ ȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ǯȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȃ Ȅǰȱȃ Ȅȱ ȱ ȃ Ȅȱ ǵȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǵȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȃ Ȅȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǵȱ This must not be swept under the carpet as the previous ones. There should and or must be a “thorough” and “transparent” investigation to unravel the real “causes” of this “avoidable disaster” in order to prevent a repeat. There must be payment of “Diyya”(Blood Money) to the families of the deceased by the government.

However, it seems like we have not learnt any “lesson” from Boko Haram crisis. Conspiracy theories made it last longer than necessary.

We are at it again! There are now so many conspiracy theories being dished out left, right and centre by many people especially politicians on the unfortunate incident of Tudun Biri. It is sad to note that we often “politicize” security issues or whip up “ethnic” or “regional” and or

T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR OBINNA CHIMA DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN 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, 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

“religious” sentiments.

Conspiracy thoeries both nationally and internationally were “responsible for the escalation of Boko Haram crisis beyond imagination. From the onset, some non western educated people supported the “sect” because they erroneously believed that western educated people (‘Yan Boko) were agents of “corruption”, inequality, injustice, and embezzlement which are all taught in western schools. Some people in Borno State were clapping, dancing and rejoicing anytime Boko Haram hit security agencies. The sect members were initially being “hailed” and “shielded” by their parents, brothers and sisters until it backfired.

In the same vein, at the height of Boko Haram crisis, despite the fact that most of the Boko Haram leaders and members are “Kanuris” some northerners alleged that it was created by President Jonathan in order to “depopulate” the north. On the other hand, it was alleged that some southerners advised president Jonathan not to take the “fight” against Boko Haram “serious” because it was created by the north in order to embarrass him and make his government ungovernable. After all whose people were being killed by the sect!

It was further alleged that it was a conspiracy theory that made president Jonathan to “doubt” the infamous abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 until 17 days after.

Killings of Nigerians by the armed forces in the name of “mistakes” is increasingly becoming inexcusable. From the previous government to now it has happened in at least eight different states of the federation; namely: Borno, Yobe, Niger, Zamfara, Kastina, Nasarawa and Kaduna. Let us continue to hold our political leaders to account on their primary responsibility of protection of our lives and property without prejudice on their ethnic group or religion. They must be alive to their responsibilities!

As we acknowledge and salute the sacrifices being made by our gallant armed forces in protecting us we must therefore urge them to remain professional in their services to the nation.

May the Almighty Allah forgive the shortcomings of those who died in Tudun Biri.

Nurudeen Dauda, Kaduna State

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

NEWS

THE CONFIRMED BOSS… L-R: Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji Ojo; Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Caroline Wuru-ola Adepoju and her husband, Chief Adeleye Adepoju, during the decoration of the Comptroller General in the Ministers office in Abuja… yesterday

REA, NASENI Sign Deal with Chinese Firm for $150m Lithium Battery Plant Launches Edo command, control centre, special force building, others Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for

the establishment of a $150 million lithium-ion battery manufacturing and processing factory in Nigeria.

A statement by the REA said the agreement, signed with a Chinese firm, Shenzhen Lemi Technology Development

Avoid Cultism, PFN Warns Students Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has charged students of Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Oyo State, to steer clear of cultism and promiscuity.

This is just as he tasked the new management team of the university on academic excellence and spiritual soundness.

The bishop, who is the university’s Chancellor, gave the advice during the unveiling of Prof.

Timothy Olubisi Adejumo, as the second Vice Chancellor of the faith-based university following the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer VC, Prof.

Julius Oloke.

He said, “We want academic excellence with a spiritual foundation for the future. Without the spiritual foundation I would have been a tout and one of those troubling the nation. Spiritual foundation is key.

“The two pillars on which the university is standing are academic excellence and spiritual soundness.”

Oke, who is also the General Overseer of Sword of The Spirit Ministries International, emphasised that the university would continue to uphold the best academic standards and high spiritual soundness, saying it has zero tolerance for promiscuity and cultism.

Tinubu: FG’ll Stop Industrial Actions in Nigerian Universities David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka President Bola Tinubu has said that his government is working hard to stop industrial actions in federal universities across the country.

Tinubu, who was represented at the 17th convocation ceremony of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, by the Director of Tertiary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Rakiya Iliyasu, stated this while addressing the university community as its visitor.

Tinubu said: “We are aware of the challenges facing higher

education in Nigeria, and we are addressing it strategically and holistically.

“Efforts are being made to address the infrastructure and human capital deficiencies through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund).

“It is the desire of this government that industrial action would be a thing of the past. This government is doing everything possible for a better relationship between the unions and government, which can stop such industrial actions.]

Company Ltd., at the ongoing COP-28, will be leveraged to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to clean and renewable energy development.

In addition, the agency explained that the deal emphasises the country’s alignment with climate action pledges under the Paris Agreement and focuses on home-grown technology for rural electrification in the search for inclusive financing for Nigeria’s energy access gap

in last-mile communities.

The strategic collaboration with the key objective of facilitating partnership for research and development projects, it said, will enhance the quality, reliability, and affordability of rural electrification solutions, including innovative technologies.

“Leveraging on their partnership, NASENI and REA signed a landmark cooperation agreement with Shenzhen Lemi Technology

Development Company Limited of China. “The landmark MoU was developed with the sole objective of development and establishment of a $150 million Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing and Processing Factory in Nigeria.

“This partnership enables agencies such as REA and NASENI to leverage the technological expertise of LEMI to improve the safety and longevity of battery

technologies to deliver better, sustainable energy solutions to unserved and underserved Nigerians.

“It will also be paving the way for new jobs within the sector, as well as local content in the nation’s renewable energy space,” the REA stated.

According to the statement, the collaboration between REA and NASENI has proven instrumental in unlocking new and transformative opportunities.

Tinubu: Nigeria Has Enough Manpower to Stimulate Economic Development Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Bola Tinubu has declared that the nation has the requisite and sufficient manpower to stimulate development across all sectors of the economy.

Speaking yesterday at the State House, Abuja while receiving a report titled, ‘Industrialisation, Energy Security,

and Climate Change: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,’ submitted by the Senior Executive Course 45 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the President said his administration will review the document and integrate salient recommendations into ongoing policies and programmes within the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Commending the report’s wealth of research and recommendations, President Tinubu, according to a release issued by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, said: ‘’I give you credit for a good job done.

This report will be treated with all seriousness. You have fished out the issues. You have noted the challenges, and you have recommended

very constructive solutions and showed the roadmap to achieve sustainable development goals for our country. Definitely, our hope is renewed. ‘’Who says that we do not have it as a country?

Commitment to research and development; that high level of inquisitiveness, the manpower needed is here.”

How I was saved from my Village Deities, Former Lawmaker A former member of the National Assembly, Hon. Uche Nwole, has narrated how his businesses and church were crippled but was saved through prayers and attested that after the intervention through prayers of the overseer of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach (ZPMOM) of Evangelist Ebuka Obi-led.

Nwole, who represented Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, told the audience at Zion City at Okota, Lagos, that he flew in from the United Kingdom to testify to what God did in his life through Evangelist Ebuka.

He said when he noticed all

his family in the UK were addicted to the ministry online, he started praying and challenged God with an offering and asked that if Evangelist Ebuka was a true prophet, God should make him mention his name in his prophecies. This became a reality on February 9 this year when Ebuka prophesied about him

during his online Open Heavens programme.

He stated that the Evangelist also mentioned something only a few people who knew him were aware of - a family deity which he was supposed to serve but because he rejected it and founded a church, his business and ministry became crippled.

‘Adequate Funding of Labour Ministry Will End Strikes’ Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, has said industrial unrest would end in Nigeria if the Labour Ministry receives adequate funding.

He stated this yesterday in

Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Labour to defend the ministry’s budget for 2024.

The ministry was given an envelope of N10 billion as the budget for 2024 by the Budget Office of the Federation.

Lalong said the ministry’s duties

were principally to create jobs, promote productivity and address workers’ welfare, adding that the only way it could succeed was to have sufficient funds to work.

According to him, strikes and other industrial disputes will be a thing of the past once

there is adequate funding to tackle all labour-related issues.

He said, “If the ministry is well-funded, there will be no strikes in Nigeria. There were so many strikes ongoing during the budgetpreparation, and they mostly had to do with funding issues.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

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NEWS

AWARD WELL DESERVED ...

L-R: The Founder/ Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University ( TAU), Dr. Johnson Adewum and Legal Luminary and Guest Speaker at first Distinguished Public Lecture at the Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Kwara State, Prof. Yusuf Olaolu receiving an award in Oko…yesterday

Tasks Nigerian Leaders Use Diplomacy to Free 30 Nigerians Abducted Ooni on Patronising Local Products

by Cameroonians, NASS Begs Tinubu Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

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NEWS

RUBBING MINDS...

L-R: Special Adviser, Media & Communications to Ogun State Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade; Commissioner for Forestry, Engr.Taiwo Oludotun; Head of UNDP, Lagos, Mr. William Tsuma; Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan; Commissioner for Rural Devt, Hon. Olufemi ilori-Oduntan, and Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, in a group photograph after a stakeholders’ engagement in Abeokuta…recently

Obaseki Calls for Decentralisation of Nation’s Security Architecture Launches Edo command, control centre, special force building, others Alex Enumah in Abuja

named after former Inspector General of Police and Chairman Edo State Governor, Mr. of Police Service Commission, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, Dr. Solomon Arase and Special called for the decentralisa- Force Building, in Benin City.

Obaseki said the government tion of the country’s security architecture to check crime and is partnering with security agencies, leveraging technology, criminality.

The governor said this during and evolving a public safety the Edo State Security Sum- system that is anchored on mit, held at the Government citizen participation, to tackle House, Benin City, with the insecurity in the state.

He said, “Crime is local, as theme, “Edo State Security Framework: Repositioning for well as security and until we the Future.” The governor also have a decentralised legislative R΀FLDOO\ ODXQFKHG WKH VWDWH·V framework to allow compoCommand and Control Centre, nent parts to take policing

to a certain level and ensure active collaboration between the federal/central security agencies and local agencies, we will not VXFFHHG LQ ÀJKWLQJ FULPLQDOLW\ “When we started collating data of crime incidents in the state between 2017 and 2020, there was a rise in crime and criminality in the state.

But today, we have seen incidents of crime go down drastically. We thank all the security agencies for their FROODERUDWLYH HͿRUWV LQ UHGXFLQJ crime in the state by 47.7 per cent between 2020 till date.”

JK Randle Slams FG over Education in Nigeria Former president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Bashorun J.K. Randle, has criticized Federal Government’s neglect of education in the country, saying, the sector deserves more than what it presently receives in the budget.

According to the renowned chartered accountant, despite being key to human capital development of any nation, education is not given the right attention on the priority list.

Speaking as a Special Guest at the Government Secondary

School, Owerri (GSSO), Old Boys Association, Lagos Branch, 2023 End of Year Banquet Award Night and Fundraiser, Bashorun J.K Randle, lamented that education in Nigeria has been left to suffer a huge decline, adding that the sector needs an urgent action to recover lost ground.

Continuing, he said that government is not doing enough to provide quality education to Nigerians.

“Education in Nigeria has suffered a huge setback and the

Institute Urges FG to Set up Performance Forensics Audit Bennett Oghifo The Chartered Institute of )RUHQVLFV DQG &HUWLÀHG )UDXG Investigators of Nigeria, CIFCFIN, has called on the federal government to put in place, Performance Forensics Audit (PFA), to avert the annual loss of 15% of the federal government’s total revenue.

He said a robust performance

forensic auditing process will block the leakages.

President of CIFCFIN, Dr. Iliyasu B. Gashinbaki, stated this during the institute’s 5th Direct Membership Graduation and Award of Fellowship Ceremony in Abuja, recently.

Gashinbaki advised the federal government to quickly adopt a policy of Continuous Performance Forensics Audit Review.

tragedy is that a lot of money we should be spending on education, is being spent on other things, while the pro-catalyst for development - human capital for development is education. This has been proven over and over in so many countries, but is not getting the right attention in Nigeria.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 2022 Annual General Meeting of IKEJA ELECTRIC PLC (“the Company”) will hold on Friday, 15th December 2023 at 178, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, by 1.00 p.m. to transact the following businesses:

ORDINARY BUSINESS 1.

To receive the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 and the Reports of the Directors, Audit Committee and Auditors thereon;

2.

To re-elect Directors;

3.

To authorize Directors to fix the Remuneration of the Auditors;

4.

To elect the members of the Audit Committee.

Dated this 8th day of December 2023.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

Lanre Durojaiye Company Secretary FRC/2022/PRO/ICSAN/002/127427 NOTES: 1.

Proxy A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her/its stead. A proxy need not be a member. For the appointment to be valid, executed proxy forms must be deposited at the head office of the Company at 178, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting.

2.

Re-election of Directors In accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters, 2020 (CAMA), the directors to retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting are Mr. Alex Okoh and Mr. Kola Adesina. The retiring directors being eligible offer themselves for re-election.

3.

Audit Committee As stipulated by Section 404(6) of CAMA, any shareholder may nominate another shareholder for election to the Audit Committee by giving notice in writing of such nomination to the Company Secretary at least twenty-one (21) days before the Annual General Meeting.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

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TECH HUB

AYODEJI AKE 07056085642

Tackling Brain Drain with Telemedicine, AI Ayodeji Ake writes that prioritising telemedicine and the adoption of Artificial Intelligence go a long way to address the acute brain drain challenge Nigeria is facing due to the ‘Japa’ syndrome.

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ne of the advice a Nigerian may get these days ironically is ‘please don’t fall sick,’ as the brain drain in the health sector hits deeper.

Unfortunately, hospital beds and wards are running empty owing to the migration of Nigerian doctors who are searching for greener pastures.

Leveraging technology by prioritising existing telemedicine platforms and creating artificial intelligence applications that would assist patients in getting basic healthcare services and virtual medical consultations may reduce the burden of brain drain.

Speaking with THISDAY, the Founder of Wellahealth, a telemedicine platform providing affordable health insurance plans, Dr. Ikpeme Neto, revealed that telemedicine has the potential of not totally solving the issue of brain drain, but has the capacity to solve between 50 to 60 per cent of brain drain in the health sector if prioritised.

“Brain drain is a major issue, and we are losing doctors to the diaspora and there are several solutions to it.

Telemedicine can be one of the potential solutions that can help. The reality is that there is already a lot of telemedicine going on both locally and with even doctors from the diaspora advising family and friends via several technological platforms.

“Telemedicine doesn’t solve all the problems, but it can solve between 50 to 60 per cent of basic healthcare concerns that people have. So, they can consult remotely.

“Even though it’s not a cure-all, it can help to reduce the burden where doctors can support their colleagues remotely. The role technology plays is quality assurance and ensuring people don’t get left behind and getting access is more equitable. Yes, telemedicine can help to reduce the burden of brain drain.

“Telemedicine is already working in Nigeria.

“We have doctors who are doing consultations via Short Message Service (SMS), mobile phone calls, and WhatsApp. It is already working. We need a defined framework around how we make it safe and of quality.

“Also, people can tap into it both on the user side so that customers and patients know where to go to get good telemedicine services. on the provider quality side, to know how to deliver care via telemedicine.”

Speaking further, he said: “I think the reality is ongoing. All we need to do is to improve the knowledge, accessibility, and quality of it. it’s already in place in Nigeria and we need to make it work

providers and are not trusting that we can provide healthcare at a cheaper price between N400-N500 monthly.

“That’s a challenge. So building trust is important. I am also working with the right partner to ensure the quality is of high level and building a network that is strong and big enough to cover the country,” he said.

Interventions through Healthcare Apps

Neto

better.

“We now have 2000 healthcare providers anchored by community pharmacies on our network, we are seeing about 15,000 patients with our services and we have sold hundreds of thousands of healthcare plans. we are starting to work with the state government and our goal is to reach millions of people across Nigeria.”

Challenges

For him, challenges bordering on telemedicine are – quality assurance, awareness, and accessibility. Neto believes when telemedicine is regulated and monitored, it would provide quality healthcare to Nigerians.

“The challenges of telemedicine read around quality assurance. I think one of the bigger challenges is around accessibility to the people if they have access and are also aware. Quality is also one of the challenges. Ensuring measures around the quality of care that’s been provided by telemedicine and the regulations in place for the quality of care that have been monitored and for feedback to be provided.

“There are also issues around affordability, price and access, but those border on the ecosystem or health system issues that we need to address with more funding, training, and more healthcare workforce and beyond telemedicine itself.

“When we came on board and till today, people don’t trust health insurance

The CEO Wellahealth spoke on the development of relatable artificial intelligence applications that would redirect patients to nearby registered pharmacies and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for healthcare services.

“Regarding Artificial Intelligence applications to attend to patients, I think that’s a great innovation. It is some of the work we are doing using pharmacies and PHCs to provide care for common conditions.

“In the context of losing a lot of our medical professionals, we have to embrace task-shifting and task-sharing which is where lower-skilled healthcare workers can provide a level of care that is commensurate to what a higherskilled professional like a doctor will provide.

“The only way to do that is by using technology and artificial intelligence, so that at the PHC level, we can support workers with technology to provide patients with great care.

“It’s not going to solve all the problems, but can fill a gap when properly intensified and built upon, we can start to cover significant gaps as regards brain drain,” he said.

In his view, seizing the licence of medical students as recently proposed by a member of the National Assembly to stop ‘Japa,’ is not the way to go.

Rather, the government should focus on improving funding for the health sector to change the narrative and welfare of healthcare providers.

In the same vein, Neto, expressed worry that the budget proposal of five per cent to the health sector despite brain drain was totally below the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

Neto, who recently won the African Business Heros Award (ABH) explained: “I think doctors in the diaspora seeing the kind of impact they can have in Nigeria and what we are doing should be encouraged to return to Nigeria. If not physically all the time but at least periodically and also doing things via telemedicine. I think the story we are telling should inspire more people to come back.”

Fintech Startup Wins N20m Nubia Capital Seed Fund A digital platform providing financial services to micro-businesses in remote locations, Regxta, recently won N20 million Nubia Capital pre-seed investment.

Regxta, clinched the seed money at the Global Tech Africa pitch competition that was held in Lagos.

Co-founder of Nubia Capital, Mr. Davidson Oturu, together with Nela Duke-Ekpenyong, also from another investment firm, Ingressive Capital, served as judges to eight startups who qualified out of 28 that showed up for the competition. While also delivering a master class on venture capital investment, he took the startups on different processes of investment.

On what inspired the investment, Oturu said: “Nubia Capital invests in tech-based startups across Africa. And I’m a Nigerian, so Nigeria is the best place that we would go to.

“And, because most of these start-ups don’t have access to venture capitalists like myself when you have this kind of gathering where people come from all over to be a part of this programme, it’s good to give them the opportunity and the access to be able to get start-up capital. So that’s why we decided to do that.” Oturu added.

Instagram Announces New Tools Instagram has announced new and improved editing tools to help creators and users better express their creativity on the app. The new tools include a number of improvements to reels and exciting new updates for feed photos, carousels and stories, that make it easier to create directly within the Instagram app. For reels, enhanced video editing tools help users express creativity and tell the story they want to, all within the app.

In feed, new filters for photos and carousels will explore different tones and moods for posts.

In addition to the editing tools, Instagram has also built new tools to help creators better understand their performance.

Full suite of updates include - Reels editing updates, rolling out new fonts to level-up text on reels, and updating editing individual clips with the ability to zoom/crop/rotate; undo and redo edits; and 10 new text-to-speech voices; Audio updates, the ability to add clips with audio from movies, TV shows or your own created audio to your reels from our new media clip hub; New feed photo filters, brand-new photo filters for feed posts and carousels; Performance insights for creators, performance with a new metric, Reels Replays; Custom Stickers, making Reels or Stories stand out by turning part of any photo or video into a custom sticker.

Maida Calls for Competition in Telcom Sector

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigeria Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, has said competition was key to the healthy growth of the telecoms sector.

Receiving a delegation of management of Airtel Networks Limited in Abuja, recently, Maida said the Commission would give closer attention to managing the competition in the industry.

“We are more inclined to promote competition by creating a level-playing ground for all our licensees,” he said.

The NCC boss explained that the Commission was looking at all sides of the issue on competition in the sector.

“Indeed, the rising cost of business is affecting every sector. We are also looking at a win-win regulatory approach, but we need to be careful to avoid over-regulation, as over-regulation is inimical to competition in the industry,” he added.

“The NCC has recently undertaken the review of all categories of licences, both class and individual, with a view to ensuring that our licensees are still able to work well within their capital and operating expenditure (COPEX),” he said.

In the same vein, Maida during the visit by the Airtel delegation said, in line with regulatory approach, the Commission considers it critical to have a win-win strategies and regulatory framework in place to ensure sustainability of the telecom industry.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

20

Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com

SHOWBIZFLAIR

As Miss Universe Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezue Weds Nicholas Ukachukwu Ferdinand Ekechukwu

F

or the current Miss Universe Nigeria, Mitchel Ihezue, it’s a new season, a new beginning, and a new dawn, following her recent engagement to businessman and former House of Representatives member, Nicholas Ukachukwu. The beauty queen made this known while sharing the news of her introduction. “Introduction Done,” she wrote on her Instagram page.

Imo born Mitchel, who emerged Miss Universe Nigeria (2023), announced her engagement days before the introduction ceremony which took place December 5.

7KH HYHQW ZKLFK PDUNV D VLJQLÀFDQW VWHS towards their marriage, was captured in videos and pictures trending on social media.

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dapper and stunning.

The relationship between both has been a topic of interest recently, especially after Mitchel hinted at her upcoming wedding. Initially secretive about her partner’s identity, she eventually UHYHDOHG KHU ÀDQFpH WKH ELOOLRQDLUH CEO of SNECOU Group Ltd, sparking widespread discussion online due to WKHLU DJH GLͿHUHQFH 6KH LV UHSRUWHG to be 27 years old, while Prince 57.

Ukachukwu was married, but lost his wife in a car accident in 2020.

The visual artist Mitchel was crowned WKH ¶0RVW %HDXWLIXO *LUO LQ 1LJHULD· LQ 2017. She represented Nigeria at the ‘Miss World’ beauty pageant in the same year. Mitchel was in the top 40 and also earned the title of ‘Miss World Top Model 2017’ in the global pageant.

In September, she was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe Nigeria 2023 pageant.

Nicholas and Mitchel

Mo Abudu Graces Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful List 2023

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Mo Abudu

enowned media mogul Mo Abudu has \HW DJDLQ VROLGLÀHG her place among the global elite, as Forbes announces her inclusion in the esteemed ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful’ list for 2023. Abudu, founder and CEO of EbonyLife Media, earned this distinction for her outstanding contributions to the media industry, marking her as one of Nigeria’s leading women shaping the global narrative.

Standing tall as one of only two

Nigerian women on this prestigious list, Abudu’s groundbreaking work in the media space has earned her widespread recognition. She has consistently challenged norms and pushed boundaries in the entertainment industry, notably creating and producing groundbreaking television VKRZV DQG ÀOPV WKDW UHVRQDWH ERWK locally and internationally.

Under Abudu’s visionary leadership, EbonyLife Media has been at the forefront of producing highquality content that captures diverse narratives and showcases African

talent on a global stage. Her commitment to storytelling that celebrates African culture while addressing universal themes has garnered praise and admiration worldwide.

Mo Abudu’s continuous trailblazing in the media landscape underscores her unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. As she continues to break barriers and UHGHÀQH WKH QDUUDWLYH RI $IULFDQ storytelling, her impact resonates not just in Nigeria but across continents, elevating the representation of African voices on a global scale.

Kenneth Gyang’s This is Lagos Premieres on Christmas Day

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UROLÀF 1LJHULDQ ÀOPPDNHU Kenneth Gyang is set to take audiences on an exhilarating cinematic journey starting on 25th December through the bustling city of Lagos with his latest creation, “This is Lagos.”

An action comedy, Gyang’s latest work according to the director is his love letter, and a heartfelt ode to the city, coming four years after helming the critically acclaimed movie, Oloture.

7KH ÀOP IHDWXUHV D WDOHQWHG HQVHPEOH cast, such as Gabriel Afolayan, Ikechukwu Onunaku, Rahama Sadau, Kate Henshaw, Enyinna Nwigwe, Sani Muazu, David Jones David, Greg Ojefua, Mike Afolarin,

Jibrin Homsuk and newcomer /DXUD 3HSSOH ,Q WKH QHZ ÀOP which is produced by Gyang’s Cinema Kpatakpata, Gabriel Afolayan plays Stevo, an artist seeking a big break in Nigeria’s music business.

He falls in love with a girl and falls in with a ragtag gang.

Viewers are invited to watch how his life and dreams are then shaped by unforeseeable events in the big city. Gyang has worked on several well-received projects, including episodes of ‘Far )URP +RPH· DQG ¶%ORRG 6LVWHUV· both of which were released as Originals. A few years earlier,

Gyang debuted with Confusion Na Wa, a 2013 feature. +H VROLGLÀHG KLV VWDWXV ZLWK PRUH acclaimed projects and has become one of the most endorsed directors currently working in Nollywood. His many commitments, according to him, became one of the reasons ‘This Is Lagos’ has been in the works for over a decade. “I read a short story many, many years ago and I immediately knew that I would love to adapt it,” he said. ´%XW , KDG WR VKRRW RWKHU SURMHFWV ZKLOH waiting for the time to be right for ‘This Is Lagos’. The right time came at the VWDUW RI WKLV \HDU µ 7KH ÀOP LV PDGH LQ association with Jide Makinde’s Technical 0DJLF DQG LV VXSSRUWHG E\ 6WHUOLQJ %DQN

Gyang

Making Positive Impact Through Quality Sound Records Ferdinand Ekechukwu

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Sota

ounded by entrepreneur Chukwudi Otubelu, also known as Vikki SOTA, or SOTA, Quality Sound Records is not just a record label; it is a label with a commitment to making a positive impact on society. This label is using the power of music to drive change and raise awareness about important social issues. This much was echoed by SOTA in a recent chat.

“If you’re looking for a label that is more than just music, Quality Sound Records is

the label for you. Quality Sound Records is a label that is using the power of music to make a positive impact on society,” he said.

“One of the ways Quality Sound Records is PDNLQJ D GLͿHUHQFH LV WKURXJK WKHLU VXSSRUW of charitable causes.”

They believe that music has the power to bring people together and create positive change. That’s why they partner with various charities and organisations to raise funds and awareness for causes such as education, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation.

He further noted that Quality Sound Records was committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the music industry.

They understand that music has the power

to break down barriers and bring people IURP GLͿHUHQW EDFNJURXQGV WRJHWKHU %\ actively seeking out and promoting artists from diverse backgrounds, they are able to create a more inclusive and representative music industry.

In addition to their support of charitable causes and promotion of diversity, the label also uses their platform to raise awareness about important social issues. Through their music and lyrics, they tackle topics such as PHQWDO KHDOWK VRFLDO MXVWLFH DQG HTXDOLW\ %\ using music as a medium for storytelling and raising awareness, they are able to reach a wide audience and spark conversations about these important issues.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

POLITY

Can Afreximbank Effectively Connect African Markets with an African Shipping Line?

Chukwuemeka Uwanaka

A

t the recently concluded third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2023 of Nov 9 -15, 2023, organised by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the need for policies and practical efforts to address some of the pressing socioeconomic challenges in the continent, especially low intra-African trade, were once again highlighted. As logistics provide praxis for trade, attaining the desired objective of sustainably increasing connection among African markets, will therefore require attention on shipping lines that can effectively connect African markets. Deducing from Walter Raleigh’s quote, Africa has to command the African seas, if Africa is to command African trade.

And what is the connection between shipping lines and the IATF, also known as African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Marketplace, organised by Afreximbank, alongside the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat?

The answer lies in effective trade, especially within the continent. Trade is effective when payment has been made, and then delivery done. The challenges of intra-regional trade in Africa have largely centered on these two factors- payment and the logistics for delivery. For delivery, it is important to note that over 90 percent of global trade is maritime based according to the World Bank, hence the importance of shipping for trade in Africa.

Afreximbank led by Benedict Oramah, a Professor of International Trade and Finance, has been active in addressing issues around economic development and trade facilitation within the continent. He has successfully championed the commencement of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS), with Mike Ogbalu as CEO, which is designed to address challenges with intra-African payment.

There are 42 different non-convertible currencies on the continent simultaneously, while intra-African trade remains low at 18.2 per cent or $169.7 billion in 2021. This is in comparison with the continents trade with America at 47 percent, Asia at 61 percent and Europe at 67 percent. Prior to PAPSS, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) was the main platform for African banks to conduct cross-border financial transactions, leading to an estimated loss of about $5 billion annually, thereby making intra-African trade inefficient.

Oramah Intra-regional payments can sometimes take up to 2 weeks, if at all successful.

Therefore, a strategic reading of the scenario will further reveal why effective shipping logistics are important. As PAPSS is resolving payment challenges, the next challenge becomeshow do businesses in Africa effectively send their goods and services to buyers and sellers within the continent?

To understand the challenge of delivery after paymentwhich makes trade effective, it becomes necessary to evaluate the condition of shipping linkages in the continent, especially as over 90 percent of trade is maritime based. From the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which measures how well countries are connected to global shipping networks based on the status of their maritime transport links, African countries are poorly ranked. The low rank of Africa countries on the LSCI, is an indicator of a continent’s position within the global liner shipping networks, and helps explain the challenge of low intra-African and inter-African trade.

The absence of adequate shipping lines within the continent therefore remains one of the major constraints to intra-African trade. Many African companies that trade within the continent, have their cargo for other African countries sent to destinations outside the continent, before final delivery. This has negative

implications on competitiveness, cost and quality, and discourages intra-African trade. This is similar to the payment situation, before PAPSS was introduced. However, the capacity and performance demonstrated by Afreximbank with PAPSS, and on other initiatives, makes it best positioned to addressing the shipping constraints for intra-African trade.

There are some more sectoral examples that amplify the need for a continental shipping line. In 2019, at least US$16 billion worth of used vehicles were imported into Africa, with a substantial number coming with outdated technology that increases outdoor air pollution, causes several respiratory diseases and somewhat constrains the market space of African carmakers. Some African carmakers such as Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) located at Nnewi, Nigeria, have complained about their inability to export IVM cars to over 14 African countries where they have orders, due to the absence of shipping lines that hinder intra-African trade. For the African countries that IVM has successfully exported to, the ships first go to Europe, before getting to Africa, increasing cost and time, and negatively impacting the competitiveness of African technology products.

What then will an Afreximbank supported African Shipping Line look like?

Afreximbank is a well-resourced multilateral organisation with human and material resources for actualizing grand economic ideas. But some propositions can be attempted.

Afreximbank can finance the establishment of an ‘Africa Shipping Line’, with a mandate to effectively and efficiently connect all African countries, including landlocked countries.

The proposed shipping line will ensure service coverage of underserved and non-served locations, ports and countries in the continent, but in an efficient manner that makes business and economic sense. Some level of code sharing and partnership will be enabled, in a manner that ensures existing Africa shipping companies are not crowded out. Provision can be made for existing African shipping companies to join efforts with the shipping line, through a franchise arrangement. The proposed Shipping Line will be managed by an experienced maritime management team, in accordance with private sector leanings, and no government interference.

Uwanaka writes from African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. chukweks@yahoo.com Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Fattening Room: Efik Dying Culture Onyike Patience The fattening room is an ancient practice among the Efik. Fattening room is a place where young women experiencing puberty are taken in to be trained and prepared for womanhood. In those days, fat was seen as a sign of prosperity, fertility and beauty. African men in those days loved fleshy and rotund women hence the fattening room.

It was a privilege to be accepted into the fattening room since it signifies virtue, sexual purity and proven virginity. Gaining weight in the fattening room was a sign that she possessed all the above mentioned qualities.

THE Efiks

The Efiks are an ethnic group located primarily in the southern Nigeria, and Western Cameroon. Within Nigeria, they can be found in the present day Cross River state and Akwa Ibom state. They speak Efik language which is a member of the Benue- Congo sub

family of the Niger- Congo language group.

The Efik people are known for their artistic skill, rich food, culture and traditions. Their main occupation is agriculture. That is why it served as seaport exporting rubber, palm oil, cocoa, and timber. Calabar, one of the first regions invaded by the British, has been inhabited for over 2000 years.

Fattening Room Procedures

In the fattening room, an Efik woman is groomed and nurtured to know how to care for her future husband and what it takes to look after her future home. For an Efik young woman, it is the responsibility of her father to mandate her to enter fattening room as it is believed that the girl’s chastity is the father’s responsibility. The father of the girl pays for what is called ‘Eme’ (coral beads) to appease ‘Nku’ (the river goddess of the house) before she is accepted into fattening room. This shows that the girl ‘s parents are rich enough to cater and provide for their daughter.

The girls are not allowed to have visitors except for the elderly women in the community who come to teach

them on marital customary codes and acceptable social customs and behavior. The girls are fed with food rich in carbohydrate and fat regardless of their appetite. They are also given all round beauty treatment from head to toe, using ‘ndo’ (white chalk) and other massage oil made from natural plant.

The training and beauty treatment is done for about one month or more, while the girls are housed differently in private and away from the public as they undergo preparations for marriage and womanhood.

Before the end of their stay in the fattening room, the girls are circumcised by their mothers. This is to reduce her sexual drive and activity, and remain chaste till marriage, and also faithful in their marriage.

At the end of the Nkugho, the girl is conventionally / formally revealed to the community to show how plump and beautiful she has become. Well-wishers and potential suitors are invited to watch her dance.

Regrettably, the fattening room practice is fast declining and going into extinction due to modernisation / modernity.

LAIF Awards: Insight Redefini, Leo Burnett Lagos’ Night of Glory Samuel Ajayi The last edition of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAID), Awards might have come and gone.

But for Insight Redefini and its subsidiary, Leo Burnett Lagos, it was an awards ceremony they won’t forget in a hurry. They not only scooped the awards, they also reinforced the ageless axiom that the older the wine, the tastier.

The Biodun Sobanjo-founded Insight Redefini is currently one of, if not the oldest, surviving indigenous advertising agencies in the country. The agency had churned out timeless copies and materials over the decades.

The performance of the outfits at the LAIF Awards did nothing but proved that style and panache have not gone with age.

The agency came into existence in the late 70s but one credit it must be given is that it keeps re-inventing itself and that it why the agency seems to have remained relevant.

At the last LAIF Awards 2023, the agency, and its subsidiary, Leo Burnett Lagos, were the most awarded outfits to prove that it is arguably the best around in terms of ideas that sell brands.

The Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival, LAIF, is the brain child of the Association of Advertising

Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN. The Awards came on stream in 2006. The maiden edition was held on Friday, June 9th, 2006 at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos. It is gratifying that the AAAN, formerly Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, AAPN, came up with this idea which could be described as the most credible and recognised adertaiing and marketing awards.

Applauding his crew for rising beyond mediocrity and proving their creative mettle, CEO of the Insight Redefini Group, Dr. Tayo Oyedej, said this: “Our victory at the 2023 LAIF Awards underscores our dedication to innovation and impactful storytelling. From enchanting narratives of mom-wizards crafting magical dishes with Terra cubes to reviving nostalgic advertising icons like 7up’s Fido Dido and Guilder’s ‘Senior Men,’ and creating new worlds for payment gateway leaders like Moniepoint, our work speaks to our ability to shape and redefine narratives. This recognition fuels our pride and motivates us to achieve even more.”

The night, which was a celebration of innovation, creativity, and excellence in the advertising industry, recognised the group and two of its agencies - Leo Burnett Lagos and Insight Publicis - for creative campaigns conceived and implemented for some of the country’s biggest brands, resulting in 18 Gold Awards, 20 Silver Awards, 19 Bronze Awards, and the most prestigious award of the festival - the

Grand Prix, LAIF’s most prestigious award given for an outstanding creative concept that redefined industry standards. Overall, the Insight Redefini group secured a total of 351 points among other creative agencies present.

Group General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Babatunde Shobanjo, expressed his excitement at the win, “I have never doubted the creative work from our teams.

This is simply a testament to our commitment to deliver exciting campaigns for our clients and partners. This is the perfect close to a busy, but rewarding year for our group.”

Independently, boutique creative advertising and marketing agency, Leo Burnett Lagos, showcased its commitment to creative brilliance, earning the distinctive Best Creative Agency award at the LAIF 2023 Awards, while Insight Publicis received multiple recognitions for the overall best advertising campaigns across all categories.

In her own remarks, the Executive Creative Director, Insight Redefini Group, Sinmisola Hughes-Obisesan, praised the organisers of the Awards as well as the Jury for the recognition and sincerity.

Insight Redefini is the largest integrated marketing communications group in West Africa, consisting of six leading creative and communication companies, including; Insight Publicis, All Seasons Zenith, Quadrant MSL, Starcomms Media Perspectives, Digitas, and Leo Burnett Lagos.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

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POLITY

Akpabio: Builder of Men @61 Ola Awoniyi

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merican business executive and one-time Chairman and CEO of General Electric, John Francis Welch Jr. popularly called Jack Welch, once said: “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

Going by those words, Godswill Obot Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate, is a leader.

Having attained personal success early in life, he has long devoted himself to growing others.

The Akwa Ibom-born lawyer and politician has every reason to thank God as he marks his first birthday in office as Nigeria’s number three citizen.

Akpabio, in his public and private life, has touched many lives and led many, by personal example, to become leaders themselves. He has been a builder of men and a destiny helper.

Akpabio has turned boys into men. He has built an army of well-wishers through indiscriminate philanthropic activities that have put smile on countless faces Children at Explicit Home of Favour Initiative, a charity organisation, are examples of the beneficiaries of Akpabio’s compassionate heart and philanthropy. These orphans and indigent children were brought under the same roof and put through formal education by the founders of the Home, Mr. David Abraham and his wife.

They sustain themselves through exhibition of choreographic dances. Their dexterity in the art has brought them fame within and outside Nigeria. Videos of the group, popularly called Xplicit Dancers, have been trending for years.

As Governor of Akwa Ibom State (2007-2015), Akpabio first met the group at an event at Eko Hotel in Lagos and was impressed by its brilliant performance.

Listening later to the personal stories of the members, Akpabio, himself a man of humble beginning who lost his father at a tender age, was literally moved to tears.

He immediately invited the group to visit Akwa Ibom.

According to the founder of the charity outfit, Abraham, that uncommon encounter was a game changer for the charity Home because “he blessed us so mightily.”

Akpabio, who the group now relates to as a father, has since sustained that benevolent relationship with Xplicit

Akpabio Dancers.

The group was in Abuja on 1st October this year and had another opportunity to thrill Akpabio, their father, with its excellent repertoire of choreographic dances.

For Abraham, knowing Akpabio has been a life changing experience for his ministry, which has turned out more than a hundred university graduates, many of whom now have their own families.

That is to mention just one instance of how Akpabio’s large heart has touched lives.

At a recent gathering, Akpabio acknowledged the uncommon show of love he receives everywhere he goes, which drew him to the spiritual conclusion that “when God has a covenant with you, nobody can break it.”

Akpabio, however remarked, that the widespread goodwill he enjoys does not spare him of attack when he makes a mistake, particularly in the social media. He cited a recent occasion when the Senate intervened to halt a plan by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to hike electricity tariffs by 44 per cent. An additional prayer in the substantive motion considered by the Senate in plenary - Let the Poor Breathe - was taken out of context.

This led to the whole intention of the intervention being twisted and misinterpreted in the media. Akpabio, as the Presiding Officer, bore the brunt of the attacks. He was accused of mocking the poor!

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), and former Inspector General of Police and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, during the Edo Security Summit and official commissioning of the Special Force Building, in Benin City.

L-R: CEO, Kyksie Drapes Event, Kikelomo Idowu, CEO, WOW Connect, Tobi Olanihun, CEO, Becs Signature, Olori Temitope Oloko; CEO, Ife’ctive Touch, Adeife Abiodun – Adeyemi; and Convener of BusyBee Event Business Summit, Bisi Sotunde, during the BusyBee Event Business Summit Master class in Lagos…. yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

“I said why me? Why are they doing this to me? And I remember that the same people who show me love, they are the ones bashing me. Based on that, I said, I must forgive them. They are all forgiven,” he told his audience.

Akpabio shares the exhortation by African-American educator and author, Booker T. Washington, that “if you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”

Akpabio’s journey to becoming Nigeria’s number three citizen is fascinating and reflects the Will of God in his life.

He has grown himself all his life. His teachers at the Federal Government College, Port Harcourt identified something unique in the young Godswill when they made him Senior Prefect in his final year in the school. In the same vein, the students of University of Calabar, Cross River State also spotted his potentials when they elected him Speaker of their Parliament.

At the start of his public service life in 2002, Akpabio was appointed commissioner by his mentor, Governor Obong Victor Attah. Within four years, he was moved around three key ministries. That experience later became important in his grooming for the governorship of the state.

When he entered the race for the ticket of his party, his campaign slogan was “Let God’s will be done.” This slogan was like an invocation. God established His will as Akpabio defeated 57 other aspirants to emerge as the candidate of his party then, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He won the general election in 2007 to become Governor.

His performance in the office brought him into stardom. His tenure became a reference point for its “uncommon transformation” of Akwa Ibom State. His footprints dot the state through the massive development of the state’s infrastructure by his administration.

In 2015, after his second term as Akwa Ibom Governor, Akpabio, a first timer in the Senate, was elected minority leader. He later became a minister and is now back in the National Assembly as Senate President.

Akpabio’s bid for the Senate Presidency encountered a formidable opposition. But, as usual in his life, the Will of God came to pass.

The Will of God for Renewed Hope and prosperity in Nigeria shall also come to pass.

This is wishing Uko Akwa Ibom, Godswill Obot Akpabio, President of the 10th Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, who turns 61 on 9th December, 2023, more manifestations of the good will of God in his life. *Awoniyi wrote in from Abuja via ola.awoniyi2010@ gmail.com

L-R: Speaker, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Dr. Mathew Yare; Chairman, Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Dr. Ambrose Igboke; Deputy Manager, Public Affairs Department, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Amune Philip; and Lecturer, Abia State University, Uturu,Dr. DonChristian Afulike, who were all conferred with Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Mass Communication by the Senate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, at the University’s Convocation Ceremony in Enugu State recently

L-R: National Missioner, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad; Rep of Guest Lecturer (Borno State Governor), Prof. Usman Tar, Pro-Chancellor/ Chairman Governing Council, Summit University Offa, Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulrafiu Adisa Ebiti; Chairman Board of Trustees, Engr. Nurudeen Adeagbo; Chairman Ekiti State Ansar-Ud-Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Musa Ogunlayi during the institution’s Maiden Convocation Lecture titled: Revitalizing the Nigerian Economy, the Roles and Responsibilities of the Youth in the Digital Economy “ held at Summit University, Offa Kwara State… recently

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

Social Media Bit

with

SUNDAY EHIGIATOR 07064693603

Actor Sy

Any person arrested and can’t justify his source of income should be properly investigated and charged to court- Delta police PRO, DSP Bright Edafe, advocates.

Nigerian man reportedly kills his wife in UK months after relocation

A commercial tricyclist allegedly disappeared with four children he was contracted to take to school in Umuahia, Abia State. The victims identified as Mmesoma, Testimony, Godswill and Chinwotito, are the children of one Mr. Chimaobi Agah, from Amasiri in Ebonyi State but resident in Umuagu, Umuahia.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

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FEATURES Akpabio @61: Examining His Leadership, Frankness in Conflict Resolution Sunday Aborisade examines the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s leadership qualities and humorous disposition to settling seemingly difficult intra-chamber and national conflicts

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he emergence of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on 13th of June, 2023, was not only seen as a great step for the All Progressives Congress (APC), but a giant stride for Nigeria, where Akpabio has remained relevant for over 16 years.

Having served as Commissioner for six years in three key ministries, as governor for two terms, Akpabio was chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, (PDPGF), and as Senate Minority Leader as a first timer.

He was later Minister of Niger Delta Affairs before his emergence as Senator in March 2023, after he had stepped down as presidential aspirant to support the aspiration of now President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio’s vast experiences acquired in all the public offices he had occupied, brought a whole lot to the National Assembly, the federal government and Nigerians in general and this was part of the reasons his aspiration for the office of the President of the 10th Senate got the endorsements of the Presidency, the leadership of the APC and the 63 Senators who voted for him.

Akpabio, brought his wealth of experience to bear in the way he constituted the Senate Committees and the appointments of Committee Chairmen. The development had laid to rest, the usual crisis that usually followed such an exercise in the previous National Assembly sessions.

Akpabio has been providing leadership by patiently and humorously coordinating the different tendencies within the Red Chamber to ensure stability.

In appraising the Senate President’s uncommon leadership qualities, Senator Basheer Lado, Convener of the APC NonServing Senators, commended him for his exemplary disposition in the composition of Senate Committees.

Lado said, “the strategic composition reflects a remarkable display of leadership, inclusivity, and commitment to the overall progress and welfare of our great nation.”

Akpabio’s major challenger for the office of the President of the Senate, Abdulaziz Yari, also noticed that the former Akwa Ibom

governor had exhibited selfless leadership traits when he publicly described him as a selfless leader, after he dropped the gavel against the wish of the leadership of the Senate on the Senator Adams Oshiomhole face off with some senators.

The Akpabio-led Senate had also displayed a rare disposition of nationalism quite early into the his Senate Presidency when it was confronted with a looming challenge occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the President and the threat of a mass protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

Represented by Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, the Senate leadership was unequivocal about its commitment to ensuring that the system continues to run smoothly and that the interest of workers and the generality of Nigerians are respected by the Executive arm.

In what would go into the history books as one of the most impactful interventions that thawed the ice of the federal governmentLabour Union face-off, the Senate had asked for seven days to wade into the crisis and in those seven days, the warring parties were, indeed, able to reach a compromise and avert what would have been the mother of all protests.

The Senate under Akpabio, apart from intervening in the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and Federal Government industrial face off, also played a major role in bringing to an end the strike and planned public protest by the members of Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

In the same vein, Senate moved vehemently against the planned increment of electricity tariff by the electricity distribution companies in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy, through a well endorsed motion which saw to the stoppage of the tariff increase.

He brought his humour to bear on the occasion with an additional prayer which states that the Discos should allow the masses to breath.

Although the social media commentators went to town with the narrative that the Akpabio was mocking Nigerians but the impact of the motion was immediately felt by Nigerians as the planned tariff was immediately halted.

It is also interesting to note how the Senate President oversaw a seamless and smooth screening and confirmation of ministers, who will work with President Tinubu to bring about the Renewed Hope Agenda promised Nigerians.

Unlike previous screenings, where thoroughness and excellence were sacrificed on the altar of partisanship, Senator Akpabio ensured that he guided the Senate to offer qualitative screening while not hurting party loyalty and other democraticallylawful tendencies associated with such screenings.

When it was time for confirmation, the Senate leadership demonstrated an uncharacteristic courage in ensuring that the screening was not a mere academic exercise, as it also went ahead to turn down some nominations based on findings from the screening exercise. In the end, only 45 of the 48 nominations sent by the president were confirmed by the Senate. That is the kind of courage for which Akpabio has been renowned over the years.

In the words of his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, “Everywhere Akpabio had been, his penchant for etching his name in gold and emblazoning his excellent leadership identity on the hearts of the people has become a major credential that makes those who believe in him insist on him as the go-to man whenever tough leadership decisions are to be made.

“Never one to shy away from taking initiatives in the interest of his people, what the former Governor of AkwaIbom State started by redefining governance in AkwaIbom and setting a major template for governors in terms of infrastructure development and people-centric leadership has become an identity that weathers all storms.

“Also emblematic for the President of the Senate is his burning desire to make Nigeria work.

“Even when he had to take personal

Akpabio

risks, as was the case when he was the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and he had to visit Tompolo in the creeks, to broker peace in the interest of the nation, Akpabio has remained the shining example of courageous leadership.

“While campaigning to occupy his current position, he had promised Nigerians that the National Assembly under his watch would work for Nigeria and Nigerians and would rubber stamp anything that would be in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.

“His disposition and handling of the affairs of the Senate in the last five months has shown that he is not in any way prepared to deviate from that solemn pledge to Nigerians.

“As the President Tinubu administration goes on, the Presidency and, indeed, Nigerians can look forward to a stable, purposeful Senate that will work hard on its own end of the bargain to ensure the success of the Renewed Hope mandate of the President.

“But there is something else they should look forward to; they should expect a courageous Senate leadership, one that will put the Executive arm on “its toes” in the overall interest of the Nation.

“In Akpabio, Nigerians have a fearless leader, who will put his feet down when need be for the common good of the Nation; an uncommon leader, who will achieve uncommon feats as President of the 10th Senate.”

Bombing of Tudun Biri in Kaduna State Sule Lamido

B

Lagbaja

efore one ventures an opinion or comment into the bombings by the Nigerian Air Force of a religious gathering in Tudun Biri, one needs to know or understand the process or processes of intelligence information collation followed to determine the cause of that action.

Information collation processes are many and varied. It could be sourced from ‘outsider or insider informant, human or drone spy, or observed precipitation’ and many more.

The information so collected is then submitted to Information and Intelligence Evaluation Room for titration and filtration to assess the authenticity of the information. Thereafter, recommendation of possible options of action is made to the

highest level of authority for the approval of the necessary option to be taken.

Now back to Tudun Biri bombings.

Was there earlier noticed precipitation that some security breaches were looming? Has anybody from the village reported to the relevant authorities of planned breaches of the peace? Was any modern device used to foresee any likelihood of an impending danger to Kaduna State from Tudun Biri?

If all the above were not available to warrant the bombings of Tudun Biri, what then could be the reason/ basis for that horrendous action culminating in that insane loss of lives by the very security outfit which is ‘supposed’ to protect lives and properties of its citizens? There must be a reason why such morbid

action was taken! It certainly cannot be a whisper to somebody in authority for personal reasons.

Therefore, a dangerous precedence has been unleashed and added to the already helpless citizenry who are under the mercy of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers. It is bad enough Citizens are groaning in hunger and poverty! Are Nigerians becoming the wretched of the earth?

It is therefore absolutely important or necessary for the Federal government to immediately set up a high powered committee to dig out the root cause or causes of this heinous and dastardly bombings!

People are already losing confidence in the ability of the government to protect them! The signals are flashing and they are very ominous!

Lamido is a former Governor of Jigawa State and former Foreign Affairs Minister.

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

AUTO WORLD

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

TIPS OF THE WEEK What is Transmission Slipping?

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L-R: Sales Excellence Manager, CEMA Region, Mirka Limited, Mr Tamirat Yigzaw; Business Territory Director for Central East Europe,Turkey, Middle East and Africa at Axalta Coating Systems, Mr. Fadi Medlej; Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, and Business Manager, Refinish Systems, Middle East & Sub-Sahara, Axalta Coating Systems, Mr. Anand Ramachandra, at the launch of vehicle enhancement products by TNL in Lagos...on Thursday

Toyota Nigeria Partners Top Global Firms, Launches Vehicle Enhancement Products

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Demand for Sedans in Nigeria’s Used Car Market to Rise in 2024, Says new Report

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7KHUH DUH IHZ NH\ VLJQV \RX FDQ ORRN RXW IRU if you’re worried about your car transmission slipping. A slipping transmission will present the following symptoms: $Q XQXVXDOO\ KLJK 530 RYHU Delays in acceleration Inability to reverse vehicle 'L΀FXOW\ VZLWFKLQJ JHDUV Strange noises when performing a gear change Burnt or unusual smells &KHFN HQJLQH OLJKW LV RQ You Can Feel When a Transmission Slips $ORQJ ZLWK WKH SUHYLRXV VLJQV \RX FDQ generally feel when a transmission is slipping.

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AUTO REPORT AFRICA Goes Digital, Launches LUBES West $872 5(3257 $)5,&$ WKH OHDGLQJ SDQ $IULFDQ RQOLQH DXWRPRWLYH PDJD]LQH has gone fully digital with the launch of its e-magazine which goes live on the web this Monday . The magazine is also launching D SXEOLFDWLRQ /8%(6 :HVW $IULFD ZKLFK LV VSHFLÀFDOO\ WDUJHWHG DW WKH OXEULFDQWV LQGXVWU\

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

PERSPECTIVE 100 Years of Excellence at Uzuakoli Methodist College Chima Mbubaegbu

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n December10,2023,athanksgiving service in the college’s chapel will kickstart Abia State-based Methodist College,Uzuakoli’s(MCU)year-long centenary celebration that will culminateinaweekofactivities in December 2024. Why should this celebration matter to anyone other than MCU students and alumni?Itmattersinthiscasebecause,established in 1923, MCU was the first secondary school in the present Southeast of Nigeria and only the 3rd or 4th, east of the Niger. It matters because thousands of students have benefitted from the excellentfoundationslaiddownbyMCUfounders, teachers, values and traditions and the alumni have made significant contributions to Nigeria, at home and abroad.

It matters because 100 years of education and service spanning World War II, Nigeria’s Independence, the Nigeria-Biafra war, and numerous national developments, matter. This is a tribute toMCU. ItwasFatherShanahan,aRomanCatholic priest who suggested, that “those who hold the school, hold the country, hold its religion, hold its future.” Over a period of 100 years, generations and thousands of students have passed through MCUandmanyhaveexcelledindifferentareasof humanendeavour.Thefollowinganecdotes,many of which are personal, and by no means intended to be a comprehensive narrative, illustrate the legacy of MCU educators for whom ‘holding the school’, was a vocation, and celebrate the diverse contributions of MCU alumni who have held and continueto‘holdthecountry,holditsreligion,(and) hold its future’.

William Dodds, a missionary, described the establishment of MCU as one of the most important ventures of the Primitive Methodist enterpriseinIgboland. MCUwasacorepartofthe “EasternStar”allianceofcollegesasenvisagedby RobertFisher,thefounderofGovernmentCollege Umuahia. The others in this league were C.M.S. TrainingCollege,Awka;DennisMemorialGrammar School, Onitsha; Government College, Umuahia; andHopeWaddellPresbyterianCollege,Calabar.

WhilethePrimitiveMethodistChurchfounded MCU in 1923, the church’s incursion into the area was some years earlier. The first contact with Uzuakoli in 1910 was fraught with danger as unfriendly villagers led by Chief Iheukwumere surrounded a white missionary and his young AfricancompanionfromtheNigerDelta,wielding matchets and spears, not wanting any more of thewhiteman’sways.Thisaccountwaswrittenby Dodds who had an imaginative mind and formed a Local History Society at MCU. Between 1957 and1960,heencouragedstudentstoresearchthe community and in 1964 edited their writings into a fulsome story, in cooperation with Mr A J Fox. In its rivalry with the Anglicans and the Roman Catholic church, and the scramble for territory, thePrimitiveMethodistChurch’sstrategywasto concentrate its efforts on the railway junctions.

Uzuakoli was part of this strategy.

The missionaries were given the “evil forest”

Late Michael Opara, MCU alumni

but instead of running away, they developed the Boys’Institute,(latertobecomeMethodistCollege Uzuakoli) under Rev Hardy. In January 1923, the first 68 students were admitted with over 20 on thewaitinglist.FoundingMCUatUzuakoli,wasin part determined by the town’s location near the new railway station on the line that went from Udi (with the newly discovered coal bitumen) to Isaka, a suitable port. Isaka was later renamed Port Harcourt.

Uzuakoli was renowned for its market which was at one time bigger than the Onitsha market with planned quarters of various trading groups from Abiriba, Arochukwu, the Delta areas, Awka and Onitsha. European goods and the products of indigenous industries created a bustling market, but the slave trade had also featured prominently and made the people nervous at the sight of white people. In the 19th century, Uzuakoli had superseded Bende as a centre for the slave trade. Slaves were bought at Eke-oba and Eke-ukwu (the two markets constituted the Agbagwu market in Uzuakoli) and taken through the slave route to Bende via Ozuitem, Arochukwu and then transported overseas through the Cross River. The slave route that led from Uzuakoli to Arochukwu is still marked within the borders of MCU. Many MCU alumni have graced the corridors of power. Dr Michael Okpara, the first premier of the Eastern Region of Nigeria was so impressed by what he had benefitted from the college that he established a secondary school in his village named in memory of his Principal at MCU – Williams. Other alumni include Clement Isong who was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and an elected governor of Cross River State.

Christopher Osondu (my classmate) was also to later administer Cross River State. Dr IchaItuma,deputyseniorprefectin1966(fromcurrent Ebonyi state) was the deputy governor of the old Enugu state.

TheUdi-Isakaraillinewouldhavecontributedto

MCU drawing students from across the Eastern region. There was also the church’s concept of “fusion of tribes” as students were drawn from a widespectrumoftheNigeriancommunity.There weremanyfromthecurrentCrossRivers,Rivers and Bayelsa states including the Bayelsa DietteSpiff brothers (a professor of gynaecology and an architect), and the traditional ruler Se-Alabo ReginaldAbbeyHartXIIIofGrandBonnyKingdom.

Many like Edet Amana, the current Chancellor of Wesley University, and past President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers and also of Association of Consulting Engineers of Nigeria further illustrate the spread of alumni beyond Igbo land.

UdoEgbertUdomawasChiefJusticeofUganda before serving on the Supreme Court of Nigeria for13years.HewasknightedbyHerRoyalMajesty, the late Queen Elizabeth 11, and in 1940 was one of the first black Africans to bag a PhD in Law from Oxford University. His brother alumnus Justice of the Supreme court was Augustine Nnamani who was also the Attorney General of theFederation.KanuAgabiwastwicetheMinister ofJusticeandAttorneyGeneraloftheFederation.

He also contested for the governorship of Cross River State.

Amongstthejudges,whoareover80andbeing honoured during the MCU centenary celebrations are G C Ihekire, Enyinnaya Ejelonu, and Igbozuruike Akomas. Current judges will include Ben Opufaa-Whyte. From the bar, are a plethora of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Ernest Ojukwu is one, as is Awa Kalu who was my room head in Aggrey House at MCU. Edwin Ogbu from Utonkon in Idoma land attended MCU. There is a saying in Idoma folklore which is translated as “no matter how hard you study, you cannot be better educated than Dr Edwin Ogbu Iyanga”. Edwin Ogbu became the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations and was simultaneously ambassadortoBarbados,Jamaica,TrinidadandTobago and Guyana. He was also the Chairman of the UN Committee against Apartheid.

Many other alumni were in the diplomatic service. Jonah Chinyere Achara was the first Agent General of the Eastern Region of Nigeria to the UK and Ireland. Benson Ukpabi was a diplomat in theInternationalLabourOrganisationinGeneva.

Columbus Ihekaibeya is still remembered not only in Commonwealth history where he was a special assistant to the Secretary General Emeka Anyaoku but in the literary world. Niyi Osundare was effusive in his eulogy after his death in the essay “the Orator’s last bow”. He described Columbus as a hard-nosed grammarian and doctor of diction who was chosen to orate on Professor Adeoye Lambo, then Vice chancellor of UI, after that famous psychiatrist won the Haile Selassie Award. As a war reporter in Biafra, Columbus was one of the last people to seeChristopherOkigbo(thepoet)beforehewas killed in the Nigeria-Biafra war. Others that have followedthediplomaticrouteareGrantEhiobuche (Ambassador Dem Rep of Congo and Japan) and Emmanuel Obi Okafor (my classmate) was the Minister, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the

United Nations and is currently the President of the alumni association of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

HRH Edwin Ogbu is one example of an MCU alumnus that became a paramount ruler. Edwin Ogbu was announced as the Och’Idoma III (the traditional ruler of the whole Idoma Kingdom) in January 1996 (his status giving the throne more stature and credibility) but sadly, he died a few months later before he could make his mark on the throne. HRM Kanu Ikonte is the current king in the MCU host community of Uzuakoli and is oneoftheover80sduetobehonouredduringthe thanksgivingserviceonthe10December.Others to be honored include Se-Alabo Reginald Abbey Hart XIII. An MCU alumnus, Eberechukwu Oji is to be installedastheEzeAroinDecember2023.Current traditionalrulersincludeOsokaAgwu,Ndubueze Maduabuchukwu and Maduadi Achara, Obialo Ejibe. An alumnus paramount ruler of Isuochi, GodwinEkebuisitooktheunusualstepofinstalling one of his former expatriate teachers at MCU (Mr Lodge) as one of his chiefs. Bob Onyema (renowned for his football dribbling skills while a student) was a past traditional ruler.

In the sporting arena, MCU has not been left wanting.OkoronkwoKannoplayedatcentreback forthefirsteverNigerianNationalFootballteam (called the Red Devils at the time, before it was renamed as Green Eagles and latterly the Super Eagles) that toured England in 1949. This was the team that was famously feted all over England and played bare feet.

It is interesting that they lost all the matches in whichtheyweremadetowearfootballboots.Even thoughtheteamwascaptainedbyEtimHenshaw andhadthelikesTeslimBalogunandDanAnyiam, Okoronkwowaschosenasthefaceoftheteamin England because the selectors believed “he had acquired the refinements necessary” to be that.

Much of that refinement would have come from MCU.Okoronkwo,theeldestofsevensiblings,left the college in 1938 but such was his family’s love for MCU that all the siblings attended the college with the last leaving in 1977 - a span of 39 years.

StanleyIhekwaba(SeniorPrefect1965)helped towinthePhensiccupin1964promptingDrOkpara to donate a television to the college. He was in the Academicals and played at Onikan Stadium.

Nnamdi Egbukichi captained East Central State Academicals and the Nigerian Academicals that trounced our footballing arch-rivals Ghana in the famous 5-1 final match of the inaugural NigeriaGhanaSportsFestival.Othernationalplayershave includedEmekaEzeugo.EnyiomaIgbokweplayed for Enugu Rangers and Obioha Achilefu thrived in many teams within the country and abroad.

ClementChukwuwaspartoftheNigerianteam that won gold in the 4 X 400 metres relay at the 2000 Olympics (elevated after the USA team was disqualified), as well as gold in 1998 at the African Championship and at 1997 Universiade.

Mbubaegbu wrote in from Hampshire, England Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com

Charles Oronsaye: Pushing Boundaries to Deliver Quality Craftsmanship Ugo Aliogo

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n Nigeria, many success stories involve individuals who deviate from their educational path to find a space where opportunity and preparation converge, leading to triumph. Charles Oronsaye, CEOofAfricanaCouture,exemplifiesthis narrative. From a boy who discovered his love for reading in the pages of Reader’s Digest to becoming a fashion industry leader serving the elite, Charles’s journey is a beacon of inspiration, determination, and a commitment to making a difference.

HistransitionfromabriefmusiccareerandMTV VJ nominee to becoming a creative force, all while pursuing a law degree, underscores his resilience.

Growing up in southern Nigeria, Charles always stood out, possessing a strong sense of self not common amongst his peers. It was clear he was destinedforacreativelife.Hisbubblypersonality andstarqualityearnedhimaninternshipatalocal

radio station, where he demonstrated the drive, grit,passion,andfocusofasuccessfulyoungman.

“I couldn’t be these people. I needed to be ‘my person’,” Charles reflects. Enduring two years of unpaidworkinradio,hewasforcedtofindanother way to make ends meet. His big break came with the financial support of his uncle, which he used to createhisfirstsetofdesigns.Charleshadalready been flexing his creativity in fashion by styling his looks and making sketches. Armed with money from his uncle’s generosity, he visited the market to find the best tailor to bring his designs to life and learn the intricacies of clothes-making.

Taking professional pictures of his designs, he sharedthemonhisBlackberryMessengerstatus with his 5000 contacts.

Goingfurther,heapproachedpotentialcustomers at upscale hotels, bars and lounges with his designs; for every ten people he met, one would make a financial commitment. “From that one payment, I added money and made designs for the remaining nine people. I had their cards and all

their contact information; I went to their offices, tooktheirmeasurements,andpracticallyforced theclothesonthem.Theycouldn’tresistbecause the clothes were good. So, I made money, and Africana Couture was born.”

Being an entrepreneur in Nigeria has its unique challenges, and Charles is not a stranger to these challenges.

“This fashion business may look glamorous on the outside but the intricacies of starting and sustaining a brand has made me rethink this my dream sometimes. One time I was unable to keep up with my rent and I ended up losing the space I was working out of. I had to move all my equipment and the tailors working with me, into the one bedroom where I was managing”, he said. King Africana was forced to go back to the drawing board and make better plans financially that could ensure the business stayed alive.

Africana Couture has since evolved from traditional Nigerian attire to urban clothing and accessories, with stores in Nigeria, Abidjan, and

Dakar.

The brand positions itself as a movement of prosperityforAfricans.Charlesisdeliveringonhis promise to be a powerhouse in Nigeria’s fashion industry with a global impact. His ultimate goal, in his words, is “...to be successful at something and to be able to share my knowledge. To say; ‘you know what? You like this so much, right? This is how I did it’. I want to simplify the complexities of building something—that’s my call as a human being. To find something my hand can do, do it well, and create a platform that duplicates my knowledge.”

Today Charles continues to push boundaries to ensure Africana Couture delivers consistent qualitycraftsmanshipineveryproduct.Hisadvice to the younger generation of entrepreneurs is, “Master the art of questioning anything and everything; question it. Is it functional? Is it useful?

Is it beautiful? Why? When you ask questions, you become a better creative—you begin to see loopholes.”

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 9, 2023

51

EXPRESSION

MEDIAGAFFES

‘Xmas’ Informal for Christmas

EBERE WABARA

P

LEASE note that ‘Xmas’ is informal.

It is basically used on cards, signs and SMS. Standard (formal) entry: Christmas.

“Wike, Fubara (Fubara’s) loyalists battleforcontrolofRiversAssembly” It is over: “Healing, deliverance & breakthrough awaits (await) you” “Wike sets mid 2024 (mid-2024) for completion of abandoned VP’s residence” “With rising insecurity nationwide, it has become expedient to deploy those policemen to (in) general security operations instead of securing political office holders and other affluent Nigerians.”

“Hamas confirms near truce (near-truce) agreement with Israel” “…other sympathisers (sympathizers, preferably) have been trooping to his resident (residence) in Oke-Afa area of….”

“18 IPOB members arrested over (for) killing of 2 police officers in Imo” “1 killed, 2 escape with loot as vigilantes confront armed bandits in Abia” Delete ‘armed’ in the interest of front-page communication.

“ThenextstepiscompletecollapseandtheSupreme Court has initiated the complete collapse of Nigeria.”

Yank away ‘complete’ from the extract on grounds of its redundancy.

“I felicitate with the indefatigable….” Get it right: I felicitate the Indefatigable…. ‘Felicitate with’ indicates sub-literacy! “…is a testament to you (your) popularity made possible by all your good work (works) in office.”

“Congratulations, His (Your) Excellency” “The North Central is buffeted by herdsmen (herdsmen’s) menace.” “…Nigerians on a level playfield with the expatriates to some extent.” Not my opinion: a level playing field.

“LASTCOC vows to end truckers’ plight, inaugurates new committee” Does anyone inaugurate an old committee? It is possible the culprits here do not know the meaning of ‘inauguration’!

“Man remanded over (for) alleged killing of wife”

BY

THENATIONONSUNDAYMAGAZINEofDecember 3 disseminated just two solecisms: “…in this piece pays tribute to one of Africa’s notable poet (poets) as he enters the winter of life.”

“Small business start ups tips” Get it right: start-up/ startup tips “Its (It’s) been 7 years since you left us but memories of you lingers (linger) in our hearts.”

“Congratulations…for (on/upon) participating in the National Growth Challenge September to December 2023….”

“Borno reviews 24hrs (sic) curfew” and “Igbo community in Kano elects new officers” This way: 24-hour curfew/24 hours’ curfew. The community elected officials (not the otiose ‘new’)—if they were old officials, you re-elect!

“Japanese diplomat arrested over (for/in connection with) fire at DRC embassy” “Torching (Touching) lives of orphans through sports” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of December 3 disseminated just this infraction: “Campaigners accuse Shell over (of) weapons” THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER, of December 3 also circulated four blunders: “FG hands tanker drivers 48hrs (48 hrs’) ultimatum to relocate from MMIA” By the way, what difference would it have made spelling out ‘hours’?

“In its stead comes a mind-blowing display of opulence that has suddenly taken a firm root among the elite and nouveau riche….” Singular: nouveau riche; plural: nouveaux riches “Before now, weather forecasts from NIMET were never taken serious (seriously) because….”

Lastly from THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER: “As part of the build up (build-up) to the event….”

The PUNCH of November 16 published a few mistakes: “AT least one person was feared killed on Thursday morning when a 12-man armed bandits (12-man gang of bandits) struck at….” ‘Banditry’ involves the deployment of a measure of violence with sharp objects/instruments/weaponry during robbery. So, ‘armed banditry’ is sheer verbosity!

“UN condemns crack down (crackdown) on Cairo

protesters” Lastly from the Back Page of The PUNCH under review: “…whereas they are kept at arms’ length.”

Friday musings: arm’s length “…said that the aforementioned are (were) the younger generation of leaders who failed the nation.”

Daily Independent Online of November 7 goofed three times: “State of emergency has restored normalcy in (to) North” “NIMASA alerts ships (ship owners, you mean?) on (to) danger spots” The Guardian of November 6 committed copious offences beginning from its front page; “Besides, the state government on Sunday began the fumigation and clearing of drainages in six areas of the Maiduguri metropolis….” Conscience, nurtured by truth: ‘drainage’ is uncountable.

“Bank of England’s rate policy may highten (heighten) inflation” “Maid set ablaze dies in hospital, as police pledges (pledge) justice” Now The Guardian Editorial: “They may not have triumphed in their efforts to (at) nation-building....”

“Your wise counsels and dogged commitment to the progress and unity of this nation has (have) remained exemplary.” ‘Counsel’ is a non-count noun.

“Some allege without proof that Tinubu is the force behind Bamidele in his determination to confront Fayemi….” (THISDAY, August 3). If the word ‘allege’ means ‘to assert something without any proof’, then delete ‘without proof’ from the extract!

“But the level of pain, agony and anguish inflicted on Nigerians by ethno-religious carnages…” (Source: as above) ‘Carnage’ is an uncountable noun. (The two preceding errors were contributed by Lucky Ihanza/08032764536) “KSB: I will marry again if…” Truth in defence of freedom: I will remarry if…

“The accident, which occurred around (about) 6.30am (6.30 a.m.), was the worst in the locality in a decade.” A ‘ round’ is sheer Americanism!

“Fifteen of the youth died while several of them have (had) fractures and are (were) being attended

Once Upon A Night Duty

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ne of the simple pleasures of life is the opportunity to recline on the sofa, with a good book and a chilled bottle of wine trembling in the convivial environment as you luxuriate lavishly upon the glitter and glimmer of former escapades - moments of heartwarming reminiscences. Here is one from “The Night Shifters” - a chapter devoted to the night crawling aspect of entertainment journalism.

“One of the perks of the business of reporting entertainment in Nigeria in the 1990s was a familiarity and patronage in many of the top clubs in Lagos, or any parts of the country we had the privilege of visiting - through band tours, regional concerts, and in pursuit of stories generally. Clubs that flourished, and were attractive for me as a “night reporter” included the sublime to the ordinary. I tried not to discriminate, but those in the seedy areas were prone to unexpected explosions of fracas and deadly fisticuffs. Usually, my weekend nightly tour would start from the Kodesoh area, Ikeja (what today’s street people call ‘Ikeja Under-Bridge’). There was a small nightclub, Princes, owned by one of Ebenezer Obey’s big-time fans, Prince Jide Oshinubi (died June, 2021 at 81). On the other side of the road was Pepple Street where Fela’s Kalakuta Republic was situated. I mostly avoided Baba’s place, I had no stomach for ‘weed’ nor the wide-eyed roughnecks.

Then, to John Chukwu’s Klass Nite Club, almost at the beginning of Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja. Often, Klass was the starting point, and the terminus of my midnight ‘excursions’.The Klass was managed by top DJ and entertainment guru, EddieJ‘ ay’ Omodiagbe. It was a simple black and white duplex that usually transformed at night to a kaleidoscope of colours, thumping sounds, frolicking patrons, scantily dressed damsels, and flood of drinks - all sorts. John Chukwu was a massive influence in Nigerian media - a great radio DJ, a wonderful master of ceremonies, a big screen actor (was in Ola

Balogun’s Amadi, 1975 and Ladi Ladebo’s Bisi, Daughter of the River, 1977); an inspiring comic who could shuffle between ages and eras without any creases. Many journalists hung around Klass to catch a glimpse of JC, and some rib crackers. I remember accompanying his coffin in a military aircraft sometime in 1990 where every passenger in that funeral delegation thought we were going to die with JC - that was not funny, at all.

If JC were alive, he would have cracked several jokes out of our frightened faces.

From Klass, we moved to the glistering spot at the top of Jabita Hotel, opposite the Airport Hotel on the same Awolowo Way. DeRoof nightclub was run by the fast-talking, warm-hearted Jibola Shitta-Bey. Next venue was the swanky layout on Allen Avenue, called Ozone Nite Club. The former Ace of Clubs was a nice hangout with pulsating music, and people minding their businesses.

It was run by good-looking gentleman and ex-aviator, Jerry Anazia.

We usually stayed longest at the next spot - the same place where you have today’s Tastee Fried Chicken at 21, Opebi Road. The peculiar air and pageantry of Niteshift would need more space, as most of our discussions and quarrels were at the dizzying entrails of the Niteshift, and under the shadows of the enigmatic Guv’nor of the groove, Ken-Calebs Olumese.

Before I go further, there were detours preceding Opebi, and sometimes, beyond.

Turning off at the end of Allen Avenue, into Toyin Street, on the right, we could spend a few minutes at the Climax Nite Club (not related to the magazine of the same name - learnt it was acquired in the 90s by Leo Stan Eke and master DJ, Stagger Lee, and renamed Silverbird) opposite the Customs offices. And a quick dash to the swanky layout at the mouth of Mende, under those buzzing

power lines in Maryland - the Lord’s Club. That was only in the Ikeja area.

Usually, Niteshift was the landing port to waste the night. The club was a great attraction, what with the razzmatazz and panache of the owner and chief conductor, Olumese.

The ex-director at Swipha, a pharmaceutical company, Olumese poured himself completely, and sometimes dangerously, into that club for more than three decades. In the beginning, both of us often quarrelled. He would have something to complain about a gist I had written one week or the other which he felt was capable of jeopardizing his relationships with members of the ‘Gold Card’ section of his club. I didn’t understand why anyone should be sacred. Once or twice, he had me thrown out of the club. Some friends would intervene, and calm him down...then four hours later, he would be appealing to me to spend a few more minutes, after 6 am...to take some coffee or tea - for the road!

A man of impeccable taste and flourish - he appointed every area of his club to pass some sort of class conscious message. His staff were dressed in attractive finery specially designed according to clearly demarcated sections...each with a peculiarly distinguishing appellation. Once you entered the club, you would see the cordoned section called the Gold Card Section, and its members addressed as “very very Senior Fellows of the Gold Card Section”. You turned left to enter further, and a slightly narrower section on your left was the ‘Glamour Section’ (GS) - for the upwardly mobile young folks (they used to call some of them ‘yuppies’). This was home to many of my friends in the media, fashion, movies, business, and so on. And further down, and to the largest section of the club was the Regular Section. Each section had its tumblers, service uniform epaulettes, cup covers, stools, and unique table covers. Woe betide the stewardess who would serve a guest in the Gold section, with a cup meant for the Regular, or the GS. It was a sacrilege deserving of immediate punishment.

ewabara@yahoo.com, 08055001948

to at government (the government) hospital in the….”

“Sources said the deceased might be given mass burial since they are (were) from the same village.”

Finally, THE NATION ON SUNDAY of December 3: “The era of harassments from NYDC, a federal agency, has finally been put paid to by that landmark judgment.” ‘Harassment’, unlike ‘embarrassment’, is uncountable.

“The Ijaws, Urhobos, the Itsekiris, the Ilajes are killing each other (one another).”

“The readiness of the President and his vice to acquiesce to (in) Senate’s decision.…”

“The time when one ethnic group and the multiethnic political prostitutes and the favoured can walk roughshod over the rest of the country have (has) gone forever.”

“Security reports indicated that the strategy of vicious robbery operations are (is) hatched at the chambers of hotels.”

“Specifically, the crisis in the community bothers (borders) on the refusal of majority (a majority) of the people….” (THE GUARDIAN, November 27) “Ethical status of PCN worry (worries) pharmacists” “The committee has since submitted its report, while the public awaits the government’s white paper on it.” Education: simply the white paper.

The next four improprieties are from VANGUARD of November 27: “As a result (a comma) Nigeria’s role in (on) the continent has been a critical one.”

“Instead we saw belated efforts when the chicken has (had) come home to roost.”

“Someday when the history of Nigeria, with regards (regard) to its bureaucracy….”

“Dignitaries at (on) the occasion included….”

“UNILAG alumni meets” Our alumni meet monthly or the alumni association meets monthly. No mix-up.

“They hardly acknowledged each other’s presence, talkless of (let alone) engaging in courteous exchanges.”

“State, council relationship: Chairmen pick hole (holes) in 1999 constitution”

COUNTERPOINT

FEMI

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

The uniforms had names too. I was privileged to help him name the uniforms for the Glamour Boys Section… Oh, Guv’nor loved appellations, like me, so we called the uniform ‘Oriental Ornamental’ (basically, a gibberish, but it sounded apt and fitting, and it stuck).

I wouldn’t know why we didn’t have a Glamour Girls section, perhaps because we didn’t have that many girls who could have complained, I suspect, apart from Omasan Buwa (ex-beauty queen), Gloria Anozie (then a journalist), and a couple other faces I can’t recollect. In any case, a few years later, Kenneth Nnebue, perhaps influenced by the noise of the Niteshift’s Glamour Boys’ escapades, released his blockbuster movie entitled Glamour Girls in 1995.

A full-fledged advocate of glamour and charismatic articles, the Guv’nor had titles and signatures for major items of the business that others took for granted. Right from the main gate, he didn’t use ‘bouncers’, ‘guards’ or ‘gatemen’, the big dude at the entrance was called ‘First Man’. The lead DJ was ‘Music Captain’, his two assistants ‘Pilot’ and ‘Co-Pilot’. We assumed the DJ cubicle was the Cockpit, and it was built to suggest that. The toilets were not called conveniences or ‘gents/ladies’....they were the Vanity Section.

The opening music was called the Niteshift Bugaloo, performed by the Coliseum Dancers. It was only after their routine, we all could assail the dance floor. Waitresses would start the night in black uniforms; and deep into the night, they would change to sparkling whites - for added effects. The girls, and some boys, were ranked according to the sections they manned: a group with one or two gold stripes served the Regular Section; a senior waitress with three stripes dealt with the Glamour Section; while a couple of seniors with four stripes waited on the Gold Section.”

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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ APRIL 24, 2011

GLOBAL SOCCER A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

9.12.2023

NEWS

FIRST AWAY WIN AT STAKE

Victor Osimhen Another Laurel in His Kitty

PAGE. 52

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

53

GLOBAL SOCCER

Rafael Leah of AC Milan, Victor Osimhen and Napoli teammate, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Victor Osimhen Another Laurel in His Kitty With the Capocannoniere Award already in the bag after his 26 goals helped Napoli win the 2022/23 Serie A title for the first time in 33 years, Victor Osimhen was on Monday night crowned the Italian Footballers’Association Player of the Year becoming the first African to achieve the feat

S

uper Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen was on Monday night crowned the Italian footballers’ association player of the year for his Napoli performances last season. He was presented with the award after helping Napoli win their first league title in 33 years.

Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals in 2022-23, breaking George Weah’s record as the highestscoring African in the Italian top flight in the process.

The former Lille and Wolfsburg striker became the first African to ever win the AIC award, joining the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, Cristiano Ronaldo and last year’s winner Rafael Leao as recipients of the prize.

Osimhen has thanked his friends, family and supporters after clinching the Italia Footballers’ Association (AIC) Player of the Year award.

“Thank you for the recognition and awards, thank you my family, friends and supporters for your votes and unending support,” Osimhen, who was also included in the Serie A team of the year, said in a message posted on X. Osimhen has been hit by injury this season but the 24-year-old has scored six goals in 10 league games, having returned to action

for Walter Mazzari’s side as a substitute in the win against Atalanta on 25 November.

With the AIC award following his eighth-placed finish in the 2023 men’s Ballon d’Or, the striker will hope to become the first Nigerian player to claim the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s player of the year trophy since former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu did so in 1999.

The winners of the Caf awards will be announced on Monday, 11 December in Marrakesh, Morocco.

However, the future of the 24 -year-old is still not clear after Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, claimed that the Nigeria international was about to sign a new contract at the Serie A club.

The news of Osimhen joining Chelsea has been making the rounds with the London club showing serious interest in signing the striker.

His impressive performances saw a host of clubs interested in his service during the summer but the Naples-based club managed to hold onto their star.

After firing the Italian side to Scudetto glory last season, there was speculation over his future, with a hefty price tag placed on him amid talks to extend his stay in Campania.

Interestingly, former Chelsea legend, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has warned the Stamford Bridge eggheads that they could upset the balance of the dressing room if they sign Osimhen in the January transfer window.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were made to pay for their missed chances at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening as Manchester United sealed a 2-1 victory.

Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League this season is Nicolas Jackson, whose six goals include a hat-trick against nine-man Tottenham last month.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for a new striker in the upcoming transfer window, with reports claiming that Napoli’s Osimhen is their top target.

However, Hasselbaink, who scored 87 goals in four seasons at Chelsea, believes his former club need to think carefully about bolstering Pochettino’s attacking options in January.

‘Chelsea are not scared of the transfer fee,’ Hasselbaink said on Amazon Prime.

‘But if you go back into the window and bring in another striker, I don’t think this is the right thing to do for the dress-

ing room, you are going to get an overcrowded dressing room again.

‘You have three strikers already, or someone has to go if you bring in an Osimhen. This market in January is the hardest to do business.

Meanwhile, Osimhen has made the final shortlist for the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year Awards with just days remaining until the 2023 CAF Awards ceremony, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the final three nominees for each category.

In the Men’s Player of the Year race, Osimhen faces fierce competition from Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, who was part of the historic Morocco team that made it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals.

The three shortlist was announced by CAF on its X handle.

Many predict Osimhen will be a frontrunner for the coveted award because of his exceptional performance throughout the period under review.

If the 24-year-old Nigerian emerges victorious, he will become the first Nigerian player to win the award since Kanu Nwankwo’s remarkable achievement in 1999.

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

54

GLOBAL SOCCER

Splash Nenrot of Plateau United challenged by Ifeanyi Once Uchida and David Chimeric of Enugu Rangers

Can Pillars Halt Doma Utd’s Eight-game Unbeaten Run? Kunle Adewale

D

oma United eight-match unbeaten run in the Nigeria Premier Football League will be put to test this weekend as the coach Akinade Onigbinde tutored side welcome highflying Kano Pillars to the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

The Savannah Tigers stretched the undefeated run to eight midweek with a goalless draw against Kwara United at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin, with Coach Onigbinde claiming his side’s draw was well-ochestrated.

Onigbinde stated that the plan was to extend the team’s unbeaten run, adding that the result means a lot to the team’s continental aspirations.

He also commended goalkeeper Kingdom Osayi for his impressive performance in the game.

“It was a good game, and the result came out exactly as we wished,” he said in a post-match interview.

“Ahead of our visit, we studied Kwara United and worked on their weaknesses and strengths, knowing full well that they are one of the best sides in the league.

“Our target was to qualify for the continental competition, and picking a point

this way, especially on away ground, will assist our course in the long run.”

However, Doma United will have to be at their best to upstage Pillars who have only tasted a defeat in their last five games, winning three and drawing one in the process.

Interestingly, Pillars are no stranger to the Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe as it was there they defeated Gombe United penultimate Sunday.

Therefore, the Savannah Tigers would also have to be mindful of Pillars’ winger, Yusuf Abdullahi, who singlehandedly put five behind Gombe United’s goalkeeper, a feat Coach Abdullahi Maikaba has hailed.

Rangers Target First Win on the Road against Bayelsa Utd Kunle Adewale After two consecutive away loses to Abia United and Plateau United, Enugu Rangers in their quest to end the 2023/24 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, season on high would be targeting their first away G LO B A L S O C C E R ASSISTANT EDITOR KUNLE ADEWALE THISDAY ON SATURDAY EDITOR OBINNA CHIMA DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMIFULA OGBU THISDAY NEWSPAPERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU

win as the team storm the Samson Siasia Stadium tomorrow.

The Flying Antelopes are currently placed 12th on the NPFL log with 11 matches played while Bayelsa United are rock bottom on the log with 10 points from the same numbers of games as their tomorrow’s guest.

Rangers had a good start to the start of the season and were on top of the NPFL at a stage, and since the team’s 2-0 victory against Heartland in the Oriental Derby the Flying Antelopes are yet to taste victory in their last four matches-drawing two and losing two.

Against Plateau United last weekend, Rangers put up a superlative display before a large crowd of fans at the New Jos Stadium,

Zaria Road, Jos, but were denied any share of the spoils as the host ran away with a 2-1 victory.

However, a very optimist Rangers coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu believe boys are closer to their first away win on the road than ever.

Ilechukwu in a post-match chat said, “The game has been won and lost. A very good game from both sides. This was a game we proved that we are capable of getting some good results on the road but today, it was just hard luck for us as our best player on the field missed a seater that would have turned the complexion of the match. That is football for you and we keep working till we get it right.”

El Kanemi Target NPFL Return El-Kanemi Warriors head coach, Aliyu Zubairu has encouraged the club supporters to have confidence in the team.

Zubairu said the technical crew is building a new team with the aim of gaining promotion to the top flight next season.

He admitted that the task will not be easy but assured that with the fans’ prayer and patience, the goal would be achieved.

“The fans should continue to have confidence, support the team and be patient,” he told the club’s media.

“We are building a new team entirely

and like I told them the day I was unveiled, that is not going to be an easy task but definitely we aim to get promotion.

“All we need from them is they should support the team with prayers and they should always stay with the team, keep supporting the team and I believe at the end of the season we will achieve our aim by securing a promotion ticket.”

El-Kanemi Warriors are third on the table with four points.

The Borno Army will take on Nasarawa United in their next game.

Maikaba said he was particularly happy that one of his young players scored all five goals after several attempts at scoring in previous matches.

“My happiness is that one of the brilliant talents that is coming up in Nigeria has scored all the five goals. It is a wonderful day for Kano pillars, me and my team,” he said.

“I have been telling him that first goal is the key. If he can get his first goal, it will motivate him to score more.

“I am happy that his first goal geared him up to get four more in just one match,” Maikaba said.

Doma are currently in third position on the table with 22 points, while Pillars are fourth with 19 points with the same number of matches played.

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

W 7 7 6 6 6 5 4 5 4 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 2 1 2

D 2 2 4 1 1 3 5 2 4 1 4 3 6 4 3 3 0 5 7 4

L 3 3 2 5 4 4 3 5 4 5 4 4 3 4 3 6 8 5 4 5

Pts 23 23 22 19 19 18 17 17 16 16 16 15 15 13 12 12 12 11 10 10

Matchday 13 Fixtures SUNDAY

Doma Utd v Kano Pillars 15:00 Akwa Utd v Lobi Stars 16:00 Bayelsa Utd v Enugu Rangers 16:00 Enyimba v Abia Warriors 16:00 Shooting v Katsina Utd 16:00 Sporting Lagos v Rivers United PP

THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾DECEMBER 9, 2023

55

GLOBAL SOCCER

Citadel of Grace Home receiving their prize money at Season 13 Kidsport Charity Cup

Nigerian man reportedly kills his wife in UK months after relocation

IBA Board of Directors Agrees on the Creation of a Pro Boxing Committee Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report The International Boxing Association (IBA) Board of Directors on Friday took the unanimous decision during their official meeting in Dubai to create a Professional Boxing Committee that will regulate IBA pro-style tournaments such as the Champions’ Night as the successful platform develops further.

Speaking at the IBA Board of Directors’ meeting in Dubai, Secretary General and CEO of the boxing body, Chris Roberts OBE, said IBA took the deci-

sion to help the development of boxers from the grassroots through Pro rank.

“We are creating the conditions for our boxers from the grassroots age so that boxers can continue to develop through their career.

“IBA is the Home of boxing, and we invite them into our house to study with us to ensure that their journey to professional boxing is managed the absolute best way.

“They say, do what you love, and at IBA we are creating a Professional Boxing Committee that will be responsible for supporting

the career development and promotion of our boxers,” stressed the IBA scribe and CEO. In addition, two new members will be appointed to the IBA Athletes’ Committee following the resignations of two other members, with the Committee electing a male representative to the IBA Board of Directors.

The IBA Board received an update on its CAS appeal against the IOC decision, after hearings that took place on 16 November 2023. The decision of the court is expected to be made in 2024.

Super Eagles Goalkeeper Crisis Takes Peseiro to Chippa United Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro was spotted today at the training ground of DStv Premiership club Chippa United.

According to South African media outlet FARPost, the former Real Madrid assistant coach is currently in Port Elizabeth and attended the Chippa United session at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where he met with former home-based Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili Amid the Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis, the Portuguese tactician was at the club’s facilities

to hold talks with the former Katsina United and Enyimba shot-stopper ahead of the 2023 African Cup of Nations slated to begin next month.

Peseiro addressed the Chippa United players during the training session and said that he had been watching the team for a while.

Nwabili previously represented Nigeria in 2021 during an international friendly against Mexico - a game in which Nigeria fielded a team composed mainly of players based in the

domestic championship.

Peseiro will run the rule over Nwabili this evening when Chippa United take on Golden Arrows in the DStv Premiership.

In the current season, the Chippa United first choice goalkeeper has kept six clean sheets from 12 appearances in the South African top-flight.

Nwabili will eagerly embrace another opportunity to put on the green and white colours of Nigeria should Peseiro find him worthy of an international call-up.

…Okocha Backs Mosimane for Portuguese’s Job Super Eagles icon Austin Jay Jay Okocha has suggested a coach like former Mamelodi Sundowns manager Pitso Mosimane as a potential candidate for the Super Eagles role.

With the upcoming tournament, the Super Eagles aim to overcome their previous round of 16 exit from the last edition held in Cameroon.

However, the team faced difficulties in their recent 2026 World Cup qualifiers, securing

draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, putting their World Cup participation at risk for the second consecutive time. This has sparked an outcry among fans, with calls for Peseiro’s dismissal.

In a statement during an event celebrating 60 years of the Bundesliga in Johannesburg, Okocha proposed the idea of a coach like former Al-Ahly manager Mosimane taking over if Peseiro departs.

“Without any doubt, Pitso is one of the best African coaches, and his track record is there for everybody to see, “If we can get a coach like that, he will add great value to our football because he’s got a lot of experience in Africa. I don’t know how true are the links between him and the Nigerian national team, but a coach like that will be most welcome for us.” Okocha said, as quoted by TimesLive.

NFF, Ondo Govt, SWAN Condemn Gunmen Attack on Sunshine Stars Players, Officials Fidelis David in Akure The Nigeria Football Federation has decried the recent spate of robbery attacks on players and officials of football clubs travelling by road in the country to honour matches in the domestic Leagues, while appealing to security agents to devise further means of protecting road users in the land.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi on yesterday said the federation is disturbed by the trend, which has seen players and officials of Nigeria National League club, FC One Rocket and NPFL side Sunshine Stars attacked with persons injured and valuables lost over the past few days.

“The NFF is seriously disturbed and disillusioned by this unwarranted trend. First, it was

FC One Rocket of Abat, Akwa Ibom State that was attacked.

Their players and officials lost a variety of valuables in the attack in Ihiala, Anambra State while on their way from an NNL match against Ikorodu City in Lagos.

“Only on Thursday, 7th December, 2023, players and officials of Sunshine Stars of Akure were attacked on the Ore-Benin Road by armed robbers, with the ball boy shot. This is worrisome and we are passionately appealing to security personnel to painstakingly work out new ways and methods of ensuring safety and security of lives and properties on our roads.”

Sanusi empathised with the players, coaches and Management of the two Clubs on the unfortunate incident, and urged them not to allow the incidents to dampen their morale or negatively affect their

challenge for titles in the ongoing season.

“On behalf of the Nigeria Football fraternity, we convey our sympathies to the two teams on the unfortunate attacks and trust that they will not be psychologically dampened in their quest for honours this football season.”

In the same vein, Ondo State Government and the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Friday condemned the attack on the players and Officials of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure.

THISDAY reported that they were on Thursday attacked along Benin-Ore way by gunmen on their way to Benin and the ball boy to the team got shot while the Team Manager and some team management were injured and were taken to nearby hospital.

GOtv Boxing Night 30

‘I’m Coming for Revenge’, Black Tito Warns Abisoye Blessing Abisoye, the female cruiserweight boxer, has vowed to avenge her defeat to Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole, when they face each other in a national cruiserweight challenge bout at GOtv Boxing Night 30 on December 26.

In October last year, Abisoye lost to “Black Tito’, via a unanimous decision, setting the stage for a grudge match against her opponent, who claimed the national title at GOtv Boxing Night 29. Their fight is one of the six scheduled for the boxing showpiece event at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

In a telephone interview

from her training base in Benin, Edo State, Abisoye said she is storming Lagos for revenge. “I see this as a grudge fight. Boxing is a sport and at times, it’s the judges who decide the fight.

The last fight was decided by the judges. This time, I want to give my best fight and I am well prepared for this. I won’t promise that I will win via a knockout, but I am sure that I’m coming to Lagos for revenge,” she said.

Abisoye has a record of one win and one defeat from her two professional fights, while ‘Black Tito’ has won all of her eight professional bouts, with a record

of five knockouts.

In the other bouts of the night, Taiwo Olowu will face Ghanaian boxer, Michael Ansah, for the West African Boxing Union (WABU) super welterweight title, while Sifon Iwatt, and Saheed Azeez will slug it out for the national super flyweight title.

The national light welterweight category will see Ayanfe Adeoye, face off with Ahmed Ganiyu; Arabambi Ojo will trade punches with Ibrahim Opeyemi in a national bantamweight challenge bout, while Abdulafeez Osoba, will duel with Christopher Ucheji, in a national super welterweight challenge fight.

KingMakers Applauds Outstanding Talent at Season 13 Kidsport Charity Cup Major sponsor of the Season 13 Kidsport Charity Cup, KingMakers has commended the performances of the kids who featured in the one-day event held last Saturday at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.

KingMakers, a leading sports and digital entertainment platform company across the African continent, described the platform where Nigerian kids can showcase their talents as one of the areas the brand usually identified with and was glad that the Kidsport Charity Cup lived up to expectations.

The Managing Director of the company, Gossy Ukanwoke and other management staff of the

company were at the Campos stadium to see how the kids from some orphanage homes, academies and schools in Lagos participated in the tournament.

Communications Manager of KingMakers, Onu Abraham, said it has always been the passion of the brand to identify with talents of the Nigerian children and find a platform like the Kidsport Charity Cup to showcase and develop them.

“The 13 edition that just ended was a welcome one for us at KingMakers, and as a brand, we will continue to support initiatives like this to develop grassroots football,” Onu said.

He called on other corporate bodies in the country to look out for ways to spotlight the talents in the Nigerian kids.

“The good thing about our country is that we have a lot of talents, but they eagerly waiting for brands that will take them to the limelight. That is what we are doing at KingMakers.

We are doing this to help lift the spirit and the God-given talent in these children,” he said.

The stadium was jampacked with over 800 children who took part in Season 13 of the Kidsport Charity Cup at the end of which winners emerged in Football, Ayo, Scrabble, and E-sports among others.

Lagos Athletes Attend 2nd National Para Games in Abuja No fewer than 200 Lagos para athletes are in the Federal Capital Territory,Abuja for the second edition of the 2023 National Para Games.

The contingent comprising of 148 male and 52 female athletes are in fine form to compete for honours in their disciplines.

Lagos state government through the state sports Commission are not

leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that people Living with disabilities are given the opportunity to showcase their God given talents in tandem with the social inclusion programmes and initiatives.

They will be participating in 15 different sports including para table tennis, sitting volleyball, wheel chair basketball, para athletics, amputee

football, para shooting, para swimming.

Others are para soccer, para canoeing, para cycling, wheel chair tennis, para powerlifting, para taekwondo, para karate and para badminton.

Moshood Abiola National Stadium,Abuja and other designated venues have been scheduled to hold the para festival.

Enyimba Secures N100m Two-year Deal with United Nig Following his determination to take Enyimba FC to the pinnacle of Nigeria and African football, former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo has scored yet another milestone to that direction.

The Arsenal FC legend made the milestone official yesterday at the corporate office of the United Nigeria Arline where the official signing of the N100 million two years worth sponsorship deal with one of the leading airline in Nigeria was done.

In his speech during the signing ceremony, Kanu expressed delight over the deal and that of His Excellency, the Executive

Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, whom he said would have loved to be part of the epoch making event being the first time Enyimba would have such experience.

“United Nigeria Airlines has set the pace in uniting Nigerians with their services using the most uniting factor, football.

“I hope other airlines in the country can emulate this as it is very vital for the clubs and our league considering what has happened to Sunshine Stars FC and others recently.

“In Enyimba we are trying our best to change the narrative and this deal is very key to

the way we are moving as the news has delighted the team especially propelling and motivating our players to give their best for ultimate result,” Kanu Said.

Earlier in his own address, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Prof Obiora Okonkwo while recalling how Kanu and his Sup er Eagles colleagues made him have his happiest moment in life during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games in USA as well as his worst moment also during USA ‘94 World Cup loss against Italy.

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PDP Tackles FG on COP28 “We ask, why would a country whose citizens are dying daily from inability to purchase necessities be willing to fritter its resources and scarce foreign exchange in such a manner? It only points to the fact that this administration is not interested in the good of the generality of our citizens but for a select few positioned to fleece the nation’s resources” –National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba

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TUNDERAHMAN COP28: Nigeria’s Positive Takeaways GUEST COLUMNIST

T

he United Nations’ Climate Change Summit, otherwise called COP28, currently going on in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, opened with the historic launch of the Loss and Damage Fund on Thursday, December 3. The operationalization of the fund on the first day of the summit demonstrated the commitment of the world leaders to the resolution reached last year at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The talks at this year’s climate summit focused on finance and trade, two key issues that can engender the much-needed action on climate change and energy transition.

On the eve of the summit, there emerged a heart-warming piece of news: Nigerian Tariye Gbadegesin was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Investment Fund. The fund based in Washington DC is one of the world’s biggest innovative financing platforms. Tariye replaces Portuguese Mafalda Duarte who is now at the head of the Green Climate Fund based in South Korea. Though the Harvard Business School graduate is also partly a US citizen, Tariye’s appointment speaks to the widely acknowledged innumerable talents that abound among the Nigerian-Americans.

This appointment is relevant and useful in the context of Nigeria and Africa.

This is the first time, a person of an African bloodline, a woman with direct Nigeria linkage would emerge the head of an organisation that is often accused of pandering to the climate financing needs of American and Asian countries to the detriment of African nations. So her appointment is a fine appointment for Nigeria and indeed for Africa, and it’s reasonable to expect it will benefit the continent.

Following the launch of the fund, highincome countries started making pledges in solidarity, with about $1 billion pledged so far. Africa stands to benefit from the account, but the continent must now push for efficient deployment of the fund for the purpose of the vulnerable African communities.

Nigeria’s participation at COP28 helped to properly position her to benefit from the fund. This fund, as I see it, is a mechanism for support and securing justice over the climate crisis. Interestingly, the endowment fund is consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s persistent clamour for climate justice. The Nigerian President has always argued that the developed world needs to understand the predicament of the developing countries, particularly Africa who contribute the least to carbon emissions but suffer the most, and are

Tinubu

now being asked to give up their major source of livelihood in the name of climate change. He said Nigeria and Africa need understanding and support for energy transition. While expressing support for climate change, President Tinubu would argue that asking Africa and a country like Nigeria to forgo hydrocarbon - her major source of foreign exchange earnings - is like asking “a church rat not to eat the Holy Communion,” and that Nigeria and Africa urgently require investments in alternative energy to be able to fully and effectively transition.

In plenary and sideline meetings, President Tinubu promoted this position and demanded at every turn during his participation at the Dubai climate summit.

For instance, speaking on a panel on Africa Green Industrialization hosted by UAE President, who is also COP28 President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Nigerian Leader said Africa must not become a victim of the disruptions that come with climate mitigation measures, while also stating that risk management is vital for Africa’s full and swift transition to cleaner energy.

COP28 was eventful for President Tinubu.

The summit particularly presented an array of investment and partnership opportunities for the various sectors affected by climate change. Nigeria is already reaping the benefits of its participation.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris has already highlighted some of these gains. These gains are worth restating, however, in this piece.

One, Nigeria and Germany signed a performance agreement on the

domestic and international markets in order to ensure Nigeria earns the much-needed revenue from its abundant gas assets.

Also, after signing a strategic partnership agreement between themselves on research and development projects aimed at enhancing the quality, reliability and affordability of rural electrification solutions, Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) on December 8 in Dubai signed an MOU with Shenzhen Technology Development Company of China, through its subsidiary, Lemi Renewable Energy Limited. This agreement is targeted at the development and establishment of a $150million Lithium Battery Manufacturing and Processing Factory in Nigeria.

These are the important things that came out of the conference, as opposed to the controversy over Nigeria’s representation, which was stoked by some who ought to know better, but for their mischief. This is quite unhelpful. A conference of the magnitude of COP28 will attract many delegates, government officials and non-state actors alike, because of the significance of the issues involved. There were delegates including business leaders, development partners, climate activists, representatives of climate-impacted communities, members of other NGOs related to the environment, academics, journalists, and others at the conference. That they all registered under the name of the country does not mean the government sponsored them. Some of the delegates who registered under Nigeria’s name even operate outside the country and they sponsored themselves.

Importantly, the Minister of Information has put a lie to the figure bandied around as the number of Nigeria’s delegation when he provided the breakdown of the total 422 delegates. The delegation from Nigeria is a far cry from the figure bandied about. The more than 90,000 total participants and delegates from over 150 countries at this year’s summit, the highest in the history of the climate conferences thus far, are an indication of the importance of the summit.

To further lend credence to the seriousness of the summit, as some government delegates were leaving for their respective countries on Tuesday and Wednesday, after the end of the plenary sessions, some delegates were just arriving Dubai Expo City venue of the summit for the technical and negotiation sessions, ending on Tuesday, December 12.

Indeed, as it has been previously pointed out, COP28 was not a jamboree; it was a serious business.

implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to improve Nigeria’s electricity supply. The Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, Mr. Kenny Anuwe, and Siemens Energy’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Ms. Nadja Haakansson, signed the agreement on the sidelines of the summit, in the presence of President Tinubu and Chancellor Scholz.

Two. President Tinubu hosted a high-level meeting with stakeholders and investors on the Nigeria Carbon Market and the Electric Buses Rollout Programme. He unveiled the Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan, co-chaired by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Dahiru Salisu.

Three, on the subsisting issue of restoration of Emirates Airline flights, among other matters, the President also met the President of UAE to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Among other important meetings President Tinubu held with several leaders and multilateral partners in Dubai was the one with British King Charles, a well-known strident climate change advocate. King Charles had always expressed his desire to meet Tinubu who he said he was not opportuned to meet during his visits to Nigeria when the President was governor of Lagos. COP28 provided that opportunity.

Also, heads of several MDAs engaged with and forged useful agreements with their counterparts in UAE. For instance, the NNPC sealed two deals to commercialise the country’s Liquefied Natural Gas for •Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide

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