SUNDAY 25TH DECEMBER 2022

My Best Appears Not Appreciated by Some Nigerians, President Declares Says he won't miss Aso Rock after leaving office Insists Jubril from Sudan claim not a funny joke Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has reviewed his seven-and-ahalf years in office and concluded that his best appears not to be appreciated by some Nigerians.

He also claimed he would not miss the seat of power, Aso Rock, after leaving office next May and also complained of constant harassment by some individuals over his government's policies.

The President, who spoke

in a documentary tagged: ‘Celebrating A Patriot, a Leader, an Elder Statesman,’ released on Friday night at a private dinner organised by his family and close associates, to mark his 80th birthday anniversary, said

he would not miss Aso Rock because he was being harassed.

This is coming as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; Ebonyi

Oba Ewuare II, among others eulogised the president on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

According to Buhari, his efforts to make the country better are

State Governor, Mr. David Umahi; former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini-Adamu, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi jájá II; Oba of Benin,

Continued on page 5

F G R a is e s Th i r d - p a r t y Vehi c l e I ns ura n c e by 2 0 0 % … Page 4 7 Sunday 25 and Monday 26 December, 2022 Vol 27. No 10120

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At Christmas, Buhari Urges Nigerians to Elect Those Who’ll Sustain His Legacy Jonathan, Atiku, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Tinubu, Obi, govs, PDP preach peace Our Reporters President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians of

voting age to be circumspect and elect in 2023 those who can sustain the momentum already created by his administration

for the good of Nigeria in the last seven and half years.

In a Christmas message to Christians, which he signed,

Buhari noted that the joyous season coincided with the period of campaigns to usher in a new administration in the

country.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan; the presidential candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; the President of the Continued on page 5

With Eight Weeks to Presidential Election, Race Too Close to Call

Atiku, Tinubu, Obi, Kwankwaso Battle on for role of king and kingmakers Critical North-west tightens

Ejiofor Alike Eight weeks to the February 25, 2023 presidential election, the candidates of the four major political parties have intensified efforts to outsmart each other in a presidential race that THISDAY Election Centre says is too close to call.

As the presidential race tightens, the North-west zone has become the new battleground for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, and their counterparts in the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, respectively.

With eight weeks to the poll, the political scene is already charged.

Excitement is also very high as more choices will be available to Nigerians than there were in 2019.

Unlike in 2019 when the race was between President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku, Continued on page 5

OCTOGENARIAN CLUB… L-R: Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Tinubu; APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, during the 80th birthday celebration for the President at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja…weekend

To our readers: In keeping with our tradition of observing Christmas Day, THISDAY, your favourite newspaper of record, will not be on the newsstands on Monday, December 26, 2022 but will be back on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. We wish our readers a very Merry Xmas. –Editor

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DECEMBER 25, 2022 • T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE FIVE AT CHRISTMAS, BUHARI URGES NIGERIANS TO ELECT THOSE WHO WILL SUSTAIN HIS LEGACY Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, and his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, equally called on Christians to remain steadfast in prayers for a greater Nigeria as they celebrate this year's Christmas.

Also, the vice presidential candidate of the PDP and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and Governors Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Sani Bello of Niger State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State have preached peace and love among Nigerians.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also rejoiced with Christians on the occasion of Christmas.

On his part, Buhari urged Nigerians to vote for those that would maintain the momentum "we have created for the greater good of the country.

“It is another opportunity to show the rest of the world that Nigeria is indeed ready to consolidate its democratic credentials as has been noted in international circles. Let the peace and joy that pervade this period continue well into the New Year up to the elections in February and beyond," Buhari advised.

President Buhari called on Nigerians to renew their hope in a united nation and pledged his readiness to provide political and logistics support to the states, armed forces and individuals working for the stability and progress of Nigeria.

Buhari vowed that: "Until my last day in office, I will continue to provide political and material support to sub-national governments, the Armed Forces, institutions and individuals working wholeheartedly for the peace, unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.”

The President also declared that those bent on disrupting the peace of the nation have lost the battle, adding that Nigeria is richly blessed with human and material resources.

"I want to assure Nigerians that those who violently seek to disrupt the peace of our nation have lost the battle.

“Our country is blessed with a wealth of human and material resources. Let’s celebrate our blessings this season with the trust that a better dawn awaits Nigeria," President Buhari further said in the Christmas message.

"For me and my family, this year’s celebration is unique.

It is my last as your elected president. Twenty-two weeks from now, this administration will hand over to another.

"In the last seven years, I have had the privilege of receiving members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) community on Christmas homage, except the year the COVID-19 pandemic denied us that opportunity. I will fondly remember them as my benevolent landlords and friendly neighbours.

"It is crucial that I remember this about my closest neighbours because there is no better way for us to celebrate Christmas as a people than showing genuine love, care, compassion and empathy for one another.”

In a statement by his media office, former President Jonathan called for love, unity and peace among Christians and others

around the world.

Jonathan urged Nigerians to “approach this season of Christmas with optimism and renewed faith in ourselves and our country.”

He further stated: “Let us approach this season of Christmas with optimism and renewed faith in ourselves and our country. Let us exhibit love, tolerance, a sense of unity and peace towards our neighbours and all around us during this season and beyond.”

Atiku, on his part, urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayers for a greater Nigeria.

The former vice president said: "Let us remain steadfast in prayers for a greater Nigeria after the elections of next year that will be a shining example for our present and future generations.”

In his Christmas message, the Senate President, Lawan stated that abiding by the great instructions of Jesus Christ “is important for Christians everywhere and all of us in Nigeria as we seek to build a virile and happy nation."

On his part, Gbajabiamila said Christmas is a period for sober reflection and re-dedication to his teachings and ways.

In his statement, he enjoined the Christian faithful and other Nigerians to use the period to pray for a peaceful and successful general election in 2023.

The APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, in his message, said: “In this special day, I stretch forth my hand in fraternal affection and great joy to Christians and all who join in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.”

The former Lagos State governor described Christmas as “a period of spiritual uplift as both Christians and nonChristians are moved to reflect upon God's love for mankind and what, truly, it means to love your God, your neighbour and yourself.”

“Thus, I say merry Christmas to the farmer, the student, the labourer, the artisan, the professional, the entertainer, the teacher, the police officer, the market women, the soldier and all Nigerians.

“I also extend my wishes for a good and happy Christmas to my political opponents. No matter our political differences, we are all Nigerians and we must move this nation forward,” Tinubu explained.

Obi, the LP presidential candidate, on his part, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful for a better nation, especially as the 2023 general election is fast approaching.

Obi made this call while delivering his 2022 Christmas message to Nigerians as contained in a statement made available to journalists.

The former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians to see the year 2023 as a very significant year in the history of the nation as it presents Nigerians the opportunity to turn around the trajectory of the nation by giving only competent leaders access to power.

In his Christmas message, Governor Ugwuanyi urged the people of Enugu State and all Nigerians to renew their faith in God and remain steadfast in prayers for the peace, love, unity, security and progress of the state in particular and the country in general, especially as “we transit to another democratic dispensation through the 2023 general election.”

He promised to sustain the tempo of peace and good governance despite the nation’s economic and security challenges Niger State Governor, Bello, in a Christmas message signed on his behalf by his Chief Press

Secretary, Mary Noel Berje, observed that love, compassion, sacrifice, selflessness, and forgiveness among others are the hallmarks of Christmas celebrations.

Delta State Governor, Okowa, in his message, reaffirmed that the "Recover Nigeria" mission was on course and would be realised.

He promised all Nigerians that hope was on the way as the nation gears towards election year.

In the message contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the governor called on Christians to continue in their prayers for a peaceful nation, especially as the elections were close.

He said that the 2023 polls would usher in a new and positive life for Nigerians.

Also, Edo State Governor, Obaseki, urged Christians to use the period to show care and reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and His teachings on love and sacrifice.

In a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Macham Makut, the Plateau State governor, Lalong urged the Christian community in Nigeria not to treat politics as a dirty game.

Lalong, who spoke when he hosted northern Christian leaders in Jos, the state capital, argued that Christian leaders must galvanise the Church and

make demands from candidates vying for political offices.

In his message of felicitation, Governor Yahaya of Gombe State enjoined Christians in the state and all Nigerians to sustain their abiding faith in God and maintain peace, unity and virtues that promote the progress of the state and the country.

Also in his message, Cross River State governor, Ayade, charged Christians to use the opportunity of the Christmas celebration to reaffirm their love and compassion towards one another.

Ekiti State Governor, Oyebanji, in his message, described Christmas as another opportunity to show gratitude to God for the outgoing year and pray for a more prosperous new year, especially as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.

Governor Oyebanji, in a goodwill message, signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, urged Christians in the State and Nigeria at large to embrace peace, love, harmony and tolerance.

Also in his message, the Benue State Governor, Ortom, for the umpteenth time called for peace and religious tolerance among the different adherents of faith as the antidote to occasional conflicts in the country.

He said occasional conflicts among various religions would never reoccur if the interreligious dialogue is sustained.

Rivers State Governor, Wike, has called on Christians to use the occasion of Christmas to promote love, peace and unity.

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, the governor urged the Christian faithful to remain committed to the worthy ideals exemplified

by Jesus Christ.

He advised the privileged in the state to use the season to reach out to the less privileged to deepen friendship and communal living.

On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed the need for Nigerians, especially residents to continue to live in peace and harmony as they celebrate Christmas.

He also called the residents to celebrate the season of the birth of Jesus Christ, with moderation.

The governor, therefore, urged them to protect and use the infrastructure provided by the government very well so that incoming generations can also enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Governor Akeredolu called on Christians across the country to embrace goals and ideals that will promote societal common good and bring stability to the country.

Akeredolu, while charging

the people to imbibe the lessons of the birth and life of Jesus Christ, said: "We must reflect deeply on the reason for the season. The birth of Jesus Christ is significant in many ways.

It teaches love, tolerance and sacrifice. Let us be deliberate in imbibing the lessons in this season. Our religion teaches us to extend love and embrace sincerity. As children of God, Let’s us show love and follow the path of Jesus Christ in selfless sacrifice.”

In a statement by the National Publicity of the PDP, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the main opposition party said he was saddened that millions of Nigerians cannot afford the necessities to celebrate.

The party also noted that many could not travel to meet with their loved ones due to economic hardship and those who did are facing harrowing life-discounting experiences, with several families stranded on the highways on account of dilapidated roads and worsening insecurity under the suffocating APC government.

According to Ologunagba, "the APC has succeeded in turning our nation, once reputed as a country of the world's happiest people and one of the fastest growing economies into the poverty capital of the world and one of the most insecure places to live in."

WITH EIGHT WEEKS TO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, RACE TOO CLOSE TO CALL the battle in 2023 will be between the four strong candidates.

With over 22 million registered voters, being the highest among the six geopolitical zones, the North-west states of Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa have become the beautiful pride because the issue of king and kingmakers has become relevant as many see a possible run-off in which case all the four candidates will be relevant in the trade-off that will follow the first round as one of them will be the king and others the kingmakers.

The seven states, except Zamfara, have second-term governors who have nothing at stake in the presidential race though Governors Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State (APC) and Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State (PDP) are running

for the Senate.

The most vigorous among these governors, it was learnt, is Bello Matawalle of Zamafara State who is battling for his political life in a second term bid.

It is also believed that some of the governors, who will not be on the ballot in 2023, are not as vigorous as those who are running for the Senate.

This development has pressure on Atiku, Tinubu and Kwankwaso especially to do more work in the North-west to secure their votes.

The zone is also suffering from a high level of insecurity which can become a good campaign factor for the candidates.

At the end of the day, it is who wins this critical zone that may win the election.

“North-west zone is the most critical and each of the four candidates is all-out to win the

highest number of votes in the zone. It is believed that whoever wins in the zone may become the next president,” a source close to one of the leading presidential candidates told THISDAY last night.

Atiku, Tinubu, Obi and Kwankwaso all don’t have the same chances but all of them can influence who wins especially if they go to the second round which analysts now see as possible instead of probable.

According to THISDAY Election Centre, as of today, eight weeks to the election, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi states are trending PDP, while Zamfara and Kaduna states are trending APC. Kano with the highest number of registered voters in the zone, is too close to call between Tinubu’s APC and Kwankwaso’s NNPP. Last week, Tinubu had to

rush to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa to get the president to campaign for him in Katsina and Kano in the coming weeks to re-establish the lead.

Sokoto State governor, Tambuwal had described the North-west geopolitical zone as the real battleground for the 2023 presidential election.

Apparently underestimating Kwankwaso, who hails from Kano, the Sokoto State governor had declared that since no “serious” presidential candidate emerged from the North-west region, the major parties would vigorously campaign in the region.

The governor stated that the region would be a battleground for the leading parties due to the highest number of registered voters, saying the zone could determine the outcome of the next year’s presidential election.

MY BEST APPEARS NOT APPRECIATED BY SOME NIGERIANS, PRESIDENT DECLARES not appreciated by some people.

Asked what he would miss about the presidency when he leaves, President Buhari said: “I wonder if I am going to miss much. I think I'm being harassed. I believe I'm trying my best but still, my best is not good enough because there are people around that think that they can intimidate me to get what they want instead of going through certain systems to earn whatever they want to earn. And they are some people who want to be clever by half.”

He also described the claim that he was not the real Buhari but a certain ‘Jibril Aminu from Sudan’ as a joke that was not funny.

According to him, some Nigerians have a way of creating humour to feast on something they do not understand.

He said the rumour was the work of some mischief makers to demonstrate their cheekiness.

Asked by the interviewer if he heard about the crazy rumour some years ago that he was not Buhari, the president replied, smiling, “Yes! People said I am somebody from Sudan. I didn’t bother with the name.

Nigerians have mischievous ways of explaining themselves.”

On whether he finds such things funny, President Buhari said: “No. It’s not funny because

those who made those statements just want to be cheeky. They want to distract attention from the main issue.

“Our main issue is to improve the infrastructure and make people aware that they need to work hard to live well. They just want to enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”

The president revealed that he lost two of his children by his late wife to sickle cell anaemia, adding that when he wanted to remarry, he insisted the second wife must be AA genotype; so that his children will not inherit the S from his AS genotype.

In proposing a toast to the good health of the president at 80, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described the celebrant as a forthright, good and kind man, as well as an exemplary leader.

He also noted that the president would make a very good entertainer in retirement because of his sense of humour.

Osinbajo recounted how the president used jokes to calm him down and rescind his decision to submit a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against him.

His words: “Mr. President is a very humorous man and I think he would make a very

good career in entertainment one way or the other when he retires.

“One day, I went to him because there were some allegations that were made against me. And I was so angry; so I went to him to show him the letter I had written to the EFCC to investigate. He looked at it and looked at me because he calls me VP or Professor, depending on his mood.

“This time he said, ‘VP, why do you worry yourself about all these people? These people just make all sorts of allegations; they make all sorts of stories up, even they are saying that I am about to get married again.

And even some foolish people were waiting at the National Mosque, waiting for me to come and marry again.”

Osinbajo praised President Buhari for leading the nation with great courage, determination and commitment.

On his part, former governor of Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, while eulogising the celebrant, described President Buhari as a man with impeachable character, a nationalist, a good listener, a man who loves his family and the country, Nigeria.

He said: “He is a nationalist.

He doesn’t think of himself, he is a contented human being. He

is a man whom all of us; even his adversaries will agree that he is a man with a flawless character, a man with a good heart, very compassionate, very committed and a good listener.

“Somebody that loves his family, Nigeria; he is a nationalist.

President Muhammadu Buhari will always think about others.

In his little way and even in his humorous way, he will always not just think about himself. He is somebody that is not bothered about all these worldly things; he is already a contented human being.”

Also speaking, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, described President Buhari as a detribalised person that means well for Nigeria.

“Let me say here that the President is a very highly detribalised personality. He is a man that loves this nation.

Every time you meet him, he laments about the level of patriotism of our people. You will see a man that has a passion for the people of this country, a man that loves every section of this country,” he said.

He commended the president for “the miracle of the Second Niger Bridge, which is now facilitating the movement of people and goods to the eastern Continued on page 48

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25 , 2022

BUSINESS

Editor: Festus Akanbi 08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com

A Year of Grim Realities

Amid diverse economic headwinds that consecutively set Nigeria on a slippery retrogressive path, 2022 depicts a period of grim realities with damning outcomes that may linger beyond the year of regime change, Gboyega Akinsanmi writes.

T

oday marks the beginning of the last week of 2022.

And Nigerians - the poor or the rich, the aged or the youth, the elite or the masses - have all witnessed a year, in which the country’s foremost economists unanimously agreed, has SUHFLSLWDWHG VLJQLÀFDQW GLVWRUWLRQV LQ WKH KRXVHKROG SULYDWH DQG SXEOLF ÀQDQFHV This consensus is no doubt rooted in the poor performance of Nigeria’s domestic economy during the timeframe. And its consequences, as x-rayed in various institutional reports, have cost millions of their jobs; increased the cost of living; widened the country’s cycle of extreme poverty; stagnated the economic growth and historically shrunk the opportunities across all strata of the federation.

Perhaps, by coincidence, the World Bank substantiated these growing concerns in its latest report, Nigeria Development 8SGDWH R΀FLDOO\ UHOHDVHG D SHQXOWLPDWH week. In summary, as the bank observed, Nigeria is in a challenging and deteriorating economic situation. Since June 2022 also, its economic performance has weakened, compounding pressures nearly on every household.

For most economists, the conclusion of the bank is not unexpected. However, it further deepened public concerns about the economic model the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had adopted to address the most vicious headwinds that grievously triggered setbacks across all sectors.

As much as the country’s foreign exchange rates crashed by about 100 per cent, the current year indeed began ZLWK XQWDPDEOH LQÁDWLRQDU\ SUHVVXUHV which Director-General of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf claimed, had, on the one hand, destroyed the purchasing powers of the low-income earners and on the other hand weakened the net worth of the corporate leaders or high-income individuals.

7KH LQÁDWLRQDU\ SUHVVXUH ZDV SDOSDEOH indeed consequential, on the living standard of the masses, as indicated in GLͿHUHQW UHSRUWV RI WKH 1DWLRQDO %XUHDX of Statistics (NBS). From 15.60 per cent LQ -DQXDU\ LQÁDWLRQ KDV EHHQ PRXQWLQJ all through the period under review. In February, it skyrocketed to 17.71 per cent in May; 20.52 per cent in August and 21.47 per cent in November.

The implication is indeed grave, inducLQJ WKH WUDMHFWRU\ RI LQÁDWLRQ E\ SHU cent between January and November. Its food component further exerted much pressure on low-income earners, especially the working class, whose monthly earnings could no longer support their cost of living daily. )URP SHU FHQW LQ -DQXDU\ DV UHvealed in the records of the NBS, food LQÁDWLRQ DFFHOHUDWHG WR SHU FHQW LQ November. Its variation represented an increase of 40.86 per cent in the composite prices of food items within the timeframe, the highest ever recorded in the country’s recent history.

Other components of the 2022 consumer SULFH LQGH[ DUH QRW WRR GLͿHUHQW DV VKRZQ in the reports of the NBS. Among others, for instance, transportation costs surged by SHU FHQW KRXVLQJ XWLOLWLHV E\ SHU FHQW DQG FRUH LQÁDWLRQ ZKLFK E\ GHÀQLWLRQ H[FOXGHV IDUP SURGXFH URVH E\ SHU cent between January and November. $W GLͿHUHQW WLPHV HFRQRPLVWV KDYH

Ahmed explained the dominant drivers of the PRXQWLQJ LQÁDWLRQDU\ SUHVVXUH LQ WKH context of the country’s social and political realities. The drivers, as Chief Executive of Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba once put it, comprise internal instability, foreign exchange crisis, climate change, high diesel price and other structural constraints to economic activities.

But addressing these tendencies with FRKHVLYH ÀVFDO SROLF\ UHVSRQVHV KDV EHHQ D ZRUULVRPH ÀVVXUH WKDW WKH %XKDUL DGPLQLVtration has failed to bridge either by design or by default. Consequently, according WR <XVXI LWV UHVSRQVH KDV EHHQ LQHͿHFWLYH and largely weak, hence complicating the burden of daily decent living largely for low-income earners and middle-class citizens.

The weak response of the government has partly been attributed to the inability of NNPC Limited to remit a dime of its projected revenue to the Federation Accounts in the year. This failure contravenes WKH FRXQWU\·V VWDQGDUG ÀVFDO WUDGLWLRQ which delineates the dependence of the government on oil rents, royalties and sales always remitted by the state oil giant.

Even though crude prices have been EHWZHHQ DQG LW KDV KDG OLWWOH or no impact on the national economy, a WUHQG WKDW ZRUVHQHG ÀVFDO DQG OLTXLGLW\ crises at all levels of government. The government no doubt acknowledged this missed opportunity. But the industry

players blamed it on crude theft, which according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), FUDVKHG SURGXFWLRQ E\ SHU FHQW LQ September.

The drop undermined public governance at home alongside other geopolitical dynamics, especially the Russia-Ukraine FRQÁLFW ZKLFK HVFDODWHG JOREDO RLO DQG food prices. The dynamics had huge consequences on the cost of petrol. While it stoked fuel scarcity, the dynamics placed a huge burden of funding subsidy regimes on the governments. )URP 1 WULOOLRQ VXEVLG\ FODLPV LQ 2021, the records of the NNPC showed their upswing to N2.565 trillion by August 7KLV FUHDWHG D SHU FHQW LQFUHDVH propping up two key issues. First, the FODLPV VLJQLÀFDQWO\ GHFDSLWDWHG 113&·V commitments to the Federation Accounts.

Second, the trend created a huge budget GHÀFLW RI 1 WULOOLRQ EHWZHHQ -DQXDU\ and April alone.

7KH UHDOLWLHV GHÀQHG WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW·V ÀVFDO SROLF\ UHVSRQVH QRW MXVW in 2022, but also since Buhari assumed R΀FH LQ ,WV UHVSRQVH ODUJHO\ IDYRXUHG unprecedented borrowing despite the country’s revenue crisis escalation, which Chief Economist, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan had once argued, required the government’s more decisive response.

This condition is evident in the growth of the country’s total debt stock. As of

December 2020, for instance, the debt VWRFN ZDV 1 WULOOLRQ %XW LW IXUWKHU ZHQW XS WR 1 WULOOLRQ LQ 'HFHPEHU 2021, which accounted for a 22.09 per cent increase when compared to the previous year. As of September 2022, it had risen E\ 1 SHU FHQW EULQJLQJ WKH FRXQWU\·V total debt stock to N44.06 trillion.

With this trend, managing its steadily escalating debt crisis is gradually turning into a nightmare the government can no ORQJHU DYRLG ,Q WKH ÀUVW TXDUWHU RI WKH nightmare became evident in the national balance sheet as the debt service cost was about 15.97 per cent higher than the actual revenues generated within the timeframe.

However, recent reports from the Debt 0DQDJHPHQW 2΀FH SXW WKH FRXQWU\·V GHEW VHUYLFH WR UHYHQXH UDWLR DW SHU FHQW )RU most economists, this proportion can aggravate its intractable economic headwinds, PDLQO\ DIWHU WKH HOHFWLRQV DQG SXW WKH sub-national governments in an inclement ÀVFDO FRQGLWLRQ 7KH FRVWV RI %XKDUL·V ÀVFDO SROLF\ response are gradually becoming more grievous and heinous than ever witnessed in the country’s recent history. The NBS attested to this conclusion in its 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which drew global attention to what might expedite the country’s descent to anarchy unless pro-people measures are evolved to tame the whirlwind.

As shown in this index, the NBS now put the total number of poor people in the FRXQWU\ DW PLOOLRQ HTXLYDOHQW WR SHU cent of its estimated population. Also, the trend of abysmal economic performance PLJKW IXUWKHU SXVK PLOOLRQ LQWR WKH F\FOH of extreme poverty as the World Bank had recently predicted and shot up the country’s vicious unemployment curve beyond its FXUUHQW VWDWXV VWDQGLQJ DW SHU FHQW With these grim economic realities, does Nigeria still have a choice beyond its prevailing responses? Economists largely DJUHHG WKDW 1LJHULD·V ÀVFDO FKDOOHQJHV are not beyond redemption. Teriba, for instance, observed that increasing the tax burden and resorting to borrowing could QR ORQJHU JXDUDQWHH WKH FRXQWU\·V ÀVFDO stability and economic growth.

Rather, Teriba suggested the need for the government to leverage its assets to XQORFN ÀVFDO OLTXLGLW\ DQ DSSURDFK WKDW had worked for Brazil, China, India and Saudi Arabia. This entails the government opening a national assets register; listing all its assets to determine their real values and selling part of its stakes to the private interests to generate the liquidity it needs for public governance.

Consistent with Teriba’s broader measures to tame the country’s raging economic headwinds, Khan suggested the need to stabilise the Naira and address security challenges nationwide to forestall its gradual descent into anarchy or social unrest. In its latest update, the :RUOG %DQN ZDV PRUH VSHFLÀF DV WR KRZ WR de-escalate the vicious headwinds upsetting the national economy.

Among others, its antidotes include ending the subsidy regime; maintaining a singular foreign exchange rate; ensuring internal stability and implementing critical macroeconomic and structural reforms that can reduce crisis vulnerabilities and increase growth.

As 2022 enters its last week, the rationality of the choice the government will embrace determines the trajectory of the economy in the coming year, whether it will continue to maintain its downward trend or take a new course upward.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25, 2022

18

SPECIAL REPORT

Dangote

Ovia

Otedola

Elumelu

Alakija

Rabiu

Onyema

Emefiele

Movers and Shakers of Nigeria’s Business and Economy in 2022 It’s certainly a time for stock-taking as 2022 winds up this week amid frenetic moves by business and economic players to take positions against 2023 which promises to be a year of new beginnings in many respects. Being the eve of a transition to a new government, many fundamental economic decisions were taken this year by the current administration, which at the end of the day affected the operations, performances, and returns on investment of the various businesses in the period under review. The highlight of the performance of the nation’s economy was the worsening fiscal position as a result of what the World Bank described as Nigeria’s inability to optimise the global oil price rally as the government faces revenue generation challenges amid an increasing debt burden. Consequently, the bank has lowered Nigeria’s 2022 growth forecast to 3.1 per cent from a previous forecast of 3.8 per cent, while a slow growth of 2.9 per cent has been projected for 2023-2024 due to slow economic growth largely caused by dwindling revenue in the oil sector and a weak performance in other areas of the economy. Real gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 3.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first three quarters of 2022, a little more than the annual population growth of 2.6 per cent. In 2022, the unemployment rate in Nigeria is estimated to reach 33 per cent. This figure was projected to be at 32.5 per cent in the preceding year.

Chronological data show that the unemployment rate in Nigeria rose constantly in the past years. The annual inflation rate in Nigeria accelerated for the 10th straight month to 21.47% in November of 2022 from 21.09% in October and above market estimates of 21.15%. Despite these ominous signals, some personalities were able to write their names in gold while others will be remembered for their failed promises and anti-investment dispositions. In this review, Festus Akanbi beams his searchlight on some personalities that shaped the year Aliko Dangote

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, is a quiet man by nature, but his footprints and daring investment decisions are loud and clear. $SDUW IURP KLV PXOWL ELOOLRQ GROODU UHÀQHU\ WKDW LV nearing completion and is attracting media attention almost daily, Dangote has also been getting elaborate media attention for ramping up his investment in the sugar sub-sector which he said will provide 300,000 new jobs.

Also in 2022, he began moves to increase DSR NumanSugarsub-sectorcapacityfrom3,000hectares of cane per day to 6,000tcd, 9800tcd and 15,000tcd.

He also announced the process of committing $ 700 million to invest in the backward integration programme.

The year will also be remembered for the dispute with the Kogi State Government over the ownership of the Dangote Cement’s Obajana Plant. It was a dispute that took the intervention of the Council of State before the Kogi government allowed the cement plant to be reopened. The battle has been taken to court for adjudication.

Femi Otedola

Otedola, a billionaire businessman and Executive Chairman of Geregu Power Plant, is undoubtedly one of the leading lights of the Nigerian business community in 2022. On Wednesday, October 5, *HUHJX 3RZHU PDGH KLVWRU\ DV WKH ÀUVW SRZHU generating company to be listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) with the admittance of 2.5 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N100 per share on the Exchange.

It was also in 2022 that Otedola’s Geregu began acquisition talks with the Fund for Export in Africa, a development arm of the Afreximbank.

Earlier in the year, Otedola, founder of Zenon PetroleumandformerchairmanofForteOilemerged as the single largest shareholder of First Bank when his equity stake rose to 7.5 per cent although a process of gradual divestment has brought his equity stake down to 5.25 per cent.

The story of his 60th birthday, which saw him touring the world in a three-and-a-half week voyage with a rented yacht at the cost of $ 3 million is still

attracting prominent positions on the pages of many Nigerian newspapers.

Godwin Emefiele (PHÀHOH WKH *RYHUQRU RI WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI 1LJHULD &%1 FRQWLQXHG WKH HͿHFWLYH PRQLWRULQJ of the nation’s monetary policy in 2022. Apart from responding to the pervading economic climate through the actions of the Monetary Policy ComPLWWHH (PHÀHOH DOVR HQJDJHG WKH QDWLRQ IURP WLPH to time to explain the direction of the global, and national economy.

However, the two most important policies he rolled out during the year were the Naira Redesign and the Cash withdrawal limits.

The two policies were said to have been informed by the need to insulate the 2023 general election IURP ÀQDQFLDO LQGXFHPHQWV IURP SROLWLFLDQV ZKR JR DERXW RͿHULQJ PRQH\ IRU YRWHV The policies of Naira Redesign and cash withdrawal limits were also put in place to frustrate promoters of other vices like kidnapping and armed robbery, among others.

Yahaya Bello

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello’s combative posture on private investments raised the dust LQ WKH \HDU XQGHU UHYLHZ %\ HͿHFWLQJ WKH FORVXUH RI the Dangote Cement Plant, in an exercise where local vigilantes were directed to shoot and maim some FRPSDQ\·V VWDͿ DQDO\VWV VDLG *RYHUQRU %HOOR·V DFWLRQ will discourage potential investors from choosing the state as their investment destination. One immediate fallout was the decision of Abdul Samad Rabiu’s BUA Group to discontinue the purchase of an expanse of land measuring 50,000 hectares it was invited to procure a decade ago by the Kogi State Government. The property became a subject of discord between the two this year when the Kogi State House of Assembly directed the group to appear before it, insisting no payment has been made to consummate the transaction dating back to 2012.

Karl Toriola 7RULROD LV WKH FXUUHQW &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25 , 2022

19

SPECIAL REPORT Movers and Shakers of Nigeria’s Business and Economy in 2022

Bello

Komolafe

Okoronkwo

Gumel

Sirika

Toriola

Chukwuma

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, which provides EURDGEDQG À[HG ZLUHOHVV DFFHVV WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQ DQG PRELOH ÀQDQFLDO VHUYLFHV LQ 1LJHULD Under his watch, MTN showed its readiness WR RͿHU 1LJHULDQV WKH EHVW RI VHUYLFH ZLWK WKH * WHFKQRORJ\ ZKHQ LW EHFDPH WKH ÀUVW WHOHFRP operator to roll out the 5G technology services on LWV QHWZRUN RQ $XJXVW $QG MXVW UHFHQWO\ 071·V QLQH PRQWK SURÀW VXUJHG LQ GDWD UHYHQXH WR 1 ELOOLRQ ,QGXVWU\ ZDWFKHUV VDLG 7RULROD·V JULW DQG XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI 1LJHULD·V WHOHFRP VHFWRU VKRXOG EH DWWULEXWHG WR WKH LPSUHVVLYH SHUIRUPDQFH

,Q -XQH WKLV \HDU KH OHG 1835& WR DZDUG 3HWUROHXP 3URVSHFWLQJ /LFHQFHV 33/V WR VXFFHVVIXO PDUJLQDO ÀHOGV DZDUGHHV 7KH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW UHDOLVHG RYHU 1 ELOOLRQ DQG PLOOLRQ DV VLJQDWXUH ERQXVHV IURP WKH 0DUJLQDO 2LO )LHOGV %LG H[HUFLVH 7KH FRPPLVVLRQ DOVR R΀FLDOO\ XQYHLOHG WKH +RVW &RPPXQLWLHV 'HYHORSPHQW 5HJXODWLRQV DQG PRGHO 3HWUROHXP 3URVSHFWLQJ /LFHQFHV 33/V

8QLRQ %DQN 3OF DIWHU WKH EDQN ZDV DFTXLUHG E\ WKH 7URSLFDO *HQHUDO ,QYHVWPHQW 7*, *URXS D JOREDO FRQJORPHUDWH RSHUDWLQJ LQ FRXQWULHV DFURVV $IULFD WKH 0LGGOH (DVW DQG $VLD *XPHO LV DQ H[HFXWLYH GLUHFWRU RI 7*, Also in the year under review, Gumel, who LV DOVR WKH &KDLUPDQ RI :DFRW 5LFH IDFLOLWDWHG D smooth agreement between the company and rice JURZHUV LQ .HEEL 6WDWH ZKHUH KLV EDQN 8QLRQ %DQN ZDV HQJDJHG LQ ÀQDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ HͿRUWV ZKHUH ULFH IDUPHUV ZHUH WDNHQ WKURXJK WKH SURFHVV RI YHULÀFDWLRQ DQG UHJLVWUDWLRQ IRU PRELOH EDQNLQJ ,Q WKH /DJRV 6WDWH *RYHUQPHQW VLJQHG DQ DJUHHPHQW ZLWK :$&27 5LFH /LPLWHG D VXEVLGLDU\ RI 7*, *URXS WR PDQDJH WKH ,PRWD ULFH PLOO $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH DJUHHPHQW WKH PHWULF WRQQHV PLOO ZLOO be handed over to the rice-producing company in WKH QH[W IHZ PRQWKV ZLWK FRPPHUFLDO RSHUDWLRQV FRPPHQFLQJ XQGHU WKH FRPSDQ\·V PDQDJHPHQW

VKRW LQWR WKH OLPHOLJKW E\ WKH SHUHQQLDO IXHO FULVHV LQ WKH \HDU $V FRQIXVLRQ UDJHV RYHU RLO GLVWULEXtion and the attendant agitation by Nigerians, 2NRURQNZR ZDV FRPSHOOHG WR VKRZ IDFH LQ WKH PHGLD WR H[SODLQ WKH VLWXDWLRQ WR 1LJHULDQV ZKR EODPHG RLO PDUNHWHUV IRU WKH IXHO VXEVLG\ VFDP DQG WKH IUHTXHQW VFDUFLW\ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV

Tony Elumelu 7KH &KDLUPDQ RI WKH 8QLWHG %DQN IRU $IULFD 8%$ 3OF VKRQH EULOOLDQWO\ LQ DQG LW ZDV QRW a surprise that Elumelu, who is also the Chairman RI +HLUV +ROGLQJV DQG 7RQ\ (OXPHOX )RXQGDWLRQ was bestowed with many awards and honours LQ WKH \HDU XQGHU UHYLHZ 2Q 2FWREHU KH ZDV DPRQJ WKH HPLQHQW FDSWDLQV RI WKH LQGXVWU\ WKDW EDJJHG WKH SUHVWLJLRXV DZDUG RI &RPPDQGHU RI WKH 2UGHU RI WKH )HGHUDO 5HSXEOLF &)5 (DUOLHU WKH EXVLQHVV PRJXO EDJJHG WKH (&2:$6 ([FHOOHQFH $ZDUGV IRU 'HVHUYLQJ &LWL]HQV ,Q (OXPHOX ZDV DOZD\V RQ WKH PRYH WRXULQJ RWKHU $IULFDQ countries as well as showing a presence in world FRPPHUFLDO FDSLWDOV 5LGLQJ RQ WKH EDFN RI WKH 7RQ\ (OXPHOX )RXQGDWLRQ (OXPHOX ZKR KDV FDUYHG D QLFKH LQ SKLODQWKURS\ RQ 'HFHPEHU DQQRXQFHG VWDUW XSV VHOHFWHG IURP $IULFDQ FRXQWULHV IRU LWV entrepreneurship programme with each person UHFHLYLQJ +H ZDV DOVR D SDQHOOLVW DW WKH MXVW FRQFOXGHG 86 $IULFD /HDGHUV 6XPPLW

Jim Ovia 2YLD WKH IRXQGHU DQG &KDLUPDQ RI =HQLWK %DQN 3OF LV D TXLHW PDQ ZKR SUHIHUV WR ZRUN XQGHUJURXQG +H LV WRGD\ UHFRJQLVHG IRU KLV YLVLRQDU\ DFFRPSOLVKments in business and banking in particular, and IRU KLV HͿRUWV WR DFFRPSOLVK VHHPLQJO\ LPSRVVLEOH WDVNV DV GHPRQVWUDWHG E\ WKH VXFFHVV RI =HQLWK %DQN ZKLFK KH IRXQGHG LQ DV ZHOO DV KLV FRPPLWPHQW WR WKH ZHOIDUH RI WKH QDWLRQ DQG LWV SHRSOH %XW KLV EHKHPRWK EDQN =HQLWK KDV FRQWLQXHG WR ZLQ ODXUHOV DQG RXWSHUIRUP LWV SHHUV ,Q WKH EDQN ZDV IRU WKH WK FRQVHFXWLYH \HDU QDPHG the number-one bank in Nigeria by tier-one capital LQ WKH :RUOG %DQN SXEOLVKHG E\ %DQNHUV 0DJD]LQH ,Q DSSUHFLDWLRQ RI KLV HQWUHSUHQHXUVKLS DQG SKLODQWKURS\ 2YLD EDJJHG WKH DZDUG RI WKH &RPPDQGHU RI WKH )HGHUDO 5HSXEOLF &)5 IURP 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL

Gbenga Komolafe .RPRODIH LV WKH FKLHI H[HFXWLYH R΀FHU RI WKH 1LJHULDQ 8SVWUHDP 3HWUROHXP 5HJXODWRU\ &RPPLVVLRQ 1835& 6LQFH ZKHQ KH ZDV DSSRLQWHG .RPRODIH KDV FRQWLQXHG WR SXVK IRU WKH UHIRUP RI WKH FRPmission in line with his promise when he assumed R΀FH 7KH RUJDQLVDWLRQ XQGHU KLV ZDWFK KDV EHHQ SURYLGLQJ DQ HQDEOLQJ HQYLURQPHQW IRU WKH VXVWDLQDEOH GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH FRXQWU\·V K\GURFDUERQ UHVRXUFHV

Hadi Sirika 6LULND 1LJHULD·V 0LQLVWHU RI $YLDWLRQ ZDV LQ WKH QHZV IRU PRVW RI WKH \HDU +LV HͿRUW WR UHÁRDW the grounded Nigerian Airways as Air Nigeria has continued to attract controversies and his GUHDP KDV IDLOHG WR JHW $LU 1LJHULD RͿ WKH JURXQG GHVSLWH VHYHUDO DVVXUDQFHV WR GR VR EHIRUH WKH HQG RI WKLV \HDU )LUVW KH KDV GRPHVWLF DLUOLQH RSHUDWRUV WR FRQWHQG ZLWK DV WKH\ IURZQHG DW VRPH LVVXHV DERXW WKH FKRLFH RI D WHFKQLFDO SDUWQHU IRU WKH SURSRVHG DLUOLQH DQG FHUWDLQ FRQGLWLRQV DWWDFKHG )RU LQVWDQFH LW LV EHOLHYHG WKDW WKH FKRLFH RI Ethiopian Airlines will put the local airlines at D VWURQJ GLVDGYDQWDJH VR DOVR LV WKH \HDU WD[ PRUDWRULXP JLYHQ WR WKH SURSRVHG DLUOLQH $W WKH HQG RI WKH GD\ 6LULND LV VHHQ DV D JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDO who couldn’t match his promise with action since WKH SURSRVHG DLUOLQH FRXOGQ·W WDNH RͿ

Mele Kyari .\DUL WKH *URXS 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU RI WKH 1LJHULDQ 1DWLRQDO 3HWUROHXP &RPSDQ\ 113& /LPLWHG LV DPRQJ JRYHUQPHQW R΀FLDOV ZKR ORRPHG large in the business and economic environment LQ WKH FRXQWU\ LQ $ UHFLSLHQW RI WKH DZDUG RI WKH 2΀FHU RI WKH )HGHUDO 5HSXEOLF 2)5 SUHVHQWHG E\ 3UHVLGHQW 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL WKLV \HDU .\DUL KDV WKH VLQJXODU KRQRXU RI VXSHULQWHQGLQJ WKH WUDQVLWLRQ RI WKH IRUPHU 1LJHULDQ 1DWLRQDO 3HWUROHXP &RUSRUDWLRQ 113& WR D SULYDWLVH VHFWRU HQWLW\ WKLV \HDU +LV HͿRUWV WR ÀJKW RLO WKHIW KDYH \LHOGHG SRVLWLYH UHVXOWV DV GLVFORVHG GXULQJ D PHHWLQJ RI WKH 6HQDWH·V MRLQW FRPPLWWHHV RQ 3HWUROHXP 8SVWUHDP DQG 'RZQVWUHDP DQG *DV WKDW ´ZLWKLQ VL[ ZHHNV LOOHJDO UHÀQHULHV KDYH EHHQ GHDFWLYDWHG UHVHUYRLUV GHVWUR\HG PHWDO WDQNV GHVWUR\HG WUXFNV VHL]HG DQG D IRXU NLORPHWUH LOOHJDO RLO FRQQHFWLRQ OLQH IURP )RUFDGRV 7HUPLQDO LQWR WKH VHD ² ZKLFK KDG EHHQ LQ RSHUDWLRQ XQGHWHFWHG IRU QLQH \HDUV ² GHWHFWHG µ 7KHVH HͿRUWV KDYH UDPSHG XS SURGXFWLRQ WR PLOOLRQ EDUUHOV SHU GD\ Against all odds, he was able to champion UHIRUPV LQ WKH XSVWUHDP VHFWRU VXVWDLQ RLO RXWSXW boost its subsidiary, implement the National Gas ([SDQVLRQ SURMHFW $.. SLSHOLQH SURMHFW 1/1* 7UDLQ ),' IDFLOLWDWH SRZHU SURMHFWV H΀FLHQW FUXGH RLO OLIWLQJ FRQWUDFWV DQG XOWLPDWHO\ LQVWLO WUDQVSDUHQF\ LQ WKH FRUSRUDWLRQ

Farouk Gumel ,Q *XPHO WKH &KDLUPDQ RI WKH 1LJHULDQ 6RYHUHLJQ ,QYHVWPHQW $XWKRULW\ 16,$ ZDV YHU\ active in the investment, banking and agricultural VHFWRUV RI WKH HFRQRP\ +H EHFDPH &KDLUPDQ RI

Folorunsho Alakija :LWK KHU LQYHVWPHQWV VSUHDG DFURVV YDULRXV VHFWRUV RI WKH HFRQRP\ 0UV )RORUXQVKR $ODNLMD ZDV DEOH WR PDNH KHU SUHVHQFH IHOW LQ WKH 1LJHULDQ EXVLQHVV DQG HFRQRP\ LQ :LWK )ORXULVK $IULFD WKH ZRPHQ HPSRZHUPHQW PRYHPHQW VKH IRXQGHG VL[ \HDUV DJR $ODNLMD GLVFORVHG WKLV \HDU WKDW VKH plans to provide them with the skills needed to PDQDJH VXFFHVVIXO DQG ÀQDQFLDOO\ YLDEOH EXVLQHVVHV 7KLV \HDU VKH DQQRXQFHG WKH ÀUVW EDWFK RI IHPDOH HQWUHSUHQHXUV DQG EHQHÀFLDULHV RI WKH )ORXULVK $IULFD EXVLQHVV DQG OLIH VNLOOV WUDLQLQJ SURJUDPPH $ODNLMD WKH YLFH FKDLUPDQ RI )DPID 2LO /WG sometimes in May, urged the Nigerian government to prevail on banks in the country to reduce their stringent requirements to support and enable 60(V WR WKULYH DQG FRQWULEXWH WR WKH HFRQRP\ 6KH GHFODUHG RSHQ KHU ÁRRU HGLÀFH )$0)$ 7RZHUV VDLG WR FRVW RYHU 1 ELOOLRQ WKLV \HDU 7KH SURSHUW\ ZDV VDLG WR KDYH EHHQ VHOI ÀQDQFHG E\ WKH RLO W\FRRQ ZLWK QR ORDQV IURP DQ\ EDQN $OOHQ 2Q\HPD 2Q\HPD WKH &KDLUPDQ DQG &(2 RI $LU 3HDFH :KHQ $OOHQ 2Q\HPD FRQFHLYHG WKH LGHD RI ÁRDWLQJ DQ DLUOLQH KLV SULPDU\ YLVLRQ ZDV WR FUHDWH MREV +LV VHFRQGDU\ IRFXV ZDV WR ELUWK D QHZ LGHRORJ\ RI H[FHOOHQFH LQ WKH DYLDWLRQ LQGXVWU\ DQG KLV WHUWLDU\ JRDO ZDV WR SXW 1LJHULD RQ WKH JOREDO DYLDWLRQ PDS Today, he has created not only the biggest airline LQ :HVW DQG &HQWUDO $IULFD EXW DOVR WKH ODUJHVW MRE RSSRUWXQLWLHV LQ 1LJHULD·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Ϳ

Kyari

Abdul Samad Rabiu 5DELX IRXQGHU DQG FKDLUPDQ RI %8$ *URXS $IULFD·V OHDGLQJ IRRGV PLQLQJ DQG LQIUDVWUXFWXUH conglomerate dominated the Nigerian business landscape in 2022 with his bold business decisions DQG KLV XQFRPPRQ SKLODQWKURS\ 7KLV H[SODLQHG WKH KDUYHVW RI DZDUGV EHVWRZHG RQ KLV FRPSDQ\ DW WKH MXVW FRQFOXGHG WK HGLWLRQ RI WKH 6XVWDLQDELOLW\ (QWHUSULVH DQG 5HVSRQVLELOLW\ 6(5$6 &65 $ZDUGV LQ /DJRV %8$ *URXS ZRQ WKUHH DZDUGV IRU ´%HVW &RPSDQ\ LQ ,QIUDVWUXFWXUH 'HYHORSPHQWµ ´%HVW &RPSDQ\ LQ 6RFLDO ,PSDFW +XPDQ &DSLWDO 'HYHORSPHQWµ DQG ´,PSDFW ,QYHVWRU RI 7KH <HDUµ IRU LWV HFRQRPLF DQG KXPDQ FDSLWDO GHYHORSPHQW DFURVV $IULFD ZKLOH 5DELX EDJJHG WKH ´&(2 RI WKH <HDUµ DZDUG IRU KLV H[HPSODU\ OHDGHUVKLS UROH SKLODQWKURS\ DQG SRVLWLYH LPSDFW DFURVV 6XE 6DKDUD $IULFD ,Q WKH ODWWHU SDUW RI WKH \HDU %8$ )RRGV OLVWHG 1 ELOOLRQ VKDUHV RQ WKH PDLQ ERDUG RI WKH 1LJHULDQ ([FKDQJH /LPLWHG 1*; The business magnate also delved into the education sector ZKHQ KH VHFXUHG WKH IHGHUDO JRYHUQPHQW·V DSSURYDO IRU WKH HVWDEOLVKPHQW RI .KDOLID ,VL\DNX 5DELX 8QLYHUVLW\ .DQR $OVR WKLV \HDU %8$ )RRGV 3OF D VXEVLGLDU\ RI %8$ *URXS VDLG LW ZRXOG FRPPHQFH ULFH SURGXFWLRQ LQ WKH VHFRQG KDOI RI According to the company, the rice business is H[SHFWHG WR UHFRPPHQFH ZLWK D 07 SHU GD\ FDSDFLW\ DQG IXWXUH H[SDQVLRQ SODQV WDUJHW D WRWDO FDSDFLW\ RI 07 SHU GD\ 5HFHQWO\ KH GRQDWHG D ZKRSSLQJ VXP RI 1 ELOOLRQ 1LJHULD 6HFXULW\ 6XSSRUW )XQG IURP KLV $EGXO 6DPDG 5DELX $IULFD ,QLWLDWLYH $65 $IULFD WRZDUGV WKH SURYLVLRQ RI VRPH VHFXULW\ HTXLSPHQW PHGLFDO DQG RWKHU VXSSOLHV XSJUDGH RI KHDOWK IDFLOLWLHV DQG RWKHU LQIUDVWUXFWXUH IRU IDPLOLHV RI WKRVH RQ WKH IURQWOLQHV

Innocent Chukwuma

Chukwuma, a business magnate and investor, is WKH IRXQGHU DQG &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU RI ,QQRVRQ 9HKLFOH 0DQXIDFWXULQJ 1LJHULD·V ÀUVW LQGLJHQRXV DXWRPRELOH PDQXIDFWXULQJ FRPSDQ\ +LV FRPSDQ\ ZDV UHFHQWO\ FHOHEUDWHG IRU VXFFHVVIXOO\ GHOLYHULQJ WR 6LHUUD /HRQH WKH ÀUVW EDWFK RI ,90 EDGJHG YHKLFOHV RUGHUHG E\ WKDW FRXQWU\·V JRYHUQPHQW There is no doubt that Chukwuma has been making laudable contributions to the growth and GHYHORSPHQW RI WKH DXWRPRWLYH VHFWRU DQG WKH QDWLRQ·V HFRQRP\ 7RGD\ ,QQRVRQ SURGXFHV 689V 6DORQ &DUV WUXFNV OX[XU\ FDUV EXVHV PLQL EXVHV DV ZHOO WULF\FOHV +H UHFHQWO\ GLVFORVHG KLV SODQ WR HVWDEOLVK D SODQW LQ 2ZHUUL ZKLFK KH GHVFULEHG DV WKH ,QQRVRQ·V FRUSRUDWH SROLF\ RI HPSRZHULQJ WKH Chinedu Okoronkwo 2NRURQNZR WKH 3UHVLGHQW RI WKH ,QGHSHQGHQW \RXWK DV D PHDQV RI GHHSHQLQJ DXWR WHFKQRORJ\ 0DUNHWHUV $VVRFLDWLRQ RI 1LJHULD ,30$1 ZDV LQ WKH FRXQWU\

20

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 25, 2022

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Perspectives On Wealth and Money Matters What does wealth mean to you? Is it just having a fat bank account? Or are there some other hidden components? As we wrap up the year, we just thought we should share the thoughts of some members of our League of Wealth Masters on what they think wealth really means. And some thoughts about money too, including making money, managing it, multiplying it and making it count. Please enjoy and do have a fun-filled Christmas.

M

oney is not wealth but an illusion that diminishes in value while wealth is lasting and lives for many generations. Money disappears from those that lack the knowledge of wealth creation

things that I know at least a little about. My motivation for investment has never really been about money. I am motivated more by a desire to use my knowledge, experience, contacts and relationships to help a younger person get ahead.

It is, therefore, not an accident that most of my investments are with young entrepreneurs and start-ups. I will give them a bit of money, but more valuable than the money I give them are my time, access to me and my network, hand-holding them, and mentoring them.

PROFESSOR THEOPHILUS OGUNLESI

Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi, 99, the first Nigerian Professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan (UI), is the father of Bayo Ogunlesi, one of the wealthy businessmen based in the United States of America.

He says, “A lot of people have a wrong interpretation of what wealth really means. So, they believe that being wealthy means having a lot of money in one’s bank account. That could be an aspect of wealth. But to me, real wealth means being fulfilled in the assignment God has committed into your hands and being able to put smiles on the faces of other people who are in need. I am not a businessman in the Nigerian sense of the word, but my lifelong business has been, and still is to take care of the sick, promote health and prevent sickness through health education, and help the poor and the needy as best as I can. That to me is success. That is real wealth.”

BUNMI ONI

Bunmi Oni, a former Managing Director of Cadbury PLC, currently lectures at the University of Lagos Postgraduate School.

Ogunlesi

Adedoyin

Ezekwesili

SAMUEL ADEDOYIN

Dr Samuel Adedoyin is a topmost industrialist in Nigeria with business interests that cut across banking, real estate, import and export and hospitality, among others.

GOD OWNS THE SECRETS TO WEALTH. This is one secret I discovered early in life, and I want to say that it is responsible for the little success I have achieved. At the beginning of the whole venture, I did not look like someone who would succeed. In fact, many people, including relatives and close friends, wrote me off initially.

But I discovered this truth: the secrets of making money belong to God. For anyone who wishes to be successful, the first step is to know God, obey Him, serve Him and praise Him in everything.

That is what can take you into wealth, health and long life. When you know God and you ask Him for the things you want, He will give them to you. Mind you, I did not say when you know God, you will not have challenges in life.

You will, but you will always overcome such challenges and difficulties.

Everybody has what God has prepared for him. The problem we have is that some of us are in the wrong places. Ask God to show you that thing, which when you touch it, will turn into gold.

FEMI PEDRO

Femi Pedro is a banker, business owner, investor and politician of some sort with business interests that cut across banking, real estate and hospitality.

MONEY IS NOT WEALTH Money is not wealth but an illusion that diminishes in value while wealth is lasting and lives for many generations. Money disappears from those that lack the knowledge of wealth creation. Wealth flows from the income you generate from your wealth instruments. A lot of people who have mistaken money for wealth will have themselves to blame because they will find themselves in the poverty trap sooner or later.

Moreover, people need to understand that good education, intelligence and talent are not passports to wealth if one lacks the knowledge of wealth creation. Young people should learn this early.

BE WILLING TO TAKE RISKS Your hard-earned money is not the money you take home as a salary but what you make out of your investments. Whoever is afraid of taking risks will never accomplish anything substantial in his lifetime. You need an investment adviser.

Between 1988 and 2002, I had two investment advisers that I relied on. If you want to hedge your risks, your investment adviser will tell you.

Some stocks are called blue chips because they have been around for a long time and survived

Oni

Sulaiman

hard times and are still thriving. That is why they are blue chips, and their stocks are high. You are not likely to lose your investments with them. A lot of people that lose money in the capital market do so because they do not use experts. They tried to do it alone. Basically, investing is a vocation and habit because you must be consistent. You must have passion for it to understand it and you must use experts to play in that market.”

PAT UTOMI

Professor Pat Utomi is a scholar, political activist and boardroom guru, sitting on the boards of a few companies in Nigeria.

IMAGINATION WILL TAKE YOU FARTHER THAN MONEY WILL Money is the most fungible of assets that can be converted into another kind of asset. It is something that can help you accelerate the pace of accomplishing something, but on its own, can accomplish very little in terms of real value. Imagination will take you farther than money will take you. Money is a facilitator and not an end itself. There are many people who have a lot of money and live in misery.

INVEST IN PEOPLE Investment in people is much more important than investment in stocks. As any of these people creates wealth, there is an increase in the pool for the whole society. Yes, many will be ungrateful and will never come back to you, but like in venture capital, if it is only one that is grateful and comes back, it pays for all others.

DON’T EAT YOUR PROFIT BEFORE IT IS EARNED Some people project their profit and begin to spend it in advance. This is the reason you have

Utomi many people who were rich yesterday, but today are poor. Also, integrity is the most important asset in business. The day you lose it, you’ve lost everything.

DOTUN SULAIMAN

Adedotun Sulaiman is a renowned management consultant and a boardroom guru with interests in close to over 20 companies.

I AM NOT DRIVEN BY MONEY I never spend all my money. Never. I also live within my means and don’t indulge in consumption patterns or a lifestyle I cannot sustain. Consequently, I don’t know what it is like to be broke. While I will continue to invest, I do have a few indulgences, like my investment in a fairly substantial art collection of mostly Nigerian and African Art. But basically, money doesn’t mean that much to me. Money, for me, is a measure of the reward that you get if you do something right. What it does for me, apart from meeting basic needs, is the confidence it provides that you can meet your needs and afford a few luxuries within reasonable limits, and of course, the absence of anxiety about not being able to meet them. The more money you have, the more you should realise that you don’t really need that much to live a decent life. Beyond that, money should be used to do good, to touch the lives of the less privileged or less endowed.

I believe I will do well with a lot of money, but will also do as well, be happy, and content with very little money. I don’t think money can ever change my essence.

DON’T INVEST IN WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW. One of my golden investment rules is that I do not invest in anything I don’t know much about.

If it is too esoteric, specialised, and not in my area of expertise, I just will not go there. I invest in

YOU NEED TO LEARN ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT My principle on money is mainly that money is a means, not an end. It is good to have it, provided it does not have you, and maintaining that balance requires discipline. This is where my Christian faith provides the lead. You need to get your spouse involved all the way. In this regard, I believe I have better skills in money management than my wife even if I say so.

PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER WORK I had a retirement plan but couldn’t describe it as sound. I left more of the savings than I should have in a current account instead of having it work for me. I learned the virtues of saving long ago and tried to be guided by the principle to live on no more than 80 per cent of my income, and the rest spread over other commitments - retirement savings, tithe, contingency or the unexpected. Of course, this wasn’t always possible, especially when all children were in tertiary institutions and mortgage payments had to be made.

Managing investments was something I did not do well until I left office. I later built a structure that works for us - smarten up the investment and get a good spread across asset classes; set a deposit that generates interest to finance day-to-day expenses. Others include planning for children’s weddings (I cannot claim I was caught unawares!), insurance, medicals, routine maintenance around the house, and of course, vacation. It’s good to set out all known expenses and decide precisely how each will be met while having your eye on the unexpected.

Come to think of it, we spend a third of our lives in retirement. That’s a long time and we must plan for the period. Therefore, three basic questions to ask: where will you live? What will you live on? And how will you keep mentally and physically fit? On the latter, it’s good to do something new like learning a new language or playing the piano, doing puzzles like Sudoku. In addition, I decided to teach postgraduate courses on a part-time basis.

OBY EZEKWESILI

Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education in Nigeria, is an economic policy expert and political activist of some sort.

INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE IS IT FOR ME I see money as a means to an end. I don’t see it as an end. I see money as an exchange to get other kinds of goods and services. So, I say rather than having investment in an account, I would invest in what we regard in Economics as translating from one form of capital to a higher form of capital. One rule of investment for me is that if that money can go into somebody’s education, I would rather use it to invest in that human capital.

Also, money will never be my God. Money can never be the reason I wake up and go to bed and that’s not because I have anything significant.

No. It is because it simply has no rule over me. I cannot accumulate money from unjust gain because unjust gain has its consequence; neither will I have money without purpose. What it means is money must be purposeful in my life. It must go into serving people beyond me.

Again, I must have what is called rainy season money for emergencies, and finally, I must invest in myself.

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OPI NION

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T H I S D AY MONDAYSunday MARCH 2022 2022 25 14, December, Vol 27. No 10120

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

2023: YEAR OF WAR AND RECESSION

Some 811 million people in a warring world, will sleep hungry at night, writes RAJENDRA ANEJA

See Page 29

TIME TO RIDE THE LAGOS TRAINS

TUNDE AJAYI reckons the completion of the first phase of the 27kilometer Blue Line is a milestone

See Page 29

EDITORIAL

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS!

See Page 30

Christmas is not a celebration of wealth, argues BANJI OJEWALE

M

RE-CRUCIFYING CHRIST AT CHRISTMAS

arching Jesus Christ boisterously to Golgotha for another experience of execution, excoriation and extirpation is exactly what we attempt to do every Yuletide.

Although we gather ostensibly to celebrate His birth, what we really end up with is what we did that sent Him to the agony of Calvary.

We shut out t he Lord Who bore the death penalty we deserve as we drive ourselves into revelry not His will. We engage in epicurean feasts when we fail to reckon with what He commands: Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. As we ignore His word in the season’s ceremonies, we also look down on the friends of Jesus, the poor, the poached and the pricked. These pauperised of the society are our modern-day lepers, sentenced to a station of life away from enduring joy. But at Christmas, we lure them into our fold as objects of exhibitionist philanthropy. There’s hyped media blitz to record a one-off show of orgy where these hard-up citizens are sumptuously fed by the wealthy. The underclass can’t resist the rich people’s tempting culinary offering, having for long been starved and denied the goodies of life by the policy run of a coalition of greedy government operatives and oppressive private capital employers, who both smartly corner state resources to stupendously enrich themselves, families and cronies. In the process of this wealth manipulation and concentration in the custody of a few, the larger section of the country is dispossessed and branded the underprivileged. They are recognised as special citizens at Xmas. Our leaders (and their wives) along with non-state actors stage big parties to ‘honour’ these compatriots at orphanages, old people’s facilities, prisons, churches, homes for the disabled, etc., to present a veneer of love and care, to create an ambience of empathising and identifying with their plight. Unfortunately, the destitute also get sunk in the mire of false affection in the name of Christmas. While these poor have the opportunity to be at such wild festivities, they also arrange mini feasts at home and in their neighborhood. They save a fortuneduring the year and squander it in December. The month then becomes a slaughter season that consumes all their lot. The smart alecs of commerce are at their expropriating best at Christmas. They push pyrrhic promotional sales deals that drain your savings to leave you dazed and drunk, wondering where you kept your thinking cap when you met these smooth talkers.

You discover they’ve made you lose your precious money in exchange for tinsel. Where is Jesus in all these? He is missing. Certainly not anywhere close to our wanton abandon and dancing. Nor in our spending binge that adds nothing to the high spiritual calling He demands from humanity. He can’t be where the masses aren’t, where His friends are placed in the margins as they wait to be dropped altogether from the evanescent picture after

Christmas. The point is that Christ came to die for our sinful excesses, which attracted God’s anger and wages (death).

However, Christ pacified God with His proxy death, preceded by an agonising torture on the tree at Calvary. This, with His subsequent resurrection, is not only meant to deliver us from eternal punishment, but also to clean us up from carnal superfluities as we repose total faith in Him and obey all His laws as humble disciples.

This is the irreducible and non-negotiable message His coming brought mankind. It was the greatest age in the history of man. The angel that first took the news to the shepherds at night at Christ’s birth was himself ecstatic, saying, ‘’… behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people….”

He was later to be joined by ‘’a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.’’ For man to access this promised bouquet of “good tidings of great joy…peace, (and) good will toward men”, we

We are to solemnise the season by honouring the Celebrant. We can’t seize the day from Him by throwing unruly parties, which give way to lewd gyrations that in turn degenerate into breaking of bottles to be used as weapons to settle scores

must reassess our perspectives on Christmas.

It isn’t to be replaced with a celebration of our wealth. It isn’t to be marked by gluttony.

Nor must it be a time to distinguish between the plebeian and patrician. If we agree it’s an event of God’s creation, we must, therefore, not hesitate to insist on abiding by His demands on how to observe or commemorate it. First, we are to solemnise the season by honouring the Celebrant. We can’t seize the day from Him by throwing unruly parties, which give way to lewd gyrations that in turn degenerate into breaking of bottles to be used as weapons to settle scores. In most cases, there have been fatalities. We cause Him a new death-dealing anguish as He watches us renounce the peace He offers.

Second, we need to demonetise Christmas celebration. Why must my financial status determine the state of my happiness, if my hope is in a Lord Who has promised us a more prosperous world to come? The joy Christ gives isn’t dependent on the works of man. It isn’t propped by external or tangible possessions. It is ethereal, seeking a union with celestial properties. As crucial as money is in man’s affairs, it isn’t a strategic factor. Third, our leaders, temporal and spiritual, must desist from their fake love of the poor which they put up at Christmas. Let their love not be a seasonal affair.

There must be an all-year and permanent order that brings joy to our people. Jesus says He came not to give man fleeting or ordinary life; He came that we “might have it (life) more abundantly”. Jesus Christ has left Golgotha, the dreary “place of a skull”, behind Him. He did so many centuries ago after successfully concluding the work of rescuing fallen man, never to return there. He doesn’t want us to replay the sins that led Him there. This Christmas, and every day, we the people and our leaders can align with His wishes by refraining from the competitive desires and the deadly rat-race spirit of the period.

Ojewale writes from Ota, Ogun State

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T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 25, 2022

Some 811 million people in a warring world, will sleep hungry at night, writes RAJENDRA ANEJA

2023: YEAR OF WAR AND RECESSION

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TIME TO RIDE THE LAGOS TRAINS TUNDE AJAYI reckons the completion of the first phase of the 27- kilometer Blue Line is a milestone

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30

T H I S D AY SUNDAY DECEMBER 25, 2022

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS!

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

31

GLITZ ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrating Tinsel Through the Decades Stories by Vanessa Obioha

A few cast members of Tinsel

Awards. The show is also the first series to embark on a multi-cam studio shoot in Nigeria. One of its most respected and oldest cast members, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, also won the 2022 AMVCAs Industry Merit award.‘Tinsel’ was initially launched in 2008. The producers have reimagined it several times, drawing audiences in with its intriguing storyline, which speaks to love, influence and scandal set against the backdrop of the Nigerian film industry. ‘Through The Decades: A Tinsel Story’ follows all the changes, faces, improvements, and even losses the show has experienced over the 14 years it’s been airing on television.

“This show has maintained its status as one of Africa’s most successful drama series for about 14 years,” said Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, Dr Busola Tejumola.

“This is not a small feat, and I believe our audience continues to tune in to watch the series every weekday because it shows you real life, real people, and everyday circumstances. It feels like people are generally living their lives on TV. We are indeed happy to hit the 3500th episode mark of this stellar series. At MultiChoice, we hope to continue growing and promoting local content and talents and expanding the boundaries of African film and television production as we have done all these years with ‘Tinsel’.”

The show has over the years served as a major launchpad for many of Africa’s best-known faces on television, including Gideon Okeke, Osas Ighodaro, Damilola Adegbite, Chris Attoh, Timini Egbuson, Joseph Benjamin, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Femi Jacobs, and many others. Interestingly the show has also imitated life and created many cast love stories between stars. Couples like The Suleimans (Linda Ejiofor and Ibrahim Suleiman) and The Ukechukwus (Iyke Ukechukwu and Florence Uwaleke) have emerged from the show. ‘Tinsel’ still features many established Nollywood actors like Iretiola Doyle, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Yul Edochie, Abayomi Alvin, and many more.

On Thursday, December 22, Africa M agic celebrated the 3500th episode of ‘Tinsel’ with a special documentary titled ‘Through The Decades: A Tinsel Story’.

This officially made ‘Tinsel’ Africa’s longest-running and most successful drama series.

The documentary was a unique feature that highlights the journey of the trailblazer through the eyes of its creators, stakeholders, cast and crew as it celebrates its 15th Season and

3500th Episode. It featured current and past cast members of the show, current and past MNET/Africa Magic stakeholders, the original content creator of ‘Tinsel’ and pioneer producers of the show; as well as key industry icons like Joke Silva, Tade Ogidan, Tunde Kelani, Richard Mofe-Damijo, and more.

‘Tinsel’ is not only the longest-running show on television. It still ranks during its time slot and recently won an award at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice

Iyke Bede

Prime Lagos Show Debuts

In an evening marked by bright festive lights, runway fashion, and musical extravaganza, the outdoor space of the Prime Chinese Restaurant (PCR) nestled in Victoria Island, Lagos, was transformed into a gathering of fashion enthusiasts and music lovers for the maiden edition of the Prime Lagos Show (PLS).

Conceived by PCR and set into motion by creative agency Oxygen, the PLS is a yearly event that will showcase young creatives, positioning them to advance their careers beyond the shores of local entertainment to the international scene. PLS hopes to attain this goal by serving as a conduit for creatives and key figures in the international markets.

Budding Nigerian singer Uto Rosman, accompanied by two dancers donned in an all-denim ensemble, delivered an energetic performance of her single ‘Ozugo’ to kick off activities, earning acclaim.

Singers Cabrini, and Akunna evoked similar reactions from the audience as well.

With the fashion shows serving as interludes, audiences were introduced to the different thematic

pieces from fashion houses like Hellerose, Haya, Abitoye, McSteve”69, Anasams Collections, and Mabel Opara.

The event culminated in a fierce faceoff where 10 disc jockeys (DJs) battled for the star prize of N300,000. The gruelling process produced DJ Victoria (Victoria Ereuchalu) as the champion of the DJ Competition. DJ Yinka (Adeyinka Ogunbiade) clinched the first runner-up prize of N150,000.

Eliciting a standing ovation from the crowd, physically challenged DJ Schoolboy (Anaka Emmanuel) beat seven other contestants to emerge second runner-up.

“What we are doing tonight is about giving back,” head organiser of PLS, Princewill Uche noted. “We know these are kids with raw talents. So, when we identify a

fashion designer who has creativity, we will absorb and encourage them. As for the models, some will gain access to walk international runways. But with the DJ category, we place prize money on it. We intend to get them into a recording studio where we empower them, polish them, and send them out to the world.”

Meanwhile, Stan Mukoro, an automotive entrepreneur who was instrumental to the meteoric rise of the Aramanda fashion brand in the international fashion market explained that PLS inspires creatives to think globally in terms of monetizing content.

“There is no limit to talent. If there is anybody in this country that can raise someone from here to think globally, this is what Oxygen does,” Mukoro asserted.

DJ Burn Quest to Spread Love through Music Rebecca Ejifoma

Funmilola Akinsanya, better known by his stage name DJ Burn is an American-based hip-hop gospel and rap artiste with a finesse for his calling.

From Felele Straight in Ibadan the Oyo State capital to the U.S., DJ Burn has continued to rock his role seamlessly as a producer, songwriter, activist and CEO of Ascent Entertainment, Inc. Registered in the US. He began to drool over music as a young child.

“I fell in love with music at age nine,” he recounted.

“Since then, I sang lyrics on CDs along with musicians like Big L, 2 Pac, Biggy, LL Cool J and so on.”

Interestingly, he took to writing, singing and rapping his songs at 14. “I also started creating my instrumentals in my high school days.”

However, the DJ swung into professional music in February 1998 when he got to the US to pursue music. And his passion for contemporary gospel and rap music is uncompromised. “Rap gives finesse to my music and also lifts the souls of my audience. Since the release of this audio, Winner, the song has been a blessing to many.

“We’ve received several testimonies and we give thanks to God for each testimony received.”

Taking a stroll down memory lane, the artiste admitted. “I was once a gangster in the States before Jesus got my heart,” he expressed.”Now I am passionate about Jesus and the

vision of my music ministry is to inspire, encourage, support, and bring out the best in people and see them fulfil their purpose in Christ.”

The DJ also noted that he reflects his vision and passion for the work of Christ in his music ministry, creative arts, media ministry as well as lyrical writing. “Music is food to the soul, so I evolve constantly to ensure that my fanbase gets the best value from my music,” he expressed.

Although a gospel singer, DJ Burn aspires to collaborate with Wizkid. “I respect him and appreciate him for putting Afrobeats on the global map. I also look forward to my music being played for Hip-hop fans worldwide. I have confidence in myself and I know I can. I have what it takes to make it in the music industry,” he enthused gleefully.

One thing that the producer is thankful for is his teeming fans. He isn’t only grateful for their support and encouragement through the years, but he is also thrilled to have their love which is spurring him to do more.

To budding singers, he gave his two cents. “I just want to let them know that consistency will always produce results.

Don’t give up. Keep working on yourself. Before you know it, you’ll get there. The sky is your starting point.”

For DJ Burn, the players in the music industry should aid the growth of one another. He, however, frowns at the unhealthy competition, saying, “It should be avoided at all costs. There is enough space in the sky for everyone to soar. This is why some 2023, our record label “Ascent Entertainment, Inc.” has the vision to help upcoming artistes in Nigeria and beyond.”

DJ Burn

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 25, 2022 • T H I S D AY

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25, 2022

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INTERNATIONAL From Lagos Metroline to Lagos Blue Rail: Lessons from International Intrigues and National Chicanery

LML and the LRMT TheLMLandtheLRMThavemanythingsincommonbutdifferences in approach: dependence on foreign technical skills, foreign funding, domestic challenges, etc. First, let us investigate some of the domestic challenges, especially as they relate to institutional corruption and chicanery.The contract for the construction of the LML was conceived in 1980 and calls for international bids were advertised. French and Japanese companies were the two shortlisted consortia.The contract was first awarded in principle to the Japanese consortium, Mitsui, in June 1980, at a cost of N370 million only, while the French offered to build the LML at a cost of N590 million. Based on this, the contract was given to the Japanese because it was considered quite cheaper.

However, when in June 1981 Governor Lateef Jakande called for a second international tender in order to determine the definitive contract price of the LML project, France not only maintained its initial cost of N590m, the Japanese consortium increased its own from N370m to N500.24m, which in any way, is still lesser than the French quotation by N89.26 million. Based on this, the contract was finally awarded to the Mitsui but which could not do the job. The unhappiness of Governor Jakande was manifest in his reaction: the Japanese consortium could not ‘honour the terms of the contract signed in June 1981. By late September, the Japanese consortium which had signed a contract for the construction of a 28.5 kilometre length of mass transit between Marina and Agege for about N600 million was asking for a contract price of over N400 million for a 10.5 kilometre length spanning Marina and Yaba. The contract with the Japanese was consequently terminated.’ This was the factor that paved the way for the French consortium to be reconsidered for the construction of the LML in September 1982.

The cost of executing the LML project by the French was increased to N689.45m to accommodate price increases from 1981-1983, which is N99.5m more than the N590 million initially quoted, for the whole

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VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

Sanwo-Olu in the train lengthof28.5kilometres. Nonetheless,itisstillcheaperthanthe Japanese quotation of N400m for the construction of only 10.5 kilometres, which only covered 36% of the 28.5 kilometres. By initially accepting to construct the LML at a cost of N600m and by wanting to construct 10.5 kilometres for N400m, it simply means that the Japanese were asking for a total building cost of N1,085.7 million (vide Bola A. Akinterinwa, Nigeria and France, 1960-1995: The dilemma of Thirty-five Years of Relationship (Ibadan:Vantage Publishers, 1999, p. 161 et s, for more details).

True, the LRMT is not the same thing as the LML, especially in termsoftheirspecifications,operationalmodalitiesandtransfer of technical skills to Nigerians.The LML had 19 stations which were to be spaced at an interval of 1.5 km from one another.

The platforms were to be 140 metres in length and six metres in width. The LML was to be run on a commercial velocity of 40 kilometres per hour. 30 trains were provided for and each train was to have six fully air-conditioned, 22-metre long coaches or 1900 seats. 85,000 people were to be transported on an elevated rail viaduct in one hour and one million people per day. As explained by Lateef Jakande himself,‘the journey from Yaba to Lagos would take 15 minutes, while Agege to Lagos would be done in 40 minutes.Thus, the 30 trains could carry 57,000 commuters at a time in one direction within 15 minutes or 40 minutes as the case may be.’

The LRMT has a distant and immediate origin. The distant genesis is the failed LML which generated much hope and enthusiasm but to no avail.The immediate origin is the consideration in 2000 of Bola AhmedTinubu, the APC standard bearer that the idea of the LML ought to be revisited. In anticipation of the LML revival, AhmedTinubu’s administration developed the StrategicTransport Master Plan (STMP).The STMP laid the

Thinking before decision-making is quite better than learning bitter lessons from self-made shoddy decisions after events. For instance, which one should take priority: condoning expensiveness of projects or long-term gains of project viability? The management of the LRMT must learn lessons from the failure of the LML. If the first section of the LML was scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 1986 and phase 2 was to be opened in 1987, but both schedules were to no avail, what is the extent of sustainability of the LRMT in light of the deepening inclemency of the environmental conditionings in the country? Will the LRMT have some park-and-ride facilities provided for in the LML project, such as in Agege, Ijaiye, Oregun, Yaba stations? What efforts are being made to prevent a recurrence of the Governor Mudashiru experience? Without doubt, living in Nigeria is toughening on daily basis. Coup-making is on the increase in the West African region in spite of the ECOWAS and African Union’s policy of non-acceptance of change of government by unconstitutional means. Many people do not believe that a new coup can happen in Nigeria after more than two decades of democracy. But what if it happens and another military governor of Lagos rescinds the Fourth Mainland Bridge project? The need to sustain democracy by all means has therefore become a desideratum to ensure continuity of national unity and economic recovery.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happier New Year

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hoddy thinking, inadequate thinking processes before decision-taking, and not only thinking seriously after events, but also allowing ethno-religious bigotry to overshadow objectivity of purpose in nation-building efforts, largely explain why Nigeria cannot develop the way other countries do and why Nigeria has become a problem unto herself. Explained differently, many Nigerians are far-sighted, very forward-looking developmentally, but are compelled to retrogress because of ethnic bigotry, religious chauvinism, politico-military rascality and socio-cultural jingoism.

This was a major background to the making and failure of the Lagos Metro line (LML) under Alhaji Lateef Jakande before its transition to the Lagos Rail MassTransit (LRMT) Blue Line under Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governors.

True enough, Lagos was not the first city to seek to have a mass transit rail system in Africa.The Maghrebin Union countries of Northern Africa have had either tram ways, rail line or metro lines before the Lateef Jakande initiative. For example, Egypt has the oldest metro rail system, comprising three lines, the first of which was opened in 1987 and the third of which is expected to be opened in 2024. The third line is being funded by the French and the European Union.

The fourth and fifth lines are already under development planning.

While Egypt conceived its metro line in 1983 with the establishment of a National Authority forTunnels, Algeria conceived its own in 1980 but completed its first line in 2011. Again, while Egypt runs on about 110kms of track, Algeria’s metro line runs on 18.8 km with fourteen trains. Additionally, Tunisia has a light-rail system and Morocco has one that is being developed by the French tramway company, Alstom.

Addis Ababa has a light rail started in 2015. Uganda is constructing its own with Chinese funding. Even though Nigeria is still lagging behind in a world of rail mass transit in Africa, the LRMT is now a major source of new inspirations.

Fair enough too, the LML was similarly conceived by the administration of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande in the early 1980s, when he was Governor of Lagos State. The Maghrebin countries began their metro line dreams in the early 1980s, at the same time with Lagos State in Nigeria. However, the dream of an LML was killed, while the Maghrebin dreams have theirs actualised. If Nigeria’s dream of an LML failed, basically because of politico-economic myopia and military irrationalities from which Nigerians have suffered severely, this policy recklessness must never be the portion of the new LRMT.

foundation for an integrated transportation network under which there were to be six rail lines and one mono rail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, over 20 water routes and several roads. It was for this purpose that the LAMATA (Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority) was established with the mandate to oversee the LRMT project. Even though the planning of the LRMT began in 2010, it was not until the advent of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the LRMT was taken seriously, because, in between 2010 and 2019, the project suffered several challenges.

TheLRMTcoversadistanceof27kilometres,thatis,1.5kilometresless than the 28.5 kilometres covered by the LML and which was designed to commence from the General Hospital, Marina, and passing through Balogun,Iddo,OyingboandYabatoMaryland,IjayeandAgege.Phase1 of the LRMT commences from Marina and runs through Ijora, National Theatre, Orile, Surulere, Alaba to Mile 2. The 13 kilometre first phase will transport about 250,000 passengers while about 500,000 people are to be transported when the second phase, Mile 2-Okokomaiko, will be completed in early 2023.

Comparatively again, LML has a carriage of one million people, the LRMT has half of the LML’s capacity. The LML and LRMT have a common destination, Agege, but they run through different routes.

Unlike the LML which has 19 stations, the LRMT has only five stations: Mile 2, Suru-Alaba, Orile Iganmu, NationalTheatre and Marina. LRMT Construction started in 2010 under Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola but suffered some delays under his successor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. When Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took over power in 2019, he promised to resuscitate the LRMT and to ensure that the first phase of the project was completed by the end of December 2022.

This was a political pledge fulfilled.

WhatisnoteworthyaboutthecompletionoftheBlueRailLine,before the construction of the Red Rail Line begins, is the aspect of funding. As explained by the Managing Director of LAMATA, Engineer Abimbola Akinajo, the construction of the LRMT was funded from the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) which, he said, is unprecedented in the history of rail construction across the world. This observation is quite significant in several ways.

First, Governor Lateef Jakande made it clear in the context of the LML that Lagos State could fund the LML project without being a financial burden on the Federal Government.This point is now given a fillip with the funding of the LRMT without recourse to external borrowing. Secondly, the extent of possible institutional corruption must have been very limited if funding had come from the IGR. In other words, if monies have been diverted, there would not have been adequate resources to fund the project. For this, the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu deserves commendation. When available funds are diverted to constructive development, opportunities are not available to political kleptomaniacs.There cannot be theft if there is no money to steal.

Thirdly, commendation of Sanwo-Olu becomes special in light of his readiness to begin another major infrastructural project: the Fourth Mainland Bridge that will cover about 37 kilometres, the builders of which are to be announced before December 31, 2022. As reported

by Segun James (ThisDay of 22nd December, 2022), a consortium led

by Portugal’s builder MOTA-Engil and two Chinese Ventures (China Communication and Construction Corporation and China Road and Bridge Corporation) had been shortlisted to build the bridge at a cost of $2.5 billion, based on a public-private-partnership venture. It will have 3 toll plazas, 9 interchanges and a design speed of 120 km per hour. On completion, the bridge will not only connect Lagos Island by way of Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeku towns and across Lagos lagoons to Itamaja in Ikorodu, but will also be the longest bridge in Africa. In this regard, to what extent can international intrigues and domestic chicanery be avoided, learning from past experiences?

International Intrigues and National Chicanery The first level of international intrigues and national chicanery is the suddenness in change of contractual prices and allegations of expensiveness of projects. The LML project is a case in point. It was argued that many were the other means of mass transit that ought to have been considered,True but the allegations did not reckon with the factors of modernity, convenience of people being transported, scope of people to be transited, and the economic opportunities to be created.Whateveristhecase,therewerepointerstoeconomicintrigues at the international level and political chicanery at the domestic level.

True, the French consortium comprised 19 companies, following what can be described as a possible Nigerian-Japanese magouille.

Though the LML project was initiated by the Lagos State Government, it was guaranteed by the Federal Government of Nigeria. In this regard, how do we explain the backing out of the Federal Government from the Project? It can be posited here that it was not the Shehu Shagari administration that served as guarantor for the project that eventually reneged on the agreement. Agreed, but how do we also explain the jettisoning of the project by the military regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari who ousted Shehu Shagari from power? Major General Buhari was critical to the denunciation of the agreement with the French Interinfra and he is also scheduled to come and commissioned the LRMT early next year. What type of coincidental contradiction is this? More significantly, is the cost of the construction of the LRMT cheaper or more expensive than what was considered to be expensive in 1983 for the construction of the LML? In which way can it now be argued that the LRMT is the same as the LML in terms of facilities, funding, and economic opportunities?

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

25.12.2022

2022

Catalysts of Change in Nigeria’s Entertainment Scene

Asake

Austen-Peters

Burna Boy

Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi

Davido

Mo Abudu

Tems

D’banj

Funke Akindele

Rita Dominic Don Jazzy

The year 2022 came with the promise of the pre-pandemic era. COVID infections were ebbing and normalcy was restored. The good old COVID-free days were almost here. For the entertainment industry affected by the pandemic, the year tested its resilience, given the economic hardships that marked the year. Will they bounce back successfully or retreat to square one? Some launched new projects, others landed more deals, awards received and breakthroughs attained. But it was not all joy and cheers. It was a year of loss and grief.

And of course, scandals! Vanessa Obioha takes a look at some of the individuals who hugged the headlines.

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/victoria.olaode@thisdaylive.com.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

35

COVER

2022: Catalysts of Change in Nigeria’s Entertainment Scene bring the music of unknown parts of Africa to the mainstream, discovering new creative talents.

Perhaps, due to his efficiency, he was this year appointed the Chairman of the Creative And Cultural Committee of the NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).

Femi Odugbemi

T

he year has been a celebratory one for the Academy Awards voting member Femi Odugbemi.

He was particularly celebrated for his election as a member of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (IATAS). Thus, Odugbemi now belongs to the pantheon of African creatives who are voting members of the Oscars and the Emmys. The cerebral filmmaker also was inducted into the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Hall of Fame by the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) as well as received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Guild of Photojournalists of Nigeria.

Known for his riveting television shows, the year saw Odugbemi bring to the screen a captivating political drama ‘Covenant’ starring Nollywood greats like Clarion Chukwura, Antar Laniyan and Funso Adeolu.

Burna Boy

Bolanle Austen-Peters

The Nigerian theatre-wonder woman continues her shine this year with more wins.

She was selected for the fellowship programme of the Legatum Centre for Development and Entrepreneurship of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA. Two of her films ‘Collision Course’ and ‘Man of God’ were released on Netflix and received rave reviews.

The latter scooped two awards -Best Nigerian Film and Best Costume Design - at this year’s Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). To end the year, the renowned theatre and film director is presenting a musical featuring performances from Temi Otedola, Tosin Adeyemi, KelvinMary Ndukwe and Uzo Osimkpa to name a few.

Linus Idahosa

In a landmark achievement, Linus Idahosa, the renowned creative entrepreneur and founder of Del-York International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Government to build a film city in Lagos. The project will be executed in partnership with Storyland Studios, a famed US-based design and production outfit. The proposed Lagos Film and Media City will sit on 100 hectares of land in Epe, part of the touted new Lagos, and will house a studio city with residential and commercial real estate; a film and media academy, studios, a theme park, a Nollywood Walk of Fame, and front and backlot infrastructure for different film projects, multiple sound stages, dining and entertainment hubs. The project is christened ‘Kebulania’, an expression coined from the word Alkebulan, the ancient original name for Africa. The name is pronounced ‘Alkebu-lan’, which means ‘Mother of Mankind’ or ‘Garden of Eden’ — a reference to a place of vast potential, new beginnings, and new possibilities.

Construction is set to begin in the first quarter of 2023.

Davido

Barring the painful death of his son, 2022 was a remarkable year for the singer Davido. It was the year Nigerians celebrated his marriage to his longtime girlfriend Chioma as well as other remarkable milestones such as his performance at the just concluded World Cup in Qatar. A picture of him and his wife Chioma before his performance posted on his official Instagram account became the most-liked Instagram picture of any Nigerian celebrity, garnering more than one million likes. Davido recorded other World Cup moments such as his performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony last April and became the first Nigerian singer to be featured in a FIFA World Cup single.

The year saw the singer scooping awards such as the Beatz award for ‘Best Songwriter’ and fetched accolades such as ‘Man of the People’ following his support for his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, who is now the governor of Osun State. At the 2022 NET Honours, Davido emerged as the Most Popular Musician (Male); Most Searched Musician (Male), and The Most Popular Fandom. Davido also won the Humanitarian award at the Headies 2022.

A brand ambassador of PUMA, the global sports brand, this year saw the brand release a collection Between the Lines as part of their collaboration. Another collection ‘We Rise By Lifting Others’ earlier slated for November was postponed to 2023.

Tems

The ‘Free Mind’ crooner, Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems had a successful run this year. Besides scoring her first Grammy

Femi Odugbemi

nomination, she won the BET Awards for Best Collaboration alongside Wizkid and Justin Bieber. She was named Billboard’s Number One Top US Afrobeats Artist of 2022. One of the crowning moments for the singer was her Golden Globe nomination for ‘Best Original Song’ for her collaborative effort on Marvel’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack.

Tems also made history at the American Music Awards by clinching two awards at the American Music Awards (AMA). She won awards for the Favourite R&B Song for Wizkid’s 2020 album, ‘Made in Lagos’ with ‘Essence’; and Favourite Hip Hop Song for her contribution to Future’s ‘Wait For U’ which also features Canadian rapper Drake. Still, on international acclaim, Tems was nominated for the 65th Grammy Awards in the Record of the Year category for ‘Wait For U’.

Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele made a few headlines this year. From her foray into politics when the PDP governorship candidate Olajide Adediran unveiled her as his running mate in the upcoming elections to her separation from her husband Abdul-Rasheed Bello, better known as JJC Skills. The couple however seems to have a cordial relationship irrespective of their status.

Akindele recently announced that she was leaving the Nollywood spotlight to focus on her political ambition as she is keen on becoming the next Deputy Governor of Lagos.

Jude Abaga

Whether you call him The Guy or M.I., the rapper delighted fans with his latest album The Guy, which featured other artists like The Cavemen. It was in July that Abaga announced that he would be dropping his stage name Mister Incredible (M.I.). Since he burst into the limelight in the aughts, his stage name had stuck to his skin like a tattoo such that even after choosing to be known as The Guy, not a few still clung to M.I. Besides his name change, M.I. was also in the news for tying the knot with his fiancée, Eniola Mafe. They had their traditional marriage on Thursday, September 22 and a church ceremony on Saturday, September 24.

Baba Ijesha

The one-year trial of Baba Ijesha, the disgraced Nollywood actor, accused of allegedly assaulting an underage girl sexually came to an end this year. On July 14, an Ikeja Special and Sexual Offences court convicted and sentenced him to five years imprisonment over the sexual assault of an underage girl.

Lagos State Government found prima facie evidence to charge him under five provisions of the criminal law of the state. He faced six counts of child defilement that include indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration which the prosecutor argued contravened Section 135, 137, 261, 202, 262 and 263 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015, that stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.

Mike Dada

If there is any honour to be awarded to individuals who throw the spotlight on African music, Mike Dada would be the right recipient.

Since 2014 when he partnered with the African Union to establish the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Dada and his team have helped to

Burna Boy’s ‘Last Last’ was one of the national anthems of 2022. The song made it to his sixth studio album ‘Love, Damini’ which dominated Boomplay Nigeria, Apple Music Nigeria, and Spotify Nigeria. He is also recognised as the Most Streamed Artist of the year on these streaming platforms.

His international stardom continues to rise with more wins and nominations. He won Best African Act at the 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) and took home the MOBO awards for Best International Act and Best African Music Act, among others. Still soaring on the international scene, Burna Boy was nominated for the 65th Grammy Awards in the Best Global Music Album category for his album ‘Love, Damini’, and Best Global Music Performance for ‘Last Last’.

Away from music, Burna Boy was fingered in a shootout that occurred at the premium nightclub, Cubana last June. It was alleged that the police escort attached to the singer allegedly inflicted bullet injuries on 27-year-old Irebami Lawrence and his friend Tolu after Lawrence attacked the singer for making advances on his wife. He was criticised for encouraging such action given his stance on police brutality.

Charles Okpaleke

Often called the King of Remakes and Sequels in Nollywood, the creative entrepreneur made headlines with the release of ‘Glamour Girls’, a nostalgic film of the old Nollywood. While many were confused about the status of the film, that is, if it was a sequel or a remake, Okpaleke made history on the streaming platform Netflix. The film became the first Nigerian film to reach Netflix Global Top 5.

This year also saw him landing a collaboration with the United Kingdom for his upcoming film ‘Hijack 93: The Mad Men and the Aircraft’, based on the annulled June 12, 1993 elections.

Rita Dominic

It was a year of love for veteran Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic. After unveiling her lover last year, the media businessman, Fidelis Anosike. The duo had a colourful traditional marriage in April and in November, took their wedding vows in a white ceremony in North Yorkshire, England.

Kemi Adetiba

The wedding bells started ringing this year for Nigerian filmmaker and music video director Kemi Adetiba. She started the year with the news of her engagement to Oscar Heman-Ackah, a creative entrepreneur. The duo finally said ‘I Do’ to each other in April.

Kunle Afolayan

One of the top movies that excited fans this year is Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo’. The film received rave reviews for its impressive storytelling and cinematography. That was not all. His film ‘Citation’ won the Best International Film award at the 2022 National Film Festival (NFF) in the UK. However, Afolayan was among those who spoke about the Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC) for not considering his film for the prestigious Academy Awards as well as failing to submit any Nigerian film for the competition.

Chineze Anyaene-Abonyi

Although her passion was to see a Nigerian film represented at the Oscars, the Nollywood filmmaker found herself in a debacle following her decision not to send any film to the Oscars. According to her, it was based on a voting pattern that showed eight out of the 15-member committee voted to not have any film submitted. However, their decision did not augur well with Nigerians who felt there were more eligible films to contest in the Oscars next year. A back-andforth ensued, including speculation that the Oscars organising body, the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences, wrote to her to have a re-vote. The action that however cast Anyaene-Abonyi in a bad light was when a now-deleted YouTube video of her being rude to members during a virtual conference

with members of the committee to cast votes on whether to uphold the committee’s rules and regulations. It resulted in calls for a review of the NOSC structure to avoid non-eligibility drama in the future.

Don Jazzy

The music producer and his talents made waves this year despite the criticism that greeted his indecent social media videos with younger girls. Nonetheless, Don Jazzy delved into the food business this year with the launch of his Jazzy’s burger. This sort of signalled to fans that he is expanding his businesses beyond the music industry.

Asake

The self-acclaimed Mr Money with the Vibe — also the title of his debut album that fetched him viral acclaim — is arguably the breakout star of 2022. From breaking records such as amassing over 330 million streams on Audiomack to making its debut at No. 66 on the Billboard 200.

The album’s performance on Audiomack made Asake, born Ahmed Ololade, the highest-charting debut album from a Nigerian artist ever as well as the streaming platform.

However, the stampede at his London concert has left a bad taste in the mouth. Two victims reportedly died from the incident.

Pretty Okafor

The president of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Pretty Okafor under his administration broke a 40-year jinx by acquiring a corporate office for the body in Lagos.

Located in Lekki, the multi-million naira facility boasts different modern components including the president’s office, digital music library, conference rooms, VIP lounge, membership registration booth provided by Zenith Bank, and other necessary offices.

Mo Abudu

2022 is a year of wins for Mo Abudu, the CEO of EbonyLife TV and Films. Since she forayed into filmmaking, the media mogul has been sealing deals and producing blockbuster movies for both local and international audiences. The year saw her produce a TV series ‘Blood Sisters’, a film adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman’ among other productions.

She was also appointed an executive fellow at the Harvard Business School and was on the list of Forbes World’s 100 Most Influential Women List 2022. Mo was among Nigerians who received a national honour this year. She was bestowed the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Wizkid

The Afrobeats superstar continued his musical stardom with the release of ‘More Love Less Ego’.

The latest album stars Ayra Starr for Skillibeng and Shenseea, Naira Marley, Skepta and Don Toliver. Four songs from the album dominated Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart.

On the international scene, he made history as a first-time nominee to win the Favourite Afrobeats Artiste category in the American Music Awards. He also shared a Favourite R&B Song with Tems for their collaborative effort ‘Essence’.

D’banj

Earlier this month, famed Nigerian music artist Dapo Oyebanjo, better known as D’banj was arrested for alleged fraud. It was reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC) arrested the singer for allegedly diverting funds allocated for the N-Power project. The singer would later clear his name from the allegations.

Yet, he was again accused by On-Air Personality and celebrity hypeman Dotun of tarnishing his image. Dotun’s marriage to D’banj’s sister, Omotayo reportedly hit the rocks after the latter filed a report for separation, accusing her husband of forceful abortion, domestic violence and emotional abuse. Dotun on a social media post vowed to reveal to the entire world “how wicked, deceitful, ignorant and despicable you and your entire family are.”

Kizz Daniel

2022 was certainly the year of ‘Buga’ for Afrobeats sensation Kizz Daniel. His ‘Buga’ hit was one of the most loved anthems of the year, transcending regions and social status. By the time he dropped his ‘Cough (Odo)’ hit, the artist again became a viral sensation.

Nevertheless, 2022 brought its share of problems to Daniel. He was last August arrested in Tanzania for failure to perform at a concert he had paid for. Notwithstanding, Daniel still recorded a successful international tour and is still embracing the spotlight with ‘Buga’.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

36

HighLife

with KAYODE ALFRED 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous

Dankwambo Stop the Rumour, Helen Oritsejafor’s Marriage is Intact Battles Alkali

Dankwambo

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, there are bits and pieces of scuffles here and there that are gradually dominating social space. And even though these other political scuffles do not appear to hold much weight in light of who will be Nigeria’s president for the next four or eight years, they are very important to the people involved. And so it is that the people of Gombe State, especially Gombe North Senatorial District, are having the time of their lives watching former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contest against Senator Sa’idu Alkali of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The duo appears to be evenly matched in terms of influence.

Dankwambo is a former governor of the state, so he is expected to know the nooks and crannies of governance in Gombe. However, Alkali belongs to the APC and the state is currently under the administration of an APC member. Therefore, political parties may need to take a second seat and let the personalities themselves fight it out. And that does seem to be what is happening.

This is not the first time that Dankwambo and Alkali are having it out. In 2019, Dankwambo lost to Alkali.

That was not too surprising considering that Alkali had been running in senatorial circles long before Dankwambo thought to do so. Even now, he has a strong advantage over Dankwambo.

Nevertheless, supporters of Dankwambo are certain that Alkali will lose the senatorial elections because he is reportedly nonchalant and does not particularly care for the plight of the people.

Of course, whoever wins the senatorial election wins and whoever loses has lost. But for Dankwambo and Alkali, this may be the best time to position themselves ahead of the presidential election. If whoever ends up being president is from their side, what could be better? Therefore, for both of them, winning is a must.

Every individual in the spotlight faces two distinct challenges: how to stay relevant enough to remain in the spotlight and how to parry the occasional javelin of slander that is thrown against them. For former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and his wife, Helen, the second challenge is more challenging.

After weathering the storms of life together for more than two decades, with children as evidence of their love story, evil minds have set themselves against the home of the Oritsejafors.

The popular wife of former President of CAN has come out to debunk the story making the rounds in the media that she has left her union. Finally breaking her silence after several days of hoopla generated by the reports, she insisted that she and her husband were not divorced.

Helen Oritsejafor, popularly known as “Mama Oritsejafor” took to her Facebook page to announce that she was not divorced and that she was still married to pastor Oritsejafor, founder, Word of Life Bible Church.

“It’s totally unbelievable, reprehensible and unthinkable and it’s important that I make the facts clear. I am a wife, a mother and

a woman of God, and I uphold the tenets of my Christian faith and marriage. My family and home is (are) the most important part (parts) of my life.

“I therefore appeal to everyone to put our interest and that of our lovely kids, above the need to profit from this baseless endeavor.

My Husband and I are not divorced, unless people get divorced on social media and I have never been unfaithful to my husband, whom I love very dearly.

“These are works of the devil and his agents to dent my character and good works.

Over the years, I have committed my time and resources towards reaching out to the needy, providing support to widows and giving scholarships to orphans,”she said.

Mama Oritsejafor was forced to clear the air no thanks to media platforms that had decided to peddle stories that were not only Oba Adeyemi false and malicious, but also disturbingly imaginative. Even though some of these then ended with how disloyal to her marriage she media houses have started to correct their was. In reality, nothing of the sort has happened. errors, the scars of that event remain fresh in Also, given the strong bond of love and friendship the mind of the Oritsejafors, especially Mama between Dr. Helen and her husband, such a thing will not happen in this lifetime. Thus, it Oritsejafor.

The rumour started by explaining the is clear to all that the narratives are false, spiced number of years that Dr. Helen had been with malicious intent, and returned to the pits of married to the former CAN President and despondence that they emerged from.

Bukola Saraki: Political Godfather Who Bounced Back at 60 Great things are happening yet again at the end of 2022, tingling the hearts of Nigerians everywhere. One such thing is the 60th birthday of noted political giant, Bukola Saraki.

While he was the governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011, Saraki showed the nation the stuff he was made of.

When he attempted to become Senate President in 2015, the knowledge of all he accomplished as governor inspired his fellow senators to let him take the seat. In his crossing into the diamond circle, Saraki remains a relevant force of transformative change and influence in the political circles of the nation.

When strictly considering influence, Senator Saraki is up there with figures just outside the presidential circle. Once he decides on a matter, even if his decision collides with the decisions of the leaders of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saraki has a way of swaying people to stick to his convictions.

Not a few already made plans to paint the entire nation red as a way of honouring him on his 60th birthday. He however chose to spend the entire day in Medina while receiving prayers and accolades from all over.

Okewale

Olajide Abiola Makes Statement in Abuja with The Destination

Abiola

At a time when people are looking for things to complain about in Nigeria, others have found shelter in the progressively rising demands for food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities and luxuries of life. Olajide Abiola belongs to the latter class and he is intent on swinging his genius until there is an impact that rattles the country.

Very recently, his hammer struck the hospitality sector in Abuja and the result is a masterpiece of a five-star luxury apartment in Jabi known simply as The Destination.

True to form, Abiola’s The Destination by Gidanka is nothing like what the average person would imagine. Located at the heart of Wuse, The Destination holds everything for everyone. Are you a business executive hoping to hold a meeting to straighten out marketing objectives and strategies? The Destination is the place for you. Are you a family looking to vacatio n in a cool and trendy place? What about The Destination?

The way Abiola and his team at Smart Residences Limited (Also known as Gidanka) built The Destination, one would think they were building an allshelter solution for Nigerians and

Abuja residents. With the building holding 110 units of luxury apartments, everything is included.

These include studios, two-bedroom flats, three-bedroom flats, and even a four-bedroom Penthouse. Then there are super equipped meeting rooms and a capacity hall for events and conferences.

To say that Abiola put a lot of thought into the project is to put things mildly. Truly, The Destination stands with few equals, which is a surprise in itself because the entire project was completed in about 13 months, starting from November 2021. Of course, Abiola has explained that it would have all been impossible without the support of partners like the Norrenberger Advisory Partners and Fidelity Bank PLC. Nevertheless, Abiola has taken this era for himself. The Destination is the happening place in Abuja.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

HIGHLIFE

Is Governor Ademola Adeleke Prepared for the Task Ahead? The Coast is Clear

Osun State is currently undergoing one of the best periods in its history.

Without a question, the new Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is very popular among the common people and wellliked among the elites. Nevertheless, beyond the expressions of favour and support, Adeleke has to depend on himself if he intends to make an impact to be recorded in the annals of the state and the good books of future generations.

The question then is: is Adeleke prepared to walk this road?

There is no debating the fact that Adeleke entered into gubernatorial power in a satisfyingly fantastical way.

Playing the role of the underdog against his predecessor, Adeleke rallied the support of the common people to his cause and duly won the election. After trying multiple times, this win was a big one for him and so he did not waste much time returning to the throne of power to start working.

Adeleke’s work ethic is a joy to

behold, especially considering the norm in Nigeria of elected officials first celebrating for 100 days and only starting to attend to their duties after. However, Adeleke, known fondly as the Dancing Senator, danced to work and started uprooting trees that his predecessor had planted.

For a while, it was imagined that Adeleke would spend the majority of his first term undoing his predecessor’s work. However, it seems Adeleke genuinely cares about his people. It was recently reported that he had approved the payment of December 2022 salaries and pensions. Thus, Adeleke has shown his integrity, especially to secondary and primary school teachers, tertiary institutions, local government staff and retirees.

Osun people hope that Adeleke will continue like this. For someone who starts so big, it is a must that they continue this way and even make a habit of surprising people by doing even better in the days to come.

for Tonye Cole

Adeleke

When Olowo of Owo Visits Oyindamola Adeyemi

Adeyemi

When elephants begin to trumpet, one has to know that something big has

happened, is happening, or is about to happen. This is essentially what happened when the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III, decided to visit Oyindamola Adeyemi, the Executive Chairperson of Tirex Energy and Petroleum Limited and Still Earth Constructions and Holdings on Friday, December 2, 2022. Knowing that both personages are dignitaries in their own right, people whispered what could have motivated the monarch to visit one of the daughters of his Owo Kingdom, especially one so accomplished.

Ogunoye’s visit to Adeyemi in her private residence at Banana Island, Lagos, is evidence that the monarch is interested in the sustainable development of his kingdom and people. As was the public announcement that followed that visit, Ogunoye is convinced that only far-sighted

and daring individuals like Adeyemi have what it takes to push his Owo Kingdom to the next height of growth and development.

Without question, Adeyemi is one of the most accomplished women from Owo Kingdom, especially in recent times. Along with others, Adeyemi has drawn more attention to the variety of genius that can only be found in the people of Owo. The monarch was also accompanied by another illustrious and philanthropic figure of Owo descent, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo (OON), the Aare Atunluse of Owo Kingdom, who doubles as the blood brother of Adeyemi. Together with his sister, both of them are solidifying the reputation of Owo Kingdom, bringing much acclaim and accolades to Oba Ogunoye and his fathers.

Babatunde Okewale Celebrates Seven Years of First Women Nigeria Radio So much has happened in Nigeria since 2015. Depending on who you ask, some of these things have been positive. Others will tell you that the negatives took a large part of the happenings. Others are content to sit on the fence. But for Dr Babatunde Okewale and his group of visionaries who started Women Radio WFM 91.7, the last seven years have been a great ride to fulfillment.

Okewale is currently in the depths of bliss as he celebrates seven years of WFM 91.7, the unusual radio station that he launched for women and their families. Looking back, because Okewale’s radio station was the first to solely have this peculiar target audience, it can only be by divine will that he succeeded in capturing the attention of Nigerians. Nevertheless, time has proven him to be right and the future is going to be a better place because he has more plans geared towards the same

path.

Okewale launched WFM 91.7 on December 18, 2015. It was the first women radio station that dealt exclusively with the issues women face, especially with regards to their health.

But it is the fortunate of Nigerian women that Okewale’s interest has always been towards the life and health of women, especially as he has done so much for them with regards to fertility.

However, when considering WFM 91.7 purely, Okewale seems to drop his uniform of an obstetrician and gynecologist and simply becomes a compassionate person.

Little wonder he has been able to secure new radio licenses which allow WFM to operate in all 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria. No doubt, Okewale will use this opportunity to trigger sustainable women development across Nigeria, bringing needed help and empowerment to the womenfolk in Nigeria.

Freedom at Last for Walter Okeke Much wisdom has been distilled into simple language to be used by anyone and everyone in Nigeria. One such wisdom is captured in ‘Wahala no dey finish.’ This fact is something that individuals like former Anambra State governorship aspirant, Walter Okeke, have come to realise. Even after having lots and lots of money, when trouble knocked on his door and dragged him away, Okeke could not so much as protest. But things are looking better for him now November 15, 2022, was a rowdy day for Okeke. That was the day that it was reported everywhere that he had attempted to repeat the Alamieyeseigha experience by running away from a court hearing only to be caught and immediately thrown into prison.

Although this is an oversimplified account of what happened, the fact is that Okeke landed in the Port Harcourt Prison without knowledge of when he might be allowed to return free to society.

Okeke

Okewale

That day of release has come for Okeke. A Chief Magistrate, A.O. Amadi Nna, granted Okeke bail of N100 billion. This along with other conditions would allow Okeke to return a free person to society and try as much as he can to save himself from the still-hanging wrath of the law.

For those in on the matter, Okeke was charged with stealing oil drilling pipes and other heavyduty equipment which were worth over N800 million. According to reports, Okeke had seized these items and hidden them away at his TransAmadi residence in Port Harcourt. The matter has been in court since May 2022. However, it has never come to any fruitful resolution. That is until Okeke was carted off to prison in November.

All that is painful history, anyway.

Things are looking to get better for the man. Although the bail conditions are a bit heavy, it is nothing that a person of his social and political class cannot bear.

Elections in Nigeria appear to have taken place on a repeat basis. After every election, someone will have something to report to the court which will then nullify the results in support of the opposition.

This happened to Tonye Cole, a gubernatorial aspirant in Rivers State under the canopy of the All Progressives Congress (APC). After winning the primaries, some people challenged the result in court and won, seemingly terminating Cole’s governorship ambition.

But things have fallen into order for Cole as the Court of Appeal has changed the ruling that was granted against Cole.

Cole is currently moving around with joy in his belly.

This is the best reaction to the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal which upholds the original primaries conducted in Rivers State for APC gubernatorial candidates. With this ruling, Cole is set to return to his peak, campaigning to be the one to take Rivers forward for the next four or eight years.

Not only does the ruling return the party ticket to him, but it also arms him with the knowledge that the majority of the APC in Rivers State are with him. Therefore, he has more confidence to go on representing them against the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers.

Indeed, one can only conclude that the coast is clear for Cole and getting clearer. For someone who was essentially hand-picked to go and bring the governorship staff home, Cole is doing remarkably well. The first court case might have depressed him a bit, but all is well again.

Cole

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

Abiye, Don’t Abuse Me Again Because of Tinubu The strategy for selling Chief Tinubu among his Communications team and even people like Abiye who are very far from his campaign but are rabidly passionate about his candidacy, is to go after the personality of the opponent even if it is a humble Duke of Shomolu just seeking clarity.

We have heard nonsense about Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni and Nduka Obaigbena.

That was how Abiye and I got into a little argument on the summit and I asked a simple question: “please what is forfeiture if not evidence of guilt?” The argument was that it was mere allegations that people who hate Tinubu have been bandying about his involvement in drugs, since he has not been convicted by any court of law on any of those charges.

Shebi, me I for just mind my business and go away. I now asked, “please if I am innocent of anything, will anybody force me to forfeit anything?”

I went on.

Abiye I get house for Lagos, if EFCC come say I be drug runner and na the money I use buy the house, will I now say, “my brother EFCC agent, please na UBA give me mortgage to buy the house and na my salary for dead BGL I dey use pay the mortgage and when I pay finish I sell the house and use the money buy this one for my side chic, but I ready to forfeit am make una leave me alone.”

So why am I forfeiting any amount at all if I am innocent. Abiye, a whole lawyer wey go Law School o and wey go free education, instead of him to answer question, start to do APC strategy: “Edgar, please face your script and be

doing your play and leave politics.”

People, you see? This thing really pain me and I told him that that was very condescending and annoying.

So, because I am a scriptwriter, I cannot understand politics? Is that the issue? Why not face the issue and stop badgering me? The next minute, he said, “Edgar, even if I can answer the question, I will not answer you.” You see, and he is an honourable man o.

My own is that, the next time he abuses me again over Tinubu or anybody for that matter, I go beat am and report myself to DSS. I dey tell am now o.

Anybody that knows him, should tell him o. He dey call me ordinary scriptwriter because of Tinubu.

Imagine.

BOLA TINUBU – LET ME ASK ‘JAMB’ QUESTION As I no dey hear word, let me ask eight very critical questions from the candidate Bola Tinubu. Let me first state here that I want to really support his candidacy and probably vote for him because I really do believe that he has a lot to offer Nigeria especially if you see how he has moved Lagos from prehistoric times to modernity, making it compete very favourably with other such major cities in the world.

But first, let me expose myself before his people come at me. I bed wet, I have slept with my mother’s maids, I failed form four three times and got kicked out of school. I have been sacked by two banks and was a serial failure of aptitude tests that is why I did not get jobs on time. I am a porn addict, watching it twice daily at the same time when sane people are praying. What else? Yes I have cheated severally and I am a well-known polygamist if that is a sin. I had scabies in school, what you call ‘craw craw’ and have had erectile dysfunction recently but cured it with Friska tea and dates and tiger nuts.

Today I fire more than a teenager.

Oya I have yabbed myself, anything that remains is inconsequential, so the APC people cannot come after me. So, these are my questions Mr. Tinubu, if you answer just four out of the eight, I will immediately leave my ‘wetin concern me’ position on this election and start carrying broom all over the place.

Please Tinubu, can you tell us which village is your own? What qualifications did you use to gain admission into Chicago University? What is your

response to the reported denial of Deloitte of your employment with them?

What is the source of your real and true wealth, because there is nothing on ground except TVC to show? The documents submitted in 1999 to be governor, why are we not using them again this time, what happened? What is the true nature of your health and can you subject yourself to an independent medical assessment like people do when they seek employment? Why has Hundeyin not been sued for libel or slander for all the ‘spurious allegations’ he has made on your person. Finally, apart from ‘Emilokan’ what exactly are you bringing to the table?

Please sir, I will really appreciate it if you took the time and look at Nigerians squarely in our faces and without delegating just attempt to answer only four of these questions and I swear on my father’s grave that I will never look for your trouble again.

Now a warning. Anybody that comes at me with abuse, please remember that me I am not ‘aje butter’ o. I was born in Shomolu and I know how to give back.

If you yab me, I yab you. Simple.

Let’s save this country. We owe our children and humanity this simple task of throwing up leaders of true worth.

Thank you.

o. Mbok, after this election I wonder if I will even find where to eat my Afang in peace. I dey fight Tinubu people, I dey fight Atiku people, I dey fight Obi people. Na wa. All three in my estimation na zero hence my angst and irritation.

Anyways, out of all the abuse hurled at me, na only Osa get the liver to write an article. Osa Unwenmi is a digital marketing expert and a die-hard Atiku fan and a strong member of the Duke Summit. The other day, he sent us a picture of him and his brother Bode Falade serving tea at a function with Atiku.

Normally, Osa will call and abuse my father or go on the platform and rant.

But a renewed Osa – since he came back from London, Osa na gentleman now o- called to say, “If I send a rejoinder, will you publish? I say no problem as long as you no abuse my papa. So Osa has sent his rejoinder and here it goes:

BECAUSE OF ATIKU, OSA UMWENI FIRED BACK So last week, I blew Atiku’s candidacy out of the water. I ushered him to speedy retirement in the sands of Dubai and also plastered his running mate Okowa with the mud of failure.

As expected, his people came after me

“JOSEPH EDGAR AND THE ELASTICITY OF SATIRE “Prolific satirist and creative petrolhead, Joseph Edgar, went ballistic in his character to dismiss the chances of the PDP presidential candidate in one fell swoop via his Loud Whispers THISDAY Sunday column.

The mischaracterisation of Wazirin Adamawa as a political novice is stranger than fiction in Edgar’s own words. At first glance one is not inclined to respond at this treatise that aims for the underbelly of the main opposition party who has paid his dues in Nigeria’s nascent democracy

from 1999 till date. The groundswell of support that has greeted the PDP candidate across the geopolitical zones speaks volumes about his popularity.

It’s imperative for Edgar that it’s the populace that decides the outcome of elections and it’s a game of numbers and not some woven narrative hinged on “Alawada Keri’iiii Keri’iiii” bandwidth.

The allusion that His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is an intern in the political ecosystem beggars belief.

Edgar’s submission that a former LG Chairman, SSG, Senator then incumbent governor is not well grounded is laughable. It means his Political Science degree at UI counts for nothing. In his wild imagination he has declared the results of the Delta State guber elections before the polls. What could be more preposterous? It is advisable that he employs his newfound election prediction pendulum for SUG elections rather than cast-in-stone pontification in public domain.

On Governor Wike, I will not join issues with the illustrious political entity as reconciliation efforts are ongoing. I will also like to add that Wike will not destroy the house that he contributed to its development.

On the sojourn of HE, Atiku to Dubai - It’s beyond the prism of Edgar to criminalise and demonise an individual on an odyssey in his personal capacity. Going forward it augurs well for Edgar to jaw jaw on his thespian endeavours and desist from throwing potshots at issues

Okupe

Atiku

Edgar

Obi

Tinubu

39

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

LOUD WHISPERS beyond his satirical comprehension....

Osa Umweni” Osa too get sense. He call me ‘prolific’ so I will not vex and yab him. Thank you o my brother. From one prolific man to the other, well-done. But like his brother Abiye of the APC, he has also said I should face ‘thespian endeavours’ and leave politics. There is something really wrong with these people in their head.

Kai. ANAP’S FAULTY OPINION POLLS ON PETER OBI If Peter Obi is believing all these spurious polls, then he is really getting high on his own supplies. These ANAP people will just send WhatsApp messages to some people and collate results therein and come out with funny conclusions. Then go on TV or media and be postulating.

They first did this sometime in September and now they have done it again. Obi according to them got a 23% lead by respondents and Tinubu 13% and Atiku 10% and Kwankwaso 2% .

They further said that the polls were carried out on mobile phones and there lies the folly of their action. This is a clear ‘wururu’ to the answer. Person that wants his brother to win at all costs will gather all him staff and say, “oya take data and begin to answer question.”

Those looking for a Christmas bonus will answer question and they will now go on top TV and say, “Obi is leading ooo.”

This is a wonderful disservice to Obi if you ask me because this can make him believe the smoke and relax. Truth is that Obi has offered the ‘Igbo’ man, youths and those of us who seek the enthronement of a merit-based system the best opportunity ever in the history of this country. Sadly, the momentum would not gather enough steam to deliver the presidency but will provide a very strong platform for another. In other words, Obi is the John the Baptist of our time. He has come to prepare the grounds for the eventual emergence of the saviour.

He is not the saviour but a very strong pacemaker for the saviour. He is the Martin Luther King Jr to Barack Obama.

The prayer is that our country cannot afford to wait as long as Obama did because if this messiah no come in 2027, I am not there o.

APC’S INFRASTRUCTURAL REVOLUTION Call APC anything you want to call them. What cannot be denied is the magic they have fostered on the Infrastructural terrain of the country.

From the ones that I can see from my position, I think they have performed far better than recent administrations. In fact, since General Ibrahim Babangida’s Mainland Bridge, I do not think any administration has impacted on the country in this area like they have done.

Did you see my ‘guy’ Sanwo-Olu during the week, riding the Lagos blue line? I hear it can move thousands from Iganmu to Lagos Island in five minutes.

The impact of this on the economy of Nigeria’s largest state and Africa’s 5th largest economy cannot be imagined.

The second Niger Bridge which has just been opened if IPOB will allow it is another huge feat. Easing off vehicular traffic between two strategic parts of the country and enhancing and pushing commercial activities is a wonder. All over the country, bridges, trains and other such massive impact led infrastructural wonders are being unveiled.

In that regard, APC has done remarkably well and I really would like to say kudos to them for all of this.

Thank you.

DSS PLEASE CALM DOWN We woke up to a news report that a court has stopped the DSS from arresting the CBN Governor. Ahh. That was how I screamed o when I saw the news. I was brushing my teeth and was wondering why my tongue was white. I say let me go and get more paste on the thing, when I saw the news item scroll

OGIAME ATUWATSE III AS THE PEOPLE’S KING

Atuwatse III

This boxing day, thanks to my brothers, Julius Rone, Amaju Pinnick and Mofe Atake, SAN, I would once again be hosting my favourite first class traditional ruler, the elegant and supreme majestic Ogiame Atuwatse III at the Muson Centre in Lagos.

I have continued to be fascinated by ‘Baba’. He is so elegant, well-groomed, and comes out in very beautiful attires that always make me cry. He is regal, he is handsome and much more importantly, he is cerebral. He speaks with the deliberateness of a genius and carries the burden of his people with so on the TV. Arrest the CBN governor and keep him for how long?

Please, you people should be calming down o. Do you even know the implications of that move on the markets, economy, economic bilateral agreements and global investor confidence?

I even thank God that you people did not do it the usual way of just oozing the light in his house, jumping in through the window and pulling the man from on top of his wife just when he finally got it up after four hours of trying.

That would have led to the final collapse of the economy, the final crashing of the Naira and the end of what we know as the largest economy in Africa.

Please, I do not even know how a CBN Governor will be involved in terrorism.

The reason for this attempt is very obvious for us to see as we are not a blind people. But in trying to achieve whatever is the plan, altruistic or not, kindly note that this particular one is not an ordinary man o. Any attempt like this knee jerk approach on his person and office will be a disaster for us economically o.

much grace that you will want to be Itsekiri. It is no wonder he is well liked not only by his people but globally.

Did you see the picture of him and the FIFA President? He gave us worldwide respect with his carriage.

The first time I went to his palace, I left with my mouth opened.

This Monday, he will sit down and watch the story once again of his grandfather. A story that tells our story as Nigerians through beautiful songs and dance. A story that will bring tears of joy and herald the renaissance of our people. Ogiame souuuuuuu!!!

This is not Saraki o, that you people, surround his office like that o. This is not Justice of the Supreme Court o. This is not Sowore o, that you will drag down the corridor of a ‘per hour hotel’, this is the Central Bank Governor o. A man that even if it is malaria that is doing him, markets will shake o, talk less of detaining him for a second.

Me I no kuku like him. He has not been all that, rating very lowly on my table of great CBN governors but even at that, attempting to detain him for whatever reasons is ill-advised. Thank you. Let’s calm down and be strategic.

Na beg.

TRIAL OF BROTHER DOYIN OKUPE My brother has suffered o. They will say, ‘someone who they want to burn is now throwing fuel all over his body’. The man is the DirectorGeneral of the Labour Party that seems to be giving mainstream sleepless nights and as such a target.

He himself is not comporting himself.

First getting himself embroiled in all the shenanigans that led to his suspension or is it expulsion from the party in his state, and now this

conviction.

Thankfully, the matter started long before his present sojourn with the Labour Party. But the judgment coming at this point is a major slap on the party and the ideals it stands for.

A party that is saying we want to do things differently cannot have a convict with a N13m bounty on his head lead the push. The contradiction of it all would have been too messy to contemplate. I thank him and those who advised him to resign. That resignation is like cutting off the leprous part of the body so that there will be no loss of life.

Mr. Okupe by his pedigree and all that, has always been a baggage to the Labour Party and I have always wanted to see how his involvement would have been explained away. He now finally sha helped us with this wahala with his eventual resignation.

I am very happy that like biblical Jonah, he has thrown himself overboard and into the belly of the huge fish. The Labour Party can now focus and see how they will run this race.

AHMED IDRIS: ‘KLEPTO’-IN-CHIEF This one is just a ‘klepto’. Clear and simple. No need to be mincing words on this matter. Are you seeing what is being reported that they are recovering from him? Pray what exactly was he carting away all these funds for? Was he planning on seceding and forming his own country that he had to steal this much from us to go set up?

Reports I am seeing suggest that the following have been recovered so far: $899,000, N305 Million and 15 properties spread all over Abuja and Kaduna. Thankfully, the judge was reported to have ruled that all these and more be forfeited. This one now in 10 years will come and say, “I didn’t steal o, I only forfeited,” and will be carrying broom and be running around the place asking us to vote for him.

A civil servant? An accountant who rose up to be the accountant general only to go on an obnoxious stealing spree? People will now be saying, “only in Nigeria.”

This is an individual who corrupted the system, took advantage of the weakened institutions and stole himself to stupor.

He will be sitting in meetings and be listening to heads of government agencies lamenting about the paucity of funds to run their agencies o. He will also be sitting down there and listening to the Minister of Health lamenting at how he is finding it difficult to fund health care and he won’t say anything knowing that he has more than enough to sort out that problem o. God will not forgive this one abeg. Na wa.

I HEAR ARGENTINA WON QATAR 2022 You see, I am a very rare species. I used to like football a lot but today, you cannot find me sit down and watch 22 grown-ups chase a ball around a field and when one puts the ball in the net, four billion people all over the world will scream and be running around naked and doing somethings that will make the most rascally truant in kindergarten look like an angel.

Last week, it was the World Cup final and I didn’t even notice. I was on my way to the Muson Centre when I heard on the radio that it was the World Cup final by 4pm. Ahhh, I screamed: “same time as my play, Awo.” I started panicking that people would not come o. They would stick to their TV sets and be watching the game rather than come to see the spectacular theatre production that I have put in place.

I should not have worried because the crowd came out. Over 2,000 people and nowhere to sit. My people, although women and children made up over eighty per cent of attendance, I was very happy. The show went on very well and then I heard Argentina won.

I wish them well, especially their captain, the great Messi. But for me, the memory of the World Cup was that of the French President walking on the pitch to go and console his player. Na that one make me cry, not all the goals that were scored. Kai.

40

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Trade and Investment Minister, Adeniyi Adebayo, Shook Lagos with Daughter’s Wedding

Ayeni

Auto Mobile Guru, Tayo Ayeni, Rejoices at 60 When a man in the mould of Tayo Ayeni, CEO, Skymit Motor, sends out invites to his loved ones to rejoice with him as he turns 60 on Wednesday, December 30, 2022, it is expected that not a few will confirm their attendance.

For the majority of those who will be in attendance, the occasion will provide them another rare opportunity to show how much they love Ayeni, the celebrator. Indeed, he will be praised to high heavens because he means so many things to so many of them.

It was gathered that the party will commence with a church service at the Anglican Church of the Nativity in Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos, with a brunch at his palatial mansion in Banana Island, while the grand party will be held later in the evening at the Grand Ballroom at the Oriental hotel, Lekki, with a dress code of black with bling.

That Providence has been merciful to Ayeni is stating the obvious. As a child, he had a picture of how rich he wanted to be in his head and he followed his dream through.

He launched his business in 1986 when he was just 24.

Today, the business has become a mega-fortune and has given birth to a smaller and more profitable subsidiary like Affordable Cars Limited, a low and medium car sales and service outfit.

Interestingly, as successful as he is, the popular socialite remains modest and simple because he recognizes that only God has taken him this far in life.

Besides Skymit Limited, Ayeni also calls the shots at Space Ventures Limited, an establishment that deals in photographic materials; Space Properties, a real estate firm; Moontrends Holdings, a project financing and management firm, and Limoserve, among others.

Last Friday December 23, 2022, the city of Lagos stood still as the families of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Senator Gbenga Ogunniya hosted a galaxy of eminent dignitaries who gathered to witness the wedding ceremony of their children.

The ceremony involved Samantha Adetutu Adebayo and John Opeyemi Ogunniya. The wedding took place at the Habour Point Marquee, Victoria Island.

The event was coordinated by Yewande Zaccheaus’ led event management outfit, Eventful Nigeria Limited. The colour dictates of the day were magenta and wine.

Although the Adebayo and Ogunniya families have been close friends of many decades, Samantha and John met through Tobi Ogunbanjo. The bride, Samantha, is the founder and creative director of Gëto, a clothing brand which specialises in high fashion

Anyone who appreciates the divine injunction in Proverbs 22:29 that “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men,” will surely understand why billionaire businessman, Nasiru Danu, has been the darling of many leaders and top executives across the globe.

Adebayo

is extensive in areas such as: Project Finance, Oil and Gas, Commercial Law and Business Facilitation.

The bride’s mother, Erelu Angela Adebayo (née DaSilva), is also a lawyer and one of the few women in the country with enviable curriculum vitae. She presently sits on the boards of over ten companies including Dangote Foundation, Afriland Properties, Omega Savings & Loans Limited, Meyer Plc, Greenwich Trust Limited and Women at Risk Foundation (WARIF), where she is the chairman.

Nigeria’s Former Ambassador, Ahmed Ibeto’s Political Wilderness

Ibeto

Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto’s involvement in his state’s politics has never been an interesting experience. At different times, Ibeto, a former

deputy governor of Niger State, has suffered indescribable humiliation.

It all began in 2015 when he lost the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket to his once-upon-a time friend and former colleague, Umar Nasko.

In view of this, he dumped the then ruling party and started a sizzling romance with All Progressives Congress (APC), a situation that infuriated his former boss, Aliyu Babangida.

He seemed to have stepped on the snake’s tail, as some police officers, allegedly on the order of his former boss, Babangida, stormed his residence and office and carted away some pieces of furniture items.

As if that wasn’t enough, Ibeto was barred from attending the State Executive Council meetings.

Luck, however, smiled at him when he was made Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa by President Muhammadu Buhari in

2015.

Through his profile had then received a boost, he was adamant in becoming the number one citizen of the state.

Consequently, he resigned his appointment and returned home in 2018 towards the preparation for the 2019 governorship elections in the state. Sadly, his balloon of hope was again punctured, as the state governor, Bello sought a return. When Ibeto realised the danger this posed to his ambition, he returned to his former party, PDP. Again, he suffered another humiliation, as he was defeated by his arch-rival Nasko and his ambition, again, blew up in his face.

Since then, he has remained in political wilderness.

Ibeto has been a councilor, council’s chairman, House of Representatives member, deputy governor and an ambassador.

Happy Moment for Marketing Communications Maestro, Badejo-Okusanya Yomi Badejo-Okusanya! Yes, that is one name that is synonymous with marketing communications in Nigeria. In this creative endeavour, he is recognised as a leading light.

As the Group Managing Director of CMC, Badejo-Okusanya’s wealth of experience as a marketing communication professional almost beggars description. Probably because he has been around for so many years and the fact that a number of people who have drunk from his fountain of knowledge are today ‘irokos’ of sorts in the nation’s thriving marketing communication industry, there is the tendency to think that he is much older than he really is. Yet, for the record, the genius only turned 60 yesterday.

As he gracefully joined the sexagenarian club, it should be expected that a lot of heavyweights

Billionaire Businessman, Nasiru Danu’s Uncommon Privilege

Danu

aesthetics that suit all body types. She is a Media and Communications graduate from Buckingham University, United Kingdom.

The groom, John, on his own part, is a lawyer and a principal partner at Central Securities Clearing System Plc. Like his bride, John attended Buckingham University, from where he bagged a degree in law. He also attended St. John University, New York in the United States.

The bride’s father, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, is the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; and the first Executive Governor of Ekiti State (1999 - 2003), where he laid the remarkable foundation for development strides. He was also the Pioneer Secretary of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Prior to veering into politics, Adebayo had built a Business and Legal Career spanning about forty years. His experience

Apart from his business acumen, he is one of the most intelligent around. Therefore, his association with those who matter around the world should not be a surprise. His brilliance, especially in business and economics, is the main reason he has been on the entourage of President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips on many occasions.

Not a few say he is cerebral, and this is the reason he is one of the key members of the President’s team. No doubt, he is one of the most loyal and trusted people who have the President’s ears. To further affirm this, he was one of the major businessmen who were on the President’s last trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The Dan Amana Dutse of the Dutse Emirate started business very early in his life. He has served as a business advisor and consultant to many other businessmen and governments in and outside Nigeria.

Through his rare accomplishments, he is one of the few Nigerian businessmen who can rub shoulders with other top businessmen around the globe.

His flagship company, Casiva, which is also into security, civil and mechanical construction, supply and procurement, was listed among the 15 consortium/companies awarded the 2019/2020 contracts for the exchange of crude oil for imported petroleum products by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

in the industry would honour him with their presence. So, it was, to put it mildly, a convergence of the leading lights in the Public Relations sector and titans of the corporate world when he had a Thanksgiving Service at his church, Grace Assembly, Lagos, as part of activities to mark his 60th birthday.

YBO, as he is fondly called, was full of appreciation to God and some individuals who have contributed in different ways to his success story. It is a fact that his company is one of the most successful Public Relations companies in Nigeria.

Having been in the business for 34 years, it is no exaggeration to say that he eats and breathes Public Relations! This renowned veteran in the Marketing Communications

Badejo-Okusanya

industry started his career in 1988 and later founded CMC Connect Limited in 1992. The company celebrated its 30th year a few months

Senator Solomon Adeola becomes Ogun’s Most Powerful Politician That Senator Solomon Adeola, currently representing Lagos West Senatorial District, is becoming the most powerful and popular politician in Ogun State at the moment is stating the obvious.

Adeola, who is now vying to represent Ogun West in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has endeared himself to all and sundry.

From the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he represented the good people of Alimosho constituency 02 from 2003 till 2011, to when he represented the whole of Alimosho Local Government in the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja and then becoming the Senator for Lagos West, Yayi, as he is fondly called, has remained one of the most experienced lawmakers in the country.

Before the 2019 elections, Adeola, who is the Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Finance, had attempted to shift his political base to Ogun where he originally hails from and committed a lot of resources, both human and financial, towards the actualisation of his dream. But this did not go down well with the then governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who saw it as an affront to his political power.

Society Watch gathered that he was forced to drop his ambition in the face of stiff opposition from Amosun who allegedly used his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari

Adeola

to put a spanner in the works of Solomon, whom he sees as a thorn in his flesh. In the end, Amosun left office, without succeeding in his plans to install his preferred successor, Adekunle Akinlade.

In the face of this development, Adeola staged a dramatic comeback in an unprecedented manner and won the ticket as the APC’s candidate at the Upper Chamber.

To say this shocked many political observers in the state is an understatement. He trounced other contestants from his constituency and made them redundant.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JUNE 24 2012

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

25. 12.2022

Reliving Local Arts Scene's Landmark Moments in 2022 A flashback through the year 2022 reveals moments of excitement, celebrations, loss and hope for the future of arts in Nigeria. Yinka Olatunbosun reports.

Y EAR

IN

Nobel Prize for Literature,Abdulrazak Gurnah heightenedtheexperiencethatisindeedacultural staple.

R EVIEW

Return of Looted Treasures The new wave of consciousness that birth conversationsandactualreturnofstolentreasures from Nigeria continued to sweep through the art calendar. This year, the National Gallery of Art (NGA), the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Museum held a joint ceremony in Washington, DC, to mark the return of 31 Benin bronzes from their respective collections to Nigeria, marking the latest milestone in a growing movement to return the looted treasures.

The cockerel was one of up to 10,000 artifacts stolen by British troops from the royal palace in the Kingdom of Benin (in present-day Nigeria) in 1897. The pieces were dispersed throughout the world and, in the decades that followed, several were acquired by or donated to US museums L-R Atedo Peterside, Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig and Herbert Wigwe at including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the VIP opening for Art X Lagos Chicago's Field Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and others.

Recently too, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock handed 20 artefacts-a set of Benin bronzes- looted in 19th century Nigeria DW D FHUHPRQ\ LQ WKH FDSLWDO $EXMD ,W ZDV WKH ÀUVW time a European country had entered into this kind of agreement aimed at mopping up the stains left by the dark colonial history.

Bruce Onobrakpeya at 90 Fromconferencestoexhibitions,thecelebration of Nigeria’s leading artist, printmaker, painter, and sculptor, Bruce Onobrakpeya at 90 was a \HDU ORQJ DͿDLU $ FRQIHUHQFH ZDV KHOG LQ $JEDUKD Otor, Delta State inAugust featuring academics and other associates of the legendary artist. At the Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF), Onobrakpeya was the highlight of the festival with performance arts and exhibitions held in his honour. The Visual PrintmakersAssociation of Nigeria also staged a show in his honour at the new Tim&Carol Gallery in GRA, Lagos.

Goethe-Institut Nigeria at 60 White cake, sumptuous meals, audio and muitimedia showcase as well as performances marked the climax of the Goethe Nigeria at 60.

The German Cultural institution held an open day to felicitate with friends, while sharing deep insights into the interceptions between Goethe Institut and the Nigerian cultural landscape.

NLNG PrizeWinner Romeo Oriogun Shares His Ten Percent The winner of the 2022 Nigeria Prize for Literature, Romeo Oriogun announced that he would share ten percent of his winnings with the RWKHU WZR ÀQDOLVWV 6DGGLT ']XNRJL DQG 6X·HGGLH VershimaAgema.RomeoOriogunistheauthorof TheGatheringofBastards(UniversityofNebraska Press, 2023) and Sacrament of Bodies (University ofNebraskaPress,2020).AnalumnusoftheIowa Writers’Workshop,helivesinAmes,Iowa,where he is a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University.

Echoes of EkoNAFEST At the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, the 35th edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) was opened and closed with Lagos declared as the overall winner. Founded on the objectives of promot-

Lagos Fringe at Five +HOG DW )UHHGRP 3DUN /DJRV WKH ÀIWK HGLtion of the Lagos Fringe had the theme ‘New Narrative,’ parading performances, seminars and workshops. Icons in the theatre circle such as Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, and Ifeoma Fafunwa were honoured alongside other distinguished culture industry personalities in celebration of their contributions to the arts over the years at the /DJRV )ULQJH )HVWLYDO WKDW WXUQV ÀYH WKLV \HDU /DJRV Fringe was launched in 2018 as an open-access PXOWLGLVFLSOLQDU\ DUWV IHVWLYDO DQG D QRW IRU SURÀW ongoing development initiative committed to improving the livelihoods of artists as well as ÀQGLQJ QHZ YRLFHV LQ WKH /DJRV FUHDWLYH VFHQH UNWTO Global Conference With the theme ‘Linking Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries: Pathways to Recovery and inclusiveDevelopment,’theUnitedNationsWorld Tourism Organisation Global Conference was held in November, featuring interactive sessionswithtopcreatives.Themainconferencewas declared open by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. His remarks about Nigeria’s burgeoning music scene went viral on the internet afterwards.

Ablade Glover Show At88,theforemostGhanaianartistandeducator, AbladeGlover,hadasoloshowatTheHourGlass Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a moment to reminisce on his footprints on African arts, art scholarship as well as his participation at the FestivalofArtsandCultureheldinNigeriain1977.

Bruce Onobrakpeya

ing peace and marketing the best of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, NAFEST 2022 had the theme “Culture and Peaceful Co-existence.” Having hosted the festival in 1970, 1974, 1988, expectations were high for Lagos, the host of the 2022 edition. While accommodation and transportation arrangement appeared to be adequate, the National Stadium venue hit below the mark for the command performance and annoyingly too because Lagos boasts of several theatres and performance venues perhaps more than any other state in Nigeria. The ease of commuting remains a major consideration for art festivals and with the new blue rail project and new bridges under construction in Lagos, the city would be better positioned to host larger cultural gatherings in future.

Tech Meets Arts Anew chapter for visual arts in Nigeria was ÁLSSHG DW WKH PDLGHQ HGLWLRQ RI 1;7 $UW )DLU RUJDQLVHG E\ $IULFD1;7 D 3DQ $IULFDQ SODWIRUP Held at Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, the fair was a coalescence of curated conversations and anexhibitionofvariedartforms,includingcrypto art, marking celebration of tech-driven solutions for African arts.

Return of Art X, AKE and Lagos Fringe 7KH $57 ; /DJRV VHDVRQ NLFNHG RͿ ZLWK

Romeo Oriogun, the winner of 2022 Nigeria Prize for Literature on screen at the grand finale organised by NLNG

a call for application in October, a grand return from the pandemic for $UW ; /DJRV IURP 1RYHPEHU WR and the unveiling of winners for the WZR FDWHJRULHV RI $FFHVV $UW ; 3UL]H Dafe Oboro, a 28-year-old artist won in the Nigerian category while Belinda Kazeem-KaminskiwonintheAfrican/ Diaspora category. Tokini Peterside Schwebig, the founder and Creative 'LUHFWRU RI $UW ; /DJRV DOVR DQQRXQFHG KHU SUHJQDQF\ WR WKH $57 ; IDPLO\ GXUing the opening while also clamouring for a bigger venue for West Africa’s Premier Art fair.

Ake Arts and Book Festival made a beautiful comeback with drums of celebrations rolled out in Lagos. Now in its tenth year, Akefest lived up to its international status with the ilk of writers and artists featured at the WKUHH GD\ HYHQW )URP PXVLF WR ÀOP screenings,thefestivalwaspackedwith fun activities that further validate the truththatthebookisnotsynonymousto boredom. The engagement with select cast of Elesin Oba, a movie inspired by Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman and the winner of the 2021

Prof Duro Oni at 70 All paths led to Afe Babalola Hall, Iniversity of Lagos sometime in December to celebrate the 70th birthday anniversary of theatre scholar, Professor Duro Oni, FNAL. The former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) of the University of Lagos was received by colleagues, mentees,friends,andfamilymemberswholauded him for his exemplary professional life.

Tim&Carol Opening Anotherartspace,TimandCarolGalleryofArt, was opened in GRA, Ikeja Lagos. The proprietor of the art gallery Mr. Wale Fasuyi is the son of Pa Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi, a renowned artist, art teacher and educationist. The former whose life has also revolved around the arts is deeply passionate about establishing an art gallery and connecting artists with collectors.

Bidding Biyi Bandele Goodbye ThedeathofBiyiBandeleat54sentshockwaves around the world. The Acclaimed novelist and ÀOPPDNHU ZDV D SUROLÀF DXWKRU SOD\ZULJKW DQG ÀOPPDNHU ZKRVH ZRUN LQFOXGHV WKH DGDSWDWLRQ of famed Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun starring Chiwetel EjioforandThandieNewton.BandelewasconsidHUHG RQH RI WKH ÀQHVW ÀOPPDNHUV DQG VWRU\WHOOHUV of his generation for his unique ability to work DV D WUDQVPHGLD VWRU\WHOOHU +LV ODWHVW ÁLFN (OHVLQ Oba was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival before it hit the streaming platform, 1(7)/,; WR FULWLFDO UHYLHZV

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ Ͱͳ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

42

CICERO

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IN THE ARENA

2022: Navigation Through Political Uncertainties ÓÞÒ ÚÜÏàËÖÏØÞ àÙÞÏ̋ÌßãÓØј ÓØÝÏÍßÜÓÞã ËØÎ ÞÒÏ Ï×ÏÜÑÏØÍÏ ÙÐ ÚÜÏÝÓÎÏØÞÓËÖ ÍËØÎÓÎËÞÏݘ Ë×ÙØÑ ÙÞÒÏÜݘ ͺ͸ͺͺ ÙÌàÓÙßÝÖã ÜÏÚÜÏÝÏØÞÝ Ë ØËàÓÑËÞÓÙØ ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ ÞÒÏ ÖËÌãÜÓØÞÒ ÙÐ ÚÙÖÓÞÓÍËÖ ßØÍÏÜÞËÓØÞÓÏÝ ÞÒËÞ ÍËØ ÐßÜÞÒÏÜ ßØÎÏÜ×ÓØÏ ÚßÌÖÓÍ ÑÙàÏÜØËØÍÏ ËØÎ ßØÝÏʵÖÏ ÝÏË×ÖÏÝÝ ÎÏ×ÙÍÜËÞÓÍ ÞÜËØÝÓÞÓÙØ ÓØ ͺ͸ͺͻ ÓÐ ØÙÞ ÎÏÍÓÝÓàÏÖã ×ËØËÑÏΘ Gboyega Akinsanmi áÜÓÞÏÝ

T

he last 12 months have perhaps been the most turbulentinNigeria’srecentpoliticalhistory.This has formed the deduction of most analysts, who have in their separate interventions expressed grave apprehension about the political future of Nigeria, especially in the year preceding the country’s general election.

From the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2022 to the conduct of special conventions by leading political parties, escalation of armed attacks on the country’s strategic electoral assets and the prevalence of vote trading during off-cycle governorship elections, the year has been bespeckled with diverse incidents that depict more pessimism than optimism about Nigeria’s democratic future.

But the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2022 into law signalled the new beginning in the journey into 2023.

While Section 47 recognises the deployment of smart card readers or any other technological device for the accreditation of voters, Section 50(2) legitimises the electronic transmission of election results. The sections indeed boost public confidence that the 2023 elections will reflect the decisions of the voters.

As the new electoral regime envisaged, the deployment of smart card readers undeniably produced some enviable outcomes witnessed in the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. Even before the Ekiti and Osun elections, as INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu recently claimed, the use of the technological device had redefined the country’s electoral environment, deepening credibility and transparency in the electoral process.

First, based on diverse observers’ reports, the deployment of smart card readers had significantly reduced the cases of ballot box snatching, which according to reports, had been a standard practice in the previous elections. Second, it had equally ended the practice of multiple thumb printing, a crude strategy candidates and political parties had adopted to gain undue advantages during the previous elections.

As efficacious as the provisions are, their adoption induced the political actors to create an illicit electoral market, where the electorate now auction their votes without any restraint and where contestants name their offers to the duly registered citizens, who either directly negotiate their prices or depend on their political brokers.

This trend was predominant during the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, which according to the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Yiaga Africa, had brought a new dimension to the thriving culture of electoral malpractice that plagued the previous elections in the federation.

Despite its shortcomings, the new electoral regime substantially redefined the primaries of the leading political parties.

Until the president assented to the electoral bill on February 25, both All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were, in entirety, at loss as to the model - direct or indirect - they would adopt to conduct their primaries at different levels.

Rather than resolving the long-standing issue, Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act further compounded the apprehension of the leading political parties. The provision enshrined that no political appointee “at any level shall be a voting delegate or be

Yakubu

voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

This provision, eventually, triggered multi-staged litigations, which political pundits contended, was not in any way directed at deepening the country’s democratisation process or the internal democracy of the political parties, but was part of the quest for the leading presidential candidates, especially those in the APC, to gain further advantage during the preliminary process.

At first instance, a Federal High Court, Umuahia, directed that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act should be deleted citing its inconsistency to Sections 66(1) (f), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(f) and 182(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). However, a Court of Appeal, Abuja, set aside the decision of the trial court on the ground that the litigant lacked “the locus standi to institute the suit.”

Given the decision of the appellate court, the political parties had to comply with the new electoral regime in the conduct of their primaries. As a consequence, the clause disrupted the strategies of the presidential aspirants, especially those who had prepared for the direct primaries and whose winning strategy rested largely on the support they commanded in the ranks of political office holders nationwide.

However, the legal contest did not end at the appel-

late court on different grounds. First, the president signed the legislation with a proviso that the National Assembly would amend the electoral act with a view to deleting the controversial clause. Second, after Buhari’s assent, the National Assembly refused to effect the amendment perhaps due to its implication such a decision might have on their nominations.

Hence, the President through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami approached the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of section 84(12) of the Electoral Act. In its decision, however, the apex court ruled that Buhari’s request “to the National Assembly to delete Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act amounts to a constitutional violation.”

The decision of the apex court technically put paid to the legal contest. Even though the apex court has adjudicated the constitutionality of the provision of the electoral act, its decision simply suggests that the quest for the obliteration of the controversial clause has now been shifted till after the 2023 general election.

With or without the controversial clause, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged the presidential candidate of PDP. But his emergence and the subsequent nomination of his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa ruptured the political calculation of Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nysom Wike and his loyalists.

Likewise, Atiku’s victory stoked an intense campaign against PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. At the core of the campaign is the quest to effect the party’s zoning principle enshrined in Section 7(3c) of the PDP Constitution, which as diverse reports revealed, Ayu promised at the Special Convention on October 31, 2021 to graciously honour if a northerner eventually clinched the presidential nomination.

Like Atiku’s case, former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu clinched the presidential nomination of APC. A former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi also broke away from the main opposition party and pitched his tent with the Labour Party as its presidential candidate.

A former Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso also emerged as the presidential candidate of New Nigeria Political Party (NNPP).

Beyond the emergence of presidential candidates, election security has been a source of concern for the electoral umpire. As shown in diverse security reports, the political environment has been inclement for the conduct of the 2023 elections. Aside, the country’s electoral assets have sustained attacks in different parts of the federation. As shown in reports, INEC has at least 50 violent attacks, cutting across 15 states of the federation.

With all these developments, the road to 2023 appears too tortuous and dotted with many uncertainties that cannot guarantee credibility of the election process. This might, as an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Ibadan, Prof. John A. Ayoade has observed, might rob Nigeria democratic peace.

But the Incident Centre on Election Atrocities (ICEA) believes these dangerous political dynamics can decisively be averted if the government can ensure security in vulnerable communities; justice institutions spare no sacred cows and the people nationwide can rise in defence of democratic Nigeria.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

When Ortom, Ugwuanyi Failed Enugu Communities

Ugwuanyi

ÙàÏÜØÙÜÝ Ë×ßÏÖ ÜÞÙ× ÙÐ ÏØßÏ ÞËÞÏ ËØÎ ÐÏËØãÓ ÑáßËØãÓ ÙÐ ØßÑß ÞËÞÏ ÒËàÏ ÌÏÏØ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ØÏáÝ ÝÓØÍÏ ÞÒÏ ÍÜÓÝÓÝ ÜÙÍÕÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÏÙÚÖÏÝ Ï×ÙÍÜËÞÓÍ ËÜÞã ̙ ̚ ÝÞËÜÞÏÎ ÎßÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏÓÜ ×Ï×ÌÏÜÝÒÓÚ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ̋ͽ ÑÙàÏÜØÙÜݘ áÒÙ ËÜÏ ÖÙãËÖ ÞÙ ÙàÏÜØÙÜ ãÏÝÙ× ÓÕÏ ÙÐ ÓàÏÜÝ ÞËÞÏ˛ Ý ÞÒÏÝÏ ÑÙàÏÜØÙÜÝ ËÜÏ ÑËÖÖÓàËØÞÓØÑ áÓÞÒ ÓÕÏ ÖÙÍËÖÖã ËØÎ ÓØÞÏÜØËÞÓÙØËÖÖ㘠ËÜ×ÏÎ ÒÏÜÎÝ×ÏØ ÒËàÏ ÖËßØÍÒÏÎ ×ËÝÝÓàÏ áËÜ ÞÙ ÏâÞÏÜ×ÓØËÞÏ ÞÒÏ ÜÏÝÓÎÏØÞÝ ÙÐ ÐÙßÜ ÍÙ××ßØÓÞÓÏÝ ̎ Ñß̋ ×ÏÎϘ ÑÌßÔÓ˜ ×ßÔÓÙàß ËØÎ ÌÙÜ ÓØ ÒË̋ ×ßÐߘ ÝÓ äÙ ÙÍËÖ ÙàÏÜØ×ÏØÞ ÜÏË ÙÐ ØßÑß ÞËÞϘ áÒÓÍÒ ÒËàÏ ÌÙßØÎËÜÓÏÝ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ÑËÖË ÍÙ××ßØÓÞã ÓØ ÏØßÏ ÞËÞÏ˛ ØÙʩÍÓËÖ ËÍÍÙßØÞ ÒËÝ ÚßÞ ÞÒÏ ÎÏËÞÒ ÞÙÖÖ ËÞ ÙàÏÜ ͹͸͸ áÓÞÒ ÙàÏÜ ͼ͸ àÓÖÖËÑÏÝ ËØÎ ÐËÜ× ÝÏʵÖÏ×ÏØÞÝ ÝËÍÕÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÓØàËÎÓØÑ ÒÏÜÎÏÜÝ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÏØßÏ ÞËÞÏ ÍÙÖÖËÌÙÜËÞÙÜÝ ÝÓØÍÏ ÞÒÏ ËʵËÍÕÝ ÝÞËÜÞÏÎ ÓØ ËØßËÜã ͺ͸ͺ͹˛ ÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ßØÏØÎÓØÑ ËʵËÍÕݘ ÒË̋ ×ßÐß ÒËÝ ÞßÜØÏÎ ÞÙ Ë ÑÒÙÝÞ ÞÙáØ ËÝ àÓÖÖËÑÏÜÝ ËØÎ ÝÏʵÖÏÜÝ ÒËàÏ ʮÏβ ÙÝÞ ÙÐ

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43

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25, 2022

BRIEFINGNOTES

Okupe’s Honourable Path By resigning honourably instead of clinging to power to exhaust all the legal options available to him, the convicted former Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe has portrayed his party and indeed Nigeria, in a good light, Ejiofor Alike reports

T

he effort of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi to occupy the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja next year received a major blow on Monday when a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja convicted the Director General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (LPPCO), Dr. Doyin Okupe of money laundering.

Okupe was convicted of breaching the Money Laundering Act and subsequently sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

He was found guilty in 26 out of the 59 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court had ordered that the 26 counts, which attracted two-year jail-term each, would run concurrently, meaning, Okupe would only spend two years in prison.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, gave an option of N500,000 fine on each of the 26 count charges, totalling N13 million.

The former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday evening, paid the N13 million for the 52-year jail term he bagged for laundering N240 million.

Though he paid the N13 million before the 4.30pm deadline and escaped the prison sentence, he has become an ex-convict and unfit to hold public office.

The question that came to the minds of supporters of LP was: Will Obi allow an ex-convict to lead his campaign?

Okupe’s conviction was not the first time he ran into troubled waters as the director general of the LPPCO.The LP in Ogun State had earlier this month expelled him from the party over alleged non-financial membership status, high-handedness and financial recklessness.

But the national secretariat of the party swiftly nullified the purported suspension and also declared the suspension of 10 other party members by the State Executive Committee null, void and of no effect.

Though the national secretariat of the party stood by him during his face-off with his state chapter of the party, many believed the reputation of the party would be destroyed if it also allowed him to remain the face of the presidential campaign.

Shortly after his conviction, he took to his Twitter account to attribute his travail to the handiwork of his enemies.

He tweeted, “God is not man. The enemies have tried in so many ways but keep failing…

Victory is of God.” Many political analysts viewed his message as a strong indication that he wanted to cling to power as the director general of LPPCO. Most Nigerian politicians and public office holders always blame their real and imaginary enemies whenever the law catches up with them and Okupe’s initial reaction raised the suspicion that he would toe

Okupe the same path.

On his part, Obi had declared that the witchhunting of persons in his campaign team could not break his resolve to be Nigeria’s president.

Reacting to the court judgment during his visit to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Obi said: “I am hearing about it (the conviction) just like you. I am still studying what is coming out of the courts and everything. I believe in the rule of law. It is not going to demoralise me.

“When I arrived Akwa Ibom somebody asked me why I haven’t been using my aircraft, because it has been grounded and all that and I said to him that nothing demoralises me.

“In my life I have never stayed where they dropped me otherwise I would have been where they dropped me before. This election if they like let them say anything about people who are around me, I will get there”.

But in a swift reaction, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council on Tuesday demanded the immediate resignation of

Okupe from the campaign team of Obi. Director of Media and Publicity for Tinubu-Shettima Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, mocked Okupe, stressing that he did not deserve to continue occupying his office as DG of Obi’s campaign.

Onanuga told a national daily that the only option open for Okupe was for him to bow out of the campaign honourably.

“Okupe should resign from his post as DG of Obi’s Campaign. He should do so honorably. The court has spoken. He should no longer be involved in the campaign,” he added.

Okupe however shamed his critics when he toed the honourable path and resigned his appointment from Obi’s campaign.

Okupe, in a letter addressed to Obi, requested the appointment of a new DG to continue from where he stopped.

The letter read: “Dear Peter, You

will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my personal travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian Legal System to pursue same. I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my personal travails to become a source of distraction.

“In the circumstances, I have opted to step aside and plead that you appoint a new Campaign DG, who can continue the assignment with zero distractions. God bless you and your family,” the letter stated.

Reacting to Okupe’s decision, Obi lauded his support and tenacity that led to the country-wide acceptance of the party and its candidates.

“My Dear Elder Brother Doyin, I received your letter offering to step aside in order to avoid any distraction to the good work of trying to forge a new direction for our country, on board of which you have been from inception. It is a decision which I respect.

“The story of this historic effort, which has galvanised millions of our countrymen, particularly our youths, cannot be complete without mentioning your commitment, dedication, and the boundless energy that you brought to bear.

“It is my sincere hope that our legal system will afford you an opportunity to eventually clear your name,” Obi wrote in a letter to Okupe on Wednesday.

In his reaction, the spokesperson of the campaign council, Yunusa Tanko, expressed the confidence that Okupe’s resignation would not affect the party, saying the party was not structured on the shoulder of one person.

“Labour Party has millions of soldiers, who can take the baton from where Okupe stopped. It is a national organic movement that no one can stop,” he told THISDAY. Tanko said Okupe was a reputable democrat who had paid his dues.

He said Okupe would continue to earn the respect of many Nigerians, who appreciated his contributions in the democratic development of the country.

Also reacting, the party in Lagos State on Wednesday said that the resignation of Okupe had projected Nigeria positively to the world.

LP Publicity Secretary in the state, Mrs. Olubunmi Odesanya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Okupe had raised the bar and the standard for others to follow.

Odesanya added that Okupe’s decision remained honourable to clear his name through the nation’s legal system.

“We are standing by him (Okupe). This is a great and noble step taken by our leader, Doyin Okupe.

“He (Okupe) is projecting Nigeria in a positive light to the world. We are proud of him,” the LP spokesperson said.

Okupe still has other legal options to prove his innocence but he toed the honourable path without exhausting these options.

NOTES FOR FILE

The Sealing of Atiku’s Campaign Office

Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Friday tookhisdisagreementwiththehisparty,thePeoples DemocraticParty(PDP)toanotherlevelwhenheshut the campaign office of the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ThishappenedjustfewdaysaftertheSouth-south Zonal office of the Presidential Campaign Council in the state was sealed on December 20, 2022.

It was learnt that the Rivers State government sealed off the campaign office based on Executive Orders 21 and 22.

Theofficewassaidtohavebeenshutforproducing noisypoliticalactivitiesinresidentialareaswithout approval from the state government.

The Rivers State PDP presidential campaign

council, which made this known, noted that the office which is located in GRA, Port Harcourt was sealed off in the early hours of Friday.

RecallthatWikelostthePDPpresidential primary in May to, Atiku who polled 371 votes and was declared the winner, while the governor secured 237 votes. Since after the primary, he has been inconsolable.

Further cracks in the opposition party widened after Atiku overlooked him and settled for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

Even when he rejected his inclusion in the party’sPresidentialCampaignCouncil,many

believe that he pained that the campaign could go on without his contributions. So far, he has a lot to undermine Atiku and other members of the party.

No doubt the governor’s latest action has portrayed him as someone who has lost every sense of comportment. Is he the first human being to lose primaries or lose the vice presidential ticket in Nigeria?

Many are wondering if truly Wike is in control of Rivers State voters, why all the bullying?

If he is doing all these to attract Atiku’s attention to himself who has shut his eyes against him without responding to his excesses, it is better for the former vice president to continue to ignore him.

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˜ ˾ DECEMBER 25, 2022

CICERO/ISSUES

Those Who Shaped Nigerian Politics in 2022 As a pre-election year, 2022 witnessed the intrigues and horse-trading that characterised the presidential primaries and national conventions of the dominant political parties, as well as the signing of the amended Electoral Act 2022, with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission and a few other political actors as the dramatis personae, Ejiofor Alike reports President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari took a number of far-reaching decisions to shape Nigerian politics positively in 2022.

Unlike former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who imposed a presidential candidate on his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the end of his tenure in 2007, President Buhari made it clear shortly before the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2022 that he had no preferred aspirant for the presidential ticket of the party. Many believed the president should have shown interest on who would succeed him but Buhari insisted that the delegates should choose the party’s candidate. When the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu announced that the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan had been anointed as the party’s consensus presidential candidate, but Buhari also disowned him.

Shortly after Adamu’s claim, Buhari held separate meetings with top party officials, governors, and presidential aspirants as rumours continued to linger that he might announce his preferred successor during one of the engagements.

But after his meeting with the northern APC governors, Buhari in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said delegates of the party should be allowed to vote and decide who would emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

With Buhari’s non-interference in the party’s selection process, Senator Bola Tinubu Tinubu emerged in a free and fair primary election.

Many believe Tinubu would not have emerged if Buhari had chosen to anoint a candidate of his choice.

Even after Tinubu emerged, Buhari seems to have taken a decision to remain neutral and ensure free, fair and acceptable elections in 2023. After attending his party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Jos, Plateau State, Buhari has stayed away from his party’s campaigns, an indication of his neutrality even when his party will contest the 2023 polls. He has vowed to ensure that the 2023 elections would be acceptable to all the contestants.

If he matches his words and body language with actions, the 2023 general election will beat the 2015 elections in terms of fairness.

Buhari also demonstrated his determination to ensure credible polls in 2023 with his signing of the amended Electoral Act 2022.

Yemi Osinbajo Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was one of the front runners in the race for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Many Nigerians believe he was the best man in view of his over seven years of experience as the vice president, his academic qualifications which are unrivalled and his sterling performance as the acting President when President Muhammadu Buhari Buhari was on a medical vacation. Having worked harmoniously with President Buhari, Osinbajo was rumoured to be the preferred choice of Buhari. As the head of the National Economic Council (NEC), he was also said to have earned the respect of the 36 governors who were members of the council. Despite the fact that all odds had favoured him, Buhari did not anoint him. Many believe his independent-mindedness and some of the decisions he allegedly took as acting president without consulting the president, were his greatest undoing.

Osinbajo’s speech at the party’s convention was also adjudged the best. However, at the end of the counting of the votes, he came a distant third after Senator Bola Tinubu who scored 1,271 votes and Rotimi Amaechi, who got 316 votes.

Osinbajo with Buhari

Atiku Abubakar Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar became a big factor in 2022 politics when he emerged as the presidential candidate of the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the party’s May 28, 2022 presidential primary after polling 371 votes to defeat his closest rival and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who scored 237 votes.

Other aspirants with the number of votes polled include a former Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki – 70; Sam Ohuabunwa – 1; a former Senate president and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim – 14; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State – 38 votes; and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State – 20.

Atiku’s victory was said to have been facilitated by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who withdrew from the presidential race at the convention venue and gave his support to the former Vice President.

The former vice president is being taunted by his opponents as a serial presidential aspirant, having been contesting since 1993.

Atiku had in March 27-29, 1993, contested the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primary, losing to Chief Moshood Abiola and Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe.

He was a presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 presidential election and came third after the late President Umaru Yar’Adua of the PDP and Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP. He contested the presidential primary of the PDP during the 2011 presidential election and lost to incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

In 2014, he joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2015 presidential election and contested the presidential primary and lost to Buhari.

In 2017, he returned to the PDP and was the party’s presidential candidate during the 2019 presidential election, again losing to incumbent President Buhari.

His emergence as the PDP presidential candidate for next year’s elections has plunged the party into crisis, which he has not been able

to manage.

Bola Tinubu The former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu stamped his authority in national politics when he dismantled all the intrigues against him and emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 1,271 votes to beat his closest rival and former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 316 votes.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came a distant third with 235 votes.

Tinubu contested against 13 other aspirants – Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr. Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr. Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu. While Nwajiuba shunned the presidential primary, citing the party’s refusal to zone the ticket to the South-east, nine aspirants had stepped down, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu.

One of the aspirants, however, asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.

Those who stepped down before voting began are Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Robert Boroffice, former Senate President Ken Nnamani; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The only female aspirant, Mrs Uju Ken-Ohanenye, also asked her supporters to vote for Tinubu.

Tinubu had played regional politics until his party, the Action Congress of

Nigeria (ACN) joined forces with other political parties to form the APC, which wrestled power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

Before his emergence, many obstacles were placed on his way by the leadership of his party and a section of the presidency but he surmounted these challenges. Even when many believed he had played into the hands of his enemies when he threw spat at President Muhammadu Buhari and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, few weeks to the primary, Tinubu also survived despite threat against him by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. Adamu’s last-minute efforts to impose the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate was also frustrated by Tinubu and his loyalists. However, since his emergence, his many gaffes have added a comic relief to the tense political atmosphere.

Peter Obi The supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, elevated a political party without a known formidable structure to a mass movement in 2022.

The youths achieved this feat with the massive pre-campaign rallies they organised across the major cities in the country, which unlike other political rallies, were not influenced by monetary inducements.

When Obi announced in late May 2022 that he had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many political analysts were anxious to know his next direction.

He did not keep his supporters waiting for too long as he announced his decision to join the LP just barely three days after he quit the PDP. He also emerged as the party’s presidential candidate barely three days after he joined the party.

Obi emerged as the party’s choice at its national convention and presidential primary in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, after other aspirants stepped down for him. Those who stepped down were: Professor Pat Utomi; Faduri Joseph and Olubusola Emmanuel-Tella.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ DECEMBER 25, 2022

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Tinubu

Obi

Wike

Despite the adoption of the LP by the Utomiled National Consultative Front (NCFront), an umbrella body of the Third Force, in collaboration with Comrade Ayuba Wabba-led Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Comrade Quadri Olaleye-led Trade Union Congress (TUC), many still dismissed Obi, saying he had no formidable structure.

But Obi told critics who claimed that he had no formidable structure to clinch power next year that those making such assertion were referring to political structures of corruption and criminality which he doesn’t have and strongly abhors.

The LP presidential standard bearer said the type of structures that his critics were talking about involves bribery and corruption; and also sharing money to acclaimed political stakeholders to enlist their support and help in rigging election.

Nyesom Wike Since he lost the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the party’s vice presidential ticket to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has remained inconsolable. With the limitless resources at his disposal which he invested heavily with reckless abandon, Wike had believed he was making waves with his aspiration to clinch the PDP ticket. However, many were displeased with his ignoble conduct, which was characterised by his unrestrained verbal attacks on his fellow governors and his attempts to hijack the party’s structures from his colleagues in their states. It was not surprising that he lost woefully with 237 votes to Atiku, who scored 371 votes. He initially accepted defeat and pledged his support to the former vice president after he was allegedly promised the vice presidential ticket.

But he made a U-turn and started weeping inconsolably when he lost the ticket to Governor Okowa. With the huge resources at his disposal, he was able to sponsor four other governors – Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Samuel Ortom (Benue) to work against Atiku. Wike and his group, who pride themselves as G-5 have insisted that the national chairman of the party and its presidential candidate should not come from the same zone – North. They are agitating that the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu should relinquish his position to a southerner. Many believe their call for Ayu’s resignation is part of a more sinister plot to destablise the party ahead of the next year’s elections.

Rotimi Amaechi The former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi was believed to have been promised the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the allies of President Muhammadu Buhari in view of his closeness to Buhari’s Daura Emirate, which turbaned the former governor of Rivers State as Dan Amanar Daura (trusted son of Daura) in February 2022. Many had believed the honour was an audacious political statement by the emirate.

A political under undertone was brought to bear as shouts of “Amaechi for President 2023,” rented the air, amidst singing and dancing by the locals during the ceremony at the palace of Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, the 60th Emir of the ancient town.

As the then minister of Transportation, Amaechi built the University of Transport at the ancient city.

Amaechi was also known to have made huge financial contributions to Buhari’s election in 2015. As the governor of Rivers State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

Adeleke a result of his unflinching loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari, which had manifested in his sustained pro-Buhari sentiments and fierce criticisms of Dr. Bukola Saraki-led leadership of the eighth Senate.

The emergence of Adamu as APC national chairman was part of the plots to stop the presidential candidate of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, from clinching the party’s ticket.

When a section of the presidency and the then national leadership of the party realised that all the national chairmanship aspirants of the party had links with Tinubu, they drafted Adamu into the race. With his loyalty to Buhari, it was easy for him to emerge as the consensus candidate.

Ahmad Lawan

Adamu, APC Chairman he was also said to have supported Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before the formation of the APC. It was not surprising that many analysts held the view that Buhari and his people were preparing Amaechi to succeed him.

However, Buhari never announced any preferred choice as he insisted that the APC delegates should make their choice. At the end of the convention, Amaechi came a distant second with 316 votes after Senator Bola Tinubu’s 1,271 votes.

Kayode Fayemi The former Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi was also a strong contender to the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). As the then Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Fayemi was believed to have used his position to secure the support of the majority of the APC governors. He was also believed to be close to President Muhammadu Buhari. Despite all the efforts of the leaders of the party in the South-west to ensure the emergence of a consensus candidate from the zone, Fayemi and other aspirants had refused to step down for anyone. However, when he saw the mood of the delegates at the national convention of the party, he stepped down for the then National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu.

Mahmood Yakubu In 2022, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, continued with his efforts to conduct credible elections in 2023 with the use of technological innovations.

With his pressure on the relevant arms of government, the amended Electoral Act 2022 became a reality. This electoral law has helped to define elections in 2022.

The law has helped to curb malpractices and has compelled politicians to sit up ahead of the 2023 general election since it won’t be business as usual.

Also the three out-of-season elections in the FCT and the Ekiti, Anambra and Osun states governorship elections held in 2022 benefited from this improved electoral law.

The electoral umpire has used technologies to address the 10 most prevalent flaws in the country’s electoral system. These include alteration of votes at polling units, distortion of number of accredited voters, collation of false results, mutilation of results and computational errors, swapping of results sheets, forging of results sheets, snatching and destruction of results sheets, obtaining declaration and return involuntarily, making declaration and return

Ayu, PDP Chairman while result collation is still in progress and poor record-keeping.

One of the technological innovations, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is a technological device used to identify and accredit voters’ fingerprints and facial recognition before voting. It is also used for capturing images of the polling unit result sheet (Form EC8A) and uploading the image of the result sheet online.

A second technological innovation, INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV) is an online portal where polling unit-level results are uploaded directly from the polling unit, transmitted, and published for the public. The accessibility of polling unit level results increases transparency and public trust in the process.

Mahmood’s avowed determination to deploy these technologies have unruffled feathers in some quarters but the INEC boss has refused to be cowed.

Iyorchia Ayu A former President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, emerged as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a time the main opposition party was enmeshed in crisis over the zoning of 2023 presidency and the tenure of Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC).

Many had thought that the former university lecturer would concentrate efforts to navigate the party through the raging storms.

Little did analysts know that his emergence would inflict more wounds on the party.

The emergence of Ayu as the National Chairman of the party in its October 30, 2021 National Convention had given the initial impression that the main opposition party was going to zone the presidency to the South. But the party threw the position open to all the six geopolitical zones. This led to the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party to the dissatisfaction of many southern leaders of the party, including Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, among other party leaders from South. Even Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State also voiced his preference for a southern presidential candidate.

Abdullahi Adamu A former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu also emerged as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022.

Many analysts believe his emergence was as

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan shocked political analysts when he was announced as the consensus presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

In naming Lawan as the choice of the party, Adamu said the decision was taken in consultation with President Muhammadu Buhari. But following the backlash that greeted the announcement by the other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Buhari disowned Adamu and insisted that he had no preferred choice. The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, had claimed that nine presidential aspirants would step down for Lawan but no such thing happened. At the end of the voting, Lawan took fourth position with 152 votes after Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Ademola Adeleke The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke made history on July 16, 2022 when he defeated the incumbent governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious after the failed attempt by the police and the agents of the APC to nail him with an allegation of involvement in examination malpractices.

According to the results announced by the Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the PDP governorship candidate polled 403,371 votes to defeat incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC, who scored 375,027 votes.

Aminu Tambuwal Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, was believed to have influenced the outcome of the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he stepped down his presidential ambition to support the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar at the party’s convention in Abuja.

The governor was also a presidential aspirant on the platform of the party before his late withdrawal where he asked his supporters to vote for Atiku.

He told a crowd who welcomed him back at the state government’s house in Sokoto that his decision was a sacrifice for Nigerians and Nigeria as a country.

However, his decision to step down at the convention venue did not go down well with the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who believes the Sokoto State governor’s action was responsible for his loss of the ticket to Atiku. Wike argued that the party’s leadership should not have allowed Tambuwal to make his second speech after all the aspirants had made their speeches. The National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu also incurred Wike’s wrath when he referred to Tambuwal as the hero of the convention for stepping down for the former vice president.

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 25, 2022 • T H I S D AY

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 25, 2022

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NEWS

WALTER CARRINGTON LIVES… L-R: Chairman, Seplat Energy, Mr. Basil Omiyi; Ambassador Walter Carrington's Widow/ Member, Board of Trustees of Carrington Fellowship Network, Dr. Arese Carrington; Member, Board of Trustees/former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye; Executive Director, HACEY Health Initiative and Panel Moderator, Ms. Rhoda Ribinson; and Head of Engagement, African Plan Foundation, Ms. Chizaram Iroaganachi, at the second Ambassador Walter Carrington annual symposium in Lagos…recently

FG Raises Third-party Vehicle Insurance by 200% Private vehicle owners to pay N15,000 from January 1 Ebere Nwoji The federal government has announced a major increase in premium rates payable on the compulsory vehicle third-party insurance by motorists in Nigeria.

Under these new rates that take effect from January 1, 2023, owners of private vehicles will pay N15,000 for Motor Vehicle Third-party Insurance against the current N5,000.

Insurance sector regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), announced the new rates in a circular issued to all insurance firms in the country at the weekend.

The new premium rates represent a 200 per cent increase in the compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance.

Both the commission and insurance chief executives in the country mulled the premium rate increase last year and set up a

committee to look into it.

The commission yesterday announced the approval of the new rates and sent the directive to all insurance chief executives in the country for compliance.

The approval, which was contained in a circular titled: ‘New Premium Rate for Motor Insurance,’ was signed by the Director of Policy and Regulation, NAICOM, Leo Akah, for the Commissioner for Insurance.

The circular partly read: “Under the exercise of its function of approving rates of insurance premium under Section 7 of NAICOM Act 1997 and other extant laws, the commission hereby issues this circular on the new motor insurance premium rates effective from January 1, 2023.”

It warned that failure to comply with the circular shall attract appropriate regulatory sanctions.

According to NAICOM, private vehicles carrying their goods will

Nigeria Celebrating Christmas in Fear, Uncertainty, Hardship, CAN Laments Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has bemoaned the challenges confronting Nigerians, saying the people are faced with uncertainty, fear and worsening poverty.

In a message issued yesterday by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, to mark this year's Christmas celebration, the Christian body said political leaders, especially those jostling for the opportunity to lead the country should use the Christmas season to reinforce the hope of the masses in a better, more peaceful and secure Nigeria come 2023.

"This year, we are celebrating Christmas in Nigeria amidst uncertainty, fear, untold suffering, hardship and pain in the face of a harsh economy, record inflation figures, worsening poverty situation and a weakened security system due to bad governance.

"This precarious situation in our national life can be likened to the sufferings, helplessness and hopelessness of the Israelites as a result of the decisions of their

leaders to forsake God and pursue after their bellies which they have made into gods through greed, selfishness and blatant corruption.

"Nevertheless, the message of Christmas informs us that God will not abandon us, rather, He will continue to intervene in the affairs of mankind through Jesus Christ, the Messiah He sent to save the world.

"We should resist the temptation to speak the language of despair and division over our lives and our nation. Let the story of Christmas inspire us to speak the language of peace to our neighbours regardless of differences in religion, ethnicity or political leanings," Okoh explained.

The CAN President said that Christians should use the "Christmas season to reflect on the words of the new-born Messiah who, when it was time to inaugurate His rescue mission in the world, expressed the consciousness that He was anointed to preach the good news to the poor, proclaim release to Continued on page 48

pay N20,000 premium, staff buses will also pay N20,000 premium, trucks and general cartage will pay N100,000, a special type of carriage vehicle also will pay N20,000, while tricycles commonly called Keke Napep will pay N5,000 and motorcycle popularly called Okada will pay N3,000.

NAICOM said claims on Thirdparty Property Damage (TPPD) limit for the private motor is now N3 million instead of N1million, while claims of N5 million is the limit for own goods, with a premium of N20,000; staff bus which attracts N20,000 premium is entitled to claims payment of N3 million.

For commercial vehicles, trucks/ general cartage, the commission said the TPPD claims limit is now N5 million, on the N100,000 premium paid while on special types, the TPPD limit is N3 million, on payment of N20,000 premium.

For tricycles, NAICOM said the TPPD limit is N2 million, on payment of N5,000 premium and for motorcycles, the TPPD limit is N1 million on payment of premium of N3,000.

It added that the comprehensive motor insurance policy premium rate shall not be less than five per cent of the sum insured after all rebates or discounts.

The Motor Vehicles (Third Party)

Insurance Act 1950, mandates motor vehicle owners plying Nigerian roads to hold a motor vehicle insurance policy.

In a third-party insurance policy, the policyholder purchases a policy for protection against the claims of another.

These claims are in respect of death and bodily injuries to the third party and third party properties, arising from the use of the vehicle, of which the insured has legal liabilities.

Section 68 of the Insurance Act, 2003 provides: (1) “No person shall use or cause or permit any other person to use a motor vehicle on a road unless a liability which he

may thereby incur in respect of damage to the property of third parties is insured with an insurer registered under this Act.” A similar provision is found in the Motor Vehicles (Third Party) Insurance Act. Section 3 (1) states: “Subject to the provisions of this Act no person shall use, or cause or permit any other person to use a motor vehicle unless there is in force about the user of that motor vehicle by such person or such other person as the case may be such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks as complies with the provisions of this Act.”

NLC Urges Workers to Vote Candidates Who will Salvage Nigerian Economy Buhari losing sleep over hardship facing Nigerians, says Ngige Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The organised labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised Nigerian workers to identify with candidates who demonstrate commitment to lifting the country out of the economic downturns marked by soaring inflation, widespread insecurity and deepening poverty.

This is coming as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said that the present hardship in the country is giving President Muhammadu Buhari sleepless nights.

NLC also urged the Nigerian workers and people to resonate in the light of hope birthed by the love of God conveyed through the birth of His son Jesus Christ at Christmas and use that as a motivation to work and restore hope for Nigeria during the 2023 general election.

In his 2022 Christmas message, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said Nigerians especially workers should be very deliberate in their engagement with the political process come 2023.

"After this Christmas, the next major event that will face us as a country will be the 2023 general election. There is no bigger harbinger of hope than

the opportunity to select a fresh set of political leaders.

"Political leadership is the match that lights the torch of hope. Every country would rise and fall with its choice of political leadership.

Nigeria is no exception.

"We urge our compatriots, especially workers to be very deliberate in their engagement with the political process come 2023. Elections are the time to ask critical questions and make rational choices.

"Workers must identify with political party candidates who demonstrate commitment to lighting up the end of the tunnels of economic downturns marked by soaring inflation, widespread insecurity, deepening poverty, escalating crises of unemployment, especially among the youth demography of our country, decadent physical infrastructure, and brazen corruption in high places.

"We urge Nigerians to rise to the challenge using the 2023 general poll as an enabling platform to elect a political leadership that is conscientious, prudent, and completely obedient to our demands as a people. 2023 is our torch of hope! This torch must not be wasted," he said.

Wabba said the NLC has turned up a flicker of light in directing the political energy of Nigeria’s

working class and ordinary people by developing a Nigerian workers’ charter of demands.

According to Wabba, the Nigerian workers' charter of demands has identified poor salaries, abysmal working conditions and horrendous living realities as a major clog in the wheel of optimum national development, dearth of adequate education and healthcare facilities and poor motivation of workers as key issues that must be addressed by the next government.

Wabba said the NLC considered it shameful for Nigeria as the sixth largest producer of crude oil in the world and the largest exporter of crude oil in Africa to be importing petroleum products.

In addition, NLC said it was unfortunate that the money the government claims to spend on subsidising refined petroleum products imported into Nigeria can rehabilitate the refineries and build new ones.

It said: "The same culture of indifference to value addition is palpable in our agriculture sector where most of our cash crops and farm produce are shipped overseas in their very raw form and at dirt cheap prices.

"These products are later processed and imported as semi-finished or finished goods at huge prices. This is how our

country has embraced the darkness of being a net exporter of jobs and a net importer of unemployment,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Ngige, has said that the present hardship in the country is giving President Buhari sleepless nights.

He, however, promised that efforts were in top gear to lift the lot of the Nigerian workers and bring joy to them before the transition to the next government.

In his Christmas Message to Nigerian workers, Ngige urged them to pray for another President that would sustain the labour-friendly legacy of the Buhari administration.

Senator Ngige charged wealthy Christians to remember the poor while celebrating Christmas.

He urged Christians to sustain hope which the birth of Christ signifies beyond the yuletide celebrations, saying the lessons must not die once the jingle bell is over.

Ngige described the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ as the most powerful message of hope, which brought liberation for mankind and urged Christians to find in it, a source of succour amidst socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation.

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HANGING OUT… L-R: Chief Executive Officer, SIP Night Club, Mr. Mubarak Noumeiry; Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Environmental Protection Matters, Ms. Odun Ogunbiyi; Chief Executive Officer, WBar, Mr. Jason Ammouri; Director- General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola; and General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, at the ETOP UKUTT friendly stakeholders’ parley with the Owners/ CEO of Leisure, Hospitality and Entertainment facilities in Lagos…yesterday

Atiku: Nigerians Won’t Spend 2023 Christmas on Petrol Queues Says Tinubu’s promise to remove fuel subsidy an indictment on Buhari Faults Wike for sealing of campaign office Chuks Okocha in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday told Nigerians that they would not spend 2023 Christmas queuing for petrol at filling stations, if they vote for him in February next year.

He said the promise by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy if he his elected president in 2023 is an indictment on President Muhammadu Buhari.

The special assistant to Atiku on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, made the promise in a statement in Abuja.

Shaibu also described the sealing of the campaign office of the former vice president in Port Harcourt by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as a threat to democracy and reminded the governor that power belongs to God. He said: “Atiku Abubakar hereby promises Nigerians that this will be their last Christmas that will be spent at a filling station queuing for petrol.

Voting APC in February will be a reinforcement of failure

which could push Nigeria into an existential crisis. To Nigerians, we say the ability to change your destiny lies in your hands. Merry Christmas.

“With the fuel scarcity now continuing till December, the government has run out of excuses even as most Nigerians are now at the mercy of black marketers who sell petrol as high as N500 per litre. The NNPC which is the sole importer of petrol has failed to live up to its duties, clear evidence that its privatisation is merely cosmetic.

“But the biggest culprit in this mess is President Muhammadu Buhari who is the minister of petroleum. It is saddening that he has failed to bring succour to Nigerians who are suffering from the worsening inflation, unemployment and insecurity.

“It is disheartening that a country that claims to spend $40m daily on petrol subsidy cannot still make the product available to its people. This is clear evidence that the monies are going into private pockets ahead of elections at the expense of Nigerians.

“The APC which is running for a third term through the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now

NIGERIA CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, HARDSHIP, CAN LAMENTS the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, let the oppressed go free, and proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."

"They should be prepared to ensure justice by insisting that the resources and positions in governance are shared equitably among people of all regions and tribes. Equitable distribution of positions will help us to harness the abundance of potential in our dear country for national development.

"As we gear up to elect new sets of leaders at both the federal and state levels in the first quarter of 2023, Christmas is a reminder that God has not forsaken us.

Therefore, we should pray to God to open our eyes to be able to discern and vote for those who

will govern the nation with godly fear and devotion.

"Let those contesting for elective positions realise that the forthcoming election is not a do-or-die affair; rather, it is God who gives power to whoever he pleases. They should eschew violent conduct and toe the path of honour and peace as they campaign for votes.

"We should not allow fear of insecurity and violence cause us to stay away from voting during the 2023 general election. Let us remember that the spirit we have received from God through the coming of Christ into the world is not of fear but of power, love, and sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). Religious and political leaders as well as the media," Okoh said.

promising renewed hope after dashing the hopes of millions of Nigerians for the last eight years.

“It is exasperating that Tinubu is promising to remove petrol subsidy when his party has retained it for the last seven years and spent billions of dollars subsidising criminality. It is obvious that Tinubu’s statement is an indictment on Buhari.

Shaibu also faulted the sealing of the Atiku campaign office in Port Harcourt by Governor Wike, describing the action as a threat to democracy and reminded the governor that power belongs to God. He called on peace-loving Nigerians to condemn the act.

Shaibu said people should be mindful that power belongs to God. "Power belongs to the landlord of the universe and no man can usurp the powers of the Almighty.

It amounts to heresy to sound as if the power of life and death

is in our hands.

"Don't be deceived, if a mere mortal has powers to make or stop another man from being President, he would first make himself.

"The fact is that a snake that you can see does not bite. Besides, the elephant does not limp when walking on thorns. So, whether the cockcrows or not, the sun must rise. Take it to the bank, Atiku would be president in 2023", the statement added.

The statement further said that even those who boasted to have made President Buhari in 2015 are struggling in this campaign for the coveted seat of Presidency in 2023.

Also in his reaction, a spokesman of the Atiku/ Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said the act of sealing the presidential campaign office of Atiku should not be seen as being targeted at the former vice president but

as a threat to democracy and gradual decent to dictatorship which should be condemned.

Aniagwu who is also the Delta State Commissioner for Information told THISDAY that the sealing of Atiku’s campaign office is “certainly a threat to democracy and the gradual descent to dictatorship by one man.

"We are not a Banana Republic where one man decides what is the rule of law through his first executive order. We are a democracy where everyone should be allowed to have his say and the majority have their way but to the dictates of one man.

"We have gotten to the level where Nigerians must draw a line between responsibility and the irresponsible acts of one man.

"Nigerians should not see the sealing up of the campaign office by the Rivers State government as Atiku Abubakar becoming a

target. No, he is not. Rather, the sealing of the Atiku presidential campaign office should be seen as a direct threat to democracy by one man who will not accept his defeat in a democratic contest where one person wins and another loses. This is one of the tenets of the spirit of democracy, the spirit of give and take.

"Nigerians should not keep quiet. This is an attack on democracy. The Electoral Act is clear on this, that every person should be given equal space in the campaign. Shutting down someone is not part of the spirit of democracy. Nigerians should speak against this action of the Rivers State Government through the Executive Order.

"It is painful but the truth must be told that this Executive Order is targeted at Atiku, but let me tell you that power belongs to God and Atiku will be President, no matter what arrow is targeted at him,” he added.

MY BEST APPEARS NOT APPRECIATED BY SOME NIGERIANS, PRESIDENT DECLARES part of the country this yuletide season.”

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, in his remarks, thanked President Buhari for sacrificing a lot for the progress of Nigeria.

He said: “You have been at the helm of the affairs of this country at a critical time. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism and honesty. Mr President, you have done well for your country. Our nation has seen the difference, the leadership that you demonstrate.”

Tinubu likened the celebrant to leaders like “Charles De Gaulle of France, Franklin Roosevelt of America, and Winston Churchill of Great Britain.

Also speaking, the president’s eldest daughter, Fatima Buhari, who spoke on behalf of her siblings and the entire family, thanked her father for investing in their future by giving them the needed training and care for their wellbeing.

“We are deeply honoured to be here celebrating the 80th birthday of our beloved father.

I thank almighty Allah for his mercy and grace, for giving our beloved father long life and good health.

“Baba is someone who money cannot buy. That is one thing we know and he taught us that.

He taught us humility, loyalty, integrity, dignity and honesty and he has a very good sense of humour. He gave us everything a parent will give his child; love, care, good education, shelter and many more,” she explained.

Fatima also described her father as a man with a penchant for accountability and a stickler for time.

“He is blessed with 10 children - two of whom are dead, 22 grandchildren whom he gives funny names.

“We have learnt so much from his character like ‘no African time’, he is always prompt. He once left me behind and went on a journey we all planned to go on because I was late.

Of course, I cried but I learnt my lesson.

“He taught us accountability.

He is always saying bring me back my change. Baba, I’m sorry I am saying all these in public but we are so proud of you, we love you to the moon and back.”

Royal fathers were not left out as the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, said the president has done a lot, explaining that the results would manifest much later after he must have left the scene.

He hailed him for promoting traditional institutions and preventing the returned artefacts of the Benin Kingdom from being re-looted when he instructed that the artefacts must be handed to the traditional ruler directly.

His words: “He is a man of Integrity and transparency. I have been interacting with him for several years.”

Also speaking, Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Hussaini-Adamu, described the president as “Mr.

Law and Order,” who once denied him, the opportunity to be given a generator to make his job as Secretary of the then Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), easier by avoiding submitting the reports late, stressing that Buhari insisted that he was not entitled to one, according to the law.

On his part, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojájá II also spoke about President Buhari’s dedication and commitment to the growth of democracy.

Also present at the private dinner were the Chairman of THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Aminu Masari and his Kebbi State counterpart, Atiku Bagudu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and members of the cabinet, family members, captains of industry, among other dignitaries.

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 25, 2022

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NEWS

CORPORATE LAUNCH… L-R: General Manager, Sales, Lagos and West, Sygen Pharmaceutical Limited, Mr. Kachi Akwari; Marketing Director, Ms. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles Ogunwuyi; Sygen trade partner, Mrs. Edith Uchenna Nwachukwu; and Chief Operating Officer, Sygen Pharmaceutical Limited, Greg Udeh, at the corporate launch of Sygen Pharmaceuticals in Lagos…recently

Afenifere Faults Akeredolu over Oodua Nation, Says Gov Faced with Lust for Political Power Fidelis David in Akure The Pan -Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, yesterday fired back at the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu for threatening that states in the South-west would not allow any agitation for Oodua Nation and that no sit-at-home order would be tolerated in any state in the region.

This is just as the group re-echoed that in the interest of equity, unity and fairness, it is the turn of the South-east to produce the next President of Nigeria.

Akeredolu who is the Chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum had on Friday warned those agitating for Oodua Nation to perish the thought.

However, Afenifere, while

reacting to the governor's warning through a statement titled, "Akeredolu: Between Equity and Opportunism", made available to journalists in Akure by its Secretary General, Mr. Sola Ebiseni, said the governor’s statement was most disastrously bereft of statesmanship and national conciliation and showed the governor was faced with the lust for political power.

I Won’t Succumb to Cheap Blackmail, NPA MD Vows Eromosele Abiodun

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko has hit back at those he described as “faceless blackmailers” who have serially taken a dig at him since stepping into the leadership saddle at the agency, saying he would not succumb to their cheap blackmail.

In a statement that he signed, Bello-Koko called the bluff of the interests sponsoring the campaign of calumny against him, even as he warned media houses that henceforth publish unsubstantiated reports against him to get ready for litigation.

In the statement titled: “I Won’t Succumb to Cheap Blackmail,” Bello-Koko said in the past two years, in a desperate bid to defame and extort him, some faceless individuals under the cloak of unknown Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have resorted to blackmail, using the instrumentality of a section of online media to push through their mischief and blackmail.

He added that having failed in their desperation to dent or hurt his integrity, the blackmailers have resorted to a very cruel campaign of calumny against his person and his family.

The NPA boss noted that because they are faceless, he does not have the opportunity to seek redress in court on the grounds of their rehashed and rehearsed lies.

He reiterated that for all of his years as a banker and a public officer up to date, he has never

been indicted or convicted by any court.

Bello-Koko said he was certain that his integrity, as well as dedication and fidelity to the rules of public administration, must have influenced the decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to promote him from the rank of Executive Director (Finance and Administration) to Chief Executive Officer of the NPA. The statement read: “In the past two years, in a desperate bid to defame and extort me, some faceless individuals under the cloak of unknown Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have resorted to blackmail, using the instrumentality of a section of online media to push through their mischief and blackmail.

“Having failed in their desperation to dent or hurt my integrity, they have resorted to a very cruel campaign of calumny against my person and my family.

“Because they are faceless, I don’t have the opportunity to seek redress in court on the grounds of their rehashed and rehearsed lies.

“I need to reiterate that for all of my years as a banker and a public officer up till today, I have never been indicted or convicted by any court. And this fact is in the public domain. I’m also certain that my integrity as well as dedication and fidelity to the rules of public administration must have influenced the decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to promote me from the rank of Executive Director (Finance and Administration) to Chief Executive Officer of the

Nigeria Ports Authority.

“Resorting to writing to the UK Government, seeking visa cancellation and forfeiture of assets belonging to my wife and me, is not only malicious but also cruel and wicked. I have yet to understand why these evil machinations would be orchestrated against me. Is the offence that I committed my acceptance and readiness to serve my country to the best of my ability?

“This latest attack, in the series of sponsored, blackmails targeted at me, which began in 2021 immediately after I was elevated from the position of Executive Director of Finance and Administration to the position of Managing Director of the NPA, is intended not only to damage my reputation but also to embarrass my family.”

The statement read: "The statement credited to Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State at the launching of an emblem appeal to flag off the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, unfortunately, confirmed the scarcity of statesmanship in our clime, particularly faced with the lust for political power.

"We have no problem with the governor playing to the gallery, as a glorified Chief Security Officer, urging that security forces clamp down on any person or group whose activities he interpreted as capable of disintegrating the Nigerian State because we are no less patriotic and committed to its continuing corporate existence.

We are also in the same boat as him that “this country is very important to some of us” and the recognition that agitation and protests are rights protected in a democratic society.

"Our worry however is that Akeredolu, even as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, would not, in deference to that high pedestal, wean himself from petty politicking, which sacrifices equity needed for national peace and cohesion in preference of crass opportunism. In short, his vituperations on that occasion were most disastrously bereft of statesmanship and national conciliation".

According to the group, "the real intention of Akeredolu’s phoney sanctimony was unveiled when he declared that ‘it is not at this stage in the history of this country that we will repeat

IPOB in Yorubaland. Opportunity beckons at us. We cannot afford to throw away that opportunity.

We must work to ensure that there is a power shift. The opportunity for the presidency to come to the South, especially the South-west, is around the corner. We will not sit and support anyone clamouring for Oodua nation. We will not support it. We have fought for this with everything we had.

Nigeria will be good”.

"Akeredolu is within his right as the South-west Coordinator of his party’s campaigns to imagine the opportunity coming his way and his party in the pipe dream of presidential power."

The Yoruba group noted that it was "unimaginable that the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum would descend to the abyss of equating his pontification for the equity of a southern presidency with the hegemony of his or other ethnic nationality.

Afenifere argued that for Akeredolu to say that the clamour for Southern President was especially for South-west was not only most insensitive but also to make a fool of Akeredolu's colleagues outside of South-west.

"No wonder then that the Governor of Delta State in whose office the Southern Governors’ Conference was held was the first to betray the cause by accepting the second fiddle position of the Vice President to the detriment of what has turned out to be their feeble declarations.

"The unkindest cut of

Akeredolu’s new song was his reference to IPOB as if he had any control over the choice of a different modus operandi employed by different agitating groups in Nigeria. Truth be told, there is no region of Nigeria where the elite, including the ruling class in government, has been able to determine the methods adopted by agitators or succeeded in checkmating the effects thereof.

"So, let Akeredolu not boast of any capacity to dictate the method adopted by the Yoruba agitators or seek to set the rest of Nigeria against his Ndigbo colleagues or the entire South-east in his unhidden separatist agenda of securing undue advantage for his party and region in the quest for the Nigerian president of southern extraction."

Afenifere added that "the true and real recipe for peace and continued corporate existence of Nigeria is an arrangement that will guarantee regional equity and not an ‘emi lo kan' philosophy in the mode of King Louis’s l'état c'est moi" "Incidentally, those who fought the civil war truly shed their youthful blood and have seen all about Nigeria, are now in the vanguard of the national movement not only for Southern but in the quest for the requisite equity are in the queue for the Nigerian President of South-east extraction. There lies the solution to separatist agitations and not self-serving sanctimonious pontifications," Afenifere added.

2023: I’ll Complete My Eight-year Tenure, Makinde Boasts Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, has vowed that he would complete his eight-year constitutional tenure as governor of the state.

Makinde made the declaration at the weekend during a mega praise and end-of-the-year Thanksgiving event themed: ‘Halleluyah,’ held at the Government House Arcade, Agodi Ibadan.

The mega praise attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, which included state

government functionaries and other guests.

Makinde, while speaking, said he was not bothered about the plans of the opposition to form a coalition to oust him from the Agodi Government House in 2023, urging them to rethink.

He noted that 2023 is not about the new Oyo State, but consolidating on the already laid foundation of the present administration in the state, which is about to take off, tagged, ‘Omituntun 2.0.’

Governor Makinde further

said as an engineer by profession, his work is to build, unlike an architect that draws, and urged the opposition to stop dreaming.

He declared that the road map for sustainable development of the state from 2023 to 2027 and beyond would soon be communicated to the people.

Makinde, while quoting Psalm 65 verse 5 to allay fears in the mind of the people of the state, assured them of good governance beyond 2023.

He said: “Those praying for the opposition should engage

in other prayer points for them because they have already missed their ways.

“We have already laid the foundation to turn things around in Oyo State. 2023 is about consolidating the foundation we have laid.

“In a couple of days, we will release our road map for sustainable development in Oyo State from 2023 to 2027 and beyond.

“I don’t want you to be afraid, because it is God’s finished project and we have handed everything to God,” Makinde added.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25 , 2022

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ENGAGEMENTS

with ChidiAmuta e-mail:chidi.amuta@gmail.com

Christmas in the Age of ‘Delete’

J

ingle bells! Jingle bells!! Jingle all the way!!!

Christian clergy and congregations all over the world will today flock and dance all the way to the altar in an ancient commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Joy to the world and food in abundance to those who can afford it are emblematic of a season of goodwill and peace to all of believing humanity. Christmas has become more than the holy birthday which it was originally intended as. It now has something to offer to all and sundry including those whose hope for salvation is tilted in different directions.

The current commercial and mercantile essence of Christmas is ironically an aberration, an act of disobedience and defiance of an early injunction from the messiah himself. Those familiar with the biblical chronicles will recall the image of a young swash buckling Christ on horseback who rode in anger to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to disperse traders and gamblers who had made the Temple their shop floor. Ostensibly with horse whip in hand, he scattered their wares, upset their trading tables and in anger whipped them as they scampered in different directions. He charged them with defilement f a holy place by converting the temple into a ‘den of thieves’ and a haven of iniquity. He left them with an eternal injunction that the temple was never intended as a place of commerce. It was an act of defilement to convert the place of worship into a place of trade. In other worlds, the work of God and its holy places was never to be degraded through commercialism and the drive for profit.

By an irony of history, after several centuries of that mass flogging and original injunction, humanity has become curiously united in the global retail frenzy and annual ritual of consumerism of the season of Christmas. The familiar tunes of Christmas – ‘Jingle Bells!’, ‘Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer!!’, “Noel!!!”, “Silent Nights, Holy Nights!” now openly clash with the clanging of tills and cash registers in mega retail shops as millions of shoppers get immersed in orgies of Christmas shopping all over the world.

Soon after Christmas day, it has become customary for retail business managers, accountants and executives to tally their sales figures and sum up their books as the best way to terminate the monotony of the ‘’jingle bells” season. They grin and dance ‘all the way’ to the banks. In the 2021, for instance, total retail sales over Christmas in the United States alone was $889.30 billion. In the 19 countries of the European Union, the numbers were a staggering 3.1 trillion Euro. The figures for 2022 are expected to be even higher in spite of economic hardship and the earlier lull caused by the Covid emergency. The profit creed of retail consumer executives the world over has now overwhelmed the sober celebration of the birth of a sectarian messiah. Gold versus God has become the summation of the phenomenon of Christmas. Body over spirit.

Largely stripped of its original religious essence, Christmas has since degenerated into more of a fixture in the revenue calendar of retailers worldwide. It is estimated that retail vendors of apparel, grocery, decorations, costumes and allied seasonal wares and accessories expect over 65% of their annual turnover to happen over the Christmas season alone. Christmas has become a holy birthday seized by the frenzy of a global market place.

There is above all else, a certain cultural frenzy and carnivalesque effusion about the entire Christmas enterprise. It has become a season of global frenzy. City landmarks are decorated in glittering and dazzling illumination. Shops, entertainment and amusement centres and sundry retail outlets wear similar dazzle. An effusion of neon lights at night hide the depressing reality of a world that is nasty in the day.

The global culture of aggressive merchandizing has since overthrown the Vatican and other high places of Christendom in the ownership of Christmas. The battle for the souls of men has nearly been overwhelmed by the scramble for the dollar in every consumer’s pocket.

Christmas is not a lone victim of this invasion by the demons of the market place. It is like that for most important religious and cultural festivities on the global calendar. It does not matter if it the Chinese Lunar New Year, the

MTN MD, Toriola various Muslim holy observances. These special occasions have also become important markers on the calendar of profit hungry barons and mega retailers. Take St. Valentine’s day for instance.

It is no longer a day merely dedicated to the celebration of love in the tradition of Cupid. It has become more a field day for the explosion of retail trade. An array of restaurants, fast food vendors, ‘mama put’ kiosks and merchandizers of assorted inconsequential wares apparel, gifts, flowers etc. Red -themed costumes and accessories are the favourites because Cupid’s arrow of love pierced the hearts of the lovers and sprinkled the world with the blood of lovers thenceforth! Profit hungry merchandizers of Valentine’s goods nicely disguise their greed as an elaborate ceremony of love.

Christmas is not all about shopping and merchandize trafficking. It has become a time for the global end of year travel and vacation. It is literally a period of travel frenzy. The global travel and hospitality industries have become part of the Christmas industry. Airlines, cruise companies, hotels etc witness their largest annual traffic during summer and over Christmas. It is time to catch up with family and friends. This year alone, the airline industry in the United States estimates that an estimated 10 million passengers will take 97,715 flights through US domestic airports this holiday season while an estimated 113 million Americans will drive to various destinations by road in the same period.

In Nigeria, Christmas is a season of home going for many Nigerians especially in the southern parts. Air fares skyrocket just as transport fares by land transportation also head for the skies.

In the South- eastern parts of the country, end of year homecoming is a cultural constant. It is a time of great reunion among families and communities. It is time to embark on community development projects and to renew the bonds of fraternity that hold communities together.

In recent years, however, the disrepair of the Nigerian state has adversely affect this cultural practice. The places that we used to call home have become strange and dangerous. Danger and violence now lie in wait at nearly every turn on the way home. Kidnappers and bad people lie in wait. A good number of people can no longer go home. Christmas used to be another name for this ritual of home going. These days, when

people from those parts are asked: “Will you go for Christmas?”, the spontaneous answer is now: ”There is no more Christmas!”

The Nigerian state in its incremental meltdown has killed Christmas for most Nigerians. Food inflation and serial poverty have taken away food from most tables. A bad state has put a knife in the things that once gave us hope and held us together. We can sum up the present realities of our nation in the idiom of the great novelist Chinua Achebe. As he lamented, “things have fallen apart”. There is no longer a center let alone one that can hold a nation or a people together. The arrows of a bad god have felled many good people and the nation is “no longer at ease”. The 2023 election now comes down to a frantic and desperate search for “a man of the people”!

Among the things that once used to mark out Christmas as memorable, the Christmas card used to be iconic and ever present. But the Christmas card is dead! Long live the spirit of Christmas fellowship and seasonal greetings.

Christmas greeting cards used to be a sizeable chunk of the wares of book sellers, stationers, grocery shops and road side kiosks all over the world at this time of the year. It used to be part of the ritual of Christmas observance in homes and offices to stage an elaborate display of all manner of Christmas cards from years past .

It was part of domestic and office decor if only to display the expanse of one’s social network and sphere of good will.

All manner of adaptations of designs became part of the Christmas card world. The most traditional were the ones foregrounded in the snowy white landscapes of the arctic. Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeers, the dog sleighs and reindeer drawn wagons of the frigid arctic were the readiest design motifs on most traditional Christmas cards. As cultural diversity came, so did the diversity of designs on Christmas cards come to reflect the multitude of landscapes. Turkeys and rams on their way to the guillotine, cooking pots and frying pans and ovens of Christmas luncheons joined the parade of artistic motifs.

Individuals were joined by corporations and institutions as dispensers of Christmas cards.

Suddenly, technology crept in to erode aspects of this Christmas tradition. The once thriving industry of Christmas cards and associated

printed wares has suddenly been supplanted by a digital revolution. The Christmas card made the good wishes of friends and loved ones tangible pieces with a diversity of messages. You had something to hold and keep even after the season.

The information age and its enabling gadgets of computers, tablets, and assorted cellphones has come to snatch away the good old Christmas card. Digital instant messaging by SMS, emails, Whatsapp, Tweets etc have since become the most widespread formats of sending and receiving messages on nearly every subject under the sun. Christmas wishes are now exchanged mostly through these freeways of the new technologies.

Through a litany of applications and formats, individuals can now design and customize their messages on nearly every subject and every occasion. People can even print beautiful greeting cards if they so choose.

Those who have no time for such creative indulgence just send the lazy “Merry Christmas” and copy and paste it to a multitude of recipients including total strangers on your contact list. In a few seconds and at the touch of a button on the keyboard of a two penny cellphone, your good wishes to everyman for Christmas are shared and forwarded to myriads of people all over the world.

Distance has been erased. In nearly every country, the postal services have lost most of their revenue and almost died. Post boxes are becoming moribund. Courier companies have similarly been bled and compelled to find work in ferrying gifts and presents on behalf of Amazon and other mass merchandizing multinational companies. Thank God some people still send and receive gifts at Christmas.

In Nigeria, some smart companies no longer encourage the elaborate spending on Christmas gifts. The now say there is something called Corporate Social Responsibility. It is better to aggregate the gifts of the company and instead of giving them to individuals or even staff, let every one join the company by surrendering their Christmas gifts in support of a ‘good cause’. No one has audited how many of these companies really support any good or even bad or doubtful causes. Smart executives have found a way of saving money for these companies through support for phantom charities and ‘good’ or bad causes.

By far the most selfish outgrowth of this digital invasion of the world of good wishes and camaraderie is the coming of fantasy digital Christmas food and drinks ferried around the social media. Welcome to the era of digital celebrations. Countless Emojis, templates and minute designs of cocktails, clicking glasses, fancy cakes, eye popping turkeys and mouth watering set dinners and other celebratory fares are sent across great distances to friends and well wishers on their special occasions. Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings etc. If you ask too many old questions, you get a microwave answer: ‘the important thing is the thought!!’ ‘ At least someone remembered you even from afar!!!’

Like most things in this digital age, people choose what is important to in every handheld device. Our freedom of choice has been reduced to the keyboard in every miserable device. Choose your favourite button on the keyboard.

For me, the most important button on the keyboard is the ‘delete’ button. If a caller becomes an irritant, press delete.Ifacontactbecomesapest, press delete. If a relationship becomes a headache, pressdelete.Ifyousuccumbtogreedmasquerading aslove witha sharp eye for thatbankalert fromyou, press delete. If family harasses the life out of you for money and support, press delete. If a friendship goescold,pressdelete.Whenthemessagesonyour Whatsapp folder become too many, press delete.

After this Christmas and its barrage of exchanges of good will and unwarranted greetings, real or imagined, press delete. After all, there is no way of rememberingtowhomthosemessagesofgoodwill wentandforwhatreason.Somegreetingswereacts of ritual. Others were acts of genuine affection and familiarity. Some may be for old time’s sake. But the majority may have been spontaneous reflex acts ofseasonalfashion. Whatevermayhaveprompted those spontaneous bulk Christmas SMS, emails, Whatsapp messages, Tweets, Instagram posts etc, they all die a common death and are buried in a common cemetery: DELETE!!

Merry Christmas everyone! Please do not DELETE this wish.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R DECEMBER 25, 2022

NEWS

News Editor: Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com,08152359253

Reject Vote Trading in 2023, Catholic Bishops Tell Nigerians Janes Sowole in Abeokuta and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Catholic Bishops, Abeokuta and Ekiti Dioceses, Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo and Felix Ajakaye respectively yesterday challenged duly registered voters nationwide to reject vote trading and elect credible leaders at all levels in the 2023 elections The bishops, equally, called for a revolution of the mind and positive change of attitude, which

they claimed would enthrone righteousness in the country and end all forms of vote buying, vote selling and other unpatriotic acts that stunted the growth of Nigeria.

They made the calls in separate messages they released yesterday to mark Christmas, calling for new orientation and change attitude on the part of all citizens for Nigeria to be a better place In his message titled “Let the Joy of Christ’s Birth Rekindle our Hope,” Odetoyinbo observed that

every heart “must embrace a better attitude and lifestyle in the New Year. “ “If we desire a new Nigeria, then it must come with new orientation and attitudinal change.

We all think of changing Nigeria but let one of us begin by first changing his or her attitude, then Nigeria will be a better place.

“Imagine how kidnapping, bribery, vote-buying, ballot box snatching, forgery, insurgency, banditry, robbery and other related vices would become things of the

past if everyone of us decides to embrace a ‘change of attitude’ as we approach the New Year.”

“A change of attitude and orientation particularly as we prepare for the general elections is our clarion call. Let us reject all forms of vote selling and incentives by politicians who have turned our willpower to merchandise! Do not sell your vote for pecuniary gains!

“Let us join hands to save Nigeria by electing credible leaders that will salvage things

from getting worse! It is not enough to desire the joy of a new Nigeria, there is a corresponding responsibility”.

“Our desired future will only emerge when we go out determined to cast our votes for the candidates we believe can deliver on the dividends of democracy and help fulfil our dream of a prosperous nation.”

Speaking on a radio programme in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Ajakaye specifically charged Nigerians

to vote out non-performing elected officials contesting the 2023 elections.

He said Christmas offered another opportunity for moral and spiritual rebirth by Nigerians and the need to show love to one another and eschew hate and other divisive tendencies.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria “shall overcome its challenges. Evil will not overcome Nigerians. God will keep the nation united for it to bring His plan for its people into fruition.”

Gunmen Abduct Four Kogi Students, Demand N16m Ransom Fidelis David in Akure Gunmen yesterday abducted four students of Kogi State Polytechnic along the Akunnu-Ajowa Road in Akoko North West Local Government Area, Ondo state.

Shortly after the incident, THISDAY findings revealed that the abductors had contacted the relatives of the students demanded N16 million ransom Multiple sources confirmed the incident yesterday.

One of the sources revealed that the students were returning home for the yuletide before they were attacked at Ago Jinadu axis, an area noted for criminal activities, especially kidnapping.

He added that the incident had since thrown Ajowa, a community in Akoko North LGA, into a pensive mood with the parents of the victims working with security agencies to secure their release.

Another source claimed that the commercial driver, simply identified as Momodu, was earlier warned by the parents of the students not to take the route noted for kidnapping and armed robbery but he insisted.

Confirming the incident yesterday, former Vice Chairman, to Akoko North-west LGA, Mr. Ajayi Bakare observed that commuters “always travel the Akunu-IkaramGedegede road to Ajowa for the fear of the miscreants.

Arrest Killer of Ex- Lagos Governor’s Son, Cyclists Tell Sanwo-Olu Oluchi Chibuzor Pitstop Lagos, a community of Independent cyclists in Lagos State yesterday asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to arrest the killer of Dr. Olaolu Mudashiru, the son of the state’s former military governor, Group Captain Gbolahan Mudashiru.

The Founder of the group, Aminadab Adegboro made the call yesterday during a cycling race, “A Ride for Dr. Bob” organised in honour of the late son of the former military governor.

Mudashiru, a medical doctor by training and Deputy Managing Director, Vetiva Capital Management until his death, was

killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sunday. December 11 along Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi.

Since Mudashiru’s death, security operatives in the state have not been able to identify and apprehend the driver that knocked down the investment banker while cycling along Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi.

With the delay in the arrest of the suspect, the cyclists challenged the state governor yesterday to expedite the arrest of the yet-to-be-identified driver.

Addressing cyclists after the race yesterday, Adegboro said as a strong member of the cycling community in Lagos, the late investment banker would be greatly missed.

Glo Supports Benin GSM Village Annual Festival Telecommunication giant, Globacom, has received accolades from the Great Benin GSM Village for its continued support as it celebrates its annual festival.

The GSM Village is the umbrella association housing the full complement of ICT professionals empowered to train technicians in the repair of GSM products and sale of various devices in the Edo State capital.

The association gave kudos to the mobile network operator for its immeasurable support for the association and sponsorship of its activities in Edo State.

Globacom in 2020 entered into a running five-year sponsor-

ship deal with the association to sponsor its yearly activities.

The association’s Chairman, Ikhelowa Mohammed, speaking at a dinner as grand finale of this year’s events, praised Globacom for providing support for the annual celebration and for its strong commitment to the greater good of the association over the years.

Mohammed said: “at the time of signing the MOU with Globacom in 2020, the market population was about 600 and this has grown to over 1000 today, a clear indication that the market is fast growing” while expressing the hope that the relationship with Globacom would continue to fester.

CONSULTATIVE VISIT… L-R: Senator representing Ekiti North, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi; Kebbi State Governor/Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, during Oyebanji’s visit to the residence of Bagudu in Abuja…yesterday

Ikpeazu: G-5 Governors’ Philosophy Beyond 2023 Elections Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said the agitation for inclusiveness, fairness and equity by the group of five governors (G-5) led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is not just about 2023 elections but efforts to strengthen mutual trust and fairness to all parts of Nigeria.

Speaking during an interview in Aba, he said the group’s agita-

tion also borders on integrity and keeping promises, which he said is lacking in the current political system in the country.

“There is an issue - issue of integrity, issue of keeping promises, issue of making sure that if we say after me, it’s you and when that time comes, it happens.

“It will stabilise us as a country, engender social mobilisation sufficient to tackle our security problems, tackle the economic problems, tackle other problems

that confront us in this country.

“Social mobilisation is the most critical ingredient today beyond anything, inclusiveness, integrity, mutual respect, trust.

“So G-5 speaks to a new paradigm. It is beyond 2023, it speaks about a new paradigm. In 2027, I will still want a system that will include everybody irrespective of what the outcome of the 2023 elections may be” the governor told ABN TV in an exclusive interview.

Ikpeazu said the G-5 governors are standing to speak up for those who are believed to be discriminated against in the nation’s power play irrespective of what region is involved.

“We are saying, we want a strong North that respects the South, just as we want a strong South that has respect for the North.

“That way, our full capacities can be deployed to solve our problems,” the governor said.

Transporters Lament Low Patronage at Lagos Parks Segun James As Nigerians prepare to celebrate Christmas and Boxing Day, traffic of intending travellers at some Lagos inter-state parks was noticeably low yesterday.

When the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited some parks across Lagos, transporters complained of the low patronage.

Some attributed the development to the security situation in

the country, insufficient circulation of petrol and the economy, among others.

General Manager, Operation, Ekeson, in Jibowu, Lagos, Mr. Ndubisi Madu, lamented low passenger traffic during this festive season unlike in previous years.

Madu said before now, they engaged in uncountable trips during the Christmas season, but this year was worrisome.

“From our station at Alaba and

Jibowu, we have been loading two luxurious buses, which is not constant. “In previous years, from December 15th, you would see people moving because there is something in their pocket.

“Insecurity in other parts of the country also affected our patronage, the patronage has not been consistent, ” Madu said.

A driver, Mr. Sharafa Ashubiaro, at Peace Transport at Ojota, complained of constant

traffic along the eastern part of the country.

“We face a lot of traffic from Benin to Onitsha, Auchi, Asaba, we spend hours in traffic along Benin bypass, Asaba bypass.

“We hardly bring back passengers from the eastern part of the country to Lagos and we will fuel the bus to and fro.

“Both passenger and driver suffer while travelling as a result of constant traffic.”

S’East Safe for Christmas, New Year Celebration, Says AIG Ejiofor Alike The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, AIG Isaac Akinmoyede, has given an assurance that the South-east geopolitical zone is safe for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Zone 9 comprises Abia, Ebonyi and Imo Police Commands.

This is coming as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said the temporary opening of the Second Niger Bridge to the motoring public has reduced the burden on the old

bridge by more than 40 per cent.

A statement issued by the Zone 9 spokesperson, Bruno Iheanetu, said that the AIG also urged the people to be law-abiding as they celebrate.

According to Iheanetu, the police in zone 9 and other security agencies had put in place adequate plans to combat criminal activities during and after the celebrations.

The statement also urged people to abide strictly by the Electoral Act as they celebrate, bearing in mind that the general election was around the corner.

The statement read: “The Assistant

Inspector General of Police, Zone 9 Headquarters Umuahia, AIG Isaac O. Akinmoyede, on behalf of officers and men of Zone 9 Police Command Headquarters wishes to felicitate with all Christians under the Zone 9 Police Command which comprises of Abia, Ebonyi and Imo Police Command as they celebrate the Christmas and New year Festivals. “The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9 Headquarters Umuahia, while wishing all Christians a merry Christmas celebration, urges them to use this period to pray for sustenance, peace

and security in the Zone as well as the unity of the country at large.

“The Zone 9 Police Command Headquarters uses this medium to assure all well-meaning Nigerians especially those coming home for the yuletide celebration of their safety before, during and after the celebrations as the Zonal Command in synergy with other sister agencies have put in place adequate and sophisticated apparatus and strategic operational order to ensure the safety of all and sundry before, during and after the yuletide season.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER DECEMBER 25, 2022

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PERSPECTIVE

Ransom or Death or Both

A

s good life appeared to be a mirage in the Niger Delta, idealistic young men, who went by the militants’ label, decided to make a reality show of ransom or death (or both) with the lives of those in the region perceived to be the oppressors and their collaborators.

For them, agitation was the instrument of peace and war, and inexplicably, the means to development. However, beneath the exuberant idealism was an unmistaken quest for personal power, personal wealth, personal prestige and personal survival.

The creeks and the mangroves developed claws and eyes and muscles which could kill and suck blood.

No one was safe

At the centre of the game was the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and its numerous mutations. What started with the hoisting of the flag for selfdetermination and justice, transformed into something more sinister. “Many groups were emerging and regrouping for the purpose of this protest and agitation,” says Oturubo, one of the region’s leaders.

He adds, “the mission was getting bad as individuals started fighting for their economic survival. The agitation got into sea piracy, oil bunkering, hostage taking and kidnapping for ransom. In a camp, three or four people can gather themselves for operations. This was helped because gun was easy to get in the Niger Delta. Every community has its own armoury as individuals also have guns.”

The genie was out of the bottle and wreaking havoc.

When Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a native of Ogbia in Bayelsa State, became Nigeria’s president, following the death of his principal (Umaru Musa Yar’Adua), he tried to improve on the Amnesty Programme which had been initiated by President Olusegun Obasanjo and begun by Yar’Adua before his passing.

He developed a personal rapport with some of the leaders, especially the taciturn, but larger-than life Tompolo, a honcho of MEND. But that only diminished the violence.

Fregene says “sixty per cent of our brothers in this Niger Delta are militant in character and they have been engaged in the different inter-ethnic crises.”

The situation was developing its own momentum and self-perpetuation. The inter and intra-ethnic crises whetted the appetite of the devil and now the situation was becoming difficult to control. In Fregene’s words: “During this period, they took up arms against one another. They were well-trained on how to use guns, on how to shoot. In this process of counter exchanges, they knew how to fight. Then in each area, there would be one person like a kingpin, who is taking care of the fighters.

He becomes the “General Officer Commanding” (GOC). So as a politician or top businessman, you know you must get this person to your side. You now engage these people and fund them. You pay them, give them security contract and with this funding, the GOC maintains these fighters. He spreads money around.”

Trouble too was not in short supply

Emegere was one of those hired by the company to troubleshoot in the treacherous terrain of the Niger Delta. In 2011, some vandals had blown up an oil pipeline somewhere in the riverine area of Ondo State.

Chevron followed due process of informing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the state and federal governments and the affected community. Thereafter, a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) was arranged with Emegere representing Chevron, to ascertain the cause of the spillage.

Some armed mobile policemen were attached to the JIV team which left Warri for Ondo State. Emegere says that members did not know that some informants, including those working with the Ondo State govern-

ment, may have been in touch with some elements with sinister intention. He recalls: “When we got to Igbokoda, Ondo State, we were to leave the jetty and board the boat, but those who received us said we don’t need to go with our police escorts. They said they already have armed police escorts who would accompany us there.”

Emegere did not suspect any hanky-panky.

So, he and his colleagues boarded the boat, and soon, they were off on the unmarked path off the lagoon. It was when they got to a remote location where Chevron was not operating that he had a sense of foreboding. They knew that they were, literally, in hot soup.

Suddenly, their captors, who had hitherto been calm, became hostile. They said before they could visit the area of the oil spillage, the JIV team had to visit the area’s traditional ruler. This was not what was discussed earlier, but Emegere and the others bowed when it was clear they had no choice.

Thus began a nine-day nightmare

That makeshift “house” was an elaborate hut built on stilts on the lagoon. It represents the ugly face of the Niger Delta. It has no light, no potable water, no modern conveniences. It is just the old-style hut which has been used for generations before the Ilaje people realised that they were rich in hydrocarbons. That unsteady house represents the permanence of problem for the people of the Niger Delta. Emegere and his colleague were marched outside into the endless mangrove.

They kept them in the mangrove from about 1 pm until sunset. At about 8 pm, they ferried the captives to another community.

With their prized captives, the kidnappers began negotiations with Chevron which was ready to do everything permissible within its policy regarding employees’ safety and welfare to ensure that its staff were unharmed and freed. The kidnappers kept their captives in a small room with neither electricity nor any other facility for modern living. They were fed sparingly. It was a harrowing experience. Emegere became ill. “I think it was malaria, so they got me Fansidar an antimalarial medicine. On the day we were released, I could barely walk. Chevron had to send a helicopter to Igbokoda to move me to Warri clinic. I was on admission for days.”

Emegere believes his kidnap was an elaborate operation planned and executed with the active involvement of a commissioner in the Ondo State government. He also came face-to-face with the logistics of kidnapping, with the support staff of caterers and doctors to ensure that the high profile hostages remained alive as bargaining chips.

He came to realise that his company too had a sophisticated proactive infrastructure to deal with such emergency. With the kidnap, Chevron swung into action and eventually succeeded in getting the hostages released.

The company knew it was now in a different kind of war. It was a new dangerous Niger

Delta.

To some Niger Delta leaders, kidnapping was a legitimate weapon of the struggle.

Their main targets were the staff of the oil companies, especially the expatriates who were seen as more valuable hostages. But once you are a staff of an IOC, you were a potential victim.

Before kidnapping became a way of life in the labyrinthine Niger Delta, staff of Chevron were free to interact with members of the neighboring communities. They had friends and sometimes, they went out on furlough in the neigbouring villages and towns. It was a good and peaceful environment before the Warri crisis was ignited. Since then, the oil companies had learnt to take pre-cautionary measures.

Rilwanu believes he was taking the right precautions. Then came 25 July 2003. It was a Friday. It was also his birthday and his daughter’s. Early that morning, he had packed his bag to spend the weekend in Benin and celebrate with members of his family. As was his habit, he would call John Ashima, his direct boss, usually by 6.45 every morning.

If Ashima did not receive his call by 6.50 am, he would call him, as they always talked before the usual 7 am leadership meeting in Escravos.

By 6.30 am, he stepped out of his house and entered his car. In a jiffy, three men emerged and asked him to step out. He knew he was in trouble. When his boss called him at 6.50 am, the phone rang and rang, but there was no reply. He (Ashima) knew there must be trouble. When he still could not get through, he contacted Rilwanu’s neighbours and they told him that what he feared had happened.

By 7.30 am, the entire Chevron management was aware of what had happened. The company had to work collaboratively with the state government to secure his release.

His kidnappers told Rilwanu that they had been trailing him for more than a month, for he was their specific target. They even trailed him to his home in Benin but did not have the opportunity to capture him. They tried to set him up with ladies, but Rilwanu was not a ladies’ man. They said he was a straightforward but stubborn man. They knew their quarry well and were joyous that they had captured such an important prisoner.

They took him to a safe house in Warri where they kept him for two days. The kidnappers did not try to hide their identity.

They told him they were Ijaws representing the Egbema National Development Forum (ENDF). They wanted their community to be recognised as one of the oil-producing communities within Chevron operations. Chevron had no business in that community. They believed this kidnap would get them what they wanted. Rilwanu knew his life was in the hands of these hard men. He prayed hard.

By virtue of his job, he also interfaces with the government, making him quite popular.

Rilwanu’s direct supervisor was at the

centre of efforts to get him freed. The company contacted Governor Ibori who then summoned the State Security Council.

For them, the kidnap had come too close to the centre of the state. They employed all the resources at their disposal to look for Rilwanu and that was why the kidnappers were moving him regularly.

They knew Chevron would not pay ransom and, therefore, they settled for the olive branch offered by the government of Ibori who promised to investigate their grievances. On the eighth day, the kidnappers quietly dropped Rilwanu on a side street in Warri and told him he was free.

Many years after, the memory of that ordeal still holds Rilwanu captive. He said he could not drive alone, and anytime a vehicle overtook him, his heart would skip a beat or two. It is as if the kidnappers could again emerge from the shadows and present him with another nightmare.

As he had promised, Ibori persuaded the various ethnic groups in Delta State to accept government proposal on the sharing of benefits from the oil companies. The state government fused the ijaw kingdoms of Gbaramatu, Egbema, Ogulagha together as offshore stakeholders in NNPC/Chevron JV operation – in a bid to accept joint recognition as offshore community stakeholders. According to Rilwanu: “Government was able to impose a political solution by merging them.

It just fused the three kingdoms together.

This (was what) gave birth to the Gbaramatu, Egbema and Oghulagha Coastal Community Front (GEOCCF).”

The state government’s formula brought relative peace. With the intervention of the state government, it became easier to engage the communities in constant dialogue so that they would understand and appreciate the changing circumstance of the oil industry. Part of these engagements includes explanation on the declining production suffered by all oil producing companies since the emergence of community crises.

The Delta State Government tackled the primary cause of the conflict which was the sharing of political power. The government knew the tussle for the control of the Warri South-West Local Government Council was a festering sore dividing the Itsekiri and the Ijaw. After Ibori was sworn-in as governor on 29 May 1999, he moved to create a working relationship between the leadership of the two ethnic groups. His government brought them to Benin City (capital of Edo State). It was here, after many days of negotiations, that the Delta State Government was able to broker peace and reach an acceptable agreement on power sharing.

Seven years after that nightmare, precisely on July 8, 2010, Rilwanu was captured again. ˾ ÏÓØÑ ÏâÍÏÜÚÞÝ ÐÜÙ× ÒÏ ÙØÞÏØÞÓÙßÝ ÏËÜÍÒ ÐÙÜ ÏËÍÏ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÓÑÏÜ ÏÖÞ˘ ËßÞÒÙÜÏÎ Ìã ÓÎÏ ÔÓÎϘ ÙÒØ ÝÒÓ×Ë ËØÎ ÖßáÙÖÏ ÑßØÌÓËÎÏ

T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R • DECEMBER 25, 2022

53

B AC K PAG E C O N T I N UAT I O N THE BLAME GAME OVER OUR POVERTY SHAME Here we go. What do these statistics mean to you? It depends on the corner you are dining with. To some, it means President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC have failed woefully and driven 133 million Nigerians into poverty. “We warned you not to vote for APC; serves you right!” The president, on his part, has pointed fingers at the states for their key role in the underdevelopment of Nigeria. The governors have fired back, saying the federal government should take full responsibility because it has been unable to keep Nigerians safe and there can be no development when we are stuck in the Hobbesian state of nature, where life is “poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. So it goes.

Politicians must politick, just as the cock must crow and the dog must bark. The PDP and other opposition parties have every right to play up these poverty figures and use them to attack the APC government. That is in order, as far as politics is concerned. You don’t see a political advantage and not use it, except you are not true to type. As I have said time and again, there is nothing PDP says against APC today that is not justified. APC came to power in 2015 by discrediting PDP, casting the party as incompetent and clueless. It is now the return leg for PDP — and they are having a ball casting APC as more incompetent and more clueless.

Politicking is the food of a democratic order.

Having said that, though, I am the least interested in the politics and counter politics of finger-pointing. Buhari can blame whoever he likes. Governors can say whatever they want.

PDP can gloat as loudly as they wish. APC can keep griping for all you care. That is none of my business. I am more interested in the way forward. It is those digging the grave that are ready to bury the dead; those crying are only

making a noise. So, what next? Now that we have what looks like a reliable dataset on the depth and width of poverty in our country, how do we get out of this hole? As we would say, “Nigeria has no business with poverty”. These depressing statistics should stir up something in us.

If we dispassionately look at the MPI indicators, we will have come to one conclusion: there is enough blame to go round. There are 15 indicators under four broad areas: health (nutrition, food security, time to healthcare); education (school attendance, years of schooling, school lag); living standards (water, water reliability, sanitation, housing materials, cooking fuel, assets); work and shocks (unemployment, underemployment, security-shock). If we look at them again, we will realise that many of these items fall under the shared ambit of federal and state governments.

In fact, most are under local councils. It is, thus, unhelpful to place the blame on just one tier of government.

Nigeria practises a very interesting strain of federalism where emphasis is always on the sharing of revenue rather than the discharge of responsibilities. We can attribute this mindset to the political economy. It is a zero-sum game, where my gain is your loss. Therefore, we are perpetually stuck with arguments over fiscal federalism, true federalism, resource control, derivation, and such like. The “kill and eat” political game will not end today or tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. I have resigned myself to that. However, there can be a third way where the focus of our conversations will be on how we can “cooperate” to tackle the poverty ravaging Nigerians and jeopardising the peace.

One fundamental fact that must guide our

thinking is that every poor Nigerian is a threat to all other Nigerians. It doesn’t matter what region or religion. The Boko Haram insurgency used to be seen as the problem of Borno state but, in reality, every Nigerian is affected. The billions of dollars we have been spending on securing and restoring the north-east could have been better spent on other items, especially education and healthcare. The impact of insecurity on agricultural activities has affected food prices nationwide. If we have this reality at the back of our minds, we will not need to be begged to accept that it is in the interest of the collective to tackle the poverty menace.

Even if we break up Nigeria — which many see as the ultimate solution to our national development challenges — the new entities will still not be safe from the spill-over effects of poverty and insecurity in their neighbouring countries. The US is rich, very rich, but Mexico that is not as rich has become its major headache, so much so President Donald Trump said he was going to build a wall to stem the inflow of migrants. A Yoruba proverb says a rich man in the midst of poor relatives is also a certified poor man. Boko Haram operating in Nigeria has remained a constant threat to the peace of Cameroon and Chad. That is why we should be guided. We need to rise above certain sentiments.

Several factors contribute to poverty and every tier of government must look in the mirror instead of pointing fingers. I was discussing with a minister recently and I was wowed by his take on healthcare which gave me a deeper perspective. He said healthcare is not just about the provision of hospitals, doctors, drugs and equipment. “Healthcare starts with the water you drink and the environment you live. If

the water is safe and the environment is clean, your chances of ending up in the hospital are reduced,” he said. “No country has enough hospital beds to cater for all its citizens at the same time, but keeping them out of hospitals is the key strategy.” In fact, infrastructure itself is healthcare.

How do we tackle the inequality in the land? How do we get more children off the streets and enrol them in schools? How do we improve the protein intake of schoolchildren so that their brains can develop properly? How can we make water available to the vulnerable?

How can we run an inclusive system that will not discriminate against women, children and people living with disabilities? How can the primary healthcare system work for the poor so that common ailments will be tackled and prevented from progressing to something irreversible or terminal? How can we secure lives and property? We need to sit down as a people to design and deploy the necessary interventions.

If you ask me, finding the solutions should be dominating national discourse. When we are done with politicking, gloating and blamesharing, we should put heads together to work out how to get out of this hole. Believe me, the problem will not solve itself. With Nigeria’s population ballooning every day, things can only continue to get worse if we do not wake up and smell the coffee. The Nigeria we have today is a product of the choices we made or failed to make yesterday.

If we do not change course and tact today, the Nigeria of tomorrow would be worse. If we are wise, our collective energies should be poured into addressing the multidimensional issues raised by the MPI.

And Four Other Things…

MERRY CHRISTMAS As a primary school kid, I used to look forward to Christmas. It was one season full of fun.

I enjoyed watching the re-enactment of the Nativity Story on Christmas Eve. I loved the Christmas carols, the new dress, the new shoes, the fake wristwatch, the “knockouts” (bangers), the jollof rice and the pounded yam.

Our uncles and aunts along with our cousins from far and wide always congregated in the village. It was certain we were going to be “dashed” some crisp naira notes. I enjoyed my Christmases to the fullest. I still live on those memories. I now spend my Christmas remembering and missing my grandmother!

Nevertheless, I wish all my readers a Merry Christmas. Felicitations.

BUHARI AT 80 On Friday evening, I attended the 80th birthday dinner of President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. A documentary on him, produced by Ose Oyamendan, the Nigerian-American filmmaker, was aired at the event. It brought back memories of Buhari’s promising presidential runs from 2003 to 2015. He clearly had the desire to make a difference. But, as he quickly discovered when he finally became president, Nigeria is a tough nut. While I believe that the country can be transformed, I am not deceiving myself that the job will be done by person or in the life of one administration. Buhari has left good footprints in infrastructural development, but the promised land is still far. Reality.

CASHLESS NIGERIANS The transition to the new naira, which is also expected to spur cashless transactions, has not taken off on a supersonic space from all indications. The new notes are still not readily available, suggesting that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) might not be ready. Yet, we have just five weeks left to dispense with the old notes. Meanwhile, electronic payment channels are not operating at optimal levels, apparently because of critical infrastructural challenges. Some transactions do not go through at all and the account holder will be debited. By and large, it will take time for the change to bed in. The CBN must reconsider its timelines, otherwise there would be serious chaos. Flexibility.

LORD HAVE MESSI! Do you believe in divine favour? I do. Lionel Messi, the football magician from Argentina, had the stars aligned in his favour to cap his glorious career with the game’s biggest prize.

Argentina unimaginably lost to Saudi Arabia in their first match and still went on to claim the World Cup after winning two penalty shoot-out lotteries. If Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani had scored in the dying minutes of the final, the story would have changed.

I have seen something else under the sun: the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all, says the Preacher. Favour.

interpret them, as we’ve grown accustomed to doing. Polling seems to be irrevocably broken, or at least our understanding of how seriously to take it is.”

In The Politico on the same day, Jake Sherman and Anna Palmer declared, rather dramatically, that: “The polling industry is a wreck, and should be blown up.”

Josh Clinton, a professor who co-leads the polling service of Vanderbilt University, was more tempered. There is need for more sophistication from pollsters and users of polls, stated Clinton who served as the chair a professional taskforce on the errors in the 2020 pre-election polls in the US. “The reality is that there are a lot of errors that can accumulate in a single poll, based upon small decisions about what you assume about voters—which can actually have enormous consequences within a polarised electorate,” he said.

“A bunch of small errors can end up producing consequential polling errors... One of the takeaways I hope people get from this report is that there are a lot of complexities that go into polling that are quite variable.”

According to Joseph Campbell, author of ‘Lost in a Gallup: Polling Failures in US Presidential Elections,’ the recent polling errors pale in comparison with the epic polling failures of 1936 and 1948. In 1936, the Literary Digest predicted a comfortable victory for Alf Landon over Franklin Roosevelt. Landon lost the presidential election by 24%.

The polling industry became more scientific after this fiasco, learning from the magnificent stumble by the Literary Digest which incidentally

had successfully predicted election results since 1924.

But the ‘scientific’ pollsters (including Crossley, Gallup, Roper) produced another polling fiasco in 1948 when they predicted that incumbent Harry Truman would lose to challenger Thomas E. Dewey. Truman went on to win the 1948 presidential election, and celebrated his victory by cheekily holding aloft a copy of the Chicago Daily Tribune newspaper with the screaming headline: “Dewey Defeats Truman.”

The point here is that pre-election polls do not have 100% accuracy record, even in a place with a long tradition of polling like the US and even with refinements to the science and art of polling over time. The only difference between America and a place like Nigeria is that polling errors pose different levels of risk.

In the US, the risk is the credibility of the pollsters and the polling industry. In Nigeria, the risk may be the credibility of the election, the legitimacy of the eventual winner and the possibility of breakdown of law and order after the elections. These are no mean risks.

But as stated above, not all polling errors, if and when they occur, arise from mischief or the desperation by some partisans to force the issue.

So, while it is expected that pollsters will be taken to task by partisans and others on their methodologies and motives, the best way to deal with possible collateral risks to the country from possible polling errors, whatever their provenance, is to ensure that the election is so clean that the real choice of the majority of actual voters will not be in doubt and the room for mischief is significantly narrowed or eliminated.

POLLSTERS AND THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL POLL skew the outcome.

The ways questions are framed and arranged and the perception of the expectations of the questioner/pollster may colour the responses.

This is called the framing effect. Leading questions may elicit predictable answers and respondents may tell pollsters what they think they want to hear.

Pollsters may thus get it wrong not because of their methodological error or evident bias but simply because they are misled by the respondents. Sometimes, this happens when respondents feel the need to save face.

For example, someone who doesn’t have a voter’s card and doesn’t intend to vote may lie that they intend to vote because that answer aligns with what is expected of a responsible citizen. Respondents may also deliberately mislead so as not to appear racist or tribalistic. This is called the Bradley effect or the Wilder effect.

Also, when there is a social or economic cost to disclosing their preference, some likely voters may say they are yet to decide even though they had made up their minds. In this case, they are masking their preference to avoid being shamed, being ‘dragged’ or being harmed.

The last and fifth caveat I want to share is that the record of pre-election polls has been spotty lately. Most of the pre-election polls in the 2022 presidential election in Kenya gave the lead to Raila Odinga who eventually lost to William Ruto. In the 2016 Brexit vote, the pollsters got it wrong too.

Also, pollsters were blindsided about the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election in 2016 and they overstated the support for Joe Biden while understating the support

Peter Obi

for Trump in the 2020 election. These errors are significant because the US is the gold standard on public opinion polling.

These back-to-back errors on presidential elections elicited a lot of handwringing and soul-searching within and outside the polling community in the US. For example, Gallup Polls decided to stop doing pre-election polling and concentrate fully on public opinion polls.

Writing in her column in the Washington Post of 4th November 2020, Margaret Sullivan stated that “we should never again put as much stock in public opinion polls, and those who

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 25, 2022 • T H I S D AY

SUNDAY DECEMBER 25, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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“It is disheartening that a country that claims to spend $40m daily on petrol subsidy cannot still make the product available to its people.

This is clear evidence that the monies are going into private pockets ahead of elections at the expense of Nigerians” – The presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, promising Nigerians that they won’t spend 2023 Christmas queuing for petrol, if elected next year.

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The Blame Game over Our Poverty Shame

W

hen you are told there is a problem, what is your response? There is the “ntor” corner that will usually gloat: we told you so, we warned you, serves you right, etcetera.

There is the corner that amplifies the problem with the help of innovative superlatives and unrivalled adjectives. In another corner, they are more interested in the statistics for data analysis. In yet another corner, they are asking: so, what next? What is the solution? What shall we do to be saved? Can we apply A, B, C and D to tackle this challenge? I would say every corner serves a purpose in any society, no matter how negative some sound. In fact, this world will be quite boring if everybody is in the same corner.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the 2022 multidimensional poverty index (MPI) survey in November with its very disturbing figures staring us in the face. We have a problem, a big problem. As many as 133 million Nigerians are classified as “multidimensionally poor” in the report. This is not to be confused with World Bank’s international poverty line (IPL) which uses an income below $1.90 per day (up from the $1 pre-2015) as the benchmark for measuring poverty. There is also the human development

Buhari

index (HDI) of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) which uses a combination of per capita income, life expectancy and education to measure poverty.

The 2022 MPI goes much farther by deepening the definition. It includes indicators such as

how quickly a Nigerian can receive medical attention as well as access to cooking fuel and pre-primary education. It goes beyond the monetary measurement of poverty to the multidimensional aspects — which will not only tell us that people are poor but also list factors that predispose them to poverty. It highlights child poverty and picks up the physical and cognitive aspects of early childhood development — undernutrition, immunisation and intellectually stimulating activities. The gruesome figure from the rural areas is that 90 percent of the children are experiencing poverty. This is brutal.

The 2022 MPI provides several intriguing data. The poorest Nigerians, by percentage, live in Sokoto state, where the multidimensional poverty rate is 91 percent. Nine out of every 10 Sokoto residents are multidimensionally poor.

This contrasts with Ondo, where the figure is 27 percent. It doesn’t mean Ondo state plays host to the richest Nigerians, but that it has the lowest percentage of Nigeria’s poor. In absolute figures rather than percentages, Kano state takes the dubious cake with 10.5 million residents classed as multidimensionally poor. Just imagine that the entire population of UAE is 9.8 million.

Abia has the least multidimensionally poor with 1.1 million (Ondo has 1.3 million).

Again, it should not be surprising that the most deprived people live in rural areas — 72

percent of them are poor, according to the MPI. For the urban areas, 42 percent are poor. The report says 70 percent of Nigerians live in rural areas. That means eight out of 10 of them are considered multidimensionally poor. If we go by the regional data, the north is by far poorer than the south: nearly seven in every 10 poor Nigerians live up there. If we go state by state, either by population or percentage, the poorest states are in the north. All poverty surveys always place northern Nigeria, specifically states in the north-west and the north-east, at the top of the most afflicted areas.

This is not the whole story, though. Bayelsa, the smallest oil-rich state in population, is among the “intensely poor” in terms of proportion. This is a bit surprising. In the sharing of federally collected revenue in Nigeria, Bayelsa should rate as the highest per capita. The state has a difficult terrain which makes building infrastructure a little bit more expensive, but this cannot satisfactorily explain the nutritional poverty and the lack of access to healthcare. Rather than play the terrain card, the Bayelsa government would do well to look deeper into the problem and see how it can deploy more effective strategies to tackle the multidimensional poverty. Bayelsa sticks out like a sore thumb.

Continued on page 53

WAZIRIADIO Pollsters and the 2023 Presidential Poll POSTSCRIPT

W

ith still two months before the 2023 landmark presidential election in Nigeria, a string of pollsters has consistently put Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the lead, generating excitement and condemnation on different sides of the political divide.

For those who celebrate these pre-election polls, Mr. Obi’s consistent lead aptly captures the current mood in the country and is proof-positive that Nigeria is certainly headed for a historic, third-party electoral upset early next year.

But there are others who strongly disagree with these polls, querying not just their accuracy as measures of the political reality of the country or as predictors of voting patterns next year but also questioning the methods and the motives of the pollsters.

Both sides cannot be right. However, we will not know which side is right for sure until the votes are cast and counted in February. Ahead of the clarity that late February will offer, it is important to provide some caveats that some of the pollsters and the partisans are not obliging the rest of us.

The first is that there is nothing wrong in

being a partisan pollster, contrary to accusations by a side of the divide. Most of the professional pollsters in the United States of America have political leanings. This does not detract from the rigour of their methods or of the robustness of their findings.

In any case, all serious parties and candidates will have their internal polls which they use in making critical decisions about where to allocate time and resources so as to either maintain their lead or give themselves a fighting chance in the race.

When a poll is meant for public consumption, however, the political leaning or preference of the pollster should be clearly disclosed. This does not necessarily take anything away from the poll itself but it affords the end users the opportunity to know what discounts to apply.

The second caveat is that even the most accurate pre-election polls are time-bound: they only attempt to approximate voters’ expressed preference if the elections were held that day.

But things can change quickly in politics.

Even a poll undertaken a few days before the election may not align with the outcome of the election. And this may not necessarily be because the pollster’s methodology or motive is suspect or because the election is manipulated.

It may just be because a day is a long time in politics. Some voters change their minds often, some voters don’t decide until late in the day, and some consequential event may swing a sizeable portion of the electorate.

The third caveat is that election polling is not just science but also art. Pollsters try to answer two key questions: who is likely to vote and who they are likely to vote for. Accurately gauging voters’ turnout can be tricky, more than what the most robust sampling methods can predict.

Sophisticated pollsters deploy patterns and even models to arrive at considered decisions on expected turnout. They may be right or wrong.

This is more art than science. An unanticipated change in the turnout of some demographic groups can significantly alter the eventual outcome of the election.

Experienced politicians know that voter turnout is a critical success factor. That is why they invest a lot in get-out-the-voters drives, stylised as GOTV campaigns. This is also the reason some politicians deploy the dark tactic of vote repression.

The fourth caveat is that pre-election opinion polls can get it wrong for so many technical/ non-technical and deliberate/non-deliberate reasons. Let’s start with the obvious: some polls

are thinly-disguised campaign materials merely dressed up as scientific polling, designed to shape or influence the outcome of the elections.

The intention here is signalling to create a bandwagon effect, especially where voters don’t like wasting their votes.

But not all the polls that get it wrong set out to manipulate. Some just get their samples wrong. Sampling is what differentiates a poll from a census, and having a sample that is representative of the polled population is very critical to the accuracy of polls. This in turn is a function of having an up-t-date database of likely voters, the sample size and the sampling method.

This is why a poll conducted online or with an app may strain to pass the representativeness test as this by default leads to the overrepresentation and the under-representation of some demographic groups. This is the same issue with using respondents from a state as the sample for a politically and religiously diverse zone.

The willingness of respondents to participate in pre-election polls may also affect the representativeness of the sample and may Continued on page 53

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